Before the crack of dawn, both Haruki and Rhistel stood up. They stared at one another and looked around the bar. Everyone was dead drunk and lying on the floor. They stared at the Barkeep who was exhausted, and drinking silently at the corner of the counter.
"I'm guessing you're going to that anomaly?" The Barkeep said silently. Haruki scratched his head, "Keep this a secret to those kids, boss." The man scoffed, "Why are you going there? Got something to prove?" He asked sternly. Haruki shook his head, "I have something I need to do." He said as he stared straight at the man's eyes.
The Barkeep nodded solemnly. "I see. Come to think of it... I haven't showed you my best drink yet." He said as he reached from below the counter. "If you make it alive... You can have this for free, Kid."
Haruki chuckled, "You make it as if I'm going to die, boss." Haruki shook his head and smiled, "Fine, I'll take that bet, Boss Dante." The Barkeep nodded his head as he shooed them away.
Rhistel crossed her arms, "You kids done? C'mon, Kaz! We aint got all day." She said rather impatiently. "You heard the lady. Go on, get." Dante gestured towards the door. "Well see you around, Boss." Haruki waved his hand as he exited the Bar.
Dante silently sighed towards the door, "You kids better make it back."
When Haruki and Rhistel reached outside, the surrounding area is still dark. However three silhouettes were waiting for them right outside the door. This surprised the two of them.
"What are you guys doing awake?" Rhistel said with a sigh. The three shrugged. "You two looked like you can't wait to urgently leave earlier. Like towards the forest kind of urgent." Trish said softly.
Jacob on the other hand could barely keep his eyes open as he leaned towards the pillar. Marco on the other hand was silently smoking at the porch, staring towards the distance.
"Sorry, Kid. Not this time." Haruki said as he patted Trish's head. She softly swatted it away. "Aren't we a team?" Haruki furrowed his brows. Instead of arguing he sighed and used his hands to chop Trish on the back of her head.
He swiftly caught her as she was knocked unconscious. "Sorry, Marco... Could you take care of the two kids?" He moved towards Jacob who was barely awake and chopped him on the head as well.
"You know Kaz, I had my suspicions. You had the very same eyes my brother did when he came back from the war. Now... You just up and confirmed it. You're not just a freelancer are you? You're a Merc." Marco said as he still stared at the distance.
Rhistel sighed, "I'm going ahead. You two keep talking." She looked behind her and stared at Haruki, "Make it quick. For the love of Nature. You men are jsut so dramatic." The two chuckled as Haruki stood beside Marco.
"How'd you figure it out?" Haruki asked Marco. The latter jsut shrugged, "He found it difficult to adjust to a life of peace so he became part of a PMC." Haruki tilted his head, "So? What's your point."
"He was never home. Everytime he was, he'd wear the same bored expression you're wearing. Unwilling to connect with people. He was more eager to rush towards another battlefield than spend time with his family. Eventually his visits became less frequent. Until it reached the point where he never came back." Marco said with a puff of his cigarette.
"You're treading the same path he did." With a sigh he patted Haruki's shoulders. "Stay safe, Kaz. If you do make it back... Drinks are on me." Marco said as he carried both Trish and Jacob inside the bar.
Haruki scratched his head, "That's new..."
[What is? You getting lectured?]
"Kinda?" Haruki swiftly responded. He then reached Rhistel who was tapping her foot impatiently near the town gate. "Done with your testosterone addled drama?" She said with her arms crossed.
"Listen to me newbie. Because I'm pretty sure you didn't listen earlier. Undead are weak to holy magic. I'll say this for one last time. Holy Magic. You get me?" Rhistel said as they walked towards the thick forest.
After a few hours of walking Haruki tapped his head, "So, how'd you know how to find the skeleton?" Rhistel stopped dead on her tracks as she stared at the sun slowly peeking over the horizon.
"Uhm... M-mother nature told me?" She said sheepishly. Haruki sighed, "You don't know do you? I thought you're part of the guild officials?"
Rhistel rolled her eyes, "Do I look like a cartographer? Who has the fucking time to memorize where exams take place? There's a fucking teleporter for crying out loud!"
Haruki nodded his head, "Fair Point."
'Magus... Can y--'
[No]
Before Haruki could even Finish the thought Magus immediately responded with a no.
[I've told you before, something is sealing us within this space. My scan is practically out of order at the moment. Once we figure out what's jamming my magic. Perhaps we could devise a solution. For now however you are on your own.]
Haruki shrugged his shoulders as he stared at Rhistel, "Well, I guess pick a direction?" Rhistel stared at the bright clear skies. "Fuck it. It's better than nothing."
They soon found a nice looking boulder to rest their legs as it was covered by the shade of the trees.
The two leaned at the auspicious looking boulder. Haruki couldn't find a comfortable position. He frowned as he knocked on the boulder. "Huh? does this rock seem hollow to you? It's weirdly white. Is this marble?"
The moment he said those words Rhistel smiled and slowly stepped back. She then dashed towards the nearest tree and hid as the ground rumbled. Haruki was thrown off balance as the "rock" slowly stood up and towered over them.
Haruki looked up and smiled slowly, "Oh shit. Rhistelll!!! I think I found it!" He screamed towards her and started waving. A beat later he started running towards her directions. "Were getting the fuck outta here!"
"It's bigger than I fucking expected!" Rhistel said as they ran towards into the heart of the forest. "That's what you said." Kaz retorted only to get a slap on the head.
A beat later the skeleton roared and it shook the entire forest. The slumbering fauna all hauled ass away from the deafening roar.