Hours had passed since Salem and Summer entered the village of Malon and so far, they had enjoyed their times among the Elves. While some Elves were preparing the banquet for tonight, Scalanis had given them a tour of the village and the two women had been, once again, mesmerized by the beauty of the place : its beautiful gardens, its strange but amazing architecture… and the clothes.
Salem had been intrigued by their host's clothes and had asked some questions about it. The Chieftain had been more than happy to answer them as best of his ability : apparently, those robes were made either of wool or silk. The wool came from the flocks of sheep that they raise in a large meadow further east of the village.
As for the silk...it came from giant spiders living far to the south, in a place called: the Black Forest. Salem had discovered that Summer had a slight fear of spiders but the silver eyed girl had pushed her fear aside because of how resistant an smooth the silk was.
Salem herself was amazed by the texture : it wasn't the first time she saw clothes made of silk but none of them could compete against this one. It was more resistant and way smoother than the silk she was accustomed with.
Apart of the clothes, the two women got to see more interesting things : the animals living alongside the Elves. Like humans and Faunus on Remnant, Elves had pets, such as cats or dogs but, if you looked closely, you would see that something was different about them.
Scalanis, after seeing their confused expression, had explained to them what they were : some of the cats they saw (the ones with spotted, speckled or flecked fur, large ears and a lightly plumed tail similar to a lion's) were called Kneazles and the dogs with forked tails were called Crups.
-Kneazles were apparently very intelligent, independent (like most cats) and were also pretty good in detecting suspicious and untrustworthy people. However, they could be pretty aggressive if they wanted to be. Salem had been pretty interested in them and even thought about getting one of those cats for herself.
-Cups, for their parts, looked like Jack Russel Terrier… only with a forked tail. Summer had instantly fell in love with them and more than once, she would use every opportunity to pet some. The Dogs were all too eager to receive some petting and Scalanis had been shocked by this as Crups were not really friendly with Humans since the Last War.
Curious about this 'Last War', the two women had asked him about it but Scalanis had refused to answer, stating that it will be said later during feast. Reluctantly, Salem and Summer accepted his words before resuming the tour.
While they had walked to who-know-where, Summer had asked their guide questions about the tiny being that had led them to the village. Scalanis explained to them that the tiny creature was called a Niffler and were attracted to shiny things, which made them excellent treasure hunters. However, they could cause havoc and that's why, it was better to let them OUTSIDE a house.
Both women were amazed by their little friend (who was a male by the way) and Summer immediately gave him a name : Taisce. Salem had found the name odd but had shrugged it off, knowing that Summer would not back down once her mind was set on something.
Anyway, the Chieftain of Malon had then led them to a large grassy pasture with a few trees and rocks here and there. Once they arrived, they were stunned to see large winged horses peacefully grassing. They had Palomino color and their names were white. What shocked them the most was to see some Elves petting some of those horses.
Scalanis had then explained to them that those horses were called Abraxans and that they were not the only magical horses in the area. Summer, of course, had asked him about what he meant and, much to her delight and Salem's shock, he answered that another type of magical horses lived in the forest : Unicorns.
Hearing this, the silver eyed Huntress had released a squeal of delight and childish excitement while Salem was still frozen in shock. Who could blame me ? She was hearing that Unicorns, creatures of fiction, actually EXISTED ! Her companion had then asked the man if it was possible to see them and Scalanis said that he would ask of the Elf Woman to escort them to the horned horses as Unicorns were more docile around females.
After that, the Elven Chieftain led them back to the village just as the sun was fading from the sky, declaring the arrival of dusk.
As the light was slowly dimming and shadows were growing, Summer and Salem were sitting side by side behind a long circular table where many other people were also present... with one of them being none other than Scalanis himself. Several other tables, four to be precise, were also set around the one Salem and Summer were and they were also filled with people.
The tables were covered with emerald green tablecloths and decorated with flowers of various colors, candles and silver cutlery. Strange drawing could be seen on the on the plates and cutlery, and this added to their beauty.
Around them, the clearing they were in had been set up for the banquet : white and golden banners were hung above their heads from what looked like small pillars, white flower petals littered the grassy ground... and, sitting not far from there, sitting on wooden chairs, musical elves brightened the atmosphere by playing their instruments (harps and flutes to be more precise).
The music was clear, soft and crystal clear. For our two heroines, it was like listening to the Angels sing.
Apart of the scenery, the food was also something that caught their attention. Indeed, before them, several trays were placed on the table, each containing different and varied food : one tray had small fruit cakes in it, another has salads, another has fat-breads…
But that was just the aperitifs... and although they looked quite appetizing, our two heroines salivated at the mere sight of the main courses. Yes, you heard right : main courses, in plural.
Many dishes were presented to them and they just had to choose : Braised Wild Boar, the Roasted Wild Boar Leg with mustard Sauce, Crockpot Venison Roast, Pot-roast pheasant and finally, some rabbit stew. Many of those dishes were unknown to the two women and they got to taste each of them.
Needless to say, both women were shocked and amazed by this strange food from the first bite.
Salem had been amazed by the delicious meal offered by their hosts. Never in her life had she had the opportunity to eat such well-cooked meals... Summer had commented that even the greatest chef of Remnant's creations couldn't compete with that !
The Elves had greatly accepted those praises, either raising their cups in cheers or simply nodding appreciatively. After that, everyone ate greedily, sometimes striking up a conversation with a neighbor. Salem and Summer were no exceptions and sometimes, they would answer questions about the Surface and the 'Human World' as the Elves called it.
After an hour, the moon was shining in the sky and the food was completely eaten. Many people were rubbing their bellies in contentment... even our two heroines.
However, dinner was far from over as only one thing was missing: dessert.
While some Elves were collecting the empty plates and cutlery and others were sent to fetch dessert, Salem and Summer decided it was time for them to get some answers from their host.
"Lord Scalanis… Allow me to thank you once again for sharing this delicious food with us… as well as allowing us into your domain..." Salem said to the Chieftain of Malon with a nod.
"Yes, you honor us with your generosity..." Summer added with a nod of equal respect and gratefulness toward their host.
"You are our guests, Lady Salem Lady Summer … It was the least we could do…" The man answered her calmly while shaking his head slightly.
The Queen of Grimm and the silver eyed Huntress shared a quick look before looking back at the Chieftain of Malon.
"Lord Scalanis, you have promised us earlier to answer some of our questions..." Summer began to say before being interrupted by Salem who added in a calm but firm tone.
"…and we'd like you to do that right now…"
Scalanis looked at the two of them for a moment before nodding his head in acceptance.
"Very well… What do you wish to know ?"
Salem and Summer looked at one another with happy smiles on their faces before looking back at their host.
"First of all, we wish to know more about this place, such as 'how was it created ?' 'How long does it exist' and… " the Queen of Grimm began to say before her companion took over by saying quickly.
"… if there is a way to return home !"
Salem shot her friend an annoyed look while Summer looked sheepish for a moment. Scalanis eyed the both of them with slight amusement despite how serious he looked at the moment before sighing deeply.
"I see… Let me tell you a bit about our world then...I will take time before the cooks return anyway… " the Chieftain of Malon said with a nod of understanding and acceptance.
Salem and Summer, hearing this, leaned closer, their eyes shining with curiosity and intrigue.
"The first thing you need to know is that this world existed long before yours was created… In fact, our world had been there for millions of years until an unexpected event… See the earthen ceiling above our heads ?"
The two women nodded their heads, staying silent. Their eyes were wide though, as they were still shocked by the revelation that this world was a lot of time older than remnant.
"It was created by two beings shortly after their arrival in this world… From what the old texts said, they called themselves the Two Brothers..." Scalanis said with a firm expression on his face.
The women's eyes widened even more at this revelation but none of them had the time to say something as their host resumed his explanation.
"When they arrived, they decimated every single humans in our world…"
"WHAT ?!" Salem cried out in shock and slight anger
"Every humans ? Even children ?!" the silver eyed Huntress shouted in clear anger and horror.
"Yes… none of them were spared..." the man's tone was somber now, but there was no sorrow shining in his gray eyes.
"Why did they do that ?!" Summer asked him, still frustrated and angry by the terrible action of the gods.
"According to texts and stories, shortly after their arrival, these two beings felt a lot of bad emotions radiating from the air itself... Disgusted, they then decided to reshape this world... by destroying all traces of the old one..." Scalanis answered with slight sorrow and sadness.
Salem scowled in disgust while spitting in anger "That doesn't surprise me ! Many millenniums ago, in our world, the Two Brothers had annihilated Humanity for defying them !"
Scalanis looked intrigued by those revelations but brushed it aside to focus on Summer when the silver eyed woman spoke to him.
"Lord Scalanis, if the Brothers were destroying everything of the old world, then how come you, your kind and the many creatures we saw still exist ?"
It was a good question, Salem thought to herself with a nod of agreement. Knowing the Gods, when they were set on something, they would not stop until it was done. In short, if they were adamant in destroying every single creatures and every single traces of the old world, then there would be no one left at all.
Then, Salem remembered that, after the Gods had left Remnant, everything returned to normal and life returned like nothing happened. Perhaps the same happened in this place ? But she quickly brushed it aside : from what she felt during her travel, the entire place REEKED of ancient magic.
Even if life had returned, there shouldn't be any magic left !
Then, how was it possible ?
Shaking her head, the Queen of Grimm looked back at Scalanis and Summer.
"We survived thanks to the intervention of the greatest hero in history..." There was an undertone of pure respect and awe in the man's voice now, something the two women instantly noticed.
"Who ?" Summer asked him curiously.
"Before I speak of 'him', you need to know how was our world before his arrival..."
Whoever he was, this unknown individual was clearly an important figure in this world and the curiosity of our heroines was instantly picked.
"A long time ago, before the arrival of the Brothers, our world was separated in two : the Common world with normal animals and humans, and the Magical World with Wizards, Witches and magical creatures like the Niffler you came with..." Scalanis began to say in a formal tone.
"You had magical people before ?!" Salem asked him with shock while Summer looked just as stunned as her companion.
"Yes… They were called Wizards and Witches… Magic users who used wands to cast spells…" a scowl appeared on the man's face and the two women instantly understood that he was not a fan of them.
"For centuries, they ruled the Magical World with an iron fist : because they could use magic to bend their will, they believed themselves to be superior to the other magical folks…"
For the five next minutes, Scalanis told them of the way the Wizards and Witches' mistreatment toward them along with the many laws they passed in their government to restrict the magical folks to small areas. To say that the two women were horrified was like saying the sky was blue or the water was wet.
"It's awful..." Summer mumbled in sympathy and pity as a wave of sadness and anger passed through her body.
"Absolutely dreadful..." Salem hissed with disgust while shaking her head.
"Indeed… during those dark times, Elves were forced to serves Magical Families… and sometimes to the death… Because of centuries of slavery, my kind were reduced to more shadows of what we are today… In fact, during those times, us Elves used to be smaller, around two and three feet tall and we had pointy bat-like ears, spindly arms and legs, and oversized head and eyes..." Scalanis explained with a sigh of sadness.
At the description, the two women tried to form an image in their heads… before shivering at the pathetic and frail looking creature they somehow created in their mind.
"But as you can see, we no longer look as such… All thanks to millenniums of freedom and peace !" the Chieftain of Malon said with a proud look on his face.
"And we are both glad for it…" Salem began to say with a bow of her head and a tiny smile on her face while Summer nodded in agreement.
"Once again, your words please me, Lady Salem, Lady Summer and I thank you for your kind words..." the man said to them with a bow of his head, showing his gratitude.
"I can't believe you and your kind endured slavery for CENTURIES !" Summer said to him with disbelief and disgust.
"I didn't personally but my ancestors did… May their spirits rest in the Beyond..." Scalanis said while looking in sorrow and respect for the dead.
"How were you able to gain freedom ?" the silver eyed Huntress then asked him curiously.
Look like she couldn't keep her curiosity in check… but Salem would be lying to herself if she said it wasn't the same for her. The story was too fascinating and intriguing to its own good.
"The tyranny of the Magical Humans ended with the arrival of our hero... the one who ended centuries of slavery and mistreatment and who later saved us from destruction at the hands of the Two Brothers …" Scalanis began to say in a praising tone.
"Who ?" Summer asked him, leaned closer as if to better hear him.
Salem herself was unable to restrain her curiosity.
"He is known under many names and titles : The Black Dread, the Shadow of Death, the Soul Devourer, the Bringer of Death, the Black Inferno, the Black Guardian… But for all magical folks, he is known as the King of the Hidden Realm, Ancalagon the Black !" Scalanis answered in a stern and firm tone.
At the mention of the name, Summer and Salem felt the power radiating from it and they shivered in both fear and awe. They cannot explain it but, just by hearing the name, they felt compelled to show respect and be courteous.
But then, they noticed something…
"Wait a minute, you said 'he's the King'... does that mean he's still alive ?!" Summer asked the man with disbelief and shock.
Blinking, Salem stared at her companion with wide eyes before looking back at their host when the words also echoed again in her mind.
Scalanis released a small chuckle at their expression before looking back at them, saying
"Oh but he is! And he may be the only one who can help you return to your own world !"
(To be continued…)