Ah the festivities of spring, songs and smells litter the air with excitement and amazing foods when the elves do it, even the wood elves know how to put on a show I must admit. For most mortal beings they will never experience a naturalistic rituals, that makes them well truly because they are unique and cannot be replicated. But enough of my twiggy Cousins. The heroes have managed to navigate through their nonsensical waffle and enter the village away from the primal dangers of the wilds and into the hands of true society for the first time.
The sounds of song were filling the air and not just from Willabaar this time but from the direction they marched, still hearing the bushes move every second the rest kept their eyes open and weapon close, Wilt had made his way to the front of the group alongside Willabaar who looked down to the goblin,
''Wilt! Daedalus be praised you didn't die!!''
The half-mix dropped down to hug the now confused Wilt before the goblin took the arms away and looked at him,
''The fuck you mean dead?! Have you lot just forgot I was an adventurer before any of you were walking with a blade!''
Huffing before moving on from the equally confused Willabaar before Orelia walked up and spoke directly in the Half-mixes ear,
''Soo…'Willabaar'... Did you forget my powers true nature?''
Willabaar turned to the Elf, smirk stretched like a skeletons bones being pulled and twisted by a pack of wolves before he coldly responds,
''Well..if that is what you think maybe Otto has served his purpose.''
Orelia's sight did not falter only grow with rage,
''Try it.''
The air became thick as the two stopped in place, staring into each others eyes with what seemed to be determination and anger before Wilt broke through with his call,
''Oi!! You two were in the front and now you're there?! Come on!!''
Willabaar turned sharp with his fixed smile back in place before responding,
''Aye I know!! Ores can't seem to find the words to confess her feelings properly!! Aha!!''
The half-mix began to laugh and stride forward but not before showing a eye of Forest green pierce her very core, a voice returning but this time less like her own only contorted but that of a demon itself roaring into her mind,
''You do not wish to fall into my black burning pit? Then silence your tongue on this subject, let no more words pass your lips.''
Orelia was frozen, she did not know if she even had the mental fortitude to handle this type of confrontation with him, The group continued on their way to find the trees becoming thicker trunks upwards before the old and young elves that had led them here stopped.
The two turned to show a hole in the ground, Treevoar threw powder of silver while Reev threw powder of Gold and seconds later a cage of pure golden roses and silver lilies arose, they stepped inside as they felt and heard the boom of speed before the doors opening once more before Reev spoke,
''Welcome….This..Nomadir''
The trees bend inwards creating a dome like shape reassembling an ark containing the life of this land within a colossal cradle of nature and life, surrounding the skies still shining beams of sunlight in, reminding them that they may be inside this but the forces of nature were still as if not stronger here , Mountain's eyes widened at this impressive sight, buildings as tall as trees he knew outside this twisted forest but still built into the nature resembling a lighthouse that was carved into the tall bluffs, protecting the lands from the sea's harsh waves, Kyu moved swift through the group sniffing at the air before turning,
''Willabaar...what is this place? It is so tall and smells of sins, we should leave before it corrupts us all."
Willabaar looks towards Kyu with his eyes of dull green and violet seemingly losing lustre every time he has to correct the fallen one,
''Kyu...Please...here is twenty Dragons...please go and buy supplies we will need to continue...Take Wilt he must be running low on components by now right?''
Looking into his bags Wilt seemingly agreed and walked towards the fallen taking the bag from him,
''For crying out loud...twenty Titans and a handful of shards would be more than enough...I think I should be in charge of this bird boy..''
He realised he was now using the mannerisms of this group, was he really going to become one of them? He thought pulling the fallen one by the robe, still amazed and angered by his new location before Willabaar shouted to them,
''Oi! We will meet up in the town bar in like two hours!''
Wilt raised a thumb in agreement before blending into the crowds forming around the group confused at what they saw.
Orelia paid them no attention and proceeded to ask the elder,
''Do you have a place my friend can rest? He has exhausted himself and needs time to sleep''
Willabaar looked at the elder as they both nodded before him and his gigantic friend walked into the crowds, proclaiming something in their native tongue before a eruption of cheers, Orelia's confusion now turned to anger before she felt a hand on her arm turning and seeing a smiling Willabaar,
''They have their festival of the harvest moon for the next two days but he said we can stay at the local bar until Otto is up and raring again...hey the place is nice I have heard, name's Forest's Crown and it ain't exactly small...look.''
Pointing towards one of the most prominent central trees that seemed to be the holding point of the beautiful arc, at its base were lights of yellows and blues soft to view, filling most with the feeling of being a child and returning home after a long day, as the last of our party move towards this grand tree they see what looks to be the central stage for their festivities. A arena, that of thick trunks woven together with the skill of the Wood Elves who inhabited it, looking like wicker forming a large colosseum like structure that tilts and weaves in an intricate pattern looking like that of an ancient symbol with placements of precision of leaves and bark at its seems flowing out the centre to the edges then back making an infinite loop with no start or end in site.
The crew seemed in awe of this massive central square all expect Willabaar and Orelia who slam open the doors with Otto draped over both of them, laying him in a booth in the corner, Orelia looked as if the dread for her friend was slowly eating away at her, looking up to Willabaar who was staring at the booth just next to them before going over to the bar, The young elven girl still stewed with hatred over the group her fate seemingly was aligned with at least for now thinking why they don't care as much as she did only for the thought to be broken by the sounds of bottles hitting the wood with a great thud, looking up she saw Willabaar giving a bottle of wine to the hooded figure on the table next to them before he spoke with his usual fixed smile,
''Well hello friend, I noticed the bottle of Celeste, outstanding choice! Allow me to pay for the next as long as you can help me with something.''
The hooded head rose now looking at the half-mix,
''I sense an aura of my birdy friend...are you by any kind of Cleric? You know...the ones who's reserves always come out that sickly white colour, you know like thick cloud but nowhere as nice if you get a whiff of it.''
The man let out a small chuckle before removing his hood, A race again rare to the Badlands in the form of a Lunar Elf, young to the sights of the races that live their normal life spans but to those who lived for much longer you could see he was not even middle aged, hair long flowing and tied up, braided both at beard and hairline, being a coal like black contrasting against his cloudy grey eyes,
''That would be correct good sir, May I ask your name before hand?''
He outstretched his hand to the half-mix,
''Willabaar D. Price. And you good sir?''
''My name is Silver...I do possess a last name but wish not to remember it if you would be so kind.''
The Elven smile slowly faded as he stood, outreaching his arm still to Willabaar as they shook hands at the elbow, proceeded to look over the still sleeping Goliath,
''Hmm...What foul soul filled this man with such chaotic power? It still surges through his body seemingly picking up speed...He needs to have a serious look''
Willabaar looked saddened by the news before turning to the man
''You mean..A reserve removal?''
Orelia was too stunned to even let out a whimper, her voice had left her again same as the night her other friend was killed, not knowing what to think other than this is again her own doing that had hurt her family before sitting down at the bar next to Mountain, both not speaking another word all night, he drank and she just prayed to herself while the two men worked hoping this was not the end of only friend left.
In this time Wilt found himself inside a massive market, stalls both left and right but also above their heads, calling down to the walkers looking up, seeing Kyu seemingly mesmerized by the Elven tongue he was hearing,
"Ah Bless da trees themselves! An angel! What ye be doing in these parts boy? Ya Lookin for supplies or just lourtering aboot?"
Kyu took his time to contemplate this prayer, tilting his head before responding,
"Myself and my child are looking for the parts for our pilgrimage. That way we won't be halted by such corruption that litter the lands."
The elf behind his store rolled his eyes, moving his hands across his wears saying,
"My 'parts' as ya called them will help ye get to whatever lands you may travel to so pick ya poison. O holy man"
Looking at Wilt who was climbing the stairs to him, Kyu turned and spoke to him like a giddy child,
"Well Wilt you heard him he has poisons, Probably some good ones if they can get us anywhere"
Kyu says with a confident tone in his voice, making Wilt huff outwards,
''It's a turn of phrase...You know a sales pitch? For someone who only seems to talk in metaphors how do you always get the wrong side of the stick"
Wilt started going through the products getting rope, oils, rations and other things before his eyes were dragged to a small vial containing a gold looking liquid that almost seemed pretolic, the contents seemed to churn under its own pressure. Plucking it from the stand it almost seemed to stick to Wilt palm but there was no residue,
"What is this stuff it's almost like mercury but clearish the hell is this stuff"
Looking to the elf for a response only to get a strange answer,
"Bought this off a stranger. Some warlock with a group of weirdos. Black something...black underling? Never mind. Seemed like merks but more like a band...He said it's the liquor of life but hells! I can't get the damn thing open so ya take the lot for seven Titans."
The goblin smirked at the hearing of this, similar to that of Willabaar before snorting out his answer,
''Ha! Seven?! The vial might not even be useful, hells from what you said it could be damm right a hindrance to us! Tell ya what...You are a nice guy... how about three Titans annnd..''
Riffling around his bag pulling three bronze shards out and moving them around his hand as they shine bright. The elf seemed to think for a second before looking down at the goblin,
''Hmmm..How about you make it four Titans and them shards and I'll throw in this''
Pointing to a rucksack covered with the Armor similar to the beasts he recently fought, thinking it must be too heavy the elf was already a step ahead tossing the bag to Wilt that to his surprise caught it in one hand without even buckling in the slightest, realising quick that it was a good bag he gave the man the three Titans and doubled the number of shards to six looking up as the elf spat to the side before picking up the money and speaking one last time before moving on to his stalls other side.
''Eh...Goblins can drive a hard bargain, Good luck on ye travels!''
The goblin smiled at his new bag before turning to Kyu looking blank as usual.
''Well...Willabaar owes me for my house so it is only...Just right?''
Kyu seemed to understand this and nodded before continuing
''So...By my pious nature I should receive a similar boon from Willabaar correct?
Wilt smiled a weird jagged curve in his jaw
''Of course buddy!! Let's get you something expensive on Willabaar of course!!'
Smiling while admiring the new vial and rucksack he got for a bargain before sauntering off giddy with the fallen following close behind once again blurring into the bustle of the soon to happen festivities.
Back at the Forest's Crown where Willabaar and Mountain seem to have made a crowd form around them jeering on what was happening before them, Mountain slammed down another horn of ale shattering on impact with the table, before letting out a laugh that felt more like a gasp for breath,
''HAHA Fuck ya majasasasasa...Royal pain the ass ha! That makes eleven!''
''BARKEEP BRING ME HORNS EIGHTEEN TO TWENTY THREE!!'
The bar man did as asked, placing five large horns almost double the size of the half horns Bee had finished before smirking. The Owner a small Elf came to them and spoke,
''Boys as much as I love gaining new pieces of Dragons, Titans and even those Shards maybe you should be saving your stomachs for The trials of true harvest's past? Two strong looking adventurers would surely do well there''
The two stopped and looked at each other before the newly meet lunar Elf came to the bar, bottle of wine in hand empty placing it back on the bar saving the barman to come retrieve it before speaking,
''By chance...Had you not heard of the main event of this festival?''
Willabaar turned and asked,
''No not really, we are not really from the area, what about you? Been in one before I'm guessing?''
''No I have only been lucky to rest here for the last month but in that whole time it is all I hear them all talk about, all I know is that it involves intoxication and altercations...Not exactly my cup of thick cloud anyway''
He stopped releasing both were staring like a pack of hungry dogs before Bee grabs the elf by the cuff
''When is it?!''
''Ummm..The battle begins tomorrow at the first light appare-''
''LET'S GO ROYAL PRICK! TIME TO TRAIN FOR SOME GLORY!!''
Bee exclaimed, grapping the half-mix by the shoulder and dragging him to the ring constructed for the battle, Willabaar still drinking for his horn before casually saying
''Bee we can't just fight in the middle of this arena, its for the main event you idiot''
Bee looked annoyed gripping the half-mixes shoulder tighter before a familiar voice broke in
''AH so ya be wantin to scrap? Got a place ya can fight till ya die if ye really wanted''
The two turned to see Treevoar standing and smiling over the two before Mountain retorted with venom,
''Lemme just beat the crap outta this guy here quick!!''
Being ignored noticing Willabaar hand something to the tall elf before he cleared his voice
''Ah...Well it turns out ya can scrap all ya want ere as long as ya fix it all af-''
The man's voice cut by the searing embers flying past his face with the two men now blurs of molten red and a jet black, chimes and echoes of steel contorting with magic colliding through the dimensions as their reserves cut through them, The crowd had started to rise including Wilt and Kyu who had made it to the bar meeting Orelia as she was outside looking just as confused before Wilt spoke,
''Fuck sake...Why is Mountain fighting now?''
Orelia turned with the same type of depressed face of acceptance and meekly responded,
''They heard about a tournament tomorrow and decided to train...Well Bee wants to train, Willabaar just kinda went along with it I suppose''
The crowd let out a mighty cheer as a loud thud sent a wave through the crowd not phasing our group now used to these types of moments, we look back as the smoke rises and separates showing both men standing looking at each other, Mountain holding both hammers still spewing ember darker than the pits of hell while Willabaar was holding his staff behind his back, closing his eyes and opening them, his staff glows, Writings of a unknown language engraving the wood before vanishing in brightness, Mountain regained his sight only to be faced with Willabaar, lower than him barley keeping his legs up, Bee blocks but then realises to late, hearing footsteps behind him and in one arch of the little demons back, twisted and swung his spare hammer upwards towards the second Half-mix before sneering,
''Ya think I ain't used to these little puppets by now?!''
Willabaar smiled down on him before responding,
''Oh? Ya think I only got the few tricks I've shown ya?''
Spinning in the air and pushed his weapon through making the Dwarf stand straight again, using the momentum of the swing, he swept his stubby leg low, shattering the leg of the copy as it turns to dark fire once more, exploding around in a rising black flare before the crew, still standing raises their hands blocking the flowing fires from hitting the crowd. The flames spread burning slowly on the tree lines being put out by the onlookers, Bee stands still having the black flames run off his body, scanning the area before turning viciously, pushing his hammer through the searing darkness before throwing it towards a bushed branch still flaring like a comet coated in the dark touch of space, crashing into the area leaving nothing but smoke before hearing a voice in his ear,
''Ah down to one hammer I see.''
Swinging again with his only free arm, it is caught by the standing Willabaar at the wrist and in a unseen motion makes the demon open his hand dropping his hammer,
''Enough!! This a sacred area!!''
Vines of grey and green spread and trapped the two fighters lifting them into the ground, as the crowd split we saw Silver, hands shining a cloudy silver walking towards the two as they laughed and seconds later ended.
Silver looked up to see both were sleeping away in the comforting touch of his nature, putting them to bed inside the bar the rest of the village used this as a signal that the festivities had began, Drinks were handed out and laughs were shared by all of the people along with the remnants of the group while the three who had done the most gained their well earned rest, the sounds of partying spread deep into the night and the following mourning leading to the festivals main event. The trails of the true harvest's past.
I swear...These idiots brought the main event up so early and still wish to compete in the days events...Ah the Trails of true harvest's past I remember one elven decade ago I partook in this event..Hm? It was not my usual pass time choice but I would not tell anyone not to try it, It is a chance for some of these to show their values, Not just to the group they reside in but also to themselves for some of them almost like a proud hedge knight shining his blade for every warrior has their battle scars each with a fable...Of course the bigger players have used their time more tactfully and positioned their pieces in the most optimum of ways and still find new ways to make it shift to their respective wills, usually with coin or sweet lies being fed to them by either higher entities or scourge of society with drips of power enough to control the weak royals, where does that place our false heroes? I too am intrigued to find out.