Chapter 599 Ater's Experience [Pt 2]
'It's quite brave of her to go against their wishes and come here; all for the sake of her people's survival.' Ater thought to himself.
The one who also aided her in this plan was also a member of the Council, but the fact that she wasn't here with Aurora showed that the Rune was as far as she was willing to go when it came to help.
'But it's thanks to all of these circumstances that this event has unfolded.' Ater couldn't help but smile devilishly as he watched the Elves huddle together and activate the power within the scroll.
~VWUUSH~
Once Aurora ripped the parchment into two, a bright light enveloped the space and power spread through everyone and everything around.
The howling of winds danced within the cave, once again causing the aroma permeating around to tingle the noses of the Elves once again.
"Will we ever return to this place?" Ater heard one of the Elves say.
If he remembered correctly, her name was Lila.
Aurora shook her head in response, though, just as he knew she would.
"My actions are in contradiction to the will of the Esteemed Council. I will most likely be punished for my transgression."
Despite saying this, her stern and resolute demeanor did not falter.
She remained steadfast in all her manners.
"I am aware of the sin that I have committed, so I accept my inevitable fate. The punishment I shall receive is of little consequence to me. As long as our people thrive and drive away the Dragons… that is all that matters."
Once again, Ater couldn't help but feel slightly touched by her genuine dedication.
He could relate to it somewhat when he considered how his Master often limited certain actions of his when they would be of utmost benefit to him.
Still, he could not complain.
'All in due time…'
~SHIIIING!~
The radiant energy spread through everything that was within the circle, finally transporting everyone to the point whereAter recognised from her recently digested memories.
It was a beach on the other side of the world.
… The Eastern Continent.
As the group appeared on the beach, the salty breeze tousled their hair and carried the distant cry of gulls on its wings.
The sand stretched out before them, a vast expanse of golden grains that shimmered in the sunlight.
Seashells dotted the shoreline like treasures waiting to be discovered, their delicate forms glinting in the sun.
Ahead, just a stone's throw from the sandy edge, lay an exotic forest that seemed to beckon constantly.
The trees stood tall and straight, their branches reaching skyward in a canopy of greenery.
Colorful blooms adorned the forest floor, their petals painted in hues so vivid they seemed to defy reality. The scent of the flowers hung heavy on the air, mingling with the salty tang of the sea to create a heady perfume that intoxicated the senses.
All in all, it was a beautiful sight unlike anything within the world of humans.
'Ahh… here at last!' Ater grinned to himself as he sat back and watched it all.
As the group ventured closer, they were instantly surrounded by shadowy figures who appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Don't move!" They yelled out loud.
As soon as the arriving Elves heard this, they obeyed and watched as the new group of pointy-eared ones emerged from the forest's embrace.
Tension filled the air at that moment, in which Ater just smiled as he took it all in—almost as if he knew how it would turn out.
"Sister! You have finally returned!"
The leader of the surrounding Elves, who had green hair—and while she didn't look as pretty as Aurora, certainly had another kind of appeal about her—raised her voice as she neared Ater's host.
The two sisters hugged, also sniffing each other in the process; as was the custom of the Elves.
Unlike the doom and gloom that Aurora predicted, it seemed more like a warm homecoming than anything else. However, the worst was yet to come.
And Ater knew that well.
"It warms my heart that you have come to welcome me, Sister." Aurora spoke with sadness in her eyes.
"However, I am also aware that you are here for more than that reason."
The Elf that embraced her slowly nodded as the both of them drew away from each other. The faces of the surrounding Elves were also littered with sadness.
"Indeed. We are here to capture you and the Young Ones for your breach and present you before the esteemed council."
The Elf withdrew herself completely from Aurora and had a stern look on her face, almost as if the soft expression she had just moments ago was a lie.
"Do you wish to protest, or will you yield?"
Aurora turned to look at the Elves behind her and smiled at them with compassion—the kind a mother would give to their younglings.
"I yield."
Ater watched as they captured Aurora and her followers, beginning their journey unto the forest and towards the Elven settlement.
He couldn't help but muse at all that he saw.
'Well… this is quite the development.'
As the group ventured deeper into the forest, a palpable tension hung in the air like a thick fog.
The trees towered overhead, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that blocked out much of the sunlight.
Shadows danced on the forest floor, casting eerie shapes that seemed to shift and writhe with a life of their own.
The underbrush grew dense and tangled, making progress slow and arduous. Every step was met with resistance, as if the very earth itself sought to impede their journey.
Twisted roots snaked across the forest floor, tripping unwary travelers and threatening to ensnare them in their grasp.
Despite the lush beauty of their surroundings, a sense of unease settled over the group like a heavy cloak.
Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, sent shivers down their spines as the Elves sometimes strained to catch a glimpse of whatever lurked in the shadows.
Clearly the woods weren't always safe.
The scouts were ahead of the main group to check for danger, and everyone was on high alert.
As for words, no one uttered any.
It was almost too boring for Ater to stand, but he endured it anyway.
The silence was broken only by the occasional hoot of a bird or the distant howl of a creature, their calls echoing through the forest like ominous warnings.
Each member of the group held their breath, their senses alert for any sign of danger lurking in the darkness.
But still, they pressed on, driven by a determination born of necessity.
After all… beyond these dense woods was the place they were all journeying to.
—The Elf Community.