"Here." The brother returned with a small little lion cub. Placing it into Eren's hands.
"Now leave."
"What is this?" Asking whilst holding onto the little furball who was purring away happily.
"This is what that blonde fool wanted. Now leave."
"What?" Looking into the cubs' eyes. Staring back at him were soft blue orbs, like sapphires. The fur was a light tan, almost gold. Feline ears twitched as it purred in content. It was an adorable little thing.
"Why does Baelor want a lion?" He asked the elf, who was now sitting down to resume whatever work it was that required cutting a bird open.
"Your business is complete. Fuck off." The elves' manners were straight from the gutter. It almost reminded him of someone. For he couldn't quite place who it was.
"Oi, where are your elven manners?" A woman who stood taller than all entered behind Eren. Long brown hair, she had the figure of an Amazonian; toned abs and muscle that were visible even through the leather clothing.
"Tch. You can show him for me."
"Very well husband; I'll take this one from here, thank you." Her words were spoken with power, commanding the room. She gestured to the outside, where the rest of the women had returned to their normal chores.
The lion cub still rested happily in Eren's arms. It looked up at the new arrival with curious eyes.
"Hello little human. I am Alene. That grumpy old elf is my husband Elwyn. And you?" The woman smiled, patting the lion cub on the head.
"Eren Heart. I'm just here to deliver for Baelor. I have two packages. One business and one for Mr. grumpy." Handing over the brown envelope to the Amazon.
"I see. Please forgive my husband's manners. Having 6 wives and 15 children can be a bit stressful." Alene explained, gesturing to the camp.
"15 kids? That is... a lot." He spoke. There were indeed many children running around with various mothers. It was hard to see any resemblance between any of them and the elf bar the amber eyes. Maybe it was just the locals side that came through.
A group of little ones ran by Eren. Curious about the white hair they all pointed and spoke in a language the boy did not understand.
"What is this place?" He asked, stroking the lion cub still in arms.
"Baelor has not mentioned us to you? How strange. We are a tribe; this is our home. Our goal, to preserve this land. A sanctuary from those Atlas bastards. They nearly wiped out our tribe. If not for Elwyn we may have gone extinct." Alene explained with a hint of bitterness.
"I see... Do you have dinosaurs." Eren still focused on his goal, ignoring the big lady pouring her heart out.
"Bah. Dinosaurs are an ugly, foul tempered, meat headed things. They are the least interesting part of this world." Elwyn interrupted from behind.
Eren was gobsmacked. An elf that dared smack talk dinosaurs? The man couldn't believe what was coming out of this elf's mouth.
"Once more forgive my husband's lack of manners. We however, do not carry them." Alene spoke again.
"Well... can I see one?" Eren asked, hopeful that maybe these people would be able to point them in the right direction.
"I am afraid not. They are located far deeper into the jungles; beyond the reach of even my hunters."
"Ahhhh! Mother!" A boy yelled from the outskirts of the camp.
Outside the knights stood; bugs of all shapes, sizes and colours crawled over their shadowed forms.
Some were disturbed to have them on their armour.
Women and young boys pointed spears at them, keeping distance.
"What are these things?" Alene questioned, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of concern. She stared at the knights, trying to figure out what they were.
"Their mine. Pile them up please." Gesturing to an open space.
The knights moved to leave the bugs on the ground, yet some still crawled along the shadows, as if attached. They moved like the tendrils of the abyss. A mass of darkness that squirmed and writhed beneath their feet.
"Eat." The rings tendrils devoured all; bugs, worms, plants, slugs, and other creatures. All were consumed, all gone as if nothing had ever been.
Once more the knights disappeared into the shadows of the tree line.
The tribe, all the women and children, stared at Eren in silence. They did not know what to make of this strange white-haired boy; who could summon these dark beings and devour all that stood before them.
'About time you gave me something new. Do I convert?'
Swordsmen: 32/32
Archers: 15/15
Brutes: 3/3
Shadow wolves: 6/6
"Come out." From the tree line came 6 hounds. Shadowed fur, big bulky frames, long snouts, and sharp teeth. Each one was as large as a lion; each had split iris, one of azure the other of violet.
Each sat on their tails. awaiting their masters' commands.
"Good dogs." Eren patted each on the head. They yipped happily at being given attention.
"Oh my, power over the dead. Elwyn! Come look!" Alene called over her husband.
The grumpy black elf approached from the tent.
Walking over to the beasts without a word. Trying to inspect their being with a keen eye. But it was difficult when the wolves refused to stay still under the poking and prodding.
"Make them sit still."
"Elwyn. He is our guest and you are being rude." Alene chastised her husband. "If you want to look, you have to ask nicely." She was clearly the voice of reason for the pair and the tribe.
"Tch, fine..." Elwyn huffed. "Mr. Heart, I request permission to look at your... creatures."
"It's alright. Go ahead." The elves' words were spoken in a grumpy and annoyed tone, but Eren could tell it was not directed at himself. Rather at being told what to do by the women.
"Open." The creatures opened its jaws; revealing sharp fangs, each one longer than a finger. A large muscular tongue. A mouth that could swallow a head whole.
Elwyn stuck his entire head inside. Looking around in the darkness, trying to see something in the shadow. Curious about the inner workings.
"These are recreations of the wolves of the golden plains of Eosar. Long thought extinct servants of the god slayer... That ring... Is historical treasure. Where did you find it?" Elwyn asked, taking his head out of the beast.
"It would take too long to explain. But I received it from someone. They wanted me to use it."
"This someone must have some powerful connections to have an artefact of the god slayers. Husband, could he help us?"
"Tch." Elwyn scoffed, looking at Eren up and down.
"Do what you want with him. I'm going back to work." The black elf spoke with disdain before leaving.
"Once more, please forgive my husband. He can be quite... Stubborn. But please we would like you help."
Still with the Lion in arms. Eren thought for a moment. "Okay then."
Alene began to explain the situation of the tribe. She spoke of the constant pressure from Atlas Industries; who wanted to secure the boss of this gate which was in the safe keeping of the tribe.
With the boss secured they would not have to fear the gate closing prematurely, nor worry about other guilds coming to claim it as their own.
Eren's quest.
To slay it.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. It will resurrect after it is killed, but it will cut off those basterds for some months. That'll teach em a lesson for pillaging our homeland."
"Take me to it."
It was only a few meters from the camp. Within the cliffside was an enclave; large enough to hold several trucks. A great nest of leaves, sticks and vines had been constructed in the centre of this space.
It was here that the boss was yet no sign of it.
"Where is it?"
"We don't know? It hides amongst the shadows. I'm hoping that someone of your ability would-"
*Sniff* *Sniff*
"Awoo." A low howl from behind. One of the shadow wolves had caught the scent, it investigated the darkness, staring into the very shadows themselves, growling lowly as if daring something to come out. It was clear, it had found its prey.
*Chomp* *Snap*
And just like that a small little lizard, no bigger than a mouse. Engulfed in the jaws of the beast.
"It's done."
"What, Really?! My tribe had spent years looking amongst the rocks for that; laying traps trying to lure it out. And you found it in mere moments?" The woman was shocked, amazed, and filled with admiration.
"Yeah, it makes my life a boring hell sometimes too."
The boys' words confused Alene, but she paid no heed. As if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "Thank you, Mr. Heart. I hope that we will meet again soon."
"I'm sure we will." Eren was annoyed that his quick gate clearing ability had once again been proven. What would take parties weeks or even months was a mere flick of the hand for this man.
Eren began to make his way back to the gate. He didn't want to get trapped within.
"Wait." Elwyn spoke from behind. "Here. Take this to my brother."
A small envelope. Eren was quickly turning into a messenger pigeon between two siblings. The man took it with thanks and returned to the gate.
***
Back in Baelors office:
"In breaking news. The gate to Meso-Americ; under the ownership of Atlas industries. Has been closed prematurely, leaving hundreds of workers stranded in the gate."
"In what has been quickly regarded as industrial espionage. Atlas industries are scrambling to find out which rival has closed their gates."
"A spokesperson from Atlas industries had this to say..."
Eren walked into the Guildmaster office; lion cub in tow, plotting along on its tiny little legs.
"May I ask why you decided to commit industrial espionage?" The blonde elf asked, gesturing for Eren to take a seat.
"Your brothers wives asked me to." Eren explained as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
"Very well. Now may I see it?" In turn Baelor answered with equal nonchalance.
"My, those eyes of sapphires. A rare breed indeed. You will serve as an excellent mascot." Baelor stroked the lions chin, speaking to the cub as if it were a person, in the tone one would speak to a cute child. It purred back happily, rubbing its head into Baelor's hand.
"You shall be named... Rhea."
A purr of acceptance came from the lion, who began licking its paw like a cat. Eren stood and watched; a bit bemused by the display of affection from the normally stoic elf.
"And you, my friend. Did you enjoy your trip? Any dinosaurs?" Baelor asked, looking up at Eren.
"No. Your brothers a prick too, doesn't smile, looks like he would punch a kitten and has a foul mouth." The irony was lost on Eren, but Baelor saw it all.
"I am well aware. You must forgive Elwyn; He never was one for... socialising. Much like yourself."
Eren ignored the last comment. Still holding some disappointment he failed in his initial goal to see those ancient beasts.
"Oh, here from your brother." He passed the envelope to Baelor, who in turn opened it with a quick flick of a letter opener. The elf read it with a stern face; expected business.
Instead, his face began to smile, a soft and tender look graced the elves face. Then tears. He wept over the letter, eyes watering and filled with happiness.
"Is everything okay?" Eren asked. Wondering if something terrible was happening to the man. Yet Baelor just smiled back.
"My friend... Everything is wonderful. This is the first I've heard in over a century. "
'Hello brother, I am well, how are you?' Was all the letter said, but it brought joy to Baelor's heart. Such little words meant so much more than anyone could ever know.
Eren above all knew what it was like to finally break through. The feeling of rekindled connections can't be put into words. He left the elf to his joy. It was time to go home to his sister.