Secat brought Polemos to a small yet very clean and comfortable meeting room on the third floor. Instead of opening the door normally she opted to kick it open, but what Polemos was able to notice was that the door didn't even break or crack; it just swung open fiercely as it seemed normal. He was quite surprised by how everything proceeded and Secat noticed as she smiled.
"What, Drakeraz had to modify all the doors in the guild in order to deal with me when I decided to kick them open. I broke many doors when I was starting out, it took him a while to finally enhance the doors." Secat continued to smile as she laughed as she walked to a chair on the side of the room and made herself comfortable. "Might as well join me and wait for that member of the Grey Keepers."
Polemos shrugged his shoulders as he walked to a seat next to Secat as he spoke up and asked a question.
"How long have you been doin mercenary work?"
When Secat heard his question she smiled as she placed her elbow on the table and looked at Polemos.
"Been about seven to eight years now. Been fighting and surviving in this type of business for a long time. Why?"
Polemos was smiling as he pulled out some wine and a couple of glasses that Carl had gifted him before he left as he started to pour the wine into the cups. He pointed to the other cup as he spoke. "Just asking questions to get to know my leader and to see what you're like, if that's ok. You can also ask me the same and I'll gladly answer all questions." He smiled as he took a small sip.
Secat was a little surprised as she grabbed the cup and took a big swig of the cup as she released a satisfying sigh and smacked the table which made Polemos smile.
"That's, strong you got anymore." Secat exclaimed as she finished the rest of her cup and slammed it on the table. Polemos waved his hand as three more jugs landed on the table. Secat grinned as she grabbed one of them as it disappeared before Polemos was able to grab another jug and pour her another drink.
After pouring another glass Secat didn't drink all of it at once as she took a regular drink as she looked at Polemos.
"I'm pretty sure I know the answer but gotta ask you've killed before haven't ya."
"Yes, multiple beasts and monsters and eight humans so far."
Polemos took another drink after he answered.
"What was your first kill like?" Secat asked as she swirled her drink in her hand.
Polemos looked into the content of his glass as he answered in a neutral and weird tone. And looked at Secat.
"I was relieved more than anything. I didn't even cry, throw up, shake, or do anything I thought someone normal would do and I thought I was some type of monster and in a way I was right. You."
Secat was surprised with Polemos's answer as she felt like he wasn't speaking the truth but when she saw the looked into his eyes she saw that he wasn't.
"The complete opposite of your experience. I cried the first time and couldn't sleep for many nights. I can still remember the look on his face before I crushed his face in with my elbow. Then after that it became easier." Secat took another drink as a melancholic expression took hold briefly. "But enough about that, what did you mean you were kissed by death. I thought that was a myth or legend told in stories."
Polemos smiled as he took a drink finishing his cup and poured another cup as he explained.
"Like I said I was kissed by Death herself. I've spoken with and met her a few times and I've even been spoken to by Ra. That's how I was given this robe as a gift after I helped one of her followers by killing him with a fire spell."
When Secat heard him she was looking at his eyes to see if there was any hesitation or falsehood in his words but noticed that there wasn't any. She sighed as she finished her cup also and poured another drink. When Polemos saw that he chuckled as he took another drink and spoke.
"You know, everything I've said is true as I find it an annoyance to lie about the things that concern me as I dislike the mysterious or hidden types of people. I'd rather just be blunt and honest as Elder Spear taught me and said I shouldn't." He pointed to his eyes as he continued. "Because of my eyes it's hard to hide anything about myself as well, so I'd rather not hide…."
They continued to ask each other multiple questions as they even finished off the second jug of wine before they were informed that the member of the Grey Keepers had arrived and was heading to the room. When Secat heard that she was quite upset as she was enjoying drinking with Polemos as he wasn't afraid to answer any of her questions and was able to actually relax instead of others being afraid or wary of her. She finished her drink and looked to Polemos to ask one final question before the member interrupted their drinking.
"Last question before the keeper arrives. Why do you find me to be beautiful? If you saw the rest of my body you wouldn't think it, as I'm covered in scars just like you are." She asked with a look that Polemos understood.
'She's looking for acceptance from another with nothing hidden or any falsehoods.' Polemos thought as he smiled as he looked into her orange-red eyes with nothing hidden in his purple eyes.
"I've died before and seen death at its scariest and most cruel. It was ugly, cold, dark, and terrifying. My own scars show my dance with Death. I've seen her, talked to her, and been in her embrace, and I was in awe. Your scars give you a beauty that only few could see and fewer would speak up about it and I have seen it and was in awe." He spoke honestly and hid nothing.
When Polemos was finished speaking silence filled the room to where one could hear a pin drop. Secat was stunned when she heard Polemos as she saw that there was only truth and honesty in his voice and eyes
"Indeed."
Before Secat could answer a dry but audible voice sounded from behind them as a very pale and skin bone man walked in, wearing a grey robe. His eyes seemed to be sunken in as he looked like the dead.
Secat was surprised as she almost punched the man when she saw him as she was in a state of surprise by his appearance. Polemos drank the remaining of his wine to hide his surprise but was unable to as he started choking and coughing as he pounded the table.
"You damn walking skeleton, shouldn't you have knocked or something? I don't care how strong your Cryptkeeper is, I'll kill you if you do that again." Secat threatened in anger as she sat and leered at the Grey Keeper.
"Sure, she'll welcome it, and I would only have myself to blame for it." The skeleton man spoke in a dry voice. Then looked over to Polemos as he was able to stabilize himself but the red on his face was all over.
"I'm sorry if I was rude and interrupted, but my meeting with you is rather urgent. You may call me Elder Bones or Skelly. The young ones call me Skelly quite often and I like the way it sounds."
"Well Skelly, I'm here so, what's so urgent that would require my means as, I'm new to everything here. I mean you're able to even, able to make the Mercenary Guild Leader move, what would you need me for?" Polemos was a little upset when he saw Skelly, as he felt something familiar that uncontrollably leaked from his body naturally.
'Why is there such a strong pulse of Death Mana surrounding his body I mean I know he works the crypts or graves but that shouldn't radiate Death Mana? Does he train in it or something else. No wonder why Drakeraz was so cautious when he spoke of their Leader.'
Polemos thought as he awaited Skellys answer. As he was surprised by Polemos's answer. Secat was even surprised as he brought up multiple things that made sense as she spoke up.
"He's right he has just arrived at the oasis and just joined my mercenary troop The Burnt Lioness, I'm Secat The Lioness. Why do you need someone who hasn't even reached the Magician stage? Speak, you skeleton before I break and burn your broken body and bones to ash."
Skelly didn't even flinch as a large smile spread across his skeleton-like face as he looked at Polemos. Ignoring Secat and her threat for the moment.
"Why, it's quite simple really, we would like you to join our organization also but, you'll have complete freedom and resources galore as long as you contribute what you can." Then he looked over to Secat also with his smile still on his face. "You're welcome to join us also Miss.Lioness, our Cryptkeeper would gladly welcome you, she's been dying to see you as well."
Skelly continued to grin his large smile as his reply surprised both Secat and Polemos as they both thought that something was off as it seemed too good to be true.