The Moonlight Swordsman

The town's existence revolved around the carriages. The town's people—merchants and hunters used carriages on a daily basis to travel from one town to another or go to ruins or forests.

The carriages were pulled by horses of different sizes and colors. The white horses and the luxurious carriages, however, were strictly for the nobles.

As Aizel and Alisha got closer to the little carriage that was being pulled by two black horses and had enough space for both of them,

"Oh, Miss Alisha, nice to see you again. Where do you want to go now?" the coachman inquired.

"I am good, Alex, and our destination is the Gonda Ruins." While ruffling Alex's hair, Alisha said. He was a plain-looking 16-year-old teenager.

"And who could this be, gentleman?" he asked Alisha, gazing over at Aizel, who was now drinking water.

"His name is Aizel," Alisha said.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Alex teased.

When Aizel heard the word "boyfriend," he coughed up the water he was drinking.

Alisha also blushed, and her cheeks turned apple-red.

"I am her brother." Alisha and Alex both gave him stunned looks as Aizel spoke.

Alisha didn't even know what to say when Alex said, "Good luck," in a low voice.

The volcano finally erupted as she responded, "You enough nonsense, let's get moving; we have to return by dusk," with a look of rage on her face.

"Sure, ma'am," Alex answered, clearly not wanting to play around any longer, while Aizel remained expressionless.

They both sat in the rear of the carriage as they began to leave town.

There was awkwardness in the air as they traveled. No one talked until Aizel eventually raised a question.

"So, what kind of place are these Gonda ruins?" Aizel questioned Alisha, who replied with a pout, "It's the most beautiful place near this town, brother."

"She really took it to her heart," Aizel thought as he chuckled, making Alisha blush.

"The Gonda Ruins are located in the waterfall valley. That place is simply magical." Alisha replied, her gaze fixed on the sky.

******

The carriage traveled without interruption until it arrived at its destination. The yellow flower field began to appear, and wherever Aizel looked, all he could see were beautiful yellow flowers gleaming brightly under the sun.

The carriage halted as Aizel gazed at Alisha, puzzled.

"We're here," Alisha exclaimed as she exited the carriage, followed by Aizel.

Alisha spoke to Aizel as they walked "When the sun sets, the hue of these yellow flowers changes. During the night, they turned completely white."

Aizel was surprised at the flowers, indicating that this spot was indeed magical.

Then his gaze was drawn to a gigantic hole-like crater in the field, which contained a waterfall and a lake. But the thing that astonished him the most was where the water was coming from for the fall.

"Isn't that magical?" Alica remarked, noticing his surprise.

"Without a doubt," Aizel agreed.

"Can you guess where the ruins are?" Alisha inquired, although Aizel already knew after viewing the waterfall.

"Inside the waterfall," said Aizel.

"That's right, so what are you waiting for? Let's go." Alisa murmured as she threw Aizel into the deep crater and then jumped.

As they both fell into the lake, Aizel felt the water too cold, as Alisha shouted towards him, "Follow me." Aizel did not think twice, trusting Alisha, and started swimming behind her as she entered the waterfall.

Aizel expected the water to feel heavy when they entered, but it didn't. It had no effect on him whatsoever.

As they approached the land, the inside of the waterfall resembled a cave, with small fire torches burning on the walls.

"Why does it feel like deja vu?" Aizel wondered as a former memory, definitely one he didn't want to recall, reappeared in his thoughts.

"We just need to walk a bit further, and the ruin's gate will appear." Alisha paused, her gaze fixed on Aizel.

"Let's pause for a moment, and I'll explain how this will work. As we opened the gate, it would send each of us on our individual trials, which would be tailored to our strengths. If we pass the trial, we will receive the reward; if we fail, we will be teleported back to the flower field."

"So no one can die during the trial?" Aizel inquired.

"Till now, no one has." But it's still better to take it seriously," Alisha replied.

Aizel nodded, evidently glad that his life would not be in danger.

They both walked until they reached the massive wooden gate.

"Now put your hand on the wooden gate with me, and it will open on its own," Alisha spoke as they both placed their hands on the wooden gate, which began to open on its own.

"Good luck"

"You too," Aziel said, and they vanished from their spot, ending up on their own trail.

Aizel opened his eyes to find himself in the frosted valley, with ice on the bushes and trees and a light snowfall falling.

Aizel marveled at the beauty of the valley, it was like he had stepped into a fairytale.

He could feel a strange chill in the air and he shivered, a feeling of dread seeping through his body.

"Man, it's freezing." Aizel shuddered as he hastily retrieved the hooded black robe from his ring.

"Larisa truly had everything for her travels," Aizel chuckled.

"What should I do now, and how can I find the trial in this vast, frosty valley?" Aizel thought while roaming here and there, looking to find something interesting.

Roooaarrrrr.....

Aizel felt a shiver run down his spine as a deep roar resounded throughout the valley.

As he looked up at the sky, he noticed a white-colored wyvern approaching him quickly.

"So this is my trial; didn't she say we couldn't die here? So, why do I have the feeling that this is the last day of my life? "Aizel stated while staring directly at the Wyvern, as he plainly would not be able to outrun that monster.