Okay, this will be a little weird, so stick with me on this and we all win. And, yes, this is a can either be seen as being taken place around the same time as last chapter, before last chapter, or after the last chapter. It just can't be put side-by-side with the last chapter because it's too weird to throw two stories together that are so different at once.
88888888888888888888
"So...why come to us?" Jet roughly said with such intended rudeness. He was not liking this, but Virginia and Clive had shut him up (with words) and Gallows helped as well (with physical 'persuasion').
"A robbery has occurred last night." The sheriff of the newly formed town of Bizet replied. That's right, the sheriff. What are outlaws doing with him at a time like this? And, why aren't they in jail?
"A robbery? Look at us! I'm the sort who pulls that thing off!" Jet roared as Clive gave him a well-placed hit with an elbow to shut him up. Not like Clive to do, but it needed to be done.
"Yes, it does intrigue me though as to why you would come to us, accused criminals, about a simple robbery." Clive started.
The man cleared his throat. "Yes, that is the problem. It was not a simple robbery." The sheriff explained. "A beast attacked the bank, one that none could stop. I would say...that it looked like a man, but he was eight feet tall and faceless." Everyone watched him intently. "I recall a legend...it was about a creature named, Clay Golem...I believe that to be the beast."
Jet scoffed. "I don't know where you get such a stupid idea. A monster would have no need for money."
"Maybe so, but someone still robbed the bank, and I want you to find them and the gella."
Jet put his hand to his chin. "I accept on behalf of the rest as long as the reward is great."
"I'm not going to put you in prison and give you food."
It was silent. Jet groaned. Virginia stepped up. "We'll do it."
And so, the group went about discussing their plans soon after in the local pub. Gallows was quick to food though. "So, our main suspect at this time is a Clay Golem."
"Do you think it has anything to do with Asgard or something like him?" Virginia wondered.
"No, with a name like Clay Golem I would think they are not like Asgard at all. It just would not make any sense."
"It's probably some stupid tall guy in a suit. There's no such thing as legendary beasts." Jet stated defensively.
"Maybe so...but there are many times that theory has failed us if you recall. I'll bring up the recent situation regarding Leviathan." Clive replied.
"Whatever." He replied. "What now?"
"I was thinking we would stake out the second bank nearby that is larger than the one they robbed. I'm sure there was not enough in the first one for whatever they have planned." Virginia replied with charisma.
"I guess that'd me and Clive would probably have to go and find out some background on this beast." Emilia questioned. "You guys are better used fighting the thing, while the brains go to work behind the scenes."
Virginia nodded. "That'd be a good idea. The rest of us will go to Murphy's Savings and Loans."
88888888888888
Virginia leaned her back against the back of the counter hidden from view. Beside her was Jet who sat with crossed arms. It was a boring event, waiting out a possible robber. Gallows was stationed on the outside roof. It was getting rather boring.
"Hey Jet, wanna play a game?"
"No."
"C'mon, I didn't even say which one!"
"Okay, which one?"
"You say a name of a food or drink, and I reply with a word that starts with the last letter of the word you gave me, and then we switch roles."
"Oh, well in that case...no." He looked away as she groaned.
"Well, then, you have to tell me something personal."
He looked at her with a glare. "No, I don't really have to do that, now do I?"
"No, you don't HAVE to, but I would appreciate it. I need to pass the time somehow."
It was quiet for a period of time. "Fine, grape."
"Oh? That's a good one. I can't think of anything starting with 'E'." She laughed.
"Éclair?"
"Oh, right that's a good one." She stared at him. "I guess you win."
"We didn't even start playing." He defended.
"Oh, so...I guess that really isn't a win."
"How about, I say grapeS instead."
"Oh, well then, soda."
"Apple."
"Damn. We're back at 'E'."
"I didn't even notice that." He said off to the side.
"Éclair."
"Rhubarb."
"What's that?"
"I think...a pie of some sort." He shrugged.
"Well, banana."
"Apricot."
"Tea."
"Wait, can that seriously be said? Isn't that like, me saying 'fruit'?"
"Oh, I guess you're right."
"I'll give you another chance."
"Aren't you nice today?"
"Not if you stall for this long."
"Teriyaki Chicken."
He stared at her. "Can that be said as well?"
"It's a type of food."
"I know, but isn't that just considered chicken?"
"Have you ever eaten teriyaki chicken? It's a whole other taste!" She defended.
"Fine, fine."
"Do you really believe in this Clay Golem?"
"Me? Did you not notice me stating how absurd a thought it was?"
"I know, but you tend to say things you don't mean, and not say the things you do."
"Well, I guess...that anything's possible, right? I mean, until the other day I would tell you there was no such thing as a big black ooze of a blob that can change shape and shoot out it's body in tentacle-like shapes."
"Now you know better." Virginia jumps when a loud crash is heard. The door flies over their heads and lands on the far side of the linoleum floor. "Jet!"
The two jump to their feet and turn to the large featureless man at the door. His skin was definitely some sort of clay if that was a feature. No eyes though. The most was two thin lines. And, for a mouth there just seemed to be an 'X' in lines. Jet was quick to the trigger. The man continued forward. "Uh...did my shots just bounce off him like rubber?" Jet was actually visually worried and shocked. He usually covered that look over, and so, that meant this was not good.
"Where's Gallows?" She wondered.
"Heads up!" The Baskar arrived firing a shot that was to no use on the beast.
"Idiot! I tried that one already!" Jet fumed.
"Shut up!" Gallows roared in response. "Looks like we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way." He responded attempting a tackle, but is instead flung into the marble wall and sent to the floor unconscious. It was a hard hit. It probably even made him dumber by a few IQ points.
"He could have used magic. The guy who is great at using aracana. But, no, he had to try and pull something the guy who CAN'T use arcana would do!" Jet muttered.
"Jet! Get your head back in the game!" Virginia called as she went to check on Gallows real quick.
Jet went to work seeing if his knife would do any damage. After seeing his hand throw it, and it simply bouncing off without a dent he found his answer to that question regarding if it was just ARMs that did not work, or all weapons. "Okay, he is made of only clay, right?"
"Jet, they make whole buildings out of clay that last over a century! Who knows how hard that clay he's made out of." Virginia responded as she found Gallows okay. Just really out of it.
"Fine, so, arcana?" With that Jet was about to use one of his magic attacks. Before he could he was found to be in the Golem's path to the vault and moved aside with force.
"Jet?" Virginia moved forward into the battle to take his place. "Devastate!" She called, but found that her attacks missed. She attempted again to find that the attack just did not work on this guy. He had a resistance to non-elemental attacks it would seem. So, what would work? While she thought about that she too, was cast aside as the Golem came to the vault and as if lifting a feather, simply removed the door with ease.
As the Golem has grabbed plenty of bags and begins his escape, Jet has gone through the motions of regaining actual consciousness and coming out of his daze. That was when, as the Golem was leaving, that he noticed a piece of paper on the beast's back. He moved with speed and snatched up the paper, but was easily found and flung aside along with the paper.
The Golem made his escape while Virginia and Jet were regaining their composures and minds after the rattling knocks from the beast who had gotten away. There was a regroup as they ran outside to not be able to even see a shadow in the night. They lost them, and Jet put his ARM away in defeat. Virginia looked on disappointed. Which is when her eyes focused on the paper Jet was glancing over.
"What's that?"
"A notice regarding the Miningtarian Movement."
"Who are they?"
"One of those new religions or something that formed after Lamium's death. It's a cult really, I think, but, whatever." Jet said with a shrug. "I don't understand what that thing would have to do with them."
88888888888888888
And to totally mess with your mind, tomorrow there will be Frival Pt. 2, and then on Sat...Oh, wait, I'm going camping, so tomorrow you will get Frival Pt. 2 and Clay Golem Pt. 2, and on Sunday you get Frival Pt. 3. Does that sound totally confusing and messed up to you? I think so, because neither of the two arcs have anything in common style, or genre wise.