The Side Story : The Gray Shadow 3

"It is really quiet, isn't it?"

Strider said with coming into the cave.

"I have been here once before, but there was nothing special except I could hardly smell the sulfur."

Sarah said, and she was alert to cope with the unexpected situation. The other rangers looked nervous as well. They all were entering the cave slowly and carefully with their swords in their grasp.

 Because of the structure of the cave, the wind would gather toward the center, and it would weaken the smell of sulfur.

They were slowly advancing step by step toward the center of the cave. While they were advancing, nothing happened, not even an attack by bats. Strider became a bit bored and told Sarah,

"Sarah.", He said.

"Yes, Strider." She Replied,

"We have not seen each other in such a long time. Sarah."

"You are right. Because I have been at battlefields since I was appointed as the leader of the Valkyrie."

"When we were working together, there were lots of memorable moments such as the avalanche 4 years ago, and the rebellion of Duke Astral 6 years ago."

Those 2 incidents are considered important and recorded in the history of Bifrost. By them, Strider has become an advisor of Earl Mozel.

Sarah asked Gray,

"By the way, Also, Grey, you have been out of Bifrost for such a long time."

"Yes, I have been on the Mermanian coast, I can say that I have been all around the Antaria Continent."

"How about looking into where you are from?"

"As always, nobody knows me."

Gray looked sad. He has been looking into his past, 5 years ago, he was abandoned in the Mt.Gigantes with all of his memories gone. He was rescued by Inagi, who had taught all of the rangers.

After that, he learned a lot from him, and eventually became a famous ranger in Bifrost. But, he has been tormented by his lost memories. That's why he has traveled all around Antaria to find someone who recognizes him. Unfortunately, he has not found anyone who knows him, and there has not been any clue about his past.

"Cheer up."

"You can find it."

Strider and Sarah encouraged him.

"Thank you."

But he still looked sad and he seemed so concerned.

Strider said with trying to change the mood,

"Well, it is too boring. Nothing happens here. The rumor of Machina seems to be fake, isn't it?"

Grey said, "There is one thing strange."

"What is it?"

"There must be something we haven't seen here in the cave."

"Ah! yeah!"

Strider realized soon because of his experience of being a ranger, but only Sarah did not get to know their conversation.

"What are you talking about?"

Strider said,

"Bats! There must be bats in the cave. But we haven't seen them until now."

"So... it means...?"

"Somebody removed them before because it is impossible to stay here with bats, especially if they are vampire bats.."

At that time, they were entering the center of the cave. The thick smell of sulfur welcomed them.

"Look at here!"

Strider shouted, and rest of them came to Strider.

He pointed at the big footprint which is much bigger than humans.

"It must be the Machina's!"

"Asura...", Gray said

Sarah looked at Gray confused and asked, "How can you be sure it's Asura, it could be Ascaron."

Gray picked things on the ground and showed them to Sarah. They were burnt firewood.

"Somebody tried to cover them up but were too hasty. It wasn't covered well. The firewood is a mark of the military camp, and I can smell oil from this. It is oil for firewood to be burnt well, this particular firewood is used in only 3 countries; Trisis, Garad, and Geisir Empire!"

"You are right! And I think the rumor of Machina is Asura! not Ascaron."

Strider seemed to be sure.

"We have found enough evidence. Let's go back."

"Alright."

They all were going back to get out of the cave. When they were on the way out, Sarah suddenly drew her sword and swung it at Strider.