As we gathered up camp, we discussed our next move.
"There's another set of ruins to the east of here, it's supposed to be an old mages tower that stood for over four hundred years before the demon army wiped them out in the last Demi human war. There should be some knowledge that we can gather from there, maybe they had heard of a Dulhan. Honestly whatever you are it's beyond ancient. The monsterology I found here had a whole section on Dullahan's and their sub species but nothing on whatever you are. So, you are much older than we thought. Can you remember what kingdom you are from? That will also pinpoint how old you are." Rea speculated.
"The Arkuses Monarchy. It was a large city three days travel from the village. We were hired through the adventurer's guild there. The elder from the village requested my team personally due to Oscar being the elder's nephew. Too bad they killed me, otherwise I might not be standing here. According to the evidence I found, the first Dulhan was a noble from the area betrayed by the elder. Betrayal creates us." I said thinking on everything that I had found.
She looked at me for a moment, as if she was lost in thought.
"I have heard of the Arkuses Monarchy, but they were also overrun by the demon army. The city was sacked and razed after the battle so I'm afraid it's much like this city. I do think after the mages tower, we head there as well, see if we can't find anything. We might even be able to find the adventures guild building with your help. As long as you are up for it, I mean. I know that losing everything and everyone you ever knew would be very hard to deal with." She said nervously.
"I'll be fine, finding answers is imperative. I have no desire to live like this forever. I miss food too much." I said jokingly.
"Did Mr. Pumpkinhead crack a joke? Thats progress!" She laughed.
I heard footsteps outside and spun around. A group of adventures had been sneaking up to the library door. A tall beef man carrying a large tower shield and a long sword, his armor shined in the morning sun. Next to him was an elf with a long bow pulled and knocked. Behind them was a curvy woman in a long black dress holding a staff. Her black hair curled around her pretty face.
"Who are you and why are you here?" I asked loudly, my sword drawn and stance was taken.
The big guy with a shield pointed at Anzar and yelled
"Alpha Shadow wolf! Desira, get ready with some magic, Max, take the shot when you can, I'll take the front." He yelled.
"Are you idiots deaf? Am I invisible?" I hollered.
"Second hostile Richard, Taking the shot!" The elf yelled as he released an arrow. The arrow punctured my armor in the shoulder flinging me back a few steps.
I hollered again and began to move. My sword arched behind me as I ran towards the man with the shield. I swung the sword with an upward arc The blade carving a deep wound into the shield, forcing the man back. He grunted under the weight of my attack. I planted one foot on his shield and kicked myself into the air. I angled my sword into a piercing motion diving straight into the shield, shattering it. The elf shot another arrow, piercing my helmet in the back. A dull ringing sensation filled my head. I grabbed the arrow and yanked it from my helmet. The arrow was covered in my goo like blood. I grabbed ahold of the man in front of me, wrapped my arms around him and glared into his eyes.
"Any last words Richard?" I growled.
"How are you still alive?" He stammered looking absolutely horrified.
"Bad choice in last words, but then again what can you expect from a fool." I laughed as i tightened my grip around the man. The elf tried shooting me again, but Anzar set upon him now that the shield was busy. The mage tried casting magic, but Rea was quicker on her feet and was currently slapping the mage. The elf was much more unfortunate, without support he was doomed. Anzar had the elf by the neck and was swinging him around with rapid movements. The elf was already dead. I turned my focus back to the now struggling man in my arms.
"You should have talked to us first; you could have avoided all of this you know?" I said squeezing the man tighter and tighter.
He gasped for breath as his armor began buckling under my strength. Richards eyes began to get wide; he started hitting my chest with his fist, kicking at me with his feet.
"Wait I can tell you something important, please wait." He gasped. I loosened my grip and grabbed the man by his head with my hand.
"Speak quickly or you will lose your head." I growled at Richard.
He whimpered for a few seconds before getting it out.
"The pope heard that the resurrection of a calamity level monster had happened, and he sent us to track the creature down. You were the only thing that left that cursed village. We tracked you from there. Max had the tracker skill. We were only about a month behind you. We knew you were dangerous based on the path of dead creatures left in your wake." He whimpered.
"Oh, so the goddess has begun making her move. Inconvenient. Well since you came here expecting to kill, I hope you don't mind dying instead." I said as I crushed his skull in my hand.
His body fell, blood flowing from his now headless neck. I felt a surge of power flow through me. I could feel my body changing. My vines grew closer together forming a solid wooden like mass that resembled an actual body. I was shocked, why did killing that man have this effect on me? I'd have to discuss this with Rea after we deal with the mage, who was still being slapped around by Rea.
"Ok that's enough Rea just take her staff." I said, my voice sounding more human.
She turned to me with surprise and stared at me for a few seconds before turning back to the now cowering mage and grabbed her staff from her hands.
"Desira, was it? We are going to have a nice chat now, I hope your completely honest with me. Otherwise, I will have to test somethings out on you, and I promise that would be very painful." I said grabbing the puffy faced mage by her throat. my hand could encircle her whole neck.
"I'll talk, I promise, please don't kill me!" She begged crying with snot on her face.
"Stop it, you are already ugly enough with the swelling." I spoke.
She cried harder. I sighed and set the girl down.