Chapter: The rain of hope(1)

Ray looked at Artina with a warm smile. It was as he said, a coincidence. But Artina was not accepting it.

"I don't believe you. Anyways, it is about time, my brother came." She turned towards the door. And as though right on cue, it opened.

Behind the door, stood a handsome elf with blue eyes, his attire like Artina, with an air of maturity and purpose around him.

Opening the door with a small smile, he was surprised to see Ray.

"It's been a long time, Uncle."

"I am glad to see you both doing well, Aelar." Ray replied.

"I am really surprised, to think you visited after suddenly disappearing like that."

"No, I am more surprised at how you both recognised me with a glance."

"Oh, come on uncle, you aren't even trying to hide your identity. Your eyes are of a different colour, and your face looks younger than when you were the lord. Other than that, you have changed nothing."

Artina answered.

"Haha. It would be difficult to identify me, even if you had seen me before, unless… you guys have been waiting for me.''

"We were waiting for you. Remember your promise."

"What promise are you talking about, Aelar?"

The three were sitting around the main table in room.

"You had promised to fulfil our one wish." His eyes were determined

"Ah…I remember now. I had told any wish other than removing the curse."

"So, you remembered."

"But when we asked about it, you said that we need to fulfil some conditions. You did not tell us what the conditions were."

"Yes, Artina. So, you both believe that you have fulfilled the condition."

Ray had a nostalgic smile on his face.

"I am very happy to see you both again. You guys have truly worked hard."

Ray got up, smiling warmly, walked over to them, and gently patted their heads.

"Uncle! It's embarrassing."

"We are not kids anymore."

"Haha, now this is a surprise. I thought Artina would complain first."

"Don't act like you are our uncle with an appearance of a teenager."

"You called me uncle, did you not?"

"Yes, but…"

"Hahaha"

"Haha..."

"Hahaha"

All the three started laughing.

"Let's go for a stroll. Please show me around the town."

"Gladly!"

Walking around the town, one could various people going in and out of the bigger buildings.

It was a busy time.

"That's where the rare mana accessories are manufactured. You can come and see, if you wish. We can proudly say, that those are completely unique and made with a special secret method."

"Oh! Thank you, but I'll pass. They are your secret, right?"

"And the others you see, they are also making accessories, but without mana. Our accessories are handmade with each of the families having different methods. Their prices have been on the rise lately."

"I see that all of your people are working excellently."

'So, their main trade is accessories. They use the money for all the necessary supplies, to live in this barren land.

But to successfully sell them, requires connections, trust, timing, and initial capital. To know the trends and demand of the people in different countries and adequately supply it. They have gathered so many people too. Their achievements are all very hard to accomplish, all of these people here have truly worked tirelessly for the prosperity of their original land."

As the three wandered through the town, the siblings explained each place with extraordinary detail and passion.

As they came to the less populated areas, more skinny people could be seen.

"This is where, the water and food is scarce. Families of farmers, artisans who have lost their techniques and skills, and such people live here."

"They work as labourers, and are a huge help. We have been trying to increase their state of living, but when one skill or occupation is determined as superior, others suffer."

'The people are poor and live in small houses, yet when they saw the two chiefs approaching, their eyes light up, and welcomed us.'

They were approached by some people

Aelar was talking to the people offering them solutions to some problems, while Artina mediated the disputes and encouraged the people.

Both looked confident and determined.

Looking at the scene, Ray smiled.

'Those two have grown. They are no longer the same kids who barely clung on to life.'

After returning to the abode, Ray waved them goodbye for the day and headed back to the inn.

On returning…

"Ray! You returned. What did you talk about for so long, the Sun's about to set." Kyle greeted him at the front door. It seems the others had just left to find him.

"It seems that I look strikingly similar to an acquaintance of theirs. I got to know the chief and his sister. They showed me around the town, so I was late."

"I see. Matt told us about her. Did you have lunch?" Kyle asked as she contacted the others to return.

"I forgot." Replied Ray which made Kyle raise an eyebrow.

It was small square accessory.

"Ah. This is something they all use to contact each other. As the mana is unpredictable due to the curse, it is impossible to use a normal c-phone."

She explained when Ray asked about it.

After they all returned, they had dinner in the inn.

It was simple yet delicious vegetarian food. They all savoured every bite. Even in the harsh desert, the elves had chosen to eat vegetarian and it was a respected fact about them.

At his room, Ray sat on the bed and stared at the roof aloof in his thoughts, one could not know whether it was the small holes in the roof or just the roof.

'A town of people who work diligently, are kind and confident. So that's the kind of town you have built? Their eyes light up when you visit them…I am very happy today.'

Smiling contently, Ray laid back on his bed, pulling up the blanket to escape from the cold, before falling asleep.