Tale of the Outcast Demon: Return to Term.

DAYS UNTIL WAVE; 16

Tyler opened his eyes to see Lily's sleeping face above his own. I fucking love this fierce wildcat. He looked to his left and saw Malico had rolled in her sleep to cuddle Lillia, and on his right, Kaori was holding onto Lucy's thick arm like a body pillow, leaving his arms free for once. He smiled as he wrapped Lily in his arms as she blinked awake.

"Good morning, my will-be lover. You CAN kiss me you know."

HE smiled, and did just that. Kissing the small girl on her soft lips as she sighed happily.

"Bout time."

HE carried her out, stealing a photo of Sallie, Sylvia, and Sera wrapped up in Juniper's soft fennec fur. Lily got the fire relit as he set bacon, Fell Falcon eggs, and various fruit out to cook in a pan and some pots. Lily happily humming as the pair worked before Tyler sat against the stump and she took her spot between his legs and sitting against him.

"Hey, Lily."

She looked up at him curiously, only for him to kiss her again.

"Morning. I love you too."

She shivered and rested her head against his chest.

"Bastard."

He rubbed her red hair as he opened the map up. He tapped Malico's village.

"We'll reach it by mid morning. Even AFTER me, Kaori, and Malico's hotspring romp."

Lily smiled as he stroked her hair like a cat.

"I'm looking forward to meeting this Myuki you've been gushing about."

"Think Sera and Sallie as a catgirl."

Lily gulped.

"Sounds like a scary kind of cute."

Tyler hugged her.

"And you just a fierce cutie!"

"Eep! Damn you!"

He laughed as he embarrassed her yet again. He looked at the map, and chuckled as he saw the countless newly dug holes from the dragons hunting their Fallen prey.

"The miners are going to LOVE the dragons for this one."

Lily nodded, before having a thought.

"Question."

"Oh shit here we go."

"No! WE get to say that to YOU!"

"What's the question?"

"In Term, since we have a few days to play with, will we be doing jobs?"

Tyler opened his mouth to answer, then became thoughtful.

"Ya know sumthin, Lily? Not sure, really. I kinda want to on one hand, but since the city will be crawling with the other Warriors, it might be more trouble then its worth."

"Wanna ask the others?"

"Yeah, cause if we just take a vacation at this stage, we risk losing our edge just before the big game."

She looked at the city anew.

"we'd have maybe three full days before the ball, and another three before the actual teleport. So, we have a lot of time to play with."

"Plus the extra week we have as well. We'll reach Term by noon if we hold our pace."

The elf nodded as Wulf came out with a topless Ashy, a smiling Kaori and Malico, and a yawning Lucy. Tyler set out coffee for the ladies as Wulf went about his morning rite and he kissed Kaori.

"Morning ladies."

They took their morning joe as Wulf finished his rite and joined them.

"How's it looking commander?"

Tyler crossed his arms.

"We've a party call to make."

Wulf became serious.

"On?"

"Whether to keep doing jobs until the wave actually STARTS, or call it as the city will be crawling with the other Warriors."

Wulf crossed his arms now as well.

"Plus, if we just rest the remaining time, we run the risk of losing our edge."

"My thoughts exactly."

Lucy frowned.

"Question, lad."

"Sure."

"These other Warriors, you don't think they'd REALLY be dumb enough to try and rob US do you?"

"Rob us on the street, follow us to steal our kill and gold, or just get in our way. Yeah, they're that kinda dumb."

Lucy sighed as she rubbed her blue eyes.

"I see your concern."

"Yeah. Same time, we're kinda caught between a rock and a hard place. Do jobs and risk idiots, or NOT do jobs and risk our edge."

Kaori had a thought.

"Well, to be fair, all you'd have to do is breathe your flames and most will just piss themselves."

"Yer right, Kaori. I guess it depends on just how in yo face we wanna be with our strength. Eh, fuck it. We'll do it."

They laughed as the rest of the party came out. Tyler looked at Malico and Kaori.

"Ladies, the bath is ready."

They picked RIGHT up on what he meant. The trio looked at Juniper, as the apprentice was still in fennec form as she played with Sera and the two spirits. She huffed as a deer appeared. Tyler and the two girls ran after the bounding deer with smiles on their lips as they reached the hotspring in ten minutes of hard running. They were naked another minute later and were leaping into the hot water as Tyler pinned Kaori in the groove he'd first told her he loved her and entered her slit.

"I love you, Kaori."

She smiled happily.

"I love you too, Tyler!"

The water splashed as he thrust into her as Malico suckled on Kaori's softball breasts.

"We love our favorite kittycat too!"

She purred as Kaori got her morning cream, and then Malico was in the groove for a ride with Kaori firmly attached to her double D breasts with Tyler on her other nipple. Malico got creamed, then Kaori was pinned between them, Malico filling her slit with her tail, as Tyler filled her rear with spear. The trio made the waters of the hotspring splash hard for an hour before they were finished, they dropped. Tyler settled into the groove and Kaori and Malico laid in his arms like they had that night the Monster had been released and the Demon spread its wings over them. Tyler kissing each girl in turn as they recovered from the sex. Kaori smiled as she looked at him.

"Three months ago, we were just friends looking to survive."

He kissed her now.

"And now we're lovers with our own mansion, the strength of ages, and Malico."

That made the busty cat purr as she got a kiss now. Then the blonde giggled.

"We should clean up before the others come searching!"

They laughed before giving their sex drenched bodies a deep clean. Tyler and Kaori giving Malico's long tail a most thorough clean as she moaned from their touch. Then they were running back to the camp. They found the party ready to depart and Lily on Tyler's horse as,

"Wanna look at the designs more."

He just laughed and swung up into the saddle. Their campsite had no trace of their presence, not even soot. Juniper was back in her bear form as Sera was patting her fluffy head.

"bye Juni! I'll see you soon!"

Tyler patted the brown bear as well.

"Same here Juniper. Take care."

She rumbled as Slyvien's voice was heard in a tree.

"Farewell, Tyler. I'll look forward to your next visit."

Tyler smiled.

"As will I Slyvien. Oh, and so will Kaori."

The forest laughed as they set out on the trail as Juniper roared farewell to her friends.

"Bye Juni! I'll miss you!"

"Bye sister! I'll tell the others you're doing okay!"

"Later Juniper! Slyvien! Watch out for idiots!"

Once the party were back on the flat road, they urged the horses into a gallop as they thundered towards Malico's village. Juniper dropped back down and curled up sadly in the spot Tyler had sat in as she breathed in the scent of her dear friend. Slyvien hugged her apprentice.

"He'll be back, Juniper. Just to lay with me again, but he'll come. Maybe next time, you can use THAT form on him!"

Tyler was smiling as they spotted the village on the outskirts of the Dark Forest. They having opted to NOT use the noble road as Tyler wanted to stop by where he and the two girls had killed the wyvern. The party slowed to a walk as they passed through the tailed village, most gaping in awe at the sight of the Outcast party. Tyler even spotted the cat lady that had given them the map before they'd gone into the forest.

"We found her!"

She smiled with relief.

"I see she's gone to the forest."

"She's the Lady's apprentice."

The village blinked, and Tyler laughed as they left them with that. The party thundered along the road passed the village, and tyler laughed as the walls of Dragul became visible.

"Brings back memories, eh kittycat?"

Malico laughed as they passed the gate on their way. From their spot, they could see Tyler's Warrior insignia painted on the now well maintained walls every fifty feet, and the tailed people getting searched per Tyler's own regulations before just getting waved along. No slavery, rape, or other horror in sight. Tyler blew a tall pillar of his blue flames in full view of the walls as they merged onto the road, getting near instant cheers from the walls. Tyler looked at Malico and Kaori.

"We need to get a look at that city after."

They nodded.

"I'd like to see how the Tail now lives."

"I jut wanna see what Kazuma's done with the place."

"Me? Eh, Wanna tell Valdic I told ya so."

They loved that as they rode along. Tyler smiling as they neared the spot.

"Heads up on the left."

Kaori and Malico were right there with him, and they stopped as the party were curious about the trio's first campsite together. Tyler then led them to the river and Wulf chuckled as he saw it.

"Even before I was guiding you to the best spots, you still knew a good one."

Tyler led the group up the hill, and smiled as they found the now bleached frame of their first true kill in Lectis. Tyler took the skull of the large creature and added it to the pouch as Wulf shook his head at the clear signs of Tyler's tests, as most of the ribs had cuts, the spine had been crushed, and the neck cracked.

"You were even teaching yourself how to be a ranger."

Tyler looked at him.

"I was?"

Wulf picked up a rib that had been clearly cut.

"Let me guess: you used Oblivion to test everything from the claws and teeth's potential killing power, to the scales weaknesses and how best to exploit them, right?"

"right."

Wulf smiled as he saw the pieces of rock he'd used for his sharpness tests.

"These are all facets of ranger training, only FAR more narrow and focused. We're taught to look for similarities between different creatures, like say this Wyvern and a bear. Say the fact their predators and hunters to both understand them better, and avoid them. Or how best to counter them if encountered. Form the mere leftovers of your tests, you were just looking for how to counter its strengths, as you had no need to really avoid them nor WOULD you."

Tyler chuckled as he looked at the frame.

"More or less. We'd been black balled by the king into going after a clan of wyverns at this point, and since I had one to work on, I wanted to learn everything I could to take them down."

Wulf shook his head.

"I remember the tale now. So, this was the first true kill you made in Lectis?"

"Yep."

They smiled before heading back to the horses as Malico's village was only a few more hours away. Tyler, Kaori and Malico were leading the pack as this was a sort of home coming for the cat and her friends. Tyler smiled as they rode over the same roads that had begun their journey. They rode at a full gallop as Kaori knew the road well enough to trust it. Tyler looked to the horizon and smiled.

"There's a sight I haven't missed."

Kaori looked as well, and saw the thin line of the Dragon tower still poking up from the ground.

"I guess that since the pope was killed, Ignatia decided against taking out the tower."

Tyler shrugged.

"Either that, or Tempesta talked him out of it. Or you know, the shit with the raiser threw that one onto the back burner."

Malico chuckled.

"Either way it don't really matter, as I see the gate!"

The party smiled as they saw the gate leading into Malico's village. The party slowed to a walk as they rode into the village and up to Malico's tavern. The other villagers were overjoyed to have their busty catgirl back, but let her greet her family first before mobbing her. Tyler and the party walked in, and the first thing they were greeted by was little Myuki in her waitress uniform waiting to greet them. Only, she squealed in joy as she saw who her guests were.

"Welc-EEEEE! Maly! Kaori! Big brother! You're back!"

Tyler swept the adorable kitten up into a warm hug as she purred.

"Hiya Myuki! Still cute as hell I see!"

"Eep!"

"See?"

She looked at him a little shocked.

"Wow, Big brother. You seem so…..different."

He snuggled her like a cat as he walked in with the rest of his party.

"Oh, I've gotten a bit stronger, Kitten. Just ask this sexy kittycat here."

Malico flicked him with her tail as the old catman Houndra came out.

"What's all the yelli-Malico! Kaori! Ty-wait, you're not Tyler."

The man in question burst out laughing as he set Myuki giggling onto his shoulder like a bird.

"Oh I'm Tyler, Houndra. Who else would be able to make this barbie smile?"

That got a smile indeed, and the elder cat just smiled.

"You've grown into a fine warrior lad. Most fine indeed. Is that mythril I see?"

"Oh I have quite a few tales for YOU catman! First a question."

The cat's eyes narrowed.

"That be?"

"The hells the ale?"

The feisty old cat burst out laughing as he waved them to a long table near the wall.

"Ya went and became a man!"

"Eh. Kinda."

Tyler and the laughing party sat down as Colken, Myuki's well mannered brother cat, got their orders as Sera gave Myuki her first hug death as Sallie and Sylvia pet her soft fur. Houndra sat next to Tyler as he handed him his different blades for inspection.

"My boy, you have the most scary kind of luck.'

"Lily, show em you Additite."

Houndra gasped in awe as Lily showed her shield, vest and sword.

"I've seen living Additite."

"Ashy there has a Rune Scimitar, and Lillia here's got an adamant shield."

The cat just looked at them.

"By the gods. Here I thought I knew what a priceless treasure was!"

"You do know Malico. So, priceless treasure enough."

The busty cat started purring as Houndra just looked at Kaori.

"What the hell happened to him? Last I saw him he was scared to just be NEAR you two beauties!"

Kaori smiled and kissed him. Houndra got it then.

"Ah. I see. He went and became a real man."

Tyler then leaned over the table to kiss Malico, then Vixen. Houndra just sighed.

"And now I hate you. Lucky bastard."

Tyler pulled his HUD up.

"Get a load o these!"

He showed the former adventurer his stats, titles and Bestiary. The cat went white.

"Lich's bane? Demon's bane? Dragon heart? 725 strength?!"

he looked at Tyler with awe.

"Boy, what the hells? Not even ole gru had numbers like these in his prime!"

Tyler chuckled now.

"Get this. We bought Spearview."

Houndra blinked.

"You did not."

Tyler pulled the key out, and Houndra smiled fondly.

"I'd know that anywhere. Brings back many memories let me tell you. Me, Erica, Gruven, Ishtar, Lyrica, Erica Von Lectis, Tolic, Burlock, and old Greg. We were a wild bunch in our day."

Tyler took the key back.

"Kaori here's the Fireball's daughter."

Houndra laughed.

"Ha! I knew it. Gal, ya got a fine mother."

"She was last seen headed in the direction of Vernillion. Two days ago."

Houndra's humor died.

"Oh dear. If Erica is headed this way, then she's heard ole Gru."

Tyler put an arm around Kaori.

"Yup. Looking forward to THAT death match. Since, I'll be meeting the love of me life's mother."

Houndra burst out laughing at that.

"Yer either insane, or have a death wish to just wait for THAT fireball to hit."

"He's both."

The party's nonchalant, matter-of-fact reply matter Houndra laugh again.

"So, any OTHER tales worth sharing?"

"Well, let's see. Oh, I taunted a dragon into suicide three days ago."

Houndra snorted.

"I saw that in the news. The hells be wrong with you?"

"A lot."

The old cat sighed as he looked to Kaori.

"So, Kaori. Did you find it?"

"I did."

The cat sighed.

"So, Tyler. Ya killed yer own father."

"To protect Kaori."

The party had been stunned, then they smiled at his response. Houndra looked at him.

"Lad. I feel I need to say this, but it's not healthy to put someone else so above everyone else like that."

"Houndra. If she dies, I'm going in after her. I will BURN this world to the ground to keep her safe. There is not a thing I will not do to accomplish this. If anyone in this room tired for her life, they die screaming. If she dies. I will NOT live without her."

HE was now using his iron voice, and demon's Glare as he looked a white faced Houndra in the eye. Kaori was smiling widely as the catman recovered from feeling the full force of his will.

"I see. My apologies, lad. I can see now you're the lifelong kind of lovers. And, I couldn't be happier."

"Oh. Coolio."

His switch from intense smolder to his usual cheery self gave the cat man whiplash. Tyler then looked outside.

"We gotta get moving Houndra. I want to have enough daylight when we hit Term to get the horses settled."

Myuki bawled.

"But ya just got here!"

Tyler picked the small kitten up and hugged her.

"Sorry Kitten. We got a mess to make in the wave. We'll pass through here again after it though."

She fixed him with huge yellow eyes.

"Promise?"

HE pinkie promised. She giggled.

"Kay! I'll let you leave then!"

He hugged her tightly as Sera sighed.

"Damn it! She's cuter an I am!"

They laughed as Myuki waved her tail at the princess.

"Of course I am, Sera! I'm a Kitten! Can you think of anything cuter?"

Sera thought this little bit of information over.

"Wow, Myuki. You're right. Eh, I'm still camp cutie. So ha."

"Wow, Sallie. I guess since you know how NOT to get arrogant, you're the new camp cutie. Sylvia's camp sweetie!"

Sera's blue eyes went wide.

"nononononono! I'm sorry!"

Tyler's brown eyes flashed now.

"Oh. Holy shit."

The camp sighed.

"Oh shit here we go."

"We have a cute off. Sera, Sallie, Lily, Myuki, and Sylvia. Winner gets called the camp cutie!"

The place burst out laughing as the girls all looked at each other.

"Challenge accepted."

"Teehee! That'll be fun!"

"Tch, he just wants to see us dress up."

"Can you blame him Sylvia? We cute!"

"Yay! I can show off for big brother!"

The party laughed as Tyler put ten gold coins in Houndra's hands.

"We found their troves."

The cat chuckled.

"Shiny stuff and dragonkin go hand in hand."

"Yer an idiot if ya fergit THAT basic tenet of adventurin!"

Houndra sighed.

"You sounded so much like ole Gru it's not even funny."

Tyler sighed as well.

"It's a shame that pope was such a bastard. But. HE's dead now."

"Aye. That he be."

The party mounted back up as Malico got a hug off her family. They rode off at a gallop as Houndra looked at his photo of his old party.

"Oh, Gru. If only you could see the man your son turned into here. He's even stronger then you were. Plus is just the darker one as well. Well, I played my part in this world. Now I get to sit back and watch THEM as they tear it to pieces."

Tyler and the others rode hard as the next spot was his and Kaori's first campsite in Lectis period. The party had an air of anticipation as they saw the lovers slow down.

"Up here on the right."

They followed tyler as he led the way now to the spot by the river. Wulf took one look and smiled.

"I know this spot. The SkyStream. This was your first campsite? Well chosen."

Tyler smiled.

"This was where I first learned Kaori has other skills besides horses, and where she killed her first man."

Tyler took his bow and Kaori hers as they showed them the battle.

"I had Protective Warning up that night. It only extended fifty meters at that point, and we were jumped by maybe twelve riders the morning after we camped here. I shot the leader's horse out from under him, and it took out three others as Kaori set two more ablaze with a flaming kiss. I fired three more shafts as she dropped two more. Then I took two and her two. Yeah, she made them mush with that speed of hers as I made the others into pieces. We spared the last survivor, well. SHE did. As my first instinct was to just kill him and be done with it."

The others chuckled as they saw the area and heard the tale. Tyler and Kaori kissed by the wide river.

"We'll sleep here after the wave."

She smiled as she hugged him.

"Of course we will."

The lovers mounted back up and continued their ride. Next stop: Term. Tyler sighed now.

"Grr faces on. Sera, Lillia, Lily, center of the pack. That city isn't a death trap now, more snake den."

Sera perked up as Lily was placed on her horse by Lucy.

"Can we see Daddy?"

"Ya know what? Fuck it. Let's ride up to the palace and make a scene!"

The party laughed hard as Tyler, Ashy and Kaori activated their Warrior's Insignia. Tyler's was still the black Wolf racing a long a field of bodies with a black Dragon flying overhead, Kaori's was still a rising sun over a field with sword blades for rays. Ashy's was a lone rider atop a ridge of dark grey. As Tyler was Party leader, his Insignia was set next to theirs, and emblazoned on the chests of the party, and even on the shields of the girls. Lily saw this and smiled.

"Tyler, I think I'll just PAINT the insignia on me shield."

"That works, Lily. Love you!"

She smiled as the walls were seen. Tyler chuckled.

"Now there's a sight I didn't miss. Give me Raylik's or Yalik's Walls any day."

The party chuckled as they slowed down to take the military section of the way in. Tyler drew a breath and breathed his blue flames in full view of the walls.

"Hey, Tyler. I see other Warriors."

HE breathed his flames again, and looked in the direction Kaori'd indicated.

"Wow. Hey, lily. Come join me horse."

The girl was passed like a package from horse to horse till she sat on Thunder in front of him.

"What's up?"

"See anyone you recognize?"

Now curious, the elf girl looked, and burst out laughing as she saw a group headed towards them.

"If it ain't Max, Zack and Justin!"

"I thought so. Well, we're in a hurry."

She just shrugged as the group of Warriors approached.

"Eh. They sucked anyway."

Tyler just grinned as Max, his old bully, confronted him. The 6 foot tall blonde boy was in light leather armor with a mere steel sword and shield over his back with a bow. Tyler just shook his head.

"Steel? Plain steel? That's the best ya could do in three months?"

The boy spit at him, only Tyler breathed a little of his fire and incinerated it. Max snorted.

"So, the rumors of you breathing fire are true you fuckin retard."

"Hey, Kaori."

They kissed most passionately and max had a look of sheer disbelief.

"Ah come on babe, don't be like that. Ya know you want me."

Tyler sighed.

"Dude. Wow. Just. Wow. No wonder everyone hates you. Then again, being merely a four inch man must just be miserable. How's it feel knowing a nail's the longer?"

Max swung his sword at Tyler for that, enraged as he was. Tyler had a bored expression as he grabbed the blade bare handed, and without a single sign of effort, snapped it like a twig. He gave the tip to Lily.

"So?"

She just laughed.

"This is still longer an him! Oh, and the quality is shit as well."

"Wow, that's Max in a nutshell. Shit weak, and worm dick."

Max was just gaping at his ruined sword. Tyler smiled as trumpets started to blow from the walls as a cry was taken up.

"Outcast! Outcast! Outcast!"

Max was made to bare witness to the gates opening up and a parade of royal knights in sparkling armor came out astride fully armored horses and stand to attention with ribbon-adorned lances. Max was shaken from his stupor then.

"Now that's more like it! A proper Warrior's welcome! Let's go everyone!"

Tyler snorted as his party rode into the center of the road now, and Max and his fellow Warriors were met with shields and spears.

"This be the Hero's Welcome for the Outcast and his party. NOT for you! You monsters will be permitted entry tomorrow morn. NO SOONER!"

Max and the others were about to rush the knights, when,

"WATERWALL!"

Tyler cast his defensive water spell. It rose up between the knights and max and the Warriors a good 55 feet, and stretched for a good 450 feet in both directions. Max snorted.

"That retards bluffing! Push through!"

Well. They tried. Tyler and his party, along with every single person in attendance were laughing so hard from the sight of Max and the others finding that Tyler's water wall was like a brick wall they could not even make budge. Tyler smiled then.

"WATERFALL"

The wall of water tipped over onto the Warriors, bringing them to the ground with a crushing force as the horses, and everyone NOT among the group were both unharmed and bone dry. Tyler winked at Kaori as he then cast a new spell.

"FRIGID BREATH!"

He breathed a cone of cold that again, didn't touch the horses or knights. Just Max and the drenched Warriors. They were instantly shivering from the subzero breath of wind that went through them.

"Thanks idiots. I've been looking for an excuse to try that one."

The walls burst out laughing as Tyler got his horse moving again. The trumpets were blaring as Tyler spotted another familiar shape.

"Hey, Sallie. I got an idea."

The green haired spirit looked in the direction indicated, and smiled as she saw Charlotte the coward standing in the dirt as no one would sell her a horse anymore. Her hair was matted and dirty, and her eyes ringed from tears and her new profession.

"Hiya spider. Got someone that wants a word with you."

She looked up at the imposing boy astride his black horse, and Sallie blinked into view just long enough for her to see her clearly before vanishing. She dropped as fresh tears fell. Tyler snorted.

"Sallie says she's looking forward to seeing you hurt like you did for her. And NO. I WON'T rescue you. Oh, and Sallie says MY adventure is better."

Tyler then looked towards his shoulder, and Charlotte could just faintly make out the outline of the small girl she had left to die.

"Last bit? She says you suck."

They moved on as Wulf came up next to him.

"I need to feel Sylvia's presence or I'm like to go berserk."

Tyler felt Sylvia hop from his horse to Wulf's, and the ranger sighed as Sylvia sat in front of him, since they both had Holy Sight, they could see and hear her clearly.

"It's okay, papa Wolf. I'm right here."

The ranger smiled.

"I feel better. Thank you Sylvia."

Tyler and the Outcasts walked along the aisle of lances and ribbons as roses started to fall from the walltops. Tyler smiled, and took in a deep breath.

"Ocean dragon roar!"

He breathed a towering streak of blue flame maybe a hundred feet high. The flames burned the flowers, and filled the area with the scent of roses, which made the people cheer all the harder. Tyler and Kaori kissed as the charred remains of the roses were seen falling around them.

"Best not to do that again, as it runs the risk of a fire."

Tyler sighed.

"Damn. Alright. Improvise it is!"

Wulf just shook his head.

"Show off."

Tyler and Kaori kissed again, getting a loud barrage of whistling approvals, when

"How DARE you, kaori? With HIM?"

The party looked to see Kaori's father approaching on his own horse. Tyler looked at Wulf,

"Hold it Wulf. If you're about to reach your limit give a heads up."

The ranger nodded.

"I will. And thank you."

Sylvia snorted.

"You lose it Wolfy, I'll give Tyler permission to start calling you that!"

Tyler laughed.

"Yikes. Stakes. Now I kinda wanna see him lose it."

"I STILL hate you."

Tyler looked back and kissed Kaori again as the blonde haired man reached them. HE was so enraged by the sight of his perfect daughter kissing a man so far beneath her he tried to back hand her. Only Kaori caught his wrist with two fingers as she got more into her kiss. Then she pulled back with a happy sigh.

"We'll get our OWN room tonight.

"Oh HELL yeah we will!"

Tyler just smiled at the now speechless man.

"What up Craig? Oh. Fuck you."

Kaori flicked her fingers, and nearly threw him off his horse as she smiled at her father.

"Nice to see your as useless as always Craig."

The man righted himself to roar at his daughter.

"DO NOT SPEAK TO YOUR FATHER LIKE THAT YOUNG LADY! OR I'LL-"

"You'll what? You can't even TOUCH me."

He drew his own weapon now, a katana like Kaori's, and swung at her. She didn't even bother to move as it broke of her hidden mythril vest with a sharp clack. Tyler caught the flying end as it went and passed it to Lily for expert analysis.

"Verdict?"

Lily snorted as she snapped it between her two fingers without effort.

"Piss poor construction. And REALLY shitty steel."

"Sounds right."

The man was gaping at the fact a steel katana had broken over his daughter's shoulder like glass. Tyler patted Kaori's back.

"See? I told you mythril was a great fashion choice."

"Speaking of fashion."

"Save it for the ball. Bigger umph effect."

"oh FINE. Fuckin greedy bastard."

They moved on as craig was left sitting on his horse as he pissed himself at the sight he had just seen. Tyler and Kaori were riding easily as Tyler had an idea.

"Oh, I got a goodie!"

The party rolled their eyes.

"Oh shit here we go."

He used another spell he wanted to use.

"Azur Wave!"

This spell conjured a series of icicles that would fly at a target and burst into more shards. However, Tyler cast it at the sky and when they burst, it created a rainbow as the ice melted before dropping back down to the ground. The onlookers were ohhhing, and awing at the sudden rainbow as Kaori had her own idea.

"On THAT day, you WILL use that right?"

He kissed her as they walked under the rainbow.

"I dunno."

She smiled.

"Good boy."

Ashy was loving her hero's welcome and rode up to be next to Wulf.

"Is this how it usually is for the Outcasts?"

The ranger chuckled.

"Not really. Tyler just loves to show off from time to time."

Ashy was laughing at that.

"Oh, THERE you are."

Tyler and the party stopped yet again as a man on a black horse pushed his way through the crowd. Tyler tilted his head.

"Who the fuck are you?"

Ashy sighed.

"That's my dad, Tyler."

"Ah. Well, we're busy- oh hello."

A mangy Husky came limping up beside the man's horse, and Ashy's next sound, was one of pain.

"Sasha! What happened to you?"

Tyler was off his horse and so was Ashy the very next instant. The dog whined as she tried to get to Ashy, only for the man to pull a spear and stab at the clearly suffering animal. Only.

"No."

Tyler had the metal spear haft in his fist as Ashy carried the whining girl over to the others.

"I'll cast my spells in a second Ashy."

"Please! Hurry!"

Tyler snapped the metal spear and pulled now screaming man from his horse. HE then dragged him to the back of the party, where there was a large pile of horse dung on the trail. Tyler smashed his face in the steaming pile and rubbed it in hard.

"You are going to DIE in the wave. So I will not kill you. As the monsters will enjoy it more."

Tyler then grabbed his leg.

"But you WILL fly!"

He heaved the man with all of his strength, and he did indeed fly. A grand total of four hundred feet before returning to the ground. Tyler dusted off his hands.

"wow. A record distance."

He walked back to where Ashy was nearly inconsolable at seeing her treasured husky in such a tortured condition. Tyler walked up to the poor girl and she whined.

"Easy girl. Prepare for a tickle. Natural Relief."

His spell flared to life as he poured all of his power behind it. The husky's numerous raging infections, old wounds, mange, lost fur, and weakness were healed as if it never happened. The beautiful girl went from mud covered to healthy shine and her teeth got a healthy white as well. Once the spell ended, Sasha licked his face as she happily panted.

"Aw come on now. Like I could let our newest Outcast down. Right?"

She barked as he shook her paw.

"I got rules ya know."

Bark.

"Smart girl. Think she could handle riding on horseback?"

Sera perked right up.

"Oh, oh me! Me! I love huskies!"

Sasha trotted over and hopped up onto the back of Sera's horse, who didn't even blink or bat an ear and got comfortably settled on her back. Sera petted the now soft fur of her new friend.

"Good girl!"

Tyler hugged Ashy.

"We got her back, Ashy. Like I promised we would."

She smiled happily.

"Thank you."

"Though, I think you just lost her to Sera."

That got a laugh.

"Sounds good to me. I'll handle her food."

"Sure. We'll stop by the general store and get her set up right. Like Wulf said, a good dog is nearly as valuable as a good horse."

Wulf smiled at his ploy and Ashy kissed him. They resumed their parade as Sera was heard happily petting her new fur friend.

"Sera, be careful. You fall off your horse, You lose her until you can prove to me you can ride again."

"Eep! I'll be careful kaori!"

They laughed fondly as Tyler patted Kaori's back.

"Nicely played."

The blonde smiled as the stopped in front of the wallgate as a man in brightly polished armor stepped forward.

"Lords and Ladies! His royal majesty King Ishtar is awaiting you in the Throne room with the Crown prince!"

"Good man. We'll stable our horses and be along sharpish."

"Here be a map, lord."

Tyler smiled as he took it.

"Thankee kindly."

The man banged a fist on his chest as a flat, nasally voice was heard.

"Oi, where ME welcome? I be the retarded fuck's mother!"

Wulf stiffened up like a dead bug as Tyler looked to see his family riding up just outside the double line of knights. His whale of a mother still in her wagon pulled by his step father. Tyler just burst out laughing.

"Hey, Wulf. I'm amazed the sky sharks haven't eaten the land whale yet!"

The ranger snorted inspite of himself.

"That thing'd poison them!"

Tyler laughed as his mother waved a hand.

"Poison touch."

Tyler tilted his head as a green stream came flying at him.

"That's a new one."

It hit him in face, and had utterly no effect. He blinked as the supposed to be toxin just faded as soon as it hit him. He looked to Malico, the party green path.

"What the hell? That water spell Coral hit me with back in Yalik had more effect."

Malico snorted.

"Poison touch is a mere novice spell. Since your magic is so high, plus your other defensive skills, it's like hitting you with mere water. Only without the wetness."

"really? Pff. Weak."

Tyler looked back at the now rattling wagon.

"was THAT your best shot?"

His whale of a sister cast her own spell.

"Wailing torment!"

Tyler's eyes hardened,

"Wulf. The decision has been made."

The spell hit Tyler and he just smiled.

"Fuck. OFF."

His willpower and mental fortitude shattered the spell outright.

"Outcasts. Banned spell in play, surround, disarm, and fuck you know the rest."

Tyler's party moved like lightning as the royal knights aided as well.

"Knights! Ten foot perimeter wall! And search the other Warriors as well!"

A man in blue armor came forward.

"Lord! I be captain Garriack! What we be looking for?"

"Banned spells. It seems a few were missed."

"At once Sirrah."

The horn was blown and the knights poured out of the city to now inspect the licenses of the gathered Warriors as Tyler and his party dragged the now struggling group from horse and wagon with a vicious hatred. Sasha was still too weak to really help, so she just growled from her spot on Sera's horse. Tyler's mother was yanked from her wagon by Lily, the elf girl showing a mere bored expression as she laid the mound of blubber on the ground as Tyler tore his step father next and threw into the dirt with Gleipnir on his neck as Wulf got his sister. Once the wailing idiots were planted on the ground, Tyler donned gloves and searched them himself as,

"You don't want to touch them."

the party were in whole hearted agreement as he tore their license rings from them. He flipped.

"Misery, Agony, wow a river, kinda wanna keep that as a memento of our first adventure. Mind, wow, we got a nice collection here."

He tossed then to Malico who stored them away as Garriack came forward.

"Report!"

Tyler nodded.

"Sir! The search is underway! We have thus far confiscated thirty six banned spells. What do we do with them?"

"Bring them to me, Captain. My party has the most experience in their destruction."

"At once Sir! Now, their fates."

"Has there been a decree?"

"I'm afraid there has been, Lord. His Majesty wants them to die in the wave. If they do not, He will differ to the Outcast's Punishment."

Tyler looked at Wulf.

"Your call, Wulf. Kill them now and be done with it, or let the foul creatures feel utterly worthless."

The ranger's grip on his sword was white.

"I want to kill them for what they did to Sylvia. I know you feel the same, and I am amazed you are as calm as you are."

"He's not, Wulf. Look at his hands."

The ranger did as Kaori asked, and saw the flesh outside his glove was bone white. Tyler was using all his willpower to force himself to let Wulf make the decision. Sylvia giggled then.

"Let ME talk to them!"

they looked at each other.

"That works."

"Yeah. Outcasts, they move an inch you failed."

The party laughed as the still ranting trio were restrained the tighter as Sylvia's former glowed and she stood there spinning prettily. There eyes went wide in horror at the sight of the giggling girl.

"How?"

"I KILLED you!"

"A ghost?"

Sylvia skipped over to Tyler and climbed up his sword and sat on his shoulder like a bird with a cute grunt of effort.

"Not as easy as in spirit form eh?"

She giggled.

"I guess I need to get stronger, daddy!"

"STILL not used to that one. But you cute so I'll let it go."

She giggled before looking at the proned trio.

"You are going to suffer most horrifically in the wave. Worse then you made me suffer. That said, I do not hate you miserable souls, as without you I would not have met Tyler and Kaori. You hate him so much because you wish to BE him. HE's strong, kind, fearless, and is not plagued by such insecurities as weight, height, length, intelligence, or worth. You tried to break him as you yourselves were broken, but you FAILED. He has become everything you WISH you were. And you will NEVER have what he has. And you know it. I will not kill you. And I'd like to ask that you, papa Wolf, and you Tyler, do not either. As they are set to suffer most terrifically."

Tyler and Wulf looked at each other again.

"I can do this."

"The Cute judgement has been rendered. They live. Well. For now."

Sylvia winked back into her spirit form as Tyler addressed the knights.

"Appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about her."

The knights banged fists on chests.

"Sir!"

Captain Garriack came up next with a small pouch.

"Sir! We've completed the search!"

"How bad Captain?"

"152 banned spells taken from 84 Warriors Sir!"

Tyler took the pouch and Malico hid it.

"Not as bad as I was expecting really. We're headed for the palace now. See if your knights can't make their lives miserable."

HE laughed jovially.

"That we enjoy doing."

"Good man!"

Tyler and the party mounted up and they rode through the gate as Wulf breathed a heavy sigh.

"I feel it too."

The ranger looked at him.

"I am not sure what to feel here. I want to kill them with all my heart, yet same time I don't want to disappoint Sylvia just the same."

Tyler sighed and looked at the elven spirit in front of him.

"I'm just putting my faith in Sylvia's words."

The ranger nodded.

"I'll do that as well."

The party rode through the streets of Term's western district as the road to the palace was clear. Tyler was smiling when he spotted a familiar elf girl in the crowd.

"Hol up a sec."

They stopped as he looked at the elf girl.

"Hey, miss, C'mere a sec."

The elf girl's eyes went wide as he climbed down from his horse as Kaori looked at a confused Wulf.

"That was her."

HE got it then. The elf girl came forward trembling and Tyler knelt as he placed a hand on her blonde hair.

"Holy relief."

She sighed with relief as her hurts, infections, and aches were healed. She hugged him as he hugged her.

"I know."

He chuckled.

"I've got a new project for Ishtar now. Right, Sera?"

The princess giggled.

"She's sooo cute! I'll kick Daddy's ass for ya!"

The elf girl gaped at her.

"Your highness!"

Sera frowned and got off her horse to nearly throttle the girl with hug death.

"No! Friend!"

The elf girl just laughed and hugged her back.

"Right. I'm Thorn. Nice to meet you, Sera."

"Hey, Thorn."

She looked up as Tyler placed 25 gold coins in her hands.

"Should hold you till Ishtar has a place ready."

The girl just looked at the gold, as the other members of the street gang of kids gathered around her. Tyler even spotted the head boy.

"Holy care."

His area of effect healing spell cured their aches, infections, pains, and left them smiling. The head boy just smiled.

"I guess your alright."

"Just barely."

Tyler patted Thorn's head as a few knights came over to the kids. They were ready to run, when,

"By order of his majesty King Ishtar, you are ALL to be placed within the palace as royal aids, runners, and children of the royal family."

Tyler chuckled.

"See? I'm good at this shit."

The former street kids were crying as they were given blankets, clothing and were put into a wagon to be transported to the palace to begin their lives as royals. Tyler just chuckled.

"Kazuma musta JUST come up with that one."

Kaori was in agreement.

"All he needed was a catalyst."

The party found the royal stables just beside the massive red stone construct. The elven ferrier was smiling as Tyler and then others settled their friends themselves.

"Nice to know the Outcasts know a good horse when they see one."

They replied en mass.

"Kaori knows best!"

The blonde smiled as Tyler gave the elf gold,

"I'd look after them well, as kaori's a fierce one."

The man got the hint and warning as Tyler led the party up the palace steps. Sera and Lillia beside him with the party still surrounding them as Tyler had seen way too many movies like this. They reached the twin metal, twenty five foot doors and he smiled as Sera and Lillia looked at him.

"Make a scene."

Tyler grasped the door handles and threw them open with a bang. The throne room was a long hall the length of four basketball courts, and just as wide as two. HE could see two levels of floors packed with now stunned nobles as Tyler spotted a pair of high backed chairs with two people sitting in them, with a smaller chair to the right of one. Sera and Lillia didn't move as Tyler and the party walked in with them in the center as trumpets began playing and an announcer was heard.

"Presenting his royal majesty King Ishtar Von Vernillion and his wife, Queen Erica Von Vernillion."

Tyler and his party did not let their guards down until Tyler had examined their eyes. HE saw Ishtar's grey eyes and knew it was him truly, he looked to the queen, who was a near mirror image of Vixen with a bigger bust, and found no doppelganger or deceit. Last he looked at the blonde boy in the chair. Then he snorted.

"Wow, must be serious if hey had to dig YOU up Kazuma."

The boy flipped him off.

"Fuck you, Tyler. You have any idea the work I had to do cause a you?"

"Yeeet, you STILL haven't worked on either that face or that personality."

The king and queen were laughing hard, and so was the other nobles as Kazuma sighed.

"I still hate you."

"Well, what else is new? Oh, Kaori's right here since ya know, you needed help the last time."

"I really hate you. Hi Kaori. I'm happy you're safe."

Tyler smiled as Kaori smiled, and they kissed right there in front of everyone, getting rousing cheers and applause before he looked back at Kazuma smirking.

"In. YO. FACE."

The room was losing it as Kazuma got up. Walked over. And slugged Tyler in the teeth.

"I am going to KILL you on reflex one of these days!"

"Not with a feather punch like that you won't."

Kazuma was still a blonde haired boy version of Kaori. HE was clad in glittering armor of gold and blued steel, with a long sword on his hip and a great shield on his back. Tyler tilted his head as he saws his equipment.

"A great Shielder? Interesting choice."

It was Kazuma's turn to smirk.

"They're enchanted. Wanna see?"

Tyler smiled now.

"I do believe you just challenged me. Am I mistaken?"

Kazuma's smile didn't waver.

"I am challenging you to a Warrior's duel on the grounds of I want to SEE if you can truly protect my sister with my own eyes."

"Oh. If ya wanted me to kick yer ass ya shoulda just said so. Outcasts, guards up as well. Ashy, Kaori, ya know the trope."

The party nodded and Sera, Lillia, and Lily were placed in full sight of Tyler as they took up lookout spots with a clean sightline. Kazuma took his 5 foot great shield off his back and drew his sword.

"No skills. No spells."

"Sure. I'll draw on the fly."

Kazuma took a stance with the shield raised and the sword pointed at him level. Lily saw his posture and snorted.

"Rookie."

"Right?"

Tyler was smiling as Ishtar snapped his fingers and Kazuma charged to swing his sword. Tyler was still smiling as he side stepped to the side, and kicked Kazuma's foot as he winked at the leering queen as he drew oblivion in the same movement and had Kazuma pinned backward on his knee joints with the mythril blade on his throat.

"Wanna add your skills next? I still won't use mine."

The blonde boy was released with a spin and he took another stance, knees bent, shield slightly to the side with the sword ready to thrust. Lily was heard laughing.

"Who the hell taught that guy shielding? He sucks!"

Kazuma looked at the small elf girl.

"I was taught by the best in the kingdom. I see you use the shield as well."

"Hey, Kazuma. I'll let Lily take this one."

The elf girl smiled and walked out with her Additite shield and sword. Kazuma's blue eyes went wide.

"You have a child fighting for you?"

"Dude, shove it. Lily's the fiercest on the damn team. Watch. I bet you 500 gold she hands your ass to you well fucked."

That irked him.

"Whatever. I'll fight the miss."

"And a word of warning. Lily, if you sense he's going easy on you, you have my nod to draw blood. How much is up to you."

She smiled now.

"Now it be fun."

Tyler smiled as Kazuma just sighed and readied to fight. Tyler pulled a dagger and flipped it into the air. Once it stuck in the stone floor, the fight was on, and Lily did not move as Kazuma flicked her shield with his own, and Tyler saw Lily frown.

"idiot."

The ferocious elven girl made as if to make a lunge, and Kazuma didn't move, only to move her shield and stab with her short sword. The weapon punching straight through his shield and his armor and out the other side like it wasn't even there. She removed her sword as Kazuma dropped to his knees bleeding from a mortal wound.

"Holy relief."

Tyler cast his spell and Kazuma was healed as Lily brought her HUD up and passed it for review. Now recovered, Kazuma's eyes went wide with shock at the creatures on her list.

"She's killed giants?"

"Lily there can kill a 25 foot tall hill giant single handedly with that gear she'd got. So can Sera and Lillia. Sera has killed a minotaur balor. Lillia a Grand Lich. I myself a Lich King. Kazuma. We fight Drakolisks for fun. Demons for amusement. And hang with dragons on the regular. If you want to survive long enough to able to stand next to Lillia, then you need to man the fuck up."

The blonde boy got to his feet and looked at his ruined gear.

"Oh. And ya might wanna get some decent gear. Golden Steel's more showy then anything."

The boy looked at him.

"And your gear is?"

"Me? Mythril weapons and a vest. Lily? Additite shield, sword, and vest with a mythril sword as back up with a high dragon scale bow with greaves and bracers. Kaori has her dragon scale katana, mythril vest, and that wakizashi."

"It's mythril; too, love."

"Nifty. Sera's packing dragon scale and balor horn sword, greaves, bracers, vest, and her bow is a silver. Lillia has the same loadout except an adamant shield. Oh, and Lily's greaves and bracers are balor horn infused as well. And before you ask, THEY broke their wills. Not me. ALL my party are either packing Dragon scale, mythril, Pure Magicite, or better equipment. Sera, Lillia and Lily can fight off Mind Subjugation necklaces in thirty seconds. Lily for kill a Demon of willpower in five minutes."

Kazuma just shook his head at the names and materials.

"Oh, and ashy has a rune scimitar."

She smiled as Kazuma just looked at Tyler.

"Okay, Tyler. You've made your point."

"Have I?"

The blonde boy glared at him now.

"I need to get stronger."

"Annnd HOW are you going to get stronger?"

The question made him blink.

"I have a city to tend to."

"Wrong. YOU have the WAVES to tend to. Ishtar can find someone just as good while YOU fight the monsters the rest of the world just can't."

He sighed and rubbed his temples.

"I know I'm wasting my breath. But I have responsibilities, Tyler. Unlike you, I can't just turn my back on the people."

"Well. Ask yourself this. Just how much good can you do cooped up in a single city?"

"What do you mean?"

"C'mere a sec. I'll show you somethin."

Tyler pulled his map out and showed the filled in area to Kazuma.

"Holy."

"Yeah we been busy. Okay, here. I saved Malico's tail. Best days work let me tell you. Next, Dragul, I started an uprising there for the tailed people."

"I heard. Yet I was wondering why you didn't help them fight."

"Had a prior commitment. Plus, if the ones who were ACTUALLY oppressed fought back and WON that fight, they'd go just that much farther to hold onto the freedom they spilled their own blood to get. Follow?"

HE just shook his head.

"I do. And it's a little terrifying just how far you thought that out."

"It's how we've survived. Next we went here and fought off Valdic's soldiers as they raided this village looking for new toys. Ishtar had black balled us into killing a wyvern clan, and it turned out the town militia were called wyverns. You do the math."

Ishtar blinked.

"so THAT'S why you didn't do it. And explains just how vague Valdic was when he asked for help."

Tyler then traced a finger along the king's road.

"On the trail we hunt bandits for fun and practice. In the Dark forest, we found a banned spell, and Wulf asked me to explain to the elven Queen the situation. Thus our turn northeast. On the trail we baited every bandit we came across."

"I see. I did as well. Any prisoners?"

"No prisoners are taken. One survivor I interrogate for the camp location and we kill it to the last man. If they have a bounty we collect it. I've gotten quite a few.

Ishtar spoke up now,

"Any of note?"

"The elf rapist, the Torturer, the Black, the kidnapper, and a whole bunch more I have forgotten."

Kazuma picked up on something.

"You said interrogate."

"I can break man's spirit easily enough. Plus, I do the dark work those of honor just can't."

Kaori sighed.

"He means torture Kaz. And he's scary good at it too. Longest interrogation was five minutes. Flat."

He looked at Tyler.

"You use Torture?"

"Yup. You wanna survive on the road? Better be prepared to get your hands dirty."

Kazuma had an angry look in his eyes now.

"Is there no limit to how far you will go?"

"No. There is NOT. I will do whatever I have to to keep Kaori alive and safe. If ANYONE in this room were to draw a blade against her they die screaming."

He'd switched to his demon's gaze and steel voice as he hit Kazuma with the full force of his will. The boy just went white.

"When did you get a spine?"

"When it comes to HER, it was always there, Kazuma. You just never bothered to see it. But, not the lesson right now. Back to the map."

That got a blink, but he looked anyway.

"So you torture bandits."

"Bait but whatever. Now, we ran into Sera and Lillia here and rescued them from their rigged transport. Much as I didn't want to, we brought them with us. Happy Kaori talked me into it now, but not the point."

"Love you!"

"Love you too sis! Next we started teaching them just how to survive in the wilds as we do. Was fun."

"He's mean!"

"Asshole."

"See? In my camp you pull your weight. No work, no food. Don't like it? Doors that way. We brought them to Raylik, where I promptly tore the king a new asshole for the mess of the capital at the hands of the Pope."

Ishtar burst out laughing.

"Truth be told I needed that kick in the ass!"

"Worked like a charm. Now, in Raylik we discovered the banned spells were being sold in rigged books and staves. So I devised a plan to search the entire town, and set in the now common place methods for searching for them. We got a letter from Lymir in Yalik at this point, but were already on our way to visit the queen of the elves. So, after Raylik, more bandit baiting. We rescued Lily there from slavery in a bandit camp after Max, Justin and Zack kidnapped, raped her repeatedly, and sold her to the camp."

"Jesus Christ guys."

"Gets worse. In Raylik we came across Charlotte and since we were headed in the same direction we welcome her to travel with us. Yeah. We came to regret that kindness as she screwed Sera and Lillia out of a stone giant kill they had dead to rights. So, I kicked her out. Sallie. Say hi."

She blinked for the now startled boy. Tyler sighed.

"You remember Goblin Slayer?"

Kazuma blinked now himself.

"You mean?"

"Charlotte bummed a night off Sallie's family. Then the next morning as she was saddling her horse a group of TEN goblins raided their camp. Charlotte watched them play with Sallie in full view of her before running and leaving her to her pain."

"Oh for fucks sake Spider."

"Yeah, I hate her too. Not the lesson again. Next thing, as we'd gotten attacked by a raiding party of fifty goblins and two stone giants, me and Wulf discovered a goblin army on the march to TopLeaf. The closest elven city. So, we rode to warn the city and I myself led the defense. I got the title to prove it."

"Peerless tactician? Awarded for leading a large scale battle to victory without LOSING A SINGLE MAN? TWICE?!"

"Okay, Kazuma. I did all that in a mere what? 5 weeks?"

Wulf did some math.

"That sounds right."

Tyler smiled now.

"I cleaned the Elven capital of slavery, a corrupt council, freed a trapped dragon, released Tatiana from her gilded cage, and helped Willow set up her new Queendom in a mere day. The very next I flew into battle astride Tempesta as Raylik had sent for aid in a battle against a merc army. In three months alone, Kazuma, I have done more good for more people with twelve in my party then entire legions of knights. You're telling me, that with all the Warrior's strength at your fingertips, the most good you can do for the realm is aid a single city?"

Kazuma just looked at him, then back to the map.

"You've done all that? In just three months?"

"Yup."

"Jesus. So, what? I just up and break my word to the people I promised to protect?"

"Dude. You're protecting them from horrors the likes of which they can only shudder at. What's the better form of protection? Sitting behind walls fighting pickpockets and angry bankers? Or taking out the local goblin population?"

Kazuma sighed.

"When placed in that light, you make a helluva point. Most of the problems in the city can be solved with mere coin."

"How much?"

Kazuma thought for a moment.

"Right now? I'd need, maybe 2500 coins to settle the last few issues-"

"That's it? I got you fam."

Tyler pulled a pouch with 3000 gold and tossed it to a stunned Kazuma.

"There. Money trouble solved."

"Did. Did you just ruin your party's coin?"

"Dude. We got a mansion in Raylik. Place named Spearview. Annd, it's paid to the next year. We're set on coin."

HE saw The queen's eyes flash at the name, and he winked at her again and she just shook her head.

"Okay. Dragul's set. And I need to get out more."

"Okay, Kazuma. I am going to make you an offer here."

The blonde boy looked at him.

"What kind of offer?"

"I will let you join my party. As you're Kaori's brother, and were never a dick to me. Plus, well, we got Lillia."

The princess smiled at that. Kazuma looked at Tyler.

"You're the party leader, right?"

"Yup. I have three rules you WILL follow."

"They are?"

"One. As the strongest person on the team I hold the coin. 2: No work no food. In my camp you pull your weight. Three. In a town or city we all share a room to save coin. Should a bedding take place we get a separate room. The unspoken rules are simpler."

"They are?"

"Follow my orders, keep our secrets, don't get on a high horse and we sometimes do dark work."

Kazuma blinked.

"And if a rule is broken?"

"If you learn a party secret, death. Okay? We have dealings with things that just cannot be left outside my gaze. Somethings we have done are under a Dragon's oath of secrecy. As such, the risk is just too great."

Kazuma sighed again, as Ishtar and his queen nodded.

"A hard lad and no mistake."

"Aye Love. HE does not mince his words, and he holds his oaths like that love of his."

Kazuma thought it over, before holding out his hand.

"It'll take some getting used to, watching you do your thing and all. But I agree to your rules."

Tyler clasped his arm.

"Welcome to hell!"

Kaori chuckled.

"Great. Babysitting."

Kazuma looked at her.

"Love you too sis."

"Yeah yeah."

Kazuma looked at Tyler.

"Next move?"

Tyler smirked as he flicked the crown off his brow.

"We get YOU properly kitted out. Leave the princely bullshit at the door. We got the mats to hook you up, oh. We'll need to visit Lyrica's shop, we need an extra whistle, arrow necklace, and maybe a defense spell for Sasha. Ashy."

"Got it."

Tyler looked at the blonde boy's weapons.

"Be honest. Why did you choose to be a great shielder?"

He rubbed is head ruefully.

"I liked how the shield looked. I'm better with a spear and shield though."

"Ya don't say. What's yer path?"

"Red/white."

Tyler blinked.

"Really? You're part white?"

"Um. Yeah. Your path?"

"White/blue."

Kazuma blinked now himself.

"Wow. Scary."

"What's your strongest white spell?"

"Umm, holy Relief. Not as potent as yours, but it can heal a gash two feet long and six inches deep."

"Not bad. Least your path don't really need work. You just need a bigger bag of tricks. Right, we'll finish our scene here, while you go ditch the glittering coffin. See our outfits?"

Kazuma did.

"Ah. Mobility and utility over style. You always did prefer use of looking good."

"Well, Kaori looks good regardless. Plus should see her style. Top notch."

That got him a kiss as the other men in the room applauded as Ishtar's queen looked at him.

"The hells can't YOU be eloquent like that?"

Tyler chuckled as he looked at the prince.

"We'll get you gear, then we're headed for the guild. I want to get at least five jobs done today. Ya got a horse right?"

Kazuma sighed.

"I do. But I'd need to prepare for a hard trip."

"No you don't. We got the pouches to hold all the gear ya need. We'll do the rounds after I get a look at this queen I be hearing so much about."

Kazuma just looked at him as Tyler walked to stand before the royal couple as Kaori chuckled.

"Hey. Kaz."

The boy looked at his sister, only for his blue eyes to go as wide as they could as Kaori stole a full makeout session from a most eager Malico. Ashy just laughed at the mind blown expression of Kazuma's face.

"I had the same reaction. And you DID live this world wrong."

Tyler walked up and looked the queen over in a not hidden at all manner. She was tall, pale skinned, with dark blue eyes and deep red hair like maroon. Her bust was massive and in age appeared to be just older then Vixen. She was garbed in a black robe with a white fur lining that left her shoulders exposed. Tyler chuckled.

"Not bad for a pale beauty. Vixen's got the better everything though. Still, decent MILF."

Ishtar lost it laughing as the queen smiled now.

"I see the tales of your lady killing be truth."

"How's Lymir?"

She got a most….knowing look on her face.

"You know quite well. She's fine by the way."

"I'm sensing a most entertaining pile opportunity here."

The queen just started laughing as Wulf walked up to Kazuma.

"I am so happy he's got another to bully."

The blonde boy sighed.

"You too huh?"

"I hate that guy."

"We both do."

Tyler tilted his head now.

"Your name's Erica, right?"

She smiled now.

"Indeed it be lad. Spearview, eh?"

"Oh it's got a Spearview alright. Nice place too."

The queen was laughing as Kaori walked up. The queen took one look and smiled.

"I see Erica's daughter has come to Lectis."

"Yay ME."

She kissed him as Queen Erica smiled.

"And so has Gruven's son. Well. His true son."

"There goes the realm. Oh. And the good lookin ladies."

Ishtar sighed in defeat.

"I lose."

"Every time."

Queen Erica smiled hard.

"Oh. NOW I'm interested. But work before pleasure."

"Oh. Nearly forgot. Girls. Bragging time!"

Sera and Lillia came up and hugged their mother as she had small tears in her eyes.

"Lillia, I'm sorry."

Her daughter smiled.

"It's okay, Mother. I watched that bastard scream and helped wield the knife myself."

She got a proud smile.

"I'm proud of you, Lillia. It seems you found a most wonderful teacher."

"No Mother. He's just an ass."

"Still mean."

"See, Kazuma. Leave the princess bullshit at the door. Oh, right you a prince. Eh. Same thing for you."

"Fuck you, man."

"Not into dudes. Should talk to Wulf though. Number of times he's threw that card at me makes me think he's got a confession."

Both guys walked over and in perfect sync, slugged him in the teeth.

"I HATE you, you sonuvabitch."

"Wow. Even SPEAKING in unison? Nice chemistry there."

The two men were on the verge of exploding from their rage at this most infuriating of people, as Kaori laughed.

"Now he's got TWO to bully!"

"Right? Gonna be fun since we all know Kazuma's too prudish to really have in the tent. Enjoy the hand!"

Kazuma slugged him again as the room lost it, and Wulf patted his back in defeat.

"Say goodbye to your hard earned reputation, Kazuma. Say goodbye to respect, and hello to indignation."

Lily walked up and patted her uncle reassuringly.

"I'm sorry no one really respected you to begin with, uncle Wolf."

"Thanks, Lily. Least we have you to tell us how it is."

Kazuma got a similar pat from Kaori.

"See bro? no one really respects you. So, just enjoy it."

The boy just sighed in defeat.

"Great. I get to be bullied by my sister and her lover."

Lily chuckled.

"Me too, blondie. You suck at the shield."

Tyler jabbed a thumb at Lily.

"Seriously, dude. Lily's the fiercest girl I've ever met. You piss her off, you either get the boot or the hammer. My advice? The hammer hurts less."

Lily flipped her said hammer.

"Momma don't take no shit. I take even less!"

"Atta girl!"

Kazuma was now more an a little intimidated by Lily's fiery display.

"Um. Okay, Tyler. You have a scary party."

"You don't know the half of it. Oh, where me pretty wraith at? Serafina!"

The hooded and cloaked shy lady came forward.

"Yes?"

Tyler patted her back.

"Make your return home, girl. Oh, and show Kazuma those good looks. Gods knows he's…..ya know? Much as I wanna crack that joke, Erica's looking at me."

The queen burst out laughing.

"Smart boy."

Serafina lowered her hood and Kazuma gasped.

"A vampire?"

"No sir. I'm a Wraith. Half vampire. Half human."

Tyler chuckled.

"She's our assassin. Even if I out wraith her."

She glared at him with angry purple eyes.

"You bastard. You nearly made my heart restart!"

Tyler patted her affectionately as he waved to Thistle next.

"That feral beauty over there's Thistle. She's our blood elf, and blood dancer. She loves that big axe of hers, and can USE it, too."

Kazuma blinked at the blood red skinned lady.

"Um, pleasure miss."

"How precious, Tyler. He's a still a mere boy. He'll do though."

Tyler then gestured to the hulking Lucy.

"The amazon there is Lucy of the Bear Barbarian tribe. Her weapons be a Despair sword I broke for her and that axe. Don't make her mad."

Lucy laughed heartedly as she thumped Kazuma on the back, as the boy had to tilt his head back to look her in the eye.

"Well, we got a wee one here an no mistake. Well, ya'll do."

Kazuma outright gulped.

"Nice to meet you Miss."

"Lucy."

"Lucy."

Tyler walked over to where Vixen was standing stole a kiss off her lips as he introduced her.

"This here fox be Vixen. Our black mage. Oh, and Kazuma? She's MY fox."

That got a round of bawdy laughter from the men as Kazuma looked at Kaori.

"Umm, HUH?"

She walked right over to Vixen and kissed her now too.

"OUR Fox, Tyler. OUR."

"That's it. We need to have a pile sometime."

Kazuma just looked at Wulf. The ranger shrugged.

"No. You cannot win."

Tyler smiled as he then walked over to Malico and started petting her ears, making her purr.

"This is our kittycat, Malico. OUR Kittycat. She can hit you with her daggers 10 times in 5 seconds. And hands off the tail. That's MY tail!"

Malico just smiled as she kissed him.

"My tail IS your tail!"

"And a mighty fine one it be!"

Kazuma now just shook his head.

"I played this world so wrong."

"Ya did."

Tyler then walked over to Lily and patted her.

"Lily's our camp smith. She's still learning her craft, but is pretty decent right now. Plus, well. Her and Kaori are locked in a most bitter rivalry."

Lily smiled.

"I'm winning my war, Kaori. He WILL be mine when the time comes."

"And that's the horn. Retreat."

The room was laughing as he next patted Sera.

"This is sera. Camp cutie. And the best shot on the team. No, seriously, she is. I've seen the girl hit a running dire wolf at 50 yards in the eye first shaft. Plus a running hare in the eye at 60."

Next he placed a hand on Lillia's shoulder.

"You know Lillia. She's a shielder in training like Lily is. Is nearly as good as sera is with a bow, and is just fun. Her, Sera, and Lily are still being taught adventuring by me and the team. YOU will join these lessons as well. For as far as our levels go, Kazuma, you're at…just under Lily's level of combat ability. And that's JUST because of your Warrior boosted stats. Without it, you'd be at...hmm. Ishtar when I tore him a new one."

The king snorted.

"I'm not as weak as you might think, lad."

"Compared to US you are."

Kazuma blinked.

"Okay, so back to training then."

"I'll start you off at the basics as you need to rework your entire battle strategy. I'll get a better idea of just WHERE you are on our raids."

Tyler next walked to Wulf.

"This is Wulf Farsight. He's our elven Ranger. Guy knows more about this land an I give him credit for. Is an elf with a bow, but Sera's got him beat by 5 yards. It's actually turned into a bit of a competition for them."

Wulf chuckled as he looked at sera.

"So, it just became official, Sera."

The princess giggled.

"I'll win!"

Tyler then walked over to Ashy.

"This here is Ashy. She's our other outdoor expert next to Kaori. Her and Kaori handle everything from teaching how to clean different animals and horse care, to just the outdoors as well. Them, plus Wulf and his ranger thing plus my defensive spells make our camp the safest place out there. We got two more for you to meet, but not until the spells are in place."

The party smiled at that. Kazuma just looked at the party.

"I am amazed you put together such a powerful party in such a short time."

"We're all outcasts from somewhere. It helps."

Tyler looked out a window.

"Okay, we got most of the day left to play with. We got two rookies to kit out, one that needs a full resupply as well. Ishtar, Erica, anything of note to be aware of?"

The king and queen looked at each other.

"Not at present, Tyler. The other Warriors aren't allowed into the city until tomorrow at the earliest."

"Sweet. Sera, Lillia. We got work to do."

The girls hugged their mother tightly as she looked at Tyler.

"When the other Warriors enter the city?"

"Sera, Lillia, and Lily do NOT go ANYWHERE without five of us present. NO one goes anywhere alone in this city once the gates open."

She sighed with relief.

"I just needed to hear the words."

Kazuma went to his chambers to change out of his gear and into more road friendly attire as Tyler looked through their materials. Sera happily sitting with her mother as Lillia told some of their tales from the trail. Kaori came over and leaned on the wall.

"Well. We're stuck with him."

HE smiled.

"Sadly."

She chuckled.

"well. At least we got him."

"For SOME freakin reason. Once he learns the right way to shield, we'll have a decent shield wall in him, Lily and Lillia."

Kaori smiled at that.

"There's the real reason you let him join."

"well yeah. That and to make him man the fuck up for Lillia's sake."

They watched as Vixen approached the queen.

"Milady. It is a pleasure to Meet mother's sister."

Erica smiled kindly.

"It is good to meet Vulpine's Daughter, Vixen. I heard of what happened. All I'll ask is, was it slow?"

Vixen smiled darkly.

"I used HER spell on him."

Erica hugged the mage.

"That's my niece!"

Vixen looked at a stunned Sera.

"We're cousins?"

Vixen hugged her now too.

"Yup."

Sera giggled.

"I got a hot fox for a cousin! Yay!"

Erica looked right at Tyler now.

"Boy."

Tyler shrugged.

"She's MY sister too, ya know. Whaddya expect?"

Erica looked at Lillia now.

"How bad is it?"

Lillia opened her mouth.

"I'm a royal fuckin badass! Just ask that pissant!"

Tyler burst out laughing as Lillia just closed her while sera giggled.

"Atta girl!"

Erica looked at Tyler now.

"What the hells did you teach my angel?"

Sera smiled darkly now herself.

"HE taught me how to be a Demon!"

Tyler just clapped.

"Damn Sera. You intense. But you cute so c'mere."

she came over and he hugged her tightly. Erica had a bemused expression as she looked at Ishtar.

"I think he's a bad influence on her."

Ishtar sighed.

"He is the WORST influence on her Love. But, she's turning into the best."

"Damn straight."

"Yeah. Bout time daddy got it."

Kazuma came back then, and he'd swapped his glitter Golden Steel for tight leather pants and a light tunic of dull brown and boots. Tyler nodded approvingly.

"Nice to see you nearly getting there. Alright, we'll go see Burlock next."

Ishtar smiled widely.

"A fine smith."

"I wish we were in Raylik though. Can't beat Tolic at the smithy."

Ishtar laughed.

"Wanna hear the truth of it?"

"Oh shit here we go."

"Jackass. Burlock taught Tolic HOW to work metal!"

"Bull-fucking-shit."

"I'm serious! Burlock's half Dwarf, half elf!"

Wulf, Thistle, and Lily just looked at each other.

"What."

"The."

"Hell?"

The party burst out laughing as Tyler just shrugged.

"Eh. I'm met a half mermaid half succubus. What's next?"

Erica smiled now.

"Sylica?"

"Uh-huh."

"She runs a clothing shop, right?"

"Yup."

Erica smiled knowingly.

"So. What'd you do?"

"Wait for the ball."

Kaori had a perfect poker face, but the ladies in attendance understood exactly what that said. Tyler nudged Kazuma.

"I still got it. But let's go. We got a lotta work to do."

The party left the throne room and as the doors shut with a bang, Erica looked at her husband.

"That boy IS old Gruven! They're so much alike it's terrifying!"

Ishtar laughed.

"With one major difference Love."

She narrowed her blue eyes.

"That being?"

Ishtar looked out the window to the Dragon Tower.

"Tyler follows no orders but his own, AND that beauty. We will never control him, and he will most likely lay down those blades just long enough for his kids to get big enough to travel and he'll pick em back up again and go out once more. He may love Kaori. But he lives for the road."