Tru stood up and stretched as he was thinking on his meeting last night with Shade. How the eyes spoke to him and what they truly wanted from him. Most importantly was where did they come from and why him.
He shoved his thoughts to the back of his head and leaped down to the ground. He looked around and saw no person or magical beast.
"That's strange, where is everyone and everything?" asked Tru as he used Ifrit's Mana Soul and looked around. He could see faint traces of Pyro and Geo mana throughout the forest.
"What do you see, Tru?" softly asked Wrath.
"All I see is small traces of mana but no sign of life. Not even an insect." replied Tru as he began walking. He eventually came too a small burnt out fire pit. Among the pit was several sleeping bags and magic pouches full of Zil.
Tru collected the pouches and put them in his own as he scanned his surroundings. "You were right about getting more Zil." joking spoke Wrath.
"Yeah but my problem is where are the people to thank for this bounty? Where are Al lathe adventurers supposedly flocking to this dungeon?" asked Tru as he began traveling towards the large red boulders.
"I can not say for sure but it is strange they left with out taking their things." said Wrath before continuing the silence.
Tru walked for a bit when he looked at his left arm and didn't see the tattoo of Shadow. He tapped his shoulders and didn't feel the Necrocoil.
"Now where in the hell has it gone?"
*********************
Leo's group marched through the Emerald forest towards the dungeon along with Madneas. They passed many magical beasts as they continued their journey when suddenly a Turquoise Doe jumped by them.
"Oh Turquoise Doe?" excitedly said Madneas "I do like a nice roasted doe, what about your self Leo?"
"Can't say I have had the pleasure." somberly answered Leo. "What's your name again?"
"Madneas."
"Madneas?" said Leo as if it was a foreign word to him. "Hmm strange name but memorable."
"Why thank you!" said Madneas with a large smile. The group kept walking passing all manner of beasts but no people. There was not a single other party in sight.
"Weird, where is everyone else? I was sure I saw several parties including many of the Zil guild head out this way." said Leo, causing everyone to look around. None could see a single human soul for as far as their eye could see.
They continued walking and came across a badly wounded man dressed as a Zil Guild guard. Leo ran up to him and began to give them man a potion to drink, though it did not heal his wounds.
"I'm afraid that won't do much." said the Zil guard as he swallowed the potion. Leo ignored him until the bottle was empty.
"Bring me another!" he shouted though no one moved. Madneas walked up and bent down to the man and even with his closed eyes could till how grievous the wounds were.
"Who did this to you?" asked Leo who could barely contain his anger. "Speak to me who did this and I'll swear they will pay."
"It wasn't a who…but a what. It came in the dark of the night and slaughters my companions and their contracts. It then proceeded to eat them whole and left nothing.
I barely made it alive before it spewed fire and tried to roast me alive. I-I came to this tree and stared at it befor-" the man struggled his last words as he began coughing up a mouthful of blood.
"Spit it out! What did it do next?!" roared Leo so loudly that it scared off the beast and startled his companions.
"It-it-it was large, black and had golden eyes. It looked like a demon from a nightmare. I have never seen a beast like that, one with fire coming from its tail." said the Zil Guild guard as he closed his eyes and drew his final breath.
Leo stood up and looked at Madneas with fury in his eyes. "It seems like the Dungeon Beast broke out and came and attacked them . Only thing around here that uses fire is a Red Mane Grizzly Bear." said Leo
"No." said Madneas as he said a prayer over the guards body. "There is something that you nor anyone else has heard of, a magical beast of great power and influence."
"What would that be?" snapped Leo as he stepped to Madneas. "The fury in my heart could not be contained as these people were slaughtered with no weapons in their hands. So again I ask what would that be?!"
"A Necrocoil." said Madneas who was busy burying the guard. "Though don't be confused this Necrocoil has an owner."
"And who would that be?" asked Leo with a raised eyebrow. Even his companions started talking amongst themselves wondering who it could be.
"That's easy, the man you're supposed to kill for a Rank S magic stone. Tru Lee."
**********************
Back in Eagle Gold there was a grand feast being held. All the Orges drank, laughed and ate their fill. At the top table sat Rath Gul and to his right sat Gorlo. The table in front of them was full of food that Rath Gul was scarfing down happily.
He looked over the Gorlo and saw that he was barely eating anything. He stopped eating and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Gorlo, my brother, this is a time for celebration. Why do you look so glum?" asked Rath Gul.
Gorlo just sighed and looked out to the rest of the Orges that were having a good time. He looked down at the food but couldn't bring himself to eat it.
"Gorlo knows but Gorlo wants to know if you'll ever let the Gobs go? Gorlo only asked this brother-to-brother." said Gorlo with a weak smile. Rath Gul just scratched his chin and went into thought.
"Fine." reluctantly said Rath Gul "I'll do it once I beat this Tru Lee guy. By that time the iron mins should be depleted."
Gorlo's dark expression quickly changed to a smile but a small one. "What happens if Rath Gul doesn't beat Tru?" asked Gorlo with great concern.
"Well then it's up to him entirely." said Rath Gul "Like I told you before while we were training, we Orges only follow strength and if he show strength then you know the rest."
"Yes Gorlo knows that's whole you'll follow. Gorlo just hopes Tru will let them be." said the large tan Orge with a sad expression.
Rath Gul took a bite of a massive chicken leg before putting it down. "Regardless of what happens Gorlo, you'll still be my brother." said Rath Gul as he patted Gorlo on the back.
"Also Gorlo, I don't believe your friend is the kind of person you think he is." spoke Rat Hugo as his expression darkened. His words hit Gorlo like a rock and confused him.
"What does Rath Gul mean? Gorlo doesn't understand." said Gorlo as he felt a chill from Rath Gul's words. Instead of answering Rath Gul just waved it off.
"Ahahahahahaha! Come now Gorlo let's not be too glum this celebration is for you." explained Rath Gul with a large smile. Rath Gul stood up with a large mug in his hand and raised it high.
"THIS IS TO GORLO! My new right hand man! My brother! May he live a long and happy life!" shouted Rath Gul, his voices echoing through the feasting hall. The rest of the Orges raised their mugs and cheered for Gorlo.
"TO GORLO!"
"MAY HE LIVE A LONG LIFE!"
They drank and drained their mugs when a Orge busted in and ran straight to the arena in the middle of the feasting hall. He looked panicked and he was carrying something.
He knelt down in from of Rath Gul and Gorlo. "My lords I'm sorry for the intrusion but I bring news from the mine." quickly spoke the Orge causing Gorlo to stand up.
"Gorlo wants you to speak quick! Has something happened to the Gobs?!" yelled Gorlo as he slammed his large hand on the table, cracking it. Rath Gul said nothing but looked at the Orge, urging him to speak.
"No my lord they are all fine." explained the Orge "Though this is what I have come to bring to your attention." The other held up a large dark purple ore, unlike any they have seen before.
"What is that?" asked Rath Gul with giant curious eyes. He jumped down from the platform and pick up the ore with his hands. It looked heavy but was light. He tried crushing it with all his strength but nothkmg happened.
"Strong thing isn't it. What is this?" asked Rath Gul to the Orge.
"I-I don't know my lord all I know is the Gobs were mining and one brought this back." explained the Orge nervously as Rath Gul handed him the ore back.
"Is there more?" asked Rath Gul.
"Yes my lord, there's a massive amount deep in the mines."