"So this is…"
"An iPad. A type of tablet."
The Grand Elder stroked the smooth, transparent surface and tapped the small metallic support on the bottom of the electronic. "This is unlike any tablet I have seen. Glass mixed with metal, projecting images and sounds! Even the magical tablets recovered from the ruins of Lonsaure's cities were not this fascinating. The metals are… foreign, strange. A hint of steel that I am familiar with. Just the properties of this tool alone would take rotations of my life."
"A combination of metals, yes," Captain Moore explained. "Think of it as… a much more advanced stone tablet? Our people designed them and crafted them to perfection by our tools."
After shaking the Grand Elder's staff, they were led to a small meeting room with refreshments on a table. During that time, the Grand Elder inquired about the tablet in the captain's possession, which led to this moment.
Prior to this, Captain Moore felt the Grand Elder's cold indifference to his group's presence. Yet, the reveal of the iPad had caused a stir, provoking an intense gaze of curiosity from the otherwise detached Grand Elder.
It only took a few minutes for the leader of the tribe to learn the functions of the tablet and browse through it with his own hands. There was a glint in the Grand Elder's eyes as he hungrily dug through its content, though Captain Moore attributed it to a thirst for knowledge.
"This is our written language…" the Grand Elder pointed to the transparent screen flashing Danj texts. How have you managed to transcribe this?"
"Elder Auru at our fort has helped tremendously with understanding your language."
"I see. So, what does this thing hold? You have already shown me some of its marvelous features."
"Anything and everything, including the entire history of our civilization and more."
"And you can just… hold onto this wonder?"
"They are commonplace amongst our people."
"Truly?"
"Generally speaking, every human I know has one or something akin to it."
"Interesting… And this "A History of the World, Part Twelve." Does this mean your world was destroyed eleven times prior?"
Captain Moore bit back a chuckle, though he heard Sergeant Wells failing to hide his snickering with his fake coughs. "No, it's just much has happened every century since the very first series of this book, that they've updated it with new information as time passed."
"I see," the Grand Elder commented. He browsed through "Records through the millennia, even from ages beyond my comprehension… Your world is old. What little we know of the beginning of time in this realm is from the whispers of god. Are your gods more obliged to address your people's history?"
"No. This was made possible due to "archaeology" and a lot of time to review various artifacts and records."
""Archaeology?""
"A study of history through excavation and analysis of various artifacts and remains."
"Ah. I do not think anyone in our tribe has considered such a study due to our… exile within the forest. Even before then, the earth was not seen as something to be dug up for our enjoyment or study. Much of our time within the earth has been spent living and slowly expanding our boundaries as deemed fitting, with the occasional push for minerals or metals if needed. If this archaeology can help us recover our lost history, perhaps it would be useful to look for remains within the earth elsewhere, especially within Lonsaure."
"We could assist with such an act," Captain Moore said. "We have more than a few archaeologists back at our camp."
The Grand Elder smirked, hovering the tablet in the air with a wave of his hand. An earthen podium arose from the solid marble floor and surrounded the tablet with a graceful embrace. "While I'm sure your people have experts in the field, my people are blessed by Tesa. No beings are more suited for studying things within the earth than our tribe. Instead, it would be wiser for you to seek our help to carry out your archaeology in this world."
"I could probably relay the thought to my superiors…" For a moment, Captain Moore imagined some of the more entrepreneurial members of the UN expedition would be interested in the Danj elves' ability to detect metals within the earth. And their abilities to burrow through the earth with no difficulties.
Iris whispered in his ear, a first during his time down in the elven village. "... Wouldn't that make mining easier? And some people on Earth would argue this would allow them to mine without damaging the local environment or whatever…"
That was a thought that horrified him, considering the report of the metals within the planet's crust. The last thing he sought to see was the elves under his care used as… digging machines.
He made a mental note to downplay the Danj elves' abilities in future reports and remind the others to do the same.
"What we will need from you is to learn more about your tools and technology, especially the combination of your metals."
"It will take a long time."
"Time is something I have plenty of."
Caelu shifted uncomfortably in the seat next to him, though she remained silent. Captain Moore noticed her discomfort and noted her blank expression in the presence of the Grand Elder. It was something he would need to ask her about later on.
"Even with magic, I do not believe that creating tools like the tablet is a feat that can be replicated within a few seasons," Captain Moore answered. "There is a complexity to each of the tools we hold, especially its internal parts."
"I have yet to meet something I have failed at," the Grand Elder replied, his golden eyes shimmering compared to its previous dull tint. "And with infinite time, I will be able to learn an infinite number of things."
The captain understood the implications of the Grand Elder's words, but it was Lieutenant Li who decided to ask the question for confirmation. "So you are immortal then?"
"Every sage is. I assume you do not have sages back in your world?"
When Lieutenant Li shook his head, the Grand Elder grinned. His smile looked hollow, but there was a glint of amusement in the elf's eye. "You have much to learn about this realm, and as promised, I will share the information you seek. In return, I expect the same exchange when I ask more about your world."
"Magic," Lieutenant Li said. He held a tight grip on his pen and notebook, his stare boring into the Grand Elder with flaming intensity. "What sort of magic are you able to do? What are the limitations of magic? Can anyone do magic?"
The Grand Elder frowned and stroked his beard, flicking his hands into the air and arranging a glowing ring of various elements at his will. Captain Moore saw metal, ice, water, earth, wind, lightning, fire, and countless other things floating around.
After allowing the humans to take in his magic, the Grand Elder plucked a fireball from the ring and spun it around in his hand effortlessly. "Magic, like many studies, requires its user to learn and practice. I have been alive since the War and learned much from the terrible conflict.
"My abilities are far beyond what you can comprehend, and they are not limited. A long-lived sage with a creative and experienced mind can shape mountains and continents. Some say a few challenged the gods themselves, though the gods are another realm of beings entirely.
"After all, while any can learn, no mere mortal can challenge the divine. Even the weakest of divines is something else entirely. Not even sages, who have sacrificed their soul for an eternal pursuit of the mystic arts, can come close to the breadth of knowledge and power of a single divine."
"I have always wondered this," Lieutenant Li said while jotting down every scrap of notes he could. "Is your magic enough to compete with some of our most advanced tools?"
"Ah, but you have asked enough questions." The Grand Elder rose from his chair and stood above them, a head above everyone else. His presence filled the small room, a tangible mist of power that even those without magic could feel. "Your people lack magic; you have tools advanced enough to compensate for such weakness. Tell me, what sort of weapons do you possess for war?"
Lieutenant Li glanced at Captain Moore, who cleared his throat and spoke up in the lieutenant's stead. "Powerful enough to wipe mountains, if needed."
"I assume you would be open to a demonstration then? Perhaps with those… weapons that you've brought with you earlier."
"We could, but those are far less impressive."
"But they do the job against foes, no? Foes that will undoubtedly occupy our future."
"Kill them? Yes."
The Grand Elder snapped, and suddenly, Captain Moore felt like he had shrunk into a cube before being released into the air. Every bone in his body felt liquid momentarily, yet the single second felt more akin to an hour. He felt every bone in his body reassembling into solid form and his limbs popping out with a hissing noise.
He dry heaved from the strange, crushing sensation and stood up to see that the group was now in an empty area within the woods. Sergeant Wells was keeled over and moaning, his usual persona buried under pain. The same went for Sergeant Wells' men and Lieutenant Li, though Specialist Smith looked unphased as always. His rifle, the XM12, materialized in his hands, and a feeling of nausea set in his head.
"What happened? One second, we were in that weird room, and the other second, we're out here!" Iris asked in his ear, the video camera on his helmet fidgeting.
Captain Moore took a deep breath before mumbling his answer. "Magic."
"That should be the furthest range of an arrow from our best warriors, without the use of magic, of course," the Grand Elder mentioned, his expression displaying a lack of discomfort or pain from the sudden teleportation. He pointed his finger at a distant but large target embedded in a tree trunk about two thousand feet ahead. "What is the range of your… weapons?"
"This," Captain Moore groaned, an unsettling growl emitting from his stomach. Regardless, he gripped his trusty firearm and showed it to the elf leader. "Is a "rifle." And its range is way beyond that. I suggest you close and cover your ears, as the weapon is quite loud."
The captain checked the location of the people around him and motioned for Caelu to move away, prompting a disappointed sulk from the eager and curious elf. When he noticed her ears were still bare, he pantomimed her ears being covered, and she obliged after a frown.
Instead of ordering Sergeant Wells or Specialist Smith to take the shots, the captain flipped off his safety and raised his rifle. He dug the buttstock low into his shoulder, lowering his head and tightening his stance as his vision zoned in on his target. After staring through the M350 ACOG, he squeezed the trigger after his aim was directly upon the glaring white target in his sights.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
And a fourth time for good measure.
Each shot hit the target directly head-on, with the fourth shot punching through the thick tree completely. The rifle's cracks echoed through the forest, accompanied by the cracking sound of metal meeting wood.
""Rifle,"" the Grand Elder repeated. His ears twitched, and a few lines marred his forehead as if the sound had been louder than he had expected. Yet, his eyes were fixated on the weapon, his pupils imprinting the image of the gun onto its surface. "How many are you willing to trade in the spirit of our partnership?"
"That… is something I would need to ask my superiors," Captain Moore answered.
"And these are the weaker weapons you have?"
Captain Moore noticed the strange shift in the Grand Elder's voice and answered vaguely. "Somewhat."
"Still a pale imitation for some of the strengths of magic, but with this… the dream of a new Lonsaure is not yet dead. Any and all, even children, could suddenly wield power beyond what the eyes can see." The Grand Elder knelt and rubbed his clean, pale hands all over the dirt. "Praise Tesa! He has led us to an army with the warriors and weapons to carry out his divine will!"
"We are not mercenaries for hire, nor will we engage in some war of conquest."
The Grand Elder rose to his feet, the earth on his hand shimmering into the air and his eyes glowing. "Perhaps not now… but your opinion will change once you see this world and experience the divine yourself. There are foul beings, nations out there, willing to destroy us and you to seize power for themselves."
"Even so, I don't think our answer will change," Captain Moore said with steel in his voice. He felt an immense pressure suddenly weighing on his shoulders, a gravity well that pushed him towards the ground. Captain Moore maintained his glare even with the force emitting from the Grand Elder.
Staring down a centuries-old elf with magical powers was the last thing he imagined to do months ago, yet his conviction was here.
There would be no repeat of the disaster at Nova.
Even if his superiors reprimanded him for this act.
"Grand Elder," Caelu intervened between the two of them with a hand calming down both sides. "Perhaps it would be fitting to continue this conversation at another time. After all, they have only seen a small slice of this world."
The pressure suddenly stopped, and the Grand Elder's eyes returned to normal, a lazy twinkle occupying the gleaming torches present just a moment prior. "Of course. After all, I have all the time I need.."
Captain Moore flicked the safety back on but nodded an unspoken agreement with the soldiers under his command. He gestured for them to lower their rifles, though the Grand Elder looked disinterested as he swept past them and opened some sort of doorway back to the village.
Sergeant Wells whispered in English as he walked by to go through the portal. "Air support?"
"No," Captain Moore answered. "But a surveillance drone might be necessary."