CHAPTER 2

“Well, well, well. Look what we have here,” smirked Rafe

“Ohh the lousy scorpions finally decided to leave their pretty little nests.” countered Kaleb

The smirk on Rafe’s face turned to distaste, “and what do these brutes have to do with Gustaff?”

“It’s none of your business.” I annoyingly replied.

“Well then, looks like we need to get it out of you by force.”

Everyone was in their fighting stance at once. The only disadvantage was that we were surrounded but we weren’t backing down. Carla knocked two scorpions with her water shots while I landed an uppercut punch on Rafe, blood gushed out from his mouth and nose. Bruno and Kaleb were kicking and fighting the others. Out of nowhere, Rafe punched me in the gut, and I lost balance which delivered me to the ground.

On the floor clutching my sides, a hand grabbed my neck squeezing the air out of me till it left me breathless. Trying not to lose consciousness, I heard someone behind me, “Stop this at once!”

The hands left my neck and I gasped all the air I could get and turned to see my saviour. It was none other than our captain Reiyah. At the sight of her, the blue Scorpios escaped back to their guild hall.

“Are you alright?” asked Reiyah.

“ Yes,”I replied

“Okay then,” she continued furiously, “what do you think you are doing, picking a fight in the middle of the day!”

“They started it! We were peacefully going to Gustaffs house when they ambushed us.” Bruno yelled back.

Reiyah shot us an angry glance and blurted, “why were you even going there, no mission has been assigned to you people.”

At that question, I said, “it’s a personal mission, we will tell you when it’s accomplished.”

“There is no point arguing with you imbeciles, do whatever you want, all I can say is, DON’T DIE!.” and walked back to the hall.

***

Gustaff’s house was a mess, scattered clothes everywhere except the cupboard, unwashed dishes, sheets all over the place. I honestly can’t comprehend how one manages to survive like this.

After waiting for what seemed like an hour, the ragged-looking man appeared in the living room with a stack of papers in his hands.

“Before starting, I need $1000 for the information I am about to bestow upon you guys,” he declared. Given our desperation, we reluctantly nodded in confirmation.

Beaming with all the money he will receive he began, “The Grimoire is located in the Dread Forest, it is a habitat to dreadful monsters and poisonous plants. Be careful not to eat anything there and keep your guards up at all times.

In the middle of the forest, about 75km ahead, you will find an abandoned castle. A rumour says that the previous owner of the Grimoire who used to live there laid many traps for his descendants.”

“Thanks a ton, Gustaf!” I said with a broad smile.

“Now, time for you kiddos to pay up.”

Paying him the money, we headed back to the Guild Hall.

“All the best! And stay safe you guys”, cheered Gustaf with a concerned look on his face.

“Don't worry we will be fine and be back right here to annoy you in no time!” replied Carla, giving him a wink.

Back at the Guild Hall, after finding a nice seat and ordering some food and cola, we started discussing our mission, further giving expressions of an excited dog waiting to get its long-awaited treat. “I suggest we go to the forest first thing tomorrow morning,” recommended Kaleb. “Right! We will need outdoor and trekking supplies which Susine and I can arrange in an hour or so” said Carla, “And you boys look up for food supplies and arrange transportation.”

“Done.”

After our hearty supper, we went out to do our duties for the Grimoire hunt and were back at the Guild Hall around eight o’clock in the night.

“Everything is set finally!” exclaimed Bruno.

“Now all we need is a last-minute check and a good night’s sleep.”

“Final check guys then off to bed.” Carla reacted.

Nobody would have ever imagined that we forgot the most basic thing to survive in the wilderness, sleeping bags! It took us, “the meticulous planners” yet another hour to arrange and pack four sleeping bags.

“At last, we are all set for the upcoming adventure awaiting us,” said a drained Bruno.

“To the next stop: The Dread Forest!” chuckled Kaleb.