I was left standing still at that moment, staring at the scarlet Locathah at the end of the pitch dark cell.
All of a sudden, Holkins tapped my back and moved away the lantern that was lighting the room.
"You know, looking at that Locathah won't get you anywhere. You're just wasting thy time. We have to progress to a certain place, and there's someone there that I want thou to meet, shall we?"
Yes, I forgot that we had somewhere to go to. I was too occupied with this cell and didn't notice that it wasn't the place that we were supposed to be attending to. So, I agreed with Holkins that we should now leave the area as it also reeks caused by the sewers all over it.
"Garadu, I'm leaving this Locathah in your hands, alright?" Holkins said.
There was no response from Garadu.
"It seems like he didn't hear what you said." I muttered.
"Hopefully he heard it, yet I know he can handle this by himself. Now, shall we go?"
We then proceeded to walk towards the stairs that will lead us to the surface. Finally, we had to leave the area. I decided to ask Holkins again where we would go this time.
"Where are we headed to?" I asked.
"You'll know sooner, my friend. I wouldn't want to ruin it by saying where we are going." Holkins replied.
We carried on with walking our way to our destination, bypassing all the structures that were both intact and demolished.
"What happens to those whose houses are fragmented?" I asked.
"They're either transported to another village or they stay at the tents where some refugees are handled." Holkins said.
"I see, I guess the situation is at ease as of the moment."
"Maybe, we never know when those Locathah will reappear again."
From a distance, I saw youngsters that were being guided out from a structure. It looked like I knew why they were lead outside. They all had a sorrow emotion and that's what I experienced back then.
"Those children, is that what I think it is?" I questioned
"Yes. Unfortunately, those children lost their parents. Later on they'll be held in an orphanage." Holkins replied.
"Those poor souls may rest in peace."
"I wonder. Are you the same like those innocent child back then?"
"You are correct. I am also a victim of losing my own parents."
"That's miserable; I shouldn't have brought it up."
"It's fine. It's the past and I can't bring it back anymore."
"Let us discuss another topic, shall we?"
"Tell me, what's this place where we're going to about?"
"It's a place where you'll find the path of your class and where you'll find yourself helping this country."
"Is that it? In that case, I wouldn't be able to guess what it is."
"You should stop asking questions, you know. It won't be a mystery if I'll tell it you early."
"Is it a military camp?"
"What? No, we're almost there so no need to ask that much."
I continued to follow Holkins to our destination. After bypassing numerous structures, he then stopped by a property at the middle of the village. It was protected by a chevalier who wields a long sword.
"We're here, Aston." Holkins whispered.
"What's this place? I never have been in a place like this before." I asked.
"You'll see, follow me inside."
The both of us went inside. There was not much but only a plain lobby that had cobble flooring and a fireplace where a table was set, two people were gathered at that area. A stairs that leads on a second floor at the very left corner, but there's not much up there as I sighted, probably just a storage area. Two large barrels was also sitting at the opposite corner.
"Come, that's the room over there. That's where the person I want you to meet is at." Holkins mentioned.
I nodded. A room where no door existed, but from our distance, the only thing I saw was a painting of an elder who was wearing a red cloak; he wields a staff that has an azure gem on the top of it. Along the way we're moving to, a chevalier went outside the room. He stared at me, and he then recognized Holkins as his friend.
"I see that you have returned safely my friend, Holkins." The chevalier announced.
"Ah Bruce, yes I did. I also brought myself a companion—by the way, is the mayor here?" Holkins asked.
"Yes, he's at his workplace as usual."
"Alright, that's great news. I have plenty of information that I should report."
"You'll see him there. Anyways, I've got to go now. It was nice seeing you again."
Holkins agreed and Bruce went outside the building. We went straight down the path, bypassing the two folks and that's where Holkins hurriedly went to, he waited for me as I slowly walked towards him.
He went inside and then I followed. There were several shelves with books and three persons in the room, it seemed like the other two who are having a gossip based on their clothing are wizards, the other one yet I didn't know who he was.
The yet to be known person was looking out the window behind his desk. He had an average body, and his skin was reddish. Holkins sat down, so I went and sat down too. The reddish person then turned around, he sighed.
"Holkins, that took you long enough." He said.
"Not my fault, mate. Several incidents happened that postponed my arrival." Holkins replied.
"Take a seat, along with your partner over here." The person told.
Taking our seats, the other person all sat down, "You haven't introduced to me to this traveller yet, Holkins." He followed.
"Ah yes, this is Aston. I met him on the tent where all of the wounded were. He also fought alongside our men when the incursion happened, I would say he is viable for our team."
"Is that so?" He stared at me, grinning, and all of a sudden he reached out his hand to me. "I am Geyser Birsk, the mayor of Cavoir. It is nice to meet you, Aston."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Geyser." I replied and shook his hands as a sign of receiving his greet. Although I had an unusual feeling when I was with Geyser; he was no ordinary human being. For a moment, he caught me looking direct at his skin.
"I am no monster. This crimson skin of mine is either caused by a disease or it is my natural race. Yet we have no such knowledge about my condition, considering some of our comrades don't receive any information from the outside. I won't kill you; there is no need to be cautious with me." He then took a scroll out of his shelf and went to get a quill. "Moving on, do you have anything for me, Holkins?" he questioned.
Holkins agreed and continuously told Geyser thoroughly what happened back at the shore. He was surprised with such news brought to him. Not only that the village has lost several citizens, properties, and needs; It also lost most its comrade-in-arms.
Geyser finished his writings on the scroll, and looking at it, he sighed." Hordes of Locathah appeared at the shore for another invasion, we've managed to defend against them but at what cost? Most of our combatants were massacred and some are severely injured. Additionally, you've said another species showed up and it was different from those Locathah. Standing in nine feet tall, like a Kodiak bear. Has a consciousness of a person, with inhumane strength and speed. I wonder how you, Aston and Dzil managed to fend it off. Nevertheless, we all know there were sacrifices that were made. Lost most of our men and Dzil is severely injured. In order to fend off threats, we have to bring back our forces. Although we have lost a lot, there's still a chance. For that to happen, we'll need someone like you Aston. Would you accept my request, only just for this moment?"