The blazing sun illuminated the towering marble walls, their smooth surfaces draped in lush vines from which delicate white flower buds blossomed. Swarms of butterflies and bees of various species nestled among the vines, lending the scene an air of vibrant life as they flitted about, almost as if waiting patiently for dusk to descend.
Here and there, atop the towering walls, elven soldiers could be seen in radiant silver armor, patrolling the area or receiving messages delivered by messenger doves. Their polished armor glinted in the sunlight, giving them an almost ethereal presence as they moved gracefully along the battlements, keeping a vigilant watch over the city.
At the very center of the wall, a massive golden gate blocked the entrance, reflecting sunlight in all directions and nearly blinding anyone who passed nearby. Surrounding the gate were clusters of soldiers clad in gleaming silver or golden armor, their presence adding to the gate's grandeur. This was the sight before Sylleth as he and the group of adventurers finally arrived at the gates of the elven capital.
With every step closer to the towering gate, Sylleth’s anticipation grew, a mix of nervousness and exhilaration fluttering within him. He hadn’t felt this way in years... excited, almost joyful.
Just as the wagon was a dozen feet from the gate, a tall figure stepped into their path. A woman with long, silver hair that cascaded behind her with each step, revealing the elegant points of her elven ears. Her golden armor gleamed with an almost blinding brightness, as though it had fused with the sunlight streaming down.
“Welcome, travelers.” She began, her voice smooth and surprisingly gentle despite her powerful build. “I am Aslesa…” She paused, her keen gaze moving from one face to the next. “…by Master Corym’s request, I am here to escort you to the guild building.”
Her words hung in the air, commanding yet warm, as she gestured toward the city waiting beyond the gate.
"Thank you." Replied Lukius with a smile, steering the wagon forward.
"Who’s Corym?" Zara asked quietly, now seated beside Niall, who was fast asleep.
"He was once a member of our group." Lirian replied, glancing out at the towering walls as they approached. "But now, he teaches magic at the academy."
"And why did she call him 'Master'?" Zara pressed, her curiosity only growing as the wagon started moving again.
"Because he's the sole heir to the Dunne family." Lirian replied, still watching the world outside with interest. "Which means he might soon become the wealthiest man on the continent."
Sylleth continued to gaze curiously at the external decorations of the capital, eagerly anticipating the moment he could finally see its interior. Lirian noticed his fascination and turned toward him.
"So, what do you think? It's breathtaking, isn't it?" He asked, a light smile dancing on his lips.
"Yes... it's so beautiful that I don't even know how to describe it." The boy managed to reply, a grin spreading across his face as he took in the enchanting sights around him.
"I had a similar reaction the first time I saw it." The man admitted with a smile, turning back toward Zara. His gaze softened with the hint of nostalgia, as if he were seeing the city through fresh eyes again.
As the wagon passed through to the other side of the wall, Sylleth was greeted by a breathtaking scene. Broad cobblestone roads, bustling with carriages, wound their way between rows of wooden cottages, likely the homes of civilians. Here and there, larger streets opened up to reveal lively markets, where merchants from distant lands displayed their wares, their stalls brimming with goods and the sounds of trading filling the air.
Towering marble spires rose from the earth at regular intervals, each one connected by massive stone bridges that crisscrossed the skyline, adding to the grandeur of the city’s layout. And at the very heart of this sprawling city, a grand castle stood, nearly hidden beneath a thick tapestry of vines that clung to its walls, giving it an ancient, timeless beauty
“Welcome to Ilythyrra… the capital of elves and wisdom.” Said Lukius, the wagon driver, as he gazed up at the sprawling bridges arching above them.
“It’s… incredible.” Sylleth murmured, leaning further out of the wagon to take in the breathtaking view.
“Oh, this is just the beginning! Just wait until you see the underground city…” Lirian interjected with a teasing grin.
“Underground…?” Sylleth asked, turning to face Lirian, his curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”
“Ilythyrra sits atop a vast network of caverns inhabited by dark elves, vampires, and other such creatures…” Lirian explained, resting his chin on his hand thoughtfully. “…it’s essentially a series of underground cities interconnected by rivers of mana… an incredible place.”
“Will… will we ever go there?” The excited boy asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
“Of course! A stay in the capital wouldn’t be complete without visiting Yralo." Chimed in Niall, who had just woken up from his nap. His voice was still thick with sleep, but the enthusiasm in his words was unmistakable.
“Yralo? What’s that?” Zara asked, her curiosity piqued.
“The largest of the underground cities, it’s the trading hub of the continent.” Lirian explained, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
“It’s... truly amazing here.” Sylleth murmured to himself, taking in the breathtaking sights around him. The bustling streets, the vibrant atmosphere, and the promise of adventure filled him with a sense of wonder.
After a few more minutes of travel through the vast city, both wagons arrived in front of the guild building. It was an impressive structure, with multiple floors, countless windows, and two tall towers rising up into the sky.
"We're here, everyone out.” Lukius announced, jumping down from the wagon with ease.
Zara hopped down right after him, landing lightly on the cobblestone street with a faint thud. On the other side, Lirian stretched out in his seat, clearly in no rush to move.
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Niall stood up and turned to Sylleth. "Come on, get up—we don’t have all day." He remarked with a smirk before jumping down from the wagon himself.
"You're not coming?" Sylleth asked Lirian, standing up from his seat.
"Nah, the guild isn’t exactly fond of me… I'll keep an eye on the wagons." Lirian replied with a small, knowing smile.
"Oh, alright then…" Sylleth mumbled, stepping down from the wagon and following the rest of the group toward the guild building. He glanced back briefly, catching Lirian giving him an encouraging nod, before hurrying after the others.
As the group stepped into the guild building, they began to weave through rows of bustling tables toward a grand wooden staircase. Inside, the guild felt more like a lively tavern, filled with the hum of adventurers recounting tales, collecting rewards for completed quests, and filling up on hearty meals before setting off on new journeys.
"Stay close." Lukius cautioned, glancing over his shoulder as he led the way up the wide staircase.
Sylleth took in the sights around him with wide eyes. The atmosphere buzzed with energy—a mix of excitement, camaraderie, and the lingering scent of ale and roasting meat. Warriors and mages, clad in gear from all corners of the continent, shared stories and laughed, their voices echoing through the hall.
Suddenly, a petite woman stepped into their path. Her striking green eyes stood out against her deep skin tone and light brown hair, which faded to blue at the tips. Sylleth’s attention was also drawn to the intricate tattoos tracing across her cheeks, adding an air of mystery to her already intense presence.
"And where do you think you were wandering off without me?" She asked, casting a sharp glance at Lukius. Her voice was low and edged with a certain fierceness that made everyone pause.
"Good to see you too, Mallory." Lukius replied, a faint grimace crossing his face.
"And by the way, where's that idiot brother of mine?" She continued, casting her gaze around the group, clearly searching.
"He's keeping an eye on the wagons." Niall answered smoothly, before muttering under his breath, "...and I’m sure it has nothing to do with him being fed up with you."
Mallory’s sharp gaze snapped to Niall, catching his comment despite his attempt to keep it quiet.
"Alright, enough of this fooling around," came a loud, authoritative voice as a tall figure began ascending the stairs.
"Ma'am..." Niall muttered under his breath.
"I was beginning to think something had eaten you all on the way." The woman teased, a smirk playing on her lips as she brushed a stray lock of dark hair away from her face.
"As you can see, unfortunately, they’re all still in one piece." Mallory interjected, still glaring at Niall, her expression filled with playful disdain.
"Unfortunately...?" Niall echoed, turning toward Mallory with a raised brow.
"Sif, I thought this would take you a bit less time." Lukius said, glancing back toward the leader.
"Well... that guy was tougher than I expected." she replied, her tone matter-of-fact. Her gaze shifted to Zara and Sylleth, her expression softening slightly as she took them in. "Were they the only ones you managed to rescue?"
Her words hung in the air, carrying a weight that made Sylleth glance away, while Zara’s face grew somber. The lively energy they’d felt on the way here seemed to fade as the reality of their journey and its losses settled over them.
"Don’t worry, we’re here to help." the woman said with a warm smile. "What are your names?"
"I’m Zara, and this is Sylleth." the girl replied, gesturing first to herself and then to her companion.
"Good, Zara and Sylleth... got it." The woman nodded, then turned her gaze toward Lukius, her expression shifting to something more serious. "So, what’s your assessment of the situation, Lukius?"
Lukius, glancing over at Niall and Mallory bickering nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Well, at this rate, they’ll claw each other’s eyes out before we even get to the main issue."
"...I meant the hunters and the guild, Lukius." the dark-haired woman interrupted, rubbing her forehead with an exasperated sigh.
"Oh... Well, I suppose they’re likely in the same boat." Lukius added, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Ugh..." The woman sighed, closing her eyes for a moment, as if lost in thought. "...Alright, Corym’s at the academy, so we won’t be able to take any action today." She concluded, sounding resigned.
"So… what does that mean?" Zara asked, while Sylleth continued watching the scene from the sidelines, quietly absorbing everything.
"We’ll arrange some rooms for you at the inn tonight." Sif replied. "Tomorrow, we’ll try to speak with the guild to figure out the best plan for you both."
She gave them a reassuring nod, as if to emphasize that things were under control, for now.
After a moment, as Niall and Mallory finally stopped bickering, the group gathered outside near the carriages.
"Alright, we're heading to the tavern." Sif announced, approaching Syviis and Vidar’s carriage.
"You didn’t manage to settle anything?" Lirian asked, leaning his head out of his own carriage with a curious look.
"Not a single thing… aside from getting on Mallory’s nerves, of course." Niall chuckled, hopping up into the carriage with a mischievous grin.
"So, nothing new, then." Syviis added, glancing down from where she sat perched on the roof of her carriage.
The group shared a collective chuckle, the tension from earlier dissipating into the evening air.
As the group, now fully assembled, set off toward the nearby tavern, Sylleth gazed out the window with wide, eager eyes, taking in every detail of the bustling city. The flickering lanterns lining the cobbled streets cast a warm glow, while the laughter and chatter of evening crowds filled the air.
"Really taken with this place, aren’t you? Maybe you’ll end up staying here with us permanently." Niall teased, pulling a small piece of wood from his bag.
“Maybe one day… but first, I’d rather go back home and make sure my mom and brother are alright.” the boy replied quietly. Mentioning his family brought a shadow over his expression, though he did his best to hide it.
“They were taken by hunters, weren’t they?” Lirian asked, his voice softening as he moved a bit closer to Sylleth, sensing the boy’s sudden sadness.
Sylleth nodded, his gaze never leaving the passing cityscape outside the window. The bright lights and bustling streets of this new place made his own memories feel distant, yet his heart remained tethered to home.
"Don't worry, if you want, we'll help you rescue them!" Niall chimed in cheerfully, whittling away at his small piece of wood.
"R-Really?" Sylleth turned to him, his eyes bright with a spark of hope.
"Well, why not? Catching the slavers is already part of our job." Added Lukius from the front seat, glancing back with a reassuring nod.
Sylleth's heart swelled with relief and gratitude. For the first time in what felt like ages, he sensed a glimmer of a real chance—a way to bring his family home. The thought gave him a renewed sense of purpose as he turned back to the city, letting the sights of the bustling streets fill him with determination.
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The small flame of a wax candle, set on a stool between the two beds, cast a warm glow around the room, softly illuminating the walls and casting gentle shadows.
Sylleth sat on one of the beds, visibly worn out from the long journey. He let out a sigh, stretching his aching arms before sinking into the mattress.
"Already heading to bed?" Zara asked, bouncing playfully on the other bed, the springs creaking faintly beneath her as she leaped up and down with a mischievous grin.
"Yeah... I’m exhausted." Sylleth replied, lying down and turning onto his side, his eyes half-closed as he watched the candle’s soft flicker.
Zara kept bouncing on her bed, her tail swishing back and forth with playful energy.
“Hey, Zara… what do you plan to do now?” Sylleth asked in a sleepy voice, half-muffled by the pillow.
“Huh?” She stopped bouncing, turning toward him with a curious tilt of her head. “What do you mean?”
“You know… now that we’re safe, won’t you be going back to your family?” he murmured, his voice drowsy but carrying a hint of sadness.
"Hmm... no, not yet." Zara replied, then resumed her playful bouncing.
"Why not…?" Sylleth asked, his voice fading as sleep pulled him under.
"Because I have to help a friend find his family first." she answered with a warm smile. Then, with a quick, playful hop, she slid under her blanket and settled in on her bed.
As the candlelight flickered softly between them, Sylleth’s face softened into a peaceful smile, reassured by her words. Quietly, Zara watched as his breathing evened, and then she closed her eyes, her own heart warmed by the promise she’d made.