Here we go

Arthur did not speak for a long time, he was in deep contemplation. Ever since he fought with Dreigh in the battle of Luellia and Glasfale everything had started to change. His monotonous life had suddenly gained momentum and he was able to move forward. He also did things which were out of character for him, leaving his mission without reporting to Luellia, loitering around the military institute and even secretly entering Dreigh's room like a stalker. It was a series of events he had no control of.

Looking back at what happened for the past months, he even went as far as to save them from that general's rampage. He was supposed to be only a bystander but the moment he felt his master's presence he did not think twice and saved them. He even joined them in this ridiculous journey and acted as the leader. He shook his head and sighed deeply, these circumstances is baffling even to hilm.

Karina waited for Arthur to speak and did not rush him. She silently watched the once energetic young man before her as he was lost in thought. His maturity was good news and if Apollo would see him right now, he would be proud.

"I also don't know," Arthur turned his gaze to Karina and she saw confusion in there but there was also a hint of anticipation and excitement which brought her back to the younger Arthur. Karina smiled and did not ask anymore. She would just wait for Arthur to figure it all out since she was sure that he would tell her then.

"That Dreigh Straut, what's wrong with him?" she changed the subject instead.

Arthur tilted his head to the side in question, "what do you mean?"

"I just felt that he is not an ordinary person," she simply answered before they fell silent once again.

"I don't have enough information about him and certainly he is not an ordinary person since he is a remnant, together with those two so what do you expect?" Arthur answered in a matter of fact voice.

"That's not what I mean," Karina can't figure out how to continue and explain what she meant and if felt like Arthur was avoiding the topic also. "Alright them I will not ask anymore."

They stared out into nowhere for a few more minutes before they decided to return to the cave. Karina set up a water barrier around their resting place concealing the cave. The water barrier reflected the trees and blended with the environment so that they would don't need to worry about any attacks. For added security, Arthur dispatched some of his wind spirits to act as bodyguards outside the barrier and they would immediately inform him if any unwanted creatures are making their way towards where they were.

No one asked what they had talked about after they came back. They all went to sleep that night without worries for the first time in their journey. The next day, they woke up before the sun could rise and had a simple breakfast of stew.

The group started to walk south and followed Karina. During the journey Karina was talkative and talked nonstop. She had too many stories that amazed the other four remnants and made Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have a specific location for the light spirit?" Arthur asked while they were resting.

"Yes, according to the legend, this light spirit resides to the south of this forest. There is a particular area there that no humans had ever ventured because of its unusual aura and the area would often cause any human to hallucinate and lose their mind. People had even started to call it Forest of Phantasm" Karina explained as she pointed to the direction where they are headed.

"Are we going to be fine once we enter that place?" Vira asked with a hint of trepidation on his voice. He hated any place that was dark or places that can damage the mind because his mental resilience was not good.

"We will be fine don't worry about anything. I'll make sure that no hallucinations will befall us once we reach the place, so be at ease." Karina smiled at them with confidence.

Arthur spoke from the side to validate Karina's words, "her affinity is water and with her water spirits she could not be affected by any mind magic unless the caster is of a much higher level than her, the water spirits she can command had a unique ability to shield anyone from a mental attack."

With those words, the four remnants were a little bit assured. They continued on their journey and reached the outer edge of the Forest of Phantasm and true to the stories, the place felt a little bit eerie but at the same time not. It was a mixture of something peaceful and something malevolent.

"I think it's better to stay here for the night since we do not know what is inside. It's better to venture inside during the day." Karina suggested after she roamed her gaze around the area. "Arthur, let your wind spirits do their work while we look for a place to rest."

They roamed around outside to study the situation and encountered some low leveled shadows scattered around but there were no other living things to be seen. They found a relatively close place to spend the night. Karina immediately set up a barrier to conceal them from any unwanted creatures.

"Stay here, I will continue to scout the area. Don't attempt to leave the encirclement or you'll definitely face disaster." Karina warned them before she left, the smile on her face was gone as she seriously reminded them of the dangers around the barrier.

Karina used her water spirit to protect herself while she roamed around and noted of the directions where an exit would be possible just in case they needed to escape. She made several rounds before she was satisfied. While noting the possible exits, she did not forget to take note of the creatures they might face inside the area.

Arthur found the concealment and entered only to see that the four remnants were the only people inside, "where is Karina?"

"She left a while ago to scout the area, I think she would be returning anytime soon," Vira answered while concentrating on the fire they made and keeping himself warm.

Arthur nodded and sat beside them. He leaned on the wall and closed his eyes without speaking further. The place fell into silence when they heard a movement from outside. Karina entered the concealment and sat down. She drank water provided by her water spirit and took a deep breath.

"What's the situation?" Arthur asked with his eyes still closed.

"I've found some possible exits points and noted of creatures we might encounter inside. There are also a number of shadows loitering outside but I did not see any Bloom Stage Shadows." Karina explained while she drew a map on the ground and marked the possible point of exits for them to remember.

"They'll come. Those kinds of shadows have less resistance to the bright light of that light spirit," Arthur opened his eyes and looked at them with confidence.

Karina raised an eyebrow, "Wow this is the first time I've seen you so smug after so many years."

"This is called confidence, it's not smugness!" Arthur roared and gave Karina a glare. It's irritating for him to see Karina's teasing looks and to hear her teasing banters.

"Have you noticed? Arthur became more talkative and somewhat childish ever since Karin appeared?" a whisper was heard inside the silent area. All the people around heard this words and a fuming Arthur strode towards the man who said those words.

"I never thought that you'd have the courage to suddenly talk nonsense," Arthur's face was so dark that he appears to be like an insane person.

Enso was startled and pushed himself back, "I-I didn't mean to…" he closed his eyes and awaited any pain but nothing happened. He opened his eyes and saw that Arthur was only glaring at him.

"Say that again and I'll make sure that you would not survive," he walked away and settled himself a little bit far from them. Karina shrugged her shoulders while the other remnants fell silent.

They spent the night without a hitch and at the first rays of light they were already on their way towards the Forest of Phantasm with Karina's water spirits concealing them from all the scattered shadows. They calmly walked past shadows and officially entered the forest. The atmosphere visibly changed at their entrance and no signs of life could be felt. The place was eerie, this fact was right.

The mixed energy inside was so thick that even with the water spirits around them they could still feel the oppressive force in that place. They did not stop and continued to move forward but they did not see anything that seems to the light spirit. No life, no movement, everything in that place was like frozen in time. It was uncomfortable and slowly they could feel a sudden heavy feeling in their hearts.