RIP Guidey. I actually like Amidas, and I'm really hoping I didn't do his character too fast. I wanted his 'rise to power' to be very sudden, like a whole bunch of stuff was prepped and suddenly springs like a trap. I fear I might not have written enough setup tho. But then again, I'm trying to push this story along. 44 chapters and we haven't even killed EOC. man... this is kinda ridiculous lmao.

Armour:

Victide (Ranger)

Weapon: Mandible Bow (Jester Arrows); Arkhalis

Acc(11/11): Band of Regeneration, Amidas Spark, Sailfish Boots, Luxor's Gift, Ocean Crest, Amidas Pendant, Crown Jewel, Tsunami in a Bottle, Frog Leg, Aero Stone, Shield of the Ocean

Health: (400/400)

He was burning up, absolutely trembling in rage as he squatted there - his teeth chafing his knuckles like some miserable cringing rat. A trickle of blood slid warm down the back of his hand; he could feel the cold stone pillar through the back of his thin shirt, pressing against his arched spine with an unyielding hardness. His ears pricked with every one of those damn words which proceeded from The Sea King's mouth.

"A Slave…?"

"Young One. I've seen you take his orders like a servant. I watched him force you to your knees. I have never seen a Terrarian kneel before. Never. You don't realize what a lofty existence you are. How could you allow yourself to be trodden upon?"

"..."

He had been set up. Duped. Routed. In all his years, The Guide had never been outsmarted so handily. The Sea King wasn't just a pompous member of nobility trying to re-acquire the luxuries of his youth. This castle hadn't been commissioned for vanity's sake. All of The Sea King's actions until now, every conversation they had shared, had been part of a setup to wrest The Slayer out of his control. If The Guide hadn't been eavesdropping - he would never have known The Sea King's true intentions.

And, much to The Guide's dismay, it appeared The Sea King was actually getting through to his stony conservant. In fact, The Guide was quite sure The Terrarian hadn't exchanged more than a couple of words with anyone (besides himself of course) over the entirety of his short lifespan. For him to suddenly become so verbose -with a veritable stranger, no less- was worrying in the extreme. Was… was The Terrarian so angry about the Castle, he would cut himself off from The Guide and cleave to The Sea King?

It certainly sounded that way.

"I told him I had no intention of becoming a slave."

"Yes, but look at what happened? What are you doing right now, Terrarian? Are you not following his orders at this very moment?"

"..."

An uncomfortable silence rang out against the throne room's cold walls and The Guide held his breath, lest he make a noise and be discovered. He wasn't exactly sure why he was hiding. Should he leap out and stop The Sea King from saying anything more? Or would his interference only condemn him further in the eyes of his companion. Besides, once he revealed himself, what was he going to say? He'd stand there red-faced and stuttering like a tottering infant. The second tottering infant in the room. All he could manage was to kneel there in the darkness as he tore through his memory - searching to find what had gone wrong.

The Sea King's gravelly voice once again filled the room, and The Guide hated it more than anything.

"Slayer, even if you know little of the world, you cannot let anyone trample your pride. Terrarians are living legends. The Guide should not be your master. He should be your servant."

A long pause.

"The Guide...He will not be my servant."

"Then you will be his."

The Terrarian's voice once again rang aloud in its trademark monotone. It overlaid the surrounding noises like nothing The Guide had yet heard. It was alien, yes. Almost everything about The Slayer was strange and otherworldly. The fact he healed fatal wounds in a matter of hours. The fact he was tireless. How he broke the laws of physics regularly. How he seemed to be born and bred to slaughter monstrosities - an activity he engaged in with a debauched impunity.

And..for a long time, The Guide had treated him with the appropriate fear and careful reverence...But over the week they had spent together (it felt like a lifetime), The Guide had gradually lost his fear. He recognized The Terrarian as something more than a dangerous and fickle beast. He wasn't a man, but he was very much like one. He had wants, fears, obsessions. He felt lonely, he felt sad, sometimes he panicked. He was proud and vain, but could show vulnerability in the most shocking and sincere manner. The Guide was now learning just how quick to jealousy he was, and how difficult it was for him to forgive a slight. He was going to carry this petty grudge to its very end… and The Sea King was capitalizing on all of his childish attributes.

Everything I have built is getting stolen from me. This damn Sea King! My family is suffering in The Crimson this very moment and you want to play politics!

Oh, that cold sinking feeling of having his footing torn from beneath his feet. His hope and his foundation, his goal and his mission, it all hinged on The Terrarian. If only The Sea King hadn't come here… no, if only his village hadn't been destroyed.

If only there hadn't been a summoning in the first place… then none of this would have happened.

It felt like an eternity before the voices in the throne room resumed. The Guide pressed his cheek against the cold pillar as he listened, raptly attentive. The Terrarian was speaking. His voice was emphatic. His words were coming out snipped and hostile.

"Master or servant, it doesn't matter. I need The Guide."

"Do you?"

"He knows things I don't. Useful. Necessary."

Dry, scaly laughter raked The Guide's ears. The knowing, prepared kind of laugh which said 'I have been waiting for this question'.

"Young One… why did The Guide ask you to build this castle?"

"..."

The Guide could hear the gears turning inside the Terrarian's head as the almost-man pondered questions that had never once crossed his mind. Although he remained guarded, he still responded - although there was a certain fatigue in his voice. How strange. The Terrarian wouldn't normally speak for this long, not even to The Guide. Usually he would have turned his back and begun ignoring everyone by now. Was he forcing himself to continue this conversation?

"I... don't know."

"Because he is desperate to please me. He has spent all of his knowledge, and now he wants mine. The Guide has nothing more to give you. That is why he brought me from the Sunken Sea. Do you understand, Young One?"

"..."

"It's time to move forward, Slayer. If you want to proceed, you cannot cling to the past. Come, listen to my wisdom..."

"Sir Dwarf, I can't help but disbelieve. A seadragon?"

"I saw what I saw, Merchant."

"Humph..."

He could hardly believe his own eyes this morning when he saw what was emphatically a bright blue, miniaturized seadragon swimming his way gracefully across the trimmed lawn, but the more his two companions scoffed at him - the more he insisted on the story. It had been quite early in the morning, but was still light enough to make out the creature. What could it be? Perhaps a new, wicked summon The Sorcerer had conjured up? Perhaps The Guide had turned one of the townspeople into a snake monster? Maybe this was another form of 'The Monster Knight'. Whatever, or whoever it was, it merited investigating. According to the Arms Dealer, Big Betty would soon be put to use (The Demolitionist was overeager to witness the explosion, not maliciously mind you, but just to see the result of his handiwork). He had likewise taken it upon himself to make sure there weren't any wild variables present to muck up their plan. After all, Big Betty could only show her true beauty once. It would be a shame to waste her.

"Come Along now, Merchant. I'm just bein' thorough. Wasn't it ya who said ya can't be too careful?"

The Old Merchant sighed, but followed at his heels regardless as they crossed the damp, clipped grass. The sky remained gloomy although it was already well past breakfast-time. The dark clouds seemed to be hanging over their heads more oppressively than was natural. The Merchant had theorized it was an effect of the encroaching Crimson; The Demolitionist had assured him that soon enough, the world devouring parasite would be the least of their problems. Once they killed The Monster Knight, their bonds would be loosed, and this group of prisoners would flee to the Northern Mountains. The Resistance was always in need of more manpower, especially now. Lord Braelor had revealed his 'Hero' not long ago, and Yharim had responded with swift impunity in an attempt to squash the threat as soon as it budded. His violent reaction had sparked hope in the smaller resistance pods around the country, and the fighting had begun immediately.

I wonder how my crew are doin' without me… I need to get back as soon as I can. I can't leave my men alone… I wonder if this 'Hero' is really everything Braelor made him out to be…

They were rapidly approaching the castle's stone facade, so The Demolitionist shelved his meandering thoughts. Right now, he was fighting a different sort of war, a more intimate and personal one. He had been chased here by Yharim's spy, only to find himself trapped in the domain of a wicked sorcerer. Did The Sorcerer work for The Tyrant? Most likely. Coincidences didn't happen with The Tyrant King. He was manic-depressive, yes. He was also subject to bouts of destructive rage… but those qualities weren't what struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.

The Tyrant King… he was ruthless, and he was smart. There wasn't a shred of mercy in him. He could accomplish the most abominable things without batting an eye. He also had a tremendous information network, and - although he was deeply evil and prone to crippling hubris - was the best battle strategist to ever disgrace this planet. The Jungle Tyrant had never lost a battle. Nothing slipped past him in the heat of combat. If The Demolitionist had been chased into some mysterious prison, then there was no doubt in his mind, Yharim's torturer would soon arrive to squeeze him for information.

The low mutter of conversation, accompanied by the clinking of (what the Demolitionist immediately identified as) fine metals and jewelry emitted from the building's entrance… and what a strange entrance indeed. It was some strange deathtrap of a door which looked more like the hatch to a submarine than anything else. Thankfully there was a section that remained unbuilt, a gaping hole for easy access.

The Demolitionist glanced back to The Old Merchant and pressed a finger to his lips. His weapon clutched in hand, he silently crept up the loose perfectly rectangular stone and glanced around the corner. What he saw there wasn't anything he expected.

"Ah, my bracers. A thousand year heirloom from my father's generation. I really cannot thank you enough for returning these articles to me. I thought they had been lost forever after the witch's att-... hm? What seems to be the issue, Slayer?"

"..."

The Monster Knight was staring at him, his arm outstretched in an accusatory gesture. Beside him stood, (or perhaps sat) a somewhat humanoid creature of brilliant blue colour and scaled in blue fins and spines. He wore a set of golden bracers on his forearms, an ornate breastplate, and a jeweled crown beset with turquoise and pearls. The Demolitionist - a gem lover, as all dwarves were - recognized that crown at a glance. This creature… he was royalty from the Ocean kingdom.

"Why, hello there. Can I help you?"

The creature turned his considerable bulk towards him. His voice was deep and polite, yet commanded respect. He spoke and acted like a King. Could it be? The Demolitionist could hardly keep his voice from shaking in excitement as he bowed at the waist.

"Sir, are ya The Sea King?"

"I am."

"King Amidas, who once allied alongside Statis and Braelor against The Tyrant?"

The Sea King blinked his glassy eyes and snorted, as if fondly recalling old memories.

"The very same. Ah, it's been a long time since I've heard those names. Statis has always been unbelievably grumpy, and I can't imagine he's gotten more cheerful with age. Braelor… should all grown up by now. How fare they, Dwarf? Come, we will speak outside."

Nurse & Arms Dealer: *screaming argument*

Guide: Could you guys calm down? You're going to stress out the baby.

Nurse: Baby? What the fuck baby?

G: *Pats Slayer's helmet, snickers* The Baby

Slayer: ...?

AD: ...?

N: I'm pretty sure he's not a baby, but I desperately want to cut him open and check. C'mere baby!

Slayer will have nightmares about the nurse if he ever gets to sleep lmao.

Notes: OKAY names. So Literally nobody has an actual name except for Amidas, Yharim, Statis and Braelor I don't intend to give anyone names outside of those belonging to already established characters. As a result, We got some characters with lots of different names lol. I think it's pretty obvious to tell who each is referring to due to context, but I wanna write it here in case anyone is starting to get confused.

Guide: 'The Guide' 'Guide' 'The Sorcerer' 'Young Noble (By Travelling Merchant)'

Slayer: 'Terrarian' 'Slayer' 'Monster Knight (by Merchant Crew)' 'The Destroyer (by Stylist)' 'You little shit/moron/brat/fuck/darling etc... (The Nurse)' Almost-man. Anything that relates to Aliens

Amidas: Fish Man. Seahorse. The Sea King

Notes2: Given The Terrarian's really utilitarian - and also still super salty about having to kneel & build the castle, Amidas seems to have bagged him. What do you think? O.o lol I'm not telling you anything yet. :) Also I didn't just make up that thing about Amidas fighting alongside Statis and Braelor against Yharim. I recall reading it in calamity lore, which (given how fast the lore changes) may be outdated by now... 3) Guide is the equilivent of a dude just sitting there watching somebody seduce his GF lmao. sucks buddy. Don't worry I still luv u. big kiss.

Thanks for all your reviews and support! I love to hear from you readers :) Much love