End Online: Volume 3 (24 page)

We walk
through the desolate castle, moans and cries occasionally seeping out of
tightly shut rooms. The only one of us who seem to be unaffected by the miasma
of depression this castle holds is Fen. The wolf girl simply strolls next to me
without a care in the world. Sometimes, I wonder about her.

On what
must have been the fifth floor, we finally arrive at a ten meter tall set of
double doors with golden inlay, threading around and leading to leaf shaped
emerald slivers imprinted onto the door. Behind these doors, is surely the
throne room along side the final boss of this legendary quest.

Striding
out in front of the rest of the party, I place one hand on each door and shove
forward with all my strength. The massive doors slowly began to creak and open
an inch at a time.

Inside,
the throne room is well lit. With torches along every wall there isn't so much
as a shadow inside. Seated on the throne at the far end of the room, an old man
far past the age of retirement has his head hanging down in a deep slumber.

"Hang
on," I hold my hand out to the others while slowly inching myself forward.
"Something just doesn't feel right. There were no guards, and then
this?"

When I
get within ten meters of him the man suddenly opens his eyes, revealing two sky
blue pupils.

"Who
goes there!" His dusty old voice croaks out. "Who are you?"

"My
name is Lost. And I am here to put a stop to you!"

"Stop
me," He cackles in outrageous laughter, "I am afraid you are forty
years too late. As you can see, the damage has already been done."

"The
elves no longer have a home to return to. And you are the only thing holding
the last of the bandits together!"

"You
fool!" He shouted back, his voice breaking halfway through. "I scared
them once, and a few have remained loyal. But what about now. Look at me! I am
no longer the almighty warrior I once was. I have already lost eighty percent
of them who have simply run away from some stupid rumour. It is only a matter
of time before the rest leave."

I remain
silent as he doesn't quite look like he is finished talking yet.

"Listen,
rather than ending this now. Will you work for me? Together we can once again
slaughter and punish these elves!" A cruel light enters his eyes, even
sending chills through the air.

Deep down
inside, a rage starts to spill forth from the deepest essence of my being. I
have learned about the history of the humans in real life. Simply the thought
of genocide and slavery is something that was drilled into me from a young age
as being an atrocious act against humanity itself.

"Are
you kidding me! Who would want to fight for someone who is committing slavery
and genocide against an entire race. And for no reason too!"

"No
reason?! Shut your mouth when you have no clue as to what you speak of!"

"OH!?
It sounds like you have some reason. Well, tell me, what could these people
have possibly done to deserve this?!"

"You
want to know why?! Because they murdered my wife!"

Our
heated conversation instantly turns silent. Both of us take some time to catch
our breath.

"They
slaughtered her before my very eyes. 'The traitor who tainted her blood with
that of a vile human,' they said. They even threw my two year old daughter off
a cliff for being half human. I managed to pitifully flee with my pitiful life
after that, but I didn't even want to live anymore. It is fortunate Gej'yu gave
me her precious necklace when we exchanged wedding vows. This way, I had a
reason in life to cling on to. To eliminate all the elves and make them regret
what they did."

"...
I had no idea."

"Please,
fight for me. I no longer have the strength to do so anymore. I will even teach
you all of my old techniques I learnt through life."

"Sorry,
 but I have to turn you down. There is no way I can go ahead with
that."

"I
guess there is only one way to finish this." The old bandit leader draws a
rusty shortsword in a shaking hand.

He dashes
at me in a speed unbecoming of his age. Unfortunately, it is nowhere near fast
enough as not just my sword, but two arrows and a few large ice bolts instantly
pierce his body.

Emitting
an agonized groan, the bandit leader falls to his knees and dies.

"What
the heck! Is it over already? Just like that!?" Mason calls out in shock,
running up to where I was still standing.

"I'm
sorry." I say to the corpse in a voice so soft that only I can hear,
"I understand that you had your reasons. But you were stuck living in the
past and couldn't move on. There is no way I could fight for someone like
you."

Looking
at the loot menu above the boss corpse, there was only one item.

***************************************************

Three
more days in real life passed by until every single bandit had left Eltreant
and Shai'en split up from the party, using the 'Prisoner Key' to release all
the captive and enslaved elves.

A few
more days after peace returned to the capital of the elves, the various communities
that originally fled the city, gradually returned.

For every
elf that returned to the city, the frigid temperature began to warm and the
mist would slowly disperse. Eventually, the midday sun broke through the mist,
revealing a clear blue sky that I never realized how much I missed. The mist of
the northern woods never completely left, it turned into a fine orange residue
that caused everything it touches to be filled with the warmth of life.

The day
after life returned to the northern woods and the elves began to slowly
flourish once again in their homeland, Shai'en came running up to us with a
never before seen excitement on her face.

"Everyone,
come quickly!" She chimes out cheerfully, grabbing my hand with one of
hers and Mason's with the other.

Turning
on her heels, she starts dragging us through the city with strength she should
not have. We are pulled behind her like a chariot for about ten minutes, before
she stops before a crowd of people, three of which I recognize.

"Rix?!"
I call out, utterly surprised to see the innkeeper here. Right next to him is
his wife, Zusa'jan, and the elvish child, Shai'lan.

"Oh,
Lost! It is good to see you. I was wondering where you were, missing such an
important event!"

"Event?
What are you talking about?"

"Shh,
just join the crowd and watch."

Right as
I am about to try and peek over the crowd to see what the fuss is about,
another familiar face appears before me and the party.

"Lost,
it is good to see you again." Hon'ar, the leader of Eldenweiss's guard
says to me while bowing deeply.

"Hon'ar,
I see that you are here too!"

"Haha,
of course I am! Anyway, before the ceremony proceeds, I want to give you and
all your friends something. Also, if you or any of your friends happen to find
a 'Compact Soul Gem', you can come see me to be reincarnated as an elf."

My jaw
drops open just reading the notification. And just as soon as I start seriously
worrying about money I receive a top quality item that I can sell. Make that
two I can sell, Fen got one as well!

"Wait.
Did you say ceremony?" I ask Hon'ar quizzically.

"Of
course, Shai'en and I are getting married!"

Not just
me, but everyone else in the party are completely stunned. The woman in
question, Shai'en, walks up next to him and links her arm around and through
his. With one seemingly casual step, he leads her into the now parting crown
and up to a platform underneath a tree covered in gentle pink leaves that
create a sweet fragrance wherever they travel.

The sound
of flutes permeate the air as joyful tunes are played as celebrant music for
the occasion. I almost find myself closing my eyes and becoming lost in the
melody.

"This
is it," The innkeeper's wife say next to me, "The Tree of Pink
Blossoms. The only place in the elvish culture that allows them to officially
get married."

"Shouldn't
you be saying 'us', and not 'them'" I laugh calmly at her.

"Please
I left this world a long time ago. Well, I suppose you could actually say that
I was never a part of it in the first place."

Before I
could question her any further, the 'Tree of Pink Blossoms' starts to give out
a peach coloured glow, the two elves underneath exchanging their vows.

"Shai'en.
Through life and death, joy and suffering. I, Hon'ar, swear to stay by your
side for all eternity. Should danger come your way, I will hold my bow steady
and protect you. Should misfortune befall you, I shall be the one to turn the
tides of luck. Should your life come to an end, I shall lie down next to you
and keep you company, never leaving your side again."

"Hon'ar.
Through love and affection, sadness and turmoil. I, Shai'en, swear to also stay
by your side for all eternity. Should you ever stray from your path, I will
guide you back onto it. Should you ever fall into despair, I will be the light
to lift the darkness. Should battle ever claim your life, I will seek eternal
vengeance on your killer before I shall join you in travelling the netherworld,
always keeping you company."

The light
from the 'Tree of Pink Blossoms' suddenly erupts, illuminating the now husband
and wife in a heart-warming radiance. At the peak of the brightness. Two
silhouettes, man and woman, lean towards each other and seal their vows with a
kiss of affection.

Looking
at the newlywed couple and how joyful they are, I feel something cold on my
cheek. I raise my hand and wipe off a single tear from my face, only for it to
be replaced by another.