The Ancients World

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The Jungles of Nae'mor, The City of Armezix, The Continent of Alforza)~~~

~~~(Time: 10:57 AM)~~~

Jaeemara guides us into her home, and the first thing I notice is the scent of the place. It's an aroma of fruits and fragrances that make it seem like everywhere I've been has smelled like a stye. Given this new pleasant smell, my own odor becomes more apparent.

"You have a wonderful home. It smells like a tropical fruit basket mixed with some honey."

Sally describes it better than I can, and that's the closest comparison I can agree with. Jaeemara is about to say something, but a taller Dark Elf male walks into the room. This must be Pazemad, her husband.

It's like any attention that was on Sally and myself completely disappears as Pazemad makes his way over to us. I see the adoration and love in Jaeemara's eyes, and I turn to Sally. Smiling as I do.

"I was wondering when you'd be home again, Jaee. I hope that I'm not interrupting something here."

There isn't a verbal answer from Jaeemara as she leaps to the man and wraps her arms around him. I don't know anything about Dark Elves. This could be standard behavior between couples or exclusive to Pazemad and Jaeemara.

Once again, Jaeemara is about to speak when two more interrupts make their presence known. And two young girls come out from behind a corner. They couldn't be older than 8 and 9, and Elvish races age at the same rate as humans until 18 to 21.

For the second time in less than two minutes, I'm looking at Sally again, and I notice that embarrassed and shamed look on her face. She was worried about a couple of kids.

"Mommy!!"

Both Leela and Laura run out from their spying spot and make their way to the two parents. Jaeemara grabs them both up in her arms and kisses them all over their faces. It's a heartwarming scene to me. Seeing an ordinary and loving family.

"Now, what have my two little girls been up to since I've been gone? Mind showing me your projects for your class assignment?"

That's an interesting piece of information. While centralized education for young children and adults exists in Gaia, I never thought I'd see it firsthand. I wonder what a school would look like and teach in a world like this?

Especially a Dark Elf school. How cool would their lessons be?

Jaeemara leaves with her two little ones, and we're left in awkward silence with Pazemad. A chuckle escapes his lips as he takes a step close and takes on a relaxed expression.

"Greetings, Angel Zern and Princess Orvello. My wife and I are NPCs Turned Players, and she informed me she might end up bringing you here. I must say, I never thought I'd host divinity."

While Jaeemara's quick exit was both a great thing to see, it left me in a situation with a stranger. I admire her love for her family, so I'm not going to bitch about it.

I hold out my hand for a handshake, and he takes it. Pazemad is tall and dark-skinned like all Dark Elves. He's got nearly feminine features and the same air that Jaeemara has. I can see why they get along so great. They're similar in a lot of ways.

"It's nice to make your acquaintance, Pazemad. Your wife didn't tell us much on the way here. Only that you are her husband, and she has two kids."

His lips form into a knowing smile as he lets out a small sigh.

"Sorry, she prioritizes the family over anything else. As you have seen, when it comes to dividing attention, she's not the best at it."

Nothing to apologize for, in my opinion.

"That's a good thing. I wish we saw more of it in our travels. But sadly, the world is a lot crueler than you'd hope."

He turns and invites us toward a large table. We all take a seat, and I'm a little jealous that even their table chairs are more comfortable than most beds I've slept in.

"The Dark Elves heard about The Elven Kingdom, Princess Orvello. We're sorry about all the things you've gone through. While knowledge about your past isn't exactly known, it's known you are an ex-slave. That life couldn't have been easy."

His voice takes on a somber and tired tone. And most would be offended by his words. But listening to them and him, you can tell he's dealt with pain caused by slavers before.

"Oh... I was hoping that would remain a secret, but I guess you can't have everything... I hear from your tone you have experience dealing with slavers."

There is a distant look in the man's eyes, and I can tell that his long life has been one filled with a lot of pain.

"My sister... She was captured and sold into slavery... Being a Dark Elf, she was priceless to the world... Many believed she was the last of her kind... By the time I found her, she was already... Gone..."

Slavery has taken so much from people, and it makes you see that in the real world. Monsters could be walking right next to you, and you wouldn't even know it.

"I'm sorry... Was she killed or... Turned..."

My stomach twists as I hear Sally say those words, and it's clear what they're meaning is.

"Neither... She slit her throat with a rusted nail before she could have her virginity stolen... Mazelen was devastated when I brought her back..."

I don't know who Mazelen is, but I'm taking a guess and saying that was her... Lover... Betrothed... Husband to be... Different sayings describe the same thing... A person you cherish and want to spend your life with...

"I don't want to sound insensitive or cruel... But that's a far better fate than what awaited her... There was a time I almost did that..."

My head slowly turns as the world stops around me. I knew that Sally had a hard time, and I suspected she might have thought about it. But to hear her admit she contemplated suicide makes my heart sink.

There isn't anything I should feel bad about... And given what her life was like... I even understand it...

"Ahh, enough of this sad talk. Jaeemara hasn't told me anything since she said she might be bringing you guys here. Mind telling me the plan?"

Sally remains quiet in thought as I explain the reason why we're here. It's nothing big in particular, only that we wanted to see the Dark Elves.

He looked at us in surprise, hearing we cleared The Dungeon known as The Temple of Jad'var.

"You're both welcome to use the facilities while Jaeemara spends time with our kids. I don't want to be rude, but you both smell... Bad... To put it nicely."

It doesn't take long for Sally to smile and stand up in excitement. Pazemad leads us to a large bathroom and leaves us to our own devices. Sally unequips her clothes, and I follow suit. We both get in the shower.

As I lather my hands up in soap, I'm about to start washing her body when she stops me. I look at her, confused, and she frowns.

"I'm still mad at you for what you did back in The Temple of Jad'var... And the way you've been acting since... Since I can't seem to get through your thick head, maybe I should go lower. No touching, no sex, nothing."

That hurts.

"I'll have to accept whatever decision you make about this. Guess that means more soap for me, huh..."

The disappointment in my voice even shocks me, and I see a flicker of weakness and urging in Sally's eyes. She almost gave in from a look like that, but I'll respect her decision. And I won't try to force it.

That's the last thing I ever want to do, whether she's happy with me or angry.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.236][Tier-4]

[Exp: 72/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 440] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]