The adventures of Ono and Kasumi

A side story to Return to Nerima

[Day 1 to the hidden dungeon]

As Dr. Tofu regained consciousness and opened his eyes, he found Kasumi sleeping on a chair next to him. The dear doctor's reply to this was to blush almost iridescently, which caused someone to chuckle from across the room.

"I see your finally awake Ono," Hishizuka said as she put down a book.

Sitting up while holding his head Dr. Tofu asked, "How long have I've been out," while noticing it was dark outside.

"The better part of 10 hours," Hishizuka answered.

"Oh," Dr. Tofu said dryly.

"Well why don't you wake Kasumi up and then both of you can begin your journey to Avalon," Hishizuka said before she stood up and left the room.

Dr. Tofu's only reply to this was to look at Kasumi and sigh before sitting up and shaking Kasumi to awaken her.

After blinking a few times and stretching Kasumi asked, "What time is it?"

"Late ... or early depending on your view," Dr. Tofu replied as he stood up. "...and according to your mother time for us to start our journey."

Kasumi's answer to this was to smile brightly as she stood up and said, "Come on then let's go," with great enthusiasm.

********************

As the two walked downstairs after Kasumi had packed — and changed into a pair of brown khaki slacks held up firmly in place by a pair of yellow and blue suspenders and a dress shirt complemented by a dark red tie —, they found Hishizuka waiting for them.

"What weapons do you want?" Hishizuka queried.

Kasumi's reply to this was to say, "A Dai-katana with a 3 shaku nagasa and a large magic handgun."

Hishizuka's response to this was to nod and say, "What you want will be waiting although I must say that choice of weapons coming from you is a bit of the surprise," before turning to Dr. Tofu who had a slightly surprised look on his face.

Dr. Tofu's response to this was to scratch his chin and say, "A light and heavy war axe, and a pair of magic handguns."

Hishizuka response to this was to nod before handing Dr. Tofu a map and whispering something in his ear.

Dr. Tofu's reply to this was nod rather reluctantly before the two left.

"May the ancients watch you," Hishizuka said quietly.

********************

"I wonder what awaits us in Avalon," Kasumi commented as she leaned against Dr. Tofu as she watched the skyline of Tokyo dipping below the horizon from the window of the train she and Dr. Tofu were on.

"No idea," Dr. Tofu replied.

"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough, Ono," Kasumi replied before wrapping an arm around Ono causing him to blush. Kasumi's reply to this was to chuckle and kiss him on the cheek causing his blush to increase to iridescent levels.

********************

That afternoon Ono and Kasumi exited the train some distance away from Tokyo whereupon Ono started checking the map Hishizuka had given him.

"We should be there by nightfall," Ono finally said before he and Kasumi started walking.

********************

"Well according to the map we're here," Ono said while looking confused.

Kasumi's reply to this was to start examining the cliff side, which she found contained a doorway of some sort. "Hmm there should be a switch around here somewhere." Kasumi said as she continued to examine the cliff side. "Ahh there it is!" Kasumi exclaimed happily as she pushed a small stone, which instantly caused the barrier to drop.

"My how roguish to you," Ono commented with a chuckle.

Kasumi replied to this was to smile and wink as she said, "I can also pick locks and make weapon strikes to pressure points and anatomical weak points given a chance."

Ono's reply to this was to look at Kasumi with wide eyes.

Chuckling Kasumi replied by saying, "Father may be a crybaby but he's no slouch when it comes to weapons, hard style power, hard style martial arts, roguish abilities and underhanded techniques for making money."

"Oh," Ono replied rather owlishly before the two entered to find a very long and dark hallway.

"My isn't this cliché," Kasumi commented before she picked up a rock and through it down the hallway where it was blown to bits.

Ono's reply to this was to sweat drop as Kasumi began examining the walls finding a hidden switch for a secret door a minute later.

"Shall well," Kasumi said with a light chuckle before walking through the secret door.

Ono's rather reluctantly reply was to follow Kasumi through the secret passage and into the main hall of the dungeon.

What they found was; a large lair with many rooms, with the equally large kitchen next door, an enormous library, also they found a workshop with substantial quantities of stored magical items and the means to create new ones, as well as a training room. Then there was what could only be described as an underground Coliseum, and lastly there was a giant beating heart in the floor of the central room of the dungeon.

"Wow!" Dr. Tofu commented his highly trained medical mind wondering what kind of beast would require a heart that size.

"It is quite impressive," Kasumi said as she looked over Ono's shoulder. "...but what exactly is it?"

The reply the two received in response to Kasumi's query was the appearance of a ghostly figure reminiscent of a British butler above the heart.

"I am the dungeon keeper and you may call me Alfred," the figure replied calmly.

"What is this place?" Ono asked of the figure.

"A gateway, training ground, and meeting place for those that know of Avalon," the dungeon keeper Alfred stated in what Ono could tell was a practiced speech before querying, "Do you have any questions as of now?"

"My mother said there would be weapons waiting for us here. Where are they?" Kasumi asked.

"The workshop along with your adventure's items," Alfred replied.

"Are they ready?" Ono asked curiously.

"Follow me," Alfred replied before floating off Kasumi and Ono following at a slight distance.

"This place is amazing," Ono commented as they passed through the combat pit.

"That is quite an understatement Ono," Kasumi replied with a light chuckle before they arrived at the workshop where they found Hishizuka waiting and standing over a workbench looking at several items.

"You're finely here," Hishizuka said smirk before picking up something that looked like a construction belt and throwing it to Kasumi, "This is an adventure's belt. The two main pouches are enchanted to be completely bottomless. As are the 4 smaller pouches."

Kasumi's response to this was a silent nod as she put on the belt.

"Now a few notes on the belt when you reach into it for an item you must reach in for a specific item or you will grab nothing but air also..." Madame RelOrt said before handing Ono an identical belt, "... the belts are linked and even if you two where ever to become separated your belts would still be linked. Also each individual pouch on each belt is connected to a separate bottomless space," Kasumi's mother explained.

"Hmm I don't mean to be pessimistic but what if we forget something we put in their," Ono said as he put on the belt.

"That brings us to our next item a magic atlas/cataloger that you cannot lose or misplace," Hishizuka as she tapped a large book. "This book contains a complete topographical map of Avalon but does not contain the location of any dungeons, Caves, towns, cities, or anything else of interest however when you encounter such things it will automatically map them. Also this book will contain a complete and current inventory of anything in your adventure's belts."

"So where does it stay?" Kasumi asked curiously as she took the book from her mother.

"In a hyperspace pocket and all you have to do to access the book is to think of it. Now to the last item," Hishizuka said before waving her hand, which caused the enchanted atlas to vanish from Kasumi's hands. After which she picked up a small leather pouch, "This pouch can expand and completely engulf just about anything. ... but it has a limit of weight anything over what both of you could carry together cannot be placed in the pouch ... but if something can get into the pouch the pouch will return to normal size allowing you to place it in your adventure's belt."

"Anything else?" Ono queried.

"These," Hishizuka said as she threw Kasumi and Ono each a small item. "...are your return amulets and they will instantly transport you back here."

"Unless we're in the middle of a battle, right?" Kasumi queried with a smirk one would expect on Nabiki's face.

Hishizuka's only reply to this was to nod before pulling out a sheathed Dai-katana and a handgun that was larger then a 50 caliber Magnum that had a glowing energy channel running down the length of the barrel.

"Here are your weapons Kasumi and the instructions on how to use the magicarm is in the cataloger," Hishizuka explained as she handed Kasumi the two weapons along with a holster for the magicarm.

Kasumi's response to this was to run off toward the combat pit leaving Hishizuka to chuckle to herself as she pulled out Ono's requested weapons. Ono's reply to this was to take the axes and then the two magicarm handguns each of which was about the size about 9 mm handgun.

"So when are you going tell her old you really are?" Hishizuka asked as Dr. Tofu started to walk off.

Stiffening Ono replied by saying, "When the time is right I'll tell her," as he hastened his exit from the workshop.

Hishizuka's only response to this was to shake her head.

********************

As Ono walked into the combat pit he found Kasumi standing in the middle of the combat pit Dai-katana at her hip and Magnum style magicarm ready to be drawn from its holster.

A tense moment of silence later 20 goblins appeared out of nowhere. Kasumi's response was immediate and her quick draw of her dai-katana slashed through 3 goblins at once while her marksmanship with an equally quickly drawn magicarm took down took down another three goblins. Fractions of a second later Kasumi jumped out of the way just in time to avoid several goblins' blades and while still in midair she fired off three more shots each of which took down another goblin. As she landed from her jump a quick slash of her blade cleaved through another pair of goblins leaving her standing a few yards from the remaining 9 goblins. Moments later the goblins charged and surrounded Kasumi who tightened her grip on each of her weapons a scant moment before the goblins attacked. Kasumi's response to this was to again jump and fire her magicarm dispatching another three goblins while she was still in the air and as she landed another three goblins were cut open thanks to a wide slash from Kasumi's blade. Wasting no time Kasumi charged the remaining three goblins and in a flurry of kicks they to were dispatched. Then with a gunwoman's flourish, Kasumi blew the smoke off of her gun before twirling it and her sword with a practiced ease. Sheathing the sword and holstering her gun in a single perfect motion.

Turning around in her usual serene manner, Kasumi looked up to find Ono looking at her wide-eyed and open-mouthed to say nothing of being in a state of total shock.

Chuckling as she walked up from behind Ono, Hishizuka commented, "For someone that's lived in Nerima for so long you would think he would be a wee bit more resistant to shock."

Kasumi's reply to this was to laugh and nod before she exited the combat pit and dragged Ono off smirking all the way.

Hishizuka as reply to this was to smile and say, "I wonder how long it will take."

[Day 2 To Avalon]

As Ono awoke the next morning, he found Kasumi wrapped around him in a very intimate embrace. Ono was also quite aware of the fact both he and Kasumi were quite naked under the silk covers of the bed they were laying on.

"Did I..." Ono mumbled to himself only to be cut off by this sensual kiss from Kasumi who was smiling beautifully and looking more like a woman then Ono ever remembered her looking like before.

"Good morning," Kasumi said with a sensual and beautiful smile that made Ono quite hot. Seeing and feeling Ono's reaction Kasumi's smile widened before she whispered, "Feel like playing doctor," in Ono's ear. Ono's response to this was to bolt from the room leaving Kasumi to chuckle and say, "He's going to have to learn that I'm a very sensual woman and that I'm serene and in no way innocent," as she got up and got dressed before walking off to get a bath.

********************

Meanwhile elsewhere in the Magi's dungeon we find a very embarrassed and nervous looking Ono Tofu —who was also desperately trying to cover himself up—staring at Hishizuka who he had quite literally bumped into causing him to fall to the ground. Currently said Magi was giving the doctor a smirk that even Nabiki would feel nervous under.

"I'm glad to see you and Kasumi are hitting things off so well Ono-chan," Hishizuka said as her smirk broadened into a smile.

Ono's immediate response to this comment was to blush from head to toe and that blush only increased when Hishizuka started looking him over at a very systematic and clinical manner.

"Mhh you have excellent taste, Kasumi," Hishizuka commented causing Ono to whip around to face Kasumi who smiled in her usual manner before grabbing Ono and dragging him off telling him he could wash her back. "At this rate the doctor is going to need a doctor," Hishizuka commented with a chuckle.

********************

An hour or so later — after he had a bath with Kasumi— we find Ono sitting alone trying to calm his racing heart when Hishizuka sat down next to him and handed him a plate of food.

"Kasumi is ready to go as soon as you have a good breakfast," Hishizuka said simply as a reply to Ono's questioning look.

Ono's reply to this was to nod and begin to eat while Hishizuka sat quietly next to him. A few minutes later Ono finished and asked, "Why?"

"She is a very sensual woman and she expects to be treated as such," Hishizuka responded with a casual ease causing Ono to blush. Seeing this Hishizuka smiled as she leaned back and continued, "If you haven't guessed she has all ready chosen you to be hers and as Akane she won't give up until she gets you and if you are a wise man you'd accept her decision."

Ono's reply to this was to sputter, cough and blush brightly for a few moments while Hishizuka looked at him with a cat like grin. After Ono and managed to get himself under control he tried to sputter something out.

Hishizuka's response to this was to giggle — an unusual sound coming from an ancient Magi— and say, "Ono-chan you are anything but a dirty old man trust me I know," with a wink. "...and also trust me when I say Kasumi will accept any advance from you."

Ono's reply to this was to mutter something under his breath.

Hishizuka's answered to this was to laugh and slap Ono on the back and say, "The best cure for THAT Ono-chan is to get LOTS of experience," before walking off still laughing.

Ono's reply to this was to blush once again before getting up and walking off to find Kasumi.

********************

Sometime later in the portal room, Ono found Kasumi haggling with Alfred. Ono's response to this was to sit back and relax and watch Kasumi haggling. Something Ono quickly found that Kasumi was an expert at doing. 'It must be because she haggles with shopkeepers' day in and day out,' Ono thought to himself. '...and it's also something she obviously enjoys.'

About a half an hour later, Kasumi finished haggling and walked over to Ono.

"So what did you manage to get?" Ono asked curiously.

"A wide variety of curative potions, a language stone, and a map of the area we'll be dropped into," Kasumi replied.

"Which is?" Ono asked curiously.

"The eastern continent of Avalon," Kasumi replied before walking towards what Ono assumed was the portal to Avalon. "Let's go."

Ono's reply to this was to nod before he and Kasumi stepped through the portal.

Moments later Hishizuka smiled as she walked into the portal room.

That smile however turned into a smirk when Denki walked in behind her and queried, "I assume they're my next targets?"

"Correct now be on your way. Oh and try to be more villainous this time you did a horrible job challenging Ranma and Akane," Hishizuka replied

"Hey give me a break I was horribly out of practice," Denki said with a huff before teleporting away.

"Still as vulnerable as ever to teasing," Hishizuka said with a chuckle before teleporting away.

********************

As Ono and Kasumi appeared in Avalon, they found themselves standing in the middle of a huge open expanse of plains land.

"Incredible!" Ono swore in awe moments before a horde of killer giant bees was seen approaching. "Oh shit!" Ono exclaimed before reaching for his guns and starting to shoot followed quickly by Kasumi.

Luckily, for the two new adventurers there were only ten giant bees, which they managed to deal with him about a minute.

Gathering the gold the bees had dropped Kasumi said, "Well that was an exciting way to begin."

Holstering his guns Ono nodded before looking at the horizon. "So which way?"

Kasumi's response to this was too pull out the magic atlas which she studied for a few moments before closing it and casually throwing it over her shoulder where it vanished before she stated, "There's a village that way," as she started to walk in a eastern direction.

********************

A few hours later as the sun started to set Ono and Kasumi finally arrived at a small village on the edge of the forest.

"So where to?" Ono asked curiously.

"The inn," Kasumi replied simply, her usual serenity flustered by her aching feet. "...and tomorrow first thing the tanner for a REALLY good pair of boots."

Ono's reply to this was a nod as he winced at his aching feet.

********************

As Ono and Kasumi walked into the inn the innkeeper looked up at them and raised an eyebrow before Kasumi walked up.

"How much for 2 in one room with hot running water and a bathtub?" Kasumi asked in her usual manner while disguising most of her tiredness.

"50 GP," the innkeeper said before Kasumi nodded and handed him 50 gold after which she and Ono walked off to their room.

Once there the two collapsed onto the floor where they immediately removed their shoes.

"The killer bees, goblins, and such aren't that bad you know," Kasumi said as she rubbed her feet a noticeable amount of her usual serenity thrown out the window. "...but damn the walking is hell!" Kasumi added while standing up and shocking Ono unconditionally. Kasumi however ignored his shock and walked off the bathroom.

A moment or two later Ono stood up wincing because of his aching feet and mentally commented, 'She's absolutely right,' before feeling Kasumi wrapping her arms around him.

"The bath is ready, Ono," Kasumi said with a smile as she dragged Ono into the bathroom.

[Day 3 A quest ... for boots?]

"So how do you feel?" Ono asked Kasumi as the two left the inn next morning.

"Better but I don't want to do anymore walking like we did yesterday without getting a pair of really good boots," Kasumi answered.

"I hear you there," Ono answered with a nod as two arrived at the tanners, which they entered without further conversation.

"What do you adventurers need today?" the tanner asked roughly but pleasantly.

"Two pairs of very comfortable boots made for adventuring and long distance walking," Kasumi answered.

"I can make such boots however currently I'm out of one of the necessary materials to do so," the Tanner replied.

"...and if we want a pair of these boots we have to go get the necessary materials correct?" Kasumi asked with a somewhat board tone to her voice.

"Yep," the tanner replied.

"What you need and where is it?" Kasumi queried as she mentally thought about stupid first level adventures.

"The hide of a dire bear," the Tanner replied calmly.

"I see," Kasumi said while mentally disregarding her previous thoughts. "...and where exactly would I find one around here?"

"North of the village in the forest," the tanner answered.

Kasumi's reply to this was to nod before she and Ono left.

"What may I ask is a dire bear?" Ono queried.

"A bear that makes a grizzly bear look like Kunou compared to Ranma," Kasumi answered rather dryly.

"This is going to be significantly harder then whacking goblins," Ono stated while looking rather exasperated.

"Yes and let's go use that save point the innkeeper told us about," Kasumi stated.

********************

A few hours later Ono and Kasumi were walking through a dense forest when they encountered tracks.

"Hmm, they're similar to bear tracks but a lot larger," Ono said after a moment of an examination.

"How old are they?" Kasumi asked curiously.

"There's more than one set —coming and going— but the most recent is only about an hour old," Ono replied.

"In other words this would be a good place to set up a trap," Kasumi said to which Ono nodded as a reply.

********************

Some hours later at around dusk, we find Ono and Kasumi hiding in the trees waiting for their quarry.

Moments later, it appeared in the form of a 12-foot long 8000-pound behemoth of a bear. Ono and Kasumi's reply to this was to take aim with their magic arms, which they had switched into charge shot mode.

Hearing the weapons charging but not knowing what the sound actually was the massive dire bear stopped and looked around for a few moments.

It was all the time Ono and Kasumi's magical weapons needed to charge and release their deadly volley of magical energy, which hit with pinpoint accuracy. The damage would have killed any normal person and probably even put one of the lesser members of the wrecking crew into the hospital for a long time.

The bear however roared with anger and swiped at the tree Kasumi was in destroying it. Kasumi however had already agilely leapt out of the tree and by the time she landed and a bear had focused its attention on her Kasumi's magic arm had been able to charge up another shot.

The bear being ignorant to this however just roared angrily. Kasumi took the chance to fire the charge shot down the massive beast's throat. The bear of course was severely damaged but not any means down for the count as was apparent when it charged Kasumi and used its massive claws to bat her at least 15 feet, and into a tree.

The damage to the serene martial artist was severe but true to her heritage as a Tendo, Kasumi did not go down for the count but reached for a healing potion, which she downed in one gulp while Ono shot at the bear from the treetops.

Getting up and unsheathing her massive sword, Kasumi holstered her magic arm before preparing herself to charge the massive beast.

A tense 15 seconds later, she saw her opportunity and charged at speeds they could make Olympics sprinters green with envy. Using her dai-katana like a nodachi, she slashed open two of the bear's legs. Once she was a fair distance away from the bear Kasumi spun around and fired off 3 blasts at one of the legs she had slashed open.

The results were catastrophic for the dire bear as that leg buckled and broke.

Seeing his opportunity Ono leapt down from the trees directly at the bear's head heavy war-axe held high above his head. Mere fractions of a second later, thanks to gravity, a great deal of strength, and dead on aim the dire bear found Ono's axe embedded in its skull.

This however still did not kill the beast and Ono barely avoiding being struck by the Bears claws as he leapt away sans heavy war-axe, which was still embedded in the Bears head.

Reaching for his light war-axe and one of his magic arms Ono cursed, "Damn how much damage can this thing take?"

"Not much more and even less if we can drive that axe further into its skull," Kasumi replied calmly as the bear tried to move but was able to do to one broken and one severely damaged leg.

"Plan?" Ono queried.

"I'll charge and slash you hammer the axe through its skull with a charged shot," Kasumi replied as she handed her gun to Ono.

Ono's reply was to nod and ready a charged shot once he had done so Kasumi charged slashing open the bear's other two legs. This caused the bear to fall to the ground completely. Not wasting any time Ono —who was holding Kasumi's massive gun with both hands— released the charge shot wincing at the massive recoil but still maintaining his aim.

The shot struck true and his axe was driven into the bear's brain killing it instantly.

"How exactly are we going to get this thing back to the tanner?" Ono queried a moment later after retrieving his axe and giving Kasumi back her gun.

Kasumi's reply to this was to crack her knuckles and ask, "How much do you know about slaughtering an animal for its bits and pieces?"

Turning slightly green Ono mumbled, "Not a thing."

"Well it looks like your going to be taking a crash course," Kasumi replied as she took two tantos out of her adventurer's belt.

"I suppose this means we're going to be having bear burgers for awhile doesn't it," Ono commented darkly.

Kasumi's only reply was to nod as she commented, "When surviving in the wilderness nothing can go to waste."

[Day 4 On the trail again.]

The next day we find Ono and Kasumi —wearing their new mithral toed and healed dire bearskin boots— following a river trail.

"So where to now?" Ono asked curiously.

"Numerals and we should be there in about a week if we follow the river and all goes well," Kasumi answered.

"...and what are the chances of everything going well?" Ono asked sarcastically.

"If we brought any of the chaos of Nerima with us ... nil," Kasumi answered simply.

Ono's replied to this was to wish he had a convenient hard surface to bang his head against.

********************

Meanwhile at a familiar villains Castle we find Denki mulling over what to do to his Imouto and her consort.

"That dire bear would have been a far better match if they hadn't gotten the drop on it," Denki commented to no one in particular. "Oh well six crocodiles will do just as well," Denki added before teleporting away.

********************

As Denki appeared over the river, he began to laugh maniacally as lightning began to stream away from him.

Blinking at Denki's appearance both in regards to his quintessential Black villain getup and the fact he could pass for Nabiki's twin brother Kasumi calmly said, "Oh my, it appears we have gained a quintessential black villain to quote make our lives interesting, Ono."

Ono's reply to this was to mumble, "Don't taunt the villain."

The 'villain' however, facefaulted into the river reemerging moments later looking extremely angry and without a word he summoned six crocodiles before teleporting away.

"I TOLD you not to taunt the villain," Ono grumbled as he pulled out his axes.

Pulling out her sword Kasumi replied by saying, "Now what fun would it be if you didn't taunt the villain especially one so much like Nabiki. Although it takes A LOT more teasing to set off Nabiki."

Ono's reply to this was to roll his eyes before he and Kasumi attacked the crocodiles.

********************

Some time later we find Kasumi and Ono continuing their walk along the river trail when Ono commented, "I hope he doesn't come back those crocodiles were tough to defeat."

"True but he'll be back after all he didn't even make an over dramatic introduction."

"Probably because you interrupted it," Ono commented.

Kasumi's reply to this was to shrug moments before they again heard maniacal laughter and saw their villain floating —although now not above the river— in mid air with lightning arcing away from him.

"I am Denki RelOrt and I will destroy you Earthers!" Denki shouted as lightning shot away from him.

"A 2 out of 5 for the maniacal villain introduction," Kasumi commented dryly.

Denki's response to this was to roar with anger before summoning 7 horse-sized spiders.

Ono's replied to this was to scream in frustration as he started to shoot the spiders.

"Well it wasn't that good of a maniacal villain intro even Kunou has done better," Kasumi said dryly as she quick drew and slashed at a giant spider's legs.

********************

Around 5 o'clock, we find Ono and Kasumi continuing their walk along the river trail Ono grumbling about being poisoned by giant spiders while Kasumi absently hummed when Denki appeared out of nowhere and summoned two extremely ugly looking creatures that were dripping slime before vanishing again.

"If my guess is right those are trolls," Kasumi stated with a twinge of worry in her voice.

"I'm guessing their harder to kill then a lot of things," Ono grumbled.

"Yes they can regenerate from almost anything unless of course we decapitate them," Kasumi replied as she drew her sword.

"I'm starting feel like Ranma," Ono muttered causing Kasumi to laugh.

********************

That night around the campfire, we find Ono laying on the ground nursing a splitting headache that the healing potions and aspirin he had taken couldn't get rid of.

Kasumi however was sitting nearby meditating serenely.

'How in the world can she remained so unflustered by everything?' Ono mentally questioned before yawning rolling over and deciding to get some sleep.

A few moments later however Kasumi opened her eyes and muttered, "What a day and for once I couldn't just hide in the background," while sounding anything but serene. "Oh well it was getting boring back there anyhow."

[Day 8 The volcanic mountain forge of Moradin]

"A volcano, in the middle of nowhere, with no other mountains around and on the edge of a huge forest," Ono stated with a raised eyebrow. "...and that's saying nothing of the fact there's a trail off of the main road to it."

"It is all rather contrived isn't it," Kasumi replied absently as she looked around for any kind of information on the volcano they were currently looking at.

"I wonder if anyone actually lives up there or if the road is just a joke?" Ono queried half seriously.

"Well there is one way to find out," Kasumi replied calmly.

"What?"

"Go up there," Kasumi responded simply as she started to follow the trail to the looming volcano.

Glaring at nothing in particular Ono replied by mumbling, "I had to ask, didn't I," before following Kasumi.

********************

Several hours later at around noon we find Ono and Kasumi standing in front of a huge forge built right into the side of the volcano. That however wasn't the unusual part what was the fact the heat of the volcano was absent even though they were close enough to see the molten lava in it.

"A magical forge?" Ono queried uncertainly.

"It does seem to be that way," Kasumi replied as she studied the architecture of the forge. "It also looks like the forge was forged right out of the volcano."

Ono's reply to this was to nod in agreement, as he too examined the architecture of the building. "You think we should go in?"

"Of course," Kasumi replied simply before she walked towards the main doors of the forge which she opened without knocking due to the fact the sound coming from the other side of them would have prevented anyone from hearing anyone knocking on the doors.

After recovering from being hit by an immense wave of heat Kasumi entered followed closely by Ono entered the forge to find a dwarf forging a shield.

Upon seeing the two adventurers, the dwarf stopped, removed the goggles he was wearing and asked, "What can I do for you today adventurers?"

"What is this place?" Kasumi queried.

Raising an eyebrow the dwarf stated, "A magical forge but what brings you to this place?"

"Curiosity," Ono replied.

"Ahh," the dwarf said in understanding before adding, "I'm Moradin and I can enchant any kind of magic item for you at a cost."

Raising an eyebrow slightly Kasumi asked, "What kind of price?"

"Rare spices the rarer the better," Moradin replied.

Smiling rather mischievously Kasumi stated, "In that case how much would 5 ounces of Terren saffron be worth?"

Moradin's response to this was to look at Kasumi with a disbelieving stare until that is Kasumi pulled out a small plastic bag. Taking the bag and examining it Moradin smiled and said, "For this a basic enchantment for each of your 6 weapons."

"How long will it take you?" Ono asked.

"Till tomorrow morning," Moradin replied simply.

"Good," Kasumi replied as she and Ono handed the dwarf.

"I need to prepare a few things so you can wait in the kitchen if you want something to eat," Moradin said as he walked off while motioning to a steel door.

Kasumi replied to this was to nod and drag Ono off.

********************

"So what now?" Ono queried as he sat down.

"I'm going to take Moradin up on his offer and make something to eat," Kasumi replied simply as she cracked her knuckles and began to cook one of her famous meals.

********************

"Hmm, Madame RelOrt's seal that explains a few things," Moradin said absently as he looked over the weapons. "...and hopefully this means I'll be getting a lot more Terren saffron."