Chapter 37- The Beast of Seaford

Morpheus made his way upstairs and knocked on Rose’s door.

“Hey elf-boy, how's the levelling?” She asked while opening the door.

“Good, I need to show you something actually.”

“I swear by Zeus if you got another mark.” She stated

“No, it’s way more cool than that.”

Rose rolled her eyes. “Go on then.”

“It’s best to do it where I’m staying.”

“Are you trying to fuck me again?” She asked.

“What, no it’s not that.”

She tapped her foot with her arms folded. “Fine.”

Morpheus and Rose headed down and out into the garden.

“We’ll go behind the house.” Morpheus said.

Rose was silent with ignorance.

They made their way around the back of the house, far out of view of the mansion.

“Don’t attack it.” Morpheus said.

“Is it Fuzz?” She asked.

“Yeah.”

“Go on then.”

“Fuzz. Bulgur!”

Fuzz shot out of his cloak and the black mutated bulgur stood in front of them.

Reyna screamed but stopped after a second, and she hit him on the back of the head.

“Hey I even told you.” Morpheus said, rubbing the back of his head.

“Was this one mutated?” She asked.

“Yeah, it had three mouths but when Fuzz absorbed it he only had two.”

“Must of have had a title, or a levelling issue.”

“Yeah it had an extreme title.”

Rose just huffed and carefully walked up to Fuzz.

Fuzz opened one of his mouths and a tentacle creeped out.

Morpheus held up his tentacle and began stroking it.

“Good boy Fuzz.”

Rose was hesitant but also did the same.

“What’s this black goo?” She asked.

“Mana absorption goo.”

“Really? That’s extremely rare.”

“Yeah, took ten of us to take it down, one of the guards even died.”

“Did you pay them for it?” She asked.

“Yeah, how do you know that?” He asked.

“If a guard dies then they’ll sell the monster which goes to their family.”

“Oh, I wondered why none of the other adventurers said anything.”

Rose took out a long stick and began prodding it around Fuzz’s mouth, looking at all his teeth.

“They really are disgusting.”

“Hey it’s Fuzz you know.” He joked.

“Yeah, it’s just looking at his teeth. It has the same circular mouth as a kraken.

“That’s interesting.”

“Oh and by the way I needed to talk to you about Themetruük and the dark place.”

“Sure do you want to go inside?” He asked.

“Yeah if you’ll let me hold Fuzz.”

He smiled. “That’s up to him.”

“Fuzz shadow.” Rose said and Fuzz bounced up into her arms.

“Awww who’s a good boy.” She said while stroking him.

Morpheus rolled his eyes this time and the trio headed in through the back door.

Rose pulled out two cups of ale with one hand while the other held Fuzz.

“So about Themetruük, I read up on his adventures into the dark place.”

“And?”

“Nothing, he went when he was young and it was too harsh of an environment for him to stay.”

“So what did you want to tell me.”

“Themetruük’s master, Crunos, went there before him.”

“Well don’t stop.”

Rose rolled her eyes. “He had a skill called Arcane Pulse where he could see without his eyes as the whole air is made up of diluted shadow magic, making sight impossible.”

“I have that skill.” He added in, proud of himself.

“Good for you, anyway he said that there were creatures which were made up of flesh and shadow magic, he named them shadow beasts.”

“Level?” Morpheus asked.

“He couldn’t see their names since light was not present because of the shadow magic. He didn’t engage them either.”

“So Lifeform Identification uses light magic?” Morpheus asked.

Rose carried on, apparently it was a stupid question.

“He found huge empty castles, massive mountains and Gorgoroth technology.”

“Gorgoroth? You think they lived there.”

“Possibly, or it was a base of sorts.”

“That’s amazing, how accurate do you reckon it is?

“It was in the fiction area.”

“Oh.”

“But apparently it was out there to only deter people from thinking it was real.”

“How’d you know?” Morpheus asked.

“My friend is a librarian there, she likes to gossip when I get her drunk.”

“You’re an awful person.” He said, while also drinking her ale.

“I know, and apparently it was Cronus who founded the Scarecrows. And he built the very first base beneath what I assume is an abyss node.”

“Why do you say assume?”

“It mentioned a pathway into another world, far deadlier than ours.”

“What was it called?” Moprheus asked, it could be Earth.

“It didn’t say.” She said while taking a sip of ale, and stroking Fuzz.

Morpheus put a finger on his chin. “Anyway, are you coming to the meal tonight?” He asked.

“No definately not, Draghaul scares the fuck out me.” She responded.

“Can’t be that bad, I’ve met war orcs.”

“No, Celene tells me he gets very rowdy and angry. Oh and don’t call him Draghaul.”

“Why?” Morpheus asked.

“How am I meant to know, he just gets angry when you call him that.”

“What do I call him?”

“The Beast of Seaford.” Rose said while putting down her cup. Fuzz jumped off her and into Morpheus’s cloak.

“You’re right, he does sound scary now. Wait, so I should call him that all the time, seems pretty long winded.”

“Celene calls him just The Beast.”

“Sounds kinda offensive if you think about it.” Morpheus said.

“Want to ask him about it?” Rose asked sarcastically.

“I’ll walk straight up to him and fart in face.” Morpheus jokes.

Rose giggled slightly, Morpheus enjoyed making her laugh.

“You better get ready now.” Rose said.

“Is this not fine?” He asked.

Rose shook her head, while a smile brewed on her face.

“You’re wearing a mid-day suit, the collars are square.”

Morpheus rolled his eyes, fashion was more of a challenge than a boss fight.

“Can you find the right suit then?” He asked.

“Sure.”

Rose stormed in his bedroom and began to rummage through the clothes. Suits and shirts flew behind her as a pile began to form on the bed.

“Here. Round collars for the evening, and a tie for formality.”

Rose exited and Morpheus changed into the evening suit, the only problem was that he wasn’t wearing his cape.

“Fuzz, can you get in my shadow?” Morpheus asked.

He pointed to the shadow beneath his feet.

“My shadow buddy.”

Fuzz jumped up and dissapeared in it.

“That’s handy.”

Morpheus strolled out of his room.

“How do I look? My lady.”

“The colours really don’t match your hair, it’s a pity that it’s such a nice suit.”

He checked himself in the mirror again, flexing his muscles.

“Where’s Fuzz?” She asked.

The young chimera pointed to his feet.

“Makes sense.”

“Anyway, I think I’ll be done with levelling in a few days. We could go out and kill something big if you wanted?” Morpheus asked.

“Sure, tell me in advance though.”

“Of course my lady, I’ll be off speaking to rich people.”

“Good luck.” Rose said.

Morpheus left while Rose continued to drink in the house. He walked over to the patio to find both Celene and Charles chatting around the table.

“Ah Morpheus, lovely choice on the suit.” Celene said.

Charles too was wearing a similar suit, yet he was wearing a bow tie. ‘Amateur’ Morpheus thought.

“The Beast will be meeting us there, let us be off.”

The trio left, surrounded by Charles’s and Celene’s guards. He lit a cigarette as they walked towards the restaurant.

“Morpheus, may I take one of those?” Charles asked politely.

“Of course, they’re considered a delicacy in Paradisio.” He lied, while handing Charles a cigarette.

“How interesting, I will have to visit sometime.”

Soon they were at the restaurant lined with gold and lilac, quite a large crowd were keeping their distance from the restaurant.

“By Aphrodite, is that Charles. He did come!” The voices from the crowd said.

“Who’s that next to him, he’s cute.”

“Ah, he looks weak. Not even a hundred.”

It seemed like they were fans, and Charles was popular.

“Very befitting of your Celene.” Charles said.

“Thank you.” She said with a fake smile.

Standing next to the door was none other than Draghaul, The Beast. Around him were two guards, dressed like pirates. Even the aura around them was intimidating.

Celene bowed in front of him, Draghaul did not return it.

(Brute, The Beast of Seaford, Level ???)

“Good evening The Beast.”

“Good evening Celene.” The Beast said, his voice very deep.

“These are the others representing House Baylor, Charles Demean and Morpheus.”

Draghaul extended his hand for Charles first.

“Nice to meet you.” Charles said.

“Good.” Draghaul said bluntly.

Draghaul extended his hand to Morpheus, but looked towards his feet as he did.

“Nice to meet you.” Morpheus nervously said.

“Good.” Draghaul said.

Looking at Draghaul was like looking at a fiery demon, every word he said echoed a sense of fear to those who heard it. He stood at seven feet tall, his cheeks were covered in small crimson scales. Two small and curved horns protruded from the side of his head and he wore a plain brown and rugged suit, befitting of a pirate.

Celene broke the awkwardness. “Well, let us eat and celebrate.”

Most of the guards stayed outside and a few followed them in.

Morpheus had no idea how to properly eat, but thankfully neither did Draghaul it seemed.

As in the rich fashion the plates were small but the taste was phenomenal. Food he never heard of placed in the most spectacular fashion, the young chimera only wished the meals were larger.

Draghaul cleared his throat. “Celene, what about the other Houses?”

Celene turned pale white and Morpheus was curious.

“Yes, unfortunately. Since you have won almost every time for the past ten years it has definitely caused conflict.”

‘Ten years!’ The young chimera thought.

“Do these two know?” Draghaul asked in his deep voice.

Charles nodded.

“I don’t.” Morpheus honestly said.

Celene swallowed the lump in her throat. “Morpheus, houses will band together in order to beat others. Even though our supporters have increased, our enemies have as well.”

She paused slightly and tried to calm herself down.

“Eight of the houses have already agreed to try to kill or force the surrender of our candidates.”

Morpheus laughed. “Sounds like more fun.”

Draghaul let out a deep chuckle and the colour returned to Celene’s face.

“Sorry Morpheus I should have told you before, I was worried you would leave.” She said.

“I wouldn’t have cared to be honest, so who’s on our side?”

“We have three nuetral, one ally and the rest of the houses are against us.” Charles replied.

“Who’s the ally?” The young chimera asked.

“Drakil, the most eccentric dwarf you’ll ever meet.” Celene replied.

“Eccentric dwarf? That sounds interesting.” He said. Morpheus wanted to see Drakon’s brother, and he was an ally at best.

Celene giggled slightly. “Sorry, excuse me. I need to use the restroom.”

Celene nodded and now Charles decided to leave.

“I must apologise but I just received a message that aphrodite's children are awaiting me outside.” Charles said.

“Go then, enjoy your night.” Draghaul said aggressively.

Charles smiled at the two of them and briskly walked out of the restaurant, followed by his guards. The only guards left in the restaurant were Draghaul’s.

Draghaul had been very rude during the meal and kept side-eyeing the young chimera. Morpheus was beginning to panick, the last thing he wanted to do was upset the man.

"What are you hiding?" Draghaul asked him, causing Morpheus to freeze.

"Nothing." Morpheus replied without making eye contact.

“Show me.” Draghaul ordered.

“Show you what?” Morpheus asked.

Draghaul chuckled deeply. “Enough jokes, show me.”

Morpheus was hesitant, he didn’t know Draghaul.

Suddenly Draghaul teleported next to Morpheus’s chair and grabbed him in a choke hold.

“The fuck are you doing!” He screamed.

“You lied to The Beast.”

“I’m protecting it.” He said.

“We’ll see.”

Draghaul’s guards restrained Morpheus as The Beast bent down and grabbed his shadow.

Fuzz’s little eye popped up in his hand and stared at Draghaul. The Beast began to squeeze Fuzz, and Fuzz was sending messages of distress and pain to Morpheus.

“You fucking bastard. I’ll fucking kill you!” Morpheus screamed.

"A shadow for such a low level, disgusting." He said, throwing Fuzz over his shoulder, who quickly scuttled back into Morpheus’s shadow.

One of his guards punched Morpheus across his nose, and blood began pouring out of it. They pushed him back down in his chair.

“Sit and stay, like a good boy.” Draghaul's said in his deep voice.

“Fuck you Draghaul!” Morpheus shouted.

"What did you call me?" Draghaul asked with emotion in his voice. Morpheus froze again.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of that shadow for you." Draghaul said, leaning back in his chair and sipping a spirit.

"I'd like to see you fucking try." He said spitting on the table.

He grabbed his lilac blazer and stormed out of the restaurant, leaving Celene behind.

He slammed the door with anger and made his way back to the wooden house. He wouldn't let Draghaul take Fuzz.