It remained difficult to believe, but one couldn't deny it. The miracle which occurred the night before held too much evidence that it was real rather than a dream. Sadida's concerns and doubts about the presence of the Eliacube and Dofus within the kingdom's borders came to an end faster than anyone anticipated, all thanks to Adamaï's persistence and taking matters into his own hands.
After taking the cube and dragon egg from the Dofus chamber without informing anyone beforehand, Adamaï retreated into the forest with Yugo to force the boy to finally interact with the Eliacube, far away from any distractions or possible interruptions. With no chance to object, the young Eliatrope made the attempt to satisfy the dragon's frustrations and impatience. He was unprepared, but his desire to find a trace of his people fed the Eliacube enough to respond and bear fruit; the attempt prematurely hatched the present Dofus egg, giving life to an infant Grougaloragran and his Eliatrope twin Chibi, but it also tore a rift through time and space. A portal formed, large and long enough for another Eliatrope to unexpectedly enter the World of Twelve; an adult going by the name Qilby.
Like Alys, the found Eliatrope was psychically weak and exhausted but his mind was still intact. He recognized both the Eliatropes and the white scaled dragon standing by his bedside after he came to, knowing all three of them by name. While he didn't know where he had ended up, he remembered where he came from and what he had gone through. He willingly shared what he knew with everyone present after he came to his senses and was informed about his situation, proving to be an endless pool of information.
To think the Eliatropes came from among the stars… Alys quietly sighed as the thought pressed itself forward and brought along a sense of melancholy she didn't fully comprehend. She pondered about it while holding the silver haired infant and dragon whelp that hatched from the brown colored Dofus, the children sleeping peacefully in her arms. Her thought and recollections of the earlier event had the upper hand for the time being, the nearby voices nothing but distant murmurs.
Even though it took a moment of thought, Qilby did know her name. The look of recognition in his eyes behind the small round glasses that balanced on his long thin nose was genuine when he saw her standing behind Yugo and Adamaï and uttered her name. He sounded and looked surprised to see her, even confused, but he had a similar reaction towards the boys, if not a little stronger and more frantic. It did validate the name Joris found among Nox's notes and called her by since to be true, something which greatly relieved her.
Qilby shared many things, things that were difficult to comprehend if one couldn't remember anything. He spoke of how the Eliatropes came from a different world, far away in the endless reaches of the Krosmoz. How they were forced to flee when the Mechasms started a war until they found a new home on the World of Twelve. While Yugo was once part of the Council the six firstborn children of Goddess Eliatrope formed, Qilby revealed himself as the king of the Eliatropes. When the Mechasms launched an attack on the Eliatropes' new home world after years of tranquility, Qilby got severely injured. To keep his king safe and alive, Yugo sent Qilby into another dimension with the aid of the Eliacube, but perished soon after. But Qilby wasn't the only one forced into the shelter of a hidden dimension only the Eliacube could reach; others were given the same mercy during the terrible assault, all children who were waiting to be found and freed from the dimension they were trapped in.
Or so Qilby told.
He went straight to business after he shared the tragic tale of his people. To reach the lost children in the Emrub dimension, Qilby required his own Dofus to make the needed portal, a little boost he claimed to be necessary. After pinpointing its location with the aid of the Eliacube, something he mastered without hesitation or inexperience, Qilby convinced Yugo to retrieve it for him, something the boy would do together with his friends. The Brotherhood of Tofu would leave the next day during the early hours, their destination being the Crimson Isles.
The female Eliatrope closed her eyes at the very thought that it was no longer just her, Yugo and Adamaï. Other than the much older Qilby and the infants Chibi and Grougaloragran, there were hundreds of children waiting to be found. They went from just the three of them to a whole, if not young, civilization. She could hardly wrap her head around it… And to think that Yugo only need to be pushed a little harder to make this happen. Had she truly been too gentle with him?
Alys faintly smiled when Chibi stirred a little in her arms, the black dragon whelp Grougaloragran stretching with a big yawn in response before he snuggled up against his Eliatrope brother to continue their nap. The newly hatched twins had been awake most of the day, the excitement around them having prevented their eyes from closing. They finally dozed off after the evening set in and things calmed down, the talking nearby not bothering them. Alys took an instant shine and interest in the infants, but it was Alibert who took it upon himself to be the prime caregiver of the twins, like he done with Yugo all those years ago. He would be a father once more, no matter the little insecurities he kept to himself.
The room Alys was in with Chibi and Grougaloragran was filled with people. While Yugo and Adamaï's chambers were fairly large and already held three people on a daily basis, it felt a little cramped this time around. The boys and their father were present, along with the master of Bonta, Amalia, Evangelyne, Tristepin and Ruel. Alys sat a little away from the gathered group so Chibi and Grougaloragran's nap wouldn't get disturbed, one of the beds her improvised chair. The group stood around a table with several maps laid out maps and the Shushu map Gruffon, discussing the journey ahead. According to Joris, the Crimson Claws island was far offshore from the mainland of Bonta, but Ruel was certain they could obtain a ship willing to fare them to their desired destination. Though the Bontarian harbors were suggested as a starting point, Ruel believed it was too far from any potential routes. They would find a ship somewhere along the way, preferably close to Crimson Claws so Tristepin could endure the sail. As long as Gruffon wouldn't pull any tricks on the Brotherhood, the journey and retrieval of Qilby's Dofus shouldn't take all too long. A week or so tops, perhaps.
"Soundly asleep?" Alibert's large shadow cast over Alys after the Enutrof came to the bed and whispered to her, keeping the volume of his voice intentionally low. The smile he carried was wide though his eyebrows betrayed there was a hint of worry present in his thoughts, not a surprise with knowing one of his sons was going on another adventure.
"I don't think anything can wake them right now," Alys whispered back, her fingers caressing the dark brown cloth of the over sized hat Chibi wore and hid his small but vibrant wings. The hat was like a pillow and blanket in one of the infant, resting on its softness while held in Alys' arms. Alibert quickly crafted the hat when Chibi's Wakfu wings began to form shortly after everyone returned to the palace and waited for Qilby to wake. He knew the pattern by heart, but it was Adamaï who suggested the colors to stay true to how Chibi dressed in his previous life.
Alibert glanced towards an open but dark doorway in thought before looking to the group, watching them continue their discussion before he asked quietly," why don't you join me in the, uhh… nursery?" The side room he glanced towards was originally a storage room, though it received a new purpose with the unexpected arrival of Chibi. Servants of the Sadida court grew a crib in the center of the circular room shortly after Qilby shared his tales and important matters were decided upon, the room a strategic choice as it was close to Alibert and Yugo's sleeping quarters.
"Of course," Alys nodded before she rose from the bed and followed after Alibert into the newly formed nursery, away from the others to gain some privacy but also a little bit of peace. It had been a busy but also exhausting day for many. The lighting in the nursery was dim with no candles lit or the sun shining in, the uncovered windows giving a nice view of the night sky. In the very center of the room stood the crib, grown and formed out of a strong root which was a part of the Tree the palace was built into. "It is truly happening, isn't it?" she asked while Alibert patted with a large hand against the edge of the crib in inspection, seeing him nod in response as he knew what she was talking about.
"Yes… Yugo is set on leaving in the morning, but I trust in him to be able to make the journey. He has done it before with the others; he isn't alone. Caring for Chibi will take my mind off things…" Alibert sighed, still not as supportive as he wished to be about the mission his son willingly took on. He was going to be very worried again while wondering if Yugo was faring well or got into any sort of trouble. He knew the mission to be of great importance, but he was still a boy… Alibert turned a little to look over towards Alys after she sat herself by one of the windows, watching how she held and gently rocked the two infants. "You are… fairly natural with handling a child, especially one so young," he said with a raising of his brows, his own observation surprising him. Her hesitance to handle and care for Chibi was little to none throughout the day, something he didn't take note of until now. Did she have experience? He knew she couldn't answer him, even if he were to ask.
"You think so?" Her quiet question didn't cloak her surprise. It even held a shimmer of gratitude as Alibert's words sounded like a compliment and rather than him stating a fact. He gave a deep nod in confirmation while his impressed but somewhat perplexed expression remained, his silent answer causing Alys to smile more before she timidly lowered her turquoise colored eyes down to Chibi and Grougaloragran.
"This almost feels like thirteen years ago, when I found Yugo's baby carriage in the mist," the large man said in reminiscence, remembering how he had figure most things out on his own. Parenthood didn't come easy. "A shame I never get to meet the one who left Yugo in my care… or, well, as he was before." A faint chuckle left him as he eyed the sleeping black dragon, understanding that the reincarnated Grougaloragran wouldn't remember anything of his past life, including when he left Yugo in Alibert's care. "Though I never thought I would look after another Eliatrope, let alone two."
Alys inwardly chuckled while carefully shifting Chibi in her arms," Yugo has faith in you, Alibert; he knows best of all how good of a father you are."
"Isn't that the truth?" he weakly smirked before he ran his fingers over his nose and long mustache while taking a seat next to Alys, the bench creaking a little under his weight," thank you for offering to help with Chibi. It makes things easier…" He reached out to stroke the sleeping child's cheek before he hesitated, his hand held aloft over the dragon whelp that laid on his side and slept with a kicking leg. He still had to get used to dragons being a part of the family, although he was warming up to the idea after getting along with Adamaï. He gave Grougaloragran a very soft but careful pat before withdrawing his hand, and said with a deep sigh following his words," I know Adamaï is staying behind and that he will look after little Grougal, but it still feels like quite a task. I am not in a place I consider home."
"It is my pleasure... " Alys whispered, her voice soft as she thought about the offer she made. Alibert seemed reluctant when Yugo asked of him to look after Chibi, uncertain if he was suitable enough. He had been a single father before and the struggle to give his son a plentiful life had been tough. He wasn't certain if he could do it again. But Yugo was convinced of Alibert's skills and even the Eliatrope king didn't object. Because Alys felt quite taken with the infants, she in turn stepped forth to offer her assistance. Her amnesia may complicate it or render her useless, but she felt it was the least she could do for all everyone had done for her. "It was the right thing to do, still is."
Alibert laughed under his breath when Alys acted a little too humble in his presence. No matter the times they spent together since their first meeting, she was still clinging to formalities. At least they were talking and getting to know each other; that's what mattered to him. He allowed himself to rest against the wall behind them and folded his arms over his broad chest, tapping his foot lightly upon the floor as he took a moment to think and observe the small sleeping dragon. No matter the earlier happens, everything seemed rather at peace… oddly enough.
"I just…" Alibert rose a brow when Alys suddenly spoke up, her voice remaining soft in tone," I don't want anything bad happening to them. It is like… If I could put them in a bubble and keep them there, safe and sound, I would. At times I feel the same way about Yugo and Adamaï. There is this need to protect them, even though I know they can look after themselves. Still, children… Children should be children."
"I agree with you, sweet piwi… But the Eliatropes have proven to be destined for many things. Yugo was meant to go through all this at such a young age," Alibert said, recalling the message Grougaloragran left him the day he found Yugo and adopted him," Yugo is still very much a child, as you have noticed. Mature for his age, yes, but still a child."
Her expression grew darker while she listened to Alibert, her head slowly tipping forward. Her darkening gaze wasn't on the children she held however, but on the floor, the wooden planks victim of the discontentment she felt gnawing within. "Some responsibilities aren't meant to be carried by the young…" she whispered with mild disdain clinging to her words, her hold on Chibi tightening a little.
There was a sudden shift in atmosphere Alibert could almost taste, and it threw him off as it was unexpected. He stared at the woman beside him, her usual kind gaze having grown dull as she leered at nothing in particular, her facial expression void of anything that could tell him what exactly she was thinking. It was an abrupt change in behavior which took him by surprise. He hadn't seen her like this before. Was it a hidden worry or did she know something, even unconsciously? He parted his lips to ask if she was feeling well, but a soft clearing of someone's throat forced him to shift his attention towards the open doorway.
The shadow the small master cast across the floor reached till the far wall of the nursery, the light behind him hiding his eyes within the depths of his hood. Alibert could feel it however; a penetrating gaze within the darkness of the hood rested on him and Alys. Joris remained silent, as if he was waiting for something in particular, before Ruel's grinning mug peeked around the door post. "I am going to get some shuteye, Alibert," the old Enutrof said with his usual enthusiasm while standing behind the Bontarian master," be sure to wake me in the morn with some fried eggs!"
"Heh, perhaps on your face," Alibert laughed amused before he nodded to his old friend, relieved for his and Joris' interruption as the odd tension had disappeared," get some rest, you skinflint." He rose a hand to silent wish Ruel a good night when the bearded Enutrof took his leave with a hoarse guffaw before he glanced to Alys from the corner of his eyes. It appeared she snapped out off whatever strange mood she rolled into, her focus on the one lingering in the doorway while her protective hold on the children had lessened.
"Forgive me for intruding, Master Alibert," Joris' humble voice sounded while his long shadow gave away the small incline of his head to the man," the meeting has drawn to a close."
"I figured with Ruel leaving. I'll take it all is settled for the journey?"
Joris nodded before he removed himself from the doorway to take a few steps inside, saying as he kept his hands behind his back like he usually did," indeed. Master Stroud, the map and Evangelyne have settled on a route which should be efficient enough, allowing the Brotherhood to reach Crimson Claws Archipelago within a week time, hopefully less. Everyone has retreated for the night."
"I see… Very well then, I should go to Yugo and Adamaï, perhaps prepare them and the Brotherhood some food for the journey before it grows too late." Alibert grunted as he pushed himself up from the bench before he gave Alys a caring pat on her shoulder and smiled for her," I will leave you two to it." His large hand slipped away from her bare shoulder as he took his leave, saying as he walked around Joris and lingered a little," stay for as long as you like, piwi, but make certain you get some sleep too."
Alys slightly pulled her shoulders up when Joris slowly advanced in her direction, saying as she smiled to Alibert and carefully adjusted the weight she held in her arms," thank you, I will." She wanting to be in the children's presence for a while longer to explore the newfound sense of motherly care she felt. Her staying in the nursery also allowed Alibert to tend to whatever he needed to without having to worry about Chibi or Grougaloragran.
The retired Enutrof nodded appreciatively before he disappeared from sight, leaving the master of Bonta and the female Eliatrope to each other. He trusted Alys enough to watch over the newly hatched infants, no matter that one of them was a dragon. She seemed to know what she was doing, even if it was instinctively. Besides, she was in the company of someone she seemed to trust more than other and the stories of the master's reliability were known far and wide. Though… Alibert couldn't help but quietly snicker when an amusing thought crossed his mind. Did the famed master of Bonta know anything about fatherhood, or children?
Joris came to a stop close by the bench Alys sat on after Alibert's large form left the room, and said when his eyes were finally visible and rested on her," one of the guards informed me that that your king has retreated to his chambers. According to the Eniripsa of the court, he is without injury... merely fatigued." He didn't make mention of Qilby's missing arm, an injury which was presumably inflicted on him years before. The look in Joris' eyes was soft while he informed Alys about what happened during the small meeting, before his gaze lowered to the empty space between her face and the sleeping children. He easily picked up on her growing timidness as he lingered close while she felt vulnerable with her unexplained need to care for the infants, his hidden smile growing a little at the small observation before he respectfully took his distance. "You must be happy with today's revelations."
She looked at him with large eyes from under the wheat colored hair which framed her face, a little taken back by his words. "I-I am, yes," she stammered while sitting more upright, giving off a sense of bewilderment," of course I am... though it's been far more difficult to absorb than your teachings. I am not certain what to make of it..." She truly didn't. Chibi and Grougaloragran had been fine distractions from the disarray Qilby brought to her mind. Just when she found some inner peace with herself and the Eliacube, it all shattered and fell apart with her forgotten past peeking around the corner. The newfound knowledge about her people, and herself, made her question everything she thought she knew or learned the last few weeks.
"You will know soon enough if your king spoke true. It is safe to say that Yugo will succeed in finding His Majesty Qilby's Dofus, when keeping the Brotherhood of Tofu's previous accomplishments in mind, and when he does…" He did not finish his sentence, no matter that it was meant to encourage her. He had silently witnessed and observed her inner struggle when he stood beside her during Qilby's briefing. He even picked up on the light trembling of her hands when more was revealed about the Eliatropes. It pleased but also concerned him. While he had tried to help her the best he could and guide her into her new life whenever his duties permitted it, he knew he had to take a few steps back to let Alys learn from her fellow Eliatrope. "You may find the answers you are looking for..."
"Goddess, I can't wait..." She bit her lower lip before she looked past the edge of her hood to Joris, a glint of hope present in her eyes while her smile betrayed she was trying to stay realistic," there is so much I want to know, and see… It is still difficult to believe it is true, if it is. I honestly can't wait to see and meet all those children, and whomever else. I wish I could go with Yugo to retrieve the Dofus and help with getting all those poor children here, but I… I know I'll fare better here; I am of no use to experienced adventurers."
Modest like she always was, along with underestimating her own capabilities. Joris made no mention of it as he continued to watch her, her inner struggle still raging on from what he could tell. "You will play your part, Lady Alys. Perhaps not in the same way as Yugo, but you have your own ways," he said with a slow nod before he rested his gaze on the sleeping dragon and Eliatrope. He knew about Alibert and Alys' decision to share the load of caring for the children, while Adamaï would be the one to tutor the black dragon whelp. He had no objections; it would be good for Alys to spend her time differently and it was still of importance.
"And what will you do, Master Joris, if you don't mind me asking...?"
He rose his eyebrows at her question before his eyes rolled to a close with the slight lowering of his head," I have sent word to the capital about the appearance of His Majesty Qilby and all the revealed information. Whatever the king of Bonta and his council decide upon, I will continue to carry out my duties. I have no doubts that my stay in the Sadida kingdom will be extended for a longer period of time." His focus would need to shift if so. While he personally enjoyed teaching Alys during his spare time in Sadida, he knew he had to hand over the torch to someone else. Someone who claimed to be a king and knew where to find other Eliatropes. Someone with the sufficient knowledge and remembered the female Eliatrope from long ago; Qilby.
"Things are truly going to change, aren't they…?"
Her question sounded reluctant, a reluctance he shared but kept to himself. "It is a good change," he said after he turned away and walked over towards one of the open windows to gaze outside, secretly hoping it would indeed be a good change for all involved," but not everything will change, Lady Alys. Certain things will stay the same."
Alys looked after him as he turned his back on her, her shoulders lowering a little while a soft breath left her. It was supposed to be a happy day and while she was excited about what had happened, she couldn't help but brood. It was all too good to be true… Perhaps she was too tired at this moment in time and therefore couldn't indulge in positive. She had a lot to think about and had tried to puzzle things together all day long, even with the distraction of caring for the children. She had to admit that she was a little scared for any changes to come; she had been content with how things were.
Joris was lost in thought as well. She was from a different world. She roamed the stars. She had seen things the master of Bonta couldn't even dream of; it was surreal. Joris reminded himself that Qilby admitted to being centuries old. What of her, how old was she? She was born from a Dofus like Yugo and Qilby, correct? To be born from a Dofus meant she possessed the possibility to reincarnate and that she was-
"Immortal…" Joris whispered to himself after he thoughtfully tapped with his fingers against his chin, answering a question he wondered about ever since he laid eyes on her. He knew there was something about her… The guess that she was older than she appeared to be was proven to be correct, no matter that her exact age was still a mystery. It did not matter to him. What mattered was that she was long living and able to reincarnate through a Dofus. It didn't change how he thought about her, but it did change other things, certain feelings… Could age claim her eventually? How many years would it take? Did Qilby hold the answer?
He was distracted by his own wonders and growing curiosity until a soft humming drew him back to the present, the gentle sound surprising him. He listened for a moment while his eyes stayed on the dark tree tops outside before it dawned to him that he didn't recognize the hidden melody in the humming. In fact, this was the first time he heard Alys hum a tune. He slowly turned his head to glance to Alys with piqued interest, the female Eliatrope looking serene as she gently hugged the sleeping children against her chest. Like the humming, the sight was another side of her he hadn't witnessed before.
Joris didn't have the heart to interrupt the moment, listening and watching from the corner of his eyes while he remained by the window with his hands held behind his back. He wished to ask what the song was, for he had never heard the lullaby before. Was it a memory which had unknowingly returned to her, triggered by the children…? He hoped so. He hoped many memories would return to her now that her people's fate was known. If Qilby's words were true, she would soon be among her own people and find her place once more.
The impending return of the Eliatropes was going to impact many lives, Joris' included. He needed to try and mentally prepare for what was to come, because goodbyes were inevitable. But for now and instead of coming to terms with losing her one day, he would listen to what he hoped was a newfound memory for the one he willingly looked after, the soft humming easing his worries.
To be continued