Flight of The Harpy's Heart

Chapter xx: Median Steel

Aden contemplated, The fact that this reconnaissance unit of the empire was also called the Wyvern unit made it look like they had been guided by an invisible hand of a greater force.

Aden believed there was no such thing as a coincidence, just like the teaching of Ruhim about Lua.

Wyverns came from the dragons, descendants of the Serpent, primordial beings as old as the angels and demons. and Lua stated in The News that men are blessed with horses and dragons.

Gilbert couldn't hold to give his insight also about the wyvern and their role in this unique ecosystem, he shared an academic perspective. "In the wyverns' territorial conflicts, they scorch the earth and create a kind of hell on earth. Everything burns to the ground, reduced to ashes. But from those ashes, the land is reborn, becoming incredibly fertile with grown with various vegetatives. filled the earth with greens after scorched the earth into grey."

"Poetic," Aden praised Gilbert's insight.

It was a stark reminder of the delicate balance of life and death in this ancient forest, a balance that had led to its eerie reputation.

Leaving behind the scene of the wyvern's demise, the foraging party continued their task, venturing deeper into the Forest of Silent.

The forest's name was well-earned; it seemed as if even the whispers of the wind were silenced here. Yet, despite the eerie quiet, there was an undeniable sense of reverence for the untamed beauty of nature that surrounded them.

After a brief debate over where it could be found, it was settled that they could find Yarrow in abundance at Wailing Willow Pass.

Their path eventually led them to the Wailing Widow Pass, a place known for its stark, haunting beauty. Here, the winds howled through the rocky crevices, creating an eerie, mournful sound that lent an air of solemnity to the place. Aden, Ser Parcival, Gilbert, Hjalmar, and Maeda began to forage once more, their senses heightened by the peculiar ambiance of this desolate landscape.

In their quest for resources and discoveries in the Forest of Silent, the foraging party knew they walked a fine line between the mystical and the perilous. The wyverns, as both protectors and destroyers of this unique ecosystem, were a reminder that nature, in all its beauty and brutality, demanded respect and understanding.

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The foraging party fanned out across the verdant expanse, carefully harvesting the precious herbs and flora that would replenish Serendale's dwindling medicinal stores, Aden found his gaze drawn to the enigmatic figure of Maeda. The ronin moved with a fluidity that belied his gruff exterior, his calloused hands deftly plucking the delicate greenery with a gentleness one might not expect.

"Hey, Maeda," Aden called out, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.

The wandering samurai paused, his eyes finding Aden's as he answered with a simple, "Hai?"

Emboldened by the ronin's acknowledgment, Aden gestured towards the blade at Maeda's side. "Can I take a look at that katana?"

Without hesitation, Maeda unsheathed the sleek steel, offering the hilt to Aden with a casual flourish. As the weight of the blade settled into Aden's palm, he couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship, his fingers tracing the intricate etchings that adorned the tsuba.

"Nice," he murmured, unable to conceal his appreciation.

Brandishing the katana skyward, Aden drank in the sight of the immaculate steel catching the dappled sunlight. "It's a blade—"

"Katana," Maeda interjected, correcting him with a subtle hint of pride.

"A katana's blade made with Median steel," Aden amended, his brow furrowing as he scrutinized the exquisite metalwork more closely. This was no ordinary alloy, he realized, but something far more refined, more precious.