Heroes of the Arks
ESKK: Well here we go a new chapter I hope you all enjoy it and say tune for more now then let's begin.
(Start Jun Melromarc)
Jun was seen walking down the streets as she made her way to the more sleazy part of town. The part where children shouldn't wonder and any law abiding citizen would steer clear of. Jun was smart to tell the difference as despite it being of ill repute it was just short of being in the area of poverty.
As she went to a Pub she heard loud music going on not that she cared. She knew this was a good place as any to start gaining coins and a reputation. It also helped that she wanted to find information pertaining to an Ark and Knight that were still unaccounted for. She was surprised when Shiro suggested they split up because Jun was going to suggest that first to cover more ground in this world. But while she knew Shiro, Tsubaki, and Taiyo wanted to do this the legal way to gain allies Jun had no illusion the King will make it almost impossible for them to do so like that if they continue to associate themselves with the 'Shield Devil,' and even if the sever ties Malty will no doubt try to make it hard for them as well.
Thus Jun was currently at this pub as she did have coins to her name thankfully. As Jun walked in she saw the place was a hive for the crooks of the world. She paid them no mind and went to the bar luckily for her this world was lax on its drinking laws so she was in the clear for that. As Jun walked she made her way pass the crowds as she already saw the people eyeing her like a slab of meat or a possible target if things go south. Jun also took note to the bar wenches dressed to entice the patrons of this establishment but paid them little to no mind once she got to the bar. As Jun sat down she glared at the Bartender for a moment.
"Give me a shot of the hard stuff." Jun said dropping a silver for the drink while the bartender quickly got the memo before he got her drink. Nearby another patron saw Jun and in turn smiled before he made his way to her. Once Jun had her drink she downed it in an instant before glaring at the bartender. "Another." Jun ordered and was given another shot of her drink.
"Hey what's a sweet little thing like you doing in a place like this?" A patron flirted as he looked to Jun. For Jun she saw the darkness around this guy and all it spoke to her was lust and desire.
"None of your business not get lost." Jun said as she went back to her drink.
"Hey I'm talking to you!" The drunk patron said grabbing Jun's arm. When he did that Jun grabbed his arm and flipped him onto his back before breaking said arm to an audible crack. All eyes looked to the scene in shock as the guy cried out in pain from his broken arm before Jun returned to her drink.
"I'm not much of a talker." Jun said before downing her drink showing she went easy on the drunk. His two friends quickly saw this and went after Jun only for her to elbow one in the stomach and slam his head into the bar before spinning around the other and slamming him with a Duplex. Once the three morons were down Jun for the second time returned to the seat. "Now beat it." Jun said and in turn the two men grabbed their friend and ran off causing laughter to be heard at their expense while the patrons returned to their meals.
Jun was left on her own until the bartender eventually returned with a new drink Jun didn't order. "Compliments of the gentlemen in the back." The bartender said as Jun looked to the drink and then to the men in question.
There were two of them one was the smaller of the two with an odd looking Halberd weapon as he had a bit of a bone or skeleton theme going on for him. For Jun he looked a lot like something from a punk type of series same with his friend. Speaking of his friend he was large larger then even Jun as she wondered how he even got in here to begin with. He had some sort of Frankenstein thing going for him as he had what looked like spiked brass knuckles on his hand. The smaller of the two gestured for Jun to come to them and in turn Jun sighed before downing the offered drink and heading on over to the duo.
Once Jun got there she looked to them with a skeptical look as she clearly wanted some answers here. "What do you want?" Jun asked as she glared at the duo before her.
"I'm Demonicon and this is my partner Pete and we're mercenaries." The skeleton theme guy said as he looked to Jun. "And we saw what you did to those punks." Demonicon said as Jun gave them a deep look and from her surprise they didn't have much in terms of darkness from what she saw the darkness they had stemmed from things they've seen.
"Friends of yours?" Jun asked with a hand to her sword showing she will fight if she has to.
"Hardly." Demonicon said showing he didn't like those guys and Jun did him a favor there. "Actually we were hoping you'd mind giving us a hand with a little job of ours." Demonicon said as Jun looked to them. "From the looks of you we figure you might be a mercenary." Demonicon said as Jun raised a brow to this.
"No I'm not." Jun confirmed as Demonicon heard this.
"Ever considered it, you've got the... disposition for it." Demonicon said as Jun looked to the side a bit.
"It's been on my mind a bit does it pay well." Jun said as she then looked back to the duo and took a seat with them.
"Very well." Pete finally said as the big guy sounded he was more heart than brains.
"What's the job?" Jun asked as this was why she wanted to go solo. Mercenaries aren't connected to the Adventures Guild who puts limitations on them that Jun didn't want to be a part of. Mercenaries don't have such limitations but the problem is that the path is more dangerous for the unprepared.
"There is this noble who is looking for a particular art piece and we've been trying to track it down. See it's so rare only few of its kind exist so they cost a fortune." Demonicon said as Jun paid attention to what they had to say.
"I'm guessing that you guys had finally managed to track one down?" Jun asked as she looked to the duo in question.
"Yeah but see there's a problem with it." Demonicon said as Jun paid attention to this. "It's in the Black Market and from what we heard something is wrong with it." He said as Jun started to notice a similarity to White Knight Chronicles thanks to this information.
"I'm listening." Jun said as she looked to Demonicon and Pete.
"Apparently something from it is missing and thanks to this no one wants to buy it. It's expensive as is and it's not worth it without this missing piece" Demonicon said as Jun listened in on this guy. "The Good news according to rumor it can be replaced the bad news is that apparently it's in a dangerous location." Demonicon said as Jun was interested now. "If we can replace that piece we can probably get the art piece for a discount if not for free." Demonicon said and thus Jun knew this may be worth her time.
"Where are they selling it?" Jun asked and in turn she confirmed she wanted in on this little deal.
(Scene Break Later the Black Market)
The trio arrived at the Black Market as they were in possession of a pass that allowed them entrance. Jun didn't know how they got it but all she knew was that they managed to acquire it before they hit the bar. It was suspicious but there shadows didn't suggest any ill intent as of yet. But Jun didn't trust easy so she was still suspicious of them until proven trustworthy. When they entered they noted a lot of people here were wearing masks for varying reasons as the place just reeked of expensive tastes. Very few people here looked like crooks as it made Jun suspicious of the noble who had hired these guys to get the Art Piece.
Eventually they found a spot to bear witness to the auction as human and demihuman girls walked around wearing enticing outfits while carrying trays of drinks and finger food. It seemed they arrived just in time as the auctioneer and his female demihuman counterpart were getting to the object they were looking for.
"There it is," Pete said as the trio look and sees the statue there and what Jun sees, somehow things seem to be getting more bizarre by the minute as she saw the statue, she knew right away it's from the White knight Chronicles series, the Statue of Goddess of Lépanne, and she was missing one of her eyes.
Soon enough the Auctioneer came forth as he started to call out to the people around as he said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, come all, come forth as I have an offer you cannot refuse, I have here one of the rarest treasures in the world, a statue that is said to be made after a goddess."
The few people around heard this and some seem interested in it with the two mercenary and Jun knew they have to get it first, but they knew no one would want it, but this was key of getting it as the Auctioneer wasn't done yet as he went on saying, "But sadly it was damage and missing an eye, for those who wish to gain such a rarity I have one request to make, find the gem that matches the other eye to replace the one that was lost and she is your to take, but be warn the location of such gem is in a place that is filled with danger and a beast that guards it. To anyone that dare take this challenge, come forth and make your mark."
The people around soon lost interest in this as it seem some of them weren't interested in getting a gem to put into a statue to place the eye that was in a dangerous place no doubt they were cowardly, as everyone but the trio stayed with the Auctioneer saw them as he called out, "How about you three?"
Demonicon was about to step up until Jun walk up first saying, "We'll take the challenge."
"Well, this is going to be interesting," the man said as he brought them into his tent so they can talk privately as Jun said, "So why are you offering the statue if we can replace its eye?"
"At this point it seem more as a burden to have, its valuable no doubt, but no one wants due to its missing eye, I was lucky to find it in such good condition but without its other eyes, but it was worthless to me if it's not complete, I just wish to be rid of it more than ever but I want it to be in the hands of someone who can respect such an exquisite piece of art," the Auctioneer said to them as they all nodded to this with Demonicon speaking up asking, "So do you know where we can find a gem to fix the statue then?"
"I do, it took me a long time to find and I have sent many to get it, but unfortunately none of them had made it back as I fear they had parish before they could, another reason I wish to be rid of it as it just a curse to have it and incomplete as it was, let me show you where the gem is located at," the guy said as he pull out a map from a vase that seem to be holding other kinds of stuff statue as a walking stick, a sword with a gem in its hilt with its own trick out sheath, and other things.
The man lay down the map onto a table and roll it out as the trip look at it and saw it was a map of an area as the man said, "the statue was made in this area as I figure out, and I know where they gotten the material to make it, in a cave located here!"
Pointed to a place on the map where the cave was located near a volcano area, no doubt a plenty of rare gems can be found near a volcano or in one due to the heat and pressure of it making them with Jun asked, "It's near a volcano."
"So?" Pete asked with Jun said, "It's no wonder the gem is found there, but what I am worry about, is it still active or dormant one?"
"It's an extinct volcano thank goodness, otherwise no one would dare take the job of retrieving the gem, but the real danger is within the cave itself, monsters of the first wave are still roaming within it, as well a mighty beast that sleep within it, I do not know what it is but it has case much trouble of getting the gem from it," the Auctioneer said as Jun nodded, as she could guess it was a big beast of some sort, as she can take a few guesses of what it could be but she still have to asked, "Do you know what the beast is?"
"No I don't, as there are many stories to tell of what it could be, some would say it's a beast is a mighty scorpion creature, other would say it's a one eye monster, other say it's winded serpent or a dragon but they cannot confirm what the beast is."
"I see" Jun said as she understand the situation as she knew she would have to slay the best if she comes upon it herself as Demonicon said, "Alright then, we'll get it. You set the gem into the statue once we retrieve it right?"
"Oh yes, I can do that, I not only I sell my product, I also made some, nothing as truly amazing as that statue but none the less I can make a customer happy with their purchase," the man said as the trio soon headed out and with a copy of the map of where to find said cave as they travel together.
(Scene break)
It took them a bit of time but eventually they arrived at the mountain and when they did the sun was setting and when night fall came it would be impossible for them to have any hope of finding their target. "We'll camp here for the night." Jun said as Pete nodded and dropped the bag he was carrying. Jun had found it odd that Pete carried everything as she was reminded of the Anime Murder Princess except these two weren't Cyborgs... she hoped.
"Alright Pete you know what to do." Demonicon said and thus Pete nodded and started heading into the woods.
"Where is he going?" Jun asked as Demonicon took the bag and began to set up.
"Food and fire wood." Demonicon said as he began working on pitching the tents.
"Why him?" Jun asked as she looked to Pete.
"Big guy has a lot of muscle but he has a lot more heart than he does brains." Demonicon said as he began pitching the tent as Jun grabbed some tools and began to help. "It's why he and I make such a good team I don't have muscle but I got speed and brains." Demonicon said as he was hammering down on the tent.
"I see." Jun said as she was doing her thing to help set up camp.
"You're the lone wolf sort aren't you, lady?" Demonicon asked as he looked to Jun. Jun of course didn't answer him and kept working. "Don't worry you aint the first lone wolf type we've worked with and you won't be the last." Demonicon said as the Mercenary was working on the camp.
"Trust me once this job is done we go our separate ways." Jun said as she rather work alone.
"Whatever you say." Demonicon said as if he knew more then what Jun is being lead to believe. But his darkness wasn't exactly growing it was just as is. Odd sort for someone who is a mercenary even more so that Pete didn't have a single ounce coming off him suggesting he was a nice guy through and through. Still Jun couldn't take any chances with them she couldn't afford it not with people like Malty in this world who would no doubt try to hurt Shiro and her friend's first chance she got. Jun had to be 10 moves ahead of Malty at all times less he finds herself being caught off guard by the pathological liar.
(Scene Break that evening)
The trio had set up camp as Jun was leaning against a tree with her sword resting against her. Pete was a big guy so he needed a big tent while Demonicon was sleeping against his halberd snoring away. The position cause his mask to move a bit showing he was in fact human under the helmet he just didn't like taking it off. Jun had drifted off to sleep not too long ago but her eyes were twitching as her head moved suggesting her sleep was anything but peaceful.
(Jun's dreamscape)
Jun was at the warehouse by the docks as she held a bloody girl in her arms. She saw and heard the sirens outside as the local police had swarmed into the place. Everyone was being arrested and most of all so was Jun. Jun had a near death experience this night when her lies were caught by everyone in town when a crook ratted her out. Apparently these thugs whom she got involved were planning to double cross her before she pulled the double cross on them and she had suffered for it.
As the scene continued Jun was then forced onto her feet and handcuffed before being taken away she looked and saw the girl she had held being tended by paramedics. But it was hardly even a full hour before they called it as they put a blanket over her clearly dead body. Jun was wide eyed and struggled to get free as she ran to the young girl or tried to. She was being held back trying to beg the officers to let her see her sister but clearly they were aware of her pathological lies and wouldn't even allow her that.
Soon Jun was in the back of the police car as the entire world went numb around her as she found herself in her old clothing from back then. Designer cloths expensive tastes the basic queen bee little miss popular that was covered in blood not her own. As she sat there she glared at her hands for a minute before looking up and seeing Malty there.
"You did this... didn't you?" Jun asked as she glared at Malty in pure contempt.
Malty laughed at Jun while sitting across from her before standing up. The laugh was a haughty one as she looked down upon Jun who wouldn't accept fact. "Oh my dear I didn't have to do anything it was all you." Malty taunted as she smiled sinisterly at Jun. She then proceeded with her haughty laughter as Jun glared at her but the world continued to be consumed by darkness around her.
"All your fault... all of it was your fault..." Malty's voice and the voices of others spoke as Jun was wide eyed trying to block it out.
"Shut up... Shut up." She began as she covered her ears despite her hands being in handcuffs. Just then a black Phoenix appeared and came at Jun who didn't seem to notice it.
(Waking World)
"SHUT UP!" Jun yelled as she shot up awake from her spot before she looked around. As Jun looked she saw that everyone and everything was as it was left when everyone went to bed. Jun rubbed her eyes as she calmed herself down a bit. She never got over what had happened so long ago before she met Shiro, Tsubaki, and Taiyo.
It continued to haunt her to this very day and in all honesty Jun could never even forget it no matter how much she wanted to. In the end everyone was right back then it was all her fault she lied and manipulated everyone till it caused her to lose everything. Her parents divorced and she chose to live with her mother in some hope she can put her life back together and put the bitch she used to be behind her. Jun quickly realized sleep may elude her tonight but it didn't stop her from trying to sleep at least.
(Scene Break the following day)
The trio were awake and after cleaning up camp were exploring the mountain following the map to where the crystal formation was. "Hey you look tired you slept well last night?" Demonicon asked as he looked to Jun.
"I'm fine." Jun said as she was only slightly tired right now. They had a job to do and they needed to focus on it.
In turn Jun found Pete holding a massive hand to her as in the hand was a small snack. "Eat." Pete offered as he looked to Jun.
Jun sighed and took the snack which was dried meat and proceeded to eat it. "Thanks." Jun said as she was keeping her strength up. Though she noted it tasted like jerky during her last trip to the States to visit her father after the divorce. The only difference Jun noted was this didn't have any spices to add flavor to it.
"So what happen, you just stay up part of the night or watching over things or thinking one of us would try something with you?" Demonicon said with Jun just glare at him as she was still chewing the dried meat, as she swallowed and said, "If you did try I would have cut your balls off and shove them down your throat."
"Whoa, no need to get so hostel, we're working together at the moment I figure we can learn a thing or two from each other, help each other out when we're not at our best, like the one time that I got a swollen face when I ate some bad bush berries," Demonicon said with Jun just looks at him as he went on saying, "Come can be bad or anything, what you could not get to sleep without a pillow or something, bug crawl up on you in the middle of the night, bad dream?"
"Just leave it alone," Jun said before turn away at that moment and just take a bite out of her dry meat with Pete said, "You get bad dreams as well?"
Jun was surprise by that as she turn to Pete and said, "Wait, how did, you..."
"It happens to the best of us at times, either seen so many terrifying thing, seen so much death, or walked into a room when an old person is changing," Demonicon said as Jun had a strange looked on her face as she looks at the guy and said, "You are the most weirdest person I have ever meet, and I have weird friends."
"I thought you were a lone wolf?" Demonicon said as Jun stop talking and look ahead of the path they are taking as Demonicon asked, "Don't worry just because you're a long wolf doesn't you cannot have friends, I would say you're lucky to have any."
"Can we not talk about my life anymore," Jun said as that made him shut up as they keep on walking, until suddenly they started to hear voices, with Jun thought they sounded familiar, and to her surprise to see a group ahead walking by with Jun drag the other two boys towards cover as she saw who it was, being Motoyasu and standing next to him was… Malty.
"I am sure this is the right path Sir. Motoyasu, I'm sure if we taking this path we can able to find the cave with the crystal formation," Malty said with Motoyasu smiling like an idiot, falling for that redhead bitch's charm as Jun thought she join that spear hero as Myne after what happen at the castle, and heard what Malty said, no doubt they were looking for that cave too where the gem is said to be found at as Motoyasu said, "Good the sooner we can find those crystals for the goddess statue, the better. I cannot wait to see it complete."
"Shit, they are after the same thing as we are," Jun said softly to herself with Demonicon asking, "What wrong? Something up with that party there?"
"More ways than one, and it seem they are after the same gem we are, and what's worst its one of the Cardinal heroes, and the most dumbest one of them all," Jun said as Demonicon said, "You know the cardinal heroes?"
"Not all of them personally, but I know enough of them and this one thinks with his dick than his head," Jun said as Demonicon asked her, "So what's the problem?"
"The problem is that red head girl that with them, she leading him to it, no doubt they are planning on getting that gem for something, for what I don't know and I rather not found out. We need to get there first before they do," Jun said with Demonicon, "Well that good, but how could we get their first, why not follow them instead?"
"Because I doubt they realize what danger is in that place, and besides we have a map that lead up to the cave directly, they are following the path they are seeing before them. If we take the path we are on now we can beat them to it, and I also doubt they have any bait as well to lead the beast out," Jun said as Pete was carrying almost everything for this trip but Demonicon was holding onto the most important things that include the map, potions and medicine, and what she notice in a bag he held that was slightly big and smells of spoil food no doubt to lure any creature to it if they got a whiff of it with as she realize he was carrying bait to lure the monster so they can get around it as he given her a look as he was surprise by her for realizing what he had plan already and soon said, "I suppose that's a good point. Alright then you lead the way from here then."
"Pull out the map and hand it to me then last thing we need is getting lost as well," Jun said with Demonicon following her order as he pull out the map and hand it to her, with Jun looking at it for a moment, looking ahead as she sees their destination that was also their way point as she said, "Let's go."
(Later)
It didn't take them long to find their desired target as thanks to the map they managed to beat Motoyasu's party to it. They of course had to fight a few monsters but it was nothing they could not handle as they progressed through the caves. During the journey Jun got a glimpse of Pete's strength as the guy had a mean right hook when he sent a Lizard flying into the wall with but a punch.
She also saw how Demonicon was a master of the Halberd as she swore the guy was holding out on her. Regardless they eventually made it through the cave system thanks to the provided map and in turn found their target which was a crystal mass. One problem the Fire Gem to make the statue whole was missing. It was clear that Motoyasu and his party hadn't made it here yet so with that in mind did someone else take it?
"It's not here." Jun said as she looked around for the crystal.
"Well of course not it's held by a monster after all, why you think we brought bait?" Demonicon asked and thus Jun almost face palmed herself for that.
'Dammit I need to be careful even though this isn't a game there are still a few game logics that apply here one of them being monster drops for valuable items.' Jun scolded herself as she then looked to the Crystal formation.
"I'll apply the bait." Demonicon said as he got to work on getting the bait set up.
"How fast should we expect it to work?" Jun asked as he looked to Demonicon.
"Depends how far the monster is, since they tend to nest around here it makes sense they'd smell it instantly." Demonicon said as Jun knew it was a waiting game now.
"Alright." Jun said and thus she began to await the target monsters arrival.
Demonicon began to set up the bait and thus it came down to waiting. Pete looked around as they sat near a ledge where the formation was seen as above them they could see the clear sky above with a few fluffy white clouds passing by. As they waited Pete then looked nearby as he heard something nearby.
(Nearby)
The Fire Lizard was out hunting for its latest meal. Many humans had come to fight it and many times this creature had sent them to their dooms or sent them running. It was the leader of its brood and due to this was hunting down prey with its two lackeys. That was until they smelled something that caught there nose. It then looked and found the smell was coming from their nesting ground. With a growl the three hunters ran to where the nesting area was. As it ran down the path it passed by Motoyasu and his party who all saw it.
"Look it's the monster!" Malty called out as she couldn't believe their luck.
"Come on after it!" Motoyasu called out and thus they proceeded to give chase to the reptile of flames.
(Back with Jun's group)
Pete then stood up while dropping the massive bag so they can fight. "It's here." Pete said as the massive Merc looked to the nearby ledge.
In turn from above the Fire Lizard jumped down and roared out as with it were the two it had gone hunting with. "Ok let's kill this thing, get the crystal, and get our reward." Demonicon said as he spun his halberd ready for battle. Pete punched his fists together and took a battle stance while Jun got ready to draw her sword while glaring at the Fire Lizard with her crimson red eyes.
"That I can agree on." Jun said as she looked ready to fight.
Thus the battle began as Jun charged in and began slashing at the monster. When she passed it she then slashed at its back causing its blood to come out. The damage wasn't much according to her Statues Magic but it was sure more then what Shiro can do. Ever since they parted ways Jun had been focused on leveling up and finding work. As she attacked the monster Demonicon came in and slammed his halberd on the monster before jumping away while spinning the weapon. Pete came in next as he then grabbed the monster's tail and threw it up to the sky. The Monster roared in response as the other two then attacked Pete. Pete didn't seem affected by it as the monster then came down only for Pete to punch it and send if flying.
"Hey Pete you got two of them on your arms!" Jun called out and in turn Pete saw the monsters hardly even noticing them.
"Nice lizards." He said before he pulled them off and threw them aside.
Jun was honestly impressed to which Demonicon smirked to this. "That's Pete for you he may not have much in brain power but he more than makes up for it with strength and heart." Demonicon said as Pete was clearly a gentle giant despite how intimidating he looked.
"You two handle the grunts I'll take on the leader!" Jun called out as she then went after the Fire Lizard.
"You got it!" Demonicon called out before going after the two Frost Lizards. They glared at the duo as Demonicon and Pete looked ready to fight. "Come on Pete let's make quick work of these guys and go help the boss out!" Demonicon asked to which Pete looked surprised.
"Boss?" Pete asked and thus Demonicon looked over to his longtime friend.
"What I'm starting to like her." Demonicon said with a shrug. "Besides she's got some leadership to her and I'm thinking it's time we made our duo into a trio." Demonicon said as he took a battle stance while Pete still had question. "Plus it helps that we were hired for this to begin with." Demonicon said to which Pete nodded to this.
"Ok." Pete said just letting it be as he took a battle stance.
Back over with Jun the swords woman glared at the Fire Lizard while running torts it. She then jumped up and stabbed into its back before jumping off the creature. Once she did so she proceeded to hack and slash at it with her sword intent on doing damage to it. The monster roared out in pain from the attack as Jun glared at it when a grin began to form on her face.
"Now this is excitement." Jun said as for a moment her irises became slits as if her actions were slowing being taken over by instincts. "Let's have fun!" Jun called out and charged at the Fire Lizard and began to attack it. It was clear Jun with her speed had the upper hand as she smirked to this. 'Maybe I should get a combat dagger to go with this?' Jun thought to herself as she considered acquiring such a weapon for herself.
Back over with Pete and Demonicon the two mercenaries were making quick work of the two grunt monsters. Demonicon jumped up and decapitated his foe while Pete proceeded to grab the other one by the head before crushing it with raw strength alone. They then smiled to each other or in Demonicon's case eye smiled since his face was still under the bone based helmet. They then ran over to give Jun a hand hoping when this is over Jun may consider letting them tag along with them.
Meanwhile Jun was holding her own against the Fire Lizard as she swung her blade allowing it to grind against the ground as she looked to the monster. The monster looked a bit tired from the fight and its injuries as it glared at Jun in contempt. "What's wrong tired out already?" Jun taunted as she looked to the monster before her. "Don't worry, let me put you down for a nap!" Jun called out as she then charged in for an attack.
But before she could swing hers word a familiar voice was roar was heard. From above Motoyasu was seen as he jumped down and attacked the Fire Lizard. Seeing the attack the Lizard jumped out of the way as fast as it could causing Motoyasu to glare at it. Jun was force to stop her attack as she saw Motoyasu get in her way of her target.
"Dammit." Jun cursed as she saw Motoyasu had showed up. She was hoping they'd have already killed it before he even got here... this made things more complicated now.
"Jun-Chan!" Motoyasu called out as he saw Jun was here. "You're ok how did you escape that bastard Shiro?" Motoyasu called out only to find Jun pointing her sword at his neck. "Ok first of all that's none of your damn business why I parted ways from a friend who you're new lying skank tried to frame and second of all what the hell are you doing here?" Jun asked as she glared at Motoyasu.
"I'm here for that thing!" Motoyasu countered as he pointed his spear at the Fire Lizard who was snarling at all of the foes.
"So you're trying to steal my kill." Jun said as she glared at Motoyasu. "In that case get lost and find your own." Jun said while glaring in contempt at Motoyasu.
"What no I found it first!" Motoyasu said as he glared at Jun for this one.
"It's true we chased it down with Sir Motoyasu." Malty said as Jun scoffed a bit.
"Yeah chased it down after we set up the bait to draw it out." Jun said shocking Motoyasu with this.
"Wait there's bait?" Motoyasu asked as he heard this.
"Yeah since it was OUR Bait that drew it out we found it first you pompous blond." Demonicon said as he looked to the group with Pete nodding to this.
"Mind your own business you damn Mercenaries." Malty said as she glared at the duo.
"Why because you're afraid we'll tell the truth you red haired bitch." Demonicon said as he glared at Malty while shouldering his Halberd. Demonicon was normally a good judge of character but Pete he actively stepped away from her. So if the general nice guy like Pete wanted nothing to do with Malty then it was clear she was trouble and one to be wary around.
But the argument went on between the two parties as Demonicon looked ready to start fighting Motoyasu and his harem of cheerleaders with Jun leading the charge. Jun seemed to be keeping her cool but her voice was raising showing she too was losing her temper. Unaware to them the Fire Lizard circled around the group and looked ready to make an attack on them. Despite everyone being unaware of the incoming attack Pete was the only one who saw it. Acting Fast Pete got moving just as the Fire Lizard roared and charged at them.
This got everyone's attention but Pete grabbed the monster and threw it so hard a hole was made in the stone. "Wow." Jun said as she was impressed by Pete's show of strength just now. Pete just looked over to Jun and smiled the slow nice guy smile he had. The Monster in turn charged out and went for Jun causing Motoyasu to act.
"Jun watch out!" Motoyasu called out only for Jun to kick Motoyasu away and slash the monster as it charged at them.
"Nice shot!" Demonicon called out when he saw what Jun did.
"Hurry up we need to kill it to get our prize!" Jun called out and in turn Myne knew she had to act now.
"Sir Motoyasu we have to stop her!" Malty called out as she looked over to Motoyasu. "Clearly the Shield has done something to her if she is opting to side with these... criminals over you." Malty said unsure whether these two were Demi Humans or not. "If we can free her I'm sure she would be eternally grateful to you." She added as Motoyasu had pictures in his head of how Jun would show her gratitude.
"Lightning Javelin!" Motoyasu invoked attacking the monster allowing his spear to change shape for it. The Monster saw this and in turn Pete blocked the attack and grabbed Motoyasu by his spear. Pete then tossed Motoyasu aside and glared at the Spear Hero with his blank dumb look. AS Motoyasu got up Demonicon came down with his halberd and started to attack the Fire Lizard as well. The creature was taking a good beating thanks to Demonicon and Jun speed mixed with Pete's strength. But it quickly became a three way battle with two teams wanting to kill the same target but not wanting the other team to have said target.
Every time one of them got a strike in they were countered by the other side as the Fire Lizard was being attacked on all angles. But it was being given close to no room to run away. Unaware to any of them the battle was starting to attract some unwanted and dangerous attention. Jun's ark was sending out a signal much like the other Knights did to the strongest of Monsters letting them know she was prime cut for them to take on.
(In the Cave)
Deep in the cave the magic that was flaring at the battle began to awaken something. Stirring in the darkness something was seen sleeping within the caves. As it began to awaken one of its eyes shot open and in turn saw in the distance a powerful foe nearby. It began to rise to its feet before roaring out in fury at being awoken.
As Motoyasu was about to attack Pete was behind him and restrained Motoyasu so he couldn't get in the way. "Got him." Pete said as he held on tight.
"Good now's our chance!" Demonicon called out and in turn Jun glared at the monster. Then with a mighty roar Jun charged in and stabbed her blade into the monsters head causing its blood to shoot out from the wound. In turn Jun's face was stained with its blood as she gained a sadistic look on her face as she did it. The Monster roared in pain as she dug the sword deeper into her prey like a predator snuffing out its catch. For Motoyasu he was in turn reminded of both Momiji and Ikuyo but different this time around. He stepped back in fear when Pete let him go as for Motoyasu it was like the two yandere's had become sadistic warriors who enjoyed battle more than anything else. This in turn didn't end as Jun slashed outward freeing her sword and killing the monster once and for all staining the ground with both its blood and parts of its innards.
"Wow brutal." Demonicon said as he had to adjust his skull shaped helmet a bit when he saw this. When Jun saw it and saw he actually slept with the thing on she wondered what he was like under the mask but that in itself was a question for another time. When Jun turned torts Motoyasu he yelped in shock as she grinned torts him with her face covered in blood and her eyes crimson and sliced like a killer waiting for its next target.
He feared the worst until a roar was heard from within the cave knocking Jun back to her senses from her blood high. "That did not sound good." Demonicon said when he heard that.
"What was it?" Jun asked as she looked to Demonicon and Pete.
"Trouble big trouble." Pete sad as he was ready for whatever was coming from the cave. As the creature inside made its way torts the entrance Motoyasu was worried as well until they saw a pair of eyes glowing in the darkness of the cave itself. In turn a massive beast flew out and hovered in the sky before it glared down upon the two parties. It then came down upon them and roared in fury at them. The girls save for Jun all cried out in panic when they were roared out while Motoyasu stood his ground to protect them. Jun meanwhile didn't even flinch as her hair was billowed by the beast and even Pete and Demonicon were impressed.
"An Ancient Dragon." Jun said as she saw the massive beast standing before her. It was in fact the Ancient Dragon from White Knight Chronicles that was theorized to be the child of the Matriarch of Dragons in the game. As she looked to it Jun noticed how the dragon was focused on her intent on killing her.
"Well this guy may be worth a lot." Demonicon said as he held his Halberd at the ready.
"I can tell." Jun said as Pete nodded to this.
"Don't worry Jun-Chan I'll." Motoyasu began only for Jun to give Demonicon a look to which the bone themes mercenary held his halberd to stop Motoyasu's advance.
"I'm pretty sure the lady wants nothing to do with you blondie." Demonicon said as Jun glared at her foe. "So I suggest you back up less my friend Pete forgets he's a pacifist." Demonicon said as he glared at Motoyasu promising him pain.
"I'll settle this once and for all." Jun said stopping any conflict from breaking out. "There's only one way to beat it on even ground." Jun said as she glared at the foe before her knowing exactly what she needs to do now. She then raised her hand focusing on the Black Knights ark to summon it for what came next. "O Dinivas, deliverer of Dark and Dread; Ruler of the Ancient Shadows. Grant me you Power!" Jun invoked shocking Motoyasu when she summoned her Ark. She then grabbed the Sword like Arks hilt and spun it before catching it by the sheath. "Verto!" She invoked and in turn power formed upon the Knights ark before it opened up with the sound of a phoenix to accompany it and the crest flashing to life.
From there the transformation began as below Jun's feet the runic circle appeared around her. As it formed it then transformed as it summoned forth her Knight. The Black Knight rose up behind her with its wings stretched out mimicking all of her movements as they proceeded to merge into one. Jun's body began to vanish into light before her Knight brought the light into itself with the wings wrapped around its form. The knight's eyes flashed to life before Jun spread its wings once more and pulled out its rapier ready for combat.
"No way!" Motoyasu cried out as he and his party looked to the Black Knight in shock. "There are two of them?!" Motoyasu asked in shock not realizing that there were actually Five Knight Arks in all.
Malty saw this and bit her thumb in frustration as she saw this. 'This isn't good... this isn't good at all.' Malty thought as she knew she had to be careful around Shiro and Jun from now on. If her hunch was right then there was a good chance Taiyo, Tsubaki, or the both of them also possessed on of these Knights.
Soon enough, the black knight and the Ancient dragon began to fight, Jun charge at the dragon swing her sword at it, only to catch it in its teeth, as it became a battle of strength with Jun knew she cannot hold back against it as she raise her free hand and punch at its head before the dragon push back the black knight and roar out angry.
IT soon took to the air as it came at Jun, but she quickly dodge it as she use her wing and flew straight up in the air avoiding it while kicking up a gust of air all around.
With Motoyasu and his party try to take cover from it, while Pete and Demonicon stood against it, watching Jun fight the dragon as the two clash in the air a few times before they the dragon grab hold of the black knight while in mid-air and soon took a nose dive and slam the black knight down before getting off.
Jun grunt out in pain as she didn't expect the dragon would be this touch, even with the giant armor protecting her she can still feel the blow as Demonicon said, "Hey boss! You alright there?!"
"Yeah, I am. But this dragon is going to die," Jun said with anger in her voice as she stood up before charging at it this time no fancy trick just pure power as she slash at the dragon with as much strength she could mustard with the knight, even if the sword is bouncing off the dragon scales, she saw she was hurting it at least by the striking force of her attacks alone, but she knew she had to find a weak spot to really put it down and sense she didn't know what the original black knight did to end the ancient dragon in the game, she have to make due with her skills.
The dragon soon breath fire at the black knight, and sense it didn't really have a shield to use, the only thing Jun could do is use her wing and blow the fire away before the fire stop and the dragon roar out and charge at the black knight as they clash once again.
With Malty, she wonder how the so called "Shield devil" and his party got their hands on these knights to able to fight off a dragon with ease when they are said to burn down villages and kill hundreds of adventurers with only a Hero could come to kill it with their legendary weapons.
At this point she knew when to act and when to run away, as she look at Motoyasu who was panicking a bit as he didn't know what to do with Malty had a thought and soon came up to him and said, "Sir Motoyasu, I think it's better to get the gem and take our leave."
Meanwhile with Jun slashing away the dragon before it had a chance to bite, and roar out in pain, as at that point she saw something, a speck of blood on the tip of her sword, she hit a weak spot the question was is where was it?
Looking at the dragon itself and she saw where the blood came from, around its neck line blood drip from under the scales, with Jun curse herself a bit as he forgot the lore of dragons, and that is there are gaps within the dragon scales where the flesh is softer as its the dragon why dragon had scales on its body, acting like armor as it may be powerful and deadly on the outside, but on the inside they are weak.
The dragon came at her again as she block its attack with her sword and held it back as she said, "Alright under its scales are the weak point, now I need to find that gap between the scales. Hey you guys, try to find a gap within this dragon's scales!"
"You got it! Come on Pete!" Demonicon said as the two went into action as they dash across the area, the dragon turn to their direction but was meet with a punch to its snout as Jun said, "Hey your fight is with me!"
Slashing across the dragon's face after that with the dragon roar out and focus on her as they fought again with the two guys looking around the dragon for any sort of gap in its scales with Pete looking at the legs of the dragon while dodging it as he said, "Not there."
Demonicon try to check its under belly thinking there could be something there, even going as far as using his halberd to attack the dark area only to be meet with a wall of scales, as he said, "Not here either!"
"Keep looking and watch out for its feet!" Jun said as she try to keep the dragon from going air born as she saw its flapping its wing, she so leap up and smack it's with her sword stoppings it wings from flapping for a time.
The two guys keep searching with Demonicon look and saw something at the back side as he called out, "Hey Boss, there is gap at its back shoulders area, aim there!"
"Good now let's end this thing now!" Jun said as she gotten up close to the dragon, stud it with her sword hilt into the side of its head before reaching over and jump on its back, with tis dragon to buck her off but she grab the dragon by its horns and held on, as she saw the gap it was nears its wings, as she reach her sword and said, "Time to put you down!"
She soon stab through it with her sword as the dragon give out a death cry before its collapse down dead, as the black knight stood up and pull her sword out from the dragon, at this point Motoyasu already at the fire lizard looking for the gem in its remains as he said, "Where is it? Where? Ah, here it is!"
Over by the dead dragon and the black knight, Demonicon called out, "Nice work there, and smart thinking looking for its soft spot, how you know that would work?"
"In lore, the few ways to kill a dragon are by legendary weapons or find the gap within its scales where its flesh is expose," Jun said as she turn to the dragon and said, "Now that is taken care of, lets us get that gem and get- Hu?"
She saw Motoyasu and his party leaving, with the spear hero running away from a different area while catching up to the party as they exit the cave fast, as she look to see where he ran from back track his steps and saw the fire lizard body and it has already been messed with, and knew what happen and she said angrily, "That thieving spear pervert, he took the gem!"
"What?!" Demonicon said as he look over at the fire and saw the body has been moved a bit as he rushes over and look over it, searching around and said, "Damn it, he did take it. Sorry boss I wasn't paying attention."
"Sorry," Pete said too as he wasn't watching Motoyasu and his party either as Jun growl while still in her knight form and said, "When I see that bastard again, he will get my foot up his ass!"
"So now what?" Demonicon said as Jun turn back to the dragon and the fire lizard as she had a thought, as she knew monster parts are worth money, at least this trip wasn't a complete waist between the two creature could make a decent amount of money and some other stuff from the remains.
(Later at the Village)
After Jun used the Black Knight to carry the Dragons corpse back to the village she was met with a great deal of gasps and shocks. Seeing this Jun opted to let the villagers have a go at it by selling the monster parts to the village with the promise she got first picks. So here they were working with the villagers to break apart the dragon to sell and use its parts. As they did this, Pete and Demonicon saw Jun working on the Dragon with the villagers helping her.
"Without that gem we can't complete the job just our luck." Demonicon said rubbing his head through his skull helmet like it was his actual head.
"Not so bad at least the Dragon will make a lot of money for us." Pete said as he looked to Demonicon.
"Yeah great." Demonicon pouted as the money being offered for that statue was huge.
Just then Jun walked up as the two looked to him. "Good news is its worth a lot... bad news... not as much as the statue job." Jun said showing that without the statue they were doomed to fail the job.
"Well what are we supposed to do now that statue can't be completed without a Fire Gem? Walk up to the auctioneer and say, 'sorry someone else took the gem and we couldn't find another,' and hope he will be happy about it. Fat chance." Demonicon said as the people they sold the Dragon too was working on taking its parts with Jun keeping its scales for herself as well as a few bones, fangs, and talons for a later project.
That was at least until she took note of something from the Dragon. "Huh?" Jun asked as she walked over to the Dragons exposed flesh.
"Um what are you doing?" Demonicon asked as Jun saw something shining inside the Dragon's body.
She then began to reach in and cringed at the fleshy and puss feeling innards she was feeling around. She then found something solid and began to pull it out from its fire sack. Once she pulled it out Demonicon and Pete ran over to her and were wide eyed at what she found. "No way." Jun said as she was wide eyed at what she found.
"Is that?" Demonicon asked as he saw it.
"Yes it is." Pete said as they saw the item.
In Jun's hand was a puss and blood covered Fire Gem inside the Dragon's fire sack. The gem must have formed at some point inside the Dragon due to how powerful and old it was. Dragons were said to be powerful sources of magic after all and sometimes that magic can crystalize and form into magical gems like this one.
(Scene Break Auctioneer)
Once they got the gem they went to the Auctioneer as he and his Demihuman side kick saw it. "Ohh my goodness! You have found the firestone at long last!" The man called out as he saw the stone in question.
"So you'll give us the Goddess of Lepanne now, right?" Jun asked as she glared at the man calmly.
Unknown to them as his sidekick left to grab the paperwork for it and anything else they might need like a drink she saw the mischievous look in his eyes and looked at him. She turned her head silently saying 'no,' to him as if warning him not to do something she knows he's about to do.
Just then the Auctioneer began to laugh like some villain who finally got his prize. After his laughter reached its apex he began to calm down and looked to the trio of mercenaries. "I'm so sorry. You didn't think it would be that easy?" He laughed taunting the group. "You must be stupider then you look!" He said acting like some RPG Villain. "Now, fools, watch as I reveal my true." He began only for Jun to kick him in the stomach so hard the air was knocked out of him.
The group all went wide eyed at this as the Demihuman girl came back with drinks and pain killer. Clearly she knew this was going to happen and was properly prepared for it. "Master I told you not to do that." The Demihuman girl said as she looked to the Auctioneer scolding him.
"I know! I know! I just wanted to see their faces when I said that." The Auctioneer said as he was being scolded by what should very well be his slave.
"One of these days those jokes could very well get you killed!" She scolded him no doubt concerned for his health.
"But you would get everything I owned if I died." He said to which the Demihuman girl sighed and rubbed her eyes.
"I'm very sorry about him you three must have had a long day." She said to which the trio nodded.
"That we did." Demonicon said as he was worried he would have to kill the guy for the statue.
"I'm sorry I should have known you weren't in the mood for jokes." He said when his slave girl made him apologize. "Here the Goddess of Lepanne, she is yours as promised. Please take good care of her." The man said offering the statue to the trio. "The Broken ribs are... free of charge." HE said as another Demihuman tended to his injuries.
"Actually I had a request for you." Jun said as he then showed images of the Sun King and its Ark. "You have connections right?" Jun asked as she looked to the Auctioneer and his Demihuman sidekick.
"Of course Master has connections from Melromarc to Faubley but why do you ask?" The girl asked to which Jun went to it. "Can you contact them and see if they have caught wind of these particular items and if not to keep an eye out for them?" Jun asked to which the Auctioneer gave a skeptical look.
"And why might I do that." He began only for the girl to pull on his ear causing pain for him.
"MASTER!" She scolded acting like his mother and she was half his age. "Considering you almost made them kill you over a joke you owe them!" She scolded as the Auctioneer cried from the pain.
"Ok! Ok! I'll honor your request!" He cried out as the trio wondered who was really the master and slave here.
"Good now apply the gem so these Mercenaries can be on their way." The Girl said sounding like she should be his mother and thus the Auctioneer did as he was told. "Once again I'm very sorry about him he has the oddest sense of jokes." The girl said as she rubbed her eyes a bit. "But everyone here loves him all the same." She said showing that despite who he was... he was clearly well liked among these people.
"Of course." Jun said as the old man carefully applied the jewel to make the Goddess whole once more. "So do you two know where this Count Lives?" Jun asked as she looked to the duo.
"Yeah we do." Demonicon said as he looked to Jun who nodded in response.
(Later that day)
The journey to the Counts estate was not a long one. In fact it wasn't far at all so when they arrived they met with the guard at the gate. "Hey we're here to see the Count about the Goddess of Lepanne. We're the mercenaries he hired to find it." Demonicon said as the Guard looked to them as they showed the statue being held by Pete.
"I see." The guard said and then nodded to the gate keeper and thus the gates opened for them. As Jun walked she had a feeling more headaches were on the way for them. Still this job better be worth it less she finds herself going postal on these people.
(Later)
They were met with the Count as they held the Statue for him. "My word the Goddess of Lepanne!" He gasped as the old man needed a walking stick to get around. "I haven't seen this beauty since my wife..." The man trailed off gaining a sad look before focusing on the Mercenaries.
"You three have my humblest thanks for this." The man said nodding to the trio.
"It's no problem." Jun said as she looked to the Count hoping he didn't realize where they got its replacement eye from.
"Now then about your reward." He began until the doors were opened and another younger noble walked in shocking the group.
"Father I!" The Noble called out until he saw the Mercenaries and the actual Statue. "Oh..." He trailed off realizing he was too late as he held another Statue just like the one they brought. But it was obviously a fake because the crown itself was different from the actual statue.
"My son why did you barge in here and why do you have that statue?" He asked to which the noble bowed to his father.
"Please forgive me I only meant well with this." He said as Jun looked to him. "Ever since the Wave took mother you've been sick and heartbroken. I had only wish to ease your heart with this statue but due to the rarity of it I could not afford it without pushing us torts bankruptcy." The Noble said as he looked to his father. "So I tried to make a counterfeit and hired the Spear Heroes Party to find me the Gem." The Noble said making Jun go wide eyed to this as with the Mercenaries.
"So that explains why you were suddenly hurt one day." The count spoke as Jun heard this and started to figure things out.
"You knew about the counterfeit didn't you?" Jun asked as she looked to the Count who was surprised by how she deduced this.
"I... yes I was." He confessed to which his son was shocked by this. "I had put the pieces together not long after you turned up injured one day. Please I did not want you troubling yourself for your ailing father." The Count said with as much humility as any of his statues. "It was for this reason I had hired these Mercenaries to locate the statue for me." The Count said and thus Jun felt like she was watching some cliché soap opera.
"I..." The Noble spoke clearly caring deeply for his father despite what he had learned.
Pete had to wipe a few tears from his eyes when he saw this clearly respecting the father/son relationship the two had. "Please take this as payment for your troubles." The Count said as he handed to them the coins he paid for this job while his son put the fake statue next to the real one. "My son I ask you take the real statue I feel our fake is worth more than 1,000 original statues." The Count said as the gesture was kind. The fake given to the father from a loving son and the real given to the loving son by the father whom appreciated his son's gesture. Jun figured they might as well let the duo settle this themselves so she took her leave with Pete and Demonicon following after her.
(Later outside the Estate)
"Well that concludes our business together." Jun said before she began to walk away from the two.
"Wait hold up!" Demonicon said as he called out to the girl. "We work pretty well together." Demonicon said as he looked to Jun while Pete nodded.
"Yes we did." She said looking to them. "Your point?" She asked wanting to leave now.
"We hoped you might let us travel with you for a little longer." Demonicon said as he looked to Jun.
"Now why would I agree to that?" Jun asked giving them a skeptical look.
"Because we know a pack of Direwolves have been harassing some trade routes and someone had put a bounty out for them." Demonicon said as Jun paid attention. "Not much for your Knight but for you well you might need a hand if you don't plan to rely on that Knight." Demonicon said as Jun glared at them and sighed.
"Alright but I'm in charge." Jun said and thus Demonicon and Pete nodded.
"Whatever you say boss." Demonicon said as he began to follow after Jun. Despite having no intention in doing so Jun now had two party members and with her Black Knight they're story will be spread of a trio of Mercenaries and their phoenix of an ebony black flame. One thing was for certain the Shield Hero had more allies then he may realize.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well here we go another chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it and tune in next time for the next chapter. Now then be sure to leave a review for me before leaving now as I always say ja-ne.
