Note: Turns out 'korobukkle' is actually 'koropokkur'. Shite. Please forgive me for this error. It'll be referred to as its proper name for now on. Also, Domperi's words to Riesz will be covered later when they reach Laurent.

I don't mean to make Kevin look all weak here, that's not my intention. Yet his rivalry works better when it's built up so that the payoff later means something. Also, Charlotte is kinda weak-ish here too, I admit. Yet again, she develops her skills later, as she is just a 'little girl' in a sense.

Taking Back Jadd

"All right." Riesz began, a map below her on the ground, everyone gathered around. "This...gentlemen here," she turned to Hawkeye, who only grinned at her, she rolling her eyes. "And Domperi's forces will enter through the western wall and set up the traps. Once that's taken care of and the enemy forces are reasonably compromised, then we shall move in and combat them." she then lifted her eyes to face the people. "Now, are you certain that you all are willing to do this?"

"Yeah!" the citizens of Astoria answered in a thunderous cry, each of them holding an assortment of objects ranging from hoes and sickles to more household items such as rolling pins and frying pans.

"We're taking back our home!" one man shouted, everyone agreeing with him.

"My boy's with those monsters!" Elisa added, her grip on her frying pan tightening. "I'm all in!" Kevin tried to hide his discomfort. True, they weren't talking about him, yet it was clear that he wasn't exactly viewed in a positive light yet.

Hawkeye looked to Riesz. "They seem fired up." he whispered.

"Indeed." she replied, though her tone then grew more serious."All right. Seeing as we're all in agreement, I must inform you of some very important facts." the princess told the crowd. "As I'm sure you all are aware, I will take the helm of the charge, but I cannot guarantee your complete safety." she tightened her lips, staring at the crowd of people surrounding her. Her makeshift, hastily put together 'army'. Hardly. "Some of you may be," no, more like WILL be. "Hurt, some maybe more seriously than others. But if you are willing to go through with such risks, then I commend you all for your courage." Riesz tried to appear unshakable and stalwart, trying her best to resemble an image of what these people needed. "I know that many of you are afraid. And many may perhaps believe that, despite taking up arms, this mission is futile. And I won't lie to you in saying that I do not know how it will go." she took in a heavy breath. "But for this place to truly be free, something must be done. We must act. And seeing as there is no refuge in Wendel, then our only option is to fight. Don't be ashamed if you are afraid, for I share this with you." the young woman tightened the grip on her spear, then slammed it against the ground. "Yet this cannot go on any further. We cannot allow these creatures to continue doing as they please!" she shouted. "So I say unto you, are you willing to take back your home?!"

"Yeah!" the citizens shouted.

"I repeat: are you willing to take back your home?!"

"YEAH!"

"Excellent!" Riesz proclaimed, a smile on her face. "Bring that vigor to the battlefield! We shall proceed upon the signal! I thank you all for your contribution!" she then turned from the crowd, of whom had begun discussing what they were going to do when they broke into Jadd rather excitedly. Some said that they were going to bash the beastmen over the head while others said they'd give them a taste of their pans. Riesz could've sworn she heard about some things 'being shoved up their ass', yet she brushed such things off. If anything, at least these people were confident. She could only hope that they were prepared for unavoidable difficulties. As soon as she turned away though, the image she had put on was quickly dismantled.

"You ok?" Kevin questioned, Riesz only responding with a tentative sigh.

"There's no other choice we have." she answered. "Yet I wish nothing more for there to be one."

"Hey, they can do it." Hawkeye assured her. "If these people can make it through this, they're tougher than what you're giving them credit for. Our entire guild is filled with what you call 'ordinary people'."

"I don't doubt that they're strong." the blonde replied. "Yet tough as they may be, they're being forced to take places and roles that never should've been thrust on them in the first place." she gripped her lance. "And...inevitable as it is, should anything happen to any of them...then…" she looked back to the amped up crowd, who were, of all things, laughing at some witty remarks that were undoubtedly directed towards the beastmen. They had no idea of the danger that they'd be heading into.

"I don't cawe what those guys do." Charlotte growled. "Mick's in thewe. And Walph. Those guys are gonna be sowwy they EVEW cwossed me!"

"No, out of the question!" Riesz pointed to the short blonde. "You are not setting foot in that place."

"What?!" Charlotte exclaimed. "Why?!"

"Someone you size has no business going into battle." the amazon answered. "You are to remain here with the rest of the children in the bunker." she then turned to Kevin. "WITH Kevin keeping watch in case any beastmen come this way."

"No way!" the half-elf stomped her foot. "I can hewp! You shouwd'a seen me take out that stupid Jestew back in Wendew! Wight, Kevin?" she looked at the tanned beastman. "You saw that, wight?"

"Well, yeah. I did. But-" Kevin began, but Charlotte went on.

"And Gwandpa said that he saw me standing with a bunch of othew impowtant peopwe, so you have to wet me go!"

"Sorry, little miss," Hawkeye then said. "But I've gotta go with the lady here on this." he gestured to Riesz, of whom only gave him a raised brow. "It's too dangerous for you."

"But...but I'm not a kid! I'm fifteen! I'm pwatically an aduwt!" Charlotte argued, then turned to Kevin. "Kevin! Back me up! You saw me back in Wendew! I can do it!"

The beastmen remained silent, eyes darting from Riesz and Hawkeye to his smaller companion. He sort of cursed how they put him on spot like this, yet even if they hadn't done so, his stance wouldn't have changed that much. "Y-Yeah. I saw." he admitted. "But...they're right. It's too dangerous."

Charlotte's optimism and hope was shattered, she balling her fists. "But...but…"

"The decision is final." Riesz cut in. "I understand your desire to help your friends, but, simply put, it's no place for you."

"But...but…" Charlotte looked around, seeing that she was going to get no support. "...you're mean." she murmured, stomping off, though not before she turned around and gave one last cry. "MEANIES!" she then went towards the shore of the lake and plopped herself down, pouting.

The urge to say 'that's all you got?' came to Hawkeye, yet he disregarded it. Besides, he'd have to go meet Domperi soon. Before he could say anything to her, Riesz went off to the crowd of people to try and get them to be reasonable. True, they'd need that energy for what was to come, yet going in blind would do no one any good. Then, he realized that since Kevin and Charlotte had been met, the thief hadn't exactly talked to the former much. "So," he began casually, Kevin somewhat surprised he was being addressed. "How are you doing?"

"Huh?" Kevin shifted his eyes, unsure of how to answer. "Uh, fine. I guess?" he shrugged.

'Seems beastmen are terrible liars.' the thief noted. "You're nervous about all this. Don't bother denying it. Both you and her." he gestured to Riesz. "Even if she's not as obvious as you."

"I am?" Kevin immediately retracted his words. "I-I don't know what you're talking about." he attested. A simple look from Hawkeye made it clear he wasn't buying it. "...fine. Yes. Yes, I am."

"I won't ask what your story is with them if you don't want me to." Hawkeye assured, Kevin giving a thankful nod. "And I may be jumping the gun here a bit...but I think that we can count on you, regardless of what some of these other people say."

Kevin gave a weak kick at the dirt. "Th-Thanks."

"Don't feel pressured to get involved in this. I understand." Hawkeye told him. "I know it might not mean much, but...I know how you feel." 'Being cast out by your own people.'

"You're kind." Kevin answered. Still, he couldn't help but feel immense guilt of not being in the operation to take back the city. True, Riesz assured him that they had a decent amount of forces (albeit, hastily put together), and someone did need to stay behind to watch the children (Elisa having insisted she'd tear down the walls of Jadd to get her son back), yet still, the main reason he volunteered to watch over Charlotte and others was due to him being unable to face all the others. He couldn't fight them. He had fought in Wendel only because he had to, as well as to protect Charlotte. Besides, it wasn't as if he were staying out entirely. He would be defending the young ones. And using it as an excuse to not have to face those that perhaps surrounded him everyday. True, he didn't really have any 'friends' per say in any of them, yet they were still people he knew well. Good people. Even if they weren't doing good at the moment, they weren't evil. He couldn't do it. Especially if Ludgar was there.

Hawkeye watched the beastman's body language. He would have to go soon, yet it was clear that Kevin was clearly disturbed. What of, however, he could only speculate, yet given his own experiences, he had his theories. But such things and questions could come later. Right now, they had a town to save.

Jadd

They didn't have much time. Many beastmen were still out brawling, yet there were a few that stayed behind, most likely due to the large exodus that occurred beforehand in the town. The though that people here were still trapped made the thief wish to go to work then and there, yet he knew better than any that this required the utmost patience, a virtue that he didn't entirely like per say, yet he couldn't deny its effectiveness.

"All right, we all set?" Domperi asked, his fellow koropokkurs nodded. But then he noticed Hawkeye. "I said, we all set?" getting the message, the thief also nodded, though he was mainly surprised at just how much authority a tiny thing like the bearded guy could have. "Good." Domperi then looked to the walls of the city. "First, we'll give those birds a little treat for when they come back." he then pulled out a peculiar looking leaf. Hawkeye brought out a ham the man in the bunker had been saving from a sack and Domperi then stuck several of the leaves inside, a hole having been carved into its center. "Those birds always return at dawn, so this should kick in within minutes." Domperi answered. "Then," Hawkeye brought out a long, thin, yet durable wire from the sack. "These go everywhere. I'll need each and every one of you to keep one in check."

"About that," Hawkeye interjected, taking a rather large branch from the sack. "You sure you guys can carry this?"

Domperi put his hands on his hips. "Kid, what you'll isn't even HALF of what we can do. We can answer and go over all these questions later. Right now, there's a bunch of furballs we gotta get out of here."

Well, Hawkeye had to agree on that. "You sure you won't need any help. I mean, this is kinda what I do for a living."

"It's best that you stay hidden." Domperi told him matter-of-factly, leaping onto his knee.. "Big person like you would only get us caught." He then gave his stomach a poke. Hawkeye's eyes widened. Did he just...ugh! He was perfectly trim! Still, he could- "Ok, men!" well, looks like he wasn't going to get the chance. "Begin the operation!"

"Yes sir!" all the koropokkurs gave a salute and immediately went to work, immediately taking refuge in the shadows as they moved along while Domperi and Hawkeye watched.

"You sure they're up to this?" the thief asked again. "They're so small."

"Hey, it's like you said." Domperi told him. "You'd be surprised what 'ordinary people' can do."

"Hm. Touche." Hawkeye and Domperi watched from the ledge as the small humanoids worked, got into their places, and overall readied themselves to bring out the big guns when the time came. Indeed, while Hawkeye had said such things about 'ordinary people', these guys weren't exactly the height or weight of 'ordinary people'. Still...these little guys were perhaps the only hope they had in getting the upper hand. And with that, it seemed he and everyone else had little choice but to leave it in their hands.

Dawn

Once again, he proved his was supreme over them all.

Ludgar and the other beastmen that had been out on the brawling session had just returned, their hounds and hellriders having nothing to report to them. Save for the two children that the birds managed to snatch up. "I still don't understand why you insisted on taking those two in." one beastmen commented. "You should've just let the hellriders have them for themselves. Or that jester."

This earned him a punch to the back of his head. "The humans are planning something." Ludgar snarled. "Sooner or later, they WILL try to gain back this city. They may be armed to the tee, or they may have little more than household items to defend themselves with. Either way, we NEED some sort of leverage to use against them." he answered gruffly. 'And that being's eaten more than his fill already. He needs no more.' The group drew closer and closer to the entrance to Jadd, but Ludgar put his arms out.

"What?" one beastman questioned.

"Look." before the gate rested the hounds, seemingly snoozing away. Approaching them, Ludgar saw that they were far from dead, yet this sleep of theirs wasn't natural. A whiff of some sort of herb or spice was on their breath, and small collections of spittle were at the corners of their mouths. The blonde beastman narrowed his golden eyes. "There's something wrong." Tentatively, Ludgar approached the entrance of Jadd and stepped through the gate. The hellrider weren't atop of the walls, and everything was deathly silent. Taking another step forward, Ludgar felt his ankle catch something. Looking down, he found he could barely see it, but the reflection of the sun on its thin surface seemed to indicate it was a wire of some kind. Though before he could question it, he doubled over in pain. "GAH!" a pot crashed onto his head, several rocks having been placed in it and spreading out on the ground.

"What was that?!" the rest of the group came running forward.

"Don't come, you fools!" Ludgar warned, but it was already too late. The beastmen rushed inside the city.

"You're in for quite a show, kid." Domperi told Hawkeye, the two still tucked away in the available shadows.

One by one, the beastmen tripped one of the wires, the hidden koropokkur' traps being activated. Swinging down from high places was an assortment of pots, large branches, and instruments such as pots and pans from the abandoned homes and shops that struck the hapless and confused beastmen. One by one, each of them fell over, struck in various places by the traps. Ludgar, having gotten up from his place, began to charge forward, snagging yet another wire and being struck right in the cheek by a log. He was sent to the ground, only to land on yet another wire, another pot full of rocks falling on his head. Growling in pain, the commander rose up with a roar and went towards the highest part of the city, careful to avoid tripping any more traps. He came across the hellriders, sprawled out and seemingly unconscious, the same smell emitting from them as the hounds.

A few beastmen managed to get to the weapons shop and close the door, yet saw that a few of the guards they left behind, miraculously, tied up in thickened ropes with gags over their mouths. "What the-" soon, unnaturally thick curtains were shut, making the whole shop dark, a scuffle being heard. By the time the curtains were drawn back, the beastmen that had entered found themselves in the same position as their brethren. They saw a few tiny humanoids congratulate each other with shakes of the hand and bumping their chests together.

This pattern continued throughout the city: one by one, whether through traps on the outside or ambushes inside, the once fearsome beastmen were being taken out one by one, Domperi and Hawkeye looking at the scene taking place. "Looks like you guys are ready to head in. You ready?"

The thief nodded, the koropokkur waving his fingers and sending a flurry of sparks to come from his palm.

Outside the City Walls

"Look!" A man said, pointing to the sparks coming from afar.

"The signal!" another said.

Riesz took in a heavy breath, gripping her spear. "All right. Everyone ready?" The crowd gave a collective cry, she gave a light smile at their enthusiasm, though how well they'd perform in battle was yet to be seen. Right now, however, it was too late to do any backpedaling. "Well then," she turned towards the city. "Move out!"

The 'army' rushed out from Astoria, Kevin watching them go, the bunker behind him opening.

"I wanna go too." Kevin inwardly sighed, turning to see Charlotte poking her head out.

"No. You heard Riesz." the beastman told her. "You're to stay here."

"But Kevin!" the blonde girl whined.

"No." Kevin told her firmly. "You're not going anywhere."

Charlotte shifted her position on the ladder, shifting her eyes. It'd take a small bit of time, but she had the beginnings of a plan developing in her mind. She would need to wait a moment to execute it, but she WOULD escape from here. And then it came to her. "Hey, Kevin?"

"Huh?"

"If I can ask," Charlotte began, considering her words carefully. "Why are you so newvous about those guys?" Kevin froze up, his upper teeth biting down hard on his lower lip. "I mean, you'we so stwong, you couwd take those guys, suwewey!"

"It...Kevin uneasily responded. "It's complicated."

"How?" Charlotte pressed, the beastman drawing closer and closer to her. Just as she had wanted.

"I...I don't want to talk about it." Kevin answered, turning away.

Despite her plan having taken a setback, the blonde girl found herself feeling guilty for bringing it up. "Hey, it's ok." she told him. "You...you don't have to if you don't wanna."

Kevin looked back to her, inwardly thankful. "Thanks. I...I know, you're just curious. But-"

Just then, everything around him went white, a flash of light blinding him and causing him to fall over due to the intensity of it. Covering his eyes, Kevin was blinded, though his ears were just fine. And able to hear a pair of feet dashing past his fallen form, heading towards the city, no doubt.

Jadd

"Hey, look!" a beastman shouted, spotting Hawkeye from above. "It's that guy from the other night!"

"Well, don't just stand there!" Ludgar shouted. "Get him!"

Several beastmen charged, many caught in yet more traps, yet those that had managed to get to him via the walls and stairs made it clear that the thief needed to move. Domperi latched himself onto Hawkeye's shoulder as the young man hopped down to the pathway below, finding himself cornered between beastmen on either side of him. Suddenly, a chorus of voices sounded out from below, everyone distracted from their current situation and looked down to see a swarm of humans entering the city, led by a young, blonde woman with a spear. The people immediately went into combat with the disoriented beastmen, bashing their heads and swinging at them with everything from hoes, to rakes, sickles, and even instruments like frying pans and rolling pins. One particular woman sporting red hair fought with an alarming ferocity despite her position, though she appeared to be working through the crowd, a bearded man with her and seemingly leading her towards the manor situated in the center of the city.

Recovering from the latest pot of rocks dropped on his head, Ludgar looked to see another shape climbing the wall above him. Said shape dropped down, completely oblivious to his presence. 'Well, well, look who it is.'

"Charlotte!" Kevin shouted, amber eyes looking around desperately for any sign of the short, blonde girl. "Charlotte-" he suddenly fell to the ground, a blow to the back of the head sending him down. Turning around from his place, the young man's eyes widened upon realizing who his assailant was.

"Hello there, princeling." Ludgar bared his fangs in a wide smile. "Fancy seeing you here."

A beastman lunged forward, Hawkeye leaping over him and kicking off his back, forcing him to the ground. Another came over, and he maneuvered over to the side, the hairy humanoid swiping his claws at thin air. Then, a kick was delivered to the side of his face, sending him flying over the edge and into a shed of tools, the roof and walls of said shed coming apart upon impact. A roar from behind was coupled with the sensation of claws barely scratching at his back, the thief turning around and unsheathing his daggers to combat the beastman's natural weapon. The blue haired brute swung and slashed in Hawkeye's direction, the violet haired young man either ducking or blocking the blows with his blades, claws scraping against the sharpened metal of the knives. In a change of pace, the beastman then delivered an uppercut that nearly took Hawkeye off his feet, he luckily saved himself with a backflip that sent him a few feet away from his current opponent.

"Stop pussy-footing around and fight, damn you!" the furry man roared, presenting his canines.

"Geez, you guys ever hear of the magic word?" Hawkeye chuckled. "I thought 'please' was universal."

"Bloodshed is ALSO universal!" the beastman charged forward, swiping his claws and punching, only now, he kneed Hawkeye in the stomach, and in this moment of weakness, managed to seize the thief by the arm, he in turn bringing it closer and closer to his mouth. Hawkeye immediately thrust the hilt of one of his daggers in it to prevent his flesh from being torn into, yet in this, the beastman's neck was completely exposed. And he had another weapon.

It'd be a simple matter, really. And it wouldn't take much effort. The mad beast was so into trying to take a bite out of him, he seemed unaware of much else. He could drive the blade in through the flesh and be done with it. Just like what had been done to Eagle.

Hawkeye's blood ran cold despite the adrenaline pumping through him, he found the beastman getting closer and closer, the dagger hilt still in his mouth, but it wouldn't be long before he'd be close enough to where he could take a bite out of the thief's face! Hawkeye could do it, it'd be so easy and quick! Yet...yet all he saw was the blonde, young man's widened, confused, pain filled eyes, his throat pouring out red. No. He...he couldn't. Not even against someone like this. Yet he was going to be little more than dog kibble if he didn't do something! Finally, the beastman's mouth was mere inches away from his face, the hilt being the only thing keeping his teeth from sinking into his cheek.

"GAH!" the tanned assailant cried out, about to turn and see who had attacked. Riesz held her spear aloft and got up on a ledge before leaping upward with the intent to come charging down at him.

Leaping out of the way just in time, the beastman rushed forward, taking the handle of Riesz's spear in his mouth. He forced all his weight on her and she was forced to the ground, her weapon being the only protection she had against her current foe.

WHAP!

Though her predicament didn't last long, as a chop to the back of the beastman's neck sent him slumping over, unconscious and the one who rendered him as such standing above him. True, Hawkeye dusted off his hands as if he had accomplished a day's work, though the amazon still saw traces of a haunted look in his eyes.

Inside the Manor

"So the cells are downstairs?" Elisa questioned, the nearly naked Mayor ahead of her, leading her down the expansive hallways of his home.

"Yep." he answered. "If there's anywhere they are, it'd be there." while Elisa was rather relieved that the two boys hadn't been taken off and eaten, she acknowledged that coming in here with no backup was perhaps not the wisest move. But she was beyond caring about that. Her boy was in here, and that was all the motivation she needed. "Down here!" the Mayor said, a stairwell before them. Racing down it, they came across the holding cells, the torches having gone out and left the room in total darkness.

"Hello?" a young voice said, shuffling heard as a small figure went up close to the bars of the cell on the farthest left. "Who's there?"

"Ralph!" Elisa cried out, rushing over and taking her son in her arms, despite the barrier the bars provided.

"Mom?!" the boy was shocked, yet nonetheless receptive of her affection.

"What are you doing here?" Mick questioned. "How'd you get past the beastmen?"

"They're a little...busy outside." the Mayor answered.

"But none of that matters." Elisa told both the boys. "Oh, Goddess, thank you! You two are safe!" She then turned to the Mayor, realizing something. "You...wouldn't happen to know where any keys are, would you?"

The Mayor shifted his eyes. "Uh...didn't think that far." he admitted. "Truth, is, I didn't think we'd even get this far."

Just then, a low chuckle echoed in the darkness of the small area, everyone feeling their blood run cold and chills assault their body. "Naughty, naughty." a voice said from the dense blackness behind them. "Breaking and entering into someone else's home...you should be ashamed!"

Elisa held Ralph tighter, reaching to bring Mick to her as well. "Who...who are you?" she then steeled herself. "Show yourself!"

The Mayor shuddered. "We need to get out of here." he whispered.

"What?!" Elisa questioned.

"Oh yes! You know me well, don't you, big boy?" the figure giggled, the Mayor leaping back in fright when he felt the tip of some long object poke him in his stomach. "We met when me and my buddies first arrived here, didn't we?"

"We gotta go!" the Mayor cried out.

"Who are you?" Elisa questioned, yet the bearded man cut her off.

"He's a monster!" he told her, clearly panicked. "He'll kill all of us!"

"I'm NOT leaving my boy!" the red haired woman definitely said.

"I'm not saying that!" her companion said. "But we gotta get out of here soon! Neither us or the kids are safe!"

"Aw, you make me sound like a bad guy! I love kids!" the figure said, approaching the intruders, something sharp scraping against the bars of the other cells. "In fact, I consider myself a people person in general." Suddenly, the blade of what appeared to be a long, curved scythe began to glow, everyone able to clearly see what it was, as well as the twisted face of its owner. "I'll admit though, the young ones taste better." he then brought the weapon up, ready to swing it down. "But I'm thinking of savoring those two for dessert!"

Outside

Kevin narrowed his eyes. "Nice to see you too, Ludgar."

Ludgar tilted his head, curiously surveying the smaller of the beastmen before him. "And here I thought you'd be back in the palace. Getting all cozy by the fireplace and off playing with your pup." he then covered his mouth. "Oops. Did I say that out loud?"

Kevin grinded his teeth, yet he didn't charge. Not yet. "You had better quit while you're ahead."

"Or what, princeling? Or what?" the commander questioned.

Kevin was silent for a moment, Ludgar presenting a toothy himself, however, he was beginning to become concerned. This entire predicament regarding the traps was not anything that he had prepared for. The people however, they could not have done this, they must've had inside help. Yet from who? There was no sign of anyone aside from that lone thief that had snuck by the borders. But he couldn't have drugged the hounds and hellriders all on his own, surely!

"These people have you outnumbered." Kevin told him. "Looks like you should've brought a larger troop with you to come here."

Lugar's grin dropped, his golden eyes narrowing as he sized the smaller beastman up. "And yet you've come here with no one to help you." he said, amused and seemingly gleeful at that fact. "One would've thought that you would've gotten bored of this game by now, seeing how it always ends for you." the blonde beastman's eyes then glistened in predatory excitement. "But I still love playing it."

With that, he pounced, Kevin doing likewise, the two engaging in a familiar dance of combat, their dance being lost amidst the more collective blows of the people. Save for two who noticed them.

"Hey, isn't that Kevin?" Hawkeye asked, Riesz turning and recognizing the young man currently engaged with the beastman's leader. And clearly on the receiving end. Both of them wasted no time in making their way in that direction, yet found a small group of rather hairy individuals blocking their way, trapping them on a particular section of the upper level of the city.

"Back to back!" Riesz shouted, she getting parallel to Hawkeye as they both sized up their current foes. No one made a move yet, but the still tension between them all allowed for both young people to ponder that, if Kevin was here, then, to their horror, it was likely Charlotte had been the one to draw him here.

Inside the Manor

"Mom! Look out!" Ralph shouted, eyes wide with horror as he was helpless to stop what would happen next.

Yet before the jester could swing down, he found his back lit a fire by some strange force of energy, he stumbling forward and bringing the scythe dangerously close to everyone, yet it wasn't emitting its unnatural glow anymore. Turning around, Goremand saw the visage of a small, blonde girl with an orb of pure light in her hand, her wide, blue eyes staring him down. "Ah." he said. "The sugary one."

"Do you pwactice being cweepy?" Charlotte asked, the ball of light growing brighter, both in preparation for what he'd do next and to better see the environment around her. "Eithew way, you'we not waying one hand on these peopwe!"

"Aw, the munchkin thinks she's a big girl now." the jester chortled. "You've been getting bolder since we first met...or are you just trying to compensate?"

Charlotte stiffened, pondering if she had, once again, gotten herself into something too big for her to deal with. "N-No!" she protested. "I...I can take you! I'm not scawed!"

"I'm not scawed!" Goremand mockingly recited, taking a step in her direction. "Oh, yes you are." he sneered. "And even more, your little priest friend isn't here to protect you. Nor is that weakling prince."

Despite her fear, Charlotte's anger was roused up. "Don't tawk about Heath ow Kevin wike that!"

As he approached her, Elisa and the Mayor looked on in terror. True, Charlotte was providing a good distraction, yet they couldn't sit around and do nothing! But how were they going to unlock the cell? "Miss!" Elisa heard Mick whisper. "The pin in your hair!"

Elisa then realized. The pin that held her hair up. Yes, that could work! Taking it out and letting her long, red locks fall and drape over her shoulders, she immediately placed it in the keyhole and began moving it this way and that. She had no knowledge on how to pick locks, but by the Goddess, she wasn't leaving until the door was unlocked! The Mayor watched as the jester began backing the blonde girl against a wall, knowing well that someone had to do something to at least give her some sort of a chance. But what? All he had with him was his bare hands and a pair of pants...an idea began coming to him. True, he'd be in a relatively compromising position, but if nothing was done…

"Then tell me, what should I call them?" Goremand asked Charlotte, whose back was now up against the wall. "Speaking of your little priest friend...he's a rather special young man."

"Wh-What did you do to him?!" Charlotte demanded, trying to get the orb in her hand brighter, readying to throw it at the jester like a ball if she needed to.

"Nothing." the jester answered. "He's perfectly safe."

"Then whewe is he!?"

"Somewhere you'll never reach." Goremand grinned, raising his weapon with the intent to strike her down. "But I can take you to him! Albeit, you won't be needing your body!"

Releasing the energy from her hand, it hit Goremand in the chest, causing him to stumble backwards. He kneeled over in pain. "Ow, ow! Oooh, the agony! Oooh, the pain! Oooh…" he cried out, though his moans quickly turned into laughter. "Is that all?!" he chortled, lifting his scythe up again. "You need much more practice, little lady…" though before he could swing down, his vision was blinded, something dark coming over his vision. And feeling around, it felt like a pair of...trousers?

Indeed, the Mayor had taken off his pants and placed them over the jester's head, rendering him temporarily blind and stumbling around, making him act very much like his appearance for once. Around that time, Elisa had finally managed to unlock the cell, Ralph and Mick barging out and clinging to the woman that released them. "Let's get out of here!" the Mayor then said, no one protesting that suggestion as all rushed out from the dungeon area and back upstairs. Goremand struggled and pulled at the pants before he seized both the legs and ripped the piece of clothing in half, eyes red with fury. At first, he was going to simply allow them to go off nice and quiet, only planning to take in their souls. But now...no. Now, he would make use of his scythe's more physical purpose and do a little slashing and slicing! Oh yes, oh yes indeed!

Outside

Leaping over the one charging at him, Riesz ducked out of the way, the beastman charging and missing them entirely. Another slashed at Hawkeye, yet the hilt of his dagger was jabbed right in the center of the beastman's throat, he falling over and clenching his windpipe as the air was knocking out of him. Another charged forward towards Riesz, she in turn putting her spear up to where the pole would defend her. Her attacker forced her to the ground, yet the forward momentum allowed for the amazon to flip them both over, allowing her to knock him back right into another one of his allies. Lifting themselves up, both the thief and princess saw that those surrounding them were incapacitated.

"Nice." Hawkeye congratulated Riesz.

She somewhat taken aback by the compliment, yet regained her composure and cleared her throat. "Y-Yes. Well, you were...efficient."

"Is that all?" the thief pushed a little more, yet his target grit her teeth.

"Yes. That is all." she could tell he was disappointed, but she looked over at the madness below. She dare not say it aloud, yet she couldn't believe it. "We're overwhelming them." she observed. Indeed, there were several injured humans down below, yet despite that, and the superior strength of the beastmen, said strength was being tested by the sheer amount of humans they were against.

"What'd I tell you?" Hawkeye chuckled. "You'd be surprised what ordinary people can do."

"...yes." she muttered, still observing what was going on down below. Yet then she remembered. "Kevin!"

"Right!" Hawkeye then looked in Kevin's direction. "I'll go lend him a hand! You go and give those guys some help!"

Despite her usually the one giving orders, she couldn't deny that the thief's suggestion was the best at the moment.

"Don't get yourself banged up too badly!" Hawkeye called back as he rushed in Kevin's direction.

"Speak for yourself." Riesz muttered before jumping down to the battlefield below.

"ARGH!" Kevin's head slammed against the stone wall, he slumped over and fell to his hands and knees, Ludgar standing over him.

"Pathetic." the larger blonde said, staring down at his 'prince'. "What little time you've had in the wild has done you nothing." he snarled, approaching him. "And it was made even worse thanks to that wolf pup."

Kevin leapt up, though he stumbled over, holding his sore shoulder. "Don't you speak of Karl that way!"

"You're far from anyone to be demanding anything, princeling!" Ludgar roared. "You've been far from anyone at all, damn you!" he then clasped his hands around the smaller beastman's throat, lifting him upward, Kevin kicking his legs wildly and scratching at his foe's hands in an effort to get his opponent to release him. "You may have that title, but you're far from worthy of it!" Ludgar bellowed, tightening his grip. "You...you've been given everything." he growled. "All because of your title. Yet you are the weakest of all of us! Even when you were sent out to fend for yourself in efforts to toughen you up, you came back even softer than before! Perhaps that wolf pup only did minimal damage! You've always been weak and frail! You disgrace your father's name! He is ashamed to call you his son!"

Despite the adrenaline running through his blood, Kevin felt himself grow cold at that. "You...that...that's not true…" he choked out.

"Surely not even you can be that foolish!" Ludgar roared. "You were left in the woods to die! That jester was to take care of you! Why he didn't is beyond me!" he then slammed Kevin to the ground. "Now…" Ludgar lifted his fist. "Now, I will correct his mistake!" he thrust his fist forward...only to stop mere inches from Kevin. Kevin opened his eyes to see Ludgar's fist over him, yet remaining in place. And, if he was correct, which he severely doubted, it appeared that the beastman was actually hesitating on whether or not to strike down. The commander rose his fist again, bringing it down only for it to once against stop just short of its intended target. "You…" Ludgar strained, entire arm shaking. "You…" he stammered again, straining with all his might, yet no matter what, he couldn't bring himself to go down on the smaller member of his race. Much to his and Kevin's collective confusion.

"Hiyah!" Suddenly, a kick to his side, knocked Ludgar off of Kevin, the beastman sent rolling over. "You ok?" Hawkeye asked, helping the tanned, young man to his feet, the thief supporting him when he stumbled over. Several cuts and bruises were all over his form, a prominent black eye forming on him already.

Ludgar rose from his place, ready to strike back at the two of them, yet he heard a pair of cries emit from down below. His eyes shifted between Kevin and Hawkeye, then to the source of the two voices. After a few debilitating moments, he rushed over to the latter, eyes widening at what he saw transpiring down below and leapt right into the action.

"Gang way! Coming thwough!"

Riesz whirled her head around after knocking another beastman to the ground, she and the people currently overwhelming them all. From the entrance of the manor, Elisa, the Mayor, Mick and Ralph, and of all people, Charlotte came barreling down the stairs and through the crowd. With a rather unsavory character hot on their heels. "This way!" Riesz called out, urging the group to come her direction. The jester leapt upward and swung down his scythe, missing the group by mere inches only because Riesz leapt in and blocked the edge of the weapons with her own. When he came down, Goremand was flipped over by the young woman kicking up on his stomach, though he wasn't down long, twisting his body to where he essentially bent himself in half and flipped over to a standing position.

"Retreat!" a cry suddenly rang out. "Retreat!" a beastman was calling out. "We're outnumbered! We've got to-" suddenly, to Riesz's horror, without seemingly any provocation, the jester's weapon emitted a white glow and sliced into the beastman that was calling for his people to withdraw.

The tanned humanoid's call was cut in half when the blade met him, yet despite being sliced at the waistline, he didn't come apart. In fact, he didn't appear harmed at all. Yet he nonetheless slumped over and a white, wispy orb exited from his mouth. The jester seized the orb and, to Riesz's disgust, shoved it down his gullet, a large bulge seen before it slipped down out of sight. His attention had completely gone off of her and towards the blonde girl still in the crowd. The jester pursued them, the amazon leaping and trying to stop him, yet a kick to her face with a surprising amount of strength (given the being's lankiness) sent her flying back into a wall. Goremand snarled and leapt forward, slashing through a couple more beastmen and consuming the orbs that came from them. All the humans ducked out of the way of the jester, whatever he was doing clearly bad news. Finally, he saw Charlotte in his sights, ready to strike.

"NO!" Yet a pair of hands seized him by the collar and held him up off the ground. "The hell do you think you're doing, you fool?!" Lugar roared in Goremand's face, his eyes then turning to the cut down members of his kind. Then to the numerous humans surrounding them all. All with their 'weapons' turned in his direction. Ludgar turned all around, seeing that there was little of their forces available, and what forces there were, were being overwhelmed. And those forces that had just been cut down by this damned creature's hands...no.

He would not risk it. He would not risk any more of his people.

"RETREAT!" Ludgar called out, everyone hearing and, albeit with some confusion, obeyed. "RETREAT!" the beastmen that could stand gathered their fallen comrades (and some that had been tied up) and began to make way towards the gate, rushing out one by one. Some climbed over the walls to escape, forced to leave behind the unconscious hellriders. Some took a few of the unconscious hounds with them, yet again, they couldn't take them all. The beastmen flooded out from the city, their exit surprisingly quick.

Then, as soon as the call for retreat had begun, the enemy forces had left the city. Jadd had been retaken.

An eruption of joyous cheers and cries of victory echoed throughout the whole area, Riesz looking up from her place to see Hawkeye and Kevin above her, the thief giving her a thumbs up. Charlotte was still busy hugging/suffocating Mick, Elisa doing likewise with her son. The Mayor looked upon his people, feeling rather satisfied and joyful as well, though, to his surprise, more for their sake than himself.

Nonetheless, despite the jovial environment, the four youths' business was far from done. In fact, with this being done, now it could truly begin.

Note: The next chapter will serve as something of a transition between this and the battle that'll take place at Valsena Castle. I noticed also in the game that once you get to that particular part in the game, the save files (in the remake at least) read it as 'Chapter 2', so technically, we're about near the end of 'Chapter 1' in a way.

Here's hoping this satisfied you all, and I hope to see you next time!