So, almost a year had passed since the last update. Many things happened during the last ten months. Me, who thought I could end this story by the end of 2020, has not be able to keep this promise. Worldwide pandemic, personal problems and all this kind of stuff happened. Even if I know where I want this story to go, it was difficult to put things into words. I procrastinated a lot too, I won't deny that. But I'm alive, well and ready to continue. In the meantime, enjoy.

Chapter 30

Alex looked haggard, lost, his gaze absently fixed on the mane of the stallion. His train of thoughts had derailed, now acting like an automaton, and had kept a facade in front the old Rider and his companion before breaking down when he was alone. There was no emotion on his face or even in his eyes, as if something had totally broke him. And in a way, it was true!

Never would he have guessed his origins were so… alien, or otherworldly to be more precise. The swordsman got used to anything that would be considered paranormal, illogical, on Earth since the first step he took on the Alagaësian ground. But this was on a whole new level since it concerned him directly, his past and certainly his future.

Seeing that the young man wasn't mentally present, the elves he met on his ride back respected his privacy by keeping their distances and leaving him alone.

It took him a moment to be back in the reality and observe that his horse that stopped walking, directly in front of the entrance to Tialdari Hall. Mouthing a thank you in Ancient Language, he reached his apartments, closed the door behind him before locking it. Then, he made his way to the bathroom. What he saw in the mirror was barely a shell, his eyes were dead, as if the spark of life in them has been extinguished.

Just one question resumed his current mindset, Alex spoke it in a whisper: "Just, who am I?"

[A few days later…]

Looking at the elven city buzzling with life despite the day coming to a close, Arya closed her eyes and let out a small sigh through her nose. The swordsman's unwillingness to leave his room has reached her ears. At first, she thought he refused to be disturbed while studying a book but as time dragged on, there were signs telling her that something was really wrong. Firstly, the librarian told her she didn't see him since his fight with Vanir when the elven Ambassador asked. Secondly, the person designated to bring him breakfast and dinner was forced to leave the food in front of the door since he had locked himself inside.

Fortunately, when she came back later, the tray was empty of everything but still… thirdly, Alex even outright refused to answer vocally when Orik wanted to spend some time just the two of them. She knew they had spent a lot of time together lately and were beginning to be close friends so to be suddenly left unanswered was more than confusing. Fourthly, and what piqued her curiosity even more, was when she spoke to Eragon and Saphira about it. Arya knew they were busy with their formation but if they could spend a moment to try to reach him mentally and obtain an explanation for his behavior or know if he was alright, it would be great. Unfortunately, it didn't work. They were stopped by an impregnable wall around his consciousness, even Saphira's pleas, who was the one with highest chance of success thanks to their deep friendship, had been totally ignored and it hurt her a lot.

Opening her green orbs, the princess decided she would be the one who would barge in and get answers. She respected and even appreciated the young adult but they had to help him. Leaving her room and walking to his confidently, she saluted the few members of her race she met on her way. After going down two floors and a few corridors, she arrived at her destination. Arya pondered on how to trigger him into giving any sign of life, until now, the pacifist method didn't have any success. As much as she wanted to respect his privacy, the man didn't leave her much of a choice.

So, she put a hand on the handle, called out her magic before whispering a few words in Ancient Language, heard the satisfying click of the lock being released and went in, closing the door behind her.

To her uttermost surprise, the suite was totally clean and organized. She found him lying on his bed, his arms crossed behind his head and looking absently at the ceiling.

Keeping her assured behavior, she approached him. "Alex?"

The adult with almond eyes didn't answer, keeping his mouth shut long enough for her to ponder if he even heard her. "Arya Svit-kona." he finally croaked, his voice having some difficulties to utter sounds after a few days spent in total silence. At least, he was still alive and in good health from what she was seeing.

"Tell me, what happened to put you in that state? From what I learned, you played dead to everyone. Only the person chosen to bring you your meal had the slightest idea you were still alive. I barely understand why you wouldn't answer Orik or Eragon but Saphira…"

He snorted. "If I reply it's nothing, you'll know it's a lie… I had a talk with Oromis-elda and speaking with him made me saw things under a new perspective. So, I needed time to mull over about our conversation."

"Enough to shut yourself in, lock the door and worry your friends, myself included?"

A grimace made its way onto his face when the young man heard that.

"When you say it that way, you make it sound like I acted like a dick." He hummed for a few seconds and closed his eyes, a pang of guilt squeezing his heart. "I certainly was one at the moment, I can't deny that."

"A… dick?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity and unfamiliar with this word.

"It's a saying from Earth. You can use fool, idiot, moron, twit instead, if it ring a bell for you."

Arya nodded in understanding. "I was distraught by the subject of our discussion, still can't totally wrap my mind around it."

Slowly, she sat on the edge of the bed. The elven ambassador was reassured to see him open himself so easily after what happened, even if he was beating around the bush. She was in no hurry to ask him what exactly the topic of their conversation was. He needed time but it wouldn't hurt to try if he was willing enough.

"He invited me to his hut, we talked about me mostly, he examined my body, we dueled because he wanted to see how strong I was, got my ass kicked, tried a few things and discovered my immunity to magic and mental attacks was getting dangerously low. Soon enough, I'll be totally affected like everyone else."

"Does Oromis have any idea to explain this phenomenon?"

Alex wasn't an expert in lying to people, he had physicals patterns that could show when he was telling the truth if someone knew him or observed him long enough. For this one, in peculiar, using the same method as the elves and give a half-lie, would be his best bet if he didn't want to raise any suspicion. Frowning, he answered with as much conviction as possible in his voice: "Theories, at best. I gave my input on a few things, with the knowledge about magic I have at my disposal but we ended empty handed. There's nothing concrete but he said he will look deeper into a few things when he'll have time."

For what seemed an eternity to the swordsman, his dark-haired friend didn't say a word, as if she was dissecting his words to detect something that wasn't quite right or felt wrong to her. Suddenly, a faint smile made its way to her lips and she lightly nodded.

"I can't say I know how you must be feeling right now but I understand that you predicament made you react that way."

"But it still doesn't excuse my behavior." Rising up, he lowered his head in shame. As usual of him, he had let his emotion get the upper hand. "I'm sorry for acting like this, I was a little overwhelmed by all of this and reacted like I'm used to."

"Yes, but you have real friends now." Arya said. "We are here for you if you need it."

"I know."

She clasped her hands together:

"Good! If you're willing to leave your den, I have someone who'll be interested in seeing your sword and your armor."

"Hum, sure." He replied, a little disheartened by his current situation but still curious about the mysterious person she wanted him to meet. Following her instructions, Alex took his broadsword in his left hand and the damaged tactical vest in the other.

The duo left Tialdari Hall, walking under the trees. Here and there, a lantern looking like a translucent crystal was hooked against a tree or on one of its branches, illuminating the road. At the end of a tunnel of dogwood trees overgrown with climbing plants and different varieties of flowers, they entered into an atrium, belonging to a house made of numerous trees linked together in a circle. The first thing the swordsman felt was an abnormal temperature in the piece, strong enough to heat up his face.

«A bed of embers. Numerous tools in tip top shape and stored neatly. An anvil. The room is clean to a point you could eat on the ground… it belong to a blacksmith, one extremely meticulous if he, or she, keep this place of work that way all the time. »

"Rhunön-elda, are you here?"

A moment of silence followed, broken by a grunt from a nearby room. The human and the elf then heard footsteps, their host then coming into view. What shocked Alex first, when he saw her, were the marks of time on her face. She was certainly the only elf he saw who didn't modify her physical traits to look young.

"Yes, I am." Her voice was hoarse and guttural at the same time. In a way it fitted her appearance. She quickly glanced at him before focusing back on Arya. "Are you here to introduce me someone else?"

"Indeed. This is Alex, I thought it would do him good to visit the capital and that you could take a look at his equipment. It should interest you."

The Princess' logic proved to be true as there was a glint in the blacksmith's eyes while she analyzed the young man from top to bottom, stopping her gaze at the sword and the protection in his arms. "I heard about you and your story. However, I was in the middle of a work when you did your little interview."

Approaching him, she took the presented blade, observing the scabbard in great details then, unsheathed it. Her brows furrowed as she was examining it. Her expert eyes looking at every little thing. Rhunön made a few movements with the broadsword, noting its weight, balance, the sound it made as it sliced through the air. When she seemed satisfied with the results, she gave it back to its owner.

"Fascinating." She breathed. "I don't know what metal was used to forge it but it's impressive. Not as strong or malleable as the brightsteel but an incredible one nonetheless."

"I had it commissioned by a master blacksmith, one who studied this art during his whole life."

"He did well. What component was used?"

"An alloy made of steel, but a special kind, imported from another part of the world with specific properties and titanium. Making it at same time stainless and improving its durability, I had to save a lot of money to be able to commission it."

"Titanium? Never heard of it."

Alex chuckled, his right hand reaching the back of his head to scratch it. "Specific of Earth, however I wouldn't be surprised if it exist here too, since this planet has the same livable properties as mine."

The blacksmith's eyes then wandered to what the young adult was holding with his right arm.

"And what's this?"

"My armor." He replied. "It was partially dented when I took a blow for Saphira against Durza's army."

It was at this precise moment Arya chose to reenter into the conversation. She cleared her throat and put her two cents. "Indeed. I asked Alex to take it with because I'd like you to repair it."

"How can you protect yourself correctly with that?" Rhunön snatched the protection from him and inspected every inch of the tactical vest. "Nothing for the neck or even the arms. It's like you're asking to have your members cut off."

"Earth is six hundred years technologically more advanced than here. We abandoned swords and bows long ago, replacing it by projectiles propelled with gunpowder. We had to adapt our armors to the threat we were facing."

The blacksmith nodded. "But it's not adapted for the conflicts of this world."

"Exactly!"

"So," She began. "What would be best, is to have something than can work on Alagaësia and where you're from."

"No. I'm not a soldier on my planet. Its main use would be here. I need to have more than my torso protected, while keeping my mobility intact."

Rhunön put a hand to her chin and began to scratch it.

"An armor at the same time solid enough to ward off any blow but giving you all the freedom of movement you need… it's going to be difficult."

"I'm willing to give it a try. However, if you want it, you have to earn it and work for it." Alex couldn't help but let out a small smile.

"Fine for me." He presented his left hand and she shook it, formalizing the deal.

Arya then added. "Now that it's done, I have to leave you two. I have some duties that cannot be further repelled. I hope to see you at the Agaeti Blödhren Alex, it would be a great honor to have an Ambassador taking part of this celebration. Have a good day!" Before the almond-eyed man could utter a sound, she had left. Furrowing a brow, he wondered if it hadn't be a ploy since the beginning, from the princess, to get him out of his shell. If it really was the case, it worked really well.