III | Visitor

"Maktub?" Ataraxis asked hesitantly as she looked at the man wearing a green gown and with long white hair.

"Good Evening Ataraxis." Maktub said without emotion as he helped Ataraxis stand up from laying on him.

Ataraxis couldn't take her eyes off Maktub. Perhaps she was surprised at Maktubs transformation.

Maktub was wearing a green long dress that reached up to his ankle and sleeves that reached up to his wrist. His hair is also long white and very straight. He's also wearing a gold colored headband.

Maktub is the guardian of Ataraxis, Hygge, Fika, Meraki, Yūgen and Azure. He served as the parents of the six. But when the six entered the Metanoia academy they have moved away from Maktub because the academy has its own dormitory.

"What are you doing here?" Ataraxis asked Maktub seriously while staring at him.

Maktub's smiling face became serious.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? What are you guys doing here?" Maktub's serious question caused the five of them to bow down.

"Maktub.. Fika is missing." Ataraxis said seriously while looking straight at Maktub.

"We know." Maktub said sadly while looking at the creature that is still riding the black horse until now.

"Wait.. We? Who are you referring to Maktub?" Hygge asked.

They slowly followed where Maktub was looking until their eyes reached the creature who was wearing a blue dress that was long up to his ankle and had long sleeves. His face is still hidden because of the hood he is wearing but you can see the pipe in his mouth.

"He's the one I'm referring to." Maktub said smiling as he knelt and looked at the creature in the blue dress.

...

"Thank you." The unexpected visitor said with a smile when Meraki handed him a cup of tea.

"You're welcome Mister Welkin." Meraki said with a smile.

Ataraxis, Hygge, Yūgen and Azure couldn't stop staring at the wizard in front of them.

They are currently at home and all of them are sitting in front of a long table. Here Maktub introduces who's the creature with him.

And that creature is Welkin. Welkin is a Wizard from the world of Echor. He's wearing a long blue dress and he had a pipe on his mouth. He also always holds a cane. Welkin has lived for more than five hundred years and we can see the old age in his appearance. His hair are white and his skin is wrinkled.

"So Welkin.. What's the reason and you're here in front of us today?" Ataraxis said without a trace of emotion, as she took a walk behind Welkin.

Her hand was behind her and she was walking seriously while staring at Welkin from behind.

"Ataraxis, can you please sit down for a minute?" Maktub asked.

Ataraxis's just give him a cold gaze so Maktub quickly averted his gaze.

"An old wizard from the world of Echor came to find us. Doesn't that sound suspicious.?" Ataraxis asked seriously again.

Welkin, on the other hand, was humiliated by Ataraxis' seemingly disrespectful style of speech. But he must have gotten to be used to it on the first place because it was inherited from Ataraxis parents who were brave and seemed to have nothing to fear.

"Where is your respect Ataraxis?! Can just please listen to what he's going to say before you speak?!" Maktub said seriously to Ataraxis.

Ataraxis just laughed a little as she sips at the cup of coffee shes holding.

"FIX YOUR DEALING CHILD. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO'S IN FRONT OF YOU." Welkin said seriously.

His voice was full and manly and his voice was able to raise a feather. His shadow also covered the area around him as he stood.

"Is that it?" Ataraxis asked as if Welkin's threat had no effect.

Without emotion Ataraxis sat at the far end of the table in front of Welkin.

Hygge and Yūgen sat side by side facing Azure and Meraki while Maktub stood by Welkin's side.

"Can you just tell us where fika is?" Yūgen asked with a trace of annoyance.

"I'm afraid i can't do that." Welkin said without emotion while looking at the cup of tea he's holding.

"What do you mean? We need to rescue our friend!" Azure shouted while slapping his two hands on the table.

"Calm down! Fika is safe." Ataraxis said calmly.

"How... How did you find out?" Maktub asked with a trace of surprised.

Ataraxis just gave him a meaningful look.

"I know you need us that's why you're here Wizard." Ataraxis said seriously. "What do you need?" She added as she look straight to Welkin.

Welkin immediately fake coughed when he noticed that Ataraxis knows everything.

"You make me so impressed Ataraxis." Welkin said as he blow the pipe he's holding.

Ataraxis's blood heated up because of the annoyance at the creature in front of her. Do they have to use their friend to get what they want.

Ataraxis calmed herself. She has to deal well with this because this wizard is holding Fika and it might do something bad to her friend.

Ataraxis sighed before speaking.

"Answer me.. What do you need with us?" Ataraxis asked seriously.

Welkin's earlier playful face was suddenly turned serious.

"We need you six... The world of Echor needs your help. I need you to accompany me in saving the world of Echor. Against the cruel king of Alamort.. King Dadirri. " Welkin said seriously.

The next day...

Deafening silence envelops the Vespertine. Call the place where Azure, Meraki, Yūgen, Fika, Hygge, Ataraxis and Maktub live.

At the same time they looked at the door where the knocking came from. Before anyone could stand up to open the door, Welkin immediately preceded the door by rocking it. It fell to the floor causing dust to splatter around the house.

They all coughed because of the dust.

Welkin entered the door while bowing. Compared to Elves, dwarves and men, Welkin is tall so he has to bend down to enter the Vespertine.

"Good Morning!" He greeted enthusiastically while placing his belongings on the table.

"Good Morning Welkin." Meraki greeted him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Ataraxis asked with a trace of annoyance as she cough.

"I'm here to give you a gifts. Sorry about the dust.. Don't you know how to clean?" Welkin said sarcastically.

Welkin just laughed a little. He rotated his cane as it pointed at the table, and after a few seconds the table was spotted by brilliant bow, swords and iron garments.

"What's all this for?" Ataraxis asked as she pointed her sword at Welkin.

The smile on Ataraxis's face disappeared as Welkin suddenly became serious.

"I'm just kidding don't be so serious Wizard." Ataraxis said while laughing a bit as she put the sword back at the table.

"Mister Welkin what does the world of Echor look like?" Yūgen asked suddenly.

Welkin smiled at Yūgen and just ignored Ataraxis.

Welkin began to talk about the colorful world of Echor. From the beautiful flowers and delicious food that only in Echor can find and about the kind elves, muggles and dwarves he met in his five hundred years of existence.

"On our journey, you will learn a lot of things." Welkin said smiling as Yūgen, Azure and Meraki listened seriously.

"Like what, Mister Welkin?" Azure asked.

"I can promise you won't be who you used to be after our adventure." He said calmly to them all.

To be continued...