Serpent Pearl?

Sun rose in the valley but didn't do anything to elevate mysterious coldness. Sauren and Zeph quickly finished some fruits for breakfast and went towards the depths of the valley intending to investigate the Lake of snakes.

As they reached the periphery, they saw the scene of almost swarms of snakes lying in the victinity of the lake. Some were just moving here and there while others were staying still in their place. Watching their unnatural behavior hinted at something abnormal in Lake.

"what was the local myth you were talking about?"Zeph started the topic as they were observing the lake from the top of the tree looking for some ideas to move forward.

"Oh that ....Yeah when I arrived in the city, I went to all places to sightsee and made many local friends. One of them told me that this valley was one of the restricted areas for civilians.

According to them, here once lived Serpent God locally known as Naaga, he ruled over the entire area including Gephyr City. It was said that all snakes here are descended of that God thus particular traits and their large number. Cold winds blew throughout the year here because it was the domain of Serpent God while it is known he has left from this area for some reason but legend says he will come back reclaim its area that will be doomsday for humans living in this area."

"God -hmm.....must be some divine beast then ?"

"Not sure, well it is just myth. Myth can't be trusted, it even says that Naaga has serpent pearl on its forehead, which grants mysterious power to him. Anyone taking sight of pearl becomes his slave. It can even grant wish...."

"Sh.."

Zeph hushed down Sauren and pointed towards the lake "look something is coming out of the lake"

Lake surface which was calm till now suddenly had huge waves forming over it. Soon a large number of white snakes emerged from Lake and began to move towards another part of the Valley.

"Holy sh*t, it looks like the whole tide of snakes is going towards the forest."

"Where are they going ?"

"who cares, something is fishy in that lake. I think if that beast disappeared it must have gone into the lake for sure. We should take this opportunity while most of the annoying snakes are outside and jump into the lake to investigate it."

"Are you an idiot, going without any knowledge will be suicide? we should wait for grouping with another warrior then go together."

"But it will be over at that time, who knows where those ones are looking at? It's simple we just ...."Mid-sentence Sauren froze as he found that a big large snake coming out of the lake.

It was pure white in color with menacing red eyes, and surely it was a beast with cultivation, not the simple animal. It moved towards other ends of the Valley and entered into the forest.

Sauren and Zeph hiding in tree leaves looked towards each other

"At least heart level ?" asked Sauren.

"At least "nodded equally stunned Zeph.

"How he didn't notice us?"

"Maybe we are too far that's why or he didn't bother to scan his lair like who scans his own home regularly"

"This mission has just gone to another level, we are inside another monster s territory.It is best he went away without noticing us, I don't think we have enough power to handle that one.

So now it means we are looking for at least a heart level monster in another monster who is also'atleast'heart level. great !" Sauren threw his hands off.

"Now we have two options, injured one is either hiding inside and we can look inside his lair to find him when another Snake is outside or we go back just to inform this info .either way we have to just gather information and deliver it, we must absolutely not engage.

so Brother which option?"

Zeph raised his eyebrow towards

Sauren waiting for him to answer.

Sauren grinned like a fool and jumped straight towards the lake. He landed like a meteor on the ground which grabbed the attention of few remaining snakes which attacked towards him. He immediately formed a shield of blue fire around him which immediately obliterated all incoming snakes.

Zeph smiled and immediately disappeared from his position. With a lightning flash, he appeared straight in the center of the lake and dived head down into the lake.

Sauren swore in his heart seeing such speed, he finally reached shore and too jumped inside the lake. He formed a thin cloak of serpentine raw energy to facilitate movement and protection because his fire energy is reactant to water.

At the Banquet several people were socializing with each other. After introductions, all guests subconsciously grouped together with the same political groups like themselves.

Brynn was also standing with her senior brother but as not a native of this nation, they were sitting at the side table. She was constantly searching for Zeph and Sauren but was unable to locate them.

"Weird, they must have something else going on?" thought Brynn.

"So Elven are you really not on Miss klearon 's side, for this council seat for Nation Drake."

Elven smoothly smiled and said "I have always stated that Mercenary corps are always neutral in power struggles"

"No no I'm talking about you, if you are with us simply Mercenary corporation will be with us. And where are those youngsters, they must have the freedom to choose on whose side they want to stand on?

Aren't you making their ambition die by forcefully obstructing anyone from Corps to join the side?"

Other members also chimed in"yes, yes if someone willingly wants to support some elder, Mercenary corp should not interfere"

"By the way where are they ?"

Elven took a sip of wine and said "of course if anyone wants to do so 'willingly' of course corps will not stop them. But today they can't come here, they were sent on an emergency mission"

"What emergency mission Elven, you surely sent them for that rumored serpent so they can't attend today's gathering. That's not right Elven forcefully interfering in the lives of young warriors."

"When did I interfere, it was commissioned mission sent to all guilds and corps"

"Don't make us laugh Elven, not a single warrior is sent on that wild goose chase by any guild. Such a powerful beast would never step so close to the city even if on his death bed. Moreover, what can young warriors accomplish fighting with heart level that also, a Heart level Beast? It is simply the throwing of life. Just admit it you are making them avoid today's gathering so that they don't end up being poached by one of the political leaders."

Elven shook his head at them"you are free to make assumptions"

Inside the lake first thing that came to mind of Zeph was "COLD".It was too cold for a normal water lake. It was not even frozen. He swam downwards and soon found out that all the mysterious cold energy of the whole valley is coming from the bottom of this lake. He soon found Sauren also coming towards him while shivering noticeably.

"This is freaking too cold !" it was easy to talk and breathe underwater with the use of serpentine energy. It can form a thin skin barrier on the skin cells of our bodies which prevents water from going inside our cells or body. Also, this energy helps in taking in dissolved oxygen from water directly to our skin (also lungs )to breathe.

"Let's go at the source of light coming from that direction"Zeph pointed at a deep point in Lake from where some blue light was spilling out.