Erend finally arrived at the Elf Palace, the towering spires of the ancient structure casting long shadows over the surrounding forest. His wings folded as he descended and he landing softly on the top of one of the tallest towers.
Eccar sat on the stone ledge, a large bottle in hand and he lazily sipping from it. The unmistakable smell of strong booze filled the air as Erend approached.
Eccar glanced up at him, eyes slightly hazy but still sharp. Those simple booze wouldn't be enough to make him drunk.
"You made good time," he said with a smirk, raising the bottle in a mock toast. "Want a drink?"
Erend didn't waste any time addressing Eccar's bottle. There were more important matters at hand.
He stepped forward with serious expression. He leaned in close, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Do you know anything about a place called the Dungeon World?" .net
Eccar blinked, taken aback by the question. He lowered the bottle. His brows furrowed in confusion.
"Dungeon World? Never heard of it," he muttered, shaking his head. "What are you talking about?"
However, Eccar already know that it must be something important if Erend mention it.
Erend's eyes flicked around them, ensuring no one was close enough to overhear. He started to explained briefly
"It's a place I can enter... through my uhh... Power. I've been going there to fight monsters and grow stronger. But it's not part of this world, or any world for that mattere. It's something else, something... outside of everything we know."
Eccar's frown deepened, his expression turning from confusion to concern as he listened. "And what? Is this... 'Dungeon World,' you think it's connected to the threats we're facing now?"
"I don't know," Erend said. "But it's given me the power I need to survive. And I was wondering if... well, if others could join me there. But the power just confirmed that only Dragonborn can enter, at least for now."
"I'll keep that in mind. But right now, we don't have the luxury to be cautious," Erend said.
Eccar gave a wry smile. "Well, when the time comes, just let me know. I'm ready."
With that, the two shared a brief but understanding silence.
Aurdis suddenly approached with a worried look on her face, her graceful steps swift yet hesitant. Eccar noticed her and for a moment, a wistful smile crossed his face, as if something from a distant memory had surfaced. Someone from another time. Without saying anything more, he rose from his seat, casting a knowing glance toward Erend.
"I think it can wait a little bit more," Eccar said with a casual wave before leaping off the balcony. His departure was quick and immediately giving them the privacy they needed.
Aurdis drew closer to Erend, her worry evident in the way her brow furrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as if to make sure he was truly there.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly with concerned voice.
Erend returned the embrace and nodded. "I'm alright."
Aurdis sighed, the sound full of helplessness and frustration. "How long is this going to go on?" she asked.
Erend exhaled, his gaze distant for a moment before he turned back to her. "I don't know," he admitted. "But everything's going to be alright."
She pulled back from the hug, her eyes searching his face for some kind of reassurance. Then, a small, soft smile broke through her worry, and she nodded. "Yes. Everything will be alright."
In that quiet moment, the world seemed to fade away. Without words, they leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss—soft and tender, a fleeting moment of peace amidst the chaos that surrounded them.
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