DAYS UNTIL WAVE: 23
Tyler opened his eyes again to see Lily sitting up rubbing her arm with Vixen beside her. HE sat up and was looking at her concerned.
"How are you feeling Lily?"
She looked at him and flexed her arm.
"Pretty good. Me arm feels better, and it don't hurt when I rub the muscle."
He cast a relief and she smiled at him.
"Were you THAT concerned?"
"Of course I was. That was the first time I'd ever seen you look so vulnerably weak, Lily. And to tell the truth? It was scaring the hell outta me."
She smiled as she hugged him tightly.
"I love you too."
HE held her as well.
"Like I said, Lily. My sister."
"For now."
"We'll see. Who knows? Could wind up a group thing."
Vixen smirked as Lily chuckled herself.
"I could live with that."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Lily smacked him.
"Momma didn't raise no fool! I know me body!"
"There it is! Nice to have the Lily I love and fear back!"
She laughed as her belly rumbled.
"At once, my to-be lover."
She shivered.
"Ohhh, okay. You win."
Vixen smiled as she gave Lily a hug.
"He really does love you a lot. You wouldn't really remember much, but he hasn't left your side since the title."
She squeaked in shock. She looked to see Tyler gearing up again.
"You were with me the entire time?"
"I woulda been there the first time you went down too, but we had work to do."
Lily smiled as she hopped out of the busty mage's arms to give him a hug.
"I love you too."
He smiled as he patted her red hair.
"Let's get fed and get a bath."
She nodded.
"Agreed."
The duo walked out with Vixen tagging along as they went to the kitchen. They walked in to find Wulf sitting with Kaori with a platter of food between them. Tyler chuckled as he saw the sight.
"Now that's not suspicious or anything."
Kaori and the ranger looked over to see Lily sauntering along with her usual fire and they smiled. Tyler gave kaori a morning kiss as Lily got a hug off Wulf. Then he sat down and Lily got up to walk around the table to sit on his leg. Kaori hugged her too, and Tyler looked at them.
"So, what happened after the doors shut?"
Kaori chuckled.
"They're still searching the town and the current pile is ten feet tall."
"Damn. Well, lily's feeling better so we win."
that got a nonchalant shrug from the girl as Wulf smiled himself.
"Nice to see you're feeling better Lily."
"I was until I saw you uncle Wolf."
"And so it resumes."
Tyler smiled fondly.
"Okay, the words out about the girls. So, we'll need to reoutfit them."
Wulf looked at him.
"They got the vests."
"Now we give them weapons. Lily's got her shield, Additite, and her mythril blade. Sera has her silver bow, so now we give them scale weapons."
That got a nod.
"We turned in the heads for you."
"What'd we get?"
"A lot. 4250 gold."
"Yeesh. I hope you didn't collect it alone."
"No, we had Vixen, me and Lucy get it."
"Good call. Okay, our total is 26463 gold, 1066 silver, and 1959 copper."
Wulf crossed his arms.
"Question."
"Shoot."
"What ARE we saving all that coin for? Or are you just amassing it for a rainy day?"
"Mostly the latter. For as it stands it's just too dangerous to openly purchase a permeant house."
Wulf nodded now.
"I see the reasoning. Since we roam so much it wouldn't really make a lot of sense anyway. Still though, it'd be nice to have a place to return to after each adventure."
Tyler crossed his arms now himself.
"Ya know something Wulf? I kind like that sentiment. We got the coin."
Tyler pulled his map out and set it on the table. Kaori was shocked.
"Are we doing this?"
Tyler smiled at her.
"I'm seriously considering it. That's for sure."
She was the wreathed in happy smiles as he looked at the places they'd been to,
"Term's out. So, places we could get a place that are safe enough are Raylik, Cragspire, TopLeaf and MAYBE Yalik."
Wulf tapped Cragspire.
"There are some truly beautiful homes in the capital you'd love. Some are even inside that mountain."
Tyler rubbed his chin.
"I wonder. It might be a good idea to have MULTIPLE homes. Like say one here, in Raylik, one in Cragspire, and maybe one in TopLeaf. So, depending on which way we roam, we're never TOO far from a haven."
Kaori smiled.
"Plus with how often we make large sums of coin, we won't really have to worry much about taxes or the outright cost."
Wulf then smiled.
"In Cragspire, the taxes are very fair actually. All they ask is maybe 25 percent of the house's outright cost a month. So, say if it cost 10 gold, you'd have to pay 2 gold, 50 silver a month."
Tyler did a little math.
"That's not bad at all really. What's the usual wage paid to say a runner or laborer?"
"depends on the job really. But, the lowest? At least in my country? Maybe 5 silver for a days work?"
"So, if you're smart, or just really good with money most anyone can buy a home provided they work hard."
"That's how it is in my homeland yes. Since elves are immortal, we can afford to take our time."
Tyler looked at Raylik.
"I kinda like Raylik as the first base, as it's literally right in the center with like four roads in different directions. Plus, with just how many friends we have in the city itself, makes the most sense."
Kaori smiled now.
"Plus, it'll give Sera a chance to see Melly a lot more."
"right?"
Tyler lo0oked at Wulf.
"Okay, in your country, what would the cost of a house big enough for the party to use comfortably cost?"
Wulf became thoughtful.
"Depends on what you're looking for really. If we go with a room each, maybe 650 gold?"
"That's it?"
Wulf laughed at their incredulous expressions.
"Remember, most folk never see more then 90 gold coins in their lifetimes. Remember how you gave Seline that pouch of what? 3500 gold? She said she'd be able to upgrade her walls, pay her soldiers, healers, and repair the damage from the merc attack. Well, that would all cost 2500 gold. That plus the other pouch of 3000 on top of it? You gave away her city's monthly gross in two pouches. So, essentially, you just gifted her city an entire new budget. Let that sink it. You gave 6500 coins and it'll do all that. WE have 26000."
Tyler and Kaori looked at each other.
"Frugal still?"
"Yes, kaori. If it goes to our heads we lose it all. That said, we can get a nice place. We'll need to talk to either Lillica or say Malico for the details, but it shouldn't be a hassle."
She smiled and hugged him.
"Are we really doing this?"
"AFTER we get this mess cleaned up. We'll head back to Raylik to both buy a house, and give Melly her seashells."
She smiled as the rest of the party came in next. Tyler looked to Lillica.
"Hey, Lillica, Malico, got a question for ya."
"Oh shit here we go."
The two girls sat across from him as Sera hopped up beside Lily on his leg and hugged her.
"What's your question this time?"
"In Vernillion, if we were to buy a house in say Raylik, what would it cost?"
The table just looked at him, shocked. Then Sera looked at him.
"Are we settling down?"
"More setting a place in city as our own. Like a haven in the haven. And a place to rest after a hard journey. Like a homebase."
They got it then.
"I love the idea."
"I do too."
"Much fun as going form Inn to Inn, having a place to call home be a powerful thing."
Lillica was looking at the map.
"Why Raylik?"
"We all have friends in the city. Plus it being in the middle of everywhere makes it a great place to start a travel."
"Okay. So, if you wanted to buy a place, I assume one room each?"
"That was the plan."
"Soo, a room for let's see."
She looked at the heads.
"Me, Sera, Lily, Kaori, Wulf, Ashy, him, Lucy, Thistle, Vixen, Malico, Serafina, and Sallie and Sylvia at some point as well. So, twelve people. I'd say in the region of 550 gold. With a tax of 137 gold, 70 silver."
Tyler rubbed his chin.
"We can use that as a jump off point."
Malico was looking at the map.
"Did you have any other cities in mind?"
"My plan was to have a place in the towns or cities we go to a lot. That way we have our own beds waiting when we blow through."
That got a round of nods.
"We were looking at TopLeaf and Cragspire as well. Maybe Yalik after the mess is cleaned up. Not hundred percent yet though."
Kaori had a point.
"We'd also have to take into account different tastes in everything from furnishings to décor too."
"That's more fun than a hassle. Be kinda cool to see the end product though."
Lily crossed her arms.
"I'd like me own smithy. So I can practice me craft."
"Plus a decent sized bath house with two sides."
"right. Hmm, how about we shelf this until we head back to Raylik and have Seline to talk to?"
Vixen nodded.
"I think that would be wise, as right now we don't really know if she HAS any property for sale."
Tyler nodded.
"Okay, but are we in agreement to find a place as a base?"
Vixen was looked to for speaker.
"We are. Frankly I love the idea."
"Alright. Sera, you okay with heading back to Raylik so soon?"
She smiled as she hugged him.
"Yup! Long as we get Melly seashells!"
"Oh we can do better then that. We got a sea temple nearby."
That got a round of fond chuckles. Then he looked to sera.
"You and Lillica are getting new weapons. Except your bow."
The girls blinked.
"Okay. Why?"
"Words out you're running with our crew. So, upgrade time. Your vests are fine, as only mythril is above them. Sera's bow is in the same boat. So, now we put the scales to work. We can't go easy anymore. Wulf, I'm sorry, but your bow needs to be upgraded as well."
The ranger sighed.
"I understand. And don't blame you in the slightest."
"Another benefit of the base is we get to store true treasures there."
That made him smile.
"I agree and thank you."
Tyler patted the elf.
"Look, I may bust your balls all the damn time, but I got your back. Ashy, that lisk gear's great, but your getting an upgrade too."
She gasped.
"Are you sure?"
"No risks."
"Can I choose my color?"
"we got a few to choose from. Blue, Green and red. We got the crystal scales too, but I'd like Tolic's opinion on them first."
"Tolic is?"
"A dwarven smith that made your bow and mail."
"A dwarven smith? Ha, none-"
"Agreed, but Lily's getting there."
That got him a hug and Ashy a breath of relief from what she nearly just said. Tyler rubbed his chin as he looked at his party. Wulf spoke up now.
"Glacious' scales are on par with your bow, Tyler."
"Okay. So, compared to say Tempesta?"
"Close second. I'd recommend arrows."
"If Tempesta sees an issue, I'll just have to explain this was the best we could come up with. Now, the demon horns. We got like ten now, but also better materials."
Vixen spoke up now.
"The equipment made from the balor horns we have can rival dragon scales at times."
"The stuff we got any good?"
"The minotaur, pride, and war demons are the ones we want. Plus, you can see if Tolic can do infusions."
"Infusions?"
"Like twin metals. For example, your vest is Mythril Magicite. If he can, then use the horns and scales to outfit the party, for then only mythril itself is above the strength. Well, and Additite."
Tyler looked to sera.
"We'll use your balor horn and scales for your gear."
Sera smiled as she saw he remembered.
"Kay! Lily gets to use it too since she helped!"
"Fair. Today's plan is damage control. Until the girls get their gear up to snuff, groups of two. Lily is with me as that arm is still worrying me."
"Wow, overbearing much?"
Tyler sighed and rubbed his own arm.
"More a lot of nasty memories from my world."
Kaori and Ashy winced.
"I remember that."
Kaori told the story.
"Tyler's tendon snapped from his family. It was bad, and he was placed in the hospital until they could surgically repair the muscle. It was as good as new, but that was the first and only time he's EVER passed out from pain."
Tyler winced again.
"So, yeah, Lily. Been there and done that. Never going back. Plus, if your tendon snaps, I don't think even Divine Resurgence can heal it."
Lily shuddered now.
"I understand. Okay, I'll be careful."
Vixen smiled now.
"This might be a relief to you, but if you upgrade Holy Relief to it's absolute maximum, it can even reattach snapped tendons and torn ligaments."
"Oh thank the gods. Since it's my go-to for healing that's a good thing."
Lily hugged him as Wulf had a thought.
"What about the girls?"
"Town's still too dangerous right now. But, once we get a place, they'd get free roam."
"Good to hear, and I agree."
Tyler nodded.
"At some point, I'm gonna take Lymir's ability to walk, but until then we get to work. Any questions?"
Sera looked at him.
"You said groups of two."
"You and Vixen or Lillica and Kaori."
"Okay. So we're still not able to go solo yet?"
"Not JUST yet. You just need new gear and to go on some solo raids. Just to see if you CAN. Do that, and you're set."
Lily was massaging her arm.
"Is there a store in town that sells healing ointments?"
The group looked at each other, and shrugged.
"Not sure."
"I'll ask Lymir. Where is she?"
Malico smiled.
"In her office. I guess her morning routine is to look over the daily numbers."
Tyler looked to Lily ands Sera on his leg.
"I'll go see her. Lily?"
The elf girl smiled as Sera grumbled at having to get up. Tyler and the elf girl walked to the mermaids office and found her looking at papers and ledgers for her town. She even had a pair of square framed glasses that Tyler found to be rather pretty on her face. She looked up to see Tyler and Lily walking in and smiled fondly.
"Good morning. Lily, I'm glad your feeling better."
She smiled as she got a hug from the sexy mermaid.
"I hope you're not here to bed me, as I've got a lot of work to do this morning."
Tyler smiled at her.
"Not yet. Just wondering if you have a store that sells healing balms. Lily's arm is still worrying me."
Lymir sat back in her chair, and Tyler was happily surprised to see she worked naked for some odd reason. Lily took the opportunity to climb up to sit in her lap and rest her head in her large breasts, making her smile.
"we should play together Lily. Just you and me next time."
"Sounds fun."
Lymir looked out her window towards the sea.
"I think, the sea temple might sell them. That ore Rue's potion shop near the Purity temple."
Tyler nodded.
"Thanks Lymir."
Lily hopped down and they walked out as Lymir chuckled.
"So you know, I'm usually done with the paperwork around noon."
Tyler looked at her and smiled.
"well. Prep that body, as when the next I come through this door, you're getting PLANTED on that bed face down."
Lymir was seen to quiver from that attack.
"Oh, and so you know? Look to your pencil beside you, and you remember how….thick around your trident handle is?"
She put the pieces together blushed a deep purple.
"I also am…..fully loaded."
She was panting now as he leered at her before licking his lips seductively.
"Oh, I am going to ravage you!"
Poor Lymir was now sweating bullets as her groin exploded in fresh need from his teasing. Then he smiled.
"You'll going to lose it. But, later!"
He and a now giggling Lily left the now hot and bothered girl to her torment as they left her office. Tyler and Lily returned to the group to see them all eating their food as they looked over their gear. Tyler sat back with a now happy Sera and they ate together before heading off to their tasks. Tyler and Lily headed to the sea temple first to get her ointment. Lily had her shield and sword over her back as they rode Thunder to the large conch shell temple. There they were met by a group of men in their odd shell armour and were escorted inside. The inside of the temple smelled of sea air and was filled with the sounds of rushing waves. Tyler and Lily were rubbing their eyes as the whole interior was filled with the light rippling effect from when light bounces of water. The duo were shown to a small pool of sea water and as they peered into it they saw Sea caller Coral sitting naked on a submerged dais. Tyler and Lily looked at each other and shrugged.
"I guess they worship a Sea Goddess."
"Or mermaids themselves."
"Can't blame them there."
They smiled as the blue skinned mermaid rose from the water and donned her clam and star fish. She smiled as she saw her visitors.
"Welcome Outcasts to the Temple of Lady Leviathan. What brings you to her embrace today?"
"Looking to see if you sell healing ointment. Lily's arm is worrying me."
Coral smiled as Lily rolled her eyes at this.
"I see. We do have a balm for sale."
Tyler smiled at her now.
"How much?"
"How is Lymir?"
"well, she seems to be back to normal. I don't really know what normal was for her, but she's in her office again."
That got a relieved smile as Lily smiled now herself.
"She's fun."
The mermaid looked at her now, before looking at Tyler, who shrugged.
"I guess she's fine now."
That got a fond chuckle.
"She always was an odd one. As for the price, I request to see YOUR blue path."
"Okay, and what did you have in mind?"
The mermaid gestured to the pool.
"Cast your favorite blue spell on the water. It gauges just how powerful it truly is."
Tyler just smiled.
"WATERWALL."
The spell rose the wall of water a good 75 feet now, and it molded itself along the insides of the conch walls. The entirety of the inside of the temple was then surrounded in his roiling waves of blue. Coral was amazed as she looked at the water now surrounding them.
"Do you have the follow up?"
"I do."
Her purple eyes lit up.
"Cast it!"
Tyler and Lily looked at each other, a little incredulously. Coral laughed.
"Trust me."
"Eh. We needed a bath anyway. WATERFALL!"
with a sound of rushing water the 75 foot tall wave dropped to slam into the floor of the conch and splash like a surging ocean surf. Tyler and Lily were at the center of the splash, as well as Coral and they were surprised to NOT get drenched by Tyler's water. Then the waters receded into the small pool that reminded him of a tidal pool as Coral moaned with a distinct flush on her face.
"Such force! Such power! I have not felt such a water spell since my ascension to Sea caller."
Tyler and Lily just shrugged as they went with it. Coral waved her hand at the pool.
"We have a smaller pool filled with healing and cleansing waters beyond the doors there. You may use them as you see fit."
Lily looked at Tyler.
"You're joining me."
He blinked and shrugged.
"If it's allowed."
Coral smiled.
"It is. We even have a much smaller one for two, behind that small door."
"We'll use that one."
"I'm just gonna go with it."
Lily grabbed his arm and all by dragged him to the door and shoved him inside. Tyler locked it and smiled as he saw the room. It was little more then a sea cave with a tidal pool with some small fish swimming in it with the lights of rippling effect on the walls and roof. He and Lily stripped and got in and he was amazed by how good the waters felt. He also noticed they were adding an odd blue hue to his scars, as if to add emphasis. He looked over and saw Lily was sitting up to her neck with a look of relief on her small face.
"You good?"
She smiled.
"Yeah. Just my arm feels great."
He smiled as she said this. He dove un der the water for a moment and popped back up and found his vision was both clearer and his earing better. Tyler rested his arm on the lip as he relaxed. He heard some soft splashes and saw Lily as she came to sit beside him and rest her small body against his side. He shrugged and just went with it. This point, fantasy world. Just gonna go with it. HE caught her head turning to look at his sword and saw her smile.
"Perfect."
"Wow, lily. Remember it won't fit."
She patted his leg.
"Oh, I know. Just happy to know it's bigger then the last guy."
"Glad you approve."
She snuggled up against him and he draped an arm over her shoulders as they cuddled in the water. Lily was rubbing the water into her arm and he smiled.
"How does it feel?"
She clenched a fist and unclenched it.
"Good. Like really good."
She held out her slender arm for inspection and he rubbed her muscle the way the docs in his world had taught him to check for both wear and pain. Lily blinked as he did, and giggled.
"That feels kinda good."
"It doesn't hurt?"
She shook her head.
"Not even a little. It tickles really."
HE smiled as he let her go.
"Well, lily, you're back to full strength now."
She hugged him, and he hugged her back.
"Thanks."
"Every time."
She then looked at him,
"So you know, I got the okay from Wulf."
Tyler jumped.
"Context?"
She smiled and kissed him. Hard. He gave it right back before she pulled back.
"for this. We can't do much, and the deal is OUT of his sight."
"Umm, WHEN did you get this approval?"
"While you were out, he came in and we chatted fro a little bit. We made a deal and he left."
"Wow. Musta been more drained then I thought."
She smiled happily and snuggled his chest.
"Well, thanks for looking out for me. Oh, and I am looking forward to showing you the crystal."
"I am looking forward to seeing it."
They soaked for a little longer before Lily sighed.
"okay. I'm feeling restless."
"Wanna go help out?"
"Sure."
They got out and she flashed him own bald treat as they dressed. They walked out and Coral had a spell from Tyler in her hand.
"This will turn a pool of water the size of that one in there into a mini version. It lasts for two hours, and it's potency can be upgraded. At it's base however, it eases sore muscles. I would not recommend another soak in it for a period of three days, as it makes the body lose strength."
Tyler smiled inn thanks.
"Is this freely given?"
"It is in repayment for both saving us all and my sister."
"Thank you Coral. We appreciate it."
He added it to his ring when he remembered something.
"are there any ice mages in the temple or town to your knowledge?"
Coral tilted her blue head.
"Rue is an Azur Path, so is an ice mage. Her shop is near the Purity temple."
"I appreciate the spell and the info. Take care."
They left the temple and Coral was smiling as they went.
"I will have to ask my sister how he is."
"Why are we going to see an ice mage?"
Tyler patted her head.
"I want o add some ice to my arsenal. Plus, if we can eat it we get ice for our drinks."
Lily burst out laughing at that.
"You're insane."
"Love you too!"
The two walked hand in hand as they passed through the town as it tore itself apart looking for the banned items. As they neared the temple they spotted a tall pile with three men standing by it with clipboards. Tyler chuckled as they approached them.
"Wallace, Vollock and Father...I never got your name."
That got a laugh as the leaders looked at him. The head white path was smiling as he looked at him.
"Laxus. I am father Laxus."
"Ah. So, how bad is it?"
The Marine captain sighed.
"We're just little over halfway. And we have a 15 foot tall pile."
Tyler whistled.
"Well, at least it's getting done."
Vollock showed him a map.
"We haven't even TOUCHED the ships yet."
"We'll help out once we visit Rue."
That got a smile.
"Her shop's over there, lad. Oh, and be warned."
"She fierce?"
The men just smiled.
"You'll see."
"Well THAT'S not ominous or anything. Eh, I got Lily. I'm set."
She laughed and so did the men as the duo walked towards the indicated shop. They walked in and Tyler looked around. The shop wasn't too special, as it rose two floors with a living space on the second with a store on the bottom. The store itself was simple, with walls lined with bookshelves with spellbooks upon them, a few barrels of staves, a class case with various wands, and a few boxes of single spells. Tyler and Lily walked to the nearest book shelf and Tyler spotted a blue book near the top. He took it down and started flipping through.
"Greetings customers."
They looked and Tyler blinked. The lady behind the counter was a most interesting character. Her skin was purest white like snow, her hair, teeth and eyes deepest blue like the late day sky, and her breasts were massive like Lymir's. She was clad in a white gown that seems to just ripple in an unfelt breeze and there was an aura of cold beauty about her. He smiled as he got it.
"I see. An Ice Spirit."
She laughed.
"Not exactly, young Warrior. But a very good guess. I am an Ice wraith."
"So, a type of vampire?"
"More or less. Only, I do not require blood to live. Indeed I subsist on the consumption of ice."
Tyler was rather surprised.
"Kinda curious how that works. But, not important."
He put the book back walked to the counter.
"So, I take it your name is Rue?"
She nodded.
"Indeed Sirrah."
"My name's Tyler, that's Lily."
The elf girl had a red book and was flipping through so she just gave a wave. Tyler chuckled.
"So, I got a question for you."
That got the Ice wraith's attention.
"Oh, this should be amusing."
"Ice magics. Is it safe for a human to eat the ice they conjure?"
She blinked, before bursting out laughing with deep blue tears in her eyes as Tyler, used to such reactions, patiently waited for her to recover. She recovered and smiled again.
"Indeed it is safe. Most would never consider it as they think it's unclean. But the ice used in the spells is of the purest there is. May I ask why you asked?"
"Looking to add some ice spells to my blue path. So, since ice is useful for a wide variety of purposes, just getting the details."
"A most interesting boy you are. I have an Azur tome upon that shelf by the elf girl."
"Thanks, Rue."
Tyler spotted the book in question and took it down.
"Okay. Ice Spike. Costs five mana and launches a shard of ice like a spear. Effective against Ifrits. Nifty. Icy Coffin. Metal name. Encases a single target in a box of ice before shattering. Nasty. Frozen Wind. Okay, sends out a cone of cold that slows movement and causes severe frostbite. Potency is dependent upon Magic skill, path power, and spell upgrades. Frigid Hell. Love the name. Encases an area in a ice dome that then sends shards of ice into the dome for a period of ten minutes. Nasty. Oh, here we go. Ice wall. Raises a ten foot wall of ice 2 feet thick 15 feet wide. Useful for locking an area down. Okay, we got some good toys here."
Lily held up her own book.
"I got a few goodees here too."
"Any you can't use or don't want we'll give to our other reds."
"Agreed. Hey, can we visit a smithy after? I want to see if they have any good skills."
"Sure lily."
She smiled as he pulled the blue down again.
"Hmm. Got an upgrade to tranquil waters in here. Makes any enemy that enters the field affected move slower. Good one. Watery Pain. Adds a poison like effect to an Arrow, as it uses fouled water to infect the bloodstream. Hmm. I don't think I can cast that one. I think I'd need to ask Vixen to be sure though."
"I can answer that Sirrah."
Tyler looked up from the book to Rue.
"I'm a blue/white. Yet this one sounds like a blue/black mix."
"It's not actually. It's a blue green mix. As some poisons fall under the path of green. It will not damage your soul to cast."
"Well, nifty. Thanks Rue."
He flipped to the next page.
"roiling Surf. A secondary affect to Water Wall. Adds extra force to the Fall. Useful I guess. So, I'll take this one as well."
Tyler paid for the things and it set them back 1 gold. Then they headed out with Lily happily bumping along beside him. They found the town smithy and walked in. there they found Lucy talking to a hulking man behind the counter with a suit of mail on his large frame. Tyler chuckled as he approached the barbarian.
"Hey Lucy. See anything interesting?"
She snorted as the man laughed.
"I see yer in a good mood laddee."
He chuckled as he saw Lily looking at the certificates.
"Lily's looking for new skills, you find anything useful?"
The man behind the counter blinked.
"Och, laddee, no offense meant, but don't ye think she be a bit small for fighting iron?"
"Not at all. She made this a while back."
He pulled the sludge net she'd made them when they dragged Eustein's well.
"Kinda surprised you kept it. I mean we found Sylvia's body with it."
"It's a useful tool. Plus, a good net like this can be used in fishing as well."
Lily shrugged as the man looked over the metal net.
"I see now. She be a fine smith. May I ask the material used?"
"This chain link."
He pulled a link from the bandit chain and the man used his own Appraisal to examine it.
"Impressive. Fire?"
"In a mantle fire of a traveler's rest half a day's ride north of TopLeaf."
"Aye, I know the place. She's a most impressive girl then. Thankee kindly."
Tyler smiled as he put the things away.
"She's our camp smith for a reason."
That got a laugh as Lily came up with a certificate.
"I got one."
"Okay. Efficient Smithing. Uses strength, smithing skill, and agility to reduce waste material. Upgrades through use and once fully upgraded all waste materials can be used as a second item. Damn, Lily. Good find. That it?"
She shrugged.
"For now. I saw two more boxes, but this was the first we can actually use."
"Well, you're the expert."
"Love you too."
She walked to the next box as Tyler noticed a large greatsword hanging on a peg. The thing was jet black and reminded him of the cursed greatsword in Burlock's shop.
"What's the deal with that one?"
The man smiled now.
"That's a cursed blade. It's something of a shop challenge. See how deep you can get into it and still crawl your way out."
"Record gets?"
"A freely forged item with the material of your choice."
Lucy chuckled.
"If we bring our own?"
"Same. Now ye got me curious."
Tyler walked over and took the thing off it's peg. He hefted it and tilted his head.
"Hold up. I know this feeling."
He felt a rather peculiar sinking feeling that reminded him of the demon of willpower he killed but different.
"I wonder."
HE slammed into it with his will and there was the sound of shattering glass and a scream of agony.
"Ah! A Demon of Despair!"
The sword's jet black color was now softly luminous and was rippling as well. Tyler chuckled as he looked at the now white faced man.
"This sword was cursed with a Demon of Despair. It's dead now."
The man just shook his head.
"Lad you just broke a curse the white path of purity couldn't even working together for three months straight. So, I'll keep me word."
Tyler tilted his head as he looked at the 7 foot long blade.
"Umm. I wonder."
"Oi, Lad, that sword."
Lucy was eyeing the massive weapon and he passed it to her. The 7 foot tall woman held the point straight out and smiled.
"I like how this feels. I think I'll take it."
Tyler chuckled as he looked at the now intimidated man.
"We'll take the sword and call it fair trade. Deal?"
"Deal lad."
Lily was shaking her head as Lucy took the sheath and placed it over her other shoulder.
"scary lady."
Tyler patted the elf girl as she pulled a Certificate out.
"Anything else?"
"I found this. Double Shot. Adds extra impact to the hammer when forging. I think I can use it, but it's a risky one."
"I see. Hit it too hard and you risk ruining what you were making."
"Exactly. I got a few fire protection skills, plus a skill that lets me better fold the metal, but not sure what else we need."
Tyler crossed his arms.
"At this point? Not much really. As far as camp goes, we pretty much set. Only thing I can think of are molds."
"And those aren't really practical for a camp."
Tyler looked around and shrugged.
"I guess we only got one skill this time around."
Tyler paid the 45 copper, then he and Lily went to go help with the search. They got a map off Vollock and got to it. In the space of two hours, Tyler and Lily cleared two houses, and found over three hundred banned items, him getting burned and Lily doing the moving. Tyler then just said screw it and put a pair of thin gloves on and the industrious pair got to it. Now not getting burned every three minutes, Tyler and Lily cleared three more buildings by noon. Then they broke for lunch at a small tavern. Tyler and Lily sat near the window looking out to sea as they fed on meat and ale. The small elven girl smiling as they did.
"Feels like we're a couple, don't it?"
HE chuckled as he patted her.
"Kinda does."
They ate and he paid before leaving. As they walked out.
"Sirrah!"
They looked as a runner came up.
"Outcast, the Lady Lymir requests your presence sirrah."
Tyler gave the boy ten silver as he looked at Lily.
"Guess she's ready now."
The elf girl licked her lips.
"I'll come too."
"I'd like to show her how I ruin a lady. YOU can have the leftovers."
"I'm still going with you."
"Sure."
They headed back to the mansion and headed right for Lymir's office. They walked in and the mermaid was squirming on her chair.
"Oh FINALLY!"
Tyler smiled widely as he walked over, and picked the lusty mermaid up and set her on his shoulder. Lily leered at the mermaid.
"I'm gonna watch."
The blue skinned lady was already panting as the door was shut and locked. Then she was indeed planted face down in the bed as Tyler stripped behind her.
"Spells?"
"Not this time."
HE laughed as he pinned her as she tried to roll over.
"So, you want it nice and gentle?"
She growled.
"Let's see what ya got!"
He spanked her and she arched her back, only for her to get shoved down flat and filled in the rear and getting ridden like a horse. Lymir was bucking hard like one as well.
"Ride me like that horse!"
She he grabbed her hips and thrust into her harder as Lily watched with Sallie and Sylvia on either side of her in their spirit forms. Tyler filled Lymir from behind and she lost it in her own explosion, only to get flipped onto her back and his face buried into her ample breasts with a grunt and a scream. Tyler was loving his second mermaid, the fact Lymir was as wild and dirty as he was making it all the better. She loved it when he shoved the sword in her mouth and he cleaned her kitty. The wild duo went at each other until they collapsed and She was oozing cream from mouth slit and ass as she panted hard. He, on the other hand was still hard and ready.
"Done so soon?"
She licked her lips.
"Ready!"
And again they went. Lily giving Lymir a drink from a cup of water to clean her fouled mouth as she got a fresh creaming from her most voracious lover. Then she fell to the sweat soaked pillows as he kept riding her soft, warm slit. She was happily grunting as she felt herself get creamed again and again before he went soft again. Then she looked at him.
"reload?"
He grinned and it was ready again, making her purple eyes go wide.
"I am FAR from done with you!"
She smiled then and waggled her butt.
"Pour water on it first. It'll clean it!"
Tyler smiled as he used a water spell.
"My room is water proofed!"
He grinned and sent a stream of water up inside her ass as he rode her slit. The duo went at each other until they fell together again. This time, Tyler got up only for her to still lay there.
"Seriously? That's it?"
She was once again oozing, and smiled ruefully.
"I got one more good one in me before I black out."
"Blackout it is!"
He fit into her again and pounded her until she did indeed blackout from her orgasm, and he filled her hard. Then he laid beside her smiling.
"I fucking LOVE this world."
He heard a giggle and looked over to see Sallie and Sylvia applauding as Lily got upu to climb onto the bed on Lymir's other side.
"So, once she wakes, I get her right?"
"Sure. I think she's done though."
Lily fondled the unconscious mermaid's raw rack.
"I just like getting played with. So, she can go easy."
"Wow, lily."
She smiled as she suckled a little.
"It's fun. Plus, well, I like it. Wait till you see."
He smiled as Lymir came to again. She was happily purring as she saw Lily playing with her breasts and looked to see Tyler grinning at her.
"want more?"
Her eyes went wide.
"You're worse then I am! Yes I do!"
Lily sighed.
"great. I'll go watch again."
Lymir looked at her.
"Lay down dear."
Tyler smiled as he saw her plan.
"Should be fun."
Lily smiled as she hurriedly stripped and got underneath the taller lady and spread her small legs for treat access.
"It's ready!"
Lymir dove onto the smaller girl's slit with an eager mouth as he mounted the mermaid's curvaceous ass once more. He pounded her as she fed on Lily for another few hours before Lymir collapsed again on top of a happily flushed lily. Then she sighed.
"It has been YEARS since I've been so….satisfied by a lover."
He kissed the mermaid and tased Lily on her lips.
"Are you full?"
"Yes. And, sated fully. I can't go anymore if I wanted to."
Lily looked at him.
"Wanna taste it yourself?"
He looked at her small treat and shrugged.
"Eh, sure. Only fair."
She bucked hard as he set his own mouth on her now and got his tongue on her grove. Lymir settled for letting the girl suckle on her nipples as Tyler made her cream four times in a row before she too was finished. Then the happy trio laid with the smaller girl between them as they recovered. Tyler and Lymir were running a teasing finger up the naked frame of Lily, and she was loving it.
"So, Lymir. As good as they bragged?"
The mermaid was full purple in the face.
"Words do not do you justice."
"Happy to please you."
That got a laugh as Lily's belly rumbled. Tyler made her giggle with a quick kiss on the complaining part and then she sighed.
"That was fun. Can't wait till I'm bigger to take it right."
"It'll be a fun one alright."
Lymir kissed the smaller girl herself now. Then the loving pair traded kissing their favorite wildcat before the mermaid sighed.
"We need a bath."
"Agreed."
"Fully."
"There's one on this floor for me. Come on."
The trio got dressed, well, Tyler and Lily did. Lymir was happy to just flaunt it naked as they walked to a door in her office with a small tub for three. They got in and Lily sighed happily.
"I am glad my to-be lover is learning well."
"Just wait, Lily. When the time comes, well, I'll shoe you just how GOOD I am."
That got a happily eager sigh. The trio got cleaned up and dressed, though Lymir still did not get dressed and they went to her desk. She passed him a report as she sat down with Lily happily suckling on her nipples.
"We're just over halfway now."
He looked at the paper and sighed.
"We're looking at a good three days all told."
"Yup. But, well, we'll only have to do this the once."
"That's a plus I guess."
Tyler smiled as he saw lily loving the large breasts of the woman.
"She seems comfy."
Lymir patted the girl affectionately.
"She loves my boobs. Like a lot. And I love getting sucked on so, win/win."
He looked at the town.
"I'll go help out more, if you want to indulge her more."
"Oh, we're going to lay down after this."
"I think I like this town."
He left the ladies to themselves as he returned to the town. He joined a crew and together they worked for the rest of the day clearing four more buildings. Once the sun touched the horizon, Vollock and Wallace called the day and the night teams came out as the day crew went for rest. Tyler went back to the mansion and found Kaori sitting with Malico in the dining hall. He smiled as he joined them and they looked at each other knowingly.
"So. Lymir can barely walk."
He shrugged.
"I'm good at what I do."
That got a laugh as he gave kaori a kiss, making her glow. Then he put the news crystal he'd grabbed off a runner into his HUD.
"Today in Vernillion. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Pope has been placed under arrest by order of his royal majesty King Ishtar Vernillion. As of this publishing, he is awaiting trial and sentencing for crimes against the realm. But, dear reader, let us back up. As yesterday's article reported, the Outcast party, led by Tyler, had their closest call thus far in their adventure in the city of Yalik. Plus the doppelgangers over running the city and the reports of wagons of banned goods being uncovered. Now, as the Outcast was watching over the rest of his small elven friend, the Warrior Kazuma stumbled upon a most happenstance horror. He was dealing with a small bandit group as is the Crown Prince's favorite training regiment, when one such man had on his person documents outlining the entire operation in Yalik to both deceive the Outcast party, separate them, and wear the women of the party down to both capture, rape, then enslave them. Amongst the Outcast's party, are three princesses. Sera Von Vernillion, her sister, Lillica Von Vernillion, and Lily of the Elven Kingdom. The documents had the Pope's seal, hand writing, and his signature ordering it of the Doppelganger in charge. Along with the orders, were also a highly detailed plot to increase the numbers of the imposters throughout the realm, and even replace his imperial majesty. Upon discovering this most heinous of plots, the noble prince brought the incriminating evidence straight to his Majesty with all the haste he could muster. Upon reading and verifying the authenticity of the words, the king had all the grounds to both remove the treacherous pope from power, and place him under arrest. Kazuma was then given leave to search the pope's chambers, and dear reader. The horrors that man is responsible for are simply appalling. Everything, from the rape of poor Lillica Von Vernillion, to production of banned items and spells to SELLING them to the creatures of the land and bandits at a measly 10 coppers per. The most disturbing piece, however, was the discovery of the vast majority of active knights in the kingdom were enslaved to the pope using the most vile of spells in a plot to overthrow the king and start a Holy March. Reader, we nearly saw the beginning of a new age of misery. All due to one power mad old man. Ishtar has also placed half the credit for this find upon the Outcast Tyler.
"That lad has been fighting the church since he set foot in Lectis. Plus, he was the one that first stood up to Skyr, and the first to act. Kazuma may have lit the fuse, but Tyler gave him the match."
If that means what we assume it means, then Tyler the Outcast is a truly deviously brilliant strategist as well as a most terrifying enemy. As for Skyr, the King has made a most….intriguing decision.
"His head was claimed by another. So, to honor a Warrior's Oath, Skyr will remain chained to a wall until his executioner sees fit to drag him down into the depths of hell. He's waiting for you."
One can only shudder at what that man's killer is going to do to him when he sees him again. Kazuma is now hailed as a Warrior hero. He spared a few words before getting back to work.
"well, looks like that sneaky bastard's still got it. Yeah, I know you're game. I'll keep playing it, so long as you keep her happy."
Kazuma and Ishtar seem to be hinting that the fall of the pope was orchestrated by a most secretive force. And in this writer's own opinion? I'm placing my gold on it having been the Outcast. That boy is a far more cunningly brilliant mind than any but Kaori can hope to understand. As such, the capital of term is in a state of chaos as the enslaved knights are being purged and replacements being procured. The Warriors were enraged by this turn of events, and in the loud words of Max.
"You imprisoned such a noble man like Skyr on the words of a few easily forged pieces of paper? Yer all daft. Skyr is a most noble, kind hearted, honorable man."
Ladies and gentlemen, we need new Warriors. In the city of Yalik, cleanup continues as the pile of banned goods at last reporting stands at a staggering twenty feet tall. Lymir was able to spare a few words before getting whisked away to her bedchamber by the Outcast himself.
"We're maybe halfway through the town. But, we'll clean it right. We got the outcast helping after all. Oh, there's the door. Well, farewell walking!"
Dear reader, Lymir's appetites are legendary and her stamina terrifying. Yet, this article was published 7 HOURS after her doors shut. And from the sounds emitting from within? She's losing this one folks. The pope is in a cell, and his plots fallen apart. We are most looking forward to tomorrow."
Tyler just burst out laughing as he closed the HUD. HE looked at Kaori, and she smiled now as well.
"We got em."
They high fived before he got serious again.
"Alright. Pope's been kicked from his chair and the puppets are getting replaced. Term is still a death trap, and we don't set foot in the city till the ball. Now, we ARE going to kill that bastard. Slowly."
Kaori nodded.
"Agreed. Any chance he escapes?"
"A very good one. But, right now, he's hanging on a wall."
Malico's tail was lashing back and forth happily.
"Do you think it'll be that easy?"
"I hope so. But, well, usually in this situation, the main bad guy get's a screw job is when they go for broke."
Kaori nodded.
"He's got nothing left to lose."
"Yup."
He looked to the table.
"I think. I'll call muster and give the update."
"That would be a good idea."
Tyler blew on the whistle and his party came in a few minutes later, including a groggy Lily. Once the party was seated he passed his HUD around to the members. Lillica seemed about o cry as she saw he'd been caught, but she got a hearty thump from Lucy.
"Hey, Lass, no tears yet."
She smiled gratefully. Then Wulf sighed.
"So, he's been backed into a corner."
Tyler nodded.
"Yup. Badly. Right now he's got two options: be killed by me when we meet, or play whatever his secret ace was."
Ashy tilted her head.
"Hey, Tyler. This whole mess is kinda reminding me of something."
"Okay, Ashy. Whatcya got?"
"Okay. What if, the pope HAS no secret ace? Like he was so convinced of his own success-"
"He didn't even have a single backup or really pay attention!"
The dirty blonde nodded.
"My thoughts exactly. His most effective countermeasure against us was Yalik itself. Yet, from a realistic stand point? It was pitifully weak. Enslavement? That's not the ploy of one that feels like his plans are threatened."
"it's the ploy of one who is so deluded with their own arrogance that they've utterly failed to see their enemy's true danger."
"Like how in movies or Anime the main bad guy allows the protagonist to get strong enough to kill him because they're so convinced it's impossible they'd lose."
"And when they do, they lose it all."
"Yup. I think the pope was like that as well."
Tyler smiled as he saw it now.
"You're right Ashy. That's another trope as well. Okay, so, let's review. The pope sent a party of knights to kill me and capture Kaori beside the Skystream, which when we pass by again we're camping there."
"Seems right."
"It does. Then, we didn't have an issue with the church until we found that first River. Next, was Sera and Lillica. Again, not aimed at us. Now that I think of it, we didn't get attacked by the church until TopLeaf. And their orders were to STILL capture Kaori and kill me. He used, what? 15 men?"
"Sounds about right. Plus the bounty."
"Yeah. If he was serious about the bounty, then he'd have made it 2500 like that rapist bastard or the black. Plus, the capture order. Then, we didn't have another run in with the church agents until Cragspire. They were more a hit squad. But again, what? 10? To kill ME? Even AFTER my strength was widely known? That's not a hit squad but an insult. Oh, and Sera, Lillica and Lily, I feel like I should teach you how to survive when you get surrounded."
The girls nodded as Thistle spoke up.
"I can handle the lasses training there. As it was a part of my blood dancer training."
"Thanks Thistle. So, as we continued to both openly defy and oppose the church, and build our strength, the pope refused to acknowledge it. Plus, from what I got from his statements in the articles, he was already so conceited in his own understanding of me, that he was now just blind. Now, after Cragspire, we went to Ralik, and no church attack. Next we were on the trail. Then we hit Yalik. As close as we came to defeat here, the methods STILL revolved around killing me and capturing them. So, since this was the single most effective countermeasure he'd yet attempted, we can infer he hadn't considered us a major threat to him. Plus, he had a few weeks heads up we were headed here anyway."
Wulf was nodding along now.
"I see where you're going with this. He was overestimating his own position and was ignoring us completely. So, as you laid the groundwork and undermined his church from both the inside out and outside in, he was just incapable of seeing it."
"And in doing so we wound up playing a most bizarre game of chess. He'd move his piece, or his schemes forward, and I'd advance my own strategy. It became a duel of the better schemer."
Wulf titled his head.
"I am not familiar with Chess. IS it a game from your world?"
"It is. You have sixteen pieces with different abilities and ways to use them. Hey, Malico. Can you pass me the scroll?"
"The rules?"
"Yeah. If it's allowed, I can teach Wulf here in ten minutes."
Malico passed him the scroll and there was a single line as he opened it.
"We are aware of your worlds games. Allowed. Including this Chess. I must admit they are quite fun. If in the future you have a specific question, speak it aloud to the scroll for an answer."
"Thanks Minus."
"You are Welcome mortal."
Tyler passed the thing back and pulled various pieces of metal from his crating pouch and set them up.
"Okay, these little guys are pawns. They can only move forward one space. Okay?"
He set up an eight by eight grid with cord. Wulf watched as Tyler set the board.
"The whole point of Chess is capture the enemy king. This tall piece here. While at the same time defending your own king. Now, if the king cannot move in any direction in a box pattern, you lose. Okay? Are you with me so far?"
"I think so. The king can only move one space at a time right?"
"Exactly. The king is the most important piece on the board. It falls games over. Now, you cannot jump over your own pieces, as only the Knight can do that. But we'll get to that one in a minute. Next we have the Queen."
He moved a slightly shorter piece forward.
"Now. The queen is the most powerful piece on the board. She can move in any direction as far as it can go."
"I see. Willow would love this already."
"Yeah, we ain't done. Okay. This one here, is the bishop. You get two on either side. The bishop can only move diagonal in a straight line. So, see here?"
Tyler moved the darker piece of metal in indicated direction.
"the board is usually a checkered pattern, but for the sake of this lesson it doesn't matter. Just makes it easier to learn. Now, the next piece is the Knight. This bit here."
He pushed a smaller bit of redsteel ore forward.
"This is a unique piece and you get two. It moves in an L shape. Up one over two, or up to over one. It can also jump over you other pieces. Are you still with me?"
"I am. It's rather scary this is a mere game in your world."
"You have no idea. Last piece for the back is the Tower or Rook. It can move up or down, left or right as far as it can go. Very straight forward. Last we have these guys. The Pawns. They can move two squares for the first move, but after can only move one square at a time. But they cannot move backward. They can only advance. That's the game pieces. Questions?"
"Not yet."
"Okay. We'll move on to capturing pieces."
Tyler took one of Wulf's pieces and placed it near his pawn.
"For the pawn to take a piece, it has to be diagonal to it's forward move, like so."
"Okay. So, if the piece is in it's field of movement, it can be taken?"
"With the exception of the knight. They can only take a piece if it lands on it. Follow?"
"I do. I must admit the rules seem rather simple when spoken."
"In reality, they really are. Easy to learn, difficult to master. Now, there is a special move the king and Tower can do if they haven't been touched that game. I'll set it up."
Tyler removed the Queen, Knight and Bishop from the side near closet tower.
"Okay this is called 'castling'. It allows the king to move two squares and place the tower here."
Wulf's red eyes sparked.
"It created a defensive wall."
"Indeed. But also a two edged sword."
"Oh, I see it. If say a Rook gets in here, it's a game over."
"Exactly. Now. Winning the game."
Tyler placed his Queen in a line with Wulf's king.
"this is called 'check'. As in, your king is in danger. You now have one turn to either rescue the king with another piece, or move the king. Like so."
He moved the king one square to the right.
"And your out of check. A good strategy is to try to frustrate your opponent with repeated checks, or to manipulate the movements of the enemy king into a better spot. If you're in check, and the king can't move out of a piece's line like so,"
HE placed the King between a rook, the queen, a pawn, and a bishop.
"If the king can't move out of check, it's called checkmate. Or game over."
"A very interesting game. I think I have it."
"Okay, we'll play a few rounds and you'll understand what I meant with our schemes."
Tyler and Wulf then set their pieces moving. Wulf using his newfound knowledge of the game to build a defensive wall as Tyler used his greater experience with the rules to more or less pin Wulf's king. The game lasted ten minutes before Tyler got the elf with a Tower he'd wormed behind his line.
"And, that's checkmate. Not bad Wulf."
The elven ambassador was shaking his head.
"I get it now. You would move a scheme forward while at the same time he would. It became a battle of the minds."
Tyler smiled.
"yup. We get the time I can make us a better set. In our world, entire wars have been won or lost over a chess board."
Tyler cleaned up as Lily spoke up.
"If you want, I can use this as an excuse to practice me craft."
"Good idea, lily. I'll draw the pieces and you can use that fire over there."
That made her laugh as he drew the simplistic designs for the various pieces and gave Lily three types of metal, the Black iron from a chain, the more white metal from another vein, and a larger piece of redsteel. She took the materials and headed to the hearth fire for her work. Wulf chuckled.
"I'd like t practice this game more. It was strangely entertaining o match wits."
"Sure. Set's easy enough to set up. So. The pope lost his chess game. If we're dealing with the trope, then we won. Completely. Only thing left to do is kill him. Yet at the same time, I worry if it was a little TOO easy."
Ashy smiled again.
"Maybe it's cause we're still on floor ONE?"
"Oh I see your point. Didn't have you figured for a gamer girl."
She smiled sweetly now.
"I had a few hobbies you woulda liked."
"Well, Ashy. Seems like WE need to have a chat at some point. Just, ONE question."
"Shoot."
"Rias or Zerotwo?"
Ashy smiled widely now.
"Rias for the win."
"Very well. We will have this debate at a later time."
Wulf was holding his head now.
"And I still lose."
"Nah. More a thing from our world."
"Yeah. She's still yours bro."
The elf smiled as Malico looked at her legs now.
"Umm, what the hell?"
"You okay?"
"I'm vibrating."
"Check the scroll."
Kaori looked at him.
"I am amazed you didn't make a dirty joke outta that."
"Nah. Malico's already a sexy kittycat. She don't need things like that."
Malico was purring as she passed him the scroll. Tyler opened it to see a single line again.
"We goddesses of Balance have reached a decision."
"Should we start praying?"
The scroll was then filled with lines of laughter. Tyler chuckled.
"See? I got jokes."
Kaori just groaned as the scroll started writing again.
"We have reached an agreement on a reward for your efforts to protect this realm from the Pope. As unbeknownst to you, Outcast, YOU were Chosen as MY champion to defeat the pope and his machinations."
"I hate to break it to you, Goddess, but as long as he lives he hasn't lost."
"Indeed, Mortal. We agree and the fact you have even sought to argue a reward from a deity period on an as-of-yet incomplete task is more proof to the justness of a reward."
"Okay, still feels a little wrong to get paid for a job that's half finished. Thank you, Goddess."
"The reward is to the three Warriors of your party, and it is thus: You may choose ONE item from your world, and we will adapt it to this one."
Tyler, Kaori and Ashy's mind's just went boom. Everyone at the table was witness to their minds just getting up and killing itself in shock and surprise. Sera poked Tyler's nose.
"Boop."
It restarted their brains. Tyler shook his head.
"Is that even possible, Goddess?"
"it is. Now, name the items. And yes we are aware of your world in full."
Tyler smiled.
"I had an item that had my music collection. I would most like to have that back."
"A music crystal? That's it?"
Tyler shrugged.
"I got everything else I could want in Lectis already. Just miss the tunes from my world."
There was a glow and a blue crystal appeared on a chain necklace.
"It is unbreakable and contains every song from your collection, and the ladies collections."
"I humbly thank you Goddess. We will take our time skinning that bastard."
"We look forward to it."
Ashy spoke next.
"Sasha! Please!"
The scroll was seen to laugh.
"Miss, we cannot bring something to this world that already IS in this world."
Ashy's breath of relief was immense.
"Oh thank the gods. Is she safe?"
"She is. Sadly, as I am a goddess of Balance NOT of nature, I'm afraid returning her to you is outside my sphere."
Ashy looked at Tyler.
"We'll find her, Ashy. You got my word on that."
She smiled at him.
"Thank you. As for MY reward? I had a similar collection to his music, only it was viewable on a screen."
"Lady you got issues. Like legit issues. But very well."
A brown/black crystal appeared on a chain and the scroll was witnessed to shudder.
"Your collection, HER collection, and HIS collections are in that thing. And, after this I need a bath."
Tyler and Ashy were laughing hard as the scroll shuddered again.
"Normie."
"Yup."
Kaori just shook her head.
"Goddess, do you know if my mother still lives?"
"Erica? HA! That fireball is still running wild. Where, I have no idea. And am not able to locate her. But, we does still live, and so you know? She's heard the rumors of the Outcasts. But just that. Rumors."
Tyler smiled.
"That's a decent amount of information on it's own, Goddess. Thank you."
The scroll's response was a giant ?
"She's far enough away that all she's getting are rumors. So, since the Queen Erica has been hearing of us by name across the sea of Yalik, we can safely assume she's on the other side of the world."
Kaori smiled.
"And now we have a region to look in."
"Like I said. We'll find her."
She smiled before facing the thing.
"My request is like a photo crystal."
"I was expecting weapons. Not such humble requests, nightmare fuel aside."
The blonde got her crystal, and it was as red as her path. Tyler smiled as he looked at the scroll.
"We thank you."
"A warning."
"Go on."
"These boons are JUST for your party. As such, not another soul is to touch them. They are unbreakable, and in the red crystal's case, can be used to store infinite images. They are not to be sold, lost, or misused. Even though the things on HER crystal WILL be. Lady, you need to talk to someone."
Ashy smiled sweetly.
"What about HIS tastes?"
The scroll scrunched up shivering.
"HIM we are just going to pretend to NOT know ANYTHING. YOU have issues. HE is just depraved."
"Eh, it's a hobby."
"I feel unclean now. You are freely able to share these with those you would trust with the lives of the spirits. Now, the pope must die."
"He's gonna."
"If he does, we may see fit to bestow another such boon."
"We thank you, Goddess Minus. And, question."
"Speak."
"Whatchya think of the music?"
The scroll was then seen to form a smile.
"YOU my boy have exquisite taste."
"So didn't that dude with the drool fetish."
The scroll made an arrow that pointed at Kaori, who promptly smacked Tyler hard.
"Miss, thank you. I have accomplished my goal. Now I need to go purify my soul."
"Enjoy the Numbers."
The scroll rolled itself up as Kaori smacked him again.
"Ya done scarring them for eternity?"
Tyler and Ashy burst out laughing at the looks of both fear and nerves on their friends faces. Tyler put the necklace on and as he did he saw a new tab added to his HUD.
"Okay, battles are going to ROCK now."
he smiled as he scrolled to a favorite of his.
"Ah, here we go. Kiss Of Death."
He hit it and the song was heard easily in the room and the group just looked at him. Sera was smiling as she happily hummed the haunting tune. Ashy was nodding as well.
"Good choice."
it ended and Sera clapped.
"That was great, Tyler. Got anymore like it?"
"Oh hell yeah. Okay, ashy, watchya got?"
She passed her HUD over and his smile was of the most joy.
"We got your anime and hentai collection, MINE, and Kaori's. Nice."
Kaori then passed her HUD over and he got a look of shock and then smiled.
"Our first photo together. I get it now, kaori."
The party all looked at her.
"Hey, show us too!"
Tyler chuckled as he slid the thing to them. It was a shot of him with Kaori with a game board between them. Tyler and his blonde friend were less then half the size they were now, and Tyler had a look of anger on his face as Kaori was smiling. The party just laughed as they saw it.
"He was an angry one as a wee lad!"
"Kaori looks really cute!"
"He seems more dead."
"He does, and it's kinda hard to believe."
Tyler gave kaori a kiss and then Lily came over.
"Got your game ready."
She'd made the pieces and board perfectly.
"Thanks Lily."
He lifted her up and sat her on his leg. She smiled as she got to see the shot.
"I'm bigger then she was at my age. Good."
Kaori just looked away as Lily patted her own still developing chest. Tyler chuckled as he saw the bumps.
"And THAT'S everyone was how I got murdered."
Lily then patted kaori's back.
"it's okay, Kaori. He loves your rack more then Malico's."
Kaori smiled.
"I know he does."
She hugged the smaller girl and Tyler pulled the map out now as Malico put the scroll away.
"Okay, are we still set with he house plan?"
They nodded.
"Term is still a death trap. As such, until I say it's clear, we avoid the place unless it becomes absolutely necessary. I wonder if I should consult Ignatia on the Pope's arrogance?"
Wulf crossed his arms.
"I think that might be wise, as if the pope dies, then I think there goes the main issues."
Tyler rubbed his chin.
"Might be better to, just in case a decision was reached before this. Oh, and Sallie? Syliva? If Ashy's crystal comes out, WE decide what you get to see. Okay? There are things on that thing that will scar you for both afterlife and life."
The two spirits giggled.
"We already got warned."
"Plus we got our OWN sets!"
Wulf was now looking at Tyler.
"Ummm, I know I'm gonna regret this. But, how bad?"
Tyler smiled as he looked at Ashy.
"Hellsing?"
"I was thinking more…..Hell knight."
"jesus, yeah that'll do the trick."
"Wulf, if you'll please follow me."
The elf was now terrified.
"It's a rite of passage, Wulf."
Ashy led the elf to another room and shut the door as Kaori looked at Tyler.
"Is that the one with the horse?"
"If it's the one I think it is, well, think long wiggly slimy things."
Kaori shuddered.
"Okay. Girls, please, let us choose your shows."
Sallie and Sylvia giggled.
"Sure."
"I wanna watch that one, High school DxD?"
tyler lifted Sallie up and hugged her tightly.
"That's my girl."
Kaori was nodding as well.
"Not a bad first ecchi Sallie. Good choice."
Sera came over and climbed up to sit beside Lily on Tyler's leg.
"Can I see it too?"
"Sure Sera. We got a few you'd love."
She smiled as Tyler looked at Lucy.
"we got a few YOU'LL love too."
The hulking barbarian laughed.
"Aye, now I be curious."
Tyler was smiling as Wulf and Ashy came out. The girl busting up laughing as Wulf was pale. HE had a thousand yard stare as he sat down at the table and Ashy patted his back.
"Well, he got through it!"
"It the tentacle?"
"Yup!"
Tyler smiled as he looked at the elven ranger.
"Good LUCK sleeping tonight."
The elf just looked at him.
"What the fuck is wrong with your world? I feel like I need to go to a temple."
Tyler just laughed.
"Scary thing? That's not the most fucked up one I had."
Ashy was nodding.
"I gotta say, Tyler. You have quite a rather beautiful collection. Most of these I have never seen, and some only had like what? 300 copies?"
"I've always been good at finding rare gems. I mean, I found Sylvia here."
She giggled at that as Wulf looked at the spirit.
"You get to watch what I select."
"Relax Wulf. Ashy, go show him some eyebleach."
"Okay, any in particular?"
HE thought for a moment.
"I know. Show him Girls Und Panzer."
"Nah. That's a good one. But I'm thinking….K-on."
"Ohh, good call. That works. Binge the first…four episodes. That should do it."
"Oh, if that's the type of brain wipe we're going for, then we need to show him Takagi."
"Damn Ashy. You are good. Make it happen."
Wulf was then guided into the room and the door shut. Tyler laughed.
"The road is going to be so much more fun."
Kaori smiled as well.
"Hey, you have my favorite?"
Tyler frowned and pulled the music up.
"I should. It was…..Psi Missing, right?"
"Yup."
HE hit play and the girls where blown away by the beats and sounds. Sera was smiling again and Vixen was nodding along. Once it was over the group clapped.
"Your world has a most amazing collections of sounds."
"Sadly it would take far too long to explain how they did it. And, even if I could explain, you'd still not fully grasp it since it's so foreign to this world."
The black mage smiled.
"We understand. Now, I am curious as to what other sounds you have."
Tyler smiled.
"Oh, I got a good one. Linkin Park."
Kaori's green eyes lit up.
"New divide?"
"Oh hell yeah."
He hit play and Lucy and Thistle smiled as the drums heavy riffs hit them. Tyler was grinning hard as well as he too felt the rush the song gave him. It ended and the two ladies were still smiling.
"I feel like I could kill a dragon."
"I do too."
Tyler chuckled.
"That's nothing. Hey, Malico, I got a question for the scroll."
Malico just laughed as she pulled it out.
"I think she guessed."
The thing read.
"Yes, you can play it in battle."
"Nice to see we're starting to understand each other. Thanks Minus."
"Mortals."
Tyler then went to another song.
"Ohhh, now we getting somewhere."
Kaori looked over curiously.
"what is it?"
He hit it and Kaori gasped.
"Oh my gods, I forgot you liked Charlotte."
The group looked at her.
"The Coward?"
Tyler turned up the music.
"Name of a show. This song came from it."
Sera was swaying back and forth.
"It's very relaxing."
"I got a few that served no purpose other the to help me unwind."
Lily was also enjoying the music.
"A good taste in the arts. As I would expect from my WILL-be lover."
"Scary part Lily? You're not wrong. On either account. Tyler may have a questionable taste in viewing, but when it came to music? Guy knew the good stuff."
Lily smiled as she hugged Kaori.
"We'll share."
They laughed as Wulf and Ashy came back. The elf had more light in his eyes and Ashy was humming the tune to the show.
"Better?"
Wulf nodded as he sat down.
"Much. I can't believe you loved it."
"I may love the depraved, blood soaked stuff, but I also like to relax every now and again. Should check out the one called Wolf's Rain."
Ashy smiled.
"That tent is going to be great fun on a rainy day. There's a projector function."
"We got the go ahead to blast tunes in battle."
"Now I wanna kill somethin to Megadeath."
"ya know what? I do too. Anyone up for a raid?"
The party looked at each other, and grinned.
"We're in."
"The guild hall is where?"
"Right this way."
The now hungry for battle party got up and left the mansion to head to the town guild. The sun was going down, but the party all had night sight. So, they were not afraid. They strode into the hall and the guild members saw their looks and laughed.
"Oh shit, they're feeling it!"
"Some poor bastards are done for!"
"When the OUTCASTS get the blood hunger, gods help us all."
"Right? But, we all know the greatest thing they can do to help us is FIX THAT FACE!"
They lost it as Tyler and Wulf looked at the board as the other party members readied weapons and gear. Tyler smiled as he saw a large poster.
"Wanted. Killing of a Dragel. Reward. 25 gold. Wulf?"
"A Dragel is another member of the dragonkin. Basically? A female lisk."
"That works!"
Tyler took it as the guild busted out laughing as a lady in a red suit with a single horn on her forehead came forward.
"Sirrah. I am obligated by guild rules to give further details."
"So, what are we dealing with?"
"Sirrah. Thirty five adventurers have fallen thus far to thus job. As such, the reward has increased to 50 gold. As well as a new title."
"What's the title?"
"Guild Avenger. It boosts strength, physical defense, and stamina by 75. And, grants access to other such tasks as this. If a member of the guild falls to a job, the Avenger may choose to take first pick."
Tyler smiled.
"We have a few that are not guild members. I think it's time we add them."
Serafina, Lily, Thistle, Sera, Lillica, and Ashy smiled. The lady chuckled.
"The elven girl is too young. But, since she's a member of YOUR party. We'll accept her."
Lily snorted.
"Ya didn't really have a choice."
Tyler smiled.
"Lily is MY apprentice. I taught her myself."
The guild had a collective gulp. Tyler laughed.
"You have NO idea."
The ritual was preformed, though when Sera was proclaimed to have a Minotaur Balor as a confirmed kill, the guild was then seen to go white in the face. She giggled.
"Don't fuck with the Outcast's Little sister!"
Tyler jabbed a thumb at her.
"I taught her too. Not as much though."
Lillica got no less fear as her grand lich was listed. Then Lily's killing of giants and her other feats just made the guild look at tyler.
"Lad."
Tyler looked over curious.
"What's up?"
"Those three ARE princesses, right?"
"Yup. Sera von Vernillion and her sister. Lillica von Vernillion. Oh, Lily's Queen Willow's daughter."
The guild was now swept with a new wave of respect. The man that had spoken spoke again.
"Pray tell, how long did it take you to train them?"
"Bout, what? Three weeks?"
Sera thought for a moment as she got her medal.
"That sounds right. We met you maybe a week after the first summoning, and our training began that day. So, maybe closer to 8?"
Wulf did a little math.
"That seems right to me as well. The first wave is in less then three weeks, so 8 seems right."
"You transformed two princesses that were raised all their lives in luxury into adventurers capable of killing Minotaur balors and grand Liches in just 8 weeks?"
"They're still learning, but yup. Awesome aren't they?"
The guild just slumped.
"I feel inadequate mates."
"As to we all."
"The hells we been doin these years?"
Tyler smiled as they finished.
"We good ladies?"
Sera nodded.
"Let's go kill a Dragel! I'm hungry!"
The guild laughed.
"Ah that's why! Girl's got fire!"
Lily smiled as they walked.
"Momma didn't raise no coward!"
That got a lot of appreciative nods as Tyler and the party left to mount up. As they finished, Wallace and Vollock came up.
"New crisis?"
Tyler smiled.
"Nah. Just heard our blades saying they're bored. You know how it be."
The sea rovers did.
"Now that is something to aspire to. Aye lad, we get it. Make em hurt."
"What's the unlucky bastard this time?"
"A dragel"
"Of course it is."
The party rode out through the gate as the town's people shook their heads smiling.
"Hot blooded Warriors. We need more of them."
Wulf was leading the way to the thing's lair. Tyler playing a song for riding to war, Crossing field, and the party was getting eager.
The thing's lair was set with in a small rock hollow they smelled before they saw. There were scorched out trees, rocks, and the smell of rotting flesh. They hitched their horses and drew blades. Tyler using Oblivion and Oathkeeper with Lily right beside him. They walked along with Wulf and Ashy wielding loaded bows, Kaori and Malico as well, Thistle her Magicite axe, Lucy her new two handed greatsword, Vixen and Serafina their spells, sera and Lillica their bows as well, and Lily her mythril sword and Additite shield. Tyler spotted the blue bulk of the creature curled up in a ball and smiled.
"Lily, stay close. Archers circle and rain hell, Mages try to blind the thing, Lucy, Thistle, keep it off balance."
They nodded as he looked to one song.
"Tonight's asskicking is brought to you by, Rob Zombie's Dragula."
They then ran forward as the thing rose to it's feet and spread wide wings. Tyler smiled as Lily shadowed him with Lucy and thistle beside them.
"Looks like fun ladies!"
The thing went to flap it's 60 foot wide wings, only for the first volley of arrows to slam into it's arms, eliciting a loud bellow of pain. The thing drew in a breath for an attack, only for a blue scale arrow to hit it in the throat, and explode with a red enhancement.
"Helluva a shot Ashy!"
Tyler and the melee fighters reached it's legs now and Tyler smashed his dual mythril blades into a leg as Lucy and Thistle took it's other. Lily, on the other hand, saw an opportunity. She sprang onto the back of Tyler, and used him like a spring broad to launch herself up to the small grove he'd pointed out in the black lisk he'd killed. She then used her upper body to slam her small mythril blade in the hole, and she pierced it's heart. Tyler was right there to catch her as she tore it free. The thing hissed, and fell to the ground with a heavy thud that shook the ground as the party regrouped. Tyler was hugging Lily as she basked in her kill.
"Atta girl Lily! You just killed a Dragel!"
the party all took turns congratulating her on a clean kill. Then Tyler smiled.
"Now, let's get paid!"
They laughed, for with their night sight skill, the after dark looked like high noon sunlight. Lily was seated on Tyler's shoulder as she was the heroine of the hour. They walked around the outside of the hollow and found the thing's cave easily enough, and Serafina and Tyler went in first, having the most experience in caves. The party found the trove and whistled at the three foot tall pile.
"You know the drill ladies."
They got to work stripping the cave to the stone. Tyler walking around the cave walls using his detection skills to search for tombs.
"Wow. Been a while since we walked into a cave and NOT found a tomb."
They laughed as he then turned to aid in the looting. Tyler was loading coins into the pouch, when he heard a huh? He looked, and Sera came out of a small nook with a vest.
"Whatchya got Sera?"
She looked at him.
"I think Mythril."
Tyler walked over and lifted it.
"I thought so too, but it doesn't feel like Mythril. Here."
Tyler took his own vest off and let Sera hold it.
"Oh, I see. Mythril feels slightly….smoother I guess."
Tyler put the thing back on.
"I'll try appraisal."
He lit his eyes up and smiled.
"We got ourselves an Additite Vest here."
Wulf shook his head.
"Of course we do. We make finding priceless treasures look like an artform."
Tyler looked at Lily.
"Hey, Lily. Let's see if it fits."
She smiled and changed as Wulf made Tyler turn around.
"Not where I can see, PLEASE?"
"Eh, fair."
"Safe."
Tyler looked, and it fit her body perfectly.
"Well, whaddya think?"
She moved around a bit and shrugged.
"It feels lighter, like I'm not really wearing a vest."
"Like it?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you got an upgrade."
She smiled and hugged him.
"Hey, Tyler? We got a problem."
He looked over to where Malico was hold a license, and was shaking in terror. He was beside her the next instant.
"What'd you find Malico?"
She gulped.
"Dragon's leash."
The natives gasped in horror. Tyler looked at it.
"What does it do?"
"It's the spell the black one used to enslave the dragons."
"That's it. Everybody out. We are WAYYYYY in over our heads on this one."
They ran out as tyler looked to the sky.
"Tempesta, we got a problem. A BIG problem."
There were wing beats the next instant and Tempesta landed in the hollow.
"I am here."
"Malico presented the license.
"It has resurfaced, Lord."
He took one look at the thing, and growled in fury.
"Explain."
Tyler nodded.
"We took a job to kill that Dragel over there, as a bit of fun. No issues in the fight and Lily here killed it. We're looting it's trove and Malico finds that. Where was it?"
"Near a pile of gold coins. Just sitting there."
"So, once she told me what that thing was, I called you."
The dragon nodded.
"A very wise move, boy. Have you finished looting?"
"We have not. No. Soon as I understood what we were looking at, we dropped what we were doing."
"I see. I cannot fit in the cave. Finish the search."
"The thing?"
"I'll destroy it myself."
Tyler placed it down and the blue dragon set it on fire. Tyler nodded to the dragel.
"Appreciate it if you'd not eat that one."
Tempesta flicked him in the vest, sending him flying into the cave.
"Jackass."
Tyler was laughing as he hit the stone. He was getting up and dusting himself off, when he felt a familiar feeling. He dove to the ground as an arrow whizzed over his head. He was up and with his blades out as he spotted a cloaked skeleton with a jet black bow readying another shot. He sighed.
"I get it now."
Tyler blew a loud whistle on his lips that echoed around the cave.
"Demon's Wrath. Second Rage."
He flew at the thing with Gliepnir and Fafnir, his twin mythril broadswords, twirling as he charged the fell thing. The creature went for a sword, only to get hit in the face with his blades.
"Holy Smite. Holy Fire."
The anti-undead spells engulfed the now screaming creature as Tyler kept up slashing and stabbing as his party tried to reach him, but were blocked by a barrier they could not breach. Tyler was slashing and hacking the thing between stabbing it in the heart, using all his strength and Demon wrath power. He was not letting the thing even move as he tripped it to the ground and was using his undead spells against it.
"Rock smash."
He leapt into the air as he used the spell on both blades to slam them into the thing's head. Shattering it outright. It shirked as a black mass rose up to engulf Tyler's body. HE then dropped to the ground as the single largest pressure was forced onto his mind.
"You WILL NOT CONTROL ME!"
Tyler opened the torture chamber that was his mind and shoved the force inside and locked it tight. He then held it shut as his mind did it's work, tearing the force apart in as agonizing a manner as conceivably possible. The thing fought hard, and then it just dissipated entirely. He then found his eyes were closed, and when he opened them, he was looking at the bright blue sky, with Tempesta's wing over his face.