As Skelly, Secat, and Polemos were leaving the guild, the sun was finally starting to set and bring about the time of the night. Polemos looked over to Rose as he called out to her as she lazily lifted herself up and crawled to his call.
"Ssss."
Rose hissed silently as she approached but, when she got closer to Polemos she noticed the thin and grey robes skeleton, she stopped as a deep and rumbling hiss came from her mouth. Which only made the skeleton figure smile as he ignored her and walked past.
Polemos sighed as he walked up to her while reaching his hand out in order to calm her down. "It's ok Rose, I wasn't expecting all of what happened today to happen. Just follow us. I'll be by your side the entire time." He spoke softly as he rubbed her head trying his best to calm her as he could feel her shaking from fear.
'I've never seen her like this ever, will she act like this when I reach that level or have an understanding on what Death Mana is? I don't know, but, if I am able I'll make sure to return the gesture if I'm able to.'
Polemos thought as he looked at Rose as she was shaking. Secat spoke from beside him as she noticed Rose's shaking and was a little surprised. She's seen beasts shake from fear but that was only when their life was near death or about to die as they gave their all to live.
"Is she going to be ok? I've only seen this when they are near death, never like this. Just what are we walking into Polemos?" She asked with concern as she looked at Rose as Polemos just continued to rub her head.
"I honestly don't know but, I need to know regardless." Polemos spoke as he stopped rubbing Rose's head as she started to stop shaking slightly. "But, if anything, as much as this feels off we need to follow him. Sorry if this ruined the day."
"You don't need to apologize, I wasn't expecting this type of situation to happen at all I was blind sided a little when Drakeraz told me about them coming as I thought it was about my dealings with the ruin." Secat smiled as she reached out to rub Rose's head also. "Besides I'm a little interested to know more about who and why they require your presence. Come on, we are falling behind a little." She smirked as she led the way. "Plus it seems some morons wish to follow us."
Polemos raised his brow in surprise as he tried to look around to see if anyone was following them but wasn't able to see anyone but a sea of people. He shrugged as he and Rose followed behind Secat.
But what Polemos and Rose didn't know was that Secat had a very ugly and fierce look on her face as she swore in her mind.
'That damned and moronic Drakeraz, how dare he send spies after us. Well I'm pretty sure they'll be in for a surprise when they try to follow behind us. I'm even a little hesitant to follow but my curiosity is getting the better of me.'
Secat was furious that Drakeraz had sent people to follow after them, thinking that he made a poor decision. But what she didn't know was that the group of followers, especially the three members, were starting to be hesitant after hearing Rose's hiss. But because of the adrenaline seeking member they trudged along following them to where the Grey Keepers base of operations was at.
It didn't take long for the group to reach the destination as when they arrived it almost seemed like they weren't in the bright and colorful oasis. As the whole area around them felt dark, sinister, but at the same time peaceful, solemn, and calming.
"Welcome to our mausoleum or our own little paradise among the living."
Skelly gestured to a huge and faded white building that was strangely beautiful. It had carvings all across its surface, with gargoyle sentinels on the corners that looked menacing and fierce. The ground was a bright green as members of the Grey Keepers tended to the fields with shovels and tomes in hand. It even seemed that there were people visiting the graves of their loved ones.
"Quite lovely, indeed." Polemos spoke as he looked around with interest.
He was surprised by the peacefulness that was here as it was different from his daily life when he was training. "You're not wrong, it is a little paradise. It's calming." His Death Bells were chiming softly bringing a cold relaxing feeling to his mind, even though there was no wind.
Rose was looking left and right as she was curious.
"Feels creepy, how are you comfortable in this and how is this calming, it's intense." Secat was the opposite of Polemos as she kept looking around at the other Grey robed members as they walked by. She didn't like how some of the members mana as it was a mix of dark, evil, cold, and demonic types. But what stressed her was she noticed other smaller mercenary group leaders or their seconds.
'Why are they here? Is this what he means by others who have also joined their organization, some of the ones I can recognize are the rising mercs!' Secat couldn't help but think as she followed behind Skelly as she started to really think about meeting this Cryptkeeper.
Skelly laughed as he continued to walk to an entrance of the mausoleum. "I did say it would greatly benefit both of you if you followed along. Just stay close when following since we will be entering a special entrance that will allow Rose to enter and follow also." He continued to laugh but it sounded off.
Secat frowned when she heard him laugh while Polemos frowned also but for a different reason as he spoke up with a cold voice.
"I don't seem to recall telling you Rose's name? Elder Bones, that was rude of you, we're supposed to be your guest and as a host that was rude. I might just join to rip off your damn ears."
"Agreed, we are your guests." Secat smirked as she pointed behind her to the group of morons who were still following behind them. "Plus as a host, shouldn't you be watchful of who follows you to a, "special entrance", since you know it's unique or hidden technically."
When Elder Bones heard Secats remark he stopped slightly but shortly after he continued to walk. As he slowly turned his head around looking over his shoulder with a smile but, it wasn't soft like it was previously, it seemed more stiff and his eyes sharp.
"Who's so brazen?!" Elder Bones spoke in a dark and deep tone. "Ah, it's the scouts of the Golden Army Sentinels, they seem to be missing one from their group, that was the smart one. The other four are either courageous, or dumb." He slowly turned his head back as he chuckled darkly. "They'll be dealt with properly, if they continue to follow which it seems they will, but if they don't then it'll have been a shame."
Elder Bones brought them to an area, a little away from the front of the mausoleum and brought them to an entrance that went into the ground. The entrance looked like a giant stone casket top that was clean and seemed well taken care of. Elder Bones took his hand out of his sleeve as he pointed to the top of the stone casket as it slowly started to open with a silent rumble.
"Welcome to the crypts of the Grey Keepers. Like I said, make sure you stay close or, you'll end up like our friends who still continue to follow." Elder Bones looked behind him again as he smiled that stiff smile. He chuckled darkly as he turned and entered the crypts. "Don't fall behind, it'll be a shame if you did. I wouldn't want you to see our welcoming of improper guests."
But before Polemos could follow, Elder Bones stopped as he looked to Polemos and spoke in a cold and dry voice. "I never cared about learning her name because I knew who she was, we met before, yesterday. So I'll say it again: I'm Elder Bones, one of the three Vice-Cryptkeepers of the Grey Keepers. Skelly has left."
Elder Bones turned around as he walked through the entrance and entered the depths of the crypts.
Polemos was surprised as he started to smile sinisterly as his eyes turned sharp.
'I'll be taking that tongue also along with your damned ears Elder Bones.'
"I'm joining Secat, even though this seems like it'll cause trouble, it seems like a perfect spot to grow for me."
"What do you mean just for you, it'll be perfect for us both. You might not know now but I've recognized some of those smaller mercenary leaders and some of them have only risen to power recently. This is a perfect opportunity for us both." Secat was smiling even though she didn't really like the atmosphere of the mausoleum. "Remember you're a Burnt Lioness and plus, you still owe me a sparring match." She smiled as she followed behind Elder Bones.
Polemos laughed as he followed behind her, as Rose followed behind Polemos as he spoke. "Your right I do owe you a sparring match let's ask for an area where we can have a good spar. I'll be able to loosen up."
Secat laughed silently as she smiled.
But when Polemos heard her laugh he felt a chill run up his spine as he almost tripped.
'Where the hell did that breeze come from?