Entering the Tower of Sorcery, I was immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of mystery and magical power. Flickering candles illuminated the path that led to a central room. The interior was as mysterious as I had imagined, with spiral staircases rising to the upper floors, floating candles lighting the corridors, and an ambiance charged with magic.

I began to climb the steps, my gaze scanning every corner in search of clues to Frida's whereabouts. As I reached the second floor, I heard a voice whispering through the hallway. Curious, I headed in that direction and found a witch dressed in dark robes, adorned with moonlit jewelry. Her face radiated youthful wisdom, her hair was emerald, and her eyes sparkled with a benevolent light.

"Excuse me, madam," I said respectfully, "I am Riko, and I am in search of Frida. I was told that she possesses knowledge about the threat looming over the City of Enchantments. Can you tell me where to find her?"

The witch fixed me with an intense gaze, assessing my determination. After a moment of silence, she smiled and spoke in a gentle voice, "I am Frida, young goblin. You seem more handsome than the other goblins, Riko."

Before me stood the wise and powerful witch whom old Azarus had told me about. I was taken by surprise and filled with gratitude, realizing that since the Guardian of the Worlds had transformed my body, no one had noticed this detail. "I am honored to meet you, Frida. I have been tasked with protecting the city, and I have heard that you possess crucial information about the threat it faces. Could you tell me more?"

"In that case, let us not waste any more time," she declared calmly but with an aura of power. "The threat to our kingdom is indeed linked to the disappearance of the Moon Dragon. Two weeks ago, it suddenly vanished, plunging our world into a period of instability and chaos."

I listened attentively, my eyes fixed on Frida, eager to learn more about this mystery.

"The Moon Dragon was a sacred guardian, a creature that watched over the balance of magical forces in our kingdom. Its disappearance has created an imbalance that allows dark forces to grow stronger and threaten the City of Enchantments."

I felt the weight of responsibility intensify as I fully realized the magnitude of the task that lay ahead.

"What exactly happened?" I asked with concern in my voice. "And what can we do to remedy this situation?"

Frida waved her hand, and we made our way to a narrow spiral staircase that led to her personal laboratory. The walls were lined with shelves filled with ancient grimoires and vials containing magical ingredients. Frida sat down on a large burgundy velvet armchair.

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"The disappearance of the Moon Dragon remains a mystery, Riko," Frida began as she sat behind a large worktable. "We have investigated and searched for clues, but so far, we have found nothing conclusive. It is crucial that we find the Moon Dragon to restore balance to our kingdom."

I approached the table, scrutinizing the strange objects and scattered scrolls. "How can we proceed to find the Moon Dragon? Are there any leads or clues we can follow?"

Just as she was about to answer, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor leading to Frida's laboratory. The door swung open, revealing an older man with dark green hair, wearing a black robe adorned with mystical symbols. His gaze fell upon me, and a look of hostility crossed his face.

"Frida! What does this mean?" he exclaimed angrily. "Why have you brought this goblin here?"

Frida stood up from her chair, facing the man. "Fred, calm yourself," she replied with a firm yet serene voice. "Riko is here to help us find the Moon Dragon."

I remained silent, observing the scene with some perplexity. I had never met Fred before, but his animosity towards me was evident. Frida turned to me, eager to defuse the tension.

"Riko, allow me to introduce my brother, Fred," she said. "He is a sorcerer who is part of the ancient order of the Tower of Sorcery. He is also a protector of our kingdom and deeply cares about its safety."

I respectfully bowed before Fred, hoping to ease the tensions. "Pleased to meet you, Fred. I understand your concerns, but I am here to help. I have been sent by the Northern Dwarves to find the Moon Dragon and restore balance to the kingdom."

Fred scrutinized me with suspicion, but he seemed slightly surprised by my response. "A goblin... on such an important mission? I find it hard to believe. Goblins are often associated with deceit and malice. Goblins, like other monsters, deserve nothing more than our disdain. Their very existence is an insult to pure magic."

I remained calm, knowing that I had to earn his trust. "I understand your concerns, Fred. But do not let appearances deceive you. I am determined to prove my worth and protect our kingdom. I have already demonstrated my skills and loyalty."

"Fred, I implore you, set aside your prejudices. I am sure Riko is determined to prove his worth. Do not let fear cloud your judgment."

Fred scoffed with a contemptuous tone. "Fear? Frida, you understand nothing. I know goblins better than anyone. Their so-called determination is nothing but a façade. They are born to sow chaos and destruction."

The tension in the room was palpable. Frida looked at Fred with sadness, disappointed by his stubbornness in not seeing beyond appearances. Despite Frida's attempt to bring peace between us, Fred's mistrust toward me persisted. He stared at me with a cold, hard gaze, ready to take drastic measures to drive me away.

"Listen carefully, goblin," he growled in a threatening voice. "If you do not leave this tower immediately, I promise you will regret it. I will not tolerate your presence here, and I will do everything in my power to drive you out. And as for you, Frida, I admire your kindness and compassion, but I cannot accept this aberration in our sanctuary. If you persist in protecting him, I will have no choice but to hold you responsible for his actions."

Fred turned on his heel and left with heavy steps, leaving behind a silence charged with unyielding hostility.

Frida sighed deeply; her gaze fixed on the door through which Fred had exited. "I'm sorry, Riko. My brother is blinded by his beliefs. But do not be discouraged. Continue to show your worth. I will stand by your side, no matter what."

to be continued...