Fangs and Fury : Dual System of the Godslayer

Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: Rhiz blocks



The morning sun was pale and cold as it rose over Mr. Wesdon's fortress, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The air carried the quiet anticipation of a new day, but something about this morning felt different. There was an unusual tension in the air, as if the fortress itself was holding its breath.

Terry noticed it as he descended the stairs from his quarters. The usual bustling sounds of the fortress were subdued, and the guards moved about with a quiet urgency. In the center of the courtyard, Mr. Wesdon stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp gaze directed toward the horizon.

Terry approached cautiously, his curiosity piqued. "Mr. Wesdon, is everything all right?"

The older man turned, his expression calm but unreadable. "I have business to attend to," he said simply. "I'll be leaving the fortress for a few days."

Terry frowned. "Where are you going?"

Mr. Wesdon's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Earth."

The single word sent a jolt of surprise through Terry. He'd heard mention of Earth before, but it was always in passing, like a distant, almost mythical place. The idea that Mr. Wesdon, a figure so deeply rooted in this world, could step between realms was both fascinating and unsettling.

"Why Earth?" Terry asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

Mr. Wesdon's smile remained enigmatic. "That's not your concern," he said. "Your task lies elsewhere."

Before Terry could press further, Mr. Wesdon turned and strode away, his long cloak billowing behind him. Moments later, a portal shimmered into existence near the courtyard's edge. Without hesitation, Mr. Wesdon stepped through, disappearing in a flash of light.

Terry stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing. What kind of business could Mr. Wesdon have on Earth? And why was he so secretive about it?

---

Terry found Curl and Soden in the dining hall, seated at a long wooden table. Curl was sipping from a steaming mug, her expression thoughtful, while Soden leaned back in his chair, tossing a dagger into the air and catching it repeatedly.

"Did you hear?" Terry said, sliding into a seat across from them.

"Hear what?" Soden asked, his attention still on the dagger.

"Mr. Wesdon. He's gone to Earth."

Curl's eyes widened slightly, though she quickly masked her surprise. "Earth? Why would he go there?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Terry said. "Do either of you know why he'd make a trip like that?"

Curl hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. "There are only two reasons Mr. Wesdon goes to Earth," she said finally. "To visit old friends or to bring back a new slave."

Terry's brow furrowed. "A new slave? From Earth?"

Curl nodded. "Earth has its share of desperate souls. Some people will do anything to escape their circumstances, even if it means becoming a slave in another world. Mr. Wesdon knows how to find them."

Soden shrugged. "Or maybe he's just catching up with an old drinking buddy. Who knows?"

Terry leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The idea of Earth as a source of slaves felt deeply unsettling. And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Mr. Wesdon's visit than Curl and Soden realized.

---

Before Terry could dwell on the matter further, Gorz entered the hall. The burly werewolf carried an air of authority, his piercing eyes scanning the group before he spoke.

"Mr. Wesdon has left instructions," Gorz said, his voice gruff. "The four of us are to retrieve Rihz blocks from the Wasteland."

Curl groaned, setting her mug down with a thud. "The Wasteland? Of all places…"

"What's wrong with the Wasteland?" Terry asked.

"It's a barren, miserable place," Curl replied. "Hot during the day, freezing at night, and filled with toxic air. Nothing good ever comes out of the Wasteland."

"Except Rihz blocks," Soden said, grinning. "Which is why we're going."

Terry turned to Gorz. "What exactly are Rihz blocks?"

"They're rare minerals found only in the Wasteland," Gorz explained. "Once extracted, they're refined into pearls that enhance a werewolf's strength and abilities."

Terry's interest was piqued. "So they're a power source?"

"Essentially," Gorz said. "But they're not easy to obtain. It's a dangerous process, and the Wasteland itself is unforgiving."

Curl sighed, rising from her seat. "Well, let's get this over with."

---

The journey to the Wasteland was uneventful, though the desolation of the landscape grew more oppressive with each passing mile. By the time they reached their destination, the air was heavy with heat and a faint metallic tang. The ground beneath their feet was cracked and dry, with jagged rocks jutting out like the teeth of some ancient beast.

Terry looked around, his gaze sweeping over the barren expanse. "Where do we start?"

"There," Gorz said, pointing to a cluster of dark, gleaming rocks in the distance.

The group moved cautiously, the oppressive silence of the Wasteland amplifying every sound. As they approached the rocks, Terry couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The landscape was eerily still, devoid of any signs of life.

Curl knelt beside one of the rocks, running her fingers over its surface. "These are Rihz blocks," she said. "Help me extract them."

Terry and Soden joined her, using their tools to carefully chip away at the rocks. The work was slow and meticulous, but the blocks began to take shape, their dark surfaces shimmering faintly in the harsh sunlight.

"What happens to these blocks once we bring them back?" Terry asked, his voice breaking the silence.

"They're refined into pearls," Curl said. "The pearls are consumed by werewolves to enhance their abilities. Strength, speed, endurance—it all gets a boost."

Terry paused, studying the block in his hand. "And Mr. Wesdon uses these to strengthen his forces?"

"Exactly," Curl said. "The pearls are one of the reasons he's so powerful. He doesn't just rely on natural strength—he enhances it."

Terry nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. The Rihz blocks were more than just minerals—they were a source of power, a tool that could tip the balance in any conflict.

---

Hours passed as the group worked, the sun beating down mercilessly. Despite the harsh conditions, there were no signs of danger. The Wasteland, while inhospitable, seemed devoid of the beasts and monsters that plagued other regions.

"This is almost too easy," Soden remarked, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Don't jinx it," Curl muttered.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the group had gathered a substantial haul of Rihz blocks. The dark sky above was studded with stars, and the air grew cold, a sharp contrast to the day's oppressive heat.

"We should head back," Gorz said, hefting a sack of blocks over his shoulder.

The group began their return journey, the silence of the Wasteland stretching around them like a shroud. Terry walked beside Curl, his thoughts still on Mr. Wesdon and his mysterious trip to Earth.

"Do you think Mr. Wesdon's business on Earth has something to do with these blocks?" he asked.

Curl shook her head. "Unlikely. Rihz blocks are unique to this world. Whatever he's doing on Earth, it's something else entirely."

Terry frowned, his curiosity unsatisfied. "Do you think we'll ever find out the truth?"

"Maybe," Curl said. "But don't hold your breath. Mr. Wesdon's secrets are his own, and he's not one to share them lightly."

---

By the time they returned to the fortress, exhaustion had set in. The group deposited the Rihz blocks in the storage room before dispersing to their quarters.

As Terry lay in bed that night, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The Wasteland, the Rihz blocks, Mr. Wesdon's trip to Earth—it all felt connected, though he couldn't quite piece it together.

One thing was certain: the more he learned about this world, the more questions he had. And he was determined to find the answers.


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