The scholars.

Arya’s p.o.v.

I have returned again to the light, only to stare at a drawing of myself naked sitting in front of the window. Tristan, like me, was busy last night, but I'm afraid he will be disappointed when the curse is over, and he will see that my breasts aren't that big. But I will let him with his delusion and won’t tell him for now.

I know I have scheduled to go to the guild in the morning, but I shouldn’t arrive too early. This way, If someone has come from the temple or any other place, I let Wendy and Gabriel do all the explaining, and I show up towards the end. They probably want to see Tristan too, so I should arrive at eleven. Gabriel won’t like it, but it was his idea anyway.

Instead, I write a letter to my mother explaining the curse, what has transpired, and why I need to return to the elven kingdom. I leave out the part where I must go to the demon lands. That bit I better explain her face to face.

By the time I finished writing, the busy city had already come back to life, and the post office had probably already opened. It takes me a while to arrive at the post office and send the letter, then I take a walk, and finally, when it is time, I head out toward the guild.

I find Wendy at her usual place at the front desk. She smiles at me, but I notice that the other guild members, as soon as they see me, begin whispering and looking at me intensely. Well, I guess news travels fast, even in human lands. Tristan and I will probably be the subject of gossip for months to come.

“Arya, what took so long? I thought you ran away.” Wendy says as I go near her.

“Well, I have to admit the thought crossed my mind. “I smile at her.” So, any news?” I ask her

“Yes, they are expecting you in Gabriel's office. “

“They already? “I ask her.

“Yes, I don’t know how they arrived here so fast, maybe with the new darwen wind catchers, but a pretty solid lineup awaits you. “

“I better hurry up then,” and I immediately head towards Gabriel's office.

“Yeah, good luck,” I hear Wendy say behind me.

Tree new figures wait for me in Gabriel's office. And he looks at me angry.

“You know we would have a better chance to find a solution for this damn curse if the person being cursed would actually be here.”

“Sorry, I had to send a letter to my mother.” I knew that would make him shut up.

“Anyway, let me present you to the gentlemen present. This is the grand priest of the high temple, Tribor Gottard. He is a short, bald man, has the robes of Goddess Alumna covering him, and carries a dignified look.

“May the Goddess watch over you.” he extends his hand, and I immediately shake it.

“Sorry for disturbing and putting on such a long road your eminence with my carelessness, “I say to him, and he seems pleased with my response. I still need to be respectful and maybe gain some allies.

"We have to help those in need, "he responds.

"This you maybe already know is the high elven ambassador Velal Alandel, "and I remember seeing him at my mother's social parties. He is an old elven man with long white hair that fell on his shoulders.

“I am pleased to meet the ambassador, but I don’t know how your Excellency can help me,” I say to him in elfish.

"I am purely here as a witness at your mother's request to make sure that no proposal goes without your consent."

“I understand. I see news about this has already reached her ears, “I tell him.

“Yesterday evening, I already received orders to present myself here. “

“Thank you, and let’s hope I don’t require your intervention.”

Gabriel is a bit puzzled by our exchange and doesn’t know if we finished talking as we don’t shake hands and see no sign of us greeting each other.

“And the gentleman is? “I ask Gabriel, seeing that he was undecided.

“AAA, the gentleman here is Professor Arthur Sabin from Ambrose University, a most esteemed expert in goblin ology and the study of parasitic magic. “he seems shy and a little scared. I extend my hand to him.

“Please to meet you. Thanks for coming on such short notice.”

“Ha, no problem, it’s okay. I don’t exactly know if I can be of any assistance,” he says, stuttering a little.

The grand priest extends his right hand toward me and begins chanting, and he says.

” “This is the detect ailment spell. If this curse is in the body, it should immediately detect it”.

It doesn't touch me but comes close and then finishes the spell.

"It seems that the body doesn't have any diseases, but I will still cast a cure body spell, "he begins canting again, and this time, he touches my hand.

When he completes his chanting, I feel a tiny itch on my body, and then my body feels rejuvenated as if I had just woken up in the morning.

“So this brood mother, Miss Arya, said anything, particularly when you were fighting her?.”Gottard asked.

“Yes,” and I tell him the whole story since we began the fight.

“Professor Sabin, any thoughts on Arya's recount? The high priest asks."

“Yes, “the professor flinched as he was lost in thought.

"Speak freely, professor," Gabriel says, slightly annoyed by the scholar's hesitance.

“Well, the fact that the brood mother could speak and had the horns means she was in the early stages of transformation. Our research has shown that with time. All women turned brood mothers lose the ability to speak and become feral.”

“How long until the complete transformation occurs”? The elven ambassador asks, who seems bored.

“Well, it is not certain, but three months is the maximum,” Professor Sabin says.

“So what about the abilities to cast spells “? I ask.

“They also lose that ability, which is only logical since they cannot chant anymore.”

“So, how old do you think this brood mother is?” the ambassador asks.

"Wel, considering I don't know what the demon looked like, I would give about one month, "said the professor, looking again at the brood mother's head that until now stood on a chair in the corner of the office

“So, professor, how could goblins overpower and **** a woman demon who seemed very strong, B rank at least?” Gabriel asks.

“It’s not unheard of. Goblins are opportunistic creatures. They would immediately attack if they saw that she was injured or incapacitated.”

“What about the location? We know that this nest was new. The locals saw goblins only one month ago in those caves. Do they bring the brood mothers with them? Gabriel asks again

“No, that hardly occurs if a nest becomes overpopulated. Some goblins leave that nest and travel around until they establish a new one. By doing this, they evolve into hobgoblins, and others into goblins shamans, but they are rare."

“So what area am I looking for? I want to send an adventurer group in the area to look for any sign of battle. Maybe they will find some clues if the demon woman was injured in the area.”

“In one month, I don’t know, 40-50 km they travel primarily at night and dig underground tunnels, so I doubt anybody has seen them “.

“That much, “said Gabriel and went to the office where he had a region map.

“Enough about these wretched beings,” said the grand priest. “Miss Arya, about this dimension, you and this boy are sent. What can you tell us?

“Well, it is complete darkness, and I have the feeling of touch, and I can sense my mana pool, but I don’t seem to breathe and can feel my heartbeat is like time has stopped for my body.”

“The ether realm,” said the priest, seemed to like he was trying to remember something.

“Any success at casting magic in that realm?” this time, the ambassador asked.

"No, I've tried. Even the effect of the dispel darkness potion seemed not to work anymore," I tell them.

“The dispel darkness potion?” asked the priest, who seemed to return from his deep thinking.

“Yes, me and Tristan were under the effect during the fight.”

“Interesting, looks like magical and sensorial contact are completely gone in that world,” the ambassador concluded.

“Yes, but I can move my hand and touch my body. Only the touch sense seems to work, “I say to them.

“Indeed, very strange and, at the same time, very concerning for you two. If the magic cast here is immediately dispelled, any spells and potions given to you are useless.” said the priest.

“Anyway, since that’s the case and my spells don’t detect any ailment or malediction, we shall talk with your companion also and then return to the temple and consult with the other clerics. If any solutions come or a recommendation, we shall inform Gabriel.

"I understand, and thank you for your time and consultation. My companion and I are most grateful." I thanked the priest and thanked the gods it would be over soon. The professor didn't say anything I didn't know, and then the grand priest was as unnecessary as a fifth wheel on a carriage. This time, I really wish mid-day would come sooner and go to that dark dimension and let Tristan deal with them.

"Well, then, we shall wait and see how this curse manifests itself, and miss Arya, if you think of anything new and need the temple assistance, don't hesitate to inform us. You see, ambassador, we didn't do any experiments on the young lady," said the grand priest, smiling at the official.

“Excellent, high priest. I am sure the Arya family will be most grateful and is sure to make a considerable donation to the high temple of Alumna. The ambassador said and then looked at me.

“All that being said, may I have a conversation alone with Miss Arya? We shall also go outside the office and speak with Wendy until noon, “the ambassador added.

“Be my guests,” Gabriel said, mumbling something to himself.

The ambassador opened the door and showed me the way, and I immediately followed as we went to Wendy's, which was expecting us.

“Why is Miss Arya wasting time here? This chaos magic curse is no joke; you must immediately depart for the elven kingdom. He said when we reached Wendy.

“It was my plan also, but someone human husband had another idea, “I say and look at Wendy.

“I am sorry, ambassador, but my idiot husband is a complete stranger to magic. “ I will try and convince him for a week only.

“I don’t like even a 1-day delay on this matter,” The ambassador cut Wendy short.

“Calm yourself, ambassador. I already explained my reasons to my mother. There is no need for rushed words or actions. Even if I return to Ylendel, I doubt something can be done “.

"We will await your mother's decision then? “Asked the ambassador, raising his long eyebrows.

“No, we will respect the promise we made to Gabriel, and after that, even my companion will be convinced that it is pointless to stay here any further, and then, we will return. I remind you that there are two of us in this curse.

"Your mother won't like this plan," Alandel insisted.

“This is between me and my mother, and I think it is time to head back,” I tell them as I see the wall watch.

We head back just in time to wave everybody, and then my body begins glowing.”

Tristan’s p.o.v.

Four figures look at me intensely, and I notice I am in Gabriel's office.

“What the hell? “said a skinny-looking man who seemed startled. “Sorry, high priest,” he then added.

“Please to meet you, my son, “says a bald man who extends his hand towards me.

“I am Tribor Gottard, high priest of the grant temple of Alumna; I understand you are Sonya Silvered, son.

“Yes “and shake his hand. “She’s my mother”

“I fought alongside her in the northern campaigns, and I was very sorry when I heard what happened to her. How is she now? “The priest asked.

“She’s feeling better and can walk now, although I haven’t been home in a while.”

"What a sturdy woman; hey, if there is someone that can beat ****, it's her," the priest smiled at me.

"Yes, "hearing that my mother hasn't been forgotten by the temple and the clerics after all this time makes me a little proud.

“However, I don’t like that you added to her concerns by being cursed in combat.” The priest added.

“It was a difficult situation, grand Priest,” I explain. “We never faced something like this before”

“You had no business being in that situation in the first place. You know how many novices are lost yearly just because they fight an opponent above their rank.”

“Whatever, let me see if, besides bad luck, you have any other maledictions or ailments,” the priest says, extending his hand in front of me.

“Can I ask this young man a question? Hello, I am Professor Sabin from the Ambrose University. Your companion said that you heard the hobgoblin speak. Can you remember his words?

"Suya pitak kalim pitak or something like that “I tell him.

“Never apart, never together looks like my theory is right.”

"Your theory?" asked an old elven man standing further back, who was staring intensely at me like he was trying to dissect my flesh and stare directly at my soul.

“Yes, that the hobgoblins are very intelligent creatures. The fact he understood what the brood mother was doing confirms that.”

“Wait a minute, professor; did you just translate my words? Do you speak goblin?” I ask the professor.

“Well, yes, I know some bits of the goblin language. “

“Wait a minute; do these things have a language? I thought they were just screams and noises,” Gabriel asked.

“Yes, they do, and it is very complex, if I may add.

“Professor, we know that human language derives from the old elven tongue and the dwarven and gnome language is a mixture of both elven and human, so all languages are related somehow. So how was the goblin language formed? “I ask the professor.

"Wow, excellent question, young man. You should come to one of my lectures. Well, that is part of my theory, also. I think the goblin tongue and the goblin themselves originate in the demon lands."

“Demon land, but that’s impossible. They can never cross the boiling sea.” This time, the old elf seemed interested.

“Well, not now, but before it was formed. My theory says that all the sub-races or the parasitic race, whomever you want to call them, goblin, orcs, lizardfolk, beast folk, and others, migrated 10,000 years from the demon lands. Well, not migrated. They were demons themselves who adapted to life here in the sentient being lands. They were demon-kind that evolved into these sub-races.

"So all these goblins are demons, and their language is similar to draconian. “I conclude, well, at least I learned something new even though it doesn't help with the curse.

“Well, learn something new every day. Of course, none of this knowledge goona helps this young man with the curse, “the high priest said, annoyed like he was reading my mind.” Well, I don’t detect any illness in you, and I must be honest here. I don’t know what healer can help you in these cases, be it elven, human, dwarf, or any other. But I will get back to the temple and consult with the others, and if we have any ideas, we will let you know.

“ Arya already expected that this would be the case, but I am still thankful for the support, and when I visit my mother, I tell her that I met the high priest Gottard. I smile at the priest.

“HAHA, very good, my boy, but I doubt she remembers me. I was just a young cleric then.”

“O right, if your tree have finished with the boy, may I take the liberty of walking the boy out, “said the old elf.

“Yeah, I think that will be all for today. If you two join me for lunch, we can further discuss this case,” said Gabriel.

I say goodbye to them and follow behind the high elf as he walks alongside the office and goes next to Wendy, who is sitting at her desk. She gets up as soon as she sees us.

“You finished so soon, “she immediately says.

“A bunch of buffons, boy. You put our young lady in quite a predicament,” the elf said, staring angrily at me. I conclude that he must be related to Arya and can’t figure out how the hell he arrived here so soon from the elven kingdom.

“Ambassador, we discussed this.” Wendy seems frightened as she looks at the old elf.

"O shut it if you should keep a check at that husband of yours like any elven woman." He then says something to Wendy in Elfish. I pick up something about a matriarch but have wholly forgotten my mother's lessons. “So boy, what are your intentions towards our young lady? “he again looks at me.

“Well, I don’t know,” I look at Wendy, hoping she would give a hand as Arya suggested in her letter, but I see she is as startled as me.

“Yeah, you don’t know, and how could a peasant boy who plays adventurer have any clue in the mess he got himself in.”

“OOO, and maybe the noble elf will care to enlighten me,” calling me a peasant. His attitude is starting to annoy me. And what the hell is wrong with Wendy? She just sits there looking at us.

"No, I will leave you to your ignorance, and you should learn your place. When the young lady tells you something, you should take it as a life commitment. That's how things work in the elven kingdom, but you'll learn soon enough. Anyway, I have already grown tired of both of you. "He just goes away, leaving me and Wendy staring at his back.

“Now, what the hell is his problem?” I immediately asked Wendy.

"He is the elven ambassador in the human lands and has close ties with Arya’s family," Wendy tells me.

“Will he be here every day from now on? I don’t understand what he has to do with the curse.”

“Yes, I am afraid we will see him until you two leave. And Tristan, he is very powerful. Don’t try to provoke him. He is right. You are in above your head, “Wendy says to me, almost as if mocking me. I am surprised to see her change in attitude, from the loving Wendy to now this, as if she finally removed her mask and let me see a cold and spiteful woman. In a way, I noticed that she is affectionate and warm only when Arya or Gabriel is around. The times I was alone with her, she seemed indifferent and cold. I meant to ask Arya about it, but seeing that Wendy is her only friend, I didn’t want to start anything weird.

“Whatever I think is time for me to leave also, “and head toward the guild entrance.

“Yeah, you do that,” she says with a cold tone behind me.

Wendy's change in attitude is starting to freak me out. I wonder why she is like this only with me. Maybe this curse is already beginning to bring out the worst in the people around me. The more I think about it, the less sober I should be and head towards my favorite tavern.

I find my old colleagues at the bar and chat with them while expecting the evening to come. I don’t make it time to reach home and begin glowing in the middle of the street.