* Date: September 29, 2173

* Time: 6:00 AM

* Location: Unknown

''Where, where am I?''

Waking up from his slumber, the Ghost asked. Currently, he was in a room of some sort. His arms and legs were chained to the walls of the dark room.

[You're awake! Thank goodness that concussion didn't have any Major damage on you.]

''Vee status.''

[Ahem, after our confrontation with the Kaynian Lord. You went unconscious after being sent to the building head first. Right after, the elve that you previously fought forced the Kaynian Lord to retreat. He and I then had a little talk explaining our current predicaments...]

[...Then elves started to arrive on the scene, and they thought that you were a Kaynian, or as they refer to you, invader. Of course, Adelard, the elve you previously fought, tried to vouch for you, but they dismissed him and brought you to a castle's dungeon.]

Tale was neither confused nor perplexed about the information given to him by his partner. He was currently in a castle's dungeon because the elves thought of him as a Kaynian or, by their definition, an invader. He was also restrained with chains, which wouldn't do anything unless they were made of magic.

''What happened to Joan?''

[Last thing I saw before we were dragged away. A group of cloaked elves took Joan. Adelard said that she would be in good hands.]

''And do you believe him?''

[A part of me wants to say yes, but the other strongly counters with no...]

[...I'm split. I don't know what's currently happening to the child.]

Fueled by an unexplained anger, the Ghost finds himself agitated by Vee's description of the cloaked elves, sparking a sense of violence within him. Ghosts rarely express any hint of emotions, although those that do. Only utilize them to interact with higher-ranking officers or ground personnel with ease.

''I see. We'll have to search for Joan then.''

[Yeah, but before you do, I have some-]

Acting swiftly, Tale attempted to break free from the chains that bound him. But he hadn't anticipated that these chains were imbued with magic. Despite the formidable strength of his power armor, Tale found himself unable to break free from the chains.

[That may not work...]

[...Tale, these chains are imbued with magic. Which is something I never wanted to say as a sentence.]

''Can you calculate how much force is needed to rip them apart?''

[It's not like that. You need to destroy the energy source for you to escape. If you apply more force, these chains increase their toughness, draining your power armor of precious energy.]

Vee explained, and this prompted the Ghost to halt his second attempt at escaping.

''Then what do you suggest?''

[Before you interrupted me. I was about to say that Adelard promised to talk to a figure called the Saintess. She's the twin sister of the Queen of Elvenia.]

''Did he specify when they would arrive?''

[Uh, no, hence why waiting is our only hope of leaving.]

Suddenly, the door to his room opened. Stepping in were three figures; the first was an elve who wore a white robe and carried a staff. The second wore a purple dress and dawned a golden crown. The last figure was the elve that Vee had conversed with. Tale stares at them blankly, awaiting a response to his current situation.

''Greetings. Hero of Eldrant, we have been waiting for you.''

The white-robed elve said. The elve's greeting to the Ghost only brought confusion. Hero of Eldrant, what the hell was that? Didn't they call him an invader, the elvish term for Kaynian? Something was up, and Tale needed to act accordingly.

''Our apologies for locking you here in this dungeon. At first, we thought of you as an invader or, as you may know of them, Kaynian...''

''...But upon clarification about your identity and counseling with our elders. We discovered that you are the prophesied Hero that would save us all.''

She explained with a hint of guilt to her tone. The elve wore a silky white robe that exposed the sides of her bosom. She also dawned a veil that reached over her shoulders. The elf then knelt before the Ghost. Her eyes conveyed regret, shame, and sorrow.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

''I am Isabella, the Saintess of the Pantheon Church. It is a great sorrow of mine that we have treated you poorly.''

The second elve wore a bright purple dress that exposed her inner chest. Her crown was adorned with precious gems and jewels. She also had a purple coat over her shoulders with several trinkets. Beside her was the elve Tale had met before; he wore a type of plate armor. Afterward, they would join in and also kneel to the Ghost.

''Hero, I am Gabriella Queen of Elvenia. The ill actions of my subjects to you will never be erased in my mind.''

''I am Adelard, Champion of Her Majesty. My poor judgment of you has brought unnecessary deaths to the kingdom.''

After their introduction, Tale found it weird for these elves to apologize to him. Vee then interrupted and materialized in front of the kneeling elves. Her current avatar stood proudly and wore a smile on her face.

[Well, it seems that all of us here are willing to say sorry to one another. We might as well return the gesture...]

[...Hello! I am Vee, and my partner here, which you call the Hero of Eldrant, is Tale. Our sincere apology for engaging with Her Majesty's Champion over the outskirts of Quake Town.]

Gabriella and Isabella were shocked upon seeing Vee for the first time. Adelard already knew of Vee and kindly nodded in return. Isabella was the first to approach Vee and touch her face, but only for her fingers to phase through.

''You're the Hero's companion. The one our mother spoke of, his ally against the invaders.''

[Uh, sure! That's a bit simplifying my existence, but sure, we'll roll with it!]

''My apologies, but I do not know what you speak of?''

[Ah, what I mean is that yes. I am the Hero's companion...]

[...So now that we know of each other.]

She then signals to the Ghost's chained-up state.

[Do you mind if you release my friend?]

''Yes! Certainly, Adelard, if you will.''

The queen requested to her champion.

''Understood, my Queen.''

Hedding to the Queen's request, Adelard stood and approached the Ghost. One by one, the chains that restrained Tale were taken off him. Now able to move freely, the Ghost noticed that his pouches were missing their drum magazines.

''My rifle and drum magazines. Where are they?''

''They are currently at the armory along with your weapon. We shall return them to you momentarily after you meet with our mother.''

Gabriella responded though displeasure was evident in his tone. Tale did appreciate that they were at least honest about their intentions for him. They wanted to apologize for their hostile actions and create a stable connection with him.

''Understood. Shall we get going?''

''Yes, Hero, we shall.''

Getting out of the dungeons, Tale was accompanied by the Queen, her Champion, and the Saintess. As they walked through a set of stares, the soldiers who guarded the dungeons kneeled to him. Passing several guards, they would exit the dungeons and arrive on the first floor of Her Majesty's castle.

''Your majesty!''

The head maid announced right after giving a bow.

''Velvet, I need you to send word to General Eugene that she must attend a meeting in the gardens of Gian.''

''Of course, your majesty.''

Velvet responded, but when she saw the enormous silhouette of Tale, she immediately dropped to the floor.

''Your- Your majesty that- that is the hero, I- I presume?''

''Yes, Velvet. Now get a hold of yourself and inform the General.''

''Of- Of course!''

Getting up, the head maid quickly hurried away. Although the Ghost found it weird, Tale immediately dismissed the scene that had occurred. Right after, they quickly passed a handful of maids who bowed down to Her Majesty.

''What happened to Joan?''

''The child is currently under the care of my subordinates...''

''...Do you wish to see her after the meeting?''

''Yes, I need to confirm her safety.''

Tale responded to the Saintess, this feeling boiling in his head. He couldn't explain what it was, but it was valuable. He needed to see Joan as soon as possible.

[Your brain activity spiked up again. What's happening, Tale?]

''I feel agitated about Joan's safety.''

[Oh. If it makes you feel better, the Saintess did say that we could see her before heading to the armory.]

''I know.''

Stepping out of the castle, a beautiful view of Unieum, the capital of the Elvenia Kingdom, greeted Tale and Vee. The city is protected by its mighty walls, stretching the entire city. Airships also patrol its parameters, deterring any feral dragons or wyverns that may intrude.

[That's a nice view you have here, your Majesty.]

''Thank you, Lady Vee. For the past two hundred years, we have been increasing the defenses of our capitol, anticipating another invasion.''

[Kaynian invasion?]

''Yes, I shall give you the details right after the meeting concludes.''

[My thanks...]

[...So where is the meeting taking place exactly?]

''The Gian Pantheon Church's garden will be where we conclude our meeting. We will be arriving there via teleporter.''

This broke Vee's mood all of a sudden. Teleportation? If this was a joke, then she was not laughing. Arriving on a large circular metallic pad, it was a teleporter.

''Your Majesty, Saintess, Champion, and Hero! What location shall we bring you to?''

''To the Pantheon Church, spirits.''

''Of course, your majesty!''

The spirit responded and began to operate the teleporter. Magical energy began to manifest within the teleporter. In an instant, the four occupants of the teleporter vanished in a flash of light.

TALE: Hero of Eldrant

Arriving safely in the Church's courtyard. Tale and his company would be met with the famed priestess of the Pantheon Church. The Ghost, in particular, was uncomfortable about the priestess's awe at him.

''Hero of Eldrant, we have been waiting for you!''

''It's the Hero!''

''Thank the Pantheons! We have a fighting chance!''

''Please bless us with your light!''

Isabella would raise her hand, prompting her subordinates to seize their talking. A moment of silence glomed over everyone. Stepping out of the teleporter pad, two priestesses would approach.

''Laetitia, Nadine, please bring forth the child you rescued over Quake Town. The Hero needs to see her after the meeting.''

''Of course, Saintess...''

''...We shall bring her to you, Hero.''

The twin elves responded in unison. Tale stared blankly at them before giving a nod of appreciation. Moving on, the group would bypass several rows of priestesses and head inside the Church.

''Welcome Hero to Gian. The headquarters of the Pantheon Church; here we dedicate ourselves to learning the mysteries of magic and the Pantheons.''

[Woah! So this place is like the Vatican City of Eldrant?]

''I do not know what this Vatican City is, but I presume it is also important in the Hero's world?''

[Oh, yeah. The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, it's a common religion back on Earth.]

''Ah, I see...''

"...I presume that Earth is the name of the Hero's world?''

[Uhuh, it's better if we talk about it. Sometime later on!]

The Saintess nodded, moving through several hallways and corridors. They would be greeted by an elven General. She wore a red uniform with a window exposing her bosom. Accompanying her red hair and crimson eyes. She also had a coat over her shoulders, displaying many medals and trinkets.

''Your Majesty.''

Upon seeing the arrival of Her Majesty and the Hero, the General immediately kneeled.

''General Eugene.''

''I have come as ordered, my Queen.''

''Come, General, we have much to talk about.''

''Very well.''

Accompanying the Queen and her company, the General led the group toward the garden's entrance. Upon arrival, Tale was greeted by the lush greenery of the Church's garden. Flowers, exotic avians, and artistic structures were present. In the middle of it all lies a gazebo housing a floating sword. As they approached, for some unknown reason, the Ghost's instincts told him the blade was watching.

''Here we are, our mother's garden.''

[This place is nice and calming. Your mother must like nature, huh.]

''Indeed, during her free time, she would busy herself with her garden.''

[So where is she? And why does she want to talk with Tale?]

''My mother is currently at her gazebo, and for your second question...''

''...She was the one that predicted your arrival.''

This shocked Vee. The Queen's mother was the one who predicted their arrival. But that was impossible! She couldn't have known that Tale would arrive on their world via Gate. It was outrageous, preposterous even! There was no way an elve could have predicted such an event several light-years away to happen.

[Pardon my language, your Majesty, but I find it unbelievable.]

''No need, Lady Vee, even I did not believe such a prophecy to occur, yet here we are.''

As the group approached the gazebo. Tale was anxious and wary about the sword up ahead. Suddenly, the Queen, Saintess, General, and Adelard kneeled before the floating blade.

''I have been waiting for you, my Master.''

To Be Continued.