Chapter 398 - Greshina, Larger Than Imagined

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Safe House in Greshina, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:03 PM)~~~

Since everyone wants to take a break and recharge after the long trip here, I should find something to pass the time. There are many things I can do, but the first thing I'm doing is taking a walk around Greshina. Getting a look and gathering information is important, and I'd like to see what we're up against in the sheer size of Greshina. 

The walk to get to this safe house revealed the advanced magical nature of the Elven Kingdom. There were floating buildings and teleporters connecting parts of the city. My desires to scout out the city are being halted, and the cause of this halt is Sally. I know she's strong, but being here is making her nervous. 

There comes a point that I can't baby her, even though I'll always be there for her. She needs to face things on her own. She can fall back on me, but facing her fears head-on is the best course for her. I stand up from my spot on the floor in our bedroom, and she looks at me as I walk towards the door. "Where are you going?" She's fast to ask, and I turn to look at her.

She has slight desperation in her eyes, which only reaffirms that I must do this. "I'm going out into the city to look around, and I'm doing it alone. This is going to be a hard time for you, Sally. I'm going to push you out into a place that I haven't yet." The way she looks at me pierces my heart. Not a look of betrayal, but one of doubt in me...

I exit our room, but she does not follow. Meaning that she understands everything I just said and is facing her fear. I'm proud of her for that, and she'll come out stronger from it. I pass the living room, and Hailey sees me. She almost stands up, but I hold my hand out to her and shake my head a single time. My sister knows what I mean, and she sits back down.

Once outside, I take a deep breath and place my hood over my head. Covering my face and making sure I don't draw any attention. "The best place to get information is where guards and officials get drunk. To the tavern it is..." With a destination in mind, I start walking the streets of Greshina. Following the same path that I used to reach the safe house.

It's the one I'm familiar with, and we passed several taverns on the way. After a few minutes of walking, I make it to a rather full tavern. I enter, and the distinct scent of alcohol fills my nose. It's not the cheap kind I've smelled in other places, but it'll have the same effect. I take a quick gander as I find a place to sit. Taking in the people here.

There are many guards, and even more so, they're getting wasted. Some are talking and celebrating loudly, and others are near blind drunk. Asking security questions will get me in trouble. That doesn't mean I can't be subtle about it. The best method in this situation is to ask for stories... Stories of past events of danger within Greshina. I can gain insight from that.

~~~(POV: Saliandra Orvello)~~~

~~~(Location: Safe House in Greshina, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:17 PM)~~~

I get why he's left me on my own... He's trying to toughen me up, and I'm glad that he's pushing me like this... I've been dominated by my fear my entire life, and ever since I met Cera, I've leaned on his power. Leaned on him... He's building me up... Preparing me for our inevitable contact with my family... It's hard being away from him, though...

Sitting alone in this room is bringing me down, and I don't like feeling this way. "Jumping into the deep end might be your best bet." Hailey's voice fills the room, and I look towards the doorway and see her. "Thinking about what to do to get over your fear?" Processing the two things she said, I slowly nod my head, and she smiles.

She makes her way over and takes a seat next to me. Releasing a long sigh as she does. "What you need to do is put on your hood and walk around Greshina. That's the most effective way for you to do this, and I can also braid your hair to help hide it." Her suggestion isn't without reason, but I don't think I can do that... But if I can't, it proves that I'm not ready.

Before I can even answer, she's already behind me and braiding my hair. We both look like elves and have similar colored hair. Mine is longer than hers, though. "This is the first time I've gotten to braid another girl's hair before. It's like you're the sister I never had..." My body goes a little stiff at that... The implications mean she sees me as her sister.

She slowly runs her fingers through my hair and gently braids them... "I don't know how to braid hair... I was never taught, and I didn't take the time to learn..." I decide to start talking too, and she stays quiet as I do. "Did your mom teach you?" There are so many things I wanted my mom to teach me. Things that I don't think I can learn without a mom.

Hailey is going extra slow as to buy me time to help steel myself from leaving and walking around Greshina alone. "My mom showed me when I was young, but I really honed it in school... That was a place that you go when you're a kid from my world..." Cera hasn't explained everything about his world, but he talks to me about it from time to time.

~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Safe House in Greshina, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 5:02 PM)~~~

I've bought as much time as I can for Sally, but now she's heading out that door on her own too. She walks with heavy steps and tries to make it to the door. After a few seconds, she opens it and leaves the safe house. Closing it behind her. "She doesn't know, but that's an incredible accomplishment." Helda stands next to me in the living room.

It's only Her, Terox, myself in the living room at the moment. "Cera was right to leave her here by herself, and you were right to go up there and motivate her. I don't think Cera is strong enough to push Sally that hard. To force her so far out of her comfort zone." Terox speaks this time, and her observation is flawed but has valid points. 

Cera does what he thinks is necessary for anyone, and that includes Sally. I won't deny he has a soft spot for her, but that not like it's unwarranted. Sally is special, and I'd baby her too. "She's strong enough to protect herself. All she needs is the confidence to use that power, and when she has it. I don't think anyone will make her scared again." I truly believe that about Sally.

She's a fantastic woman, and I know that one day I'll be calling her my sister, and mom and dad will be calling her daughter. "When do you suppose either of them will be back? We're supposed to be taking a break after all." Helda brings up a good point and knowing Cera. He'll be out for a while. Sally, maybe an hour or two... She's not ready for all-night outings.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.196]

[Exp: 40/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 50] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 3x] [Dried meat 3x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl..77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]