Tale of the Outcast Warrior: Demons, Topleaf, and horror.

DAYS UNTIL WAVE; 60

Tyler opened his eyes to see Kaori's face near his own. He kissed her awake, and tasted Malico's nipple in her mouth instead of his shot. She woke and hugged him.

"Good morning, my love."

She shivered.

"Good morning, my love."

Tyler helped them sneak out again, and get the camp ready. Tyler relighting the fire, and setting food to cooking as kaori brewed some coffee.

"Look our happy couple kaori. I'm cooking the food, you're making the coffee. All we need is a house."

She smiled widely at the thought.

"I wonder how much a house goes for?"

"We can ask Vixen. I'm thinking 1000 gold."

"Seems a bit high."

"Maybe lower, we'll see."

She smiled proudly then.

"Last night was fun."

He smiled proudly then as well.

"That it was. We need to do it."

She shivered hard.

"We do. But, let's wait until we can do it right."

"AS my lover says!"

She shivered even harder.

"Ohhh, stooppp! That's not fair!"

her now aroused whine both cute and hilarious. Wulf came out then, and went about his morning rite before accepting a cup of coffee from Kaori. Tyler then laid out the map of the area. The elf sat across from him with his cup.

"What's the plan?"

Tyler sighed.

"These two places, here and here seem likely camps for these things."

The spots he'd pointed two were large circles with a circle of rocks around them. The experienced ranger nodded.

"I agree. I just hope it's just ONE taken up."

"If BOTH are?"

"Then we need to get to TopLeaf. For a goblin army is on the move."

"We need answers, Wulf. We need then now."

Tyler walked into the tent.

"Wake up ladies."

They all jumped awake, and Malico looked at him.

"What's wrong?"

"We need to hurry. Wulf thinks this could be a goblin army. Break camp and ready the horses for an immediate break. Wulf an I will go scout out the spots. If we're not back in two hours, full gallop to TopLeaf. Understood?"

They nodded.

"Good."

Tyler and Wulf ate their meal as they geared up.

"I'm good to go."

Tyler had his blades, bow, and daggers, as Wulf his swords and bow. Tyler looked to kaori.

"Till we get back, your camp."

She nodded as he and the ranger crested the hill and were gone. Kaori looked to Malico.

"Let's get ready for them. They'll be in a hurry when they get back."

Tyler and Wulf moved through the rocks and trees with all the stealth of a hunting tiger and wolf. Tyler a step behind the ranger using all his stealth skills to keep up with the mountain elf in his home. They moved for about twenty minutes, when Wulf shot him a look, and they slowed their pace. The elf pointed to the sky where tall-tale smoke was seen. The Warrior dropped into the ranger's shadow as he led them to a spot overlooking the hollow. They went prone to look over the area, and as soon as they did, both men groaned inwardly. The hollow was packed solid with sleeping goblins, Orcs, and with the random giant thrown into the mix. Tyler looked at Wulf, and rubbed his eyes, the elf got it, and they both used Farsight to scout the army. Tyler picking out at least ten different tribes among the goblins and orcs, as Wulf noted the giants were all stone. Tyler was looking towards the center, and spotted a large throne of bones in the center. The Warrior nudged the elf and nodded towards it. Upon the throne was a tall, red skinned thing with horns on it's head and hooved feet. Tyler knew this thing. A rage demon. Fuckin perfect. Tyler sighed inwardly as Wulf looked at him, despair in his eyes at the sight of the beast. Tyler then shook his head and nodded to the way they'd come. The scouts melted into the woodland and made for the camp. They found the girls astride their horses and the camp bare.

"we need to get to TopLeaf TODAY. We have a rage demon in play."

They went pale, and spurred their horses as fast as they dared along the road. Wulf on their right, with Vixen, and Malico as well. Wulf pulled astride Tyler.

"That's not just a rage demon."

"Lesser or greater?"

"Thank the gods, lesser."

"I can kill it in a straight up fight. Main concern is the town and army."

Vixen was looking in the direction of the hollow.

"How many?"

"I'd say at least 500 orcs and goblins. Thirty stone giants. One Lesser rage demon."

She went white.

"That many?"

"That's why we need to hurry. And pray the town mayor has a means to reach the queen. We need more fighters to kill that army."

kaori spoke up.

"If we're it?"

Tyler sighed.

"Vixen uses those to kill the army."

The group went silent. Then Wulf chuckled.

"Any means necessary. I may hate the idea, but we may not have another choice."

"That city have a wall?"

"Twenty feet tall, and before you ask, thirty town militia."

"Plenty. Give me a good wall and thirty elven archers, yeah, not a soul get through."

"You know that bastard will use Charlotte as a hostage, right?"

"Any gripes if I just kill her if that's the play?"

They all looked at each other before replying.

"None. Last night was the last of my charity."

"Understood."

The party thundered along, pushing the horses as hard as they dared. And in four hours hard ride, they reached the township of TopLeaf. The town was surrounded by a tall wall, with a forest behind it. The friends rode to the front gate were they were hailed by a group of elven guard.

"Sirrah!"

"Get that gate closed. We got a goblin army led by a lesser rage demon on the march."

The elf went white.

"report to the mayor fast like! We'll sound the alarm."

The friends were waved along as a loud wailing was heard and the gate slamming shut. The wall was manned as Tyler and Wulf raced to the office of the mayor. The mayor was a tall elven man with black hair and red eyes. Basically an older Wulf. As soon as word reached his ears of the army, he had his commanders of the town guard gather in the room as the two men that had seen it laid out their map. Tyler pointed to the hollows.

"Okay. Both of these are filled to bursting with orcs, goblins and the odd giant. We're looking at max a thousand. I myself counted 500 orcs and goblins, thirty stone giants and a single lesser rage demon in one hollow. Way that thing sat, it was the only leader."

A burly elf in leaf plate armor looked at the spots he pointed to.

"Those were not there a month ago. I'd stake my ears on it."

"I figured since how perfectly round they are. Nature doesn't do perfect circles like that."

There was a mass of nods at his wise conclusion. Then an elf woman with a painted face spoke.

"I am Nightshade. I lead our scouts. What do we do?"

Tyler looked at a map of the city.

"Full lockdown. Seal the city. Nothing gets out period. When that thing gets here, and I'd wager either tonight or early tomorrow morning, our only hope is the wall holding. What do we have for fighters in the city?"

Nightshade crossed her arms.

"We have thirty town guard, maybe a hundred men that can wield a sword."

"There a guild hall in town?"

"There is, but they won't help us."

"I'll kill their strongest man. They'll listen sharpish."

That got a few chuckles as the mayor came over with a crystal.

"The queen is on the other end."

Tyler smiled as An image of a beautiful elven lady in a gown of flowing of red was seen.

"Huh. So YOU'RE what an elf queen looks like? Well, not bad."

That got a few snorts and chuckles, including from the queen herself.

"I see Seline wasn't wrong about your humor."

"Never doubt a fox's intuition."

That got a few approving nods as Wulf appeared.

"Sister."

"What do you need?"

"Tyler's in command here."

"Granted. Warrior?"

Tyler was looking at the map.

"How soon can you get soldiers to us?"

"Two days if they leave now."

"Send a complement of healers as well. I won't be enough."

"Understood. I can have two hundred elven knights under your command in two days."

"Tell them the wielder of Eilisef's bow needs their help. You'll shave off a few hours."

The name stunned the room, and Tyler held up his bow.

"It's reworked itself for me, but it's her bow."

The elves sank to their knees.

"What are you orders, mighty one?"

"As long as that demon is in play, we're fighting an uphill battle. Now I can kill that thing myself. Have the ones that can fight arm up. That thing thinks it knows what hell is? Ha! Let's show the bastard what happens when it sets foot in an elf's forest uninvited!"

"HURRAH!"

Tyler looked at Wulf.

"We'll spilt command of your people."

He nodded.

"Understood."

Tyler looked at Nightshade.

"There wouldn't happen to be anything like fire powder in the city? Would there?"

The feral elf lady smiled wickedly.

"We have two hundred barrels."

"Let's rig a few traps for the fuckers. They wanna knock on our front door? They better bring a long ass stick!"

The commanders roared again as Tyler rallied them. He then looked to a schematic of the walls.

"Barricade the entrances here, here, and here. Those giants will be throwing rocks, so we'll need sniper support."

Tyler was rubbing his chin when a runner came in with a letter.

"Sirrah! Fer you!"

Tyler took the letter and gave the lad 10 silver, a gesture NOT lost on the gathered elves. He tilted his head.

"Odd, yet convenient."

He placed the letter down.

"Some odd reason the local dragon just okayed the use of airships for this. Must be an old friend of Tempesta."

Wulf chuckled.

"Furiosa and Tempesta have been friendly for millennia."

"Female?"

"Indeed."

"Well, I guess even dragons are scared of their lady friends."

That got a roar of approval from the gathered lady elves,

"See?"

Then laughter. Tyler smiled again.

"Do we have any ships in town?"

"A human military vessel."

"Name?"

"Nidhogg."

"Ol Gruven's ship. Fitting."

Tyler looked to the mayor.

"We need that ship."

"The humans won't aid us."

"I got a couple friends they'll listen to."

Wulf smiled.

"They don't just kill the captain."

"Problem solved."

Tyler looked to the nodding her head in approval queen.

"Okay. Use an airship to get your fighters here."

"they'll be on the ground tomorrow."

"Which means the attack is in a few hours. Fuck. Nightshade, get the barrels ready, and camouflage them in a way ONLY we can tell."

"Sirrah!"

She was gone.

Tyler looked to another elf.

"Arm the civilians. Go!"

"Sirrah."

Tyler rubbed his eyes.

"Okay. Rest of you, ready the walls. Break!"

The elven commanders went to it with a passion, for the wielder of the bow had spoken. Tyler looked to the mayor.

"Get shelters ready for those that can't fight or get wounded."

"Sirrah."

Tyler looked to Wulf.

"Let's go play pirates."

That got a smile. The tow men hurried to see Lilli and Sera seeing to there horses.

"You two, with us. We need your princess crap."

They nodded and they hurried to the air hangar. A large stadium like thing that airships landed in. The Nidhogg was docked in the thing and as they approached, a helmed man came running.

"Civilians are NOT permitted near his Majesty's airship!"

"Stand down, soldier, we need to see the captain."

"Milady Lillia! Yes ma'am."

The party were led right to the captain's quarters. The man was looking at papers for his next voyage when the friends walked in. He went pale as Lillia and Sera appeared before him backed by Tyler and an elf.

"Miladies!"

He knelt, and Tyler noted a set of Licenses. Tyler looked at his friends.

"Search that ring."

"On it."

"You, surrender you Licenses for inspection."

"Yes ma'am."

The captain forked em over far too easily, but Tyler could see his eyes. They were clear. Wulf flipped through em.

"Clear. Ship magic."

"Captain, this ship is to aid in the defense of TopLeaf by order of the Princesses."

"Understood ma'am. We'll be ready to launch in two hours time."

"You are under Tyler's command, that an issue?"

"One question, Sirrah."

"Sure."

"Why did you kill Gru?"

"Man sacrificed himself to aid my levels, give me his sword, and aid my escape with my friend when the pope tried to take what's MINE."

"Just like the old bastard. Thankee kindly laddee. Here."

The captain handed Tyler a blue crystal.

"Allows messages between us and the ground."

"We're facing an army of goblins supported by rock throwing stone giants lead by a lesser rage demon."

The captain went pale.

"Our task and position?"

"I want this ship to make life miserable for those stoners. What's the maximum effective range on those cannons?"

"A thousand yards sirrah."

"That far? More an I was hoping. Okay, how reliable are these things?"

"we use magic to keep it a perfect ten for ten."

"Good answer. Shot?"

The man smiled.

"Regular explosive balls, chains, and grapeshot."

"We're going for hell on Lectis. Coat the chain and grape in oil. Whatever we can do to make them hurt. A lot."

The captain was chuckling.

"Gruven woulda liked you. We'll bring the pain."

"Good man. This ends well, we'll up end up as heroes."

"or corpses."

"Or both."

Another laugh.

"Long as we take em all with us,"

"What more can ya ask fer?"

"Gruven woulda LOVED you!"

Tyler smiled.

"What's your name Cap'n?"

"Greg."

"Greg. I got a guild to scare shitless."

"An we'll make ready to launch."

Tyler and his friends made haste to the hall as the captain roared the order for battle prep.

Tyler threw open the twenty-foot-tall and three foot thick hall doors like there were inches thick. The boom sending the room into an instant silence. Tyler smiled.

"Alright lads and lasses, put yer balls on, we got an army of goblins, orcs, and giants headed this way. They're being led by a lesser rage demon that escaped from hell. So, we're sending it back with a boot up it's ass. Any questions?"

A mountain of an elf got up with a ten foot greatsword on his back to stand before Tyler.

"Why should we get involved with it?"

"You the strongest guy here?"

Tyler was still smiling at the taller elf.

"I am, laddee. An I'm not lookin fer a fight, what's in it fer us?"

"Do you MEN seriously need a reward to defend women and children? I'm sorry, I guess I got the wrong ADVERNTURERS guild."

That did it. The tall elf glared at him.

"Yer a bold one, come in here demandin our help, then insulting our honor. You be ye that make such a foolish err?"

"My name's Tyler the Outcast."

The name sent a wave of shudders through the assembled group. The elf looked at him.

"So that be why you got the balls to insult the honor of thirty adventurers. Ya can back it up! We'll fight fer ya."

"Good, archers will be up on the walls, everyone else with use whatever they got to make these green bastards regret making that lass there spill her mug!"

The 'lass' in question was a hulking lady with a massive double headed battle axe on her back. The room went deathly quiet as the lady rose to look the insolent boy in the eye. Even the hulking elf just backed the fuck up as the amazon approached. The lady was 7 feet tall, with long blonde hair, blazing blue eyes, a decent bust, and toned muscles on her board shouldered frame. She wore a half top of steel with spikes over her rack, leaving her stomach exposed, a plate skirt, and boots. Upon her hands were a pair of spiked fingerless gloves. Tyler just smiled at this imposing lady.

"I shoulda asked if he was the strongest PERSON in the room."

Not a single sound was heard as the lady glared at him. Then she spoke.

"Ya must have a death wish to single ME out. BOY."

"If I had a death wish, I'd piss off kaori. This? Just a bit o fun."

He was still smiling as she threw a punch at him, only for him to side-step, tug her fist downward, and flip her onto her back. The lady went down in a crash of metal, and blinked twice at her new view of the ceiling. Tyler chuckled.

"Ya got a damned rock for a fist there, miss. Too bad ya can't hit me with it."

Tyler offered her his hand.

"Wanna try again?"

The lady grabbed his arm, and he lifted her to her feet like she weighed less then a child. The lady dusted herself off, before asking a single question.

"May I see your stats?"

"Sure."

Tyler brought up his HUD, and showed her his stats. She looked at them, then to him. Then burst out laughing.

"Strongest PERSON in the room my ass!"

Tyler chuckled as he looked at an equally smiling Wulf.

"I think I found ye one!"

The elf froze mid laugh, and the entire room, including the woman in question, burst out laughing at the look of straight up fear in the elf's eyes as he thought of it. His eye lids were twitching as his mind ground to a hard halt, before snapping entirely. Tyler looked to the lady.

"He's gonna need a minute."

The lady extended her arm.

"I be Lucy of the Bear barbarian tribe."

Tyler clasped her arm in their manner.

"I be Tyler the Outcast. Nice to know ye."

Lucy grinned at him.

"So, a Warrior."

"Yup. A badass one at that."

She tilted her head.

"Badass?"

"Means I'm fuckin awesome."

"Oh I like this one!"

"That's what they tell me."

The room was relaxing now that the single most dangerous person in the guild hall was on good terms with the Warrior.

"So, you this lot's momma?"

Annnd right back to near heart attack. Lucy saw what he was doing to them, and loved it.

"Nah. They wish though."

"Must suck to be afraid to break man AND bed."

The barbarian lady just laughed again.

"Okay, kid. Ya got me attention. Where's ME spot in the coming fight?"

Tyler tiled his head.

"That limb splitter your only weapon?"

"I throw the spear as well."

"Well, alright then. I REALLY wanna make a spear joke, but Lillia's looking at me."

"You do, and we'll tell Kaori."

"See? No death wish."

Lucy smiled, and got a good look at the two girl's faces.

"Laddee, are those?"

"Members of my party? Yes, yes they are."

Lucy picked up on the hint.

"I see. They any good?"

"Learning. Quite well, I might add. They already know how to take initiative. In our last skirmish, the ladies had a stone giant's eyes and throat locked in bow sights with ready shafts. Problem was they got screwed by a fellow Warrior that knocked their shafts down."

Lucy was livid FOR the girls.

"If they had that thing dead to rights, why'd that idiot interfere?"

"her mantra is 'proper young ladies CAN'T FIGHT'."

"Bitch please, proper my ass. I broke the cowards nose with my fist for that."

"That dumb bitch RUINED my plan! I HAD that fucker!"

Tyler, and every head in the room turned to look at Sera, who was grinding her foot into the stone floor in frustration at her foiled kill. Tyler smiled and jabbed a thumb their way.

"They look proper to you?"

Lucy threw her head back laughing.

"Oh they look proper alright! Proper adventurers!"

"Bout damn time."

"I STILL wanna kill one o those things."

"Damn, toots, you fierce. But you cute, so I'll let it go."

"Teehee!"

Tyler smiled as he looked at the sky.

"Okay, ladies, put yer balls on and gear up. I expect that attack to hit here in four hours if that."

Lucy looked at him.

"Laddee."

"Wanna run in my crew yer welcome to, long as you agree to me rules."

She chuckled.

"They are?"

"1: As the strongest in the party, I hold the coin. 2: no work, no food. You either pull yer weight, or get cut loose."

"Trust us, he's a dick about it."

"He's mean!"

Lucy smiled.

"Any others?"

"In towns, we all share a room to save coin."

Lucy threw her head back laughing at that one.

"That's more an fair. What about unspoken rules?"

"Even simpler. We do dark work from time to time. Keep our secrets. Don't get on a high horse, and listen to my commands."

She looked at him.

"What kinda dark work?"

"We're open enemies of the pope. I aim to kill the bastard. What do you think?"

She smiled widely.

"I can do that too. I agree to all the above."

"Welcome to the nuthouse, Lucy. I'm head psychopath."

Tyler was smiling, Now a barbarian. I like this party now.

"Okay, let's go regroup with the others."

They nodded. The hall was thrown into chaos as every adventurer went for their best gear and spells, as the Outcast had called for arms. So arms he'd GET!

Kaori, Malico, Vixen, and Lily were waiting by the walls. The blonde's eyes went wide at the sight of the hulking lady with the axe.

"That trope too?"

Tyler smiled.

"Yup."

Lucy laughed.

"I see you're the one that keeps him on a tight leash."

"And sometimes strangles him with it."

Tyler rubbed his neck as she said this.

"I still remember that one time."

She smacked him.

"See?"

Tyler looked at the group.

"Okay, let's get topside and see what we got to play with."

They went to the walltop and found Nightshade, the elven scout leader climbing up a grapple hook. The elf was the same as Wulf, dark hair, blood red eyes, dark skin. Her armour was leather and metal while bear footin it. Tyler hauled the lady over the battlements.

"How's it looking Nightshade?"

She smiled.

"We have thirty barrels ready to go, Sirrah."

Tyler looked over, and spotted them all in ten seconds.

"Nice. That one by the rock formation."

"What of it Sirrah?"

"What kind of rock is that?"

She smiled darkly as she saw where he was going.

"Merely hard packed shale, Sirrah."

Tyler looked at Wulf,

"I just got an idea."

The elf gulped as Tyler pulled a small goblin ball from his pouch.

"Is it possible to coat the exterior of some of those barrels in these?"

Nightshade saw the spiked ball, and her dark smile got even darker.

"We'll have another thirty rigged with those inside."

"Atta an Elf!"

Tyler handed over the entire supply he had, reasoning he'd get more at some point. Lucy looked at Wulf.

"That is a nasty trick. Where'd he come up with it?"

"Ten gold says it's a weapon from his world."

"A weapon THAT NASTY? Okay, elfy, yer on."

"Hey, Tyler."

The named boy looked up from a map.

"What up?"

"Where'd you get that idea for the balls in the barrels?"

Tyler smiled.

"In my world, a common practice is to rig explosives with small objects like nails, screws, ball bearings, anything that can be flung outward in the blast. Some are so gnarly that all that's left of the poor bastards hit with it is a mist."

Lucy looked at Wulf in shock.

"That boy's world is more familiar with hard warfare then ours is. Should listen to him talk about the city killers. Yeah, had a hard time falling asleep that night."

Lucy looked as Tyler used his Farsight to gauge a shot for a barrel.

"This battle is going to be messy."

Tyler had marked all the spots of regular blast barrels, and shrapnel barrels. All told, thirty of each.

"This is the Nidhogg, Outcast, can you hear me?"

Tyler placed hand on his crystal.

"Loud and clear Greg. Status?"

"Ships ready fer launch."

"How long can you stay airborne?"

"Three days and nights."

"Okay. Heads up, but be prepared to fight goblins riding enslaved harpies or some other creature."

"Already did, Sirrah. Yer good, don't get me wrong, but not our first battle."

"Ha! Give it time, I'll get there!"

"Well said!"

"Once the order is given, how quickly to get airborne to fire?"

"90 seconds."

"Hmm, okay exactly as I expected. We'll have to time it between rock volleys."

"Understood, give the command and we'll be up."

"Aye-aye Cap'n."

"Good lad!"

Tyler rubbed his eyes, and kaori put a hand on his shoulder.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just running down the grocery list. Anything else we can do to throw their army off balance will help."

Kaori looked at an open stretch of flat ground.

"Wanna try for a classic?"

"Oil and flame?"

"It's a classic fer a reason."

Tyler smiled and looked to Nightshade.

"It possible to rig a few barrels of pitch or other flammable liquids near the base of the wall?"

She pointed to where a group of elves were lying the barrels under some loose earth.

"It's flat for a reason."

"I KNEW I liked you fer a reason."

She smiled as she looked at his map.

"We have a lot of preparations already set for the battle. Why don't you go rest for a bit before the blood?"

"I will once I'm satisfied with everything. As for perp? Better OVERprepared then UNDER."

Nightshade smiled approvingly.

"A fine sentiment. And one I approve of whole heartedly."

"Okay, the goal here is dead to the last orc, goblin, and giant. That demon is MINE. Thinks he knows hell. Bullshit."

Kaori just laughed.

"Wow, Tyler, I'd say your offended by it!"

"yer damn right I'm offended by it! Thing's walking around using MY title like it was HIS gods-given-right? NO! That's MINE!"

He had an indignant whine in his voice that made everyone crack up.

"Rider approaching the gate!"

Tyler looked, and sighed.

"Fucking hell."

His party looked to see Charlotte riding at a full gallop to the city, and kaori glared at her.

"She's nearly KILLED the poor thing!"

"let her in! Under guard!"

"Yes Sirrah!"

Tyler and his party came down to find Charlotte telling everyone they needed to run, that there was a massive army of monsters headed towards them.

"We need to run!"

Tyler walked into view.

"Relieve the coward of her weapons, and lock her in a cell. I know her, and she nearly got a few of my friends killed last night with her cowardice. Lucy, that's the one I was tellin you about. And get that horse to the stable, poor thing's suffered enough."

"Sirrah!"

Charlotte was pulled screaming from her horse, disarmed, and carried away. Kaori went right to the poor animal,

"use that spell!"

"On it."

Tyler cast his brown spell, and the animal's relief was evident to all. Kaori was stroking the brown horse's mane.

"You poor thing. Look, she hasn't even FED the thing right! I can feel her ribs!"

The gathered elves, and everyone that was a native to Lectis, understood a good horse was worth more then it's weight in gold. So seeing such a clearly mistreated and ill-cared for animal was enough to turn the whole town against the still ranting teacher. The horse was brought to the stable under kaori's infuriated gaze, and was settled in with her own hands. Then Tyler and her walked to the prisoner's cell for a last minute update. The guard was rapidly losing his patience with her, and Tyler patted his mail.

"Once we're done, feel free to gag her."

The elf smiled.

"I will at that Sirrah."

"To think she's a well-respected teacher ion our world."

"How appalling. THAT woman has no business anywhere NEAR such a precious gift as a child's mind!"

"You don't know how right you are."

Tyler and kaori left the shaking his head guard to where Charlotte was yanking on the black steel bars on her cell like a monkey at a zoo. Soon as Tyler and Kaori appeared, she went to her knees, sobbing.

"Let me go, please! I don't want to die like that!"

"How far behind you are they?"

"Please, let me leave. I won't hurt-"

"HOW FAR!?"

Tyler roared at her in rage at this coward so obsessed with her own skin she'd abandon them to death. Charlotte looked up at him through her tears.

"3 hours."

"LESS then three. How many?"

"Several hundred."

"Anything in the sky?"

"No."

Tyler crouched to look her in the eye with his most hate filled glare.

"Are. You. Sure?"

She just broke down crying again.

"I'm sure. Please, let me leave, I need to get away. I don't want to die like that!"

"That TWICE you've said that. WHAT HAPPENED AFTER YOU LEFT OUR CAMP!?"

She looked at him.

"I found another group of travelers on a little further along the way. A small family with a wagon. A father, a mother and two little girls. They were headed for TopLeaf as well. They let me stay as I was a Warrior, and said I was a hero of legend to them. We slept well that night. The next day I was readying my horse to go, when I heard a bunch of screaming from their camp. I had hitched Atlas further away so he would be safer. I snuck back to see what was happening,"

The teacher shut her eyes and tired to force the memory out of her mind. Tyler wasn't having it.

"What. Did. You. See."

She had her eyes shut as she spoke.

"I hid in a bush, and when I looked, a group of ten little green creatures had raided their campsite. They had the father on the wheel, holding his eyes open as his wife and girls were violated by the creatures. Repeatedly. Then they pulled knives and started to cut them. The blood, the screams, that poor girls eyes!"

"She saw you cowering."

A nod.

"She had such a look of…..betrayal, and heartbrokenness, I ran."

Tyler stood and wiped tears from his eyes for the family that had been left to die. Kaori was stunned.

"I haven't seen tears fall from those eyes in YEARS Tyler."

"That family could've been saved kaori."

He then fixed Charlotte with a condemning glare.

"Even Sera can kill ten goblins with a dagger with the element of surprise. You left a family that shown you kindness to suffer a fate worse than death. I should kill you, as is only right for a coward, but I have Warriors work to do. Enjoy the screams, they'll haunt you for the rest of your days. And I pray that poor girl's soul my rest easy in the knowledge a TRUE Warrior will slay the creatures that hurt her and her kind hearted family."

Tyler and kaori left he broken woman to her screams and the memory of the girl's eyes. A girl that had shown her such kindness and admiration, only for her hero to turn around and leave her to her pain.

The guard was also wiping tears from his eyes.

"A wretched woman like her as a teacher."

"No mercy."

"Sirrah. She's to be put on trial for this. Fer tis a crime of honor to abandon one's duty to the extreme that she has."

"I may not babysit this world, but if some needs my help then gods dammit they have it. That lady."

Tyler was literally about to explode from his frustrated rage. Kaori placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Take it out on the creatures that hurt that family."

"Not a single creature walks away under it's own power."

Tyler walked out then, or risk exploding from rage. The guard sighed.

"Thank the gods there is ONE true Warrior amongst us."

kaori sighed as well.

"He's so enraged because that lady had all the tools to do something, easily, and ran. Tyler's hearing that poor girl scream as if he was there himself, and he knows all too well what that kind of betrayal feels like."

Tyler walked back to the walls in a most foul of moods after his chat with the teacher. Tyler retook his spot at the map and looked over the battlefield.

"Wow, you're pissed."

He looked to see the Barbarian Lucy come to stand beside him.

"What she tell you?"

"That lady left a family that gave her shelter for the night to be captured by ten, TEN, goblins. Best part? She hid in a bush and watched them play. In full view of the family's little girls, that had only hours earlier been gushing about how Warriors were her heroes."

Lucy just stepped back in shock.

"She did WHAT?"

"Yeah. I'm not gonna be very good company for a bit."

Tyler had dug his fingers into the stone of the battlements, crushing the red sandstone to powder as he strove to not explode like the stuff. Lucy smacked him on the back. Hard. And felt his own scars through his chainmail.

"Kid, don't let the people behind you see you lose it."

Tyler glanced over his shoulder, and saw the small army awaiting his orders. He smiled.

"Nice of ya to show up."

They chuckled as he turned to face them. Tyler drew his sword, Gleipnir, and stabbed it into the stone to rest his hands upon the blade.

"If yer looking fer a speech, well, I suck at it but here goes."

Another round of chuckles.

"I spoke to that rider that came in earlier. She told me where she spent the night, and what she did that has me on the verge of a rage. THAT LADY LEFT THE FAMILY OF FOUR, INCLUDING TWO GIRLS OF LILY'S SIZE AS TEN. THAT'S RIGHT. TEN GOBLINS PLAYED WITH THEM!"

The gasps of abject horror tore through the small force like a hurricane. Tyler was gripping his sword so tightly his hands were white.

"I can hear those girls scream like I was there myself. I will continue to hear them for many days to come. Even Lily herself can kill ten goblins with a knife!"

"Damn right I can! Momma didn't raise a coward!"

"Atta girl!"

That got a round of affectionate smiles for the ferocious girl. Tyler then glared at them with his demon glare.

"I will see every last one of those vile creatures dead in a pile! They seek to come here to inflict that kind of pain on MY friends? NOT WHILE I HAVE STRENGTH TO MAKE A FIST! If THEY want a fight I give em a damned war!"

"Hurrrah!"

"We are what stand between those things out there and those we love. Men, women, and Wulf."

"Fuck you!"

"Not into dudes, Wulf, we've been over this!"

The elf was aware of his ploy, and was smiling widely.

"I still hate you."

"We've drawn our land in the dirt. This forest belongs to the elves. They want in? LET'S SEND EM TO THE TREES IN PIECES!"

"Uraaaah!"

Tyler then grabbed his shirt, and tore it clean off, showing off his Mythril vest. The sight of the legendary item sending a ripple of shock through the gathered fighters. Then he lifted the thing, and the shock was replaced by pity.

"THIS is my past. I lived through a hell the likes of which you cannot imagine."

Here he paused to draw his strength.

"This is my past."

HE then lifted his bow to view.

"BUT IT WILL NOT BE YOUR FUTURE!"

The army roared with the fire of it's scarred leader with the Mythril weaponry and armor. Tyler waved the bow, and silence fell again.

"Two rules. 1: NO SURVIVORS. Dead to the last creature. 2: watch each other's asses. They get hurt, get em to a healer. Oh, and three."

He had a look of exasperation now.

"For the love of the gods, don't shoot yourself in the foot. Okay?"

The army burst out laughing as they manned the battlements with a will of steel, a fire in their bellies, and a gleam to defend their homes and loved ones. Tyler placed his ruined shirt in his pouch for later repair. He then looked to where the enemy army was approaching.

"I thought you said you suck at speeches?"

Tyler smiled at Lucy.

"That was my first speech actually."

The tall Barbarian laughed uproariously at this.

"Lad, you're a terrifying one and no mistake!"

Tyler smiled as he watched the enemy army take up their positions.

"Well, this will be fun."

A half hour later, Tyler stood atop a battlement with Gleipnir stabbed into the stone, Kaori to his right, Malico his left, Sera to Kaori's right, Lillia, Malico's left, Vixen to Sera' right, Lucy to Lillia's left. Wulf with Nightshade leading the archers on the ground behind the walls. Tyler used his Farsight to look into the demon's face as it sat atop it's throne of bones.

"So that's what passes for a demon in this world, eh? Pf, I'm scarier an that thing."

The demon looked into Tyler's eyes and smiled. Tyler then felt a pressure on his mind.

"Welcome to MY hell."

HE watched the thing bellow in agony as Tyler's torture chamber of a mind got a hold of it. The pressure vanished, and the Demon was glaring at him.

"Bring it you reject from hell."

Tyler had the distance now, and lifted his bow. He drew the thing all the way back, as he used a skill he'd gotten for this battle, Long Shot. Took aim and fired. Tyler then looked the Demon in the eye, smiled impudently, and flipped it the bird, thus enraging the beast. It stood to roar, only to catch his arrow in it's chest. The thing fell back onto it's throne, before tearing it out, struggling to snap it, as Tyler had used a drake scale shaft with an enhancement on it to increase durability, and roaring it's challenge. Tyler drew in his own breath.

"BLUE DEMON DRAGON ROAAAAARRRRR!"

He breathed Tempesta's flames into the sky, making the wall feel the heat, and adding a deep blue to the late afternoon day. His army were awestruck by their leader now breathing fire like a dragon. Then they were banging swords and spears on the battlements as they roared his name.

"Outcast! Outcast! Outcast!"

The first wave of enemies surged forward, as Tyler raised his bow again.

"Wait for it."

A cloud of arrows came flying at them, only to get deflected by a defensive barrier raised by the guild's blue pathers. The charging orcs and goblins threaded around the seemingly harmless piles of rocks.

"Nock."

Arrows were added to strings as the things readied long ladders.

"Now!"

Tyler fired first, and the army fired right after him. His target being a further off barrel of explosive oil that went hit showered the surrounding goblins and orcs in burning pitch. The other shafts rained upon the clumped together goblins and orcs, some hitting other barrels as well, sewing widespread destruction and mass confusion.

"Nidhogg. Skies are clear."

"Sir!"

The smoke from the burning pitch obscuring the eyes of the giants and their rocks. Once it cleared, they were faced with a full board side blast of cannons that killed over half the enemy throwers the first volley. The appearance of the warship taking the smug smile from the Demon on it's throne's face. The battle had been joined fully now. Tyler and his army firing volley after volley into the enemy face as theirs had yet to reach them. The air was filled with the sounds of the dead and dying overlaid with the sounds of the Nidhogg's cannons. Tyler was firing volley after volley from his spot on the battlements, his brazen arrogance encouraging his outnumbered troops, and at the same time intimidating the enemy. Tyler smiled as a group of orcs were in range, and unleashed another breath of flame. The thirty orcs burning alive as they screamed in tortured agony. Tyler drank a mana potion as his friends were also active. Kaori making her demon bow sing as her accurate shots laid waste. Malico was loosing poisoned shafts left right and center, Lucy had a large pile of spears and was hurling them with terrifying accuracy. Even little Sera and Lillia were making progress, as their shots laid goblin and orc low.

"See Sera? I told you we'd have another chance!"

Sera was giggling like he was tickling her has she fired another shot.

"This is fun!"

Tyler reached for his next shaft, and found he only had the one left.

"Arrows!"

"Here Sirrah!"

Tyler swapped his empty for a full, as he sighted a group of four stone giants carrying a massive rock.

"Nidhogg, need cannons on those giants with the rock."

"We're out of balls, resupplying now."

"Understood."

Tyler took aim with a multi-enhancement shot. He fired, and it took a giant in the elbow, and blew straight through, tearing a bellow of pain from it's throat, and crushing it and it's companions under the massive slab.

"Mark that thing."

"Sirrah!"

Tyler smiled as he got the range again, and rigged a nasty surprise. He fired had at the demon, and it caught the shaft in a bored manner, and snapped it. Only for it to explode with Acid from the black path.

"Thanks Vixen!"

The demon was roaring in pain as it melted his hand. Tyler flipped it off again, as he sought to enrage the beast to taking the field itself. The demon was glowing from how angry it was. Tyler made it worse by waving at it with his own hand that the demon had just lost.

"Need a hand? I got two!"

That was the last straw. The demon bellowed, and the army retreated. The thing then walked forward with burning steps, as it's rage got the better of it's better judgement. Tyler was smiling as he watched.

"Coming to play now hornboy?

"You WORTHLESS LITTLE HUMAN!"

"Eh? Speak up laddee! I canne hear ya down there!"

The demon was giving off magma so enraged it was.

"I challenge you to single combat, puny human!"

Tyler smiled.

"Now you have the Demon's Attention. Yeah, I want my name back."

Tyler pulled Gleipnir from it's spot and slid down a rope to the ground as the demon pulled it's own flaming greatsword. Tyler was happily whistling like he hadn't a fuckin care in the world as he faced the 8 foot tall beast. The arrogantly grinning boy tilted his head at the beast.

"So, I win your army kills itself."

"I win, yours the same."

"Agreed."

"Let's dance."

"I'll lead!"

Tyler surged forward, leaving a small crater behind him as he flew at the demon as it tried to block, only for Tyler to breath Tempesta's fire at it at near pointblank range. As it was his own attack, Tyler had no need to fear diving into his own flames to slash at the beast now fighting the flames with his own power. Tyler carved an arm from the beast, before pivoting on a leg to slice a leg out from under it. The thing fell to the ground, and Tyler was right there plunging the sword into the beast's heart. It screamed as the beast thrashed in a vain attempt to defy death. Then it burst into blue flames as it faded from life and reality. Dropping a single, red horn behind. Tyler lifted the horn, and looked to the now slitting it's own throat goblin army. He drew in a breath.

"We have victory!"

The army roared as the goblin army, bound by a demon challenge, slit every throat. Tyler swung his blade, and the vile demon blood was flung off, before he sheathed the thing on his back. He then walked to the rope and was pulled up to a hero's return. Tyler and his team were hoisted up on shoulders as they won the day, for Tyler had exploited the single weakness that demonkind have: Their pride. With that, and his terrifying blade work, he had won the day and slain a lesser rage demon single handedly, and due to the terms of the Challenge, could claim the deaths of every single creature affected by it as his own kill. In short? He killed a demon and it's army nearly single handedly. Tyler had kaori's hand in his as the Warriors were set on their feet atop a battlement, and the army awaited his next words. Tyler looked at them

"We're not done yet. We need to search that army, they may have spells we cannot leave out there."

Nightshade came forward and knelt.

"What are we looking for?"

"Banned black spells."

That sent a murmur of concern through the small gathering. Nightshade looked up to him.

"It will be done Lord."

"I have a procedure for what to do in the event of a find."

He handed a scroll to her.

"Once that army is searched, let's pile them up. I'll set em now fire. AS A WARNING TO THE NEXT IDIOT THAT WANTS TO SET FOOT IN THE ELVE'S HOME!"

They roared with approval at his words, then he nudged kaori, who picked RIGHT up on where he was going. He grabbed his beautiful companion and kissed her right there in front of the army, getting whistling cheers this time as they saw he was NOT just blood and fire. After the army went and fell upon the dead creatures to begin the search as he looked to Nightshade.

"Injuries?"

The elf smiled.

"A few arrow wounds, but nothing a potion didn't heal."

"Wow, we won a bloodless victory. Nice."

She smiled proudly.

"The mayor has the queen on a crystal."

"Should be a fun time. Outcasts! Let's move!"

Tyler and his friends headed for the mayor's house. The Warrior went right for Sera and Lillia, as the two girls were smiling widely after their first battle.

"How are you to holding up?"

Sera hugged him.

"My fingers hurt!"

That got a laugh, as Lillia smiled.

"I feel…..proud. I haven't felt this….fulfilled in so long."

"If you start to lose it, we got you."

She hugged him.

"Thank you for giving me the strength to stand."

Tyler hugged her right back.

"I gave you nothing. You had that strength along, only thing you needed was someone to show you HOW to wield it."

That made her smile with pride as Tyler looked to Wulf.

"I guess that legend WASN'T total bullshit."

The elven ranger burst out laughing.

"I guess not. Who'd have thought YOU would play the hero?"

Tyler was laughing as well.

"I had to! That bastard STOLE MY NAME!"

The crew were laughing as Lily came running to get a hug off Wulf.

"Uncle Wolf! You won!"

The elf hoisted his niece into his arms as they walked into the Mayor's house.

"We had the TRUE Demon on our side Flower."

She giggled.

"even if she's STILL too good for him!"

"So wise at such a young age."

The victorious fighters walked into the mayor's office where the Queen's image was seen on the crystal. Tyler was smiling from ear to ear.

"Everything went exactly according to plan."

His friends looked at him.

"You…..had a plan this time?"

Tyler chuckled.

"I did. If I got under that thing's skin I knew I could enrage it to take the field itself. See, thing about a rage demon, piss it off, and you're golden. It'll lose ALL it's superior tactical sense and strategy. Like if you enrage a bull."

Tatiana laughed as his friends looked at each other, before Kaori smiled.

"See thing about Tyler? He wings it a good 99% of the time. But as soon as deeper thought is required, and he needs a plan, they NEVER fail."

Lily was nodding sagely.

"He's an idiot. But a smart idiot."

"Glad I got your seal of approval Lily! Moving up in the world!"

The room laughed at that. Then Lily sighed as she rubbed her Deer skin gown.

"barely. Ya got it, but just barely."

Tyler smiled as he looked at the Queen's image.

"I have the army searching banned blacks as we speak."

The elf queen nodded.

"I see. May I ask what your goal with them are?"

"Destruction is the ultimate goal, but I was not sure for the mean time."

Wulf was heard next.

"We thought it best to consult your wisdom, Sister."

"Still explains how much of a royal pain in the ass he is."

"I know where you sleep you infuriating prick."

Tatiana smiled widely.

"Glad to see YOU'RE having fun, Wulfy."

"Don't even think about it."

Tyler had been smiling as the queen said that, now he just shrugged.

"Eh, fine. So, the Licenses."

Tatiana rubbed her temples.

"I got a copy of the procedure you gave Seline. We've actually implemented it ourselves, and the number of finds are simply horrifying. How many rings do you have?"

"Malico."

The busty catgirl came and laid their full ring, and the one they just started. The Queen nodded.

"Okay, when you fill a ring, bring it to a White Path of Purity temple. They abhor the banned black spells as a core tenet of their faith, so they will oversee destruction."

"I myself will attend the destruction of a full ring. More eyes the better."

"I understand and agree. Should you be in the field and fill a ring, use the dragon flame you got from Tempesta. That will be PLENTY to destroy them."

"Understood. Did you see the battle?"

She had a twinkle in her red eyes.

"I did indeed via viewing crystal."

"We're awesome, aren't we?"

She laughed.

"You are at that. I made a recording I intended to show Ishtar."

"Nothing better for a father then seeing his girls holding their own with a Warrior in a large-scale battle."

Sera and Lillia were smiling with pride as he praised them in a roundabout manner. Tatiana smiled as well.

"My knights will assist when they arrive in the morning."

"They pissed they missed the fight?"

"Not even irritated. We don't raise blood-hungry monsters here. If they get called out to battle, but find the fight won before they get there, it's considered a win for life. As war is NEVER a good thing."

"my stance is if it's against those kinds of creatures, well, more we kill now the less poor bastards get caught by them."

She glared at him.

"I heard about that woman."

"Wanna know a fun fact?"

She looked at him, angrily curious.

"Sure."

"In our world, she was a highly respected school teacher. MY teacher to be exact."

She gaped at him in absolute horror.

"That WOMAN was a school teacher? A HIGHLY Respected one?"

"Yup. Get this, last night she was traveling with us here before we learned of the army. We got attacked by a large raiding party of goblins with a pair of stone giants. Well, a giant got into camp and launched my bitch ass into a rock wall. I'd had Sera and Lillia take shelter inside the cave at the back of the hollow. Well, the two ladies saw a golden opportunity to take part in the battle, as the place they'd been standing was PERFECT for taking the giant's eyes or throat when it crouched to get me. They HAD that thing dead to rights."

Sera and Lillia were nodding along.

"I HAD that thing! It's eyes were mine!"

"Eyes? I had it's throat!"

They all laughed affectionately. The Tatiana sighed.

"What happened?"

"That lady comes over and slapped their arrows down, telling them to run, as 'proper young ladies CAN'T FIGHT'."

Tatiana had to grasp an unseen table to keep herself from falling over.

"Oh may the gods have mercy upon my poor soul. Those poor girls!"

"Wanna know the kicker?"

She had such a look of pain on her pretty face.

"Sure, what else did she do?"

"Lillia, one of the 'proper young ladies' slugged her in the face so hard her nose was flat as a broad."

Tatiana burst out laughing as Lillia cracked her fist.

"She pissed me off."

They all laughed at that. Then the queen smiled at the princesses fondly.

"I'm so proud of you two. Your mother would be as well."

The two girls were glowing. Tyler was also smiling.

"They're still green, but they're learning. Plus they have a spine not made of jelly. They'll get there."

Sera came over and hugged him.

"Like we have a choice!"

Tyler hugged her right back.

"It's a rule for a reason, runt. Want food, pull your weight."

She giggled as Tatiana noted something.

"I see. They've joined your party."

Tyler looked at her.

"That a problem?"

She threw her head back laughing.

"Not even a little. It's a GOOD thing. Nothing like the royal family picking up their blades to travel with Warriors to defend their homeland."

"warrior princesses are kinda a culture-wide basis for stories in my world."

Tatiana nodded approvingly.

"I love that sentiment. Warrior Princess. It even has a nice ring to it!"

Tyler was patting Sera hair.

"So, I'll go assist the healers from the last time a group of Warriors visited the town, afterwards we'll go aid in recovery efforts for the battle, and sit in on Charlotte's trial."

Tatiana sighed.

"We can't kill a Warrior. As much as we want to. We need them to fight the waves."

"You and I both know I'll have to carry the battle."

"Trust me on this, Tyler, the whole WORLD knows. So, as for Charlotte's punishment. A branding."

"Of her as a vile coward?"

"Indeed. Lily herself with a dagger can kill ten goblins caught by surprise alone!"

"I said the exact same thing."

"Momma didn't raise a coward! Or a jellyfish!"

"Atta girl!"

The room glowed with pride at the fierce little elf. Tyler chuckled as he jabbed a thumb at her.

"I think she's after me job!"

"Nah. You suck at it enough, more after Kaori's job."

HE and the blonde looked at each other, flabbergasted by that bombshell. Then they both looked at Lily, who smiled at Tyler sweetly.

"Men suck. But you? Eh, you okay."

Tyler gulped comically as he looked to kaori.

"I think.....I'm in over my head here."

That did it. The room, including the queen, just burst out laughing at the look of mind blown on Tyler's face, and the smug look on Lily's face as she laid her challenge to kaori for the Warrior's heart. Tyler's eyes were flicking from Lily to kaori, as if PRAYING the blonde would help him here, Come on, Kaori! Don't leave me hanging like this! Kaori smiled at her new challenger.

"Well, Lily, Let's wait a few years for that."

"Eh, FINE. You can keep him. For now."

"Ummm, now all of a sudden I feel like a shared pair of pants. Not sure why though."

Lily rubbed her eyes.

"You can train him up for me."

"Now I feel like a damn dog! The hell!"

"He'll have a bunch of new tricks to use when the time comes."

"Hey, you DO remember your other nickname is Shadow, right?"

Kaori gulped this time as she remembered.

"Right. Okay. No more dog puns."

"THANK you."

Lily was smiling.

"Well, enjoy your time together. Cause in a few years he's MINE."

"Now I'm scared."

The room was having trouble breathing at the trio's conversation. Lily, for her part, let them off the hook and settled for rubbing her dagger on a table corner. Tyler looked to Tatiana.

"So, the bow."

The queen got her mirth under control.

"Is yours. It is only right the Elven Champion wields the bow of another Hero."

"Okay. Should we still go to the capital? Be perfectly honest, only reason we even came this way period was because of the bow and Licenses. We have a plan in place for the Licenses, and the bow issue was resolved."

Wulf had a thought.

"I'd still suggest going. If for no other reason than to see the capital."

Tatiana had another point.

"I'd also request you do. You're to receive a new title for your defense of the elven homeland, and I'd like to give my people a reason to celebrate."

"Like a bunch of elves NEED a reason to throw a party. But, sure."

That made every elf in the room smile. Tyler nodded.

"Alright. We got work to do."

"That you do. I'll let you get to it."

The queen left the crystal, as Tyler looked to the mayor.

"Sorry, but what's your name?"

The elf chuckled.

"Logrian sirrah."

"I understand there were injured from the last Warriors that came through."

"I'll take you to them."

Tyler and his friends followed the elven mayor as he showed them to a tall building with a red circle upon it. Tyler sighed as he looked at the rows of beds.

"Getting real tired of this."

An elven nurse in a green uniform came over with a board.

"Sirrah, are you here to aid in healing?"

"I can cast Holy Relief, Holy Care and Divine resurgence flawlessly. Who needs it the most?"

The elf's pointed ears twitched.

"The children please."

"Point me to em."

Tyler spent the next two hours casting his spells upon the wounded. Getting thanks and grunts.

"Laying on me job when me town needed me."

Tyler smiled at the tall elf he'd just healed a broken leg.

"See, the thing about Orcs and Goblins? They're stupid. They'll try it again."

That got a snort.

"Aye, laddee. An I'll be there to meet em with me axe!"

The Warrior smiled at that. Once the last person was healed, he drank a mana potion, as kaori came over.

"You good?"

Tyler smiled at his concerned friend.

"I'm good. I got three hundred stamina, so I can go for a while longer."

He kissed her to make the point, and she smiled.

"Just worried."

"Just love you."

She smiled happily. From beaten dog, to hero of the elves!

Tyler and his team left to go assist with searching. Sera bouncing along as she held her hero's hand. They found Nightshade with a board with a small pile of Licenses at her feet. Tyler sighed as he came up beside her.

"How far have you gotten?"

She looked at him.

"About Half Sirrah."

"Okay, what part HAVEN'T you touched yet?"

"The far right, Sirrah We're starting on the left and moving towards the right."

"Me and my crew will take the right and meet you in the middle."

"Aye."

So, Tyler and his team spent another few hours searching the bodies of the dead. The work progressed quickly, as he and his friends were highly experienced at the task.

"Got a Mind!"

"Nice, Lucy!"

"Hey, found three Rivers!"

"You know the drill!"

"Ouch! What are you ya bastard? Ha! Got a Misery!"

"Wow, got a Roiling Fire."

"That's new. What's it do, Wulf?"

"Costs five mana, and forces a target to willingly torture itself with a fire."

"Nasty."

Tyler stood up after looking over a goblin corpse, and as he did, he found himself looking into the red eyes of a startled elven girl with a small ring of Licenses. He smiled at her kindly.

"Nice haul there, miss."

She smiled back at him, albeit a little nervously, as if unsure of how to address the Hero of her town.

"Thank you, Sirrah. I'm called Maple."

"Tyler. Pleased to meetcha. You the only member of your team to get this far?"

She gestured to her left where a small line were working over the corpses.

"We're a small group of adventurers, but we work well."

Tyler smiled as he watched the highly efficient group work.

"Good to see."

She blushed a little as he praised her friends. She was about to say something when his gaze hardened.

"Well, THAT took longer than I expected."

He was loading an arrow as a group of bird-like creatures appeared over the trees. Tyler blew a loud, piercing whistle that sent the army for their bows as he took aim. The things were maybe ten feet long, with twenty foot wingspans, and the heads of lizards. Tyler sighed as he took aim.

"Great. Rock drakes."

The things had goblin fliers on their backs, and upon seeing that the army was dead to the last, they hesitated, and that was all it took for a single rush of twangs as the elven archers shot the group of ten out of the sky with the first volley. The things fell to the dirt, killing their fliers out right. Tyler's arrow having taken a rock drake in the head as the body was pierced by his friends. One of them landing right by his feet, and slide along the ground, and Tyler lifted a foot to rest on it as it stopped. He looked at a stunned Maple.

"Hiya, Maple, rock drakes. We can eat them, right?"

She just cracked up laughing.

"Aye Sirrah. They're very tasty!"

"Nice of the goblins to deliver us supper!"

That made them all laugh, as the rider of the drake Tyler had his foot ion stirred.

"Well, nifty."

Tyler walked over whistling as the crippled goblin looked at him. It started pleading.

"Please mighty one, a quick death!"

It had a flat, nasally voice that grated on Tyler's nerves.

"Why didn't you die after the challenge?"

The goblin was fixed with Tyler's demon glare.

"We did not hear the challenge. A Demon Challenge only works if it is HEARD, mighty one!"

"Was this the only army?"

"It was Great one. The Dark One was set loose after a mage summoned it and was killed."

"What took you so long to get here?"

"Rock Drakes are useless in high noon sunlight. They overheat and die underneath their riders."

"Where are you getting your black spells?"

"The church has been selling them to our kind for years. Or we make em ourselves."

"Course they do, and course you do."

Tyler killed the thing and Maple relieved it of it's Licenses. Tyler rubbed his eyes.

"Why o why does that NOT surprise me?"

Maple was a little shaken by the thing's answers.

"The church has been selling these evil things to goblinkin?"

"And to the highest bidder. Wulf!"

The ranger came running.

"What it tell you?"

"The church is selling these to the creatures of the land. Go see Logrian and kick this to the queen. Have her implement my procedure for the Licenses across the elven lands."

"On it."

The ranger took off running, as Maple looked to Tyler as he gauged the remaining work.

"Okay. The drakes are more fun then a pain in the ass. I'd say we're about three-quarters done with the search. Then the once over, then the trial, and then the victory party. Yeah, gonna be a full day."

Maple smiled.

"Wait until you see an elven party, Lord."

"Have been since I got here."

Tyler and a proud Maple returned to the work, and after another hour the corpses were stripped clean, and put in a pile thirty feet tall and ten across. Tyler smiled widely.

"This is gonna stink to high hell."

That got a laugh as he pulled in a breath. He bathed the pile in his hottest flames to date, and the pile burned like a beacon that could be seen for miles, and the pillar of smoke even further. The flames were a deep blue, and once set, Tyler hit it three more times, just to set the point. With the flames blazing merrily, Tyler sat on the council that presided over the trial of Charlotte the Warrior Coward. The courtroom was nearly identical to an assembly hall in his old world, with the main difference being the judge was a set of 5 wise men sitting on a raised dais. Tyler, for leading the defending army to a bloodless victory, was gifted the right to sit upon one chair, and as he was a chief witness against her, was also put on the side condemning her. As, in elven society, the proceeding had four members. Two that believed she was guilty, and sought to proof it, two that thought she was innocent, and sought to proof it, and a neutral fifth, that if persuaded one way or another would decide the outcome period. The goal was to convince another of the accused either guilt or innocence. Tyler, however, did NOT like the chair he now sat it. Leading an army into battle is one thing, but presiding over a courtroom is an entirely different matter. As was the way of the elves, every member of the town or city in which the trials took place in had a right to observe. So, a solid majority of the town was in attendance. Tyler smiled as he saw Sera and Lillia one chairs on his side, as they too were witnesses. Per the rules of the court, he was not allowed to speak until the trial began, and not to the other witnesses period until it had concluded. This is a rather nifty system they got. My world could learn a thing or two. Tyler pulled his dagger out and was cleaning it as he waited for the thing to get underway. Kaori was sitting in the front of a set of pews where Tyler could see her clearly, with the rest of his team around her in a protective wall. Lucy looks COMPLETELY out of place. A barbarian warrior maid in a elven courtroom. If we had a dwarf, we'd have the perfect mismatch! He smiled, and saw that Kaori had seen it as well. He heard a sigh as the elves elected to prove she was innocent sat in their respective chairs. The looks of disgust well-hidden on their faces at having to defend such a lady easily seen by Tyler, whereas the elven lady that was to help him prove her guilt sat next to him. She was a rather pretty elf, her dark hair shimmering, dark grey skin smooth and her red eyes shone like the coals of fire. She wore a light dress the hung to her ankles belted by a girdle of red that clashed with the blue of the dress. As was the way of the court, each party was required to interview the accused until they were satisfied. Since Tyler had been there personally, he had elected NOT to take part in the interview, lest he snap and kill the lady outright. The elf smiled at him as he sheathed his dagger.

"A pleasure, Hero. My name is Merrill."

Tyler smiled at the pretty elf.

"Nice to put a name to the pretty face, Merrill. My name's Tyler."

She had a warm smile on her face as she saw the subtle nod from Kaori, and seeing the hidden message: Have fun, but I'm FIRST. Merrill pulled a paper from a small case she had and passed it to the now curious Warrior beside her.

"her statement."

"Ah."

Tyler sighed as he looked at it, he read it in his mind as he went.

"I was unable to help that poor family, for I would have died in the process. Or been captured in their place. I don't want to die like that. I prevented the royal princesses from fighting as ladies of their pedigree and position CAN'T fight, as it would lower them to the level of guttertrash, and that they MUST set an example to ladies everywhere. It is the MEN's job to defend the ladies of the land, and the princesses above all else. It was not right that they were forced to fight period. They shouldn't even BE here. They should be sitting in the palace living the life we ALL wish we could!"

Tyler groaned as he passed the document back to Merrill.

"If I keep reading that, I'm like to explode."

She sighed.

"I nearly did as well."

Tyler leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"I get why she tried to stop them now. She WANTS TO BE THEM. Or, set herself up as the one that protected them in the field and get rewarded a life of luxury."

Merrill nodded subtly.

"I got that feeling as well."

"So a selfish, GREEDY coward."

"The worst kind."

"I hate this already."

She smiled as he sat back.

"A good drink always helps me after the trying ones."

"I heard their throwing a victory party later."

Now her red eyes were lit with eagerness.

"Indeed we are."

"We are going to get SOOOOOOO wrecked!"

She smirked.

"I am curious as to how you party in your world."

Tyler smiled with a rather, ominous feeling to it.

"Ohhh, that POOR town."

"hey, you make a mess you clean it!"

"Was gonna. Both ways. Also."

He looked at kaori, and smiled at her, getting a happily eager smile back from the blonde.

"I get the feeling we're gonna have some fun. Her an I."

Merrill looked at Kaori, and smiled a knowing smile. The beautiful blonde picked RIGHT up on it. Oh THAT'S his game? Well, alright then! Kaori felt a warmness in her heart, and an excitement as well. We NEED to hurry this the fuck up so we can GET fucked up! The last member sat in the neutral chair, and the prisoner was brought in. Charlotte's leathers were full of grime and dust, her brown hair matted, and her hazel eyes red from tears. She was in chains and was attached to a long rod set in the floor for either the unruly or bolters. And since her crime was abandonment of duty, she was branded a coward. Tyler had a hard time not launching himself at her and killing her for her betrayal of the girls. He forced his rapidly mounting anger down as the elf in the head chair rose to open the trial.

"On this day let it be known that the Warrior known as Charlotte stands accused of abandonment of duty, interfering in the works of Warriors she herself is a part of, Horse abuse and neglect, and extreme cowardice in the face of a Warrior's sworn duty. I am Proctor Eldrige. To my left is the Hero of the Elves Tyler the Outcast, to his left, Merrill of the Piercing Gaze. They represent the condemnation, to my right is Mollock of Sound Judgment, and Elif of fair reasoning. They are her defense. Now, let us proceed. Who wishes to open?"

Elif stood.

"The defense sirrah."

"Very well, the floor is yours."

The elf walked to look at the woman.

"You said to us that in your world you were a school teacher that had never before seen a sword, is that correct?"

Charlotte looked at him as she spoke.

"Indeed Sirrah. My job was to teach math. Not fight."

Elif looked to the gathered Council.

"So we have a lady that has lived all her life to this moment in relative ease and safety, never knowing danger that we all grow up with. Throw her into our world, and you have the recipe for a worse case scenario. It is not just of us to condemn her failings as she has never had to fight for her life before."

Tyler looked to Merrill.

"May I?"

She smiled.

"Proctor, my Assistant Tyler has requested to speak."

"Granted. Make your counter argument lad."

Tyler stood.

"certainly."

Tyler walked to stand before the lady and address Elif.

"You say she has never had to fight for her life. That much is indeed true, even though her home in our world suffered a home invasion. A trio of men broke into her home with the intent of rape and sacking, only her husband, a man by the name of Luke, who was a trained soldier, had instructed the accused in numerous self-defense methods and how to use the weapons of our world effectively. So, in this event, she hid in a closet as the men murdered her husband and walked out the front door."

Tyler looked to the now shutting her eyes Charlotte.

"Is our world safer then yours is on a day to day basis? Yes it is. I am also in agreement with your point that this is still all so new to her. But an important fact I think has been omitted is the fact I met her at the SkySpear in Raylik turning in a bounty to the Lady Yoko. I myself noted she was placing a weapon of the Black Path on the rack, and was curious as to her kill. So, unless she stole that kill from another hunter, she HAS the capacity to fight for her life, if she did not, she'd be dead right now. I suggest looking at her Bestiary."

The Proctor nodded and the lady's bestiary was shown to all. Tyler pointed to her strongest kill.

"She's killed a black bear with a sword. To preform such a feat, one needs both the know how to wield a blade, and the drive to do so. Those two facts, the bounty and the bear, show me she has adapted to this world just fine, and KNOWING full well she had the strength to help, left that family that had hours prior gave her shelter and the food of their table if I understood her tale correctly, to a fate worse then death itself. And WATCHED from a bush."

Tyler looked to Elif.

"As further proof of her cowardice, in our world, before my strength as you all knew it, I was the one that got kicked around and spit on. Sometimes in full view of Charlotte herself. She never ONCE lifted a finger to aid me, even when the other students thought it fun to bash hard covered books over my back as a bit of fun. She just closed her eyes until they ran out of steam and sat down on their own. The Lady Kaori has herself witnessed this herself, as she too is a native of my world."

The Proctor looked to the blonde.

"Milady, is this story true?"

kaori rose and stood before the court.

"It is sir. Only thing he left out was the blood that was pouring from his nose from the first shot to the face. Oh, and the length of time for the beating. A solid twenty minutes of thuds, wacks, the cruel laughter as the teacher that is supposed to protect her students just stood there with her eyes covered with her hands."

"YOU DIDN'T HELP HIM EITHER!"

Charlotte was screaming at the blonde for her condemning words. The now teary eyed Proctor looked to kaori.

"Is there a reason for that Milady?"

Kaori smiled with pride for her friend.

"It is his way, Sir. Even then he protected me in any way he could. He told me, flat out, that in those situations, never to shed a tear, never try to stop them, or aid him in the moment, no matter HOW I wanted to. For to do so would draw their gaze upon me, and they'd inflict the same torture upon me that they did him. But, to counter her point? I did help him. After class I reset his broken nose and helped him clean up out of sight of the other students. That was our way. He'd get broken, and we'd work together to put him back together."

Elif spoke then.

"Could the reason she turned a blind eye was to also avoid the same fate?"

Tyler took up the thread.

"it could very well be. All those that bullied me were a part of the school's sports team, and because of that got preferential treatment. That said, there are stories of teachers taking bullets for their students. Oh, right I forgot. A bullet is a piece of ammo fired from a mini version of a cannon."

Elif nodded.

"Thank you for the description. I have spoken with Ambassador Wulf regarding the weaponry of your world."

"Good LUCK sleeping tonight."

That got a smile as the room chuckled. Tyler had to dig a little to pick up his train of thought.

"Where was I going with this? Ah yeah. We hear of teachers throwing bullies out on their faces, getting stabbed and doing what they're SUPPOSED to do. Plus the fact in our world, children are viewed as second class citizens to adults, so she had the authority behind her to step in as well."

Lily was heard muttering.

"Second class citizen my ass."

The room burst out laughing at the fierce child. Tyler wiped a tear from his eyes.

"Oh I am SO scared of the type of fighter that wildcat will turn into."

"I WILL come to claim what's MINE Kaori!"

"Yup. I'm screwed."

The room was how having a hard time breathing at that one. Even the Proctor was laughing. Once the room fell silent, Charlotte's appalled voice was heard.

"How could you even THINK of her like that Tyler! She's just a child!"

Tyler looked to the Proctor.

"Question, but how old is Lily?"

Wulf's voice was heard.

"110."

"Thanks Wulf."

Tyler looked to Charlotte.

"See? New world, new rules. Besides, we're looking at what? Fifty years before she even hits puberty?"

That got a snort from a few elves.

"try a hundred laddee."

"See? I'm still learning as well."

Wulf had Lily on his lap, as the small girl crossed her arms and nodded sagely.

"Nice to see even an idiot like him can learn SOMETHING."

Tyler just smiled as the room lost it again. Once they recovered he looked to Elif.

"My point, is even with all the backing of our world's rules, she STILL turned her back on those that needed her most."

Elif looked at Tyler.

"Do you not do that as well, sirrah?"

"I am not here to babysit the world. I have my own wants, needs and aspirations to see through. That said."

Tyler's fist was heard cracking as he sought to control his mounting rage.

"If I encounter someone on the trail that needs aid, I do whatever I can. Look at the battle. We learned of the army that morning. I had the choice to just get on my horse and head in the opposite direction. I did not. I risked our very lives to come warn you, and put the lives of my friends on the line to defend you. Without hesitating. Now I am by no means a nice or caring person. It's only by the grace of Kaori and Malico that lady still draws breath period, for the night she screwed poor Sera there out of what would have been a moment to be proud of for the rest of her life, I was about to shatter her neck in my fist. Hell, right now it's taking everything I am not to do just that. The two girls asked me to spare her, and so I did. Yet, she turned right around and got a family killed."

His hands were bone-white.

"I can hear those girls screaming. I can see that poor child's face in my mind as well. For even a novice with a dagger and the element of surprise can kill ten goblins. I know what that feeling of betrayal feels like. And it hurts. A lot. And there is no armor in existence that can numb that kind of pain. I may not be the hero that deliberately seeks out to aid people, but, when I am needed,"

HE glared at Charlotte with everything he had.

"I NEVER turn my back on those that need a shield to defend them. I stand BETWEEN them, and ANYTHING that would do them harm. If I had been in YOUR shoes, and no matter HOW many there were, I STILL charge in and do my damndest to save at least those little girls from the pain I suffered."

HE looked at Elif.

"For to see the one you KNOW YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO TURN TO FOR HELP SIT AND WATCH YOU SUFFER HURTS MORE THEN ANYTHING THE GOBLINS DID TO HER."

Tyler's force and emotion, and the sheer ANGER for the pain the family had suffered, shook everyone in that room, and kaori had to place a hand on his shoulder to calm his on the verge of exploding emotions. Tyler took in a deep breath and released it.

"I need to sit down before I lose it."

So he did just that. He sat beside Merrill as he sought to get his feelings back under control. In the pews, Malico nudged the barbarian Lucy.

"I've been around him longer then any but Kaori. I have NEVER seen him this close to going berserk."

Lucy was shaking her head.

"I know that feeling. He feels regret for not being there himself. Me thinks he's blaming himself for sending them a Warrior of legend, and giving them hope, only for it to prove false."

"I can see that. Now, he hates himself for letting that girl suffer like that."

The room recovered from the force packed into Tyler's voice. Then the Proctor was heard sighing.

"My mind has been made up."

Elif returned to his seat as the Proctor approached the sobbing woman.

"Lady. You are a Warrior. You have a duty to stand tall as a beacon of hope for those that do not have the strength to stand. You have run from that duty at every opportunity and every sign of danger. You even shirked your duties to mold young minds in your old world. You are a wretched woman that does not deserve the Warrior's Strength."

Charlotte looked up at the elf.

"I just want to go home and grade papers again. I don't want to fight, I don't want to get hurt, I don't want to die. Please, let me go home!"

Her pitiful sobbing just getting looks of disgust from the other assembled watchers. The Proctor stepped away from the woman.

"Charlotte. You are found guilty of all crimes you stand accused of. Horse neglect and abuse alone is a hanging offense. And gods know the world of Lectis would be far better off without a coward such as you wielding a Warrior's Strength."

"Please, don't kill me! Please. I'll do anything."

She was begging piteously as she hung in her chains as she sobbed. The Proctor sighed deeply.

"As much as I wish it, we cannot hang you."

Her head shot up with the light of hope in them.

"That being the case. Your punishment is a branding on your back, and the tops of your hands. Your name henceforth is Charlotte the Coward."

"The Coward. Charlotte the Coward."

She screamed as a spell was placed upon her to prevent her passing out as a log was brought out. Along with a brazier and a set of brands. The long bits of iron in the shape of an X with a circle. Charlotte watched as the irons were set to be heated.

"Please don't hurt me! Mercy, Please!"

The Proctor looked to Tyler.

"Lord, would you like the honor of carrying out the sentence?"

Tyler smiled.

"As much as I would, Sir Proctor, I am afraid my emotions would overwhelm me and I'd kill the Coward. Perhaps, Sera and Lillia would like their due Vindication. Afterall it's only right for the injured party to get their due."

The Proctor smiled.

"Indeed it is, Sir. Ladies, do you find this acceptable?"

Sera was smiling ear to ear as her and Lillia stood.

"Indeed we do Proctor. I accept."

"So, how do I brand someone?"

That got a chuckle as Charlotte's leathers over her back was cut open, revealing her smooth skin beneath.

"Please, girls! Your-"

"Gag her."

"Sirrah."

Charlotte had a ball of cloth forced into her mouth as she'd been about to board cast the true identities to the room. Tyler looked to the room.

"I feel I need to make something clear here. As most, if not all of you have probably realized, I have some rather important people in my Warrior party. So, as a matter of their and our safety, I must request you not breathe a word of this to anyone. Can you grant this boon?"

There was a mass of oaths and swears as Nightshade, the elven scout leader spoke for all.

"Not a word, Lord."

"Thanks Everyone. Kinda thought you wouldn't and all, but hearing the words is better then assuming."

There was a mass of approving nods as Tyler turned to watch as Sera and Lillia each took a glowing iron in their hands.

"Careful Sera. Don't burn yourself."

She smiled.

"Kay!"

That got a round of awww's as Tyler had a thought.

"That reminds me. I should get some burn healing spells. Eh, later."

That got a laugh as Charlotte's hands were forced flat and held in place. Tyler watched with his arm around Kaori's waist as Sera Pressed the first brand into Charlotte's hand, getting a muffled scream of agony as well as a nasty hissing sound and the smell of roasting flesh. The brand was bubbling and hissed as the layers of fat and muscle in her hands were visible. The wounds were enchanted to not get infected, and could NOT be removed or healed by spells. Lillia had a focused look on her face as she did her brand next, getting another scream, as the teacher just broke down crying at the searing agony in her hands. Tyler squeezed Kaori's waist.

"You okay watching this?"

She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder as Lillia and Sera took the large back iron together.

"I am. It feels weird though, watching our teacher get a brand."

"Kinda feels like we don't really know her?"

"Exactly. Yet we've known her for years."

"I thought the same. Though, to be fair, we HAVE come far from mere students forced to listen to her lessons."

Kaori placed her own arm around his waist as Lillia and Sera positioned the branding iron over Charlotte's back.

"We've come far. With Even further to go yet."

"We haven't even gotten to the first wave, and I'd bet we're both the strongest party, and the most experienced of all the Warriors."

kaori looked at him,

"I love you."

He looked at her.

"I love you."

They kissed as Charlotte screamed in agony as her third brand was pressed into her skin. This one would be visible even if she wore heavy plate armor, and so would her hand brands. Forever branding her a traitor and coward. It would also appear in her HUD as well, along with her new title of Horse Abuser. Thus any Horse salesmen would be made aware of whom they were selling the prized animals to. The teacher was returned to her cell as her new brands healed, after which she would be tossed out with a backpack and no Horse. As since she had utterly failed to care for Her's, it had been confiscated and placed in the care of a trusted horse raiser. Tyler was sitting on a pile of haybales as he watched Wulf teach Sera and Lillia how to be better archers. He had his sword Gliepnir out and was cleaning it as he watched Sera hit a perfect bullseye. Vixen had gone to the local magic shop for some new spells, Malico and kaori were checking on the horse, and Lucy had gone to check in with the guild. Tyler laid on the hay as he placed the large blade aside to open his HUD. HE had another 150 points to throw this time. So, he put 50 into stealth, 25 into strength, 25 into agility, speed, and physical defense. Bringing his totals for the skills to 160 stealth, 300 strength, 250 agility, 265 speed, and 255 for physical defense. He then looked at his titles. He had earned the title Demonslayer for killing a lesser rage demon, and Peerless tactician for winning a large scale battle without losing a single man. The Demonslayer title boosting his damage against demonkind, and Peerless Tactician raising Perception, willpower, and Mental Fortitude by 100. Bringing those to 656, 3100, 1132. His dragon flame got upgraded as well. Now the flames were hotter, lasted longer, and took less to use. He smiled as he closed his HUD and pulled the demon horn from a pouch and used Appraisal. The horn was a Lesser rage horn. A high level Smithing resource used to create Demon Weapons and armor. A skilled smith could turn the small amount of horn into a full set of plate armor or a 8 foot greatsword. I wonder if Tolic can use this? I'd need to rebreak it's will, but no biggee. He was looking at it as a shadow came over him.