Ember

Karl had already left earlier that morning.

Zelda stood alone in the training area, waiting for her new trainer to arrive.

Instead, Dieter approached her.

“Zelda, pack the things you'll need most. We're going to be traveling.”

Zelda looked at him in confusion.

“Traveling? Where are we going?”

“Somewhere important.”

Dieter took a sip of his tea.

“I’m taking you somewhere where you can receive the training you need to unlock your potential.”

“Potential?” Zelda asked, even more confused.

Dieter simply looked at her.

“Pack your things. We need to leave now if we want to arrive before sunset tomorrow.”

Zelda stood there for a moment, trying to understand what he meant.

Then she hurried back to her room.

With the help of Ms. Charlsen, she packed the things she would need for the journey.

Not long afterward, Zelda carried her luggage out to the chariot.

She climbed inside.

Dieter followed.

The journey began.

Zelda watched as the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.

Night came.

She took a nap.

When she woke up, the sun had risen again.

They were still traveling.

She took another nap.

When she woke again, they still hadn't reached their destination.

Zelda looked out the window.

Where are we going?

She eventually turned toward her grandfather.

“Dieter...”

Dieter looked at her.

Zelda waited, anticipating him to say something.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

“I didn't tell you earlier,” Dieter finally said, “because I didn't think you would agree to come with me.”

Zelda's eyes narrowed.

“Where are we going?”

Dieter looked ahead.

“Where we're going isn't a place for you to learn Sorcery.”

Zelda's eyes widened.

Her mouth moved as if she were about to say something, but no words came out.

Dieter continued.

“I'm taking you to an old friend of mine. You must remember him. He used to visit our house a few years ago when you were younger.”

Zelda's eyes widened.

Boreas.

Dieter nodded.

“You'll be staying with Boreas for a while. He'll explain everything when we get there.”

Zelda stared out the window.

A memory suddenly came back to her.

When she was younger, Boreas would go hunting whenever he visited the Heinhard Estate.

She remembered watching him effortlessly take down bears.

He was incredibly strong.

And afterward, they would eat what he had hunted.

Zelda smiled faintly at the memory.

Boreas...

But her smile faded.

Why was she going to live with him now?

Why wasn't she going to continue practicing Sorcery?

She looked toward Dieter.

She considered asking him.

But after a moment, she decided against it.

I just know he won't tell me, even if I ask why.