A proposition... (Batch 7 CH1)

2 weeks after the last batch.

Epic: "Brother, they're here."

Exiled: "Oh finally, it was getting chilly out here."

Cuski: "You wanted to see us sir?"

Exiled: "Wel I wanted to see her, didn't think you'd come along like a protective father."

Cuski: "Just tell us why you wanted to see us sir."

Exiled: "Yeah yeah Cuski, calm down I'm not going todo anything too bad."

Cuski"not 'going to do anything too bad' sir?"

Exiled: "I'm kidding, I just wish to speak to the girl."

Cuski: "Speak then, you interrupted our training."

Exiled: "Oh you were training? My bad. AHEM, Ash?"

Ash: "Yes sir?"

Exiled: "I King Exiled here by ask you, Ash, to join our guardforce."

Ash: "As much as I'd like to accept your offer sir, I'm nowhere near ready to be fighting anyone."

Cuski: "No, your more ready than you think Ash."

Epic: "He isn't wrong, we have been monitoring your progress and you seem on course to surpass cuski within the next few days."

Ash: "Me? Surpassing Cuski? No way."

Exiled: "Please Ash, you would be of great use to Grimoire."

Ash: "Could I, think about it sir?"

Exiled: "Of course, there isnt a need for rushing this."

Cuski: "Would you like me to escort you back to your home?"

Ash: "I'd appreciate it sir."

The pair begin walking back towards the home Ash & Imp would've shared, had Imp still been here.

. . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

Cuski comes to an halt.

Cuski: "You've been quiet the entire trip, whats on your mind?"

Ash: "Is it true what they said?"

She asks.

Ash: "Is it true that I'm on-course to surpassing you?"

Cuski: "Yeah but their calculations are off, it's not the next few days. More like weeks."

Ash: "I figured."

Cuski: "Alright we wont be training anymore today, I've got business to attend to. So take a day off, It should do your body good. Continuous strain is never good for the human body."

Ash: "Sir yes sir."

Cuski begins to walk away but comes to a stop a few metre's away from ash.

Cuski: "Oh and Ash, you've made remarkable progress. You could say I'm sort of proud."

Ash: "Thank you sir, couldn't have done it without your training."

The pair split, Ash enters her home and Cuski goes to attend whatever business he needs to attend.

Immediatly after entering, ash goes upstairs. It's where she stores her armor now. It seems one of the frames she has fell onto the floor, she picks it up and places it back on the wall, right above her armor stand.

She proceeds to take off her armor and hang up her sword, shield and axe.

Night seems to have fallen quite quickly over grimoire..

With all the events happening so quickly in Ash's life, It's become hard, First she loses her best-friend, now she's being asked to join the Grimoire guard force, it's taking a slight toll on her mentally. She begins to imagine a version of her best friend in the room with her.

Imaginary Imp: "You know you should probably accept King Exiled's offer."

This isn't the first time this has happened, it happened the week after Imp got captured as well.

Ash: "Why should I? I'm weak, I was too weak to make sure you weren't captured, too weak to save you. I'm just, weak."

Imaginary Imp: "You know, yeah. Sure you were too weak to save me then. But you've made excellent progress! Join them Ash, you're like the strongest person I currently know."

Ash: "Cuski's stronger."

Imaginary Imp: "Psh, for now. You'll surpass him and beat the Emperor of the Crimson Vortex."

Ash: "Yeah."

Ash: "I will save you Imp."

Imaginary Imp: "I know you will."

Her imagination seems to fade as she becomes tired once more, she gets ready to fall asleep. Looking into the sky one final time before heading to bed.

Little does she know, Imp's alot closer than she thinks.

the air above Grimoire is cold, chilly, and brewing something up. Something or rather someone is coming.

Imp, flies above grimoire, he's heading straight towards King Exiled's castle... The wind blowing in his face.

It's night, or well, close to sunrise. When he lands, He expects guards to be there but. It's just completely empty.

Imp: "The hell? Oh well, only makes my job easier."

He puts his chest-plate on and starts heading up towards King Exileds 'throne' room.

Imp: "King Exiled. We meet once more."

Exiled: "What the? How did you get in here? Our sensors should've detected any incoming people."

Imp: "It's none of your business."

Exiled: "What are you here for, Leader of the Crimson Vortex."

Imp begins circling Exiled.

Imp: "Nothing particular.. Simply a warning."

Exiled: "A warning for what?!"

Imp: "To stay the hell out of my way."

Exiled: "And what if we don't? Then what? You can't take on this kingdom. We're far more powerful than you."

Imp: "Ohoho, you shouldn't lie to yourself, considering you gave me a prisoner for practically free."

Exiled: "Are you talking about.."

Imp: "That 'Imp' fellow yes."

Imp: "But just stay out of my way."

Exiled: "And what makes you so sure that I wont kill you here and now?"

Imp chuckles.

Imp: "Alright boys thats your que."

King Exiled seems confused.

Exiled: "Who are you talking t-"

Suddenly 5 Elite Velkarion soldiers appear surrounding Exiled.

Imp has already turned to leave.

Imp: "You could try.. But you'll have to get through them first. Don't make a wrong move and they'll follow me out."

Pause for effect.

Imp: "But move a single finger, and they'll make sure you're at least drained."

Imp: "So what will you do? Have fun or stay back?"