We continue onwards, making sure to arrive by sundown.
Walking through the city was something else, the sights were all so beautiful along the way, with quite a lot of elves living in trees.
We finally arrived at the clan gates, me, Nyyrth, and Neldor.
The two guards at the gate turned towards us, with one of the guards' jaw dropping.
The other puts his hand up to stop us and then speaks. "Halt, this is Zenreirth clan grounds, what is your reasoni-"
He gets interrupted by the other guards shout.
"Silence, newbie!"
The former puts his arms up in protest. "What did I d-"
The latter looks sternly at him before turning to us, and bowing towards Neldor. "Greetings secondary elder Neldor, and the children of primary elder Malith and primary elder Rosonia." He bows yet again and opens the gate along with the other guard, who is now speechless.
I look towards Neldor and ask a questi- ...Never mind, I do not need to make myself any more suspicious.
So... Malith is my father and Rosonia is my mother I presume, apparently they left me and my sister at a young age, it'll be awkward meeting them...
We enter through the gate, and marvel at the surroundings.
The Zenreirth clan is the most traditional clan, being second in reverence towards Azruth, right below the Culsoltus clan. The Culsoltus clan, along with the Long clan and the Zenreirth clan, are the three clans of the Azruth tribe, in foreign lands, our tribe is known as the "Azure Sun Tribe".
I look around, the architecture was... astonishing--to say the least. Houses consisted of only one floor, but were really long. Multiple people seemed to live in these houses, too. The atmosphere was really friendly, like one big family.
Since this is the most traditional clan, we don't like to share our blood, so we breed within the clan only, or so I've heard. Elves don't get genetic mutations from inbreeding, as long as it isn't your sibling or parent--and even that's rare.
I look to the sky, pondering what exactly this means. Does this mean I have to get married to my cousin???
Shaking my head to clear these wandering thoughts, I move onwards, watching uncle Neldor greet each clanmember we come across. He seems to be popular.
"Hahaha, old Karvish, still building your rock collection I see, how childish of you!"
Neldor laughs at a scraggly old man peeking his head out from one of the housing's windows, laughing at how Karvish's face turns red like a tomato before sliding the window shut.
"And you, Folre, don't be laughing like that, lest I mention your 8 rejections to the Elf Academy!"
Folre, a tall elf with long blonde hair's face immediately goes pale at the mention of the 8 rejection, and he quickly hides behind a pillar, following the laughter of multiple elves.
Neldos pats his belly, laughing while wiping tears. "Oh I am so glad to be back!'
"Neldor! It's been a while hasn't it!" An arm wraps around Neldor's shoulder. Turning to the man, my jaw nearly drops.
An astonishing, if I'd have to say, 7'2 man! I knew elves were tall, but this is the tallest I've seen yet. And not only that, he's muscular as well! Women from my past life would be fighting wars for this man! Tall, rich, handsome, noble, with a charming smile, a man made in a woman's image.
Neldor turns to the man and smiles, patting his back. "Primary elder Hagas, it has been a while... 10 years I presume?"
Hagas laughs and claps his hands, before turning to us.
"Woah, these two young elves must be the children of younger brother Malith and younger sister Rosonia!"
He nods, patting our heads. The height difference between us is like an ant compared to a tower!
"uncle Hagas" Nyyrth cries while hugging him. "It's been so long!"
Hagas smiles warmly, looking down at her. "The little girl has grown up, seems she's also learned to respect her uncle!" He laughs, hugging her back.
I smile awkwardly before speaking. "Woah, uncle Hagas, how are you?" I rub my head, hoping I didn't just out myself.
Hagas turns to me, before smiling kindly. "And you must be Thallan, welcome to the clangrounds."
He nods at me before turning to Neldor.
"Okay Neldor, follow me. I'll take you to your rooms'"
He waves his hand, and an azure shaped cloud descends from the sky. He hops on it then beckons to us.
Neldor jumps up first, moaning loudly as he sits down.
"The Azure Solace Cloud, oh how I've missed you." He pets it like a living being before laying down, and smirking at us.
Nyyrth gets on next, with the help of Hagas. And she visibly goes from a happy expression, to an expression of a soldier returning to his bed after years of fighting.
"Ahh, it's so fluffy, and warm, it's like I'm sinking into Lord Azruth's embrace!" She hugs the cloud, closing her eyes and rubbing her head against it.
Oh... Okay, if both of their reactions are like that...
I run, quickly jumping onto it, before landing.
Pain.
Misery.
Fear.
Panic.
Anger.
All those feeling disappeared in an instant.
The silhouette of a tall blue giant appears, his face is blurred. He grabs me, putting me into his embrace, and I return to a fetal position.
I heard the distant voice of my mother, caring for me.
My moment of bliss is ended by a sharp pull, and I fall onto the ground.
Sweat covers my body, and I get up, looking around terribly. It's like I was on the stairs of heaven, and the devil just dragged me back to earth.
"W-Where am I, w-what happened?"
An arm wraps around my shoulder, and I turn to see Neldor smiling at me, with his eyes closed.
"Ah yes, I was just like you when I experienced the Azure Solace Cloud for the first time... That feeling is something you just never forget, it's definitely there up on my list of the greatest moments of my life, next to losing my virginity and learning of my magic and power.
He pushes me forward then continues, walking with Hagas and Nyyrth.
I turn to the Azure cloud, which is now dispersing into the ground, a wave of cool air hits me as it disappears.
...
Terrifying, if I had to say it.
I quickly follow up with both my uncles, and Nyyrth.
Continuing forward to where I'll stay for now.