As the travelers reinstitutes to their encampment, they then teleport to their sanctuary away from the dwarves. Putting their loots in once large chest, as for the scroll of balance Akatosh kept it on a simple small chest since it will dispel any enchantment.

  “Curious; I’m more intrigue to your bag of holding.” Amaragnum implores in an inquisitive tone.

  “What do you mean?”

  “That scroll will remove any magical or enchantment on anything be it living, dead and even a god; but for you that bag of yours isn’t affected by it.”

  Akatosh smiles for he knows his bag was given to him to the creator himself or so he thought.

  “Yeah… I don’t know what did that old man of mine was thinking to why he gave me this.”

  From his words, Amaragnum was a bit baffled and doubtful at his partner’s words making him more inquisitive to his partner’s mysterious life. Leaving to that they return at their chamber for Akatosh had to report his findings from the dwarven prince. Upon getting out from his cottage, he was met with dwarves feasting in alcohol and meat even while recovering from their injuries. Eager to join their laughter he then brings out the small barrel the one filled with golden ale. But was disrupted when Risha swiftly appears at his side; dazed by her undetectable presence, Akatosh was rather uncertain if she caught something from him.

  “Akatosh was it?” Risha implores but the man she was talking didn’t move a muscle only giving her a stone-cold eye.

  Seconds of staring each other’s eye someone called upon them, it was Ignus waving at the two.

  “Oh, how have you been.” Says Akatosh,

  “After wandering endlessly in that dimension, I’ve never felt better once returning to a swarm of living beings.”

  “I see, that’s good to hear but I need to go see the prince; I need to give my report regarding that place.”

  “Sorry to interrupt but the prince isn’t here at the moment.” Risha implores.

  “Oh… and why is that?”

  “The dwarven kings are having a gathering and there’s something we need to discuss.”

  “In private?” Akatosh says which Risha nods. “Sigh… but first let me have my drink.” He continues filling his mug with the golden ale, yet as he was doing that, he looks Risha in a cold mood staring at him.

  “Uhh… is there a problem?” Akatosh ask sipping the ale.

  “W-where did you get that?” A cold tone Risha replies.

  “This ale… well those knuckleheads brought it to me.”

  “I see…” Risha says smiling as she clenches her fist hinting a malevolent rage.

  “Could this ale be yours?”

  “Well, who do you think so, after years of brewing, collecting ingredients and waiting; only for someone to have it all to himself.”

  The tempering atmosphere lingering on her made Akatosh looks away sipping the ale, savoring the taste while hiding his laughter.

  “Both of you can discuss this later, they’re waiting at the prince’s chamber.” Ignus said

  “Yes-yes-yes, we should… lead us to it.” Akatosh chuckles while distancing himself from Risha as he gulps another round.

  Upon their arrival two high-ranking dwarf was already on the table and on the table were maps, food weapons and books.

  “Emrune my man!” Akatosh cry picking up foods on the table.

  “Aye-aye we heard ye.” Says Thurdal, an old grey dwarf who have shorter braded beard clad in scaled armor.

  “I heard there’s a gathering at the top.”

  “Aye,” Emrune reply picking up a sheet of paper that contains map and information. “Our neighboring brothers caught wind o' our expedition. All we can hope be, our king an' tha elf might give us a longer time with their persuasive words.”

  Whilst the travels and his acquaintance are on their gathering, so too was the three dwarven kings and their advisors mooting. Inside at the heart of Thuram, King Durvod and by his side was the elven enchanter sitting at his right side. On his left was his youngest son, a highly trained rouge name Grendor. The setting place for their contest was a large open space filled with dwarven design as molten lava and water, falls from opposite side. Beautiful shimmering ebony rocks filled every corner of the area, and lastly was the beautiful rock table as golden roots layered the table.

  The first to arrive was king Korgan Whitefist representing the land of Kolvathur the white mountains. Wearing thick black fur rich in glimmering jewelry design. Alongside Korgan was a beautiful mage who in her mid-thirties, wearing white hooded robe, ornamented in beautiful golden jewelry while every edge of her clothing is saturated in crimson color. By far her alluring sight was her beauty, a snowy shimmering eye so too was her radiant long white hair. That for every expression of her face was captivating. On his left side was a young dwarven ranger, wearing a leather armor.

  Giving their greetings, the three of them sits at their designated place waiting for other parties to attend. And for more than twenty minutes of silent atmosphere there came king Korug from kingdom of Dolvathur. With him was Lon his human advisor and by his entrance they can feel the unhinged atmosphere between the elven enchanter and Lon.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  “A dispute between advisors?” Says Akatosh who was reviewing the data and maps. “Could you tell me the details?”

  “I don’t know how ta say this… during our visit at Dolvathur an' after finishing our task; out of nowhere that human mage name Lon challenged enchanter ta a duel.” Emrune replies.

  “Enchanter, does he have other names?”

  “Nay, for his name is a mystery to us he never once told us, all we know is he was there when the deep roads collapse.”

  “I see.” Akatosh implores curious to learn their history as to why they are divided, knowing them for a time he shifts to another topic. “So, what happens between the elf and Lon?”

  “At that time before our departure, that human mage insists on dueling enchanter. For the elf he quickly refuses stating he’s power is inferior to his. But for the human he hastily cast his magic trapping him and the elf in a dimension. We don’t know what happen after that or how long they stayed in that dimension, the only thing I saw was when they emerge; that human was on his knees with a twisted arms similar to a rope, while the elf stands without any injuries or sweat as he casually watches his opponent panting in anger.”

  “That’s quite a fight… anyway, we should focus on our job... By the way, it bothers me why aren’t we giving our expedition information towards his majesty.” Akatosh implores drinking another round while chunking food.

  Thurdal smiles, “We could; just not in the right time.”

  At the top of the deep roads, the kings are in a tight discussion about the deep road situation since it holds lots of secrets and powerful items. Not only that he who reigns the deep roads holds many titles and respect for it’s in their blood and custom dating back to their ancestral origin.

  “I was informed about your deep road expedition.” Korgan implores eying Durvod.

  “Aye, we’ve been sending scouts for gathering information but we be only scratching tha surface o' our ancestor’s homeland.” Durvod replies in an ease tone.

  “Only at the upper level?” Says Korgan as he telepathically orders his advisor, secretly casting detect lie.

  While Korgan’s advisor was doing her magic without using incantation and waving hands, the elf already anticipated their spell. However, knowing that his king wasn’t updated to what was happening below their feet their detect lie weren’t as useful to them.

  “But it questions me; why only now? Don’t keep us in suspend, why aren’t we informed about your expedition or are you merely hiding it from us.” Korug implores directly inquiring Durvod, while showing a dominating expression.

  “Hmm… You may think that way, but I did it for the safety of our kingdoms. My scouts--”

  “Then may I suggest a joint expedition, it be more manageable better than working alone don’t you think?” Korug swiftly replies cutting Durvod.

  Durvod sigh, “That’s a fine approach but we still don’t know what we’re facing. It’s best that we wait for more information before we act, I don’ want any more sacrifice.”

  “That won’t be necessary brother Durvod, my finest men are already prepared for what’s to come, they’ll ready to give their life for reclaiming our ancestor’s home.” Says Korgan.

  “You speak as if your people are mere tools without considering their life.” A sullen tone coming from Durvod.

  The air became heavy, knowing this might happen the elf diverts their heated discussions.

  “Pardon my intrusion, I might have little information regarding the deep roads although it just a scrape data but it would serve well on the upcoming expedition.” The elf implores in a very soothing tone bringing out two books, a vague data a little to no more than what the traveler had uncovered.

  While the elf and Durvod purposely stalling their neighboring brothers from entering the deep roads. Akatosh was composing his own version, hiding the fact that he just looted a powerful relic.

  “If I may.” Akatosh implores.

  “What is it.”

  “If this is all over do I get a boon?” Akatosh implore who’s somewhat stone from over consuming the golden ale.

  “That’s not for me to decide but regarding how far we’ve achieved our expedition, our majesty might hear you out.”

  “I see…” Akatosh smiles giving them his own ambiguous findings, which they somehow accepted his data since he didn’t reveal what he had taken from that place.

  Now intoxicated from the savory of the golden ale Akatosh just laze off on the table since he’s too lazy to coordinate with the meeting, too tired from his adventure. When recovered, he finds himself inside his chamber, his hangover was different form all the alcohol he experiences. His muscles were numb yet there’s a tingling sensation. That state of his mind was on frenzy with a mix of migraine, and unbeknownst to him his nose was drooling blood.

  “Ugg… The fuckeningggggg!!” Akatosh groan.

  “He’s awake.” Say’s Ignus

  “Heal meee!!” He grunts and within seconds a shimmering blue liquid was then poured into his mouth. It was a slow progress but after an hour his mind and muscle were at ease.

  “You must be crazy for consuming that hefty barrel of my ale.” Risha exclaimed who was the one who gave him the potion.

  “Do you have some of that left?” Akatosh reply staring at her like a cat begging for mouthwatering food.

  Risha who was too astonished didn’t answer to his words, she merely returns her gaze towards him. Yet Akatosh was persistent on getting a hold of her alcohol.

  “I’ll pay you anything, I’ll do anything if not I want to learn how you make that fine ale.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because this is a gift from a god himself.”

  “You mean only you can brew that kind of ale, and it can’t be taught nor learn?”

  “Yes.”

  “But is there no other way, there’s magic and you know.”

  “Oh, I’ve got some important jobs that I need to take care of.” Risha says quickly teleporting.

  After some time, Akatosh was talking with Ignus relating the deep roads and the dwarven history.

  “Say Ignus, how long have you been with the dwarfs.”

  “About more than sixteen years of living with them.”

  “Hmm… this ancient road is a grand work don’t you think.”

  “More than impressive.”

  “I got a question, why is it Thuram had the only entrance out of those dwarven kingdoms?”

  “That’s because when The Great Collapse came it led to the downfall of five dwarven cities. And in order to avoid such catastrophe Kolvathur and Dolvathur had to destroy their entrance permanently. The only kingdom that didn’t shatter their access was Thuram, but it came with a great cost as thousand was sacrifice until it was suppressed thanks to that enchanter and those heroes who fought valiantly. Before that Kolvathur and Dolvathur was against the idea of Thuram which sparks tension leading to Thuram to fend for itself. It also created suspicions to who or what cause the collapse of their great underground world doubting their own brothers leading to disunion.”

  “I see…”

  “However, there were tension even before the great collapse came. Not much is known since the dwarfs had kept it as secret.”

  “Now that you enlighten me, I think I’ll go ask our king a request.”

  After four hours, they were soon called to another meeting for a significant news was delivered to them. With their extensive research and ancient maps from the old eras; combined with their gathered information they might have found where all of their sacrifices wouldn’t be in vain. A powerful weapon, an artifact, a forgotten item; who knows what will they find.

  “So, what’s the news?” Comes Akatosh as he enters the meeting chamber and to his eyes, he saw they were looking at scattered maps.

  After careful explanation, Akatosh soon realize why the scroll of balance was kept in that place. For centuries, the scroll was put to block the boundaries between the abyssal realm and the material world. And by removing the scroll, it lifted the barrier allowing powerful demons and devils, monsters to roam the world. Yet from the ancient maps and books, passing the massive hallway where Akatosh was sent to investigate lies the answer they are seeking.

  “So, we’re going to a full confrontation with those beasties?”

  “Aye lad, it’s now or never.”