Alex, Victoria and Ana appeared at the edge of the Wandering Forest where a few Beastn seed to have already been waiting for them.
It was already nightti with the crickets making their songs without a single care in the world while the owls hooted at a corner.
Upon discovering their presence, the leader amongst them approached and greeted. "I am Enrique, loyal hand of the Rey. State your na and business?"
"Do you not recognize , Commander Enrique?" Ana inquired as she stepped forward.
Enrique replied. "I do, but not these two."
"You may call Aldrich and the na of my subordinate is of no consequence to you, yes?" Alex casually replied, not taking offense to Enrique’s words.
"Not at all. Co with , the Rey is expecting you."
With that, Enrique led the trio into the forest with a few of his n following closely behind while the others remained to keep watch over the forest periphery.
The trek inside was mostly silent, albeit broken intermittently by the cries and howls of wild beasts which caused them to be on guard at all tis.
Noting the possibility that the Beastn could be communicating via the Mindlink Arthur had told him about, Alex couldn’t help but note how convenient it was while also putting it down on his wish list of things to gain in his quest going forward.
As they went deeper into the forest, the unmistakable stench of the abyss began to assault them, each person scrunching their nose in revulsion, a mutual disgust shared by all things living against the abyss.
It didn’t take long before the green of the forest began to give way to more sparse areas with several trees drained of vitality, leaving behind an empty twisted husk.
Barely suppressing the desire to turn and leave, Alex and company soon arrived at the Beastn camp which stretched for quite a distance with several white tents already pitched with ard guards patrolling and bonfires kept at strategic locations to do away with the eerie darkness that seed intent on devouring everything within the forest.
Noticing the return of their compatriots, the Beastn in the camp all kept their eyes on Alex, almost as though they were attempting to fray his calm nerves.
Unfortunately, their intent was caught early on and with what Alex knew, he knew well not to break under pressure and so he returned the gazes of as many he could set eyes on until they arrived at the tent at the center of the clearing.
It was larger than the others and was protected by seven guards which was enough to inform anyone with a brain that this was the Rey’s resting place.
"You may go in." Enrique remarked as he turned to face Alex.
"Not coming in with us?"
"There’s no need."
Nodding thoughtfully, Alex obliged and so entered the camp escorted by Victoria and Ana.
Once inside, he couldn’t help but feel like he’d entered into a sauna with Victoria furrowing her brows while Ana raised hers.
"Rey Alejandro, I didn’t think your people’s way of a welco involved an unrestrained display of authority." Ana couldn’t help but comnt.
"Ah, don’t mind , I had no intention to frighten my guests."
At the booming voice that responded, Alex finally got the opportunity to lay eyes on the king of Aragon or rather, the Rey of Aragon.
He was a large man by all standards.
In fact, It was more appropriate to call him a giant of a man with an imposing physique that left Alex feeling quite small in the physical departnt.
Currently shirtless but still wearing a pair of shorts, his hairy body was revealed in all its glory with his white hair tied up in a bun.
He had a hardened gaze, revealing his many years of rulership with a face that held a certain charm to it.
Knowing what he knew, Alex could guess that Alejandro was trying to intimidate him into playing second fiddle but was he about to let that happen?
Of course not!
And so without hesitation, he unleashed Nyx’s authority, causing Alejandro’s calm expression to crumple instantaneously.
At this mont, Alex was the larger one between them.
With a satisfied smile, Alex spoke up in an uncharacteristically low but powerful tone while taking a slight bow. "I believe this is our first eting, Rey Alejandro. I am Aldrich, Master of the Shadowless. Nice to et you."
"You... what do you want?" Alejandro asked with a frown after realizing he may have acted wrongly in trying to intimidate his opponent.
This was a man that didn’t fear to waltz into his camp and from what he’d gotten from his people back in Aragon and Thebes, he was a troubleso figure with unknown strength.
He thought he could try and get the man to see him as an equal or even as soone greater than him, but this... what he felt right now, it was enough to cause him to rethink his initial thought of gaining an upper hand in the discussion that was soon to follow.
Grinning at Alejandro’s response and knowing that the flaw in Nyx’s authority could be easily seen through if he continued using it, Alex imdiately withdrew, satisfied that his goal of initial intimidation was achieved.
Then almost like nothing had happened, he remarked. "I am a humble man here to offer you and your people a chance to get away from the shackles that have held you down for many, many years."
"What are you talking about?" Alejandro inquired, having cald down after Alex had withdrawn his authority.
"You must have heard, yes?... I have the girl with ."
"What do you plan to do with her?"
Alex shook his head. "Not what I plan to do, but what we can do."
"Explain."
"I am after the group that caused your people to be subjected to years of perpetual murder."
"So you seek to get to the proxy they sent?"
"Indeed." Alex conceded with a nod.
Alejandro studied Alex briefly before replying. "Before we continue with this, I have to know, how do you know about all this?"
"Is it necessary?"
"You may talk or prepare to fight. I am not about to sour my relationship with those people because of the words of a sketchy and deceitful man."
"..." Alex remained silent for a mont before finally replying with a sigh. "It was Arthur."
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