Chapter 20: Arrival

Several days later, I packed my belongings, preparing to depart from the city with a heavy heart. I found myself compelled to comply with the Elder's decision, feeling an overwhelming sense of resignation. The aftermath of my divorce with Relia had left me emotionally shattered. Witnessing her transformation into a person vastly different from the one I had loved since our youth was a profoundly disheartening experience.

In my attempt to engage in a final conversation with her, she openly admitted her frustrations, harbored hatred, and, ultimately, her deep disappointment in me. The weight of her confessions crashed down upon me like a heavy boulder, burdening my shoulders and straining my heart with an overwhelming sadness. Exhausted, fatigued, and emotionally drained, I felt an emptiness and spiritlessness enveloping me, as if the collective weight of the world had descended upon my shoulders.

The incessant rain mirrored the unending stream of my tears that morning, both serving as symbolic reflections of my emotions. My desire was to retreat to a corner, indulging in solitude and weeping until every ounce of feeling evaporated along with my tears. However, the luxury of time eluded me. Lingering any longer would undoubtedly result in the Elders forcibly expelling me from the city, a scenario I was keen to avoid.

Gathering my final creation, a set of pottery reserved for a wealthy merchant, I was acutely aware of the inevitability that they would neither invest in nor desire it. In the elven society, the aversion to any semblance of omens or association with ill fortune prevailed. Contemplating my options, the notion of selling this pottery to passersby during my travels emerged as a potential course of action.

"Lord Elios, we are prepared!" A young apprentice with golden hair called out, guiding me towards the awaiting carriage.

The coachman regarded me with disdain, neglecting to open the carriage door. Undeterred, I entered the carriage independently, and without a word, he urged the horse forward. The horse's sharp neigh marked the commencement of our journey towards immortality.

Our destination was Grykos, a town housing guilds dedicated to elves aspiring for immortality. It was the city where I had been directed to go, although I remained clueless about the unfolding events on this journey. Despite the uncertainties, having a mentor, as I believed, made the expedition more bearable.

The journey spanned several days, with relentless rain complicating our path by turning the ground into mud. Most of the time, I found solace in sleep, sustaining myself with meager portions of biscuit rations and water from my canteen. Though the sustenance barely filled me, it was better than nothing. Opting for a lighter diet and limited water intake, I aimed to minimize the need for inconvenient restroom breaks during the journey. The extended periods inside the coach took a toll on my comfort, causing discomfort in my seat. Despite the desire to stretch my legs, the incessantly bumpy ride thwarted such attempts. Closing my eyes, I surrendered to sleep.

"Awaken, sleepyhead!" I heard the coachman knock on the carriage door.

I awoke to the coachman's call and quickly gathered my belongings and clothing within the carriage. Opening the door hastily, I paid the coachman for the fare. In response, he shot me a disapproving glare and clicked his tongue, remarking, "Two Yaels short!"

"What!?" I exclaimed, taken aback by the perceived exorbitance.

"Nothing's cheap nowadays, boy," the coachman retorted, signaling for me to settle the remaining amount.

I sighed, reached into my coin pouch, and withdrew two Yaels and a Silver. "Consider it a tip," I remarked, handing over the additional amount.

The coachman smiled, accepted the payment, and departed. I proceeded to search for the guilds. However, as I surveyed my surroundings, it became apparent that no one was willing to assist me. When I approached houses, doors were promptly closed, and merchants avoided conversation, refusing to sell anything. The city exuded hostility towards my presence.

With no one willing to trade or engage in conversation, I surrendered to defeat and settled beside a post. I hunched down, battling the urge to succumb entirely. The weight of my recent divorce from Relia still clung to my shoulders, intensifying the burden. Surviving in this unforgiving society was already challenging, yet embarking on the path to immortality proved even more arduous. I mused that, at least as an outcast or beggar, there was the assurance of earning money for sustenance.

The wind raged fiercely as the sky darkened, thick clouds signaling an imminent downpour. Indifferent to the prospect of getting wet, everything appeared bleak from my perspective. Lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by the deafening roar of thunder. I felt an overwhelming numbness, so profound that not even the resonating sound could prompt a reaction.

As the rain cascades to the ground, the earth's scent rises, responding to the incoming droplets. Despite the cold wind and drenched clothes, I remained curled up. At that moment, it didn't matter – a sense of worthlessness enveloped me. The thunder persisted with its resonant roars, yet I endured it all, letting the tears flow.

As the rain persisted, a sudden, powerful force threw me to the ground, eliciting a grunt and subsequent pain in my abdomen. Amidst the aftermath of this unexpected attack, my senses abruptly returned. I stood up, agitated, demanding to know who was responsible. To my astonishment, five individuals stood before me.

Drenched by the rain, much like myself, they regarded me with caution, as though assessing my reactions. "Who are you!?" I shouted at them.

"None of your business; just perish, abomination!" One of the towering attackers charged at me, brandishing a knife.

Coordinating with his assault, I skillfully rolled to the ground, evading his attack and preventing myself from being cornered. Witnessing my nimble maneuver, the remaining four assailants encircled me, brandishing their weapons with a determined air. Their serious demeanor conveyed a clear intent to end my life. It struck me as paradoxical – not long ago, I had been lifeless and yearning to cease my existence. Now, I found myself inexplicably defending my own life.

"All the guilds seek your demise. We immortals reject your presence here!" declared the towering elven immortal as he advanced, knife in hand.

"What have I done?" I inquired, seeking an answer.

"Your existence is a curse! Do the elders of your city believe you to be some legendary figure, awakened to save our world?" he stated with intensity, his glare fixed upon me.

"I don't understand!" I responded, my confusion evident in my words.

"You're going to die, and swiftly!" declared the massive immortal, instructing his men to charge at me simultaneously.

"Is this the end for me?" I questioned myself, covering my eyes in anticipation.

"Accept your fate, you abomination!" The leader of the immortals shouted as he approached me closely.

A sudden, intense flash enveloped the scene, rendering the immortals around me temporarily blinded and disoriented. Their screams echoed as they struggled to regain proper vision. Whatever caused the abrupt flash proved to be advantageous. Seizing the opportunity, I swiftly escaped from their grasp.

Moments later, as their vision cleared, the immortals frantically searched for me. I sprinted as swiftly as possible to flee the city. Aware of the unwelcoming reception from these individuals, I ran away, vowing never to return.

As I continued to run, the surroundings morphed, fading into blackness, and I found myself back in the void—a cold realm of nothingness. Thalia materialized before me, wearing a malicious smile, and waltzed toward me with an eerie grace.

"You bear a truly grim history," she remarked.

I retorted with a sneer, "And why is that? What significance do you hold?"

"As the goddess of memory and fate, I possess the ability to assist you, particularly in unlocking your potential," she elaborated. "However, nothing is without a cost. You must perform favors for me before I provide you with what you desire or need."

Unfazed by her words, I responded, "I see, a chip off the old block, just like the All-Father. Like father, like daughter!" in a mocking tone.

"At this juncture, you'll find my assistance indispensable. However, given your indecision, I shall leave you to your own devices—for now," she concluded before vanishing into thin air.

A sharp beep sounded in my ears, opening my eyes I am still in the quadcopter. The pilot reminded me that we were close to our destination. It was a miracle that our ride was smoother this time. I expected the ride to be turbulent but was expecting for nothing.

A sharp beep resonated in my ears, prompting me to open my eyes, only to find myself still inside the quadcopter. The pilot informed me that we were nearing our destination. Remarkably, this journey proved to be smoother than anticipated. Despite expecting turbulence, the ride turned out surprisingly calm.

Ten minutes later, the quadcopter gently touched down, and I rose from my seat as the engines decelerated and the blades came to a halt. Stepping off, two security details promptly approached, guiding me from the platform to the awaiting assembly of my associates and newly recruited team.

They stood in formation, their eyes briefly meeting mine. Observing their demeanor, it appeared they were prepared for the forthcoming tasks. Elanor, positioned at the forefront of my new team,

Really hurt ĺawaited my arrival.

"I've prepared all the documents required for day, sir. Would you like me to prepare coffee or any refreshments?" Elanor inquired.

I shook my head and replied, "No, I just want to meet the new recruits!"