“Aether are you sure this is a good choice?” Umbra hesitantly asked, gripping tightly onto Aether’s cloak as they walked the path that connected the mountains that lead out of the mountainous village. “Of course, out of everyone outside of Black Rose I trust him the most. He deserves to know what has happened to me especially after keeping silent and not visiting him for a while.” Aether replied, moving his arm to bring the small demi-human closer to him as they walked. “Besides, since I’ve found you I’ve kept you locked up in my room back in Black Rose and this is a good chance for you to start interacting with some normal humans.” Aether continued, looking over the large and beautiful sight before him before realizing what he said and looking down at Umbra. “Well, as normal as mages come at least.”
The small woman nuzzled into his side, relaxing her grip slightly at his words. Even if he had no vocal cords he still sounded like a regular person, was this what he sounded like before he became whatever he is now? Was he like this? The abyss walker sighed under her breath slightly before looking straight up and meeting the glamoured eyes of the undead. “That doesn’t make me any less anxious, I just hope this Ardere guy remembers you were arriving today.” She worried, hoping that they wouldn’t suddenly attack a stranger that was approaching their land from out of the blue. “Of course, we had a little chat on our way here so everything will be fine” Aether replied in a soothing voice.
“We’ve been walking for 3 days straight.” Umbra put bluntly
“I’ve been walking for 3 days straight, you’ve been walking on and off and sleeping on my back whenever you got tired.” Aether retorted, causing Umbra to flinch slightly and look away. Grinning to himself Aether turned his attention back to the path ahead of them, the castle of the fire king finally came into view, the home ground of Infinity Hydra and the fortress of his mentor. “You might want to look ahead, the view is amazing.” Aether hinted, causing the red head to look forward at the castle, awe and excitement spreading across her face as she let go of Aether’s coat to run ahead, but turning back every so often to check that Aether was following and stopping to let him catch up.
Looking around as they approached the gate Aether noticed a few people posted up in towers along the wall, bows drawn and aimed directly down at him and his companion. “Halt! You are within the dominion of the Fire King, what brings you to this land?” a voice shouted down at them from above the gate, aggression clear in their tone of voice as more archers drew their bows and a few mages pointed outstretched palms towards them. The Undead Lord pulled the small Abyss Walker closer to him, draping his arms over her protectively as his cloak flared up, signaling that Nox too was prepared to protect them both from whatever would happen. “I am Aether Lepan, We’ve come to seek a meeting with my mentor Fire King Ardere. He should be expecting me.” He shouted back at them, lettings his magic aura flare up to signal to Ardere that he had arrived and to let the archers know that he would retaliate if attacked.