The words raced across the pages, as if they had a life of their own, making Aladdin's reading experience a frenzied battle. He struggled to keep up, attempting to wrest control of the rebellious book. He'd slam it back to the correct page, only for the text to yank it away, repeating this maddening dance.
Page after page turned, and the book's antics continued. It was a relentless back-and-forth, like a tug-of-war, leaving Aladdin exasperated. Just when it felt like an eternity, he turned another page. The book responded in kind, flipping and twisting, creating a dizzying spectacle. It continued to resist Aladdin's grasp until, with a final act of defiance, it slammed itself shut, forcibly removing itself from his hands. Hovering in front of him, it transformed, growing thicker and more complex, ultimately splitting in two.
The first book ceased its radiant glow and dropped to the floor, while the second carried on, its pages continuously inscribed with cryptic text. Aladdin, bewildered, knelt down and retrieved the initial book. The new creation continued to write, its ongoing transformation captivating his attention. Though reluctant, it permitted Aladdin to take hold, though not without a final, stubborn protest, clinging to him for a moment longer when he attempted to peruse it. Aladdin lifted it in front of his face and admonished it, "Will you just let me read you?"
He pulled the book closer and reopened it to his previous place, determined to make sense of the arcane contents. The room fell into a hushed stillness as Aladdin delved into the enigmatic text, punctuated only by the occasional sound of pages turning and Aladdin's muttered responses, "Hmm," "Yes," and "Okay."
After reading, he carefully slid the first book back onto the shelf. As he did, a curious chain reaction occurred. The book on the far right of the same shelf levitated and relocated itself, setting off a domino effect as books on the shelf below also removed themselves and realigned in a meticulous rearrangement. This orchestrated shuffle left a narrow gap next to the book Aladdin had returned, just wide enough to house the second book he now held in his hand. Aladdin blinked in surprise, remarking, "Well then… That was new."
Flipping open the newly formed book, he resumed reading, frequently pausing to absorb the newfound knowledge it offered. Occasionally, he glanced over at Zero, nodding in affirmation before resuming his studies.
Twenty more minutes passed before Aladdin reached blank pages in the book, where the remainder of the story remained unwritten. He turned to Zero, returning the book to its designated spot on the shelf. As he approached his enigmatic companion, Aladdin's footsteps dragged across the rug. He came to a halt at the base of the couch, standing before Zero's shoeless feet, and examined the burn scars that snaked around his ankles. His scrutiny continued, assessing Zero's trousers and vest, even shifting the collar outward to observe the scales that adorned his collarbone and chest.
Aladdin released the vest and shifted his attention to Zero's face. He gently grasped it and swayed it back and forth, inspecting each side of his new friend. Noting that Zero's ears lacked the pointed tips of Elves but weren't as rounded as a Human's, he released Zero's face and shifted his focus to his hair. Aladdin gently tugged on the long, silver locks, his fingers tracing the magical residue woven within them. He moved down to the hair's ends, observing their pristine and unfrayed condition. "You use magic cubes in your hair to maintain its vitality," Aladdin deduced as he released the hair and stood upright, his gaze filled with curiosity. "Just who are you, little Dragon? Who...are...you?"
Aladdin stood in silence, his gaze fixed on Zero's unconscious form. He tilted his head ever so slightly, observing the rise and fall of Zero's chest as he breathed heavily. "And why would you ever invent so many techniques that put so much pressure and trauma on your body?" Aladdin questioned, his hand gently resting on Zero's chest to feel the rhythmic thumping of his heart. "You'll be out for at least nine more days. You aren't too bright, are you?" Aladdin withdrew his hand and turned to depart, heading back to where they had initially emerged through the wall.
As he approached the wall, Aladdin paused one last time, pressing his hand against the surface and inhaling deeply. He phased through the wall, reentering the staircase. This time, however, he wasn't alone, and his sudden appearance nearly sent the Lycan boy from earlier tumbling down the stairs. Aladdin quickly seized his arm, preventing the fall.
"My oh my, I am so sorry, Azrel," Aladdin said as he steadied the young Lycan.
Azrel gazed at him, his eyes reflecting a deep-seated fear, a thousand-yard stare that never quite left him, regardless of his current emotions. "How did you come out of the wall?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and trepidation.
Aladdin glanced at the wall and then back at Azrel, his gaze assessing the boy's appearance. He raised an eyebrow and retorted, "How did you learn to button your clothes?" Kneeling down, he began adjusting the white button-up shirt Azrel had borrowed from Aladdin's extensive wardrobe upstairs. Aladdin meticulously fastened the buttons before turning his attention to Azrel's brown trousers. "Why are the bottoms rolled up? It looks like an utter mess down there," he commented, preparing to kneel down and fix them, but Azrel took a step back down the stairs.
"Please don't," Azrel requested, turning his heel and revealing the small dewclaw just above his ankle. "I roll them up so it doesn't feel weird."
Aladdin examined the dewclaw and the rolled-up pants, nodding. "Well, at least let me roll them properly, so they don't look like such a mess."
Azrel observed in silence as Aladdin expertly unrolled and neatly re-rolled the cuffs of his trousers. He patted his clawed and furry feet, halting after the task was completed. When he looked up at Azrel, Aladdin was prepared for the same timid expression of fear that had persisted since Azrel's arrival. To his pleasant surprise, he was greeted with a smile.
"Well, I'll be, that's the first time I've seen you smile since you got here," Aladdin remarked with genuine surprise.
Azrel turned his snout slightly, and the smile remained on his face, albeit faint. "My mother would do that the same way," he replied.
Aladdin couldn't help but smile back. "Well, I'm just glad you can still smile."
Aladdin extended a hand toward Azrel and offered a warm, reassuring smile. "Come on, let's go check on the others and leave behind what we just witnessed. How does that sound?"
Azrel hesitated, and his reservations were entirely understandable given the horrors he had witnessed and the trauma his pack had endured, it would take him a while to form bonds again, such is the Lycan way.
A little over two months ago, seven majestic ships made their way to the harbor in the north, mooring just a few meters away from the Taurean Village Lighthouse. These vessels were of considerable size, most of them fashioned from sturdy wood, but two were constructed from an unfamiliar, gray metal. Despite their substantial capacity, each ship carried no more than four to five hundred warriors. Of these, only about a third of each ship belonged to the Lycan ranks, while the rest were Humans who had formed deep bonds with the Lycan packs over their years of adventuring.
The Humans and Lycans had thrived in harmony, journeying together through the Outer Realms, conquering Dungeon after Dungeon as tight-knit packs. When the call to return to Sidra came, the Humans were eager to muster their comrades, fueled by the desire to protect their ancestral homelands and help their Lycan family. These adventurers, both Human and Lycan, some of whom had been absent from Sidra for over a century, and others for even longer, driven by their quest for family heritage and discovery, would never reach their final destination.
The lead ship was within sight of the harbor, its three masts slowly ascending as they neared, diminishing their forward momentum. The harbor was no small affair, ranking as the second largest in all of Sidra, with Tarkwa to the southeast, where the Emperor once stored his personal vessel, being the largest. While the Taurean Village might not be the grandest, it was still impressive. Approximately twenty-five docks for smaller vessels dotted the waterfront, and along the western side, where the row of wooden buildings met the pier, ladders and boardwalks hung from the cliffside for about three kilometers. This arrangement allowed large vessels like the ones approaching to dock with ease, ensuring their crew moved with orderliness and efficiency, avoiding crowding on the narrower docks.
Sol surveyed the scene from the cliffside, her gaze fixed on the first ship entering the harbor. It skillfully navigated around the bend, avoiding contact with the cliff, and only when it had completely docked did she descend onto the vessel.
Zus positioned himself at the wide wooden staircase just behind the fishing shop, the sole path connecting the harbor and port to the lighthouse and the rest of Taurean Village. He had chosen this spot upon spotting two scouting rowboats being dispatched and was now waiting for them to draw closer before executing his part of the plan.
Inside the cabin nestled between the fishing shop and the harbor office, Luna took her place. The cabin stood as a substantial structure, three stories tall, and barely peered over the cliff's edge. It was crafted from dark oak wood, boasting numerous glass panel windows along its facade. This lodging served travelers, especially those without affiliations to any of the four Kingdoms of Sidra. It had the capacity to accommodate well over two thousand individuals, easily a few thousand more if patrons doubled up in beds. Yet, even during the peak Dungeon season, which lured numerous adventurers to explore the ruins, it never hosted more than a few hundred guests. Most visitors to Sidra inevitably had some connection, albeit tenuous. New adventurers often frequented the lodgings, enthusiastic to investigate the supposed aftermath of a Dungeon break gone awry or the domain of the formidable Lycan Hunters. However, Luna's activities within the cabin didn't concern Dungeon exploration or monster hunting. She had laid the groundwork, ensuring her parts were well underway. The bodies they had collected upon their arrival had planted the seeds, and they would acquire plenty more as the day's hunt unfolded. With the first rise of the Full Moon, their Vampire Tree would be complete, and Nix's recovery could commence.
Luna stood at the front counter, her hand moving gracefully across the parchment as she worked on the final portions of the tree. Her penmanship was elegant, capturing the intricate connections between the roots and the lofty branches. The scroll extended far beyond the counter, with the wooden rods on both ends touching the floor. The parchment itself was almost as wide as the counter, its colossal size being the only factor slowing her down. Yet, it paled in comparison to the complexity of the teleportation scroll she had been crafting. Only a few more details remained, leaving just enough time for Sol and Zus to enjoy themselves with the ships unfortunate to dock first.
The words raced across the pages, as if they had a life of their own, making Aladdin's reading experience a frenzied battle. He struggled to keep up, attempting to wrest control of the rebellious book. He'd slam it back to the correct page, only for the text to yank it away, repeating this maddening dance.
Page after page turned, and the book's antics continued. It was a relentless back-and-forth, like a tug-of-war, leaving Aladdin exasperated. Just when it felt like an eternity, he turned another page. The book responded in kind, flipping and twisting, creating a dizzying spectacle. It continued to resist Aladdin's grasp until, with a final act of defiance, it slammed itself shut, forcibly removing itself from his hands. Hovering in front of him, it transformed, growing thicker and more complex, ultimately splitting in two.
The first book ceased its radiant glow and dropped to the floor, while the second carried on, its pages continuously inscribed with cryptic text. Aladdin, bewildered, knelt down and retrieved the initial book. The new creation continued to write, its ongoing transformation captivating his attention. Though reluctant, it permitted Aladdin to take hold, though not without a final, stubborn protest, clinging to him for a moment longer when he attempted to peruse it. Aladdin lifted it in front of his face and admonished it, "Will you just let me read you?"
He pulled the book closer and reopened it to his previous place, determined to make sense of the arcane contents. The room fell into a hushed stillness as Aladdin delved into the enigmatic text, punctuated only by the occasional sound of pages turning and Aladdin's muttered responses, "Hmm," "Yes," and "Okay."
After reading, he carefully slid the first book back onto the shelf. As he did, a curious chain reaction occurred. The book on the far right of the same shelf levitated and relocated itself, setting off a domino effect as books on the shelf below also removed themselves and realigned in a meticulous rearrangement. This orchestrated shuffle left a narrow gap next to the book Aladdin had returned, just wide enough to house the second book he now held in his hand. Aladdin blinked in surprise, remarking, "Well then… That was new."
Flipping open the newly formed book, he resumed reading, frequently pausing to absorb the newfound knowledge it offered. Occasionally, he glanced over at Zero, nodding in affirmation before resuming his studies.
Twenty more minutes passed before Aladdin reached blank pages in the book, where the remainder of the story remained unwritten. He turned to Zero, returning the book to its designated spot on the shelf. As he approached his enigmatic companion, Aladdin's footsteps dragged across the rug. He came to a halt at the base of the couch, standing before Zero's shoeless feet, and examined the burn scars that snaked around his ankles. His scrutiny continued, assessing Zero's trousers and vest, even shifting the collar outward to observe the scales that adorned his collarbone and chest.
Aladdin released the vest and shifted his attention to Zero's face. He gently grasped it and swayed it back and forth, inspecting each side of his new friend. Noting that Zero's ears lacked the pointed tips of Elves but weren't as rounded as a Human's, he released Zero's face and shifted his focus to his hair. Aladdin gently tugged on the long, silver locks, his fingers tracing the magical residue woven within them. He moved down to the hair's ends, observing their pristine and unfrayed condition. "You use magic cubes in your hair to maintain its vitality," Aladdin deduced as he released the hair and stood upright, his gaze filled with curiosity. "Just who are you, little Dragon? Who...are...you?"
Aladdin stood in silence, his gaze fixed on Zero's unconscious form. He tilted his head ever so slightly, observing the rise and fall of Zero's chest as he breathed heavily. "And why would you ever invent so many techniques that put so much pressure and trauma on your body?" Aladdin questioned, his hand gently resting on Zero's chest to feel the rhythmic thumping of his heart. "You'll be out for at least nine more days. You aren't too bright, are you?" Aladdin withdrew his hand and turned to depart, heading back to where they had initially emerged through the wall.
As he approached the wall, Aladdin paused one last time, pressing his hand against the surface and inhaling deeply. He phased through the wall, reentering the staircase. This time, however, he wasn't alone, and his sudden appearance nearly sent the Lycan boy from earlier tumbling down the stairs. Aladdin quickly seized his arm, preventing the fall.
"My oh my, I am so sorry, Azrel," Aladdin said as he steadied the young Lycan.
Azrel gazed at him, his eyes reflecting a deep-seated fear, a thousand-yard stare that never quite left him, regardless of his current emotions. "How did you come out of the wall?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and trepidation.
Aladdin glanced at the wall and then back at Azrel, his gaze assessing the boy's appearance. He raised an eyebrow and retorted, "How did you learn to button your clothes?" Kneeling down, he began adjusting the white button-up shirt Azrel had borrowed from Aladdin's extensive wardrobe upstairs. Aladdin meticulously fastened the buttons before turning his attention to Azrel's brown trousers. "Why are the bottoms rolled up? It looks like an utter mess down there," he commented, preparing to kneel down and fix them, but Azrel took a step back down the stairs.
"Please don't," Azrel requested, turning his heel and revealing the small dewclaw just above his ankle. "I roll them up so it doesn't feel weird."
Aladdin examined the dewclaw and the rolled-up pants, nodding. "Well, at least let me roll them properly, so they don't look like such a mess."
Azrel observed in silence as Aladdin expertly unrolled and neatly re-rolled the cuffs of his trousers. He patted his clawed and furry feet, halting after the task was completed. When he looked up at Azrel, Aladdin was prepared for the same timid expression of fear that had persisted since Azrel's arrival. To his pleasant surprise, he was greeted with a smile.
"Well, I'll be, that's the first time I've seen you smile since you got here," Aladdin remarked with genuine surprise.
Azrel turned his snout slightly, and the smile remained on his face, albeit faint. "My mother would do that the same way," he replied.
Aladdin couldn't help but smile back. "Well, I'm just glad you can still smile."
Aladdin extended a hand toward Azrel and offered a warm, reassuring smile. "Come on, let's go check on the others and leave behind what we just witnessed. How does that sound?"
Azrel hesitated, and his reservations were entirely understandable given the horrors he had witnessed and the trauma his pack had endured, it would take him a while to form bonds again, such is the Lycan way.
A little over two months ago, seven majestic ships made their way to the harbor in the north, mooring just a few meters away from the Taurean Village Lighthouse. These vessels were of considerable size, most of them fashioned from sturdy wood, but two were constructed from an unfamiliar, gray metal. Despite their substantial capacity, each ship carried no more than four to five hundred warriors. Of these, only about a third of each ship belonged to the Lycan ranks, while the rest were Humans who had formed deep bonds with the Lycan packs over their years of adventuring.
The Humans and Lycans had thrived in harmony, journeying together through the Outer Realms, conquering Dungeon after Dungeon as tight-knit packs. When the call to return to Sidra came, the Humans were eager to muster their comrades, fueled by the desire to protect their ancestral homelands and help their Lycan family. These adventurers, both Human and Lycan, some of whom had been absent from Sidra for over a century, and others for even longer, driven by their quest for family heritage and discovery, would never reach their final destination.
The lead ship was within sight of the harbor, its three masts slowly ascending as they neared, diminishing their forward momentum. The harbor was no small affair, ranking as the second largest in all of Sidra, with Tarkwa to the southeast, where the Emperor once stored his personal vessel, being the largest. While the Taurean Village might not be the grandest, it was still impressive. Approximately twenty-five docks for smaller vessels dotted the waterfront, and along the western side, where the row of wooden buildings met the pier, ladders and boardwalks hung from the cliffside for about three kilometers. This arrangement allowed large vessels like the ones approaching to dock with ease, ensuring their crew moved with orderliness and efficiency, avoiding crowding on the narrower docks.
Sol surveyed the scene from the cliffside, her gaze fixed on the first ship entering the harbor. It skillfully navigated around the bend, avoiding contact with the cliff, and only when it had completely docked did she descend onto the vessel.
Zus positioned himself at the wide wooden staircase just behind the fishing shop, the sole path connecting the harbor and port to the lighthouse and the rest of Taurean Village. He had chosen this spot upon spotting two scouting rowboats being dispatched and was now waiting for them to draw closer before executing his part of the plan.
Inside the cabin nestled between the fishing shop and the harbor office, Luna took her place. The cabin stood as a substantial structure, three stories tall, and barely peered over the cliff's edge. It was crafted from dark oak wood, boasting numerous glass panel windows along its facade. This lodging served travelers, especially those without affiliations to any of the four Kingdoms of Sidra. It had the capacity to accommodate well over two thousand individuals, easily a few thousand more if patrons doubled up in beds. Yet, even during the peak Dungeon season, which lured numerous adventurers to explore the ruins, it never hosted more than a few hundred guests. Most visitors to Sidra inevitably had some connection, albeit tenuous. New adventurers often frequented the lodgings, enthusiastic to investigate the supposed aftermath of a Dungeon break gone awry or the domain of the formidable Lycan Hunters. However, Luna's activities within the cabin didn't concern Dungeon exploration or monster hunting. She had laid the groundwork, ensuring her parts were well underway. The bodies they had collected upon their arrival had planted the seeds, and they would acquire plenty more as the day's hunt unfolded. With the first rise of the Full Moon, their Vampire Tree would be complete, and Nix's recovery could commence.
Luna stood at the front counter, her hand moving gracefully across the parchment as she worked on the final portions of the tree. Her penmanship was elegant, capturing the intricate connections between the roots and the lofty branches. The scroll extended far beyond the counter, with the wooden rods on both ends touching the floor. The parchment itself was almost as wide as the counter, its colossal size being the only factor slowing her down. Yet, it paled in comparison to the complexity of the teleportation scroll she had been crafting. Only a few more details remained, leaving just enough time for Sol and Zus to enjoy themselves with the ships unfortunate to dock first.
