As they walked there was nothing but dirt and shrubs around them, the heat from the sun was getting a bit too much. Whipping the sweat off his forehead Ekia thought about trying another one of the drinks but wasn’t sure if it was smart, also the creature didn’t stop moving. ‘This is kind of like a desert’ Ekia thought, exhausted.

“Let's take a break!” Ekia asked, slowing to a stop.

Dropping to his knees Ekia tried to steady his breathing with his heart beating quickly, making it hard to hear the surroundings. Feeling the creature nudge him, rougher each time, Ekia couldn’t bring himself to move. Getting lifted up to his feet, he saw that the creature had bent down. Struggling to climb up the creature’s back, Ekia settled down as the creature stood up. Holding the bag and pack tightly with one hand and the creature’s fur with the other, the creature made a screeching sound before it took off. As the creature began to pick up speed, Ekia enjoyed the cold air as the wind rushed past them. Feeling slightly dizzy from how fast the creature was moving, Ekia closed his eyes, hoping that they would reach some shelter soon or find the others. Feeling himself start to drift off, Ekia opened his eyes, noticing that it was starting to get dark. Even with the growing darkness the environment had clearly changed from being mostly dirt to grasslands and many more trees encircling them. The more shade made the heat feel more bearable.

“Do you know where we are?” Ekia asked silently, not wanting to disturb the environment.

Holding tightly and keeping his head down, EKia enjoyed the view as the creature moved steadily. Looking ahead it seemed that the trees opened up to a clearing where the ground was bare. As the creature came to a stop in the middle of the clearing, everything looked fine until a bus they passed began to move. Looking at it, Ekia couldn’t help but feel worried about what it could be.

“We should get moving!” Ekia whispered as he patted the creature on the neck.

The creature began to move but much slower before stopping again. As the bush began to move much more Ekia began to panic that they were going to be easy to attack before he felt something prick him on the neck. Feeling himself lose control of his body, he found himself being lifted off the creature as the bag fell, only for it to disappear. Hearing some voices, Ekia wanted to say something only to pass out. Being surrounded by a sweet smell, Ekia opened his eyes to see that he was lying inside of a dark room that appeared like a strange tent, there were some items hanging from the roof. Turning his head to the side, he was lying lightly off the ground on a blanket. ‘A cot’ Ekia thought. On the floor there were a bunch of carpets, baskets and other random items lying around. Looking in the other direction, it was empty and seemed to be the way to the exit. Slowly getting up Ekia was glad that he could still move, he wondered if the prick was some type of drug. Looking for the exit, Ekia managed to find it. Peeking out Ekia was amazed to see the sight before him, the landscape was amazing. In front of them there was a valley full of life and wonder.

Moving forwards Ekia looked around to see that no one was around, it seemed that he was on a wooden platform. ‘Where is the creature?’ Ekia thought as he began to worry that whoever took him here might have hurt it. Coming to a bridge Ekia looked down through the gaps, he felt uncomfortable. Taking a step onto the bridge as it swayed slightly underneath him. Grabbing tightly onto the rails, Ekia began to slowly make his way across. As the bridge suddenly began to sway a lot more, Ekia tightened his grip to the point his knuckles turned white. Feeling like someone was coming towards him from behind, Ekia looked back to see that there was a figure heading towards him. The figure was wearing a white mask with strange red markings on it and a thick, dark red coat which hid their body. Slowly stepping backwards Ekia quickly looked away. Just before he could make a run for it, the other side of the bridge was also blocked by other figures. Before Ekia could decide on what he could do, he was lifted off the ground and held tightly. Looking up at the figure Ekia couldn’t help but feel afraid that something bad might happen to him. Feeling the figure’s tighten their grip, Ekia accepted that there was no chance for him to get free. Being carried across the bridge, they went past the two other figures who followed behind.

As they moved, Ekia looked at the surroundings. At the start there were tents like the one he was in before small huts began to appear. The huts had roofs made of leaves, most likely from the tree they were in and the walls were made of wood. It seemed that they were heading further into the place. In the distance it looked like the place entered into a tree where there was a pair of giant dark oak doors. The strange thing was that on one was around, it was strangely quiet and unnerving. The closest they got to the giant doors, a long bridge came into view and beyond that was two figures standing guards holding long, sharp spears. As the figure carrying Ekia stepped onto the bridge, it began to sway steadily. ‘Why would people make these?’ Ekia thought, more scared of falling. As they reached the middle of the bridge, there was a massive wind that caused the bridge to sway roughly. Feeling the figure lose their balance Ekia closed his eyes, not wanting to see what would happen. Feeling nothing happened, Ekia opened his eyes to see that he was being held by the figure who was partly crouched to combat the bridge’s movement. As the strength of the wind slowly began to weaken the figure got up and began walking again. When they reached the other side the figures straightened up and resumed walking. As they reached the guards, they pushed open the door easily.

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The darkness was soon vanished by torches suddenly turning on, two by two. Being placed down, Ekia was taken by the hand before the figure began to move. As they walked in silence, the only thing that could be heard was their footsteps and sounds of the torches fizzling. After a while they entered an open area where there were a bunch of guards standing with their spears pointing at the darkness above them. They were standing, facing each other with a space that led to the throne. On the throne sat an elderly elf that looked similar to Lucus. ‘Maybe they are related?’ Ekia thought, slightly hopeful he wasn’t in danger. The man was wearing a long, dark red coat and a crown made of colorful flowers. Beside him stood two female elves in armor. They had long black hair and an ice cold look in their eyes. Once the figure stopped and let go of his hand, Ekid hid behind them. Feeling a hand touch his head, Ekia looked up to see that he was being smiled down at. Hearing a coughing sound Ekia looked up to see that the elderly man was getting up from the throne. Getting pulled in front of the figure he watched as the man elderly man slowly made his way towards them. Soon the man was in front of Ekia kneeling, a large smile on his face.

“Hello young one, truly strange to see one of you without a mark on your body!” the elderly man stated kindly. “ By the way I am the king of the elves but you can call me Astral!”

“Hello sir!” Ekia replied uncertainty.

“Don’t worry, you will be staying here until your companions come to pick you up so try to not cause any trouble!” the king, Astral stated before holding out his hand.

Feeling a sense of dread, Ekia tried to back away, uncontrollably shaking. When Astral moved his hand away, Ekia began to feel calm.

“Guess it takes time for you to get used to people, so be it!” Astral stated. “Now please take him to the room he will be staying in and ensure his needs are met!”

“Understood!” the figure said in a soft male voice, taking Ekia by the shoulder and leading him to the exit.

Taking a look back Ekia saw that Astral was being held up before turning his attention back to where he was being led. As they walked, they passed by large portraits of many different elves wearing similar outfits to Astral.

“Who are those in the pictures?” Ekia asked silently.

“These are the past kings and queens that served to protect their people!” the figure stated plainly but with an undertone of passion.

After a while Ekia lost his sense of direction, he was glad for the figure leading the way. They soon stopped at a door that hinges were made of gold. Carved on the door was a golden sparrow and blooming flowers.

“This is your room for the time being!” the figure stated before opening the door.

Inside it looked like any room Ekia saw in his previous life. There was a bookcase, a simple bed, table set and carpet covering the whole floor. There was also a small window that Ekia felt wouldn’t allow much air into the room.

“If you had allowed the king to shake your hand, you would have gotten a better room. But because you didn’t, the king doesn’t want to stress you out with being in a much busier area!” the figure stated. “Over here is where you can write and draw and here is where you can put requests for things you want!”

“Thank you!” Ekia replied, graceful for being able to rest.

“The animal that you were with is being taken care of at the stable. You can visit it tomorrow!’ the figure stated before he left the room. “Explore the place if you want!”

Once the door closed, there was no sound of a lock. ‘Strange, in this situation they usually lock the door or at least that is what was common in books and movies’ Ekia thought. Climbing onto the bed it was extremely comfortable and soft.

“It might be nice to stay here for a while!” Ekia muttered to himself.

Rolling onto his side Ekia went into a peaceful sleep, deciding to leave everything to tomorrow.