28. Another Way

Arthur looked towards the horrified Frey with a sheepish expression.

"A while ago, a mysterious gate appeared. It grew so large that it shrouded the whole tower. And within it, the air is…well, the royal capital warns not to go near it, as it's become extremely dangerous."

Arganan grimaced at hearing that. "So much for that idea…"

Arthur frowned. "Why are you going there, Frey? I assume you are, given that you're asking about it."

"To place this." Frey showed the Rune sphere to him. "If I take it to the tower, I can save Venti. I mentioned it to you earlier at the ruins, but it'll take the place of a Guardian and, uh…." A soft chuckle left her, "I can't explain everything in full detail, but I need you to trust me. All of you."

Arthur smiled. "Without question."

"How can we not trust you, when we're asked to do so?" Vishnal beamed.

"Asked to do what?" Arganan turned to see none other than Kiel approaching, as well as some of the other townsfolk. Frey took a moment to catch everyone up to speed on Ventuswill, and soon they got back to the topic of the gate.

"If the story about the gate is true," Kiel asked, "does that mean that the tower beyond it is the forest of beginnings?"

"Yes." Arthur nodded in response. "That's what the researchers at the capital had concluded. It seems the inside of the tower has virtually fused with the Forest of Beginnings. Something inside is causing an imbalance in the runes…fusing parts of the tower with the forest and separating the two with a large, imposing gate. That's why simply destroying the gate is not an option. Unless the underlying cause is eliminated, it'll reappear once more."

"The cause behind an imbalance in the runes…" Arganan mulled. Could it be because Leon is sealed away in Leon Karnak due to his status as Guardian?

"So," Kiel pieced together, "The forest of beginnings is in the tower?"

Arthur nodded. "Yes."

"Can't you just break that huge gate and enter the forest of beginnings directly?" Cue Frey, Arthur and the others staring at Kiel, who quickly clarified, "I mean, we can use the power that's released when the gate breaks!"

Arthur nodded quickly. "Oh, I see!"

"I don't…" Arganan muttered.

Forte looked towards Arganan, quickly explaining. "The gates are passages leading out from the Forest of beginnings. When a gate either breaks or disappears, there's a slight power drawn toward the forest. If it's just a regular gate, it's only strong enough to draw out small monsters."

"But if the gate was big," Illuminata immediately pointed out, "it could be a totally different story."

"Precisely!"

"So breaking the gate to Leon Karnak would therefore have a large enough energy output to turn the whole tower into the forest of beginnings!" Vishnal finished, before looking towards Frey, smiling. "You can get in, Princess!"

"But," Frey frowned slightly, "what about returning?"

Forte grimaced, shaking her head. "That's the problem. I haven't heard of anyone returning."

"But I have." Arthur suddenly spoke up.

Arganan's gaze snapped towards him. "You have?"

Arthur nodded, his gaze turning towards the former Count as he adjusted his glasses. "Several years ago, one person made it back from the Forest of Beginnings. I don't know the details, as I merely overheard the story at the royal capital."

"Let's try to figure it out, then!" Vishnal called. "Our mission is to come up with a way to return from the Forest of Beginnings! To help Lady Ventuswill!"

"Vishnal…" Frey smiled.

"I'll search the documents in my room." Volkanon offered, with a polite bow.

"Oh," Vishnal looked towards Volkanon. "I can help!"

"I'll write a letter to my hometown!" Margaret suggested. "Maybe we can hear a different story from the elves!"

"I'll go do some research, too!" Illuminata burst out, pumping a fist in the air. "It's time for to show how capable I am as a detective! Watch Miss Illuminata solve this mystery!"

"I'll help!" Amber called, just as Illuminata ran off. Amber ended up running after her too, going out of sight.

Xiao Pai nodded in understanding. "I'll go ask the customers in town! I'm sure we'll find a solution, yes?"

Porcoline paused, looking between everyone, before suggesting, "Why don't I cook for everyone? I can inspire you all with my delectable dishes!"

Dylas smiled. "I'll lend you a hand, porcoline." Both chef and former Guardian both went to go do just that.

Kiel beamed up at Frey and the others. "I'll do more research on the forest of beginnings. Don't worry. I'll make sure you return safely to this town!"

"Allow me to help as well, Kiel." Forte managed.

"Sure!" Brother and sister both left to get started on the mentioned research.

"I'll contact the capital." Arthur spoke up, looking towards Frey. "

Therius nodded. "I can send a report to Lady Calista as well. Perhaps she and Miss Mirania will know more about these gates. It's a bit of a stretch, but it's worth a shot."

"And I can catch you up on the other research done, so far." Arthur managed, looking towards him. With that, both men went to go back to Arthur's office to do what they needed to do.

Arganan watched everyone straight-up leave to do all the things they vowed to do, before looking towards Frey. "If this showed me anything," He managed, "It's that we should have told everyone about this sooner. The help would've been nice."

Frey nodded in agreement. "That's true…" A soft sigh left her as she looked back towards the castle, and then towards Arganan. "I am glad, though, that everyone is helping out."

It was only another example of how good everyone was in this town. Arganan was grateful for it. If they could help him, Frey, and all the Guardians adapt to life here, maybe this whole town could play some part in saving Ventuswill and the last Guardian.

Surprisingly, it was only hours later when Arthur called Arganan and Frey to come to the Bell Hotel, as apparently he had a breakthrough. Upon entering, Arganan realized Xiao Pai, Amber, and Illuminata were also present, as well as a man Arganan hadn't met before.

"So, we found an ally." Arthur managed, gesturing to the newfound companion with him. "This is Barrett."

The man by Arthur's side stepped forward, offering them a nod in greeting. He wasn't as old as Arganan, but it was clear he was probably around Therius' age, or slightly older. His brown hair was pulled back into a braid, a red bandanna somehow nestled into this and he wore a noticeable blue and white coat. "I heard that you're looking for an Omni Gate." Barrett started, looking towards Frey.

Frey blinked. "Omni Gate?"

He nodded. "It's a moving magic that you use to summon something from the Forest of Beginnings." Barrett explained. "It can also bring someone back. I know someone who actually came back by using that magic."

"What?" Arganan's gaze snapped towards Arthur. "How did you find him?"

Arthur couldn't help but chuckle. "It was a lucky coincidence. I was searching for information on the person who returned from the Forest of beginnings…and learned that someone in this town happens to know that person well. But then Amber came in and I lost my focus, so I wound up leaving empty handed."

The detective scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I'd actually sent Amber to the castle to search for clues, while I myself investigated the inn." Illuminata explained. "And then I got my lucky break!"

"The water in the vase was dirty." Xiao Pai mused, frowning slightly. "So I went to change it, and then I dropped it…"

Barret sighed, shaking his head with utter disappointment. "And that stopped me from going home."

"And that's when I happened to be passing by." Arthur finished, an amused grin on his face.

"If you'd like to learn Omni Gate, I can teach you." Barrett explained, looking towards Frey. "Bear in mind that not everyone can use it. Even I can't use it, because it's a magic only Earthmates can use."

"That's our current dilemma." Arthur sighed.

Frey grinned from ear to ear. "No problem, actually! I'm an Earthmate!"

"What!?" Illuminata stared, jaw dropping. "Seriously!?"

Arganan internally laughed in his head, knowing that he already knew that fact the whole time due to Frey telling him about it a while back.

Even Barrett seemed startled. "Should I just go ahead and teach you, then?"

Frey nodded. "Yes!"

Arganan internally wished her good luck. Hopefully, this would work.

After about half an hour to a full hour of Barrett teaching Frey the spell, it was time to test it out.

"Can you remember this?" Barrett asked Frey. "Think of that peron's name inside your head…now try to come up with some specific detail you know about that person."

Frey nodded. "Okay."

Barrett stepped out of the way. Frey closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Arganan guessed she must be thinking much of Leon, right now, or at least what little bits of information they knew about him. With a loud cry, Frey opened her eyes, motioning to the space in front of her.

"OMNI GATE!"

A bright light appeared, coming from her hands, but then it fizzled out instantly. A yelp escaped Frey as it fizzled out, before she fell to the floor, groaning. "Ow…"

"Frey!" Arganan quickly helped her up. He tried to check her for any injuries. It didn't look like she sustained any, but who knows?

He looked up in time to see Barrett approach, wincing. "Are you all right?"

Frey nodded, looking him at him. She gritted her teeth a bit, before swallowing. "I suddenly felt so much power rushing into my body…"

Barrett frowned. "Did you try to move an uncomfortable amount of runes? If you're just trying to summon a person or monster, that shouldn't happen…"

A soft sigh left Arganan at hearing that. "Well, I guess that spell won't do the trick. Thanks for trying, though."

"No." Frey got up, Arganan letting go of her as she turned to properly face him. "Then that means I'll have to go to the forest of beginnings myself!"

"What?!" Illuminata gasped, staring at her. "Is that possible!? There's no guarantee you'll even get there!"

"Illuminata has a point." Arganan managed. "If the Omni Gate spell didn't work to even bring something out of the Forest of Beginnings, then how are we supposed to get in?"

Frey raised a brow. "Remember? We already had an idea for how to get inside. As an Earthmate, I'm the only one that can save him. I'll enter the Forest of Beginnings from the large gate at Leon Karnak, and use this magic to leave."

Barrett frowned, shaking his head. "You can't do that. Omni Gate is a magic to call something from the Forest of Begininings to where you are now. You can't just use it on yourself. However…" He paused, before taking a ring out of his pocket, offering it to Frey. "You can use this, though."

"Hm?" Frey looked down at the ring, taking it from him. "Thanks, but…what is it?"

"It's a returning ring. With it, you can come back, but it'll break after only one use."

"Where did you get it?" Arthur asked.

Barrett shrugged, looking towards the former Prince. "I used to research the ancient Ath writings of the Earthmates. I wanted to use earthmate magic even though I wasn't one myself, partially so I could lend aid to the person I know who came back. But also to help out any reckless fools who feel invincible just because they're Earthmates."

Arganan gave Frey a look at hearing the last statement. Frey could only sheepishly chuckle, before he heard Barrett sigh. "Looking at you, it makes me realize that you Earthmates are kind-hearted, but impossibly stubborn."

Arganan nodded in agreement. "That also sounds like you, Frey."

Barrett looked Frey in the eye. "When using the ring, hold onto the person you want to save, and chant "Aria." Once you chant the spell, it'll transfer both you and whatever you're holding. But you only got one shot, so don't mess it up."

She nodded quickly, putting the ring away. "No problem! I can do it!"

Arganan could only hope so. As he and Frey bid Barrett and Arthur a goodnight, the two of them stepping outside the Bell Hotel, Frey took a deep breath, looking towards him.

"Arganan? Can you do something for me while I'm gone?"

He looked towards her. "Yes." He knew that he wanted to support her in any way he could.

"I need you to stay back in Selphia for me."

"What?" Arganan's gaze snapped into her own. "Why? Do you think I'd have a hard time with destroying the gate so you can get into the Forest of Beginnings, or…?"

"You've helped me a lot already." Frey stated, looking him in the eye. "But I know this is way more dangerous than you should be handling. You came here to Selphia to recover from past injuries. And I know that we know more about your Outsider's power, but I also know that there's only so much you can physically take."

"Same goes for you." He managed, shaking his head. "What if you get hurt? The Omni Gate spell failed on the first try."

"I'll figure it out. And we know a way to get in there and so on. Besides, I have to go into the Forest of Beginnings alone. You're not an Earthmate like me."

"I–" He started arguing, then faltered. He shut his own mouth, taking a deep breath, before nodding. Frey was right. He couldn't get too close to something like that. "So that's it, then, I suppose? Stay back in Selphia? And hope you come back?"

He saw her gaze soften. "Arganan…"

"I don't want to lose you." The words left him before he could stop them. "You're the first real friend I've really had, Frey. And I don't want to lose you to all of this."

"I know. You're my first friend, too. You and Venti, both." She paused, and then suddenly pulled him into a hug. The former Count hadn't expected it, nearly losing his balance, but he caught himself, wrapping an arm tight around her.

He knew he couldn't stop her from what she wanted to do. And he knew all he could do at this point was stay back and wait for her return.

"Try to promise me something, okay?" He finally managed. "Please? Just…come back safe."

Frey nodded, and she swallowed as she looked up at him. "I'll try." She whispered, and it was only then that he realized that she was about to burst into tears. "I'm going to do my best. I promise."

He could only hope and pray that she really did come back. He wasn't sure what to do if he lost her.