Ernaut was jolted awake by the sudden opening of his bedroom door that he temporary got while staying with Janice. Janice looked like she was a panic.
"Ernaut, I have bad news for you. You cannot stay here any longer. You have to get moving!"
"What is it? Are they after you? Or even myself?"
"Oh, this is miserable! I saw that people were chatting about you, and they threatened to silence anything about Aruku or even the Tear of Heaven. To make matters worse, I found this out on my front door;" Janice pulled out a flyer that said "Wanted: Ernaut; Boy Who Possess Witchcraft and Associates with Comet Caller. Reward is 100 diamonds for whoever brings him into justice." Ernaut's heart boiled in response. He was paranoid. Have all of the people of the Nexus lost respect in him for being so heroic with such exotic magical arts?
"Oh great, what am I supposed to do?"
"Go with the Tear of Heaven away as possible. There should be a witch down in Darum Forest that could help you and guide you whatever you need. She's a good archivist and collector of the eastern tribes. Run away as far as you can. Don't come back to Castlemore!"
"Isn't witchcraft illegal in the Nexus? Why would she help me? Oh, were you referring to Genevie from the letter? "
"I think she's a rural witch that lives in the wilderness somewhere in the Nexus. She's authenticated, because she's identified, but for you with the Tear of Heaven, it's impossible to identify you because it's impossible for them to craft a proper thesis that is believable. So far, believing in the Tear of Heaven requires outer knowledge that doesn't originate from the Nexus, so it would be impossible for Wally to even crack it, unless if they believed in Aruku, the Tear of Heaven, and the Comet, but they don't. She would help you because she actually believes in those stuff because as you know, that witch is a collector of archives and information from outside the Nexus. I met her one time to learn more about the Epoch of the Comet, which I think is what you heard of when you read that letter."
"And… what's going to happen to you?"
"Ernaut, you have no home, and I believe I cannot help you anymore because they, under my extreme knowledge of the Tear of Heaven and your own possession, believe that I am related to you. In fact, you and I care the most. I wish you the best of luck what is happening to me right now, and your goals for the future." Janice's last words, before being carried away by the sheriff's guards of Castlemore.
Ernaut escaped out from the backyard of Janice's house during that meantime Janice was being taken by guards.
"Ernaut, what are you doing?" Karin said. "This is no time for escaping!"
"Yes it is. They're hunting me down and any others associated with me. We have no time to lose!" Ernaut said. "I heard that they're putting wanted signs for me as a possessor of witchcraft. They even went further by making my head worth 100 diamonds of currency!"
"Ernaut, this is no time-" Ernaut forced Karin into a stasis by snapping her into stasis, because he didn't want to be bothered by her. Not to mention, there are times where it's a good time for Ernaut to have Karin out, and times where's it's not. Ernaut went outside of the backyard, climbed over the fencing and got into the outside suburb areas. In fact, Ernaut never went to her backyard yesterday, likely due to his fear of being exposed.
"There he is! Catch him!" A voice said, that is likely the townspeople trying to catch him and earn their wanted reward; money, power, all that good stuff!
"I better get away! Karin! Listen, I am trying to evacuate from the townspeople. I don't want to fight them, I just want to get away from them. Now, let's plan our escape route!"
"Okay, Ernaut, changing plans. Now making you silent from any movement." Karin said, using one of her powers to ensure that Ernaut can evade the townspeople from killing him. The people were still running towards him, but Ernaut ran towards the forest in front of him, was it enough to even stop them.
"Hey! Where did he go?" the person with the pitchfork said. "How are we going to get our fill? Our money? Oh man, this guy is just too strong!" Another townsfolk complained as well.
"Hold it. It seems like we know where Ernaut is going now. He wants to find some real evidence so we can believe him, because he's got the superstition that we're going to execute him for doing an impossible witch trial which allegedly is impossible for us. He's heading on down to Genevie's estate down in Darum Forest. From what I've read in the letter, Genevie knows a lot more about the Comet Caller than us. I will soon interrogate Genevie. You hold the mob, because I want to settle the score with her, so I can prove that Genevie knows about the Comet Caller and what to do next." Wally said, approaching in front of the mob that was already ready to capture Ernaut and get their reward; being rich forever.
Ernaut quickly ran, and ran through the forest with the of help of Karin's silencer power, which helped him render his footsteps and movement quieter to where no one can track him.
"Where am I going? I seem to be lost. I don't know where I'm going." Ernaut said. He was already on the chase from the townspeople trying to apprehend him to gain their reward for hunting down the target. In fact, Ernaut was supposed to head his way to Darum Forest to meet Genevie, but where was he? There were no signs, and there were only trees everywhere.
"Karin, keep track of what's going on around me. Also, alert me of any possible threats." Ernaut commanded.
"Confirmed. You are lost in an unknown forest. No threats detected around you on my radar." Karin replied. Karin was scanning quite hard, and it has detected no threats so far; has Ernaut finally lost the townspeople from his perspective?
"I think I'm safe now, I think I should continue on walking and see if I can find any hope around here. Karin, you keep doing your thing, okay?"
Ernaut kept on walking through the forest with Karin focusing on possible trouble of what could get in his way. Eventually, he stumbled upon on what he could make off to be an abandoned temple. Could he find some potential clues of what just happened to that temple, or is it some abandoned place with mostly nothing of interest for him?
"I believe I came across this place. This abandoned temple. Looks like I could find some clues in there." Ernaut said, entering the wooden door of the abandoned temple. The interiors of the abandoned temple inside consisted of cobwebs everywhere. The wood tables were dusty as much, as if this place had been run down for months.
"Whoa, this is something I wouldn't even see every day. I need to investigate what has still remained."
Upon searching around, Ernaut found a diary that looked like it was written before the temple was abandoned.
"What is this mysterious sight? These white holy ghosts. I saw one of them kill one my fellow men. Even worse, none of our weapons could even pierce them to their deaths. These are ghosts, not real monsters. Still though, I don't even have a proper weapon, and as you know, these guys don't die over time. They're spirits, not actual monsters. I don't know what to do."
"So these guys were victims of Chromas to? Could there be a Chroma around here?" Ernaut wondered after reading the diary. He knew that there was a Chroma for him to destroy.
"Ernaut, I'm detecting a Chroma upon in the end of the temple where the other exit is. It's invisible, so you're going to have to provoke it. Maybe use your fists to lure it?"
"Will do. If I'm going to catch that Chroma, I must have a strong omen in myself." Ernaut threw a few punches with Karin's magic, and then the Chroma appeared.
"Alright you Chroma! Take this, and that!" Ernaut did a few fist strikes against the Chroma, dispelling it. The Chroma was an easy job for Ernaut.
"Alright Karin, check if they're following us again!"
"This time, I can sense some of the townspeople tracking your steps into this temple. You have to keep running!"
"Alright you Ernaut! It's time I gotcha!" Shion said, who was one of the major people on the mob against Ernaut.
"I gotta run!" Ernaut got out of the temple and continued to run through the forest with the mob still chasing him. It looked like it was going to go on forever, but then… another Chroma formed out of the forest. Was it trying to go for Ernaut or buy anyone time?
"Jeepers! What is that?" Shion said. However, Ernaut had to buy some time for it. While Shion and the mob are confronting against the Chroma, Ernaut went on running and running.
"I have no idea, looks like some sort of ghost to me! I'm so frightened!"
"Seriously? Let's fight this guy with you know, swords and stuff like that!" Shion suggested.
None of the people even made a move about it, they were instead frightened.
"Come on! Are you going to just stand around or what?" Shion was angry that the mob was being disobedient, but then the Chroma started attacking the mob and also knocking them out.
"Retreat! Retreat! This ghost is unstoppable!" one of the townspeople said.
"You know it man, Ernaut, if you can listen to this, I'll never stop on my mission to get your head, and this head will be worth a huge fortune to me!" Shion was resistant, and he felt like even if the townspeople wouldn't help, he would still keep on going.
Ernaut ran and ran and ran, until he finally saw that looked like a house with a glowstone lamp in front on it. Was the house, the house of Genevie as Janice mentioned in the letter? Ernaut walked up to the house, and knocked on it.
"Who is it now?" A female voice said from the door in response to the knocking.
"It's me, Ernaut, and the Tear of Heaven! I need your help!"
"Tear of Heaven? Do you have it? Are you interested in Aruku and the Comet?"
"Yeah, I unlocked it. Do you know about unlocking Tears?"
"Oh, I heard you are the guy who is being on execution date. Sure, I'll let you in, and I have some evidence for Wally and Shion that would help you on your journey."
"Oh, are you Genevie by the way?"
"Yes, yes I am. You knew that from Janice, right?"
"Ah yes! The letter. When my house was destroyed by the Chromas, I was forced to stay at Janice's estate because she was the only other person I knew in Castlemore that supported finding out more about Aruku and the Comet."
Ernaut entered Genevie's estate. There were books on the foyer, and an cauldron room on the east. Genevie was the witch that collected more archives about the east than anyone else.
"So, you got any information about unlocking tears where the Tears' powers carry over to your body?" Ernaut asked.
"Ahh yes! I have it from this scroll; The Tear of Heaven. This scroll tells about the Tear of Heaven, a crystal that would grant the user great wisdom, but if the person were to unlock the Tear, the Tear's powers would be bound to their bodies forever, and if that body dies, the powers would be released back into the Tear."
"Oh. Looks like unless I can find something important, I'm stuck with the Tear of Heaven, but I'm fine with it. It helped me through different situations, such as rendering myself quiet, and even killing a night howler!"
"I see. Ultimately, now you know what is going on, these tears have the ability to unlock their full potential to people's souls. If they do this right, they can later ascend to change Teya forever!"
"Ernaut, I think Shion's on his way-"
"I think that's Shion! Hold Shion, I'll go upstairs into your bedroom and hide!" Ernaut said, walking upstairs.
"Shion? Who's Shion? Is he the guy that represented arrogance over you, especially when you got the Tear of Heaven? I heard he's planning on taking your head to win money."
"Yeah. He's number one in terms of popularity. He even hunted the biggest of the game, and even defended Castlemore from any monsters that dare to attack the people. I'll be heading upstairs, and you go prove him right!" Ernaut hoped that Genevie could proof to Shion that the unlocking the Tear of Heaven could be believable in order for him to stop.
Genevie opened the door and there revealed to be Shion. He was angry, intimidating to Genevie herself.
"Whoa there. Calm down. Now, state your business." Genevie stated to Shion's angry introduction at her door.
"Where is Ernaut? You know, this guy who has witchcraft we cannot identify?" Shion said back. He was determined to win the money reward, and he even had an copy of the wanted poster of Ernaut and the reward being held on his hand.
"Wait a second, are you trying to harass this guy just because he got the Tear of Heaven? That's called standing up for their beliefs. If you want some real evidence, I got a scroll you should read. It is possible for people to unlock the Tear of Heaven. To tell you the truth, Ernaut unlocked the Tear of Heaven so it's bound to his body, but there's no way right now to remove it."
"Oh, the Tear of Heaven is in his body and he can't remove it. I understand, but that's still not going to stop me from trying to get his head and get my salary!"
"If you dare try to kill him, I'm not going to accept you in."
"Tell me where he is, or else!"
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to settle this the hard way. If all you're going to do is try to pressure me to kill Ernaut just because he got the Tear of Heaven and fighting against the Comet, you're not welcome here. Go away." Genevie slammed the door. She didn't want Shion inside his estate.
"Fine, I'll head back to Castlemore, but Ernaut, this is not done yet! Sooner or later, I'm going full-fledged on you!" Shion came up with a plan to kill Ernaut and get his reward.
"I heard that!" Genevie said, from behind the door. "I might as well cast my spell; and that spell is the Magic Guardian. A Magic Guardian is a summoning I use to protect me from the night from monsters and beasts. If you dare bust this door down, I'm going to summon a Magic Guardian to take care of you."
"Fine, I'm leaving!" Shion walked away from the door back to Castlemore to plan with Wally and the townsfolk for a new plan.
"Ernaut, it's safe to come down now!" Genevie said to Ernaut, who was still hiding in her bedroom.
"Did you… did you repel him?" Ernaut asked.
"Yes, I managed to talk this guy out of it. He walked away. I even warned this guy if he dares to attack you, it's going to be a unacceptable taste for me, especially when I also support fighting against the Comet. All these other guys seem to care about, is getting your head just because you got the Tear of Heaven, which was them to be unidentified witchcraft. What we care about, is taking care of the Comet, and changing Teya forever. We want a world that represents peace and prosperity, not violence and prejudice where you ignore others in need."
"Hey, I think I got an extra scroll for you. It's called Grace of Gabriella, and I bought it at the market. It talks about a woman named Gabriella, a woman that wanted to fight for prosperity in her own tribe."
"You do? Let me see."
Ernaut pulled out the scroll from his backpack, and Genevie began to read it.
"This is some real attempt to try to bring peace and prosperity. I don't know if she's successful. Did you find anything else about her?"
"I only saw a painting in Janice's estate that represented her fall to the Chromas. I don't know if that was from someone's imagination or it actually happened, but I highly doubt it."
"I don't think so. Gabriella would never fall for a Chroma, what would cause her to do that?"
"I don't see how would they. Chromas are in fact like the Shades from the past; they are monsters said to originate from nightmares."
"Gabriella is an aspiring queen. The Haven Tribe always tried to fight for freedom, dreams, and representing kindness to their people. You recall when Aruku got the blessing from that Comet by sacrificing her Hawk Tribe? That was bloody, but legend says that whoever gets the blessing of the Comet gets to use its powers to their advantage, I don't know if this is true or not. But Gabriella's motives were true; she and Aruku were polar opposites; Gabriella supported freedom, happiness, and prosperity, while Aruku only went for power, being selfish, and tyranny. What is like, being someone that doesn't help others in need?"
"I would imagine that it wouldn't be quite happy."
Ernaut let out a sigh. He was almost beat from all those running and being chased from the townspeople, but at least he got a friend to accompany him for a while.
"Ernaut, you look tired, what's the matter?"
"I was being chased by a mob who wanted to take my head and earn the salary. The townspeople all wanted the money, so they banded together to form a mob against me. They even went forth to create wanted posters out of me and reward whoever gets my head 100 diamonds. I was going to be put in witch trials in court, but Wally didn't believe in anything he said, because he never even cared about Aruku or the Tear of Heaven, only myself and the Nexus. Thankfully, I lost the mob thanks to a Chroma to the rescue. I think these guys are just entering our land, and the only way to take care of these is to foresee healthy omens, yet the mobs think they can take care of this with weapons and stuff. You can't kill ghosts with physical violence."
"I see. You should get some rest, I'll deliver a message to Wally to tell him to halt the execution and you can...Wait a second, was your house destroyed by the Chromas? Is that how they knew about the Tear of Heaven?
"Yes, I was shopping for Grace of Gabriella and a ruby ring only to find my house was destroyed. There were some Chromas, and was able to beat them with the help of the Tear of Heaven, and my healthy omens. They were shocked at my powers; and my parents were missing. I don't know if they're killed or something like that, I don't even know, but that's something I also have to find out in the future."
"Fine, I'll deliver the message, I have two Guardians, I'll be bringing one to accompany me on the way if the mob comes for me or even Shion returns to try and kill me, the other Guardian will in fact protect the house for any intruders, okay?"
"I'm okay. You do have a place for me to sleep, right?"
"You can sleep in my dual bedroom. Like Janice, I support others in need, and I do in fact care about history and legends outside of the Nexus, because public opinion has been on the rise that wanted people to focus more on the Nexus, because if it wasn't important to them, it was mostly a don't bother to them."
"Okay thank you Genevie! I'll meet you in the bedroom upstairs."
Ernaut walked back upstairs to Genevie's bedroom. There was a 2nd bedroom, one for guests and the other for Genevie. Ernaut took the guest bed and went to sleep.
"That was a very compassionate woman I saw." Karin said.
"Genevie? Yeah. She's willing to collect evidence and clues about Aruku and the Comet, and my quest continues tomorrow with her, depending on how long I can last until these guys threaten me again. In fact, that's called prejudice, where you harm others with no mercy whatsoever based on their own choices and beliefs. I believe in Aruku and the Comet, while these people just believe in the Nexus. I want some sleep now, I'm beat from all that chasing, and I wanted some sleep."
"Before I can wish you good night, I'm going to ask you one more thing; if the Nexus was farwest, how are we going to go east where the Comet is?"
"I believe this is going to require some bit of thinking right now. Keep in mind, some answers change, and some answers are static. Still though, I don't know what I'm going to do yet.
"Don't know what to do? You're my chosen one, and I do in fact understand that often times, you don't even know the answers. I know it's ain't going to be easy but… you can't just let a goal down because it's too difficult.
"Keep in mind Karin, this is only the beginning of things, and I'm going to have to explore all around the Nexus to find the answer that I want. We're going to explore all around the Nexus to find the possible answer, and I'm going to avoid Castlemore at all costs, because I don't know if the mob is still after me!"
"I got it. I can protect you even though a mob can hunt you down. I have several powers you have yet to unlock on your journey, which will be fulfilled through different challenges along the way. Oh, you said you wanted some sleep?"
"Yeah, I'm tired. I need to sleep."
"Anyways, let's call it a day, so good night!" Karin wished a second sweet dreams to Ernaut. Today was a rough day for Ernaut, he had escaped from Castlemore from an angry mob, and even teamed up with Genevie for a new hiding place for now. Even though he already trusted Genevie, there was still more to his quest; finding the way east.
Some time later, Genevie finally arrived home. She looked like she wanted to tell Ernaut something, so she walked upstairs to her bedroom where Ernaut was already sleeping. She gave him a pat on the head while he was sleeping.
Ernaut gasped. "Genevie? What is it?"
"I finally got the message to Wally."
"And what did he say?"
"He said he's still going to propose killing you, even though he finally knows the truth behind the Tear of Heaven. He even said that is best for himself to not bow to any non-Nexusian artifact, because the procedures would be unknown to him. Even though he said that, I still think Wally is mentally challenged on the outside world."
"And did the mob get you?"
"No. They must've stopped right after Shion gave up. I believe they're coming up with different strategies on how to get that wanted salary dealt with."
"And what are you going to do? They've taken Janice as well, and this is where I had to escape to your estate for help."
"Janice was that other woman that was interested in the outside world as well. In fact, that's what we favor the most. Janice was my pen pal; we would write letters back and forth to tell about important details and legends confidential to each other, which would delivered by pigeons as well!"
"So, what are your plans for tomorrow. Today has been quite a day."
"My plan for tomorrow is, we will investigate your powers, and we will aim to fight those Chromas for real! We're going to work hard on our quest; our quest to bring balance to this world."
"Thanks Genevie! Sleep well!" Ernaut closed his eyes and got back to bed.
"Sleep well, Ernaut. May the blessing of Heaven remain with you!" Genevie said, before also going to bed as well for the night. They had quite a day together for sure.