Beep Beep! Galaxy God here with the eighth chapter. It's nuts. As always, my humblest thanks to my loyal fan...Who I'm sure you all know who by now. Okay, now for reviews!

ToxicVoidCat: I'm flattered! I aim to please, so expect more content!

Cast:

Aaron - Aaron

Elsword - Base Class

Aisha - Base Class

Rena - Base Class

Disclaimer: All characters and settings belong to KOG Games. I only own my OC.


-Uncivilized Brute-

It has been a few days since Rena had confronted me. Was it a confrontation? I felt she was trying to make a point to me. She didn't behave any different than usual from that day. Regardless, Elsword and Aisha seemed completely unaware. Everything was normal, or so I believed. It didn't explain the feeling that was beginning to gnaw on me.

Currently, we were resting on a tower overlooking the bridge Luichel had tipped off to us. Bandits were indeed swarming around the place, milking profits from those going through by forcing them to pay a toll. When they tried employing their business tactics on us...Well, let's just say if this was an MMORPG, Elsword probably got three levels worth of experience. The flashback to the cries of horror from grown men certainly attested to that…

"Dumb brat, who do you think you are?"

Bandits eyed the traveler warily.

"I'm just lost...Can't you guys just let me through?"

Silence ensued. Nobody knew what to make of it. Why was a kid by herself? In the dangerous part of the territory, to boot? Nothing short of raucous laughter ensued. It took a good ten minutes for them to settle down, and most of them turned away, figuring it wasn't worth their time. One of them who remained sizing her up broke it to her.

"No can do, kid. You're looking for a beating, aren't you? Hell, what's that thing you got behind your back all wrapped up? I'm sure you could fetch a pretty penny for that."

"N-no, you can't! It's precious...And you guys wouldn't know how to use it…"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this! Chain Fireball!"

The bandages around the "thing" were burned away, and two small wisps emerged, shooting down the throat of the person who spoke. He gagged, and stumbled back, garnering the attention of his peers. Smoke billowed out his ears, and he coughed back out a small flame. Then he toppled backwards. Those around immediately brandished their weapons, but their blades were shot out of their hands, dropping to the ground alongside arrows.

"Triple Geyser!"

A torrent of flames sprang from the ground, roasting the backside of unsuspecting thieves. Amidst the pandemonium, Elsword hacked and slashed like there was no tomorrow, smashing his blade over a person's head during his fit of madness and rendering him unconscious. When all was done, before me laid a complete slaughter. They tucked tail and fled, scampered, crawled, whatever they could do to get away from them.

I tied up the three fellows who couldn't escape since Elsword knocked them out using my chains, and we took them to the top of the tower. It took all of us to carry the three, Elsword recounting his daring escapades with much chagrin…

Now that I thought about it, they were very heavy, for their stomachs were filled with food that was bought with stolen money. When they awoke, their eyes immediately dilated, and they shrunk back. Indeed, with a kid like Elsword, they had every right to fear. But the kid seemed unaware of his intimidation. Scratching his nose, he began to speak.

"So, you guys have-"

"We won't tell you anything!"

One of them immediately spoke up, his voice cracking. He was a big guy, almost double my height, and considering I'm taller than Rena, I'd say he was pretty big. Yet, he behaved like a complete wimp. How unsightly. The first guy we apprehended was frightened out of his wits, yet fiercely loyal to Banthus. Elsword shrugged and gave a long, drawn out sigh.

"Aw, come on, I just want to have a friendly chat…"

Was Elsword unaccustomed to interrogating people? I was about to try and intervene when Aisha tugged me back and shook her head. I cock an eyebrow up in perplexion as the bandit did not relent. If somebody like Aisha was willing to leave it Elsword to his devices, I supposed I could put trust in him. So I took a seat next to Rena on the edge of the tower. The buff guy continued his little bit of dialogue without flair. It almost sounded like it was something well rehearsed. Maybe he's used to getting captured.

"T-tough luck, kid. Go play pretend somewhere else."

"I'm not playing pretend! I've actually been put in charge of regaining the El!"

They all seemed to process and understand what Elsword was talking about. The big one opened and closed his mouth, but no words came out. Looks like this wasn't part of the script. The corners of Elsword's mouth turned upwards slightly. Then the second bandit, a thin and wiry fellow with lanky limbs, spoke warily.

"El…? What El?"

Elsword, obviously disappointed, grunted and waved his hands around comically. It seemed he was trying to visualize it for them.

"It's a big crystal...You know? Shiny? Rainbow colors? Magic?"

Ah, he was so innocent...And incredibly dense. Aisha covered a hand over her mouth, as if to hide her amusement, while Rena shook her head. My reaction might have matched Rena's had I not been clenching my hands so hard that my knuckles turned white. I had been put in disbelief by the unorthodoxy of it all.

"Anyways, we definitely know you work under Banthus, so hand it over!"

The last person was of average build, but maybe slightly shorter than me. That guy spat at his feet.

"Beat it, shortie!"

Ah. The third guy who spoke had made a fatal mistake. There was a dangerous glint in Elsword's eyes. I do not exaggerate that, for his eyes literally glazed over and a tongue lashed out, licking his chops. Unconsciously, I thought aloud.

"Looks like it can be and will be arranged."

Elsword lifted the three grown men by the chains with one arm and began walking to the side of the tower. For a kid, he packed the strength of a workhorse. With a heave, he tossed them over, their screams three octaves higher than usual. Aisha doubled over in laughter, and Rena sank her face deeper into her palm. My eyes bulge out of their sockets, and I immediately reach out to Elsword.

"Hey, what are you-"

Then the chain snapped taut. It seemed he had not completely lost all his marbles. With one hand, he gripped my weapon tightly, almost straining himself. A kid really shouldn't be able to support three grown men with just an arm. Down below, they were making quite a ruckus.

"Please bring us up, we'll tell you everything!"

"For the love of all things holy and the sweet mother of El!"

" Mommy!"

They blubbered and repented. Elsword continued dangling the chain, then loosened it slightly before tightening his grip. A shiver ran down my spine, seeing him hold so much control...And relishing it as well. Had I not known him better I would have thought he had a superiority complex. But now put at peace that Elsword wasn't about to commit murder, I casually decide to pipe up.

"Hey Elsword, don't forget that's my chain you're putting stress on. Either bring them up or drop them. Seeing how useless they are, I recommend the latter."

You could see the blood drain from their faces. With a renewed effort, they began babbling out all the secrets they had so valiantly attempted to keep under wraps. Elsword slowly began pulling them up, muttering under his breath.

"I should have dropped them."

Rena sighed.

"So many years of my life I'm never getting back…Why do I even bother?"

I raise an eyebrow.

"Are you speaking for yourself, or the guys hanging over the ledge?"

"Speaking of which, how old are you even?"

Rena's eyes narrowed at Aisha, who had asked the question. I could have swore a vein bulged from her neck.

"Why, I don't believe I've educated you on the etiquette of a lady, Aisha. Never ask a lady...Her...Age."

Through gritted teeth, she slowly placed her hands on Aisha's shoulders, causing our purple haired heroine to stutter. If Elsword had seemed dangerous before, Rena was positively seething with evil intent. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, so they said. Some nervous laughter brings us back to the matter at hand, with the punks apparently deriving enjoyment from the squabble.

Within a few minutes we had managed to squeeze them dry of all information. One of them even conveniently had a map of the location of their hideout. When Aisha asked why, he said he had no sense of direction. To, of course, she replied with a snarky comment about Elsword. It seemed the thugs had regained their ego, because one of them scoffed.

"Heh, you'll never be able to take on the hideout anyways…What's a ragtag group of volunteers to an army? Not to mention you guys need a shower! This information is as good as useless..."

"So...Once we finish off Banthus, our adventure is going to be over, huh…That is a shame."

"Yeah, it's been real nice working with you guys. We have been through a lot."

"I guess I'll go back to brushing up on magic."

"Shower? I'm not the one who set up base in the sewers!"

Besides Elsword, we did not betray any unease. The bandits stared at our deadpan expressions. Beads of sweat dripped down their cheeks, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't because of their body heats. The big guy meekly queried.

"...Hey you guys don't intend on going inside the hideout...Do you?"

I couldn't repress a grin while watching their faces go white yet again. Aisha snorted.

"Why, going headlong into every conflict...That's the way we do things...Or at least the way Elsword does. The rest of us end up having to bail him out."

Elsword grimaced and I scratched my chin. She wasn't wrong...But in favor of Elsword I butted in.

"Anyways...Let's hand them in. You think the guards will pay up a good sum? I figure we'd get a lot. What do you think, Rena?"

"I could use that money to shop some more! Finally!"

"I could use it to...To...Finally repair my sword!"

"You don't think about anything other than your sword, do you?"

"Well, my sister always said-"

"Okay, I stand corrected. You don't think about anything other than your sword and your sister."

"I do not!"

"Siscon."

"Elsword, Aisha…"

"Why, you!"

"Are you implying something? Say it to my face!"

"I am saying it to your face! Or is your brain too tiny to understand!"

"Let's settle down now, we've got work to do-"

"Eggplant!"

"Tomato!"

The three recommenced their bickering...Or moreso Aisha and Elsword began arguing. Slowly, but surely, Rena's stress began to peak.

"...Why...You two…"

"How about we settle it right now!"

"I've been waiting for this day!"

"Oh yeah, remember all the times I kicked your butt?"

"In the real world we don't count negatives-"

"For the love of El I'm going to strap you two to a trebuchet and sling you over to the next town over! Why do you two always do this? Can't you give a lady a break? I think I'm getting wrinkles! Wrinkles, you hear me?! I'm not even that old yet!"

And boom goes the dynamite. I laugh while Rena continued her tirade. It almost felt like family for a second. Family, huh...I forgot what it felt like. Then again...Did I really forget, or did I never have any to begin with? I wouldn't know...It all felt so new. I realize Rena is looking at me funny yet again from the corner of her eye, so I rid myself of these thoughts. I'll focus on the present. The present is good. With a smile mainly meant to reassure myself, I turn to look at the bandits, but something seems off. Why were they smiling as well? Why did it seem so sinister? I couldn't help but feel shivers running down my spine. I was unsettled. Something wasn't right...And I couldn't place my hand on what it was exactly.

"We do fear what we do not know, hmm?"

My head jerks. Who said that? It seemed nobody else heard, as there was no reaction. Something of my imagination? At the time, I knew deep down, but I didn't want to admit it, just like all the other secrets I kept bottled up. After all...What use would it be should I reveal all my cards?


Read and review! Figure I don't need to say that simple catchphrase by now, I think I'm either a nagging housewife or a broken record at this point.

Extra Dialogue:

Elsword: Grapehead!

Aisha: Cherryhead!

Rena: Why do we use food with certain pigments that are perceived uniquely by humans employed as insults?

Aaron: When it comes to us, we can turn anything into an insult.