The Maze | Job | Frederick & Aedre

❛  Wandering Soul

'I hate this place already'

Speaking out loud, Frederick basically projected all his feelings he had in one single sentence. While he gazed upon the large stone walls that blocked everyones vision into the maze. Even from a far on a hill one could only see it's structure and its many endless corner, yet never an exit.
What was most noticeable about this mega structure was that it spanned the entire valley. Meaning that the maze was extensive enough to keep you venturing it for months, if not years.

A large sigh escaped Frederick, cursing himself silently for even choosing this job back at the guild. Sure the job seemed easy enough at the time, and judging by the state of the pamphlet. That was almost falling apart from old age, it wasn't going to be picked any time soon. Making it the perfect job for Frederick to escape the guild, and its endless chatter of overly friendly mages. Even if it was for a small time.

There was also off course the sudden reappearance of an old time member back at the guild. A former guild master even, namely Zenshin. The silver haired mage, that has made Sabertooth in what it was today. But more importantly then that, the very man that gad ended and saved Frederick's life at the same time.
That alone was more then a reason for Frederick the spend some time away from the guild, and he did it the only way he knew how. By taking up a job, without even looking properly what its contents entitled.

'At least back at Savage Skull I had a legion at my disposal....that would've come in really handy right now'

Almost thinking out loud, Frederick understood the harsh reality of being a mere member was all about. Instead of being a powerful guild master of the most notorious guild Fiore has ever known. There he had soldiers and mages, willing to follow his every command. As long as it meant climbing higher in the Savage Skull hierarchy, they were willing to commit even the vilest of atrocities. 
But now he was alone, no guild to rule, no subjects to command. Hell he'd even had to get his breakfast grub as a commoner. In the main mess hall of the guild, eating whatever the petty excuses for a cook had mashed together this time.

Frederick sighed again, and reached simultaneously for something tucked away in one of his inner pockets. Slowly he pulled it out, on to reveal to the daylight the very job sheet he had pulled off from the guilds board. Carelessly, judging by the torn that ruined the title. 
'Now let's see if there is anything more to this job'  

❛  Wandering Soul

The entire maze had something rather mystique hanging over it, well mystique was not the right word. Eerie was probably the better choice of words here. As there was an utter creeping silence around the place, that should get on everyones nerves. Even the ones such as Fredericks.

There was no bird in the sky, no cackling or grunting from a nearby animal. Not even the rustling of leaves from the wind. As if everything was put to a standstill, a moment in time that everything had stopped moving. Yet without any physical evidence that it could be. As there was no bird in the sky that could prove such a bold theory.

That very silence was being broken by a rather mundane sound, yet still very devastating at this very moment. Heels that could only belong to a woman's attire would make a clacking sound that echoed through out the entire valley, breaking the silence as a stone brick would shatter a glass window.
And as it approached so came a malicious feeling, like predator that was breathing down your neck.

Frederick could only phantom that very feeling as a viper that was ready to strike at its prey, the moment it even would try to retaliate. A thought that definitely crossed Frederick's mind, as a dark aura would engulf part of his fists and wrists. The same moment the stranger would tighten her grip around the hilt of her blade.

She was close now, Frederick didn't have to hear the sound of her steps to know that now. As her presence was as vivid to him as the light of day. In his mind, he would envision it as he dark purple, yet feminine light that was about to clash with his own emptiness. A dark substance that was more creeping that it was overwhelming right now.
Then that moment passed and the clacking of heels came to an halt, just a few meters away from him. Far enough to be away from any close combat strike, yet close enough to rush a deadly yet precise attack.

'Who is asking wench...' 

His voice was harsh, and showed the immediate hostility Frederick always carried with him. While in the meantime he slowly turned around to face whoever was inquiring him.

Much to his surprise, his eyes laid upon a young woman. With silver white hair, just like his savior had. Only longer, almost reaching down to her hips. It fitted in nicely by her entire choice of attire. A clothing style to brought out a womans physique to the fullest. 
But there was also something out of place, namely her left arm. Well for Frederick it was the left side right now. Was entirely replaced by a mechanical contraction that appeared to be embodying the form of an arm. Yet besides the structure it didn't had any further resemblance to that of an human arm. Instead of a pale skin tone, it was clad black. From the shoulder all the way down the finger tips. Which in turned was more like a claw then an actual hand.

Yet that wasn't the most off-putting, in fact the arm seemed to fit her for some reason. No all together this could be considered a gorgeous un tamed beauty. A pure gem among the opposite gender. If it wasn't for her eyes, or better yet. 'Eye'. Which had a cold stare that if it were possible, could freeze you right where you were standing.

❛  Wandering Soul

Off course it was prosthetic, anyone could see that. Well not anyone right away, but to those with more knowledge of the world understood from its slender build. That it was for more then some armor piece. No how the joints were connected, as the flexibility of the finger movement. Revealed it all.
Yet it wasn't the fact that she wore a prosthetic that caught his interest in her appearance, it was the build of that very arm. As it was more complex and refined as Frederick had ever seen in substitutes for limbs. One could say it even had a sense of femininity, as its build seemed to be a perfect fit with girls own body.

Surprisingly enough the girl was willingly enough to lower her weapon first, which Frederick didn't return as he kept his defensive distance from her. His eyes continuously focused on her, hoping to catch any glimpse of an indication that would result in an attack. After all seeing her dematerialize her weapon so quick, it was safe to assume she could easily summon it as fast, if not faster.

'no harm huh, her entire posture suggests otherwise' Frederick thoughts were and easy observation, that even though she may have lowered her weapon her entire being still screamed the opposite. It was a trait only those who've seen battle to many times could carry. That even when they may look at ease, they were on guard, always ready to go for the kill. With emotions whatsoever. If necessary those people could even cut the throat of a 'loved one' within in the blink of an eye, without a hint of remorse.

Next a piece of paper appeared, an old looking parchment that would float several inches above her hand. The very one she just used to held a weapon with. 
With ease she manipulate the space around it, and would send it over to Frederick. Who still as cautious as a deer was keeping his eyes focussed on her. Looking past the parchment that came his way.

Until it was with in hands reach, he broke off his gaze and forcefully grabbed the piece of paper out of the air. Enough so, that it could've fallen apart, considering its age.

'Tch' a slight disapproving sound escaped Fredericks mouth. Upon realizing that this job was indeed a bit hard to handle alone, even for one as him. But still, he preferred to work alone. In fact it was better most of the time, that way he didn't had to take anyone else in consideration. And he could just go his own pace. Yet, the jobs contents revealed that this job was anything but a solo job. Forcing Frederick to actually consider the womans proposal.

'Fine.. a partnership it is then... as long as you don't get in my way that is' he finally responded to girl, who revealed a smirk on her face. The moment she probably noticed that Frederick realized that he couldn't pull this off alone. If he wanted to or not.

❛  Wandering Soul

It was no secret that Frederick probably already disliked the woman the first moment he laid eyes on her, but when she showed the perfect example of poking the dragon even more. That gut feeling in Frederick only grew larger, combined off course with a fair dose of agitation.

It was off course a play of dominance, an act to taunt the opponent and put him in submission through words alone. Only so one could establish itself as the leading entity. It was actually a trait Frederick was all to familiar with, as he himself used it quite often on the younger generation of mages. Insulting them, even threatening them made them fear him. And through it acknowledge him as a stronger being that needs to be obeyed.

However the first act of that battle was decided and won by his newly declared partner, as she not only casually insulted him. But also took the lead as she walked passed him. Suggesting, or rather commanding that they had to head towards the clients house first.

Annoyed that he was, Frederick let out another click with his tongue. Loud enough for the woman to hear and probably amuse her some more. A rather bad flaw of Frederick, who wore his attitude on his sleeve at times as this.

Yet even though he was clearly annoyed, and already cursing the woman inside his head. He still silently obeyed and turned around. Following her to Arturo's house. Which turned out to be nothing more then a shabby shack build against one of the walls of the labyrinth.
While gazing down on it, Frederick started to wonder the authenticity of the job request. I mean surely someone who lives in an excuse for an house like this, couldn't offer such a bountiful reward right? It was either his entire lifesaving he was offering, or he had some treasure stowed away. However from by the looks of it, Frederick highly doubted that. As around the house was a small garden that obviously implied that this man was living from his own harvest mostly.

'Off course'

Speaking out loud with a sigh, Frederick already dreaded the fact that their client had managed to lure them here. And maybe that was the reason why the request sheet was so old and frail. That the mages who had come here, encountered the same dilemma and decided it was better to leave then to risk their lives for no reward at all.

'Maybe we should turn around.'

Yet before his new partner even could get a word in, the fragile door that was crookedly placed in the building. Slowly opened, with the creaking sound of old wood scraping over the ground. While in the revealing opening stood and old and rather weird man. Dressed in a variety of clothing what just didn't fit with each other.

'Oh my, it's been long since I had guests' he said happily. While revealing toothless smile.