A Place Called Dungeon (Ardent: Finally Something More From a Fantasy World!)

 As they come out, Frank and Ardent find themselves looking at the pointy end of a spear.

 "Those are the young guard and Mage." Ardent hear a familiar voice. He looked to see his father-in-law, Cross, was there, though he looked at the boulder.

 "Mage Cross." Ardent called out as he cleared the dust clinging to his robe.

 "Mage Ardent." Cross replied as he looked at him, "Do you find anything of interest from the place?" he asked. The way Cross word it made Ardent suspicious, before a possibility formed in his head.

 "You know something about this place." it was less of an answer and more of a statement.

 "I have my suspicion. But I will like to confirm it first before saying it." Cross said.

 "Okay. Frank, took out what we found." Ardent said to Frank. The young guard obeyed, as he put down the large crystal in front of Cross, before taking out several smaller ones from the pouch.

 Cross' breath hitched from shock and awe.

 "To think, there is a dungeon close to the village." he said in a whisper. However, even with the low voice he used, Ardent could stil hear his father-in-law.

 "Mage Cross, what is a dungeon?" he asked.

 Cross looked at him before looking at the other guards and Mages.

 "I will tell you back at the village. But first, we need to make sure we can return to it, and by we, I mean the guards. The Mages can detect the portal easily." Cross rambled before looking at him.

 Ardent nodded he raised a large Earth Wall, though this one is taller.

 "Good," Cross nodded at his work. "Let's get back to the village. Alfon need to hear about this."

-x-

 Ardent looked around. Currently, under the order of Cross, he and the other Mages and guards were inside the main hall. Where the village's elders hold important meetings and were announcements were made. It is the second most important place after the chief's house, where the main administration is done at.

 He soon spotted a certain blonde, who noticed him at the same time.

 "Ardent! My father suddenly asked me to come to the main hall? Do you have any idea why?" Catlin asked him, no doubt confused by the sudden order.

 "I'm not totally sure about it myself." Ardent admitted, "But it has to do with one of my job. Your Father will explain it when everyone is here."

 Catlin nodded before taking a place next to him. Frank, who was with him, took a spot in front of them, a cheeky smile on his face.

 "I remember how the two of you saying you don't like one anot-" he could not even finished before he shivered. A look at Catlin revealed her blue eyes shining menacingly, daring him to continue his words.

 "Nevermind." knowing to back off when necessary, Frank stopped, for now.

 The trio remained silence before Catlin restart the talk, "So, how's your engagement with Celine?" 

 Frank did not answer, though the pink on his cheek were more than enough to tell them of how he actually feel about it.

 "To think you will be engaged with my best friend~" Catlin exclaimed in a cheeky tone.

 "At least I admit I like her early on, unlike two somebody who are in complete denial of their feeling." Frank spat back.

 The two glared at one another as Ardent shook his head, having used to the fight between them both. Before he could stop them, a group of people walked to the set of the table at the end of the hall.

 Every conversation stopped, as eyes were on the village's elders and the chief. Ardent could see his Magic Teacher, Alfon, taking the seat next to the chief, the old man being one of the more important elder of the village.

 Frank and Catlin stopped, though not before giving one another a glare, telling that their argument will continue after the meeting.

 Ardent rolled his eyes before sitting next to Catlin, though a signal from Cross get him and Frank to take a seat next to the older man.

 "You are engaged, but I need you to tell me of your finding to the elders." Cross whispered. Ardent nodded, knowing what he meant by that.

 Quickly, the elders of the village took a seat before looking at Cross and him.

 "I will begin today's emergency meeting." the chief started, "Few hours ago, Mage Cross had told us he found something that could benefit the village but also endanger it."

 The chief looked at Cross and nodded. The Mage walked towards the elders and spoke,

 "Few hours ago, Mage Ardent and the guards accompanying him investigate the area of where the nearby caravan was assaulted. They fought the assailants and manage to defeat them. However, as it turns out, the assailants are not of human or beast.

 Instead, they are monsters from a nearby dungeon."

 A gasp escaped Alfon's mouth, the man looking at Cross in shock.

 "Do not joke of such thing Cross!" he must be truly shock for Alfon to not even lower his voice. "For there to be a dungeon-" the old man was cut off by Cross walking to him and letting the man see the crystal dropped from the goblins.

 He extend his hands shakily, a look of disbelief painted on his face as he took the crystal. Caressing it, the man can only say in surprise, "A-a dungeon actually manifest near the village." he let out a shaky laughter,

 "You're right Cross, it could spur the village growth or it could be the reason for our destruction."

 "Ahem!" the musing of Alfon was stopped by the chief, who looked at the two Mages with a bit of annoyance.

 "Can someone please tell me what is a dungeon?" the chief asked, his tone filled with annoyance.

 "Right," Alfon had a sheepish smile on his face with that realization.

 "A dungeon is, well, the word used by researchers are it is another dimension."