Resonating through time and space Akatosh finds himself at a bridge, a dimensional bridge. There was a faint essence linger through the atmosphere a very neutral sensation. Shortly he saw his dark image stepping through the darkness so was Amaragnum.

"Yo, we meet again." Says Akatosh's dark image.

It was a surprise event even for the stillmage who was left silent and baffles by what he was. And as far as to see, they did not personally come here for a moot nor leverage of transaction.

"Did you summon us here?" Akatosh imply.

"I suspect you would say that… Technically It wasn't I who gathered us here. I do not know what draws us into this place but one thing I presume is because of what happened the other day. Through that, it distorted the flow of space and time between us three. Ain't that right new friend." Akatosh's entity said eying Amaragnum.

"What's this got to do with me?" Amaragnum reply.

"Funny 'cause you're already in our merry band." The entity chuckles.

Getting a serious eye Amaragnum tries to bend the dimension like what he did to Hayes's realm. Strangely there was nothing Amaragnum could conjure not even a single spec of magic.

"Low on calories?" Akatosh's dark image chuckles. "And since I haven't fully introduced myself why not let my other one serves me an introduction."

"You want a name?" Akatosh said.

"Why not? It's just a name."

"Very well, since you put it that way starting from this you can call yourself Tosh for, I care not."

"I'm very much obliged." Tosh happily responds.

"So, what is this merry band you're talking about?" Amaragnum implores.

"To be honest I don't know either." Tosh laugh. "For now, I think." He continues as they felt themselves slipping away from this place.

As short as a dream Akatosh awoke from his slumber. Well-rested he notice it was already at the zenith of time. Fixing his scattered armors, he went for a full-time meal.

"Do you mind if I ask something?" Akatosh implores Garry.

"Go on lad I'm all ears."

"I see…" Akatosh said observing his surrounding for any person that might be intrigued by their conversation. "Any commotion that had to happen the other day." He resumes after he concludes his observation.

"Quite loud I say. Clearly you attracted more than certain people. The other day before my shift, a group of royal soldiers’ barge past midnight. They were the royal soldiers of Ahgraim looking for shelter. And just the other morning seven adventurers from the guild came sniffing for information lead by one magic class adventurer. And I heard they were ordered by the upper ups, the royal people. But don't worry both of the parties left without information or understanding what had to happen."

"I see, I'm very much thankful for you."

"Don't worry about that." Garry smile. "In return why don't you tell me what truly happens. And worry not lad this is between us two so how about that."

Akatosh smile. "It was a lich."

"A lich!" Garry was shocked but kept his voice low.

"Yeah."

"But the adventures told me--"

"That's because the lich was a dimension specialist that kept himself hidden through the ancient times."

"I'm surprised! … I never thought I was neighboring a powerful lich this whole time. T-then how did you manage to defeat it." Garry says stopping his work.

''It is complicated to tell; it was a one-on-one battle not for me but the remnants of your history's past. Sounds exaggerated right, regardless I spoke what is true to my mouth it is up to you to believe it or not. Either way, this is just a mere curiosity to being filled."

"I do, I believe your words. And that's because I, myself is a mage." Garry said magically emitting a faint compressed wind from his hand. There were no magic circles which made Akatosh's eyes stunned. "As a mage, I can tell which presence is which. That is why when that massive energy burst through the mountains, I was shocked by the quantities of energy being released. Although the first part of your word philosophies me. And I, myself was quite baffled the moment you first spoke to me." Garry smile with an intent look in his eyes towards Akatosh.

"Mister, are you perhaps a sage? Is that why you first entrusted that letter to me?" Akatosh responds.

"Mm-hmm, I only gave that letter to you because you're the only one I know heading to where my brother is. Well, the magic thing you saw was just the only thing that I master because I'm just a beginner at that." Garry sigh.

"I see," Akatosh respond unable to continue their conversation leading to silence for both of them.

The moment of silence a party suddenly came breaking the barrier between the two. A party of three people consisting of one male fighter and two females, a mage and a priest. They were youngsters the moment Akatosh set his eyes on them. And it looks like they were about to discussed something about Garry.

"Mister about the bounty, we're here to collect the reward." The young lad said.

"Okay-okay, let me look at the paper, see what I can do," Garry said leaving Akatosh's side.

Seeing Garry busy with something Akatosh took this opportunity. Grabbing the handkerchief that Garry used to clean the goblets and mugs he then put something and then covers it. Placing his plate atop the folded handkerchief he quickly moves out from the inn without Garry noticing him walking away.

"Here you go," Garry said, giving them a pouch of the coin towards the party.

Returning where he had left his work, Garry smiled upon seeing Akatosh had already left the building. While a bit surprised Garry then went to grab Akatosh's plate. Seeing his folded handkerchief after lifting the plate Garry already realize what Akatosh had done. And when he unfolds the fabric a gold coin drops just a few inches on the table.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Good grief that kid."

Slowly trekking the snowy road, as he looks for any wagon to ride. The journey to Ravalind was quite long and the shivering winter makes the travel uneasy. And that long time walking a mile a wagon finally emerges. Heading towards the kingdom of Keshoval, Akatosh then carefully talks to the driver. With a good conversation, Akatosh joins the ride. There were few people in thick clothing while Akatosh only had a spare cloak to warm himself and his armor. Nonetheless, he was happy to get out from that cold road.

Once arrive Akatosh then again carefully talks to the guards and even bribing them. At this time, it was now nighttime, and with good direction from the citizens of Keshoval, he slept at an inn letting the night pass.

Following the cold winter night, Akatosh quickly heads towards Barry's shop right after he had finished his breakfast. He was so happy to get his newly finished commission. But right after he enters the shop.

"What? You gave it to them." Akatosh implores.

Barry sigh. "Wasn't it you who ask me to do that?"

"Did I?"

"You didn't even reach middle age and yet you're as old at remembering stuff. And yes, I did as you told me to."

"Dang… Is the market still good for today?"

"Quite, though it varies on what business you are looking for."

"I understand… Then see you around." Akatosh says heading through the market as he thought the first thing he would do and visit.

Passing through the jewelry shop Akatosh thought about appraising the gems he collected. It was good at first that the shopkeeper easily identifies the gems he had stashed. Though when Akatosh has shown Chifya's jewelry the shopkeeper would not identify not even the slightest.

"I think my knowledge won't give you something about that gem of yours. Don't worry there is another shop that might know something about that. Although she might be a bit different, here… I'll give you the direction." The shopkeeper said.

Paying the cost of identification, Akatosh heads to where the shopkeeper had told him. And while Chifya's jewelry was still at the palm of Akatosh's hand, he saw something odd about the design. From the center of the necklace, the gleaming purple oval gem had something that Akatosh manage to notice. By carefully overlooking the design and how the gem was embedded. Akatosh saw a slight curiosity where the large gem is placed.

Finding a tight alley where Akatosh secretly dabbles with the necklace he then brought out a dagger and begun prying the largest gem. In minutes of struggling to root out the gem a folded paper falls through the snowy ground right after Akatosh carve out the gem.

His first thought was a letter from a family though when he unfolds the compressed paper. Akatosh saw a family drawing consisting of only three people. It was Chifya's parents and moreover, her mother was a very beautiful dark elf smiling in purity.

Akatosh whistle. "Whew, what a beauty, what a dang," Akatosh says carefully staring at the dark elf's drawing. The long hair and pointy ears but what shows the true beauty of the drawing was the smile. Not just the dark elf but also the child which is Chifya when she was still young and carefree.

"Should keep this, might be a good fortune someday." Akatosh says folding back the paper and stashes it on his 'bag of holding'. And for him not to attract attention he wears the magic bracelet Lavrish gave him.

When he had arrived at the shop, an old gnome, a hag greets him in a gloomy way. Unfazed by her greeting Akatosh right away goes straight to business.

"A fine young man you are." The hag giggles showing her rotten teeth.

"Mm-hmm, I'll take your compliment." Akatosh sigh. "Can you tell me what this is?" Akatosh continues revealing Chifya's necklace dangling in his hand.

All of a sudden, the old hag became silent and shock by what she sees. Charmed by the gem the gnome suddenly leaps to grab the amulet.

"Apapapah… Hold your horses' grandma." Akatosh implores retrieving back Chifya's necklace. "And judging by your high greedy-lust, this necklace is very much valuable to you." Akatosh smile.

Suppressing her greed, the old gnome then makes a word. "Not here, we should discuss this somewhere else. And if you want, do wear a hood." The gnome said triggering a hidden mechanism under her desk.

With confidence, Akatosh follows the old gnome through the hidden door. And just taking twenty steps he unnotedly found himself in a different place. It was a large place of gloomy people and total strangers selling different and priceless gears and artifacts.

"Hehehe… new to this place?" The gnome giggles.

"What is this place." Akatosh imply.

"It's a black market. Here you will see fugitives, outlaws, the thief's guild, you name it. Here this is where they make a business that sorts of things. There are also some political people involve in this place."

Having her explanation reach through Akatosh's mind the gnome leads him to her shop. Not to magnet other dangerous people from their transaction. The gnome conjures a barrier that traps their discussion where they're the only ones who can hear each other's voice.

Fully prepared, Akatosh place Chifya's necklace on the table which again made the gnome escalated. As precious to the gnome, Akatosh was a bit-off seeing the hag's senses claimed by greed.

"Ahem… I'm still here." Akatosh clears his throat.

"Oh, pardon the old hag's attitude." The gnome replies gently brushing Chifya's necklace.

"Let's us cut to the chase can you just identify me that thing."

As always, the gnome chuckles in a dreary way. "Then let me first ask you. How did you manage to get a hold of this? I presume, did you by any chance stole this item?" The gnome wickedly smiles.

"Yes but no. So, tell me what secret does that gem holds."

"Oh, this ain't just an ordinary gem. This gem belongs to the royal dark elves."

"Dark elves!? What do you mean?"

"Hehehehe… To better understand, dark elves are ruled only by females, a queen. While the male party is only for the show worst maybe a slave."

"Like a hyena to be precise," Akatosh said.

"And when choosing a new ruler, the queen will give each of the candidates this kind of gem. 'Zovaas Sulyek' is the name of the gem which can only be crafted by a dark elven gem-maker. At first, it is only just a simple stone full of purity but once fully filled from the essence of the great creatures from the material and spirit realm, it will turn this gem into gleaming purple. And the candidate who fills this gem shall be granted the honor to be queen. Although from the past generation only two generations of dark elves manage to gain success."

"So that's it… A gem of proof just to show how strong you are?"

"Clearly you don't understand the hierarchy of dark elves."

"So how much does it cost," Akatosh said curving half of his lips.

The gnome wickedly smiles, this time in full sensational greed. "Twenty-eight gold shar."

Akatosh smile. "Thirty-five."

"Thirty and that's is all I can give you." The gnome said somehow frustrated.

"Tch… erm… ahh… I think there are some people here who are good at making business from this kind of gem." Akatosh said.

"Okay, thirty-two." The gnome agitatedly said.

"Tch… hmm… ahh… Maybe I should better be going--"

"Thirty-five then." The gnome said gnashing her rotten teeth.

Akatosh smile. "You got yourself a deal."

After sealing their deal, the old gnome went and brought five bags of coin. Thinking Akatosh would grab and go, the gnome was mistaken. When the gnome went to get the money, Akatosh quickly bring out his Katana, a piece of paper, and the magic quill. As for his sword, he has secretly hidden it on his cloak.

"What?" Akatosh smile gazing at the dagger-like eyes of the old gnome. "I'm just making sure our business is plain equal." Akatosh continues quickly start counting the bags of coins.

Accounting every single coin from the bag Akatosh was sudden. "Sorry, grandma but you are short by twenty silvers."

Frustrated the old gnome immediately grabs her last pouch of coin and throws it on the table. "Here's your bloody coin!" The hag implores.

"Now that's very kind of you," Akatosh said counting the last pouch of coin.

With their trade now finished, Akatosh curiously asks the old hag. "This place seems very peaceful."

"See that hooded people over there." The gnome said pointing towards one person leaning on the wall. "Make a commotion and they will slit your throat before you can cast a spell nor draw a sword."

"Peacekeepers I see."

Returning at the market of Ravalind, Akatosh went towards where the saltpeter is made. Once removing all the cover and brushing snow Akatosh was smiling happily from the vast quantities of saltpeter.

"Damn son!" Akatosh wickedly smile as he didn't hesitate to scrap the whole crystal.

Having what he needs, he then buries the whole plot removing any traces behind it. With enough time to spare, Akatosh went to retrieve his weapons at Shelia's house. As you imagine, he was met with warm greetings. And when he was about to leave the place after getting his weapons Sheila called to him.

"Akatosh… We'll be having our last mission and we would like you to join us. It won't be long; it will only take about three days. Don't worry we'll be using teleportation, that's why I'd like you to--"

"Where is this place." Akatosh interrupts.

"It's at Northor (Chifya's place) or some people may call it as druids' cove. Just south of Keshoval."

"Fine, I'm in." Akatosh shrugs not even knowing what their ambition is.