Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 606: Buried In Sand

The prince of Nile, Mino had already told Raven everything about the god taking refuge in the oasis just a bit beyond the horizon. The warlord was confused, and so was his goddess. After all, why would an immortal and all-powerful being be spending his time in the mortal plain where he was the most vulnerable?

With curiosity his guide, Raven rode on a horror that heʼd converted from the generalʼs to his side. With the ability to clad any living or even the undead in a layer of darkness, corrupting them, that is, heʼd gathered many beasts, many horrors, and even a handful of morons whoʼve tried to stand in his way.

Followed by the elves, one riding on a sabertooth and the other on an amalgamated undead monstrosity with countless legs and hands, the hero confidently marched forward–for the desert itself was now his territory. All monsters bowed to his authority, and so did the lurking creatures of the dark. Theyʼve seen him far too many times teaching their kind a much-needed lesson; thus, not a single one of them dared disturb his late-night ride on that werewolf.

”I see the Oasis!” Being on a much higher elevation on the monstrosity, Aria pointed in the direction of the god. ”And someoneʼs there–their body, itʼs glowing like Erika, but brighter!”

Her voice slightly hoarse for her clothes had grown too tight; the dark elf breathed heavily even though all sheʼd done was sit on top of the monster and ride. Much like Mel and the rest of the heroʼs companions, Aria had grown as well, but in her case, with her chest expanding, she was forced to use a suppressive bra to fit herself in enchanted armor.

”Should I prepare an attack? Those trees around him can be used to make Treants.” Riding up next to Raven, Mel declared a suggestion, but was quickly shot down with a simple shake of his head.

”I want to know what heʼs doing here first–only then will we decide what to do with him,” Raven said, as the trio arrived at the sole green patch of land in the desert.

To assault a god wouldʼve been foolish, but to trust one wouldʼve been worse. With caution unsheathed, Raven pulled the corrupted werewolf back into his hands. The other two undid the summons as well, and as their leader began approaching the harp-playing man, their fingers kept tingling by their weapons.

In contrast, Raven seemed more open to discuss–and yet cautious nonetheless. Lured in by the manʼs melody, he stood before him with his hands folded by his chest. Staring at him, until the harp shattered into shards of light, Raven gestured for the god to speak up.

”The twin-souled hero, never thought Iʼd see you with my eyes,” with a light chuckle, the man covered his mouth. ”Well–fateʼs a fickle mistress, I suppose. Look at me after all, a god cast from the heavens with no one left to praise his name.”

”Cast from heaven?” Shifting a little, Ravenʼs eyes studied the man. Dressed in white scaly clothes with golden adorn, the elven god couldʼve been mistaken for a mortal were it not for his divine glow. ”You do have a divine air about you, but why were you cast from the heavens, and if this is your territory, why did you abandon your people to that demon general?”

Humming a gentle tune, the god finally stood up from the root of the tree behind him. Dusting his clothes, he moved closer to Raven. But the girls–they didnʼt like it one bit, and so their fingers brought their weapons to the front.

”If you have an interest in men, then look for a brothel, you fair skin…” Drawing out her inherent hatred for fair elves, Aria balled up her fist with the dragon scale gloves on them.

Glancing sideways at the girls, the god took a step back with his hand held in front of his chest as if to surrender. Making sure nobody was alarmed, he smiled at the two before turning his attention back to their leader.

”I did not like the way they ran their castle, and so I was cast from the heavens like Lucifer of Gaia.” The names of other worlds and people meant little to the party, they had no clue where was Gaia or who was Lucifer, and neither did they care, for the cryptic tone of the god was enough to rouse further caution.

”Speak plain!” Setting a foot down, Raven spread his arms wide with his palms facing backwards. A slit opened in his flesh and emerging through them came a thousand horrors and them some more. Flooding the desert with those monsters for as far as the eye could see, the warlord was ready to take on the god if it proved absolutely necessary.

Eyeing the army behind him, the godʼs expression dropped. He was no fighter but a bard, a man of artistry and joy, to even suggest bloodshed bled his heart.

”If my blood sates your hunger, then so be it, bleed me and drink my blood,” bringing his attention back to the warlord, the prince of Nile whispered. ”Be the god you wish that can save this world by putting on the shackles that we call divine power.”

Being a bard, his words were strung as prose. The man couldnʼt help it as the plain words held power.

”But if you must know, I wish for that ring on your finger–the one with the Djinn queen.” Pointing out the ring in his hand, the prince offered his hand for Raven to give it to him. ”Offer me her and I shall string your battles with the songs of my angels. They will empower you, boost every muscle in your body with strength and most important of all, strike fear in the hearts of your enemy.”

”Why do you want her?” Raven asked, curious as to what he would do with her.

With a gentle bow, the god responded.

”I wish to court her, win her heart–make her mine,” looking to his back at the tree and the pond, the prince took a deep breath and heaved a heavy sigh. ”To be trapped in a place like this, all to your lonesome, Iʼm sure she would know what it feels like, and that is why I wish for her company–the company of the most beautiful woman Iʼd ever laid eyes on.”

As the prince turned his head to the front again, a defeated smile rested on his face. Nervously scratching the back of his head, he added.

”And well, about your previous question–I may have done something to the council to be cast out so that I can be with her.”

Upon the mention of love, the caution of the party slightly dropped. They knew very well how blinding it can be to be charmed by a person. The girls, especially, staring at Ravenʼs back, felt a strange inclination to allow a new love story to unfold before them all.

As for Raven himself, having freed Elana from the island of magic, he was slightly more reluctant to let the god have her.

”I have a few conditions,” nodding at him, the god urged him to go on. ”First of all, if she says no, then thereʼs no conversation to be had, and secondly, youʼre not gonna stay here so that she can remain trapped in another, much smaller prison.”

”As you say…” With a polite nod, the prince agreed to the terms.

And although unsure about the idea, Raven moved a hand on the ring and decided to call the Djinn that theyʼd presumed to be dead.