Finding the overly calm Ori and Slite, Imuru paused, taking a quick look around the area where he found his broken sword.
Picking it up he went to sheath it. "One thing at a time," Imuru thought, a bitter smile on his face.
He stepped up onto the platform. Perplexed, he glanced around for any signs of Forcent not wanting to leave his Ennom.
"Umm. Where's Forcent," Imuru inquired, a wary sweat running down his cheek.
"He wandered off, Young Master," Slite replied. "Do not worry, I am certain there is not much to be worried about."
"Yea~..." Imuru murmured, knowing well enough to trust his instincts when it comes to Forcent.
And not to his surprise, they spotted the Ennom dragging a guard along in his mouth.
"I stand corrected, it seems," Slite said swiftly.
"Ugh." Imuru stepped off the platform. "Forcent…"
Releasing the man from his mouth, he got into a fighting stance, triggering electricity to crackle across Forcent's body, glaring down upon the man, causing him to lose confidence immediately, despite his fighting stance as he trembled.
"Grahh! I-I… I can take him," The guard boasted with staggering confidence… Or stupidity.
"No You Can Not!" Imuru clapped back. Sighing, he got in between the two. "Alright what happened?"
"Loyalist of Calnary," Forcent replied. "His pitiful blade shattered when he attacked me."
"Excuse me?" Imuru murmured.
"That's right… This was for Calnary. You dirt bags thing this is over? When he comes back you'll see, both of you," The guard shouted.
Glaring at the man, Imuru felt his irritation becoming undeniable. "You Attacked My Forcent?" Giving a creepy smile and an ominous dark purple aura, Imuru raised his hand, grinning. "Better yet, you're with Calnary. Good enough for me. Bel—"
Before Imuru could finish his statement, Forcent picked him up by his collar, with his mouth, walking off to the platform.
"NOOOOOO!!! No, no, no, no. Let me have him," Imuru cried out, flailing around, swinging at the air and kicking his feet. "Just one, one!"
The guard threw out a fist, almost as if he achieved something. "Hahaha! That's right you better r—"
A weak, swift bolt of lightning shut the man up in a second—curtsy of the Ennom Forcent, knocking him out.
Ori scoffed in disgust, condescendingly looking down at the unconscious man. "Strike him again."
"Ori," Slite calmly called her name.
"Whatever," Ori mumbled, frowning.
Imuru propped his hands up on his side, a deep smirk on his face. Beneath the platform started to glow, up in full operation.
"Guess that ten minutes is up?" Imuru thought, looking down. "Fuuu~..." He closed his eyes, leaning his head slightly to the right. "I wonder how long I took… Overall. That shouldn't matter, I for sure won't be getting into an issue like this again… I doubt, but I hope," Imuru thought.
They soon vanished in a flash. On the other side, King Alistaar and Queen Lara, held each other closely, patiently waiting.
Seeing the platform come to life, their eyes widened, but their guards got in front of them, eyeing the platform with suspicion.
The quiet of the tower finally echoed with a joy so profound it seemed to chase the very shadows. The King and Queen, their regal composure shattered by relief, rushed forward not as monarchs, but as parents. Queen Lara gathered her daughter into a crushing embrace, her tears of joy dampening the princess's travel-worn dress, while the King joined them, with calm grace.
The royal guards, their light armour gleaming, broke formation with smiles and cheers, their spears raised not in defense, but triumphant salute.
Ori pulled in her distant grandfather into the family embrace, the unspoken bond between them a silent testament to their shared ordeal.
A reverent silence fell, as they took sudden notice of the creature that stood beside Imuru. The jubilant cheers died in their throats, replaced by a collective icy dread. Guards instinctively tightened their grips on their spears, and the King took a half-step in front of his family, for the ethereal creature, beautiful and deadly, was a legendary Great Wolf from the Snowy Peaks of Mount Criin. A remnant of a place so primal that its very presence felt like a blasphemous whisper of an unforgiving winter.
Into the grand dining hall, a place usually filled with boisterous chatter, was gripped by a tense silence broken only by the soft clink of Imuru's cutlery, and the twins Orin playfully squirming in her grandfather's arm and Slute doing the same in Ori's.
Right beside Imuru, the Ennom its flame whip pulsing like a raging calm. The King and Queen watched it with poorly concealed anxiety, their own plates untouched.
It took some time to work up the courage, but at least King Alistaar did. "Imuru. We cannot thank you enough for returning our daughter and my father home safely."
Imuru nodded, in interest focused, sneakily on the food, taking small bites, boasting his delicate table manners, yet he deeply wished to simply stuff his face… Then perhaps lick the plate clean.
After all, it would be a shame to waste such a delicacy, but of course such behaviour in a setting such as this would be seen as distasteful, would not.
He glanced at Forcent, then back at his own plate, willing to share. Imuru cleared his throat, swiftly stuck the plate underneath the table and slipped behind his seat.
Offering up what was left, the Ennom didn't fuss, devouring it quickly so Imuru could climb back to his seat, slipping the plate back onto the table.
Luckily enough for him, the King and Queen had their unadulterated attention on the Ennom so his little… Movement went unnoticed.
"About our end of the deal. We promised you that platform, did we not? We'll have three of our best craftsmen, and sigil experts to accompany you back to your village," King Alistaar boasted, as a tall, lean elf with the signature white, stepped out.
"It will be my pleasure to fulfill your wish, Young Imuru," The elf bowed, stepping off.
Imuru looked up to the family that were once apart and broken, now together, their bond stronger than ever. It was about time for his departure, with the day he'd had coming to an end, to start the chill of the night and the countdown to the next.
"Platform?" Ori thought, her thoughts finally aligning into focus. "Oh. With a platform we could visit you as often as you allow?"
"That's quite brilliant. Young Lord, have you thought of forming an alliance?" Slite inquired.
"Good idea," Ori agreed. "Despite your small settlement coming along nicely. Forming a diplomatic alliance with us could open up many opportunities…"
Even with such very useful information, Imuru's thoughts were mostly focused on getting back home, longing for a day of relaxation.
His elbow settled on the wooden surface and his head tilted, his cheek coming to rest heavily in his palm.
"You can take your time, there is no need to rush," Queen Lara commented, easing Imuru.
"Thinking about it, that sounds like even more trouble…" Imuru mused. "The platform is something pretty noteworthy though. When I get them to build it back home, the Dark Deviders could learn how to copy it."
"Hm. It's like an investment for future developments, without having to worry about any real issues. Just a small, simple settlement, trying to survive."
Coming to a not so difficult conclusion, Imuru rejected the offer by not rejecting it completely. "That is much appreciated, but I'd like to have a conversation about it first, with the others."
"Of course. Take your time," King Alistaar said, reassuring Imuru. "Another thing. We've prepared a celebration in your name, a small—"
Zoning out, Imuru stared ahead, a facade of interest on his face. "Eh~e… I'd honestly rather not. If I say no… Uff, sounds rude."
Glancing to his companion, Forcent locked eyes with Imuru briefly, seeing through his facade.
"Another time," Forcent's said, his voice striking immediate fear into the King and Queen, making them hyper alert and drawing back their attention to him. "We have something important to attend to, regarding our home."
"Oh my," Lara muttered in shock. "And here we are keeping up your time."
"Yes, another time, will be perfectly fine," King Alistaar said a second after. "Naturally, someone such as yourself would have lots to attend to."
"Well, that works…" Imuru thought surprised. "... On another note, they do seem pretty scared of Forcent."
"Busy?" Ori thought, beaming at him. "Busy? Busy he is not… Maybe back at the Sacred Forest Capital, but definitely not at home. I cannot complain, considering what he has done for us. Letting it pass."
Getting the meet over with, Imuru shook Alistaar's and Lara's hand one last time, and was given a bow from Slite, the twins mimicking their grandfather.
"Very cute," Imuru thought, smiling while doing the same.
Waiting for him on the outside of the room were the elves that would be constructing the platform. One he met earlier, was seemingly 2ft taller than the others, and he bowed before he addressed Imuru. "The materials have been gathered and we are at your service," He said diligently.
"Materials?" Imuru pondered, his eyes darting around. "Where?"
Turning to Forcent for answers, the Ennom informed him it was likely stored in their pocket dimension.
Sighing, Imuru felt as if his head was on fire. "I'd seriously had enough for one day."