Stacie was about to close down the shop when she heard someone beating against the door. Stacie made her way to the front of the store and rolled her eyes when she saw a black-haired boy in faded clothes.
She opened the door. "Kid, this isn't-"
"Stacie! It's me. You did a E.A.B. tattoo for me." the boy said.
Stacie's eyes widened and she pulled him inside. "Elias? What are you doing? Where have you been? Your parents are looking for you!"
"I know...but I can't go home yet."
"Elias-"
"Our faction is going to be attacked. First by Nightblade Warriors then by Ravenous Wolves." Elias ran a hand through his hand. "And we're going to stop them."
"Wait..what? How do you know that? Who's we?"
Elias massaged him temples and told her everything starting from when Elas picked him up from school. Stacie was so surprised she stumbled back into a chair.
"So... what do you need me for?"
"Weapons."
"Hm." Stacie folds her arms. "Alright. Go get your friends."
Elias opened the shop door and shouted something Stacie couldn't understand. Elias stepped back into the shop and took off his shirt. "Since we're here, do you think you can give me another tattoo?"
Stacie rose to her feet, laughing. "Why not?"
...
They arrived in the Nightblade Warrior faction around midnight, which was hell. Normally it'd take a couple days getting to another faction, but they didn't have a couple of days.
So Ranger drove like a madman.
Toby stumbled out of the car and strapped two swords to his waist. Levi fell out looking a little green. He carried a bag full of explosives and other trinkets. Ranger climbed out next with two axes on his back.
Elias looked the best with his dagger strapped his his leg and a staff on his back. To conceal his identity Ranger suggested that he dyed his hair a dark color and used eye contacts.
"So...we're doing this?" Levi muttered.
"The leaders and warriors are in that huge silver building." Toby said, turning to point. "The most experienced fighters are who they're sending after us."
Ranger grunts. "So, what, will we have to sneak in the building?"
"No. That'd be too obvious." Elias said, shaking his head. "We'll wander around and see if we run into an soliders off duty."
"Bonus points if they're drunk." Toby laughed.
Ranger snorts.
"Try not to draw attention to yourself." Elias walked past them and made his way toward the town.
Toby growled and pulled his make up. He followed after him, Levi and Ranger trailed behind talking in low voices to each other. When Toby finally caught up to Elias he grabbed his shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
Elias shook his hand off and scowled. "What do you think?"
"This isn't a children's playground! You can't walk along in his faction without being jumped, robbed, or killed."
Elias stopped walking, and Toby saw his shoulders slump. Toby reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "I know you want to do this alone, but we're here." Toby gestured to Levi and Ranger. "We want to help."
Elias blinked. "Together?"
"Yeah, man. We're in this together."