DAYS UNTIL WAVE: 19
Tyler opened his eyes to see Seline's sleeping face next to his with Sallie and Sylvia still cuddled in her fur. I LOVE this world! HE leaned over and kissed her awake, getting a happy sigh.
"If that is how you wake Kaori in the morning, I'm jealous."
HE kissed her again as Sallie giggled.
"He loves waking Kaori like that."
She smiled up at them from her spot nestled in Seline's fur. Sylvia woke up next with a yawn.
"I MISSED her fur!"
They laughed as they got up. They bathed and he geared up. Seline took her spot at her desk as he came over to kiss her lovingly.
"Go see Verilica for a morning lay."
HE smiled as he kissed her again, just cause. Sallie and Sylvia got a warm hug before they became spirits and climbing up onto his shoulders.
"So you know. Next time, show me the crystal."
HE smiled.
"I was gonna, but, well, YOU."
She just flicked the tip of her tail at him.
"Get out of here."
Tyler winked at her as he rode the lift down.
"See ya later Seline."
She laughed as he vanished from sight.
"I love that man."
Tyler walked out and spotted Yoko in her booth. He smiled as he walked over to her.
"Hey Yoko."
She perked up.
"Got a new bounty or just here to ruin my underwear?"
"When do you get off work today?"
She laughed as her tail twitched.
"Ruin it is. I get off at noon."
"Nice. I'll bed you then."
She sighed as he left her with that.
"Great. Now I'm STUCK with it!"
The Outcast headed for the guild and spotted the feral imp walking out the door.
"Hey, Verilica."
She looked over and smiled happily as she saw him approaching.
"Need me or want me?"
"Want. Got a place?""
She licked her fangs as her tail danced behind her.
"Oh follow me."
HE took her hand and she led him to her small home near his Mansion. They walked in and she locked the door before leading him to her bedroom. There they stripped and he got a good look at her naked body. Her skin was pale, her breasts perky enough to not need support even though they put Malico's to shame, and her slit was bald. She laid down as he mounted her and she sighed hard as he entered her slit.
"Oh, I've ACHED for this!"
HE kissed his first imp as they got to it. Him loving her tight tunnel and her going wild for her longed for lover. She got her morning cream and orgasms as her ability to walk that day was taken in full. She fell to the bed satisfied and he kissed her happily many times.
"I loved it."
"I love you. We'll do this again."
She wrapped her tail around his waist and he stroked it.
"So, how was your first devilkin?"
He kissed her again, and dragged his tongue over her fang.
"Simply diabolically divine."
She moaned hard as he teased her.
"I LOVE you!"
They kissed a bunch more times before she smiled.
"I'd like to sleep now."
"Sure. Good thing I live next door, eh?"
She looked at him shocked.
"You bought Spearview manor?"
"Umm, If the place is that one there, yeah."
HE pointed out the window and she smiled.
"Well. I like where that's going."
He kissed her one last time and got dressed as she sighed.
"I'll look forward to next time, love."
He smiled.
"As will I lover."
She shivered as he left.
"Damn him! HE just might be part Incubus!"
Tyler walked into Melly's tavern and found his party already eating breakfast. Kaori smiled as he sat next to her.
"Seline THAT good?"
HE kissed her and she sighed.
"Oh, I see. You paid Verilica a visit this morning."
"She's not leaving her bed today. I'll see Yoko later as well."
That made the table whistle appreciatively as Wulf just sighed.
"I STILL can't win."
Ashy patted her lover's hand comfortingly.
"It's okay Wulfy, we play plenty."
Tyler smiled as he pulled his map out while he ate.
"Okay, the order of the day is practice. We got three days till the two week heads up. So. Plan is to spend tonight, and tomorrow night here. Then we'll head for Term with a one day buffer."
Wulf crossed his arms as he looked at the map.
"What do you mean by practice?"
"Close raids. We'll look over the job board and take those in a four hour hard ride. This point we're polishing our skills. Sera, Lillica and Lily need a single solo raid before they're up to par. That said, in Term they do NOT go ANYWHERE without myself, Kaori, or Wulf. ESPECIALLY once the other Warriors show up. Actually. No one goes anywhere alone."
Lily flexed her arm.
"I'd like to kick Max in the balls."
"We'll get you spiked boots."
Lucy was curious.
"Ye don't think they'd attack ME do ya?"
"You they'd see as a mere conquest. You being bigger than them by a good foot just paints a target on her back."
The barbarian sighed.
"I see ye point lad. Scum everyone of them."
Tyler shrugged.
"It'll be fun to watch Max get deballed by Lily."
They laughed as he hugged the girl. Then he became serious again.
"Wulf. If we see my family in the city, we let them die in the waves."
The Ranger smiled darkly.
"I whole heartedly agree. We swore a Bloodoath to kill them in as painful a manner as possible, and this is indeed a painful manner."
"If in the EXTREMELY unlikely scenario they survive, well, we'll get the knives out and the spells."
Vixen smiled.
"I'll look forward to it."
Sylvia smiled darkly now.
"If we get to cut them, I demand a stab myself."
Tyler and Wulf looked at her.
"She gets the killing stab."
"Agreed."
Kaori hugged the elf.
"Love you too, Sylvia."
Tyler then frowned.
"Hey, Malico, can I see the scroll a sec?"
She passed it and he looked at it.
"Soo, question. Are Sallie and Sylvia allowed to kill in the Shell bodies?"
The scroll burst out with lines of laughter.
"You are a most amusing mortal! Sensing issues in the most unlikely of places. Yes, Mortal. They may kill in their Shell forms. That said, once the deed is done, they'd need to return to spirit form for a period of two hours as is a trade with Death itself."
"A trade?"
"Indeed, Mortal. Spirit Shell is Death's own creation. As such, to prevent abuse, it placed this rule upon it: if a spirit takes the Shell form and kills another Mortal being, it must sacrifice time from it's Shell form to atone for the act as it is an insult to Death for the dead to kill."
"So, how does that fit with Undead then?"
The scroll frowned now.
"That's...a good question. These creatures are indeed dead, yet still kill."
Another set of writing appeared under Minus' neat words, and these had a most unnervingness to them.
"Undead are Mortals that refused to accept it's absoluteness, and clung to their bodies upon entering it's embrace. Thus, they are excluded from the rule as they were never spirits to begin with."
"Hmm, That makes sense, I guess. I still feel like I'm missing something here though."
The words continued.
"That perception is terrifying even to Death itself. Shades are created from when a spirit kills and ignores the rule. As they ignored Death's trueness twice."
"There it is. Thanks Death."
"Mortal."
The writing left and Minus' returned.
"Well, that was enlightening. Never thought Death itself would come to explain itself to a mere Mortal."
Tyler shrugged.
"Death is unpredictable, unfair, and cruelty itself sometimes. Yet always keeps its word. So, how can it keep its word without properly explaining the terms it made itself. Do you follow me or I lose you?"
"I follow you fully Mortal. And thank you for both the new information and the most amusing turn of events."
"Glad to amuse you. Till the next head splitter."
The scroll rolled up and he passed it back to Malico. Vixen chuckled.
"It's a little scary how well you seem to understand Death."
Tyler smiled as he rubbed Sallie's hair.
"It kept his word thus far."
She shook her head as he looked at Wulf.
"We'll go grab some bills."
HE looked at Kaori.
"The mansion should be ready by now, but we'll see it later."
She kissed him.
"We'll sleep in OUR bed!"
"In OUR mansion!"
She was smiling as Mia came out with some more coffee.
"I remember you said you had something for us last night."
"Ah yeah."
Mia sat at the table as he explained Seline's deal.
"So, we'd get to live the life of luxury in that mansion while you're away and as long as we keep it clean, we get the run of the place?"
"That's the idea. Seline says it's a common practice for Warriors."
She rubbed her chin.
"Pay?"
HE crossed his arms.
"Let's see. We have no idea how long we'll be gone for. So, let's say 300 gold when we leave. And, when we get back, 400. Sound fair?"
Mia just looked at him, stunned. Melly smiled as she was at the table and poked her mother's nose.
"Boop."
It restarted her fired brain.
"Yer willing to pay us a king's ransom just fer cleanin?"
"And to keep secret whatever you may see in there. Plus, we could be gone for years, so it seems fair."
She smiled then.
"Will it be just us?"
"Well, I was planning to ask Yoko."
Kaori flipped her hair.
"I wouldn't. It doesn't seem right, hiring her as a mere maid."
Mia looked at Melly who was comparing dagger with Sera.
"I see now. I've seen the place. How many did Seline say were needed to clean it?"
"Ten?"
"Ha. We three can do it easily enough. Plus Melly gets to live like a wealthy girl."
He smiled.
"Seline says she'd let her own crew handle your place while you're in mine."
"We live here in the tavern, so not needed but appreciated. So, we have a deal."
Tyler and the burly lady shook hands.
"We'll be in town for the nest two days, so we'll pay you when we leave for Term."
She nodded.
"Aye. Be interestin to see how the Outcasts live."
Tyler paid for the meal and he and Wulf left to go look at jobs. They walked in and tyler went to turn in the kobold bill as Wulf looked at jobs. The lady behind the counter was another elf, and she paid the 25 silver with a smile.
"Here ye are, Sirrah."
HE nodded and went to look with Wulf.
"Anything interesting?"
HE pulled a large bill.
"Wanted: Slaying of a Fire drake. Reward 3 gold. A drake is dragonkin, right?"
The ranger smiled.
"Indeed they are. Best part? This one claimed the cave you killed that Balor in."
"Cool. We'll take Lily, Sera, Lillica, you, and...Kaori. Since it's a dragonkin we can expect a moderate payday."
"Fire drakes prefer gems to coins, but you're not wrong."
Tyler took the bill as the elf from the booth came over.
"Sirrah. I must inform you of that one."
HE looked at her.
"Very well."
"15 adventurers have fallen to it already. As such, the reward was raised to 5 gold with the title guild avenger, which I am aware you already have."
"I see. Well, thank you miss."
"Sirrah, please, my name is Brook."
"My name's Tyler, Brook. Nice to put a name to the face."
Wulf just shook his head as he pulled another bill down.
"Found one for a goblin camp."
Tyler became deathly serious with a hint of anger as he looked at the thing.
"Wanted. Killing of a goblin camp. Reward 55 silver. Wulf?"
"Near the bandit camp we got that torment off."
"We're leveling it."
"Of course."
Tyler took the bill with a trembling fury that made the other adventurers a little nervous.
"Never seen him THAT pissed."
"He must HATE them things."
Tyler took a breath.
"Mine. I will kill them all."
The sheer fury and hatred in his voice sent a shiver down the backs of the others in the room, excluding Wulf, who shrugged.
"They killed his little sister."
They got it then. And mugs were filled and drained in the fallen's honor. Even though Sallie was giggling in her spirit form right beside him. Tyler looked back at the board and spotted another large one.
"Wanted: Slaying of a Hook Wraith. Reward…..30 gold? Wulf?"
The ranger smiled.
"Now that's a decent find. A Hook Wraith is a large beast, maybe ten feet tall. Think massive owl with ruined wing feathers that has long talons on the feet, long arms that can't be used to fly with hook-like claws, and a nasty beak."
"They valuable?"
"Not really. Their talons and beaks are pretty decent, but their true worth comes from their dens. They collect shiny stuff as you put it."
"Nice. Where's this one?"
"Oh, I know that spot. It's maybe two hours from the eastern gate, and is nestled into a small alcove under a rock formation."
Brook spoke up next.
"That one also as an update, Tyler."
"It kill people?"
"More special request for completion. Upon slaying, the talons and beak are to be presented upon the turning in of the bill for payment."
"I see. Well, we're more practicing so that's fine."
She smiled as Tyler added it to the bundle. Wulf smiled widely now as he pulled another down.
"Got one for a Golem."
"A golem?"
"An earth spirit that possessed some nonliving thing. This being a rock formation so it's a Golem."
"How the hell to you fight a rock?"
"Shatter it. Rock smasher works perfectly. Plus, the stone they use is valued by construction companies due to it's strength and durability."
"Wow. Nice selection of beasts. A golem, fire drake, goblins, and a hook wraith. Not bad for a days work."
Wulf chuckled.
"Should see the variety in my homeland. TopLeaf alone as Orcs, Goblins, Stone giants, Wraith bears, Silisks, Broken, the occasional Harpy, and rock drakes."
"Nice."
Tyler was looking over the board when he spotted one that made him frown.
"Wanted. Slaying of a Werewolf. Reward is 25 gold."
Wulf chuckled.
"Not what you're thinking. Weres are more common then you'd think, but the ones that get a bounty on them are the 'feral' weres. Or, ones that couldn't control the beast within them and as such are were taken over by it."
Tyler took it down as Brook spoke up.
"That one has an extra request as well Tyler."
HE looked at her.
"It bad?"
"The request is for the pelt Sirrah. Upon completion and the turning in of the pelt, you'll receive the gold, and a license from the brown path along with the white. Sadly, I cannot tell you what the spells are."
"Sounds right. Wulf?"
"It's near the spot we met the army at. Werewolves are nocturnal, so we should catch it napping."
"How do you get the affliction?"
"A bite or a cut from the teeth or claws. If we get hit, we'd need to visit the Purity temple before the next full moon or we'll become a Were ourselves."
Tyler smiled.
"We'll take it. And NO Wulf I do NOT want to be a Werewolf."
The ranger breathed a sighed or relief.
"Oh thank the gods."
Tyler just shook his head.
"Okay, we'll start with these for now."
The ranger nodded and they left the hall.
"Later Chain!"
Tyler smiled at the chain mail wearing beauty sitting in the corner. She smiled at him as he went. They reconvened at the inn with the party, and Tyler opened the map.
"We got a fix on a Fire drake, a Hook Wraith, a goblin camp that is MINE, a Golem, and a werewolf."
Serafina looked at the were bill.
"A werewolf. I'd like to go for this one."
"Vampires and werewolves not get along?"
She smiled.
"You and goblins."
"Yeesh, fair enough. Okay, these are new creatures, as such I don't feel comfortable sending Sera, Lillica and Lily alone to kill them."
The girls nodded.
"Okay, so, we'll ALL hit the Fire drake. As the Were is on the way, we'll kill it first. We're to skin the thing and deliver it's pelt to the guild for a new brown spell and a new white spell. Issues?"
Serafina sighed.
"I will admit their fur is soft."
"The Hook wraith has one as well. Only the beak and talons are to be taken."
Vixen crossed her arms.
"Such a creature is easily beaten, since their heart is just under their right shoulder like a person."
"Sera'll take the thing out easily then. Her cuteness is heart piercing."
"Eep!"
"See?"
Sera was beat red at the sudden shout out and the table patted her fondly. Tyler placed a hand on the goblin camp.
"This one is mine. I'll have Wulf, Kaori and Malico go with me in case of surprise, but it's MINE."
The party nodded as Sallie and Sylvia shuddered.
"We can feel your hatred like a knife."
"It's a little scary."
Tyler forced the hate down and sighed.
"Better?"
They smiled.
"Much!"
"Thank you!"
He smiled as Wulf placed the Golem bill on the table. Lily smiled now.
"An earth Golem? I'd like to go please. They usually have really good ore in their bodies."
"Sure lily. We're prospecting the caves we're going into as well."
"Yay."
"Alright. Let's get to work."
The party downed their mugs as Tyler put the silver in a giggling Melly's hand.
"Make em hurt!"
"Just for you, Melly."
Tyler walked out and bought a news crystal off a passing runner before they went for the stables. They mounted up as the ferrier came over.
"Sirrah. A moment."
Tyler looked at him as he was saddling Thunder.
"What can I do fer ya?"
The man smiled.
"I heard you bought ole Spearview, be this true?"
"Indeed I did. It be a fine home."
"That it be. If I recall, it has two sets of stables, correct?"
Kaori smiled as she sensed where this was headed.
"Indeed it does."
The man looked to the party horse expert.
"I be wonderin if ye lookin fer hands to care for your mounts when yer in town."
Tyler looked at Kaori.
"Yer the expert."
She smiled prettily.
"I'd say we are. Are you aware we won't be in town very often?"
"Aye Milady, I be. As I'll work here when you off making the land rumble, and when yer in town work fer the party."
She looked at Tyler.
"The horses were well cared for while we were here."
"Should I look?"
"Might be wise for anyone we let in our home."
Tyler turned to the now curious man.
"C'mere a sec. Since yer lookin to enter our home I need to use a skill I have."
"Aye, Sah. I understand. Is it that readin thing I heard you can do?"
"It is."
Tyler looked no longer an five seconds.
"We gots ourselves a fanboy. Sure lad, we'll hire ye. What's your current pay rate?"
"I get 10 silver a day, Sah."
"10? We'll pay 30 a day, sound fair?"
The lad smiled widely and held out his hand.
"Mighty fair Sah. I'll get right over to see how they look."
Tyler clasped hands with their new ferrier.
"Good man. So yer aware, when you work in our home, what you see and hear does NOT cross that threshold, we clear?"
"Crystal Sah!"
The man left to go see the Outcasts' stables as Tyler and the party mounted up. Kaori was smiling as they left.
"That boy is a great horse tender."
Tyler kissed her.
"You're still the best."
She smiled happily as they left the gate. Then they rumbled along to kill a werewolf.
"Serafina, anything in particular to hit with a werewolf?"
"Just the heart. Just think of it as a wolf on hind legs."
"Good enough."
They thundered along as Tyler played some of the tunes for roaming for them. Lily on his horse again as he loved having her there last night. They reached the spot Tyler and Wulf had hitched horses for the army in a mere hours ride. Tyler, Wulf, Serafina, and ashy were the hunters this time, and they moved through the woodland to reach the last seen spot. Serafina with a most giddy expression at the thought of killing such a creature, Ashy for her animal knowledge, Wulf as tracker. They arrived at the field and Wulf looked at the ground still trampled pretty badly from the army.
"Did they hit ALL your traps?"
Tyler smiled.
"To reach the wall, they would have HAD to. I may be an evil genius, but I don't leave potential landmines everywhere."
The elf breathed a sigh of relief as Ashy looked at Tyler a little amazed.
"Surprised you didn't use it as a chance for a prank."
Tyler smiled at the kind hearted girl.
"I bust his balls all the damn time, but I don't do evil pranks like that. Plus, well, I gotta be careful just WHAT door I open."
Wulf got it.
"Especially since Sylvia and Kaori are so close."
"See?"
They laughed as Serafina sniffed the breeze.
"I can smell the beasts odor."
"Wow, Serafina. Lead the way please."
She smiled and they were off. They moved at a light trot for maybe five minutes before they came over a hill to see a ball of curled up fur five feet tall in the center of a field. Serafina snorted softly.
"Lazy mutt."
Tyler smiled as he fitted arrow to bow.
"We'll surround it. Arrows only."
The party moved as silently as a Wraith to take the snoring beast in a four corner box. Tyler smiled as he looked around at the hunters. Seeing they were in position, he blew a sharp whistle that wakened the beast. It surged to it's feet, only for Tyler's arrow to slam into it's chest with a vicious impact. It grunted before dropping to the ground dead as a doornail. Serafina snorted again.
"Worthless dog."
Tyler and Ashy just laughed as they approached the fallen creature.
"Hey, Ashy."
"Yeah?"
"Vampires and Werewolves hating each other. We've seen that a time or two before."
"It's a trope for a reason!"
Tyler kicked the thing before letting Ashy get her knife out. He retrieved his arrow and she had the pelt off in ten minutes. She whistled.
"Wow. Fur IS soft."
They added the pelt to Tyler's craft pouch, and they were off. The party were looking at the bills as the hunters returned. Kaori smiled as she got a kiss.
"Verdict?"
"Got the thing napping in an open field."
she snorted.
"Wow. Lame."
They rode to the hollow to kill the Fire drake. The ride was a gallop as the group had three full bills to do before the sun went down. They reached the hollow after a half hour and they could already smell the stench of rotting meat from the drake's meals. They hitched up and moved to the rim. They found the drake resting in a red ball, sound asleep. The thing was maybe 15 feet long, and stood 9 high. It had now wings, and a long spiked tail. Tyler drew Gliepnir, Lucy her axe and Thistle her axe, Vixen and Serafina readied spells, as the rest put arrow to bow. Tyler and the two ladies dropped to the bottom of the hollow and the drake woke with a roar of challenge. Tyler smiled as he and the blood dancer and the barbarian surged forward as the beast readied it's breath, only for a well aimed arrow to slam into it's throat.
"Nice shot Sera!"
"Teehee!"
The thing swung it's tail at the melee fighters, but Tyler swung his broadsword in an upward stroke, severing the section of tail completely as Lucy swung her Magicite axe into the thing's leg as Thistle did the same but from the opposite side. The thing howled in pain and fell to it's side. Tyler was right there to pierce it's scales with Gleipnir and stab it's heart. It died with a rattle.
"Nice work everyone! Lily, we'll go look over the cave as they butcher the thing."
The elf girl gave Kaori a smug grin.
"Actually. Kaori's got prospect too. Hey, Kaori, wanna come?"
The blonde smiled.
"Sure. Be a nice change of pace."
She hoped down as Lily fumed as she knew she'd done it to herself. The elf girl sighed as she followed. Tyler and the two girls walked in to the former trove cave.
"We heading right to the main chamber?"
"We'll start in the tomb Lily got her high draugr kill."
The mountain elf smiled as she remembered.
"I killed with me shield."
He patted her head affectionately.
"Love you too Lily."
The trio found the tomb and the corpse still there. Lily started using prospect as Kaori did on her side. Tyler looking in another wall.
"Hey, got more tin."
"Nice, kaori."
"Wow. Found a twenty foot silver. Might be a gem in it."
"Nifty. I got some iron, lead, and a bit of zinc."
They did a circle and once finished the pickaxes came out and the ore extracted. They then moved to the trove cave. They walked along the wall with the skill searching for ore.
"Got iron, some good coal, lead again, wow, Oremicah."
"Oremicah?"
"Dark grey metal. Used for making grey path weaponry. It's kinda rare actually."
"Nice."
Kaori was running her hand on the wall when she stopped.
"The hell?"
Tyler looked at her.
"Find something?"
"I got another hollow feeling."
HE frowned and used his detection on it.
"I can't sense anything behind it. Okay. Guards up."
Tyler blew the whistle and the party came running. Tyler took Lily's sledge as he explained.
"Kaori found another hollow spot but my detection didn't pick up on it."
They nodded and weapons were readied. Tyler used his rock smash on the spot Kaori marked, and the wall just exploded. Once the dust settled they were faced with another room with benches, a circle, beakers, and a slab. Vixen sighed.
"Another Raiser lab."
Tyler and Vixen walked in cautiously, and she snorted.
"It's not his. This one is far older."
HE looked at the dust.
"Or is a backup lab. Search the place."
Vixen burned the circle away as Tyler pulled the search gloves on and began poking around.
"Lily, keep using prospect."
"Right."
Tyler opened a drawer, and found more notebooks.
"Heads up, got three more books."
"I got a few licenses."
"What are they?"
"Umm, Lich leash, Demon Call, and Shade Collar."
Vixen whistled.
"The summoner's toolkit. They each summon the creature named and forces it to obey a command."
"Probably explains the Pride balor."
"Not really. That thing was a fresh summon, this lab is maybe a few decades old."
Tyler nodded as they finished looking over the lab.
"Lily."
"Got a mass of iron, copper, tin, lead, coal, some redsteel, more Oremicah, some decent quartz, and a rather thick vein of corundum."
Tyler looked at her.
"Corundum?"
"It's another ingredient for steel besides coal. Honestly? Coal's better."
"I'll get the ore out before we give Tempesta the update. Hoe's the drake looking?"
"About halfway. That meat pouch is half way full by the way."
"Well, least we won't go hungry."
That got a laugh as he tore the ore from the walls. Once the cave was clear he walked out and looked at the sky.
"Tempesta, we found another lab."
The wing beats were heard a few minutes later as the lord of blue flew to land on the rim of the hollow. Tyler explained as the others finished the drake body.
"We took a job killing that thing, and as we were prospecting the cave, Kaori found a hollow feeling my detection did not. I tore the wall open and sure enough, we found another lab."
The dragon rumbled as he looked at him.
"I sense you waited to inform me."
"The layers of dust on the bench was a centimeter thick. Very best it's a backup lab. Worst, abandoned. These were also inside."
He laid the three notebooks out. Tempesta's eyes glowed and he looked at Tyler.
"They are not his."
"No. I looked them over before calling you, and they spoke of a mere summoner. That said, I felt it best to at least let you know we found it."
The blue dragon nodded.
"A wise move. I would have preferred to have been told immediately, but understand the reasoning. So, the lab will be destroyed."
"Good. I got in contact with Minus, and in turn Death itself."
Here, Tempesta fixed him with a most intense look.
"What was the outcome?"
"I gave Minus the heads up on the raiser, and she in turn alerted Death. There was a hole in Death for a resurrection to be performed. It was plugged by Death, and the thinner areas shorn up."
Tempesta breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank the scale. We have time. Plenty, if Death itself is aware now."
"My reasoning exactly. That said, my thoughts are to act as if we expect him to achieve his goal next month."
Tempesta scratched his chin.
"I understand you had the king of humans operate as if he were going to be killed by the pope before you killed him, is that correct?"
"It is. I honestly thought Ishtar would be killed before we got the bastard."
The dragon nodded.
"I agree. Plan for the worst possible outcome as if it were a certain thing."
"While working now to at least mitigate the problem the best you can."
The dragon sighed.
"We've flown far and wide and have yet to find a trace of this monster. Across other territories as well."
"Well, that lends credit to my traitor theory."
Tempesta blinked.
"How so?"
Tyler smiled.
"well. Such an endeavor to make a hole in Death itself leaves feelings in the world itself, right?"
The dragon settled down to listen most attentively.
"Indeed it does. It targets the veil between this world and the next like a thinning."
"Okay, let me ask this. Can it be hidden from DRAGONS, by a dragon."
Tempesta gasped.
"It…can. For the dragon in question would know just HOW to fool us!"
"And since no one, dragons included would think to look in an already clean region,"
"We've not even eliminated a single area."
The dragon sighed now.
"We've been approaching the search wrong. We were operating under the assumption that there were NO traitors. Okay, Ignatia, Furiosa, and Glacious are NOT traitors, right?"
"No. I've seen their eyes, and seen neither lie nor deceit in them."
"So every other dragon in the realm is a potential turn scale. Great."
"Well, we got Glacious. They fucked."
The dragon burst out laughing inspite of the tense conversation. Tyler smiled as he looked at his party.
"How's the drake looking?"
Kaori smiled.
"We're nearly done. Pouch had a decent amount."
"What we make?"
"We got maybe 100 rubies, and 55 silver."
"Not bad."
Tyler looked back to the dragon as it got back under control.
"Well played that. Okay, is the cave clear?"
"We ran a fine tooth comb through it."
The dragon nodded as he placed some more scales on the ground.
"I'll destroy the lab."
"Thanks Tempesta."
Tyler added them to the pouch as Wulf nudged Ashy.
"You can stop staring."
The girl just looked at him with huge grey eyes.
"dragon!"
They laughed as Tyler got to work beside them to take the bones as well, since the whole animal was valuable. Once done they climbed out of the hollow and Tempesta sent his flames into the cave. The party mounted up as the placed was left a scorched area. Tempesta spread his wings.
"I'll go give the word."
"Watch yer ass up there."
"And you down there!"
The dragon flew off as Tyler and the party rode off to the goblin camp two hours from the front gates of Raylik. Tyler fighting to contain the hatred for the vile creatures as they went. Sallie winked into her physical form to hug him tightly.
"Can you calm down? It kinda hurts."
HE sighed.
"I'm trying Sallie. I really am."
She smiled as Kaori leaned over and kissed him.
"Better?"
HE kissed her this time.
"Much. I'll go demon on them. In the event of captives, we'll share horses and get them to Raylik."
They nodded as they went. The war party reached the spot in two hours. Tyler, Wulf, Malico, and kaori went to level the camp. Tyler was now feeling the hate building in him again, and when they reached the rock they'd used to scout the camp again, he was already white fisting Gleipnir's hilt. He used Farsight and didn't see any captives.
"Okay. I'm going in."
The others just sighed as he walked towards the front of the camp.
"Demon's Wrath."
HE vanished and the creatures were seen to just drop as he surged forward fueled by the hatred for the things. The camp was silent after five minutes, and they looted it in another ten. Once the pile was made, and Tyler regained his breath he looked to the sky.
"Got a pile for you, Furiosa."
The forest dragon flew in a few minutes later. She lit it on fire as Tyler kicked the thing just cause he hated it. She sighed as she gave him the scales.
"You hate these things even more an I do."
"They made Sallie cry."
She snorted.
"Fair. Thanks for this."
"Sure."
She flew off as the party walked away 50 silver richer. They joined the party as Sallie sighed in relief.
"The hate is gone. Thank Kaori."
The blonde looked at Sallie's now sweetly smiling face in surprise before smiling herself.
"Love you too sweetie."
She giggled as they went for the Golem next. The sun hadn't even reach noon when they reached the last seen. Wulf led the party to the last seen and Tyler, the ranger, Lily, Lucy, Sera and Vixen were the hunters. The area was a rocky one, with protrusions of stone jutting from the ground forming alcoves and above ground caves. Tyler followed the elf as he led them along.
"Hey, Vixen? What DOES golem look like?"
The pale beauty smiled as he spoke.
"Depending on the strength of the earth spirit, 10 feet tall, long arms, shorter legs, and made of stone. I can't really say what KIND of stone as it again depends but we'll see."
Lily spoke up next.
"Momma told me a Golem is good to get rare ore from. Since the spirit enhances the stone it uses, we might score some actual Magicite."
Tyler smiled at that thought.
"Might be a decent haul then."
They hunters walked along until Wulf spotted tracks.
"Hey, got fresh prints."
Tyler looked and was a little surprised.
"No clue what I was expecting, but square prints was NOT one of them."
They moved along faster drawing weapons as they went. They felt the ground shaking a little before long and as they crested a small rise they found the creature. It was ten feet tall, 9 feet wide at the shoulder, was weirdly box shaped, and was a dark grey in color. Tyler drew Gliepnir as he looked at the lumbering thing.
"Soo, we're fighting a walking rock."
Lily was smiling as she looked at it.
"If I had to guess, it's made of good granite. We can use it for the mansion."
"Wow, lily. Good idea."
Vixen had been observing the thing.
"I'd say it's weak point is the center of the chest."
"Well, let's kill it."
the fighters charged as Sera and Wulf fired arrows. The shafts got it's attention and it turned with a chest rattling rumble as Tyler and Lucy smashed their weapons into it's legs. Lily did as well, but the triple threat attack only scratched it. Tyler smiled.
"Lily, drop back and shield up."
"Got it!"
The elf dropped behind Tyler and raised her unbreakable shield as Vixen cast a Black stunner on the thing. It stomped the ground with a leg three feet thick, setting off a small earthquake as it raised it's rock fists. Tyler and Lucy looked at each other.
"Rock smash."
The barbarian nodded and they charged as the stun spell hit it but had no effect. The thing swung a fist at Lucy but she rolled out of the way, then it tried to hit Tyler, who merely ducked under the swinging hunk of rock. Tyler planted his feet as the thing's arms were thrown wide and pushed off for a vicious thrust.
"Icy pierce!"
The tip of his broadsword was encased in magic ice for extra penetration as he stabbed the thing in the center of the chest. The thing rumbled again before falling flat. With Tyler underneath it.
"Oh shit."
The thing hit he dirt with a nasty thud that shook the ground as the rest of the party gaped in horror as Tyler was caught under the bulk of the multi ton creature. They watched as he was lost to sight and the ground stopped moving. The hunters were frozen in shock at the thing now with Tyler underneath it. Lily recovered first and ran over to the fallen thing and pressed her ear to the stone. She then used her sword to knock on the stone. After a second she laughed.
"Idiot's stuck."
The hunters laughed in relief before going to the Outcast's aid. Lucy used her own tremendous strength to lift the thing an inch and that was all the momentum Tyler needed to force the thing up. He tore Gleipnir from the beast's chest and set his feet as he lifted it high enough for it to rest on it's stone arm. HE then walked out and fell to the ground covered in dirt, dust, and panting like an overheated dog.
"Note….to...self."
His words were coming out in between pants.
"Golems…..are....fucking....HEAVY."
They laughed as he and Lucy popped potions and recovered.
"Anyone hurt?"
Wulf smiled as Sera came over and hugged him.
"No. Just a nasty scare."
Tyler smiled apologetically as he hugged Sera.
"Sorry, everyone. Forgot for a second we were fighting a rock."
Sera giggled as her shaking died down.
"You okay?"
He hugged her again.
"Yeah. I used an ice spell to make struts to keep it from crushing me, but my arms were still pinned. Gliepnir was pushed even deeper into it so it couldn't help me. I was wondering just what to do to get out. Was tempted to use that ice wall spell to try and lift the thing but Lucy gave me the wriggle room to get my arms under it. Thanks Lucy!"
The hulking barbarian lady laughed.
"think nothing of it. Must say it be a right odd feeling knowing I saved YOUR life for once."
He laughed as he got up.
"well, think how odd it'd be to explain I was done in by a mere rock."
Lily snorted.
"Yer not going down that easily."
He hugged her tightly.
"Just cause you said so."
Vixen smiled as they then looked at the thing.
"So, Lily. Prospect and I'll get me pickaxe."
The elf smiled as she walked up to the legs first. The black mage came up behind Tyler.
"The stone is also valuable as it's used in fortifications."
"Really? Well. Load up!"
Lily spoke up then.
"We got gold ore in this one! A lot."
Tyler looked at the others.
"I'll get the ore out if you collect the stone as we go."
They nodded as he pulled the precious metal from the creature. They got a ten foot knot of gold ore, a five foot knot of Magicite, and five tons of Golem Granite. Tyler whistled as he looked at the pouches.
"This thing isn't even half full yet. Scary."
Wulf chuckled as they returned to the party.
"You're carrying 5 tons of stone in that thing. Let that sink in."
"Wulf, at this point? Just going to say fantasy world and go with it. My head will hurt just that much less."
The natives laughed as they regrouped with the party. Kaori was brushing her hair as Tyler came back with a sheepish grin. She was on edge when she saw his dusty clothes.
"Oh shit what happened this time?"
Tyler swung back up onto Thunder as he explained.
"I killed the thing easily enough. Then it up and fell on me!"
She blinked and burst out laughing.
"Your telling me, that you, Tyler the Outcast, he who slew a Lich King, was nearly a pancake because of a dead rock?"
HE kissed her.
"Laugh it up."
She did, and as they rode to kill a hook wraith she couldn't look at him without laughing. Tyler just sighed.
"Nice to see the barbie is still amused by a good flattener."
Sallie giggled.
"She's got a lot in common with a 'flat' rock too!"
Tyler went stone faced as Kaori got a look of strained fury as she looked at the green haired spirit.
"What was that sweetie?"
Even her voice was a strained chord. Sallie giggled again.
"Mommy! You need to accept your body! I know I do. Even if the boobs will come from HIS side."
Sylvia nodded sagely.
"This is true Momma."
Tyler sighed.
"And that was how I was murdered on the trail."
Wulf, Malico and Vixen were trying hard not to laugh, but were losing the battle fast as Sera looked at them curiously.
"What's so funny?"
"Sallie and Sylvia are trying to get me killed again, Sera."
Kaori was looking in another direction as she started to calm down, when
"She called Kaori flat again?"
Sera's innocent question brought it right back. Tyler sighed as the two spirits burst out laughing as Kaori looked at him with a look of pure murder.
"Why to they have to bully the pretty ones? Kaori's beautiful, yet these two just pick on her all the time."
He had such a sad voice the two spirits felt horrible and Kaori was smiling now. Sallie looked over at the blonde.
"Sorry, Kaori."
Sylvia was right there with her.
"Sorry. We'll stop with the boob jokes now."
Kaori sighed.
"They hurt, girls. I'd appreciate it. And Tyler?"
"Yeah?"
She kissed him.
"Nice safe."
HE sighed with relief as Wulf took the lead now.
"We're close to the thing's den. We need the beak and talons right?"
Tyler pulled the bill out.
"Lemme check. Hook wraith, yup. We need the beak an talons to get paid. So, we'll go arrows only."
They nodded as they neared a small copse of trees. Wulf smiled.
"This is a decent hitch spot."
Tyler looked around.
"Okay. Ashy, Wulf, Sera, Lillica, annnnd, Lily."
They nodded as Kaori smiled.
"You've been spending an awful lot of time with Lily lately."
HE kissed her lovingly.
"We're in the bed alone tonight, Kaori."
She sighed happily.
"Better."
Lily sighed as they went.
"I'll just barge in Malico's room then."
Sera huffed.
"I wanna cuddle!"
Lily patted the black haired girl.
"We'll cuddle later."
She hugged her with stars in her eyes.
"Yay!"
Tyler and the rest of the hunter party smiled fondly. Wulf led then to the spot described in the bill. To Tyler it resembled Pride rock from a movie he'd seen a few years ago. The place was a massive rock formation a hundred feet tall, with layers of stone another two. Tyler smiled as he saw it.
"Ashy, remember the trope in video games for formations like that?"
Tha dirty blonde smiled.
"We'll look it over most carefully."
The party looked at the duo curiously but let it go as they saw a cave entrance maybe ten feet high. Tyler and the other pulled their bows and fitted arrows as the Outcast approached cautiously. He could hear a bizarre whistling snore from within the cave, but did not make a sound until the party was in a semi circle facing it. Once they were in position, tyler gave a yell.
"hey bird brain!"
There was a hooting roar as the now angry creature came out running. It was indeed a large owl with flightless wings. The thing was a sky blue with bars of black and two huge golden eyes. The wings were held out like arms and the feathers were dull and lifeless. Tyler and the party fired their arrows and scored direct hits in the chest. The thing dropped like a log with a pained screech. Tyler walked over and kicked it in the shoulder to get no response.
"Well. Boring. Ashy, Wulf, think you can handle the beak and talons?"
The couple pulled knives.
"Sure."
"You looting the den?"
"Yup. Lily, you're with me Sera, Lillica on watch."
The elf girl smiled as she followed him into the thing's den.
"You have been spending a lot of time with me of late. Got a confession?"
HE smiled as he used his detection on the walls.
"perfectly honest, Lily? I like being around you. You're fun."
She smiled at this as they went right to the back of the cave. HE chuckled.
"Got a hollow."
They then split the cave to use prospect.
"Got copper, tin, a lot of tin, some good coal, more corundum, and Oremicah."
"Nice, Lily. I got more lead, tin, zinc, Annnd, wow. Some good sandstone."
She looked at him.
"How good?"
"Says in appraisal it's Blood Sandstone."
"Wow. Blood Sandstone is used in construction to build red hued homes and decorations. I'd collect it if I were you."
"Sure."
They walked away from the first batch with four more veins of copper, six of tin, a five foot pile of coal hunks, a two foot corundum, a four foot Oremicah, and half a ton of Blood Sandstone.
"hey! We got the beak and talons."
Wulf and the three girls came in as Tyler finished digging the stone out.
"Nice. We got another Hollow feeling back there so we're looking for ore now."
Wulf looked at the large hole.
"Anything good in that one?"
"Blood Sandstone."
HE chuckled.
"Nice find. It's rather valuable for masons."
Tyler and Lily scoured the cave and came away with five more copper, another ten foot pile of coal, another mass of iron, zinc and lead, some Pearlcite surprisingly, some more Blood Sandstone, and a good bit of Skycite. Once the cave was clean Tyler and the party went to the slab in question. Tyler tore it aside and they found another tomb, with a twist.
"Bird brain hid it's trove inside. Not a bad move really."
Indeed. The hook wraith had stashed it's trove inside the tomb. Tyler and his looters got to work gathering the two foot tall mound of coins. It did not take long for the last copper to be collected, resulting in another 250 gold, 340 silver, 500 copper. Tyler chuckled.
"Well, wanna say high?"
They smiled.
"Sure. This point we can more or less figure out how to kill it."
Tyler placed his hand on the lid of the coffin.
"Ready?"
They nodded and he tore it aside and jumped back as the thing rose. Tyler smiled as he recognized the feeling.
"High Lich! Crush the skull!"
Tyler pinned it against the coffin as the others rained hell upon it. The head shattered and it died again with Lillica getting the kill. They patted her back as Lily got the prospecting as the rest looted the coffin. Tyler was smiling until he went to touch the thing's sword.
"Hey, it's got a short-ouch!"
HE yanked his hand back as he'd gotten burned badly from the item. Ashy, being a black/brown path picked the weapon up and Wulf gasped.
"That's a sword of Wailing Torment!"
Tyler looked at him.
"Like enchanted with a banned spell?"
The ranger nodded.
"Exactly. Such a weapon is banned period from being forged as it is a truly EVIL weapon. Explains why there was no writing this time. We found a cursed burial."
Tyler looked at Lily as she finished her sweep.
"Anything?"
"A vein of rose gold, a pure silver vein, and a black Sliver."
Tyler tore the veins out as they finished looting. The coffin giving 350 gold, the sword, 465 silver, and another 650 copper. Then they left to go see Vixen. They returned to the party grim faced and the others were on edge. Tyler sighed as he looked at Vixen.
"We found another tomb. High Lich. We killed it and this was it's weapon."
Ashy held the sword up and Vixen went white.
"You that set foot in the tomb need to go to the Purity temple for a Purification Spell. That was a cursed tomb."
They mounted up and took off as Vixen pulled up beside him.
"Why didn't you send for me like usual?"
"Wanted to see if we could take a tomb WITHOUT you."
She smiled.
"A test. I understand. But in future, please let me examine the tomb BEFORE you throw the lid."
"Understood Vixen. It seems we forgot just WHAT can be waiting in there."
They rode hard until the got back to Raylik. They got waved through and headed right for the purity temple. Tyler led the hunters to the door where they met Brother Mark again.
"Welcome White Lord. What brings you to the Purity today?"
"Greetings Mark. We need to see the father for a purification Spell. We found a cursed tomb."
"At once Lord of White."
The brother led the inwardly cringing party to the father. They found Maxus as he finished a healing spell on a young girl. She hugged him before running off. Tyler smiled as Maxus noticed them.
"Ah! Greetings outcasts. What brings you to the White today?"
"Found a cursed tomb, so we need a Purification Spell, Maxus."
He chuckled at this.
"It seems you looked under the wrong rock."
Tyler smiled.
"It happens from time to time."
Maxus spread his arms and cast the spell.
"Holy Purity."
The party glowed, and Tyler, Wulf, Lillica, Lily, Sera and Ashy had a small cloud of black mist rise off their bodies. Then it was over. Tyler chuckled as he felt lighter for some reason.
"Thanks Maxus. How much?"
He smiled.
"60 silver."
Tyler gave him the coins before getting serious.
"We also found a weapon in there after we killed the thing."
Vixen presented the black sword and Maxus gasped.
"A Sword of Wailing torment? We shall destroy it at once."
The Father had a Monk with a case take the foul weapon and set it in a spot of light from a window as Maxus used another spell.
"Holy Wrath."
The case glowed purest white before dissipating into black mist. Tyler whistled.
"Those are some gnarly tricks Maxus. You wouldn't happen to sell them would you?"
The Father smiled.
"Holy Wrath yes. Holy Purity I'm afraid cannot be cast outside of a temple. As it is a Divine Spell."
"A Divine spell?"
"Ah. My apologies. I forgot your not a native. Divine Spells are spells that can only be cast in the sight of a deity in a temple. Holy Purity is a Divine Spell of Laxos the White God. As such, you need to visit our temples to have it cast."
Tyler sighed.
"If it were THAT easy. Well, I'll take a Holy Wrath please."
"Of course. That will be 3 gold."
Tyler handed the coins and he got the spell. Then he looked to the spirits.
"You two okay?"
They giggled.
"It felt like a hug!"
"We're good."
He smiled in relief.
"Thanks Maxus."
They left the temple and Tyler took the bills.
"I'll take Wulf to get paid and visit the exchange again. Rest can relax for a while."
Serafina looked at the sun,
"It's not even noon yet. We going on another set today?"
"I'm planning to yes. We really can't afford to go easy at this stage of the game."
The Wraith smiled.
"I understand. Just checking."
They scattered as Tyler and Wulf headed for the guild.
"Hey, Tyler. I was curious of something."
"Oh shit here we go."
"Jackass. Why is it when we go to collect coin or sell things you only pick me?"
Tyler chuckled.
"Well, your ranger knowledge helps with the selling as you know the stuffs worth better then me. The other is if I were to take one of the girls to get the coin, it presents a target. We have women AND coin. Follow?"
The experienced ambassador did.
"So having the men go makes it seem we're just a pair of lonesome adventurers rather then a fully formed party. Thus discouraging the uninformed. Brilliantly cunning and weirdly obvious when you go to say it."
"I know right? Even if I brought Lucy, it paints the same picture."
The elf chuckled.
"Indeed it does. Capable as we and her are, better to NOT draw attention if we can avoid it."
Tyler smiled as they walked into the hall. HE spotted Whisper looking at the job board and Chain next to her. HE chuckled as they headed for the booth. Verilica was sitting in it and she smiled happily as they approached.
"Well my day just got better."
He smiled at her.
"And MINE got more impish. Oh, and better looking too."
She blushed happily as her spiked tail danced behind her.
"Come for me or?"
"Sadly, we have bills."
HE passed the ones they'd taken and pulled the pelt, beak and talons out. He placed them on the corresponding bills and she looked them over.
"Okay, these are legit kills. Fulfilled. Your total is 80 gold 55 silver. Plus the White Spell Turn Cure. It cures vampirism and Were Affliction after the bite so long as it is cast before the first full moon."
Tyler smiled as he took the money.
"Thanks Verilica."
Tyler and Wulf left the hall to go unload their loot pouch and he waved at the two beauties by the board. Getting smiles from both as he did. They walked in and walked to the gnome they'd dealt with previously. Grilock smiled as he saw them.
"Well, again in two days? Another lisk?"
"Not today, Grilock. Fire drake, Golem stone, more ore, Blood Sandstone, and I think that's it."
The honest gnome tilted his head.
"I'd suggest the Local masonry shop for the stone. They'd pay more at least."
Tyler smiled.
"Thanks Grilock. You need to see my permit again?"
"Indeed I do."
Once the look over was done they went in back. The gnome whistled as the items were placed on the scales.
"Your party works mighty quick. All told I can give you 235 gold, 43 silver, and 66 coppers."
Wulf smiled.
"That's a pretty good deal really. Especially for the things we brought."
Tyler shook the gnome's hand and got their money. Next they headed to the mason yard Grilock suggested. They found it without much hassle, and walked over to the foremen running the place. A tall, broad shoulder man with a fire beard and blue eyes. He eyed the two as they approached.
"Och, wa brings a wee lad and an elfy to me yard today?"
tyler smiled politely.
"We lookin to sell some Golem Stone and Blood sandstone."
The man smiled eagerly now.
"Well laddee, right this way to the scales."
They followed the man to the scales. Then Tyler anjd Wulf poured the stone from the pouches into the large bin and the man was amazed.
"What a find. This be good Golem Granite and even better Blood. I can give ye 50 gold for the Blood and 150 for the Granite. Sound fair?"
Tyler looked at Wulf who nodded.
"that's good gold for that kind of stone."
"Still a weird mismatch. Hearing an elf talking about good stone."
The man burst out laughing as Wulf just sighed. Tyler took the deal and the last stop was the bank. As they walked a runner came up.
"Sirrah. I seek the Outcast."
Tyler smiled.
"Ya found him."
"Sah! Tolic has finished yer order."
"Good lad!"
Tyler gave him twenty silver and the boy ran off. Wulf chuckled.
"The girls will love their new gear."
"Plus with the mansion they can mount their first partners."
"You really need to watch how you say somethings."
Tyler chuckled as they walked in.
"I probably should."
They walked to the booth from their last visit and the dwarf smiled as he recognized them.
"Well, looked what the vein spit out. The Outcast and the Ranger. What can I do ye for?"
"Got fifteen veins of copper, ten silver, three gold, one platinum."
The dwarf smiled widely as Wulf looked at Tyler.
"I'm wondering why your not selling the rose gold or the black silver."
"was wondering if a jeweler would take them."
The dwarf smiled.
"They would. But to be frank, sirrah? The bank would pay more. We use it to decorate the statues to the Goddesses of the Scale."
"Well, we got two rose and one black silver then."
The dwarven appraiser looked the veins over and shook his head.
"Ya found a mighty fortune here. I can give you 450 gold, 43 silver, 89 copper for the lot."
Wulf smiled widely.
"That's a very good deal."
"Nice to find a world where the banks DON'T seek to screw people over."
They got their coin before heading to Tolic's shop. The dwarven smith was eagerly waiting for them when they walked in.
"Well, lads, your weapons are ready."
Tyler blew for the girls on the whistle. Tolic smiled as the girls came in smiling. Sera got her new sword first. The thing was a deep blue with a slight curve like her old sword, only slightly longer with a longer guard. She took it and glared at it as she held it in her hands.
"Get out of my head!"
There was a small yell of pain before a breaking glass sound and she giggled.
"Better! You mine now!"
Tyler patted her head.
"Well done Sera. I was half-expecting to have to break it's will myself."
She giggled as Lily got her new greaves and bracers. They were of the same deep blue, but with the opal-like gleam of Glacious' scales. She put them on her arms and legs and grunted as they too were broken.
"Momma didn't raise no weakling!"
Tyler hugged her.
"Damn right she didn't."
Lillica got her bow and sword next and successfully broke them as well. She got a hug as Tolic gave Tyler his greaves. Them being a deep opal color reminiscent of his Mythril vest and similar to armguards in a game he played. He put them on and found they bent around the wrist like they WERE apart of his wrist. He chuckled.
"Neat trick."
Ashy got her vest and bow before hugging Tyler and Tolic.
"Thank you! I'll work harder I promise!"
Tyler chuckled as she went to go get dressed.
"Ashy is a very kind girl."
The dwarf smiled.
"That she be lad. She be a fine lass."
Wulf was testing his new bow and smiled.
"That she is, Tolic."
The dwarf lifted the multicolored arrows up as Tyler, placed an extra hundred on the counter this time.
"Thanks Tolic. Question though."
"Oh shit here we go."
"Wow, that's widespread? We got a decent vein of Magicite off a Golem today. Was wondering how long you'd need to work it."
HE crossed his arms now.
"I'd need to see the ore and hear your plan."
Tyler placed the three foot white rock on the counter and Tolic whistled.
"That be the purest of Magicite veins, lad. Your broadsword, Gliepnir, was made from this when it was Fenrir."
Tyler smiled now.
"I wonder."
He reviewed his party as he sought new holes and oversights. Then he chuckled.
"I think, a Magicite bow for Ashy. Her original got stolen from her and she had said she loved the thing."
Wulf frowned.
"Right Wulf? Wasn't that what you told me?"
The ranger got it then.
"I remember now. Indeed. She said she missed it."
Tolic understood as well and smiled.
"A bow eh? I need a few hours. Leftover ore?"
"How about, a set of matching greaves."
Wulf came over now and smiled.
"Ashy likes birds, so I'd appreciate an eagle engraving please."
The kindly dwarf nodded.
"That will be 300 gold."
Tyler placed 350 on the countertop as Ashy came out then.
"Wow, I know I'm wearing a vest yet it don't feel like it."
Tolic took the ore and gold out of sight as she came over to get her new arrows.
"Thanks again."
Tyler patted her back.
"Nice to see you properly dressed for once Ashy."
She smiled.
"Nice to BE properly dressed."
Sera and Lillica looked at each other.
"Ohhh."
"I feel stupid now."
The gear situated, Tyler left to go find Yoko at her booth. Wulf came up next to him real quick however.
"Thanks for that. Ashy loved that bow."
"Sure, Wulf. Watch her mind go boom."
the ranger ran off to go be with the girl as Tyler headed for the spear. He spotted Yoko as she walked out the door.
"Hey Yoko."
She looked up smiling as Tyler approached.
"Well well. Nice timing. Here for my ability to walk for the rest of the day?"
"Yup. And to do this."
He kissed her and they headed to her house. They walked in and she led him ot her bedroom where, once naked they commenced with longed for sex. Sallie and Sylvia watching as Tyler and Yoko got their fill of each other while sitting on his gear. They fell to the bed finished and laid together smiling. Tyler on top of Yoko and kissing her repeatedly. She wrapping him in her tail.
"I love you, Tyler."
HE kissed her again.
"I love you too, Yoko."
They laid next to each other on the bed and she smiled.
"I got a news crystal if you wanna look at it."
"I have one myself. Wanna look together?"
"Only if you kiss me again."
He kissed her good and pulled his HUD up.
"Today in Vernillion. Tyler the Outcast has slain a Lich King. Singlehandedly. That's right mortals of Lectis. A Lich King. Such a feat has only been preformed ONE other time with the hero walking away. This makes Tyler the SECOND person in ALL of recorded history to have felled such a creature and lived to tell the tale. His titles now include Lich's bane, Dragon heart, Guild Avenger, Legendary Adventurer, Scale Balancer, Champion of the people, Champion of Minus, and Warrior's Runner. Readers, there are titles in this list that have not appeared for thousands of years. Champion of Minus proclaims the Outcast to be a most favored Mortal to the Deity Minus of the Scale. Scale Balancer is bestowed by the other deities of the Scale upon only those who preform a great feat in the service of the Scale. In other words? Tyler has gods and goddesses on his side now. From wrongly convicted murderer to a champion of the gods. His story will be sung of for centuries for this feat alone. Yet, the title Dragon heart. This is the highest honor the Sky lords can give to a nondragon. It signifies Tyler is no less then the most trusted friend to the dragons period. At this point, reader, just what the hell have we done with our lives? He's accomplished more in a mere two and a half months then entire generations combined! His party are no less as storied. For Sera Von Vernillion has slain a Minotaur Balor, Lillica Von Vernillion a grand Lich, and Lily of the Mountain Elves has giants to her name. Plus shares credit with Princess Sera for the Balor. In the coming wave, this party will not break a sweat. King Ishtar made a statement in regards to the Outcast and his feats.
"That boy is what Warriors are supposed to be. He goes where he will, sets up shop in the town or city or wherever he puts his tent, and cleans house until he is happy. He has his friends and lovers and needs no other form of help."
The king has bestowed upon Tyler the titles of Champion of the People and Warrior's Runner. Kazuma the kind spared a few words.
"That's a mighty mismatch. Tyler a champion of the people? Ha. Bastard. I wanted that one!"
It seems the Outcast and the Kind One are either rivals trying to coexist, or brothers that are stuck with each other. In this writers own opinion? I'm betting stuck with each other. Max has also disgraced us with a few words.
"If that worthless coward can kill a Lich king and get such awesome sounding titles for doing next to nothing of real value besides bedding whores and screwing around, then I should be getting some epic ones for doing the real work."
Reader, we're just going to stop taking interviews from that boy. We lose brain power every time we listen to him. Yalik's Lymir gave an update on her town following the Outcasts departure.
"Our city is safe again. To the outcasts I say thank you. To Tyler, I say I'll show you THOSE the next time you're in town."
Words cannot express just how jealous I am of the Outcast reader. They have settled into Raylik until the wave call goes out. But they are NOT relaxing, as of the writing of this article they are still practicing their skills. The creatures this time? A golem, a werewolf, a goblin camp which the Outcast still carries a most festering hatred for the creatures, a Hook wraith and a fire drake are the targets this morning. These powerful creatures are mere practice for the Outcasts. In Tyler's own words regarding the lich King? A fun fight. Fun. He had fun fighting one of the ten most feared and powerful horrors that stalk this land readers. His bestiary told of how he threw off the mental attack of the thing in a mere three hours. With a nine hour rest. We need more like him. Desperately."