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Coming out dripping from the phosphoric blue water, Zeph took a fresh sigh of relief.

The cave had hot pools of water that worked as a perfect sauna. Although others preferred not to bathe with strangers, it was hard to argue that the relaxing cavern pools were a luxury you could ignore. Those pools glowed as steam rose from the water. Zeph had a hard time not falling asleep as the powerful heated water soaked into his fur like a massage. The deep grime of dirt and sweat was no match for an hour of quite potent soaking. As he relaxed, he listened to some other men conversing along the water's edge. Somewhat. He wasn't much for discussing or learning about... books. Slipping on his clothes, he gave a stretch and a yawn as he started to make his exit. It was only a few hours past noon, but he was well ready for a long, cozy sleep in a bed. Little things like this made him almost envy living here.

Taking a few strides outside of the pool section, he was met again with the noise and busy atmosphere. A few eyes still darted onto the shower-haired batfolk, but he didn't care at this point. People may not have liked him, but he was who he had to be.

"Zeph?" One pair of eyes rested on him longer than the rest. Zeph perked up and suddenly heard a voice calling out to him, moving closer. Long pointy ears parted their way past the crowd with a friendly expression. "Zeph!" An elf suddenly rushed towards him, one that he recognized immediately. The man arriving had a beard and ponytail of brown hair paired with a little red flower. His ears sparkled with a pair of little golden piercings. Although other elves were fit and proper, this one was more of a hulking heavyweight pushover. Simply wearing a green tunic, baggy pants, and a yellow security band, he stretched out his arms and jumped toward Zeph with a hug.

Zeph tensed up as the sudden hug sent ripples of dread down his spine, but... he restrained himself.

Instead of reciprocating the sudden act of kindness, he gave an awkward half-smile and simply endured the friendliness. "Damn it, looks like I missed my window to run away." His tone was a mix of happiness and a tinge of uneasiness.

The elf let go and gave a tender smile. "I thought I heard someone mention they saw you here. It's been forever! How's all the traveling been?"

"Still alive and kicking." He scoffed. "Which means if Bruno's still around here somewhere, he owes me that bet. What about you, ya lump of lard? Still an alien out here?"

Although it was often an insult, the elf chuckled at Zeph's insightful description. This elf was Zeph's friend Aelon, or Leon. In the past, there were jokes exchanged between the two of them that he should've been called 'Alien' as he was one of the only elves in this town. Eventually, he gained the nickname Leon after some friendly joking. It was mainly the fact that pronouncing it correctly was rather tough.

"Same routine as always. We have more groups ready, more firepower, and more vengeance than ever." A little scorn was hidden at the end of his message, yet he remained cheery. "Just biding time for now. It won't be long now before we wipe them all out back to where they came from. And when it's all said and done, maybe you can even start again with a clean slate."

Zeph laughed. "That's a stretch of a chance. Don't think I'm losing any criminal records when the old administration gets back. At the least, it might not be as bad as-"

"I meant a clean slate for what... happened here." The elf stated it bluntly. The laughing paused as the thought lingered with Zeph for a moment. The regrets of the past still weighed on Leon's memory, but his expression lightened as he still seemed open to forgive. "Ah! We can cross that boat when we get there. I know our old group isn't around anymore, but why don't we take a trip over to the bar and just talk for a while? You look like you haven't had a drink in ages."

A tempting offer.

Although Zeph was primed and ready for a rest, a drink with an old friend wasn't simply something to pass up. Alcohol was a beautiful thing in itself, but a chat with a good friend was worth several times more. Zeph was naturally inclined to chat a little as he hadn't had a proper discussion with anyone in days. "I think that ain't a bad idea." He stretched a little as his slightly soggy fur signaled he was fresh out of the bath. "You start heading over. I'll be there faster than ya know it."

Leon smiled. He was thinking of talking while they headed over, but he knew Zeph well enough to know he preferred to fly. "I thought as much. Well, don't let something distract you on the way there." He waved as he started making his way into the ongoing traffic of people walking back and forth.

Zeph watched him as he left. The noise soaked into his attention again... The noise of the city. Strangely enough, it was comforting to listen to, yet it was very different from what he remembered. Perhaps it was the new influx of people, or the scenery being vividly different. It was strange how several parts of his life were entirely spent here. Was it the third change now? Time molded and shaped everything to its will, and nothing would remain the same forever. Certainly not him either. Though... With the time he looked into the street and listened into the area, it was a lot nosier than he remembered. Why were there so many people?

A large majority were humans from different walks of life, along with beastfolk, orcs, undead... He even spotted a naga and a construct of wood enjoying a casual chat across the street. Funny how that worked. The country once was a safe haven for the shunned and neglected, yet the rule above has been all but kind to the diversity. There were many more people here than he realized, and time made that painfully clear. Perhaps the war really did more damage with time than he realized.

He glanced at the yellow band around his wrist. Maybe it was just nothing.

Flying across the cavern to the old bar, Zeph landed right next to a plethora of tables and chairs scattered in front of the bar. The counter had a lone gruff lizard lady wiping a glass down. She looked annoyed at the new visitor and the smug smile he had. Leon was not here yet, so Zeph walked over and took a seat near the front counter. "Get me two ale's, would ya?" Taking a seat, he sat and idled a blank stare as his drinks were being prepared, seemingly spacing out. Of course, Zeph was simply eavesdropping on a local conversation across the establishment about life. It was about two older friends planning to train more for an upcoming in-house tournament. Fighting was what Zeph lived for, but he wasn't planning on sparring anytime soon in here. Not yet. His main plan was to figure out where Leon ran off to as he looked around.

After a few minutes of listening and casual sipping later, Leon started sprinting into view. The elf carried a small bag with handles and that same goofy smile he seemingly always had.

Turning to face him, Zeph looked slightly cross. "And you're tellin' me not to get distracted on the way here, eh? What's in the bag?"

"Oh, don't worry about that right now! I promise it'll be worth the wait, but I'm here! Let's just talk for now." He slowed his jog and took a seat next to Zeph. "So! It's been a year. How have you been?" He noticed the glass of ale set next to the counter and assumed Zeph bought it for him, grabbing it and taking a sip.

"Livin' the best life I've always wanted to, not much. I wasn't kidding about still being alive, jeez. Some of the people chumps send after me even came close to, uh," He drew his finger across his neck and made a sharp "Kkk" sound. "But you know that ain't happening anytime soon. And I'm safe here, so I just gotta let a bounty blow over."

Leon swirled his glass a little in his hand. He looked thoughtfully at Zeph, not quite sure where to lay his emotions at the moment. "So... The same as always, I suppose." Looking directly at him, he gave a concerned smile, trying to keep the tone positive. "I can't say I envy you. I'd rather fight for my people than get stalked and stabbed from the shadows." Another sip was taken. "At least that's not true here."

"Well, you might think that, but trust me. I ain't even alone here. That old security guy has been real intent on watching me. With a history like mine, I bet he's even watching what I'm doing right now, listening in on our whole hoopla." Zeph didn't glance around the area, but he felt it. With his history and background, it would be hard to believe he wouldn't be observed closer. "They want me back, I'm sure of it. And not gonna lie, that guy an obsessive freak. But at the very least, chumps like him can buy me time if I do get followed down here."

"Well, he IS the chief security officer. That's his job, and he is quite a nice guy when you get to talk with him. You might not like people who act overly happy, but really, I'm sure you'll warm up to it." Leon reclined in his chair a little more. He closed his eyes for a moment, recalling back old memories. They weren't that long ago, though living life as an elf muddled certain things together... it was almost like he had to sort them into place. Put the pieces together when he remembered too much. "You warmed up to me." He paused. "And if he really is watching us, you're choosing a very poor choice of words."

"Hehehe. Well then, he can go cry in a corner about it. What's he gonna do, kick me out of here for being mean? I bet I could take him in a fight if it came down to it. And getting up and comfy with people you ain't got a clue about? It's either him trying too hard to convince me to join the cause again or being plain dense. Sappy folks tend to be like that." The implications didn't cross his mind until he saw Leon's mildly amused face. "No offense."

"None taken, but... You won't get very far being closed off all the time," Leon commented as he took another sip.

Zeph shifted to the side, leaving his elbow on the counter and relaxing his posture a little. "It ain't all the time." He picked up his drink and took a long extended gulp, almost finishing his entire glass. "Besides, I think you got the opposite problem with all that swooning you do. Remember that whole siren incident you got us in? Heh. You sure got some sense slapped straight into you!"

Memories stagnated, then flooded back to him. "Oh, that! Hahaha! I almost forgot about that. They do say the heart is fonder than the head, after all." Leon smiled as he remembered some other crucial information. "Wait, didn't you date one at some point?"

"Hey now, that was a while ago!" Zeph remarked defiantly while setting his glass down. The mistresses of the sea... and the mind. Bringing up those unpleasant memories only reminded him of his now-eternal grudge against that entire race. "And after all that, I think I'll pre-emptively pound any siren I see around straight into next week. Freaks of nature." Zeph crossed his arms.

"I wonder if they ever find real companions. Being so lonely must do numbers on people like that." Leon felt rather sad for them. Having such power over one's emotions was such a powerful magic ability, yet it corrupted them down to monsters of myth and legend. Although many people aspired to travel the world, equally as many were unaware of the dangers that lay far outside the protection of homes. Though... Leon didn't believe danger was always a bad discovery. "Say! We haven't talked much about your travels yet. How has your exploring the wide world gone? Last I remember, you were thinking about letting me show you some of the places I've been nearby. Like that cave made entirely of salt."

Zeph perked up at his mention of the trip. "Don't think I've spotted that one yet. But I could talk your whole head off with all the crazy places and crazier people I've met if you want. I've managed myself through much deadlier caverns, this one mutant swamp monster, an active volcano, underwater temples... Hell, y'know that three-horned unicorn that there are a ton of rumors about? Turns out it's real, and you better bet it pukes rainbows."

Surprise filled Leon's expression, along with his voice. "Wh- Puking rainbows? How did you figure that out? You... didn't hit it to test that theory, did you?"

"Of course I did! What do you take me for, some wuss who ain't ever punched a unicorn before?"

Silence filled the room.

"..."

"Hahaha!" Both of them burst into laughter. It was... Well, people have an odd sense of humor at times. It went on for a while as a few eyes darted at their sudden outburst of jolly spirit. It didn't fit with the environment, yet it did fit with their friendship.

"Well, I suppose you've been using your time well!" Leon remarked, still coming off his fit of laughing.

Zeph scoffed and snickered. "Of course I have. First thing you do when you meet a new creature. Punch it."

"I wish I could travel around again. It's exhausting being stuck in this hole for so long without a proper home around."

"Jeez, really?" He gestured around a little. "Have you guys just been sticking around this place for over a year now?"

Leon laughed a little nervously. "Not always, But... I don't think any army has ever used a dragon as their ace before. Beating one... We can't invade back yet unless we want a repeat of what happened last time."

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"Mmm. I'd call you all cowards, but when it comes to that... Maybe you got a point." Zeph remembered what the terrain looked like. Smelled like. Even days after the battle between the immortal dragon Khaan and the bulk of Jyrum's army, the ground was still permeated with smoke and ash thicker than he had ever seen. Skeletons were the only thing decorating the terrain. And after that battle, the pieces that remained went into hiding. They had no choice.

Leon looked at his drink thoughtfully before taking another swig. "Still gives me horrors. We lost a lot of good people to that scummy kingdom. Even still, if the legends are true, dragons aren't invincible. And our magical arsenal hasn't just dissipated into the air." He tapped the counter. "They haven't killed any of our brains yet, and there are people I know will fight when it comes down to it. Jyrum is all across the country, biding their time. That's why we're so lucky it's been a shallow takeover."

"By brains, you mean bald chumps like Orion?" Why did it seem like intelligence was always marked by a lack of hair? Zeph had a strong grudge against this stereotype.

"Haha! I suppose so. Diversity has also been our strong suit, and it's not just magic ability. There are tacticians here, smiths, assassins, even monsters with their own unique skills and aspirations." Leon had the pleasure of working with many different cultures around the region too. Different people from different walks of life... it was unusual for elves to embrace such different cultures, but life had different plans for them.

"Monsters? The hell you mean you've got monsters in here?" Zeph's expression widened with shock.

"Exactly! You wouldn't realize it since they blend right in with all the different people from all walks of life here." Leon beamed with delight before sheepishly looking to the side. "I think I may have accidentally convinced one of the trolls around here that I'm interested, though. Still working on that."

"A troll ain't exactly a monster." Zeph pondered how someone would even manage to fit a troll down the narrow entrances leading here. "And that's what you get for being so friendly all the time. What, I stroll up here and the first thing you do is hug me? Man, the level of self-control I had to use to not sock you in the face right then and there..."

Leon snickered. "Oh, come now! I'm sure that's not true." His tone implied a message Zeph understood immediately.

"I am still incredibly capable of doing it. Don't you test me." Zeph tensed a little, along with his tone.

"Well, when you put it like that, now you're making me curious." Leon was eager to know more, but...

With a dismissive glance, Zeph took another long sip of his drink. "You're just too clingy-feely."

Leon leaned back on his chair. Something about Zeph's expression and everything he knew about him... Leon caught himself before he spoke another word. Dawning on his thoughts, he decided to say something else. "Well... You'll like hugs someday, you just need the right person."

"If that ever happens." Zeph's tone wavered a little.

"I'm sure you've met plenty of lovely people. Has your trip maybe changed your mind about trying to find a special someone again?"

"Nah. I like girls, but I'm never getting a real partner. There's not many people who can keep up, and plenty enough that ain't even got the gusto to deal with the large backlog of people who want my head on a platter. Got plenty of schmooze, but I'm an eternal player."

Leon frowned a little. "That really is too bad. Having someone to get close to is... Well, it's a remedy for the soul. I wouldn't be nearly the man I am today without the two loves of my life."

Zeph popped up with his expression. "Man, I keep forgetting you're... Jeez, what was it? Hundred twenty-something now? How many relationships do elves normally even have?" He snickered as he painted a mental picture in his head. "Can't imagine acting the way you do as some senile grandpap."

"Well, knowing you will outlive the person you marry makes some things... complicated. I'm a bit of an exception. There are a few elves I've met who haven't even married in their 100s, but after the whole separation happened, it's becoming much more sporadic." Modern elves had scattered across the whole western region, along with some traveling east like Leon. Although he wasn't where the bulk of his people resided, that place... no longer existed.

"The modern mark of destruction... Man, I wonder what the Fleck even looked like. Books just say it looked like a giant purple mushroom of death, but jeez. Sucks to be an elf back then." Zeph didn't express sympathy in his tone.

"There were a lot of people I knew in that city when it went off. My mother and father too. I can't blame everyone for rushing to try and keep our race alive, heh." Leon held a smile through the pained tone of his message. It turned to determination and a scowl. "But at least Abaddon is long gone. And I'm just glad that he got what he deserved."

"From what I heard... Cut in half and turned into a hundred screaming rats, right?"

Leon wasn't sure that was right. "No, I'm pretty sure he got beheaded. The prince announced a celebration for his death and had Abaddon's head put on a spear in the middle of their feast."

"Well, that's a little morbid. Guess that's payback for killing off so many people though. How much spite ya gotta have for long-eared chumps to do something like that? I only hate some of em." Making light of the topic, Zeph snickered at his half-joke. "Kinda reminds me of those cults running around that keep talking about human supremacy and all that. Hope those chumps don't got some Armageddon planned too."

Leon tried to mimic Zeph's tone and smiled. "I hope not. There's always going to be bad actors out there, but there's good out there too. And it's somewhere deep in you if you'd ever admit it."

"Hah! You're gonna have to wait another year before you even get a chance at empathy coming from this chump right here." Zeph leaned against the counter again. "Don't think anyone here's gonna ever think that since... well..." Zeph's gaze drifted to the distance. "Chumps here ain't gonna let me forget anything that happened."

It had been a while, but Leon knew their conversation would circle around to that topic again. "About that... Well, you might want to forget about what happened, but... I think we should talk about it." Despite everything, he was rather curious about Zeph's perspective. After hearing everything from one side of the story, he was hoping to hear more.

Zeph furrowed his brow. "What's there to say? I killed her and got kicked out. Didn't have to fight myself out of here at least. You all knew that the tension between us rarely ever settled, and she just decided to go ballistic."

Leon remembered the sparring match they decided to have. It was always supposed to be non-lethal, meant to train and prepare. Although the rules agreed that accidental deaths were not horribly punished, there were so many questions revolving around that day. All unanswered. Despite their dislike of each other, none of them desired to kill each other until that fated night. Zeph was seen as the main instigator, but... With time clarifying things, the whole picture became clearer. "Have you thought at all why Lynne was so mad at you that night?"

Zeph narrowed his gaze. "What do you think? Chumps around here hate me cus I'm a thief and a scoundrel. The same went for Lynne, and unlike Lara, she never got over it."

Leon stayed quiet for a moment. "...So you never discovered what set her off so much?"

"...No," Zeph said slowly, looking suspiciously at Leon. "Don't tell me you learned something I didn't about that whole fiasco."

With a sigh, he nodded. "I'm afraid I did." Leon talked with a tinge of regret, partially for himself and partially for Zeph. "You see, Lynne... she had a reason she was acting so different that night. When she was returning from the gym that night... Well... that person you fought on your way back from the recon trip." Leon gazed into Zeph's soul. "That was Lynne's sister."

A few drops of sweat formed off the side of Zeph's head and fell. "So that was what she meant by revenge." Zeph scoffed. "She was a bounty hunter. A lackey for some rich chump who wants me dead. You try and lob someone's head off, of course they're gonna fight back. Lynne should've just told her to steer clear of me if she was gonna get so mad afterward. Hell, Lynne was lucky I didn't actually kill her." Although he had an avid hate for people like that, Zeph wasn't keen on finishing the job. A good battle was plenty enough to show most to get off his tail...

"That's just it. You did kill her."

Zeph froze.

"...What?"

"Lynne hadn't seen her in months, and the only news she got at that point from her was your scuffle. You melted her arm off and smashed her jaw apart... People don't recover from that." Leon said. He looked hurt, relating to the pain Lynne felt.

Zeph narrowed his gaze, growing visibly upset. "She was in town! You telling me nobody there knew anything about healing magic or something?" Tilting his head to the side, Zeph still rested his annoyed gaze squarely on Leon. "And even if she did, that's what chumps gotta expect when they come at me with magic. Look, I know we both ain't gonna agree about all that stuff, but I'm not sitting there and dying so some people don't get their feelings hurt."

"I don't think I'd stand around and die either, but... Don't you think you could avoid all this?" Leon fought to find the right words to speak at the moment. "If you... Well, if you didn't have all this criminal reputation on your back. That wouldn't have happened. You wouldn't have still had those bounties. Lynne would have still been here, and... maybe you two might've even found some way to be friends." Even despite everything, Leon had hope for that change between them. The anger only burned a hole in her heart, after all. "You have a lot of talent, Zeph. But don't you think that some part of this will make you regret these things someday?"

Zeph stayed silent as he picked up his glass again. He slowly took a final sip as the glass became empty. "You want me to be honest?" He slammed it onto the counter, exerting just enough force to crack it, yet not enough for it to break. Zeph didn't even notice it. "No. I don't think I will. If I was wishy-washy about what I did and thought, I wouldn't be half the legend I've become. Hell, I wouldn't even be alive today." Zeph glared directly at Leon, not in anger, but with a fierce glare of desire. He wasn't ignorant of the life he was missing. Ultimately... that wasn't what he wanted. "I might have people yelling at me from every angle about how much of a scumbag or worthless killer I am, but do you know where they're all wrong? I'm free. I drive my own future. I don't have to serve some army or worthless hierarchy or religion that ultimately hates me, I live my own life. And when you want to be free, people hate that in the deepest parts of their soul."

"That-" Leon tried to interject, but Zeph kept going. He came closer, getting straight in Leon's face with a tone of brutal defiance.

"Isn't it true, Leon? I've tried to be something I'm not, and I got burned for it. I could be what people want me to become, but I can't. I know that it hurts, I get it. But if being free really is the greatest crime out there...If I really am the one who's wrong about everything..." The defiance started fading from his eyes.

Leon sat there, staring back with shock and surprise.

Zeph leaned back and looked at Leon with a determined yet saddened expression. "Wouldn't it be more merciful for you to jam a sword in my heart than let me keep hoping?"

"I..." Leon was speechless. He hadn't ever seen a side like this in Zeph before, and... He wasn't sure where to even begin. Leon just sat there for a moment, dawning on what was said. "Gosh, you... are something else, Zeph. Here we are, going from punching unicorns to the true meaning of freedom." He laughed a little to himself at the absurdity, but more because... they didn't need tension right now. "Nobody knows all the answers, and it's not that I blame you for doing what you had to, but it's more..." Leon paused again, lifting his glass carefully. His tone was sincere, and Zeph knew it. "I've only seen things like that lead to someone being unhappy. To death and... worse." Leon gave a final sip of his glass before setting it calmly on the counter. It landed with a light thud as the glass remained perfectly intact. "I'm worried about you."

Zeph looked into the distance frowning for a second. Being back here really did bring back memories of the past. It was just a year ago, and not even long, but... "Heh." He turned back to look at Leon with a partial smile. "Guess that's why we're friends, eh?"

"I suppose so," Leon replied warmly.

...

Only silence was spoken as they both slowly looked into the distance.

Several of the people who were in the tavern had stared at them raising their voices, but others just ignored it.

Zeph remembered the first meeting Leon and him had. When he dropped by their town even before the war took place... He seemed so young back then.

"Say, I think it's about time I show you this gift I wanted to give you," Leon said.

Zeph turned back to see Leon picking up the bag again, unveiling its contents. Inside, it was a metal necklace with a green gem in the center.

"Here."

Zeph glanced at it, snickering as he took it. "Hehehe. Would you get mad if I told ya I already saw what was in it?"

"Wh- You did? How?" Leon sank into disappointment.

Triumphantly, Zeph pointed to his ears. "I don't get called a ratty long ear for nothing, doncha' think? Echolocation is one heck of a talent." Zeph didn't know if it was magic or natural, but that was the way batfolk saw. And as far as he was concerned, he didn't need to understand any science or reason behind its existence.

"It sure is." He said, a little defeated. "Well, I know you aren't exactly a jewelry guy, but I think you'll like it. It's enchanted with magic."

Zeph peered at it closely. Inside the gem, a faint symbol could be made out. "Oh? What's it do?"

"That's what you'll have to find out on your own!" Leon smiled with a tinge of mischievousness. "I promise, you'll figure it out quick enough. You're good with those things."

Zeph smiled. Not with confidence, or with sly intent. It was just a genuine smile. "Alright, guess I'll play your game." He said as he slipped it into his satchel and stood up from his seat. "But it'll have to be another time. I gotta get some sleep."

"Oh! Right. You don't sleep at normal times." Leon looked at him and also stood up. "Well... I suppose goodbye for now. I'll see you around."

Zeph walked a few steps out, looking up at the vast space of the cavern's ceiling. "Yeah. I suppose I will for a day or so." He looked back at Leon. "Hey. Just in case I get too busy to stop by again..." He lifted his fist in a defiant stance. "Regardless of what happens, Ryuufall's gonna pay, you get me?"

Leon smiled. "Loud and clear, Zeph."

A moment later, Zeph jumped into the air and started flying. He flew high, straight towards the rooming areas and straight to where he could find his room.

Leon looked back at the two glasses on the counter. One was slightly fractured and one was clear, along with the bartender looking cross at him.

"Oh, right..." Leon remarked sheepishly. "I guess I'm paying for these drinks. And... the glass."