Heir Of Yggdrasil 93 Onwards To Meet The Dwarves

The formation seemed to come alive with a rumble as a domain-like apparition washed over us and plunged the room into darkness.

This was an area filled with true darkness. Even if you lit a candle or a torch in this place the light wouldn't leave the flame.

"It-it worked! With this, we can finally produce a new generation of ancient tenebrous owls. I really owe you a lot, Eldar!"

'And don't you forget it. If I'm ever in trouble I expect you to come running the second you hear of it.'

"What in this world could hurt you? You said the divine beast was kept stationary by a promise and apart from that there is nothing to fear."

'I don't really know what I'm so cautious of but since I met that divine beast that guards the Necropolis I just can't seem to shake off that feeling of impending doom. I can't quite put my finger on it and yet it keeps hounding me. I just want to be prepared for when it comes.'

"Rest a.s.sured, once word reaches me, I will come to your aid."

'I'm glad to hear it! However, now I should really be on my way. I can't leave the dwarves waiting for too long.'

"Right, right. I'll ask Tenten to fly you there, she knows the way and can get you past the tedious inspection at the gates."

'Sure, that would be great.'

Not even an hour later, I was sitting on Tenten's back, flying south.

'I think this way of traveling is starting to grow on.'

A pleased, rumbling sound came from Tenten, reverberating through my body. The only thing I could compare this to was the purring of a cat. An owl purring like a cat, an absurd notion to say the least but that was really how it felt.

Despite Tenten's speed it still took us two days to reach Nidavellir. In the afternoon of the second day, I could already see the outer part of Nidavellir. Being a dwarven city, Nidavellir was of course mainly built underground with only a small extension above ground to regulate visitors.

Standing before the gates I could see a long line of people, most likely merchants, who were waiting to be granted entry. If Night Owl's words held true I would be able to skip that line and enter due to the presence of Tenten.

The outer city was built at the foot of what seemed to be a very active volcano. Wasn't it dangerous to build right next to a mountain that was continuously releasing smoke?

And how would you build a city within that menacing mountain?

Contrary to my expectations Tenten did not decrease her alt.i.tude to enter the outer city but instead ascended even higher while heading straight towards that puffing volcano. I was already thinking of asking Tenten to turn around when she suddenly took a nosedive straight into the fuming volcano.

I admit I was initially panicking as we were free-falling into what I presumed to be an active volcano. Tenten, on the other hand, seemed perfectly calm which calmed me down a little. I mean no bird could suicide without showing at least a little emotion. Right... Right?

About twenty seconds into our fall Tenten spread her wings and stopped our increasingly rapid descent. In a practiced manner, we glided out of the smoke and I could finally see again.

The inside of this mountain was completely hollowed out. The walls formed a conical cave with piping hot magma at the bottom. Above the molten rock was the dwarven city, Nidavellir. It was kept suspended by thousands of metal ropes while pillars provided support from below.

The fumes I had thought to come from an active volcano had in fact been released by the plethora of dwarven forges within the city.