Garden Of The Abyss

Looking around the somewhat bustling center of the tucked-away village, she noticed that the passing by primorelves mostly kept to themselves--taking short glances at her.

--I guess there isn't much to expect from a village tucked inside of a cavern, but they don't seem very well off.

Bringing her sight back down to the fidgeting elder, who was fiddling with the collar of his olive tunic--Iris let out a huff as no answer came from Heldjrim. As soon as she began to turn with the intention of leaving the village, he finally spoke up.

"--Missus! Alright, alright. I'm not supposed to disclose this information, not around them...Come with me to my cottage, come, come."

Heldjrim whispered as he looked around to make sure none of the villagers had been eavesdropping, ushering for the girl to follow him as he began to move down one of the pathways. It was a peculiar situation to be put in, but she decided to trust her instincts that the seemingly kind, old elf wasn't one with malicious intent as she followed him.

Even without the nurturing light of the sun, saplings had managed to grow into healthy, high-reaching trees, baring silver and hazel leaves on their limbs. Entering the pathway that led away from the series of small shops, these trees overlooked the trail, blocking the stone sky with petals of nature.

The luscious green that inhabited the soil almost made her forget that she was within a cavern, even capturing the sight of vibrant poppy flowers, greeting her as they gently swayed side to side.

"...How much farther, Heldjrim?"

"Just a bit more, missus."

An uphill slope led to a cottage in the shape of a dome, built with decorated stone instead of the other homes formed of rock and mud. The front door attached to the front of the odd abode was opened by the elderly primorelf, who scooted his way inside, ushering for the girl to follow.

--It's a bit short…

The door had only reached up to her shoulders, forcing an awkward bow forward in order to enter the home. Inside of the peculiarly built cottage, the interior was fancier than the exterior had let on: holding stone bookshelves, tables stocked with produce, and a bed befit for only a primorelves' size.

Just existing in the home of Heldjrim was enough to know nothing in this village was built with humans in mind, as the top of her head was a hair away from reaching the ceiling.

"Would you like some tea, missus?"

Shuffling over to one of the tables, the frail old elf glanced at her to await her answer, taking hold of two teacups.

"Urr...Sure."

Iris watched as he retrieved water from the pot sitting beside the ashen table, pouring it into a kettle formed of stone.

The primorelf closed his eyes, holding his palms out in front of the kettle as he began to concentrate--breaking a sweat and releasing a heavy breath as he attempted whatever he had in mind. After a moment of prolonged focus, a small flame conjured from under the kettle, the small, newly-formed flames coiling the round sides of the object as steam began to emit from its crevices.

--No incantation...So it is true that elves don't need them to use magic.

It wasn't a particularly powerful spell in the slightest that Heldjrim had cast, but Iris still found herself fascinated by the lack of incantation from him.

Keeping one hand focused on retaining the spell of flames, Heldjrim dropped a few leaves into the steaming pot. She didn't bother attempting to make conversation during the wait for tea in fear of breaking the primorelf's concentration.

"That should do it…"

Clearly tired from holding a basic spell, Heldrjim moved his wrinkled hand towards the handle of the pot, lifting it and pouring the fresh contents into both cups.

"Here you are, missus."

Accepting the offering of tea, a soothing fragrance emitted itself from the recently brewed beverage, momentarily taking her away from her problems.

"Please, sit."

Heldjrim urged her, rushing over to one of the tables and pulling out a chair for her. It made her feel bad having such a withered, elderly being work so hard to try and accommodate her presence--so she decided to accept his demands, but first needed to hear his reasoning.

Taking a seat and sipping the tea, the heated liquid felt as if it directly traveled through her body the moment it touched her tongue, caressing her tired cells and rejuvenating them. The seat itself was low to the ground, resulting in a rather uncomfortable seating position.

"Is it to your liking, missus?"

Iris nodded her head in response to Heldjrim question, who held a static smile as if desperately awaiting her answer, "I think it's time you explained yourself, Heldjrim."

The joyful smile he held in response to her approval of the freshly brewed drink had faded just as quickly as it came about.

"Ah, I suppose you're right…"

Setting his own cup down, Heldjrim adjusted his round-lensed glasses, clearing his throat before he ushered forth his response to her question, "I'm sure you'd like to know first and foremost, why I've been urging you to stay, yes?"

"That's right."

"To answer that, I must first ask you a question of my own, missus. You believe the Purgatory temple is but a host for the trial, yes?"

It was an odd question, forcing Iris to repeat it in her head a few times as a perplexed look came over her azure gems--finally nodding her head slowly with a, "Yes."

"I am sure that's why you mainly found the existence of this village to be an odd one. However, your assumption would only be half right."

"What?"

"It is true that this temple serves as a grounds for the trial made by the gods, but it is far more than that. This temple doesn't exist solely for the purpose of the trial, but as a new kingdom--built by the generous gods to give a home to those without a place in Gaia."

From what she had gathered of Heldjrim, he was a reasonable and wise person, so hearing this brought no room for doubt into her mind.

--Did Mother know this?...This is something she would mention, so why didn't she? Is it really possible this is something out of her reach of knowledge?

"...That is definitely important to know, but what does it have to do with you wanting me to stay here? I don't understand."

"Well...many adventurers who come to this place to seek out the trial end up realizing this truth. Purgatory is set up in such a way that humans can actually thrive here--such a fact has led to the predicament that my clan finds itself in."

Adjusting his glasses once more, Heldjrim's gaze lowered for a moment as he reminisced whatever truth he had stored in his base of knowledge.

"It started a few months ago...Just as we did with you, we welcomed in one who undertook the trial, a young man who seemed to possess good intentions...At least, that's what this old man saw from him."

"Then what's the issue?"

"That young man...Macheo, he lowered our guards with his kind front, having us show him around the village before he revealed his true colors. Using his overwhelming strength, he established himself as a dominant force—forcing the village to pay him a "tax" for his protection."

"That's…"

"It started off as just small payments, but as time went on, he became greedier, tainted with the power he had seized. Eventually...those small payments became larger, too much for our humble community to pay. As "compensation"...Macheo took a woman of his choice. My daughter, Uylia...It's been a month since he took her...Everyday I worry so greatly for her."

Behind that anguish, she could see a fire light in the silver irises of Heldjrim as he spoke of the injustice brought to his village, even more so as he mentioned his daughter.

"--I don't quite follow still, what does this have to do with me? It's awful, really, but I just don't see my place in all of this…"

Heldjrim fidgeted a bit, scratching at his scruffy chin before letting out a small breath as his answer soon followed, "Macheo's next visit is tomorrow...I was hoping that if you stayed here for a night, you would be forced to protect the village and defeat that man."

"You deceived me."

"I did what was best for my people. I am the elder of this village, missus Iris--I...I have to look out for them, no matter the cost."

"You could've just told me, I would've gladly helped."

Setting the cup of tea down, Iris looked at the timid primorelf with her dazzling eyes, radiating with a lapis beauty only matched by her silken locks.

"I...I know, missus. I just couldn't risk you leaving here out of fear...We don't have enough to pay what Macheo wants, and last time he showed...He promised to hurt my little girl as collateral."

"--"

"I'm out of options, missus…"

The raw sadness that displayed itself in each wrinkle on his weathered face did away with any thoughts that he may be deceiving her. Those ancient, silver lenses of his looked at her, pleading for her help from the bottom of his soul. As much as she put up a tough front out of frustration of his previous deceit, her heart yearned to assist these kind folk.

A continuous inhale puffed out her chest before she let it out in a sharp exhale, "Fine."

"...Fine?"

"Fine, I'll help your village...I'll make sure your daughter is returned safely to you."