Ch.12 North Mountains

There was a crying that could be heard throughout the whole of the town of Southscale. A sort of wailing that could make anyone shudder with fright. There in the center of the marketplace of the town a little gnome clung onto the leg of a human boy. It was a commotion that drew the attention of everyone in the public space of the marketplace. Lil the gnome was crying and clutching at Nero's leg not trying to let go.

"I'm sorry Lil," Nero said ruffling his hair.

"But…but…you can't just leave me!" Lil cried out as tears streamed down her face.

"Don't worry, I'll be back," Nero said. "I think."

"How can you leave me!?"

For anyone watching the scene, it would look like an abandonment of lovers.

"I have to go," Nero said.

"Are you leaving with her!?"

"I have to go with Maude."

"Why her!?" Lil said with pleading eyes. "Why does it have to be her!"

Audible gasps could be heard from the public watching the scene.

"Are you going to take everything away from me!" Lil said holding onto Nero.

"You have more than enough!"

More whispers spread within the crowd who watched the scene.

"What about my money!" Lil said with her face smothered into Nero's leg.

Lil's last line was not heard as it was muffled.

People started to draw their own conclusions when Nero finally broke free and left. Lil tried to reach out her hands for Nero but he had disappeared into the crowd. L the tall Elf came by and picked up his wife who made a public scene. They both disappeared into the apothecary shop amid the gossip of the populace. The rest of the market returned to normal soon after but Nero's fame would live in infamy as a playboy.

Nero was late on meeting with Maude at the entrance of Southscale. He had to deal with Lil and tell her of his departure. Of course, the little gnome hadn't taken it too well since she saw her money bank leaving. Nero didn't have to prepare much but he did get a new set of clothes from the Strongsong family. He received a fur-lined wool coat and wool pants. Perfect for the harsh cold in the North Mountains and would keep him warm during the freezing nights.

Nero didn't spend much time at the Strongsong mansion and hadn't seen Maude after their hastily arranged marriage. A butler had escorted him out and gave him his new attire with a note. He was to meet Maude at the entrance of the town for their journey to the North Mountains. While Nero wanted to stay in Southscale a bit longer, he saw an opportunity to travel to other regions.

Nero was going with the flow and wasn't really thinking about marriage at all. In fact, Nero didn't really know what a marriage was. He thought it was just a binding contract between two people. Nero didn't know the implication of the matter or so that's what Gregor had told him when he asked about it. Nero, of course, didn't really have any experiences with love.

It was still summer on the Western continent but in the North Mountains, it would be perpetually winter. The journey to the North Mountains wouldn't take too long by carriage so Nero had worn his new clothes. Nero still draped his red cloak over his clothes by hooking it onto his wool coat. Only with a bag over his shoulder and the Book of Knowledge tightly secured around his waist.

Sensing he might get scolded for being late, Nero rushed to the entrance of the town.

When Nero finally reached the entrance of the town he saw a fine looking carriage with a particular Orc girl looking peeved. A new white veil had covered Maude's face and she was wearing new clothes. She had on white wool pants and browns boots with a fur lined jacket. Her long red hair was braided and wrapped with some straps. Maude was definitely prepared for the cold regions of the North Mountains.

"By the Four Gods where is he!" Maude shouted aloud.

Nero ran to Maude's line of sight and held up his hands almost as an apology.

"I'm sorry! I'm late!" Nero said. "I had to see Lil before I went off."

Maude looked at Nero for a bit and her demeanor gradually became a little better. She's looking a little better, Nero thought as he observed Maude. After the debacle with her parents, Nero rarely saw Maude as he thought her to be angry at him. After seeing her again Nero smiled at her as he thought she had felt better. Why is he staring at me!? Maude thought as her face became flushed. Maude tried to break the silence and uncomfortable stare.

"How in the Four Gods does it take so long to say your goodbyes!?" Maude said while crossing her arms.

"Lil was kind of persuasive at not letting me go," Nero said while dusting off his pant leg.

A carriage man quickly came to Nero and asked for Nero's bag to which he was confused.

"No, I'm alright, this is my bag," Nero said completely unaware of the situation.

"Give him your bag so he can put it in the carriage," Maude said looking at the scene.

"Oh," Nero said and handed over his bag.

The carriage man was surprised at the hefty weight of the bag which was filled with many trinkets. The carriage man lugged the bag into the back of the carriage trunk and wiped off the sweat from his forehead. The carriage man couldn't believe that Nero was carrying this bag around him with ease. He would be even more shocked to know how much precious things in the known world resided in that same bag.

"We need to leave before nightfall," Maude said irritated. "It takes almost half a day to reach the base of the North Mountains and it's almost noon!"

"Why? I was told the city was safe," Nero said with a blank stare at Maude.

"While the city fortress is fine with Uncle and his rowdy crew of knights being there. It's dangerous in the North Mountains at night when monsters roam free."

"I wonder how the cities can survive with all the monsters then?"

"It's because the cities are underground."

"Underground!?"

Nero's expression perked up with wonder.

It was true that the North Mountains housed many creatures who lurked about at night. The Free Nation State was also one of the few countries where many monsters roamed wild and unchecked. While for many other regions this would cause a dangerous and unsafe environment. It was still relatively safe for the City Fortress of Cadmium which was the capital of the Free Nation State. Many cities in the Free Nation State were built with high walls but also deep underground. Making the cities relatively protected unless it were from monsters that dug underneath.

Though because of this, the lands in the North Mountains were very treacherous. Even with the amount of monsters and creatures that roamed around they didn't kill people regularly. The environment in the North Mountains is harsh beyond belief. Jagged rocks were underneath the piles of snow that draped around the mountains. Cold winds and dark clouds made it seem like never-ending night. At the chance of sunlight, the reflection from the white snow would cause many to go blind.

It was all the more reason that cities in the North Mountains were built underground.

"So let's be on our way!" Nero said with excitement in his eyes.

"We can't yet," Maude exasperated. "Not only was I waiting on you!...but my idiot brother as well!"

Nero studied the surrounding area to see that they were indeed missing one person.

"Ah, Kogar really isn't here."

"Yes, knowing him he's either been asleep this whole time or he's packing too many things!" Maude said as she palmed her face in embarrassment.

A little amber spider crawled on top of Maude's head as she was embarrassed. Maude became relaxed when she saw the spider and gently stroked the top of his head. Seeing the Amber Spider, Nero was reminded about the wolf that had become his familiar. Nero looked around only to see that the wolf was lying underneath the carriage waiting.

"There you are," Nero said. "I was wondering where you were."

The wolf raised his head before dropping back down.

Suddenly, the earth shook, Maude and Nero both felt uneasy as a tremor of some sort occurred underneath them. A banging and clanking sound rumbled throughout the town of Southscale. People from the street started to run away in fear and horror. While some admired with shock and awe. The sound and the rumbles started getting closer and closer to the entrance of the town. A tall shadow soon engulfed the entrance of the town and the carriage.

Nero looked down the street and saw a tall figure of something that looked to eclipse the sun. He felt immense danger coming from the shadow. Nero glanced at Maude to see her face in utter shock. Turning toward the mountainous figure the two would see a red Orc at the base. Nero sighed with relief and Maude's eyebrow twitched almost uncontrollably.

"What in the name of the Four Gods are you doing!" Maude shouted.

The figure of Kogar holding onto an enormous bag of supplies behind him came into view.

"Getting ready for our Journey," Kogar said like it was a matter of fact.

Kogar placed the mountain of supplies down with a thud.

"Why do you have so many things!"

Maude threw up her hands in disbelief.

"Well, I need my weapons, duh!"

Kogar patted his chest.

"Is that a chair from the dining room?!"

"Well, I need my chair to sit down!"

"Why is your bed in there!?"

"I need it to sleep of course!"

"Is that a...never mind!" Maude said as she palmed her face.

Maude had an incredible headache that would not leave her. She just knew that it had something to do with her idiot brother. After a few pummeling punches on Kogar, Maude went through his bag and took out most of the unnecessary things. Many items and family furniture were tossed to the side of the street. Some things made you wonder how Kogar could carry this item in his bag while other things asked you why. Maude was irritated and embarrassed beyond her threshold. Kogar only felt slighted that his little sister treated him this way.

"You don't treat me with the respect I deserve!" Kogar said.

"You only gain respect when you are respectful!" Maude snapped back.

Kogar scratched his head before he came up to a conclusion.

"Dearest ugly little sister," Kogar said. "I need those things!"

"Venerated idiot brother," Maude said. "You don't need these things! You want these things!"

Nero could only stand by and watch as the siblings argued. From Nero's perspective, he saw two loving siblings as he never had siblings of his own. So this is how siblings are, it's wonderful Nero thought. Nero did feel lonely sometimes being by himself but having watched the siblings argue he felt much better. After some time and some bruises later, Kogar was tied to the top of the carriage with his bag of things.

Much that was inside Kogar's bag was tossed off to the side to his dismay and the party went off.

The carriage driver was humming a tune while he followed the roads with the Orcs and Human in his care. It was a straightforward road that led up to the North Mountains that had been paved after numerous uses. Nero and Maude were inside the carriage with their familiars as they surveyed the area. The landscape they traveled in was fleshed out with farms and grass as the eye could see. Nero studied the outside world with great detail trying to recall some of his books. Maude could only wonder what Nero was thinking as she saw him excited.

After some deep thought, Nero looked at Maude and got her attention.

"Are we taking the carriage the whole way there?" Nero asked.

"No," Maude replied. "We get up to the base of the North Mountains and we have to climb the trail ourselves."

"Excellent!" Nero said. "I get to see the environment first hand!"

"Don't worry," Maude said. "It's a very long climb, you'll see a lot."

Maude pointed out of the carriage window for Nero to see. Off in the distance to the northeast were the towering mountain lands. Perforated with white colors and jagged outlines. The mountains nearly penetrated the sky from how high they soared. Only Maude sighed as she started to anticipate the climb ahead of them.

"Amazing."

Nero gazed out at the towering mountains with wonder.

The North Mountains were a natural border divider. Wedged in between three kingdoms of Elves, Orcs, and Humans. It became a place where races and people of all kinds could prosper. It was because of one man, a former prince of the Kingdom of Or'Vale. King Alastair a heroic king and one who went against conventional thinking.

"Well, it'll be fascinating to see more Dwarven architecture," Nero said. "I heard there are more Dwarves who live in the North Mountains compared to Southscale."

Maude looked at Nero and waved her hand.

"Yes and no," Maude said. "We have Stone Dwarves in Southscale compared to the Rock Dwarves who dwell in the North Mountains."

Nero was shot with a bolt of energy at Maude's words.

"Ah! Stone Dwarves who prefer living on the surface compared to the Rock Dwarves who live underground?" Nero said.

Maude became wide-eyed at Nero's remark.

"You're really knowledgeable about these things," Maude said. "People think Dwarves are all the same."

Maude knew that not many people could tell the difference in culture between races. Just like how all Orcs and Humans differed. Not everyone in an entire race was the same. Each race had their own subcultures and regions that they prefer to live on. Only a few that had come in contact with races would be able to tell the difference in culture.

"Just some things I've read," Nero said. "I should've guessed when you said the cities were built underground. Have you been there before?"

"Yes," Maude said with a nod. "Our uncle, my father's blood brother is the leader of the Free Nation State."

Nero nodded and rubbed his chin as he contemplated about the Free Nation State.

The Free Nation State was a place where many people sought refuge. Free was the optimal word because it was a place of free thinking and free living. Though it did have laws to ensure the safety of its populace and to be recognized as a country on its own. Maude, Nero, and Kogar were heading there under the pretenses of education.

Chieftain Scar and Lady Mare only sought the safety of their daughter after finding out she had been chosen by the Amber Spider Roux. A failed engagement only put their daughter into a power play of politics. They, however, used it to their advantage by sending Maude to be educated by the Hero King Alastair, to protect and shield her. The two parents also sent a message about Nero to Alastair, that he would be the next suitable marriage partner.

Something that they wouldn't know had made many dire consequences.

"I hope I can learn some interesting stuff when we get there," Nero said.

"When you meet uncle Alastair I'm sure you will," Maude replied. "Just be prepared that he's a little eccentric."

"I see," Nero rubbed his chin.

Nero didn't believe King Alastair could be as eccentric as his father Gregor.

Maude and Nero enjoyed some casual conversation as they watched the scenery change toward their destination. The carriage ride had taken half a day like it was to be expected. They had made it to the base of the North Mountains with relative ease in their scenic route. Maude and Nero came out of the carriage a little tired. Maude started doing some stretches as the yellow spider Pii circled around her. Bal came out of the carriage and started trotting around for some territory to mark. Nero stretched his back as his eyes wandered up the side of the mountain.

"It's taller up close than from afar," Nero said.

"Of course it is," Maude said. "We'll get ready to go up that."

A loud snored erupted from the carriage as they had forgotten about the tied up Kogar.

"Kogar! We're here!" Maude said as she untied his bindings.

Kogar blinked his eyes as he tried to wake from a daze but instead rolled over to sleep again.

"Get up you lout!" Maude kicked the side of the carriage.

Kogar fell from the carriage and hit the ground with a thud.

"Oh! We're here already!" Kogar yawned as he was awakened from his slumber. "I'm hungry."

"By the Four Gods....hurry and get your things!"

"I have everything right here!" Kogar said with a pat to his chest while holding his bag.

Kogar bounced up tall and proud but Maude just shook her head.

"I wonder what an underground city looks like," Nero rubbed his shoulders as he looked up towards the North Mountains.

The base of the North Mountains was not as cold as Nero expected it to be. Nero thought it was most likely because of the new clothes he was wearing. Nero took his bag off the carriage and helped the driver place down the rest of their items. The Carriage driver gave the group a farewell and left as the final luggage was unloaded.

Bal wandered back to Nero and gave him a bark.

"Woof."

"Bal? What is it? You hungry?" Nero said.

Bal confirmed Nero's question with a bark.

"Should we stop here and eat?" Nero asked Maude who was gathering her things.

"Pii~Pii"

"No, we can't eat yet," Maude said. "We should go up the mountain and set up camp before it gets too late. Being out in the open is dangerous here."

Bal whined and Nero ruffled his hair with unease.

"My little sister is right!" Kogar said. "Many monsters come out at night and attack people in the open. If we find a nice cave we can grill the batch of fish I have!"

Kogar unveiled a stack of fish from his bag as his mouth revealed his fangly grin.

"How did you even keep that in your...never mind," Maude said as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

The three began their trek up the mountain following the easily laid trail. Pii was on Maude's shoulder and Bal followed behind Nero. Kogar was nonchalant about the climb as he spent some time in the North Mountains before. Maude led the group up the path with Nero in the middle and Kogar behind them.

Not even an hour through the trail did Nero feel the effects of climbing such a mountain.

"This is....*gah*....h-how further?!" Nero said as he tried catching his breath.

"We're not even halfway," Maude said

Nero grimaced with a deep gulp when he heard Maude's words.

"This is a good experience for you Nero," Kogar said with a laugh. "You'll get stronger! Although you won't be as strong as me!"

Nero glanced at Kogar who didn't seem to break a sweat. Kogar was wearing his usual black armor that covered his body from head to toe. The armor seemed bigger and bulky than his stout muscled frame. Every step Kogar took seem to crack the ground as he carried his unusually large bag. Nero glanced up to Maude who also followed the trail just fine. Maude, on the other hand, seemed to look light as a feather as she walked up and climbed the mountain landscape.

Nero persevered through as his curiosity wanted to feast on the sight of underground city.

The trio kept up their climb and followed the accessible path. Some trail markers told them of their destination while there was no sign of anyone else. Only stone statues had marked the border into the Free Nation State as they traversed the North Mountains. Nero did find it odd that there were no other travelers on the trail given how inclusive the Free Nation State sounded. Seeing the path for himself, Nero assumed that the people in the Free Nation State would rather be secluded from the world.

"It's strange, I thought...I *gasp* thought there would be more *gah* travelers on the path."

"We're not taking the commercial path," Maude said easily as she climbed a rock.

"What!?"

"This is the training route," Maude said. "The straightforward path is at the base."

"You're kidding me..." Nero said with a sigh.

Nero felt weak as he struggled to follow Maude. The cities of the Free Nation State were deep in the North Mountains and built within. Being surrounded by four other territories and keeping a neutral alignment. It became a country with much trade and commerce. A railroad transportation system was built from within and exited to the surrounding territories. Only the Free Nation State controlled the transportation system but it was heavily monitored by the other countries.

For Maude and Kogar, they have always used the training path with their uncle. King Alastair had introduced it to Maude when she was very young and always took her on that path. The trail was covered in rocks and minor vegetation with plenty of upward climbs. Maude had only taken the commercial path once and found it to be very boring. Nero felt like he was going to faint from traveling up the training path.

Nero tried to climb higher but was stopped by Maude in front of him.

"Wait!" Maude said as she pulled out her bow.

An echo of a screech and howl caught the attention of the trio.

"Griffon!" Kogar said and pointed up to the sky.

Bal barked and Pii cowered behind on Maude's back.

Nero looked up to see a winged beast with the head of a bird and the body of a lion flying high above. A Griffon, a magical flying beast that lives deep in the mountains. The trio had just only ventured up the mountains and have encountered such a dangerous beast. It was unexpected as the Griffon is a dangerous but noble creature that keeps to itself. Nero quickly climbed up to stable ground followed by Kogar.

"Why is it here!?" Nero said.

"Something must have happened!" Maude said. "Griffons aren't this wild!"

"It's circling us," Kogar said. "It must see us as a threat!"

Kogar leaped in front of Maude and pulled out the back plate of his armor to reveal a shield. A huge chunk from the back of Kogar's armor actually happened to be an enormous tower shield. The shield was black and outlined like the edges of Kogar's armor. Kogar placed the shield in front of himself and it nearly covered his entire frame.

The mighty Griffon circled and swooped down to claw at the trio.

The Griffon never strayed too far in the air as it came down constantly. The trio were almost overwhelmed by the sheer force of wind that the Griffon brought down on them. Kogar stood in place as he shielded Maude and Nero. Soon the Griffon became more enraged after it saw that the trio were not easy prey.

The Griffon came down from the sky to crash into Kogar's shield.

Kogar clashed with the Griffon and moved only slightly on the rock formation he stood. Nero could finally see the magnificent beast up close and saw how big it was. The Griffon stood almost as tall and wide as the carriage they had ridden on. Kogar and the Griffon pressed against each other with sheer physical strength.

"Maude!" Kogar roared.

Quickly, Maude drew her arrows and shot at the beast which only bounced off its tough hide.

"It's not working!"

The Griffon flapped its wings in an instant and blew Maude off her ground.

"Maude!"

"Ah!"

"Pii!"

Pii held onto Maude's back and shot a line of webbing to the ground.

"Thank you Pii!" Maude said.

Nero drew his short sword but came to his senses that it would have no effect on the beast.

Maude regained her balance as the yellow spider prevented her tumbling down the mountain. The wolf familiar next to Nero began to get angry at the beast attacking them. Bal is a mighty beast himself known as an King Wolf despite his current small stature. Bal growled and leaped to attack the Griffon only to be shrugged off.

"Bal!" Nero said. "Damn it!"

Maude caught the wolf which rolled down the mountain into her arms. Nero exhaled with relief that Maude and Bal were okay. Kogar looked to be struggling with the monster as he was pressed back. Nero calmed himself and knew he had to do something to fight off the beast. Mana began to circulate within Nero as he rushed forward to help Kogar.

"My turn!" Nero yelled.

Nero began writing words in the air to summon forth his magic.

"Earth!" Nero chanted and clapped his hands. "Cage!"

A slight yellow aura glowed from his hands and split off to the ground. Rock like fingers sprouted from underneath the Griffon. The mana in the air alerted the beast which clawed ferociously against Kogar. The Griffon was engaged in battle with Kogar and could not fly away from Nero's magic. The black armored Orc pushed the beast in front of him hastily into the cage of rocks. The Griffon screeched but soon the cage of earth enveloped the beast.

"Got you!" Nero said as he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.

Maude exhaled a sense of relief.

"Good thinking," Kogar said with a laugh. "But I could've handled it! My strength is too good."

Kogar pulled out two battle axes from his side as he prepared to slay the beast.

"Wait!" Maude said.

Kogar hesitated as he looked towards his sister.

"Little sister, if we don't kill this thing now it'll cause problems later," Kogar said.

"Stupid brother, you should know that Griffons don't attack people randomly. Something must have happened to its nest!"

Maude went next to the cage of earth and inspected the Griffon.

"She's right," Nero chimed in. "Griffon's usually stay around their territory and rarely leave. I doubt we came close for it to attack us indiscriminately. We're still not halfway up the mountain!"

Nero came up to Maude to see what she was doing.

"It's wounded," Maude said. "It looks like cuts and piercing wounds from a tip of a spear."

The Griffon was agitated and screeched as it struggled within its cage of earth.

"Uncle might know what happened," Maude said. "But we're not even close to Cadmium!"

Cadmium was the capital city of the Free Nation State.

"Well, we can't just let it go free!" Kogar said. "It tried to kill us!"

Kogar and Maude tried to ponder what to do as Nero studied the Griffon.

"What do you think Nero?" Maude asked.

Maude wasn't sure of what to do and knew that Nero was the son of a great wise man.

"Tough to say," Nero said.

The Orcs watched as the human boy pondered.

"I think we should let it go," Nero said after some time.

"What!?"

"It just doesn't feel right," Nero said. "It might not be the wisest course of action but sometimes feelings overcome thought as my father would say."

Maude expressed gratitude towards Nero while Kogar scratched his head.

"Well ,you captured it but be prepared for the consequences," Kogar said.

Kogar shrugged his firm shoulders and shook his head.

"If we heal its wounds it could see that we meant it no harm," Nero said. "Then we'll go a safe distance away and I'll release the magic."

"To heal a beast of this size would require some strong potions that I doubt any of us will have! I may be strong but I'm not rich!" Kogar said.

"Well actually I might have something," Nero searched his knapsack. "Although it's mediocre in strength."

Nero pulled out a bottle from his knapsack and revealed it to the others. Kogar tried to look with disinterest as he had used many potions before but something caught his eye. Kogar had not seen the quality of Nero's potion before and it looked peculiar to him.

Nero moved closer to the earth cage and looked at the Griffon's wounds. The Griffon pierced a cold stare and howled at Nero when he came close. Nero quickly doused the Griffon with the potion to which the Griffon panicked. Soon, however, the Griffon eased in its demeanor as its wounds had nearly vanished!

"What in the Four Gods..."

Kogar and Maude were struck with disbelief at what they saw. Maude knew Nero was an alchemist as she had witnessed Nero's alchemy before first hand. But this potion was too amazing! It had even healed the wounds of a beast like the Griffon. Little did they know that is was only a minor staple of Gregor's potions. What Nero called mediocre in strength nearly healed a Griffon's wounds completely!

The eyes of the Griffon relaxed as it gazed at Nero with reverence.

"I think this should be fine," Nero said.

"You sure?"

"One way to find out."

Nero's hands glowed faintly and he waved off the magic that caged the Griffon. The earth cage collapsed on itself as if it were dust in the wind. The Griffon shook off the dust that fell on it. The beast slowly trotted close to the trio and they all prepared themselves for what might happen. Instead, the beast nodded its head and gave the trio a howl of forgiveness.

The Griffon flapped its wings and soared back into the sky.

"We could have found glory in battle but there is no honor in fighting a wounded beast!" Kogar said.

Kogar went next to Nero and patted him on the shoulder with a laugh.

Nero chuckled faintly as he fell down tired from the encounter. The trio and familiars watched as the Griffon disappeared into the skies of the North Mountains. Maude sighed as she parted her hair from the cold winds bellowing through the mountain air. She wondered why a noble beast like the Griffon was wounded and why it came to see them as enemies. The sun began to set on the trio as dark clouds blended with an array of fading light.

"Let's find a cave and rest here," Maude said. "It's getting dark, we'll continue tomorrow."

The trio only ventured some distance before finding a small cave enclosed in the mountains. The cave was rounded and deserted of any monsters or beasts. It had enough space for the three of them and only one entrance to which they can easily hide from predators. Maude had the idea to enclose the entrance with webbing from Pii to act as a barrier and alarm system.

Kogar happily started a fire and smoked his batch of fishes. Maude could not stand the smell but Nero was easily interested to what was being prepared. Nero had no grievances on cooked food of any kind. Grilled fish was a delicacy to his senses. The trio with Bal and Pii would spend their time in the cave as the harsh weather picked up outside.

Little did Nero know what dangers lurked outside in the North Mountains.

Snow fell and wind dashed throughout the slopes of the North Mountains. Creatures monstrous and small began to creep through the treacherous terrain. The Moon dared not shine to show what horrors have appeared. The land had become wild and untamed for the beasts to roam free without hindrance. No one in their right mind would dare venture forth in the darkness of the North Mountains.

And yet there were a group of people outside on top its terrain.

Traversing its landscapes and willing to fight any monsters that come their way. Their weapons and their expressions show the experience they have. A handful of them cloaked in white garbs with a Griffon's insignia they roam. Hunters of beasts left unchecked and they enjoyed the very pleasure of it. Beasts know not what they face until they come to see their power.

A young man just past boyhood leads them.

His raven black hair covers his youthful face. The skinny frame of his body was packed with slight muscles. A radiant spear clings across his back as he walks the North Mountains. The young man's expression shows his eagerness to find the beast that escaped them. A Griffon they had chased to the brink of death. After destroying the Griffon's home and stealing its young. These hunters were looking for the rare materials that made its body.

They crept easily throughout the night without secrecy.

For as monsters roam, so do they.