The forest path seemed to stretch on forever, but for Markil, the world had changed.
He wasn't just seeing trees anymore.
Two birds in a nest, thirty meters up.
Heartbeats: fast.
A beetle under the soil, three meters down.
Elrond's breathing pattern: steady. Efficient.
Markil rubbed his chin as he walked.
That's unexpected, he thought.
I'm able to see every living being's presence.
It's like a radar hacking the world.
He glanced at his hands.
So that really means I got all his powers and abilities.
But who was Thoos, actually? A general? A god?
Then another thought struck him.
Wait a minute.
He told me I would have his sword too.
What was its name? Oh yeah… Asler.
Markil reached over his shoulder.
Nothing.
I think that sword could slice reality itself, so… why don't I have it now?
Did I leave it in the portal?
He concentrated.
Deep in his soul—or maybe in his shadow—he felt something heavy and cold.
Sleeping.
Waiting.
Maybe I could summon it?
Like an inventory system in a game?
And the Army…
He glanced at his shadow stretching along the path.
For a split second, the shadow grinned back at him—
a thousand jagged teeth.
Markil quickly looked away.
Nope.
Not touching that yet.
I should stay silent for now.
He looked at the backs of the five elite elves walking ahead.
I can't trust them so easily.
They hate humans.
If they knew I had an army of darkness in my pocket, they'd probably try to kill me right here.
His gaze shifted to the red-haired captain.
But that Elrond guy…
He's scary, sure.
But he's also heavy-hearted.
He hasn't attacked me yet.
And Melian…
He looked at the princess walking beside him.
She caught his eye and smiled.
Yeah.
They might be good.
"All of you," Elrond's voice cut through his thoughts.
"We are now back. Get ready."
"Back?" Markil asked.
"Back where?"
Suddenly, the dense forest ended.
Markil stopped.
His jaw dropped.
"Whoa…"
In front of them stood walls.
Not just walls—
mountains of white stone and silver metal, stretching into the clouds.
The gate alone was large enough to fit a jumbo jet.
The Elven Kingdom.
A massive dome of civilization, hidden from the world.
"It's huge…" Markil whispered.
Melian noticed his shock and stepped closer.
"Markil, don't worry. I'm with you."
Markil looked at her.
Is it just me…
or is her behavior changing?
She's becoming… protective.
They approached the gate.
Merchants with carts.
Hunters with bows.
A long line of travelers waited to enter.
As Elrond stepped into the light, the crowd gasped.
"It's Sir Elrond!"
"The Special Grade Knight!"
"Wait… why is he walking with a human?"
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Look! The other Elite Knights!"
"Arwen! Kalmen!"
"And that's Princess Melian!"
Melian raised her hand and waved gracefully.
"Hello, everyone!"
The guards saluted, spears slamming against shields.
The group passed through the massive archway.
If the outside was impressive—
The inside was a fantasy brought to life.
Markil's head swiveled left and right.
Magic shops with floating signs…
Bakeries smelling of cinnamon and glowing flour…
A massive building with Hunter's Guild carved in gold…
Schools where children levitated books…
This is really a fantasy world, Markil thought, grinning.
It's actually cool.
He noticed elf children playing near a fountain.
They stared at him with wide, curious eyes.
Markil smiled and waved.
"Hey there, little gu—"
SWISH.
An elf woman rushed forward, yanking her children away.
"Don't look at him!" she hissed.
"Hide!"
Markil's hand froze mid-air.
His smile faltered.
"What…?"
Other elves turned their backs.
Shopkeepers closed their windows.
The lively street grew quiet around him.
Melian looked from Markil to the woman.
She bit her lip and looked down.
Why am I feeling so bad for him? she thought.
He didn't do anything.
Kalmen Solas fell into step beside Markil.
"Don't act surprised, human," Kalmen said coldly.
"Don't you know why they're ignoring you?"
Markil forced a fake smile, hands in his pockets.
"Maybe humans gave them depression?"
"That's usually what we do."
Kalmen stopped.
His face darkened.
"Not just depression," he whispered.
"They killed our Captain's wife."
Markil froze.
"What?"
"Humans," Kalmen spat.
"They captured her during a raid."
"They raped her."
"Again. And again."
"When Elrond found her… there was nothing left to save."
Something cold dropped into Markil's stomach.
He looked at Elrond's back.
The captain walked straight, emotionless.
"Kalmen!" Elrond snapped.
"Stop. Or do you want death?"
Kalmen flinched, then bowed.
"Apologies, Captain."
He moved away.
Markil stood still.
So that's why…
That's the hatred.
But then why doesn't he hate me?
Why didn't he kill me in the forest?
Elrond Leon…
You're complicated.
RUMBLE.
A luxurious carriage pulled up beside them.
Four white horses with glowing manes.
An elf servant bowed.
"Sir Elrond! Princess! The transport is ready."
"Good," Elrond replied.
Melian turned to Markil.
"I need to take a separate carriage to the inner palace."
"Relax, Markil. You're safe with them."
She waved and climbed in.
Markil gulped.
"Get in," Elrond ordered.
Markil climbed into the main carriage with the others.
Velvet seats.
Crystal glasses.
Soft magical lights.
"Fancy," Markil muttered.
The carriage lurched forward.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Thirty.
The swaying intensified.
Markil's face turned pale.
Then green.
"Oh god…" he whispered.
"I'm going to vomit."
Elrond looked up sharply.
"You human," he warned.
"If you do, I will kill you."
"This is the Royal Carriage!"
"I don't… care about… spiders…" Markil gagged.
Kalmen grabbed his shoulder.
"Calm down, Sir Elrond," Kalmen smirked.
"He's just a human."
Oh god, Markil thought.
I've only traveled in video games.
I have zero resistance to motion sickness!
"He looks like a dying fish," Amreth laughed.
Elrond slammed his scroll down.
"This is not funny!"
"If he ruins the carpet, the King will have my head!"
Arwen sighed.
"Just hold it in, human."
"I… can't…" Markil wheezed.
He stood up.
"Sit down!" Elrond shouted.
Markil turned an impossible shade of green.
"I think I—"
"Don't speak!" Alith yelled.
BLAAARGH.
Chaos.
Vomiting everywhere.
Silence.
Then—
"YOU PEST!" Elrond roared.
"MY BOOTS!" Kalmen screamed.
"DISGUSTING!" Arwen gagged.
Amreth collapsed laughing.
"THE ROYAL CARPET!"
Markil wiped his mouth weakly.
"Sorry…"
"Does anyone have a mint?"
Elrond looked ready to commit murder.
(Chapter 17 Finished)