Chapter 399 Truth of the Greis Elves
A great flash filled Dragov’s chamber as the party returned to the Leisure Guild.
Jack turned to his party mbers and asked, "Do any of you want to co with to see Eedaj?"
"I will."
"I already knew that, Daliea," Jack chuckled. "Anyone else?"
"I’m going to stay here and train with Dragov." Bowzer hurried over to the massive centipede and shouted, "Dragov! Can I attack you with everything I’ve got?"
"Go ahead, Bowzer. I’m always willing to help a friend." Dragov bowed his head, respecting the fierce look in Bowzer’s eyes.
While Bowzer started to activate his fla body, the party started to ascend the stairs. Everyone wanted to tag along with Jack, excluding Phoro who imdiately returned to his nest along with Appa, who had also made himself a nest.
Soon, the party was in front of Eedaj’s personal courtyard and knocked on the door.
"Co in."
The party entered the main chamber and found Eedajwaiting for them. Lina enjoyed the comfy leather couches that Eedaj had brought from Korten as the rest of the party paid close attention to Jack and their host.
"I’m guessing you’ll be asking about my people and the turmoil they faced long ago..." Eedaj looked to Jack, who nodded. "Very well... I’ll try to not ramble but still give you the information that you’re seeking, Jack."
Eedaj pulled a pot from cooking fire between the couches and poured himself so tea. He took a sip. Then, he placed the pot back over the fire. Finally, Eedaj sighed and looked back to Jack.
"It was long ago, before a majority of the gods were even deities. Your father, Sterfen, was only a demigod when this took place." Eedaj hesitated before continuing, "After Halmut and Skaryn ca Moranti. After them ca Lyrun and finally myself."
Blinking, Jack asked with a smile, "You were the fifth god?"
"If you’re not counting your grandfather," added Eedaj. "The sixth god was the first of a large batch of demigods to arise at the ti. He was regarded as the most powerful genius of that generation, a generation far after my own. And since he had just joined the Holy Gods, he was quite cocky and boasted about his powerful bloodline, stating it was second only to Halmut’s"
"What bloodline did he have?" asked Jack.
"He was a Magma Dragon."
"The sa as Naparn?"
Eedaj nodded. "In fact, it was Naparn’s elder brother. But that’s beside the point... That sixth god, as idiotic as he was, decided to push the limits of stupidity. I had called him out a few tis for acting without reason, only for Lyrun to shelter the immature god.
"Soon after... that idiot dragon had the audacity to attempt what he stated as ’teaching a lesson’." Pausing, Eedaj took a long sip of tea before continuing, "While I was away visiting Lyrun at Olympic Chateau... that foolish god laid waste to the city my people had built to rival Estonya. We were a stange race, one that started with from a mutation I was born with. Rather than wield holy magic like other elves, I wielded dark magic. That wasn’t sothing the other elves took kindly to... Even my elder brother...
"For that reason, we had built a city in another country, where Stladen stands now. But that erging nation never had a chance to rise... At the ti I was preoccupied by Lyrun, who was trying to sway to join the Holy Gods. I had no clue that he was rely distracting while the foolish dragon dared attack my people... By the ti I ca ho, the place was in ruin and not a single building stood..."
Dark energy began to swirl around Eedaj, leaking out from rage. The god took another deep breath and a sip of tea, calming that energy.
Eedaj continued, "It was then that I could no longer forgive my brother nor the Holy Gods for backing that dragon’s efforts. I used my personal spell God’s Perspective to track down that fool... And then... I developed my second personal spell specifically to torture and extract every morsel of information out of him..."
With Eedaj pausing so often, Jack found a mont to ask, "And what skill is that?"
"Cerebral Collapse..." answered Eedaj. "It renders the brain malfunctional, leaving behind mories but also leaving it unable to activate any motor skills or even speak. All the victim can do is move their eyes, that way they can watch inspect their minds thoroughly, ripping their consciousness apart bit by bit... And thus was the fate of the sixth god, and the fall of my people..."
Jack swallowed so saliva and asked, "Do you think Lyrun had a hand in--"
"Yes," Eedaj answered before Jack could finish his question. "Don’t fall for his ploy. I’ve heard what Sterfen had to say about Lyrun acting as a rebel in secret, but I refuse to believe it."
"Why?"
The fury in Eedaj’s eyes returned. "Because that’s who he is. I may be branded as the great manipulator of the mind, but he’s the greatest manipulator I’ve ever known. And should soone he knows, especially a mutant younger brother, show more potential than him, he’d rather plot in secret than let the world know his true colors. He’s more loyal to Halmut than anyone, I’ve witnessed that with my own eyes before any other Neutral God had even beca a godly candidate."
"I see... Then, you never managed to find your people after that?"
"Eventually, I did," stated Eedaj. "But they had already taken to new customs and called themselves sothing else. Most had forgotten that they once had their own proper language, let alone how to speak it... And the few tribes I had found that retained our language and most of our culture weren’t being targeted by anyone. So... I decided that it might be best for them if I didn’t get involved again, keeping a target off their backs."
"But..." Daliea spoke up with a shaky voice, "You said you were the first... Doesn’t that an they’re your family?"
Looking Daliea in the eye, Eedaj sighed as a shiver ran down his body. "I lost my family to that foolish beast... And considering the spite that already existed between us and the other elves, I felt it was best that they don’t bear the added resentnt. But I also didn’t know that you would get hunted again... I’m sorry for not protecting you as I should have."
"It’s okay, Palpo." Daliea got up and sat beside Eedaj. "Even though we were scattered, we’re back now. That’s all that matters, that’s what you said."
"Dhendi..." Eedaj wrapped an arm around Daliea and leaned his forehead into hers. "Thank you..."
"I’m sorry, Father-in-law," Jack bowed his head to Eedaj. "I’m the reason you rembered all those old feelings, forgive ."
"You’re not to bla, Jack. I would be curious too, it’s only natural," Eedaj replied, lifting his head. "If anything, now you understand that I will never again trust Lyrun, and I don’t think you should either, no matter what anyone else says."
"Then... what do we do about Lorwynn? He’s Lyrun’s disciple."
Eedaj shook his head with a frown. "I tried to warn him, but that young mage refused to believe , ignoring all of my warnings. He had finally escaped Lyrun’s control, so I can only hope that he remains outside of it from now on."
"Well, it’s getting late, so we should get going. Thanks for sharing." Jack again bowed his head. He then looked to everyone else, adding, "I think it’s ti we get so rest."
Everyone stood and bowed to Eedaj. However, Eedaj kept his arm around Daliea. The god asked, "Dhendi... would you mind staying here tonight? I have a spare room ready and I can prepare you so classic Greis dishes."
"I’d like that." Daliea smiled and looked to Jack, stating, "I’ll be staying here tonight if you need ."
"Sure thing. But next ti, I’d like to try the food too," Jack laughed, waving goodbye as he led everyone else out of the room, leaving the father and daughter to share so ancient traditions and tales.
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