"I understand," Kiba replied. He snapped his fingers, and David saw a few small figures emerging from the vines surrounding the cave. They initially seemed like shining balls of light, but David could make out small human-esque figures within each globe of light.
(Those are fairies.)
Fairies, eh? David mused. Right now, these mystical creatures no longer surprised him. The fairies flew into the cave, and David heard some mysterious sounds, somewhat like the tinkling of little bells.
"There you go," Kiba said. "You have rooms filled with ebony wood furniture. I prepared beds for you three, and there are lamps completely functional on fairy magic."
"There is also an academy of magic inside the cave, which is a fortress," he added.
(Must be some gigantic cave, eh?)
As David peered into the darkness at the far end of the cave, he noticed a tall structure. Dark figures, presumably other lycanthropes, were on it, building it up.
"Follow me," Kiba said, walking into the cave. "I will give you food and water, and all the explanations you need."
David followed, glancing at the two girls. Both of them seemed rather unsure of themselves, and David could understand. It had taken him all his willpower not to be completely confounded by this series of events as well. He walked up to the pair and bent down, looking at them.
"Don't worry," he reassured them. "Everything's going to be okay... I hope."
(So much for reassurance.)
What am I supposed to do? I've never worked with children before.
As David followed Kiba through the cave, he realized that it was not just a cave, but an entire cave system, with tunnels linking to various areas deep underground. The Wolf Mountain he initially perceived as being "just a mountain" was actually home to a whole variety of mysterious species. It was mindblowing.
(Oh no.)
What? David asked.
(Stuff is happening with the other group.)
What other group?
(The other group. Imagine all the posts you'll have to re-read to get that part of the plot down!)
I don't understand.
(Nevermind, then.)
Kiba led the group to a large hall. It was luxuriously furnished: tables and chairs made out of black ebony wood, a piano in the corner. It seemed like a hotel. David shunned it inside. He had gone to Wolf Mountain to escape these selfish realities, and now it seemed that he was being drawn back to them.
"This is the place where you will be staying," Kiba informed them. "You will be watched by some of the hunters I keep here to protect the guests. They will not enter your room unless you ask them to and will not ask you any questions at all. But... you must be starving."
At his last statement, he clapped his hands, and a few small doors at the back of the hall opened. A group of small humanoid creatures ran out (Those are goblins.), trays of food in their hands. They set them down on the table, and David realized just how exquisite the food was: turkey, pork, mashed potatoes, tomatoes, and that was just the tip of it. It was just like a Thanksgiving dinner, and David was horrified. Through the years he had spent in Wolf Mountain he had learnt how to live a frugal life. This meal seemed to mock him, reminding him of the life he had lived before. He sat down gingerly on a chair and looked at the two girls. They seemed more relaxed now, and both were looking at the creature in Lara's hands. Violet reached out a hand and petted the sleeping creature lightly. Then, they both sat down at the table, beside him.
(Seems like the older one is getting more accustomed to this place. That's good.)
David looked at them as they looked at the food in front of them in wonder. Their presence was reassuring, but David's mind was full of doubts.
(You seem troubled. Why is that?)
David was troubled, indeed. The things he had seen seemed to act as a facade for a much more sinister plot surrounding Wolf Mountain. A lot of things, he spoke to Serj in his mind. There are things here which seem odd. The fairies and those goblins definitely suggest that there's some sort of power hierarchy here, and then there's the guest rooms. Why are there guest rooms to begin with? Have there been guests here before? If so, who are they? Why did they come here? Where are they now?
(Hmm, you're asking some difficult questions, bro, but I can see why these irregularities concern you.)
He felt Serj shift around on his back.
(Put me on the table), Serj told him. (I want to talk with that older girl. It seems like she has an interesting story to tell.)
Why on the table?
(My telepathy only works if I'm touching the person I'm communicating with.)
David took the rifle from behind his back and set it on the table, just in front of Violet. As he let go of the rifle, he felt a certain connection break in his head. Serj lay there, seemingly lifeless, but David knew that he was waiting, waiting for Violet to touch the rifle, so that they could converse.