The sound of a whip cracking could be heard as Lucas and Silvia came closer to the northern tunnels. Silvia's face was already turning pale while trembling.
Patting her head to reassure her, Lucas continues. Drawing closer to the location, Lucas pulls Ellie to a mushroom to hide behind as he observes the situation.
A few mole-men were supervising some odd creatures while they carried stones to clear new tunnels. There were creatures with the body of a human and the head of a dog, A hairy tentacle creature, A being much similar to a human with a human face but with an extra set of arms and blue skin. Quite a few more odd things were present.
Without having to think too hard, It was easy to figure out whatever these things were. They were most likely captured beings that trespassed into these mole men's tunnels.
The mole men, although had terrible vision, for the most part, Were incredibly strong for a race that lived in the earth and dug all their lives. It wasn't too hard for them to oppress these things.
Another thing that caught Lucas's attention was that although there were a few of each different creature. Not one resembled little Silvia.
Fatigue starts to hit Lucas after another long, eventful day, Lucas and his little companion return to their room. "You can sleep on the mushroom; I'll sleep on the floor." Lucas smiled at his little companion. Having made arrangements, Lucas drifted off into a deep sleep.
----------
Waking up early in the morning, Lucas felt heavy. Lifting the blanket, Lucas could see a bundle of black hair. Ellie was sprawled across him. She must have woke up in the night and went to sleep beside him again...
Carefully rolling her off himself, Lucas got up. "Mmmm..." Ellie groaned in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes.
Seeing his little sister wake up, Lucas gently pat her head and kissed her forehead "Go back to sleep sis, I'll make you some breakfast..." "Mmmm... Ok..." She mumbled before she drifted off to sleep again.
Making his way to the kitchen area, Lucas was deep in thought about the past.
The siblings never knew who their parents were. They've only known the orphanage since they could remember. The orphanage caretaker once said they were just left on the doorstep with no indication of where they came from, with only their names embroidered on their blankets to go off.
There was never any doubt about their sibling relationship, as their features were just too similar, hair as black as an abyss, emerald green eyes, with a beauty that would shake the heart of any. One might even think they were twins, with the exception that Ellie was too young.
When Lucas hit the age of 10, numerous times, people expressed their will to adopt one of the duos. But Lucas was never willing to separate with his beloved little sister.
After several attempts, The 10-year-old Lucas and eight years old Ellie escaped the orphanage and lived a vagabond life.
After being on the run for just a couple months, The siblings escaped to the next town over, Deer Town. And took up an old run-down, abandoned house.
Reminiscing their past misfortunes. Lucas made a small fire and started to cook some bacon and eggs he managed to get from one of the kind elderly neighbors.
as the smell permeated the house, little footsteps could be heard making their way to the kitchen. "Brother, I'm hungry.." Ellie yawned while sitting at the table. "Mmm, It'll be ready in a minute or two."
The only sound was the sizzle and pop of the bacon and eggs for several minutes.
Dishing up the food and putting it on the table, Ellie gave her brother a grateful smile.
Taking in that heartwarming smile, Lucas's vision started to go black, and everything vanished.
----------
Waking up to a mild headache, Lucas feels weighed down. Looking down, he could see... Not black but white hair as a little girl with patches of scales all over her drools on him. "Just like Ellie, Silly girl.."
Patting the Silvia lightly on the head. "Silvia... Wake up... Silvia.."
Silvia yawns and opens her eyes. When she realized where she was and saw the drool, her face went beet red with embarrassment. "Silvia, Do you.. know how old you are?" Lucas asks with curiosity. She seemed about the same age as Ellie, 15.
Silvia looked at Lucas with confusion, tilting her head down with a severe face she contemplated. Not finding an answer, all she could do was shrug as a response.
A while later, the two could be seen going to the outskirts of town. Setting up a fire, Lucas cooked another spider leg, which he shares with Silvia. Seeing the little malnourished girl scarf down meat like a pig, warmth fills Lucas's heart.
Having finished their breakfast, they make their way over to the smithy where they find the older man relaxed on a chair just outside the front entrance snoring away.
"Hey, Old man! Are you done with my stuff?" Lucas calls out to him, resulting in the old many breaking out in a coughing fit. "Cough cough cough," Hey brat! Don't startle me like that! Come in; I got your stuff."
Following the old many into the dark smithy, the older man pulls his equipment out of a chest near the back of the shop and shows him how to equip it.
With the chain wrapped around his waist as a belt, The leather belt connected to the chain and wrapped over Lucas's shoulder, making him feel like some barbarian. His new sheath was strapped to his back on the leather belt, Made of the spider's shell. It was smooth running your hand down the sheath but sharp running back up. The side facing his back was sanded entirely smooth.
Tying the leather pouch to his waist, While the Lucas was putting his things together, The old many also took out the two spider fangs that were sharpened along the edge and turned into daggers for Silvia.
"Kid, Don't forget your end of the bargain."
"I won't," Lucas answers with a calm look.
Making their way back to the castle, Lucas secures the door behind them in their room.
Looking at Silvia's timid look, Lucas pats her head, reassuring her everything will be alright. "I need to go out for a bit of investigating. Stay here for a bit, Ok?" Said Lucas and proceeded to take out a couple of daggers and to hand them to her for protection.
Without waiting for her to reply, Lucas slipped out into the halls. Making his way up a couple of floors while dodging the patrols, Lucas found himself being cornered by guards coming in several directions.
Quickly going in a side room. Lucas put his head on the door, listening to the sound of the guards' pass. letting go of his breath, Lucas turned around only to find a fat little mole Princess staring at him with an obsessive look in her eyes.
"Darling! You finally came to see me; I've been waiting for you forever!" Said the little girl with a passionate look in her eyes.
"Eh, sorry about that. I think I took a wrong turn down the hall... I'll be leaving n-- Darling??" Lucas looks at her in confusion.
"Didn't daddy tell you, You're my Fiance now! You wanted my toy, so I asked Daddy if I could have you! Of course, Daddy would never say no to this Princess!" She said with a proud expression.
Having almost puked up blood, Lucas protested. "But we've only just met! You don't know me!"
"It's Ok; Daddy said we could take the time to get to know each other!" All this while she couldn't take her eyes off him.
Lucas calms himself. An idea came to mind. "Ok, but in exchange, can you show me around the castle. I heard the view from the top is the best."
"Ok!" The princess said with great enthusiasm.
Following the princess up to the top floor. She brought him to a large circular room at the top level. There was a Balcony in every four directions to overlook the town. In the center of the room, a spiral staircase could be seen going farther up where Lucas could see a metal grating blocking the way. A key would be needed to access the exit it seemed.
"Do you have the key to this place?" Lucas inquired from the Princess.
"Daddy said that area is off-limits, Only the best guards can go up there." She pouts to express her discontent with being barred as well.