Tyler and his party walked straight into the Spear and to the lady's desk.
"We need to see Seline. NOW."
She nodded and the lift came down. Tyler between the group and the door. The fox lady was sitting on her couch as they entered, and he had Malico lay out the wands. The fox's eyes went wide as she saw the three evil items laid before her.
"Where'd you find these?"
"Roxy's magic shop. After I got burned by a banned black in a Blue/grey book. They were hidden inside staffs."
Seline dropped the shutters.
"What town?"
"Yalik."
"What is your plan?"
"NOTHING from Yalik gets through that gate without a White Path searching it by hand. Any refuse this rule, arrest and search anyway. Next. I and my party will search the other shops ourselves."
Seline rubbed her eyes.
"We don't have any white paths in the city."
"Not even a temple?"
She looked at him.
"There is a temple not connected to the church, but they refuse to even greet us."
"What's their sect?"
"White Path of Purity."
"I'll go terrify them. Worse case, I kill the head priest to make my damned point."
Wulf chuckled.
"You won't have to go that far. I know this Sect, as I have a cousin that is a member. They abhor the black with such a burning passion. If we tell them we need them to check for such evil, they will aid us."
"That is still more racist then I'd like. But at least we have an in. I am of the white path. If need be, I can show off my Divine Resurgence mastery to make my damned point."
Tyler then looked at Seline.
"Are we in agreement?"
She nodded.
"We are."
Tyler then had an idea.
"Hey, Wulf, watch this."
Kaori smiled, knowing EXACTLY what he was about to do. Tyler looked at a now curious Seline.
"So, how did Tatiana react to your update?"
The poor fox lady fell off her couch, so absolute was her shock and surprise. Wulf was flabbergasted. Malico just chuckled, Sera was confused and Lilia shook her head. Seline got up off the floor, shaking as she looked at him.
"How did you know?"
Tyler chuckled.
"Kinda obvious really. Check it. A group of random adventurers roll up to her front door with the princesses in tow, a bunch of banned spells, a mythical elven bow, and a story of blood and betrayal. Then that same group says they're headed for the Queen herself anyway, the lead bastard kicks sand in the King's face, and walks out. Yeah, you used the exact same spell to contact your off again on again lover before that lift even touched the floor."
Seline was shaking so very badly at this boy that could see right through her deepest plans like she were made of windows.
"What will you do with this knowledge?"
Tyler shrugged.
"I don't really care what you do. Main issue for the moment is getting those damned Licenses and other crap off the streets before all hell breaks loose. Imagine if that wand had been found by those idiots the other day?"
Seline shuddered.
"You have not lied to me as of yet. And you've just painted a very disturbing image. Tatiana is expecting you and your party. She's agreed to shelter the girls, and knows of the bow."
"AND my sword."
Seline just sighed.
"So does the king. We know what that blade is, who's it was, and what that means."
"I trust you can keep a secret."
Seline nodded.
"If we don't, you'll just kill us."
"Yup. Annnd, No. It will NOT be a painless death."
Seline chuckled.
"I'd expect no less for breaking your trust."
"So we're clear, the legend of my bow? Yeah, it's bullshit."
"Once I told Tatiana about you, she said the exact same thing."
Tyler smirked.
"Well, is that King's network ready?"
She smiled darkly.
"I received a magical update this morning. The Kingdom has welcomed a new son and heir to the throne. The Warrior Kazuma was awarded then title of crown prince, and leading royal heir to the throne. From what I got, the boy was accepted wholeheartedly by the entirety of the court."
"That bastard?"
Seline was now openly laughing.
"Ohhh, he is LIVID. From what we know, he went on a tirade on the king for appointing such a green heir, how could he entrust the throne to a mere boy. You het the idea."
"His response?"
"The king had him thrown out of the throne room to quote, 'get his head out of his ass'."
Tyler smirked.
"Kazuma will pick RIGHT up on that phrase. AND who taught him it. Okay, he'll work all the harder now to both play our game, and because he knows we're alive. Plus, the pope just lost a strategy. He can't discredit he king in front of the court for being an incompetent ass since he appointed Kazuma his heir, which in the court's eyes was a very wise move. Kazuma will need to watch out from rigged jobs, but he's not stupid. He may be a hopeless optimist and always saw the bright side of life, but he is not dense."
Kaori chuckled.
"Kazuma always was the lucky one. Once saw him walk up to a card game, get dealt in, and pull a royal flush that same hand."
"I remember that. I just think that hot dealer rigged it for him."
"I thought the same thing, since they dated for a few months."
"Bastard."
"Agreed."
Seline smiled.
"The King's network is ready and active. You can even get some items and coin if you need it."
"Nice to see him get off his ass for once. Our pardon?"
Seline had a twinkle in her eye.
"He had Kazuma do it, on the grounds that there was no way you should have won that fight. He then said that, knowing you, it was in pure self defense, as since Kaori was last seen with you, and how ferociously loyal you are to friends, Kazuma reasoned that someone gave Gruven an order to do something to her, you stepped up to defend her, and Gruven threw the fight. From what we know, Tyler went from a hated murderer to a pitied hero that is being hailed as a defender of the right. Gruven is hailed as a true knight, while Kaori is being pitied for her plight."
Tyler and his friends all looked at each other.
"Ten gold say Kazuma came up with that title."
"Defender of the Right?"
"He doesn't know you very well, does he?"
"See? I KNEW Tyler was a hero!"
All heads looked to Sera, as she'd said the line. The young princess then hugged Tyler, nearly throttling him in the process.
"He's a hero! MY Hero!"
Tyler hugged her back,
"Just for you, Sera."
She giggled.
"But we all know Kaori's YOUR princess! I'll just be your little sister!"
Tyler looked at Kaori, who smiled widely.
"Well, she DOES have a crown of gold."
Malico smiled as well. I may have a place in his heart, and it is not small. But it would seem that Kaori will always be his number 1. Tyler sat Sera on his leg then and hugged her as they talked then, and the small princess loved it.
"Okay. The pope's plans got a setback. A very nice setback. Okay, Seline, I am going to trust you with something."
Seline became very attentive.
"What is it?"
"At this point, it's just a suspicion and nothing more, but it's been bothering me. Now, I believe there may have been a second summoning of warriors while the first yet live."
The foxlady's tails dropped to the couch, and she sighed.
"I see. I am saddened to say you're correct."
Wulf and Malico looked at her in abject shock.
"How?"
"Why?"
Seline sighed deeply.
"We just learned of this with the latest update. It would seem the Pope wasn't satisfied with the current crop of Warriors. So, he forced another summoning. Of TWICE the number of the current crop. So, 44 more were released into the world."
"And my sister is one of them."
Tyler rubbed his eyes, as Seline looked at him. Wulf and Malico groaned.
"Your sister?"
"She was the one that got Elirch with the sword. And what clued me in."
Kaori laid her head on the couch back as she sighed.
"I bet my father came this time."
"Would go with the trope."
"Maybe even a few soldiers from our world too?"
"Yup. But without their guns. I remember I had my pen in my pocket, and it vanished when we came through. I'd also bet that damned nanny also came through as well."
"And the other parents as well."
"We're gonna have a major mess in the first wave."
Kaori snorted.
"Not really. We'll break off from the main pack and find our own piece of the field to dominate."
Tyler patted her stomach.
"Atta girl."
Wulf sighed.
"Okay. Let's deal with the Licenses FIRST."
"Good idea, Wulf. We'll start off small and go from there. Seline."
She looked at him.
"What do you need?"
"Full execute authority. We're gonna go make a mess for a few hours until I am certain your city is clean."
The leader of the city got up and walked to a desk and pulled a piece of paper out. She wrote something and used her seal on it. She then presented it to Tyler.
"This signifies you're a Person Of Worth in my city. The town guard will aid you in your endeavors and you can use the military lanes in and out of the city."
"That'll make it easier. Now. I do have ONE final question on the waves."
"That being?"
"Can the teleport be rigged?"
Seline sighed.
"It can. BUT. You need the ENTIRE royal family's consent, and you need the target's consent. One without the other is useless."
"can a teleport be faked?"
"No. To be perfectly blunt, the Warrior teleport is the ONLY Teleport in existence. And before you ask, NO it CANNOT be copied. Many mages have tired, result? They died. Horribly."
Tyler sighed.
"The pope figured out a way. No way he hasn't."
Seline laughed.
"You're scary. He did. But, Kazuma destroyed their means to use it. It was a Licensed spell, and it was the only one produced, and he also took out their lab. Yeah, pope's pissed. But, since Kazuma found a set of banned spells as well, he can't openly say anything."
"Good. That's all I got. We'll get to work."
Tyler and his crew left the shaken foxlady in her office as they descended to the floor. Then they headed for Morlick's room. There they found a few more banned spells, copies of the ones they had, and Malico added them to their collection. Then they went to the magic shops. The first was run by a odd character. A blue skinned lady with fins for ears, needles for teeth, vertically slanted yellow eyes that blinked sideways, a massive flopping rack barely contained by a crop top, and skin with fish scales on her sides. Tyler was curious, for not even he had a clue just what she was. Even her hair was blue.
"Excuse me miss, but, what are you?"
She smiled, and her needle teether were seen. When she spoke, her voice was a odd gurgle, like if one were to speak underwater.
"My Lord, I am what is known as a mermaid."
Tyler was amazed.
"Wow, so you're what a mermaid looks like in this world? Cool. Got any Blue Path spells?"
She laughed, and it sounded like a bubbling brook. She then pointed a finned hand at a section devoted to the blue. Tyler smiled in thanks as his team looked over the Yalik shipments. Tyler pulled a spellbook and the first License he saw made him smile. WaterWall. A wall spell that conjures a ten foot wall of roiling waves between the caster and an attacker. Converts Physical Damage resistance into a physical wall. Cost? 50 mana. Tyler flipped to the next page, WaterFall. A follow up spell that turned WaterWall into a flattener. It was a follow up so only cost an additional ten mana. He flipped through the hundred page book, and ever ten pages was a new License in his path with a ten page description on what it was, and how to use it. He closed the book, finding he could use the whole thing, as his team found a few more wands, but oddly enough, no licenses. The mermaid behind the counter was shocked by the evil things.
"My Lord, I had no idea those were in their!"
Tyler chuckled as he placed the book on the counter.
"It's why we're looking. You're not in trouble. So, how much for this one?"
The Mermaid smiled with relief,
"95 silver."
Tyler tossed her a gold,
"Only got like 40 silver on me at the moment."
She laughed as she slid his five back.
"I thank you for your custom. Should you need anymore blue Spells, please remember my shop."
Tyler smiled as he added the book to his pouch.
"I'll be sure to remember your shop. AND it's owner."
That got him a leer as he winked at her before leaving. As they walked along the road, Kaori smacked him.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
Tyler laughed.
"Ah come on Kaori, I'm curious!"
"Ugh."
Wulf chuckled.
"Tyler, let me tell you from experience, you NEVER forget a mermaid."
"Oh? I'm sensing a story there."
Wulf had a knowing smile.
"Let's wait until the ladies are not present."
"You know I'mma hold to it, right?"
Malico and the other girls just sighed.
"Men."
"Boys, Malico, BOYS."
"I'd say more pigs."
"What you said."
They chuckled as the friends all entered the last shop in town. As they entered, they interrupted a robbery. A tall, broad shouldered hulk of an elf with black skin and white eyes had the small shop keeper, a tiny lady with a delicate pair of wings on her back, eight feet off the ground in his fist.
"I'll ask ya ONE last time sprite, WHERE ARE THE STAFFS FROM YALIK?"
The slowly being throttled lady kicked uselessly. She even spit at him.
"Piss off you overgrown tree fucker."
Wulf smiled as Tyler sighed.
"I got em."
At the sound of voices, the elf looked at him, only for Tyler's dagger to grow out of his head. Tyler had a looked of exasperation as he caught the falling behemoth. The now freed lady was flitting about on her wings as Tyler laid the dead elf on the floor.
"Thank you for that."
Tyler looked at her, and saw she was even smaller then Tolic the dwarf. Whereas the dwarf was half Tyler's height, the lady was the size fo his leg. Her wings were see through, with a faint pink hue to them, her skin was fair, smooth, and glowed slightly, were eyes were a dark green, and her face soft. She had a wild mane of green hair that hung to her back, and was clothed in a light green gown that hung to her lower thigh with her small feet bare. The lady caught him checking her out, and smiled.
"Yer either after me body or have never seen a sprite before."
Tyler chuckled at this fiery lady.
"The second with a healthy dose of the first."
The sprite laughed as she shook his hand with a surprising strength that belied her small stature.
"Nice to see some fire in a Warrior. I'm Twink. I own this shop."
Tyler chuckled.
"Glad to help. We're actually looking for the shipment of books and staffs from Yalik."
Twink looked at him.
"May I ask why?"
"You might have gotten more then what you were thinking."
The sprite sighed.
"The books are on the shelf by that blonde, and the staffs by the elf."
Tyler then started searching the dead elf, as his friends did their part. Tyler found a ring of Licenses.
"Malico."
The cat came over and looked through the dead man's collection as Tyler checked for a bounty.
"Okay. This guy is Lidir the Kidnapper. Wanted dead, reward…300 gold. Says here he's a known slaver that targets the Tailed people and other such minorities. Wow, I hate this guy already."
Malico chuckled.
"I'd like to go with you for dropoff."
"Sure thing kittycat."
"Thanks. And got one, Another River, Annnd, Mind Piercer?"
Wulf came over as Kaori took over his task.
"Mind Piercer? Isn't that the one that forces control of a person to another?"
Malico added it to the pouch.
"Yep. In essence you become a puppet for another and they can do whatever they want with your body."
Tyler sighed as kaori found a pair of wands. One black, one grey. Tyler tilted his head.
"Hey, what's with the grey?"
Wulf looked at it.
"That's just a Grey Path wand. Used by grey pathers, they're rare and hard to come by."
"Lemme check something."
Tyler took the wand without getting burned. He then handed it to Malico.
"What spell does it do?"
"Grey Fist. It's a mist that hits a target with twice the power of a mace."
"Just for safety, as in a disguised wand, hit me with it."
Twink looked at him like he was insane.
"Lad, that's insane! Why are you going to such extremes?"
Malico waved the wand, and Tyler had to grab the counter and focus as a massive pressure was forced onto his mind.
"GET. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD!"
There was a low scream as the wand shattered in two pieces as Tyler looked at the now horrified sprite.
"THAT'S why. Something just tried to control me. Problem is my mind is a torture chamber."
The wand flared, and then went black. Malico gasped.
"That's a wand of Subjugation! It should NOT be able to be resisted! Period! It literally forces a demon of Willpower into the mind of the target to take full control."
Tyler smiled a dark smile.
"I am NOTHING'S puppet, Malico. Enter MY mind and you will NEVER come out."
Twink gulped.
"They say that in order to throw off a Demon of Willpower's assault, you need a willpower akin to a gran high dragon. Even then it takes three hours of nonstop concentration to do it. You threw it off in ten seconds, and KILLED it with your will alone. Please, Warrior, allow me to see your willpower, Mental Fortitude and Perception stats with my own eyes."
Tyler brought the stats up. Twink was speechless.
"Perception…556? Mental Fortitude…1032? Willpower....3000?!"
She just looked at him with a mixture of awe and pity.
"There is only ONE way you got these stats. And I am truly sorry you suffered like that."
Tyler patted her soft hair.
"I'm not. We'd all be dead by now without those lessons."
Twink was blushing a little as he lifted his hand off her head.
"I see. Another example of your will. A most remarkable human."
Tyler smiled as he then lifted the large elf off the ground.
"I'll go get paid with Malico, then poke around your shop, Twink."
Kaori was a little miffed, but a quick kiss made her feel better. Tyler and Malico walked along the road to the spear. Malico was happily glowing to get some alone time with her hero.
"I was starting to worry I got sidelined."
Tyler pulled her in and kissed her.
"I didn't fergit me favorite kittycat."
She purred as her tail lashed in joy.
"I feel better!"
That made him smile as they entered the spear and went to the collection booth. The same lady was sitting there, and smiled as Tyler came over with his latest prize.
"Good day Sirrah. Who is it today?"
"Lidir the Kidnapper."
She smiled as a long raccoon tail was brought into view.
"I'll get my supervisor for verification sirrah."
Tyler smiled as the raccoon lady went to get her supervisor. Tyler had a free hand, and was happily petting Malico's ears, getting a purring smile from the happy cat as her tail flicked. Tyler loved how her soft fur felt as he stroked it, and loved making her happy.
"That feels really good, Tyler."
He smiled.
"Like I said, I like cats."
She hugged him as the lady came back with her boss.
"The slab is ready Sirrah."
Tyler dropped the carcass on the slab for ID. The Warrior then waited patiently for ID. The lady was smiling as she slid the reward through the grate.
"Identity confirmed. On behalf of the Tail, thank you."
Tyler chuckled as he took the money.
"Like I'm let my favorite cat down. See you next time Miss."
"Please, my name is Yoko."
"A pleasure. Yoko."
Now free of the body, Tyler walked with Malico under his arm. The catgirl nuzzling him as they returned to the shop. There they found kaori looking at a Red path book, Wulf looking over a License, Sera holding a License and Lillia looking at a staff of Pink. Tyler smiled.
"See anything useful?"
Sera came over with a License for a Grey Spell.
"I think I can use this."
Tyler looked at it.
"Shadow Sneak? Okay, costs five Mana, and the user is cloaked in a shadow that renders the user invisible in any kind of shadow."
He looked at Sera.
"Question. What Path are you?"
She giggled.
"Grey! AND Silver!"
Wulf looked at her.
"Silver?"
Tyler tilted his head.
"That a rare path?"
Wulf patted a now beaming Sera.
"More, unique. Most paths revolve around a color, like red, blue or White. Some, however revolve around metals. Silver being known for stealth and sneak based spells. Whereas Grey is the path of a Rogue. I myself am of the Grey, and such am a ranger. Our spells are all-rounders. Like that Fist spell or Iron Piercer."
Tyler smiled.
"Well, Sera, looks like you got yerself a goodie here."
She giggled as Kaori held up her book.
"I can use all these."
"Nice blondie. Wulf, that one?"
He chuckled.
"It's Shadow Arrow. Adds an extra shaft to every shot for ten shots. A Grey spell."
"Oh, I NEED that one. There another one?"
"I found four."
Lillia smiled as she lifted the pink staff.
"I'm a pink Pather. So, I'll take this staff."
"What does Pink specialize in?"
Lillia smiled proudly.
"It's a more healing base color. Not Like White, as that's a more pure healer, but it's more overlap between red and White. So, I can cast spells from both easily."
"Nice. Okay. We'll take these and go give a temple some nightmare fuel."
Twink was fluttering by her counter,
"All told, 10 gold."
Tyler gave the coins and off they went. The man was happy with their haul thus far as they headed for the rather plain looking temple of the White Path of Purity. It was a solid white thing the shape of a box. Tyler led the group straight for the front door, where they were greeted by a brown habit wearing monk.
"Greetings travelers. I am Brother Mark of the White path of purity Temple. Do you seek aid?"
Tyler smiled.
"More an audience with the leader. We have a request from the Lady Seline of your White paths."
The Brother bowed.
"At Once. Please follow me."
Tyler and his friends were led inside the temple. The indie was just as plain as the outside, with long benches along the walls with healers tending to the sick or injured. Tyler spotted a woman struggling to heal a broken leg on a sobbing little girl.
"Pardon me a second, Brother Mark."
The monk watched curiously, as Tyler walked over, tapped the flagging lady, and took over. Tyler smiled as he held out his hand.
"Holy Relief."
The girl went from sobbing in agony, to giggling as his magic tickled as it set her broken bone, cured the infection, and strengthened her leg. Once his spell was finished, she stood up to hop a bit before hugging him and running off. The lady thanked him and he returned to the group.
"Sorry. She was about to collapse."
They resumed walking as Mark spoke of Tyler's potent spell.
"That was a beautiful Holy Relief, Brother."
Tyler smiled.
"Actually, that was a half strength casting."
Mark was a little taken aback.
"Half? Pray tell, what is your most powerful healing spell you can cast flawlessly?"
"On demand or after prepping?"
"On demand."
"Divine Resurgence."
The Monk stopped. He looked at him with open awe.
"You've cast Divine Resurgence? May I ask on whom?"
"Her tail. Was only hanging by a half inch piece of flesh."
Mark looked to see Malico's happily swaying tail.
"By the Color. His Purity is going to be amazed."
Tyler and kaori snorted inwardly at the title. HIS PURITY? Good gods that is soo cringey!"
The Monk showed the party to a long room with a pure white bench with a tall man casting a spell on a lady on her back. The group waited for the spell casting to end. Tyler smiled as he recognized it as Divine Care. His other healing spell, that one more disease oriented with then Physical wounds. The lady was cured, and was sent on her way. Mark bowed before the man as he made his greeting.
"Father Maxus, I present a powerful White path and his party. They have a request from Seline of our white Paths."
Tyler was looking in the man's eyes as he was introduced. Soon as the man looked at him, his eyes flashed with recognition.
"I know this party, Brother Mark. You may leave us."
The monk left without a word, as the polished tones and gentle words washed over the party. Only Tyler saw it for what is was.
"Heads up. Charm magic."
And the spell was broken. The group shook their heads and grasped weapon hilts. Maxus chuckled.
"I see mental tricks have no effect on you, Tyler The Outcast."
"NOW THAT'S a damned title!"
Kaori chuckled.
"Twenty gold says' Kazuma had a hand in that."
Tyler smiled as he then looked at the man. He was taller than Tyler, bald, wrinkled around the face, with deep set blue eyes, with a white beard wearing a pure white robe.
"I have a request of your White paths."
The man looked at this boy,
"Speak it."
"The city has been receiving rigged magical shipments from Yalik. The request is to have your white paths search the cargo. The items in question are banned black spells."
Maxus was taken aback.
"Those don't exist anymore. The church destroyed them all."
"Malico."
"On it!"
The cat was shielded as she retrieved the ring that was over half full. The cat showed the licenses, and Maxus poked one, only to get burned as badly as Tyler did.
"By the Purity! We were LIED to! What do you need boy? Our temple is at your disposal."
Tyler pulled a scroll out detailing the searching protocols.
"These are instructions on how to search everything from staffs, shields and swords, to wagons and horses. Not a SINGLE banned spell or otherwise gets through that gate. The town guard will assist as well."
Maxus took the scroll, and nodded.
"Understood. In our religion, the Banned Black spells are searched out and destroyed. Are the instructions on what to do in the event of a find here as well?"
"They are. I'll still tell you though. All finds are to be cataloged, recorded, and destroyed at the end of the day's search while under supervision of either Seline herself or an appointed representative with a seal of approval and a white Path as well."
Maxus smiled.
"A very shrewd and wily method. I will see it done. When do these go into effect?"
"Immediately. Or sooner. We've already cleared the three magic shops in town."
"very good. I'll get my more combat preferring Monks moving."
"Shaolin monks. Nice."
Kaori chuckled as well.
"Of course you'd go there."
Maxus smiled. Then he looked to Tyler.
"I understand you're a white path."
"I am. And also of the Blue as well."
"I was hoping for a demonstration of your path."
Tyler tilted his head.
"Okay, what do you have in mind?"
Maxus smiled and gestured to a ball on a pedestal.
"I'd like you to place your hand on the ball. It'll flare with your power over the White. It's a rite our religion preforms to both gauge our power, and see what spells we're best at."
"Seems easy enough."
Tyler walked over, as his friends all stood ready in case of double cross. Maxus smiled.
"Just touch the thing."
Tyler placed his hand on it, and it glowed like a blinding sun. Tyler smiled as he saw a man move towards kaori. HE shattered the ball with his will, and flung a dagger at the man. Maxus was utterly confused by what just happened as one moment, Tyler laid his hand on the ball, then the next he'd blinded by the thing before it exploded with a man screaming on the floor with a knife in his knee. Tyler was still smiling as he drew his Magicite Sword, Gliepnir. Kaori saw the screaming in agony man, and understood.
"Not THAT old trick."
Tyler smiled as he placed the large weapon by the man's head.
"I kinda figured it was a trap. Maxus had NO idea that thing was a rigged willpower trap designed to dominate the mind of the one that touches it and blind the room. Now then."
Tyler crouched and looked the man in the face.
"What to do to you."
The man was clad in the robe of the order, and was shaking.
"What just happened?"
Maxus was still confused as his monks came to see what the screaming was. Tyler looked to Wulf.
"You explain."
"On it."
Tyler placed his hand on his dagger.
"What were your orders?"
The man gulped.
"To rig the test ball with the prison trap, and spirit the Lady Kaori to the Pope."
"Is that all?"
"Indeed Sirrah."
His eyes were pure. Tyler smiled.
"Let's see if anyone wants to find you."
Tyler pinned the man and opened his HUD for bounties. He got a hit.
"Wow, yeah I hate you. Lester. A coward that abandoned his men to save his own skin. Reward? 10 gold. Alive? 20. Well. Let's go see Yoko."
Tyler knocked him out and lifted him on his shoulder as Maxus came over grim-faced.
"I understand now. Our temple owes you a debt for removing a snake."
Tyler smiled.
"Sorry about your ball."
HE laughed.
"We got ten. Although, I DID get my answer on your White Path power."
"Verdict?"
"It is on par with a Holy Spirit. In other words, you have ten times the power I do."
"Nifty."
Tyler smiled.
"I trust you can handle the rest?"
The head Monk nodded.
"Alright. I gots me a coward to ruin."
That got a chuckle as he and his crew left the Temple. The unconscious man flopping along on his shoulder. Tyler was chuckling.
"Hey, Wulf. I guess I did get to play bounty hunter Afterall."
The elven ranger chuckled as well.
"It seems so."
Sera smiled.
"Hey, I'm hungry."
Tyler rubbed her hair.
"We'll drop this idiot off and go bother Melly."
"Yay!"
Lillia smiled.
"They've become like sisters, those two."
"That's kinda cute."
Sera was humming as they went to the collection booth. Yoko the raccoon lady was still on duty.
"Hiya Yoko, got a live one for ya this time."
She smiled as Tyler approached.
"Welcome back Tyler. Please, lock him in the vertical slab next to the body tray."
"You're the boss."
That got a smile as Tyler placed the man in the shackles. The coward woke then to feel Tyler closing the cuffs on his wrists and ankles. Tyler patted his cheek.
"I really hate people like you."
Tyler watched the thing rotate and a sob was heard as he took his spot in front of Yoko. Tyler waited for the confirmation by looking at the lady. Yoko was a pretty lady with silver hair, blue eyes, a cutely raccoon-like face, a large rack and smooth skin. She was wearing a red shirt with a black skirt, and he noticed a pair of raccoon ears on her head that he found adorable. Yoko caught checking her out, and waved her long raccoon tail happily, and Tyler smiled as he saw it had a sleek, well-cared for shine along it's grey and black ringed length. I REALLY wanna pet that Tail. But, I learned my lesson from the LAST time I touched a tail. Yoko got the confirmation.
"Your total today is ten gold coins."
Tyler smiled as he put the money in his pouch.
"Thanks Yoko. Till next time."
She waved her tail happily as his crew left. A tall lady behind the counter noticed.
"Wow, Yoko. Got a crush?"
Yoko waved her tail.
"I think I just might."
Tyler had kaori's hand as they returned to Mia's inn for lunch. The place was lively as the party walked in. Most of the tables were filled, but they saw the one they'd used that morning was empty. As they sat down, Melly came over with a happy squeal, which made the room chuckle.
"Yay! You came back!"
Tyler hugged the happy girl.
"Just to bother you again Melly."
She giggled. The group placed orders and she skipped away humming. Tyler watched her go until she disappeared into the kitchen. Then he pulled his Blue Spell book out and looked over a few spells.
"Hey, Lad."
Tyler looked up to see a tall, red bearded man looking at his book with evident interest.
"Hi, what's up?"
The man rubbed his beard.
"Just wonderin if ya may be interested in a game of chance."
Kaori groaned. The man looked at her curiously.
"Great. Say goodbye to your pants."
Tyler closed the book.
"What kind of game?"
The man gestured to a round table of other men with cards and chips.
"It's a card game. We'll explain the rules if yer in."
"And I assume you want me to put my book on the line?"
A twinkle appeared in his eye.
"Indeed lad. We're all mages, all we're lacking is a Blue Pather to round out the Colors."
Tyler smiled, then had a thought.
"You wouldn't happen to mean there's a BLACK pather at that table, would you?"
The man tilted his head.
"There is. Her."
He gestured to a lady now looking at Tyler with a very interested look. She was very pale, tall, had hair the color of midnight, massive breasts that rivaled Malico, and was clothed in a black robe with buckles and chains. Tyler sighed as he looked at kaori.
"Where o where have we seen this one before?"
"These tropes are starting to kill me. Go get her Licenses."
Tyler sighed.
"Sure. I'll join your table."
Tyler brought his book, and sat in the empty chair directly across from the busty black mage. As he did, the room chuckled ruefully.
"Oi, Laddee, yer playing Vixen. That lady's unbeaten at the card."
"Say goodbye to yer dignity."
Tyler just sighed as he placed his Blue book on the table.
"Alright, how we play?"
After the explanation. Tyler Grinned.
"Pray tell, what's this game called?"
The red bearded man had a red book out.
"Joker's Wild."
"Of course it is."
Tyler got his chips, and was dealt in. The game? A reskinned Texas hold'em. The lady, Vixen, got handed the deck, and Tyler just smiled at her. With a dark undercurrent. The lady got the unspoken threat, and the hand ended with Tyler with a new book of White, Green, and the bearded man's red. He sighed.
"I see you're either a cheat or a liar."
"Not at all. I'm a Warrior, and we have a similar game in my old world I was undefeated at. Basically this with a different name."
The red bearded man laughed jovially.
"Me apologies laddee. I can see yer no a liar now. But, I'd leave it if I were you. Ol' Vixen here's also undefeated."
"Sounds like fun."
The room then gathered to watch the showdown between the two. Tyler was smiling as he looked at her.
"So, how long you been looking fer me?"
She froze, and looked at him as her formerly serene face shattered into one of shock. Tyler smiled widely as he saw her play. He placed his bet, as she responded in a clear voice that was a low breath.
"What could possibly make you so arrogant to believe I'm looking for you?"
Tyler chuckled.
"I'm a white pather as well as a blue. YOU'RE a black pather. Let me guess. You're seeking to show the world that not ALL black mages are evil, vile creatures. You were taught by a black mage that believed there was a good way to use their dark powers, and then you heard tell of a White/blue pather with a large sword on his back was roaming around the area, was an outcast Warrior, and sought to join his party to aid in the hunt for the banned spells you yourself are looking to destroy. Odds are, someone used a banned spell to kill your mentor before your eyes. Stop me if I'm wrong."
Kaori groaned as the others of their party were just plain shocked.
"Yeah. He does that."
Wulf shuddered.
"With Perception of THAT level, he could dissect a demon's soul."
Vixen, however, was shaking extremely badly as Tyler won the hand, AND her spell book. The others of the inn had sensed this was a Warrior matter now, and gone back to their seats. Tyler used the other books to scoop up the claimed black, and transported it to Malico for examination.
"When your mind recovers, we'll talk."
He took his seat as Melly came with the food. She was curious, was she had watched the game.
"What'd you do?"
Tyler chuckled as he drank from his mug.
"It's a trick I learned I'm my old world. I can examine your face, and more or less see into your very soul. Then, I can literally read your mind, heart, and soul like a damned book with me flipping pages. I did it to one poor bastard, and he committed suicide when he saw I had learned he was a closet gay in an ultra-religious family that openly hated gays."
Melly tilted her head.
"Did you do that to me?"
"A little. I do it to everyone when I first meet them. Kinda have to in order to see if I can trust you. Wanna know what I got from yer eyes, Melly?"
She looked at him.
"What?"
He patted her head.
"I got that yer a cutie!"
She giggled and blushed a little as she ran off to the kitchen. Tyler smiled as Malico finished going through the book.
"Verdict?"
The cat chuckled.
"Clean. Just the usual necromancy, illusion, and a death touch spell."
"Necromancy isn't banned?"
"Not even a little. It's more controlling undead then raising the dead."
Tyler poked the book. No burn. So he picked it up and started flipping himself.
"That's refreshing. Nice to see black spells that AREN'T evil for once. Well, spoke too soon."
He pointed to one.
"Unholy image. Shows the target an image of what they fear the most. Yeah, THAT'S a nasty trick. Good way to test the balls of another."
That got a chuckle as Tyler finished flipping.
"Neat. Hey, Wulf, can you pass me the White book?"
Tyler thanked him and flipped through.
"Wow, right off the bat. Remedy. Heals status ailments like blindness, Poison, deafness, and colds. Can be upgraded to cure curse, weaken and break simple mind control."
Tyler added it to his ring as he kept flipping.
"Oh bingo. Holy Purge. Sets up a field a hundred meters out that repels undead. Strength of the undead repelled depends on the caster's power, spell level, and Caster's aptitude. I can add that to Protective Warning and Tranquil waters when we make camp."
Wulf smiled.
"And with your power, not even a high Lich can get through."
"That's the point. Okay, Got another Holy Relief. Here, kaori."
She smiled.
"Thanks."
Tyler flipped to the next page and smiled.
"Oh, there's the last hole. Holy Care. A spell that spans fifty feet and heals all within it of everything from a cold to Syphilis. Along with minor wounds and a few broken bones. Cost….150 mana? Fair."
Tyler added it. And finished flipping.
"Not a bad batch really. More white we got the better."
Tyler then added all the blue spells he had to his ring as they'd been the most useful.
"Alright, where are in terms of skills?"
Wulf tilted his head.
"We all got Longsight, Appraisal, I got a skill called speedshot that allows rapid fire for a period of time."
Malico smiled.
"I got a new dagger skill that adds twice the force on a stab. Called Catfang."
Kaori chuckled.
"I got a rather interesting bow skill. Shadow arrow. Launches an Arrow with another behind it along it's same path."
Tyler smiled.
"I got Prospect, Mine, Field Smithing and Smelting, Sera got her Unseen Shadow, and did you see anything Lillia?"
She shook her head.
"Not really. I have a few skills, but they all do with plants and animals."
Tyler tilted his head.
"Okay. What are they?"
The older sister sighed.
"I got Wild Gardner. It allows for the picking of plants without gloves or harm from their thorns or toxins, Nature bounty, makes any harvested plants twice as potent, Fellow Animal, a passive that makes it so I can't get attacked by an animal unprovoked, and that's it. I don't really have any useful skills."
"Bullshit you don't Lillia. YOU my royal gal just got added to Malico's plant gimmick. She's our flower expert, and you'll help her gather ones we can use."
Malico hugged the now smiling girl.
"Never doubt your own worth, Lillia. If you don't think you can help, ask, I'm sure one of Tyler's thousands of plans fit you just fine."
That got a fond chuckle from the party.
"Excuse me."
Tyler looked over to see Vixen, the black mage standing by their table.
"Ready to talk?"
She nodded, and sat beside Kaori opposite Tyler. The leader of the party placed his head on his hands to look at her.
"So, Vixen. How many did I get wrong?"
She shuddered.
"None. You read my soul like you were there yourself."
Tyler smiled.
"So. What do you want to do?"
She looked at him.
"I want to join your party."
"Why?"
She sighed, and the air released from her body made her buckles tinkle.
"I want to hunt down and destroy the banned Licenses. Like you read, my mentor was killed by a black spell. I also want to help people, and show them that my magic is not to be feared. Plus."
She seemed to hesitate, and kaori nudged her encouragingly. The black mage smiled.
"I want to go on ADVENTURES. I heard you fought a drakolisk, did you not?"
"Killed. But sure."
Her dark blue eyes lit up with excitement.
"I WISH I could've been there! I want to ride along side warriors of legend, make memories, have fun."
Her voice was lit up with the fire of her desire, and her wish. Tyler, Malico, and kaori all looked at each other, and smiled.
"I'd know THAT fire anywhere."
"Yup. Looks like she's determined."
"And her eyes are clear. Ladies? Are we agreed?"
They nodded and Tyler held out his hand.
"Welcome to the circus Vixen. We're batshit insane, but I'm sure you do juuust fine."
Vixen smiled widely as she clasped his hand.
"You won't regret this, I swear it."
Tyler chuckled.
"I do, and we'll either drop you in a ditch, or I'll just kill you there and then. Depends if the ladies call for mercy."
Vixen shuddered. Then smiled.
"I understand, Tyler. Soo, can I get my book back?"
"You got any banned Spells on you?"
"Here's my ring."
Malico flipped trough the collection as Tyler and his team finished their meal. Vixen for her part seemed rather giddy to be in Tyler's party. Malico chuckled.
"She's clean. Most are either black attack spells, a few acidics, and a rather nasty illusion."
Tyler slid the book to her, and she sighed with relief.
"That thing cost me 4 gold."
"Ya got hustled. Those spells tops cost 95 silver alone."
Her expression of abject horror, surprise and surprise made the table burst out laughing. Then Tyler smiled.
"Okay. Rules of my party are simple, 1: As I'm the strongest member of the party, I hold the coin. 2: In camp. You want food, pull your weight. No work, no food."
Sera and Lillia nodded sagely.
"He's inflexible."
"He's mean!"
Vixen smiled, until she got a good look at the two nodding girls.
"Sera Von Vernillion? Lillia Von Vernillion? The crown Princesses?"
Her shock made the group chuckle, and the two girls groan. Tyler smiled.
"We rescued them from a setup. Here. I'll bring you up to speed."
Tyler spent fifteen minutes explaining the current task. Vixen sighed as she rubbed her pale face.
"So, we're on our way to see the elf queen. To deliver the princesses."
"That's the best case scenario. I'm willing to bet gold it doesn't work the way we want it to."
Kaori groaned.
"You don't think that trope too?"
"This point, it's more a question of what ones WON'T show up."
Wulf looked at him.
"You don't mean the queen will betray us do you?"
"More that our plan will fall through somehow."
Kaori sighed.
"Dude hasn't been wrong yet. Wanna throw out another hunch?"
"That their mother's out there somewhere on her own adventure, Annnd we'll bump into her at SOME point."
Sera and Lillia chuckled.
"Mommy will love that boy."
"That she will Sera. Kaori might get a hard challenge."
"Not a chance in hell."
The simultaneous responses made the table laugh. Tyler smiled.
"Hey, Sera, Lillia, what's your mother like?"
Lillia smiled.
"Well, her name's Erica. She's a gorgerus-"
"Erica?!"
Kaori went bone white, and Tyler took her hand.
"Relax, Kaori. We have no way of knowing if it's her."
She took a massive deep breath and relaxed as she released it. Tyler patted her hand as he explained to the girls.
"Her mother's name was Erica. She disappeared, what? ten years ago?"
Kaori nodded.
"That was just before I met you."
Lillica hugged her.
"I'm sorry, kaori. Our mother's got black hair, blue eyes and rather pale skin. Basically an older me."
Tyler sighed.
"Nice to see THAT trope won't make an appearance. Is your Mother a wildcat?"
That got a chuckle.
"She's a high level Fire/Blue Pather. Plus a very vicious swordswoman. Meet her and I doubt even you, Tyler won't be at least intimidated."
"Sounds like a date."
That got a chuckle. Tyler sighed.
"Okay. We need to visit the adventurers guild, get some horses for Sera and Lillia, and some blade skills for me with a few detection as well."
He looked at Vixen.
"Do you have a horse?"
She smiled.
"A large black Mollock."
"No clue what that means, I'll have kaori fill me in when we meet the new guy."
"Girl."
"New girl."
Tyler went and paid for the meal. Then he remembered the last rule.
"Oh yeah. Vixen, last rule. In my party, we ALL share a room."
She smirked.
"To save coin or get a piece?"
"Both."
All three voices replied en mass. The sexy black mage laughed, and her melons bounced.
"Oh my, wild-hearted romance. Sounds like fun."
That got a chuckle out of Malico and Kaori. The party left the Inn, and headed for the guild. Vixen's robes sounded like she was wearing chains and dangling bits of metal as her unseen heels clicked. Tyler smiled at the sound, as Kaori took his hand.
"You sure about her?"
"She reminds me of Lulu."
"Same here. But are you sure?"
"I saw her eyes. They're clean."
Kaori squeezed his hand.
"Those eyes of yours haven't failed us yet."
He smiled as he kissed her, sending her off on a glow. She smiled and they went along the river bank to the wide red building with the proudly streaming banners. The Vernillion Adventurers' guild was a kingdom wide network of organizations that both provided work, kinship, coin and other services to the ones with the fire to wield a sword. Tyler and his party walked right on in, and were immediately hit with a wave of noise. Jokes, bawdy or otherwise, brags, insults, challenges and other such things were hurled like arrows over a battlefield. The hall had nine long trestle tables packed solid with all of men and mer all clamoring over each other, a large board with posters and fliers detailing various jobs, a open bar, and a window with another cage over it. Tyler and his team headed for it. Behind the Magicite cage sat a tall lady with flaming red eyes and a long forked tail out behind her. Upon seeing Tyler and his friends approaching she smiled, showing off a large set of fangs behind her lips. Okaaaay, either a vampire or something else entirely. The lady looked at Tyler, the clear leader of the party.
"Welcome to the Raylik branch of the Vernillion Adventurer's guild. I am Verilica. What can I do for you?"
"Myself and three of my companions are looking to join the guild."
Sera was about to bawl, when Wulf tapped her on the shoulder.
"Sorry, but we're not a member of his party, even if he treats us like we are."
She huffed, but remained silent. Verilica smiled as she pointed out a counter with a large crystal ball.
"If you, and the three that wish to join head over to the orb, we'll get started."
Tyler looked to Wulf. He nodded. Tyler, Malico, Kaori and Vixen all walked to stand by the indicated orb. Verilica came sauntering over with her long tail swaying out behind her, she had red hair, pale skin, a large rack that bounced, long legs and wore a suit. Tyler tilted his head.
"I know I've seen that image somewhere before."
Kaori shrugged.
"Maybe an imp?"
Verilica smiled.
"Good eyes. I am a feral Imp."
Tyler smiled.
"Nifty. So, what do we do?"
The imp lady gestured to the orb.
"Place you hand on the orb, and it'll gauge your strength. You'll start at the bottom rung, which is Greenhorn, but as you complete jobs preform tasks and legendary feats you'll gain renown and fame. You'll be given a new tab in your HUD for guild jobs and updates as well. Plus a wood medal to show your rank. Highest is High dragonbone."
Tyler smiled.
"Don't blame me if it explodes."
He placed his hand on the sphere, and it flared with a blinding blue/white light that brought the room to a halt. Tyler removed his hand, and there was a distinct crack in the once flawless sphere. Tyler looked at a now white as a ghost Verilica.
"I think I broke it."
The entire guild hall was staring at him with a mix of awe and straight up terror. Verilica gulped.
"Who are you?"
"Name's Tyler. That's kaori, Malico, and Vixen."
At his name, the imp sighed.
"A Warrior. Okay, explains the sheer force. I'll be getting a copy of your stats any second."
A piece of paper appeared under the ruined sphere.
"Okay. Titles: Friend of the Dark Forest? Holy Adventurer? These are some rare titles. Okay, stats."
She went white again. Then she sighed with pity.
"Okay. I see now. I'm sorry you suffered like that. You're easily the strongest man in this room."
"Like ell he is!"
Tyler looked as a large man with a great axe on his back came forward. Tyler had to tilt his head back to look in his eye.
"Shall we dance then?"
The man spat on the floor as a ring appeared. Tyler and the would-be champion took opposite sides, as the man spoke.
"Me name's Urlug. I'm a Drakolisk ranked adventurer here."
"Really? We killed a lisk, what? A week ago? And by we, I mean myself, kaori and Malico. The other loons had yet to join my nuthouse."
Urlug snorted nastily.
"A wee lad like yerself? Bollocks. Now lying to boost yer rep along with yer stats?"
"Soo, let's just make this a death match."
Kaori groaned, getting all heads to look in the pretty blonde's way.
"There he goes again. Just don't make a mess this time, okay?"
"Sure kaori."
Urlug pulled his massive axe.
"Me axe be Magicite. What yer got? Iron?"
"Well, what a coinkidink. Gleipnir's Magicite. No clue what Oblivion's made of though. Eh, I'll ask Tolic next time I see em."
Tyler reached up and drew his own Magicite weapon. The sword had even grew a foot, and was now a solid six feet long. Tyler smiled as his twin paths made the blade go blue and white. He slung on his shoulder as he smirked.
"What color you got?"
Urlug growled as his axe flared up red. Tyler tilted his head.
"Red eh? Should be fun. This a death match?"
"Aye, laddee. Ya called me out fer it, Now I accept."
"Well. Bring it."
Tyler was still smiling as Urlug swung his axe with all his strength. Tyler sighed.
"Weak."
Tyler grabbed the haft of the metal weapon, stopping the swing in its tracks. Tyler was still smiling as he twisted his hand, and bent the steel haft into a loop like it was paper. He then swung his own blade, and severed the man's head. Tyler was whistling as he looked at the thing in the bounty HUD.
"Wow. Urlock the rapist. Reward? 700 gold. Damn. Yeah, I hate this guy. Anything else? That axe is to be presented as well for an additional 100 coins. Cool, I get to see Yoko again."
Tyler sheathed his blade and unbent the axe as Kaori searched him. The room was deathly quiet in the face of his show of extreme strength.
"Anyone else wanna play?"
Not a sound was heard.
"Guess not. Kaori."
"Yup."
"Malico."
"On it."
Tyler picked up the head and axe as Malico used her speed to hide the ring in her pouch for later inspection. Tyler then looked to a once again white faced Verilica.
"Can we hurry this up?"
She snapped out of her stupor.
"Okay. Kaori. Your turn."
The blonde made the sphere light up red. Malico green, Vixen, black, with the interesting development of red. Tyler tilted his head.
"Vixen, you're a dual path too?"
She smiled as she got her medal.
"I am. I mainly use black as that was what I am most skilled in wielding."
"Nice to see you're not a one trick pony."
That got a chuckle. Then Verilica spoke again to Tyler.
"Okay, can you bring up your Bestiary please?"
Tyler brought it up, and she spoke in a loud, clear voice.
"Let it be heard and known to all, our newest adventurers have slain a Greater drakolisk, a high wyvern, and have ended the lives of fifteen orcs, one stone ogre, and over a hundred men. Who is party leader."
Tyler smiled as he spoke.
"I am. Tyler the Outcast."
The name sent a few murmurs through the crowd. Verilica smiled.
"According to the data presented to me, Tyler here slew the Lisk nigh single-handedly, with aid from the ladies Kaori and Malico."
Tyler shrugged.
"I was hungry."
The room exploded into bawdy laughter at his matter of fact tone. Verilica was smiling as well.
"He has brought down evil such as Valic the butcher, Waleis the giant, Molick the Torturer, Lidir the kidnapper, and brought a coward to justice."
Tyler got a few back thumps from the other adventurers for his claimed heads. Then a few chuckles as they felt his chainmail. Love to see their reaction if they saw it was Mythril. Verilica smiled again.
"So, we have added a Warrior and his party to our guild. How do ye respond Adventurers?"
The entire room roared en mass.
"HAIL! THE WARRIOR AND HIS PARTY!"
Tyler wriggled a finger in his ear.
"ONE yell woulda done the job!"
Another round of laughter. Verilica smiled.
"Fee is ten silver."
Tyler tossed her the coins. Then he addressed the room.
"Okay, I need an update on the Warriors. Best person to talk to is?"
A man missing an eye spoke up.
"Turn around laddee. That Imp's not just fer lookin at!"
That got a burst of laughter, then when it died down.
"I kinda figured that, who else will play yer mamma fer ya? Specially with THAT face."
They lost it, including the man that was the butt of the joke. Tyler was chuckling as he lifted the head and axe off the floor before looking at Verilica. The imp smiled.
"Would you like to claim the bounty first?"
"Heads not going anywhere. We need information more."
She had a knowing smile as she led him, and his rejoined party to a table. She took a seat as he and his friends sat around her.
"Okay. You said you wanted an update on the Warriors?"
"I did. Good, bad and ugly."
She sighed.
"We'll start with good. The Warrior Kazuma has been adopted into the King's family as the next heir, to the love of capital. The boy has been fighting bandits, Orcs, and has a Wyvern to his list of deeds."
"That bastard had better eaten that thing. All I'll say."
The imp had an amused smile.
"Other than that. That's it for good. As for bad? Yalik has sent out a call for healers in the wake of a riot started by a Warrior party. The riot left several hundred injured or dead when a badly judged fireball hit a military airship's fire powder supply resulting in a large explosion that killed all hands aboard. The elven city of TopLeaf has also issued a cry for aid after a group tore through the town on a drunken rampage. I am told the casualties are in the hundreds."
Wulf was shaking as Verilica spoke, and Tyler looked at him.
"Is that your town?"
He shook his head.
"Not mine. My younger cousin. We'll pass through the town to get to the capital."
Tyler placed a hand on his shoulder.
"If the kid's anything like you, kid's fine. We'll stop there to aid recovery efforts."
Wulf forced his emotions under control.
"I'll have faith in her."
Tyler sighed as he patted the elf. Then he looked to Verilica. She continued.
"A group went to Dragul and left the Tailed district in ruins after a perceived slight escalated into a war in the streets."
"Kazuma is on it, right?"
The Feral Imp smirked.
"The new crown prince has set himself up as the new viscount. Valdic Sharpspike is now the new Tailed servant."
Malico smiled happily.
"Let's pay the city a visit so I can piss on him."
"I fuckin love you, Malico."
"Another group tore through the village of Hero's rest."
Malico jumped.
"That's MY village! Is everyone alright?"
Verilica sighed.
"They are. A few minor injuries, from what we heard, a boy by the name of Max pissed off a catman by the name of Houndra, who promptly threw him out on his face. The group then decided to try and set his restaurant on fire, only thing was that Houndra, who once was a fearsome adventurer in his day, had enchanted his home to reflect hostile spells back at the caster. The idiots got burned, then were humiliated when Houndra threw a certain line in their faces."
Tyler smirked.
"Do tell."
"Ya should try to be more like Tyler! No wonder kaori loves him so much!"
The table burst out laughing at that. Tyler kissed Kaori, just because he could.
"Jesus I wish I coulda seen his face!"
"All their faces!"
Tyler wiped his tears as Verilica continued.
"A party led by a whale named Jeanie was banished from the elven city of Torisk for setting an Inn alight, followed by using her Green spells of paralyze and poison on some of the local children."
"Fitting for her."
"Too fitting."
"Another group visited a town in then western part of the country and left it with three hundred head of cattle slain in a target practicing spree. And now for Ugly. With the sole exceptions of your own party, and Kazuma, the Warriors are rapidly losing both respect, and support from all and sundry. We're reports of rape, torture, robbery, arson, and other misdeeds on the daily. Plus the second summoning that has the world of Lectis on edge. These Warriors not being any better, and some even worse."
Tyler sighed.
"Well, we'll pass through a few of those places ourselves."
Wulf nodded.
"When can we leave, Tyler?"
Tyler looked at the sky, noting it's darkening blue.
"We'll leave tomorrow morning, Wulf. As much as I want to get going, we cannot rush it."
The elven ranger sighed deeply as he forced his emotions down.
"I understand. I may not like it, but I also agree."
Tyler looked at Verilica.
"Is that it?"
She nodded.
"We got a very poor bunch of Warriors this time. Three actual Warriors out of 44? Sad."
Tyler chuckled.
"I can kill like half myself."
His humor died quickly.
"Okay. We need supplies, a new pair of horses and tack, a larger tent, and more skills. Let's get this done right. We leave after breakfast is eaten."
All heads nodded. Tyler looked to Verilica.
"Will I get updates via the HUD or do I need to visit a hall?"
"The HUD in the field. In a town or city, the hall."
"That's it then. Let's move."
Tyler and his party left to go to the Spear as Verilica returned to her booth.
"I see THAT'S the young man that terrified poor Lyrica so very badly."
Tyler looked at Wulf.
"I'll go turn in our newest head, take the ladies to the General goods store and start picking out stuff. I'll meet you there."
The Elf nodded and Tyler hefted the axe and head. The scarred man had an extra spring in his step as he moved, now knowing the time for fun had passed. We need to get to that city. And beyond. It's gonna suck saying goodbye to Sera, Lillia and Wulf though. He sighed as he thought of their destination, sensing something bad will happen there. The Warrior entered the Spear and headed to se Yoko again. HE was whistling as he approached her window, only to see a lady placing a sword on the rack with a head on the tray. Tyler noted the sword was a black Path weapon, and decided to talk to her.
"Excuse me miss, that sword, who'd you get it from?"
The lady turned around, only for it to be, his old teacher, miss Charlotte. She stopped as she saw it was Tyler speaking to her. Charlotte was a shorter woman, with long brown hair, now nervous hazel eyes, a moderate bust, and was clad in a brown leather tunic. She started shaking so very badly when she saw Tyler's now fearsome appearance. As he had a long sword poking from his left hip with two hilts on his right shoulder, a white bow, a set of daggers on his waist, his black leather pants, light tunic, boots carrying a massive axe and severed head. Tyler chuckled.
"Oh, Hiya Spider. You who bag?"
Charlotte did not know how to respond to Tyler's transformation. Dear god. He looks like he was BORN here! He even looks dangerous!
"Hail! Outcast!"
Tyler looked over to a man with a large sword.
"Hail!"
Tyler was smiling as he returned the show of respect, and Charlotte was even MORE shocked by the next voice.
"Tyler! Got ANOTHER one?"
Yoko was smiling ear to ear as Tyler took his turn at the booth. Charlotte was still far too mind blown to speak, so she just watched him interact with the lady.
Tyler could plainly see the nuclear bomb that had gone off behind Charlotte's hazel eyes, so he just decided to do his thing. Yoko was smiling as he came up to the booth.
"yup. Urlock the Rapist."
Yoko chuckled.
"You know the drill."
"Thanks Yoko."
Tyler set the massive axe on the rack and the head on the tray. Then he waited patiently fro Yoko to get the nod. The Raccoon girl smiling at him.
"Where'd you bag this one?"
"He was hiding in plain sight down at the guild. I guess my sheer awesomeness was too much for him to handle."
The lady's tail flicked up behind her.
"I see you have admirers everywhere."
"And some are even good looking raccoons! Hmm, must be the sword. Ladies love the sword!"
Yoko laughed as her tail waved back and forth excitedly.
"I wonder if yer companion is the jealous type?"
Tyler snorted.
"Kaori? More murder us both in the same bed in a fit of rage type. Malico would jump RIGHT in for some fun!"
Yoko blushed a little, and her tail flicked with a distinct embarrassment.
"A shame about the blonde."
"A crying shame. Well, we'll see. Girl's got her eye on a particular pretty kittycat. She has fun, well,"
He leered at her.
"MAYBE we can tickle her with some good ol raccoon fur."
Yoko was full on blushing now as they flirted. Then she got the nod.
"Okay. Your total today is…800 gold."
Tyler added the coins to his pouch.
"Thanks Yoko. We're leaving town tomorrow morning."
"Awww! Booo! Your my favorite visitor!"
"Sorry. We'll be back through sooner or later. If only to pet a sexy raccoon."
She smiled and blushed again, with her tail going wild behind her. Tyler turned and started walking away. Happily whistling as he went to rejoin his crew.
"Tyler!"
he smiled as he looked to see Charlotte hurriedly walking towards him.
"Relearned how to speak did ya?"
She was looking at him with abject shock.
"Are you really the beaten boy that was so badly bullied in class?"
"Look, I need to meet my crew, mind if we walk and talk?"
She nodded and they went off.
"I need to get somethings from the general goods store anywhere."
"Nifty. That's where my crew is."
The teacher walked right beside him as they went. She was flabbergasted by the number of people just getting the fuck out of his way on sight.
"Hail! Outcast!"
"Hail!"
Tyler would get a yell and return it reflexively like he was used to it. Everyone is SCARED of him! I mean, I heard the story of what he did to the Knight commander by I didn't think he'd changed that much!
"So, that sword."
She gulped.
"I got it off a bounty."
"Did you get his Licenses?"
"I have his whole ring. I have yet to go through it."
"Yeah, me and my crew is gonna need to look at it."
She gulped again. Even his presence is intimidating me!
Tyler reached the store and went inside. He spotted kaori looking at grates.
"Hey, Kaori. Found a missing Spider."
The blonde looked over to see Charlotte walking timidly behind him. Kaori sighed with disgust.
"THAT trope too?"
"Yup. She's got a ring I need looked through, she got it off a black."
"On it."
Tyler left Charlotte to kaori as he walked to where Wulf was looking at a pile of supplies.
"What we got thus far?"
"Sugar, salt, some seasonings, a ten person tent, a crafting Certificate for each, a few bags of candies for Sera, extra bait for the rod, line as well, a pot, extra canteens, a tool pouch that holds stuff like rods and wood axes, and a tinderbox."
Tyler looked at the Certificates.
"Okay. Craft. Uses Agility, perception, strength and intelligence to craft things like rope, cloth, bowstrings, and other such sundries in the field. Upgrades through usage. Good call, Wulf."
Tyler looked to where Sera was looking at a set of traps. He walked right over and hugged her.
"See something you like?"
She giggled.
"Just wondering if we can use this."
Tyler tilted his head as he looked at it.
"This is a fur trap, Sera."
"A fur trap?"
"For catching things like Beaver, raccoon, rabbit sometimes, without damaging the pelt. Hmm, hey, kaori, it worth adding a few fur traps to our gear?"
The blonde was talking to Charlotte. She looked over at him.
"Not really, since we can hit a running rabbit in the eye first shot. Plus we're not really in an area long enough to use them to their best."
"Thanks Shadow."
Tyler patted a crestfallen Sera.
"At least your asking the right questions. That's a start, Sera."
She perked right back up, and went to look at a selection of knives. Tyler then noticed Lillia looking at a set of grates for fires. Tyler walked to join her.
"Anything useful?"
"A few, more a question of which one."
Tyler looked at the set.
"I'd pick this one, it's tall, and has legs."
She smiled.
"I'll add it to the pile."
Tyler smiled.
"Atta girl."
"Hey, Tyler, got a map section."
"Nice find."
Tyler walked over to where Malico was looking at a selection of maps.
kaori had been looking at grates when Tyler came in.
"Hey, Kaori, found a lost Spider."
She looked over to see her teacher walk in behind him like a child following her father. Wow, Charlotte don't know WHAT to make of his transformation. She groaned.
"Not that trope too!"
"She's got a ring I need you to go through, she got it off a black."
"On it."
She walked over to take care of walking the teacher through her most timid student's transformation from beaten dog, to royal badass.
"Miss Spider! Let's see that ring."
The teacher timidly forked her Licenses over to the blonde with the katana.
"Kaori? Is that really you?"
She was looking at the sword toting lady like she was a new person. Kaori smiled as she knew how she looked to her. She'd clad herself in a light brown tunic without sleeves with a light mail vest underneath to allow movement, a pair of tight black pants, light boots, and on her belt was her katana and Wakizashi, with her black demon bow on her back. Her long blonde hair was in a tight pony tail and swayed when she stepped.
"In the flesh."
Charlotte hugged her most well behaved student.
"I'm so glad your safe."
"HA! Only one to thank fer that is Tyler."
The teacher stepped back.
"IS that Tyler? He's so...intense."
They watched Tyler walk over to Wulf to get an update on supplies.
"It is Tyler. He's come home, Charlotte. He was MADE for Lectis."
"I ran into him at the bounty booth."
"I'm sure he had fun flirting with Yoko. Poor girl probably needed to use the bathroom after for a little release."
Kaori was chuckling as she spoke, getting another look of shock from the teacher. Who IS this lady? What happened to my polite, well-spoken kind hearted top student? She watched as Tyler went up, hugged the smaller girl looking at traps, only to ask Kaori for advice on the traps. Charlotte was taken aback by kaori's rather deep knowledge.
"Thanks Shadow!"
Kaori was smiling as she looked back at the stunned teacher.
"Where did you learn that?"
"My uncles are marines. They taught me a lot about the outdoors, and now I'm our party's expert on surviving in the wilds."
She looked to where Vixen was looking at flay knives.
"Hey, Vixen, we need two new whetstones and a fresh set of knives!"
"Got it!"
Charlotte just watched as Tyler bounced from person to person getting updates and giving direction.
"I cannot believe the drastic transformation that boy has undergone."
"That's nothing. Listen to this."