They had shortly reached the door to where the Head Cryptkeepers office was. When a soft and charming voice sounded from behind the door.
"You may enter. I've been eagerly awaiting you all, Elder Bones, you may wait outside while we talk." Then the voice spoke coldly. "And if you move or dare to run, Kazzy will follow."
Elder Bones stood rock still when he heard the name, Kazzy.
Shortly after he couldn't help but start to shake a little when he started to think of Kazzy. He slumped into the wall and slowly slid to the ground.
Rose and Polemos ignored the scared and terrified Elder, as they entered the Cryptkeepers office. The door gilded open without a sound.
When they entered they saw a figure sitting behind a desk.
When the Head Cryptkeeper saw Secat, Polemos, and Rose had entered her office, she smiled behind her dark blue veil, and stood to greet her guests.
She was almost as tall as Secat, only a head shorter, she was wearing a regal dark blue dress where the sleeves opened at the forearm showing her jade white skin underneath. She had long dark black hair that flowed behind her. Beautiful sapphire blue eyes, and emitted a cold type of aura.
"Hello and welcome to the Knowledge Oasis: Grey Keepers headquarters. I am the current Head Cryptkeeper, Gelu. Please take a seat and be comfortable, we have some very interesting things to talk about and even hopes of a partnership between two powerful groups." She spoke with a welcoming tone as her sapphire blue eyes were soft.
Secat was surprised to see the Cryptkeeper as she felt like she had seen her before but couldn't place it as only her eyes had seemed familiar but, the cold and icy mana she felt was different then the one she remembered. She smiled as she nodded her head and introduced herself along with Polemos and Rose.
"Well it is nice to finally meet such an amazing member of the oasis. I'm sure you know who we are but let me introduce ourselves. I'm Secat The Lioness, this is my newest member, Polemos the Mad One." She looked up to and gestured to Rose. "And this is his partner and also newest member of my Burnt Lioness Mercenaries, Rose." She sat down after introducing them.
Polemos nodded his head as he smiled as he sat down while Rose laid right behind both Secat and Polemos. Rose made her head rest near Polemos as he reached out and rubbed her head.
Gelu sat down after seeing her guest sit and got comfortable as she didn't hesitate and spoke out, looking directly at Polemos.
"Well I'll be honest and blunt, have you met and received Death's kiss, Polemos?"
"Yes, I have spoken with her a few times. And on the last visit she gave me her kiss." Polemos continued to rub Rose's head while she hissed silently. Secat sat while she crossed her legs and leaned on her chair.
Gelu smiled underneath her dark blue veil as her eyes turned into crescents. Then she spoke in an inviting and welcoming tone while looking into his purple eyes. "Would you like to become my disciple, Polemos?"
Both Polemos and Secat were very surprised by Gelus' invitation to Polemos, asking him to become her disciple. Polemos even stopped rubbing Rose's head slightly but continued after he calmed himself. Secat just smiled as she waited for Polemos's answer.
"Before I accept, may I know why and what you could possibly teach me. I'm still very new when it comes to Mana as I'm only at the peak of the True Acolyte ninth stage and my knowledge of it is absent if not scraps." Polemos explained as he looked into Gelus' sapphire blue eyes.
Gelu smiled under her veil, as she spoke. "Good you didn't answer right away, shows you have a clear head. Well as for what I can teach you is quite simple really, I can teach you how to properly use that Death Mana that comes naturally to you. And give you all the knowledge that we have collected when it comes to Mana. I even saw your look when you saw all the paintings and depictions of the Gods, I'll teach you all I know about them." She paused slightly as she looked over to Secat. "You won't need to worry if he agrees he'll still be a member of your Mercenary group. He'll just be learning more about Mana from me and a more clear history about his bloodline." Gelu finished as she looked at Polemos waiting for his answer.
"May I speak up before he makes his decision Gelu. I wish to give him some advice as his leader." Secat asked with a friendly smile.
"Yes, this is a very important decision for Polemos." Gelu patiently waited.
"Thank you Gelu." Secat nodded her head as she looked at Polemos. "If I were you I'd definitely agree to her offer simply because even though The Burnt Lioness is powerful we're mostly powerful when it comes to combat, monster or beast subjugation, and information gathering. When it comes to organizations like Gelus from everything I've seen since we've walked into the crypts was astonishing." Secat had a very excited expression when she neared the end as she looked at Polemos.
Polemos smiled the entire time as Secat was honest about her strengths and weaknesses of her mercenary organization. "You know, I thought this was going to be a different type of visit when we came down here. I'm quite glad we decided to come as this is perfect for what I need to increase our strengths." He looked into Secats eyes when he spoke then looked over to Gelu. "Are there any requirements for me when I become your disciple?"
"Only a tattoo of a Devil skull." Gelu answered.
Polemos was a little surprised but laughed as he stood to his feet and placed his right fist into his palm over his heart. "Disciple, greets Master." Polemos smiled as he straightened himself. "As your disciple may I ask how strong you really are master?"
Gelu laughed happily as she heard Polemos's question as she spoke with pride. "That fool Drakeraz thinks himself to be stronger but he is only a big fish in a small pond unaware of the true dangers of this massive and beautiful world. I'm at the Temple Mage stage, I'm what you'd call a Broken Temple Mage or a Fractured Temple Mage. I'll explain everything later, in time."
Polemos didn't really know what that meant but felt that it was very powerful. But Secat stood to her feet when she heard Gelu speak of her true and real strength as in unknown excitement and pressure made her blood boil with excitement. When Gelu saw Secats response she chuckled as she spoke.
"But, this will stay between us four as I wish to keep this a secret. It's quite fun to play the weaker power in this oasis, Drakeraz thinks he's some smart and powerful dragon when he's only just a lizard."
"Of course." Secat nodded her head. "I agree with you, he is a complete moron and ass. But may I ask if it's possible to spar with you to see where my strength holds to someone of your stage?" Secat asked with excitement as she really wanted to test her strength against someone of Gelus' stage.
"Sure I don't see any harm in that but I will only use defensive spells and techniques as if I were to use an offensive one it wouldn't be a good thing. It's not that I'm looking down on you or anything. I know your strength and power, just at the Temple Mage stage is something beyond a Magician." Gelu spoke as she leaned back into her chair. "Does this also mean that The Grey Keepers and The Burnt Lionesses are in a partnership with each other?"
"Of course, we can hammer out the details later but, before we spar, may I borrow an area or arena. Polemos and I had already agreed to spar with each other." Secat was in a very happy and excited mood.
"Sure I don't see the harm in that." She stood as she gestured for them to follow after her. "Plus this is how we will spar and practice your spells Polemos. One thing you'll learn quickly is that I'm not soft on my disciples at all. Don't expect me to save you if you die or get yourself in an unwinnable situation. Growth comes from struggle, not from hand holding."
Polemos and Secat nodded their heads as they both agreed with what Gelu spoke of. If one truly wants to get stronger one must experience struggles and hardships as it will help shape the person they are to become. Sure you could get strong in a greenhouse or something similar but you'll never truly be strong.
Gelu walked out of her office followed by Secat, Polemos, then Rose. They passed by the still slumped and terrified Elder Bones. Gelu didn't even look at the Elder as she spoke in a cold and dark tone.
"Follow."
One simple word made him flinch as he quickly scampered behind Gelu with his head held down in fear.
"Before we all loosen ourselves up with a spar would you both like to take some of your anger out on this poor, poor Elder." Gelu asked as she led them to her special training area.
"Gladly." Polemos spoke as a dark smile spread across his face.
Secat didn't hesitate as her fist flashed as she uppercutted Elder Bones with a vicious smile on her face. She didn't use any Mana, only her raw strength. Elder Bones was hit so hard that he actually left the ground as Secats fist dug deep into his face. Teeth and blood flew out of Elder Bones mouth as he didn't even make a sound. He may not have but, his jaw definitely did as you could hear it shatter. He fell sprawled eagle with a thud, while his lower jaw hung loosely.
"Nice shot." Gelu spoke with a satisfied look in her eyes. " And you my disciple?"
"Beautiful indeed. I'll wait till we reach our destination, I don't want to dirty the hall." Polemos spoke as he was looking at Secat as she was very satisfied with punching Elder Bones face in. "Could you drag the poor Elder, Rose please.
Rose hissed as she stabbed Elder Bones with her forcipules and started to drag him along the hall, hissing with glee the entire way.