Selvar squinted, his expression souring with visible confusion.
He did not disagree with what Xeyren said. Instead, the words subtly swayed him.
But Oren's next words caught him off guard, making him step back and bump into the tree behind him.
"For me to enter Everdream, I do not only need you to escort me through the forest and fog, but to become a hostage of sorts."
Oren's expression deepened profoundly.
"Since I failed to kill the four warriors, I fear that the news that I harmed them, people who put their lives on the line to defend Everdream, will spread.
That is why I think the people of Everdream will most likely attack me."
Selvar nodded, the words were like facts to him.
He agreed becuase he had hear the rumours of immortal demon. That was why he knew that there would be an uproar upon arriving in Everdream, despite planning to visit the outer settlements.
Oren stepped forward, lifting his hand in reassurance.
"So if I have an Enlightened one like you as my hostage, I can control what they do and say, because to the people you are a protector of their home.
Personally, I do not care about such things as comments and remarks. What I do care about, though, is my safety.
So if they dare attack, I will threaten them by placing my blade against the neck of a flawless Enlightened archer who can see through the fog of Everdream."
Oren smiled faintly.
Despite his reassuring facade, he was unsure if Selvar would be so easily manipulated, falling into his grasp like the average person.
Ahh. Oren shook his head as he reflected, staring down at the flowers.
I am not some grand mastermind.
Still he had learnt many things, making him adept at anything he tried, he was like rising star.
He grimaced, if there was a rumour on my talents they would most definitely call me a fallen devil.
Nonetheless, Oren knew that if he continued through life trying controlling everyone, he would only go so far.
Then again, he had already lived for centuries due to the erol of immortality.
He had lived longer than any human. His age even dwarfed the formation of some smaller clans.
However, when Oren heard Selvar's response, his expression faltered briefly.
Selvar spoke calmly, glancing at the leaves drifting through the air.
"Flattery will only get you so far, Xeyren. This act of yours, facade even, only makes you look cunning and unholy, like the name that condemns you."
He calmly stared into Oren's golden eyes as he continued.
"Anyways, Immortal Demon, you may continue this weak facade. I do not mind. What matters is that we have discussed how you will act, what you want, and your wish to reach Everdream."
Selvar's voice softened, though his tone shifted into something Oren could not define.
Unsettling, at the very least.
Whatever it was, it made Oren wary.
Selvar raised his voice.
"We have yet to discuss what I want. Immortal Demon, I am not a pushover, but I am also not malevolent. You can speak your mind without harm or condemnation."
Then the corner of his lips lifted, crazed and tormented by something unknown.
"So go on. Tell me, what is it that you will gain from this?"
"To be honest, Selvar, I thought you escorting such a revered person as myself was payment enough. But it seems not."
Watching Selvar's expression calmly, Oren added, "Oh well, what do you want?"
His eyes widened slightly as he told Selvar what truly mattered.
"Do keep in mind I have no money, no resources, really nothing. If you want money so badly, I can simply take it from the people of Everdream."
Selvar smiled.
"Ah, yes, that will be good enough."
Standing still, looking up into the blue sky, Selvar's eyes widened as though he had just thought of something strange.
He inhaled through his nose, then exhaled through his mouth and spoke.
"That is perfect, Xeyren. You do not need money to please me. I also do not need resources to be happy."
Oren wore a faint smile. Upon hearing the archer's next words, it faded.
"What I request is an erol. Hopefully you have heard of it, and if not, something quite similar. And since erols do not have predetermined names, the challenge of finding this peculiar creature will be arduous."
Oren pondered for a moment. It would not be easy becuase erols were not equal.
Some were weak, little more than curiosities.
Others possessed power capable of rivaling entire clans. Their rank depended on the density of world energy and the abilty it held.
Most common folk only ever encountered the lowest tiers.
The people of the Unison Mountains rarely left the range.
That was partly why the range of erols had not changed much. Erols were born from the world's energy and certain natural conditions.
Once their creation was understood, they could be reproduced while resources lasted. Manuals detailing such methods circulated across the mountains, though nothing was ever guaranteed with those vile abominations.
Though he knew the names of many erols, he was far from omniscient.
So what exactly did Selvar want?
Oren lifted his gaze back to Selvar.
"What kind of erol?"
Selvar did not hesitate.
"One that sees."
He paused, searching for a better way to explain the creature he sought.
"One that will improve my sight and intuition so that I can find the thing I truly want. That is what I wish to find."
He stepped forward, taking the blood red bow off the string and gripping it firmly.
"My only thought is for you to tell me what I need to know. I need your information. The years of research and your explorations on erols."
Oren grinned again.
"Fine. If such an erol exists within the Unison Range, I will help you obtain it. But my information is more precious than you becoming my hostage.
The knowledge I give will cost heavily. Do you still wish to become the Demon's hostage knowing this?"
Bowing far enough that Oren could no longer see Selvar's expression, his face tore through a myriad of emotions.
Devotion. Longing. Desire.
And yet none showed regret.
Because Selvar was one of the few who could do as they wish and feel no regret.
He spoke without hesitation.
"If you truly intend to give me the information I seek, then it does not matter what I have to do to obtain it.
Even the smallest fragment will bring me closer.
This is not for anyone else. It is mine. My own selfish and idiosyncratic goal. So I will be the one to see it through."
Chuckling coldly Selvar continued.
"Do not feel indebted to me for becoming your hostage, slave even. Because I intend to undo something that should not be undone.
I don't know if it can be done. I only know I will not leave it as it is. This is the least I can do, and I will make it happen."
His expression did not change.
For a moment, his voice grew quieter, but not weaker.
"I will take whatever knowledge you give me, and I will use it. I need nothing else."
Oren's eyes flickered. He assumed it was a way to affirm a deal, if not a deeply loyal promise.
Orem simply smiled.
With a small nod, he turned toward the third path he had taken to reach the centre of the Everdream Forest.
Selvar's smile froze as Oren glanced at him and spoke.
"Ah yes, the enlightened archer of the fog.... just remember this is what you asked for."
Oren's mask faltered for a moment as he spoke honestly, the mockery no longer colouring his words.
"I promise I will not go back on my word. If we cannot find this Erol, or if my information proves insufficient…"
Oren's indifferent smile slowly returned.
"Then I will create it."
Selvar laughed, facing where Oren was looking, where the battle had occurred.
"We sound strange, but that is fine."
Oren nodded as Selvar began to walk.
In these Unison Mountains, everything is peculiar. However... the false adversaries of Everdream are even more unique in a way.
With those words, Oren followed and mumbled.
"Especially the Auburn Huntress."
"Auburn Huntress? Do you mean that insane woman?"
Selvar's grey eyes lightened for a moment.
"I agree. She is the worst of the bunch. She truly thought she could fight you alone and win when we approached you from the fog."
His hand did not tremble, even while holding his long bow like a sword, using it to sweep aside the overgrown branches and bushes of the forest.
Oren walked behind him, laughing softly.
"Ah, what a foolish girl. And that leader. That act was amazing."
Inside, though, Oren was calm, carefully observing the strength of an Enlightened.
He questioned how the archer had become Enlightened, but never asked.
Somehow, even Oren did not know the sequences and trials one had to complete to reach Enlightenment, all he knew was that after eating the erol of immortality, it was impossible.
He also did not know why it was impossible, perhaps someone told him?
Oren mused to himself, it must of been long ago so maybe I forgot.
He continued walking in Selvar's shadow.
After a while, Selvar asked a sincere question.
"Why are you walking behind me? Do you fear another ambush? Do not worry. There might be an ambush in the forest, but there will not be one in the fog. We are nearly there."
His voice rose with pride as he continued forward.
"That is because it is rare for someone to see through the fog. I am a rarity you see..."
Selvar fell silent, listening to himself as his pale blonde hair fluttered in the wind.
When he eventually spoke, his voice was full of childish doubt.
"...Actually, I think it may be a genetic heritage. What I mean is, if anyone tries to fight us, they will not have the advantage."
Oren chuckled lightly. "Ah, no. I am not worried. I am just looking for shade, you think me an immortal demon is scared of an injury or two."
Oren pointed at his neck but the warry archer did not turn around, he was focused on the surroundings.
What he had said was true, since the crimson sun had begun to rise he needed shade.
But it was also false, because Oren was taller than Selvar by a small margin.
It seemed Selvar already knew that.
For some reason Oren did not know his steps were slowing down.
He had not ask why, instead Oren continued walking slowly.
He watched as the vibrant lines of forest trees dulled and thinned, not by age, but because they were nearing the edge of the Everdream Forest.
The birds stopped, and the number of small insect-like creatures Oren had once seen became scarce.
When the green leaves and the verdant flowers turned a dull grey, the wind became louder.
And when their footsteps started to echo through the distorted forest light, Oren knew they were entering the fog.
It was a seamless transition, and yet it weighed down on Oren tremendously.
Because now there was fog everywhere.
The grey mist clung to the distilled bark of the trees, making them look formless and indistinct.
Fog filled the blue sky, making the red radiance of the sun fade, and yet Oren could rarely see faint red sun rays shimmering through what seemed to be an absolute grey.
He turned back towards the forest, but the mist was there too, blurring every image together.
The illusory grey fog, truly was everywhere.
Selvar's voice was full of nostalgia as he spoke with a faint smile.
"We have finally made it to the fog of Everdream."