Elara lay there, her face pressed against the dirt, as tears streamed down her cheeks. The surrounding daisies swayed gently in the breeze, their delicate petals brushing against her skin. But she was numb to their touch, lost in a haze of grief and exhaustion. Time seemed to blur, minutes stretching as she lay there, her body heavy and unresponsive. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the field, but she barely noticed.
Eventually, something stirred within her, a flicker of life that pushed through the fog of despair. With great effort, she pulled herself to her feet, her legs shaking beneath her. She wiped the tears from her face, leaving streaks of dirt on her cheeks.
She turned, her eyes scanning the field for any sign of Boogie. But there was nothing, no trace of the elemental's fiery form. Panic surged through her, a sickening realization dawning in her mind. What if the Griffin had eaten Boogie, just like the obsidian cuff?
Her breath came in short, ragged gasps as she stumbled forward, her eyes darting frantically across the landscape, hoping to see their remains anywhere. And then a glimmer of hope sparked in her chest. This world was like a video game, and in the games she had played, there were always ways to bring back fallen companions. Resurrection items, spells, or special abilities that could defy death. Her mind raced, grasping at the possibility. Maybe there was a way to bring Boogie back, to undo the fate that had befallen the elemental.
A flicker of determination ignited within her, pushing back against the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her. She needed answers, needed to know how to revive Boogie. And there was only one person who might have those answers: Flamebeard. She turned toward the fortress, her heart pounding in her chest. With a deep breath, she used the rest of her stamina and used her Voidwalk ability to teleport herself directly in front of Flamebeard.
The ancient dragon's eyes widened in surprise as he took in her appearance. Her pale golden hair was a tangled mess, her clothes smeared with dirt and grime. Blood trickled from a cut on her temple, and her elbows bore raw scrapes. But it was the redness in her eyes and the tracks of dried tears on her cheeks that truly stunned him.
"Elara, what—" he began, his deep voice laced with concern.
She cut him off, her words tumbling out in a desperate rush. "Flamebeard, can you resurrect Boogie? Do you know how to bring them back?"
He tilted his head, confusion flickering in his eyes. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. "The elemental, my companion. The one I found in the stone circle. They... they didn't make it."
Understanding dawned on his face, and he regarded her with a blend of sympathy and sorrow. She stepped forward, her voice rising with a feverish intensity.
"Please, Flamebeard. There has to be a way. Some resurrection items or spells. Something that can bring them back. You have to know something!"
He sighed, his massive form shifting as he settled himself more comfortably on the ground. He looked at her, taking in her emotional state, the desperation that radiated from her like heat from a flame.
"Elara," he began, his voice soft and gentle, as if speaking to a frightened child. "I'm sorry, but what you're imagining does not exist. There are no resurrection items or spells that can restore the departed to their former state."
Her expression crumbled, fresh tears gathering in her eyes. She parted her lips to protest, but he continued, his tone steady and comforting.
"I understand it's difficult to grasp, but death is an inevitability, even for elementals. Boogie's essence has returned to the elemental plane, where they will find peace and rest."
Her vision blurred as fresh tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks in hot rivulets. Her chest heaved with sobs as the weight of Boogie's loss crashed over her like a tidal wave. She sank to her knees, her fingers trying to dig into the cold stone beneath her.
"It's my fault," she choked out, her voice raw and broken. "If only I had told Boogie to stay in the fortress, they would have been safe."
The realization hit her like a physical blow, stealing the breath from her lungs. She had been so focused on her own abilities, so confident in her newfound skills, that she had neglected to consider the danger she was putting the young Boogie in.
"I should have known better," she whispered, her words barely audible over the sound of her own ragged breathing. "I could have handled the monsters on my own in the forest. I would have been fine now without Boogie constantly by my side."
Images flashed through her mind, taunting her with what could have been. She saw herself dodging the Griffin's first attack and then teleporting away with ease. But instead, she had brought Boogie into the fray, and now they were gone.
Flamebeard remained silent, his ancient eyes fixed on her as she poured out her grief and self-blame. He listened, his expression blank. After a long moment, he moved one of his massive claws, gently encircling her middle. With a delicate motion, he lifted her up and placed her near his head, bringing her close to his warmth.
She allowed herself to be moved, too exhausted and emotionally drained to resist. As she settled against his claw, she felt a rush of gratitude for her Heat Resistance skill, which allowed her to be so close to the dragon's fiery presence without harm.
She wrapped her arms around his claw, hugging it tightly as if it were a lifeline. She closed her eyes, letting the dragon's steady presence wash over her, soothing the raw edges of her grief.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice muffled against his scales. "Thank you for being here."
She looked up at his one eye, her eyes still glistening with tears. The ancient dragon's expression was complicated, a mixture of emotions flickering across his one eye she could see. He seemed to wrestle with his thoughts, as if trying to find the right words to say. After a long moment, he spoke, his voice low and gentle. "I am also glad that I am here, Elara."
She felt a surge of warmth in her chest at his words. She hugged his claw tighter, pressing her cheek against the warm scales. Time seemed to stretch and blur as she remained there, content with the safety of his presence. Hours passed, but she barely noticed. She was lost in a haze of exhaustion and grief, her mind numb to the passage of time. He remained still, his massive form a steadfast anchor in the midst of her turmoil.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the fortress in a warm, golden glow, he began to rumble. It started as a low, deep sound, like distant thunder rolling across the sky. The vibrations traveled through his body, sending soft ripples of comfort to her.
The rumbling grew louder, filling the air with a soothing, rhythmic pulse. Her tired mind slowly registered the sound, and a flicker of realization dawned on her. It sounded like he was purring, like a giant, scaly cat. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, the first hint of happiness she had felt since Boogie's loss. The thought of the ancient, powerful dragon purring like a feline was both amusing and endearing.
She closed her eyes, letting the vibrations wash over her. The sound was comforting, like a lullaby that soothed her weary soul. She felt safe here, nestled against his claw, surrounded by his warmth and protection. For the first time since the tragic events in the forest, she felt a glimmer of peace. The pain of Boogie's loss still ached in her chest, but his presence softened the raw edges of her grief.
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Her eyes fluttered open, her lashes brushing against the warm scales of Flamebeard's claw. She blinked, her mind slowly emerging from the haze of sleep. For a moment, she was disoriented, unsure of where she was or how she had gotten there. But then, the memories came rushing back, hitting her like a tidal wave. The Griffin, Boogie's demise, the obsidian cuff, and the overwhelming grief that had consumed her. Her heart clenched, a fresh wave of pain washing over her.
She remained still, her arms wrapped tightly around his claw. The ancient dragon's warmth enveloped her, a comforting cocoon that shielded her from the harsh reality of the world. She knew that he must have questions, that he would want to know what had happened in the forest. But she couldn't bring herself to speak, couldn't bear the thought of reliving those terrible moments. The wounds were still too raw, the pain too fresh. She feared that if she started talking, she might begin to cry again.
So, she stayed where she was, content to bask in his presence. She focused on the steady rise and fall of his chest, the gentle rumble of his breath. It was a soothing rhythm, a reminder that she was not alone in this strange, unfamiliar world. From the corner of her eye, she could see one of his eyes lazily half-open. The dragon seemed content to let her rest, to give her the time and space she needed to process her grief. But then his eyes shifted, focusing on her. She could feel the weight of his gaze, the unspoken questions that hung in the air between them.
Her heart raced, her palms growing clammy. She knew that she couldn't avoid the conversation forever, that she would have to face the reality of what had happened. But the thought of reliving those moments, of speaking the words aloud, was almost too much. She swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion. She knew that he would understand, that he would offer her the comfort and support she so desperately needed. But still, she hesitated, the words stuck in her throat. She remained nestled against his claw, her eyes fixed on the ancient dragon's face as he began to speak. His voice was low and gentle.
"From what I have seen of the young elemental," he began, his words slow and measured, "it seems to have been quite the loyal companion. Despite its natural inclination to flee from a Dragon, it chose to stay until you gave it permission to leave. They even returned here again and again to check up on you. Deciding to continuously put itself in my presence, a feat that speaks volumes about its loyalty."
Her heart clenched at the mention of Boogie, fresh tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She listened intently as he continued, his words washing over her like a soothing balm.
"I do not believe that leaving Boogie behind would have been an answer," he said, his voice firm but kind. "Boogie seemed the type to wait and then follow along."
A flicker of surprise crossed her face as he added, "I can relate, which is very odd for a dragon to express, that it can empathize with a young elemental. But it is the truth. If the Warden had not incarcerated me in this place, I would have gladly accompanied him and given my life fighting alongside him."
At the mention of the Warden, her mind drifted to the statue she had seen in the forest. The image of Flamebeard that the Warden had created flashed through her mind. Suddenly, the dam broke, and she began to bawl her eyes out, her body shaking with the force of her sobs.
Flamebeard looked a bit flustered by her sudden outburst, his eyes widening in surprise. He shifted slightly, his claw gently tightening around her in a comforting embrace.
"It's not that I'm bitter about it anymore," he added, his voice soft and contemplative. "I was able to meet and aid you, Elara. You remind me much of the Warden."
Her sobs quieted as she listened to his words, her heart swelling with a mixture of grief and gratitude. She clung to the ancient dragon, finding solace in his presence and the shared understanding of loss. She took a deep, shuddering breath, steeling herself for what she had to do. She knew that she couldn't keep the truth about the statue from him forever, but now was not the right time. Not when he was still trapped in this fortress, unable to see it for himself.
It would be cruel, she thought, to give him a message that the Warden left, only to be unable to see for yourself. No, she would wait until she had the obsidian cuff, until she could free him from his imprisonment. Then, and only then, would she tell him about the statue.
With that decision made, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. She wiped the tears from her face and straightened her shoulders.
"Flamebeard," she began, her voice steady despite the lingering tightness in her throat. "I want to tell you about what happened in the forest."
The ancient dragon tilted his head, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. She recounted the encounter with the Griffin, her words spilling out in a rush. She described how the creature had swooped down from the sky, its razor-sharp beak that had eaten the obsidian cuff. How she had used her abilities to get on its back and plunge the Solstice Shard into its wing joint and neck.
As she spoke, she felt a surge of anger at the memory of the Griffin. It had taken Boogie from her and had consumed the obsidian cuff that was the key to Flamebeard's freedom. But there was also a flicker of satisfaction, a grim sense of pride at the thought of her dagger still stuck in the creature's neck.
Flamebeard listened intently, his expression unreadable. When she finished her tale, he was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant and thoughtful.
"Elara," he said at last, his voice low. "Did you receive any notification of the Griffin's defeat?"
She blinked, caught off guard by the question. She searched her memory, trying to recall if the system had given her any indication that the Griffin had been vanquished. But there was nothing, no message or alert to suggest that the creature had fallen.
"No," she said slowly. "I didn't get any notification."
He nodded, his expression grim. "Then the Griffin is still alive." Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of the Griffin still out there, wounded but not defeated. She glanced down at her own body, taking stock of her injuries. To her surprise, she found that her wounds had healed, the pain and stiffness gone as if they had never been.
Her brow furrowed in confusion. How was that possible? As if reading her thoughts, he spoke. "I took the liberty of increasing your regeneration whilst you slept. Your wounds should be fine now."
Her eyes widened in surprise at this revelation. She had no idea that the ancient dragon possessed the ability to enhance her regeneration. A surge of gratitude washed over her, and she gave him a small, appreciative smile.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with sincere appreciation. "I had no idea you could do that."
His expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It is a skill that has come in use many times," he explained, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "But enough about that. What is your plan now, Elara?"
She fell silent, her brow furrowing as she pondered the question. The most important thing was to retrieve the obsidian cuff, but how? She knew that getting the Griffin to regurgitate it would likely be the safest option, but a part of her yearned for revenge. She wanted to kill the creature that had taken Boogie from her.
However, she realized that even if she managed to slay the Griffin; she had no knowledge of its anatomy. She could spend days hacking away at its carcass without ever finding the cuff.
With a sigh, she sat down cross-legged and rummaged through her belongings, pulling out anything that might be of use. She noted that the two potions of shampoo caught Flamebeard's attention immediately, his eyes fixating on them with an intensity that surprised her.
Next, she produced the expired potion, her eyes lighting up with realization. If the Griffin were to consume it, it might be the perfect solution to her problem. Finally, she showed him the mana crystals she had found, asking if they could be of any use. The ancient dragon's gaze shifted from the shampoo to her, his expression thoughtful.
"Mana crystals have many uses," he explained, his voice taking on a scholarly tone. "One of which is powering arcane machinery. For example, the ballistics around the exterior of this fortress are all powered by mana. Different types of mana crystals can imbue the projectiles with various magical properties."
She listened intently, her mind racing with the possibilities. She had no idea that the fortress was equipped with such defenses, or that mana crystals could be used in such a way. She nodded, absorbing the information about the mana crystals and their potential uses. She made a mental note to investigate the fortress's ballistics during her next outing, curious to see how the mana crystals powered the defensive mechanisms.
Turning her attention back to the pressing matter at hand, she addressed Flamebeard. "How can I find the Griffin?" she asked, her brow furrowed in thought. "I could identify it by its injuries, but where would it have fled to recover?"
He considered her question. "Griffins typically have nests in high places," he explained, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "It's likely that the creature has made its home on the mountainside, or perhaps even somewhere within or on the fortress itself."
She pondered the possibilities, weighing her options. She could either scout out potential nesting locations or attempt to locate the herd of Wisp Cattle again, hoping that a Griffin would make another appearance. After a moment of deliberation, she decided to explore the exterior of the fortress. Not only would it provide an opportunity to search for the Griffin's nest, but it would also allow her to examine the ballistics Flamebeard had mentioned. She gathered her belongings, carefully placing the expired potion in one of the satchels on her belt. She also made sure to secure the mana stones within her satchels, knowing they could prove useful in the future.
With a final nod of acknowledgment to Flamebeard, she exited the hall, her anticipation building as she mentally geared up to track her prey.