A little while after our conversation finished Shimada left to go to bed, leaving me here with my thoughts once more. I don't think it'd be the worst to tell them more about my past but I don't know if anyone would believe it.
Ugh, maybe I'll just keep it to myself a bit longer.
Crickets, owls, and a few other small creatures can be heard as Artemis sits there looking out at the lake.
I like how peaceful it is out here at least, but I do miss some things about my old world that I'll never have here. Video games were a fun way to pass time and this world is nowhere near that kind of technology.
But they also have things that my world didn't have, like magic and a bunch of different species. At least that's what I read about when I was younger.
I want to see everything this world has to offer so it's good that we have to hunt down all these damn followers. It gives me a purpose in this world, something that I can actually pursue.
Though, I can feel the killing starting to weigh on me. I've never had to kill in my life— It's just impossible to avoid with some of the people we encounter here.
Having to do take someone's life isn't easy for me but yet it feels like I'm getting used to it, that terrifies me. I feel the moment I stop caring about it is when I'm no longer a good person.
This world doesn't have any real heroes in it so maybe I can step up to become that hero one day.
He slowly drifts off to sleep after that, letting the night pass. Everyone manages to sleep without a single problem happening as they rest.
It's been a long road for them since they left Amelia's Estate and this is new territory for everyone but Shimada. The young prince has traveled all throughout the continents of the world.
But there's things even he doesn't know when it comes down to the various threats of the world. The followers that they are after aren't the only issue in the world, they are just the issue that they are focused on.
But nonetheless the next day arrives, the shining sun beams onto Artemis's face as he slowly lifts his head.
I'm still not use to sleeping out in the woods after dealing with all the monsters back at the estate. They really were relentless which is why we had so many different shifts for handling them.
It's kind of nice to be away from that for now though.
The morning clung to the earth like a second skin—cool, damp, and quiet. Mist drifted lazily over the still surface of the lake, curling like ghostly fingers above the water. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and wet earth.
Shimada returned, quieter this time. He lowered himself onto the grass beside Artemis with less flair than usual, settling back against the same tree they'd leaned on the night before.
They sat in silence for a while, the only sound the soft ripple of the lake and the occasional birdsong from the treetops. Then:
"You know," Shimada said, voice low and far from playful, "there are some things I haven't told you much about."
Artemis turned slightly, catching the rare seriousness in his friend's tone.
"My father's been... different lately," Shimada continued, his gaze fixed on the mist. "More guarded. He tries to act like everything's under control, but I've lived in that palace my whole life. I know when something's wrong."
I forget that Shimada is a prince sometimes and I should've guessed that he would visit his father, especially after I saved his sister from the followers.
He drew a slow breath, his fingers absently digging into the moss beside him.
"I overheard him speaking with his council. Quiet, urgent voices late at night. They think war's coming—real war. Not raids or rebellion. Something bigger. And worse."
Artemis's expression remained calm, but he felt a shift inside—like a knot tightening.
I knew that we had more issues to worry about in the future but I thought that a potential war would be the last possible thing.
"Who's moving?" he asked carefully.
"That's the thing," Shimada replied. "No one knows for sure. But something's stirring in the east. They say entire towns have gone silent. Shadows moving through the forests. And the strange part? There's talk of magic—old magic. Things the historians said were buried centuries ago."
He paused, glancing at Artemis.
"They're trying to prepare. Calling in favors. Watching the borders. Gathering people with... potential. My father's quietly taking stock of anyone gifted, even slightly. Fighters. Mages. Seers."
Artemis held his breath. But only for a second.
I can only imagine how much more gifted someone can be in this world, what other powers would be considered a rare choice? I've never thought much about it since I made my selection and it was granted.
"And you're telling me this because...?"
Shimada didn't look at him right away. "Because whatever's coming, it's not just a war of swords. And I don't think it's a coincidence you showed up when you did. You've always kept to yourself, Art. I've never pushed, but... I notice things. You're not normal. Not completely."
Definitely referencing everything that happened back on the ship, otherwise I'd be baffled by his observation.
Artemis tensed—just slightly. "No one is."
"Maybe," Shimada said. "But you're different in ways you haven't said. And I'm not asking you to tell me. Not now. I just need you to know… things are going to get worse. Soon. And when they do, the world's going to start asking questions. Hard ones. Dangerous ones."
That's right, he knows about the shadows since I first used them on the ship against that weird being.
A long silence followed.
The mist began to lift, sunlight spilling in soft patches across the lake.
"I'm telling you because you're my friend," Shimada said finally. "And because when the storm comes, I don't want to find out the person I trusted most had to face it alone."
Artemis didn't respond immediately. He watched the water, the faint shimmer of light flickering across its surface like dancing silver. Deep down, something ancient stirred within him—silent, restless, waiting.
He clenched his fists, forcing his voice steady.
"Thanks for the warning."
That was all he said. But it was enough—for now.
Shimada didn't press. He just leaned back against the tree again, pulling his cloak tighter as the wind shifted, and together, they sat in the calm before the storm.
Well, the morning was nice until I learned of everything that's to come in the future. I thought after the last war that maybe there wouldn't be another one any time soon.
His gaze shifted up towards the sky. I'll just have to handle this after we're done with these assholes.