The two groups were currently in a horrid landscape that was littered with bones and withered trees many of which made the former 'wasteland' look like a meadow in comparison to their location.
After some deliberation the flaming tempest squad and the mercenaries had decided to continue with their collaboration. They had decided to pursue after the trolls in order to rescue the imps and then follow the old imp to the heart of the labyrinth.
Thankfully the trolls seemed to be quite close and according to Okuagu with their current pace, they were sure to catch up with the trolls.
Due to the ever dark nature of the labyrinth the squads normally slept or rested when they had covered a great distance, with Gale's pocket watch being useless for it hadn't even moved since they entered the labyrinth."So what is the name of this imp?
Rose asked for it seemed odd that they referred to the imp as simply 'Imp'. The whole squad scratched their head in obvious embarrassment for it was quite stupid that none of them had considered it wise to find out their future helper's name.
Rose and her whole squad face palmed themselves for they couldn't believe that six people could make such a dumb mistake. Gale on noticing this smiled: "Don't worry he gave us a destination for us to meet". "Sure he gave you a destination, when we can hardly find our way in this goddamned labyrinth" fumed Rose.
"Believe it or not those imps unlike us pretty much know their way around the labyrinth" Lee pointed out as he gave one of his rare smiles. Fiona gestured to them with a finger against her mouth. The both groups instantly kept quiet as they scanned the area for threats.
"What is it? Boaruss asked, his voice showing impatience. Okuagu after sniffing the air replied: "Some human beings are approaching us". Emerald sheathed her daggers, with a sigh "So why are we so paranoid, for a second there I thought that maybe it was some beasts that were attacking us". "Their clothes reek of human blood" Okuagu said in his defense as he clenched his spear even harder. "For crying out loud it could be their own blood" Emerald added with a sigh. "Nevertheless we shall find out if they are friends or foe" Boaruss said, balancing his axe on his shoulder.
The sound of running footsteps travelled through the labyrinth, as a group of twenty warriors armed to the teeth ran towards the squads with no clear intention of stopping.
Rose with a loud voice shouted "We are not your enemies". The warriors on hearing this stopped with one of them wearing a wolf skin mask walking forward as he addressed them. "I am Alexander lupus and with me here are warriors from the kingdom of Luptia, we are sorry if we spooked you. But unfortunately we have orders from the great one to annihilate you".
"I guess that leaves you all as foes" Gale said with a shake of his head as he readied his bow. The wolf man laughed on seeing this "We outnumber you all two to one and you all are too young to even fathom the idea of beating such an organized military force." "Surrender and I promise to give you all a painless death" he added with a sly grin.
Boaruss with a yawn walked up to the wolf man as he sized him up. The wolf man's sword was raised as he pointed it at Boaruss's chest. "I will start with this brute" the wolf man said as he moved his sword that unfortunately for him never met its mark.
The wolf man flew through the air before he crashed into a skull obviously unconscious after Boaruss's fist landed squarely on his face. Boaruss wasted no time before he punched another warrior in the belly. The warrior's eyes became watery as he collapsed onto the ground still. The rest of the Luptia warriors needed no time to waste before they launched an attack at the group.
Four of the warriors charged at Boaruss as they concluded that he must be the strongest in the group. The remaining fourteen warriors clashed with the rest. Using her long whip Rose struck the eye of one of the warriors that was armed with a mace. The warrior screamed in pain as he placed his hand against his bloody socket, seconds before Catherine shot an arrow deep into his heart. Gale on noticing the many fallen warriors shouted "Keep some of them alive, they have some questions to ans…'' Gale however was interrupted by a metallic punch from a short warrior that wore two massive gauntlets.
Wiping some blood from his mouth, Gale dodged a slash from the warrior as he prepared to counterattack.