472 The Gift Spera Received, The Night After they Met a Former God (1/2)

Day ▋▋ - ▋▋:▋▋ ▋▋ - Fortress Walls, Stone Fortress, Eastern Mountain, Spirit Dimension

Everyone opened their eyes, trying to adjust to the sudden change in their surroundings. Like how they left, it was also how they returned. With a flash of blinding light, they left the cave and appeared atop the walls of the Stone Fortress.

When the light vanished, however, darkness embraced them. Of course, it was not some idiom or analogy, but in the literal sense. Looking at the sky, it was already night time. Probably, it was already midnight. Due to the difference in lux, it was no wonder why they felt blinded.

The group felt odd. They were all sure that it was still morning when the battle with the giant happened. They had just woken up and did not even have breakfast yet. It was good that the tea that was served to them seemed to have effects that filled their stomach for some reason.

They left in the morning and returned in the evening when they spent barely two hours in that place. It was not hard to guess that the place they went to had its time moving even slower than the Spirit Dimension.

The group's return caused a commotion. It was impossible for them to return stealthily because of that flash of light, especially in the middle of the night. Not to mention that more than half of the races that were currently living around the Stone Fortress were nocturnals.

Soldiers immediately ran towards their direction to see what was that flash of light. And when the soldiers saw Mark's group, it was like a hero's return. Everyone was delighted to see them and had the look of reverence in their faces. It was very uncomfortable.

Mark urged Felenia to lead the way so that they could enter the fortress immediately. He did not want to stay any longer with this kind of reception.

Luckily, no one stopped them on the way. Instead, the races and the soldiers parted to the side, letting them pass without any hindrance.

However, it was very noisy. The Duendes that were guarding the walls had all turned to human size, securing the safety of the night. Seeing Mark, who defeated the giant that killed many of them, they started hitting the ground with the base of their spears as they cheered.

The way they chant and hit the ground was uniform as if they were trained to do so. It was a rather beautiful sight. It was quite annoying, though.

As they entered the gates into the fortress, they thought that it was over.

As they stepped inside, however, Diwata Danaya was there. Along with the king and queen of the Stone fortress and the representatives of the races.

Mark could feel that they wanted to throw a celebration for some reason.

And of course...

”Pass...”

He murmured.

Everyone could see the annoyance in his face now. And thus, Felenia decided to step up to quell the situation.

”Father, Mother... Diwata Danaya, can we rest first. Look at the time, we are all tired.”

Felenia said with made everyone feel awkward. It was because the group truly looked tired. Of course, it was not because they were spent or something, but they were still digesting most of the things they heard earlier. And for the most part, the fatigue on their faces came from the unexpected reception.

Luckily, because of that, they decided to retreat. Although they were curious about the two additions in their group and the missing Sylph.

Unfortunately, it seemed that they were not going to stop but would just postpone the celebration. Mark and the others still had no escape.

They returned to their guestroom and gathered in the lobby, except for Felenia. She was called by her mother and father to tell what happened. Since Bathala graced everyone his presence that was not felt for more than a millennium already, it was impossible for them to settle down just like that.

”Is it fine to let Filenia go? She won't tell everything, right?”

Aephelia, who stood behind Mark's seat asked. Since she was already back to being human, she could not do what she did before. To sit down on Mark's shoulder like Amihan, right now. Nevertheless, she liked this place. It was the same place she always had when she was still serving Freed back then.

To Aephelia's question, everyone was also worried. Not everything that Bathala mentioned to them was safe to disclose. It was especially for Mark and Mei's circumstances that would surely invite unnecessary trouble.

”Don't worry. Felenia is a smart woman. She knows what to tell and what is not.”

Teremillio bragged.

”Yeah, she is a smart person. But I still doubt why she fell for you.”

Amihan rebuked. Of course, her relationship with the Prince of Black Duendes was still as bad as before.

”Still, I can't believe it that we met a God.”

Alana said while she massaged Karlene's head who was lying on her lap.

Karlene was still weak and her head was still aching. Everyone told her to rest in her room already, but she wanted to join everyone. Especially since she could not leave Karla alone who stuck to Mark like a leech.

Actually, now, there was not only Karla. Mara, who sat beside the currently silent Spera, was smiling bitterly. Her sister was currently sitting on the floor in front of Mark as she took his free hand to put on her head.

Mark was quite troubled already, but what could he do? It was not like they were doing any harm. However, to say, it was a huge improvement that Janette could already feel jealous.

Still, Mark wished that she felt jealous about something else and not to Karla.

Fortunately, Mei and the three girls knew that they should not bother him and add themselves on top of the two. Mark already had two handfuls to deal with.

Everyone started to express their emotions and opinions about the unique encounter they had. They also exchanged ideas about the gifts they received. And the best topic of the discussion was about Aephelia who they saw from the vision that Bathala showed everyone.

There was one, however, that was keeping silent. Mark looked at Spera.

Among everyone, she was the only one who received something that was not Physical. Currently, she was moving a small ball of light above her palms. Furthermore, Bathala did not give any concrete explanation about it either. But to say, Spera seemed to be contented about it. The reason being like Amihan, she could feel some connection to the thing they received.

”What do you think that is?”

Mara could not help but ask as she was seating beside Spera.

As a reply, Spera shook her head.

Everyone was also curious about that ball of light. No one had seen something like that before. The only thing that they could tell that it seemed to have life and was an entity made entirely of energy different from what everyone here had.

The only exception in this curiosity was Mark. If he was right, he already encountered something like that before. And to say, Bathala knew his stuff. What Spera needed was not any item or accessory.

”Spera, catch.”

Mark said as he tossed something towards her.