Tale of the Outcast Warrior: Secrets, Kazuma, and Kaori.

Tyler and the party walked along the streets of the capital, as Kaori had said the horses need a break. Kazuma was utterly amazed by the sheer numbers of people just getting the fuck out of his way on sight. Ashy was right beside him as they went.

"Hard to believe he's the same kid that would throw rocks at my sister's window after getting beaten half to death."

Ashy smiled.

"You ain't seen NOTHING yet rookie!"

Tyler and kaori were holding hands as they walked along the streets they had previously been fugitives on and were basking in the memories a bit.

"Hey, that's the inn we stayed in."

"We staying there again?"

"Might as well. We'll try to score our first room."

She leaned into his arm.

"You slept against the door that night."

HE hugged her as they passed through the wallgate into the smithing district.

"and YOU got hammered that night."

She laughed as they spotted Burlock's shop.

"Wanna?"

"Halls yeah."

The party walked in and the Burly Burlock was standing behind his counter looking at a dagger when Tyler and Kaori walked in with the party.

"Och, laddee, ya when an became a legend!"

Tyler smiled and clasped arms with the smith.

"Nice to see you again Burlock. Your work's been improved on a bit."

The man took Oblivion and shook his head.

"Mythril. Laddee, ya got a fine treasure."

"take a closer look at us."

HE did, and his eyes went wide.

"Mythril swords, vests, a spear too? Additite? Adamant? RUNE?"

Tyler shrugged.

"We're a little TOO good at this shit."

The man burst out laughing as Tyler looked to the cursed blade.

"Oh yeah. I remember you."

Tyler took the 7 foot greatsword as Burlock smiled.

"Looking to test your mettle again?"

"More looking to see what demon it is."

"Ahh, what laddee?"

Tyler looked into the blade and felt the falling feeling again.

"Wow. That's a new one. We've got a Demon of Misery here. Die."

HE hit it with his willpower and there was a wailing scream as the sound of glass shattering was heard before the sword's roiling darkness became more like a still pond of deep black. Tyler tilted his head.

"Wow. This is made from the scales of a black dragon. Not a fallen one either but Pure Black. Hey, Vixen. I can wield this right?"

the black mage smiled.

"Of course. Your paths would actually strengthen the blade due to the contradiction. Looking to become a greatsworder now too?"

Tyler was smiling as he noticed a groove in the hilt.

"I do need to expand my bag of tricks."

HE twisted on the groove the 7 foot blade shrunk into a 1 foot dagger he placed on the counter.

"I'll take it. Oh, as we need a fresh set of gear for the blondie there."

Burlock was just looking at him in shock.

"Laddee, who are ya? Yer not the same lad that saved me life from a poisoned dagger."

Tyler smiled as he opened his HUD and let the big man see it.

"I had a bit of spine reforging to do."

Kaori just laughed as Burlock's face went white at the numbers and titles plus monsters slain. HE closed it and just shook his head again.

"Ya went and became a god."

"Not really. Just a major badass."

Burlock smiled now.

"The sword be a gift as no one even THOUGHT of a demon. The gear? Ya got to pay this time!"

"Just one question."

"Oh shit here we go."

"Nice to see you remember. Did you REALLY teach Tolic how to hammer metal?"

Burlock burst out laughing again.

"Aye lad. I did. Tolic was me apprentice for three hundred years. I see his work in the party. Well chosen for a smith."

"Lily's a smith as well."

HE looked at the elf girl looking through a box of skills.

"Aye laddee. I see the look of an iron wrangler in her. How good be she?"

"she made this maybe four days ago."

HE placed his green pickaxe on the counter and Burlock smiled.

"Lass has a talent. She's still got room for improvement, but very promising for an apprentice. She's at the level Tolic was after ninety years of hammerin."

Lily chuckled.

"Momma didn't raise a fool!"

"Damn right she didn't."

Lily came over with three skills.

"These look useful."

Tyler looked at them.

"Fire efficiency. Okay. Makes the fire used in field smithing twice as effective even if a mere cook fire. When fully upgraded a campfire is akin to a full forge flame. Damn Lily good find. Okay, next is Steel softener. Makes steel used in normal forging both 5 percent easier to heat treat and work, when fully upgraded the bonus is 25%. Useful for long blades. Nice. You can use this to help with greatswords."

"Was me plan."

"Last is Ore efficiency. Makes ore placed in a fire smelt 10% faster without damaging the material. Fully upgraded the bonus is 100%. And it's stackable. Okay, lily. My suggestion is to get a couple of these."

She sighed.

"He only had the one."

"Well we know what we're looking for. Good finds these. In the future, I'd recommend looking for really anything to decrease the amount of time to melt rock."

She nodded as she thought of it.

"If I stack enough of those, I can work that Magicite vein we have in a mere two days."

"Plus if you get good enough, we can use the rune and adamantite we're sitting on."

She smiled widely now.

"Plus with our opal collection, we can pay Tempesta for his flames. Bastard. You've been PLANNING that since we found the stuff!"

"Love you too, Lily."

Burlock just sighed.

"And you even make finding the most rare of treasures look soul crushingly easy. What be the materials for the new gear?"

Tyler looked at a stunned Kazuma.

"Him? Red and blue. Infused with Glacious' scales as well."

Kaori shook her blonde head.

"To imitate the look of Mythril."

"And bait bandits."

Burlock was beside himself as Tyler placed Ignatia and Tempesta's scales on the counter.

"Lad?"

HE shrugged.

"I got friends in high places."

That got a snort as Burlock looked at a scale.

"I'd need two blue, one red, and maybe five of her crystal."

Tyler placed four, three and ten on the counter. Burlock nodded approvingly.

"Quality matters. So, what exactly am I making?"

"A new great shield for him, a spear like this one."

Tyler held up his own mythril spear.

"preferably able to collapse for storage, a short sword like Oblivion, a bow, and a mail vest."

Burlock smiled at the types.

"Wise, laddee. Very wise indeed. I'd need another set for that much."

Another set he got.

"Leftover material gets put into greaves, bracers and arrows."

Burlock jotted down the order and total.

"Your total is 754 gold, 54 silver, 2 copper."

Tyler placed 755 gold on the counter.

"I hate math."

Burlock looked at the order.

"I'll have it ready in a mere three hours. I'll send a runner when it tis."

"Damn. Alright. Now, the local guild hall is where?"

Burlock drew a map and Tyler nodded.

"Neat. We'll get us some bills, I'll hit on Lyrica for some new spells and enchant her. See ya later."

The man laughed as Tyler led his party out.

"That kid went and became a man! Oh, Gru, if you could see him now."

Kazuma was curious.

"Why did you get me a sword and why just a mere mail vest?"

Tyler chuckled.

"Because if you're just a one trick pony, what happens if you get into a fight out of your element?"

He got it then.

"That explains the sword."

"The vest is a surprise in case of idiot. Look at us. Other then our weapons, do we LOOK like we're armored?"

"You don't no."

"Which will make the enemy just that much cocker and gives us the slight advantage. Since we hunt bandits using Shadow here's own trick, which is ignoring our surroundings, they aim for me in the lead in center mass every time. Plus the fun factor of watching greatswords and axes just break over me frame is a special kind of satisfying. That, and since it's so light and easy to move in you can fight longer and easier."

Kazuma just sighed.

"I see now. It's a little obvious when you say it out loud. And a little scary just how far out you thought it on the fly like that."

Kaori laughed at her brother.

"He does that. Watch. In camp, he's always either looking at that map of his, his HUD, or teaching Lily and the girls some new trick or other tactic. He's never stops either. While WE relax, he is on watch."

Kazuma watched as they reached Lyrica's magic shop.

"He's come home."

Tyler opened the door and Lyrica was standing behind her counter as usual. The blood haired devilgirl looked up and went white as Tyler came striding up to her counter.

"Oh shit."

He laughed as the rest of his party filed in and started looking at books and licenses.

"Nice to see you remember me, Lyrica."

She blinked.

"Here to extort more from me?"

Her voice still carried the seductiveness of a pure succubus and he chuckled.

"Nah. I got gold now. We need a pair of arrow deflection necklaces. One for that dingdong. And one in the form of a collar for our new friend here. Actually, there's a thought."

The party sighed.

"Oh shit here we go."

"Love you too. We need a set for our horses as well. So, twelve more on top of it."

The poor horned succubus just gaped at this now calm, efficient party leader.

"Who the hell are you?"

Tyler smiled now as he looked at the busty devil.

"Names Tyler the outcast. Should know since we've met before."

Kaori chuckled as she looked at the blood haired devil.

"It's Tyler alright, Lyrica. He's just come into his own."

The lady just shook her head and placed the necklaces on the counter.

"That all?"

"One rally whistle for the new guy."

Kazuma flipped him off as he looked at a red book. Tyler gave Lyrica a look over as she retrieved the item. She was as tall as Kaori, had a man of red hair like blood that hung to her lower back, a pair of curing black horns on her head, her eyes were red with a black slit iris, and her breasts were still massive double Ds. She was clad in a shoulderless tunic that just added emphasis to her bust and from what he could see it hung to her waist where she were a flared skirt. She saw him looking her over and smiled knowingly.

"Didn't learn the last time you leered at me?"

"Nope. Always wanted to bed a hot succubus devil. Verilica was good Impish fun, but now I wanna get straight diabolical with YOU my horny, seductive lady friend."

Poor Lyrica was witnessed to shiver at this attack! Kaori laughed.

"Have fun!"

The girl needed a minute to recover.

"What the hells? You're better at seduction than a damn Succubus!"

Tyler leaned over the counter with a most eager smile.

"I got time."

She was shaking now.

"Damn it. Now I WANT to!"

"Sounds like a hot night in heavenly hell."

She just gritted her teeth.

"I am not falling for this!"

"Why? Just some sinfully good fun, my lovely bit of angelic devil."

Lyrica gave up entirely.

"Hells, I got a bed upstairs."

Kaori laughed as Tyler was led upstairs and laughed.

"He'll be back in a bit."

Kazuma just looked at his sister.

"HE just seduced a succubus, with a single conversation! What the hell?"

Tyler was smiling as Lyrica brought him into her bedroom.

"You're good."

HE laughed as they stripped.

"You ain't seen nothing yet toots."

They were naked and she pounced on him as he locked lips with the sexy succubus before laying her on her back.

"Oh I've wanted to do this since I saw you in the damned hall!"

She laughed as he entered her ridiculously tight slit and was riding away.

"Oh wow, it as good as Verilica said!"

He just kissed her as she orgasmed first before getting a fresh creaming. She looked at him surprised.

"Already?"

"Oh we are just getting STARTED!"

She was on her face and getting railed from behind by her most eager of lovers as she moaned and gripped the sheets in pleasure.

"Oh, damn. I like it!"

She screamed again and got filled again before she was on her back again with his face in her rack still thrusting away with evident gusto. She got creamed yet again and was looking at him a little wide eyed.

"You're still armed?"

He kissed her as he thrust a little more gently.

"I outlasted Lymir."

She gasped.

"Lymir? Oh I am WAY in over my head here!"

"Love you too. Now come on!"

She smiled and he saw a set of fangs in her mouth.

"Oh now I'm curious!"

She bucked as she got another filling before he flipped her back onto her face and placed his spear on her rear button, making her squeak.

"Wow. I just heard a succubus squeak. Ready for the next ride?"

She looked over her shoulder and licked her lips.

"Let me clean it FIRST!"

"Same to you."

She took his spear in her mouth as he used a water spell to clean had kitty before setting his lips to her slit and making her blow from it. She got her cream drink before getting her rear filled and pounded.

"Damn!"

HE made her blow two more times, and she collapsed.

"I can't handle anymore. You win. Just hurry up."

HE kissed her as he did indeed hurry up with her last creaming before laying beside the panting succubus tracing a finger on her naked stomach.

"Well, I love me a busty devil."

She laughed, and noticed the two spirits applauding their performance. She smiled at them.

"Glad you enjoyed the show ladies."

She sighed then.

"It has been centuries since I've had a lover so utterly please me."

He kissed her again.

"Happy to please my demonic mistress."

She shivered again.

"Damn you, Tyler. I can barely walk right now and I have a business to run!"

"Just get a stool."

She just kissed him.

"My ass hurts. It feels fuckin GREAT but not the point!"

He chuckled as he kissed her large breast next, raising goosebumps. Lyrica sighed again.

"I am sorry I left you two in the tower."

"I get it. The pope had the kingdom by the balls and the king as a handwarmer."

She turned her head and gazed into his eyes.

"You know right? Bout Gru an you?"

"Him being my dad? Yeah, we found that out after we bought Spearview."

She burst out laughing.

"Why does that seem so gods damned fitting? Let me guess you let the ladies pick it out."

"And I footed the bill."

She kissed him again.

"Gru was too loyal to an oath. Only reason he swung a sword at you period."

"Like I said. I get it. Pope's dead and we won. I STILL got to bed you, so I win."

She burst out laughing again.

"You been planning this one since the summoning!"

"Well yeah. Kinda."

She rolled onto her side towards him now.

"Well, you've had me. Now what?"

He looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

She seemed a little nervous now.

"Well, I loved it a lot. And for a succubus, loving sex with a person is the most precious sort of bond we have. Basically if we have sex with another, and love to the point we long for more even AFTER being unable to continue, we essentially become that person newest sex slave. So, to put it bluntly, you own me now."

HE just looked at her.

"For real?"

She just laughed.

"You had no idea did you?"

"Nope. I'm married to Malico through a NekoPlesian rite from touching her tail after she offered it to me when I healed it for her."

"I bet kaori nearly killed you."

"Yup. She did. Was a fun time. As for you? Well. Just join my party."

She sat up shocked.

"You would let me join you, even after I betrayed you?"

"Sure. To be fair, you didn't really betray me as you didn't WORK for me or were a friend or anything really besides a loaned maid."

She looked to her wardrobe.

"To roam the land as an adventurer again."

Tyler rubbed her long thick red hair.

"You in?"

She looked at him and smiled as she dove on him.

"Absolutely! I am going with you!"

"There it is."

She kissed him hard and he sighed.

"I have rules for my camp."

She straddled him and her breasts bounced.

"They are?"

"As the strongest person on the team, I hold the coin. 2. No work no food. In my camp you pull your weight. 3. In towns or villages we all share a room to save coin. In the VERY common occurrence of beddings we get a separate room."

She nodded.

"Anything else?"

"Keep our secrets, we do dark work from time to time and don't get on a high horse."

She smiled.

"Care to clarify dark work?"

"When we travel we hunt bandits for fun. To the last man. So, I preform the interrogations."

"I see. I agree to the rules."

"Oh, and Kaori's gonna wanna get a piece o that rack at some point. Malico too."

Lyrica smiled lewdly now.

"I've pledged my services to YOU now, master. But, I'll be more then eager to please them."

"Wait till you see Malico's tail trick. I taught it to her."

"I am most curious master."

"Call me Tyler in public. Fair?"

"Sure. It'll be a camp thing."

"Well, ya can have your store be moved to Spearview as it's our base."

She got off him and opened her wardrobe and he smiled at the gear inside.

"A mythril vest, red Magicite daggers, and a black Magicite bow. A dual path?"

She smiled as she donned her gear.

"I am. I prefer the red as I love a good fireball."

"That's the ONE thing I wish I could cast. Watery hell is fun and all, but not as satisfying as yelling fireball and setting some poor bastard alight."

She laughed as he dressed as well.

"Oh I've missed this life to be honest."

"How strong are you?"

She pulled her HUD up and he looked it over.

"Okay, decent. I'd say you're at Vixen's level. Good. We need more mages."

She buckled on a light tunic of black leather over her mail vest which just made her bust the bigger, and pulled a pair of blue pants on.

"Ya got a horse?"

"I do. A summoned steed."

"Oh now that's badass."

She flicked her hair and looked at him.

"Shall we?"

"Let's go make a scene!"

Kaori was looking at a new red book when the duo returned. She saw the leather and gear and burst out laughing.

"Again?"

Tyler walked over as Malico understood.

"She loved our sex so much, and since it's a succubus thing, she's my new sex slave. And our newest outcast."

Malico just burst out laughing as Kazuma's mind went boom.

"He STILL hasn't learned what can happen from bedding every beauty he sees!"

Tyler just shrugged.

"Like I said. Wanna get me by surprise, get a beauty with a knife."

Vixen smiled.

"What's her path?"

"Same as you. Red/black. Only she prefers the red. In terms of stats, she's your equal, and already has a mythril vest guarding dat rack."

Malico leered at the sexy devil.

"I'll be getting a most thorough look over myself."

Kaori was right there with her.

"So will I, Malico. So. Will. i."

Lyrica just smiled.

"I missed a Warrior's life!"

Wulf just looked at Kazuma.

"See? We lose regardless."

Tyler spotted a white book and pulled it down.

"Okay, remedy, got it, Cleansing waters? Uses holy magic to purify water to make it safe to drink. Wow, need that. Woulda though that was blue's thing but whatever. Another divine resurgence, nice. Hmm, Sacred Fire? Similar to Holy fire but more effective against Liches. Good fill. Wow. Cleansing aroma. Purifies meats and foods for consumption. Also can be used as a fragrance spell for women. Kaori gets that one. Hallowed Ground? Barrier type spell used to repel hostile spells. Is invisible and any spirits caught within the dome, if they be of pure heart or of strong attachment feel the warmth of the caster. Can be set as a companion to protective warning. Wow, good find."

Tyler took the book as Kazuma looked at him.

"Question."

"Sure."

"Can we really pay for all this? You've blown through nearly 4 thousand gold today."

"We got what? 30k on us right now?"

Lyrica and Kazuma just stopped moving. The succubus recovered first.

"What bank did you rob?"

"Here, have a look."

HE sent his bestiary over, and Kazuma looked again as well.

"Okay, three Lisks, a dragel, numerous Liches, draugr, and other tomb guardians, wow. Yeah that'll do it."

"If it has a trove we found it. Plus, if it's in a cave we strip mine the place. Oh, shit. We need a new set of prospect, detection, and night skills."

Lily smiled.

"I already grabbed Kazuma's set."

Lyrica smiled as well.

"I just need prospect and the detection as I can see in the dark like broad daylight."

"Neat trick. Yeah, we strip mine everywhere we go. Plus the bounties and bandits as well."

Lyrica nodded.

"I see now. How much in total to you have?"

"Total? Maybe, 60, 70 thousand gold?"

Lyrica stared at him.

"In three months. You made nearly 70 thousand coins?"

"Yup. I split the fortune and left half sealed inside Spearview and we carry the other."

Kazuma did a little math.

"Your telling me you have Term's monthly budget, and you're just sitting on it?"

"Not including the mass of gems. We have a few other things we're sitting on as well, but not here."

The experienced adventurer Lyrica nodded.

"I understand. From what we've read in the news from the guild, I can tell you've become embroiled in some deep secrets."

"Toots, you don't know the half of it."

The party all found new books and set them on the counter as Tyler spotted an Azur book.

"I need more ice."

Lyrica smiled now.

"A wise move. Ice is most useful for a wide variety of uses."

"Plus we can eat it."

"Umm. What?"

Kaori just patted the busty devil's back.

"You never really get used to it, Lyrica. He has a burning library for a mind. And the things he comes up with are just plain scary."

She looked at Malico's waving tail, and Kaori smiled.

"Some are kind fun too."

Tyler opened the book.

"Iced Shell. I've heard THAT name before. Encases an area in ice with strength equivalent to the casters power. Useful for an emergency safezone in a large battle. Hey, Ashy. Guess what I found."

She looked up from a black book.

"Whatchya got?"

"Iced Shell."

"No-fuckin-way."

"Check it homegirl."

She came over and read the name.

"Ha! You think you Grey Fullbuster now?"

"Nah. I don't strip outta the blue."

"Fair."

Tyler looked at the next page.

"Icy pain. Freezes the blood in a target's body and shatters it. Azur/black. Damn that's hardcore. Ashy can have that one."

She looked again and whistled.

"That's just mean."

He flipped the page.

"Huh. Arctic Wind. Blows a gust of frigid air through an area. Useful for battling Ifrits and other heat based opponents. Next is….damn. Ice dragon. Similar to the dragon's breath, but ice. Okay, I'll take this as well."

Tyler added the book and Lyrica smiled.

"total is 25 gold."

He gave her the coins and they added the spells to their rings as Tyler put a happily resting by the door Sasha's new collar on.

"Here, girl. Keeps the arrows off that pelt."

She baked and licked his hand.

"Ah come on, can't let Sera's new favorite get hurt right?"

Bark!

"Atta girl."

Kazuma got his necklace and Whistle and shook his head as Lyrica got one as well.

"He has a better mind for this then most older adventurers."

"Got something to say, boy?"

Kazuma blinked as Lyrica now fixed him with a red eyed gaze. HE tired to back pedal.

"I didn't mean YOU miss Lyrica, I just meant other adventurers."

"So your saying I'm not worthy of mentioning?"

Tyler and Wulf just laughed at their fellow man's plight as Lyrica talked him in circles and made him feel worthless in the process. Then Tyler sighed.

"Okay, ladies and Husky. We're getting a bunch of bills from the guild to get Kazuma on the right track and knock the rust off Lyrica's skills."

She looked at him now.

"Are you saying I'm washed up?"

HE smiled.

"Not at all. I'm saying you just need a bit of a refresh. Skills like THOSE don't go away or really rust. They just get dusty from looking good."

Lyrica smiled as Kazuma just gaped at him.

"Well said, young Warrior. At least there's ONE man in the party."

"Right?"

Wulf and Kazuma sighed ion defeat as they left the shop and headed for the guild. Kaori was shaking her head now.

"You got my brother and now Lyrica? We're gonna need a bigger tent."

"Ya think? We mostly just pile up anyway."

Wulf chuckled as Lyrica was enjoying her teasing of Kazuma.

"The tent can hold up to 15. But, since we get so close we can squeeze another 2 before it becomes an issue."

"Plus with the pouch, we don't really need to care about the size of the tent. And Kaori? Make the joke and you're sleeping outside."

She had opened her mouth, and then closed it with a grumble.

"Why can't I get to make jokes like that too?"

"Do I tease you about your chest?"

She sighed then.

"Fair enough. Oh, and it's plenty big."

"Love you too."

Sera was happily walking with a hand on Sasha's furry back as they went. The husky was clearly loving the attention. Ashy had a thought.

"Hey, Tyler? What's Sasha's role in camp?"

"Her, I was more thinking either hunting companion or guard dog for Sera. She's not really built for active fighting. Plus the things WE fight are just too strong."

Sera smiled.

"She's got a Warrior's HUD as well!"

"Really? What's she packing?"

"Her stats are like mine!"

HE looked at the now smug husky.

"Wow, Sasha, you a tough puppy. Well, you look after Sera, okay?"

Bark!

"Good girl."

Ashy smiled with relieve.

"I was worried you'd have her join us on raids like lisks or liches."

"Nah. Goblins, or orcs or other small fry maybe. But for now, she's Sera's new fluffy friend. Long as you teach how to care for her properly."

"I will."

"I'll listen! I promise!"

They walked into the guild hall and the rowdy bunch went quiet as Tyler walked in with his party. He just shook his head as they went to the board.

"What? First time seeing a bunch o rare beauties? Poor bastards."

They lost it as Tyler walked up to the job board.

"Wow. This one is twice as big as Raylik's."

Wulf chuckled.

"We ARE in the capital."

Lyrica and Kazuma came up now.

"I need to rejoin the guild and he needs to join period before we take a job."

"Sure. I need to give a small interview as to just WHY the other Warriors live still to a Queen."

Lily laughed as she joined him.

"I'll do it with you."

"Sure. Sounds like fun."

Wulf just groaned.

"You REALLY need to watch how you say somethings."

Tyler led the newbies to the booth where a rather tall lady in a fur suit and tie was sitting. She smiled as Tyler came up with the other two.

"What brings the outcast to my booth today?"

"Got two that need to join and reup their status. Plus my friend here would like to add a few words to your news article today, as would I."

She smiled widely.

"I see. Well, the fee is 2 silver."

Tyler passed the coins as Lyrica and Kazuma were seen. The lady blinked ass he saw the red headed succubus.

"Lyrica? It's an honor!"

She smiled as they did the ritual and their best kills were read off.

"Lady Lyrica still has a grand Lich as her best kill. Lord Kazuma has a Elder Goblin lord."

Tyler's knuckles were heard cracking in rage at the mere NAME goblin. Lyrica chuckled.

"I see goblins are YOUR particular pet enemy."

"I WILL kill every last goblin that walks this world."

The sheer determination and fury in his voice sent a cold chill down every person in that hall. Only his party just sighed. Kaori sighed.

"Lyrica. His right shoulder."

She looked at where Sallie's spirit was waving at the beautiful devil.

"Ah. I see. Holy Muse."

The guild threw mugs back in honor fo the fallen. Tyler and lily then went into the interview room as the rest of the party looked over bills. The lady pulled her interface up.

"Thank you, Tyler the Outcast, Lily of the Hammer."

Tyler chuckled.

"Sure."

Lily was sitting on his leg as she spoke.

"Wanted to say hi long distance."

The lady began.

"So, Outcast. You've seen the other Warriors. Your thoughts?"

Tyler just snorted.

"Well, their gear's shit, they're shit, and max and his two butt buddies still live Willow. Lily here can kill them bare handed. And, I saw your last article. She prefers a short sword and shield combo. Plus, Ishtar has issued a decree to let them die in the wave, since they will."

The lady looked to the small elf girl.

"Lily?"

She snorted.

"They suck. His sword was mere light steel from the waste bin. I can handle em Momma. Oh, and me hammer be fun an all, but I like the style of sword and shield Tyler taught me."

Tyler hugged her as the lady moved to her next question.

"I see you've taken some new faces into your camp, care to explain?"

"Sure. Kazuma's Kaori's brother, so I kinda HAVE to keep him alive. He's a hopeless optimist and is far too kind hearted to be left alone out there. Luckily he just needs a good kick in the ass to get it together."

"I see you've even managed to recruit Lyrica herself for your party."

"Never go wrong with a busty succubus. She's got veteran experience now. Plus, is a powerful mage in her own right. The bed mate thing's a VERY welcome bonus. Now I just need to get her AND you Verilica in the same pile!"

Lily laughed as well as the interviewer.

"Lady killer indeed. The dog?"

"Sasha's Ashy's friend from our world. Plus is Sera's newest cuddle buddy. And like Wulf told me, you can't really go wrong with a good dog. And Sasha is a very good dog."

Lily smiled at his ploy, and the lady looked to Lily.

"What about you, Lily? What's your role in camp?"

She smiled as she settled back against him.

"I'm the camp smith. I handle the light repairs and easy forging over the campfire. I can work Malachite now momma. In a fight, I usually stay near Tyler as his longer blades complement me shield perfectly. Oh, and I'm winning me fight. He WILL be mine Momma!"

Tyler rubbed her hair.

"Still outmatched here. But you fierce so I'll let it go."

She just sighed.

"Prick."

"How is the wave preparation going?"

"Oh we're set. Thing could start in five minutes and we'd walk out the other side without a scratch. Even with taking in two newbies and a fresh puppy."

The lady smiled.

"That was all I had for questions."

"Last bit? I hit Max and his party with a QUARTER powered up WaterWall/waterfall Willow. And it nearly killed em!"

Lily was nodding sagely.

"If I merely KICK him in the gems it'd kill him."

The lady typed a few more lines and nodded.

"Alright, thank you."

"Sure. Let's go see the new mess."

Tyler and Lily walked over to join the party by the board. Wulf had a few bills ready.

"We got three thus far. Here."

"Nice. Okay. Wanted: slaying of a Dragel. I like this already. Reward: 50 gold."

Lyrica came over to see the bill.

"Don't you think that's a little extreme for mere practice?"

"Nah. If you want extreme, I pit Lily here against a 25 foot tall hill giant alone with that sword and shield of hers. Twice."

That got a look of shock and a little horror.

"You WHAT?"

"That's how he trains us. Sera can do it and so can I."

Lillia was looking at a bill now herself as Tyler smiled.

"Bragging time ladies."

Sera giggled as she showed Lyrica her kills.

"A Minotaur Balor?"

Lillia showed hers next.

"A grand lich?"

Lily opened hers up too.

"read it and weep."

"A dragel!?"

Tyler patted the girls.

"This is my party's apprentices. Lily is my own. Sera and Lillia bounce between members."

Lyrica just looked at him with awe now.

"This world is in desperate need of more teachers like you. It took me hundreds of years to get to the level to kill my own grand lich."

"Well, Lyrica, we are just getting started."

Kazuma looked at him now.

"What's the other two?"

"Next is, wow. That's a fun fight. A Rock Tyrant. Reward:75 gold."

Kazuma walked over now.

"Tyrants are FUN?"

Tyler looked at Wulf.

"What's the main difference between a rock Tyrant and the one we killed?"

Wulf tilted his head.

"Skin's thicker, it has three five foot horns on it's head, and is maybe twice as big."

"Neat. We got a few thinks to show you two on the trail. Last one is…wow. Another earth elemental. Sera, lily and Lillia stay four treelengths back this time. No one gets pancaked on my watch. Reward this time is 65 gold."

They laughed as Kazuma just looked at Kaori.

"These things are mere PRACTICE for you?"

Kaori smiled.

"Yup. We'll hit all three back to back as well."

Tyler was smiling as he spotted another large poster.

"Wow. Got one for a Grand Blue Drakolisk."

Wulf looked as he took it down.

"Those are rare. Think that black but twice as big."

"We got one hell of a payday today. The reward for this is 250 gold."

The lady came up now.

"These have the guild avenger tag Sir. As such, their rewards were raised."

"Whaddya we looking at?"

"The Tyrant's rewards was increased to 100 gold, the Elemental to 90 gold with a skill, the Dragel was increased to 100 gold, and the Lisk to 500 gold."

"Damn, okay, I LIKE this job board."

"so do we lad!"

"Too bad the ladies don't like ya as much!"

The guild hall lost it as Tyler looked back to the board. Kazuma was now just plain scared.

"How many are we doing?"

"We have the daylight for maybe 7 hits. Tomorrow we'll fo a full three raids. With 8 per, as we rest the horses in between. Yeah, Kazuma, welcome to MY party. This is what we will be doing until the ball and wave. Daily."

Lyrica just shook her head.

"Your party's work ethic is terrifying. At that pace I'll be back up to my previous level of skill in a single day."

"That's the plan. High risk, even higher rewards. Hey, got one for a Cave Bear."

Wulf smiled.

"Their pelts make great blankets."

"Since it's a cave bear we can get some ore too. Reward is 3 gold."

Sera came over next.

"Got one for another Gnoll camp."

"Nice find. Reward is...95 silver. Decent."

She giggled as he patted her.

"Hey, Tyler found a bill for a plains Giant camp. Reward's 4 gold."

Tyler looked at Wulf.

"They like hills?"

"Just taller. Maybe thirty feet?"

Tyler took the bill and looked at the girls.

"I wonder."

Wulf frowned.

"I'd say not yet. Hills are notorious idiots. Plains are smarter."

"Fair. I'll have to fight them myself before I know for certain."

Lyrica and Kazuma were just plain concerned.

"Um, what did you just decide again?"

"Pitting the girls against them in a one on one death match."

Their jaws dropped in horror. Tyler shrugged.

"Ya wanna get stronger? Challenge yourself. I set their bars myself. Soon as they get comfortable it gets raised over their heads so they can reach it again."

Lyrica got it then.

"Gradual increases in danger and difficulty. I see now."

Kazuma looked at Sera with more then a little intimidation.

"She's held that sword for less time then me, and yet she can do THAT?"

Sera giggled at him.

"I'm tough!"

That got a nervous smiler as Tyler pulled one down.

"Huh. That's odd."

Wulf came over at 'odd'.

"A stone giant camp? Down here? That is odd. They hate flat ground as they need ledges to help them rise in the morning."

"Okay, we need to look into this one first. Somethings not right with this one."

He took the bill and walked to an open spot of table to lay out the map. Wulf beside him.

"Okay, the camp is here. The hell? That area is as flat as it can get."

Wulf looked at the spot.

"We need to go look."

"right. Outcasts. Mount up. We might have one here."

The party nodded as a runner came into the hall.

"I seek the Outcasts!"

"Here lad."

The kid came over.

"Your order is ready Sah."

Tyler gave him twenty silver.

"Good lad. Kazuma, you're with me. We'll get your gear and the rest of you mount up. We'll meet you at the western gate. Fifteen minutes tops. Kaori, your camp."

She nodded as the group headed out and Tyler took Kazuma to Burlock's shop in a hurry.

"What the hell happened just now?"

Tyler looked at him.

"We've fought armies of monsters TWICE now from just such an odd pattern, Kazuma. Stone giants do NOT do flat land. Fact their down here period is enough for concern. We need to investigate."

Kazuma looked at the wall.

"We should get the town guard on alert."

"Not yet. If it's a mere few hundred creatures, I myself can handle it alone. If it's a mere rabble, my party is enough. It's the leader we need to worry about."

Kazuma was confused.

"The leader?"

"Yeah. If its say a frost giant like last time, we're in for a fight. Say it's a demon of some kind, I have a friend up high that loves demons as a food source. If it's something else, we need to know before scaring people."

Kazuma just laughed.

"You're more a friend to the people then I am. And I work at it!"

"Odd mismatch right? I'm NOT a man of the people, period. Yet I do more to defend this land and its people then most temples. Oh, that reminds me, we need to visit the Purity temple to get a spear cleansed."

"Spear?"

"We found a Magicite spear in a cursed tomb. Vixen has it and we need to purify it before we can do anything with it."

"Ah."

They walked into Burlock's shop and the man saw the look on Tyler's face.

"What happened?"

Tyler sighed as he set the bill out. Burlock looked and narrowed his eyes.

"The hells are stone giants doing down here?"

"We aims to find out."

He nodded and set Kazuma's new gear on the counter. Tyler looked at him.

"Get dressed and we'll move."

He nodded as Tyler placed an extra 250 coins on the counter. Burlock laughed heartedly.

"Well played lad. And thankee kindly."

Tyler took the two extra quivers of arrows as Kazuma finished gearing up.

"Okay. I see your point."

Tyler smiled as he gave him the quiver and they hurried to the gate. Tyler and Kazuma found the party with their horses waiting. Kazuma had a while stallion while Lyrica rode a black horse with a black horn on it's head. Tyler swung up onto Thunder as he eyed the beast under the succubus's thighs.

"Wow, Lyrica. A Dullahan?

She smiled in surprise.

"Indeed. I'm surprised you know it."

"I know a few devilkin."

She smiled as the party was set. Sasha was riding on Sera's horse in a special basket ashy had picked up from the general store.

"Outcasts, move out!"

The gate lifted as the party thundered onto the road as the other Warriors gaped in awed silence at the sight of the imposing party riding out in clear force. Max was deep inside Charlotte at that moment as the party blew past with Tyler in the lead.

"fuckin retard. Why the hell did he get the special treatment? He don't deserve it, that's for damned sure. And YOU, buck harder dammit!"

Charlotte just did as she was told, as she watched the party tearing down the road. She regretted ever meeting the boy she'd let get bullied in the Spear in Raylik, as, in her mind at least, all her tortures and current suffering could be traced right back to the one that had first challenged her authority.

"Okay, this is a scout op. We need to find out just what the hells stone giants are doing down here."

Wulf was right beside him as they went.

"You think another army?"

"I doubt it. That bill was several weeks old. A large gathering of creatures woulda attacked by now. Probably another cave entrance. I saw the area was still mostly flat, so the dragons haven't got that far yet."

Wulf nodded.

"Did you see any dipping at all?"

"Honestly I wasn't looking for it, Wulf. I was more looking for a hollow or the general lay of the land."

Lily spoke up from her spot in front of him.

"Me arms are free."

"Sure, Lily."

she took the map and looked at the spot.

"I got something. Ground all around the spot is level mostly, with little pockets here and there. But then an area of maybe 50m just dips for some reason."

"Bingo. We'll make sure it's an actual entrance before we call big blue. If it is, I'll see if we got another lizard to piss off."

They laughed as Kazuma and Lyrica looked at him.

"When are you going to explain?"

"What she said?"

"When we're certain we won't be overheard. Okay?"

Kazuma sighed as Lyrica nodded.

"If they that kind of secrets, I understand."

"As do I."

"They are. For example. Todays rampage is brought to you by…..hm."

Ashy smiled.

"red fraction!"

"I fuckin LOVE you Ashy!"

He hit play and Kazuma gasped.

"How did you get your music?"

"We got friends in some REALLY high places. Truuust me dude, it gon blow yo damn mind."

Lyrica just laughed.

"I see now. That pair of titles."

"Not yet, Lyrica."

"Of course."

"Ahead to the left."

"Find a place to hide the horses."

The party stowed their horses under a small overhang with Sasha as guard dog. Sera patted her new friend.

"We'll be back!"

She got a happy lick before the party took off towards the camp. Tyler giving directions as usual.

"Wholesale slaughter on the giants. And watch your step. We might be on hollow ground. No spells or skills that cause shockwaves or explosions until we get a good look at the new cave."

Lyrica was impressed.

"You're quite the war party leader, Tyler."

"eh. It's a hobby. Kazuma, find a party member to stack up with. A good camp holds fifty creatures. Lyrica, stick with Vixen."

Lillia gulped.

"Lillia, Sera, stay back and rain arrows."

She smiled as Kazuma looked at Kaori.

"We'll work together, kay?"

Kaori smiled.

"Try an keep up rookie."

"Kaori's the fastest on the team when it comes to bladework. She can hit you twenty times in 5 seconds."

The camp was then in sight, and Tyler's razor eyes picked out a tall winged creature.

"Shit. We got a greater pride balor."

Tyler looked at the sky.

"Tempesta, we got a pride balor over another possible entrance."

Lyrica's red eyes went wide as the thundering wing beats were heard as the lord of blue snatched the screaming demon from the camp.

"I see it now. I'll stay airborne as you play with the weaklings."

"Change of plan. I'll go Demon. We need to hurry this up."

The party smiled widely now as Tyler drew Gliepnir and Fafnir, his twin broadswords as Lyrica and Kazuma looked at him.

"Go Demon?"

The giants saw Tyler coming and readied weapons.

"Demon's Wrath."

Tyler simply vanished and the first ten giants were cut to pieces by a mere blur. The others laughed as Lyrica and Kazuma just gaped at the sight of Tyler butchering a camp of fifty 35 foot tall stone giants as a mere blur. The two newcomers looked at Kaori for an explanation.

"What the hell did he just do?"

Kaori smiled darkly.

"That is his ace in the hole. Demon's Wrath. Tyler had a split personality in our world to help him survive his family. You'll understand better when you see his body. Lyrica, you should have."

She gasped now.

"Those scars. He was RAISED like that?"

"Yup. Now, his split was called the Monster and was pure evil, pain and suffering. The strain of keeping it locked away was slowly killing him, and so when he finally merged with it, he gained all his current boldness, humor, straight up confidence he has. Plus the ability: demon's Wrath. When active, this form boosts his stats by…..350? I think that was it? All spells cost nothing and do not require a chant, and are twice as powerful. Downside is it can only be used a set amount per day. This form can be used ONE more time. The other form, second rage, boosts by 400 and can only be used ONCE A DAY. The effect lasts for the first form for 25 minutes with a 15 minute period where he's helpless. The other is a 30 with a 20 minutes of helplessness."

Kazuma looked as the last giant fell in pieces and Tyler just appeared in front of him.

"You now know a party secret Kazuma, Lyrica. If you seek to leave the party, and we do NOT trust that you will keep this secret we will kill you rather then risk it. We clear?"

He was smiling as he was covered in the blood of the creatures. The duo nodded.

"Coolio. I'll be right back after this flop."

He fell over backwards with a thud and just laid there panting as the effect dissipated. The other members fell to looting the camp as Tempesta dropped him the pride balor horn.

"I'll wait for you to recover."

"Thanks….big….blue!"

The dragon laughed as Lyrica and Kazuma just gaped. Tyler recovered and got off the ground as he put the horn away. Lyrica was shaking a bit as Tempesta got a good look at her.

"Well well. If it isn't little Lyrica the succubus."

Tyler looked at him.

"You two know each other?"

The blue dragon looked at him.

"Succubae are created when a human women is impregnated by a demon Balor. Her father killed Glacious' sister."

"Oh. Shit. Ummm. We cool?"

The dragon snorted.

"I do not blame the child for the actions of the parents. Even IF they be born of the demon filth."

The dragon fixed Lyrica with a close eyed look.

"I do not blame you, child. Nor do I hate you. The fact Tyler here has taken you in period proves you have nothing to fear from us."

She breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just don't piss him off."

"Oi! No scaring me new favorite succubus!"

He looked at him incredulously, before bursting out laughing as he understood now just HOW Lyrica came to be in his party. Lyrica looked at Tyler as Tempesta recovered.

"The hell?"

The dragon had amusement in his gaze as he looked at Tyler now.

"So, you've gained a Succubus sex slave. Or, in their culture. A Succubus WIFE. Explains why she's here to begin with."

"And can you blame me?"

The dragon snorted.

"Not in the slightest. It's where Glacious came from."

"Yeesh. Should tell that one to Furiosa."

The dragon nearly fell from the sky in shock at what he'd just said and who he'd said it to! Tyler was smiling hard as Tempesta now saw he had him by the balls. The dragon tried to stay in control of the situation.

"Try it and I'll have a word with that elf with the hammer."

Lily's voice was heard next.

"I heard that. Hey, Tyler, you're set!"

Tempesta was witnessed to gulp as he now saw Tyler had him beat.

"Don't tell her I said that."

"Sure. Was kinda fun watching YOU squirm. Hey, we got some really intense lady friends don't we?"

The dragon nodded in agreement.

"That we do. Plus the most scary ones as well."

"But the best looking."

"Agreed. They are the most beautiful."

"Ahhh, thank you Tempy!"

Tempesta dropped to the ground with an earth rattling thud in shock as Furiosa landed beside the fallen blue. Lyrica and Kazuma were flabbergasted by Tyler having set up Tempesta with brownie points with the female dragon on the fly! Tyler smiled.

"Oh, hi Furiosa. Spotted this one too?"

She swung her massive head to look at him, and he saw the spark as she saw his ploy.

"I did indeed. Nice to hear Tempesta still knows how to give a lady a complement."

Tempesta had gotten to his feet now and Tyler saw the look of PURE gratitude for the get outta jail free card. Tyler looked to his party.

"How's it look?"

Kaori, the one that had called the lady dragon unbeknownst to him, smiled.

"5 gold, 43 silver!"

"Okay, get back to this spot and we'll open the hole."

The dragons looked at him.

"You'll open it?"

"What of us?"

"Mask your presence and act like you were launching to take off."

The nodded and made the ground shake as if they had just taken off, while masking their presence. Tyler and Kaori the cast their spells.

"WaterWall!"

"Lava field!"

"I'm recording this one too."

"WaterFall! I fucking LOVE you Shadow."

The combo blew and the ground dropped to reveal a 50m wide hole in the ground. Tyler looked at it and nodded.

"Paydirt. Alright. Let's piss it off."

Tyler dropped into the hole as the rest of the party followed him. Lyrica and Kazuma were concerned.

"What is he going to do?"

"What she said?"

Tyler took in a deep breath.

"HEY! YA LOUSY, MISBEGOTTEN EXCUSE FOR A FLYING LIZARD! HOW'S THE DIRT FEEL?"

There was a low rumbling growl and the two newcomers went absolutely wide eyed. Tyler smiled.

"MUST BE NICE TO NOT REALLY HAVE SCALES DOWN THERE! HEY, LEAST YOU HAVE YOUR FELLOW WORMS TO KEEP YOU COMPANY!"

"DIE HUMAN!"

Another 150 foot black dragon was seen charging out of the hole as Tyler just casually flipped it off.

"Gotchya bitch."

The dragon lunged at this most infuriating human, only for Furiosa to grab it by the neck as she dropped onto it's back with a savage impact.

"I'll look into it's eyes before you kill it."

She grunted as she got a better grip on the thing. She had it pinned and Tyler walked up and peered into the thing's 4 and a half foot iris.

"Dud. He's a hermit."

The green dragon snapped the dragon's neck and bellowed her victory to the skies. Tempesta just rumbled in shared joy at a good kill. The green dragon looked at Tyler after her victory bellow.

"One hundred scales from his hide sound fair?"

"Sure. What color is he?"

"Him? Pink."

"No fuckin way."

She pried a scale off his black hide and sure enough, it was a deep, pearl pink. Tyler just laughed.

"we are SOOOOOOO decking out Sera in pink scales!"

Sera, however, was quite miffed.

"I HATE pink!"

HE looked at her stunned as Furiosa got his share for the kill off the carcass.

"Wow, Sera. Thought you'd love to be the Cutie in Pink."

She shook her head vehemently.

"no! Lillia would though."

Her sister smiled.

"I do prefer it."

"That works. Next round of upgrades you get the pink."

She smiled as he added the scales to the pouch. Then he got another fierce gaze.

"The trove?"

"The coin gets split in half? Rest divvy as we go?"

She nodded.

"That is a fair proposal. I shall borrow your eyes."

He blinked and his eyes were the green of Furiosa.

"Yup. Still batshit bizarre. Outcasts, guards up. Let's get paid."

They nodded and headed inside as the two dragon waited outside. Tyler looked at the walls.

"Lily, prospect as we go. I got my detection up as well."

"right. I'll mark spots for retrieval."

Tyler walked in front with Serafina beside him and Lyrica on his other side.

"Kazuma, watch yourself. There could be anything else down here."

The boy had his new shield, which was a long rectangle shape with a tapered bottom, and his spear which had a two foot tip out like a roman soldier as he advanced.

"Got it."

Tyler sensed a hollow.

"Heads up. We got a hollow to the right. This one's a dead end too. But it goes for another hundred miles to hit the end."

Tyler had his broadswords up as they turned to look into the hollow.

"Eyes on the trove, Furiosa."

"Aye, lad. I see it too."

The trove was ten feet tall and 9 wide with gold, silver and copper coins, ore was scattered all over the pile with weapons and armor, every gem imaginable, and even a few pieces of furniture. Tyler blinked.

"Why the hell are dragons collecting furniture?"

Furiosa was right there with him.

"My question exactly. You may have them, as I have no interest."

"Thanks Furiosa. The emeralds are yours right off the bat, and mind if we split the opals?"

"The emeralds I thank you for as they're my favorite gem. The Opals we'll see just how many there are. Sound fair?"

"It does. Weapons and ore we'll lay out before we divvy it up."

"A just decision. The ore in the walls is yours as you will do the work to retrieve is."

"Thanks again."

Tyler and the others put up their weapons as he walked to collect the out of place furniture. Tyler smiled as he saw one was a bed.

"Hey, Lyrica, we got you a bed."

The succubus looked at him as he walked over to the golden thing.

"Why would I need a bed?"

"well you WILL get a room in Spearview, right?"

She smiled then.

"I see. Thank you."

Tyler placed it in the pouch and looked to the silver desk next. HE tilted his head.

"Hmm. I wonder."

He took it as Kaori smiled.

"Your office?"

"Yeah. The one I have is great and all, but upgrades people, upgrades."

The Warriors laughed as Tyler looked at the next piece.

"Hey, Kazuma. You need a new chair, right?"

the blonde boy was looking at a vein of ore as Tyler spoke.

"I'm getting a room too?"

"You ARE an Outcast."

"Well, thank you."

"Sure."

Tyler placed the thing in the pouch and moved to the last piece. A large golden wardrobe with silver fittings. He opened it and blinked.

"Ohhh, HELL."

The party came over, and inside was a collection of scroll tubes.

"Vixen, Lyrica, your bomb."

The two mages went to it as Tyler took the desk out and started opening drawers. Soon as he opened the main one he found a small license ring.

"Ohhh shit. These are ALL gold spells."

Vixen was pale and so was Lyrica.

"So are these."

Tyler looked at them.

"Oh fuck. We found that bastard's stockpile of golds. Lily, prospect this room to hell. I'll get these to the dragons."

He set the other furniture out and the search was on as the trove lay forgotten in the face of the find.

"Lily, if you find a hollow feeling, GET OUT. All of you. Last time we found one of his labs a Lich king was waiting for me. Kaori, Vixen, get the newbies up to speed on the raiser, rest split between guards."

Vixen had the 23 scrolls ready and he had the ring.

"I'll be right back. Guards up."

Tyler took off running as fast as he could to the entrance. Tempesta and Furiosa were looking into the hole with intense stares as he came out. He gave them the spells and scrolls as Tempesta blinked and joined the vision share.

"Yup, I'm insane again."

He dropped back in and sprinted back to the hollow. He found the party backing out of the hole cautiously. Vixen saw him and pointed to the far wall.

"Lily found one."

"On it. Form up."

Tyler took out his broadswords and walked over tot eh wall as his friends waited outside the chamber. Tyler reached the wall and used his skill.

"Rock smash."

HE then stabbed both blades into the rock up to their hilts before tearing them free in a savage set of strokes. He could cleanly see into a large room. He gritted his teeth.

"Furious Slashes."

This was a skill for rapid attacks. He swung his blades, hitting the walls no less then 55 times in ten seconds, effectively pulverizing the wall to dust. Soon as the ten foot opening was seen, a skeleton came charging out to lock blades with him. Tyler threw the Lich King off, and it screamed a bone rattling scream. Tyler gritted his teeth.

"Oh HERE WE GO!"

Tyler smiled as he surged to fight the scythe wielding creature.

"Holy smite! Holy Fire! Holy Sanctity!"

The trifecta anti undead/ demon spells hit the thing with earth shaking force as his friends were trapped by a barrier and were forced to watch. Tyler was loving the battle with such a strong opponent, as his holy boosted broadswords were easily dancing around the awkward scythe the Lich King was wielding.

"Rock Smash!"

Tyler slammed both blades into the thing and knocked it back a few steps as it rattled a cry and sent a black cloud at him from a bony fist. Tyler dodged as he chugged a mana potion.

"I've got this-agh!"

He got hit from the side form a SECOND Lich King wielding a mace and sent crashing into a wall. His friends gasped at the appearance of the second creature, and Kaori started to shake.

"No. Not two."

Tyler got up and found he was bleeding from a cut on his arm from the thing's spiked weapon.

"Been a while since I've seen me own blood."

Tempesta's voice was heard next.

"Boy, we cannot get to you. I'm sorry."

"Pff. Relax big guy, I got this."

Tyler dropped his broadswords and pulled Oblivion and Oathkeeper.

"NOW it's a damned fight! Demon's Wrath. SECOND RAGE!"

Tyler surged forward as he coated his blades.

"Holy fire! Holy smite! Holy sanctity! Holy Purge! Holy Wrath!"

His spells costing nothing and being twice as potent aiding him well as he charged the two rattling things with his usual smile as he breathed his blue flames at one Lich King before slashing the other with a dozen slashes before darting back to hit it another two dozen. The one with the scythe swung at turned back, and Tyler pivoted around and shoved the other King to take the hit for him. The thing screamed in bone pain as the weapon hit it. Tyler set them both one fire.

"Ice coffin!"

The two skeletons were encased in the ice and then it shattered, breaking their arms as Tyler dove back iun for another set of slashes from his lightning fast short swords. The first King he'd been fighting shivered before turning to dust as it died again. The black cloud latched onto Tyler's mind, but Tyler was not having it, and had the torture chamber open instead. It was trapped inside as Tyler growled now in effort.

"Holy Wrath! Holy Smite! Holy Sanctity! Holy fire! Holy Purge!"

The last king turned to dust nearly immediately after and he dropped to a knee.

"Get. OUT. OF. MY HEAD!"

The two mental attacks were locked within the torture chamber and held there until the mist dissipated. Then he opened his eyes to see he was still inside the chamber and now kneeling with both short swords stuck in the ground with his bone white hands on the hilts. HE looked over to see his friends racing to him, Kaori with tears of fear in her green eyes. He forced his tired body to move and hugged her as she ran into him.

"See? I said I had it."

She just kissed him as her heart rate returned to normal. She smiled at him as she let him go.

"Idiot."

"Love you too."

Tyler pulled restore after restore from his pouch until he had the full measure of his strength back. Then he heard the dragons' voices.

"Well done."

"Indeed, Boy. You have slain THREE Lich Kings. TWO in one fight no less."

"They weren't his."

The shock felt was immense. Tempesta growled.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because the mental attacks were FAR weaker then the other. Like night and day kinds of different. BOTH combined didn't equal to HALF the other. That's why."

Vixen and Lyrica were looking into the room as Tyler retrieved his gear. Then he joined them as he pulled on his gloves.

"Alright ladies. Let's see what we found this time."

Tyler, Vixen, a white faced Lyrica, and Ashy walked into the lab and began searching. Tyler opened a drawer and pulled a set fo four notebooks out. He opened the first and nodded.

"I see. This was another raiser's lab. Not our guy."

He laid the books out and his eyes glowed as the dragons used their eye trick. Then they growled with frustration.

"By the scales I got excited."

"If it were that easy."

Tyler looked around the lab as Vixen nodded.

"These methods all point to an attempted demon summoning that went bad. The first Lich King was the Demon possessing a nearby corpse as the second was the caster himself getting overwhelmed by the Demon's plane and turned into a Lich King, As such, they were not pure lich Kings, Lords of the sky."

Tyler nodded.

"That was my impression as well. The impure part, not the details. The other Lich King was on a whole other level with it's mental attack."

Kazuma poked his head in to look at him.

"I see what you mean by true monsters, now Tyler. These things. They could destroy an entire city!"

Tyler was panting slightly as he replied.

"Which is why you need to step it the fuck up."

Lyrica looked at him and saw his condition.

"You need to rest, Tyler. You're on the verge of collapse."

HE pulled a FAR more potent stamina potion and restore from his pouch and drank them. The panting stopped.

"I need the exercise, Lyrica. I'm the only one that can fight these things repeatedly. Watch, if another walks in through that hole in the wall, I'd be the only one it'd fight. I'm fine though."

The succubus just looked at him sadly.

"I see you truly ARE Gruven's son. Never resting even though you have to, and having the fight the true threats alone."

Tyler patted her reassuringly.

"I'd never share the fight even if I could."

She smiled.

"Of course not."

The room was searched before it was his level clean. Then they returned to the pile of loot. The furniture was gone over and cleared before he added them to the pouch before the ore was taken out and seperated. They laid the valuable ore out in a long line as Lily would tell them what is was.

"we got blood Platinum, more Pure Magicite, Pure Gold, Sterling Silver, Pure Copper, a Crystalline Ingot four feet thick, another Adamant vein, more Oremicah, and a six feet thick block of Rune."

Furiosa looked at the ore.

"I'll claim the adamant, as I collect it."

"Sure, that Ingot, is that what my bow is made from?"

The Adamant ore was set aside as Lily answered.

"It is. Sadly, only an elven smith can work it and I haven't the skill yet."

"Well, we ARE headed to Cragspire."

That got a laugh as Furiosa was heard.

"The Ingot is yours. My request is you use it well, as the items made from it resemble Glacious' scales."

"Of course, Furiosa. No clue how we'll use it just yet, but we will. Now. That Rune block."

The green dragon thought it over.

"You may have it as I got the Adamant."

"Thanks Furiosa. We'll add it to our own collection."

HE looked at the other ores and she gave her verdict.

"You may have the rest, as I either have multiple tons or it doesn't interest me."

"Nice flex. And thanks. We'll lay out the weapons and armor next."

"Agreed. I must say, I find this strangely fun."

"Right? It's a weird fun to see just WHAT we found and you gets what."

The weapons and armor were retrieved and laid out.

"Tyler, Furiosa needs to see this."

"Oh shit now what?"

He walked over to Lyrica and found her holding a gold wand. HE blinked as Furiosa was stunned.

"That's a Dragon Wand. It literally sends out a flame as hot as our own breath when waved. Heart, handle it with care."

"I will. I get the feeling there's more gold gear in here. Do we wait to see or bring it now?"

Tempesta weighed in now.

"I would bring it. As it relies on movement to function, it is dangerous to just leave laying there."

"Alright, I'll head to you."

He took off running as the party now moved with the utmost caution in digging into the pile. Tyler placed the wand on Tempesta's tongue and he up and snapped it. The dragons breathed a sigh of relief as the sound was heard. Tyler smiled and was off back to his friends. They were still laying out gear when Sera squeaked.

"I got a gold sword!"

Tyler walked over and Furiosa was heard gasping.

"That's a Sword of Dragonslaying! It's enchanted to negate ALL of our skills, breath, and special abilities."

"Sooo, can I keep it?"

Tempesta sighed.

"Sadly not, Tyler. That sword was forged in an era of war to drive us extinct, and it nearly succeeded. We dragons love a good challenger, but that sword has the potential in the wrong hands to unbalance the world. The fact is if we dragons go extinct, the world loses magic. PERIOD."

"How's your population?"

"We are more plentiful then you realize. Never you worry. That said, dragon young are rare due many factors."

"I REALLLLLY wanna make a joke here, but I got Furiosa in me head."

The dragoness snorted.

"Oh DO tell!"

"Ya sure?"

"I love a good joke."

"Well, Tempesta, ya got Furiosa four feet from ya. Don't be bashful now."

The green dragon lost it! The ladies in the room all promptly smacked him as he laughed with her. Then Tempesta's voice was heard.

"Ah. In your words. FUCK IT."

Furiosa was then heard to purr like a cat as a loud thud was felt that made the chamber shudder as Her pleasured growls was heard along with dust falling from the ceiling under the force of dragon sex. Tyler looked at Kaori.

"It weird I kinda wanna watch?"

She just looked at him.

"Dammit I do too!"

"Wanna?"

"Eh, fuck it. I die, I can say I saw dragon sex."

The two ran out to the entrance, and they saw Tempesta with his fangs in the back of a mewling in pleasure Furiosa's neck as he slammed a tree trunk sized dong into her slit with a ferocious force. The group watched the two dragons mate before the blue was seen to shudder as Furiosa roared in her bliss as she was filled with dragon's cream. As the dragons recovered the duo applauded the show. Tempesta rumble.

"It has been too long Fury."

She hummed.

"It has, Tempy. Maybe we could take a page from THEIR book."

Tyler smiled as he kissed Kaori. Tempesta and Furiosa looked at them now.

"Since you bore witness to the act of dragon mating, and one carries the title of Dragon Heart, YOU get to choose our young's color. They will be both females. Choose wisely."

Tyler and Kaori blinked.

"HUH?"

"HUH?"

The tired dragons rumbled in amusement.

"It's a dragon ritual that the one OTHER then those that were involved choose the color. As the next gem we eat will dictate the color. Again. Choose wisely."

Tyler and Kaori snapped out of it. Tyler smiled.

"I got another Onyx."

The two dragons looked at each other.

"That color would look beautiful in the sky."

"It would."

Kaori ran through their collection of gems. Then she smiled.

"What if you ate TWO gems at the same time?"

They looked at her.

"It would create a rainbow effect like in Glacious' scales."

She looked at Tyler.

"I'd choose a ruby as it's my favorite."

Tyler tilted his head now.

"I DID see a rather nice piece of Cobalt down there."

The dragons gasped.

"That color splash would look truly beautiful."

"Plus would give her a dual scale as well. Retrieve the stone."

Tyler was off like a gunshot to collect the gem. He was back a moment later with the two foot cobalt. Tyler and Kaori gave the gems to Furiosa and she glowed a moment.

"Now we just need names."

Tyler smiled.

"The Onyx dragon, Shadow."

Kaori gasped and the dragons looked at each other.

"Shadow the Onyx Dragon."

"Damn that sounds great."

They looked at the couple.

"Agreed. A fine name for a Onyx dragon."

Tyler looked at Kaori and she smiled.

"You're better than me at this."

Tyler thought about it.

"Blue and red mixed. Hmm, Oh, I know. Saphira the red sapphire dragon."

The dragons blinked.

"Saphira? I love how that name sounds."

"Indeed. A perfect name for a blue/red dragon."

Furiosa looked at her now incubating womb.

"Shadow and Saphira. Most beautiful choices."

Tyler hugged Kaori as the dragons looked at them now.

"We have one more title to give you two."

"Indeed. That last piece of this ritual."

Tyler and Kaori smiled.

"We're honored.

"No, Warriors. WE are honored to have such fine friends. The last title is Dragon Surrogate. In the event of both our deaths before they come of age or hatch, YOU become their new care givers."

"Oh shit."

"Shut up."

The dragons blew smoke in amusement.

"The title will lay dormant until such an event comes to pass. In the event it does, a beacon only YOU can see will guide you to Furiosa's trove, as that will be her nest. The title will grant immunity from the hatchlings abilities as long as they live, as it will be your job to raise them into adult dragons. And so you are aware, Tatiana is just such a caregiver."

Tyler tilted his head.

"I thought Glacious swore a dragon's blood oath to protect her?"

"She did, and since she's still a young dragon the title was granted. She will not grow any larger then the royal transport wagon as that is Tatiana's limit as a red path. YOU two however, will raise massive dragons that make US look small."

"Thank you."

"Should it come to pass, we'll do our best."

The couple glowed a moment and Tempesta's stomach rumbled. Tyler smirked.

"Lady Kaori, in that event, PLEASE make sure they don't gain TOO much of his jackassery."

She smacked him with a tired expression.

"I'll try, but no promises."

"I didn't say anything! This time!"

The blue dragon just looked at him.

"You were thinking of saying it!"

"I was THINKING that we need to clean that cave out before some other idiot get curious!"

Furiosa blew smoke in amusement.

"We'll get back to it as once the cave is clean we're destroying the cave."

Tyler nodded and they headed back inside the cave.

"Guess his diet's a bust."

Furiosa was the only one that heard him, as Tempesta had withdrawn from the eye share, and she fell over laughing at this as Kaori smacked him hard, smiling.

"You got a deathwish."

Tempesta could be heard then as he questioned Furiosa.

"What'd he say, Fury? Come on, what was it?"