One might think that flight across an unknown and quite fantastical world, filled with all manner of beasts and monsters, would be breathtaking, drawing ones sight and woner to no end. And sure, they would be right for the most part. When you were a creature like Jack however, having carved a bloody path through near endless nightmare filled with all sorts of monstrosities and misshapen things, going half insane in the process, you start seeing everything in a different light.

  It was so much harder for Jack to appreciate the natural beauty of the world around him, his focus more so latching on the people he decided to interact with. Was it because nature was a predictable, stable thing and humans could be as unpredictable and often times chaotic as his own mind? Or was it because humans were like bright sparks in the grand scheme of things- they created a momentary spark, creating a unique tapestry along with those around them, never to be repeated in the exact same way?

  And so his focus turned inward, paying more attention to what the kids were doing, evaluating their progress and mistakes they still occasionally made. Observing Nivi as her eyes darted back and forth between the world that slipped by at a rather brisk pace and his face. His elven maid seemed to be in quite the conundrum. It was fine though, Jack reasoned. It was far better she act as she did now than her mind being overly focused on the pain her own supposed family had put her through.

  Of course, at the same time Jack kept track of their surroundings as well, not the least bit inclined to allow any sort of accidents, or ambushes for that matter, to happen, endangering the wellbeing of his maid. He also devoted a small part of his mind to think up all manner of new designs, expanding his catalogue of items ready to be crafted, all the while also salivating over the thought of getting his hands on the rest of attribute enhancing elixirs. Now that he was level 50, he could start preparing for places to grind through once he returned to the original continent and the kids.

  It still took the pair three days to reach their destination, only proving just how far the hidden elven city was from where Jack currently operated. When viewed from high above, the region looked like some uninviting bog, filled with swampy terrain and no doubt endless deathtraps. What was hidden to the eyes of those gazing upon the bog was the true nature of the place. Obscured and hidden by a large formation, a large area sat within, consisting of a rather sizable city and a small wooded area all around it. Even the bog outside was mostly illusion created by the formation that hid the city from outsiders eyes.

  "Ready to face your demons and find closure?" Jack calmly asked, noticing the frosty expression on Nivi's face as she too gazed towards the 'bog' before them, knowledge and memories resurfacing.

  "As ready as I will ever be."

  Jack hummed for a second "We will wait for the dark before heading in." he decided. Who knows, he might just manage to perform some incredible stealth mission, taking out the targets while leaving the rest of the city none the wiser about his presence. Hell, he might even do a quick vault raiding if the time permitted during his visit.

  Jack took the two of them a fair distance away from the city, landing near a small patch of trees that seemed a bit out of place. Once on the ground, he allowed Nivi to stretch her legs as well. They would have to wait for quite a bit, and while Jack had to admit that it was always quite the good feeling to have a beautiful and well endowed woman pressed against your own form, one would always appreciate more what he could have in limited amounts.

  And so they waited, with Nivi returning to his side a few short moments later, doing her best to strike up a conversation to distract her on own mind from what would come soon. Jack for his part humored her, more than willing to keep his maids mind at as much ease as he could. They talked about Nivi's place in the maid squad. The progress they had made in the dungeon in the Cradle. The tactics that they employed and the additional training they partook in. They talked about Spartacus and how he seemed to spend more and more of his free time around Selin and Mina Ast, a rumor among the maids spreading that the former slave turned rebellion leader might have come to fancy one of the two, with Valente even proclaiming in a laughing manner that the man was aiming for both, earning a light chuckle from Jack as a reward.

  Upon Jack's insistence, the two had a light meal as well, ensuring they would not go onto their mission either starving or too full. They had just finished their meal when Jack suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her close to his chest, the other hand gesturing for Nivi to stay quest, all while a earth seemed to part as the duo sunk into the earth beneath their feet, leaving behind not a single trace of their presence here.

  A few minutes later, Nivi heard footsteps close by. Both her heart rate and breathing rose at the realization, but she stayed as quiet as she could, even moving a palm in front of her mouth to muffle what little sound might escape, none the wiser to the additional actions Jack took to isolate them. The footsteps grew closer, increasing in number, but more than that, even the sound was different for some of said footsteps, as though a heavier creature or two was among them.

  Frrrrhhh! Frrrrhhhh!

  A couple of throaty exhales could be clearly heard in their hiding spot, followed by a couple soft thuds, a command "Look for tracks!" It was then that Nivi realized what they were dealing with, a certain memory from her childhood surfacing.

  Houndhorse scouts. That's how they were called- both the mounts used by the patrols and the unit itself that consisted of several groups of well trained scouts and whose task was to patrol the outer region of their barrier formation and follow up on any possible threats wandering too close to their lands. Arrogant the elves might be, but they still knew the danger that their exposure would bring to their doors.

  The follow up part mostly consisted of covert and prolonged tracking of any targets they encountered, with most being left alone in the end. Rare few wanderers- be they scouts of the free folk in search of better place to stay for a while or tracking a herd of animals, or beastmen ones that scouted the terrain before yet another season of conflict- stuck around such an inhospitable place, deeming it to be a colossal waste of time and too much a threat to bother. Everyone and their grandmother knew that swampy terrain was always filled with near endless supply of extremely dangerous and viciously poisonous creatures.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  There were always a few wanderers too dumb for their own good who still headed deeper into what seemed like a swamp, eventually clashing with the houndhorse scouts, always ending with the same result- success on the houndhorse scout part in eliminating yet another threat to their way of life.

  The influence of the melded world once again showed itself as the words of the scouts reached Jack's and Nivi's ears. The elven patrol also spoke a sort of english, no doubt a leftover legacy from heroes past who had been more than a quick influx of special slaves for the beastmen, or had been while the summoning still happened. Just like how most humans, be they free folk or the slave descendants within beastmen cities, still spoke english.

  "Vexo! Picking up anything?" one of the scouts called to another, voice slightly lowered but still crystal clear.

  "Nothing more. The smell the wind brought over stops here. As though whatever piqued my houndhorse's interest just upped and disappeared."

  "Think a migratory predator bird of the larger proportions? Or perhaps a harpy? Those have been popping up more often as of late."

  "Couldn't be. The horse would recognize the scent. Whatever it was that stopped here was something the hooundhorses nose had never picked up before."

  "Let's circle the perimeter once more. Perhaps it, whatever the creature might be, landed somewhere else close by and we simply are not downwind like we were before. We ride against the wind!"

  The last one's voice was deeper, more commanding. Clearly the leader of the squad had given an order, and judging by the immediately following sounds of multiple people mounting it was clear that said commander was both respected, feared and obeyed. Then, the clear sound of galloping hooves striking the ground reached Jack and Nivi, indicating their undesired guests had departed. Still, the duo remained where they were for a while longer. There was no need to risk early exposure and loosing the surprise factor in case said scout group members deaths could be tracked within the city.

  Not that Nivi would complain either. The prolonged duration the duo spent in their current hiding place meant more time for the elven woman to enjoy her current state- once again pressed tightly against Jack's broad chest and able to bask in his presence and warmth. Nivi realised she was having it bad for her master, and would no doubt only sinking deeper and deeper as the events would progress in the coming days.

  Another ten or so minutes later still Jack indicated that it was now safe to talk once again, though he also noted it would be better if they remained where there were right now until it was nice and properly dark outside, allowing the next phase to begin. Nivi wanted her revenge against the family that discarded her, and while she did not hold any love for the people of the city either, she was not quite so far gone as to desire pain and suffering on each individual of the city in return for her own misfortune brought about by her family.

  --------------------------

  In a richly decorated room, filled with all sorts of luxuries and comforts, a young elven lady lounged relaxedly. Her eyes closed and a content smile spread across her face as she was tended to by a couple, less fortunate individuals as they were clearly massaging her hands and legs. The scent of aromatic oils permeated the room as it was applied in modest amounts to rub and better relax the young lady's arms and legs, all while a soft humming along a rather calming tune played along.

  A soft creak of the doors interrupted the otherwise synchronized sight as another servant, this one slightly better dressed walked inside and over to the place where massage was taking place. With a slight now the new arrival showed the respect that was due before speaking.

  "Miss, baron Lefyon has arrived to discuss some things with your parents and has brought along his son who is asking after you. How should we respond?"

  "Hm?" the soft smile fled the elven girl's face, replace with a frown of distaste and displeasure. "That little toad again? I have refused him time and time again, with harsh words aplenty. Why can't he just understand." she huffed, but did not lose her composure any more than that. "Send him away, and if his father is present when you do so, think of a more polite way to refuse." she dismissed the maid with one hand, slinking back to once again fully enjoy the ministrations her servants brought upon her body. It was so nice to be in the place she was and not worry one bit about a possible ticking time bomb in the form of a slightly younger and just so damn nice sibling. Slightly younger by elven standards at least.

  The peace and calm did not last for long however, as not much later another knock tapped at her doors for a split second before a more authoritative female voice came from the other side.

  "Ivelyana, both me and your father expect you to join us in the western hall shortly."

  As soon as she heard the older female voice, all her previous actions were put aside as her eyes snapped open and she rose to her feet in quite a gusto.

  "Yes mother. I will join you in ten minutes or so."

  Ivelyana could find ways to negotiate with her father, almost always finding ways to get what she wanted, but her mother was a whole another ballgame. It seemed that women of her family were always born with ambition and killer instincts. Yet another way in which her long exiled sister failed. That too was such an annoying thing. For whatever stupid reason, Ivelyana had been recalling her sister as of late. All the ways in which her 'dear little Nivi' was inferior and irritated her just so much.

  "I will hold you to your word. Do not make me wait." her mother's voice came through once more, followed by the sound of measured and calm steps walking towards the aforementioned hall.

  "So be it." Ivelyana sighed, schooling her face into the expression of a gentle, yet non committal smile as she looked into mirror to perfect her chosen expression, all while beckoning her servants to bring out the dress prepared for the event beforehand. If she could not skip it, she might as well milk it for all that it was worth. It was not often that all the barons of their city came together.

  The soft nightgown fell of her shoulders, revealing a slender yet quite well endowed form as she took a step forward, raising her hands so she could adorn the dress prepared. The shimmering green fabric contrasted well with her blonde golden hair and similarly colored green eyes, emphasizing her ample breasts, thin waist and pert ass. Her body was indeed a lethal weapon that could steal hearts with ease.

  "If only there were worthy men to target." she shook her head in disappointment, all too aware just how lacking the current generation of possible suitors were. "Maybe in a hundred years or so." she hummed as the last touches were made to her dress and hair.

  Then, she stepped into small and exquisitely made ballerina flat type shoes- seemingly of a simple design, yet comfortable and adding a certain elegance to her overall look. Beauty in simplicity as it further enhanced her natural beauty.

  "Haah. Mother awaits." she finally exhaled and shook her hands to send the servants away, pleased with the way she looked and headed towards the door and then to the western hall.

  Jack Raja(?)

  Age- 27

  Species- human(?)

  Level- 50

  Class- Greater twin aspect of Creation and Destruction(Ex)

  Stats unassigned: +14

  Attributes:

  Strength- 39 (14+12+13(gear))

  Vitality- 38 (12+18+8(gear))

  Dexterity- 34 (15+11+8(gear))

  Intelligence-30(15+10+5(gear)

  Spirit- Spirit- 35 (20+15)

  Skills- Wisdom of Creation and destruction(EX), Choice of the creator(EX), Eyes of procurer(EX), Matter storage(EX+), Arukain language(C), Spark of inspiration(EX+), Origin of matter(EX+), Unbound by laws of the lessers(EX+), The end made manifest(EX+). Destroyers presence(unique legendary), It's all the same, really.(EX), Domain of Destruction(EX).

  Spells- Whatever the heck he needs.

  Titles(unlocked): The real Monster, Big Game Hunter, The brilliant rookie, The insane Solo. Monster debugger.The actor. Executioner. Survivor. Pioneer, Record breaker.The new champion supreme. Slavemaster, Eldritch garbage disposal(legendary).

  Gear: Two handed sword(t3)+ 5 str +5 vit: Armor 3str +3 vit +3 dex; Ring 1 - spatial storage, ring 2 +5int, ring 3 +5 str; amulet +5 dex.