One's questioning of arrival

[Mingnon]

A few loud snorts could be heard from a distance, as Hoggmeiser hobbled his way through this unfamiliar territory. He really didn't seem to enjoy far-off adventures as much as some young kid.. hold it... what about his son?

He started to let out a slight frantic squeal. How is he supposed to get back not knowing about his son? Is he off with the Prinnies again? Maybe going off on some dangerous...

He sighed to calm himself down. He seemed to worry too much right now. That just isn't good in strange places like this, now is it?

He started to hobble on the path again. Maybe if he followed it, he would get back to the castle.

[Ryuzaki]

Ryao had crashed through the other side of the portal into an unfamiliar area within the Netherverse. General Carter was no where to be seen. He got up and scanned his surroundings.

"Doood... my back dood." The prinnies were all piled on top of one another. It looks like they made it through safely Ryao was relieved, however he was still worried about what had happened to Carter. Well, nonetheless it was his duty now to find the General and his daughter before he returned to check up on his former life.

"Come on prinnies, we have a General to find."

They all clamored to their feet and saluted. "Let's go dood!" they all cried in unison.

They filed out and no sooner did they begin, they found a carved stone path. Ryao was pleased with this development... It had to lead somewhere. They began walking along the path. Despite continuing on this path, Ryao was still very unfamiliar with this area. He was beginning to wonder exactly where he had been spit out. A dark figure appeared in the distance on the path. A mighty beast with a long flowing cape of red and gold. A pig-demon??

[Mingnon]

Hoggmeiser gave a slight snort of what he just saw. A zombie and some prinnies? That's something unusual... But since he's never been here before, it isn't that far from impossible.

"Who are you all supposed to be?$" The pig demon snorted. He gave a suspicious brow lift... though he didn't seem to have any brows.

[Ryuzaki]

Ryao approached the pig demon cautiously. He knew that these brutes were notorious for their quick temper. However, this demon seemed different than that of a normal pig demon. His demeanor looked like that of noble upbringings. Whilst most demons of this type were unkempt, raging beasts, this one here before him stood and spoke with the noblest composure. He was dressed in a flowing robe with luxurious jewelry adorning his body. --Truly a sight to behold.

"Hello there good sir. As per your question, we are merely travelers who have lost their way. May I ask you-- how are the affairs of the Netherworld these days? Is Krichevskoy well?"

Ryao was hopeful that this demon would be able to give him some information regarding the goings on in the Netherverse as of late. More importantly, he was curious as to what had happened in the end of the Great War....

[Mingnon]

Hoggmeiser merely paused for a moment. For one thing, he was only told about how Krichevskoy died-- once or twice. But this guy didn't really know, so he might as well avoid what really happened.

"Well, he... isn't with us, any longer." He spoke in as dignified a tone as he could do with speaking. "Right now, there's fight going on to claim the Netherworld."

'Like I wouldn't be fighting against those demons right now.' He thought to himself.

[Ryuzaki]

Ryao felt his chest become heavy. So that was what had happened. He... did not succeed. Ryao felt a sadness brim from his core. He had hoped that their campaign would not be for naught. But it seems that Krichevskoy was in fact not successful in his attempt to destroy that dark power which had threatened the Netherworld all those years ago.

"Dood, are you ok?" The prinnies were concerned about Ryao. They could tell that this news had come as a shock to him. They remembered how Ryao would always tell them stories of his past, and whenever he spoke of the king, he always spoke with a glint in his eye --true friendship was what they had.

Ryao gathered his composure. He would not let this get the better of him right now. He needed to know what was going on...

"So what is happening in this 'fight to claim the Netherworld'?"

[Mingnon]

"Oh, yes, a lot of demons are trying to claim the throne in order to become the new overlord." Hoggmeiser said like it wasn't really old news. "However, there are a few at the castle already. One of them happens to be the son of Krichevskoy."

That kid was the one who defeated him in battle. He still had something over that fight, but there was nothing much he could do.. right now.

[Ryuzaki]

Ryao was amazed that the King's son had survived through it all, and he was no doubt vying for control no less! This was an unexpected turn of events. A power struggle eh? Ryao was intrigued... He wondered exactly what his position in all of this could be. Maybe he and Carter could...

"Carter!"

He had almost forgotten that the location of his friend was still unknown. He didn't even know whether or not he safely made it across the portal.

"Say uhm...Mr., eh, Sir. I have come into some trouble. My friend with whom I was traveling with has seemed to have gone missing. I was wondering if you would be willing to help me temporarily to search for him. I would be able to compensate you for your trouble....$$$"

[Mingnon]

"Compensate?$$" Now this guy was starting to speak his language! The thought of helping out for a reward didn't sound very refusable to the noble hog, so he had the obvious option.

"It is agreed, then." Hoggmeiser said. "We'll start searching for this friend of yours right away." He smiled in a manner that would be off of the 'noble' chart and more onto that of 'bud'.

[Ryuzaki]

With that matter attended to, Ryao set out with the pig demon. Ryao knew that in this dangerous, unknown area of the netherverse, he needed all the help he could get. Who knew what sort of dark figure could be looming in the shadows...

As they walked, Ryao studied the pig demon. Truly amazing... This demon was unlike any other he could recall. You see, it was quite uncommon for a pig demon to have any sort of nobility or social grace. Ryao had always considered these sorts of demons the filth of the netherworld, yet here, right before his very eyes was a well kempt brute.

Ryao looked away, he did not want to make it a point of being obvious in his judgment of the brute. "Dood! What's that up ahead!?" prinny 1 chimed in. Ryao gazed at the horizon... It was distant, but sure enough a dark figure could be seen approaching them.