Master Of None

The party found that there were royal guards awaiting them outside the resting area. "The king has sent us to act as your escort to the surface path. Please follow us so that we may avoid the construction and repair." The familiar royal guard gave a smirk to the party since he was acting very polite compared to how he had acted before. The king had ordered him to treat the heroes with the utmost respect and then some. It was mostly in part of the spirit forging path expending. 

"Well, thank you for seeing us off." Walker found it funny that they were receiving escorts everywhere they went and was going to do his best to get out without anyone when he returned home.

"Wait, don't we need to go get that golem?" Remey hadn't realized that Walker had already taken care of it.

"Nope, I have it with me. Don't worry. You'll get a surprise when we get to the surface." Walker's smirk said it all. 

"I'm surprised that none of the kings are seeing us off. But it does make some sense. There is a lot to do to return to normal here." Gil could already see the many repairs and modifications that were happening because of the damage the slimes had caused. "I have to say though, it looks like there are a lot of places receiving upgrades since they needed repairs anyways." Gil started to point out homes being remodeled and piping systems being changed. 

"That is correct, the city living quarters and merchant district are both being heavily modified. The deep caves are being resettled and even the surface has gained additional buildings." The royal guard was still playing the perfect escort but managed to speak to them even so. 

Here and there a dwarf would shout their goodbyes or greetings along with some of those who had seen the party fighting slimes their thanks. It was a very nice way to walk through the city before they reached the endless stairs back to the surface. However, it was even more interesting than when they got to the hub where the incoming merchants and travelers weren't busy, to say the least, but there were many merchants with small karts or large bags. 

"I guess the surface has started to let some of the merchants back in. That's a really good sign." Walker almost wanted to stay for a moment so that he could see what the city looked like when it was full of merchants. The thought of all the rare things that could come through the area was pulling at the corner of his mind before he shook it away with the desire to lay down in his own bed and sleep for a full day. 

"I think it may be better for us to leave. I am sure the noise and chaos of sales would be very interesting on another day. However, I really want to go and see my friends at the cathedral to help them and have some tea." Su was looking off at the stairs to the surface with the desire to rush out. 

"I can make so many more kinds of tea! I didn't even think of doing that with the herbs from the elves. I've been living a lie!" Remey was instantly caught in to her own thoughts. It was fairly funny to see her react this way over tea but Walker and Gil bit their tongues when they saw Su patting Remey on the shoulder encouragingly. 

"Brother, I do not sense the light as we get closer to the surface." Onyx should have been able to feel the light elemental mana from the sun as they got nearer to the surface but he didn't. This made everyone realize that there was not any natural sunlight either. 

As they broke out of the stairs and headed out of the now open entrance to the surface they saw the endless stars of the night sky. "It's night out! I swore it was day! We have been sleeping during the day!" The reaction wasn't just Walkers. All of them were stunned that they had missed the day and somehow ended up sleeping during it. 

The elemental spirits didn't seem to care in the least though. Before Walker could even say anything they were off. The wind spirit was up in the sky rushing about with the light spirit trying to get higher than it. The ice spirit was looking in a puddle attempting to freeze it. The dark spirit was right at home in the night and floated about in bliss. The only spirit that didn't seem to have more energy was the earth spirit which was perfectly comfortable being underground all the time. 

"We might as well camp out here and then head out on the morning."Walker shook his head then turned to the fire spirit, "Don't worry. Everyone can wait to see the golem in the morning. In the meantime how about we find a corner of the surface and set up a little campfire to roast some of the horned rabbits I have?" The fire spirit went from a little sad to much happier and energetic. 

Walker saw that Midnight was equally down about the time of day but perked up after the mention of food. "Hey! You are the hero group, right? Come on this way. The boss has some stuff for you." Everyone had not expected to be called out. They had spent the least amount of time with these kings than they expected. Mostly because there were three ruling the dwarves instead of one. 

"We were told you would be along but not so late in the night. It's always a good laugh when merchants miss their leave because they think it's the early morning but actually dead center of the night." The dwarf that caught them and was bringing them to the King of the surface couldn't help but tease them. It was a favorite pastime for those who live on the surface. 

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