Chapter 43: The Journey To The Elf Lands

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The Journey To The Elf Lands

The late afternoon sun shone from a clear sky. A great dragon was soaring over the horizon with the clouds. His vast wings beat against the air sending gusts of wind across the land whenever they flapped. Ayan was the dragon flying back to the village. Arin was clinging to Ayan tightly. Saira was flying with Mira in her hands as she followed Ayan behind.

On Ayan’s back there were two other people. Zarl and his servant. The two men were chained to the dragon keeping them from trying to escape. Zarl looked down at the earth below them. "We’re almost there.

His servant said nothing. He was starting to learn that silence was usually the best way to handle situations. The dragon continued flying. After an hour the familiar sight of the village appeared on the horizon. As soon as the people in the village saw what was approaching however, they went into a state of confusion.

"What is that?!’’

"A dragon ?!"

"Wait’’

"On the dragon, that’s Arin isn’t it."

The commotion stopped almost as soon as it started when the villagers realized the one riding the dragon was familiar. Ayan landed in the village with a heavy thud of his wings. Dust kicked up around the ground as the reptile hit the village dirt. Arin was the first one off the large beast. Saira followed his lead and landed with Mira, Zarl and his servant were the final ones on the ground.

The clinking of chains could be heard as Ayan and the others dismounted. Several villagers stared at the two bound men. Nobody knew them but they probably had done something to cause their being chained. The villagers trusted Arin and went on with their business. Ayan turned to his humanoid form. He glanced over the surrounding buildings. "Let’s go.

Without another word Ayan and the others began walking away from the scene. They moved to Adnan’s side, they had questions for the hero.

Before getting to his home however, Arin spotted him just a short distance away from them.

Adnan turned and saw Arin and the others. He walked up to them. "Hey where have you guys been all night. After the Chimeras I searched for you, didn’t find you.."

Ayan’s voice had a mix of anger he hadn’t left in in his voice as he spoke. "Adnan." Adnan returned the glare from his dark eyes. "Okay, I believe you will explain what has happened right. Am I to assume those two men are among the things you want me to know."

Adnan paused for a moment before speaking.

"It’s a long story. But Zarl here, is the cause of the chimeras attacking the village, he’s also among the reasons for the death of the previous dungeon master." Adnan had a surprised expression. "Now what are you doing with him?" Ayan kept silent.

Adnan looked towards Zarl.

"Why did you do all that." Adnan clenched his fists hardly. "You brought death and destruction to this village." Zarl chuckled. "Oh come on, nobody died. I brought the chimeras from my own village. Besides, you couldn’t kill them, hero. Aren’t you supposed to rid the world of evil." Adnan’s eyes glowed in anger and he raised his hand to strike Zarl. Arin grabbed his hand. "He’s not worth it. He knows how to provoke someone, you just have to ignore his provocations."

Adnan nodded. "You mentioned dungeon Masters when we last spoke. And now you say previous dungeon master. Meaning someone else is the new dungeon master. Tell me Arin Rahman. Are you the current dungeon master?" Adnan stared at them. "The only reason you would look for me is because you possibly have questions about someone related to the previous dungeon master. Tell me, is an hero involved."

Arin was shocked. This man was very intelligent. They hadn’t said much and yet he had pieced together nearly everything. He must have suspected Arin was the dungeon master and now he confirmed it. There was no point hiding it anymore. If they had to get his help. They needed to explain and tell him everything. He looked towards Ayan and Saira. Saira shrugged as if saying, tell him, he probably knows more than he told us before.

Ayan nodded.

"What we want to say does an hero after all. Let’s tell him."

Arin smiled. "Good." He turned to Adnan.

"Can we talk?"

Adnan nodded and he led them into one of the nearby buildings. They entered inside. The inside resembled a gathering area with rooms above.

"Hey, Mari, we’ll be using here for a while. I hope we are not unwelcome " Then a voice reverberated from above. "No, use it as long as you want. That’s why it’s there anyway. We haven’t started business yet, we still recovering from the monsters."

Adnan grinned. "We are allowed. Oh and keep those two outside. Although that Zarl might know some of what I’m going to say. I’d rather he remains outside for now." Zarl and his servant were kept near the entrance.

As soon as the others were seated Adnan finally decided to ask Ayan about what happened in Zarl’s village. "What did you learn?" Ayan folded back against the wall.

"Not much, first his entire village is filled with Chimeras..." Adnan listened as Ayan explained the events of what he had learned. He heard the story of the last Dungeon Master that had been in his charge and the story of the Dungeon Core.

Ayan finished recounting the details of his tale and it seemed as if Adnan was waiting for him to reach a point.

"The individual who contacted Zarl is an elf Hero." Adnan looked thoughtful. "An elf Hero you say?" "That is what he said." Adnan stayed quiet for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Elves of course are among the fighters of the demon king. Although they don’t see eye to eye with humans who they consider weak. They partner to fight the demons and monsters. And yes, they have heroes born to them as well." At that Arin leaned forward. Adnan gave a small chuckle and replied, "Yes, I have heard stories. There is word around people who have greater knowledge in the higher aspects, at least from what I hear, few of them are than me but others are with my rank or lower. But from what I can tell. Not even an high ranking elven hero has the ability or cause to go against the dungeon master." Arin looked thoughtful. "So.." Adnan shook his head. "I don’t know much, but among hero ranks. Only the Elite heroes and the True Hero have the cause to go against the dungeon master. I’d say, the elven hero who contacted Zarl is just a proxy. He was sent by someone higher than him."

"So you do not know what hero could order the monsterization of the dungeon master and his family." Ayan asked with a down tone. Adnan’s expression became more serious.

"That Zarl..." He went outside and brought both of them in. "Zarl, what rank was the elven hero who contacted you. I’m pretty sure you know hero ranks." Ayan turned to face Zarl. "You know what he means." Zarl gave a small nod. "I do." Adnan turned his attention back at the prisoner. "Then you understand the situation." The bound man smiled. "Like I said, I didn’t see his face. He said he was an hero and an higher ranked hero gave him the command. The only reason I know he’s an elf was because I was able to see his long ears as he went away. After appearing to me, he left in a gust of wind.

"

Ayan crossed his arms. "If the source of this plot is in the elf lands, it looks as if I’m heading there." Arin looked shocked, "You’re serious? "Yes," Mira on the other hand gave a knowing nod. "That makes sense." Saira agreed with a quick nod of her head. "If we are going to learn the answers then we can’t stay here." Ayan turned his gaze back at Adnan. "You’re thinking about going to the elf lands?"

Adnan asked. "Yes."

Arin responded. Adnan gave a heavy sigh as he responded. "I figured you were, If you are then the preparation you should make is crucial." Ayan chuckled. "You would say that." " We will go after I make the preparations."

Arin said. Ayan was beside Ayan in an instant.

"I got the supplies covered." Mira followed up almost as fast. " I will help." Saira nodded, "I will make the preparations for the journey." Adnan remained seated." "Then i can help with the route. Ayan and Adnan locked eyes for a few seconds before nodding. The final arrangements were made for the journey. The horizon stretched into the distance indicating the location of the elven homeland.

Somewhere in that vast empty region, an unknown elven Hero waited for them. It was time for Arin to stop running from the troubles that had found him. Ayan came in to step alongside Ayan. He leaned against the man as he prepared and finally asked, "Are we ready?" Arin looked at the ground briefly before replying, " Almost." Mira and Saira were at his sides in an instant. Behind them Zarl and his servant were brought up to meet the group, and finally Adnan.

It was all prepared.

Ayan was one final time glancing off into the horizon.

"Let’s go,"

The next destination was picked to be the elf lands.