Chapter 512: The Ancient War
"Hm?"
This Children of the Forest was surprised to see Viserys, a shock not only for him but for Viserys as well.
Viserys had always believed that in the days of old, he was invisible to outsiders, forever an observer.
The current situation was a bit awkward. The leader of the Children couldn't understand Viserys, and although Viserys spoke four languages, it was clear the other couldn't understand him either.
It's unknown how many tens of thousands of years ago this was, for the Children's history spans over a million years, as said by Leaf.
Human civilization in comparison to the long history of the Children is but a grain of sand. Even the same language would have changed dramatically over time.
Had the Children had better reproductive capabilities, they might have sparked a terrifying civilization, and humans might not have dominated these lands.
The leader of the Children, short and sturdy, wore an unknown chain around his neck. His eyes were green. He initially looked at Viserys with shock and confusion but soon appeared relieved.
"Hey!"
He greeted Viserys, making a peculiar sound. Though he had never seen a human, he seemed to understand who the lavishly dressed, silver-haired young man in a black cloak was.
However, a deafening roar, strange like a baby's cry, shrill and piercing, suddenly echoed from the distance.
Viserys looked up, as did the leader, whose face changed dramatically upon hearing the roar. A massive battle raged in the distance with monsters roaring, giants bellowing, and mammoths trumpeting in pain.
Thunderous sounds followed as the Children chanted spells, invoking forbidden magic. Lightning and fire raged, making the battlefield resemble a war of gods, filled with smoke and dark clouds.
The leader's face turned grave, and Viserys squinted towards the ancient battlefield.
Upon seeing the enemies - the Children, Mountain Lions, Unicorns, Giants, and Mammoths - Viserys' expression shifted. A massive worm, covered in thick scales and capable of burrowing through the ground, was tearing through the Children's magical defenses.
It resembled an enormous earthworm, with a gaping ringed mouth, emitting a shrill cry like a baby. After devouring a huge mammoth, it opened its mouth, revealing a red glow inside.
The Children's leader, seeing Viserys disappear, was momentarily relieved. A triumphant smile appeared as he shouted in the ancient tongue, rallying his people with a prophecy of victory against the monsters from the depths.
The Children, inspired, renewed their magical assault on the colossal worm.
The leader then turned to where Viserys had been, pondering the unfamiliar attire and species. He had not foreseen any victory; the sight of Viserys merely confirmed that the power of 'gods' would persist, strengthening his faith in the battle's outcome. But how did another race inherit the 'gods'' power?
The ancient battlefield was ablaze, and the leader, gripping his obsidian spear, felt a sudden foreboding.
Meanwhile, in the present...
Viserys abruptly returned from the ancient battlefield. Due to his inexperience in time-traveling, he was drained, feeling empty-headed. Holding the obsidian spear, he nearly fainted.
"Viserys!"
"Are you okay?"
Two young Children of the Forest, waiting outside the cave, rushed in, helping him up when they saw him holding a torch, crouching, and almost fainting.