Blockage

Dionisus's heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation. The carriage had come to a halt just at the edge of the treacherous frozen lake. The icy area stretched out before them, its surface shimmering under the pale moonlight. The frozen bodies of water were like jagged shards of glass embedded in the icy landscape, presenting a formidable barrier in the group's path.

Quickly, he came back to the group carrying the bad news along with him. He flung the door of the carriage open, and consecutively told his companions about what he had just discovered. "I saw a huge frozen lake blocking our passage. We will have to maneuver around it to reach the kingdom"

Edward nodded and subsequently stepped out of the carriage clutching a torch tightly in his hand. With careful movements, he approached the weary horses, offering them a refreshing drink of water before guiding them to face the left side of the vast frozen lake. The man headed back inside, His gaze never wavered from the icy margin of the frozen lake, his senses alert for any signs of danger lurking in the darkness.

Edward sat across from Dionisus, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Tell me more about those eyes of yours," he inquired, his tone gentle yet insistent. Dionisus felt a wave of shock wash over him, realizing that he had unintentionally revealed something he wished to keep hidden. His eyes desperately darted away, avoiding Edward's penetrating gaze.

"Uh... well, I don't know much about it. Its A unique trait I was born with, I... I just know I can see incredibly well... even if it's in complete darkness." Dionisus mumbled, Edward's expression softened, sensing Dionisus' unease. "I didn't mean to pry, my friend," he said, his voice soothing. "Your eyes are fascinating, a gift that sets you apart. But I understand if it's a sensitive topic. You don't have to share if you're not comfortable. Sorry if I made you embarrassed, young man."

"It's alright, It was stupid of me to reveal this so casually." The young man answered. They shared a handshake momentarily and sat back down in the comfortable seats of the carriage.

"What happened out there? Why did the horses stop?" Elizabeth who had just woken up said. Breaking the cold silence of the atmosphere. "There is a frozen lake up ahead according to Dionisus. We will have to change directions." Edward retorted.

"That wasn't in our path before, why is it here now." She insisted once again. Edward looked out the window before quickly returning his attention back to the question. "We made a decision to restock in the village earlier, which led us on a different path. It was a necessary choice, considering the additional companion we welcomed. But it seems the consequence of that decision has brought us face to face with this frozen lake."

Elizabeth's eyes widened in realization, her lips parting slightly in a silent "oh." The logic behind the decision now made sense to her, and she understood the trade-off they had made. With a shared determination, the group began discussing their next steps. Ideas were exchanged, maps were consulted, and strategies were formulated.

Dionisus listened attentively, his mind soaking in the knowledge and suggestions being shared. He marveled at the collective intelligence and problem-solving skills of his companions. It was clear that each member had their unique perspectives and experiences to contribute to the discussion.

"Hey, Edward can I see the sword again?" Dionisus asked. He wanted to understand those cryptic writings, even if he were to faint again. Edward hesitated for a moment, contemplating the potential risks and consequences.

He understood Dionisus' curiosity and the importance of unraveling the mysteries surrounding the markings on his sword. However, he also recalled the previous incident when Dionisus fainted upon examining the enigmatic writings.

"Be careful, Dionisus," Edward cautioned, his voice tinged with concern. "We don't fully comprehend the nature of these markings and their effects on you. Proceed with caution and listen to your body. If you start feeling overwhelmed, let us know immediately."

Ultimately, Edward spread out his arm and handed the young man the blade. Dionisus nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation, he extended his hand hesitantly. The young man examined the hilt of the blade thoroughly, yet this time he didn't faint nor was he able to comprehend any of the weird scribes.

The 'voice' in his mind wasn't there anymore as well. "Weird, I can't understand anything this time." He whispered to himself, Hector, who was beside him, heard his complains but decided to keep it to himself.

"Well, can you explain to me more about this magic of yours?" Dionisus interrogated his friend. Edward looked Dionisus in the eye and said, "I dont know much about what the markings mean at all, but I do know the basics." He went on, "Magic as you just called it consists of two things combined, this secret language which most people dont even understand and 'Covetia.' An energy source which allows us to produce magic. "

"The markings illustrate different abilities, for example. the markings around my hilt are the result of mixture between a T and a X. Apparently they mean fire or flames in this language." Edward continued, "Being etched on my sword means I dont need to use 'Covetia' to activate the powers. The thing where the marks are upon also change the way of use, example, if you were to carve it in your skin, it would be a much more powerful type of fire, but it would require a substantial amount of 'Covetia', and would possess major drawbacks."

Dionisus confessed, "I think I understood most of what you just told me, except what this 'Covetia' thing comes from." Edward shrugged, "Neither do I." They both shared a laugh for a few seconds. By now they had already begun growing on each other, finally beginning to understand the surface level of how each thought and acted.