Chapter 4: The Lost Kingdom

**Previous Chapter - Chapter 3: Finding the Trail**

Raptor and the others arrived back at camp just as the sun began to rise. Everyone that is, except for River and Bella. He wasn't particularly concerned; of everyone that made up the convoy, he'd assumed the two of them would be the most reliable on their own. Of course, twenty minutes later that thought had faded, but River matched through just as he thought to tell someone. He didn't have a chance to ask what had held them up, as she marched straight to the command tent without uttering a word. She spoke in hushed voices to the leaders, and despite his best efforts he couldn't make out what was being said.

"Feeling left out?" Raptor's heart almost leapt into his throat.

He spun around, his hand reaching for one of his knives, but he stopped dead when he found Bella standing just behind him. Despite his surprise, she smirked at him, taking a small sip from her drinking gourd. "Bella!" He gasped, quickly glancing over his shoulder to ensure he hadn't disturbed the leaders. "Where the hell did you go?" He whispered. "I thought you-."

"Oh, you weren't worried about me, where you?" She smiled, tilting her head slightly.

"W-what?" Raptor covered his mouth, trying and failing to suppress is surprise.

Chuckling, Bella gripped his wrist and, taking another sip from her gourd, began to approach the command tent. "Come, let's join them."

"What?!" Raptor gasped again, trying to tug his arm from her grasp. "Bella, wait a sec, I don't think we can-." Before he knew it, she, and subsequently he, had Joined the others just as River finished giving her report.

"I thoroughly believe it's him Uther, this feeling that I-we have been feeling, and no one would radiant such power in this world besides the Nine." River explained as Uther held a hand to his chin, in deep thought.

"The Nine Demigods, that is something I did not expect this far from the North. Matter o fact." Uther turned to pull out that same mystical coin from the undead Ector when they first arrived to town. "The Coin has been reacting to something ever since you lot left to scout ahead, which strengthens River's conclusion."

"What's this?" Bella whistled as she approached, practically dropping Raptor next to her at the table. "It sounds like you're familiar with what we found up there." Something about her expression had changed. Her perpetual smirk remained, but her eyes seemed different. Happier, joyful. for whatever reason, she seemed to have a spring in her step. "Please, do share with the rest of us." She said, yanking a very jostled Raptor to his feet.

A Raptor who, despite looking very jarred, bowed his head apologetically. "I-I'm sorry... I tried to stop her." He muttered under his breath.

"River here believes one of the Nine Demigods, an esteemed and legendary bunch from the North, might be here. Though while the reaction of the Coin may strengthen your conclusion, but that alone wont mean some of this world's most powerful figures are around." Uther while agreed, rejected the prospect of such figures being alive and the cause behind the attacks. "And besides from what I read, the Nine were practically hero-gods, it wouldn't make sense for any one of them to being doing this." Uther began to argue against River's statements. "There is no evidence of them being here, unless you can show me something no one here can perform or do."

Once again, Bella narrowed her eyes. "That's quite a tale." She said with a small shrug and nodding her head at River. "But... We already know that whoever, or whatever, is responsible for this utilizes necromancy. Is it really so farfetched that they'd have raised a long dead hero from a bygone age?"

"It be quite a hard feat to rise one of the Nine Demigods considering their strength. You would know all about that River, consi-" Before Uther could continue, River has suddenly launched her frost axe towards Uther, having it fly past his head and through the tent as River gave a threatening warn to not continue. "I mean, never mind that for now." Uther sighed as he continued. "In any case, in order for Lazuli to move in, we need to find a more suitable entry point for their army." Uther then looked towards River. "And to NOT enter enemy territory."

River's reaction drew more than a few sideways glances, most notably from Raptor, who dropped onto his backside in surprise. Bella too raised an eyebrow, but remained on topic and turned her attention back to the old man. "I'm sorry to say, but I think it's all enemy territory." She gestured up to the path from which they'd returned. "We encountered undead warriors at first, but River and I stumbled across a goblin settlement a little further in. Your best option may simply be to force our way in and either stay on the move or find a defensible position to set up camp." She paused a moment, drinking from her gourd once more, before adding. "In my humble opinion, that is."

"What, against those undead?" Raptor gasped in disbelief. "I... Dunno about that, Bella. That's kind'a a tall order."

"Oh... Worrying about me again?" Bella tutted with a smirk, causing the young man to blush. "Come now sir Raptor, I'm sure we can manage."

"If we were to take that route, we'll need squads of six at least; two as tanks to take on the defense and absorb damage, two designated healers and two that goes on the offensive. Since we're entering unknown territory, these party groups will allow us to move in and create an way for the Lazuli army." Uther proposed if they were to favor Belle's suggestion. "Unless anyone else has any better suggestions?" Uther asked anyone not in particular.

Looking around slowly, Rapter shuffled uncomfortably back and forth. "I... Dunno." He muttered, unsure if he should even be speaking here at all. "The forest get's really dense only a mile in. It'd be easy to get lost in there, or have someone pick off small groups."

Chuckling, Bella leaned in to nudge his shoulder with her own. "He's got a point." She said, glancing playfully at him. "I'm no tactician, but splitting up seems like a poor idea seeing as how we don't know what we're walking into." Raptor stumbled away, blushing slightly and turning his eyes away from her. Bella, meanwhile, leaned in over the table slightly. "I suggest we move in all at once, find a place to hold up, and plan our next move from there."

"Since we sent in you there for a purpose as scouts, did you lot found a good place to set up a forward operating base for the adventurer?" Uther question as River decided to answer the question.

"We did locate a abandoned, run down town, however it is filled with goblins and trolls, so we'll need to clear them if we're gonna use that as a FOB."

"Trolls?" Raptor gasped, his face turning white. "On top of the undead we ran into? What the hell is up there?"

Touching her lip, Bella's eyes narrowed, and she looked back at the forested mountains in the distance. "Something going to a great effort to stay hidden, it would seam." She seemed lost in thought for a moment, contemplating something none of the others could discern. Finally, taking another drink from her gourd, she looked back to address Uther and said. "If we do go ahead with this... I'd have to insist you inform the others of what we found; give them one last chance to turn back. There's a very real chance they might not return from this little venture."

"Very well then, in that is also the case best to also have Brokkr get ya better gear." Uther then walked over to Raptor, wiping his hand across the attire his wearing. "He'll get you sorted out with better equipment then... whatever this is." Uther stated as he left the tent to inform other people on the plan of action. Soon after River recalled her axe as it flew back into the tent, ripping it further as it landed firmly onto her right hand.

"I am fine on the gear, however," River began as she in front of Raptor and Bella. "Brokkr can easily set you both up depending on your combat style, he's quite a smith."

"R-Really?" Raptor stuttered, his eyes drifting to the axe in River's hand. It didn't take a genius to se the quality the weapon had. The thought that he might be able to get his hands on a similarly powerful item notably brightened his expression. "That's... I..." He stuttered. "I'd be... incredibly grateful..." He said finally.

"Then we'd best see him now, before he's ordered to break camp." Bella said, glancing at River. "You know him best, do you not? Would you do us the honor of escorting us?"

River shrugged as she began to escort the two towards the now crowded area of Brokkr's smithing area, having already began to create or give away pre-made items and equipment to the adventurers. They can even hear them shouting on the pricing of each item, and the suitability of each one.

"REMEMBER, choose what is best for YOU!" Brokkr bellowed as one of adventurers walked up to him to ask him a question.

"Hey dwarf, ya think you can set me up on a weapon similar to that Ponds girl?" The adventurer and the dwarf ignited a bellowing laughter, as if finding that request the most stupidest thing he ever heard.

"Look kid, that thing.. and pardon the reference but you wouldn't get it anyways, those weapons are Thanos-killing weapons, you're mind is likely to crumble into madness before you even walked away from me." Brokkr jokingly said. "No seriously, her weapons are FAR beyond what you considered a league. Ya either get what is out here, or NONE at all!" The adventurer begrudgingly accepted the weapons in display, paying and moving on River, Raptor and Bella move into view. "AH, my favorite girls!" Brokkr cheered before seeing Raptor. "Oh hey Raptor."

"H-hello, sir." Raptor stuttered. "Sir... I mean, Lord Uther has asked us to come for you for better... equipment." His words seemed to catch in his throat, his eyes briefly glancing at the array of weapons that where on display. The prospect of even holding such an item a day ago was nothing but a pipe dream. The thought of having one for himself was giving him the jitters. "I um... Don't-."

"Sir Raptor, I'm sure he knows why we're here." Bella chuckled, taking another drink. "Good day for business, sir Dwarf?" She asked, stealing a quick glance at the hoard of adventurers testing out their new equipment.

"Always!" Brokkr answered as he stepped forward. "So, what exactly ya lot want?"

"Before getting me to, as I wish to upgrade what I have, let's us see shall be appropriate for Raptor here." River gently patted Raptor's back, but the force behind the back was more then expected, accidently jolting him forward a bit. River then gave a slight hint of embarrassment though shook it away, coughing as she held her composure. "We need good weapons for the boy, don't worry I'll pay."

"Allrighty then, so tell me Raptor, what is your style of combat? A one-handed blade? the heavy two-hand? Maybe ya good for dual wielding, if so River could knock ya for Jar'Kai training." Brokkr began to speak and ask questions to Raptor to figure out what to give, or create.

"U-uh..." The youth stuttered, rubbing the soreness out of his back. "I... Dual wield daggers. But I'm not much good in a face to face fight. If I can I prefer to get the drop on an enemy." He said, unclipping a pair of karambits from his belt and drawing one from it's sheath. It's blade was nicked and scuffed, obvious signs of a well used weapon. "Someone likened them to a bird's talons once and... that's why everyone calls me Raptor."

Brokkr then took the twin blades from Raptor as he inspected each one carefully. "I can't exactly add any pre-existing materials." He'd then sat them down on the bench and before anyone knew, took a odd hammer and smacked it hard on both blades. In a light the two shined brightly before dimming and the blades look brand new and even changed appearance slightly that it looked more unique in comparison to their streamlined appearance. "There ya go, the materials not changed, but you bet ya behind it'll perform much more better then it did before." Brokkr said as Rive threw down a small pouch of gold as the dwarf took it. Raptor was amazed at how quick the dwarf as he inspected his own blade. "Now... you both girls." Brokkr gestured to the two. "I'll start with Bella first since I know what ya want River."

Despite this, Bella seemed more interested in her gourd of booze than anything at present. "Oh, I couldn't really say." she said, wiping the corner of her mouth with her thumb. "I believe I mentioned earlier, I can be rather rough with my weapons. If I break one, I simply draw another." As she spoke, she nudged the haphazard bundle of swords hanging loosely from a strap over her shoulder. "I wouldn't want to waste your talents on something I couldn't take care of, Sir Brokkr." With that, she returned to her gourd, taking another shallow sip.

"Or have me have a took at each one, make them more durable and better so they wont break?" Brokkr emphasized towards her blades. "Or ya can get better stuff here?"

Taking a moment to think, Bella opened her mouth to respond. however, she caught herself, offering a small shrug and sliding the bundle off her shoulder. "Well, if you think it'll help." Slowly she undid her bundle, letting the straps fall into the dirt by her feet, and slowly lowering blades onto the table. To everyone's surprise, it was quite a collection. Three broadswords, two katanas, two sabers, and a Dao. Despite the sheaths being in various stages of disrepair, and the haphazard way that Bella carried them, the blades themselves where in near pristine condition. That and, while nothing compared to the master crafts Brokkr had on display, a few where of notable quality. "Well, what say you?" Bella hummed, unstrapping a pouch of Kunai her thigh and tossing it onto the table as well. "Surely nothing I have is worth your time, Sir Dwarf."

"Nothing?" Raptor gasped, eyeing one of her broadswords. "Where did you even get all these?"

"Oh..." She hummed, smiling coyly at the young man. "Here and there."

"I rather work on a item you're most likely to use in battle. Anything ya keen to use more often then most out of these?" Brokkr questioned her as he inspected each of the blades. "Also I ain't allowing River to pay for ya, you got the coin to do so!"

Bella chuckled into her sleeve. "I'm afraid I don't really favor one over the others." She said with a shrug. "As I said, I use them until they break." Digging into her robe, she produced a coin bag of similar size to the one River had produced and placed it on the table next to her weapons. "This is all I have, but I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever you could do for me."

"Maybe I wont improve anything at all!" Brokkr exclaimed loudly. "Wont want anything specific, I wont improve anything, and soon you'll come crawling back to improve ya equipment purposely and intentionally." Brokkr sniffed his nose a bit as he faced towards River, who had already walked into the interior of Brokkr's small encampment. "I got something for ya, and you'll love it."

"What ya got Brokkr?" River questioned as Brokkr walked into his small tent and pulled rare items from an chest.

"Three items for now; Frozen Ember, Smoldering Ember and a piece of Prismatic Ore." Brokkr answered as he placed each item onto the table, the three appearing majestically unique with the Frozen Ember looking like a ember but ice, the smouldering ember being like the frozen but looks hotter then the hottest of fires and the Prismatic Ore looking otherworldly. "These items will increase all of your equipment, and the increased Armour of Midgard will allow ya to perform a strength move to smash the earth and create a shockwave!"

River simply gave him a smile as Brokkr grabbed each piece to only have it held against their respective item, and with a simple swing of the hammer striking each item, all three items; the twin blades, the axe and body armor glowed in brilliant armour and a shimmering light radiated off before dimming down. "There ya go, dwarven craftsmanship better then anything crafted by man... except maybe goblins, they too have a knack for crafting." Brokkr explained as he got River's coin before moving onto the next lot.

A short while later, the camp had broke and was preparing to move out again. Once again, Bella had perched herself atop one the fallen barn, her weapons having from her back and her drinking gourd dangling from a cord in her hand. In between sips, she'd hum to herself, a song that nobody passing by could recognize, but none where interested enough to ask her. Everyone, that is, except for Raptor, who stumbled out of the line and trudged over to the clearing under the barn. "Bella?" She tilted her head slightly, offering a small wave when he beckoned to her. "We... Should get moving. That dwarf guy might yell at you again if he finds you drinking right now."

Giggling to herself, Bella took another sip. "I can assure you I've lived through worse." None the less, she swung her feet out over the side and, with a small sip, slid down the side of the roof to land next to him. "But, I suppose you're right." Stowing her gourd inside her pack and slinging it over her shoulder, she folder her sleeves and began marching off. "Would you walk with me?" Blushing slightly, Raptor nodded his head, jogging to catch up with her. "I don't suppose you've seen our dear River, have you?"

Thinking a moment, Raptor shook his head slightly. "Last I saw she was helping Mr. Brokkr pack up." He said, looking down the road at the spot where the dwarf's tent had previously been. "Why do you ask?"

Despite this, Bella shrugged innocently. "Just curious." She wore a soft smile, returning to humming the same song as before.

"Alright people!" Uther's voice boomed loudly across the encampment. "We're moving on in the hour, get ya gear ready, potions in hand and we'll charge forward to take control of the abandoned town as our FOB!" Uther informed as River appeared, ready for the fight that's gonna happen.

"Raptor." River walked towards him and stood directly in front of him. "You are not ready to take the bigger guys, you'll go with the least experienced adventurers and handle the weaker ones towards the left, the rest of us are charging towards the more high-tier enemies." River informed him as Brokkr emerged from behind and shoved an stone-like object into Raptor's hand.

"There ya go kid, that is a resurrection stone, rare and powerful. River hand me make it especially for you, so don't die to quickly to be used, got it?!"

"U-uh..." He stuttered, clutching the item tightly as a shiver ran up his spine. "T-Thanks, I'll try... Not to do... That."

"I wouldn't worry, Sir Raptor." Said Bella, making a noticeable effort to withhold her laughter. "I'll accompany you. I'm sure the pair of us will be just fine."

"Alright!" Uther called out. "I already gone the plan with your designated leaders, follow their instruction and head to ya designated locations to begin the assault!" Uther ordered the adventurers as they all began to proceed to their marked site.

"Don't die out there kid, alright?" River 'lightly' smacked Raptor's back, but it felt like a force of fifty men just struck him and causing him to slightly stagger before recomposing his posture. "Time to take on this world's meanest creatures, eh?" River told Gladstone as the flying cat simply chuckled.

"Well she's gonna have have fun." Brokkr then simply did not move a inch. "You two better get going, or ya might miss the action."

"Oh..." Bella hummed, a small twinkle flashing in her eye." Something tells me there'll be plenty for all of us."

Far from their first trek up the mountains, this time seemed to go far smoother. For one, there where no monsters. The goblins that had been reported where nowhere in sight. when they reached the village, they found it abandoned. There where signs of their former inhabitance, to be sure. Smoldering fires, warm kettles, and tracks. Plenty of tracks. Wherever they had gone, they had left in a hurry. And all in the same direction.

"They went..." Raptor muttered, following the tracks back into the forest. Standing up, he gestured off in that general area and resting his hands on his hips. "Off that way, I guess." He looked back at Bella, whom had accompanied him and a handful of other scouts out doing a perimeter sweep. "There's too much to tell; it almost looks like a stampede. What did you and River do up here?"

Bella, for her part, mostly kept her eyes fixed on the trees. one arm rested on the cobbled together bundle of swords hanging from her back, the other hovering over one of the knife pouches strapped to her thigh. "We did what we intended to do." She hummed. "Identified a threat, and reported back. Nothing more."

The light elf female lightly landed behind Raptor, spooking him on how quiet to landed. "From what I gathered and I think Bella caught on, it could be a trap." The elf light suggested. "If these are organized groups and someone noticed Bella and River, there is a chance they're feigning retreat to lower our guard and move then strike and surround us to pick us off." The light elf then had her bow over her body. "I can try to draw them them, then we can go in to attack, I am fast so once their location is revealed we strike." The elf looked at Bella to see if the plan is agreeable.

It took her a moment to respond. The hand hovering over her knives slowly lifted to cup her chin, and eventually gave a small shrug. "I suppose it's worth a look." She folded her sleeves together, cocking her head at the elf. "But are you sure going on your own is a good idea? We are in enemy territory, after all. They'll know the area better than we do."

"I seen way worse things then a few trolls and goblins." The elf then had her bow across her body before looking towards Bella. "After all of this is done, go to Uther and ask him about the Evil Deities." She said before using the 3rd tier spell fly to instantly fly to the tree tops and using the spell to leap to other trees that surrounds the abandoned town.

"Evil Deities, you say?" Bella muttered under her breath, putting on another grin. Raptor gave her a confused look, but she just offered him a passing glance. "ready to put those knew knives to use, sir Raptor?"

"W-wha?" He stammered, instantly fixing his eyes to the treeline and reaching for his daggers. "Do you see something?"

"No." She said with a slight shake of her head. "But... Taking this town was far too easy. I suspect our elf friend will have some good news for us once she returns.

The elf covers the distances on the tree tops as she reached the top for a better view, only to realize one problem. The beasts and even undead are wandering the deserted town, as if waiting and clear they are expecting an attack. "They are organized, it is fitting they're trying to seem like they're not functional but." She then eyes an heavily armored death warrior. "It's clear they're expecting us." The elf then quickly landed besides Bella and Raptor. "We tried to perform stealth, but it would seem in the distance, they are more then likely waiting for us." She'd informed the two. "I can signal the other rangers to deliver the report to the others."

Stealing a glance back and forth between the two women, Raptor stuttered. "What do we do then?"

Bella shrugged. "Fall back, obviously. We wouldn't want to get picked off now, would we?" She said with a smirk, nudging Raptor on the shoulder. "Besides... I wish to speak to sir dwarf again. His stories have... Piqued my interest."

At a distance, an archer also in the trees took note of the light elf's message, which she used an light-based communication to perform simple and yet straight-forward messages. The archer glided down to the ground and situated himself next to Uther. "High Lord."

"Yes sir Archer?"

"The elf's message carried that the enemies in the abandoned town are active, and suspected they are well aware of our presence. She also noted another death warrior, likely being the commander and organizing the hostiles." Uther took in the information as River looked weary at the paladin.

"We can take'em! We just need to bull rush them, get into a phalanx formation with the spearmen to take on the brute force of them." River suggested as one of the adventures scoffed at the idea.

"Lady, these are rather powerful enemies we're facing, and a death warrior is there! A single one can destroy even Adamantite-class adventurers, and I am the second highest and I can't even take them out. You're just a *Mithril*, best to shut that trap of yours." Angrily, River stood as if to do something, which Uther quickly interjected before anything could turn south.

"Enough! While I concur with the adventurer, we can not leave empty handed." Uther turns to the archer. "Tell the others, we are proceeding with the Phalanx formation and bull rushing it. We need to take the town." The Archer nodded as he climbed the tree and the others prepare to get ready before facing River. "River, I feel for you, if what you say is true, we must get to this.. demigod and ask why he is doing this, and for who."

As the Archer relayed the message, the light elf quickly scaled the tree down towards the group. "I got a message, we're going in in a phalanx formation." The light informed them. "Since we don't have any spearmen, we're going in behind the vanguard."

"Very well." Bella shrugged, leaning back against a half destroyed stone wall and folding her sleeves together. "While we wait, miss elf... Why don;t you tell us where you hail from?" She said, tilting her head slightly. "I don't think I ever got your name, either."

"Eh me?" The elf fumbled. "Well, I am Skaði, I am a light elf from the Great Forest of Evasha. There is nothing special about me, I am just a elf trying to survive is all."

"The Great Forest of Evasha?" Bella smirked, raising an eyebrow. In an instant, she reached back into her pouch and produced a small booklet and quill, making a small note before looking up at Skaði once more. "And where is this place? What are the people like?" She made another note, then smiled at her booklet. "I'd... Like to visit such a place one day. If I could."

"Sadly I can't exactly give you the details since the country's border is actually closed, we're quite a isolated country, but if it wasn't for the high elf Ljósálfar, I might've not been here.

"Oh. That is a shame." Despite her disappointed tone, Bella's smile never abated. She tucked her notebook back in her pack, folding her sleeves together and resting back against a half crumbled retaining wall. "That sounds like an interesting story though. I'd like to hear it, but I think we've other pressing matters to content with."

She nodded towards an approaching scout, who dropped to a knee to catch his breath. "We need to form up. The others in the Phalanx are ready. We're moving out now."

"Well, it's time a fight." Skaði said as she along with the group began to await as the vanguard prepared themselves with River, helmet over he head wielding an spear and shield, joining in the Phalanx formation. "I do wonder if she's just as strong as them though." Skaði noted to herself as she knelt down in preparation.

Drawing a saber from her weapon bundle, Bella smirked to herself and, of all things began to sing to herself under her breath. "*Memory's broken, the truth goes unspoken, I've even forgotten my naaaaaame*-" Raptor shot her a confused look, but she continued on regardless. "*I dunno the season or what is the reason I'm standing here, holding my blaaaade...*"

River stomped forward as she took position in the vanguard, shield raised and spear at hand. "Get ready, we're charging to brute force our way and those behind us will take out those who survive. Anyone that lags behind will get my arm down their thought." River turn her head slightly towards the direction of Uther who then revealed an horn and blew on it, alerting the monsters to their position as the Vaguard began to charge like a freight train. With the unexpected monsters, and goblins pierced and monsters began to emerge and charge back but they just been dashed back to the ground, pierced and slaughtered under the force of their charge, taking out almost half of the monsters there. "Now everyone, regroup and begin the assault!" River shouted loudly as Uther and the adventurers that held back began to join the fry.

"I guess we better go then?" Raptor commented towards Bella and those with him, and looked at Brokkr who was there.

"Don't look at me!"

In that moment, one of the hobgoblins that had been trampled abruptly jumped to its feet, swatting away a pair of adventurers that moved to finish it off. Before either Raptor or Brokkr could react, Bella leapt into action. In a single motion, she sidestepped the hobgoblin and slashed, leaving a deep cut through it's stomach, then twirled in place and slashed again, this time at the creatures neck, nearly decapitating it. As it fell, she looked up at the pair with a smirk. "Do keep up." With that, she turned once more, humming the same tune she'd been singing just prior.

As the battle ensures soon after, River ditched the shield and spear and manifested in a blinding a red coloured greatsword as she dashed and leapt onto an troll, impaling its head with it before it fell to the ground with her top, pull it ever so quickly. She turned to face the death warrior as it watched before pointing at it with her blade. "You there, I know what you are and you will take me to the one who made you or who controls you." The death warrior laughed a broad, clearly finding demand amusing.

"You think so? Tell me then... by what right?" The Death Warrior demanded back as River leapt from the dead troll.

"By right as the member of the Order of the Round Table!" As soon River stated her supposed claim, yet another manifested as an uniquely decorated sword formed with her left hand as she extended, intricated with an outlandish but simple design with an gem embedded on the hilt. The death warrior was taken back, actually shocked as it armed itself with its own blade.

"That blade, the only reason you even have that one is if you..." The Death Warrior stopped himself before chuckling. "I never realized the bloodline of one of the Nine continues to this day." The Death Warrior approaches slowly towards River. "May I have the name of who you descend?" As it approaches, River also does the same.

"I am the descendent of Yggdrasil, and you will tell me what I want to know about this kingdom and those who command it!" River dashed forward to do the first strike with the decorated sword as the Death Warrior parries her as he goes to land an staggering punch to her right side, but only to be blocked by her red sword. Leaping and quickly had her foot kick under the helmet as she performed a backflip, staggering the Death Warrior.

"Well..." The Death Warrior dazed as it composed itself. "Those item are not of this world as well, they must be quite a *legendary* pair."

"You can say I have a very excellent blacksmith." River then had both twin swords crossguarded. "If you don't tell about this place, I'll force it out of you!" River dashed forward as the Death Warrior prepared for the incoming strike.

"You are quite reckless to come at me with a longsword in one hand, but a much heavier greatsword in another, best to come at me with either one of the other!"

As the two fought, Skaði found herself surrounded by goblins and some undead infantry. "Damn it, despite my age." Skaði then quickly pulled out an silver shortsword. "I am still quite a stupid elf."

Two of the creatures lunged at her with a pair of rough daggers. She kicked the first one aside, knocking it to the ground, and executed the next when it jumped at her with a quick jab through the chest. Two more charged her, alongside a shambling zombie. She turned to face them, when the goblin she'd kicked latched itself to her leg. in the moment's surprise, the zombie grabbed her by the shoulders, but she drove her shortsword up through the jaw and into its head, causing the creature to go limp. Unfortunately, it fell towards her when it fell, dragging her to land on her backside. One of the other goblins latched onto her arm, its gnarled teeth gnashing up at her face.

"Skaði!" A dagger flew from the trees, striking the goblin on her arm in the back. She looked up to see Raptor cresting the hill, and Bella moving as a blur rushing down at her.

Her saber cleaved through the goblin clinging to the elf's leg and, fast as lightning, she grabbed a pair of daggers from her thigh pouch and lobbed them at a pair of other goblins approaching, striking then in the neck and torso respectively. The next to approach was another zombie, which she again dispatched with a quick decapitating slash. As the head fell, she kicked it straight at the head of another coblin, which recoiled violently and dropped into the grass.

By now, the undead had thinned, and the goblins had grown weary. "I thought it was the phalanx's job to mop up these creatures." Bella hummed, resting her sable on her shoulder as Skaði crawled out form under the undead. With that, Bella plucked the ornate knife out of the fallen goblin, wiping its blood off on the creatures tunic. "Their diligence leaves much to be desired."

"They must have given a buff from a magic caster, they're way too powerful for low-tier creatures." Skaði responded as she parried an strike of an club by a goblin with her silver sword and delivered the death blow to it. As both Skaði and Bella prepared to attack again, Uther quickly walked up behind them after having assisted two other adventurers, raised his right hand as the two glowed.

"If they are buffed, then I shall do the same. I just given you both buff to your speed and vitality, you should also see a spike in your endurance." Uther explained as began to sprint away. "I am going around being support for now, Bella your attention must go towards River, she's currently engaged with the Death Warrior. Skaði, as an ranger, it be best to stay on the high ground, get a advantage point and sharpshoot!" Skaði acknowledged as she leapt from the ground to the building. "Bella, River is more towards the center by your 8'o clock, get there and give River a hand."

"Me? Give her a hand?" Bella chuckled. "Surely you jest?" Uther shot her a disapproving glair, but she just chuckled and waved to him. "Alright, alright, as you wish." Spinning the dagger around her finger, she walked up to join Raptor and Brokkor, who had just descended down the slope. "Why don't you keep an eye on our elf friend?" Rapter nodded as she returned his knife, and dashed off after Skaði. "And you... Keep an eye on the boy too, would you?" She said to the dwarf, before turning and heading off in the direction Uther had indicated.

Both the death warrior and River cycled each other as they stared each other down. "River Ponds.... I believe that is not your true name, seeing you descendent from YGGDRASIL, that makes you an member of the Hyland family."

"Indeed it does," River stopped moving as she raised her blade to her side, as the death warrior however lowered his. "I am Ezra Hyland, princess of the High Lands." River's helmet shifted, transforming as it moved to her back, revealing her face as the death warrior took the information in.

"Yes, I can see her face in you, Yggdrasil has that exact colour tone and face... I shall reveal myself," The Death Warrior held his sword forward. "I am an NPC created by one of the Founding Knights of the Round Table, I am known as Abartach." Abartach then picked up his sword once again as he prepared to go for the offensive. "As you are defaulted to being part of the Round Table Order, you are well aware of existences beyond yourself." Abartach charged forward at great speeds as it body slammed into River and off her feet before grabbing her throat with his free left hand and raising her off the ground. "And you are no match for me, despite what you are, **no one in this world can match the might of an level-100 NPC besides the original Nine**."

Over the sounds of a distant battle, a low whistling began to echoed through the trees. Abartach's gaze slowly fell from River, scanning the trees for the source, and soon after a Dagger flew from the bushes, striking the death warrior in the wrist. He didnt so much as flinch, however it drew his attention to a figure stepping through the bush. "*A desolate place, without any trace... It's only the strong wind I feel...*" Bella sang, bouncer her saber in her hand. "Hello River... I was told you needed assistance." She smirked, her eyes fixing on the death warrior. "Unless, of course, you have this situation handled."

"Well--" Before River could comment, she felt her body suddenly raging through the air as Abartach decided to throw her into an abandoned building as it collapsed on top of her as the death warrior slowly moved forward towards Bella, but with more caution then he demonstrated.

"You... You are definitely not from this world." Abartach raises his blade towards her. "Yes, I am certain, long ago back in the world of YGGDRASIL, my creator acquire information from a broker in the game and listed some custom NPCs of various of guilds, however for security reasons her never listed or said any of the guild's names.. but descriptions of certain members or NPCs." Abartach sighed as he tried to recall a particular NPC. "Tell me, are you the NPC referred as Isabella?"

Bella's eyes narrowed slightly, her smirk shrinking. "You say some funny things." She stated flatly, drawing one of her broadswords from her weapon bundle. "My name... is Bella. I've never been outside of Lazuli in my life." She took a fighting stance, drawing the saber in close in preparation for a clash. "And... I am just simple adventurer traveling with my companions."

"Then leave before you get yourself killed, while Ezra can at least last longer, you on the other hand is doomed to fail." Abartach then turned to the destroyed building as River's right hand burst through the rubble and her entire body as she pulled herself out and stood on her legs, an angered but neutral expression as she held the Blades of Surtr. "Let's continue, and with those blades.. I think you might actually be a difficult foe now. No longer holding back."

Bella watched the two stair each other down, taking a step back out of the way. Something in her face had changed however, she no longer looked amused. Worse, she was angry. Stowing both her weapons again she shook her arms, letting her sleeves fall by her side. "*Acceleration point.*" She muttered, poking her thumbs into the top of each thigh. A feint blue aura ran down her legs, before fading away, and with a roll of her shoulder, her bundle of weapons fell to the ground. Kneeling down, she unfurled a katana from the pack and held it at her side, resting her hand on the hilt and waiting for a moment to strike.

"Then young Ezra Hyland, before we clash if you do survive... go to the Camelot's grand library and locate Book Data-04, from there you will find something interesting involving your lineage." Abartach raised his blade. "I think it's time to end this now, I am created to end fights quickly." River's twin blades then ignited itself as fiery blaze radiated and circulated around the blade and the two entered their respective stances as they stared each other down.

Before long, Skaði silently joined with Bella as she too played witness to the the knighted warrior and the death warrior.

"Hey, what's happening?" Skaði softly asked as she saw both River and the Death Warrior about clash. "Shouldn't we help her?"

Despite this, Bella remained silent. She began tapping her finger against her katana, humming to herself while waiting for the clash to begin. "*It's me that I spite as I stand up and fight... The on-ly thing I know for real...*" She sung under her breath, her sharp eyes staying locked on the death knight. "*There will be blood-shed.*"

River and Abartach raised their respective blades, River's Blades of Surtr ignited aflame as Abartach's sword simply does nothing as it was not a magical sword. The two stood firmly then, they began to charge at each as their blades locked onto each other. Using her left Surtr blade to block, and directly struck Abartach with her free right blade across Abartach's chest in a upward motion, where the very ignition causes the air to raise as dust particles form due to the rising heat, enveloping the two.

In that same instant, Bella dug in her heel and took off like a rocket into the smokescreen. "**Flash strike**." River couldn't see what happened, only that a figure, moving faster than anything she'd ever seen. She saw the glint of metal, and felt Abartach twitch under her blade, and a pair of sharp, almost glowin' blue eyes pass her by. Half a second later she heard the sound of a blade sliding into a sheath, and a moment after the dust began to clear. The dust cleared as River stood victories as the undead collapsed onto its back split clean in half, crumbling into dust, And Bella on the opposite side of the clearing in a crouched position, with her backs to them.

River simply stood stared at Bella before raising her blade. "Was that you just now?" River questioned her as her eyes became strong, not blinking as she awaited a answer.

Bella slowly turned, standing upright and brushing some dirt off the back of her robe. "Well... I thought I'd give a hand." She said with a slight shrug. "A quick strike to the back of his legs; stop him from blocking your next attack." As she turned, the hilt of her katana dropped to the ground. She looked at it in surprise, slowly upturning upturning the sheath, pouring a cascade of shattered metal to the dirt. "At the cost of a sword, it would seem." She said, looking at River with a smirk and shrugging again. "Oh well."

"That blade wasn't that sturdy, you're lucky it died or else it would've been a disaster." River sighed as she knelt down to grab the undead's blade after sheathing her twin blades onto her. "I had that under control."

"Oh, I'm sure you did." Bella hummed, strolling pat her to rejoin Scadi. As she passed, she playfully trailed a finger across River's breastplate. "But what can I say? We could hardly let you do all the work, could we?" She chuckled to herself as she walked away, folding her sleeves together as a crowd began to form around River and the remains of the fallen death knight. "Now... Where is that dwarf...?"

As she just asked that, the dwarf himself appeared from behind her. "Right here little missy, you lot are crackheads ya know that?" Brokkr questioned as he turned to face Bella. "What did ya want anyways?"

"Well... It seems I owe you an apology." She bowed respectfully, but seemed no less content. "If you'll have me, I'd like to share a drink tonight. Once things have settled down, that is." Bella raised her head and smirked, lazily dangling the now empty sheath between her fingers. "And, I was hoping you'd grace me with a replacement."

"Huh. sure thing." Brokkr awkwardly accepted as he turned to River. "Care to join us?"

"No thanks, I must speak with Uther on our next strategy. You both enjoy." River declined as she trotted off with the death knight's weapon.

"Suit's her then, come the Bella, it's this way." Brokkr then showed her where he's currently at with his equipment and weapons but no one in sight. "So what weapon do ya want to replace what broke?"

Bella strolled around the small hut Brokkor had co-opted into his new shop, smiling at each of the wears she passed. "Oh... The specifics aren't too much of a bother... Something light, easy to wield with one hand, perhaps. I never understood the appeal of using both hands on a weapon." She hummed, reaching the end of the makeshift counter and finding a pair of discarded cups. Retrieving her gourd, she approached the counter where Brokkr stood and paired them both a drink. "I hope my earlier comments haven't soured your opinion of me, sir Brokkr."

"huhh..." Brokkr simply stared, slightly confused as he watched her pour two cups for the two. "Thanks." Brokkr thanked Bella as he took the cup. "Also I don't have any opinion of anyone truly, as long you you buy or use my wares, we'll be on equal terms."

"Well. I'll have to keep that in mind then." Bella chuckled, taking a sip for herself. "In that case, If you'd be so kind, I think I'd like another katana. But hopefully more durable than my last." As she spoke, she swirled her glass a few times, watching the reddish purple liquid with a small look of amusement. "I've found I prefer slashing attacks. But I don't want to be weighed down by something I need both hands to swing." She finished her drink, then uncorked her gourd to pore herself another. "I trust that would be no trouble for someone of your skills, sir Dwarf?."

"No trouble, in fact I may have something for you!" Brokkr shifted through an locker of sorts as he pulled out an katana, perfectly sized for Belle. "Here ya go, this is the Kurikara, a light-weight katana blade and it's grade is high quality. No one here can use it besides you from what I seen." Brokkr held it forward as he gifted it to her.

Her eyes narrowing slightly, Bella placed her cup down and walked around the counter. She traced a finger across the sheath as she moved, eventually taking the weapon by the neck and holding it up to inspect. "No one can wield it besides me, you say?" She lay the weapon in the fold of her elbow, gently pulling the hilt out a few inches to inspect the metal of the blade. "Tell me. What about this weapon makes it so hard to use?"

"There are many weapons in the world, but very few are true magical armaments, especially this one." Brokkr began to praise as he slammed his fist into the palm of hands in front chest. The Kurikara! It's a magnificent blade forged from the Smoldering Embers of Helheim itself!" Brokkr excitedly described the blade. "And it'll allow you to use special sword-based spells with it, and as of yet no one can weld it. Seeing you in action, I think you'd be able to do it." Brokkr smiled. "However it is not yours yet, a trial phase at least."

Clicking the sword back into its sheath, Bella slid the Karikara into her bundle of weapons and sung them over her shoulder. "I'll try to live up to your expectations then." She said with a small smirk, half turning towards the door, before a new thought gave her pause. "Tell me, sir Dwarf... What do you make of everything we've found up here?"

"ehhh.." Brokkr hummed. "Nothing fancy's me, but a lot of adventurers coming to get things replaced so good business up here!"

"I'm sure it is. It must make you happy knowing so many rely on your skills." Though still smirking, Bella's eyes narrowed sharply. "oh... i've just remembered something." She muttered, touching a finger to her lip. "Earlier, when we liberated Eknite... You mentioned being a dwarf of... I believe you called it YGGDRASIL... Did you not?"

"Curious are ya?" Brokkr questioned. "Yeah I did, I doubt you would really know YGGDRASIL is, not something we dwarven folk talk about, why do you ask?"

"Oh, I just found it odd. That knight mentioned being from YGGDRASIL as well." She said with a small shrug. "Small world, is it not?" With a smirk, she turned and strolled out through the torn cloth acting as a door once more.