“You’ve done exceptionally well, Keeper.” The Mentor complimented once the Auction was over. Ranma, Horney and Ranma’s new slaves were walking down a widened corridor where vendors were yelling to advertise their goods. “I never knew you would have the gall to give threats.”
“Can it.” Ranma grunted as they passed a group of Orcs that immediate pressed themselves against the wall when they saw the monstrous form of Horney. Ranma took noticed and turned to his powerful servant. “Horney you can go now. There’s nothin’ ta kill here.”
Horney simply nodded and walked towards the portal, he was getting bored again anyway. Maybe he can find something else to kill back in those caverns again.
Ranma turned forward again wearing an angry expression. He hated himself now, he did things that was against everything he believed in. But he had to do it, or else who knows what would happen to the girls that were trailing him. Too many thoughts conflicted with others made him feel less confident in himself. The main fact remained. He lost control of himself at that moment. When they left the auction Ranma finally realized what he just done. He threatened someone’s life and was willing to end that persons life.
“Keeper? Keeper?” The Mentor floated in front of him to gain Ranma’s attention.
“Huh?” Ranma suddenly attentive as he looked toward the Mentor.
“You were lost in thought.” The Mentor answered. “Understandable seeing what you just went through, but we still have much to do.”
“Yeah right.” Ranma said quietly as he regained his composure. “What next?”
“We need Room Schematics as well Trap and Door blueprints to ensure our defenses would remain strong.” The Mentor drifted down a massive door decorated in obsidian and marble. “Fortunately, I know this individual rather well. Not only he has both, but he has knowledge many excellent locations for placing a Dungeon Heart and knowledge of many spell that can be of use. I‘m very sure that he is more than willing to give them to you. For the right price of course.”
“Master?” Both Ranma and the Mentor turned to Melfina when they heard her soft spoken voice. “May I ask what shall our duties shall be?”
“Just follow me right now.” Ranma sighed. He knew he couldn’t just let them go because of those damn collars the girls were wearing around their necks. He also knew that the was no place for them to be safe especially since the other Keepers were so intent on getting them back in the auction. “We’ll take care of that when we go home.”
“We understand.” Rei said expressionlessly while Milly shifted uncomfortably as many males in the area leered at them as they passed by.
Ranma turned back toward the door as it slowly opened and followed the ghost as it floated its way into the room. The girls followed not far behind him. Inside the room was filled with large piles of gold, jewels and other objects of great value. On top of one of the mounds was a Dragon, however, unlike the ones that guarded the auction this one radiated raw power. It was obviously very old as well by how the tips of its scales looked dull and graying. The creature raised its head as the group approached near the mound that was currently its bed.
“My, my, my. If it isn’t the Mentor himself. I haven’t seen you since Dis fell in that short campaign of his.” The old Dragon greeted in a low graveling voice. “I take it this young man is a Keeper.”
“Hey! How did you know that?” Ranma quickly became cautious.
“I’m old enough feel the leylines of mana young one.” The Dragon shifted some of gold so he could get in a more comfortable position. “And the mana I feel from you is the kind that Dungeon Hearts would produce.”
“Devistus, as much as I would like to discuss the theorem of mana and ancient spells with you.” The Mentor spoke quickly. “But we’re on a bit of limited time. So, if you will, we would like to order the grand package.”
“I see, please wait here for a moment” Devistus slowly lifted his body. Ranma could easily hear the ancient creature’s bone crack as if it was the first time he move in months. Ranma watched Devistus as he walked into the next room before turning to the Mentor.
“You guys know each other?”
“Indeed. Devistus is known to be the veteran of many wars, battles and one of the most accomplished researchers of magic since the time of Dis.” The Mentor sighed as looked to the door. “However, these days he’s more neutral and seems content on being a informant in his old age.”
A chuckle interrupted the conversation as the old Dragon reentered the room. With him he carried a large golden box.
“I would like payment up front if you please.” The Dragon placed a claw on top of the box. “25,000 gold since the Mentor here is an old acquaintance.”
Ranma turned to Mentor who nodded in response.
“It’s a good deal Keeper. Normally it would be 50,000 gold so I would advise taking the discount.”
Ranma nodded before a large pile gold appeared in front of him. Devistus quickly looked over the pile before nodding in satisfaction.
“Now come here young one.” Devistus motioned with a claw. “Now you must open it with your mana.”
Ranma shrugged as he held his hand over the box and let the magic flow out of his had. The box suddenly exploded into a shower of golden sparks and his mind became crammed with knowledge. Ranma stumbled as he gripped his head as foreign words and ideas went through his mind at quickly causing a massive headache. Sentry. Braced Door. Sight of Evil. Possession. Ranma eventually lost his balance and started to fall backwards only to be held up by Milly. Ranma eventually blacked out after the intense pain in his head finally eased.
“You three take care of him until he awakens.” Devistus ordered the three girls. After they nodded in response he then turned to the Mentor. “We need to talk.”
“Of course.” As both beings entered the back room, Devistus turned to the Mentor looking at his misty form with a critical eye.
“You’re trying to corrupt the boy are you not?”
“Yes, you see this one carries with him great potential. I simply needed to cultivate it.”
“Just make sure you don’t corrupt this one too much.”
“And pray tell would I do such a thing?”
“Dis.”
“That was one mistake that we made.”
“Oh really Mentor?” A frown adorned the Dragon’s scaly face. “I happen to remember that we corrupted Dis to the point that he began to lose his own logic. Blind to the power of his Dungeon Heart was his greatest downfall.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“I know you know.” The Dragon looked out the doorway watch the girls tending the unconscious teenager. “Dis was so tainted by his Dungeon Heart’s power on that day he never bothered to check on how thinned his forces had become after the victory against the Avatar before he began that ridiculous campaign on the surface. He practically declared himself a god before he was torn apart the goodly forces.”
“I know my history Dev.” The Mentor growled.
“And yet many repeat it.” The Dragon snorted. “I can already sense the power taking hold of the boy. If the boy falls too far into the power, he would be no better than Dis. And we both will have a legacy having those who will rise to greatness only to fall in the most humiliating way.”
Devistus turned to crawl back to his treasures before turning his head to the Mentor.
“Even a Mentor such as yourself can learn from his mistakes.”
The Mentor remained silent for a moment before return to Ranma's side.
Meanwhile outside the room were three shadows that remained unseen even in the torch light. The three assassins, each hired by a Keeper at the auction, waited outside. They waited for the perfect time to strike and collect a handsome bounty for the new Keepers head.
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(Posted Sun, 14 Jan 2007 12:11)
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