Previously in NWC-
The party have an uneventful night, waking up and getting right to work. Reno delivers the gun stocks to Kent and gets his new sword in return., Trying out the new sword, he get's a surge of determination to train. Luna and Reno argue about stupid things one more, this time Luna is critiquing Reno's priorities and inability to plan ahead...
Luna was entirely fed up. She hovers away, hiding away in the shelter as Reno continues his training.
"I can't help but feel like this isn't getting me anywhere. I need actual scenarios if I'm going to actually improve…" Reno's voice trails off as his vision drifts around the FTG, stopping at Medusa. "That's it!" Reno approaches Medusa, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Medusa! Wanna help me with something?" Medusa's eyes light up as she aggressively nods her head. "Great! Let me show what I need you to do!" He stands next to Medusa, putting his arms up. "Are you watching, Medusa?"
"Muh!" She nods her head, her eyes thoroughly studying his every minute movement.
He suddenly jabs his arm, punching the air in a straight line. "Can you try that for me?" Medusa nods her head, looking forward and jabbing. She ends up hitting a tree with one of her vines, completely destroying the tree where she punched it, leaving a large crater in it. Reno jumps with fright at the sudden loud cracking noise of the bark splitting as he watches wood shards fly everywhere. "Medusa!" He yells at first, but quickly manages to calm down, speaking in a sweeter tone after seeing her expression shift to nervousness. "That was very good, Medusa! Now, can you try to do it a little softer?" He demonstrates, punching the air slower. Medusa nods her head, a look of determination crossing her face. She takes her time, creating a suspenseful build up. Finally, she sends one of her vines forward. The speed and power were greatly reduced, not causing any catastrophic damage this time around. "That's perfect, Medusa!" Medusa cheers and jumps for joy as Reno begins walking away from her. He walks 10 paces away and turns around, facing her. "Okay, Medusa, do it again, but try to hit me!" Medusa suddenly stops and looks at Reno with concern.
"Muh?" Medusa points to her stomach, rubbing it and pointing at Reno.
"Don't worry, I trust you! I'm going to try and dodge it, so you just have to punch a little slower. Okay?" Medusa looks at Reno with concern for a couple seconds before nodding her head. Reno prepares, holding the practice sword up. "Whenever you're ready, Medusa." Luna is watching everything going down, getting more and more irritated with Reno's lack of self-preservation instincts. Finally, it happens. Medusa launches her vine towards Reno. Reno tries to dodge it but is only able to move enough to avoid being his in the stomach. He winces from the pain, but quickly takes his stance again. "Ugh, that fuckin' hurt…" He shakes off the pain and smiles at Medusa. "See? I'm okay! Let's keep playing!" Medusa visibly energizes hearing the word 'play'. They continue this game for almost an hour before Reno takes a break. The rest of their day consists of this training method, with Reno finally dodging Medusa's weakened punches by the end of the day. The next 3 days afterwards are long and difficult for Reno, as he continues to push his body well past its limit each and every day. After that time, he wakes up to the sound of farmers in the lower section. Three of the farmers were getting supplies for something, which causes Reno to get curious and descend to inquire. "What are you guys up to?" Reno awkwardly approaches, trying not to sound too nosey.
"We're just grabbing some extra hay. We'll be using it for the celebration of life bonfire!"
Reno stops and thinks for a moment. "Oh yeah, I think I remember the old man saying something about that. I had completely forgotten!"
"You're more than welcome to join us tonight! It starts as soon as the sun goes down and lasts until all the wood is burned." The men offer their invitation before taking what they came for, bidding Reno farewell.
"I wonder if I should go? I'd feel bad leaving Luna and Medusa in the forest all alone, but I also want to be a part of the community." Reno thinks to himself as he climbs back up, informing the other two that the coast was clear. As they're walking to the FTG, Reno ask Luna a question. "So, Luna. I'm not sure if you remember that celebration thing the village does. Like the 3rd day of the 5th month or something?"
"Yes, the celebration of life the village puts on. What of it?"
"Well, I guess that's today. The farmers invited me too."
"Are you going to go then?"
"That's the thing. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel somewhat guilty if I left you and Medusa in the forest alone."
"It will be fine. I can keep Medusa more than occupied while you enjoy the festivities."
Reno sighs, still feeling uncertain. "I just don't think it's fair that I get to go do something while you guys are left out."
Luna speaks in a tone that is stern, but not angry. "Reno, listen to me. I am more than willing to sit out to watch Medusa. I would be more than happy if I could go, but Medusa shouldn't be left alone. I will watch her, it's okay."
Reno's eyes light up as he gets an idea. "I got it! What if, after the celebration with Bambadale ends, I come back to the grounds and we have our own little fire?"
Luna's voice sounds pleased and surprised at the same time. "That would not be a bad idea! That seems fair to me!"
"Great!" With that, the day goes by just like the last couple. Reno's stomach pain was slowly going away, but the bruising was still present. He was no longer hindered by his injury and had full range of motion as he trained with Medusa. While he was still taking hits from Medusa, he was getting better at reading where she would attack. The evening quickly comes, the sun slowly beginning to set. Reno could hear the town gathering outside the walls of Bambadale, and when he left Luna and Medusa to go join, he saw a large bonfire, nearly 7-feet in height. Wanting to show off his new sword to the mayor, he grabs it, putting his hand on the hilt as he walks. The mayor, quickly spotting Reno, happily wanders over.
"There he is! I was wondering when you'd show up! What do ya' think, young Reno?"
Reno inspects the bonfire. A couple of the farmers were putting hay around the edges to use as a starter. "It's definitely a lot bigger than I thought it'd be. How long does it usually burn for?"
The mayor chuckles, a devious smile plaguing his face. "that's entirely on how much alcohol gets poured on it throughout the night!"
"Suddenly I do not feel safe here. Perfect!" Reno casually approaches the bonfire, taking a closer look. The fire smells like nearly pure alcohol. "What the-?!" He watches as Deb nonchalantly douses the hay in alcohol. "How the actual fuck has this village lasted for as long as it has?!" Reno becomes slightly jealous, seeing as the one time he did something extremely stupid he died. "What a load of crap…"
Reno silently broods. Without even realizing it, someone had slipped a bottle of alcohol in his hand and he was pouring it on the pit. "What the-?!" After the bottle was empty he quickly steps back as the mayor approaches with a torch.
"TO LIFE AND BAMBADALE!!" Everyone cheers in unison, yelling and whistling as the mayor throws the torch on the fire. The hay almost immediately disintegrates, the fire rages immediately. The initial burst of fire is enough to make Reno start sweating almost immediately, mostly due to nervousness. "Remember, y'all, be safe!" The villagers begin talking and laughing amongst themselves, enjoying the bonfire and the presence of others. Familiar faces as well as ones new to him all greet and converse with Reno one at a time, introducing themselves and making friends. The festivities continue and the village is merry.
Observing from the tree lines, however, were a group of individuals who had other plans in mind. The entire group of bandits were hiding, ready to begin their next raid. The total number of bandits was roughly 30, not a large amount, but enough that the normal citizens of Bambadale couldn't resist without suffering causalities. "We'll start the raid in 15 minutes, boys. You'd better be ready; If any of you lag behind I'll gut you like the worthless worm you are, understand?!" The group of bandits all nod their head in unison as their leader turns to observe the townspeople.
TO BE CONTINUED...