NABC Chapter 58 – Aurora
Chapter 58 – Aurora
Chapter 58 – Aurora
---I'll try and skip the constant thank yous since I know it can get a little boring but once again, we've made the trending page and are 2nd! First time I've mentioned this since we've been on it a few times now but seriously, thanks once again for all your support!
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"Ikarus-sama and Petra-sama!"
"Looks like you two are here"
The knight and priestess seem have arrived here before us, it was a good thing to try and catch the train a bit earlier since there was a problem, we couldn't actually get on the first few trains since it seemed to be peak dwarven rush hour times. The train we did end up getting on was fully packed and was a terrible experience, thankfully that's over now though.
"Did you two enjoy yourselves?"
"Yes Ikarus-sama, the temples were most excellent"
"There's a surprising amount to do in this kingdom, we also went shopping and did some other things too"
They're also holding hands but so am I and Petra, I wonder if their relationship has developed any further since then. It probably hasn't but I won't ask about it, they'd get too embarrassed over the whole thing like usual.
"Good to hear then, shall we head on over the bridge?"
"Okay Ikarus-sama"
(Nathan) "Yeah, time to go then"
(Petra) "Let's get a move on"
It's now officially time to leave to dwarven kingdom, what a weird experience, mostly down to the gnome and Petra being Petra, not that it was a bad thing...
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"Erm, you three see that?"
"Yes Ikarus-sama, that's a big animal"
(Nathan) "That's a bloody big bear"
(Petra) "He is slightly on the large side"
During our flight over to the city of Aurora, we've just noticed a huge bear sleeping on the floor in a small opening in the pine woods. This guy is larger than me and I'm basically an elephant, he's that big. He also appears to look slightly red, unknown if it's his blood or he's become stained from killing other creatures, he looks really dangerous regardless.
"I'm going to get a closer look"
Of course, I want to give him a quick look if he's dangerous, what the point in having no danger in life? We haven't been in much combat recently, need to force a fight or two every now and then.
While still flying in the sky, I descend down a lot till I'm just hovering over the gigantic sleeping bear, I'm still far enough away to be safe but I need to get a proper look at him.
'Status'
[Name: _____ | Species: Bear | Level: 378]
[Health 40,000/40,000]
[Stamina 24,810/26,150]
[Magicka 0/0]
'Damn, that's a beefy bear, this guy must work out everyday or something'
[
'You don't have to do that unless I ask Aesa but thanks anyway. Still, this guy could be a good test for something'
This does seem like an opportunity though to have a proper test of my giant ability; I've used it once or twice on enemies that have been too weak but the effect it provided was too much.
Simply put, it was overkill. The wolf I previously used it on exploded after I applied the ability to a kick. Yeah, I'm not kidding, the poor creature literally exploded everywhere after the kick, went all over me and had to find water to bathe in afterwards. Gross.
Still want to give it a try though, maybe it might not be overkill since this guy has forty-thousand HP.
"Oi, you three alright if I kill this guy?"
"Of course Ikarus-sama"
"Why wouldn't we be?"
"..."
I guess those two are fine with it, Petra does seem to get quieter with other people but I know for a fact it's nothing like social anxiety, she's normally not that talkative when it comes to things like small talk unless I'm the one asking first. Maybe to other people it could come across as a little rude but I understand her reasons for it though.
Since she doesn't give an answer, she's definitely alright with me doing it as well. I then find a safe place to land a bit away and everyone gets off my back, Petra now has something to say it seems though.
"If it doesn't kill it first hit, use my version as well, that should finish it off"
Ah right, can't forget she's got it as well. I've always got her to back me up, the other two as well but they're just the empire's puppets after all, unsure if I feel sorry for them or not.
"Just call for help and we'll provide it Ikarus-sama, summon"
"Yeah, we'll still be here"
They've just offered to help now as well, too little, too late. Priestess has gotten her sword of light out though.
All four of us walk into viewing distance of the bear, they stop while I keep slowly walking on. The guy looks even bigger now than he did in the sky.
'Aesa, activate aspect of gigantomachy'
[
(Charlotte) "I don't think elves hate humans so they should just let us in"
The elves on guard standing on top of the gigantic circular wall that surrounds this side of the city haven't given us any attention, it's almost as if they'd rather we just turn away and aren't even giving us any acknowledgment.
Petra doesn't give me a response and steps forward though and goes to place a hand on the door.
"Halt! Don't lay your hands on our spectacular door!"
"Open the door then"
"We're currently not allowing visitors"
"Tell your superior a blind woman wishes to shop; he'll know what it means"
After Petra finishes speaking to the guard elf on the wall, she walks back to us and doesn't say anything to follow it up.
"Petra, what was that?"
"Just give it a minute Ikarus, it's not that much really"
The guard who was talking has now disappeared from site, he's clearly gone to fetch someone in command. The only thing I can think of now is Petra is known over here as well, why else would she say that to the guard?
She does come out with some weird things but that probably makes me like her even more, my tastes are definitely odd after all. Would hold hands again but might need them if the elves decide to attack us, got my blade ready at any time placed in my sheath. I'm sure it's crying out for some action.
It takes a minute but then a muffled voice can be heard behind the door.
"O--n -he -at-!"
The large rounded door slowly starts lowering into the earth and an elf in painted fancy armour stands ahead of us alone.
"Apologies to the hero, you haven't returned in so long, the new recruits working the wall weren't aware of your existence"
Hero? Petra seriously gets about way too much, the dwarves love her and the elves see her as a hero, it's surprising she's barely known in the empire but then again, she dislikes them immensely so it's understandable.
I'm guessing the elven arrogance stereotype isn't a thing here? It might still be but unknown just yet.
"Just forget about it and let's move on, are Zander and Elise still alive?"
"Both the lord and lady of Aurora are well and happy; they both celebrated their anniversary several days ago thinking about it"
"Oh, they got married then? They definitely suit each other's tastes"
"It was a while ago, welcome back to Aurora anyway... To hero Petra's travelling companions, we ask you try to remain civil while inside the city and to try and ignore any abuse you may receive. Not every elf has such open-minded views on humans"
Oh, I was wrong then, elven arrogance is a bit of a thing. I should be able to control myself from killing a racist elf though. I should, that's not a guarantee though.
"Do you lot still hate the other tribes as well?"
"Don't even get me started on that, we as a species can be too prideful even to our kin. Dark elves in particular seem to be the trend to hate right now"
"Heh, you lot did always hate yourselves"
"I know, still try and enjoy the city regardless. Welcome to Aurora everyone, the only problem with the glorious city itself is the people that live here"
"Heh"
Of course, us three are a little speechless at their conversation that just went down, having Petra around always provides its benefits and getting to witness odd scenes like this.
The guy just speaking to us leaves as well and we then enter the glorious city of Aurora, let's play spot the racist elf, we got away with the one at the entrance so we might be getting lucky but doubt it. Is it racist if they hate their own type of sub-species though?
While we're walking and admiring the absolute madness that is this city itself, I can't help be curious, those other two seem speechless viewing this place right now though.
"Who are those two you said about anyway? Zander and, can't remember the other name"
"Elise, just two acquaintances travelled with years ago, they took up leadership of this tribe after we parted ways it seems"
"You want to pay them a visit?"
"Not really, we were never that close, it was just business after all"
She doesn't sound all that happy talking about it, that's something else that is blacklisted from talking about. I really don't like seeing her recollect on her troubled past so the more we can avoid it, the better.
"What should we do now then?"
"It might be best to find an inn Ikarus-sama, it is starting to get late"
"Yeah, it would be best"
"..."
I guess we're finding an inn then, we can try exploring the city tomorrow on our tourist vacation of the elven lands. After this, we really should head back to the capital.
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We all find a suitable inn to stay at and as we enter, two faces sitting at a table seem very familiar, unsure where from though.
"Petra, don't those faces look familiar?"
I purposely whisper it into her ear, don't want people we're walking past to know we're talking about them. She also whispers back.
"Yeah Ikarus, they look strikingly similar to the elves in the desert dungeon"
Wait a second, that's why I recognize them!? They were those two elves, the fuckers we fought against for six months?
I've got to speak to them, there's got to be a reason they're both here...