Arriving at the fortress, what they were seeing wasn't what the Redwings had expected, but at the same time they didn't really know what to expect. They only knew based on the information that someone had attacked another fortress inside the shadow continent.

It was something that had never been achieved before the Redwings had accomplished it, but a short time after and there was news of another fortress that had been attacked. What they didn't expect was the place to look as if it had been almost totally destroyed.

At the top of the giant tree, a strange strong black material that was comparable to glathrium was used to build the fortresses. Their main trait was the fact that they were fire resistant, yet looking at the outside side walls it was hard to believe that was true.

The top of the tree had been flattened out, leaving enough space and width for more than an entire army to walk on, but where the walls would have been, they had fallen and looked almost burnt and disintegrated. The scene reminded those of what Van's crystal could do.

As the group continued forward with Jack leading from the front, Monk and his men could be seen investigating the scene, they were moving debris from all over the place to see if they could see any signs of what happened here, or maybe someone who had survived.

"Sir!" One of the Dark Guild members shouted. "It's those Redwing creten, they have arrived earlier than planned." One of them called out.

Going out with a small group of people, Monk went to meet them halfway and both sides had stopped.

"What are you doing here?" Monk asked. "I thought we agreed that whoever won the duel would have three days to investigate before your group would move." While saying these words, Monk seemed to be searching through the army as if he was trying to spot someone.

It was obvious who he was looking for, but no matter how hard he searched, Ray was nowhere to be seen.

"The duel is void." Martha spoke up. "I'm sure you know that Kyle was already infected by the shadow. He was working for your side and lost the duel on purpose."

"You're crazy!" Monk replied, swinging his hand out. "Bring him out right now, why don't you prove that he has been infected."

There was an awkward silence from the Redwings, as Kyle was no longer with them.

"You know what happens to those that are infected." Martha said.

And for a second, even Monk seemed to be at a loss for words.

"You have had a day already ahead of us." Lenny interrupted. "From the looks of it, you haven't been able to find anything of use. Why don't we strike a fair deal, whatever we find we will share our information with you, and you do the same. Besides, it looks like this enemy is troublesome for you and could be for us as well."

Although the others hadn't been informed of this deal beforehand, Martha and the others thought it was best to let him just get on with it as it really wasn't a bad proposal for them. However, the question remained whether or not those in the Dark Guild would actually share information.

"Fine, it would be helpful to have some people that can use their brains for once rather than hanging around with these idiots all the time." Monk scoffed.

With that, the two groups spread out amongst the fortress and began their investigations. There were some awkward interactions between the Redwing members and the Dark Guild as they would look over the same place, but either the Redwing leaders or Monk would put them in their place and settle the arguments.

However, even with both groups investigating they were unable to find out much. Lenny continued to stroke his scruffy beard while looking at the whole scene. Whatever had caused this, it seemed to harness either great magical power, or it was done by an item, as it was an incredible feat that just wasn't possible for humans.

It was getting late and it was time for the two groups to rest. Monk and his group had already set up camp inside the main fortress, so that left the Redwings to set up within the fortress walls, but not in the fortress itself.

The Redwings didn't argue about this due to Lenny suggesting it might be better for them to remain outside, and there were still a few things he wanted to investigate.

Most of the Redwings were fast asleep by now, but one person had noticed something that had been slipped into their side pocket. Taking it out, she realised it was a note and was wondering when or how she could have gotten this.

"It's Monk. Meet me behind the fortress, behind the walls." The note read.

It was short and sweet but Martha honestly didn't know whether to meet him or not. She used to be his love, the two of them cared about each other more than anything, and then that all changed when he had returned one day, declaring war on Avrion.

'Have you really been taken over by the shadow? if

If Kyle and Gary really were, then maybe it's true that you were too.' She thought.

Thinking about it for a little more, she decided to go and see him. She had a lot of questions she wanted to ask as well. Leaving out the front of the fortress walls, she walked around the side until she was eventually at the place the note instructed her to go to. She was cautious, looking to see if anyone was following her, and looking to see if it was a trap.

'If things get really bad, I can just fly out of here and warn the others.' She thought.

Turning the corner she could finally see him standing there all alone.

"Long time no see, Martha." Monk said with the soft gentle smile she remembered. "I have a lot to tell you, that i wanted to tell you for a long time now."

*****

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