[TWS] Chapter 316 – The Forgotten Joy

Civienne exchanged a few more words with Imadil and Cynthia before leaving to take care of some formalities on her side. Althea remained with Asterios and the others. They decided to give a hand to their elf friends, detaching the mounted and stationed tools, devices, and contraptions, and getting them ready to be transferred.

Asterios asked Imadil if they had enough space for everything back at Glimmervale and the man informed him that they had commissioned an underground expansion for their workshop before the journey to the land of elves. Everything should be done already if there had been no unexpected delays.

They had supposedly even involved Grea’s father to add some seals and arrays for added safety. It would take some time to recreate all the magical formations currently chiseled into the bark of the empty tree that housed their current workshop, but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t recreate. Asterios was grateful for their decision as it would definitely help Glimmervale a lot in the future.

Imadil and Cynthia had lots of unusual contraptions at their disposal. It took Ast’s group a good few hours to take care of everything. Alongside the elves, of course. In the end, all of their equipment was piled up on one side of the workshop, making the rest of it look unusually empty.

While the girls took a moment to rest, Asterios chose that time to reach out to Umbra, hoping that their shadowy friend had enough time to settle his thoughts. After a quick mental nudge, Umbra’s sinister darkness pooled over Ast’s shoulder, forming the familiar shape of a sizable raven.

“How are you doing?” Asterios asked with some concern.

~It’s definitely been a lot to take in,~ Umbra replied with a sigh. ~But, it’s not that unbelievable. I’m good now. I never expected to meet… The Creator.~

“It must be a shocking experience. I don’t think I can even imagine how it would feel to stand in front of the being that made Kraedorion. Or the human race.” Asterios nodded thoughtfully. “Ignoring for a moment that I’m not really a human.”

~Well, our realm is definitely much smaller. It’s not that hard to find its boundaries or travel its entirety. Its size became even more noticeable after it was sealed. But, I guess I’ve always felt like our world had a purpose. Perhaps in the beginning it was to grow stronger and evolve, but then it switched to the survival of the fittest when we became isolated,~ Umbra added.

“I was actually wondering what you think about that woman’s request.” Asterios crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not sure how to ask without sounding rude, but considering all the tales you’ve shared with us regarding your realm, is it a good idea to unseal it?”

Umbra chuckled at his words. ~If you worry that such action would unleash unspeakable horrors onto the entire universe, I can assure you that only a handful of beings are capable of moving off-world even without the cursed seal. And not everyone is inherently evil, aiming to destroy worlds or commit random genocides. It might be a bit more dangerous and cutthroat in there, but there’s not much else to do in captivity besides compete with everyone to see who is the strongest.~

“Yeah. There’s some truth to that.”

~Most of those who would escape or leave the Nethernight Realm would definitely act more cautiously rather than haughtily. We know barely anything about the other worlds. Many desire freedom. To explore. All our hatred is directed at only one person. The entity that locked us up.~

“Then Abyss might have the right idea to set you guys free and point that hatred in the correct direction to help us out with her enemy,” Asterios pondered while leaning over the wall.

~There are plenty of other, incomparably bigger realms, with incomparably more vicious and evil creatures, like the Void or the Abyss even, but neither of those are sealed shut. The world isn’t ending either. There’s just something specific about having your freedom restrained even if you don’t plan on using it. Especially when the restrained had done nothing wrong in the first place.~

“Yeah. Definitely,” Asterios agreed. “And I guess this would be good for you, and in turn for us, to finally lift that tug on your strength. Even if my power mitigates most of it now, I bet it would get much easier to use everything you can with the barrier gone.”

~I never dreamed of such a day. To think that it might not be that far off now is making me feel things I’ve never felt. Perhaps… Perhaps I would even be able to grow stronger as your bonded subordinate? There’s no doubt that the seal limits the influence of your ancestry on my very being. In the end, you can’t simply open a gate into my realm and step into it like all the other worlds.~

It certainly was true. Asterios had tried doing that under the watchful gaze of Grea and the other girls but failed to achieve any results. If he wanted to move into Umbra’s home realm, he had to go through the shadows, just like his familiar. At the same time, he had no guarantee that he wouldn’t end up stuck there, unable to go back. If not for the new ability to tear into it, he would have definitely rejected Abyss’ request.

“Does your realm have a designated leader?” He stroked his chin.

A faint stream of excitement bubbled in Umbra’s very being. ~Would you like me to take over my world after it’s freed?~

Asterios shrugged. “I just thought that it would be a good idea to have someone watch over its inhabitants, at least for a little after the seal comes undone. Someone with an actual connection to the other worlds.”

~Yes. Yes, that would be wise.~ Umbra’s bird head tilted a few times in quick succession. ~And you could use a personal shadow army. A whole realm at your bidding.~

“I’m not sure how Abyss would feel about me taking ownership and control over what’s rightfully hers.” Asterios chuckled. “But I guess we can discuss her exact plans with the Nethernight Realm the next time we speak. Right now, let’s focus back on our own. Do you think you will be able to transfer the magical equipment without an issue?”

~I’ll have to examine everything in detail, but I assume there should be no problem with that.~

And so, they moved together to the collected rows of tools and contraptions so Umbra could test his shadows out. While he jumped from one thing to another, Asterios regrouped with the girls and their elf friends, discussing the means of their return. He and Tina still should travel by air since they were the official delegation, but they could go through the shadows alongside their tools.

After some thinking, it was decided that Imadil and Cynthia would join them on the flying tigers once more, just to keep everything consistent. The workshop appliances would be moved after everyone’s return since they had to be present to arrange everything right away anyway. So, it looked like another pleasant flight awaited them.

Asterios reached out to Civienne through their connection and asked about her plans. She notified them that they were free to go the next day, suggesting they take a rest for the slowly approaching night. She would also be done with her preparations by then.

So, he and the girls bid a temporary farewell to the elf duo and jumped to their fancy quarters. They chatted excitedly about Glimmervale before falling asleep, bundled together in their bed. Even though they were all curious about everything back at home, they did their best not to sniff around the people stationed there through the shared connection. It would ruin the possible surprises. Althea decided to spend her last night back in her lair since she still felt a deep emotional connection to it.

In the morning, they got themselves ready in a flash. Tina basically flew out of their chambers to take the lead of her squad. Literally too since she sprouted two beautiful wings before launching herself out of their spacious balcony. Civienne shared with them the time and place of the pre-departure gathering spot, which turned out to be in front of the same gate they had flown over while arriving in the Garden of Sinners.

Picking up Althea, Asterios transferred them to the correct place at the correct time, reappearing on the surface still on the city’s side. His guess about some kind of an official event proved to be accurate as they immediately noticed lots of official sentries and wardens surrounding the place, keeping the citizens at bay. Civienne waited for them in the middle of the open gate, with Tina’s subordinates already lined up behind her, next to an exact same number of elven hummingbird riders.

The girls stepped out of a crimson portal and they all walked up to meet the queen, who greeted them with a respectful nod.

“What’s all this?” Asterios asked.

“Proper hospitality for your official departure,” she replied with her usual, cold tone. “We can’t have the royal delegation and our heroes leave without honoring them. I hope you will allow our finest riders to escort you to the border of our lands.”

He looked aside at Tina, who was technically the head of their delegation.

“It would be our pleasure, Your Majesty.” She curtsied politely.

“Also, please take this.” Civienne pulled out a sealed piece of beautiful parchment and held it out to the two of them. “This is a decree and message to Glimmervale’s Committee and its Lords. If you would be so kind as to deliver and read it with everyone gathered.”

Asterios received the piece of rolled paper and stored it away before curiosity got the better of him. “We shall do exactly that, Your Majesty.”

“Great. We are ready whenever you are. I give you my thanks for your aid once more and wish you safe travels. Know that you will always find yourselves at home in our lands. May the Tree of Life’s blessings always be with you.” The queen made some kind of a traditional gesture with her hands, possibly resembling a tree.

A giggle echoed in Ast’s mind and she suddenly flinched before schooling her expression. He tried to hold down his smirk, knowing well whose giggle it was. It looked like Tia had intentionally let her hear it this time. Civienne still wasn’t fully aware of her existence.

~You should tell her. It’s kind of a big deal,~ Asterios suggested between just the two of them.

~But it’s much more fun this way.~ Tia giggled sweetly again. ~It will be so entertaining when she figures it out on her own.~

He shook his head and bowed alongside the girls. As they began walking towards Tina’s men, he spotted a flash of white hair in the crowd behind the line of sentries and smiled warmly. Fievedem waved at them happily and he returned the gesture. They had promised each other to visit from time to time and discuss their techniques more without a looming threat over their heads this time.

When Asterios finally joined everyone by the tigers, Althea stood a bit to the side, gazing up into the sky with a longing expression. He approached the Dragon lady, having a decent idea of what had consumed her so much.

“It’s been a while since I was able to freely depart from this place without a clear goal in mind, not to mention leaving the land of elves. Each rare time I moved out of my lair was extremely brief as I avoided remaining on the surface for too long, focusing on achieving my goal as quickly as possible,” Althea said with a delicate smile.

“Would you like to fly to Glimmervale, then?” he asked.

Her emerald eyes found his crimson irises and he could swear they shimmered with delight. “That would be marvelous.”

Asterios grinned at her and brought Althea to Tina and Esil, helping the Dragon lady up before jumping on himself. Looking around, he confirmed that everyone else took their saddles too, just like they had on their way here. They were ready to go.

“Small change of plans. Do you mind if I leave the squad to you?” he whispered to Tina’s ear from behind.

She glanced at him over her shoulder with a confused frown, but after rummaging through his thoughts for a brief moment, she smiled brightly. “Not in the slightest. But, you have to promise to make it up to me after we are back.”

Smirking softly, he pecked her cheek and Tina schooled her expression. With a few vocal commands, she readied her troop for take off, and they soared into the air, followed shortly by their hummingbird escorts. The moment both groups were off the ground, a loud symphony of deep horns and trumpets accompanied their motion, echoing through the nearby area for a good while before disappearing behind them.

When the elven capital was no longer visible, Asterios shared a nod with Tina and shadows enveloped his vision. A second later, they receded and a lush forest greeted him. But, he wasn’t alone. Althea stood by his side, glancing around curiously. All the girls were present too, save for Tina, of course. The most surprised were Imadil and Cynthia, almost falling from the sudden change of environment.

As Althea turned to him with a raised brow, he just smiled and took a few steps back, spreading his arms. Black and red mist obscured his figure and expanded quickly, soon revealing his majestic True Dragon form.

The emerald-haired lady caught on immediately and closed her eyes, directing her smiling face to the sky. Imadil and Cynthia gaped at her suddenly turning into a magnificent, green-scaled Lesser Dragon, twisting around the trees with enough grace not to scrape against a single one. She turned to look at Asterios as he lowered his heavy body to the ground for the girls to climb up and she did the same in front of the elves.

After regaining control of themselves, the father and daughter duo climbed atop her. Confirming that Ast’s mates were ready too, the two Dragons shot straight up into the blue sky, to the ecstatic shouts and giggling of at least a few ladies. A bit more panicked ones joined them from Althea’s side.

Without wasting any time, the two proud Dragons breached the spotty blanket of clouds and stabilized their flight. They were high enough for the fluffy barrier to obscure most of their figures, and in case someone spotted them, they were nothing more than two quickly moving dots. It didn’t take long for them to catch up to the tigers and hummingbirds, looking down at the rest of their delegation from above.

Asterios couldn’t stop staring at Althea’s beautiful draconic body. He had of course already seen it during the fight, but there was no doubt that it was much different now. She was no longer sick and weakened. Her scales glinted enchantingly, fully regaining their royal color. But, the most mesmerizing part was the way she actually flew through the air. Her entire, long, serpent-like body waved and snaked forward with fluid motions, her big head bobbing up and down, left and right.

It was such a magical sight that he had a hard time imagining anyone ever finding it in themselves to enslave or hurt such mystical creatures. He was just a giant lizard with simple, plain, and boring wings. She was a magical work of art, gliding through the sky like fish through water.

Althea noticed his gaze and let out a rumbling chuckle, still tinged with a trace of ladylike femininity. She took a sharp turn and easily coiled herself around him, flying in a looping spiral as she matched his speed. The girls laughed and beamed at the incredible show, following her long tail with their eyes as it kept Asterios and them in a spinning cage.

He switched the angle of his wings and escaped the playful prison, evoking more joyful cries from his feline mate. With a few quick and flashy maneuvers of his own, he entered a controlled dance with Althea and they continued to play with each other in the air for a good while. He could feel how much she enjoyed their silly actions, finally able to forget everything and just enjoy herself for the first time in long decades.

After they wrapped up their airborne antics, the journey continued mostly uneventfully. Imadil and Cynthia chatted up Althea about her real identity and their new draconic companion humored the elves’ questions. Asterios trusted them and it would be almost impossible to hide the truth with her now not only joining their team but also aiming to teach him about Dragons. They were bound to find out at one point.

Naturally, the pair of eye-catching Dragons switched back to their humanoid forms for the nights, camping together with Tina’s squad or joining them in the towns and villages they chose for their stops. The elven escorts always set up their own encampments, at least until the moment they turned back at the border, saluting them respectfully as they parted ways.

In a few days, they finally closed on their home. Glimmervale appeared on the horizon, just like they remembered it.

Well, most of it.

It was quite obvious even from the distance that the defensive wall was now almost fully erected. Only a small segment remained to be finalized. The Committee and all those involved in its construction hadn’t been slacking off during their absence. It definitely had taken much shorter than everyone expected.

Besides that, nothing seemed amiss. The town wasn’t on fire, neither had the two rivers flooded it, as some of the girls had worried. It was hard to judge the details, but a healthy stream of travelers and merchants seemed to head in and from all directions. Things seemed to be good.

When they arrived closer, Asterios and Umbra brought everyone back on the backs of the flying tigers to make an official return. People cheered and waved as the Royal Division crossed the edge of the town, flying in its standard, most-recognizable formation. The streets were bustling and it was easy to spot half of the population made of residents. Those people cheered the loudest.

Asterios decided to get off in the main square and Tina led her squad there. He, Althea, and the girls stepped down from their mounts right in front of Venuzathor, who was peacefully napping on his raised platform while everyone watched the commotion. Then, Tina flew away with her men to drop Imadil and Cynthia off by their workshop and bring her squad to the barracks.

“Well, welcome to Glimmervale.” Asterios smiled at Althea, gesturing around.

She stared at the massive entity towering over the market with wide eyes and he chuckled lightly.

“Don’t worry. Not a True Dragon. That’s our resident Dracodon, Venuzathor. He keeps things peaceful and actually coached me a little bit in the past.”

“It’s good to be home.” Silvia sighed softly while looking around at the small crowd that started gathering around them.

“What she said.” Grea stretched with an unnecessarily loud and sensual moan. “I can’t wait to get back to my lair. No offense to all sightseeing fanatics but nothing’s better than your own little hole. You don’t want to neglect it too much or no one will want to come in.”

Asterios shared a look with Silvia and they silently decided to just ignore her obviously obscene wording, smiling at each other wryly.

“Look who it is that decided to finally show up.” A familiar voice reached them from the side.

Pushing through the impromptu gathering was Rudy, followed by Tesser and Douhlim. People reluctantly made a way as their adventurer friend became more and more violent with her pushing to reach her destination. With just a little bit of trouble, the trio stood in front of Ast’s group with wide smiles.

Asterios extended his hand forward and they clasped their forearms with Rudy. “You are still here? I thought you prefer switching things up now and then.”

She laughed openly. “We like to chase after good rumors and interesting places. It can be stale after sitting in one place for a while. But, it’s completely different when it always seems like something new is happening around. Or is going to happen.”

“It’s gonna be big. I can feel it in my bones.” Douhlim slapped his thighs with a chuckle.

“Anything you would like to share?” Asterios raised a curious brow at her.

“Just some gossip in the guild. Might be all horseshit. But also might not.” She shrugged. “I think you have the highest chance of getting to the root of things as the lord. Your little Committee definitely knows a thing or two regarding this.”

“Then we’ll hear about it soon. We are on our way to meet them, maybe stopping by a few other places too. Lots of catching up in front of us.” He nodded.

“Let’s go, then. We’ll gladly take the job of escorting you, My Lord. Someone has to make a path through all those gawkers or you’ll never get anywhere.” Rudy waggled her brows. “For a tiny commission, of course.”

Miria snorted cutely and she wasn’t the only one noticing the athletic woman’s eyes wandering to their new companion. They agreed to her offer though and moved out. As expected, Rudy clearly kept herself close to Althea while the two groups chatted casually about various random things. Amused glances were shared amongst Ast’s girls.

If only she knew who she was trying to impress this time.