The crew followed Tatiana to the council chamber on the other side of the hall. There were a pair of elven guard standing outside the doors. At the queens approach, they crossed their spears.
"Sorry, Milady. You know the rules. You're not allowed inside the chambers during a meeting."
She literally went to walk away, only to be fixed with the incredulous looks on the party's faces. Tyler grabbed the crown off her head and put it in her hands.
"Jesus lady. Hold that thing. It has no purpose on that head."
Tyler walked forward, only to get the same thing.
"Sorry, Outcast. You tooooooo!"
Tyler just booted the doors in, taking the two guards with it. He then strode into the hall amid a flurry of horrified gasps and whispers. Then an elf in a golden robe stood to confront the Warrior.
"You barbarian! This is a place of law! See my fellow councilmen? THIS is exactly my point! He has no place within our walls!"
Tyler walked right over to the man, grabbed him by the shoulder, and flipped him out of his pew and onto his back with a very heavy thud. Tyler looked around at the raised circle of benches.
"Alright idiots. By the order of the new queen Willow. Yer council is hereby disbanded. Now, ya got two choices here. Either shut up and leave the capital under your own power, or be dumped in a potter's field. Make a choice."
An elf looked to the silent queen, and raised a hand to his neck where a hidden ring of licenses hung, only for Tyler's dagger to magically grow out of his head. Wulf was there to drag the now dead elf into the center of the now terrified gathering, and pull a few licenses out. He held up a set of banned blacks.
"These are all duplicates of those that cheat tired on Kaori."
Tyler chuckled as he looked at the now terrified man under his foot.
"Let's see."
He tore the man's ring off his neck, and looking him right in the eye, flipped through as he got burned. He then tossed it to Malico.
"Whole thing is banned."
Tyler raised his foot to kill him, when Kaori had a thought.
"Hey, wanna spin this to Willow's advantage?"
Tyler looked at her, then to the fallen council member. He smiled then.
"hey, Kaori. Didn't Willow ask us to look into the council? I remember her saying she wanted me to examine them myself."
Kaori, Wulf and Malico all picked right up on it.
"Yeah, she did."
"It would seem her suspicions were correct."
"Willow was always sharp."
"She ain't just a pretty face!"
Wulf and Tatiana snorted.
"I can hear her saying that."
"As can I."
Tyler looked around at the now ashen faced former council members.
"Alright then. Rally."
Tyler placed his fingers to his lips, and blew a massive blast that reverberated around the chamber like an amplifier. The blast lasted two full minutes before he let it go. Within minutes, the remainder of his party came in with weapons drawn. Tyler looked at the man under his foot and nodded to Lucy.
"SHE'S A barbarian."
Tyler then looked at them.
"We got an issue here. Search every person in this room. Lily. Willow is on her way. And, if you need to know why, look at Tatiana's hand."
They all did, and seeing her holding her silver crown in her hand spoke volumes about what was to take place. Lily gasped as it clicked.
"I'm a princess?"
Tyler smiled at her.
"Surprise."
Sera squealed as she hugged her friend.
"Lily! HE made you a princess!"
Lily just hugged her back as she looked at Tyler in absolute shock.
"Why?"
Tyler smiled fondly at the mind blown girl.
"You DID say you had a queen fantasy."
She walked over and hugged him tightly.
"I always wanted to be a princess."
Tyler lifted her up as he hugged her.
"Glad you're happy."
She chuckled.
"Nice to see my future husband knows how to spoil as well."
Tyler just laughed at her.
"Only the ones that LIKE to be spoiled."
here he looked at Sera.
"And WON'T let it go to their heads!"
The poor singled out girl bawled.
"hey! Why me?"
"You seemed the type."
Sera stomped her foot as Lillia sniggered.
"Scary thing? He's not wrong!"
Sera looked at her with large eyes,
"Lillia! Meeean!"
Tyler let her off the hook,
"Love you too Sera."
"Yay!"
Tyler chuckled as Lucy came over with five full rings.
"We're only half way done."
Tyler sighed.
"Okay, make a pile on the floor."
There was a loud cry of surprise as Glacious returned with Willow wearing black leaf scale armor and wielding a large hammer. The mother to Lily came in and saw the pile of rings on the floor.
"What are those?"
Tyler then explained as his crew added another five full rings. Once she was brought up to speed, both on the licenses and her 'request' to investigate the council, she smiled.
"yer a canny lad. The people will see Tatiana as a poor woman that got forced onto a throne of a needles, and get forced to watch her home be ravaged. And they'll see me as the watchful one that could not stand by, and so sent in one that could make the difference. Well played."
Tyler smiled as his crew finished their search. All told, twenty full rings of licenses of banned spells taken from thirty council members. And every ring holding forty individual spells each. Tatiana used her power to make her face and her surroundings be seen. Once the broadcast was ready, she sighed.
"My people. I use this power with a heavy heart. For it would seem that we have all been lied to, and taken advantage of. I am standing within the Council Chamber with the Outcasts and my sister willow, as thanks entirely to her concern for our capital, the Outcasts have uncovered a horrible secret. The council has been using banned black spells upon me, and the city itself in order to serve its own selfish gains. Willow had asked the Outcasts to investigate the council, on a suspicion of corruption, only to discover the rot."
Willow stepped into view then.
"Aye, Sister. It always struck me as odd, you can be firm when need be, yet you always bent the knee to these chair riding bastards. So, I asked the Outcasts a favor."
Tyler was seen then, and he shrugged.
"An Outcast can get his hands dirty doing work others just can't. Not a bad deal really."
The ladies smiled, as Willow spoke again.
"A wise lad an no mistake. As such, as soon as the true depth of the folly was found out, Tatiana sent for me.
Tatiana held up her crown.
"I am not worthy of ruling our people. Never have been. I relinquish my crown, to the one that is. Her worth is proven by her intuition to have the inescapable gaze of the Outcasts fix upon the Council, her own daughter, Lily of the fierce Spirit, is a trusted member of the Outcast party herself."
"Truuuust me, everyone, Lily's one o the fiercest on the damn team."
Lily was then shown as she nodded sagely.
"Bout time you start to get it. Like I keep sayin, you WILL be mine when the time comes."
Tyler's face was shown then.
"I'mma little outmatched here. While I go fight fer me life, ladies?"
The group was laughing, as was the entire city at the sight of Tyler getting pushed around by the small girl. Tatiana placed the silver crown on Willow's head.
"I name Willow Hammershot, 154th Queen of Cragspire."
As Tatiana stepped away, there was a en mass roar as every voice was raised in welcoming a new Queen.
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!"
Tyler chuckled.
"Ha, there it is."
Willow raised her Warhammer, and looked at the council.
"First decree. The council is disbanded, and all members banished from the kingdom under pain of death by forge fire. Second decree. Tatiana is my Queen's assistant. Third? We're gonna show these here Outcasts how Cragspire throws a party. 4th? Me daughter's your new princess. She's not as kind as I am, and has The Outcast himself wrapped around her finger."
"Oi! Only KAORI can claim that one! Lily? Sadly, I'd say more leash."
Lily sighed.
"FINE. Good doggie."
"See?"
Tyler just sighed and accepted his fate as Lily patted his head like a damn dog. Willow was so proud of her daughter as she bullied the Outcast like she was his owner. Willow then kept speaking.
"5th. Slavery is outlawed period."
"Hey, Willow, We already cleaned house on that regard. Tatiana will give the details. But, yeah. Sorry, but before I saw to the council, I had to deal with a slave issue."
She laughed.
"Nice to see some initiative boy. I meant to ask ya, but I'm afraid it slipped me mind."
Tyler shrugged.
"Eh, it's done now."
Willow smiled.
"That be all for the moment. We got work to do."
She let the power die, as she looked to Tyler and his party.
"Would you please show the trash to the gates please?"
"Sure. What about those?"
Willow had a glint in her eye.
"Light em up boy."
Tyler coated the things in his dragon's breath, and they burned like regular paper. Then the former council members were dragged to the gates by Tyler and his crew, and thrown out the gates. Tyler making a game out of it.
"Lily, wanna make a bet I can make him reach that boulder there?"
The elf girl tilted her head as she looked at the far off rock.
"Sure. If you can, I go with you for the next few hours."
"If I can't?"
"you alone."
"Sure."
He lifted the screaming man, and hurled him to land right beside the rock. Lily chuckled.
"You did that on purpose."
"Maybe. Let's see if I can beat me record."
So, each former member of the disgraced council were given the experience of flying as Tyler sent them packing. He dusted his hands off as the gates closed. He looked at Lily.
"We'll take Sera to claim her first bounty, get an update crystal, and find a spot. Sound good?"
Lily smiled.
"Sure."
They collected Sera, and they retrieved her head. The bounty booth was located in the guild hall this time. Sera got her 400 gold, as the other members all cheered the girl on her first claimed bounty. She had Tyler add it to the pouch, before taking off with Lucy, Wulf, and Kaori. Tyler then walked to the booth for an update crystal. Once retrieved, he and Lily found a spot by the wall of the Palace hidden from sight and settled down. Tyler resting his back against the sun warmed stone, as Lily sat between his legs and rested her back against him. He hugged her, getting a happy giggle as he pulled up the news window.
"Today in Vernillion. It would seem that the Warriors are still not grasping the folly of their ways. For the same group that caused a riot in Raylik a few weeks prior sought to gain entry once again to the city. Only to be met with arrows, swords, shields, and a warning from Seline herself. The Lady was heard speaking to them thus.
"You are either insane or just stupid to return here after the mess you made of my fair city. Especially YOU, Felicia. For what you did to Melly's father, the Outcast will kill you slowly. Be thankful he is meeting with the elf queen, for NONE of you would live to see the sun go down this day. Now, leave my city, and never return."
Their response was heard and recorded, as the single most hideously overweight woman this writer had ever seen rolled out of her wagon, as no horse exists to bear that bulk, to address the city.
"Ya putting WAY too much fuckin faith in that fuckin retard. Meetin with the elf queen, fuckin things are only good for toyin with. Like that one we fucked with for a while a little while back. Wass her name, Sylvia? Little bitch screamed loud, but was rather borin."
Seline was witnessed going nearly red with rage as the vile lady looked to the man on the horse pullin the wagon,
"She feel good at least?"
His response sent a shiver of rage down everyone present's spine,
"Not really, she squirmed too much for a proper fuck. Her screams were nice though. Better an that fuckin retard. Never screamed at all."
That was when the fireballs, arrows and anything else was loosed at the vile group. The heffer of a woman had to be lifted by the two men into the wagon, as she couldn't even lift her leg up to do it herself. Then they fled the city walls as Seline was heard then.
"I need to contact Tatiana. The Outcast needs to hear this. Those monsters tortured an elven girl by the name of Sylvia. If that is who I think it is, then I will PAY the Outcast with coin, my city, even my BODY if I have to, so long as he kills those vile creatures, whatever I can give him I will do so. Excuse me."
There you have it, reader, it would seem the Warriors are just vile monsters. We have three true Warriors, that is all. If the rage seen on Seline's face was anything to go by, she knew the poor girl those monsters had found, and cared deeply. The vile party was then seen headed in the direction of Term. Term has of late become a Warrior city, as Dragul and Raylik are sealed to them. And since most are either too lazy or otherwise inclined to get out and travel, they are now just wallowing within the capital. If Seline succeeds in unleashing the Outcasts, then perhaps we all will get to watch as divine retribution is brought to bear. Now, as for the Outcasts themselves? They seem to have taken a day off from their adventure, as no new significant news has surfaced as of yet regarding them. Perhaps they found a rather nice campsite and are relaxing for once. Although, somehow, this writer highly doubts it. Perhaps, tomorrow will bring news of some great feat that has only just unfolded. In other news, an airship was taken out of the sky for defying the Dragon's new decree. They had launched WITHOUT the due clearance, and were subsequently knocked out of the sky. The dragon responsible was none other the Tempesta himself. He even granted a few words to a reporter.
"Me boy set a fair system in place for you visitors in My sky. You WILL obey them."
The brave reporter then asked the lord of blue who he meant by 'his boy'. He saw fit to answer, and chuckled fondly as he did so.
"The one you call Tyler the Outcast. Lad's been making great use of me flames and other gifts. It has been centuries since I have met anything that so embodied the Oceans as I do. Yet he does. I heard he intends to visit Yalik after his business with the elves is concluded, so, I'll see if he's gotten stronger. Though, knowing him? He probably can scratch ME now."
It would seem that the Lord of the Ocean blue has become fond of the Outcast. The lad in question has made some truly frightening friends. Lymir, the mermaid ruler of Yalik was then interviewed, and she had this to say.
"I have sought the Outcast's council. HE has agreed to travel to Yalik indeed after he's visited the elf queen. I suspect though, as Raylik was recently the victim of another Warrior mess, he'll first stop there. Just to check his friends are okay with his own eyes."
It would seem Tyler is highly sought after company. By both women and dragons alike. In this writer's personal words? That lucky bastard, there goes the rest of the good looking ladies for us commonfolk. A story we are currently tracking as had a new update. yet another sky shark was taken from the skies near Raylik early this morning. Reports all point to the Warrior Max and his group. We have received word that the dragons have a list of heads that they will allow the Outcast to take on their behalf, as it would seem the Friend of Dragons had previously laid claim to their screams. It would seem the Outcasts have many heads to take, and plenty of time to do it. A new story, or more accurately, a tragedy, is this newest group of Warriors that was summoned two days ago, are simply struggling to get by. Cities refused them entry, and they are fighting to survive in the wilds. This may seem harsh, but perhaps they will forge a spine from their new reality. Gods know we need them."
Tyler sighed.
"Okay, we have a fix on Sylvia's murderers. We will discuss it later."
Lily crossed her arms.
"Things for and against?"
"For? I want to, and Wulf wants to. We owe this to Sylvia. As for against? Term itself. We'd need to enter the city, and I do NOT want to enter that place yet. Not until Sera, Lillia and you get a lot more blood experience. Once I am satisfied with your strength, we'll hit that city once more. As, by that point, you'll be at the level of say Lucy or Malico."
Lily was nodding.
"Uncle Wolf will need to be told. But, I'll handle him."
Tyler just hugged her, as he felt Sylvia's presence poke him.
"Hey, Lily, Sylvia wants a word, so keep watch, okay?"
She snorted.
"Sure."
Tyler closed his eyes and concentrated on the small girl's presence. He was now seeing her clearly.
"Hey, Sylvia. I think I did it."
She smiled as she hugged him.
"Thank you. Willow will be exactly what this city needs."
He stroked her long hair.
"Something bothering you?"
She sighed.
"Just worried about you. I can feel your rage quite clearly. And it scares me and Sallie. When you read that bit about me, the rage grew daggers, and started to rotate inside you, and we were sobbing from just how much it hurt."
Tyler hugged her tightly as he pressed her head into his shoulder.
"I'm okay. I'm sorry."
She wrapped her arms around him.
"You HAVE to stop torturing yourself. It's not right. We're here WITH you, we get to HUG you, and talk to you, and play with you and even travel with you. We can't get hurt, sick, or die, yet you are still not satisfied. We will always be with you, and you can see us every night, and yet you want more? I would call you a greedy selfish man, if you wanted it for yourself, yet you want it for US. When all WE want is to see you smile, have fun, and go on adventures."
Tyler was stroking her hair as she spoke.
"I just wish you could be with us, and we all could get to hug you."
She sighed as she leaned back to look at him.
"Then give them all the Muse ability as well. They care enough that it will work. Just stop hurting yourself over us. It's hurting us too, seeing us being merely things that cause you pain."
Tyler sighed deeply.
"To tell the truth? It's intentional. Okay, Sylvia. Sallie, I'll tell you something."
The green haired girl sat on his other knee.
"You doing this to yourself….willingly?"
HE sighed again.
"I am. You remember that ability Furiosa gave me? Roar of the Forest? It feeds of feelings for it's strength. Right now, if I pack all the pain, the regret, the rage into that ability and unleash it, five square miles will be reduced to a glowing crater. So. My plan was to keep adding to the stockpile until the waves. As then, in a very worse case scenario, I have a means to save us all."
Sylvia and Sallie looked at each other horrified,
"But, the strain will kill you!"
"NO one can handle the emotional strain! Not EVEN you!"
Tyler smiled an unpleasant smile.
"Multiply that rage, regret, pain and hate by ten thousand, and you have HALF of the hourly strain it took to keep the Monster restrained. This a strain I am VERY used to carrying."
The two girls just hugged him all the tighter.
"Kaori told us about the Monster."
"She said it was slowly killing you."
"It was. But, to protect those I love, I will willingly subject myself to the deepest of my hell in order to gain the power to keep them alive."
Sylvia looked him in the eye.
"Even if it means hurting US?"
Tyler gasped at her question. Then he hung his head.
"If it came down to you, or Kaori, I'd choose Kaori without hesitating."
Both girls sighed.
"We know."
"And accept it. She WILL be our mother after all, only makes sense you protect her with everything you are."
Tyler jumped.
"You've said that twice. I thought you were just easing us."
Sallie and Sylvia giggled,
"Okay, we'll let you in on what we told Kaori."
"We've chosen HER and YOU to be our next parents. As twins."
Tyler hugged them tightly then.
"Will you remember?"
They nodded.
"We will, as it would seem your willpower was added to our own, along with your mental fortitude. So, our minds will be able to handle the shock and trauma of a birth."
He hugged them as tightly as he dared.
"Well, alright then. Sadly, it won't be for a very long time. Got a world to ruin right for you."
They both laughed, as they felt the rage within him go dormant and the torture stop. Then Sylvia giggled.
"Oh, and so you know, if Lily becomes your wife, we'll still be your girls."
"HUH?!"
Both spirit girls fell over laughing at the look of mind blown on his face, as a nuclear bomb exploded behind his brown eyes. The two girls were even kicking their legs in the air as their humor was that extreme. Tyler's eyes were twitching as his mind fought against itself in a most desperate attempt to recover from the two girls comment. Finally, they recovered enough to poke his nose.
"Boop."
"Boop!"
It restarted his brain.
"I'll be sure to tell Kaori that one."
Now it was THEIR turn to be scared, and Tyler laughed.
"Well, ladies, I need to go. Lily's waiting for me."
They giggled.
"Hug her for us!"
"Tell Mommy we love her!"
He smiled as he let the power go, and he opened his eyes to see Lily get thrown into the stone wall with savage force. She slid down, and left a small blood trail on the wall. Tyler had a holy relief on her before she hit the grass. HE was beside her in the very next instant, as he saw her vest had absorbed the overwhelming brunt of the shot. The small elf girl opened her eyes, and smiled as her wounds were healed.
"Took ya long enough. I'm fine."
Tyler rose, as a large object smashed off his own vest, and him not even feel it. HE looked over his shoulder to see a group of ten men wearing beaked masks and dragon seals of the church pinning him against the wall in a semicircle. Tyler drew in a breath.
"Ocean dragon roar!"
HE unleashed the flames of Tempesta upon their bodies, as Lily got to her feet, pulled a whistle she'd made at a campfire, and blew an earsplittingly loud blast that echoed off the buildings as it filled that section of the city. The men died screaming as Tyler walked out to a more open area, drew in a deeper breath,
"OCEAN DRAGON ROARRRRRRR!"
This blast was easily three hundred feet tall, and it lit the gold sky for miles with a deep, roiling blue as the city was now on full alert, for ANYTHING that had enraged the Outcast that much, was an enemy of the city itself. The Elven Guard was deployed and the gates sealed as Tyler's party, Willow, Glacious, and Tatiana all arrived on the scene of the burning bodies. Willow took one look at the line of blood on the wall, and Tyler casting another, far more potent Holy Relief on Lily at the base of the streak, enraged the mother.
"What happened?"
"The spirits I travel with via Holy Muse wanted a word with me, so we set up in that spot there."
The spot was a well hidden alcove behind some bushes, tucked into the wall of the Palace.
"When I came out, all I saw was Lily hit the wall. She's okay, and from the look of it, got four herself before that bastard with the hammer got her with a lucky shot."
Lily looked at her mother,
"Momma didn't raise no weakling. Take more an this to do ME in."
Tyler and everyone sighed with relief as Tyler looked at her.
"Where'd they come from?"
Lily sat up, and pointed to an alley.
"I was sharpening my dagger while you had your talk, and so you know, it looks SUPER weird on this end, when this group of men in those weird masks walk out of that alley there, look around as if looking for someone and spot me just sitting here minding me own. One man yelled, 'death to the blasphemers by order of his holiness Pope Skyr!' I had my bow up as they charged, I got five, just so you know. I had to move, as they pulled that semi-crap on me too, and as it did, that one got me with the hammer. The mail took the worst of it, and my wall hug. Still hurt though, and then the Dragon came to."
Tyler looked at the four with arrows.
"Bastards alive. FIND HIM."
Willow looked to the crystal dragon, who snorted.
"There is not a single creature that can escape a hunting dragon."
She took off as all of the Elven Guard had sealed the city gates to everything. Tyler looked to Willow,
"Sorry she was alone out there."
The elf queen snorted.
"She WASN'T alone, boy. Not with you right beside her, spirit walk or no spirit walk. Like me girl said, she's tough!"
Tyler smiled.
"An no two ways bout it!"
Lily got up, and was a little shaky, but got over it as Glacious returned bearing a gift. The fifth man had the arrow in his knee. Tyler looked at kaori.
"Don't say it. Don't even think about saying it."
Sera tilted her head.
"Say what?"
"Ugh."
Tyler smiled.
"I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee. Just a saying from a game I got lost in once."
Sera nodded, understanding.
"Like a good book you can't put down"
Tyler patted her head before pulling out his Sgian Dao. As soon as that knife came out, his party shuddered. Wulf nudged Tatiana.
"Watch. Tyler's about to show you the differences between our worlds."
Tyler was whistling as he removed the beaked mask from the face of the terrified man.
"Mercy sirrah! Please!"
Tyler was still whistling as he stabbed in in the other knee.
"So, what's your orders this time?"
The man looked away as he answered, ignoring the pain in his knees.
"I will die before I tell the plans of his holiness."
"hey, just outta curiosity, but, your religion, who it worship again?"
The man snorted.
"Dragonis the red dragon."
Tyler tilted his head as he looked to his lore experts.
"That's not another name for Ignatia is it?"
Tatiana burst out laughing.
"They're one and the same. Ignatia is worshipped as a god by the human church."
Tyler looked back to the man.
"That right?"
HE spat at him, and missed.
"Indeed it is, vile blasphemer. What would one such as YOU know of our dragon lord?"
Tyler pulled up his HUD and showed him Ignatia's Dragon Friend title. The man went white at the sight.
"No. It cannot be. His red fury, Lord Ignatia, has bestowed his blessing upon you?"
Tyler breathed his red flames just to drive the point home. Then he smiled at him.
"ME and Ignatia are on first name terms."
The man forced himself onto his knees as he held his hands in prayer.
"Forgive me, Friend of Flame. It would seem we were deceived."
"No shit. So, your orders?"
"Kill you, and return to the fallen pope with the Warrior Kaori, that she grace his bed, as is his way."
"Even though she too has the same title?"
"She does great one?"
"Just minus the flames. I got those."
"Actually, He gave me those as well. Watch."
She breathed the flames herself, and Tyler sat back on his haunches.
"Annnnd when were you going to tell me this?"
She smiled sweetly.
"I was going to surprise you!"
"I love you, kaori. I really do, but why o why do I get the feeling your idea of 'surprising me' was going to be you setting ME on fire?"
She giggled.
"I dunno."
"Wow, Kaori, I didn't know you had a cute setting as well. Sera has you beat in cuteness though."
"Yay!"
"Well SHIT!"
They all laughed as the man then grasped the true depth of his folly.
"It would seem the pope has abandoned the true path. The brotherhood needs to be informed."
Tyler looked at him.
"Hmm, I smell an opportunity here. You to report somewhere?"
"Just to this cities branch."
"That being where?"
"Near the wallgate you rode in Sire. A large red building with a dragon curled upon it."
Tatiana sighed.
"That one. Yeah, they do nothing but preach their dragon worship to all passing ears."
Tyler stood.
"Okay. We have a few options here. 1: we just kill em and be done with it, as we already have our plan. 2: We send him to his fellow worshippers with the tale of our breath and titles to sow seeds of dissent. 3: We just wipe them out period. 4: Some combination of the list."
Willow had a thought.
"This plan, would it work?"
"Yes. It's a guaranteed long-term victory. The risks are also lower overall as well."
Willow rubbed her chin.
"So our options vary in terms of risk/reward."
"That's the size of it yeah."
Tyler crossed his arms as they all considered it. Then Tatiana had a thought.
"What about sending him to the church, while you go about your other plans? Willow, I'll inform you of their plan, as I was present for it."
"Kinda sorta."
"Of course. Does that seem fair to you?"
Tyler chuckled,
"It does. Lily?"
She walked over and kicked the still kneeling man in the balls so hard, Tyler AND Wulf cringed in sympathy for their fellow man.
"Yikes. Yeah, enemy or not, every man sympathizes a hard nut shot."
"Indeed. Few things in this world are as universal."
The kicked man, however, was unaware of their sympathies, as he was white in the face, as he cradled his now traumatized manhood. Lily nodded decisively at her foot work.
"There. I feel better."
Tyler then felt the need.
"Um, hey, Lily."
She looked over at his now concerned voice.
"Something wrong?"
"If I've ever done anything to piss you off, I'm sorry."
She smiled.
"Forgiven. Next time, however, you get the BOOT!"
Tyler gulped.
"Yikes."
They were all laughing at his predicament, as kaori was heard chuckling.
"Go easy on his spear, Lily, or you wouldn't get it when the time comes."
Lily tilted her head.
"Ah yeah. I fergot. Eh, fine."
Tyler breathed a hefty sigh of relief.
"Oh thank the gods for Kaori."
"I WILL expect repayment."
HE smiled at her.
"You want to do something for you, or…"
She smirked.
"Yes."
Tyler chuckled.
"Okay. Work first. PLAY later."
Kaori was witnessed to pout as Tyler healed the man's legs, but not his groin. Afterwards, the city was under strict watch in case of another attack. Tyler and his party had found an Inn that they liked and had gotten rooms, as everyone smiled as they saw Tyler set a room for him and kaori. He then walked over to Malico, and whispered into her ear.
"In two hours, we'll go FIRST. Sound good?"
The sexy catgirl's tail was seen to shiver.
"Will SHE join us?"
"Her? No clue."
HE left her with that as he sat next to Sera and Vixen as he opened the map up.
"Okay, tomorrows a town wide party for both US and the new queen. Everyone be on high alert. Sera, Lillia and Lily are NOT to be alone. These kinds of things are notorious for nasty surprises. Or uninvited guests."
They all nodded. Lily was heard chuckling.
"Glacious will be circling overhead. And the Scouts will be in the shadows."
"Overprepared. Now, we'll spent tonight, tomorrow, and tomorrow night in the city. Then we head back to TopLeaf so Kaori can check on the horse feed, before we head to Raylik to check on Melly. Yalik after that."
Wulf looked at the distances involved in such a journey.
"That's a fair bit of ground to cover. How are we on food?"
Tyler pulled a piece of paper.
"We still have 800 pounds of Lisk meat, 30 buck, maybe a hundred apples, 300 pounds of rock drake left, and some left over tea leaves."
Wulf crossed his arms.
"That's a decent enough amount on its own. Potions?"
"Jesus. Plenty. We have three full pouches."
Vixen had a thought.
"Can we sell any of them?"
"We can. But I'd really rather not. As most are healing potions, more we have the better."
Wulf smiled.
"I know we're set, but coin?"
"Thousands."
Lucy added her own.
"What about gems?"
"We still have a decent amount left over. That said, I'd prefer those as dragon offerings."
Thistle chuckled.
"Aye lad. A wise move."
Wulf was tracing the routes they planned to take.
"Okay, from here to TopLeaf took us two days, TopLeaf to Raylik will be all downhill. Kaori will set the pace, as a downhill ride is especially dangerous for horses."
She smiled as Tyler chuckled.
"See kaori? You're awesome."
Wulf chuckled, as he then traced a finger to Yalik.
"From Raylik to Yalik is three days through open plains. Perfect horse country. Mostly flat, with some rolling hills, light forests, and grasslands. IS there any update from the guild in that area we need to be aware of?"
Tyler sighed, and tapped Term.
"My mother's party were last sighted here in term after Seline nearly killed them for bragging about what they did to Sylvia."
Wulf started shaking as he glared a hole through the indicated spot.
"What do we do?"
Tyler sighed a deep sigh.
"For now? As much as it hurts me Wulf, we let them rot. We have three with us that NEED far more practice before we ride into that death trap."
Wulf sighed deeply as well.
"it hurts me as well. But, I agree."
"At least we have a pinned down last spot. Plus, the closer we get to term, the more likely we are to encounter them on the road. Oh, and heads up everyone, when we ride to Yalik, Tempesta's looking to meet up."
They all looked at him in shock, even Wulf.
"How could you know that?"
"Big guy took down an airship that ignored their new rules. Then gave an interview to a very brave reporter saying how he's looking to see how strong I've gotten. Thinks I might be able to scratch him."
They all just laughed, as Wulf sighed again.
"It will take all my strength to not go after them. But, for the spirit of Sylvia, I will do so."
Tyler sighed as he looked at term.
"I hate it too, Wulf. Believe me I do."
Sera hugged him.
"We'll get stronger soon enough.
Tyler smiled as he hugged her back.
"I know you will."
Tyler then added the days the trip would take up.
"So we're looking at a week and a half on the trail alone. Plus, a full day in TopLeaf, two full in Raylik, and however many we stay in Yalik. I'll say three. So, we have the next two and a half weeks planned out. That leaves a further week and a half before we need to get serious about our levels, spells, and abilities."
Tyler traced a finger from Raylik to the Dark Forest.
"Okay. It's a two day trip to the Dark Forest. Once we hit the two week heads up, we'll head there for two days. See Sylvain and Juniper, then maybe visit Malico's village, just because."
Malico laughed.
"You just wanna hug Myuki again."
"Like I keep telling you. I AM a cat person."
Tyler tapped Raylik.
"After we're done with Yalik, we'll set up shop in Ralik for the time being. Guild jobs, bounties, bandits, and general leveling. Since it's in such a central spot, halfway to everywhere type gimmick, we can explore the area as well."
Wulf smiled.
"There's a few places in that region a day's ride from the city you'll love."
Tyler looked at the surrounding countryside.
"Sounds like fun. While in Raylik, we can relax slightly more. But, we'll see where the girls are with strength by that point."
All heads nodded. Then Tyler felt the need to make something clear.
"Okay. Now, the first wave. Let me makes something clear. It is going to be an absolute MASSACRE. Our party will find our own piece of the battlefield, claim it, and hold it. I am certain we will be just fine. As by that point, Lily, Sera and Lillia will be at the same level as Lucy or Wulf. And such, can handle themselves. We ARE NOT playing coddle or babysit. We in agreement here?"
They all nodded, as Malico spoke up.
"Monsters like Liches, goblins, orcs and giants are spawned to attack us in the waves. Only much stronger. Plus a wave boss. A super powerful foe that if brought down ends that wave immediately. The party that kills that thing gets a thousand gold as a drop, a thousand gems, and a massive gear drop as well. Basically a step up from our current gear."
Tyler smiled.
"A party? We all know it'll be OUR party. And, once we get paid, we mount the fuck up, and get the fuck out. If our horses get screwed with, Kaori will notice."
"They get sent with us. As the field will be massive."
"Any clue on terrain?"
Wulf and Malico crossed their arms.
"Different every time."
"Since this is only the first, I'd say more like the area around Raylik."
Tyler smiled.
"As long as it don't drop us out over open ocean, I can make a solid plan in the first thirty seconds."
They all laughed, as a small elven girl came over to the table with large red eyes. Tyler looked at her curiously.
"Uh, hi miss. You lost?"
She gasped,
"Are, you a Warrior?"
Tyler smiled.
"I am. My name's Tyler the Outcast."
Her already wide eyes went even wider as her small mouth formed a cute O in shock.
"THE Outcast?"
Tyler chuckled.
"Indeed, Miss. And these are my party."
She had such a look of awe on her face that they all chuckled fondly. Then Tyler noticed something on her arm.
"Miss, are you hurt?"
She was snapped out of her hero awe as she showed a cut on her arm.
"I fell."
"Looks serious, C'mere."
She walked over shyly as he patted her head.
"Holy Relief."
She giggled as his spell encased her. Her cut was healed, and her mild cold was as well. Then she hugged him in thanks,
"Thank you, Lord! I got to meet my hero!"
Tyler smiled,
"Just give this cutie beside me a hug as well."
Sera squealed, and the girl gasped as she saw she knew her. The girl looked to Tyler as Sera nearly throttled her with hug death. He placed a finger to his lips and winked. She smiled as she gave Sera a taste of hug death herself. After, she ran off waving as her mother came over to thank him.
"She looks up to the Warriors. Plus, having HER give her a hug will give her a story to tell in a few years."
Tyler chuckled as he patted Sera's head.
"Ya never forget yer first hug death."
The lady smiled gratefully.
"We'll teach her the value of secrets."
"Sure."
Tyler and his crew all laughed as they got left alone. Tyler spotted kaori with the room key as she headed up the stairs with a secret smile, and Tyler smiled as well. He waited five minutes, before catching Malico's eye, winking, and looking at the stairs. She smiled as well, and they left the table. The party engrossed by a new course of food, he'd paid for as a distraction. Malico was practically running down the hall to the room he'd indicated. He pretended to turn a key and open it, and as Malico walked in, he shut it, only for Kaori to pull the surprised cat to the bed under her. Tyler locked the door, and walked over to the happily kissing couple.
"Ready Malico?"
She gasped as she now knew what was in store for her, then smiled happily.
"Always!"
The trio stripped naked, as Malico laid on her back and offered herself to him as Kaori latched onto her succulent nipples to suckle. Tyler laid his sword upon her sheath, and she wrapped her tail around his waist.
"Just be easy."
HE smiled as he took her hands.
"I love you, Malico."
She purred as he slid into her.
"I love you too. You too, kaori."
Malico was a soft and gentle lover, as her fur tickled and her moans excited both Tyler and Kaori as they both made their favorite catgirl lose herself in their sex. As the catgirl got filled, she would swap with Kaori, and it would be her turn. Malico's breasts were suckled and her tail teased as kaori got filled and suckled as well. Then they all fell to the bed satisfied, with Tyler in the middle with Kaori and Malico on either side. They all smiled.
"I have been WAITING for that."
Malico smiled.
"Thank you for the surprise. And the wonderful first."
Kaori chuckled.
"The SECOND feels sooooo much better! Trust me bed sister."
The cat chuckled as she laid her tail on his chest.
"My tail is your tail."
He smiled as he petted the tail he had repaired in a faraway village.
"And a fine tail it be."
She purred as he teased it again.
"Stop, it kinda hurts now!"
He smiled and let her off the hook. He then got an insane idea.
"Hey, Malico. I got an idea."
She gulped as she saw his eyes following her tail.
"What why are you looking at my tail like that?"
"Was wondering if you were to put it up Kaori's kitty if it'd feel good for you both."
Silence. A LONG silence. Like a solid ten minutes of an extremely awkward silence. Then Kaori snorted as she burst out laughing as Malico just collapsed.
"Ya know, Malico."
Kaori looked at the long appendage curiously.
"I was kinda wonderin that myself."
Malico just burst out laughing herself now. And she leered at kaori as she waved her tail Seductively.
"My poor spot can't take anymore play. But, my TAIL feels fine!"
Kaori laid on her back as Tyler rolled onto his side to watch and kiss Kaori as Malico pulled her long tail between her long legs to form her own sword. Kaori opened her legs to allow access as she felt the furry end touch her. She moaned.
"Oh, that kinda feels good."
Malico stiffened her tail up as much as she could as she pushed it into Kaori. The blonde bucking as the new sensation filled her with pleasure.
"OH. MY. Gods. Malico please don't stop! That feels sooo good!"
The sexy cat was also morning.
"You're so warm, Kaori, and soooo tight! Oh, I love this! Best idea he's ever had!"
Kaori pulled the catgirl's hips until she was filled with tail.
"Oh yes! Try moving it!"
Tyler was just loving the two girls playing dirty. As Malico pulled it in and out like Tyler did on the ride, as Kaori was all but crying from just how good it felt. Then both girls pleasure overwhelmed them both, and they climaxed hard, before falling on top of each other holding hands. Tyler kissed them both.
"Was it good?"
They smiled weakly as Malico's sticky tail was removed from Kaori's scabbard. Tyler chuckled as he saw his own sword was looking for release as well. Malico saw this, and preformed the last spit shine of the night. Then they all laid down together.
"Been a while since it was just us sleeping together."
Malico and Kaori both smiled as they remembered.
"Yeah. Still feels great."
"We should do a job together, just the three of us. Like it was."
They clasped hands.
"The original Outcasts."
Tyler looked at Kaori.
"We gonna visit Sallie and Sylvia?"
The blonde smiled.
"Let's bring Malico into our little family."
Tyler settled down and held a now curious Malico's hand.
"Go to sleep. It's that kinda skill."
They all got comfy before falling as Tyler and Kaori whispered their ability names.
"Holy Muse."
"fire Muse."
Tyler and kaori then got off the bed to see Sallie and Sylvia clapping in respect. Tyler bowed as Kaori chuckled.
"Enjoy the show girls?"
Sallie giggled.
"Tyler's such a dirty boy."
Sylvia was blushing.
"He is indeed. Kaori's a very dirty girl too."
Tyler was shaking Malico.
"And SHE'S a very dirty kittycat."
Malico opened her eyes to see Sallie and Sylvia smiling at her from Tyler and Kaori's arms. She sat up, and saw her still sleep body, and understood then. She then got up to meet the two girls.
"Well, what a pair of cuties! YOU must be Sallie, and YOU must be Sylvia."
The two girls were engrossed with her large melons and soft fur. Sallie straight up groped her as she giggled.
"Like em?"
Sallie looked at Kaori's bust.
"I hope I get ACTUAL boobs."
Sylvia giggled.
"If I remember, we will. Kinda a thing in HIS family, only WE'LL be a right pair o hotties!"
Kaori was smiling a bemused smile as Tyler sighed.
"And that ladies, was how I got murdered in my sleep."
Malico and the two small girls giggled as Kaori sighed.
"If I remember right, you're grandmother when she was younger was big."
Tyler went to reply, but Sallie beat him to it.
"The big boobs need to come from SOMEWHERE, mommy!"
Tyler just closed his mouth, and sighed again, as Malico and the two girls lost it at Kaori's now strained expression. HE sighed.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you two were TRYING to get me killed."
They giggled.
"Nah, just hurt."
Tyler just sat on the floor against the wall.
"I'll take my place for this one."
Kaori just looked at him.
"YOU don't mind my boobs, do you?"
"I love em, Kaori. Like I told you in the hotspring, yours' are perfect for cuddling and holding at night."
She smiled as she looked at Sallie.
"I'll let it go for now, little lady, but remember, I CAN tease you as well."
She giggled.
"Just be sure to remember to pad your chest."
Tyler tilted his head.
"The hell you learn that from?"
She looked at him as she pointed to Sylvia.
"She told me it was something they complained about when she got taken by them. Saying how Kaori's mother had padded her chest to sucker her father into bed, and leg lock him when he tried to pull out."
Kaori sighed sadly.
"It does explain a lot."
"Fuck em. You're here, kaori. Nothing but a good thing."
She brightened right up.
"I feel better now, thank you."
The group spent the night playing with the two spirit girls, until the sunlight was seen. Tyler had a thought as he and the girls returned to their bodies.
"Hey, Sylvia, make sure Wulf don't try to play peep with his own spirit trick."
She giggled like a mad girl.
"He already tried!"
The three all looked at each other.
"Oh he did, did he?"
"Wow, Wulf, just wow."
"Didn't see that coming."
Tyler looked at the girls.
"Did you stop him?"
Sallie chuckled.
"We asked him if he truly wanted to open that door. He turned around and walked away."
"Smart move."
"Love you Sallie. Love you, Sylvia. See you tonight."
They waved as they all laid in their bodies. Then Sallie nudged Sylvia.
"Should we tell him about that black mage that watched?"
"I don't think so. Not really important."
"Was it Vixen?"
Both girls jumped in shock, before sighing.
"Yup."
"She has her own color's version, and watched you play this time. She loved it."
"Nifty. I'mma screw with her today then."
Tyler laid down and rejoined his body.