Laila and Isaac followed Taligen through the mist. The sound of crunching snow filled the air as the tall man waded through it.

"H-He sure is t-tall…" Isaac stumbled, staring hard at the Apithien. Now that he was wide awake and not on the verge of collapsing, he could get a better look at the Apithien. The scars he had on his face made him look like a fierce warrior that had undergone many battles. While Isaac cannot accurately gauge what his physique may be behind the cloak, Isaac could estimate that he's probably shredded as hell. The Apithiens he met are usually like that.

Isaac was also jealous of his height. The teenager was just one inch away from reaching six feet, if you count wearing shoes. Isaac would sometimes fantasize about being the same height as Solgen and instill fear into the hearts of many. Being tall has its merits, whether it be the reach or the intimidation factor. Too bad that he was the same height as his father, and as far as he knew, there weren't any family members that were above six feet.

"I h-hate g-genetics," Isaac mumbled. Laila heard her brothers mumbling and was perplexed by the sudden mention of genetics.

He's probably thinking about something stupid again, Laila thought to herself.

"We've reached our destination!" Taligen shouted through the fierce winds. Through the wintery landscape of bare trunks and snow-laden branches, there was a large clearing where many houses had the same structure as the log cabin they had just left. The houses were constructed of tree logs, the roofing slanting down in a V-shape, and a small brick layer on the exterior of each one.

"Are those brick things on the side of the house's chimneys?" Laila asked Taligen. The man nodded his head and motioned for us to keep walking. There was a black pathway in front of the trio that was wide enough for three people to walk side-by-side. Once Laila stepped on the pathway and walked forward, she could feel her body swaying backward. She tried her hardest to remain composed while Taligen completely ignored them.

"T-This is one slippery walkway! Is this thing made of metal or something?" Laila cursed under her breath. The path was glossy and smooth like glass. She could even see her reflection once she wiped away the snow with her shoe.

"The pathway you are walking on is made of Matorenite," Taligen summarized. "Since Matorenite is a metal that is easy to obtain in South Osmen and can withstand most conditions, including the piercing cold weather we are experiencing right now, the Elders have decided to use this long-lasting material as its best suited more than others."

Taligen took a right turn. The pathway forked off in various directions, leading up to the warm, inviting front doors of a log cabin.

"Laila… What in the hell am I looking at right now?" Isaac called out to Laila from beyond the corner of a log cabin. When Laila trotted over to her brother, wondering what he meant, she let out a small gasp at a scene she never would have expected, even if it slapped her in the face. The Apithiens leisurely strolled through the area, the sound of their laughter echoing throughout. Some were relaxing in front of their houses, talking amongst friends and family. Others were sitting on a small stool, whittling a piece of wood or sharpening a variety of swords and daggers. Laila and Isaac gawked when they noticed that many of the people were without shirts! The little kids were having a blast, their unmittened hands scooping up snow and throwing it around like it was sand on a hot beach.

"I… What… Why?" Laila asked the nonchalant Taligen.

"Do you not bathe in the sun or take a dip in a cool lake for entertainment and pleasure?" Taligen said while waving at a passerby.

"That is diff- you know what? Never mind." Laila shook off her surprise and continued walking behind Taligen. In her thoughts, she was freaking out; I'm over here freezing my butt off and these people are treating this snowstorm like it's just a regular Tuesday! These Apithiens are hardcore!

As Laila was consumed with curiosity about how the Apithiens managed to survive in the icy temperatures, Isaac quietly left the group and approached a female Apithien honing a small sword with a shimmering silver whetstone.

"Hello there!" Isaac said, his eyes drawn to the young woman's gray shorts and sleeveless top that showcased her glowing skin. She had silver hair in a bob-cut style and a permanent scowl on her face. After seeing a pair of feet sprouting out of nowhere, the lady looked up from her work.

Who the hell is this lost child and why is he speaking to me casually? she thought to herself.

"What do you want, kid?" She growled, setting aside the short sword in the snow.

"Nothing much," Isaac grinned. "I just want to know whether you're a fighter or just a civilian."

The woman slowly blinked at the weird creature before her.

"Hah? What kind of stupid question is th-"

She stopped herself from speaking, her ears perking up as she heard a rustling noise coming from behind the boy. It was another person. This new one had a familiar look to the boy, but instead of a jovial demeanor, the girl was exuding an icy glare.

"Isaac!" she yelled. "Don't stray away from the group! The hell are you thinking? Taligen wants us to meet with the Elders quickly!"

The girl forcefully grabbed the boy by his hoodie collar and dragged him away, her grip tight in her grasp. Before she proceeded further, she paused and turned around.

"Sorry about my brother for interrupting you. Please forget what just happened and continue doing what you're doing…" She bowed her head down momentarily and dragged the boy again while hissing in his ear. The woman stared in disbelief at the strange pair, her mind trying to make sense of the chaotic events. As she watched the two get further away, Taligen was waiting for them near a house, leaning against the exterior.

"Does your brother always wander away like a lost puppy?" Taligen asked Laila. The frustrated girl let go of her brother's hoodie and rubbed her face.

"Come on, guys! I just wanted to interact with the locals here," Isaac complained, crossing his arms. "There's nothing wrong with getting to know Solgens people, right?"

"It's 'master' Solgen to you, boy," Taligen growled, taking a step forward to face Isaac. "It's impolite to address your masters without a title. That is a sign of disrespect, especially when it's someone as esteemed as Sir Solgen and Sir Volken."

From Laila's eyes, it was like a grown adult berating a mischievous child. Feeling a bit threatened by Taligen's hostility, Isaac took a step back instinctively and raised his arms in surrender.

"Alright… alright… sheesh."

Taligen frowned at the boy for a few more seconds before turning his body around.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Since we're on the same wavelength, let's keep moving." Taligen took the lead, the snow squeaking underneath their boots with each step. Isaac glanced over at his sister with pure disbelief on his face. In reply, Laila just shrugged and followed the tall man.

"Hold it in Isaac… I'm sure that I can defeat everyone in this village on my own since they're most likely weaker than Solgen and Volken. If they want to fight, then I'll gladly fight them," Isaac thought. Though he hasn't seen Taligen fight, or any of the Apithiens here, through logical reasoning and deducing, Isaac concluded these people can't be stronger than the Apithiens he's accustomed to. They were leaders of a whole species for a reason and showed considerable skill and strength in front of him. If Laila could beat Volken one on one, then Isaac would be too. At least, that's what he hoped.

While Isaac was contemplating deeply, a serious voice snapped him back to reality.

"HEY IDIOT! WHAT ARE YOU SPACING OUT FOR?" Laila screamed, a good distance away from Isaac.

"I'm coming!" He yelled back, running to catch up with Taligen and Laila. Once they all regrouped together and navigated through the throng of log cabins, squealing children, and the judgmental stares of adults, the three finally arrived at their destination. Taligen halted the two siblings in front of an expansive building in comparison to the simple log cabins they had passed on their way.

"This right here is the lodge where the Elders conduct their bi-weekly meetings. Coincidentally, today is one of those days," Taligen explained to the siblings as he walked up the steps. They would creak like a rocking chair under his weight. The exterior of the wooden lodge had a classic, rustic design with a unique wood smell. It was lined with windows, and the glass was oddly clear of snow despite the chilly winter breeze. The lodge was topped with a pitched wooden shingled roof of a charcoal hue, with two brick chimneys at either end. Without being artisans, Laila and Isaac could feel the love and care that had gone into crafting this.

"I'm kind of jealous of this place," Isaac mumbled.

"I wouldn't mind living here too, ya know?" Laila agreed as she examined the lodge once more.

"What are you two gawking at? Never seen a lodge before? Get inside already." Taligen called out to the siblings. The man was standing in front of a door, waiting for the siblings to climb up the stairs. Once done, Taligen swiftly opened the door wide. A wave of heat from within the lodge clashed with their already frosty bodies. As they stepped inside the lodge, Isaac and Laila felt a magnetic pull, as if they were being drawn to one another. The two siblings' bodies sagged, their groans of exhaustion filling the air.

"Oh... That's that good shit," Isaac purred, arms spread wide as he soaked in the warmth with a delightful look. Laila joined her brother's side and copied his exact movements.

Taligen stood still, his face a mask of confusion as he watched the strange performance. These are the disciple's Sir Solgen and Sir Volken took under their wing? The more I study these two, the harder it is to believe them. I fear if by some chance it is the truth, they would sully our leader's image…

"Okay I'm done! I feel much better!" Isaac beamed. "I hate the cold way too much. Right, Laila?"

"Mmm," Laila grunted, turning her attention to Taligen. "So, where are these Elders you speak of?"

"…There are on the second floor," he said with the click of his tongue. "See those stairs to our left? Once at the top, walk forward for a few paces and the meeting room will be on the left. Stay here while I inform the Elders of your presence."

Taligen's feet flew as he climbed the small steps and he vanished with a blink of an eye.

Laila and Isaac watched the man leaving in a hurry, and after making sure he was gone, they surveyed their surroundings. The inside of the lodge was just as simple as the outside, with a warm and inviting feel. The first floor was spacious, with each end of the room having stairs leading to the second floor. In the middle of the room, a lobby area was formed by a star-shaped carpet with its unique blend of wood and peanut, which filled more than half of the room. Each spot without carpet was illuminated by the soft, dim light of the lamps and was furnished with luxurious leather chairs and tables. On each end of the star-shaped carpet were two mysterious doors, creaking ominously, as if inviting them to explore.

When Laila and Isaac were finished inspecting the floor, they tore their gaze away and noticed tiny chandeliers on the lodge's ceiling, and near those chandeliers were small rectangular windows that so graciously displayed the crystalline snowstorm occurring outside. The light from the chandeliers reflecting on the windows had the siblings feeling quite festive for whatever reason.

"What is this place? A resort? This is way too overkill for a simple meeting place," Laila wondered. She had never been to a place as fancy as this, so this was a first for her. Were the Apithiens a species that aren't lacking in the money department, or are they self-sustaining... Ah, now that she thought about it, the late king Claude de Vusech mentioned Apithiens are Isolationists. If so, then they are bound to avoid treaties and trade agreements with other countries. No trade agreements mean no trading resources and the like. Is their economy suffering, or are they functioning well enough on their own without foreign entities? To think she knew that little about her master's people…

"…How stupid of me," Laila said under her breath. Isaac caught wind of what she said and leaned over her shoulder, slouched over.

"Hmm? That came out of nowhere. Why are you stating the obvious now?" He smirked. Laila ignored the boy's smile and continued speaking in a hushed whisper.

"Isaac, don't you feel like we barely know anything about Solgen? Like, I just realized it now, but we know nothing about Solgen and the Apithiens. Doesn't that seem… oh, I don't know… rude?"

His sister's unexpected lamenting had Isaacs's mouth hanging open. The boy was quiet for a moment as he turned his face away from hers. "So… you were thinking the same thing, too."

"Isaac?"

"Ya know…" Isaac rose to his full height, not making eye contact with his sister. "After the… death of Solgen, I did a lot of thinking. When we were walking through the forest, and when I was dreaming of that night, I thought long and hard about what we did right and wrong."

"…Isaa-"

"Myra… Zelke… their deaths played in my mind repeatedly until my mind grew numb from the pain. Their headless bodies… their heads rolling across the ground around us like golf balls… the blood…" Isaacs's hands and body trembled as he recalled the scene.

"The final straw was when Solgen and Morgac sacrificed their lives for us. A bunch of strangers that they'd just met… all because of a damned prophecy."

Taking a deep breath, Isaac slowly lowered his arms and tilted his head back, allowing his eyes to wander across the ceiling. "Sometimes I think to myself- what would have happened if we weren't there? If Solgen, Morgac, Zelke, and Myra never met u-"

Isaacs's voice trailed as he felt an immense pressure wrapped around him. The startled boy turned his head to see Laila's arms wrapped around his waist.

"W-What are yo-"

"Just shut up and stay quiet for a moment," she hissed softly. At her command, Isaac shut his mouth and just stood there, unmoving.

"Isaac, is that why you've been acting like nothing just happened? Is it because you want to delude yourself into thinking that a prophecy was why they sacrificed their lives for us?"

"N-No! Of course not!"

"They sacrificed themselves not only because of prophecy, but because they truly believe in us. Solgen and Volken said it themselves. We have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with…"

Laila released her brother and raised her arm, her fists tightly wound. On the woman's face was a faint smile that contained sadness, but also an unwavering confidence that Isaac had seen his sister exhibit many times for as long as he can remember. He kept it to himself, but out of everyone he had met, she was the one he respected above all others, even more than their own parents. However, Isaac would rather die than speak those words out loud as it was embarrassing for one such as himself.

"Heh… Aren't you an experienced sweet talker?" Isaac chuckled as he reciprocated the gesture. "It's a wonder how you don't have a boyfriend already with those honey words of yours."

"What are you babbling about, you idiot?" Laila laughed. "You should focus on the now instead of my love li-"

BANG!

The sound of two objects meeting was like a crack of a whip, reverberating through the air. The walls of the upper floor shook with the force of the tremor as Laila and Isaac heard many feet rushing closer.

"TALIGEN!" a voice roared from the second floor. "Are these the two you have mentioned?"

Isaac and Laila gazed upwards and saw a group of old men and women looking at them, their eyes glinting with curiosity. The conglomerate of seven Apithiens, including Taligen, hovering over a deck railing was like watching a bunch of humanoid light poles huddling with each other. The sight was almost comical, as Isaac couldn't help but let out a chortle. Laila had to smack her brother in the back to have him focus.

"Alright Isaac. It's about time we tell these geezers about the bad news. You ready?"

"…Not really," he groaned, rubbing at the spot that stung.

"Good. Be prepared for lots of cursing and maybe threats to our lives."

Isaac and Laila nodded their heads, prepared for what was to come, but still nervous about the outcome. They were sure that no matter what they say, the course of both parties' lives will change. For better or worse.