Chapter 8: Treasure Trove

Howard rolled on the floor in pain under Una as she laughed and picked up his sword.

Leaning down, she kissed him on the forehead before picking him up and putting him back on his feet. With a smile, she rubbed his head, tossing an apple in his direction as fangs seemed to appear in his mouth.

"You earned that." Una grabbed his hand and pulled him back towards camp. "If you get stronger, I really might have to marry you! You think good on your toes. I might need a man like that, haha!"

"You're so strong, Una." Howard complained and limped after her. "How much longer till I can beat you?"

"It depends. If we find something extremely rare in the treasure trove, you might catch up to me overnight." Una winked and pulled him in for a hug. "However, right now you're my little brother! I'm going to smother you with affection!"

"Too much affection!" Howard pulled away from Una and sighed, seeing Monica waiting for them by the entrance way. He waved over to her only to see her disappear back into the convenience store. Una, noticing the tension, kissed Howard on the cheek one more time before patting him on the shoulder.

"She likes you. They say opposites attract. Take good care of her for me, okay?"

"Do you two know each other?" Howard noticed an awkward tension between the girls, and like his usual self didn't hold his opinions back. "How come she refused to sit by you at the fire?"

"I'm responsible for Zack dying. She hasn't forgiven me yet." Una sighed and smiled so large that her sadness wouldn't appear. "Anyways, go have some fun kid. We'll be leaving in a few hours."

"Okay, thanks Una. You're like Vicky, but you don't kill me for no reason." Howard grinned and then parted ways from her.

Howard decided to spend some time by himself, tossing rocks over the ledge. In the distance, he saw a massive desert with hundreds of zombies moving mindlessly. However, every time he threw a rock, a zombie would rush in that direction.

Occasionally, he hit one on the head, causing the others to tear it apart.

'This is so strange. It's so much better here than on the surface, yet everyone calls it Hell. I wonder what they aren't telling me?'

Howard stood up and stretched, turning around only to find Lera had snuck up behind him. He had never heard Lera talk once, and waved at her before she sat down with her wings flapping to his side.

"Hey, you mind if I join you?"

"You can talk?" Howard said with a raised brow. "I mean, sure you can sit!"

"Heh, thanks Howard. I just wanted to let you know people are smiling more often since you arrived. You doing okay?" Lera patted his hand and smiled at him, she looked so happy that it seemed all the joy of the world had gotten contained in her tiny form. "I mean. I know these missions and things must be pretty weird."

"No, I'm actually happy. I was just wondering why this place is called the Furnance. The weather is so nice, and besides for the zombies, nothing is that terrifying."

"That's because this is away from the center of the Furnace." Lera said while she tossed a rock at a zombie. "In the center of the Furnace, things get much more bizarre. If we went there right now, we'd die in less than a minute."

"So, why would anyone go there?" Howard grinned widely. "Why not just stay here and have fun?"

"I arrived 8 months ago, Howard. Back then, I met Zack and talked to him every night. He was sort of like you. He made everyone smile. However, he also was the exact opposite of you in many ways. He convinced Una to try and go deeper into the Furnace. If only he thought like you, he wouldn't be dead."

"What killed him?" Howard said matter of factly. "I mean? I thought it's hard for us to die?"

"The Aresoul control most of the deeper areas of the Furnace. Una and Zack got ambushed and Zack sacrificed himself so Una could escape. A magician named Gorglan killed him. If you want to know how exactly he died, you can find his body. Una said they left it on a pike as an example for our kind."

"I'm not sure what that means. You mean people born with horns?"

"Yup," Lera said, "Or black wings. I-I wish I never grew these wings. However, one day, when I was in the school yard, some adults came up to me and tried to attack me."

"They say wings and horns grow faster if you're under duress. When they attacked me, I felt something breaking through my back and all of a sudden I just snapped. I kicked one of the men attacking me, and he flew into nearby car."

"The other two men ran away and called the police on me. A few years later, I ended up down here." Lera crossed her arms and began rocking back and forth. "Basically, men that wanted to kidnap me got rewarded 200,000 dollars for finding me, and now I'm in the Furnace. It could be worse right."

"Sorry, but at least you can fly." Howard placed his hands on her shoulder and then picked up another rock. "Anyways, want to play a game. First one to hit ten zombies wins! You got to do one dare for the other person!"

"Deal!" Lera said with a smile on her face. "However, first promise me you won't die! Promise me you won't be like Zack!"

"Of course, how could I marry all you beautiful women if I die! I promise Lera!"

"You are so bold. " Lera laughed. "Well, I go first!"

###

Two days later,

Howard and Una walked towards the edge of the camp, waving to Monica and the rest of the gang.

Monica had spent the last several hours prepping Howard and giving him advice, however, she still looked extremely upset. Blake, on the other hand, spent two days trying to figure out Howards other ability, and still hadn't discerned it.

"Guys, we're counting on you to bring back something valuable." Teacher Annibell walked over to Howard and tossed him a small crystal. "Here, if you for some reason find yourselves in trouble, break that crystal and I'll come in your direction as fast as I can."

"I'll try not too! I'll be back tomorrow! No need to worry!"

"Good, well, Una, another student will meet you at the D ranked treasure trove. I asked for Harley to come from the west branch. I figured it be better to be safe than sorry."

"She's a graduate. With her there, it will be a piece of cake!" Una grabbed Howards hand and pointed at a broken down bus that she'd renovated. "Anyways, with that hot ride, we'll be there in no time!"

"We're taking a bus?" Howard said, "Anyways, keep the bed warm, Monica. I'll see you soon!"

"Be safe, jerk." Monica bit her lip and squenched her arms into her chest. "If you die, I'll bury you so far in the ground no one will ever no you existed!"

"She's saying she loves you," Una blushed. "I'll bring him back safe, Monica. Promise. I'll even keep him warm at night!"

"You-you better not!" Monica turned dark red and tossed a stone at her. "I'm-I'm still mad at you! Don't think I'll ever forgive you!"

"I'll be back," Howard waved and turned towards the bus, "I'm not one for long goodbyes. Lera, Blake, I'll miss you too."

"You're unique, Howard. Once you find out what that other skill of yours is, tell me. I might be able to create something to assist you." Blake waved and grabbed Lera's hand. "Now, Lera, please say something too. Otherwise, I won't give you the dessert you always beg me for."

"Bye Howard. See you soon," Lera waved and did a curtsy. "Maybe next time, you can choose the dare."

"My legs still hurt," Howard said turning towards the bus and grabbing Una's hand. "Be back soon!"

"Ugh, he really can't keep his hands off girls, can he." Monica kicked a rock in his direction before fierly turning around and pacing back to the convenience store. "I promise, you'll get the surprise of your life when you get back loser. You can count on that."