Best Left Alone

Velvet brushed her right hand through her silky obsidian hair, "Just admit it, we're lost Eizen,". For the first time, the group journeyed to The Far Continent. For what felt like an entire month, they wandered the woods, with no sense of direction to guide them. Rokurou suggested cutting his way through the forest; the party immediately shut down his idea. That was early on when a day passed without progress. After another day wasted, he proposed it again, and the crew agreed; it ended with one of his short swords snapping in half once it contacted the rough bark of the tree. Dry leaves covered the ground that crunched under the pressure of their weight. No matter where they looked, everything was the same. Left, right, up, down, diagonal, hell even backward, no matter the route, the company never perceived any progress.

Laphicet's compass spun in circles, signifying a massive earthpulse point. But, he couldn't point the way because they were on it. In addition, the concentration of the earthpulse was constant, meaning he lacked function as a guide and couldn't locate the center. Laphicet could detect none of the other earthpulses as if someone wanted them to lose their way.

The barrage of complaints annoyed Eizen, "For the last time, we aren't lost. Magilou, use your guardian and check again."

"And what? See another leafy, lush, green carpet? Magilou, scout ahead! My oh my, do my eyes deceive me? I only see green, green, green! The Great Witch Magilou reduced to a simple telescope," she sobbed, "The sky might as well be the color of emerald!" Every hour or so, Eizen ordered Magilou to take her guardian and explore ahead, and she always came back with, "The grass is greener on the other side." Magilou wasn't lying, as each week passed, the scenery seemed to transition into a slightly darker shade.

"Quit complaining and check again,"

"I must humbly decline o' Great Explorer," She may let the wind take her wherever it pleases but, The Great Magilou refuses to be a slave awaiting the beck and call of her supposed friends. Granted, she owed them for providing her a ceaseless supply of entertainment. "One of these people is not like the others, One of these people just doesn't belong, Can you tell me which one is the odd one out?" Magilou recited.

Eizen stopped walking and turned to the group, "Fine, we're lost. However, that doesn't change that we are in uncharted territory. Being lost is part of the danger, venturing to the ends of the Earth, filling the map, finding lost ruins, and treasure makes it all worth it. With each step we take, it brings us closer to our goal, a land where no man has ever set foot in over a millennium." After finishing his modest speech, he kept striding forward.

Laphicet ran up to the pirate, "You must be really excited Eizen."

Aifread's First Mate looked down at the boy, "Aye, it would be a lie if I said otherwise. This is something you can only experience once in life, and it is all the more valuable because of both of us are Malaks. We live long yes but, each experience becomes less significant the longer you stay on this Earth."

"How come?"

"Think about it like this, each year you live contributes to your age. For example, if you have lived fifty years, a single year doesn't seem as important as someone who has lived for only five," Eizen explained.

Magilou stepped in, "Or you can think of it like this kid, slice a pie into quarters, and the pieces are large, slice the pie into a hundred slices and suddenly, they're as thin as paper."

Eizen looked at her briefly, "… That is one way to put it."

Phi nodded in understanding, "I see, so that means each experience doesn't seem as important because they contribute to a whole, like a distant memory. Although, isn't the quality important too?"

"Aye, and that is why I intend to take my time and enjoy this opportunity," the pirate replied.

As the group made their way through the forest, Eleanor had taken the time to observe their surroundings. Verdant grass, mixed with dry leaves that gently floated down and rested on the ground. What surprised her the most were the trees. Their density gave her a newfound respect for nature, layer upon layer of overgrowth covered the woods, to the point they formed thick walls. Setting the place on fire was an option that was crossed out the moment Velvet discovered that flint was ineffective. Crepuscular rays, penetrated the blanket of leaves, highlighting a small alcove hidden behind a barrier of vines caught Eleanor's eye, "What's this?"

"Did you find something?" Velvet asked.

Walking briskly, the exorcist made her way to the nook, "I don't know, hold on," A swing of her spear severed the vines, "Everyone! I found an entrance." the moment she finished speaking, a blast of wind sent her flying into the cave, "W-Whoa!"

"Eleanor!" Laphicet shouted, instantly rushing to her aid. The others sprinted right after him, following the boy as he entered the alcove. The temperature dropped, and fog distorted their vision. Looking around the Malak called out, "Where are you?"; no one replied. His voice traveled far, alerting the wildlife to his presence. Small creatures hid, while the predators grew weary of the party's presence.

The cave had its very own tiny ecosystem. Mushrooms, moss, and other shrubbery littered the small cave. Vines lined the walls, acting as a highway for small bugs wandering throughout the cave. Small drops of mineral water fell to the ground, creating tiny puddles where more mushrooms grew. A small stream ran into a small crevice the size of a baby mouse. Laphicet would have been completely infatuated with the entire place if it wasn't for the fact that Eleanor was launched into the same area. Phi ran on the cracked stone, breaking the fog that blurred his line of sight. His breath was visible as he exhausted himself, uncaring of the voices that told him to stop and think. Following the dipping path, he turned the corner and found Eleanor standing in a small grove bathed in sunlight.

"There you are! Eleanor are you okay?" Laphicet panted.

The exorcist turned around, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."

"What happened?"

"The wind pushed me into the cave and the next thing I saw was this," Eleanor pointed to the old ruin surrounding a pedestal.

A light golden hue illuminated the ancient marble structures. With perfect symmetry, the far side of the grove was lined with archaic oak trees. Each branch felt like it had experienced an entire eon. Flowers of various colors bloomed in octagonal patterns strewn about the roots of each tree. An aged marble path guarded on each side by eroded stone pillars lead to rising steps. At the very top of the center platform lay a sword embedded in a plinth.

The sword was faintly covered with moss that stuck to its polished blade. A gold diamond rested in the blue rain-guard which connected to the sapphire crossguard and grip. The grip was neatly wrapped in cobalt leather, giving it contrast. Carved into the blade about five inches from the hilt were three triangles forming a larger polygon. Also engraved, was an outline designed like a bird that surrounded the triangle, its wings spread on either side; the cross-guard had a similar design. At the tip of the handle, was a simple cone etched with markings and flattened at the point.

"Laphicet wa-", Velvet was immediately distracted by what she saw. The others joined her, stunned by the beauty of the ruins.

"Once in a lifetime," Eizen breathed. Never in his life, did he see something so amazing. He could count a scant few times when nature took his breath away; this was instantly number one. The history that permeated the primordial ruins gave birth to the warm satisfying feeling of discovery. Taking out a piece of paper, he wrote a brief description of the place and the directions they took to get here. Eizen could imagine himself losing all sense of time studying the ruins and absorbed as much as he could.

Rokurou adjusted his vision, letting it rest on the prize, "Hell yeah, that looks like an awesome sword!". The swordsman disturbed the dust that painted the earth as he jogged up the steps and gripped the handle. Pain wracked through his body, like someone had jammed a million needles into his hand and electrocuted them, "What the hell was that?" he screamed. Looking at his hand, blisters formed and blood ran down his arm, dripping once the crimson liquid reached his elbow. Laphicet hurried to heal his wounds.

"Serves you right for not using your brain," Velvet commented.

Magilou stood with her arms nestled behind her head. A mellow wind lifted her hair in waves, "A blade fit for a hero. Wouldn't you agree, Velvet dear? Maybe for one Artorious Collbrande?" Just glancing at the scenario, Magilou instantly figured that none of them were worthy, not even their pure of heart Eleanor and innocent Laphicet. Sadly, the hero destined for that sword was either long gone or hasn't been born yet. Not like it mattered to them anyways, this merry band of misfits had another fate.

"Not funny," the daemon grumbled, "And I doubt that even Artorious could pull that sword out,"

"Fine, but even I have to agree his pull-out game isn't anything spectacular," the witch quipped. She loved getting on Velvet's nerves, even if it did earn her threats galore.

Eleanor watched the two and sighed at their antics. Suddenly, remembered a particular text in an ancient history book she read back when she was still in training, "I've read about something like this before."

"By all means enlighten us," Velvet acknowledged.

"The name escapes me but if I can recall correctly, it is a sword so powerful, no evil can touch it and only a hero chosen by the blade may wield it," the exorcist explained.

Eizen nodded, "Aye, I've also read of such a tale. It is a myth that goes back long before the Era of Darkness. The sword's story has been passed down through the generations. What we see here, is a legendary blade forged by the gods."

Laphicet had also read about it and, feeling left out he decided to speak his part, "The book also mentioned that a spirit resides in the blade. I guess that's how it chooses a hero."

"The Blade of Evil's Bane," The Lord of Calamity finished, "Something like this should best be left alone. Come on, we're heading back."

I've been playing Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and, I couldn't help myself. So, I kinda jotted this down for fun, hope you enjoyed reading it.