Astral was walking through a heavily wooded area. 'Why did I help all of the dwarves? Will their tech and those dice outlast them? If they do, will they just float aimlessly?' Astral broke through the woods as he saw the sea, the waves caressing the coastline as he stood and admired the beauty. "These elves know how to pick a spot of pure beauty." Boats drifted in the harbor as Astral scanned the city and walked forward another few steps as he oversaw the city. Its streets were full of vendors and freshly made foods.
"James was right. This spot was good for me to visit and see." Astral looked down into a small little side pouch as he had no money or coins to barter with. He sighed as he slowly descended down the cliff face to go into the city and talk to the elves and figure out what is where and to get them back.
He made it to the bottom as the gate looked heavily guarded. There was only so much that he could do to get through the gate, he would shuffle in the line of people and wait his turn. Each scent filled his nose as he became impatient. He wanted to admire the food that was on the inner city wall. The line slowly dwindled as most people got rejected from entering. It was his turn as the guards looked at him in his clothing.
"What does a human like you have such fancy clothes?" The left guard asked as his deep blue uniform glimmered in the sun.
"More importantly, state your name, business, occupation and reason of visiting." The right guard matched his comrade. His hair however was the same shade of blue as the sea.
Astral rolled his eyes. "Have you never seen a well dressed human?" The guards looked to each other than back at him and started to laugh.
"Oh humans think they can dress well. Thats funny, they are the worst race of them all." The left guard sputtered through his laughter as Astral paused for a moment. Resting his hand on Muramasa.
"My name is Astral, I am a warrior and a blacksmith by trade, and I have came back to reclaim something that was taken from me a long time ago. If you want to resist, I'll happily show you how strong humans actually are." Astral smiled as the guards looked at each other then back at Astral again. Laughing harder this time.
"LOOK AT THIS FOOL, THINKING HE IS SERIOUS AND CAN HARM US!" The right guard was laughing as the left was rolling on the ground. Astral's katana made a clicking sound as all of the guards hair fell to the ground as Astral smiled.
"Seems like the rumors haven't made their rounds yet." Astral stood still as the guards looked at the fallen hair. "Now, either bring me elder statesmen who will know my name and legend, or someone that has power who will listen."
Both guards looked at each other and ran off with haste through the city as the gate slammed shut behind them. Astral would wait patiently as he knew they would listen and heed his commands and demands. It took two hours before they returned. The gate creaked open as Astral still had his hands resting on the top of Muramasa. "Have you came to apologize?"
"I have come to give you good news." An elven lady in golden robes stepped between the two guards. Her blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight as her pale skin looked as white as snow. Her bright blue eyes glowed softly as Astral paused. "Many of the elders recognize the name from over two thousand years ago. They watched the stars and said he caused an event that reached every star to exist. Are you him?"
Astral was taken aback by this revelation. "I am very faint on what happened at that time. But I still have the same name." Astral gave a light bow. "I still can hold off whatever evils exist, including me ridding this kingdom of the Crown Jewels."
The lady smiled as she bowed back lightly. "Very well, I will send out the riders to the other peaceful elven kingdom so we can have a meeting and aide you on your quest." She turned around and waved her hand. "Follow me. Grab whatever you desire from the stands. If they see you with me they will respect my wishes." Astral cooed in joy as he stepped through the gate. Four guards in golden trimmed armor with blue padding stood in between the two as she paused for a moment. "If that man wanted me dead, he would have done it, you four. Ride to the elven society of the mountains."
They paused for a moment as they were conflicted. "This very gentleman will defend me till you return." Astral gave a light nod as the four took a deep sigh and marched away. They walked through the city as Astral grabbed each piece of food in sight and sampled it on the way to the king's mansion in the top level.
"So you live isolated most times above everyone?" Astral asked as they were climbing the stairs together.
"They sent me because they knew you would pause at my looks."
"Well, it wasn't your looks that gave me pause, I have control over my actions."
"But would you have killed them if they attacked you?"
"No, killing the weak shows no restraint, I would disable them for a few days or months depending on what happened and how far it was escalated." Astral wondered what these questions were. He wasn't used to this intense of an interrogation.
"That's good, most of us don't have that same view." She opened the door as Astral entered first, something felt off. His armor was partially here but the aura of the room felt dangerously off.
"This is a trap." Astral dived forward as he illuminated the center of the room. There were four hands pointed at him as they chain him down with light. He stayed still as he knew he could break out of the trap.
"You will be chained here for a year. With no way to escape. Good luck." Several more chains barrelled at Astral as he sat in silence within his mind. He came up with a perfect plan. She closed the door behind her and left. The chains kept raining down as he had no room to struggle. The watchers kept their eye on him as the chains held firm.
'I have studied this before. But no promises on if it works.' Astral dug deep within himself as he disconnected from his body. He jumped out of it and out the dome window from above. He saw his body from below as he landed on the lower level near the docks. 'Now then, a year to enjoy this food while I wait.' He created a clone body for himself as he entered it. His main body entered a meditative state as he worked on the docks for a year, eating well and enjoying himself.