Chapter 12
Avnas stared at the prince with doubt in her eyes. She couldn't fathom why he would wish for his sister to be away from the palace. Could it be that those voices and whispers the princess listened to were far more dangerous than he let on? It could very well be the answer. Then again, Avnas did not know what to make of the whispers she had heard since she had arrived and seen that red obelisk. The princess could be hearing the same thing, no doubt, but what does that entail?
"Your father has not found a way to help his child at all?" Avnas asked him, and the young prince remained silent, unsure how to respond. "If these visions are so dangerous, doesn't the Wilhem family have anything at all to help their members who inherit this talent?"
Considering the circumstances surrounding the young prince's family and the long history of their members going insane as a result of their inherited Talent, Avnas's questions did not surprise the prince at all. Theo only nodded, letting the question hang between them before finally responding.
"According to legend, the founder of the Wilhem family left many treasures behind for his family to use," Theo commented, emphasising the word treasures, which made Avnas frown deeply, but she understood what Theo meant.
"And among them, an item for those members of his family who had the [Clairvoyance] talent, I suppose?" Avnas asked, to which Theo nodded, confirming her assumption.
"Yes, or so the legends said. I don't take myths at face value, but that's just me," Theo sighed as he glanced at Avnas. "The truth is that we have never found any treasure. It could be possible that the treasures were either lost or stolen, but we are not sure about it. I like to believe that these treasures, whatever they might have been, were buried with the legendary hero Albatros. However, the location of his tomb remains a mystery."
"Albatros?" She mumbled to herself. Avnas's face twisted into a mask as a series of expressions as she heard the name of the supposed founder of the Wilhem family and the kingdom of Aplacia. Albatros? I have heard that name before. But from where? Avnas began rummaging through her memories, trying to recall where she had heard that name. Avnas remembered the few times she entered a dungeon with a guild. Avnas wasn't part of the guild, nor did she intend to join them, but they paid her to help them clear a high-level dungeon. It was very usual to happen back in Antherion for guilds or some group of players to reach out to a high-level player, especially 180-level players, to help them in a raid, and while extra money was always good for some, it wasn't for Avnas. Her daily job paid well enough.
Avnas accepted the request since she wanted to work on approaching people and maybe even building friendships, but she wasn't very good at it.
Nevertheless, Avnas does recall a player called Albatros, a level 89 knight, who seemed to be quite obnoxious and childlike. Or that's what she remembered in any case.
So, if this Albatros person was the same as the one she remembered, then it would mean that players came to this world before. What does that entail to Avnas? She wasn't sure yet, but questions began to arise inside her head.
A player came to this world, and from what I heard, he belongs to a group of heroes. Could they be players, too? Also, could those human gods have been players as well? I mean, now that I think about it, humanity speaks English. So that's strange.
There were a lot of things that needed to be answered, but that would take time. So, she put her mind to the information in front of her. Avnas began to wonder what sort of items he had left behind. He wasn't a level 180 player. The number of 180-level players in Antherion was very low, making it a close-knit community. And Avnas could still remember every player's name, even though some had left the game years ago. So, she wasn't expecting incredible, powerful end-game items from a level 89 knight. But maybe he left something worthwhile.
"Albatros was your ancestor, and your family has no idea where he was buried?" Avnas asked, hoping to uncover more information about the mysterious hero. Theo looked troubled but nodded.
"How is that possible?" Avnas questioned, putting Theo in an uncomfortable position. Theo again had to recite what the legends said about his ancestor.
"Well, our history books say that King Albatros, in the last years of his reign, gave his crown to his son, Prince Alaric, along with his treasures, before stepping down as king of Aplacia. But then everything is blank—lost, as if someone erased what happened like they didn't want anyone to know," Theo explained slowly, looking at Avnas's confused look on her face.
"What about Prince Alaric? Do your history books say anything about what he did with the treasures?" Avnas's question seemed to have stirred up something deep within Theo, causing him to hiss while nervously pulling his hair.
"No!" Theo exclaimed in disbelief. "It's like they forgot to mention it, and I have searched everywhere! In all our books, even our private family journals. It's like those treasures vanished during Prince Alaric's reign. In fact, we don't even know much about Prince Alaric!"
Avnas could see the frustration and desperation in Theo's eyes. And she could understand why, after all, those treasures could hold the key to saving the young princess's life. But the mystery surrounding King Albatros, his son, Prince Alaric, and the treasures was bizarre and curious. Who knows if those history books or journals said the truth at all? Maybe Prince Alaric hid them away or sold them, or maybe the king never gave them to his son and kept them to himself. It was everyone's guess at this point.
But that did not change the fact that the longer Avnas thought about it, the more mysterious the surrounding history of the royal family became.
This entire world is making my head spin. But still, I have so many questions now, and I doubt this kingdom's library would help me clear them. Avnas thought mournfully.
"Your uncle, you said he has spent years exploring magic. Doesn't he know anything about his family's treasures and secrets?" Avnas asked as Theo simply chuckled drily.
"If he has found anything, he keeps quiet about it. But truly, I think he would've said something if that were the case," Theo replied, leaning back on the wall. "I also doubt my father has any idea. He has been trying to find anything or anyone who could save my sister from the fate my grandmother suffered."
Avnas pondered the possibility of her perhaps having an item that could help the princess. But she wasn't sure exactly what item could help her. Besides, she has no idea how items work in this world or how they behave or react.
"But I digress, lady Avnas. Would you think about it and help my sister? To take her away from this place?" The prince asked, and Avnas frowned.
"I don't think it's wise. I can't have a child with me. I intend to travel a lot," Avnas replied. "It could be dangerous for her."
"I see, but thank you for considering it," the prince said, disappointed.
"Maybe we can—" Avnas stopped talking as a horrible scent hit her nose. A putrid aroma overtook her, making her gag and cover her nose. The smell was awful, like the scent of the rotting carcass of a dead animal. "What is that smell?"
Theo looked at Avnas, confused, as he sniffed the air. "What smell are you talking about?"
"You can't smell it?" Avnas gagged, confused that the prince seemed unaware of the stench. "It's foul, like dead, putrid!"
"I don't know what you are talking about," Theo said, becoming more confused as time passed. Avnas frowned at Theo's lack of reaction to the disgusting smell, but soon enough, her skills detected the presence of a series of individuals around them.
I guess I'll find the source of the smell soon enough.
"I apologise, Lady Avnas, if there is some sort of smell. I—"
"Hush, Prince Theo, we are surrounded," Avnas interrupted him while Theo froze in place. He began looking around him in panic but saw nothing unusual. His human eyes couldn't notice the shadows hiding in plain sight.
But soon enough, a little laugh echoed through the air, sending chills down Theo's spine.
"How could you see us?" As a voice responded, an enigmatic trio materialised, hooded and shrouded in mystery. "You must be truly strong to have sensed our presence."
"Mm, maybe I am," Avnas replied, which caused some chuckles among those mysterious figures.
"Who are you?! In the name of the king, show yourself!" Theo yelled, and in a blink of an eye, a dart of some kind was launched towards him. Before being caught by Avnas, saving the prince from it. But, of course, the entire sequence of events happened so quickly that the prince didn't even react until he noticed the dart's tip mere centimetres away from his eye. The only thing they could do was to flinch back in shock.
"Such a quick reaction. Now, I have no doubt you truly killed those filthy Kaarthan," the figure said, smirking with satisfaction.
Kaarthan? Are they talking about demons? The peculiar term they used to describe demons surprised Avnas.
"And you're interested in me because—?" Avnas inquired as the figure's smirk widened.
"Let's say you're an important piece for something we want," one of them said, leaving no room for debate.
"You're coming with us whether you like it or not," the figure declared, their voice dripping with menace.
Underneath the serene expression she maintained all night, Avnas's sneer deepened—anyone, but particularly someone with the mental instability of a caged demon waiting to be released, would not take such words kindly.
"And you intend to take me by force?" Avnas threatened as the three figures sensed a wave of danger emanating from her. "You seemed to have not thought things through. Because if you did, you would know that if three demons couldn't do anything against me, neither should you."
One of them removed his hood, exposing his dark complexion, red eyes, and long ears, as well as his long, silvery hair that hung low below his shoulders. As he looked at Avnas, his eyes appeared to be filled with a sense of superiority and arrogance. "We are not like them; we never fail. Our species is unparalleled."
Theo's heart skipped a beat as he whispered, "Dark Elves." He couldn't believe his eyes; he had never seen one before. Dark Elves were known to be reclusive and rarely interacted with the outside world. Theo couldn't help but wonder what must have brought them to Equidaeria. But his gut feelings told him that it couldn't be anything good.
The Dark Elves took off their hoods and seemed to position themselves in a stance to capture her. Avnas only stared at them, quite amused at the fact that they thought they had a better chance than the demons. However, Avnas noticed strange marks on these Dark Elves' necks, arms, and skin—a set of symbols or insignias.
Are those tattoos? Avnas thought, trying to see them up close.
Upon closer inspection, Avnas noticed that the marking on the skin of the Dark Elf before her did not resemble a typical tattoo. Instead, it appeared to be branding that was forcibly etched into their flesh, like scars that told stories of pain and submission.
Yet, whatever feeling Avnas may have developed for them about their suffering vanished the moment one of them chuckled at her and stated that Avnas's companions should be dead by now. "Those two humans and that filthy Osh'ta Uhmene should be dead by now. You should have chosen your companions better."
Avnas's heart sank for a moment before she simply closed her eyes and whispered. "[Grandmother Shipton Eyes]" Soon, without the need to use her eyes, she could sense every living being around her. But it wasn't like a radar, but more like if she had cameras around the entire place, and she was simply scanning each part of the palace at an incredible speed, sort of like a computer. It made her feel incredibly dizzy and disoriented for a few seconds until she found what she wanted to see.
Avnas's heart was pounding as she saw the scene unfold before her eyes. Elian, Alex, and Lynas were standing their ground against a fierce Dark Elf, but something was off. Lynas was lying on the ground, wounded and barely conscious. Avnas couldn't believe it—she had given them those rings that were supposed to protect and aid them if something arose. But now she was starting to doubt if they even worked on humans. Panic set in as Avnas wondered if she had made a terrible mistake.
Do they only work on me?! Could it be that humans can't use them?! Avnas began to ponder what could be the reason those rings did not work. But in the meantime, she refused to let those three die on her watch.
"So be a good girl and obey us before—" Before the Dark Elf could finish his sentences, his head exploded, scattering all that was left of his misused brain. The other two remaining Dark Elves, in their arrogance, did not think they would be killed like the demons they considered inferior. This mistake proved fatal, especially because of what Dark Elf said to Avnas, who took those words in the worst possible way.
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Those remarks suddenly made Avnas revisit horrible memories and caused her to snap in a fit of fury, to the point where she did not even name the spell she used, which was [Burst Body] and was the only thing that she could think of at the moment. Avnas simply visualised it—an image, a thought. She was surprised by it, truly. At that moment, she had no idea that silent casting of this kind was even a thing. When she used her VR headset, she would say the spell she wanted to use out loud or use her keyboard or some other macro. But thankfully, her sudden rage allowed her to discover something unique and useful.
Nevertheless, this surprise did not take away her anger, as she stared at the two Dark Elves, stunned that their defences and abilities did not block Avnas's power.
"You—! [Verthnlan]" One of them cast one of the strongest and most deadly abilities, expecting to block Avnas's Mana veins, but soon he noticed. He could not see Avnas's Mana veins at all. His eyes had never failed to see Mana in all living beings, but now he was facing the problem of not seeing it at all.
Avnas hissed before doing the same as before, thinking about the spell she wanted to use but with more control. [Spears of Flesh] Soon, the two Dark Elves, who once stood proudly and arrogantly before her, were met with an anticlimactic fate—a horrendous fate at that. Bone-white spears, slick with the sheen of fresh flesh, ominously protruded from their bodies. The two of them were left writhing in pain, their blood pooling around them as their lives slowly faded away. Yet, they did not die as fast as Avnas thought they would. Surprisingly, one of them displayed a tenacious will to survive, struggling against the torment.
"I—impossible! This cannot happen to us!" He let out a gasp as Avnas was surprised to see how durable the Dark Elves race was in this world. The fact that one of them was still conscious, even as his body was bursting with dozens of bone-flesh spears, was astounding.
His body is naturally trying to heal itself. Avnas thought, knowing that it would not be enough to save him from death. Yet, she was pleasantly surprised to see it. They seem to be resistant to magic in this world or incredibly tough against it. I wonder why they possess such a unique ability. Also, their arrogance is going to be the death of them.
Avnas approached him, slowly staring him directly in the eyes, looking at how life was slowly fading away. "Do you truly believe yourself to be more powerful than me?" She asked him, taking the opportunity to degrade him even further before dying. "Pathetic little thing." She sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.
The Dark Elf let out one last gasp of air before succumbing to his wounds.
As she watched the two Dark Elves' mutilated bodies, Avnas couldn't help but feel a sick satisfaction. Their heads should be severed and placed on a spike. Avnas thought before snapping out of those dark thoughts.
"There is one left," Avnas whispered before looking at Theo, who was terrified at what Avnas had done to those Dark Elves. Truth be told, the scene was grotesque. "Prince Theo, you should find help. Who knows if there are more around? There is a party going on."
"I, sure! Yes!" Theo mumbled, trying not to look at the scene any longer. Yet, at the same time, watching Avnas effortlessly dispatch three Dark Elves made him realise just how powerful she was. Still, he couldn't comprehend the reason why the Dark Elves would be there, of all places, and why they would want Avnas to come with them. Theo couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and uncertainty about the situation.
What is happening right now?! Theo paused for a moment, deep in thought, before his mind drifted to thoughts of his father and sister. He anxiously needed to know if they were alive and safe.
Soon enough, a loud crash interrupted his thoughts, causing him to jump in fear. There was fire coming from the throne hall, as well as a loud series of screams.
"It stinks," Avnas hissed. "The whole place stinks."
"They are attacking the palace!" Theo screamed as he noticed Avnas's unbothered expression.
"I need to find my friends," Avnas whispered in an almost disturbed voice. She was almost on the brink of snapping—to the point where she simply pushed away the screams of the people in the throne room. She did not care about them. Those humans represented nothing to her.
"Lady Avnas!" Theo yelled before Avnas vanished from sight as if she had teleported, leaving him dumbfounded.
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It was evident that Elian's body was unable to withstand the Dark Elf's power as she struggled to defend against his relentless attacks. But, to Elian's credit, the young hero girl was incredibly determined to defeat him. Instead of the Dark Elf simply overwhelming or killing her after one attack, something strange happened that shocked the Dark Elf. Elian was able to predict where the incoming attack was going to be with intense precision.
Her strength began to surge, growing more potent with every passing second.
The Dark Elf saw it inside the human's Mana veins. The essence was flowing again. This is the first time I have seen a human's mana flowing in such a way. He thought before casting [Verthnlan]. Her veins were closing violently inside her, and Elian could feel her body being crushed from the inside out.
The Dark Elf swiftly used [Belin's Nails], a deadly dagger skill that tore into Elian's body with a ferocity that resembled a savage beast's attack. There were three wounds resembling the claws of a beast across Elian's chest and abdomen, gushing blood and leaving deep, raw marks. Her internal organs and bones were visible as well. It was a deadly wound, and the chances of survival were slim.
Elian simply fell to her knees, gasping for breath, her strength completely drained.
He said nothing but gave a small nod to the human girl who managed to surprise him, albeit for a short while. Elian was going to die soon, and nothing could change that. He needed to end things now. He had wasted too much time already.
"Elian!" Alex yelled, his voice echoing through the air before he aimed his wand at the Dark Elf, but just like many times before, he used the [Verthnlan] spell. Alex had to endure the same horrible feeling Elian and Lynas endured by having their Mana veins completely shut down violently. And in a sudden, merciless move, the Dark Elf ended Alex's life by slitting his throat, leaving Lynas to witness the horror of watching two of her friends die before her. Lynas, her eyes brimming with anguish and fury, released a muffled cry of agony as his blade pierced her chest with a sharp, piercing sound.
In a swift and brutal conclusion, the Dark Elf brought an end to all three. And it was clear that if he had wanted it or desired it, he could have ended their lives sooner. But, of course, he simply wanted to harass, play, and hunt. The thrill of seeing the panic in his victims' eyes was an emotion he loved, but those three met his gaze with unwavering determination. It greatly bothered him that they approached the situation without any fear whatsoever.
The Dark Elf simply cleaned his dagger, looking at the scene around him. "I was told to never play with my food. I never learn. My master would be angry," he mumbled, slowly touching his slave's marks on his skin.
He saw that the reason why the human wizard wasn't helping the blue-haired girl was that he was trying to heal a half-breed elf. It was a foolish decision, in his mind, since they may have had a better chance of survival if they focused on escaping. But that does not matter in the grand scheme of things.
"I wonder if those others had managed to get the Alabastrine."
As the Dark Elf turned around to leave, a deafening silence settled in the room. Unexpectedly, he sensed something peculiar, something beyond his comprehension. However, he was met with shock when a loud screech and a furious wail were heard. When he turned around, he saw the blue-haired girl rushing at him.
He couldn't react properly to the sheer shock of what he was seeing. Elian's wounds were vanishing, her body was steaming and burning from the inside, and Mana's veins were visible even to the naked eye.
What?! He thought before Elian, clutching her broken blade, swung it to slash his face. Impossible! A normal sword shouldn't be able to cut me!
The Dark Elf emitted a hissing sound, unable to fathom how a lowly human could harness their Mana in such a manner. Only a few individuals possess the ability to accomplish this on a global scale. Nonetheless, his eyes detected something. The inner essence of Elian, her Mana, was flowing uncontrollably, resembling the rupture of a dam.
Elian was completely disoriented. She thought she might have died from the Dark Elf's attack, and no one could blame her for thinking so. The pain she felt was beyond anything she had ever experienced before. Only the sensation of hellfire could compare. But then she regained consciousness, feeling her body burning, but it wasn't the type of agony that consumed her back at the Hellfront. Rather, it was one of pure power, energy, and vitality that she couldn't explain. Her wounds vanished, her exhaustion was replaced with renewed vigour, and her Mana flowed inside her without any obstruction.
Elian beheld the ring upon her finger, bestowed upon her by her master, and discerned the brilliant shimmer emanating from the arcane symbols encircling it. Did it activate only when I died? Did I actually die? She simply shook her head. Before focusing on fighting, she started where she left off.
Elian began to attack him, but this time, she felt different, more focused, and more capable. She could see it and sense it. A part of her became more powerful, but it wasn't thanks to the ring; it was more like she had taken the first step to becoming stronger than before.
And the Dark Elf, who before would scoff at the idea of a human capable of pushing him back, was now facing something beyond his comprehension.
Where did this strength come from?! He thought before raising his hand and cast [Verthnlan] on Elian. The blue-haired girl felt the same feeling as before—that excruciating pain—of her Mana veins being forcefully closed.
More! More! I need to be stronger! Elian thought, forcing her body to withstand the Dark Elf's spell by sheer will. She refused to let her body fail again. It helped that the ring her master gave her was doing a great job at healing her as soon as her body got damaged. But Elian was changing as well. Her entire being was morphing into something else before him.
The Dark Elf could see those Mana veins becoming bigger and thicker, allowing for more Mana to travel, and it stunned him. It cannot be! What's happening?!
"[Precise Strike]" Elian yelled as her entire body oozed with power, her Mana boiling inside her. The Dark Elf, still taken aback by the fact that [Verthnlan] wasn't working on the human, tried to block the girl's attack but without luck. There was something different about that ability.
It is more visceral, out of control, and powerful. Elian could feel the energy and that raw power flowing through her as she used that skill. He tried to block it with his dagger but failed, and the pain and blood proved it.
As the human in front of him swiftly sliced down the Dark Elf's hand, his mouth let out a deafening hiss. The elf was overcome with a range of emotions—anger and confusion—fighting for dominance within him. As he glared at the human, he couldn't help but notice the unmistakable swirling of Mana that surrounded her, as if she were engulfed in blue fire. The energy was so potent that it almost seemed to be visible to everyone present.
Even Elian looked surprised at the attack.
Incredulous by what was transpiring, the Dark Elf let out a low-level growl. Then, a loud gasp occurred as Alex and Lynas seemed to be gasping for air and an answer to the sudden feeling of being pulled back from the clutches of death.
He, taking note of what he was watching, simply yelled in anguish and shame. He could not be defeated by a lowly human. He refused to acknowledge that.
"I will exterminate all of you!" He shouted, but before he could proceed, the abrupt noise of shattering windows caught him and Elian off guard. From outside, they noticed a tall figure slowly making its way into the room through the window, floating like an ethereal being, like a ghost engulfed in cold fury.
It was Avnas who fixed a malevolent gaze upon the Dark Elf.
He looked at her stunned, knowing immediately that his companions not only failed to capture her but most likely died at her hands.
Avnas's eyes stared at Elian and the clear marks of wounds on her body. Yet, it appears as if the rings did their job, albeit in a strange way. She could see Lynas, and Alex's body was just starting to heal up.
This is not how the rings are supposed to work. Avnas thought, hissing in her mind, confirming that Antherion's items worked differently. But at the same time, she was secretly glad that those rings were doing what they were supposed to be doing, and it was healing. Nevertheless, it was clear that the ring took time to activate or to be used. Maybe there was some sort of switch or button that activated the item.
Yet, Avnas was still not glad to see her companions, the people she could almost call friends, in such a battered way. That was all she needed to grab the Dark Elf's neck quickly without giving him an opportunity to escape.
"You have the audacity to attack me," Avnas whispered, her fingers constricting around the Dark Elf's neck, who desperately squirmed and kicked, only to find Avnas immovable as a stone. "Just the thought of it gets under my skin. And as if that wasn't enough, they had the gall to go after my companions. The audacity to hurt them fills me with an overwhelming rage."
Avnas had a vast array of spells and abilities at her disposal to torment the Dark Elf, but she chose a more intimate approach. With a sinister smile, she decided to suffocate him slowly, savouring the sound of his gasps for air. There was something evil, more malevolent, about using one's hand to kill someone, to witness the fear of being unable to fight it.
"I'll find whoever did this, whoever ordered you, and make them pay," she whispered, enjoying the way he stared at her.
The Dark Elf stared at those golden eyes and noticed a sort of resemblance in them. "Kaarthan!" He whispered, using what was left of his strenght.
Soon enough, a loud snap sound was heard, which made Avnas scoff. "I used too much strength," she muttered, knowing that she had broken his neck. Still, it wasn't problematic. She would get the information she needed. There were ways to do that without bringing the Dark Elf back to life. But soon, her focus went to Elian, Alex, and Lynas. Oddly, her cold and nasty expression changed to one of worry.
"Elian," Avnas tentatively approached her, her palms clammy with nervousness. Avnas longed to embrace her, but the unfamiliarity of physical touch made her hesitate. With an uncertain hand, she gingerly patted Elian's shoulder, Avnas's fingertips grazing the fabric of Elian's shredded dress. Elian's eyes met Avnas, and a warm understanding passed between them. A smile tugged at Elian's lips, assuring Avnas that her attempt at affection was appreciated.
"Thank you, and yes, I am alright. Perhaps a bit confused, but I am alive," Elian replied quickly. "The ring has healed me, and from the looks of it, they are no longer activated."
Avnas nodded before looking at Lynas and Alex. The green-haired half-elf had her hand over her chest, where she could still feel the sharp pain from the dagger piercing her flesh. Similarly, Alex had his hand tightly wrapped around his throat, feeling the lingering pressure from the attack.
"Lynas and Alex, are you two alright?" Avnas asked carefully.
"Y—yeah!" Lynas replied, but it seemed she was still trying to control her feelings. "I am! Alive and kicking!"
"The rings seemed to work only when we were on the edge of death," Alex added, showcasing the same sort of tense voice.
"Great!" Lynas said, clearly not feeling great at all. "Good to know that we were never in danger."
Lynas gulped deeply, not liking the sensation emanating from her chest.
"What matters is that all of you are alive," Avnas replied, sighing deeply. "They are attacking the palace."
"Attacking? More Dark Elves?" Lynas asked now, utterly worried about the idea that an army of Dark Elves had entered the continent. Our Queen, they would've known something!
"No, I don't think it's an army of Dark Elves," Elian said, glancing at Alex, who slowly stood up. "A creature attacked me that smelled like foul magic, or at least I think it was magic. Honestly, I don't know what it was, but it was like a man-parasite."
"Man-parasite?" Avnas asked, confused at what Elian was saying, but that could explain that horrible smell. The Dark Elf did not have a putrid smell. She thought deeply.
Soon, as they all heard a loud bang, there was an explosion of sorts. And the putrid smell came back, but this time it came back stronger. It was clear that the night was going to be a long one.