MEMORIES OF THE PAST

The eastern wind braces its strong apparel on an evergreen cliff, seated by the steep flat edge was Elroy - looking a bit mature, he sets his gaze below, admiring the Southern kingdom, Sirilon; separated from the bottom of the cliff by a lake.

It has been three years since his rescue from Slavers task, it took some months to recover his shape and mental alertness - Aria made sure of that, always interested in Elroy, most especially taking care of him yet Elroy didn't mind her one bit, his aim was clear; hone his skills, become more experienced, track Orlanda Ramsey down and put the souls of Linda and Luna to rest.

And how far he was already, being a new member of the Morning star didn't stop Elroy, he had taken down several men in the mid-southern lands that ruled in wickedness and enslaved others. The highest feat he accomplished so far was taking down a terrible bandit gang that terrorized the main Southern lands, earning him the name 'Shadow of Ruins' for he was swift and his reflex second to none, nothing could stop him each time he wield his Falchion sword; single-edged sword having a slight curve towards the tip, and his pointy long knife, sharp and well made.

"May I enjoy this blissful..."

"Suit yourself." Elroy interrupted before Aria could finish her speech.

"Always so cold," she makes herself comfortable beside Elroy, "how long will you hold unto Luna's death?"

"Until her murderer dies by my sword," Elroy spoke with eagerness.

"How sure are you he still lives?"

"I see him in my dreams."

"Luna also," Aria included, influencing Elroy to scowl at her.

"Who was she to you?" Aria asked with a smirk, "your lover?"

"More of my sister and a close friend, I won't rest till every member of the Purifier creed..."

"Woo!" Aria interrupted, "hold on avenger, you want to take on single handily the Purifier creed?"

"Yes" Elroy affirmed.

Aria laughed out for a while, "What association does Luna's death have with this group?"

"Luna's murderer is their leader."

"Boy you really have a death wish, let's say you finally go ahead with your plans, where from?"

"I have a clue, I recall hearing the name Jerrod Rooks and Riana."

"Riana? The kingdom of Riana in the Western lands?"

"So that's it, I thought it was a regular name, thank you."

"It is now certain, you are officially a chump Elroy, revenge won't get you anywhere."

"This is justice."

"No! What the Morning Star does is justice; you are being blinded by vengeance."

"He killed his wife and daughter," Elroy snapped

"But here you are alive and well, did you for once think, just maybe, what if there's more to life than defeating Luna's murderer."

Aria suggested which sparked a slight conviction in Elroy, keeping him silent.

"Do you think it's what Luna wants for you? Revenge is a fool's way of justice, it only leads to a cycle of vengeance ending in more death and misfortune."

"They deserved better." Elroy lowered his head, his heart weary and his eyes heavy.

"Cheer up Elroy," she crosses her hand over his shoulder, "enjoy this free life God has given us." She waves her hand in the air as though tracing out something.

"God?" He scoffs

"Oh for pit sake," Aria shoves Elroy off the cliff.

Elroy yelled as he falls down the cliff until he was submerged in the lake, then he brought out his head breathing heavily.

"I'll...I'll kill you Aria." He screamed out, his voice echoing up.

"Love you too Elroy." Aria yelled out with a bright smile.

BEGINNING OF THE END

Clan of Aroda

The streets of Aroda were bright as dusk even with the full fledged darkness, for it was lighted up by flame lantern posts on various end of the clan, the clan guards watched the streets in pairs of two, making sure all was fine.

The compound, also the place where the mistress of the Clan stays is a wide dry place surrounded by a waist high fence of sticks, it had a chalet and a long cottage in it. In front of the chalet Elroy was seated, polishing his sword, mumbling indistinctly - he was told to guard the mistress, the lady who welcomed them; while team-five went out to search for the Succilin.

Sensing someone had been staring, Elroy stopped what he was doing. "How long have you been there?"

"Just for a short while," the mistress spoke from a corner, "may I join you?"

"If you wish, besides I'll only bore you."

"It's better than being alone," she walks over then sits beside Elroy, "I presume you are from Urania."

Elroy quickly turns his attention towards the lady, alert and ready for any false moves, knowing fully well that guess has more to it.

"That's too perfect to be presumed." Elroy glared at her intently.

"Your high sense of smell gave you out."

"How did you even know that?"

"You were able to tell the ingredients used in the soup this afternoon."

"Fair enough," Elroy was at ease, still weighing his suspicion.

"Besides, my grandma stayed in a town close to Urania, I think it was called Etrigon."

"Both towns are now in the past." Elroy now understood how she knew.

"So I heard, I'm Elisa Lizzy by the way," she offers her hand to Elroy.

"Elroy," he accepts her hand, "how did you get to be the mistress of this town."

"My mother left Etrigon after her parents died from starvation so she could live, the chieftain of this clan found her and I'm the result of their love. Not long ago a disease that plagued this clan took their lives."

"You've had your share of worst days." Elroy chuckled.

"I can say the same for you," Elisa spoke worriedly, staring ardently into Elroy's eyes, "I've been gifted with a third sight and your life is on the wrong course."

Elroy stared back into her eyes and was caught in the beauty and splendour of her sapphire eyes.

"I see a valley of dry bones stained with wasted effort," Elisa declared grazing her fingers on Elroy's cheek, "never fear death, fear a life were suffering and loss is death."

"Elroy" A familiar female voice called from a distance, but Elroy was lost in thought, he couldn't resist Elisa's gaze.

"Elroy!" The voice called again snapping Elroy as well as Elisa came back to their selves.

"Elroy" Elroy immediately straightened up then turns to see Mira and Karin running towards him, wielding their blades.

"What happened?" Elroy asked, bereft of what was going on.

"Did anyone come by?" Karin asked as she catches his breath.

"No, I was alone with Elisa."

"We found another copse in the forest and the culprit fleeing the scene." Mira added.

"No one came by," Elisa assured.

"We chased her here," Mira spoke confidently as she glared at Elisa with doubt, "But I lost her scent."

"I assure you, no one came by." Elroy proposed.

"Let's keep looking, come with me El, Karin search this surrounding." Mira ordered

"On it," Karin agreed then went on her way, while Elroy followed Mira.