Party of Scoundrels
Episode: IV
Part One
In a spring morning, life in Ukrim has been so quiet without Trimbo around. Kent is at the garden, where he is setting up a bow and sword for some kind of battle, and Rob is dumping colored powder from a bucket into the quiver of arrows.
Rob: The musicians are not happy.
Kent: Neither am I, but I have to practice.
Rob: Oh, no complaints here. I think it's going to be loads of-
While talking, Rob is checking any more powder in the bucket until he gets some on his face.
Rob: …Fun.
Kent: Since Trimbo had to abandon me here, I'm stuck here to be king.
Rob: What are you complaining about? Trimbo's left to join the Grand Army, that's… brought joy to Graceville, and… as the second prince-
Kent: I wasn't prepared for all this, uncle Rob. Should this wait until I, at least, find a woman?
Rob: Kent, we've been through this before. I wasn't qualified to be king when I was your age. Mostly because your mother is older than me, and I flunk all of my grades. [to himself] God, I've never forgotten my father's scowl.
Kent: Alright. But as king, I should learn how to defend myself. Are they ready?
Rob: One moment. Invaders, assemble!
Rob turns over to the musicians standing at the gazebo, where one steps in to make an objection.
Musician: Lord Robert, I must object. We are musicians!
Rob: The servants have the day off. We have to use someone.
Musician: But I'm an artist! Not a boar.
Rob: [quietly] Could've fooled me.
Kent: C'mon guys, they're harmless.
Without any more objections, the musicians begrudgingly dress up in various costumes: pirates, bandits, knights, and wild beasts.
Rob: All pirates and knights, always carry your swords. Bandits, make sure you smell like shit. And the animals must roar, strike fear into my heart.
Raven musician: [roaring]
Rob: Not you, Winston, you're a raven, for heaven's sake. [to Kent] On your mark…. Get set…. [beat] Go!
Kent looks at the dress-up invaders charging in. With his bow, he fires his powdered arrows at them one by one, and draws his wooden sword to parry their blows before slashing them. Rob stands by, looking at the hourglass in his hand and checking on a list for scores.
Rob: Twelve seconds. Ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four… three… two… one…. TIME! Everyone, assemble for counting.
The fighting stops. Everyone withdraws their weapon so they can hear Rob as he counts. One musician as a dragon collapses on the ground.
Rob: The pirate's worth five points, and you scored plenty of it, that's for sure.
Kent: [to the pirate musician] Sorry, Hank. Take some time off.
Rob: Knights are worth two points, times it by seven hits, and it makes fourteen points. Let's see….
As Rob calculates, Kent drops his wooden sword down and slops on the stone nearby.
Rob: All that together, and it makes 101 points. Well done, Kent. But just think about it. If things go south between us and the Prushans, you could be joining the battlefield at some point.
Kent: Well… the sooner Trimbo gets hitched… the better.
In the High King's Castle, Edgar sits on the Crystal Throne where he seems displeased as Kesseki, Arkus and the Oracle are consulting with him.
Edgar: It was unfortunate for Townley to die in his sleep last week. But now… you're telling me Cardi is the traitor we've been looking for?
Kesseki: It's an odd play for the Duke to conspire with them, but he must have his reasons. If this Tribal Unity wants to conquer Xenotopia to change the rules….
Edgar: I'm not bound to let this country that has lived for thirteen hundred years be split in two. My negotiations will not fail, if we are to unite the people just like our forefathers did all those centuries ago.
Arkus: If they do, you must realize that even if the Dragonators are instructed to stop this growing army, we won't have enough. We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers.
Kesseki: That is true. Even for the shinobi back in Ingersil. Our main objective is to protect our valley instead of going to war. But Oracle… is there another vision you have foreseen that might stop this war?
The Oracle closes her eyes, trying to see the future with no avail.
Oracle: It is hard to say what will come in the future. It is hard to see, even for the likes of me. Only the gods could tell.
Then, a sentry walks in to kneel before Edgar.
Sentry: Your majesty, Commander Ayazz has arrived.
Edgar: Good. Send him in.
The sentry bows before he carries out his order. Simultaneously, as Ayazz enters the throne room, Raizer comes over.
Ayazz: Your highness. We just heard about your uncle's death. It was a tragedy, but to be honest… we're glad you didn't get infected.
Raizer: I only wanted to know more about Cardi's betrayal that I've been overhearing.
Arkus: It is true. Kesseki was our witness, but we're baffled about why he sided with them.
Raizer: I think the ogres bribed him to help them escape.
Edgar: He's a military idealist, not a mercenary. There's no way he would accept a bribe from anyone.
Ayazz: I agree, because Duke Cardi once served the Grand Army. He couldn't fight for cash. It's not in his character.
Arkus: But until we know for certain, this is a dangerous game he's making us play. With him teaching the ogres how to best us, we would all have to strategize.
Edgar: That's what I'm trying to do. If there is any idea for me to hear, let it out for now.
Ayazz: Your majesty, I may have just one. Join us in the fight. It would be just like in the good old days, when we were fighting the goblins.
Kesseki: Commander, with all due respect, I don't believe the High King should go into battles just yet.
Oracle: True. He's been recently crowned this month, but King Morningstar once fought with Townley for thirty years. Perhaps…. Does his majesty have something to say?
Edgar: [beat] I agree… with Ayazz. It's been some time since I've seen the Grand Army in action. It would be unwise to let them continue the war without somebody's opinion.
Raizer: [to himself; whispers] And hopefully… never make it.
Walking alone, the Oracle wanders off across the throne room, thinking about something.
Oracle: "Seven heroes, each a different race, against the great evil". Only the gods would know. Only… the gods.
Raizer walks alone down the hall, until he gets interrupted by She-Dom as she approaches her.
She-Dom: Raizer, I have news from the north.
Raizer: Yes, and…?
She-Dom: Well, some of the commoners have been wondering whether or not… the nephew of the late High King Richard Townley is truly worthy of being seated on the Crystal Throne.
Raizer: What are you talking about? Of course I am.
She-Dom: Unfortunately, it's more detailed than you'd know. They're questioning if you can step into a battlefield and take the lead of an army just as your uncle did. Long story short, they want to see if you can face the ogres.
Raizer then stops in his tracks, stunned by what She-Dom told her.
Raizer: Step into the battlefield? No, that's not part of the plan. We can't just… storm in and fight! The Tribal Unity would kill me before I would blink.
She-Dom: Not exactly. Royalties are to stay behind with all the foot soldiers on the front lines. The people just want to know if you can be looked up to, if you are to be the next High King.
Raizer: You know, when you put it that way, I'm thinking if you are the one saying these things. I've worked all year on this plan, a plan that when I become High King of Xenotopia, I would change everything forever.
She-Dom: True, but most of the time, a king must fight with his army to help protect his people. You just need to observe, let Morningstar do the fighting.
Raizer: [beat] Alright. I'll go, as long as we stay out of the ogres' sight.
Part Two
In the Grand Army training camp, Trimbo is downhearted because of Rozella and Pelly's departure from him, and sits down in the dining area, puzzling about what to do. Sitting next to him are some of his comrades: Jacksyn (mid-fifties and balding), Vel (lanky and athletic), and Cleese (pot-bellied and bespectacled).
Vel: Hey, why the long face?
Trimbo: Ah, I'm just… having girl problems. Two young women competed for me, and… it split my usual team up.
Jacksyn: Ah, I see. Well, that depends on what type it is you have.
Cleese: It's always important.
Trimbo: What do you mean, Jacksyn?
Jacksyn: I mean what kind of woman you'd want, that's what I mean. Take my wife for example. She's everything I wanted: marveling my strength and worshiping the dirt I work on.
Vel: Me too. My type is a real beauty, almost like a nymph. Gorgeous face, but buxom and wide hips. [laughs]
Cleese: I wouldn't care what the girl I'd want would look like. Only by someone who can bake. Since I can cook, I would want a girl who can make bread, cookies and cake.
Vel: Yeah, that I would want too.
Jacksyn: Anyway Trimbo, that's all you'd need. A type, and standards, which also indicate the kind of woman you want. Or if you want more advice, simply ask… Maroon. He has experience with women.
Trimbo: Maroon Cock? That guy? He's just a sex-worker.
Cleese: A former sex-worker. True he's not the best man to ask, but he has more experience with women than anyone else. We can show you where he hangs out.
Trimb is hesitant for a bit, but sighs in defeat to accept the idea.
Afterwards, Trimbo walks over with the trio to the woods, just outside the campsite. They look around for this Maroon-character, but no sign of him.
Trimbo: You sure this is the right place?
Cleese: Yup, this is where we last saw him.
They go a little further and the men see three nymphs laughing in the trees and splashing each other. Then Cleese sees a pair of legs in the bush, which were bleating like a goat.
Cleese: What's the matter, little goat, you stuck?
He pulls the being out, revealing to be another Grand Army soldier who turns out to be Maroon, wearing a red cap.
Maroon: Hey, who are you calling a goat?!
Then the nymphs gasp in alarm, and Maroon bursts through the bushes to chase them.
Maroon: Girls! Stop! Stop! Come back, come back!Whoa, whoa-
The nymph he gets hold of turns into flowers. The next nymph jumps into the stream to become water, and the last turns into a tree.
Maroon: Oooh… nuts! Nymphs. They can't keep their hands off me.
Then, the tree smacks him with one of her branches. Maroon is not agonized as he sits up chortling, but he notices the other four standing in front of him.
Maroon: 'Sup, bitched?
Jacksyn: Trimbo needs some help from you, Maroon.
Trimbo: Uh… yeah. I'm having some problems. I'm worried I lost my game.
Maroon picks up a bowl full of grapes, tips the grape out and takes a bite out of the bowl.
Maroon: Son, you never had game! I'm like a puss maaagnet! I even wrote a song. [singing]Wobbiltee wobbiltee wob. What are you makin'? It smells like a doggy butt, It looks like a bacon.
Trimbo: Whatever. I've got a serious problem. There's this girl that I was betrothed to-
Maroon: [still singing] I got some advice for you, I got some advice! You touchin' the boobies and then you touchin' 'em twice.
Trimbo: [angrily] Shut the hell up! She's a lady!
Maroon: A lady's got boobies that you touchin' her twice. Beep beep!
Vel: [chuckles] It's true, though.
Trimbo: Yeah, but there's another girl I knew from a long time and she's into me too.
Maroon: Then have both of them. You're a prince, right? Just have a harem, problem solved, end of story. [walks off]
Trimbo: [deadpan] Well, so much for that bright idea.
Cleese: I'm sorry, it was my suggestion.
Jacksyn: Hey, don't be. It was a hypothesis. But anyway, have you guys heard from Rift lately?
Vel: No, why?
Jacksyn: Because he says his birthday's coming up next week, this Thursday.
Trimbo: Oh, well, that's great news to hear.
Vel: But where's Rift today? I haven't seen him at lunch today.
Cleese: He's up in the ruins having a private lesson from the Commander. Pretty swell, huh?
Ayazz stands in the ruins of an ivy-covered temple on a cliff above the woods, sparring with Rift. Both men wield wooden practice swords. Rift's sword whirls in the air like a thing alive. Ayazz, by contrast, is the apotheosis of the efficient combatant, wasting no energy, waiting for weakness.
Ayazz: Good. Keep at it, because your enemy won't take a break until he's dead or he admits surrender.
Rift presses in on the attack, sword spinning with blazing speed. Ayazz ducks beneath an arcing swing and sword-taps Rift on the back.
Rift: A sneak attack? That's good.
Ayazz raises his right hand and Rift lifts his sword to parry the blow, but Ayazz no longer holds his sword in his right hand, it is in his left hand, then the Commander taps Rift on the chest. Rift stares down at the wood blade.
Rift: You told me not to change sword hands.
Ayazz: Yes, but you must also take 'em by surprise. It's the best part of serving the Army. [beat] Take a break.
Rift, exhausted from the sparring, sits down on a stone and drinks some water from his bottle. Ayazz sits down next to him, sharing with him a piece of bread he is eating.
Ayazz: You've become stronger everyday, Rift. When you first got here, you were… so skinny. Almost strong enough to just… carry a cow by the rope to sell to the market, when you lived so far outside of your hometown.
Rift: I know. And to be honest, my mother was worried if I would be… knighted if I get my chance. But in the end, I made it here. Thanks to my way of getting to Kyland, I was able to fulfill my dream, and it's all thanks to you, sir.
Ayazz: Much appreciated, but there's more to it. You have a reputation for being rash. Has anyone ever told you to pick your battles wisely?
Rift: [hesitates] My mother did, but she also said… not to get ahead of yourself.
Ayazz: [beat] My point is, sometimes you face your enemy head on, and sometimes, you wait until his weakness is revealed. Patience is a warrior's greatest weapon. Do you understand?
Rift: Yes, sir.
Ayazz: Good. Now, go wash up. You stink.
Rift takes his leave, but when he looks back at the Commander, he notices him looking weary about the ruins he is staring at. A little puzzled, he walks back to him.
Rift: You seemed… unsettled about these ruins.
Ayazz: I am. For you see… this weapon long before you were born. As you'd know, the gods created men, whose prayers fuel their immortality. But in time, mankind grew restless. They began to question the gods, and finally, rose up against them. These ruins were one of the gods' temples, until it was destroyed by one soldier named… General Cruciatus. He went rogue, declared war upon the gods, and it… cost him his life.
Rift: He tried to fight the gods?
Ayazz: [chuckles] You can't fight the gods. No one can. They live on a floating island above the clouds, and man is down here. Again, wash up.
But then, Garlym rushes over to the ruins urgently, reporting to Ayazz.
Garlym: Commander! We have a situation! Bandits, storming a village! The villagers need help!
Ayazz: Rift, change of plans! Call the others!
Rift: [salutes] Yes, sir!
In the village, a warning bell is rung by a terrified ringer as a pig narrowly dodges a large arrow which embeds itself into the ground, connected to a higher cliff by a rope. Several arrows strike the rooftops and ground before bandits zip-line down to the village.
Bandit boss: Get all the goods you can find!
Villagers duck and flee as the bandits break into houses and grab food, cash and artifacts. The bandits tie the goods up into bundles. Suddenly, they hear a trumpet sound in the distance. Charging into the village is the Grand Army, showing their coat of arms, two black battle axes crossed in a white field, and Ayazz leads the charge on horseback.
Bandit boss: [stunned] The Grand Army? [to the bandits] Get them!
Two sides collide, and the fight begins. Trimbo and Rift are with the other four soldiers, and they jump behind some sacks for cover. Maroon puts out his head; the others follow, but only half their heads are visible.
Maroon: Summing day vision goggles!
Maroon uses a pair of binoculars to look through them.
Trimbo: Those are binoculars.
Maroon tries to find something with his binoculars and sees random fights, everyone shoots arrows at each other, clash swords, a stabbed horse, etc, then he finds one. A bottle of ale that's a meter long.
Maroon: [gasps] Look. Ale!
Jacksyn: Wait, ale? That one that's a meter in height?
Maroon: [deep voice] And it's mine.
The gang jumps out of the sacks and runs for the ale.
Maroon: Die HAXORS!
Vel shoots a guy with his bow but misses, he then throws two ninja stars at a bandit with side burns in the eyes. Jacksyn hits a top hat bandit with his hatchet, and Cleese throws some phials that explode like a bomb. But then, Rift falls to his knees, and only Trimbo comes to his aid.
Trimbo: Rift!
He helps him regain his bearings, and Rift groans in pain.
Maroon goes on a killing spree. He jumps over a table landing on his back, stabbing a man who follows him. Red then hops on a bandit, locking his head between his knees and twisting his neck while shooting another man in the face with a crossbow. Maroon rides on a skateboard while being fired upon by an archer. He picks up an axe on a passing table, hacking a man and throwing the axe at what appears to be a shield that ricochets right at the bowman's head.
Back with Trimbo, he tries to help Rift regain his bearings.
Trimbo: Where does it hurt?
Rift: I… fell on my knee, but… I don't feel it.
Trimbo: What do you mean?
Back with Maroon, he's still on a killing spree. When a man with an eye patch approaches behind him, he shoots him.
Red: BOOM, headshot!
Another man approaches in front of him and Maroon hits him with the crossbow.
Maroon: Killing spree!
A third man comes in front of Maroon, and Maroon drives the crossbow through the man's head.
Maroon: Death riot!
A knight of some sort comes in front of Maroon and tries to kill him, but Maroon lifts him up and breaks his neck.
Maroon: Kill-tacular! I'm Batman!
Bandit boss: [to his gang] Let's go, we got what we came for!
The bandits grab the bundles of goods and take their leave. But in the air, Norbert comes flying down and breathes fire to block the bandits' way.
Back with Rift, he looks at his knee, which doesn't have a cut anywhere.
Rift: Nothing?
Trimbo: That's weird.
Vel: Hey guys, look alive. The bandits are escaping.
Rift looks ahead, seeing the bandit boss has found a way through the wall of fire. But Rift gets all determined as he grabs his sword and charges forward to stop him. The bandit boss sees him, then he takes out a skull-shaped phial from his belt which makes Cleese gasp in horror.
Cleese: BOOMER!
The bandit boss throws it at Rift, and it explodes on impact, but just when he is about to escape, Kesseki shows up to fire his Bow of Delta at him, killing the boss. Everyone else looks at the showing debris of where Rift was, and they see Rift walking out of the smoke, naked, covered in soot, but unharmed.
Trimbo: [stunned] Rift?
Rift: Yeah, what?
Garlym: Commander!
When Ayazz arrives, Garlym points to Rift, who survived that explosion. Seeing he is alright, the Commander is stunned about it as well.
Part Three
High above the clouds, higher than any bird can reach, there is the floating island of Laputa, the home of the gods. The island is a luscious valley teaming with various plants and animals never seen on earth, even dinosaurs. The six gods are gigantic (approximately 10-12 feet tall) humanoids, and have various features. In the throne hall, the god-king Apex (young adult, holsters a sword on his back and wears a diamond crown) consults with his son Kappa (teenage, wears a winged helmet and carries a battle axe).
Kappa: I'm telling you dad, the ogres are becoming a race of warriors. Savage and implacable.
Apex: Then the people of Xenotopia must decide how best to respond.
Kappa: We cannot keep this up while they stopped praying to us.
Apex: Humans must take command of their own destiny, Kappa. Otherwise, they can never learn, never grow. This is why it is illegal to interfere with their affairs. I want them all to learn from their own mistakes and solve any crisis they could get through.
Kappa: But the Oracle has been praying in question about this "great evil" she was informed.
Apex: I told you before, they will figure it out on their own. [beat] Now wait here, while your mother brings in the others.
Beta and Zeta (both preteen and each have a different gender) throw lightning bolts at the clouds, making them explode.
Zeta: Ha! That's two for me and one for you!
Beta: Let's try again.
Beta conjures another cloud with his fingers. And when he shoots another bolt, Zeta moves it with her hands before throwing her own bolt with it.
Beta: Hey, that's cheating!
Zeta: You never follow the rules to begin with, little brother.
Beta: "Little?!" We're twins, you stupid jackass!
The twins prepare themselves to fight, which triggers a lightning storm above their heads, until Gamma (also a young adult, wears a white robe and stunningly beautiful) comes over to scold them.
Gamma: That's enough, you two. Everyone can hear you.
Twins: [ashamed; in unison] Sorry, mom.
Immediately arriving is Delta (also a teenager, wears a dress made of leaves and has flowers in her hair), putting a lovely bunch of glowing flowers in a vase nearby.
Gamma: Why Delta, those flowers are lovely.
Delta: I know, right? Some of the yokai have been giving offerings in one of my shrines, and I was like "Hey, maybe I can give something back." These are a new breed and I'm still wondering where I should plant them.
The twins look jealous for being the center of attention to their mother, so Zeta conjures a lightning bolt before throwing it. Delta notices it and swipes the vase before it is hit. The bolt hits a pillar, which immediately mends itself.
Delta: Who threw that?!
Zeta: [innocently] It was Beta.
Beta: Fuck you, you threw it!
Gamma: Settle down. We're having a meeting.
Soon after, every god is assembled in the throne room for a meeting.
Beta: So, what's the meeting for, dad? Have they attacked our temples again?
Apex: No. This is much more than that. We are gathered here… because there's a demigod in Kyland.
Delta: A demigod?
Kappa: That's impossible. They've all been wiped out completely.
Apex: [smiles] I think you should know who it is. He's yours.
Kappa is dumbstruck to hear what his father told him.
Apex: His name is Riftaminus Sholdra. His friends call him Rift. He's the son of the mortal woman Jennifer.
Kappa: That can't be right. She was murdered by her father.
Apex: There's so much about protection that you don't know.
Gamma: I agree. On the plus side, nobody knows about it.
Kappa: But this will change nothing. The humans have stopped praying to us, because we just love them too well.
Gamma: They will learn who is in charge.
Delta: But mom, he speaks the truth. Most of the ones who pray to us are non-humans. Mankind has been talking or bragging about taking us out of the picture or being better than us.
Zeta: They do pray to us, but only to go fuck ourselves.
Apex: Enough! [beat] Kappa, you should know what to do. You must go see your own son.
Kappa: Have we heard his prayers? This son knows no love for me. He'll be no different from the other humans who turned their backs on us.
Gamma: You better do what your father says.
Kappa sighs in defeat, not wishing to make any more objections to his parents or the other gods.
Back in the Grand Army camp, Rift is shocked about how he survived with his friends, including Wor-Kis circling around him.
Trimbo: You gotta tell us, Rift! How did you do that?!
Rift: I…. I don't know.
Trimbo: But we just saw what you just did. You were running, you were falling, you were charging, and then the BOOM! And you…. You come out, unharmed.
Kesseki: But you said he fell and there was… nothing on him? Not a scratch?
Trimbo: Nothing.
Arkus is scratching his chin in thought, wondering about something.
Arkus: I think… I know why. I haven't seen this sighting before since I just became a Dragonator. No doubt about it, but Rift may very well be… a demigod.
Trimbo: [gasps in amazement] Oh, shit!
Rift: A demigod? As in… half a god.
Arkus: And half human.
Trimbo: This is way better! With a demigod, those ogres wouldn't stand a chance!
Wor-Kis: No! We mustn't expose this to anyone.
Kesseki: I agree. If the Tribal Unity hears about this, they would stop at nothing to kill him.
Rift is thinking about what he's been hearing, and when he remembers one of Ayazz's speeches during his training, he gets the idea.
Rift: I also agree. The best way to deal with the ogres is to catch them by surprise.
Trimbo: Are you sure about this?
Rift: Trust me, I know what I'm saying. But… if I'm half-god, who am I related to?
Arkus: I'm afraid I don't know. It's been decades since I last saw a demigod.
Rift: [thinking] Maybe my mother would know. I'm going to see her, fast.
Rift takes his leave out of the tent, leaving Trimbo alone with Arkus, Kesseki and Wor-Kis.
Trimbo: Why should we hide his heritage?
Wor-Kis: It's important to keep something like this a secret, Trimbo. Sharing is not always the best way, but sometimes hiding things is the right way. If there are dark forces out there and they find out about this, Rift would either be executed… or worse.
Trimbo: [beat] I get it now.
Arkus: Now, I'm going in for a scouting mission. I need to go behind enemy lines and observe the Tribal Unity as much as I can.
Arkus takes his leave, leaving the other three behind.
Trimbo: But I'm also wondering, guys. What dark forces can we be talking about?
Kesseki: Who knows? It can be anyone.
Wor-Kis: Even… someone who worships any of the gods.
Elsewhere, deep in the mountains of Craitos, there is a dark castle placed on the top. Inside the castle is a dark wizard named Dola'wic with a long, black braided ponytail, and he meditates on top of a stairway to a bubbling cauldron. All of a sudden, he is awakened from his meditation with a scent of something that makes him weary.
Dola'wic: There is a demigod. I, Dola'wic, cannot allow his power to be awakened. For evil must prevail. Darkness must reign supreme, in the name of Omicron.
Dola'wic puts a pinch of powder into the cauldron, and it conjures a veil of smoke that ascends downward to the bottom of the stairs. Three parts of the mist begin to materialize into humanoid creatures, all have orange skin, black hair and wear steel lamellar armor.
Dola'wic: Yen! Zu! Chao! Seek out the demigod and annialate him!
One by one, the warriors make their own weapons in their hands. The first, Yen, conjures a meteor hammer, the second, Chao, materializes a dagger-axe, and the third, Zu, manifests a dao.
Part Four
In her home, Juno is washing her dishes, until she hears a door knocking. She answers it, and notices it is only Rift, much to her joy before she lets him in to hug him.
Juno: Rift, so good you could come.
Rift: First of all mom, I need to know if… you're feeling well.
Juno: I am now. Thanks to the healers, I've recovered from the epidemic.
Rift: That's great news, but…. [beat] I need to ask.
Juno: I know, it's your birthday next week.
Rift: No, I mean…. Am I… half-god?
Juno seems shocked to hear this question from Rift. In defeat, she motions him to come over to the living room, and sit down together on the sofa for a private talk.
Juno: Why do you ask me this?
Rift: Because… I survived a boomer, during a raid with bandits. I was lucky, but now…. Everyone wants to know, and I need to know.
[5 second silence]
Juno: Rift, I was hoping that one day… you would find out on your own. The truth about your… true father.
Rift: Is it true? Am I… a demigod?
Juno: [hesitates] Yes. The story of your birth began with the rebellion of General Cruciatus… my father.
[FLASHBACK]
Twenty-five years ago, a grizzled man, Cruciatus, leads a faction of soldiers to attack a temple and crumble statues of the god.
Juno/narrating: In that time, mankind had grown tired of the gods' mistreatment and ignorance. Cruciatus led a siege on all the temples, declaring war. It is said the other gods wanted to simply lay waste to this rogue nation, but Apex loved man too much. Instead, he chose to make an example of Cruciatus, and sent his son Kappa to do the honors. He disguised himself as a servant and visited the chamber where I was sleeping.
Juno, a lot younger, sleeps in bed until he sees Kappa walking to her. She is captivated by his looks with a smile, and Kappa crawls over towards her in bed.
Juno/narrating: It's very rare to see a god. And when I saw him, he was nothing I've ever seen before. He was so… dazzling.
They kiss and begin to have sex.
Cruciatus storms into the house, arriving at Juno's room.
Cruciatus: Jennifer?
But then, he sees Kappa in her bed with Juno. Outraged, he draws his sword to attack, but the god changes into a pigeon and flies away out the window. Cruciatus looks back at Juno, staring at her in disbelief.
Juno/narrating: My father assumed it was Apex who slept with me. He grew mad with rage…. He ordered the execution of his own daughter and you along with me.
During a storm, Cruciatus and his men drag the dead body of Juno in a coffin to the shores. The General leans over on the coffin, then he stares heavenward.
Cruciatus: I curse you, Apex! I denied you the body you soiled! And the bastard child with it! But today, this marks the end of Laputa once and for all! [to his men] Lock the cannon on target!
Some soldiers remove a tarf to reveal a golden cannon with a glowing green object in the barrel. Cruciatus pushes the coffin a little further to the beach, and aims the cannon to the sky, until a tidal wave rises up to clash on him. The General and his men are killed by the wave, but the coffin floats steadily in the sea.
Juno/narrating: I was cast into the sea. I was killed, but… a miracle happened.
In the coffin, the dead Juno suddenly springs to life, gasping for air. The coffin hits something; the lift is opened, and a fisherman discovers her.
Fisherman: Uh, hello? What's your name?
Juno: [hesitates] Juno.
[FLASHBACK ENDS]
Juno: That's how I met your stepfather. And later, you popped out. I was killed, but I was protected… by you, when you were very, very small and unborn. I knew that as the son of the protection god, you were immune to all kinds of minor injuries and illnesses, which is why I was the only one to be infected.
Rift: [puzzled] But… you said Cruciatus was your father, and that makes him my….
Juno: Grandfather, yes. I was worried it would change you, if I would tell you about my past. I even changed my name when I was found. And since you're almost twenty-five, you're old enough now to know the truth.
Rift: But why keep it a secret from me? Why didn't you tell me?
Juno: It was for your own safety, dear. There used to be demigods everywhere in Xenotopia, but in the wake of my fucked-up father's campaign, someone's been hunting them down like common beasts. And that's why I thought of you working in a stable. Its odor would be enough to mask the smell of your blood, but your dreams of being a knight have made you keep your distance from it.
Now putting all of the pieces together, Rift is now seeing what her mother was trying to do, and he feels guilty about it.
Rift: I'm sorry, mom. I had no idea you were trying to protect me. Maybe… I shouldn't have been seeking to be-
Juno: What do you mean? Look at yourself. You managed to meet with the leader of the Grand Army. You encountered the fabled Commander Ayazz, who's said to be blessed by the gods to be an invincible warrior, unable to be killed and always coming. I was more worried that you wouldn't know how to fight or to defend yourself or others. And now, I'm not because you have them, you have Ayazz, and you have your friends. No mother would be more proud than I am to know… your father is protecting you more than I have.
Rift gives a bright smile to his mother, before hugging him.
Back in the Grand Army camp, a pair of trumpeters blow their trumpets to announce the arrival of Edgar, which he did at the front gates. Everyone salutes to the High King as he arrives towards Ayazz.
Edgar: Commander, I trust you have… some new war heroes to your unit?
Ayazz: Yes, sir. Aside from our usual Party of Scoundrels, there's also some new ones. A branch of soldiers serving the Grand Army, which we call the Falconers.
An unseen person forcefully shoves his way through the crowd.
Person: Out of my way… watch it.
The person bursts through the crowd, and Edgar sees it is Vel, wearing a cap.
Vel: Vel Shell. I may be thin, I may be fast, but I have a turtle-shield.
As if to demonstrate, Vel whips off his cape to reveal a turtle-like shield on his back, and a soldier smashes a rock on his back. Vel doesn't even flinch. Then, coming along are Cleese and Jacksyn.
Cleese: Cleese Nameless, at your service. I do alchemy, so I am the healer.
Jacksyn: And me, Jacksyn Xavier! My uniqueness is to analyse your weakness!
As if to demonstrate, Jacksyn turns his attention to a quivering man. With his keen observation, he focuses on the man's left ear.
Jacksyn: Bingo!
Jcksyn leaps into a kung fu stance, and flicks the man's ear. Instantaneously, the man spins around on the floor, clutching his ear.
Man: My bad ear, he got my bad ear!
Edgar: Not bad. So I suppose-
CRASH! Everyone suddenly turns their attention to a nearby wall. CRASH! CRASH! Maroon crashes through the wall in a showy fashion.
Maroon: Not just yet! My name is Maroon! My source of course is my unstoppable force!
Raizer arrives at the gate as well, and he seems displeased about something from witnessing the four new characters.
Edgar: Have you all been… bothered by my son?
Cleese: Not at all, your majesty.
Vel: Yes, this is a word of honesty. He's not the most agile or the keenest, but his determination and motivation are both without question.
Edgar: Good. As long as they're devoted, they can all be accepted.
Edgar takes his leave, but Raizer comes over to the four soldiers.
Raizer: Are you kidding? The Grand Army won't have oddballs to serve.
Maroon: Ha!
Jacksyn: You must be a comedian… because that sounded like a joke to me.
Raizer: Oh yeah? Well laugh it up… because the real joke is your martial arts.
Vel: Everyone knows that your uncle was the previous High King, but it's not like you have the rights to rule right this second.
Raizer: [glaring] We'll see. [storms off]
At the other end of camp, Trimbo is walking along with Rift and Wor-Kis, where Rift is telling them everything his mother told him.
Rift: And there you have it. I'm the son of Kappa, which explains why I survived that boomer.
Trimbo: But still, if you're invulnerable, what else would it mean?
Wor-Kis: I believe, Trimbo, that it would mean Rift cannot feel the pain. Or maybe… he can't feel anything, which can be a side-effect of being invulnerable.
Trimbo: That's a bummer.
Rift: But I do feel, Wor-Kis. I can feel the cold wind and some injuries.
Wor-Kis: But this is still bad. I've dealt with demigods before. When they're born, they're vulnerable until they reach the rite, a rite to be bestowed their potential by the gods themselves.
Trimbo: But Rift has become invulnerable now, so it must mean something.
Wor-Kis: Yes, but as a relative of the god of protection, strength and courage, there's more to it than he has known. If Rift were to speak to his father directly, he may know.
Rift: So I just talk to him. Not a bad suggestion. But would I have to pray to him or something?
Wor-Kis: No To talk to Kappa, you'd have to go to Temple Irena, one of the oldest places where when you pray to a god, talking to them is much closer than ever before.
Trimbo: Irena? I know that place. It's just on an island in the Kodi River. If we get there by ship, we could be there in just a few days. If we sail now, we'll be there in time for your birthday.
Rift: Couldn't we just fly- [realizing] Oh yeah, Arkus left.
Wor-Kis: We can-
But then, something happens to Wor-Kis that makes him shiver all of a sudden. Ringo, who is perching on Trimbo's shoulder, picks up a scent and hisses at something.
Trimbo: What's the matter, Ringo?
Wor-Kis: The willies.
Part Five
All of a sudden, Zu chops through the fence with his dao, invading the camp. The trio see him and they gasp in shock.
Trimbo: An intruder!
Armed with his green-bladed sword, Trimbo charges in and engages the intruder, but as he clashes blades with him, Zu overpowers Trimbo before knocking him halfway across the camp. Kesseki sees him and walks over to him.
Kesseki: Hey, there's no time to play around, Trimbo. We're supposed to be training for-
Vel: Intruders!
Vel points ahead at the situation. Rift runs for his life with Wor-Kis, as Zu chases after them. But when Kesseki sees him, he seems aware of him as he stares in shock.
Kesseki: A Deathwalker!
Garlym: All men, to arms!
The soldiers immediately draw their weapons to attack the intruder, right before Chao shows up to slam his dagger-axe into the ground, creating a little earthquake to rattle the soldiers off-balance. At the gate, Yen shows up and swings his meteor hammer to smash it, trapping them all in.
During this invasion, Edgar hears the screaming, and walks out of his tent to see what is going on.
Edgar: What's going on?
He is stunned to see the three invaders attacking, so he draws his sword to join the fight. Edgar charges towards Chao to strike him with his sword, but the blade breaks off in contact. Then Chao grabs Edgar and hurls him to a soldier, next to a pit of fiery coals. The king crashes into the pit, knocking it over, spilling out the coals, causing fire to spread on most of the tents.
Trimbo regains his bearings, groaning in pain, but he sees Rift still running for his life.
Trimbo: Rift! Wait!
Zu throws his dao, which spins like a whirling saw blade in the air, and it surrounds all the soldiers into a circle. Kesseki aims the Bow of Delta and fires an energy arrow, but Zu parries it with his hand.
Kesseki: [frowns] I hate it when they do that.
Rift climbs up the fence, with Wor-Kis still following him, and they both rush for the coast, until Yen shows up in front of him, swinging his meteor hammer to block his way. But then, Ayazz jumps up and slashes his sword, dematerializing Yen.
Rift: Sir!
Ayazz: Are you alright?
Wor-Kis: For now. We must go to Temple Ire-
All of a sudden, Chao shows up through the fence. But then, the fence falls on top of him when Trimbo and the Falconers push it over him.
Maroon: Suck it, douche-pickle!
Trimbo: The beach, quickly! The beach!
Everyone runs for the beach, as Chao lifts up the fence to pick up his dagger-axe and give chase to them.
Back in the camp, Raizer walks out of his tent to see the soldiers, engaging Zu and putting out the fires. A little worried, Raizer walks back for safety, until he sees Zu right in front of him, much to his shock. He walks back as Zu approaches him.
Raizer: Stay back! Get away from me!
Zu keeps approaching him, before he sticks his dao at the prince's throat. But instead of killing him instantly, Zu locks his eyes to Raizer, seeing something in him, and it makes him withdraw his weapon before heading off somewhere. Puzzled, Raizer wondered about what he was doing.
On the beach, there is a ship docked on the sand. The Falconers make it to the beach. But Chao throws his dagger-axe like a javelin and it strikes Jacksyn's leg, making him fall to the ground.
Rift: Jacksyn!
Rift rushes to his aid, until Zu shows up to get ready to slash him. But then, Maroon slashes blades with Maroon, which saves Rift's life.
Maroon: Stand fast, fucktard, for I'm about to cleave thee a new butthole!
He slices open Zu, dematerializing him. It leaves a pile of gold coins.
Maroon: Oh, sick. Loot! Ding!
Maroon takes the gold before joining the others. Kesseki yanks the dagger-axe off of Jacksyn's leg before throwing it back to Chao, dematerializing him too. Then Cleese helps Jacksyn to stand on his working leg.
Cleese: Quickly, onboard!
Now that Falconers are on the ship, Vel pulls the lever that pushes the ship to float on the river and now they are all safe.
Part Six
Back in camp, the fires are out and everyone cheers for their success.
Edgar: Good work, everyone. Just find all the injuries and have them taken care of first.
Garlym: Yes, sire. Orders, Commander?
But there isn't a response. Everyone realizes now that Commander Ayazz is missing.
Garlym: Where's the Commander?
Before anyone can finish, Bestial comes over with a few Craitans at her side.
Bestial: I saw him leave, with the Falconers, including Riftaminus and Trimbo.
Edgar: My son? My son's gone?!
Raizer: Well, I guess these kinds of invaders were enough to make him flee out of fear.
Edgar: Don't you use that tone on my son, Raizer! You would've protected him if you wanted to be as worthy as you wanted to be.
Raizer: You're blaming me?! For what he's doing?!
Garlym: Your majesty, I wouldn't be too worried. If he's with Commander Ayazz, then he'll be fine. More importantly, we need to be more focused on the enemy than starting a manhunt.
Edgar: [pauses] You're right. [to the men] Count all the lives we have left, do an inventory and everything we have left, and prepare for the march tomorrow morning.
Soldiers: Yes, sir!
As everyone does their duty, Raizer looks at the sailing ship from afar, knowing that's where the others are.
Raizer: Now that Ayazz is gone, it makes me second-in-command of the Grand Army. I will teach them the proper ways to be in the military.
Edgar: Bestial, I'm putting you in charge as second-in-command.
Raizer: [to himself; dismayed] Fuck!
On the ship, Cleese checks on Jacksyn's wounded leg, and ties a bandage on it.
Cleese: It's only a flesh wound. He'll live.
Jacksyn: But relax, I'm fine. It's going to take more than one jab to take me down.
Trimbo: But who were those guys?
Vel: I've never seen anything like them before.
Jacksyn: They could be more of those bandits like before for all I care. Just as long as they don't chase on their own stinking boat.
Ayazz: And yet, they seemed to be interested in Rift for some reason.
Rift: Whoever they were, there should at least be someone who knows about them…. But who?
Then, a sign suddenly appears to point at Kesseki, which says "He knows!", and it grabs everyone's attention. Annoyed, Kesseki breaks it with a karate chop.
Kesseki: Get outta here! Who's the wise guy to make this?
Rift: You know?
Kesseki: [deadpan] Don't believe everything you read.
Trimbo: Kesseki, we just got attacked by a trio of strangers who just turned into dust like they were made of magic. You must tell us who they were.
Kesseki is hesitant to say a word. But in defeat, he takes out a paper.
Maroon: Ah, a fan!
He grabs the paper and pulls out a quill.
Maroon: Let me sign that for you! I knew you were a big fan.
Kesseki: No, Maroon. I was going to tell you…. They were Deathwalkers.
Vel gasps; he knows the statement.
Vel: Deathwalkers.
Kesseki: Servants of anyone who practices dark magic. That poster shows you their master.
Maroon: Who's this gay lord?
Maroon notices that he is clutching a wanted poster of Dola'wic. Cleese grabs the poster.
Cleese: Dola'wic? The so-called "Hand of Omicron"? He once took on the entire Giant Nation armed with nothing more than… a toothpick.
Vel: I've heard of him too. He's more powerful than any bounty hunter in Xenotopia. But…. [to Kesseki] How did you know him?
Kesseki: [hesitates] Because I faced him before. My father was… a priest of the gods, until Dola'wic, a random bounty hunter, infiltrated his temple and stole what we call the Deathly Arts. A power source that Omicron teaches to his apostles. He… killed my father in the process and he's become the best bounty hunter in the world.
Ayazz: So he's a bounty hunter. And… someone's put a price on Rift's head?
Cleese: It may as well be as Omicron, sir.
Trimbo: We still need to keep sailing. Temple Irena won't be too long for us, so we've got all the time we need.
Trimbo grabs the wheel to stir it, setting a course to where they're going.