Fates of Grenora: Return of the Night

Jared fidgeted with his new bow, nervously looking between his friends as they walked. "So, are we just not going to talk about it?" He probed.

Evie shrugged, "Not really." She said, staring ahead.

Jared whipped his head to her. "Why not?! I mean, he said some cryptic stuff and to top it all off, all of us owe him favors!"

"There isn't really anything we can do at this point. So let's just do a dungeon for now and figure it out later," Aldrin interjected as they reached the levitating platform to take them further up.

Jared opened his mouth to protest but stopped when Pierre gently nudged him, slightly shaking his head. Jared deflated at that and went back to fidgeting with his new bow and quiver. "I still need to drop off the orb to finish my Quest when we get up there, and we also gotta let Cannor and Eddock know that they are okay to leave." He said, changing the topic once they boarded the platform.

Aldrin turned to him. "How did you come by this Quest anyway if you were playing along with bandits?" He asked, furrowing his brows.

"Ah, that, my friend, was granted to me by the System once I eyed the orb from one raid we reluctantly participated in. The bandits just plundered everything they could without really looking through it all. I believe it was the thrill of it all that they liked more, or it could be System fuckery and stuff," he said flippantly.

Aldrin rubbed his chin. "Do you think the System is discreetly guiding us in a certain direction then?"

"What do you mean?" Evie asked, stepping onto the platform with the rest of them.

"Well, think about it. My random dungeon experience changes me and heralds great change, since that is what everyone keeps telling me. Then these two," He gestured to Jared and Pierre. "Are in the same area where I emerge, are also from Earth, AND have a Quest that takes them here. Along the way, we meet your Adventuring group," he then gestured to Evie. "And you already have a feeling something was up with me, thus drawing you into our little group after rescuing you in Lor-Vold."

Jared was the first to break the serious atmosphere by chuckling. "When you put it that way, it does sound kind of ridiculous."

"My point exactly!" Aldrin threw his arms up but quickly put them down when he noticed other groups of people looking his way. "So, my question still stands; do you think the System is discreetly guiding us to some end goal?"

Evie stared upwards, deep in thought, then took a breath to relax her shoulders. "Probably, or perhaps it's some Old Gods that came before the Progenitors that are pulling the strings. We won't know until it is upon us, as usual. All we can do is hope we can hold on long enough to find out."

The rest of the slow levitating ride upwards was silent as each of them pondered Aldrin's question. Before long, the conical top of the inside of the spire came into view. The platform stopped in the middle of the conical tower. Guards were posted around the room at even intervals as they all guarded a circular elevated platform that glowed blue with runic writing around it. They were Elves, of course, in emerald armor that glimmered like scales with golden trim on each differing joint. Much like the other guards that stood at the front gate of the lower city, these also carried a double-bladed war spear and a bow, both of higher quality than the ones below.

"Purpose?" One guard demanded.

"Questing and Dungeons. Also, would it be possible to give a message to our friends down on the bottom floor?" Evie answered.

"Granted. Recite the message, then step forward." The guard waved them onto the elevated platform. He thumped the end of his spear down, igniting the runic writings that ran along the edge, making it glow brightly.

"To Eddock and Cannor, they are free to go on with their business here. We hope to see them again sometime soon if our paths cross again," Evie told the Guard, who nodded in askance.

She then led the group towards the teleporter. Stepping first, a bright light enveloped her, then she was gone. Pierre went next, vanishing all the same, followed by Aldrin, then Jared. The group appeared high above the clouds in a botanical garden laden with white marbled paths. Butterflies, birds, and an occasional reptile-looking creature met their gazes. Bright shades of red, orange, pink, and blue colored each of them. Taken aback by the beauty, the three young men stared in wonder, their eyes looking back and forth. Evie watched them with a gentle smile.

"Come on! You have to see the city!" Evie rushed them along as more people appeared behind them from the teleporter.

Following along behind Evie like little sheep, they emerged from the botanical garden building and onto a marbled road. Unlike the part of the city below, the upper city had managed to weave its buildings into these massive trees like normal Elves would. Every building had one large tree growing from the middle of it. Their trunks were big enough that smaller buildings that Aldrin assumed to be homes wrapped their way upwards along the trunk, creating small platforms of neighborhoods. Along the branches, Aldrin could make out other buildings that blended into the wood and foliage, making him wonder if the tree were the buildings or if the buildings were the tree.

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Sunlight trickled through the canopy of pristine green leaves of smaller trees that lined the marbled road that swayed gently in the wind. For the first time in a while, Aldrin felt he was in a magical realm, as the quietness of the upper city added more to the mystique it radiated. A few Elves that walked the streets talked in hushed whispers, carrying scrolls, or were followed by magical orbs that floated a little above their hands.

"The Dungeons are past the residential area." Evie said as she walked forward, taking in the crisp air that rolled along her skin.

Jared inhaled, filling his lungs with the sweet air. "The air here..." he inhaled deeply again, closing his eyes.

"One perk of living on a floating landmass among the clouds." Evie said, enjoying the air as well.

Nature transfixed Pierre as he fell slightly behind the group, taking in the wonder of the giant trees. Further ahead, he saw a leafy deer trotting down the middle of the road without a care in the world before darting into a home that held a wide entrance covered by moss and flowers when it spotted the group of four.

Jared whistled in appreciation, slowly turning in a circle while he walked. "I have to give it to the Elves. They really know how to make a place feel mystical."

"They like prosperity and harmony with nature. One day you should take a trip to see their capital city. However, my home is even more beautiful than this." Evie beamed as she noticed their perked up looks from her words.

They made their way to a small building that was overrun with vines and moss, with lilac flowers blooming. Entering the building, miniature versions of the crystal light that lit up the spiral towers, and a chestnut brown haired Elven woman who sat behind a dark wooden desk. She glanced up from the scribbled notes she was working on, greeting them with a warm smile. "Welcome! Are you here to be teleported to one of our dungeon chains?"

"Yes," Aldrin answered for them.

"What is the level range?" The receptionist asked as she pulled out a small white crystal from somewhere underneath the desk. She then slotted it into an open socket that was on her desk.

Aldrin looked at Evie, being the highest at level 54, with the rest of them being 21 and 22. "At least level 25."

"Perfect sir! And the name of your group?" She asked, moving the crystal over one slot, making it glow blue.

"Uh..." Aldrin stammered.

Pierre stepped forward. "For now, just call us Sunjumpers."

"A bit on the nose, don't ya think?" Jared elbowed Pierre, earning a glare in return.

"Got it. Team Sunjumpers reserved for the Vault of the Jade Monk. The recommended level is 25." She repeated the information to them, handing the small crystal. "Please take this crystal and place it in the door behind me. It will light up the doorway and teleport you directly to the dungeon entrance. Once finished with the dungeon, you will be teleported back outside, then please head to the nearest island outpost hub. The crystal will help you navigate. I wish you and your team the best of luck on your run and may the loot rain gloriously!" she beamed.

"Thank you, ma'am," Aldrin replied, taking the crystal in hand.

They moved around her to a door that held a small indent that fit the crystal perfectly. Aldrin placed the crystal, and the door frame glowed with runes. He twisted the doorknob, opening it to reveal a vortex of blue energy. He stepped through, appearing in front of a large vault door that was carved into a mountainside. The others appeared behind him not a moment later as the portal quickly dissipated. Together, they walked up to the entrance, and each placed a hand on the vault door.

Aldrin selected yes and instantly teleported into the dungeon resting area. Wide, smooth, stone-carved halls met his vision, and in the center sat a wide-rimmed fountain with glowing crystal blue water. Directly behind the fountain was a gaping, pitch-black entrance that pulsated gently. A sliver of anxiety spiked first in his stomach before spreading like fire through the rest of his body.

"Hey," Evie tenderly said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "It's not the same as before." She reassured him.

"She's right. It's not," Pierre said, nodding his head in agreement.

Jared scoffed, "Besides, you're on your way to being a big bad vampire. Some dungeon monsters shouldn't scare you."

Aldrin smirked at that before taking a shaky breath. "Thanks guys." He tried his best to sound confident, more so for himself since the last time he set foot in a dungeon, his entire team died.

"There is also something I need to do when I get out that I will need help with," he added. "I need to take care of my old team's affairs. ‌I…I didn't have the time to do it, nor the mindset… They had families, and I would like to at least send some coins we gained from the bandits so they can at least live comfortably."

Evie nodded. "I will take care of it and also get these two registered officially in the Adventurer's Guild."

"I would do it, but you know..." Aldrin gestured to himself.

Pierre looked between the two. "We can't join ourselves?"

Aldrin turned to answer, "You can, but it's a long process, and then you would have to take an exam that is both written and a field test. Having someone sponsor you bypasses the long process and field test. Also, depending on who sponsors you and what level you are currently at will also determine what rank you are among the Guild."

Pierre frowned, a bit embarrassed at not knowing. "A few questions, if you don't mind?"

Aldrin smiled, trying to put his friend's mind at ease. "Pierre, Jared, it's alright if you two don't know. I'm not judging you. You guys were thrown into a "civil war" between Giants and then escaped. No one taught you the fun side of the world, only the bad." He placed his hand on Pierre's shoulder, then gave a quick glance at Jared, who nodded. "Besides, you guys have helped me so much already. It would be my pleasure to help you out for once," he chuckled.

Pierre relaxed a little, letting out a breath. "Thank you, Aldrin. It means a lot to us both."