"Four goddamn months of searching and we still don't have a guild," Slayer shouted in frustration as he and Mia continued their search for a guild that would accept them.
"I really wish you'd stop using such crass language," said Mia as she trudged along beside Slayer. Finding a guild was certainly turning out to be harder than they had both expected.
"I'm sorry Mia, but it is just so frustrating!"
"You know we could always take Alice up on her offer and join her guild."
"I'll apologize in advance because there is only one thing I have to say to that proposition. Hell to the fucking no."
"But why? Their guild is ranked number one."
"Because I hate every last member, Alice excluded. I don't trust a single one of them, especially not their pitiful excuse for a tank. Besides, we need a guild that will watch out for all its members equally. If we joined up with them then your safety would be overlooked in light of Alice's and although I would neither want nor need their protection, I have a feeling they would be less than eager to jump to my aid."
"Maybe if you hadn't tried to kill them and you'd stop picking fights with them whenever they happen to be on the same floor as you then they would be more inclined to extend an olive branch to you."
"It's not my fault! What other recourse did I have?"
"You could have confronted them and simply asked what their reasons for being there was."
"And give away the element of surprise? Never. Besides, if they had turned out to be a PK group they would have just lied or attacked. You don't honestly expect me to trust people I just met who have orange or red markers do you?"
"You have a red marker.'
"I'm doing a public service. Besides, if I don't do it then who will? If left unchecked there is no telling how many would suffer."
"But you only get a red marker from killing green players."
"Anybody that would work for and associate with that filth deserves the same fate. In fact, they are perhaps worse because they knowingly lure other players to their doom while under the guise of being a comrade, whereas the killers themselves make no excuses and hide nothing."
"You know I don't like killing, S."
"I'm just doing what the times demand. We are in what could best be described as the medieval era when considering our surroundings and resources. There is no real law so I am forced to play the part of both judge and executioner as knights were sometimes forced to do in medieval times."
"It just seems so wrong. What if you accidentally kill an innocent?"
"Take solace in this Mia. If there is even an inkling of doubt in my mind about someone's guilt, then I set him or her free. I only execute those who have clearly shown their colors and are without a doubt guilty of the charges I would lay against them."
"Fine, we won't join up with Alice. But did you ever consider that maybe this is why nobody wants us in their guild?"
"What do you mean?"
"Just look at you. You're a red player that gives off dark vibes and your gaze is so cold and devoid of emotion whenever we meet with the leaders of the guilds. Not to mention you have managed to accumulate a rather long list of enemies during your time here. Half the guilds have probably already blacklisted you due to your actions in the past."
"C'est la vie."
"Did you just speak French?"
"What? Am I not allowed?"
"I was just a little surprised. That's all."
"Very funny. Now back to the matter at hand. What do you think we should do?"
"You should let me handle the meetings from now on. Just hang around outside and avoid any sort of conflict with any of the members."
"Not going to happen."
"Why?"
"Because I'm still not going to let you out of my sight."
"You're being ridiculous. That stuff happened months ago. Besides, we haven't seen any sign of Ray or his accomplices since."
"Doesn't matter."
"At this rate we'll never find a guild."
"How about this? We'll both go in, but I'll let you handle all the talking and I'll just hang back near the door?"
"You're not going to budge on this, are you?"
"Never."
"Fine, but try to look less like a homicidal maniac and more like a team player. I'm really sick of being turned away."
"I'll try," said Slayer as he smirked. Today they were meeting with the ninth ranked guild and he was fairly certain he had never had any altercations with it or any of its members, but he had thought the same thing of roughly half the guilds they'd visited so far. This meeting had taken a little while to set up. The guild was called the Order of the Chimera and they were extremely secretive. Slayer was wary of meeting with an enigma such as them, but their options were running thin and if they were ranked number nine then he could be fairly confident that the members would be able to handle themselves should he need their help.
Finally they reached their destination. The guild house wasn't much to look at, but they both knew that appearances could be deceiving. It was a large two-story structure, but its outside was plain and barren. After knocking on the door and having their story check out, they were escorted to a large office on the second floor. Sitting behind a desk positioned towards the center of the back wall was the man they had come to see.
His name was Shaun and he was the leader of the Order of the Chimera. He stood almost as tall as Slayer but his physique was leaner. They had not been able to gather much reliable info on the man, but if the stories were to be believed he was a force to be reckoned with on and off the battlefield. After a moment of silent assessment he motioned for them to sit. Mia nodded her thanks and sat at one of the chairs positioned in front of his desk, but Slayer instead took up a post right behind Mia's chair.
"You wished to speak with me," Shaun stated as he assumed a relaxed posture.
"Yes Mister Shaun. We would like to join your guild," said Mia as she glanced at Slayer to make sure he was going to remain quiet and let her handle this meeting. Thankfully he remained as still as a statue except to nod his agreement.
"There is no need for such formality here. Just call me Shaun."
"Okay. Anyways, Shaun, we were hoping you would allow us entry into your illustrious guild."
"A charmer, I like that. I'll cut straight to the point, I'd be more than happy to admit you, but your friend is another matter entirely."
"Why? What has he ever done to you?"
"I've never had any contact with him, nor has any of my guild to my knowledge, but his reputation precedes him. There are several guilds that have openly stated they will have nothing to do with any guild that would tie itself to him. Your friend has many enemies."
"Do the opinions of such guilds matter that much to you?"
"Not really. A majority of those threats come from guilds ranked lower than my own, but a couple of those threats come from above me. In general my guild works alone except when helping with a boss so the loss of support wouldn't mean much, but it could also put my guild in someone's crosshairs. The gain is simply not worth the potential loss."
"I see. Thank you for your time," said Mia as she stood to leave. She looked so disheartened and Slayer was sick of being turned away. He decided it was time to play his ace in the hole.
"I can add something to your guild that would make you even stronger, perhaps even leading to an increase in rank," said Slayer as he stood before the desk, leaning on the palms of his hands so that he was only a few inches from Shaun's face.
"Go on," said Shaun, clearly intrigued.
"I possess a unique skill. Surely you can see the value of having someone such as myself on your side."
"A unique skill? That does change things. What can you do?"
"That is my secret for the time being. Few know of its existence and until you've agreed to allow us membership and I feel I can trust you I have no intention of adding you to the list of people that know."
"You really are tying my hands. You're asking me to admit you based on a unique skill that for all I know doesn't exist," Shaun said as he mulled it over. "Mia, is what he says true?"
"Yes. It is quite amazing."
"Okay, I believe you."
"Why did you believe her, but not me?" asked an agitated Slayer.
"No offense, but I'd be a fool to trust the word of someone with a reputation such as yourself."
"Fine. So does this mean we're in?"
"Yes. I'll have your team assignments sent to you tomorrow."
"What team assignments?"
"Do you know what a chimera is?"
"Yeah. It was a creature from Greek mythology that was said to breathe fire and was traditionally comprised of a lion, a goat, and a snake. It had the overall body of a lion, including a lion's head, but it had a goat head that sprouted from its back and a reptilian tail that ended in a snake's head. It was also said to be quite large. Why?"
"Very good. The Order of the Chimera works in much the same way a chimera would. There are different parts that all work together to fight and defend itself. Within this guild members are split into squadrons and each squadron is comprised of players with varying abilities. Each squadron also has a captain who is responsible for his or her team when on a mission or if I am not there to give orders personally."
"Will me and Mia be on the same team?"
"No. You see, this system works so well because of the variety of skills each player within the team possesses. I understand that you both favor frontline fighting and although are on different levels, you both function as tanks. There is no need for two tanks on one team."
"I'm sorry, but I only work with Mia and I refuse to entrust her to total strangers."
"You see, that's a problem. If you are to be a member of my guild, I need to know you are capable of not only following orders, but also of completing a mission and I'm more than a little skeptical about the ability of a two tank team."
"Then test us. Give us a mission to prove our abilities. Something you've wanted done, but were unwilling to risk sending anyone."
"Well, there is one thing. It is said that there is an actual chimera in the game. I did some digging a while back and I managed to acquire a map to its lair. It is said to drop a chimera egg when defeated. Would you be up to the task?"
"Sure, but if I do this I require two things. Your promise that Mia and myself can continue to work as our own team, and I also want you to put under my command a small squadron just in case I should ever require backup."
"Fair enough, but if you fail and are forced to retreat then you agree to follow and obey whatever assignments I give you two, even if it involves splitting you two up. Deal?"
"Deal. So why exactly do you want a chimera egg? Does it have any special properties?"
"I honestly don't know. The supposed drop was learned of from a beta tester, but there is no way to verify his claim. Everyone who has challenged the chimera has either been killed or forced to flee. As for why I want it, it is simply a symbol of our namesake and a proof of power. It would be a huge morale boost to my soldiers to have such a trophy."
"Fair enough. Just give us the map and we'll be on our way."
"Here. Don't do anything stupid though. If the chimera is too much for the two of you I want you to both retreat and return here. I can tell Mia's safety means a lot to you so even if you fail, I'll at least allow you to help in picking her squadron."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but that chimera is as good as dead. Let's go," said Slayer as he turned to leave. Together, Slayer and Mia made their way out of the guild house and prepared themselves before they teleported to the chimera's floor. This was one fight that they were determined to see through to the end and the sooner it was over, the better. There was no way they were going to allow themselves to be split up after all they had been through.