It's just one great forest fruit.

No, it's a promise of more.

“Kankraa, ask him to explain.

Kankraa spoke to the fox creature in its chirping language. “The land where hails from is filled with thousands of trees that bore fruits like this. Trying to keep the secret of his homeland, the Fennon has hidden its location deep in the woods, making it unfound for generations. Until humans found their home. Using strange weapons that shoot out balls of metal, they conquered the Fennon, keeping them as slaves to farm.

“Does he mean guns?” Marina asked Kankraa, who nodded.

“How did you escape?” Drac asked the Fennon. Fury built up within himself. He squeezed his fist tight to let some of the anger go. Where this anger came from, Drac was unsure.

While the Fennon spoke, he placed down his glowing fruit. Pulling down his wrap, showcasing his bony chest, a metal collar hung on his neck—a link of the chain still connected. Runes were engraved.

Full of anger, Drac grabbed the collar with fast hands. As the frightened Fennon tried to flee, Drac held the collar tight, stopping him from moving.

Elkan.

Right.

Elkan's connection grew stronger.

Tendrils of aura work their way into the collar.

That explains how you freed the barbarian.

The collar clicked open, and a bewildered fox looked at his bare, sore neck. His fluffy tail wagged with joy.

“Free at last.” Drac stood up. The flame lit his determined face.

“Oh, here we go again. When do we leave?” Marina asked as she got ready to stand.

Drac held up a hand. “No, ‘we’. Just me this time.”

“What do mean-”

“We can't take a large detour, so you will need to protect the caravan here to Dew. You are the right woman for the job.”

“Why was that ever in question?” Marina giggled.

“Plus, the way the Fennon looks at everyone except me, I don't think he would like any more humans finding their home.”

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Marina glanced at Drac and then at the ground, wanting to speak but holding her tongue.

Drac turned to Fergus. “Take good care of Mist. Please?”

“Of course I will!” Fergus said with a beaming smile.

Kankraa held up his arm and his golden poleaxe snapped to his hand with a tong. “I am coming too.”

“Great. I need a translator.” Said a Drac coming out of the caravan, carrying a black backpack. The Drac by the fire dissipated in flecks of light. The Fennon stared with wonder.

“Wait, you're leaving now?!” Marina rushed to Drac. Blonde hair bounced as he trounced with anger. “Why are you always doing reckless sh-”

Drac closed in with a pulse step. His arms wrapped around her waist. Her lips feel warm against his. Marina softened in his embrace. Lips parted, and Drac smiled at the dumbfounded lady.

“I will be back with you soon. Our adventures won't end here.”

Marina rested her head on Drac's chest and said under her breath, “It will be boring without you.”

“Nah, you have some new toys to play with. Check your bed after I am gone.”

Marina lifted her head, smiling sombrely as she let him pass.

“Flida. Keep safe. And your cute dog too.”

The large wolf barked. “You too. I need to get paid after this.” Flida said cheerily.

The priest was the last and shortest farewell, saying goodbye with an exchange of nods.

“Told him?” Drac asked Kankraa.

“He can point the way,” Kankraa answered as the Fennon climbed up the orc's arm. Kankraa then lifted his poleaxe. Using Levitation, the pole axe pulled them up. The orc flared his aura, flying with speed above the trees.

Drac turned around. Marina ran back from the caravan. Rune-engraved vambrances were carried in her hand. She mouths, “Thank you. See you at Dew.” And Drac's heart beats hard. His mind is still woozy from the kiss.

Let's finish this quickly.

Drac crouched with aura-filled legs. A pulse rippled the ground, rocketing him up. Ingis, tuned to his feet, blasts him into the starry night sky. Drac found Kankraa and the Fennon’s silhouette as the orc waited up high as he stood on his axe. The Fennon pointed south.

“He said it’s that way.”

Elkan’s connection grew stronger.

Drac dragged a throwing knife through a guard's neck. He covered the gurgling man's mouth from behind as the dying slouched to the ground. Two more Drac dragged the kill across the floor into a nearby bush. The cave entrance, now unguarded, tunnelled deep into the side of a sheer cliff.

“Riw. Any more guards.” Drac asked the Fennon. It thinks the spoke to Kankraa.

“Yes. But from here, there are several other unguarded tunnels we can pass through.”

“Okay, we will follow your lead.” Drac looked at the entrance, barely big enough to fit two people.

“I will be fine.” Said Kankraa. “Might have a sore back, though.”

Drac and Kankraa follow the fox into the tunnel. Taking multiple lefts and rights and climbing many ladders, Drac finally found light. But it is not any light he has ever seen before.

Kankraa floated up the ladder, holding onto his axe. “Finally here- Oh shit!”

A giant crystal shone its blueish light on the miniature forest in the cave. Thousands of trees flourish with the greenest leaves Drac had ever seen. Glowing fruits grow in abundance under the crystal light. A waterfall flowed into a stream down below with water so clear that multicoloured fish could be seen swimming around in its depths.

Much better than your shithole, Axton

You can't enjoy beauty without putting a man down?

“The Fennon said, ‘Welcome to our Hearth, Black Man.’”