I stood to the side of an alleyway behind the adventurer's guild, while supporting myself with my back to the wall. I was staring at the shadows on the opposite wall, waiting for a certain someone. And after a while, Mike stepped out from the shadows with a shocked expression.
"How the f*ck... did you do that?" Mike asked in awe.
"How the f*ck... did you not die?" I asked sarcastically, "We're behind the adventurer's guild, start talking" I added.
"Okay, during out last mission, do you remember the powerful tier three spell a female crew member used with a golden great sword?" Mike asked with a serious expression.
"Yeah, the shock wave..." I replied.
"That spell killed Edward Jones, and knocked everyone else out, except..." Mike was explaining.
"Who the f*ck is Edward Jones?" I interrupted.
"The cool quiet guy, who warned us not to leave landmarks behind else he'd kill us if he found out..." Mike explained.
"He's not cool, don't tell me you were crushing on him" I said in disgust.
"What?! Ptui... I'm not gay, that's disgusting" Mike spat out in disgust.
"But you said George was the love of your life, and I killed him, that's why you wanted to kill me, remember?" I asked in confusion.
"I have no f*cking idea who George is, I was just bluffing to get the attention of people, because the bounty hunters were closing in on me... What makes you think I'll forfeit those bouncy boobs and soft ass for a... dick?... Ptui" Mike explained, and spat out again in disgust.
"That better be so, keep talking" I said with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Where was I? Yeah... The spell killed Edward Jones, and knocked everyone else out, including Elizabeth, because she exhausted her soul's force..." Mike resumed explaining.
"Who the f*ck is Elizabeth?" I interrupted again.
"She's the lady who casted the powerful tier three spell... Come on, Alex, you have to be smarter than this..." Mike said with a disappointed sigh.
"Shut up, keep talking" I said with a frown.
"The spell knocked everyone else out, except Ellen. And she took the relic the beast left behind, stole all the cash and valuables the crew had on them, and retreated back to stronghold ninety one, with Michael and Peter" Mike explained with a serious tone.
"She took Peter too?" I asked in surprise.
"I know right? So not like Ellen" Mike replied with a chuckle.
"So, where'd the bounty come from?" I asked.
"... Edward Jones, is the crown prince of stronghold ninety one" Mike said with a grim expression.
"F*ck!" I exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah. And when the crew woke up, they 'killed' me, and returned to the stronghold... Then told king Edward, that their mission got sabotaged by seven elite rookies, and they were able to kill two, but the other five escaped" Mike explained.
"Seven?..." I asked in confusion.
"Yeah, the cute elfy and the lanky human boy were included" Mike replied.
"But... How could the king believe such an unreasonable lie" I asked again.
"He didn't at first, but after some investigations, it was discovered that the cute elven rookie was a spy... For the emperor's last daughter" Mike replied in amusement.
It was really amusing.
"So he ordered an official and unofficial bounty, for anyone who would bring us to him, dead or alive." Mike said grimly.
"But... Why haven't I been arrested since I was here?" I asked again in confusion.
"The emperor's favourite daughter is involved, so the other kings don't want to meddle in the case... You can only be arrested in stronghold ninety one, that's why the bounty hunters are after us, here" Mike explained.
"... Where are the others?... How did you even find me?" I asked, while squinting my eyes at him.
"I had no idea you were here... I sneaked into the business district of stronghold ninety one unnoticed, and used the teleportation portal in the adventurer's guild to get here... I've been here for close to a week, and was on the run from bounty hunters, when I saw you with your elfy girlfriend, so I tailed you to here" Mike said in relief.
"I've been living in peace till you followed me here and gave me out" I said with a frown.
"No, you're wrong... Nightmare was already tailing you and your elfy princess, before I found you" Mike defended himself.
"Uhh... Who's nightmare?" I asked with a raised brow.
"Your worst fear, I am your demise... My name is blasphemy, my name is nightmare" A loud menacing voice suddenly said from the entrance of the alleyway, as the other side was a dead end.
"Woah... Your lines are dope" I applauded with sweaty palms.
"Thanks man, took me years to get it right" a hooded figure standing at the entrance of the alleyway, chuckled and said.
"Can you fly?..." I turned and asked Mike.
"I've got something better" He replied with a grin.
"Tier one transformation magic, shadow wings" I muttered, and the surrounding shadows in the alleyway began crawling up to my back, and forming wide 'shadow' wings, which was exuding visible black aura.
"Tier one elemental magic, lightening immunity" Mike muttered, and his being began streaking with blue violent lightening.
"See you later I guess" I said to Mike.
"Yeah, sure... I'll find you if there's any updates" He said, and raised his clenched fist, and I bumped it with mine.
"Hey! I'm still here you know?" Nightmare complained, and began walking towards us, with a chained blade he dragging behind him.
Mike quickly streaked through the dead end wall in the alleyway, as I shot up into the dark clouds, leaving Mr nightmare to chose who he would go after.
As I was ascending to the dark clouds, a black chain suddenly wrapped around ankle, which was anchored by Mr nightmare below.
"Sneaky bastard's!! you won't get away!!" Nightmare screamed out in a rage, and pulled the chain from below.
Seems like he couldn't fly.
"You made the wrong choice!" I screamed back to him, "Tier one elemental magic, invulnerability" I muttered with a smirk.
The chain phased through my ankle, and got pulled down, and I quickly shot into the distance. After five minutes of flying aimlessly, I suddenly got hit by a wave of dizziness... My soul's force is almost depleted, and if it were to get exhausted, then I would pass out. I quickly flew down, and landed in a scanty street.
It was already getting dark, and the lamps would soon get shut down.
I had no intention of sleeping out here in the dark alone, so I quickly made my way to Elena's house, while scanning my surroundings vigilantly, to be sure I wasn't tailed. When I got there, I saw Elena looking out from the balcony upstairs, with a worried expression. And when she sighted me heading for her house, her face instantly brightened, and she ran inside.
I quickly walked up to her door with my head low, and as I raised my clenched fist to knock, the door opened to reveal Elena, who was putting on a short white night gown, and was beaming a smile at me.
"Hi..." Before I could complete my greetings, she suddenly grabbed my collar, pulled me inside, and closed the door behind me.
"What happened back at the arena?" She asked worriedly.
"It's nothing serious... I'll be leaving at first light tomorrow" I said with an awkward smile.
"Ooh... Okay" she muttered with her head lowered, then raised her head and looked me in the eye, "Do you still want to see what my tattoo looks like?" She asked shyly.