--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the dim light of the full moon, we dashed through the night, leaping from one building to another with El's swift wind magic, attempting to lose the guards.

With each leap, my heart grew heavier. Regret burdened me, despite my efforts to overcome it.

I knew what I had to do, but the thought that I had left my parents suffering and escaped wasn’t something I could easily let go of.

I didn’t know if it was thanks to El’s words or maybe my past life’s experience that I could keep going and not crumble down.

Suddenly, We heard a whisper coming from the road below, "Ai, over here lads!". It was the innkeeper waving his hands for us to come down, but Eleanor expressed hesitation aloud “Hmm, I don’t know if we should trust him”.

"Master, there don't seem to be any guards nearby. He might genuinely want to assist us" I reasoned with El. However, He remained cautious " We can't afford to trust anyone right now."

"Hey, don't worry lads! I've witnessed what happened. I know a way out!"

I turned to El saying "Master, we might not have another choice. Aragon has blocked the gate, so it's worth giving him a chance to help us."

El relented, but with a warning "Alright, but we must stay alert. If you detect any suspicious behavior, be ready to flee."

With a swift wind, we hopped down next to the Innkeeper. Then Eleanor let go of us and asked, 'Both of you can walk, right?'

Ariana and I nodded in acknowledgment. Then, he turned to address the innkeeper “Thank you for offering to help us”

“Don’t mention it, Ai! I’ve seen what those soldiers did. It’s making my blood boil how unfair this kingdom is ! “ said the innkeeper as he punched the wall next to him leaving a crack “Oups Ai! I shouldn’t make a noise”

“Aren’t surprised that I’m an elf?” added Eleanor

“Who do you take me for, lad. AI! “ replied the innkeeper as he rolled his long thick mustache “I was an adventurer back in the day Ai!”

“We were fortunate to find you. Could you lead us to the exit, then? The guards might come anytime now !” said El

“Ai, Ai ! This is no time to chat. Follow me ! “ said the innkeeper as he turned around and walked in a dark alley. “I worked in construction right after I retired from adventuring. I know every corner of this city ! “

“Where are you leading us?” said Eleanor

“You see, Ai. This city is built on top of a series of sewer tunnels, all connected with one another leading to a narrow exit in the southern part of the citadel. We just have to break the ground below us here” explained the innkeeper as he stopped

..huh? break what?

“Right here, Ai”

Without any warning he kicked the ground with full force opening a hole.

“Aight! quickly before the guards follow the noise and come ! “

We jumped down in the sewers. They were vast and dark with torches pinned to the walls slightly illuminating the path. The horrid smell on the other hand was nauseating.

As we ran through the sewers, the innkeeper led the way, followed by me, Ariana, and then Eleanor at the back. Noticing the sadness on my face, the innkeeper turned towards me and then back at the front, saying, "I don’t know how you feel, kid. Well, I doubt anyone does. But I can only say one thing: Train hard, get stronger, gather trusted allies. Then come back and blaze the ground under their feet!"

I looked at him with a faint smile, then looked forward into the darkness of the sewers.

“AND MAN THE FUCK UP! lift your head up! you’re making your girlfriend feel sad, Ai!” added the innkeeper

I choked on my own saliva from the shock “We’re just friends !!!” I shouted with a blushed face

“Oi, oi don’t say that in front of her, Ai!”

I glanced at Ariana and saw her running while holding her hood over her eyes.

..what's happening right now, i get that we both look the same age, but I'm too old for this!

“Luka Glynn, Are you playing around with my daughter ??” said Eleanor with a serious tone and blazing eyes

“NO I..I SWEAR” I stuttered as I tripped on a broken floor stone falling head first into the ground.

Everyone stopped and started laughing as I lifted my upper body up.

Even amidst the sadness and anger, I felt my heart lighten up for a brief second.

I joined them in laughing as Ariana rushed towards me to check up on me.

Honestly, It was a laugh I didn’t know I needed.

Running through the tunnels felt like an eternity, but finally, a glimpse of light emerged. It was the epitome of the "light at the end of the tunnel" if I ever saw one.

As we ran through the exit, a man stood there. He looked like he was in his twenties, with a weird thick mustache on his face.

“Tamal, did you bring the holf?” said the innkeeper.

“Yes father” replied the young man

Well who would’ve thought? I guess weird mustache genes run in the family.

“Aight, Ai! take this holf, it’s the fastest in the city. I nurtured it myself”

Suddenly, screams echoed from atop the walls. "Here they are!"

“AI Ai! fast leave ! “

“What about you? they saw you “ I said with a worried tone.

“You can’t afford to worry about me, AI ! Go on, we’ll be fine”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

With haste, we mounted the holf. Ariana sat in front, on El's hips, and I sat behind. As we sped away, I glanced back and shouted to the innkeeper, "You never told me your name!"

"Gantt! Ai! May we cross paths again, young Luka! Ai!" replied the innkeeper, before turning and disappearing into the tunnels.

I took a final glimpse at the city walls before turning away.

"Even if the world crumbles around me, I will find my way back to you, Mom. And Gav, even if it takes everything I have, I'll return to avenge you. I swear it." I muttered to myself.

We traversed the expansive landscapes, carving through the mountain valleys as the sun rose. By midday, we found ourselves atop a hill overlooking a vast lush full of sunflower plants.

The scenery was mesmerizing with the sun rays caressing the plants.

I turned to El and said “Where are we going now? we can’t go back to Silvermill”

“Of course we won’t, we’re going back to Eldoria”

“Eldoria? the elven lands?”

“Yes”

“But how? It's going to take weeks to get there. And we can’t sail through the sea, soldiers must have occupied the borders already”

“Who said anything about sailing?” said El as he unmounted the holf.

..huh?

“We’re teleporting there?”

“Don’t be silly, Lu” chuckled Ariana

“Teleportation is fictional, no one has been able to do it till now”

..Fictional huh! the irony.

“Then how are we going to reach Eldoria?”

“Just wait” replied El as he crossed his hands, then closed his eyes and muttered “With the Grace of the winds, I call upon you so heed my summon”

Suddenly I heard a squeaky roar coming from the sky. Then, a silhouette of a bird tore through the clouds flapping its wings.

..wait, it's too big for a bird.

As the strange creature approached, I couldn't make sense of what I was seeing. It definitely wasn't a bird. Its big body was covered in shiny green and gold scales, like something out of a fairy tale. A long, lizard-like tail trailed behind it.

Its wings were the most incredible part. They looked like giant butterfly wings, but split into three sections on each side. And its head, oh boy, it was something else. It had a big, pointy head with ears that looked like bird wings.

Although it was a mesmerizing sight, resembling a dragon with features borrowed from various creatures, its menacing fangs and piercing gaze instilled fear within me. I stood my ground, ready to flee at any moment.

“Pookie !! “ shouted Ari as she rushed to hug the gigantic beast.

..Pookie? What kind of cute name is that? What else? she tells me to not worry, he doesn’t bite?

“Luke, come see Pookie ! don’t worry he doesn’t bite”

..I figured.

“Nah I’m fine, aha..ha”

“He’s a domestic fae dragon, he won’t eat you” said Eleanor

“That’s a relief” I replied

“Well, unless he’s hungry. then, I wouldn’t guarantee it.” Chuckled Eleanoe. “Alright then, enough fooling around, let’s leave”

Both El and Ari hopped on top of the fae, then turned around to see me still standing far away. “Come on Lu, let’s go” said Ariana

“Yeah, I’m coming” I replied while not moving a muscle.

“I told you he won’t do you no harm already”

“No it’s not that”

“Don’t tell me.. You’re afraid of flying?” said Ariana as she bursted laughing.

How could I possibly explain it to them? Flights have been one of the hardest challenges I've faced in my past life. I suffered from aerial motion sickness, basically I felt sick everytime I got on a plane. And ofcourse my last job required constant globe-trotting. IT WAS HELL !!

"Obviously not. Who do you take me for? I just need to–" Before I could finish my sentence, the dragon grabbed me by the shirt with its jaw and threw me up into the air.

"Oh my goooooooood!" I screamed, crashing onto its hard back just behind Eleanor.

"Good job, Pookie!" said Ariana as she patted its head.

"I could've gotten hurt!" I yelled.

"Is your blessing just for showing off?" said Ariana, making a mocking face. Then, she turned to the front and pointed her finger to the air. "Come on, Pookie! Attack!"

In a blink of a second, the fae stormed off into the skies, dashing through the clouds while I grabbed for dear life, holding my mouth to not puke.

But to my surprise, I was fine. No dizziness whatsoever. As a matter of fact, my blood was pumping with excitement as the wind caressed my face.

I’ve never felt this free in my entire life, totally different from the cramped airplane seats.

However, amid the excitement, I felt slightly sad. A part of me wished mom and dad were with me, enjoying this thrilling experience.

"No, no... I can't keep demoralizing myself. I promised I would come back, and I will" I muttered as I slapped my cheeks a handful of times.

"Is everything alright, Luka?" Said Eleanor.

I gave him a thumbs up mixed with a wide smile, then let out a loud shout, "Let's gooooooooooo!"

"That's the spirit, Lu!" said Ariana. "Pookie, do a flip!"

...do what?

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I yelled at the top of my lungs as Pookie spun around in the air, then dove downwards at high speed, the wind spreading my mouth wide open.

The only thing I couldn't wrap my head around was how Eleanor was able to keep his calm until now. He hadn't moved a muscle.

Flying over the ocean, basking in the breathtaking sunset, was a blast. Finally, we arrived at Eldoria.

We descended to the outskirts of a dense jungle. Towering oak trees stretched high above, their sprawling branches casting shadows over the forest floor.

Eleanor tapped on Pookie’s back twice and the fae stormed off flying away.

As we marched into the woods, numerous wooden bridges spanning the gaps between cocoon cabins, created a network of rustic charm.

The jungle was enveloped with the soft luminescence of countless firefly lanterns, casting a warm yellow hue over the surroundings. The aroma of barbecued fish wafted through the air. Peering closer, I noticed figures with shades of purple observing us from the windows of certain cabins.

“Who are they?” I asked Eleanor

“N..n..ight elves” stuttered Ariana as she hugged Eleanor’s leg quickly.

"Keep your gaze forward and stay focused. Follow me along this road" Eleanor said in a serious tone “Our destination should be right ahead”.

“..Are they dangerous?” I muttered to myself “Maybe, I should just comply with Eleanor’s orders”

As we journeyed deeper into the jungle, the air was filled with murmurs and giggles coming from the cabins and behind the trees. Darkened silhouettes leaped from between the trees, concealing themselves within the shadows.

I turned around to Ariana, who had pulled her hood over her head, her gaze fixed firmly on the ground. Though unsure of the situation, I followed Eleanor's lead, concentrating on moving forward.

It was a frightening experience to say the least.

Suddenly, as my right foot broke a tiny branch lying around, a deep hole spawned beneath me. Fortunately, Eleanor caught me by the shirt before I fell.

"Be careful where you step. There are multiple magic traps laid everywhere" he said.

I nodded in acknowledgment as he gently lowered me to the ground.

We then continued walking, with me standing closer to Eleanor.

After what felt like an hour of walking, Eleanor suddenly stopped, saying "We have arrived"

"But... there's nothing here but trees" I exclaimed.

"Both of you, take my hand" Eleanor instructed, extending his arms toward us.

With a shared glance, we held his hands tightly. As Eleanor took a step forward, the air around us began to shimmer and waver, parts of him gradually disappearing into the warped space. Holding tightly to his hands, we followed him through the shifting air.

Suddenly, A new city materialized before our eyes, it was like being teleported into a new domain !

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------