The muscle heads laughed boisterously, their arrogance apparent. "Hah, do you think you can defeat us? We're the Big Three Muscle Heads! Hahahaha!" one of them taunted, flexing his massive arms to emphasize his point.
The onlookers continued to murmur and panic, their fear evident as they watched the confrontation unfold. Despite the intimidating presence of the muscle heads, Nash remained calm. He glanced at his companions, each of them showing a mix of determination and readiness.
Sophie, her eyes blazing with defiance, stood her ground. Niya's hand hovered near her blade, ready to strike if necessary. Sylvia, ever the archer, subtly reached for her bow, while Tanaka prepared herself to heal any wounds that might come from the impending fight.
Nash stepped forward, his confidence unwavering. "You underestimate us," he said coolly. "We won't back down. We protect each other."
The muscle heads, still laughing, didn't realize the strength and unity of Nash and his harem. The air crackled with tension, the city around them seeming to hold its breath as the confrontation teetered on the edge of violence.
One of the muscle heads, his face twisted in a cruel grin, stepped forward. "How about this, boy? If you can defeat us, we'll let you and your women go. Muahahaha!" he challenged, his laughter echoing through the street.
The second muscle head chimed in, clearly amused. "Good one! But if we win, your women will be ours! Hahahaha!"
Nash, seemingly unfazed by their threats, began to hold his hair and face, a low giggle escaping his lips. "Hmm, hmm," he chuckled softly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. His companions, knowing Nash well, sensed the shift in his demeanor.
The people around them watched in a mix of fear and curiosity, unsure of what Nash's reaction meant. The muscle heads, misinterpreting his laughter as a sign of nervousness, continued to mock him.
"What's so funny, boy?" one of them sneered, taking a step closer.
Nash's giggle turned into a confident laugh. "You really think you stand a chance against us?" he asked, his voice steady and full of conviction. "You're about to learn just how wrong you are."
With that, the tension in the air intensified, and the stage was set for the inevitable clash between Nash's group and the muscle heads.
"Oh, the little boy wants some support from his girlfriends? Hahaha!" one of the muscle heads taunted, his laughter echoing menacingly. "No, you must only fight the three of us, against you alone. Hahaha!"
Nash straightened up, his eyes locked on the muscle heads. "Deal," he said firmly. He turned to his companions, raising a hand to signal them to stay back. "Stand back, girls."
"But Nash..." Sophie started, worry evident in her voice.
Nash gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Sophie. I've got this."
The girls exchanged anxious glances but trusted Nash's confidence. They stepped back, creating a small circle around the combatants, their eyes never leaving Nash.
The muscle heads grinned, cracking their knuckles and flexing their muscles in preparation. They clearly underestimated Nash, assuming their sheer size and numbers would guarantee their victory.
Nash took a deep breath, centering himself. The surrounding crowd watched with bated breath, unsure of what was about to unfold. The confrontation was set, and Nash was ready to show them just what he was capable of.
One of the muscle heads, known as Head One, lunged forward with a fierce fist attack. "Haaaaa!" he roared, aiming directly for Nash.
Nash swiftly dodged the attack with ease, his movements fluid and precise. As he evaded the punch, he countered with a powerful strike to the joint of Head One's arm. The impact was immediate and brutal, causing Head One's arm to dislocate.
"Ahhhhh! My arm!" Head One screamed in agony, clutching his now useless limb. The onlookers gasped, shocked by the sudden turn of events.
Nash stood ready, his eyes fixed on the remaining muscle heads. He had made his point clear: he was not to be underestimated.
Head One, clutching his dislocated arm, gritted his teeth. "Impossible! Even without using magic, you can't be this powerful! You're just bluffing!"
Nash smirked, his confidence unwavering. "What do you expect? I've faced worse than this... even fought the Demon Kai."
The crowd erupted in murmurs of shock and awe. "Demon Kai? Incredible!" they whispered among themselves.
Head One, undeterred, barked orders to his companions. "Muscle Head Two, Muscle Head Three, attack! He's just bluffing!"
Muscle Head Two lunged forward, launching a powerful kick. Nash met it with his own kick, deflecting the attack effortlessly. The force of Nash's counter sent Muscle Head Two stumbling back.
Simultaneously, Muscle Head Three leaped into the air, aiming a powerful punch directly at Nash from above. Nash raised his fist and met the attack head-on, their fists colliding with a thunderous impact. Muscle Head Three's punch was stopped cold, Nash not even flinching from the force.
Muscle Head Two and Muscle Head Three took a step back, their confidence shaken. Head One's eyes widened in disbelief. "What is up with this guy?" he muttered.
Nash's smirk deepened. "You picked the wrong fight," he said calmly. He moved with blinding speed, closing the distance between himself and Muscle Head Two. With a swift, powerful uppercut, he sent Muscle Head Two sprawling to the ground, gasping for air.
Without missing a beat, Nash turned to Muscle Head Three. He grabbed the larger man's wrist and twisted, using his momentum to flip him over his shoulder and slam him into the ground. The impact left Muscle Head Three groaning in pain, unable to rise.
Head One, now alone and trembling, took a step back. "Stay away!" he shouted, fear evident in his eyes.
Nash advanced, his presence commanding. "This is your last chance," he warned. "Leave now, and never threaten anyone again."
Head One, realizing he was outmatched, nodded frantically. "Okay! Okay! We're leaving!" He turned and fled, his injured companions dragging themselves away in his wake.
The crowd erupted in cheers, amazed by Nash's display of strength and skill. Sophie, Niya, Sylvia, and Tanaka rushed to Nash's side, their faces beaming with pride and relief.
"That was incredible, Nash!" Sophie exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration.
Nash smiled warmly at his companions. "I told you not to worry," he said. "Now, let's enjoy the rest of our day."
As they continued their stroll through Oze City, the onlookers' respect for Nash and his friends grew, knowing they were in the presence of true heroes.
In a grand hall adorned with tapestries and illuminated by the soft glow of chandeliers, the lord of Oze City sat on his throne, flanked by advisors and guards. The doors burst open, and a breathless messenger rushed in, his face flushed from urgency.
"My lord! My lord!" the messenger called, hurrying forward and bowing deeply. "I bring news from Mores Kingdom."
The lord, a distinguished man with silver-streaked hair and piercing eyes, leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Speak, messenger. What news do you bring?"
The messenger took a deep breath, steadying himself. "The heroes are here, my lord. They have arrived in Oze City."
The lord's eyes widened in surprise. "The heroes? Do you mean the ones who defeated the Demon General Kai with ease?"
"Yes, my lord," the messenger confirmed, nodding vigorously. "King Aldrich of Mores Kingdom has instructed that if the heroes arrive in Oze City, we are to greet them with the utmost respect."
The lord of Oze City sat back, his expression one of astonishment and contemplation. "And you say they have been here for five days already?"
The messenger hesitated, then shrugged apologetically. "Perhaps, my lord. It seems we were unaware of their presence until now."
The lord's mind raced, considering the implications. "Prepare a formal reception at once. We must honor them as befits their deeds. And make sure the people know of their presence. The heroes deserve recognition and gratitude for their bravery."
With a flurry of activity, preparations began for a grand reception. Word spread quickly through the city, and soon banners were hung, and citizens gathered in anticipation.
Meanwhile, Nash and his companions, unaware of the commotion their presence had stirred, continued to explore the bustling streets of Oze City. As they turned a corner, they were met with a surprising sight: a large group of city officials and townsfolk waiting for them, banners waving and trumpets sounding.
Sophie blinked in surprise, glancing at Nash. "What's going on?"
Nash, equally puzzled, shrugged. "No idea. But it looks like we're about to find out."
A distinguished-looking man stepped forward, bowing deeply before Nash and his companions. "Welcome, heroes of Mores Kingdom," he said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "I am the lord of Oze City. It is an honor to have you here."
Nash exchanged a glance with Sophie, Niya, Sylvia, and Tanaka, each of them reflecting a mix of surprise and curiosity. He stepped forward, nodding respectfully. "Thank you, my lord. We didn't expect such a welcome."
The lord smiled warmly. "Your deeds precede you, heroes. News of your victory over the Demon General Kai has reached us, and we are deeply grateful for your bravery. Please, allow us to host you and show our appreciation."
As the city celebrated their heroes, Nash and his companions couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Their journey had brought them to this moment, and they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing they had the support and gratitude of those they had sworn to protect.
As the lord of Oze City escorted them to the awaiting carriage, Nash and his companions climbed in, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected turn of events. The carriage, ornately decorated and drawn by well-groomed horses, moved smoothly through the bustling streets as townsfolk waved and cheered from the sidelines.
Inside the carriage, Tanaka leaned closer to Nash, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "By the way, Nash," she began, her tone teasing, "I forgot to mention something."
Nash raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it, Tanaka?"
She giggled softly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I was supposed to inform the lord or the king of our arrival once we reached the city. Tehee! I guess I got a bit distracted."
Nash chuckled, shaking his head affectionately. "It's alright, Tanaka. I think it all worked out for the best. Besides, this reception is more than we could have expected."
Sophie, sitting across from them, grinned. "Looks like our secret's out now. The people know who we are."
Niya nodded, her expression thoughtful. "And they seem genuinely happy to have us here. It feels good to be appreciated."
Sylvia, leaning back comfortably, added, "We should make the most of this opportunity. It's not every day we get treated like royalty."
The carriage continued its journey, passing through grand archways and beautifully adorned streets. As they approached the city's central plaza, the sounds of celebration grew louder. The lord of Oze City, riding alongside the carriage, glanced back at them with a smile.
"We have prepared a banquet in your honor," he announced. "It will be a chance for you to meet the city's leaders and share your experiences."
Nash nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, my lord. We look forward to it."
As they disembarked from the carriage in front of a grand hall, the crowd's cheers intensified. The heroes were led inside, where a magnificent feast awaited them. Tables were laden with an array of delicious foods: roasted meats, fresh fruits, steaming vegetables, and decadent desserts. The aroma filled the air, promising a memorable meal.
Tanaka, still beside Nash, squeezed his hand gently. "This is incredible. I'm glad I forgot to inform them sooner—it made this moment even more special."
Nash smiled down at her, grateful for her presence and the bond they shared. "It certainly did, Tanaka. Let's enjoy this together."
As they settled into their seats, the lord raised a glass in a toast. "To the heroes of Mores Kingdom! May their bravery and strength continue to inspire us all."
The hall erupted in applause and cheers, and Nash and his companions couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude and camaraderie. Their journey had brought them to this moment of recognition and celebration, and they were ready to embrace whatever the future held.