A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing-Chapter 606 - - Daelion

This tree was both the very heart of Ebonhollow, and that of the forest they were in. It pulsed with ancient magic, as it maintained the various defenses set up around the city.

With every step closer, Erik could feel the tree's immensity bearing down on him, forcing him to gulp a little. Ever after three years on Söl, this was the first time he'd encountered something so truly beyond his Earth-based comprehension, both in the sight, and the venerable aura surrounding it.

At the tree's base, a large set of wooden doors led to the Great Obsidian Archive. When the trio arrived under the cover of darkness, they found the grandiose entrance deserted, causing Erik to raise an eyebrow. "This feels like a place that shouldn't be empty…" he muttered strangely.

"It normally isn't," Morganae shrugged indifferently. "But even then only barely. This place is solely used for Obsidian Vow rituals, or for those who want to visit their enscribed names, so although it looks grand and is always well-maintained, there's usually no more than a few ceremonial guards present. Especially in the middle of the night."

Anticipating Erik's next question, Morganae immediately continued. "But I already messaged Daelion a little while ago, asking him to clear the place out. Some simple guards wouldn't dare refuse him."

"Won't that create issues later?" Erik asked curiously.

"Oh?" an amused Morganae chuckled playfully, glancing to her side. "Are you worried about me? How sweet…"

Erik rolled his eyes and remained silent, causing Morganae to chuckle. "Hehe, don't worry. I'm sure word will spread eventually, but by then, you two will be long gone, and I'll just make something up. No one will care enough to dig too deep into it."

Nodding, Erik finally reached the base of the immense tree and walked up the steps leading to the large doors to find they'd been opened just enough for one person to walk through. And so he did, with Elora and Morganae still on his shoulders.

Once inside, Erik raised an eyebrow in surprise. He wasn't sure what he'd expected, but the reality was far different from anything his still-somewhat-simple mind could have come up with.

The doors led to a small platform that almost immediately transitioned into a wide, pitch-black chasm with no bottom in sight. "Shit," he muttered with blinking eyes, before taking a peek over the edge. "How deep does that go…?"

"I have no idea, to be honest," Elora smirked wryly, glancing at her mother. This wasn't the first time she'd seen it, but there were some questions even her doting mother refused to answer clearly.

"Let's just say you don't want to fall in," Morganae chuckled dismissively. She clearly knew more, but refused to tell for some reason.

Since that was the case, Erik looked up instead. There was no visible ceiling either, yet the entire area was bathed in a soft, magical, blue light. Thousands upon thousands of names shone brightly in the darkness, all carved upon the smooth walls of bark that enclosed the space.

"These are all the fairies and their protectors who performed the Obsidian Vow here, since Ebondhollow's founding…" Elora muttered in awe, her eyes shining as they scanned the walls.

Erik nodded, and glanced at his partner lovingly. Elora had already told him everything about the Vow. It was no more than a ceremonial ritual that created no bonds or oaths. Its use was entirely symbolic, simply meant as a way for a fairy and their protector to show their relationship had advanced beyond the usual.

Even in the Obsidian Enclave, where protectors were supposed to be enslaved, it had a meaning. Although the bond of slavery would remain, a so-called 'Envowed' protector had a far higher status than a regular one, as it was proof their mistress truly loved them, and they reciprocated.

Of course, Erik and Elora's case was a little different, but it made no technical difference. To Erik, this felt no different from a regular Earthen marriage… and he'd happily become Elora's husband.

"How do you feel?" he asked her gently.

"Excited!" she grinned widely. Her gaze finally tore away from the names, and she looked lovingly at Erik to her side. "I never really thought about doing this before, but… when I realized my feelings for you, I suddenly couldn't imagine doing anything else."

Erik nodded slowly, a strange smile on his lips. "It's the same for me. I'm excited, but… for most of my life, I never could have imagined getting married to anyone but Edda."

"Hmpf," Elora snorted, anger in her voice—not at Erik, but at Edda. "Let's not ruin our day by mentioning her," she growled, before standing up on Erik's shoulder and putting a hand on his cheek. "Today is about us, my love," she smiled gently, and Erik nodded.

Morganae looked at them curiously, wondering who Edda was, but decided not to inquire.

Meanwhile, Erik moved forward. A somewhat narrow bridge extended from the platform across the chasm towards an altar located right in the middle of the tree on a second platform, and he slowly started making his way over. There was plenty of room, but he still felt a little trepidation at crossing a bottomless pit like this… even if he refused to show it.

"Hehe, admirable grit, boy," a deep, jovial voice suddenly echoed through the room, and Erik's eyes widened. Suddenly, he noticed a towering figure standing on the second platform and watching them curiously.

This man was at least a head or two taller than Erik, with large, blood-red horns extending up from his forehead and curling slightly. His hair was waist-length, straight, and no less crimson than his horns or his eyes.

He didn't need Elora's next actions to figure out who this was.

"Dad!" Elora exclaimed excitedly, jumping from Erik's shoulder to enlarge herself and directly fly over to her father, the blood dragon Daelion.

"Aah, my little Whisp," Daelion laughed warmly, his deep voice rumbling through the space. He spread his arms wide to welcome his daughter's hug, and they quickly embraced each other. "It's been far too long! You need to visit your poor father more!"

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"Hehehe, all you need to do for me to live here is to roast anyone who disagrees with my choice!" she teased and chuckled as she enjoyed her father's warm embrace.

Daelion sighed reluctantly. "I would if I could, little Whisp…"

Then, still in his daughter's embrace, he turned his gaze towards Erik again, a strange light burning in them as pressure began to mount around him. "And you must be the boy who's keeping her from me…"