Omega's Rebirth

It had been a full day now if Dante was not mistaken, it was hard to tell as they travelled deeper into the forest where the large trees towering high above blocked out the sunlight.

There was only a dim lighting in the forest from the few spaces where the light seeped in.

Dante had somehow found his calm again, as apalling as his situation was, Dante knew rage would do him no good.

The only thing that weighed heavily on Dante’s heart was his concern for Estelle.

"We will arrive Forest Tajmaé soon." Timmon revealed to Dante as they escorted him down the forest path.

Dante gave no response, his brows furrowed slightly. There was no use growing acquainted to the living dead because Dante would make certain these nymphs paid for their offence in blood.

Dante had never been cruel or bloodthirsty as some of his kin, yet he was not the most merciful either.

Every second spent in this forest was a second more that Estelle was all alone, a second more dangerous to Estelle, a second longer in their journey to Keep Skies.

To Dante, this was beyond just him. There was Estelle, Lord Starron and the entirety of Fort Blazed too and these nymphs had no idea just what trouble they were causing.

"Is it okay not to blindfold him?" Another of the nymphs asked, watching Dante’s narrowed gaze warily.

Ever since Dante had fallen eerily silence, he sensed the nymphs had grown more unsettled with his sudden calm.

Dante guessed they had expected a human to kick and scream the whole way or keep struggling.

"He is to be the High Maiden’s Beau, he must come to learn our ways." Timmon reminded.

"Even so, humans are not to be trusted. The path to the heart of Forest Tajmaé has always been a closely guarded secret." The nymph said back to Timmon.

"Only because those who see the way in may never leave again. The High Maiden’s prize would not leave regardless." Timmon replied with a shrug.

’High Maiden’s prize.’ That had quickly become Dante’s new title and he found it greatly displeasing.

Dante had never been so insulted in his life but he guessed there was a first time for everything.

An entire fort had just disappeared a few days ago, Dante knew his problem was nothing compared to that at all.

While Dante was lost in his thoughts, they soon arrived at a large gateway that appeared to be just two pillars erected in the middle of the forest.

From a first look, one would find there was still just a vast forest on the other side but Dante knew that was merely an illusion.

Dante could sense the magical energy pulsing from the pillars and so he knew for certain that it was a gateway.

The nymphs took Dante right through and Dante cringed as he stepped through the magic barrier, arriving on the other side.

Just as Dante expected, stretched out before his eyes was a vast settlement.

Elegantly built cottages of different sizes lay down below, in an organized manner leaving paths for the nymph to go about.

As keen as Dante’s sight was, he still could not see as far as the end of the settlement and off his head, Dante would say about a thousand nymphs resided here.

"Come along, the High Maiden awaits." Timmon said as he lead the way down to the settlement.

Dante was hurried down the path, the cuffs tugging him in the direction Timmon wanted him to go.

Dante felt it was rather ironic that the nymphs had no idea that he was a dragon lord, and yet they had used a cuff on him.

Had it been anything else, it would not be able to restrain him. And even this cuff was hardly strong enough, it was only that Dante’s dragon side was in a slumber.

Dante was not at his full strength and so it would be a futile attempt to break through the cuff, he could only await the moment they would be taken off.

It took a short walk before they arrived the bustling settlement of the nymphs.

Just as with any town, the nymphs could be seen moving this way and that, going about their personal business.

There was a quiet chatter that came to a stop as Dante was taken past, the nymphs all stopped to stare, exchanging whispers.

"The High Maiden has been in search of a worthy mate for many moons now, the clansmen all know of it." Timmon explained the stares to Dante as though Dante cared.

"This part of the settlement belongs to the Nord clan, a stream separates it from the Gypsy and Druid Clans."

"The hunt has already come to an end, many parties shall be returning at this time. After this, the tournaments shall be held." Timmon continued.

’Tournaments?’ Dante wondered.

"I know you must be wondering what the tournaments mean. This is held in favor of those who require a choice in the nymph they wish to mate."

"The nymphs compete in the tournament for the prize and the victorious nymph will bond with the prize." Timmon explained.

"To battle for your lifelong mate is a show of strength and dedication amongst us nymphs and it is believed that he who emerges victorious is the most deserving."

"If I am to speak my mind, I would say you have no reasons to partake in the tournaments. The High Maiden will definitely be satisfied with you, you only need to accept her bond."

"As I have said, bonding with the High Maiden is a great honor, one that comes by only once in a lifetime. Wealth, power, prestige...you shall have it all. You have nothing to lose truly." Timmon advised.

Dante scoffed beneath his breath at the nymph’s words. Was there any of these things a dragon lord did not already have? Dante did not care for them in the slightest.

"We will arrive soon, the High Maiden awaits in her hall." Timmon said as they got close to a strange looking structure.

The rest of the party dispersed, leaving just Timmon and the female nymph to escort Dante the rest of the way.

The structure that stood before them was much larger than the other cottages and it looked to be a temple of some sort.

There were a good number of stairs leading up to the large double doors which was guarded on both sides by two nymphs.

Dante was lead up the stairs and up to the doors.

"The High Maiden received your message, she is expecting you." One of the guards said as he pulled open the doors to let them through.

"The High Maiden is the sacred leader of the Nord clan. She is not to be offended, be sure to speak cautiously before her." Timmon warned as he lead Dante down the hall.

They took a right turn at the end of the hall and another which led to another double door.

This time, the double doors were not guarded and were already partly opened.

"High Maiden, it is I." Timmon announced himself from the door.

"Come in then, do not linger." A bright, feathery voice sounded from within.

_________________

Estelle awakened to a dull ache in her head and she groaned quietly, rolling over as her eyes fluttered open.

Estelle sat up, cradling her head in her hands and it took her a moment to set her thoughts in order.

"I was headed to see the clan leader of the druid nymphs with the head guard..." Estelle murmured to herself as she pieced the events together in her hazy mind.

"We got as far as the clearing and then...those bastards!" Estelle hissed, wincing when another sharp ache shot through her head.

"Language, child." A voice reached Estelle.

Estelle’s eyes widened as her head snapped up, she had not realized she had company at all.

Estelle had not even taken note of where she was or why she seemed to be in a room.

"Who are you?" Estelle asked warily, squinting her gaze just as a white haired old man stepped out from the shadowy parts of the room.

Estelle blinked in astonishment as she stared at the man.

’Was this not the nymph settlement?’ Estelle wondered in confusion.

The man looked to be in his eighties by human age, it came as a surprise to Estelle because she knew well enough that the fae kind had a very long lifespan of centuries.

It was hardly plausible that there was a nymph that had aged up this much in physical appearance.

It was more likely to be dead than to have lived long enough that their lifespan began reflecting on their physical appearance.

Estelle shook her head quickly to regain her focus, just in case she was seeing things but even after that, the crooked old man still stood, leaning his weight on his cane and staring at Estelle.