The downpour crashed melodically against the roof of Naman's inn and everyone fought against a biting chill by wrapping themselves in blankets and huddling next to another person. Hirt was really the only one without a person to huddle with and sat alone in a chair, various emotions running through his sober face.

Savilo and Flom sat on the couch underneath a ragtag quilt supplied by the inn and Sae and Asunio were also on the couch, awkwardly wrapped in a green blanket. Missy had closed the Bistro due to the weather and she and Derith on a soft love seat, underneath a soft wool blanket. Zinoxil and Ubu fought for warmth underneath a decorative quilt. Sae and Asunio's awkwardness was nothing compared to the tension in which was within Ren-so and Wel-lo's soft blue blanket, if she wasn't glaring at Ren-so she was happily ignoring him by talking to Serinew and Rentos who were seated next to her. Although, Serinew mostly stared at Missy, a scrutinizing glimmer in her eye. The only ones not present were Dunvus and Juna, who had retired to their own rooms.

One word echoed in the depths of Hirt's mind. A single, haunting word. Wreskarix. Several memories echoed within the word ricocheting within his mind. A memory of hellish light, of bone melting fire, the sting of death. The heat associated with that name caused him to feel no biting cold, or a need for comfort.

His deep concentration was disturbed by a knocking at the door. He rose slowly, rubbing his eyes. He twisted the lock on the door and pulled it open sluggishly. Two people stood in front of him, one tall and pale, the other energetic and bright-eyed. Both equally wet.

Without a single word passed in between, Hirt held the door open and let them in. They entered the inn and removed the topmost layer of their clothing.

The young girl ran her fingers through her hair, "You know where we can join a guild?" She asked.

Everyone's ears perked up, except for Hirt's. He closed the door and shook his head, "There was one here, but, it's been temporarily disbanded."

A gasp of surprise escaped the mouths of those seated on the couches.

Sae abandoned her blanket and stood to her feet, disbelief on her face, "You… You've never had much of a sense of humour, Dad, don't joke like that."

Hirt shook his head again, "I'm not joking, Sae. We shouldn't be going out for a while."

"And why is that?" Derith demanded, perhaps a little louder than he intended, "If you're hinting at too much danger, you know our response."

Hirt walked several steps towards his room, "Yes, it is about danger, a danger you don't realize and I want to make sure you never have to."

The pale stranger spoke slowly, "Danger. You mean Wreskarix?"

"What of it?" Hirt growled.

"He's the reason we're here," The strange woman said, "We're dragon hunters."

"Then you know why I've disbanded the guild," Hirt clenched his fist until his knuckles whitened and a small stream of blood trickled down from his palm. "Why would you even search for a beast like him?"

"It's our job and passion," The woman said defensively, "You know of Wreskarix?"

"Too much so, much too much so," Hirt said, turning towards his room, slowly opening the door, "You'd be wise to not dare to meet him."

The door slammed shut and Sae ran to the door, saying to the two strangers, "Just get comfortable, I'll talk to him."

Flom rose as well, "So am I."

Derith stood also, "The bastard's going to have to explain himself to me, too."

Sae opened the door a crack. Hirt was sitting on his bed, holding a small bracelet. He fondled the trinket lingeringly.

"Dad?" Sae spoke as she entered, followed by Flom and Derith.

He sniffed quietly and wiped his face on his shoulder, "Usually a closed door means don't come in," He said in a shaky voice.

Sae sat at the edge of the bed, "Dad, you won't be back to normal if you don't tell us what happened. Who is Wreskarix?"

Derith entered and sat in the wicker chair in the corner, crossing his arms irately, "You can't just tell us we've disbanded. Give us a damn reason, fogey."

Flom stayed standing, silent.

Hirt stared at the silver bracelet in his hands, "I ever tell you how your mother died?" Without waiting for a response he continued, "One day, out guild learned of the ultimate prize. A dragon had appeared in the Labyrinth and whoever slew the beast undoubtedly received fame and wealth. We were cocky and so damn sure… So damn sure."

Sae rested on her father's shoulder and he continued, "For such a massive beast, it moved quickly. Too quickly to adjust to. There were barely any traces of their bodies. No proof they even existed in the first place," He paused and rubbed the bracelet fondly, "Your mother and I fled. We ran as fast as we could. Your mother wasn't much of a sprinter. I managed to bring her body back, but only that. Her body."

There was a silence for a moment, but it was broken by Derith letting out a short snort, "And you think we'll die? You sure have a lot of faith in us, old man."

Flom nodded, "We wouldn't die so easily, father. You don't need to worry."

Hirt abandoned his bed, "You don't think those are the exact words we muttered so surely? You don't think those weren't the very things that left our mouths? You think you're the only ones capable of those thoughts?" He said loudly.

Derith also rose, "No, but we're the only ones who can back them up!" He shouted.

Hirt spat at the ground, "If you're so damn set on dying, we'll go at first light. Now get out of my room."

Derith and Sae left the room, but Flom stood still. He met his father's eyes and didn't say a word. After what seemed like a year, he too left the room saying, "Don't get any ideas of dying, dad."

The door slammed shut.

Back in the lobby Sae smiled at the two strangers, "He says you can join up," She lied.

"Great!" The woman cheered, "My name is Hunjio and this is my brother, Frypinn." Frypinn raised one hand in greeting.

Sae sat down next to Asunio once more and huddled next to him, "Dad may look like he doesn't want to go out there, but in reality…" She paused.

"That's the only thing he wants to do right now." Flom said seriously.

Hirt stood on the path to the Labyrinth. A pink sun rose over the towering tree, creating the false illusion of a naive beauty. He rubbed his knuckles, glaring at the glowing morning. He had fifteen children behind him. Fifteen witless, stupidly courageous, children that he was leading in a battle leading most likely to their deaths. It was hardly the thing he had hoped for when he rebooted the Riftwalkers.

He sighed. He knew what to do. When the time came.

"Let's go." He said finally to the small army behind him, "Let's not make the bastard wait too long."

They progressed impressively. This was no training lesson. They crushed anything that came into view. Hirt led them up, floor by floor, annihilating all who opposed. They overtook the deadly lizards on the second floor, they slew the Tyrants on the third. They overcame anything once deemed impossible. They progressed as such, until, they stood in front of a large wooden door, behind of which, a ponderous snoring could be heard.

Hunjio grinned widely, shifting her weight expertly beneath a gargantuan crossbow, "He's in there, isn't he?"

Frypinn brushed the charcoals of some unfortunate beat off of his sleeve, "That's a dragon sleeping if I've ever heard one."

Tension was thick among the party. Everyone looked about anxiously, clutching another's arm or standing completely ready, unnecessarily prepared.

Hirt turned and faced the group, eyes glimmering, "I see you as my children. All of you. It was great to come back to this labyrinth and adventure with you. I never thought I'd get the chance ever again."

Sae's eyes narrowed, "Dad, what are you doing?"

"This fight…" He said with a smile, "Is none of your damn business."

In a extremely fluid and accelerated motion, Hirt opened the door and slid an iron lock bar on his side.

Derith rushed to the door, pounding on it, "You bastard! What are you doing? Let us in!"

"No!" Hirt shouted back, "I'm not risking my children's lives on some old man's revenge." He paused, eyes wet, "Goodbye."

Hirt stood in a large clearing. The floor was of mossy cobblestone, patches of greenery sprung from every crack. This place was nice, it made sense to be a resting place. Tall pillars rose haphazardly and many were laying on the ground, crumbled to bits.

In the very centre, underneath a shining beam of light, lay the gargantuan body of Wreskarix. Easily as large as a house, the titanic dragon's belly heaved with every breath. It's green leathery skin shone in the light and two wicked ivory horns protruded from its eyebrows. It's snoring though, seemed only a facade. Since it's fiery orange eyes were clearly wide open, staring at Hirt hungrily.

Hirt ignored the protests of the group behind the door and turned to the massive winged beast, whose whip-like tail now swayed to and fro. Hirt adopted a completely offensive stance, "How would you like a shot at the one who got away?" He grinned widely, eyes burning ferociously.