《Voidwalker Battlemage an Unanticipated Journey》


 Chapter 1 Stranger Danger

    Prelude


    ¡°Life is short, don¡¯t forget to live it.¡±


    -Mateo Ryusane


    Lightning crackles across the sky as thunder roars sending vibrations through the night air. Droplets of rain pound against the earth as if trying to force their way into it. An unremarkable man of middle age exits a large factory rushing to his vehicle through the heavy downpour. The rear tires to his vehicle slide in the rain as he peels out of the parking lot.


    In a rush to escape the perils of his servitude the vehicle hydroplanes on the freeway sending it careening into opposing traffic. The last thing the man sees is the blinding lights of a lifted pickup as it drives over his black coupe popping his head like a cherry and sending his final thoughts spraying into the trunk of the now crushed vehicle.


    Chapter 1 Stranger Danger


    Existence is a dark numb thoughtless pit for a time. Devoid of sense or emotion a consciousness drifts through the void searching for a vessel to inhabit. An immeasurable amount of time passes as the consciousness meanders aimlessly before stumbling upon anything.


    By wag of chance the consciousness stumbles upon a small light about to be snuffed out by the darkness. The light makes its presence known acknowledging the existence of the consciousness. It shutters in the dark void as if pleading for help. The consciousness in dire need to regain any sense of self seeks refuge within it.


    As it impregnates the light with its existence the light grows brighter pushing back the darkness as it gleams through the void. It begins to move rupturing the endless darkness as it takes shape. At first, it¡¯s little more than a perfect sphere. The sphere deforms forming the rough outline of a humanoid figure. Arms and legs sprout from a squared torso as another spherical figure protrudes from the top of it. Lines form giving tone to muscles as the small sphere on top shapes into a face.


    The figure begins to convulse violently as it shapes into the body of a tall slender man. Hairless and bare it curls into a fetal position as the darkness rips open around it giving birth to new light. The aroma of a gentle breeze seems familiar as the figure begins to gain sensory perception. The humanoid mass reaches through the ruptured darkness toward this new light.


    Pain shoots through the figure¡¯s entire being as tissue grows covering the muscle and organs grow filling the empty space inside. Hair erupts in patches before filling over the surface of the dermis. Light reaches through the ruptured darkness taking the now formed figure¡¯s hand and ripping it from the darkness.


    The figure peers around a room with eyes of hazel as it takes in its surroundings. There¡¯s a quant framed bed seemingly constructed of oak beside which rests a nightstand of the same craft. Penetrating sunlight pierces the room from a large window across it. The figure holds its hand out shielding its eyes from the intensity of the sun.


    Another figure turns stricken by the sudden intrusion of the first. The form of a slender young woman covering her large chest with a towel let¡¯s out a loud shriek.


    Consciousness comes screaming into the figure and they both scream at one another. The figure unable to form words stands in a panic. The girl cries out in an unknown but strangely familiar language.


    ¡°By Gottes, what are you doing in my room you pervert!¡±


    She¡¯s short with long dark hair and blue eyes. For some reason the figure can sense something strange radiating from her body. It doesn¡¯t seem strong.


    Suddenly thoughts pour into the figures mind and it falls to its knees pressing its palms to its head. Where am I? Who am I? Why am I naked? The figure questions mentally, but not words exit its open mouth.


    The girl seems to freeze as a small humanoid creature with the wings of a butterfly floats up to the figures face.


    ¡°My name is Natalia, what¡¯s your name realm traveler?¡± it asks.


    ¡°Realm traveler,¡± it chokes out with a strained voice.


    ¡°That¡¯s a title, what¡¯s your name dumbass.¡±


    ¡°My name is Mateo Ryusane,¡± the figure replies almost instinctually.


    ¡°Not the coolest name I¡¯ve heard, you can call me Nat, I¡¯ll be buzzing around while you complete your first quest,¡± she says with a smile before disappearing into a puff of glittering smoke.


    ¡°My first quest?¡± He says aloud with a scratchy unpracticed voice.


    Words appear at the top of his peripheral as a solemn voice reads them aloud in his head.


    Main Quest 1: You have incurred the wrath of a beautiful young maiden¡¯s father, escape her room without dying.


    ¡°Without dying, what the hell does that mean?¡±


    The sound of heavy boots pounds the air as Mateo looks to the door of the young girl¡¯s room. He bolts to the other side of the room toward the window as the door swings open. To his relief the window isn¡¯t locked. He vaults through it as the young lady¡¯s father forces his way into her room.


    His exposed figure rolls off the roof of the porch making a thud as it lands in thick mud. To his dismay he finds himself in a summer storm. The sun may be shining, but that isn¡¯t stopping the rain. His bare feet slip as he runs naked through the rain toward the woods. The front door swings open, but a furious father doesn¡¯t give chase.


    After fleeing for his life without looking back for what seems like a quarter mile. Mateo reaches a small waterfall and stops washing mud from his naked body.


    Main Quest 1: Escape the beautiful young maiden¡¯s room without dying complete.


    Reward: your life


    Main Quest 2: Find shelter before you die.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    After cleaning himself in the creek below the waterfall Mateo staggers around aimlessly looking for something to cover his dangling jewels. To his dismay his search for apparel is fruitless.


    ¡°Uhm Mateo?¡±


    ¡°What is it strange flying tiny person?¡± He asks as Natalia reappears seemingly out of thin air.


    He takes a moment to look her over, something he didn¡¯t have time to do before. Natalia is a thin framed pixie with brilliantly colored wings and silver hair. Her eyes a calm cerulean ocean twinkle in the sunlight. Strips of crimson fabric wrap artfully around her soft caramel skin.


    ¡°Mateo, this isn¡¯t the time to stare at me hungrily,¡± Natalia yells.


    ¡°What is it?¡± He asks.


    ¡°Do you have a weapon?¡±


    ¡°Nat I¡¯m completely naked, where would I put a weapon,¡± he replies.


    ¡°You should run then,¡± she says.


    ¡°Why?¡± He questions.


    ¡°Wolves,¡± she replies disappearing.


    Glowing eyes fill the woods around the small stream. Dark clouds have moved in obscuring the warm glow of the sun which already seemed low in the sky. Mateo finds himself wet, naked, and confused. So, he starts running. The wolves give chase.


    His bare feet slip through wet grass as he hurtles himself though the woods like a mad man. The howl of wolves grows closer as he notices the glow of a lantern. He crosses his fingers bolting in that direction in hopes that it¡¯s a nudist colony.


    Gnashing jaws are near on his ankles as he slips through the mud toward a small cabin. There¡¯s a strange sign outside with a mug on it. A tavern? The wolves circle the woods around the structure as he forces open the door in a panic. He leans down breathing heavily as the patrons all stare at him awkwardly, or rather the bits of him dangling between his legs uncovered.


    ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯m a little lost,¡± he says collapsing to one knee.


    ¡°Is he fuckin¡¯ naked?¡± a voice with an english accent asks.


    ¡°Might be fun, why don¡¯t you let me examine him,¡± a stern female voice says.


    ¡°Terror says don¡¯t touch him, Terror senses a pixie,¡± a loud booming voice says.


    Subtle torches light the tavern in a warm apricot glow as his senses begin to fail him. His eyes meet a small trio, but his vision is too blurry to make them out. He falls face first onto the hard wood floor. Naked and exhausted in the middle of a tavern full of strangers.


    Mateo wakes in a room naked and surrounded by strangers. There¡¯s a large man with wolflike features covered in fur. A young woman with violet skin beside him siting cross-legged holding a book. She has long pointy ears and a scowl on her thin lips. The authoritarian voice rings through the air approaching him.


    It¡¯s a large muscular green man with short tusks protruding from his bottom lip. He¡¯s got a bit of an underbite, but his face seems otherwise appealing to the opposite sex. His fingers run under Mateo¡¯s chin lifting his gaze to two near glowing crimson eyes.


    New Quest: You have been captured by several unknown humanoid strangers, learn their intentions, and don¡¯t die.


    ¡°Terror wants know where is pixie?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s asking,¡± Mateo coughs.


    ¡°Terror is asking, no play games with Terror, where is pixie,¡± he says his crimson eyes growing slender.


    ¡°Sounds like the name of a stripper, so she¡¯s probably at the brothel,¡± he replies.


    A stern muscular hand seeks to slap some sense into him, but it has the opposite effect. Mateo spits blood as it runs through his teeth with a grin.


    ¡°Maybe I know her, maybe I don¡¯t, if you¡¯re looking for a girl that small your dick must be laughable.¡±


    The violet skinned girl chuckles and another muscular open palm slams against his face. Hoping this was a dream, or maybe a nightmare Mateo begins to realize he¡¯s not waking up.


    ¡°Calm down Terror, this obviously needs a woman¡¯s touch,¡± the violet skinned woman says standing.


    She¡¯s rather tall, and very slender. Her athletic build gives her a subtle, but firm bust. Something Mateo seems to find very alluring. Every step she makes is graceful like a model walking across a stage. Soft fingertips run across his cheek sending goosebumps down his spine. Mateo gazes up into her bright pink eyes and a seductive grin spreads across her thin lips.


    ¡°What¡¯s the pixie to you strange naked man,¡± she looks down at his crotch then back up at him, ¡°you¡¯d make a pleasant toy, maybe she saw the same in you.¡±


    Mateo¡¯s cheeks turn blood red as he realizes that he is sitting naked in a chair with a raging hard on. Unable to hide his strange attraction to her aggressive nature without pants he tries his best to keep up his fa?ade of ignorance.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know a pixie,¡± he replies.


    She sits in his lap sighing as she presses her firm breasts together seductively. The silky groin of her undergarments rubs against his exposed crotch. She¡¯s wearing a long cloak that seems well made for mobility and poorly made for defense. Her fighting style must involve speed and agility. The ability to move in and make quick strikes without taking a hit. She doesn¡¯t get penetrated unless she wants to.


    The wolfman sighs crossing his furry arms.


    ¡°This again Serenity, no one wants your frail frame and narrow hips, they aren¡¯t good for rearing children.¡±


    ¡°Hey Fido, shut the fuck up she was just about to seduce the location of the pixie out of me,¡± Mateo yells.


    Mateo moves his wrists, but they¡¯re bound by some kind of fuzzy rope. Something he concludes is less for detaining prisoners, and more for playing in the bedroom. Though he is unsure of any thoughts he makes having nearly no memory of who he is. By point of example, he barely learned to speak but a few hours ago. Strange memories are coming to him in short bursts. They often leave him confused though. Raising more questions than they answer.


    The wolfman rolls his moonlit eyes irritably before stomping off. Serenity looks down at Mateo placing her soft hand on his cheek.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve decided to speak, tell me where your pixie is, and I might make you my pet,¡± she says leaning into him with a lustful grin.


    Her breath presses hot against his lips seeking to make its way inside them. Subtle hints of mint and cherry invade his nostrils driving a lustful hunger inside him. One he is very nearly ready to give into, but he can¡¯t well give up the pixie without knowing who she is. He feels a strange connection to her as if he needs to protect her.


    Mateo gives off a sigh swallowing a mouthful of blood, so he doesn¡¯t spit it on her perky bosom and ruin her expensive looking corset.


    ¡°I ate her,¡± he replies.


    ¡°You what!¡± she yells angrily.


    ¡°I ate her, I was so hungry, and she looked so delicious, so I ate her,¡± he replies.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t,¡± she says grabbing his throat in a somewhat enticing way.


    ¡°Terror can kill him now?¡± the green man asks.


    Serenity holds out her hand and a dagger appears in it. It¡¯s a short obsidian blade with a bone handle. Probably better for hunting than execution. She doesn¡¯t seem concern about that though as she presses it to his throat.


    ¡°Tell me where the pixie is or I will take your last breath from you,¡± she says gripping the blade firmly.


    Mateo stares into her eyes as the razor-sharp blade cuts into his neck. Small slivers of blood run over his shoulder blades and he smiles.


    ¡°You might as well kill me, because I¡¯m not going to let you hurt her,¡± he replies.


    A strong wind forces its way through the trees ruffling the leaves violently and Serenity climbs off his lap. Looking around Mateo finds he is now in the middle of a clearing surrounded by forest. He lets out a sigh of relief at not having a dagger pressed to his throat.


    ¡°It¡¯s her Okami, prepare for an attack,¡± Serenity yells to the wolf man.


    ¡°I told you this was a bad idea,¡± he replies.


    Violent winds rip leaves from the trees sending them through the air like razors. My captors evade or cut through them until Natalia appears in-front of me.


    ¡°Natalia, you shouldn¡¯t have come, they¡¯re looking for you,¡± he says as she cuts his bindings.


    Mateo¡¯s captors encroach on him, and he holds up his fists ready for battle, naked as the day he was born.


    ¡°I know, they¡¯re my friends,¡± Natalia says with a smile.


    ¡°Your friends, that green guy almost knocked my teeth out!¡± Mateo yells.


    ¡°Terror hit you for free, Terror usually gets paid to hit people,¡± he says with a sense of pride.


    ¡°That sexy elf lady was going to kill me,¡± he protests.


    Natalia crosses her arms looking over at Serenity with a scowl on her face.


    ¡°Is that true,¡± she says squinting her eyes.


    ¡°I would have played with him first, he¡¯s not lacking in my area of desire,¡± she says biting her lip.


    ¡°You¡¯re a psychopath, you¡¯re a pervert, and you,¡± Natalia says pointy at Okami, ¡°you¡¯re a bad boy.¡±


    Mateo taps Natalia on the shoulder seeming confused.


    ¡°Excuse me, what the hell is going on?¡±


    Natalia smiles.


    ¡°You just found your party, adventurer.¡±


    Quest complete: You have been captured by several unknown humanoid strangers, learn their intentions, and don¡¯t die.


    Reward- ability to converse telepathically through Natalia with a party.


    By gaining the trust of Natalia Starbreaker you are now able to converse telepathically with your fellow party members. Current party includes: Okami Moonfang, Terror Darklove, and Serenity Everbold.

 Chapter 2 With Friends Like These Who Needs Enemies

    After Natalia reveals herself the trio of would-be adventurers explain how they know each other. Natalia was another would be adventurer¡¯s pixie until he died, and she was cast into the void. Serenity seems particularly sensitive about the subject and is unwilling to discuss it further dodging an explanation of how they lost their fourth member.


    ¡°Thanks for lending me a jacket Okami,¡± Mateo says as he sits around a small fire with his new ¡®friends¡¯.


    ¡°I was just tired of seeing your furry balls hanging about,¡± the wolfman replies.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mind it,¡± Serenity says with a perverse smile.


    ¡°Terror no care, everyone in village of Terror walk without dressing all the time, fresh breeze is good for reproduce, sometimes when Terror walk without cloth females offer pleasure to Terror,¡± the large green skinned orc says.


    ¡°Not all of us are animals,¡± Okami replies.


    ¡°Terror thinks you should speak for yourself man of wolf,¡± Terror replies.


    Mateo looks around the fire as Terror and Okami bicker at each other. Serenity is sitting alone seeming vulnerable. Probably some kind of trap to lure in her prey, which currently is likely him. Against his better judgement he moves from the fire to where Serenity is sitting on a small stone chair reading what looks like a book.


    ¡°My name is Mateo Ryusane, we weren¡¯t formally introduced when you were trying to seduce information out of me,¡± he says nervously.


    She folds the book closed with a sigh.


    ¡°How do you know that¡¯s your name?¡± She asks.


    ¡°I don¡¯t, it¡¯s just what popped in my head when Nat asked,¡± he replies.


    ¡°What else do you know about yourself,¡± she says lighting a pipe.


    ¡°I get images, visions, they come in short bursts, often over taxing my conscious, they aren¡¯t of this place though.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a puff and let the narrator explain things for you,¡± she says with a sly grin.


    ¡°The narrator?¡±


    ¡°Just take a puff sweetie.¡±


    Serenity hands Mateo the pipe and he inhales deeply. Smoke fills his lungs before escaping from his nostrils. After a few minutes he stares at her perplexed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you will.¡±


    Mateo goes to stand, and night turns to day. Day turns to night. He floats into the night sky joining the stars as a strange orchestra of music overcomes him. His pupils grow wide, and the constellations grip him trying to pull him through the universe in a strange waltz.


    Dancing about the heavens he spins through the stars stopping as a full-sized Natalia holds her hand out to him. He grips it and she pulls him into a vigorous tango amongst the stars of the night sky. They twirl about in the darkness until the music ends and they bow to the constellations in a roar of applause.


    The stars disappear, along with Natalia. Mateo flails his arms and legs as he feels himself falling endlessly into a bottomless void. He closes his eyes but only sees the same darkness that surrounds him. His figure curls into a fetal form and he whimpers alone in the darkness.


    ¡°Help me,¡± a voice echoes across the endless void.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± He bellows into the darkness.


    ¡°Please, anyone, help me,¡± the voice pleads.


    His form escapes from fear and despair turning instead to a beacon of hope seeking to liberate a lost soul from its eminent demise. Soaring through the darkness of the void Mateo reaches a small ball of light struggling to exist. He reaches his hand out to touch it and a small figure uncovers itself from the brilliant wings of a butterfly. Her form shutters in his presence as he seeks to aid her. Their bodies meet and she pulls him inside her intimately.


    The darkness dissipates around her and Natalia moans euphorically. Mateo holds her tightly as a wave of euphoria washes over him. He gives into her pleasure and light invades his senses.


    Mateo wakes in Serenity¡¯s tent. He rubs his head as the strange images leave his mind and the real world fills it once more. Serenity sits before him meditating. Only her long midnight hair is draped over her bare breasts.


    Her back is filled with scars as if she was disobedient to some master she had. Without thinking Mateo leans up running his fingertips over them gently. Serenity¡¯s meditation breaks and she turns to him swiftly, her fist sending him reeling backward.


    A look of concern spreads across her face as she scurries onto Mateo, her naked body pressing against his.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you startled me when I was meditating,¡± she says rubbing blood from his lip with her thumb.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll be ok,¡± he replies.


    Serenity licks the blood off her thumb and her pupils dilate. She leans down licking blood off his bottom lip, and he presses her away.


    ¡°Are you ok?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°You taste delicious,¡± she replies.


    Okami bursts into her tent at that exact moment pulling her back. Serenity¡¯s eyes glow red with blood lust as her teeth turn to blood draining fangs. Mateo comes to realize that she doesn¡¯t just seduce men for pleasure, they really are her prey.


    The wolfman pulls Mateo from Serenity¡¯s tent to his and Natalia appears out of thin air.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on here!¡± She says in a small demanding voice.


    ¡°Serenity lost it and tried to eat him,¡± Okami replies panting.


    ¡°What!¡± Natalia yells.


    ¡°Terror knows this is true, Terror quelled her hunger with blood of boar, but she will come for him again, she always comes for her prey over and over again, Terror has restrained her.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, it sounds dirty when you say it like that Terror,¡± Natalia says crossing her arms as she floats above Mateo.


    ¡°Terror knows you were gone before we rescue Serenity, captors of Serenity did many bad things to her, one bad thing is give her Sanguine Hunger.¡±


    ¡°What can we do to help her?¡± Mateo asks.


    They all look at him strangely.


    ¡°What, she is our friend isn¡¯t she?¡± He asks.


    Okami looks at Terror then at Natalia and back at Mateo.


    ¡°What do you mean help her?¡± He asks.


    ¡°She¡¯s obviously not herself when she¡¯s hungry, do you have snickers in this world?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Terror does not know snickers.¡±


    ¡°You could give her a little of your blood, it wouldn¡¯t quell her bloodlust, but it might satiate her hunger until the moon passes,¡± Natalia suggests nervously.


    ¡°Terror thinks we kill her, violence solves problem,¡± he says slamming his fist into his open palm.


    Mateo sighs turning his gaze to Terror. Terror is a massive powerhouse of muscle. He¡¯s what popeye would be if he ate a field of spinach. The brawn of the team. Okami is strong too, but he seems to be more curious, perhaps the brains. This means Serenity must be the current leader. If not for purely moral reasons, then there are tactical reasons she can¡¯t just be killed.


    ¡°Terror, how long have you been working with Serenity?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Terror enjoys several years with Serenity and her brother, but now she is problem that violence can answer,¡± he replies.


    ¡°Just like that, you would cast her aside,¡± Mateo says his voice filled with disdain.


    New Quest- Feed your friend Serenity¡¯s bloodlust, optional- cull her tainted soul.


    New Side Quest- scour the realm of Gottes in a near endless search for a cure for the ¡®Sanguine Curse¡¯


    Mateo grabs at his head angrily and storms away headed back to Serenity¡¯s tent.


    Moans of anguish and hunger loom around the cloth abode as Mateo approaches. Natalia appears in-front of him, but he pushes her aside. She hangs her head sadly rubbing her shoulder.


    ¡°Serenity!¡± He yells pushing open the flap to her tent.


    Serenity lunges at him hungrily. Saliva dripping from her fangs over her soft lips as she pulls against the chains holding her back. Terror tied her up using some strange bondage power. The group seem to have a bunch of spells unknown to Mateo. Then again, this whole world is unknown to him.


    Mateo steps forward and Serenity¡¯s fangs gnash at him like a wild beast. Her appendages struggling to break free of the rattling chains. Mateo stops just out of her reach.


    ¡°Serenity?¡±


    The crazed beast of a woman lashes out at him growing angrier that she can¡¯t reach him. He calls for her again.


    ¡°Serenity?¡±


    Her eyes grow wide as she spits foam trying to reach him. The chains pull tighter as her muscles strain against them. He calls to her again.


    ¡°Serenity?¡±


    Under the blood moon one under the sanguine curse has almost no control. Only the desire for blood. Though Mateo has no knowledge of this, he does know about being the monster gnashing its teeth at the end of its chain. Lashing out against a world you can¡¯t fix or destroy. Screaming into a dark void where you can see no light.


    ¡°Serenity, you don¡¯t have to be alone,¡± Mateo says reaching out his hand.


    She draws away from it reluctantly. He presses further. Her chains clank agains the ground as she retreats from him.


    ¡°Serenity, I know what you¡¯re going through,¡± he says leaning down to press his palm against her soft ivory cheek.


    A strange feeling washes over Mateo as he presses his fingertips against her soft ivory cheek. It¡¯s as if the blood in his veins pumps through it with a carbonated sizzle flowing from the center of his being into the tips of his fingers. A subtle, but noticeable glow emanates from them. Serenity turns, her eyes a wide and glowing red.


    ¡°What do you know of Sanguine?¡± A strange voice asks.


    ¡°Nothing, but I know about being the beast at the end of the chain,¡± he replies.


    ¡°What do you offer Sanguine?¡± The strang voice asks.


    ¡°Nothing, I only want Serenity,¡± he replies.


    ¡°Your tricks drive me away for now, but I will return.¡±


    Serenity¡¯s eyes change to normal, and she collapses into Mateo¡¯s arms. He senses something different about her. Her essence is weak, as is her breathing. Her eyes, now a dull pink, stare into his.


    ¡°Mateo, what happened?¡± She asks her now familiar voice shaking.


    A small message appears at the top of his peripheral.


    Void ability ¡®calm¡¯ used. Calm can be used to quell the rage of any sentient being. Void abilities can only be used once every twenty-one hours, or once per moon fall.


    He pulls a dagger from the side of her bag and grunts as he runs it across the palm of his hand holding it over her soft, thin lips.


    ¡°Drink,¡± he says with a crooked smile.


    Blood drips onto Serenity¡¯s lips and into her mouth and her eyes fill with a renewed vigor. She leans up confused still breathing heavily. The chains holding her begin to glow a dull blue before they evaporate completely.


    ¡°What happened?¡± She asks.


    ¡°You tried to devour me,¡± he replies.


    ¡°Sanguine hunger,¡± she says looking out of her tent at the crimson glow of the blood moon.


    Serenity stares down at the grooves dug into her wrists by Terrors conjured chains. Her bright pink eyes rise meeting his.


    ¡°You broke my chains, how did you convince Sanguine to release me dispelling the shackles of Terror?¡± She asks.


    ¡°I asked nicely.¡±


    ¡°So, you offered yourself to sanguine?¡±


    ¡°No, I offered myself to you,¡± Mateo replies running her long dark hair behind her pointed elven ear with his finger.


    Terror and Okami both sigh.


    ¡°I told you they were going to have sex,¡± Okami says.


    ¡°Terror knows this, but Terror was hoping for bloodshed.¡±


    Mateo turns looking over his shoulder at Okami and a disappointed Terror.


    ¡°Wait, what are you guys talking about, we aren¡¯t going to have sex,¡± Mateo says flustered.


    Serenity gives a sly grin narrowing her eyes.


    ¡°Unless you want to watch I suggest you both leave my tent immediately,¡± Serenity says grabbing Mateo forcefully.


    ¡°No bloodshed, Terror disappointed,¡± he says stomping off like an overgrown child.


    Serenity glares over at Okami whom hasn¡¯t moved. His face twisted into a curious stare as if waiting to observe some strange new ritual.


    ¡°Why are you still here?¡± Serenity asks.


    ¡°You offered a position as an audience member, maybe observing humanoid copulation will be good for my studies between same species and interspecies relationships,¡± Okami replies in his strange English accent.


    ¡°What I meant was fuck off.¡±

 Chapter 3 To Heroldin

    Serenity seems nervous around Mateo after his display of compassion. She¡¯s not used to men treating her that way after discovering she¡¯s a blood sucking vampire elf. Okami doesn¡¯t seem to care, and Terror is dissapointed in the lack of bloodshed. The group decide to move onward to the next town.


    ¡°So, what can you tell us about your skills Mateo, I noticed you used the ¡®calm¡¯ ability on Serenity,¡± Okami says.


    ¡°Skills, I¡¯m not sure how to answer that,¡± he replies.


    ¡°I sense he has a shadow essence,¡± Serenity says.


    ¡°Terror no like shadow essence, men in shadows weak, fight without honor.¡±


    ¡°A shadow essence, I know an essence viewer in Heroldin that could confirm this, she¡¯s a Lamia, but I find her insight reliable,¡± Okami says.


    ¡°Terror no like snake girls, snake girls talk funny, snake girls no like Terror, call Terror stupid oath, say he is one who talks funny.¡±


    Okami sighs looking over at Mateo.


    ¡°Chrissima is a friend, you are not of this world, so her form might frighten you, I assure you she is harmless,¡± Okami says.


    Mateo turns his eyes away. He finds himself suddenly overwhelmed by his new world. After being out of mortal danger for an extended period he¡¯s had time to think. Memories of his past life have flooded his mind.


    ¡°Take us to this Heroldin, I need to speak with Nat,¡± he says vanishing into their wagon in a panic.


    They leave him to his devices and Mateo fleas into the wagon falling to his hands and knees as he vomits violently. Natalia appears above him in a puff of cerulean smoke.


    ¡°Mateo, what¡¯s wrong Mateo?¡± She asks concerned.


    Mateo, haunted by the constant slew of past memories from another life pouring into his mind has come to a finite realization. Though he remembers his past life. He also remembers his death. The bright beaming lights of a lifted pickup burned into his mind. The lingering realization that he can never go back to his past life and that everything he did then, means nothing now.


    He rolls over on his side curling into a ball. Natalia floats down resting on his shoulder as he wraps his arms around his knees.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re having the ¡®revelation¡¯,¡± Natalia says rubbing his shoulder.


    After drowning in self pity for a few hours Mateo cleans up his vomit and joins his new companions at the front of the wagon. The sack robe that Okami let him borrow makes him feel more comfortable than the coat he was wearing. Definitely less embarrassing than walking about naked. He takes a deep breath taking in the world around him.


    A subtle breeze blows about the bluish leaves covering the tall thick trees around him. Dark red vines twist up their trunks and around their limbs. Large yellow berries hang in batches from the vines. The breeze brings a subtle aroma not dissimilar to that of lavender and vanilla. Or maybe that¡¯s just Serenity¡¯s perfume.


    His chest falls as he lets out a long relieving breath.


    ¡°Did you at least clean up the vomit?¡± Okami asks.


    ¡°Ofcourse, he cleaned it up he¡¯s not some barbarian,¡± Natalia interjects.


    ¡°How are you feeling sweetie?¡± Serenity asks in a gentle tone.


    The words slip through her lips seductively dancing about the air before invading his thoughts with images of their intimate ventures a few moonfalls ago. He¡¯s about to reply to her when one of the horses shakes its head giving off a loud winnie. Mateo falls backwards into the wagon pointing his finger at the creature in horror.


    The beast in question is not a horse, though it shares a similar shape. Instead, it is a larger creature known as a hoaram. Hoaram are a hardier bread of horselike creature used for navigating tougher terrain. They still have a sleek main, but their tall narrow ears are replaced by thick twisting horns. These carnivorous horse beasts have rows of jagged teeth and large claw like hooves. Something not dissimilar from that of a chicken or large bird. Some travelers refer to them as ¡®nightmare horses¡¯.


    ¡°What in the hell is that thing,¡± Mateo screeches.


    ¡°Terror knows this is hoaram, hoaram good for rugged terrain, Terror knows not what is hell.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t know how to translate that without context, now that I¡¯ve dug into his mind a little I get the sense that hell is somewhat accustomed to what you would call the void, a dark place of endless suffering that bad people go to, somewhat like the endless nothingness of the void,¡± Natalia states confidently.


    ¡°Wait translate, and did you just say you could read my mind,¡± Mateo asks with a stronger look of terror on his face than before.


    Everyone stares at him blankly for a moment. Then they all remember that he is not from this realm and begin to fill in some of the missing sections of information.


    Serenity explains that realm travelers often have pixies with them, not as familiars. That¡¯s something completely different all together. More as an extension of their being as their mortal bodies are often created by joining with a soul of light. This light then manifests itself as a pixie in order to help the realm traveler on their journey. Often acting as a medium between the knowledge of their old realm and the new one. Though this is not the limit of their assistance.


    Okami gives an explanation of the carnivorous horse beasts hoaram. Reassuring that they rarely feed on the flesh of humanoid creatures and would be more likely to try to eat him first since he displays more animalistic features. Which brings Mateo little comfort.


    Terror tells a story about one solstice when he was traveling and his hoaram collapsed just before moon rise. Giving great and gory detailed about how he had to cut it open and sleep inside it to keep from freezing to death. Only to find that there was a village a half mile away from where he was.


    Mateo now even more horrified than before draws in a deep breath. Serenity sits beside him running her hand over his back gently as he lets out an audible sigh.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok Mateo, we know how it feels to be in an alien land,¡± she says with a smile.


    ¡°Terror far from home too, before Terror meet Okami, Serenity, and Aureillius,¡± he pauses, ¡°before that, Terror was alone.¡±


    ¡°Aureillius?¡± Mateo questions.


    ¡°Terror is from Obsidius,¡± Okami says avoiding the question.


    Serenity wraps herself around Mateo pressing her face into his chest.


    ¡°The Orcen mountain ranges of Obsidius hold vast amounts of highly sought after obsidian ore, which the orcs are very skilled at using for crafting,¡± Okami continues.


    ¡°Terror live in Highrockhold with wife Dahlia until bad orc tribe destroy Highrockhold and kill wife Dahlia, Terror sad for many moon falls, Terror still sad, miss wife Dahlia,¡± Terror says with a painful grunt of sorrow.


    Serenity begins to sob audibly into Mateo¡¯s chest. He runs his fingers over her soft midnight hair trying to calm her.


    ¡°Aureillius was Serenity¡¯s brother, we lost him in the battle to liberate her from the Sanguine Cult, he was a strong leader, but sometimes no amount of strength can overcome vast numbers of blood thirsty vampire cultists, he gave his life casting a massive explosion spell that entombed him and the vampires inside a mountain so we could escape,¡± Okami says patting Serenity on her shoulder.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Terror has known no greater leader than Aurei, Terror misses him too,¡± Terror adds starring forward with a stoney gaze.


    Serenity regains her composure wiping tears from her soft cheeks with the back of her hand. She turns her eyes to Mateo with a forced smile.


    ¡°Sorry, it wasn¡¯t long ago that we lost him, the wounds aren¡¯t scars yet,¡± she says.


    ¡°Wow, no one cares that I was thrust into the void upon his death,¡± Natalia says crossing her arms in dismay.


    Serenity reaches up plucking her from the air like a child pulling a toy off a shelf. She rubs her cheek against her like she¡¯s a small fuzzy pet.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Natalia, we¡¯ve been less than welcoming to you, you served my brother well, thank you,¡± Serenity says with a sad smile.


    ¡°Terror sorry too, when Terror sad Natalia was always bright light that lead him from dark cave, Terror not unhappy to see Natalia again.¡±


    ¡°I too am glad of your return, however, I am curious about your time in the void, it wouldn¡¯t be too much to ask about your time there?¡± Okami asks.


    ¡°Godsdamnit Okami, you really know how to ruin the mood,¡± Serenity says shaking her head.


    ¡°My apologies, later perhaps, it is good to see you again Natalia,¡± Okami says bowing his head respectfully.


    The adventurers continue westward down a rocky trail. The bluish leaves turn to a forest of gold and Terror relaxes the Hoaram. The wagon comes to a stop as the sun slides behind the horizon and the moon rises once more.


    ¡°Terror thinks we stop here so hoaram can hunt.¡±


    They all step off the wagon as Terror undoes the hoaram¡¯s reins. He leads a hoaram over to a horrified Mateo.


    Okami steps up beside Mateo who is frozen solid by fear as he stares at the nightmare horse looming in-front of him.


    ¡°You should brush its mane, so it knows you¡¯re a friend,¡± Okami says holding his hand out to pet the terrifying creature.


    Mateo takes a deep breath reaching out his hand. He closes his eyes hoping that he¡¯ll still have a hand in a few moments.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably more frightened of me, right?¡± He thinks aloud.


    ¡°Terror doubts that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not helping Terror,¡± Serenity snaps.


    Mateo runs his hand over the soft gentle mane of the hoaram. The creature lowers its head bunting him with one of its thick curled horns. He runs his hand over the horn scratching a little at the base of it and the creature claws at the dirt a little. Okami and Terror laugh pleasantly.


    ¡°What?¡± Mateo asks confused.


    ¡°Julia likes you, you certainly seem to make a positive impression on creatures of the dark,¡± Okami says sniping a glance at Serenity.


    ¡°I know you didn¡¯t just refer to me as a creature of the dark,¡± Serenity snaps.


    ¡°You are a night stalker,¡± Okami says jokingly.


    ¡°And you¡¯re an overgrown dog,¡± she replies cunningly.


    ¡°I am not a dog!¡± Okami yells.


    Serenity pulls a small sphere from her cloak holding it in-front of her. Okami¡¯s face turns from an angry hurt to a solemn focus. His ears shoot upwards, and all of his attention focuses on the small sphere in her hand.


    ¡°Fetch,¡± she says tossing it with great force.


    Okami¡¯s feet kick up dirt as he bends down onto all fours rocketing through the trees toward the elusive sphere. The world around him no longer exists. His only purpose in life at that moment is to retrieve that sphere.


    The sphere is magic of course, twisting through the thick tree trunks as Okami gives chase. After a few minutes of unrelenting pursuit, the sphere runs out of mana and drops to the ground. Okami retrieves it returning to the group where he proceeds to lie on the ground tearing it apart with his teeth.


    Mateo moves his hand away from the hoaram, and she ventures into the woods with the other hoaram to hunt for prey.


    ¡°Are you sure Julia and the other hoaram are going to be ok going off like that?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°The other Hoaram is Bolt, he was the prized race hoaram of the divine king Larius Belzar the third, he was gifted to us when Terror culled an entire goblin horde with his bare hands, rescuing the princess from their perversions, but not my brother¡¯s,¡± Serenity says laughingly.


    ¡°Your brother, do you want to talk about him?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Perhaps after a few pints of mead,¡± she replies.


    They push the wagon off the road into a small grotto and make camp. Serenity being comfortable around Mateo allows him to rest in her tent while Terror and Okami have their own. Terror calls Mateo into his tent to speak as the sun disappears and warm fire and moonlight fill the air.


    Terror sits cross legged with a few crude weapons lain out before him. His tent has a small fire of its own above which rests a small boiling kettle. Mateo sits on a folded quilt beside him and Terror presses his thumb against his middle finger on both hands taking a deep breath.


    ¡°Terror Darklove answers to the Broodmother, Terror Darklove is grateful for all that the Broodmother provides, in her graces does Terror revel,¡± he prays opening his eyes and placing his palms on his knees.


    Terror turns over his hand holding out an open palm to Mateo. Mateo places his hand atop it and feels his blood turn to a carbonated fizzle again as a small glow emanates from both of their palms. After a few moments Terror pulls his palm away and his hand hovers over the crude instruments.


    It stops over a hammer with a flat end and jagged pick on the back. The handle is of carved wood with a small leather strap at the base.


    ¡°Terror knows this as instrument of the warrior, a proficiency with smashing skull and overpowering your foes, paths of warrior are barbarian, paladin, and soldier, I sense none of these in you,¡± he says moving his hand to a small wand.


    ¡°Terror knows this as path of sorcery, proficiency with magic, paths include mage, sorcerer, and wizard, Mateo is beholden to magic, but not constricted by it, you are not a sorcerer,¡± he says moving his hand to a jagged dagger.


    ¡°Terror knows this as the path of shadows, proficiency in stealth and alchemy, paths include rogue, thief, and botanist, Mateo has a dark essence, perhaps he walks the path of shadows,¡± he says turning to Mateo.


    ¡°Are those my only options?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Terror provides these options, combat is only limited by the imagination though, Terror does have one other option, it is not a fighting style known to Terror, this was something Aureillius was working on, do not tell Serenity that this was his,¡± Terror replies pulling a small box from his side.


    He lays the box in-front of Mateo. It¡¯s of medium size decorated with the crest of a dragon. The carvings on the wood depict a battle between great beasts. A tiger slashing its claws at a Phoenix. A dragon breathing fire over a large horned beast. Giants climbing over mountains to invade an unknown land. In the center stands a man, his sword pointed toward the ground with his offhand raised, a large glowing orb in it.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Terror know not what lies within the box, the contents are determined by the destiny of whomever opens it,¡± he replies.


    ¡°Open it open it open it!¡± Natalia yells excitedly.


    Mateo reaches forward placing his hand on the box. Terror places his hand over his with caution.


    ¡°Terror knows words of Aureillius, once open, you cannot close the box, for the contents are your destiny.¡±


    Mateo gives him an unsure look and Terror removes his hand. His fingers flip open the clasp in nervous anticipation. What is his destiny? The hinges creak as he slides the top of the wooden container open. A bright light fills the tent for a moment and Mateo feels his blood fizzle again.


    Terror stands, his eyes affixed to the contents of the box. A small well crafted obsidian dagger and carved obsidian ring. The dagger is short with a curved edge resembling the fang of a large beast. The handle is bone wrapped in a scaled leather.


    ¡°Terror does not know this path, but the weapon, Terror knows well, obsidian blade with pheonix bone hilt, wrapped in dragon scale, this is a void weapon, the ring also of obsidian, is a casters ring.¡±


    Class obtained- Battlemage, Battlemages excel using magic and close-range combat. An emphasis on defensive and destructive spells is recommended.


    Item obtained: Void weapon- Drako¡¯s Razor, depending on the skill level of the user Drako¡¯s razor can be extended into a larger or smaller blade. Drako¡¯s razor causes bleeding damage, this damage stacks with additional attacks. When depleted Drako¡¯s Razor can be recharged by consuming the souls of your adversaries into the void.


    Item obtained: Matrimony of the Void- A ring that can only be equipped by a Voidwalker. Matrimony of the Void allows the user to cast spells using the elements of water, wind, fire, earth, and umbral lightning. Matrimony of the Void does not loose charge as it is bound to the user and feeds off their soul and mana.


    Serenity bursts into the tent and the small box evaporates into a puff of glittering smoke. Mateo quickly shoves the dagger into it¡¯s black and gold scabbard hiding it under the folds of his robe. The ring binds to his left ring finger. Something he cannot hide. A golden inscription appears over top of the obsidian surface.


    ¡°The hoaram have returned,¡± she says and then squints her eyes gazing at them with suspicion.


    ¡°What are you boys doing in here?¡± She asks suspiciously.


    Mateo gives her a guilty smile as Terror rubs his head nervously.


    ¡°You were classing him weren¡¯t you, I thought I told you that we would perform that ritual as a group,¡± she snaps.


    ¡°Terror knows not of what you speak.¡±


    Serenity¡¯s eyes turn toward Natalia. Her lips change to a sly grimace.


    ¡°Natalia, what where Terror and Mateo doing just now?¡± She asks as her palm begins to glow.


    Mateo stands with a sigh.


    ¡°I was hoping to surprise you, I¡¯ve been feeling a little down since I don¡¯t really bring anything to the team, and me and you kinda hit it off a little I think,¡± he says rubbing his head nervously.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she says crossing her arms curiously, ¡°so you wanted to surprise me by showing me you aren¡¯t a useless pleasure doll?¡±


    ¡°Serenity I can¡¯t really tell where we stand right now, but I do like you, I just wanted to be more to you than one night, where I come from chivalry is dead, and I was hoping that here, maybe it wasn¡¯t,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°Oh, you want to court me, well, I suppose I¡¯m not opposed to being courted,¡± she says with a smile and exits the tent.


    Terror looks over at him wide eyed and confused.


    ¡°Terror knows not how you did that.¡±


    ¡°Did what?¡±


    ¡°Terror sees you lie to face, how?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t lie to her, I do like her, and I have felt kind of useless, like when we got attacked by those forest lobsters and I cried holding my head under the wagon while you guys dispatched them,¡± Mateo replies.


    Terror laughs, ¡°Terror thought was funny, Terror uses inside joke with Okami now that you are shrimp.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, we should probably join Serenity and Okami and announce my new class.¡±


    ¡°Terror is curious, what class did shadow shrimp get?¡±


    ¡°Battlemage.¡±

 Chapter 4 Golden Heroldin

    Mateo announces his class to the group, and they discuss battle tactics that may be helpful long into the night. Okami proposes that after Mateo completes a bounty and earns some coin he should buy a skill tome and some better apparel so he¡¯s not walking around in Okami¡¯s oversized robes.


    The stars glitter with hope in the night sky as our small band of adventurers rest before finishing their journey to Heroldin.


    The talons of the hoaram patter across compacted dirt as they approach the city. All the surrounding trees are filled with golden leaves that shine in the light of the sun. It reminds Mateo of the season fall in his realm. This is the natural color of the leaves though. Something that also reminds him that he is indeed, very far from home.


    ¡°If you like the golden forests of Heroldin, you should see the Sakura Willows of Satsuki,¡± Serenity says laying her head on Mateo¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Terror thinks birds of love can venture there on honeymoon,¡± Terror says rolling his eyes.


    ¡°Is that jealousy I sense in your voice,¡± Okami asks.


    ¡°Jealousy, vampire elf couldn¡¯t handle Terror.¡±


    ¡°Are you buffoons going to start comparing the size of your penises?¡± Serenity asks jokingly.


    ¡°I am curious as to see the size disparity between genitals of different races,¡± Okami replies.


    Mateo sighs rolling his eyes.


    ¡°Well, everyone here has already seen mine,¡± he says.


    ¡°Ah yes, I do have a few questions that I haven¡¯t been able to bring up in idle conversation,¡± Okami says a perverse wonder in his cerulean eyes.


    ¡°Terror thinks no time for that, we have arrived at Heroldin,¡±


    ¡°Well damn,¡± Okami protests.


    Heroldin is a small village with traditional Japanese architecture. There¡¯s a wooden wall wrapped around it to protect the inhabitants from rabid beasts.


    Large gates open up to a small town of simple people. The guards wave the adventurers through closing the gates as they enter. Mateo feels out of place seeing as he has never been to Japan. That is soon drowned in an ocean of wonder as the simple towns people turn to otherworldly beings like Terror and Okami.


    ¡°There are so many races here,¡± Mateo says gazing around in wonder.


    ¡°Heroldin is a neutral territory, it allows for the intermingling of races unlike some of the larger cities, I often conduct my research in places like this, you should have sex with a few females from some of the other races while I observe,¡± Okami says pulling out a small notebook.


    ¡°What?¡± Everyone yells at the same time.


    ¡°Oh sorry, forgot I was traveling with such closed-minded companions,¡± he says tucking the notebook back in his pocket.


    Okami is often shirtless displaying his silver fur with pride. He does wear pants though. His race is a little more reserved about displaying their genitals in public than Terror¡¯s. His pants must be enchanted because he seems to be able to retrieve or store items of varying sizes in their seemingly shallow pockets.


    ¡°Okami, can I ask you something?¡± Mateo says.


    ¡°Is it about the pants?¡± He replies.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Briefs of holding, the pockets are enchanted, I can put whatever I want into them up to a certain weight, they are very handy, and surprisingly comfortable, though I have found when you are aroused, they do little to hide your arousal,¡± Okami answers.


    ¡°Uh, yeah, anyway I wish I had some storage,¡± Mateo says.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a pixie don¡¯t you?¡± Okami asks.


    Natalia appears above Mateo¡¯s head squinting her eyes.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not some pants pocket, he can¡¯t just shove strange objects of varying shapes and sizes in me,¡± she complains.


    ¡°But you can store his items?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she replies rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Terror thinks everyone shuts up, we arrive at snake girl¡¯s place, Terror no like snake girl, Terror go find tavern for drink,¡± he says as the wagon comes to a stop outside a small shop.


    There¡¯s a large crystal sphere above the door advertising that it is an essence reading shop. Mateo steps up to the the door and Okami stops him.


    ¡°Chrissima can be a bit handsy, or tailsy, she¡¯s very open to touch,¡± Okami warns.


    ¡°Thanks for the warning, but she¡¯s going to need to touch me at some point to read my essence, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Okami replies.


    Mateo opens the door to Chrissima¡¯s emporium of the serpent. Jars with strange small creatures line shelves pressed tightly against the walls. Doorways are covered by beads instead of having doors. Burning incense fills the air and a very large breasted sapphire scaled Lamia slithers into the room excitedly.


    Lamia are half snake half person creatures. Usually, the bottom half being that of a snake. Chrissima has this figure. Her top half being that of a young woman with massive breasts and long crimson hair. Scales cover her back venturing halfway over her cheeks. She¡¯s got a long narrow forked tongue that pokes through her soft pillowy lips every so often to sense her surroundings.


    Chrissima coils around Mateo pressing his face into her large suffocating breasts.


    ¡°Okami, what a pleasssant ssspecimin you have brought me,¡± she says with a smile, a gentle hiss to her voice.


    ¡°This is our new friend Mateo, he¡¯s not from around here,¡± Okami says rubbing his head jealously.


    ¡°Help,¡± Mateo chokes out being smothered by her massive bosom.


    Chrissima releases him seeming embarrassed.


    ¡°My apologiesss dear, being of the conssstrictor family I often find myssself wrapped around thingsss I want inssside me,¡± she says with a sly grin.


    ¡°There you go Mateo, you can shove your strange varying shaped objects inside of her instead of me, I¡¯m sure she has plenty of storage space,¡± Natalia says pointing her finger at Chrissima.


    ¡°Ehem,¡± Okami coughs.


    ¡°We came for an Essence reading,¡± Mateo says gasping for air.


    ¡°Of courssse, jussst have a ssseat and I¡¯ll join you at the table, ssseing you have a pixxieee I assssume you¡¯re a realm traveler,¡± Chrissima says pulling some items off one of the shelves.


    ¡°Yes.¡±The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    They gather around a small circular table covered in a dark cloth that seems to be an image of the night sky. Strangely the stars on it move about the cloth. Chrissima joins them at the table placing a small crystal ball on it. She reaches her hands out pulling Mateo¡¯s to the ball as her pale-yellow eyes stare into his.


    ¡°What do I do?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Clossse you eyesss and empty your mind.¡±


    Mateo closes his eyes and tries to draw a blank. It¡¯s hard with everything that¡¯s happened in the past few weeks. Traveling with strangers that he now sees as friends. Being defenseless in the face of danger. Finding himself in a different world completely. And then suddenly, nothing. His mind becomes a blank dark and endless emptiness.


    ¡°How interesssting,¡± Chrissima hisses.


    ¡°What, what essence does he hold?¡± Okami says excitedly.


    ¡°All and none, thisss ssspecimen hasss the essssence of the void,¡± she replies.


    ¡°A void essence, are you saying he¡¯s a Voidwalker?¡± Okami says his eyes wide with wonder.


    Mateo retracts his hands from the sphere and Chrissima moves her elbows closer pressing her large breasts together.


    ¡°Would you mind fertilizzzing me, a few fledglingsss of the void would be wonderful,¡± Chrissima says with a seductive hiss.


    Mateo glares over at Okami.


    ¡°This is why you didn¡¯t let Serenity come isn¡¯t it.¡±


    ¡°More or less,¡± Okami replies.


    ¡°Sorry Chrissima, I¡¯ve got my eyes on someone else,¡± Mateo replies nervously.


    ¡°Thatsss good and well, young love isss good love,¡± she says looking over at Okami, ¡°your letter ssstated you were conducting a manner of resssearch that might interessst me?¡±


    Okami stands and we head to the door. He hands me a small coin purse and I look at him confused.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you coming?¡±


    ¡°Serenity is at the tavern with Terror, I¡¯m going to stay here, got some interspecies research to conduct,¡± he replies with a sly grin.


    ¡°You dog,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    ¡°A woman¡¯s best friend,¡± he says with a gentlemanly bow.


    The streets are filled with the fragrant aroma of food. Natalia appears floating beside Mateo taking in that aroma with desire in her eyes.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got some time, why don¡¯t we get a bite to eat?¡± Natalia says resting on his shoulder.


    ¡°You know, we haven¡¯t done anything together besides not die, that sounds nice.¡±


    Mateo steps up to a small stand filled with roasted sticks of meat and pulls a few coins out of the purse. The cook hands him a few sticks of skewered boardrel and vegetables soaked in a salty soy type sauce.


    Boardrel is a large boarlike creature native to Heroldin. It¡¯s a common beast amongst the realm of Gottes, but the ones in Heroldin are supposedly leaner and juicier.


    The second stall is selling a pasta that resembles ramen. For her size Natalia seems to be able to ingest a lot of food. Something the townspeople also notice.


    ¡°Is that a pixie?¡± A stranger asks.


    ¡°Natalia, no, she¡¯s more of a tiny backseat driver,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°Hey, is that an insult, you know I can read your mind to see if that is an insult,¡± Natalia says angrily.


    ¡°I¡¯m Mateo, what¡¯s your name stranger?¡±


    Mateo holds out his hand with a smile.


    The stranger¡¯s face turns to a scowl as they draw a short blade.


    ¡°I am an Archon of Drakvania, pixies are an insult to her malevolence.¡±


    New quest- An Archon of Drakvania has become aware of your pixie and seeks to kill both you and her. Don¡¯t die.


    The blade cuts through the air above Mateos¡¯s head as he draws his dagger. He sidesteps as it comes down on him vertically, splitting the stool he was sitting on. A crowd forms around them as Mateo prepares himself for a fight.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, or what you want, but I¡¯m not going to let you hurt Natalia, so show me your worst,¡± Mateo says clenching his fingers around the hilt of the dagger.


    His blood fizzles and the length of the blade increases.


    ¡°Mateo, we should run,¡± Natalia says floating behind him.


    ¡°No, he wants to kill you, if I can¡¯t protect you, then what can I do?¡±


    The archon charges him, and he blocks the attack with his dagger. Without any training it won¡¯t be long before the archon finds an opening. Obsidian and steel clash as the onlookers gasp.


    ¡°He¡¯s holding his own against an Archon, who is this man?¡±


    ¡°Sloppy footwork, but he isn¡¯t dead,¡± another says.


    Minutes pass and the Archon presses him back. Their blood-soaked blade glances off his grazing his cheek. Mateo steps back as warm blood runs down his face.


    ¡°You are a poor swordsman, and an even lousier opponent, you might as well fall on your sword,¡± the Archon says raising his blade to strike.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a swordsman,¡± Mateo says holding out his off hand, ¡°I¡¯m a Battlemage.¡±


    Slender violet bolts of electricity surge around his fingertips ready to be fired like projectiles. Mateo closes his eyes and his blood turns from a fizzle to a rolling boil as he unleashes a barrage of violet lightning bolts at his attacker. The crowd gasps as cold steel clanks against the ground and ash blows in the wind.


    Quest Complete- An Archon of Drakvania has become aware of your pixie and seeks to kill both you and her. Don¡¯t die.


    Reward- Notoriety amongst the cult of Drakvania.


    The Archon, so ignorant with their power. Thought Mateo a powerless victim so they didn¡¯t bother to use a ward against his magic attack. A fatal error. Mateo falls to his knees finding the attack has drained him of mana.


    Void spell- void lightning, cost, high mana, effect, project bolts of lighting from the void at your opponent obliterating them without remorse.


    ¡°Mateo!¡± Serenity yells hurrying to him.


    ¡°That guy just obliterated a fucking Archon!¡± Someone yells.


    ¡°Mateo, what just happened?¡± Serenity asks wiping blood from Mateo¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°Some Archon of Drakvania tried to hurt Nat, I stood up to him,¡± he replies.


    Mateo falls back into Serenity¡¯s arms, and she picks him up cradling him. There are more wounds on him than just the cut on his cheek. At some point the Archon impaled him with his blade. He is in dire need of healing. The only thing keeping him alive right now is his pixie, Natalia as she struggles desperately to heal him with her limited power.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the healer you fucking buffoons!¡± Serenity yells.


    A young woman adorned in robes of ceremony steps through the crowd. A flowing white robe with two embroidered holes sashes hanging over her shoulder. Gold stitching and accents on white robes are common apparel for healers. Her essence seems a pleasant glow as she moves toward them.


    ¡°I am Silvia Theodin, Archon of Revival, if you will allow I will grace him with the blessing of health.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re Silvia Theodin, I know you from the coliseum,¡± Serenity replies.


    ¡°So you do, decide on his fate fast for he does not have long,¡± she replies.


    ¡°What are you waiting for he¡¯s going to die!¡± Natalia yells desperately.


    ¡°Help him,¡± Serenity replies.


    Silvia holds her hands over Mateo and a warm glow erupts from them penetrating his flesh. Warm light swirls around them and a deep gash exposing the inner organs of his belly closes. Blood still stains his clothes, but the pain dissipates as the wound disappears.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Serenity says laying Mateo on the ground to rest a few moments.


    ¡°Lady Everbold, I was sorry to hear about your brother¡¯s demise, we enjoyed some time together, my heart is filled with infinite sorrow at his passing, as I¡¯m sure yours is, if you need the services of Revival know that you are welcome, however, if you for some reason align yourself with the church of Drakvania, know you are an enemy,¡± the young woman says with a bow before disappearing into the crowd.


    Mateo wakes in the bedroom of a tavern. Serenity is sitting in a wooden chair, her head resting on a small wooden table. Mateo sits up and she too rises grunting tiredly.


    ¡°Mateo, you¡¯re awake, I was worried,¡± Serenity says with a quaint smile.


    ¡°What happened?¡± He asks.


    ¡°You fought an Archon of Drakvania, I won¡¯t say you aren¡¯t foolish, but don¡¯t do that again without our help.¡±


    ¡°Not sure I had a choice, he was after Natalia,¡± Mateo says running his hand over his stomach.


    ¡°Blade went straight through you, not sure how you kept fighting, witnesses said your fighting style was lacking,¡± she says sitting beside him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a fighting style, I was just swinging my sword wildly like a mad man until I realized I could use a spell, something about the danger and desire to protect Nat drove my instincts.¡±


    ¡°Just be more careful, the world is a dangerous place,¡± she says pecking him on the cheek.


    Terror steps into the room adorned in some casual attire. A loose-fitting off-white shirt and sack pants. He¡¯s also carrying a plate of what looks like sweet treats.


    ¡°Terror knows you obliterated an Archon, tell Terror of this great battle,¡± he says his voice in the usual low grumble as he lays the plate of sweets on a wooden stand.


    Serenity sighs as Mateo laughs grabbing one of the sweets.


    Okami leans up rubbing his paws over Chrissima¡¯s large breasts. She wipes small beads of sweat from her brow with a soft cloth taking deep breaths.


    ¡°So how was it?¡± Okami asks.


    ¡°Invigorating,¡± she replies.


    ¡°Do you think the eggs will be fertile?¡±


    ¡°Okami, why do you want this so bad that you¡¯ve devoted your life to it, I¡¯m just a worthless snake girl,¡± Chrissima replies.


    ¡°Not to me, I¡¯ve been a beast my entire life, lived through the prejudice of it, called a monster, a freak, werewolf, demon, eyes still glare at me with resentment as I walk through town, you¡¯ve been through the same, and I admire you for staying in spite of it, the beauty I find in you is far deeper than your scales, when we were younger I promised you a family, I will give you that,¡± Okami replies.


    ¡°And here I was hoping you were going to be a good boy,¡± she says rolling on-top of him.


    The chambers of the Archons of Drakvania are vast. Loud footsteps penetrate them as an angry figure approaches a large, scaled beast at a brisk pace. The figure drops to one knee bowing as the scaled beast rises slightly.


    Dark scales cover an unusually large reptilian figure. Majestic wings spread out before retracting behind it as it rises to greet its underling.


    ¡°Archon, why do you seek me?¡± It asks its large gnashing maw showing disdain.


    ¡°Lord Dios, an Archon attempted to snuff out a pixie but was met with complications,¡± the Archon replies.


    ¡°He¡¯s dead then, mortals are worthless, and what of the pixie, does it still live?¡±


    ¡°Yes Lord Dios, I have sent additional Archons to investigate,¡± the Archon replies.


    ¡°Withdraw them, our prey will come to us in due time, there are other matters that require our attention until then,¡± the dragon says lowering its head to return to an eternal slumber.


    ¡°Thy will be done my lord,¡± the man says exiting the large chamber.

 Chapter 5 Voidwalker

    Mateo sits in his room at the tavern alone gathering the near nothing he owns. A heavy feeling of sorrow washes over him as it dawns on him that everything he ever worked for in his past life is now gone. Every item he owned, everything he ever accomplished are all foreign memories to him now.


    Natalia lands on his shoulder laying against his neck sensing his disdain. At that moment an alien thought invades his mind. Perhaps something implanted in his head by the mind reading pixie herself. Mateo cracks a thin smile as he peers down into his hands. He has nothing to lose, and everything to gain.


    ¡°Thanks for taking up for me, even in the face of eminent death,¡± Natalia says breaking the silence.


    ¡°We¡¯re in this together, and I don¡¯t find you particularly unpleasant, there is something that has been bothering me though, Natalia, I was able to use that spell even though I don¡¯t know how to use spells, how did I do that?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m more than just a fly buzzing around you Mateo, not only am I a part of you, but I can unlock your potential, if you¡¯re willing to let me,¡± Natalia replies.


    ¡°I want to be stronger, I want to be able to protect the people I love, I want to be able to protect you, when I first got to this world I was confused, naked, and alone, except for one little light,¡± Mateo says and Natalia blushes a little.


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to learn to use void space then,¡± she replies.


    ¡°Void space?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your own little plot of emptiness in the void, additionally you can store items there, we don¡¯t have to hide it anymore, all your companions know you¡¯re a Voidwalker.¡±


    ¡°How do I use this void space?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to level up your essence, void space unlocks at Voidwalker rank two I think, I was with Aureillius for so long that my memory is a little fuzzy,¡± Natalia says.


    Mateo gives Natalia a gentle pat on the head. She returns a pleasant smile.


    ¡°So, we¡¯ll need to level up, Terror will be glad to hear it,¡± Mateo says with a new sense of determination.


    Mateo meets his companions at a large bounty board. There¡¯s some kind of method to the madness, but Mateo just sees a bunch of nailed papers on a cork board.


    ¡°Goblins?¡± Serenity says holding out a bounty post.


    ¡°Goblins weak, we fight elemental hydra!¡± Terror says holding out a bounty post.


    ¡°You stupid oath, that¡¯s a three-talon quest, we¡¯ve but three talons among us,¡± Okami says snatching the paper from him.


    Mateo looks about his companions realizing that they are each wearing a necklace adorned with a single talon. The band itself is a leather strap that radiates with magic energy.


    ¡°Excuse me guys, are the pendants around your necks a power rating?¡± He asks.


    Okami smiles as he pulls a small crystal from his pocket. The crystal floats into the air and a suspiciously sexy female voice begins to narrate its contents.


    Low level adventurers start out with a ranking from the Phoenix Order. The ranking ranges from one to twelve Phoenix talons. After obtaining twelve talons they will be tested before advancing to the Order of the Tiger.


    The Order of the Tiger grants adventurers tiger claws. After being granted eight tiger claws adventurers will be tested to see if they are eligible to ascend to the Order of the Dragon.


    The Order of the Dragon grants its members dragon scales. Unlike the talons and claws these will not adorn your neck, but fuse directly onto your back becoming an extension of your being. After amassing twenty dragon scales adventurers are granted the opportunity to become Dragon Knights. Upon completion of this trial, they are granted scale bound armor and weapons along with their own dragon. The exceptional few that progress past this are offered the opportunity to join the Order of Gottes.


    The Order of Gottes is the highest-ranking order in Gottes. Dragon knights who ascend to this rank are said to possess powers that rival those of even the gods. One such Dragon Knight, Verillias Gottes of the house of Gottes, claims he is a god.


    ¡°You guys know I don¡¯t even have a single talon right, I¡¯m just kind of canon fodder,¡± Mateo says nervously.


    ¡°What is canon fodder?¡± Okami asks.


    ¡°Terror doesn¡¯t know canon fodder either.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s telling you insulant buffoons that we need to raise his standing before we go fighting hydras,¡± Serenity says glaring at Terror.


    Terror stomps off like a child. Okami pulls a zero fang notice from the board handing it to Mateo.


    ¡°Here, you¡¯ve a dagger, surely you can handle some seductive slimes,¡± he says.


    ¡°Oh, that sounds entertaining, unfortunately we have other matters to attend too,¡± Serenity says with a sly smile.


    Bounty accepted: A harem of seductive slimes has been unleashed on the nearby farmers. Slimes cannot be destroyed by physical strikes and are more easily captured using a magical instrument such as a slime bladder.


    Okami hands Mateo what looks like a metal cantina.


    ¡°Go get them tiger,¡± he says with a wolven grin.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t any of you going to help me?¡± Mateo asks.


    They all laugh, and Serenity places her hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°You need the experience, scream and Terror will come to save you,¡± she says with a smile.


    Serenity and Okami head off on another bounty and Terror steps over to Mateo.


    ¡°Terror is not babysitter, Terror is here to assess your strength, well for this bounty perhaps, cunning.¡±


    Terror follows Mateo to the outskirts of town. One of the fields seems to have become a swamp. A telling sign that it is overrun by seductive slimes.


    Mateo draws his dagger as a puddle of water rises into a humanoid form. Terror steps back with a strange look of desire on his face.


    ¡°They¡¯re just slimes, you don¡¯t have to be too rough with them,¡± Terror yells giving Mateo a thumbs up.


    ¡°Thanks, that¡¯s very reassuring,¡± Mateo replies.


    The first humanoid slime approaches Mateo. It takes the form of a short curvy female figure. He takes a deep breath drawing his dagger. It¡¯s just a blob of blue goo. He tells himself thrusting the dagger toward it.


    ¡°I love you,¡± the slime says.


    His dagger stops before penetrating the formed throat of the creature. Not that it would have had any effect in the first place. He retracts his blade staring down at it curiously.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Who am I?¡± He asks suspiciously.


    ¡°Help me,¡± the slime says and another rises behind it.


    Three more female slime figures rise behind it pitting all five slimes against him. Mateo reaches his hand out touching the liquid cheek of his opponent. His blood fizzles as his fingertips glow.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Name, slime has no name, slime is slime,¡± it replies retreating before fusing into one female figure.


    ¡°Sapphire, would you mind getting in this flask for me?¡±


    ¡°Sapphire, you give name to creature, do you want creature?¡± The slime asks.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok, I¡¯ll keep you safe,¡± Mateo says.


    The blob of liquid squeezes itself into a small flask. Mateo twists the top shut as Terror joins him.


    ¡°Good job, now we take monster to owner.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right terror, we¡¯re going to meet the monster,¡± Mateo says angrily shoving the flask in his robes.


    Bounty Complete: A harem of seductive slimes has been unleashed on the nearby farmers. Slimes cannot be destroyed by physical strikes and are more easily captured using a magical instrument such as a slime bladder.


    New Quest: Return the harem of Slimes to their rightful owner.


    Mateo¡¯s knuckles rake against the door of a large mansion with unnecessary force. The structure is built of some unknown sturdy wood that has been stained a dark brown. The yard has a few large violet willow trees. Two carriages fill an otherwise empty gravel driveway. Dare he even call it that in this world.


    The door opens and a short pudgy man with pointed ears and an unpleasant look on his undesirable face steps out.


    ¡°What do you want peasant?¡± He asks.


    ¡°Terror and friend-,¡± the man cuts him off.


    ¡°Silence mongrel.¡±


    Terror narrows his eyes with an audible grunt stepping back.


    ¡°You hold the bounty for the seductive slimes?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Ah, yes, you have brought my toys?¡± He says with a cynical grin.


    Mateo pulls out the bounty and tears it to shreds letting the pieces fall slowly to the ground. Several large guards step up beside the man. Terror returns to Mateo¡¯s side grinning ear to ear.


    ¡°Bloodshed?¡± He asks.


    ¡°Bloodshed,¡± Mateo replies drawing his dagger.


    The short man disappears as more guards arrive.


    ¡°Terror will take care of guards, Mateo take care of client,¡± he says with a bloodthirsty smile.


    Mateo surges through the guards as if they aren¡¯t even there. His anger erupting inside him like an untapped power he feels weightless. Terror crushes the guards like bugs with his large hammer as Mateo pursues the client. He bursts into a large room adorned like an office. The client backs into an oak desk raising his finger.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m an Archon,¡± he yells.


    ¡°I already killed one of those,¡± Mateo says holding out his offhand.


    Bolts of void lightning reflect off a large ward as the Archon shields himself from Mateo¡¯s attack. Mateo moves in swiftly, easily penetrating the ward. His dagger digs deep into the Archon¡¯s neck. The Archon spits blood, choking on it as Mateo steps back. He falls to his knees expiring dramatically on the ground in a puddle of his own filthy blood.


    ¡°Excellent!¡± Terror yells raising his bloody hammer above his head.


    Quest Failed: Return the slimes to their rightful owner.


    Quest Reward: your integrity.


    Mateo and Terror return to the bounty board to consult Judy. Judy is the lady that assigns contracts and fulfills them. She hands out the rewards for completed bounties.


    ¡°Eh, um, there seems to be a discretion in the contract, the person who posted the bounty seems to be dead,¡± Judy says nervously.


    ¡°Oh yes, we killed the monster,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    ¡°Um, unfortunately with the client having expired the contract has become null,¡± she says staring at the two blood soaked men nervously.


    ¡°Is that so, Terror, what happens when we don¡¯t get paid for our hard work?¡± Mateo says staring at her with a murderous intensity.


    ¡°It causes Terror problem, problem to which violence is the answer,¡± Terror says popping his knuckles.


    ¡°Judy, you¡¯re a very beautiful young lady, I¡¯m assuming you didn¡¯t know that the person who posted this bounty was asking adventurers to retrieve his personal playmates,¡± Mateo says suspiciously.


    ¡°Terror kills her now?¡±


    ¡°I just put up the bounties and hand out the rewards,¡± Judy replies quickly.


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary, she seems genuinely na?ve to the situation, we¡¯ll just have to take another bounty.¡±


    Mateo motions Terror away and they move away from the bounty desk.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Judy yells.


    Mateo stops a small grimace spreading across his face.


    ¡°Is she ok?¡± Judy asks.


    Mateo looks back at her with a smile.


    ¡°Sapphire will be traveling with me for a while, you keep an eye on that board and let me know if any more suspicious bounties show up, we¡¯re going to make sure this is a bounty board and not a trafficking ring,¡± he replies.


    ¡°Um, there is something I can give you,¡± Judy says placing a small box on the desk.


    The adventurers regroup in a small tavern outside of town called the Woods of Ill Wisdom. The names of taverns don¡¯t seem too important since Mateo currently doesn¡¯t have a way to track them, or a map.


    Mateo holds up a small necklace. It¡¯s a leather strap with one phoenix talon on it.


    ¡°You got a talon, congratulations,¡± Okami says in his unfitting English accent.


    ¡°I heard you dispatched another Archon,¡± Serenity says.


    ¡°I killed a monster, do you mind if I stay in your room tonight?¡± Mateo asks.


    Serenity brushes her pitch-black hair behind her pointed ear.


    ¡°I¡¯m um, someone else is joining me tonight,¡± Serenity says nervously.


    ¡°Terror thinks you can hang with Terror this moon rise,¡± Terror says flexing his large biceps.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine, Natalia wanted a moment with me.¡±


    Mateo slumps his shoulders stepping away. His form is a pathetic sadness as he ventures alone into the woods. He plops down on a rotten log as Natalia appears above him.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Mateo?¡± She asks.


    ¡°Nothing, I got the wrong impression.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Mateo stands stretching his arms.


    ¡°I think I might have a drink, do pixie¡¯s drink?¡±


    ¡°Pixie¡¯s drink dragons under the table,¡± she says her eyes sparkling with glee.


    One pint and Mateo is ordering fried peppers and dip. Two pints and Mateo is feeling a little underwhelmed. Five pints and Mateo is starring at Natalia in a lustful manner. Eight pints and Mateo is vomiting in the toilet as Natalia gives him moral support.


    The sun breaks through the windows of the tavern and Mateo wanders into the hall rubbing his head from a hangover. A stranger exits Serenity¡¯s room and she steps out seeming distraught.


    The door to Terror¡¯s room bursts open and he steps between them.


    ¡°Terror thinks you should speak with Terror and Okami about Serenity,¡± Terror says.


    Mateo looks past him at a disgruntled Serenity.


    ¡°Oh, I see how this is, I need to go throw up again, just stay the fuck away from me, all of you,¡± Mateo says bolting toward the nearest toilet.


    Steam rises as Mateo lays back in a warm bath. Natalia appears above him seeming upset.


    ¡°Mateo, you¡¯re unsettled, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Natalia asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, I knew what I was getting into, and I got into it anyway,¡± Mateo says with a loud sigh.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± Natalia says perplexed.


    ¡°Party members don¡¯t have sex because it complicated things, I was vulnerable and I let Serenity in, I trusted her, thought there was something between us,¡± Mateo breathes deeply as he breaks down mentally.


    His pounding hangover drives him back to his room in solitude. Unwelcome thoughts of jealousy flood his mind. Cold tears fill his eyes, and he swallows his sorrow laying his head back on a soft pillow.


    Unable to function properly with his head pounding as the darkness of his thoughts consume him he closes his eyes allowing his nightmares to take hold.


    ¡°Mr. Ryusane, you have a lot of time off task,¡± a managerial figure says.


    ¡°Yeah, I was taking a shit, I can start taking pictures if you want,¡± he replies.


    ¡°That¡¯s, just try to use the restroom on your breaks,¡±


    ¡°Sure thing boss, you make sure to check the air pressure in your tires on break.¡±


    ¡°Your performance for last week was in the bottom five percent so you¡¯re receiving a formal written, try to get those numbers up champ.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re receiving another formal for this week, are there any performance obstacles that we might be able to overcome?¡±


    ¡°Mateo, this isn¡¯t working out, I¡¯ve been seeing someone else, and I think we would both be happier if we separated.¡±


    ¡°Mateo, Mateo, Mateo¡­¡±


    Mateo wakes panting as beads of sweat pour down his face. A full-sized Natalia leans up running her soft caramel fingers over his cheek and he screams.


    ¡°Holy shit, who the fuck are you!¡± Mateo yells.


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Natalia,¡± she replies trying to calm him.


    Mateo stares at her confused and she moves over wrapping her arms around him. Natalia smiles running her hand over Mateo¡¯s bare chest.


    ¡°You were thrashing in your sleep, I was worried you were going to crush me,¡± Natalia says.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Natalia, I had a nightmare, and I just thought there was something between me and Serenity, but I seem to be the same fool I was in my old life,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°Wait, what happened between you and Serenity?¡± Natalia asks.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t see that guy leave her room, what do you think they were doing?¡±


    ¡°Mateo, I don¡¯t think, oh my, he¡¯s out again,¡± Natalia says concerned.


    Mateo passes back into the realm of dreams as Natalia wraps herself around him concerned. Her bright cerulean eyes filled with tears as she reads his memories. The pain of his past existence invades her mind filling her with sorrow. Hours pass as distant memories crowd her mind. Natalia grips her head as gentle hands touch her wrists.


    Mateo, now awake and sober, seeks to calm her.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to put all that on you, those are my problems, not yours, I sense you¡¯ve been suppressing my emotions though, trying to protect my underdeveloped psyche, and when I drank it overwhelmed me all at once, I haven¡¯t even been in this world a month and I¡¯ve already killed two people, two human beings,¡± Mateo says with a sigh.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t killed anyone before?¡±


    ¡°I have, in a war my country had no business fighting, I saw the atrocities of man, and they haunted me, they still do, Natalia, I need you to promise me something, the bottle took me in my world, don¡¯t let it take me in this one, you¡¯re the only person I really trust,¡± he says with a broken smile.


    ¡°Mateo,¡± Natalia says nervously.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Serenity wasn¡¯t doing what you think with that guy.¡±

 Chapter 6 Ryukaze a Violent Wind

    Mateo wakes holding a humanoid sized Natalia. Natalia opens her cerulean eyes in a panic realizing she¡¯s given up that she can be larger.


    ¡°Mateo,¡± Natalia says attempting to flee.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late now, I¡¯ve already seen big you,¡± Mateo says.


    Natalia stops letting out a sigh as she moves closer to him. She places her head on his chest nervously.


    ¡°Aureillius was good to me, I sense the same passion in you, he told me he loved me often and I didn¡¯t understand why until he was gone, do you love me Mateo?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°You asshole,¡± Natalia yells slapping his shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m just kidding Nat,¡± he says fending off her assault.


    Natalia shrinks down to her usual size squinting her eyes at him before floating off angrily.


    Mateo steps into the the tavern where Terror, Okami and Serenity are enjoying breakfast. Serenity stands opening her mouth and Mateo holds out his hand to shush her.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to talk here,¡± he says joining Terror and Okami at the table.


    ¡°Alone then,¡± Serenity says visibly upset.


    ¡°What¡¯s for breakfast?¡± Mateo asks as she stomps off.


    ¡°Chikus eggs and fried boardrel,¡± Okami replies.


    Chikus are a small chicken-like creature. They taste like chickens too. They¡¯re about three feet tall though.


    Okami gives Mateo a curious glance.


    ¡°Mateo, can you hear the narrator?¡± He asks.


    ¡°There¡¯s a voice in my head that explains this world to me sometimes, not quite as annoying as Natalia,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°Hey, why are you picking on me all of a sudden!¡± Natalia protests floating above him.


    ¡°I¡¯m envious,¡± Okami says.


    ¡°Terror no need explanation, when Terror doesn¡¯t know something, he pummels it out of existence, violence is answer,¡± Terror says slamming his fist into his open palm.


    Idle conversation fills the air as the newbie adventurers enjoy breakfast. After the pleasantries Mateo puts on a stern face and enters Serenity¡¯s room. She sits at the edge of her bed avoiding eye contact. You could cut the tension in the air with a misplaced glance.


    ¡°You know then,¡± she says brushing her dark hair behind her pointy ear nervously.


    Mateo steps in-front of her and lifts her chin with his fingertips staring deeply into her bright pink eyes.


    ¡°You put me under the wrong impression, I thought there was something between us,¡± he pauses for a moment, ¡°I trusted you.¡±


    Mateo pulls his hand away and steps toward the door. He stops in the doorway as Serenity begins to sob.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame, I came from another world with a broken heart, only to feel that same pain again as soon as I entered this one,¡± Mateo says the words treading across his lips like a cold mist.


    ¡°Wait, what are you taking about?¡± Serenity sniffles raising her eyes to him.


    ¡°You were with that man last night,¡± Mateo says unable to hide his anger.


    Serenity stares at him unable to control her sorrow.


    ¡°You think we had sex?¡± She says her lips quivering.


    ¡°Well, didn¡¯t you?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°No, he was from the church of Revival, he was checking to see,¡± she stops staring at the floor as cold tears run down her cheeks dripping off her chin as they form a small puddle on the floor.


    Mateo shuts the door stepping away from it. He rejoins Serenity on her bed. She sobs into her palms for a bit before burying her face in Mateo¡¯s chest. He rubs her back gently unsure how to feel. He had entered with a strong resolute will thinking she had been promiscuous with someone else like a past lover. He hadn¡¯t even stopped to think that it could be something else even after Natalia warned him.


    ¡°Serenity, what¡¯s wrong?¡± He asks regaining his own faculties.


    She looks up into his hazel eyes hers two bright pink oceans of sorrow.


    ¡°The curse,¡± she cries her voice a quivering sadness, ¡°I can¡¯t bear offspring.¡±


    Mateo runs his fingers through her soft midnight hair trying to comfort her.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok, we¡¯ve got Nat,¡± he says jokingly.


    She laughs through her tears a little leaning up to meet his gaze.


    ¡°She is kinda like a little you, but cuter,¡± she says with a forced smile.


    ¡°Hey now,¡± Mateo sighs, ¡°Serenity I¡¯m sorry, I should have trusted you and I didn¡¯t, how can I make it up to you?¡±


    ¡°You could start by getting some robes that don¡¯t smell like a wet dog,¡± she replies brushing tears from her cheeks jokingly.


    Mateo finds comfort that Serenity hasn¡¯t betrayed him and decides to spend the day with her to help her come to terms with her infertility.


    Warm sunlight graces their skin as Mateo leads Serenity to a pleasant grotto near the tavern. He unfolds a small cloth laying out several sandwiches of varying thinly sliced meats. Serenity smiles as she takes a bite of hers.


    ¡°These are good, what are they?¡± She asks.


    ¡°Boardrel, chikus, and some kind of sausage, do you know sausage in this world?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Likely cured goatviel,¡± she says taking another bite.


    Goatveil are similar to the goats from Mateo¡¯s world. They¡¯re bred and slaughtered like cows though. Most even have the same patchy black and white color patterns too. And, they¡¯re damned delicious.


    ¡°Serenity, I wanted to share something with you, something that I only trust you and Natalia with right now, Terror would laugh at me, and Okami wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she says with a mouthful of sandwich.


    ¡°I¡¯m terrified, I am so fucking terrified of this place, I¡¯ve been thrust into it at the bottom of the food chain and the shit at the top seems to want to eat me, if I hadn¡¯t caught that Archon from Drakvania off guard he would have killed me and Natalia,¡± Mateo says.


    ¡°Yet he¡¯s dead and you¡¯re here, my brother shared one bit of advice with me that I hold dear, I¡¯m not sure how Natalia will translate this, but I¡¯ll tell you anyway, we had just lost our healer, a stray arrow through the skull, and the battle seemed lost, hordes of goblins surrounded us, he held out his hand and pulled me to my feet staring directly into my eyes and uttered four words, ¡®It is all bullshit¡¯, he said, the gods, the ruling class, the rich, the poor, everything around you is bullshit, always has been, always will be, you just have to shovel that shit out of your way and keep going.¡±


    ¡°I highly doubt that translated right,¡± Mateo says smiling at Serenity.


    ¡°What, is there something on my face?¡±


    ¡°Yes, beauty.¡±


    The following day they all meet up in the dining hall of the tavern and Terror hands Mateo a bounty.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°Is no elemental hydra, but Terror knows is good for coin.¡±


    ¡°Goblins then, am I to become the goblin slayer?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Terror gets you something special, but Terror cannot give to you for free, this make you coin to pay Terror,¡± he replies crossing his massive arms.


    Mateo grabs the quest and takes it to Judy. Judy is still somewhat unsettled from their last meeting.


    ¡°Hello Judy, you smell pleasant today, is that peppermint and cinnamon?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what those are, but it is an aroma from the local flora,¡± she replies.


    Mateo places the bounty on the desk and Judy stamps it reluctantly.


    ¡°Goblins, eek, do try not to capture any of them and carry them around like those slimes,¡± Judy says with a concerned glance.


    ¡°I promise I won¡¯t bring back any goblin girls,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    Okami grabs Mateo¡¯s shoulder with a perverse wolven smile.


    ¡°If there are goblin girls-,¡± he says before everyone cuts him off.


    ¡°No!¡± They yell in unison.


    Okami hangs his head sadly and they head for the wagon. The ¡®Crystal Caves of Obliteration¡¯ are a couple of days ride out. Terror, impatient to find out what fighting style Mateo will acquire pulls him aside as they rest at the first moon rise.


    Stars sparkle amongst a brilliant night sky in what Okami says is mid Maius, similar to the middle of May in his realm. A pleasant breeze blows about the golden leaves as Terror sits cross legged by Mateo setting a book in-front of him.


    ¡°Terror know this is tome of Mortal Arts, Terror thinks you may need this to fulfill bounty.¡±


    The tome itself is a hard cover book lined with a steel-colored metal. The spine is a sturdy and hefty metal binding. Mateo lifts it placing his fingers over a copper clasp. Terror places his hand over Mateo¡¯s with a toothy smile.


    ¡°Terror excited to know how you perpetrate violence, but don¡¯t forget to pay terror back, tome of Mortal Arts is not cheap, and Terror gives you discount by accepting the little coin your bounty acquires.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Terror, I think we¡¯ll all be together for a bit, so I won¡¯t forget what I owe you,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    ¡°Open the damn book, I¡¯m dying here!¡± Natalia yells.


    Terror removes his hand and Mateo flips open the clasp. The book rises into the air and the pages flip open in a fury as dark words fill the air swirling around Mateo. His eyes grow wide, and his mouth and ears let off a strange glow as the words force their way into his mind. The world changes from a forest into a blinding light and a wave of power rushes over Mateo.


    The world turns from light to dark and Mateo opens his eyes finding himself in an empty courtyard. He leans up and a young woman in a martial arts Gi approaches him.


    ¡°Who are you, where am I?¡± He asks.


    Long jade hair runs down her back complimenting her dark green eyes. Her body moves into a fighting stance with tactile precision.


    ¡°I am Ryukaze, the wind dragon, here you will learn to fight alongside me,¡± she replies charging him.


    Mateo crosses his arms as a flurry of strikes force him backward. He pants falling to one knee. The audible force of a wind gust turns his attention to his rear where the woman is using her open hands to force gusts of slicing wind at him. The wind cuts shallow wounds into his forearms as he blocks it. Blood runs down his arms dripping off his fingertips as he pants.


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± He asks.


    ¡°Perhaps you need some motivation,¡± she says snapping her fingers.


    A mirage of Serenity tied to a chair appears between them. She struggles against her bindings staring at Mateo in a very real panic.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, but I¡¯m not going to let you lay a finger on Serenity,¡± Mateo yells charging her.


    Ryukaze opens with a flurry of strikes. Mateo counters almost instinctually. Their fists cancel out each other and Ryukaze changes her stance.


    ¡°Show me the strength of the shadows, voidwalker,¡± she says with a smile.


    Essence level 2 unlocked- Voidspace unlocked, shadow jump unlocked, pixie¡¯s kiss unlocked.


    Viodspace- voidwalker ability, voidspace grants you a small cabin in the void with which to reside when not in combat. Your items may be store here, perishable items will not degrade in void space.


    Shadow Jump- voidwalker ability, shadow jump allows user to jump between shadows. Cooldown, none, souldrain, moderate.


    Pixie¡¯s Kiss- realm walker ability, Voidwalker¡¯s pixie may revive Voidwalker with a kiss once every twenty-one hours. This ability must be used within thirty seconds of Voidwalker¡¯s demise.


    Ryukaze grabs Mateo¡¯s Gi tossing him away like he¡¯s weightless. She holds out her hands to cast another spell. Blood fizzles in Mateo¡¯s veins as he wipes it from his lips. He gives a playful grin as his blood turns from a sizzle to a rolling boil. Holding his hand out fingers spread wide violet bolts of lighting clash with razor sharp blades of wind. A dark aura takes hold of him and his essence gives off an ominous violet glow.


    ¡°Those who walk in the shadows, bring only death,¡± he chants.


    Ryukaze smiles as Mateo disappears, reappearing behind her. He grabs her Gi forcing her oven his knee and onto the ground. Unable to counter the speed of his attack she lies helpless as he climbs on top of her raising his fist ready to pummel her relentlessly.


    ¡°Finish me,¡± she says staring into his eyes.


    ¡°A warrior without honor is just a mercenary, Ryukaze, dragon of the wind,¡± Mateo says as if quoting some new learned knowledge as he lowers his fist.


    ¡°You have absorbed the knowledge of the dragon of wind, I look forward to fighting along side you and hope that we learn much from our challenges, be them victories, or failures,¡± Ryukaze says vanishing.


    Mateo¡¯s eyes roll into the back of his head in ecstasy, and he rejoins the realm of Gottes vomiting violently on his hands and knees. The tome floats into the air evaporating as it is incinerated by a swift flame.


    ¡°Yes, glorious combat!¡± Terror yells slapping Mateo on the shoulder.


    ¡°Calm down Terror, how are you Mateo, we went through much the same with our first mortal arts tome,¡± Serenity says helping him to his feet.


    ¡°Terror anxious to know of great battle!¡±


    Mateo takes a moment to rinse vomit out of his mouth as an anxious Terror follows his every movement.


    ¡°The book pulled me into a kind of strange trial, some sexy dragon lady appeared before me.


    Okami pulls a small notebook from his pocket.


    ¡°Then she beat the shit out of me,¡± he continues.


    Okami puts away the notebook hanging his head in disappointment.


    ¡°Terror knows you defeated her in a soul crushing victory, her life in your hands she had no choice but to give you that which you most desired,¡± Terror says his eyes wide with excitement.


    ¡°And what do you think that would be Terror,¡± Serenity says her eyes narrow as she crosses her arms.


    ¡°Cookies!¡± He yells.


    ¡°By the gods, anyway, what fighting style did you get,¡± Serenity says curiously.


    Mortal art unlocked- Ryukaze, the dragon wind fighting style is based off low impact quick strikes that overwhelm their opponent/opponents. Use quick strikes to drive down your opponent''s stamina then use powerful throws to gain distance allowing the user time to cast spells. This fighting style is favored amongst classes with the void or shadow essence. Additional sparing sessions with increasing difficulty can be unlocked by leveling this fighting style. Additional fighting tomes are not required.


    ¡°Ryukaze,¡± he replies.


    Okami pulls out a different notebook moving closer to Mateo a new wonder in his eyes.


    ¡°A dragon fighting style, tell me everything!¡± Okami yells.


    Two days pass and Mateo steps up to the ¡®Crystal Caves of Obliteration¡¯ drawing his dagger. His blood sizzles and the blade extends into a short sword. Terror steps up beside him.


    ¡°Okami and Serenity watch wagon, Terror watch bloodshed, all goblins evil, don¡¯t feel bad about killing goblins,¡± Terror says placing his hands on his hips stoically.


    ¡°I think I have this Terror, just watch my back for anything you think I can¡¯t handle,¡± Mateo says stepping into the caves.


    The caves themselves aren¡¯t disappointing. Large blue crystals line the walls resonating short bursts of electricity that obliterate anything that gets too close. The crystals themselves are likely what the person who posted the bounty seeks. They seem to work as well, or better than, the batteries in Mateo¡¯s world.


    After just a few minutes Mateo notices the warm glow of torches. Chanting and meniacle laughter begin to fill the air as Mateo readies himself for combat.


    ¡°Terror knows goblins strong in numbers, but one by one they slaughter easily.¡±


    Mateo steps up to a small fire in the cave where several goblins are tearing flesh from bone with their jagged teeth. He moves forward thrusting his dagger through the back of a goblin¡¯s neck. It reaches up slicing its finger on the protruding blade as it drowns in its own blood. The other goblins scramble to attack.


    Mateo puts them down one by one relentlessly slashing the small disturbing creatures to pieces. The horde of green skinned monsters is endless and unrelenting. Bouncing from shadow to shadow, Mateo still can¡¯t keep their numbers down. His mana, stamina, and soul energy, a new six gauge bar that allows him to shadow jump, are near depleted.


    Mateo dispatches what he thinks is the last of the goblins as two more step forward. They are quickly dispatched by a massive club that sends them flying into a wall where they become a bloody goblin paste. A massive ten-foot hobgoblin steps forward giving out an ominous roar.


    ¡°Terror think is time for Terror to have fun, Mateo steps back,¡± Terror says pulling two large metal covered gauntlets from his inventory.


    Mateo falls to one knee near collapsing from exhaustion as Natalia holds out her hand sending a glowing light down to heal him.


    The massive hobgoblin roars shaking the cave as Terror clanks his fists together.


    ¡°Terror knows your mother makes a lot of noise too.¡±


    The hobgoblin slams his club down and Terror punches through it sending splinters of woods into solid stone. He spins and lets out a massive right hook. The goblin spits blood as it stumbles backward staring at its broken club confused. The goblin tosses the club aside letting out another loud roar. Its hands slam down on terror meeting his. Terror pushes forward and bones snap as he breaks the goblin¡¯s wrists. It shrieks in pain as he forces it to the ground.


    Hideous wales of agony echo through the cave as Terror pounds the monster out of existence. Blood and tissue cover his form as he steps away from the puddle of flesh and bones that used to be a hobgoblin. Terror holds out his hand to Mateo pulling him to his feet.


    Soft terrified cries echo through the cave from a chamber at the rearmost of the cave.


    ¡°You have got to be shitting me,¡± Mateo says placing his palm against his face.


    ¡°Sounds like one left,¡± Terror deal with it.


    Mateo and Terror step into the chamber to find a small green skinned girl with short horns and tusks curled up in the floor terrified. Terror approaches her and Mateo puts his hand on Terror¡¯s bloody shoulder.


    ¡°Maybe we shouldn¡¯t turn her into a puddle of blood and flesh,¡± Mateo says concerned.


    Terror steps over to the girl raising his foot ready to stomp her out of existence when her glowing red eyes stare up at him shimmering in the torchlight. He stops lowering his foot.


    ¡°Jade thinks you don¡¯t kjll her, Jade is a good girl, Jade likes flowers and sweets,¡± the girl pleads.


    Terror¡¯s eyes grow wide, and his face turns to a look of glee. For the first time Terror seems happy about something besides bloodlust.


    ¡°Terror likes flowers and sweets too.¡±


    Terror turns to Mateo his brutish eyes smiling.


    ¡°Terror thinks child is adorable, Terror keeps child.¡±


    ¡°Godsdamnit Terror,¡± Mateo says with an audible sigh pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.

 Chapter 7 A Dragon Knight Appears

    ¡°You brought a what, are you insane, where the void are we going to put her!¡± Serenity yells.


    ¡°She can stay in my room,¡± Okami says.


    ¡°Absolutely fucking not, and you Terror, you are the last person I expected to be dragging a godsdamn goblin girl home,¡± Serenity yells.


    Mateo steps up to Serenity grabbing her hands and pulls her close pressing his lips to hers. She leans back turning her eyes away.


    ¡°Honestly I thought Terror was going to kill her, I think he did the right thing, she isn¡¯t like the others, she¡¯s different, Terror saw that in her and,¡± he looks over at Jade giggling in Terror¡¯s lap as he plays with her hair, ¡°if we don¡¯t do the right thing, who will?¡±


    ¡°Fuck I need a drink,¡± Serenity says storming off.


    ¡°Did he defile the goblin girl, how was it?¡± Okami asks pulling a notebook from his pants.


    ¡°Okami, I am going to find a really high window and toss you through it if you don¡¯t tone down the horniness,¡± Mateo says stepping past him.


    Okami puts away his notebook and joins Serenity at the bar.


    ¡°Jade like flowers, Jade like honey swirls and cinnamon sweets,¡± Terror says with a smile.


    Mateo sits beside Terror. Though he hasn¡¯t known him long, he¡¯s never seen Terror act like this. The young goblin girl seems to have brought some long-lost joy back to his life. Mateo sets a small coin purse on the table infront of Terror.


    ¡°What I owe you for the skill tome, and don¡¯t try to give it back, you can use it to get the girl some sweets, and some clothes, she¡¯ll be noticeable in those rags,¡± Mateo says standing.


    He heads toward the door stopping before he opens it as he hears a low grumble from Terror.


    ¡°Terror thanks you, Terror has heart of stone, stone is cold and lonely, Mateo brings warm heart of flesh, shows Terror stone can be broken, inside stone is precious gem lost for long time, but no less beautiful.¡±


    Mateo turns with a smile.


    ¡°And what precious gem is that?¡±


    ¡°Terror remembers, love.¡±


    Mateo steps into Heroldin headed toward the wagon and every door in Heroldin opens in a hurry. The inhabitants scurry into the streets like insects. They fall to one knee as a large, scaled beast descends upon them.


    The creature is a massive reptile with scales of iridescent obsidian. Bright blues, purples, and black covering its body as if it is murky water covered in oil. A single woman steps off it adorned in a pitch-black scaled armor with golden accents. Her long silver hair draped down her back to her seemingly firm buttocks. She pulls a similarly colored scaled helm from her head revealing an ivory skinned woman with one blue and one green iris. Her ears are pointed like Serenity¡¯s.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for a man, the man who put down an archon of Drakvania, he bears an exact resemblance to the imbecile standing before me,¡± she says pointing her armored finger at Mateo.


    ¡°If you¡¯re looking for a man there isn¡¯t a shortage of them here, in fact my friend Okami is interested in interspecies mingling, I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s a good cuddler,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know this town made home to jesters, kneel peasant,¡± she says raising her hand.


    A crushing weight presses against Mateo, and he struggles to keep his form. The woman lowers her hand slightly and the weight increases.


    ¡°I will crush you if you do not kneel,¡± she says angrily.


    Mateo leans forward kneeling in-front of her as he grabs her hand staring into her eyes.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you wanted the proposal to be this public my lady, I meant to sweep you away in the night,¡± he says pulling a small box from his pocket.


    ¡°What in the ten fucking trials are you talking about?¡± She asks estranged by his behavior.


    Some of the crowd stand cheering.


    ¡°You got this, go for it!¡±


    ¡°Even for a Dragon Knight she¡¯s gorgeous!¡±


    ¡°I wish I was you hero!¡±


    Mateo¡¯s companions step outside seeing him kneeling down holding the hand of a Dragon Knight.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Okami says with a sigh.


    ¡°That bitch is trying to steal my man,¡± Serenity says crossing her arms.


    ¡°Terror thinks you stay here, Terror punches Dragon Knight,¡± he says patting Jade on the head.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t stand right now there will be a public execution,¡± the woman says angrily.


    ¡°I thought you wanted me to kneel,¡± Mateo says standing at six foot two inches. ¡°Strange, you¡¯re a bit shorter than me, you do exhibit a flawless beauty might I add, a shame you¡¯re rejecting me.¡±


    The crowd boos loudly. The Dragon knight grabs Mateo by the throat lifting him into the air with ease. He looks down at his crotch realizing he has a raging erection. The Dragon Knight releases him, and he coughs loudly.


    ¡°What is wrong with you, how did your mother not cast your sickly mind and body into the river?¡± She says disgusted.


    ¡°That¡¯s some cool armor, where¡¯d you get it?¡± Mateo asks rubbing his throat.


    ¡°I killed a lot of men and creatures of a power that far outweighs-,¡± she pauses seeing Natalia floating above him. ¡°You really do have a pixie.¡±


    Mateo stands regaining his composure. He places his hand on the hilt of his dagger.


    ¡°What do you want with Natalia,¡± he says gritting his teeth.


    Terror steps up to them pushing Mateo out of the way.


    ¡°Terror wants to punch you, Terror punches you.¡±


    She laughs banging her scaled glove against her chest plate.


    ¡°Give me your best shot one talon,¡± she says her mood changing from serious to playful.


    Terror equips his metal gauntlets and leaps into the air slamming his fist against the center of her chest plate with such force that the ground beneath her fractures nearly splitting open. His attack sends out a shockwave that sends onlookers tumbling backward. His gauntlets disappear and he shakes his hand rubbing his wrist.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Exhilarating!¡± He yells.


    She places her index finger against his chest with a sly grin.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to join me for some light sparring later, we can splinter a few bed frames, that¡¯ll have to wait though as I am here on business with your friend,¡± she says stepping over to Mateo.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get your name,¡± Mateo says stumbling to his feet after Terror¡¯s attack knocked him back.


    ¡°It¡¯s Jessica, or sir Jessica, anyway, your pixie, she¡¯s adorable, my original party had a Voidwalker in it, she had a pixie too,¡± she says trying to pluck Natalia out of the air as she avoids her grasp.


    ¡°What happened to them?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°She fell to the dark arts, and I had to put her down, I was just a two-scale dragoness then,¡± she replies.


    Jessica wraps her fingers around Natalia¡¯s leg and Mateo grabs her wrist his eyes staring into hers fiercely.


    ¡°You think you can protect her from me?¡± Jessica says giving her sword a quick glance.


    ¡°No, but I¡¯ll die trying,¡± he replies.


    ¡°You know that will kill her too,¡± she says clenching her fingers tighter around Natalia¡¯s leg.


    Natalia lets out an audible grunt and Mateo¡¯s eyes turn to empty black voids as they stare into Jessica¡¯s.


    ¡°There are worse things than death,¡± he says in a voice that isn¡¯t his own.


    Jessica releases Natalia and Mateo¡¯s eyes change back to a murky hazel. He seems unaware of the manner in which he just conducted himself and offers to enjoy a meal with Jessica, and his companions. Jessica agrees to join them in a tavern just outside the village. One that has less ears to listen and fewer eyes to gawk at them. They give short introductions sharing names as they assemble at a large round table.


    ¡°We need to talk about the two Archons you dispatched,¡± Jessica says holding up a small parchment.


    The parchment is a menu. Its contents are several appetizing meat plates and sides that include a side of steamed vegetables and fried yama root, something that is not unlike a potato in taste and texture. The second section is filled with drinks squeezed from berries, and stout ales. The third and final section consists of sweets not unlike the ones Terror brought.


    ¡°What drinks would you like,¡± a slender ruby skinned woman asks.


    Mateo pauses staring at her curiously. She has two short horns protruding from her forehead that curl back against her raven-colored hair. Her lace blouse does a good job of displaying her perky chest which is emphasized by a tight leather corset wrapped around her waist. Below her short, pleated skirt she has the furry legs of a goat, her feet hooves. A slender whip like tail with an arrowhead tip darts about behind her.


    ¡°Mateo, stop fawning over the fawn, or you will be sleeping in the dirt tonight,¡± Serenity says squinting her eyes.


    The young fawn gives him a nervous look as he inspects her with a hungry curiosity. She gives off a look of discomfort pulling her clipboard closer to cover her chest. A stern palm runs across the back of Mateo¡¯s head, and he snaps out of his trance like curiosity.


    ¡°My apologies young maiden, our friend isn¡¯t from around here, so your striking figure is somewhat of a delicacy to him,¡± Okami says bowing his head slightly.


    ¡°My striking figure, thank you mister um?¡±


    ¡°Okami Moonfang, but you can call me Okami, I¡¯ll start with the legs, and a beverage that¡¯s sweet and moist, then see where it goes from there,¡± he says with a sly wolven grin.


    The young woman blushes a little jotting down his order.


    ¡°Do the rest of you know what you¡¯d like to order then?¡± She asks.


    ¡°Terror want mead and meat!¡±


    ¡°Roast chikus and fried yama root with a tender white wine,¡± Jessica says her tone one of majestic beauty.


    ¡°Me and stargazer will have Boardrel loin, shredded with bar baste and flour rolls, tarberry juice with a hint of saki if you¡¯ve got it,¡± Serenity says.


    ¡°And for you sweetheart?¡± The waitress asks leaning down to Jade.


    Jade looks up from the upside-down menu in her hands with eyes full of confusion. The waitress pats her on the head with a smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you something special.¡±


    She takes our menus and gives a bow.


    ¡°Hey, what about me!¡± Natalia yells.


    ¡°My apologies, I didn¡¯t see you there sweetie, what would you like?¡± She asks.


    ¡°She¡¯s got a stomach not unlike the void, vast and unending, so just bring her a whole roasted Boardrel and some sweets, no alcohol though, she gets a bit over sensitive when she¡¯s had a few,¡± Mateo says regaining his composure.


    ¡°Hey, who said you could order for me!¡± Natalia yells.


    ¡°Bring the sweets first, she¡¯s a bit unruly when she¡¯s hangry,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    The waitress bows again before stepping away. After a few minutes she returns with their drinks and a basket of rolls covered in a sweet salt. It¡¯s slightly bitter with a sweet bite, candy salt they call it.


    Jessica takes on a more serious tone as she opens up, or rather leads, the conversation.


    ¡°Numerous witnesses gave testimony that you were assaulted first by the Archon of Drakvania, which will remain nameless for reasons I cannot disclose to you at this point, the second archon, Terrius Vesenius, was not of any cult or order, but achieved his rank outside of those parameters, I would take you into custody, but the perversions we found in his cellar were an irredeemable atrocity to the realm of Gottes, though you entered his home and assaulted him and his guard, the Order of the Dragon give you pardon,¡± she stops as the waitress brings their food.


    The waitress lays a large plate of shredded Boardrel covered in a savory sauce resembling barbecue before Serenity and Mateo. Natalia floats from the basket of sweet rolls to a new basket of sweets all her own as she waits for her roasted Boardrel. Jessica¡¯s plate looks like a rotisserie chicken covered in a thick gravy surrounded by thinly sliced fried Yama root. Terror¡¯s plate has no vegetables. Just large portions of varying roasted or seared meats. Okami receives a plate of seared legs from some large animal, a goatlike creature goatveil perhaps. The waitress places Jade¡¯s plate in-front of her last and she claps her hands excited.


    ¡°Fried chikus strips and Yama root with toma sauce, it was my favorite when I was little like you,¡± she says with a smile.


    ¡°Thank you nice lady, maybe if I eat like you, I¡¯ll grow up to be a pretty lady too,¡± Jade says excitedly.


    The waitress blushes and gives a short bow before stepping away.


    ¡°You were saying,¡± Mateo says grabbing his three-pronged fork, or as he calls it, thork.


    ¡°I would advise that you proceed with due caution, Archons are equivalent to a five-talon or higher adventurer, and it does not go unnoticed when they are killed off, unlike adventurers of that same rank as they are often the spoiled bitches of nobility.¡±


    ¡°Woah woah, watch the language there are children here,¡± Mateo says giving her a stern look of disapproval.


    ¡°My apologies Jade and Natalia,¡± Jessica replies.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not a child!¡± Natalia yells.


    ¡°In any case, only Terror and Serenity are on the cusp of ascending to their second fang, Okami is getting there, but you Mateo just received your first fang, it would be wise to stay out of the watchful eyes of the powers that be while your rank is so low, I lost someone early in my adventures because he wouldn¡¯t keep his damn mouth shut,¡± she says seeming somewhat distraught.


    Mateo washes down some Boardrel and wipes his mouth.


    ¡°What happened?¡± He asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t come to tell stories, just to set you in line, I still work with a party, one of them is a tinkerer, he made these rune tablets, seeing as you are all such a low rank they¡¯ll collect the most knowledge from you,¡± she holds out a set of six runed metal tablets.


    Item received: Rune Tablet, a mysterious tablet created by a realmwalker. Further inspection is required to discover its uses.


    ¡°Those look expensive, you¡¯re just going to give them to us?¡± Okami asks.


    ¡°No, these will record your data and display it to you, they pull mana from the world around them so you won¡¯t have to charge them, I only ask that if you confront any more Archons, no matter what, do not engage them, the rope you are walking is thin, and there are forces at work that could easily force you from that rope to an early demise, Archons are not outside the laws of Gottes, inform us if they are operating in an unruly manner,¡± Jessica says taking a bite of her meal.


    ¡°I understand, I got these powers, and I felt stronger than I¡¯ve ever felt, I overstepped,¡± Mateo looks over at Natalia enjoying her overly large meal that the waitress brought while they were conversing, ¡°I put people in danger with my ignorance, your words aren¡¯t unheard, thank you sir Jessica.¡±


    The air fills with pleasant conversation and wonder as they converse. Okami barraging Jessica with an endless slew of questions. Serenity playfully flirting with Mateo as he returns her affection. Natalia and Jade fighting over the last of the sweets only to have them stolen away by Terror. After their revery Mateo leaves with Serenity to enjoy a pleasant night. Jessica invites Terror and Jade to her room for the night. Only Okami remains piddling with his new rune tablet like a child with a new toy.


    The tavern does a final call and Okami orders a bottle of spirits to enjoy while he examines his new device. The ruby skinned maiden returns to the table taking a seat. She is no longer adorned in her work attire. Instead, a flattering split leg dress forms to her provocative figure. She leans over the table using her finger to push the strange contraption below Okami¡¯s view with a smile on her face.


    ¡°Did you enjoy the legs?¡± She asks.


    ¡°Between the legs and the,¡± he stops noticing her lustful gaze as she twirls her raven-colored hair with her ruby finger.


    Sharp teeth almost like pointed fangs bite her bottom lip near breaking the skin.


    ¡°Oh, your room or mine?¡± He asks realizing her desire for intimacy.


    She stares at the brilliant silver fur covering his chest and stands with a smile.


    ¡°Mine,¡± she replies with a lustful smile.

 Chapter 8 An Unconventional Healer

    Mateo wakes to find Terror enjoying a simple breakfast with Jade and Jessica. Compliments of the seemingly loaded Dragon Knight who paid for not only their dinner, but their rooms. Something is worrying Mateo though. Everyone is their own person no matter what their title, but Dragon Knights still answer to the Order of the Dragon. Drakvania is a cult operating under this order, and they want to kill Natalia.


    ¡°What you thinking about?¡± Natalia asks.


    ¡°Just curious, Jessica gave us six of those tablets,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°Parties consist of four to six members, anything more is usually considered an expedition,¡± Serenity says stepping up to Mateo, whom is leaning over a rail above the dining area.


    She¡¯s in her very enticing undergarments. A dual string thin thong that covers none of her ass and bra that wraps around her neck crossing over her collar bone barely covering her breasts. It ties in a bow at her shoulder blades. Mateo quickly pulls off his robe wrapping it around her.


    ¡°Oh, sorry, I¡¯m used to meeting the team like this in my more conventional undergarments,¡± she says blushing.


    They both look down at Terror as he interacts with Jessica and Jade, not as a blood thirsty barbarian, but as a creature not devoid of compassion.


    ¡°You¡¯re right Mateo, you did the right thing, I haven¡¯t seen Terror like this before, when we met him, he was just a massive pile of rage and hate after they slaughtered his wife and daughter,¡± she pauses, ¡°maybe I should let him tell you this,¡± Serenity says rubbing his back.


    ¡°I think we should all have a long discussion about each other later, I need to discuss some things with Natalia alone, if that¡¯s ok, go for a walk if that translates.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re feeling trapped in a world that isn¡¯t yours, I¡¯ll give you a little space, but don¡¯t be long or I¡¯ll get worried,¡± Serenity says pecking him on the cheek.


    ¡°Thank you, Serenity, I won¡¯t be long.¡±


    Sunlight shines through the golden leaves of Heroldin as a gentle breeze blows the sweet aroma of a flower Mateo knows as honey suckles about the air. Natalia appears above him, and he pats his shoulder with a smile. She perches herself on it, and he walks slowly taking in the world around him.


    ¡°I want to apologize Natalia, when that Archon of Drakvania attacked us, you told me to run and I didn¡¯t, even though I should have, I could have gotten us both killed.¡±


    ¡°And it took you this long to figure that out,¡± Natalia replies angrily.


    ¡°No, I knew when I did it, I just felt I needed to prove myself to you, to prove that I could protect you, I felt so helpless like I was hiding behind you and I just wanted to be that wall, that fortress of impenetrable walls that you could trust to hold up,¡± Mateo says with a quaint smile.


    ¡°I know, I just didn¡¯t expect you to be so stubborn,¡± Natalia replies kicking her feet.


    A loud blood curdling screech pierces the forest sending the native wildlife fleeing. Mateo draws his dagger heading in the direction of the disturbance.


    ¡°Mateo, this is a bad idea,¡± Natalia says now floating above him as his strut turns to a sprint.


    More loud screeches pierce the air emanating the fury of a massive beast.


    ¡°Mateo, didn¡¯t you just apologize for not taking my advice!¡±


    ¡°Sorry Natalia, I was apologizing because it was bad advice,¡± he replies.


    ¡°You liar, you are infuriating!¡± She yells.


    Mateo steps into a battle ravaged clearing. Corpses shamble about broken trees and scorched earth, rotting flesh dripping from them. A short figure leans against an odd-looking staff of slightly greater height than its own panting. Mateo extends his dagger readying it to strike.


    ¡°Wait, don¡¯t hurt them,¡± the figure chokes out weakly.


    Mateo halts his assault noticing that the shambling corpses are making no attempt to advance on him. Peering around Mateo observes that something has pulled the very life force out of everything in the surrounding area. Broken trees made to rot while flowers and shrubs withered. Behind the figure and shambling corpses lies the gored corpse of a large wingless gryphon-like creature.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to pass out, please, retrieve their talons,¡± the figure says slumping into the dirt.


    The figure tumbles over and the shambling corpses collapse into mounds of rotting flesh. Mateo digs through the corpses retrieving five talon bands, one of which is adorned with six talons.


    He gently lifts her figure into his arms. She¡¯s a young woman wearing a cloak with pointed ears rising above the hood. Stitching runs across her cheek and some of her extremities as if she has been sewn together.


    ¡°Natalia, grab that staff, this girl needs a healer immediately,¡± Mateo says rushing back to the tavern outside of Heroldin.


    He¡¯s near out of breath when he bursts through the door. The Dragon Knight has left, and Terror has returned to his room. Okami stands seeing Mateo rush in, his face stricken with desperation. Mateo forces some patrons from a table laying the girl on it and pulls his dagger as Okami removes the girl¡¯s hood revealing two catlike ears protruding from her head. They twitch uncontrollably as Mateo cuts open her clothes stripping her to her undergarments.


    Her body is a mass of battered and bruised body parts that have been sewn together. Okami steps back placing his paw over his snout as his cerulean eyes fill with tears.


    ¡°Who would do this to a pour young Neko?¡± He says visibly distraught.


    ¡°Okami, she¡¯s fading fast, grab a fucking potion or something,¡± Mateo yells.


    Okami stands frozen in horror at the poorly constructed corpse lying before him.


    ¡°Godsdamnit Okami!¡± Mateo yells.


    ¡°What the hell is going on-,¡± Serenity gasps before hopping over the rail above them landing on the floor below.


    ¡°What happened, who is this girl?¡± Serenity says pulling a potion from one of the strange new tablets Jessica gave them.


    Terror steps out of a room on the bottom floor sniffing the air angrily. Serenity pours a potion over her, unable to drink it she absorbs it through her skin. Terror approaches but stops behind Serenity with an angry scowl on his face.


    ¡°Let it die,¡± he says.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not going to help then fuck off Terror,¡± Mateo replies.


    He shoves Serenity out of the way and raises his fist to crush the girl¡¯s skull. Okami hits him with a swift and violent right hook forcing him away from the girl. He steps forward again ready to extinguish what little life remains in the girl when Jade wraps herself around his leg.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Tete, what happened to the girl?¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Terror lifts Jade into his arms and glares over at Okami.


    ¡°Terror thinks, when you are shambling corpse waiting to die, you wish you had let Terror kill monster.¡±


    Terror turns carrying Jade back to his room. Okami returns to the girl and uses what little healing magic he knows on her. It¡¯s a spell better used for cuts and bruises, like taking Tylenol for a stroke. It is enough to keep her until the healing potion takes effect.


    The tavern keeper closes the tavern for the day at Okami¡¯s request. Mateo sits on the bench connected to the table the girl is lying on staring at the floor. An hour passes and Serenity sits beside him looking concerned.


    ¡°Mateo, I don¡¯t know what that thing is, but it¡¯s veiled in evil, I think I might agree with Terror,¡± Serenity says rubbing his back.


    Mateo opens his hands, and a cluster of pendants adorned with talons clatter against the floor. He turns to Serenity, his hazel eyes stricken with sorrow and soaked with tears.


    ¡°I think those were her friends, she watched, she watched them all die, and she couldn¡¯t help them, then she, and she had to watch them all die again.¡±


    The girl¡¯s voice echoes across the tavern and they turn to her.


    ¡°Uzuki, don¡¯t leave me,¡± the girl whimpers.


    Mateo rushes to the girl¡¯s side leaning over her. Her entire body is shivering, near convulsing. Her two strangely colored eyes are wide with terror as she gazes at Mateo unsure if he¡¯s a predator ready to devour her. Mateo reaches his hand over and it glows as he runs it across the stitches on her left cheek.


    ¡°Uzuki?¡± She repeats.


    The girl stares up at him, one of her iris¡¯s gold and the other a reptilian crimson, both filled with the fear of someone staring at a worse fate than death. Her hand, shaking with tremors, grips his wrist as she closes her eyes leaning into his palm.


    ¡°Uzuki, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she sobs, tears streaming down her cheeks like rivers of sorrow.


    Okami returns to the room with a small box and some spare clothes. The box has a strong-smelling incense and dropper sized potion bottle.


    ¡°Light the incense, wave it over her as I administer the Phoenix tear, we only have moments before her body breaks down,¡± Okami says breathing heavily.


    Mateo does as instructed, and the girl leans up staring at the wall as if it is a portal to another world. Mateo touches his hand to her cheek again.


    ¡°My name is Mateo, what is your name?¡±


    The girl turns her eyes to his leaning into his palm.


    ¡°Stitches.¡±


    ¡°Hand me that robe Okami, we should cover her up, I don¡¯t want some Terror coming in here and seeing her like this.¡±


    Serenity wraps the robe around her, and she stares at Mateo curiously.


    ¡°Do you have them?¡± The girl asks.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Do you have them, my friends?¡±


    Mateo retrieves the leather amulets from the floor handing them to her. Stitches stares down at them in her hands with eyes full of mourning.


    ¡°Uzuki, Kaelus, Yoru, Daedalus, Faetel, I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t strong enough, you died because of me, if I had just died instead of Faetel he could have saved you, but he died, and I could only make you shambling corpses.¡±


    Mateo runs his hand over one of the girl''s soft catlike ears and she tilts her head, her curiosity drawing her from her sorrow to his presence.


    ¡°Stitches, my name is Mateo.¡±


    She gazes into his eyes and speaks as if compulsively narrating the scene of her comrade''s demise.


    It was a three-talon contract. Uzuki was a six-talon paladin. Gods I wanted to dig my claws into that sexy bunny so bad, but fucking Yoru had him by the tail, that sly vixen of a fox. Faetel was a skilled healer, no luck with the ladies. He could tell when women were dying, but not when they were dying for him. Poor bastard.


    Kaelus and Daedalus were like the hammer and anvil of destruction. Both rogues with complimenting skills and tank buffs that bolstered Uzuki¡¯s powers.


    Then there was me, Stitches the Neko Necromancer. The Nekomancer they joked, and I would laugh. They weren¡¯t trying to be mean, it was just funny. Then we took that bounty, and I found out just how useless I was.


    ¡°Godsdamnit, this fucking chicken lion is relentless,¡± Uzuki yells raising his massive blade.


    ¡°We can¡¯t draw it away, it¡¯s fixed on you Uzuki,¡± Daedalus yells.


    ¡°Seems monsters are drawn to the ears too,¡± Kaelus says jokingly.


    ¡°Faetel, hit me with a ward as it dives on me, if I can put my sword through its chest then it¡¯ll ground it at the least,¡± Uzuki yells.


    ¡°What should I do?¡± Stitches says eagerly.


    ¡°Drain everything around us, and I mean everything,¡± Uzuki says raising his blade.


    The massive griffon dive bombs the group of adventurers. Uzuki¡¯s sword slams against its chest shattering.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Uzuki says as the griffon wraps its talons around him lifting him into the air.


    ¡°Uzuki,¡± Stitches screams helplessly.


    ¡°Godsdamnit, Uzuki has six talons, how the fuck did it shatter his storm breaker?¡± Kaelus yells.


    Stitches stares on in horror as the griffon releases him from its clutches. His blue eyes give her a glance before he becomes a mangled mass of flesh and steel pressed into the dirt.


    ¡°Fuck! Daedalus, dump your mana into ranges, Faetel, shit, it¡¯s headed for Yoru, Yoru!¡±


    Yoru raises her wand, but the griffon is already on her. Its massive claw cuts a gash in her chest as her void storm spell goes off. Her body slams into a tree nearby breaking her neck. She dies instantly, but her void storm spell still goes off. Dark clouds cover the sky sending out bolts of void lightning aimlessly no longer discriminating between friend and foe.


    ¡°Daedalus!¡± Faetel shrieks as a bolt of lighting vaporizes his right arm.


    The griffon takes its opportunity shoving a piercing claw through the spine of Daedalus. Faetel throws himself at the beast in a futile rage. Only Stitches remains, terrified as the beast moves in on her. With nothing left to do she activates her most powerful spell. Something from the dark arts. Something forbidden.


    ¡°Deathwalker.¡±


    Stitches passes out and Mateo carries her to his room laying her on his bed. Serenity steps up to him placing her hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯ll be coming to bed tonight?¡± She asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to watch the girl, if she comes around, I want to have a sensible conversation with her, she¡¯s scared and alone, I know what that¡¯s like.¡±


    Mateo turns to Serenity placing a hand on her cheek and kissing her gently.


    ¡°Watch Terror for me, he doesn¡¯t like the girl, and he doesn¡¯t have a problem killing things he doesn¡¯t like whether they need to be killed or not.¡±


    A day passes before the girl wakes in a condition that Mateo deems well. She sits up sliding out of bed into the floor on her hands and knees. He holds out his hand and she takes it. He pulls her to her feet and returns her strange staff.


    ¡°I want you to walk with me, we need to talk.¡±


    The moon lights a dirt trail as golden leaves glisten around them in the moonlight. Crimson vines twist around the trees glowing in the moonlight as Mateo leads Stitches into a clearing in the woods where they can speak alone.


    Mateo stacks a few sticks in a bundle and lights them with void lighting forming a small fire. He rolls a log over to the fire and Stitches sits on it as he sits beside her, his eyes alight with moonlight and fire.


    ¡°Do you know why I brought you here?¡± He asks.


    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± she replies.


    ¡°Our party needs a healer, the others want anyone who can cast a spell, but I know we have an unconventional party, and it needs an unconventional healer.¡±


    ¡°My last two parties died because I was too weak to protect them,¡± she says lowering her head.


    ¡°I understand your hesitance,¡± he replies standing.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re going to leave me here then?¡± She asks.


    Mateo turns his hazel eyes to hers with a smile.


    ¡°Give up on you before we¡¯ve even unlocked a tiny sliver of your potential, I¡¯m weak, just a single talon rookie to your six talons, all of my companions are damn near their second talon and I just wrapped the fucking leather strap around my neck, but I¡¯ve got a crazy story to tell you,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    ¡°A story?¡± She asks confused.


    ¡°Keep an open mind for this because it gets wild,¡± he says with a smile.


    Stitches giggles loudly holding her hands above the warm fire.


    ¡°An Archon, you want me to trust you and you¡¯re telling me you killed not one, but two Archons with a single talon?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t even have a single talon, it was crazy and stupid, but it was the right thing to do, then a Dragon Knight came to question me,¡± he replies.


    ¡°You¡¯re fucking with me,¡± she stops covering her mouth, ¡°sorry, didn¡¯t mean to use such language.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, and I am not fucking with you, a Dragon Knight appeared, hell, she even let Terror hit her with his best shot, which strangely seemed to make her aroused, according to Okami.¡±


    ¡°Did she have a stoic beauty?¡± Stitches asks her eyes filled with a dazzling fantasy.


    ¡°Yes, not unlike your own,¡± Mateo replies.


    Stitches leans in closing her eyes and Mateo turns away nervously. After realizing her intimacy is unwanted Stitches opens her eyes folding her ears down.


    ¡°Sorry Stitches, I didn¡¯t mean to, I¡¯m seeing someone,¡± he replies.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry, you just reminded me so much of Uzuki, I can smell the lavender and vanilla on you, that¡¯s what she wears isn¡¯t it, the elf girl?¡±


    ¡°She has other perfumes, but she wears that one for me because she knows I like it,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you noticed,¡± Serenity says stepping from the shadows. ¡°I had come here in mistrust of your loyalty only to be flattered by your observance of my efforts to seduce you,¡± Serenity says with a smile.


    She looks over at Stitches and her smile turns to a look of disgust.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t trust this, ¡®thing¡¯, though,¡± she says stepping away.


    Stitches lowers her eyes to the fire staring into the bright reds and yellows that fill it with life.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind her, she¡¯s like a diamond, harder than the other minerals and sharp enough to cut glass, beautiful, but still a gem like the others, now that I think of it, you¡¯re a diamond too Stitches, just one that is undiscovered and unpolished,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    ¡°What about me Mateo?¡± Natalia says appearing above him.


    ¡°You¡¯re like a chunk of salt, good to spice things up but not really useful for anything else,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°Salt! She¡¯s a diamond and I¡¯m salt! Well, you¡¯re a common rock, a useless rock!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Natalia, even a rock has the potential to be a deadly weapon, but salt is just bitter,¡± Mateo replies.


    Stitches laughs and Mateo smiles. Natalia gives off an audible groan of anger and Mateo reaches his finger up running it against her soft caramel cheek.


    ¡°Natalia, I love you.¡±


    She stares into his eyes with quivering lips.


    ¡°Aeureillius told you that often, and I know why, no one gets out of life alive, we all die, everything has an end, for us adventurers, it might be tomorrow, it might be in the next hour, so he told you as often as her could incase he didn¡¯t get another chance, that he loved you.¡±

 Chapter 9 The Power of Knowledge

    Stitches rests in Mateo¡¯s room away from Terror and Serenity at Okami¡¯s request. Mateo joins Okami in the early morning to discuss the rune tablet with him.


    ¡°Press the purple rune and you can send me a message in text,¡± Okami says excitedly.


    Mateo taps the rune, and a keyboard opens up in his peripheral.


    ¡°It also has storage, not as much as an item of holding, but-,¡± Okami accidentally presses a green rune and an image of a naked ruby skinned woman with midnight hair projects above his rune tablet. He struggles to get it to disappear.


    ¡°Was that the waitress from the other night?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Inconsequential to our current situation,¡± Okami replies.


    ¡°Here, this is the best feature I¡¯ve found,¡± he says tapping a brown rune.


    A small map projects above the tablet showing explored locations leaving those unexplored in a cloudy haze. He presses his claw against several small images adding markings to the map.


    ¡°This allows us to mark locations, I¡¯m sure this was the intention of the Order of the Dragon, but imagine what we can accomplish, we could mark every brothel in Gottes on here and-,¡± he stops as Mateo folds his arms.


    ¡°Or we could mark important things on the map like, powerful monsters we can¡¯t defeat until we rank up and major cities.¡±


    ¡°Yes, those things too.¡±


    Mateo rubs his head with a sigh as he turns to leave the room.


    ¡°Wait, there is something else,¡± Okami says pulling him out of the tavern.


    The midday air is pleasant as Okami leads Mateo away from the tavern. Mateo looks over Okami noticing some patches of fur missing that are replaced with scars. Adventuring isn¡¯t without its dangers. Mateo will surely have scars of his own before too long.


    They walk for a bit as Okami sniffs the air for anyone ease dropping.


    ¡°Mateo, may I speak with you in private for a moment?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why not.¡±


    ¡°You sleep with Serenity often.¡±


    ¡°Is this a sex thing?¡±


    Okami sighs.


    ¡°No, she said you have nightmares, or rather memories, something you yourself stated when we first met, though I didn¡¯t give it any thought then, but after Jessica gave us these rune tablets, I discovered an index in one of the runes, it showed information claiming that the tablet was created by a realmwalker such as yourself, one whom called themself a technologist, it¡¯s rare for realmwalkers to regain the memories of their past lives as this can greatly alter our own realm, the technologist''s name wasn¡¯t listed, likely for fear that someone would track them down and assassinate them for their blasphemous knowledge, they¡¯re probably hidden away somewhere under the protection of the order of the dragon, what I¡¯m getting at is be careful who you share knowledge from your past life with, knowledge can be more dangerous a weapon than any sword or spell.¡±


    ¡°Thanks Okami, I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± Mateo replies with a serious look on his face.


    Until now he hadn¡¯t given thought to how the knowledge of his own realm might affect this one. With Okami¡¯s insight he starts to worry that he might hold knowledge that could advance this world, or certain parties of it, more swiftly than others. Knowledge is power, and power is something everyone wants. Along with well toned thighs and perky breasts.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The group take a few bounties to earn coin. Lesser contracts are easy for five adventurers. Serenity, Terror, and Okami ascend to three talons. Mateo purchases some low-level leather armor. He¡¯s on the cusp of ascending when his party falters to petty hatred. At the worst possible time.


    ¡°Be on the lookout, Bushrazors are ambush creatures, and this one has already killed three adventurers and seven villagers,¡± Okami says.


    Terror glares over at Stitches. Serenity doesn¡¯t seem anymore enthusiastic about having her around. So far, she¡¯s just used lesser healing spells to keep them going. Which is kind of useless for a healer since they could have Okami do it.


    ¡°Does anyone else hear that?¡± Okami says.


    ¡°In the trees, there are quite a few of them,¡± Serenity says drawing her daggers.


    ¡°Damn, I think we walked into a nest, Stitches cast your detect life so we can see them, Terror, take out the biggest one you can find, Serenity, we are tree hopping,¡± Mateo says.


    ¡°And what makes you think you¡¯re the leader?¡± Serenity says.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, what do you want to do?¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°Just do what he said, and we should squash these bugs with ease,¡± she sighs.


    A near innumerable foe assaults them. Razor sharp blade arms cut through the air as they dodge them. Terror stops them with his gauntlets crushing the creatures they belong too. The battle is a short skirmish. And that¡¯s when the shit storm starts.


    ¡°Excellent, Terror is not a shambling corpse at the will of a weak stick wielder.¡±


    ¡°Well at-least I¡¯m not some mindless barbarian!¡± Stitches replies angrily.


    ¡°Terror wonders if flesh puzzle even has its own brain.¡±


    Stitches¡¯ eyes well up with tears and Mateo, having had enough of their bickering steps in.


    ¡°Enough children!¡± He yells placing himself between them.


    ¡°Terror is not child like meat puppet,¡± he says raising his fist.


    Mateo stares him down knowing good and well he can¡¯t take a three-talon, especially not a three-talon tank like Terror. Serenity flashes between them like a lightning bolt gripping Terror¡¯s wrist as her razor-sharp blade shaves some hairs off his scruffy neck. The tension near explodes when Okami lets out an audible sigh shaking his head.


    ¡°What in the void are you idiots doing, we¡¯re supposed to be a team and you¡¯re all bickering at each other like a bunch of wild bitches fighting over scraps of meat, and to think you call me a dog,¡± he stops and points a finger at Terror.


    ¡°You, for all you¡¯ve lost I would have figured you more sensitive toward a young girl who has had everything and more taken from her, her world, her friends, even herself, and yet she still seeks to give and give and give until there isn¡¯t a fucking scrap of herself left,¡± Okami says grinding his sharp teeth.


    ¡°Terror tires of this, Terror leaves.¡±


    Mateo steps away with a disappointed sigh as his team dissolves into an angry mass.


    ¡°Mateo!¡± Serenity yells.


    While the group was fighting amongst itself the true predator was moving in on its prey. An alpha bushrazor lunges from the brush. The razor-sharp arm length claw slashes at the base of Serenity¡¯s torso and she coughs blood. Her torso seperated from her legs as they both make a thud on the ground.


    Okami lets out a loud howl pouncing on the creature with gnashing fang and ripping claw. It tries to scurry back into the brush but can¡¯t escape his assault. In his rage he rips it limb from limb mercilessly. Mateo leans down to Serenity gripping her soft violet hand as her bright pink eyes fade to a dull peach.


    ¡°Mateo, I-,¡± she coughs blood lowering her head as the blood loss from her severed torso overcomes her.


    Ability activated: Immortal Seamstress.


    In the far away realm of Drakvania.


    A warrior adorned in dark scaled armor kneels before a massive, winged dragon. Two glowing orbs open and gnashing jaws bring life to words of instruction.


    ¡°Have you given them the tablets?¡± It asks, the words resonating like a booming thunder.


    ¡°Yes, lord Dios.¡± The knight replies.


    ¡°And what of the pixie?¡±


    ¡°She seems to be bound to the Archon killer my lord.¡±


    ¡°An outer realmwaker as I had hoped, continue to observe them, intervene if you must, but do not allow the realmwalker to perish,¡± the creature says its gnashing maw devouring the air around it as it speaks.


    ¡°I do not mean to question your motive my lord, but I would like to be made known of it,¡± the knight says standing, her long silver hair draped down to the small of her back.


    ¡°I do not chastise those who seek knowledge, for knowledge is power, being that as it is, when outer realmwalkers come into being their physical cadavers are vessels inhabited by their consciousness, the longer they are here the more information their conscious imprints on their mind of their past life, as it is, his vessel is too weak for me to posses and would break down, but if it is allowed to grow stronger, then I will be able to inhabit it, and gain all of the knowledge within.¡±


    ¡°I will see to it that the vessel grows to your liking, lord Dios,¡± the knight says placing her right fist over her heart with a bow before leaving the chamber.


    The dragon lowers its head returning to its eternal slumber.

 Chapter 10 Stitching Things Up

    After five days Serenity wakes from an unresponsive slumber. Mateo resides at her side clutching her hand in his as he leans pressed against the side of her bed. She pulls her hand from his grasp giving him a sharp slap on the cheek. He rises quickly his expression stricken with more confusion than pain.


    ¡°What was that for?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you let me die!¡± Serenity yells.


    ¡°How was I supposed to know there was another invisible blade armed giant bug stalking us?¡±


    ¡°I thought you were supposed to be courting me, how can you court me if I¡¯m dead!¡± She proclaims.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯re ok,¡± Mateo says kissing her.


    ¡°I guess it wasn¡¯t entirely your fault, and if Stitches hadn¡¯t been there I¡¯d still be dead, we need to work on our team synergy, if we falter to bickering amongst ourselves in battle then we are sure to lose someone for real on higher talon jobs.¡±


    Serenity having fallen to an ambush because she lowered her guard suggests that they take on a slew of bounties in order to raise their rank and heighten their senses. She claims that they, especially her, have become too complacent. After a few low-level bounties Terror, Serenity, and Okami rank up to four-talon adventurers. Mateo close to gaining his third talon suggests that they move to a region with more dangerous enemies.


    ¡°I agree, but there is just one problem,¡± Serenity says eyeing Terror whom is still avoiding Stitches.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do, I can use some level of magic, but I¡¯m not a miracle worker,¡± Mateo replies.


    Mateo sits down with Terror and Stitches in an attempt to wipe away the bad blood between them.


    The tavern is near empty as Mateo sits beside Stitches. Terror sits across from them with a risked scowl on his face. A pleasant young caramel skinned waitress with desirable facial feathers and a soft voice places a pint of mead infront of Terror and Mateo, and a large glass of mixed berry juice infront of Stitches. They sit silent for a moment drinks and a small basket of powdered sweet salt rolls laid out before them.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll break the ice, Terror, Okami and Serenity know a lot about you, but I don¡¯t, and I want to know why hold so much resentment against Stitches,¡± Mateo says pulling a roll from the basket.


    Terror lets off an audible sigh of discontent.


    ¡°Terror¡¯s village burned to the ground, the tribe that killed Terror¡¯s wife and daughter had a necromancer among them, he brought them back with a number of my friends and Terror slew them with his own hand, crushing the skull of your spawn is an uneasy task,¡± Terror says his eyes lowering to the hard wooden table below them.


    ¡°What was your daughter¡¯s name?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Terror named her Xera, after a jade-colored flower that grew in the mountains of Obsidius where we Orcen reside, she bore a resemblance to Jade, Terror could not protect her, but Terror can, no, Terror will protect Jade,¡± he replies slamming his closed fist against his chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your loss, but Stitches isn¡¯t the necromancer that forced you to fight your family and friends, and she has lost too, she already doesn¡¯t feel welcome here, we need a healer, and I want Stitches to be it, not because she¡¯s a six talon, but because she is who she is, Okami already told you this world has taken everything and more from her and she still seeks to give, I admire her for that,¡± Mateo says.


    Terror gives off a low grunt. Jade grabs his arm looking over at Stitches staring down at her drink with an emptiness in her heterochromic eyes.


    ¡°She helped that pretty lady, and, Jade knows how she feels, no one like Jade in village, say she¡¯s monster, say she is ugly, kill Jade¡¯s mother and cast her into the woods with the goblins,¡± Jade says lowering her head.


    Mateo stands hovering over Terror giving off a presence of absolution.


    ¡°So, Terror, will you apologize to Stitches?¡± He asks.


    Stitches stands placing a metal tin in-front of Terror and Jade before sitting back down. Terror opens the tin, and his eyes grow wide with glee.


    ¡°Cookies!¡±


    Mateo joins Okami in the woods. He¡¯s resting on a log smoking some strange smelling herb from a long pipe as he thumbs through the runes on his tablet.


    They¡¯ve been traveling together for some time and Maius, which Mateo takes as the equivalent of May in his world has turned to Septim, some month sharing a likeness to September. The golden leaves of Heroldin have changed to a bright red as they dance about a cool breeze blanketing the ground in a thick crimson.


    The months seem to be between thirty and thirty-three days, except for the last month of the year Finalis, which is 35 days. One year seems to consist of three-hundred and eighty-four days instead of three-hundred and sixty-five. Which actually makes the year shorter by nearly a month since the days are only twenty-one hours long.


    ¡°So, how did it go?¡± Okami asks as Mateo joins him leaning against a tall tree.


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think Terror might be the Cookie Monster,¡± Mateo replies with a sly grin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what a Cookie Monster is, did they resolve their dispute?¡±


    ¡°A simple solution for a simple mind, more or less, you wanted to see me for something else though,¡± Mateo replies curiously.


    ¡°Stitches is less than willing to talk about her abilities, which doesn¡¯t make it easy to plan battle strategies, I was wondering if you would talk to her, that staff of hers is truly remarkable,¡± Okami says thumbing through an image projected by his rune tablet.


    ¡°The moon is almost up, I¡¯ll speak with her then,¡± Mateo replies moving away from the large tree.


    Mateo goes to step away and Okami stops him raising a hand. He blows smoke through his nostrils letting out a sigh of concern turning his gaze from the rune tablet to Mateo¡¯s murky hazel eyes.


    ¡°Mateo, be careful with her, she is delicate.¡±


    ¡°I know, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m watching out for her, not just because she saved Serenity either, I know we are a party, but I don¡¯t have anyone except you guys, and neither does she, so to me, we are more than just a band of adventurers,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you came along, adventuring can leave some callous with a disregard for their party members as anything other than, temporary pacts, from what little I have gathered from Stitches she has been with several parties, and she is more like you than you think,¡± Okami says taking another puff off his pipe.


    ¡°What do you mean more like me?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Ask her, she won¡¯t hide it from you,¡± Okami says with a sly wolven grin.


    The moon lights the ruby leaves outside of Heroldin where they have made somewhat of a home base. Staying in a familiar area is good for moral and serves as a kind of home. Though, if they want to grow stronger than fledglings, they will have to leave the nest.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Mateo steps into a clearing where Stitches is sitting by a fire alone rubbing her soft ears with a hand that isn¡¯t hers. It¡¯s masculine with broken fingernails, a soft tuft of white fur covering the dorsal side of the hand.


    ¡°Uzuki, I miss you, you would rub my ears like this and, I¡¯m sorry Uzuki, if only I was stronger, I let you all down,¡± the hand disappears and turns to a feminine one as she stares at it clenching her fist.


    She grabs her staff and stands as Mateo steps into the clearing. The sorrow on her face turns to panic.


    ¡°H-how much of that did you see?¡± She says her eyes wide.


    Mateo steps closer to her. At six foot two inches he towers over her barely more than five-foot figure. He leans down and pats her head before pulling her into an embrace. She¡¯s traded her cloak for a button up shirt and a pleated skirt that extends mid-length down her thighs. Her furry tail flails behind her not sure if it should be horrified or elated.


    ¡°Thank you again Stitches, Serenity wouldn¡¯t still be here if not for you, and we wouldn¡¯t have cookies.¡±


    Stitches wraps her arm around him forcing her head against his chest. Her soft ears twitch as she breathes heavily before taking in a long breath realizing she has found a friend.


    A cool blue moon lights the air as they sit on a log by the warmth of the amber fire. Alone in the clearing Mateo asks to see Stitches¡¯ staff.


    ¡°You want to see my staff, did Okami put you up to this?¡± She asks.


    ¡°He did, but that doesn¡¯t matter, everyone in the party knows each other¡¯s strengths and weaknesses, it¡¯s how we fight in unison, not knowing yours hinders the group,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°Terror is the tank, he has a set of gauntlets he likes to use when he¡¯s enjoying the fight, when he gets serious he pulls out his war hammer Gravitas, the effect it has manipulates the gravity around it, increasing or decreasing its weight and even making it gravitate back to its wielder, the main point is when he uses Gravitas we know the danger is serious,¡± Mateo says.


    ¡°Can¡¯t he just tell you the danger is serious?¡± She asks.


    ¡°He does, by using it, sometimes in battle we might not be able to communicate like I¡¯m taking to you now, subtle hints, changes in style, even a spell can signal how to alter our approach to combat, we are separate combatants, and though we don¡¯t quite have it polished, we work as a single unit, fingers on a hand if you will, say I grip my dagger with two fingers, my grip is weak, but if I wrap all five fingers around it then my grip is strong, I want you to be part of that grip, one of those fingers, I¡¯m thinking the thumb perhaps, you make us opposable, where we would otherwise not be.¡±


    ¡°Opposable?¡°


    Mateo wraps four of his fingers around her wrist and she pulls it away easily. Mateo wraps those four fingers and his thumb around her wrist and she can¡¯t pull her hand away.


    ¡°I understand,¡± Stitches says handing him her staff.


    Weapon: The Harvester of Gore. The Harvester of Gore is a legendary staff used by the ten Elite Zealots of the Order of the Arcane to harvest the fallen before turning them into walking abominations. Knowledge pertaining to the existence of the additional nine Harvester of Gore staffs is unknown.


    Harvester of Gore: Mage/Sorcerer main. Two handed instrument. The Harvester of Gore uses a retractable scythe to change from a ranged to a melee weapon, this effect occurs instantaneously.


    Additional effect: As a staff, the Harvester of Gore can reanimate the corpses and extremities of the fallen with the ability to combine severed limbs to various objects creating Gore Golem Abominations.


    Additional effect: As a melee weapon the Harvester of Gore inflicts constant bleeding and necrotic damage after striking an opponent.


    Additional effect: Blood Gauge. When the blood gauge is full Harvester of Gore gains one stack of Instant Death. Striking an opponent of your Proficiency or lower will cause it to die instantly. Limit, one stack.


    You do not have the proficiency to wield this instrument.


    Mateo hands the staff back to Stitches.


    ¡°It says I don¡¯t have the proficiency to use it?¡± Mateo asks curiously.


    ¡°Ah yes, proficiency, allow me to explain,¡± Okami says intruding on them, his eyes filling with excitement.


    ¡°Your talons are a rough representation of your strength, however, there are many stages outside of this ranking, which is your proficiency, say you continue to use your dagger, you¡¯ll begin to notice that you are more proficient with it, which will allow you to wield higher proficiency one handed blades, your ring will make you more proficient with both magical items and wands, Stitches¡¯ Harvester of Gore is a two handed ranged/melee weapon, her being a six-talon means she¡¯s been using it a lot which means not only has she raised her proficiency with it, but its proficiency and proficiency requirements,¡± he says stopping to take a breath.


    ¡°So, if I bludgeon people to death with a rock will it raise my proficiency with blunt weapons and the proficiency of the rock?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Yes and no, your proficiency with blunt weapons will increase, but unless it¡¯s a magic rock than the rock will not have the ability to increase in proficiency, same goes with any non magical weapons, you can fell a thousand foes with a simple steel sword, if it doesn¡¯t break, but its proficiency will never increase.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s interesting, you should go organize that information into your notes or some shit,¡± Mateo replies.


    Okami gives him a curious look and then sees Stitches staring at the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do that,¡± he replies with a bow as he leaves.


    ¡°Sorry about the intrusion, Okami is a wolf with the ever-curious heart of a kitten,¡± Mateo says with a smile.


    Mateo pulls Stitches into his lap petting her ears. She lays against him letting out what seems like a soft purr. Mateo stares up at the moon as its cool blue light fills the clearing.


    ¡°Stitches, are you a realmwalker?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Mateo leans down staring at her with a smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful you know,¡± Mateo runs his fingers over the stitches on her cheek. ¡°I only want the strongest people on my team, no exceptions, I want you Stitches, will you join my team?¡±


    ¡°I thought Serenity was the leader,¡± Stitches replies.


    ¡°She¡¯s the leader of her team, but we might not always be on her team, I trust you, and I want you to trust me.¡±


    Stitches leans into Mateo rubbing her soft ears against his bare chest.


    ¡°She¡¯s beautiful, Serenity, you and her?¡± Stitches stops, her eyes filled with sorrow.


    Mateo runs his hand over her ears again with a smile.


    ¡°I am with Serenity, but, if you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to ask me, I don¡¯t care if the others see you as some kind of monster, you¡¯re my friend Stitches, and I love you.¡±


    ¡°You love me?¡± Stitches asks, her dissimilar eyes staring into his.


    Mateo grips her hand breathing deeply. Life isn¡¯t a simple thing, neither is love. Everything is complex. Even the simple things.


    Mateo presses his forehead to hers. She locks fingers with him lowering her gaze.


    ¡°I love you too,¡± Stitches replies.


    ¡°Hmph, wish someone loved me,¡± Natalia says crossing her arms as she appears above Mateo.


    Mateo pulls away shaking his head.


    ¡°You know I love you too Natalia.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you don¡¯t say it as often as Aeureillius,¡± she says squinting her eyes.


    ¡°And how often did he say it?¡± Mateo asks.


    ¡°Everyday, and he showered me with snacks,¡± she replies crossing her arms.


    ¡°I have some cookies,¡± Stitches chimes in.


    ¡°Did Terror hear cookies?¡±


    Terror appears from the brush as if he is a part of it. His figure covered in leaves like some ghillie suit from Mateo¡¯s world.


    ¡°Oh, I um, I made a few batches for us to enjoy before we went on our next bounty,¡± Stitches replies nervously.


    Terror gives off a low grumble and sits beside Stitches lowering his head. He holds out his hand letting out an audible sigh. Mateo grips Stitches¡¯ wrist and she looks at him confused as he drops her hand into Terror¡¯s. Terror places his other hand over hers and takes a deep breath as a single tear drips out of his crimson eyes over his murky emerald cheeks.


    ¡°Terror is sorry, Terror knows you are not responsible for death of his family, Terror knows that you suffer from a great sadness, Jade likes Stitches, and Stitches makes sweats that Terror enjoys, for this Terror offers you his hand in matrimony.¡±


    Stitches pulls her hand away confused.


    ¡°Your what, hold on, what in the void is going on?¡±


    Terror stands placing his fists on his hips stoically. He holds out one arm raising it across the horizon.


    ¡°For many moons Terror searches for a woman that fills Terror¡¯s heart with joy, only to find that all women are blood sucking vampires like Serenity,¡± Mateo cuts him off.


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s a little uncalled for.¡±


    ¡°Then the brood mother graces Terror with the joy that is Jade, Terror knows love again, brood mother sends Terror more love, but his hate blinds him, until, she forges a path to Terror¡¯s heart with sweats, cookies,¡± Terror says kneeling before Stitches as he presents her with an expensive looking ring covered in dried blood.


    ¡°Um, no,¡± Stitches replies.


    ¡°Oh,¡± he says tucking the ring away as he stands.


    He rubs his head nervously. Mateo stands letting out the breath he was holding in.


    ¡°She still loves Jade, and she¡¯ll still make you cookies,¡± he says patting Terror¡¯s shoulder.


    Terror smiles and leans down gripping Stitches¡¯ hand before pressing it to his lips.


    ¡°Terror is sorry for treating you with disdain without reason, perhaps one day Terror will be worthy of your hand,¡± he says leaving Mateo and Stitches alone in the clearing.


    Mateo and Stitches stare at each other in awe for a few moments.


    ¡°Well, that was fucking weird,¡± Stitches says breaking the silence.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be honest; I saw the events unfold, but I¡¯m not quite sure what just happened,¡± Mateo replies.


    ¡°I think he just proposed to me because I made him cookies.¡±


    Mateo smiles.


    ¡°The quickest way to a man¡¯s heart, is through his stomach.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t find that anatomically correct, I usually go through the chest cavity,¡± Stitches replies.


    ¡°You know, I think you just need a fucking hug sometimes,¡± Mateo says embracing her.