Quickly following Estel's path down the sloping bridge lead Luke into the heart of the village market. Several large and beautifully decorated stalls stood up and beckoned his attention, all selling trinkets and well cooked food.
If he was being honest with himself, he would've expected this from the dwarves more than the elves, but their mannerisms at least fit the stereotype.
"Surprised? We have a vast market and economy in our village." Estel remarked.
Luke's eyes darted from side to side, taking it all in. The chirping birds, the warm scenery, the bustling shoppers going about their day trying to haggle down prices, it all felt so natural and right. This truly was paradise. It almost felt as if nothing could go wrong here.
"You needed to see your friends, correct? Follow me."
Luke nodded vigorously and kept on retracing Estel's footsteps, moving deeper into the surrounding greenery of the forest. The markets and stalls didn't end the further they went, if anything they got more cluttered.
After realising he was the only one without long hair and pointy ears, Luke did feel a little self concious. His clothes also gave off a completely different vibe to that of the well dressed elves. No one seemed to take notice or care though, maybe it was because they were all awestruck by Estel's appearance, and in that case Luke couldn't blame them.
Estel truly did give off 'Princess of the village' signals. Whether that was a bad thing or not was lost in contemplation as the horizon revealed a group of teens all crowded around a stall arguing over what food looked the nicest.
Luke could make out the white and messy hair of Kasper, his best friend. Looking from this angle, he noticed his friends hair starting to get longer than usual.
Around Kasper was the entourage of girls that his friendship group now included. Luke forgot about his stomach pains and focused on walking over faster as Estel stood back and giggled at his childish excitement upon seeing his comrades.
"Hey!" Luke called over.
Kasper's head turned to his direction and lit up as a reaction to seeing his friend.
"Hey mate, how're you?? We heard you got into some trouble or something."
"Yeah, took a couple arrows to the chest and back. I'm fine though, honest!"
Sophie glared at him and gave him the once over with her eyes. "I suppose you're fine...for now."
Luke grinned at her. Seeing Sophie check him over made him remember how she looked before they teleported. He still needed to converse with her and check she was okay.
"That reminds me, Soph, can we talk in private? It'll be quick, I promise."
"Of course!"
Luke led her over to an area without many stalls as to avoid nosy business elves.
"How have you been holding up? We haven't had the chance to chat since Kai and Robin went on a rampage."
Sophie sighed and put her hands behind her head.
"I'm not sure. I feel okay, but also not at the same time. It's like there's some underlying issue I can't quite put my finger on."
"I think I get it..." In reality, Luke was struggling to relate.
"Look, I'm not gonna break down or anything. Plus, if I did get super depressed I'd come right to you!"
"Really? How come?"
"Simple. You're like a brother to me, and my best friend! You always keep me safe and make me happy, at least you have in the short time we've known each other. I trust you whole heartedly and your support means the world to me!" Sophie was beaming at him positively.
YOU ARE READING
Breakthrough
Adventure*UNDER MAINTENANCE* (The earlier chapters are being re-written and edited to make them more clear and easy to read.) After encountering a small artifact of unknown origin than seemingly fell from the sky, one Luke Wilson becomes the host of an other...