Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

The Necromancer was just a piece in a much larger game, and the journey would now take them to Vanaheim, the world of the Vanir Gods, where the next Evolved, who could be an ally or an enemy, awaited.

"Let's go..." Kaizen muttered, feeling the weight of exhaustion on his shoulders. He sheathed his sword with a slow, almost ritualistic motion.

Beside him, Alaric adjusted his cloak and checked the remains of his supplies. The battle had been hard, but the next day would bring new challenges.

The journey to Vanaheim had been arduous. Kaizen and Alaric walked for hours, through dense forests and over towering mountains, until they finally saw the tall, elegant walls of the elven city of Elandor.

The towers of gleaming white stone seemed to touch the sky, while the banners of elven symbols waved softly in the wind. The air there was different, purer, and the trees around the city were majestic, as if they were part of a picture painted by the gods themselves.

Kaizen, still with his hood pulled over his head, watched everything around him with fascination. Elandor was unlike any other place he had ever visited. The polished stone streets shone in the sunlight, and the buildings were of graceful architecture, with arches and columns that seemed to have been carved by divine hands.

The elves who walked the streets were tall and slender, their faces marked by an ethereal, almost unattainable beauty.

Alaric, noticing Kaizen's attentive gaze, smiled at the corner of his mouth: "It's an impressive place, isn't it? Elandor is one of the few remaining elven cities, a refuge for those who have fled Midgard."

Kaizen nodded slowly. "I've never been to an elven city before," he admitted as his eyes continued to wander, taking in every detail around him.

"It's a place... where Alina would like to stay. Everyone seems very cultured, and the book trade is active." He pointed to a nearby bookstore, its shelves visible through the window, filled with old tomes and rare manuscripts.

Alaric followed Kaizen's gaze and laughed softly. "Alina would be happy here. Elves have a deep love for knowledge, art and magic. It's easy to get lost in a place like this."

The two made their way through the busy streets, trying their best not to attract attention.

Even in such a diverse city, the presence of two humans, especially a warrior like Kaizen, would not go unnoticed for long. The hood helped hide his rounded ears, but he knew he had to be careful.

As they walked, the smell of fresh herbs and exotic spices filled the air. Elven taverns, their carved wooden doors adorned with golden vines, were filled with slender figures whose eyes shone with ancient wisdom. Soft music emanated from within, and the melody seemed almost magical, touching the souls of those who heard it.

Kaizen stopped for a moment to observe an open-air market where elves were selling fruit and flowers, their bright colors contrasting with the deep green of the surrounding trees. He couldn't help but marvel at the harmony between city and nature. Everything seemed so... perfect. But he knew that even the purest beauty could hide dark secrets.

"Our contact is waiting at the Whispering Tree Tavern," Alaric said, interrupting Kaizen's thoughts. "She's an old friend of mine. She'll lead us to the next Evolved."

Kaizen nodded, and the two made their way to the tavern. When they arrived, Kaizen noticed that the establishment was partially hidden under a huge tree, its roots intertwined with the building, as if the tavern had been born out of the tree itself. A sign hung above the door, with elven inscriptions that Kaizen could not decipher.

As they entered, they were greeted by the gentle warmth of a fireplace, and the aroma of home-cooked food wafted up to them. The tavern was crowded, but not noisy; conversations were whispered, almost as if the patrons respected their surroundings. At the bar, an elf with silver hair and deep blue eyes watched them intently. She smiled when she saw Alaric and motioned for them to approach.

"It's been a while, Alaric," the elf said in a melodious voice that seemed to dance in the air.

"It's good to see you, Elara," Alaric replied, returning the smile. "I hope you have room for old friends."

Elara nodded. "I always have a room for you. But I imagine you haven't just come to rest."

Alaric gave Kaizen a meaningful look before answering. "We're here on business. We need information on a certain person."

Elara frowned slightly, her expression becoming more serious. "So it's true. Odin really is gathering a... group. Well, I think I know who the person is you're looking for. I want 10,000 coins for the information."

"All right..." Alaric said, pulling a coin purse from his waist.

"Wait, you won't even negotiate?" Kaizen asked Alaric in surprise as he readily agreed.

"Why negotiate? 10,000 coins is very cheap for information like this."

Kaizen watched suspiciously as Alaric handed the bag of coins to Elara, who took it with an enigmatic smile. The metallic sound of the coins in the bag seemed heavy in the silence that followed, and Kaizen felt a growing unease in his chest. He wasn't used to blindly trusting people he'd just met, and the ease with which Alaric accepted the proposal bothered him.

Elara, sensing Kaizen's discomfort, turned her gaze to him, her blue eyes shining in the soft light of the candles scattered around the tavern. "You seem cautious, young warrior," she commented with a hint of humor in her voice. "But I can assure you that the information you're buying is worth every coin."

Kaizen narrowed his eyes, still suspicious. "It's not the coins. It's what comes after them."

Alaric put his hand on Kaizen's shoulder and tried to calm his friend. "Trust me, Kaizen. Elara's always been a reliable ally. She may seem demanding, but she's never let me down."

The elf laughed softly, her silver hair reflecting the light from the fireplace. "I am flattered by your trust, Alaric. But as you well know, information is a precious commodity here in Elandor. And even more so now, with everything that's happening in the Nine Worlds."

She gestured for them to follow her to a more secluded table in the corner of the tavern, where shadows seemed to dance around the carved wooden walls. They sat down, and Elara placed the coin purse on the table with a slight movement that caused Kaizen's eyes to linger on the object for a moment. The elf then rested her elbows on the table, intertwining her fingers as she leaned forward slightly.

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