Children of Akataz Clan (115)
Blood was strewn everywhere, definitely a terrifying sight, especially for a child.
"Thanks Samy!"
"Can you take care of that?"Archivald said as he pointed towards the mutilated corpses.
"Sure"
"Hey..."
"No problem... Samy is used to it" Archivald said seeing how Ruvan was trying to say something.
"Children grow up here seeing this kind of scenarios over and over again..." Archivald said as they watched Samy expressionlessly pick up the broken limbs of the corpses.
The Desolate Mountain Range was a cruel place... From parents selling their children to children killing their parents. All with the sole intention of surviving in this place that without a doubt was like a real hell on earth.
"By the way... You told me that you came here because of a request for help from the Akataz Clan, right?"
"That's right..."
"When I was in the Happy Rock Village I heard all kinds of rumors about the members of that clan... How much of what they told me is true?" Ruvan asked with some curiosity.
"Mmm possibly half is true and half is false"
"The members of the Akataz Clan are quite powerful warriors. Apart from quite territorial I would say"" Archivald said as he put his hand to his chin.
"It's true... No merchant has ever been able to enter their village... All commercial exchanges are always made on the border of their valley" Mr. Greames complements from the side.
Mr. Gremiales said that he had returned from vomiting. The bloody scene had completely turned the poor merchant's stomach.
"And the matter from which they are cursed?"
"It is possible..."
"I don't know if it's because of some kind of curse or custom but you almost never see a member of the Akataz Clan outside of their valley"
"That's true... No adult from the Clan seems willing to leave their territory"" Mr. Greames said.
"Mmm... So, is it possible for the children to leave the Clan's territory?"Ruvan asked as he realized that Mr. Greames had used the word adults specifically.
"Actually, yes. The children of the Akataz Clan are actually quite an appreciated commodity among the slave merchants" Mr. Greames admitted.
'Mmmm so, that story that they can't leave their territory is not entirely true... At least the kids seem to be able to do it' Ruvan muttered to himself as he tried to tie up ends.
"Is there any reason why they are so in demand by slave traders?"Are they strong or something like that?"
"It's really because of her exotic appearance"
"By exotic appearence, do you mean...? Ruvan asked with a raised eyebrow. He didn't like people beating around the bush when it came to explaining.
"The members of the Akataz Clan are characterized by two things... A rather particular red hair and a superhuman strength"
"A superhuman strength?"
"That's right... The members of the Akataz Clan have a strength that far surpasses that of cultivators found in higher Cultivation Realms..." Archivald said at that time. Apparently he himself had already exchanged a couple of blows with some of the members of the Akataz Clan.
"Oh... interesting. And their strength? Who is their strongest cultivator?"Ruvan asked with some curiosity.
"This is where the subject of the supposed curse comes in... A member of the Akataz Clan has never been met within the Earth Realm... Supposedly some kind of curse restricts them from advancing to higher Cultivation Realms" Archivald said.
'This story is getting more and more interesting...'
"Is there any way I can contact them?"
"It's actually quite difficult to do it..."
"They only trade with certain merchants with whom they have already had a long and lasting relationship," said Archivald.
"Even we don't have it easy..."
"Their members are of few words... Usually, they already have an assessed fee with which they exchange certain goods"" Mr. Greames said with a bitter smile.
"Shit, this doesn't sound easy."
"Hey... But you have a perfect excuse"
"Perfect excuse?"Ruvan asked doubtfully.
"The request for help? Remember that you came here because of a request for help from them..."
"Well I don't think it was your real reason but at the end of the day it's a valid excuse" Archivald said as he glanced towards the tent where Edmar and the others were lying tied up.
"That's right... That should at least force them to have to talk to you" Mr. Greames said as he nodded.
"Besides I think I have something that will definitely be of great help to you" Archivald said as he started walking towards the back of the camp. With his fingers he motioned to Ruvan to follow him.
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After a little hiking they both finally arrived at what appeared to be a small cave located at the top of the rocky hill.
"What is this place?"
"It's our gang's dungeon... We keep our prisoners here" Archivald said in an indifferent voice as he took a torch from the wall.
"This place smells like shit" Ruvan murmured with some annoyance. The smell of human urine and feces could be felt all around.
"I'm sorry... I didn't know this place was meant to be a hotel..." Archivald replied sarcastically.
"..." Ruvan had nothing to argue against that so he just kept walking in silence.
On the sides could be seen several silhouettes which lay inside a row of rusty cells.
'Mmm most of the people here seem to be bandits from other bands and the odd poor woman captured' Ruvan muttered to himself as he expanded his spiritual sense throughout the prison.
"Don't even bother criticizing me... It's my duty as a leader to keep the men entertained," Archivald said as he took a look at two poor women locked in a cell. It was evident in their eyes that they had already lost any kind of reason due to the countless abuses suffered at the hands of the bandits.
"I don't blame you" Ruvan said indifferently.
Ruvan understood it perfectly, after all he himself had to allow his mercenaries to vent their anger to the brothels. Unfortunately in a place as pitiful as this brothels were not even an option...
Finally after a couple of laps they both arrived at what seemed to be a cell in better conditions.
Ruvan opened his eyes with astonishment when he saw the members inside the cell.
Two children... two children with red hair and brown skin.
"By heavens Archivald... I understand that you have been in need but that was no reason to use children" Ruvan said with a voice full of reproach.
"FUCK YOU IDIOT!"
"It's not what you think"
"Then, What is it?"
"These two are children of the Akataz Clan" Archivald said defensively, after all he least wanted Ruvan to consider him as a pedophile.
Both children raised their heads at the sight of the new arrivals. The expressions on their faces were of fear and curiosity. Both of them could not hear a word of what Ruvan and Archivald were talking about.
"Don't worry... This cell has a sound matrix" Archivald said.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________Sorry for the lack of update guys! The problem with my computer has been more complicated than I expected
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