??? x Reader (Golden Sun Dark Dawn)

Rief and (F/n) join the party

Finally outside, the three adepts found themselves standing at the border of a forest clearing, an odd clearing that, just like several parts of the caves they had just traversed, held an old pathway of stone that was sided by a multitude of half-destroyed pillars.

For a moment, the small group gazed around in wonder and surprise, but soon the three were reminded of the events that had just transpired and turned to look at the entrance of the caves in a saddened manner.

A sudden repetitive thud startled the trio, who found itself instinctively turning away from the caves to gaze at the path that stood before them. The responsible for the odd sound soon revealed itself to be some kind of crate that came into view from behind one of the many trees that spotted the area.

"Look! A crate!" Exclaimed Tyrell, before his voice dropped in confusion. "Uh... And it's hopping."

"Should we open it?" Mused Karis in wonder. "It's so bizarre!"

"We should!" Hurriedly agreed Matthew, nodding with excitement and curiosity.

"Ok!" Muttered Tyrell, shrugging lightly as if to pretend he didn't care. "If you think it's safe, let's do it."

The crate was fragile, with nothing but the removal of one single nail, it fell apart and sprawled out its contents, causing the trio of adepts to jump back in surprise.

Without a single word, Matthew approached.

"Hey, it's them!" Huffed Karis in relief, immediately mimicking the actions of the group's leader.

"I guess we headed out the right exit after all." Mused Tyrell, also stepping forward towards the scene. "We found them!"

Carefully, the trio released their friends from their binds and muzzles.

"You guys are lucky we got to you in time!" Happily whistled Tyrell, relaxingly placing his hands behind his head with a grin.

"I don't think I could've stood that a second longer!" Admitted Rief, slightly bowing his head to his saviours in a thankful gesture. "It was like a coffin!"

"Tell me about it..." Huffed (f/n), still annoyed regarding how it had all come to this.

"Kraden and Nowell were terribly worried when you vanished, Rief!" Mused Karis as she helped her sister stretch and reawaken the sore muscles.

"Then let's hurry and catch up with them!" Urged Rief, only to be interrupted by a familiar booming voice that caught all the five adepts out of guard:

"I hope you weren't planning on going north through the caves!"

Glancing upwards, the group noticed Blados' heavy figure sided by two of the strange looking soldiers on top of a ledge and three other soldiers on a ledge on the other side of the caves' entrance.

"Because you can't use the cave route now that I've collapsed the entrance!" Snickered the swordsman, seemingly proud of himself. "I've trapped you in the southwest of Angara – in a cage of monumental proportions! You've emerged on the other side of the Goma Mountains, so there's no going home... And you're stuck below the Khiren Mountains, with little hope of crossing over them!"

"You again?" Blurted Rief. "Stop this nonsense! Why are you tormenting us?"

"Nonsense?" Mused Blados. "Oh, there's a lot of sense behind all this. Not that I'll tell you, fools."

"I don't understand! Who are you guys?" Demanded Tyrell, almost fuming due to all the irritation felt towards the foreign platoon.

"Now you're starting to ask the right questions." Chuckled Blados in a happy manner.