Silence hangs over them as the unknown guest draws near. Disturbed only by Pert's anxious heart beat and approaching footsteps of someone.
They knew what trouble they brought themselves in when they went against the plunderers. Those brutes wouldn't persist despite the Mine laws banning their mischief behavior for no reason. That's because they're not alone. And apparently, people here seem to share the human mentality of being vengeful to those who harm them.
Zyro put on a stern expression. He had already anticipated this predicament. Although the two underlings intentionally hadn't caught them, they at least track where they're going to spite. Added, Pert's home wasn't a secret to others.
Zyro looked at the kid he had dragged in his troubles. There exist better ways of solving the recent issue back then but Zyro's fortuitous discovery of the golden ore enables him. Forcing him to bear the present predicament of the consequences of offending plunderers.
Although, guards are responsible to protect them slaves harm. They would not follow him all the time. Hence, he could only rely on himself to resolve his problem.
Which was visiting them earlier than expected. Fortunately, it greatly concerned violence. One of Zyro's specialties so he held some confidence in solving this troublesome matter by force. Furthermore, the couple of hours of respite had allowed him to recover his energy.
Breaking the tense silence, Zyro spoke.
"Stay here"
Leaving those two words, he rose to his feet, making his way out through the curtain door to greet their guest alone.
Pert opens and closes his trembling mouth multiple times not knowing what to say, in end. He said nothing, aware that no words of his can aid his friend. Strangely though, his golden eyes followed Zyro's departing back with a mysterious glint of... Amusement?
Outside, Zyro saw a capacious area covered in uneven stony walls, dull torches radiated it's limited expanse, revealing bumpy and jagged earthly brown rocks allover. The same old cave interior his now sick of seeing.
A few meters away from one of the tunnel, a bright lantern glow greater than the surroundings. Held by a masculine arm of a man sheathed in leather chest armor over his tunic. His broad shoulders were exposed and an old fashioned boots adorned his foot.
'A guard?'
He marveled. Isn't their enemy the retarded slave plunderers? So why is this guard here?
Felling something amiss, unsure what's happening. Zyro decided to wait.
Facing a approaching man. Zyro narrowed his eyes, and soon. The guard face came into view. Crowning a mid brown short hair that wasn't neatly trimmed, a scar run down from his forehead blinding his left closed eye. His disheveled beard hang low as he stare at the young man. With his one, deep red eye.
It's a Mine-guard, but not just any guard...
Zyro's gaze was focused on the man's cheek. Where an extremely detailed tribal tattoo of (A) can be seen.
His an Alpha. Possessing the very first Mark of ascension. A true warrior with augmented power beyond mundanity. A person valued high in this mine and upper society. For they are individuals that took the first step in ascension of life, making them superior than normal peoples.
Zyro's frown grew deeper... Then, realizing something. His eyes grew wide, his heart beat hasten.
He curse internally hoping his conclusion was mistaken.
The Plunderers had existed for many years from what he heard. Continuing their unruly crimes of pillaging the weak despite the entire forces of guards against them, a mere group of untamed slaves. Yet, even now their evil act persisted, earning them some reputation in these caverns. Why? Of course they have some backing. To Zyro's nightmare, who stand before him might be the upper boss. An Alpha, and a guard at that.
Someone he shouldn't mess with.
Zyro let out a shaky breath. He had heard many tales of mundane people going against Alphas. All of it didn't end well.
Finally, the man halt his tracks near the young man.
With a amused tone, he ask.
"I've been told you harm one of my men..." He paused and chucked. As if remembering something funny "Balls? Haha! He came crying at me like a baby, Gods! I've seen it, You really doomed his happiness! Haha.."
His sole laughter echoed throughout the cavern for some time before slowly fading. He let out a merry sigh, and looked at the young man who was quietly watching him indifferently.
The Alpha cleared his throat, wipe his smile and voiced in deep tone. Finally putting on a serious face.
"I commend your bravery and luck... well, your not actually in-luck. For you had offended me by your actions. But fear not, you only have to pay a broken arms." He mocked with a smug face. Expecting Zyro to be grateful for his kindness.
Signaling to the young man to come nearer. "Come on now, save me the trouble and obediently gave your arm to be snap. I'll make it quick."
He demanded. But Zyro's impassiveness remain unshaken. He clearly understand his words thanks to Aizra. That's also why he isn't moving. If it were a norman teen the man is facing, Zyro would have obeyed anxiously. But his not.
His an elite STELLAR soldier that climbed through hell of hardship to get here. Someone who've sharpen his martial skill to the peak of human limit, someone who face merciless trials and pass many more.
So why should he adhere to this man outrageous command?
'I wonder... How strong is an Alpha?'
Dark malice burn in Zyro's eyes. Of course he won't let the guard do as he please without a fight, his arms are too precious. Zyro wasn't completely confident but surely he had a chance. The first time Zyro had seen an ascended of the first Mark in the caravan. The Alpha was killed in an instant by some unknown beast rumored as the Blinker. So, if an Alpha can be killed that quick, they shouldn't be too strong, right?.
Seeing how stalwart the young man remained, amiss swept the Alpha's heart as he frowned. There's something terribly wrong with the teen Infront of him. Zyro gain quite a fame in his short days here due to his completely black hair. Deeming him as the most impure being known to everyone. That's also the same reason why everyone disregard him as a dying slave with close to none racial talent, which in truth, absolutely none.
Racial talent is like a limb in this world. Hence, those who severely lack it are viewed similar to persons with disability.
In the man's mind. Zyro was a lesser ant than the normal ants, namely slaves he easily crush. Yet despite facing an alpha. The young man's indifference never waver, his eyes exuding murder without a hint of fear.
He sighed, irritated by the powerless courage.
"Are your going to stay there and make me come at you? Or are we gonna play chase?" The guard smirk, a little annoyed.
After staying silent all this time. Zyro's lips moved. Outing two, mere words in Influent beast language.
"Duck... You"
The man's deep crimson eyes turned serious, anger finding it's way to his gaze.
He gently put his lantern down and revealed a vicious smiled.
"Be it then!" Said the man as he lunged forward.
In that moment, Zyro understood the sheer power of an alpha. The guard foot force was comparable to Earth's fastest runner, traversing a few meters within seconds.
Already prepared, Zyro put on a boxing stance with clinched fist and side step. Evading the Alpha's pound aimed for his stomach. But not completely, the fist lightly graze his waist. Zyro felt like a he barely dodge a highspeed metal resulting a slight panging pain.
Zyro cursed. If that single punch had hit him, he'll be lifted off ground. Acknowledging the Alpha's inhumane strength, Zyro did not hold back his energy consumption and given it his all. Straining his muscles to it's limit. In exchange, Zyro had to end this battle as soon as possible.
Having missed, the Alpha threw another punch towards Zyro's head but was evaded again at hairs breath. Then, Zyro saw an opportunity, allowing him to lunch a left straight followed by a right towards the enemy jaw. Normally, it was enough to knock a norman man. Considering Zyro's expertise in boxing. Yet, the beared man was simply taken a back for a split second before shrugging.
Knowing his not fighting a normal enemy, Zyro wasn't surprised and exploit that second of distraction to lunch another attack. Performing a front kick aim to the solar plexus, burying his foot to the enemy lower chest. Causing his opponent to stumble backward a little.
Zyro catch his breath, sweat dripping down his face. Only seconds had past but the fatigue noticably raised.
His only saving grace is that, the Alpha wasn't a well trained warrior in combat, compared to him. Albeit, The guard can throw a proper punches, he lack evasion and footing. He doesn't even show sighs of using kicks and feints.
On the other hand, Zyro excel in every aspect of combat. His superior technique with his limbs had given him a huge advantage early. Allowing him to land 2 critical assault on the jaw and solar plexus. Normally, hitting one of this weak points was enough to deal considerable damage.
However, the man stand as mighty as ever. Not showing signs of wavering.
The alpha put his hand in his dislocated jaw, then fixed it with a crack noise.
"Your a slippery one. I wonder how long will that last." He spat.
Out of daze, the Alpha Guard lunge again as vicious as ever.
The fight continue.