We settled at an outdoor table, and as I sat down, I couldn't help but look around. A sense of well-being washed over me, something I hadn't expected in such a dark time.
A fleeting doubt crossed my mind, so I took the chance to ask Eldrek, "Eldrek, you who have lived for more than one era, how many seasonal cycles does each one last?"
He had to think for a moment before answering, "Well, about 500 cycles."
"500!?" I exclaimed, shocked. In this world, they shared the same seasons as in mine, so 500 cycles would mean about 500 years. Damn, I thought, Eldrek must easily be over a thousand years old.
The community around us didn't seem to reflect the despair we'd seen elsewhere. There was joy, laughter, and life in the faces of the people in the tribe.
Nymira moved around as if she had been there all her life. She looked happy, bouncing from one place to another, playing with the children, chatting with them as if she'd known them forever. At one point, she came over to our table and, with a mischievous smile, tugged on Zhavros's clothes.
"Come play with us!" she asked, her eyes shining.
Zhavros frowned. "Are you crazy!? I don't play with kids." He gently brushed her hand away.
Nymira insisted, undeterred. That's when Lyris stepped in with a kind smile.
"I can go with you," she said to Nymira.
Nymira accepted happily, and the two of them went off to where the other children were. Zhavros glanced at them, trying to hide his interest. Lyris and Nymira showed small flashes of light with their magic, and the children, amazed, laughed and clapped with enthusiasm.
I watched Zhavros, who seemed lost in thought as he looked on seriously. Something about that scene seemed to affect him, though it wasn't easy to guess what was on his mind.
Soon after, Vaelor approached our table with some people who were bringing food. It was a kind of roast. I decided not to ask what type of meat it was to avoid hearing an answer that would kill my appetite.
The hunger among the group was obvious, and soon we were all eating quietly. The food, though simple, was comforting after the long journey.
When we finished eating, Eldrek leaned towards Vaelor and began to explain our plans to him, how we intended to face the dark being. "Vaelor, you possess psychic magic, and that would be a great help for what we have planned," Eldrek said seriously.
With that brief introduction, Eldrek brought him up to speed on every detail: how we had gathered allies and the resources we would need to confront such a powerful force. He explained that every skill was crucial and that Vaelor's psychic ability could make a big difference, from anticipating attacks to strengthening the group's mental defenses.
Vaelor, with a firm expression, nodded, understanding the importance of his role in the mission.
"My tribe has waited a long time for a moment like this," he said decisively. "If this proposal comes from Eldrek, it would be an honor for us to join you in this fight. Not just me, but many of my warriors will be at your disposal."
We were surprised to hear that. Not only did we have a new ally, but we had practically gained a small army. The atmosphere at the table came alive with everyone's renewed enthusiasm.
Vaelor continued, "You can stay here as long as you need before setting off. Eldrek can forge the magical weapons you need, while you all train for the final battle."
He offered a clear, sensible strategy. He wasn't just a strong leader; he was also shrewd. Everyone nodded in agreement, and we sealed the alliance with a toast, laughing together.
After the feast, the group spent long hours with the tribe, enjoying the company and the relaxed atmosphere. Finally, everyone retired to rest in separate tents. The tranquility of the place allowed us to sleep uninterrupted, something we hadn't experienced in a long time.
— — —
The next morning, I woke up to the sounds of the town going about its daily routine. I stepped out of the tent and could see everyone playing a part in the day's tasks.
Some worked in the fields, others washed clothes in the valley, and the guards watched the surroundings, always alert to any possible danger. A group of warriors trained in the distance. The discipline of the place was evident, even the children helped however they could.
Eldrek was already up. I saw him talking to Vaelor, who was showing him an area with a large furnace. That's where Eldrek would begin forging the weapons. The night before, Eldrek had mentioned that it would take a couple of days, as magical weapons required time. Besides, he would need to make weapons for everyone in our group who still didn't have them.
While I took in the surroundings, Vaelor approached Lyris and me, inviting us to train with the tribe's warriors. We accepted, while Nymira and Aelira separated to do their own training.
Aelira would spend time strengthening Nymira's magic, teaching her to control it with more precision. Zhavros, on the other hand, was also invited to train, but he showed little interest. He preferred to stay off to the side, immersed in a book he had brought with him. I couldn't help but think that, though Zhavros seemed distant, he was always aware in some way.
The training began. The tribe's warriors showed us their fighting style, a combination of strength and controlled elemental magic. Lyris and I watched each of their movements, studying their tactics before jumping into action. Vaelor joined us, watching from a distance, arms crossed.
The moment arrived, and one of the warriors suggested a friendly match. Lyris and I, a bit hesitant, accepted and teamed up against two of the tribe's warriors. We left our weapons aside; it would be hand-to-hand combat.
We positioned ourselves in front of them, our hands at the ready. At first, we focused on defense, studying each move our opponents made. We knew attacking without a strategy would be a mistake.
The tribe's warriors took the initiative; they were fast and skilled. Occasionally, they'd use small bursts of elemental magic, just enough to try and throw us off balance.
Lyris, agile as always, responded with light magic, while I limited my magic use. I didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable or lose control, so I focused on physical combat.
The warriors displayed impressive coordination and soon had us in a tight spot. Lyris and I exchanged a glance, knowing we had to respond in kind.
Without missing a beat, we synchronized, alternating between attack and defense. Lyris sent out flashes of light to distract them, while I took advantage of each opening to get close and strike.
Vaelor, from his position, called out instructions to his warriors, guiding them through the fight. Despite the tension of the match, I couldn't help but notice the respect and admiration in his tone.
After several minutes of intense exchanges, the combat finally stopped. Both teams were breathing hard, but we were smiling. We shook hands in a sign of respect and camaraderie.
Around us, the tribe broke into applause. Both Lyris and I had shown we were up to the challenge.
Vaelor came over to us, a proud smile on his face. "You've proven to be fine warriors," he said firmly, giving us a pat on the shoulder. "I'm impressed."
The tribe kept clapping, and for a moment, I felt like we had accomplished more than just a simple match. We had earned their respect.
Nymira, who had been watching us, approached with her usual agility and loudly announced that she wanted to participate, too. She was so enthusiastic that Lyris and I exchanged a look, unsure if it was a good idea for her to join.
Aelira, who was standing nearby with some of the tribe, nodded at Lyris, as if to make it clear that she had been the one to suggest Nymira join the match.
Vaelor, who had been silently observing until then, seemed surprised. He looked at Nymira skeptically, surely thinking the same as us: she was just a girl and didn't look like a warrior. However, Vaelor walked over to Aelira and asked her directly:
"Are you sure this girl should fight? The warriors here are formidable."
Aelira looked at him firmly and replied with seriousness, "This girl has a name, Vaelor. It's Nymira. It'd be good for you to remember it from now on."
Aelira's words made everyone turn to look at her. Even I was surprised by the authority in her voice. Nymira, of course, was filled with pride hearing Aelira defend her like that, her eyes shining with admiration for the celestial.
Vaelor, a bit embarrassed, bowed his head slightly. "My apologies, it was not my intention to belittle Nymira."
Aelira relaxed her expression and added, "No problem. But if you don't mind, I'd like one of your most experienced warriors to face Nymira in a friendly match."
Vaelor nodded without hesitation; he and his tribe knew the reputation of celestials and held them in high respect. With a gesture, he called over one of his tribe's warriors, nearly as imposing as him. "Go and fight against Nymira," he ordered in a serious tone.
Nymira, with a grin from ear to ear, said, "Wow, he looks like a formidable opponent!" She said it with such excitement that she seemed more ready to play than to fight.
Lyris and I, still somewhat unsure, encouraged her. "If at any point you feel like you can't go on, don't hesitate to stop the fight," I advised, unable to hide my concern. We stepped back to give her and the warrior space.
Before starting, Nymira looked at her mentor and flashed her a smile. Aelira returned it with the same confidence. Vaelor then gave the signal to start the match.
From the very first second, it was clear that Nymira was much faster than anyone had imagined. She moved with dazzling agility, dodging every attack from the warrior and throwing quick punches that kept him on the defensive. Though her blows didn't seem to do much damage, her speed threw him off.
The warrior threw a direct punch and, for an instant, managed to grab her. Nymira barely managed to wriggle free in time, avoiding the impact at the last second. I could feel everyone holding their breath; Lyris murmured beside me, eyes fixed on the scene, "That was close…"
With an animated grin, Nymira said to the warrior, without losing her spirit, "Wow, you're really strong."
The warrior returned a slight smile, taking note of her style, and shifted into a ready stance. "Seems like you're pretty strong, too," he replied. Then he tried the same strategy: getting close, grabbing her, and using his physical advantage to land a hit.
Lyris and I realized his plan. "He's going to try to grab her again," I whispered, as she nodded with a concerned expression. Nymira, however, dodged every move with impressive dexterity, and the warrior had to try harder to catch her. Finally, with a swift turn, he managed to grab her firmly.
Nymira struggled, trying to break free, but this time the warrior didn't let go. A flicker of worry crossed my mind, and I saw the same fear reflected in Lyris's eyes. The tension grew as the warrior raised his fist, ready to strike. Nymira kept struggling but to no avail; she was trapped.
That's when Aelira's firm voice broke the silence, "Now!"
Nymira reacted instantly. Just as the warrior's fist came down with force, a burst of light magic exploded from her hand, lighting up the area with a blinding intensity. This wasn't the controlled magic of Lyris; it was raw energy, hitting the warrior's torso and sending him flying several meters back.
With a grunt, the warrior fell to the ground, trying hard to get up but failing. The silence that followed was absolute, and disbelief was clear in everyone's eyes.
Nymira, on the other hand, shouted with total joy, jumping and running to Aelira with a radiant smile.
"Teacher, teacher, I did it! I did it just like you taught me!" she exclaimed, full of excitement.
Aelira took her hand and, with a proud smile, replied, "Yes, Nymira. Today, you proved yourself a true warrior."
Vaelor approached Nymira with respect and spoke to her in a firm voice. "Nymira, I underestimated you, and for that, I apologize. You are truly formidable. You've defeated one of my best warriors." Then, he gave her a slight bow before stepping away to check on his warrior, who was already beginning to recover.
Nymira, still thrilled by the fight, kept talking with Aelira as they walked away. She couldn't stop smiling.
I turned to Lyris, who watched everything with a mix of admiration and surprise. "Incredible," I said, still processing what we had just seen. "I didn't think Nymira was that skilled."
Lyris nodded, clearly impressed. "Me neither. It was pretty surprising." Then she pointed to a small hill in the distance. "Look."
There, in the distance, I saw Zhavros, who apparently had watched the entire fight. "It seems that, even though Zhavros is a solitary figure, he's always keeping an eye on everything happening around him," Lyris commented.
I thought for a moment before responding. "You're right. But I also feel like there might be something more… I'm not sure."
Lyris gave me a thoughtful look. "Maybe. Someday we might discover his story."