The Demon's Princess: Ambushes and relationship issues.

KA-BOOM.

DAY 23.

MONDAY.

GOLD: 4,667.

Tyler woke in the early morning with a most unsettling realization, HE COULDN'T MOVE. Seria was asleep in his bed beside him and she was facing him with her eyes closed. But the quiver of her eyelids meant she was awake and could also not move. Okay. we were poisoned with a paralytitic last night. by Luster or SOMEONE else. UGH. Tropes. he reached for his magic and found he couldn't move his mouth, so no casting. He sighed internally and thought to what he knew of paralyetics. Since we woke up like this, we can assume it's broken by willpower. Since MINE is so well know and extreme, we can assume it's extremely potent. Ha. Alright. A sound of someone moving through the room was heard before a Draken man in black robes appeared behind Seria with a dark smirk on his face.

"Well now, the lovely princess, SLAIN in her sleep by her beloved Berserker. Such a TRAGIC tale indeed."

The man then noted she was naked under the blankets and smiled wickedly.

"And AFTER being raped by him too-"

Tyler's eyes turned BLOOD. RED. On a DIME. There was a sound of shattering glass as the OUT of his mind with RAGE Berserker pounced on the surprised assassin TEETH FIRST! A poisoned dagger was plunged into Tyler's bare chest as he took the Dark elf to the floor with his teeth in his throat and the Berserker planted his foot to TEAR the entire throat region COMPLETELY off the dying man's frame! It looked like when a wolf take an animal to the ground. Seria was freed of the spell and sat up in relief as Tylr reared before her.

"I KNEW you'd save me."

"Snake Purge."

His voice was still steel clad as the antidote spell took effect to purge their bodies of gthe paralyteic. Tyler's eyes turend back to light brown and Seria smiled sweetly as he hugged her.

"Morning."

"I'm fine. I love you too."

He smiled at her before looking at the dead Draken.

"VAERIC has some QUESTIONS he needs to answer."

Asuna was waiting in the meeting hall for Tyler to arrive and Rias chuckled across from her.

"Seria's up there. So it'll be a while."

The friends smiled at that one as Mina frowned.

"Anyone else on edge all of a sudden?"

They blinked at that and Belfast frowned.

"Yes I feel it too. Like when you set sail and FEEL a thunderstorm in the air."

Rias looked at Asuna now and the two redheads had a disturbing thought.

"Where's Tyler?"

The group got up then and headed to check on their absent leader....when the door to the hall was thrown open and a dead Draken was thrown to Vaeric's feet. The throat of the dead darf elf torn out by the roots and the dwarven lord had a look of outrage at this.

"HOW did a damn darkie get into MY keep?"

"Yeah that's MY fuckin question pal."

A geared p Tyler and resplendant Seria stepped into the room. Asuna blinked as she saw the blood still encrusting his face.

"Oh damn."

Belfast nodded when she noted a detail.

"His eyes are still brown."

Seria approached the angry dwarven leader with clicking heels as her blue gown swirled around her.

"So it seems even the Legendarily safe Dunkrick has opened its gates to the enemy."

Vaeric slapped his bare chest in tribute to the angry princess before he answered.

"I know not why this RAT is in my HOUSE, but I WILL find out dammit."

Tyler walked up behind the princess with a halfsmirk.

"Here;s a BETTER ONE. HOW, did THAT RAT get into position to POISON us? The BOTH OF US. With a PARALYETIC?"

A mass of horrified gasps went up from the dwarven court and Tyler smiled.

"We're missing one more."

He tossed the orb out and Vaeric GULPED as Mylissia appeared with a smirk...only to blink at the blood on Tyler's mouth and the dead Draken at his feet.

"What happened?"

"Some-freakin-how, that RAT was able to POISON the BOTH OF US in our BED last night. We're fine. She's fine. PISSED though."

Mylissia was then witnessed to start GLOWING a DEEP RED in color with her own rage and Tyler whistled as her sapphire blue eyes turned purple from her BERSERKER rage.

"Wow."

He looked at Seria.

"if I've ever done anything to piss you off, I'm sorry."

She smiled sweetly.

"You're forgiven. But you do owe me now."

"YIKES."

Mylissia chuckled at the exchange along with a fair few of the court ladies. The moment eased her rage and she spoke to the kneeling Vaeric in a tone of razors.

"Vaeric Ironfucker. You stand accused of negligence and suspected contiribution to te enemy at our gates. How do you plead?"

The dwarf had a look of iron in his eyes as he replied.

"I have no defense for the negligence. The CONTRIBUTION I deny on my hammer."

Mylissia nodded.

"PROVE IT."

"Your Grace."

Vaeric rose to his feet and looked at the anvil.

"Arise. Iron Mistress."

The anvil glowed a moment before a tiny glowing being not even Tyler's hand's height appeared from the metal to flit about teh dwarf.

"Now what the bloody ell have you fucked up tis time Ironfucker?"

The sprite's voice was like the sund when hammers hit iron and her frame was tiny. her entire being was grey like iron and she was grey. Vaeric sighed as he explained and the Sprite rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"Fuckin ell. I leave you for TEN fuckin minutes and you nearly get the princess killed? UGH. YOU are going to OWE me BIG fuckin time for this BAILOUT."

Tyler looked at Seria and she explained with a smile.

"She's an Iron Sprite. Sprites are elemental spirits that hold IMMENSE power over their element. Like the forest Spirit, but she's iron."

"Huh. Thanks Seria."

She beamed and the sprite sighed.

"Oh get a room you two. oh that's right. I'll be right back."

Mylissia nodded as the sprite winked out.

"Sprites know EVERYTHING that go on in their homes. And since her element is iron and its a DWARVEN CITY no less, her power is only increased."

The Sprite returned with Luster the maid in hand.

"Got her. Tryin to poison the horses. I cured them."

The Sprite looked at Tyler now.

"YOU scare the FUCK out of me."

"Ha. Appreicate the complement."

The Iron Sprite shivered and Tyler chuckled again before she returned to the task at hand.

"So yah. Here yer traitor."

Luster was unharmed but unable to move from the sprite controlling the iroj in her blood. Vaeric looked at Mylissia and the queen nodded.

"GET me the answers I NEED."

"At once."

Tyler looked at the sprite now as Luster was dragged to the glowing forge.

"So what's your name?"

The sprite smirked as she sat on the anvil.

"Guess smartass."

"Metalicana?"

"BINGO. And since you GUESSED so EASILY, YOOOU get a perk!"

Tyler touched her hand and looked at his Status Plate.

"Iron's Friend. A permenant boost to my skill forging iron anything. Kinda cool getting a perk from a Sprite."

"HA. Don't be weird."

"Sure thing, Metalica."

"OOOOH I LIKE YOU!"

Seria smiled sweetly now and Metalica smirked at her.

"Oh it's like THAT? Ha. Poor bastard's missing out."

The princess' smile turned sweeter and Tyler was conspiciously silent. The room looked at him and he was busy looking through his Status Plate and Seria's smile turned to him.

"Dear?"

"I have you, Seria. I don't NEED anyone else."

She smiled warmer and hugged him.

"I love you too."

He held her tightly as Metalica sighed.

"Okay. We have WORK to do you lovebirds."

Tyler smiled as Seria merely turned around in her hug to lean against the bigger man. Vaeric returned with a VERY badly burned and whimpering Luster on a chain melted into her leg. Mylissia nodded.

"What was learned?"

VAeric sighed.

"She was a member of their Deep Hand divison your Grace. But, due to her lack of successes with her subterfuge, was cut off just the last week. Seems the mess up in Drikin is connected as she was to be the handler for the Draken up there. The snake killed by the Berserker was her last remaining pawn as the rest had been recalled."

Mylissia nodded.

"The Deep Hand. I hate those insurgents. Was that all?"

"Aye. The poison was a mere paralyzer and Lord Berserker's vitality was more then enough to snap it."

"She is condemned."

Luster was flung screeching into the forge's open door and the thing slammed shut. Vaeric nodded as the screeching died a few seconds later.

"The forge be burning hotter now."

Mylissia looked at the dwarven leader.

"You are in repence, Vaeric Ironfucker."

Tyler looked at Metalica and the sprite smirked.

"Where do ya think he got his name from?"

"Ha."

Mylissia continued.

"You are to redeem yourself as a DWARF in my eyes. Are we clear?"

"Yes Milady. I will atone."

She nodded and looked at Tyler.

"YOU clean that mouth."

"Ha. Sure think Mylissia."

Seria smiled as they went back to their room and did indeed clean up from the morning's excitement. She rested her head on his chest once the blood was gone.

"Thank you."

"I'll keep you safe, Seria."

She smiled at this vow before the pair got dressed and Tyler left her to the resecured room. He met the rest of the leaders in the meeting hall and Asuna smiled as he sat down.

"Mornin!"

He chuckled at that one before he looked at her.

"Anything from you guys?"

She shook her head.

"Nope. You're the Berserker."

"Makes sense. Alright. Rias and Strand, you're on raider duty today. Mina and Akeno on rest. I'll head down with your crew Rias."

She smiled.

"Sure. AND you'll go down again alone?"

"Or with one to two for heavier leveling."

"Alright. We're set."

The crew headed down to the dungeon where they were attacked by foret wolves this time. Tyler chuckled at the memory as the screeching things were cut down without issue.

"We'll be dealing with a tyrant or smething."

Rias smiled as she came up beside the powerful warrior.

"Most likely. And how is she?"

"fine. Unharmed and smiling."

"Good. We felt something was off, but too late."

"You'll get there, Rias."

She smiled at this as she slammed her staff into the head of a raptor.

"I HOPE I do. Someday."

"We've been over this."

"I'm too stubborn."

"Okay fair enough."

"Why do I feel so insulted?"

He chuckled at her newly miffed tone but said nothing more, further adding to her irritation. They found the floor boss after a few hours and sure enough. Another tyrant. This one was 10 feet tall and an Allosaurus. The beast was bought down in mere minutes with Wendy getting the kill. She was all smiles at this and leveled up to 3. Tyler blinked as he saw this.

"Oh yeah I still gotta do my points. Eh I'll do it after."

They chuckled at that as they retured to the meeting hall. Vaeric was at his forge with a new ferocity and the hall echoed from his hammerblows as Asuna smiled.

"No issues?"

"None."

The sack was emptied and Belfast got the total.

"In this we have 478,986 gold."

Tyler nodded.

"THAT by 2 is 239,493. That by 26 is 9,211 with 7 coins leftover. Those we'll put in the coffer."

Belfast smiled.

"With our latest spending, we ow have 281,142."

Tyler nodded as Asuna smiled.

"The orders were put in and we're looking at five days for everything."

"That's the same as my order as well. Good. Strand?"

"I will head down now."

The elven ranger headed out with her squad for a raid. Tyler had no interest int he rest of the loot and watched as it was split. He looked at Asuna now.

"The next big purchase is an extra wagon for our trips."

"Belfast has been looking into that one. We'll have a selection by the end of the grinding."

"I'll go see Seria."

He headed up to their chamber and found the blue haired princess snuggled on the couch with a pillow rewatching the battle with the giant. Tyler smiled as he sat beside her and she wasted no time in spinning around to put her head in his lap stillwatching the show. He patted her bally and she smiled as he opened his Status Plate.

"Okay. I have 50 points to place. I have 100 Strength, 238 defense, 250 Stamina, 300 Vitality, 45 Agility, 45 Mana, 45 Dexterity, 45 Magical Defense, 500 Intelligence and 45 Magic. Alright. I'll put the usual five into Agility, Mana, MAgic, MAgical Defense and Dexterity. So 50 Agility, 50 Dexterity, 50 Mana, 50 Magic and 50 Magical defense. That last 25 I'll slap into strength. 125 Strength."

He closed his Plate and Seria smiled as he got the kill in her video.

"Never fails to make me smile, seeing you fell such a large foe."

He hugged her tightly.

"You never fail to make ME smile Seria. I love you."

"I love you too."

He held her tightly for a moment before she yawned.

"Cuddle."

"Yes dear."

She smiled and bundled herself into his coat.

"MUCH better."

He smiled and they fell asleep like that. Her happy snuggled into his coat and him wrapping her in his arms.

Tyler woke a few hours later to see Seria asleep in his arms and smiled. He stroked her long blue hair and she woke with a smile.

"I love you too."

Tyler smiled at that before his whistle vibrated and he sighed.

"I know. You have work."

"I'll be back soon enouh."

"I'll be heading back to the capital in the morning."

"I have our spell."

She smiled and he held her warmly before they split. Tyler went to the meeting hall and found Strand with her sack of loot being dumped on the floor. Asuna smiled as they settled.

"No issues or levels. But plenty of experience gained."

Tyler smiled.

"Good enough. How's it looking Belfast?"

"The total for the gold is 500,000 even. No other material collected."

"Makes sense. that by 2 is 250,000. That by 26 is 9,615 with 10 extra gold to Bloodoath."

The new totals were drawn up and Belfast smiled.

"We now have 531,142 in Bloodoath funds."

Tyler nodded.

"Alright. I'm bored and will head down now. I'll take Bell, Yoshkia, Barkhorn, and....Belfast."

The silver haired quartermaster nodded and the names pulled. Tyler gathered his crew and they headed for the dungeon. Bell flexed his wrist as they walked in.

"I'll catch up, Tyler."

"I hope so."

Barkhorn cracked her neck with a smirk.

"I'll hit level three with another good run. So let's MAKE it a good one."

Tyler smiled as he hefted his greatsword and they headed on their raid. The monsters this time around were based off rocks again with rock golems attacking them in packs. But they fell n droves before the powerful party. Then they reached the first miniboss and it was a spider's torso on stone legs that swung them at the heroes like clubs. Yoshkia brought the bizarre creature down with a potent thunderbolt that eletrocuted it where it stood. The witch was all smiles at this kill as she hit level 3 and earned a fair few pats too. Then they were on their way. Tyler smirked as the floor boss was a 15 foot tall old man of the mountain with silver armor and a greatsword in it's gorilla like hand. The beast put up a solid fight, but fell to Bell's knife following a joint assault. Belfast hit level 4, Barkohrn 3, Bell reached 5. Tyler smiled at this as they headed back up.

"Not bad people."

They smiled at this and they unloaded their newest mass of loot. Belfast smiled as she did the totals.

"This run we have made 585,455 gold."

Tyler smiled.

"That by 2 is 292,727 with one extra coin to Bloodoath. Me, Bell, Yoshkia, Barkhorn, and Belfast. That by 5 is 58,545 with 2 extra coins leftover to Bloodoath."

Belfast nodded as the shares were taken.

"The new funds in Bloodaoth is 823,869."

Tyler smiled as he added his own wealth up.

"I have 72.423. We're doing well for coin and leveling. Tomorrow is Mina and Akeno's crews back down."

They nodded and the Berserker headed up to his chamber for Seria. The princess was reading a book in a gown and she smiled as he walked in.

"Hello y love."

She got a warm hug from her fiance before they cleaned up in the tub together. Once Tyler stopped turning the water red the pair ate dinner brought n by Metalicana herself. The Iron Sprite chuckled as she set the tray down.

"Since I be the most tursted creature in the fuckin place."

She got a pat from Tyler and it pissed her RIGHT the fuck off.

"Oi ya fuckin twit. Piss ME OFF, and you'll never fuckin be able to move agin."

"Ha. I HAD to."

"Yya fuckin twit."

She winked out and Seria giggled.

"She's cute!"

Tyler chuckled as they had dinner.

"I kinda wanna call her Tinkerbell to her face. But I feel like it'd be suicide."

That got a chuckle before the pair snuggled in his immense bed. Seria smiled as she rested her head on his chest.

"I'm to head back to Mother tomorrow."

"I'll miss you."

"Me too. And we have our spell."

He smiled as he hugged her.

"I'll use it alot."

"I'll look forward to it."

WELL. MORE GRINDING.

DAY 24.

TUESDAY.

GOLD: 73,423.

BLOODOATH GOLD: 823,896

Tyler woke to see Seria on his chest and his arms around her. The blue haired princess had climbed up ontop of him and he smiled at his warm, blue haired blanket. He hugged her and she woke with a smile.

"Good morning to you too, my Husband."

"Good morning my wife."

She shivered at that and smiled as he carried her out of the bed.

"I'll be heading back to Berun after you leave the room. Special teleport."

"I'll get stronger."

"I'll be waiting for you."

The pair cleaned up in the pool and got dressed. Tyler sharpened his starlite greatsword with a holy spell before he hugged his precious Seria. She resplendant in a tight fitting blouse and jeans with a VERY long zipper that went all the way around her curvaceous ass. Tyler chuckled at this before he headed out s she glowed blue. The Berserker met the leaders in the meeting hall as Vaeric was still hammering at the forge while giving barked orders to all and sundry outside the heroes. Asuna smiled as Tyler sat in his chair.

"Ready for more."

"Alright. I'll join Akeno's raiders. Same gimmick as yesterday people."

The raid went off without a hitch and they met back up to split loot. Belfast looked up from the nubers.

"The current total is 453,780 Tyler."

"That by two is 226,890. That by 26 is 8,726 with 14 more coins to Bloodoath."

Akeno smiled.

"Most have reached level 3 and a few are on the cusp of level 4."

"Alright. Mina, you're up."

The witch nodded and headed out as Tyler looked at Victoria.

"So what WAS our training supposed to be here?"

The knight captain chuckled.

"Raiding he dungeon. But you're doing it better. I be here if ya need me."

"Alright. Asuna, pick a crew and head down."

"On it. YOU?"

"I'll do the same."

Belfast smiled and he looked at her curiously.

"Say it."

"Do not go overboard dear."

"Ha. I'm the leader for a reason."

"Ah. Do be careful."

Tyler built a five man raider crew from the Knights and hit the dungeon as well. His boss turning out to be a cave troll 17 feet tall and with stone for skin. They won the fight by using the ice to make it trip and in turn crack it's skin enough for a sword to be thrust between the plates. Tyler smiled as they returned and found Asuna and Mina also returning. Belfast had a magical device now for the figures as Mina's sack was emptied first.

"The total for your raid is 543,700. That by 2 is 271,850. That by 26 is 10,455 with 20 coins leftover for the oath."

The shares were taken and Mina reported the levels.

"I hit level 4 and Sakamoto is level 4 as well. The remainder are halfway to 4."

They nodded and Asuna was up next. Belfast had a rather cute pair of half glasses on her face that Tyler was tempted to steal a picture of,

"I see that urge, Tyler dear."

"Sorry Belfast. Those glasses just WORK for you."

She smiled as she looked over the top of the things at him now and he whistled.

"HELLLOOOO TEACHER!"

She chuckled at that one as Akeno chuckled.

"She DOES make a sexy teacher Tyler!"

"Okay. I am getting flashbacks to MANNNNNY different things in many more different places. Let's move on."

Rias smirked at that one.

"Should we be concerned?"

"Well,"

"Okay no."

"Can we refocus please?"

Asuna's irritated sigh was the bone that got their attention. Her party emptied out their sacks and Belfast smiled knowingly over her glasses as she did the math.

"Your raid has garnered 505,470 gold. That by two is 252,735. That by 5 is 50,547."

The shares were taken and Tyler looked at her.

"How we lookin fro party coin Belfast?"

She looked.

"We currently have 1,575,371."

He whistled.

"In two days we're NEARLY at what we had."

They chuckled as he presented his sakc now and Belfast smiled.

"YOUR party offers 654,574. that by 2 is 327,287. That by five is 65,457 with 2 extra coins to Bloodoath. Our new total is 1,902,658."

Tyler nodded and smiled.

"Alright. We're done for the days' raiding. Tomorrow is Rias and Strand's squads."

They smiled and headed to rest as Tyler looked at his funds. I have 138,880. I'll go poke around the magic shop. See about a cut enhancer ability. The Berserker smiled as he headed for the marketplace. He found the magic shop without issue and the dwarf running it chuckled.

"I wunneref when you'd be in here Lord Berserker. Lookin for some new tricks?"

"Always. I'm looking for a Slayer ability that doubles cutting power."

"You want Diamond Cutter. is a Stackable ability that doubles the cutting power of a single stroke. Also works on greatswords. 5,000."

"Alright. I'd like one that adds force to a blow."

"Ah. You want HAmmershot. Adds force based on strength and swing. 5,000."

Tyler thought for a moment before he smirked.

"A paralyze spell."

The dwarf chuckled.

"THOSE are rare in the extreme. And alas one I don't have."

"Ahh that'd be too easy. A poison ability. Adds a touch of toxin to a cut."

"Scary. Poisonfang. Coats the weapon in th last toxin handled by your hands. 7,500."

Tyler smiled as he added the abilities and spells to his arsenal.

"Thanks."

"Come again."

The Berserker headed back up to his chamber for a bath and settled on the couch for a breather. Weird. When not on the trail there's sudden't not a lot for me to do. I could go back into the dungeon, but that's a LITTLE risky for mere boredom. Seria's on her way home and the rest are busy. I could go hang out with Rias, but that just opens another door. He settled for a nap then and dozed for a while before he woke to see Metalica bring in his dinner. The iron sprite smirked as he sat up with a groan.

"wow you suck."

"Thanks for pointing that out Tink."

She glared at him and her gause like wings fluttered.

"I know what that means ya fuckin twit."

"Okay."

"I hate you."

He chuckled and the tiny sprite sighed as she fluttered around.

"Ugh. idiot."

Once fed the Berserker cleaned up in the pool and laid in his surprisingly lonely bed missing the feel of Seria beside him. He smiled as he remembered the spell. The lone Berserker relaxed and drifted ff to sleep.

STILL GRINDING.

DAY 25.

WEDNSDAY.

GOLD: 121,280.

BLOODOATH GOLD: 1,902,658

Tyler woke the next morning with a yawn and chuckled at the odd feeling of sleeping alone.

"Still a weird feeling."

He cleaned up in the bath and had a good breakfast of eggs, bacon and coffee before he headed to the leaders. Asuna smiled as he sat done.

"Mornin. Rias and her crew are ready."

"Good. I'll go with em. We got two more days in the city before we head out again."

Victoria nodded as she unrolled the map of Macedona. She tapped Dunkrick.

"The next trip you're to take is to return to the capital from here, going THIS WAY."

She traced a long line from the mountain city to the coast, along the coast, and then back up through Wilder Forest to the capital.

"It's a solid two week trip by horse. Barring any incidents. There are a number of villages, towns, and a city or two we'll pass through. We're to return to the capital and by that point, you'll be ready to be sent on sorties for the war."

Tyler nodded as he looked at the vast distances involved.

"Asuna, Belfast, we'll need a third and a fourth wagon for this kinda trip."

They nodded gravely and Belfast looked at him.

"I will preuse their selection after the day's grinding. Points of interest?"

"Durability, cargo space, cost, and ease of maintain."

"I will be most critical."

"Alright. Rias? Let's go kill stuff."

The redhead chuckled as they headed out.

"I'd like a game."

"Sure. Shiro?"

"Oh she an I are BITTER rivals over the chessboard. I've beaten hear a few times. She's not happy."

"I can imagine."

They invaded the dungeon and were attacked by zombies. Rias smiled as the holy magic flew thick and fast.

"Nobody's seen Issei in days. Popular opinion is he was killed on the road."

"Probably."

"I'm okay. And i feel better."

"I'm glad."

She smiled warmly at that as they reached the floor boss and found it to be an undead Alpine bear. the thing fell to Tyler's holy magic attacks and he smiled as he leveled up.

"level 8."

"Dammit."

"Come on."

The group reported to the leaders and Asuna slumped as he broke the news.

"Level 8."

"We're three days grind in the hole. I get it. How many points?"

"About 50 this time. I know what I'll do with em too."

Belfast smiled as she looked up from the numbers.

"This raid you brought back 754,340 Tyler. That by 2 is 377,170. That by 26 is 14,506 with 14 coins left to party."

He nodded and looked at Asuna.

"Who's the lowest level in the Knights?"

she looked.

"That would be....it's a group of four. Shiro, Sora, Gasper, and a boy named Hiro. They're level 3s though."

"Strand, take them on your raid."

"I'll have a full 30 warriors, Tyler."

"I know. I want them level four."

"I will get to it."

Rias chuckled.

"Gaspy's working hard. Problem is his skills aren't really frontline warrior."

"He'll be fine Rias. I'm level 8. I want everyone four or higher before we ride out again."

They nodded and he smiled.

"I'll go do my numbers. Asuna, build a 6 man party of high levels and hit the dungeon."

"On it."

Tyler went to his chamber for his Stats. He sighed as he opened his Status Plate.

"Alright. I have 50 points to place. My stats are 125 Strength, 238 defense, 250 Stamina, 300 Vitality, 50 Agility, 50 Mana, 50 Dexterity, 50 Magical Defense, 500 Intelligence and 50 Magic. Alright. I'll dump the points into agility, mana, magic, magical defense, and dexterity. 60 each. I have 125 Strength, 238 Defense, 250 Stamina, 300 Vitality, 60 MAgic, 60 Agility, 60 Magical defense, 60 Dexterity, 500 intelligence. Not bad for a former couch potatoe."

The Berserker headed back to the table and was just in time to meet Strand's returning party. The elven ranger smiled as they sat down.

"ALL four leveled to 4 Tyler. And we made a good amount too."

He nodded as the pile was dumped.

"Alright. Belfast?"

She smiled.

"Lady Strand's total is 756,549 gold. that by 2 is 378,274 with one extra coin to party. That by 30 is 12,609 with four leftover coins."

Tyler smiled.

"Alright. Asuna, two parties of the lowest levels and we'll hit it again."

"On it."

Mina perked up.

"I have an idea."

"Shoot."

"Funny. We make a squad of the lowest levels and have them hit the dungeon twice in one day. with the way they work, they'll hit the needed levels in one day."

Asuna thought it over before nodding.

"We'll do that for tomorrow's raiding Mina. Good call."

Tyler and Asuna went on their seperate raids and came back with loot. The Berserker smiled as he unloaded first.

"We're at floor 7 in the dungeon now. Not bad people."

They chuckled at that as Belfast did the math.

"You brought back 758,950 gold. That by 2 is 379,475. That by 5 is 75,895."

Tyler got his share as Asuna poured hers out.

"The amount this time is 765,890. That by 2 is 382,945. That by five is 76,589."

Tyler whistled at the numbers as he looked at Victoria.

"Are payouts like that normal?"

She chuckled.

"Yup. A SINGLE high paying raid can make millionaire of you. One a the reasons the dungeon is hit so hard and so desperately."

Belfast smiled.

"I have our new numbers."

They looked at her and she smiled.

"As of these raids, we have 3,420,522 gold. The safe holds 5,000,000."

Tyler nodded.

"When you need to upgrade the safe let us know and we'll go with you."

"I will. And our equipment from Vaeric is ahead of schedule due to his new fire. It will be ready for use in the morning."

"Alright. Good work today everyone."

The warrior went up to his chamber and passed a mirror on his way in and smiled at the stubble around his face and the mess his hair had become.

"That time already."

He sat in front of the enchanted mirror with the enchanted scissors and a razor to clean up properly. His trimmings being incinerated by a spell and when he was finished, his hair was back to it's usual short cut style while his face was smooth. He looked years younger and he was only fifteen! Happy with his image he cleaned up in the pool while doing his own funds and abilities up.

"Gold I have 211,681. Spells I have I have firebolt, Firestorm, Thunderfield, Iced Wall, Hallowed Ground, Healing Tough, MAgical Rebuff, Snake Purge, Purify, Frozen Wastes, Divine Slicer, and Sunburn. Ghost cut, Dark Sacralant, Shatter Shaft, mighty Blow, Sense Presence, and Adamantium Skin, Diamond Cutter, Poisonfang, Hammershot for abilities. Not bad for the first few weeks."

He laid on the couch and Metalica appeared with a futter of wings to lay on his chest. The hand sized sprite having the appearance of a busty woman with longer then she was tall slate grey hair and grey skin and eyes. Her attire was an iron gown perfectly molded to her tiny frame and as she got comfoy on his rising chest, Tyler felt an immense warmth spread through him from that spot.

"Well, hello there."

Metalica chuckled in her tiny soprano.

"I'm bored and you're fun to be around."

"eh go with it."

She settled on his back and he just shrugged. The berserker relaxed with the tiny sprite asleep on his chest for a few hours until she woke with a squeaky yawn. Tyler smiled at her and she sat up.

"I'll be right back."

Her grey glow vanished and when she returned she had a tray of food for them. He miled.

"Thanks for being the maid Metalica."

She chuckled as the tiny sprite glowed and grew into a 5 foot tall girl. She was exactly the same in appearance, just the size of a normal person.

"No sweat. Sides. I like how your heart an soul feels. It feels.....relaxing."

He patted her and the sprite smiled as they ate together. Metalica smiled warmly now as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I think I'll stick by you."

"I have Seria. You'd have no shot."

"I know. I don't WANT a shot with you. I just want to keep near you. Your soul is very relaxing to me. And I like it."

He smiled at this.

"Like a familar?"

"Close but not exactly. I'd be your Astral. Which is similar to a familar but instead of a contract in blood we sign a contract in trade. I get something and you get something."

"So what eactly do you want?"

"Well, I want to live inside your soul like I did that anvil. You'd get boosted Vitality, mana, Magic, magical defense, and I'd get a home that feels nice."

He smiled at this.

"Would you be trapped?"

"Oh not at all. Moble home is the better term. And I'd be able to come an go at will. You'd get a permenant snuggle sprite too and so would the princess."

"Ha. I'd need to clear that with her first."

"Adorable."

He chuckled as he looked outside and noted the darkness.

"Night's Longing."

Seria rose from the floor all smiles/

"I KNEW you'd call em today!"

Tyler hugged her tightly as Metalica watched with a smile. The Berserker smiled warmly.

"Metalica has a request."

Seria smirked.

"Oh? This will be amusing."

The two ladies went into a sphere for their chat as Tyler sat on the couc waiting for them. Fifteen minutes later te sphere dropped and Seria smiled as she snuggled her fiance.

"I'll allow it. Sprites commonly reside in souls of those they find suitable and it's actually seen as a sign of worth. Since she's an Iron Sprite, it'll just add to your reputation."

Metalica smiled as Tyler looked at her.

"Alright Metalica. Whar;s it take?"

She took his finger and bit him to the point he bled into her mouth. She glowed and a blaze of warmth flooded Tyler's center and she smiled.

"There. All moved in."

"THIS feels weird."

"Your soul is ice cold when not around Seria. You'll grt used to it."

"Alright. Welcome to the Kinghts of the Bloodoath Metalica."

The iron sprite smiled as she shrank down to tiny fairy to settle on his shoulder.

"I'll pull my weight. I'm a master blacksmith and craftsman with the Make Proficency. BAsically it means I'm highly skilled at making things."

"We have a camp blacksmith and craftsmen now. Alright."

Seria smiled as she looked at him.

"She'll live in my soul too. Seems I'm really sweet to her."

"You're sweet to EVERYONE Seria."

She giggled and he hugged her tightly and Metalica smiled as she wedged herself between them for a theft of a hug. Then the trio went to the bed where Metalica snuggled on his chest in her fairy form and Seria took her spot in Tyler's right arm. The Berserker smiled as he relaxed.

"Good night, Seria. I love you."

"Good night, Tyler. I love you too. Night Metalica!"

"Night Metalica"

"Night you two."

GRINDING AND A REFIT.

DAY 26.

THURSDAY.

GOLD: 211,681.

BLOODOATH GOLD: 3,420,522.

Tyler woke to the sight of a tiny grey sprite asleep on his forehead with her incredibly soft grey hair over his eyes and Seria asleep on his chest. He blinked at this oddly cute perch and Seria smiled.

"She sure does like you."

Her blue eyes opened and Tyler smiled as Metalica woke with a squeaking yawn.

"Morning ladies. Metalica? Nifty place to sleep."

The iron sprite chuckled as she sat above his nose dangling her little legs over his face.

"Can I say? You're that kinda comfy."

"Okay. I love you, Seria."

She smiled at his as Metalica fluttered off his face for their breakfast. Seria smiled as they got out of bed.

"She's cute."

"She is. You okay?"

"Oh I am fine. Having a sprite choose your soul to live in is just something people want since it makes them kinda important."

He hugged her as Metalica returned with their breakfast. the three ate together before Seria faded out and the Berserker looked at Metalica.

"We'll be busy today."

She chuckled and shrank down to her fairy size before zipping into his chest.

I'll be NIIIICE and cozy in here.

He chuckled at the warmth coursing through him and the voice in his head now as he geared up.

"I hear voices in my head, they comfort me, they understand."

The iron sprite chuckled at this reference as the Berserker headed to meet with the rest. Asuna smiled as he sat down.

"Morning Tyler."

"Morning Asuna. Alright. I got news."

She nodded.

"ME too. You first."

Metalica appeared on his shoulder and Rias blinked at this appearance as Tyler explained.

"Metalica joined our merry band of idiots. Seems she likes my soul ad lives in there now."

Rias chuckled at this.

"Of course she does and did. We-"

"I still owe you a game."

"I forgot too. I'll be up later. We'll keep her entertained."

Metalica snorted.

"I'm a master blacksmith, big red, okay? I got tricks."

Asuna smiled.

"We have a Bloodoath craftsman now. we'll keep her supplied."

Belfast smiled as she looked at the tiny sprite.

"I will have a seperate budget for your materials, Metalica."

"Thanks Silver Queen. I got all my tools inside my moble home."

"Ugh. explains the heat in myt chest."

A few shivered at the images given by Tyler's halfhearted grumble and Metalica smiled.

"You're fine. My forge feeds off your soul's intensity and the fumes are extra mana and magic for ya. ya got a title from it."

He looked at his Status Plate.

"Sprite's Iron Home. Granted for agreeing to be an iron sprite's moble home and her WILLINGLY agree to inhabit my soul. Boosts magic, mana, and magical defense by 150. THAT is a BIG boost. I have 210 per."

Rias whistled.

"I have 200 mana. YOU got more an I do now."

He smiled.

"I'm pretty well balanced now with a few more holes I gotta fill. Once that's done, I'll be able to branch out a bit more."

Asuna chuckled.

"Kirito's strategy for SAO."

"With my own flair."

Tyler then looked at Asuna.

"what do you have?"

"Our orders were completed last night. ALL of them including yours."

"Alright."

The Berserker replaced his rusting and badly torn scalemail and chainmail with the tinsel like silveria chainmail and scalemail shirts. Then his older equipment was replaced with the higher quality starlite. His image now black and blue with silver underneath. Asuna smiled as she buckled her new starlite breastplate on.

"NOW we have properly leveled gear, we can hit the dungeon a little harder."

"It's Mina and Akeno's turn. You know the drill ladies. I'll join your party Akeno."

She nodded with a smile and the riaders headed out. The raid went off without a hitch and they returned to the meeting hall where Belfast did the math.

"This raid we garnered 856,435 gold. That by two is 428,217 with one extra coin to party. That by 26 is 16,469 with 23 coins left over."

The shares were taken and Tyler nodded for Mina's squad. The strike witch headed out and Tyler looked at his Status Plate.

"Halfway to level 9 already."

Asuna smiled.

"The Knights are all hovering at 5 haflway to 6 with a few above. Kirito and Bell reached level 7 and a few are level 6. We're closing the gap. I think."

Tyler chuckled at that optimisim before he looked at Belfast.

"You find any wagons?"

She nodded.

"I did. Lady Strand aided in the decision."

A pair of photos of two pioneer style carts were slid over and the elven Ranger explained.

"Overlanders. These are the usual models taken by long haul merchants. It set the Bloodoath back 250,000 for the pair but the price is worth it. I'd suggest trading in out other wagon too as it's a mere Roamer. It'll do the job and do it well, but there be better options."

Tyler smiled.

"We'll keep it for a bait wagon. when we make camp we'll make it seem like that's where the safe is."

They chuckled at this and Rias perked up.

"Issei hasn't been seen since the banishment. His horse made it to Drikin, but not Issei. Right now no one knows where he is. Or if he's even alive."

Asuna shrugged.

"Odds are another zombie got em."

Tyler smirked at the dar possibility and Rias smiled.

"I'm okay. MILDLY curious, but okay."

Tyler shrugged at that before he looked at Asuna.

"We have one more day in the city. Then we;re heading out for the coast."

She nodded.

"Tomorrow we'll rebuild ur supplies with the two extra wagons. Belfast?"

"I have the list ready."

Tyler smiled and he looked at Victoria.

"We ride the morning of the third day."

She nodded with a smile.

"We'll be ready. The escort knights will remain in Dunkrick and I'll go with you."

He nodded and smiled.

"Asuna, you know the drill."

The pair built small raidng crews and hit the dungeon. They reconvened at the end of the raids with Mina's squad and Tyler smirked.

"ONE more good raid and I'm level nine."

They chuckled at that as the first sack was emptied. Tyler did the math this time.

"We got 875,342 this time. That by 2 is 473,671. That by 26 nets us 16,833 with 13 coins left over. Not bad."

The shares were taken and his sack was emptied.

"My crew brought up 985,245. That by 2 is 492,622 with one extra coin to party. That by 5 is 98,524 with 4 coins leftover."

He got his share and Asuna dumped her sack.

"We brought up 1,237,242. Hit THREE minibosses. ALL of us leveled up. I'm 6 nearly to seven, Kirito and Bell are 7 and the rest are JUST on the cusp of 6."

Tyler smiled.

"We'll rest the rest a the day. Okay. That by 2 is 618,621. That by 5 is 123,724 with 4 extra coins. All told in the Bloodoath we have 5,183,653."

Belfast nodded.

"we will need a higher quality safe."

Metalica appeared on his shoulder with a soft pop.

"Te shop is on the Tip level and the cost of a safe that holds 10,000,000 is 300,000."

Tyler smiled.

We'll see to that one now."

The friends headed up to the Tip level with the iron sprite their guide. The shop was found without issue and the safe was a mere breadbox with enchanted interior. 300,000 gold later they were back in the meeting hall divvying up the keys to the safe. Tyler smiled as he hung his around his neck.

"Alright. Tomorrow we're building for the trip out. Morning after we;re riding out."

They nodded and the Berserker headed to his chamber for some rest after two full raids. Metalica appeared in her larger fairy form and snuggled RIGHT up against him as he laid on the couch. He patted the snuggly sprite and she smiled.

"This is nice too."

The door opened and Rias walked in with the chessboard. Tyler chuckled as he sat up.

"I was wondering when you'd barge in."

The redhead chuckled as Metalica returned to tiny fairy to snuggle into his collarbone.

"Only place I THINK i can escape Shiro's demands for a rematch."

"Ha."

They pressed the buttons and their pieces appeared. Seria was still Tyler's queen while on Rias' board he was still her king and she was the queen. He smiled at this reminder and Rias smiled too. The game progressed with Rias winning and Tyler smirking. The friends went quite a few round with neither able to gain a solid lead over the other. Metalica was sound asleep on his collarbone and had nothing to really offer besides that as Rias lost again and sighed.

"Alright."

"Always nice, Rias."

"Snuggles?"

He sighed.

"Sure."

"I don't bite."

"You grew up with AKENO and your mother."

"Okay fair enough."

They ate together and Rias smiled as she snuggled with the tall berserker in his bed.

"You've lost weight."

He looked at her curiously and she smiled.

"Your belly's a lot smaller and your cheeks have less puff."

He smiled at that as he stroked her blood red hair.

"You look the exact same."

"Thanks. I...miss this."

He held her tightly.

"I haven;t forgotten you, I promise."

Rias smiled at this as Metalica poked her head out with a mild look of confusion.

"Hi. Question."

They looked at her curiously.

"Shoot."

"Yeah. WHY is SERIA the one you're marrying, when being around HER sets your soul FIRE like it is RIGHT NOW?"

They blinked and GTyler had a look of visible confusion and Metalica blinked.

"You....CAN'T FEEL THAT?"

"Ummm, no?"

"Oh for fuck's sake. Ugh."

Rias had a wide eyed look on her face as she looked at e Sprite.

"Um, hi, what are you talking about?"

"The REASON he loves Seria so freakin much is he can FEEL her effect on his soul. YOURS he CAN'T. I am sitting on a VOLCANO right now. When SERIA is around, I sit on a GLACIER."

Tyler tilted his head.

"In idiot terms?"

"Your HEART loves Seria with everything it is. Your SOUL, however, WORSHIPS THE GROUND THAT REDHEAD WALKS ON. To the POINT OF FIRE. Since you're a smouldering person to begin with, you can't feel it. But DAMN DUDE."

Tyler sighed at this new revelation and Rias was quick.

"I just want to cuddle like we did in the room. THAT'S ALL."

He smiled at that and she et out a sigh of relief.

"Oh. I don't want to be alone in my bed again. ALL my friends got snagged by their friends and even ASIA'S booked."

Tyler stroked her blood red hair soothingly.

"I got room for a cuddler, Rias."

"Thanks, Tyler. And...maybe?"

"Been over this."

"I know."