Gertrude
*As the horse was approaching the mountains she would speak she could feel his emotions a soft voice would escape she knew what it was we not a good feeling but he was accepting it she could vaguely tell* 

`"What did I tell you."`

*She spoke in a stern voice towards cheong seemingly upset with him she was surprised he never asked how she was so knowledgeable on people's emotions even his she had never told him her direct ability, it was useless in every aspect only good for knowing another's intentions.*

`"You made me a promise didn't you that you wouldn't let yourself fall into a path of darkeness? This lady will not tolerate this. We are almost there."`
John
*The mercenary could be seen at a distance waiting for them at the base of the mountain with a campsite. He had somehow gotten there first before they did.*
Amanda
*Cheong Myeong awoke abruptly as he was confused as to what she was talking about. He himself didn't even know what kind of art he was cultivating, but what was for sure was that it was far from a dark art or demonic art. But something that required great sacrifice. So the emotion she felt was confusion now, as he didn't know what he was being scalded for*

"Lady Senia, in all seriousness I have no idea as to what you are talking about. So I don't know why Miss Senia is upset with me. I'll hold and keep to my word, but Miss Senia this Taoist does not lie, what you see is what you get when you are with me. I have nothing to hide"

*He said this in a rather unhappy tone to be suddenly accused. But once more, he repeated himself to make sure she understands and wouldn't need to doubt him. Though he didn't know she had used magic to see his emotions, if he knew, it would certainly cause an issue, at least if used at a further point.*

"Let us now focus Miss Senia, look up ahead"

*As he pointed towards the campsite ahead on the road*
Gertrude
*Would sighs and shake off what he said she believed his words, she felt overwhelmed slightly by his emotions of confusion as she herself was already confused by the events that had happened before. She turned her magical power off as she looks ahead and sees the campsite she would head over there with the horse she wasn't surprised he had beaten them there they had to escape the city and, rested for a few hours as they approached she slowly slipped off the horse leading it by the reigns and tying it to a nearby rock*

`"It seems that you have beaten us here mercenary have you found anything of interest?"` 

*She placed her hand to rest on the hilt of her sword*
Amanda
*Cheong Myeong hopped off the horse and went with Lady Senia to go towards the dragon slayer. There he waved at the man and wondered how he had managed to arrive here? As well as what business did he have to tend to? But for now, he simply stayed quiet as he also wondered if Erdthand had found any leads or clues to her younger brother*
John
*The merc would wave at the pair.* 
"No, I wouldn't dare go in there by myself. Though the screams coming from within the mountains are still ever so present. There's a war going on in there, and I'm not sure who is winning."
Gertrude
*Walked up to him she or looked different under her clothing her markings were glowing along her back, she winces slightly but hides the pain as she speaks* `"From what I see here there is a blood trail going up and to the left of the mountain where there is a cavern entrance we should follow it if we want clues."`

*She would say as she began to walk and follow the blood trail fearless of anything that may lay ahead*
Amanda
```"Has Senior been waiting long to hear such screams? But with your warning, let us be prepared to fight if needed then"~```

*Cheong Myeong nodded as he began walking, however, he heard Lady Senia wince, thus he walked back over to her and followed her pace*

```"Miss Senia, is everything alright? And we'll proceed with caution up ahead"```

*The man gestured to Erdthand to follow as they were beginning to move forward now*
Gertrude
*As they started heading into the darkeness of the cave the scent of blood and decomposing bodies filled the air it would smell horrid, it could make anyone vomit at the first inhale. She covered her nose wrapping a cloth around her nose and mouth pulling her visor down, she drew her sword, upon seeing dead decomposing goblin bodies, dozens... No not dozens... Hundreds! Along with bodies of vampires strewn about the cave it was as if a pool of blood had formed all over the cave, claw marks on the walls, bodies broken and twisted in inhuman configurations her eyes wandered as it reminded her of the capital but her markings glowed brighter it was becoming unbearable*

`Agh!"`

*She would yell as it felt like it was searing into her skin her back shifted and she tried to feel her back but her armor was in the way, she regained her composure stopping herself as she spoke lowering her sword*

`"He was here... He most certainly was here..."`
Amanda
*Cheong Myeong's eyes widened upon the sight presented in front of him. The foul smelled bothered him immensely, using his robe to cover his nose and mouth as it was putrid... He looked all around and saw the sea of decomposing goblin corpses... Disgusting... Though hearing Lady Senia exclaim, he looked at her with concern placing a hand on her shoulder to be ready to catch her if she fell*

```"Miss Senia, what is wrong, and how do you know he was here?"```

*Cheong Myeong looked around the area trying to scout for foes that may come charging at them, ready to draw his sword in response to such an hostile action*
John
"Hmmm. Impressive, the kid catches on quick if this was who you are saying it is."
*The merc was unfazed by the amount of death around them. As walked along with the pair.*
Gertrude
*Took a few more steps feeling cheongs hand being placed on her shoulder she would speak softly as her markings kept burning, it kept glowing under her armor*

`"My markings on my back it feels like someone is taking a iron skillet holding it under the fire until it's molten red and putting it on my spine. This happens whenever I'm close to evil dark, blood magic and provides protection from said darkeness or corruption, it's the markings of my ancestors it helps guide me to my brethren or goal it wishes me to follow."`

*She would let out soft pants not knowing how much she would be able to take of the burning moving forward kneeling down beside a decomposing vampires body turning it over as she saw maggots, worms, and other insects eating and picking at the body in the eyeballs jaw stomach that was sliced open.*

`"He carries a sword uses blood magic that is a mix of flames as well here we can see burn marks and red markings of the burns of his corruption on the body."`

*She turned her face away from the smell pointing her finger to the burn marks and slice of where the sword connected.*

`"How are you unfazed by this dragon hunter... What do you mean the kid catches on quick?"`

*She basically had the vomit coming into her throat only thing holding her stomach contents down was her will*
Amanda
*Cheong Myeong sighed, closing his eyes and using his divine sense to see if he could pick up anything. Whether it be good or bad, would only be left up to what was in the area. Afterwards, he advanced forward examining the bodies carefully to see the cause of death per each body. Why? To see what kind of swordsmanship this fellow possessed, if he could determine at which way the sword and burn marks connected with each other, he could slowly decipher at least the basic movements.*

```"I see... Then your brother may truly be a dangerous being now..."```

*Hearing the Dragon Hunter speak so ominously, he turned his head over to his direction raising a brow, as he wondered what he meant by "Kid catches on quick".*
John
"Look mates, it's no secret that I'm a mercenary, a damn good one at that. I do jobs that no one else has the balls to take them. My latest one, I took a what seemed like a late teenager wanting to be an adventurer at the guild. He was eager and we went to these very mountains. We did not find goblins instead we found the remains of them, all cut down by an Ice Shade. So, given the amount of time between the encounters, yes I would say he caught on quick of how to fight."
Gertrude
*Had a tight grip on her sword but It slowly loosened as her explained himself, she would let go of the vampire body she was on taking a few steps back to analyze all the deaths. As cheong went to examine the bodies it was hard to tell how each of them died but it would appear that some vampires had claw marks and scratch marks as if they were torn apart or killed with bare hands or claws and some with sword slashes, there was however a string of bodies in a line each 2 to three feet apart across the floor going straight with different sword configuration slashes on each one downward slash a slash to the left then right the an upward followed by a thrust into the last if he could put it together. Taking a few steps around she would find a female adventures decomposing body a human body it smelled the worst it had a horrid stench she turned the body over and seen the throat was ripped out she stumbled back taking a few steps back this was brutal.*

`"I see he's always been... Looking for a sense of adventure last time I saw him."`

*She wasn't the best sister in truth she was a horrible sister when she was younger she didn't show any love to her brother no hugs no smiles only a cold shoulder, as her family had done to him, it wasn't her fault how would a child know any better other then to follow there parents way or suffer there wraith? However she only did it so she could protect him as if she showed him any love her parents would hurt him or throw him in the streets for days on end.*

`"Is there a possibility the ice shade is still here? Have you found anything of interest young taoist I found a female adventurer with her throat ripped out... Not only that there is the blood foot prints leading this way to another possible exit?"`

*She would stand seeing blood boot prints leaving the cave in a different direction then the entrance they came through with a blood trail as if blood was dripping off of something beside it.*
Amanda
*Cheong Myeong raised a brow as he continued to examine, he looked closer at the bodies and noticed the sword path presented with the dead bodies here. He looked at where the blade entered and left, trying to envision what the swordsmanship looked like, formulating potential patterns until he realized it. Their bodies as well was in a much more precise formation*

"Someone had killed these beings with a sword. Watch how the bodies are lined up and with their sword wounds... This was definitely done by a person, not any ordinary vampire or goblin"

*Cheong Myeong responded with towards Lady Senia's question*

"But what is this path? Do they look familiar based off the footprint?"
John
"I'm not surprised you would find an adventure here. There are plenty of quests for these mountains. And like I said before, there's a war going on here and there's more than one Ice Shade, and if I were to bet, the Ice Shades are winning over this mountain."
Gertrude
`"Then it was most likely my brother. He probably came here to talk to the vampires to further his knowledge in the dark arts."`

*She would say softly as the dragon hunter mentioned ice shades she would speak to him*

`"There weak to holy magic and holy items. To you young taoist, check the dried blood boot prints at exiting the cave and the ones over here let me know if there the same if they are he went this way."`

*She would ask cheong to check for her as she smiles softly she was getting closer to finding her brother! She would kneel down beside one of the boots prints and her fingers glide and touch them as her markings on her back glowed brightly even through the armor it could now panting as she moved her hand away he could hear the sizzling of burning skin on her back the glowing slowly calmed down as her hand moves away from it.*
Amanda
"Will do Miss Senia"

*He took a breathe in and continued to examine the bodies, afterwards went to examine the foot steps. He followed them and went forward along the trail exiting the cave*

"Let ya see here..."
John
"They maybe weak to your magic madam, but their presence here is a concern. Do you think their so called god is real?"
Gertrude
*As cheong went to investigate the boot prints she took a soft breath and spoke*

`"There was gods once. But not anymore, a god is a being that is omnipotent, a being that transcends reality, time and space. They probably saw or were influenced by some really powerful evil creature and consider that said creature god. It is well known I'm elven history they old gods have all died and soon after all the pillars were erected."`

*As cheong searched he would notice the size of the boot prints beings 9 in a half feet now all he to do was compare the ones to the other exit*

`"By no means am I saying the person they serve may not be terrifying they may as well be but that is for the heroes to deal with."`

*As cheong was doing his thing she began to walk the other pathway following the footsteps into a winding path of darkeness she lit her lantern that was on her hip as she followed the footsteps...*
Amanda
*Cheong Myeong arrived at the other exit and noticed that it had matched with the other footprints, thus he sprinted forward to catch up with Lady Senia and the Dragon hunter.*

"Miss Senia, they match! He must be up ahead"

*The man yelled at first to inform them of what could the possibility be. Thus eventually arriving with them, approaching into the darkness, he held his hand out and used his qi as a flame to keep a light source as well*

"Let us be careful in such a dark place. Stick close so that we don't lose each other"
John
*The merc kept pace with the pair.*
"I hear them preach about their dark god returning before and after they meet their end. Now there are new variants of them in the mountain. They do not seem as mindless as they used to. Thoughts?"
Gertrude
*As she heard cheongs words she kept her sword at a low ready position and kept walking forward as he caught up she spoke to the hunter*

`"This lady doesn't take note to mindless rambling of a dying dark creature. However they consolidated in the mountains so something is guiding them."`

*As cheong says to be careful she would nod behind them the cave would begin to shake then Infront of them them the ground enough to where it would almost throw them off balance they would feel a presence as if they were being watched from all around but as they kept going they would make it outside to see the bloodied steps heading down the mountain to the north east*

`"He isn't here but he went to the north east. Every time I feel like I get closer just as if he is in my grasp he slips from my fingers."`

*She grits her teeth feeling sadness and fustration in her body as she closed her eyes and lowered her head in her helmet.*
Amanda
*Cheong Myeong walked closely behind, keeping his hand on the blade, ready to draw at any given moment. He looked around as he wondered what had lurked within the darkness*

```"This Taoist shall heed whatever warning is given, it is never bad to be safe than sorry, ha ha ha... What other sort of information does Sir Dragon Hunter have regarding this mountain? Also Miss Senia, perhaps he may be closer than we think? We must keep our eyes peeled"```

*The man said as he had a terrible feeling standing around here... It was like a sixth sense or gut feeling that something is not right here... He pondered the question while looking around*

```"Miss Senia, please keep up hope, we will find him eventually. Remember that we are in a danger zone, we cannot proceed recklessly"```