As the group fled out the Castle. They decided to take refuge within the Town, hoping to escape from the Brigands.
"Hans..." Alex said in grief as he thinks back to the General Sage.
"Stay strong prince Alex, for even if General Hans were to be sacrificing himself to protect you, there is little possibility for him to be defeated easily!" Flint encouraged.
"As much as I normally disagree with you Flint, he's right milord. General Hans is a strong Sage that has done many things to aid us in our battle for him to earn his title 'Dragon Flame'." Conner willingly assist in the encouragement.
"... Alright." Alex perked up as they continued to head straight to the Town.
As the group had reach said Town, they could only be shocked as the Town was burning down, several Town folks were scattered and Brigands pillaging the place.
"No..., not here as well," Victoria muttered, drawing out her Rapier " Everyone! We must protect the remaining Civilians!" She commanded.
"Alright, I was kinda getting bored anyways." Talon stretched as he readied his Rigid Sword dubbed the Feather Blade.
They then head towards the Town, ready to take on the Brigands.
______________________________________________________________________
A man wandered into the small town in Holin. He was en route for his mission, and wanted to stop and get some rest.
The town was overrun with Brigands. The Mercenary cursed under his breath and drew his sword. In the corner of his eye, he saw a Brigand dash towards Alex with his axe held high.
The Mercenary sprinted to the aid of the young prince. He slashed at the axe to counter the blade. The Brigand though kicked him, which propelled him backward. He dropped his sword as he flew back. The young Merc regained his balance and said to Alex. "Watch yourself, these Brigands play dirty."
He picked up his sword and charged at the opposition, letting out a battle cry as he sprinted away.
As the Mercenary dashed off, Alex has trouble comprehending what happened.
"Milord! Are you alright!" Conner rode in, stopping beside Alex.
"U-uh yeah, I'm fine," He said as he snapped from his daze. "Who is that man though?"
Conner looked and saw the Mercenary running off to engage with the Brigands. "I don't know milord, but he seems to be a sellsword. I wonder why one would even be here." He pointed out.
______________________________________________________________________
Fending off the Brigand that was about to kill a man, Victoria quickly counter his axe swing as Talon wrapped his Feather Blade around the Brigand's neck and yanked him away.
"Are you harmed?" She asked the frightened man.
"A-ah! Princess Victoria, thank heavens you've saved my life!" The man thanked.
"Thank me later, find any survivors and get out of the Town." She commanded.
"Y-yes at once, milady." The man then ran away from the skirmish.
She then noticed the Mercenary dashing by.
"Halt!" She yelled towards the Mercenary.
"Hm?" He turned. "Oh, Princess Victoria." The Mercenary bowed to the princess and stabbed his blade into the ground."I'm at your service Princess Victoria."
A Brigand charged at him, but he counter-attacked faster than the Brigand had bargained for. The sellsword chopped the head off the Brigand's axe. "Haha, you've been bested!" The man bragged. The Brigand looked at the Mercenary and threw the handle of his axe at him.
The handle made contact and crippled the Mercenary. He dropped his blade and it landed on the ground next to his half-unconcious body.
As the crippled Mercenary staggered, the Brigand tries to charge and tackle him. Victoria got infront of him and blessed by Lady Luck herself as she strucked her Rapier onto the Brigand's chest, piercing his heart in the process.
As the Brigand fell to the side. Victoria turned and aid the Mercenary.
"Hey, are you alright?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," He reassured," Wait, why are the Prince and Princess here anyway?" A Brigand suddenly appeared, with a young maiden as a hostage. He picked up his blade and shouted, "I'm done with you!" The sellsword struck an aproaching Brigand. The brigand clutched his side, where the blade hit.
He then slashed at the Brigand again. The blade cut through the Brigand's arm. The sellsword jumped up and kicked the Brigand in the head. The enemy fell to the ground.
The mercenary ended the Brigand's pain with two more slashes to the chest. He then freed the Brigand's hostage and shouted. "Go, get out of here!"
______________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, an Outlaw was standing on the roof of a burning house. He then noticed a Brigand about to kill a man.
"Might as well do something." He placed an arrow in his bow and shot the arrow through the Brigand's head. As the villager looked up in awe, he ran on several roofs in hopes for finding any discarded loot.
______________________________________________________________________
At another part of the Town, Flint protected a woman from the Brigands as he stood there on his horse proudly as he defeated the Brigands with ease.
"Haha! None of you can stand a chance to me, Flint the Dashing Knight!" He boasted, turning to the woman. "And hopefully you weren't harmed at all my flower?"
"N-not at all Sir Flint, you've saved me from those ruffians" The woman thanked.
"Think nothing of it. If a young woman like you were to be in danger, I shall be there to protect you." He flirted. He then noticed on the roofs of the buildings was an Outlaw running around the Town. "Hm.... It seems like I am required to be elsewhere, please escape this town at once." He asked.
"R-right, thank you Sir Flint." The woman then ran off.
Flint then dashed off to where he spotted the Outlaw, readying his Javelin.
"Halt you fiend! Or face the might of Flint the Dashing Knight!" He yelled.
The Outlaw turned and facepalmed. "Um, I am trying to leave after peeving off the Brigands. Probably, because I killed one of them for fun. Now, please get out of my way." He looked behind him, and saw an approaching Brigand, dragging the corpse of the Brigand he had killed. The Brigand dropped the man on the ground, pulled out his axe and charged at him.
Noticing that the Outlaw was not a threat, his attention was now towards the Brigand charging towards him. In a flash, Flint spun his javelin before throwing it with a light air burst. The javelin the hits the Brigand's shoulder, causing him to drop his axe and scream in pain.
"If you say what you are peasant, then allow me to assist you. For I, Flint, am a generous man that will aid the commoners." Flint said with pride.
The Outlaw sighed in relief. "Phew. Thanks, I cannot do close range combat well. But long range, sure." He whipped out his bow and shot an arrow into the bleeding Brigand's head. he said "Being honest, if you hadn't attacked this Brigand, I would've had an axe in my chest now!" He smirked.
Flint drew out his Iron sword, turning his horse around. "Well, it seems like my work here is done. Now if you don't mind, I am required to aid Princess Victoria elsewhere." He said as he's about to gallop away on his horse.
"Wait!" The Outlaw exclaimed. "I'm kinda lost around these parts. Perhaps I can assist you." He said, twirling his bow before keeping it aside. "Besides, I'm pretty handy with locks. And I'm sure this 'Princess' you spoke of would need someone like that."
"Hm, very well!" Flint exclaimed. "But, we will have to deal with this first!"
"Alright then. The names Yacker and if you wouldn't mind." He said before jumping on the roof of a building. "I'll scout the area for any townsfolk." Yacker then dashed off.
______________________________________________________________________
Victoria fended off several Brigands and was slowly getting fatigued from the battle, Talon aided her in defeating the Brigands.
"This is odd, I never expected Brigands to be this strong," Talon pointed out. "Hm, there might be something going on here."
"You got... a point there..." Victoria said, breathing heavily. "Do you think... you can find out... about it?" She asked.
"On it, try not to get killed while I'm gone." He joked as he used his Feather Blade to lasso his way onto the roofs. He stood for a brief moment closing his eyes, he then opened them with a sparkle emitting, his eyes glowed red. Looking around, noticing the Brigands have a malicious and dark aura surrounding them. "So this the cause..."
______________________________________________________________________
As the Brigands slowly lowered in numbers, the leader was getting desperate for the raid.
"Grr, what is happening! Why are they getting slaughtered out there," He then brandishes his Steel axe. "Pah! If you're going to do something right, ya gotta do it yourself!" He then ran in, itching for a fight.
______________________________________________________________________
Alex and Conner were helping any remaining Towns folk to escape. Alex then noticed a Brigand entering one of the houses. Thinking the Brigand was injured, he went in and kept himself hidden. He watched the Brigand stumbled before sitting down against a wall.
"G-guh, I didn't expect this to happen," The Brigand said with regret in his voice. "I-I just want a simple life, but that damn Zink decided to raid this town and now look what happened."
Alex felt remorse for the dying Brigand. He came out of his hiding spot, revealing himself to the Brigand.
"Y-you?! What are you doing here?!" The Brigand said in fear.
"It's okay, I overheard what you said," Alex responded. " You never really wanted to hurt anyone right?"
"Yea... Our leader Zink wasn't like this before, we used to steal with little bloodshed," He said. "But he changed when he met with that hooded man..."
"Hooded man?" Alex asked. The Brigand winced in pain and Alex began to panic. " Ah! I'll get help!"
"No... This is what I deserve for even following Zink's orders to harm the innocent" He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a Red gem. "This was all I could steal, I think you can have better benefits with it."
No... No! You can't give up yet!" Alex encouraged.
The encouragement did little as the Brigand's eye slowly close and dropped the Red gem, rolling to Alex's feet. He then picked it up, clenching it in his hand.
"Prince Alex! Where are you!" Conner's voice could be heard from outside of the house.
"I'm in here Conner!" He yelled back, pocketing the Red gem before exiting the house. 'Rest in peace, Mr.Brigand.'
______________________________________________________________________
The Mercenary clashed with another Brigand. The Brigand swung his sword at him. The sellsword jumped backwards to dodge the blade. The Brigands blade only nicked hia stomach, which caused a rip in his clothing. He then sprinted towards the Brigand and struck.
The attack disarmed the Brigand and sent him to the ground. The sellsword swung his blade at the wounded Brigand. The Brigand pleadied to the Mercenary," Please, Don't kill me, Our group use to refrain form killing, I just want to find my family again."
He picked up the Brigand's blade and threw it. He sheathed his sword and helped the man up."Go," The Mercenary commanded,"Leave." The Brigand nodded and ran towards the exit of town.
The Mercenary scoured the remains of the town for the last survivor. He wound up inside the second remaining house. He searched around and found a Vulnenary. 'This could come in handy.' The mercenary thought.
______________________________________________________________________
Alex and Conner were both scouring the Town with little trace of life left. Alex was sadden knowing that many lives were lost during this raid, including the one he pitied and tried to help.
"Prince Alex, are you well milord?" Conner asked.
"H-huh? Oh, yes Conner, just a little tired." He lied.
"No worries milord. Once we are done with this, we can take a break." He assured.
As they continued, they noticed the same sellsword that saved Alex from before.
"I-it's him!" Alex said.
"The same sellsword that guarded you from that Brigand attack." Conner replied. "Milord, do not drop your guard, we still don't know if he is a ally or foe."
They then moved on and got close to the sellsword.
The Mercenary noticed the two, specifically Alex. "Greetings, Prince Alex," Ashei said, bowing slightly. "It is not safe here, get to a safer place."
"And who might you be?" Conner asked, getting infront of Alex.
"My name is Ashei, I am a sellsword who happened to walk into a battlefield." He introduced. "I met with Princess Victoria earlier and vowed my blade to her."
"So then, you're working for us?" Alex asked.
"Indeed." He sheathe his sword. "Hm, It seems this battle is not over yet. I will meet with you another time." Ashei walked off.
______________________________________________________________________
Talon and Victoria both finished the last of the Brigands, exhausted from the onslaught.
"It seems like Father was speaking the truth after all." Talon muttered.
"What do... you mean?" Victoria asked.
"He said that he sensed an evil malice growing closer to the area, that was why I came and helped." He responded.
Victoria was about to speak, until the Brigand leader appeared.
"Huh, so my boys lost to two louts like you? Pathetic." He said, readying his axe. "I'll end your lives here and now!"
Victoria quickly took a stance, but Talon grabbed her and used his Feather Balde to lasso them out of there.
"Talon! What are you doing!" She exclaimed.
"We can't fight him in our current state, his aura is stronger than any of the others." He said as he landed both of them on a roof and continued running.
"Get back here you curs!" Zink yelled.
______________________________________________________________________
"Grr, where did those two go?!" Zink growled as he lost sight of Talon and Victoria, looking for any traces of the two.
He looked around for a moment before locking his eyes on a little boy underneath some rubble crying. Feeling the bloodlust desire, his axe glowed a purple aura as he slowly walked towards the boy.
______________________________________________________________________
Talon and Victoria were both resting on top of a roof, breathing heavily as they had ran far from their pursuer.
"Princess Victoria! Sir Talon! Where are you!" The voice of Conner could be heard by the two as they both looked down the building they were on and noticed both Conner and Alex.
"Hey! We're up here!" Talon yelled as both of them mustered their courage to jump down.
"Sis!" Alex hugged his elder sister in which she returned.
"Ah! Bless the Lord that you're all safe!" Flint exclaimed as he rode in.
"Well, seems like everyone's here," Talon said." That Brigand still needs to be taken down though, and I didn't expect to see such a horrific amount of malicious aura from him."
"What do we do now?" Victoria asked while still having Alex in her arms.
"Hm... Normally we require a Monarch's help to deal with this, but through the knowledge that I knew about this, fighting them is as easy as hunting a wild animal." He replied
"What do you mean Sir Talon?" Conner asked.
"With such aura, they can shroud ones ability to fear danger therefore, they can be careless in battle. And with a Brigand wielding a heavy weapon, that can effect the battle style of them." He answered.
"Such intelligence Sir Talon! As expected from a warrior such as yourself!" Flint praised theatrically.
Everyone sweatdropped at Flint's flamboyant acts.
______________________________________________________________________
Yacker stopped on a building and noticed the group. He jumped down and ran to them.
"So this is the Princess of Holin?" He said, looking at Victoria. "Well, it is an honor to work for you then."
"Who are you?" Victoria asked.
"Ah! You've arrived at last!" Flint exclaimed. "This is Yacker. He will be aiding us."
"Hm, very well then." She said.
"Pardon for the interuption milady, but what do we do about the remaining Brigands?" Conner asked.
"Well, there is only one left. And we got away from him." Talon replied.
"Um, what about that sellsword?" Alex said "The one that is currently heading to fight that Brigand."
There was a brief pause as Alex's word slowly got to everyones head.
"Shit!" Talon dashed off.
______________________________________________________________________
Ashei's walk escalted into a sprint as he saw the Brigand was about to harm a young boy. The sellsword raised his blade and shouted across the battlefield. Hurdling the corpses, Ashei ran across the battlefield with incredible speed, cofirming the "Swift" in his title. The sellsword put himself between the Brigand and the child. "I, Ashei the Swift, will not let you harm another living thing,"
"Grr, another whelp. Whatever, I shall kill you here!" Zink growled. He swung his axe and taunted the mercenary to strike.
Ashei sprinted at the Brigand and swung his sword. Zink countered by hitting the blade with his axe, which knocked Ashei off his balance. The sellsword regrouped and charged at Zink again. The Brigand shouted as he charged," I'm done with you!" Ashei swung at Zink. Again, Zink countered. Ashei struck twice more, they failed again. The Merc leapt in the air and kicked Zink. Zink stuttered backwards and swore. Ashei took his blade and slashed Zink firmly across the chest. Zink laughed at Ashei's attempts. The Brigand swung and hit Ashei across the chest with his axe. Ashei fell to the ground. Zink looked at the mercenary as he walked towards Ashei. Zink raised his axe to finish Ashei off. The sellsword slid under Zink's legs. Ashei heard the Brigand curse as the merc dealt one final blow to the back of Zink's neck.
Zink collapsed and groaned. "G-gh! I-I'm sor...ry ever...yone...." The life faded away from the Brigand. Ashei freed the boy from the rubble and gestured him to leave the town.
As Talon ran towards to where Ashei and the Brigand leader was fighting, he stopped to notice the Brigand slain by the said Mercenary. Noticing a young boy was there, him gesturing the boy to leave.
"Hey you, I got something to say to you." Talon called out to Ashei.
"Hm? What is it?" He asked, sheathing his Steel sword.
"You defeated someone with a terrifying aura. How are you able to?" Talon said.
"I don't know, I guess it's just luck." He shrugged.
"Well then, I guess I'll be off then." Talon turned and walked.
"Hold on. Your heading back to Princess Victoria right?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"I vow my service to her, so I will ask you to escort me there."
'Great... another one..' Talon thought. "Fine, follow me."
______________________________________________________________________
With the others, they managed to find where the townspeople were. They rejoice when they saw the group that help to defend the town.
"Ah, Princess Victoria, we are gracious to have your help," An elderly man spoke, who was the mayor. "Unfortunately, not all of us manage to escape the onslaught..."
"I'm sorry. If only we were here sooner." Victoria replied sadly.
"It's alright, had you'd not been here all of us could have met our demise." He said.
A woman then walked out. "Your highness, have you seen my son? He was lost in the town during the raid from those ruffians." She asked with worry.
"I-I'm sorry, none of us saw a boy in the town." She answered.
The woman was about to break down in tears, until a boy's cry could be heard.
"Mom!" The boy cried out.
"Zack!" The woman then ran to her son had gave him a heartwarming hug, both crying with joy to see each other.
______________________________________________________________________
A while later
"Your majesty, we've managed to gather some gold to repay what you have done to help us." The old man offered.
"That's alright, we don't require payment for the deeds we do." She politely decline.
"Nonsense! You've all worked hard to aid the townspeople. I insist that you should take it for your trek to Mavos."
"Princess, it is highly recommend that we should restock on supplies. Who knows what we would meet in the dire future." Conner said.
"..., alright then. I'll accept it." She said as the mayor passed on the bag of gold to her.
"Now then. Shall we head of to Mavos, Milady?" Flint asked.
"No, we have to wait for Talon to get back." She replied.
"Princess Victoria, Prince Alex. Thank the lord you're both unharmed." A voice rang out.
They all turned to look at the direction the voice spoke from. What they saw was Hans, injured slightly with his outfit slightly torn.
"Hans!" Alex yelled as he ran and hugged his teacher.
"Hans! You're alive!" Victoria exclaimed.
"Of course I am Milady, I can't die knowing that Holin would be in peril." He said, slightly chuckling.
"Sir Hans, lets get you patched up. Those wounds could be serious." Conner suggested.
"Alright then." He replied.
______________________________________________________________________
With the group, they've rested plenty and Hans was finally healed from his injuries. Currently they were waiting for Talon to get back.
"Hey! Sorry for the hold up!" Talon yelled as he arrived.
"What took you so long?" Victoria asked, noticing Ashei with him.
"Sorry, just had a little conversation with this guy here." He replied.
"My name is Ashei, milady." He introduced, bowing.
"Well... I guess we do need more help along the way." Victoria said. "Well if there is nothing else, let's head to Mavos."
They then readied their gear and left the Town, heading to the neighbouring continent of Holin.
"Hans..." Alex said in grief as he thinks back to the General Sage.
"Stay strong prince Alex, for even if General Hans were to be sacrificing himself to protect you, there is little possibility for him to be defeated easily!" Flint encouraged.
"As much as I normally disagree with you Flint, he's right milord. General Hans is a strong Sage that has done many things to aid us in our battle for him to earn his title 'Dragon Flame'." Conner willingly assist in the encouragement.
"... Alright." Alex perked up as they continued to head straight to the Town.
As the group had reach said Town, they could only be shocked as the Town was burning down, several Town folks were scattered and Brigands pillaging the place.
"No..., not here as well," Victoria muttered, drawing out her Rapier " Everyone! We must protect the remaining Civilians!" She commanded.
"Alright, I was kinda getting bored anyways." Talon stretched as he readied his Rigid Sword dubbed the Feather Blade.
They then head towards the Town, ready to take on the Brigands.
______________________________________________________________________
A man wandered into the small town in Holin. He was en route for his mission, and wanted to stop and get some rest.
The town was overrun with Brigands. The Mercenary cursed under his breath and drew his sword. In the corner of his eye, he saw a Brigand dash towards Alex with his axe held high.
The Mercenary sprinted to the aid of the young prince. He slashed at the axe to counter the blade. The Brigand though kicked him, which propelled him backward. He dropped his sword as he flew back. The young Merc regained his balance and said to Alex. "Watch yourself, these Brigands play dirty."
He picked up his sword and charged at the opposition, letting out a battle cry as he sprinted away.
As the Mercenary dashed off, Alex has trouble comprehending what happened.
"Milord! Are you alright!" Conner rode in, stopping beside Alex.
"U-uh yeah, I'm fine," He said as he snapped from his daze. "Who is that man though?"
Conner looked and saw the Mercenary running off to engage with the Brigands. "I don't know milord, but he seems to be a sellsword. I wonder why one would even be here." He pointed out.
______________________________________________________________________
Fending off the Brigand that was about to kill a man, Victoria quickly counter his axe swing as Talon wrapped his Feather Blade around the Brigand's neck and yanked him away.
"Are you harmed?" She asked the frightened man.
"A-ah! Princess Victoria, thank heavens you've saved my life!" The man thanked.
"Thank me later, find any survivors and get out of the Town." She commanded.
"Y-yes at once, milady." The man then ran away from the skirmish.
She then noticed the Mercenary dashing by.
"Halt!" She yelled towards the Mercenary.
"Hm?" He turned. "Oh, Princess Victoria." The Mercenary bowed to the princess and stabbed his blade into the ground."I'm at your service Princess Victoria."
A Brigand charged at him, but he counter-attacked faster than the Brigand had bargained for. The sellsword chopped the head off the Brigand's axe. "Haha, you've been bested!" The man bragged. The Brigand looked at the Mercenary and threw the handle of his axe at him.
The handle made contact and crippled the Mercenary. He dropped his blade and it landed on the ground next to his half-unconcious body.
As the crippled Mercenary staggered, the Brigand tries to charge and tackle him. Victoria got infront of him and blessed by Lady Luck herself as she strucked her Rapier onto the Brigand's chest, piercing his heart in the process.
As the Brigand fell to the side. Victoria turned and aid the Mercenary.
"Hey, are you alright?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," He reassured," Wait, why are the Prince and Princess here anyway?" A Brigand suddenly appeared, with a young maiden as a hostage. He picked up his blade and shouted, "I'm done with you!" The sellsword struck an aproaching Brigand. The brigand clutched his side, where the blade hit.
He then slashed at the Brigand again. The blade cut through the Brigand's arm. The sellsword jumped up and kicked the Brigand in the head. The enemy fell to the ground.
The mercenary ended the Brigand's pain with two more slashes to the chest. He then freed the Brigand's hostage and shouted. "Go, get out of here!"
______________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, an Outlaw was standing on the roof of a burning house. He then noticed a Brigand about to kill a man.
"Might as well do something." He placed an arrow in his bow and shot the arrow through the Brigand's head. As the villager looked up in awe, he ran on several roofs in hopes for finding any discarded loot.
______________________________________________________________________
At another part of the Town, Flint protected a woman from the Brigands as he stood there on his horse proudly as he defeated the Brigands with ease.
"Haha! None of you can stand a chance to me, Flint the Dashing Knight!" He boasted, turning to the woman. "And hopefully you weren't harmed at all my flower?"
"N-not at all Sir Flint, you've saved me from those ruffians" The woman thanked.
"Think nothing of it. If a young woman like you were to be in danger, I shall be there to protect you." He flirted. He then noticed on the roofs of the buildings was an Outlaw running around the Town. "Hm.... It seems like I am required to be elsewhere, please escape this town at once." He asked.
"R-right, thank you Sir Flint." The woman then ran off.
Flint then dashed off to where he spotted the Outlaw, readying his Javelin.
"Halt you fiend! Or face the might of Flint the Dashing Knight!" He yelled.
The Outlaw turned and facepalmed. "Um, I am trying to leave after peeving off the Brigands. Probably, because I killed one of them for fun. Now, please get out of my way." He looked behind him, and saw an approaching Brigand, dragging the corpse of the Brigand he had killed. The Brigand dropped the man on the ground, pulled out his axe and charged at him.
Noticing that the Outlaw was not a threat, his attention was now towards the Brigand charging towards him. In a flash, Flint spun his javelin before throwing it with a light air burst. The javelin the hits the Brigand's shoulder, causing him to drop his axe and scream in pain.
"If you say what you are peasant, then allow me to assist you. For I, Flint, am a generous man that will aid the commoners." Flint said with pride.
The Outlaw sighed in relief. "Phew. Thanks, I cannot do close range combat well. But long range, sure." He whipped out his bow and shot an arrow into the bleeding Brigand's head. he said "Being honest, if you hadn't attacked this Brigand, I would've had an axe in my chest now!" He smirked.
Flint drew out his Iron sword, turning his horse around. "Well, it seems like my work here is done. Now if you don't mind, I am required to aid Princess Victoria elsewhere." He said as he's about to gallop away on his horse.
"Wait!" The Outlaw exclaimed. "I'm kinda lost around these parts. Perhaps I can assist you." He said, twirling his bow before keeping it aside. "Besides, I'm pretty handy with locks. And I'm sure this 'Princess' you spoke of would need someone like that."
"Hm, very well!" Flint exclaimed. "But, we will have to deal with this first!"
"Alright then. The names Yacker and if you wouldn't mind." He said before jumping on the roof of a building. "I'll scout the area for any townsfolk." Yacker then dashed off.
______________________________________________________________________
Victoria fended off several Brigands and was slowly getting fatigued from the battle, Talon aided her in defeating the Brigands.
"This is odd, I never expected Brigands to be this strong," Talon pointed out. "Hm, there might be something going on here."
"You got... a point there..." Victoria said, breathing heavily. "Do you think... you can find out... about it?" She asked.
"On it, try not to get killed while I'm gone." He joked as he used his Feather Blade to lasso his way onto the roofs. He stood for a brief moment closing his eyes, he then opened them with a sparkle emitting, his eyes glowed red. Looking around, noticing the Brigands have a malicious and dark aura surrounding them. "So this the cause..."
______________________________________________________________________
As the Brigands slowly lowered in numbers, the leader was getting desperate for the raid.
"Grr, what is happening! Why are they getting slaughtered out there," He then brandishes his Steel axe. "Pah! If you're going to do something right, ya gotta do it yourself!" He then ran in, itching for a fight.
______________________________________________________________________
Alex and Conner were helping any remaining Towns folk to escape. Alex then noticed a Brigand entering one of the houses. Thinking the Brigand was injured, he went in and kept himself hidden. He watched the Brigand stumbled before sitting down against a wall.
"G-guh, I didn't expect this to happen," The Brigand said with regret in his voice. "I-I just want a simple life, but that damn Zink decided to raid this town and now look what happened."
Alex felt remorse for the dying Brigand. He came out of his hiding spot, revealing himself to the Brigand.
"Y-you?! What are you doing here?!" The Brigand said in fear.
"It's okay, I overheard what you said," Alex responded. " You never really wanted to hurt anyone right?"
"Yea... Our leader Zink wasn't like this before, we used to steal with little bloodshed," He said. "But he changed when he met with that hooded man..."
"Hooded man?" Alex asked. The Brigand winced in pain and Alex began to panic. " Ah! I'll get help!"
"No... This is what I deserve for even following Zink's orders to harm the innocent" He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a Red gem. "This was all I could steal, I think you can have better benefits with it."
No... No! You can't give up yet!" Alex encouraged.
The encouragement did little as the Brigand's eye slowly close and dropped the Red gem, rolling to Alex's feet. He then picked it up, clenching it in his hand.
"Prince Alex! Where are you!" Conner's voice could be heard from outside of the house.
"I'm in here Conner!" He yelled back, pocketing the Red gem before exiting the house. 'Rest in peace, Mr.Brigand.'
______________________________________________________________________
The Mercenary clashed with another Brigand. The Brigand swung his sword at him. The sellsword jumped backwards to dodge the blade. The Brigands blade only nicked hia stomach, which caused a rip in his clothing. He then sprinted towards the Brigand and struck.
The attack disarmed the Brigand and sent him to the ground. The sellsword swung his blade at the wounded Brigand. The Brigand pleadied to the Mercenary," Please, Don't kill me, Our group use to refrain form killing, I just want to find my family again."
He picked up the Brigand's blade and threw it. He sheathed his sword and helped the man up."Go," The Mercenary commanded,"Leave." The Brigand nodded and ran towards the exit of town.
The Mercenary scoured the remains of the town for the last survivor. He wound up inside the second remaining house. He searched around and found a Vulnenary. 'This could come in handy.' The mercenary thought.
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Alex and Conner were both scouring the Town with little trace of life left. Alex was sadden knowing that many lives were lost during this raid, including the one he pitied and tried to help.
"Prince Alex, are you well milord?" Conner asked.
"H-huh? Oh, yes Conner, just a little tired." He lied.
"No worries milord. Once we are done with this, we can take a break." He assured.
As they continued, they noticed the same sellsword that saved Alex from before.
"I-it's him!" Alex said.
"The same sellsword that guarded you from that Brigand attack." Conner replied. "Milord, do not drop your guard, we still don't know if he is a ally or foe."
They then moved on and got close to the sellsword.
The Mercenary noticed the two, specifically Alex. "Greetings, Prince Alex," Ashei said, bowing slightly. "It is not safe here, get to a safer place."
"And who might you be?" Conner asked, getting infront of Alex.
"My name is Ashei, I am a sellsword who happened to walk into a battlefield." He introduced. "I met with Princess Victoria earlier and vowed my blade to her."
"So then, you're working for us?" Alex asked.
"Indeed." He sheathe his sword. "Hm, It seems this battle is not over yet. I will meet with you another time." Ashei walked off.
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Talon and Victoria both finished the last of the Brigands, exhausted from the onslaught.
"It seems like Father was speaking the truth after all." Talon muttered.
"What do... you mean?" Victoria asked.
"He said that he sensed an evil malice growing closer to the area, that was why I came and helped." He responded.
Victoria was about to speak, until the Brigand leader appeared.
"Huh, so my boys lost to two louts like you? Pathetic." He said, readying his axe. "I'll end your lives here and now!"
Victoria quickly took a stance, but Talon grabbed her and used his Feather Balde to lasso them out of there.
"Talon! What are you doing!" She exclaimed.
"We can't fight him in our current state, his aura is stronger than any of the others." He said as he landed both of them on a roof and continued running.
"Get back here you curs!" Zink yelled.
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"Grr, where did those two go?!" Zink growled as he lost sight of Talon and Victoria, looking for any traces of the two.
He looked around for a moment before locking his eyes on a little boy underneath some rubble crying. Feeling the bloodlust desire, his axe glowed a purple aura as he slowly walked towards the boy.
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Talon and Victoria were both resting on top of a roof, breathing heavily as they had ran far from their pursuer.
"Princess Victoria! Sir Talon! Where are you!" The voice of Conner could be heard by the two as they both looked down the building they were on and noticed both Conner and Alex.
"Hey! We're up here!" Talon yelled as both of them mustered their courage to jump down.
"Sis!" Alex hugged his elder sister in which she returned.
"Ah! Bless the Lord that you're all safe!" Flint exclaimed as he rode in.
"Well, seems like everyone's here," Talon said." That Brigand still needs to be taken down though, and I didn't expect to see such a horrific amount of malicious aura from him."
"What do we do now?" Victoria asked while still having Alex in her arms.
"Hm... Normally we require a Monarch's help to deal with this, but through the knowledge that I knew about this, fighting them is as easy as hunting a wild animal." He replied
"What do you mean Sir Talon?" Conner asked.
"With such aura, they can shroud ones ability to fear danger therefore, they can be careless in battle. And with a Brigand wielding a heavy weapon, that can effect the battle style of them." He answered.
"Such intelligence Sir Talon! As expected from a warrior such as yourself!" Flint praised theatrically.
Everyone sweatdropped at Flint's flamboyant acts.
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Yacker stopped on a building and noticed the group. He jumped down and ran to them.
"So this is the Princess of Holin?" He said, looking at Victoria. "Well, it is an honor to work for you then."
"Who are you?" Victoria asked.
"Ah! You've arrived at last!" Flint exclaimed. "This is Yacker. He will be aiding us."
"Hm, very well then." She said.
"Pardon for the interuption milady, but what do we do about the remaining Brigands?" Conner asked.
"Well, there is only one left. And we got away from him." Talon replied.
"Um, what about that sellsword?" Alex said "The one that is currently heading to fight that Brigand."
There was a brief pause as Alex's word slowly got to everyones head.
"Shit!" Talon dashed off.
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Ashei's walk escalted into a sprint as he saw the Brigand was about to harm a young boy. The sellsword raised his blade and shouted across the battlefield. Hurdling the corpses, Ashei ran across the battlefield with incredible speed, cofirming the "Swift" in his title. The sellsword put himself between the Brigand and the child. "I, Ashei the Swift, will not let you harm another living thing,"
"Grr, another whelp. Whatever, I shall kill you here!" Zink growled. He swung his axe and taunted the mercenary to strike.
Ashei sprinted at the Brigand and swung his sword. Zink countered by hitting the blade with his axe, which knocked Ashei off his balance. The sellsword regrouped and charged at Zink again. The Brigand shouted as he charged," I'm done with you!" Ashei swung at Zink. Again, Zink countered. Ashei struck twice more, they failed again. The Merc leapt in the air and kicked Zink. Zink stuttered backwards and swore. Ashei took his blade and slashed Zink firmly across the chest. Zink laughed at Ashei's attempts. The Brigand swung and hit Ashei across the chest with his axe. Ashei fell to the ground. Zink looked at the mercenary as he walked towards Ashei. Zink raised his axe to finish Ashei off. The sellsword slid under Zink's legs. Ashei heard the Brigand curse as the merc dealt one final blow to the back of Zink's neck.
Zink collapsed and groaned. "G-gh! I-I'm sor...ry ever...yone...." The life faded away from the Brigand. Ashei freed the boy from the rubble and gestured him to leave the town.
As Talon ran towards to where Ashei and the Brigand leader was fighting, he stopped to notice the Brigand slain by the said Mercenary. Noticing a young boy was there, him gesturing the boy to leave.
"Hey you, I got something to say to you." Talon called out to Ashei.
"Hm? What is it?" He asked, sheathing his Steel sword.
"You defeated someone with a terrifying aura. How are you able to?" Talon said.
"I don't know, I guess it's just luck." He shrugged.
"Well then, I guess I'll be off then." Talon turned and walked.
"Hold on. Your heading back to Princess Victoria right?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"I vow my service to her, so I will ask you to escort me there."
'Great... another one..' Talon thought. "Fine, follow me."
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With the others, they managed to find where the townspeople were. They rejoice when they saw the group that help to defend the town.
"Ah, Princess Victoria, we are gracious to have your help," An elderly man spoke, who was the mayor. "Unfortunately, not all of us manage to escape the onslaught..."
"I'm sorry. If only we were here sooner." Victoria replied sadly.
"It's alright, had you'd not been here all of us could have met our demise." He said.
A woman then walked out. "Your highness, have you seen my son? He was lost in the town during the raid from those ruffians." She asked with worry.
"I-I'm sorry, none of us saw a boy in the town." She answered.
The woman was about to break down in tears, until a boy's cry could be heard.
"Mom!" The boy cried out.
"Zack!" The woman then ran to her son had gave him a heartwarming hug, both crying with joy to see each other.
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A while later
"Your majesty, we've managed to gather some gold to repay what you have done to help us." The old man offered.
"That's alright, we don't require payment for the deeds we do." She politely decline.
"Nonsense! You've all worked hard to aid the townspeople. I insist that you should take it for your trek to Mavos."
"Princess, it is highly recommend that we should restock on supplies. Who knows what we would meet in the dire future." Conner said.
"..., alright then. I'll accept it." She said as the mayor passed on the bag of gold to her.
"Now then. Shall we head of to Mavos, Milady?" Flint asked.
"No, we have to wait for Talon to get back." She replied.
"Princess Victoria, Prince Alex. Thank the lord you're both unharmed." A voice rang out.
They all turned to look at the direction the voice spoke from. What they saw was Hans, injured slightly with his outfit slightly torn.
"Hans!" Alex yelled as he ran and hugged his teacher.
"Hans! You're alive!" Victoria exclaimed.
"Of course I am Milady, I can't die knowing that Holin would be in peril." He said, slightly chuckling.
"Sir Hans, lets get you patched up. Those wounds could be serious." Conner suggested.
"Alright then." He replied.
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With the group, they've rested plenty and Hans was finally healed from his injuries. Currently they were waiting for Talon to get back.
"Hey! Sorry for the hold up!" Talon yelled as he arrived.
"What took you so long?" Victoria asked, noticing Ashei with him.
"Sorry, just had a little conversation with this guy here." He replied.
"My name is Ashei, milady." He introduced, bowing.
"Well... I guess we do need more help along the way." Victoria said. "Well if there is nothing else, let's head to Mavos."
They then readied their gear and left the Town, heading to the neighbouring continent of Holin.
