After about five more weeks of rest together with his routine daily activities, Rey was able to make a complete recovery.
Now, he looked at his health bar as it was completely filled up and smiled.
He woke up this morning, feeling very refreshed. So rejuvenated that he got into working out immediately.
He had missed his exercise and keeping in shape, and now he had quite some fat to burn before he could return to what he remembered of himself.
Push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups etc. Rey did all of them but not as effectively as he would expect of himself.
If anything, he was disgusted that he couldn't complete a fourth of his normal routine.
However, it was only a matter of time before he would return to the level of physicality he was used to..
Rey was excited for the day. He simply couldn't wait to step outside of this room after a long time of being bedridden.
It was time for him to go outside—time for him to meet the dwarf clan filled with brownbeards that showed his utmost hospitality despite not being one of theirs.
…The Brownbeard Dwarf Clan.
He freshened up and then took the specially made cloth which was perfectly tailored for someone of his size.
It was a simple outfit that consisted of a pair of black trousers and a cream-coloured tunic. Though plain and simple, it suited Rey properly and he didn't mind.
Rey stood in front of the mirror that Uncas had helped him set up a few days back. He puffed his cheeks and exhaled, scrutinising his body through his reflection.
He tugged his belly fat and shook his head. One thing was certain, he was definitely going to get rid of that thing in the coming weeks.
Rey fiddled with his hair as he recalled the natural black colour which it once had.
Following the traumatising incident that he was forced to witness, Rey's hair turned white from the extreme stress he went through that period.
He didn't particularly hate this white colour. To him, the white hair matched even more perfectly with his green eyes and also served as a sign of a new beginning for him.
Rey was just nostalgic since his black hair was what he was more familiar with.
Taking a few deep breaths to rest his mind, Rey tied his hair into a bun and not long after he was done, that familiar knock on his door came again.
Uncas walked into the room and unlike before, he took a moment before speaking.
He observed Rey's transformation briefly, amazed how the person standing in front of him was the same person who was standing between the World of the Living and the Dead not so long ago.
Uncas' lips curled into a smile and he gave Rey a thumbs up, approving his new look.
Rey smiled back at him and nodded. "Thank you, Uncas."
Uncas clapped once and rubbed his palms together.
"Anyways, are you ready? Papa is waiting for us."
Rey bobbed his head in agreement.
Today was bound to come and he knew it.
They weren't going to treat him only to let him go just like that.
That would be a dent in their hospitality if they did not introduce Rey to the entire clan.
As if noticed the small tension that was building up inside of Rey, Uncas spoke to calm his nerves.
"Don't think too much about it. It's just a bunch of old men and before you know it, you would be drunk shitless on ale to even care what any of us think about you, hahaha!"
Uncas opened the door halfway and moved to head out first, but not before making a final remark that left a warm smile on Rey's face, further pushing him to want to attend the ceremony being held in his honour.
"Moreover, I'm sure they are going to love you."
******
"Oww!" Rey lamented for the umpteenth time as he and Uncas traversed the tunnel network of the Brownbeard Dwarf Clan.
It was obvious that this part of their architecture did not account for other races seeing how frequently Rey bumped his head into the roofs of these tunnels since he was taller than what they could accommodate.
"Hey, Uncas! Did you guys not consider other races visiting when these tunnels were made?!" Rey cried out as he bumped his head into yet another rocky roof once again, eliciting a peal of laughter from his guide—Uncas Brownbeard.
His head gleamed red with bruises and Uncas continued to apologise for this as they walked towards the venue for the said ceremony.
Rey's agony came to an end as soon as they stepped out of the tunnel.
He felt very relieved and relaxed now that he did not need to bend his neck so much any longer.
Unlike what Rey had envisioned from the minute exposure that he received, the inner network of this particular place was even more marvellous to behold.
It spoke volumes of the mining and earth-crafting skills of these dwarves.
Rey's lips parted as he turned ever so frequently to catch a glimpse of every corner of this place.
Despite how crude it was to the eyes, it was like Rey was looking at an advancement of a species that was quite similar to a beehive… no, even more alluring to behold.
"Woah! This is… beautiful!"
Uncas put his hands on his waist, threw his chest forward and filled it with his innate pride as a dwarf as he listened to the half-elf's compliment.
"And to think it's so many years now since these were made."
Rey looked at Uncas with disbelief, only for the latter to further cement his claim with a nod.
"My ancestors and their ancestors before them have lived inside these mountains for ages. It is our home and our safe place from the destroyers of the world outside."
Rey's eyes lit up as a memory was triggered. He recalled his conversation with Eragon, his father and immediately, he knew just who Uncas was referring to as the destroyers of the outside world.
"Humans," Rey muttered.
"They have tried but have been unable to find this place. Hahaha, perhaps they wouldn't believe that people would live inside of mountains and not on them or around them."
Rey shrugged, trying his best to not reveal his past through his expression.
"Even I find it hard to believe as I'm standing here right now."
"Hahaha!" Uncas burst out laughing. "Then thank the Twin Gods of the Dwarves and the Holy Mother of the Earth and Nature as well as my ancestors."
Before long the dwarf started to move while still speaking.
"Let's go. We are already late."