We decided to do some quests together to get back into things. We walked into the AA and looked for what quest team Hourai could do.

  Ooh look! They need more masseurs!

  Rejected.

  Look they need more seafood!

  Absolutely not!

  “How about this? Strange sounds coming from a cave in the jungle?”

  Uhh that sounds awfully familiar.

  Pb’s cousin? Winged Lobster’s uncle? Three-winged chicken’s father?

  That sounds something we could easily handle. Let’s go with that one.

  And that’s the quest we took. What strange creature will we find this time? We went deep into the jungle and I got all my tails out and stretched.

  Ahh no more eyes on us!

  I wanted to ask but what happened to your tails? You never told me.

  “Yeah, I’m curious too!”

  Uhm they blocked a laser powered by divine energy.

  Whoa! And you’re still alive?

  I nodded.

  Elliana pointed and inspected the necklace on my 5th tail. “And what about that necklace on your other tail?”

  I stopped. It… it’s to remind me to take things seriously… Oh look there’s the cave!

  I ran to the cave, took a Dawnlight out of my dimensional pocket and chucked it inside.

  Lets see let’s see. Only fleeing bats.

  Are you trying to piss off whatever lives in there? What happened o taking things seriously?

  I am serious! You know what happens when we enter caves right! It’s better if it comes out!

  He has a point. Let me help!

  Raishin used [Updraft] on a random monkey.

  You missed…

  Nono this is set up!

  Uhh I don’t like this!

  [Shadow Tendrils] pulled Elliana and me back as Raishin made a red tornado, no that was wrong, it was a red hurricane.

  I knew it! Raishin are you insane?

  Hehe of course not! He has to come outside else he will die!

  But why [Fusionhurricanado]?

  “What?”

  Hoo boi.

  I gave everyone a [Frost Cloak] as the [Fusionhurricanado] started to devour the cave.

  So, our quest was to investigate. What do we put in our report? That everything got vaporized?

  Hmm, that is a good question. We could say that the cave mysteriously disappeared.

  “Guys! It’s putting the jungle on fire!” Elliana said angrily while pointing at the blaze.

  Oh shit! I had enough destroyed jungles for a lifetime! Nilah we’re up!

  Let me assist.

  I will direct the mana into your shadows is that fine?

  Yeh.

  Nilah and I used [Eternal Winter] and killed off Raishin’s bullshit. The mana went to Nilah.

  Come on girl, give Greg the energy.

  Nilah refused and we dispelled the [Eternal Winter].

  Greedy fox…

  “I wonder if elves got this role to clean up after you guys…”

  We looked over a patch of burnt down jungle. The rocky cropping had melted and there was just a hole in the ground now instead of a cave. This still counts as a cave, right?

  Elliana crouched down and started pulsing elven magic and nature energy. It restored the ground from is ashen state. Small sprouts appeared but that was all to it. “I guess, that’s the best I can do for now.”

  Whoa that’s so cool! The better Elliana gets at this the more flashy attacks we can throw around!

  Greg smacked Raishin. That’s not a reason to throw attacks around recklessly!

  Ow!

  I crouched down next to Elliana. Hey do you hear that?

  “Yeah, what is that sound?”

  Oh good you can hear it! That’s one worry less!

  Elliana cocked her head. “Huh?”

  Don’t mind me. let’s see what’s down there.

  I activated my Elgards eyes.

  Oh. That thing looks messed up.

  I got up and threw a [Flour Time Bomb] inside.

  Take that!

  White dust exploded from the hole moments later and something neared and made a strange ‘Buk Buk’ sound. 5 centaurs emerged, except instead of the top part being human it was… duck and they kept making ‘Buk Buk’ sounds.

  What the fuck are those!

  Cygnus’ cousins?

  Elliana stepped back. “They’re hideous!”

  Well, it’s either a horse with a ducklike torso or head or a duck with a horse like torso and head. I think I already know which one I prefer…

  “How about just a normal horse or duck?”

  Agnis what are those creatures?

  Well according to my eyes these are… Huh what? That makes no sense.

  I deactivated my Elgards eyes. Shook my head a bit and reactivated them.

  Uhm according to my eyes these are bats…

  “What?” Elliana pointed at them. “How are they bats?!”

  The abominations kept making the ‘Buk Buk’ sounds.

  Oh, like that fish that turned into a rabbit…fish.

  It was a rabbit that turned into a fish… but this is a bit different it looks nothing like what it’s supposed to be.

  The abominations kept ‘bukking’ and charged at us and used fire magic.

  “Noo! They’re trampling the sprouts and burning the jungle! Unacceptable!” Elliana exploded in green lightning and drew her bow. “There is no place in the jungle for creatures like you!”

  Uhh, Elliana seems upset. How about we leave this to her? I’m curious to see what her green lightning can do.

  Me too.

  Raishin and I located a nearby rock and sat down on it.

  Hey come on guys this was supposed to be team Hourai’s comeback!

  Yeah, Raishin smoked them out, I identified them and Elliana is going to kill them. what have you done?

  Yeah Greg! What have you done?

  Ugh, so annoying and didn’t you smoke them out Agnis? What has Raishin done besides burning down the jungle?

  I looked at Raishin. Actually, he’s right you know.

  I made an unobstructed area for Elliana to fight!

  But Elliana is an elf, this unobstructed area actually benefits those duckers.

  It’s to make it not completely unfair for them. Go go Elliana!

  Unbelievable…

  Elliana shot a green lightning arrow. Wait it was not 1 arrow there were 3. Did it multiply? Now the 3 arrows now there are 5. Huh that’s interesting. Each of the green lightning arrows hit the duckers. Or do I call them Bukkers?

  Go go Elliana! Get those Bukkers!

  It seems Raishin had decided on Bukkers. Every arrow Elliana shot showed the same behavior. It was first 1, then 3 and then 5. She did stay at a fixed distance. The Bukkers had poor accuracy with their magic. I tried to figure out what the properties were of this green lightning. Elliana made a barrier out of green lightning, because the Bukkers finally hit, and it had some interesting looking spirals and patterns on it.

  She jumped back and used one of her heavier hitting skills but with green lightning so I guess this is [Green Lightning Ballista]. It didn’t take as long for her to set it up as I’m used to and the heavy arrow multiplied to 3, then 5, then 8 and it then hit and obliterated 2 Bukkers.

  The green lightning sparks that lingered created a verdant spiral pattern. How weird. Her shots also made a specific sound and its pitched changed every time it multiplied. It sounded quite melodic. Did Elliana turn into an artist?

  Elliana show us your ultimate skill!

  “What here? I can’t do that here!”

  Agnis can undo the damage with his illusions!

  Oh right! I can do that yeah!

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  I created an illusion over the area and gave Elliana a thumbs up. One Bukker ran over to Raishin because he was making a lot of noise but Elliana used her elven magic to entangle it with vines.

  “I suppose it’s time for [Verdant Lightning Shot].” Elliana jumped back and drew her bowstring. It looked like any other time she would shoot an arrow but a lot of green lightning was gathering in her hand.

  She released and the arrow flew. It multiplied but the arrows trailed a bit behind in a spiral form. The arrows together formed one big green spiral drill made out of arrows. The first arrow hit a Bukker. I expected it to turn into a porcupine but all the other arrows got sucked into the first arrow and a blue green flower sprouted where the arrow hit. It bloomed and the moment it fully bloomed a hole got blasted through the Bukker. The hole was as big as the flower and everything in a direct line behind the Bukker also had the same hole.

  What? It was an arrow but then a drill and then a flower and then… a laser?

  I didn’t see a laser.

  She did say that she needed more burst damage to deal with whatever she encountered in her dimension. Blasting a hole into the target and everything behind it regardless of its composition is… quite a lot of damage.

  They look like those holes you put screws in!

  A lot of spirals. That was a wonderful performance Elliana!

  “Thank you!” Elliana made a bow as if she were a performer.

  Uh what about this Bukker?

  Elliana had killed the Bukker that didn’t get bound by her elvish magic. The last one was still struggling while being bound.

  Well Greg didn’t do anything so he can take this one. Make it edgy please!

  I will do no such thing. This should be easy to deal with.

  Greg snapped his finger and put a curse on the Bukker. [Exsanguinate]? What poor taste.

  Eww Greg, couldn’t you find a better way to kill it? I bet it has an edgy name!

  It’s called [Exsanguinate] you could argue that it’s edgy.

  It’s not edgy…

  And with that our quest concluded. We took several more to get accustomed to each other but none were challenging.

  A month had gone by and it seemed like everything was going well. Nothing seems to go well for extended periods of time. Byron was at death’s door and we returned to the elven village. Elliana had only managed a short visit since she had returned and she instantly felt guilty that she didn’t stay for longer.

  Let’s leave Elliana alone for a bit.

  Just tell us if there’s anything you need Elliana.

  We’ll be here for you if you need us.

  We left Byron’s house and stood outside, awkwardly.

  Guys what do we do? I don’t think he’s going to make it.

  I don’t know… Bywen has been working her ass of and didn’t find anything. I don’t think there’s anything we can do…

  The unfortunate inevitability of death and decay.

  We looked at Greg. How did a non-edgy world make you even edgier?

  The lack of edginess around him may have had him sharpen himself.

  Hey come on guys!

  We visited Jyno who had a small family now. At least the village was slowly growing. We went to sit on a large leaf after the brief visit.

  We might have to consider what will happen after Byron’s passing.

  What do you mean?

  Elliana is next in line for becoming village chief.

  Can’t Bywen do that?

  Bywen is already doing that and as I’ve understood she neither likes that position nor does she think that a non-elf should hold that position.

  I agree with that but it still sucks. How is she supposed to choose between us and her village?

  She doesn’t. As much as it pains me to say. I think we should let Elliana become the village chief. I think she will become a great leader; she also has seen the outside world.

  I agree but… what does SHE want?

  I don’t want her to leave!

  We kept talking about this issue. I truly understood Greg’s points. She would make an excellent leader and her talents are wasted in our group but still. I didn’t bring everyone back to part with Elliana. Not like this…

  I guess this is completely up to her and the village.

  Yeah…

  We weren’t upset with each other but we were all quiet. Nobody knew what to say or how to solve the situation. I had always thought of ways Greg and Raishin would leave and I would be able to make peace with most of the situations I could come up with but I’ve never done this for Elliana so it was hard for me to accept it. It felt so sudden but I knew this wasn’t the case. Byron had been in a terrible state for almost 2 years now. It was bound to happen, it’s just that nobody wanted to think about it.

  Byron passed away 3 days later. Few words were spoken that day but a lot of tears had been shed. Death is a bit heavier under races that have longevity or immortality. It hit everyone hard. Elliana and Bywen were hit the hardest. Elliana was also livid. Her sister Leefa was nowhere to be found. I had offered to find her sister and drag her here but Elliana stopped me.

  The day was filled with a lot of different feelings. Their tradition was to put the body on a large leaf and float it over a small lake into a sinkhole that the elves believed would be connected to the spirit world. They were handing him over to the spirits that they may guide and protect his spirit.

  I tried to but I couldn’t manage to cry. Greg had the same problem. Raishin was crying like a baby. For me it wasn’t that Byron was dead, for me it was more that the father of someone I really cared for was dead. I have no idea how I’m supposed to feel in this situations. Maybe I’m feeling it wrong. I didn’t had a too strong connection to Byron but I do with Elliana.

  We returned to the elven village after Byron’s body had been sent off and everyone holed up in their homes. What to talk about in this situation? Probably nothing. I shared that sentiment.

  A week passed and someone knocked on the door of the house Greg, Raishin and I had gotten.

  It was Elliana. “I…I have to tell you guys something.”

  We sat down but Elliana kept standing.

  “I want to thank you guys for taking me with you. In all our adventures. Even though it was short. But… I have to leave. I’m sorry.”

  I’m sorry that it had to be like this but we understand.

  It’s about the village chief, isn’t it?

  Elliana nodded. “I will use everything I learned from you guys and the world to make this village better. It’s the least I could do for my father…” We got up and hugged her. She was trying to hold her tears back but she broke out in tears afterward.

  I decided to whip up a meal and have a nice dinner together.

  Hey Agnis. Your first secret weapon is mustard and your third secret weapon is Scoville nightmare extract right?

  Yup.

  WHY DID YOU PUT YOUR SECRET WEAPONS IN OUR DINNER!

  Give it an extra kick, food tastes better if it’s a bit dangerous!

  The interaction made Elliana laugh which was a good change of pace. Greg wussed out and didn’t use my secret weapons. Raishin was too bold and he went too hard on my Secret Weapon #3.

  Hothothot! Give me water!

  “Why didn’t you add your second secret weapon?” Elliana asked as she carefully used my Secret Weapon #3.

  I don’t want to kill anyone.

  “I see… What about Raishin over there?”

  He brought this upon himself with his greed.

  What do you mean greed? How was I supposed to know this was so spicy!

  Raishin… he used Scoville Nightmares, the spiciest peppers on the planet how did you not expect this to be spicy?

  But Agnis made it look so easy.

  Agnis didn’t dunk his food in blue oil like you did and he has a higher spice tolerance!

  Greg help! Water isn’t helping!

  Agnis give him your second secret weapon.

  Are you insane? Do you want me to kill him?

  Milk isn’t poison! Just give it to him!

  I gave Raishin the poison and he slightly recovered.

  Raishin is stronger than I thought…

  How are you this silly…

  So, is this light blue oil less spicier?

  Raishin dunked a drumstick in the light blue oil and Greg and I facepalmed.

  “Go on Raishin take a big bite!” Elliana taunted and Raishin took a large bite.

  Aaah! Spicy!

  “Haha! I’m going to miss you guys.”

  Agnis might forget but I will remind him to pay visits.

  Hey! I have visited the elf village more than you did!

  That’s because I can’t teleport and run as fast as you do! Also, I was gone for 8 months!

  I don’t see how that’s my problem!

  You are impossible…

  Guys help! I’m dying!

  Greg took some of my Secret Weapon #2 and poured it down his throat.

  Glub! Help!

  This is your own undoing Raishin take it like a man! Gulp down that poison!

  “I still don’t understand why you call it poison…”

  Well as you see it’s currently killing Raishin.

  “I think something else is. Greg stop!”

  Ugh, no more!

  Greg spared Raishin’s life by freeing Raishin from the poison and Raishin moved to a salad and poured my Secret Weapon #1 on it.

  This guy doesn’t learn, does he?

  Aaagh!

  The dinner was lively and it sems Elliana enjoyed herself for the first time since her father died. She did mark this as the last day that she could travel with us. She needed to help Bywen to whip the village in shape. It was restored but she described the village as being in a similar state her father was. ‘Not quite dead but close’. It felt strange to hear her say it but it was clear that she had made up her mind and was determined.

  “The next time you guys come here, it will be a wonderful place, just don’t cheap out and visit in a month or so… I’m looking at you Agnis!”

  What? I would never do that!

  He totally would…

  “You have your things to do I have my things to do. I will never forget the times I spent with you. I…I will be busy in the coming days. Please tell me when you’re leaving. I won’t be able to hang out a lot with you guys but I want to at least say bye when you’re leaving." Elliana put up a fake smile and left.

  So, what do we do now?

  Let’s stay here for several more days. Elliana probably has big plans and we will probably be a hindrance.

  She will be fine and the village will be fine with her as leader. She just needs time.

  We stayed for 5 more days before we left. It was just Elliana and Bywen that saw us off. The other elves were busy doing the mountain of chores Elliana and Bywen had given them.

  This doesn’t feel good we lost another member.

  She is alive and doing well. This might be for the better.

  Yeah maybe. I know something that might cheer us up, we can watch funny videas of adventurers failing! Let’s hop by the Nightmare dungeon!

  You surely developed a strange hobby. Didn’t you hate sand?

  Ugh, I do but the possible entertainment I can get out of it outweighs the sand. I still have sand in my tail

  ... I hate sand…

  You guys need to toughen up it’s just some sand!

  Says the guy who freaks out at the sight of a drop of water.

  Water is the true villain!

  Water supports life! Sand supports death!

  Disagreed!