“So, we’re looking for a native woman from the eastern kingdom?”

Blu removed his hat and hugged it to his chest with both arms, his pipe balancing between his lips as his icy gaze locked on the noble behind his desk that was probably far too expensive. Sitting in a chair that was most likely worth more than his little shack in the outskirts. Envy was something Blu never really danced with. But he couldn’t help but be a bit angered knowing there were thousands if not millions in Solis that worked job from job just to afford a roof over their head that did a lousy job as shelter when the rainstorms arrived from the North and East. The nobleman, Orion Soma, was the third wealthiest man in Solis. He was a small, overweight man that did a poor job of covering his balding head. Really. Wear a hat. Blu enjoyed the thought that maybe Soma was secretly a turtle who ate a nobleman and took his job. Was this possible? Not at all. Was it hilarious? To him, it was.

“What I said, Nobel Soma.”

Soma scratched his nose as he scanned the documents Blu had expertly prepared for him during his journey back from Hitori. Blu did not consider himself neat or proper. But he did, however, take pride in paperwork. An opportunity to tell a story was something he would never pass up. Ironically, this alone gained him a few promotions in the military, but he turned most down because of the leading to what Blu called a boring desk job in the capital. He was a soldier. One for hire now. But all the same. Killing was a skill of his that always topped everything else. That, and he had a rather fetching recipe for black apple pie. It is tastier than it sounds.

Soma nodded and frowned as he looked up to Blu, resting his palms on his desk with a slouch. “Finding an Easter woman in Solis would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, Mista Blu. The South and West are incredibly open, and all shapes and sizes of people walk the city streets. While you were at the top of the map several new murders sprung up by the way. All adult males this time and in the same week. Five human, two pointy ears. All with extensive noble or military backgrounds. Murders to serial killings. This beast has something against men.”

“Perfect. I thought she only targeted humans monthly? Now it’s every other day.” Blu squinted his eyes with frustration. “That is a rather disturbing jump.”

“She is a lot braver now and is aware we are all sitting here twiddling our thumbs. Adding more fire to the mix some local towns surrounding Rosetta have reported sightings of cultists. Especially in the mountain regions of Solis. Though I don’t think the two are connected I already took the liberty of dispatching my finest men to investigate the matter.”

“And how that’d go?”

“We received word they had discovered an old cave system. Most likely a forgotten dwarven iron mine. But that was three days ago. We have some outposts in that area so it’s unlikely they wouldn’t be able to send word if they found something.” Soma removed the handkerchief from his dress wear pocket and polished his head, beads of sweat dripping down and smacking into the paperwork Blu so hardly worked on. He cringed, but, shrugged it off.

“So, I’m guessing you’ll say next, dear Blu please go to the scary mine and deal with cultists. That was not the job we agreed on. I would rather keep on the woman’s scent while I still have it. She could be on her way to the North by now ready to terrorize a new people.”

“That is exactly what I am asking, Mista Blu. If by some chance these newly discovered cultists relate to the increased murders, we’ll be one step closer to apprehending this monster and sending her to the firing squad where she belongs.”

“I was always more of a fan of hangings. But I digress.” Blu placed his hat back on his head and tilted it to the overweight noble. “I assume you have a party ready for me. This is not the same as investigating a deserted village. Things could get nasty as we both know cultists can be an unwelcoming bunch.”

“I’ve already handled it. The Greythorne guild has offered us two of their best. One a mage which I am sure you will get a kick out of and the other is a master of the eastern martial arts.”

“Wonderful. If things go south, I can trip one of them and run.”

“Excuse me?”

Blu chuckled and waved as he exited the office, “Try not to work too hard. Be seeing ya real soon.”

* * * * *

“Okay, okay! Goblins? Will there be goblins?”

“For the last time, Po. Cultists. They’ll have wild dogs or an ogre.”

“Okay. But what if the ogre was carrying goblins and launched them at us!?”

“Well, Po ogres enjoy eating anything smaller than them. I do not think- ah. Are you him?”

Blu walked down the steps of the Nobel Soma’s manor as he lit his pipe and took a few puffs off it, “I’m guessing you’re the Greythorne guilders. Now let’s see here.” Blu examined the two. The smaller one, clearly the mage judging by her robes and pointed hat, seemed far too young to even be in a guild. Her eyes caught his attention more than anything, though. Wide, purple rings and a shiny golden center. Be it magic or strange genetics that was a topic he would like to bring up during their travels. The taller one had shaggy blonde hair and attire that looked too tight for comfort. He thought either it was some sort of outfit for martial arts or she was a local prostitute that left her coat at her regular’s house. No. She was far too pretty. Clean and had probably never shared a night with a gentleman. The two were well-groomed and if he were not nearing his forties, he would have some things to say. But biting one’s tongue when meeting new people is the best course of action. Even if he was the elder in the situation.

“Stop staring at us like that. It’s weird.” The mage protested as she hid behind the fighter who was standing in front of Blu with a wide smile.

“That would be us! I am Haru and this is Po. She’s one of the few mages our guild has, so please look over her in case I die tragically.” She bowed her head to him.

“You’re expecting to die on this assignment?”

“Absolutely not. But one must prepare themselves. Life is spontaneous when cultists are involved.” She lifted her head up and looked up at him. Her sapphire eyes felt like they were devouring his very being. He could tell she was doing exactly what he was. Deducing if one of the two will slow the other down. Despite her looks, he knew this woman had killed a few men while touring with Grey. The guild was one of the largest in Rosetta, with heavy loyalty to Solis. Not to mention their heavy military ties. When something seemed too dangerous for the normal foot soldier, they were the guys the nobles would turn to. Blu had been asked to join some time ago but politely refused. He had no ill will towards guilds of their stature but preferred taking bounties, as he had an especially important goal and did not want to split the payment with headstrong adventures.

“I like that. But I would rather we keep our distance and only engage if necessary. You know what cultists do to young women like you, right?”

The little jumped up and down raising both of her hands, “Ah, I know this one! Rape and death by fire!”

Blu blinked as all emotion drained from his face, “I was going to say they sacrifice but yeah that about sums up the process.” Po immediately cheered with glee as Haru pat her head as if to say good job on answering that one correctly.

“Po is a lively creature. But she knows her job.”

“I am good at that job! I take pride in my casting abilities!” She said this all with a big smile. This one was a bit too cheery for Blu, but he did not want to overstep and have her crush him with some massive rock from the sky. With a nod, he motioned them to follow him.

“We are not going by horseback?” Haru asked as she shouldered her bag and followed Blu, Po right behind them humming joyfully without a care in the world.

Blu looked up to the sky then back ahead as he emptied the ash from his pipe and pocketed it, “We have plenty of daylight. Plus, a walk through the countryside sounds nice. Not to mention you’re both paler than ghosts.”

“Master Greythorne says we’re introverts! I do not know what this means, but it sounds tasty.”

Blu sighed, “This is going to be a long journey.”

* * * * *

The sound of rattling chains filled the air as Black slowly opened her eyes. A groan escaped her lips as she attempted to move, but realized that she was chained to some sort of stone wall. Perhaps a dungeon or something on that line. She yanked, but to no avail, and after a moment of struggling, she gave up with a slight grin on her face, “You switched our drinks, Morris. Didn’t you?”

“Oh! Well. Yeah, duh. If your idea of a good night leads to me being hung up like some fancy fleshy decoration? Well, I decline! I mean, that is the way the papers describe how you handle your victims. To think I almost did not catch wind of that drinking trick. I would have ended up as one of your next arts and crafts projects.” Stepping out of the shadows, Morris clapped his hands together and pulled down his hood.

“Those robes look ridiculous on you.”

“My mom made these for me, shut up.” He growled as he leaned forward and flicked her forehead.

Black frowned, now very unamused.

“Sheesh take a joke, you adorable little psychopath. Just having fun. I killed my mother. She was a real drag, you know! Morris do this. Morris do that. Stop catching the town on fire with your ridiculous science projects! Oh, so nagging that one was! So.” He rubbed his hands together with a stupid grin, “Curious why you’re here?”

“Not in the slightest, no.”

“Oh... Seriously? I had a whole monologue planned out. Well, this is just wonderful my evening is ruined, and might I add you are a lousy house guest. You did not even take off your shoes!”

Black spit in his direction and smirked, “Get these chains off me and I will! After I’ll drive them so far up your ass, your ancestors will feel it.”

“Oh. Well, that is just unsanitary. That and butt stuff grosses me out.” Morris huffed and turned around, raising his index finger in the air getting back on track, “Since the dark days we of the Sleeping Moons have been preparing for the end times! Yes! The predictions. So clear. So smooth. Like a baby ducky! Quack!”

“Quack?”

“And here we are now!” Morris was now really getting into his monologuing but Black just sort of spaced out with disinterest on her face. She decided she was not only going to kill this man but drop his corpse in the deepest part of the sea she could find, so no soul would have to experience what she was going through. A rather courageous deed for a simple murderer. Stupidity is a method of torture on its respected fronts, it seemed. “The prophecy states a tainted virgin will step on holy ground and if her blood is spilled by the strike of- can you please stop chewing on your arm like a trapped dog you are wrapped in chains.”

“Sorry. Go on.” She smiled.

“Right. Where was I. Great! That is great. I forgot what I was talking about again. Leader was right. The fumes in these mines. Well.” He chuckled. “Enough to drive you mad it seems!”

Black rolled her eyes, “I’m sure you’re just stupid. Not mad. Not even gases of the most potent quality could make someone with even the weakest mind crack dumb thought remarks like you do.”

“That’s a compliment right.”

“Y-Yeah? Sure. Now then.” She cleared her throat as she struggled once more, “Are you going to kill me, or was your plan to talk me to death.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re are a very unpleasant fellow.”

“I’m a woman, not a fellow.”

“Hi, woman, I’m Morris.” He laughed.

Black groaned, “Please. Just kill me already.”

* * * * *

Blu and the girls stopped at the mouth of the mine. Determination on their faces as they were ready to do what needed to be done so they could go back to whatever it was they were doing before being deployed. They tasked Blu with apprehending the single most notorious killer of their time. The girls? Well, they were in the middle of breakfast when the guild captain gave them their orders.

“I can conger a flame spell so we can see-“ Blu quickly caught the girl’s wrist as she readied to do so and yelped out of shock.

“Mines mean gases. Gases mean explosions. Unless you want to end up a charred husk, I suggest you don’t do that.” Blu protested and let go of her.

All the while, Haru observed the two before shrugging and entering the mine. Blu and Po quickly realized this and rushed after her.

“Po. An enchantment, if you would. One to the bounty hunter’s liking.” Haru asked as she turned around to meet the two.

Po nodded three times and placed her palms together, “Oh mother, your vessel requests your strength. Protect thy friends in this time of darkness and light their way to safety.” A wisp of airbrushed through the mine entrance and kissed their bodies, emitting a faint white glow around them. It impressed Blu as their surroundings grew brighter. Some mine carts, boulders, and a long pathway which seemed to never end as it drove down into the mine, twisting into a wide area with a single path of smooth stone. That was the direction they needed to go. As she finished her spell, the three began their descent, which without their knowledge would be a life-changing experience that would intertwine their fates.