Ryuji and Eleanor left the cave and returned to the town. But before they took a look at the forest it was unbelievable. The forest started to regenerate very fast in the places that were turned in stone by the golem.
When they got back to the town they told the villagers about what happened and assured them that the griffin would stop bothering them. They were pleased to hear what Eleanor had to say and organized a feast. The whole night the villagers celebrated the news and the griffin roars in the distance came as a confirmation.
Before Ryuji went to the tavern an owl sat on his table. He noticed the messages tied to the owl's legs and started reading them. Eleanor happened to be nearby and he noticed her about the messages. When he saw what Olaf had to say he was happy to hear it but then it came Sol's message.
(Eleanor) - This is terrible news.
(Ryuji) - Very bad. We should leave as soon as possible.
(Eleanor) - Your training is almost finished, but we need to pass this information on to the others.
*Whisper*
(Zeka) - I consider our training is done, the only thing left is your power.
(Ryuji) - I agree.
(Eleanor) - We leave first thing in the morning.
They went back to the tavern and started packing. Left a note for the Tavern Master and they were gone as soon as the sun was waking up. The owl also was going towards her last destination in the Land of Elves.
In the Land of Elves Hayato was training day and night with the bow. One of the high-ranking elves was supervising him.
*Trip*
*Fall*
*Thud*
(Marcus) - Get up!
(Hayato) - This is never going to work.
(Marcus) - If you want to keep up with the training, you need to succeed in this.
(Hayato) - But it's impossible.
*Stand*
*Step*
Marcus got up stretched himself and showed Hayato the steps that he needed to take to successfully hit the target. The target was behind a tree and there was a small space in between where the arrow should pass through. To hit the target the archer must become one with the arrow and guide it through the crevice.
*Breath*
*Stretch*
*Release*
The arrow Marcus released flew straight into the target, without a sound. Hayato remained speechless and tried again, and again.
(Marcus) - You need a break.
(Hayato) - Not yet, I'm almost there.
(Marcus) - If you are overdoing it you will never succeed. You need a calm mind along with a rested body.
*Step*
(Marcus) - You can again remind me why you are doing all this at the inn.
(Hayato) - Sure.
They went to an inn near the training grounds and Hayato started telling Marcus about what happened, and why the need for him to become stronger.
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(Marcus) - Are those cursed tomes or how you call them a threat, I never heard about such things.
(Hayato) - It is still a mystery what they are capable of, but the few we encountered were strong. Luckily we have someone that matches their powers and can handle them.
(Marcus) - But you said he is not capable of using his powers at will.
(Hayato) - Which is why I and the rest of us will be there to support him.
(Marcus) - Have you checked our Elven library to see if there is anything about his powers or the cursed tomes?
(Hayato) - Perhaps I should have done that, but I was too caught up with the training.
(Marcus) - I can accompany you tomorrow if you wish, and resume the training afterwards.
(Hayato) - That sounds good.
After a couple more mead cans they headed to bed. Hayato kept having dreams about what happened back at the capital, and how he was powerless. Right before the daybreak, Hayato woke up screaming his lungs out.
*Screaming*
(Hayato) - It was just a dream. . .
Marcus who was sleeping next door woke up and rushed into Hayato's room.
(Marcus) - What happened?
(Hayato) - I had a nightmare.
(Marcus) - Again?
*Step*
*Sit*
(Marcus) - What was it about this time?
(Hayato) - I was only able to see a red-ish moon, and my friends hurt. I could not control myself.
(Marcus) - You think this means anything?
(Hayato) - It felt real. Way too real.
*Stand up*
(Marcus) - I will go downstairs and wait for you to get ready.
*Door closes*
After they had breakfast they went to the Elven library. This library contained all the knowledge of the elves and so much more, and it was also heavily guarded.
(Elven Guard) - Stop!
(Marcus) - Do we need permission to get inside?
(Elven Guard) - The library is closed.
(Marcus) - Why?
(Elven Guard) - We did not receive such information, we were just instructed to not let anyone in.
(Marcus) - Do you at least know for how long?
(Elven Guard) - No.
(Hayato) - Should we get back to training then?
(Marcus) - This is strange that the library is closed.
(Hayato) - There is nothing we can do, can we?
(Elven Guard) - Unless you get special permission, you can not enter.
Hayato remembered the Royal Crest he received and showed it to the Elven Guard.
(Elven Guard) - This is the first time I have seen one of those.
(Marcus) - What is it?
(Hayato) - A Royal Crest.
(Elven Guard) - I will send word for your arrival, you can wait inside.
*Step*
*Step*
(Marcus) - That was easier than I thought.
After a couple of minutes, an old elf came to Hayato and Marcus.
(Old Elf) - Welcome to the Elven library!
(Marcus) - Thank you for having us.
(Old Elf) - We are sorry for the inconvenience.
(Hayato) - Did anything happen?
(Old Elf) - I received not long word from Euda about a situation they encountered that destroyed a whole section of their library.
*Step*
*Sit*
(Old Elf) - Which is why we temporarily closed the library.
(Marcus) - What could have happened, do you know any details?
(Old Elf) - They did not disclose any additional information.
Hayato was restless. He knew that Sol was studying at the Euda library and was concerned about him after hearing that.
(Hayato) - Can we go to the library?
(Old Elf) - Yes, but we ask you to be careful. We are still working on strengthening the barriers and protection around certain sections.
(Marcus) - Certain sections? Such as?
(Old Elf) - Mostly the ancient section.
(Hayato) - We understand. We will be careful.
*Step*
*Whisper*
(Hayato) - We need to go there.
*Whisper*
(Marcus) - You think we can find anything there?
*Nod*
Right before they entered the ancient section, there was a gust of wind coming through the doors. A few books fell off the shelf and a ladder started moving.
*Grab*
(Hayato) - I think we are in the right place.
(Marcus) - This looks dangerous. Maybe we should wait until they finish the protections and barriers.
(Hayato) - We don't have time. You heard the Old Elf. Something happened to Euda, a friend of mine is there, he went to study those cursed tomes.
(Marcus) - You think that the events are related?
(Hayato) - I am sure of it.
(Marcus) - Then I am with you.
*Step*
*Step*
*Door creeks*
They slowly pushed the heavy doors to enter the ancient section of the Elven library.