Chapter 401: The Nymph Prophecy

Chapter 401: The Nymph Prophecy

The palace of clouds the dwarf sighed. Ill get us a mug of spirits.

With a heavy step, Fevre walked out of the building, only to return shortly later with a large bottle. The moment he uncorked it, the smell of pure alcohol filled the room. The dwarf took an unapologetic swig, then brushed the top of the bottle with his sleeve and handed it to Jiroh. Much Do Dallions surprise, the fury not only accepted it, but took a swig as well.

Strong, the fury said, then placed the bottle on the glass table.

And so are you, Fevre grinned. A quick glance was given to Eury and Dallion, but neither took on the challenge. So. The cloud city. Why do you want it?

There might be something Im searching for there.

Cloud cities dont give away their secrets. Being a fury isnt enough to reveal what it olds. Even one such as you. I didnt get much further than the main entrance.

Thats my problem. I just want to know where to find it. As I said, Im willing to pay.

Hah. Do I look like someone who needs elp? Or gold? I sold everything I own. I ad enough gold to life a undred years like a king!

Then why didnt you? Euryale joined in. For someone of your skills, you could have retired as an adviser to any minor noble. There are many in the empire that would love to have a dwarf awakened join their house.

Bah! Fevre waved a hand, then grabbed the bottle of alcohol again. I never liked the empire. Big, bossy, always causing problems for everyone else. Im fine where I am.

Youre in the middle of a glass crater, the gorgon reminded. Theres nothing living for miles. The closest town is a sleaze pit that sells ore for trinkets. The only reason youre here is to hide from someone. Just give us a name and well settle this for you.

Dallion felt a slight shiver pass through him. This was the first time that Euryale openly said shed be willing to kill someone. There were signs back in Nerosal that she was partially involved in such a kind of work. The way the city guard came to her, her relations with the mirror pool, not to mention the determination with which she had attacked the first time Dallion had discovered a hidden chainling. This wasnt someone whod only gotten good from hunting animals. For that matter, neither had Jiroh.

You think Im iding from someone? The dwarf laughed. If that was it, Id gone to Duke Montagne. No matter ow strong you are, youre not stronger than an army. Im iding from the world.

Silence filled the room, broken only by the dwarfs drinking.

What do you mean? Jiroh asked.

The world is coming to an end. Again. Fevre looked around. You think Im crazy. He laughed, pointing at each with his free hand. You think Im just another unter that list it and became a ermit? I found things near your cloud fortress, things that were enough to show me whats to come. The Crippled as come out to play, and each time e does, theres chaos, war, and a race gets banished. Its appened three times before and each time no one learns a thing.

We didnt say you were crazy, Jiroh said diplomatically. We just"Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Dont believe the things you do, Euryale finished for her.

Oh? Then ow do you explain the ero of Nerosal showing up ere of all places? Fevre pointed at Dallion. Do you think I agreed to this because I you ave anything to offer? Or that Im a coward scared to face you? You ave potential, but youre still a while to go till you can take me. ow do you think I made all this furniture? the dwarf asked proudly. The signs are all there. If you go to the place, youre asking about, youll see as well. But maybe by then itll be too late!

Dallion could feel the bouquet of emotions coming from Fevre, all of them strong, all of them conflicting with the rest. There was acceptance, fear, calm, anger, and the faintest hint of hope. The ex-hunter had without question seen something that had tarried him to the point that he had quit his profession and hid away from everyone else.

So, you know me, Dallion said.

Thats convenient. Euryale crossed her arms.

I told you I ad more skills than youd think. Writing doesnt make a unter, but it elps. Throughout the years, Ive learned all main languages of this world, except one. Fevre crossed his arms as well, giving the gorgon a glare. The scrolls were a warning about the Crippled. They explain what signs to look for, and what to do should the stars emerge. The nymphs were much more enlightened than most. They ad learned the lessons of the copyettes banishment and ad prepared. Their built their cities to withstand the changes, scattered them throughout the world, and they waited and they still failed. He grabbed the bottle, but seeing that there was nothing inside, grumbled and put it on back on the table again.

The nymphs tried to take over the world, Jiroh explained. They worked with the Star. Of course they would get b"

They werent the only ones! Fevre suddenly snapped at her. The gorgons tried to take over the world as well right after the copyettes downfall.

Dallion stared at the dwarf in disbelief. Jiroh was also fighting with the idea, while the snakes on Euryales head were moving about in warning fashion. No one had expected such a revelation.

Hes not lying, Dallion said after a while.

Didnt know that, did you? The dwarf asked with a bittersweet smirk. The nymphs did and had come to the conclusion that its all based on the stars whim. Wars dont cause banishment; they just speed it up. And, more importantly, there always are exceptions. There still were copyettes in the world after the fall of the race, just as there are nymphs and dryads. When the world changes again, and another race gets banished, I plan to be ere.

I believe that hes lost it, Nil said. To quote his own words.

Hes not lying, Dallion reminded. And he sounds quite convincing.

Everyone who talks about the end of the world is convincing, dear boy. After a while you just get used to it. I dont doubt that such theories circulated during the height of the nymph race. I strongly doubt that there have been nymphs, copyettes, and dryads running around in the world in secret since then.

Fevre went to the fireplace, extending his hands forward to get some warmth.

The cities are thirty-seven degrees west by southwest, he said, his back to the group. Go far enough into the sea and youll find your sunken cloud. Since youre a fury, it should be easy. Now leave.

Jiroh opened her mouth, about to say something, but ultimately chose not to. There was a lot to unpack, even if she had received the information she had come for.

Thank you, she managed to say after a while. I wish you luck. The fury left the building.

Lets go, Eury told Dallion.

Go ahead, he replied. Ill be with you in a bit.

Catching that he wanted to remain along with the dwarf, the gorgon nodded.

What was the sign? Dallion asked.

You really want to know? Fevre didnt move from his spot.

Yes.

An otherworlder will help the Star to pull the whole cities into the wilderness. The dwarf looked over his shoulder. You stopped the star from destroying Nerosal, but for a moment, you caused the city to be pulled out of the world. Didnt you, otherworlder?