'I can't believe this!' Kaluar shouted, his hands cupping his face in his frustration as both him and Celi sat on the metal sidewalk outside the guild a sign blinking above them, eating (insert medieval food) as they pondered what to do next.
'She does have a point, it's to dangerous for you right now.' Celi pointed out, taking a bite of her food, turning it into mana as she listened to Kaluar's venting.
'I know.' Kaluar groans.
'It's just...why now?' He stuttered, his hands reaching up to his hair, burying his head in his lap. Celi watched him with hurt eyes, her gaze soon looking at her tiny little legs not knowing what to do, but knows she has to do something, and then it dawned on her.
'There's many other adventures out there, ones way grander than this.' Celi reassured, getting up from the ground to cheer him up. Kaluar looked up at her, his eyebrows lightly furrowed in confusion as he wondered where she was going with this.
'Just imagine it!' She stretched her arms out wide a huge smile on her face.
'Mountains that fly, elephants the size of giants! An underground society of mer-people! We can see all of that and more! This isn't the only adventure and it wont be the best!' She looked at Kaluar with a grin, hoping this would cheer him up. A small smile tugged at his face before bursting into laughter. His hands close to his face in a joyful roar, eyes tearing up from happiness.
Celi soon joined in a playful snicker, soon bursting into laughter just as happy and joyful as his.
'You're right.' He sighed a sigh of relief, his hands supporting his body as he leaned back against the metal sidewalk.
'Can't really take those adventures if I'm dead huh?' His mind wandered back to what Kalder told him, guilt playing at his heart, he cant die, not yet, he can't leave Celi alone like that.
'Exactly!' She stretched her hands out for a fist bump, a grin on her face similar to his, oblivious to the thoughts that ran through his mind in that moment.
'So? What do you say partner? Team Rekka departing?' The tiny elf asked, waiting for him to accept their symbol of friendship.
'Just this once.' He grinned, his fist gently pressed against hers, strengthening their bond for whatever hardships they may face in the future, their eyes beaming with excitement for the missions yet to come.
The two sat back, letting out a content sigh in unison as they stared up to the machines of Prospera, the magic of it all never leaving even if you sat there in person. The suns rays on their golden exterior and they flew over head, the sound of constant grinding gears serving to heighten the village's ambience.
The eyes of the locals would stare at them, a glare that was clearly unwelcoming, shivers ran down their spines the more they shot passing daggers at their backs.
'What's their deal?' He murmured, the discomfort starting to get to him.
'Well, they're humans aren't they? It's only natural that they despise us.' Celi murmured, her hands cupping her face with a defeated glance.
Kaluar looked at her confused, his mouth opened to ask her what she meant by that but his actions were interrupted by a loud noise coming from the center of the village.
The same guard who turned him away at the gates started to speak into a sigil that formed around his mouth, armed guards following closely behind, as his voice boomed throughout Prospera.
'The City of Prospera is on lock down!' he announced, his words leaving the people speechless to his claims.
'Please calm down, do not panic! All adventurers and people that are here to visit shall leave when the situation is resolved!'
'But I need to get back now!' A green scaled dragonborn cried out, his body adorned with the equipment of a warrior.
'What's even causing this lock down in the first place?!' The cry of another adventurer pierce through the crowd, a Lizardfolk, his eyes a golden yellow and scales a moss green.
'Please I assure you this is not without reason, but for now I can't disclose any information.' The guard continued, a sigh forcing through his lips as he tried to quell down the crowd. But their fury grew even more bombarding them with questions and demands.
'Great.. just our luck.' Kaluar murmured as he witnessed the events unfold before him, his hands pushing off the ground to get up from the metal sidewalk, feeling something cold and sharp to his neck as he was slowly brought back down.
'Don't move.' A hushed voice whispered in his ear. His pupils dilating in horror of who this could possibly be.
Celi watched in fear, not daring to move at the cost of Kaluar's life. The figure's long crimson robe rests against the metal sidewalk, his cold fingers running down Kaluar's shoulder to the back he carried ever so carelessly.
'We're going to make this quick and simple, no one has to get hurt.' He murmured, his hands digging into the bag, his fingers reaching for the rune he so vigilantly carried all the way here.
A smile peaked through robe of the man, his silent celebration coming to a cold stop, hearing the guards call out in their direction.
'Stop right there!' The guard who announced the news called out. Running over to the group but before he could get close enough, the man vanished in a puff of mist, leaving no lead on his whereabouts.
'Damn it!' he shouted, soon looking at Kaluar with a face of urgency.
'What did he take from you!?' His hands balled in to fists as he awaited his answer, Kaluar's heart still racing from that whole thing, his pupils still dilated in fear just thinking about what just happened.
'He took, a rune from me.' He managed to squeeze out from his lips, the guard cursing the name of that man under his breath.
After finally dispelling the crowd, back up arrived behind him, He turned to them his eyebrow furrowing in frustration and anger as he delivered his orders.
'Search for that man, don't leave a single stone unturned you hear me!' He roared, the guards dispelling as quickly as they came, scanning the city for this mysterious figure. The guard took a deep breath before turning to Kaluar, his blue eyes staring into Kaluar's.
'You, kid. Come with me, the Director wants to see you.' He mumbled, he knew it wasn't his fault it was stolen but he couldn't help but feel angry at our hero.