Just like the Barbarians, the Elementals had their own capital. Though they preferred to stay in the realms of men, they still had a place to return to – Amalgamation. Amalgamation was the Elemental Capital, and probably their only true dwelling place. It was much smaller than Intersection, but it was very beautiful. Unlike the Barbarians who focused on defense and military robustness when they were building Intersection, the Elementals had abandoned all that to make Amalgamation as beautiful as humanely possible. And that they had done in grand style. Amalgamation was a city of many colors. The sky above the city was filled with the power of the Elements, causing it to constantly change color every few days. The walls were the same, for they were baptized by the sky above and picked up its characteristics. Every house; every building; and every stone that was used to make the roads was colorful too. It was a real haven.
Although Amalgamation was beautiful, it wasn't weak. The warriors that manned the walls were at least of the Pseudo Nightmare Realm, and the sky above was filled with power. It was because of the vast power of their mysterious sky that they dared build such a beautiful city with almost no real defenses. For the sky above was a defense mechanism that could erect a powerful barrier around the city if the need ever arose. And this had made the other races wary. For they dared not waste resources trying to breach such a structure.
Amalgamation was not populous. Though it was a small city – even smaller than Asher City – most of its homes were unoccupied. For the Elementals were a race of vagabonds who couldn't stay in one place for a long time. However, the Elemental Ancestors were always around. That was the difference between the Elementals and the two other Great Races. Unlike Ancients and Barbarians, the Ancestors of the Elementals remained in Amalgamation all their lives. They never left unless it was for something of vital importance. Because of this, each Ancestor had their own place of residence.
Within one of such residences lived a set of twins – a boy and a girl. Nay, a man and a woman. Both looked to be about 18 years of age and were equally good looking. The boy was slender and elegant, like a feeble flower. Yet his eyes radiated wisdom uncharacteristic of someone his age. Whenever he moved the elements of fire that were around hummed in excitement, as though they were gazing upon their king. His red robe was the symbol of the element he had great control over – fire. And he wore it like the imperial robe of an Emperor. His aura was that of steadfast invincibility. He looked like a man who had never lost a fight.
The woman was not at all inferior to her brother. Her green eyes captured the soul of all who dared stare into them with the strength of an iron vice. Her long hair gently rested on her slender back and swayed slightly when she moved. Her countenance was that of a queen gazing upon the masses. But this was no arrogant queen. For her expression was kind and her character just. Her eyes were filled with lovely innocence and a bit of naivety. Yet within them was maturity and learnedness that came from experience. She had seen a lot of the world, yet her true nature remained untainted. Just like her brother she wore a robe that reflected her element – a green robe. And she moved like a leaf in the wind.
These twins were naturally Lam and Lily.
But the twins weren't alone. There was someone else here with them – an old man with eyes that looked so young that one would have thought that he was surely wearing a pair of contact lenses. He wore a simple black shirt and trunks with an old smoking pipe hanging over the side of his mouth. His eyes beamed with pride as he watched the two kids he had taken in only two years ago.
"You two have grown so swiftly," the old man smiled pleasantly and said. These kids had truly made him proud.
"It is all thanks to Grand Grand's guidance," Lily smiled swiftly and walked to the old man's side to hold his arm like a little girl. And like a little girl she swung it eagerly. This brought an even wider smile to his face. Who would have thought that his idiot son who run away would have fathered a son who also fathered a son who also fathered his own kids? In the end, the children had returned to him. And he who was expecting to spend the rest of his life all alone, finally had a family.
"No no no, my Princess, even with my guidance it takes a lot to get to where you are in just 2 years," Ancestor Pier wasn't simply flattering them. For he was indeed being honest.
Although Lam looked like a feeble, beautiful man, he was at the peak of the 3rd stage of the Heaven Realm! And Lily was even more brilliant. She was at the peak of the 4th Stage of the Heaven Realm! However, Lam was stronger than Lily combat wise. And that was because even after 2 years, Lily was still adverse to anything that had to do with battle. Which meant that her actual battle experience paled a lot in comparison to Lam who kept making trips to Enchanted Forests like he was going for a picnic.
"Do you think we are strong enough?" Lily asked with a slightly lost expression. Lam's expression also turned a bit sour. Ancestor Pier sighed helplessly when he saw their expressions. They were talented. That much was true. But the main trigger for their impressive growth was because of a lofty goal they had in mind. For they were chasing after a boy; the very one who helped them embark upon this road of power. They sought to stand by his side. And they needed power to do that.
"That I cannot answer my Princess," Ancestor Pier shook his head and said. "Ashera is an existence that even I have to be wary of. And she decides when to speak. So far, she has said nothing about your young friend."
"I see," Lam answered calmly. But Ancestor Pier could see the disappointment in his young descendant's eyes. Lily's expression also grew dimmer. Ancestor Pier could only sigh sadly. However, his eyes lit up as he remembered something he ought to have told the twins a few days prior.
"Wait a minute," Ancestor Pier said.
"What is it Grand Grand?" Lily asked.
"I remember now that Ashera sent word that the young man would come to Amalgamation one of these days."
"Did she say when?" Lam asked with a little light finally making its way into his eyes. Lily's expression also lit up.
"She didn't say," Ancestor Pier shook his head, much to the disappointment of the duo who came from the same womb.
"She did say that it will be within this season. However, that was all she wrote in her letter. As for when he would make it, I do not know."
"Well, it is better than no information at all," Lam commented, and Lily nodded her head in agreement. Yet her eyes were still a bit lost as she gazed into the distance, wondering how her friend was doing.
In the entire city of Amalgamation, there was only one merchant store. And that store belonged to the Elemental called Ivor. And here in Amalgamation, he was known as Ivor the Tattler. For the crafty man could tattle his way to a sale unlike any other. Even useless pebbles could be sold by the large merchant. However, Ivor's store wasn't always open. The man only opened the store when he felt like it. After all, how many people were in Amalgamation? He didn't need to be the most diligent shop owner. Besides, he was not the only one who thought this way. The few shops in Amalgamation opened irregularly. This was mainly because Amalgamation was a rich city. All those who chose to remain didn't lack anything. And Ivor was no different.
Ivor was in the back room sorting out some wares. They were mostly Elemental Stones of the fire and wind attributes. He was packing the items into a large bag. The stones were meant for Ancestor Pier. The man had become a regular customer, fond of ordering large amounts of Elemental Stones for his descendants, much to Ivor's delight. So whenever Ivor went out, he made sure he procured as many Elemental Stones as possible. It took him about five minutes to pack the bag. That told just how many stones he had to send.
"Only a filthy rich person like Ancestor Pier can order a few hundred elemental stones every couple of months," Ivor shook his head with a happy smile on his face. He had wealth, but always adding on to his funds brought him great joy. Suddenly, there was a strange creaking sound as the door to Ivor's shop was forced open.
"We are closed," Ivor shouted when he heard the door of his store being opened. Then Ivor heard his door being closed as the aura of the unwelcome guest disappeared round the corner.
"Why can't people just read?" Ivor frowned in annoyance. For the sign on the store clearly said 'closed'.
"You haven't changed much Ivor the Tattler," a voice full of charm and maturity found its way to Ivor's ears, and the large man was taken aback. He didn't feel the aura of this person at all. And he could have sworn that the person who came in first had left. Or did he?
"Who are you?" Ivor asked wearily as his eyes scanned the store for the one whose voice could be heard but could not be seen. Ivor was however comforted by the thought that this was Amalgamation. It was impossible for someone unwanted to get in here.
"Have you forgotten me so swiftly?" a gentle voice resounded once more as Ivor quickly turned his head to its source. It was coming from right in front of him.
"Who are you?" Ivor asked doubtfully.
In front of him was a man half a head taller than him, something that was rare in itself for he was a large man. The man was quite peculiar. For there was a small winged cat seated on one of his shoulders and a little monkey playing freely next to his feet. The man himself had well-groomed hair, and every trace of a beard had been cleanly shaved off. And because of this Ivor could see the traces of immaturity on the man's face, which suggested that he wasn't old. The blueness of the man's eyes showed that he was no Barbarian, so he was likely Elemental. Yet Ivor couldn't remember ever seeing someone like this in Amalgamation before. Especially someone strong enough to hide his presence from him.
"It has been only two years, yet you have forgotten about me. Is it because I shaved my beard?" the man asked with a sigh.
"Wait a minute…" Ivor's eyes suddenly widened as fear gripped his very being. Those blue eyes; that golden hair; he knew the one they belonged to. It was a person he was most fearful of.
"Do you finally recognise me, Traitor? How easy you forget those you bore a hole through with a Sealing Rod." Mane's smiling expression was wiped off as his aura bore down on Ivor. His gaze was cold, like a millennium old frozen block of ice. A pitch black rod with a pointed end appeared in his hand.
*Boom*
Ivor felt his body crushing into the ground below him. His eyes lost their vision for a split second as his store was blown away – literally. A power much greater than his pressed down on Ivor like a mighty mountain. And the loftiness of the one who looked down on him caused Ivor to involuntarily dip his head even further.
"This is Amalgamation!" a powerful voice echoed as a presence loftier than Mane's made itself known. An elderly man with good looks and a hair full of grey hair descended right next to Mane and stared at the boy coldly. At his sides were Lam and Lily.
"Mane?" Lily exclaimed in shock when she saw the person standing before her. He had grown taller, and his back had gotten broader. Although he had his back to her, that familiar presence was something she could never forget. After all, he was the first man she had ever fallen for.
"Oh? Princess Lily. Prince Lam. It's good to see you again."