Dark Magus Returns

After a long fight with the Dark Faction and their strongest representatives, the odd group of mismatched warriors from different clans and factions found themselves at the Bonum Society base.

A location that was in the Dark Faction itself, at the base of the academy, deep underground.

It was a large facility and a bigger operation than many thought. The Crimson Crane members were staring at the place in awe.

"I wonder how long it takes to build something underground like this," Reno exclaimed as he hit the side of the wall and could feel it was made out of pure metal.

"The construction required us to make it stable as well."

"The base was made before I became leader," Amir replied. "We don't even have the tools now, so we can only think of two things: either it was done with an artifact of some sort, or they had some help."

The group continued to follow Amir through the wide halls, and they could see the various members around them.

Some had Pagna clothing and were part of clans that were recognizable, while others looked like regular citizens, merchants, and more.

"The people here, they are all warriors because they practice arts to defend themselves, but in order to gather information and operate, we need to take on various roles," Amir explained. "Not only that, but in regular lives and work, we need a way to bring in funds as well.

"Thankfully, everyone is happy to donate to the cause of the Bonum Society because they all believe in the end goal."

That's when Simyon nudged Dame with his shoulder hitting his arm.

"Hey," Simyon whispered. "What is their goal in all of this? I know Amir told us he would tell us when Raze is awake, but surely you must have some idea."

"I... have no clue either," Dame replied. "I just agreed to help them because they said they would be at the Martial Arts Tournament where you guys were."

After saying those words, Liam, Safa, and Simyon turned to look at Dame. They didn't expect him to say that, and it caused his cheeks to flush a little red.

"What sack of potato-eating spuds have you brought in? Look at these pathetic bunch of losers," a man said, approaching the group.

The man was bald with several scars across mainly the top of his head. He had a sleeveless shirt on, and on his back, a pair of axes.

One thing they could tell about this person was that he was oozing with confidence.

"Olag, what a great way to treat our guests," Amir said.

"Guests, guests that no one knows about. You could be held hostage and bring the enemy right to us!" Olag said, and then took a peek at some of the group. "Well, maybe not, with them being half dead and all."

"They are people who will help the Bonum Society and our cause."

"No, we're not," Anna said. "We came here because you said it would be a safe place to help him." Anna pointed at Raze, who was currently being carried by Rayna.

"No one said by us coming down here we would be joining your organization."

Amir turned around and knew this would be difficult, having to deal with the Bonum Society and the others as well.

"Do you think I want a bunch of nobodies joining us?" Olag shouted. "What do you think, we're that desperate that we would have a bunch of kids that need to help us out?"

"Wait a moment," Amir said, pressing his hand against Olag's chest, who appeared as if he was ready to scrap at any moment.

"These aren't just a bunch of students or misfits like you might think. It's because of all of these that we have a chance to progress and become something bigger now."

"These guys, they took out the strongest in the Dark Faction."

"Ha, that's the best joke I've heard all year, you old fart!" Olag said, but when looking at Amir's face being so straight, it appeared as if he wasn't joking at all.

"How, how could these kids beat the strongest? I'm guessing you had a hand in it as well, and what about Murkel? You're telling me these guys beat him, so which one was it? Huh."

Amir nodded.

"I'm not lying. If you want, when they're recovered, you can test them yourself, but for now, they need a place to rest. And as for Murkel..."

Amir then pointed behind him, directly at Raze, who was being carried on Rayna's back.

"He's the one that managed to defeat Murkel."

Looking at his face, Olag thought it was even more lies. It was a child, maybe a young adult at best.

"Are you making lies just to help these people out?" Olag asked.

"If you want, I could cut you down right now!" Anna exclaimed, and the rest this time were inclined to agree.

"This is what I wanted to talk about with all of you," Amir said. "I'm not asking you to become a part of the Bonum Society, but with what has happened, we have a large

opportunity."

"The most powerful in the Dark Faction have been defeated. Right now, there are still clans up there that have no idea what is happening.

"Someone needs to unite the Dark Faction. We have our people everywhere, gathering constant information."

"If we can, once you guys have regained your strength back, along with us, I think we can take over the entirety of the Dark Faction in one swoop."

Simyon, Liam, Mada, and Ricktor in particular couldn't believe what was being said. Taking over an entire faction, it would have been an impossibility, but they were in the position to do

such things.

"What's in it for us though, by helping you take over the Dark Faction, when we aren't even sure if we should be helping you?" Alba asked.

"Because it will help him," Amir said. "If all goes well, I want to do it all before Raze even wakes up, and when he does, I want to make Raze the leader of the Dark Faction."