They went back to the resonance chamber together, and if anyone saw Lylia's red eyes or the tension between her and Greg, they were polite enough not to say anything.

Marina looked at Greg with a question in her eyes, but he shook his head. She knew right away that they would talk about it later.

...

The work on the compass was almost done. The needles had stopped spinning around and were now pointing in an obvious direction, but Hammy saw something that no one else did.

The slime bounced up and down on Elwen's shoulder, making a lot of noise and pointing with a pseudopod at something on the pedestal's base. Elwen moved in closer to look at what Hammy had found.

"Wow, there are symbols here," she said. "The symbols are hidden within the decorative patterns, and they appear to be part of a code rather than merely for show."

Seraphine joined her, and they both started to figure out what the markings meant. It was difficult to understand at first because it was full of magical theory and old-world language, but slowly a picture began to form.

"It's not just pointing to where Veldway is," Seraphine said with excitement. "It's showing us the way. We have to follow a certain path with certain waypoints.

"It's like a map, but in four dimensions."

"Can you change it into another language?" Tunner asked.

"I think so," Seraphine said as she took out some paper to write on. "Please wait a few minutes."

As Seraphine and Elwen worked on the code, those minutes turned into an hour. Hammy would sometimes chime in with corrections when they went down the wrong path. At last, they had it.

Seraphine said, "The Howling Peaks."

"That's where Veldway is."

"That's where the compass says we should go, at least. It's a mountain range that you can get to in about three days by carriage. It's far away and dangerous, and according to these notes, there is some kind of ancient temple there."

"The Howling Peaks," Tunner said again, looking worried. "I've heard of them."

"The wind patterns give them that name. If they stay too long, the noise drives them crazy. There are no people there. No outposts, no settlements. Just mountains and monsters."

Bork said, "This is the perfect place to hide if you would rather not be found."

Greg looked at the people he was with. They were worn out, some were hurt, and they all had too much loss to bear. But they were also very determined, and they had come this far, so they wouldn't stop now.

He said, "We need to split up," and before anyone could say anything, he went on. "The Howling Peaks are three days away."

"That's three more days for the Calamity to grow and kill, so not everyone can go."

"Some of us need to stay here and help coordinate Meridian's defences to make sure the city can hold it if it comes back."

"Who goes?" Marina asked, but her face showed that she already knew she wouldn't like the answer.

Greg said, "A small, mobile team."

"People who can move quickly and deal with rough ground. I'm thinking about myself, Lylia, Elwen, Hammy, and Hilda."

"Why Hilda?" Felix asked out of curiosity, not intending to be rude.

"Because she's been in that thing," Greg said. "She knows more about the Calamity than anyone else."

"If Veldway needs to be convinced, her testimony might make a difference."

"Right away," Marina said, "I'm not staying behind."

"I need you here," Greg said, looking her in the eye. "If something happens, like the Calamity coming back, Meridian needs people to protect it."

"You too, Tunner. You are one of the Elite Knights. You know how to protect this city, and if it comes to that, you can organise resistance."

"Felix, Donetta, Mira, Seraphine, and Bork, you all need to be here too. Keep working on the compass to see if it has any other secrets."

"Look at Hilda's markings and see if we can figure out how to fight the Calamity. This isn't about who is stronger or braver. It's about putting everyone to work where they can do the most good."

Marina wanted to debate. He could tell by the look on her face, but she was also a leader and knew how to make tactical choices.

She nodded after a long time. "Okay, but promise me you'll come back. All of you! That's not up for debate."

Greg promised, "We will," and he really hoped he could keep that promise.

They got ready for the rest of the day. The small group got supplies, looked at maps of the Howling Peaks, and read everything they could find about Veldway Blackcourt. He was a legend, but legends are known for not having a lot of useful information.

As night fell, Greg had one last chance to be alone with Marina before he left. They were in the courtyard of the fortress, and the setting sun turned everything orange and gold.

Marina said, "Lylia kissed you," and it wasn't a question.

Greg didn't bother to say no. "Yes."

"Do you love her?"

The question was in the air between them. Greg thought about lying to make things easier, but Marina deserved the truth.

He said, "I don't know... I care about her a lot."

"But Marina, I love you. That hasn't changed, of course."

"Greg, love isn't exclusive," Marina said, which surprised him. "The heart doesn't work in neat little boxes."

"You can love more than one person at a time. What are you going to do about it?"

"What should I do?" Greg asked because he really wanted to know what she thought.

Marina smiled, even though she was sad and understood. "Stay alive, of course. Both of you!"

"Look for Veldway and then stop the Calamity!"

"When we survive the calamity... I guess it's time we'll work it out together. The three of us!"

"I care about Lylia too because we are besties now! And if she makes you happy and you make her happy, then maybe that's okay."

"Are you saying..."

Marina said, "I'm saying we're living in an apocalypse, and the rules don't really apply anymore."

"I'm saying I'd rather share you with someone I trust and respect than lose you completely. I'm saying that we should stay alive first and then figure out the details later."

"Okay?"

"Besides... I once said to them that they can love you as well. This is a harem situation after all." Marina giggled.

Greg tightly hugged her, moved by her grace and understanding. "I swear to god... I don't fucking deserve you."

Marina agreed, "Probably not," and hugged him back. "But you'll have to deal with me anyway."

"Now you can go... Protect the world and then come back to me."

"I will," Greg said. "I'll come back no matter what."

They kissed one more time, and this one was deeper and more passionate than the one with Lylia, but it was just as important. Then Marina stepped back, ready to do her part with a warrior face on.

When night fell, the small group met at the fortress gates. Greg, Lylia, Elwen, Hammy, and Hilda set out with supplies, determination, and a compass that pointed to their last hope. Their friends and family were behind them, each with their own worries and prayers.

It would be dangerous to go to the Howling Peaks. It wasn't certain that they would find Veldway.

And even if they did find him, they couldn't be certain he would help. But it was their only chance, and they would take it.

As they set out into the night, heading north towards mountains that drove people insane and a legend that might save them or just lead them to another dead end, Greg felt the weight of everything they had lost and everything they still had to lose.

But he also felt something else—an emotion resembling hope, though weak and in need. They were still at war and actively working to resolve it. The Calamity hadn't won as long as they were still alive.

The Howling Peaks were waiting, and maybe the First Elite Knight who had gone missing three years ago was there too. He was a man who might be strong enough to fight a monster composed of weapons created by Agatha.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.