Chapter 34: Blippi, Bluppi, Bloppi

"GASP!" Kimora breathed heavily as she was revived by Jorael's White Magic spell, but in return, he collapsed abruptly to the ground.

"Master!" Cyn'Thia screamed as she saw him collapsing unconscious due to Magic exhaustion.

…

A few hours passed and Jorael began to regain consciousness:

"Uhm... Where am I...

What is this feeling..."

He opened his eyes to find a small creature above him, occupied to lick his face.

"W-what?!" Jorael exclaimed in confusion as he found himself on the ground of what appeared to be a cave.

"You are awake, Brother! Ah ah ah!" Bromur said laughing.

"Brother?! Where we are?!

What is this thing above me!?" Jorael said as he tried to get up trying to move the beast away.

"Ah! Go ask Sisters...

They are over there." Bromur said as he pleasantly smoked from his pipe, sitting down beside the bonfire.

"Sisters!? So, it worked!?" Jorael exclaimed happily as he began to walk further into the cave.

As he walked away from the bonfire, he could hear faint female voices arguing in the distance:

"...we killed their mother and now you want to kill them too?!"

"Silver Arrow, these Magic Beasts will grow and spread terror across the lands.

We should fix this now..."

"No! They are innocent!

We will wait for the Master's decision..."

"Wait for me for what?" Jorael asked entering the conversation between the two.

"Master! Are you okay!?" Cyn'Thia asked smiling.

"Yes, thanks Thia." he replied as Kimora was approaching him. When she was close enough to him, she knelt and said solemnly:

"I am showin' my utmost gratitude to ya, Dark Prince.

Ya saved me, no, ya did even more, revived me from the dead.

I will not forget dis, and I will be at your service for the whole life that you gave it back to me.

So... I should call ya too... M-master?! "

"No." he immediately replied.

"W-what?!

Silver Arrow can call you like dat, and I can't?!" She replied apparently offended.

"Not so, please get up and just call me Jorael.

Not master, not Dark Prince.

Just Jorael, please..." He begged.

"So... thanks, Jorael." Kimora smiled back as she stood up, and suddenly she hugged him.

"W-wh-aaat?!" Cyn'Thia shrieked.

"So... what are those things that roam the cave?" Jorael asked as soon as Kimora released him from her grasp, looking at the other two monsters that were with his companions.

"They are Behemoth puppies.

And we killed their mother..." said the saddened Elf.

"Yeah and I was sayin' we should kill 'em all!" shouted the black-haired woman.

Jorael looked at the sad face of Cyn'Thia as she was petting a little Behemoth on its head, and then he said:

"No. We will take them to the Fog."

"A-are you crazy?!" Kimora cried as Cyn'Thia's face lit up with happiness.

"Well, probably." he replied sarcastically.

"Sigh... as you wish." Kimora said as she gave up.

"Thank you, Master." Cyn'Thia said smiling.

"I wanna ask something..." Kimora whispered.

"I already know what you want to ask ...

Let's go to the bonfire and I'll explain." Jorael replied as he started walking back to Bromur with the other two. Once all four were present sitting in front of the bonfire, the Traveler asked:

"So, Kimora what did you want to ask?"

"Who... who are ya really, Jorael?

Ya seem to possess strange abilities and out of the ordinary Magic..." she asked.

"Ah! Of course, he has managed to revive Sister! Ah ah ah!" Bromur added laughing as he still smoked his pipe.

"I am... a Sage." he suddenly revealed.

"W-what!?" "Ah ah ah!" "Master!" they all shouted shocked.

"Yes, I am a Sage of the ancient lost library Vas'Anellir, a pupil of my Elven teacher Tor'Elkast the Wise." he explained while both the Human and the Dwarf were stunned.

"Master..." Cyn'Thia whispered worriedly.

"I-if ya are the real deal let me see your back tats!" Kimora said still doubtful.

"I can't. I mean right now I won't because I have to tell you something else first..." he said.

"Master!" whispered again the Elf in concern.

"Thia, it's okay.

I am also a half-Demon." Jorael revealed again suddenly.

"..."

Everyone was silent, and the only sound that echoed in the cave was the creak of the wood being burned.

"Ya are kiddin'..." Kimora said breaking the silence.

At that point, Jorael began to undress, first taking off his leather jacket, then his white shirt and once he was bare-chested, he turned around showing his back uncovered.

"T-the Sage's mark, and... black wings?!" Kimora whispered shockingly.

"Ah ah ah! Brother, you are an interesting fellow!" Bromur said as he laughed and smoked his pipe.

"Why brother and sisters?" Jorael asked confused.

"Because we are now Brothers and Sisters, forged through a deadly battle with a bond that will remain forever within us. Ah!" explained the Dwarf surprisingly.

"Oh... this is... touching." Jorael whispered as he put his clothes back on.

"So... it's true.

I escaped the Empire with a... Demon." Kimora said reflecting on her actions.

"Will it ruin your resume?" Jorael asked jokingly.

"Nah... I don't care.

I'm not from the Empire so they can go fuck themselves.

But my Sis..." she whispered.

"I gave her instructions, so by now she should have reported me to the city guard and banish us from the guild." He explained.

"Oh... that's a little reassuring." she said, then asked:

"Why did a Demon, Sage also, infiltrate the Empire and become an adventurer?"

"It's quite a long story..." Jorael replied.

"Try to give yourself a fuckin' move and explain!" She ordered.

Jorael has explained everything, apart from coming from another world, starting with the times of his home in the Dark Forest with his parents, his years spent in Vas'Anellir to become a Sage, and finally everything that has happened in the Empire.

"Uh... the Kalipso servants have always been suspicious...

Does my Sis know about dat?" Kimora asked.

"Not from me, I don't know if Daisy will tell her." He replied.

"Ah! So, the Wall is really closed, in the end, thanks to you ?!" Bromur said.

"I apologize for this if you really needed to enter the Empire..." Jorael said.

"It doesn't matter. Ah ah ah!" the Dwarf said first, laughing, then he whispered:

"I'm looking for someone who left Myordir a long time ago..."

"Oh, me too!

I'm looking for the Guild master who left not long ago, but... he suddenly disappeared." Kimora said.

"Madam Catherine told us he was a father figure to the both of you, right?" Cyn'Thia asked.

"Yes... he raised us in the Guild and saved us from Rivella's slums.

I think that without him we would have been either whores or we would have already died..." Kimora answered.

"So, I told you who I am... but who are you?" Jorael asked the Titan directly.

"There is no longer any reason to hide from ya.

I was born on Solaria, but now it's called...

Isle of the Fools." She revealed.

"I've heard some of that story...

I think I heard no one had survived." Jorael said.

"Nobody, except me.

Eighteen years ago, a collective delirium occurred on my home island.

I was merely a child, but I clearly remember the horrors of that day.

People started killin' each other... tearin' each other to shreds and eatin' each other.

I remember... mom and dad..." she started explaining but she suddenly stopped in grief.

"How did you escape ?!" Cyn'Thia asked.

"On a boat. My older brother made me get on, but ...

My neighbors got him... and... sigh...

After that day, I arrived in the Empire, wandered around until I found the slum orphans and Catherine." Kimora explained to the others with tears in her eyes.

"Such misfortune, Sister.

My Dwarven heart is again in pain hearing another sad story." Bromur commented.

"Sigh... Thanks.

I hope someday to be able to return to Solaria." Kimora whispered.

"I didn't know that humans also lived outside the Empire, Liberta aside." Cyn'Thia said.

"Then you've never heard of the Norfolks." Bromur replied.

"Nor... who?!" everyone asked confused.

"Norfolk. They are humans living on an island north of the Steel Mountains."

"Further north of the Dwarven Federation?!

There is no record of this..." Jorael commented, thinking deeply about his studies.

"They look like good people, they come to Murdyrn to trade their seaweed or so I've heard.

By the way, that's what I'm smoking right now. Hahaha! Bromur explained, smoking with a smug face.

"Interesting.

I'll tell Tor'Elkast, I bet he didn't know this too…" Jorael whispered.

"So... what do we do now, Master?" Cyn'Thia asked.

"Good timing Thia, I was going to ask Kimora a favor:

Could you go to X and have him sign the contract?" Jorael asked politely.

"Um, yes?

Why dontcha come with me?" She asked.

"Because my senses say that man is dangerous, and I better stay away from him.

Please, tell him we're dead." He replied.

"No problem." she said confidently.

"Also, if I could go to the guild to get the reward, and then give Daisy a third, that would be great!" Jorael said.

"Wait, why only a third?!" she asked confused.

"Because that's my and Thia's share.

The other third is yours and the other is Bromur's." He replied.

"Ah ah ah!" laughed the Dwarf.

"Nah Jorael, we'll give everything to Daisy." she said nonchalantly.

"That would be amazing!

Thanks, guys, for your kindness!

Bromur will you go with Kimora too?" Jorael asked.

"Ah! Better keep a close eye on Sister, I would be sorry if she died again…" exclaimed the Dwarf.

"Bullshit. Then we go.

I hope we'll meet again…" Kimora said standing up, ready to leave.

"Ah! Then I'd better go and check that she doesn't run away with the money... Ah ah ah!" Bromur joked, following her.

...

Inside the cave, after the Titan and the Dwarf had left for Liberta. Cyn'Thia and Jorael were resting by the bonfire, with the three little Behemoths with them.

"Master, I'm worried about your use of Magic..." said the worried Elf.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I know you want to help everyone, and I appreciate what you've done for Kimora, and Rob, but...

Do not consume all the Magic that resides within you!

If you cast spells without enough magical resources, you will end up using your life force!

...and if it happens, you will collapse and you will not be able to... wake up again.

and I…" Cyn'Thia explained with watering eyes.

"Thia, I know.

Sorry if I made you worry, but it won't happen again." He said.

"Sigh... Master, stop lying." she whispered.

"Lie what?!" he exclaimed.

"We both know that when the situation arises, you won't be able to hold back." she screamed in annoyance.

"What kind of situation?" he asked.

"Like the one before with Kimora..." she pointed out.

"If you think I'll stop and watch Kimora or you die, then I'll let you down." he said confidently.

"...Stupid." she said angrily, yet smiling at the same time.

...

After a few days, in the office of the Governor of Freedom.

"...in the end you four killed the fucker, but in the fight, the Human and his slave were killed?" X asked doubtfully.

"Yes, better for us, we can get good money." Kimora responded as she took the contract signed by X.

"Um... then leave my fucking office." he said harshly.

"See ya..." she said as Bromur waved his hand as they walked out of X's office.

When they were back in the muddy square, Kimora looked around and said:

"I hope he is still here..."

"Who?" Bromur asked in confusion.

"The traveling merchant... let's go to the merchants' association." she explained.

"Hey! Nice Dwarf!

Come here and taste some Human pussy..." a prostitute tried to tempt Bromur, screaming from the terrace of a brothel with her breasts fully exposed.

"...No! Can't you see that I'm already busy with my Sister?!" he screamed.

As the face of the woman on the terrace showed disgust and confusion, Kimora yelled back to the Dwarf:

"Fuck are you sayin' around here?!

Stop spreadin' bullshit!"

"Ah! You're the one to speak..." he commented as they walked to the merchants' association.

Upon entering the building, they found him in no time and Bromur clapped:

"Ah! Jacque! Thanks to Flemest you are still here in Liberta! Ah ah ah!"

"Silent blade! Bromur!

It's nice to see you again, still alive.

Did the hunt go well?! "Jacque asked.

"Yes... I have a favor to ask ya.

Ya can consider it as a refund for our services from our last trip." Kimora said.

"Sure, but how are Jorael and Cyn'Thia?" he asked.

"They... died in battle." Kimora lied.

"Oh no!

This is such terrible news ...

May Kalipso led their poor souls to a better place." He said that bitterly.

"Yeah...

Anyway, will ya return to Rivella, right?" She asked.

"Yes, if I can pass the Wall..." he replied.

"Good. Then take this.

Please go to the Guild headquarters and tell my Sis Catherine that Jorael said he was willin' to donate the reward fully to Daisy.

That was his last wish." She explained as she passed the guild contract to Jacque.

"W-what?! That's a lot of money!" he exclaimed as he read the paper.

"Yes, and I will trust you because you are in debt to us." she said.

"Ouch... such trust from Silent Blade." he commented.

"Take these too." she gave away some of their hunting spoils and started talking again:

"Hire good adventurers to escort you to safety...

Now that the Behemoth is gone, Fasted Plains should become quieter."

"Thank you.

Bromur, are you coming with me? "Jacque asked.

"No. It looks like Flemest has other plans for this Dwarf." he replied.

Kimora and Bromur said goodbye to the merchant and quickly left the city. As they walked rapidly Kimora said:

"Quick Bromur, your steps are short!

We have to get back to them!"

"Ah! Sister, you are mean to a poor dwarf!

We are not used to traveling long distances like this...

By the way, Brother should have noticed that you left your horns there, huh?" Bromur asked.

"If he doesn't notice, I'll be really pissed off if he dares to leave without us..." she said angrily.

"Ah ah ah!"

...

A few days earlier, in the Behemoth cave.

"Ugh... Trying to sleep, then the Elf comes over, then the little Behemoths come to lick my face..." Jorael whispered to himself as he walked out of the cave.

"Wait... Why did Kimora leave the horns here ?!" he realized.

...

A few days after Kimora and Bromur left Liberta, they returned to the cave. From a distance, the dead carcass of the beast could be seen, with a male figure beside it. When they got close enough, Kimora yelled:

"I knew ya would understand and wait for us..."

"Sister, I'm not so sur..." Bromur whispered but was stopped by Kimora's fist which hit him in the stomach.

"You've been talking for days about why you needed the horns for your new blades, it was pretty obvious...

By the way, you two are really late. I have been defending this corpse for days, as it attracts ghouls and necrophagous beasts..."Jorael said.

"It's the minimum for not shooting your Sage Magic at that thing right at the beginning of the battle..." Kimora said.

"I didn't know if it would work!

Also, I need to preserve my Magic... because..." Jorael explained.

"Because of useless people who need to be revived?" she whispered annoyed.

"Because ... I have to make sure I can protect my friends." he said, while Kimora blushed and Bromur smiled.

"Ah ah ah! That's Brother, it's good to see you again!" said the Dwarf with his usual laughs.

"So... what's the plan?" Kimora asked.

"We will enter the Dark Forest with the little Behemoths, leave them near the Fog, and head to Vas'Anellir." Jorael explained.

"Ah! I smell another adventure!" Bromur said excitedly.

"Easier said than done...

Where is Cyn'Thia?" She asked.

"Inside, she's been busy making something with leaves and sticks. I don't know ..." he answered uncertainly.

"Oh ... could you please cut the horns for me?!

I tried with my blades, only to make them blunt..." Kimora begged.

"How can I do it?" Jorael asked.

"I don't know, do that Sage thing of yours... shoot that sparkling beam or something..." she whispered as Bromur laughed.

Jorael pointed his hand towards the ends of the Behemoth's horns and said:

"Collapse!"

The same beam that sent the beast to its death severed two pieces of the horns which were promptly retrieved from the ground by Kimora.

"Here they are ...

quick, go make two daggers! She ordered while she gave the horns to Bromur.

"Ah! Sister, I need a furnace and a suitable workshop for this!

I can't make weapons right here out of anywhere. Ah ah ah!" Bromur explained.

"Duh... then we'll look for one." she whispered sadly as another female voice could be heard shouting from the cave entrance:

"Master! Help me!"

Cyn'Thia was coming out of the cave with the three little Behemoths, who had makeshift blinders made of sticks and leaves over their eyes, so they were running wildly in all directions.

"What did you do, Thia?!" Jorael asked surprised.

"It's because... I won't let them see their dead mother." she said as she was running after the beasts.

"That's nice of you but..." Jorael started to say.

"But?" asked the Elf.

"They have to know, or they'll be looking for their mom." Kimora explained.

"Yes ... Thia let them see." Jorael said.

"I must?!" she asked reluctantly, as all her companions nodded to her.

She first sighed in disappointment, then approached the beasts and said while removing the blinders:

"Here is Blippi, now you can see...

Bluppi, you too...

And finally, Bloppi, as you brothers you will see again..."

As the three little Behemoths regained their sight, they found their mother's decaying dead body with broken horns and a mel-diameter hole in her head. They approached her joyfully because they hadn't seen her for days, but soon the sad reality was crushing them, slowly realizing that their mother won't move anymore.

"Why are you crying, Thia?

Is it because we killed their mother?" Jorael asked as he stared at her Elf's sorrowful face marked with tears of sadness. She took some time to answer and said:

"Because I hope not to end up like those little ones..."

...

Meanwhile, in the office of the governor of Liberta.

"It's been a while since you last called." X said.

"..."

"That adventurer?

Silent Blade reported that he and his Elven slave are dead."

"..."

"No, I don't trust that fucking stranger."

"..."

"Looks like she left Liberta with a Dwarf, heading for the Dark Forest."

"..."

"Why are you laughing?"

"..."

"He is a... fucking Demon and a Sage?!"

"..."

"Why are you letting him roam free?!"

"..."

"I don't understand, but you are the boss."

"..."

"The Cursed Faction is doing well and regularly brings us new slaves."

"..."

"Bye."

The telepathic link with X was cut off and he shouted:

"What the fuck is the bloody old decrepit thinking...

So, I was right."