Zeke decided to take the path on the left.
Continuous trees of various types shade the dirt path that they're taking, shielding them from the seemingly sunlight above the clouds from this dungeon's floor. The shade of the trees is helping but as they continue, the heat from the sun is getting hasher by the moment, beads of sweat are already forming on Zeke's forehead, he wondered if this is a dungeon related phenomenon but he also feel concerned about his party, they must be feeling the heat ten times worse.
Zeke gave Wulfric a worried look, he could tell from his labored movements that the hot weather is getting to him, same goes for Dirk, the fine strands of his golden hair is not fit for this humid weather. It is not the case for the other two farmhands from your rear, Magnus's posture is still alert, eyes upfront, he saw that the button of his shirt is slightly opened to alleviate the heat. As for Hawke, it is only natural for him to be quite unaffected for the most part, his light feathers and airy appearance helps him ventilate.
"Are you alright boss?" Dirk asked, panting slightly with his tongue out, trying hard not to drool.
"Yes, I am fine but it seems you and Wulfric aren't doing so good, should we take another break?" Zeke replied, concerned for his wolf and dog.
"No, no we're alright, we really mustn't waste time any longer," Wulfric answered for them both, but from the expression on Dirk's face, he doesn't look like he agrees with him. They clearly need a break but he's right they're on a time limit so they walked on.
Their group finally arrived at a dead end of some sort, and both the guys in front of Zeke are looking quite spent, even Magnus and Hawke are feeling the heat right now, too. This heat is abnormal, there must be an explanation for this or even a cause but because of it's effects right now he couldn't even think properly.
Thankfully, and conveniently a great waterfall with bed of vast lake at the bottom is waiting around the area, the crystal clear water is so transparent everything can be seen on the waterbed, and it is also not that deep. This hidden paradise is truly a blessing in this extreme heat, so Zeke decided that they all take a breather and told his farmhands to cool themselves off from the lake.
They immediately all run to the lake like a bunch of teenagers, removing their upper garments, Wulfric and Hawke kept their underwear's on while Magnus and Dirk removed everything. Zeke tried to turn his head away before he can get any glimpse of their, um, handsome and manly features.
In the meantime, Zeke smoothed his sweat stained clothes, relaxed and sat underneath the shade of a huge tree he has never seen before. Looking at it, it reminded him of a mango tree but with the height of a pine tree, he hummed as he closed his eyes, enjoying the breeze that seems to blow from the falls, removing the irksome heat that seems to torment his expedition.
Zeke heard some raucous laughter, and giggling on the lake, the boys must be enjoying themselves, thinking about this situation, him being their boss and master puts a gentle smile on his face. He couldn't have made a better choice coming in here, and he really do need to accept this reality.
He took a brief nap before he heard their footsteps going towards him. He opened his eyes and saw them, fur glistening from the sunlight and with huge content smiles on their faces. Zeke tried hard not to look beyond their face, but the temptation is hard to resist so he eventually gave in.
Wulfric's body, as he wipes his muscled armpits, is still the same from when he saw it this morning, but now with a cheerful smile on his face as he talks with the group which added more handsomeness to his entire face, Zeke couldn't help but turn tomato red. He then saw Dirk, and Magnus beside him wrestling each other, trying to pull the white towels that are wrapped on their waist. What? They even brought towels for themselves? Can't say he brought one.
Magnus' body is still the same, beefy and emanating with great masculinity that it's almost irresistible to touch, his fur is wet as well so it accentuates his body figure a whole lot more. Dirk on the other hand is a welcome sight, you've only ever seen him wear sleeveless shirts and not fully unclothed.
He's a little bit on the leaner side compared to Magnus or Wulfric but still sporting some hard earned abs that looks impressive along with his tight chest, his golden fur looks majestic on the sun rays that hits his alluring body.
Meanwhile, Hawke is already fully clothed, save for his tussled feathers on top of his head which is really a shame since it would've been nice seeing him unguarded for once. But, he looks quite adorable with his unusual gentle smile, so you take what you can.
"Boss! You should have come with us!" Dirk exclaimed, still feeling the aftermath of their male bonding.
"Yeah. It would've been more fun," Magnus seconded.
"Haha. It's fine guys, I wanted to give you, time for yourselves since all you've been doing all the time since I've arrived is showing me the ropes while still protecting me," Zeke smiled genuinely at the two.
"Alright…" Dirk replied, a little sullen at Zeke's reply, "but, isn't the heat affecting you as well?"
"Yeah, I'll bathe soon as well, I just waited for you guys to get finished, and someone needed to watch for our rucksacks as well, since you know monsters might steal it, and so I could scream for help," Zeke replied jokingly.
"Okay, but speaking of monsters, we encountered none so far except the sheep from earlier. Isn't everything going a little bit too well?" Dirk continues, "something must be off, I know it"
"Yeah, but I hope that nothing goes incredibly wrong" Zeke said, a little worried that Dirk might actually be right, "anyways, I'll head off for the lake now, tell the others Dirk, okay?"
"Roger that."
As Zeke got nearer the lake, he took in the fresh calming, cool breeze of nature coming from the mountain behind the falls. The harsh sound of the water falling from up above is almost therapeutic to his ears, he remembered that he's never really had the luxury of time to go to these kinds of places back home since he's always busy working.
So, now that he's finally here, everyday is a new experience and the idea of enjoying it with his farmhands is truly exciting.
Zeke kept his underwear on, you never know what might be hiding beneath these waters, unknown critters that you can only ever see in nightmares.
He tested the water first and dipped his toes, it has a cool, warm feeling so he fully submerged his aching and slightly sunburned skin into the inviting depths.
Surprisingly, the water helps reduce the soreness of his body as well as the sting of his sunburned skin. As he gently scrub his skin with the lake water, he heard rustling on the bushes just beside where he left his clothes.
"Who's there? Show yourself," Zeke called out.
"Sorry about that boss, I got the task of looking for you and I didn't really want to disturb you but, here we are," he says apologetically, "do you want me to leave and give you some privacy?"
"Yes, I'll be done in just a sec," Zeke replied back.
"Alright, I'll just sit over this tree here boss, take your time."
Magnus really has a strong will, and control over himself, just like a knight if Zeke had ever known one. He never glanced at his direction and stares straight into the empty, vacant lake waiting for him.
Zeke admitted to himself that he has some dirty ideas right at this very moment, but he suppressed those thoughts as it is not the right place and time.
Zeke finished washing up just a little later, he put on his clothes back, away from Magnus' view of course, then after that, he started to walk towards him.
But as he tried to do so, the mark on his right hand started to glow an unimaginable strange and blinding light.
Magnus' thundering voice reverberate throughout the empty lake as he called out for his boss' name. "Boss! Zeke!"
He supported his back with his strong arm then looked into his face, assessing what is happening. Zeke gripped his right hand tightly with his other hand as he tries to stop the pain with futility. "Argh…" he gritted his teeth, preventing the farmhand at his side from panicking, "I'm okay Mag, my hand it just… it burns."
The loud voice of Magnus must've alerted Zeke's other farmhands as he hasn't noticed them surround him. He felt Magnus' huge hand on his clammy face once more, tapping it gently but with increasing desperation to keep him conscious as he tried to keep his voice from breaking.