Hello people and welcome back to Goblin Slayer: The Team Year 2. Fighter's curse is lifted, the ruins are cleared, Cow Girl and Goblin Slayer are reunited, the Cambion gave them a deadline, and the team has an armor to look into. What else could there possibly be? Let's find out.
Review Response: Like Rhea Fighter said: considering how much Ranger cares about Fighter, at least his wrath is justified, and...Ranger does have a reason to be confident, considering he can think logically despite being vengeful. Contrary to popular opinion, rage doesn't always strip someone of their ability to think clearly; rage can sway the direction your thoughts travel, but blind, out-of-control rampages that go all over the place isn't the only outcome. Hence the idea of Tranquil Fury, hence the fact Ranger thought his attacks through instead of just charging into the fray.
As for Cambion? Good point, Ranger uses probably his strongest weapon against Cambion...and his greatsword gets snapped like a toothpick. Most people would shit their pants at the thought of fighting someone that strong. As for his words? What's not to get? And FYI...Ranger's greatswords are about as big as Guts' Dragonslayer...and thanks to basically a bubble made of willpower, yes I know how bullshit that sounds, but Superman does the same thing. Anyway, because of that, Ranger can actually dual-wield them like they were made of cardboard.
O.k...Rhea Scout being in the picture is established, but what about the idea of Goblin Slayer getting his own Berserker Armor, or his own Crucible for that matter? Wait...either a Berserker Armor, or a Praetor Armor, no the armor won't look like either one, not that you can tell from just reading, but still.
I never heard the GS theme music, let alone read the lyrics, so I'll take your word for it, although it's hilarious that I keep up with a series that frankly...I'm not fond of, despite not knowing many minor details, if you can call it minor.
On that note: the fact I'm not fond of the GS series is why I'm making this story; the fact that I'm making this story as "damage control" so to speak...gives me both pride and disgust at the same time. Outside of this story, I never want to touch GS again. Nevermind that unholy 1st episode, but the fact that the series treats serious issues, without balancing them with other things, like I try my damnedest to do in this story, disgusts me. My pride comes from the chance to balance things out at least a little bit. In other words: GS basically slaps people in the face with it's dark themes unlike Berserk, which people dare compare it to, which just lets people know that the world is a dark one, which is why Berserk is Dark Fantasy series done right. There's also the fact that GS was a pretty nasty bait-and-switch in it's hayday, but that's another story...
Anyway, in GS and Cow Girl's case? Well...she needs him now more than ever, and no, I'm not planning any lemons for them to sink their teeth into, but considering how I didn't plan any with Sword Maiden and Storm Mage, yeah, don't take my word for it...
Ever since the team got situated in the demon hunters' fortress, they made a halfhearted attempt to look around the place, but saw nothing that got their attention, not that anything seemed appealing given the sour mood. Fighter was still at home recovering from a mental assault of who-knows-how-serious proportions, Goblin Slayer was nursing the heart and soul of his childhood friend, and they were possibly in the same boat when it came to who had more family still alive. Even training for Cambion's plot, and even their damn promotion ceremony in the north seemed bleak at this point.
"How sour of an irony can it be that we invite that poor girl to the beach, only to come home to...this." Wizard's brother said bitterly as he looked in the direction of Cow Girl's room.
"At least she's back with Goblin Slayer." Priestess said softly as Warrior slammed a knife into a wooden plank.
"Doesn't make much difference does it? That farm we busted our asses trying to save is gone...and we weren't there to stop it..." Warrior said with the same bitterness as he pulled the knife out and slammed it back in.
"I don't know about all of you, but becoming Gold or even Platinum Ranked seems a bit less sweet at this point." Rhea Fighter said.
"The whole world seems a bit dimmer, nevermind our promised promotions." Wizard said as she sat on a sack of flour resting her head on her fist.
"Sir? Do you have any thoughts on this?" Priestess asked Ranger who was staring into space with his rage apparently drained out of him.
"If she feels like I do...she just wants to bathe in Goblin Slayer's presence, just like I want to see Fighter smile again." Ranger said before pursing his lips and looking away.
"Would you like to bring her here?" Priestess asked.
"No...I want to go home, hold my child, and when Fighter wakes up...I want to know she's alright, and to let her know I will be." Ranger said firmly, yet softly.
"What about Cambion? That crazy bastard snapped one of the boss' swords in half like it was made of glass." Wizard asked.
"There's nothing we can do until he makes his next move, and we have some moves to make ourselves, like what the hell is up with that armor we brought with us." Warrior said as Summoner walked in.
"What armor?" He asked.
"This armor, Sir Summoner." Lizard Priest said as he came in with the armor they found in the ruins, and Summoner looked it over.
"This...this is armor used by demon hunters. Where did you find it?" Summoner asked.
"The ruins we just came back from. Ruins of a temple sacred to the Sea Goddess, and apparently, a champion of the War God." Lizard Priest said before Abbot showed up.
"Father Superior?" Priestess asked.
"I wasn't expecting to see all of you here." Abbot said curiously.
"Us neither Father." Wizard said.
"I come here on occasion to give these demon hunters a hand every now and then, but...I can tell this is not a social visit." Abbot said.
"You're more right than you know Father..." Ranger said somberly.
"May I ask?" Abbot asked and Ranger sucked in a breath.
"Fighter was hit by a curse that mentally broke her, and me and Wizard had to put her back together." Priestess said.
"Oh...I hope she's alright now." Abbot said.
"She is, but it'll be a few hours before she wakes." Wizard said.
"But when she does, she'll have us to-" Ranger cuts Warrior off.
"No, she'll have me, and our daughter there." He said seriously.
"My son...I sense a great rage stirring in you. I also know that you and previously, your wife fought an archdemon that thrives on wrath as a concept. It will do you no service to hold onto your desire for revenge." Abbot said.
"Did you watch your wife's eyes go blank? Did she completely ignore you after you begged her to wake up?" Ranger asked seriously.
"No, but I have seen countless people go down the same road you are now, and it always ended in them sacrificing, or ignoring what could make their life worth living, and wish they hadn't. Please think about this." Abbot said.
"What's there to think about? I still cherish what, and who, I have, and if I encounter the rat who broke Fighter...he dies." Ranger said simply.
"How can you talk about this so casually!?" Priestess asked.
"You still have yet to answer my question from earlier: do you think I should let this slide?" Ranger asked.
"No...but please, don't let this-" Ranger cuts Priestess off.
"You are not married! No one is except me, therefore, no one else can sympathize with seeing your spouse get their mind shattered." Ranger said.
"Boss, she's the closest thing I have to a sister, but these two are right." Warrior said.
"Then you clearly don't love her as much as I do." Ranger said sharply.
"Ranger...!" Warrior whispered harshly.
"O.k...this is getting out-of-hand. Can we please get some sleep and talk about this in the morning, if at all?" Rhea Fighter asked with the tense atmosphere wearing on her nerves and Ranger got a grip.
"Right...where do you all want to go?" Ranger asked.
"We'll stay here." H.E. Archer said for her team.
"Yes, that girl needs Beard Cutter, and he needs us." Dwarf Shaman said.
"Not to mention we could get some more information on this armor." Lizard Priest said.
"Us too." Wizard said.
"Alright..." Ranger said before opening a portal to his manor.
"Good night sir." Priestess said as Ranger nodded at her and he went through the portal, then everyone deflated.
"Well...let's get some sleep shall we?" Warrior said to the group, and they all nodded, to each other, if they didn't say "good night", or simply glanced at each other.
"You know where the beds are." Summoner said as he left the room.
"Honey?" Wizard said to Warrior, who held her close by his side as they walked to into a bedroom, stripped each other naked, got in bed together and deflated even more.
"Thank you so much for helping Fighter..." Warrior said as he held his girlfriend as tightly as possible.
"There is no way I was going to let her suffer like this, I just hope she can get through to the boss." Wizard said softly.
"Well...if anyone can, it's her. She might even teach him to open the chakras, and who knows? She might become the 12th Platinum Rank after we get her a suit of superarmor of her own. Yes I know she has armor, she can morph it on and off, yadda yadda, but I meant "super" superarmor." Warrior said and Wizard was genuinely impressed with the idea.
"And I thought I was a genius." Wizard said with a smirk as she traced his abs with one finger.
"I took after you afterall." Warrior teased then Wizard touched his face.
"You took after each of us." She said softly before kissing him softly. "And I love you all the more for it."
"I love you too." Warrior said with the atmosphere going from melancholic to romantic as the two laid there kissing, touching each other's faces, and rubbing their bodies together as they snuggled together and went to sleep. "Good night sweetheart..."
"Good night..." Wizard whispered.
"I should've asked my uncle to come with us..." Cow Girl whispered as GS kept holding her.
"How could you have known the farm would be ruined?" He asked.
"Do you know how much I wanted to be there to share his final moments while I was with Summoner? It's a miracle he was able to break me out of that without even trying to." Cow Girl said seriously.
"You know they wouldn't have killed you..." GS said seriously.
"They might as well have..." Cow Girl said with a broken voice.
"No...there are plenty of other farms are us to live on." GS said.
"It's not the same! You said you thought I was the only family you have, well...now you're the only family I have." Cow Girl said.
"Alright." GS said and Cow Girl got a grip.
"Please...sleep next to me." She said.
"Why?" GS asked.
"Why? Why!? I don't know a thing about where I am, I'm scared, I'm in alot of pain, and I just poured my heart out to you. That's why!" Cow Girl exclaimed.
"I see..." GS said with actual shame in his voice then Cow Girl took another moment.
"I'm sorry I exploded at you, but...please, sleep with me...in this bed." Cow Girl pleaded.
"Alright." GS said before she backed up, let him remove his armor, then moved to the bed before Cow Girl took his hand with her other hand holding up her blanket.
"I forgot to ask...what exactly do you think of me? Other than a family member?" Cow Girl asked.
"You're not my sister; I know that much." GS said simply.
"That's not what I meant. I meant...have you noticed I've gotten...attention from other men?" Cow Girl asked.
"No." GS said.
"Well, I have, and...I'm not stupid; I know that my...figure, isn't what most would consider unappealing, to put it lightly, and I know you spent alot of time with the Sword Maiden, and I know her body got the same reaction from the guys as mine did, but...what do you think of it?" Cow Girl said.
"Nothing." GS said.
"Nothing? How?" Cow Girl asked confused.
"I was never interested in anything aside from slaying goblins. People's appearances only meant a way to tell one apart from another to me." GS said.
"You never thought of settling down, like how Ranger and Fighter did? They have their own manor and a baby daughter, don't you want something like that?" Cow Girl asked.
"Maybe...once-" Cow Girl cut him off.
"I know, you want the last goblin to die before you do anything serious." Cow Girl said with annoyance.
"I was going to say once I get some sleep." GS said and Cow Girl gasped. "I...saw my sister in the ruins..."
"Your...sister...?" Cow Girl asked.
"Yes. An Ether Gazer, a relic that lets people talk to the dead, let me speak to her ghost. She wants me to be happy, and acknowledged me as the Goblin Slayer. She even said that the Supreme God is saving a place for me in Heaven." GS said and Cow Girl fell to her knees.
"That's incredible..." She said in awe.
"Do you still want me to sleep with you?" GS asked then Cow Girl removed the blanket, showing her heavenly body, then laid the blanket out on the bed, on top of GS, then got next to him.
"Does this answer your question?" She asked seriously as she lightly snuggled into him and wrapped a leg around his lower abdomen.
"Yes." GS said simply, then she grabbed his hand and put it on her thigh. "What are you-"
"I want you to touch me." Cow Girl said.
"But...you're making me touch you." GS said.
"Doesn't matter. Please...rub my leg." Cow Girl said.
"Alright." GS said as he ran his hand up and down her soft, creamy leg as she eased up.
"That's it..." Cow Girl whispered.
"Should I stop?" GS asked.
"Yes, that should do. Good night." Cow Girl said.
"Good night..." GS said as the two went to sleep.
Back at the Temple of Law, Storm Mage set up his armor on a the table nearby as Sword Maiden looked out the window, staring at the twin moons, then heard her protector approach from the side, then she looked at his face that held nothing but admiration as she held out her hand, and he took it as they smiled at each other.
"This light is absolutely flawless for you my love." Storm Mage said softly.
"For you as well...my love." Sword Maiden said before kissing him as he held her as close as possible.
"Could your kiss be any sweeter...?" Storm Mage whispered against her lips as he kissed her again twice and she giggled.
"I thought you shed your greed?" Sword Maiden teased.
"My greed only extends to your touch, just like yours extends to mine." Storm Mage said as they exhaled deeply.
"Speaking of which...you still owe me a leg massage." Sword Maiden said next to his ear.
"We should get some sleep soon." Storm Mage said.
"Ohhh, I want a massage...!" Sword Maiden whined and Storm Mage couldn't help but laugh at her.
"You are such a little girl sometimes." Storm Mage teased.
"I just love your touch, is that a sin?" Sword Maiden asked seriously.
"Not at all. Now...shed that dress, lay down, and I'll get to work." Storm Mage said half-jokingly, then she stripped herself naked, and laid down flat, waiting for the bliss to come...and it did. She moaned quietly the moment she felt his strong, gentle hands press into her round, wide, and fleshy buttocks. She couldn't keep the smile off her face the whole time her protector squeezed and fondled her. He then rubbed and squeezed up and down her thighs, then her calves and feet. "You enjoying yourself yet?"
"Very much so..." Sword Maiden groaned as her protector kept working the plump flesh of her lower body, which eventually included her inner thighs and she tensed up for a split second. After about 30 seconds of her treatment, she flipped over, and he gave the front of her legs the same treatment. She watched him be as tender as she felt. The efficiency and enthusiasm he expressed was as awe-inspiring as the bliss he gave her was. Storm Mage then looked eyes with her and returned the smile she was gracing him with while he continued rubbing her legs.
"Would you like more?" Storm Mage asked.
"No...my legs are alright now." Sword Maiden said before Storm Mage crawled over to her and claimed Sword Maiden's enticing lips with his own. She then wrapped her arms around his torso while shifting her lips against his own; her desire for his affection was as subtle as a Wrather. Storm Mage then pulled away and caressed her face.
"I love you so much..." Storm Mage whispered.
"And I love you." Sword Maiden said softly. Next thing Storm Mage knew, the goddess beneath him turned over and got on all four's. "Take me again."
"Are you sure?" Storm Mage asked with concern.
"Yes...remind me what it's supposed to feel like." Sword Maiden said, then Storm Mage got behind her, rubbed the tip of his manhood against her opening to get her as prepared as possible, then pushed into her. Sword Maiden tensed up the moment she felt Storm Mage's rock-solid manhood move in and out slowly as she tried getting used to the feeling of him being inside her. She was silently grateful that his love for her was more powerful than his lust for her body...which was quite an accomplishment.
Sword Maiden then let out one quiet yet euphoric moan after another as her protector pounded into her with vigor, heard and watched his groin produce ripples in the flesh of her bottom. Once again, the torment wrought upon her by the goblins was recalled...only to be snuffed out like a candle in the ocean by the mind-flooding pleasure Storm Mage was giving to her. Eventually, the two burst and she laid down flat while panting and staring into space as Storm Mage collapsed on top of her, brushed her hair out of her face, kissed her cheek and got a throaty chuckle out of her.
"Have I pleased my lady enough?" Storm Mage asked.
"Very much so..." Sword Maiden breathed out as Storm Mage detached himself from her, rolled her over, she opened her mouth, he came down to kiss her and she held his head as she lashed tongues with him as he squeezed her heaving breasts as she hungrily sucked and moaned into his mouth.
"We really should get some sleep..." Storm Mage said as he managed to break the kiss.
"But I want more!" Sword Maiden whined.
"There will be plenty more in the morning, now please, go to sleep." Storm Mage said.
"Promise?" Sword Maiden asked, then Storm Mage gave her breasts a quick but loving squeeze.
"Promise." Storm Mage said before kissing her again, laying down next to her, gently rubbed the leg she wrapped around his hip as she snuggled into him, then kissed her forehead. "I cherish you."
"And I cherish you...my great, powerful, and wonderful protector." Sword Maiden said dreamily while caressing, shifting and breathing against him.
When Ranger got back home, he used Life Sight to see everyone was asleep, he then worked up the nerve to go into his and Fighter's room...and there she was, in their bed, still in her armor, sleeping like a baby. Gone was the blank, lifeless look on her face which Ranger dreaded seeing again...thank the Supreme he didn't have to see it again.
"Fighter? Fighter? Fighter, baby...I'm back. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, but I am now. Fighter? My dear wife, can you hear me? Dammit! It's me, Ranger! Your husband! Please wake up. I need you back..." Ranger pleaded and shook her a bit before kissing her forehead. "I'll tell you everything when you wake. Please, by all that is sacred, wake up soon..."
He then paid his baby a visit who was crying and he came in to see what was wrong...then noticed she needed a changing, so he did. Good thing he was used to the smell of guts; baby stool was nothing. When he was done cleaning her, he got her to calm down, then talked to her as he sat down holding her as she looked into her father's eyes.
"I'm sorry we weren't here for a while dear daughter, but guess what? We're going to head up north for a festival in your mother and father's honor. Countless people, including our friends will be there as well. The king of that region will be there too; I only met him once, but he seems like a wise, and respectable man, as befitting of a king. I hope your mother wakes up soon; something bad happened to her...I cried myself over it. Yes...your father actually wept, but then...I would weep over something terrible happening to your mother anytime. We would like to take you with us up north; the other two people who look after you will be there too." Ranger said before the baby reached for his face, as he raised her up some more, then let her touch his face as he closed his eyes and felt his dear child's tiny hands touch his face. He then kissed her forehead, put her back in her pen and stayed with her until she fell asleep. "Your parents will always be there for you, even on the off-chance we die fighting the things that dare threaten you, or your home." With that...Ranger went back and checked on Fighter, who was still asleep...the he went down to the living room and laid own on the couch, not having it in him to sleep next to his wife in her condition.
"Hello? Hello...?" Fighter's voice came from down the hall and Ranger snapped out of his half-asleep state, and rushed to see her roaming the hall, then she snapped to see him and the two stood there wide-eyed.
"My love and life..." Ranger said softly as he rushed to her and hugged her as tightly as possible. "Thank the Supreme..."
"What are you...what happened?" Fighter asked.
"You were out cold, and...I dare not think about it; I'm just glad you're awake." Ranger said, and Fighter returned the hug.
"Ranger..." She whispered.
"We won..." Ranger said.
"The ruins?" Fighter asked and Ranger nodded vigorously. "Wait...how did I get here?"
"Priestess and Wizard took a portal I made and healed you. Bless them both." Ranger said with a cracked voice.
"What did they heal?" Fighter asked confused and Ranger pulled back.
"You... you really don't remember what happened?" He asked.
"Well, we fell down a portal, some old, grizzled man grabbed my face, and...now I'm here. I don't feel any different aside from that." Fighter said honestly.
"He broke your mind!" Ranger snapped and Fighter recoiled. "I've never seen a more heart-wrenching look on anyone's face...not even those girls I slaughtered..."
"Ranger..." Fighter said softly before Ranger hugged her again.
"I pleaded and prodded you to wake up, and nothing worked. I started to think you weren't going to wake up, even with those two girls helping you. Probably the worst part is that I didn't know how badly your mind would be damaged. Would you be immobile for the rest of your life? Unable to feel emotion, or even pleasure, pain, either, or both? Would you be able to think? Remember? Learn? Teach? Everything was a blank! Words cannot express how relieved I am that you only suffered a minor lapse but...being in the dark about your condition is the worst thing I ever went through...!" Ranger said as he wept into her hair, and the stunned woman stood there letting him let his despair and anguish out as she hugged him back. It was their time at the pond all over again, and this time...her beloved Ranger was weeping specifically for her. About a minute later he pulled back and looked at her with his eyes and cheeks flushed red and dripping with tears.
"I love you as much as I did before. It's going to take more than a curse to change that." Fighter said firmly as she dried his tears.
"And I love you..." Ranger whispered harshly as he kissed her, sank to his knees, and the two sat there holding each other. Ranger de-morphed his armor and she did the same. Humorous as it was that the armor was in the way...neither could so much as smile at it. "How did you do it?"
"What?" Fighter asked.
"How did you get your mind shattered and come back the same? You're the single strongest woman I know, but...I thought you were done for just like that. Somehow...that life I saw on your lovely face when we first met stayed true. It's the same life you gave me...!" Ranger said with a cracked voice as he kept holding her close.
"I remember one time, while whatever happened to my mind was going on..I heard Priestess she was there for me, and I became aware of what happened, and...without even thinking, I fought back. It didn't do any good, but it was something." Fighter said.
"You really are a one-woman army." Ranger said with reverence and Fighter smiled at him which made him breathe hard again. "I wanted to see you smile for too damn long..."
"Well, now I can smile as long as you give me a reason to." Fighter said softly, then Ranger touched both her cheeks.
"I'll give you as much reason as I can." He whispered before kissing her as softly, deeply, and sweetly as possible, and holding her there as she did the same for about ten seconds. "Best kiss we ever had..."
"Yes..." Fighter whispered before kissing him again the same way as before, and then he returned her smile. "Come on, we have a festival to rest up for."
"Should we take our baby and her caretakers as well?" Ranger asked.
"What kind of question is that? We're absolutely taking them." Fighter said as they got up, went to their room, stripped each other naked, kissed before getting in bed, then he got on top of her as they poured their love into that kiss. She then stroked his shoulders, arms, chest, sides, and hips as he wrapped his arms around her raised-up midsection, then lightly kissed down her face, to her neck and back up, making her giggle. He then kissed her again with the same tenderness as before, and her mood went from playful, to loving once again as she held his head in place before he broke the kiss. "Feeling better?"
"You have no idea..." Ranger said before getting on his side and hugging her close. "We can portal back to that Ether Gazer to see your father again in the morning."
"Maybe...maybe he can see his granddaughter." Fighter said.
"Lovely idea from a lovely woman." Ranger said seriously and his wife shifted again him in response.
"I'll be here for you in the morning." Fighter said softly.
"In the morning, we have to talk." Ranger said seriously.
"About what?" Fighter asked.
"The ruins, but...now is not the time." Ranger said.
"Alright..." Fighter said as they went to sleep.
Elder Revenant trekked through the ruins recently cleared, noted the state the dead goblins and demons were in, then kept going since they had no souls to harvest.
"To think...a place sacred to the Sea Goddess would be stained by this level of corruption." Elder Revenant said as he walked down a hallway to the large room Ranger used a Fear and Rage spell in. "These goblins...they killed each other? Hmm...I sense illusion magic at work here. Done by that servant of the War God nonetheless." He then turned to the hole in the wall GS' team got that unknown suit of armor from. "They even took the armor I hid here? They had better know what they're doing..." He then sliced a portal open with his scythe, and enter another set of ruins, this one being looked through by Spearman and Witch.
"My...someone who knows space magic. That's quite rare indeed." Witch said as Elder Revenant came through.
"Who the hell are you?" Spearman asked cautiously as he prepared his spear.
"Someone whom you need not concern yourselves with." Elder Revenant said.
"Uh, excuse me? You come out of nowhere, interrupt our concerns, and you give us that? Sorry pal, it doesn't work like that." Spearman said.
"Careful. You are capable of dying. I am not." Elder Revenant said.
"Wait...you're a revenant aren't you?" Witch asked.
"Yes I am." Elder Revenant said.
"Great, not another one." Spearman said.
"Oh, show some respect dear." Witch said.
"I am here to retrieve something I left here. Come with me if you wish, but do not question me; my reasons for doing what I'm doing...are my own." Elder Revenant said seriously.
"Oh...alright, but we better get something out of this." Spearman said as they followed the undead man.
Back at the demon hunter's fortress, Priestess was actually outside; she got out of bed, and went up to the roof to get some air and hopefully get tired that way. She also heard the door to the roof open behind her and had a sense of who it was...
"Are you unwell my child?" Abbot asked.
"It's Ranger Father...I'm worried about him and Fighter." Priestess said as Abbot sat down.
"They will be fine. Supreme willing." Abbot said and Priestess leaned into him.
"His rage...as much as I agree with it, I'm worried about what it will do to him. What it is doing to him." Priestess said with genuine fear in her voice.
"Rage is a bitter substitute for joy, but once he sees his wife healed, he will surely return to his old self." Abbot said.
"I sincerely hope so." Priestess said as the two sat there looking at the horizon.
"I remember when we met over a year ago, you were all Steel Rank and below." Abbot said trying to lighten the mood.
"Then you faced a horde of demons alone, and won. Warrior wouldn't stop talking about it." Priestess said lightly as the mood suddenly changed.
"I'll bet he didn't. One so young normally wouldn't expect an old man to have so much power in him." Abbot said with some amusement of his own.
"He actually stressed how impressive that was." Priestess said and Abbot chuckled heartily.
"I can only imagine how impressive it must be to add the rank difference to the mix. An old man, who's also a Gold Rank, facing a swarm of demons, with no help, and coming out on top without the slightest fatigue, or injury." He said.
"And now we're going to become Gold Ranks ourselves, partially thanks to you." Priestess said.
"Come now, all I did was give you some items, you did the rest yourselves, but point taken." Abbot said.
"Do you think I should become a demon hunter?" Priestess asked.
"In a way, you are already, although...to be honest, I can't see you swinging a weapon at them." Abbot said.
"I don't see that happening either, but it's comforting to know it's possible." Priestess said.
"Child...you might very well be able to succeed the Sword Maiden some day, if not in rank or fame, then in power or feats." Abbot said.
"You mean...cast miracles like the one at the vampire queen's fortress?" Priestess asked.
"Maybe, although...I doubt very strongly that it's that simple; she may have had a great deal of help, probably the kind you lack." Abbot said.
"Well, I guess it doesn't really matter if I have my team to help me, and I help them in return." Priestess said.
"As a lady of faith, that's the best position you can be in." Abbot said before standing up. "Come, let's get you to bed."
"O.k." Priestess said as he walked her back inside.
In the morning, Wizard woke Warrior from his slumber and she stared right at him.
"Rise and shine sleepy head." She teased and Warrior smirked at her.
"Today's the day isn't it?" Warrior asked.
"Yep, we're going to be Gold Ranks!" Wizard said.
"And I get to fuck your brains out afterward?" Warrior asked and Wizard laughed at him.
"If I don't fuck yours out first, then again...I'd have less trouble." Wizard said before Warrior squeezed her breast out of nowhere.
"Very funny." Warrior said before Wizard kissed him awake and moaned when he groped her butt and fondled away as she lashed tongues with him, continuing to moan in bliss as she caressed his torso in return.
"And...I'm not going to spoil it, but I have a special outfit design in mind for the festival." Wizard said.
"What?" Warrior asked.
"You heard me, and like I said...I'm not spoiling it." Wizard said.
"Right, but until then?" Warrior asked.
"Squeeze away my dear dragon killer." Wizard teased and Warrior kept squeezing and rubbing her lovely buttocks as she let out horny chuckles while sucking on his neck.
Cow Girl and GS meanwhile were still sleeping soundly, with Cow Girl waking up first and watching GS sleep, noting how peaceful he looked instead of being the silent, yet inwardly raging goblin-killer she grew up with. Now...he was more peaceful now thanks to his sister; she noticed it before, but now knew why that was. She thought about getting up, but decided to relish the fact they were laying in bed, together...naked. Eventually...he woke as well, and turned to see her smiling at him.
"Good morning." She said sweetly.
"Good morning." GS said simply, then Cow Girl gave him a quick kiss. "What was that for?"
"Being here with me...being here for me." Cow Girl said softly as she snuggled into him.
"Yeah." GS said before actually holding her close which surprised her.
"Goblin Slayer?" Cow Girl asked.
"You're in alot of pain, aren't you?" GS asked and Cow Girl snuggled into him.
"Yes...I am...but not anymore." She said softly, then she touched his face and kissed him again. "That's because I love you."
"I see..." GS whispered.
"This is the part where you say I love you too." Cow Girl whispered back.
"O.k...I love you too." GS said simply and Cow Girl chuckled.
"Do you really mean it?" She asked.
"Should I?" GS asked.
"Yes!" Cow Girl exclaimed.
"O.k...then I mean it." GS said.
"Did you just say you mean it because I said you should mean it?" Cow Girl asked.
"Uhhh...maybe?" GS said.
"You're such a dummy." Cow Girl said.
"Sorry..." GS said.
"Nevermind...let's just stay like this a while longer." Cow Girl said.
"Alright." GS said.
Fighter meanwhile woke up to see Ranger watching her sleep, then run his hand through her free-flowing hair with reverence.
"Good morning." She said softly.
"Good morning." Ranger said still a bit emotional beaten, then the two embraced, with Ranger inhaling her intoxicating scent.
"Ranger?" Fighter said with concern.
"Just let me remember my wife is with me..." Ranger whispered as if pleading, then she returned the embrace with all due seriousness.
"Your wife is here..." Fighter whispered.
"And I'm going to take care of her, like she always cared for me." Ranger said with nothing but love in his voice, and the two simply laid there, holding, touching, and inhaling each other's pheromones. In that moment, both of them, Ranger in particular wanted nothing to do with any part of the world that didn't have them in it. Even their child was an afterthought, but they were going to make up for that 100 times over at the festival.
She then brushed his hair away from his face, kissed his cheek, then he turned his head to kiss her lips. His misery drained out of him the moment their mouths latched onto each other and he silently reveled in their intimacy. When they broke their kiss, he kept his eyes closed while she caressed his face and hair. It was both touching and shameful that her husband cared for her well-being so much, only to have his own heart torn asunder by his care.
"Last night, you said we have to talk...what about?" Fighter asked softly and Ranger sucked in a breath.
"I cleared half the ruins myself." Ranger said seriously.
"That's...actually quite impressive." Fighter said honestly.
"The others tried to talk me into letting them help, but I ran off to slaughter every goblin and demon in sight. Priestess and even Abbot talked to me about how much danger I was putting myself in, and how much I was risking letting you and our daughter live on without me. I have to admit...I don't regret anything I did, except for ignoring how similar our positions were, even though I killed the same archdemon you fought." Ranger said.
"Dear Supreme...that's insane..." Fighter breathed out with the intensity getting to her.
"I don't think I've ever been as pissed off as I was then...or as miserable as I am now." Ranger said then Fighter touched his face, making him look at her.
"I'm alright now; you're here with me, and I love you as much as I did before, and as much as I always will." She said as softly as she could and Ranger held her hands before she hugged him.
"Fighter...my dear Fighter..." Ranger whispered as he held her close for the better part of a minute.
"Maybe I should ask Wizard to make some anti-illusion items." Fighter said and Ranger actually chuckled.
"I ever tell you I love you?" Ranger asked with a genuine smile.
"No, you haven't." Fighter teased.
"You liar." Ranger said.
"And you still love the air I breathe." Fighter said.
"That, and everything else." Ranger said seriously before pulling her down for a kiss, then getting on top of her as their mouths stayed connected, then he squeezed her breast and listened to her enchanting moans. He then slid his hand down to rub her belly as she giggled, then gasped as he started sucking her other breast, stuffing as much in his mouth as possible, working it with his gums, and licking her nipple.
"Oh! You sneak..." Fighter breathed out as he released her breast and watched it jiggle a bit.
"I just want to see you in bliss again." Ranger said sensually.
"Quest...complete..." Fighter said with a smile, before Ranger went up to kiss her lips as his hand went up her belly to the breast it was handling before.
"When did you drink that potion?" Ranger asked.
"Less than 24 hours ago, that's for sure." Fighter said catching on.
"So...we still have a window." Ranger said.
"Just make love to me..." Fighter breathed out as she spread her legs, Ranger then got between them, watched her lick her lips, which silently encouraged him to push into her as she tensed up again and shut her eyes at the contact, then felt her husband push in and out of her swollen womanhood, then wrapped her strong legs around his buttocks to discourage him from stopping. He clearly got the message because he thrusted into her with as much power as he could, while putting speed in second place and heard her groan in bliss as he did the same. Eventually, they both snapped and collapsed from the intensity of their mating session. "Morning sex...the best kind..."
"Heaven is sweetest after you've tasted Hell first, and we've each had a mouthful." Ranger said softly as Fighter put her arms around him.
"When the afterglow is over...let's get back to the others, with some friends of course." Fighter said.
"Right...we have some Gold and Platinum tags with our names on them." Ranger said as Fighter giggled and pulled him down for a kiss.
Elder Revenant spotted a small band of outlaws camping in a large chamber with some ill-gotten goods, and a strange suit of armor being worked on by some of them.
"...sure we've probably gotten our hands on a dud, but even if it's not useful, we're still bloody rich!" One of the outlaws said.
"Hell yeah! We're going to live like kings after this." Another yelled.
"Hey, did anyone secure the doors?" Another asked.
"Against what? We searched every nook and cranny; there's not a soul in this place but us." Another said.
"Just keep an eye peeled..." the previous one said as they went back to work.
"Damned bandits..." Spearman groaned, then a armored bandit came out with a tied-up man with him.
"So...troops, with this haul...I agree with our friend over there; we will live like kings." the leader said with a smile. "So much so, that at this rate, the Evil Sect itself will have nothing on us. We might even become Platinum tier one day, even our traitorous friend here will have a piece of the pie. Bet it'll be sweeter than his mama's pie, that's for damn sure!" Several bandits laughed at this for a good 10 seconds. "Zip it!"
"I swear...I didn't betray anyone! I simply cut my losses." The tied-up man pleaded then the leader turned to him.
"Oh I'm aware...we all do what we gotta do to survive, and you, my good sir, are a true survivor. Ain't I right?" The leader said to the others who cheered a bit. "How the fuck do you feel right now mister?"
"I feel like a little worm on a big fucking hook...!" The man said as the others laughed at him.
"A little worm on a big fucking hook? Well, I'll bet your mama's damn proud of you!" The leader said as he joined in the laughter and Elder Revenant went right out in the open.
"Are you nuts...?" Spearman whispered harshly
"Now now, let's see what he can do." Witch said keeping her partner and crush back.
"Hey! Who are you and what ar-" Elder Revenant cut the bandit yelling at him off by throwing a scythe at him, and piercing his brain through his chin as the others stared in horror and awe.
"That armor belongs to me..." Elder Revenant growled.
"Well, you can't have it." The outlaw's leader said casually.
"You want to challenge me?" Elder Revenant asked.
"Boy...I want you out of my sight." The leader said as a few outlaws pointed crossbows at Elder Revenant.
"That...is not going to happen." Elder Revenant as he morphed two more scythes.
"Ohh... scary..." The leader said while fluttering his hands at his sides.
"Last chance. Give me the armor, or I will take it." Elder Revenant said.
"Oh this is boring the fuck out of me. Kill this ass-munch." The leader said as the outlaws put one bolt after another in the undead man's chest, and he just stood there.
"What the fuck...?" An outlaw whispered in awe, before Elder Revenant formed his ethereal skeleton, and scythe, craved down the crossbowmen, dispelled it, casually walked towards the leader as the other outlaws ran away only for a scythe to get thrown at each of them one-by-one. The leader then finally gets up and backs off.
"Alright...you made your point. The armor's yours...let's just walk away and be friends now." the leader said nervously.
"I have a better idea..." Elder Revenant said simply before flashing his scythe across his lower chest and the leader falls down and keeps his insides from spilling out as Elder Revenant grabbed the armor, it vanished, and he rejoined his "teammates".
"Good Heavens..." Witch said as the undead man approached.
"Let us leave." He said before cutting open a portal.
"Uh, we're not leaving without the stuff they took." Spearman said.
"Then don't." Elder Revenant said as he went through the portal, leaving them behind.
"Now that's just plain wrong..." Spearman groaned.
Storm Mage and Sword Maiden woke up themselves, and greeted each other with a smile. They didn't even bother with foreplay this time aside from getting each other in the mood with some caressing...but that's all it took. Now...she was laying there breathing deeply after her protector plunged into her womanhood over and over, with him smothering her with his bulk as his manhood stretched out her inner walls. The goddess beneath him gasped and moaned in bliss as the man above her plunged into her body with the sole intention of making sure the agony in her past is made up for, and the intention itself that was always present made her heart as warm as the rest of her body. Sword Maiden eventually climaxed along with Storm Mage as his thick manhood twitched inside her. He then lightly kissed her cheek and got a chuckle out of her.
"Have I pleased my lady?" Storm Mage said in line with their routine, and got a softer chuckle out of her.
"Very much so." Sword Maiden said softly before he kissed her, then she deepened the kiss, before he broke it and they smiled at each other, then stroked each other's hair and faces.
"Ranger and company are going to get promoted today." Storm Mage said softly.
"I hope he remembers us." Sword Maiden said.
"Who knows? Maybe he'll open a portal for us, and the people get to see the one and only Sword Maiden, and her protector and savior of course." Storm Mage said with hope and pride in his voice.
"Supreme willing..." Sword Maiden said softly before pulling him back down to embrace him, not caring he was still connected to her. "If you ask me, you should get a Gold Rank yourself, not only for protecting this temple, and myself...but also for helping Ranger find his way to the War God."
"Maybe...are you going to talk to His Majesty about this, or should I?" Storm Mage asked.
"I planned on it myself actually." Sword Maiden said seriously.
"Really? You surprise me Your Grace." Storm Mage teased before kissing her again, and squeezing her breasts, as his manhood hardened again and he plunged in and out of her again as she moaned into their kiss before having to break it as he shook their bed with his thrusts.
"You...surprise...me...yourself...!" Sword Maiden groaned as pleasure overran her mind piece by piece until she had a second orgasm and tried to catch her breath.
"I don't think I will ever tire of seeing you like this." Storm Mage teased.
"Oh...?" Sword Maiden breathed out.
"Come now, seeing the most glorious woman I know having her mind flooded with pleasure I caused, after she went through a special kind of hell? The Love Goddess would probably think of me as a son for this if I do this often enough." Storm Mage boasted.
"I actually concur." Sword Maiden said with a giggle before he removed himself from her womanhood as she groaned in disappointment.
"I had to separate our bodies at some point." Storm Mage said.
"But I want to be connected to you forever..." Sword Maiden whined and Storm Mage chuckled at her.
"When did you get so adorable?" He teased.
"Let's just get ready for the festival." Sword Maiden said before Storm Mage got off of her, she got out of bed, stopped, and looked back at him. "Well? Get up."
"Alright." Storm Mage got out of bed himself as she went to get her dress, and his armored robe, but she stopped him from putting it on.
"Touch me one last time before we assume our roles..." Sword Maiden breathed out before Storm Mage hugged her close, pressing her breasts into his chest, and part of his abdomen, as she kissed his neck as he gripped and rubbed her butt...which made her give his neck an even more intimate treatment.
"You know the north is cold as all hell? I doubt I'll be able to keep you warm with my touch alone..." Storm Mage said seriously before Sword Maiden pulled away to speak in his ear.
"Then I'll just have to dress warmer. I have dressed in ways aside from this when I saw younger." She said softly and reveled in how her protector and lover shuddered at the spell her voice put on him, and his lust for her increased as he rubbed her perfectly round butt with even more vigor.
"I look forward to seeing how you look..." Storm Mage whispered as he released his grip on her butt and ran his hands through her hair as she turned his head to kiss her.
"Actually...make love to me again." Sword Maiden said sensually against his lips and he gave her one last kiss, that she took up a notch by lashing tongues with him.
"Insatiable fox." Storm Mage whispered before Sword Maiden continued giving him kisses.
"Your lady just gave you an order." She said playfully.
"Then who am I to deny her...?" Storm Mage said before lightly spanking her as she lashed tongues with him. When they finally disconnected, Sword Maiden placed her hands on the side of the bed, presenting her butt to her lover. Storm Mage then lovingly caressed her hips and buttocks before nudging her feet with his own to get her to spread her legs some more. He then carefully slid his manhood into her, which earned him a gasp from the woman in front of him, which turned into a minor groan as he continued filling her entrance.
Storm Mage then slowly but steadily thrusted in and out of the archbishop whose pleasured moans drove him to mate with her with more speed and power. Eventually, the room was filled with the sounds of his groin slamming into his lady's bottom as she continued moaning and gasping in euphoria. Her entrance then constricted the solid organ inside it, as if the friction wasn't sweet enough for both of them; Storm Mage then slowed down to keep himself from climaxing too soon, as Sword Maiden's pleasure was going to come first as usual. She then looked back at him curiously, and just as she did...she went right back to her moaning as Storm Mage picked up the pace again, and she eventually spasmed out as she climaxed...but Storm Mage still kept going until he climaxed himself, which consequently dragged out her own climax and made her spasm even more.
"Oh Storm Mage..." Sword Maiden groaned as she laid on the bed gasping for air before Storm Mage removed himself from her body. He then took a moment to get his mind in order before looking at his work; Sword Maiden was having the same hard time focusing as he had, only her case was even more serious. He then flipped her over by pushing her hip, and picked her up by the legs and set her entire body on the bed before laying next to her.
"You know...I have yet to treat your breasts." Storm Mage said.
"Please do..." Sword Maiden whispered, and Storm Mage immediately got to work on her chest. He grabbed each breast from underneath, and listened to Sword Maiden breath deeper as Storm Mage played with his favorite parts of her body. He squeezed and rubbed each breast with the same tenderness he treated the rest of her body with, and occasionally changed the angle to keep things fresh. Sword Maiden couldn't keep herself from smiling the whole time as her already-bliss-addled mind wouldn't allow it.
"How am I doing?" Storm Mage asked while continuing to fondle Sword Maiden's breasts.
"Very well..." She breathed out.
"How do your breasts feel compared to your bottom?" Storm Mage asked.
"I doubt you're finished with my breasts..." Sword Maiden trailed off.
"How right you are." Storm Mage said, and Sword Maiden gasped and tensed up as Storm Mage stuffed as much of her breast into his mouth and playfully chewed on it while licking her erect nipple. He eventually switched to the other nipple and his lady held onto him with her arms and legs at the same time as her protector continued pleasuring her even more than he already did.
"Storm Mage...! If you...keep this up I'll...I'll want you inside me yet again...!" Sword Maiden breathed out as Storm Mage released her breasts from his mouth and continued fondling them with his hands.
"You really can't get enough of this can you?" He teased.
"Your mastery of the body never ceases to amaze me; I could spent a whole day drowning in the pleasures you have to offer me..." Sword Maiden said.
"As could I my love...as could I." Storm Mage said, before coming down to give her a series of rapid, but deep and sweet kisses before breaking off and smiling down at her.
"Words cannot express how thankful I am for you being with me." Sword Maiden said softly.
"I feel no different..." Storm Mage whispered before pulling Sword Maiden up and holding her close. The two then spent about a minute hugging and gently caressing each other.
"Tell me about that Thunderstrike spell you used to save me..." Sword Maiden said.
"It's only the most powerful lightning spell there is." Storm Mage said. "Although...it's technically also called Thunderstruck; either one works."
"I see..." Sword Maiden said.
"It might be powerful, but it also drains my power like it was a legion of horses drinking from a single puddle, hence why I couldn't use any more lightning and had to pray for more." Storm Mage said.
"Please...if this temple is invaded again, be more conservative with your power." Sword Maiden said with a minor crack in her voice and Storm Mage held her face.
"I promised I wouldn't let those abominations touch you again, and I meant every word." Storm Mage said seriously before kissing her as softly as possible.
"I believe you..." Sword Maiden whispered.
"And if they know what's good for them...they will never even try to touch you again." Storm Mage said seriously.
"Storm Mage...as much as I believe you, what would you do if you failed?" Sword Maiden asked.
"Sword Maiden...if they touched you the same way they did on that day I will never stopped cursing, I will unleash a storm that would return every blow they dared strike against you...if Goblin Slayer, Ranger, or their teams didn't beat me to it of course. Your fears, no longer have a place in your life, especially not with the pleasure that will always be available to you...like it was now." Storm Mage said, and Sword Maiden held him tighter, and he felt her shake.
"Thank you..." She whispered as Storm Mage ran his hand through her hair, and his caring touch, in addition to simply being there specifically for her calmed her down.
"For everything that it's worth, I love you too much to fail you that badly; death itself couldn't keep me from failing, and that was the closest I've ever come to dying. Which is quite a statement since I fight demons for a living...and we all know how vicious they can be." Storm Mage said.
"If you had died protecting me...I doubt there would be anything left of me to save after the goblins were done with me; I probably would have would up as broken as most women they capture and...play with." Sword Maiden said.
"That will not happen! Please...get your mind out of that place." Storm Mage said softly.
"Sorry..." Sword Maiden said before kissing her protector one last time. "I love you."
"And I love you, my sweet Sword Maiden." Storm Mage said before they each put their clothes on and left.
Back at the demon hunter fortress, Summoner and the wizard siblings were looking over the armor and Warrior was actually trying to learn some spells of his own from a grimoire.
"Hey, how about this clone spell?" Warrior asked.
"Whatever you do, do not try that spell." Summoner said seriously.
"Why not? It looks like it could come in serious handy." Warrior said.
"Simple, that spell divides your lifeforce among the clones. Yes it can lead to you becoming stronger in the long run, if it's used intelligently of course, but considering that it divides your lifeforce, and you need lifeforce to move, i.e. your heartbeat and breathing, making too many, especially hundreds or if you're extra lucky, a thousand clones, it's...it's killed people." Summoner said and Warrior shut the book and put it down.
"That's the end of that line of thought..." He said awkwardly.
"It's not deadly if you make one or two clones, plus they can train on your behalf, and the training they do, gets transferred to you when they're dispelled, even if they die." Summoner said and Warrior picked the book back up.
"...and that line of thought is restored." Warrior said and got some laughs from the others, especially Wizard.
"No kidding, you think one person with a lightning hammer is a monster, imagine a dozen or so." Wizard's brother said seriously.
"Don't encourage him..." Wizard said dryly.
"Don't encourage what?" H.E. Archer said as she came back with some food alongside Dwarf Shaman.
"Nothing." Wizard said.
"No seriou-" Wizard cuts H.E. Archer off.
"I said nothing." She said.
"Alright, be that way." H.E. Archer grumbled as she sat down.
"Have you made any progress Sir Summoner?" Lizard Priest asked.
"None whatsoever. We tried everything we can think of, but...we never get any special information on it. It's...like it doesn't even exist." Summoner said.
"Lovely. H.E. Archer said.
"Maybe it simply doesn't want to be analyzed?" Rhea Fighter said.
"Do you know how insane, and how accurate that sounds?" Wizard asked.
"Uh...no?" Rhea Fighter said simply.
"From what I can tell, this thing has "I don't care about reality" written all over some of it's properties. I'm actually not sure if it's even safe to use..." Summoner said.
"Can't you make it safe to use?" Warrior asked.
"That's fucking stupid..." Wizard's brother said simply before Abbot and Priestess showed up.
"You're still on that armor?" Priestess asked.
"Yeah, unfortunately..." Wizard said.
"Maybe I could have a look?" Abbot asked.
"If you insist." Summoner said as Abbot approached it, held his staff up to it.
"Just as I thought, this armor was forged in pure chaos. It could either be the greatest armor in the world, or an armor no one should even touch, or something in-between. We won't know unless someone puts it on." Abbot said.
"How ironic is it that it resembles Orcbolg's armor and he's likely the one who's willing to test it if hell goblins are involved?" H.E. Archer asked.
"Ironic? It's quite fitting." Dwarf Shaman said before a portal opened...and Sword Maiden came through it first...with a blueish-green dress, with Storm Mage, Ranger, Fighter, their daughter, who was being held by Sword Maiden in one arm, and her scepter in the other, and Bard, and Songstress followed.
"Archbishop? Priestess asked.
"Boss?" Wizard asked.
"Fighter!" Warrior said before he and Fighter embraced.
"She's perfectly fine, thanks to our Priestess and Wizard here." Sword Maiden said before Cow Girl and GS came out...much to Sword Maiden's delight, and surprise.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Warrior asked as he pulled away from Fighter.
"Yes. I can tell you exactly what I was like before, and how I am now; other than I don't know what happened while I was out, I'm still the same girl." Fighter said seriously as Priestess approached...and embraced her older-sister-figure. "I know you had your hand in this as well."
"Of course I did; that's what teammates do." Priestess said sweetly as Fighter stroked her hair.
"I take it you're coming to the festival with us Your Grace?" Wizard asked.
"Of course. I haven't been to the north in years, and I want to be there for my dearest friends." Sword Maiden said softly.
"You look so different Archbishop." Priestess said as she looked her over.
"Oh, this? I wanted to get back in touch with who I used to be, and what better time could there be?" Sword Maiden asked.
"None Your Grace." Warrior said with a smile.
"Perhaps You could join us on an adventure sometime?" H.E. Archer offered.
"That's kind of you to offer, but I am content with where I am now, but even if I wasn't...I am still archbishop; I cannot leave Water Town for too long, even with my protector with me." Sword Maiden said as Cow Girl approached to see the baby. "Take her if you wish."
"I wish..." Cow Girl whispered as she took the sleeping baby from Sword Maiden, with GS looking at the baby with genuine interest.
"If you're going to approach a baby, the least you can do is remove your helmet Orcbolg." H.E. Archer said.
"Why?" GS asked.
"To an infant, you would look quite daunting Sir Goblin Slayer." Lizard Priest said.
I see..." GS said before backing up.
"Why not just remove your helmet? We all know what you look like." Priestess said simply, then GS groaned and removed his helmet and Summoner, Storm Mage, Bard, Songstress, Sword Maiden, Rhea Fighter, and Wizard's brother all looked at him in awe.
"Oh boy, you all should've seen the first time people react to seeing his face." Warrior said.
"Ah yes...those were the days..." Dwarf Shaman said as he finished his meal, and Sword Maiden looks at GS and Ranger back and forth.
"The two of you look so much alike, except Ranger has brown hair that goes down past his shoulders and his eyes are brown as well." Sword Maiden said.
"You once said he's about as handsome as me Your Grace." Storm Mage chimed in and Ranger smirked at this.
"Yes I did..." Sword Maiden said a bit bashfully. Meanwhile Bard was translating things for Songstress, and she told him something.
"Excuse me? My elf friend here would like to know when we're leaving." Bard said.
"Not long, not long at all." Ranger said before Abbot approached Sword Maiden.
"I never got to say how good it is to see you again my dear Sword Maiden." Abbot said with reverence before kissing her hand.
"You as well Father." Sword Maiden said.
"You look as well as you did when we first met, although...you had a blindfold then." Abbot said grimly.
"I am alright now, thanks to these people, and my new protector." Sword Maiden said.
"Nice to see you again old man." Storm Mage said.
"It seems you found redemption afterall Storm Mage, good for you." Abbot said.
"You don't know the half of it..." Storm Mage said.
"Well...I'm going to let the guild know where we're going." Ranger said as he pulled out his portal gem.
"I'm coming too." Priestess said.
"Alright..." Ranger said as he opened a portal and the two stepped through to their old apartment.
"Sir...you seem less angry." Priestess said.
"Oh, I'm still angry; Fighter told me that an old grizzled man put his hand on her head and now she remembers nothing from her experience between then and now. I know that's probably a good thing, but...the memory of my wife's broken face is a memory I will never stop cursing." Ranger said before Priestess took his hand.
"She's fine! Fighter is awake, she's healthy, and she's at your side. Inflicting pain on whoever broke her is going to get you nowhere." Priestess said seriously.
"Tell me you won't don't me to spare him..." Ranger said.
"No...but, I'm worried about you, terribly." Priestess said.
"Don't be. I can handle killing those girls in that cave, I can handle this." Ranger said simply.
"Do you even hear yourself? These things matter! You can't just blow them off like it's nothing! Goblin Slayer does that too often himself, and look how he turned out." Priestess said.
"Don't...we're not even remotely the same." Ranger said.
"For how much longer? Storm Mage warned you about how the War God's path can be a dark one, and you're on a dark path right now and...I don't want to see you destroy yourself." Priestess said with a cracked voice.
"Look...you don't want me to get my revenge? Don't put the bastard who broke her in the same room with me. I'm not going to go looking for him but if he shows his face, I'm going to cut it, and the rest of the body it's attached to, in half." Ranger said as he removed his hand and walked outside to the tavern.
"Dear Supreme...please let him see what kind of person he really is." Priestess said while weeping.
"Ah, Ranger! Where's the rest of your team?" Guild Girl asked.
"They're waiting for me at the fortress; I took a portal here. I just came here to tell you...next time you see me, I'll be either Gold...or Platinum Rank." Ranger said.
"The 11th in history...that would be a glorious day." Inspector said.
"No kidding. We'll be sure to have a celebration of our own for when you get back." Guild Girl said.
"My team will also get new ranks, so give some to them as well." Ranger said.
"Not a problem, have fun up north." Guild Girl said cheerily as Ranger left, came to the apartment, and opened a new portal, to see the team chatting, Cow Girl holding his and Fighter's daughter, with the two ladies interacting with the child with Sword Maiden joining the mix, then the two teammates went through the portal. "Alright...let's go up north."
"Wait, we're going to have to make this look convincing; who's going to believe we walked up there? Even if they do, that portal gem needs to stay secret right?" Wizard said and Ranger nodded. "Well, let's take a cart there through a portal, just outside of range of the High King's castle's eyes."
"Alright..." Ranger said.
"Don't worry about my men; they're used to seeing supernatural stunts, like that portal gem of yours, plus we have a spare cart that should be plenty big enough for all of you." Summoner said.
"You're not coming?" Wizard's brother asked.
"Sorry, I can't. This fortress needs me, but I look forward to seeing more Gold Ranks...and one more Platinum Rank around here." Summoner said with a smile.
"Thank you for your hospitality Summoner." Cow Girl said before giving the baby to her mother, then hugging Summoner who returned it.
"Any time..." Summoner said softly, before the team went to get their cart and portal to the north.
They got to the north's capital ten minutes later, and the place was bustling with people getting ready for the festival. The High King spared no expense either; kids were playing games, eating sweets and snacks, running around, even play-fighting. The adults were preparing decorations, keeping the peace, and more. When they approached the castle itself, they were stopped by the guards, showed their faces...and when the Sword Maiden stepped out, the guards instantly recognized her.
"It is an honor Your Grace." One of the guards said.
"The honor is mine gentlemen. May we see His Majesty soon?" Sword Maiden asked.
"Yes Your Grace, we will inform him of your arrival at once." The guard said.
"Much appreciated." Sword Maiden said.
"Please come with me." Another guard said as he led her, and the team inside, and they saw lords and ladies gathering in a ballroom, some stopping their conversations to gawk and bask in the Sword Maiden's presence, either because of her beauty, reputation, position in the church, or any combination of the three.
"Wow...His Majesty really spared no expense..." Rhea Fighter said.
"Just like I didn't for Ranger and Fighter's wedding." Sword Maiden said softly.
"Right..." Ranger whispered.
"Nervous?" Wizard asked.
"Restless." Ranger said.
"We'll get through this soon enough." Warrior said.
"The High King will see you soon enough. Please, do make yourselves at home, especially you Your Grace." A guard said.
"Will do." Sword Maiden said as some nobles asked for some time with her, and she and Storm Mage went to speak to them.
"Figures..." Wizard's brother said.
"The lady's famous; she's probably had hundreds of people do this to her." Wizard said.
"Here's hoping they don't get too personal." Priestess said.
"She has Storm Mage; he'll cover her if he needs to." Fighter said.
"Well, in the meantime, shall we mingle ourselves?" Rhea Fighter asked.
"Might as well, but we do so in groups." Ranger said.
"You go, we'll catch up." Warrior said as Wizard, her brother, and Rhea Fighter left to talk to some people.
"What's up?" Fighter asked.
"I want to ask Wizard to marry me...here, at this festival." Warrior said.
"You bold little monkey..." Fighter said with a headshake.
"That's incredible!" Priestess squealed as she hugged Warrior.
"O.k. o.k...but I need some help." Warrior said as he pulled away.
"With?" Fighter asked.
"I need to borrow your ring." Warrior said.
"What?" Fighter asked.
"I didn't tell her, but I practiced some alchemy of my own. I want to turn this ring, into a copy of that one." Warrior said as he pulled a copper ring out of his pocket. "I know, it's more meaningful if I get one myself, but...I want to give her something I made."
"Warrior...that's perfect." Fighter said before hugging him herself which he returned, then gave her ring to him, concealed what he was doing from prying eyes, then slowly turned the copper into platinum.
"Alright...that should do. I owe you a big one." Warrior said as he gave the ring back.
"Yes you do. Now go join your future wife." Fighter said, then Warrior shook his head as he left.
"Now...let's talk to these nice people." Ranger said.
"Right." Priestess said before she, Ranger and Fighter took one side, the rest of his team took the other, and GS' team stayed with Cow Girl, to keep the baby under control. About half an half was spent with the team telling about the fight at the vampire queen's fortress, what else they did, and some secrets were asked about, but of course were kept secret. Eventually, some trumpets were blown.
"His Majesty, the High King of the North!" A herald called and the team formed up as the court formed a space for them in the middle, and the High King showed himself with a squad of knights flanking him.
"Before us, stand the adventurers responsible for leading the siege at the vampire queen's fortress. May their leader step forward?" High King said and Ranger stepped forward. "Ranger...you have defeated the vampire queen, destroyed her fortress, and returned with her head. You have vanquished one of the greatest threats to my kingdom, avenged and saved countless lives. On behalf of them, my court, and my family, I hereby declare you, hero and champion of the north...and the 11th Platinum Rank!" The court then started clapping. "Remove those Silver tags, and replace them...with this Platinum." Ranger then practically tore his tags off, looked over his new ones and put them on, turned to the court, and morphed a greatsword before raising it over his head as a display of power. Then a big surprise: Hero and her party stepped forward and she crossed her sword with his. No one stopped her since they knew she was the 10th Platinum rank.
"Welcome aboard Ranger." Hero said and Ranger smiled at her, before joining her team on the side.
"The rest of you. I am certain this would not have been a victory without all of you. I do not know any of you personally, any more than I know of your leader...but nevertheless, I am honored to be the one to present all of you Gold Ranks of your own." High King said before giving Priestess, Fighter, Warrior, and Wizard Gold tags, they looked at each other before putting their tags on as the crowd applauded them, then the team bowed to the High King.
"Thank you Your Majesty." Priestess said.
"No...thank all of you." High King said before raising his arms. "Now, rejoice my people! This festival in their well-deserved honor, is now at hand!" The crowd then cheered once again, the two teams then embraced, or simply congratulated each other, and some music played as the teams left to go outside and Hero and Ranger raised their swords to encourage the people as they were carried down the street on a large pedestal attached to a team of horses, with soldiers marching with them in rows. The people waved, cheered and yelled their praise the whole time.
"Too much yet?" Hero asked.
"No, I sort of expected this." Ranger said simply.
"Is there anything you don't expect?" Hero asked.
"Didn't expect this a year ago when I was still Porcelain Rank." Ranger said.
"Well...now you're the same rank as me: the top of the class." Hero said.
"Yes...yes I am." Ranger said proudly.
"Your Majesty?" Sword Maiden said as she approached the throne.
"Sword Maiden! It is both an honor and a surprise to see you here." High King said.
"I apologize for not telling you I was coming; it was short notice for myself as well." Sword Maiden said.
"No matter. You are quite welcome here, and if I may be so bold...you are as lovely as I had heard." High King said.
"You honor me good king." Sword Maiden said with a smile.
"Who is this?" High King said motioning to Storm Mage.
"I am her protector Your Majesty." Storm Mage said with a bow.
"Wait...that mark..." High King trailed off as he looked at Storm Mage's shoulder.
"The mark of the War God, the same as the one Ranger has." Storm Mage said.
"The War God..." High King whispered.
"Yes, without his blessing, Ranger would not have defeated the vampire queen." Storm Mage said.
"I see...I must admit, I am ill at ease with the War God, but before I became High King, I learned to not let my fears rule me, lest my kingdom suffer for it...but now my mind is at peace for good." High King said.
"I am pleased to hear this, and proud to say I introduced the good Ranger to the War God." Storm Mage said.
"He is also responsible for protecting me during an invasion of the Temple of Law...by the forces of Hell." Sword Maiden said.
"Truly? Then you deserve a Gold Rank of you own. Steward! Fetch another Gold Rank tag." High King said.
"Right away sire." Steward said as he left.
"Now...to what do I owe the honor of your presence good lady?" High King asked.
"Ranger and his team are personal friends of mine. They saved the Temple of Law themselves, they helped me...conquer a personal milestone, which the good Storm Mage here finished, I even arranged Ranger's wedding." Sword Maiden said.
"He's married? To whom?" High King asked.
"That black-haired girl you gave a Gold Rank to." Storm Mage said.
"I see...she is a lovely maiden herself." High King said as Cow Girl approached with the baby still in her arms, with GS' team behind her.
"This is their daughter Your Majesty." Cow Girl said as she showed the baby.
"Ahhh...the daughter of a Platinum Rank with the War God's blessing. I regret I do not know her mother, but I'm certain she is extraordinary to have won his heart." High King said.
"They are both equally extraordinary Your Majesty, and I'm certain this is only the firstborn; they mentioned having more than one child in the future." Sword Maiden said.
"May their children reach the same level of greatness as their parents, and should anyone harm their children...heads will roll!" High King said.
The next several hours were spent with the team giving demonstrations of their skills, which includes Wizard and her brother showing off their fire magic, summoning creatures, using alchemy to make new things, and even gifting them to people, and Warrior drawing lightning from the clouds. Ranger and Fighter also gave some acrobatic and parkour demos, alongside Warrior and Wizard who had their own stunts to pull.
Hero even had a false duel with Ranger that was more about showing their bond as equal-ranked adventurers then seeing who's better, it even ended with them putting a sword at each other's throats.
Bard and Songstress played some music and vocalized to give the demos some spice, alongside some other musicians of course.
Before anyone knew it, it was twilight, and the teams bid the people farewell as they returned to the castle to wrap things up.
The wrap-up was a ball and feast, and the teams went to their rooms to get ready...and Wizard had a surprise in store.
"Wizard? Sweetheart, are you read-" Warrior shut up the moment Wizard opened her door. She shed her armor, had a crimson, long-sleeve, silk dress that hugged her waist, emphasized her chest, yet was free-flowing from the waist down, and glittered like it was covered in rubies. Her eyes and lips had dark red eyeshadow/lipstick, and her hair looked freshly washed, yet no water was dripping from it. Warrior couldn't keep his eyes off of her.
"I look ready? You sure do." Wizard teased as she looked her boyfriend over. He had a suit that reminded her of Ranger's old wedding outfit. Warrior had his hair in a ponytail for the first time in months, wore a pitch black suit with white trim, dark brown pants, and silver buttons.
"FYI, Ranger has a similar outfit, only...his isn't as stuffy." Warrior said.
"You didn't answer me: Do I look ready?" Wizard asked.
"You look like a living ruby." Warrior said seriously.
"I was going for looking like a walking pile of take-me-now...but that works too." Wizard teased.
"I'll take you as many times as you want after this ball." Wizard said as she gave him a deep and surprisingly sweet kiss.
"I love you so much." Wizard whispered against his lips.
"And I love you..." Warrior whispered before kissing her a few times in quick succession.
"Well...what are we waiting for?" Wizard asked.
"Wait, before we go, I want to talk to you, alone." Warrior said.
"Alright..." Wizard said before opening the door and letting him in. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to let you know...I was working on some alchemy of my own, and it worked like a charm." Warrior said somewhat nervously.
"Did it? May I ask what you did?" Wizard asked.
"Nothing serious, just turned one material into another." Warrior said.
"Oh...well, good start I suppose." Wizard said.
"Alright. Now...I was going to tell you something else, but now I want the whole team's input." Warrior said.
"Well, let's go find them then." Wizard said before practically dragging him out of the room.
The next hour was spent with the team feasting, drinking, and dancing, not in that order; good luck dancing while drunk. Ranger danced with Fighter, obviously, Warrior danced with Wizard...again, obviously, Storm Mage stayed with Sword Maiden, and several lords asked to dance with her, but she politely turned them down, same goes for Storm Mage and some ladies. Priestess stayed and watched the dances, until Cow Girl asked her and Sword Maiden to watch the baby, as Cow Girl danced with Ranger, Warrior danced with Fighter, and Wizard took a breather, then danced with Ranger, then Cow Girl danced with Warrior, with the other two ladies taking a breather. Cow Girl then finally danced with Goblin Slayer and she gave him much more slack than the other two men; since when did GS dance on his own accord? The team was thanked by lords and ladies as they left and returned home.
"Well, shall we remain here, or return home?" Sword Maiden asked.
"I'd like to stay here, if it's all the same with you guys." Rhea Fighter said.
"Alright, Boss?" Wizard asked.
"We stay here." Ranger said.
"Well, good night everyone." Priestess said.
"Wait...Wizard, I have to tell you something, and I'm pretty sure all of you would like to know. That hammer I use? It's not just a weapon to me, it's a symbol; just like in life itself, you've given me...quite a bit to magic to work with. In fact..." Warrior then removed his tags and gave them to her. "Now give me yours."
"O...k..." Wizard trailed off as she replaced her tags with his. "What was this about-" She stopped talking when Warrior knelt and presented a ring much to half the group's amazement.
"Wizard...will you marry me?" Warrior asked and Wizard rapidly nodded.
"Yes...yes yes yes!" Wizard squealed as she held her hand out, Warrior slipped on the ring and the group either clapped or gave their congrats as the pair kissed as deeply as possible.
FINALLY! I've been at this chapter for way too damn long. Well...Ranger is now the 11th Platinum Rank...at last, Warrior and Wizard are engaged, Cow Girl is getting somewhere with GS, and a bunch of other things are going down. As for the armors? Well...I'll let my wise and loyal fans decide, if they'll kindly Rate, Review, Share and stay tuned for what's next that is.