"Ililith, tell me… how long have you been by my side?" the Dark Angel asked, gazing over the edge of the cliff.
The young girl, who had just sheathed her white sword, turned to her master, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. "Nine years, Master," she replied. The wind blew through her bright hair, lifting a few leaves into the air. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, where, in the distance, the peaks of the frigid mountains could be seen, standing tall above the many forests below.
"I see…" the Dark Angel murmured, his thoughts far away. "Ililith, have you ever wanted to see the world?"
The question took her by surprise. She looked down at the grass beneath her feet. "I have… I often wonder what lies beyond… Far from the Central Lands…"
After a moment of silence, the Dark Angel turned to face her. "I will be gone for a while," he said, as the wind picked up. "You could stay at the Secluded Castle and wait for my return…"
Ililith lowered her head, trying to hide her disappointment. She had grown accustomed to waiting, never knowing for how long he would be gone.
The Dark Angel smiled softly, sensing her feelings. "But I have another proposition for you."
Her eyes brightened with hope.
"You will leave on your own journey," he continued. "You'll explore the world I've told you about. What you do and how long it takes will be up to you."
Excitement flickered across her face, though uncertainty remained. "But that would mean…"
"Yes," the Dark Angel interrupted gently, "The journey will be long, likely more than a year. But I have full faith in you. You are my apprentice, after all. This journey won't be easy, and for your sake, I hope it isn't. You've grown, but you still need to experience the world. The good and the bad, the joy, the sorrows... Only then can you truly find your own path."
He paused, a small smile on his lips. "Ililith, you're strong. I trust you."
Without warning, Ililith threw herself into her master's arms, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Thank you, Master… I promise I won't disappoint you."
The Dark Angel held her close. "I'll be waiting for you at the end of your journey… So don't die, alright?"
Ililith finally stepped back, wiping the lingering tears from her cheeks. The warm sun was reflecting in her blue, watery eyes, giving them a unique shine.
The Dark Angel extended his hand, and a small, dark sphere appeared in the air above his palm. It burst, revealing a leather-bound book and a folded map.
"This is the notebook I carried on my own journeys," he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "It may be useful. This old map should help as well, although a few borders have changed since it was drawn."
Ililith accepted them with care, tucking them into her pouch.
"Thank you, Master," she said, her voice soft but filled with happiness. It had been a while since he had seen such a genuine smile on her face.
"I will await the day we meet again, my dear apprentice," he said, placing a hand on her head.
The Dark Angel's silhouette started to fade, dissolving into black dust carried away by the wind. "Goodbye, Master… until we meet again…"
Ililith kept her gaze lowered, watching the grass at her feet as the wind scattered leaves over the cliff's edge. She wiped the tears from her eyes and slowly raised her head, her gaze shifting to the world beyond the mountains, oceans, and Central Lands… to a world of hope, dreams, and adventure. To the world of Ephreem...