Chapter 12 Investigating the Past
"...To be honest, I absolutely didn't expect to see this at all," Anima admits, looking towards a structure ahead of them from a cliff above.
Said structure is a gigantic stone castle, surrounded by valleys, and barren lands. There is nothing to be seen all around them, only barren grounds. There are some grass and flowers surrounding the castle though. All three of them descends below, walking closer towards a wooden door with metal hinges.
"...Are we really at the right place?" Ray asks, somewhat unsure as he looks around his surroundings.
"I only heard stories about the place," Demios admits, "But this is..."
"A castle in the middle of nowhere isn't something I picture of a place dedicated for archiving files," Anima says as he examines the door. The front section doesn't seems to have been cleaned recently.
"Does anyone even lived here?" Demios mutters as he give the wooden panel several knock. There is no response.
"There is a bell here," Ray says, pointing to a bell, hanging besides the wall. He pulls the rope below the bell, ringing it. The sound seems to echo the area around them. The door shift a bit as a woman emerges, standing at the gap between the door, eyeing them curiosly.
"Yes?" She asks, "How can I help?"
"Excuse me," Demios begins, "We're travellers, do you know which way to Archivia?"
The woman raises an eye before crossing her arms, as if examining them.
"May I ask, what is your business heading to the archive with such weaponary?" She asks. Anima takes a glance at Demios and Ray, both has a surprised look as they recognize their somewhat currently dusty attire.
"We came from the Gargantua Ruins," Anima answers as Demios and Ray dust themselves off, "We just finished a business before deciding to head there as the place is nearby. We already planned this."
"Is that so...," she mutters, "Please wait." She closes the door, leaving them dumfounded.
"That was... odd," Anima comments.
"It kind of makes me wonder how many ask the same question," Demios admits.
The door suddenly opens again. The woman appears with three name tags.
"Please sign your name here, and I will lead you to Archivia," she says, handing over the name tags and pen.
Demios holds them with a very confused look, "...Huh?"
"After all, this castle is Archivia itself," she chuckles.
"WHAAAT!?" All three of them shouts.
All three dragons are being led by the woman, the caretaker. Name tags hanging from their neck, with their names inscribed on it.
"Your reaction is always amusing to watch," the woman chuckles as they look away in embarrassment.
"Is this a common occurrence?" Ray asks, turning his face back to the woman.
"It is," she answers, smiling, "Being the caretaker of this place can get boring at times."
"I never know Archivia is a castle," Demios notes.
"That is what most says when they come here for the first time," the woman admits. "Then again, we rarely have visitors anyway. It is not like anyone has any reason to come here," she says.
"This place has everything?" Anima asks, somewhat hopeful.
"We have archives from up to thirty years ago until two years ago," she answers, "But you need to find the specific book yourself. After all this is an archive based on year."
Anima sighs, "Better than nothing. This will take a long time. Probably around eight hours or so."
"We have a place for you to rest and eat, it serves for those who are staying for a long time," she says.
"A long time? How long?" Ray asks.
"Up to a year if I recall," she answers as they reach a circular area with a table in the middle.
Shelves of books are all around them. Atop of these shelves has numbers on them, which signifies the year of the archive. Lamps hanging around at the ceiling to illuminate the interior. At the end of the room is a stair heading upstairs.
"Well then, enjoy your stay. If you need to take a break, all you need is head upstairs," she says, "Don't forget to return the books where they came from. We stick a tag to tell you the shelf they belong to."
"Okay." Demios take a seat, "Now what?"
"I'm off to see some science books," Anima says, leaving to check out a random shelf while Ray is already taking out a few books he deems interesting.
Demios is about to check out some history books when a certain sentence stick out from his mind.
'20 years ago.'
"...Huh?" Demios mutters.
"What's wrong?" Ray asks, carrying five books in his arms, "You spaced out."
"Nothing," Demios answers before Ray sits down and begin to read.
'20 years ago... I think it was about the fire breakout case. I wonder if the record is still here.' Demios thinks as he approach the aforementioned shelf. Demios carefully examines each book, paying attention through their titles until he sees what he is looking for. A collection of incidents happening throughout Dragon World on that year.
'If I recall, Phobos told me about a fire without cause or known survivor,' Demios recalls as he flips through the pages.
He continues to skim through them as he walks back to the table. Anima is reading a book about biology while Ray is reading a book about past heroes of Dragon World.
"Preserving dead body using such method... I wonder whether it can be done on living things...," Anima mutters.
"If we don't die freezing first," Ray quips, glancing towards Anima.
"Maybe I can try it on a room after testing it on an individual," Anima continues, apparently not listening to Ray.
"Please don't," Demios deadpans as he begin to read.
A fire broke out during the night when everyone is sleeping. All residents were found dead when morning came. There are no known survivor.
'No known survivor? Why is is worded like that?' Demios wonders.
A dragon remains missing, no one knows the name or what the dragon looks like. Any details concerning said individual are lost. All information of this incident are known from outsiders. It is suggrsted that the missing dragon might be the perperator.
'So that's why... This dragon, is it really him?" Demios continues to ponder, 'Definitely him. But what happened between those twenty years?'
Anima is reading a book regarding 'The Breakout'.
"You already changed books?" Demios asks.
"I already jotted down the important things I want to know," Anima answers.
"...How?" Ray mutters in disbelief.
"I have my ways," Anima grins before returning to read again. Ray shakes his head before returning to his books.
"Aren't those books are filled with speculations?" Demios asks.
"I will read anything," Anima says, "Even useless books as long as it is not fiction."
Ray looks lost in thought, "Those aren't the best times of our lives."
"All of us are glad that we managed to escape with our lives," Anima mutters, "Most aren't so lucky."
"Why the sudden interest?" Demios asks.
"I am curious at how it happened, where it begin, and where is the first location it happened. Call it morbid curiosity if you will," Anima answers before returning to the book again.
Demios begin to ponder, 'Records that I want to investigate is still too early. I might as well read random stuff while I am here.'
"Say I almost forgot," Ray speaks up, "How long we planned to stay here?"
"Probably a few days," Demios answers, "Or until evening at fastest."
There is a moment of silence. Anima writes down something on a paper before closing the book and picks up another book.
"Hm? What's wrong?" He asks.
"Nothing," Ray returns to read while Demios shrugs.
Anima ignores them and get back to read the book again. This time, he is reading high profile cases. Most have been shortened to helpful points. But this miht not be everything.
'There weren't much cases back then...,' he thinks as he flips towards a page that might catch his interest.
'What!? This is..." He slams the book down on the table, surprising Ray and Demios.
"Wha-" Ray is about to say something when Anima shows a serious face.
"Both of you, look at this," Anima orders.
Both of them get closer to see what is it.
"No way...," Ray mutters.
"This dragon..., he is the same that attacked us earlier!" Demios exclaims.
"Excuse me," the caretaker says, peeking from upstairs, "Please keep your voice down."
"Sorry," Demios says before returning to the book.
"He has been wanted for illegal experiment around fifteen years ago," Anima begins, "The experiment includes...," he trails off as he reads the next statement.
"...You have to be kidding me," Ray mutters.
"How in the world he is still free after all that?" Demios asks.
"...He is found dead in cell after two years in prison," Anima answers, "If what we sees is the real thing, then he must have faked his death."
"Using another black dragon wouldn't be too difficult," Demios says before reading another passage, "Huh? Wait a minute..."
Anima's expression darkens, "It appears that the prison is the same place where the breakout start."
"Everything is linked back to him," Ray mutters.
"We might have a serious case in our hands. Let me write it down. I'll review them later," Anima says as he begin to take notes, "For now, why don't you two read anything that might be interesting?"
Demios and Ray returns to whatever books they are reading.
Back at Dravagan...,
"...I see. Thanks for the info," Silver says as he exit a shop with Cross in tow. Cross himself holds on Silver's hand tightly as they walk around Dravagan in search of information, and also talk to each other as fellow merchants for trade information.
"...They don't know much huh?" Cross asks.
"Well you can't blame them," Silver says, "After all, when you got a chance to sell some rare item, we will take the chance, not really caring where they come from. Besides, I don't think they will have a regular buyer for such things anyway."
"Why not?" Cross asks.
"It will draw attention," Silver answers, "You see, if you have too much of those items, you might ended up becoming a target. Which is why product distribution are scarce."
"You sure know a lot," Cross comments.
"I have to," Silver mutters, "It is the only way we can survive until his far."
"I wonder what others might have found...," Cross wonders.
"I never knew the guild has quite an archive," Aurnat notes.
Aurnat and Gerald are now checking the past history of hunters within the last few years. Candles illuminate the dark room as they try to search for the specific record.
"By the way, how's your father?" Gerald asks while sorring through the files.
"We communicate through mail," Aurnat answers, "He sends his mail including some family work as well. I also ask Alan for any information of such markets."
"Since your father might have bought something?" Gerald suggests.
"Who knows," Aurnat answers, "I never really bother with such stuff but I like my hat, despute rarely wearing it these days."
"What happened to playing music?" Gerald asks again.
"Pardon?" Aurnat mutters.
"I actually heard that you performed a show for Hearth's Inn a week ago," Gerald clarifies.
"Oh, that. Sometimes I play whenever I have time," Aurnat answers, "It helps me to relax."
"I see," Gerald mutters, shifting through the papers, "Here it is, most details of the underground market were here. We can't take them out, but we should be able to write down the important details. You bring the note?"
"Here." Aurnat produces a notebook, a feather quill, and a bottle of ink.
"Okay, let's start from here then," Gerald says, laying down the papers as Aurnat take notes.
Chester and Cronus aren't gathering info. Chester is spending his time by doing alchemy while Cronus is checking out his scythe's condition. For a while, nothing appears out of order. Both dragons are busy with their own activities, with Chester humming to himself once in a while, at least until Cronus hear something which sounds like a puff of smoke erupting. Turning around, he sees Chester holding a small bottle with a liquid inside.
"Here, I just made a medicine. Mind trying it?" Chester asks with an innocent look on his face.
"No," Cronus answers, turning around to get back to maintain his weapon. There is no way he will try something so mysterious like that for no reason.
"Awwww," Chester groans in disappointment, "I guess I have to try this myself." He takes a gulp. "This is bitter!"
"Be quiet!" Cronus demands, looking somewhat irritated.
"Sorry," Chester mutters, "I do feel a little better though. Come on, give it a try!"
Cronus stops what he is doing to stare at Chester.
"Well?" Chester is quite persistent in making Cronus try the medicine.
'He won't give up until I try it...,' Cronus thinks, 'It's not like he is trying to poison me or something...'
"Fine," Cronus concedes, taking a drink before coughing, "It's bitter," he shivers, "But I feel a little better."
"That's great!" Chester cheers before turning around, "Now, I better make some stuff for searching more alchemy materials. How about..." He continues to murmur to himself, seemingly ignoring Cronus. Cronus himself returns to do weapon maintenance.
"Oh, almost forgot. I should give him this." Chester exits the room, leaving Cronus to maintain his weapon in peace, in which he abruptly stops what he is doing.
'...I better keep an eye on him,' he thinks before turning off the forge. He heads outside to follow Chester.
Sol and Selene are checking out their old house. Officials from the guild are still checking out the damages. Investigation is also still underway.
"It will take around two more days before we can go back," Sol notes.
"I don't think I want to go back after what happened...," Selene mutters.
Sol pats her shoulder. "For now, let us put up some new ads about our location."
"Will it be all right?" Selene asks.
"We can only hope," Sol whispers before turning around, with Selene following.
It is night time, Dusk is inside a bar, sitting on a stool, listening to various conversation around him.
"What will it be?" The bartender, a male human asks.
"Nothing hard," Dusk says, putting two gold coins on the bar before leaning in to whisper, "And any information about black market."
"Very well." The bartender takes the money before he begin to mix a drink.
Dusk takes a moment to look at the customers. Most of them are chatting, but none of them are talking about anything interesting to him. Paying a bartender for information is quite risky as the man might not have any information, but it's worth a shot.
"Here it is, your order." The bartender pushes a glass and a paper, neatly folded. Dusk takes a peek on what's written inside. Nodding, he folds the paper and pocket it before he takes a sip.
"I hope it is enough," the bartender says.
"Good enough for me," Dusk grins as he finishes his drink before exiting the place.
Phobos is reading the news board again since the news have been updated.
Less people are watching The Coliseum battles since Valon's escape. It isn't enough to make the place empty though.
"Looks like he has quite a lot of fans," Phobos mutters.
The expedition led by Galvanic ended in failure. Not much details were known but the most prominent thing the participants revealed are an ambush team stole the armor. The Blue Sky Knights have rescued them and prevented any casualties.
"What a rough day for them," Phobos comments.
"Excuse me," a voice calls out.
"Hm?" Phobos turns around to see a red dragon, with the signature Halberd clan symbol on his armor. Phobos feels like he should have seen this dragon before. "You are..., Hal correct?"
"I'm glad you remembered me," Hal smiles, "Have you seen Sir Ray?"
"Ray? I heard he went to Archivia. Why?" Phobos asks.
"Well, the head clan would like to speak with him personally," Hal answers, fidgeting a bit.
"Huh, I thought Ray already told you about this," Phobos comments, crossing his arms.
"I don't think so," Hal mutters, "Did Sir Ray had done something bad?"
Phobos looks at the news board. "If by 'bad', you mean this, then I guess yes."
Hal reads the news board, gasping in shock when he reads about the failed expedition.
"...You people must have quite a standard," Phobos comments.
"Y-Yes," Hal says, "I guess I have to report that Sir Ray won't be back for now."
"Will you be all right?" Phobos asks, concerned.
"I will be." Hal bows, "Thank you and good evening." Heaves the guild area, leaving Phobos by himself.
"...Ray, you have quite a ridiculous life," Phobos comments before leaving the area.
"Look at this," Gerald says, handing Aurnat a pile of reports.
"Let's see...," Aurnat skims through the reports, "Huh, this is interesting. Almost all of them are situated within the slums."
"The most recent report is an explosion," Gerald notes, showing a photo of a smoke, rising out from a building.
"Isn't this one during when the assassin strike back then? The one that smashed through my blade?" Aurnat asks.
"Don't remind me," Gerald grunts.
"Say, what happened after that incident?" Aurnat asks.
"Security is tightened during the night," Gerald says, "Now, Father needs at least two guards with him. Not like he can't fight back, but..."
"Now that I think about it, everything feels longer since that event," Aurnat mutters, "And it's only two weeks after that too."
"A lot of things happened," Gerald says, "That, and also how we appreciate time a lot more."
Aurnat nods before tidying the reports, "I think this is all we can found. Let's tidy up and go back, and see whether 'he' has woken up yet."
The white dragon coughs as Chester forces down the medicine to him.
"You are unbelievable," Cronus mutters.
"He is not going to drink it if I don't make him," Chester shrugs as the white dragon regains conciousness.
"Argh!" He wakes up with a jolt, coughing to get the bitter taste out of his mouth. "What the he-"
"Hello," Chester greets with a smile.
"Wha-" The white dragon backs away. "Who are you!?"
"We found you bleeding on the outskirts of the woodworker community," Chester explains, "Well, not me, but some others. Anyway, do you remember anything? Or start with your name?"
"I..." The dragon tries to recall the previous event. "...Carter. I'm Carter."
"I'm Chester," Chester introduces.
"And that dragon?" Carter asks, pointing towards Cronus standing by the door.
"...Cronus," he introduces himself.
"So, did you remember something?" Chester asks.
"All I remember is heading out to pick up some woods. And then..." Carter winces in pain as he rubs his bandaged waist.
"Whoa, slow down," Chester says.
"I'm okay," Carter says, "I saw fires, coming out from the village. Worried, I quickly came home to check out what happened. But before I reached it, something slices through my waist. And I guess you know the rest."
"...Your rescuer told us there are no survivors," Chester says quietly.
Carter looks down, "I..., I should have expected it... That community is my home. Everyone was nice to me, and now..."
Cronus, who have been silent the entire time pats his shoulder in consolation.
"Thanks," Carter mutters, "I need to sleep again. I feel sleepy."
Chester nods before beckoning Cronus to exit the room with him, leaving Carter to rest for the day.
Ray suddenly sneezes, catching Demios's attention.
"Did you catch a cold?" Demios asks.
"No, I think someone is talking about me," Ray mutters as Demios turns around, only to go silent at what he sees.
"...Anima, just how much notes you plan to carry back with you?" Demios asks, looking at a stack of what seems to be around fifty paper besides him.
"Oh, as much as I can," Anima answers nonchalantly as he writes down whatever he deems interesting from the books he reads.
"...Did we just become his personal luggage carrier?" Ray asks, deadpan.
"I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case," Demios answers, as if he is expecting it.
'And done!" Anima closes the book. "Whew, I finished earlier than I expected."
"Did you find what you are looking for?" Demios asks.
"Well, I need to scrap my original project. But maybe I could get something new out of all this," Anima says, "I hope."
"I'm done as well, let's go back," Demios says before leaving the area alongside Anima and Ray. They leave their name tags on a hanger just before leaving.
"Guess we're staying on an inn," Demios notes.
"Eh, it's not going to be a problem for me," Anima says.
Ray quietly follows behind them. He knows that going back means facing his own clan for his failures.
Ray clenches his fist, 'No turning back now...'
Galvanic and Crimson are meeting together after the expedition. The first thing Galvanic does after sitting down is smacking his own face to the wooden table infront of him.
"They really give you an earful huh?" Crimson mutters, "My condolences."
"Those good for nothings," Galvanic growls, "Scolding me as if I haven't done anything useful. Have they even do anything remotely important lately!?"
"Complaining to me about that won't really change anything though," Crimson says.
"At least let me vent out a bit," Galvanic mutters before straighten himself up, "So, how's the knights?"
"Nothing important, though I did suspend two members for missing out the ambush unit," Crimson says.
"Huh?" Galvanic mutters.
"We have reports around two days ago regarding the movement. But it looks like someone has been bribing my squad to keep quiet," Crimson grits his teeth, "I can't believe I let something like that happened under my watch."
"You and me both," Galvanic mutters.
"What about that Halberd clan member?" Crimson asks.
"Huh?"
"You know, white dragon with the Halberd's emblem," Crimson explains.
"...I think I will visit him tomorrow," Galvanic murmurs, "I heard about the Halberd's clan strict code and the incident might not bode well for him."
"You should go out later so that you can stay in Dravagan for the night," Crimson advises.
"I will." Galvanic stands up, "It's nice being with you for today. I should get going."
"Okay, see you later," Crimson says as Galvanic leaves. "I should investigate the matter at hand as well."
"So, know any good place to stay?" Anima asks while Demios and Ray are flying. Demios has a backpack on him while Anima is on Ray's back, holding onto his shoulders.
"You never go outside Dravagan?" Ray mutters before Anima smacks his head, "Ow."
"Well, excuse me for that," Anima retorts.
"There is an industrial town ahead," Demios says.
"Oh..., you mean Yeos, the polluted city," Ray mutters.
"You know about it?" Demios asks.
"A bit," Ray admits, "But nothing good though."
"I will admit that much," Demios says, "Dragons don't live there as the air is too dirty for them," Demios says, "I can tell you firsthand that is true to an extent."
"How so?" Ray asks.
"The industrial section must have produces a lot of smog to make you say something like that," Anima says, "Ray, you said 'nothing good', mind elaborate?"
"Other than a somewhat bad enviroment for dragons, I also heard about how the place seems to make weapons to be sold to black market," Ray says.
"That doesn't sound like a stretch to me," Anima says.
"Well, the city received it's ore supply from a different place," Demios says, "I saw the delivery during my stay."
"Why you are there?" Anima asks.
"Just a hunter's business," Demios admits, "Request with locations outside Dravagan are rare after all."
"The city is around three hours of flight from Dravagan. Well, to humans, they might as well rent a dragon," Ray chuckles.
"What, don't tell me you actually do that Demios?" Anima asks.
Demios remains silent. Ray snickers at the thought.
"They paid me good, okay?" Demios grunts, "Nevermind, we should be there soon."
"How come we didn't pass through the city earlier?" Ray asks.
"Why would we pass through dirty air?" Anima asks back.
"Er...," Ray mutters, feeling stupid for asking.
Demios sniffs the air, "Urgh, the air is getting bad."
"We need to fly lower," Ray says as he and Demios lower their altitude.
"I have no idea why anyone wants to live here," Demios comments.
"Urgh, don't start," Anima grunts, "I hope they accept dragons residence for one night."
"As far as I know, dragons only come there for business, period," Demios says.
"Hey look," Anima points ahead, "We are here."
Ahead is a large city, with factories all around the place. Black smoke rising out those factories. Like Dravagan, the city is surrounded by a stone wall. Ray and Demios lands close to the entrance.
"Wow, this is worse than I thought," Anima admits.
"Dravagan isn't as polluted as this," Ray murmurs.
"Let's go," Demios says, walking ahead.
Infront of them is a metal door, which slowly opens to let the dragons in. The first thing they see after entering is a crowd of humans, going about their business. Some are heading to work, childrens are running around the streets, no one seems to care about the three white dragons that walks among them.
"Well, at least the smoke doesn't reach here," Ray admits, "But the air..., I can't stand this."
"Know a good inn?" Anima asks.
"There aren't much inn here. Most are actually close to the entrance," Demios says as he enters a building. A man is cleaning the counter before noticing them.
"Hello, welcome to our inn. You must be adventurers," The man bows.
"How much for one night?" Ray asks.
"Thirty Dracoins for one room," the man says.
"Well-" Ray is about to reach his coin pack before Demios stops him. "Hmm?"
"One big room for three people," Demios says.
"Very well, fourty five Dracoins it is."
"We're sharing right?" Anima asks as he produces a gold and silver coin. Both Demios and Ray also produces an equal amount of value of Dracoins.
"Thank you, please wait here until we are done with the room," the man bows before calling someone to prepare the room. All three dragons wait for five minutes in silence before someone leads them to their room. Demios and Ray takes off their armors, changing to a more comfortable clothes.
"So." Demios puts down his backpack on a chair as he sits on the bed, "What are you guys doing to do today?"
"I am here, reviewing my notes," Anima admits as he gathers all notes he kept inside Demios's bag, "I better bring my own files next time." He puts them to a table before reading back what he has written.
Ray lays down on the bed, looking deep in thought.
"I never asked, but what is the punishment for failing?" Demios asks, snapping Ray's attention back.
"If I'm lucky, all I get is a suspension. But if it is really bad, then...," Ray trails off before resuming, "We are..., 'removed' from the clan."
"Removed?" Anima says, "Don't tell me that has to do with-"
"Kicked out?" Demios finishes the sentence before Anima suggest something else.
Ray nods, "Their names are removed, as if they were never part of the clan to begin with."
"Dishonered everywhere, what a horrible fate," Anima mutters, "Your clan is quite ridiculous to me."
"It's been like that for as long as I remember," Ray says.
"This might be a good time to talk about it. Your clan seems to be having issues," Demios says, "What's going on?"
"To be honest, I don't really know," Ray admits, "Something about lack of knowledge or less known. I don't know the details."
"It might have something to do with money," Anima theorizes.
"Actually, I rarely heard others talking about Halberd clan outside of Dravagan," Demios says.
"Rarely huh? Anything you might have heard?" Anima asks.
"One has talked about how reliable they are, and another talks about how expensive they are. Another has them talking about they are more honorable than mercenaries, despite they are basically mercenaries themselves," Demios says.
"We are not mercenaries!" Ray shouts.
"I know, I know," Demios says, "But I do wonder how true those are."
"I find it odd for them since they are basically a more and reliable version of mercenaries. Most are in just for money," Anima comments.
"I told you-" Ray begins when Anima cuts him.
"Tell me Ray, has the group really makes their own brethens to do simple jobs?" Anima asks, staring at Ray.
"They do, why?" Ray answers.
"I'll be honest, I heard a passing rumor once that your clan are the guild's servant in exchange for constant income and prestige," Anima says, crossing his arms, "And another rumors that says that your clan has starting to decline since the guild's establishment ten years ego."
"Wonder whether the head of the guild had a falling out with the head of your clan," Demios ponders, "It might explain why the request back then refuses a Halberd's help. Iguess the clan is hitting rough times."
"I... am not going to comment against that," Ray mutters, burying his face on the bed.
"Okay, back to review for me," Anima says before returning to his papers.
"I will be sleeping. I don't think I will be able to withstand the air outside," Demios comments before sleeping.
Ray sighs as he remains still on the other bed, thinking about his clan.
That night, Hal is reporting towards the head clan regarding Ray.
"So, he decided not to come back yet," a dragon mutters, facing his back towards Hal. "No matter, all he did is delaying the inevitable."
"...Must this happened?" Hal mutters.
"You know the rules. We do not tolereate failure, at all," the dragon insists.
"But-"
"There is no excuse for a failure!" The dragon shouts, surprising Hal. "He has failed, and nothing will change that. You're dismissed!"
Hal clenches his fist as he leaves the room, leaving the head clan to think to himself.
"I know you're there. Show yourself," the dragon suddenly demands.
"Well, well, as expected of the master of the Halberd clan," a voice greets from the darkness. The voice is quite distorted.
"Eavesdropping aren't we? Now, state your business," the dragon demands.
"Oh, nothing but business as usual to me," the voice cackles, "I know how your clan has been dwindling these days."
The dragon's expression darkens, "What do you want?"
"An agreement. You see, I can alleviate your clan's issues if you do..., this." A paper pops out of thin air which the head dragon catches. He trembles when he reads the content.
"You monster...," he growls, "What makes you think I will accept to this condition!"
"A lot," the voice laughs, "You see, all you need to do is following the orders. After all, you are doing this for your clan. His sacrifice won't be in vain at all."
"I'd rather sacrifice myself than him!" The head clan shouts.
"Oh, but it doesn't work that way," the voice says, "I have been -shall we say- monitoring him. Besides, even when one may grieve due to loss, they eventually move on."
"I refuse!" The head clan rips the papers to shreds.
"Is that so. Too bad," the voice mutters, before sending a wave of magic at the head clan, causing the dragon to fall unconsious.
"You're lucky that I am in a good mood. Usually, I don't take no for answer, but just this one, I will let it slide. You will forget this conversation ever happened. After all, in the end. I will get what I wanted," the voice declares.
"Too bad, his agreeement would have been a great weapon for me," the dragon adds before vanishing into the darkness.
"Master, what happened? I heard-" Hal begins before he sees the head dragon, unconscious, "MASTER!"
To be continued...