Tristiana looks at Benjamine in shock after seeing the old clothes turn to dust. As she struggles to find her words, Benjamine apologizes profusely about what happened. When Tristiana sees how he's acting, she bursts out laughing.
"Hahahaha. Oh, aren't you a dear. Don't worry about those clothes; my great granddad told me that those clothes were specially made by his great granddad for a very powerful person. He also told me if someone ever happens to pick those clothes up and turn them into dust, you must make that person the best clothes our family can produce."
Benjamine is slightly embarrassed, but his mind starts trying to remember something from his past. After a bit of deep thought, his eyes widen with realization, and he looks at Tristiana.
"Did. Did your great granddads great granddad go by the name of Sebastian?"
Her mouth drops open with shock, even Freyja is standing there speechless.
"Fate truly works in mysterious ways, doesn't it? Benjamine."
Tristiana beams with excitement and admiration leaving Benjamine at a loss for words. Freyja clears her throat to get their attention.
"(Cough) This is great and all, but could you give him the new clothes already."
She looks away with a light blush causing Tristiana and Benjamine to look down. Benjamine goes whiter than a ghost as he realizes the tattered clothes he had on have all but disintegrated, leaving only a small patch between his legs. Faster than lightning he grabs the clothes from Tristiana and heads into the change room letting out a heavy sigh after closing the curtains. Tristiana is standing in place wondering what just happened. She looks at Freyja, her eyes asking questions and Freyja just shrugs her shoulders before they start laughing uncontrollably.
Benjamine is still a bit embarrassed hearing them laughing, but he shakes his head and proceeds to change into the new clothes. After Tristiana and Freyja have calmed down, Benjamine opens the curtain to reveal himself wearing a dark red cape that flows into a dark black hem. His clothes are a long sleeved, black buttoned shirt, highlights of red on the seams merging into a brown belt buckle before fading into long, dark black pants and shin high leather boots. Benjamine smiles and looks at Tristiana.
"This is perfectly made for me. Thank you very much. How much is this going to cost?"
Tristiana takes in Benjamine's new attire and can't control her urge to run up and hug him leaving Freyja standing there with a straight face.
"I'm so pleased you like it, because you are the person spoken of in my family, you don't have to pay anything. I also promise to make you a final set of clothes that will serve you well in your journey."
Benjamine looks over to Freyja for help and all she does is shrug and leave the shop, leaving Benjamine to deal with Tristiana.
"Tristiana. I really appreciate that you would go to such length for me, but it's not necessary. Also, please can you let me go now?"
Tristiana comes to her senses and immediately releases him.
"Sorry about that. But you don't have to worry, it was a promise passed down by my forefathers. I must honour it or else I am not worthy of my family name."
Benjamine accepts her steadfastness and bids her farewell before joining up with Freyja outside. Freyja takes in Benjamine's new attire and smiles.
"Looks perfect on you. Now I don't have to feel like I'm being followed by a leech."
Benjamine pinches the bridge of his nose before letting out a sigh.
"Thank you, Freyja, your words resonate deep within my fragile heart."
She raises an eyebrow at his sarcastic response before closing her eyes and smiling.
"You're an interesting one; I'll give you that much. Let's head back before those idiot's start worrying about us."
Benjamine smiles and follows Freyja back to the inn to prepare for an audience with the king. Back at the inn, Henry is running around in a flat spin.
"Where could lady Freyja and that other person be? If she's not back within the next five minutes, I'm going to search for her."
"Relax, Henry. They'll be fine, I'm sure she's just taken him for a walk to show him the city."
Henry's face goes beet red as he shakes violently gritting his teeth.
"I swear. If that person has done anything to her, I'll-."
Henry is cut short by Greigore slapping him over the head with his heavy gauntlet, leaving him curled up and holding his head.
"Little boy, to loud in morning."
Wilter has a good chuckle before offering Greigore a cup of coffee.
"Thanks for that. He was getting out of hand."
Greigore winks in response just as the door opens, revealing Freyja and a newly clothed Benjamine. Wilter spits out his coffee from shock after seeing Benjamine's new clothing, and Greigore looks on smiling. Freyja walks with a confident stride up to Wilter.
"Are you ready to go see the king? Leader."
Wilter nods his head and the party prepare to meet the king for their rewards. Back at the castle, Bradly is speaking to an unknown figure hiding in the shadows. When he looks up a cold sweat runs down his face as he gazes upon a demonic type of smile with sharp teeth. After arranging a meeting for king Eribis, Bradly makes his way back to the king to give his report. When he emerges from the dark pit, king Eribis is waiting for him.
"Well, Bradly. What did they say?"
"My lord, they have agreed to meet with you, but they will require a suitable payment beforehand."
The king thinks for a moment before replying.
"Why don't we offer them the party who defeated Tartarus? I'm sure they'll accept that."
A powerful wind shoots up from the dark pit, shutting the doors and locking them. A raspy woman's voice booms from the depths as the shadow figure shoots past king Eribis and Bradly before landing in front of them. The dark mist disappears revealing a dark-skinned woman with eyes as beautiful as a stary night, a figure worthy of the greatest reverence and awe from all men and woman. Her hair has a shiny brown gloss that goes all the way to the floor, wearing a short top and shorts with wings in the form of batwings.
King Eribis bows his head in her presence.
"Oh, great goddess Ginin. You would honour us with your presence. How may we be of service to you."
"Cut the formalities filth. Tell me what happened to Tartarus?"
"Yes, goddess Ginin. A group of adventurers we sent to explore a new dungeon returned and reported running into Tartarus and his soldiers. They say they defeated him. Their leader brought this as evidence."
He offers her the piece of armour Wilter threw on the floor. When she takes it from him, her muscular body begins shaking, revealing muscles stronger than steel as she shatters the armour.
"That dumb bastard. What possessed him to interfere with matters that do not concern him. Now he's gone and complicated matters by getting himself killed."
"It is truly an unfortunate addition to our plans. That is why I offer you the party who killed him in exchange for moving our deal forward a bit faster."
A cruel smile crosses her face as she thinks of ways to make them suffer.
"Very well. I will move our plan forward. But I don't want to reveal my hand just yet. There are… other matters I need to attend to that are not your concern. I also believe you'll be rewarding them today. I would like to observe this group and gauge their strengths."
The king hesitates before responding. Bradly remains kneeling, not moving a single muscle in the goddess's presence.
"Very well, goddess Ginin. I have no authority to stop you."
A sinister smile crosses her face as she performs a spell that transforms her into a beautiful human woman wearing a long shining black dress making the king blush at her striking beauty. He clears his throat before speaking.
"They will be here within the hour. We better get ready to receive them."
The three return to the court and prepare to give the party their reward. At the bottom of the deep hole, Ginin has set plans of her own in motion to rule over the city herself once the king is corrupted and eventually kills himself. A powerful, red glowing ball begins to pulsate like an animal in its gestation period. Ginin looks over her shoulder before whispering to the ball.
"Soon my precious baby. You just make sure to mature enough that I can rule over not only this city, but the kingdom as well."
Wilter and the others are upbeat and excited to receive their rewards from the king. On the path leading up to the castle, Shadow stops Benjamine.
"Benjamine. I'm sure you can feel the aura emanating from the castle."
"Yes, I can, Shadow."
"Judging by the specific aura, I'd have to say its Ginin. She's disguised herself as a human."
"It's possible the king entered some kind of deal with her regarding us as the payment because we killed Tartarus. Better warn the others."
"Agreed. It's best they know about it for their own safety. Just don't tell them everything."
"Don't worry. I've learned from experience."
Shadow's voice slips away and Benjamine immediately puts up a second barrier to better mask his true presence from everyone. He stops the group and calls them over. Wilter notices the look on Benjamine's face and gathers the others around him.
"I've just learned something that I need to warn you about. The god hiding in the shadows has disguised themselves as a human. Be careful with your actions. It's possible they're after us."
"Alright, Benjamine. We'll keep our guard up."
Everyone nods in agreement, and they continue towards the castle. As they reach the gate, a group of guards is waiting to escort them to see the king. The guards ask the members to hand in their weapons for security purposes. Bell's start going off in Benjamine's head that something is not right. He quickly whispers.
"Occultare." (Conceal)
An unnoticeable light falls on the weapons, disguising their true power, but leaving enough to be dangerous to the beasts of myth they faced in the dungeon. He also makes Shadow's sword disappear into thin air before the guards search him. After handing in their weapons, they are escorted to the king's chamber. Tension and nervousness begin creeping in to the party members as they get closer. Wilter and Freyja remain composed, trying not to startle Greigore or Henry.
They arrive at the courts doors and enter the spacious room where the king sits on his throne with Bradly on his right-hand side, and a woman they've never seen before on his left but behind the king's throne. They all proceed to kneel when they get close enough to the king under the watchful gaze of the mysterious woman. Benjamine is right at the back, his emotions begin acting up being in the presence of a goddess. His instinct to kill lies just below his concealment spell, and one wrong move will expose his identity.
As Benjamine fights his primal urges, Wilter remains composed in front of the king before he speaks.
"It is good to see you again, king Eribis. I have returned for our reward as you requested."
The king stands up and begins to speak.
"Ah, Wilter Eastwind, it's good to see you as well. Yes, if you wait a few more minutes your reward will arrive."
"If I may, king Eribis. Who is the astounding woman standing behind you? I have never seen someone of her beauty before."
The king laughs heartily.
"Are you really that awe struck by my cousins' beauty? You have good taste young man."
The woman approaches the group and begins speaking in an angelic voice.
"Oh, great adventurers. King Eribis has told me about how you conquered the new dungeon that appeared. I would like to express my deepest gratitude. I am princess Genin. Next in line to rule the city of Grandore."
After hearing her voice, Benjamine's heart begins beating harder as he recognizes the slight deflection in her voice. He falls to the ground holding his chest, writhing in pain causing quite a commotion. The other members rush to his aide as the king begins to panic. The woman looks over at the unknown man clutching his chest and begins smiling at how much pain he's in just from being in her presence.
"Fear not, brave warrior. You will receive the best treatment this city has."
She turns away and smiles before thinking to herself.
"He's going to be a great puppet for me to exploit."
Little does she know the pain Benjamine is in is because he's fighting the urge to kill her. The medics arrive and load him onto a stretcher before taking him away. Wilter and the others quickly follow but the king stops them.
"Wilter. If you dare leave this court, you will not receive your reward and you'll never be allowed into this castle again."
Freyja turns to say something, but Wilter stops her.
"It's not worth wasting your breath on him."
She nods and follows after Benjamine with the others. Benjamine continues clutching his chest in agony. Wilter stops and speaks to the king.
"Take your reward and stick it king Eribis. My party members are more important than some reward from a king who's obviously getting old."
Before the king can respond, the door closes behind Wilter. The king is frustrated and slams his hand on the arm of the throne.
"Those impudent brats. How dare they treat me with disrespect?"
Ginin laughs as she turns to face king Eribis.
"That is a very appetizing offering you've given me. Especially the one who clutched his chest."
"Oh, you mean Victor. They encountered him on their way to the dungeon, and he proved to be a good addition to the party."
"That's very interesting though. While examining their skills and abilities, I happened to notice his are average compared to the others. He will make a good puppet for me to manipulate and get what I want. When will you be making your move?"
"Within the next week at the latest."
"Excellent. Please excuse me, I have matters that require my attention. Just you wait, Victor. I will make a grand puppet out of you."
When she leaves, king Eribis orders Bradly to begin setting their plan into motion.
"Be quick with-it Bradly. I want her and those adventurers to perish. Then nothing can stand in my way."
A figure hides behind one of the pillars and leaves the room while the king is occupied. They make their way in the direction of Wilter and his party. After a few minutes of running through the corridors, they eventually catch up to the group. They stop as they see the guards get knocked out by the other members. The stranger runs towards the group and stops short in front of Freyja, a knife pointed at her throat.
"Who are you?"
She removes her hood, revealing jet black hair tied up in a multi-platted style. Her face is red from crying, and she struggles to find her words. Benjamine places a hand on Freyja's shoulder.
"That's enough Freyja, you're scaring her. Put the knife away."
Freyja does this with a huff. Benjamine approaches the girl and gets on his haunches before speaking.
"What is wrong young lady? Are you lost?"
She shakes her head, but her body is trembling. Benjamine grabs her hands with a firm grip which calms her down after a while. Once she has composed herself, the young girl begins to speak.
"My name is Anthra. Princess Anthra of the city of Erib. Please, help me save the city, and my father."
She pleads with her innocent, dark green eyes watering up. Benjamine holds her firmly.
"We know what's going on, and we'd like to help you with it."
Her eyes light up and her frown turns to a smile after his words. She musters up the energy to speak.
"It is not safe for us; we must escape from here before we're discovered."
They all nod in agreement and leave the castle.