The Wolves Den

Arche didn't know what to expect when she and the rest of team Foresight decided to accept the job. She just knew that it paid enough to free up her parents debts. Although this brought up the concern of just what exactly they were getting themselves into. After all the job description simply said that they were to investigate a large tower found in the forest on the outskirts of the empire's borders.

When they did come across the "tower" everyone froze due to the sheer size of it. It reached far into the sky past the clouds. The image of it was an intimidating one as all four of the worker teams shuddered at the sight.

"So this must be it." Hekkeran said ending the silence that permitted his team.

"Thanks captain obvious." Imina said slapping him on the back of the head.

"Ow!" He winced from the assault.

"Oh please I barely even hit you." The half elf said before pulling on the man's ear.

This earned a laugh from the other two members of team Foresight and snickers from the other teams which only served to embarrass Hekkeran.

"Alright enough of that you two." Roberdyck said pulling the two apart.

"So what should we do?" Gringham asked the question plaguing everyone's mind.

"Well that's simple. You all are coming with me." The one to speak was Grigori who appeared walking out of the tower.

Immediately a member of Heavy Masher tried to attack the construct only to be stopped when Grigori sliced the man's arm off instead.

"Oh. Now look at what you made me do." Grigori said before shushing the man.

"Don't worry you'll be fine. Father can heal you right up." He said before gesturing to the tower.

"Now without further distractions shall we be on our way?" As the construct spoke more copies of him appeared all around the workers surrounding them.

Erya, took the opportunity to draw his blade and ready himself for combat. However Parpatra stroked his beard before looking at Grigori.

"Alright we'll go peacefully but I would like to know who you are and who sent you. It is only polite to introduce yourself." The old man pointed out.

"My designation is Grigori. As to who sent me that would be my father, King Noir the Wise. Now enter the Landing Castle." One of the sentries shoved Parpatra towards the tower.

"Noir? What a strange name." Arche thought as she too was hoarded into the tower.

"What exactly is a Landing Castle anyway." Roberdyck asked gaining the attention of the metalman.

"You'll find out, just wait and see." Grigori answered.

Just then the ground beneath their feet began to rumble. Arche felt a familiar sensation of ascending into the air, it was like the times were she had used the 3rd tier spell Fly only it seemed to be affecting the whole tower which was something she thought would've been impossible. Just what was this place?

"This is one of nine Landing Castles that are housed in the Scourge Foundry of Ragnarok. My father asked that I give a brief tour of the place." Grigori said before leading them out of the Landing Castle and into the Foundry.

Arche was taken away when her eyes landed on the inside of the Foundry. Its was like something out of the fairy tales she read when she was younger. The place was massive and covered in floors of marble, stone balconies, many pillars, and every kind of plant life entangled and intertwined over the place. It was a combination of beauty and luxury that she had never once seen before. Immediately her feelings of awe turned to one of distaste. It was the same type of luxury that her parents couldn't seem to get enough off despite not having the funds needed to procure such extravagants. She was certain that if her parents where they'd feel right at home.

As the workers wandered the halls of the Foundry led by Grigori they all had to wonder just who was in charge of such a place? There were a multitude of people that lived within these walls, from more constructs to humans and elves. Hell there were even beastmen and monsters living inside the Foundry. It made them wonder who could possibly manage to get so many different races to agree to work together, let alone be ruled over by the same individual.

"Noir." She thought to herself.

"That was the name of the king." Arche was interested in learning more about this Noir but at the same time felt apprehension regarding the meeting, however she would not be given more time to ponder such things as they approached two massive doors.

They opened to reveal a throne room and iside sat a man adorned in black armor that looked to be crafted by natures finest artisans. A face mask kept anyone from seeing his features however staring from the eye holes were two golden orbs that looked almost beastial in nature. The man possessed black hair that fell just below his shoulders and was tied in a ponytail. Upon his fingers were ten rings of varying designs.

"Father, I have brought the workers just as you requested." Grigori said taking a small bow in front of his king.

Noir looked at the workers that had been sent to investigate him. He had long since deactivated [Wolf Among Us] in favor of being able to look at the situation without his humanity hindering him.

He used a silent cast feature to cast Detect Intentions on the group of workers and most made him want to wrench at the sheer amount of greed they held in their hearts. Erya wanted to kill him and take his place as king, both Parpatra, Gringham and their crew saw this as an opportunity to try and get as much treasure as they could carry.

But Noir was taken by surprise when it came to the members of Foresight, Hekkeran, Imina, and Roberdyck were only concerned with ensuring that Arche made it out alive and returned to her sisters. Meanwhile Arche was only thinking about the safety of her sisters. Not the wealth she could steal or even the power Noir could provide but rather the safety of two little girls.

Even in his state of lack of true emotions he found these four to be acceptable. The others on the other hand would be dealt with accordingly.

"Very good Grigori." He said raising a hand to allow the automaton to rise from his position before turning to Erya.

"You there, I can see it in your eyes. You wish to challenge me to the death. I accept." Noir says and Erya smirks before drawing his blade but before he could do anything else Noir held out a hand towards him.

"Chain lightning." Noir cast the spell hitting him dead on killing him almost instantly.

"Grigori, Klaus, Toddy. Kill them all except for those four and the elves." He order and the NPCs did as commanded ending the lives of the greedy that sought only riches for their own gain.

Upon doing so Foresight got into a formation ready to defend should Noir or his NPCs decide to attack.

"Good, good. I find your team most commendable. Yes, I even dare say that I rather like you four already." He said clapping his hands together.

"Leave us and take the elves with you they seem to be in need of treatment." Noir order and the NPCs obeyed.

"Why did you order the others dead?" Roberdyck questioned.

"Because I took a look into their souls and what I found disgusted me. A man so obsessed with his own superiority he would subject others to a torturous hell of living." Noir says pointing to Erya.

"Or men so consumed with greed that they feel little concern for those they call comrades." He gestured to the other workers.

"Either way, Jircniv wanted to see what my capabilities were now he has a rough idea." He stands up and walks towards the four remaining workers.

"Tell me what do you call yourselves?" Noir asked and Hekkeran was the one to answer.

"Foresight. We're team Foresight." He answered earning a nod of approval.

"A fine name. Now I bet you're all wanting to go." Noir said feeling their fear as he walked closer to them, their hands tightening around their weapons he did so.

"And I shall allow you to return to your homes. However I require that one stays behind while the other three leaves." He reveals causing all four to widen their eyes.

"I'll stay!" Hekkeran volunteers making Noir smirk.

"I commend you. But I have already chosen which one will stay behind. Yes, after all I'm in need of information as well regarding your empire, its politics and the surrounding lands." Noir say before eyeing the one he intended to keep.

"I assure you no harm shall come to you so long as you obey." He says before opening a Gate underneath the feet of the rest of Foresight.

"Now then tell me, what is your name?"

AN: Well I hope this chapter is good enough for everyone.

No reviews this time around so until next time ciao.