After an hour everything is all packed up like we never stayed here in the first place. I’ll definitely remember the Yami Forest when we do leave here.

"I believe this is where we are," Lia says while pointing at the map.

It doesn’t look like the cave is really all that far from here so I can imagine we’ll be there soon.

"Then the cave isn’t much further," I reply while staring at the map as well. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"No. I think we could reach it in about an hour maybe," Lia says with some confidence.

Finding a cave in a forest like this shouldn’t be too hard, especially when the colors around here seem to be so bright. It would stick out like a sore thumb.

I still don’t know what to expect when we get into the cave either. Monsters, people, or even the artifact itself are there.

Someone else could’ve found this artifact for all we know, but I’m positive that the quest wouldn’t be up still. That is if the people are good or not.

It won’t matter now since the whole capital went under, unless the quest can be redeemed at other guilds across the continent.

Then again, I don’t plan to give the artifact over to the guild.

"Then we should get going," Amelia chimes in as she stretches.

"I agree. An hour is quite doable," I say with a laid-back tone.

The walk begins and it is mostly peaceful and kind of quiet... Besides the occasional small talk between Amelia and Lia. It isn’t annoying or anything, just different.

Both of them just talk about their homes and what kind of life they had before leaving it behind.

Amelia didn’t have much of a choice in leaving her home, nothing like Lia.

The capital of Ariel had a lot to offer in comparison to a village way out in the middle of nowhere. It still sounds like it was quite nice when she was there.

I think she did once tell me that she left because she wanted to see more of the world.

The sense of exploration is nice, but I don’t think I’ve ever had it until the manor got destroyed. I was content with being there all the time until it was my turn to hunt.

Otherwise I could’ve lived my entire life there in peace.

"Dante did you ever think about life outside of your home?" Amelia asks with some curiosity in her voice.

"Not really. I enjoyed my life as it was at the manor, but now I’m at least enjoying the different sights," I respond honestly.

"I can imagine it isn’t the same without your family around anymore," Amelia says with a sympathy in her voice.

"It isn’t, but I got used to it," I reply with a calm tone.

The walk continues in silence after that; luckily the walk is about over as we finally reach the entrance to the cave. The silence didn’t last very long which is good.

It is definitely hard to miss the entrance here since it is pure grey stone making a giant oval like opening for people to go through.

Definitely looks kind of worn but oddly enough there are some tracks leading into the cave. Boot prints to be precise, meaning people could be here.

"I’d expect other people to be in the cave," I say with caution in my voice.

"What gives it away?" Amelia asks with curiosity in her voice.

"Boot prints. Look at the ground leading into the cave," I respond while pointing towards the ground.

Amelia looks down at the ground and realizes that I’m right.

"You really do keep a close eye on everything, huh," Amelia says with a non serious tone.

Before I can respond I hear footsteps approaching.

"Hide, people are coming," I say quietly.

Amelia might not be fast enough to avoid being seen by them. Shit.

I quickly sweep her off her feet and bring her with me up one of the trees.

"At least give me a little warning before picking me up," She whispers, panicked breathing evident in her voice.

"There wasn’t time," I reply while keeping my voice down.

A small group comes out from the cave, most of them wearing leather armor with special belts tied around their chests. Seems to be capable of holding knives or potions from the look of it.

One of them in particular stands out though; A man with short spiky blonde hair, green eyes, holding a strange box like object in his hands.

"What the hell are we supposed to do with a random box?" One of the men ask.

"It could be the artifact," The man with blonde hair responds.

"There’s no way it is the artifact. It wouldn’t have been that easy," Another man chimes in.

The box he’s holding doesn’t really look special in the slightest; it kind of looks like something you’d find in a shop somewhere in the capital.

"Regardless I’m sure this could work to trick the guild for money," The Blonde man says with a mischievous smirk on his face.

If it really is the artifact, I need to kill them all to take it.

Clang! Clang!

The sound of chains clanging against each other is all I can hear suddenly, almost like it is right next to me. That is when I see a bunch of bright red spears made from light appear around the men.

"What the hell is going on?!" One of the men shout with panic in their voices.

"I don’t know! Just run!" The blonde man shouts as he begins to run away.

I watch patiently for a few moments before seeing the red spears pierce through the chests of the men below. One after another, each body hitting the ground in seconds.

"AHHHHH!!!" Multiple men begin shouting in fear before it finally goes silent.

A small thud can be heard as the box hits the ground.

I’m guessing it must be over by the fact that everyone from the cave is dead. At least that’s the assumption I can make for the time being.

"Who’s that?" Amelia asks quietly.

I look back towards the cave entrance to see a woman with torn up clothes standing there. Long orange hair extending past her shoulders, bangs slightly covering her left eye, and purple eyes.

Who might this be?