Agents

Calm down, we're not here to fight. We came to get Mark and Alex." One of the figures says. I look at him and see he's a youngish-looking man. He has brown hair and is wearing a suit. His however, has a few Runes carved into it. They look like they're for decorations. But I recognize a few as defensive Runes. In his hands is a sword and shield. Next to him, is the other figure. As they step forward I can see them better. I see they're a short man wearing robes, similar to my Chaos Mantle. They're holding a book in their hands. It's open and the pages seem to glow. Upon closer inspection, I see the book floats above their open hand. They have short blonde hair and long elven ears. As they aproach they notice the Abyss Armor, now fading away.

"Did you slay the Abyss Armor?" The Elf asks me. Before I can respond, Layla steps infront of me.

"Who are you two? What are you doing here?" She asks. I sense Treena and Liz walk up behind me.

"We're agents who work for the governments Lyna branch. We've been sent to arrest these two. But they caught wind of it and ran here. It seems they made a deal with their boss to find out about the guardian beast in there." The human says while pointing to the walls and door to the Forests Heart Core. "If he could manage to bring back eveidence of the beast, or find out what was in there. Then his boss was going to sweep his side job under the rug."

"So you came here to arrest these two?" Treena asks them.

"Yes, and nothing else. We had hoped to prevent him from taking out his Abyss Armor, but we were too late." The Elf says.

"But what are you two doing here? I doubt you came with Mark." The human man asks me and Liz.

"We had some Guild buisness with the Dryads. My name is Elizabeth and this is my Guild Master, Eric Steele." Liz says, causing me to feel a little awkward. I've never been introduced like this before.

"Is this true Dryads?" The Elf asks, and both Treena and Layla nod.

"Yes, Liz here is a Daughter of The Forest. She visits from time to time and we asked to meet her Guild Master." Treena says causing the two men to ease up. The Elf closes his book and the man sheathes his weapons. I deactivate the Sword of Annihilation. The recoil of using it hits me and I stagger from the pain. The two notice and Liz rushes over to my side. She helps me stand, even though I'm fine.

"Are you okay, Guild Master? You took a direct attack from the Abyss Armor." Liz says, making sure the two hear it.

"He did!?" The Elf asks, surprised and concerned.

"Yes, now if you don't mind taking these guys and leaving. We need to check on him. Oh, and make sure to report this all please. We'll do the same once we're done. But it would be helpful if they already know about this." Layla says and the two men nod. The Elf reopens his book and more ropes of light appear from it. They each grab onto one of the ten from Marks group and lifts them up. They walk away quickly, with the ropes holding each in the air.

"How are you feeling Eric?" Treena asks me.

"Fine. It only grazed me bu.." I say before Liz inturupts me.

"That doesn't matter, it damages your soul remember?" She says, her voice full of concern.

"Yes, but as I was saying. I have a ring called the Ultra Slime Ring." I say, pausing to make the Ring visable and lifng my hand. "It lets me withstand and recover from Abyss magic. It doesn't make me immune or anything. But I'll be fine with some rest. Besides, it didn't hurt or anything."

"It woudn't hurt you." Liz says with a sigh. "Abyss magic would just make you feel drained or sleepy. Except you'd feel this way permanently."

"See, aren't you glad we put aside your pride and asked Eric for help." Layla says, teasing Treena.

"It wasn't pride Layla." Treena replies.

"Wait, did you not want to ask Eric for help?" Liz asks confused.

"Not at first. I felt that if we went to him for help. He'd feel obligated to do so because of your relationship. So I was hesitant to ask." Treena replies making Liz chuckle.

"So, what's going to happen now? He did attack you with the intent to kill." I ask.

"You mean us. But we'll confront them about this. We'll tell them what happened and that he tried to kill us. Thanks to you getting hit by Abyss magic, we'll be able to really pressure them." Layla says causing me to sigh.

"Does it matter that it was me who got hit?" I ask them.

"Yes. As you know, there are thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of Guilds in the US. If word gets out that a government official attacked a Guild Master with Abyss magic while trying to kill him. Then the other Guilds would turn on the government. They wouldn't attack them, but they'd stop working for them. They'd become independent and do whatever they want. They'd still obey the laws and keep an eye on one another. But the government would lose what little control they have over them. However, if they go public about the attack and say that the man responsible has been punished, and that you were compensated. Then most of the other Guilds wouldn't bat much of an eye. So they can either compensate the Dryads and you, or lose the Guilds." Liz explains.

"I'm never going to understand politics." I say causing her to laugh.