Upon the empty road, Elenwyr and I walked. The lamp posts lit up a majority of the village, but not enough to lift the darkness of the many corners.

"So... I take it that you didn't go out of your way to find me so you could accept my invitation to the World Expedition," Elenwyr said. "How can I help you, Noir?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure," I replied. "I told you that I had woken up in a cave three years ago. It had only been a week since I left the darkness and stepped into the light."

"I assume this village was your very first stop."

"Yeah."

While we walked, I told him about my time here. Everything confused me, and there was very little that I could comprehend. My body would react in ways that made it seem like I knew what I was doing, and now that I was thinking about it, some of them made sense.

When I saw Blanc for the first time, I snapped the spoon in my hand because I was angry. When she told me her story, I felt hatred towards the Crimsheart Church. When she cried in my arms... I held her tight because I was sad to hear it.

"Indeed, a young girl should never have to say such words," Elenwyr sighed. "Well, it is thanks to you that she won't have to ever again. You should be proud, Noir."

"Yeah, I am... but it should've never happened in the first place."

"The world is not kind enough to allow us all a moment of respite. Even now, something absolutely tragic might be happening, and we would never know until it's too late. Like how I found out about Clarisse... almost three years later."

His expression dropped, his lips pursed, and his eyes trailed to the ground. I know that look all too well. 'Sadness.'

It is an emotion that I've become familiar with, but I have no idea what it's like to lose someone. Does it warrant being sad? I suppose if I had found out that Silverain died somewhere, I'd be sad as well, wouldn't I? I'm not even sure, and I most definitely don't wanna find out.

Elenwyr shot back up with a smile. "Ah... Once again, I've digressed. Now, tell me. What's on your mind, Noir?"

"That's just it. There's nothing in my mind right now. When Silverain left, I've just been moving forward. That's it. For a small moment, I found a reason... a goal. I wanted to save Blanc. I wanted to get those damned priests away from her. Now that it's all over, I'm relieved, but I'm also lost. I have no idea what to do. I have no idea... why I'm still here in this world."

"Goodness... Silverain didn't tell you anything, did she?"

"I wouldn't go as far as to blame her. I'm sure she wanted to, but 'they' wouldn't allow it. Whoever that is."

"...'They,' you say?"

"Yeah...?"

Elenwyr seemed quite disturbed when I said that. Does he know who 'they' are? Silverain never elaborated, so I stopped pushing for an answer after a while.

"You know, you've piqued my curiosity, Noir. Based on what you've told me, Silverain was the one who found you, taught you, and cared for you. Also, you don't seem to understand a lot of things. Right or wrong, good or evil—emotions that any normal person would be able to exhibit."

He stopped in his tracks to look at me.

"You say that nothing is on your mind, essentially having no goal. What's more, your eyes are void of any light. Soulless... just like hers. I had already guessed it, but I suppose I should sate my curiosity while I'm here. Noir. You follow the Path of Tenebris. Is that right?"

It felt like a lump had formed in my throat, barring me from saying anything even if I wanted to. How do I respond? Silverain told me to never reveal my path.

Path... What even is a path? How am I supposed to follow her words when I know nothing about any of this? Elenwyr and his Path of Glacies, Kain and his Path of Ignis... I don't understand.

"Yes," I answered. "I follow the Path of Tenebris. At least... That's what Silverain told me."

"Is that so? A Wayfarer of Tenebris in this day and age... How curious. In any case, what Silverain refers to as 'they' is the Logos of Tenebris... Xe'Bria."

"...Xe'br—"

"Don't!"

Elenwyr quickly rushed to me, aggressively placing his hand over my mouth.

"You must never refer to 'them' by their name, no matter what. Nod your head if you understand."

Reluctantly, I nodded. Elenwyr let go of my mouth as he let out a sigh.

"Goodness... Silverain should've at least warned you. You nearly became a vegetable."

"...Vegetable?"

"A mindless husk, so to speak. Should you, as a follower of the Path of Tenebris, ever say that name, it's the same thing as surrendering your very being to the Logos, Xe'Bria. Got it?"

"Hah. No, not really. Not unless you explain it."

He raised an eyebrow. "Explain it? What more is there to explain?"

"Everything. The Logos, their paths, and the 'Wayfarers' who follow them. Apparently, all of that applies to me, and yet, I'm so clueless. I have no idea what any of that means."

"Hm... Gosh. Here I am, an instructor in the Paths of the Logos, giving out a free lesson for a topic that I'm normally paid to teach. Come along, Noir."

Elenwyr led me out of the village towards the farmlands, at the top of a hill. He turned around and extended a hand. The air suddenly became colder as a trail of snowflakes converged above his open palm.

"Lesson number one. The Logos are more than just gods. They are principles, ideologies, and those who give us Wayfarers our powers. I myself follow the Path of Glacies, guided by Astra, who represents Eternity. My path is to protect those I care about. In a way... I wish to preserve their lives, if you will. To do that, my lord has granted me his power of Glacies—of ice."

The snowflakes exploded within his hands, casting a brilliant light into the sky. Thereafter, snow began to fall. They glided down like leaves from a dismal tree, before landing on the ground and fading away.

"Your situation is rather strange, I admit," he said. "Despite following the Path of Tenebris... you've somehow stumbled upon the Path of Ignis."

"Is it that strange?" I asked.

"Very. I like to think that I am quite knowledgeable when it comes to the six paths. In my entire life, I've never heard of one person following two paths."

"If that is so, then... What is my true path? What is my wish? If the Logos are supposed to reflect our ideologies, then why do I have two?"

"Unfortunately, I can't answer that. It is something you'll have to figure out on your own. However, even if we disregard the Path of Ignis, it will prove to be most difficult. You see, Noir, the Path of Tenebris is an enigma. To this day, we have not fully figured out what that truly means, but we have an idea."

"An idea?"

"Yes. 'Infinitus Nihility.' It is the concept... No... A belief, so to speak, that the world and everything beyond will eventually end with the void. No humans, no life, not even the dirt we stand upon. Just... infinite nothingness. The Path of Tenebris is said to lead to this end, and its Wayfarers are the ones paving the way."

My hands subconsciously tightened around my scabbard.

"This... 'Infinitus Nihiliy.' It's a belief, not a fact. Is that right?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"So you're telling me that the reason why Silverain is always running... is because of that?"

Elenwyr looked at me with caution, though he neglected to hold onto his sword like me.

"Among other things, yes," he answered.

"Why? It's not like she chose to walk this path, but simply because of a 'belief,' she was treated like a criminal. Don't you think anyone would turn to a life of trickery and malice if everyone decided to shun them out of the blue?"

"Indeed. That is why I haven't apprehended her despite having so many chances in the past. That is why I did not immediately lock you into cuffs. We all have our own paths to follow, whether it be intentional or forced upon us. Of course, I disagree with the maltreatment of Tenebris Wayfarers, but there is little I can do to change the views of the world."

For once, I understood something. There is a reason to fear. When people fear something for long enough, they become weary, and that weariness turns to unjustified damnation. Still, I can't help but feel how ridiculous that is... and I can't help but think about what Silverain must've been through.

"It's getting late, Noir," Elenwyr said. "Even though you rose from the battle unscathed, I'd imagine your body is nowhere near fine. Head back and rest. Don't worry about the stragglers. This village is now under the protection of the World Expedition."

The World Expedition... Maybe they're not so bad. If Blanc agrees to go with them, she'll be safe, won't she? That's something I'll have to bring up to her soon.

"Got it," I replied. "Thank you, Elenwyr."

"Anything for a friend of Silverain," he smiled.