Raize is walking down a grassy path through a meadow, and leans against a tree for a minute to rest. Lifts the bottle of alcohol that has been in his hand the whole time, and uses his free hand to fumble around in his jacket, finally pulling out a corkscrew. Just before he opens the bottle...
UNKOWN VOICE: Hey, give us a share of that drink you got there, and we'll let you through without passing the toll!
Raize looks towards the voice and sees two bandits standing on either side of a bridge, armed to the teeth and obviously set up for some extortion.
RAIZE: Sorry, I don't share my alcohol. pointedly ignores bandits
BANDIT 1: It wasn't a question, punk. Give us the drink or we'll take it from you! steps towards Raize menacingly, brandishing a wicked-looking dagger
Raize looks from the corkscrew in his hand to the bottle in his other, then to the bandit a few feet from him, back and forth. He nods to himself, then leaps into the air, lands on the bandit's shoulders, thrusts the corkscrew into the bandit's head, and twists until it pops off.
BANDIT 2: What the hell? Die, you sonnuva bitch! charges with broadsword
Raize pulls a lance out of his jacket suddenly and impales the bandit before he has a chance to strike, nailing him to the hilt of the weapon. Bandit swings weakly in a last-ditch effort to win the fight, and only succeeds to knock Raize's bottle from his hand, shattering it upon impact on the ground. Raize glares at the bandit, then tears off his head, pulls the lance out, skewers it into the man's body vertically, nailing him to the ground, and sticks his head on the top of the lance like a pike.
RAIZE: Asshole... crosses the bridge and keeps walking till he reaches a small town. Enters the tavern and sits down at the bar, and orders a drink
Barmaid gets him a drink, looks at him, then looks at a wanted poster with his face on it, offerin reward for lots of money, no questions asked. Looks back to Raize, then to poster, then to Raize. Suddenly throws off barmaid outfit and has twin crescent swords to his throat.
FAKE BARMAID: Finally, a bounty! I am the great and powerful bounty huntress Vanessa the Viper, and your bounty is mine!
Raize completely ignores her, reaches past her, grabs a bottle of liquor from the back shelf, and leaves the tavern. Stunned for a second, Vanessa chases him outside.
VANESSA: Didn't you hear me? I challenge you!
RAIZE: I heard you. I simply do not wish to waste my time with you. You aren't worth the effort of unsheathing my blade. continues to walk away
VANESSA: Arrogant bastard! I will kill you! charges him at high speed, ramming Raize into the outside of the tavern. Bottle of liquor shatters on impact. Raize looks down at the bottle in surprise and irritation
RAIZE: You bitch. throws the bottle behind him, stands and begins to walk towards her
Vanessa charges Raize again, blades swinging menacingly. Raize downs her with a quick punch to the gut, then a backhand to the face.
RAIZE: I told you that you weren't even worth the time of drawing a blade. And you just proved me right. Two hits and you go down. Your speed is impressive, though. A little training, and you just might not battle as horribly as your name perceives you to be. Why not join me?
VANESSA: bewildered What? JOIN you? I just tried to KILL you!
RAIZE: And you failed. Miserably. Do you still wish to try for my bounty? she nods Then join me and grow strong. After all, you can only be betrayed by someone you trust. turns and begins to walk out of town. Vanessa gets up, winces, and tentatively follows him
End of Act 2