Yamada arrived at the wall of Artaraxus hungry and tired. He had pushed himself to fly for five days straight. He staggered through the bustling and hectic merchants, screaming and shouting their wares. He was bombarded by the fragrant aromas. His mouth watered and he lumbered over to a cauldron of bubbling oil with meat floating at the top. "You interested!?" Yamada nodded holding his stomach. "Two gold coins for one piece." "Um...could I pay you back later?" "Go away! You're bad for business!" Yamada walked away scratching his head. "How do I make money? Maybe I should try and find Ul'lanna and Jacara." Several Elves surrounded Yamada instantly. They drew their weapons on him placing it at his throat. "Why are you looking for those two?" "Ummm..." "Are you looking for the reward too?" "...Yes." "Well its ours!" Another one shouted. Yamada eyed the gaunt and frail Elves, their weapons shaking from their weak grips. "Are you all hungry as well?" They shifted glances. "I'll take that as a yes." "What are you going to do about it?" "I just got here, do you all know a way to make money?" "There's a competition and the reward is 1000 gold pieces." "Really!? Let's go!" They looked at him confused.
Escorting Yamada through the quadrant the women eyed him up and down. "What is your name?" "Yama-" The Elves all shifted their gaze to him. Yamada's brain went into hyper drive remembering one of Jacara's rants. 'Artraxians love to have X's in their names.' "Maxon...Yamaxon." They gave him a suspicious stare. He was brought in front of a short line, with giant burly warriors clad in armour of with their chests exposed. Cheers erupted after a hard slam echoed out. "BWAHAHAH!" Bi'ranna cackled. She wore her hair tied back over her ears, with her eyes now a solid black. Dressed in Artraxian armour. "Can no one beat the strongest warrior in all of Artaraxus?" Zi'lara asked the crowd. He wore a scholars robes, bright gold with black accents. Yamada bent over to look around the line seeing a large cloaked figure resting their arm on a table. He turned back to the gaunt Elves. "What's this competition?" "You beat that person in an arm wrestle, and we get the gold." "That's it?" Yamada asked cocking his eyebrow. They nodded and he shrugged. Yamada's turn arrived after the cloaked figure ended the competition in a swift and decisive manner. Yamada approached with everyone giving him jeers at his size compared to the cloaked person.
He sat down looking at that person's arm. "Don't you want to rest?" "HA! You'll need all the help you can get!" Zi'lara declared. Bi'ranna cocked her head to the side fawning over Yamada's physique. "Are you sure?" Yamada asked. The cloaked figure slammed his elbow onto the stone slab. "Hurry up!" Yamada had his hand enveloped. Zi'lara placed his hand atop of theirs. "READY! SET! GO!" The cloaked figure let out cheery boast. The crowd let out a gasp seeing Yamada's arm frozen in place. Bi'ranna and Zi'lara gasped with bulging eyes. Yamada cocked an eyebrow. "You're pretty strong." He heard grunts and strains, seeing the figure's arm tremble and shake. "How is he doing that?" Zi'lara asked. "I have no idea, but I want that hand on me." Zi'lara gave her a concerned stare. Yamada's stomach grumbled. "Sorry, but I'm really hungry, and so are they. Can I finish this now?" "You piece of shit! ARGH!" She roared. Yamada slowly pulled his hand to the other end. "PUSH HARDER! YOU CAN BEAT HIM!" Zi'lara cheered. Yamada looked to him. "No. No, she can't." He said casually pinning her hand.
The gaunt Elves cheered jumping for joy elated. "Where's the reward of one thousand gold pieces?" "I want a rematch!" Alexandra declared removing her hood. The crowd gasped and quickly sprinted away. "My arm was tired." "But I asked-" "No! I want a rematch. Follow me!" "Why? I just want the money, so I can eat, and so they can eat." "They can come too." They gasped in delight jogging behind Alexandra stomping her feet. Bi'ranna eyed Yamada up and down. "What's your name great warrior?" She asked rubbing her shoulder onto him. "Yama..xon..." "So, Yamaxon are you seeing anyone right now?" "I'm seeing you?" She blushed. Yamada was thrown into a carriage and taken to the Hendrik quadrant. He sat beside Bi'ranna with Zi'lara and Alexandra glaring at him. "Where are we going? I need to be in Artaraxus." "We're still in Artaraxus." Alexandra said. "We are!? But!" Yamada scratched his head. 'Just how big are these places? I miss Yamata.'
He and the gaunt Elves were brought before giant shining bronze gates. A servant dressed in lingerie greet them. She was barely covered and greet Alexandra with a tired gaze. "More guests?" "Yes. Now prepare them a feast, and get me a Blessed. I need to be at full strength." She rolled her eyes, before gesturing for them to come along. They sat around a long table being brought juicy grilled meats and fruit platters, with toasted bread. They greedily ate with no decorum, stuffing their mouths to the brim. Alexandra plopped down next to Yamada slamming her elbow into the table. "Alright, I'm better than new. Let's do this!" Yamada looked at her with a grilled drumstick in his mouth, and his hands filled to the brim with rice. "You don't get to eat any of this unless you take her challenge." Zi'lara glared. "Mmmm..." Yamada frowned wiping his hand. "You got lucky last time. She was tired and now you're gonna lose." "Can you stop? If you kiss her ass anymore, I'm going to cut off your lips." Bi'ranna said.
Alexandra let out a proud lion's roar pulling with all her weight and might. Yamada's arm was completely frozen in place. He took the drumstick out of his mouth. "Can I keep eating now?" "NNGHHH! WHY...WON'T...YOU...MOVE!?" "Because I'm stronger than you?" "ARGHHHH!" Feeling awkward Yamada let his arm slowly fall to the table. Hope and joy filled Alexandra. "Yamaxon, you'll be on the streets again, if you lose." Bi'ranna said. Yamada slammed his arm down, tipping Alexandra over. She stood up pouting at him, her eyes getting watery. "Did something get into your eye?" He asked. "NO!" She stormed off. Yamada watched puzzled as she stormed off with Zi'lara following her. "What was that about?" "Oh nothing. So, tell me about yourself." Bi'ranna said biting her lower lip. "About what?" "I'm from the islands of-" Everyone looked up at him. "Kumo...I'm from Kumo." Bi'ranna gasped. "You've been to the floating kingdom!? What was that like? Is it amazing? Was it as beautiful as they say it is?" Yamada's mind raced with images of Karina. "Yes."
"Why have you come here then?" "He's looking for the bounty on the traitor captain Ul'lanna and the son of Encara." "That so?" Bi'ranna said reaching for a dagger on her back. "Ah not anymore. I just wanted food, and to help feed them." Yamada chuckled. Bi'ranna relaxed. "What's next for you?" "I am looking for my friends. They said they would meet me here." "What are their names? I have some connections here." "They're..." Yamada trailed off. "A secret. It's okay, I'll find them. We always have a way for getting into trouble together." "Where are you going to start?" "I'll look around." "Maybe you take a bath first?" "I could use one of those." "With me." Bi'ranna muttered. "Huh?" "Nothing." He sat in a lavish hot tub by himself, finally getting time to relax. He stared at his reflection in the water seeing his new hair. "What did he do to me? Why isn't it changing back? Some kind of Enk magic? Hmmm..." Yamada dunked his head under water checking it again. "How are they going to recognise me?"
Ul'lanna and Jacara patrolled the Axilas quadrant, dressed in matching clothes. They adopted the cultures clothing of loose fitted robes that let them enjoy the breeze during the warm midday. "Any luck dear?" Jacara asked. "Air tight. We'll need to make some noise to get in." "So we're back to square one." Ul'lanna wrapped herself around Jacara's arm, resting on his shoulder. "Sadly yes..." "We could run away together..." Jacara said. "Find your sister, and go back to the Silver City. Live our lives away from this war." She caressed his face. "We can't run from this. Not when we could help end all of this suffering." "Well, our key to that is currently missing and we have no idea when he's going to get here." "It took us a while to get here, and that was with transportation. He will be a while." "I would second guess you, but it's him, and he always has a way of getting us into trouble. So I guess we wait for that." "Besides, it's not the worse. I did just find a new dress to try on tonight." "Why won't this sun set faster?"
Urkse and Valsko sat in the stands of the coliseum. With Urkse scowling at the hilt sticking out of the ground. "Still angry we couldn't move that thing?" "No." He sulked. "I'm angry that we have a job to do, that will apparently awaken a Forsaken Knight, but you haven't found any of the pillars, and yes. We can't move that fucking thing!" "We'll figure it out eventually." "He could be a little clearer on what those pillars even are." "He's always secretive." "If he knows the answer why not do it himself?" "He's busy. Said something about awakening Himiko." "Oh, yes he knows that she's alive as well, and where she is." "Tuskdran." Urkse glared at him. "I'm his number two. He tells me everything." "Eugh whatever."
Begron sat with Annorak and Sokra chained by his side. Their secluded room hidden on the outskirts of the Hendrik Quadrant. "Sokra! You look well." He let out a muffled scream thrashing on his chains. "Now, now. I never promised when I would free you. Only that you would be freed." "What is your game?" Begron asked yanking Sokra down. "I have no intention of telling you that Begron. All you need to know, is that I require Sokra to continue my work, and you want the safety of your family." "I have no insurance that if I release him, you will keep your end." "Of course not. However as it stands, Aurelia and Luci reside in the Hendrik keep bored out of their minds with your restrictions." "I could kill you both and be done with this." "Please. By all means, you are welcome to try." Annorak said opening his arms. "Take your prisoner. Leave me and my family alone." "Where's all that bloodlust gone Begron? 15 years ago you would have sacrificed your own blood for a good fight." "I'm not that person anymore." Annorak chuckled. "I guess after you slaughter a helpless nation, it must get tiring. Very well , we will be off. We will not go after your family." Begron threw Sokra's leash. "There better not be."
"Luci!" Aurelia shouted. "Get back here!" "No! I'm bored!" She shouted sprinting away, running circles in their room. "We can go for a walk-" "NO! It's always the same place! I want to see the different things!" "Your father-" "I thought you didn't listen to daddy." "I-..." Aurelia pinched between her brow. "You're right enough of this. Get dressed we're going to go explore." "YAAYYY!" She sprinted around the room with her arms up. Two Elven Commanders entered the room. "Auntie, we advise-" She raised her hand. "I will not listen to his bastards, and you will not address me as your auntie. Am I clear?" She snapped. They lowered their heads. "Now, we are leaving. Follow us if you will or leave us. However I will not spend another second in this room."
Aurelia and Luci wore wealthy and luxurious clothing of Kal'Nar, to avoid the revealing nature of Artaraxus fashion. Luci skipped along Aurelia, holding her hand, with a bright smile. Seeing the new sights and people. She gasped in awe at their fashion. "Mummy! Mummy! What's that food?" "Let's go ask the merchant." They stopped in front of a stall with a man stirring a large cauldron. "May I ask what you are selling?" Luci peered inside seeing a fish head float to the top. She let out a terrified shriek running behind Aurelia. "Fish bone soup." "So a soup with fish in it." "Fish bones." "So there's no meat-" "Meat!?" He scoffed. "Everything goes to you stupid fucking Elves and the royals!" He snapped. "Do not talk to me like that!" She ordered. The merchant stood up walking around his cauldron. "Where do you think you are huh? HUH!?" Aurelia took a few steps back holding onto Luci's hand. "I don't see your honour guards anywhere. Or any guards for that fact." "You touch us and you're dead. Do you hear me?" Luci turned around seeing other merchants surround them. "I've always wondered what royal Elf pussy taste like." He said licking his lips. Aurelia snatched Luci into her arms. She ran like the wind with the merchants sprinting after her.
Yamada walked through the street with Bi'ranna latched beside him. "What do they look like?" He said nothing. "Stoic. I can respect that. Do you know where you're going?" Yamada ignored her, looking around. "Do your feet hurt? I can get you boots." "I'm fine." "I heard those from Kumo fight with their bare hands. Is that how you fight?" "I prefer to have a sword." "Ooo! What kind? I'll ask Alexandra if she can give you one." "It's special type." 'So mysterious! I love it.' Yamada stopped in front of a burly sweaty blacksmith hammering away at the spine of a long sword. "What do you want?" He asked in a gruff voice swinging his hammer down. "I want you to make a sword." "Could you be more specific? Dumbass." "A great sword bigger than me made of pure Deiridium." The entire area went silent cocking their eyebrow at him. "You want a great sword...bigger than you, and made completely of pure Deiridium?" "Yes." The area erupted into laughter. "Get outta here you idiot. Don't waste our time." "I won't waste my time with subpar black smiths." He slammed his hammer down. "What did you say to me?"
"I said. You're subpar. It means bad." Bi'ranna took a few steps back. "See this anvil here? It's pure Deiridium as well. It hasn't moved in the last 30 years. If you can lift this over your head, I'll cons-" Yamada ripped the anvil off the ground with one hand and threw it to the side. The blacksmith stared at him in complete disbelief. He rolled his eyes at him. "I'm going to find another blacksmith." Yamada took the anvil and effortless slotted it back into the imprint. Bi'ranna stared at him with her jaw hanging on the ground. She jogged after him. "How did you do that?" "Do what?" "You just threw that thing like it was nothing." "Training." "Alexandra has spent years training her muscles, and she's barely as strong as you." "She's training wrong..." Yamada trailed off, turning his head to, hearing a faint shout. He sprinted off with Bi'ranna failing to keep up. The merchants tackled Aurelia to the ground knocking Luci out of her grip. They pulled her arm and legs taut while another ripped her clothes off. "HELP!" She screamed and trashed. The merchant pulled his pants down slapping her across the face. "Shut up you bitch! We're getting what we deserve." "LUCI RUN!" She screamed. She froze, hearing her heart pounding in her ears. Her lips quivered and her body trembled. "LUCI RUN!"
Standing up to run, she spun around and bumped into Yamada's leg. She fell to the ground with tears streaming down her face. Luci looked up to Yamada with his stoic appearance wearing a scowl and his fists clenched. He marched in with his head slowly turning into a Draken. The men ran away terrified leaving Aurelia to cover herself. Yamada knelt down beside her. "Avert your eyes!" She ordered. He ignored her, looking at her bruises and torn clothes. He tore off parts of his Kāṣāya, and used it to tie parts of her dress together. She gave him a reserved look. He turned to Luci still trembling on the ground. He looked at her with a bright and warm smile. "Brave girl. You can come over now. It's safe." "MUMMY!" She screamed and sprinted to Aurelia. She dove face first sobbing wildly.
Bi'ranna jogged in drenched in sweat and trying to catch her breath. "Ahhhh fuck!....how are you so damn fast..." "Can we take these two to somewhere safe?" Yamada asked. "Who some girl and....ahhhhhhh!" Bi'ranna's eyes bulged realizing who stood before her. She fell to one knee and bowed. "How may I be of assistance!?" Aurelia stood up covering herself and holding Luci's hand. "Take us to the Keep." "Of course!" 'Play along! Play along! Don't let them know who you are!' Walking away Yamada was stopped by Aurelia's voice. "Where are you going?" "Um...to find a blacksmith?" She looked him up and down. "Do you have any gold?" "I...I don't...Do you know where I can make some?" "I do. Follow me." Yamada followed along. 'What is with this guy? He seems like a lost dog. How is he even alive?' Bi'ranna thought. Aurelia held Luci onto her chest. She looked back to Yamada. "Mister, what's your name?" "Yamaxon." "Yamak...ya...can I call you Yam-Yam?" "Luci." Aurelia said. Yamada sniggered. "Sure, what do I call you?" "Luci!" She said lighting up with joy. "Can I call you Lu-lu?" She nodded happily. "Daddy calls me that as well!"
"What did you do to them? They ran away all scared." "I showed them a very scary face." "Can I see it?" Yamada went crossed eyed and stuck his tongue out. Luci giggled and snorted. "THERE YOU ARE!" A voice shouted. The merchants had lined up by the dozens with guards. "There he is!" 'I just had to choose this damn alleyway!' Bi'ranna thought. "Move aside! These men tried to rape me." Aurelia ordered. "We know." The guard said. "And we're very angry with them, that they didn't invite us." One of them said pointing his weapon. Bi'ranna created a Wind gate above them. Yamada walked to the front patting Bi'ranna on the shoulder. "Don't worry about that. Make sure they don't get hurt." "What are you going to do? Fight them without a weapon?" "Yep." He said cracking his neck. The first guard charged in thrusting his spear. Yamada caught the shaft pulling the guard in and threw a haymaker.
Teeth and blood flew through the air, before his skull smashed against the wall with a wet crunch. Yamada shook his bloodied hand. "Well, you guards are incredibly weak. How do you protect anyone, when you die from one punch?" The others rushed him letting out their battle cries. Yamada evaded their sluggish attacks and slaughtered them all with a swift single blow. Each one released a bloodied mist and shattered bone. After a few seconds he stood over massacre of twitching bodies. He turned to the other three completely frozen in shock and awe. "Is there another way to the keep?" Bi'ranna nodded with her jaw hanging. Walking in silence Luci stared at Yamada completely mesmerised. "Did I scare you Lu-Lu?" She shook her head. "Are you okay?" She nodded. "How did you do that!?" She squealed. "You beat them all up with your hands!" "I practiced a lot, when I was your age." "Why did you practice with your hands?" "I didn't have a weapon." "Mummy says people who fight with their hands are dogs."
Aurelia let out a nervous chuckle, jostling Luci. "I did not say that." "Yes you did! You say it every time I train with Mykel." "Ahaha..." She turned around to Yamada now terrified at his strength. "I meant no disrespect. I just didn't want my daughter to use her fists." "But mum! You saw him! He was amazing!" "Why do you want to practice with your fists?" "Daddy said, the strongest woman he ever met was a fighter like that." "That so? Well, I'll let you know the strongest woman I have ever known. Uses a big long sword." "Really? She doesn't punch like you?" He shook his head. "Besides, if you train with your hands, they'll look like this." He said showing her, his scars and callous. Aurelia spotted them from the corner of her eye. They were heavy scars from violent attacks. She gulped. "Why do you train Yamaxon?" "Revenge." Bi'ranna and Aurelia stumbled on their next step. "That so...I'm sorry to hear that." "Don't worry, I'll get it soon enough." He said casually.
Arriving at the keep, Aurelia and Luci were rushed by several commanders. They brandished their weapons at Bi'ranna and Yamada. "Do not raise your weapons to them!" Aurelia shouted. "They kept us safe, unlike you worthless bastards! Now let them in at once!" "I'm okay to wait out here." Bi'ranna said. "Very well. Yamaxon please join us." Yamada obliged walking in as Bi'ranna sprinted away to catch her breath. He sat down in their room with Luci eagerly sitting across from him. Aurelia came out changed into another set of elegant emerald robes. "I cannot thank you enough for today." She dropped a large pouch of gold in front of him. "That should get you any weapon you need." "Oh thank you." "Are you looking for work?" "Not really. I'm looking for my friends that are here." "Then I have a plan that will be mutually beneficial for the both of us." Yamada cocked his head to the side. She gave him a suspicious look before taking a guess at his confusion. "It will be good for us both." His face lit up understanding her. "We hate this room during the day." "Hate it!" Luci declared. "What do you want me to do?"
"For a sizeable fee per day, you will escort us around the quadrants. Meals, clothing and lodging will be provided as well. While you escort us, you will also get to explore all of Artaraxus and potentially find your friends." "That's a great plan! When do I start?" "Tomorrow. For now, I think we have had enough excitement for one day." "Can you teach me how to punch like you!?" "Luci!" She scolded. Yamada held his hand. Aurelia noticed the scars on his palm. Luci cocked her fist back throwing a punch into his palm. A tiny slap sound petered out. She pouted. "Why is mine so quiet?" "You're feet are all wrong." "My feet? But I'm punching. Who cares about my legs?" "Here try this way." He stood next to her. "Copy me. Take a step in. Now turn your hips. Then your shoulder, and throw it." Yamada squatted down holding out his hand letting her try once more. "HIYAH!" A slap sound rung out. "YEAH!" He cheered. Luci jumped for joy hearing the sound.
"Alright Luci. It's time for your nap." "Aww I don't want to nap! I'm not tired." "Yamaxon is also probably tired. "Again! Again! Please!" "Luci, maybe you give him some rest and-" Yamada held up his hand. "HIYAH! HIYAH! HIYAH!" She shouted throwing several punches. Luci keeled over letting out an exhausted sigh. "I'm done." She panted. "Only six punches?" "How many could you do at five?" "I did fifty every day!" She frowned at Yamada. "Again! HIYAH! HIYAH! HI...YAH.....Ahhhhh..." She fell back tired. "How many...-"You're at nine." "MMMM! I'll do fifty tomorrow! I want to take a nap." "Thought you weren't tired." Yamada said with a smug grin. "I'm not!" She declared crossing her arms. Yamada held his hand out. "Then you can keep going then?" she looked to Aurelia. "You didn't want to nap." She shrugged. "I want to nap." She pouted rubbing her arm. "Well go take a bath first. You've worked up a sweat." She sulked away with Aurelia snickering. "Since she could talk and walk. No wet nurse, maid or I could make her take a nap. I have to thank you again." She sat down taking a gulp.
"Your injuries...are they related to your vengeance quest?" "Yes." "May I ask who this man you want to kill is?" "He is considered a hero to your kind. I rather not say his name here." "I understand. May I ask you to leave for now, and come back tomorrow morning? My husband will return soon, and I do not want him to have a misunderstanding. Yamada stood up and bowed. "I understand. Have a good afternoon..." "Please. Call me Aurelia." He nodded and waved goodbye. "Tell Luci, I will be back tomorrow." "She will look forward to it." Begron returned late in the afternoon being stopped by the commanders outside. Their bedroom door exploded open with Begron taking the offensive Magic Knight stance. Sword raised up to the face with their offhand open and in front of the blade. "Where is he!? Exousia! Where is he?" Luci and Aurelia looked at Begron from their bed. "Where is who?" "Don't play dumb with me! They told me you brought some godly Artraxian into our quarters. Then they heard slapping sounds."
"Oh Begron. You're being ridiculous. I was simply hiring a new bodyguard for us." "You were what?" "A new bodyguard. One more capable than your bastards." "Who is he?" "He's amazing daddy! He goes PAH! And they go SPLAT! Then he goes WHAM! And then! And then they go EUGH before a big SPLAT!" She said jumping on the bed. Begron cocked an eyebrow. "Is that so..." "MMHMMM! You have to meet him daddy! He's super strong like you!" "Luci, could I speak with your mother for a moment?" "Are you two gonna fuck?" The two looked at her stunned. "Mykel, said that's what you do, when you make me leave. "Well that's something we're going to have to address when we get home." Begron nodded at Aurelia. "No we're not going to do that, and forget that word." Begron ordered. "But!" Aurelia covered her ears. "This is as good as its gonna get." "Who is this man? How can you trust him?" "Begron. Today several men held me down and tried to rape me." "WHAT!?" He shouted. "Exactly. Your bastards were nowhere to be found. You know who was there to save me? That man. Now, we cannot stay in this room while you run off forever." "I will need to meet with him, before I can sign off on this." "You will meet him tomorrow morning."