The transition from the Federation's clean and sterile design back to the more rocky and rough structure was a drastic change, almost blinding in how drastically the surroundings changed.

  It showed RIchard how different the lands of other people could be, even for the Australian people who were a derivative of the Romana empire.

  The group was accepted as part of the envoy who went out to greet the dwarves.

  Though RIchard wasn't sure why, he was sure they had good reason for doing so. It was unlikely to be for the sole reason of the life-saving grace they had been to Que.

  They were created by a stern group of dwarves who rushed over, fully armored and ready.

  "The citylord is waiting for you." One guard said seriously, as they escorted the group.

  They were very polite, making no comments on their appearance.

  Dwarves were the least judgemental of races, treating most who came to them as customers.

  Except for elves. That was a deep hatred that had lasted for ages.

  They entered a room with a large table, upon which a sand map was laid out, surrounded by three people.

  Two of them were dwarves, as expected, one of them being a man the other a woman, but the third person was a man, dressed in eastern clothings.

  He was the odd one out as it were.

  Although Richard was surprised he was merely that. He was more curious about meeting an easterner up close for the first time.

  Richard only recognized him due to his distinctly different facial traits, as well as the robes that were rare in the Romana empire.

  He had seen a few easterners, but often from afar as they came to meet the head priestess.

  So this was his first chance to meet one in person.

  Apparently his curiosity was too obvious as the man looked at him, clearly observing him in turn.

  Richard didn't feel that embarrassed as the man also showed a curious look, and if anything, felt more inclined to observe the man.

  He had a kind look on his face, and his tall thin stature stood out from the short, muscular dwarves.

  It was a unique sight.

  "Yeah, I know he looks weak and thin, but he lifts a hammer well." Commented the male dwarf upon seeing his inquiring gaze.

  "Really?" Richard asked, and the dwarf nodded. "Couldn't believe it myself at first."

  He added hastily. "Of course, it's not his main form of weapon creation. He practices a form of eastern refining. Truthfully, it's been a great insight for the craftsman. New inspiration means new weapons."

  The easterner smiled as he waived his hands. "Dayou, how can you say that? You honor me. I've learned much from your teachings. The way of runecraft and the forging of impossible concepts has given me great insight." he said, praising the dwarves craftsmanship earnestly.

  The dwarven woman spoke up, interrupting the talk. "Alright, enough flattery. We have to talk about this upcoming wave. You're sure it's coming?" she said, redirecting to the more pressing topic at hand.

  The commander nodded. "We've been monitoring the Earth after the report, and the vibrations in the ground are starting to gradually increase, clearly signifying an approaching wave."

  Hearing this, a grim look showed up on the faces of the counsel representatives.

  "Damn foreigners! We warn them to be careful when mining..." complained the male dwarf, while the woman sighed.

  "This was inevitable Gimli. We've been mining the fallen mountain for way longer than they have. It's just that they made the final push."

  Hearing the mentioned foreigners, the commander asked. "By the way, did you manage to catch the supervisors of that mine?"

  The refiner this time interrupted. "No, they were all dead by the time we arrived. When we attempted to collect the bodies a self destruction array was activated, destroying any body we attempted to collect. Unfortunately, it is beyond my level." He said sadly with some self deprecation.

  "Hey, you're a priest of Isis right?" Gimli spoke up, and Frodo nodded. "Great, we'll need your help wit the undead. They've been put down, but the soul lingers. I thought it better you go than one of the dogs of Hades comes to collect them. " he said, referring to the followers of Orcus and Anubis.

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  "Of course, of course. Anything we can do to make the suffering of the sons and daughters of Isis lessen." he said kindly, dragging Olivia behind him to follow another dwarf who had popped up to lead them to the bodies.

  "The undead workers did not have explosion arrays?" sister ALexandria asked the weapons refiner and he shook his head.

  "Indeed. it can only be said that the mastermind behind this operation was more ruthless to himself than others, choosing to destroy their bodies but ignore the undead. It's clear that he did not want whatever was in their head to escape. Unfortunately, we'll never know more."

  Hearing this, RIchard couldn't help but interrupt and ask. But we clearly managed to track the ownership of this mine to the Thorston house. Surely you could-"

  "-We tried that lad. Unfortunately, they've severed any connection to the noble house and put the blame on an undisciplined and greedy steward. He was executed before we even called." The female dwarf said, scowling. "Abominable! It's clear that this was planned from the beginning to cast all blame aside. Alas, it means

  Richard couldn't help but feel angry upon hearing this, knowing full well that abominable house had not changed in the slightest since he was abandoned, having not lost its habit of destroying loose ends and abandoning the useless.

  Unfortunately, it was pointless to get mad right now. He'd already cut off his tail, and was not the problem at hand.

  "So what will you do now?"

  "What we can boy. We have a week before it starts worldwide. If the vibrations start getting louder and increase in frequency over the next two days, then we'll know for sure.

  For now, why don't you guys take a rest.

  THe priest will join you when he's done." The male dwarf suggested.

  Sister Alexandria stepped forward. "We'd appreciate that, thank you."

  The commander of the Australian federation spoke up. "Then you guys go rest up. We have to consolidate our forces before we begin preparing the defenses. "

  Another group of dwarves quickly led them away to another building, which was clearly meant to accomodate people other than dwarves, as the ceilings were more appropriately raised for even larger people like giants.

  When led to their rooms, they found that the interiors were simple.

  Extremely simple. No tables, no chairs. Just giant round blocks of various sizes.

  However, these blocks made perfect seats. Even sister Alexandria in her lamia form had no problem coiling around the block and resting on it.

  According to the dwarven guide, this was to simplify the design, and avoid the class of compatibility that differently designed furniture would have.

  Richard thought it was quite clever, as it ensured maximum compatibility.

  There was also a perch and a pool, for both aquatic and arboreal species, and a normal mattress for those who would sleep on a bed.

  So they settled down for the day, waiting for the follow up plans.

  Knock knock

  Hearing the noise, a muted voice spoke.

  "Come in!"

  Receiving a response, Richard opened the door and entered the room, which looked similar to the one he had received from the dwarves.

  It was a hotel after all.

  Ellie looked over, asking curiously.

  "Oh, Richard! What are you doing coming over all of a sudden?" She asked curiously from the seat/desk/slab of stone(?).

  They had just moved in and settled down for the day.

  She was curious about why he'd come to see her.

  For a minute, Richards dragonic features receded, leaving behind a familiar look for Lyssandre, causing her eyes to shrink.

  She was startled.

  Truth be told, she hadn't seen Richard like this ever since he died. It was like seeing a dead man walking, causing her to feel many things.

  Joy, regret, pain, yearning...

  It was complicated.

  "I've missed doing this." Richard said calmly, walking behind her and playing with her hair.

  The familiar, silky sensation... It made him want to play with it like old times.

  The two of them had braided each other's hair, but he'd never gotten to do it from behind. Not in a long time.

  By the time he was 10 his body could no longer support him standing without a walking stick in hand.

  Over time, it had become only Lysandre braiding his hair as his body lost dexterity

  Now that his body was better, he got another chance to do it, he took the opportunity to do it immediately.

  They'd just been busy up till now, leaving him no time to do this. It was a nostalgic feeling, as he began braiding her hair.

  Lysandre calmed down as she felt a familiar feeling. A calming sensation, as she felt just as nostalgic as Richard did.

  "I can't even recall the last time we had a chance to do this." Richard commented,feeling the silky sensation, and unable to recall the last time he'd felt it.

  "The winter after your 9th birthday." Ellie calmly responded, causing Richard to show a look of surprise.

  "You still remember?" he asked, and she nodded.

  "How could I forget? You bought me a flower that day to pin in my hair." she said, recalling that day.

  A lavender flower. A nameless flower, as she'd never checked what kind of flower it was. She never needed to.

  Because for her, it was eternalized as the last day he ever braided her hair.

  Richard couldn't help but reminisce. "Even then, you were beautiful. It's amazing how little you've changed.". She was a dragonewt after all.

  One of the long lived races. They could spend years looking the same.

  "You've never told me your actual age, you know." he said, playfully whispering in her ear.

  Feeling this, she involuntarily shivered before turning around and give him an amused-angry look.

  "Hasn't anyone ever told you never to ask a woman her age?" she complained, and Richard couldn't help but smirk, wanting to tease her a little more.

  "Of course. That was you, don't you remember? Nearly over 10 years ago, and you still look 18." Hearing this, she couldn't help but huff in anger.

  "Over a decade and you still haven't changed from the same mischievous child you were then." she complained and Richard grinned, handing her a mirror.

  "I suppose either of us have changed then. How does it look?" he asked.

  Looking at the single braid that was made, she praised it. "It's not bad for someone who hasn't made one in a decade."

  "I tried my best." He said, smiling happily at her compliment.

  She pulled something out of her satchel, a familiar lavender flower.

  The years had taken its toll, yet it had been preserved well, turned into a hairpin.

  It hadn't been used in over a decade, a forgotten memory.

  Putting it on, she smiled and asked.

  "How do I look?"

  "Perfect. You look perfect."

  Of course, they didn't know that their late-night conversation and braiding session had been all overheard by a curious wyrm, who had been using her heightened senses to listen in.

  However, doing so had left her restless. She turned her eyes to look at the little boy next to her.

  Poor Achil looked up with innocent eyes, yet that did nothing to calm her urges.

  If anything, she wanted to braid the boys hair even more now.

  The next morning four people came down with braided hair.

  It was a week later that the kaiju waves started