Tyler had Kaori sitting in front of him, as since he was the strongest, griped the horns to keep them in place. Kaori's ponytail was strewn out behind her, and Tyler pushed it over his shoulder as the dragon sped along the sky near the speed of a jet. The wing beats and movement of the dragon feeling more like they were flying on a large snake with a furnace beneath the scale. Tyler was laughing wildly.
"Now THIS is how you travel!"
The pair could see over his scales just fine, and in ten minutes saw the Spear of Raylik rapidly approaching. Tyler smiled widely.
"Hey, lets make a fucking entrance, Tempesta."
The dragon smiled as well.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Well, that bandit army needs a real fire lit under their asses. Shall we warm them up?"
The dragon laughed hard.
"Boy, I love that idea. And it would seem we're just in time to render aid."
Tyler and Kaori used Farsight to see a large army assaulting the walls, and Tyler frowned.
"Wait, what the hell? Seline said a FEW bandit lords. Okay, we need answers. Torch and burns still a go, but me an Kaori will take a designated survivor for my interrogation."
She nodded as Tempesta altered his flight path.
"Boy, I'll use my power to get that leader on a projection for you."
"Wow, guess dragons get all the toys. Patch her in, flame bro."
An image of Seline was seen then, and she seemed VERY confused.
"Tyler? Why are you so clear?"
Tyler smiled.
"Are you on the wall?"
"We are, and we need your help!"
"Look up."
Her image did look up, and she gaped.
"Yeah, I brought a friend. Tempesta, shall we crash this ball?"
He chuckled as he angled downward.
"Let's. Lady Kaori, you've been granted my flames as well. Let's make a scene!"
He then roared out his challenge as the battlefield went silent, as both sides looked up to see the blue dragon Tempesta diving to join the fray, with Tyler and Kaori sitting just behind his head holding his spikes. The defenders on the wall raised a massive cheer as the enemy army screamed in terror as Tempesta flew overhead, loosing his blue flames with Tyler and kaori breathing their own flames as well. That single pass lit a massive wall of flames along the front of the attacking army, effectively blocking entry into the city with a wall for hellish flames as Tempesta landed, Tyler and Kaori leaping to the ground hands on weapons.
"I'll stay here and keep them from escaping."
"Thanks Tempesta! Let's have fun!"
Tyler reached up, and grasped his two broadsword hilts, and drew them both as the army of still 600 strong charged them. Tyler smiled as he took in a deep breath, with Kaori doing the same.
"OCEAN DRAGON ROARRRRR!"
"STORM DRAGON ROARRRRRRR!"
They sent twin waves of blue flames into the faces of the enemy, as Tyler played his next card.
"WATERWALL!"
A thirty foot wall of water rose out of the ground to pin the soldiers between his wall of water, and a rapidly spreading through the ranks flaming inferno. Then Tyler used another spell.
"WATERBURST!
A forty foot ball of water dropped into the center of the army, trapping a solid fifty within it's water's death. Then it burst, sending a mass of water spikes to impale soldiers through mail and plate. Kaori smiled as she waved her hand.
"Lava field!"
The land under the feet of the solders thirty feet from the water wall base became the hottest of lava, as Tyler got a nasty idea.
"Hey, barbie, remember that lesson on underwater volcanoes?"
Her eyes lit up as she cast the same spell again as Tyler cast his other spell.
"Water fall!"
Result? A massive explosion that blew a hole in the ground in the first ten ranks of Soldiers twenty feet deep, and killing two hundred flat out with the shockwave alone. Tyler smiled widely, as he looked to his white path's ace: Divine retribution. He cast it, and the barrier was set and invisible as the now sufficiently recovered army set its mages to casting spells. Tyler and Kaori drank a bunch of mana potions to refill their pools, before firing arrows loaded with nasty enhancements into the ranks of the trying to push forward soldiers. All the while Tempesta was watching two Warriors slaughtering an army of hundreds.
"That boy may be the strongest human, but that blonde is no slouch either!"
Tyler and Kaori were smiling as the piles of the dead grew before them, as Divine Retribution's charging was completed. Tyler spread his arms wide, making the barrier into a wall, and pushing forward as he roared.
"DIVINE RETRIBUTION!"
The wall then fired a massive beam of white power that tore a grove in ground ten feet wide and ten feet deep as it reduced another hundred soldiers to mere corpses. Then Tyler grasped the hilts of Fafner and Gleipnir, and pulled both blades from the ground,
"We only got a hundred left. Let's hurry up."
Kaori couched with her katana.
"Lets."
Tyler surged forward with Kaori right beside him as they tore into the survivors. Tyler's dual Mythril broadswords carving soldiers like a razor blade through paper. Kaori's dance of death making the very air bleed, as Seline and her defending army watched as two Warriors laid waste to an army of six hundred…..with the aid of Tempesta himself as he watched the battle with an approving eye. Tyler and kaori smiled as they met in the middle of the army they had just killed. Out of six hundred men, only one yet drew breath. Tyler was coated in a paint of red as he dragged the screaming man to an open spot underneath Tempesta's now curious gaze. Kaori was also cloaked in red, and her blonde hair was now stained a dusky crimson as Tyler crouched to look at the terrified man.
"So. Where'd you come from?"
The man gulped.
"I'll die before I tell a monster like you!"
Tyler just smiled, as he drew his Sgian Dao.
"Good. I was hoping you'd be an idiot."
Kaori sighed.
"Can you make it quick? I...…wanna take a bath."
"Sure."
Tyler got up, and retrieved a fallen spear. He was whistling as if this was just another day on the job as he flipped the amore damn over, tore his plate legs open exposing his rear, and placed the blunt end of the spear against his cheeks.
"Talk, or this is going up your ass."
The man screamed.
"JUST WHAT THE HELLS IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
"Wrong. Answer."
Still whistling he applied a steady pressure, and the object began to penetrate the man's rear, as he screamed and clawed at the dirt,
"Talk, dammit. I'm getting bored."
"Alright! Okay I'll talk!"
Tyler chuckled as he looked at a now shocked Tempesta.
"See? Once I get my claws on them, they ALWAYS talk."
The dragon shook his head.
"Boy, that was just plain scary."
"I can break a man's spirit very easily. It's a hobby."
Tyler looked at the man now holding his nearly violated rear.
"So. Where'd this army come from?"
The man was sobbing.
"We were paid by a group of Warriors to force the city to open its gates to them. We already tried Dragul, but the leader Kazuma and the defenders were too strong."
"You a mercenary company?"
"Aye sir. We were originally a thousand strong, but Dragul took a lot, and we lost then rest here."
"What the hell did they give you for this kinda stunt?"
"A mass of gems, coin, and the promise of any women we took a fancy to."
"Did you get the coin and gems?"
"Our leader got the pouch. His body is over there under them."
Kaori extracted the pouches in question.
"What's their definition of a mass?"
"5000 gold, 400 diamonds, 500 sapphires, 300 emeralds, 4 opals, and a rather large amethyst."
Tyler became thoughtful.
"That's a decent haul alright."
HE looked to Tempesta, to Kaori, then the walls. The blue dragon chuckled.
"I can FEEL that mind thinking."
"Just wondering how to play it. One hand, I want to keep that mass of gems, for, ya know, dragon bribes. The coin too. Same time, I'd like to give Seline the coin to fix her city, and you the gems as thanks for everything. Just a few options and none really bad."
The dragon rumbled in amusement.
"I repaid a debt to you for saving my young. Would you not do the same for the one that saved kaori?"
Tyler smiled.
"Again, fair point. Maybe I should stop looking a gift dragon in the flames."
That got a chuckle as Tyler looked at the man.
"You the only merc crew?"
"Just the largest."
"Okay, here's your deal. You'll go spread the word that mercs are NOT to have ANYTHING to do with the Warriors besides hiring them for jobs. If any try to hire you, with the exception of myself, Kaori and Kazuma, the answer is no. Or, you will all be roasted like the rest of you were."
The man nodded, and was sent on his way with a tale of fire and dragons. Of a nearly successful campaign that had ended in the slaughter of his entire army at the hands of two Warriors. QAs he went, Tempesta looked to Tyler.
"I have fulfilled my debt to you, boy."
"Thanks again Tempesta. Was fun."
The dragon laughed.
"I have not had that kind of fun in far too long. It was good to fly to war again."
"You ever get bored, well, we got room for dragon support in our nuthouse."
HE burst out laughing at the thought.
"Careful, just what would you do if I agreed?"
"Long as you agree to my camp rules, welcome to the team."
HE looked at him.
"Okay, now I'm curious. Camp rules?"
"Sure. 1: As the strongest HUMAN on the team, I hold the coin. 2: no work no food. In MY camp you pull your weight. 3: and this more for the ones that fit, in a town or village, we ALL share a room to share coin. My unspoken rules are simpler. Keep our secrets, follow my orders, and don't get on a high horse."
Tempesta got a most thoughtful look in his eye.
"I must admit, I find this proposition….tempting indeed."
"Well, why not?"
The dragon looked at him.
"Hmmm, what if a member wished to part ways?"
Tyler opened his mouth to answer, only to become thoughtful himself.
"Huh. Ya know sumthin? I missed that one. Well, long as you keep our camp secrets, you're fine. If one wishes to part ways, we'd give them a share of the coin we had on hand and wish em well. Though, if they wished it further down the line they wanted in, we'd welcome them back with open arms."
Tempesta lifted his arm to scratch his chin as he considered the option.
"Run with a Warrior party. A very intriguing proposition."
"Hey, just a thought. But, you DO hate the demonkind right?"
HE looked at him.
"They killed a young of mine once."
"Well, besides my absolute annihilation of the goblin race, hunting demons is also fun. We've killed three thus far."
Tempesta's eyes started to smolder.
"You hunt to fell beasts?"
"They stole my title damn it! Ya damn right we hunt them!"
HE smiled with a savage glee.
"I will make a deal with you boy."
"This is gonna be good."
"As much as I would like to fly with a Warrior party, I'm afraid if such a thing were to occur it would destroy the balance of the waves forever more. That said, should you encounter demonkind of any kind, use my name to summon me, and we will kill it together."
"I get the loot, right?"
"Long as it dies screaming."
"And is made to look UTTERLY stupid. Oh, and fair warning, but we HAVE found a demon chamber underground."
"What kind of demon?"
"A pride demon."
Tempesta growled with a fury that Tyler understood perfectly.
"Was it slow?"
"I sent that thing to hell in pieces, taunting it the entire time."
Kaori laughed.
"He literally left it's heart as a circle he'd cut out as he carved it like a blind butcher with a chopping fixation."
"Nice image."
"Nice image."
Both human and dragon spoke the exact same thing at the exact same time. They then looked at each other, and burst out laughing. Then Tempesta looked at Tyler again.
"A pride was the one that killed Glacious' sister."
"Well, I understand. And, we killed one."
Tempesta spread his azure wings wide.
"Do we have a deal?"
Tyler smiled.
"We do. When we encounter demons in the field, we'll call in dragon support."
Tempesta then placed another 20 scales upon the ground and Tyler smiled as he added them to his pouch."
"We got a rather large amount of these now, and I STILL have no fuckin clue what I'll do with them. Thank you."
"Take care young ones."
"Oh, real quick."
"What?"
"What if we encounter demons in the waves?"
Tempesta sighed.
"Alas I cannot enter a wave once it's started."
"We'll deliver the horn as prove of kill."
The dragon smiled.
"I shall reward you in such a circumstance with more scales."
"Well now, sounds like fun."
HE flew off as the Nidhogg came in the deposit the other members of the party on the ground, along with the horses. They took one look at the blood drenched pair, and sighed.
"Greedy bastards."
They all laughed as Tyler looked to the walls.
"All clear! Search the dead on your end, we'll do so on ours!"
That broke the city out of it's stupor, as the walls erupted into a waterfall of cheers as the gates were flung open and the work begun to clean up the mess. And for the next two hours, the corpses were searched of all coin, valuables, and banned spells. Tyler used a water spell to clean himself and Kaori up best he could as they aided in the work. The Outcasts met Seline's men in the center, and then the bodies piled high so Tyler could set it aflame. He used Glacious' crystal fire to make the point, and he and his party were welcomed back with a hero's fanfare. Tyler astride Thunder and Kaori Gloss. Once inside the city gates, Seline was waiting to hug the heroes that had saved her city.
"Thank you."
The tall woman was nearly crying as Tyler and Kaori hugged her. Then Tyler chuckled.
"Like I'd let my favorite fox down. Here."
HE passed the pouch of 5000 gold.
"For damages."
She had full-blown tears in her eyes now as she took the king's treasure.
"We will be able to repair all the damage to the town, pay our soldiers, repay our doctors and healers, and even upgrade our walls."
Tyler smiled as he spotted a small shape forcing her way through the crowd.
"You sent for us, Seline. We came."
She hugged him again tighter.
"And you saved our beautiful town. Again."
"Like I'd let Melly there get hurt."
The small red haired girl came in squealing to hug Tyler.
"I saw a dragon! From the walls!"
HE lifted her up onto his arm as he hugged her.
"I KNEW that was a good idea!"
She giggled as she hugged him again.
"You staying long this time?"
"Need to double check with my crew, but we do have work in Yalik that needs to be seen to. Afterwards? I'll let you in on a party secret."
She squeaked, and lowered her ear so he could whisper in it.
"After we got back from Yalik, we're setting up shop in Raylik until the wave starts."
She gasped hard.
"Really?"
HE hugged her again.
"Sera said she wanted to see you, so yup."
That got a giggle, and he set her down, only for Sera to get her with hug death. Tyler smiled as he looked around.
"So. When's the party?"
The gathered crowd burst out laughing as Seline smiled.
"I'd like to ask you to aid our healers."
"Sure. Outcasts! Remember! Lily, Sera, and Lillia don't go anywhere alone. Other than that, we'll be here a few days. Annnnd scatter!"
Tyler followed Seline as she led the way to the hospital, and he noticed she was wearing a red robe cut in the back to allow for her tails to float freely. She saw him looking at her tail, and flicked it at him.
"Interested?"
"Sure."
She smiled happily.
"So you know, Yoko's just returned from a rather...thorough bath house visit."
"I'll find her after. We'll spend a few days in the city, in case of straggler, and to help with repairs."
She smiled as her twin fox tails flicked again.
"And me?"
HE smiled widely as well.
"Well, I'm I can fit you somewhere. In the meantime, that blonde was eyeing that rack and that foxfur."
She just shook her head.
"There goes my poor city."
"And your ability to walk."
"Wow, does she fully understand what she's unleashed upon her own kind?"
Tyler laughed.
"Oh, she knows. C'mere."
Now curious, Seline leaned in so he could whisper into her twitching fox ear.
"I suggested Malico use her tail as a sword in Kaori's kitty. And guess what? They loved it!"
Seline blinked, twice, before she went BEAT red as she pictured the scene. Tyler laughed.
"So yeah. She knows EXACTLY what she's set loose."
Seline just looked at him, and curled her tails behind her protectively.
"Boy, as much as I love the touch of another woman, I fear you are going to RUIN me."
HE leered at her, hard.
"That WAS my plan."
She gulped.
"Now I'm nervous."
"Let's see to the wounded first."
She sighed with relief at being let off the hook. Oh be still my poor heart! I haven't felt like this for a man in two hundred years! Oh my poor little fox is aching! Tyler smiled widely as he saw he'd left her hot and bothered. Oh I am going to have sooo much fun this time! They went to the same hospital Tyler had visited the last time he'd been in town. They walked in to the sounds of moaning and groaning men after a long siege. Tyler looked around, looking at the injuries, gauging what spells to use. HE then spotted a familiar angel girl slumped by a wall.
"Melirica!"
She jumped as she recognized the voice, and when she saw Tyler approaching she breathed a very heavy sigh of relief.
"Oh thank the gods. Can you help us please?"
He patted her back.
"Like I'd let an angel down. I got this."
Tyler set to his work with a will, and within the hour, every wounded person in the building had been healed. He was popping a mana potion as Melirica came over to hug him in thanks.
"I cannot thank you enough, mighty one."
He stroked her soft bird wings, finding them similar in feel to the eagle he'd gotten in the Dark Forest. She giggled.
"That tickles!"
HE let her go, and she seemed a little saddened by it. He chuckled.
"We'll be in town for a few days."
HE smiled at her as her wings flicked a little.
"I fear I sense a defiling in my future."
"You? A definite eventually."
Seline sighed.
"Okay. You can stop now."
"Eh, fine. I need to see Verilica. I guess I need to present my bestiary."
The ladies all smiled.
"I'll go get the party prep under way."
"I'll go get off my feet."
Tyler smiled and walked off to the guild. HE was whistling as he went, with FOUR sword hilts over his shoulders, two short swords, and two broad, and a bow in the center he could easily reach. His quiver was also easily accessible, as it was an enchanted one half the size of a real quiver, and was placed on his lower back.
"Hail! Outcast!"
"Hail!" Tis still strange. Being famous.
He walked to the guild hall and through the doors. The place was just as rowdy as last time, as jokes, drinks, insults and challenges all soared through the air as a roaring fire warmed the place nearby. He smiled as he saw Verilica looking bored in the booth, and walked over.
"What up ma Imp?"
She jumped at the sight of Tyler walking right on up to her booth out of nowhere. The sexy feral imp recovered quickly however.
"Tyler! Welcome back!"
He smiled fondly.
"Nice to see you too Verilica. How have you been?"
She smiled, bearing her pointed teeth.
"I've been good. Bored, but good."
HE smiled as he looked at the riotous gathering.
"I can see that. You ever wanna have fun, well, always wanted to play Imp wrangler!"
She chuckled heartedly.
"oh my, dear sir. What would that beautiful blonde companion say if I told her you were seeking me?"
"She'd ask me if I got you. She's free now to let her wild side play, and given me the same freedom. So, play we shall."
The imp flicked her forked tail.
"I pity the poor women of the realm now."
"Oh, they'll enjoy themselves. That is assured."
She was loving the flirting,
"As much as I'm loving the genuine flirting, did you need something?"
"I was told I needed to present my Bestiary to the guild."
Her eyes lit up with very eager fires.
"I see. I am now most eager to see what you've been doing of late."
"Do all my party members need to be here?"
"No sirrah. As party leader, you will be representative."
"Neat. Anything else?"
"We'll also get a copy of any recent titles you've earned."
"Oh, my dear Imp, you are going to lose it when you see MY names."
Verilica left her both, and came to lead Tyler to a back room>
"Heeey! Verilica! He's a bit young fer ya!"
Tyler turned right on the boisterous man.
"Young I may be, but at least I can STILL please a lady proper!"
That got a roar of approval as the bawdy men all laughed, as one man saw his face.
"Hail! Outcast!"
The room went silent, as Tyler chuckled.
"Hail!"
They then burst out cheering.
"OUTCAST! OUTCAST! OUTCAST!"
Tyler was laughing as he went into the room with Verilica. She then pulled up a screen for the guild.
"Okay, just place your hand on the interface. We use this in determining guild rewards, promotions, and what jobs you can actually handle."
"Rewards?"
"Kill a certain number of monsters? Get coin. A legendary feat? MORE gold."
"Well, mind go boom in 3."
HE placed his hand on her interface, and the numbers of slain orcs, goblins, giants and a few demons exploded. Along with numbers of men. Verilica went pale at the sheer numbers for a single party.
"1000 goblins, 500 orcs, 50 stone giants, 1 Lesser rage Demon, 1 pure rage demon, 1 lower sloth demon, one greater lich, 1 high draugr, and over 2000 men slain by a single party? Okay, titles. 4 Dragon friends? Holy Adventurer, Demonslayer, demon's Bane, Dragon Ambassador, Elven Champion, Warrior's Council, Holy Muse, Peerless tactician. Forest Friend, and Wandering Healer?"
She looked at him with a mixture of awe and pity. Then her eyes glowed as she used a skill to see the two spirits. Then she sighed.
"You poor girls. I am so sorry you had to die to meet a True Warrior. But, at least you met him."
Tyler chuckled as he felt the two girl sitting on his lap.
"Is that trick an ability of your race?"
She smiled.
"Indeed. I see the title Demonslayer, but, I am Devilkin. A minor difference, but a major one nonetheless."
"Neat. So, what this net us?"
Verilica chuckled.
"The feats alone get you to drakolisk rank. The beasts? High Dragon rank. With a Magicite medal. Plus 400 gold coins for the slaying of so many monsters."
"Nice."
Verilica used a power to make his wooden medal turn into Magicite, as she slid 400 gold to him, which got added tom the pouch. HE smiled as he walked out with his new medal around his neck. The other adventurers all raised a mug.
"Hail! Outcast!"
"Hail!"
Tyler smiled as he bought a news crystal off Verilica to look at later. He'd had an idea, and so went to visit a magic shop. HE found the one he was looking for and found Roxy, the lady mage, looking at a book of reds.
"Hi Roxy. Nice to see your doing okay."
She looked up, only to go a little pale at the sight of Tyler approaching her counter.
"Hi, Tyler. Nice to see you again."
Tyler chuckled.
"I got a question for you."
"No we haven't gotten any new banned spells."
"Not my question, but good to know."
She closed her book.
"Okay. What's yer question?"
"I was wondering if this world did enchantments? Like amulets that boost perception."
Roxy blinked.
"You mean to tell me you haven't been using ANY enchanted items?"
"No. All base gear."
She sighed.
"By the gods. Okay, what are you looking for?"
"A necklace to deflect arrows aimed at my head."
Roxy smiled as she placed a small necklace with a blue sapphire on the counter.
"This feeds of the blue path, and if an arrow is launched at an unarmored spot, will be deflected into the dirt."
"That the only color you have?"
"I have one for every color."
"Okay. We need three reds, one black, green, pink, two grey, and one brown."
Roxy blinked.
"Yes I can pay for it."
She laughed as she placed the requested colors on the counter.
"7 gold."
He paid and placed the sapphire over his head. He looked around her shop then, seeking more holes he may have missed. He was flipping through a box of Licenses when Vixen came walking in. Tyler chuckled as he saw the busty black mage.
"Hey, foxy. Got a present for you."
He gave her the necklace, and her dark blue eyes lit up.
"An arrow deflection necklace? A very wise move. I am surprised you just now thought of it."
"Most of my ideas come from just letting my mind wander."
Vixen donned the new accessory.
"What a good man, buying gifts for his ladies!"
"Kinda wanna get Kaori a ring to screw with her, but I fear I'd not live to see the sun go down."
That got a laugh from the two ladies as he came across a black.
"Hey, Vixen. Got a black here."
She walked over curious to look at it.
"Hmmm, Wailing Acid? Haven't seen that in a few years."
"It good?"
"Decent. Though, it's true strength comes for the upgraded version, which is said to melt dragon scales."
"Nifty."
He bought her the spell, and she laughed.
"Ahhh, your spoiling me!"
"Not yet. Your still untouched. By me that is."
Vixen smiled secretively.
"For now."
They both smiled as they left poor Roxy blushing at their lewd talk.
"Where's the others? I'd like to give them their new bling."
Vixen thought for a moment.
"Wulf's at Sylvina's shop, Sera, Lillia, Lily and Kaori went to Tolic's, Thistle is with Malico and Lucy at Twink's shop, and that's it."
Tyler patted her back as he left to go see Wulf first, as he was looking forward to seeing Sylvina's reaction to her legend coming true regardless. Tyler was smiling as he found her shop. Heading in he found Wulf looking at a new License while Sylvina added up some numbers for something. The elven lady looked up at the door and smiled widely as she saw Tyler walk in.
"I see the legend got you inspite of you."
Tyler chuckled.
"More a friend asked me to help. And I couldn't let her down."
Wulf chuckled.
"Sylvia?"
"Is the real hero of legend."
Tyler tossed the ranger the necklace.
"Keeps arrows from our non-armored parts."
He laughed.
"Let me guess, you only JUST learned bout these."
"Sadly yes."
The ranger chuckled as Tyler looked at Sylvina.
"Well, I just came to bother Wulf and rub it in."
She smiled widely.
"And show off for the pretty elven lady."
"Lily's not in here is she?"
That got a laugh of affection for the ferocious little elven girl. Tyler bid farewell and headed into Tolic's shop where Lily was looking at a new hammer, Sera was looking at a new silver path dagger, Lillia was eyeing a scimitar, while Kaori looked at whetstone. The dwarf laughed heartedly as Tyler walked in the door.
"Hail me boy, looks like YOU have been BUSY."
Tyler laughed as he walked to the counter.
"Sitting on me rear never really suited me well."
That got a chuckle.
"So, need something or just here to see the ladies?"
"Bit or both, mostly the latter. Ladies, got something for ya."
The girls all came over curious as he pulled their path necklaces out.
"These will keep arrows away from the goods."
He put Lily's and Kaori's on for them, and they laughed.
"Found another hole?"
"Yep. Multiple ways."
Lily hid the thing under her mail.
"Random gifts. Just as I would expect from my future husband."
Tyler looked at a laughing Tolic.
"Her? I'mma a little outmatched."
The dwarf laughed as Lily flipped a hammer.
"Aye lad. That ya be."
Then he looked at him.
"So, ya said ya needed something."
"Just wondering if you work high dragon scales or demon horn."
Tolic blinked.
"High dragon scales?"
"I got ones from Furiosa, Tempesta and Ignatia."
He blinked again, shocked.
"Um, I need to see these with me own eyes lad."
"Eh, sure. Just keep it under ya we got them."
He placed a scale from each dragon on the counter, and tapped them respectively.
"We got like 40 of her greens, 25 of the reds, and maybe 80 of his blue."
Tolic picked the scale the size of a buckler up, and used his Appraisal to examine it.
"By the gods, these are REAL."
Tolic tapped a knuckle, and it sounded like he tapped hard steel instead of a thing that came off a living creature. HE looked at him.
"Any other surprises ya got to give me a heart attack with?"
"Just more Mythril."
Tyler pulled Oathkeeper and Tolic burst out laughing as he saw his work had been converted to purest Mythril.
"I see ALL your blades are Mythril now. I guess the stories of how it was worked are false."
"They are, and I think that's all I can really say about it."
Tolic nodded.
"I understand laddee. Dragons and their secrets. As for your question? I can work these scales. Would it be easy like lisk? Not even a little."
"At least we now know a smith that can. Our gear is good for now, and we don't really NEED an upgrade for the time being."
Tolic had a curious look in his eye.
"I am curious why. Any other gets their hands on a SINGLE scale, they come running to get a sword or something else."
"If it ain't broke don't fix it. We're set for now, and to be honest I have ZERO clue how to upgrade their gear."
The more experienced dwarf looked at the ladies.
"Me advice? Armor. Never settle for good enough for armor."
Tyler became thought himself now.
"You're right. Lisk is great, and that mail saved Lily's life once already. I got Mythril so I don't really NEED anything. Okay, a set of vests for the crew, a new set of Lucy's barbarian armor, Thistle's blood dancer armor, and any leftover scale to arrows."
Kaori looked at him.
"Even me?"
"And Malico. The amulets will keep the arrows off, but the mail everything else."
Lily was nodding sagely.
"A very wise idea. Even IF it came from a dwarf."
"I heard that missy."
"Kinda hard not to, since yer what? Three inches up there?"
Tyler laughed.
"An elf and a dwarf bickering. There's the stereotypical fantasy trope I was looking for."
They all chuckled as well. Then Tyler looked to Tolic.
"Okay, red scale for Kaori, Lily, Sera, Thistle, Vixen, Lillica, green for Malico-"
"I want green!"
Tyler looked at Sera,
"Sure. Green for Sera."
"Yay!"
"Green for Wulf, Lucy, and that should do it."
Tolic nodded.
"I'll need two scales for them all."
Tyler placed four of each required scale on the counter. Tolic chuckled.
"I forgot. Quality. Okay, these will be nearly the same strength as Mythril, and every bit as light."
Kaori tilted her head.
"Tyler, just how light IS your vest anyway? I don't think I've ever held it."
Tyler took it off and let her hold it. She was surprised.
"Wow, I feel like I'm not holding anything in my hands, yet I can see the thing in them."
"I felt the same way when I held Oblivion after it became Mythril."
"Boy."
Tyler looked at a now saddened Tolic.
"What's wrong?"
Kaori sighed.
"Your scars dingdong."
"Oh."
Tyler chuckled as he pulled his vest over his two trinkets.
"My family didn't like me very much."
Tolic sighed deeply.
"So, your strength is a by-product of hell itself."
"Sure. Oh, and remember that group that got shown off a few days back? The wagoned whale?"
Tolic rested his head on the counter.
"Please, lad, don't tell me."
"With the exception of that tall man with the blonde hair? Yeah. MY family."
"Boy, words cannot express my sympathy for getting raised by such monsters."
"Eh, no biggee. I can protect me friends and Kaori. So, I won."
The dwarf sighed again.
"Aye lad. Ya did win. Okay, so a set of vests made to fit, and arrows for the leftover scale."
"I'll call muster for measurements."
The dwarf chuckled.
"Nice to see you remember."
"Who are you?"
Kaori smacked him.
"No. There's a limit for bad jokes. That was all the way in NO."
Tyler laughed as he walked outside the shop and blew a loud whistle on his fingers. His crew came running. Then they all laughed as he told them his plan.
"So, you're getting measured for new scales vests. ALL of you. These will keep the arrows from the unarmored bits."
The party just laughed.
"I see he's in THAT mood."
"Love you do kittycat."
They went back in and Tolic smiled at the newcomers.
"I see he's been building his party well."
"I know quality when I see it. The hell you think I brought Sera?"
"Aww! Thanks!"
"See? Camp cutie."
That made the room glow, as Kaori had an idea, and came to whisper in his ear.
"Okay, tonight we are DEFINITLY introducing her to Sallie and Sylvia."
"Oh my gods that's a great idea."
Tyler and Kaori looked at a now nervously smiling Sera.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing bad, Sera. Just an idea."
"You'll have fun, I promise."
"Not THAT kinda idea either, since Wulf looks like he's about to kill me."
"More we know a pair we want to introduce you to."
The elf in question had slowly been drawing his dagger, as he and everyone else, with the exception of Malico had thought something far worse, and they just sighed.
"We were really about to kill you this time. But I know who you mean, and Sera? You are going to freakin LOVE them."
She smiled nervously.
"Who are they?"
"Just Sallie and Sylvia. Remember my Holy Muse?"
She gasped.
"You mean?"
"They REALLY need to experience that hug death."
That made them all laugh as Tyler went back to the counter.
"Okay, Tolic, total?"
The dwarf crunched some numbers.
"All told? 500 gold."
Tyler placed the amount on the counter.
"We'll be in town for a few days."
"Quality high dragon takes me one day."
"A dwarf at a forge!"
That made him laugh, then he looked to the ladies.
"Me wife will get your measurements for me."
Tyler smiled.
"I think, I'll go find a place to look over the news crystal. Or go see Mia and get us a room."
"Kay!"
Tyler laughed as he headed out, leaving the girls to get measured for their new gear. He walked along the road beside the river that flowed through town, looking for a quiet place to settle down. As he went, he heard a yell.
"Hey! Stop! Thief!"
HE looked to see Yoko the raccoon girl yelling as a man ran towards He smiled as he stepped In front of the man, grabbed his wrist, and kicked his ankle, flipping him onto his back with a heavy thud. He loomed to see Yoko come hurrying over in a light shirt and pants with toeless shoes. The pretty raccoon smiled happily and her tail started flickering excitedly as she saw Tyler had caught her thief.
"Hiya me sexy raccoon. Miss me?"
She blushed as she retrieved her pouch.
"Maybe a little."
"Once I hand this idiot over, wanna go have some fun?"
She squeaked as Tyler shoved the man into the arms of the guard.
"Is it okay for you to bed me?"
"Long as you bed Kaori as well. But, somehow, I get the feeling you and her will have a LOT of fun."
Yoko was now blushing hard,
"Hey, Tyler."
Kaori came walking up at that exact moment, and smiled as she saw Yoko's blush.
"Ohhh, is THAT how it is? Go have fun. I think I'll go play with Seline for a while."
Yoko's raccoon tail was going wild behind her as Tyler took her arm as they walked.
"So, Yoko. Got a place in mind?"
She smiled with excitement.
"My place, if you don't mind."
"Lead the way my pretty raccoon."
She had an extra spring in her step as she hurriedly led him to her home. She lived near the spear, in a homely building made of brick, and she was fumbling with her keys before she got her door open. Her home was neat and tidy, a small kitchen on the left, a living area to the right, and a hallway to the center. She kicked off her shoes, and Tyler followed suit before she led the Warrior to her bedroom in the back of the house, and had a happy flush as she stripped.
"Oh, I have been DREAMING of this!"
He stripped as well, and she gasped ass he saw his scars, but her next was of lust as he unsheathed his sword for her. She laid on her bed as he climbed up on her, and he smiled at the neat folds of her scabbard.
"Oh, I've been WAITING for you, Yoko."
HE slid into her, and she moaned hard.
"Go slow but hard too."
HE smiled as he took her hands and drew it out, only to slam it back in as she bucked into him, before losing herself and going wild. HE sat on his haunches as she spit roast herself upon his sword as he suckled at her large breast hungrily. She climaxed hard, before getting on her hands and knees, and lifting her tail.
"It's ready for petting!"
HE laughed as he fit into her rear, pressing her thick barred tail into his chest as he gave her rear a good filling as well. Her tail was fluffy and soft as he stroked it, sending poor Yoko over the edge yet again, before she fell forward with him right on top of her. The raccoon girl was smiling happily with a satisfied blush on her face as Tyler tolled her onto her back. She smiled up at him as he laid on her again.
"I can't take anymore, or I won't be able to walk to work."
HE kissed her soft lips as he ran his hands through her hair.
"That was fun, Yoko. We should do this again."
She smiled happily as she wrapped her tail around his waist.
"We should, once I recover that is."
He smiled as he laid beside her on the bed.
"So, how you need to let Kaori pet that tail I loved so much."
The raccoon just smiled as she flicked him with it.
"Oh I will. Now, I have a question."
"Sure."
"Who are those two spirits that are following you? They've been applauding our performance and now I'm curious."
"Can you see them?"
She smiled and kissed him.
"My race is closer to the spirits than most, so we can see them easier."
"Sexy and mysterious? I think I found my new favorite person in this town. That elf is Sylvia, the green haired cutie is Sallie. I'm a holy muse."
Yoko sighed sadly.
"I see. If you were to go to one of our villages, and say that, the entire village would all weep for them, as Holy Muses are seen as a truly tragic title. Can I ask how?"
"Sallie was left to die by the Coward, at the hands of no more then ten goblins, and she saw her hero leave her to her pain. I know that feeling well. Now, Sylvia? My family got her, and they gave me these scars, so I know exactly what they did to her."
Yoko hugged him as she kissed him again.
"You care so much about them, because you WERE them."
HE stroked her soft hair.
"Indeed. And now thanks to the muse, I get to know them as well. I love them as if they were my own, and it STILL enrages me they had to die to get their dream adventure."
Yoko pressed her breasts into his scarred chest as she hugged him.
"They are so fortunate you found them. Regardless of the circumstances, they have you now. Take heart in that."
Tyler smiled as he lifted the locket on his chest.
"I found Sylvia after, here, look."
He popped it open, and Yoko smiled at the photo.
"Oh my, she IS a cutie. I think she looks better now."
"Woulda been nice to see what she'd have looked like in a few years."
"She'd have given Kaori a run for her crown of rare beauty."
They laughed, as they could FEEL the embarrassment radiating from the presence of the small girl.
"I KNOW Sallie woulda been a great beauty as well."
"With that hair and those eyes? By the gods, ALL would fall to their knees to worship a new goddess of beauty!"
"Throw in her sweetness and her way of lifting a room when she walks in, and yeah you get a recipe for a legendary beauty."
Now BOTH presences were embarrassed. Tyler kissed Yoko again, before looking to the two faint outlines.
"Love you two."
She giggled as she felt them go from embarrassed to glowing.
"You really are their father."
He climbed up on her to kiss her again.
"And YOU'RE my sexy raccoon! C'mere!"
She laughed as he kissed her again, and gave her poor nipples another suckle,
"You've got quite the appetite."
HE loved teasing her moderate cleavage.
"And you're quite the feast."
She sighed with happiness.
"As much as I want to go again, I got work in an hour."
"Well, we'll be in town for a few days. I'm sure we'll get another chance to play before we head out."
That got a chuckle.
"Well, so you know, I DO have day after tomorrow off."
"And there goes your ability to walk."
She laughed as he let her off her bed.
"Let's clean up."
"Sure."
They bathed together, thought he couldn't really keep his hands off her. She locked up after, as her tail twitched and bounced with joy. Then she headed off after getting a last kiss, an extra happy bounce in her stride.
"I fucking love this world, and this town."
HE looked around,
"Eh, I'll go bother Mia now."
HE headed to the burly lady's Inn, as he and his crew would be staying there while in town. He was whistling as he opened the door to her inn, only to see a man lifting a chair to smash into her unsuspecting back.
"Nu-uh."
The man grew a dagger out of his wrist as he screamed and dropped the chair. Mia looked to see the fallen man, chair, and saw Tyler kick him. She smiled as she understood then.
"I see I owe ya yet again."
Tyler chuckled as he clasped hands with her.
"Like I'd let Melly's SECOND favorite person get jumped like that."
She laughed as he pulled his blade free.
"And pray tell, who's her first favorite?"
"Tch, Sera."
They both laughed affectionately as they knew he was right. Tyler looked at the man, and chuckled as he got an icon for an active bounty.
"Well well. Yollock the Betrayer. Reward 300 alive for selling out his company to a bandit raid. Well, alright then."
Tyler knocked him out as he hefted the body. Mia chuckled.
"You'll want to be staying here again, right?"
"Yup. As far as rooms go? See how Kaori feels."
"Lucky lass."
Tyler smiled as he brought his newest prize to the Spear. He went to the booth where Yoko was just sitting down.
"Hiya, Yoko. Got ya a live one."
She laughed.
"Missed me THAT much?"
"Maybe."
Her tail waved as he set the idiot into the shackles. She leered at him as he did so, and he leered at her right back. Then he waited patiently as he stared at the sexy Raccoon.
"Hey, are you stalking her now?"
Tyler looked over to see Kaori stepping off the lift to Seline's office, a very satisfied blush on her pretty face as she came over.
"Found a bounty, so just came to leer. You have fun?"
She smiled a little tiredly.
"Oh that fox is amazing! Things she can do with that tongue and those fingers! Ohhhhh, it's STILL tingling!"
She looked at the happily flushed Yoko.
"Did YOU have fun?"
The raccoon smiled.
"Oh, he was forcefully gentle and now I'm having a hard time sitting. Oh, and he has a LOT of seed to throw."
Kaori licked her lips as she leered now herself.
"So you know, I want a piece of that tail."
Yoko flicked her tail.
"Well, how about tomorrow? I don't come in to work till early evening."
"I'll bathe well before we get a taste."
"I'll be waiting to sample that body."
Tyler just smiled as he pictured it. The Yoko slid the coin to him.
"Your total is 300."
"I'll see you around Yoko. Make sure to compare notes with Seline."
She smiled as Tyler and Kaori walked out hand in hand.
"So you know, Tyler."
"Our OWN room?"
"Yes. But, Seline is ACHING for you. She was moaning YOUR name when she blew."
"Damn, Kaori."
She laughed, and kissed him.
"Wow, Yoko tastes nice."
"Same with Seline."
They laughed as a runner came over.
"I seek the Outcast."
Tyler smiled.
"Aye lad. I be Outcast."
The boy smiled.
"Lorgah would like your presence on the north wall. A Warrior seeks access."
"Well, alright. Here lad."
20 silver and the lad was off. Tyler and Kaori walked hand in hand to the wall in question. The blonde happily humming and under his arm as they climbed the steps up. Tyler smiled as he walked up to the burly Lorgah.
"Hey, Lorgah. Nice to see you working for once."
The man snorted.
"Oh right, like you do much better."
"Fair. I mean, putting a smile on Kaori's face IS a full time job."
She smiled as they looked to the lone rider at the gate. Tyler tilted his head.
"You, lass, you are ye?"
The girl was shaking as she looked up at the man on the walltop.
"No freakin way."
Tyler looked at Kaori.
"You know her?"
The blonde was rubbing her chin.
"She seems familiar, but I can't place her for some friggin reason."
The girl gulped as she looked up at the fearsome pair.
"Are…you really Tyler? Our class punching bag?"
Tyler used his Farsight to get a good look at her face.
"Oooooh, NOW I remember you! Selena Hernadez!"
Kaori groaned.
"NOW I remember her too."
The girl sighed with relief.
"Oh thank god. See? I told you we were friends! Let me in!"
Tyler looked to Lorgah.
"Don't open that gate. She's a raging bitch that was one of those that likes to beat animals."
"hey! Retard! Shut up! This is a 'normal' discussion! Kaori, bestie bay! Get the brute to open the gate!"
Tyler smiled,
"Wanna make a point?"
He and Kaori made out in full view of the now appalled girl on the road.
"Kaori! How COULD you? That's a low class piece of gutter trash!"
Tyler smiled as they stepped back.
"As much fun as Yoko was, still love you the most, kaori."
She smiled as she rested her head on his chest.
"I love you too."
Tyler looked at a now flabbergasted Selena.
"She fell in love…..with YOU? Oh, Kaori you poor girl! He must have used a spell like mine!"
"Like yours."
Selena pulled a ring out.
"Yeah, it's called….here let me find it…..ah! Forced Servitude. Makes the target obedient to your wishes,"
Tyler blew a loud whistle, and Selena was then faced with the entire wall now aiming arrows at her.
"Do NOT move. You do, you'll make a hedgehog jealous with the number of spikes in you. Lorgah, my crew will search her."
"Sir."
Tyler looked at his now approaching crew.
"Lone Warrior with a banned spell. Surround, disarm, and retrieve."
They all nodded as Tyler vaulted over the battlemented wall with Kaori right beside him to land on the road a good thirty feet below. Tyler drew his dual broadswords, Kaori her katana as the Outcasts all surrounded the now scared lone girl.
"Hey! Get back! I'm a Warrior!"
They ignored her protests as Lucy dragged her off her horse, Selena screamed, and tried to cast a spell, only to have the axe head of Thistle press against her throat.
"Ahh, now missy, be a good girl and you won't get hurt."
Kaori went and was looking over her horse as Malico tore her ring of Licenses off her neck.
"Hey! Give those back!"
Tyler walked over then.
"Malico."
"She's got three: two Minds and that servitude."
"Add em to the pile."
She tore the spells off as Tyler looked at the now mewling in indignation girl.
"Hey! Thief! I bought those fair and square!"
Tyler looked at her. She was a girl of medium height, shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes and flat. Her outfit was her t-shirt and jeans she had worn in class. She caught him looking her over and got angry.
"Hey, no! Don't look at me like that you perverted retard!"
They all ignored her.
"Kaori?"
The blonde finished her look over.
"She needs to eat more, and her coat needs a good brushing, but she's okay."
Tyler then crouched by the girl's head.
"Where'd you get those Licenses?"
She spit on him.
"Fuck OFF. Like I have to speak to you."
Tyler chuckled as he wiped her spit off.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
HE pulled his Sgian Dao, and the entire group shuddered. Lily looked at the now scared girl as she shook her head.
"You did it now. Once he pulls THAT blade, yeah, it's going to hurt. A lot."
Tyler flipped the blade as he thought of it.
"She's a girl, barely, so more options."
HE looked at her, and smiled wickedly.
"Ya know? I got a great idea."
HE glared at her with his demon glare, and she panicked like a rabbit in a trap. Now nearly incoherent with terror at the force in his eyes, Selena had rolled onto her belly and was clawing at the dirt to try to escape.
"Help me! Monster! Please, someone HELP ME!"
Tyler kicked her in the head, and she got jerked out of it.
"Where'd you get those Licenses?"
She was sobbing as she replied.
"They sell them at the church in Term."
"How much?"
"30 coppers per."
"Okay. Do you know what they are?"
"Black spells the church has too many of."
"They're banned spells."
"We know, that's why the pope lifted the ban for us Warriors."
Tyler looked at her.
"He did."
She nodded as tears streamed from her eyes and snot poured from her nose.
"HE says since we're Warriors, we can use whatever means we want to fight the waves."
"Have you used them?"
"Yeah."
"On who?"
"Shop keeps, inn keeps, people like that."
"And you're fine with screwing people out of their livelihoods?"
"Pff, they NEED us to fight FOR them! Least they can do is shut up and be grateful we even looked at them."
"even though the others have been raping and torturing them?"
"Like I said, they NEED us. Who else can fight these waves for them?"
"So. You are okay with hurting girls like Lily there for fun?"
"Pff, like you haven't been. It's our RIGHT as Warriors to do as we please."
"According to?"
She got a light in her eye as she spoke next.
"Our strongest Warrior. Max the Great. Seriously, he can kill like five giants by himself."
"That's it?"
Literally the entire party, and everyone on the wall replied at once with sheer disbelief. Selena was confused at their shock.
"What do you mean that's it? Most of us can't even SCRATCH a giant."
Tyler braced himself against the horse as he now saw the true state of things.
"great. Kaori, we'll pick up Kazuma for the wave, as OUR party will be the only ones left alive after."
"Five giants is his best? That's not even a warmup for Sera!"
Tyler sighed as he looked at a confused Selena.
"Enjoy life while you can, Selena. As you are going to die screaming in the first wave. If five giants is Max's absolute best at once, and he's the strongest you have, then you are going to die."
She laughed.
"Right, and like YOU Can do better retard? What's your strength?"
"What's HIS?"
"125."
"Last I checked, I was at 425."
She stopped laughing,
"Bullshit."
Tyler pulled his HUD up and showed her his numbers. She went as white as a piece of paper as she saw his triple digits.
"HOW? You a useless punching bag! Even your own family hates you!"
"ALL my party members are packing these kinds of numbers toots, best part? We've been mostly screwing around. Let me ask you, what's Max's best kill?"
She gulped.
"He killed a Giant chief."
"Okay, that sounds like a fun fight, not gonna lie. Here, toots, get a load of OUR kills."
He showed her the party bestiary, and white she went again.
"Orcs, goblins, okay, easy enough….1500 goblins? 500 orcs? 50 giants? Demons too?"
She looked at him in absolute horror.
"What was the strongest thing on there?"
Tyler became thoughtful.
"Ya know? Not entirely sure."
"Believe it or not, that pride demon is the strongest on the list."
Tyler looked to Vixen, the one that had spoken.
"Even stronger an that drakolisk?"
"Far. Strange as it might seem to you."
He laughed.
"And it put up less of a fight then that damned lich we killed."
"You DID enrage it to the point of blindness. It's the demon's only true weakness."
They all laughed as Selena gulped.
"You've been killing things like that?"
"For fun."
Sera was heard giggling.
"That bandit camp was fun!"
"Right?"
Tyler looked at Selena.
"Hey, what ya got for titles?"
"Wanderer, Lone Ranger, and Solitary Healer."
He looked to Wulf.
"Wanderer is given for traveling a thousand miles without sleeping in a town, Lone Ranger is awarded for killing enemies alone, and Solitary healer is awarded for going to places alone to heal people."
Tyler looked at her.
"What path are you?"
"I'm a Pink."
"Somehow that fits."
Tyler pulled up his title list.
"Yeah, your outmatched."
She had tears in her brown eyes as she scrolled through the list of titles.
"This can't be happening. The class punching bag is our strongest Warrior?"
"Oh, and no. I don't play rescue."
She looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Me and me crew won't babysit you and the other Warriors. So, you either pull your weight, or die horribly. We don't coddle or babysit."
She was now full blown crying now.
"But why are you so strong? Max is better then you! In every way! He's big and strong and fearless and handsome too!"
"We're done here. Oh, and NO ya can't go in."
He lifted her off the dirt like she weighed nothing and put her on the horse. She just sobbed.
"Please let me in, I haven't slept in a real bed since I got here."
"You want to sleep in a real bed?"
HE pulled her close to look into her scared eyes.
"EARN IT."
HE turned her horse around and slapped it, and she took off like a rocket. Tyler sighed as she was lost to sight.
"Let's go to Melly's. we need to think about this."
They all nodded and went back inside the city, as the lone rider sobbed heartbrokenly as she rode to Term, where, in her mind at least, the TRUE Hero lived.
Tyler and his crew all sat at the same table as the last time they'd been in Raylik. Tyler rubbed his eyes as he sighed.
"I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was THAT bad. Five giants is his best?"
The table were in agreement. Lily snorted.
"Five giants for us is just another morning coffee spill."
Tyler pulled out his map.
"Okay, we'll switch gears then."
He opened it and tapped Yalik.
"We'll stay the night here, tomorrow, and tomorrow night as well. Then we'll go to Yalik. Clean that mess up, maybe run into Furiosa, as I heard she had taken a fancy to it."
Wulf ran a finger along the route.
"That's a three day ride."
"And from what I can tell, it's along flat ground as well."
"It is. Up to here."
HE tapped a point near the halfway point.
"It starts to dip a bit. And then a steady decline till it reaches the sea."
"Kaori will set our pace when we get there."
The blonde smiled.
"If the map is a good representation, maybe a light trot. I'll get a better idea when I see it."
"Okay, we're way ahead of schedule here. Lily, Sera and Lillia need some serious practice and training. If the waves started tomorrow, I would not want them with us."
The three girls nodded.
"I agree."
"We all need to practice."
"Okay, we'll step up our bandit baiting. Lily will join a camp raid, Sera will assist the initial fight, and Lillia will rotate with Lily."
Wulf looked at the surrounding area.
"If you want to PICK a fight, there is a race of Orcs that live in the area."
"They an evil race?"
Wulf smiled.
"Indeed. They're stronger then the northern orcs, and run faster too. They prefer these little copses of woodland, here, here, and here."
"Okay, what kind of strength we talking?"
"Are you familiar with the term Oricah?"
"5 feet tall, black skin, fangs, and unusually muscular?"
"That's them. Minor intelligence."
Tyler crossed his arms as he considered it.
"I'd have to fight them myself to get a good idea. I don't like walking into a fight with a novice blind. Even if they were trained by us."
Wulf nodded with a smile.
"That's fair. We can scout them out along the road. Things are big in numbers."
Tyler looked at the map.
"Okay, after we clean up Yalik, the plan was to settle in Raylik and do work in the surrounding area."
Here, surprisingly, Sera spoke up.
"If you like Yalik, can we set up there?"
Tyler blinked at her.
"If it's a nice place, sure. But, I'd thought you'd love being near Melly?"
Sera smiled as Melly came to join them.
"She's my sister, but I've never lived by the sea before. Plus, I'm kinda getting tired of dusty trails and trees."
The party laughed as Melly hugged her.
"You better bring me back Seashells!"
They hugged it out as the restaurant awww'd at them. Tyler was smiling, when he noticed a cloaked figure in a corner looking at them over a map. Tyler chuckled as he looked at his own map. He then drew his own dagger and set it on the table with the tip pointing in the hooded figure's direction. The party got the heads up, as Vixen happened to glance into a reflective surface that showed the figure. She looked at Tyler.
"Vampire."
He blinked as she reached to her ring. Tyler looked back at the hooded figure, and found he could see the person's eyes.
"Hold, Vixen."
She lowered her hand.
"What did you see?"
He sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
"I got a look into her eyes from under the hood. Yes, it's a her. She's got a soul of loneliness, gentleness, and sadness. Kaori? THAT trope just showed up."
Kaori groaned hard as Vixen sighed as well.
"So, are you saying she's a harmless vampire?"
"I don't think she's a full vampire. Maybe half-breed."
Vixen looked at the surface again.
"I see it now. Yup, most definitely a half vampire."
Tyler grasped his head.
"Are vampires ALLOWED in cities?"
Vixen chuckled.
"Some are, as they bring a blood supply with them. Most vampires are solitary or, or when they gather, it's in groups of twenty."
Tyler sighed as he kept an eye on the still hooded figure in the corner now watching him with evident curiosity.
"Okay, so how do we play it?"
Kaori sighed.
"Which version of the trope you thinking?"
"A wandering vampire princess is the last survivor of her clan, happens upon some great hero her clan tells stories of. She's a black pather, and finds my presence intoxicating, so, seeks to join our party. Plus the legend about the great hero being destined to marry the vampire princess."
They table looked at him as Kaori sighed again.
"I was thinking the same one."
Tyler sighed as he saw the hooded figure get up.
"Incoming."
There was a distinct click of hard heels on the wood as the hooded figure approached the table. Tyler watching the figure approach as he looked at his License for Holy Smite, a ploy Vixen smiled at as she saw his plan. There was an extra hard click as the figure stopped at the end of the table.
"Are you the Outcast party?"
Her voice was high, clipped, and precise. Tyler looked at the now clearly a lady.
"Indeed we are, miss?"
She reached up with very pale skinned hands to lower her hood, revealing a truly beautiful girl, long back length purple hair that had a dull shine, beautifully pale skin that put even Vixen's to shame, delicate features, large full lips, and a pair of glowing purple eyes with a dark blue iris. She smiled as she lowered her head shyly.
"Miss Serafina Dracul. Are you the one they call Tyler the Outcast?"
Tyler sighed.
"I am, miss Dracul. What can I do for you?"
She had a VERY shy smile now,
"I just wanted to say you're my hero, sir."
Tyler looked at Kaori, before looking back at her.
"Well, thank you, but I don't think we've ever crossed paths."
"We haven't. You merely passed through my home a few days prior. You even slew the Demon that had murdered my creator and my sisters."
Tyler crossed his arms.
"Was it that pride demon?"
She had a slight blush on her face as she nodded.
"Indeed. It had been summoned by a group of humans to kill my family that lived in the back of that cave."
"Are you a vampire, miss?"
She was so timidly shy as she answered.
"I am. But, more accurate to say cross-breed, as Sunlight does not hurt me, and I can stomach human foods."
Tyler sighed.
"Well, glad I was able to help you."
Her nervousness increased, and they all heard her shuffling her feet under her cloak.
"Actually, sir, I have a request."
"Okay, shoot."
She gulped, as her looked down,
"Can…I…join your party?"
Tyler sighed as he looked to the others.
"Well? Any issues?"
Vixen chuckled.
"He really does like a pale beauty."
Kaori was also chuckling.
"Plus he DOES have a fondness for the shy type as well."
Tyler looked around,
"Long as she watches those fangs, I have no problem."
"She's pretty, so sure."
"Aye, lad, no complaints."
"Never seen a shy vampire before."
Tyler looked at the Vampire.
"Okay, I have rules for my party."
She nodded.
"Okay."
1. As the strongest person on the team, I hold the coin. 2. No work, no food. You pull you weight in my camp."
"Trust us, he is merciless with it."
"Still a meanie."
Serafina smiled again as she looked at the two girls.
"I know you two. Bene a while, hasn't it?"
Tyler tilted his head.
"You've met them before?"
Sera and Lillia were just as confused.
"I don't believe we've ever met a vampire before."
"Not one as pretty as you are miss."
The vampire had a shyness to her as she explained.
"Remember the maid that you said was unneedily shy? The one with the blonde hair and blue eyes?"
Sera gasped.
"Shelly?"
Serafina smiled again, and her two pointed fangs were seen.
"Hi, Sera. I got picked up by a Grand Vampire Lord."
Sera got up and hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry that bastard threw you out."
Serafina laughed as she patted Sera's hair.
"It's okay. I got stronger. And it looks like you did too."
Lillia sighed as she explained.
"Shelly was our handmaiden for a little while. But, when the pope had me the first time, she tried to tell my father, but the pope's men got her first. They branded her a thieving liar and threw her out on her face."
Tyler sighed as well.
"I see. She's already got a good vote in my book just fer that."
Serafina looked at him.
"Thank you sir. I heard how you too said no to him."
"My name is Tyler, Serafina. I work for a living. Kinds sorta."
She smiled as she blushed again.
"Tyler, then. Are those the only two rules?"
"3. In a town or city we ALL share a room to save coin."
She blinked.
"Is it to save coin, or bed your friends?"
"If we take a bed, we get a separate room. If not, we all share. We have members that cannot be left alone."
She understood then.
"I see. Nice to know I won't have to watch your bedroom prowess when I just want to sleep."
That got a laugh as Tyler looked right at Vixen,
"That door is STILL open, Vixen."
Tyler looked back at the half-vampire.
"Our unspoken rules are similar, keep our secrets, follow my orders, and don't get on a high horse."
Serafina offered her hand.
"I accept your rules."
Tyler smiled as he shook her cold hand.
"Nice to have a fresh set of fangs in the group. What's your path?"
She smiled as she sat beside Sera.
"Black/red."
"We'll need to inspect your blacks."
Vixen chuckled as she heard the colors.
"Now I have a rival."
Serafina got a good look at Vixen's face.
"Lady Nightmare?"
Tyler looked at the shocked half-vampire to the amused Vixen.
"Lady Nightmare?"
The black mage chuckled.
"The title I got branded with in honor of my power over the black arts."
"Wow, Goth, had no clue you were such a badass."
Serafina seemed a little nervous to be sitting across from the mage. Vixen smiled at the now nervous half-vampire girl.
"relax NightFang, I am no threat to you."
"NightFang?"
Serafina blushed at the evident interest in her nickname, and Vixen wasted no time in explaining.
"Serafina's nickname. I've met her creator, and I gave her it to her."
Tyler patted the nervous girl as Malico finished with her spells.
"She's clean. Most are more acids, fireballs, and a rather nasty flood acid spell."
Tyler poked the one in question, and got a mild burn.
"Yikes, that one is mean."
Serafina was wide eyed at his burning.
"Tyler, what path are you?"
"White/blue."
She gasped with a cutely surprised look on her face.
"A white/blue? Truly?"
Tyler wrapped an arm around Kaori.
"Yup."
She smiled widely then.
"I am aware of your ways with the ladies of the realm. AND of how the lady Kaori's place in your heart is untouchable, but I am eager to see where I will fit in."
Tyler and kaori looked at each other.
"Between us?"
"Between us."
The half-vampire gulped as suddenly both Tyler and Kaori were leering at her cloaked body.
"Ummm, so you know, I don't like girls."
"Well, Malico, shall we test that?"
"Indeed we shall. Serafina, have you ever TRIED a girl?"
She gulped.
"No, I haven't."
"Try it once."
"I did, and I love it."
The table just laughed as Tyler looked at the map, NOT wanting to die that day. Serafina was shaking with nerves,
"Well, if you insist, I'll try it once, I guess."
Kaori and Malico both looked at each other and smiled.
"She's going to be a lot of fun."
"So much."
Serafina was looking around, as if seeking something to distract them, when she noticed something.
"Who are those two spirits next to you, Tyler? They're very cute."
Tyler smiled.
"The elf is Sylvia, and the green haired girl is Sallie. I'm a Holy Muse."
Serafina had a look of pity on her face.
"They say they travel with you as you felt their pain as your own."
"Is that a vampire thing? Or a skill?"
"Both. The Skill is a Holy skill you can get at most temples, called Divine Sight. It allows you to see the spirits of your Holy Muse like they were living people. Since Vampires are a type of undead, and have one foot in the grave already, we can see them as well."
Tyler sat back as he had a thought.
"Divine Sight, eh?"
HE was rubbing his chin as Wulf spoke up.
"Are you seriously going to ignore Ignatia's words?"
"Not where I was going with that Wulf. Just something that's kinda been bugging me."
Wulf could see the gears turning.
"Okay, what?"
Tyler crossed his arms.
"Something about this spirit thing has been poking me in the gut, like I'm missing something nasty. Okay, let me ask this. Does the creature known as a Shade ring any bells?"
The name sent a whisper of fear up everyone's spine. Then Vixen looked at him.
"It is the most powerful undead that exists."
"Is it able to touch Sallie and Sylvia?"
She nodded.
"And the only way to truly kill it, is to use either holy muse or Divine Sight to find its heart."
"There it is."
Tyler looked to Wulf.
"Ever since Sylvia listed off the benefits of her and Sallie being Spirits, I have had a creeping feeling that I was missing a piece of this puzzle. Now I have it. I will get Divine Sight, and if this thing tries to go after MY little girls."
He felt the rage within him explode as it went from pure regret, pain, and sorrow, to anger, wrath, and a most ferocious drive to defend the two spirits as he glared at the elf.
"IT HAS TO GET PAST ME FIRST."
The table felt the sheer force packed into it, but, it didn't scare them like it had before. This time, it felt more like an enraged
"He's really their father now."
Wulf chuckled as Kaori summed it up.
"And they could have a finer one."
Tyler sighed as he got up from the table.
"Kaori, Wulf, and Malico. We'll go get a set of eyes."
The others nodded as Tyler led the way to the temple. As they walked, Wulf looked at him.
"What about Ignatia? You're defying his advice."
"To protect the ones I love Wulf, I'll take him down if I have to. And, if I absolutely have to, I can."
Wulf stopped dead.
"You don't truly believe that?"
Tyler looked at him with a dark smile.
"Did you really think I wouldn't have a backup plan?"
Wulf gulped.
"How?"
"Roar of the Forest isn't JUST for a last resort. Not with the sheer force I can pack into it. On the fly too. Not even a high dragon can survive that head on. Then, I have a secret."
He pulled his most trusted friends in.
"Wrath has a THIRD form now. Boost is up to 200. That plus Roar plus Gleipnir. I can do it. I know I can. Just a matter of if I walk away."
They all gaped at him, and Wulf looked at the sky.
"With those under your belt, by the gods, you really COULD."
Tyler sighed.
"I REALLY don't want to turn these against my friends. I more was thinking in the event of an evil dragon. But, like I keep saying, whatever is necessary."
They all nodded as Wulf looked at the sky again.
"Does Tempesta know?"
"He does. He hinted as much on the airship, as he said he could sense the Demon in me. HIM I don't want to fight. In terms of raw power, he makes Ignatia look like a lisk"
Wulf chuckled as they walked up the temple steps.
"You're not wrong. Ignatia may be a high dragon, but Tempesta is the high dragon king for a reason."
They all chuckled as they went to the doors, and were greeted by a brother.
"Greetings Brother of White. It is good to see you again."
Tyler smiled at him.
"Good to see you too, Brother Mark. How have you been?"
The monk bowed.
"I've been well, thank you. What brings you to our temple today?"
"Looking for the Divine Sight skill."
HE sighed as his eyes glowed.
"Holy Muse. Fire Muse, Stone Muse, and Green Muse. Are those two the Spirits you wish to see?"
"Indeed. But, more a backup plan in the event of a Shade."
The brother shuddered.
"I understand. Right this way then, as Father Maxus holds these skills on him."
The robed monk led the group into the temple and along the hall. Tyler noting there were less people getting healed this time around.
"Our mages have gotten lots more practice with their spells of late, and as such, healings take less time."
"Can never have too few healers."
They walked up the steps to see the father just finish a healing spell. Mark bowed low.
"Father, we have visitors."
The Father of the temple smiled widely as he saw Tyler and his team approaching.
"Welcome back. I trust all is well?"
Tyler smiled.
"for the next five minutes it is. Usually when the next crisis hits."
That got a chuckle.
"What brings you to the temple today?"
"Divine Sight."
Maxus sighed deeply, now seeing the two spirits beside Tyler.
"I see. You poor souls, to have suffered as you did."
"We'll get their due for them. Never you doubt that."
Maxus smiled at him now.
"Do you seek it just to see them in daylight?"
"More as a backup plan for Shades and other spirit creatures that would try for them."
The Father leaned back, shocked.
"You don't mean to tell me you'd fight such a creature?"
"Not fight it. It tries for My little girls, it will die. Period."
Maxus shook his head.
"To fight in the spirit world, all you would have is your willpower and mental fortitude."
"In that world, it is all I need to WIN. Look."
HE showed him the numbers. Perception: 750. Mental fortitude: 1500, willpower, 3500. Maxus was shocked.
"With those numbers, a victory over such a fell beast is as certain as the sun rises each morning. Very well. How many sights?"
"Four."
"These the ones?"
They nodded as Maxus placed the Certificate in their hands.
"4 gold."
Tyler placed the coins in his hands. Tyler smiled as he placed the papers into his HUD, and the next time he blinked, he saw a hand waving below his face. HE looked down, and saw Sallie smiling up at him as if she was alive and well. Sylvia right beside her. Tyler chuckled.
"I see dead people."
Kaori wacked him.
"Cult classic or not, NO."
Tyler reached down to pat the green haired girl on her head, and found it was like he was patting a living girl. HE blinked,
"Okay, that's an unexpected bonus. I can feel her hair like we were in their world."
Kaori patted her as well, getting a happy giggle as Sylvia sighed.
"Just what the hell did you expect to happen when that skill hit your willpower? These kinds of skills draw their power directly from Willpower. And with that extreme number, yeah, we're as close to being alive again as we can be without a body."
"Wow. Neat trick."
Sylvia just looked at him.
"Why can't you just be happy we're with you? Why do you seek more for us when we're already happy?"
"This one came from a concern I had."
The red haired elf tilted her head.
"Shades? Those things are so rare as to be nearly nonexistent."
"Is there a chance we encounter one?"
She blinked.
"Yeah, but it's so small-"
"Is it zero?"
"…..No."
"Then I have my backup plan. What if you got attacked in daylight?"
Sylvia just sighed as she rubbed her small eyes.
"I understand that overprepared is your way of life, but ya just being paranoid now."
"Rather paranoid and have ALL the ones I love, then be complacent and lose them all."
Sallie giggled.
"Sylvia! He just wanted to protect us!"
"And if those creatures want to get to you, they need to get past ME first. Seriously, as long as I can make a fist, NOTHING will hurt you again."
Sylvia just sighed again.
"All that just for a pair of spirits that will be reborn anyway."
"Not ANY spirits. YOU. MY little girls."
She smiled then,
"You know Ignatia is going to be disappointed."
"If my explanation isn't enough, well, I have a backup plan there as well."
She went and hugged him, and he felt her warmth.
"You and those damned backup plans."
"We wouldn't be here without them."
Sallie was getting held by kaori as she laughed. Tyler lifted Sylvia up and hugged her.
"You know this looks weird to everyone else?"
"Fuck em. I'm holding me girl."
he sat her on his shoulder, and she laughed.
"Oddly, this is our favorite spot to be."
That got a laugh as Tyler looked to a chuckling Maxus.
"Thanks. Glad that was that easy."
The Priest smiled fondly.
"Just be careful not to get labeled as mad."
"Too late."
All voices replied at once. Then they walked off laughing as Maxus sighed.
"That poor boy. He and those two spirits have so much shared pain, if he's not careful, the next upgrade to his communication with them really WILL bring them back to life."
Tyler had Sylvia on his shoulder as Sallie skipped along beside him, and Wulf was shaking his head.
"I am going to have to watch to not mistake them for living again."
Tyler chuckled.
"I will too. Will be weird to see them sticking out of Sera's head."
Kaori smiled then.
"Or to see them watching when in bed."
Tyler just laughed.
"I kinda got over that already. Though, looking over and seeing them standing there will be a new one."
Sylvia sighed.
"That and how we weigh nothing."
"Right? Kinda cool kinda weird. Mostly just cool."
Sallie climbed up his sword blade to sit on his other shoulder.
"That's how you got there? Nifty."
The green haired girl giggled.
"Now we can talk and play all day AND all night!"
Tyler smiled as he had a thought.
"Hey, Kaori, wanna know what this reminds me of?"
"Oh shit here we go. What?"
"That one anime we saw together, about that dude in the apartment that had like six girls all invade it at once."
Her green eyes lit up.
"Oh I loved that one!"
"Remember that ghost girl?"
Kaori laughed now.
"I do. And I see the resemblance. Hey, Sallie and Sylvia, got a question."
"Sure."
"What?"
"Can you taste the food we eat?"
Sylvia looked at Sallie and they both burst out laughing.
"We can, but we don't need food you know."
"Where'd that come from?"
"How's it work?"
Sylvia crossed her small arms.
"If we're curious, we merge a little with your bodies, and we can borrow all five of your senses."
"Just, be careful with that curiosity."
Sallie giggled as she blushed.
"I already did get curious."
They all looked at each other, then to the blushing spirit.
"What'd you do?"
Her blush went deeper.
"I merged with Kaori for her play with Tyler and Malico."
The three named all looked at each other.
"I think, for the sake of our sanity, we pretend that one never happened."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
Sallie giggled again.
"It was fun!"
Tyler just looked at Wulf.
"For once, I can say that was NOT my idea."
The ranger sighed.
"Sylvia. Anything to add?"
The elf spirit sighed.
"She merged with Tyler to see it from his angle as well. Girl's a fiend. She then merged with Malico for that last bit, and would swap back and forth. I just held the door."
Sallie was laughing as everyone looked at her.
"It was fun!"
Tyler looked at Kaori.
"Girl's a horn girl."
"Like father like daughter?"
"Let's just go with it."
They all sighed as they walked in to Melly's inn. There they found Serafina playing with Sera and Melly as Lillia sat at the table with the others. Tyler smiled as he sat back at the table.
"So, anything happen while we were getting our eyes checked."
Sallie hopped onto the table to hug Vixen before sitting against the wall. The mage noting that Tyler's eyes were now following her every move.
"Nothing really. I see you got the skills you needed."
"Yup. Guess fighting in the spirit world comes down to Willpower and Mental fortitude."
Serafina smiled at him.
"It does. Higher the number, the easier it is to fight. The highest numbers, like 50 or 60, can kill Shades easily enough, but it will still be a hard fought victory."
"What about 3500?"
She froze.
"I'm sorry, but no one has that kind of will."
"here, NightFang, have a look."
She blushed a little at his use of her nickname, but came over anyway. She looked over his shoulder to see his numbers, and he noted she had a faint smell of pine about her, and he found he liked it. She was still in her long cloak, and he was wondering what she had beneath it. Eh, I'll see soon enough. Serafina was shocked by his extreme Perception, Willpower, and Mental Fortitude. The she sighed as she stood.
"There is only one way for those to get like that, and it hurts. A lot. So, to answer your question? With numbers like that, the Spirit world is just this world."
Tyler smiled as he flicked a small leftover grape at Sallie's chest, and it bounce off, getting a giggle. Serafina and Vixen chuckled.
"With Holy Muse and Divine Sight mixed in with your willpower, those two are as close to being alive again as they can get."
Serafina then looked at the black mage.
"You don't think, with his numbers, he could do THAT?"
Vixen gasped as she saw the other girls line of thinking.
"If ANYTHING can, he could."
Tyler looked at them.
"That?"
Vixen looked at him.
"There is a legend, a very old legend, of a Warrior with such extreme willpower, that he was able to revive the dead once he had the proper skills and title abilities under his belt. From what the legend says, his numbers were at 200. Flat. The skills and abilities he used were lost to time."
Tyler crossed his arms as he looked at a now serious Sallie. Sylvia went and sat beside her spirit sister.
"You're seriously considering it?"
Tyler sighed.
"Of course I am. But. NOT for you."
He looked at Kaori.
"A backup plan for MY worst case scenario."
The blonde shuddered as she saw him looking at her. Vixen sighed.
"You'd be willing to destroy the balance of the world, just for her."
"Without hesitating."
Kaori sighed.
"No."
They all looked at her. Tyler tilted his head.
"No….?"
She looked at him with her own force now.
"If I die, DO NOT waste your life trying to bring me back. Just love me now, be happy we're together now, and just do what you have been."
Tyler sighed.
"To be fair, she goes, I'm going right after her."
They ALL jumped at that on the fly response. Then Kaori spoke in a small voice.
"What?"
HE looked at her smiling.
"You die, I won't live without you. So, we'll go together."
He was smiling at her as he said this, as if it was such a certain thing that they'd always be together, no matter what. The she sighed.
"And if I died tomorrow morning?"
"I'd slit my own throat soon as it was confirmed."
Again. On the fly. Zero hesitation. Kaori was shaking, as Wulf looked at the others,
"See? SHE is his main concern."
Tyler was smiling as he looked over a dagger as Kaori just looked at him.
"You'd really just kill yourself, rather than live without me?"
"Yup."
She was shaking, hard. What the actual fuck? He's THAT devoted? I know he loves me, but to THAT extreme? Sera was then heard chuckling.
"IS ANYONE really that surprised? I mean, just look at them! Haven't you ever noticed just how on edge he gets whenever see leaves his sight? I know I have."
Kaori got up and went around the corner, out of sight. Thistle was sitting on his other side, and she gave a low whistle.
"He just tensed up like I poked him with a fork."
Tyler smiled.
"I been telling you this."
Kaori came back into sight, and they all saw him relax. The blonde looked at the blood elf.
"Was it that instant?"
She laughed.
"Yup. Soon as he lost sight of that hair, he went stiff like a dead bug. Soon as he saw you he breathed a sigh of relief."
Wulf chuckled as well.
"In the bath houses, he sits with his back against the dividing wall."
That got a laugh as Kaori looked at him.
"Every time?"
"Every time. He can't hear what you talk about, but scream, and that wall will simply explode. Even if he can't HEAR it, he'll FEEL it."
Tyler shrugged.
"Like I said, SHE is my number one concern in this world."
Kaori just looked at Sylvia, as if looking for something. The little elven Spirit smiled at her.
"Why are you looking at me for? He loves you. To an extreme."
The poor blonde was just a little overwhelmed as she saw the true depth of his love and devotion to her. He loves me enough to break every rule he has to, and is more then ready to turn into a monster to...why am I so surprised? I was the one he SAVED! He was fully prepared to die for me that day in the tower! I guess I just didn't fully grasp the sheer depth of his feelings for me. She hugged him.
"I guess, I wasn't fully aware."
He kissed her.
"Now you are."
That sent a warm glow down her body. Tyler smiled as he remembered something.
"Oh, I was going to look over the news of the day."
They all laughed as he swapped with Thistle to sit against the wall. Sallie and Sylvia taking up spots on his leg where they could see his HUD.
"I like this better."
Both girls smiled as he pulled up the news piece.
"Today In Vernillion. Reader. We have a new story that will go down as a legend that will be swung of for centuries. These following words are verified by the citizens, town guard, and Lady Seline herself. Early this morning, the lady Seline sent a cry for aid to the Outcast party, as her fair city had come under attack from an army in the hundreds. The lady is no charlatan at defending her home, but found herself outmatched, so she sent the cry for aid to the ones that could save her people. She sent for the Outcasts. And they came. Tyler the Outcast and the Blonde Goddess Kaori came to the defense of their city astride Tempesta himself. That is correct, reader. The pair BARTERED a ride upon the back of the lord of Blue himself. How they were granted such a thing, I am afraid I do not know. The rest of their party were transported via airship, namely, the Nidhogg. And we have the crew and captain verifying this as well. It was witnessed the Outcast and Tempesta bantering like father and Son by the prow of the ship. Then, Tempesta granted the pair of Warriors a gift that has never before been given: A ride upon his back. Who in their right mind would even consider putting such a question to the dragon's face?"
Tyler laughed as he looked at his friends.
"Would we all agree I'm insane?"
"Batshit insane."
"Utterly."
"So we're in agreement?"
"Yes."
"Good, just so we're on the same page."
Sylvia and Sallie giggled.
"That was awesome!"
"I got to fly on a dragon!"
Tyler hugged them as he kept reading.
"It would seen the Outcast is either outright insane, unheardedly brave, or has a death wish. Nonetheless, Tempesta granted the most audacious request to spirit them to the aid of their friends. And they arrived in the nick of time, as the walls were about to be breached, when the roar of Tempesta brought the field to a standstill. The Lord of the sky even added his own flames in a single pass to block access to the city, as both the Outcast and the Beauty breathed their own blue flames alongside the dragon. Tempesta landed, and Tyler and Kaori faced the remaining six hundred alone, as Tempesta merely observed the ensuing slaughter. The two Warriors used merely their own terrifyingly powerful collection of spells to slaughter the waves of men charging them. One such combination left the road outside the north eastern wall gate with a ten foot deep hole as they mixed a lava spell with a water to create an explosion. They then went to their steel. Or, in the Outcast's case, dual, Mythril broadswords. Yes, reader, Tyler wields weapons of purest Mythril, and if the stories are to be believed, his short swords, Oblivion and Oathkeeper are of the legendary metal as well. The pair slew between them, 600 men without getting a scratch, under the watchful eye of the Lord of the Sky himself. After the battle, Tempesta was witnessed making some form of deal with the pair, if his gifted scales were anything to go by."
"Fuckin A"
Tyler sighed as he looked to his party.
"Heads up. They know we have high dragon scales now."
They all groaned as he went on.
"If the Outcasts have made a pact with the Sky king, one can only imagine the terms. In short? The lady Seline sent for the Outcasts aid, and they brought a dragon. Tyler the Outcast does NOT play war fair. The army was then found to be a mercenary company hired to force the cities to allow access to the Warriors now barred from entry. The Warriors paying the mercenaries a king's ransom in gold and gems. Tyler the Outcast found their payment, and without stopping to really consider it, gave the gold to Seline.
"For damages."
"His words. Not ours. He DID hold onto the gems however,
"Dragon Bribes. Since we're like to meet more, and I'd rather NOT have to fight them just yet."
"His own statement. It would seem this lad knows the ways of the dragons indeed. The King has issued a statement regarding the recent extreme actions taken by the Warriors.
"If you use MY money to attack MY cities, then consider yourselves cut off. I will not have the coin my subjects pay my kingdom be used to attack them. Henceforth, the crown will no longer support the Warriors travels. Want money? Do what Tyler did, as outside the initial ten gold he got upon first arriving, has not received a single copper from the crown. And now look at him, he throws coin like seed in a field, to smiths, a most wise move if I do say so myself, to runners and couriers, again wisdom, to those that tend his horses when they are not. That young man built what he has in under four gold, if the numbers I received were accurate, in under four gold, he had horses, a map, spells, and enough basic supplies to get them to Dragul. He works harder to both support himself and his party, and make sure those that support his travels are also taken care of. In short? Want to get paid? Pff, get off your asses and earn it."
The king and crown has since cut off the weekly ten gold to the Warriors, and the riots were underway. These 'heroes' act more like spoiled children then the legends of old. The Warriors are running out of options, cities refuse to admit them, and now the money they never deserved has stopped coming in. In this writer's own personal opinion? Those scum should NOT have been given anything more than the initial ten gold. As I myself have witnessed the Outcast's kindness and generosity first hand. He works hard, facing creatures the likes of which the other so-called 'Warriors' can only shudder at. I have seen his list of titles and his bestiary. Let me say this, readers of Lectis, that party is the very best hope we have. Their kills number in the thousands, and amongst the dead are everything from Goblins and orcs to giants and demons. Tyler himself has been quoted as saying the following.
"Look, that first wave? If Max's very best is five giants at once, then enjoy the life you have left, for you're ALL going to die horribly. And WE won't play rescue or coddle. Nor will we babysit you. You will all die."
HE was speaking to a fellow Warrior, whose name was Selena, before sending the most cruel girl away on her horse. Even now, he is planning his party's role in the wave. And, knowing him? They'll walk into the wave, lay waste to anything that looks at them, and walk back out smiling without a scratch. In other news, Kazuma's city of Dragul weathered a most nasty plains storm this morning, with several thousand coins in damage. The Warrior leader was then seen aiding cleanup as well. If Tyler is the strength and backbone, Kazuma is the smiling kindness and willingness to aid. Kaori? She's the beauty behind the brawn."
"Hey, Kaori. C'mere a sec."
The curious blonde looked a the line in question.
"If Tyler is the strength and backbone, Kazuma is the smiling kindness and willingness to aid. Kaori? She's the beauty behind the brawn. Ha!"
Tyler laughed as well.
"Verilica sure knows HER target!"
Kaori was laughing as well.
"I'll pay her a visit after Yoko."
"All I'll say? Have fun."
She smiled as she sat back down. Tyler patted Sallie on her green hair, getting a happy giggle as he looked back at it.
"In Yalik, the lady Lymir is expecting the Outcasts to visit sooner rather then later now.
"It seems they're ahead of schedule. Not a bad thing to have TOO much time them too little."
"The airships, another story we're following, are all but forbidden from taking to the skies now, as it would seem the Outcast was disturbed by the attitudes of a crew he'd encountered. Now, only a very select few are allowed access to Tempesta's sky. If they do not learn this lesson, that THAT is the DRAGON'S sky, then we will all lose out on a valuable commodity."
Tyler looked at Kaori as he closed the HUD.
"I think Kazuma may have gotten a little too wrapped up in playing diligent leader to the city."
Kaori chuckled,
"Typical. Never could turn away a person in need."
Tyler smiled as he stroked little Sylvia's red hair.
"Well, long as he don't try to play the hero to the others, he'll do just fine."
"he does, you'll smack em and put him back on the line."
"Damn straight."
Tyler looked to Serafina.
"Are there any Vampire weaknesses I need to be aware of? Like garlic, crosses, mirrors?"
She laughed at that last one.
"Mirrors?"
"A legend in our old world, said a Vampire would not appear in a Mirror's reflection, as they had no soul."
The half-vampire laughed a little shyly now.
"We don't have a lot of weaknesses. More, sunlight, which I'm immune to, Holy water, the White Path healing spells, but since yours are diluted with blue, I should be okay, and the only way to kill us is to pierce our hearts."
"You said you were a half-vampire, Right?"
She lowered her gaze as she replied.
"My turning was botched somehow, so I was made into a Wraith. Half-vampire, half human."
Tyler smiled widely.
"A Wraith, huh? I take it you are hard to detect?"
She nodded.
"I'm more assassin then open fighter like the rest of you."
"How's your night sight?"
"Mid-day sun to you."
"We need a set of night sights. Eh, tomorrow. Okay, primary weapons?"
She smiled again as she lifted her cloak a bit to show a set of black daggers.
"I use daggers, poison I make from herbs and plants, and stealth skills and spells to fight."
"So, in a large battle?"
"I'd hide in the shadow of a more aggressive fighter, and cut down the unsuspecting as they turned."
"Wow, nice image."
Tyler thought for a moment as he looked at her, and she became a little nervous. The Wraith looked at Vixen.
"Why is he looking at me like he's planning to kill me?"
Vixen smiled.
"Relax, little Wraith. He's looking at where you work best in our group. You're a very specialized fighter with very narrow skills, so it's both easier to place you, but harder as he needs to account for your blind spots."
"Plus that poison making skill is nothing small, believe me. Okay, I think I have a place for you. Malico and Lillia are our flower girls. You'll join them as killer plant expert, and make nasty poisons for the group. As far as battle? I'll take you on a raid and see how you work those fangs, and go from there."
She gulped as Lillia spoke up.
"Um, Tyler?"
HE looked at her,
"Issue?"
"Just clarifying something for you. In our world, a flower girl is a prostitute."
"Oh, weird how well that fits Malico. Even IF that's a priceless kittycat."
She laughed.
"I was about to claw your eyes out, but then you said that last bit. Well saved."
"Like that tail. And neatly cared for."
She purred as Serafina breathed a sigh of relief.
"I was afraid he was serious about me becoming a flower girl."
"Nah. We get enough coin other ways. Besides, those good looks are FAR too good to give to just ANYONE."
"Eep!"
"Wow, cute. I just made a Wraith squeak."
Poor Serafina was blushing a deep purple instead of red ass he pulled her hood up over her face in embarrassment. Sera patted her back reassuringly.
"There there, Serafina, he loves complementing the ladies. But, just so you know? That cute reaction means he's going to keep at it now."
"Aww, is me number 1 cutie feeling left out?"
"Eep!"
"See?"
Now SERA was blushing as everyone laughed. Then Lily was heard chuckling.
"Love to see you try it on me. I don't squeak."
"Nothing less an I would expect for the ONLY true competitor for my heart."
"Eep! Gods dammit. He got me"
Lily was blushing hard now as well, and her cutely angry grumble making everyone chuckle. Tyler smiled as he looked around. As he did, Sera yawned.
"That late already? Alright then."
That got a chuckle, as the party headed for the room. Kaori tugging Tyler's sleeve, and the pair darted into a separate room and locking the door. Then they made love to each other once again. All the while Sallie and Sylvia watched and commented on the spectacle.
"Wow, she loves that one."
"Yeah, definitely likes in from the rear."
"Yeesh, yeah, feel bad for the poor bastards that has to clean THAT mess up."
"Right? Wow, didn't know a spine can bend that way."
"She done?"
"Probably. They been at it what? Three hours?"
Kaori was indeed done as she flopped to the bed as her last orgasm left her body. Tyler laying right beside her in the bed. Tyler rolled onto his back and Kaori lifted her head onto his chest.
"Even better the third time."
"I love you, Kaori."
She smiled.
"I love you too, Tyler."
"That commentary was odd though."
"Super odd. But, it was fun putting a show on for them."
"We joining them tonight too?"
Sallie and Sylvia climbed up onto the bed to lay on his chest as well. Tyler and Kaori could feel their weight and warmth. Sallie smiled.
"If you do, can we just sleep like this? I wanna sleep like a family."
The lovers smiled.
"Sure, sweetie."
The two used their ability and the warmth was even greater. Tyler smiled as he placed Sallie and Sylvia between him and Kaori and snuggled them between them.
"Good night girls. I love you."
"Good night love."
"Good night, daddy, mommy, I love you."
"Same."
They smiled as they all drifted off together.