The Missing Lancer

Lilo's jaw remained unhinged for a good portion of the remaining time at the table.

The rest of the cohort resumed to exchanging small talk as if nothing crazy was said earlier.

To them, this was already known fact and the uncomfortable truth had been with them for a decent amount of time by now.

Their cursed tech, was a vital tool out in the field but a lethal secret that could be the demise of more than one person.

Many people took on the responsibility to keep this a secret. To the spire, there was no need to hide it, but if ever a Timber were to discover it, it would be treason.

To the people of the spire, food was sacred. But to the people of the timbers, their cursed fruit was their main source of power; which is why they guarded it.

There really wasn't much of a need to keep it away from others because anyone who wasn't a native to the timbers that consumed the fruit was destined to turn into a craver and soon after into a glutton.

But now that Wonka had cracked to code to harnessing its power without the lethal side effects of consuming it... the options were limitless.

This was shocking news even to Soda. He had never seen such an invention or even an attempt of one in his spire.

Pepper explained that it isn't information that they flaunt to other spires. Anyone could betray their trust and it could be over.

Timbers send out an ambassador each year to visit the fiend's of each spire and word about such an incredible asset could travel rapidly if not kept a secret.

The fiends of this spire choose to allow Wonka to continue on his research and utilize his weapons because it proved to be such an undeniable boon in the field. 

His cohort of misfit shepherds that he assembled was the most valuable asset of a strike force that any spire had ever seen.

Wonka was the mastermind behind the tools they used but he was also a formidable leader.

He assembled the group with keen intention and wisdom that reminded Lilo of his ex wife.

She was very much into rpg games and he would often hear her ramble about whatever campaign she was on while he was training.

She mentioned parties and the formation of how one would build the best one to fit any type of problem they would face in a vast world of unknown danger.

The typical party within a role playing game would consist of: a tank, a healer, a controller, a DPS/Blaster, and a lancer.

Jawbi was obviously the tank. He was built like one but his cursed tool - Wonka called them relics - was also an ability suited for such a role. He would fight up close and take the brunt of the damage delt by the gluttons.

The DPS/Blaster of the group was the beautiful Miss Peppermint herself. With her icy weapon of chilling accurate destruction, she was second to none when it came to rangy attacks.

The controller was none other than the brilliant mastermind of Wonka. He would orchestrate each battle from within his glorious white van, making sure everyone was working in unison to tackle their threat efficiently.

Now, everyone was capable of minor healing. Cuts, burns, even broken bones to some extent could be mended with the lesser magics taught at the herders academy. It was a standard issued skill... so who was the healer of the group?

Lilo looked to Lemon, who was nonchalantly enjoying her meal while everything was being explained to Lilo by Wonka and the others.

He knew little to nothing about Lemon's usefulness on the field. She mostly kept to herself when he first met her and there were no outstanding qualities about her during the time he had spent with her so far...

Was she the lancer? With her interest in solving puzzles perhaps... No, she remained in the van when Lilo encountered her, a lancer would be out scouting and prowling when out on the field.

A smile perked up on her face when she noticed Lilo's pensive stare.

"Yes dumbass, I'm the healer." She said simply, with no explanation whatsoever.

Neither Wonka nor the others choose to explain either. Lilo suspected it had something to do with her relic, but he had yet to see it.

Now, all that was left was the lancer... was that a role that he would fill in the party?

He searched around the expressions of each of the cohort as they finished up their meals. They didn't seem to be interested in taking in any new members. They were being awfully nice to him but he doubted they wanted a wild card such as himself.

Well, everyone in this party was wild, but Lilo, as well as Soda, had many hidden skeletons in their closet that wasn't exactly suited for a happy go lucky party.

Another revealing thought occurred to Lilo. Wonka had formed this party before he had met Lilo... which meant he would not have left that spot empty, anticipating and waiting on Lilo.

There was definitely someone there before... Lilo thought deeper, determined to get more answers without asking any personal questions to the cohort.

He chewed in silence as he pondered who that person could've been.

Did they die a tragic death and Wonka never thought to replace them?

Lilo recalled that no other shepherds or herders had possession of the cursed tech that Wonka had produced... except...

Pop.

Jawbi had briefly mentioned that Pop had a rock candy relic that would allow him to manipulate explosions.

At the time Lilo didn't think much of it, thinking that it was the norm for someone to be in possession of a relic; and Pop had not used any magical abilities during their spar.

Lilo had nothing to be suspicious of upon their first encounter but now that he thought back to Pop's notorious reputation...

He was deemed the "most powerful" shepherd and yet, Lilo had found out that was merely a sarcastic nickname given to mock him.

He had the largest herd of cravers as far as Lilo knew. He also had an issue with pride, so much in fact that it lead to his demise of challenging Lilo to a spar simply based on the fact that Lilo was able to survive a night in the forbidden temple.

Pop may have been an arrogant and brash fool, but this cohorts hatred for him was deeper than that of simple teasing.

Jawbi's distain for him was evident when he made remarks during Lilo's first impression of him outside of their van as they drove by.

Too many clues lead to him... But, why would someone so seemingly useless be someone that Wonka invested in to become a part of his entrusted party of cursed tech equipped elite shepherds?