Chapter 126

Vorbuk stood at the opening of the crevice and watched the giant white scorpions crawling about the crystals that had formed up from the cave grounds. One of them stood in front of where they were hidden. A hissing sound coming from it while it searched the area for any signs of prey.

Clenching his fist as he gulped, he observed the beasts actions without a sound from the shadows. His red eyes staring intensely as if he was waiting for a chance to pounce. No matter how close Vorbuk crept towards the opening it was as if he was invisible to the scorpion. There was no turning to attack him.

"It cannot see us." Ashley's voice caused Vorbuk to jolt out of his daze in surprise.

"Pardon?" Vorbuk reflexively asked back in response to what the vampire had spoken. Glancing from him back to the scorpions. As time passed by their numbers seemed to lower themselves. They seemed to hide themselves among the crystals where they would await prey to enter their domain.

"They seem to be blind, master." Ashley spoke once more to make sure that Vorbuk had heard him.

"... Want to test that theory?" Vorbuk muttered that jokingly.

A polite smile swept across Ashley's face. Turning his body towards Vorbuk and bending forward slightly in a bow.

"... Hmm?" Vorbuk felt his mind go blank as he tried to understand what Ashley was doing.

Ashley did not give Vorbuk time to consider his actions. Turning towards the opening his feet swiftly moved him forward. Not a single sound could be heard from the steps he made. Leaving a faint red blur in the air from his hair as he moved.

In a matter of seconds Ashley stood face to face with the giant white scorpion. Neither moving an inch nor making a sound they stood only a few feet apart while facing each other.

Whenever the scorpion would inch forward Ashley's body would quietly step backward to maintain a distance.

"If they are blind... They must sense us by-" Vorbuk thought to himself out loud.

The sound of Vorbuk's voice roused attention from the giant scorpion. Flinging its tail violently towards the opening where he was talking. Shards of crystal and dirt scattered in the air. He could feel the ground beneath his feet shake from the impact.

Shshhkk!

The scorpion began to hiss out angrily as it rushed towards the opening. Slamming its body against the crevice as it struck with the tail repeatedly.

There was not enough time for Vorbuk to consider a method for dealing with the beast. His eyes glanced upward at the sudden appearance of Ashley coming down on the giant scorpion. A smile was on his face as his blood scythe was swung downward. The blade carving the end of the beasts tail off.

Thud!

As the scorpion's body slammed down against the ground from the impact of Ashley landing on its head it no longer moved. Vorbuk could only gape at him while stunned. There was no uncomfortable feeling towards Ashley killing the beast. The think that send shivers down his spine was the fact that Ashley gave off such a polite and kind smile while wiping blood from his cheek. It felt like Ashley's danger bar had risen more!

Thank goodness I at least have him under my control. Vorbuk thought to himself as he tried to reassure how uncomfortable he felt at the moment.

"Master~?" Ashley's face was suddenly leaning in casually towards Vorbuk causing him to flinch away. "What should we do when the others wake?"

"We might be able to use the fact they are blind to help us get through this area. I will let the prince know when they wake up." Vorbuk cleared his throat while talking.

"That might work for some of us." Ashley glanced over at the group that was passed out from their exhaustion.

"It might not be a perfect plan however it is the best option we have right now. I am sure the others will find a manage with us all working together." Vorbuk understood what the vampires concern was.

As long as the beasts were blind they would have a chance to escape without being noticed. The problem with getting caught was the scorpions hunted by vibrations they sensed. That meant if they took a wrong step or simply spoke without being careful they would be noticed quickly. Once one scorpion noticed them it meant the possibility that they would become swarmed again before getting out.

"Haa.." Ashley sighed as a shadow crept over his expression.

Those who put them at highest chance of being caught was no more then Prince Leo and Daryl because they were simply human. They would not be able to disguise their footsteps like Ashley. It was not even possible for them to move with help from the shadows like Vorbuk. Zoe was a cat so she at least had some chance at remaining unnoticed because they were naturally good at sneaking around in the dark. Though Ashley's third concern among the group was the dragon, Bredret. It was simply impossible to know what problems were infinitely possible to arise with a dragon that was both a drunk and a time bomb.

"Master.. Has unique tastes in companions.." Ashley bitterly muttered to himself while Vorbuk wasn't paying attention to him.

"What did you say?" Vorbuk asked him having felt that he heard Ashley say something.

"Master, I shall support your wish to the best of my abilities." Ashley politely smiled while ushering Vorbuk to sit down and get some rest. "You must get some rest as well. Surely you will need as much of your mana replenished as possible for tomorrow."

"... Ashley." Vorbuk called out to Ashley the moment he turned to walk away from him.

"Yes, master?" Ashley glanced back at him brightly.

"You are not allowed to ever lay a hand on the others. If I catch you doing something foolish in the future.." Vorbuk knew the words he was speaking were harsh. He knew there was no ground for what he was saying. Yet every fiber of him felt the need to put Ashley in his place before they moved any further. Something about Ashley just made him feel nervous the more he was around him.

"... Master," Ashley gazed down into Vorbuk's red eyes with a faint pause. "You don't trust me do you?"

Pausing for a moment to consider how to answer Vorbuk decided to be honest with his himself and with Ashley. There was no point in hiding the truth from him. "No. So I hope you can give me a reason to as we move forward."

Vorbuk could not tell what was on Ashley's mind as he remained still in a heavy silence. He did not follow up on Vorbuk's confirmation. Instead his usually kind gaze felt as if it slightly dimmed for a moment. That moment was so short that he could not be certain if what he'd seen was real.

Was I mistaken? Did he just.. look hurt? No way..! Vorbuk contemplated over it for a moment but was soon distracted by Ashley's words as he walked away.

"I understand, master. I will do my duty well tomorrow to make sure that everyone can get out of the scorpions domain here. Nothing will happen to your companions." Ashley did not glance back at Vorbuk until he was standing as far away from him as possible to glance outside the crevice. He was avoiding him as if he had been accused of a crime.