The Road to Nowhere
The path narrowed as
Elior and
Mira ventured deeper into the northern highlands.
The sky was hidden behind dense gray clouds.
The forest on both sides stood unnaturally still.
Even the sound of their footsteps seemed muffled.
Ahead, a sea of silver mist stretched across the valley.
Mira Wraps Her Arms Around Herself
"…Why does it feel like the world ends over there?"
Elior adjusted his backpack.
"…Maybe it begins there instead."
Eclipse Lunashade walked beside them.
Its eyes remained fixed on the mist.
Calm.
Watchful.
At the edge of the valley stood a weathered stone engraved with a single inscription:
"Those who enter must face what remains."
Beyond it lay
Nowhere City
Crossing the Threshold
The moment they stepped into the mist—
The air turned cold.
Their surroundings blurred.
For a brief instant, Elior thought he heard voices from his past.
Fragments of laughter.
Words long forgotten.
Echoes of battles won and lost.
Then the fog parted.
Lanterns of pale blue flame lined the streets.
Ancient buildings stood in eerie silence.
Transparent shadows drifted harmlessly between rooftops.
Despite its haunting appearance—
The city felt peaceful.
Mira Whispers
"…It's beautiful."
Elior nodded.
"…And sad."
At the end of the street stood a cloaked woman.
Her silver hair shimmered in the lantern light.
Moonlike eyes regarded them calmly.
Morrigan
"…You arrived sooner than the mist predicted."
Mira blinked.
"…The mist predicts things?"
Morrigan's expression did not change.
"…It remembers."
Morrigan turned to Elior.
Her gaze lingered on Eclipse Lunashade.
"…The bridge walks with you."
Elior frowned.
"…You know what Lunashade is?"
Morrigan inclined her head slightly.
"…This city listens to spirits."
"…Some truths are impossible to hide here."
She extended a pale hand toward the distant cathedral-like building at the city center.
Nowhere Gym
"…If you seek the Phantom Badge…"
She paused.
The mist swirled around her feet.
"…You must first confront the echoes that still follow you."
He met her gaze without hesitation.
"…Then I'll face them."
Morrigan turned and began walking toward the gym.
Without looking back, she said:
"Tonight, the dead will ask you a question."
"And your answer will determine whether you are ready to continue."
And the journey continues.....!