78 A calm and relaxing smell

Max wanted to punch that beautiful face once he saw that grin.

Although that was the case, he knew that Orville was joking around. He might look annoying but Max knew he was only playing around. He took one deep breath to calm himself and said, "Yes I want to know."

Orville looked at Max's face, he was contented with his reaction." Okay, but I can't tell you right now. We have something more urgent to do." Orville said while smiling waiting for Max's reaction.

Max clenched his fist. He was starting to think his body was affecting his brain as his emotion was getting the best of him.

"We'll be leaving now. I just wanted to introduce this guy to you as a heads up." Orville said his goodbye's to Rivelt. Max gave a small bow before they headed out of the room.

Rivelt watched the two walked away. A wide variety of emotions emanating from his eyes.

"Orville seems to be brewing some trouble." A soft voice whispered behind Rivelts.

"It will come sooner or later. However, this time the results might depend on that child." Rivelt replied softly with a hint of warmth and care to his voice.

"He is but a child. Do not put all your hopes towards him." The soft voice once again whispered in his ears.

"I know." The door closed as that was the last words that could be heard from Rivelt's and the voice.

____________________

Orville and Max once again started to walk. Max has no idea where they were heading, he just gave up, he no longer asked Orville. It seems Orville was determined to confuse him or annoy him. The maze-like structure of the inside of the World Tree would make first time visitors have a hard time navigating the space and they only stepped on one floor. Max did not know the structure of the building inside, but he guessed that there should be higher floors as Orville and Rivelt discussed the older elves living on top. He concluded that elves with higher authorities lived at the higher level in the World Tree.

What bothered Max was the silence of the place as they walked. He did not see any other soul as they passed by the halls and corridors. He thought they were heading to a person's house, but it seems they entered a building. If it was compared to his world, he might consider this a government building where they work. A place where offices are interconnected in one building since he only entered one room. Max was only guessing to pass by the time as they walk.

Orville seems to not want to chat as they walk quietly passing by room after room. At the end of a hall, there seemed to be a door, but a bit different compared to the other doors they passed by. As they approach the door, it did not open as usual. Orville stepped closer to the door and from there one can see a panel beside it. He pressed his hand on the panel as the light surrounded his hand.

"A scanner." Max thought inwardly. Once the scanning was done, there was no beeping sound but the door opened. It looked like a cylinder made out of a tree. Orville stepped inside and Max followed suit. Once they stepped in, the doors automatically closed and the cylinder like room bolted upwards.

Max was about to curse out loud, but he stopped himself as the view from inside the cylinder suddenly changed. The walls became transparent as one can see the view from outside. The same clouds and large leaves and branches could be seen from inside the cylinder they were standing from. Max forgot all about the sudden surprising movement and stared outside the transparent walls. Even the floor became transparent. It felt the same way one was in an under the sea aquarium.

"Magic sure is awesome." He thought to himself as he kept staring at the sight. The ride did not last long as they reached their destination.

"Ding." Was what Max thought when the doors suddenly opened without a sound. The cylinder like room changed back to its tree-like color and features as they stepped out. He once again followed Orville as they walked into another room which was adjacent to the elevator like transportation that they took.

The doors opened and a familiar figure could be seen. Max was once again awed by the sight of this glorious woman. She looked similar to his memories as though everything happened yesterday.

Her immaculate and elegant face.

The beauty that took him breathless.

The sincere eyes that sparkled when looking at him.

He could only smile at the face that has a welcoming smile as she approached them.

"What took you so long when you can teleport in this space without a problem?" Verdi asked Orville with her questioning gaze.

Orville avoided Verdi's gaze and said, "I took him around to see the sights."

Max also looking at Orville the same way as Verdi did. He felt they went around in circles only to find out they can directly arrive at this place.

Verdi gave a sigh but quickly changed her demeanor as she approached Max.

"Welcome to the Elven Forest." She spread her arms and gave Max a hug. Compared to when his younger. He was now the same height as Verdi, his cheek grazed Verdi's as she embraced him. He could smell a different kind of scent from Verdi's body.

A calm and relaxing smell.

Original novel by Chuchuwachuwa.