Yes," Dan nodded. "Have you never heard of it before?" Dan was slightly surprised that he knew something that Mane didn't know, given how much the young boy had learned in his absence. But when he thought about it, it made sense. After all, the legend of the Dark Spear was an Ancient legend. And the fact that it was paired with a legend of himself meant that his people must have been very reluctant to let the other races in on this secret.
"No I haven't," Mane admitted. There was no need to lie.
"Well it originated from my race. We believe that it is because of this weapon that the Dark Valley is engulfed in darkness. But over the years many have rubbished it since it hasn't been found. I have been searching for the spear all this while because my gut told me it was indeed real. And now that I know of Pazuzu, I am all the more confident in my initial assumption." Dan told Mane what he knew and what he thought.
"I think your gut may be right. The fact that it hasn't been found doesn't mean that it isn't to be found. Something that is missing isn't necessarily unreal. It just means we have to try harder." Mane agreed with Dan's line of thinking.
Honestly, he had entered the Trail of the Tower of the Hundred a few months before he came out and was at the 15th level. But each level was so difficult to overcome that once Mane reached the 15th level he could move up no further. And that was why he had left the tower in the first place. Now he was strong enough to attempt to break the cords of the 15th level. But it wouldn't be enough to clear the entire tower. At the time Mane was very unsettled. If his fighting strength which was at the peak of the Nobility Realm couldn't push him past the 15th level, even if he somehow reached godhood, how would he be able to get to level 100? By the progression of strength for each level, Mane deduced that even a Battle God would be capable of reaching the 35th level at most! So it was likely he was missing something. Because Mane didn't believe that a Divine Artefact was supposed to be that strong.
"You said you've been searching for it right?" Mane asked.
"Yeah. I was actually at the Dark Valley when I heard that you had been spotted." Dan replied.
"I see," Mane nodded his head. "Then I wouldn't stop you. I hope you find it." Mane truly wished Dan would succeed. If he had his way he would have joined Dan in the search. But there were other things that he had to do.
"Thanks," Dan grinned.
"Now back to the main issue. I was asking you to join me." Mane was quick to get back to the main topic. The Dark Spear was interesting and all, but they hadn't found it now, had they?
"I would be happy to," Dan smiled and said. He had been looking for direction concerning his next step. Although going against someone like Pazuzu was daunting, it was a challenge he would gladly welcome.
"Great," Mane chuckled.
"Apart from me, who else do you have in mind?" Dan asked. Now that they were a team, he had the right to know about the others – if there were any.
"Well, I haven't asked them yet, but I plan to ask Lily and Lam to join me. But I am sure that they will be ready to help. In fact, right now they are dealing with something else in relation to that." Mane replied.
Lily and Lam were the first ones he had in mind when he thought of gathering a force against Pazuzu. Although the Three Great Races were preparing to face Pazuzu, they were too fractionated to work efficiently. And that was why Mane was looking for a people who could work collectively even though they were from different races. And who better to call than those who felt they didn't really belong to their races?
"What mission is that?" Dan asked, curious to know what Mane had asked the twins to do. Mane hesitated for a bit, but in the end he told Dan of his suspicions concerning a traitor in Amalgamation.
"I see. So the reason you're that concerned about a traitor is because you feel it has something to do with Pazuzu?" Dan was quite sharp, and he swiftly spotted Mane's principal worry.
"Exactly," Mane admitted.
Since the three great races didn't like each other that much, it was normal for them to have spies amongst themselves. But it would be almost impossible to convince the Ancestors or Elders of one race, to work for another; especially given the bad blood between them. So if an Ancestor was showing signs of betrayal, then it was likely that he or she was in conjunction with the one threat that could terrify an ancestor so badly that he or she would consider doing its bidding. And the only one who fit the bill was Pazuzu. And that was why Ashera was so worried about this spy. If they could find this person, they would be able to use this person against Pazuzu instead!
"Then it is imperative that we find this traitor," Dan frowned and said.
"Yes. But this doesn't include you. The twins and I will handle what is here. You keep searching for the Dark Spear." Mane had already promised the Ancestors that Dan would leave today. Even if he hadn't, he wouldn't allow Dan to stay here another day. As for the spy, he was confident that Lam and Lily would come through.
"Okay," Dan nodded his head. He wouldn't argue with the decision because it seemed wise. After all, he wouldn't be able to infiltrate the homes of the Ancestors as easily as Lam and Lily could, and every second he spent here was an invitation for the Elemental Ancestors to kill him.
"Are there any others?" Dan asked, eager to know whether he had other teammates.
"Yes. They are Elementals. There are four of them – all ladies. I came here with one of them." Mane confessed. While he didn't reveal the identities of the triplets or Ashera, he felt it was only proper he let Dan know of their existence. Besides, even if he told Dan their names, since he hadn't seen them before, he wouldn't know who they were even if they were to stand before him.
"I see. So I am the only Ancient?" Dan smiled wryly as he spoke.
"At least you are an Ancient. I am neither Elemental nor Ancient." Mane chuckled slightly, and Dan couldn't help but laugh.
"Indeed," Dan giggled. If he knew that Mane was a godling he may not have laughed so hard.
"But I am still more talented than you lot," Mane added and Dan's eyebrows twitched in annoyance. There was no way he could refute Mane's words because they were true.
"What about your past? Do you not remember anything still?" Dan asked curiously. He hadn't forgotten how he found Mane. And he wished that the young boy would remember what his heritage was. Dan didn't know who Mane was, but he was certain that the boy had an unordinary heritage. For when he compared the manual Mane had given him to the riches of the Ancients, he realised that the Ancients weren't so rich after all. If the boy could pull out something so valuable so easily, then certainly he was worth so much more.
"I remember. However there is still much I cannot tell you. But I will eventually." Mane shook his head apologetically and said.
Pazuzu alone was a lot to take in. Then imagine telling Dan that there was more than one planet. And that these planets all fit into a galaxy. And that several galaxies made up a universe. And even worse, there was more than one universe and all these universes came together to form the Allverse. How would Dan's brain be capable of handling all this? Surely it wouldn't be able to contain the headache that would rock it from such a large influx of information. Dan would have to experience a lot more for Mane to be able to tell him the things he wanted to know.
"Okay kid. I respect that." Dan raised his hands in surrender. Although he thought it a shame that he didn't get to indulge his curiosity, he wouldn't push Mane to reveal what he rather wouldn't.
The two then went on to discuss many other things. Mane helped Dan pack up the little he brought with him and they left the house together. The ancestors had long left the premises and there was no one around. But Mane could sense the eager eyes of Ancestor Bold watching them from the distance. Mane walked Dan all the way to the city's gate, under the overeager gaze of the murderous Ancestor.
"Take care of yourself Dan," Mane embraced the dark man tightly.
"You too kid," Dan repaid Mane's enthusiastic hug by pulling the godling in even tighter. And once they had said their goodbyes, Dan took off.
"Don't let him know that you're following him. And intercept Ancestor Bold before he can actually initiate an attack on Dan. Don't fail me Crystal." Mane looked at Dan's retreating figure with great concern.
"I won't Mane," Crystal replied before leaving after the Prince of Ancients, following him so closely that she was to him as a shadow was to a man under the midday sun – conjoined.