Chapter Eight.

Zen's vision blured as he covered his mouth and nose, to avoid further inhalation of the poision air. Zen scanned the area to see who or what was causing the air to become unbreathable.

The tree goblin in front of him grunted with anger as it missed pinning Zen to a tree. "Can't - breath - " The healers were busy trying to heal the fire user, who were still alive from the first attack.

Zen couldn't think as metal clashed with wood, the noise around him was unbearable from him. More monster kept appearing out numbering them, Leo still had not move from his spot, still in a daze.

The odds seemed stacked against them, Zen just needed a minute to think of something. The monsters kept up their attacks not letting up an inch, the adventurers had stepped into their territory and they wanted justice.

Something glimmered in the faint light that cuaght Zen's attention, while he dodged the tree goblins attack before him. Their near the tree goblins heater was a pale purple stone, which was pulsating.

Zen's eyes grew wide. "Is that a mana stone or something similar to what the dragon had?" Small thorn like branches cover the pale stone. "What if?" Zen wondered aloud.

The battle had almost reached its climax as the tree goblins had the higher ground. Zen took out his concealed knife, sharp enough to pierce the tree goblins stone.

While his vision swayed, Zen took aim at the tiny stone, bearly visible to the eye. He flung the knife with all his might, nearly tumbling due to his weakend state.

A small cracking sound reached Zen's ears, seeing that the tree goblin before him froze in its tracks, it slowly turned into a grey ash before Zen's eyes.

Zen knew now how to defeat them, he took out one of his low healing potions. Gulping down its green contents, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. Zen gave a shudder, "Does this alway have to taste so gross."

Zen had recovered some of his health, taking off his bow, and running to the next group of monsters. Zen had made quick work of them all. "Come we have to get our of this poisonous haze." He instructed the others.

They all moved quickly, Leo's party members carrying him out of the haze. Once out the healers began quick work of nullifying the poision everyone had sustained in the battle.

Zen sat far, watching them work. The casualties where few, the lost about ten fire users, two water users and Jay who fell into a trap.

Laurie cuasiosly approached Zen. "Thanks again Zen, for saving us yet again." She sat on the ground opposite him. He said nothing, too exhausted to speaking.

"If you want I could heal you again, you have a few scratches on you." Laurie shifted closer.

"No, I'm good, I just want some sleep and get out of this hell dungeon."

Laurie didn't say anything back, afraid to upset him. She stood up and left him be, while checking if anyone needed help.

Zen eye's were heavy, the battle took it out of him, but the low healing potion took most of his energy, his eye lids driffted shut as he leand against one of the tree's.

Leo fumed, Zen had once again protected him a high class axe user. He came here seeking the most valuable treasures, not expecting someone like Zen to get in his way.

Laurie had checked on Zen, Leo didn't like that either, now he was sleeping. Leo gritted his teeth as his jaw tightened painfully.

"I need him out of my way, that treasure is mine alone." Leo spoke under his breath, he shot daggers in Zen's direction.

How was he going to get Zen out the picture, Leo looked around, seeing everyone was now healed and walking around.

"Jace, come here." Leo called one of his party members. Jace aproched the sour looking Leo. "Yes you called Leo."

"Jace go around quietly, tell everyone we are moving out now, but stear clear of that boy Zen."

Jace looked hesitant, but knew better than a posing his party leader, he nodded and went around to tell everyone the were leaving now. "Luarie come here." Leo now called his other party member.

Laurie approached Leo with caution too. "Laurie you are to stay away from Zen, he is not one of our party members. Give him any help and I won't hesitate to cut off your funding to your family. Understood!"

Laurie gulped as she nodded her head, her family ment everything to her, if he cut off the funding her family could be back in the slums.

"Good, now grab your gear, we are heading out." Laurie did as he told, hesitantly looking back in Zen's direction. He seemed peaceful, more then usual.

The group of adventurers slowly and quietly moved to the exit, leaving Zen alone in the deadly forest, un aware of their departure.

Zen had slept peacefully, a bad feeling growing in his gut, Zen's eyes snapped open noticing the forest was too quiet. He got up, searching for the adventurers, seeing they left him.

Zen's knuckels grew white with rage, they ditched him or rather Leo ditched him. He was unwilling to share the loot again.

Zen began picking up his bag, quiver and bow, placing them where they belonged, while he began tracking the other. Leo was stubborn, it was clear as day to Zen.

"He is going to be the death of them all, why? Because he had lead them all into one trap before " Zen voiced his frustration while climbing a tree again.

It was better to move thos way, avoiding stray tree goblins and traps. Zen began to jump branch to branch, it felt like flying to him.

Zen stopped every now and again to look and listen for the large group of adventurers, know that soon, they would be abushed again by the tree goblins. "Why don't I just leave them?"

"It's because Mary raised you to be kind to other no matter their background." His inner voice replied.

Zen kept moving futher south, know deep down his voice was right, no matter how bad other treated him, he was still kind at heart. "This is going to be a long dungeon quest."