In the distance a scaly crimson beast roared as some men tried to fight it off. Gian watched in horror as the beast lashed out and clawed at some of them. He was sure that was Ravens party but their numbers had dropped dramatically, not even half the men he had left with had survived.
"We need to get there quickly to help them," Ivory said.
"No! You two shouldn't try anything, you'll just get in his way. Raven can handle himself out there, see," Gian said pointing at a figure that slashed at the dragon right then making the beast roar in pain.
"We can't just stand here and do nothing!" Ivory protested.
"How about if we get closer to them, we can keep watch from a distance so as to not disturb them but we'll be close enough to jump in if they end up needing help," Vermilion suggested.
"I guess that could work," Gian said unconvinced.
"Also, if we're near him, he'll get a boost in power and that'll help him fight the dragon," Ivory added.
"Aye, let's go then," Gian finally agreed.
Vermilion didn't think about it twice, he just released his magical essence to cover himself, his brother and Gian and before they knew it, he had teleported them to just outside the village.
"Woah," both Gian and Ivory exclaimed in amazement.
"You have never been able to do that before," Ivory said to his brother with one of his blinding smiles that were filled with excitement and child-like wonder.
"I think it is because we are near him, they did say our powers would manifest faster," Vermilion answered as he kept his gaze on the men that fought against the dragon. One of them stood out to him, he had black hair and his skin seemed to be tanned from days spent in the sun, he was mascular from what Vermilion could tell but his large build didn't seen to slow him down any. The moment the three of them had gotten in close proximity, the man had looked back at them for a split second before focusing back on his fight. That had been a mistake on his part because the dragon had managed to slash his arm with it's long claws. That didn't deter him though, he seemed to get even faster, his blows much stronger and within a minute of fighting, he managed to cut off the beasts head. Purple blood that was unique to dragons spilled from the headless body and covered the surviving men. The man who appeared to be their leader held his sword over his shoulder not caring that it was dripping purple blood all over his back, he seemed to be admiring his work.
"That is the man you're looking for, Raven," Gian said but he too had his eyes fixed on the impressive man.
The beast had been slain but Raven didn't seem to be satisfied yet. He walked over to the headless body that had slumped on the ground and with inhuman strength, he turned the giant body over on its back. He got on top of it and right where the heart was supposed to be, he plunged his sword in. More blood spilled out, this time coating his face and hair in a purple mess but if the grin on his face was anything to go by, he didn't mind it at all.
"Good work, men. We have completed the job so we can finally head back home tomorrow!" He announced and his men cheered, some of them with tears of disbelief in their eyes as if they couldn't believe they had survived.
While his men passed congratulations amongst themselves, Raven walked over to the three men he had spotted earlier. He was sure at least one of them knew what was going on with these serges in his power. He could feel his body start to buzz with power the closer he got to these men, it wasn't Gian because he had known the man for over a year now and nothing like this had ever happened. It had to be one of the two breathtaking men he was now standing a few meters away from, maybe one of them was carrying a magic enhancement item and it was reacting positively to his magical essence?
"Gian," he addressed the man he had come to call a friend over time, "what are you doing all the way out here?"
Gian returned Raven's smile, "hi, I'm on a job for the guild actually. I was to bring these two to you. Allow me to introduce Ivory and Vermilion to you, our newest adventurers and two of The Chosen."
Raven was shocked, he hadn't expected to meet The Chosen today of all days, and they had come looking for him specifically? Now that was the surprise if the century. "Oh, a pleasure to meet you both, I am Raven Fuldore."
Raven watched closely as the redhead simply nodded his acknowledgement while the silver-haired one smiled widely and stretched his hand out to him for a handshake. Raven could appreciate beauty when he saw it and these two were the definition of it, both in their own unique way. He placed his palm against the other man's for a handshake but as soon as their flesh met they both gasped and quickly withdrew their hands. A greater serge of power had run through them from their point of contact, a power so great that it was more than they could contain. It had felt like they would burst from the sheer amount of energy.
"Let's not do that again," Ivory said rubbing his palm with a slight chuckle.
"Agreed," Raven nodded.
"See, brother? I wasn't being rude. Unlike you I've read a lot about this whole situation and I knew that would happen," the redhead explained. They were brothers?
"If you knew this would happen why didn't you stop me?" His brother asked sounding annoyed.
"I learn things by reading about them and you learn things by experience, I wouldn't want to get in between you and your education dear brother," Vermilion teased a little with an amused glint in his eye. His lips twitched a little to barely form a half smile and Raven felt his heart leap at the sight, this man was so damn gorgeous it was unreal.
Raven had just met the man but he had been sure the redhead wasn't the type to talk much, let alone jest. But maybe he had judged him too quickly. Also the man had barely spared him a glance, only addressing his brother if he had something to add to their conversation but he didn't mind, the brothers conversed amongst themselves and it was like sweet music to his ears, their voices a nice tenor.
"Shall we find a place to sit so we can discuss what we came here for?" Vermilion asked his younger brother ignoring the glares sent his way from said man. Again, he did not address anyone else but Ivory.
"I could use a bath before that," Raven answered him anyway, "and I need to make sure the wounded see a healer."
They agreed to let Raven and his men go off to get cleaned up and they would meet up at the tavern the three had just been at in a while.
As Raven rounded up his men and helped those that were injured, Gian and the brothers left. The further away they got, the more the energized feeling left his bones. All that remained was a cold and tired feeling throughout his being, almost as if the others had left with is life essence.
He was going to have to ask about that when he met up with them later.