Zackaria had finally returned and invited the heroes into one of the Platinum Palace's several conference rooms. A room that can actually accommodate twelve people. They all sat around the table with the exception of Yoona who was too big for the chairs. The ten of them staring at Zackaria waiting for him to speak. The silence in the room was... violent.
"So..." Dian started with a cold anger in her voice. "...do you actually have something for us to stop?" Her lilac eye staring into Zackaria like a piercing spear. Zackaria in return lowered in his seat, like a child being disciplined by his mother at the dinner table.
"N-no..."
Dian slammed her fist down on the table which let out an audible crack. The less stoic members jumped in surprise.
"...But I do have some stuff for you all to do while I still figure it out." All eyes were on him.
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Team #1
Operation: Cultbuster
Members: Agshulkaal, Dian, Mordeki, Reginald
Details: An old human lighthouse keeper by the name of Darril Murkin has turned into a self-proclaimed prophet of an unknown god. He's amassed a small following in the coastal town Cheval, which is troubling to have happened in such a short amount of time. We suspect potential demonic influences.
Objective: Figure out if the cult is influenced by demons. If so, kill or subdue it and stop the cult. If not, leave them to their own devices.
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Team #2
Operation: Manhunter
Members: Ave, Bounty, Yoona
Details: One of our High Elf Generals, General Traren Shurath, did not return after the war was declared over. He wasn't killed nor captured so we suspect he's either deserted or there's foul play at hand. His last reported sighting was in the forest town two days away from here, Bena'da, when the war was declared over. This was a week ago.
Objective: Find General Shurath and bring him home.
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Team #3
Operation: Armed Jesters
Members: Gala, Vanity, Whistle
Details: My sister, Baroness Xena Wolfbane, is throwing a party for many of the lesser nobles under her vassalage. Even in her old age she is quite naïve and with the war over she doesn't want any guards at the party. You will go undercover as foreign entertainment to help guard my sister and the nobles in case of anything bad happening.
Objective: Protect my sister and her people, and don't get discovered unless absolutely necessary. Also, enjoy yourselves.
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The room was in an uproar of questions.
"Who the hells names their kid Derril?" From Reggie.
"How do you just lose a General?" From Bounty.
"Your last name is Wolfbane?" From Gala.
"Everyone please quiet down; I'll explain everything." Zackaria stood up and gestured his hands in a 'calm down' motion. "Because I summoned you all without King Winshire's permission, I'm now punished with being responsible for ALL of you. Everything you do during your time here reflects back on me."
"That still doesn't explain the team assignments." Ag interjected.
"Consider this an aptitude test. I need to determine if you are all capable of working together and accomplishing a task without causing too many issues. Plus it wasn't me who assigned you. That was Julia. All based off your past and best possible futures. Team #1 all has experience with dealing with cults or cult-like entities."
"I believe I have been misplaced with this task. I've never once had to deal with a cult before." Mordeki stated.
"Actually Julia did mention this. You were a last minute placement. Apparently you're supposed to stop a 'fatal misunderstanding'. Whatever that means."
"I respectfully decline, I should be with my que --" He was interrupted by a familiar hand on his shoulder. He heard Vanity speak into his ear. "You can do this fine without me. I trust you, so trust me too." Mordeki felt a wave of nostalgia as well as a blissful flashback to a much younger Vanity wrapped around his knee. "I retract my previous statement." Mordeki sat with a sense of unease.
"Now..." Zackaria continued. "Team #2 was selected as Ave has Divination magic, Yoona comes from a tribe of trackers, and Bounty... well that's self explanatory."
"I want to give a smug retort..." Started Bounty as he then sat his legs up on the table. "...but that's actually a decent lineup. Props to Jamie."
"And finally... Team #3. Selected as Gala is a dancer, Whistle is an artist, and Vanity is just... Vanity."
"Excuse me, what?" Questioned Vanity. "What does she mean by that?"
"Well Demonkin are exceptionally rare on Arkheim. Just your presence alone could be a center piece."
"Oh, so I can stand around while every one touches my tail and horns, and asks me how I walk with hooves, and what kind of demon my mother had sex with!" Vanity spoke in an obviously cheery and a sarcastic tone before then taking on a disgusted face and voice. "Kill me."
There was a good few laughs from the crowd as Whistle jumped in. "Wait, did your mother actually have sex with a demon?"
"No you idiot! Demonkins come from someone pledging the soul of their unborn children to seal a deal. We traced the deal all the way back to my great great grandfather. He set it up so he didn't have to suffer any potential consequences."
"Damn..." Reggie jumped in. "...that's actually kind of smart in an asshole kind of way."
"I agree..." She said through clinched teeth as she chewed her thumbnail. "...and I can't help but both hate and respect him for it."
"Now, lastly..." Zackaria pulled out a quill and parchment. "...you all aren't technically supposed to exist so we need a team name for you all so you can fake being random adventurers tasked by the king. Any suggestions?"
"I'm just going to assume we can't just be called Legendary Heroes." Said Whistle.
"Yeah, that would be way too on the nose..." Reggie jumped in. "...we need something subtle, yet stands out."
"Usually team names have to do with combining traits from ever member." Ag continued.
"Mate, I don't know what common traits you can gather from a bunch of nobles and miscreants." Bounty joined with a smug tone.
"Well we all have the Hero's soul, so we're like a family in that regard." Gala piped in. Which Dian came in after.
"It's like we're some sort of... Vulgar Dynasty..."
Everyone stared at Dian like she solved the greatest question of the universe. Which at the moment, it might as well being. Reggie pointed to Zackaria. "Write that down! WRITE THAT DOWN! That's it!"
"No, NO! That can NOT be it!" Dian tried to stop him. "We have to come up with something better." Zackaria was already writing.
"Arkheim writ of passage signed to the Vulgar Dynasty... Alright everything is set." Dian placed her elbows on the table and held up her head in defeat.
"Great... I guess we're all 'family' now." Dian said muffled through her fingers.
"Yoona's always wanted a big brother!" Yoona immediately stood and hugged onto the side of Ave's head as she dug her muzzle into his neck. The room went silent as everyone was ready for the lizard to snap.
"You may... release me at your leisure..." He said calmly. Phew.
"This is great and all, but I have one more question." Gala stood up. "YOUR LAST NAME IS WOLFBANE?"