"I feel-" Marcus holds his breath.
"Is… There…" Jacob slowly wanders. "Something…"
The two turn away and vomit on the ground nearby. Klotic looks disgusted and walks along as we attempt to follow.
In short summary, we accepted Klotic's faster way of "travel". Most of us are drained and (especially Marcus and Jacob) had felt nauseous.
Without having to travel far on our own, we were told that this was a "shortcut". I look around us, -still feeling odd- it seems that we are walking through a forest.
"Where are we, Klotic?" I ask.
"The 3rd Forest of Soltica, where Al Krelin had begun his journey." Klotic looks to a cave entrance. "That was once our home."
We stop and look at the vines covering up the entrance. Creatures of rodents and all sorts lingered around looking for food. Julio slightly backs away and cringes.
"In that condition…?" Julio says.
"Not exactly, come with me and I will show you what the inside looks like." Klotic walks off.
We follow him as he cuts down the vines and goes inside. Walking down several steps, we finally enter the cave. Each of us stare in awe, looking at the painted walls and luxurious furniture neatly built. Jacob walks over to a corner that has many vines covered in a sparkling substance.
"What is this?" Jacob asks.
"This was once another passageway towards a room filled with treasures." Klotic sighs.
"What sorts of treasures?" Jacob asks.
"Those that can only be describe by Al Krelin." Klotic says. "They were his treasures; he alone held the key to open them."
Klotic sighs and stares in the direction of the vines for a moment. The others go around and explore the cave. I walk over to stand beside Klotic and speak quietly with him.
"Al Krelin, what was he to you, Klotic?" I ask.
"He was trusted beyond every being known among us." Klotic's voice slightly shudders. "One who I was shown the meaning of a 'friend', a beloved one at that."
"I will bring him back." I say. "I swear it on my life."
Klotic's head shoots up and he looks around. Then he vanished, leaving traces of light. He quickly reappears and looks terrified. I walk over to him, concerned.
"What is the matter, Klotic?" I say.
"The dark territory spies are entering the gates of the 3rd City of Soltica." Klotic's voice trembles. "Flotic of the confirmation gate was lied to by those spies..."
I look around and see everyone still inside the cave. Going around I quickly tell the others that we need to leave. We hurry towards the city gates and Klotic takes us past the guards without being noticed.
"Hurry, there must be one who goes to the healer, Flinda." Klotic points. "Right over there, who is it that is being troubled?"
Jacob slowly lifts his hand and Klotic instantly grabs it. He drags him over to the little side shop and leaves Jacob there. The old lady seemed to know Klotic and understood his motives as she then looked like she was taking an injured animal into her home.
"Come." Klotic says. "Flinda will take care of that one."
"I insist on letting us all rest before-" Marcus says.
"Now," Klotic says "We must go."
Once again, Klotic begins to walk off towards deeper into the city. Then we follow as Marcus keeps looking back at the side shop. Klotic stops when we are finally in view of the castle.
Though it was a little while, we are here. Turning, we go towards the side of the castle entrance and see dark figures flying past the guards like they were unseen. Klotic seemed to begin speaking, though not aloud.
"Can you hear me, Adam?" Klotic says.
I slightly jump and turn to look a Klotic. Confused by this I look away as his attention is focused on the castle gates. I then think to speak in response of this.
"Hello," I say. "Klotic?"
"So, the connection is true after all." Klotic says. "I had almost doubted that you were his reincarnation."
"That is understandable…" I look towards him. "How are you doing this?"
"This is a spiritual link from my god tributes and Al Krelin's being." Klotic says. "We must focus though; this will require my skill speed of the gods."
"Must I come with you...?" I say. "What about the others?"
"They will keep watch over the entrance as we pass through towards the king's throne." Klotic says. "Now, be prepared once I leave you inside."
"Wait once you what?!" I ask.
Instantly, before can comprehend everything, I am in a corner facing the king's throne. I look around and I am hidden behind boxes, though I do not see Klotic. Panic rushes over me, but I calm down in time to peek my head over the tall boxes. I see King Greffosh sitting in the throne and the dark figures in front. Their presence seemed highly disturbing and was close to making my head spin. I then hear them speak as they make a deal.
"King Greffosh...." The first figure speaks and snickers. "We made sure that the confirmation god communing with Al Krelin was told that a week from today his body will be traded...."
"That was not apart of the deal!" King Greffosh yells. "Where is his body?! I want my friend back to me!"
"Friend...?" The second figure moves closer to the king.
The King looks forward with a straight face and confirms this. Then the dark figures are heard bursting out in laughter.
"No one can be 'friends' with that retched immortal moon elf!" The second dark figure says. "How can you be so sure of yourself to call him your 'friend', hm?" What has he done to deserve this golden title? Al Krelin has destroyed many races of our dark lands and he is a 'friend' of yours?"
"Why don't we go along and send his lifeless body to you now?" The first dark figure says. "You expect a trade, you give us what we want. That mystical creature you have, we made a deal to order for our satisfaction."
"Jalia is Al Krelin's partner, I cannot allow that to happen." King Greffosh says. "The original deal was to give me his body and I allow you to co-exist in the Artirias Vastlands once you return to your original human forms. My healers are more than capable-"
"We know how much you hate the dark lands." The first figure says.
"We also know that you are in the process of kidnapping all our people to 'purify' them!" The second figure says. "You despise me, King Greffosh, your attempt to trade with us has failed."
"Miserably." The other ads on.
I had not noticed that figure there before. To my attention, this one seemed far worse than the first two. That stench, I wanted to vomit, though not exactly when I saw a familiar face. There he was, Al Krelin's physical body, it truly looked lifeless. I slowly attempt to make my way along the wall towards the throne as I listen to their conversation.
"That's...." King Greffosh says in shock.
"Doesn't he look wonderful...?" The large figure asks. "My little friend Jospie put that mark on his neck 17 years ago.... Now look at him, he is about ready to turn into a dark lord minion, such outstanding beaty...."
"How dare you disgrace Al Krelin in my presence!" King Greffosh stands. "Guards, mages, escort them out, leave his body with me."
"Not yet...." The large figure's voice echoes.
I manage to get behind the throne in time. Though the room slowly becomes overfilled with darkness. Hearing what they are saying more clearly, I was sure of my fear. Realizing that these figures were not humans, I cover my mouth to not be heard.
"I sense something odd...." The large figure sounds very close.
"Why, are you getting distracted already?" King Greffosh says.
I hear the large figure's voice move become further away. Yet I feared once more after I look up to see a sort of dark figure dooming overhead. It appears to be confused as it cannot touch my body, but sense it.
"There is an odd presence indeed." The figure says. "Behind the throne I feel a faint presence of what seems to be similar to Al Krelin."
"What?" King Greffosh. "This presence, I order you both to come in front of the throne this instant."
I hesitate to but I stand and slowly walk towards the front of the throne. I see Al Krelin's body was moved, probably to ensure that it was not taken. Though facing King Greffosh, he looked disturbed in a way. Then he signals to bring Al Krelin's body back. I see it once more, closer of a lifeless vessel. It was indeed Al Krelin, though I hadn't understood what he meant by touching, I placed my hand on his cold skin. I then see a white before becoming transported into a field of grass. Al Krelin, and a woman in white clothing can be seen sitting peacefully under a cherry blossom tree.
"You found my body after all...." Al Krelin sighs.