Rebuild.

A couple days pass on by.

You meet with residents of Castle Phoenix, do more paperwork, make agreements, and gradually the quality of life for everyone is increasing. Construction has begun on the walls, as well as on the buildings that were destroyed. It'll take quite some time, and will be far more than a single project, but eventually there will be homes and shops even better than before, and walls that'll resist even the weight of a hefty transport dragon. In the meantime, you relax, eat, drink, and have fun with the others, finally without a direct and looming threat to your safety.

One day, you wake up, bathe, have breakfast, and stretch your arms as you step out into yet another morning. The air is getting cooler. Many of the trees up in these mountains never fade from green, though you do spot some colour of red and orange like flames amongst the rest across the horizon, at least when you stare through the damage being repaired. Within the walls, there's always a rainbow of foliage thanks to Peony.

You walk down the main street and spot a caravan coming through the front gates, allowed to enter by the guard of Bek, Tom, Mipa, Taiga, and Ariusia who you spot in the vicinity. A number of supplies are being brought through.

"Wow. So this is Castle Phoenix," says a young woman--brunette, with the modest garb of a traveller and merchant. Her words are mostly to herself, but also to the gentleman beside her. At least, he does reply.

"Indeed it is, girl." His voice is deep, and he speaks with a smooth confidence. His attention, however, is hardly on the woman near him. He's garbed himself in a thick woolen cloak, and the hood he wears darkens most of his face. He remains deep in thought until his hardly visible silver eyes shines out towards you. They aren't just vibrant, but actually have a subtle glow likely only visible due to the shadow cast by his garment. "Ah! The Hero-King!" he speaks aloud with a wide smile.

"Good day," you reply. "Come to bring more supplies for the builders?"

Now that he's closer, you can see that his flesh is blue. The ears, mostly concealed by his hood, appear elven at first, though you notice soon after they're webbed--shaped more like the fins of a fish. His hair is deep magenta and slicked back, and he boasts a stylish curled moustache and goatee. He appears like a figure from the deep sea, covered in vibrant coral, though it seems that he continues to hide much of himself despite knowing fully that his face is exposed.

When he speaks, it's with a subtle accent you've yet to hear. It reminds you somewhat of one from Spain, though language here in Absoterra has been strange enough for you to comprehend. Your mind was forcefully given knowledge of how to speak and understand the common tongue, though not others. Niki and other sunhearts speak mostly the same, though you suppose the Oraang Desert isn't that far away. Elves have a specific manner of speaking--seemingly unable to use contractions, or simply none of them wish to do so. While an accent shouldn't be weird, you're taken by surprise, even at only a hint.

So this person must be from farther away. Not Varat, Tivera, and maybe not even from the cities southwest of the Empire.

He smacks his hand on the canvas-covered load of stock. In the meantime, a handful of other merchants allow your guards to inspect the goods. "That's right. I've travelled far and wide, as a merchant of course, yet I've never been exactly where I stand right this moment. Castle Phoenix. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, King Warren. Excuse me. I know I tend to speak more than I should. I'll continue on my way." Hardly a moment after he stops, however, he raises a finger and speaks again. "But to one such as yourself, I'd like to offer a bonus. Free of charge. It's a rumour, truly fit for a mighty adventurer, which I heard you once were... or still are."

"Suspicious. Lay it on me," you say bluntly.

"Ah. I suppose it does sound strange. I simply pick up a lot of information on my journeys, but I'm not exactly an adventurer myself, so perhaps you'll find better use for it."

"We need to get moving," says the young woman.

The blue-skinned man gestures a hand past her. "Go on without me then. I won't be much longer."

You watch as it goes. I know this is probably something weird, but honestly, playing the adventurer isn't so bad. It reminds me of when I was first starting out. It's been awhile since a proper quest came up. With nothing else going on, I might actually heed his words if they sound somewhat interesting. If he turns out to be evil or something, I'm sure we can take him. People shouldn't underestimate us.

As the caravan continues away deeper into the castle grounds, he continues. He raises his hands, and gestures them dramatically over his head. "Roughly seventy miles from where we now stand, south east and off the coast, there's an island. You'll see it on many maps. But what isn't on most is a second island, about twenty miles east from there. It's a beautiful, tropical place, with beaches like soft powdered gold, and trees of the juiciest fruit. Stories tell, however, of a beautiful diamond like none have ever seen. They call it the Jewel of the Sea."

"Diamond, huh?" comes a voice from below. Walking into the conversation abruptly is the goblin Stax. She sticks her hands into the pockets of her tiny booty shorts, barely on her waist, as she stares up at you two of you.

When your gaze moves down, you can't help but look straight down the top of the short stack woman, though you know full well she dresses as she does on purpose. "More treasure for the hoard, perhaps."

"We're gonna turn into dragons soon."

"We do have one of those already."

The man runs his fingers over his chin from beneath the hood and shifts his glowing silver eyes back and forth between the two of you. "A diamond to dwarf--"

Bek peaks over. "Huh?"

"--to dwarf your entire treasure vault, is what I was saying," he continues. "As in it'd be worth more than all you have. The most stunning, perfect gemstone to ever exist."

"Classic story," Stax says with a chortle. "Even if it's true, you know it's an exaggeration. A tale passed to someone, then to someone else, until it eventually becomes the most perfect diamond across all worlds, and it's actually the size of the island, and it'll even turn into a woman, and she'll blow you super good."

He snickers to himself and mumbles, "Actually... Mm. Yes, that would be something." With a wave of his hand, he dismisses much he was pondering. "Take my words for what they're worth to you. At the very least, if the Jewel of the Sea is fake, I'm sure the island is still lovely. Stories also say it's quite warm there, even in autumn."

"We'll keep it in mind." Thanks for the rumour, Oblivion NPC.

"Be safe then. I better catch up with the others. My work isn't done yet. No time for play." He waves a hand, and hustles in the direction the caravan went previously.

After she's gone, Stax looks up to you. "So what do you think?"

"Kinda fishy."

She snorts. "That isn't funny."

"But you laughed."

"Seriously though, I think I know what he was. I heard that far east, there's a landmass where a certain people dwell. Those who can breathe both above and beneath the sea. They build on both, and make the most amazing ships you'll ever see. Then again, that's stories again. But they say they have blue skin, gills on their neck, fin-like ears, and hair the colour of coral. We know people with blue skin, and people with very colourful hair, but he did have those ears, from what I could tell. Couldn't see his neck though."

"Are they disliked?"

"Hmm. I mean, not that I know of. Why?"

"He was pretty concealed."

"That's true. He didn't mind you seeing his face though. So what should we do then?"

You shrug. "I mean, fuck it, right? If the island is empty, we bask in the sun and enjoy the sound and sight of the sea. If it's a trap, we kick some ass. Best case scenario, we get a big ass diamond. With all the paperwork and stuff I've been doing, it'll be nice to go on a quest of some sort. I am curious after all. Worst case scenario, we get the hell out of there. It isn't like I'd bring everyone anyway. Even a quarter of Castle Phoenix remaining behind would probably be enough to repel invaders, and I'll bring the Sending Stone."

"You got it all figured out, huh? That's why you're the Hero-King."

"Still getting used to that one."

"If you want my honest opinion, Demon King sounds cooler."

"Kyle is also fine."

"Hero-Demon-King Kyle Warren of Earth." She then snaps her fingers and points straight up at you. "Ero-King. Let's bring that one back."

"How about we start getting ready for an island adventure instead?"