The Ruins <Part 3>

He froze seemingly looking like he had seen a ghost! I slowly retracted my gaze as he visibly eased up and said with much difficulty...

"We will just use a scanner to verify bone age, that is all we're going to do."

"You should have just said that from the start you know... go ahead and check then!" I said as I stretched out my left forearm, pulling up the sleeve just enough so he could "check".

He began the scan as one of the male teenagers walked up, seemingly frustrated at the fact that a low-born had taken up so much of the spotlight! The boy had light brown hair with somewhat hazel eyes.

He quietly stood near me as the guard momentarily finished the scan and sent a message to the other guards present, that it was true before moving out of my way, but the instant it was verified the boy said these words.

"I, Damien Goble, heir of the Goble clan cannot sit back and do nothing, as some commoner just barges in and does what they want. I challenge you to a duel right here and now!"

His sudden declaration caused a few gasps, snickers, and laughs to fly around, some even seemingly happy at my misfortune? All the feelings were laid bare before me, nothing escaped my senses.

"Do you truly believe you are my opponent... or better yet, did you not think about my strength level before approaching me? You saw someone come in with a chaos rank beast that borderlines the strength of a predator beast, yet you still had the guts to challenge such a person?"

I looked at him in confusion, as I truly did not see what there was for him to gain in such a situation, then I went on to say.

"I do not know if it is courage, confidence or just being overly conceited. I advise you to move aside before I decide not to be, too... considerate!"

I said smiling at him behind the mask, as he slowly backed down retreating and averted his gaze. The amount of pressure I put on him was enough to make a person dizzy, which was why he backed down.

"ah... back to what we were talking about, am I permitted entrance now?"

I asked the dazed guard.

"huh... ahh yes!... I mean no... ugh, what I mean is everyone is to be present before entry is granted, and everyone is also to enter at the same to keep things fair for all."

He said in an attempt to explain, heavily embarrassed and confused.

"Okay, I will wait if that's the case!" I responded before walking away and laying on Naet's back.

About 40 minutes later a few new additions made their entrance, these "additions" looked and had an aura of nobility that essentially told one that they were the creme of the crop. I smiled as I thought maybe this will not be all too boring.

They quickly disembarked their mounts and vehicles in the cases of some, as their parents or guardians stood in wait. The guardians of the temporal ruin on the other hand were going over the list again, assuring everyone was present for another twenty minutes thereabout.

I for one just got ready to go as I cast "Shroud of lightning", a self-made movement and strengthening spell I had in my wide arsenal. The countdown began.

"You may proceed into the rift in

3

2

1

All participants are granted entrance, you may enter!!"

I shot off into the rift leaving nothing but a sonic boom, followed by a sound of glass being shattered! only about 10 of those participating saw me enter the rift, 9 out of 10 being new arrivals, the last one being a boy that had been present prior.

As for the others were briefly dazed, they woke up from their stupor and rushed inside as it was a "first come first served" basis for ruins.

Inside the ruins, there was an eerie silence that permeated in the air causing a sense of discomfort, and for those with weak will... fear!

The interior of the ruins was a direct opposite of the outside, a narrow hallway dark lit with torches giving it a medieval feel.

I watched as a few others entered from afar, instantly bringing out their weapons once they crossed the rift that separated the two worlds. Some began forming groups to hunt and search for fortune with. I for one did not have that luxury, nor did I need it.

In fact, I questioned their reasoning but just summed it up to it simply being that they were not strong enough to individually traverse the ruins. A few on the other hand were strong enough to handle themselves in the ruin without any major problems but chose to go in a group of their choosing.

The remaining who went solo were just about a handful of them, two males and four females. I for one stopped stalking and immediately took action, instantly heading deeper into the ruin.

I wandered around the maze-like corridors, hoping to eventually find something of interest and on queue, I ran into a few rank two beasts called Frits. They were bipedal creatures with quick feet, two claw-like limbs, and a gnarly look.

Of course, they noticed me as I had not hidden my presence... in fact, I welcomed their assault as I wondered what their capabilities were. But if I did not want them to notice my presence, even if I stood in front of them till they died, they won't ever realize.

As I was still looking at them with a look of curiosity, one had already made its way behind my back quietly and lunged for my neck. I instantly dodged and sent a kick at its head the instant it flew by me, sending it on course for the rocky ceiling, instantly killing it.

I stared at it in confusion preparing for its next attack, as I was in disbelief that it could be killed that easily. Its companions also looked at me in fear and anger, baring their teeth and growling loudly at me.

Sigh... "Well, that was disappointing."