Dota 2 World: Return of Oracle

Chapter 8: Enchanting Aid

How exactly did I know she was a Ranger? Well there was the blue cloak flowing behind her back, the bow and arrows hanging behind her back or was it the way she moved, as if she knew the entire forest in the back of her head.

The Ranger got closer and asked, "So who are you people? Why did you two fell from the skies?"

So she was the one who saved us! Seeing that she meant us no harm, I quickly sheathed Eldwurm and motioned Rylai to put down her staff.

"I'm... Foresight, and this is Crystal Maiden." I used my new 'name', heeding the advice of the Ice Wizard.

"I've heard of Rylai, the Crystal Maiden, but Foresight? Did a new hero emerged from another land?" The Ranger asked.

Struggling not to giggle simply due to how weird the situation was, I simply answered, "Yes, I'm a new hero from somewhere called Earth. Now who are you and why did you save us? Not that we don't like being saved, of course."

"I was in the woods hunting someone from the Western Forests who was shadowing me. My given name is Traxex, but you can call me the Drow Ranger. I heard a shout and saw the two of you falling from the sky, and acted in the heat of the moment, that's all. Do you guys need help or directions?" Drow Ranger inquired.

Not knowing who else to ask, I said, "Have you seen someone carrying a..."

Before I could continue, a hand clamped over my mouth and I could hear Rylai hushing me from behind.

"Ha ha, relax Rylai. As cute as your friend is, I already know about your mission for Sylla, he isn't telling me anything I don't already know. The Ice Wizard has ways of letting others know about certain important events." Drow Ranger laughed heartily, voice sounding like bells echoing through the forest. Rylai gave me a dirty look as she went back towards the camp fire and sat down.

More seriously, Drow Ranger turned to me, "I can help the two of you locate Sylla, but it would probably take some time. I suppose the two of you could use the time to rest, since I have a feeling once I find him things will get... tricky."

Before I could reply though, Drow Ranger turned around, and vanished into the forests. Bewildered at this turn of events, I simply went back to the campfire. When I settled down beside Rylai, she seemed rather conflicted, as if not use to some new emotions that seem to make her struggle internally.

"I'm sorry about earlier, Jason. It's just that, after losing to Magina, I realised that I wasn't as strong as I'd thought. Back on the glacier, I was supposed to take over the position of the Ice Wizard, but..." Rylai started, her usually tough demeanor seemed to falter as she confided.

Not knowing what to say in this situation, I simply put a hand over her shoulder to comfort her.

When she seemed to calm down, I decided to change the topic, "Since we have time now, can I ask you a few questions?" When she nod, I continued, "So is that it? Is it true that Pudge is gone? For good?"

"Sadly no. While the butcher was destroyed by Invoker, its more probable that he return from where he came from. It the legends are true, the only way to truly kill a hero, is by destroying him from whence he came from. Most of the heroes, if they are killed in another place, are practically invulnerable, respawning with regards to their strength in their own world." Rylai explained, it seems changing the subject helped quite a bit for her.

As I pondered on that, I wondered how long it would take for Pudge to return, or why is he fighting for the Oracle in the first place, so many questions were not yet solved. Looking at Rylai, I realised that while from different worlds, we were both similar. Due to my abilities, I'd often hide behind my shell when around others and it wasn't till when I got older did I start to make more friends.