Aisha froze. Then her cheeks reddened,

"W-what are you saying?!"

Snapping out of it, Nero quickly apologized.

Aisha sighed then waved her hand dismissively,

"It doesn't matter. I don't mind."

He paused for a moment then muttered softly,

"After all, we are friends, right?"

Nero wa silent.

'Friends, huh...'

That was a very heavy word to him.

However, staring into the radiant, expectant eyes of the girl in front of him, he couldn't bring himself to say no.

He could only nod.

Aisha's eyes brightened.

She chuckled and lightly jabbed him on the shoulder,

"Alright. We shouldn't stay here too long."

Then she began strutting forward happily.

Nero chuckled wryly,

'Why act like a kid? You are older than I am?'

He let out a sigh and gazed towards the skies.

Even with the leaves and branches blocking his view, a little bit of starlight seeped from the heavens.

He gently basked in the glow for a moment.

Little moments like this helped him ground himself in the reality, keeping him from completely losing himself.

The conversation with Aisha was rather eye-opening in more ways than one.

He sighed and followed after her.

Aisha deliberately slowed down so he could match her pace.

As they walked back, Nero cautiously asked,

"About that ability?"

Aisha slowly shook her head,

"I can't tell you much about it. I was forced to take an oath by my master."

She suddenly became serious as she fixed her gaze directly at him,

"Some things are best kept unknown. Knowledge is a really scary thing."

Nero oursed his lips, rather displeased at this.

He wasn't very adventurous. But he was rather curious by nature. Being told he wasn't supposed to know something made him want to defy such a rule all the more.

He pursed his lips,

"Then, what can you tell me?"

Aisha hummed as she though for a moment.

Then she snapped her fingers,

"Although I can't tell you most of what my Master taught me, I can share a few things with you. I also have a few stories I can tell."

Nero raised a brow,

"Things? Like what?"

Aisha proudly raised her nose,

"Like the secret behind the prayers."

Nero's eyes widened, "You mean..."

Aisha giggled,

"It's not really much of a secret within the Church. But it is still information kept under some restrictions. However, it isn't anything too important, so I believe I can share it."

Nero turned to her earnestly,

"Please, do share."

Aisha's expression brightened as she chatted away...

"Prayers are for more delicate than mere words, Nero."

Her tone shifted into something a bit more languid and dreary...

Nero swallowed.

"They let you speak directly to whatever entity you pray to. However, it is up to the being to listen. Most of the time, they just ignore us."

Nero frowned, "So you mean..."

Aisha nodded seriously,

"Yes. The prayer is called the Four Calamity prayer, and is used to keep the Four Great Calamities at bay."

"Should they be released from their Seals, then those days will be the final days of life in this world." She concluded with a finality that left Nero baffled.

But he saw no reason to doubt her.

After all, the Grew Clouds was a phenomenon that covered the entire world. If such a thing should descend in its entirety, humanity was doomed.

'I can help but wonder if that thing is related to this...' Nero thought to himself.

Seeing his interest in the topic, Aisha continued,

"The prayers however, are a bit more than that. Each one is just a single part of four different incantations. The full incantations make up a complete spell."

"Spells are a way of manifesting supernatural powers and phenomena into the world. They are all very dangerous and cannot be used carelessly."

Nero pursed his brow,

"Was that thing you did a spell as well?"

Aisha nodded,

"Yes. But it is not related to the Four Great Calamities at all. And then there's rituals, which are prayers made with offerings. But that's all I can reveal to you. Sorry."

Nero chuckled,

"It's okay. I'll learned a lot already. Thanks."

Aisha chuckled, "No need to thank me. I—"

They walked back into the campsite, when they were met with a rather tense, dreary atmosphere.

Obed, Garrick and Geor stood at the center of the camp, their weapons drawn and their gazes directed at different corners of the surrounding darkness.

Noticing them, a look of panic appeared in Garrick's eyes as he yelled out,

"You two! Get over here now!"

Aisha's face turned pale, "W-what's going on?" She muttered as they approached.

Nero's brows were furrowed as he glanced around vigilantly.

Nothing had felt wrong on the way back, but as soon as he stepped into the clearing, he had noticed a change in the atmosphere.

There was something wrong here. And he could tell exactly what it was.

The faint scent of rot.

A slight whisper drifting through the air.

A gust of wind blew...

The wind was frigid and dark.

The flames behind the three men huddled back to back flickered violently, on the verge of being extinguished.

'Damn it! A spirit attack!'

It was all the telltale signs of something ethereal and ghostly making its appearance.

Nero grit his teeth. He hefted Gungnir from its strap on his back and looked around. Grabbing Aisha by the arm, he began backing away from the line of trees until his back touched Geor's.

All of a sudden, the light behind them.

They all turned to face it, their eye wide.

Garrick grimaced and turned to Aisha,

"Quick! Give us some light!"

However, Aisha remained motionless, her eyes still wide in fear.

Nero could feel her freeze up. Even her fingers had become freezing cold.

She was in shock.

Garrick's eyes twitched as he cursed out loud,

"This stupid bitch!"

He reached out to grab her hair, but was stopped by Geor.

The large farmer's gentle aura was gone and replaced by coldness.

He said nothing.

Garrick's eyes twitched as he snarled viciously,

"Geor, you—!"

Geor expression was dark as he shook his head, "Don't touch her."

Seeing this, Nero grimaced and turned to face Aisha.

Her eyes were glassy and wide open. Her body was cold as well, trembling slightly.

Nero sucked in a deep breath,

"Aisha. Can you hear me?"

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