Just like that, Archie's mood was immediately soured. He could not believe what he had heard from Aurelia and he wished that the people of Elysium were not like her at all, hoping that Aurelia was the only one with that kind of behavior and prejudice.
If everyone in Astral behaved like this, he would just ignore the state of Elysium and focus on getting back to earth. 'This place isn't worth it!' He mumbled.
Archie walked slowly away from the center. He wanted to speak to his grandfather very badly without the presence of his grandfather's twin.
He felt that the conversation he had earlier was very forced and guarded. But at the same time, he didn't know if he could trust his grandfather either.
Since he had not addressed the poison Chinese bun issue and they seemed not to acknowledge it, he focused on his past memories.
He needed to find a way to communicate with his grandfather without using that outdated golden bowl with incantations. A smartphone was still a better way to communicate, if only he could make it work.
He wondered who else was here that he could trust enough and who had the possible skills to make something from earth usable in such a mystical world.
Suddenly, Archie's mother's voice came to his mind: "Wait until you meet one, and they will be your lifelong friend."
'The dwarves!' Archie's eyes brightened at the thought, and he remembered Oin Edda, one of the dwarfs who approached to meet him after the council meeting. He totally forgot about him.
So far, none of the councilmen seem to display as much hatred and prejudice as Aurelia did. That might be because the councilmen already knew who he was. Everyone there can be putting up a facade.
Archie's head hurt as he walked towards one of the Tufa lakes, where the edge of the lake was illuminated with lights. He thought that perhaps he really needed Aurelia's help after all to meet up with councilmen Oin Edda, but he really didn't want her to report back to Athan Blaise.
Archie stopped in his tracks and turned back to the fountain. He decided that he needed Aurelia, at least for now.
He found Aurelia sobbing hysterically after their conversation. He looked at her and his gaze softened, but he couldn't let his guard down at all. He had decided that the only way to get out of Elysium was to learn as much as he could to become a successful mage.
"You are still here."
Aurelia stopped crying and quickly dried her eyes with her dress. She looked like a mess and stared at Archie, surprised when he showed up after what she just told him.
"I realized that everyone is entitled to their own opinion," Archie said slowly, trying to make the situation as friendly as he could.
"I also realized I am alone in this realm and I need to figure out my new purpose here. And I couldn't do it without your help."
The phoenix's doe-liked eye blinked. She could not believe what she was hearing.
"So, I have decided to put our past behind us and start fresh." Archie let out his hand for a handshake to initiate the truce.
Aurelia stood up, raised her hand immediately and said, "I promise you, I will do my best to adhere to your demands and I won't let you down."
Archie and Aurelia shook hands and he squatted down and started packing the picnic basket with their finished food. "I hope you are full."
"I am." Aurelia answered quickly. In truth, she lost all her appetite after Archie's brutal confrontation.
I need you to complete the tour of this place and meet me tomorrow at the fountain too. I need to enroll myself in classes.
"You don't have to do it so soon; you can wait for another week for that."
"In that case, spar with me tomorrow."
"What?"
"Train with me; teach me how to fight. I will be facing more dark creatures in the future; I can't behave like a youngling anymore, right?"
"Oh, ok. I will spar with you."
"Great! Um-"
"Is there anything else you need?" Aurelia asked with her head cocked at one side.
"Yes, where is councilman Oin Edda's residence?"
"Why do you need to see councilmen, Edda?"
'Who are you, my mother?' Archie thought, annoyed that he was scrutinized by this little prejudice bird!
"Well, he asked me to meet him later; I have decided to see him now."
"But don't you think it's a little to late for you to visit?"
'If you drag me even longer, it will be.' Archie muttered in his head again, losing patients.
"No, since councilmen Edda was the one that asked me to meet. I am sure it is fine."
"We can see him tomorrow instead. So, let's go to the library; I can get you the map of Astral and a map of Elysium." Aurelia offered, with a huge smile on her face,
'This bird is hiding something.' Archie thought, as his patients were spreading thin.
"Alright then, let's meet councilman Edda tomorrow, and then we can visit the library after that." Archie finally replied.
Aurelia was relieved that Archie had relented. She felt so proud that her tears started to flow again, which took Archie by surprise.
"Did I say something wrong?" Archie was concerned that he wondered what he did this time. He was being careful with his words and could not figure out what he said to make her cry like that.
"I am just so happy that you are willing to include me in your journey." Aurelia beamed.
Archie gave her a soft smile, but he was finding a way to find Councilman Oin Edda after he gave this little bird a slip. The last thing he needed was Aurelia, minding his business.
Aurelia took Archie back to his room, and Archie closed the door behind him and waited for Aurelia to leave.
However, the girl did not leave but stood at the door, standing guard like he was a criminal. Archie was facing the door, looking through the peep hole, and observing Aurelia transform into a phoenix.
She flew above the tree branches that were nearest to his room. He was being watched.
'It is like they are avoiding my meeting up with the dwarves,' Archie thought seriously. A gentle breeze hit his face, and Sid whispered, "Use the watch."
Archie looked at his non-functioning wristwatch. 'What am I going to do with this? It didn't come with an instruction manual for me to fix this.' Archie thought while tampering with the crown of the watch.
Suddenly, it was like he was sucked into a portal again, but this time not as colourful and dizzy as the first time he was being transported from Earth to Elysium. Archie landed on his bullocks with a loud thud.
"Finally, I thought you would call me."
A voice spoke, and Archie looked up, rubbing his eyes, to see a short, stout little man standing before him.
"Councilman Edda!" Archie yelled.
"Call me Oin."