I am leaving a brutal reality.

Heather looked at Gavin as he spoke with concern. 

"Heather, what will you do now? Grimmel is the new emperor. Your lover has never had a good thing to say about Ethan; he will be pleased now that he can order his departure from your life."

Heather almost emptied her mug as she looked at Gavin, placing it on the table. Divine beings sat near them, listening to their conversation.

"Lo There was a dispute with the eight emperors about borders, and then the general of the dark realms butted in. That was a big mistake. He should have known what would happen."

Heather sighed. Her shoulders slumped forward. She was lovely and sensual, and her golden hair shone with ethereal light. Her sky-blue eyes only made her face more beautiful. Heather held her mug up for the server to see her. It was a being made of light and energy. A mug of wine appeared before her, and she held up her hand. A bit of her essence flowed into the being. It turned around and moved to another table.

"Lo Gavin, you were standing right next to the general from the dark realms. His life was over when he opened his mouth to comment on the border dispute and how upset he was at how it was managed."

Gavin and Heather sighed. They took a sip from their mugs and sighed again. They felt sorry for themselves at this stage. They looked at each other, and then around them, everyone looked worried and stressed. Heather slammed her fist on the table, her face contorting in anger.

"Lo He is an irritating man because his conversations always end with the other party dying. He has no mercy or concept of giving anyone the benefit of the doubt."

Heather touched Ethan's hand like she always did when she was upset.

"Lo Gavin, we do not know who or what is behind what's happening, but we need to tread carefully, or we will also be eliminated."

Gavin took her hand in his three fingers, which were as thick as bananas. He looked at Heather but did not smile.

"He had a quick death. We need to find the man that escaped. The doctor confirmed the man that attacked us was killed yesterday just after the veil between realms opened."

Heather turned as a naked high elf woman approached her. She was shining, and she floated above the floor.

"Hail, Master, they have found him in the realm of Shoumei. The man's body lay dead; he was Eric from the farming guild. But there was blood on his hand and the terrain, which concludes that we are facing a Skinwalker."

"Lo, show me the report, please."

Heather took the scroll that floated and opened it. It was a digital screen, and information flowed like raindrops down the screen. Heather spat her mouth full of wine, and her eyes widened. She almost choked as she had swallowed wine down her airway. Gavin looked at her as the high elf woman patted her back.

"This is terrible. Someone will have to follow and end this threat. But who will go? They will be stuck there for another thousand years before returning."

You could hear a pin drop, as nobody wanted to volunteer. Ethan's chair moved, and his long white hair swayed as his groomed beard made him stand out as he stood. He bent down and looked Heather in the eye, his hand on the table and his other holding her chin.

"Alas, Heather, I love you."

Heather turned red, and her eyes searched his. He smiled at her, his eyes full of admiration. He kissed her on the lips. It was a gentle kiss, the moment engraved in her memories forever. Heather exhaled, her face flushed, and she held her hand to her bosom. She stared at Ethan. No words came to mind. His hand brushed her chin gently as he moved towards the door, picked up his gear, bent down through it, and started closing it softly, then suddenly stopped.

"Alas, this will be done. See you in a thousand years."

Like a bridge that she thought was secure and would never fail. Ethan's leaving caused her reality to collapse around her. It had under the sheer weight of circumstances. The tavern grew quiet as Heather and the elementals left.

They stood on a riverbank that flowed in the clouds. The inn was on top of a cloud, and the river flowed slowly. Koi fish swam in the river, their bodies glowing with ethereal light, and a big boat stopped at the dock before them. An older woman stood at the end, a pole in her hand. They walked onto it, and all gave their essence to the older woman. Her eyes glowed as she pushed off.

Hope showed on all their faces as the boat flowed upstream towards a high mountain with a big city on top of it, and lanterns and light could be seen in it. A massive airship docked at the port on the side of the mountain. It was a high-elf delegation. They were Heather's servants, and all of them were women. She held the high elf who sat next to her like she was protecting her daughter. The high elf had laid her head on Heather's shoulder, and she had closed her eyes. A faint glow of essence could be seen flowing from Heather's fingertips into the woman as she caressed her bare back.

Ethan watched the boat move upstream from the tavern's shadow. He wanted to see Heather one more time before he left. Ethan strolled through the woods, and the moon illuminated the path that led to the veil.

A wet warmth flowed down his cheeks, his eyes burned, and his heart felt constricted. He sobbed and wiped his eyes with his sleeve, his nose full of snot. This was the only place he knew, and he would not see it for another thousand years. Ethan had collected everything he owned. He had to act now or lose his resolve.

The night air was cold, and he pulled his robe, closing it against the cold. He knew nothing of the outside world. He vowed he would learn and become a great man. When he returns, he will not be outdone by Heather's husband. He would be someone who she would be proud of even though he would never be able to have her as his own.

A pain shot through his heart, stealing his resolve. He walked a bit faster towards his goal. He was aware of his surroundings. He could be attacked at any moment.