It was the Fifteenth of Ashfall, only fitting that the people started calling the period after the eruption of Lorinus the Ashfall. The air was thick with soot as it rained down from the lifeless grey skies overhead. The entire island of Lorinus was blanketed in a dark ominous hue yet glowed brightly due to the numerous lava vents opening up everywhere. Needless to say it the only people stupid enough to venture to these shores were idiots and savages, but mostly idiots.
A single shipped anchored as closely as it could sat in the distance, only barley visible to the landing party who cast their gaze down from the cliffs overlooking the shore. Jets of lava spewed out cascading down into the sea causing an almost toxic miasma to billow upward choking all who dared to come here. Hayate brought his hand up to his mouth clutching his scarf trying to block out as much shit as possible, as did the others who came with him to hopefully capitalize on the rare resources popping up here.
Their orders were to meet the first team that was sent to the Barron Cliffs and give them some reprieve. By taking over the protection of the obsidian mines that their shady contact had started up. Hayate had no idea who all he had accompanying him, but from the looks of things there were warriors and workers alike. He counted about twenty of them including himself and the burly leader. A number of his party, at least half, were all carrying large picks and weighted down with as much sacks they could hold. And the others all seemed like they were prepared for the worst that the cataclysm could throw their way, armed to the teeth. Hayate was part of the latter hired to act as a protector for his crew and ensure the safe return of any excavated obsidian.
“Sir,†the last Amatsukami spoke up as he pushed to the front of the party addressing the senior operative. A large man dressed in a number of layers and clad in iron headed the expedition; he was the boss as far as the shinobi was concerned. “How much farther can we go like this? We’ve been at this for hours, the men need some rest!"
“It isn't much father now, we’re looking for the base camp, dug out of one of those large caverns on the south side of the island. There should be a flagpole marking the encampment, once we see that then we can all take a break and breathe easy.†The large man said as he continued to push through the thick soot filled cloud in front of him. "Just keep an eye our for a red pick."
It wasn’t long after he said it that the banner of the Markson Company came into view, a black pick against a red flag, and a collective sigh of relaxation overtook the party consisting of nearly twenty men strong. Hayate particular felt at easy, he was no stranger to adversity but even this place made him feel like he was about to call it a quits. That was no small feat considering the depths of darkness he had ventured to before, but there was something different about this place. The air felt heavy as if there was some unnatural force pressing down on everyone’s shoulders and thick like a vail hiding away its secrets.
“There it is, not much father now!†Their large guide yelled back to the other.
“Weren’t there supposed to be others stationed out here?†one voice said, only to be echoed by another showing their concern. The fact that they had been told they were to be relieving others currently stationed here left the party with a sense of confusion.
“Don’t worry, they all must be hiding it out inside the tunnels.†Hayate said as the crew placed their first steps onto the Markson Company Obsidian Mine and their first steps into what could only be describes as a labyrinth of Black Glass.
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