Tyler was whistling as they walked as Sera and Lillia were all smiles at adventuring with their mother. Sasha the camp husky just padded beside Sera happily as she petted her as they went. Erica smiled at the well behaved girl.
"Sasha is very well behaved, Sera. Is she yours?"
The girl shook her head.
"Nope. She's my new friend. Ashy's her owner."
Ashy smiled fondly as she explained.
"Sasha was my dog back in our world, Erica. She came here and we had to rescue her from my father."
The queen gave the friendly husky a pat and got a lick for her kindness.
"At least she's got the best of friends now."
"We all know Sera wins this one."
The party laughed fondly as they walked into Burlock's smithy. The burly man was behind his counter as usual and laughed as they entered.
"Ya get back to the city fer five minutes and set it on fire? Ha!"
Tyler shrugged.
"I like fire."
The smith laughed again.
"What's ya need this time?"
"Need a new vest, bow, and greaves and bracers for the new girl."
The man looked to see Erica looking at him. He just smiled.
"Good to see you Erica. I guess the chance to roam with your girls was too good to pass up?"
The queen nodded.
"It was, Burlock. I get to go adventuring with me girls!"
The man sighed.
"A shame it is I laid my sword down as well. I can't pick it up either as the fire that let me swing it has burned itself out. But, that's the way of the world. So, a vest, bow, greaves and bracers?"
Tyler had a thought.
"You wouldn't by chance be able to work sapphires and rubies would you?"
The smith laughed heartedly.
"I can work any gem lad. A wily idea!"
"Then I need a red set of gauntlets, greaves, bracers, and shin guards for Lyrica, Sapphire vest, bow, ruby shin guards, dagger set of six blades, ruby boots, and gauntlets for Erica."
The two ladies looked at him as Kaori laughed.
"See? When left to wander, his mind comes up the most terrifying ideas."
Burlock did some number crunching.
"I need 50 rubies, Annnd maybe 50 sapphires of good quality for the order."
Tyler placed a pouch with double the amounts with each gem three feet across. Burlock smiled.
"Quality. I forgot. Okay, this one will cost 989 gold, 78 silver, 88 coppers."
Tyler placed 990 gold on the counter.
"I hate math."
The smith laughed.
"Okay, since these be magic items all, I don't really need precise measurements, as the things will mold to fit. I'll have them ready for your morning raids."
Tyler nodded.
"We'll go grab a set for the morning."
Erica blinked in surprise.
"You're still working even with the wave less them 16 days away?"
Tyler explained as they walked.
"We are, Erica. We will keep going on raids until the ball, and until the day BEFORE the wave. If we rest we run the risk of losing our edge. Plus I need to see you in a fight."
She gave him a fierce stare with gleaming blue eyes.
"Oh, you think I'll slow you down?"
"Not at all. More looking to see how you fit in with our dynamic. You have the experience factor and skill using it to help us. I just need to see it with my own eyes."
That got him a leer.
"So you ARE a man!"
Tyler laughed as Lyrica spoke up.
"Oh he IS a man, Erica. I played the same trick on him, and he had me glowing!"
"Well, Lyrica, when a beauty like you smiles, we ALL bask in YOUR glow!"
She kissed him for that as Erica laughed.
"A real ELOQUENT man! Oh. I forgot to ask, but your rules?"
She walked up so he could explain.
"1: as the strongest person in the party, I hold the coin. 2: no work no food. In my camp you pull your weight."
"Trust me Mother, he's a dick about it."
"Mean."
Erica patted Sera's head as she looked back at him.
"The others?"
"3: in a town or village, we all share a room to save coin. When a bed calls, we get a separate room. The unspoken rules are simpler, keep our secrets, we do dark work from time to time, and don't get on a high horse."
Erica nodded.
"I see. Will you tell me these secrets when it's safe?"
"We will."
"Then I agree. They are more then fair. How does Loot sharing work?"
"Depends honestly. If we hit a cave and we find a bit of ore or a gem you like speak up. We try to split gems between members, dragon bribes and mansion funds. Coin is party coin with the exception of bounties you claim yourself. Or if you kill a tomb guardian alone, their loot is yours to claim. If we hit a trove with weaponry, we lay the gear out and go over it until we all get something we think we can use or want."
Erica was nodding.
"Camp responsibilities?"
"Well, I set the defense spells and handle the planning, Wulf, Ashy, and Kaori handle the outdoorsy stuff, Kaori is our horse expert. Seriously, she knows horses better then anyone. As for the rest as long as you're helping in some capacity we don't really care."
She smiled.
"You have a good crew here, Tyler. What about battles?"
"Of what size?"
"Say a camp of giants 50 strong?"
"That's a mere training run for three members alone WITHOUT me."
Erica was taken aback.
"I know YOU'RE strong, but they are too?"
"Yup. Look at the jobs we take and I think you'll understand better."
The experienced lady nodded.
"That's fair."
"Do you need to reup your guild status?"
"I do not no. As I love doing jobs for the guild."
"Well, alright. For now I'll pair you with Lyrica as you two are rookies in our party."
The red headed devilgirl smiled at her old friend.
"They are hardcore."
they walked into the hall and the guild hailed.
"Hail! Outcasts!"
"Hail!"
Tyler walked over to the board and nearly immediately smiled.
"I got another lisk."
Erica came over as he pulled the poster down.
"Wanted: slaying of a green drakolisk. Reward 250 gold. Good start."
Erica shook her head.
"How many raids are we doing tomorrow?"
"Dunno. Maybe 30? With eight or more per ride?"
Erica was shocked.
"That many?"
"Welcome to MY camp!"
"Tyler, got a camp of goblins."
"goblins?"
He went from cheer to absolute HATRED in the blink of an eye and as he looked at the bill, his eyes started top glow green from the fury.
"MINE. 65 silver. Mine."
He put the bill away as Lyrica and Erica walked over to kaori with fearful glances in his direction.
"What the hell was that?"
"I have never felt such hatred before."
Kaori sighed.
"Lyrica, Sallie was killed by goblins. Erica, camp secret. And when we go after them, don't watch. You don't want the nightmares."
Lyrica had a sad look now as the guild threw back mugs in honor of the fallen. Erica looked at Tyler with a pity in her dark blue eyes.
"I understand. They killed someone precious to him."
Lyrica patted her friends back.
"You have no idea, Erica. Just wait until he says it's safe."
Tyler had forced the rage back down to keep looking at bills.
"Hey, Tyler. Got one for a camp of Hill giants."
Tyler looked over as sera came bouncing up with the bill.
"Hills? I'll have you test yourselves again."
"Kay!"
Tyler looked at the bill.
"Wanted: giant camp, 5 gold. Good. We need more fights where we're outnumbered."
"Hey, Tyler. Got an odd one."
Tyler walked over to where Lucy was looking at a bill. The 7 foot tall barbarian passed him the bill.
"Wanted: slaying of a tomb guardian in a cave on my land. Reward is the guardian's loot. Wow, that is an odd one, Lucy. Good find."
He added it to the pile as Wulf came over with two.
"I found another lisk bill, and one for another plains tyrant."
"I love fighting Tyrants. Any toads?"
Wulf smiled widely and placed one on the -pile.
"Wanted. Slaying of a clan of Gigantoads. Larsh were also spotted in the group, so be warned. Reward is 5 gold. Good find Wulf. We just need more thunder toads."
"They travel with gigans."
"I like where this is going. The lisk has a reward of 200 gold as the Tyrant has 150 gold."
Tyler looked at the bills thus far.
"Okay, we got two lisks, GOBLINS, a Tyrant, toads, and a giant camp. Plus the tomb guardian. I want a few more."
Erica was a little intimidated.
"I know you're all capable but this seems a little much for mere practice."
Sera walked over giggling.
"It's how we get strong enough to help him, mommy. We'll be fine. Only real issue is the tomb guardian as we don't know what it is. Rest are just pissants."
"Atta girl Sera! You going for another lisk?"
"Hells yeah big brother! I'm hungry!"
The rowdy guild laughed as Lillia pulled a bill down.
"I got one for another golem."
Tyler looked at it.
"Golems are good for Lily and us. Okay, reward is 15 gold. No one get pancaked please!"
"YOU are the only that nearly got pancaked! TWICE!"
Tyler laughed as Erica looked at Lyrica incredulously.
"He really IS ole Gru's kid!"
the succubus laughed.
"You have no idea Erica."
"Hey, Tyler, got one for a Oricah stronghold."
Tyler looked as Lillia brought the bill over.
"A stronghold? Wanted, yadda yadda, 35 gold? Wulf?"
The ranger looked at the bill.
"A stronghold? We're looking at upwards of 250 creatures."
Tyler smiled.
"I LIKE this one. See if we can find two more like this one."
Lyrica and Erica were taken aback.
"That's a small army!"
"Are you outta your mind?"
The party laughed.
"He is."
Kaori came over next.
"I found a Hill Gathering."
Wulf chuckled.
"Those have 100 creatures."
Tyler nodded smiling.
"We need these kinds of fights now. More outnumbered we are the better."
Erica was concerned now.
"I know you're all capable, but are you sure you want to fight at such a disadvantage?"
Tyler smiled at the queen.
"Reward for this is 40 gold? Nice. We're practicing for the wave, Erica. Odds are we'll be highly outnumbered, so we're practicing against those kinds of odds. Practice killing, my defense spells, my other skill I can't talk about in here, and easy training for the girls."
The queen just looked at him.
"This is easy training? 100+ creatures?"
"Yeah, all they'll have to do is stand behind my walls and lob arrows and spells."
She got it then.
"I see now, you're practicing their large scale battle skills on a smaller scale."
"With the entire party backing them."
Lyrica smiled as well.
"Easy kills, so easy points."
"Plus it's good fun to go rampaging."
That got a laugh as Serafina came over.
"I found one for a Warg camp."
Wulf came over now.
"Wargs?"
Tyler looked at him,
"They are?"
The ranger smiled.
"dire wolf riding orcs. A camp holds 75 pairs."
"reward is 5 gold. Nice."
Tyler looked at their stack.
"Two lisks, a Tyrant, a tomb guardian, goblins, a giant camp, an Oricah stronghold, toads, a Hill gathering and now a Warg camp. Oh, and a golem. Hmmm, one more and we have our first raid."
The two newcomers jumped.
"This is just ONE raid?"
"What she said?"
Tyler chuckled.
"Yup. We'll ride out, hit them back to back, come back to unload, rest the horses and catch our breath. Then the next set. Rinse and repeat till the ball and wave."
The two ladies looked at each other.
"We joined a party of mutants."
"And I thought GRUVEN worked hard!"
Tyler spotted another poster.
"Wanted: slaying of a Grand Wall. Reward is 50 gold."
Vixen came over as Tyler took the poster down.
"A Grand Wall? Rare beast."
"It like the cursed wall?"
"Indeed. Only far bigger and stronger."
"Great. Another pancaker."
Ruby came up now.
"A few of these have an Update."
Tyler looked at her.
"What's the precious gem's word, Ruby?"
The guild just slumped as Ruby blushed, and Erica smiled widely.
"Oh he's good."
Ruby tapped the lisks.
"The green has been increased to 500, the red to 400, the Tyrant to 300, and the Grand Wall to 150 due to it having tore through a small village."
"Injuries?"
The lady sighed.
"Many, sir. They sent out a cry for healers."
"We'll go there in the morning. I can't really do much more today then bed Kaori the right way. Tell the village the Outcasts are headed to them in the morning."
Ruby nodded and pulled a bill down.
"This is the request for healers they've put to the guild."
Tyler took it.
"Needed: healers to the village of Yalisk. Reward is 50 silver plus a license. Is the village footing the bill?"
"They are. I know this village. They are a smaller one with not a lot to offer."
"We'll take it, and you get the coin back to them. The spell we'll take though."
Ruby smiled.
"Of course. I'll get right on it."
Tyler added the bill as Erica laughed.
"if Kazuma had seen that his whole argument would have been shot to hell!"
Tyler smiled.
"Kazuma is the kind of guy that needs to feel validated. If he's not, he tries to ruin it for the other guy."
"Oh and like you don't?"
Tyler looked over to see Kazuma walking over to the board from the door.
"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in."
Ashy laughed.
"I loved that song!"
"I got their entire best hits collection."
That got him a hug.
"Trail?"
"Trail."
Erica tilted her head and opened her mouth to ask,
"We'll show you later."
She got it then.
"I really need to get brought up to speed."
Tyler chuckled as he looked at the board.
"We have a few things we can show you in the wing. Some I'm afraid are just a little TOO sensitive."
The queen understood.
"I see. You have quite the mysterious party, Tyler."
"But the most fun!"
Ruby came up now.
"I've sent the coin and word you'll be visiting the village on the morrow, Tyler."
"Thanks Ruby. There anymore calls like this?"
She looked at the board and pulled one down.
"This one here is a call for healers from a town a stampeding group of Plains Striders tore through. The bill to hunt them is here as well. Payment for the call is 50 silver and the striders is 10 gold."
Kazuma snorted.
"Like Tyler is that kind of person to just ride to ANYONE'S aid so cheaply. Watch. He'll demand double."
There was now a dangerous aura in the hall as a red dagger came flying out of the gathering to narrowly miss a surprised Kazuma by inches as Tyler laughed.
"Nice to see I got a follower!"
Erica and Lyrica were utterly confused as Whisper the were tiger came out to confront Kazuma.
"Boy, Tyler is the most generous of healers OUT there. He has NEVER ONCE taken payment for using his healing spells on ANYONE besides a room for his party of Elirch at his inn. And he STILL paid the man and his wife a good 50 times the usual rate just because he can. Tyler killed a drakolisk and DONATED a good 75% of the meat to the town of Raylik just to give the children there a taste of a king's feast. He has gifted a town girl truly priceless treasures of a kind I can't talk about here, he has repeatedly gifted coin in the thousands to the betterment of my home, and has even let the family of Elirch live in his mansion as he and his party roam. Price? They clean the place. Payment for the aid? 300 gold upfront when he leaves. On return? 400. Whether he be gone a day or a year. He has JUST refused payment beyond a spell to go aid a village in similar straits. You need to leave this hall, as one without honor such as you has no place among adventurers."
Kazuma just looked at her in utter disbelief.
"are you sure we're talking about the same guy here? Tyler refusing payment for anything? HELPING people freely? That's not who he is. I bet you're saying this just cause you slept with him."
The guild hall got up then as Whisper's yellow eyes started to glow green as her anger was on the verge of triggering her shift to tiger. Tyler saw this placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Easy, Whisper. Not the place for fangs."
The were tiger took a huge breath in and when she let it out her green glowing eyes returned to her normal blazing gold. She looked at him gratefully before confronting Kazuma. The boy was now faced with several of the higher ranked adventurers as Erica stepped forward next to Whisper.
"Kazuma. I will vouch as a witness to Tyler forgoing the payment."
Sera and Lillia stepped up as well.
"I will personally vouch for the other deeds Miss….Whisper, right?"
The blue haired lady smiled at Lillia.
"I be Whisper."
Lillia smiled.
"Sorry, we've never been properly introduced. I'm Lillia."
Sera smiled.
"Sera!"
The were tiger laughed as Lillia took up her thread again.
"I will personally vouch for the deeds lady Whisper has spoken of. Plus many more. Tyler has healed without reward countless people."
Sera glared at Kazuma as well.
"Tyler is mean and nasty. But he always helps out when needed. I too, will vouch for them."
Tyler spotted another bill on the board he liked the look of, as he was just done with Kazuma's crap.
"Huh. Got a bill for another Diadore. Reward is...45 gold. Well, that rounds out the hunt."
Kazuma was just disgusted by this.
"You're not going to defend yourself or even help those that are standing up for you?"
Tyler just chuckled now.
"I don't NEED to defend myself to you. They're standing up for THEIR honor you just insulted. They know I don't care what people think of me. Fact you calling ME out when YOU'RE in trouble from your own words just proved to them why you came in here period. Dude. Get a life. You're not in here for a job or to be of use to anyone or even get a mug of ale, no. YOU'RE just in here to try to continue the argument YOU lost. Oh, hey Wulf, some point tomorrow I'd like to get me foot in the door in the markets."
Erica smiled.
"I can do that as they be good fun."
"Sure. We need to let Wulf rest between raids as he's our only true guide out there."
Wulf chuckled.
"I appreciate the thought."
Tyler patted the elf as he looked at Kazuma again.
"You're just mad I didn't give you the validation you so desperately crave. I don't NEED validation from anyone other then Kaori. You just can't handle this as validation was the only thing you had."
Kazuma scoffed now.
"You get the validation from her in bed. Only kind YOU care about-arrtgh!"
Tyler hit Kazuma in a blind rage now, as Kazuma had hit the one nerve Tyler had: he'd insulted the love he had for her. Tyler hit him right in the vest and the force launched him into the wall of the hall, thirty feet back with such force he was buried in the stone like a snow angel. Tyler was moving like a hunting tiger as Kazuma dropped to the ground coughing up blood from the force of the blow. His scale vest taking most, but not all the force of the shot. Tyler's brown eyes were red with rage as Kazuma got up to confront the angry man.
"See? You're just a bully that can't handle the truth."
Tyler wasn't listening as he pulled his Sgian Dao out. As soon as the blade was seen by his party, they moved AWAY from Tyler as he walked towards Kazuma as Kaori walked over and placed her hand on Tyler's shoulder.
"Please, Tyler? Let it go."
Tyler looked at her, and the rage fell from his eyes like a red mist as he sighed.
"I hate people like him. Alright Kaori. I'll leave him unskinned just for you."
She smiled at him.
"Thanks. Been a while since I've seen you THAT pissed."
Tyler looked at the dent in the wall and looked at Ruby.
"Sooo, the wall?"
She looked at it as a dwarf from the guild walked over to inspect the damage.
"Me opinion? We'd need to replace the wall. Ya hit hard laddee!"
"Cost?"
"Maybe 450 gold? All told?"
Tyler pulled a pouch of 900 and gave it to Ruby.
"Sounds right. Sorry for the renovation. But hey, maybe ya can get that one there a mask! The ladies'll thank ye!"
The rowdy guild burst out laughing as the man that was the butt of the joke cracked up too. The dwarf that had inspected the wall came over and took the pouch from Ruby.
"I'll go see ole Bark at the yard. It be upgrade time for the hall!"
Tyler chuckled.
"Bark? Ha, tell em we'll most likely have more stone for him by tomorrow!"
The dwarf smiled.
"Aye lad, thankee kindly."
Tyler looked at the stunned Kazuma as he processed what he had just witnessed.
"You just gave them DOUBLE to fix the damage YOU caused? Freely?"
Tyler shrugged.
"I like this place. The rabble's good fun and works good too."
Ruby and the other adventurers banged mugs and fists in recognition of his words. Tyler sheathed his torture dagger and looked at his bills.
"Okay, two lisks, another Tyrant, a wall thing, a tomb, goblins, a stronghold, a gathering, a camp, two villages, and a Diadore. Oh, and those riders and striders. Outcasts, we got our hits. We'll rest for the night as tomorrow we got a lotta work to do. Oh! I forgot!"
Tyler walked over to a recoiling Kazuma and pinned him to the wall as he tore the whistle from his neck.
"Yer not an Outcast anymore. And NO. yer not gettin back in period. So, ya don't get a rally."
Tyler walked over to Erica.
"Here, your new toy."
The queen smiled widely.
"A clever trick."
"right?"
Whisper was still glaring at Kazuma as Tyler patted her back fondly.
"How's Melly loving the rich life?"
The Were tiger laughed.
"She's loving it. We see her on the tower balcony all the time. Or just practicing with that spear you gave her."
"I hope she's careful in the tower."
Whisper smiled fondly now too.
"Seline had another crystal put in the mansion to prevent a fall. She placed it on your desk so you can hide it when you get back."
"I fuckin love them. Give them a hug next time you see em, and tell Melly I said hi."
Whisper hugged him.
"Aye. I'll do that."
Tyler sighed and took the bills.
"Well, we'll leave him to ya. This be more a guild issue then my issue at this point."
Ruby nodded.
"Indeed it be Tyler. You never bothered to ask the guild rules as you just do jobs and get paid, but there are a few rules."
Tyler chuckled.
"I see I missed a step. So, Ruby, what are YOUR rules?"
The others laughed as Ruby nodded to the job board.
"When you take a job from the board, you are to complete it with honor and integrity. Basically, don't cheat your fellow adventurers. Your party has a most fair way of loot divvying I've seen in a long while. 2: in the hall, if you open your mouth you best be prepared to face the consequences of your words. Like I've heard some Warriors say: put your money where your mouth is. 3: if you are attacked by a billed creature or creatures and successfully defeat them, the guild shall oversee a deal being struck in the event of the bill having been taken. 4: honor and respect above all. You do not have to like the others in the halls, but as you are all adventurers in the same guild, if you disagree or need to settle an argument permanently, every member has the right to trial by combat. The challenger can dictate the terms of the duel and the challenged the rewards or ramifications of the loss. In these events, the entire guild bears witness and the loser is then sworn to a Guild Oath to uphold their end of the bet. They break this oath they get a bounty and the title Oathbreaker inflicted upon them as well as getting cast out of the hall."
"Tyler! I challenge you before the guild!"
Tyler sighed deeply as the rest of the party groaned hard. Kazuma had drank a potion to heal his wounds. Whisper looked at Tyler's condition and so did the entire guild. The were tiger was horrified.
"What HAPPENED to you?"
Tyler was still slightly shaking from exhaustion from his battles and the mass of spells he had to cast to both fight and clean the city. Even after his short nap he was still on the verge of dropping. Tyler pulled up his HUD and passed it to Whisper.
"I had to fight some hard battles TODAY, Whisper. These are from today."
Whisper took a look, and just went white.
"7 lich kings? In ONE day?"
Kazuma was smiling smugly now.
"So, Tyler? Do you accept?"
Tyler sighed.
"I don't really WANT to. But Kazuma? You are SERIOUSLY pissing me off. Oh, and that trick you had planned? The ability? If you play that card here, I'll use THAT."
Kazuma snorted.
"Whatever. The terms for this fight are YOU bare handed and bare chested against me with MY gear. No skills or spells for you, but ALL my tricks for me."
The guild was horrified as Tyler just pulled a potion of vitality.
"No potions for you either."
"Of course."
Tyler put the thing back as Ruby looked at Kazuma.
"Win or lose, Kazuma, you are cast out of the hall for such an honorless battle."
"That's who Kazuma is Ruby."
Tyler passed all his gear to kaori who was shaking her head in disgust.
"Dammit Kazuma. You have lost your damned mind."
Tyler chuckled.
"Nah. He's just jealous I got it all and he's got nothing."
Tyler removed his shirt and his scars were seen. The hall gasped in pitied horror as Tyler chuckled again. He pointed to three.
"These are from the first lisk me, Kaori and Malico killed. Rest from me family. They didn't like me very much."
Kazuma snorted as he lifted his shield and spear up.
"No wonder they didn't. You're just an arrogant, evil, heartless monster."
"Yet you challenged ME to fight YOU bare chested and empty handed with you fully armored and armed. Yet I'M the monster? Oh, and the stakes of your loss. I win, just leave us alone. Okay? You never stand before our party again unless we meet on the trail, the palace or some other crap I don't have the patience to list."
Kazuma curled his lip in disdain.
"I win, YOU hand everything you have, your coin, spells, party, women, the lot, to ME. And you NEVER see them again. EVER."
Tyler just sighed as the others laughed.
"Tyler loses, we're still going with him, ya freakin idiot."
Sera laughed.
"Outcasts for a reason."
The hall roared.
"hail! Outcasts!"
"Hail!"
Kazuma just snorted.
"See? No honor either to accept a fair challenge."
"Kazuma, you can't FORCE people to like you just because you have a fancy title or deeds. But, I'm wasting my breath and time. If you want to do this so fucking badly, hit me with your best shot."
Ruby pulled a black coin out of her pocket and flipped it up. Tyler was completely relaxed as the coin hit the ground and Kazuma used a spear skill.
"Rapid lunge."
The boy shot forward like a cannon blast as Tyler sighed. He dodged the initial thrust and Kazuma used the moment of movement to smash Tyler in the chest with the hard edge of his gauntlet to knock him back a step. The bare chested boy just dusted his bruised chest and kicked Kazuma in the side. The shot knocked the boy into the wall again. Tyler looked at Ruby.
"I'll pay for the damages."
She sighed.
"Thankee kindly Tyler."
Kazuma came out enraged and tried to stab Tyler with his spear, but Tyler just dodged every thrust the boy made like it wasn't moving.
"Flaming embrace."
Tyler was engulfed in red roiling flames as Kazuma laughed.
"See? I win. He's nothing without his fancy toys and tricks."
"Hey, idiot. You DO remember what my paths are, right?"
Tyler was utterly unharmed as Kazuma gaped at him.
"I set you on FIRE! You just forfeit the match! I said no skills or spells!"
Lyrica explained with disgust in her warm voice.
"Idiot. Tyler's a white path as well as blue. You have a white/red combo. White path spells CAN'T be used against fellow white paths."
Tyler looked at the succubus.
"Why is that, actually? I wanted to ask back then, but we were in a hurry."
Lyrica smiled warmly now, and explained in a happy tone.
"White path spells draw their power from the good side of the soul. So, if you try to use a GOOD piece against more GOOD…"
"It just gets absorbed. I get it now. Thanks Lyrica."
"You are most welcome."
Kazuma just looked at her,
"Yet he hit the white path with that spell of his."
Lyrica was right back to disgusted disdain.
"Holy Sanctity is a White spell for fighting doppelgangers. The dome works in the spirit realm, where the creatures true forms reside. Plus, the spell hits the TRUEST path of a target, and since a doppelganger is a pure black that pretends to be other paths, it hits them just the harder."
Tyler tilted his head.
"Now I have another question, Lyrica, but after."
"Love you too."
Kazuma just stabbed at Tyler again as Tyler dodged his shots as Lily laughed.
"Tyler TAUGHT me how to shield, ya really think ya can touch him?"
Kazuma smiled and threw a vial on the floor. Suddenly the floor a good ten feet in diameter was coated in slick ice. Tyler wasn't moving as Kazuma still moved as on a stone floor as Vixen sighed.
"An Instant ice vial. It effects the floor around the splash zone and makes it as the slipperiest ice, while leaving the thrower unaffected. Useless."
Kazuma lunged with triumph on his face as Tyler sidestepped yet again unaffected by the slick surface. The blonde boy just gaped at him.
"Fight fair ya damned cheater!"
"Dude, look down."
He did and saw the clear cuts in the ice from the sharp treads in Tyler's boots. Tyler sighed.
"We LIVED in a town known for this shit. You REALLY think I wouldn't have a means to stay sure footed on ice? Me plan was more for running on rock but same thing."
Kazuma growled in frustration as Wulf laughed.
"We'll most likely be headed to a colder region anyway. So, overprepared as usual."
Tyler danced around Kazuma's latest attacks as the ice melted into steam, obscuring the Outcast's vision. When the steam cleared, Kazuma had vanished and Tyler just sighed again.
"Invisibility. He's THAT desperate."
The guild hall was just appalled at this turn of events as using such an unfair advantage in such an unfair fight was nothing short of cowardice at it's height. Tyler just shut his eyes and relaxed. He started moving as he dodged more attacks and shots like he could see them, and Serafina laughed.
"He's a master of visualization. Or, he can fight blind if he has to."
Kaori chuckled.
"Tyler grew up like this, Serafina. These clear disadvantages he is sadly all too used to fighting against."
Kazuma's potion wore off and he winked back into view and Tyler opened his eyes again. Kazuma was breathing heavily as Tyler was still relaxed. The scarred man tilted his head.
"Are you done?"
The blonde boy had a single vein bulge on his head, and pulled a black potion out now. Vixen gasped.
"That's a poison cloud of nightshade's touch! It will hit only the one he wants, and the only way to fight it off is with an antidote spell or potion!"
Tyler just sighed as Kazuma hit him with it. The glass canister shattered at Tyler's feet and the cloud wrapped itself around him as Kazuma laughed.
"I win! I finally beat him!"
Tyler just shrugged.
"Another thing dipshit. My physical defense. That plus a few title boosts I have make poisons next to useless."
Vixen laughed.
"Oh right, I forgot. He's got the Forest friend title. That has an extra effect that renders all toxins in the forest useless against him."
Kazuma was losing his mind as everything he did Tyler had an answer for, whether it be his insane physical stats, titles, or his foresight. Then Kazuma's eyes narrowed.
"Let's see you get out of this ya bastard! Balancer's wrath!"
Tyler tilted his head at the name as Lyrica gasped.
"That's an ability that forces the target to be judged by a Scale deity! It can only be gained through a boon for completing a task of the Scale!"
Kazuma smiled as a scale speared with two trays on strings.
"I got this from The god of the scale Levelus!"
Tyler tilted his head the other way now.
"really? What you do for him?"
Kazuma sneered.
"I had to kill like thirty bounties to get it. Plus the title Scale Ballast."
Tyler frowned now and pulled up his list of titles.
"Scale Ballast, hmmm. Odd. I wonder if it's JUST a bounty thing?"
Lyrica explained smiling.
"It is. Levelus is a God of Justice. As such, the bounty boards are a part of his sphere. He rewards this ability for those that do outstanding work with the boards. You got Scale Balancer so, since Minus is his pantheon Queen, he really had nothing to really offer you for your work. As far as the scale deities go, Levelus is not as high as the others."
Tyler shrugged as he saw the number of bounties had hit 34.
"No biggee really. I like hunting these idiots, plus the coins good. So, good enough."
The ten foot weighing apparatus finished materializing and Tyler looked at it.
"Wonder who it'll be?"
A black light appeared as a woman in blood red armor appeared. She was as tall as Lucy, so 7 feet, had ankle length red hair that shimmered in an unfelt breeze, pale skin and a massive bust in her scale armor. She looked at Tyler with eyes that were literally on fire as she viewed his deeds and misdeeds. Tyler smiled at her.
"Atrocity?"
The lady smiled.
"Sadly not, Mortal. A very good guess and I am flattered by the comparison. No, I am Judge. Goddess of debts and punishment. I am the scale's enforcer or, in the more extreme cases, the one that acts when the scale is in danger."
"I see. Nice to meet you, Lady Judge. Is Atrocity a War goddess then?"
The lady smiled.
"She is indeed, Mortal. Atrocity rules the sphere of wanton destruction, rage with direction, and protective violence. Minus is the other side of her coin, as the Scale Queen rules fairness, justness, and logic."
"Nifty family there. I think I'll need to get a book to keep track though."
She chuckled.
"I see Lady Minus did not lie about your sense of humor."
"Tell I said hi if you see her before me."
"I will Mortal. And good for her."
Kazuma was just gaping at Tyler having a friendly chat with the goddess of judgement sent to test his deeds. The Goddess looked to the blonde boy.
"I am here. Let us proceed with the scale."
Tyler leaned on a wall.
"How's it work?"
The goddess waved at the scale.
"This places all your thus far deeds on the scale. Good on the right. Bad on the left. If the bad wins over the good, a punishment is meted out by the amount. If the good wins, a reward is also issued based on the amount. Let us start with the Caller of the Scale trial, Kazuma."
The blonde boy smiled widely as his scale was loaded with gold on the right for his good deeds.
"Top THAT you heartless bastard!"
Judge then waved her hand at the left side, which had bad deeds. Kazuma was appalled as more bad filled the left side, and tipped the scale to the bad. Judge looked at the difference, and it was noticeable. She nodded.
"A Stripping of his Scale titles as well as the title Scale tipper."
Tyler looked at the Goddess.
"Scale tipper?"
She explained as Kazuma went white as he was condemned.
"It means he has abused the Scale's trust for his own gain. As such, the deities of the Scale will never look to his deeds again. An example is in banks or the exchanges, as they are under our sphere, their deals will be distinctively worse now as the title is seen during the transactions."
Tyler thought this over.
"Me and my party have been getting a rather large amount of good deals during our visits to these places. Is that due to my relationship with the Scale, or just general practice?"
The goddess laughed.
"Most amusing Mortal indeed. The deals you have received are general practices. The Scale does not interfere as much as you thought, Mortal, but when we do we make a mark as you say."
"Huh. Nifty system ya got here, Goddess."
she laughed.
"We'll start with your bad deeds first, Tyler."
He shrugged.
"Kinda curious now myself."
She gestured to the left and it filled with black ballasts and dipped noticeably. But, not as much as Kazuma's had fully loaded with his good. Kazuma watched with a twitching eyelid as Judge then nodded at the amount.
"That is all for the bad deeds."
Tyler blinked now himself.
"There goes my reputation as an asshole. Goodbye Demon and hello white knight bullshit."
The guild lost it laughing, and so did Judge as Wulf was heard now.
"That! That's what that feels like!"
"Wow, Wulf, I forgot you were here."
The elf just flipped his hands smiling.
"Shove it ya jackass!"
Tyler chuckled as he looked at Judge.
"What now?"
She gestured to the right side and the scale nearly fell over from the sheer amount of good deeds Tyler had accomplished in his life. The scale was as far over as it could go, and more white ballasts were still being added as Kazuma just backed away in horror at the sight.
"No, that's not possible, Tyler's a heartless, vile, toxic person that only cares for himself. He's no hero. He's no hero."
Judge waited till the ballasts stopped filling and nodded.
"I see. The results are clear. As such, the reward is ONE boon per Warrior in your party. And let it be known this is NOT enough to even MOVE his scale."
Tyler had a thought now.
"Sooo, just to be clear?"
Judge looked at him now.
"Mortal?"
"Since my scale is so weighed down for good things, does this mean I'm set for a truly horrific tragedy?"
Judge laughed.
"No Mortal. This scale is for deeds ONLY. As for such things like blessings and tragedies, those revolve around the life you lead. For example, the other Warriors lead a life inflicting horrors on others, so horrors are inflicted on them."
Tyler breathed a sigh of relief.
"I see now. A saying in our world is you reap what you sow."
Judge nodded.
"Exactly. Now, these boons will be decided between you and Minus as they cannot be shown to others outside the party."
"I understand. And I'm sorry for the mess, Judge."
She laughed.
"Not at all, Mortal. Honestly, these kinds of trials are my form of entertainment. Plus I got to see Minus' new Mortal Husband with my own eyes. Most impressive for her first Mortal Husband."
Tyler smiled.
"She's my first Goddess wife, so good Judgement all round!"
That made her burst out laughing as the other men just applauded his word play. Kazuma was as white in the face as he could get as he saw Tyler's deeds laid out without anymore room for argument or denial. Judge looked to the blonde boy with condemnation in her fire eyes.
"Kazuma the Kind has been found the condemned of this Scale trial. As such, his punishment is a stripping of his titles of the scale, and the cursed title Scale tipper."
She faced Tyler.
"Tyler the Outcast. You have been found the absolved of the Scale trial. As such, your reward is a Boon to be bestowed upon thee and your Warriors by Lady Minus when it is safe to do so."
judge placed a hand upon the ten foot tall scale and the thing glowed a bright white before vanishing entirely. The Goddess then bowed to Tyler before up and vanishing altogether as Tyler looked at a trembling Kazuma.
"we done here? I got shit to do."
Kazuma was jerked from his fear and lifted his weapons again.
"I am alone in seeing how you truly are. So be it."
Tyler just sighed.
"Fine. Use it Kazuma."
The blonde boy glared at him.
"Hero's Stand."
Kazuma started glowing as his abilities were boosted by his skill. Kaori nudged Ruby.
"I'd appreciate it if the guild didn't mention their conversation about this ability period."
The guild to a man swore an oath to not mention a word of Tyler's hinted at ability. For his part, Tyler shook his head.
"idiot."
Kazuma surged forward to hit Tyler with his boosted stats and spells. Only thing was Tyler just looked him in the eye.
"How's it feel knowing you loved having your father inside your ass?"
kaori winced.
"Oh shit, Tyler's DONE playing with him."
Erica and Lyrica watched the party wide wince as Kazuma dropped to the ground horrified. The queen and Succubus Gulped.
"He weaponized that trick?"
"I'll ask the specifics later."
Kaori looked at the queen.
"This is Tyler's OTHER trick, Erica. He can read your eyes like a book and see your mind like he WAS you."
Ruby looked to the guild.
"Not a word."
Another mass of oaths as Kazuma whined.
"You agreed NO skills!"
Tyler shrugged.
"Accept I already used this one on you. Before the mess. Yeah, I just need a mere glance most times. The rest the second glace does it. I looked into YOUR eyes for what? 5 full seconds? Let's get deep."
Tyler walked over and leaned on a wall facing the whole guild.
"Let's start at the beginning, shall we? You wanted to rape Kaori yourself, and your father knew it too. Only reason why you never raided her bedroom was I was usually in it or in screaming range. So, you LET your father have your ass as it gave you what you craved: Pain and screams. You play the kind hearted white knight to mask the sadist you are, Kazuma. You're more heartless then I am, and the Creature was made to just suffer. It wasn't made to TAKE you pain for you, no, it was made as a manes to take MORE pain. Now, me. You're jealous of everything I am. I had kaori as my best friend and it was clear she was head over heels for me. Fact I never saw it in your eyes just infuriated you to no end. Fact when I rolled up bleeding and in pain and she came running made you the more jealous as you wanted HER to run to YOU. Now, Lectis. We get here, and I save kaori from rape from the pope. You got arrested by the pope and found a fellow sadist in him. Yet, you didn't join him as you saw an opportunity to become what you always wanted to be: the heroic white knight that gets the princess, the wealth and the pick of every beauty in the realm due to your dashing good looks and deeds. Yet, once you actually started to SWING the sword, you realized just how hard it was to do all that. So, when Ishtar adopted you it was a dream come true as now all you had to do was clean a single city up even though I had done the heavy lifting. You lost it when you try to claim the credit for the victory and the people laid it at MY feet instead of yours. Me being hundreds of miles away and not having set foot inside the gate making it that much worse. You got your pick of the beauties, but they moaned MY name instead of yours in bed as I saved them, YOU just rolled up after the blood. I wonder, yup. Those lays were NOT with willing partners. I wonder what I'll find when we visit? So, as time went on and more and more of my feats reached your ears, plus the fact Kaori and I became full lovers just enraged you all the more. I have dragons as friends, I have wealth aplenty, the strength of ages and I run with princesses and a queen now. You have just your hand, your dream, and THAT'S it. You want to BE me. But, and here's the thing Kazuma, you WILL NEVER BE. ME."
Kazuma was curled up in a ball shaking as his deepest, darkest secrets were thrown out for all to hear. Tyler looked at a pale faced Ruby.
"Soo, how do these duels end?"
Ruby snapped out of her stupor.
"The victor is clear. Tyler the Outcast is absolved of the charges and is declared victor."
"Can I have my clothes back now? Please?"
The guild laughed as he geared back up. Once he sheathed Oblivion on Oathkeeper on his back he smiled.
"There. Now that I'm properly dressed, we got a reward to claim!"
Sera and Lillia looked at each other.
"Oooohhhh, so THAT'S what he meant."
"I feel stupid again."
Ruby used her interface and Kazuma was both blacklisted, given the Guild oath title and kicked out. Tyler looked at the new hole and Ruby smiled.
"Another 450."
He handed her 900."
"Point taken."
They laughed and Tyler led his party out of the hall with their bills as Kazuma was thrown out on his face. Tyler was looking at the bills again,
"Hey, tyler."
He looked to see Whisper the were tiger come walking up. She got a kiss before smiling.
"I'd like to join your party. Kinda been wantin to ask, but jobs."
Tyler smiled widely now.
"Sure, Whisper. What are you stats?"
She pulled her HUD up and he looked them over. She also smiled.
"I'm also a scout."
Wulf blinked as Tyler looked at him.
"That like a ranger?"
The elf nodded smiling.
"Only the Vernillion version. Training is the exact same, but Scouts are more active fighters then the Rangers as we like to stay OUT of conflict."
"Well, alright."
Tyler looked back to the smiling lady for another good look over. Her eye were yellow and shown like gold, her hair was dark blue and it hung to her ankles like a mane of water, her skin was fair with a slight scar on her face from her were affliction, she was as tall as Erica and her bust was half a cup bigger then kaori's modest b. Tyler then looked at Serafina.
"Issue?"
The Wraith threw her hood down and Whisper laughed.
"A wraith. Of course he's got a Wraith in his party."
The Were Tiger stood before the Wraith.
"I have no quarrels with the Fang."
Serafina smiled and let her fangs be seen.
"I have no quarrel with the Stripes."
The two cut their hands and pressed bleeding palms before looking at Tyler.
"We're set."
"Yup."
Tyler smiled widely now.
"Whisper, we got rules."
The Were tiger smiled.
"Oh this oughta be good."
"1: as the strongest person on the team, I hold the coin. 2: no work no food. In my camp you pull your weight."
Sera and Lillia chipped in as usual.
"Trust us Whisper, he's a dick about it."
"mean. So mean."
She laughed.
"Any others?"
"3: in towns and villages we ALL share a room if possible to save coin. When a bed is taken, we get separate rooms."
The lady nodded.
"Unspoken?"
"Keep our secrets, we do dark work from time to time and don't get on a high horse."
Whisper nodded once more.
"I have heard of the work you do, Tyler, so you know, I too do dark work as well."
Tyler smiled.
"Good to know."
"I agree to your camp rules. Now, loot?"
"Depends honestly. Coin is split between party, members, and mansion, but I hold it. When we find troves or other mass loot, you see something you want speak up. Same with most anything we find. Gems are tricky as we need to keep some aside for dragon bribes and the mansion funds."
She nodded in agreement.
"Work around camp?"
"Just help out in some manner and we don't really care. I set up defense spells, so, long as your useful we don't complain."
She smiled widely.
"I like the way you run camp. Our next move?"
"We're headed to get our rewards off minus before we rest for tomorrows raiding."
they started walking as Whisper and Tyler continued their discussion.
"I see. Targets?"
"Here. This is our first run tomorrow. What path are you?"
She took the packet wide eyed.
"Umm, I be a Black/Red with grey in the mix due to me Were."
Tyler nodded.
"Preferred path?"
"No preference, more all rounder."
Tyler thought it over as she passed the packet of bills back a little intimidated.
"This is just ONE raid tomorrow?"
"We'll do three. At least. This is what we're doing till the ball and the day BEFORE the wave."
Whisper shook her head.
"I knew your party worked hard, but DAMN."
They laughed as they walked into the palace. The party walked up to where Ishtar was talking with a boy in a black suit Tyler recognized as the leader of the gang thorn had been a part of. The King smiled as Tyler approached. The boy just looked at him with a shrug.
"Ya better be nice to Thorn."
Tyler chuckled fondly.
"Inflict sera's hug death on her on sight, gotchya."
Sera gave the boy his own taste of hug death and he blustered.
"Hey, hey, hey! I need to breathe Sera!"
She giggled and hugged him again, getting more exasperated blustering as Ishtar looked at the Outcast.
"So. Kazuma."
Tyler nodded.
"We talk here or this an office gimmick?"
The boy looked up at Tyler.
"Ah yeah, I fergot. Me name's Axe."
Tyler nodded approvingly.
"Nice to put a name to the face Axe. I'm Tyler."
The boy shrugged. He was Sera's height, slender of frame, with clear marks from his former life on the streets. He had sandy hair and light skin with dark grey eyes.
"You just barely in my book. I gotta go check on Thorn."
"Hey, Axe. Ya got a path?"
The boy snorted.
"Silver."
Tyler pulled a spare Silver dagger they'd found Sera didn't want and passed it to the boy.
"Should help out in case of idiot."
The boy took the blade and twirled it skillfully.
"Huh. Not as bad as I thought. Least ya know a good knife."
The boy walked off twirling his new weapon as Tyler looked at Lily.
"I like that kid."
Lily shrugged.
"Eh, he's just barely."
Ishtar laughed as Axe was lost to sight.
"He looks after his own like Tyler does. That dagger was a good idea."
Tyler smiled as he patted Sera's head.
"It was, wasn't it?"
The king smiled.
"It was indeed. Now, we need to discuss something in the office."
The party followed as Whisper looked at Kaori.
"I see this party has a few secrets."
The blonde beauty nodded.
"We do, Whisper. We'll tell you when we can, as Erica also needs to be fully brought up. Just not here."
She nodded as they all took spots in the office. Wulf shut the door and leaned against it as Malico spoke up.
"The scroll?"
Tyler crossed his arms.
"We'll see if Minus allows it."
Malico passed the lightly moaning scroll as whisper laughed.
"Okay, he's got a Goddess Wife."
Tyler rolled out the scroll as minus was heard.
"Ishtar is allowed to watch the boons get bestowed. Oh, and Judge LIKES you, Love."
Tyler ran a light finger ion the scroll as Kaori looked to a stunned Whisper.
"She feels it when we touch her scroll."
She wacked Tyler as he teased her.
"And THIS jackass loves teasing her!"
Tyler laughed as he placed a warm hand on the scroll.
"So, Minus, what will you BLESS us with this time?"
The scroll shivered.
"I love it when you do that you me. The boons are ONE item from your world. Same as before."
Tyler smiled widely as Ashy perked up.
"Our Movie collections please!"
Minus laughed.
"Those or THOSE?"
"Both."
All three voices replied at once and the scroll smiled as three sets of crystals appeared.
"Add them to your other crystals. And, love? I love the things you can do to me."
Tyler chuckled as Ashy looked through his collection.
"Damn dude. Yeah, I love it too."
Kaori was smiling as well, with a slight blush.
"He has great taste there as well."
Tyler was still thinking as Kaori took the spot.
"Is it possible to get our gaming collections back, Minus?"
Tyler and Ashy looked at the beautiful blonde with new love and awe. Then Tyler smiled.
"I forgot the barbie was a gamer."
Minus was smiling hard now.
"I love these. No wonder you adapted so easily to Lectis."
Another set appeared and Tyler tapped the list and scrolled, then he whistled in appreciation.
"Damn ladies, ya got some hardcore names here."
Minus explained.
"Just say the name of the game, and the magic will make it fully playable and accessible no matter what platform is was on originally."
"Game night?"
"Game night."
Tyler looked at the scroll now.
"Well, I got YOU, Minus, blessing enough,"
The scroll sighed happily at this,
"I do love you too."
"So, for me? My other show collection."
The crystal appeared and Tyler added it to his other show crystal.
"That has all three collections you had."
"I am deleting kaori's dating shows."
"You do and I'll delete your anime."
"Fair point."
Minus laughed.
"Those shows are so fake."
"So true."
Kaori just stuck her nose in the air as Tyler ran another finger along the scroll.
"Thanks Minus. Love you."
She was heard to purr.
"I love you too."
Tyler passed the scroll to Malico, who rubbed her breasts on it as usual before putting it in the pouch. Ishtar was smiling with clear envy as Tyler and the two girls set the items into pouches.
"I am curious as to what you were talking of there, but I don't really need to know the specifics. Now, Kazuma's idiocy."
Tyler sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
"what's the call?"
The king just sighed.
"I removed him from the line of succession for that stunt. From what the knights said, he walked out the palace door and literally sat out of sight of the doors and followed you to the guild hall. There he watched from the open doorway as you worked and took bills. Only once you spoke his name did he make his presence known."
Tyler shrugged.
"HE just couldn't handle the fact I was the more loved."
Ishtar nodded.
"Indeed. He believed that once I placed that crown on his head that was it, he would have the adoration of the masses. And he did have it, as you were far away making your legend."
"Then I blew into town and he lost what little adoration he had to my outright worship. The fact I more or less ignored it just drove him up the wall."
The king sat in his chair tiredly.
"Indeed again. Kazuma just wanted an easy live without putting the effort in to get it."
"Dragul?"
The King lifted a piece of paper.
"I sent a few Scouts to talk to the council there."
HE rubbed his eyes now as Tyler sighed himself.
"How bad?"
"Valdic Sharpspike still holds a position of power, per Kazuma's intervention in his trial. He said the man deserved a chance at redemption, but in truth, it was so Kazuma and the little man could still play their vile games. This time in secret. The overwhelming cruelty and evil WAS cleaned up, but now random kidnappings were rampant and the leaders of the resistance helpless as to openly resist was to paint themselves the bad guy for opposing Kazuma."
Tyler just slumped.
"We'll visit Dragul too."
Ishtar nodded.
"Agreed. Kazuma has been removed from power and Valdic imprisoned. I then placed the council in charge. They have asked to hold a new trial for Valdic with YOU present."
"Because of my Warrior's Council?"
"Yes. Also because you started the revolt, you are hailed as a hero to the Tail in Dragul. They also wish to apologize for their helplessness when Kazuma's true nature was revealed."
Tyler chuckled.
"They owe me nothing. I may be as uncompromisingly harsh as I am, but even I know that in some situations your hands are well and truly tied. If they were to revolt against Kazuma the 'kind' then not even I would really question their validness in doing so."
Kaori sighed now herself.
"Nor me. I'd have asked you to look into it, but that would be all."
Tyler rubbed his eyes.
"Dragul needs a visit, Valsask needs a demon killed, and we're headed for Cragspire after the wave. Plus a break in Raylik for maybe two full days."
Ishtar nodded.
"You have a busy few days."
"Yeah. Was that it?"
The king thought it over.
"Yes, that was it."
Tyler smiled and looked at Kaori.
"Good. Kaori's been waiting."
The party laughed. The group headed up to their rooms, Erica rooming with Sera and Lillia, and Whisper was crashing with Serafina. Tyler and Kaori walked into their room and stripped as Sallie and Sylvia shut the door. Kaori was sighing happily as he mounted her.
"I love you, Tyler."
She bucked as he thrust with hie hand in hers.
"I love you too, Kaori."
The lovers played for a while, the blonde getting her doses of night cream as she blew her own lid repeatedly. Then they lay panting next to each other as Sallie and Sylvia climbed up on their chests. Kaori snuggled up with Sylvia nestled into her bare breasts and rested her head on Tyler's shoulder, as Sallie was comfortably settled on his scarred chest. She smiled as he pulled up his HUD.
"Never fails."
"Love you too."
HE hit the news feed.
"Today in Vernillion. The Outcasts are in the city. And they made a heroic entry at that, reader. This late morning, Tyler the Outcast led his party to Term in full battle formation as the other Warriors were camped outside the walls as they were not permitted entry. Max the rapist confronted the Outcast and words were exchanged. Well, reader, Tyler infuriated the bully to striking out at him with his steel sword. It didn't work. Tyler snapped that weapon like it were made of twig, and then hero's welcome was rolled out for him. Max tried to steal the outcast's hard earned welcome, only for Tyler to display his Blue mastery with a QUARTER power defense spell Water Wall. Max and his followers were simply outmatched by this display of raw power. The rapist had tried to rush the knights of the Hero's return, but Tyler had stepped in to both make a point, and aid them. He used the follow up spell Water fall, and it took Max and his followers to the ground while giving their poor mounts a much needed bath. Then the parade was back on as Tyler demonstrated his flames he loves the once as the walls were throwing roses. This display filled the area with the flower's sweet scent, but his companions advised against another such display for fear of fire. The outcast loves showing off for the masses, reader, but thank the gods he's not as reckless as some with it. Along the way, Tyler discovered a most tragic fate had befallen a treasured Husky friend of the Warrior Ashy in his party. The poor dog had been abused to the point of near death by the lady's father, and Tyler would not stand for it. It would seem the master fo blue and White also has a strong grasp of the Brown, for he was able to heal the poor girl to peak of health with a most beautiful coat. Sadly, as soon as Ashy got her prized Husky back, Sera stole the fluffy Sasha out from under her as her new cuddle buddy. Ashy's horrible father was given a horse dung face wash by Tyler before getting thrown a record distance of 400 feet. Sasha was then seen riding the back of Sera's horse as the procession resumed moving. The Outcast has a flare for showmanship, as he used an ice spell called Azur Wave to send icicles skyward. The spell makes the shards burst into smaller shards, and the resulting effect was a large rainbow over the line. A most beautiful display to be sure. Along the path, the last encounter was with the Outcast's vile family, and reader? He proved a point. His own mother cast a poison touch spell in her son's face. A monster of a person to be sure, but it had utterly no effect as Tyler's stats render him immune to such a low level spell. Then his siter cast a banned spell at him and that was that. The family was thrown into the dirt, the guard turned out and a fresh set of inspections carried out. The Warriors were saved by a decree from the king as they will die in the wave. The party entered the city, and Tyler once again displayed his kindness towards the children of the realm as he spotted an elven girl of the streets he had taken coin from in a time of desperation, which the small girl has absolved him of, as sometimes we must all do things we are not proud of to survive. Tyler made his past action right with a gift of no less then 25 gold coins from his own pocket to the girl. Well, that was not the end of the girl's gifts that day, as the King has taken in the lass and her small gang of friends as maids, royal children and runners to the family. Those kids have endured enough says this writer. The Outcast then marched right up to the Palace and threw open the doors to the throne room like he owned the place! The King, Queen, and crown Prince Kazuma were waiting for him as a royal greeting. Well, Kazuma wanted to test the Outcast's strength against his own. Kazuma being a great shielder and sword user to Tyler's myriad of tricks and weapons. Tyler had the prince beaten in under a minute, reader. Then, Tyler sought to prove a point about his party, and had Lily of the Hammer challenge the prince as she too is a shielder. Well, Kazuma insulted the fiery lady by not taking her seriously as a fighter, and Lily made him pay for it with a mortal wound. We at the guild have this to say: do NOT make that girl mad. Tyler has since taken Kazuma under his wing for some much needed lessons on the ways of the world, and in this writer's own opinion? The boy could not have found a finer teacher or party leader. Tyler has also proven to be a most capable adventurer in the bedroom, as his next recruit for the party was none other the legendary adventurer Lyrica the Succubus. That's right ladies, Tyler the outcast won over Lyrica with his bedroom prowess into becoming his new sex slave, or in Succubus culture, his new WIFE! The beauties of the realm rejoice. Upon his successful recruiting, Tyler felt it most wise to grant an interview as to explain why certain Warriors still lived to Queen Willow. Her daughter Lily of the Hammer also took part to better protect the Outcast from her mother's fire. This was their interview.
"Thank you, Tyler the Outcast, Lily of the Hammer."
Tyler chuckled.
"Sure."
Lily was sitting on his leg as she spoke.
"Wanted to say hi long distance."
The lady began.
"So, Outcast. You've seen the other Warriors. Your thoughts?"
Tyler just snorted.
"Well, their gear's shit, they're shit, and max and his two butt buddies still live Willow. Lily here can kill them bare handed. And, I saw your last article. She prefers a short sword and shield combo. Plus, Ishtar has issued a decree to let them die in the wave, since they will."
"Lily?"
She snorted.
"They suck. His sword was mere light steel from the waste bin. I can handle em Momma. Oh, and me hammer be fun an all, but I like the style of sword and shield Tyler taught me."
The Outcast doesn't mince his words, readers of Lectis. Lily doesn't either. Plus, her if she's learning to fight using TYLER'S ways, then gods help us all. I then asked him about his newest Outcasts.
"I see you've taken some new faces into your camp, care to explain?"
"Sure. Kazuma's Kaori's brother, so I kinda HAVE to keep him alive. He's a hopeless optimist and is far too kind hearted to be left alone out there. Luckily he just needs a good kick in the ass to get it together."
"I see you've even managed to recruit Lyrica herself for your party."
"Never go wrong with a busty succubus. She's got veteran experience now. Plus, is a powerful mage in her own right. The bed mate thing's a VERY welcome bonus. Now I just need to get her AND you Verilica in the same pile!"
Lily laughed as well as I.
"Lady killer indeed. The dog?"
"Sasha's Ashy's friend from our world. Plus is Sera's newest cuddle buddy. And like Wulf told me, you can't really go wrong with a good dog. And Sasha is a very good dog."
The Outcast knows how to build a party! When asked about her role in camp, Lily the Shield Elf had this to say.
"What about you, Lily? What's your role in camp?"
She smiled as she settled back against him.
"I'm the camp smith. I handle the light repairs and easy forging over the campfire. I can work Malachite now momma. In a fight, I usually stay near Tyler as his longer blades complement me shield perfectly. Oh, and I'm winning me fight. He WILL be mine Momma!"
Tyler rubbed her hair.
"Still outmatched here. But you fierce so I'll let it go."
She just sighed.
"Prick."
Readers, Tyler and Lily have a most interesting relationship. He loves her fire dearly, and has a most brotherly devotion to her as well. The force they must make on the battlefield is sure to be terrifying. I then asked how the wave preparation was going, and Tyler's reply was confidence itself.
"Oh we're set. Thing could start in five minutes and we'd walk out the other side without a scratch. Even with taking in two newbies and a fresh puppy."
Readers, if TYLER is certain they're ready for the wave, they won't get a scratch. The pair had a last point to make before the end of the interview.
"Last bit? I hit Max and his party with a QUARTER powered up WaterWall/waterfall Willow. And it nearly killed em!"
Lily was nodding sagely.
"If I merely KICK him in the gems it'd kill him."
Tyler and Lily were most generous in granting this interview, even if it were to appease an angry mother! Queen Willow was able to make a reply before this article was published.
"I see the Outcast remembers his oaths of vengeance. I must say I like this way of punishment. Lily is a fine girl, and Malachite? Already? She'll be a great smith too! The sword and Shield bit is a surprise, but a good one to be sure. I'll let you off me hook, Tyler, as long as Lily gets her due."
The queen of the elves is a most fierce lady indeed. Tyler and his party are as we set this article to crystal out on a fresh batch of raids with the new party members, so, we at the guild eagerly await the feats they are sure to accomplish."
Tyler smiled as he closed the HUD.
"The article in the morning is sure to be an interesting one."
Kaori sighed.
"I'm sorry my brother was so stupid."
He kissed her lovingly.
"I love you."
That was all he had to say. The lovers and their spirit daughters settled down for the night and closed their eyes.
"Good night girls. I love you."
They murmured a reply as they drifted off.