As Tate considers his recent decisions he continues following the faint noise ahead, hoping its Hayden and his other traveling companions. "What was I thinking?" He mumbles quietly to himself. I made one deal with the Dark Child earlier increasing his power, but by doing so I saved Hayden's life. She had been mortally wounded by a cave troll and was literally dying in my arms, I had no options. That's when the Dark Child appeared offering to save her in exchange for a book. To be honest, if I had to do it all over again I wouldn't hesitate, that deal saved Hayden's life. Where I'm struggling this time is in the fact that I just made a second deal with the demon, this time to save my own life. What bothers me is how he is always present whenever I'm in dire need? I mean twice now someone's life has been on the line and twice he has appeared, is he stalking me for some unknown reason? I probably made the wrong decision, what gives me the right to mess around with such power? Sure, one could justify that I did it to continue breathing, to continue living, that without his aid I would have died. The deal was simple, in exchange for saving my life I have to retrieve for him the Ethereal Axe of Draznor Kaa which just happens to be in the possession of a man named Crete. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that providing a demon with a weapon he desires is a bad idea, but like I said I was dying. Then to make matters worse, the little hell spawn seems to have double crossed me, because when I awoke I found a demon mark on my left shoulder. It was not part of our deal and I have no idea what it represents. What I do know is that it can't be good and that it scares the hell out of me. It's times like this that I'm thankful for being a half elf, because if not for my elven genes I wouldn't be able to see a thing down here in these underground corridors. Fortunately I can see in the dark almost as well as in broad day light. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be trapped down here and unable to see, just thinking about it sends a chill straight down my spine. I continue moving through the corridors drawing in closer to the faint noise in the distance. In my heart I know it's not my friends, I'm not a fool, but at least it was a place to start. There was no way I could climb back out of the hole I fell down so my only option was to find another way out, but when I do find my way out and meet up with others how am I going to convince to Crete to give up his axe? "Crete buddy ol' pal, I bartered your axe for my life...sorry about that." I whisper to myself. I laugh because even I know how unlikely it is that he will give it up. By the gods, what was I thinking? Crete is not the kind of guy I want to make angry, he scares me, especially after what the Dark Child hinted at. He claims the brothers were evil men, how was it that he described them? One he said was an assassin of unmatched skill and reputation while another he claimed was the greatest conqueror this world has ever seen. What was the last one? Something about a twisted and sadistic madman who took pleasure in destroying lives, particularly women's. But how much can I believe? The information came from a demon after all, but yet I can't help but wonder which description goes with which brother? My gut is telling me that Grys is the assassin, his lighter armor seems to suit that trait and his demeanor seems to fit as well. He's very observant, always watching and when he moves he is as silent and graceful as a shadow. The other two brothers are more difficult to determine, both wear heavy black plate armor, one accessorizes with menacing spikes on his shoulder pauldrons while the other uses children's skulls to evoke fear. The problem I have is that Hades doesn't seem to fit either madman or conqueror, he seems intelligent, caring and I can see him becoming a good friend. So though the children's skulls that are hanging from his chest are a bit worry some I find it difficult to imagine him as evil man. Now Crete on the other hand is another story, I have no trouble imagining him as a madman or a conqueror. But when it comes down to it I hope the Dark Child was lying, hoping to inflict doubt and distrust between us. If the brothers are the men that the Dark Child claims they are then that puts us at odds, they will then become my enemy and that can't happen. Because if they are evil that means Hayden is alone with them and the thought of that makes my stomach turn. The noise I have been moving towards sounds like it's just up ahead and around the corner now, it's almost like a stone on stone sound. I cautiously begin sliding along the wall attempting to be as silent as possible. When I reach the end of the wall I peek my head around slowly and see what it is that I've been hearing, it's three skeletons. Why do dungeons always have to have skeletons? Is it some kind of rule that I'm unaware of? But then realistically they're far more dangerous creatures out there than skeletons so I really shouldn't be complaining. Their eye sockets glow yellow and seem to radiate in the darkness, I could probably run right on past them, but I have some frustration I need to take out and skeletons are the perfect outlet. I reach back pulling my katana free from its sheath while moving directly towards the lead skeleton. I almost feel bad for them because the truth is...I'm going to enjoy this.