Challenges of the Aether: Call of the Abyss

Chapter 7: The Feast

  I emerged from under the tree and approached Nytsul, visibly agitated about the recent incident. I asked him if there was something else we could have done.
  "Well, there is indeed a potential solution, but I personally wouldn't have done it."
  "Why not? If there was a way to prevent this from happening, why didn't you take it?"
  "It's not as straightforward as it seems. Using magic on such a large scale would have negated the purpose of protecting the village and its inhabitants. The sheer magnitude of that level of magic would have resulted in the complete destruction of the area, erasing everything."
  "Wait, are you saying that you have the ability to perform magic so destructive that it could obliterate the entire village?"
  "Yes, mages of my caliber have the potential to level entire towns. However, across the entire kingdom, including myself, there are only five others who possess such skills. Let's now focus on aiding the injured and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment."

  I approach the man who was launched into the nearby building and assist in bringing him over to the other injured people, where I place him on a bed. After that, I return to the tent that I had previously set up with Edger and Pearl to tidy up a bit in preparation for the upcoming feast.
  "Are you feeling alright, Rune? you seem out of it."
  "Yeah I'm okay Pearl, I just wish there had been something else I could have done to be of more help. I just want to get stronger so that I won't be useless when something happens again."
  She gently held me in her arms while telling me that everything was fine, we were all still alive, and even though we had sustained a few cuts and bruises along the way, we were still moving forward. I thank her, wrapping her in my arms and holding her firmly.
  "Now let's get changed into some clean clothes, Edger said he would meet us at the square."
  "No problem, oh and can you change my bandage for me, It got a bit roughed up during everything happening."
"Sure thing Rune."
 
    I remove my shirt and grab a fresh one while Pearl readies some ointment and bandages to treat my injury. I settle down next to her as she gently cleans the wound with an alcohol pad before applying a new dressing.
  Quickly I remove my socks and shoes, swapping out my current pair of socks along with my pants, before turning to talk with Pearl again. I couldn't help but notice the pale complexion of her back as she looked for a new shirt.
  Approaching her, I gently wrapped my arms around her waist leaning onto her bare back with my chest and talking into her ear about how even if she may not be aware of it. She holds a significant place in my life and I was worried sick about her and if something could have happened with everything that had been going on today.
  I then let go of her before throwing my shirt on and telling her that I was going to meet up with Edger and I'd see her soon. arriving at the square the villagers were setting up tables with food already being cooked at a huge bonfire in the middle of town I returned to the village with Pearl following behind, where we met Edger and Nytsul.

  "I wasn't expecting that they would already be working on this; I was thinking that it would take them about an hour to begin cooking. However, they got the tables along with food already cooking."
  "The mayor told the villagers that they should set up everything as soon as possible if they weren't helping to tend to the injured and that we the ones who fended off the Dragon would sit a the main table as the saviours," Nytsul said.
  About an hour goes by while waiting for the food to finish cooking and for everyone to gather. The mayor then gave a small speech thanking us for standing up against the Beast and defending their homes, along with making it a rite of honoring not only our valiant selves but also the brave souls who sacrificed everything on this very day.

  The cheers of the villagers reverberate throughout the air, marking the commencement of the long-awaited feast. The aroma beckons me towards the food tables, offering an abundance of delights at my beck and call.
  With excitement brimming within me, I approach with anticipation and pile my plate meticulously high with roasted pork, tender chicken thighs, fluffy rice, a delectable side of mac and cheese, and freshly baked bread.
  I begin to make my way back, eager to stop my hunger. But, a sudden realization halts my steps. I forgot to grab a drink, I place my plate of food down and reach for my cup. Just as I grab it an Elderly man walks up to me, Thanking me for protecting his home and compliments me on the strike I managed to pull off.
  As a token of appreciation for all that I had done, he kindly poured me a glass of his family's exquisite homemade Spirit ale.  I accepted, realizing that this was to be my very first time with alcohol.
  He cautioned me about its formidable strength, urging me to not drink too quickly. With a grateful smile, I returned to my seat, eager to savor both the delightful feast before me and the enchanting elixir that awaited.

  We all continue to savor the feast, which is accompanied by a mountain of freshly prepared, delicious food and a spread of baked goods an assortment of pies, cakes, and muffins.
  As we relax and enjoy the celebration some villagers approach us and the knights expressing their gratitude for saving them and their village.
  As the hours drift by,  and the feast mellows, it turns into a song, and dance that retells the age-old stories of our gods and goddesses and how our faith in them will only grow stronger.
  I turned to Pearl asking what the time was because I wanted to take a walk to look at the village and burn away some of the calories that I had eaten.
  "Yeah, it's hitting almost nine-thirty, nine-twenty-six to be exact. be safe on your walk. We will either still be here or back at the tents, probably the latter because someone has been drinking a fair bit and isn't really good at dancing." She says with a laugh pointing over to Edger stumbling over his own legs and almost falling into the fire.
  "How many drinks has he had that he stumbles over his own legs like that?" I say laughing
  "He's only just finished one drink and he's like that. On the other hand, iv had like five now and I'm starting to slip over my words," Pearl said with a sigh
  "He's a mess, for sure. Given his size, I would have expected him to be a bit more of a heavy drinker, but regardless, I'll probably run into you guys back at the tents. Oh, and bring some of the remaining jerky and snacks back so we have them for tomorrow."

  I begin to stroll through the community, taking in all the structures and the locals enjoying the clear, beautiful night with the moons shining brightly in the sky while sitting on their porches.
  I'm grateful that the elder dragon arrived and captured the other; I know we could have probably handled it and defeated it, but there would have been numerous casualties in the village had he not arrived.
  Looking up into the night sky, I see our moons shining as brightly as ever. An elder from our village once told me that there weren't always two moons in the sky, but that there was only one before the Great War, and by the time our world was formed, the moon had a smaller counterpart.
  The words of our village's elders speak of this divine alliance, an intricate tale woven with uncertainty and wonder. Regardless of its truth, this myth serves as a reminder that even amidst chaos, harmony can be forged, and new beginnings can arise from the depths of darkness.
 
  As I find myself gazing into the boundless abyss of the Great Darkness, the stars shining brightly I begin to hear a voice talking. At first, I think nothing of it maybe some of the villagers heading home.
  As I looked around to see where the chatter was coming from there wasn't a soul in sight but the voices grew bolder, resonating within my head and calling out to me. I tried to shake it off, thinking it had something to do with the spirit ale I drank until the voice became clear in my head.
  "Boy of Darkness, heed my call! come to me... I a shadow in the night find myself in a field of burning trees and the fuel of fire."