章 65: Ruby? 3
Ruby clapped her hands together, her voice carrying a commanding yet warm tone. "With all that said and done, it is time, everyone. The food is ready, so let's feast and enjoy ourselves!"
As soon as the words left her lips, the air shimmered with a faint, magical glow. A long, ornate table appeared in the center of the cave, its surface carved from rich mahogany wood, polished to a mirror-like sheen. The table was adorned with intricate designs of leaves and flowers, as though the forest itself had woven its essence into the wood. Around it, chairs of various sizes emerged, each perfectly suited to the beings that would occupy them. At one end, a smaller table, just as elaborate, appeared specifically for the faeries, with tiny chairs to match their delicate forms.
Levy and Ella, their wings fluttering in excitement, flew over to the faerie table. Ella's eyes sparkled with delight as she took in the sight. "This is amazing—a table with a section just for faeries! This is so awesome!"
Levy nodded, her own joy reflected in her glowing smile. "It's perfect."
Ruby watched them with a satisfied grin before turning to Lilith. "Lilith, sit down over there. Elara and I will handle the rest. And take Tami with you; she can lie next to you. I've got some good food for her too."
Lilith, nodded. Her crimson eyes softened as she called over Tami, the little Fenrir pup. Tami bounded toward her, her midnight fur shining under the soft light of the cave. With a gentle nudge, Lilith guided Tami to a cushioned spot beside her chair, where a silver dish filled with tender cuts of meat awaited her. The pup wagged her tail happily before settling down beside Lilith, her sharp eyes watching everything with keen interest.
Ruby turned to Elara, her smirk widening. "Now, Elara, we can start our duty as maids, and I can see what you've learned in the many years we've been apart."
Elara, met Ruby's gaze with a determined smile. "Yes, Ruby," she said confidently. "I'll show you."
With a graceful wave of her hand, Elara summoned a series of floating trays, each laden with sumptuous dishes. The aroma of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and spiced vegetables filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the cave. The walls, illuminated by the flickering glow of enchanted crystals embedded in the stone, seemed to dance with the warmth of the feast.
Ruby joined Elara, her movements equally fluid and precise. Together, they moved around the table, placing platters and bowls filled with a dazzling array of food. There were golden-brown pheasants, their skins crispy and glistening with honey glaze, bowls of steaming root vegetables seasoned with herbs, and loaves of bread still warm from the oven, their crusts crackling softly as they were set down. For dessert, there were delicate pastries filled with fruits and creams, and a towering cake adorned with edible flowers.
As Ruby and Elara worked, the atmosphere in the cave grew even more lively. The soft murmur of conversation filled the space, punctuated by bursts of laughter. The once quiet and secluded cave now felt like a grand hall, filled with the warmth and camaraderie of friends and family.
Levy and Ella, perched at their faerie table, were busy chattering away, their plates piled high with food that seemed to have been crafted specifically for their tastes—tiny, delicately seasoned morsels that burst with flavor. Levy was nibbling on a piece of fruit while Ella admired the craftsmanship of the faerie-sized cutlery.
Lilith, seated at the larger table, stroked Tami's fur as she glanced around the room, her eyes softening at the sight of her friends gathered together. She felt a sense of peace she hadn't known before. The warmth of the firelight flickered in her eyes as she watched Ruby and Elara work in tandem, their years of separation now bridged by the simple act of preparing a meal together.
Once everything was in place, Ruby and Elara took their seats. Ruby's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she looked around the table. "Everyone, let's dig in!"
As they began to eat, the cave was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and cheerful conversation. The food was as delicious as it smelled, each bite filled with the rich, comforting flavors of home-cooked meals. It was a feast not just of food, but of friendship, a celebration of the bonds that had brought them all together in this unlikely place.
The cave, once a silent and hidden refuge for the waypoint teleportation array, had become a place of joy and togetherness. The walls echoed with laughter and the clinking of glasses, a testament to the strength of the friendships that had been forged and the adventures that were yet to come.
Ruby looked over at Lilith, who was quietly enjoying her meal, then turned her gaze back to Elara. Her expression grew more serious as she leaned in slightly. "I might send her on a quest," Ruby said thoughtfully. "It will be good for her. It might take years from her perspective, but for us, it will feel like no time at all."
"A quest?" Elara murmured, her brows furrowing in concern.
Ruby nodded, her eyes glinting with the hint of a plan forming. "Yes, a quest. Something challenging, something that will push her beyond her limits. Jakinn would have done the same if he were here," she added, her voice softening at the mention of Jakinn. "This world is full of dangers and wonders, and she needs to be ready for them."
Elara glanced over at Lilith, who was unaware of the conversation, happily sharing a piece of meat with Tami. "Are you sure she's ready for something like this?" Elara asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"She has strength in her that she doesn't even realize yet," Ruby replied, her tone firm with conviction. "But she needs to discover it on her own. I will use my magic to send her away, to a place where she'll be tested. The only way she can return is by learning the art of teleportation."
Elara's eyes widened slightly. "Teleportation? That's advanced magic, Ruby. I can't even use it. And I had your guidance."
"And that's exactly why this quest will be so important for her," Ruby said, her voice unwavering. "She'll have to find her own path, just as we did. She won't be alone, she will have Aurora soul with her. I am sure with the dragon spirit guiding her, she can master it."
Elara studied Ruby's face, seeing the determination etched in her features. She knew Ruby's mind was set, and once she decided on something, it was nearly impossible to sway her. "When do you plan to tell her?" Elara asked quietly.
"Not yet," Ruby said, a faint smile touching her lips. "Tonight is about celebrating together. But soon, when the time is right, I'll tell her. She needs to enjoy these moments of peace while she can."
The two women sat in silence for a moment, the sounds of laughter and conversation filling the air around them. Ruby's gaze drifted back to Lilith, who was now laughing at something Levy had said, her crimson eyes glowing with happiness.
"I believe in her," Ruby murmured softly, more to herself than to Elara. "She'll come back stronger, wiser, and ready for whatever lies ahead."
Elara nodded, trusting in Ruby's judgment, even as a sliver of apprehension tugged at her heart. They had all faced their own trials and quests, each one shaping them into who they were today. Now it was Lilith's turn, and though the path would be difficult, it was a necessary step in her journey.
As the feast continued, the cave remained filled with warmth and joy, but beneath the surface, Ruby and Elara both knew that a new chapter was about to begin—one that would challenge Lilith in ways she had never imagined.
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