"Please spare our people!!", one of the Elders pleaded, stumbling out of a cave, "Our people are barely holding on as it is. If you take any of our warriors or women, we will not survive this winter!"
"Listen, we are not-", I started to say.
"PLEASE DO NOT TAKE OUR CHILDREN!!!", a mother shrieked, shielding her child from view.
"We are not-", I tried explaining again.
"We already lost our homes, friends, and family to the Fire Dragon!! Do not take more from us!!", one of the warriors shouted, trying to break free of their restraints.
Irritated that they were not letting me finish my sentence, I dropped a lightning bolt behind us, turning the valley's other side into molten lava. Immediately shutting their mouths, I reiterated to them that we were not here to harm or enslave any of them.
"I am married to several Elven women, I bear your people no ill will.", I reassured them, "The three of us came out here looking for the Fire Dragon that was nesting in the volcano. Its nest has been abandoned for several days now so we came to ask you where it went. If you would kindly point us in the direction it went, we will leave you alone and continue on our way."
Releasing their warriors, as a gesture of goodwill, they immediately picked themselves up off the ground and retrieved their weapons. Telling them to stand down, the Dark Elf Elders stepped into the light to look me in the eye. Giving them a moment to process our request, they looked at one another unsure of what they should do.
"Why are they hesitating to tell us where to go?", Ciri whispered to me, "We will be out of their hair the moment they tell us where it went."
"I agree, it does not make sense.", Ghislane stated, "If we subdue and capture the Fire Dragon, they will be safe."
"They probably think we are a scouting party for slave traders. Elves fetch a high price in this world as they are considered to be the peak of beauty.", I remarked, before calling out to the Elders, "If I bring my Elven wives here, would you feel more at ease?"
"Yes.", one of the Elders spoke up, "While you appear to harbor no ill intentions, we do not trust humans very easily. Your kind is incredibly skilled at deceit and manipulation…"
Understanding their hesitation to trust us, I teleported home for a few minutes to retrieve my wives. Telling them what was happening, the five of them were more than happy to act as an intermediary for me. Teleporting us back to Ciri and Ghislane, we descended toward the ground so they could have a word with them. Giving them a friendly smile as they approached, two of the female warriors stepped forward to inspect them. Doing a quick check to ensure that they were not under the influence of magic, the Elders asked them if we could be trusted.
"Yes, all three of them are good, honest people.", Celestial said, "In fact…"
Taking a moment to survey the Dark Elves hiding in the caves, Celestial looked back and motioned for me to come forward.
"Dear, could you please provide them with medical attention and some supplies?", she inquired.
"Of course, assuming they are okay with it.", I replied, moving next to her in an instant.
Before the Elders could give us an answer, a mother came charging out of a cave with her young child in her arms. When she got to us she undid the bandages covering the child's body revealing severe second and third-degree burns all over his body.
"Please save my baby boy!! He is all I have left!", she told us, begging on her knees.
Using Rewind to remove the burns instantly, the Dark Elves watched in utter amazement as the boy's injuries vanished. Feeling immediate relief from his injuries the young boy began looking at his body, unable to believe what he felt and saw. Coming forward to confirm I was not using Illusion Magic, the Elders looked at me and asked how I did that without magic or potions.
"Cole is a God.", Shera boasted proudly, "Trivial things like this are easy for him."
"Saving a child's life is not a trivial matter.", I scolded her.
"Sorry…I did not mean it like that.", Shera replied, understanding how her words could be misconstrued, "I meant healing injuries of that extent are easy for you to heal. My apologies!"
"You are a God!?", the Elders gasped.
"Yes, that is correct.", I acknowledged, "We can discuss this in a moment. Is there anyone else in need of healing?"
"Yes!", one of the Elders said, "Please everyone come forward for healing!"
Giving their people the go-ahead, the remaining members of the Dushi Clan came out for help. Seeing the burns, missing body parts, and disfigurement caused by the Dragon, I used Rewind on all their injuries to restore them completely. Watching themselves return to how they were originally, everyone began celebrating their recovery and survival.
"Please take these as well.", I stated, bringing out several crates of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and salted meat, "This should keep you going for a few months while you figure out your next move. While it is not my place to tell you what to do, I think joining another Dark Elf clan is the wisest move here. There are too few of you left to sustain your clan in the long run. If you need a place to shelter for now, Desmina and Shera's fathers both have plenty of woodland for you to resettle for the time being. You will be safe from any harm there and be free to do as you please."
"Yes, that is correct!", Desmina agreed, "Our fathers are nobles who manage parts of Cole's country. In his country, slavery is illegal and discrimination against any race is a serious crime. Unlike this world, you will be able to roam freely without fear of being taken advantage of or hunted down by corrupt nobles."
"Show them, please!", Shera requested.
Opening a portal to their territory, the Elders observed the main Dark Elf settlement in my country. Seeing for themselves how peaceful and prosperous their fellow Elves were, I offered them the opportunity to speak with them if they wished. Looking back at their people, who were eagerly discussing the idea with each other, the Elders nodded their heads in agreement.
"We would like to speak with one or both men to discuss our migration there.", the oldest among them said, "As you have correctly pointed out, we are too few now to survive here for more than a few decades. Not only that, our nearest sister tribe is four months away on foot through treacherous terrain. Even if we survive the harsh terrain, slavers and bandits will pick us apart before we get close. Joining hands with the Dark Elves in your lands is our best and safest option."
"As for the Dragon you seek, after strafing the valley it headed toward the Imperial Capital.", one of the warriors said, pointing us in the direction it flew off, "Did you happen to see why it left its nest early? We did not anticipate its awakening for another few decades."
"Someone disturbed its nest and stole its offspring.", I informed them.
"They what!?", the Elders screamed.
"It is no wonder it poured its wrath out on us!", one of the female warriors spat, "Who would do such a reckless thing!!"
"Either one of the Apostles looking to improve their odds in the fight against the God of Mischief or Cedric stole them to cause problems for everyone else.", I stated, "I will know more once I get to the Imperial Capital and ask the Apostles myself."
"Please allow one of our warriors to accompany you to the capital. We need to make a final offering to the Goddess Hardy and express our gratitude for her blessings all these years. If we leave without properly thanking her…she may curse our people.", the oldest Elder stated, "Yao, please come forward. We have a task for you to complete."
Pulling out an interesting-looking hammer from his cloak, the Elder handed it to her and told her to keep it safe. Telling her that it was a relic bestowed upon them by Hardy herself, he asked her to deliver it to Hardy's Temple in the capital.
"I cannot express how important it is for our future that you return them to the priests there. Our people have only survived out here this long because of her boon. Should we not return the gift she gave us, we will be cursed and never find peace again.", the Elder warned her, "It must be returned in the same condition we received it in. Anything less will anger the goddess and we will pay for it tenfold."
"I understand, it will be done!", Yao said, wrapping the hammer in a cloth and stowing it in her bag.
"Cole, we will take care of the introduction back home. You go on ahead to the capital and find the one responsible for their suffering…then you kill that bastard.", Esmeralda told me.
"Already way ahead of you.", I assured her, widening the portal for the Elves to use.
Promptly shuffling through the portal, I made sure everyone was safely on the other side before shutting it. Summoning the platform over to us, we quickly got underway and headed for the capital.