Chapter 5: The Never Ending Cycle of Greed
''W-Why?'' Emilia's voice trembled as she stared into the green eyes of the young man. Her lips quivered and her eyes were ready to flood.
Synthers seemed to share her confusion as he stared blank-faced at the man in the bush. He looked as though his words were stuck in their tracks as if the air coming in was pushing them down his throat.
In the midst of their confusion, the man spoke up with his clear, charming voice ''I know, you may be a little confused about me, being here. I will explain later in town, we need to go by your plan as soon as possible.'' Greed's eyes were darting from side to side but always managed to find their way back to the two.
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After a while of standing motionless, they found their way walking along a dirt path littered with small stones. This was mainly used for carrying weaponry to the guild. This was possible mainly because of the numerous guards patrolling the track.
Emilia's eyes were slightly red and her face hosted a permanent frown as she stared at Greed walking in front of her. Synthers seemed to be muttering nonsense to himself while staring in disbelief at the man in front of him.
''If you two could, stop looking at me like that. I promised to explain the situation when we get into a private room. This area is too open and I think we might be getting tailed.'' Greed seemed more professional than his first presentation in the bushes. His hyperawareness was correct, several masked individuals had been hopping from branch to branch avoiding the direct line of sight.
''Well, how have you two been? It has been a while so I am curious about what has happened.'' His tone was friendly with simple words wrapping themselves around their ears.
Emilia's eyes widened at the realisation of getting addressed and fumbled over her answer. ''Uh-Uhm we've been doing fine. We lived in a lovely cheery town up until earlier.'' Her voice was weak from her parched throat.
Synthers mouth repeatedly opened every few minutes trying to decide whether or not to ask what had been on his mind. Unlike Emilia, he seemed more perplexed at Greed's appearance. His professional composure was nowhere to be found.
Up ahead a few metres two guards stood in front of a giant opening of a tree. Roots pulsing into the ground, digging themselves deeper down. You could feel condensed mana running through the veins of the trunk up into the head of the leaves which stood at a towering height.
''What is your business here?'' The guard gripped his spear, pulling it to his side.
Greed stepped up forward and gestured to the guildhall up ahead. ''Sorry to have come at such a late time. We came here looking to start a party and become big-time adventurers.'' He sounded enthusiastic and ambitious like any back-water rookie.
The speared-man nodded to his companion across the gate. She was quite the gem, you could easily mistake her for some nobility if not wearing heavy-duty armour. Her green eyes had a little glow to them, as light would pass through an emerald gemstone.
Her long elven ears twitched at the sudden uproar from a nearby tavern. Stares flew across between the commotion and the incoming trio. ''I understand your goal. Sadly, as I'm sure you've heard about the recent tragedy near here, we have been a little on edge. I myself am actually an officer working for the guild. If you could meet me there in roughly an hour then I would be more than glad to register you three.'' Slightly hurried but her point got across.
Emilia had recoiled, grabbing her arm after the mention of the earlier events. Meanwhile, Greed had already taken the initiative and stepped foot through the gaping hole of the trunk. Synthers followed suit and soon followed by Emilia.
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Every building seemed to have sprouted from the ground as they were all housed inside of a huge tree. Each shop is lined with shelves that merge seamlessly to the wall as if everything grew into what the shopkeeper imagined.
Fireflies danced inside of their glass containers held up by low-hanging branches, illuminating the covered town. The stone paths meandering by each shop allow for easy travelling.
A large stone building stood tens of metres in front of the gate, attracting newbies to begin their adventure. It stood as an attraction of some sort in every town as you could walk in and meet famous fighters from across the world. Truly a place for the dreamers and the ambitious.
''There is an inn just to the left, we should head there and book a room. Who knows just how long we will have to wait here.'' For someone who bore the mark of Greed, he seemed rather considerate of others. More so than Emilia at least.
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''While this room may not be the coziest I am sure we can rest here just fine. Quite the long hike up to here wasn't it?'' The over-friendly Greed seemed quite tired and ready to hit the sack for the night.
''What the hell Greed? It has been over sixty-three years!'' Emilia's hands gripped straight for his slim shoulders. They looked so frail like they could snap if any force was put behind it at all.
''No. It simply is not possible. You-You died! We saw you pass away at the 'Mine', there is no way you should be here.'' Synthers seemed shaken to his core. Even with his nearly endless lifespan as a dragon, he had not encountered a situation like this.
''Well, you see....I was revived.'' Not even a second passed between Synthers' confusion and his statement.
The room fell under a veil of silence as all three stared into nothingness. Each afraid of what next question might be asked.
Synthers was the first to break the eternity of silence''In all my time I have never encountered a resurrection. Sure the concept had been experimented with in the past but, just wow.'' Synthers wisdom had reached its end as he had discovered a new path towards his studies. It is rare for a dragon to find a topic that interests them to this level.
''I know it may be a shock to both of you, but I would rather talk about this after a good night's rest.'' Greed's eyes ripped themselves off of the aloof Emilia who remained stone-faced and fixed onto the darkened window.
His ears twitched at a feint scream which struggled to reach through the tightly closed window. The room itself was well maintained and cleaned thoroughly as to not upset visitors. A layer of dust covered the windows, making everything seem foggy from the inside. A dozen or so dancing fires marched outside with a mix of screams and roaring laughter.
''That doesn't look too welcoming. Should we get involved?'' Greed turned his eyes back towards Emilia as she slightly nodded back to him. Synthers seemed to agree with the quickly composed plan.
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Outside of the inn, a trail of burnt grass spread along the cobbled stone path towards the Guild Hall. Smoke still rose from the scorched grass filling the air with a nasty smell that could suffocate you.
Their march didn't take long before the screaming was within earshot which made their pace only hasten. No time to stop and think, just to get there and stabilize the situation.
''What do you think could have caused this disturbance?!?'' The elven guard had managed to catch up to the rookie trio. Her face wore a worried look as her question remained unanswered by them.
''Mind if we ask for your name first Miss? Just so we know what to call you.''
''Alise, my name is Alise, of the old Elven monarchy!'' A smirk spread after revealing her bloodline seeming almost proud of it.
''And you three? Its only fair if you share your names.''
Greed was the one to answer for them ''You may call me Arthur. My lady friend goes by the name of Emilia and our demi-human companion goes by Synthers.'' His answer had no hesitations and was snappy.
With their introduction over so was their desperate sprint to the scene. A tall door stood between them and the hellscape inside. A kick sent the door flying into a group of rowdy adventurers.
Alise's face turned pale as her eyes darted from the many flames around the large room. Bodies hung from the ceiling and impaled against the walls, some still living, bleeding out slowly. Their pained screams only made the perpetrators' laugh louder.
''Well well if it isn't our dear little Alise!'' An elf, much older than Alise, emerged from behind a group of brute savage killers. His smile, wrinkly and much more sinister than most.
''FENRIC!''
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