章 58: Late Night Visit
As the group settled in for the night, Levy took the first watch, followed by Lilith, then Elara, and finally Ella. The night air was calm, with only the sounds of the forest to accompany Levy during her watch. She kept a vigilant eye on the surroundings, but nothing interesting happened. When it was Lilith's turn, Levy gently woke her, and they exchanged a few quiet words before Levy flew over to her sleeping spot.
The group had decided to sleep under the open sky, as it felt warmer that night, and the stars above provided a comforting canopy. Lilith took her position, keeping watch while the others slept peacefully.
Hours passed, and it was now Elara's turn to take watch. As Lilith walked toward her sleeping bag, she wished Elara a peaceful watch. Elara smiled and nodded, her senses alert and ready. She sat quietly, listening to the nocturnal sounds of the forest, her eyes scanning the darkened landscape.
About an hour into her watch, Elara heard a rustling sound from some bushes not far from the camp. Her heart quickened, and she quickly alerted the others. Ella shot straight up into the air, her wings a blur as she hovered, ready for action. Lilith sprang to her feet, eyes wide and alert, though she lacked wings. Levy, on the other hand, yawned and asked, "What's up?"
A giant shadowy form emerged from the bushes, moving gracefully into the light of the campfire. Elara, squinting to see more clearly, recognized the creature. "Oh, it's just a Fenrir," Levy said, her voice calm. "They are peaceful if we don't attack first."
Elara looked at the Fenrir with a keen eye and whispered, "Lumi?"
The wolf-like creature bounded toward her, nuzzling and licking her face. Elara laughed, a mix of surprise and joy in her voice. "Oh, it is you, Lumi! I didn't expect to meet you here. I didn't think you would still be alive; it's been like 400 years since I last saw you, and you were just a pup when I left Tomi. I guess Tomi did pass away, though. Did she leave behind any descendants?"
Lilith, curious, asked, "Who is Tomi?"
"Tomi or Tominian," Elara explained, "was a skilled blacksmith who made my sword. It's a one-edged blade. Though I don't use it much because it's too powerful, I still have it in my magic bag."
Lumi, the Fenrir, seemed to understand Elara's words, and her ears perked up at the mention of Tomi. She sat down beside Elara, her eyes reflecting the light of the campfire. Her fur was a beautiful mix of midnight black and silver, and she exuded a calm, protective presence.
Levy, now fully awake, flew over and examined Lumi with fascination. "It's incredible to see a Fenrir after so many years. They are rare creatures."
Ella landed gracefully beside them, her curiosity piqued. "So, Elara, you've known Lumi for 400 years?"
Elara nodded, stroking Lumi's fur. "Yes, we have a long history. Lumi was always special, and seeing her here brings back many memories."
The group settled down around the fire again, with Lumi lying protectively beside Elara. The warmth of the fire and the presence of Lumi created a cozy atmosphere. They took turns sharing stories, their bond growing stronger as they learned more about each other's pasts.
Elara recounted tales of her time with Tomi and the adventures they had shared. "Tomi was more than a blacksmith; she was a friend and a mentor. She taught me many things, not just about forging weapons, but about life and resilience as a dwarf."
Lilith listened intently, fascinated by the stories. "It's amazing how our pasts can still touch our present in such unexpected ways."
Levy nodded. "Indeed. Every encounter, every friendship, it all shapes who we are and how we face the future."
As the night deepened, they eventually drifted back to sleep, comforted by the presence of their new old friend. The stars shone brightly overhead, and the forest seemed to cradle them in a peaceful slumber, readying them for the adventures that awaited with the dawn. Lumi kept watch, her keen senses ensuring their safety through the rest of the night.
As the sun rose from the east, its warm, glowing light enveloped the camp, and Lumi's fur glistened in the shine. She was indeed a beautiful creature. The group began to eat breakfast, the air filled with the scent of fresh bread and fruit. Lumi nuzzled Elara once more before looking at Lilith. Then, with a telepathic thought, she spoke in Elara's mind.
"She is special, that one. Is she the new Demonlord?"
Elara gasped, "Lumi, you can speak in my mind now? Since when can a mutated direwolf do that? I guess Fenrir's are special in their own right."
Levy chimed in, "Most mutations in creatures give them special abilities, and the older they get, the wider their skill set. I'll bet this Fenrir can even grow bigger and shrink to her own liking. And I can sense she is not the only Fenrir in the area. There should be a town closer to the mountain we are headed to, and I sense some more Fenrir there."
"A town? That must be it," Elara remarked. "That is Tomi's old village. And now it's a town. So there will be a lot of dwarfs and humans there. We need to go there," she exclaimed excitedly.
Lumi's eyes sparkled with recognition and agreement, and she nuzzled Elara again, as if to affirm their shared memories and the path ahead. The group quickly finished their breakfast, packed their belongings, and set out towards the mountain, with Lumi leading the way.
The journey was pleasant, the forest vibrant with life as they walked through sun-dappled glades and over gentle hills. Lumi's presence added a sense of security and companionship, her keen senses alert to any potential danger.
As they approached the outskirts of the forest, the landscape began to change. Rolling hills gave way to a more rugged terrain, with rocky outcroppings and the distant silhouette of the mountain they were headed towards. In the valley below, they could see the outlines of buildings and the faint smoke from chimneys rising into the sky.
"There it is," Elara said, pointing. "Tomi's village, now a bustling town."
They quickened their pace, eager to reach the town and discover what lay ahead. As they entered the town, they were greeted by a bustling market square filled with dwarfs, humans, and various other races. The air was filled with the sounds of haggling, laughter, and the clanging of a blacksmith's hammer.
Elara's eyes sparkled with recognition and nostalgia as she looked around. "This place has grown so much. Tomi would be proud."
Levy and Ella marveled at the sights and sounds, while Lilith took in the scene with wide-eyed wonder. Lumi stayed close to Elara, her presence drawing curious glances from the townsfolk.
They made their way to the center of town, where a large forge stood, its sign reading "Tominian's Forge." Elara's heart swelled with emotion as she approached the forge, memories flooding back.
Inside, they were greeted by a young dwarf with striking resemblance to Tomi. "Welcome! I'm Liora, Tomi's granddaughter. How can I help you?"
Elara smiled warmly. "I'm Elara, an old friend of Tomi's. We've come a long way and have many stories to share."
Liora's eyes widened in recognition. "Elara! I've heard so much about you. Please, come in, and let's catch up."
The group was welcomed into the forge, where they shared stories, laughter, and memories of Tomi. Liora showed them around, displaying some of the finest weapons and armor crafted in the forge, including Elara's old sword, which she had kept safely stored.
As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the town, the group felt a deep sense of connection and purpose. Their journey had brought them to this place of memories and with Lumi by their side and the bonds of friendship stronger than ever.
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