They spent a week moving around the tunnels, occasionally popping out of one of the many exits to hunt food and, at Adeline's request, bathe. She was not going to miss her routine and spend time with sweaty men in an underground hot tunnel. The female dwarves and orcs quite enjoyed this routine as they washed each other and spent time bonding, while the males were busy comparing muscles and beard length.

  Adeline also learned a lot from them. It turned out both orcs and dwarves had a deep culture and belief system. Even though they did not pray like humans, they made offerings to the goddess of life and nature. Orcs offered the rgest animal in the forest to the goddess every twelve moons, while dwarves dedicated a weapon every decade. One of these weapons was Tymon’s battle axe and the now ruined armor. They also spoke at great length about courtship; dwarves married the one with the best beard and weapon, while orcs married the one with the rgest kill. They were both strictly monogamous; even after death, their respective partners would not remarry, but their birthing rate was off the charts. During the mating season, orcs could give birth to up to twelve children per month, who also grew very fast, but they did not live long, with humans always coming in and killing them. They were oddly very romantic with love being a sacred bond between partners.

  They continued their journey as they finally emerged from a mountain which was the closest to the elven city. It would take around two days by foot and a day by horse. Consequently, Adeline decided to make this their underground fortress.

  “This will be a great area for our future military endeavors.”

  “It’s been almost four decades since I came to this pce. May I also come with you back to the elven city? There is a friend I need to visit.”

  “Don’t tell me it’s that old elf.”

  “Oh, you met him, hoho.”

  The old dwarf ughed as Adeline let out a small sigh.

  “What is your name, by the way, old man?”

  “Name? We don’t have one.”

  “I will call you Fisan. Sounds fitting.”

  Adeline’s red mana slowly covered the old dwarf. He slowly started to de-age; his beard also turned to a healthy brown color with a streak of red. He slightly grew taller, with his muscle mass drastically increasing. He let out a hearty ugh as he stretched his body; his vigor had returned. He quickly bowed down.

  “Thank you! We dwarves swear our lives to you.”

  Adeline didn’t really refute it; she saw firsthand how stubborn they were. She then turned and saw the rest of the orcs and dwarves and wondered why she wouldn’t just name everyone.

  Thus, she spent the entire day coming up with names. The orcs had distinctive red lines on their bodies, while the dwarves had red strands of hair. There were hundreds of orcs and dwarves, so at the end of the day, Adeline was already passed out. Alfred, Tymon, and Joseph made sure they fed her with a constant supply of magical cores. The next day, they finally set off to the elven city. Nothing of note happened except the fact Adeline saw another baby Balowick. This time, the mother did not wrestle her but instead let her pet the Balowick; she thought this was the good karma she had gained from killing those soldiers.

  She decided to name the baby Balowick Bear and the mother Daisy. To her surprise, the Balowick fur turned slightly red and grew an extra horn, but the size remained the same. Adeline bid them farewell as they affectionately rubbed against her. They finally reached the stone pilr and saw some changes. There were rge vines with sharp thorns coiled around it; the area also looked very rough and unkempt. Adeline was impressed with this; it seemed the elves were learning. Joseph whispered something as the vines slowly cleared, and the group entered.

  Tymon walked very close to Adeline, who got a sense of déjà vu. They reached the base of the pace where Gena was waiting for her; they slightly bowed at each other, then entered. Alfred instantly took off to investigate the progress of his eggs. They were welcomed to the same grand hall where the high elves were waiting.

  The group took their seats, but Tymon was adamant he would stand. After a brief moment, the Queen spoke.

  “I see you were successful with the orcs. It is also fortunate you found dwarves. I was not too sure of their whereabouts.”

  “We were deep underground, but the orcs suddenly chased us out, but it has been resolved with the aid of Adeline.”

  “That’s fortunate to hear.”

  “Indeed, you should have seen she took down hundreds of soldiers!”

  Fisan let out a hearty ugh as the other elves started to nervously ugh.

  “Well, I have to move to the north soon, but before I do that, Fisan, I will need you to create as many weapons and armor as you can for orcs, elves, and trolls. The orcs will be responsible for fortifying the pins; our next battle will be outright war.”

  The elves shook at the word of war, but Gena showed no reaction. Adeline started to yawn as she slowly sank into her chair, then passed out once more. The elves instantly panicked, but Tymon was able to control the situation.

  “Do not panic; she is simply fatigued. She has been naming orcs and dwarves yesterday.”

  “She must be still recovering from depletion. Please carry her this way.”

  Tymon carefully lifted Adeline as he followed Gena to the World tree . He was instantly amazed by how huge the tree was. It also exuded a warm feeling. At the center of it was an old elf.

  “Lathan, you are still alive!”

  The old elf turned and saw the group; his eyes paused at Tymon, then nded at Fisan. A wide smile appeared on his face.

  “Oh, you look very young, did you receive a name?”

  “Yes, I am Fisan, how have you been?”

  The two old friends reunited as they exchanged ughs. Gena silently led Tymon to the base of the tree. He gently pced Adeline, then decided to stand from afar and keep watch. The two old friends spent a long time talking, but Fisan had to leave. The old elf and Tymon remained.

  “Hello, young man, there is no need to watch over her.”

  “I have to; she is now my master.”

  “Don’t you trust us?”

  “She does, but I need to remain vigint.”

  “I am sorry about your family.”

  Tymon’s face instantly contorted as he stared at Lathan.

  “How did you know that?”

  “She is now connected to the World tree ; what she feels, it feels. It then shows me it’s will.”

  “What help do I need then?”

  Lathan walked up to the tree and broke two branches. He then walked past Tymon, who stared at him.

  “Follow me.”

  Tymon was hesitant but decided to follow him. They slowly made their way out of the pace. It was already dark, and barely anyone was outside. Lathan stared at the sky, then continued to walk until they reached an empty piece of nd. Lathan turned to Tymon and handed him the two branches.

  “What do you want me to do with this?”

  “Lay them to rest, your wife and child.”

  Tymon silently kneeled as he dug up two holes.

  “Remember them for what they are, the love you shared.”

  He pced the first branch as Tymon recollected his wife’s smile, the constant nagging, how worried she was. The fond memories poured in as the tree shone a bright golden color; it slightly grew as it sprouted a green leaf. He dug a second hole for the next branch; he recalled the feelings he felt when his child was first born. Her small ughter every time he tickled her and her cries in the dead of night. The branch glowed a bright gold as the small branch grew with a singur leaf. Tymon got up and stared down at the two branches; his mind was now at peace. He had something to remember them by.

  Retrothewise