Ocean changed back into his usual clothes and slipped his coat on just as a knock sounded on the guest-room door.

"Come in," he called, and the door swung open.

A young Dwarf stepped inside — deceptively small and all quick movement: long hazel-brown hair pulled back with a brown bandana, a round, freckled face, and green eyes that caught the light like chips of emerald. For a long, embarrassed second she simply stared at him; when Ocean cleared his throat she flinched as if woken from a dream.

"G-Greetings, Lord Dragon. I’m Kelda Rockguard." She dropped into a formal knee, the single syllable trembling slightly.

Ocean watched her quietly. Nerves, he thought — well hidden beneath a practiced composure.

"You’re the one who’ll help me enter Elvenland?" he asked, and she raised her head.

"Yes." She straightened, awkward and earnest all at once.

A small, easy smile curved Ocean’s mouth. "I’m Ocean Ryujin. It’s good to meet you, Kelda."

Her freckles flared red as a storm-lit sky. "I-I’m only a tracker, Lord Dragon. You needn’t—" she stammered, attempting to duck the honorific.

Ocean’s laugh was soft. "Call me Ocean. I may skimp on formalities with other men, but I make it a point to treat every lady with respect."

Her blush deepened; she stared at his face as though trying to memorize it, then, as if scolding herself, slapped her palms lightly against her cheeks to steady herself. Ocean inclined his head in a courteous bow. "Are you all right?"

She nodded, a firm little motion that did nothing to cool the heat in her cheeks. Kelda set a rolled map down on the table between them and smoothed it out with careful fingers.

"I brought a map of Elvenland," she said, voice steadier now. "I’ll show you the routes — and the places you should avoid."

"Places to avoid?" Ocean straightened, interest piqued.

Kelda nodded, "These aren’t exactly dangerous places but you might get caught if you go there."

Ocean chuckled, "Do you infiltrate Elvenland from above ground or underground?"

"Underground," Kelda answered.

"There’s a barrier all around the kingdom that’s why, isn’t it?" Ocean adked and Kelda nodded.

"Wherever the roots or branches of Yggdrasil goes the barrier exists. All the Elder Elves are connected to the Yggdrasil as they have formed that barrier and in case an outsider tries to infiltrate from above the ground, they know it immediately. Since we have been their neighbours for centuries so, we have some underground routes where the Yggdrasil roots don’t reach and that’s how, we can infiltrate without any problem." She explained and Ocean nodded.

Kelda placed the map that she had brought down on the table and Ocean took a seat while she explained on the route that they were going to take to infiltrate Elvenland. There weren’t many safe routes, there was a grand total of seven routes only and three official routes that allowed entry in Elvenland for the other species. One was for Dwarves, two were for the aquatic species.

Ocean memorized each tunnel’s bend and dead-end, the safe caches and the places to skirt. When she finished, Kelda met his gaze with the quiet, professional resolve of someone who’d led men through cliffside passages in the dark.

"So when is your plan to leave?" she asked.

"Tonight." Ocean’s reply was simple; it made her start, then smile with a mixture of alarm and secret excitement.

"Have you made every preparation?" she demanded, more sharp than she meant to be. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I came here prepared. This visit was only to gather last details." Ocean’s tone slid between practical and amused, and for a moment Kelda found it impossible to tell whether she was standing before a prudent commander or a capricious spirit.

"You’ll be detected the moment they sense a Dragon," she warned quietly.

Ocean’s smile turned playful, almost conspiratorial. "Then I shall show you a trick. Close your eyes for a moment."

Kelda hesitated, instincts sharpening like a hound’s, then obeyed. Her world constricted to the sound of his breath and the creak of a chair; for a heartbeat she felt the odd sensation that something vast had slipped away.

"You may open your eyes." A different voice — calm, clear.

Kelda’s hands went to her mouth. When she looked, the sight before her stole the air from her lungs: a figure standing where Ocean had been, heartbreakingly handsome, impossible.

Before Kelda stood an Elf of ethereal beauty — tall, serene, and radiant as moonlight upon emerald leaves. His long, pale-green hair flowed like silk in the breeze, catching faint glimmers of gold, and his sharp ears peeked through the strands like delicate blades. Dressed in deep green robes traced with golden patterns, he looked less like a mortal and more like a spirit born of the forest itself. His eyes, calm and ancient, gleamed with a light that was both gentle and commanding — the unmistakable gaze of a being far beyond her world.

Kelda couldn’t understand what just happened, she had only closed her eyes for mere seconds then how did the Dragon disappear so quickly and an Elf appear in his place? Were the Dragons capable of shapeshifting?

But she couldn’t even sense the Dragon at all, it was like he just vanished in the thin air.

Kelda opened her mouth and then closed it back again before opening it and asking.

"Yo-You are Lord Dragon, aren’t you?" She asked and the Elf smiled serenely.

"My name’s Rheanor," The Elf swept a graceful bow and Kelda could only stare.

This Dragon had far too many tricks up his sleeve for them to be worried about him. He had appeared like the storm that was blowing all over the island and had crushed the Royal guard who were protecting the palace. Now he was capable of this impossible magic.

Ocean noticed the confusion and conflict in her eyes and he chuckled, brushing his fingers over the bracelet over his right wrist. The Mana concealing spell dissolved and she gasped as she sensed his presence again.

"I told you I came prepared." Ocean said and placed his hand over her shoulder making her freckles grow redder again.

"Since I have most of the information I need, I should head to Elvenland soon. I also need to return home." He said and turned to look at the window of the room.

"H-How did you?" She gasped and Ocean smiled.

"That’s magic." He spoke mischievously.

Kelda blinked in surprise as she couldn’t feel his presence again.

"What... are you going to do there Lord Dragon?" She asked and he hummed.

"That’s an interesting question. But I can’t answer you that."

Kelda was a little disappointed but she was looking forward to know what the Dragon would do. But she was going to have a little trouble as she would need to make preparations of her own hurriedly as she was tasked to lead the Dragon in Elvenland.

"We’re leaving tonight, right? Let me make my preparations." She said and the Elf placed his hand on her shoulder stopping her.

"I’m leaving tonight, that’s right. But it’s not we." He said and Kelda frowned looking back at him.

"What?"

Ocean smiled, "I’m leaving alone. Since I have this disguise, I’ll be fine. But if you’re with me, there might be a chance that it would be a little problematic for my plan."

Kelda looked a little offended, she stared right into his eyes.

"I’m sorry but I can’t let you leave alone. I was bestowed this responsibility that I must help you infiltrate Elvenland safely and I shall see to it to the end." She firmly said.

Ocean was slightly taken aback hearing the determined Dwarf stand up to him and he summarised that it was because his intimidating presence was gone. He pondered it for a moment before he glanced once at the window and then stretched his arms above his head.

"How much time till you will be done with the preparations?" He asked.

"I’ll only need 20 no- 15 minutes." She said and he nodded.

"All right, hurry and go pack." He waved his hand.

Kelda quickly nodded and then rushed to the door before stopping. She turned back and looked at the Elf who still stood in his place looking at her with his hands at his back and a small smile on his face.

Kelda hurried out and rushed all the way to the armory and grabbed two daggers, she then got some bread from her maid friend stuffing a few more stuff in her sling bag before she ran back to the guest room. She had rushed the packing in the record time of ten minutes.

She huffed and puffed as she reached in front of the door and then pushed it open.

"I-I told you that I’d be back in 15 minutes but see, I’m 5..." She looked up, "minutes early..."

There was no one in the room and the window of the room was open.