Chapter 6
Dark and Aeron were finally out in the real world. They passed through abandoned towns and villages without much event, as they found no survivors yet, save a man who was quite insane. He kept muttering about chickens, and seemed quite convinced Dark was a chinchompa.
They fell into a routine: walk, look for survivors, camp. For two weeks this was all they did, and it took a mental toll on the pair. They had lived their whole lives in a lush forest, with plenty of life and everything provided. Now, they were trying to survive in a dead land. But there were glimmers of hope here and there. Weeds and even some flowers started to grow back. A phoenix from the ashes, as one might say.
It was the first day of the third week, and they were almost to the Gnome Stronghold. Dark and Aeron didn't know what they would find, and despite having prepared themselves, they both found anxiety overcoming them. Finally, they saw a glimpse of the great wooden doors that guarded the stronghold close ahead; still intact. Dark started tearing up with relief. Something, someone could still be alive. They reached the doors, and simultaneously, Dark and Aeron called in the Ancient Language that all elder races know and trusted each other by. "We are friends!" rang out through the orchards (or what was left of them).
Immediately, a voice yelled out in the same language, "Who are you, and what purpose do you seek here?"
Aeron, being the eldest, called, "We are merely a company of two, though we are more than just that. We are elves, from the nomadic tribe of Isafdar! We seek shelter, and warmth, for no more than a fortnight. In return, we bring healing and hope."
The voice again called out, "Come forward," this time sounding less guarded. The great wooden doors sparkled to life, glimmering with enchantments, and creaked open on hinges that have long since been oiled. Dark and Aeron walked forward, wondering what would meet them. Dark asked anxiously, "Do you think we'll meet royalty? Do you think there are others like us that have already reached here? What about humans? Do you think some survived?"
"Dark, calm down," Aeron said laughing at her eagerness. "I haven't seen you this excited since you shot your first pawny. This is a long journey, one we do not know the result to yet, and won't for quite a while."