The Bell Tolls

After Polemos had his brief encounter with Death, two weeks swiftly went by as Polemos focused on trying to increase his Mana stage from the seventh stage to the eighth stage. During the first week he focused on training his throwing harpoon technique as well as Elder Spears fishing technique. By focusing on those two techniques he was able to bring his throwing harpoon technique to the Skilled level and, when he was able to finally train in Elder Spears fishing technique he noticed multiple things that needed to be fixed and focused on bringing the fishing technique up to the Proficient level.

During his second week trying to increase his Mana stage Polemos focused on his Science Experiment spells and meditation. During his second week he was able to increase his Science Experiment spells to the peak of the Proficient level and was just enough to help push Polemos to the eighth stage.

During his two weeks of training Polemos didn't visit the tribe as he was focusing on increasing his strength but that didn't mean that there were others that didn't forget about Polemos. During the time he trained, Alyan had watched him from a distance as every time he tried to get close he wasn't able to as Rose never allowed him to get close.

As the sun was slowly rising in the east bringing a new day in the desert Polemos was already awake doing his morning routine of stretching and getting ready for the day.

"Finally reached the eight stage, I should head to the tribe and see what's going on. Alyan has been rather absent as of late since he hasn't tried to spy for the past three days. Wonder why?" Polemos spoke to himself as he was finishing his stretch and then getting ready to head out for his morning run. Then he had plans to go to the tribe to see why Alyan hadn't been around as it felt off.

'I'm so close to the tribe, if anything and, if Mesakyle is smart he should at least maintain someone watching me. Or if he is as Captain said and is losing his edge then something is up.'

Polemos couldn't concentrate as he ran. As he kept thinking that something was going on in the tribe as even just yesterday the slaves who normally fished at the water source weren't fishing yesterday. No one showed up at the water source. When the thought continued to grow and was the only thing he could focus on he stopped and quickly rushed back to his tent to grab Rose.

"I really hope I'm overthinking this as something feels off. Even after I killed Ellios nothing changed and the tribe never made any decisions. I just hope Rose is still sleeping by the tent if not." Polemos didn't hold himself back as he let loose and was able to make it to his tent quickly and from the looks of it Rose was still there as she was just leaving the water source. When Rose saw Polemos she hissed in glee and rushed towards him.

"Hiss, hisssss, hissssss."

Seeing Rose head in his direction Polemos increased his speed as he quickly greeted her and jumped on her head.

"Morning Rose, I had to end my run quicker than normal. You want to head to the tribe with me. I think something big happened or something. I just can't really put my finger on it." Rose hissed again as she sped off towards the tribe.

When Polemos saw the mass congregation of tents he was a little happy but that was all. He was glad that they haven't moved yet as if they did it would cause many problems for him. Rose continued forward to the tribe completely ignoring the screaming members of the tribe who saw them as she headed towards the strongest person in the tribe, Carl.

As they got closer to Carl's tent Polemos was surprised as not only was Carl outside his tent, Captain was also there as well! When he saw that Polemos furrowed his brow as he quickly tried to think why?

'Why are they both here? Something must have happened. Shit.'

Rose came to a stop when she neared Carl's tent as she lowered herself allowing Polemos to easily slide off her head instead of jumping. When Polemos landed in front of both Carl and Captain he smiled and greeted them both.

"Well good morning, Carl, Captain. Why does it feel like something has happened in the tribe?"

When Polemos greeted them both they smiled but when he asked if something had happened in the tribe, both Carl and Captain had a different reaction. Carl started to laugh as Captain grumbled and gave Carl some silver. When Polemos saw that he was baffled.

"Um, did I miss something here?"

Carl spoke looking over at Captain. "I told you he'd be here Captain. He definitely noticed that the slaves didn't show up yesterday. So tell him, also. Morning Polemos." Carl smiled as he crossed his burly arms across his chest.

Captain shook his head in a depressed manner and grumbled. "How do you always convince me to these stupid bets, Carl? I've never even one once." Then sighed. "Ahhhh, oh well, morning Polemos let's head inside Carl's tent bastard he even set up a table."

Carl just laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, very funny. Let's head inside, damn Mesakyle." Captain let out another sigh as he entered the tent. But when Captain mentioned Mesakyle Polemos knew something had happened.

Polemos just looked at Carl and frowned. "What the hell is going on here Carl something huge must have happened if Captain mentioned Mesakyle."

"Yeah something big did happen but, I won't be telling you as Captain has all the details as I just found out also, you grew stronger didn't ya. Want me to help Mana wash your marrow or the brain." Carl smiled near the end and chuckled, shaking his beard as his Death Bells rang a pleasant sound.

When Polemos heard Carl's answer he was a little surprised even when he mentioned to help with his Mana washing as he was a strong retired soldier but, when he heard the bells ring he was shocked!

But his shock washed away very quickly as he felt a cold feeling wash over calming his mind.

"Carl I hope I don't sound rude but, could I possibly buy those Death Bells from you and if not then it's no trouble?" Polemos asked with a calm look in his purple eyes as he even smiled.

Carl laughed further as he answered. "Sure. Damn things only seem to work for you as I've definitely killed before." Carl untied four bells and handed them to Polemos.

"Thanks Carl. Wait how much?" Polemos thanked Carl but noticed that he never mentioned a price.

Carl just waved his hand. "Just take them Polemos. As apparently you're the only one they ring for even Captain says he hasn't heard them before. Alright we've spent a good amount of time out here already let's head inside. Warmed up some wine if ya want?"

Polemos declined the wine as he tied the silver Death Bells to his abyss black hair and entered the tent as it was rude to keep Captain waiting inside.

When they both entered the tent Captain was already sitting at the table as he already had a cup of wine in his hand. Carl joined him by grabbing and pouring himself one also. While Polemos just sat in the chair and looked at, Captain and apologized for making him wait.

"Sorry for the delay Captain. Carl asked if he wanted to help me Mana wash my marrow or my brain and I just remembered I never said which one. I'll go with the marrow as I feel the brain will hurt more than anything."

When Captain heard Polemos apologize he didn't mind the wait as he was enjoying the wine but when he heard him talk about Mana washing. He spat out the sip of wine he just took and started choking. Carl just started laughing as he tried to drink his wine to stop himself but it didn't work as Polemos was a little confused.

Captain stopped choking as he looked at Polemos and sighed.

"Ahhhh, I shouldn't really be surprised you really are a Mad One aren't you. I've only done my skin and muscles. The pain was intense but, when I tried my bones I couldn't take the pain too much. But enough about that." Captain took a deep breath then continued.

"Mesakyle agreed to the moronic idea of the Second Hunting Captain. To try to merge the tribe with the Red Horned Bearded Lizard nest with the small water source. I knew he was losing his edge but not by this much he even agreed to bring all the slaves who fish along. Don't get me wrong, the idea is good but." Captain wasn't able to finish as Polemos spoke up.

"All the fishing slaves will more or less die and knowing Alyan he'll definitely use all the slaves as bait or cannon fodder for the beasts. And Alyan will definitely run away like a coward the moment his life is in any danger. Even when I went on my hunt I was almost killed a couple times, hell I got the scars to prove it." Polemos spoke in a calm manner. Yes he was surprised but there was currently nothing he could do about the decisions of the tribe as he was an exile or as the tribe put it a Cursed Devil.

Captain nodded his head in agreement as Polemos was right.

"Indeed. And it's not just Alyan who was put out there either, Ashern actually went with him and he looked terrible, his eyes were sunken in like a skull and he looked even skinner."

When Polemos heard that he was surprised as if Ashern went with Alyan then only Hassan and Alayah were in the tribe.

"Damn, I'm glad I decided to visit today." Polemos leaned back into his chair and looked to be in deep thought. Making the Death Bells ring.

When Captain saw Polemos in deep thought he just silently drank his wine waiting for Polemos to come back.

When Polemos was done he smiled a devilish smile as he looked towards Captain and asked a question.

"Could you kindly point me towards Alayahs tent? It seems her time has come, as the bells have rung."