Tale of the Outcast Warrior: Spirits, Servants...and a role-playing idiot.

Tyler followed Erica out of the market with Lupa trotting easily right beside them in her wolf form. They walked out the same door they had entered through on their way to the palace. The trio passed Kazuma still in his cage as now the other Warriors were joining in on the humiliation. Tyler picked up another banana that was nearly rock hard and threw it at the one still lodged in the naked boy's ass, scoring a perfect bullseye and sending the fruit further up inside.

"Bullseye!"

The boy knew the voice and heard the laughs as he swore another oath of wrathful vengeance against the man that had taken everything he cared about from him. Lupa looked at him curiously.

"Tyler?"

"He tortured an elf girl I'm friends with. So, since he can't be executed due to the wave bullshit, he's getting that for two days, 150 stripes, and a kick to the gems by the girl when he gets out. Plus got kicked out of the royal family for it."

The wolf nodded.

"I see. You defend those you care about."

"With sadistic ferocity. You hurt the ones I care about, I can and WILL hurt you more."

She chuckled as they went inside.

"As it should be."

Tyler looked at Erica.

"I think this one is a party secret."

The queen nodded.

"I agree. As she IS a spirit, we really can't broadcast we have her."

Tyler looked at the wolf.

"we'll have to make a plan out of earshot of the masses, Ghost."

The wolf growled as she showed she understood. They went to Ishtar's office, and the king blinked as they walked in.

"What the hell did you find now?"

Tyler sighed.

"A doozy, Ishtar. And A outright party secret. I'm including you only because you've proven you can handle such things when you saw my sword the first time and kept it under you."

The king nodded.

"I see. And thank you for the trust."

Tyler pulled his whistle and blew it as the wolf rested by the desk. The party came in, and once the door shut,

"Holy Sanctity."

Malico gasped, and Tyler chuckled as he saw she was a little woozy after her first time at the mercy of a pair of lusty goddesses. Once the spell ended, Tyler looked at the wolf.

"Ladies, Wulf, and Sasha. Meet Lupa, the Wolf Queen. And our newest Outcast."

The wolf glowed and retook her human form as Vixen and Lyrica gasped in utter shock.

"The Wolf Queen has returned?"

"Lady Lupa has been found? Malico the scroll now!"

The cat hurried to lay it out as Lupa finished her transformation. Once the scroll was rolled out, the contended moans of Minus were heard.

"Do you need me Love?"

Tyler sighed.

"I found Lupa, Minus."

The scroll went blank for a few minutes as his words processed. Then the forms of Minus and Vulpix appeared in the room to see her with their own eyes. Lupa just burst into tears at the sight of the two divine beauties.

"Sister Vulpix, Lady Minus, I'm HOME at last!"

The goddesses hugged her tightly as they reunited. Tyler sighed as he looked to the party.

"Not a word of her leaves this room. Period. In camp, we play this as if she were Sallie and Sylvia. Understood?"

Every head nodded as Minus looked to him now, her ice blue eyes were full of tears as she spoke.

"Where and how?"

Tyler sighed.

"Took a trip into the black market for some fun and new spots to sell stuff. Found some good stuff too. Well, we're walking out and I look into a stall and see a 4 foot tall wolf in a cage with a horn on it's head. So, now curious as to just what the hell I found I walked over. She growled at me and I told her to cut the shit and let me get a better look at her. She comes over to the bars, and I felt lines of scars under her fur, which is RIDICLUOUSY soft by the way. So, I showed her my scars. She got it and I bought her off the elf running the shop. She starts talking in wolf form, and that's when I realized I found something big. Then she pulled a Vulpix when we met and I understood. Look."

HE showed the Scale Goddess his newest set of Titles and she hugged him.

"Protect her well, love. Please."

He held the goddess tightly.

"Like Sallie and Sylvia."

She deflated from the breath of relief as Vulpix came over to hug him now herself.

"Thank you. Saved older sister."

He hugged her too.

"Sorry it took so damned long."

She sighed happily.

"Safe you. Love you."

He rubbed her back.

"Love you too, and she's safe with me."

Lupa had recovered now and Vulpix placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Best protector. Best lover. Best."

Lupa smiled as Minus held up a scale that had nearly snapped.

"Seriously, Lupa, this one is the actual Hero Warrior. He keeps this up he'll break the damned thing!"

Tyler smiled as he walked over to Lupa.

"We'll have to lay a few ground rules, but well, welcome to the Outcast camp. Watch out for Sera. Her hugs are freakin lethal."

Sera took her que to come over and nearly throttle each goddess in turn. Vulpix smiled as it was her turn.

"Too cute! Make cuter!"

Sera blinked as she glowed a moment, then Tyler tapped her.

"Look at your abilities."

The girl did, and squealed.

"I got Fox Mimic!"

She used it, growing a very thick tail of bright orange fur with a pair of cute fox ears atop her head. She hugged her tail tightly as it appeared squealing.

"I can feel it!"

Ishtar and Erica just beamed proudly as their cute daughter got a boon for Vulpix. Minus kissed Tyler before Vulpix got one as well. Minus sighed.

"We'll go let the other deities know Lupa has been rescued."

Tyler smiled.

"Go rub it in YOUR Husband found her."

She smiled.

"Oh we BOTH will."

They were gone and Lupa came over to hug Tyler.

"Thank you."

He rubbed her back soothingly.

"The nightmare's over. Now you just need to pull your weight in MY camp. Wolf spirit or not."

She laughed leaned back.

"You said rules."

"As the strongest person on the team, I hold the coin. 2. No work no food. In my camp you pull your weight."

"Seriously, Lady Wolf he's a dick about it."

"I got a fluffy tail! Still mean, but I got a tail!"

The room laughed at Sera's happy joy for her new feature. The Wolf spirit was smiling as well.

"Anything else?"

"In towns or villages we all share a room to save coin. When the bed calls we get a separate room. Unspoken are easier. Keep our secrets, we do dark work from time to time and don't get on a high horse."

"Dark work like torture and interrogations?"

"I do them as I'm just the best at it. But yes."

She nodded.

"I agree to the camp rules. Now, spirit rules?"

Tyler crossed his arms.

"In towns, you're NOT Lupa the Wolf Queen or a spirit. You're a Wolf like Sasha here. Out on the trail you can use the bigger wolf form as well as in battles. The human form and full Spirit thing is ONLY in the mansion or camp after the spells are up. Or Raylik as that town is safe enough for us. In towns I call you Ghost. Out there, Lupa. Sound good?"

She nodded.

"Of course. Plus, my spirit power needs to be released back to me by you so I can use it fully. Even then it's like that ability you have. The specifics you can see under the ability tab for me in your HUD."

Tyler pulled it up and saw her tab.

"I got one for Sasha too for some odd reason."

Lupa looked at the relaxing husky and she huffed.

"She says she's happy just letting you do the heavy thinking. She'll just get the cuddles."

"Wow, Sasha. Spoiled much?"

That got a bark.

"She's a DOG, whaddya expect?"

"Eh. Fair. Course we all know Sera wins here."

That got a laugh as Tyler looked at the ability.

"Okay. Spirit wrath. Usable once a day. When active the Spirit gains her full force for a period of 5 minutes in which she may unleash her powers freely. Once the time is up she is helpless for 3 hours. Upgrades through use and results. Yeeesh, we need to be careful with this one. That said, we need to drop Lich kings or another dragon after my own wrath is used up, we got a backup plan. Same with Dragon Rage. Hers is the last option before my Roar. Sasha has….wow. She's got like 500 points to place. Prepare for a jolt."

HE put the points into her speed, agility, strength, and defense until the last was gone. Once done he nodded at the lounging pup.

"Well, Sasha, YOU just got brought up to Kaori's level. I hope you enjoyed the light work, as the training begins on the next batch."

She whined as Sera finally got passed her fluff.

"No! Sasha a guard dog!"

Tyler tilted his head.

"Huh. Not a bad idea Sera. We DO need someone to watch the horses on full raids. You better thank her Sasha."

The grateful husky licked the giggling girl's face as Tyler pulled out his pouch.

"I found quite a few good deals in the market. Lily, you first."

The elven smith gasped as he handed her the pile of stackable skills. She hugged him tightly, nearly in tears.

"With these I can move right up to Lisk scale! Magicite and Dragon scale be after that, then enchanted items after! Thank you, I love you!"

He just hugged her tighter.

"The sprite finds anymore you're getting them. I love you too, Lily."

She just hugged him the tighter. Then she added each skill to her HUD as Tyler passed Ashy the wrapped Magicite axe. She took it and smiled.

"I love it!"

"Wulf asked me to see if I can find you a weapon in your paths. Glad I could."

The ranger got a kiss for the made up request as Tyler got approving nods from the rest of the ladies present. Next he gave Whisper the demon short sword and she laughed.

"I like this blade. It feels good in the hand!"

"I'm good at this. Spell books next."

Each member of the party got a book each and their eyes went wide as they saw the spells inside. Vixen looked at him in shock.

"There are spells in here that I haven't even HEARD of!"

Tyler looked at Erica and she smiled.

"Long as you trust them, feel free."

Tyler looked at the black mage.

"I'll introduce you to her next run."

She kissed him.

"Ya better."

Once the spells were set Tyler looked at Lupa.

"Your general task is nasty surprise for the idiots when I am not around for whatever reason. If for example Sera goes into Term, she gets an escort of fangs. Speaking of, Serafina, Lupa, Whisper, issues?"

The Wraith, Weretiger and Wolf Spirt faced each other now. Lupa smiled.

"I am fine with them. Long as they be fine with me."

The two ladies nodded.

"Agreed."

"Who else is he going to recruit next?"

That got a laugh as Tyler looked at Wulf.

"Let's go get the next batch with Whisper."

They nodded as he looked to Lupa.

"YOU go rest with Sera. We work harder then most."

The Wolf spirit retook her wolf form as Tyler looked at Ishtar.

"Not a word. Wrong ears hear this, we're fightin slavers with YOUR girls in the net."

The king nodded with a grim face.

"Agreed."

Tyler, Wulf and Whisper headed for the guild as the rest of the party took Ghost for a warm bath and more rest before they rode out again. Once the ladies were out of ear shot, Wulf smiled.

"Nicely played."

"Sure, Wulf."

Whisper smiled now as well.

"That lady has two men looking to put a smile on her face."

They laughed as Tyler took the time to lob a rotten lemon at Kazuma's rear, splattering it perfectly.

"Three for three!"

They laughed as the crowd loved it. The guild laughed as Tyler walked in with Wulf and Whisper.

"Ya got a great mind for punishments lad!"

Tyler chuckled.

"Humiliating people is a hobby."

They laughed as the trio walked to the board. Tyler smiled as he saw one bill.

"Wanted: Slaying of a Kobold Hold. Reward 5 gold."

Wulf spoke up from the right.

"That's got about 250 creatures."

"Nice rampage. We got new tricks to play with."

Whisper smiled as well.

"I'd like to bare fang."

"Ohh FUCK yeah!"

She smiled as she passed him a poster.

"Sounds like your speed."

He looked at it.

"Wanted: Slaying of a Tyrant King. Reward 350 gold. I love you too, Whisper."

Wulf smiled again.

"I got two more Tyrants. Each 250 gold."

"Nice. Easy kills with big payoffs."

"I got a bandit stronghold."

"Really? How many idiots?"

Whisper looked at the bill.

"Reward is 30 gold. Soo, maybe 250?"

"Nice. We can play massacre. Get the girls more large scale battle skill. Plus the bounties and weapons at the market, we set."

Ruby came over now.

"A few of those have an update. And, a word of caution."

He looked at her.

"Caution first."

She smiled.

"we like to pretend to be a more….honorable...place if you take me drift. At least, in earshot."

"I see. Thanks Ruby. Ya get your shot with an apple?"

She smiled widely now.

"I got to throw a cantaloupe."

Tyler just smiled widely.

"Nice to see you got the fire to match the ruby!"

That got a laugh as she blushed a little.

"The Tyrant King's reward has been increased to 500, and the other two Tyrants to 300 a piece."

"I love fighting Tyrants."

Whisper pulled one down.

"I got one for a Drake."

Tyler looked over from examining a Golem bill.

"What kind of drake?"

"Doesn't say. Reward is 75 gold. Lily can use Drake scale to practice for Lisk."

"Ohh, go fuckin call Whisper. Add it to the pile."

Tyler took the golem bill.

"Got another golem, reward is 15 gold."

Wulf chuckled.

"The stone is really good coin."

"Plus the danger is just enough to train nerves as well."

Whisper chuckled now as well.

"Long as SOMEONE don't tip it over in the wrong direction."

Tyler just sighed.

"I will NOT get pancaked by a walking rock, damn it!"

The guild laughed as Tyler spotted another good one.

"Hey, got one for another Cave Bear. Rewards 4 gold."

Wulf chuckled.

"More comfy pelts we get the better."

"Damn straight. Oh, hello."

Tyler pulled a bill down as he looked at it curiously.

"Wanted: Slaying of a Wendigo. Reward 75 silver. That a deer spirit?"

Whisper answered this time.

"More undead that feeds on bones of those it kills. Best way to describe it? A type of vampire that only eats bone."

"Huh. I've heard this legend in my old world. Freaked me the FUCK out when I did. Now I wanna kill it."

Wulf chuckled.

"Something scared YOU?"

"I got the thing in the thing."

"I see. Now I'm curious as to just WHAT lives in your world."

"I got a bunch you'll get a kick out of. Hmmm, next time I'm asking for me book collection."

The elf smiled as Whisper pulled another down.

"I got one for a Rocktoise."

Tyler looked at her.

"That like the admantoise?"

"It is. Only smaller and not as strong. Reward is 5 gold."

"We got bills for three Tyrants, A Drake, A wendigo, Golem, A Kobold Hold, Cave bear, Bandit stronghold, and another giant turtle. We got room for a few more."

"Got one for another Orc camp."

"We'll let the girls hit it."

"Reward is 55 silver."

"Not bad really. Oh, got a weird one."

Wulf and Whisper came over at 'weird'. Tyler showed them the bill.

"Says here a Hogrilla needs to be put down. What the fuck is a Hogrilla?"

Wulf and Whisper licked their lips at the name.

"Giant gorilla with a pig head. 10 feet tall, but the meat is some of the best in Lectis. They're a pain in the ass to really kill as they're fast and strong, but the meat is the same as a good Wyvern steak."

"We got two bills for them. Reward per is 65 silver."

The two natives had a longing expression on their faces as he added them to the growing stack. Tyler walked along the board as he searched for another eyecatcher. HE found it in the form of a large poster.

"Wanted: Slaying of a Grand Wyrm. Reward 190 gold. Nice."

Wulf smiled at the name.

"Think that Fire Wyrm but in the shape of that black dragon."

"Oh I like this one."

Whisper was smiling as she pulled one down.

"I got one for a Nightmare. Reward is 10 gold."

"Kaori gets that one."

"Agreed. I also have one for a High Titan."

Wulf and Tyler smiled.

"That was a fun one."

"Whats the reward?"

"90 gold. Says here the thing may or may not be alone."

Tyler did a quick recap.

"Three Tyrants, A Kobold stronghold, bandit stronghold, orc camp, High Titan, Wendigo, Cave bear, Nightmare, Grand Wyrm, two Hogrillas, a giant turtle, Golem, a drake and that's it. We'll grab three more before we get the hunt started."

Wulf and Whisper nodded as they went to opposite ends of the board. Tyler looked at the dead center.

"Hmm, I have one for a Plain's Home."

Wulf answered the unasked question.

"150 Plains giants."

"Rewards 30 gold."

Whisper pulled one down.

"I got one for A hobgoblin King. Rewards 25 gold. These lead camps of 150 creatures."

Wulf smiled as he took one down.

"Got one for a Titan convoy. 45 gold for 10 creatures killed. A good convoy has fifteen."

"We got our targets. Let's head for the hall."

The trio walked out in a minor hurry as they had the targets. Tyler smiled as he spotted a rotten tomato and paused long enough to score a splattering face shot on the caged Kazuma.

"That got a 100% on rotten tomatoes!"

He walked off laughing as Kazuma swore yet another oath of bloody vengeance against the Outcast. Tyler headed for the long dining hall as Wulf and Whisper sat either side of the map. HE placed the stack of bills out for a once over.

"These Titans, them and the golem are the biggest issues due to the flattener effect. Everything else is either good blood fun or exercise."

They nodded. Tyler smiled.

"Let's get to it."

He blew for muster and waited for the party to join them. Lupa came trotting over in her Ghost wolf form to sit by his seat as the rest all took a seat. Tyler passed the bills around and waited for them to get the idea. Vixen and Lyrica smiled as they saw the Wendigo.

"That will be a fun one."

"Indeed. These things usually only appear at night, but we can track it easily enough."

Tyler nodded as he reached down to pat Ghost.

"Outcasts, mount up."

The party moved with purpose to their mounts as Kaori looked at Tyler with the Nightmare bill.

"Please?"

He kissed her.

"Of course."

She smiled as the they rode passed her still getting pelted brother. Each Outcast taking the time to throw a fruit each, and Tyler smiled as he hucked a pineapple into the boy's rear.

"5 for 5!"

The party laughed as Lily threw a grapefruit and smacked him in the gems.

"Love you too, Lily!"

The party moved out the gate before breaking out into a gallop. Lupa took her 4 foot tall wolf form to bound beside Tyler's horse as they ran.

"We got a few battles the fangs can go wild in. Whisper, how long does the shift last?"

The were tiger smiled.

"25 minutes. Once it runs out I need to rest for 15."

"Gotchya. We'll keep an eye on it when you go tiger."

The first hit was the Wendigo as Tyler wanted to get the more pain in the ass ones done first. The creature had claimed a small bit of forest as it's home, so Tyler looked at his party.

"Vixen, Lyrica, Whisper, annnnd, Ashy."

They nodded and loaded up as Lupa plopped beside Sera's horse now as she petted the wolf spirit and Sasha. Tyler followed the scout and Vixen as they moved through the woodland.

"To kill a Wendigo, pierce the heart."

Tyler nodded as they found a small cave set into a tree. Tyler pulled his holy scimitars as the ladies readied their own weaponry. Tyler led the way inside the cave and nearly immediately spotted the fell thing. It was 6 feet tall, had pasty grey skin, buck teeth with weird red eyes and long claws. It was looking at them as it just stood there waiting for dark. Tyler smiled.

"Holy smite, Sacred fire, Holy fire."

The thing screamed as Tyler charged forward with the ladies behind him watching, well aware such a foe was outmatched against him. They were right. The creature got hit as it moved a single backwards jointed leg, and turned to dust as his holy power hit it. He shrugged.

"eh, it was scarier in the documentary."

Ashy smiled widely.

"You have it?"

"Oh hell yeah."

She laughed as Tyler prospected the cave.

"That's a first. We got nuthin in here. Not even clay."

they left the cave to ride onto the next hit.

"We'll kill a Tyrant next."

Tyler took the lead as the party hunted the massive dinosaur looking thing. Tyler had his spear out as he found the prints.

"Heads up, this one's angry."

They nodded and pulled weapons as Lupa the wolf spirit stayed close to Sera as they moved along the trail. Tyler was smiling, when he held up a hand.

"Hey, hear that?"

they listened intently, and felt the rumble as something heavy hit the ground. They rode towards the source of the impact, only to find the Tyrant had been felled by another party of adventurers it had clearly just attacked. The group was 9 strong, and were clearly exhausted as Tyler led the party up. The other group saw the clear hunting party and chuckled.

"Looks like it found us first!"

Tyler got off his horse as a man in red armor came over.

"You the party leader?"

The man nodded sheepishly.

"Aye, Sirrah. We be headin for Term, and this thing wanted a word with us. I be Butch."

Tyler smiled.

"I be Tyler the outcast. Anyone hurt?"

"Hail! Outcast!"

"Hail!"

Butch was smiling now.

"Nay, Sir. No one's hurt. Was this one of your hits?"

Tyler passed him the bill.

"It was. Seems it picked the wrong direction."

The man nodded.

"Well, how we splitting the thing?"

Tyler looked at the beast.

"Hmmm. We're more out for practice really. How's half down the middle sound?"

The man nodded.

"That be most fair. Out of curiosity, how much of these animals do you usually take?"

"The whole animal."

HE chuckled.

"I see you've a fine mind for loot. Well, we'll get to it."

The animal was spilt between the two parties before Tyler and Butch talked coin.

"Thing was worth what? 300? 150 per?"

They shook on it,

"We'll head for the guild and let them know we crossed paths."

"We got more heads to take."

They parted ways as Tyler chuckled.

"Well, that's a first."

Lucy the barbarian laughed.

"Aye, lad. But that's the way of adventurin sometimes."

Whisper smiled now.

"At least we got a fair deal from it."

The next hit was the Hogrilla. Tyler smiled as they neared the spot.

"Wulf, Erica, Lily, and Sera."

The group nodded and off they went. The creature was literally a gorilla with a pig head, so a single shot to the heart from Sera's bow dropped the ten foot tall beast. Wulf and Whisper came with the rest of the party to aid the butchering as the cuts of meat were among the finest in the land. The efficient party moved on to the next hit: the orc camp.

"This one is Sera, Wulf, Lillia, Lily, Ashy, Kaori, Annnd, Vixen. Rest of us sit back. The three girls kill it themselves."

They nodded smiling as Erica was still a little nervous as her daughters went to battle. They found the spot and Wulf led the group into the trees. Tyler smiled a she pulled up his HUD.

"Hey, I wanna read it too!"

He smiled as Malico came over on her own horse, only for him to kiss his favorite cat.

"This morning In Vernillion. The number of True Warriors in the land of Lectis has dropped back to Three. That's right, readers of Lectis, the number has decreased. Sadly, not by way of death, but of a revealing of the truth. Let us start at the beginning. Yesterday we reported on how Tyler the outcast had been doing some recruiting for his camp, taking in the legendary succubus Lyrica as his newest Sex slave, or in Succubus culture, WIFE, a truly beautiful husky by the name of Sasha that Sera loves, and the Warrior Prince Kazuma the Kind per their relationship due to Tyler's love for Kaori. The prince's twin sister. The prince could not have found a better teacher for both the ways of the world or for combat then in Tyler, reader, this is a well known fact. The Outcast, nearly immediately after adding three new faces to his team then began his usual harsh regiment of training he put Sera and her sister Lillia through with his elven sister Lily. Now those three are among the more relied on in the Outcast camp. Lily just keeps Tyler in line whenever Kaori's not around or needs to rest her whacking hand. The first round of bills turned a nice profit for the team, as well as Tyler the Outcast gaining TWO more Lich's Bane titles. This is correct, reader. Tyler had killed TWO lich kings in a single fight. Single handedly. Yet, that was not the end of Tyler's day. Sadly. As is his way, Tyler often procures most dangerous goods in his travels that require the White Path of Purity's aid to destroy, so upon getting paid for the bills and selling the loot, he brought his Black mage, Lady Nightmare Vixen, to destroy the items as she is the most knowledgeable about the evil. Well, reader, the purity made a most giving mistake: They insulted the Lady Vixen three times to Tyler's face as they barred entry. Sensing something foul was afoot, Tyler did what he does best: Kick the walls of deceit down do see the truth. Much to the Prince's Dismay, as Tyler does NOT play by any rules but his own when danger is in the air. Upon entering the temple, tyler made a most disturbing discovery: the temple to a man had been replaced by Doppelganger demons. Seeing this horror, Tyler went into instant overdrive with his Doppel spell on full display as the King and Queen took shelter inside the King's study under guard from a few of the Outcast's party. Tyler went to every temple in the city to cleanse the creatures with the Prince in tow to see just HOW the Outcast solves a problem. Once satisfied the wheels were turning to his standards, Tyler went with his party and the Prince to give a Warrior's Council to King Ishtar and Queen Erica to determine just HOW the foul things gained entry in such mass numbers. What went on behind that door is a mystery reader, but over the course of the four hours the door was shut, the dwarven Kingdom of Erolagard exploded into frenzied action as a cry for a Doppel hunt by King Rolic's Doppel Gang was sent and carried out from the coal town of Rookland to the capital city of Underhill with ever city in the Dwarven homeland getting cleaned out per the Outcast's procedures he developed in Yalik. King Rolic made a statement regarding the issue.

"The Outcast has saved me people from a true nightmare, and him hasn't even set foot in me realm the once! I've spoken with the boy meself now, and he be welcome in me realm, but the task for the cities stands as they would feel the safer that way. We have also implemented the lad's other rules across the stone. He's a most intense one, the Outcast."

It would seem the Outcast made a few summons of his own while in the king's study, as the dragons also had a rally of their own. Tempesta the Sky lord has called on other dragons to aid in the hunt for the fallen Dragons, and one be his own Sister! Leviathan, Queen of the Oceans has woken from her slumber to take wing once more. May the gods have mercy upon us all, for the Sky King and Ocean Queen hunt together once more. The meeting continued inside the room between the Outcasts and the lords. During this time, Kazuma and the Outcast had a falling out of a most nasty kind. The exact specifics of their disagreement are not clear, and even though this writer believes she may know the reason behind the sudden parting of ways, until the Outcast gives the interview or the truth be made clear, I shall refrain from rumors. The outcast was not upset or even bothered in the slightest by the departure, as he made yet another recruiting for his party. This time, none other then Queen Erica herself. That's right, readers of Lectis, Erica the Spellsword rides in a Warrior party once more. Tyler's camp now has veteran wave support on top of his other powerful members. Be curious to know which he prefers, highly experienced adventurers, or powerful rookies? As is his way, Tyler began the training nearly immediately. Or, more accurately, HIS training. Tyler led his party into our humble hall for another batch of bills, and the looks of intimidation on the faces of Lyrica and Erica when bill after bill of creatures like lisks, tyrants, Grand walls, and other such high level beasts were labeld mere practice for the party. Tyler even pulled two bills for a Hill gathering and an Orc Stronghold as large scale battle practice. I'm half tempted to ask the Outcast to make a recording of the battles for the guild! These fights must be the stuff of legends! One bill in particular got the Outcast's attention: that of Grand wall. Or, more accurately, the news it had torn through a small village with many injuries. The village had sent out a cry for healers, and as is the often denied way of the Outcast, he sent the payment of 50 silver back as he pledged the party to visit in the morning as he was exhausted to the point of collapse from a series of hard fought battles that day. The battles in question? At some point in the day, Tyler had to fight 5 lich kings At ONCE. SINGLEHANDEDLY. The Outcast's bestiary proved this to be utter fact, readers of Lectis. Tyler has slain 8 lich kings in total. 7 in one day. May the gods have pity upon this soul, as that is just not fair. Tyler was still smiling and laughing even though he was about to drop from the exhaustion of the efforts he had to put forth that day. He denied payment for the village healing beyond the offered spell as is his way. The Outcasts were discussing amongst themselves the falling out with the Prince when the man himself walked in calling Tyler a liar and a heartless bastard. Tyler just laughed as he needs not defend himself to any but his Love Kaori and Lily the shield elf. Kazuma would not let it go, as in his eyes Tyler was just a greedy bastard. Tyler ignored him as he had more important matters to attend. Tyler found another bill for another village in need of healers, and as he listed off the reward to his party, 50 silver as this be a poorer village that had suffered a stampede of Plains striders, Kazuma made the mistake of insulting the honor of the man before the guild by saying how he'd demand twice the pay. The guild and members of Tyler's party confronted the angry man as Tyler just laughed, as again, just words are beneath his notice. Kazuma would not take the hint, and continued to taunt the Outcast as Tyler just looked over the board. Well, reader, even Tyler the Outcast has a limit and a line. And Kazuma found it. What was the one taunt that got under the legendary demon taunter's skin? Kazuma called his love for Kaori a merely lust based joke and the blonde beauty a whore in the same breath. Tyler was in an instant near blind rage as Kazuma dragged the Outcast's love into the mess, hitting the man so hard in the chest he was launched into the stone wall of the hall leaving an imprint akin to a child's play in the snow. Tyler was not done, however, and he pulled a certain dagger, which once seen by his party members a cold shudder was witnessed. If that blade signifies what that shudder hinted at, then Tyler the Outcast has a most dark set of skills indeed. The way the enraged Outcast was moving was more akin to a hunting tiger stalking a wounded animal as it considered just how to kill it. Kaori, the Outcast's love and heart, was able to calm the man with but a touch and a few words. As it should be. Tyler let the insult go and paid double for the damage and repair costs to the guild as he be the type that when he makes a mess he cleans it. Even IF this mess wasn't his doing but the result of another. Tyler, now just done with the issue entirely, and with a load of bills was all too content to let the guild deal with the prince as it was, in his words, more a guild issue then his at that point. This writer, Ruby, was the one that witnessed the following events, along with every member of the Outcast party, along with every member of the guild hall. Tyler had never bothered to ask the guild rules, as he is merely interested in the job board and the coin it provides. So, I took it upon myself to explain as his camp rules are a well known secret. Upon hearing the rule for a trial by combat, Kazuma challenged the Outcast before the words had left the air. Tyler just sighed, as he had to fight 7 lich kings that day, and his condition was far from peak or height of strength. Kazuma was still fresh as can be, even drinking a potion of healing and vitality as he did so. Per the rules of the guild, Kazuma was able to dictate the methods of the fight and Tyler the stipulations of victory and defeat. Every person in that hall could see both just how tired he was, and how much he DIDN'T want to fight, but, again, in his words,

"You are PISSING me off."

So, Kazuma terms for the fight? Tyler fight the prince bare handed, bare chested, no spells, skills or potions period. Kazuma? The spineless coward dictated he get to keep ALL his weapons, gear, everything he had. Kazuma basically ordered Tyler to fight the fully armed and armored man half naked with his bare hands. Tyler sighed again, and set the terms for Kazuma's defeat: to just leave his party alone as he had reached the end of his rope with the honorless man, and to never stand before the party unless it was necessary like in terms of the palace or say the ball. A most understandable demand given the mess. Kazuma, however, tried to set the rule of Tyler's defeat that the man hand over everything he owned, weapons, coin, spells, WOMEN, the lot to him. Tyler is an outcast for a reason Kazuma. That said, TYLER was the one to set his own loss stipulation, but, since Kazuma was so blinded by both jealousy and greed, accepted the duel WITHOUT Tyler setting a stipulation for himself PERIOD. Tyler had neither accepted nor denied Kazuma's idiotic stipulation, which made it like it was never put forth. Kazuma was so impatient to BE the Outcast he missed it entirely. I myself threw the coin to start the duel. Kazuma tried, ladies and gentlemen of Lectis, but everything that coward tried Tyler had an answer for. Whether his physical stats defeated Kazuma's own attacks, his foresight out witting his tricks like an ice vial, to his twin paths defeating Kazuma's spells, his own torturous past allowing him to fight blind as Kazuma resorted to an invisibility potion to at least TOUCH the man, to his titles defeating his attempts to poison him. Every time Tyler answered an attack, Kazuma cried both cheater and unfair like a child losing a game of ball. Tyler only landed one blow on the boy, as he sought to make his point that he didn't NEED his equipment to win a fight against such an opponent. Kazuma was backed into a corner, breathing hard from strain as Tyler was still relaxed and bored, while also running out of tricks. So, he resorted to Balancer's Wrath. The ability is gifted as a boon by the Scale God Levelus for capturing thirty bounties. Tyler was most confused by this information as he has the titles of Scale Balancer and Lover of Minus. You heard it right, ladies, Tyler is the new Mortal Husband of Scale Queen Minus herself! I myself read this in his HUD, and the Goddess loves him! So, Tyler is both her champion AND her Mortal Husband! Beauties of the realm rejoice! So, reader, you can understand his confusion as to why he didn't have the boon of Balancer's wrath and the corresponding title Scale ballast. The reason is he got the highest honors and titles the Scale had to offer, and Levelus really had nothing he COULD give the man for his work. Tyler accepted this news with a smile as he enjoys the bounty hunting trade and the coin he makes. Balancer's Wrath forces a Trial of the Scale between two Mortals, overseen by a deity of the scale personally. The way it works is on the right every good deed accomplished or performed by the two involved is converted into ballasts, and placed on the scale. Same with every bad deed on the left. If the good wins out over the bad, a reward is bestowed upon the one in question based on the difference, if the bad wins, a punishment is inflicted by the difference. This trial is the ultimate test of character in the realms, as there is no lie or falsehood. Just cold truth and fact. The Deity overseeing the trial was the Goddess of Debt and Punishment Judge herself. Tyler thought she was Atrocity! Minus' War goddess older sister! Judge loved the comparison as she explained her sphere and Atrocity's to Tyler. A most wise man learns of his WIFE'S family! Goddess or not! The trial was carried out, and Kazuma was found the condemned as the bad deeds he had committed in his life outweighed the good by a very noticeable amount. Thus, the punishment of a stripping of his Titles of the Scale along with the inflicting of the cursed title Scale tipper was implemented. Scale Tipper is a cursed title that denotes the one it is inflicted on as one that has abused the trust of the Scale for their own gain. As such, NO deity of the Scale will ever look to his deeds again. Good LUCK getting a fair deal in the banks and exchanges now, Kazuma. Tyler was the next to be tried, and his bad deeds were weighed first. The amount made him sigh.

"There goes my reputation as an asshole. Goodbye Demon hello white knight bullshit."

Tyler's humor can range from utter hilarity to soul breaking. As we recovered from his latest hilarity, his good deeds were placed upon the scale. Reader, they nearly BROKE the thing! Tyler just shook his head as he mourned the loss of his dark persona as he was found the absolved of the trial. After seeking clarification on just WHAT the scale balanced, Judge directed him to Lady Minus for his reward as it be of THAT caliber. He's married to her, so what else can she give him? Kazuma has since been cast out from the hall for being an honorless coward. Tyler took in yet another new face, and she was none other then Whisper the Tiger Scout herself! Tyler's party is a truly impressive camp now! As Whisper is one of the most well respected members of the guild, and a right beauty as well. Kazuma had also invoked the fury of the Sky Lord Tempesta, as when the title of Guild Oath was set upon him, it was discovered the cursed title Dragon Silencer was also inflicted upon him. It seems the disgraced boy learned a few camp secrets before his true nature was made clear. Tempesta saw fit to spare a few words regarding the mess.

"Tyler has earned my True Friendship. The only reason the idiot still lives is because of the lady Kaori having a more gentle disposition then the pair of us."

Kaori is the gentle beauty to the merciless necessity Tyler brings to the table. A most welcome balance indeed. Kazuma was removed from the line of succession by King Ishtar due to such an honorless mess, which is only fair. In this writer's own opinion? That boy needs to be kicked in the gems for his idiocy."