That revelation took everyone completely by surprise, they expected the relic to be a ring, or maybe some simple object that belonged to the heroes, but not something from the earth, that meant that someone else had previously been transported to that strange world.
- It's not as nice as mine, but it's a cell phone. - Faye said showing off a little.
- It can't be... - Mathew said dumbfounded.
- And it's a Mokia. - Zafiro added, quite impressed.
- Is it possible that it still works? - Runkdar wondered.
- I don't think so, if it's so old, but how did it get here? - Kunoichi asked intrigued.
The famous relic of the heroes in front of them was a cell phone, more specifically a smartphone, it was faded, the screen looked dull, it had many scratches, but the glass was not broken, the buttons were in place and it looked well cared for being so old. Mokia was a brand of cell phones that was known for making them very resistant, some said they were able to stop a bullet, of course no one ever dared to prove it.
- This confirms that Ashram was right, there is more than one way back. - Mila said enthusiastically, but Ashram tapped her shoulder to stop her from giving more details.
- It is a very interesting object. Said Ashram trying not to look surprised, but it was too late.
The old man looked at them as if trying to guess what they were thinking, it was obvious that they knew much more about the relic than they admitted.
- I see that we are not completely honest... - Said the old man very seriously.
- Say what you know now! - Mark ordered, losing his composure.
The young adventurers just looked at him with no intention of paying him any attention, they found it hard to believe that someone so incompetent was part of the group that made the decisions in the village.
- Excuse Mark, he still hasn't learned to keep his mouth shut. - Said the mayor, causing the inopportune man to back down. - I have kept this relic with me all my life, I never knew what it was, I thought it was some kind of magical object of the heroes, but when I asked some wizards passing through town, they could never perceive any magical power. It looks like a box, so I thought about opening it to reveal its contents, but I was afraid of destroying the only memory I had of them, so I never did. However, I would like to know what it is, if you know, please tell me, if only to give peace to my mind.
- Well, I don't want to be rude, but if you want to know more about the relic, maybe we can come to an agreement. - Said Ashram trying to bargain for information.
- It's a cell phone! An object from our world, I had one before I came to this place. Please give it to me! - exclaimed Faye causing Ashram to slam his palm into his face.
- Your world? what's this about your world? - the old man asked.
- Since my friend spoke too much, there is no point in hiding it any longer, we are not from this world, we come from a land far away, a wizard brought us here through a portal. That is why we told you that we know what it feels like to lose your homes, we cannot return to ours. - Said Ashram with no other alternative. - The object you have is a cell phone, a communication device, very common in our world, over there, almost everyone has one.
The villagers were speechless, perhaps this boy was telling the truth? it could all be a very elaborate lie to steal the relic? but they had not had time to coordinate anything on the way, and they all knew what that strange object was. The villagers thought in amazement.
- So, could you make it work? - the old man asked and his eyes lit up as he contemplated the possibility.
- No, I don't think so, by the looks of it, it hasn't worked for a long time, so it's almost impossible to achieve something like that, although we'd like to try. After all, it is a piece of our home. - Said Ashram.
- How do we know your story is true? you could be lying to get away with it, you have no way of proving that you are not from this world, do you? - Mark asked very suspicious.
- We were dragged here against our will, we were not given time to take anything with us, believe us we would prefer a thousand times to be at home than here, surrounded by hostile people. - Said Kunoichi.
- You say that a magician summoned you, right? that's amazing... - Intervened the mayor, ignoring Mark's suspicion. - I don't know anything about magic, except that it exists, I have witnessed its prowess on more than one occasion throughout my life, but this is the first time I hear something like this, I don't believe that any magician can perform a feat like that. Open a portal to other worlds?
- How do you know it was a magician who brought you here? assuming it's true what you say, of course. - Mark asked, increasingly curious and less aggressive.
- Because he introduced himself to us, we know what his name is, but we have no idea if he gave us his real name or if he told us anything to get out of it. - Mathew said, annoyed at the memory of the sorcerer.
- And what is the wizard's name? Can't you tell us? - Mark continued.
- We surely can, the old wizard's name is Gandolphus the purple, I don't know if you have heard of him in any song or story. - Said Runkdar taking another cookie.
- I have never heard of him. - Said Mark, the other villagers nodded, implying that they had no idea who he was either. - But one thing is for sure, if he did something like that, he must be a powerful sorcerer.
- If he brought them here, this powerful wizard, why did he do it? - He must have had a good reason. - asked the moustached gentleman who looked like a walrus.
- He told us we had to take down the lord of darkness.... But we... Ashram was saying but was interrupted by Faye before he finished his sentence.
- We are going to accomplish his mission, and for that we need that artifact from our world. - Said Faye pointing to the cell phone.
- Your said that you are going to destroy the lord of darnkess? the one who rule over all the monsters, demons and creatures of the underworld? Don't take this the wrong way, but i find that hard to believe, the lord of darkess is invincible, nobody can stop him. - Said Mark in disbelief.
- I see, so that's why there are similarities between you and the heroes I met so long ago. Probably the one who lost this artifact, belongs to your world, indeed, maybe one of the heroes knows how you can return. - The mayor added, and everyone's faces lit up.
- Do you have any idea where those heroes might be? - Asked the druid.
- No, we do not know, seventy years have passed since then, from time to time minstrels arrive and sing songs about their feats, but even that has not happened for years. - The mayor answered. - However there is no news that they have been killed either, so we assume that they must be well, although they are probably very old now.
- Back to where we started, it won't be easy to find them. - Faye said holding her hands to her head.
- Among the songs of the minstrels, are there any that speak of travelers from other worlds? or of very powerful magic? - Mila asked.
- I don't remember anything about travelers from other worlds, I suppose that if there have been, they were very discreet and never revealed it to anyone. - Replied the old man.
- Yes, thank you Faye... - Mathew said without missing the opportunity to point out her mistake to the elf.
- However, if I remember correctly, there was an old song, it spoke of a hero, who was looking for a legendary weapon to take down the demon king. So he went after the pink dragon, to offer his heart to the gods in exchange for one wish. He wished for a weapon that could destroy evil forever, and it was granted. If this is true, and you find another pink dragon, you could make a wish to return to your world.
Everyone was astonished to hear that. It was possible to make a wish to return home, as in the fairy tales, it did not seem an easy task, but nothing had been easy since they arrived to that world, so the task did not seem impossible, at least a pink dragon would be less dangerous than facing the army of the renegade hero.
- And do you have any idea where we can find pink dragons? - Mathew asked as if killing a dragon was as easy as changing socks.
- I am not an expert on dragons, young man, I only know what the stories say, the dragon that the hero killed lived on an island in the shape of a heart, in the middle of the flowery sea, this island only appears when the moon turns golden. - The old man added, doing his best to remember the ancient legends. - But if you really want to know about dragons, you should go to the port city of Merufest, in the library there should be information about it.
- Excellent, you have really been very helpful. - Said Ashram to the old man, leaving aside his distrust.
- No, it is really us who should thank you, you see, the children were right, if it wasn't for you risking your lives, none of us would be here. Thank you... - Said the mayor, and this time there seemed to be no ulterior motives.
- Then can we have the cell phone? - asked Faye, who hadn't taken her eyes off her smartphone during the entire conversation.
- It's... something I've kept for a long time, I couldn't part with it... - Replied the mayor, almost losing himself in memories.
- I understand... - Faye said so sadly that her long ears lowered to her shoulders.
- That being all cleared up, I would like to invite you to spend the night. Said the mayor, my wife will show you to the guest rooms, I hope they are to your liking.
With that said, his wife motioned for them to follow her, they got up from the table and went with her, the twelve villagers were left behind. Apparently they still had things to discuss that night. They went up to the second floor and were directed to two rooms at the end of the hall.
- One for the ladies and one for the gentlemen. - Said the woman kindly. - If there is anything you would need, please don't hesitate to call me.
- I want a bath...I'm covered in dirt...I must smell like a crazy person... - Said Faye awkwardly as usual.
- I'll get you some hot water. - Replied the old lady.
- Don't bother, ma'am. - Runkdar said, I'll take care of it, just tell me where to get the water from.
They entered their rooms and what they found left them pleasantly surprised, in each one there were two beds that they would have to distribute or share, there was also a metal tub, blankets to dry themselves and some clean clothes. They brought water on several trips, they really needed a bath. Not even a day had passed since they had bathed at Dyandra's house and they were already covered to their ears in filth again, it was simply impossible to spend a day in that world without fighting against something lethal, and ending up dirty, perhaps it would be different in the big city they mentioned? it was possible, at least they wouldn't have to fight against two hundred monsters.
The girls could not make a water war as the previous time, the bathtub was small, just one of them could fit in it and not very comfortable, except for Kunoichi who, being the smallest, enjoyed more space, Zafiro on the other hand, had half of her body outside, being one meter ninety tall, had its disadvantages. At the end, they took care of washing Kuro, who protested, but had no choice but to resign himself.
In the other room, they also had to take turns to bathe, Ashram was drawn first, which Mathew considered unfair, apparently the goddess of fortune did not favor him in this world. Runkdar didn't care, in fact, he almost fell asleep without taking a bath, but his friends woke him up, who knows if they would have the opportunity to take a bath on their trip to the big city. Zulki was the last one to get clean, Ashram used a spell to reduce her to the size of a kitten, to make it easier, when he finished, she recovered her normal size.
On the bed, Kunoichi was listening to something very attentively, the other girls approached immediately to find out what was going on.
- Shhhhh, don't make noise, I've been listening to the meeting downstairs for a while. - Said the little ninja showing one of the coins they used as intercoms.
- Ah, but can they hear us? - Mila asked worried.
- No, the coin I left behind only transmits, so they can't hear us, but if you make too much noise they might notice. - She answered, making a space for them to stick their ears and listen as well.
- I still think we should punish those brats. - Said a voice that sounded like Mark. - Despite what they had said, he was still not giving in.
- That subject has already been discussed, we will get nothing by trying to arrest them, besides, it is obvious that you speak without using your brain, Mark. - Do you really believe that we, armed with sticks and stones, will be able to take them on? the monsters were too many and they couldn't do it. It is stupid what you are proposing, we are lucky that they did not want to demand payment from us for taking out the monsters. Any adventurer belonging to the guild would have charged us in gold. - Answered another voice that they could not identify.
- What would they want this object for? I have had it for many years, but it only has some sentimental value, I never saw it as being of any material value. Maybe it is worth more than I think and I can sell it. - Said a voice that seemed to be that of the mayor.
- I have heard stories, songs and legends about wizards, but I never heard of any of them opening portals to other worlds, or that there were worlds different from ours, it is ridiculous, this is the only world that exists, the gods so arranged it. - Said another of the settlers.
- It may be a story to inspire pity so that we let them go, or to get hold of that object, maybe it is worth some money as the mayor says and they want to take it. - Said another one with a voice full of distrust.
- In any case, what matters is that they leave town as soon as possible. - Added another voice impossible to identify.
- No, we must force them to pay. - Said Mark, returning to the subject.
- They already said they have no money, the innkeeper saw that they had only a few coins. - Replied the mayor.
- I mean, make them work to repair the damage they did. - Mark clarified.
- That's a good idea. - More than one voice responded enthusiastically.
Upstairs, the girls could not believe their ears, the villagers were truly detestable people, all that talk about being very nice and that everything was behind, was nothing more than a charade, a deception.
- Maybe we should run away during the night and take the cell phone with us. - Kunoichi suggested.
The other girls nodded, approving the idea.
- I'll call it operation: "In another world with my smartphone."
They looked at each other, unhappy with the name.
- I think Ashram is better at naming the plans.... - Faye said.
- Shut up, you're crazy about my brother... - Said Kunoichi mocking.
- No, I'm not! - Faye replied embarrassed.
They continued laughing for a long time, they really needed that moment of distraction after everything that had happened during the day, and without realizing it, they fell fast asleep, so tired they were.