This is unlike any portal Azaroth have ever rode before and it tore into his balance and his eyes whirled. When he reached solid ground he staggered.

"Are you okay?" She asked, with her footworks she’s more balanced than anyone else.

Azaroth didn’t bother to reply because in just seconds he’s already surveying his surrounding. They were in some kind of forest but this forest have man touch all over it. Humans are here frequently, he’s sure of that immediately.

"Where are we?" Alex asked once he’s sure he’s not going to vomit, he’s also looking around and his eyes rested on the fruits hanging on the trees. "Look! Food!"

Azaroth noticed as well. ’Is this some Kind of farm land? It looks like the big garden back in his formal place but just way bigger" he thought. He said. "Form a string from your clothes and keep your ring in it."

Even as he said this he tore from his robe at the edge and made a string of and then tied his ring to the end. He put it round his neck and under his robe. He waited until others do it as well and pointed at the well worn trail. "We go that way."

Azaroth didn’t like that the ring isn’t in his hand but it’ll draw less attention because what they need now is information before they can carry out any form of attack. The trail went deeper than they thought and they were alert all through.

"Why’s there no animals sounds in this forest? Not much insects either." Stallus noted.

"That’s true, this is really creepy. It’s like working in a graveyard of rocks. If not for the smell of plants and sweet aroma from the ripe fruits."

Catena was almost drooling as he watched all the ripe fruits his mouth can taste.

Suddenly Azaroth and the others stiffened but still they kept walking, the sun shining gently on them. They were looking at the end of the trail when he stopped. The others stopped as well as Azaroth raised his voice. "Come out." He said in a low firm voice.

At first there was silence that was even more pronounced because of the already silent forest. But Azaroth and the team just wait until the trees shifted and a man was standing there to their left.

The man is tall with a straight posture and clear sharp eyes, he wore a green brow cloth that blends well with the forest and he carried a large sword on his waist. His hand is currently on the said sword. "So you noticed me."

The man must be one of the prisoner soldiers for such but he has no essence, so he’s no Awakener. But no one answered him, instead Azaroth looked at Stallus and she nodded before she raised her voice. "You! Come out here!"

Her voice is as sharp as her eyes.

The man’s eyes widen but he hid it quickly as person came out of the forest. She’s much younger but still older than then and she’s looking at them in surprise."Awakeners!"

Azaroth studied the girl, she’s not an Awakener, more like when Azaroth and the others are still below the Initiate level. She can only use essence to improve her physical body.

Fortunately before the team even dream of coming here the crypt Master thought them how to mask their power. They can’t erase the essence from their body but can keep their levels hidden.

The man’s eyes darkened. "Who are you? Where do you come from? Are you from Greytown?"

Azaroth asked. "Where is Greytown?"

The man blinked. Then he looked at them even more closely and his eyes widen further together with the girl. They looked at the strangers well and noticed their dressing. Dark robe that flows around them and looks so soft! And their firm show! Are they one of the leaders of Greytown?

"Where are you from, lords?" The girl asked with a smile that didn’t really touch her eyes. She’s wearing green brown like the man, trousers and shirt but they are worn and torn. Same as the man.

"Around here." Stallus answered vaguely, waving.

"Then not Greytown?" She asked almost hopefully. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

After a moment Stallus nodded.

She relaxed or pretended to and her fake smile became brighter. "That’s so good! I thought Greytown are here for their monthly tax again but it turns out to be strangers! Children even!" Then she laughed.

"Tax?" Azaroth asked.

The two haven’t let their guards down and they exchanged looks. "Yeeeeees. The leaders from Greytown impose tax on all the surrounding areas for ’clearing out the mobsters and protecting us!’ and so everyone month they come for our fruits." She gestured around for the fruits.

"Wow, all this juicy looking fruits." Catena said in a dreamlike voice.

The man narrowed his eyes, then he looked around the forest before speaking. "But where are your parents? You children shouldn’t be alone in a place like this! Although we don’t have frequent monsters here sometimes things happen."

Azaroth smiled mentally, thinking ’so you want to know information about us? And you are being cautious because we are Awakeners. Parents? Come to think of it we are still teenagers. Are we fourteen now? I’m fourteen’

"We are alone." Alex said. "But who are you guys anyway, are you guards or what." He pointed at their weapons.

"We are from the village here and we own this fruit forest. On days where the village is not tending the forest like this we usually have people scattered around watching it."

The two exchanged looks again and then the girl asked with the biggest smile on her face. "Will you like to visit our village? It seems you guys are new to this place. We can provide you with fruits and a temporary place to stay."

Azaroth pretended to think about it then he nodded. "Thank you!" He even added a little bow. Just like them he decided not to make any move either until he know what actually going on and what this place is about.