The building was mostly empty except for a few patrons eating off to the side. The tables were made of wood with a highly polished top and comfortable cushions on the seats.
Off to the side was a large hearth that was dead. The weather was exceptionally warm for a day in the late spring. The windows were open to allow the cooling breeze to blow through.
One could easily hear the crash of the waterfall that fed into the town’s spring. The fine mist carried along the wind felt rejuvenating as it pelted the skin.
If Lumina wasn’t so incredibly on edge being around Adrok, she would have found herself feeling very relaxed in the comforting atmosphere. She wished she knew why she was feeling so much terror from one of Milli’s companions.
It was very apparent to her that Adrok was an exceptionally powerful individual. She had a hard time believing anyone could be stronger than her foster mother. But the dark-haired man before her was starting to convince her otherwise.
Taking a table in one of the corners, a waitress stopped by dropping off menus. “Welcome to Crater Creations, Bakery and Tavern. My name is Elizabeth. What can I get you for today?
“Bakery?” Lumina asked, almost forgetting about the abject fear besetting her.
Eldin sighed, knowing full well how much his friend enjoyed pastries. Ignoring the blatant show of gluttony, he realigned his focus. He wanted to ask questions, wanted to learn more. The only problem was that his mind could not formulate a question. Eldin knew there was so much he could ask, and yet, was unable to form any complete thought or sentence in his mind.
What he hated the most was that Adrok was studying them. Despite ordering water for everyone and talking to the waitress, his gaze was focused on both of them.
It was all so frustrating. Eldin wanted to ask the enigma of a man so many questions. Now that he was actually next to him, it felt like an esoteric experience. There was something about him that he couldn’t quite put his thumb on. He finally blurted out a question, “Why did you never visit in the past 20 years?” Eldin felt like an idiot. Next to him was the most knowledgeable person in the world. All he could ask was why the guy never visited? “Such a stupid question.” He thought.
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For the first time in 15 years. Adrok found himself at a loss for words. A feeling he had all but completely forgotten. Usually, people asked about his unique mantle or questions about crazy rumors, or about a specific battle. It was obvious to him that Eldin wanted to learn more about the elements. You don’t become an elementalist at 18-years of age simply because of talent. That dedication required a ravenous thirst for knowledge. Something he could relate to all too well. Yet the young man was asking about why he never visited.
Adrok had prided himself on knowing what would happen before it happened. It wasn’t due to some magical technique or lost technology, but because of his supreme intellect and analytical thought process. It had been well over a decade since Adrok last found himself in a situation he hadn’t predicted. “I didn’t have a reason to visit. Elrin, Lucina and Milli wanted to find a place to relax, I wanted to continue to learn more about the world. Which I can’t do from an isolated lumbar town.”
Lost technology, often times referred as magical items. Are typically pieces of ancient technology that are still functioning after the Cataclysm and Tribal wars.
- Wiproch's Basics to Elemental Control, Supplemental Addendum
Lumina found herself getting lost in the cosmic mantle Adrok wore. It was like looking at a starry night sky. The fabric was otherworldly. “What is your mantle made of?”
Adrok was slightly disappointed at Lumina’s question. He had just come across a boy that exceeded his predictions. He had hoped the daughter of a versatile warrior like Lucina would have done the same. Though he did immediately notice the apprehension she had about him as soon as they met. Even now, sitting at a table about to get food, the Fereece still had her guard up. It was all so exciting! If there was one thing Adrok disliked the most, it was idiots. People who dictated their lives based on bigotry and ignorance. Yet, he found himself with two unique puzzles.
One was a young man that had attained the status of an elementalist earlier than him. Plus, Eldin managed to bypass his predictions. The other, a Fereece that for some reason or another saw him as a threat. Which was a fairly normal occurrence with people he had met many times. Yet she was literally ready to attack him or defend herself if he gave any reason. Puzzles were what drove Adrok to live the life he did. To him, nothing was more important than power. Solving puzzle after puzzle to gain more knowledge led to the inevitable increase in power.
For him, simply knowing was not enough. He needed to internalize and understand in order to wield and command. If he wanted to control the two sitting with him, he needed more information. “This cloak was a gift from Ataasias after assisting the Goddess.”
Eldin found it interesting that the Gods needed assistance. “Wasn’t the idea of a God supposed to mean they are all powerful beings that can take care of anything with a snap of their finger? Why would the goddess of darkness need assistance?”
Anticipating the question, Adrok responded. “The world is not as organized and safe as it would let you believe. The Gods live by a code that makes them unable to directly interfere with our lives. Earthquakes, tornados, tsunamis, these are not the doing of a Master Elemental. It is nature simply taking its course.”
“What do the gods do then?” Lumina asked, her curiosity piqued.