Prologue
The fair knight swung his legs back and forth through the midnight air. The ruined castle of the Yggdmillennia clan was lit only by the stars during this new moon, but Astolfo could see it clearly as he did during those fateful days. With a sigh, he laid his back atop the roof of the building and looked up towards the sky, reaching outward.
"You never told me being a hero in this world would be so lonely, Master," Astolfo said to himself.
Letting his gauntleted hand fall to his side, Astolfo took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He was given a task that made him more than happy: to remain here, and bring joy to humanity. Every new moon, however, Astolfo would look up at the sky with sorrow in his heart. During this phase, his "senses" would return to him. For just one night, gone were the impulsive and lighthearted decisions of the Twelfth Paladin of Charlemagne. So why, during this one day, would he always feel this way? Why did his most lucid day always result in this emptiness? Humanity was saved and he had been given a second chance at life. But even still, he wondered why couldn't it have been him who sacrificed himself? Why did it have to be...
No, Astolfo corrected himself. He was more than just my Master. Sieg was something more to me, he was…
"SCRAW!" A winged beast roared as it landed next to Astolfo, perching its claws and hooves on the rooftop. The creature's giant, eagle-like wings folded up to its horse-like torso and began to cock its avian head curiously its Rider.
Astolfo reflexively formed a small smile at the sight of his trusty companion.
"You too, huh?" Astolfo said. "I guess that makes sense, you are the only Hippogriff I've ever seen.
"Scraw..." The Hippogriff whimpered.
"I- I- I'm sorry!" Astolfo apologized, waving his hands out in front of him. "Maybe one day we'll find you another one! I'll add it to the list of adventurers, eh?"
"Scraw!" It replied, raising its wings up and nuzzling its neck against the top of Astolfo's head.
The paladin giggled with a more radiant smile this time, and put his arms around the Hippogriff.
"You big goofball," Astolfo laughed as he climbed onto the back of the Hippogriff and pat its head. "You're right though, no sense in moping around here. Let's go… do... something!"
"Scraw?"
"Just go okay? I'll figure it out on the way… like I always do!"
"Scraw!" The Hippogriff let out a loud cry this time, bursting forth its wings and taking to the night sky.
Astolfo pulled out a map of the world and put a finger to his chin in thought before putting it to the paper and circling around until one area suited his fancy. He noticed his finger trembled on the paper. He clenched his teeth.
Not now, he thought, I can do this. I can do this…. I can...
"There!" He shouted in joy. "That place sounds like fun. Onward! This way… I think. No wait, that way! Yes, that way!"
"Scraw…"
Astolfo could have sworn he saw Hippogriff shake his head at him.
"Hey I'm known for adventuring, not navigating!" He responded before bonking his mount playfully on the head.
After taking a deep breath of the frigid night air, Astolfo slapped his face with both hands and put on a determined grin.
"Let's go!"