My eyes had to adjust to the darkness, when I entered, but as soon as I could open them, I was astonished at how big their den actually was. It was almost like an own underground city, especially created for people discarded from human society systems.

They had actual houses, if I could call them like that. They were shabby and simple huts created out of stones. For some of them, they definitely used earth magic, because with human strength alone, this wouldn’t have been possible to build.

The strangest thing was, that even though I went through their “streets”, no one was minding me. All of the residing humans were acting like I was 1 of them. Not that I talked or interacted with anyone of them. I wasn’t that kind of a social person, but it was strange.

My goal was to meet their boss. When I first entered and saw that huge city, I received a shock and thought about how annoying it would be to reach their boss. I thought that it would be hard to accomplish. Asking around, beating up pursuers, getting information out of them, fighting guards, getting information out of them and then fight my way through to him against his personal guards, or something like that. But it turned out, I was completely wrong.

The “city” had a simple structure. There was a huge building in the middle, with 2 layers surrounding it. In between every layer and that building there were streets and on the outside, you could leave through 1 of 5 exits. I was sure that the person I was looking for, was at the centre of this structure, so I went straight to that building. I saved a lot of time, due to that and was happy about getting to the next step without much hindrances.

The next problem I had thought of, was fighting my way through, but it was taken care of as soon as I told the guard, “I am here to see the boss”. When he opened the door for me, I was dumbfounded. He had never seen me and just by telling him I came here to see the boss he let me in. Why was there even a need for a guard then? Moving on to the next step.

I wandered through the corridors, not knowing where to go, because I totally forgot to ask for direction. I bet if I asked the guard, he would have told me. Luckily after 20 minutes or so, I somehow managed to reach a huge door. It looked really intimidating. When I thought, that some houses outside didn’t even have doors and then, that I was standing in front of such a huge thing, I was quite puzzled to be honest. Moreover the whole building seemed empty.

Without thinking, I pushed the door open. That was a mistake.

“Sorry for intruding.”(Me)

I said with a smile and closed the door again. A simple overview what I saw. I intruded in something that looked like a meeting. There was a table in the middle with 4 people on each side and 1 person that seemed like the boss to me, at the edge of the long table.

I wanted to turn around, forget what I saw and just leave as fast as possible, but the door opened again and 1 of them asked me “kindly” to come in and join them. It would have been rude to decline, so I just followed him inside.

Most of them were covered in robes. Probably to hide their identities, or something like that. Only their boss, who was a man in his 40ies and had a strong figure of a male human, red hair and eyes which told me that he already experienced a lot in his life had nothing covering his appearance.

“Who are you? Why did you come here? How were you able to enter? What is your purpose? Where are you from?...”(Boss)

I was bombarded with questions the moment I entered. He asked so many of them, without pausing for a single second, that I had no opportunity to respond to them. Hell, I wasn’t even able to remember all of them. After he asked about 100 questions, don’t ask me which, I already forgot most of them, I took the opportunity of him catching his breath.

“Your guard let me in, after I told him I am here to see the boss.”(Me)

“I told you it’s a stupid password.”(Guy to his right)

“Shut up, Belios.”(Boss)

They were totally relaxed about the situation, otherwise they would have never talked like that, or revealed his name. By the way, I absolutely agreed with that Belios guy. This password was a stupid idea. It was something thought of random and everyone could think of it. I criticized him in my mind of course.

“So what’s your purpose for coming here?”(Boss)

At least it was only 1 question this time.

“If I am not wrong, I was somehow invited by you guys. I only accepted the invitation and came here. Out of my good will of course.”(Me)

It was a test to see their reaction.

“Did we invite someone else, Belios?”(Boss)

“No. By the way please stop calling me by my name so casually when there is a potential enemy present.”(Belios)

They were not shaken at all and their behaviour didn’t change. In some way, my little test failed.

“You said you were invited, then tell me who are you?”(Boss)

“Isn’t it rude to ask a guest of his identity? Normally you introduce yourself first, or am I wrong?”(Me)

I wanted to make the best out of the situation I created and gather as much information as they would give me.

“Hahaha. You are correct, I apologize for my rudeness. My name is…”(Boss)

He was interrupted by the hooded person on his left.

“Nightmare.”(Person on his left)

“Huh? Perone shut up, don’t you see I am introducing myself.”(Boss)

“I am sorry Boss Grey.”(Perone)

“Sigh. I told you call me Phillip.”(Boss)

“I am sorry Boss Gr, I mean Philip.”(Perone)

Those 2 seemed familiar with each other. But what shocked me more was, that my identity was found out so fast.

“But Perone you are right, he’s the only 1 we invited. If that’s true, then I officially welcome the famous Nightmare to my den. As you already heard, my name is Philip Grey.”(Philip)

With that said, our discussion started.