Somewhere in the streets of Capital Feredom (Fe·re·dom), a building full of joy invites the people passing by. Inside, there was a playful strumming of the lute and the jolly whistling of the flute. The crowd claps their hands and stomps their feet softly to the wooden floor in rhythm with the tune. Drunk men are hanging on one another's shoulders, swaying while singing their chanty in harmony with the music. They clink each other's wooden mugs, spilling some beer. The others dance with their partner with a grin on their faces. Ladies chatter and tease each other on one side of the room. Some gentlemen try and get their attention, asking if they would have a chance to dance with them. The happiness goes on as if it has no end.
A middle-aged man with a young man was standing at the entrance. The middle-aged man is tall and muscular. His short messy hair has the color of mahogany, and his eyes have the color of an emerald.
The young man took off his hood, revealing his short jet black hair and his dark brown eyes. "So this... is the way of their happiness." He gazed at the crowd. His eyes haven't blinked for long, mesmerized by what he sees.
"Hm? First time?" asked the middle-aged man he's with.
"Yes, first time," he uttered, scratching the back of his neck.
"Ah, I see. Come, let's take a seat," he said, then started walking.
"Yes, Captain." Following the man, passing through different happy individuals. The man stopped afterward, then sat on one of the sitting stools.
The man gestured his hand to him to come over and sit beside him.
"What is this place?" the young man asked as he was taking a seat.
"What~? You've never been to a tavern before?"
"Oh, so this place is called a tavern." He gazed around him once more. "Everyone seems so happy. They're so many of them too."
"Oh~" He rested his arms on the counter. "I can see that you haven't visited a tavern once or even knew there was one. Come, let's have a beer, aradeens on me."
The young man looked at him, then questioned, "Aradeens?"
The man raised his hand high. Shortly, a blue-skinned elven woman with dark brown hair that matched the color of her eyes started walking towards behind the counter.
The woman gasped. "Captain Kliff?!"
The middle-aged man waved his hand and smiled. "How'd you been... Melina."
"It's been years! I was worried things weren't going well out there. But here you are, safe and sound along with your soldiers!"
"Yeah, it has been a long time..." He chuckles then looks at the crowd. He took a deep breath, then smiled.
The sunlight grew brighter and seeped through the open door and windows, making the room vibrant. Time for Kliff feels slow as he watches the crowd dancing, singing, and drinking. He sees their smile, hears their laughter. His heart—proud and brimming with pride... "I will always miss this place..." he paused for a moment. "...and its crowd."
...but in his eyes, there is sadness.
The woman noticed this sadness coming from him. "It must have been rough out there. I... don't... see the same faces anymore. Did they as well..."
Kliff stayed silent.
"I see... So young, but they still chose to fight till the very end..." She took a deep breath. "A beer, perhaps?"
Kliff looked back at the woman. "Yes, please, the special one. Another order for him too." His once sad face is now happily grinning, trying to hide his sadness.
"Oh~! A new friend, I see." She turns around and takes two glass mugs from the shelf. She set the mugs in front of them, then brings out a strange fruit with the shape of a sphere. The color of its upper half is bluish-purple while the other half is peach-pink. She grabs a bowl, plate, and a knife, then cuts the fruit in half, revealing the pinkish color of its flesh, glistening beautifully from the light. She grabs a spoon and started scooping the soft and chewy flesh—slowly and delicately—forming them into rolls, then placing them into the plate. Its juice overflows, collecting into the bowl. With enough amount of rolls and juice, she set aside the fruit. She lifted the bowl of juice, then poured a decent amount into each of their mugs. She then turns around once again and walked towards a wooden crate. She takes out a large glass container that is filled with a light golden liquid. She walked back to the counter then opened the glass container. The light golden liquid fizzles, and its sweet and toasty aroma wafts through the air. She carefully lifted the container and poured the liquid into each of their mugs. The glass mugs are filled to the brim with bubbles overflowing on the top. Lastly, she presents the rolls of the fruit, formed in an upside-down cone, and two forks on the side of the plate.
The woman then asked, "Who might you be, young man?"
The young man stood, then lowered his head. Surprising Melina.
"My name's Kael Heathloft. I'm half-human and half--" Before the words came out from his mouth, a hand covered it. He noticed it was the hand of Kliff.
"Now, now, Kael. It's not necessary to tell them what you are. Just telling them who you are would suffice," he said, then removed his hands from his mouth.
"Yes, Captain. Forgive me." He proceeded to sit down.
Melina was confused. "Is... something the matter?"
Kliff looks hesitant. "Are you free tonight?"
"I~ don't know. A lot of customers have been coming lately. Though you could help us tidy the place tonight to speed things up, if, you have time that is."
"We'll see."
From one far side of the room, a loud feminine voice was heard. "Miss Melina~! I need your help!"
"Oh! I must be on my way now. It was nice meeting you Kael. May we meet again." She waved them goodbye and quickly walked away.
Kliff grabbed his mug. He smells the beer's fragrant aroma before chugging it down in one go.
Kael grabs his mug. "Captain...?" worried. "Is this safe for me?" He smells it and is a bit disturbed.
"I don't see why not. I'm sure it's safe for you. If you ever find yourself sick, I'll make sure to cure you right on the spot." He says, giving him a reassuring smile.
Kael looks at his beer. He took a sip... then a gulp... until he found himself chugging down the whole beer. He lets out a deep breath after.
"How's the taste?" Kliff questioned.
"It's flavorsome. I loved its sweetness."
"Tasty, isn't it? It can be addicting. Hmhm," he chuckled. "I'm surprised you chugged down the whole beer. Are you feeling any different?"
"I don't feel anything unusual. Was I supposed to feel something?"
"Not at first. But for a beginner like you chugging it down in one go, I thought it would make you feel dizzy right away. You have a strong liver, I guess." He grabbed the two forks and gave Kael the other one. "Here, let's have a taste of my favorite elven fruit."
They both had their rolls then ate them.
Kliff took a deep breath from his nose. "Oh, how I missed its flavor. Its sweetness, chewiness, and most importantly, the memories that it brings me back." He continued to eat more.
On the other hand, Kael looked the same. "It is sweet and juicy."
"Did it bring any memories back?"
"Nothing."
"Sorry. I thought the fruit could help."
"All is well, Captain."
They both take their time to finish eating until they have decided to go outside for a walk. Kliff toured Kael around the city.
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They approach a place where there is an extensive building. On the far side of the building, there is a tall tower. Colorful shining lights were seeping from the windows of the tower. On the other far side of the building, there is a lot of shouting.
"What is this place?" Kael asked.
"This place is where the well-known academy across Ariandara stands, Aegurelean Academy. It is well-known for its acceptance of other races even the spawns of darkness who wish to help the light. The academy does their best in helping their students see their true potential, then they will be sent to help the army against the spawns of darkness."
"So this is where most of the army come from?"
"No. Only a few of the army comes from here. Most of the army comes from more focused establishments, such as the military barracks and magic schools. There are some assemblies outside the city as well that help build up the army, such as assassins, rogues, templars, and more."
"I see."
There was a moment of silence until Kliff lowers his head and speaks.
"You helped me and my group back in the fields with your magic. I don't what would've happened if you had not come. We didn't expect that there would be a lot of ogres waiting for us."
"I had the urge to help, that's all."
"My men and I are still thankful for you saving us." He bows his head to him. "With all that aside, this is the last of our tour."
"What do you mean, Captain? Last?" confused.
"I will be enlisting you in the academy."
"I don't... understand, Captain."
"You've served me for a year now in the war, since the time you helped me and my men. And all I did was order you around to help us battle against our enemy. I want to give you a different life."
"A different life?"
"When you first introduced yourself to us, you didn't who you are and what you are. There I already knew that you lost your memory, and I felt sorry for you. I didn't want to fill the void with only war."
"I understand your concern but I'm more useful in war. The army needs me. Your group needs me."
"I know, you've been a great help to the army. But you see, there's more to life than war. I wanted to show you that part of life. Seeing you who you are now, you lack emotion and free will. Emotion is what makes us feel alive and I want you to explore it. Besides, you'll be asked if you would want to join the army afterward."
"Emotion. I don't see any importance of it, Captain."
"You're saying that now but once you've felt it, your life will be much more different."
Kael stood silent, reconsidering the words of Kliff.
Then Kliff started talking, "My final order, Kael. Graduate here at the academy, then live your life to the fullest while you're still young."
"This will not be the final, Captain. I will graduate and then I will return under your command."
"Haha, alright, we'll see about that. For now, let us enlist you to the academy."