Chapter 59 – Familiar Faces

"Nathan and Charlotte, can you get us some rooms to stay the night? Me and Petra have just seen some familiar faces"

"Me and Ikarus will shar-"

"No we won't"

Heh, I'm not allowing Petra to get away with that throwaway comment and expect me to ignore it, we're still some ways away from something like that happening.

I'm not even talking about you know what, that is something that will take me a very long time to even consider. I guess mother gets her wish, there's no chance of any mating happening any time soon, I feel awkward even just thinking about it right now.

"Okay Ikarus-sama"

"Yeah, we'll get some rooms then"

Those two-party members head up to the innkeeper behind the bar while me and Petra stay here next to the table with the two familiar looking elves, it's not like we're trying to keep Zeki and Ariza's existences completely hidden from our party members, just that it would be easier to talk to these elves without having to deal with questions on who we met up with. The only thing that needs to be kept secret is their species, these elves don't know about us being phoenixes.

"Can we help you with something?"

"You seem to look like you have something to discuss with us"

Like with last time, the male always seems to speak first out of the two, they haven't seemed to notice who we are just yet though. We're quite noticeable, Petra's blindness and my bright orange hair should be pretty unforgettable.

To describe their appearances since I purposely didn't last time, both of the elves have long brown hair, both have green eyes and are wearing adventuring type clothing. Obviously can't forget the pointy ears and their skin seems to be a tiny bit darker than the other elves here, not very noticeable though. Are they dark elves or is it a different sub-species?

"That depends, do you plan on hiding in the forest again?"

Petra has a good way of recollecting their memories, this very quickly has an effect after they hear her speak.

"By the Gods, it's you two!"

"Shit!"

They suddenly become extremely uncomfortable after realizing who we actually are, it even looks like the woman has gone to grab her dagger on her hip, she hasn't actually pulled it out yet though.

"Relax, we're not here to harm you, we're no longer enemies remember?"

I might as well try and calm them down, killing them wouldn't be an issue but-, actually, I have no idea if they are even that strong, they don't seem all that powerful, could also check there species as well while I'm at it.

'Status'

[Name: Alexander | Species: Elf | Level: 174]

[Health 7,000/7,000]

[Stamina 4,690/6,000]

[Magicka 4,400/4,400]

----------

[Name: Alexstrasza | Species: Elf | Level: 128]

[Health 2,800/2,800]

[Stamina 3,712/5,000]

[Magicka 5,000/5,000]

'They have very similar names, wonder if they're siblings or something. I guess different tribes of elves don't count as different species then, clearly skin colour plays no part, it's weird that beast races have different types though'

[<...>]

Aesa doesn't give me an answer to my non-existent questioning, I guess I might have an odd point then, it matters little but still, I guess my system can't recognize different types of elves.

I'm sure the name Alexstrasza belongs to a dragon as well but it clearly says elf there, was hoping the woman would be part dragon when I first saw that but oh well.

Back onto the conversation Petra is leading against the two elves that caused us so many issues.

"If you mean us no harm, then why do you seem so on edge?

"Yeah, we are no longer enemies apparently"

I guess Petra does seem a little on edge, she did say something about blind arrogance to these two just before we got sucked out of that dungeon. She clearly has a dislike of arrogance, probably because she used to be quite similar, at least from the little she's told me about her past.

"After what happened last time, can't blame me for keeping my wits about you two. What are you doing in this city anyway?"

Petra must also be curious as well as on edge, they wouldn't be at an inn if they were residents, right? It's not just only that, their clothing and they look slightly different to most elves in this city. We both could be wrong but dark elves don't seem to be the type of elves that mostly lives in this city.

"Dungeon searching, the last one failed to deliver"

"We couldn't find what we were looking for so we're searching for more"

(Petra) "What were you looking for in that dungeon?"

Petra really can't seem to stand these two and keeps up with her questioning, I guess I probably should be a bit more wary seeing that we fought for six months against each other but still, they were in the same situation as us. I'll trust Petra's instinct though.

"Couldn't we ask you four humans the same thing?"

"You seem to be travelling with other humans this time as well"

I'm guessing revealing I'm looking for a cure is a bad idea, those two also don't want to reveal their reasons for such an odd activity like searching for these annoying places.

(Petra) "Fair point but what makes you think there's a dungeon here though?"

(Alexander) "It's in the tree of Yggdrasil itself. Up in the tallest parts of the tree, there is a section that remains closed ever since this tribe of elves settled here. If there's a dungeon, it'll be in there"

Wait, is there seriously a dungeon in the tree itself? If we've somehow just managed to stumble across a dungeon without relying on the prince, then the empire really seems to be sucking at this, it doesn't fare well for the prince keeping his life for very long if I'm able to just stumble on stuff like this, the elf seems pretty adamant on what he just said.

They are willing to share a surprising amount of information considering we were basically enemies, that last bit about a dungeon being here is what I was referring too.

"Why are you sharing that with us? What's your goal?"

Oh, Petra picked up on that as well, maybe I'm learning from her like with picking up stuff like this.

"Honestly seeing that you competed in the last dungeon with us, wouldn't it make sense for a shared party?"

"Hang on Alex, you want to invite them with us?"

"What's the problem with that? They were the reason that place was completed anyway"

"But still, they clearly would've killed us if it didn't end abruptly like that"

No idea what the female elf is complaining about, we wouldn't have after we found out. Maybe they planned on killing us for so long in there, her thinking could be skewed.

"Sister, look away from your stubbornness and think how much help company could provide in our search"

"Hmph, fine then"

Looks like my guess was right then, they are siblings. This female elf seems to be a little against us two but I couldn't care less.

"Ikarus, you want to take on another dungeon then? It might be risky"

Petra kinda seems against this a little but she's still asking me though, she knows that I still need this type of thing so turning down this type of opportunity is a bad idea. But if she's unsure with going with these elves, then I'll forget it.

"If you don't want to Petra, we can skip this one"

"No Ikarus, it's fine"

She seems alright with it but I know she's faking; she's being too nice for her own good again. I won't argue over this since she can be stuck in her ways but I would've agreed if she didn't want to do it this time.

"So... shall we agree to meet tomorrow and go to the top of the tree then?"

After I ask that question to the two elves, they both seem to look uncomfortable again now.

"There is a problem though"

"They won't allow us access into the upper section of the tree, we've been trying for days now and they won't allow it"

The elves in power here won't allow them upstairs? I guess elves really do be hating on their own kind.

"*Sighhh*, knew this was going to happen..."

Petra can't help but sigh for some reason but continues on, it's honestly a little surprising we've been talking to these lot for so long about dungeons and no one has even given us a look, should've sat down if I knew this conversation was going to take this long.

"... Can get us access, meet us at the palace courtyard in the morning"

(Alexander) "You know someone who can help?"

"Something like that"

Petra and her never ending contact list, she would probably have a phone list of hundreds on Earth. We both walk away from the two elves after agreeing tomorrow to meet up again and notice that both the other two-party members look to have gotten some rooms booked as well now, we'll get a bite to eat beforehand and it should be bed soon.

Looks like tomorrow could be interesting, we can do all the tourism type things after this. Still not sharing a bed with Petra, yet...

__________

"Are elves always late or are they just mocking us? This is the second time they've done this now"

"Not all Ikarus but a few of them can be like this"

(Nathan) "Lateness is annoying, you can get kicked out of the knights for being late more than once"

(Charlotte) "There could be an important reason why they are"

As we got here earlier, Petra said the same thing about being a blind lady to one of the guards in this elven palace courtyard we're in and he did the same thing as the other guy, then a superior returned and said we have access to the entire palace as we please. Another odd thing but who cares?

Petra has already given me a warning about the two elves we're about to meet, Zander and Elise. From what it sounds like, it might be better for me to not say anything while she talks to them. Unsure of the reason but I haven't asked all about it yet.

We did also give a quick update on the situation to Nathan and Charlotte basically explaining what happened inside that desert dungeon, they barely had any reaction to such a situation which was honestly expected.

Walking over to this elven palace looking building, we did get quite a few stares, elves be doing that to species of their own kind so that was also expected, I can still very easily handle a few odd looks every now and then.

Thankfully, those two late idiots are finally here. They're already an hour late.

(Ikarus) "What took you so long?"

"Apologies, sister had to get her hair ready"

"You also had to comb your hair as well Alex, sorry mad queen for the delay"

Look like elves like their own appearance, this land does love its stereotypes, Petra just took offence from what that woman just said though.

"You call Ikarus mad one more time, you'll lose your tongue elf"

Damn it, you can chill Petra, that clearly wasn't meant as nasty comment though, just a slip of a tongue. We did spend a long time as enemies, using mad queen is still going to be part of her vocabulary.

Travelling with these two is going to be difficult seeing that Petra really dislikes them but if we can use them as cannon fodder in the next potential dungeon, then we shall do it. I don't really hold that much dislike but even then, I'll happily kill for Petra. Wait, that's kinda weird...

"Ah sorry, I really didn't mean to say that"

(Petra) "*Sigh*, let's just go inside, the guards have already made way for us"

All six of us enter the beautiful elven palace from the little courtyard we were waiting in and after walking down a short corridor, we arrive at a gorgeous white marble throne room with two elves both sitting on the same throne, the female elf is sitting on the lap of the male.

The room has several elves wearing light armour scattered around the place as well, clearly elves don't like the whole heavy bulky metal armour setup the humans and dwarves clearly seem to love, most of the guards in the city don't like metal armour as well. There was one or two who did though.

"Shit, Petra!"

"Why did you come and visit us!? What's your reason?"

Immediately, two looks of extreme horror appear on the faces of the two elves sitting upon the thrones. They also look similar to the two elves next to us; they have similar long hairstyles and eyes but have yellow hair instead as well as wearing fancy styled elven robes. Skin colour is a little lighter but they probably aren't the same type of elf.

I have no idea why they look so afraid; they probably did something to piss Petra off in the past. I'll back her up if she wants to kill them though.

"I'm just here to get my favour repaid, that closed section in the treetop, want it opened"

"We can't open it!"

"You're asking for an impossible task!"

This is the same thing as those two elves as well, the male always seems to speak first. Is this elven sexism or something?

"Don't need your involvement, just give us access to the upper parts and your debt will be repaid"

...

They pause for a minute, clearly Petra's abrupt words are making them think. They return to give an answer though.

"Urgh, fine then Petra"

"Please don't come visit us again, let this be the last time we meet"

Just what the hell happened between these lot for such hostility? It's weird they don't ban her from returning if these lot dislike each other this much. I guess if she's got a hero status over here it might be difficult though.

(Petra) "Agreed, don't plan to return"

Then Petra swiftly walks away and the rest of us have to quickly follow, what just happened there? That was over so quickly after we've been waiting for so long this morning, that was anticlimactic as hell. To act that way in front of an elven lord and lady, she's definitely got balls. Well, not technically but it's an expression, alright? She did have balls in that other dungeon though...

Ah crap, forgot to use status there as well, wanted to see if those two were any good or not, Petra would destroy nearly anyone with ease though.

As we leave the palace, I've now got to speak with her, that situation was something else that needs an explanation, the others don't need to know though.

"You four go ahead, need to have private words with Petra for a second"

"Okay Ikarus-sama"

"Yeah, we'll continue towards the tree then"

(Alexander) "We'll guide you two humans"

(Alexstrasza) "It'll be a long way up there"

At least those two seem alright to be left alone with the elves, they do tend to get on with most people so it would make sense. Two guards are also following the group that are leaving, they're probably under orders to provide the access to get up to the top of the tree.

They all walk off just leaving me and Petra by the palace entrance, it's time to start asking some questions.

"Petra, is everything alright? You seem a little angrier then usual"

"It's those two elves with us Ikarus, instincts telling me they're going to cause us trouble"

Oh, is that the reason she was like was that with those two in there as well? Actually I doubt that, she never called those two friends to begin with.

"Don't worry about them, we can use them as human shields if needed but what about those two in the palace?"

"It's complicated, I'll sum it up quickly for you anyway Ikarus. They strongly used to believe in elven supremacy, was forced to convince them through various means that there's no such thing..."

Elven supremacy? I'm guessing that's basically the same thing as elven arrogance; it does seem like there's a little more to it than just that so I'll let her continue.

"... One of which was destroying everything they built or believed in, it was either that or allow them to wage war on the human continent"

Hang the fuck on, those two were planning to invade the human continent? Why is it such big pieces of information like this come out of nowhere?

"They tried to invade the empire? How is this the first time I've heard about this?"

"It just never came up. It probably isn't the best time for such a conversation though Ikarus, the elves can be just as bad as any empire when it comes to stuff like this, even heroes who have saved thousands of lives can have nasty goals like those two. Thankfully, they seem to be able to control their lust for an elven controlled world now otherwise I would've taken care of them"

Damn, Petra really be getting around again, sometimes I feel like she's the main character in our story, if you could even call our adventure a story. Just another piece of information to add to the do not talk about list, she might be too open at times with information she shares with me, it can't be good for her having all this stuff going around in her head though. If she wants to share, I'll always listen.

Is she a secret guardian for all the lands or something? I'm honestly surprised she's willing to protect an empire she despises so much but it might be like me, I guess even she doesn't want complete and utter annihilation for humans. No idea how an elven human war would even go but I can't see it going well, that experience in the dungeon was basically hell as it was. We're talking about thousands of lost lives.

"Well... we probably should get a move on anyways, good distractions and all that"

While saying that, I casually grab her hand and start pulling her along with me, not just for my own benefit but hers as well, it'll calm her down ever so slightly seeing that she was slightly annoyed. It seems to have worked as well.

"Heh, okay then"

It's time to head to the next dungeon that may or may not exist, there definitely isn't going to be a concrete fountain at the top of a gigantic tree, is there? I bet this one is going to be a boss battle but I have nothing to base that off other than the fact it's at the top of a freaking tree.

'This better not take forever to get up here...'