Chapter 6: Three Birds. A Cage
(A/N: I would like to address a question that has been asked multiple times. Will the MC be a dog to Arthur? NO, Zefrow will NOT be a dog to Arthur nor will he just follow him around. I also said this in the synopsis of this fanfic but I wanted to put it in an Author's Note just so you knew for sure.)
When I woke up, or at least I thought I woke up, I couldn't see anything, my vision was blocked. I could hear muffled voices and feel bumps being run over by the unknown vehicle I assumed I was riding in. I instantly thought of the time Arthur had saved Tessia from the slave traders that had kidnapped her.
'Did I get kidnapped? Oh this can't be happening.'
I started getting worried as my body started squirming in response. I tried to say something but nothing happened. I could hear what I was trying to say go through my mind, but the words never came out. All I could feel was some type of rag or cloth in my mouth, which was no doubt preventing my words from coming out.
I tried to move my arms and hands, only to feel them being bound by something. The bound tightened. This is when the sound of an unfamiliar voice rang through my ears.
"Hey kid stop moving, you're pissing me off, if you keep trying to take off the bind it will only get tighter, man those artifacts sure are useful," the manly voice said as the covering-which I could now tell was a blindfold-was removed off my head.
My eyes adjusted to the lightless room, or whatever this was. I could tell we were still moving, so this had to be the back of a vehicle of some sort, most likely a carriage or carriage of some sort. Probably similar to the one that Tessia was being trafficked on.
There stood a man to my right covered in what seemed like animal fur type clothing, boxes and different types of supplies to my left, and two other people sitting across from me. From what I could tell they seemed like kids, they still had their blindfolds on their heads, and the same binds that I had, which now seemed to be some sort of artifacts, at least that's what the man had said.
Both kids wore the same type of dirty brownish tunic, and had the same type of silverish hair. 'Elves, they must've kidnapped them around the time I was kidnapped,' I thought to myself.
Both elves were squirming due to the fear, like I just had been.
The carriage stopped.
"We're here!" A different but also manly voice said. The man that stood next to me went over to the two kids and removed both their blindfolds. Both their faces were drowned in fear, the one on the left was a boy, the one on the right was a girl, at least from what I could tell.
The man opened the back door-which was to my right-and pointed at said door. "Out! Let's go!" He said, his facial expression slightly brightening up as a grin showed itself upon his face.
The two other kids started going out first, but the man put his arm in front of the kids, blocking their way. He pointed at me. "You first," he then pointed at the other boy, "then you," and lastly pointed at the girl,"and lastly, the little lady. Stay in this order, or else there will be consequences." The man finished.
"Hey! Don't go out here damaging the cargo, you know the price drops if they're beaten." The other manly voice said as it came around the carriage.
"I know, I know," the first man responded.
The second man came around the back, his appearance revealing itself to us. He wore a brown coat with animal fur around the neck area. He had two daggers, along with a black pair of pants, a belt circled around said pants. One of the daggers was smaller, it was attached to a grip on the coat he wore, around the chest area. The other dagger-about double the size-was attached to the right side of his belt, from my view.
He took out the dagger that was attached to his coat, swaying the dagger in our direction as we made our way out of the carriage.
***
The walk from the carriage to this unknown place was quiet, except for the occasional squeals from the two other kids which made the two kidnappers shout at us.
It was night out, or at least the darkness suggested it was. From what I could tell this place we had been taken to was underground and private, though I didn't know what region we were in. Since these were slave traders, I guessed that we were somewhere in Sapin but it could be anywhere. The underground aspect made me think of the Beast Glades, but I doubt there's anyone here crazy enough to have some sort of settlement there.
As we went down a dark stairway-in the same order we had been put in-the two slave traders started talking to each other.
"Two very young, rather appealing elves and a young capable fighter, hitting the jackpot right on time. These gems I tell ya, I can practically feel the gold coins in between my fingers tips. Tomorrow's going to be one hell of a night g I can hardly wait Derim," one of the slave traders said.
"The hell did I tell you about speaking my name around others!" The man who seemed to be called Derim shouted out. It was the man with the double daggers.
"Sorry Der-I mean sir!" The first man apologized.
"But you're right. These three will definitely shine. And if they aren't bought out we can always sell them to the Helstea," Derim said.
After getting down the stairs we turned around a corner, Derim stepped in front of everyone, and suddenly torches were lit, a cell room revealed itself. The cell room was dirty, with patches of haybell scattered in the corners, the room size was average, at least compared to earth.
The man called Derim undid the artifact bindings and removed the rags from our mouths.
"Everybody in. I don't want to hear any crying, or any noises at that." Derim said, the other man nodding along. He then pushed us forward into the cell, closing the door as soon as we all made it in. I thought about resisting and possibly making an escape, but I wanted to figure out my core stuff first.
"Find the others, we have to make sure everything is ready for tomorrow night," Derim ordered.
"Yes sir," the other man responded as they headed in different directions, Derim walking down the hallway that was to the right of our cell, and the other man heading back up the stairs around the corner.
Because of the torches and candles positioned outside of the cell, I could see clearly. I then got to see the two elves clearer than before. They immediately went and crouched in the top right corner of the cell, while I went over to the opposite corner.
I glanced at the elven duo as they continuously hugged each other, I could see the fear striking deep within them. 'They must be brother and sister, it must be why they're so close.' I thought to myself.
Their silver hair was dirty, reminding me of Tess' first appearance. I took my eyes off the duo as I brought up my inventory.
'Inventory.' I could see the sphere waiting for me in my inventory.
There it was, my last necessary piece for forming my 'Unique Mana Core.' Or at least I hoped.
'Tti-ring.'
[Would you like to break 'Fresh Beast Core' to obtain 'Fresh Beast Core shard'?] (Y/N)
'I guess it wants a shard, not the whole thing.' I thought to myself as I yawned.
'Confirm.'
'Tti-ring.'
[You've obtained one fresh beast core shard.]
[You've completed 'Obtain Fresh Beast Core shard']
[You've completed Quest: 'Form Unique Mana Core.']
'Finally.'
'Tti-ring.'
[Formation of 'Unique Mana Core' has now begun, (3h 59m)]
Once the timer reaches (0) formation of 'Unique Mana Core' will be complete.
'Four hours huh? Damn, I kinda thought it would just spawn inside me, but this makes sense.'
***
I layed in the cell along with the two elves as we waited for who knows what to happen, though I was waiting for something else. The blue holographic screen up in front of me, as It displayed the time left until my unique mana core would be formed.
[Formation of 'Unique Mana Core', (1h 42m)]
I had stayed on this message this entire time, not wanting to switch off of it.
'Tik, tok, tik, tok.' A clock sound had been going through the system since around 40 seconds ago. I had thought it was for the countdown of my core formation but if that was the case it would have done it from the start.
'Tik, tok, tik, tok.' This uneasy feeling started to seep in.
'Something isn't right, did I overlook something?' I asked myself in my thoughts.
'Tik, tok, tik, tok.'
'Tik.'
'Tok.'
'Tti-ring.'
[You've failed to complete the Daily Quest. You'll be transferred to the 'Penalty Zone' for a set period of time.]
'WHAT?! A WHOLE DAY PASSED WHEN I WAS IN THAT CARRIAGE?!' I screamed internally.
'OH FUCK-!'
***
*RUMBLE!!!*
My eyes shot open from the violent tremor that shook my entire body.
'An earthquake?!' I asked myself as the two elves looked over at me with shocked expressions laced with fear.
*RUMBLE!!!*
The cell and my surroundings seemed to almost transform into sand.
*RUMBLE!!!!!!*
I closed my eyes out of instinct, but as soon as I quickly opened them again, I caught the sight of an endless plain of nothing but sand. I got up on my feet, I could see something coming through the sand closer and closer.
'Fuck!'
***
(A/N: DAMN. Can't believe it's been a week since the last chapter. Sorry for the wait, but we're finally getting into the good stuff. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Till next time.)
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