Chapter 3: House of Glass
"Lord Sieghart" Leo said bowing low his sword returning to its baton form.
Eve perk up when she heard 'Sieghart'.
In front of her is the lord of the castle Elsword wears his old lord knight uniform minus the armor and instead wore a red cloak with the symbol of Velder on the back, a necklace with a shape of what looks like a key hangs on his neck and a pair of glasses, Eve wonders when he started wearing them. On his left hand is a slim sword that he use as a cane, she could see that he's leaning on it heavily to support him up.
His skin is deadly pale and bags are forming under his eyes indicating he hasn't been sleeping well for some time as Eve guess, his spiky red hair grow longer with a ponytail droop down covering most of his face and eyes and shoulders slanting.
Eve wasn't sure if the person in front of her is the same Elsword she knew, she remembered him as bright as the sun on a clear day, full of energy and life as she describes but the one in front of her is weary and somber from many sleepless nights and could barely stand without the cane.
He turned and approached Eve still on the ground.
"Eve? It's me" he called gently tilting her head towards him.
"Elsword?" she responded still unsure who the person is in front of her.
He smiled softly to her which made her blush confirming its him "don't worry everything is fine now"
He bend down and held her close to his chest and embraces her; Eve's face flushed red at the close contact instead of her cheeks heating up her temperature drop from critical to normal levels the unnatural heat dissipating.
Her nasod servants seem to be recovering as well.
"Bring them all here too" he ordered the knights.
One by one the knights brought his friends closer to him helping them up. Ciel refused the assistance and carried his master himself.
"Raven" he said inspecting the damage.
He's out cold and his nasod arm is ruined aside from major burns across his chest he seems alright, he could see he is still in pain as his face strain from screaming out.
"Elsword? Is that you?" he opened his eyes as Elsword placed his hand on his shoulder.
"I'll make the pain stop for a while".
With his finger he wrote a rune on his shoulder and immediately a soothing sensation envelop him, the pain from his chest and arm disappeared even his nasod arm slowly knit itself the metal growing from nothing restoring it from before, but he is still unable to move.
"You have a lot of explaining to do" Ciel said laying Lu down on the ground, a hint of anger in his voice.
"I will answer all your questions, but first".
He sat down and placed Lu's head on his lap slowly and gently he strokes her white hair.
She momentary glowed and stirred awake "hmm, huh?"
"It's alright" he said and chuckled "You're cute like this".
The girl stood upright and retreated behind Ciel's back in a flash, cheeks turning red.
"W-W-What's that about!?" she stuttered.
Elsword chuckled and approached Ciel but waived his hand.
"I'm fine, tend to the others".
Nodding he beckon the knights for the rest of his friends.
A knight laid Add still unconscious before him and hummed in surprise.
"It's a good thing he perfected his nasod armor otherwise broken bones and crushed organs is the least of his worries, you hold back didn't you Leo" turning his head to the lion.
Leo just stood in place showing no emotion or movement.
Elsword went back to his work and wrote a runic script with his finger like a pen in which Add's body began to glow, he wrote several more runes until he is satisfied with his first aid, he called for a knight to take him and bring him inside the castle for proper treatment.
He then approaches Chung seeing his best friend who hasn't change much he smiled teasingly.
"The princess is not used to being treated roughly, too much pampering your highness? ~"
Chung rolled his eyes smirking "Haha very funny Elsword" he said sarcastically "and its king now".
Elsword chuckle "of course your majesty" he wrote a rune on his shoulder and same feeling of relief washed over him.
"Not the kind of royal treatment you're used to have but it will do".
"Thanks".
Rena is lied down on the ground still unconscious but suffered minor burns across her body, Elsword's hand glows red and placed them over her and slowly the burn marks slowly disappear.
"hmm" she finally roused herself.
"You're going to be okay" Elsword said patting her shoulder before moving to his next patient.
Ara is beside Eun, the strike has severely wounded the fox spirit bleeding heavily from her side, the maiden channeled her spirit energy to aid her but it didn't the wound refuse to close.
"Don't worry Eun" Ara said comforting her partner.
"This is nothing…for someone like me…ngh" she said but gradually her condition is getting worse.
"Oh dear" Elsword said gaining their attention.
"That looks bad, here" he moved forward and stroke the fox spirit gently, the wound slowly knit itself closed restoring her before she was impaled.
"Oooh~" she moaned as a warm pleasing sensation works across her repairing the damage she sustained.
"Your good with your hands boy~" the fox said seductively.
Elsword chuckle and said "Thanks I guess" as he continue his work.
Once done he turned to the other girl "you too Ara, come here" he said beckoning the girl to him.
"Yes Ara you should to feel his hands all over you~" Eun said teasingly which made the girl blush.
"Eun!" she cried which made the fox laugh at her embarrassment.
Elsword ignoring it kept smiling and placed a hand on the girls cheek which surprises her, Ara can sense a large amount of chi being transferred to her from his hand; it was soothing taking away her fatigue and pain from her injuries.
"There, all better?" Ara blushed and turned away "Y-Yeah, thanks".
Nodding Elsword turned his attention to the elf Rena being the less injured of the group starting to get up and Aisha casts healing magic on herself.
He bit down his laugh as the mage attempt to heal herself but failing, finding her frustration amusing.
"You know that won't work" he smirks as Aisha turned to him with an angry look, glaring at him.
"You better explain yourself, the wounds, your knights and everything happening in the castle" she demanded Elsword's grin fell for a second but recovered quickly.
"We should tend to ourselves first" Rena suggested, with her sharp senses she noticed his mood changed for a second, the knights as well their fingers twitching.
"Agreed" he wrote a rune again and envelop them both to the same healing light.
Once down the knights brought to him his last patient her sister, still immobilized by the damage done to her, Elsword seeing this waste no time and come to her side.
"You alright sis? Here this will make it better" he again channeled his magic to heal her.
"Thanks, you must feel ashamed that your big sis got beaten up this badly".
"Don't say that, nothing will change my respect for you" he said as he finish his work and beckon her to stand.
Elesis is amazed that the pain and burns on her back subside like she wasn't struck before.
"When did you learned this level of magic, and where did you found your knights there pretty strong" she asked.
Elsword pursed his lips with his finger playfully "That's a secret~".
She raised a brow, Elsword wasn't the type to hide something from her, and he wasn't the same hot-headed, straightforward he was before, it's like he's a different person altogether.
"Now that's everyone patched up, let's all head inside and make sure he didn't do anything permanent on you all" he said which make them wonder what he meant 'permanent'.
"Hold up!" Aisha stopping him in place.
"You have a lot of explaining to do, and we want answers now!" she demands getting too close in his space.
"The spirits, your magic, what have you been doing all these years, everything!" a sharp ring of steel split and she immediately backed up.
Elsword stares at her with a blank expression but his sword is placed on one of his knight's arm, sword half drawn.
The other knights around them was about to raise theirs as well but froze in place, the offending knight sheathed his sword and bowed apologetically and the others followed.
"First off" he began tapping his sword-cane on the ground "I apologize for my knight's behavior, their normally polite to others and secondly I will answer everything on your mind inside the castle".
He said reassuringly but with force, the knights slowly inch closer surrounding them.
It was then did they realized the predicament there all in, caught between a fierce lion and the jaws of a beast, there were no condition to fight given their recent scuffle with the lion itself nor could they get away.
Elsword seeing this wore again his smile, this time more friendly as the knights around him relaxed though not steeping back.
He gestured to the gate opening more widely this time.
"Please" He pleaded.
Still uncertain they turned to each other unsure of what to do or what to say. Concern and worry written on their faces, Add was taken inside already for treatment and they come here for answers, the choice would have been easy. But there is something about inside the castle that makes them re-think their plans, something malicious a killing aura gripping their hearts.
The lion Leo he was called approached and rested his hand on Elesis shoulder not as scorching hot before and said "I advise to follow" he griped his baton more tightly and knights shifted threateningly.
"It's impolite to deny him".
The thump of Elsword's cane and the clanking metal on stone ground is the only sound that can be heard as the company marches through the courtyard.
Beside him is the lion Leo and behind him are the El search party, his friends, and his comrades but with knights at their side their more like prisoners escorted to a prison cell.
Elesis is at the front just behind her brother boring at his back with her eyes hoping that he would notice, but so far there's nothing yet.
"Not the kind of welcome were expecting" Ciel said just behind her.
"Well they do have the courtesy to receive us" Raven said looking around them.
Around them filling the courtyard ranks after ranks of fire knights in formation greet them, their banners held high, sigil of the lion and heart and their eyes burning from the depth of their helms. As they pass there gaze follow them from the walls and from the knights on the ground end from end and it perturbed them.
"There are thousands of them, where did he get so many?" Chung asked no one in particular.
"Weapons and Armor" Aisha answered "there were weapons and armor on those wagons, it's difficult to capture a fire spirit but with runes it's simple to seal them in suits of armor, question is how did he make them this…loyal?"
"Whatever he did it's quite effective" Elesis said "He's making an army here, but an army for what?"
In front of them the lion was whispering something to Elswords ear, they don't know what they're talking about but it appears he told the lion something he insisted.
The lion looked back and sighted with the rise and fall of his shoulders, slowing his pace so that he would be beside Elesis.
"My lord wishes for me to apologize for my misbehavior" he said monotonely without looking at them instead keeping them forward.
"You don't look sorry" Aisha said crossing her arms.
Leo didn't say anything after that, they continued through the yard as silence accompany them towards the manor, it was too much and lacking a reply Lu snapped.
"We were summoned here, didn't you see the letter? Oh that's right you burned it!" Lu yelled at the lion.
"Lu, please" Ciel said calming the demon lord down.
"Let her wail my lord, indeed I did and will do so again if need be" he look at Elsword as he opened the door inside the manor, Elsword beckon them inside.
"My lord by your leave" Leo bowed and Elsword bid him be.
Before he left he whispered something to them an advice that weigh heavily "Do not pry or stalked the halls at night my lady there is nothing here for any of you" he said to Elesis and with that he left back to the gate along with the knights leaving them in Elsword's mercy. They didn't get the chance to ask why since he left them in a hurry.
"What does he mean by that?" Chung said puzzled what the lion meant.
"I think were about to find out" Elesis lead them all inside Elswords home.
"Welcome to house Siegehart" Elsword greeted his friends letting them inside the manor.
The entrance hall have a grand stairwell right in front of them and arch hallways leading to other more deeper parts of the manor.
The first thing they notice is cold, cold and loneliness, the walls are dull grey and left unadorned, windows draped with rust red curtains same as the carpeted floor cover the grey stone with nothing but the low yet gentle light bulbs illuminating the way.
Cold and hard describe the manor and the castle sufficient enough.
"I would have cleaned the place but didn't have the time" he chuckle to himself.
"You have no one to do it for you?" Rena asked worried that he was living inside a crypt for the past four years.
His smile turned into a sad one as he looked down on the stone cold floor "No" he whispered.
"Elsword!" Elesis grabbed him by the shoulder and looked at him in the eyes.
"What happen to you? You're not the same sweet brother I knew" She said with pain in her throat.
The last time he saw him he was a proud and strong knight who could brave anything, but now he see a shadow of a man, a man that was her brother and to see him like this brings pain to her heart.
"You know you could tell me anything" she stroke his red hair gently "please tell me".
He was surprise by her actions at first but after hearing her words he turned his gaze from her in shame, must be difficult to be a disappointment, he don't want her or any one of them to see him like this.
"Sis...Guys I was" he stuttered trying to find the words to say and the strength to say them.
"I…everyone" "Your tired my Lord" Elsword was going to say something but he was interrupted by someone coming from the top of the stairs.
Above is a nasod, a drone but unlike anything they have ever seen, floating in the air is a red eyed nasod drone shaped like a wolfs head, the design is similar to Eve's own drones Moby and Remy but the edges are much sharper and appear to be more advance, due to the poor lighting they would have taken it as an actual wolf head ghost. It have diamond shaped drones circling it like Add's dynamos and the way it descent the steps locking his bloody red eyes on them is like a wolf on its prey.
"…Cain"
The wolf head nasod drone Cain put itself between Elsword and the rest and glare at the newcomers.
"Good to meet you all I am Cain" it introduced himself and bowed "I don't believe I have made acquaintance with any of you".
"There my friends Cain, I told you about them" He told Cain
"Ah! The El search party that you mention so much my lord?" the nasod approached and inspected them one by one and turned to Elsword.
"My Lord why don't you return to your quarters and rest, I will entertain them and take them to where the other one is" Cain suggested.
At first Elsword was hesitant but a nod from Cain assured him "Yes…I will be going now" He said ascending up the steps "I will join you all later".
"Rest well my lord" Cain bowed as Elsword's is no longer seen.
The rest was silent watching the exchange unable to interject the, as the lord of the manor left Cain the nasod assistant gave them a gaze and then nod "I heard that you all fought the lion, to survive such encounter is a feat the lord vouched for the skills you all possess".
"Since when did you 'heard'?" Aisha asked accusingly crossing her arms "did you know we were coming and just watched as we almost die at Elsword's door?"
Cain wasn't deterred by the allegation and just bowed again "I have eyes and ears far and wide, I admit I knew you all coming as early as you step into town".
"You know and Elsword don't?" it was a reasonable claim, if the nasod knew should he inform the lord.
Cain shook his body lacking a 'head' to show negativity "The lord does not need to know such things, though he anticipate your arrival I felt it's appropriate to keep it a surprise, after all I'm sure he will be delighted to see all of you after four years".
"And because of that we almost died, It was lucky that Elsword was nearby to save us" Raven said, there was something off with what the wolf is saying, they were invited by a letter that much is clear but the nasod didn't inform their arrival as a 'surprise' and most of all they were attacked by his guards like they didn't know anything, something is definitely missing in the story.
"What model are you? Eve approached and inspected Cain "I haven't seen a nasod like you before".
"A nasod Eve doesn't know? That's new" Chung commented.
"My Queen" Cain bowed again more deeply this time "It honors me greatly to meet you in person, I'm an experimental nasod model X-003 made personally by my lords hands"
"Since when did Elsword start building nasods?" Rena asked, the only thing Elsword was good at in regards to machinery was to break them or operate simple ones, but to create a nasod itself now that's something they never expect from the knight.
"When my lord claimed the castle the former occupant have left equipment and materials in regards to nasods just below, there was difficulty but my lord have learned much after my completion such is that I would not disclose this information" Cain answered and turned back to Eve.
"My lord felt…inadequate, he promised before that he would assist you on reviving your kind something he does not have the ability to do before unable to fulfill his promise to you. He hoped to learn and study so that he would one day make good his word" Cain bowed explaining Elsword's drive behind his creation.
"He...he did that…for me?" She knows he made a promise like that before when they first met but she never have thought that he would go that far.
"Of course my queen, my lord is a knight first and foremost and he keeps to his word"
Cain turned to the rest of the group "Now any more questions are for later, let me take you where your friend is held. Leo did quite a number on this one and required special care.
"Where did you take him? If its life threatening should you sent him to the hospital right away?" Rena asked worried that the damage would cost his life.
The nasod laugh unconcerned "Do not worry my lady, he is in capable hands.
Add gasp as he regain conciseness, he remembered fighting with everyone against a fiery lion but he passed out when he kicked him hard square on the chest.
He clutched his chest where he was struck but surprisingly or oddly he feels no pain, no marks was left where he should have been bruised badly but there was nothing and odd still his mind is calm much calm and clear and body rife with vigor, breathing deep and he felt like a newborn.
It was like it was all a dream being killed by a fire demon, he wasn't sure if he's awake or not.
there were no garden as beautiful as where he is now in Altera, he woke in a middle of a crystal clear lake cool and cold but pleasant as it numb his senses and lolling him to sleep.
Around there were flowers of many kinds and colors hanging from branches of trees or growing wildly on the ground, the evening sun setting half of the garden in shadow and the other half in a golden light.
It was beautiful in a rough way that it stills his heart and admires the beauty of nature in all its untamed glory.
If this was a dream he would mind not waking up from, but if it wasn't then it was no mystery where he is.
Where else would he be after fighting such an enemy, waking in the middle of a lake surrounded with the beauty of nature and not to mention naked it seemed like the only conclusion.
"I'm I in heaven?" he asked to no one with some little hope in his voice.
"You ought to be".
Add turned around alarmed, from top of a high rock sits a girl looking down on him and he almost took her for an angel.
She was beautiful more so than the others Add met from his adventures, by his reckoning as far as interacting with the opposite gender goes for him.
She has clear blue eyes and long braided blue hair reaching down her back and the sweetest smile that melt his or any other man's heart in a moment, skin fair as porcelain like a doll look as fragile too, her slender arms and delicate fingers move and his heartstrings move with it like her puppet and Add took note of the great bounty the Gods has given to her.
She's wearing a blue kirtle over a red gown; it was a simple dress to say the least. He then remembers that he is still naked and quickly covered his parts looking away in shame for defiling such a pure and innocent creature before him.
She stifled her amusement with the back of her hand watching the boy, she pointed something nearby where his clothes are and he quickly went over there with haste
The girl stifled another laugh "You're just as He told me" her voice is as beautiful like her too but it grabbed his attention.
"And who's 'He'?"
"Add!"
From the brush the wolf head nasod drone Cain emerge along with the rest of the Elgang, the boy still unclothed jump behind a nearby bush when someone called his name.
The girl laugh from where she's sitting watching all of it occur much to Add's shame, she beckon the group forward to meet her guest.
"The El search party lady Aria" Cain introduced them to the girl named Aria, she fell from her spot and landed cleanly without making a sound and approached them.
"The group he talked about often?" she asked tilting her head playfully and Cain nodded.
"I will leave them in your care my lady for I have other things to do, lord Elsword will join you all shortly" Aria's eyes sparkled when she heard that Elsword will be joining them, as the nasod left to do his duties she guided them down a cobble path along with Add now fully clothed.
They did said much and remained silent as they were distracted by the beautiful garden around them, it was far more vibrant than the haunted castle hallway that was the manor. They arrived in a small clearing and gathered under a large pavilion with tables and chairs waiting for them. A large serine pool lay before them reflecting the clear sky like a mirror and as the sky descent from the sky little stars too reflect from the pool mesmerizing them.
The girl Aria giggled to the faces filled with wonder, she snapped her fingers together which succeeded in grabbing their attention "Would any of you like some tea?" she said and a nasod drone similar from the pleasure palace fly by carrying a tray of cups and utensils.
They each took their cups and smelled the rich aroma as it pass through their bodies it cools them removing any of their ailments and each let out a relaxed sighed, they stayed that way for a few more minutes drinking in the atmosphere.
"This place is very beautiful" Chung said after a long comfortable silence earning him a smile from the girl.
"Thank you very much, I grew it all myself. You all are welcome to this garden of 'Eden'".
"You did this all yourself?" Rena asked astonished.
"Most of the time. My lord helped me when he's available, if it wasn't for him then this garden wouldn't have been possible" Aria said her smile brightens recalling those memories.
"Oh! Where are our manners? We haven't introduced ourselves" Elesis said haven't formally introduced to everyone yet.
Aria waved her hand "There is no need, I already know everyone".
"The purple haired mage is grape!" She proclaimed this made Aisha's jaw dropped.
"The green archer is the elf Rena" the said elf girl laugh at the girl's antics.
"That guy over there with the nasod arm is Raven leader of the crow mercenary knights" he gave a nod in confirmation.
"The blonde one with the long hair is her majesty of Hamel and Elsword's best friend Chung" like Aisha his mouth fell to the ground as well, he may look like a girl but he's still a guy and this joke is getting a bit too far.
"The orange one with the fox hairpin is Ara Haan" Aria bowed politely as Ara did the same.
"The white hair is Add; he was a complete mess when he got here!" She laughed making the boy sink in his seat in shame muttering darkly.
"The cute little one over there is Lu and beside her is her loyal companion Ciel" she called out.
Lu slammed her hands on the table "I'm not little! I'm just stuck in this form is all!
"She has a cute part right though" Ciel said calming the girl, the child demon lord crossed her arms and pouted.
"You're the queen of Altera Eve" she bowed lightly "he talked about you a lot" Eve can feel the heat rise from her cheek, Leo and Cain both said that he talked about her to them as well and quite often.
"And your Elesis his older sister, it's a pleasure to finally meet you!" she extended her arms at her to shake her hand; Elesis extend her own and shook hands with her.
Aria stood up from her chair and bowed at the group 'Thank you all for being great friends with him, please continue being friends with him". She said to the group and they all gave a unanimous nod which pleases her.
"Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Aria Sieghart, daughter and captain of his knights. I would like to personally apologize for my Brother Leo's hostility earlier".
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"EHHHH!?"