33 The First Clue

The newly formed group of eleven made their way deeper into cave. In this passageway the same wall lanterns housing purple flames hung three-quarters of the way up the wall ten feet apart. The further they walked down the stairs the easier the feeling of death is to feel. The soft tapping of footsteps are the only sounds being made as the group made their way hesitantly towards the unknown. The path wound and turned frequently with no pattern to the point that the group had lost their baring long ago.

A quarter of a day past uneventfully and quietly until Leo had finally broke the silence. "Arbor, why didn't you use any of your vines during that battle?"

"This place has strong presence of death. Because of this, the vitality in my vines and the essence in my body loses its strength. I tried using them, but they were fragile and couldn't hold anything down. It was even worse back in the desert when we fought those scorpions. I think it has something to do with my soul spirit. God thing Ashliel forced me into raising my endurance to a high degree and my strength a little, otherwise I would dead right now. I cannot afford to get put in this type of situation as my body is by no means suitable for these situations. I hope that you can help me out my teaching my about the basics of body cultivation. Seeing that your body strength is stronger than the average person, you seem like the most practical candidate to help me with my problems." Arbor went on to explain his difficulties to Leo.

Leo's eyes shone brightly as soon as Arbor asked for his help and slapped him on the back. He spoke with excitement "Brother Tagas, you can count on me to help you out. My family is known for its high strength and speed. Once we get out of this dreaded place, I will teach you a thing or two. I just hope that you don't regret this decision. No worries, we'll get that body of yours in tip top shape."

"What is your background exactly?" Arbor asked. "I just hope that I don't regret this decision…." Arbors voice faded out under his breath.

Arbor has always wondered where his friends came from since he started to be around them. He has always been curious but never thought that it is his place to know or found it important enough to know.

A menacing look appeared in Leo's eyes when he said, "Oh there is no getting out of it now. You might hate me in the beginning, but when it saves your life in a battle you will bow to me three times in respect."

"My grandfather, the current Patriach of the Saja clan, cast out my father from the clan when he learned that he ran away from home to be with my mother. When my father returned to the clan with me, my grandfather chased my father and I out with his royal guard to kill us two. My father fought for his life for millions of miles until we finally arrived and took shelter within my mother's clan under the condition that my father is their Patriarchs servant for a thousand years. My mother is the Patriarch's daughter from their rivals, the Holang clan. My mother would cry every night as she was not allowed to speak with my father as he has his own guards to make sure he doesn't interact with her or me. A few years before I left for the school, my father was beaten within an inch of his life for speaking four words to my mother and I. I decided to take pressure off my father and mother from inside forces in the clan and enroll in the school." A single tear trickled down his left cheek as Leo clenched his fists and spoke with anger

"If, you have any ideas of getting revenge against the Saja or Holang clan, you have me as back up, and not only me. There is also Sald, Orion, Eos, and your new friends back thereDon't be afraid to ask for help Brother." Leo sincerely responded as he patted Leo's back a couple of times. He wants to reassure Leo that he will not have to deal with this situation all on his own.

After hearing Leo short story on his background and how his father was treated, he knows that his hatred has been formed over the years of his family being mistreated. Sometimes, the only way to dispel this hatred is simple revenge.

"These realms are as harsh as what the novels that I use to read made them out to be." A simple thought ran through Arbors mind.

Of course, no one else was able to hear this conversation between the new brothers as they are leading the pack as a distance. Some information is better left unknown to some.

The group made their way down the stairs for half a day until they finally reach a new corridor. This new one is extremely similar the one that they had just left, one would think that they had arrived in the same one except for one significant difference. In the middle of the cavern is an altar with six different stone statues of animals. A lion, a scorpion, an eagle, a spider, a snake, a phoenix, and a deer had been carved in a position that put each animal in its most majestic stance and placed facing the center of the alter. In the center is a raised empty circular platform that is waiting for its own statue to be placed on it.

"Does anyone else notice that all of the creatures only had 'enhancements' attached to them from those six animals up there?" Chen Hong pointed to the rest of the group. As someone who did not fight any of the creatures his observation skills were easily seen as he put together two pieces of the puzzle.

Everyone nodded in agreement with Chen Hong's declaration.

"I think we could say two different things. One is that this altar is either creating those monster things from what ever source. Or that person senior Chen was telling us about is attempting to create what that they probably think is a fusion between all of those animals. I think it can easily be said that, that person is definitely involved in this somehow." Sald agreed and gave her own ideas.

While these two were conversing, Eos made his way onto the in front of the lion and eagle who had been placed right next to each other. Eos stood in front of the two statues with his head held high and his chest out. When his eyes fell onto the eagle's wings, the look in his eyes became extremely soft and the mood around him dropped. The memory of the humiliation that his parents went through because of his birth defect flashed through his mind. Arbor felt the changes in Eos heart and appeared at his side within seconds.

"Don't worry Eos, I will figure out something to help you grow your wings. When that happens, you will be the most magnificent griffin in history. But for now, you have to keep fighting and not lose your determination." Arbor reassured Eos.

Eos looked up at Arbor and rubbed his head against Arbor chest and let out a couple soft caws.