EP 85 - MEETING THE LEADER.

The strapping warriors quickly huddled around their leader and with one stroke of a sword , he was cut free from his web prison.

The leader stood proudly before the Adventurers and bowed as a gesture of thanks. His men , seeing this followed suit.

"You have our sincerest Gratitude!". He then said looking into her eyes and Avyanna wanting to blush but shoved it back in.

"You're welcome."Avyanna replied and then Levi grasped her hand. "Yes and we better be going?" He said reminding her that they had somewhere important to get to.

"Please stay and rest. I am in your debt and wish to be of service." The hunky man Said.

"Are you sure we should stay here even after you just saw that super creepy/weird killing machine like two seconds ago?" Conrad asked.

"Shut it and listen to what the handsome man is saying." Kyra elbowed him.

"Alright just give us time to think about it." Avyanna said as the group huddled together to convene.

"So what do you think guys?" Avyanna queried with their heads all bent over.

"I am totally against this."Levi said sternly.

"Me too. I don't like it here. " Conrad voiced out his opinion.

"Even the pansy sees that something's wrong." Levi said to credit his point.

"Thank you..." Conrad smiled. "Wait ...what's a pansy?"

Avyanna shook her head.

"I think we could stay for a bit. What's the harm? We get free accommodation, food and maybe some trinkets we could borrow."

"You mean steal, right? "Percival said.

"You're catching up." Kyra patted his shoulder while Conrad Pftted.

"Puh-lease,You just want to have s**x with the guy. I saw you practically drooling over him already."

"I'm for staying so Percival gets to break the tie. Percival?" Avyanna said glancing towards Percival and so was everyone.

"This is so not fair." Sky cried. "You always put Percy in a tough spot."

"I'm just going to take a pass on this and agree with every one behind the other's back so that way, I'm still the favorite." Percival smiled.

A warrior tapped his companion as they were all watching the Adventurers. "They know we can hear them right?"

His partner shrugged.

"Since we can't decide or a certain person refuses to choose..." Eva said to Sky who was whistling and looking away. "We have to roll to settle this!"

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The atmosphere was tense as every one was on edge. Everybody wanted to win as much as they wanted the other to lose.

Obi tossed the die with all seriousness as if his life depended on the outcome.

"Roll."

"2"

"Noooooo! Why me cruel world !!!!" He lamented.

Su ling tossed and then Sky.

"1"

"I knew it." Su Ling sighed.

"4"

"Well it's Something." Sky said.

Finally it was down to the two players , Eva and John.

"You're going down Eva." John boasted.

"Not if I see You there first." The glasses girl grinned .

He took a long breath as he threw the die down to the playing Arena.

It rolled round and round and round and round and round and round and round and ...

________________________

CONTINUATION {Many Seconds later }...

And round and round and round and round and round and round and round and then finally stopped.

"5"

"Yes , Take that loser!!!!" John exclaimed.

Eva simply shook her head. "Ugh, Amateurs. Let me show you how its really down."

Hitting her fist on the table, the vibrations courses through it thereby overturning the die to reveal ...

"6"

"Told you." Eva smiled.

"How did you..." John said astonished.

"Magic!" Sky whispered glaring at the die.

"Kid..."Eva folded her arms and said looking really cool. "I've been rolling dice since you were in diapers."

Avyanna went towards the leader against Levi's adamant refusal and bowed. "We would be glad to stay for the time being."

___________>_

"I am Tsukiyo Matasu , Proud leader of the Zipangu Region and these are my brave soldiers." The hot man said introducing himself and the others.

"Avyanna." She replied

By now most of the men had started taking off their helmets and all of them were as devastatingly handsome men.

"Wait ...All of you are men? No women? Let's say angry wives that might get mad at their cheating husbands?" Kyra asked.

"Are you being serious right now?" Levi raised an eyebrow?

"No ,these are just my men. The women , Children and the aged ones have been kept safe in our homes." Tsukiyo explained.

Turning away from the Adventurers , He ordered his men to disperse and prepare for another battle.

Percival was perplexed.

Hadn't they just chased away the monster that was terrorizing them?

As they entered the village , Rows or women and Children stood waving and shouting revernce to the returning warriors with both major and minor injuries.

No one cared if their enemy had been slain...

All that mattered was their Sons , Husbands, Fathers , Uncles , Nephews and Friends returned safely...

Although the same couldnt be said for others.

The men gave yells of cheer and none wore sad expressions even after the slaughtering of their comrades in battle.

Suddenly a frail old woman whose face looked weary with weeping stood in front of the battalion shedding tears. She held on fiercely to Tsukiyo's shirt as she refused to move or be moved.

"Where is Hiroshima? Where is my son?!!! Did it choose him?" She shouted.

Tsukiyo , understanding her apprehension, decided to break the news gently. He slowly shook his head . "Hiroshima wasn't chosen, Karagata , Your son was a courageous and outstanding warrior and fell bravely in battle. You have our deepest Condolences ". Following his words , one of the bodies the men had brought along with them was handed over to the old woman who began walking as both she and the corpse were carried away. It was time for him to be given a proper burial.

"Our men have fought well in battle and Tonight we feast for our honourable brothers that have fallen in battle. Tonight we shall drink to them and all their memories!" Tsukiyo raised his hand on the air victoriously.

"Hear , Hear!!!!!" The crowd roared in response.

"Live a Great Life..." He added.

"Die a great death!!!" The soldiers responded.

"Something smells fishy." Conrad said looking at the cherry atmosphere that was contrary to what had just happened. No one else had mournful looks nor even shed a tear as they were all bent on merriment; as if this was nothing new to them.

"You think?" Percival replied.

"There's something he's hiding." Levi stared at Tsukiyo who was conversing with the ladies wearing an easygoing expression. "And it seems I'm going to break a few bones to get it."

When Kyra had looked back she saw that the three men had disappeared.

"Where did they go?" She asked Avyanna.

"Maybe they're off banging a girl or something. But whatever it is , I'm 100% it is definitely not important."

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Thud!

Levi roughly grabbed the collars of one of the soldiers and slammed him against the wall in a dark alleyway.

"Now listen very closely. I want you to tell me everything you know about that monster that you fought earlier?" He said calmly putting his hand on the wall , effectively trapping the man in front of him.

The man put up a brave face and replied firmly. "I have no idea what you're talking ..."

Hardly had he finished that sentence , a heavy blow descended from out of nowhere and landed heavily on his cheek as a few teeth flew out of his mouth. Blood gushed out the side of his face as the man felt a throbbing ache.

"You see I don't have time for bullshit, so you'd better start telling me the truth." Levi pushed his face closer to the man as he whispered .

"I'm telling you , I don't ..."

The white haired man shook his head albeit sadly . He kicked his feet from under him and took back his fist and slammed it with enough force into his nose. The man hit the ground , winded by the blow

"I have a Family ...A wife and a son..."

"Good. That means you've got enough to loose. Because I'm getting impatient and that means you're running out of time ." He grabbed the man fingers and bent them all backwards , making the man scream but unheard as the loud music overshadowed his voice.

"Talk..." Levi spoke with menace.

A few minutes later the man limped out of the alley holding his broken nose and fingers. "I Knew something was up with this place." Percival nodded.

Conrad groaned. "Jeez , Did you have to rough him up like that?!"

"He'll be back to his usual self in a few months tops." Levi dismissed him . "And besides, i got what I needed to know ."