Tale of the Outcast Warrior: Morality, Kazuma, and the Outcast.

The party were looking at the weapons and armor as the couple returned smiling. Lyrica smiled at them.

"Enjoy the show?"

Kaori and Tyler smiled knowingly at each other as Furiosa spoke to the group.

"They got named Dragon Surrogates."

The party just looked at them in both shock and awe. Tyler just shrugged.

"Eh. It's THEIR backup plan."

The party just shook their heads as Tyler looked at the gear. HE spotted a trident that seemed to be made from sapphire and picked it up. The thing glowed a deep blue and he smiled.

"I think I'll give this to Lymir as a gift."

Furiosa chuckled.

"Agreed. I don't really like the jewel gear. But that sword, third from the left."

Tyler lifted the slightly curved weapon.

"I think this be adamant."

"It be. I'll claim that one."

"I'll add it to the pile."

He placed the weapon atop her rune adamant vein as Sera lifted a silver dagger.

"Can I have this?"

The dragon rumbled affectionately.

"Of course Child."

She giggled and added the weapon to her belt as Kaori spotted a slender katana made from a red stone. She lifted it and it glowed like fire.

"You may keep any jewel weapons you find as I have never found them attractive."

"Thanks Furiosa."

Kaori slid it into her sash and Tyler chuckled.

"You look like a samurai like that."

She smiled as she rested her hand on her katana handles.

"I feel like one."

Tyler looked at the weaponry when he spotted a spear with a two foot head made from a white metal. He picked it up and tilted his head.

"This a holy lance?"

Furiosa looked at it.

"It is indeed, Heart. A most rare artifact. The Holy Magicite weapons are extremely effective against undead."

"I'd like to claim it as I'll have to drop more lich kings in our search."

"I agree. Any of the holy relics are yours for this purpose. I myself have a holy scimitar in my trove if you wish to make a trade."

"Opals?"

"Indeed. The price be 15 opals."

"That is more then fair. Kazuma, you're a white as well, you get this spear in case of undead anything. I admit to still be learning the way to wield it."

The green dragon spoke again.

"I am in agreement here as well. It was a most wise move to recruit another white path to your party."

"Wisdom had nothing to do with it. We're kinda stuck with each other as he's Kaori's twin brother."

"You poor bastard."

Kazuma laughed as Tyler gave him the spear, finding it had a collapse function as well.

"You have no idea how right you are, lady dragon."

Tyler snorted as he looked at the gear.

"Kaori's the only one that loses that one."

Lily came up then.

"I got me a rune dagger, Lady Furiosa."

The dragon thought it over.

"Yours, Child. I have the sword."

"Thank you."

Tyler noticed a glittering bow and lifted it. Furiosa was shocked.

"That's a golden bow! It's enchanted to fire eight arrows at once on top of the shaft nocked!"

"I'll set it on your pile."

"That would be wise, as the Golden Gear are just plain dangerous to own due to just how powerful they are."

Tyler set it down and looked back as he spotted a vest of blue metal. He lifted it and tilted his head.

"Did I just find a rune vest?"

Furiosa was impressed.

"You did. Our mythril is superior, but only just. I admit I have never known Rune to have been forged in such a manner. I wish to claim it, but I know you need it far more then I. Yours."

"Thank you, Lady Furiosa. Let's see. Who gets the upgrade. Wulf, this is in your size."

The ranger blinked as Tyler tossed him the vest.

"Thanks. I don't usually WEAR armor, but it seems times are just too dangerous not to now."

Tyler chuckled as he looked back to the gear.

"We can't afford any gaps in our gear Wulf. Not at this point. Hey, that's pretty."

He lifted a green Magicite shield.

"I'll claim that one."

"Sounds right for a green dragon."

He added it to her pile as Lyrica found a ruby bow.

"I'll take this one. Truth be told I've need an upgrade for a while."

"Nice. We got room at the mansion for you to mount your friends."

She smiled as Wulf just sighed.

"Okay now you're doing it intentionally."

Malico found a set of green bracers and looked at Tyler.

"What do you think Lady Furiosa?"

"Hmmm, you may claim it, Cat, as you have yet to gain."

"Thank you."

"Can't have everyone's favorite kittycat get left out, right?"

She purred as Ashy found a brown set of gauntlets that when she put them on became mere fingerless gloves. Furiosa laughed.

"No disrespect, Warrior, but I hate how the brown path looks."

"Fair. And I will refrain from the obvious pun, since Wulf asked me NOT to make fun of your path, Ashy."

That got the elf a warm kiss as Kazuma looked at Tyler with new respect.

"Wow, Tyler."

Tyler shrugged.

"Much as I bust his balls, I got his back."

That got a smile.

"Nice to see you're not a TOTAL asshole."

Tyler then spotted a black pair of high cut boots.

"Hey, Vixen, think those are in your size?"

The black mage saw the boots and smiled.

"As a matter of fact they mold to fit. Good eye as my current boots hurt after a while. Lady Furiosa?"

"Yours Child. The black clashes with the colors of my trove."

Tyler smiled as Vixen swapped her heeled riding boots for the black ones and sighed with relief as they took shape.

"Much better."

"Nice to see my favorite fox comfy."

Lucy picked up a emerald axe.

"Lady Forest I've found an Emerald Axe."

"I shall claim it as I collect the emerald weapons."

"Of course."

She laid the weapon down as Tyler tilted his head.

"Wait, is that a mythril breastplate?"

He lifted the piece of armor and chuckled.

"It is. Wow. Ways as much as Gliepnir."

Furiosa looked at it.

"Hmmm, I'll claim that piece. Then I'd have the full set."

"Nifty. I thought you make the mythril yourself?"

"Only a High dragon can. I am merely a greater dragon. At this moment, there are only TWO high dragons in the realm. Tempesta and his sister Leviathan."

"Is the rank an age thing?"

"It is. Tempesta is 300,000 years older then I."

"Huh. Alright."

Kaori looked at him.

"What? No age joke?"

"Sorry, Barbie, I'm too old for just a childish pun."

Furiosa cracked up as the others just groaned in pain. HE got smacked as Kaori just sighed.

"I opened that door. I'm sorry."

Tyler chuckled as he spotted another double bladed staff sword made from a blue material. He lifted it and it glowed a neon blue. He smiled widely.

"I've been looking for one of these."

Furiosa spoke.

"You may have it, as that is truly a beautiful weapon."

Tyler looked and saw two grooves. He twisted on one and it became two swords. HE put it back together again and twisted on it. The thing shrank to the size of a one foot dagger and he put it in a groove in his enchanted quiver. HE then looked at the remainder.

"Okay, I've got a new staff sword, a holy sword I bartered off Furiosa, and that demon sword I got off Burlock. I'll let you all divvy up the remains."

The group smiled as they looked. Thistle came up with a blood red pair of spiked gloves, Furiosa got a neon green dagger, and the rest were divvyed up till they were gone.

"Gems next."

"Agreed."

"emeralds get added to Furiosa's pile right off the bat. Opals we set to the side for a decision."

They agreed and every gem in the pile was collected and laid out. The pile was dropped to a more modest 7 feet tall as the pile of gems was laid out. The emeralds alone made a feet foot pile and the opals were another four. Tyler crossed his arms as he saw them.

"Wanna save the opals till last?"

"That might be best."

"Alright."

Tyler looked at the laid out gems.

"Hmm. Nothing's really jumping at me like that onyx was."

Kaori plucked another cobalt up and smiled.

"I'll take this for our room."

Furiosa chuckled.

"Agreed. Seems fitting."

"The gems were divvyed up between the party, dragon and mansion funds till they were gone. Then the opals were looked at. Furiosa became thoughtful.

"I count 256 gems in total."

"Wanna split it in halves?"

"Agreed. That will be 128 each."

"I'll give you fifteen for the sword."

"Agreed. I can ask Tempesta if he has any holy weaponry if you like."

"I think the more we have the better off we are. Especially if we end up having to fight multiple lich kings again. I cannot keep doing that without a few more backup plans, for if another had shown up, I'd have had no other choice but to unleash the Roar."

"And not even Term would be safe from the blast."

"Exactly."

"I shall ask him when I fly."

"I appreciate it."

The gems were split and the coin was left. Tyler placed his hands on his hips as he looked at the 7 foot tall pile.

"Well?"

The dragon looked.

"By my count, there is 321,542 gold coins, 543,986 silver, and 1,895,324 copper."

"HOLY SHIT."

She snorted.

"That's nothing. My trove has hundreds of millions of coins lad."

"Jesus."

She looked at the pile.

"Half?"

"Again, more then fair."

"The numbers are 160,771 gold, 271,993 silver, and 947,662 coppers each. Can you transport my share?"

"I have a pouch that holds 150,000, one that holds 100,000 and the rest just hold smaller amounts."

She thought for a moment.

"If you bring me two opals, I can create a pair of pouches that hold 5,000,000 coins each."

"That sounds like a better option."

Tyler took two opals from their own pile and headed to see the green dragon. She made them glow and the cloth pouches were in his hand.

"Nifty."

Tyler returned and they loaded the pouches with the coins until the chamber lay clear.

"Once over and twice over. Lily, show the ore."

The party scoured the chamber with the concentration of crime scene investigators until Tyler was satisfied. The walls were strip mined and so was the walls outside the chamber to the outside. Tyler gave Furiosa her share and the fifteen opals for the sword.

"I shall be right back."

She flew off as Tyler looked to the party.

"Next job is the lisk."

Kazuma was stunned.

"You're exhausted! Are you TRYING to kill yourself?"

"this is how I got as strong as I am Kazuma. We still have work to do. Besides, the other things are mere pissants compared to the lich Kings."

Kaori smiled.

"He's right. Hell, he don't really have to do anything as the rest of us are more then enough."

Furiosa returned and placed a long, curved white sword on the ground. Tyler took it and held it out as he felt the weight.

"Hmmm, I'll have the learn the right way to use it, but Thanks Furiosa. Better a tool that does the job well and have to learn it then without."

She nodded.

"Tempesta needs to look over his own trove, as he couldn't remember on the fly like that."

"Another nice flex. Thanks again. We find another we'll let you know!"

"Farewell."

She flew off and Tyler placed the sword into his pouch.

"Okay, mount up."

The party nodded as Kazuma and Lyrica looked at each other.

"He's like to work himself to death."

"That's Tyler in a nutshell, Lyrica."

The party rode out as Tyler had Kazuma and Lyrica ride beside him as Wulf pointed the way.

"So, as you can see, my party has some rather high level friends."

They nodded.

"I see the sky lords look to you for aid."

"I am a dragon ambassador."

Kazuma blinked.

"For real? I saw that in the news article, but I just thought you bribed someone."

HE laughed as he sent his HUD over with his list of titles. Kazuma went white.

"Dragon heart, four dragon friends, Dragon ambassador, three lich's bane, Champion of Minus?"

"That one is delicate to explain out in the open, Kazuma. Lyrica, you understand, right?"

The succubus did.

"Indeed. Most impressive. And a most carefully guarded secret."

"She thinks I'm hilarious."

She blinked.

"Does that mean what I think it does?"

"No sex. Yet."

"Oh by my horns, how did you get such access?"

"We'll explain in a more…secure area. Actually, Sallie, Sylvia, since you can hear them and most can't, that makes a good work around. Kazuma will need to be filled in but not on the open trail."

The prince nodded.

"I understand. Gotta say, Tyler, you've become quite popular."

"Should see how it is in Raylik."

He looked at Kaori.

"Umm, Kaori?"

She smiled.

"He's got three-"

"four, Aqua makes four."

"right. He's got four beauties there that ACHE for his visits to town."

He looked at Tyler with a new respect.

"Anyone I know?"

"Seline, Yoko the raccoon lady in the bounty booth, Verilica at the guild, and Aqua the mermaid that owns one of the magic shops."

"Holy. Dude. The hell?"

"I've also had Lymir."

Kazuma just shook his head.

"Plus, my sister, Malico, Vixen, and Lyrica? Never thought I'd see the day Tyler became a playboy."

"I've had a Fox Spirit twice now."

Lyrica perked up.

"Anyone I know?"

"Vulpix."

The succubus moaned as she remembered.

"Yeah, her. Twice."

Kazuma saw the look of longing and just felt envy.

"I hate him now."

"I've also had Slyvien, then Lady of the dark Forest."

Lyrica was seen to quiver.

"Ohh, I MISS her!"

"We'll be passing through again as Juniper is Malico's sister."

Kazuma just shook his head.

"What the hell did I do for three months?"

The party laughed as Wulf led them towards a small hollow.

"Heads up."

"Yay! Food!"

Sera's happy squeak made them all smile as they hitched the horses. Tyler had his dual broadswords out as they descended into the hollow. Tyler was in the lead as the saw the thing and he smiled.

"It's blue. Perfect."

The thing got to it's feet and was 95 feet tall, and 150 feet long. Tyler nudged Kazuma.

"See that small groove on the chest? If you stab it there it dies as the heart is just beneath the skin. Lily's short sword can reach it."

HE blinked.

"Umm, how many of these have you killed?"

"This makes what? Four?"

The thing roared and Tyler charged as the rest of the party filed around the rim as Kazuma looked to Wulf as he drew his bow.

"What do I do?"

The ranger laughed as he fired.

"Find a spot you fit in with our crew. That's the first lesson, Kazuma. See where you work best."

The blonde boy looked at the melee fighters. Tyler was leading the charge with Lucy and Thistle flanking him as he closed with the beast, as the others with bows were keeping it off balance with arrows in the joints and face, Vixen and Lyrica were casting stunner spells, the experienced Succubus already having her role in the party figured out, Serafina was hiding in the shadows of Tyler and the two axe wielding women as she sought an opening for her daggers and poison, and lily was next to Tyler as the elf girl used the more aggressive fighter to complement her more defensive style. Kazuma was looking, but couldn't see a spot he really fit.

"I think I'll use my bow until I get a better fit."

Wulf chuckled.

"That's what your role is in this fight. Fact you saw it yourself period means you're starting to learn. That's how Tyler's lessons work."

Kazuma swapped to his dragon scale bow and added his own arrow to the volley as he and the ranger conversed.

"So, you've been running with him for a while now right?"

"I was the forth member of the party. He already had Kaori and Malico."

"What kind of man has he turned into?"

"In my own words?"

The watched as Tyler slammed his sword into the lisk's leg and Lily used his back as a spring board to try and reach the grove, but it was too high and Tyler had to catch her. Kazuma sent an arrow into the thing's neck as he replied.

"I'd prefer it."

"He's an asshole. Seriously, Kazuma, dude does not care about anyone besides Kaori. PERIOD. He'd happily kill us all to save her life and still sleep sound that night. Even Sera. Yet. He is also one of the most kind, caring, outright friendly people I have ever met. His teasing and infuriating jabs aside, he is fearless, merciless, and does not hesitate to do what needs to be done in any situation. He'd give his life for his friends so long as Kaori wasn't the one in danger. I'd rather be his friend than not."

Kazuma thought it over as Sera down the line saw a shot and took careful aim. The black haired princess fired and her shaft whistled as it pierced the groove in the lisk's chest, puncturing it's heart. The beast gurgled and fell onto it's side with an earthshaking thud as tyler smiled.

"Helluva shot Sera!"

She laughed and ran for a hug. Kazuma was stunned by the shot. Wulf chuckled as he put his bow up.

"And one last thing, Kazuma, Sera and Lillia came to us maybe a day after I met them. Let that sink in."

The blonde haired boy did.

"He taught the tow royal girls to do THAT in less then 12 weeks?"

"8."

"8?!"

Tyler was hugging Sera as she basked in her kill.

"See? Best shot on the team for a reason."

She giggled.

"I'm awesome!"

The party laughed.

"Alright, seven get to carving the others with me and Lily to loot the trove."

The party split down the middle as Kazuma went with Tyler.

"I'd like to talk a bit."

"Sure."

They looked around the hollow till Tyler found the cave.

"Bingo. Vixen, you're with us in case of a tomb."

She nodded as Lyrica came over.

"I too am well versed in undead."

"Sweet. Now Vixen has a partner."

That got a leer from both lovely ladies.

"Yeah."

"YOU."

"Lucky bastard."

The looters dove into the cave as Lily saved the prospecting for after while Tyler used his detection to scout for hidden chambers. They found the trove and Tyler smiled as he saw the 4 foot pile.

"Nice. I got a hollow feeling behind that slab. Sack up."

The group did, and he tore the rock aside revealing a tomb. Tyler waited as Vixen held up a glowing hand.

"No curses."

"Nice. Okay, Kazuma, you're with me and Vixen."

HE looked at him.

"Just us?"

"Ya got a holy lance dude."

Vixen and Tyler took up spots as Kazuma took one at the foot of the coffin. Tyler had Gliepnir ready as Kazuma took a stance with the shield and spear.

"Ready?"

"I'm set."

"I'm good."

Tyler tore the lid off and jumped back as the thing took a shot. Vixen smiled.

"High lich! Heart!"

Tyler pinned the thing against the coffin lip.

"Got it! Do it!"

Vixen cast an acid spell as Kazuma thrust into the ribcage of the thing. The creature gurgled as his holy lance hit it's heart before turning to dust. Tyler relaxed and patted the stunned boy's back.

"See? Easy."

HE just looked at him.

"It took me TWO hours to kill the last one I fought! The hell I do wrong?"

Vixen answered for Tyler.

"You didn't have Tyler's strength holding it in place for an easy kill, or me to tell you just HOW to kill it. He just hooked you up with nearly free stat points. Look."

HE did, and gasped.

"I got the kill, and the full points? I did next to nothing!"

Tyler chuckled.

"The system don't care. All that matters is that it died. I got a few points, and Vixen a few more. You got the bulk for the killing blow. Which was what I was after. YOU need these easy kills more then we do."

Kazuma just shook his head.

"I still have a hard time seeing just how I fit in this group. But I think that's just rookie speech."

"We got a Gnoll camp to hit. You might get a better idea since there's multiple creatures more our size. For now though loot the place."

He nodded and they got to it. The Lich's weapon was a blue Magicite axe and the coffin held 540 gold, 650 silver, and 500 copper. Plus a few gems. Int the trove cave, Lyrica was looking at a scroll she had found on the pile.

"Whatchya got?"

She passed it to him.

"A black banned scroll. Willing agony. think Willing Misery, but the act tortures as it is preformed."

Tyler didn't touch it.

"It a leftover?"

Vixen took a look at it.

"It is. But of a bygone era, if the way the glyphs are written are an indicator. I'll give it to Malico since you're like to lose a hand if you touch it."

"Thanks Foxy."

She smiled as they looked at the mound. Kazuma smiled.

"So, what are you planning to do with your wealth, Tyler?"

"Stockpile it for a rainy day."

Kazuma looked at him.

"Umm, that's it?"

Tyler was confused.

"Yeah. We have everything we really need right now. Why, you need something?"

The kindhearted boy just looked at the pile.

"If you were to donate this to the poorer villages, they would be able to get a set of walls."

"Why's that OUR problem?"

Lily's voice was heard as she marked an X on the wall. Kazuma was taken aback by her reply.

"You have all this wealth, and you're just holding it? It's a waste."

Tyler smiled.

"Kazuma. It is NOT our job to babysit the kingdom. The only thing we are obligated to do here is fight the waves."

HE glared at him now.

"then why have you been helping people the way you have?"

"Mostly because the monster fights were fun. Plus we love traveling to different places and seeing what's in them. Hell, they hail me a hero, yet all I wanted was to just go on adventures with kaori and the others."

Lily chipped in now.

"We help out a lot. But we're not forking over our own hard earned coin to the masses just because they ask nicely."

Tyler patted her fondly.

"I will never do a job for someone they themselves refuse to do. I do not give my coin away to anyone with a pulse. They need coin that badly, grab a pickaxe and go look at a rock."

Kazuma was getting angry with his coldhearted attitude.

"yet I heard of how you gave some random elven girl 25 gold coins on sight."

"I owed her a debt as when me and Kaori escaped the tower, I mugged her for 4 silver. Plus, I like to play big brother to the children. Since I never really got to growing up."

Kazuma was appalled.

"You MUGGED a child for mere SILVER? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Tyler glared at him now. With his Demon's Glare.

"I didn't do it because I wanted to, Kazuma. I did it because I HAD to. I told you before. I will do whatever I have to to keep Kaori alive and safe. If I have to slaughter an entire city of orphans to do this I will do so without hesitating and still sleep like a baby that night. You have two options here Kazuma: get over it, or, since you now know dragon secrets, death. Make a call."

Lily was nodding sagely as Tyler laid out the law. Kazuma was utterly appalled, but knew he had no choice.

"I hate this you, Tyler. That said, I do not wish to die by dragon flame. I will let this go, but by no means does this mean I accept it."

"You don't have to accept it. Just get off that high horse. Cause, starving and half dead from exhaustion with the city guard out for your blood and the Pope out for Kaori's screams as he raped her: what would YOU have done? Don't tell me the answer, as I already know what you'd do. Just mull it over."

The boy just glared at him as Kaori came in now.

"We're nearly done with the lisk. What's his problem?"

Kazuma just walked out to go help the butchering as Tyler sighed.

"HE's got an issue with how we're hoarding coin, and hates now I do the things I do. Plus, he feels we should just GIVE our coin away as the masses need it most."

Kaori sighed as she helped them loot the cave.

"He get over it?"

"Nope. Just played the agree to disagree card like Wulf did. Main difference? Wulf understands this world is a harsh place. Kazuma doesn't fully grasp just HOW harsh."

The industrious party looted the cave walked away 6543 gold, 7655 silver, 9785 copper coins richer, with a mass of ore, a few more weapons another mass of gems, and the scroll. The lisk was almost done as Tyler and the ladies exited the cave. He came out to see Wulf and Kazuma clearly arguing, and Tyler sighed. He walked over as the ambassador made a point.

"Look, Kazuma, you need to understand something: this world is NOT a nice place. Sometimes we all must do horrible things just to survive. If you can't accept that, then you are only going to get hurt. Badly."

Kazuma had a retort though.

"Yet the things you do doesn't seem to bother you! Are you really that heartless? You all follow a heartless bastard yet are YOU like that too?"

Lucy came right over and smacked him.

"Boy! Do NOT make the mistake of insultin me honor like that again. Yer startin to get on me nerves with this whinin."

Tyler smirked as her wack had knocked him flat. Kazuma now confronted the hulking lady.

"You claim to be of honor, yet you condone the things he does?"

Lucy sighed.

"Aye. As I cannot do them meself. Having one that is ready and willing to stain his hands to do the work that others of honor like meself is both a blessing and a tragedy. As he must bear the burden of these foul deeds alone. For the rest of his days as well."

Kazuma just looked at her.

"He doesn't care."

"Okay, Kazuma."

He turned to glare at Tyler as he approached.

"What? He to silence the only one with a spine to speak out against you?"

"Yes. But not the way your thinking. This mess calls for the experts on this worlds pain."

Now confused, Kazuma watched as Tyler knelt and cast three spells.

"Protective warning. Tranquil Waters. Hallowed Ground. Holy Purge."

Once the spells were in place, Sallie and Sylvia winked into view atop his shoulders like birds. Kazuma blinked.

"Um. Okay. Hi."

Tyler sighed.

"The green haired girl is Sallie. She was the one Charlotte left to die by goblin knife. This red haired elf is Sylvia. She was raped, tortured, and killed by my family and YOUR father."

Kazuma gasped in horror before looking to kaori.

"It's true, Kazuma. We have an eyewitness confirming it, plus he bragged. Look."

Kaori used her archive crystal to show him the one in question.

"Jesus Christ dad."

"You saw the title Holy Muse, right?"

Kazuma looked at him now.

"I did."

"The only way to get it, is to encounter a spirit, like Sallie here, and understand her pain to such a degree, and FEEL it to an even higher degree, that her soul becomes bound to yours. Next, you have to be absolved by the spirit for something. For me? I sent Charlotte to her after she ruined Sera and Lillia's chance at a stone giant. So. I sent her a false hope and that fact still tears my heart apart. Sylvia, her pain is my own pain."

He lifted his shirt and mail, showing off his scar collection, and Kazuma gasped as he fell to his knees in pitied horror.

"So THAT'S why."

"I know EXACTLY what they did to her. As they did the exact same thing to ME. Only I got to life. Even now, it feels like a rusty burning poker is ripping my insides apart. Sallie. Sylvia. You can take it from here ladies."

The spirits hopped from his shoulders with small grunts as they hit the dirt. They walked over and placed their hands on Kazuma's.

"Tyler can do the things he does because he's strong enough to handle it."

Sallie used her connection to Tyler to give Kazuma a taste of his heart, and he grabbed his own heart in a pained reflex. She smiled.

"You just see him as a heartless monster. He is. Make no mistake about it. But, he does it so WE don't have to."

Kazuma just looked at the spirit.

"I'm sorry, Sallie."

She giggled.

"Yer too kind for this, Kazuma. That said, you need to learn how NOT to be a doormat. Being nice, and kind and giving is great. But, Tyler's point is to not run to every needy person you see on the street as that will just get you taken advantage of."

He sighed.

"How can you feel like that? Charlotte turned away from you, and look what happened."

Sallie sighed now herself.

"Yeah. Look what happened. I died and met Tyler. I have Sylvia as a spirit sister."

"Still metal as hell."

"Teehee! I get to go on adventures, am as close to being alive as I can get without a rebirth, and Tyler's willpower is so extreme nothing can touch me. So. I won."

He looked at her.

"But, you had to DIE for that to happen."

Sallie groaned.

"Okay, now you're just being stubborn. You know I'm right, yet you just don't want to admit it. Either cut it out, or I'll let Tyler dissect your soul."

Kaori blinked.

"Wow. That would actually solve this problem once and for all. Tyler, just do it."

"Eh. Sure."

Tyler walked over as Kazuma tried to back away, only he grabbed his head.

"What are you doing/"

"Looking into-oh you have got to be SHITTING me."

Tyler let him go and just had a look of pity on his face.

"Dude. Why didn't you SAY anything?"

Kazuma went bone white as Tyler spoke.

"I….I don't know that you mean."

Kaori's blood went cold.

"What did you see?"

Tyler sighed.

"Sorry, Kazuma. But you need this now."

The boy was white faced as he looked at kaori.

"Your father raped him repeatedly. Main reason he's so kind is cause of his own Monster. His is locked away so deeply, well, if it gets loose I'd need demon's Wrath to drop him."

Kazuma was crawling away from him in horror.

"How? How did you read my mind?"

Kaori was on her brother hugging him as hard as she could.

"Why Kaz? Why didn't you tell me?"

Tyler sighed.

"Because if he did, your father would have gone after YOU before you reached ME."

The boy was sobbing hard now as Tyler looked to his crew.

"Set up camp. Lillia, Lily, Spirits, have a chat with him. I need to have a look at my HUD."

The girls nodded as Wulf walked over to him.

"This Monster?"

Tyler sighed sadly.

"His split. Like me. He made it to take the pain and anguish of his upbringing. Sadly, he forgot how to communicate with it, and it is just weighing him down."

Wulf just looked at him in pity.

"Your old world is a hellish place"

"Indeed it is. Sad thing is it fits way too well. Kinda pissed I didn't figure it out till just now."

Tyler went back to the Lisk and the others not involved with the talking helped. Tyler could see the group, but not hear them, and from the way Kazuma was acting, he was relying the stories to those that had shared the same pain. Tyler had just finished the last cut when Kazuma came over to him.

"I….need to talk to you."

"Sure. Gimme a sec, this rib's got a good bit of meat left on it. Gotchya."

He hopped down and dusted his hands off.

"So. Have you made a choice?"

The blonde haired boy nodded.

"I need to unlock the cage. Like you did."

"I need my Demon wrath, Kazuma."

The boy glared at him.

"Do you have no other way?"

Tyler sighed.

"I do. But. I am NOT putting their lives at risk."

Kazuma blinked.

"What is this other way?"

"I fuel the wrath with my own rage. If I do it ONE more time, my mind will snap entirely due to the evil, if the strain of a THIRD wrath didn't outright kill me first."

Kazuma clenched his fists.

"I can't wait, Tyler. Or I'll lose my nerve."

Tyler sighed, and looked at Kaori. She gulped.

"Will you use it?"

"No. I'll do this the hard way."

Tyler looked at the spirits.

"Lose the shells, this is going to be bad."

He looked at Kazuma.

"You, lose the gear."

He nodded and gave his weapons and armor to Kaori as Tyler drank restore potions and a few strength boosters. Kazuma sat down, and Tyler watched as his eyes went empty, and he knew he was searching for the cage. The Outcast watched closely as the boy's blue eyes sparked as a new look was seen in them. They had gone from gentle and kind, to smolderingly angry with a most hate filled gaze. Tyler knew that look.

"It has been a long time. Monster."

It laughed nastily.

"I am called Creature. I know you. Demon."

"Then you know what I want."

"I do. Yet. He does not. He wants me to stay far away and never bother him again."

"Yet all you want is an end to your suffering."

"I do. He has put his hands over his ears."

"You know what must be done."

The Creature looked at him with hope in it's gaze.

"I do. Can you do it?"

Tyler sighed.

"I WILL."

The looked of relief on the Creature's face was immense.

"Then, let us proceed."

The thing slapped it's hands over it's ears and started to repeat itself over and over in a loud scream.

"LET ME GO! I AM NOT NEEDED! END MY PAIN, PLEASE!"

Tyler rushed over, and grabbed the thing's hands, and went to FORCE the things off so it's message could be heard. Tyler unleashed all of his strength and little by little, forced the astoundingly strong grip of it's hands off it's ears. The others watched the most disturbing display as Kaori explained.

"Kazuma's split was different from Tyler's. Tyler wanted a weaponized shield to just defend himself. Kazuma just wanted to HIDE. Not run, not fight, not defend, HIDE. Tyler willingly merged with his split, Monster, to better protect us all. Kazuma has refused to do so, so now Tyler will FORCE it to happen."

Malico was shaking in fear.

"I much prefer the Monster over that. At least you knew that it was."

Kaori watched as Tyler had Kazuma's hands off his ears, and them pinned behind his back as he was now forced to hear the words of the thing.

"The Monster was a shield, Malico. A shield for HIM to use ALONE. Kazuma's Creature is just a mere blanket."

Tyler had Creature's hands pinned and the massage was getting through, as the struggle was lessening. Tyler however, well versed with such creatures as he was, did not loosen his grip in the slightest. Tyler didn't say a word or make a sound less he dilute the Creature's plea. Finally, after fifteen minutes, Kazuma slumped down limply as all his strength left him. Tyler still did not let go, as he'd been duped in a similar manner by his own Monster. Kazuma sat up again, and looked around at him.

"It's okay. It's gone."

Tyler peered into his eyes, and smiled as he saw new strength.

"Alright."

Tyler let him go and got to his feet as Kazuma followed suit. The blonde boy then looked at Tyler, smiled, and punched him in the teeth.

"That's for being a jackass!"

Tyler didn't move and burst out laughing.

"Well, now. That tickled. Not bad for a feather punch. Alright, tough guy. Let's see the results."

Kazuma blinked.

"Of what?"

"Your merge. Pull up your HUD. I'll show you."

Curious, Kazuma did as requested. Tyler went to special abilities and chuckled.

"Heroic Stand? Typical. Let's see. Used once a day to render the user unknockable, and immune to all status effects, boosts physical defense by 250, mental fortitude by 350, Willpower by 500, defense and healing spells cost nothing and are four times stronger without a chant, lasts for ten minutes with a ten minute period of helplessness. Upgrades through usage. Wow."

Kazuma was confused.

"How'd I get such an overpowered ability?"

"Because of the strain on you to keep the Creature restrained. I locked away maybe 65% of my entire being away to keep it contained. YOU locked a mere 45% away. My ability is pure offense. You're a living shield."

Kazuma just looked at the name.

"Now. Let me make this as clear as I can."

Kazuma looked at Tyler.

"What?"

Tyler tapped the icon.

"Do NOT, okay? DO NOT tell ANYONE other then our party you have this. If word gets out about us having such an ability we'll get targets painted on our backs as everyone will come to try and take it. Or force us to teach them how we got such an overpowered skill."

Kazuma sighed.

"I understand. We need to keep it close."

Tyler patted his back.

"well, at least you're not totally useless."

"Shove it. And Tyler?"

"Don't mention it. Now, get dressed. We got work to do."

Tyler walked over to the party and Kaori hugged him.

"Well?"

"He's got the defense version of Demon's Wrath."

She kissed him before walking over and hugging her brother as Sallie and Sylvia perked up.

"His presence feels like yours now, Tyler."

"Only, more like a mere wall whereas you feel like you've taken us into your dark wings."

Tyler patted both spirits before looking at Kazuma.

"Soo, you done preaching?"

The blonde boy sighed.

"I still hate this you. But I can't win this argument. I will let it lay."

Kaori sighed.

"If it comes up again, we'll have no choice but to drop you. We cannot afford such infighting. Not with the things we have to do."

Kazuma just looked at her.

"I don't like this. How can you expect me to just look the other way when someone needs my help?"

His sister rubbed her eyes.

"Because we are NOT a charity. We have our own wants, desires, needs, and lives to live. We help out plenty, but we will not do EVERYTHING for the people here."

Tyler blinked.

"Let me put it to you like this Kazuma."

The boy sighed.

"Okay, what is it?"

"If we hand the solution to every one of their problems, every time they have a problem, how are they expected to grow and live? We cannot be everywhere at once. So, if we do it FOR them, why should they do ANYTHING?"

Kazuma blinked at that one.

"Um. Okay. When you say it like that, yeah. I see your point."

"Remember the uprising I started in Dragul? I did the heaviest lifting for them: STARTING the revolt. But THEY won the battle with their hands. Let me ask this: day to day life for the Tail in Dragul, what's it like now?"

The boy scratched his chin as he replied.

"They treat everyone as an equal, get treated as an equal. Even BEFORE I took the Viscount chair, they had already set up a council like an elven courtroom, five tailed, five non tailed, and one Procter of either race that rotates at every meeting so each faction gets equally represented. The Proctors are chosen at random, so they can't even bribe them. I liked the setup so I just let them run the day-to-day dealings as I handled things like the coin, heavy crimes of which there is very little, and budgets for the city."

"Now, if I had HANDED the victory to them on a silver platter?"

He blinked.

"They would have expected you to take the chair, and NONE of the true growth would have happened."

"As their new 'hero' would take care of everything."

Kazuma shook his head.

"I see your point. Goes against the grain, but when put in that light, I understand better I guess. But, why do you torture the bandits if you can just read minds?"

"That skill is a party secret. So, I can't really flaunt it. Plus, if the other bandits hear there is a highly skilled torturer in the party, and they encounter us, they'll cooperate just that much more."

Kazuma just laughed.

"Everything you do, from the heroics to the evil has an ulterior agenda that both is obvious when spoken aloud and terrifyingly thought out. I was scared you ENJOY it!"

"He does."

The party's en mass reply caught Kazuma off guard, and he looked at him for an explanation. Tyler just shrugged smiling.

"I love my work. Plus, its fun scaring the hell outta people. I promised the others to never turn my blade on them, so they just go with it."

Kazuma just blinked.

"Yeah. Just gonna pretend I didn't hear that."

"Coolio. Okay, the Dragel is up next. Mount up!"

Lyrica and Kazuma followed.

"Umm, we're STILL going?"

"Even AFTER all that?"

"Yup."

Lily just snorted as she climbed up onto Thunder.

"Lazy dogs."

Sasha barked indignantly.

"Sorry, Sasha!"

The husky panted contentedly as Sera patted her.

Lyrica and Kazuma were just astounded now. The party thundered along as Wulf led them to the next spot as Malico rode beside the pair. Lyrica looked to the busty cat, both beauties massive racks bouncing from the ride.

"Is his pace ALWAYS this intense?"

The catgirl smiled.

"It is when he's serious. The wave is in fifteen days, so our plan is hit the boards hard until the ball, then harder until the wave starts for real. In his words? One last hard push before the wave."

"What did he doe before getting serious?"

Malico smiled.

"we were mostly bouncing between cities as we had our task of heading to the Queendom. But, Tyler loves riding to a new city or town and sticking his nose in the gutters to see just WHAT is going on. He nearly destroyed the elven capital when he learned he'd rode into a slave city."

Kazuma blinked.

"Cragspire was a slave city? That's horrible!"

"Tyler kicked Wulf out of the party for forgetting to warn him about it. Took him...actually, he didn't REALLY let him off the hook until Sylvia ASKED him to. Lyrica, he got the Warrior's Council title."

The succubus gasped, as Kazuma looked to then red headed devil.

"What's Warrior's Council?"

She explained with a new respect in her voice for the boy.

"It's a title that is only granted top Warriors that hold TWO monarch like Ishtar accountable to his own code for their failures, do so WITHOUT lying, exaggerating, and offering workable solutions to everything counterargument they use. All the while without compromising his own beliefs and convictions. Tyler basically got the label of the very best person a monarch can turn to for advice."

Kazuma just looked at the boy leading the war party with Wulf right beside him showing the way.

"Maybe I was a little TOO hasty in my judgement."

Lyrica was smiling widely now.

"It seems Tyler has put ole Gru to shame."

Tyler at that point was following Wulf's direction as he pointed out another hollow.

"Sack up!"

They stowed the horses by a rock formation and the party moved out. Once the party was on the ground, Tyler looked at Kazuma.

"That trick is a last stand type deal, Kazuma. Since its pure defense, I'll set the rule that you use it when I give the yell, fair?"

The blonde boy nodded as he hefted his shield.

"You are the better strategist."

"Alright. This time around stick close to Lillia and Sera with that shield. For the time being I want you and Lillia to work on a shield wall. And I know we need one more of your shield's size for it to work properly, but you both need the practice."

Wulf and the ladies picked RIGHT up on his ploy, and as he turned to look at the hollow, he spotted Lillia mouthing

"thank you."

Tyler smiled as he saw the scaled covered beast.

"Hey, Ashy, we got a greyscale here!"

She laughed as the 55 foot tall beast rose up.

"Jackass."

Tyler pulled his mythril spear this time, and lead the charge with Lucy and Thistle with Lily in his shadow. The thing roared at them and spread wide wings, only for a volley of arrows to slam into it's wing joints and it recoil. Tyler planted his feet and stabbed the thing in the lower chest with his spear, before twisting the thing and tearing back out as Lucy and Thistle got to work on a leg. Lily was looking for an opening as Tyler used his upper body strength to thrust the spear into the thing as it struggled to even retaliate period under the sync'd attack cycles. Tyler smiled as he saw the small groove in reach and flipped his grip to hurl the spear with all his strength at the groove. The spear slammed into the groove, piercing the heart like a skewer, killing the beast outright. Tyler was dusting off his hands as it slammed to the ground.

"You know the drill."

The party laughed as he retrieved his spear before heading to the small cave with Lily, Vixen and Lyrica. Serafina opted to go this time with Ashy as the others butchered the beast. Lily whistled as they found the five foot pile of coin, gems, and ore.

"We had one HELL of a payday."

Tyler patted her head as he used his detection.

"Wow. We got TWO this time."

That got a laugh as he tore the first open and saw the sarcophagus. Vixen held up a hand and nodded.

"Clean."

"Lyrica, Ashy, and Vixen."

The Succubus smiled as she was chosen.

"Wanting me to show off?"

he leered at her.

"Just a bit."

Lily snorted as she leaned on the rock.

"Prick."

"Love you too, my WILL-be lover."

"Eep! I hate you!"

They laughed as the group formed four square. Ashy at the foot with three shafts on her bow, Vixen directly across him, and Lyrica next to her.

"Ready?"

"I'm set."

"Indeed."

"Hurry up and Start!"

Tyler smiled as he tore the lid off and jumped back. The thing sat up and Vixen smiled.

"Grand Ghoul! Heart, skull, and mental!"

"Shit. I get the killing shot!"

Tyler pulled his holy scimitar as Ashy fired her arrows into the thing's chest, puncturing it's ribcage as Lyrica cast a spell.

"Red purge!"

The spell was a red path anti-undead flame and it encased the chattering skull of the creature as Vixen cast an acid skull before Tyler used his own undead spell.

"Holy Smite!"

HE slashed the thing's skull, as a scimitar is more a slasher then a cutter, splitting the skull clean in half. A black cloud dove onto Tyler's head and he sighed.

"Piss off."

It shattered like glass under his extreme mental fortitude. Lyrica was shaking her head.

"It has been a few centuries since I've seen a grand ghoul."

Vixen was in agreement.

"Indeed, Sex Devil. They are a rare one."

Tyler and Ashy shrugged.

"First time seeing one."

"Yeah. Nice to see some variety."

The raiders looted the tomb and came away 550 gold, 750 silver, and 350 copper richer. Tyler lifted the thing's bow and tilted his head.

"Did we just find a gold bow?""

Lyrica and Vixen were quick to inspect it. When they did they breathed a sigh of relief.

"No. It's a brass bow. Made to IMITATE a gold bow, but is as strong as say, a Watercite bow in the hands of an ice mage."

"Still a rare find nonetheless."

Tyler shrugged.

"Now we have a good piece of bait gear."

That got a laugh as they moved to the second hollow feeling. Tyler tore the slab aside and found another tomb as Lily prospected the first. Vixen smiled.

"Again. Clean."

"Ashy, go swap out for Kazuma."

"Right."

Vixen chuckled.

"Seeing how the dynamic works?"

"Yup. Kazuma's a white as well, so he needs as much undead practice as he can get."

The blonde boy came running up now. HE saw the tomb and pulled his holy spear.

"Ready."

They went in, and the tomb's lid threw itself this time.

"Wow. Nice to see something new."

Tyler was right there to pin the sitting up skeleton as Vixen blinked.

"Greater revenant! Skull, heart, and mental!"

"I get the killing blow!"

They nodded as Tyler jumped back as Kazuma moved in with his shield to stab the thing's heart as Lyrica cast her undead spell as Tyler pulled his Scimitar. Kazuma's great shield was perfect cover as he made the swap, then the Outcast came over the large shield to slash the thing's head.

"Holy smite! Holy Fire!"

The dual spells helped as he split the skull cleanly. The cloud dove onto his head, and Tyler sighed again.

"Piss off."

There was a glass shattering sound as the cloud vanished. Tyler chuckled as he patted Kazuma.

"Leaping into the breach shield up and ready with a spear shot. Not bad rookie. You're learning, slowly, but it's something at least."

Kazuma snorted.

"Whatever. We get anything good?"

Vixen lifted a long black staff topped with jet from the tomb.

"I'll carry this. It's a staff of torment. Think river of torment but in a staff. It's a banned item period. Odd how this wasn't a cursed tomb."

Tyler looked around and there was writing on the walls.

"Maybe a cult leader? Most of these glyphs seem rather odd."

Lyrica looked and nodded.

"I think that's the best fit for this one. Seems here the ones burying it had worshipped this thing as a god of men or something."

"Nifty."

The coffin held a few more black banned weapons, which Vixen would give to Malico to be delivered to the Purity temple, 500 gold, 600 silver, 100 copper. Lily had finished prospecting the cave and tomb before she moved into the other tomb.

"How's the rock look?"

She smiled.

"More iron, copper, platinum, a rare pure Magicite, a Pure green Magicite vein, plenty of tin, gold, silver, a few tons of clay, sandstone, granite, some good black ball marble, and even a hunk of zinc."

"Not bad. We'll loot the cave and I'll start gold digging."

Lily smirked.

"I AM a princess."

Tyler patted her.

"Well, looks like I win."

She smiled as he took out his axe as the others looted the cave. The ore went quickly as Tyler was well versed in mining by now as the rest of the cave divers cleaned the cave. The placed was strip mined and they walked out 5643 gold, 7784 silver, 3342 copper coins richer, another mass of gems, and Tyler was happy to add another 50 opals to the dragon fund. The happy crew walked out to see the Dragel had been stripped to the bone with quite a few bones being taken. Tyler smiled.

"We'll hit that earth elemental next."

Wulf perked up.

"That Gnoll camp's close by."

"That first."

They laughed as they mounted up. Tyler looked over the leftover bills.

"The giants, Lisk, Dragel are dead, Gnolls about to be dead. Then we have the cave bear, Rock Tyrant, and the plains giants. Not bad for a light run."

Kazuma and Lyrica stared.

"All this is a LIGHT run?"

"What he said?"

Kaori smiled.

"Just another day in OUR camp."

The two newbies looked at each other.

"I knew they were hardcore, but what the HELL?"

"I feel inadequate."

Tyler smiled as Wulf gestured to the side of the road.

"The Gnolls set up in that bit of woodland."

"Okay, Kazuma, Lillia, Lily, Lyrica, Wulf, annnnnd, hmm. Sera."

They nodded as Tyler pulled the two handed demon sword out. He slung it over his shoulder and followed Wulf into the woodland. Lily right beside him. Tyler looked at Lillia.

"I want you to use your shield in this one Lillia. Sword and Shield only."

She nodded and pulled her green diamond shaped shield down as Kazuma looked at him.

"Me?"

"Stick close to her."

Lily smiled.

"Nice."

He patted her back affectionately as they reached the camp. Tyler hefted the long black blade and smiled.

"I'll kick the door in!"

They smiled as he did just that, booting the makeshift gate open and charging into the stunned creatures. Tyler swung the blade with his brown eyes burning from bloodlust and excitement as he carved through five creatures with one stroke.

"I fuckin love this thing! Rock Smasher!"

He swung the massive blade over his shoulder and slammed it into another tightly packed group, cutting them clean in half. Wulf and Sera were on different rocks firing arrows in the mass of creatures, and were clearly competing.

"Teehee! I got two that time!"

"Really? I got three!"

"Oh, it's on now! Silver Burst!"

"Grey shatter!"

The two archers now locked horns over their bow skills, as Lyrica smiled happily as she cast her own spell.

"Blazing halo!"

A ring of flames appeared around a set of four of the dog headed things, before snapping inward, cutting them clean in half. The sexy succubus was flushed in the face as she readied another spell.

"Hellfire Touch!"

This one set ten different creatures on fire that burned with a curious mix of red and black as they screamed. Kazuma and Lillia had set their backs against a large boulder. The taller boy used his bigger shield as a wall as Lillia danced around slashing beasts as Kazuma used his spear for vicious thrusts. The pair working in tandem and the pile at their feet grew rapidly. Lily was holding her piece of the camp. The elf girl using her shield training to both render any attack coming at her useless while following up with a killing slash of her Additite sword. The fight lasted maybe ten minutes before Tyler spilt the last creature in half without a savage underhanded swing. Tyler was smiling widely as he swung the blade free of blood before returning it to storage size. Tyler walked over as the rest of the raiders joined him.

"How'd we do?"

Lyrica was happily flushed as she replied.

"I am uninjured. Plus, I had fun!"

He leered at her as Kazuma spoke up next.

"I'm not hurt either. I think I got what? 15 myself?"

Lillia was smiling as well.

"I like the shield. Still feels a little clunky, but I like it nonetheless."

Sera was smiling widely.

"I won!"

Wulf grumbled.

"She got five in one shot."

Tyler patted the ranger.

"And she's only held her bow 8 weeks, Wulf."

HE grinned now.

"Oh, it is ON, now Sera."

She giggled.

"Bring it elfy!"

Lily smiled.

"I did okay. Got surrounded at one point and got a nasty shot to the vest, but I'm good."

"How'd you break their ring?"

She smiled proudly now.

"I baited one Gnoll into an attack, only to rush it and pivot around its bulk and escape."

Tyler nodded.

"A good strategy, Lily. A risky one, but it worked. Gnolls are stupid enough that one worked. But, and this just my own thoughts, I would not recommend it on creatures that think. Do you see why?"

She nodded.

"I do. I could've gotten grabbed as the things are bigger then me."

"Exactly. Long as you see it too. Well done regardless."

She beamed as Kazuma just smiled.

"I see you're just as good a battle trainer as a math tutor."

Tyler just chuckled as they looted the camp.

"I guess I got a knack for it. Way my lessons work is I never outright TELL you the answer, as it would defeat the purpose."

Sera smiled as she worked.

"Like how you taught us to fish!"

"All I had to do was show you the once."

The camp was looted and they walked away with a mere 55 silver. Lily frowned.

"Why'd we take this one?"

Tyler shrugged.

"eh. We got a rookie."

"Ugh."

"Agreed."

Lyrica smiled.

"I'm not THAT bad."

Tyler looked at her confused.

"I meant Kazuma. I KNOW you can handle yourself, Lyrica. Should have more faith in yourself."

She kissed him for that one as Kazuma sighed to Wulf.

"That bastard did that on purpose."

The ranger sighed right back.

"HE does it all the time. Well, least I got Ashy."

Kazuma smiled.

"She's a very kind girl-hey! Dick move!"

Wulf was smiling as Kazuma picked up on his silent jab. Tyler just looked at him.

"Well, Wulf. Nice to see ya got somewhere. I mean, took ya forever and all, but least yer better an that other guy."

Kazuma just groaned.

"ah come on, guys! Not cool!"

They laughed as the friends rejoined the rest of the party. Wulf hopped up on his horse beside Ashy and kissed her in full view of a now infuriated Kazuma, as Tyler made out with a very happy Kaori.

"Guys. That's just not called for."

The two men laughed as they teased him. Tyler let him off the hook as he pulled the next bill out.

"Okay, the earth elemental is up. For the love of Kaori, PLEASE lets have no one get pancaked?"

Kazuma was confused as the others laughed.

"You've said that twice."

Sera explained.

"He's nearly been flattened twice."

Lyrica burst out laughing as Kazuma snorted.

"Guy can kill two Lich Kings in one fight, and yet has nearly died to a large rock TWICE?"

"Why the hell does that fit him so much?"

They were hard as they went when Malico jolted.

"Hey, Tyler? I'm vibrating."

"Oh shit. Wulf."

"There's a spot to the left with a horseshoe rock formation."

Tyler nodded before the party made a beeline for the spot. Once they were safely inside the large formation, he cast all his defense spells. Then Malico passed him the scroll. Lyrica's red eyes went wide as she saw it.

"Is that?"

Tyler opened it.

"What's up Minus?"

The scroll smiled widely now.

"The Gods and Goddesses of the scale of reached a decision."

"is THIS the time to start praying?"

The scroll burst out laughing again as Kazuma looked at it confused.

"One explanation please?"

Tyler chuckled.

"Kazuma, Lyrica, meet Minus. The Goddess of the Scale. I'm her champion in this world, Annnd a good friend as well. This scroll grants direct communication with her for my questions, her to reach me for whatever reason, and for other deities to way in if need be."

Lyrica was flabbergasted.

"What other deities have you met?"

"Thus far? Death itself. Twice."

She shivered as Kazuma gaped at him.

"You've met Death, twice?"

"Technically three times, as it popped in to better explain its terms for an ability I had a question on, but we've stood face to face twice now."

Lyrica just bowed her head in awe.

"You are even on friendly terms with Death itself and the Lady of the Scale deities."

Tyler shrugged.

"You can never be on 'friendly' terms with Death. It is merciless, heartless, sometimes cruelty itself, and unfair. That said, it will ALWAYS honor its word. That is why we have Sallie and Sylvia with us."

Kazuma blinked.

"A little scary you understand Death itself so well."

the rest of the party chuckled.

"We said the same thing."

The scroll had recovered and was patiently waiting to be acknowledged. Tyler looked at it.

"So, Minus what's the divine inspiration?"

The scroll shivered as it replied.

"Ohhh, you HAVE to stop doing that to me! The decision is in regards to the Warriors Max, Justin, Zack and your family. Oh, and that overly golden crowned beauty's father."

"See Kaori? You make angels jealous with that golden halo."

She kissed him as the scroll was seen to just slump.

"We won't deny it. These scum have been cursed by the deities of the scale. The curse is unbalance. It basically means that all manner of indignities will be inflicted upon them at every turn."

"Provided they survive the wave, right?"

The scroll was seen to sigh.

"Okay, Mortal. We feel you need to be made aware of something."

"My party is so overpowered the other idiots will survive whether we want them to or not?"

The scroll just slumped that much more.

"Indeed. And we do NOT fault you for this strength, as it was all gained by following the rules of this world to the letter. Even if the ways you work within the rules are frightening to behold."

"But fun too. You at least got to enjoy my anime collection."

The scroll smiled.

"I made a copy for myself, Mortal."

"Okay, Minus. Question."

"Oh shit here we go."

"Favorite show?"

The scroll frowned as it thought it over.

"My pick is….High school DxD."

Tyler and Ashy looked at each other.

"Damn."

"Lady knows ecchi."

Tyler looked at the scroll.

"Rias or Asia?"

The scroll scrunched up hard as Ashy whistled.

"Damn dude. That one's not fair!"

Tyler smiled as the scroll replied.

"If it's between those two, my pick is Rias."

"Over all?"

"Oh Koneko."

"Acceptable. We may proceed."

Minus smiled widely.

"I see you take these types of questions most seriously."

"I nearly broke a guy's nose for saying Anime is mere cartoons."

Ashy was seen to crack her knuckles.

"And the reason you DIDN'T?"

"Kaori kicked him in the dick in a cosplay of-"

"Don't. you. DARE."

Tyler stopped talking as Kazuma remembered.

"Oh yeah! She dressed up as Yue from that one her and him saw, what was it? Oh! Arifureta: From commonplace to world's strongest."

Kaori glared at her brother for this betrayal as Sera perked up.

"Who's Yue?"

Tyler smiled.

"The Golden Vampire Princess. Her lover is Hajime Nagamo. The Monster of the Abyss."

The natives blinked at the imposing sounding titles as the scroll laughed.

"I loved that one too! You and Hajime are so much alike it's scary."

Kaori sighed.

"Yeah. She's a blonde haired vampire princess."

Tyler patted her lovingly.

"You rocked it."

the scroll spoke again.

"Now, our shared love of those exquisite shows aside, these Warriors."

Tyler sighed as he looked at Wulf.

"It seems they've been condemned to live a living death."

The ranger nodded.

"Indeed. This judgement is beyond our blood oath, so I feel better. Still want to just kill them."

Tyler looked at Lily.

"More worried about Willow."

The scroll chuckled.

"The Judgement was passed in a Divine Decree. Thus, the rulers of the Mortal plane are aware of it."

"Must be nice to hear such heavenly devoted words for a Goddess like yourself."

The scroll shivered hard.

"Ohhh, STOP! Please! I need to focus!"

Tyler smiled widely.

"Thus spoke the GODDESS to her most eager disciple."

The scroll growled.

"Dammit. FINE."

Tyler glowed a moment and vanished from his spot beside the scroll. Kaori burst out laughing as the others just stared.

"He'll be right back."

Tyler was next inside a large bed chamber where Minus was waiting in her black armor beside a bed. He was naked and she was shaking her head.

"Damn you, Mortal. Come here!"

She was naked next as well, and he smiled as he saw her. She had long ankle length black hair, white skin what was slightly luminous, massive breasts that supported themselves, and a bald groin. She had bright ice blue eyes and was as tall as he was. She laid back and he mounted her before sliding into her warm slit as she bucked to meet him.

"Oh, I WANTED this!"

He kissed her as he began the ride of a goddess. She feeling warm, tight and just amazing as she flipped him onto his back to ride his spear herself. She orgasmed first before he flipped her onto her back and filled her with his own cream. She smiled widely as he grabbed her firm rear for extra force.

"I see you're as fun as Vulpix says."

He kissed her as she got creamed again.

"Her too?"

She laughed as he flipped her face down and rode her from behind. Minus looked over her shoulder with a happy leer.

"Maybe. Just. Maybe."

She creamed again at her third filling, before he sat her on his lap and kept going as she squirmed in hist grasp.

"I LOVE you!"

He kissed her warmly.

"I love you too."

She blew again and he laid her on her belly as he placed his still ready rod on her rear button. Minus smiled widely.

"Sure."

He slid into her rear and she slammed into it hard as she got another filling before her next orgasm rocked her body. She was panting happily as he kept going, sitting her on his lap to play with her groove as he bounced her on his pole. Minus was loving it as she came yet again, and flopped to the bed.

"I'm done. So hurry up."

He smiled as he switched to her slit to finished himself off on her warmth. Then they laid beside each other recovering. She smiled with satisfaction.

"I NEEDED this!"

He kissed her warmly.

"Always eager to please."

She laughed.

"So you know? This might have to happen again."

"I look forward to getting behind you again."

She just shoved his head into her soft rack.

"Oh, NOW I want more!"

"I got more to give!"

She groaned.

"I want it so much, but my mortal shell has a limit. Anymore and it'll override your Warrior's Protection, and I'll get pregnant with our child. Plus it'll hurt."

HE kissed her.

"Well, recover fully and I'll be more then happy to."

She sighed as she reached down to her oozing slit and dragged a finger in their mixed juice. She placed it in his mouth.

"You just got the title Lover of Minus. Basically, bragging rights you made a goddess fall in love with you, AND you've bedded her too."

He kissed her again, most lovingly.

"This mean you're my goddess WIFE?"

She smiled sweetly.

"It does actually. As such, your mansion has become my new home on the mortal plane."

"I see you'll need your own room as well now."

She smiled and placed a crystal in his hand.

"I'd like it to look like this."

"Of course, My heavenly WIFE."

She shivered as he kissed her again, and just showered her in kisses.

"The title also has an ability like Warrior's protection. Long as you don't WANT me to, I can't conceive."

"yay. We get to play. A LOT."

She smiled as she hugged him.

"I have my sphere to govern, but I will be in my room for a while for time to time."

"Be prepared for a pile."

She licked her lips now.

"I want to taste that cat."

"Oh, she is going to LOVE you."

She snuggled hard into his neck as he held her tightly. Then she sighed sadly.

"Times up for this romp."

HE kissed her lovingly again.

"Till next time."

She sighed as he vanished back to the Mortal plane. She looked at her dripping slit and sighed sadly.

"I am so happy we chose his world this time."

She then smiled like a small girl with her first crush.

"I got a husband! ME! The one the other deities all called ugly, stuffy and scale obsessed! Ohhh, those love goddesses are going to be PURPLE with envy when they find out I got a Hero Warrior for me first Husband!"