CHAPTER I
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The Gates of Judgement. The Steps of Faith.
The snow was gentle yet thick, slowly descending onto the destroyed rubble that surrounded Farlorgeant and Clarielle. This was the place of a great battle, one which took the lives of both the Dravanian Horde and the knights of Ishgard. Everything here was once scorched and torn asunder but now, only the wind and snow accompanied the once glorious steps into Ishgard. Everlasting, the snow continued to descend, melting onto the hooded robes that layered over the armor of the hunters.
"Was this not where they were last seen?" ask Clarielle as she warily watched the skies. Falorgeant was kneeling a few feet away, brushing the snow aside as he continued to inspect the damage on the steps.
"I thought you were in the battle as well?"
"I was, but not at the steps. I was with others defending the bridge."
Clarielle squinted as her eyes continued to scan the gray clouds, her voice hesitant.
"Falorgeant, we must hurry. You know the dragons still patrol the skies."
Falorgeant said nothing as he stood up and looked to and fro. His eyes scoured the debris but only for a mere moment longer until something caught his attention.
"Clarielle?" "Yes?" "Over there."
The duo walked to where mountain met concrete and on the western edge was the destroyed face of the cliff. The snow had yet to fully cover the precipice and Falorgeant leaned over, surveying it. "Something fell here and took most of the rock with it," said Falorgeant as he pointed towards the cliff. "A wyrm most likely." Turning to his left, Clarielle was already knelt over and sweeping the white beneath her.
"You found something?" asked Falorgeant as he approached her. Clarielle looked up and slightly frowned. In her hand was the remains of a destroyed pendant, ruby in color. The pendant's other half was most likely lost in the wind and snow.
"Do you think this was one of theirs?" asked Clarielle as she handed the rosary to Falorgeant. Falorgeant contemplated, inspected the pendant, and then looked back to the precipice. His eyes squinted and he approached the edge of the cliff once more.
"Falorgeant? Is something wrong?"
Falorgeant shook his head as he quickly tucked the pendant away.
"They fell."
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In the valley below, the skies trembled with the distant beating of wings all while the snow continued to cascade...
... unceasing...
... unrelenting.
