“So you're telling me that you've been the exact thing that I've been trying to research this entire time?! You never thought it might be important to mention that when you agreed to help?!” Kara yelled in a frantic tone, her voice shrill at the end.

“Yes, hello, my name is Nihil and I'm an Aetherous. That's a secret so don't tell anyone, though. Please take me with you on your quest, but definitely don't question anything about me, okay?” he said sarcastically. “Yeah, I'm sure that would go over splendidly. Even if I didn't tell you who I was, but was willing to give you the information you wanted, you wouldn't have believed me. You would have asked me where I got all this information from.”

Kara tried to speak, but no words came out. After she thought for a moment, she gave him a defeated look. “Okay, okay. Why did you even come on this quest, then?” She asked, clearly unable to process recent events.

“I was bored. It seemed like fun.” Rox stated, with a plain tone of voice. He was immediately met with a stare like daggers. When he felt the stabbing gaze of the young girl, he decided it would be wise to elaborate further, “I've been alive and wandering this world for longer than you can imagine. Eventually, I just started looking for things that would amuse me for a time. This quest seemed like fun, it just so happened that you wanted to do research on what I am.” There was another reason for him coming along, but he could not tell her that yet. That he was hoping to reach a point of trust with the party, enough that they would help him reach the last condition of his seal.

Kara looked as though she was about to lose her temper again, but she suddenly deflated. She rubbed her temples, “I don't even know why that surprises me. This is just like you. I can't believe you're someone that we mortals both worship and fear.”

“Yeah, I always found that strange, too. We Aetherous, as well as the gods, are not all that different from mortals, aside from abilities and life span. We're just more involved with the world's existence than mortals.” he said, while scratching his head. “That aside, sorry, but I want this fun to continue longer. I know it's a lot to ask, but I would like for you to keep my identity a secret, and please keep researching as you had been planning to.”

She could not even find the energy to become angry this time, she simply gawked after hearing his request. Amazed that he could ask her to not question the very being she had been trying to research, let alone the fact that he did not even understand why she was researching them to begin with. However, after a few seconds of staring at him and a few minutes of thinking, she responded. “Fine, I agree on two conditions. First, you at least have to tell me where other sealing sites are. Second, you have to teach me how to use magic like I had asked before.”

Rox looked blankly at her, “I can help you with the first, but it will be difficult for me to help you with the second. I've only ever helped teach physical abilities because our magic is fundamentally different.” After he finished speaking, she gave him an inquisitive look, so he continued, “Aetherous and Gods do not use magic like mortals do. You all harness magic energy, then use it to produce spells according to your abilities. We are more like forces of nature. We can create and command the magic elements that coincide with our abilities at will and without using endurance or magic. It is why my abilities read as a level zero on a Virrat, I have the abilities, but I do not use magic.”

Kara finally had her answer about Rox's guild sheet. Of course his abilities were zero, they were measured according to mortal's magic. It all made sense now, however it did not level up her intelligence ability. “Fine, then teach me how to do that.” She said insistently, putting her hands on her hips and giving him a pouting look that showed she would not give him an inch.

Rox looked at her as if inspecting a science project. He walked close to her and sized her up. Glancing up and down her body, pacing around her in circles. Kara stood proudly, not sure what he was doing, but she did not care. She would get her way no matter what she had to put up with. After a few minutes of this, Rox returned to standing in front of her. “Fine, but you will have to earn my trust first. Mortals normally can not do it, ever. For me to teach you to harness abilities the same way we do, it requires something very risky for the both of us. You will need to prove to me that you can handle it and that I can trust you with such a power.”

“Fine. What do I need to do?” She said, determined.

“Finish your research. Accomplish whatever it is that you plan to do with your information, and solve a riddle lost to time. 'Mortal life must descend from its throne to climb higher.'” Rox said, reciting something from a long forgotten age. “I will not tell you its meaning, you must discover it for yourself or it will defeat the purpose.”

“Consider your condition and challenge accepted, Nihil.” She said with a smirk.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Oh, please continue calling me Rox. I haven't considered myself to be among the gods for a very long time.” He said.

Kara could not quite place her finger on it, but she felt like she heard a hint of melancholy in his voice.

“I can do that.” She said, with a beaming smile.

“Thank you.” He said, returning the smile.

- - - -

After they had talked for hours on end about various subjects; how old Rox was, where he learned to smith his own weapons, what style of unarmed combat he used, the story of when he was rated at the guild and many other topics. Kara's curiosity was finally satisfied, for the most part. She was not allowed to ask him about the other Aetherous, or traits of his race. As per their deal, she would find out herself, then make him teach her to wield magic like they do. So, finally, it came time to leave the seal site and return to Fira. However, as they were about to exit the room via the stairway, Rox stopped Kara and took the lead in leaving the room.

“I don't think you heard me when I said it, so I'll say it again. I think we're going to have issues leaving.” he said while starting to climb the steps.

Kara gave him a quizzical look from behind, “What do you mean by that? Do you think the giant was smart enough to wait for us to leave?”

“No. I don't think he had a chance to consider that idea, even if he was smart enough to do it.” He climbed the steps in silence, swallowing loudly before he said what was on his mind. “I think there might be a Dragonoid waiting for us when we exit.”

Kara stopped climbing, nearly stumbling over her feet. After a moment, she continued as if nothing had happened. Rox had mentioned the dragonoids before, that they were the most dangerous thing in the forest and that a fight with the giants would attract them. Aside from that, dragonoids were famous among the common populace for being city destroyers in legends from before they settled down in the forest, they were still widely feared. Nearly as much as dragons or gods. In the past, no one less than a barrier-mage's level could be sent to fight a Dragonoid, it was a blessing when the race finally settled down in the Forest of Giants and stopped raiding towns looking for worthy opponents. Kara and Rox could both hold their own, but more than likely, not against such a foe.

“Why would there be one waiting up there for us?” she said, looking for any reason to deny the possibility. “It was just a small skirmish, we didn't even fight, we just ran away!”

“The wyvern didn't.” He said as they neared the top of the stairs.

Kara had nothing else to say, it did not matter. If there was one of those dreaded creatures at the top, then it would be there. There was no amount of denial that would change that. So she silently accepted it and followed Rox out of the sealing site, into the open air of the forest. The scene she saw would terrify some of even the most powerful people on Chalice.

Rox was standing at the entrance of the sealing site alongside Kara as they came into the view of not just one, but fifteen dragonoids lined up. Each one looked like a dragon given a humanoid body and stood roughly a foot taller than humans did on average. They had varying scale colors signifying what element they had an affiliation with and each one was extremely well muscled. Each one gave off an aura that simply oozed that they were not to be trifled with. One in particular stepped towards them, the only silver one. Both Rox and Kara stood fearless as he approached and spoke to them.

“Hello, fellow warriors. We have taken care of the giant that was pestering you.” the Dragonoid said in a gravelly voice while gesturing towards the giant's corpse. “My name is Al' Kari and I am the leader of the Dragonoid Council. We have had an eye on you, purple one, for quite a long time. We feared you would never return to our forest. However, now that you have, we would like to make a request of you and your ally.” Al' Kari took a knee and lowered his head to the two of them, the rest of the line followed suit. They seemed to be waiting for a response.

Rox looked at Kara, wondering what she wanted to do. He was the guide, but she was currently his boss according to contract, after all. She looked at him and nodded her assent, curiosity overflowing about what the dragonoids could possibly need help with.

“Very well, council. I will hear your request.” Rox said, trying his best to sound formal.

Al' Kari raised his head to look at Rox and began to explain while rising to his feet, the rest of the council stayed on the ground. “We would like to give you a test of power using one of our young, inexperienced warriors; my son Al' Aero. If you pass our test, we will grant you a reward to use in order to fulfill our request. This request is to return one of our kidnapped young to us.” Al' Kari paused to gauge Rox's expression, which remained neutral, before continuing. “The one who was kidnapped is our prince and future king. We would fetch him ourselves, however, we do not wish to return to times of endless violence with other races. We now prefer seeking only worthy opponents, not senseless slaughter. So it is in our best interest to ask you, who was long a resident of the forest, to assist us. You will be rewarded for this, of course.”

Kara stepped forward before Rox could respond, “As his current employer, I accept this quest proposition. He will pass your test and rescue the prince.” she said, excitedly. Her curiosity regarding the dragonoids overriding her caution towards them.

Al' Kari looked at the young, lavender haired girl and gave her a heartfelt, toothy smile. “Excellent, I will call my son here immediately to battle your warrior.”