3: The Beast
Loi observed the situation with a surprisingly calm air about him. With a flick of the wrist he shot two cards behind the beast. With a bang, the cards exploded, spitting up a wall of fire. The beast leapt forward, howling in fear. Unfortunately for it, Loi had already sent the next cards. The ground turned slick as ice as the beast landed. With a loud thud, it hit the ground. It shuffled, trying to regain its balance, its angry gaze focused on Loi. Winter surged forward, gliding over the ice like an expert figure skater, knife ready. The beast barely glanced at Winter as it finally figured out how to shuffle forward. With another howl, it charged towards Loi, antlers lowered and ready to taste flesh. Another card left Loi's hand. A heavy puff of air buffered the Ragelope, but did not stop it completely. Loi drew back, unsure if dodging was capable at this point when Arianna stepped between them, deflecting the antlers with her shield. She wielded her sword expertly, slowly causing the Ragelope to back up. It was an amazing sight to see, a human taking on a full grown ragelope and getting it to retreat with mere sword-work. Using the opportunity Arianna created, Winter leapt upon a table, then onto the Ragelope's back. It bucked and howled, trying to shake off it's unwelcome passenger. Loi sent to more cards forward, ice coated the ground once more. Something flashed from one of the upper windows in the inn. Lynn with her bow was positioned at one of the windows. With expert skill, she drew back, and released the arrow. It soared with beauty, and pierced it's target head on. The beast howled, collapsing to the ground, yet not dead. Winter drew up his knife, and brought it down upon the creature's heart. With one last shriek, the monster dissolved. Winter knelt upon the ground where the monster once stood, panting heavily.
Loi quietly observed the scene, the last of fire had flickered out and the ice was melting. Of course, he could completely eradicate both, but he chose to let them fade on their own. He, Winter, Lynn and Arianna sat at one of the table outside of Sparrows. "You guys were incredible out there." Winter laughed as he drank another mug of coffee. Lynn rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty sure you guys had it without my help. Arianna was surprisingly good though." She admitted, giving a nod to Arianna. Arianna shook her head. "Any other Protector could've done the same. But it was thanks to you three that the beast was killed." There were awkward chuckles as the four reflected on what just happened. "Why was a monster like that here though? Ragelopes are native to the Labyrinth, and the guards always make sure they never pass. So how did it get here?" Loi asked. Winter considered this for a minute, then shrugged. "I haven't got a clue. The Barrier itself is what keeps the monsters out, not the Knights. ...Why it didn't work is what's bothering me." He said darkly. Silence enveloped the group. Lynn nodded over the single horn lying on the pavement, the only thing remaining from the beast. "So, who'll take that then?" She asked quietly. No one answered.
"What happened here?" Someone shouted. A group of knights marched into the square, looking around at the damage the great beast had caused. Winter waved merrily to them from his coffee. "Evening Gents! What are you searching for?" He called out. The Knight in charge looked from Winter to the horn on the ground. "The beast, are you the ones who defeated it?" He yelled. Winter gave two thumbs up as the Knights scattered across the street, surveying damage and what-not. The Knight in charge along with three others approached Winter, Lynn, Loi and Arianna. "I'm Winter, these three are, well, Arianna and... Well, didn't quite catch your names there?" He looked to Loi and Lynn, who stated their names. "Ah, Loi and Lynn. Quite the coincidence with those L's there." Winter chattered happily. The knight studied the four. "What Guild do you serve under?" Winter opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by Loi, "why do you ask?" He asked sharply. The Knight studied them warily. "Full out fighting is prohibited by traveling warriors. Only assigned Knights and Guild members may do battle in public places such as this one." The Knight explained. Winter stared at him, taken aback. Loi's mind raced as he tried to think up something, anything. "They serve under the new guild!" A voice cried as someone else ran into the street. "Ah, Dungeon master! Nice to see you too!" Winter shouted, waving merrily. Roy shook his head at Winter. "A bit bonkers, but registered as the new guild." The Knight looked the Dungeon Master over sternly. "Very well then, new guild." He practically spat the last words. "I'll leave you to your business. As you were the ones who defeated the beast, the spoils are your belongings. Collect it by dawn or you'll be fined for littering." He grunted as he turned and stalked away. "..Well that was unpleasant." Lynn sniffed. Arianna gazed after them, a sad look on her face. "What about a new Guild?" Winter asked curiously, looking at the papers in Dungeon Master's hands. "You were right. The Guilds we have now are no good. We need people like you to shake things up. So I'm registering you as the new Guild of Largeon." He explained as he took a seat beside Loi. Winter's face lit up like a candle. "Truly? Oh this is going to be fantastic!" He shouted gleefully into the sky as Roy unfolded the paperwork.