Tyler next opened his eyes to see Sallie softly breathing on his chest holding Sylvia's hand. He smiled as he used his picture feature. Cute. She giggled sweetly.
"Sneaky daddy! Stealing photos of sleeping girls?"
He hugged her tightly as Sylvia got deeper into her cuddle of Kaori. Tyler snuggled the smaller girl like a cat as she giggled softly. She sighed happily.
"I love you, Daddy."
He snuggled her again.
"Love you too Sparkles."
She giggled as Kaori popped her green eye open.
"Love you too, Sweetie."
Sylvia just hugged the lady.
"Love you too, Momma."
The small family hugged again before Tyler chuckled.
"I got something to pick up now."
Kaori gulped.
"Oh shit I know that look."
He kissed her as the spirits returned to spirit form.
"I'll be back Kaori."
"Jesus that's scary when you do that."
They dressed and he walked out to find a foot tapping Eri waiting for them. Tyler patted her shoulder.
"I'll be right back."
He left a now confused Eri with a now TERRIFIED Kaori as he went to see Link. He spotted Lycan rocking her new gear in the throne room as she chatted with Serafina about something. Those two alone in the same room? Seems like a recipe for something nasty. He walked out and threw an orange with a bored expression at Kazuma's face as he passed, getting a round of laughter from the still gathered crowd. He found Link's shop and went inside. The blue sprite was smiling widely as he walked in.
"This be me finest work, lad."
She passed the small box to him and he smiled at the sparkling blue sapphire.
"It'll merge with the ruby and if she wishes to wear one ring, or both she may. Plus, the two outfits can be swapped on the fly."
He put an extra 350 gold on the counter with a happy smile.
"Thanks Link. Watch for idiots."
She smiled.
"Go make that girl go insane."
He walked out smiling.
"Me plan."
He left the store and could faintly hear the sounds of chaos from the still rioting Warriors and he shook his head. If those idiots keep us up tonight I'll SHUT THEM UP. He walked back up into the palace and went right for the room Kaori was sitting in with Eri. He shut the door and Kaori gulped as he walked up.
"Oh shit. What'd you do?"
He smiled as he pulled her to her feet and stood her in the center of the room.
"Close your eyes and hold out your hand."
Eri blinked, then gave him a VERY intense stare as Kaori held out her new trembling hand and closed her eyes. Tyler placed the sapphire ring on the same finger as the ruby, and he smiled as he saw the two merge. The sapphire was in place and he nodded.
"You can look now."
She did, and gasped at the sparkling blue.
"It's beautiful!"
"Tap it."
Eri was watching with all the intensity of a wildlife photographer seeing a wild white tiger as Kaori hit the sapphire. Instead of fire this time, she was hit with a raging ocean wave of the deepest, purest blue before she was clad in her newest dress. He held up a mirror and she spun like a small girl with her very first dress. He smiled as she looked like she was wearing the ocean instead of mere clothing, and Eri was gaping at her beautiful daughter in her gorgeous dress as Tyler smiled at her.
"It landed perfectly. Tap the thing again."
She looked, and saw the red of the ruby in the deep blue. She hit the red, and was engulfed in the fire from her previous dress before getting clad in it. Eri had tears of joy in her green eyes at the glamourous gifts Tyler had showered her daughter in. Kaori tapped the ring again and was back in her blue dress as she kissed him.
"I love it. I love you! Thank you!"
He kissed her lovingly.
"I love you, Kaori."
She smiled proudly as she turned to her mother.
"See?"
Eri just smiled at the happy couple.
"Kaori, you have the most wonderful lover. Those dresses are beautiful. Tyler? Where'd you get them?"
He passed her his sketches and she just teared up further.
"All this just to make her smile."
He smiled.
"I love Kaori with everything I am, Eri. So, I'm constantly looking for a means to put a smile on her face."
He got a hug from the overjoyed mother.
"She picked a truly great one."
He chuckled.
"She learned from the best."
That got him a tighter hug as Kaori hugged her mother too.
"I love you, Mom. This is how he cares for me."
Eri heled her daughter now.
"I'm jealous. And I'll keep the new dress a secret for the ball."
Tyler smiled again.
"That ball is going to be a good one."
Kaori noted the look,
"Oh shit he's not done!"
Eri looked at him now as well, with a little fear.
"The hell?"
He smiled wider.
"Wait an see."
eri just looked at her daughter.
"Holy shit that is terrifying."
He laughed as a knock was heard on the door.
"I seek the Outcast!"
Tyler opened the door to see a runner outside.
"I be Outcast lad."
The boy smiled as he relayed his message,
"The King be needing you Sir. He's in his office."
"Good lad."
He gave him 20 silver and looked at the ladies.
"Wonder what the new mess is."
He left the laughing ladies to head for the office. Ishtar was looking at a map of the city with Wulf, Whisper, Erica and Lyrica. Tyler sighed as he shut the door.
"You want me to make a point?"
Ishtar sighed deeply.
"I do Tyler. I'd like you to go out there and put the riots down. Harshly. My people are tired of these displays and the destruction they bring. My knights are too."
Tyler rubbed his eyes.
"Okay. Sooo, I still can't kill them, right?"
The king nodded sadly.
"Unfortunately not. Just…terrify them."
Wulf tapped the sector in question.
"All the civilians have been evacuated."
Tyler sighed again.
"Fine. I'll hit them with ocean's fury. Let them nearly drown a few times. That should make the picture clear."
Ishtar smiled ruefully.
"I'm sorry I'm laying this at your feet, Tyler. But if you DON'T step in while in the city"
"It'll just cause more problems. I know. But. I am NOT going to keep doing this for you, Ishtar."
The king nodded.
"I understand. Like you told Lillia, it is NOT your job to babysit the realm if they refuse to accept it this last time, I'll lock them in the sector with food deliveries and they not able to set foot outside it."
Tyler nodded.
"Alright then. I'll be right back."
He left the room and set out for the sector in question. I hate this crap. Longer we stay in the city more problems Ishtar will ask me to solve FOR him. No. This the last boon I do for the city. He found the knights in a shield wall and was let through as Max was rallying the other Warriors for another charge.
"we're Warriors! We can do whatever we want! Be grateful we-"
"Dude. Just shut the hell up."
The boy looked to see Tyler walking out from the wall of shields with a VERY bored expression, and sneered.
"Or what retard? You can't touch us!"
"Ocean's fury."
The ENTIRE sector was flooded with 55 feet of roiling ocean waves as Max and the other Warriors were lifted ten feet in the air by the water and started to drown. Tyler walked through the waters unaffected to look the boy in the eyes as he released the spell and they dropped to the ground gasping for breath.
"Ya gonna give me anymore shit?"
The boy sneered again.
"Way to waste your mana."
"Here. Look."
Tyler made his numbers be seen by all. Max just started trembling.
"How? HOW DID YOU GET THOSE?!"
"Ocean's fury."
They went right back to drowning as Tyler sighed.
"I work asshole. Hard."
He dropped them to the ground and passed his bestiary over.
"Read it an piss yourself."
The bully did, and did. As everyone was gasping for air from the repeated drownings he had a look of enraged disbelief.
"The weakest kid in school has these kinds of numbers? And he did NOTHING of real worth?"
"Ocean's fury."
Back to drowning as Tyler pulled his sapphire staffsword for the boosted power. He let them drop again and Max glared at him.
"You won't kill us. You CAN'T kill us even if you wanted to."
Tyler smiled darkly now as a scroll was passed to him by a knight. He looked,
"Do as you must. Wulf raised a most important point. They do these things because they think they can't be touched. Make the point."
Tyler smiled widely at this and looked around until he spotted his heffer of a sister choking as his step father attempted CPR. Tyler looked at Max.
"You really think I can't kill you? ANY of you?"
The bully spit at him.
"You CAN'T KILL ANY OF US! You need us to fight he wave!"
"Let's test this assertion then."
Tyler dragged his now screaming sister into full view and slammed the thing on the ground as Max laughed.
"What? You gonna torture her? We all know you'd heal her right after!"
Tyler's smile got the darker.
"Ice wall. Water wall. Hallowed ground."
The Warriors were then trapped inside the walls of ice and water on the street as Tyler pulled his Sgian Dao.
"This has been a LOOONG time coming."
He looked at the scroll and saw a line he'd missed from Wulf.
"Minus said that ONE killed Cursed Warrior is allowed. I'll let you choose as long as it's a painful one."
Tyler looked at Max.
"Pay close attention Max."
Tyler began the cut and the whale screamed in agony as the other Warriors, and two spirits they could not see jumped for joy as the vile heffer was made to scream in full view of the Warriors for a period of 9 full hours as Tyler healed her as she was about to die just to keep the pain going. Tyler's eyes were lit with the darkest of lights as he gleefully laughed at the wails and screams.
"How's it feel bitch? I NEVER screamed, never pleaded for the pain to stop. Sylvia didn't either did she? Come on bitch! Let's see that spine!"
Max and the rest of the Warriors watched hypnotized by the blood, screams and sadistic joy as Tyler made his sister feel a fraction of his life. At the ten hour mark, he sighed.
"Okay. I'm bored."
He looked at his list of tools,
"Let's see…eh fuck it ocean water's too good for her."
He pulled his spear and stabbed the broken thing in the heart.
"Ha! I've skewered a whale!"
She died sobbing as Tyler looked Max in the eye as he pulled the weapon out.
"Cut the shit. I have to come back to deal with you idiots again the pain will be doubled."
The walls were dropped as the mind shattered Warriors were dragged back to their sector with the ruined body of the heffer strung up as proof of the day's events. Tyler wiped his blades off as he returned to the office where Wulf clasped hands.
"We saw on a crystal. I was there vicariously. Thank you."
Sylvia appeared and hugged him.
"I loved every second, Tyler. Thank you."
He chuckled as he saw the scroll.
"That count as enough of a horror for the curse Minus?"
She laughed.
"Indeed, love. The other deities had believed it was going to be a PAINLESS death. I tried to tell them, but they didn't believe me."
He chuckled as he placed a hand on her scroll.
"How bout now?"
She laughed again.
"You got the eye of a few punishment goddesses now! Judge was impressed, saying that was a perfect form of punishment for that evil whale."
Tyler looked at Ishtar.
"So, the wave."
Minus answered.
"The Monsters will just be more in number. That's all."
He laughed.
"I love a good rampage. Plus I think I proved my point."
Ishtar smiled widely.
"I saw the look on Max's face as he was thrown back into the sector. That was the look one gets when reality hits like a dragon. Either he'll be MUCH more docile now,"
"Or just lays his sword down entirely."
Minus sighed.
"He can't ley it down until the waves pass Love. If he tries it'll just cause him pain."
Tyler nodded.
"That works. Leave the corpse up to rot."
Ishtar smiled.
"Was gonna. So, the next time they try and make a mess, I'll just have my fire mages set them alight."
Tyler nodded.
"I'm not here to babysit the realm. Nor police it either. If you need my help with something like a demon chamber or the like that's fine. But I, nor will my party, fight the realms crime in the gutters."
Ishtar nodded sagely.
"Agreed. I didn't WANT to ask you period, but Wulf here said we needed to scare these idiots. And in all the realm no one scares people like you do, Tyler."
That got a laugh.
"fair enough. Scarin the hell outta people's fun."
The room laughed as Tyler looked at the scroll.
"I'll try not to interfere in the curse again, Minus."
The scroll laughed.
"I understand love. But, as long as the end is either painful or humiliating, the punishment deities will be satisfied."
"Kill max by choking him to death with his severed penis. Gotchya."
The men in the room, except Tyler, shuddered at the image he'd just presented. Tyler smiled.
"Okay. I'll find me busty kittycat and we'll power down. Morning we'll be back on the raid."
The scroll sighed as he rolled it up.
"I love you too."
He smiled as he left the office to find Malico. The catgirl was lounging on a window sill looking out at the city when he came up stroking her fur, making her purr.
"Ready?"
She smiled and followed him to their duo night. Tyler shut the door and Malico was naked as her massive rack flopped. He joined her and entered her as he kissed his favorite cat.
"I missed you, Malico."
She sighed as she got her longed for cream.
"I missed you, Tyler."
They went at each other for a few hours before laying in the bed as they recovered from the sex. He had an arm around her and was stroking her large breast from that side as he kissed her.
"I love you, Malico. Your tail is my tail."
She purred at that as she draped her tail over her lover. He petted it as she sighed.
"I love you too, Tyler. My tail is your tail."
Sallie and Sylvia appeared and snuggled between the pair.
"We love you too!"
They laughed and sandwiched the two spirits between them. Though Sylvia was nearly lost to sight as she snuggled into Malico's glorious melons. Once comfy, Tyler kissed her warmly.
"Good night, Malico. I love you."
She purred.
"I love you too, Tyler."
The happy pair drifted off with the soft breathing of the spirits between them.
DAYS UNTIL WAVE: 13
Tyler next opened his eyes to see Malico's slumbering face beside him, and he smiled. I love this world. And that cat. He looked down and saw Sallie and Sylvia cuddled together between their warm bodies in a small cocoon made form their arms, blankets, and Malico's rack. Tyler smiled as he kissed the sexy catgirl awake, getting a warm purr for her effort.
"Morning love."
She smiled.
"Good morning Love."
She saw the spirits spot and sighed happily.
"They look just like a pair of kittens like that."
He smiled at the image.
"And you their sexy mother."
She sighed as she tail danced behind her.
"In time?"
HE looked at her.
"Maybe. Kaori's first."
That got a happy smile as the girls woke with cute yawns to snuggle more into Malico's warm fur.
"wow, Malico! You're so warm!"
The cat purred as she hugged the two girls.
"So are you two cuties!"
Tyler smiled.
"Let's get cleaned up, ladies. we're back on the raid again."
They laughed and went for the bath. Tyler found Wink waiting in the tub for him and he laughed as he joined the pink Sprite.
"Miss me Wink?"
She snuggled her soul like a cat once he was in the water.
"Just a lot. I'd like to have you today. Just me."
He hugged her.
"We'll play Wink. I got Lily and the girls for a cuddle fest tonight, so be warned."
She laughed as she kissed him.
"I know. I'm joining for the cuddles."
He kissed the happy Sprite as Goldi and Slivi, the elven maid twins, came in. Tyler chuckled.
"Feel free ladies. Wink, hungry?"
They laughed as the two beauties got in the tub as Wink fitted herself for her morning ride.
"Oooh what a good Lover!"
"feeding his Sprite first thing in the morning?"
"She's beautiful, oh! Look! She's getting her cream!"
"Awww, Look, Goldi! She likes it!"
"Wow, she's getting more!"
Wink and Tyler laughed and loved as the elves watched and enjoyed the show as they cleaned the two after the play. The pair went for breakfast and Tyler teased her by flicking her Ds on her small frame, getting light moans and squeaks from the fun loving Sprite.
"Hey, Wink."
She looked as he kissed her before he smiled.
"I think we can leave that issue tabled."
She busted up laughing at the bad pun and hugged him.
"More?"
He stroked her soft wings.
"Hmm, I guess you got the cream of the crop."
She snorted at that one as she laughed.
"That was bad! I loved it!"
He looked around the room for inspiration, and smiled as he noticed she was wearing her new gear. Her thigh length gown now a deep pink with thin leg warmers and arm warmers as well. He smiled at her.
"You look really good in those, Wink"
She smiled happily.
"Thank you. I love how they feel."
"I love how YOU feel too."
He got a kiss as she hugged him.
"I'm so happy I got filled by you."
He held her tightly too.
"I'm so happy I GOT to fill you."
She purred like a cat as he stroked her wings again,
"I guess you like the soft stuff."
She snorted.
"Nice."
They hugged again before she sat on his knee as the rest of the party filed in and sat at the table. Once everyone was gathered he smiled.
"We're getting more bills today. How's everyone feeling?"
The party did a body check, and Eri played spokeswomen.
"We're good. We still doing large scale?"
Tyler nodded.
"I'd like ONE large scale per raid. We need the practice outnumbered. So, I'd like three a day."
Wulf crossed his arms now.
"we might exhaust the larger scale bills. What's the plan then?"
Tyler smiled.
"Then we go for new creatures we haven't killed yet or have only killed the once."
Kaori sighed.
"I just pray we don't have to fight trolls again."
They laughed at that heartfelt wish. Tyler looked at Wulf and Whisper.
"I'll make the Lich King compendiums as we look at bills. Rest gear up. Wink? Get the flutter on."
She cracked up as the party went to the tasks. Tyler and his two friends went to the guild where he went for Ruby as Wulf and Whisper looked at bills. The lady smiled as she saw him approach.
"What can I do for you, Tyler?"
He smiled.
"Looking to make a compendium on the Lich kings."
She blinked,
"Sir what will you do with them, if I may ask?"
"Get Ishtar and the other rulers to make copies and hand them to the monster fighters the realm over."
She sighed with relief.
"We need that knowledge. Okay, place you hand on the Oracle."
He did, and the 9 volumes appeared.
"That'll be 55 silver."
He took the tomes and headed to see what was found thus far. Wulf passed him one.
"Got one for a cave."
Tyler looked at is.
"Wanted: clearing of a cave on my property. The thing of late has been giving off an evil aura and would like it cleared. Reward is 25 silver. An easy one. Sure. Plus a nice change of pace."
Whisper passed him another.
"Got one for a Durandal troop. 25 creatures."
"Those are fun. Reward is 15 gold. Nice."
Tyler smiled as he looked around at the board.
"Okay. Let's see. Oh, there's a classic. Slaying of a bandit camp. Reward is 95 silver. Been too long since we hit a bandit camp."
Wulf smiled as well now.
"I've got one for a dire wolf pack. Rewards 2 gold."
"Lots of easy jobs today. I kinda like it. Oh! Got a Cursed Wall. There's our pancaker."
"I've got one for a giant camp."
"Reward?"
"5 gold."
"Nice one. Lots of smaller raids so far."
Wulf passed him one.
"More goblins."
"Nifty. I'll make em hurt."
The guild looked at him in shock, and Wulf smiled.
"You kept your word."
Tyler nodded.
"I still hate them things. But the rage was used. So, I let it go to just kill them. I'll still hunt them to genocide and all, but ya know. Let's see, 50 silver? Pff, I'll kill them for free."
He added the bill to the pile and Whisper came with three more bills.
"Not sure why, but we got three more goblin camps. Look."
Tyler and Wulf did, and the Outcast frowned.
"The hell? They're right next to each other."
He pulled the map out and looked at the area.
"Yup. Looks like a gathering. I'll have Ishtar ready the wagon."
They nodded and looked at the board again.
"Wow. Got a demon sighting."
Tyler looked at Wulf.
"Just a sighting is worthy of a bill?"
He nodded.
"Indeed as this is usually the most warning we get. We've never really NEEDED the warning as we trip over them all too often. Reward for the kill is 10 gold."
Tyler placed it on the pile and nodded.
"Let's go. We got a four part rescue op to undertake."
The trio left and Tyler went right for Ishtar's office. The king sighed as he saw the bills.
"The wagon and knights will stand ready."
Tyler then placed the copies for the tomes on the Lich kings on the desk. Ishtar nodded gravely.
"I'll have these duplicated to the letter and spread throughout the realm."
Tyler took the bills before rallying the party. He set the four out.
"These FIRST. Once they're dead we'll have Ishtar send the wagon. I'm betting plenty of captives, so Sera? Sasha? Be ready for cuddle and hug death."
They nodded as Eri looked at Kaori.
"Why isn't he on the verge of a rage like usual?"
Kaori smiled proudly.
"Because he used that rage to fuel that blast yesterday. Once it was used up he let it go as it was hurting the spirits."
She sighed.
"All that destruction from his feelings. If he had my explosion spell he could reduce Vernillion to a crater."
Tyler smiled.
"Outcasts. Move out."
They moved for their mounts and headed to the task. Wink riding on Tyler's horse as the Sprite loved being close to the man. They passed through the Warrior sector, and Tyler laughed at the hanging corpse that was the heffer as the whale that was his mother sat sobbing at the loss of her perfect daughter.
"I warned ya I'd get my revenge whale!"
The lady cast a spell at them, only to miss and hit the house behind them, and set it ablaze with not a single soul lifting a finger to put it out. Wulf smiled as he saw the flames take root.
"The gate will drop and that sector will burn. Now they don't even have a roof to sleep under."
Tyler chuckled.
"Just because of one woman's cruelty."
The first hit was the single goblin camp. Tyler pulled his spear and was whistling as he walked into the place, noting the lack of captives.
"Let's see. What am I going to do to you?"
He dove into the pack stabbing with his pear.
"Hmm, Water bolt."
He killed the goblin spell caster,
"Waterwall."
The wall was 75 feet tall now as he encased the camp.
"WaterFall."
The creatures were crushed under the resulting slam of water. Tyler smiled as he walked around stabbing each creature to make sure they were well and truly dead. The camp was looted and they walked away 1 gold coin richer. Tyler chuckled as the bodies were piled up.
"Got one for ya Furiosa."
The green dragon landed and she blinked.
"The rage. It's gone."
HE chuckled.
"I used the roar yesterday and let it go."
She poked his head with her snout in acknowledgement.
"I see. I am amazed you kept your word on the fuel. Tell me, do you feel better?"
He smiled as he placed a hand on Sallie's head.
"Much, Furiosa. I've refilled the dam with my Love for Kaori and the others. That will make the next blast ten times more powerful."
She blinked.
"Heart. I saw the new canyon. Just be careful using such destructive power."
Tyler tilted his head now.
"I will. But I just thought of something."
"Oh shit here we go."
"Love you too. The wave battlefield. I'll use that gold spell dragon surge as an example. If that spell were to be used by me in the wave battlefield, would the land OUTSIDE the wave be affected?"
Eri came forward.
"I can answer that, Tyler."
He looked at the veteran Wave fighter.
"Oh right. I forgot."
She smirked.
"If you didn't recruit me for my experience, why DID you even bother?"
"I'd thought Kaori would love to go adventurin with her mother."
She smiled.
"Good answer. As to your question? Any damage done to the land in the wave is undone when it ends, so long as it ends in a victory for our side. A loss is if EVERY Warrior surrenders. If they do, the wave monsters descend upon the land freely."
"And since they're so strong."
"Mass death and chaos result."
Tyler nodded.
"I thought that was the fix. Okay, I've got a couple field wipers in reserve in case. We're not surrendering."
The party roared at that as he looked at the green dragon.
"We got a few more camps in the area. So, heads up."
She laughed as she placed her scales on the ground.
"I'll look forward to them."
The dragon set the pile aflame and Tyler smiled.
"Let's hit the next goblin camp!"
The party laughed as they got back on their mounts. Wink enjoying her spot in front of him as he spotted a small bridge in the distance.
"Hey, Wink."
She looked at him curiously.
"I'm glad we got to bridge our gap."
She busted up laughing as Lily threw a rock at him.
"Are ya TRYING to make me hit ya with me hammer?"
Tyler laughed.
"Nailed it!"
Wink was wheezing at that one as Eri came riding up beside him, just to backhand the taste outta his mouth.
"I lose years every time you do that you stupid bastard."
"I guess Time's a wastin then!"
Wink was laughing so hard she was having trouble breathing! Lily passed her hammer to Eri, who promptly hit him in the face with it. The entire party had looks of absolute agony from the horrendous puns.
"Say one more bad pun and I'll hit you in the balls with it."
He smiled as he rubbed the recovering Wink on her back.
"I'm outta juice anyway."
Eri glared at him a moment longer before passing the Hammer back to Lily. Tyler was rubbing Wink's back soothingly in little circles as she couched from her laughing fit.
"You good?"
She smiled as she recovered.
"Yeah. Thanks for that."
He hugged her.
"Always fun making you laugh, Wink."
She sighed as Lycan came up smiling.
"You have a most amusing sense of humor Lord Outcast. I love it."
He smiled at the werewolf.
"I love a good bad pun. Plus the reactions are always priceless."
Sera sighed.
"I KNEW he was doing that on purpose. Bastard."
"Love you too, Sis!"
"Yay!"
The party smiled at Sera's cute joy. Then she had a nervous look now.
"Hey, Tyler?"
"what up?"
She had a shy smile now.
"Can Thorn join the cuddles tonight?"
He smiled.
"Long as she promises to NOT murder me in me sleep."
Sera smiled happily.
"I'll make sure she does!"
Tyler gulped.
"You DO mean make her promise to not kill me, right?"
"Teehee!"
"Sera?"
The princess just smiled sweetly.
"Trust me big brother!"
Tyler gulped again.
"Grrreeat. Now I'm terrified."
"Teehee!"
The party laughed as Erica patted her daughter.
"Make that bastard sweat, Sera!"
She blushed, and Erica just looked at Tyler bemused.
"Tyler."
He looked at her.
"Yeah, Erica?"
She smiled sweetly now herself.
"I'll be in the next room."
"Ahhh fuck."
The party was laughing at his new found predicament as the dismount spot came into sight. Tyler pulled his staffsword.
"We're on alert here. We got three camps in spitting distance of each other. Possible TopLeaf."
The party nodded as the newcomers looked to the more experienced members. Kaori smiled.
"It's our code for army on the march. We've fought monster armies on similar oddities."
Lyrica smiled.
"A wise secret message. And a good way to make sure unintended ears do not give way to an unneeded panic."
Tyler smiled then.
"I've got Peerless tactician as a title."
That made the newcomers blink. Then Erica smiled widely.
"We have the very best field commander then."
The party moved to the attack as Sasha stayed back as guard dog for the horses. Tyler led the way with Wulf and Whisper right beside him as they found a high point to see the first camp. Soon as he did, he grinned.
"Heads up. We've got a goblin Lord in play."
The camps were actually ONE large camp filled with 350 of the evil little creatures. Tyler picked out fifteen captives and nodded.
"Okay. Secure the prisoners FIRST. Lycan, Erica, use the walls spells to make sure the creatures can't touch them. Eri, Kaori, Lyrica, set the perimeter on fire, nothing in our out. Vixen, make an illusion of a demon walking in to take command. Wink, once the walls are in place, start the healing spells and try to comfort them. Wulf, Sera, Ashy. Stay here and make the sky rain arrows. Serafina, Malico, play assassin. That goblin Lord's mine. Lucy, Thistle, kick their door in. Lupa? Go wild. Whisper join Wulf with the archers. Questions?"
Silence.
"Kill em all."
Tyler dropped into a shadowy area as the two defense mages readied their spells. Tyler smiled as Lucy and Thistle shattered the creatures poorly made gate to launch a foolish seeming head on attack. As the creatures looked at them in surprise, walls of water rose up around the three sets of captives as the perimeter of the camp burst into flames as Tyler surged forward with his whirling blades leaving mush behind him. Wink fluttered just above the first hail of arrows enhanced with multishaft skills to cast her healing spells upon the wailing captives. Vixen had opted to use her illusions to terrify the things with images of demons attacking them. Serafina and Malico were hunting the ring of fire dropping the green skinned creatures with ease. Lucy and Thistle were laughing as the two powerful ladies laid waste with their weapons, watching pieces of the creatures fly through the air as Tyler carved a path forward towards the 8 foot tall Goblin Lord. Sera giggled as she saw a shot. Tyler was about to pounce on the thing when an arrow took it in the head, dropping it dead to the ground leaving Tyler looking at it bemused.
"What the hell?"
He looked over to see Sera getting a pat on the back from Wulf for a successful theft. He smiled fondly.
"Ooooh, Little Sera. I love you. But it is SOOOO on!"
He dove into the remainder of the creatures as Sera giggled happily as she rained hell. Ashy smiled at the proud princess.
"Nice shot Sera. But, 10 gold says you just opened a door."
"Eep!"
She squeaked as she remembered who she just pranked. She looked at Wulf with huge blue eyes.
"Help?"
The ranger patted her hair affectionately.
"You play the prank deal with the consequences Little Sera."
the poor girl was now TERRIFYED of Tyler's payback prank. She saw Lily holding the goblins back from the spot the archers were standing and aided her fried as she hoped Lily's fierceness would protect her. Lily was heard laughing then.
"Sera! Nice shot an all, buuuut ya stepped in it now!"
The girl just gulped. Tyler at that point was killing the last goblin. Once it dropped the party descended to release the captives as Serafina and a few others went to clear the small cave at the back of the camp. The captives were healed from their hurts and he restored sight to three as Serafina came back with three more captives. Tyler looked at them, ready with a healing spell, only to gasp. The three women were heavily pregnant with SOMETHING inside them, if the way their bellies were ballooned were anything to go by. He looked at Wulf, and the ranger sighed.
"Goblin's sometimes force a captive to become pregnant with the child of the goblin as a hybrid. Only the Goblin Lord can impregnant a human or elven woman though."
Tyler looked at the clear blank stares on the women's faces.
"Is there anything to do?"
Whisper sighed.
"No. The women will kill themselves now. As they're minds are just that ruined. Best thing we can do is you cast that healing spell. It'll purify their bodies and remove the vile things from within them."
He and Wink hit the ladies with their strongest healing spells and their bellies deflated as the things inside them died and was reduced to mere waste. The now healed women just stood there, utterly unaware of their surroundings as their minds had shattered from the trauma. Tyler was about to cast a holy relief, when Wulf sighed.
"They can't be saved. Would you want to live with the knowledge you were impregnated with a monster's child?"
Tyler let the spell die and looked at Serafina and Vixen.
"Make it a painless one."
The ladies nodded as he pulled out the coin.
"Ishtar."
The king appeared.
"We need the wagon."
He sighed.
"How bad?"
"15 saved. There was a Goblin Lord here. 3 to be buried."
The king shuddered.
"Those poor souls. The knights are leaving now."
Tyler watched as Serafina and Vixen gave each lady a drink before laying them on the ground as they passed into a dreamless eternity. Lucy and Thistle came over now.
"Do we bury them here?"
Ishtar spoke up.
"We'll lay them to rest by then purity plot. It's specifically for souls like them. We'll transport the bodies in another wagon."
"We'll get to looting and more healing."
The coin went dark as Tyler with Wink cast more healing spells and gave out blankets as the women waited for their wagon. It showing up a mere ten minutes later with Axe and Thorn with the knights. Tyler laid the bodies in the second transport wagon himself before the convoy left. The camp netted the party 63 gold, 334 silver, 764 coppers. The bodies were piled up and Tyler looked at the sky.
"We got one for you Furiosa."
She landed and saw the lord corpse.
"Those poor souls."
She gave him then scales and the pile was set to burn. The party rode out to the next hit in silence as they sought to push the horrors they had found from their minds. Tyler sighed.
"We need some fun. Lets see."
He looked at the bills.
"The goblins are dead. Next up will be….that Demon. That's should be a good one."
Wink hugged him.
"You okay?"
He patted her wings.
"I'm fine Wink. I guess we forgot we can't save everyone. No matter how strong we are."
She sighed.
"Poor bastards."
"They're free now."
Sallie and Sylvia put their two cents in.
"We saw them for a minute before Death took them with it. They said thank you."
He nodded.
"Thanks Sallie. Let's have fun at hell's expense, okay?"
That got a grin from the party as they rode to the sighting location. Tyler looked at the ground and noted the clear hoof prints.
"Looks like it just went by. Be careful."
The party hopped down as Lupa the wolf spirit sniffed the things.
"I can track it easily enough."
Tyler smiled.
"I'd like to get eyes on before I call Tempesta."
They nodded before moving behind the hunting wolf. Tyler and the party sped through the plains as Lupa stayed right on the fell beast's trail. Tyler smiled as they saw the thing. It being 9 feet tall, with ruined red wings and red skin.
"Got one for you Tempesta."
The dragon flew up as the demon screamed at the sudden appearance of the Sky king. The party laughed at the sight as the dragon dropped the horn before the scales. Tyler chuckled.
"That thing didn't know WHAT the fuck just happened! Thanks big blue!"
Tempesta was laughing as well.
"That was priceless! It had no clue where it even was when I grabbed it!"
They got their scales and Tyler looked at the bills.
"Let's deal with the cave next. I'm betting another Demon chamber or some other bullshit."
Tempesta looked at the bill.
"Hmmm, I know that cave. I'll stay nearby since your luck in weird caves."
Tyler chuckled.
"Watch it be a new raiser trying to revive that red dude with the ring fetish."
That got a snort from the dragon.
"There's one every century."
"Of course there is."
The party rode out to the cave in question to see a local lumberjack putting a fence in around the entrance. The burly man tipped his hat to the party as Tyler greeted him.
"We be with the guild. Name's Tyler the Outcast."
The man smiled.
"well met outcast. I be Brock Woodsmen. A few weeks back this here cave started giving off a mighty eerie feelin, so I put in the request for the clearing. Thankee kindly."
Tyler chuckled.
"Don't thank till AFTER the issues solved. We'll go poke around."
The man nodded as Tyler and the party drew weapons and headed inside. Tyler having Oblivion and Oathkeeper out as they moved further inside with his detection skills on full blast. Vixen and Lyrica frowned.
"I know this feeling."
"As do I Fox. Heads up, that's a summoning in place."
"Shit. Guards up."
The party got serious as they neared the back of the cave. There they heard words being exchanged,
"Why have you called to me puny human?"
"To make a contract."
"What do you have to offer me?"
Tyler grinned and strode into view around a rock slab to see a thin man in black robes sitting at the edge of a circle of chalk and candles with a 12 foot tall demon floating above it. Tyler just laughed.
"Been a while since I've seen a Pride Demon. Shows over fucks."
The man was white in the face as the demon broke free from the poor summoning circle.
"You think you can kill me? No wonder Gruven let you kill him. Such a pathetic child."
Eri was about to fly at the thing in a blind rage when Kaori placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Watch."
The mother did as Tyler chuckled.
"How's it feel to be so pathetic that even THIS jackass could summon you?"
A vein bulged. Tyler continued.
"I mean, you ARE humanities pet bitch an all."
Another bulging vein, Tyler was smiling arrogantly.
"But at least have the common decency to NOT come running like a trained dog to EVERY hand that offers you a treat! Or do you just want a fresh hand up your ass to help you talk?"
The demon bellowed in pure rage, and went to do…something. Only for Tyler's twin short swords to suddenly sprout from it's heart.
"Gotchya bitch!"
The thing died as Eri was laughing with the party at Tyler's taunts. The man was shaking as Tyler picked up the horn. Then he looked at the would-be demon summoner curiously.
"The hell we gonna do with this guy? Can I kill him?"
Kaori and Malico groaned.
"Still a heartless bastard."
"At least he's consistent, Malico. Vixen?"
The black mage had burned away the circle and was laughing.
"Your circle was pathetic. If we hadn't shown up you would've just set loose a new greater pride demon in the world."
She looked at Tyler.
"If we brought him to Ishtar he'd hang for this offense. That said, since he summoned a pride demon, let's let Tempesta decide his fate."
Tyler shrugged.
"Sooo I CAN'T kill him?"
Kaori just smacked him.
"No, Tyler. You cannot kill this idiot."
"Dammit. Lily? How's the walls looking?"
She shrugged.
"Some iron, tin, a good bit of marble, and even a small vein of arsenic."
Tyler frowned.
"Isn't that a toxic mineral?"
Vixen explained.
"In your world perhaps. In Lectis it's used as a fuel for the airships, like Skycite but not as potent. I guess the material has special properties in Lectis that make it work."
Tyler shrugged.
"Weird place Lectis. In our world Arsenic is both poisonous and useless. We'll take it and get moving."
The walls were mined, which made Eri smile. She chuckled as she saw Kaori dig the vein of tin from the wall.
"I see he pushes the jack-of-all trades angle. Wise lad."
Tyler smiled at the fiery blonde.
"Another thing is mining helps build strength and stamina. Not by much but every little bit helps. I've been wondering if we should add logging to the toolbox though."
Wulf offered his elven expertise.
"I'd advise against it really. Ore is a very stable, workable source of coin and training. Logging isn't really as accessible since good wood is hard to find."
Tyler rubbed his chin.
"Fair enough. I wonder if it's worth having in case we DO find a good tree?"
Kaori looked over from the wall.
"I'd say it's either or. We can add it but it's not really necessary. Or really viable since we spend so little time in the forests to start with."
Tyler leaned on a wall.
"That's true. I think we'll have to see where the next staging ground is and look then. Wulf made a point with the accessibility as caves are practically everywhere and rock faces everywhere else."
The blonde girl smiled.
"I agree there. If we head up to Cragspire with the grounds, we can look around the forests there."
Tyler smiled.
"Alright. We'll do that. We set on the ore?"
Lily made her report.
"I just need to get this last bit of marble out. Got it. Clear!"
Eri was amazed by the mini strategy meeting they just had, plus impressed by her daughter's clear role of secondary expert. She looked at Erica beside her smiling.
"This is a fine camp, Erica."
The Queen nodded, also impressed.
"Tyler's always looking to the next goal or task. I guess he's always the first up on the road. Be curious to see how their camp works in the actual field."
Lyrica was on prisoner detail nearby with Lucy. The red headed succubus smiled.
"I am too, Erica. I get the idea they'll be set up in ten minutes."
Lucy snorted,
"Nay, Lust Devil. 5 tops."
They laughed as the cave was cleaned. Tyler dragged the to-be condemned idiot out of the cave by his collar. Brock was waiting patiently for the party to return. He chuckled as he saw the prisoner.
"I see someone was up to something he shouldn't have been. How bad was it?"
Tyler sighed.
"This idiot was trying to make a contract with a pride demon when we walked in. I killed it, the circle's ruined, and we got a friend for this guy to meet."
The lumberjack blinked in shock.
"A Pride demon ya say? By the gods."
Tyler looked at the sky.
"Called it Tempesta."
The dragon landed laughing.
"Of course you did. Demon?"
Tyler threw the attempted summoner onto the dirt.
"Demon. This guy was lookin to make a contract with a greater pride demon. I waited just enough for the hooves to touch stone before pissing it off. It's dead, circle's wrecked, and we got this guy."
The dragon looked at the cowering man.
"Hmm, THIS idiot was able to entice a greater pride from the lower realms?"
Vixen laughed.
"His circle was pathetic, Lord Blue! The thing showed up as it was a guaranteed escape from the lower realm!"
Tempesta snorted.
"idiots and magic."
Tyler sighed as he rubbed his hair.
"Agreed. So, him."
Tempesta looked at him again.
"In the human kingdom, he'd hang for this stupidity. Why didn't you kill him?"
Kaori whacked Tyler with a tired expression on her pretty face.
"Because I'm a lot nicer than he is."
The dragon laughed.
"Fair enough. I'll do it."
The man was incinerated and tyler got the scales before looking ot a laughing Brock.
"I just wanted a cave cleared out! And I get to meet the Outcasts AND see Tempesta? Ha! The worlds a strange place an no mistake. Okay lad. Heres yer pay. 25 silver lad."
Tyler chuckled.
"Keep it. The demon was a bit o good fun. Cave's clean too."
The man smiled.
"Thankee kindly. Take care now."
"You too."
They rode out and Tyler looked at the bills.
"Hmm, the bandit camp. I wonder."
Erica smiled.
"Another test?"
"I'm considering it. But I know better then to trust bandits. Oh, I'll send Eri with them. That's should be enough."
Sera, Lillia and Lily smiled as Eri was confused so Erica filled her in.
"Tyler's still training Sera, Lillia and Lily. He'll send them in WITHOUT him helping them against different creatures to see how they do. He's sending you with them as you need practice as well, plus to help in case of any nasty surprises. Wulf or Whisper will guide you there, but the actual killing is you four's job."
The blonde mother blinked.
"That's a rather good system for teaching adventurers. Wow."
They reached the spot and Tyler had Wulf with Whisper led the hunters. As they left he pulled up his HUD and distributed his newest points. Then he went to look at the bills.
"Lets see. The goblins are dead, cave clean, demon dead and the bandits are getting killed. Up next is the Cursed Wall, then the Durandal troop, dire pack, that giant camp, and that was really it since we found the three goblin camps. Not bad for a warm up."
Lyrica laughed.
"I haven't even had to pretend to try yet!"
Tyler smiled.
"I'd like to find something a bit more of a challenge next run."
Ashy came up now.
"I was wondering about that."
He looked at her.
"What's up?"
She crossed her arms.
"We've been killing a lot of really large creatures a lot recently. I was wondering if the ecosystem can handle the sudden loss of so many like that."
Tyler frowned now himself,
"Wow, Ashy. You're right. Hmmm,"
He looked at Lupa on sera's horse.
"Hey, Lupa? Did you catch that?"
The wolf spirit hopped down to give her response.
"You needn't worry. I know your world was ruined by such extremes, but in Lectis the nature deities actually pay attention. If the creatures start to decrease in numbers too rapidly, a Natural Decree goes into effect. It basically boosts the growth rate, birth rate, and defenses of the afflicted creature to it's max to account for the lost numbers. Monsters like goblins and giants are different. If they're hunted to extinction, then the world gets a breather from the creature for a period of time. Then they are reborn into the world to maintain balance."
Tyler smiled.
"I'll kill every goblin I see then. So, if the animals get hunted too extremely"
Lupa chuckled.
"They get boons from nature themselves to make sure the world survives. It must be strange to you Warriors; living in a world the gods actually CARE about."
Tyler smiled again.
"More care about the right things."
Ashy was in full agreement.
"And not really concerned with who beds who."
That got a laugh as the whistles vibrated.
"Lets see the damage."
They found the camp in ruins with Eri and the girls clapping for successful raid. Lily nudged a dead man.
"He was the leader. Can you see if he's got a bounty?"
He smiled.
"Just because I like you."
She whacked him lightly with her shield as he looked.
"Hmm. Yoli. Wanted dead…eh. 50 gold. Small fry. But gold's gold. He your kill, Lily?"
She nodded.
"He wielded this thing."
She passed him a Magicite mace. Tyler took it and it glowed blue/white.
"Huh. We don't really HAVE a mace user in the party."
The members shrugged.
"They're a decent weapon, but blades do the job the better."
Lily nodded.
"I don't really like it either."
"Market I guess."
They laughed as Eri came over.
"So, question."
"Sure."
She looked around at the camp.
"Since we killed the camp ourselves, does that mean we get the pick of the loot first?"
He nodded.
"Yup. Plus getting to claim the bounty if he was your kill and turning in the bill."
She smiled.
"I'll claim that mace then. I kinda like glowing weapons."
He chuckled as he gave it to her.
"If you see something you like speak up. I don't really care about the loot, as I already got what I need."
She smiled as she placed it in a pouch.
"I guess when you have mythril everything, yeah."
He looked at her.
"I meant Kaori. I have her. The hell else could I need?"
He got a warm kiss as Eri smiled at the rigged conversation.
"Smooth bastard. Keep it up."
The camp netted 65 silver 123 coppers. And a few banned spells Malico hid in her pouch. Tyler smiled.
"Let's hit the Durandal troop next. Last is the giant camp. We'll have the girls do another test."
They smiled as they went. Eri looked at Erica.
"What's that one?"
The queen chuckled.
"Sera, Lillia and Lily kill a giant one on one with only their swords."
Eri blinked.
"The hell?"
Sera's mother laughed.
"I had the same reaction, Eri. But they did it."
Lily muttered darkly.
"Even if mine tripped. Damned idiot."
They laughed at their favorite bloodthirsty elf. The hippos on stilts were hunted without issue and they were off to the giant camp. This camp being more hill giants with about 45 creatures inside. The beasts were thinned to the three and the tests performed. Lily smiling in satisfaction as hers did NOT trip this time, and giving her a good fight.
"Still a damned idiot."
They laughed as they walked away 10 gold, 88 silver 132 coppers richer. Tyler smiled.
"The dire wolves are next."
Sera smiled.
"I'll try an beat me record."
The wolves were caught napping and killed as Lupa and Lycan laughed.
"any good pack leader knows not to rest on a hunt!"
"he was such a pup."
Tyler chuckled.
"Alright. We're set. We'll head back and rest as me and Wulf unload the goods. The next batch is after that."
The party nodded and headed back to Term. Wink was happily bouncing in front of Tyler on his horse as they went. He smiled as he hugged the fun loving sprite, making her laugh. The party rode into the city and laughed at the pillar of smoke rising from the Warrior sector.
"Guess they didn't put it out."
Wulf shook his head.
"With a pillar like that? The whole sector's burning."
Lily just sighed.
"Damned idiots."
They stabled their horses before Tyler and Wulf headed to go get paid. Ruby was in her booth and she smiled as they laid the bills out.
"And easy first raid eh? Well your total this morning is 42 gold, 150 silver."
Tyler chuckled.
"Thanks Ruby. We're heading back out so ya know."
The next step was the exchange. Mya smiled as they walked in.
"More rare beasts?"
"Durandal and some ore. Took a lighter one this morning."
She smiled and they unloaded.
"Indeed. I can give you 132 gold, 44 silver 22 coppers."
"Thanks Mya."
Bark at the stone yard laughed as they emptied their pouch.
"I'll give ya 110 gold 50 silver on the nose. An easy morning?"
"More warm up."
Tyler next collected Lily for her head and Stream smiled.
"Your total is 50 gold."
Tyler hugged the small elf girl before heading back to the guild. He found Wulf and Whisper looking at the board already.
"See anything decent?"
Wulf passed him a bill as he walked over.
"Got one for an orc camp. 65 silver."
"orcs are good fun."
Tyler looked at the board and noticed the number of bills had decreased drastically.
"Ummm, when do they usually put up more?"
The hall laughed as Whisper answered.
"Once a week. Next bill day is in two days."
"Sooooo, if EVERY job is done before then?"
The weretiger smiled.
"We're outta work."
Tyler rubbed his head sheepishly.
"riiight. I forgot. Okay. Last raid till the refresh."
The guild hall just busted up laughing as Ruby came over smiling.
"It's not as bad as you'd think."
He looked at her smiling.
"What happens if the job board is emptied?"
She smiled.
"The guild gets a bonus from the crown for a 'most distinguished' pack of workers. So go crazy."
He looked at the dwindling number of bills.
"Oh. Okay. I see one for more ogres and trolls. We'll grab those."
Wulf sighed.
"and just WHO will hit that camp?"
"The trolls? I will. Kinda in the mood for a mass slaughter. Reward is 90 silver for the trolls. The ogres is 5 gold."
They added the bills as Whisper came over with two.
"Got one for another Wendigo and for a rogue bear."
"How much?"
"The Wendigo 5 gold, the bear 50 silver."
"We'll load up on these light runs. Hmmm. There's a thought."
Wulf saw the gears start turning.
"Oh shit what surfaced this time?"
"We've been practicing large scale battles with a break in between hits. Yet what about a protracted battle?"
Wulf and Whisper blinked.
"You're right. Wow."
"So let's load up enough bills to fill the rest of the day."
"Only main concern are the horses."
"Kaori will handle that end. We need practice on drawn out runs."
Tyler looked at the board with new eyes.
"Let's load up then."
Wulf came over then.
"I got three. Another bear, 2 gold, some Iron Toads, 4 gold, and another bandit camp. 55 silver."
Tyler looked at the toads.
"They good for anything?"
Wulf chuckled.
"Them? Their slime when refined make a hand balm to increase grip."
"Really? Like holding handles?"
"Exactly. Smiths use it for their trade for more precise shots."
"Okay, Wulf. Two things. 1. We're getting Lily the cream."
He looked at him confused.
"Agreed. But what's the second thing?"
Tyler patted his shoulder with a saddened look.
"Can you PLEASE remember you don't have to set me up with such easy jokes? Please?"
Wulf blinked a few times, as the guild snorted, before just gripping his head in pain.
"I hate you. I…..I just hate you. I need a drink dammit."
Whisper came over smiling to the rescue.
"I got one for a Dour wolf, another hell sheep, and one for a LongFang."
He looked at the bill for the last one.
"What's a Longfang?"
She explained.
"Think a tiger with long front teeth with a stubby tail. About ten feet long, 4 feet at the shoulder with 1 foot long front fangs. Reward is 1 gold."
"Nice one. That Dour wolf. Is it bigger then the dire? Rewards 2 gold."
"About the size of thunder."
"Nice. That sheep's reward is 50 silver. Hmmm."
Wulf, having recovered from his splitting headache noted the gears.
"I'd say too soon."
"Was thinking that too. More thinking of Lily."
He contemplated the fierce elf girl and smiled.
"I can make something happen."
Wulf chuckled.
"Be careful."
"Me plan."
That got a chuckle as Tyler spotted one more.
"got one for a Prairie prowler. Reward is 30 silver. Wulf?"
"Basically a smaller lion. They're solitary and good eating too."
"nifty."
"Tyler. Got one for another bandit camp. 55 silver."
"Nice one Whisper. Hey. I got one for Goat fiend. Reward's 10 silver."
Wulf chuckled.
"Another species of goblin. They hunt goats however. About Lily's height with spikes on the back."
"Huh. Sounds like the Chupacabra from our world."
Wulf looked at him.
"And what does the beast in your world entail?"
Tyler shrugged.
"No one knows. As it's not proven to exist. But, during a period of three weeks in our world hundreds of goats were suddenly slaughtered with all the blood drained from their bodies. No one knew what killed them or how and the hype died as soon as it began as the killings just stopped. There were a few sightings and they ranged from that exact description to a mere weird looking dog."
Wulf frowned,
"If such a massacre were taking place, where was the protectors of the livestock? In Lectis if even ten such animals were killed in such a manner the guilds are turned out to investigate the new potential danger."
Tyler sighed.
"What protectors of livestock Wulf? This took place in a country that just doesn't care. There was a new beast loose in our world killing goats in a grotesque manner and the investigations were halted as soon as they began by the governments as in our world at least? There are things in our world the everyday folk are NOT to know about. For all we're allowed to know, the local forest could be a home to a Wendigo or a vampire clan or even a Grafton monster. The governments know what's out there. They just don't want to tell us."
Wulf shook his head now.
"That is just horrible. How can they expect people to protect themselves if hey have no idea what they're fighting?"
"They DON'T expect the people to defend themselves. Okay. Let me give you an example of the mentality of the people in my own country. In Lectis, if a new disease were to break out that had never been seen before, what would the first thing done be?"
Whisper answered.
"We had one ten years ago. It started in Term, and the city was outright sealed. Nothing in nothing out with mages and healers examining the new symptoms while everyone that could NOT stay in their homes wore types of magic masks to purify the air they breathed."
"We had an outbreak in our world a few years back as well. Well. We can have people be on the other side of the planet in four hours. Now, the outbreak started in a small village in the country. The country it started in was also on the other side of the world from my own. Well, the governments played it as no big deal to the masses as again, we're not allowed to know the truth as in their minds we can't handle it. So, it reaches my country and we go into lockdown with masks as a required thing MANDATED by the government. Well. The riots started nearly immediately AGAINST the masks as it was a violation of their freedoms."
Wulf and Whisper just slumped.
"How can a country have such an idiotic mindset in it's own people?"
"what's more important, their freedom or their lives?"
"To these types of people Wulf, THEIR lives are more important. I got a collection of things in the thing I'll show the camp later. I think you'll get an understanding on just HOW bad some people are. What an example of the mindset in schools?"
Whisper sighed.
"I know I'm going to regret this. But sure."
"In Lectis, if a student gets bullied harshly by another student, and the one getting picked on stands up for themselves, who gets punished?"
Wulf rubbed his temples.
"The one that PICKED the fight. Like in the hall, you open your mouth deal with the consequences."
"In our schools, the one that fought back gets the worse punishment for, in their words, sinking to the level of the bully for fighting back."
whisper bared her teeth in outrage now.
"They PUNISH you for defending yourself?"
"If someone breaks into your home and you hurt them, the invader can SUE the homeowner for personal harm. ON TOP of the homeowner being arrested for harming another. If the invader dies they get life in prison."
Wulf and Whisper were appalled.
"By the gods, if the people aren't ALLOWED to protect themselves, who does?"
Tyler sighed.
"The police. Like the town guard. But, you have to WAIT for them to do their jobs. Sometimes the bad guy gets let go in our courts of law due to some missed signature or a bad bust or whatever."
Wulf just hung his head.
"Okay Tyler. My head hurts. Are there no bounties or people like them?"
"There are. But, they're a joke. If you take the law into your own hands, YOU'RE the bad guy. The mantra of the police is it DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE OTHER GUY'S DONE. THEY'RE STILL PEOPLE."
Whisper sighed.
"That's the mantra of a duty shirker."
"It's just better to outright kill some people. Like the Elf rapist. In our world they'd force the survivors of his attacks to relive the events in front of others like at the Coward's trial. In front of their attacker. With no guarantee the guy would be convicted and with dissections by everyone. Hell, the guy would probably get let go if a single piece of paper wasn't signed correctly."
The natives just sighed and looked at the nearly empty job board.
"Let's just get back to this."
"My head hurts. Least here if such an injustice is done the victim can make the bastard disappear with a few coins."
Tyler took down another bill then.
"That's fair. One reason I love this freakin place so much. Shit gets done. Wow. Got a straggler Durandal. 10 gold."
"This one's for a Plains falcon. 30 silver."
"That a large bird?"
"Usually a ten foot wingspan. They usually get a bill for killing livestock."
Tyler shrugged.
"Eh. Change of pace."
The last bill was taken done.
"Wow. Last one's fer another bandit camp. 55 silver."
Tyler looked at the stack.
"three bandit camps, an orc camp, a Plains falcon, another Wendigo, a rogue bear, another Durandal, more trolls, Kaori's going to love those, ogres, a goat fiend, dour wolf, plains prowler, Longfang, another bear, iron toads, and another hell sheep. Alright. Let's get to it."