Onyx (Completed)

Chapter 28: Mission #1

Rigel woke up still holding the crystal in his hand. His body felt so sore from the training yesterday, that he could barely move. Today's going to be brutal.... but fun.

He would be lying if he didn't admit he enjoyed feeling powerful. He enjoyed swinging the sword through the air, learning the human body's weaknesses, making things move without having to touch it. It was amazing.

He used those feelings as a motivation to get out of bed. He washed his face in the wash bin, and saw a clean pair of clothes on his bed. How'd they get it in here without me noticing?

There was a black one sleeved tunic, and a brown sash that had a patterned cloth hanging down the front. There was a leather shoulder piece with straps that went around his torso, and some brown boots were set at the foot of his bed.

It was a very different fit from what he usually wore, but he wasn't opposed to it. When he finished putting it on he heard a knock at his doorframe. "Come in."

Ludo peeked his head in. "Ready to meet the foreman?"

"I thought I was training today."

"Not today remember? You're fellowshipping with the serpents."

Rigel's eyes wandered off. "Oh yes, you did say that."

Ludo seemed to read his mind. "Don't worry, you'll have plenty of training to look forward to."

Rigel nodded and walked out from his hut. Ludo motioned towards the top of the ravine. "Thats where the foreman resides. We'll take those stairs on the side all the way up."

Rigel looked at the stairs carved from stone on the side of the ravine and gulped. There was no railing. "Um...you said we don't have wings?"

"Nope!" Ludo beamed. "But we're great diggers."

"Uh huh.." That did not reassure him at all.

Ludo led him to the foot of the stairs and motioned for Rigel to go first. He hesitantly put one foot in front of the other, clinging to the wall.

As he climbed up, he looked to Ludo for reassurance and found him walking behind casually.

Ludo looked at him confused. "What?". Rigel motioned to the drop below them.

"Oh that? You get used to it." he waved off.

Rigel grumbled under his breath. Liar.

***

When they got to the top of the steps, carved into the side of the wall was a massive circular door. Ludo knocked 3 times and the door swung open.

Inside, there was a large circular room with a fireplace on the back wall. The walls had bookshelves carved within them, and banisters with ladders led to a top level filled with random trinkets.

Sitting at a wooden desk by the fireplace was a large man with white hair like Ludo. It was shaven on the sides with a curly fringe on the top, and a white goatee. He looked to be about middle aged, but very fit. He had tattoos all on his neck and arms, and a golden hued scar on the right side of his face.

Ludo cleared his throat. "Hello.. I've brought Rigel to meet you."

The man swung his chair around and looked Rigel dead in the eyes. "Hello Rigel. I am the foreman," He smiled eyes crinkling. "I welcome you to our humble abode."

Rigel bowed. "It's an honor to be here sir."

The foreman glanced at Ludo. "I like him," he turned back towards Rigel. "Please take a seat. There's much to discuss." he said motioning towards a wooden stool.