CONVERSATION AT THE FORT-END

"Dolores was famous in Nepheel, back then. He was the principal instructor of royal magic. If Monday and Wednesday were sword days, then Tuesday and Thursday would be spell-casting practice for the Lords. They learned a lot from Dolores, almost all the descendants. I don't know how many hundred years the gnome is now." Revan tells the story.

"Then why is he here now?" Rio was curious.

"I don't know. I never heard his name after the Neferty Great War ended. I thought he was dead, but today I saw his long nose and pale skin with my own eyes. It's amazing."

"You forgot to explain one thing, Julius." Kron joined in on their conversation. "This Dolores has no joke, can do magic without a spell. So powerful, he'd almost been awarded the title of Magus."

"Is that true?" Rio shocked. "Then, let's just invite him to join this group," he suggested, making Revan and Kron look at each other hesitantly.

Revan cleared his throat, then. "G-good idea, Rio. Brilliant, I think. Dolores will definitely be of great help in our journey. But, the thing is, we haven't even said anything about The eight. The gnome just told us to wait on his verandah, while he had a long talk with Grover's inside."

"You're not being direct, Revan," Kron criticized. "I mean, Rio, Dolores is old-fashioned and arrogant. He's too old for politics and power, let alone a revolution. Besides, his legs are limp. Pushing an old gnome's wheelchair will only slow us down."

Right after Kron's sentence ended, Grover came out of the house. Dolores was in a wheelchair, pushed by him. The gnome scowled, either because of disgust, or indeed his face was like that from the start. Revan, Kron and Rio spontaneously stood up to greet them, and at the same time heard what kind of topics were being discussed in there for more than half an hour.

"Grover has told me everything." Dolores started the conversation. "I think there needs to be a long talk in Fort-End today, with the people of Nepheel, and Lord Aaron's soul shard, if that's true. Do you guys have time to spend the night?"

Dolores' three interlocutors then looked at each other. Rio always has time to share stories and information with people he trusts. Kron was also that type of person, unless the place of conversation was the goblin baby pools. The giant must be getting impatient and want to leave immediately.

Now, the final decision rests with Revan—their group's advisor—the one who is both the most disciplined and the one who is most desperate to gather all the holy armor.

"Ah, about that...." Revan said. "Obviously we're in a great hurry and want to gather all the armor quickly. Our enemy is out there, I'm sure just as hasty. So, Dolores the Great, before I answer your question about the presence or absence of time, may I ask if you have time to become Rio's mentor? He needs magic to survive in this magical world."

"Mentor?" Kron repeated the word, with a pile of question marks.

"Mentor?" Rio is also the same, but the question mark is bigger.

"It's been a long time since I've trained people. I've forgotten the basics of spell-casting," replied Dolores.

"Just a few basic spells. Rio is from a non-magical world, so he doesn't have any genus. We would be very helpful if you teach him to cast some spells," said Revan.

Dolores seemed to be rubbing his chin. The gnome, perhaps, was contemplating whether he would take a hiatus from his title as a "retired magic teacher who was meritorious to the kingdom of Neferty" and open a special student vacancy for Rio.

Every now and then he glanced at his black wheelchair, then at Rio, then Kron, and Grover who was standing behind him, until he finally landed on the questioner, Revan.

"You're asking a tough question, Mr. Ordich, really. A question that made me realize how old I am and how much hope is pinned in the gazes of those around me. You're right, I'm too old to participate in this journey. Then, you have to answer my question first. Do you have time to accompany Rio, and delay this journey, while I train the young man how to cast spells?"

Revan was suddenly happy, as were Kron, Grover, especially Rio. A great magician has just declared himself a teacher who will guide a child from a non-magical world.

Of course, for Dolores this includes a new challenge that is quite interesting. He had never trained non-magical people before. And for Rio, this is much more interesting. The young man could already imagine how he would be able to fly, disappear, ignite a fire from his finger, or just play magic to pass the time. How interesting, he thought. Very.

"Sure, of course we have time. Time to accompany Rio, and time to spend the night." Revan ended the questioning exchange between himself and Dolores.

"Good, as I expected," replied Dolores. "Come on in, all of you! It's no good outside in the dark, even in Fort-End. Help me, Grover."

"Okay, Uncle." Grover rushed his foster uncle's wheelchair through the entrance.

They all took turns entering the house. Despite being an artificial world, Fort-End still has a day-night cycle. Lights began to glow in Dolores's brick house, including the decorative light bulbs hanging in the garden and veranda. Meanwhile, inside, the host was having tough discussions with his guests.

"So you guys helped the goblins slay Fenrir, got Kholoros from Bayrak, then things got messed up because the Imps came. Is that right?" Dolores clarified.

"That's it," said Revan. "We met Grover, then followed him all the way here for days."

"About The Eight, I don't care, to be honest. You are free to do anything, including gathering the impossible to gather. There is a reason why Lord Voliborn distributed all eight of his heirlooms and no one has been able to gather them again until now," said Dolores.

"If the eight holy armors unite, then there will be enough power to defeat Tarnath and restore Lord's power to the Nefertyland. Right, Revan?" Rio said.

Dolores frowned, then glanced at Revan. "Cliche," he said. "Always whisper sweet things. Rio, listen to me! That's only half the consequence. The other half, yet to be told to you, is the pressure that those armors have. Can you explain, Mr. Ordich?" Then he lets Revan speak.

Revan sighed. "We thought it would be a bit of a rush to tell you everything, Rio. But, I'll just tell you here. The reason Lord Voliborn separated his eight armors was because they had some kind of powerful influence that manipulated our minds and hearts. Having one wouldn't matter, or two, three, maybe four. When we reach five armors, we must be careful.

The burden will be stronger, and the impact will be even greater. Will this endanger our journey? At first, I thought yes, and definitely yes. However, four people with the title of Lord at once against eight armours, it's a new thing for me, for all of us. The burden won't be as big as it used to be, I'm sure."

"Lord Voliborn forged holy armor to defeat the demon, Lucifer. The news I heard directly from my great-grandfather's mouth. The raw material comes from the Farangi mine, the strongest and deepest steel the dwarves have ever dug. Xeno steel, they are new to it, but are desperate to ignite furnaces to refine a number of armor.

Lucifer lost before the lights of The Eight, either died, or simply retreated for revenge. Nefertyland was free from the grip of the demon, but the eight armor seemed to be a new enemy. Xeno steel's magic energy was able to affect a Lord, making him greedy and deprived of wisdom. Fortunately Lord Voliborn came to his senses and separated his armor across Neferty." Dolores added.

"This may be a stupid question, but why doesn't Lord Voliborn just destroy the armor?" Rio said.

"A smart question from a non-magical world person, actually." Dolores responded. "He wouldn't bother negotiating with the various nations across the Nefertyland if his armor could be melted down, or crushed to the ground. It has magical powers, it can't be destroyed. It can be of help, but it can also harm you."

The situation is momentary. The crackle of the fireplace swallowed up all the talk that was coming out of the mouths of the people in Dolores' study. The place turned out to be quite spacious, surrounded by paneled walls, and a row of five-story wooden bookshelves.

There were only two barred windows there, both facing the garden, so the moonlight could seep through the glass, illuminating the box of carved tables in the center of the room. Revan might be able to lie down on the table, it's so big. However, what lay on Dolores' desk now was a legendary map. They started flickering whispers again.

"Flava would be a good choice if you're looking to be safe," suggested Dolores. "Yellow armor is in the Nemean desert, buried there for a long time. Rumor has it that there is a lion guarding the armor, but facing a lion is better than stealing blue armor from the troll kingdoms, or snatching silver armor from Tarnath's hands."

"I agree," said Revan. "Though it will take weeks to get to the desert."

"Stop over to Limni," said Dolores. "I have an old friend there, a Hoova who owns a Cheton farm, the fastest ride that can get you into the Nemean desert in less than a week. His name is Darcy."

"How do we convince him?" asked Revan.

"Just bring my letter. He'll know who sent you there."

"Okay." The man with the mustache agreed.

"I think that's enough with this armor-hunting thing. Next, as well as what bothers me the most, let's talk about the Elves Devourer and the Konodies tribal village he attacked."

"Also the eastern Fos temple." Grover was quick to complete.

"What's the matter, Grover?" Revan looked confused.

"The message my people pinned from the eastern Fos temple was a gesture of revenge. After what he did to us, exhausting the elves, then the forest gnome, I don't think silence is normal." Grover answered.

Kron suddenly chuckled. "I don't know why I thought this would be one of our topics of conversation," he said. "So, after Fenrir, you want us to slaughter the other monsters?"

"You're the only hope," said Dolores. "Elves' light magic alone won't be enough to exterminate this creature of darkness. We need the light of holy armor."

"You ever seen Elven Devourer, Revan?" asked Kron, continued with Revan's shake. "Neither have I. The only thing we're afraid of is name. How can we know the weakness of creature we've never even seen?"

"I've seen it." Grover spoke. "I've also seen the creature scream under the elf's light magic. If it were longer, maybe some of my brothers in the eastern Fos temple would still be alive today."

"The priest who presided over the east Fos temple, Ernast, was my interlocutor when I was still studying magic there. Grover's father was also a friend of mine. As a gift for him, I adopted Grover as an adopted nephew.

Hearing the news of their deaths was heartbreaking, more painful than the first time I met him. I realize that I am paralyzed. So, can I entrust the revenge of the eastern Fos elves to you, Armor hunters?" asked Dolores hopefully.

"We'll help!" said Rio.

"RIO!" shouted Revan and Kron together.

"Why? Grover is part of our group now. His suffering is our suffering, and his problem is ours too. After all, this group is better than ever. There are two shards of Lord Aaron's soul, and I'll also put in a lot of effort into practicing magic in order to succeed," said Rio.

In fact, whatever Revan and Kron may be, the final decision on the fate of their journey rests with Rio and Grover (because they are Lord candidates). If Grover was offended that his request wasn't met, and then refused to join to search the holy armor, things would get even more complicated. On the other hand, chasing after the Elven Devourer sounded just as complicated. Without knowing his form, existence, strength, Revan and his friends are required to defeat the creature.

"Maybe we should have dinner after this," Revan said, slightly wiping the sweat off his forehead. "I'm just a royal aide, and Kron is just a sculptor. If the two future Lords have decided so, what else can we say?" The man glanced at Kron.

The giant snorted heavily. "If I die, please carve a good statue for me. But, before that, I will do my best to fulfill the orders of the two future Lords that I am staring at with pride."

Those words provoked big smiles on the faces of Rio, Grover, even Dolores. The last elf who was touched then grabbed Rio and hugged him. A warm "thank you" gesture. Rio hugged back as a sign of friendship and friendly welcome. However, just as they were about to let go of each other, a sinister flash suddenly burst through Rio's mind.

"H-help!" shrieked the young man, almost sitting up in shock.

"Rio, what's wrong?!" Revan swiftly caught his Lord candidate.

Rio was pensive. His breath was heavy, his eyes clouded. The situation became tense, especially since the moonlight was covered by clouds now. Despite shaking violently, Rio insisted on moving his lips in order to utter a sentence and answer the confusion of his friends. However, before he could speak, a knock on the door broke the silence. Very loud and rushed. Like being chased by a monster or something.

"What now!" Dolores rages.

(To be continued)