A Grey Following

Skelly didn't even flinch as a large smile spread across his skeleton-like face as he looked at Polemos. Ignoring Secat and her threat for the moment.

"Why, it's quite simple really, we would like you to join our organization also but, you'll have complete freedom and resources galore as long as you contribute what you can." Then he looked over to Secat also with his smile still on his face. "You're welcome to join us also Miss.Lioness, our Cryptkeeper would gladly welcome you, she's been dying to see you as well."

Skelly continued to grin his large smile as his reply surprised both Secat and Polemos as they both thought that something was off as it seemed too good to be true.

Skelly continued to smile as he wasn't bothered by the silence that filled the meeting room as he stood still. Both Polemos and Secat looked at each other as they both felt that his invention, although tempting, was full of things that felt off. Even the comment of the Cryptkeeper wanting to meet with Secat seemed to have made her wary as she never interacted with her nor had any dealings with the Grey Keepers organization.

"Why would someone of the Cryptkeeper's status wish to me with someone like myself? I've never done or had deals with your organization whatsoever, and you also want me to join. That doesn't even make sense. I'm already leading The Burnt Lioness, why would I hassle myself with another organization." Secat spoke calmly yet firmly wanting to know why the Grey Keepers were doing such a thing. Plus from what she knew she had never heard of someone joining two groups before, or if they had she had no knowledge of it currently.

Skelly just smiled as he stood with his hands in his sleeves as he looked to Secat and answered.

"She's been watching you for a while as she does anyone with strength or importance. And yes you haven't done any business with us but by proxy you have, as all the bodies you and your mercenaries bring in are brought to us for burial and rites, plus as far as I know many have joined multiple organizations. It wouldn't harm you but it would actually help you as we have things that most of the great libraries don't have when it comes to knowledge and information." He finished as he smiled mysteriously looking at Secat's scared face which held surprise.

Polemos listened to Skellys whole explanation and was confirming many things he felt were off since he had arrived as he leaned in his chair as he rested his head on his fist.

'Everything he's said has only proved that something has been off, Drakeraz said that they were always neutral and stayed out of everything only dealing with the dead and the rites of the dead.' He thought before he decided to speak up.

"You know I've been wondering something since you've entered the room? Why do you have Death Mana?" Polemos asked with no hesitation.

When Polemos spoke about Death Mana, Secat was confused but a look of worry and ferocity was in her eyes as she stood up, making the chair she was sitting in slide as she reached out and grabbed Skelly thin and pale neck.

Skelly looked at Polemos, as a fervent expression spread across his face and stared to laugh as he felt Secats grip tighten around his neck.

When Secat heard his laugh she frowned but before she could speak, Skelly spoke in a dry but calm voice to answer Polemos.

"She was right about you, you're exactly what we have been searching for, for many decades. Our Cryptkeeper would gladly answer your questions when you come and visit the crypts." Then he looked into Secats eyes as a dark look took a hold in his. "You would do best to remove your hand from my neck if you wish to keep it. I don't mind dying but if I wasn't here on request by my master I would've ended you the moment you reached for me." He threatened, as a cold and dark feeling emitted from his body which made Secat release his neck immediately as she felt her hand grew cold and lost feeling but, shortly after the feeling returned shortly after. She was surprised as she looked at the thin and pale man.

"Looks like I was right then." Polemos spoke as he rose to his feet with a look of interest in his eyes as he looked to Secat. "We should follow him, unfortunately even though it seems he is weaker than you he is capable of spells or techniques that weaken the body and mind." Then he looked at Skelly. "I'll follow but as far as joining that'll be after I hear what your Cryptkeeper says and is able to grant me."

Secat was surprised by my answer.

"Are you sure it's a good thing to follow after him?" She asked with a look of fury and reluctance.

"Unfortunately yes, even though we are here in the guild, he shows no concern for his own fate at all, and if we kill him, like he said they wouldn't care, and probably would send more of their members to come after us." He took a deep breath as he looked at Secat. "Plus I also have a natural control and ability to use Death Mana because of my bloodline and if I'm right they'll have the knowledge I seek about it and how to use it correctly."

Secat didn't even seem surprised when Polemos mentioned he was able to use Death Mana as she already had a good feeling that he was able to. She only nodded her head as she spoke up.

"Fine, we will follow after you Skelly, but know if anything happens I'll make sure to take out as many of your members as I can before I'm killed. My Lionesses will make sure to chase after me also after my death." Secat threatened which only made Skelly grin.

"Both Rose and I will do the same if anything were to happen. So my fellow user of Death Mana led the way." Polemos said as he gestured to the door as Skelly smiled as he turned around and dryly spoke.

"Follow me, and make sure to enjoy your time and I hope you both join as it would greatly benefit you both in the long run."

Secat and Polemos followed behind Skelly as they headed out of the meeting room, heading down the stairs as a small group of people peeked around the corner with looks of confusion and surprise on their faces. They spoke in quiet whispers afraid they would gather the attention of The Lioness.

If Secat saw who they were she would have been able to recognize the small group of people from the clothes that they wore. They wore a golden robe with black edges with a look of surprise and worry on their faces as they were one of the few mercenary groups that had any information on the Grey Keepers.

"Well, well, well, would you look at that, boys? Seems like this mission is gonna be quite an interesting mission indeed." One of the five members spoke with a little excitement which made the others have different thoughts and expressions.

"Shut up you, adrenaline seeking dumbass. Did you just see who they left with, you may not know who that Grey robes skeleton is but, I recognize him. That's Elder Bones." Said a taller and grizzled member. His robes had the sleeves removed showing tribal markings all up his arms.

The other three members were surprised as they tried to recall any information on who he was but came up short. The adrenaline seeking member spoke up and retorted and mocked the grizzled member.

"Oh shut up you scaredy-cat, what Elder Bones, that's just a thin and grey walking skeleton from a group of nobodies who mess with the dead."

The other three followed after in anger.

"Yeah the only one who means any business is their Cryptkeeper as she's able to threaten Drakeraz. Everyone else are, just a bunch of thin and grey weaklings."

"Exactly, and you're supposed to be one of the senior members of the group. Grow up you spineless coward."

"Look at you scaring us before the mission starts."

The grizzled member ignored their mocking as he grunted and opened his robe showing his chest and stomach. When he opened his robe showing his front the three members who mocked him frowned as looks of disgust and dread spread across all their faces. Even the adrenaline seeking member looked in disgust but quickly smiled.

The grizzled member's chest had multiple spots that looked like they had decayed, and even started to rot, but had none of the smell. He pointed to the multiple spots and explained.

"I was barely able to survive after an infiltration mission to gather some information had gone horribly wrong. This all happened from a small touch, the pain was unbearable and beyond anything I've ever experienced before. I was only able to survive because he recognized who we were and begrudgingly gave all of us a potion that only saved two of the five who tried to infiltrate. But it only stopped us from dying, it didn't stop the decaying or rot and only slowed it down." He closed his robe as he started to turn around and walk the opposite direction from where his targets headed.

The adrenaline seeking member spoke up with anger in his voice. "And where do you think you're going, Mister walking death. They went that way." As he pointed in the direction the targets left in. While the other three members were still in shock as their faces were slightly green.

"Obviously to tell the leader about the shit storm we were about to walk into. I was able to stop the spell, curse, or whatever it was after the leader was able to employ their leader as she applied these damn tattoos. So if you want to die then be my guess I don't wish to mess with them again, so as far as I'm concerned the mission is over and requires those above our pay grade."

The adrenaline seeking member and the three others were surprised as they watched the grizzled member walk away without turning back. But the adrenaline seeking one just scoffed as he spoke up.

"Don't listen to him, he's just trying to scare us to not complete the mission. We spent too much time wasting listening to his theatrics, let's go." He turned around and followed after the mission targets.

The other three members just shook themselves as they shrugged and followed.