From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

"Hopefully, we can track it down. It might be useful for Ty when we eventually find where he went. But for now, I will focus on retrieving his finger," Elithira said.

"Also, even if the sword is turned to stone, we will go ahead and retrieve it regardless of its state.

Todd tilted his head, a bit confused. "Why is that?"

"Well, it's simply because if the person who wielded it is dead, it is likely that my father has processed their soul, or they are actually serving in his grand army and can de-stone it with his soul essence, or if he's in the latter of what I mentioned."

"I see, that makes sense, I suppose. So when are we going to meet King Griswald to get the skeleton finger?"

"First thing in the morning. I will be going by myself, actually. It seems he's being protective over it for some reason."

"Ah, I see. That is odd. Any reason in particular? And you aren't worried he will try to pull something?" Todd asked, concerned.

"Ha," Elithira stated, "Would he try anything, I would just cut him down on the spot. If this world has to be burned to the ground for Ty and Father's goals, then it will be. But things won't come to that."
Continue reading stories on empire

Todd, putting the mug down, asked, "I suppose that makes sense, but are lives really that worthless?"

Elithira put a hand on his back and responded, "Of course not, but when things are put in a grander perspective, losing one world to protect thousands is a swift decision that my father would make in a second. He is a good person who has done his best since a certain day... but that's for another time. I am heading off to sleep.

Get some rest as well; there is no telling how hectic tomorrow might be, okay?"

Todd nodded. "Sounds like a plan. You girls have a good night, and I will get General Mattison to bed."

With a final nod, Elithira turned and walked down the hallway towards her room, her thoughts already on the tasks ahead. The soft glow of lanterns flickered along the corridor, casting long shadows that danced on the walls. The inn's wooden floor creaked slightly underfoot, a comforting sound in the otherwise quiet night.

Todd watched her go, then turned his attention to General Mattison. Looking at him, he noticed the General's head turning and gazing at him with an odd, almost hateful look. Todd frowned. "Hey, you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost or something."

General Mattison groaned and muttered, "I feel like I'm either way too drunk or I heard way too much from the tall hot chick."

He slammed his head back on the table. "Well, they are all hot, but you know what I mean. Destroy an entire planet? I've never even been to the edges of the land, and I've never even sailed the Silver Seas..."

Todd sighed, trying to find comforting words. "Yeah, she can be rather blunt, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've only ever seen one planet destroyed," he said, attempting a smile. "Besides, Elithira's a lot of talk. She's fierce, but she's not reckless. We've got a plan, and we're going to make sure it doesn't come to that."

General Mattison lifted his head slightly, squinting at Todd. "You really think so?"

Todd nodded firmly. "I do. Now, come on, let's get you to bed. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

With a bit of effort, Todd managed to help the General to his feet and guide him to his room. The inn's hallways were quiet, the only sound being their footsteps and the occasional creak of the floorboards.

Once Mattison was settled in his room, Todd took a moment to collect his thoughts. "I guess us being native to this world has sort of been played out, and they all just kinda accept we're not from here... except Nana, it seems."

He sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. "They sure are an accepting bunch of people, and I want to ensure they don't lose their planet like me and Nana did… but I do have my worries about a few of them."

Todd stretched as he left the room, his mind still racing. As he walked down the hallway, he heard footsteps approaching. He saw long, flowing blue hair and, for a moment, mistook the figure for Nana. But he quickly noticed the difference. "Lady Amaris, what are you doing up so late this evening?" he asked, surprised.

Lady Amaris gave a delicate yawn before responding. "Do you know where my daughter Nana is? I heard she finally made it back from the caves."

Todd nodded, smiling gently. "Yes, she did. She's resting now. It's been a long day for all of us."

Amaris's eyes softened with relief. "Ever since she left from under my nose, I have been worried sick... but it's good to know she's doing better. I will stop by in the morning to check back in on her."

Todd nodded, waving her goodbye as she left. He was puzzled. "Wasn't she passed out for a few days? It wouldn't have been hard to visit then. Oh well, not really my place to worry. She was probably busy.

Nice of her to stop by eventually."

Todd made his way to his room, where four beds were tied together to accommodate his size. He laid down, stretching out. "A quiet night of sleep, how far life has come and how far life is left to go..." he muttered, drifting off to sleep.

His slumber was abruptly interrupted by a popping sound ringing in his ears. Todd sat up, looking around in confusion. "What is that?" he wondered aloud.

Suddenly, he found himself sitting atop a mountain, blood on his shoulder, surrounded by endless snow and peaks. The cold air bit at his skin, and the vast, icy landscape stretched out before him.

Before he could fully grasp what was happening, he heard a voice say, "Oh, a little too soon." Spinning around, he saw no one, and in an instant, he was back in his bed, jolting upright and looking around in confusion.

His heart pounded in his chest, and he glanced at his shoulder, finding no trace of blood. "What was that?" he whispered to himself, his mind racing. The room was quiet, the familiar sounds of the inn returning to his senses.

Shaking his head, Todd lay back down, trying to make sense of the strange vision. "Just a dream," he told himself, though the vividness of it lingered. As the clock hit 5:00 AM

Meanwhile Elithira and Nana were deep in conversation.

"So, Nana, tell me, how have things been going here? I've been busy training some of Father's guards as he thinks the Erebos situation is slowly going to become an oversight for much longer issues," Elithira said, leaning in.

Nana sighed. "Ah, well, overall, everything was going well until Erebos messed everything up. But I do have some good information from before when Ty got kidnapped and taken wherever Erebos took him."

Elithira's interest piqued. "A few key notes, actually, but the biggest one is back at the outpost where we bunkered for the night."

"Oh? What is it?" she asked, curiosity evident in her tone.

"How about we step off and I'll show you? I didn't think it was anything too important until I saw the Dragoon's book," Nana suggested.

Elithira put a finger under her chin, contemplating. "I see. Then, yeah, go ahead and lead the way. I have about two hours until I should be meeting with the King, so that's fine."

Nana nodded, leading Elithira through the bustling streets, the early morning light casting a golden hue over the town. The air was crisp and fresh, filled with the sounds of merchants setting up their stalls and the distant chatter of townsfolk. As they walked, the scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery mingled with the earthy aroma of the cobblestone streets.

Reaching the outpost, Nana said, "It should just be a bit further." Two guards immediately approached them. "Hey, who's there and what are you doing?" one of them demanded.

Nana turned around and responded, "Oh, it's me. I finally woke up and I'm retrieving some of my items I left bunked where I slept with Ty before we went into the cave."