The two, Dante and Lina. Has spent a few days, walking into the endless abyss of orange land. The only things seen was that. And the sun and clouds, and maybe a few geysers, other then that there was no major difference since both were endless.
"Dante... where is this?" Lina questioned the man, who had his common perpetual, knowing, yet. Subtle smile on his face, but was a little off due to the sweat in his eyebrow making him squint in his eyebrow, seeing the heated mess of despair, which was Lina. Who had her cloak wrapped around her head like a bandanna. And her white sleeveless shirt had her stomach out almost as it was a second respiratory system. Which Dante dismisses,
"We're almost there, We'll be just fine." Dante walked through the heat with a droplets of sweat on his forehead, which he wiped it off with his arm. He couldn't help but pant a little,
"Are you sure we're not walking a path of lost cause? We haven't seen anything so far." Lina looked at Dante with a hint of disdain at his demeanor,
"Well, If you had to put something down my throat; I'm kind of hoping that the Dwarves just sent us in the right direction." Dante's lips were sealed tightly into a straight line. A hint of sheepishness on his face and a wobbly, almost faltering smirk, he could only close his eyes, almost as if he was praying, clearing his throat. "...Still confident on the situation, though."
"Cute way to say we're lost, Dante." Lina couldn't help but give him a smug look, to which Dante could only give her a perplexed and awkward look at her, "Uh, cool. Good to know we got the message."
"I wanted to ask, I didn't know you knew you had allies further then just from Elyngard, what's that about? Apparently Legions can only have 6 members, right?"
"Not exactly," Dante established. "Legions have more then just their elite group of adventurers, they have blacksmiths for their weapons, too. And that's what Kragur and Elda do."
"They seem like a good people. I think that's what matters, doesn't it?" Lina grinned, Making Dante chuckle. "Totally."
"They love Athena a lot. they're great people. Kragur seems like a sour candy right now, but he's not that bad. If you get to know him, you can see why Elda loves him."
Dante hummed at the thought, bringing a slight warmth which was surprising to say the least from the guy who always has something smartass to say no matter what the cause is, which only makes Lina smile just as much.
"Speaking of matters... Check it out."
Dante gestures toward the landscape unfolded with a quiet majesty, a rugged coastline nestled under the shadow of ancient, towering mountains. turquoise water stretched out in stillness, calm and reflective. The light filtered through breaks in the clouds, casting a warm glow over the rocky terrain, bringing a subtle, almost enchanted vibrance to the scene.
Closer to the shore, remnants of an old structure jutted out over the water—a series of weather-beaten wooden beams and platforms, their edges softened by time and the relentless pull of the tide. They stood as silent witnesses to a forgotten age, barely clinging to the rocks, like ghosts from an era when these shores had once known life and labor. Further up the mountainside, a faint plume of smoke drifted into the air, curling like a whisper of mystery against the towering peaks, hinting at unseen fires deep within the rocky heart of the land.
The village nestled along the river seemed to be carved out of an ancient dream, where time itself moved with a slower, gentler rhythm. The crystal-clear water sparkled under the midday sun, casting rippling reflections of the wooden bridges that arched gracefully over its surface. Sturdy, round huts with thatched roofs lined the riverbank, their weathered wood blending seamlessly with the rocks and trees that surrounded them.
A series of large wooden water wheels turned methodically in the current, creaking softly as they powered the village's modest mills. Here and there, brightly colored cloth and banners fluttered in the soft breeze, hanging from beams and stalls that hinted at a thriving marketplace. The distant hum of villagers' chatter, combined with the occasional laugh or shout, brought the place to life.
Beyond the village, the landscape rose dramatically into towering cliffs and green-draped hills, their slopes dotted with ancient trees whose roots seemed to cling to the earth with fierce determination. Wispy clouds drifted lazily across a brilliant blue sky, their shadows dancing across the mountainsides. The air was rich with the scent of damp earth, wild herbs, and a hint of wood smoke, as if the whole village were wrapped in nature's comforting embrace.
It was a place that invited both wonder and peace—a hidden refuge where weary travelers might find rest and perhaps a touch of magic lingering in the stillness of the forested hills.
To the far right, a lone stone tower stood vigil, its ancient carvings worn yet proud, a sentinel over the landscape. The tower's silhouette loomed over the sparse trees scattered across the hillsides, their branches twisted and weathered by countless seasons of wind and rain. They clung stubbornly to the rocks, leaves rustling in the soft breeze, as if whispering secrets of the past.
This place felt alive, yet strangely empty, as if the echoes of a bygone world still lingered in the air. It was a landscape that spoke of solitude and strength, of history layered in the stone and silence that surrounded it—a place both haunting and beautiful, where time itself seemed to slow, watching, waiting, for the next chapter to unfold.
"Realm of the dwarves..." Dante looked at Lina with a joyful, subtle, smirk. Then Looking down at the fantastic scenery, "Let's check it out."
Lina's eyes widen at the look of a different society, and she liked it. She nodded, "Yeah."
A water carriage came out beneath of the mountainside, streaming peacefully, with a few Dwarves inside, completely cooled in comparison to the heat outside, with the help of a white tent. The carriage was so big to them, that it took two Dwarves, both front and back, to push it forwards, with paddles!
Amidst them, came the two adventurers, the familiar voice of Lina shrieking from above so high pitched and loud. That it echoes, The two land on the white tent, Dante landing butt first. While Lina lands face first like an ostrich. Accidentally ripping through the tent, her face poking out, and Dante can only stare with wide eyes, "Did you just—"
Dante's shock quickly switches to laughter over the situation, holding his stomach. "Haha! There's no way."
Meanwhile, Lina's face looked like she had just tasted a lemon, grunting in pain, "Ow..." And as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the horrified look of the Dwarve's, who let out a shriek that can rival Lina's current Shriek. And every single Dwarve charges out of the carriage and swims to the shore, Lina blinks in confusion to the strange reaction, she pops her head out to see the laughing white haired young man. "What the heck was that about!?"
"I think we both know the answer to that." Dante smirked, to Lina's bewilderment, "Yeah, okay. I did just kind of do that—"
"That's not what I meant." He corrected her, standing up, "Look around.... People are terrified of strangers," the Dwarves scrambled to their home, screaming in fear, as if it was the end of the world outside, and there was a mob of strangers trying to invade their homes and slaughter them,
"This is what Odin can do to people." Dante's mouth went into a straight line that went well with the look of frustration and pity, Lina giving a concern look of herself, but he let it out with a sigh.
"Well. I'm guess you're just as hungry as me?" He gave her a knowing smile, to which Lina scoffed with a grin, "You know too much."
"Cool, Cool." Dante's smirk gleamed with the word Joyful at her reply,
"Question is; how are we gonna eat—"
"Did someone say food!?"
Dante and Lina whirled around to find a stout, broad-shouldered dwarf grinning up at them. He was unlike the others who had fled, his beard tied in neat braids that jingled with small silver charms. A thick leather apron stretched over his stocky frame, and his eyes glinted with a warmth not common among the guarded dwarven folk.
"Name's Brokk, if that calms your nerves," he said, crossing his arms with a playful grin. "And you two look like you could use a bite—especially after a landing like that." He chuckled, glancing at the ripped tent and Lina, who was now brushing herself off, cheeks flushed red.
Dante laughed, relieved. "Guess we made quite the impression. Uh... sorry about the scare."
Brokk waved it off with a laugh. "Ah, this Dwarve seems stronger than he looks! And a little welcome work never hurt anyone. Now come on—I've got a tavern not far from here. Food's on me." He motioned for them to follow, hobbling to the shore and beckoning them to join him on the worn, stone-paved path that led deeper into Svartalfheim.
As they walked, Lina cast a grateful glance at Brokk. "Thanks. It's not often we find friendly faces here."
"Aye," Brokk agreed, scratching his beard thoughtfully. "Most of my kin have gotten wary, thanks to... well, everything. Trust doesn't come easy these days. But I've seen enough battles to know when someone's in need of a meal, not a fight."
"You kinda stand out; It's a little suspicious." Dante walked beside Lina. Looking at the several small homes that were at the height of the two.
"Ah, little old me? Flattered. Both of you can slap me off of you like a mosquito!"
The wooden walls opened up to reveal a cozy, dimly lit tavern nestled within a cavern. Iron lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over rows of rough-hewn tables and benches. The scent of roasting meats and herbs made Dante's stomach rumble even louder.
Brokk led them to a table near the fireplace, where a roaring fire crackled, casting shadows on the walls. "Sit yourselves down! I'll bring out something special."
As Brokk disappeared into the back, Lina leaned back with a grin. "I think we finally got lucky."
Dante gave her a wry smile. "It was about time. I was starting to think dwarves had a policy against outsiders."
"Right? This guy gives me happy-Kragur-Vibes."
Dante couldn't help but laugh. Grinning to himself, "Ha... Kragur would've killed you if you said that right beside him." He said with an amused look on his face. Which gave Lina goosebumps, "Huh..?"
A few minutes later, Brokk returned, carrying a tray piled high with thick slices of bread, roasted vegetables, and a plate of steaming meat that sizzled with spices. Setting it down, he placed two heavy mugs of frothy ale in front of them with a wink. "There ya go! Fresh from the kitchen."
The two dug in eagerly, savoring the hearty flavors. Lina took a long swig of the ale, sighing in contentment. "Now this is how you're supposed to travel."
"Thanks for the ale, I don't drink though." Dante pushed it to the side with a sheepish grin on his face, he looks at Lina, a smug look finding his face,
"Jeez, If it wasn't for the fact I already know you; I would've thought this was an alcoholic."
"Oh, shut it. You were about to gargle the ale you supposedly didn't like at all." Lina took another swig,
Brokk chuckled, watching them with amusement. "You two seem different from most adventurers. What brings you all the way to Svartalfheim?"
Dante paused, glancing at Lina before he answered. "Let's just say... we're looking for a friend of mine of ours."
Brokk nodded knowingly. "A noble cause. You'll need strength, courage, and allies. And something tells me you both have plenty of each." He raised his mug in a toast. "Luck to the strangers!"
Dante and Lina glanced one more time at each other, and Dante grinned cheerfully, grabbing his untouched mug of Ale. "Cheers to you, stranger."
Lina can only laugh, "Luck to you back, stranger."
Minutes later, Dante and Lina would find themselves stuffed and stuck in their seat. Lina murmuring in bliss after the meal they wanted for so long, while Dante is already blowing a bubble out of his nose.
"If that was some sort of poison the food had while eating this, I think this is a very blissful death." Lina sighed happily, making Brokk laugh loudly. "That's wonderful!"
"Well, what are you both going to do now?" Brokk put a hand on his cheek, a curious look in his eyes.
"Well."
"Have you seen a woman with a short Kimono, with armor on her shoulder and waist, with a katana on her hip, and has brown hair and purple eyes?" Dante grabbed a tooth pick, picking out the left overs left in his pearly white's.
"O-oh? I think I have." The Dwarve mused, bringing Dante's attention, "Actually?"
"Yeah. She happens to be just—"
However, the Dwarves fall silent at the distant sound of ravens, their chatter abruptly cut off. The faint cawing of the birds echoes through the air, sharp and unsettling, as if the very sky had shifted. Even Lina, who had been busy brushing herself off and grumbling from her awkward fall, freezes in place. Her gaze shifts instinctively toward the sky, eyes narrowing. The air seems to thicken with an ominous presence.
Brokk and Lina exchange uneasy glances, their faces tightening with a mixture of apprehension and recognition. One of them mutters something under his breath, barely audible, as if invoking some old warning. The once peaceful atmosphere now feels heavy, the quiet anticipation of something unknown creeping over them like a storm on the horizon.
Dante's posture tightens and tenses. "What's going on?" He murmurs, his voice barely more than a whisper, as if he too could understand the shift in the air. Dante, ever observant, watches closely, his expression shifting to one of quiet understanding.
And then. A raven lands on the window of Brokk's tavern. Eyeing down the three.
"The All-Father's bird, Huginn..." Brokk shivered, and alarmed the words out loud.
"He's here!"