Chapter 365: Jolly Town

Out of the conversing crowd of mysterious, humanoid men, women and children appeared a single man, the age certainly showing upon his face. As soon as he made his presence known, they all turned silent, yet the smiles on their faces persisted nonetheless. 

His pale face was riddled with wrinkles, his hair was non-existent, but he harboured no animosity as he walked towards them with a stick in hand to keep his balance.

<< Ho ho! Visitors! We had not had visitors in many years. I am Lowrid, the elder of this city of Vestora. What brings you young travellers to this land? >> He smiled and nodded his head, a gesture of kindness they did not expect from a man of such a high status, all towards strange, foreign entities. 

But, despite the elder's gentle tone, Artorias did not react, still unmoving with his mouth slightly open trying to process something unknown. 

Thus, it was up to Moby to take the mantle of leadership and address the elder in his stead. 

"Greeting elder Lowrid, we have come to do no harm; we hope for peace. My fellow companions and I are on a mission you see. We are not from this land… We are humans from the planet "Earth,". If it is not too much trouble, would it be possible if we ask for your aid on this mission? If payment is required you need not worry."

<< Oh! Such a well-spoken young man! It would be a great pleasure working with you! Fear not, we need no payment, >> His tender, shaky smile expanded. 

"You have my gratitude elder, same for you villagers," Moby bowed his head, and his teammates from behind did the same, all but Artorias. 

However, when Yami tried to do the same, she once again crumbled on the ground out of weakness, even despite Regrit's heating flames. 

"Umm… Elder… If its is not too much to ask, would it be possible for a place to stay? My comrade is not used to the climate of this planet," Moby bowed his head lower as he asked for a favour he did not expect to be accepted. 

<< Of course! Meryl would love to have new visitors! You can visit my own home! You can be my special guest! We can discuss there all you like about this mission of yours! How does that sound? >> 

"That… That would be truly an honour… Thank you so much for all of this!" 

<< Very well! Then follow me! Be sure to give them a proper greeting everyone! >>

<< Yes Elder! >> The children cheered, jumping up and down. 

The elder turned his back and slowly walked into the city streets, and the smiling citizens seemed to have mostly gone back to their normal lives. 

Moby took the first step into following the old alien, but he then noticed that Artorias was still unmoving, almost like he was in a trance.

Moby himself was still taking many things in, especially the words of that man. He could not believe his ears, it was too odd of an occurrence to even be possible. It was to the point that he doubted the true kindness of this man. It had to be a trap of some sort… It had to be… Was that why Artorias was acting in such a way?

"Artorias… Artorias… Artorias we are going to take shelter… Hey, are you there? Artorias?" 

"HUH! huh... Oh… Yes… yes yes yes yes… I'm quite alright… no need to worry… I'm here..." His face was sweating, as though he had seen some sort of ghost, in all his time at school, Moby had never seen Artorias act even close to such a way. 

"Are you okay?"

"I said yes, I'm quite alright! Let us move onwards, don't bother yourself with my ordeals…" He shook his head and tried to regain his composure as he stared at the back of the elder in the distance, finally taking his first steps to follow him through the city. 

As they walked, they noticed many things, some things simply made clearer. It was a land that was certainly not very advanced, primitive and rather medieval in nature.

Most of the houses were made of wood and very few were constructed of stone. The fog existed, yet not to the degree of the mountains they were once traversing, the streets were clear, that along with the daily lives of the happy, smiling citizens. 

But, they could not inspect the city for too long, their attention was taken away by something else… A horde of children surrounding them.

<< Miss… Why are you sad? No need to be sad! Smile! Smile! >>

<< Yes yes! Smile! >>

"Okay yes… I'll try that…" Elizabeth chuckled and beamed, making the children cheer. 

<< Miss, are you cold? >>

"I'm okay! I'm not like you! Stop treating me like a little *ACHEW*"

<< WOW!! This little grumpy girl sneezed on me! >>

<< Alien sneezing! How does it taste? How does it feel? >>

<< Little miss! Can you do me next? I want to try it! >>

"No! Of course not!"

<< Awww… But that's okay! Just learn to smile more too okay? It's unhealthy being so gloomy! >>

"I can do whatever I want kid…"

<< Do you want this ring? Will this make you happy? My mother gave it to me for Lorondell last month. It's made out of really pretty gems! >>

"I mean, it looks nice, but I'm not really into taking things away from children."

<< OOO OOO! Then how about this dagger! I made it myself! It's very very sharp! Want me to show you? >>

"No no, that's totally fine,"

"Okie dokie!"

<< Hello, are you the leader? Your armour is cool! Can I play with your sword? >> A little boy talked to Artorias, making him look down at him with a gaping stare that would have torn apart the hearts of the weak like a pack of hyenas preying upon an unsuspecting victim.

It was subtle yet not so subtle, completely directed at the single boy, yet it was something that Moby could just barely sense amidst the horde of children surrounding him as well.

"Get out of my sights boy… I have no time for such games…"

<< Oh… So no? alright! I'll ask this other man here! >> He looked over at Kai, his smile completely unwavering. 

Although the walk through the city was only a few minutes long, to them, it felt more like hours of listening to the children's drivel on and on and on.

That was when they reached the foot of a massive cathedral made of stone, that along with a subtle yet revolting smell emanating from that direction. It stood tall and proud, by far the grandest structure in the entire city. The glass panels possessed several pictures and markings engraved on them, yet it was all unclear due to the uncleaned frost.

In front of the large wooden doors of that building was a single, rather peculiar statue of a man. Like the pannels, his features were unclear, and the structure began to show its age. Nothing was particularly good about the statue, yet still, it stood out even amidst all of the villagers surrounding it that subsequently turned and waved as they walked past them. 

<< Okay children, you have to go now. I have important business with these strangers! Go out and play, >> The elder turned around and waved off the enthusiastic kids, making them nod in understanding. 

<< Okay elder! Bye bye! Bye bye to you too strangers! I hope you can come out and play with us soon! >>

Before they even knew it, they had finally reached the home of the elder. It was not as big as they expected, yet it was better than most houses they saw on the streets. 

It was made of stone, and it would be considered a fairly modest townhouse if it were to be rebuilt on earth. 

He did not hesitate to open the door, no key was needed. And, as it slowly revealed what laid within, a sudden, high-pitched voice escaped the door. 

<< Grandpa's here! Grandpa's here! Mommy! Grandpa's here! >>

<< Oh my dear Meryl, how I've missed you! >> A little girl jumped into the elder's arms as he passionately embraced her. 

<< Oh, father, you're here already? Please come in! I've made dinner! >> A voice came from further within.

<< Yes yes sweetie! I'm coming! >>

<< Who are those behind you grandpa? >>

<< Oh, these are visitors from another world! Why don't you go meet them? >>

<< Okay! Thank you so much, grandpa! You're the best! >> She jumped and celebrated before the elder turned around to look at the group of strangers. 

<< Don't be scared, please come in! My daughter's cooking is delicious! I'm certain it will be to your liking, then we can discuss at our own pace... >>