The goblin camp was eerie, with bodies and weapons scattered in every direction. The fire was put out, more after running out of tinder to burn than the efforts of the group. Burnt husks of buildings dotted the camp and the smell wafted throughout the area, preventing them from searching for too long, but Max had a solution.
"Gather everything over here, and any mana crystals. The dimension crystal, made by Greene Corp is handy in these particular situations, if not mindlessly expensive. The Wearer adds mana to it, the device compresses the material and stores it. I can't mention anything more than that, trade secrets. You understand."
Max gave a Dimension crystal to everyone, allowing the collection of Artefacts to be collected quickly.
Artefacts were any physical objects found in gates that could be used or sold. Weapons were the most common of these but were not limited to them. Metals and magical crystals known as Mana crystals, usually dug from the bodies of strong creatures, were all in the same category as they usally gave off unique mana signatures.
They gathered all the materials that they could, dented swords, spear heads, and plenty of materials were stored into their Dimension crystals. Getting the crystals from their bodies was easy enough, were others ripped the crystals from the Goblins, Alexander collected the whole body.
After retrieving the bosses corpse, which Max made sure to take the entire body for research, a horde was found in side the mountain. A heap of rare mana infused ore lined the camber, mined from the mountain by the goblins spread haphazardly around a giant throne. 'They just threw them in the corner, this stuff would pay my tuition and still have plenty to retire at 30.'
Some time after, when they collected all the materials, a message appeared above them, informing them of their success in conquering the gate. A time limit for the closing of the gate would usually apear, but since it was a Chaosbreak, the time limit was void and the gate would close when they left instead.
"This is extremely helpful, Max. I wish we had these in that wyvern nest last year." Kahawai said, absorbing the last ore from behind the throne. "
"Agreed. That wyvern was way to heavy to pull out of that cave. But forget that, have you guys seen the architecture around you? The size of the cave is impossibly huge, way to huge for Goblins to have carved no matter how skilled they were. I think Giants used to occupy this cave and somehow died out. Give me a minute as I scan this place. If I'm right, this could prove so much."
There's something for you over their Alexander. You really pulled your weight, so you deserve a gift."
Alexander searched for anything, armor or some type of suprise he thought Max could give him. Beside a dusty book case, covered with grime, was a sword an shield.
The blade was rusted and chipped, looking more like an old misstreated heirloom. The shield was dented, rusted green but sturdy. Lifting the shield up he realized it was lighter than it seemed, perfect for Alexanders light frame.
It was worse for ware, but Alexander knew any weapon found in a gate was atleast of D rank or higher. Most Artefact weapons and Armour in general could destroy or fend off any normal earth weapons. That's why Aretfacts from gates are highly sought after, even the lower grade ones.
Those Artefacts that were unusable were smelted down in magical furnaces and made into more expensive weapons and armor by highly skilled forgemasters. Their techniques were highly secret to them and rarely came into the public.
Alexander placed them into his crystal and after Max was done and everyone was rested, they made their way back to the gate that appeared again.
The trip back was easier for Alexander but not without feeling some vertigo. Waiting for them outside the cave was a team of armored warriors stacked to the teeth with tech and the Akamai logo. These were the Akamai Elite Hunters, all A ranked and above, deployed in the most dire of circumstances.
They took their helmets off after seeing the group come out, a sight greeted them of Geralt and other servants Alexander had seen around the estate.
Next to the Akamai death squad was a winged warrior of the Goddess of Light, a Seraphim. Her dazzling white wings accented her fire like hair, leather armor she wore fit comfortably on her, as she seemed both relaxed and prepared to separate someone's head from their shoulders. Her aura spoke volumes of her skill and power as she spoke to Max. "I see your emergency wasn't as desperate as you perceived, annoying one. Do you think my time is easily wasted?"
"If I had died, how would our master have felt?" Max interjected. Seraphims demewnor shifted if only slightly at his word. "Your time is my time, and my time is precious. I appreciate you being here and am humbly thankful for the speedy assembly of the Special task force. We have successfully closed the gate and defeated a D ranked monster. We should be celebrating right now."
"None needed, Master Greene." Geralt congratulated. "However, please let is know you are risking your lives beforehand. It is our duty to protect you all, after all what are butlers for. It pains me knowing that you have been through a chaosbreak on the premises without me knowing. You all are to precious to me to not worry." Geralt scowled more seriously.
"When did you find out we were here? We were with everyone most of the time, so it's impossible to have called for aid without us knowing."
"That's my own secret, but I have a personal satellite over head, so you can guess how they knew where to find us. Regardless, we're safe and I'm hungry. Call the Association and tell them we've taken care of a small problem. Any other questions? No, then let's eat!"
"Mortals..." Seraphim sighed. "If any of you intend to be this one's ally, I warn thee to be mindful of his tricks. He may be gifted by the Bright mother with a great mind, but his intentions are never straightforward."
"We know," the team echoed.
Everyone made their way from the cave, apparently dissatisfied with the whole ordeal, except Alexander.
Alexander had an awkward expression as several messages apeared and he slowed behind everyone as they traversedthe woods back to the estate. 'Safety mode ended. Upgrade successful! Consciousness returned to operational ability. You have a new message from the Goddess of Darkness, A'rathèl!'
The messages were completly different, one had to do with the entity within him contacting him. The other had to be spam mail, which he opened and shoved into the read file.
'Lunaris?'
'Yes?'
Alexander asked many questions about what it was and how it came to be in his head. The walk back was silent, taking a good 15 minutes to traverse back with no rush to do so. She answered as much as he knew and nothing more.
'That is all I know, host. We awoke to find you were the closest living thing capable of sustaining us. Damaged but repairable. Anything else before that is dark.'
'Well that's tough. I'll help anyway I can, you've more than helped me out. Like Seraphina always tells me when someone does good by you, you do good by them. You can stay with me as long as you want. Just don't take over my body." Alexander joked inwardly.
'Affirmative. It seems you are damaged and fatigued, repairing.'
Alexander felt a tangling through his body as Mana coursed through his body, repairing his cells. Mana fromthe areamsurged into him like a siphon, regulated by Lunaris. With his new energy he caught up with the group with a chipper mood.
'What a freak.' Kai thought, as he limped slightly.
Seraphim escorted them to the estate before she bid them good night, the dark night sky unfamiliar to her and she had duties to tend to. Before she left she had a very hushed conversation with Max, who seemed perplexed for the first time tonight.
The Association representative arrived and got their report on the incident. They gave each of them an appropriate reward and wrote down their information. They left and that was the start of the celebration. They enjoyed some nice drinks and Nakamura cooked a delicious meal, to the kitchens' staff's dismay.
The night had wound down and Geralt prepared to take Alexander home. Those that were staying were escorted to rooms or had already left. Leaving just Alexander alone downstairs.
"The car is ready, Master Mortem. The drive should be around 30 minutes. You could always stay here for the night, if you feel to tired."
"Thak you, Geralt. But my brothers and sister would be to worried. Let's get me to bed."
"As you wish, Sir. Looks like rain. We should hurry."
Mother's Embrace Orphanage, same time...
Thunder flashed and rumbled over Hawaii, as a dark figure stepped up the steps of the Orphanage.
Knock! Knock! Knock!