Reaching the lair’s location, Zero mood sank as he view its surroundings. A sizeable number of grey bears could be seen wandering about, with some milling around the entrance.
---There’s no way I’m able to get past them and secure the riches inside. Looks like I will have to meet with their leader and seek its cooperation to allow me access.
Flushed with resolve and eyes burning with determination, Zero raises both hands in the air, making himself look harmless before heading to the nearest bear.
The bear, sensing the approach, stop whatever its doing and turn to face Zero. With ferocious look in its eyes and gnashing of teeth, it prepares its fighting stance and shouted out fiercely.
<”Stop human! How dare you step near our lair! Death to all intruders!”>, making a swipe at Zero.
The shout also alerted the surrounding bears, causing them to start making their way towards Zero. Within the grim atmosphere, Zero hurriedly tries to defuse the current situation.
“W-WAIT! I meant no harm“, Zero spoke in a quivering voice. “I have urgent news concerning the lives of all the bears here.”
Giving both looks of surprise and confusion, the bear stop its attack and asked Zero.
<” Are you the one who gave a helping hand to our brethren? I was told that he is someone who can communicate with us.”>
“YES, I AM! CAN YOU PLEASE TELL THE REST THAT I AM NO THREAT TO THEM NOW!!!” Zero howl in panic.
Resolving the misunderstanding, Zero explains to the bear that the kingdom will soon send troops to wipe them all out.
<”Is what you say is true, I must bring you to our leader, Bernhard now with news of these tidings”>, with an expression of worry written on its face.
The bear, quickening its pace with every step, made Zero follow close behind as they scamper towards the lair.
Upon reaching, the bear growl at the bear which were guarding the lair, to send word to their leader inside that he have bought a human named Zero with news of impeding danger and to make haste. After waiting less than a minute, a bear larger than the rest with a mean looking looks in its eyes and a gash cutting across its right eye slowly stepped out from the cave’s shadow.
<”Are you the one..? What is the news that you speak of?”>, giving off a stern stare.
---Their leader looks intimidating. I have to find a way to go in and grab as much as I could before the kingdom army came. Giving his best solemn look, Zero began to recall the encounter with the scout, careful to omit the part where he diverge the number of bears.
A groan, mixed with the grinding of teeth, came from Bernhard’s mouth.
<”Zero, thanks to your timely warning, I will be able to gather up all my forces to prepare for the incoming battle and evacuating the young into the lair. For your help, you are allowed access to the lair.”>
Bernhard then started issuing orders at the bears to convey the message of gathering the rest.
Zero’s resolve for the ores inside broke at the mention of the word ‘young’. Feeling confused and unable to understand Bernhard plans, he inquired.
“Wait! Why are you making the young stay inside the lair? Didn’t I just inform you that their goal was to clear the path to it and annihilate all that threatens them?”
Chuckling at the question, Bernhard answered.
<” Zero, this forest is our territory and we will do whatever we can to protect it. And besides, do you think the young are able to survive even if they managed to escape. The answer is no, they will not be able to defend themselves from the dangers outside.”>
Giving a small nod in appreciation, Bernhard moves on to disseminate the order to the rest.
Zero slowly entered the lair to pull his thoughts away from the bears and calm his now conflicting emotions whirling about. Walking deeper inside, he could see shining stones embedded into the cave walls lighting up the otherwise dark lair.
As he looked around, Zero was unable to glimpse even a bit of the ore mentioned by the scout. All he was able to see was the stacks of leaves placed on the floor which he presumes was for the bears to lie down on.
Reaching the end and still unable to find any, Zero concluded that the report was false and the king was tricked to attack the animals living in Greywood.
---Why would anyone do something like that? What will they gain by doing this? Will it be resolved if I waited for the troops to arrive and tell them there is nothing of value here?
Dismissing the thought to tell them as it requires giving them passage inside which the bears would never agree to, Zero made up his mind to lend a helping hand to the bears and overthrowing the perpetrator’s plots.
When he came out of the lair, he could hear the voice of Bernhard addressing the bears that has gathered. An uneasy atmosphere filled the air and anxious looks could be seen on their faces. Zero makes his way to where they were and positions himself at the front.
Zero waited with the crowd for Bernhard to finish his speech before rushing out, informing them all of his willingness to help.
“I would like to assist in the upcoming battle. I have a plan to win but in order to do so I will need each and every one to help in this.”
Mutterings rose from the crowd, discussing the sudden appearance of a human pledging his help to their battle. Bernhard took a long hard look at Zero, before asking him for clarification to what he just spoke with a hint of uneasiness.
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<”What is your reason for helping us? Even though you may have rendered help to one of ours and warn us about the human troops, it still doesn’t mean that we trust you. You are one of the humans that has been killing and hunting our kind.”>
Understanding their distrust towards him, Zero sought to allay their fears.
“Humans killing and hunting is for survival, but if the human troops won this battle they will indiscriminately kill all, not even letting the young ones off. Knowing that, I am unable to stand back and watch.” Realizing the intention of Zero, Bernhard finally relented on its refusal.
Ting*
Battle of Greywood
For long time ago, the animals in the forest have been living in Greywood without interference by humans. But now troops sent by Brent kingdom will come and subjugate any animals that threaten their hold of the lair in the middle of Greywood.
To survive Grey Bears, Wolves and Boars have to stop their mutual hostility and stand united against the humans troops .Gather all forces and show the might of the animals.
Difficulty level: D
Quest Requirement: Able to communicate with animals. Earned trust with denizen of the forest.
Rewards: Receive hidden class.
Restriction: The battle will start on the next day
Steeling his heart, Zero shouted.
“I shall fight to protect!”
You have accepted the quest
Zero quickly proposes his idea to the crowd, placing Bernhard to oversee the implementation and preparation of the location which he feels is most advantageous. Requesting a few of the bears to follow, he sets out to meet up with Gustav at his bollock.
As Gustav saw Zero hurriedly come towards him with the bears close behind, he quickly grab his woodcutter axe and rush to his aid, making a swing at the nearest one. Zero, horrified that Gustav was trying to slash the bears, instantaneous grabs hold of his arms to stop the swing which by then left only a few inches away from its target. Finding itself staring at the sharp edge of the axe blade, the bear hastily positioned behind the rest while shuddering with gratefulness. The rest, who saw the scene that occurred, stopped moving and snarl at Gustav.
“Why are you stopping me?” Gustav angrily berated Zero. “Aren’t you being chased by them?”
Trying to defuse the tension, Zero begin explaining to Gustav about the kingdom plans of subjugation of the animals in Greywood, suspicion of trickery as there are no ores inside, his decision to protect the bears and the plan for it to succeed.
“Wow, quite a day huh”, says Gustav who by then has sat down on the grass, placing the axe beside him. The bears also have stop their threatening behavior and waited for Zero to finish. “I was about to search for you, with the sky getting really dark and all. Can’t just leave you here alone you know.”
Securing the needed assistance from Gustav, Zero commanded the bears to carry the logs in the bollock to be placed at the assigned area before making a trip to the other areas where the wolves and boars would be roaming in.
After a little persuasion, absolutely all of them agreed to take part against the troop from Brent Kingdom.
<”This forest is also ours, we will protect our home from the invaders and make them regret ever stepping foot inside”>, said the wolves and boars as they rally together to meet up with the bears at the area indicated by Zero.
After ensuring he had meticulously gathered up the other 2 animal races, Zero next climbs up a tree nestled by a hawk in order to ask for its assistance in informing him of the troop’s arrival and to report the exact number and types. Explaining the reason behind it and bribing with food, the hawk agreed.
Climbing down carefully, Zero began to ponder.
--The animals i have managed to muster comes to 350. Will it be enough i wonder..?
Shaking his head to dispel the negative thoughts, Zero hastily return to help Gustav and check on the progress of the work done. The forest inhabitants work throughout the night, knowing in their heart that failure means death and loss of their homeland.
Soon the morning sun rises into the sky, letting them know that the day is here. The animals quickly move to their respective positions and waited.
The hawk suddenly appears in the air above Zero, informing him of the troop arrival in a screeching voice.
Raising his hand, Zero shouted out.
“The time has come!” the words cut through the tense atmosphere intensely. “It’s time to show them what you are all made of!”
Mighty roars shook the very air, lifting their spirits. Facing the direction of the enemy troop, Zero hardens his expression and heightens his concentration to prepare for the battle that will decide the fate of the forest.
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