Both pointed their fingers at each other, shocked that both entered the exact same ruin.
"Wait a minute, that's not the issue here. Since when where you a mystic practitioner!?" Jake started asking (read interrogating) Grud immediately as soon as he finished the sandwich in his mouth.
"Well..." Just as Grud began to answer Jake, he stopped, hesitating. Seeing this, Jake understood most, if not everything "You're parents?" Grud just nodded silently. Letting out a long drawn in breath, Jake just rubbed his hair, before replying "We'll talk about his later. For now, we just need to know our abilities, in general, so taught we can formulate a good enough plan, so that we can at least survive and escape from this Godforsaken place."
"That I can agree with dear brother. Swilde, Beebo, Biba, Beba, and uncle Druis, could you all gather together. We need to discuss our next course of actions."
Hearing this order, the rest of the men dropped whatever they were doing, whether it be eating or cleaning their gears, and all huddled together unearthed campfire, were Grud is seen holding a large blackboard on a small stand. How did he even get these here Jake wondered in amazement.
"Okay everyone. I have gathered you all around here for a impromptu gathering. We have two agenda's here:
The first one is introducing our newest member in our group, albeit a temporary one, Jake Benson.
The second agenda though, is the crux of the matter- we have managed to acquire the bews that nearby here is an undiscovered treasure hoard – a herbal garden!"
With this bombshell of a news, everyone started muttering towards each other. Grud, looking pleased with himself, continued on "Now, everyone must get ready, and venture on towards the garden, heave ho!" Pointing his right arm towards the sky, Grud set his sight towards a very faint dome.
Jake, getting caught up in the atmosphere, could not extricate himself from the situation, so he just shook his head before clamouring with the others and joined the expedition. Having finally found loot to conquer, the team decided to celebrate wildy, for they knew that they would earn a lot in this adventure – Biba, Beebo, and Beba money, Druis for merit, and Grud for recognition from his parents.
Jake, getting caught up in the mood, continued with the revelry until late at night, when the sun turned into a crude, white sphere of a moon. Declining Grud's offer of sleeping with him at the same tent, Jake whipped up his own tent from the wreck that is called his backpack. These inflatable tent sure are flipping convenient swiping hisnhead, Jake commended the invention.
As he headed inside, he made sure that there were no one close to him ot his tent, before foraging through the bag, and grabbing a book. Opening the Book Of Legends, he started reading through some of the stories that came up. He had discovered that the book also acted as a sort of journal as well, dictating the previous owner's life and all his experiences, but never had the time to go through it. Enjoying this brief period of peace, he read through the stories, wondering how life back then must have been like.
The next day, at daybreak, before anyone was even awake, Jake crept out of his tent, and practiced Prathee Sanrak. Finishing his training, Jake returned back to the tents, amidst the questioning gazes of everyone. Not willing to talk, everyone kept quiet, forbthey knew that they must never perr into anyone's secret.
Cleaning up everything, and burning any traces of themselves in the campsite, they trekked into the supposed location of the garden. The monotonous journey was only made enjoyable by having the brothers tell their tales of exploration, along with quips from Druis on tips and tricks of the mystical path.
As they reached their destination, they seemed to have reached into a barrier of sorts, discovered only when Beba bumped his head hard onto the air, as if a barrier of sorts was erected. Rubbing his head, Beba, infuriated, prepared to attack at the enemy, only stop, gobsmacked.
In front of him was a large plot of green meadow, out of place in this desolate region. Surrounded in a border was a large garden, filled with all sorts of herbs and plants. Large trees dotted the fields, fruits if all sorts dangling from the branches. Their vibrant colours made the crew gulp in greed and anticipation, saliva flowing down some of their mouths.
Wiling his mother, Grud attempted to go inside the gate, only to be bounced back from the entrance. Swearing, Grud realised that there were still security systems in place, preventing any form of intrusion fro taking place. "How long does this thing bloody last!" Kicking in anger, Grud paced up and down, trying to think of ways to get inside and reach the tantalising treasures.
Jake, attempting to help Grud, started to look and wander around, trying to also find a way in.
Just as he was about to give up, he stopped, for he had spotted a sign, a sign that revealed shocking details:
Garden No. 990512
Property of Paranormal Containment Foundation
For any queries or security issues, please contact regional branch Q-15