Chapter 164:

"Good." Taranath nodded slowly at Janet. "You're learning very quickly."

"Am I?" Janet looked to the swirling mass of vines I'm her hands. "I'm having trouble making them do...Well, anything other than just bundle into a ball."

Taranath chuckled, shaking his head. "It takes most Wood Elves many, many winters to learn even the most basic skills. You've been at it only a few days."

Janet seriously doubted if that was the case. She, Dustine, Percy and Sandy could create Nithroel's vines from their own mana, a strange heaviness that permeated every part of their body, after their first attempt. The other New Heroes were rapidly approaching their skill level, especially Jacobs who was essentially at the same level as they were.

"Still no magical bow," Janet mumbled.

Taranath took a step back, a green light grew in his hand as the vines, somehow more vigorous than hers, and formed it into a spear.

"See?" Janet raised her blonde brow. "Easy for you."

"I-"

"Oh no!" Percy cried out.

The mass of vines in his hands erupted in growth, tripling in size before he managed to bring it under control. Taranath held his spear ready to attack, hopefully the mass rather than Percy. He smiled awkwardly as he let the mass drop. The vines lost their vigour but refused to dissipate.

"Sorry." Percy hung his head low. "I thought I had it."

Taranath relinquished his near fighting stance. "You almost had it, at least the right amount of mana."

Taranath leant down to the mass before stabbing it with his vine spear. Both disintegrated into thousands of bright green lights.

"Keep trying." Taranath smiled. "You'll get there. Just try and keep the shape as you pour mana into it."

Magic, as it was known in this world, was...different than what she was expecting. Forming and controlling shapes, essentially within your mind was a far cry from the witches hats, staffs, mountains of books and mathematical formula she had anticipated. Apparently those existed but the Wood Elves eschewed such things, dismissively relegating them to the lesser races. Janet’s questions normally went unanswered, even from Taranath.

"There we go." Taranath approached Dustine. Her face trembled from exertion but she had, hovering above the glowing green circle, a bundle of vines gently swaying back and forth.

“Excellent.” Taranath didn’t appear to want to interfere too great, lest she lose control. “You’re doing very well.”

“Thanks.” Dustine smiled awkwardly. “It’s like the magic…thing is trying to escape. Like a bunch of eels.”

“All type of magic, the humans call it Glyph Magic, is slightly different.” Taranath began. “Some feel very similar, like Fire and Lightning, but then others can be absolutely different. Water, Earth, Light, Blood-”

“Blood?” Janet asked.

“Yes…They are a special breed of magic users.” Taranath smiled. “Normally they’re pretty strange but I’ve known a few that weren’t completely psychotic. Just don’t let them drink blood. Even I’d have trouble with a powerful one when they’re consumed by the blood rage.”

“Magic is such a strange thing.” Janet murmured.

Taranath clapped his hands loudly. “Okay everyone. Time to stop. There’s no point in working until you drop, though we are starting to run out of time.”

“Physical exercise?” A guard Woof Elf, wearing resplendent golden armour, leant into Taranath’s ear.

“After they’ve had a little rest.” Taranath nodded glumly. “While they might not have magic ready before the time we’re ready to depart they at least need the strength to defend themselves.”

“What do you mean?” One of the New Hero Elves asked. Janet still didn’t know her name. After the death of one of their number most retreated mentally, despite Taranath’s urging to get along.

At least we’re still talking.

“In a few days, the majority of us will be leaving for the front, near the Shifting Isles. You will see what we fight with your own eyes. Something that I’m sure will convince most of you to put some effort into your training.”

“You said most,” Jacobs asked. He and his gang continued to do well, comparatively, but only due to the fear and intimidation that he continued to exude. Even the pretty face of the Wood Elves, no longer filled with scars and rotten teeth, couldn’t hide his most inner emotions.

“Several of you have been called away for a special mission.” Taranath clicked his tongue. “Think of it more of a diplomatic mission than something where you’ll be fighting. The Wood Elves, for all our strength and glory, aren’t as united as you’d think.”

Armoured Wood Elves descended upon their group and began to her most away, except Janet and her group. Jacobs looked on rather confused but let it drop, Janet knew that he wasn’t sure which was worse but heading to a battlefield was probably the worse of the two options.

Taranath waited until everyone else was long gone before speaking.

“Obviously it’s you four. You will be leaving this land for one beyond the seas.” Taranath raised his hand. “But…There is something that you need to do before you go. Apparently. It’s not my decision.”

“Aleruia?” Janet asked.

“Actually no.” Taranath smiled. “Not this time. She’s been very quiet and well behaved since I told her off. Despite being her father’s daughter the King still listens to me, especially when I told him what was happening.”

“I thought she would have wormed her way into his ear,” Dustine said softly.

“Perhaps one day.” Taranath shrugged. “But not today. It was actually our Goddess, Nithroel, that wishes to speak with you.”

“The person that brought us here?” Dustine asked. Her hands were scrunched in anger.

“Yes. You haven’t met her in your dreams yet?”

All four shook their heads, Janet was glad that she wasn’t the only one left out.

“Well, there are ways to communicate with the Gods in the physical world. Nithroel, as one of the most powerful, can come into the physical at specific locations. We are very close to a small sacred spring where she can be communicated with. Many of the women go there to pray to her, so they may be blessed with children.”

“So…Do we go now?” Janet asked.

Taranath nodded. “Yes. The ships will be leaving very soon. However, I don’t know what Nithroel will want from you. It shouldn’t be much since she knows you’re still training. And you’re doing very well.”

“She brought us here without our consent,” Dustine said.

“And put us into bodies that aren’t ours.” Sandy flexed her hands. “Whose body am I currently in? Who had to die to do this?”

Taranath fell silent.

“Was it willing?” Janet asked softly, hoping that it was.

Taranath refused to answer and ushered them to follow.

---[]---

Taranath led them out of the city and deeper into the forest. Despite the diming light, the trees and vegetation growing thicker and more wild, they could still find their way through thanks to a very well maintained path flanked by small glowing pink flowers. The bushes were very small but judging by the distance between each plant they had been placed with deliberate intent.

“Those looking to have a child will pick those flowers.” Taranath slowed, picking a single glowing pink flower. “I don’t think it works but it gives the women hope.”

“How hard is it to get pregnant?” Dustine asked, immediately regretting her choice of words. “I mean, it’s not that hard for humans. Happened…Happened a lot more times than I’d like.”

Dustine caught Janet’s eye. “I got a little lax at times. Sort of…”

Dustine looked to Percy and Sandy, following at the rear. They were both very young, even if their current bodies didn’t reflect their mental age.

When do children start learning about that sort of stuff anyway? I’ve heard it’s been getting younger and younger but when I was young…

“A baby is a very special thing in our society.” Taranath continued, holding the flower’s stem tight in his fingers. “Not that it isn’t in a human’s or a Dwarf’s. But even compared to those short beards ours are very few and far between. Those that were killed by the Demons will take hundreds of winters to replace.”

“That long?” Dustine asked. “Wait…How old are those children then?”

“Forty or fifty winters?” Taranath continued walking while Janet and Dustine remained stuck in place by shock. “I suppose that seems odd for humans, former humans, but it’s quite quick. I’m one of the oldest Wood Elves and even I think I’ve seen far too few.”

Taranath took a deep breath of the flower before tossing it far from the path.

“Did…”

“Did I what?”

Janet signalled for Dustine to remain with the twins.

“Did you lose someone?”

Taranath’s eyes tried to pierce through Janet’s, he wasn’t angry but something else. A level of judgement perhaps.

“I did. My wife.” Taranath sighed. “A very long time ago. Probably longer than you could imagine. She died peacefully but…”

Taranath shook his head. “It’s painful to think about it.”

“I’m sorry I asked,” Janet said. “I just thought you looked a little sad when you held that flower.”

Taranath smiled. “They were her favourite.”

He nodded at something in the distance, the sounds of trickling water and the chirping of small birds. A small shrine situated around a small spring lay before them; a small semi-circular crystal clear pool surrounding a stone pillar from which the water cascaded over the rough stones and gently splashing into the pool. Marble pillars, with great vines bearing green and blue fruit twisting around the pillars, surrounded the exterior of the pool with large glowing orange crystals on top. Small birds darted between the flowers, frogs croaked at the edge of the pond while insects darted above them.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“This is beautiful,” Sandy whispered, shying away slightly when Taranath looked back to her.

“It is…” Dustine frowned. “So what’s that?”

Lying just before the central rock pillar, partially submerged in the water, was another marble block. However, it was large enough to hold a person lying down.

Taranath coughed. “It’s a place where women can try and ensure their conception results in a pregnancy.”

“What?” Percy frowned and tilted his head, Sandy mimicked her brother’s expression.

Janet understood, so too did Dustine.

“Is that something your Nithroel approves of?” Janet asked. “Doing that right here, in this beautiful place. Where she can apparently watch that happen?”

Taranath shrugged. “She’s never actually here for it. But…It’s best not to think about it.”

“Hang on.” Janet reached out for Taranath, but the elite soldier instinctively moved from her reach. “Does it always happen here?”

“Normally a shrine like this. But it doesn’t always guarantee a pregnancy.”

“But if it’s…performed outside of one of these, can they get pregnant?”

“Not normally.” Taranath approached the edge of the pond. “Most of our communities gather around these, they’re extremely difficult to create, let alone finding a location where one can be built.”

Seems like a very good way to keep control. Any Wood Elf society that goes against Nithroel can’t have babies. They would simply be whittled down to nothing. Sounds something like the Nazi’s or the Soviets would do.

Taranath’s hands glowed bright with the normal green light, the orange crystals began to change and match the green light.

“I’ve called Nithroel.” Taranath began. “You aren’t strong enough yet to summon her on your own. But this conversation isn’t for me.”

“You’re just going to leave us with a Goddess?” Dustine asked.

“You’ll be fine.” Taranath held her shoulder. “A Goddess like Nithroel, although more than powerful enough to take on any other God by herself, is still extremely limited in our world. That being said you should do your best not to offend her, you might just get a boon of some sort. Perhaps magical weapons or armour, better than anything you could hope to find outside of our own royal treasury. So-”

“Be nice and polite,” Janet said. “But I don’t think we’ll be grovelling beneath her either.”

“Good.” Taranath stepped away as the pool began to glow brightly. “I think she needs people that aren’t just going to bend to her every thought and whim.”

Janet felt a rush of fear shoot down her spine as Taranath completely left the small spring and beyond their sight. The others pulled closer as the water flashed green and something appeared on the marble plinth. Out of the green light, a bundle of vines emerged, forming a giant flower pod. As it unfurled a woman sat inside, a mature version of Aleruia with long flowing blond hair, high cheekbones, an incredibly thin and revealing dress, all swirling together with an incredibly haughty and superior look.

“Greetings Heroes,” Nithroel spoke with a soft voice that echoed with a light ethereal tone. “I am glad to see that you are doing well, even though so many of your companions are struggling so hard to understand my blessings. You four have a decent understanding, especially with so little training.”

Janet took a step forward as no one else was willing to speak first. “Thank you, Nithroel. We have done our best. But…Why did you summon us?”

Nithroel’s thin golden brows furrowed. Her back straightened, she folded her arms underneath her voluminous breasts but said nothing.

“Surely there are better warriors better than us? We don’t know how to fight, our world was relatively peaceful so…”

“Are you displeased with your new bodies?” Nithroel appeared to not understand Janet’s concerns.

“No. I was an old woman. But they were children.” Janet pointed to Percy and Sandy. “Their minds took a long time to adjust to their new limbs.”

Nithroel crossed her legs, allowing the thin green material to ride high up her hips. Though Janet didn’t favour women over men she found her eyes unable to deviate from the flawless skin on her legs, the perfect amount of softness and muscle-

“And you sacrificed so many of your Wood Elves to bring us here.” Janet focused herself from Nithroel’s body and onto her face. “Why?”

Nithroel sighed and slipped from the plinth and into the crystal blue water. The water only reached her middle calf, the long green dress draped over the surface but she was completely unconcerned.

“Those Wood Elves gave their lives willingly.” Nithroel leant against the plinth. “Your bodies were destroyed in your old world, I’m sure you remember the mangled mess of metal and fire.”

“You saw the bus crash?” Dustine whispered. “How?”

Nithroel smiled, one that Janet had no idea if it was genuine or not.

“We have our ways. We needed to bring souls through the veil between worlds, so they could absorb magic, more magic than even the most powerful mage could possibly hope to achieve.”

“So why not our old bodies?” Sandy asked. “I…I remember that we weren’t in these.”

Sandy held her elven hand up, staring intently at her fingers. Though Janet had never seen either twin before waking up in their new bodies she had no doubts it was still a continuous shock to wake up in a different body. Janet was simply glad to no longer have aches and groans.

“Because your old bodies simply cannot use magic.” Nithroel began to scratch her chin, holding her left elbow with her right hand, pushing her chest up. “It’s not like we haven’t tried before but they simply can’t, and if we were to force a soul laden with power into your old body you would simply explode…Unless…”

Nithroel frowned, her eyes darting across the water but at nothing Janet could discern.

“Unless?” Janet asked softly.

Nithroel shook her head. “It is not important. Just know there is simply no way to regain your old forms.”

Nithroel effortlessly jumped backwards onto the marble plinth, the wet ends of her dress slapping on the white stone. “I thought you would be happy, human bodies degrade and break so easily. Not compared to my Wood Elves.”

Seems like your magic, or whatever it is, has something to do with that.

Janet smiled, forcing aside her concerns. “I do enjoy not having to wake with pains and stiff joints.”

“I am glad.” Nithroel smiled. “Not even the oldest of my Wood Elves have that to worry about yet. But we have salves and ointments should that become a problem.”

Nithroel laughed. “I wonder if they’re still any good.”

“If none of your Wood Elves have ever lived that long how would you know?” Dustine asked. Nithroel’s face dropped slightly. “If…If they…”

Dustine quickly trailed off as Nithroel slowly grew angry.

Not angry. Distressed? Because they shouldn’t have something for old age if they haven’t ever turned that old? Does that mean anything?

“Taranath said you wished to speak with us.” Janet began quickly. “Something about travelling beyond this continent.”

“Indeed.” Nithroel nodded, the goddess visibly glad to be on a different subject. “Though the Demon’s are the greatest threat this world, and my Wood Elves, face, there is another that brews and festers on the far side of the world.”

Nithroel waved her hand, a vine grew from the ground and formed a large square. Small flowers bloomed, releasing bright pollen that only fell inside the square.

“A map?” Percy said aloud.

“One of my many abilities.” Nithroel smiled at the young boy. “Should you continue to train something like this will…I wanted to say child’s play but that’s definitely the wrong expression with you. I do often forget that you aren’t several thousand winters old.”

The pollen shuddered and created an impressively accurate map with everything, even to the different types of terrain, clearly displayed.

“Currently you are here.”

A large continent on the western side of the map flashed, followed by a much smaller pin-prick inside a gigantic forest that spanned almost half of the continent.

“And the problem is far away, right over here.”

This time a land mass on the far east, almost circular, glowed brightly.

“Here something stirs.” Nithroel frowned. “Something that should have been destroyed long ago.”

“But we are just four.” Dustine winced as Nithroel’s piercing gaze focused on her. “What can we possibly do that elite warriors cannot?”

“As of now, nothing.” Nithroel tapped the pollen map, to the south of the glowing landmass. “Though most of the Wood Elves live on our continent there is still one Dynasty that remains overseas.”

Nithroel’s lips curled up. “Lingers is perhaps the better world. They were conquered by a human empire long ago, but now they are once again free and listen to my words.”

“I take it they have one of these sacred springs?” Janet weakly waved across the shrine. “Otherwise they would have died out.”

“The United Empire destroyed all but one.” Nithroel smiled. “My people hid it well, that damned human empire was very thorough, but not entirely.”

“And…”

“You are to travel to these lands and deal with the issue that’s building there.” Nithroel sighed at the map. “I’ve had some difficulties in this region, my enemies have managed to limit my range…But the Oranthas Dynasty can still operate in the area.”

Nithroel waved a hand over the map, the pollen changed the image to twenty small flat stones with a red marking on one side.

“These stones…These stones look unassuming and unimportant but they bristle with magic that’s beyond our creation. Something old. Extremely old. Something from the beginning of time.” Nithroel shook her head. “That stupid girl…If all twenty are brought together a ritual can be performed. One that will bring about destruction on a scale far greater than the Demons. Or even what all of us are capable of.”

“A bunch of stones?” Percy softly asked.

“Yes.” Nithroel waved the map again. “Most have been collected by a coven of witches…And even I have no idea where they are hiding. Their magic is great enough to hide from my sight, they are incredibly sly creatures. But, but if one stone is kept separate the ritual cannot be enacted.”

Most people wouldn’t want the world to end, unless they’re completely crazy.

“The obvious question needs to be asked,” Janet said. “Four fresh warriors? That’s what you want to send to stop this gathering of stones?”

Nithroel sighed, a hand delicately rubbing her temple. “The Oranthas Dynasty feel…marginalised. They won’t move unless I send someone of note. And four of the best Heroes we have will be more than enough.”

The map returned to the vine square.

“Though their forest is safe, relatively, the land beyond is extremely dangerous.” Nithroel smiled. “If you thought the small Goblin nest was an issue you haven’t seen anything in the remains of the Kar Kingdom. Well, it’s called that for now…”

“They were scary enough.” Sandy mused. “How many are we talking?”

“Thousands.” Nithroel splashed into the water. “Tens of thousands of the little creatures. The little slobbering, mutant monsters. All seeking to attack and destroy you.”

Nithroel slunk through the water, crouching down slightly as she raised her hands to mimic the Goblins. “Skulking through the bushes and grasses, stalking your every movement as they wait for the perfect moment to strike.”

Nithroel smiled before returning to her plinth. “I have finally discovered where one of the stones lies and I believe we can secure it before the Witches get their gnarled old hands on them. They…” Nithroel coughed lightly. “There is a mine, operated by both the United Empire and the Kar Kingdom, sixty-four miles south of the old capital of Surdon. That is where one of the stones has been hidden. However, the Goblins have used it as a nest for some time now, led by a very large number of Blacks, so at least twenty to thirty thousand of the little creatures. Easily. I want you to travel with the Oranthas forces, retrieve the stone and bring it back to their capital. They have the abilities to shield and lock the stone away from anyone. Nothing less than a hundred of the best mages could have a hope of even cracking it open, and not even they could open it once shut. Do that and a massive threat to this world will be extinguished.”

Janet looked to the map. There were clear lines, borders, between the Kar Kingdom and the Oranthas Dynasty but it wasn’t the only territory on the map. Either side lay the Qaiviel Kingdom and the Graterious Empire. Janet knew it was safe to assume these were human lands.

Perfect places to hide, places beyond Nithroel’s reach, especially if the Oranthas Dynasty didn’t obey her with a fanatical drive.

“Alright.” Janet nodded. “We’ll go. Do we leave now?”

“Yes.” Nithroel waved away the vines, retreating back to the bundle at the feet of the plinth. “The trip will take some time but the Oranthas Dynasty simply won’t move without you. I’ve organised the fastest ship possible.”

“I’ve never been on a boat before,” Percy whispered to his sister who promptly elbowed him in the side.

“A ship,” Nithroel corrected, raising her index finger. “Not a boat. But Taranath, lovely Taranath, spoke true about one other thing. Using the equipment you have right now is a near-guaranteed way to get yourselves killed.”

Nithroel waved her hand over the water, four spots began to glow bright green as a vine pod rose from each light.

Just like the pod that allowed Nithroel into the world the four unfurled, four golden swords and a set of light armour, not a complete set like the guards wore but enough to keep the most commonly hit places safe.

"Take these." Nithroel beckoned them forward. "They are imbued with magic and strength beyond what most would see in their entire lives, and that means Wood Elves too."

When it became clear Nithroel was waiting on them Janet, as the eldest, took the gifts first. Despite clearly being a type of metal the sword essentially was weightless, so too was the armour. The tiny scales clinked as it folded around her hands.

"Take very good care of these," Nithroel said as they took their weapons and armour in turn. "I do not give these away lightly."

"We will return them upon completion of our mission," Janet said.

Nithroel dismissively waved her hand. "Keep them. They are my gifts to you. I wish you all the best. Return safely. Please."

The vines grew around Nithroel completely before collapsing in a heap and slinking back into the water. A few seconds later there was no evidence that anything had transpired: the pollen had dissipated on the winds, the crystals on top the marble pillars reverted back to a soft orange and the water regained its crystal clear blue.

“Did that just happen?” Dustine asked, holding the sword high. It was relatively unremarkable, baring the incredibly sharp edge. Janet touched it with her finger, instantly regretting it as droplets of blood rained down and stained the water.

“I suppose we’re leaving this land.” Janet smiled. “And if we were to get lost on the return trip we might find our way into human lands.”

Dustine understood immediately, Percy and Sandy took a few seconds longer.

“We’d better tell Taranath that we’re going.” Janet trudged her way out of the water, holding the gifts close.

“What about the Demons?” Percy asked. “If…We’re going away for a while what’s going to happen to them? Everyone else, I mean. They’re going to be fighting those big…”

“Lava dogs.” Sandy quickly added.

“That’s their problem.” Janet smiled as she saw Taranath approaching along the path. “But I’m sure that Taranath will make sure they’re looked after.”

Janet looked down to the golden armour and sword.

I wonder if these were already placed there, was Nithroel even an illusion? We’d better not speak too loudly near these things, just in case.

Taranath waved as he began to slow.

I’m sorry, Taranath, but we want nothing to do with your war. The first chance we get we’re going to make our escape to the human lands. And finally find out what’s happening to us all! I just hope that we can actually make it.