All, One, Everything.

Chapter 40: Artho

Preview: "Greetings. It seems I have guests today, ones so unique I never would have expected to meet."

A deep and enchanting voice echoed from the darkness where the pale and skinny hands came from. A figure soon outlined in front of the trio and gestured for them to come in.

"I apologize for my lowly abode for not being able to give you the comfort you deserve. But please, make yourself at home."

That deep voice entered their ears once again as the figure shrouded by a black robe covering his entire body and face made way for the trio to pass through the door. Taking a step sidewards, the entrance fully revealed itself in front of them, but only darkness could be seen, with some vague silhouettes shuttling in between.

Ehh? What is he talking about?? Confusion filled the faces of the three, mainly because they couldn't understand a single thing about what the robed figure said. While Yhaele was confused because he could understand the words and the polite gestures. It made him wonder if he's back into human society and is finally talking with intelligent creatures.

The robed figure paused for a moment and let out a snicker "Ahh, so that's it. I suppose I was being too fast and eager. Come, I'll invite you for some tea and a small chat." He was speaking casually as though they were old friends. Despite his shady appearance, the three subtly felt more comfortable as they heard those words and took a few steps forward, following the figure inside.

The trio took a step on the wooden stairs leading to the door while creaks sounded as though it would give in any moment. "Ah, my apologies. I haven't had visitors in years so I havent had it fixed."

The robed figure said in an apologetic tone as they continued following him inside. The door that seemed tiny from afar was actually bigger up close. The three of them fit inside, and even Yhaele who is more than 2 meters tall managed to get in.

Darkness covered them as they entered the tiny abode. The insides greeted them in a far more marvelous way than they could have expected. It wasn't as small as it was outside and the space seemed to be folded as the space inside was quite wide.

Although it was wide, there wasn't much light. There was only one table in the center, and on the table, a weak light emitted from a candle is the only source that illuminates the whole place. Books filled every corner of the room, from the bookshelves on the walls and to the floors. There were also weird containers that housed different kinds of plants that look similar to the ones outside. And from time to time, weird rustling noises could be heard as though countless insects are moving in the dark.

"Ahaha, don't mind the sounds, it's just my cute little babies. By the way, take a seat." The robed figure gestured and took chairs from the thick darkness and moved the table closer to the three.

"..." She looked at the strange constructs in front of her as only question marks filled her mind. What? What are these?

Yhaele was amused as he looked at this knowing what's going on inside the sunflower's mind. Although he told them many things about the human world, he never really got deep into it and only mentioned surface level things like the weather, plants, animals and their depiction of time.

Pendra who was coiled around Sunirae reached out with his antennae to feel its surface "its hard." He was confused on what it is nor what it's used for. Is it a weapon? The ones Yhaele talked about??

Cough. The robed figure coughed as he just realized his blunder and started doubting his life. Is this really them? Do I have to entrust my future to these buffoons? He immediately composed himself and started explaining "Ahem. So, this is a chair. I'm not sure if you've encountered one but this is a tool for, uh, yes communication. You basically do an action called sitting and communicate and socialize with others while doing so."