No...I'm sorry just no. I am not re-watching the pack travel through the hot sands again. If you want more information about them, why not see what the others are doing when there is nothing new to learn? Exactly now shut up...Hmmm...AH! The goblin that went on his own quest that should be good!...You wish to not hear it? Tough. I am the god here and you have had what you want for too long. Let us begin.
The moon filled the sky as Wilt was sitting on a branch about twenty feet into the air, chewing a apple before looking up at the sky and thinking out loud,
''Two days already...Hope those idiots don't go off and die without me...Mathis should be fine and so will Bee...But that bird...Well no point in dwelling on the crew...If I push through the night then I should be back in about two hours...Don't worry Aarc I'll make sure your buried proper…''
The goblin finished the apple before he started his descent down, landing and brushing off the sawdust from his small claws on his leather armor and proceeded to continue into the night.
Some time had past before Wilt started noticing more dead and broken trees, flowers wilted and burned to ash making him wonder,
''I swear it was a lot closer in than this that the fight spread...What in the infinite hells is happening?''
He went down to his knees near one of the biggest piece of broken tree laying flat on it's side and seemingly scorched almost to charcoal, he laced his two lead fingers together and rubbed in a small circle in where the roots once were, pulling it out to see a purple residue that he slide off his fingers into a small vial before closing the lid tight and swirling it above his hand, licking his fingers he had used in the ground and to his surprise it tasted sweet, almost like fresh honey straight from the hive, confusing the goblin even more as his thoughts became more angry,
''What? Honey? What type of magic is this? Whoever did use it on this stuff managed all this?''
He started looking around at the once proud forest that he called his home; now the only trees left standing were decaying if not already dead and fallen before he heard the sound of metal meeting metal in the direction he was going.
Wilt gritted his teeth, pulling out his serrated blade off his back from under his cloak and proceeded with caution through the tree line as the sounds became closer, he saw animals running away from the sounds as he started to see what looked like four shadow silhouettes fighting, One very tall and broad and some type of shine came of him as he moved while the other three were small and jumped around him like flies. Wilt saw this and prepared his blade as he speed through the brush, the shadows became visible as he saw a fully armoured man drop to his knee as a group of three ugly deformed Gnomes all laughed, kicking the man before the laughing was cut by the sound of metal penetrating flesh, Two of them looked to see a blade pushing through the throat of the third, as he dropped lifeless, Wilt stood and cleaned his blade after violently pulling it out and aimed at the other two who jumped back before running off into the night, Wilt sheathed his blade to his back once more before turning to the man on his knee and offering a hand, he lifted his face showing him truly for the first time.
Wilt saw the big and bulking armour of full plate from afar but now he saw the golden engravings of the sun adorned all over it, He was Half-elf by first glance, long and muddy blond hair that was sticking to his scalp from the blood of the foolish gnomes. His eyes were a dark green with flecks of silver. Staggering on to his feet, his full height dwarfed Wilt as his body looked over the small goblin standing at least six foot four. Wilt still not sure did not lower his weapon as this man bowed low his eyes now on Wilt's level,
"Thank you young goblin if it wasn't for you these things would have killed me. But what are you doing in these parts? Everyone and things that were local seems to have been killed or missing. The only things I've ran into for days have been these damned gnomes. Little abominations won't stay dead for long though."
Wilt was mildly confused. At first this warrior was fighting for his life and only a second later was bowing down to Wilt, he responded, questions running through his head,
"First I'm not young, second what do you mean they won't stay dead? I stabbed the thing through the spine and I don't see a god around to resurrect the parasites and lastly...who even are you? I've never seen you before in my life"
The warrior raised fully, looking up towards the moon, his blood stained hair glistening as he spoke.
"I.. I am Alexander Sterlingbloom, servant of the sun, bringer of the dawn and slayer of vermin and in return for saving me I will help you in your quest."
Wilt rolled his eyes huffing out before responding,
"Damn It...even when I try to get away from the bird, his piety follows me like a bad smell...plus I'm here for a personal… event"
Wilts voices railed off as he looked to where his house and life once was, the bar was nothing but collapsed rocks and broken splints, Wilt barely paid attention to the paladin as he approached his destroyed home, getting closer his stopped as he saw the remains of the sign unreadable to most but Wilt recognises the minor font as he mumbled out,
"The Coal & Cauldron"
Alexander followed a couple feet behind Wilt as he walked into the remains of the bar, the corpses of his friends scattered around were their broken forms making the goblin almost spew from the sight. Alexander laid a consoling hand on the goblin small shoulder softly speaking,
"If you would like I can bury these people...I can see they meant a lot to you… I'm very sorry for your loss and I will do all I can to give them a proper burial.. If that's what you want."
Wilt looked up to the stranger, gritting his teeth as he saw Aarc's body mutilated beyond recognition and only being able to tell from seeing his adventuring crest of his ring poking out. Wilt rushed over to his friend, finding only his charred form filled with holes completely frozen stiff from rigormortis, his eyes sunken inwards, bugs pulling away at any flesh for their hives. Wilt gagged at the sight, turning and dry heaving. Almost falling on his knees before Alexander caught him feeling pity for the goblin he led him over to a small rock to sit on. Before going around collecting up the remains, laying them outside the bar on the decaying ground. As he went along muttering a small inaudible prayer to himself. Leaving Aarc for last taking care of his lifeless form laying it to the stump of the one great tree.
He turned looking towards the shacking goblin before he approached, kneeling on one knee he began to speak,
"I have readied lands for the funeral. I need to make sure our little friends don't wake up…. Take your time…. I won't be far."
Alexander said, placing a hand down on Wilt's shoulder for a moment before getting up leaving the goblin to mourn,
"Thank you Alexander. But...But I just need a moment."
The warrior did not look back, simply raised a fist as he continued walking to the remains of the gnomes now steaming forms, pulling his sword from his scabbard and one by one stabbing into the cores of the beings. Wilt staggered to his feet slowly walking to the remnants of his friend and life. Taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes for a moment then getting on his knees, praying for any god that may listen,
"I've never been a seriously religious man… but please...I beg of any of you to keep him safe. He did not deserve this fate. He put all his effort into this place and you burned it to the ground. So why did he deserve this…. I'm sorry but I have to know why...Please if anyone is listening…Why.... Why do these steps even exist? Who made them? Tell me so I can….."
His voice completely stopped as he cried out but no One responded. No gods. He was alone in front of his old destroyed life. Screaming out into the void of night, only the breaking of dawn brought him out of his thoughts. The paladin never being more than fifteen meters away, leaving the goblin to his emotions as he dismembered the gnome's bodies, scattering the chunks around the field. Wilt then looked to the now showing ring, the crest glowing like an ember as Wilt removed the it from his finger using his alchemic powers to not harm his body, placing it on his finger and now standing before the rising sun's soft red reflection of the band,
"I promise Aarc...Shitto will be sent into the lowest pit of the infinite hells for what he has done to you. NO! That is far too good for that bastard."
Now moving to the paladin, pulling out a couple bottles of sandstorm before calling Alexander, throwing the bottle towards the warrior who grabbed it instinctively,
"Drink up! This is thanks for helping me out."
Wilt said, opening the bottle with one of his fangs before downing it. The warrior pulled off the lid by using his armor as a wrench Then drinking it in one go,
"Thanks for that. Hard work putting gnomes in the ground, I never saw an undertaker, especially not for gnomes."
He said before they both threw the bottles and chuckled at the comment before Wilt responded,
"You can thank my friend Mathis. Nicked it just before he got married. That man had his entire family boss me around for a week so it was well earned."
Wilt said, before looking over the rubble and death all around him. Frowning as the paladin rolled his eyes,
"Another Mathis? Great...Probably a rich pretty boy right"
Wilt smeared at the comment, taking his thoughts to his friends and comrades wondering what they were doing Probably something stupid he thought,
"Yeah he is actually...kinda looked like you at one point though. Not that he would ever admit it...But can you begin the funeral...I don't really think I'd be much help digging graves."
Alexander nodded as he silently started digging the plots, all at least five feet deep. Luckily for the warrior the ground was soft and easy to dig but hours went by as the sun rose into the sky before beginning it's descent. It was almost dusk before he was finished.
Wilt was keeping an eye on the moving pieces of sludge, still churning on the ground. Ever so often he would pour a thick liquid on it, dissolving the chunks before they would reform. Wilt decided to take a vile from his pouch and place some of the strange material into it before sealing it with some of his reserves. After the body's were placed inside and the whole filled in leaving Aarcs for last as Wilt asked,
"Alexander I know you are a holy warrior but I know these men...especially Aarc would not want some prey to a Paladins god when that is pretty far from that they worshipped.''
Alexander looked puzzled but nodded before he spoke,
''Very well...A silent prayer from me it will be. Please go. Say what you must.''
"Thank you…. My friends and comrades I know you are not in any of the heavens...none of us will see any of the 'purely white gates' or even the pits of hell...The gods forgot about us and abandoned us long ago but we lived good lives, we did amazing things together, saved countless p...people but I will keep our oath going. Until we storm the gates of heaven I won't stop...I can promise you that at the very least."
He lifted his head and could see the confused face of Alexander standing just behind him before Wilt walked past towards a pile of giant trees cut clean in half before the paladin spoke,
''Shall I fill the holes?''
Wilt stopped and turned to him,
''Aye...Don't worry I'm just going to grab some things quick...Be ten minutes most.''
Alexander nodded his head as he started to fill the dirt back into the plots.
Wilt was now climbing the lower tree, making his way to what would have been near the top of the grand pine and finding a small ornate door handle that made him show a small smile as he opened it, seeing his old home for the first time and almost broke his fang in anger seeing most of his possessions missing except a tall chest that still had marks and scratch as if someone tried to get in, he walked over to it and waved his hand over the latch, making it spring open as Wilt started grabbing a few pictures showing him and Aarc and three others before smiling again, speaking to himself,
''Wonder what you guys are up to nowadays...I should probably look into it, let them know about Aarc…''
His frown returned as he put the pictures in his armoured rucksack and pulled out two more bags, much smaller but when he placed his hand in it seemed to go forever before taking his arm out and placing them both over each his shoulders, finally grabbing a six inch serrated dagger that looked more like a sword in his hands, he gripped it tight then opened his palm to read the inscription on the handle as he read it aloud,
''The baby of the group...needs a baby's sword...This should keep you going well after I've kicked the bucket so take care of it. - Aarc.''
It made the goblin smile through his tears and sniffles as he looked at the ring on his hand before walking towards the door but not before looking back at the room he had lived in for two decades and smiled again and spoke as he left,
''Thank you for the memories...Not just my crew...Not even just my new crew….But thank you for showing what life is like in retirement.''
His smile left as he slammed the door and jumped down the logs as he finished his sentence,
''Retirement...Is not for me.''
He landed on his feet before walking over to the paladin, ushering him back before Alexander spoke,
''But...This is the last hole? Your dear friend Aarc? I do apologize I'm not good with Orc names.''
Wilt let out a small laugh before opening his bag over the hole, rich brown dirt flowed out continually until the plot was filled and he brushed the dirt of the top back into the bag with his hand before the paladin spoke,
''An Everbag? Got rich taste yourself I see.''
Wilt turned and looked angered before he spoke,
''Hey...I have had these two since I was twenty! Found a dead gnome sorcerer with one and his apprentice with another...No good on a dead evil right?''
Alexander laughed at this before grabbing his sword and aligning it on his back before he looked at the goblin,
''I'm sorry you have suffered so much...Where do you intend to go next?''
Wilt looked up as the sun said it's final goodbyes as the night crawled in making him smile as he spoke,
''Me?...Going to find a group of False Heroes...Finish some promises and then...Who knows...What about you?''
Alexander smiled before stretching out his hand,
''Well I need to go north to find someone I have been hunting. I hope our paths cross again Wilt.''
The goblin smiled as grabbed the man's arm,
''Aye...But you do realise I'm going north to right? We should stay together until the port near Perimeter Cross right?''
Alexander made a face of confidence before being betrayed by his brow now sweating,
''Y-Yes that makes sense! Let us go my friend!''
The paladin started to walk off , Wilt followed behind and pulled another two bottles from his bag, handing one to Alexander and thinking to himself as he opened his and took a big sip,
''Mathis shouldn't need this too much...What am I saying! He probably hasn't even noticed it yet, the royal asshole!''
The goblin began to laugh before Alexander looked down even more confused before he spoke,
''This Mathis is not going to be happy with you at this point...How many did you take?''
Wilt stopped his laughter and answered with a smile,
''About twenty...What? He carries them all over his body like fucking weapons! Swear there is at least six in his pockets at all times...You going to complain or you going to drink?''
Alexander laughed a loud bellow before he opened his drink,
''Well then...Cheers to lord Mathis!''
The two clinked their glasses as they continued on into the night.
The night came cold from the heat of the desert sun as Mathis was still grumbling and looking upset as Bee spoke,
''Ya sure you didn't just leave them in Recocto?''
''NO! I had like forty for the journey! Who the fuck has been robbing me?! Elias?! You look like you would have!''
Kyu started to stare at the moon's brilliance, stars making the black background look like it was made of silver before he looked over to the two and spoke,
''Oh, Wilt took them. He said that you was okay with it.''
Mathis now walked towards the angel with a evil look on his face before he came down to meet eye to eye with the sitting Azamaar,
''Bird...Do I look like the type to give away my Sand Storm?''
Kyu passed Mathis a single Dragon and spoke,
''No, he said this is the token. It is something you truly love so I assumed it was true.''
Mathis looked on the verge of tears before Elias laughed, pointing to the outline of a town between two huge plateaus and spoke,
''Calm down, that place has Sand Storm on tap. Only about half a hour out from the town of Glassand''
The crew all stood and began to move between the plateaus and into the town that they wished to call home.
Well what do you know? People can change so drastically over certain events can't they? Oh calm down it could be seen as a compliment? Shut up and tell me the question you have...Hm? Why are the Gnome's so hated? Sadly when I took this position I wanted to see the truth myself but alas it was so wretched that the first god of the archives completely wiped it from any form of existence...Rather sad but the only thing that it tells me as a holy being...They must have done something to be this hated I'm sure...That goblin though has more resolve than I initially anticipated but it was no surprise you had faith. Most of this eccentric pack of False Heroes seem to be able to handle the harsher aspects of solo travelling but that shows me that when they reunite they will be stronger together than ever before...Oh I bet that must sting knowing that is the outcome...Hm? Ah yes your right there is the bride of Mathis doing her duties on Recocto but do not fret we will get to her story soon but now I am surprised you have not asked the big question...Has the Seven Sands finally been lifted of the curse set in the bygone era? Perhaps. That will all depend on the actions of the pack as the lands rich minerals can turn any petty army into a militia of death and blood...Seems like they will do well in this little town but of course you know that soon they will face the biggest challenge thus far...Maybe not for the Azamaar or the demon and definitely not for the Goliath or even the town of Glassand itself...For the young prince Mathis Tysol on the other hand… We will finally see how his deep seeded emotions will react to the events starting to unfold.