The Unbound's Hideout
The room reverberated with cheers after the thunderous dap between Omfry and Dreados. The air was alive with laughter and conversations as the Unbound celebrated their camaraderie. Valerius and Eryndor remained sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain, their wide eyes taking in the surreal scene. This was no place for mortals like them—a gathering of titans in a league far beyond comprehension.
Dreados released Omfry's massive hand, his sharp gaze cutting through the noise like a blade. His voice, smooth yet commanding, rose above the din, instantly silencing the room.
"Today," he began, his tone heavy with authority, "I stumbled upon treasures of immeasurable worth. Rare and priceless ones at that. I discovered an Elvhein who can decipher the ancient script."
The silence that followed was almost deafening. Every eye in the room turned toward him, expressions ranging from disbelief to intrigue.
Omfry's booming laughter broke through the tension. "Dreados," he said with a grin, "since when did you start telling jokes?"
The room erupted into laughter, a few voices chiming in mockingly.
"Who knew Dreados had a sense of humor?" remarked a humanoid slime woman, her translucent body shimmering as she chuckled.
Dreados remained motionless, his gaze fixed on Omfry, his expression unyielding. The laughter began to wane as the weight of his silence pressed down on the room. Omfry's grin faded, and his fiery eyes narrowed.
"You're serious?" Omfry asked, his tone low and cautious.
Dreados nodded, his voice steady and sharp. "Without a shred of doubt. There was a girl in the Elvhein castle who claimed to read the ancient runes. I saw no reason to believe her until I sought confirmation from one who cannot be deceived. She spoke the truth."
His words were laced with recollection. In his mind, he saw the scene clearly: his rotund, disguised form as an Elvhein noble, standing before Hesta in the castle hall. He had asked her with feigned curiosity, "Is she lying?"
Hesta had replied without hesitation, "She's telling the truth."
Dreados returned to the present, his words carrying the weight of that memory.
The room erupted into chaos as the Unbound began speaking over one another.
"What?!"
"An Elvhein who can read the script?"
"Do you know what this means?!"
"Quiet!" Dreados thundered, his voice shaking the walls. Silence descended once more, the room hanging on his every word.
Turning to Omfry, Dreados continued. "The girl is with Anuel. However, I have her brothers here. Since they are family, it's likely they share the same knowledge."
On the ground, Valerius and Eryndor exchanged uneasy glances, straining to listen despite the pain wracking their bodies.
Omfry's fiery gaze met Dreados's, his lips curling into a contemplative smile. "If this is true," he rumbled, "then we hold the key to unlocking the ancient ruins. Their secrets will belong to us alone."
Dreados inclined his head. "Precisely. But this knowledge must not escape these walls. If word spreads, others will come for them, and we cannot afford that risk."
---
Silvie's Curiosity
As the room quieted, Silvie approached Valerius, her suit retracting in a series of fluid motions until only the underlying layer remained. She knelt beside him, her expression curious but cautious.
"You're an Earther, right?" she asked softly, her eyes studying him. "These people… they're bad, no doubt about it. But from what I've seen, they care about their own. So… where did you spawn?"
Valerius winced, adjusting his position. "Spawn?" he repeated, confusion etched on his face.
"Yes," Silvie said with a faint smile. "It's what I'm calling it. I've heard others spawned in different places. So… where did you appear?"
"I don't know," Valerius replied after a pause. "It was a barren land. There were a lot of trees farther away."
Silvie's eyes lit up with recognition. "Maybe we spawned in the same place. I remember trees too. I don't know how you ended up in Ignir, so far from where we spawned, but you're lucky. After we scattered, a lot of us were captured by the Unbound…"
She turned, pointing toward Beily, whose four-armed frame loomed in the background. "See him? He's the one who kidnapped me. He wanted more of us, but other Unbound groups got in his way. It turned into a bloodbath. I thought I was going to die."
Sitting back, she folded her arms on her knees, her voice softening. "These people here… they're monsters. Their power is beyond anything I've ever seen." She gestured toward Omfry. "See him? That red-skinned guy? He destroyed an entire kingdom by himself just three days ago. If he ever came to Earth, nothing could stop him. Well… maybe a nuke. Even he can't handle that."
Valerius's jaw dropped. "An entire kingdom?"
Silvie nodded grimly. "Completely obliterated. And those two?" She pointed at Beily and Sumshus, who was seated nearby. "They destroyed the elf city together. Be careful, Valerius. We humans need to stick together."
---
Eryndor's Resolve
As she spoke, Eryndor snapped his leg back into place with a loud, sickening crack. Valerius and Silvie jumped, their eyes wide with shock.
"You're a beast," Valerius muttered.
Eryndor turned, grabbing Valerius's leg firmly.
"What are you doing?" Valerius asked, his voice tinged with alarm.
Eryndor's reply was calm, almost indifferent. "Steel yourself, Valerius."
"No! Stop—" Valerius's protest was cut short as Eryndor forcefully snapped his leg into place.
"Aaahh!" Valerius screamed, clutching his leg as his breathing came in sharp gasps.
The room turned to stare at the commotion, murmurs rippling through the gathered Unbound.
---
The Blood Pact
Dreados turned back to Omfry, his tone cold and calculated. "We cannot afford loose ends. If this knowledge leaks, the world will come for them. We must act with absolute certainty."
Omfry crossed his massive arms, his fiery eyes narrowing. "What do you suggest? Words alone won't bind this room."
"A blood pact," Dreados said without hesitation. His sharp gaze pierced through the room, silencing murmurs. "To ensure loyalty and silence, we need Jeriana."
Omfry frowned slightly. "She's on a mission."
Dreados's lips curved into a faint smirk, one laced with menace. "Then summon her. No more delays. This is too important."
Omfry nodded, his towering figure exuding authority as he called for one of the Unbound nearby. "Ensure Jeriana returns immediately."
Dreados turned to a creature standing nearby. His green skin glistened under the dim light, with tentacles draped across his shoulders and webbed digits flexing on his hands. The fins on his arms flared slightly as he stood at attention.
"Alcoos," Dreados said, his voice commanding. "Take the Elf Queen and her daughter to a proper room. They are royalty. Treat them accordingly."
Alcoos stepped forward, his slim yet imposing 11-foot frame towering over the unconscious elves. He grabbed them by their arms, dragging their limp bodies across the floor with ease.
"Alcoos," Dreados snapped, his tone sharp. "Respect, I said."
Without a word, Alcoos adjusted his grip, lifting both Elves onto his shoulders effortlessly. He walked toward a hidden door, pressing a section of the wall that slid open seamlessly. The door closed behind him, leaving no trace it had ever been there.
Omfry turned to the remaining Elvhein siblings. "Someone, put the Elvheins in a cell."
Two humanoid slime beings stepped forward, their gelatinous forms rippling as they reached for Valerius and Eryndor.
"Stop," Dreados ordered, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. His gaze met Omfry's, his tone measured but firm. "It's better to have them join us. Hostility will only breed defiance."
Omfry raised an eyebrow, studying Dreados for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But if they cause trouble, it's on you."
Dreados turned to the slime beings and gestured for them to stand down. "Let them be."
Silvie, who had been observing quietly, knelt closer to the siblings, her curiosity getting the better of her. "You guys are Elvheins?" she asked, her tone incredulous. "How? You look more human than the Elves do. I mean, your brother being huge makes sense now, but you…" She gestured toward Valerius, a teasing grin forming on her lips. "Why are you so small?"
Valerius frowned, his gaze drifting downward to meet hers. "Who are you calling small?" he retorted, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips as he gently bumped her head with his chin. "I'm 6'5", you know."
Silvie scowled, rubbing her head. "Okay, big guy. No need to get sensitive."
Eryndor chuckled softly, breaking the tension.
To Be Continued...