Chapter 36 - Tale of the Outcast Warrior: A new Warrior, Tasks...and Lily.

DAYS UNTIL WAVE: 54

Tyler opened his eyes to see Yoko still sound asleep beside him. HE smiled. I fucking LOVE this world. Dragons, swords, magic, I get to fuck hot animal girls nightly, Kaori, seriously! Paradise! He leaned in and kissed the raccoon girl awake, getting a happy sigh.

"So, is this how you wake up Kaori?"

HE chuckled as he kissed her again.

"Yup. Every morning we sleep together. She gets waken by kiss, and if the mood takes us, a good morning lay."

Yoko giggled.

"I'm in the mood."

"well, so am I. Wanna use the bath?"

She laughed as they looked to see the two spirits looking at them under the blanket.

"Hi."

"I CAN feel that thing! Go take care of it!"

"Your tail is a very comfy pillow, Yoko!"

The two then left the girls to race fro the bath, from which moans, groans, and splashing were heard as Sylvia sighed.

"Spirit or not, I FELT that damned thing touching me."

Sallie giggled.

"We probably SHOULDN'T tell Wulf or Kaori that."

The red haired elf girl nodded.

"They'd kill him. Like literally kill him. Even if it WAS in his sleep."

Sallie smiled as a loud, impassioned lewdly happy moan was heard.

"Her tail was SOOO comfy!"

Sylvia was in full agreement.

"Better then Malico's tail. Warm too. I see why he loves it so much."

The green haired girl tilted her head.

"I wonder how Seline's tails feel?"

Sylvia giggled.

"When I lived, I got to sleep in her bed once with her. She wrapped me in both of them, and Sallie?"

"Yeah?"

The elven girl took her hands with stars in her eyes.

"They are SOOOO comfy! Warm, fluffy, cuddly, and soft! Even BETTER then Yoko!"

Sallie hugged her spirit sister.

"We'll have to pressure him into sleeping with her for a night then."

"Oh hells yeah we will! We can even use real bodies for it now!"

"I love you, Sylvia."

"I love you too, Sallie."

The two girls hugged as Tyler and Yoko came out to dress. Once they were dressed, Sallie and Sylvia took their spots on his shoulders as he kissed Yoko goodbye before heading to Melly's inn. He grabbed a news crystal off the guild runner and headed inside the Inn. He found Kaori, Malico and Lily waiting for him. HE smiled as he saw Kaori's morning glow, and Malico's happy one.

"Morning ladies. Sleep well?"

He kissed Kaori as he sat down next to the wall. Malico's tail flicked.

"Verilica and Seline are amazing together. She also loved my tail trick, saying she'll need to try it with her own."

Kaori sipped her coffee.

"Aqua is very warm and loving. Plus a great cuddle mate."

"Should try to set up a pile sometime. The girls loved Yoko's tail."

Malico smiled sweetly.

"Yoko's people have some of the best tails for cuddling."

Tyler smiled as he placed the news crystal in the HUD.

"I can see why."

"This Morning in Vernillion. The new tax is still causing strife for the undeserving Warriors still cowering within Term. As the collectors went out to get this day's gold coin, they were met with a wall of swords. The result of this? 45 Warriors were stripped of their gear according to the new law, and thrown out. Amongst those was none other then Max himself. The de facto leader losing all his ill-gotten goods, including several hundred gold, all because he refuses to work or pay a single coin. The ingrate was then heard proclaiming.

"Ya just killed yourselves. We'll get teleported to the waves, and just sit there as they killed you all. Ha, you'll see you shoulda just let us play."

The King was quick to respond.

"We got Tyler in OUR corner. And frankly? All we really need. Kazuma is stepping up his training, but in his own words."

"I'll just get behind the Outcast's line and shoot arrows. I kinda got a little too wrapped up."

"See, max? we don't need nor want you. And m these gates will STAY shut to you."

The warrior laughed as he left the capital.

"Whatever Shitar. We all know that coward will die first in the wave. He couldn't even pinch us in our old world, and his fists were made of cotton. Kaori only hung around him because of pity. Even though we were dating for like months prior. Lousy punk stole my girlfriend!"

Ishtar, along with every other person other then the Warriors had burst out laughing hysterically at this most deluded of boys. For, as most are now aware of by now, the feelings between Kaori and her Outcast are among the most potent there are. Plus, if you personally know the beautiful blonde like I do, you know the lad's lying through his teeth in an attempt to rile the Outcast up. Tyler taunts Demon's for fun. A mere pissant with a crush on a girl way too good for him is plain beneath his notice. Skyr, the pope, issued a statement as well.

"It seems the king has abandoned reason for madness. Putting all our hopes on the shoulders of a single under preforming Warrior? Daft to the highest degree. Calling him the strongest? Sadly, as I have met this boy personally, I can say he is no where near enough. I was there for his summoning, and he showed no signs of the courage we need when he murdered Gruven before my very eyes in cold blood. We need Warriors of Max's caliber and Disposition if we're to survive the waves."

It would seem the Pope has gone mad himself. As if Max is an ideal Warrior to him, then we need a new pope. For such a murdering, rapist, bully of a slime is not worthy of a Warrior's Strength. Max and his entourage were last seen riding north towards TopLeaf. Though, the Queen of the elves as also issued a proclamation as well.

"There are only THREE Warriors allowed in me lands: Tyler, Kaori, and this Kazuma. Though I've not yet met the boy, he's got Tyler's seal of approval, thus an open gate in me Queendom. And Max? I KNOW what you did to my daughter, and where you took her. If you come NEAR my borders, the ENTIRE elven Guard have orders to skin you alive. If the Outcasts or the Dragons or waves don't kill you, I'll do it meself, ya rapist bastard."

Event eh Elven Queendom is shut to the Warriors. Willow Hammershot is a fierce woman, and I know her daughter well, as she is a trusted member of the Outcasts' party, and let me tell you readers of Lectis. Lily has more grit and fire in her small body then most giants. She's got the Outcast himself on nearly as tight a leash as Kaori does! And is only too eager to hang him with it! In other news, the neighboring Dwarven kingdom of Erolagard, has sealed it's borders to the Warriors as well. Their king, one Rolic Redbeard, gave the reasons thusly.

"They've burned my villages, me hospitals, and attacked me people. NO. This boy, Outcast, I have been hearing tales of his trueness, yet have not met the boy meself, so if he wishes to see a dwarven city, I'm afraid he must preform a task at each to gain entry. If the tales be true, he'll find it a fair and just proposal."

The Outcast has not sat down for a reply for any of our articles, whether he's just too busy or is just not aware he CAN, I know not."

Tyler chuckled as he closed the HUD.

"I'll go see Verilica for a bit while everyone sobers up."

They chuckled as he headed for the guild. Tyler walked in to another hail as he walked over to Verilica's booth. The feral imp smiling widely as he approached.

"I do hope you're not here to bed me this morn. Still a little sore."

"Shame that. Was it fun?"

"Very."

"Then well earned pain."

She laughed, along with the rest of the guild.

"So, why did you come to flirt with me?"

"I saw the article this morn. If ya wanted an interview, all ya had to do was ask."

She smiled as her forked tail danced behind her.

"We'll use the room from last time."

"As my diabolical Impishly good looking lady commands."

That got a blush from Verilica, and a straight up applause from the other men.

"That bastard made her blush like a wee girl! We are so outmatched here."

"Aye mate. Get used to loneliness."

"And his hands."

That set them laughing as he sat in the chair as Verilica took her spot across from him. She pulled an interface up and looked at him.

"Thank you for this interview, Tyler the Outcast."

"Sure. Feels weird getting interviewed period, but sure."

Verilica went to a piece from the article.

"I trust you saw Max's statement about dating kaori?"

Tyler smiled widely.

"I did indeed."

"Your response sir?"

"Real big fuckin talk coming from the dude that brought his mom to a dance at our school that same week cause every other girl, including his own sister shot him down."

Verilica laughed.

"I see his words meaning nothing to you?"

"I fight demons for fun. Seriously, Lily's jabs hurt more an his."

She shook her head.

"Are you aware of Rolic's stipulation?"

"I am."

"How do you respond?"

"Honestly, I thought it was already a thing. But, it is indeed a fair thing. Kinda hard to trust someone of names and stories alone."

"Do you intend to visit his kingdom?"

"Eventually. We'll probably just wind up there at some point. It won't be for a while though, as we need to get ready for the wave."

Verilica smiled.

"How are you wave preparations going, Outcast?"

He crossed his arms.

"we're ahead of schedule really. We have a few last minute things to clear out, some training to do, and we're set."

"Are you concerned?"

"Not for the enemies we'll be fighting. Give me thirty seconds with a clear look and I'll have a decent ten plans. Main issue is the terrain."

"Terrain?"

"Indeed. We fighting on a mountain side? Plains? Woodland? The terrain will be the biggest issue for our team, as we'll be in both unknown and unfamiliar ground."

"I see preparation is important."

"I hate going into a fight blind. Liches, Draugr and tombs are fine since I already have a basic idea of just what we're walking into. Like I always preach, Over prepared is better then under."

"Are there any places in the realm your looking forward to seeing?"

Tyler sat back in his chair.

"Ya know something? Not sure. We've been to Cragspire, the elven capital, but due to a crisis in Raylik we weren't really able to see much. Plus, we have news for a pair of elves that live in the capital that they will lose their minds over."

HE smiled fondly as he placed a hand on the locket as Sylvia giggled. Verilica smiled as she got the hint. She looked to another piece of news.

"You are aware of Skyr's statements, are you not?"

"I tend to listen when snakes try to pretend to be men."

"Do you have words for him?"

"PLENTY. But none civilized enough for a news article. Beyond he's on my permanent hitlist."

"I see. Well, do you have words for Kazuma?"

"You rat bastard. You BETTER have eaten that damned Wyvern. And for the love of Kaori leave my gods awful nickname in the past! It's OUTCAST NOW! Oh, and kick Valdic in the balls for me kittycat Malico please."

Verilica smiled as he spoke.

"A most intriguing relationship you two have."

"not really. He's kaori's twin brother, so I need to at least PRETEND to like him. Optimist. Ugh."

She shook her head at that one.

"I see. I understand you and Tempesta the Lord of blue are close."

"Not sure if 'close' is the right word. We more, let's see, how do I put this? We're both wanderers for a lack of a better way to put it."

"You're both nomads. Find a place to claim, get bored and move on."

"Like the ocean. Restless and free. We're both Outcasts ourselves by choice. Plus, can you name a better feeling then riding our on a journey with the wind at your back, the sun rising behind you, and those you love all around you? I can't. And neither can he. Plus, we understand each other, well. As much as a human and a dragon CAN understand each other."

HE was smiling as Verilica chuckled.

"would Kindred spirits be a better fit?"

"Yes! That! Exactly that! We get it, so we click better. Plus, well, I understand WELL this is HIS world we're guests in. Be amazed just how far a little respect can get you. And when you don't steal from them."

Verilica chuckled.

"I recall you had a hand in the discussion over the poaching of the sky sharks."

"I did."

"Do you have words?"

"That is NOT our sky. We have NO business up there PERIOD. That is the dragon's playground, us the runts they ALLOW up there. Piss em off, and we get grounded. Permanently. We have NO claim to the heavens as we have NO claim to beneath the waves."

"A strong position. Are you not worried about backlash?"

Tyler smiled darkly.

"See thing about an Outcast? We don't need to give a flying fuck WHAT anyone thinks of us. They got a problem? Pff, we'll just walk out that damn door. Push it and we'll leave you as a damned corpse. We don't need you. Never have, never will."

She had the same smile.

"Your stance is of self-sufficiency?"

"Indeed. We have the knowledge, know-how, and will to both get our hands dirty to survive, and get the hard work done right. We have a Ranger that knows more about this land then I give him credit for, our hot blonde huntress we turn to for all things survivalist, our flower experts for all things plant, poison experts/undead experts, our natives, our camp cuties, our field smith, ME, and our horse expert. Every person on MY team has a role they fill. We can head out to near any environment and either get by or straight up thrive."

"You listed off their roles, yet neglected your own. What is YOUR role in camp?"

"I set the defenses, goals for the day, like targets, destination, main planning. I also serve as the one that does the darker work the more noble and honorable simply cannot. I lead the pack, and am the one on watch when they all relax."

"Can you elaborate on darker work?"

"Interrogations. If you have information we need, well."

He smiled darkly again.

"Once I get my knife in you, you'll talk. They always do."

"a fearsome party indeed. Do you have any words for the Warriors?"

"Hope you enjoyed hurting people, for in the wave. YOU. ARE. ALL. GOING. TO. DIE. We will not coddle you, babysit you or rescue you. So, enjoy the life you have left. Ya got a month."

Verilica smiled as she used a magic Quill to write a little.

"There you have it, Lectis. The first interview with the Outcast."

She looked at him.

"Thanks for this."

"We'll look it over later."

"You leaving soon?"

"Sadly yes. We have work to do. So, once we sober up some more, we'll ride out."

The Imp sighed sadly.

"A shame that. My poor entry hurts, and my rear does as well."

"Well, here then."

He walked over and kissed her deeply on her soft mouth. She purred like Malico as he slipped her his tongue, and dragged it over her fangs in a most teasing manner. Then she sighed happily.

"We'll make do with each other until you get back."

HE smiled as they left the room. The other guild members all laughing as a distinct flush was on her face.

"Wow, laddee. Took longer an we expected. You okay?"

Tyler scratched his groin.

"Now I am. She's great by the way. Sucks she's only got the ladies to please her the right way."

They laughed as he walked out to rejoin his crew. He found them all eating breakfast as he walked in. They laughed as he sat down.

"I heard you went to play celebrity."

Tyler laughed as well while he opened the map.

"I got the feeling they wanted an interview. Never done one before, so why not? Plus I got to see Verilica."

Kaori smiled as Sallie sat on her lap.

"Did you have her?"

"Sadly not. She's still hurting from last night's play. Gave her a kiss though, so not a total loss."

She smiled as he looked at their route and laid the bills out.

"Okay, we'll hit the Hobs first, as their at the campsite here."

Wulf smiled as he pointed to another spot a little further off the road.

"This one here is a better spot anyway. It even has a small stream going through it."

"Nice. Okay, we should reach the hobs by late noon if we leave now."

They all nodded. Wulf looked at him.

"The girls?"

"Camp ONLY. AFTER every spell is up, active and clear. The tent will also be up as well, in case of raid, they hide in there until they get their spirit on."

Lucy the barbarian smiled.

"Not a creature will so much as poke them. Not while I yet draw breath."

"Not while ANY of us draw breath. Okay, I've fed as well. We ready to load up?"

Kaori looked to the map.

"we can ride out in ten minutes. I'd like to give them all a once over before we go on a hard ride."

"Understood. We'll prep while you check."

The plan was made and the party went to it with a will. Tyler walked over to Mia and placed five gold on the counter.

"We'll be seeing ya, Mia. Make sure Melly don't cut herself or some bastard steals those from her."

The burly lady smiled at the Outcast's clear fondness for her girl.

"The whole town will. She loves those things. We even had Tolic place their names on the blades."

"She pick good ones?"

"Oblivion and Oathkeeper."

"I friggin love her."

She smiled as Melly came in for a hug from each Outcast, even though Sera nearly killed her as usual. Then they were off as Melly waved from within the Inn.

"Bye! Have a safe trip! Come back soon!"

"Bye Melly! Look after those!"

She sighed as they were lost to sight, looking at her mother dry-eyed.

"They'll be back, Mommy. Don't worry."

Mia just hugged her small girl.

"Aye, girl, that they will. If only for you!"

Tyler and his crew walked into the stables to see Kaori putting the last saddle on Thunder.

"We set Horse whisperer?"

She smiled.

"They're bored."

"Well, let's get em riled up then. Outcasts! Mount up!"

They all swung up into their saddles and followed Tyler out the door to a rousing cheer from passing people.

"OUTCAST! OUTCAST! OUTCAST!"

Tyler breathed his fire for them and they just cheered harder. Kaori to his right, Wulf his left, Sera directly behind him with Lillia behind her, Vixen to Lillia's left, Lucy her right, Thistle beside Sera, Malico on her other side and Serafina trail. Sallie and Sylvia were on his horse as well, and he could feel them as they walked to the gate. They were greeted by Lorgah as they waited for it to be lifted.

"A lone Warrior seeks access, and we turned her away."

"We'll scare her off."

"We'd appreciate it."

The party took their spots as the large metal doors opened. There on the trail was a sobbing blonde girl on a horse going to walk away from the doors. She looked up with hope in her eyes, only to go white with despair at the sight of the truly fearsome looking group. Tyler smiled as they rode towards her.

"Hiya Ashley. Nice day for a ride ain't it?"

The blonde girl blinked as the party halted near her.

"TYLER?"

"In the awesomeness. You got any Licenses?"

She held up a small ring timidly, only for tyler to flick them to Wulf for inspection. She just started crying again.

"Please don't rob me too. I don't have anything else."

Tyler looked at her, ans saw she didn't even have a dagger.

"You got robbed after getting thrown out?"

She sobbed harder.

"I WASN'T thrown out! I haven't set foot in a city since we all seperated. I've been out in the wilds more exploring and killing lone monsters then really dealing with people. I came to town to try and make a little coin, maybe sleep under a roof for once, and heard they had a new tax for the Warriors since I guess they've been doing evil deeds. That was fine, and I even had a gold coin to pay. I gave it to the man, who just looked at me surprised. Said he didn't expect me to hand it over so easily like I did. I told him I just got back to town since my summoning, and just wanted to rest a little before heading back out. He sighed and said it might be better to just run now, as every other Warrior's a monster. I didn't really believe him, I mean I grew up with these people. I got a room, and slept well. I was riding out the next morning, and when they came to take that day's gold, I told them I was leaving anyway, which they were fine with, saying it was fair. No sooner was I out of sight of the walls, Max and like thirty of our classmates jumped me, stole everything except my horse, and rode off."

She slumped in the saddle, sobbing heart brokenly.

"I spent the last month just gathering herbs and things to sell, as I was always the outdoorsy type anyway. And it got stolen in the blink of an eye by the others, and now I can't even fight."

Tyler sighed.

"Alright, lets see. Pull you HUD up, a sec Ashely."

The others all looked at him except for kaori who smiled.

"She never really bothered us. She was more there then bully."

They shrugged as he went to her bestiary. She was curious.

"What are you looking for?"

"Best kill. Gives me an idea of just what you've been doing. Okay, wow, Ashely. Decent."

HE looked up.

"Girl's got a greater Lich to her name. Not bad at all."

Tey all were nodding as he loked at her.

"You lost the coin from it?"

She tilted her head.

"You get coin from those things?"

Tyler smiled.

"I see. You have fighting strength, but no loot sense. Okay, Ashley. I'll make you an offer, as you've both never bothered us, been an issue and have a spine to kill that thing."

She became nervous.

"What offer?"

"I am aware of your outdoor skills. We'll take you with us until you get set back up. We might even have an extra blade somewhere you can use."

She blinked, shocked.

"You will?"

"As long as you agree to my camp rules."

She gulped nervously.

"They being?"

"1: as the strongest person on the team, I hold the coin. 2: No work, no food. In MY camp you pull your weight."

"Trust us, he's a dick about it."

"Mean bastard."

She laughed.

"I see they have spirit."

"They're getting trained by us. That cutie has a elder lich to her name."

"Her? She's so small!"

"That elf girl with the shield? Yeah, she dropped a giant in the last battle."

"You saw?"

"Course I did Lily."

Ashely just looked at him.

"Any other rules?"

"In towns and villages, we ALL share a room to save coin."

"That's all you have for rules?"

"Unspoken ones are simpler. Keep our secrets, follow my orders, and don't get on a high horse."

She breathed such a heavy sigh of relief.

"Thank the gods. I thought I was done for once I lost everything."

"Her spells clean?"

"She's got a few."

She tilted her head.

"A few what?"

Tyler looked at her.

"A few banned spells. Come on, we'll explain as we ride."

"Where we headed?"

"Yalik. We'll also be doing some raiding as well."

"On monsters?"

"Yup."

"Sounds fun, what kind?"

"Hill giants and hobgoblins."

She smiled as she fell in with the group.

"I see you've been going wild here."

"Yup. Kaori."

The two kissed right there as they went. Ashely laughed.

"Atta girl, Kaori! Nice to see him finally get there!"

"We've gotten there a few times now."

"Oh yeah."

The new girl gave an approving whistle.

"I LIKE this new you, Tyler. Any other ticks?"

He breathed his flames, getting a gasp og awe from the girl.

"Oh you are SUCH a badass! Do you yell the names?"

"Damn straight."

Wulf just smiled.

"It seems he has a new fan."

Ashely tilted her head.

"Care to do the rounds?"

Tyler chuckled.

"That elf is Wulf, he's our elven ranger."

"An Elven Ranger? Really?"

"Yup."

Ashely pulled her horse alongside the now curious elf.

"Never seen an elf before?"

She smiled at him.

"Just looking to see if Elven Rangers are as handsome in real life as in the stories."

Wulf just looked at her, as Tyler tapped his shoulder.

"She's a big fantasy buff. And yes she's hitting on you bro."

Ashely laughed hard.

"never thought I'd see the day Tyler would need to give coaching advice on girls."

"Well, Ashely, Wulf here gets left out a lot, so we've kinda been hoping someone cuts him some slack."

Ashely smiled widely.

"Dibs."

The other ladies all cheered as they leaned in to kiss real quick as Tyler was heard laughing.

"Bout damn time ya got somewhere."

Wulf just flipped him off. The Outcast chuckled.

"Okay. That's Wulf. That kittycat there is Malico. Our sexy catgirl."

"Always need a good kitty."

"hers is VERY good. She is too."

Malico leered.

"I'm feeling a little…frisky."

"We need to make camp first."

Ashely smiled.

"Okay, you went and became a player."

Kaori laughed.

"You have NO idea, Ash. Dude had like three different beauties in that town."

"Some more an once too."

she laughed as she noticed the cutie beside her.

"That's Sera. Camp Cutie."

Sera smiled as she waved.

"Hiya! You're pretty!"

Ashely hugged the smaller girl, and nearly got throttled by her hug death.

"Yeah, Ashy, her hugs are lethal. Her sister behind her is Lillia."

"A pleasure."

"Nice to meet you."

"That red skinned elf with the axe is our Blood Elf, Thistle."

"Okay, damn. Girl you intense."

"What a pleasing little thing. I like you."

"Yikes."

"That hulking amazon behind you is Lucy of the Bear barbarian tribe."

"Holy. Nice to meet you."

"Aye lass, same to ye."

"That pale beauty is our black mage Vixen."

Ashy smiled at the black clad lady.

"Nice to see a good black mage."

"She's a fox, ain't she?"

"That she is."

"He loves those kinds of puns. Me too."

"HE did have a thing with the pale ones."

"That cloaked girl in the rear is Serafina Dracul. She's a Wraith."

"No friggin way."

She looked at the now shyly smiling girl.

"I am indeed a Wraith miss. A pleasure to meet you."

Ashely just shook her head.

"A real Wraith. Amazing."

Tyler smiled as they went along.

"That's my crew in a nut shell. Hey, Ashely, what Path are you?"

"Brown/black."

He looked at her.

"That's a new one. Okay, what kinda weapon did you use?"

"I preferred the bow. Swords made me a little too nervous."

"Hey, Sera, you still have that other bow?"

"Ah, yeah. Let me get it."

She passed her Lisk scale bow to a stunned Ashy.

"What the hell is that made of?"

Tyler smiled.

"Sera, she's about your size, you still have that vest?"

"Yup."

Sera passed a now tearing up Ashy her lisk scale vest. Tyler and Wulf looked away as she put it on.

"Thank you. I swear I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"See? Girl's a kind one that just got screwed."

She pulled the mail down and put her shirt back on. She shook her head when she saw it was hidden completely.

"A hidden mail vest."

"That's Drakolisk scale. Same with that bow."

She blinked and shouldered the extra quiver Sera passed her.

"These?"

"High dragon scale."

She just shook her head.

"I've seen the dragons flying over head a few times. Did you kill one?"

"Not yet. We got a deal going with one. We kill demons he gives us scales. The others were given for rewards for my aid."

"wow, dude. Welcome home."

That got a laugh as they went. Tyler noting some shadows along the side. HE started whistling, and the party picked up on it. Ashly had seen the shadows as well, but wanted to see their party work. Sure enough, an arrow bounced off Tyler's mail, and thirty men blocked the road. Tyler smiled.

"You rest Ashy, we got a few needs the practice."

"Sure. Kinda curious what you can do now."

"Just don't blink."

Tyler threw his dagger as the first bandit opened his mouth, only to eat it. Sera and Lillia fired arrows at shadows as Lily hummed with her own bow. Tyler had Gliepnir out and cut five clean in half.

"HOLY."

Ashy watched as the thirty men were reduced to one in under two minutes. Tyler smiled.

"You know the drill. Get to it."

The party descended upon the fallen as the looting began. Ashy got down and walked to where tyler had a lone survivor.

"We letting him go?"

"Not sure."

Tyler smiled at the man.

"Where's your camp?"

"Fuck off."

Tyler stabbed him in the knee.

"You really wanna play that card?"

"Bastard. Here, dammit."

He threw a map at him.

"Number of men?"

"50."

"Mages?"

"Three blacks."

"Leader have a bounty?"

"Not sure."

"Features?"

"Tall, grey skin and uses the axe."

Tyler knocked him, out and threw him in a ditch.

"We good?"

"Yup."

"Haul?"

"50 silver, 88 copper."

"Those?"

"Yup and accounted for."

"Alright. Coin goes to Ashy. I'll still hold it but we good?"

"Yup."

Ashy just looked at him.

"So THAT'S how you got so strong. Thanks for the coin though."

Tyler chuckled.

"Sure. We're set ourselves. Okay, we got a camp to kill. Sera, Lily, Lillia, me, Wulf and Vixen."

They nodded as he added the map to his own. Ashy came and watched as Wulf looked at the area.

"Idiots. They backed themselves into a corner here."

"Let's go then. Mount up."

The party rode off to the camp as Ashy looked at Tyler.

"Can I join the raid?"

"We'll add you to our other raids. Right now, those three need this more then you do."

"They weak?"

"Not even a little. More high profile."

She looked at the girls.

"I don't know much about the kingdom. I got my gold, my gear and just left town."

"Sera and Lillia are Ishtar's daughters. Lily is the elven queen's daughter."

Ashy looked at him for a second, as if thinking he was lying, before just laughing.

"You have THREE princesses in your party? You looking to become a king?"

The ENTIRE party laughed at her. HARD. Tyler just smiled at her confusion.

"We'll explain a few things in camp."

"Yeah, might be a good idea. Since I have NO fuckin idea what the hell has happened."

"A lot."

They went silent as they neared the camp. Once in a good spot, they hitched up.

"Kaori will go over that horse of yours and fill you in on a few things while we go play."

Ashy became indignant.

"I know how to care for a horse dammit."

"Kaori will be the judge of that."

The near instantaneous en mass reply just made her look at the pretty blonde.

"Wow, Kaori. I see you're a big shot here as well."

That got a fond chuckle.

"She IS his number 1 priority in this world."

Tyler took his raiders and moved off as the others laughed. Ashy looked on as kaori examined her mount.

"Okay, girl. Spill. Who is that, and what the hell happened to Tyler?"

Kaori laughed as she gave the horse a comforting pat.

"She's in really good shape, Ashy. Needs a little more food, but just a portion issue. As for Tyler? Well, he's free."

Kaori sat on a rock.

"That is Tyler, never you doubt it. Only he's come home."

Ashy sat across from her as the others were on lookout.

"HE went from the quiet punching bag to leading a war party in two months?"

"Yeah. He's friends with dragons, fights demons for fun, and beds beauties left and right."

Malico walked right over to make out with Kaori.

"Don't act like you don't get action too."

That one blew the new girl's mind.

"Jesus Christ. I just watched miss prim and proper makeout with a catgirl full tongue. Okay, what else have you done?"

"See her tail? It fits."

Ashy looked at it, then looked ot Kaori's groin and back like ten times. Before laughing.

"That's it. I'm joining this nuthouse."

That got a laugh as Kaori tilted her head.

"So, Ashy, what was the last bit of news you heard?"

She tilted her head now.

"I heard from a passing peddler a large army led by a demon was killed nigh single handedly by a Warrior, but I didn't get which one."

"That was Tyler."

"Of course it was."

"Here, look these over."

Kaori had a archive crystal she'd bought off Verilica.

"What is it?"

"Just open it like a book."

She did and found the news articles of their party all neatly stored. Lucy the barbarian smiled.

"I see you preserved the memories."

"Indeed. You can literally trace our story back with those."

Ashy settled down and was flipping through. Every now and then, her eyes would go sad, then angry, the amazed, then to heart brokenly sad. She sighed as she closed it.

"I see why I got such a cold shoulder at the gate."

Kaori placed the thing in her pouch.

"Yeah, we thought there were only THREE Warriors left."

Ashy crossed her arms.

"There's four. All the others are accounted for. They're either hiding in rooms, fighting the guards, stealing from others or doing that."

Kaori smiled at her.

"Well, if you run with us we can go wherever we please. Plus our party is exempt from that tax."

"After the shit you been doing, ah, ya better be."

Kaori smiled proudly.

"It was Tyler's idea."

Ashy blinked.

"Seriously? HE came up with that?"

Kari smiled again.

"Ishtar goes to him for Council. Should see his titles. You'll get a decent idea of just WHO he is now."

The new girl tilted her head.

"I got a few titles myself."

"Anything good?"

"Wanderer, Lone Ranger, Solitary Soul, and Lonely Warrior."

Malico sighed sadly.

"I see why he felt bad for you. All those titles are earned from being alone for well over a month."

Ashy sighed sadly.

"I just wanted to make a little coin, sleep under a roof, and maybe get an update on the state of it. Instead I lost two months of work and gear. Including my Magicite bow I got off that lich I killed. Freakin loved that thing."

Kaori patted her comfortingly.

"We'll either get it back for you, or find another one for you."

She smiled happily.

"Or a better one at that."

Tyler smiled as he left the new girl to his crew to kill the bandits. Wulf pointing the way as Sera had a question.

"Why'd you offer to let her come with us?"

Tyler chuckled.

"Ashy is a kind soul. She was one of the few that didn't push me around. She just wanted to get through the day and go home, which I understood. Plus she has backbone, that Lich proved it to me. Her getting robbed was a dose of harsh reality, and her eyes were clear. Plus, she was raised by hunters and outdoorsmen. So add her to Kaori's skills and, and we got a new expert."

"Ah. I thought you were just throwing Wulf a bone there."

"That's a bonus lily. Ashy loves the fantasy genre of stories, and fun fact? Elves were HER particular favorite."

Lily smiled as she looked at her uncle, who was fighting to stay focused.

"Bout damn time ya got a girl, uncle. Was starting to worry you'd lost interest in women."

Tyler snorted as Wulf groaned.

"I was starting to think the same thing."

"Can you PLEASE focus?"

They smiled as they neared the camp. They heard the sounds from a good few hundred meters away. Tyler and Wulf took one look, and smiled.

"Let's just walk through the front door."

"They don't even have a look out."

"Lily, you're with me, Lilia with Vixen, Sera with Wulf."

They smiled as Lily took her Additite shield out.

"Looking to show off for your future wife?"

"More teach as we go."

"Eh, fine."

Tyler drew his own short swords as he and Lily walked down the center as Wulf and Vixen took the flanks. The small elven girl had her shield up, and the pearl pink thing glittered brightly.

"I see you've been cleaning it well."

She smiled as they neared the collection of tents.

"A shame I can't get the boss engraved."

"What would you get?"

"You're warrior insignia. Just to make my point."

"At this point, Lily, we'll probably find someone that can do that for you."

She smiled happily.

"You WILL be mine dammit. Even if we have to battle for a thousand years."

"I freakin love you, ya know that?"

"Probably not a good idea to try an fluster me when we're walking into a fight."

"Eh, fine."

They walked in whistling to the bandit's camp, and Tyler slashed the first men he reached in the throat. Lily stabbing a man in the stomach as well before they moved on. The camp was situated in the fork of two cliffs meeting in a upwards V, and as such were effectively caught with their backs to the wall. Tyler and Lily sliced through maybe five more men themselves before they realized they were under attack. The ragged leather wearing men all charged forward as Tyler and Lily took a back to back stance.

"Ready, Lily?"

"Always."

She settled behind her shield like he'd taught her, and the first man reached her with an axe. HE swung down with a two handed chop, only for the smaller elf girl to tilt her buckler to the side, deflect it, and use the momentum to impale the man through the stomach with a terrifying ease. She then stepped back into her next stance as she deflected a questing spearpoint to the side as Tyler took the man's head.

"Atta girl."

She smiled as she pivoted on her foot to deflect a sword stroke from behind and run her own in the now surprised man's chest.

"I like fighting with a shield!"

Tyler was laughing as he faced a group with Lily getting her practice in on a few at a time. Every now and then, a set of arrows would claim lives, or an acid spell would set one to screaming. Tyler watched as Lily deflected a sword, spin around, and slash the throat of another then the one that had swung at her, only to bring the edged part of her buckler to nearly sever the swordsmen's head. Tyler smiled proudly as he dropped the last guy he had.

"Mop up Lily."

Then a tall man with grey skin came up behind the elven girl as she slew the last man. She danced aside as his axe head buried itself harmlessly in the dirt. Tyler sat back and watched how Lily would handle this new challenge. The man was three times Lily's height, and such was a test for how she would fight a giant. Lily took a stance just outside his axe range, and the pair circled. Tyler saw how her red eyes were watching the larger man's every movement like a lion stalking a gazelle. Her eyes are fully trained now. Her forge skills helped her there. Now all that's left are her instincts. The man had a hand in a pouch, and now threw a vial at Lily, who merely lifted her shield and caught it there. From the bubbling and hissing, it was an acid of some kind, but her shield was not even blemished by this. HE swung the axe while he thought she was blinded by her buckler, only for her to not be there. Lily having kept her eyes looking under her shield at the man's feet as Tyler had taught her, and seeing them brace, she ha darted to the side, and swung her sword to slice into the back of his ankle. He howled as he dropped to a knee, only for Lily to pivot on her feet again and slam her sword up under the softer part of his jaw. She tore it loose and he fell dead, as Tyler, Sera, Wulf, Lillia and Vixen all applauded. She cleaned her blade and bowed smiling as Tyler came over and hugged her tightly.

"Well done, Lily. You just proved you can handle a giant."

She was glowing as she hugged him back.

"Thanks for teach me."

"Still have more to learn, as we all do. But well done."

She got warm hugs from all, and a near throttling from Sera. Tyler used his HUD to check for a bounty as the group all got to it.

"Got one. Let's see. The Mountain. Worth…dead…..900 gold."

Lily gasped at the high number.

"Really? That much?"

He showed her the number and she smiled.

"Says here his axe is worth another 250. Well done Lily, looks like you bagged a big one."

She hugged him harder as they collected the head and axe as the tent was looted. All told, 55 gold, 90 silver, 150 copper. A few licenses, the head, axe, and another Magicite dagger.

"Hey, Wulf. Question."

The ranger looked over as Tyler was looking the dagger over.

"What's up?"

"How rare is Magicite? We see it a lot."

HE chuckled as he dropped the now clear corpse.

"It's actually pretty common. But since it's so high grade, and hard to work properly, it's very expensive. I've heard it said a sword like Oblivion takes no less then a month to forge. And costs upwards of 600 gold a piece."

"I see. Thanks."

Tyler placed the thing on his belt as they returned to the ladies. They found Ashy doing practice draws on her new bow as the others all looked to their own gear. Kaori saw the smiles and the head and chuckled.

"How'd they do?"

"Lily is a fearsome shielder. She bagged this head herself. He's worth 900 with the axe another 250."

The group all congratulated the small elf as Tyler placed the head in the bag as he tied the axe to Thunder. Ashy came over with a look of shock.

"She killed that one? His head's half her size!"

"I taught her myself. That elf is fiercer then any other girl her size I have ever met."

Ashy looked at the elf girl as she did a run through of her fight.

"You have a scary team here, Tyler. Even the smallest member is a dangerous fighter."

Tyler laughed as they all mounted up.

"It's how we've survived."

She mounted up as well.

"I'd like to join your camp. Being alone sucks."

Tyler looked at her. Ashy was a very pretty girl, long dirty blonde hair she had in a neat mane, fair skin, bright grey eyes, a moderate rack maybe twice Kaori's own softballs, and her arms and legs were toned from her outdoorsy lifestyle. Her outfit was a pair of cut to shorts denim jeans that left her long legs free, a red shirt that had been cut along the sides for free movement, and a pair of good hiking boots. She got him looking her over, and laughed.

"Oi, playboy, already claimed."

"So am I, still get to look though."

"By ME."

Ashy looked over at Lily.

"Make no mistake, Tyler. I WILL take you BACK one day."

Ashy just looked at him who just shrugged helplessly.

"Yeah, I'm kinda outmatched here."

Kaori nudged the dirty blonde.

"Lily is my only REAL challenger."

Ashy got it then, and smiled.

"Seems that camp is a rowdy one."

"Eh, depends on the night."

Tyler smiled as he finished his look over.

"Ashy will help out our outdoors survival crew. That good with you Kaori?"

The blonde beauty smiled.

"Sure, long as she don't get cocky."

Ashy and Tyler replied at the same time.

"Only with Wulf."

"Huh?"

The ranger looked up from his bow to see Ashy leering at him hungrily. Tyler just laughed.

"We got a new Outcast. Have fun."

That got a smile from both as they headed off. They rode faster now, as the Hob camp was the next target.

"Our girl get brought up to speed on anything?"

Kaori smiled.

"Not anything too intense. More her processing you."

"We'll get her the full tale at camp. That Hob is next, after the hill giant, then we'll see about the sun."

She smiled as they went.

"I'm glad you're bringing her along."

"She's always been a kind girl. Plus, her never really doing any for me or against me helped."

Kaori looked back to see the girl in question flirting with a now VERY happy Wulf.

"I see she'll have fun with us."

"Plus she's got backbone enough where she just needs to level a little more. She's at maybe You're level right now."

Kaori chuckled.

"I know her survival skills are impressive as well. My uncle was friends with her dad."

"He hardcore?"

"Rangers."

"Damn. Yeah I knew I liked her for a reason."

Tyler smiled as he pated Sallie sitting in front of him.

"Haven't forgotten you two. Just so you know."

They giggled.

"She's pretty!"

"Kaori's the better blonde, but not a bad second."

That got a laugh as Wulf came up now.

"We're nearing the camp."

"Alright."

Ashy tilted her head.

"Who's hitting the Hobs?"

"Me, Lily, Serafina, Wulf, and Lucy."

The named fighters all checked weapons and gear as Ashy seemed a little concerned.

"Lily just had a hard fight. Is she okay?"

"She smiths. Plus we're getting serious on our training for the wave. These last camps are their final exam so to speak. We stop for lunch I'll show you."

"Sure. Mind if I join this one? Need to try my new bow."

"Sure. Need to see how you work anyway."

They got to a spot and Wulf gave the nod.

"We'll go on foot."

They nodded as Tyler fell in a step behind as the raiders all ghosted along the plains and small woodland. They came to a small hill and went prone as Tyler and Wulf used their Farsight to scout the camp. Tyler becoming thoughtful as he saw the 9 foot tall things. Each having longer limbs then their frames should indicate, gangly bodies, sickly green skin, weasel like faces, and wore loincloths. Tyler looked to Lily.

"You're with me again. Wulf and Ashy snipe as Serafina plays Wraith knife, Lucy kicks the door in."

The dirty blonde smiled.

"Wow, Dad would love you."

"We'll explain later."

"Sure."

Tyler looked back to the camp. Soon as he did he smiled.

"Hold. Demon leader in play. Let's see."

It was ten feet tall, black skin and red wings.

"Wow. A Lesser War Demon. Ashy, hold on to your butt. I'mma call a friend."

They all smiled as Tyler looked to the sky.

"Hey, Tempesta, got one for ya."

Ashy looked at him.

"Who's Tempesta?"

A series of hard beats were heard then. She went white.

"No freakin WAY."

The Blue dragon came soaring out of the blue to pluck the now screaming demon out of the camp and crunch it between his fangs as the horn fell into Tyler's waiting hand.

"Thanks big guy, there's something you should know, but we'll clean the rats first."

The dragon laughed as he landed.

"I'll watch again, M'boy!"

Wulf nudged a now speechlessly gaping Ashy.

"Work first, stare later."

She snapped out of it as the party moved to the attack. Tyler and Lily moved and blocked the exit as the now gaping Hobgoblins stared at Tempesta in terrified awe.

"Hey, lima beans, over here."

They looked to see a 7 foot tall Barbarian lady swinging an axe in their direction as Tyler and Lily took spots. Ashy was on top of a small pillar with her bow, and was astounded by how her first shot pierced through two of the creatures before getting stuck in the solid stone behind them. Wulf on another pillar laughed.

"High dragon scale arrows."

She smiled now that she had the draw and power. So, she and Wulf dropped a fair few between them. Lucy scything down hobs with each stroke of her war axe, as Tyler and Lily worked in tandem to drop the creatures between them. Every now and then, a hob would fell to the ground with numerous stab wounds and cuts as Serafina used her Wraith skills to assassinate the more unsuspecting hobs. The last beast fell after five minutes, and Tyler smiled.

"We good?"

Wulf and Ashy came over to retrieve shafts.

"We're not hurt."

Lucy smiled.

"Nay laddee. I got a small cut, but healed it with a potion."

Lily was rubbing her shield arm.

"Arm's sore, but nothing a rub won't fix."

Tyler smiled as he looked to the back of the camp. He frowned.

"Heads up, we got a cave."

He blew the signal whistle and the rest of the party came running. Tyler looked to the now curious Tempesta.

"We need to clear that thing. Mind sticking around for a bit?"

Tempesta saw the spirits and nodded.

"Indeed boy. I sense those Spirits were granted a great boon from a goddess I know well, and would like an explanation."

"Sure."

Tyler looked to his party.

"We'll take Wulf, Serafina, Vixen, Lily again, and,"

HE looked at the crew.

"Sera."

They all nodded.

"rest of you, loot and guard. Ten golds says we got another demon down there or a tomb."

Tempesta sniffed the air.

"I smell both a demon's foul odor, and a smell of old air."

"Sweet. Another payday."

That got a laugh as the cave divers went inside. Tyler in the lead with his night sight, Serafina beside him, Lily with her shield up, Vixen with her axe out, Sera her bow as Wulf brought the rear. Tyler smiled.

"This night sight is kinda nifty."

Serafina smiled as well.

"It is a most useful skill for this. Even if it feels off somehow."

"Like when you look up and see hundred foot sharks just swimming along above you?"

"I was born here, and it still screws with my head."

That got a chuckle as they found a small room with a circle.

"Great. Another chamber. Well, first things first."

He picked a four foot piece of stone up and threw it at the floor. The sound reverberating the cave as Serafina looked at Vixen confused.

"What is he doing?"

"Making sure the floor isn't rigged to fall. I guess it's a common trap in his world."

"Scary."

Tyler sighed as he saw it was stable.

"Okay, watch yourselves. It looks bad I'll go Demon."

They nodded and he drew Gliepnir as they entered the chamber. The door shut and an evil cackle was heard.

"It seems I have visitors."

A 15 foot tall demon dropped to the floor with a heavy thud. This one having blue skin, black legs, a bull's head, black wings and a long spiked tail. Tyler tilted his head.

"You're a Balor alright. Just what kind?"

It laughed as it drew an axe.

"Oh, I get it. A Minotaur Balor. Demon of the ManBull. Neat."

It looked at the smiling boy with baleful yellow eyes.

"Knowing of the lower realms you are. Most unusual for a nonsummoner."

"Eh. Demonkind were a fascination for a while in my old world."

Tyler looked at the thing with a smirk.

"A Demon Bull. Must suck to only be known for the bullshit that is your existence."

It laughed, then looked to Lily.

"He has chosen…to NOT kill those that defiled you."

The elf girl laughed.

"Course he did. Once he heard how weak they are, probably wants ME to do it meself. Got anything else ya overrated cow?"

"Damn, lily, nice cow pun."

The thing bellowed with rage as it charged the smug girl, only for Sera to pop up, with a set of three dragon scale arrows with piercer shots on her string, from behind Lily's back and shoot the raging beast dead in the heart. The thing bellow ed as it fell to the ground, before bursting into flames as it died. The girls high fived as the 6 foot long horn remained. The rest of the party just clapped at the sight of two small girls killing a Balor together.

"Well, looks like they got it."

Sera picked the horn up and gave it to Tyler for storage.

"We killed a demon!"

Lily laughed as the chamber shattered.

"Shields make a great place to hide a surprise bow."

Tyler looked to his crew.

"I think they just completed their training."

Wulf hugged his niece.

"All they need now is experience."

Sera was getting hugged by Tyler.

"Yup. Well done girls. Well done."

They were glowing with pride as they switched gears.

"Okay, I feel a hollow sensation behind that stone."

Tyler opened it to see a standing coffin this time. He smiled.

"Sera, Wulf, aim arrows at it, Lily, have that shield ready, Serafina, look for holes, Vixen with me."

The group formed a semi circle as Wulf looked at the writing.

"Another human. A king."

"Alright."

HE grasped the lid.

"We ready?"

"All good."

He tore it aside as Vixen got a look.

"High Lich! Skull!"

"On it!"

Tyler tripped the thing as it tried to exit it's coffin, as Lily moved under the falling thing with feet planted and her blade up. It smashed it' eyeless skull off her blade and hit the stone floor. It screamed in pain, and it only intensified as Tyler stabbed it through the ribcage, effectively pinning it in place.

"Got it! Go!"

They loose arrows and spells. Lily saw an opening and used her upper body strength to sever the head entirely off it's frame.

"Smash it, Lily! It lives still!"

The others were reloading their shots as Serafina threw an acidic vial onto the now chattering skull. It screamed as it got coated in the corrosive substance, and lily saw it again, using her shield's edge to smash into it as hard as she could, and the thing was pulverized to dust. Killing the thing. They cheered the now panting elven girl for a clean kill. Tyler hugged her again.

"well done again. It seems you just need experience now as well."

She smiled tiredly.

"I get a rest now, right?"

"Yup. You and Sera earned it."

the girls smiled proudly as they looked at the loot. They walked away 600 gold, 302 silver, 434 copper coins richer, with another mass of gems including yet another opal, and a Mythril short sword Lily claimed. It being identical to her old blade, only both lighter and slightly longer with a leaf blade. The walked out smiled as Ashy was still clearly awestruck by Tempesta. The dirty blonde haired girl staring at him with huge grey eyes, as Tempesta seemed a little uneasy under her non-stop staring. The dragon was even squirming a little as she continued to stare. Much to the others amusement as they were laughing at his obvious discomfort. Tyler came out and Tempesta breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank the scale. Can you tell her to stop now? She's creepin me out."

"Ashy, it's not polite to stare."

She looked at him.

"But look! A dragon!"

"And you're creepin the hell out with that death stare."

She blinked before blushing hard.

"Sorry!"

The dragon laughed as Tyler brought Sera to stand before the Sky Lord. He looked at the horn in her hands curiously.

"I see it was a Minotaur Balor. Did the child kill it?"

"Indeed. After that elf girl enraged it to a suicide charge."

The dragon laughed approvingly.

"What'd she say?"

"Called it an overrated cow."

The dragon burst out laughing hard as the two girls giggled. The dragon placed the scales on the ground.

"These are THEIR scales."

Tyler smiled as he added the twenty to the pile.

"Agreed. They got the kill, and the horn."

Tempesta tapped Sera and Lily each with his snout.

"Well done children."

They smiled as they bobbed curtsies.

"We learned from the best!"

"Damn straight we did. Leave it to that infuriating prick to teach others the fine art of getting under another's skin."

Tyler looked at the blue dragon and shrugged.

"I'm good at what I do."

Tempesta chuckled.

"Indeed lad. I sense a new Mythril weapon here."

Lily held up her blade.

"We found it in the tomb after killing the Demon."

"Did you destroy it's circle?"

"Vixen did. That's her area of expertise, as we have no clue how."

She spoke up.

"It is indeed ruined, Lord Of Blue. It cannot be used again."

"I see. Now, you said you had something to tell me."

"We got a visit from Minus. The goddess of Scales."

He quickly explained the visit.

"So, as we were deciding on just HOW to handle it, we happened upon the pope's newest scheme. Idiot is orchestrating the summoning of demons in large numbers to fool the deities into thinking the veils are thinning again."

Tempesta dug his claws into the ground in a fury most intense.

"I see how you came to that conclusion. May I ask what the clencher was?"

"Would you, the dragons, REALLY be as calm as you are if the veils were thinning again?"

HE nodded his massive head.

"A very wise observation. As we are the FIRST to detect a thinning, and at this moment, they are still fresh from the last thinning refresh 100,000 years ago. So, you sought to warn them."

"We did, and succeeded. That scroll they gave me was also a means of direct contact with Minus. We told her what we just told you. They are aware of this ploy, as what they are doing on their end about it, I cannot say."

Tempesta looked at him closely now.

"And you're warning me in case of a more powerful foe appearing. Plus, to get dragonkin as a whole on alert in case of a mass summon."

"Indeed. And to explain why Sallie and Sylvia now have the gifts they do."

"I see she granted them Spirit Shell."

"According to her, their Scales are so off balance by what they suffered, that everything good they have gotten thus far, INCLUDING meeting me, hasn't even BUDGED their scale."

HE sighed deeply.

"I see. I know Minus myself, and she hates these kinds of imbalance, as she has a very fair and just sphere. So seeing such extreme unfairness and unjustness must be causing her pain as well."

The dragon nudged the two girls himself now.

"Sadly, bringing you back to life is impossible. That said, I can still grant you titles."

"they're close enough to revived anyway. We can hug them now at least."

That got a laugh as Sallie and Sylvia got both Dragon Friend and Dragon's Tear. The girls smiling as they saw their knew titles. Then Tempesta looked to Tyler.

"So, these demons."

Tyler smiled.

"We'll kill those we find."

"I see. The other dragons will be on alert as well."

Tyler nodded as Tempesta seemed to remember something.

"Lad, before you go, Glacious wanted me to give you these."

Tyler looked over curiously as the blue placed several dozen multicolored scales of Glacious' hide on the ground. Tyelr smiled as he picked one up.

"Thanks. We'll see her again at some point, so we'll thank her properly as well."

Tempesta chuckled.

"She says the elven queendom is thriving under Willow now."

"Willow ain't no pushover."

That got a laugh from the group. Then the dragon spread his wings.

"Farewell lad. Until the next Demon."

"Damn straight."

He flew off with a rush of wings as Tyler went back to his crew.

"What we get?"

Kaori smiled.

"89 gold, 54 silver, 210 copper, ten licenses, and a few potions. And that's it."

Tyler nodded.

"Alright, ladies and Wulf. Mount up."

Ashy just smiled as they got on their horses.

"I see he bullies you like he did Kazuma."

The ranger just sighed.

"Kaori said much the same."

"well, at least he likes you."

Tyler and his party rode on for a while longer until the sun was directly overhead. Then they halted for a meal and to rest the horses. Lily and Sera were rubbing their sore arms as they ate. Ashy watched as Tyler pulled the map out and opened it. She looked to Kaori.

"Is he not sure of the way?"

That got a chuckle from the others as Kaori filled her in.

"Oh he's memorized it. More looking it over again. Seriously, he'll look it over like every time we stop for longer then five minutes."

Wulf was smiling.

"In camp he is always first up. Watch. He'll have the have the fire relit, food cooking, and that map out as we are all still sleeping."

Ashy looked at the boy as he munched while looking at it.

"He's more a squad leader then my dad."

"He's most likely here as well."

Ashy jumped.

"HUH?"

Kaori sighed.

"They summoned an extra two sets of Warriors while we all live. So, there is 88 of them out there."

"And the waves will be THREE times stronger because of it as well."

Ashy sighed.

"Okay, Kaori. Tell me everything. Just what the hell happened?"

Tyler, now happy with the map, closed it as he pulled the HUD up for guild news.

"Today in Vernillion. We have a first for you today readers of Lectis. And exclusive interview with the Outcast himself. That's right, Tyler the Outcast saw fit to grant an interview to this humble reporter. Though, it was a new experience for him! HE had seen our morning article, seeing how a few points were directed at him and his party, and so sought to make a point. The first question I asked him was in regards to max's claims of dating his Lover Kaori. He just laughed.

"That's REAL big fuckin talk coming from the dude that brought his mom to a school dance that week, AFTER getting shot down by every other girl in school. INCLUDING his sister AND Kaori."

His words had no effect on the Outcast, for in his words:

"Dude. I fight demons for fun. Seriously, Lily's jabs hurt more an yours."

Max has also issued a retort.

"Her jabs didn't hurt when I was ten inches inside the knife ear. She was TIGHT! Guess he knows first hand, since he's probably fuckin her as well. Must love the sloppy seconds."

"hey, Lily, c'mere a sec."

Curious, the feisty elven girl came over to look at his HUD. She read the line and burst out laughing, like falling over laughing. Tyler looked to Wulf.

"Guy's bragging about raping Lily trying to rile us up."

Wulf snorted.

"Of course he is. Lily?"

"Ten inches? Dude is just BARELY four!"

Tyler and Wulf looked at each other.

"Ouch."

"Indeed."

The other ladies all laughed as well.

"A wee one an no mistake."

"No wonder the ladies shot him down."

"My finger is longer an him!"

Lily smiled as she took a seat between Tyler's legs to look at it as well.

"Let's see. He called me a knife ear? That's a new one."

Wulf snorted again in contempt.

"Someone should tell him that the pointier an elf's ears are, the more attractive they seem to other elves. It's a kinda pride point for elves."

Tyler poked lily's ear point and smiled.

"I see. Cool."

She giggled.

"That tickled."

They settled in as he went back to the article.

"High Queen Willow also made a reply.

"It would seem Lily is doing just fine in the Outcasts' camp. As for the lad's choice of phrase? Pointy ears in our culture is a good thing. Nice to see even monsters understand quality gals. Though, it seems he is a 'small' boy indeed if he feels the need to brag about both raping a small child and his length in the same breath."

Max was then said to have become infuriated at the reply. I also questioned the Outcast on his wave preparation.

"We're ahead of schedule really. We're set. All that's left is a few things to clear out, some last minute leveling and some more practice."

"Are you concerned?"

"About the enemies? No. Give me thirty seconds and a clear look, and I'll have a decent ten plans. Main issue is the terrain."

"Terrain?"

"Indeed. We fighting on a mountain side? Plains? Woodland? Terrain is our biggest issue as we're fighting in both unknown ground and unfamiliar territory."

"I see preparation is important."

"Indeed. I HATE going into a fight blind. Liches, draugr and tombs are fine since I already have a basic idea on what to expect. Like I always preach. Better OVER prepared then under."

"Are you aware of Rolic's stipulation?"

"I am."

"How do you respond?"

"Honestly I thought it was already a thing. I mean it's a fair thing, since it's hard to trust someone off tales and names."

"Will you visit his kingdom?"

"Eventually. We'll probably wind up there at some point, but it won't be for a while though."

Rolic was able to give a reply before the publishing of the article.

"It is refreshing to see a Warrior ready to WORK to prove his legend rather then rest on laurels. I look forward to seeing him in action."

The dwarven king seems to be rather interested by the prospect of the Outcast visiting. When asked on places he would like to visit, The Outcast became thoughtful.

"I'm not sure really. We've been to Cragspire, but due to a crisis in Raylik, we didn't get to really look around much. Plus, we got news a pair of elves in Cragspire will LOSE their friggin minds over."

HE said this will a happily knowing smile as he touched a small locket that never leaves his neck. What this news is, we can only guess at. Though, he DID have words for the Warrior Kazuma.

"You BASTARD! You better have eaten that Wyvern! And for the love of Kaori, leave my gods awful nickname in the past. IT'S OUTCAST NOW! Oh, and kick Valdic in the balls for me kittycat Malico."

The Viscount was quick to respond, laughing as he did so.

"Outcast is a very fitting nickname. And yes I DID eat the Wyvern with a few nobles. As for Valdic? He gets kicked daily. Nice to see my sister is still important to him as well."

These two seem either close friends, or just stuck with each other. Tyler also took the time to spare a few words for the Pope.

"None that are civilized enough for a news article. Other then he's on my permanent hitlist."

Skyr had a rather indignant reply.

"It seems he is nothing more then a brute that bullies those around him. Hitlist, my word. See THIS is what I was talking about. Max doesn't threaten his superiors and betters. More seeks to aid them as a good boy should. A Warrior fights the waves and obeys order. This 'Outcast' A fitting title for such a murdering coward, is nothing but a monster that terrorizes those who seek to do as they need."

The pope is mad, readers. As such, the king was heard laughing.

"No wonder he hates the church as a whole."

I also asked the Outcast what roles his party has and how his camp works. HE smiled as he talked of his friends.

"Well. We have the knowledge, know-how, and will to both get our hands dirty to survive, and get the hard work done right. We have a Ranger that knows more about this land then I give him credit for, our hot blonde huntress we turn to for all things survivalist, our flower experts for all things plant, poison experts/undead experts, our natives, our camp cuties, our field smith, ME, and our horse expert. Every person on MY team has a role they fill. We can head out to near any environment and either get by or straight up thrive."

He runs a tight camp indeed. I asked him to clarify his role, and he got a most dark light in his eyes.

"I set the defenses, goals for the day, plan the routes for our trips, and do the darker work those of honor and noble nature cannot."

"What do you mean by darker work?"

"Interrogation. Once I get my knife in you, you'll talk. They always do."

Tyler is a truly hard person. He is not afraid to get his own hands dirty to get the job done. Another point that came up was his interactions with the dragon Tempesta, as they seem rather close.

"Not sure if 'close' is the right word. We more, let's see, how do I put this? We're both wanderers for a lack of a better way to put it."

"You're both nomads. Find a place to claim, get bored and move on."

"Like the ocean. Restless and free. We're both Outcasts ourselves by choice. Plus, can you name a better feeling then riding our on a journey with the wind at your back, the sun rising behind you, and those you love all around you? I can't. And neither can he. Plus, we understand each other, well. As much as a human and a dragon CAN understand each other."

"would Kindred spirits be a better fit?"

"Yes! That! Exactly that! We get it, so we click better. Plus, well, I understand WELL this is HIS world we're guests in. Be amazed just how far a little respect can get you. And when you don't steal from them."

When asked about the recent poaching he had a most firm stance.

"That is NOT our sky. We have NO business up there PERIOD. That is the dragon's playground, us the runts they ALLOW up there. Piss em off, and we get grounded. Permanently. We have NO claim to the heavens as we have NO claim to beneath the waves."

"A strong position. Are you not worried about backlash?"

His response was even harder.

"See thing about an Outcast? We don't need to give a flying fuck WHAT anyone thinks of us. They got a problem? Pff, we'll just walk out that damn door. Push it and we'll leave you as a damned corpse. We don't need you. Never have, never will."

Tyler and his party do not need anyone's approval nor their aid to survive in our world. A point the King supports whole heartedly.

"That boy built what he has from the dirt up. All he had was that blonde lass beside him, ten gold, and a single stolen sword. Now look at him. He leads a party of powerful fighters, him and the elf Ranger the only men IN THE DAMN PARTY! Lucky bastards."

Even King Ishtar is jealous of the boy's feats and accomplishments as well as his traveling companions. The Outcast was generous to grant this interview, and we are all grateful for this brief look at the strongest Warrior we have. In other news, the new tax has proven effective in clearing out Term of the Warriors hiding within the city proper, as most have all been thrown out on their faces for refusing to pay. A select few willingly paid and just do what they do. Even fewer were unable to pay, and left of their own free will to, in their words.

"Step up. Seems we forgot what working fer our beer money was."

It seems a few Warriors just needed a kick in the ass to get going. Not a good thing, but not a bad one either, as sometimes all one needs to excel is a little direction. Now, with the wave less then 32 days away, we are all waiting to see you will rise and who will fall."

Tyler was laughing as he closed the thing. He looked to Kaori, who had finished bringing Ashy up to speed on the party.

"It seems my interview riled a few people."

That got a laugh as Ashy sighed.

"So, my Dad is mostly likely here somewhere."

Tyler got up with a grunt.

"Most likely."

Ashy sighed.

"Great. We come across him get ready for a lecture on HOW things are done RIGHT."

"He tries, we'll just ride on by."

They mounted up as Ashy looked at him.

"You really think he'd just leave it at that?"

"Ashy. LOOK at us."

The dirty blonde blinked and did indeed look at the ladies around her.

"See? You REALLY think he'd mouth off like that with LUCY glaring at him?"

That got a laugh.

"Right I forgot. She's got four inches and twice the muscle mass."

"Badass, Lass. The word you seem to be lookin fer, is Badass."

"See?"

They all laughed as they rode along. Tyler looking at the sky.

"Hey, Wulf."

The ranger came up beside him, leaving Ashy miffed.

"Yeah?"

"You said the hill camp is a full day out right?"

He looked around.

"Yeah. We're about maybe half way there. Something up?"

"More thinking. Hey, Kaori, hows the road look?"

The blonde saw his line of thinking, and sighed.

"I'd say this pace is safest for the horses. I keep seeing small duvets in the road that are making me nervous."

"You think unstable ground?"

"More unopened pothole. Like a horse steps on a spot and it gives."

"Understood. We'll be on watch then. We got two browns and me in case of a fall."

"Good."

Ashy was amazed.

"I forgot Kaori was raised on a horse ranch. Nice to see she's needed."

"She's my lover. AND my number 1 priority in this world."

That got him a kiss as they went along. They were passing through a bit of woodland, when Tyler smiled.

"Slow up. See it?"

They did. A clear site for an ambush in the woodland. Wulf tilted his head.

"We going for it?"

"Yup. Lilli needs the practice now."

"Alright."

They slowed to a walk as they entered the woodland. Tyler had gold coins out and was counting them as they went, getting secret smiles at the dare. Tyler noted a set of shadows on either side of the trial and he flipped a gold coin high, a heads up they all got. Tyler was smiling as a large chain rope with razor spikes appeared out of the dirt between two tree.

"Seen this before."

That got a chuckle as a set of men, elves, dwarves and oddly enough, Oricah all surrounded the group with 60 total. Tyler frowned as he saw the creatures.

"Heads up, those are in play."

They nodded and focuseda s a man in a cloak appeared with a black staff.

"Surrender and be my slaves."

"Vixen. He's yours."

The man screamed in terror as Vixen was sighted in the party.

"I see we meet again. Murderer."

"That's the bell! Kill em all!"

The now angry party exploded off their horses as Vixen descended to the dirt with her axes out as she approached the now gibbering in terror man as the screams of the dying were all around them. The smiling Vixen strode towards her prey like a lioness with a wounded animal.

"Mallica the Black Master. We meet again as I swore when you murdered my mother Vulpine after using your banned spells and surprise to both rape her dozens of times, but to torture her as well."

Her normally seductively teasing voice now cold with ice that made the now watching party except tyler shudder. He leaning on Gliepnir as he watched with evident interest.

"So, foxy, how will you make him scream?"

Vixen smiled as she reached into her robe.

"I have JUST the spell for YOU."

Tyler smiled darkly.

"It nasty?"

Vixen held up a License.

"A banned spell my mother crafted for just these kinds of encounters. Her dying wish was for the last one in existence to be used on him before it is destroyed. It is called Wrathful Vengeance."

The name got a loud series of horrified gasps from the natives. Wulf looked at Tyler.

"That spell forces the target to experience every act of pain it has preformed upon another as it was being done to it anew. It will kill him, but only after feeling every single bit of pain he made others feel."

Tyler tilted his head.

"That's kinda hardcore, Vixen. Proceed."

They looked at him in horror.

"You're condoning the casting of a banned spell?"

"On a monster like that? Sure. When we got the pope I was planning on having Vixen help me use every banned spell we had on hand on him before we killed him. Call it just deserts."

The party looked at Kaori then to Lillia before just accepting it.

"Alright. We're Outcasts for a reason. And it does seem fair in a way."

Vixen smiled as she cast it on the man, and he began screaming in agony as she pulled a pair of manacles with which she went to hang him from a tree.

"hey, wanna see if he's got a bounty?"

She laughed.

"Nothing wasted."

Yup."

Tyler looked as he screamed in pain.

"Wow, Vixen. The Black. Wanted dead. Price? 2750 gold. That staff? 350. How long this last for?"

The man was holding his rear when he fell over dead. She smiled.

"till then."

"Nifty."

The body was looted by Vixen and Serafina as tyler had merely poked the dead guy and got burned. The had to collect the head and store it in the sack while the staff was tied to Vixen's Mollock. The other things looted as well. All told, 56 gold. Vixen placed the banned spell she's used on the ground.

"I am sorry for deceiving you."

"I knew you had it the whole time Vixen."

She just sighed.

"Of course you did. Why didn't you take it?"

"Was curious just WHAT you were planning with it."

"I see. Well. I got my revenge."

"Are you sure you want me to destroy a memento of your mother?"

The mage hugged him affectionately before pulling her axe out.

"She made this for me."

"Well alright then. You give good hugs too, Vixen. Must be the fox thing."

She smiled as he set the license aflame with dragon blue. Then the thing was gone and they mounted up to move on, after Tyler collected the chain fro Lily's field smithing. Vixen smiling widely as they went.

They went along until the sun started to touch the horizon.

"Wulf."

"Another half hour and to the left."

"Got it."

The friends rode along as the shadows lengthened before Wulf took them to a small alcove-like hole inside that was thirty feet tall and maybe two hundred wide. The small cave was well-hidden from the road, but provided a good view of both directions at the same time. Tyler smiled as he saw it.

"Let's clear the back of it first."

That got a chuckle. Tyler, Wulf and Serafina all headed along the back of the small cave in the rock. Tyler finding a small hollow feeling behind a rock slab.

"Vixen!"

The mage came over and he opened it. Inside the ten foot room was another coffin. Wulf looked at the writing.

"Wow. A dwarven ruler this time."

"Lillia!"

She came running.

"Need me?"

"You'll join us for this kill. Serafina will swap out. Too cramped."

The princess gulped but nodded as the Wraith stepped out. Tyler grasped the lid as the others took spots.

"Ready?"

"Good to go."

HE tore it off, and dodged the shot as he'd been gotten once with it. Vixen smiled as she saw it.

"High Draugr. Stab the heart."

"Nice change of pace."

Lila was shaking slightly, but as the thing sat up she saw an opening and fired her bow, hitting it in the heart first shot. It's glowing eyes went dark and it laid back down with the shaft sticking out of the thing's chest like a ship's mast. She was blinking hard as if not believing she had done it, while the others all clapped. Tyler going over to hug her tightly.

"See? You did just fine Lillia. Trust yourself like WE trust you."

She smiled as she hugged him.

"Thank you for believing in me."

"Always."

They looted the corpse, walking away 300 gold richer with a new greataxe of Magicite. Tyler looked around as they went back.

"Hey, Thistle. Found something your size."

The blood skinned elf looked at the Magicite axe and smiled.

"Aye lad. That is exactly the same size as me current axe."

She hefted it and her smile widened.

"A good axe. Limb splitter's been chipping pretty badly of late. It has served me well, but it seems time to retire it."

"Mount it on a rack. Thing's served you well."

"That I will."

Then Tyler walked to a spot by the fire and placed his hand on the ground to cast his defense spells. Ashy was helping Kaori with the horses as he did so.

"What's he doing?"

"Setting up our perimeter. He's got three spells that will alert us of visitors a solid….hey! What's the range now?"

"250 meters last I checked."

"Love you! Yeah, 250m in all directions. Even if he's asleep it'll make him right up and we'll greet our guests."

Ashy just shook her head.

"An impressive doorbell."

That got a laugh as the spells were set. Then Tyler helped Wulf set the tent up and add the drakolisk bones to the frame. Once the fire was lit, and the area secure, they all relaxed. Ashy was amazed as Malico stripped naked to lay by the crackling fire with a moan.

"Ohhhh, I missed this!"

Kaori smiled as Vixen took her robe off to lay on it beside the fire as well.

"Malico likes being naked."

Ashy just went with it as Tyler sat by the fire with the map out again. He placed the job bills on the map near their locations as Wulf and Kaori sat beside him.

"Okay, the hobs are dead. Next we have hill giants here."

He tapped the spot with the bill on it.

"We'll take Sera and Lily. Get them experienced against creatures outmatching them."

Ashy seemed a little alarmed.

"A good hill giant's small toe is half their size! You sure about that?"

"I am. I have faith in them. Plus, this kind of mismatch is the kind of training that works best. High risk, even higher rewards. Plus they'll have me and the other raiders right beside them."

She nodded.

"Still seems a little harsh, but they are strong."

Sera and Lily smiled as well.

"I see why he let you join."

"She's kind as well as pretty!"

"Oh right. Nearly forgot. We're missing two members."

Ashy tilted her head.

"Who?"

Two shapes glowed on Tyler's lap as Sallie and Sylvia took physical forms. They got a hug as Ashy just blinked in shock at their sudden appearance. Kaori smiled as she explained.

"The elven cutie is Sylvia. The green haired girl is Sallie. They died horribly a while back. Sallie left to die by Charlotte our teacher at the hands of Goblin slayer goblins."

Ashy gasped in pity.

"That poor girl. Why is she attached to tyler though?"

"Because he kicked Charlotte out of our camp for screwing poor Sera and Lillia out of killing a stone giant they had dead to rights. The lady then spent the night with Sallie's family a little way up the trail. Sallie ADORES the Warriors, so having one share a tent with her was a dream come true for her. Next morning however, ten goblins attacked her camp as Charlotte was saddling her horse. Well, she crept back to see what the screaming was and watched the things rape and torture her and her family in a bush."

"Jesus Christ Spider."

"It gets worse."

Ashy had tears in her grey eyes.

"How could it get worse?"

"Sallie spotted her watching her suffer. Charlotte then ran away and left her to her pain. After making full eye contact."

Ashy looked over to where Tyler had Sallie in another hug, just loving the cheerfully joyful girl.

"That poor girl. He feels responsible for sending her a false hope."

"He does still. When Charlotte told us the story when we had to defend TopLeaf from that army, he had tears in his eyes for that poor girl. That was the first time tears had fallen from that boy's eyes in years. He could HEAR her scream in pain, and SEE that look of betrayal on her face. He knows it as he's felt it himself. Sylvia is more simple."

"I heard that!"

"Love you too sweetie!"

"Better!"

that got a fond laugh as the elven girl was cuddled against Malico's belly. Ashy looked at Kaori.

"What happened to Sylvia?"

"we found her body in a well of a small traveler's rest where the family had become sick with a water borne illness. Tyler healed them just to be kind, and upon investigating their well found her. She'd been raped, tortured and discarded like a used condom. His own family were the ones that did the deeds. His family, and MY father."

Ashy hugged Kaori.

"What the hell, Kaori? His FAMILY did that to her? Your FATHER?"

"Yeah. Tyler knows EXACTLY what his family did to her. Since they did the exact same thing to him. Hey, Tyler. Show her."

"That or those?"

"Hey! She's mine! Ya got yer own!"

Tyler looked at Wulf confused.

"I thought she meant my Vest. The hell you thinking of?"

Ashy was smiling widely now.

"Wow, Wulf. Agreed. Very much agreed."

The ranger just smiled as he knew he'd been caught.

"Hand's off mah girl."

"I'll just get handsy with Kaori tonight."

"Me too!"

"Nice. We gonna have fun tonight."

That got a laugh as he took off his Mythril vest and his scars were shown. Ashy's eyes went wide with both horror and pity.

"That explains so much it's not even funny."

Tyler chuckled as he put it back on.

"Only Kaori knew how bad it was."

Ashy looked to where Sylvia was nearly asleep against Malico's soft belly.

"So you feeling their pain attached their souls to you."

"And after a few visits and boons they get to be nearly alive again."

Kaori explained as Tyler hugged Sallie again, making her giggle. Then he laid back on the stone himself, and the small girl rested her head against him. Tyler smiled, then spotted a sky shark cruising.

"Hey, Ashy."

"Yeah?"

"Look up."

The confused girl did, only to gasp in shock.

"What the hell is a shark doing up there?"

"That's a sky shark. Dragons like Tempesta eat them."

Ashy watched as the imposing thing swam along.

"Okay. What. The hell."

"My head hurts every time I see them things."

She watched as several more went by.

"It's beautiful in a way."

Tyler patted Sallie beside him.

"It is. This is a strange world we have come to, Ashy. But, I'd rather be here then our old world."

She smiled widely.

"As would I. They got elves!"

That got a laugh from the elves around the camp.

"Should see the friggin mermaids here."

"Mermaids? They got mermaids?"

"Oh hell yeah."

Both men replied in sync, getting a snort from Ashy.

"Wulf I can see railing a Mermaid. How the hell you score like that?"

"I'm a white/blue path. So, I guess Aqua could sense my power and was attracted to it."

"Actually, her reason wasn't as complex."

Ashy looked at a smiling Kaori. Tyler smiled as well.

"Oh?"

"She just found you handsome and wanted a ride."

"Who she prefer? Me or you?"

"Me. Hands down me. I asked her that as well, and she said she had fun with you, but I drive her wild in a way you didn't."

"Nice, Kaori. I see you had fun that night."

Ashy looked at Kaori with a mixture of awe and respect.

"You had sex with another girl? And a MERMAID at that?"

"Many times."

"She paid Aqua a visit, like what? Four times that day?"

"And slept in her bed."

Ashy just shook her head again.

"I think I lived this world wrong."

"Ya did."

She got an en mass response from everyone, including the two spirits that made her crack up laughing.

"Alright then. Let's make it RIGHT!"

She got up and pounced on Wulf and rolled over to a more shadowy area. Sylvia and Lily looked at each other as the moans and grunts were heard.

"About gods damn time."

"Uncle Wolf is stupid sometimes."

The got a laugh as Tyler looked at Kaori.

"Shall we?"

Malico came leaping over pounce om him as well, only to find him on top of her with Kaori locking her lips with her own. Then the sex was on. Wulf and Tyler the winners as Kaori and Malico got their fill of Tyler and each other as Ashy got her first with an elf. Tyler and his two girls lasting longer as Wulf and Ashy came back to sit by the fire to a rousing applause from the other ladies as Tyler continued to play. Vixen smiling as Wulf shook his head at the sight of Malico stuffing her tail up Kaori's kitty as Tyler mounted her from the rear.

"I STILL can't win"

Vixen laughed.

"You need more practice, Wulf."

Ashy smiled as she rubbed herself with a damp cloth.

"Ohh we'll get PLENTY of practice. Never you worry."

Ashy then looked over to where Kaori was sandwiched between Tyler and Malico with both entrances filled.

"To think she was once a posterchild for propriety and primness. Now she's getting double penetrated by a catgirl's tail and her boyfriend."

Wulf chuckled.

"That's Tyler for you. Sera's a foul mouthed fighter, Lillia a brave hearted archer, hell. Even Lily's learning to be fiercer like he is."

Lily was watching the play attentively.

"I see he's learning well. Good. He'll be well bale to please me when the time comes."

Ashy laughed as Malico fell first, leaving Kaori and Tyler still going at each other. The dirty blonde was impressed.

"Wow, they're really into each other, aren't they?"

Sallie smiled now as she watched the show.

"They've been into each other for years now. Now they get to GET in each other."

Ashy looked at the spirit and it clicked.

"Ya know something? Yer right now that I think of it. They were always together, teased each other, he'd bend over backwards to help her, she'd do her best to help him, and they had a rather cute way they flirted. She'd admonish him for something, and he'd turn around and say something to throw her for a loop. If they had been like that in any other school, they'd be called boyfriend girlfriend."

The two lovers finished and fell to the stone next to a smiling Malico and they began kissing each other gently as they recovered and calmed down. Ashy smiled as they all applauded a spectacular show.

"That'll be ten gold!"

They all laughed as Tyler put a thumbs up in the air that Wulf mirrored.

"Mine are better bro!"

"Whatever. Least you can't have mine!"

"Wow, Kaori. Comparing the ladies with each other right in front of them?"

"And US winning? How shall we respond, Malico?"

"How will we indeed?"

"I'll just jump him again when it heals."

They all laughed as Tyler got a ping of tranquil waters.

"Hey, got movement."

They geared up as he looked at the spells, Sallie and Sylvia ready to bolt into the tent. Tyler looked at the road to see a set of riders moving along the road.

"They can't see us from the road, Tyler."

"Not even the fire?"

"Not even that. Not where I built it."

Tyler pulled his bow and nocked and arrow as the riders went by. He used his Farsight with Wulf to see their faces. Tyelr tilted his head.

"We got Warriors."

Kaori and Ashy came up to see. The blonde getting a good look.

"Okay, that's Alex with Sarah, Marissa, Allice and…..Jeff."

Tyler zoomed in more.

"Yeah, they were among the crew that liked to break things on me."

Wulf gripped his bow.

"What do we do?"

Tyler got a look at their gear.

"They got thrown out. Looks like they refused or fought the new tax and lost. We'll have to watch out on the road tomorrow."

"Right. Those chicks are all bitches as well. I heard they beat animals for fun back in our old world."

"And Jeff got arrested for selling drugs."

Tyler watched as the group rode along as Kaori took his hand.

"We're leaving them?"

"Yup. They can't see us and even if they DID try us, they'd be pincushions before they got halfway to us."

They nodded as the party was lost to sight.

"Okay, they're beyond the spells. We're clear again."

They relaxed as Tyler added more power to the spells and pulled open the map. Wulf and Kaori catching on and joining him. Ashy as well since she was curious.

"What are you looking for?"

Wulf tapped a small spot.

"Looking to see where they'll make camp tonight."

Tyler looked at the spot.

"That's near a river. Plus a decent height rock wall guarding their backs. That's the smart site."

Wulf chuckled as he tapped another spot.

"THIS is the idiot spot. A mound with a clear view of the area in a wide open area."

Ashy was confused.

"Okay, isn't it better to see them coming though?"

"If YOU can see them easily, THEY can see YOU easily. Look at our spot. We're able to see the road easily, yet due to where it is, they can't see us in return. Plus a flickering fire light can be seen like a beacon from farther away. That other spot is well-concealed, defendable, and easily escapable in a worst case. Our own camp is garnered towards a more confrontational approach, as we only have a select few things that we need fear at this point. And most of those take time to set up."

Ashy was amazed by Wulf's knowledge. Tyler chuckled.

"See? A legit Elven ranger."

Ashy just kissed the elf again as Sallie and Sylvia sat on his lap.

"Okay, so we'll most likely run into them on the road."

Ashy, after getting a thorough tongue dance, was a little worried.

"If they try to mug us?"

"My flames should stop em dead. Or our blades. Or our numbers. Or Lily."

The ferocious elven girl waved a hand from her comfy spot against Vixen.

"Love you."

"Love you too, Lily!"

"Yay. Sweet victory."

"That was a great song in our old world."

The camp was smiling at the feisty girl as Tyler looked at the darkening sky.

"Okay, we're set on supplies and anything we could need. The spells are up, and the spirits as well."

"Nice to see we can help out in our spirit forms."

"We don't need to sleep in our spirit forms."

"Yeah, it's more for fun."

Tyler rubbed their hair as he pulled his HUD up. He put the map away and settled near the fire to see if there were any updates to the news.

"This evening in Vernillion. The new tax has instigated a new wave of Warrior crimes, this time against their very own. As the stronger ones are robbing the weaker ones saying that since they'll just die anyway, they don't need such good things. The King was issued a proclamation.

"It seems you so-called Warriors are just too stupid to understand it. So. Let me make this decree. If a Warrior commits a crime against another, they will be tried to the same standards as the rest of us. To be honest, why I did not just do that in the first place baffles me. Perhaps Tyler and I had too much faith in common sense. Not a bad place to put faith, but having too much is indeed a two-edged sword. As such, the protection for the law these Warriors have enjoyed is ended. There are three exceptions. Tyler the Outcast. Kazuma the Kind. And Kaori the Beautiful. Or any he deems worthy, as I've heard a report out of Raylik of him taking a poor Warrior girl under his wing after she was robbed of all she owned except her horse. I know not her name, but, she too is now exempt from the tax, and decree. For if Tyler has taken her into his camp, then she will become something truly special."

It seems that the King and the Outcast made the mistake of too much kindness. Or, in Tyler's case, not fully grasping their stupidity. The Warriors milling around outside the gates were outraged yet again, but after the arrests and subsequent trials followed by brandings as Death cannot be given to them, have fled to the countryside. Max himself has received a branding for a rapist and torturer: the Phallic shape with an X over it. It's said his screams were like a wee girl seeing a spider the first time, and he left a puddle of his own creation on the floor. He was then banished from Term with the gear of the Tax refusal and was last seen riding away towards the west with his now enraged entourage. Pope Skyr also made a statement.

"These poor brave souls. They are here to defend us, and we treat them so poorly. It is appallingly bad the discrimination these brave Warriors are being subjected to. All at the behest of a King being led by a bully Warrior that hasn't set foot in the royal capital since his murdering of Gruven. Yet he is being hailed as a symbol of courage and integrity across the realm, as if ignoring those above him was to be praised. He takes what he wants from who he wants, hurts who he wants and then leaves. He blatantly spits ion the faces of the nobility and the rulers of the world, and makes a general mockery of the natural order of the world as well. Why o why the dragons saw fit to bestow their gifts upon such an unworthy mongrel is simply beyond my knowledge."

The pope seems to have become quite jealous of the Outcast, for the boy in question's name now holds more meaning for some then the Pope's own. If the rumors are to be believed, the church itself is also suffering a bit of an internal crisis as Ignatia, the religion the pope heads creature of worship, is also a dragon friend to the Outcast and has even granted his flame. In other news, Lymir of Yalik is eagerly expecting her visitors.

"We've been eagerly awaiting these heroes for a week or so now. And the anticipation is building."

Knowing the Outcast's fondness for the beauties of the realm, he is going to love that town. The elven town of TopLeaf suffered an attack from a group of wandering giants today, but were swiftly killed by Elven Guard under the command of the Lady Nightshade. She had this to say.

"That Outcast better come visit me soon. Me beds lonely!"

That boy is now a confirmed lady lure. May the gods pity the men of the realm. A new story that has come to light is from the Sprite Forest to the south of Vernillion. The Fairy Queen was made a rare statement in regards to the recent events.

"It seems this generation of Warriors are truly pathetic. 3 out of 88? 1 being of legend making stock? Pitiful. Have it be known our borders are shut to the Warriors. Even the Outcasts, as I agree with Rolic's idea of a deed being preformed in order to gain entry to our home."

even the Sprite Queen has seen fit to close her borders to them Oddly enough, we have not heard of a single Warrior entering her enchanted forest as of yet. Whether it be due to them just not getting that far, or some other issue we know not. A story we have been following is the poaching of the sky sharks. Another was taken from the skies this day, but the airship, the Nidhogg, were forgiven when the clear teeth marks and other indicators of an attack by the beast were seen by the investigating dragon. The dragon in question, Furiosa the Green dragon, made a statement to the crew.

"It seems the faith in your crew and captain placed by the Outcast was not for nothing. Few airships can weather a surprise attack by our prey, much less keep flying. Impressive captain."

The captain and his crew landed in Raylik for repairs and rest. Greg, the captain in question made his own statement.

"ME an me crew know who rules that sky. And it ain't us. Oh, and this is fer the Outcast, Davy's alive. The cannons don't want to be friendly with him anymore."

There is a clear inside joke there, reader. There you have it people of Lectis. The Warriors have lost their freedoms, respect, hell even their coin. Let us see if they get the picture now. In my own opinion? They won't"

Tyler smiled as he closed the HUD.

"It seems they're dumber an we thought."

The other looked at him but let it go. Then Sera yawned.

"That's the bell."

Sallie and Sylvia sighed as they had to go back to spirit form at night, but a good hug from all made them feel better. They went into the tent and Tyler laid between Malico and kaori. Once all were settled he smiled.

"Good night ladies and Wulf."

"I still hate you."

"Shut up and kiss me."

They laughed as they drifted off to sleep.