Lucas and his team a straddling through the grasslands when Lucas openly notes that they need money. The team was in shock for they had thought as being from the Tristram Army that Lucas would have a lot of money for the team. None the less, it was a predicament that the team was in and needed resolved.
Lucas then decided to dispatch two teams of two to go into the forest. They were to go out hunting for food and craft items to be sold.
The first team was Waateef, Kilkyl, and Zarz as leader. The second team was leader David and Vegron. Lucas decided to stay back in a safe area with Ponto to make camp for the night. Lucas then ordered Rael to leave his sight. As the teams headed out Rael trailed behind David and Vegron undetected.
Zarz attempted to lead his team throughout the forest. Unfortunately he had trouble. Not only was Waateef extremely sad, but Kilkyl was equally stubborn. Waateef had zero motivation to even be alive and kept his hand passively at his front. Kilkyl kept wandering off into the forest. Zarz then began lecturing his teammates on their ill behavior. But Waateef openly admitted that his only doing as Zarz ask him to do. Kilkyl on the other hand revealed that he was once a soldier who went to camp to be infused with a dragon's genes and that he is the most powerful being in existence. Zarz was wiser beyond his colleagues and called out Kilkyl's bluff on being the "strongest". None the less, nothing was changed and the team uncovered nothing.
Meanwhile, David and Vegron headed out making traps through out the forest. The two had hidden themselves in some brush with a strong smell to mask their scent. The two the sat and began to talk of their lives and crimes, plans and aspirations. From poor boys; one became a thief on the run from two of the biggest countries in the world with a plan of a big heist to live in the islands. The other grew into a con artist who now looks to grow his church to make a living doing something that he feels not so guilty about.
As the two were talking an odd noise was heard. David and Vegron looked up to see a leaping Gorilla about to fall on them. The two jumped out of the way to avoid the gorilla's attacks. They instantly picked up distance between themselves and the gorilla, but they were still too slow. The gorilla leaped again at Vegron and threw him into a tree. David quickly swung his staff emitting a blast of light aimed at the gorilla, but it was unfazed. The gorilla then charged its way towards David until it was captured in a gust of wind. The gorilla was then picked up by the gust of wind allowing David to unleash a barrage of holy attacks using his staff. "Quick, grab Vegron" yelled Rael as he held the gorilla back. David quickly ran to grab Vegron, but as he began running, so did the gorilla. The gorilla was slowly fighting against Rael's gust of wind and making his way to crush Rael. David quickly swung his staff with all his might to kill the gorilla. It seemed as though all hope was lost as the gorilla got closer and closer until an arrow had hit the gorilla through its temple. The arrow pierced through the gorilla's head and while it did stumble for a while trying to fight, it had ultimately collapsed to its death. David and Rael were relived that Vagron pulled through with that shot. Rael then revealed that the gorilla attacked them to protect the forest and they need to hurry and regroup.
David and Vegron quickly cut opened the gorilla for its valuable body parts and checked on a trap to retrieve a dead dear. The three headed back safely to which David and Vegron admitted they would have been dead if it was not for Rael. But as Lucas was going to give Rael some credit, Rael stepped into a snare trap which flung him around in the air. Everybody decided to leave him up there.
Zarz's team had then returned stating they saw a dragon flying in the air. Lucas looked up with ease while Rael immediately pitched that the dragon lives in a cave not too far away. "Is that so" asked Lucas. Rael then burned the rope that was dangling him in the air and confirmed all of the information he knew on the dragon and its cave.
The dragon lived in a cave by the lake. It was filled with other reptilian creatures. Inside of this cave was a treasure they could steal. While the dwellers of the cave were larger in numbers, the dragon itself was weak due to a recent encounter. Rael the proceeded to drawing out a map of the cave so everybody knew its general layout.
Zarz protested the thought of invading a dragon's cave, but the team needed money and Lucas was determined.
Lucas once again broke his team up into three smaller teams. Team 1 consisted of Lucas, Kilkyl, and David. Team two was made of Vegron, Zarz, and Waateef. Lastly, Ponto ws paired with Rael to stay out of the cave as support.
Zarz was instantly offended being placed under Vegron as leader. Lucas held none back from putting Zarz in his place as an equal member of the team as Vegron and Waateef.
Lucas then lead the two teams towards the cave. It was simple. Vegron was to first lead his team into the cave to lure away the reptilian creatures from the Dragon itself. As signal, they were to blow a hole through a wall that would lead to the outside. Lucas would then lead his team inside to face the dragon and steal its treasure.
So it was settled. Vegron took the lead for his team to guide them safely and quietly through the cave. Waateef was able to see in the dark and carried Zarz on his back to keep themselves discreet. The cave was not only dark, but filled with water. Vegron stepped quietly into the water and crept his way through the cave.
Vegron then felt a sense of horror approaching as he navigated his way through the cave. Something was wrong. The cave didn't quite fit the exact description of the map. In fact, it felt way off. Vegron turned back and started to head out, but bumped into Waateef. Vegron signaled Waateef to leave out, but Waateef refused. Vegron and Waateef argued back and forth on the decision to leave or continue until Waateef whispered into Vegrons ear that they are being followed by a herd of reptilians.
"What is going on" asked Zarz as he laid over Waateef's shoulder. Zarz's noise caused an echo to fly through the cave causing a number of large splashes to hit the water. With a slight moment of fear striking their bodies, Waateef picked up Vegron and hauled ass through the cave.
Waateef saw the reptilian creatures soaring through the waters chasing the team. He quickly dashed through the cave searching for the right tunnels to lead them towards an outer wall. Zarz had been complaining on the lack of communication till finally he had enough. Zarz launched a fire ball out to light the cave. He then saw the the reptilians filling the waters swimming at them. Zarz then began launching ice explosive magic to freeze and delay the reptilians.
Waateef then took a sharp turn into a narrow hall way which leaded to a large open room filled with reptilians. Zarz quickly launched a flame explosion spell to hold off the reptilian while Waateef jumped at the far cave wall kicking it out.
Light shined into the cave and the team now knew they were safe. As Waateef continued to kick out the cave walls, Zarz had launched one of his ultimate spells Fireworks. Fireworks was a series of explosive spells of various elements and non-elements that fire out from a magical circle Zarz creates. The Firework spell fired out attacking multiple reptilians and attracting more from the cave.
Waateef jumped out with both Zarz and Vegron on his shoulders and escaped from the cave unharmed. The reptilians, pouring from the cave, continued to chase after them to no success.
Lucas waited outside with Kilkyl and David while Rael guarded Ponto as he aided Team Vagron's injuries.
After a while, Lucas made the judgement that the cave was as safe to enter as it ever would. Thus he lead his team of Kilkyl and David into the cave. Upon Lucas' team entering, Zarz continued to launch explosive spells at the cave to continue to attract the reptilians.
Once in, it was nearly smooth sailing. Lucas' team ran through the cave with David in the lead and Kilkyl in the back. Lucas' sword was emitting a light that brightened the cave so everybody can see.
As the team ran through the cave a giant alligator beast jumped out at them. David quickly encoated his blade in a magical aura, stabbed it through the bottom of the alligator's mouth, and drove his blade till it sliced pass the alligators throat. Kilkyl then instantly jumped 15 meters to the right of David and fired his rocket at the oncoming reptilians.
Lucas then instructed them to push through. So the team drew their melee weapons and sliced pass and reptilians that came by until final they reached a large claw came down upon them. Lucas quickly swung his sword to summon a giant magical shield to save his team from the assault. With a now better look at the beast, the team realized that they were now standing before the dragon.
Kilkyl quickly powered his rocket and shot out a molten fire blast onto the dragon's head allowing the team to see the dragon clearly. The dragon then lowered its head and launched a giant fireball at the team. Lucas created another shield to defend the team, but the flames were too great. The team each took fire damage.
Once the flames had finally passed, David seized the opportunity to jump up and knock down a giant boulder hanging from the ceiling onto the dragon's head. The dragon was temporarily paralyzed to which David stood ready encasing his sword in magical aura while Kilkyl charged his rocket to its maximum fire power. Lucas quickly ran to grab a few jewels from the Dragon's treasure and ordered the withdraw.
Before the team evacuated, David pierced his sword into the gum of the dragon. As he drew his sword out and backed away, the dragon threw itself into a frenzy across the cave. Kilkyl then shot his fully powered blast at the dragon's nose to shock it long enough for the team to escape.
The team ran out once again slicing their way through reptilians. The dragon was continually launching fireballs down the cave to which Lucas would stop to create his magical shields for.
Soon enough Lucas and his team jumped out of the cave. The dragon was too injured to follow them any further. Instead the dragon roared out and stood guard of its cave.
Later that evening, the entire team sat down at their campsite. Lucas counted the stolen jewels, estimating the money to be made. Zarz and Vegron however were scolding Rael on his horrible map. Rael defense was that he was last in the cave over 2 years ago and that his sketch was a general recall of what he remembered. "Ya seem real useful, but unreliable" said Waateef, "you really shouldn't tell us things unless you are sure". Rael shrugged off everybody's advice. After all, he was only 11 years old.
Lucas walked away as the team was scolding Rael for his carelessness. But once Lucas was away, Rael brought up the real question. Rael then stated "Why are y'all so mad at me when Lucas is the one you all should be questioning". Rael pointed out that Lucas was a man of rank and power gathering a bunch of random weirdos to go out with no money and kill a certain somebody. None of this made sense. Each member then expressed their distrust for Lucas. Rael then made clear that he is useful and that for as long as the team keeps him around for the adventure, he would keep an eye on Lucas and spring in only when needed. The team silently agreed with the exception of Waateef. Waateef simply sat by the fire as the alligator was cooking with his head down. "I don't trust any of you" he said, "for you all enslaved, tore down, and discriminated against my people, just to use us as weapons and tools". "Don't worry big guy, we got your back too" Rael said cheerfully. But Kilkyl was disgusted by orcs including Waateef. Kilkyl berated the orcs and noted that Waateef will go back to a chained prison to live as a slave regardless of what has been said. Waateef only continued to mope by the fire.
After traveling for days through the forest the team finally hit port. Lucas made his way steadily to cash in the jewels stolen from the dragon's keep. He then purchased two hotel rooms for everybody to share minus Rael who was to sleep outside. The ship to take Lucas and his team to the next country was set to leave in three days. Lucas had then instructed his team to be on their best behavior. So everybody locked themselves in and went to bed while Rael went into a dark alley and hid himself behind a dumpster to sleep.
Day 1
The next day everybody except Rael was given an allowance to feed themselves for the three days. Rael kept held no fret over Lucas' negligence towards him and instead rolled on away by himself as everybody else did with their allowance. Ponto however, was extremely kind hearted and took pity on Rael. Ponto ran and chased Rael down to no prevail. Just when Ponto had given up, Rael sneaked behind him. "What's up" asked Rael. Ponto stood in shock for a moment before offering to take Rael out to get some food.
The two later sat down to eat at an all you can eat buffet nearby. Ironically, Rael treated Ponto. Rael admitted that he stole some jewels for himself during the commotion and thus had money to take care of himself during the trip. Ponto was amazed by how much this 11 year old boy was able to accomplish. It reminded him of the young boys back in his home country who where already fighting in wars.
After the two had filled their stomachs pass normal means, Ponto and Rael headed out back towards their hotel. Their tummies were full and their walk was unbalanced. Ponto felt like puking while Rael held strong onto his devoured food. As the two stumbled down roads leading toward a hotel, an old rusty van slowed down beside them. "Run" shouted Rael, but he was too late. A spark of lightning was sparked out and zapped both Rael and Ponto paralyzed. Two men then stepped out and grabbed Rael and Ponto.
Later that night, Lucas realized that everybody returned except Ponto. He also realized that Rael had not shown his face all day either. The boy was of no concern, but Ponto was a valuable member to the team. Surely Lucas could not allow anything to happen to his Cleric. None the less, he was an adult who probably found himself a beautiful woman or got stupid drunk. He ought to be alright. Thus Lucas slept on the thought with ease.
Day 2
Lucas woke up noticing Ponto had not come home. This was truly bugging Lucas. Sure the boy may be missing or just nowhere in sight, but Ponto was another story. Lucas then rounded up his remaining team and brought everybody on a search to find both Ponto and Rael.
Meanwhile, Ponto and Rael sat in the back of an enclosed 18-wheel truck among many others. Everybody sat with their hands and ankles tied down with rope. Two men stood outside of the truck with machine guns while other gang members roamed the area outside. Ponto sat nervously among the others on his knees while Rael just sat on his butt with his typical dopey look. Noise in the truck echoed so communicating verbally instantly alarmed the guards. A tap came to Ponto while the guards were not looking. Rael had used the dirt on the ground to write "cn u hel bulets"? Ponto saw the message and Rael's poor spelling. Ponto looked at Rael with a confused fearful look. "Surely this kid is not thinking on fighting these people. We would all die" thought Ponto. Without much further thought, Ponto sure his head no.
Unfortunately, Rael was a little stupid with a plan. Rael continued to sit down empty headed pouting his lips with his dopey look on his face. A couple of guys were out yelling to bring in more prisoners for the truck. One man walked a few feet away while the other man turned his head away from the truck.
Rael quickly rose his hand, which was untied, and launched an ice spear through the guard's spine. Rael then jumped up and pushed the guard's body down and grew two wooden swords from his bangle. "Help" yelled many prisoners "the little boy is attacking your guards". The second guard ran over, but as soon as he turned into the truck Rael's wooden sword flew into his face. The wooden sword then flew back to Rael as Rael quickly jumped down to under the truck with the first guard's machine gun on his back. Rael used his wind ability to shut the truck's back doors and scurried his way to the front. Men were yelling with their machine guns aimed at the truck. Rael made an ice wall to shield the driver side of the truck giving himself enough time to launch a fireball into the driver's face and take his keys. Rael hopped in the driver's seat with the keys and began starting up the truck.
Ponto and the other prisoners sat worried and scared with what was going to happen to them. Sure enough the truck began driving frantically.
Rael drove the truck through many guards throughout the warehouse until he finally saw the exit. Rael raced for the exit and drove the truck out into what seemed to be the countryside of town. Luckily Rael knew his way back and refused to slowdown until he reached the port.
Back at the port, Lucas had searched far and wide for Rael and Ponto, but failed. Nobody had seen them at any bar, playground, club, library, party, school yard, hospital, comic store, police station, nor comic stores. Not even the weapon shops have seen the two. "Why would they go to any of them places" asked Waateef. Lucas then explained that soldiers have a tendency of looking for fun which leads them to the hospital or jail while kids tend to do kid stuff.
Vegron then sided with Waateef. Vegron then explained that Ponto is not the troublesome kind. He would probably take a stroll and sight see while thinking about his family. Rael would be off looking for work due to being a poor kid. Neither would be in a weapon shop due to Ponto being a cleric and Rael being a poor boy who uses magic and wooden swords.
"So where are they" yelled Lucas. "Ya know, they probably grabbed something to eat" said Waateef, "so maybe like that buffet or somewhere cheap since they are both hungry and poor".
Lucas and the team then began into every restaurant in town asking if they've seen a half-ling and a dopey looking kid with shaggy black hair. Not a single restaurant had seen them until they came to the buffet. The waitress at the buffet remembered the two clear as day. She noted that the man was married and the little boy kept complimenting her. The two apparently ate so much that they could barely walk. Lucas then demanded to see security footage of the two.
The manager of the buffet gladly showed Lucas the security footage where they saw both Ponto and Rael stuff their faces for hours and stumble their way out. Vegron then asked to see their outside footage where he noticed a van driving slowly behind them. No further footage showed the two in it, but Vegron knew they must have been abducted. Vegron noted to the team that the van sits around and was driving slow on a busy road. He also pointed out that kidnappings are common on ports. Lucas did not care who kidnapped his men. His only concern was to get them back with vengeance.
Later, the truck had stopped on the outskirts of town. The prisoners were still sitting with their hands and ankles tied and ready to beg for mercy. The doors opened with Rael standing before them. Many prisoners were condemning Rael while others were mocking him. Rael paid them no mind. He searched the dying guards pockets for as much money and useful items as possible. He then kicked the guard further into the truck. Rael walked pass the prisoners towards Ponto and freed him. "You're fucking crazy" said Ponto, "those people are going to hunt us down and kill us". Rael said nothing. Instead he grabbed Ponto's hand and walked him out of the truck.
Rael then shut the doors and locked it with a lock he found in the front of the truck. "What are you doing. Why are you locking them in their" asked Ponto. "To keep them in there" said Rael, "I didn't forget that while I was trying to save everybody these same people tried to snitch me out to our captors. So I am giving them what they deserve". Rael then summoned flames underneath the truck. Ponto stood in shock asking Rael to stop. But his cries fell on deaf ears. Once the truck was set on fire, Rael began walking away. Ponto asked Rael to stop the fire, but Rael's heart was set to get revenge and serve justice to those who do wrong onto their brothers.
Soon Rael and Ponto were far from the truck heading into town while the people were screaming inside. Both Ponto and Rael could hear their screams for "help" and "forgiveness". This brought a big smile to Rael's face while tears fell down Ponto's.
Lucas was stampeding through town questioning and ransacking every van and restaurant looking for this old ugly van. Eventually he came to a quit. "There is no fucking way we are going to find them" said Lucas. David then intervened, "while you were threatening half of the population and violating the personal rights of everybody you came into contact with, we managed to gather key intelligence on the van, where it goes, who kidnaps, what for, where they are shipped, who is the gang. Zarz even drew a picture of the kidnappers and the van based on the detailed description given". "Then let's go" demanded Lucas. "Go where" asked Zarz. Lucas then thought that they should kill off the gang to get revenge and find the two. Thus he ordered to raid the households of every gang member possible.
Lucas and his team found two thugs standing outside of a convenient store. Kilkyl quickly sliced through the two men with his axe and stole their car keys. Vegron then took the wheel as everybody crushed into the shitty car. The team drove to parks and house, breaking down doors, slicing through people, and searching for intelligence. Lucas was displeased by the lack of progress coming to find Ponto and Rael, but nobody else was shocked. Rather, not a single soul in the team was expecting to find Ponto nor Rael. "What's the matter? and why have we not found either of them" asked Lucas. "They're at the warehouse out of town" answered Vegron. "Well fuck me with my own blade, let's go there then" said Lucas.
Ponto and Rael had just arrived into town. Ponto grabbed some food and headed back to the hotel. "where are you headed? asked Ponto. Rael thought for a minute and figured he would hide until it was time to leave. Ponto knew this was a lie and called Rael out. Rael was only thinking of the fun to be had by getting back at his captors with a surprise attack. But Ponto was only concerned for their safety. Rael shrugged his shoulders and headed out and to his disbelief, Ponto decided to follow.
Ponto and Rael ventured through the night eating and looking for gang members to fight, but found no success. Rather, they found mostly blood and dead bodies. after a while the two began asking around. they had come to find that a group of guys came around looking for them. "It had to be Lucas" said Ponto. Rael was happy to hear that Lucas and the team was looking for him as well. Ponto then seized the moment to convince Rael to stay safe until Lucas came back. Rael agreed and felt it was the best thing to do for the sake of the team and the mission.
Meanwhile that evening, Lucas had already raided the warehouse with his team. Lucas had a couple of gang members tied up against a wall stripped down to their boxers. prisoners were all hurdled into a corner. Lucas walked around with a hammer he found demanding that if the guys did not tell him what happened to the boy that he will crush each guy's left testicle. Unfortunately nobody knew who he was talking about. Then a machine gun was fired at the team. Everybody ducked down while Lucas created a magical shield to block off the bullets. Lucas then ordered Waateef and Kilkyl to hunt down the assailant. The two ran into the hallway that the shooter shot from. But as soon as they turned in, two rockets were aimed at them. Kilkyl quickly pulled Waateef in front of him to use as a shield. The two rockets were fired and directly impacted Waateef. Kilkyl then threw Waateef down and fired his rocket at the two men.
Kilkyl then headed back to Lucas and the team explaining that Waateef is dead along with the two assailants. Lucas was at disbelief and asked what happened. Kilkyl lied and said Waateef headed in first and was simply shot down with rockets by the enemy, but Lucas could sense his lie. Lucas headed back to the hallway against the now enraged Kilkyl's wishes to check on the apparently Dead Waateef. There Lucas saw Waateef laying on the floor in blood struggling with pain. Lucas turned towards Kilkyl who had no care in his body and swung his sword faster than Kilkyl could react. Lucas shot a light beam at Kilkyl's eye and then pierced his sword through his shooting arm. Kilkyl attempted to attack Lucas, but Lucas kicked him away and continue slicing Kilkyl's tendons away. Soon Kilkyl was a helpless vegetable on the grounds just as Waateef was. Lucas had then decided to focus on his now two dying men and evacuated the warehouse.
Day 3
Rael was up early strolling through town for work and food. Rael then noticed that it was time to head back. Pronto was sleeping in from the long night when the door was opened. Lucas and the whole team walked in. Waateef and Kilkyl were in bandages from the hospital. "Where have you been" asked Lucas. Ponto then explained everything regarding himself and Rael getting captured and Rael breaking them free. Ponto even told how Rael set the truck of people on fire. Lucas was actually amazed and recalled the burnt truck of people that he passed by while driving back to town with the rest of the team. "Oh well, time to go" said Lucas. Lucas then took advantage of the time to tell everybody at once. he did not care what race you are, nor where you are from. All he cared about was himself, his men, and his country Tristram. He then made it clear that they are all brothers and while they do not have to like each other, they must respect and look out for each other. that was all
Everybody packed their things and headed out without looking for Rael. They boarded the heavily guarded ship and set sail. "Hopefully that kid will take better care of himself. He honestly shouldn't be out here doing this. I wish him the best" Lucas then headed off to enjoy is boat ride along with the rest of his crew.