“W-what?”

  Tempus could only stare in shock. His satchel somehow felt heavier than before. Noir got behind Tempus and started to push Tempus forward.

  “I’ll explain as we venture towards the place you need to be, but we need to keep moving so please kindly guide me to the right direction. Time is of the essence.”

  Tempus nodded although he wasn’t sure if Noir saw that. But seeing Noir following close behind, I guess Noir got the memo after all.

  “So the Relic?”

  Tempus didn’t hear the galloping for a while. If he were to deduct, probably whoever was chasing them needed a rest, or a clue so they stopped. Or maybe Noir gave a distraction, who knows.

  “What do you know about the Bridge of Time?” Asked Noir promptly.

  “Lo and Behold the Bridge of Time

  To foresaw or to rewind

  What’s left for you to define”

  Tempus recited the sentences he remembered from his bedtime story, about the Seven Relics.

  “For sure it has the power of time right?”

  Tempus widened his eyes as something clicked in his mind.

  “Wait-“

  “-yes, that’s precisely it. The pocketwatch is the controller of Bridge of Time,” interjected Noir.

  Tempus’ heart sank, but he wiped it from his expression as they arrived at where Mr.Anindha was. Mr.Anindha furrowed brow disappeared as he saw Tempus.

  “Young lad, I was about to go into the forest when you showed up later than usual. Are you okay?” Asked Mr.Anindha as he went to Tempus frantically. After Tempus reassured him that he was fine, Mr.Anindha noticed Noir.

  “Oh, you brought a friend? I’m sorry for not noticing,” he said as he approached Noir. Tempus eyed Noir, not knowing what to say. Noir somehow seemed to get the cue despite being blindfolded and started to talk fluently.

  “Hello, Mr.Anindha was it? You see I was traversing in the woods and Tempus here was helping me. So, I helped him with bringing some of the logs here. Where should we put them?”

  “Oh what a nice young lads you two are, well I shall guide you to my humble abide. Thank you again.”

  Tempus followed after Mr.Anindha with Noir trailing behind him. When they arrived Mrs.Anindha greeted them. Noir pulled out the logs from his magical pouch and put it where Tempus stored all of the necessities. Right after he approached Mr. And Mrs Anindha who was sitting on their home’s terrace.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “If I may speak with you?” He said in a shushed voice. Tempus had just finished unpacking his loads, when he heard the next sentence.

  “You see, I need to travel to the Ventus region, but I needed some help going there. So, if you don’t mind, could I borrow your errand boy for a bit?”

  Tempus felt a bit of melancholy for having to lie and leave this old couple. Mr. and Mrs. Anindha looked at each other before smiling. Mr.Anindha kneeled down and put his hand on Noir’s shoulder.

  “You may need him more than us needing him. We have other nice people helping us, so if that’s what Tempus wants, he could go right ahead,” he said gently and from a distance, Tempus frowned deeply.

  “But I for one, would appreciate it if you young lads went with an adult along the way, may it be a mercenary or someone trustworthy, If I’m a bit younger I would volunteer myself,” continued Mr.Anindha as he gave Noir some cash. Mrs.Anindha went inside the house, seemingly rummaging about something.

  When Tempus went to them, Mrs.Anindha brought up a bag and gave it to Tempus.

  “Here are some supplies that could last for a few days. I would recommend stopping by villages to get more. So I gave a little tips too for you.”

  Tempus was on the verge of tears. He couldn’t explain where it came from. Tempus wanted to hug them but he gave a smile instead, afraid of crossing the boundary.

  “Thank you very much for everything, I will not forget your kindness Mr. and Mrs Anindha. I will help you again after journeying there,” said Tempus as he bowed deeply. Mrs.Anindha lifted him gently to a straight standing position instead.

  “No need for that. Enjoy exploring the world, we will be fine because there are more kind lads and lass in the town. Also Ventus region was nearer to your hometown if I’m not mistaken. It’s a great opportunity now that the war has ended.”

  Tempus could only nod as he bid farewell to the couple and followed after Noir. They walked silently as Tempus looked down the entire walk. Not long after, Noir changed appearance back to his adult form and offered Tempus to rest for a while. So Tempus sat on the ground and asked for more details.

  “So where are we going exactly?”

  “I was wondering when you’ll ask. We’re going to the Tempus temple that is on the border of Aqua and Ventus region. There is a protective barrier that could give you a place to hide for a while. If you’re there, I will handle my sister’s men much more easily,” he explained thoroughly. Tempus raised an eyebrow.

  “They named me after a Temple?” Asked Tempus, as he accidentally said it out loud.

  That made Noir snort and cough before regaining his composure. They started to walk again as Tempus then pondered more about the Temple.

  “That was a sacred place, your line has protected it for generations. Every new guardian of the key takes that place as a shelter. It is the safest place for you,” said Noir as he jumped onto the cliffs with such dexterity. After coming on top, he sat, waiting for Tempus to reach it too. Tempus huffed.

  Noir was famous for his foresight. Tempus was pretty sure no one said that he also was a mind reader. If he were to guess, Noir was just that good at reading Tempus’ expression. Or that Tempus was too much of an open book.

  “How so?” Tempus asked between his ragged breathing. Tempus knew that he didn’t have the greatest endurance, but he wondered how he was beaten by an ancient man in that department.

  ‘ He’s a magical being, what do you expect?’ he quipped at himself.

  “The place goes beyond time and space, the one who could enter it is the one with the key. Also the person you permitted to enter, and probably Hora. But that guy is not a problem,” said Noir nonchalantly as he enjoyed the sunset view, probably. Tempus was busy trying not to die from falling to know for sure.

  “Who is Ho-” before Tempus could fully ask about that he slipped and almost fell, if not for Noir fast reflex. More importantly if not with such strength. Did Noir just lifted his whole body onto the top with only one hand?

  “You know what, forget it,” Tempus sat down and tried to even out his breathing and maybe calm his heartbeat down, “where is the temple? Like on the map.”

  He was more inclined to know how far it will take to get there before he dies because of his own incompetence. Noir rubbed his back for a while until Tempus’ lungs relaxed.

  “I’ll show it to you, when we find a shelter for the night. Preferably a small cave, because it will rain soon,” Noir then kneeled down and gave his back towards Tempus. Tempus didn’t get what the man was doing.

  “You are exhausted, come on, I’ll carry you,” offered Noir. Tempus was reluctant, because he is thirteen years old while yes, he is not an adult yet, he’s not a child. He is not that young. After a long silence from Tempus, Noir sighed.

  “It’s up to you. If you want to walk, then let’s walk. But stay close, you look like you’re going to fall over the second you blink,” Noir said but he still kept kneeling, probably waiting for Tempus to give his answer.

  “I’ll walk, I can make it at least until we find a shelter,” Tempus said and then Noir stood up. They walked at a very slow pace, unlike the pace Noir had been keeping before this. Tempus appreciated the gesture.