A Little Bit of Luck

Reya swiftly hid herself, the sight before her taking her aback. Soon, Lucy and Warren had also completely hidden themselves amongst the foliage, the scenery before making chills race down their backs.

Change of plans.

Just ahead of them, a small entourage of bandits had been standing idle. It was the ten that Warren had yet to fight.

"When do you think York and his puppy Sid will be done?" A scrawny almost elf like man said through sharpened teeth.

"No idea, they are the strongest out of the group so we should let them be."

The elf-man scoffed, "Group, we are just a bunch of mercenaries who got paid to hunt some kid down, I wouldn't say we a group mate."

"Shut up Rev, you know damn well half of this shit is because of Kill Joy, maniac has been on a rampage looking for that blind asshole."

Warren glared at Reya.

'You said its complicated so I'll ask later.' Warren said in his head.

Reya shrugged, 'I'm just as lost as you are, I wanna get the hell out of this situation as soon as possible.'

Warren shook his head, 'Same, but why are these bandits after us, and they said they got paid.'

Lucy nodded, "Apparently these bandits are mercenaries, so who hired them?"

The trio still hid in silence, there minds wandering as they tried to piece it together. From what they knew, Ron and Kill Joy had history and most likely are killing each other over it. But what was with hunting Mages, Mages who have yet to even pass the Mage Trials nonetheless?

Reya broke the silence, 'We need to slip past them, explanation or not we need to get you near Kill Joy."

Then, they all noticed something, something that was very obvious. There was no more Fey being built up anymore, it had completely vanished.

No, Warren swirled around from his crouched position. It was not gone, the energy had just left its previous spot.

Lucy swallowed hard as she also realized.

The hammer Sid and Tid had charged up had finally been thrown, and as the almost thunderous sound reached their ears, it became deadly clear.

Warren sighed, 'Well I mean we never really knew when he was gonna throw it.'

Reya face palmed, "I think you should start running Warren."

Lucy also sighed, 'It was nice knowing you Master.'

Warren bit his lip, "You know I thought we had some chemistry going between us three."

Rev, the elf like man turned to see Warren take off in a dead sprint toward the campsite.

"Hey isn't that the mage boy?"

The other nine ruffians turned also.

They suddenly readied themselves in hopes of pursuit, but as they took a step, the monstrous sound of metal hitting wood exploded from beside them.

A huge hammer came thrashing from nowhere, the sledge hammer caked in purple energy that crackled as it zipped by.

There was a long pause, everyone watching in awe as it disappeared in an instant.

"Um, what the hell-"

The ground shook with force as wind pressure devoured the entire landscape. Everyone was thrown backwards as the rampage continued on without hesitation.

Rev blinked a few times, the once nice habitat of the forest seemingly turned on its side. He also noticed something rather odd.

Reya was now face first on the dirt, a familiar black cat also laying in a heap. It seemed the hammer had also knocked the duo out into the open.

Rey quickly shot up, her hood falling back as she grabbed her nose to stop the bleeding. Lucy shook her fur, leaves and small twigs stuck to her.

The group of mercenaries and the duo exchanged looks, the recent occurrence leaving both of them dumfounded.

Lucy sighed, 'Great'

Not too far off, Warren slid under an overturned tree and burst into the opening. Before him, Ron was on one knee, the man sweating bullets as he looked toward Warren.

Kill Joy on the other hand looked unharmed, his black katana held above his head awaiting the killing blow. Warren had come just in time, the scene clearing saying that Ron had done his best and failed miserably.

Kill Joy turned to see the Mage running full speed toward him, "Oh? Did you come to-"

The hammer flew into the clearing with blinding speed, the electrical like Fey shooting out with unstable arcs of energy. Warren felt the immense pressure, his head instinctively ducking, and as he did, the hammer soared over him by mere inches. The trajectory heading straight for Kill Joy.

Warren grinned, their seemingly broken and patched together plan had somehow worked.

The black skinned bandit smirked and stuck his left hand out. He was unfazed, as if the weapon was a mere toy as he awaited its impact.

To no avail, the sledge hammer collided with deadly force, the impact sending a shock wave across the clearing. Even the Beetle slid backwards by the collision's aftermath.

But...

Instead of a Rank S Mage injured, or hell, even slightly aggravated. Warren was faced with a man standing idle examining the hammer he had just caught like a football.

"This is Sid and Tid's hammer, where did this come from?" He glanced up at Warren, "Oh you must have made Sid awaken his Magic Base, thanks kid I appreciate it."

He tossed the hammer to the floor, the once giant weapon slowly shrinking back to its original size. It hit the dirt, a small crater forming as it did.

Ron yelled out, "Get away kid, he's too-"

A hand was placed over the man's mouth, "No talking, I wasn't done."

He tightened his grip, Ron's cheekbones almost collapsing as he did. The man squirmed to try and get away but his iron grip kept him kneeling before him.

Kill Joy looked at Warren, the boy heaving as he caught his breath.

Their wasn't much he could do. Warren had almost zero Fey and his potential enemy was a S Rank.

"Listen Kiddo, this could be a valuable lesson." He put the blade of his katana against Ron's neck, "Always go for the throat, it stops them from screaming."

Warren reached his hand out, "Wait!"

Kill Joy annoyingly stopped moving his sword, a small trickle of blood streaming down Ron's throat.

"What boy?"

Warren finally caught his breath and managed to stand, "Why are you here? What's going on? Why did Cargo hire you?"

Kill Joy blew air out of his nose, "Hire me? No one hires me boy. He just led me to ya so he could heal his half dead son."

"Then why?"

"Ah jeez I don't know, Maybe because I found a loose end and needed to tie it all neat and pretty...especially by the throat." Kill Joy pushed the blade forward, more blood trialing down Ron's body.

"And because I got orders from Lucy, said she wanted a Mage dead."

Warren held his breath, "Lucy?"

Kill Joy rolled his eyes, "How about this, ring any bells?"

Warren froze, his mind crumbling as he heard a familiar voice. It was indeed Lucy, but not the lovable cat he had befriended when he was young.

No, this was the Goddess Lucy, the one Warren had bested in a wager all those years ago.

"After you wished me out of my own body brother, I happen to find a fitting one not long after."

Kill Joy's voice reappeared, "Actually we made a deal, I get this blind piece of shit."

The Goddess returned, "I get revenge on my scheming brother who takes me for a fool."

Warren shook his head, "I'm not your brother, I don't understand what you mean by revenge?"

Kill Joy let go of Ron, the man falling to the ground groveling in pain.

"Drop the act, I know it's you."

Warren started to back up, "No I'm serious I don't know what you are t-"

Kill Joy seem to fizzle out of existence, but in the same moment he was standing in front of Warren. The Goddess spoke once again, "Oh how dumb do you think I am dear brother? I went back to the Silver City, only to find out you had left to this world with a vessel. Funny how a Goddess such as me could be bested by a mere child, but I was naive, I had a feeling something was awry when we wagered."

Kill Joy rose his blade, "We know you are in there Karma."

Warren suddenly felt the urge to throw up, a hot sensation rising from his stomach.

"Whoops, looks like I got found out."

Warren was no more, the once over bearing personality replaced by a mature calm deep voice. It was indeed Karma, the once blue irises of Warren shifting to a milky white.

"Ah ha, I knew it! You dare try and trick me brother!"

Karma put his hands up in defense, "Now calm down sister, this is not what it looks to be. The reason in which the mortal spoke was ill of my true intentions. I do not wish to battle with Father or join his army."

Lucy inched closer, "Then what are you here for?"

Karma smiled, "I came to this world to quench my thirst dear sister. The Silver City could no longer entertain my needs, I have no will to test my luck amongst our brethren."

Lucy cocked her head, as if the words still made zero sense and in some ways, they didn't.

Warren's body scrambled forward and pushed the blade away, "I'm sure you feel it too dear sister, the uncertainty, the emotions of this world. The Silver City is bland and mundane but after witnessing the life of this mortal I have come to understand one thing."

Karma smiled, "How fun it is too be human."

Lucy seemed taken aback by the statement, "Ha jargon Karma, how could someone as high and mighty as you say something so distasteful?"

Karma kept his smile, "I knew you would fail to understand it, but you need not worry, I will come back when this mortal has shown me my fill."

Lucy recoiled the blade forward, the tip stopping inches from Warren's neck, "I still seek revenge, do not toy with me."

Karma sighed, "Then how about a wager?"

The air split in two as the black katana cut through it like butter, Karma dodging the blade with ease.

"Hear me out, this will not be like last time."

Lucy growled, "How so?"

Karma grinned ear to ear, "This wager is not for me and you, but on the vessels we posses."

Kill Joy voice resurfaced and he rose an eyebrow, "Oi I don't remember every signing up for this."

Lucy took control, "Silence mortal!"

Karma continued, "Our vessels shall fight, the first to fall must go back to the Silver City and stay there for a thousand years."

Lucy snorted, "And how is that a wager I desire? I want the mortal Mage dead and my vessel back."

"Oh sister it is fairly obvious you want me to suffer, and we all know that fighting is out of the question. So wouldn't sending me to a place I hate for a thousands of years be the best revenge you will ever get?"

Lucy pondered his words, "You have peeked my interest, but what plot are you after?"

Karma bowed his head, sign that was rarely used amongst Gods, a way of saying that their words were truth and truth alone, "I shalt not plot anything sister, it all depends on the boy."

Lucy grinned in Kill Joy's body, "What will we decide this wager on, the silly game you created?"

Karma clicked his tongue, "No, the first to fall wins, simple."

Lucy grinned behind Kill Joys lips, "I knew you would agree to such an easy win." Kill Joy returned but the voice of the Goddess was still in his ear, "Listen closely mortal, kill the Mage and all is well."

Kill Joy kept his grin, "That's it? That's all I have to do, shit its nothin'."

Karma also looked in on himself, a naked boy floating in darkness. It was Warren, his arms crossed as he watched the whole situation unfold.

"You know a heads up that you were using my body as a apartment would of been nice to know,"

Warren sighed, "Oh and using my life as a gambling chip wasn't very cool either."

Karma rose an eyebrow,"So do you refuse?"

Warren laughed, "Hell no, I could not be more happier, just um, I'm pretty much I am an ant compared to him since I don't have any Fey."

The God leaned in, a whisper reaching Warren's ears, "You forget who I am, now go and test your luck Warren, isn't that all you ever wish for."

Warren finally took control of his body, the echoes of the warmth he felt reverberating back to his gut.

Great.

Kill Joy stepped forward, "Sorry kid, I have to kill ya'."

Warren gripped his broadsword, the realization of something making him smile. He could tell something had changed.

He had now fully regained all his Fey back, and now the fatigue he felt had completely subsided.

This was going to be fun.