(Sorry for the wait had to actually plan this one out a bit vs winging it like usually)
I held up the map of the shard locations and crossed out the one in the mountains leaving only four shards left. Two in the northern Continent of Gelmara, one Weremar, and one was held in the dead center of the ocean. Though if memory serves I already got the ocean one. So three left.
I nodded as we trudged slowly out of the mountain tunnels before stretching and feeling the night air refreshingly brush past my face as the cold filled my jaws and I took a deep breath.
"Nothing like the night air and a good stretch to help wake up the senses." I yawned out as Nox stared up at the sky. I could tell she yearned to be up there among the stars again as I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry kiddo. We'll get you up there before long." I rumbled as I spread my wings wide and rocketed into the skies.
Nox seemed to just drift into the darkness of the night. It was like she merged with the shadows and simply appeared where she wished. Like looking through a door and stepping through it into a house. That's how easy it was for her.
I grinned a little as I pulled out the map of Nox's shards. Only three left. One on Weremar and two on the beast continent. I breathed in deeply as I grimaced at the thought of going back to Weremar. It was probably still in ruins from my escapade and the mad kings Massacres.
I settled my thoughts, forcing them to calm and focus despite the roiling anger filled memories of that place before turning to face the direction I needed.
"Hopefully it's recovered from the bloodstain of a country I left behind." I grumbled as I began my flight south. The trail of energy I unconsciously left in my wake swirled in the air churning up clouds and storms as I flew. Whispers entered my thoughts from my angry memories of the ashen towns and the blood filled Capitol. Telling me nothing would be better no matter how long ago it was.
As I flew I could feel the currents in the air change around me as I danced through the skies. It was fun and exhilarating as I barrel rolled and dove before flying higher into the clouds. Trying to distract from my inner voices.
Some might ask why I decided to fly instead of using the portal I used to get back to Verst. The answer is I wanted to have time to make peace with my demons. Sam spoke of how I used to be. The type of man I am. And the will I wanted to leave behind.
I'm someone who hates leaving things unfinished. I despise weakness in myself yet forgive it in others. And I love to adventure. I'm also a little bit of a battle junkie. But even though some say gods are perfect... we really aren't. Some hold perfection as their Dharma or personal law for themselves. But I wasn't aiming to be so. The world isn't perfect. But there has always been a balance. And that balance was something I wanted to protect.
It took a couple hours by flight to get to Weremar. And contrasting the image of it I had left behind all those years ago. I found a pleasant surprise. Large Trees filled areas where villages once stood and great plains of grass danced in the wind amidst the rubble of buildings.
Weremar wasn't recovered. But it was beautiful despite the horrible past it bore. though it wasn't fully recovered it seemed.
I turned in my path to fly along the coast. The waves beating against the shores and cliffs spraying high into the air.
As I passed forests and prairies I could see some remnants of previous settlements and ruins. Though nothing prepared me for what the Capital City had become. It's former broken and blood covered state had changed drastically in appearance. The broken wall from my assault was repaired and the fields that were previously filled with burnt earth and bodies were filled with wheat as farmers worked hard to reap their harvests. Guard towers had been constructed at points along the roads. And though they didn't look that intimidating I could still smell magic coming from them.
I landed not far from the city and shifted into a smaller, more conspicuous size for my visit. My form only had one set of wings and arms but instead of a scaled torso showing I had a tunic and trousers on. I didn't wear boots as they weren't needed.
Nox decided to stay in my shadow as I walked closer to the gate where a set of guards stood checking the entrants.
I pulled out my old guild card as it was my only form of identification. If I recalled the last time it was updated I was lower ranked but I saw no real need to update it as it had served its purpose. Getting Sam and I a ticket out of Weremar. The guards didn't really give it much thought and let me pass as I really didn't seem like a threat with my rank. Whatever Rank it was. I never really paid attention.
I strode through the city and took in the sights. All the destroyed buildings had been fixed or remodelled into new stores. Houses still seemed the same from a hundred years ago. Though the biggest difference I found was laughter. The streets were full of it. Full of a mix of humans, beastmen, elves, and dwarves that swarmed and churned in the roads and walkways.
If it wasn't so crowded I'd probably feel at home.
As I moved through the crowds I felt a strange gaze descend on me and I looked toward the castle. On one of the distant towers I could see an old man in a dark cloak staring at me. "Seems someone has an interesting hobby." I muttered.
I moved into an alley and opened my wings before flying toward the castle. Guards pointed up at me but none of them attacked for some reason. Nobody shot at me with arrows or threw spears. It was strange. Like they were expecting me.
I flew up to the tower where the old man stood. His worn and torn robes fluttered in the breeze. His face turned to look up at mine as I approached him. His dark greyed out eyes stared up at me with an odd focus compared to the blindness he suffered from.
"I've waited a long time for you Dorian. You took your sweet time getting here." His old voice grumbled. Much like that of an irritated grandparent. Not deep or tenor. But the words still took me by surprise.
"You know me?" I asked. My voice was guarded and my claws were ready. This wasn't Aed or any of the other gods from what I could tell. Just an old man.
He grunted as he shifted to move toward the tower. "As well as anyone. Probably better. though I imagine this conversation should happen over tea and some snacks perhaps. My body is too old to be having long conversations in this wind." He said with a shiver as he shuffled to the door which he struggled with before it creaked open.
The tower room was much larger than it appeared outside. What I thought would be a 10ft by 10ft room was actually 30ft by 30ft and had a height of 40ft. It's walls showed a great collection of bookcases and alchemy equipment. So many books that they spilled out of the shelves and across the floor. Some vials of liquid on tables gave off an ominous energy as I passed by.
I looked back at the old man as he sat himself in an old wooden chair with an exhausted sigh. His body relaxing into its hard surface like it was the best thing in the world.
"You have many questions kiddo. But I guess I could answer one for you. My old name was Tobias. Tobias Greeves. Your grandfather."