Creo and Athena continued on in their trek in looking for potential candidates who would be willing to help them in their quest. The Narrator stated.
"You know, I actually have a suggestion, Your Highness, there is a certain person we can find to add amongst our ranks." Athena said whilst playfully nudging him in their walk.
"And who would that certain person be, Athena?" Creo questioned, while walking the road, pondering who Athena is specifying.
"I know of a certain person, who lives atop those mountains over there, they call that mysterious person, the Bookkeeper." Athena stated as they were nearing the tall mountains.
"I've only heard legends from travellers, but he seemed to be a talented prodigy when it comes to the arts of sorcery, a man who has kept himself mysterious- no one knows how old he actually he is, so I doubt whether he'd be human or not..." Athena sighed, crossing her arms.
"Interesting, he seems to be quite the remarkable person, although he remains relatively unknown to the outside world..." Creo remarked, his head is racing with endless thoughts about what the Bookkeeper would be like.
"Well then, the journey might take a while considering the trials that we would eventually face before meeting him, nonetheless it would eventually be worth our time then sure." Creo replied to Athena, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go and find the Bookkeeper that you speak of." Creo stated as both he and Athena went up to climb the mountains.
They went to climb the very tall mountains, the harsh snowy climate wasn't helping any better for the heroes' journey to make it easy to get up, but then trouble began to ensure.
A group of snowy monsters approached towards them, their eyes were cold and they had an imposing figured blocking their way from approaching the top.
"Just our luck..." Athena said in an annoyed tone, drawing out her sword.
"I know, but it was never meant to be this easy when it comes to a journey..." Creo said, loading up his gauntlets with mana.
The monsters slowly approached them, the ground shaking due to their mass. Creo and Athena immediately decided to take cover, avoiding the damage.
"That was a close one, we would have been turned into mushed food for them...." Athena sighed, catching her breath.
"Let me take the lead for now, I don't want to get you hurt..." Creo replied, his voice was caring and was filled with worry for Athena.
"Alright I'll be careful, don't worry about it Creo...." Athena continued, looking at him with a soft expression, following his lead.
Creo lead the frontal charge by creating clones to distract the monsters, the monsters began to break through the clones, but that was exactly what Creo wanted.
Creo began to create and launch swords to damage the monsters, buying time for Athena to deliver the final blow.
Athena approached from behind and burned the monsters, thawwing them down into nothingness.
"We make a pretty good team!" Athena said, raising her hand, waiting for Creo to respond.
Creo chuckled and did a high five with her, much to Athena's delight.
"Well with that taken care of, I think we should get some rest...the sun is gonna go down soon." Athena sighed, dismayed by how much time has passed.
"Let's find a cave to seek shelter and start a fire to warm up..." Creo replied, putting his hand on her shoulder for reassurance.
The two slowly navigated around the area and found an empty cave, it was small but just enough for two people to fit inside and rest.
Creo proceeded to create rocks and sticks to serve as the fuel for the fire and Athena began to light it up, providing light and warmth for the night.
"You brought any food for the night? I'm kind of hungry..." Athena said in an annoyed tone, her stomach began to grumble.
"Don't worry, I have some food that we got from hunting..." Creo said in a delighted tone.
He placed the dead meat and put it over the fire, with both of them waiting for it to cook.
"Here have some bread while you're waiting..." Creo said, handing over some bread for Athena to eat.
"Thanks, you're the best friend I could ever ask for." Athena smiled brightly, eating the bread.
The meat eventually began to cook and the two started to eat it to satisfy their empty stomachs.
After that, they prepared to rest for the night, Creo laid down on the ground, looking outside with Athena next to him.
"Would you want me to keep you warm?" Athena said teasingly, moving closer to him.
"Fine but dont burn me while doing it..." Creo rolled his eyes and leaned closer.
"As if I would do something like that..." Athena said as she used her powers to change her body temperature.
The two slept together in each other's company, keeping each other warm on the cold night.
*The next day*
The two left the cave and continued their pursuit into climbing up the mountain.
"Well that took us long enough to get up those mountains...." Creo sighed, his body was trembling and he started to pant.
"God that made me shiver a lot, the harsh cold climate of these mountains is enough for a regular traveller to give up." Creo remarked as he paused to take a rest after reaching the top of the mountain.
"I guess you could say that, but then again, you wouldn't make it up here without my accompaniment nonetheless Creo." Athena smirked as she reached out her hand towards Creo.
Creo reaches her hand and gets up and walks around the top of the mountain alongside her, observing what they could find.
As Athena and Creo continued wandering about on the top of the mountain, they eventually stumbled upon something nearby.
In front of them was a giant, old aristocrat mansion covered with lots of snow. They approached and walked towards the mansion and they decided to knock on the doors, waiting for someone to open and welcome them in.
The door suddenly opened, and a man with brown hair who had olive green eyes, wearing formal black glasses and wearing a mystical cloak above his shoulders appeared in front of them.
"Sorry for the wait, my dear visitors from Elderith, welcome inside King Creo and his humble assistant." The Bookkeeper chuckled, he wasn't expecting any visitors especially from a different kingdom, it was a first for him, so it had him feeling a little overwhelmed.
"Thank you for welcoming me and my friend, Athena into your lovely and humble mansion. We have been suffering under the harsh cold climates outside for a while, so we're glad that you accepted us." Creo replied, his eyes wandered around the area as he and Athena went to sit down on one of the chairs in the mansion.
"I see, sorry again for the wait, I had some unfinished business that I had to finish earlier." The Bookkeeper said as he went to look for a teapot and some teacups.
"Please help yourselves for some tea, it will help warm yourselves up after encountering the harsh cold environment." The Bookkeeper said as he went to serve Creo and Athena some hot tea, sitting on a chair across from them with a calm expression on his face.
"Thank you very much for your kind generosity towards us." Athena smiled, taking a sip of the hot tea.
"I hope you don't mind, sir but I'm going to ask you a question, will you join me and my associate Athena on a journey with us." Creo asked, wondering what the Bookkeeper would respond.
"Hmmmm, you have given me quite an interesting proposal, but I propose this, if you beat me in a duel, Your Highness, then I will gladly join you and your associate on your journey, but failure for you to beat me in our duel then, best you forget about recruiting me into your guild." The Bookkeeper declared and bellowed.
"Challenge accepted, Bookkeeper. Let's do this!" Creo declares as he prepares to make a fighting stance, drawing his blade, ready to attack at any time.
The Bookkeeper initiated the battle by pulling out floating books that helped him cast spells, directing the attacks towards Creo.
Creo was caught off-guard by the barrage of spells happening simulaneously, he used a shield to negate most of the damage.
"He's wasting no time with his enemies, he's going all in to prove his point, it might prove to be difficult to fight him considering he has an arsenal of books in his disposa..." Creo panted, trying to catch his breath from dodging Bookkeeper's attacks.
"What's the matter, King of Elderith, am I proving to be quite the challenge for you to handle?" The Bookkeeper snickered, chaining his hands from moving.
"I noticed that you focus most of your powers into your hands, it allows you to possess the ability to create things out of thin air, and such I'm an opportunist myself, if I see the opportunity, I won't even need to think twice before doing it!" The Bookkeeper said.
But what happened next caught The Bookkeeper off-guard, Creo's reaction to his statement- he simply laughed.
"Why is he laughing, doesn't he see he's in a hopeless situation right now, unless...he has an ace up his sleeve?!" The Bookkeeper exclaimed, his eyes widened, attempting to predict his new move.
Creo lift his head up and The Bookkeeper began to launch magical arrows towards him.
Creo used his Kontroligan Eyes and made the magical arrows stop before they even hit him, and reverts them back to the Bookkeeper's direction.
The Bookkeeper began to cast a spell to make the arrows disappear but whilst he wasn't looking, Creo used the Kontroligan Eyes to take off the chains.
"I was right, he did have an ace up in his sleeve, but this ocular ability, I felt like I've read about it somewhere...." The Bookkeeper said to himself, his mind is racing with thoughts, attempting to recall back from his research.
But whilst he was distracted, Creo seized the opportunity, as he launched his blade towards The Bookkeeper's chest.
The Bookkeeper immediately casted a spell to launch a blade to deflect Creo's weapon at the last second.
"That was close, if I hadn't let my guard down, I would have been pierced. That being said, his ocular ability fascinates me a lot..." The Bookkeeper sighed, he crossed his arms and thought about what he wanted to say next.
"You were quite impressive, King of Elderith, your ocular ability had nearly made me let down your defense..." The Bookkeeper smirked, he was enjoying the fight.
"I'm glad that they're acknowledged, I was planning to go easy on you but since you were going all out, I couldn't help but reply with equal power!" Creo exclaimed, his eyes burning with determination.
The two fighters were both ready to give in their all, they knew this match would be a long and intense fight and that it would take longer before it would end.
But before they could continue- something happened.
The room was filled with thick air, the area started to darken as a giant mist began to encircle them, catching them off-guard.
"ZAHAHAHAHAHAHA! At last! I'm finally free! FREEEEEEE!" A voice exclaimed, its laughter echoed throughout the room in an eerie manner.
The third party that was involved with the interference between Creo and Bookkeeper's duel, was a cursed spirit who managed to escape from being sealed by The Bookkeeper.
"Great, I had just sealed that miserable bastard a few minutes ago!" The Bookkeeper sighed in annoyance, rushing over as he went to chase and capture after the cursed spirit that had been causing mayhem across his mansion.
"I knew I should have tightened my binding spell..." The Bookkeeper said, summoning a bunch of books to neutralize the spirit.
"Nice try, but I'm not falling for that trick anymore!" The spirit exclaimed, as it releashed an attack that made the Bookkeeper flying backwards.
"Once I'm done with you, I'm gonna start cause chaos across this realm!" The spirit exclaimed, it's eyes shined bright red with delight.
After noticing the chaos that the spirit had been causing, Creo and Athena decided to help The Bookkeeper out with his problem.
"Don't mind if we slide into your mess and help you out, Bookkeeper?" Creo stated as he rushed in with excitement, drawing his sword.
"The feeling of a fight, how I've missed this!" Athena shouted as she charged towards the cursed spirit.
The Bookkeeper sighed and said. "Well if you're willing to help me then I don't see why not..."
They went ahead and aided The Bookkeeper in stopping the spirit's mayhem. Creo began to use create clones as a means to distract the spirit, with Athena using her ice powers to solidify the spirit but the spirit phased through the ice, The Bookkeeper used this opportunity to cast magical chains to stop the spirit and chanted a spell in sealing the cursed spirit inside of a mystical bottle forever to be sealed and stuck for eternity.
"Thank you again, King Creo and Miss Athena for your services in helping me trap that cursed spirit, I think I'll accept your offer in joining you on your adventure." The Bookkeeper smiled, shaking his hand in agreement.
"I'm glad that you have accepted my offer then Mr. Bookkeeper, let's go now, adventure awaits us out there!" Creo said happily.
"I also know you're looking for the Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal but let me give you one little warning Creo." The Bookkeeper looked at him with a serious expression, warning Creo as he placed his hand on his shoulder firmly.
"Many people have tried and wanted to strive to get what they wish or desire, but you will never know what will happen next when you have achieved that said goal." The Bookkeeper said, closing his eyes and connecting the dots together.
"On other times, it corrupts people to desire more things to satisfy themselves when it would be the one thing that will lead to their downfall." The Bookkeeper argued.
After listening to what the Bookkeeper had to say, Creo felt a deep feeling in his heart, he knew that what the Bookkeeper said was right and that he has been reckless in most of his journeys and agreed to what the Bookkeeper had just said.
"Ok then, I will take caution and not act brash or become reckless." Creo replied, his eyes filled with determination and hope.
"Glad to hear that you are not being brash and taking my word properly." The Bookkeeper laughed a little, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Why don't both you and Miss Athena stay for the night, it's already dark and the climate isn't going to do any favors for both of you- so what's it going to be?" The Bookkeeper asked, anticipating his response.
"I'm fine with staying in for the night, what about you, Your Majesty, what is your decision?" Athena looked at him in the eyes, waiting for his response.
Creo softly sighed and said. "Me and Athena will stay here for the night, we promise we won't cause any trouble for you."
The Bookkeeper smiled softly and guided them to the guest rooms. "Please make yourselves comfortable, it's quite an honor for a king and a lieutenant to visit my humble mansion..."
"Anyways, I'll be leaving you two alone so both of you can rest, good night." The Bookkeeper whispered, slowly closing the door.
"Well now we have a mage in our team, this is going to be a wild adventure ahead of us..." Athena sighed, stretching her arms as she laid down on the bed.
Creo sat down in the bed and laid down on the bed, his mind is filling with thoughts.
Athena noticed this and she put her hand on his cheek and said. "Something on your mind Creo?" Her eyes were filled with curiosity and she wanted to hear his thoughts.
"I'm just thinking about the journey that waits ahead, this journey is going to be different, we've been through a war and a battle for a mystical scroll but I feel like this adventure is different from the rest..." Creo sighed.
"I know, but that's the beauty of life, it gives us lots of new challenges for us to face and those adventures help us grow, I'm sure you know that and besides, you're not alone in your battle, you have my support and all of our friends and the people of Elderith supporting you." Athena sighed, wrapping her arms around him, giving him comfort and support.
"Thank you, I really appreciated that advice, I'm sorry for worrying you..." Creo said in a sad tone, looking away from her.
"Hey, that's what friends are for, they tell each other's secrets and they're here to listen...now let's just get some sleep for the night..." Athena said, gently brushing his hair.
"Thank you, good night Athena..." Creo sighed, closing his eyes to get some rest.
"Good night Creo..." Athena smiled, gently caressing his cheek before she as well had began to drift off to sleep.
And so the two heroes have went off on an adventure to recruit another member into their guild and ended up in a success, will they be able to achieve their goal at the end of the day or while they fall into defeat against the hands of the enemy? Stay tuned.