Back To The Capital Part 2

Syvis and I entered the dimly lit room of the inn. The flickering candlelight painted dancing shadows on the walls as we settled in. It was a moment to finally talk about the surreal events that had transpired within the portal. We exchanged a glance, both of us carrying a mix of bewilderment and concern in our eyes. It was hard to believe that while we had experienced only a couple of hours in that strange interdimensional portal, a staggering eight months had slipped away in the world we had left behind. The heavyweight of eight months lost was almost too much to bear, and as we sat down on the edge of the bed.

"So... eight months," I began, my voice laden with the incredulity that I felt, "I can't wrap my head around it. We were trapped in that portal for just a couple of hours, yet..."

Syvis nodded her expression, a mix of pensiveness and contemplation, "So time dilation is a real phenomenon. It's a concept I've read about but never thought it really existed. If what Selgoth said is true, [Zrephia's] royal family were capable of incredible things. To think that in ancient times, there were people capable of using magic like that is astonishing."

I sighed, running my hand through my hair, "I just... I can't believe we missed so much. My mother must have been devastated when she thought I was gone. My friends too... everyone we know back home must think we're... gone. Dead."

My heart sank at the thought of my mother, the woman who had raised me single-handedly after my father's ****. The pain she must be feeling, the grief that had been thrust upon her. Damn... I wish I could let her know I'm okay as soon as possible.

"I can't even imagine what she's going through," I murmured, my voice cracking with emotion, "My mother already lost my father, and now she must believe she's lost me too."

Syvis reached out, placing her hand gently on mine, "I know, Darx. It's heartbreaking to think about. But we're back now, and we can make things right. We'll explain everything to them."

"You're right... We need to let them know we're okay. That we're coming back."

As we spoke, I could feel Syvis's genuine concern for my well-being. Syvis hugged me with one hand as she rested her head with mine. It was the first time since we left the cave that she was affectionate towards me, which made me feel good and gave me hope that whatever was troubling her would soon be resolved, and we could go back to how we were before.

"We should rest," Syvis suggested, "We've been through a lot. Tomorrow, we can look for a carriage to take us to Riledo."

I nodded in agreement, knowing that a clear mind would be necessary for the journey that awaited us. The room offered only a single bed, a detail that didn't escape my notice. As Syvis and I stood there, the implications of that fact lingered in the air, unspoken yet palpable. So much has happened that it truly feels like forever since we slept together.

Syvis was about to start taking off her clothes when she suddenly stopped, "D-Darx, could you blow out the candles."

I noticed Syvis's gaze drifting as if her mind was wandering somewhere else. It was strange, but before I could inquire further, she spoke up, her tone a mix of melancholy and regret, "Please..."

"Ah? S-S-ure.." I reply.

Does Syvis feel embarrassed? How strange; it's not like it's the first time I've seen her naked. Even when we did it for the first time, she wasn't embarrassed to show me her nude body. I did what she asked me to do and put out the candles. Among the shadows, I could hear the sound of Syvis getting undressed.

I turned around, and I could barely see a thing, but the silhouette of her hourglass figure was still visible against the faint light that filtered through the window. From her clothes on the floor, I can assume she is only in her underwear now. At this point, I had seen her naked many times, and yet, the sight of her still managed to take my breath away. I immediately felt how my member began to react. I was about to approach her when Syvis, in a quick movement, got into the bed. To which followed suit, my body still humming with desire.

As we settled into bed, the warmth of the blankets wrapped us. There in the darkness, I tried to slowly get closer to her, feeling my heart racing. I could feel the heat emanating from her body. I dared to reach out. I wanted to hold her, to find that connection we had always shared. But the moment my arm encircled her, she flinched ever so slightly, a subtle movement that spoke volumes.

"I'm really tired, Darx," she whispered, her voice carrying a fragile tone, "I just want to sleep."

It was a rejection draped in soft words, a message that stung despite its gentleness. With a heavy heart, I withdrew my arm, feeling the abyss between us widening.

"O-Of course," I managed, my voice a mere whisper, "Sleep well."

Her gaze met mine for a moment, and for an instant, I saw a hint of guilt in her eyes, "You too, Darx."

And so, with the space between us as vast as the uncharted lands we had traversed. Syvis is next to me, but for some reason, it feels like she's far away from me. I closed my eyes, surrendering to the embrace of sleep. Now that I'm going to sleep, I'm going to take the opportunity to talk with Ophelia, or rather Zaine, which seems to be her real name. I have so many questions, and maybe she can guide me in the right direction.

..............

The first light of dawn peeked through the curtains, gradually pulling me from the depths of sleep. As consciousness returned, I realized I was alone in bed. My eyes swept the room, finding Syvis by the window, looking at what was happening outside. She was already dressed and practically ready to go. In addition, I noticed that next to her was an empty bottle of the orange potion she drinks.

I cleared my throat, drawing her attention, "Morning," I greeted softly.

She turned to me, her lips curving into a tired smile, "Good morning, Darx. I thought I'd let you rest a bit longer."

Rising from the bed, I stretched my stiff limbs, "We should start getting ready. We need to find a way back to the capital."

Syvis nodded in agreement, her expression turning more determined, "Right. Let's get going."

While I was getting dressed, I remembered that at night, I had the intention of speaking with Zaine; however, it didn't happen. Since I discovered how to do it, it was always easy for me to meet her. I just had to go to sleep thinking that I wanted to meet her and as soon as I fell asleep I found myself in front of her. However, this time it didn't happen. What the goddess did to me caused this!? It can't be... but it's true that I can't feel Zeine at all. I need to try again tonight. No matter what the goddess told me, I can't leave Zeine alone in that place.

Once ready, we left the inn and stepped out into the town. The village was already bustling with activity, villagers going about their daily routines. Syvis and I exchanged glances, silently acknowledging that our journey back to the capital had begun. After asking a few locals for a quick way back to the Riledo, we were directed to a man named Franks.

We walked for a while until we found him. As we approached him, I noticed his hair and beard, a mix of black and white. He looked like a man in his 50s wearing a beret.

"Excuse me," I began, addressing him with a polite tone, "Are you Franks?"

He turned to us, his eyes assessing us briefly, "Aye, that's me. What can I do for you two?"

"We're looking for a way to get to the capital," Syvis explained, "We heard you have a carriage."

Franks scratched his chin thoughtfully, "Aye, that's right. I've got business there and plan to leave soon. But it won't be a short trip, mind you."

I nodded, "We're aware. We're willing to pay for passage."

Franks nodded in approval, then eyed us appraisingly, "You two adventurers?"

I exchanged a glance with Syvis, then nodded, "Yes, we are."

A glint of shrewdness appeared in Franks' eyes, "Good. In that case, I'll make you a deal. I'll take you to the capital for a silver coin, but I also expect you to help protect the carriage in case we run into any trouble on the road."

Syvis and I shared a look, silently agreeing that this was a fair arrangement, "You've got a deal," I said firmly.

Franks extended his hand, and I shook it firmly, "Good. We'll leave in an hour. Meet me at the village exit by then."

As Franks walked away, I turned to Syvis, "Looks like we have a ride."

She smiled, "Yeah, and it's not a bad deal considering the circumstances."

We had an hour before departure, so we decided to make the most of it. We scouted the village for supplies, gathering food, water, and whatever else we deemed necessary for the journey. It felt good to have a clear objective, something tangible to focus on amidst the uncertainty.

With our preparations complete, we made our way to the designated meeting point. As we approached, my eyes fell on Frank, who was already preparing the horses and the carriage for departure. However, what caught me off guard were the three additional figures standing beside him.

A man and a woman—who appeared to be in their forties or fifties. The woman had long brown hair, and despite a few wrinkles on her face, she was still remarkably pretty. She wore a purple dress that reached below her knees and covered a large part of her body, revealing only a bit of her cleavage. Plus, she had some jewelry that somehow made her have an air of elegance about her. As we got closer to them, I noticed that she was not very tall, probably a bit shorter than average.

While the man beside her, holding her by the waist, had a seasoned look.

His light green eyes looked sharp and calculating. He had short, graying black hair and a well-trimmed beard. In addition, he was clearly in good shape, with a lean, muscular build that suggested he was no stranger to physical activity. His attire reminds me of what hunters usually wear with light clothing and only a vest and leather gauntlets as protection to be able to move quickly and stealthily through the woods. Another thing that makes me think that he is a hunter or an adventurer is that he holds a bow in his free hand, and on his back, he carries several arrows.

Next to them stood a younger man, probably just a bit older than me, with a friendly and carefree demeanor, carrying a marten on his shoulder. He seems a bit tall, with light brown hair that covers one of his eyes. He was wearing a dark green hood that covered much of his body and only revealed his face.

As we approached, I exchanged a quick glance with Syvis, the surprise mirrored in her eyes. We had anticipated traveling alone, not in the company of others. Frank noticed our arrival and turned to greet us.

"Ah, you're right on time," Frank greeted with a grin, "Let me introduce you to your fellow travelers. This is Shianne and Harris," He gestured to the couple, "And this here is Craig."

Shianne offered a warm smile, "Pleasure to meet you both."

Harris nodded in agreement, his gaze shrewd as he assessed us, "I take you two are adventurers as well?"

I exchanged a look with Syvis before nodding, "Yes, we are."

Craig, the young man with the marten on his shoulder, stepped forward with a smile, "Hey there, I'm Craig. And the little friend on my shoulder is called Mira. Nice to meet you both."

Even though his greeting was for both of us, Craig's eyes remained fixed on Syvis, "You're a Dark Elf, aren't you!? It's my first time seeing a Dark Elf," Craig then leaned forward, eager to engage Syvis in conversation, "Even though it's my first time seeing a Dark Elf, I have to say I'm impressed. You are beautiful!"

Before I said anything, Syvis's voice cut through, her tone firm, "I'm Syvis, and as you can see, I'm traveling with my boyfriend, so I hope you won't cause us any problems. Otherwise, I will not hesitate to throw you out of the carriage and leave you in the middle of the road."

Craig's grin faltered slightly, and he quickly cleared his throat, "Oh, m-my apologies. Didn't mean to overstep. My intention was not that, I promise!

Craig seemed sincere, so I just said, "My name is Darx. Nice to meet you."

Craig turned to see me, and with his smile back, he replied, "Nice to meet you both."

The awkwardness hung in the air for a moment before Harris broke the silence, "Well, since now we all know each other, why don't we get in the carriage and start the long journey."

With introductions out of the way, we climbed into the carriage. Frank took his position outside, ready to guide the horses. The interior of the carriage felt a bit cramped with all of us inside. Still, it was a small price to pay to be able to reach the capital soon and find my mother. Syvis and I sat to one side while Craig, Shianne, and Harris sat across from us.

Inside the carriage, with the rhythmic clatter of wheels against the road beneath us, the atmosphere quickly shifted from the initial awkwardness to a lively exchange of words. Craig, being the one, seemed to want to talk the most.

"So, folks," Craig began, his eyes twinkling with curiosity, "What brought you to that coastal village? Vacation? A quest?"

Shianne, her eyes alight, "Ah, the coastal village. It's been a dream of mine to visit those beaches ever since I heard about that place in the capital. Harris here," She affectionately squeezed her husband's hand, "Finally gave in to my persistent requests, and we spent a glorious three weeks there."

Harris chuckled, shaking his head, "Well, they say, happy wife, happy life, don't they? But it was a wonderful time, indeed. Now, it's back to the capital for us."

"You two are adventurers, right!?" Craig asked.

Shianne was the first to answer Craig's question, "In my youth, I was indeed an adventurer in a not-very notorious guild, but when I got pregnant with my first daughter, I decided to retire. Now, I'm a housewife. However, I occasionally accept contracts to teach newly awakened earth or dark mages of the children of nobles looking for a magic tutor."

"Ohh, that's cool!" Craig expressed, "And you Harris? Are you also retired?"

"I'm in a guild, although most of the time, I get contracts elsewhere from groups outside the guild that need someone with my qualities," Harris replies, keeping his arms crossed.

Craig nodded, seemingly content with the answer, "Sounds great! He then turned to me and Syvis, his eyes bright with curiosity, "And what about you two? What's your story?"

I know Syvis, and I know that she didn't look very eager to talk, but I suppose she thought that the sooner she spoke, the sooner her interrogation would finish, "I'm from a guild called Oblivion. I was here on a quest, and now that I'm done, I'm going back to the capital." She started simply not giving many details.

Craig's eyes widened with surprise, and it was clear that Shianne and Harris were equally taken aback, "Oblivion!? That's one of the top guilds! The rumors about your guild are pretty wild. I always thought the members of Oblivion were just conceited nobles with big egos. However, you give me the impression of just being a calm and talented adventurer." He said that while chuckled and playfully nudged his marten companion.

I could see the discomfort on Syvis's face at Craig's over-enthusiasm for her, so I decided to subtly interrupt to change the course of the conversation before Syvis got annoyed and threw Craig out of the carriage.

"And what about you, Craig? What's your story? You also seem to be an adventurer, don't you?" I asked.

As the spotlight shifted to him, Craig leaned back, his easygoing smile never fading. Her marten, Mira, skittered down his arm and onto his lap, where she nestled comfortably.

"Well," Craig began, his tone casual, "I've always had a knack for being outdoors. Grew up in Forest Rim, a cozy little village tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Spent most of my time as a kid exploring the forests, studying nature, and getting to know the wildlife around there." Craig's eyes sparkled with nostalgia, and he absently stroked Mira's soft fur, "My parents probably had more gray hairs from worrying about me than from old age."

"Folks in my village started to appreciate my knack for knowing the lay of the land. So, I'd tag along on foraging or hunting parties, lend a hand, and get a haul cut to take home to my parents. Then, I met Mirdinna. She was a friend of the family and a D-Rank Rogue. She said she wanted to train me since she didn't make it as an adventurer herself. Old Charles taught her to be a huntress when she was young, and she wanted to do the same for me. Mirdinna taught me a lot, especially how to be quiet and keen like a Rogue."

His gaze turned introspective, perhaps reminiscing, "Time flew by, and before I knew it, I was leaving for the awakening ceremony in Riledo. Craig's smile returned, brighter than ever, as he concluded, "In the ritual, I received the well welcome C-Rank and the Beast Tamer class.

"Besides, I'm a member of the Gryphon Knights. Not as well known as Oblivion, but we have a good reputation in the capital, you know." His words were delivered with a touch of pride, though not arrogance.

When I asked, I was not expecting him to divulge his entire life story. Despite my initial surprise, I couldn't help but notice the passion in his voice as he recounted his experiences. It was evident that he genuinely enjoyed what he did and was proud of his accomplishments. Although he may seem somewhat frivolous, for some reason, I didn't feel any sense of distrust towards him. Knowing these three people makes me think that it will be a long road, but I don't think it will be boring.

"What about you, Darx?" Shianne asked with a smile, "What can you tell us about yourself? Now that I look closely, your eye color is quite unusual. Is it some trait of your class or something like that?"

"Ah, no... W-Well, I'm a member of the Midnight Dawn guild. And just like Syvis, I was here doing a quest, too." I reply.

"So, Midnight Dawn," Shianne said, "That is also a famous guild. I've heard it has a declining reputation, but it is still a well-respected guild. I imagine you're a good-level adventurer to have been accepted into a guild like that."

"Midnight Dawn, it's a great guild, and I hope I can help the guild regain the importance it once had," I said, concluding my speech.

"That's all you going to say about you? Come on, man. Tell us more about yourself. What's your rank, your class, where do you come from?" Craig said, showing interest in me.

"Mmm..., my situation is a bit weird. I'm a C-Rank adventurer, and my class, well, I guess I don't have a class as such."

"What do you mean when you say you don't have class? It should be written on your adventure card." Craig said, looking confused.

"Maybe it's not something Darx feels comfortable sharing. Don't push him too hard if he doesn't want to say." Shianne told Craig.

"Oh, no... that's not it. It's just that I really don't have class. It didn't show up on my adventurer card." I expressed.

"Ah? How? Is that true?" Craig questioned.

"I've never heard of that," Harris said as he scratched at his beard, "Could you let me see your card? I'm curious."

"S-Sure..."

I took my card out of my magic bag and passed it to Harris. Harris, his wife, and Craig curiously brought their faces closer to see my card.

"It's true!" Craig said, sounding surprised.

"Oh, your rank is also not C like you said," Shianne added, "You are a B-Rank."

"What? L-Let me see..." I said, surprised.

Come to think of it, I haven't checked my adventurer card in quite a while. I took my card from Harris's hands, and as they said, my rank was no longer C but B. Also, while inspecting my card, I saw I had a new skill. A skill named "Goddess's Gift of Mastery"

What is this skill?