After weeks spent by Abid, the super Dragon knight, in the heart of the Gedi Collection, exploring a sea of ​​rare and ancient manuscripts and tomes, a profound certainty crystallized in his mind, trembling on the edge of existence. This place, with its vast theoretical knowledge, could no longer satisfy his growing craving for truth. The words of Elder Nardan echoed in his ears: "The true wisdom of a seeker lies not in finding answers, but in asking the right questions." Now, after Abid had posed his questions and answered them with sufficient texts, it was time to ask the questions of the world itself.
At dawn following his decision, Abid stood at the gleaming white gates of the Gedi Collection, feeling the cool air against his face. His bronze scales reflected the light of the only star in the sky, the Star of Beginning, which now seemed more than just a point of light, but a cosmic compass and a focal point of supernatural energy. His heart, heavy with knowledge, was pounding with excitement, not fear, an anticipation of the unknown that awaited him.
Abid bid farewell to Elrius, the old librarian, with a polite nod and a slight smile, assuring him that the search for truth must move from texts to reality. "Ink alone is not enough to paint the universe, wise one," Abid said in his quiet voice. "I must see the colors for myself." Elrius replied, his eyes shining intelligently, "Go in peace, knight-seeker. Remember, knowledge is like fire; it can light your way or burn you. Use your wisdom."
On his back, he carried his leather armor and simple provisions, as well as his small leather pouch, which now contained scrolls inscribed with the knowledge he had gathered from the library. He clutched his greataxe, his companion and a symbol of his higher purpose. The journey to the Ruined Settlements required him to cross the vast continent of Seria once again, but this time toward a destination entirely different from the resource-rich green valleys of the southeast.
After leaving the Gedi collection, located north of the city of Eshlondhesi in the Aimluan Empire, Abid began heading northwest. The atmosphere was changing noticeably. The rocky hills and rugged slopes were giving way to harsher terrain. The air was growing colder, and the golden day light he had grown accustomed to in the valleys of the Horizon Wings was disappearing behind heavy gray clouds. This was the beginning of his entry into the northwestern regions of Seria, where dangers thrive, resources are scarce, and the landscape is transformed into a cold, icy wasteland.
With every step, Abid could feel the harshness of the ground beneath his feet. Paths were becoming less visible, and the diverse vegetation of the southeast was being replaced by hardy plants adapted to the cold climate, such as the few pine trees scattered in the icy valleys or frost-tolerant tree species. Snow gradually began to cover the ground, forming a thick white layer that made walking difficult and made the atmosphere even colder.
Despite his powerfully sculpted body and bronze scales that provided some protection, the bitter cold began to seep into his bones. Abid remembered Old Saria's warnings about the dangers of these regions. He knew his journey would not be easy, but his resolve was stronger than any cold or danger.
Darkness was beginning to fall, leaving behind a dark blue sky dotted with the Beginning Star. This time, however, the star wasn't illuminating the path as clearly as usual. Instead, thick, gray clouds were gathering on the horizon, bringing with them the omens of an impending blizzard. Abid began searching for shelter, his intelligence telling him that underestimating the forces of nature could be fatal.
He found a small cave among massive icy boulders, barely enough for him. He entered it, then used his large axe to clear some of the snow from the entrance and built a simple stone wall to reduce the flow of the cold wind. He lit a small fire using some dry wood he had gathered with difficulty, drank some of his dried sap, and ate a piece of bread. As the fire burned, he could hear the violent winds slapping the mountains and roaring like a hungry beast, and the snowflakes falling heavily, hitting the cave entrance. In the solitude of the cave, Abid began to reflect on his journey. The philosophical thoughts that had weighed on his mind in Dragon's Nest resurfaced. Were his politeness and consideration for others merely roles written for him? Did being "not tasked by God" mean that his actions had no real resonance in the fabric of existence? He remembered Elder Nardan's words that had empowered him: "The meaning, Abid, lies not in the source of the story, but in how you live it. Even a written character can choose how they interact with their text. Will you choose to be just a puppet, or will you fill your role with the spirit and truth you create?"
These words ignited a flame of hope in his heart. He decided to fill his role with spirit and truth, and to prove that even in a world that may be just a story, goodness and refinement have real value. This was the essence of "The Journey of the cognizant."
The next morning, the storm had weakened. The landscape had turned into a vast white sea, the mountains were covered in heavy snow, and the air was very pure but bitter. Abid began to move, using the beginning star as his primary reference point. He walked very carefully, as the snow was deep in some places, concealing rugged terrain and icy rocks that could cause slipperiness.
As he walked, he began to hear strange sounds in the distance. They were not the sounds of ordinary animals, but a deep growl accompanied by harsh cries. Abid realized he was approaching a potentially dangerous area. He unsheathed his great axe, ready for any confrontation. After A short walk later, he spotted a group of creatures emerging from the snow. They resembled enormous wolves with thick white fur, but they were much taller than ordinary wolves, and their eyes glowed an eerie blue. These were likely one of the diverse and dangerous "Beasts of Seria," perhaps even "Super Animals," perfectly adapted to their environment and capable of posing a threat on a national scale.
The group consisted of three Super Wolves, moving swiftly and skillfully across the snow, heading toward him. Abid saw that they were trying to surround him. He decided to avoid direct combat if possible, his kind and polite nature keeping him wary of excessive violence.
Abid stood tall, his axe raised, but made no offensive move. He tried to communicate with them, but realized they were merely wild beasts, unable to understand his language. He remembered that he had promised Elder Nardan that he would use his "Mind Stimulation Ability" to understand languages. Despite the slight headache and numbness in his jaw from repeatedly using this ability, he decided to use it again.
He mumbled the Super German phrase, and felt With a surge of energy. Instantly, the wolves' growls and howls took on a clear meaning in his mind, as if it were his native language. They were speaking of hunger, of the invasion of their territory by an "intruder". He understood that they weren't attacking him out of pure malice, but to protect their territory and calm their hunger. "I am not an intruder," Abid said in a calm voice, addressing the wolves in the language he had just mastered. "I am a traveler searching for a way, and I do not wish to harm any of you." But the wolves didn't flinch; instead, they grew more cautious. They understood his words, but their instincts were stronger. Abid realized that he had to prove his strength without harming the creatures. When a wolf pounced on him with lightning speed, Abid used his strength and agility, which his mastery had compensated for, to deftly dodge the attack, then used the side of his greataxe to push it away—not to injure it, but to deflect its attack. The blow was powerful enough to scatter the wolf in the snow, but it did nothing. He suffered no real damage.
When the other two wolves saw Abid's strength, they hesitated for a moment. Abid took advantage of this hesitation to throw down a piece of dried meat he was carrying in his leather bag. "Take this," he said in their language. "I don't wish to fight. I am a seeker of truth, not an enemy."
After a moment of hesitation, the two wolves cautiously approached the piece of meat and began to eat it. The third wolf, whom Abid had repelled, rose from the snow, looking thoughtful. After the wolves had eaten, they looked at Abid with eyes that glowed with understanding, then let out a low growl that seemed to signal their departure. The three wolves went off, quickly disappearing into the deep snow.
Abid sighed in relief. He had managed to resolve the situation without bloodshed, a trait that befitted his kind character. He had proven to himself once again that true strength lies not in the ability to destroy, but in the ability to understand others and find peaceful solutions.
Abid continued his journey northwest, the landscape becoming increasingly harsh. Resources were becoming increasingly scarce. He saw nothing but giant icy boulders, hills covered in eternal ice, and deep valleys that seemed to rarely see light. The journey was a true test of his endurance and patience. He sometimes walked for hours without seeing anything. A sign of life, except for some wild birds that have adapted to the extreme cold.

On the third day of this leg of the journey, Abid began to glimpse what appeared to be giant stone structures on the horizon, half-buried beneath snow and ice. This was the sign he was searching for: the "ruined settlement" mentioned in his old maps found in the Gedi Collection.
As he drew closer, the vision became clearer. The ruins of an ancient settlement, seemingly a once thriving city, were now just eroded stone structures, almost completely covered in snow and ice. The high walls, which had once protected its inhabitants, now looked like the ribs of a dead giant. The settlement's architecture suggested it had been built by an ancient race of humans, or perhaps the meticulously built dwarves, but it had crumbled and eroded over time. Only a few crumbling towers remained and a few walls still standing, bearing faint inscriptions of symbols he could not make out from afar.
Abid remembered that these ruins might contain untold riches, but he wasn't looking for gold or precious stones. His sole goal was to find more references to the Scribe and the Star of Beginning, and to deepen his understanding of the origins of their world. This settlement, in its icy silence, seemed to hold forgotten stories, secrets that might bring light to the nature of the reality in which they lived.
Arriving at the outskirts of the ruined settlement, Abid paused. He closed his eyes, recalling Elder Nardan's warnings. He knew that seeking these profound truths could be packed with danger, not only to his body but also to his mind. But his determination and resolve were stronger than any doubt.
"I will not allow my mind to wander," he promised himself, anticipating that the "Mind Stimulating Ability" would be crucial to his journey within these ruins. He opened his eyes. The Star of Beginning glowed in the pale sky, as if watching over him, or guiding him. At this moment, he was not just a knight with an axe, but a scholar bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. It was time to delve into the depths of these ruins, searching for threads that might lead to a greater understanding of the writer and their freedom within this universal story. This was the true beginning of exploring the ruins and connecting the threads.