"I understand, but the whole party makes me feel weird." She replied.
"Dragon Instinct?"
POV -----> Anastasia
"Dragon instinct?" Azur asked.
I could tell from his sarcastic remarks that he wasn't taking me seriously.
I even thought he was quite intelligent but he refuses to see what is literally dancing right in front of him.
"Something like that." I replied hesitantly.
"Well, I have-" He tried to add to his arrogant and sarcastic remarks but I had to cut him off and completely explain my worries.
"Look, before we entered the Crypt, in fact, before Zane decided to battle you. I heard a conversation between the two." I began retelling the tale of the incident and I explained what I had not only seen but heard.
…
"He says he is Azur, brother." Zane said as he wiped the cold sweat of his face with a sturdy head shake.
"So?" Whitlock replied while picking his nose with his pinky finger and lying on his back facing the top of his tent.
"THE Azur. As in "The One With Many Titles". Don't you get this, we lucked out!" Zane said with heavy emphasis on the 'The'.
"Nah bro. Azur's Bounty was taken down not only globally but some sources say even inter-dimensionally. We could be this afraid if we met Xaphan or Stein or something. If that's even possible."
"That isn't a reason."
"They only take down bounties when you are dead, when your bounty has been claimed. Hence, That Azur has long been sent to hell."
"…"
"Okay, go fight him then."
"What!?"
"THE Azur supposedly has this super intellectual aura around him and you will most certainly feel as though each and every one of your moves have already been anticipated. In fact, it'll be as though he is affecting your decisions. I just don't feel that from this guy."
"So!? It could be him playing out the innocent and gullible traveler so he can find fresh blood!! You shouldn't forget, that guy is praised as a hero but he is worse than villains!!"
"Do you really think he is like that? Boy is a nerd if his story is true. He is like a bookworm."
"This 'Nerd' you speak of has Bounties in such high places that you don't even dare to dream of! He has wiped out Civilizations on his own!"
"Okay, let's all chill here. There is this myth. The Majestic Flame; He is said to have gotten so much mastery over the Flame Affinity that his flames are dark purple. The myth entails that he can use these flames to inflict damage on even the Dictators. Just get grabbed by him and we'll see if you die."
Whitlock suddenly became much more excited and his eyes glistened as he tried to coerce Zane into risking his life for this irrelevant quest.
"What if I'm right!?"
"Well, then you do what you pledged to do when I introduced you to my Party; Die for the Zephyr."
…
"So? They mistake me for someone. does their conversation on resolution of doubts make them some kind of evil cult. With Madden there, I think she is like the cult leader. Haha." Azur chuckled.
After I recounted what I heard he just brushed it off with a comical remark and a slight chuckle before hopping onto the rock I was seated on right in the middle of the pond.
"I was behind some trees. I think Whitlock sensed me. I randomly saw his shadows through the tent turn to face me and I saw his blue eyes glow at me aggressively."
When I looked at Azur he was already meditating and his reality distorting aura that was released from his Accumulation and Release movement was already making him look like he was much further than he actually was.
It always seemed like he was able to effectively commune with himself.
I wished for that kind of ability.
So I could finally tell myself that freedom was much better than Stein.
I seem to not understand that at all.
…
"There is another Crypt, people!!" Squealed Whitlock as he walked in swinging his spear around him like he was leading a parade or something of the sort.
"According to Madden, it's Tomb level! Meaning it has not been recently explored so the respawn-able goods inside are as good and as valuable as ever." He added.
"So, I can get material for a good weapon there?" Azur asked from where he was seated drawing what seemed to be little Sorcery circles on the floor with his finger.
"The best weapon!" he exclaimed while he leapt around in joy.
"Let's go then!" Azur replied, trying to match the mood.
It honestly didn't suit him.
"Let's get going then. Hoist the sails and let's go!" Whitlock screamed in excitement.
No one understood what he meant and he felt the eyes that were peering on him in confusion.
"I meant we should get our things ready to leave for the next one." Whitlock added with a lesser amount of energy.
…
Then we were off, traveling by wagon and beast.
Whitlock was overly excited for some reason.
I was searching for a suitable place to have a rest but everywhere I went I found his horrifically wide grin.
He was very annoying.
I finally found a suitable spot although it took a while for Whitlock to leave me alone, I couldn't help but think about all that Anastasia had said.
"Even if I wanted to back out now, there was just no possibility of it happening safely that I could think of."
If he was really in some dangerous group then he wouldn't want us gone, I saw how temperamental he got.
Not just that, Whitlock is well versed with the spear, he has a powerful wind sorcery skill and possibly many more and he claims he also has a complicated reptile Volition.
Ashford was built like a boulder, Zane seemed to be almost as powerful and aggressive as his brother and much smarter too.
Then there was Madden, the silent one who I think is the most dangerous, she murders hoards of beasts with slight muscle movements.
There was barely any chance of escape I could think of if I reveal any cause for offensive actions.
"What would be the best action in this situation!? I hate this feeling of not knowing!"