The Demon's Princess: Lesser Ow but yeah.

LESS OW, BUT STILL PLENTY OF OW.

DAY 19.

THURSDAY.

GOLD: 10,193

Tyler woke to the feeling of an incredibly warm and tiny girl curled into a ball in his body curve. Opening his eyes he was faced with Shiro asleep beside him in the bedroll. Her long silver hair covering her like a blanket and her hand firmly clutching his own like a child and her plushie. Tyler smiled as he stroked her soft silver hair and she woke with a yawn.

"Morning!"

"Morning Plushie."

"Hey."

He chuckled at her visible irritation and hugged her tighter before they rose. Shiro had a happy smile as they walked out.....only for Tyler to groan as he saw the IMMENSELY thick and dense fog covering the area.

"ooooh PERFECT."

The fog was so thick he couldn't even see the next tent from his own....which HAPPENED to be Akeno's. Shiro sighed as the fog added a muggy, humid feel to her hair.

"My HAIR."

"LAdy, we're close to 6,000 feet off the ground with a CLIFF just outside our camp. This is just ASKING for soem idiot to fall."

"Bully."

He patted her and she blushed.

"Meanie."

"Ha."

Strand appeared from the fog with an irritated expression.

"The leaders have found the Table."

"Ha. Let's not get lost."

The elf guided him through the thick fog as Shiro was left at his tent for safety. Tyler whistled as the swirling mists made it so he couldn't even see Strand nearly RIGHT beside him!

"Okay we are not going ANYWHERE today, Strand."

"No we are NOT, Tyler. These fogs up here are impenetrable. And people get HOPELESSLY lost in them daily."

"Aside from the fact they fall off cliffs."

"That too."

They found the Table at the center of the camp and Asuna had a look of frustration on her face as Tyler appeared.

"I couldn't tell who that was at ten paces. we're stuck here for the day."

He nodded.

"Juvia's a mist mistress. She do anything?"

Mina's voice was heard across the table.

"She tried and was able to make a hole 5 feet wide around her. Sad to say she'd our camp guide at the moment."

"Let's have no one get lost in our damn camp. be pretyy funny if ya did. Strand, anything live in these fogs?"

She nodded.

"A fair few creatures indeed."

"Can you guide parties into the forest for grinding?"

"It would be difficult, even for MY skills. But I could."

"Alright. That's the plan for today. Fog grinding. Asuna, set a schedule and make sure the lowest go first. Strand's the final say."

"On it. Your plan for the day?"

He flexed an arm.

"Hmm. I'm at about half strength. Another day of rest, and I'll be a psychopath again. I think I'll poke around the hills and see if I can find any ore. I noticed Prospect and mine were included in the skills Victoria gave us."

The unseen knight captain chuckled from her spot in the fog.

"If you DO find anything of worth, Sire, let me know. I know enough about metalworking to point you in the right direction to start."

"Thanks Victoria. I got about 100 pounds of tin an copper I haven't done anything with yet."

"I will be happy to teach you."

Tyler smiled.

"Alright. Have a barrier mage erect SOMETHING on the road so no one falls over the cliff."

They nodded with a chuckle and Tyler clapped.

"Good, break."

They went to their tasks and Tyler used his memory of the camp's placement to wander over to one of the moss walls. Then he placed his hand on the soft greeness,

"Prospect.....OH SHIT."

His skill penetrated the rock...into a POCKET. He blew a sharp whistle on his lips and Strand appeared with a few warriors at his noise.

"I got a pocket behind the stone. In a fantasy world, there is only THREE reasons why a pocket exists on the other side of a WALL like this. A tomb, a monster den, or forgotten chamber. Only question is which?"

The Ranger nodded as she looked at the wall very closely now.

"I agree. Can you pierce the stone?"

"Hmm. prospect picked up on about five feet of stone between us and the pocket. I SHOULD be able to. Just a matter of if I SHOULD."

Asuna walked up with her thought.

"Open it. We need to know what's on the other side."

"Alright."

He took his pickaxe out and looked at the wall.

"Mine."

The wall glowed as a set of bullseyes appeared where the pick would do the m ost damage and he smirked.

"Mighty Blow."

"Oh come that's cheating."

"Show me the rule book. Ghost Cut."

He slammed the enhanced pickaxe into the wall and the result saw a four foot hole open up in the mossy urface. A great whoosh of stagnant air came racing out and chased away a solid thirty feet of fog from the entrance and Tyler chuckled as some of the camp was revealed.

"Oh there's the wagon. I was wondering where it went."

They chuckled and the warrior looked into the hole.

"I got a coffin. A STONE coffin."

Strand nodded without taking her eyes off the thing.

"We found a lost tomb, Tyler. There could be ANYTHING inside that thing."

"I have Holy spells."

"Good. Do we have a holy mage?"

"We do. XENOVIA! Over here!"

A strong girl's voice rang out from the fog.

"Coming!"

Tyler looked at Strand.

"Her greatsword is a Holy sword. Called Durandal. and she is a former nun too. ASIA!"

"Coming!"

"Asia too."

A sound of feet approachling clued them in to a new arrival. Tyler looked at as a rogged girl with short cut blue hair appeared from the fog. She was half a head shorter then him with bright blue and green hair while her eyes were solid blue. Her skin was sunkissed and her frame well cut from a rough lifestyle. Her bust was large and she had a chainmail tunic over her tanktop while on her legs was a plateskirt and boots on her feet. Her voice was a warm bark as she walked up.

"What's up mister Berserker?"

"Ha. Nice to meetchya Xenovia. You still have your holy spells?"

She nodded as Asia came skipping from the fog.

"Yup. And Durandal is still a VERY powerful holy sword."

"Good. we got an undead to deal with and need holy power. Asia?"

"I have one holy spell that's offensive. It's called Divine Burn."

"Alright. I have Divine Slicer, Hallowed Ground, MAgical Rebuff, And Sunburn. Strand, you two, Asuna....we need one more. Asuna?"

The redhead though for a moment.

"Sanya. She needs the level up most for her ability."

"Gotchya. Sanya!"

"Here!"

The pale witch appeared from the fog geared for war and Tyler nodded.

"Alright. Let's get this done."

The raiders walked into the tomb and the stone coffin flew off the thing. A rotting corpse reached up to grab the rims of the coffin and it sat up. It was a rotting man ot unlike from a certain movie about mummies tyler had seen once. The disgusting creature was met by the warrior as he slammed his greatsword into it to prevent it from rising further and he locked it against the rim of the coffin.

"GOT IT! Hallowed GROUND! Do it!"

His antiundead area spell made the thing scream as Xenovia appeared swing a massive single edged gold and blue greatsword at the thing. the slash took the creature across the chest and it howled with a distinct rattle as Asuna appeared with her rapier,

"Flaming JAB!"

and stabbed the thing on a leap ten times in the heart before Sanya appeared swinging her battleaxe.

"Mighty Blow. Watery CRUSH."

An extra sharp edge of water appeared on Sanya's axe and the witch brought it to bear n the struggling thing's head. There was a sound like a hammer hitting meat and the thing lost half it's skull as she jumped aside for Strand's arrows.

"Pierce. Double shaft. Double penetrate."

"And all kinds a giggity."

The ladies smirked as the shafts embedded themselves in the creature's chest and then it was Asia's turn. The blonde had her hands clasped in prayer as she used the longer worded chant of her spell for added power.

"may the light of the Sun bless you in eternal fire. DIVINE BURN!"

The undead creature threw Tyler off as it exploded into white flames from Asia's powerful spell and tyler had his greatsword ready when it exploded into dust and was gone. Asia glowed a moment and she squealed.

"I killed it AND leveled up! Level 3 baby!"

They laughned at her justified cheer and Tyler smiled.

"Purify."

Strand nodded sagely as he hit them each with the anticurse spell.

"VERY wise when dealing with undead. Now did it leave anything?"

Tyler peered into the dusty coffin.

"I got a seam for a false bottom."

Asuna blinked.

"A trove?"

"Maybe. I'll pry it open and we'll see."

"If this triggers a cavein Tyler, and we die, I will blame you for the rest of eternity."

"I can die with that."

"Oh not cool."

Asia looked at Sanya beside her bemused.

"I thought it was pretty cool."

The pale witch smiled shyly.

"I did too."

Tyler chuckled at that as Asuna slumped. The warrior used a knife to pry the false bottom out and he passed the slab to Strand fr inspection and she nodded after a moment.

"No curses are detected and this is a good slab of white marble. we may be able to sell it for profit."

"We'll add it to the wagon. THIS we'll need to have a chat over."

Asuna looked inside and blinked at the mass of gold coins, weapons, a few gems, and spells laying at the nearly five foot deep, 4 foot wide, 8 foot long coffin.

"OH DAMN. We got a trove here. And a decent sized one too. Is the chamber safe?"

Strand looked at the smooth walls.

"I would say it is, Asuna."

"Okay. I'll go get the rest of the leaders for this one Tyler."

He nodded.

"Not a word people. Not until we have a SET IN STONE plan for this."

They nodded and Asuna headed out. Tyler sat on the edge of the stone coffin thinking of the best loot splitting plan as Asia poked her head over the edge.

"wow. Never seen so much gold."

"Ha. I have."

She looked at him curiously.

"Really? Where?"

He patted her golden hair.

"Right here."

She blushed hard at that set up and smiled as she hugged him.

"I'm precious alright!"

"And NEVER tell yourself otherwise Asia."

"Nope!"

Asuna came in with Victoria, Rias, and Mina. The purple haired knight captain blinked as she saw the trove.

"Oh my. That is indeed a trove. Well done, Tyler."

He nodded without really looking at her as he considered an idea and Rias smirked.

"So what's the plan?"

Tyler smiled as he looked at her.

"I think I have a solution."

Asuna smiled.

"Hit me."

"Okay. HALF of all the gold in that thing goes to the Company by default. The rest we split. If there is not enough for the entire company to get SOMETHING, it all gets added to the company funds. Are you with me so far?"

MIna smiled.

"A very fair solution. I like this."

Strand nodded and so did Asuna.

"As do I."

"That's one helluva system. Gems and the like?"

"Same. HALF of valuables like that to Company. BUT. if I say it's fro Seria, that's it. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS."

They chuckled at that power abuse and Mina smiled.

"s it should be. And to have it said? DON'T abuse it."

"Agreed."

Asia perked up.

"Weapons and other stuff?"

"THOSE we'll lay out in a row and let the ones that FOUND the trove get first crack. Anything leftover is up to the company to fight over."

Asuna smiled.

"Fair. Arguments for loot?"

"If say Kirito and Akeno can't reach an agreement over something, YOU, Mina, as the subcommander step in. As it is, I'm the COMPANY LEADER, and ASUNA is the SECOND IN COMMAND OF THE COMPANY. Mina, Rias, Strand, Victoria are subcommanders. Mina would step in and make a choice. If they're not happy with it, and ASUNA has to step in. SHE makes the choice and it is final. If I have to step in, you lose whatever the fuck you're aruging abut and it's sold for the Company."

Mina smiled.

"If the issue reaches the top of the chain, the leader ENDS the issue. Period. I can respect this. A thought."

"Sure."

"You only have four subcommanders. For a 130 man unit."

He chuckled.

"If you have anyone in mind that'd work well in the role let me an Asuna know. We'll talk to em an see what we can do."

Asuna nodded with a smile and Rias perked up.

"Sora?"

"Is the camp Strategist."

"Ah. An advisory role entirely."

Mina looked at him.

"Sakamoto is here too."

"Hmm. She have the experience in a command setting?"

"She does. She was MY second in command remember?"

"Ah. Hmm. Her level?"

"She is hovering at half to 3 right now. And she trains daily."

Asuna looked at Tyler.

"You know her more then I do."

He nodded.

"She's a helluva second in command and and even BETTER trainer. She's a GOOD CALL, but at the same time has a NASSSSTY habit of pushing herself WAAAAAY too freakin hard. Like to the point she forged a cursed sword to forcibly enhance her magical power and nearly KILLED herself using it."

Mina sighed at this.

"She DOES have flaws. I admit this. But she NEVER makes the same mistake twice."

He patted her reassuringly.

"I know. Hell. the ONLY REASON she forged the Repumiru is because those idiots in their chairs didn't see her potential as a Flight Trainer."

Mina smiled warmly at this praise.

"Milo IS tough as nails and a true friend."

"That she is. Which why I think I'll have her as under your level of leadership. She makes a better second in command then actual commander."

"I completely understand where you're coming from. You have criteria?"

He nodded.

"I need people who have told people to die."

They blinked at this and Victoria sighed unpleasently.

"He sees it clearly. I am VASTLY relieved. He is correct. We are at war. And a leader's role in war is to tell people to die for less then adequate reasons."

Tyler nodded and looked at Asuna.

"I'd elect Erza for a leadership role. But she has WAY too much honor and intregrity for what we need."

Asuna tilted her head at this potential flaw.

"Actually that might not be a bad thing. HAving a captain of morals and honor in a prominent position WOULD lend a better light to the entire company of ruthless problem solvers, Tyler."

He sat back now to consider this solid point.

"You've a point. MY problem is she doesn't know when to CALL IT though. I can VERY easily see her making a scene at the WORST possible time."

Mina smiled.

"She has a strong heart and a VERY good one at that. Perhaps we let her grow a little more before we promote her."

"She;s the same age as YOU Mina."

"NEVER bring that up again, and wow."

"Yeah she's a tank."

Rias looked up now.

"Akeno fits. She was in command of my devils several times when i was down and she has experiences no one else does."

Tyler nodded at this suggestion.

"Akeno checks a number of boxes for me. She's strong, has experience in both the command and second in command role, straddles the line between good and evil,"

"Interesting image,"

"HA. And she knows when to cut her losses. Asuna?"

The redheaded second smiled.

"She fits all the needed requirements. And she's also on the cusp of level three. I agree with the promotion."

Tyler looked at Rias.

"Call her over please."

"Akeno attend me."

A ball of red light darted out of the chamber and he chuckled.

"You can still use that power?"

She smiled smugly as she flipped her blood red hair.

"Yup!"

Asia sighed.

"Rias likes to surprise people."

He patted the blonde and she brightened up as Akeno came in.

"What's up?"

Tyler looked at her with a smile.

"we need another subcommander for the Company. Interested?"

Akeno blinked at this before smiling.

"Sure. I report to Asuna, right?"

"Yup. You'll get your own set of warriors to command alongside the rest...oh."

His eyes flashed and Asuna saw it.

"what clicked?"

"I forgot to ask Mylissia if we're it. Or if they'll summon more heroes after a time."

They blinked at this and Victoria frowned.

"I haven't heard anything from the Queen on that one Tyler. Ask her the next time you report in."

"Yeah I will. we have 130 warriors and 5 subcommanders. Thats roughly 26 warriors per. I like the small squad divison there."

Asuna nodded.

"It keeps it nice an easy for the commander. Captain?"

"Yeah we'll go with that. Sorry Mina you got demoted."

She smiled.

"Yoshkia refuses to call Sakamoto anything other then Major."

"Ha."

Asuna smiled as she looked at the 5 captains.

"We'll divvy the warrios up between you later. For now we need to deal with the trove."

Akeno got brought up to speed and she smiled as the gold was collected.

"This is gonna be fun."

The coffin was emptied and the Company informed of the discovery. The fog had thinned a little in the noonday sun and they could see about 10 feet now. Still not enough to go anywhere but they still could see the 4 foot pile of gold as it got dumped out on a pelt. Asuna came over with a paper to Tyler as he sat on the wagon.

"We got a total."

"Yikes."

"Yeah. That pile has 257,990 in it."

"That by 2 is 128,995. that by 130 is 992 with 35 gold leftover. Lessee. Me, Asia, Asuna, Strand, Xenovia. Five raiders. 7 extra coins to those that found the trove. Any issues?"

The company shook their heads at the very fair deal and the shares were taken. Tyler then looked at Asuna.

"We need a treasurer now."

She chuckled at that.

"Belfast has that noble task aside from Quartermaster."

The silver haired beauty smiled as Tyler looked to her.

"I have procured a protable safe for our Company funds, Tyler."

"Thanks Belfast. How are we looking?"

She looked at her notes.

"We are doing well. We have only gained coin Tyler. As of these figures we have 856,714 gold for the Company."

He nodded.

"NO one say anything. Company coin is Company knowledge and a secret to everybody else."

They nodded and he looked at Bell.

"YOU I got a question for later. You didn't do anything, just something you said."

"Okay!"

"Nothing bad."

"Phew."

Tyler chuckled at the nervous breath and he heard the white haired boy whisper to Yoshkia as Tyler looked away.

"He's scary when he does that."

Yoshkia smiled at that one.

"He reminds me sometimes of captain Barkhorn. Scary as hell when focusing, yet always got yer back."

"Thanks for the complement Yoshkia."

"Sure!"

The gems were laid out now for the splitting and Tyler explained the rules. Though,

"ONE note. If I say it's for Seria, THAT'S IT. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS."

And they chuckled at that greed. Tyler hopped off the wagon to snag a sparkling blue star sapphire with a brillant red center.

"such as this one. I like it."

He hopped back up onto the wagon as the remaining thirty gems were split in half with a knife on the cloth and one half set aside for Company funds. The rest were gone over by the rest until they were gone and the weapons ans armor were laid out. Tyler explained this one too and they nodded. The raiders got first look and Tyler noted a greatsword made from a near solid blue material and he took the 6 and a half foot long weapon curiously. Strand explained.

"That is made from Starite. A blue metal a few steps above Azurite. They saw Starite is best forged under the light of the stars."

"Makes sense. I'll take this one since I KINDA need an upgrade. I still have that other greatsword too. Silveria it was made from."

He took the new weapon to the cart as the raiders stepped back and the remainder of the Company looked it over. Tyler had his new sword out for cleaning as he kept a close eye on the potentially volalitle situation. His new blade was 6 and a half feet long with a 12 inch wide blade and twin edges. it dropped to a vicious straight tip while the metal itself was a strikingly bright shade of blue that rivaled a sapphire. The hilt was made from azurite and added to the blue while in the shape of a dragon's wing. The pommel WAS a sapphire and Tyler smiled as he hung the weapon on his back and put the older azurite sword aside for mounting as a momento. The loot was gone over and when the last bauble was taken Tyler nodded.

"This is how we handle troves. If I EVER find out you found one and DIDN'T inform us, I will CUT YOU. Are we clear?"

The heads nodded at that and Tyler smiled.

"Alright. Back to it. Bell, a word?"

Teh nervous white haired guy came over.

"what happened?"

"Just something you said a while back. You said Hestia was going to join us at the NEXT SUMMON."

Bell blinked as he relaxed with the knowledge he was NOT in trouble.

"I remember."

"She say WHEN that was supposed to be?"

"Um, no. She didn't. I can try to ask since she said I can pray to her as my goddess here."

"Yeah do so please. Mylissia never told us about another summon. I'll go ask her myself actually."

"Sure. I'll meet you when I have an answer."

Tyler patted him on the back as he went to his tent. There he set the scry orb out and cast the spell. Mylissia appeared and she blinked at the tent setting.

"Shall I fetch Seria?"

"Later. i just got a question."

"Uh-oh."

"IS there another summon of heroes planned or ar we it?"

The queen blinked at this before she sighed with a minor relief.

"Phew. I forgot to tell you as well. You are NOT IT. We will summon you reinforcements in a month."

"Okay. Thanks Mylissia."

She smiled.

"Planning for future campaigns?"

"Pretty much....what's the latest report from Dunkrick?"

"The Stone city. It's a dwarven city, Tyler."

"Oh. Cool. I'll be sure to make a few friends there."

"Ha. Well, the latest reports indicate the dungeon is getting ample traffic in and out of the place. Casualties are holding at 15 dead per day and countless wounded too."

"Anything like Drikin?"

"No."

"Anything like it anywhere else?"

She sat back in her throne.

"There is. An outpost garrison where we train mages has been silent for a while now."

He unrolled his map and she pointed to the only other village in the region.

"There. The village of Magnork. It's a Royal Mage village where court mages and royal battlemages are trained."

He frowned.

"I had INTIALLY considered the option the village would be attacked by the armies in the area. And it fits if the Forest Giant came from that direction. A creature that size can climb those montains with ease."

Mylissia sighed.

"I have knights en route. Theyll arrive tomorrow."

"Let me know what they find."

"I will do so. Seria is with her Mistress for her daily lessons. And my WORD is she enthusastic."

"Ha. Good for her."

"Anything further?"

"All I needed."

"I'll tell her you said hi."

The ball went out and Bell poked his head in.

"She replied."

TYler walked out and the white haired kid smiled as he explained.

"She said a fresh summon is scheduled in a month. She's coming with a few more from our world as it'll be about 25% bigger then the last one."

"So we're looking at an extra 156 warriors. Maybe 157. Alright. KEEP that close and DO NOT TELL ANYONE."

He nodded wide eyed at the suddenly serious warrior.

"Yes sir! um,"

"Let's not give them a reason to slack off."

"Ah. I'm level 3. I'll catch up. Somehow."

Tyler patted him.

"we're heading in a dungeon city, Bell. Plenty of grind to be had."

"Thanks Tyler."

"I gotchyer back bro."

"Bell! YOUR turn to go grinding in the mist!"

"Coming Asuna! Bye Tyler."

Bell trotted off for hsi patrol and Tyler smiled as he walked through the camp towards the chamber. The thing as empty as he went inside and the warrior went to the back of the thing and placed his hand on the wall.

"Prospect. Oh BINGO. Starlite!"

He found a vein of the metal his new greatsword was made from and smiled.

"Mine."

He dug the ore from the wall only to walk out with close to 150 pounds of the bright blue ore. He dragged it to the wagon where Belfast was looking their supplies over. The diligent Quartermaster smiled as Tyler came over.

"I see you had success. What is the resource?"

"This one's for me and it's called Starlite. The ore my sword is made from."

She wrote it down in her notebook and he noted her long silver hair had been tied in a ponytail and it worked for her as she turned to him.

"About how much would you say?"

He kicked it.

"My guess is 150 pounds."

"We shall need a second wagon for extended trips Tyler."

"We'll look Dunkrick over then. I'd prefer slow yet steady growth for the Company."

"I completely understand. And we ARE running low on some supplies."

"How bad?"

She looked.

"Sugar, butter, some grains, and we are at half stock for coffee. Spices we are at a low ebb, and the same with flavorings. Meat we are OVERsupplied. The same with some forest goods."

"Hmm. Makes sense the more exotic shit we run out of first. How long will it hold?"

"My estimate it four days at our current appetites."

"Rationing is out of the question for active soldiers. We need our strength and there are few things that boost morale like a hot and good meal at the end of a day's march. Okay. We'll see if we can reach Dunkirck in four days. If NOT, we MIGHT have to make due."

She nodded.

"I will have my report ready for Asuna on her return."

"Thanks Belfast."

She smiled warmly.

"I do like being of service. And you are most welcome."

Tyler left the ore with her and returned to his tent to look his own funds over. He added the latest payout to his gold and nodded.

"11,185. I'll go do some grinding of my own."

The leader walked out as Asuna's party returned with loot. Tyler walked over and the redhead smiled as the deer meat and pelts were added to the wagon.

"This area is alive with animals and prey Tyler. The fog hasn't seem to hamper them at all."

"Any monsters?"

"Nothing yet. We DID spot a dead deer carcass by a tree. But nothing else."

He blinked.

"A dead deer? You sure it wasn't a wendigo?"

She blinked at this.

"NOW I'm not. I have the spot."

"Good. Kirito!"

"Over here."

The boy in black came over and Tyler fistbumped him.

"We're going after a potential wendigo."

"Got it. Barkhorn wants to come with."

"Captain badass front an center!"

"Sir!"

The tough girl with the twin broadswords came RIGHT over and Bell smiled as he joined.

"I remember where it is."

"Thanks Bell. Yoshkia, grab your satchel. we're going on a raid in the forest."

"Yes sir!"

Strand joined him with a wry smile.

"Since it's YOU we're garranteed to find something weird."

He chuckled at that solid point.

"Alright let's get this done."

Tyler, Bell, Strand, Kirito, Barkhorn, and Yoshkia headed out into the forest from the back of the camp and the warrior nogted the fog was thinning more and more with every passing hour. Now they could see fifteen feet in front of them and Bell took the lead as the white haired kid smiled.

"The carcass is over this way. It didn't look like an undead though."

"Always better to doublecheck."

"Will do next time."

Strand smiled as she and Yoshkia collected herbs together for the Company's food and healing supplies. Barkhorn was on watch and Kirito was eyeing the fog cautiously. Five minutes later Bell pointed out the dead deer in the distance.

"There. Same spot too."

Tyler pulled his lance and walked over to the mutilated carcass with strand beside him. The Ranger noted the state of the antlers.

"A young and healthy buck. a powerful predator got this prey."

"Not even."

He pointed to a set of claw marks on the flank of the animal.

"A STEALTHY one. I'd recognized those anywhere. Tiger."

Strand nodded as she saw the marks.

"A King Tiger. 8 feet at the shoulder. Odd how it didn't finish the meal."

Tyler looked around at the ground as Kirito spoke up.

"Guys, we got a problem."

They mpved to his voice where he pointed at a large track in the dirt that made Tyler blink.

"Allosaurus. Minor Tyrant."

Strand smiled.

"Indeed. And a big one too. Odd to see one so high up in the mountains AND alone too."

"I'd say it passed by four hours ago."

"You are learning rookie. That was my guess as well."

"A tiger would not wanna mess with a dinosaur as bad tempered as a minor tyrant. MY question is why didn't it eat the deer?"

Strand provided insight.

"They do not eat carrion. The tiger would have provided the better meal anyway."

"Hm. WHERE'S the tiger?"

A massive roar of fury went up int eh distance before it was cut off suddenly and they sighed.

"It attacked the camp."

They nodded and the friends headed back to find a nearly 20 foot long tiger being skinned by Victoria and her remaining knights. Tyler then noted there were only four left and Asuna came over grim faced.

"It got one of the knights before Shirley brought it down. Knight was dead on impact."

"So we're down to four?"

"We are. Victoria will hold a vigil for him tonight and his belongings will be sent to his family."

Tyler sighed at this new loss.

"Dammit. Okay we need more alertness spells."

Asuna nodded tiredly.

"We need a few things. The wagon's wheel broke in the mild panic. No one;s hurt, but we need a new wheel."

"Oh I can do that. I just need some good wood and a bit of metal."

Strand looked at him curiously and he smiled.

"I know some stuff."

"Well. This should be interesting."

Asuna smiled.

"We're kinda stranded until the wagon's fixed as the SPARE wheel was busted in the same accident."

"Someone run into it?"

"Pretty much."

"Issei?"

"NO. HE we can't find."

Tyler looked at the edge of the cliff now and Asuna chuckled.

"We used a tracker spell. Sadly he didn't go off the cliff. The trail led into the forest and we were about to follow it when the tiger attacked."

Tyler sighed.

"Strand."

"I will follow."

"Ugh. PArt a me wants to just say fuck em. If he don;t find his way back, he gets left behind."

Asuna nodded with a strained calmness.

"ME too. EVERY girl here would agree with you. BUT we're not that evil."

He sighed.

"I'll take a crew and go find the idiot. Sorry Kirito."

"Two highest levels in the party. I get it."

Tyler looked at Asuna.

"The wagon prop up with some stone from the chamber. I'll see if I can fix it when I get back."

"Understood. We have a shaper here for the meantime."

Tyler walked to the place the trail started and Rias appeared with Xenovia.

"We'll help."

"Sure."

Strand cast the track spell and the idiot's footprints were highlighted in blood red color that matched Rias' hair to perfection. Rias saw this and Strand smiled sheepishly.

"my apologies. I love your color."

"Thank you. I am not into women however."

"Such a shame."

Tyler was looking at the trail at this VERY odd rehash and Rias sighed with a smirk.

"NEver. A. WORD. TO AKENO."

They chuckled as they followed the trail into the forest BACK towards the village they'd left. Tyler noting the trail was walking pace and he sighed.

"If he got jumped while taking a piss, that'd be typical."

The searchers nodded at the tropey feel as they moved deeper into the forest. The searchers heard a sound a few minutes later.

"OOOOOOH BOY!"

"Come to me my Hero! Allow me to show you the true pleasures of hell!"

ISsei's arroused and excited voice was heard along with a seductive purr in RIAS' imperious purr and they moved towards the sound. Tyler braced inwardly at what they were about to find as they walked around a trunk....just in time to see a creature in a pisspoor imitation of Rias' blood red good looks morph into an undead horror and pounce on a now VERY confused Issei's exposed member with a feral intensity. The confusion lasted only as long as it took for him to be forcibly entered into the cheesegrader like spot of the Lady of the Forest and the hellish ride begin...

"Sunburn. Fuckin idiot."

The undead creature was killed from Xenovia's slice following the holy spell and Issei was seen to curl into a ball sobbing heartbrokenly while clutching at his precious, and nearly melted dick. Tyler sighed deeply as an also disgusted Xenovia cast a healing spell on him that repaired the damage and eased the pain. Strand slumped.

"How STUPID is this boy? To follow her so far into the woodland when he has a tent! OOooh my head."

Tyler just sighed as Issei sobbed at the horror he nearly suffered.

"Idiot. Come on."

"Give me a minute!"

"You did it to yourself for being such a fucking idiot. So get off your ass and let's go."

Issei had hate in his eyes and voice as he roared at him.

"I was nealy just raped by a ZOMBIE-"

"That YOU willingly followed!"

"I thought it was RIAS-"

"IDIOT it looked NOTHING like her!"

Tyler held a hand out to the REAL Rias beside him.

"HER hair is FIVE shades brighter and about TEN times more volumnious then that corpse. HEr skin is PALE YET SHINY while THAT THING was matte white! HER eyes are blue, that thin g was GREEN! The ZOMBIE was a LOT...actually ya know what? I'mmma just stop there. If you thought THAT was Rias, then you need new eyes."

Rias smirked.

"The zombie was.....WHAT?"

"I was GOING to say skin and bone. YOU got muscle. But realized it wasn't sound good no matter what I did."

"NO it WOULD not. Continue."

Tyler then looked at Issei with DEATH in his eyes.

"And here's the damning thing ISSEI. You have been around Rias for YEARS. THAT thing's voice was nothing but nails on a chalkboard when put next to HER imperious purr. And that AURA that even now kinda intimidates me was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. ANY true friend to HER wold NEVER make such an INSULTING mistake like thinking an undead as good enough to be her shadow. Issei. Get off your ass and let's go."

The tramatized boy shuddered at the memory and Tyler just grabbed him by an ankle without pulling his pants up.

"fuck it. We got more important things to d then babysit a loser."

Rias siled as she walked beside him.

"So is THAT what you see when ou look at me?"

"All that and more."

"Now I REALLY wanna read one of your stories."

"I do not blame you. And SERIA is the one I love most."

She smiled at this.

"Makes me wonder just WHAT she has that I DON'T if you see THAT MUCH in me."

"Simple answer Rias? She sends a shiver down my spine you just don't."

"I get it."

She smiled and he smiled warmly at her.

"You do matter to me too, Rias."

"I know. I can see just how much too when you LOOK at me. I...guess I'm just enjoying the novelty. I dunno."

She shrugged with a curious expression and he thumped her on the back fondly.

"Long as we're together and having fun who cares?"

"Damn straight. Oh. And it is ON you bastard."

"Chess or prank?"

"CHESS. NO pranks with a thousand foot drop beside us."

"Deal. Shiro?"

"SHE and I need to have a chat. She hit me with a five move checkmate and I am NOT HAPPY."

He chuckled at that while Issei fought and yelled for them to let him go with everyone, INCLUDING THE GUY DRAGGING HIM, to more or less forget he was there. Asuna was waiting at the trail head for them and she sighed as they came back.

"He got lured by something didn't he?"

Tyler looked at her curiously.

"who?"

She flicked a finger at the ground and Tyler looked.

"Oh. Huh."

Issei was in his fist and Tyler had a look as if he had JUST noticed this. Issei had a look of humilated hate on his face and tears of humilation on his face as Tyler threw him aside with disinterest.

"He got lured in by a lady of the forest. We found him at the mount and yeah. Annnny later and he'dda been raped by a zombie."

Asuna sighed.

"He's STILL a level 1."

"eh fuck em. We'll focus on the ACTUAL warriors in our crew."

She nodded as Issei pulled his pants up with anger in his green eyes.

"I am a DRAGON EMPEROR!"

"No you're not."

TYler's nonchalant shutdown without looking just made the idiot angier.

"BOOSTED GEAR!"

A flash of red was seen before a mere handguard was seen on Issei's wrist and Tyler looked at the thing with a lifted eyebrow as Issei tried to force the gear to appear fully.

"That's it? THAT'S your best?"

"Drake COME ON! HELP ME PLEASE!"

Issei was pleading with his wristguard on his hands and knees with tears on his face and Tyler whistled.

"Now THAT is pathetic. Having to LITERALY beg to your HAND for it to do something? How LONELY do you have to be."

Rias leaned in his ear.

"YOU are being EXTREMELY cruel."

"He HAS to learn this lesson. He is WORTHLESS here. And will only get somebody killed. Once he gets to the point I want him at, he'll be able to do stuff."

"Still...."

"Didn't Belfast need your help with something?"

She smiled at the bone and she left with her friends. Issei saw this and had more tears of helpless rage on his face as he started BEATING on the red guard with the force of his anger.

"Wow."

He looked up at Tyler's mild voice and the spiky haired boy gritted his teetg at the warrior in black.

"Go away you cocky fuck. I can do this on my own."

"riiiight. ya know what, Issei? You're just not worth it."

Tyler walked away with a headshake as the guy slammed his fist into the dirt with self-hate.

"THAT guy was possessed by Drake? Jesus Christ."

The warrior walked over to where Rias was waiting with her devils. The redhead looked at him with an unreadable gaze.

"Already?"

"Yup. He reached that place of utter HELPLESSNESS and SELF-LOATHING....and choice to wallow. I can do nothin for em."

She sighed at this news.

"Alright. So what we do?"

"Eh fuck em. We got more important things and people to worry about."

"Alright. Is he dead?"

"No. Not yet. But we're not babying him anymore. He's a level one. WE'RE level 2 and up. Keep up or get left behind."

She nodded with resolution and Tyler looked at the fog.

"fog's thinning. We'll be able to leave in de morning. I'll go do something now."

They chuckled at that as he went to his tent and laid in the comfy fur for a rest. The warrior dozed for a few hours before he was poked awake by Asuna.

"Hey. LAst patrol's in."

"Anything interesting?"

"They found that minor tyrant and Erza brought it down. All hands on deck for it though."

Tyler left the tent as Asuna explained.

"It's a good deal bigger then we expected. She leveled to 3 though which is good."

"I'll know more when I see the thing. Any injuries?"

"Her friend Wendy took a NASTY slash cross the chest from a claw but she was able to be saved. Erza herself got smashed with the tail and needed a potion, and Kirito nearly lost an eye. They got the kill though."

"Wendy MArvel?"

"Shorter girl with blue twin tailed hair?"

"Yup. In her world her branch of magic is a dragonslayer."

"Wow. HERE she's a Wind Mistress."

"Ha."

The duo arrived at edge of camp where an immense dinosaur was being dismantled by the industrious camp. Tyler blinked as he saw the elongated jaw.

"Wow. That's a Baryonyx."

He got to work skinning the immense beast with the rest and an hour later they had a mass splashing from a water mage to get the viscera off gtheir bodies. Then Tyler met Wendy. She was half his height with ankle length sky blue hair in a very pretty set of twin tails that reminded him of a vocoloid singer from his world. Her skin was fair and her frame was slender as her bright green eyes shined. Her attire was a tight fitting samuari robe covered by chainmail and on her back was a sapphie tipped staff. Her voice was a happy and friendly chirp as she introduced herself.

"Hi. I'm Wendy Marvel. Nice to meet you."

Tyler patted her fondly.

"Nice to meetchya Wendy. I'm Tyler. Nice to meet the Sky Dragonslayer herself."

Wendy blushed at that as she smiled.

"Erza said you were a fan. That's kinda cool."

He chuckled.

"What level are you, Wendy?"

"Level 2. I'm not a good fighter yet though and was more focusing on buffs and heals."

"SMART. I guess you had to carry that fight huh?"

She laughed at THAT exgeration.

"Not EVEN! I was just the one that put them back together after."

"Atta girl. YOU team up with Asia and Yoshkia for the healing brigade."

"Sure."

Asuna came over with a chuckle.

"THAT good huh?"

"She's third on my list."

"OH DAMN."

"Yeah that girl is a hurricane packed into a cutie's frame."

"Thank you!"

"Sure thing Sweetie. Natsu here?"

Wendy smiled around her blush.

"No. Sadly. He's the stronger dragonslayer."

"Damn. Gajeel?"

"Nope. I was the one dragonslayer that came here."

"Alright. You have a slayer ability too?"

"I do. It's called Dragon Fang. It's a buff spell that triples the penetrating power of a thrusting style weapon."

"The dragon and the lance. Thanks Wendy."

"Sure....can I meet Seria?"

"Absolutely. She's LOVE YOU."

Wendy smiled.

"She seems sweet. And she's got YOU by the heart so I'm curious."

"Blueberries together."

"I am a healer you prick. It's MY job you keep YOU alive. Do yuo REALLY wanna piss me off?"

Asuna laughed at THAT furious turnaround!

"Atta girl Wendy! MAke that idiot sweat!"

She smiled and Tyler chuckled as he headed back to his tent. He laid back down with a groan and a smile as his company went about their tasks. The warrior relaxed until dinner was called and they made a meal of roasted tyrant and the last of the pear cordial. Then Tyler returned to his tent snd smiled.

"Night's Longing."

Seria rose from the ground with a smile.

"I was missing you too."

He hugged her tightly and she snuggled close as they laid down.

"So you didn't get far today."

"A freakin fog thicker then mud appeared. NOPE. Not with 4 thousand foot drops either side a us."

She chuckled as she rested her head on his chest and he wrapped her in his arm.

"The Mistress says I'm a prodigy for my lessons. She's never seen a girl who so lusts after her skills."

"Sexy. It possible to get a recording?"

Seria smiled mischeviously as she slid a small crystal into his hand.

"MAaaaayyybe."

"My GODS do I love you."

"I love you too, Tyler. And it doesn't exist."

"No it does not."

She rested her head back down and he stroked her blue tresses until she closed her eyes.

"Sorry for disappearing on you like that."

"Sorry for leaving you to ASIA'S mercy."

"She nearly strangled me on sight. It's okay. Her hugs are great."

"Asia is just great."

"That she is.

Seria smiled as they settled for the night.

"Good night, MY hero."

"Good night, MY wife."

"OOOH it tingled."