*San's POV

There are six hours left until 9 a.m. That should be enough to prepare everything. Maybe even take a short nap so that the start of the journey won't be too exhausting. But after everything that's happened, it's hard to even close my eyes.

Actually, it's not that difficult, but I think it's impossible to fall asleep. Too many things are bothering my mind. Too many emotions are surfacing. Even if I force myself to close my eyes, all I'll get is a feeling of fatigue.

After leaving Seon's room, we didn't talk. Layla walked ahead with her head down, while Kevin followed behind me. Outside the Main House, when we reached the path leading to the tent area, Kevin grabbed my shoulder, pulled me roughly, and punched me in the face.

The punch wasn't too hard, but it was enough to shock me, making me fall and taste blood in my mouth. He stared at me coldly then with his fists clenched. I figured it was only a matter of time before another blow landed on my body. "So you're going to kill me now?"

"I'm pretty sure I want." He then crouched down in front of me. "Do you think I don't know what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, don't play dumb. I know more about protective magic than you do."

His statement made the taste of blood in my mouth turn bitter. I had sensed that Kevin wouldn't let the issue in Seon's room end there. I never imagined there was another reason that made him upset, one that I hoped no one else in Calmora knew.

"You're scared," Kevin said softly. "I can see it. The reason you're going to Minerva is because you have no place left here."

I'm looking for Layla. The girl had disappeared. She didn't even look back as Kevin punched me; she just kept walking.

Kevin gently touched my shoulder, but I felt like he could electrocute me at any moment. "Listen, I don't care about Minerva. War will happen even if the kingdom stays intact. But I'm not going to kill you now. I don't want to wait any longer for the next Enigma bearer to be born."

I frowned, wiping the remaining blood from my mouth. "Then what do you want?"

"I believe in Layla. If she says you need to go to Minerva, then you have to go there. If you change your mind and run away, I'll find you and drag you there even if it's too late."

Kevin stood up, his gentle touch turning into a rough grip. He still glared at me. "You've already disappointed Layla. The next time you make her cry… you'll die."

***

The warmth of the sunlight burned my face, along with a gentle touch on my cheek. Then a blurry vision as my eyes slowly opened.

Layla crouched beside me. Her face was serious and expressionless. She wore a dark green jacket over a Calmora t-shirt. On her back, she carried a medium-sized brown bag that looked full. Her white hair was tied with a blue cloth that matched the color of her eyes.

"We have to go," she said briefly. "Kevin and the Director are already waiting."

It took me a moment to gather my thoughts and process all the information at once. I didn't quite remember what happened after Kevin left. I guess I just lay down on the grass, staring blankly at the sky like some of the other Weavers, and then my consciousness faded, and I fell asleep unintentionally.

I woke up and sat up, rubbing my face to fully shake off the sleepiness. "I'm not ready yet."

"I know." Layla moved another brown backpack resting against her feet closer to me. "I've packed everything: A bottle of water, blankets, a change of clothes, and a desert cloak."

The backpack was the same shape as the one on Layla's back. When I lifted it, it felt weightless.

"And two pieces of bread for two days," she added. "Hoping we'll find other food along the way."

"Thank you," I replied, standing and slinging the bag over my shoulder.

Layla also stood up, but she didn't immediately walk away. She observed me with a worried expression for a moment before turning away. "Let's go."

I followed Layla by her side. We passed several Weavers still sleeping on the grass. Even though the morning sky was bright and cloudy, the air smelled like wood smoke.

As we entered the southern forest, the ground was still a bit muddy, but I managed to avoid the protruding roots. The forest vegetation in the south was filled with various thick-stemmed plants, towering high with dense foliage above.

We walked at a medium pace. Not hurried, even though Layla had said they were already waiting for us. There was no conversation, but it wasn't entirely silent either. The rumbling of the sky and the distant song of birds filled the emptiness.

When we encountered a large fallen trunk, we had no choice but to climb over it. Layla went up first and helped me. With each tree's diameter almost as wide and tall as a portal, the tree trunk was quite an obstacle on the only path made.

I hadn't taken this path before. I just realized there was an easier way, without moss and slippery stones. Just when I thought the awkwardness would continue until we arrived, Layla said something.

"Are you okay?"

I looked at her. Though she was still avoiding my gaze, I learned one thing—the meaning behind her worried expression when she looked at me. "You didn't leave last night. You saw everything."

Layla didn't seem surprised. "I'm sorry. I was afraid it would only make things worse."

For some reason, I could understand that. "I think Kevin is right. I'm just a loser who happens to have this power. Maybe Solaris would be better if I weren't the Enigma bearer."

"Maybe Solaris would be destroyed faster if you weren't the bearer."

At the end of the path, the giant banyan tree came into view. The path of dim light emerging from the cracks in its trunk glowed and faded alternately, like breathing. On the ground beneath it, the strange patterns were more apparent, carved deeper into the wet earth. The four stone braziers surrounding it looked cleaner, without moss or dead leaves filling their crevices.

Seon and Kevin stood outside the circle of patterns. The Director was still wearing his white shirt, even though it was covered in dust and black streaks. Meanwhile, Kevin wore a gray robe similar to a toga over a long-sleeved white shirt. He also wore short black pants over tight black trousers, along with tall brown boots that covered his ankles. He carried a sling bag tightly strapped to his back. I had no idea where he hid the iron rod. Maybe, like Layla, he also brought a magical bag under his gray robe.

"Everything's ready, Layla," the Director said, welcoming us, still trying to sound calm, though his face didn't show it.

Layla walked and stopped right in front of the circle of patterns. She pulled a magical dagger from her jacket.

Then she removed the bandage on her left hand and made a new cut. Blood began to flow. Layla crouched down and placed her hand on the ground. As the blood soaked into the earth, a blue glow slowly appeared. No particles of light floated in the air. The light flowed through the pattern lines like water running down a hill. At the same time, orbs of light appeared above each brazier, burning with a bright blue flame. As the entire carved pattern filled with light, the roots of the giant banyan tree reacted. The glow from the cracks in its trunk seemed to resonate with Layla's magic, shining brighter as a strong wind blew.

I raised my hand to shield my face from the wind and the glare. The light grew brighter, enveloping the entire tree. Just when I thought the power would explode, the banyan tree had already transformed into a pillar of white light. It hummed softly with a more stable gust of wind.

Layla stood up, panting, her face covered in sweat. She rewrapped the bandage on her left hand and then grinned at me. "You won't see something like this anywhere else."

Kevin approached and helped Layla treat the wound on her hand. I was still stunned, staring at the portal that had just formed. Unlike the one in the valley before, this pillar of light didn't reach up to the sky. Maybe only a few meters from the ground, as I could still see the top of the tree.

"Opening a portal usually requires elements from all four," said the Director beside me. "But Layla has a unique magical power. Even so, the patterns I carved and the four braziers represent all those elements. The effect can reduce the energy Layla has to expend."

Despite all the Director's explanations, Layla looked quite pale. I wasn't sure how much energy it took to open the portal.

"Now it's your turn," said Seon.

I almost forgot the most important part. The dagger was still in my pocket. Although I couldn't imagine how this tool would reveal the location of the First Star, I still took it out. Doing the same thing Layla did to her palm. As my blood stained the thin blade, some information magically absorbed into my mind. I could clearly see an image of the place in my head.

Following Seon's instructions, I slowly walked toward the portal, stepping carefully over the magical patterns. In front of the portal, I moved my injured hand, touching the surface of the white light. At first, I thought it would feel solid, but my hand passed through it effortlessly, as if the massive trunk that once stood there had completely vanished. The portal felt cold, like dipping my hand into freezing water. I closed my eyes and began to imagine the place.

A vast desert, with distant sand dunes. A cloudless sky, and a man with long, tied-back hair. Then the humming of the portal before me grew louder, as the color of its light began to change.No longer white, it was now dominated by a golden hue, like the sands reflecting sunlight.

I stepped back a few paces, awestruck. My left hand, which I had plunged into the portal, wasn’t wet. The coldness lingered, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

Seon cleared his throat, drawing our attention. He smiled this time. The owner of Calmora looked at each of us in turn, his face showing something faint, perhaps nostalgia or guilt. Then he bowed, his smile now tinged with irony. "It might be too late, but... I'm sorry for placing this burden on you. I'll do everything I can to find allies. Until then..." he paused briefly. "Don't die. At least, don't die when you're feeling hopeless. Do it without any regrets."

Don't die, two words that sounded like a prayer. A hope for safety during the journey, but also, a reminder that the chances of success on this mission were quite hard. A reminder that the worst might be unavoidable. Also, a reminder that even with Elemental powers, Weavers were no different from humans. Death always waits, anywhere and in unpredictable ways.

"I'll leave the command to Kevin," said Seon. "He will make all the decisions, including whether you should continue or not."

That bothered me a bit. As Layla had said, Kevin wasn't friendly toward strangers. Especially after his traits toward me last night, I was clearly a stranger to him.

I didn't care if he would lead this mission or not. He clearly had more experience. Strength and courage far beyond any of us. And unlike me, he had the conviction to carry it out.

Layla hugged Seon and whispered something only they could hear. Perhaps another farewell. Perhaps another apology. It didn't take long. After that, she walked with Kevin into the portal.

They disappeared within seconds, transported to the place I had imagined earlier. Leaving me alone with my thoughts.

"If you manage to arrive within four days, we'll surely meet again."

One thing still bothered me. Something that would keep nagging at me if I didn't get an answer. "When I leave, will the protective magic return?"

Seon raised his eyebrows. He clearly understood the meaning behind my question. Even though he had denied it many times. And I did the same thing in front of everyone. But deep down, the feeling lingered. Guilt. It's not something new, to be honest.

Behind Seon, I tried to look far beyond. Even though the field and all the sights of Calmora were out of view, the atmosphere still resonated in my heart. The warmth I had briefly felt from this place. And the hope I had never had before.

I wouldn't return here. Even if we succeeded. My presence only endangered them.

Seon approached and touched my shoulder. "Everything will be okay."

Yet, Seon's words did nothing to calm me. I shook my head. "What if I fail? What if we don't make it there?"

"You know, destiny doesn't flow like a river. It waits at a certain place and time. It won't happen until we trigger it ourselves. That's why, if Minerva is truly your destiny, whatever happens, you will reach it."

Even so, I still hesitated.

"But you will make it."

I looked up, slightly surprised. This time, he seemed unable to hold back. A tear rolled down his cheek. "You’ve sworn to me." He spoke confidently as he gently pushed me into the portal.

Before the outside view disappeared, I managed to read Seon's lips, apologizing. But not the other words he tried to say.

As I entered the space dominated by golden-white light, visions of that place swirled around me. But as my body began to feel pulled toward somewhere, a painful throb suddenly struck my head. The desert visions started to change. The portal's light shifted to a darker shade.

Amidst the pain and the increasingly rapid spinning of the visions, I saw a ruined kingdom, thousands of royal soldiers bearing a flag with a raven emblem, and someone who slaughtered them all.

Then, the ground beneath me vanished. In an instant, the portal had transported me to an unfamiliar world.[]