Then suddenly, everyone stopped riding at the older sorcerer’s command.

“What is it, Dad?” Asked Leo.

“We need to be sure it is safe to press on,” His father responded. “Everyone be silent for a moment.”

Leo and his friends watched quietly for what was to come next. Fredrick placed his hands together, readying himself to perform a spell. As his palms separated, a sphere formed in between, slowly expanding to space around it. The older sorcerer later launched the sphere flying forward to the very exit before them all.

“I’ve never seen that spell before,” Kazu whispered.

“Neither have I,” Celine muttered back. “I wonder what it’s called.”

“‘Celestial Seeker’,” Leo blurted matter-of-factly. “And it’s an Avinerian spell.”

Leo’s friends became disappointed, knowing exactly what that meant. Certain spells were performed by magic wielders with blood from either of the six kingdoms. And from what Leo knew, “Celestial Seeker” was one of those apparent spells. It was first crafted in spotting potential dangers that laid ahead from a safe distance. Though, he wondered what his father could be seeing on the other end of the forest road. Yet, when the sphere flew back to Fredrick, he let out a loud gasp heard by the others.

“What’s wrong?!” Akira asked in concern. “What did you see?”

“Avinerian soldiers,” replied Fredrick seriously. “They are battling… a rather beast-like creature I am not familiar with.”

It’s known for Avinerian soldiers for patrolling the roads to its nation. And anything “beast-like” was really no surprise for those living in the Sylvinan territory. But by the tone of his Fredrick’s voice, and fear on his face, meant it wasn’t at all ordinary. As far as Leo knew, he’s never once seen that sort of expression on his father’s face.

“W-What did the creature look like?” Celine wondered nervously.

“I don’t know…,” Fredrick paused for a proper response. “Almost as though it were born from the darkest of magic.”

“Then, should we turn back and warn the village?” worried Leo.

Fredrick began pondering on the decision. Returning to alert the people in Sanctum about the situation clearly was the better option. However, the older sorcerer could not ignore the disappointment growing on his only son’s face. So, as the result of his decision, he came up with only one thing…

“No,” Fredrick answered. “You three will continue on without us.”

“What!?”

The trio shouted in unison as they stare baffled at the older sorcerer. Even Akira was so dumbfounded he couldn’t bring himself to object his friend’s decision. Fredrick smiled seeing their reactions of disbelief before he climbed down his horse. Leo, Kazu, and Celine were still silent, watching him search the ground for something. When he stopped, the older sorcerer looked to the woods, recalling a moment from his past.

“I never told you lot this,” he began to explain, “But I was once attacked by Avinerian soldiers in my earlier years.”

“Really?” Leo questioned. “How come you never told me this?”

“You were still a small cub at the time, Leo,” clarified his father. “And what you all will see is what made it not happened again.”

Neither his son nor the other two knew what Fredrick was talking about. They waited for the older sorcerer to say more, but instead fell silent as to what came next. His arms extended to the fauna before him, letting the magic flow from his palms. Then, that same magical energy appeared, covering the area of trees and bushes before him. Leo, Kazu, and Celine were more stunned by what was happening in front of them. When only seconds had gone by, Fredrick swung his arms across and shouted…

“Unveil!”

All plant life opposite of the older sorcerer faded from existence. What appeared before them was now a long, dirt path that stretched through the woods. Leo climbed off Ariel to join his father and take a closer look at the road with his own eyes. It seemed all too real, as it did for Kazu and Celine, who were quiet through most of it. The younger sorcerer crouched down and placed his hand to where supposed foliage was. Fredrick smiled amusingly as Leo got up, turning to the man with utter disbelief.

“W-Where did this…?”

“I fashioned this with the chief and other villagers,” Fredrick clarified. “It took us over four months to complete.”

“And the work was hell!” Added Akira with a groan. “I was pulling tree trunks from the ground after they’d been cut down.”

Leo merely furrowed a brow at his uncle for that pointless comment. Same did Kazu and Celine, which caused the former Kagemusha to seize in talking. Then, the younger sorcerer looked again to the passage, wondering what was on the other side.

“Where does this passage lead to?” He questioned his father.

“Outside the main road of Stone Cross,” responded Fredrick. 

To be continued...