Goblin Slayer: The Team Year Two

by GLG-3883

It's been just over a year since the team broke up to both continue aiding Goblin Slayer, and the frontier of course, but also to raise a family in the Sword Maiden's hometown. Now, they must reunite to face a series of some of the greatest threats the world has ever known. Rated M for dark/adult themes; the same as the series itself is known for.

40. Chapter 21 Part I

Hello people, and welcome back to Goblin Slayer: The Team Year 2. Shit's going down again in quite possibly the unluckiest town in the Goblin Slayer verse...like, seriously, how often has Water Town been assaulted? First the demons probe it for who-knows-how-long, then multiple goblin infestations...now this? What next? Oh well, at least we've got people on the job...so let's on with it.

Review Response: Yeah...the Cambion and Elder Revenant really had at it didn't they? Although...him stealing the Death God's power would be cause for alarm for most people.

As for Sword Maiden and Elder Revenant? Well, Storm Mage wasn't kidding when he said she showed her claws...she may have been a scaredy-cat in the official version of GS, but she's a beauty AND a beast here...at least by comparison of course.

VIPs...that's one way to refer to them, especially since the Champion was built up for eons, not to mention the other people the team met like the freaking vampire queen!

By the way...not that I'm complaining, but you say "keep up the good work" almost every time...that a trademark or something?

---

"Summoner! What are you doing back?" Guild Girl asked as he walked in...then Abbot followed suite.

"I decided to stop by and relieve the good Summoner ma'am. I occurred to me that my newly-bestowed youth can be put to use more effectively in this place." He said.

"Well...o.k. Make yourself at home Father." Guild Girl said then Inspector showed up and gasped.

"Yes please Father!" She exclaimed.

"Happy to see you again Sister." Abbot said with a small bow.

"Actually, I've been meaning to ask you...could you, maybe...give me some more power? I mean-" Abbout cuts her off by holding up his hand.

"I know what you mean, and that goes hand-in-hand with another reason I came here: to finish Priestess' training." He said.

"What do you mean?" Inspector asked.

"As powerful as she is, she lacks several powers that she might very well need in the future, and you could make a great deal of use out of more powers yourself, not to mention that Summoner and myself could share some of our knowledge of the demons with the two of you." Abbot said, then Inspector and Guild Girl looked at each other, and the latter shrugged.

"Alright, lead the way." Inspector said as she followed the two men outside...after Guild Girl winked at her; she got to be with their man, possibly one-on-one if she was lucky.

---

The group found Ranger's mom holding her grandchild while watching some recruits sparring, sometimes with each other, sometimes with Warrior, or Wizard, with Priestess on stand-by in case anyone was injured.

"Father Superior? I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon." Priestess said.

"Nor I my child, but something occurred to me that cannot wait." Abbot said and got a funny look from her.

"Are you ready to get some new powers?" Summoner asked and Priestess' eyes widened.

"Of course, what did you have in mind?" She asked.

"First, let me ask you something. Can you sense lies?" Abbot asked, Priestess shook her head, and Abbot handed her a scale necklace like Inspector's; she even took hers out to compare them. Priestess then put the necklace on and looked it over.

"I cannot believe I never thought about this..." Priestess said thoughtfully.

"All things happen in the Supreme's good time my child. Secondly, can you use Purge? The same miracle you saw me use when we first met, and the same the Sword Maiden used to help defeat the Demon Lord a decade ago?" Abbot asked and Priestess nodded.

"I believe so." She said.

"Well... how you like to use it as well as I can?" Abbot said, and Priestess' eyes widened yet again, her breathing became harsher, and she started shaking.

"Please teach me!" She exclaimed.

"Very well, come with me to the temple, all of you." Abbot said, and when they got to the temple, he gave his staff to Inspector, knelt by the alter, and put his hands together. A few seconds later, he stood up and held out a blue speck of light that turned into three. One went into Priestess' chest, the other two went into Inspector's.

"Wow..." Inspector breathed out.

"Congratulations Priestess, you are now as strong as the Sword Maiden was...at a much younger age too." Abbot said.

"I wish I had this power when I faced the vampire queen." Priestess breathed out as she looked herself over.

"It wouldn't have helped; she was immune to holy arts, remember?" Abbot said.

"No I did not." Priestess said.

"As for you Sister...Healing and Empower are both yours to us...and the demons' to fear." Abbot said as Inspector looked herself over...as did Summoner.

"Thank you so much Father. I'm almost anxious to get started now." Inspector said as she clenched her fists.

"Not so fast, demon hunting is nothing to laugh at." Summoner said seriously.

"He's right Sister. For now your new talents are best put to use aiding people, inside or outside of combat. Hence why I gave you those two miracles in particular." Abbot said.

"Right. Well, as luck would have it, there's plenty of people to aid right there." Inspector said as she pointed at the training grounds.

"Hopefully they won't need it Sister." Abbot said seriously.

"Of course Father..." Inspector said.

"I'll look after them." Priestess said.

"Wait...there is one miracle I have yet to give you: Vision, the same Sword Maiden and myself used." Abbot said as he went to the alter again, and got another blue speck to give to her.

"This must be how the Sword Maiden was able to see while her eyes were damaged..." Priestess said seriously.

"Possibly...she really was an extraordinary woman." Abbot said.

"She still is Father." Priestess said, and Abbot smiled.

"Of course, now...let us see to those trainees." He said, then they went back to the training grounds...and saw Warrior and Wizard clashing in a duel that was so violent, that the ground shook a little from each blow, and they were moving so fast that a normal person wouldn't be able to tell what was going on; some of the recruits actually got dizzy and had to leave to throw up. The match ended with Warrior rolling away from Wizard, her vaulting up and crashing back down to hit him, only for him to roll to the side as she repeatedly tried to stab him, then after he swatted her blade away, he got hit in the mask with the macehead of her glaive.

"Looks like I win." Wizard said with a smirk, then Warrior de-morphed his helmet.

"When I don't charge my sword." He said seriously.

"Lucky me..." Wizard said.

"You two can flirt all you want outside of the battlefield." Ranger's father said.

"We're married, Gold Ranked, and this isn't a battlefield...sir." Wizard said.

"Well, the same cannot be said for the rest of you now can it?" Ranger's father asked.

"Sir no sir." The recruits all said at once.

"I can't hear you!" Ranger's father yelled.

"SIR NO SIR!" The recruits yelled.

"Did you all enjoy seeing Gold Ranks in action?" Ranger's father asked.

"SIR YES SIR!" The recruits yelled.

"Do you want to get to that point in your careers?" Ranger's father asked.

"SIR YES SIR!" The recruits yelled.

"Good for you, now go get some fucking breakfast. Your first round of training starts in one hour." Ranger's father said as the recruits all left one by one.

"Nice touch sarge." Inspector said and Ranger's father smirked.

"You expected less girl?" He asked.

"Can't say I did..." Inspector said.

"As for you two...did you look through that book I gave you?" Summoner asked.

"I did...sort of." Wizard said.

"Well, keep at it." Summoner said seriously.

"You don't have to tell me." Wizard said.

"I also looked through it, but...don't expect anything major from me...yet." Warrior said.

"Right..." Summoner said.

"Well...while you're discussing, whatever this is...I'm checking with my granddaughter over there." Ranger's father said as he joined his wife and granddaughter.

"Hey, Summoner, you have any stories for us?" Inspector asked.

"Not here..." Summoner said.

"While you tell your tale, I will check this town." Abbot said as he walked off.

"Thank you Father. Now...let's go..." Inspector said as they went to Guild Girl's house.

"You go ahead, we have our own stuff to do." Warrior said as he walked Wizard home.

---

When Inspector opened the door to Guild Girl's home, they got situated at a table.

"Now, what's the word?" Inspector asked.

"Well...one of my most serious hunts involved a demon that thrived on fear. I heard how Fighter dealt with a demon that thrived on rage and...between you and me, I have no idea how she'd handle that; I know she and company were angry before, but I don't know how fear played into things. Priestess?" Summoner asked.

"There were plenty of times we were afraid, like when Ranger caught fire; me and Fighter were both worried about him...alot. He also was consumed by his rage over the time Fighter's mind was broken, which...also scared me quite a bit. Perhaps the worst case was the Cambion...he defeated all of my companions...then came after me. I was never that concerned for my life as I was as that moment." Priestess said while trembling.

"Well, he's not here is he?" Summoner said.

"May I ask what he looks like? You know...so we know who to look out for?" Inspector asked before Priestess sucked in a breath.

"He has sliver hair that goes down to his shoulders, and piercing red eyes; if he wasn't evil, I might call him handsome. He also wore a robe that was black as the night when I last saw him, but who knows if he'll change his look or not." She said.

"Helpful..." Summoner said.

"You asked, and I answered." Priestess said simply.

"Well...he might be able to get part your team, but let's see him get past a legion of elementals." Summoner said.

"He tore through a handful of summons like they were made of wet paper once." Priestess said seriously, then Summoner stared at her.

"What...?" He asked.

"You heard me right." Priestess said.

"Was Ranger there? Surely someone who took on the forces of Hell by himself and won could-" Priestess cuts Inspector off.

"He wasn't there, and when he fought against Hell's armies, he had help...from the Hero." She said.

"Figures..." Summoner whispered.

"Regardless, I'm sure we'll be ready for him next time, especially with this new powers of ours. So, with that out of the way, this fear demon...dare I ask?" Inspector asked.

"Well, since he thrived on fear, this story isn't for the faint of heart." Summoner said seriously.

"As long as you don't use that recaller, we'll be fine." Inspector said.

"No way I"m using that recaller for this. Anyway...this, thing I went after, wasn't very strong physically but...good luck fighting effectively when you're not only being bombarded with nightmares you can't wake from, but also rage fueled by the notion that this kind of injustice was being handed out like they were sweets. And don't get me started on what this demon's attitude towards their fear was like..." Summoner said.

"I can only imagine the anger this thing induced." Inspector said.

"It definitely learned not to piss off the wrong person." Summoner said, and Inspector smirked.

"Apparently..." She said with both eyebrows raised...and her flirtation was clearing getting to Summoner.

"Should we be aware of this creature still being on the loose?" Priestess asked.

"Maybe...but to be safe, you should probably tell your team about it when you get the chance. Get your fears under control, and keep an eye on what you trust...and why." Summoner said.

"Not a problem." Priestess said as she bowed and left.

"You know, this means I can heal your wounds and give you strength when needed?" Inspector asked and Summoner took her hand.

"I'm aware, and I love you all the more for it." He said before kissing her hand, which made her smile.

"I almost, and I mean almost wish I could do so right now." She said.

"I could cut my hand and give you a trial run." Summoner said casually.

"Let's just stop right there..." Inspector said seriously

"I wasn't being serious baby..." Summoner said softly.

"Right...now, were you...serious about that fear demon?" Inspector asked.

"I thought you could sense lies?" Summoner teased.

"Summoner...please." Inspector said.

"Of course I was serious, why would I lie about something like that? Besides...if that fear demon shows up again, I'll just kick it's ass like I did the first time." Summoner said.

"True..." Inspector said before sighing.

"What's the matter?" Summoner asked.

"It's too bad I have to get back to work, otherwise..." Inspector trailed off, then saw Summoner take out a flask of potion.

"You know what this is?" He asked with a smirk...much to Inspector's amusement.

"Really now?" She asked seriously.

"We don't even have to get undressed all the way..." He said simply, then Inspector smirked before she dropped her skirt and underpants as her lover took a swig, then he watched her lean forward into the wall before Summoner got behind her, gripped her hips, then pushed into her already-aroused womanhood.

"Yes...oh yes...yes..." Inspector breathed out as Summoner went in and out of her opening slowly but steadily while caressing her hips and lower back.

"Your skin is so smooth..." Summoner breathed out as he continued to gently mate with the holy woman who turned her head to give him a smile.

"Please...go faster..." She whispered and he obeyed right away as he went just fast and hard enough to make slapping sounds as he slammed into her butt.

"Like this...?" Summoned teased, and Inspector simply nodded as more lustful music poured out of her throat. She only got more vocal as the demon hunter behind her continued to rapidly yet lovingly pound her tightening entrance. Inspector's arms mildly strained to keep herself from falling forward, but the pleasure caused by Summoner's manhood scraping her inner walls canceled out the pain without difficulty.

They entire display continued until they both reached their orgasm, and Summoner held Inspector up as he removed himself from her womanhood. He then braced her until she could stand up right, and summoned a water elemental to clean his manhood before sending it into Limbo. He then pulled his pants up as she turned, and suddenly gripped his face with both hands and gave him a quick but sweet kiss.

"You're such a gentleman, holding me up until I can stand on my own two feet..." Inspector said sensually as her man held her waist.

"How could I not be a gentleman with such a lovely maiden?" Summoner asked, then Inspector purred before the pair kissed again, and continued shifting their lips against each other while Summoner moved his hands to rub and fondle her butt, which made her giggle into their kiss until he broke it and saw her smile.

"Like it?" Inspector teased and Summoner gripped her butt somewhat harder and made her flesh jiggle as she tensed up and laughed.

"I like your body from head to toe..." Summoner said before gripping her butt somewhat harder and made her flesh jiggle as she tensed up. Summoned then kissed her forehead, and helped her pull her skirt and underpants up. Inspector then got back to kissing Summoner, then he turned his head as she sucked on his neck.

"That's right, get it all out of your system before you leave baby..." Summoner breathed out.

"Oh...I intend to..." Inspector whispered before licking his neck up and down.

"O.k...that's enough..." Summoner said seriously, and Inspector sighed and lowered her head.

"It's too bad this is all we can do now..." She said.

"We can make love properly later, alone or with Guild Girl, as for your job...well, it's not like you don't have a good excuse; you got new powers from the Abbot, and new information from a Gold Ranked demon hunter." Summoner said.

"True, and I got a good loving from him as well." Inspector said then Summoner raised an eyebrow.

"You're not actually going to say that are you?" He asked.

"Of course not, but still, who can blame a woman for wanting to spend this kind of time with a big, tough demon killer?" Inspector said with a smirk before she kissed him repeatedly, with each kiss being quick, deep, and noisy.

"To answer your question...about as many people that can blame a man for wanting to spend this kind of time with a sexy priestess." Summon said sensually as he caressed her smiling face.

"Can this sexy priestess enjoy the protection of your arms more later tonight?" Inspector asked.

"So I can take a page out of my brother's book and enjoy the wonder of being able to touch the body of a lady of faith?" Summoned asked.

"And...maybe the other lady as well." Inspector teased as she rubbed his thigh with her own while putting a hand on his chest, which he held with his own.

"Definitely..." Summoner breathed out as she walked away...after he gropes her breast from the side which made her chuckle.

---

Back at their apartment, Warrior and Wizard shared a life potion, then he shed his shirt and laid down on their bed before she sat next to him with the armor plating on her robe de-morphed.

"Now that was a workout..." Warrior breathed out.

"You're not seriously worn out are you?" Wizard asked with a smirk.

"Nah, but I still felt it. Did you?" Warrior asked.

"Uh, yeah, but you don't see me acting like I just moved a mountain." Wizard said.

"You could probably move one without touching it." Warrior said.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves now." Wizard said as she got up.

"Hey, knowing you, we'll probably have magic-strengthening potions that will let anyone do that in at least half a decade from now." Warrior said and Wizard started laughing.

"That would make me Platinum level no question." She said as she de-morphed her robe itself...and formed a black dress, which made Warrior let off a whistle, then Wizard showed each of her sides. "Like it?"

"What's not to like? May I see other colors?" Warrior asked then Wizard tried different shades of green, blue, red, orange, yellow, purple, and plain white.

"Well?" She asked.

"The only ones I don't like are orange, yellow and white. Everything else? Hotter than a volcano..." Warrior said, and Wizard went back to black then turned to the wall.

"Ho boy..." She breathed out, then Warrior then sat up on the bed's edge.

"Is something wrong baby?" He asked.

"No...I still find it amazing how not even the same type of dress can invoke so many memories. The dresses themselves I can understand, but...this is just a copy. Yes I know it's the type of dress itself, not the dresses themselves but..." Wizard trailed off, then Warrior approached and hugged her from behind.

"Good thing I'm here to pull you out of your head." Warrior said and Wizard lowered her head with a smile.

"I cannot believe Ranger and Fighter didn't use the gateway I made to their manor, or at least the portal gem." She said.

"Priestess has the portal gem remember? Besides, they probably wanted the scenic route, can't say I blame them." Warrior said.

"Right..." Wizard whispered.

"Speaking of scenery; I also envy Goblin Slayer and that farm girl; they get a whole fort all to themselves, they have a king's ransom to their name, and there;s farmland as far as the eye can see. What more could you ask for?" Warrior asked and Wizard smiled before she shed her dress, baring her skin as Warrior removed his pants. She then took a few steps toward the bed with him...then spotted how stiff his manhood was.

"Hey, not my fault your body has as many curves as Witch's..which is quite a feat..." Warrior said as he ran his sides down her sides, to her hips, and Wizard raised an eyebrow.

"I take it you recall how you eyeballed her when we first met her?" She asked.

"Not until you just brought it up, but besides...who hasn't looked her over?" Warrior said.

"Nice save genius..." Wizard said dryly before sitting on his lap and letting him hold her close.

"I thought you were the genius here." Warrior teased, and Wizard simply smirked and shook her head before sucking in a breath and expelling it all at once.

"How funny is it that I'm getting jealous after all this time when I let you put a ring on me?" She asked.

"Slightly less funny than Goblin Slayer sleeping with his farm girl friend after knowing her since childhood." Warrior said.

"Ah yes...the girl who looks like me." Wizard teased.

"You mean the girl who looks enough like you that I actually find you both equally attractive as a result." Warrior said and Wizard raised an eyebrow at him.

"Do you now?" She asked.

"Yeah, even your chest is the same size..." Warrior said as he groped one of her breasts and she chuckled as he let it go and watched it bounce.

"Keep going boy." Wizard said, and Warrior chuckled at her impression of Ranger's father, and Wizard put a knee on either side of his waist, then he got to work on her breasts. Warrior Squeezed them, rubbed them, pinched her nipples, and lightly shook them from underneath which made her laugh as her breasts wobbled and bounced around. She then used Levitate to make her belt buckle float towards her.

"What are you-" Wizard cuts Warrior off.

"Watch this..." She said, and then formed a rubber, which made Warrior look at it curiously...especially when she covered his manhood with it.

"Let me guess: to stop my-" Wizard cuts him off by putting a finger on his lips.

"Yep, now use that silencing spell, sit back and let me ride you." She said sensually as he charges his hand with light-blue energy and covered the room in it, before the light faded. Wizard then held his shoulders while she lowered herself onto his manhood, gasping at the feeling of his girth filling her lower body. She then moved up and down as Warrior held her hips and occasionally pressed his fingers into the flesh of her butt as she breathed deeply while continuing to ride him.

They stayed like that for a good while as she went up and down slowly, then then picked up the pace as her breasts bounced in front of her husband's face, much to his enjoyment she proudly noticed. She then let out throaty moans and threw her head back in bliss as she felt Warrior's thick manhood scrap and stretch her inner walls. Eventually, they both groaned as they reached their orgasm and she collapsed on top of him as he rotated their bodies to lay on the pillows.

"You are so fun to watch when we get like this..." Warrior breathed out and Wizard chuckled.

"I thought you preferred to take me from behind...?" She teased.

"Oh I do...watching your ass jiggle as I slam into it, especially in front of a mirror...hoo boy..." Warrior said.

"You are such a perv..." Wizard teased.

"But I'm your perv." Warrior said before Wizard giggled and kissed him deeply.

"That you are...and don't forget it." She breathed out before continuing their kiss.

"By the way...don't pretend you don't like me slamming into you like that..." Warrior said.

"Oh I pretend nothing of the sort; did you notice that some women like when their men takes control like that? Well guess what...I'm like that." Wizard said.

"Right..." Warrior said.

"I also know how much you like looking me over when I ride you like this, just like how I look you over when you're the one on top." Wizard said while running her hand through his hair.

"Glad we're on the same page...and seriously...your body really is as good as Witch's, at least as far as I'm concerned." Warrior said before she kissed him again.

"You better not try to find out what hers feels like." Wizard said.

"Would I do that to you?" Warrior asked seriously.

"No...no you wouldn't." Wizard said.

"There's my sweet girl..." Warrior said.

"Shut up and kiss me..." Wizard breathed out before Warrior pulled her into another kiss, caressed her back, and ran his hands through her hair.

"You know...I don't know why Spearman went this long without at least making a move on her; just about any other guy would've tried to get in bed with her ASAP." Warrior said.

"The heart wants what the heart wants..." Wizard trailed off.

"Don't I know..." Warrior trailed off, then Wizard laid down on his chest.

"Like right now, I want you..." She breathed out.

"Greedy little viper." Warrior teased, then Wizard smirked, kissed him again and moaned as their tongues lashed.

"Don't forget this greedy little viper gave you that hammer." She said as she ran a finger over his face.

"And don't forget that this great and mighty dragon slayer is here to hammer you." Warrior teased and Wizard chuckled.

"How can I forget?" She asked sensually.

"Good point..." Warrior said before Wizard slammed her lips into his.

"What? No ass-grabbing-" Warrior cuts her off by gripping her plump buttocks hard enough to make her gasp as her whole body tensed up.

"Happy?" He asked with a smirk before Wizard tapped his chest, then Warrior got revenge by spanking her, which made her chuckle before kissing him again, getting off of his manhood and laying down on top of him with her body flattened.

"You hound..." Wizard said.

"Hey, you asked, I answered...and for the record: this is what you get for having such a nice ass. Although..." Warrior trailed off.

"Although what?" Wizard asked with a raised eyebrow, before Warrior started fondling her breasts, much to his wife's delight.

"These aren't much worse either..." Warrior said.

"I can put a spell on you in just about anyway can't I?" Wizard asked sensually.

"Like I can't return the favor..." Warrior teased.

"That you can...that you can..." Wizard said as she laid down with her head on his shoulder, and one leg draped across his waist while she rubbed her body against his while they just laid holding each other close.

"I love you..." Warrior said

"I know..." Wizard whispered, before the two both sighed and shifted against each other some more.

"You want a massage?" Warrior asked.

"You know what a girl wants..." Wizard said sensually as Warrior got out from under her, and pressed his hands into her thighs, earned some moans as he rubbed her inner thighs, then some chuckles as he groped her butt from various angles. He then caressed her back and shoulders, then went down to her feet, and squeezed the tension out of them. Wizard continued laying there taking her treatment from the dragon killer she married, and relishing every moment of it.

"Judging from the sounds you're making, I really know what a girl wants...or I know what my girl wants." Warrior said as he laid down next to her, as she smiled at him.

"I'm your wife, not just your girl, remember?" Wizard asked before Warrior caressed her cheek.

"How can I forget? And I married a damn good girl as well..." He said before kissing her deeply.

"This damn good girl would like to be fucked again." Wizard breathed out before using alchemy to have Warrior's rubber become clean as a whistle, before he got between her legs, plunged into her, and watched her shut her eyes, lean back, and let out gasps and moans as he thrusted into her. He actually stopped after only a handful of thrusts, much to Wizard's displeasure.

"Flip over, we're doing this my way..." Warrior said, then Wizard smirked, flipped over, and got on all fours.

"Like this?" She teased, and then she gasped as Warrior gripped her waist and the sounds of his groin slamming into her butt was added to her throaty groans.

"Dear Supreme that sound..." Warrior breathed out as he focused on the plopping sounds his groins made when he slammed into Wizard's round, fleshy buttocks. Wizard then started laughing and collapsed her upper body into the pillow before going back to moaning in euphoria. Warrior then pulled Wizard back to the end of the bed, with Wizard gasping in surprise, and then set his feet on the floor, then setting Wizard's feet on the floor.

"Now we can fuck for real..." Warrior breathed out before going back to stuffing his manhood into her.

"And what was that before baby...?" Wizard groaned.

"You're smart; you tell me." Warrior teased.

"Nevermind...just keeping fucking me..." Wizard said, and Warrior picked up the pace, and struck Wizard's butt without an ounce of restraint. Her flesh jiggled so enticingly that Warrior couldn't keep his eyes off of it, and the moans that came from Wizard's throat encouraged Warrior to keep up his rhythm. Wizard couldn't stop tensing up and moaning her lungs out as her dear husband pounded her buttocks like a drum. Even as her inner walls tightened around his manhood, the force of Warrior's thrusts never wavered, and neither did the waves of pleasure flowing through their robust bodies like water.

Warrior then slowed his pace before looking at the swollen lips of Wizard's entrance as his manhood went through them over and over. Now both of them were savoring the sweet friction as Warrior's thick manhood scrapped, and stretched Wizard's inner walls as Warrior forced his manhood into her. Wizard eventually grew impatient, and began shaking her butt up and down to increase the friction. Warrior then stopped thrusting altogether and watched his wife's flesh jiggle as she showed him how eager she was for an orgasm.

After a while, Warrior resumed his thrusting...but Wizard didn't stop shaking her buttocks; they were now putting equal work into their love-making. Warrior then reached forward to stuff Wizard's breasts into his hands, and she leaned back and continued pouring music out of her throat. Now Wizard felt not only the sweet friction caused by Warrior's manhood scrapping her inner walls, and the force of her fleshy buttocks being struck repeatedly, but also felt her luscious breasts being groped and fondled. Her thick legs strained as she moved her lower body up and down in sync with Warrior's thrusts, but the pleasure she felt drowned out the pain, and then some.

Wizard's moans, the sound of her butt being slammed into by Warrior's groin, and the bed's creaking filled their ears the entire time, and Warrior kept his eyes on the ripples in the flesh of Wizard's round, plump butt. Both of their hearts raced like horses, and their skin was flushed as the heat began to take it's toll...but it was no where near enough to stop them. Warrior's speed picked up more than ever as Wizard tensed up to the point where her whole body began quivering, and she finally gave her thighs a break. Warrior then pinched Wizard's swollen nipples, and began gently twisting them as she began groaning and spasming with their approaching orgasm.

Warrior and Wizard then let out elongated groans as their orgasm finally arrived, and Warrior filled the rubber covering his manhood with enough of his seed to fill it. Wizard then went slack, and Warrior held her upper body up so her face didn't hit the mattress too hard, and he regretfully let go of her breasts before removing his manhood from her body. Warrior then removed the rubber, and threw it aside; he'd dispose of it later, getting his wife onto the bed properly and snuggling into her was more important to him.

"Satisfied now?" Warrior teased.

"Oh yes...there's nothing like a good fuck to relax you after a hard day's work." Wizard breathed out.

"No kidding." Warrior said, and Wizard smirked.

"You know...you taking me from behind...is probably my favorite position too. That roughness you put on display really confirms that it takes a beast...to kill a beast.." She said.

"No shortage of the beasts I put down." Warrior boasted.

"Keep that up and I'll ask you to fuck me again." Wizard groaned.

"I'll fuck you as many times as you want...my dear sorceress." Warrior said before sucking on her neck like a vampire...they then heard galloping outside.

---

"Boss? I thought you two were going to Water Town?" Priestess asked as Ranger and Fighter rolled in on their horse and cart.

"We were, but when we got there..." Fighter trailed off.

"What...?" Priestess asked seriously.

"Water Town is under siege." Ranger said and Priestess gasped.

"No..." She whispered, then Ranger looked at Fighter.

"Go get the rest of the team, we have a job to do." He said.

"Alright." Fighter said before she went into the tavern.

"Priestess?" Ranger said seriously.

"Warrior and Wizard are at home and...I didn't want to disturb them." Priestess said, then Wizard and Warrior came outside.

"What's going on out- Boss? What's going on?" Wizard asked.

"We have to save Water Town...again." Ranger said and Wizard groaned.

"Just once I'd like to go there and not have to fix anything!" She exclaimed.

"At least we get to be heroes again." Warrior said simply.

"That's true, but still!" Wizard said.

"Enough. Who wants to get Goblin Slayer and the farm girl?" Ranger asked.

"I will." Priestess said then Ranger gave her the portal gem, and she went into Wizard and Warrior's apartment.

"One would think people would be used to portals opening." Warrior said.

"The fewer people know about that gem, the better. Thank goodness we're all alone here." Ranger said, then Fighter came out with Rhea Fighter and Wizard's brother.

"It's a damn good thing we just had breakfast boss." Rhea Fighter said.

"No kidding." Warrior said.

"What's the plan?" Wizard asked.

"First we need to scout the place; who knows what's been happening there, or how many foes we have to deal with." Ranger said.

"This is a golden opportunity to try out my new spells." Rhea Fighter said, which got her some looks from the others.

"What?" Wizard asked.

"We happened to have practiced magic in our spare time, especially that silencing spell you taught your husband." Her brother said.

"Technically I learned it myself." Warrior said simply.

"Well, we learned it together." Wizard's brother said.

"Do you have one of those invisibility brooches?" Ranger asked.

"Yep, right here." Rhea Fighter said as she held it up.

"Good, then go see what's happening in Water Town, but do not engage anyone, I don't care what you see; we can stop or make them pay for it later." Ranger said seriously.

"That reminds me! I can probably give my familiars some new tricks as well. Sis, I'm going to need some help." Wizard's brother said.

"Count us in." Wizard said.

"Us?" Warrior asked.

"Yeah, you're into magic yourself remember?" Wizard asked.

"Right...well, three heads beat two." Warrior said.

"Hence when do you count as a third head?" Wizard teased.

"Oh shut it." Warrior said and Wizard giggled.

"Let's just improve my summons, then go kick some more ass." Her brother deadpanned as they...and Rhea Fighter, went into the apartment.

"Rhea Fighter...don't forget your chakras if you need them." Fighter said.

"Right, the sense boost could make scouting much easier..." Rhea Fighter said thoughtfully as she went inside.

"We're likely to get the entire Evil Sect army involved." Ranger said.

"Then they'll just be throwing away their own troops. Can't say I'm against that..." Fighter said.

"Nor I...but when we get there, the first thing I'm doing is reclaiming our house." Ranger said.

"After that, you go see what's happening at the Temple of Law." Fighter said.

"But-" She cuts Ranger off.

"But nothing, you're the only Platinum Rank in this team for a reason; you met your patron for crying out loud." Fighter said seriously.

"Right...well, don't forget your own bag of tricks please." Ranger said as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Of course..." Fighter whispered before he kissed her quickly yet sweetly. They then noticed GS and Cow Girl leave the apartment with Priestess...as well as Dwarf Rifleman.

"What the-? What are you doing here?" Ranger asked.

"Well, I came back with Her Highness, but she joined the scouting mission you had going on." D.R. said casually.

"You got Her Highness involved in this?" Fighter asked.

"Yep, and believe me...it was a bitch to get her to say yes to this; she fucking hates that place." D.R. said.

"Yeah, that place has quite a few problems lately doesn't it?" Fighter said.

"That's what we're here for." Cow Girl said.

"Damn straight." D.R. said.

"Do you think there will be goblins in the sewers again?" GS asked.

"Don't know, but would anyone put it past them?" Fighter asked.

"Probably not." GS said.

"Well, that settles it, you check the sewers, we'll handle the rest of the place." Ranger said simply.

"I can handle more than just goblins." GS said.

"Goblin Slayer...you're not called Goblin Slayer for nothing; while it's nice to see you branching out like this...goblins are your specialty. Just give them a punch or two from me will you?" Cow Girl said.

"Right." GS said, then Rhea Fighter and H.E. Druid showed up.

"Nice of you to make your triumphant return Your Highness." D.R. teased with a small bow, which she smirked at.

"Very funny, but...it's not funny in Water Town, not at all." She said.

"Oh boy..." Wizard groaned before H.E. Druid signaled the others to come inside and sit down.

"The Evil Sect in everywhere; terrorists patrolled the streets, people were enslaved and forced to help turn the place into a fortress, and anyone who refused either got killed themselves, or had to watch their families get killed. We actually managed to talk to one of the women and...her brother just asked what they were doing...then got tossed into a room full of goblins and got butchered and eaten by them." H.E. Druid said.

"Then they've all dug their own graves, only they won't be coming back." Ranger said simply yet tensely.

"Other than that, the fortress they made was rather impressive: towers, walls, a spire for mages, you name it. I don't know if the place looked different beforehand- well, other than the fortifications, but still." Rhea Fighter said.

"The place hasn't changed other than that. The houses weren't torn down, the streets are still intact, but there's no one outside anymore; the place is under complete martial law." H.E. Druid.

"Then we each take a certain place and stick to it." Priestess said.

"Right. Priestess, you stay with the rifleman and farm girl outside to watch their backs as they pick off guards on the towers." Ranger said.

"I'll stay them as well. I may not use a gun...but I don't have to." H.E. Druid said.

"What do you mean?" D.R. asked and got a smile out of the elf.

"You'll see..." She said.

"The rest of us will go through the city and clear the place out." Fighter said.

"Please be careful when you do; there's no telling what the Evil Sect will have in store for you." Priestess said and Fighter held her hand.

"Hey, who are you talking to sis? You've seen how much ass I can kick." Fighter said with a smile, which Priestess returned.

"Right..." She said softly.

"And you Orcbolg?" H.E. Druid asked.

"I'll take the sewers." GS said simply.

"Again with the damn sewers..." H.E. Druid groaned.

"On second thought, I want to go with him. He may need some help with the lighting and I can help fight any demons or at least weaken them for him." Priestess said.

"Good idea. Do you three think you'll be o.k. without her?" Ranger asked.

"Of course we will, especially since I've got this!" D.R. said as he reached into his bag and pullout an axe blade that attached to the butt of his rifle...much to everyone's amazement.

"Yeah, that'll get the job done nicely..." Fighter said.

"Well...once they get done working on the familiars-" Ranger shut up the moment Warrior came out of the room the wizard siblings were working in.

"Sorry to interrupt, but here's what's being worked on: the familiars are being given the same stealth abilities that Rhea Fighter here has, and even the ability to turn into other familiars. Granted the combination of those abilities isn't perfect, but it should work." Warrior said.

"We shouldn't rely on it either; if those abilities are going to be used, they should be tested only. Do not think of those abilities as a trump card." Ranger said seriously.

"Of course not, I'm just letting you know what's what." Warrior said.

"Should we hit them any time soon? I don't even want to think about what's going on while we're sitting here jabbering." H.E. Druid groaned.

"You three go first. Priestess, open a portal to the road to Water Town, and let them go their damage." Ranger said, then Priestess followed his order as the three shooters got locked and loaded.

"We'll let you know when we did what we could." D.R. said.

"Just take out the ones you think are the most dangerous, let us know, and keep doing your thing." Ranger said.

"For Water Town!" D.R. said dramatically as the three went through the portal.

"Goblin Slayer?" Priestess asked as GS got up.

"Send me to the sewers." GS said and Priestess made the portal sink, then opened up again.

"Good luck you two." Fighter said before Priestess hugged her.

"Good luck...sister." She said before Fighter returned the hug, then kissed Priestess' forehead.

"Give them hell." Fighter said and Priestess giggled at the irony before GS entered the portal.

---

H.E. Druid led Dwarf Rifleman and Cow Girl down the road until they spotted Water Town...and Rhea Fighter wasn't kidding; the place was almost unrecognizable.

"O.k...I know I haven't been to Water Town in years, but there's no way it changed that much." D.R. said.

"You've been here before?" Cow Girl asked.

"Yep, never got to meet the Sword Maiden though. What was she like?" D.R. asked.

"What was she like? She was sweet, wise, and...gods above she was beautiful; especially when I saw her at Ranger and Fighter's wedding without that ungodly blindfold." Cow Girl said dreamily.

"Cut the chatter, there's guards on those towers, we can daydream after we take care of them." H.E. Druid said seriously.

"Oh, right." D.R. said as he and Cow Girl looked through their scopes...as H.E. Druid kept looking at them without one. She then notched and shot an arrow to the side, which got Cow Girl's attention.

"What are you-" H.E. Druid cuts her off.

"Just watch..." H.E. Druid said as the arrow swerved back around, and hit a guard on the top of one of the towers in the neck, which astonished both her companions.

"Nice shot Your Highness." D.R. teased.

"Thank you very much..." H.E. Druid said proudly.

"How...?" Cow Girl asked.

"We elves have our ways, but on a serious note...as a druid, my senses are leagues ahead of what they were, and my archery benefits from it as well." H.E. Druid said.

"Will you marry me...?" D.R. asked.

"No...but thank you for asking." H.E. Druid said with a smirk before Cow Girl fired a shot...and a guard who found the first one's body dropped dead.

"Nice shot sweetheart." D.R. said.

"Thanks...and don't call me sweetheart." Cow Girl deadpanned and D.R. snickered before sniping more guards, with H.E. Druid pulling more stunts with her arrows. Cow Girl then kept up her own shots.

"That rifle is accurate. What did those elves do to it other than make it look better?" D.R. asked before taking another shot.

"They made it quieter obviously-" H.E. Druid cuts Cow Girl off.

"Thanks the spirits for my ears being able to drown out sounds...dwarf." She said.

"Hey, next time I see those wizards, I'll ask them to give my gun a boost." D.R. said as they continued shooting down the guards.

"Anyway, it's quieter, holds more bullets, and it lets wind blow over it...no pun intended." Cow Girl said as she shot down yet another guard.

"Smart of them, the wind can be a bitch when shooting." D.R. said as he looked over the walls and towers.

"Unless you're me." H.E. Druid boasted.

"Yep...a sharp, talented, and dare I say gorgeous elf." D.R. teased.

"Just keep your eyes on those guards instead of me." H.E. Druid said as a portal opened...and Priestess came through it and ran to them.

"Wait! I forgot to give you this..." She said as she gave Cow Girl the portal gem..then her eyes widened.

"That's right! How would we get back to the others without it?" She asked.

"Oh shit..." D.R. said.

"Thanks, not you should get to Goblin...Slayer..." Priestess went through the portal before Cow Girl could finish.

"Let's just get back to shoot- shit!" D.R. exclaimed as a bullet hit the ground by his feet, then more bullets tore up the trees around them, the trio entered a portal Cow Girl made then reappeared in the apartment.

"They're onto us!" Cow Girl exclaimed then Ranger groaned and facepalmed.

"So much for shock and awe..." Fighter said.

"Wait a minute...they probably think you're the vanguard of an invasion, but I highly doubt they know about the gateways, we have around Water Town, especially in the manors. I was going to suggest me blow open the gates and hit them directly and indirectly...but if we attack using the portals and nothing else..." Ranger trailed off.

"Then we can hit in places they won't expect at all!" Cow Girl exclaimed.

"You two are geniuses!" D.R. exclaimed.

"Let's not get carried away; there's no telling how they'll prepare." H.E. Druid said seriously.

"Relax, me and Ranger know that place like the back of our hands; we, or should I say I, can send you right to places where no one will expect you." Fighter said.

"He's not coming?" D.R. asked.

"I'm going to hit the Temple of Law itself, after I retake my fucking house." Ranger said as he clenched his fist.

"Sheesh, I feel sorry for anyone who robbed the place..." D.R. said.

"Oh the first thing I'm doing is checking to see if someone took my stuff, and I know everything we own." Ranger said then the Wizard siblings came out.

"While you do that...we'll be wrecking havoc with invisible squirrels that turn into crocodiles that make a meal out of those terrorist bastards." Wizard's brother said.

"Just make sure they don't try to make a meal out of us!" Rhea Fighter exclaimed.

"Oh relax, they're not that bloodthirsty." Wizard said.

"Yeah, if they were, we wouldn't use them." Her brother said.

"Well, regardless, there's quite a few people we should get in touch with- Noble Fencer!" Warrior exclaimed.

"Please Supreme, let her be o.k..." Ranger groaned.

"Open a portal or two and let's get this show on the road then!" Fighter said, then Cow Girl gave the portal gem to Ranger.

"Fighter, you go first." He said then gave the gem to Fighter went through, then Ranger made the portal shrink then return to normal.

"Why did you do that?" Wizard's brother asked.

"Send your familiars through this portal." Ranger said, then the two wizards made two dozen squirrels, then made them turn invisible.

"They went through." Wizard said, then Rhea Fighter took the gem and she worked the portal.

"I got this one." She said before giving Ranger the gem to Warrior who worked the portal yet again.

"I'll take the docks." He said before Ranger took the gem and worked it another time.

"You three come go back to where you were." He said.

"Right." Cow Girl said, and the portal closed after the shooters went through.

"We'll use the gateway..." Ranger said before he and the wizards went through the gateway...to his home.

---

In the sewers, Goblin Slayer and Priestess looked the place over with Priestess illuminating the place with Holy Light.

"I obtained the miracles of Vision and Purge in case we need them." She said.

"How often can you use them?" GS asked.

"I never tried them, but I assume Purge should be used as a last resort, and I believe the Sword Maiden used Vision all the time, so..." Priestess trailed off.

"She may have been an exception; she was a powerful miracle-user...but then, so are you." GS said and Priestess smiled.

"That's right; she even said I'm her successor." She said and GS looked right at her.

"She chose wisely." He said before he looked both ways at an intersection. "This way, the other way is a dead end."

"How did you know?" Priestess asked.

"I remember this place." GS said as he turned the corner...then threw a knife at a shadow, and a goblin fell into the sewer face-first.

"What the...?" Priestess trailed off.

"That's one..." GS said simply, then a Hell Rift opened behind them, and they both drew their swords as goblins poured out of it, then GS rushed at them and butchered goblins by the dozen, and occasionally retreating to get his barrings, as Priestess impaled a goblin to two when she got the chance. She also noticed that her sword burned the goblins thanks to the silver in her sword...and noticed a silvery glue on GS's sword. He was taking a page out of the demon hunters' book! "41...45...47...53...61...!"

"71...74...79...81..." Priestess said as she continued impaling goblins until they both finished the rest and they put their swords away.

"That makes 94..." GS said as he kept going like nothing happened with Priestess following. "You've improved."

"I've been watching you and Ranger for over a year, plus I tried my swordsmanship out on my own time." Priestess said.

"Why didn't you use a sword before?" GS asked.

"I didn't think of it, and I certainly didn't think I could replace the Sword Maiden until now." Priestess said softly.

"Now you not only have a chance to, but it might even be a necessity." GS said.

"Don't you think I'm alittle...young to become archbishop?" Priestess asked, and GS looked at her.

"If the Sword Maiden says you should be...who's going to say no to her?" He asked, and Priestess looked down in thought.

"Good point." She said.

"Let's just keep going, there's no way that was the only rift that will open." GS said before moving on.

"Right." Priestess said as she continued to follow him.

---

Fighter exited the portal in an alleyway, then ducked under some sacks and boxes as some terrorists walked by. She then morphed a cloak and mask over her armor, and looked around for anyone, and saw no one but the terrorists she snuck past. She then snuck around some more, until...

"Hey you there! What are you doing out in the streets?" A terrorist asked as Fighter stood still.

"You hard of hearing pal? My friend here asked you a quest-" Fighter popped a blade and cut the man's throat before launching a blade at this partner's throat, then hid the bodies.

"So much for stealth..." Fighter said, then rushed through the city at breakneck speeds, then ducked into another alleyway to catch her breath...then she morphed cables out of her fingertips and grappled up to the roof and looked around. She then admired the superior view, then ran across the rooftops until she reached a park...and found a huge pit filled with corpses. Most were guards, but others were innocent bystanders, including women and children. The sight made her eyes water and her stomach turn so much she clutched her abdomen as she turned away.

She then tensed up with fury before she heard a woman wailing, then roof-hopped until she got there, and saw some terrorists holding the woman back as three men were being hanged from a post...with dozens of people watching in horror.

"This is what happens when you stick your nose where it doesn't belong!" A terrorist said before his friend punched the woman to the ground.

"You get involved in something at the wrong place at the wrong time, this hap-" The man didn't even finish before Fighter dashed into the area, freed the men being hung by severed the ropes choking them, then grabbed the dead terrorist's axe and threw it at the man who hit the woman, hitting him in the face, then the rest of the terrorists charged at her, only for one to get their sword blocked and their chest impaled, another to get spin-kicked in the throat, another to get tripped and spin-kicked into another before both get pierced through their heads by her arms blade, then Fighter ducked a spear thrust from behind, then kicked the man back with both feet before stabbing him with his own spear and stood back as he tried to remove the spear before dying. Fighter then removed her mask and the people chattered among themselves. They were clearly happy to see her face.

"This occupation is ending. All of you keep silent about this; it's critical that my team's work stay secret, at least for now." She said.

"I think I speak for everyone when I say, thank the Supreme you returned Fighter." One of the freed men said as he took her hand and shook it while bowing.

"He speaks for me as well." The woman who was hit said as the man embraced her.

"Where's our daughter?" The man asked.

"Daddy!" A little girl yelled as she rushed to see her father with tears in her eyes. She then looked at Fighter who was smiling down at her.

"I wish I could stay longer, but I have to go..." She said.

"Are you going to kick their butts Miss Fighter?" The girl asked before Fighter knelt to her level.

"Me and my team are going to kick all of their butts." She said and the girl held her hand out, and Fighter shook it before she ran off.

"Godspeed Fighter...godspeed..." The woman whispered as Fighter climbed a building, then opened her chakras before she spotted a large group of terrorists gathered in one spot.

"Whatever you assholes are doing, you better enjoy it while you can. As soon as stealth goes out the window, you're mine-" Fighter shut up when she spotted a short figure dashing through them and as it jumped up, a terrorist lost it's head, an arm, or both. Fighter then leaped over to another set of buildings, and ran to see what was going on...then saw Rhea Fighter moving through the terrorists so quickly, and so violently, that they couldn't tell what was going on as their comrades were butchered. When it was over, dozens of terrorists all had their heads severed or split open, their hearts impaled, one or more limbs missing, their bodies bisected in various ways, or any combination of those things.

"Disgusting bastards..." Rhea Fighter growled as she put her blessed sword away.

"Hey." Fighter said as she dropped down to see her...but she didn't turn to see her.

"You're late to the party." Rhea Fighter deadpanned.

"This is supposed to be a stealth operation." Fighter whispered, then Rhea Fighter side-glanced at her.

"I checked to make sure the patrols were busy or just plain killed them before I came here, and the more we kill now, the less we'll have to deal with later, and this place could have hundreds if not thousands of terrorists here." Rhea Fighter said seriously.

"Still, they're going to come looking for intruders when these guys don't show up. The people who live here are in enough trouble as it is..." Fighter said.

"I know...I saw a pit full of corpses earlier." Rhea Fighter said and Fighter's eyes widened.

"You saw it too?" She asked.

"No...there's more than one, and each one is just as full as the last. These...savages were actually bragging about it; some even gang-raped a woman in front of her family, slit her family's throats one by one as each man, if you can even call them that, finished up, and then slit her throat while the ones who didn't get involved watched in amusement. I don't even want to think about what the others did." Rhea Fighter said while shaking in fury.

"These peop- savages are no better than the goblins...!" Fighter said seriously.

"So...with that knowledge, you got a new plan boss lady?" Rhea Fighter asked.

"We hide these corpses, and continue our work." Fighter said as she gathered the severed body parts.

"And the blood?" Rhea Fighter asked as Fighter used her cables to absorb the blood, and even absorbed the heaviest of the armor suits, and the weapons.

"Does that answer you?" Fighter asked.

"Nevermind then..." Rhea Fighter said, and the pair then went around the city, sneaking past people, climbing up walls and dashing across the roofs, assassinating guards, saving people, and Fighter absorbed the dead terrorists' armor, weapons and blood, as Rhea hid the corpses.

"That makes 52...sheesh, I'm starting to sound like Goblin Slayer." Fighter groaned and Rhea Fighter chuckled.

"I'll stop you if you start brooding like him." She said and Fighter pounded her shoulder. "Ow..." The pair then kept going until they reached Noble Fencer's manor...and the place was wrecked. The two ladies then went inside and saw the place wasn't just wrecked, it was robbed.

"So they not only destroy the place, but also take stuff? What won't these assholes do?" Fighter asked, then she heard a voice.

"Hey, is that Fighter? Hey! Fighter! Get me out of this! Can you hear me?!" The voice yelled.

"I know that voice..." Fighter whispered then they went to see an iron vat in the back room and lo and behold... "I hear you Noble Fencer."

"Then get me the hell out of here!" She yelled, and Fighter popped her blades, cut the lock open and held Noble Fencer up as the vat opened, and she started coughing and gagging.

"Where have you been?! We've been under the Evil Sect's thumb for days!" Noble Fencer exclaimed before Rhea Fighter gave her a sword she found.

"You're welcome..." She said sharply, then Fighter looked the place over again.

"Well excuse me for being pissed that my home was robbed and trashed by a band of renegades, and I was made a prisoner in said house while I watched it all happen!" Noble Fencer snapped before sucking in a breath. "But...I am thankful that you came when you did."

"Are you the only one who was locked up like this?" Fighter asked.

"Not even close; they locked up lots of people in these things, took them to that spire in front of the Temple of Law...I don't know if they were going to take me there but, I wouldn't put it past them to just leave me here to rot in my own home." Noble Fencer said.

"Neither would I. Honestly I can't remember the last time I was this angry..." Rhea Fighter breathed out.

"Well, now we can free Water Town and make the Evil Sect regret setting foot here." Fighter said.

"Well, we're in luck, while you were gone, a half-elf man came here to visit his mother, and he's a Sword Mage." Noble Fencer said.

"Sword...Mage?" Fighter asked.

"Yep, like me, he's good with magic, and a sword at the same time; we even had ourselves a duel and it ended with him winning. Good thing I learned from the Storm Mage when he was alive." Noble Fencer said.

"You trained with him?" Rhea Fighter asked.

"Not often, but he took a break from his demon hunts to show me a thing or two. I killed half the people who attacked this place as a result." Noble Fencer said.

"Maybe they locked you up to get revenge." Rhea Fighter said and Noble Fencer scoffed.

"Since when does the Evil Sect care about it's people? They did that out of sheer spite; they even said so, and I have pretty good reason to believe them. Say, did you kill any of them on the way in?" She asked.

"Don't know, and frankly, don't care." Rhea Fighter said.

"We did kill plenty of terrorists since we've been here, but I don't know if they're the same ones who raided this place." Fighter said.

"Well, can you help me get my stuff back?" Noble Fencer asked.

"No problem, and we'll get our wizard friends to repair the house for you." Fighter said and Noble Fencer hugged her.

"You're a good friend Fighter. You and your team are true Gold Ranks..." She said.

"You're in a good mood, not that I blame you." Rhea Fighter said as Noble Fencer let Fighter go.

"Wouldn't you be? My day went from completely bleak, to apples and rainbows in a few seconds." She said.

"Let's not celebrate yet..." Fighter said as the three ladies left.

---

Ranger and the Wizard siblings entered his manor through the gateway to the front yard of his home, then looked the place over...before going inside and looking around upstairs.

"Why didn't we just sneak in the back?" Wizard's brother asked then Ranger raised an eyebrow at him.

"Hell will freeze over before I sneak into my own home." He said seriously.

"Right..." Wizard's brother said and Ranger bangs on a wall.

"Dammit! Some of my things are gone..." He said.

"We can get them back, or repair them later boss." Wizard said.

"Right...let's split up and search the place..." Her brother said as he left the siblings as he checked the front of the manor. He eventually got to his main bathroom, and saw nothing was gone...yet. He then suddenly recalled when Fighter welcomed him home after he got back from investigating the vampire queen...how soft her skin was, how loving her movements where, how bright her smile was as she giggled...how enchanting her voice was as she spoke to him. He then shook his head...

"Focus Ranger...you can do that with your wife as much as you want later. Now, you have a city to save...asses to kick..." Ranger breathed out, then he left the bathroom and heard voices that got louder as he neared the staircase to he living room.

"This place is a fucking treasure trove of loot." A terrorist said as he loaded some of Ranger's coin into a cart full of other valuables.

"This whole city is!" Another terrorist said and as soon as they went up he stairs, Ranger hid...then punched the first terrorist in the face hard enough to make him stumble down the stairs into the second one, then a terrorist pulled a sword, tried to impale Ranger...then got his arm dislocated, got to watch his friend got floored by a kick to the gut, then Ranger took the sword and ran it's owner through the chest with it, then Ranger pinned the second terrorist to the cart.

"Is this all the stuff you took?" Ranger asked.

"I'm not telling you shit." The terrorist said, then Ranger put a gun under his chin which made his eyes widen. "No...this everything. I swear it."

"See that wasn't so difficult..." Ranger said simply.

"Why do you even care?" The terrorist asked then Ranger scowled at him.

"A better question is why shouldn't I be outraged that a pair of Evil Sect shitstains made an all-you-can-take out of my home? Now...did anyone else come here before you?" Ranger asked.

"No...it was just us..." The terrorist said.

"So...all this destruction, all this thievery, was done by just two men...impressive, and foolish." Ranger said before grappling up the ceiling with his harpoon as the terrorist yelled and groaned in terror.

"Wait! I...I...I have information!" He exclaimed.

"Then let's hear it..." Ranger said simply.

"There's more loot in the center of town, lots of it, and there's dozens of hostages in the spire, and there's something going on at the Temple of Law, something to do with a high-ranking demon. Please! I'm just in this for the money; I've got nothing against any of you. I even let some hostages go when they were about to be given to the goblins!" The terrorist said.

"Let me repay you..." Ranger said coldly before dropping the terrorist and watching him scream until he hit the ground head-first, then dropped down himself and landed on his feet.

"Damn Ranger..." Wizard's brother said.

"He was lying." Ranger said as he looked into the cart and searched through it.

"How can you tell?" Wizard's brother asked.

"I may not have Sense Lie, but I don't need it; there are verbal and non-verbal cues that have I'm-a-liar written all over them, and he had several." Ranger said as he looked over some jewelry.

"Such as?" Wizard's brother asked.

"Voice stability for one thing; people who tell the truth don't struggle with what they say half as much as liars. There's also the fact that what he said was...pretty hard to believe given the circumstances." Ranger said as he measured some coin.

"What if he was mind tricked into thinking he did those things?" Wizard's brother asked.

"Then we'd see the evidence ourselves, besides, the dude tried to kill Ranger first...over some materials. Automatic death sentence right there." Wizard said.

"Right...now, luckily, this is alot of the stuff I own, but I don't know what they destroyed in here." Ranger said.

"We found plenty of destroyed things in the other rooms, so..." Wizard's brother trailed off.

"We'll sort this place out and join the others when we can, you just do your thing boss. Show them what happens when you invade a Platinum Rank's home!" Wizard said.

"Oh...I will..." Ranger said as he practically tore the door open and walked out.

"We should probably leave this stuff alone and just fix the place." Wizard said.

"Agreed, who knows where this stuff goes anyway?" Her brother said.

"I know where some of it goes, but you're right." Wizard said.

---

Warrior looked the docks over and saw the ships were destroyed and so were nearly every crate in sight.

"Sheesh, is this is a takeover, or a scorched earth maneuver to the power of ten?" He said as he looked over the mess.

"Hey! What are you doing? Civilians aren't supposed to be here!" A terrorist yelled.

"Neither are Evil Sect shitheads." Warrior said before he ducked and shot down the terrorist, and his two friends down with his auto crossbow, then he ran up the stairs to hide the bodies, and then looked around for others, then put is crossbow away, and morphed a cloak to skulk around the place, and snuck past several patrols, then picked them off when they weren't looking, the tactic worked for the better part of five minutes as he ran around the place, sticking to the shadows, and cover...until he shot down a patrol and the bodies were found and he had to shot down some alerted guards as well.

"Intrud-!- A terroist yelled before taking a bolt through his head from Warrior's crossbow. He then climbed up the building and watched Rhea Fighter butcher the only guards in the area. He then facepalmed and let out a sigh of relief.

"Note to self: more Life Sight, less aimless sneaking..." He groaned, then he snuck around the edge of the town and occasionally watched the two fighters in the team assassinate guards, then he moved onto others. Eventually, his luck changed when he was caught between two patrols, then hid inside an empty crate...then the guards stayed there to rest.

"Damn...collapsing a statue takes alot of elbow grease." A terrorist said which made Warrior scowl.

"What?" Another terrorist asked.

"We fell that statue in the town square, you know, the one where we stashed our loot?" The first terrorist said.

"Oh, that statue...well, better people just move on am I right? No need to cling to an element of the past..." Another terrorist said.

"Man, this place is just full of those statues." Another terrorist said as Warrior heard them move on, before knocking his crate over and he covered his mouth to keep his surprised grunt muffled. He then heard footsteps approach and started shaking.

"False alarm, I just knocked over a crate." A terrorist said as Warrior heard him join his friends. He then opened the crate, then watched the terrorists leave, got his barrings, then climbs up a wall to get to the main square...and he saw crates and carts full of various goods.

"These bastards are robbing the place...wait, where's everyone else? Oh whatever, these guys will tell me..." Warrior said before arrows and bullets tore through the area and dropped everyone in the area. "Or that..." Wizard and her brother casually walked along and looked the place over, then Fighter, Rhea Fighter...and Noble Fencer showed up.

"Talk about a reunion..." She said, Warrior then dropped down to the ground.

"Oh no..." Fighter breathed out as she looked over a toppled statue...of the Sword Maiden. She then knelt down to touch the statue's face as the others came to see it as Fighter lowered her head. Noble Fencer then touched her shoulder...then saw her tear-stained face.

"Oh it is on now...!" Warrior said seriously.

---

H.E. Druid put up her hood and mask as she approached the front gate...by herself, then the two guards at the entrance pointed their guns at her.

"Hey, this city is off-limits!" A terrorist yelled, then H.E. Druid stopped walking, put her thumb up...then pointed down, as a bullet tore through each of the terrorists' heads. She then put her thumb back up, before throwing a grappling hook up to the top of the gate and climbing up. D.R. and Cow Girl then came up from behind her, and ran up to the rope left for them and climbed up after her.

"You better not be eyeballing me." Cow Girl said as she and D.R. climbed.

"Lady...if you didn't want to be eyeballed...you should've gone...after me...besides...I'm spoken for..." D.R. said.

"We aren't married remember? I refused you earlier." H.E. Druid said as she pulled the two up.

"I wasn't being serious Your Highness." D.R. said.

"Still..." H.E. Druid said.

"Can we please talk about something else...like that view..." Cow Girl said.

"It would be alot better if it didn't involve a city needing salvation." H.E. Druid said as she led the trio to the top of a tower...after D.R. uses his axehead to chop down some guards, H.E. Druid puts an arrow through several more, and Cow Girl uses the shotgun-mod to her rifle to blow a guard's brains out. H.E. Druid then unleashed one arrow after another before D.R. and Cow Girl looked at where she was looking and then shot down several guards in the main square.

"They even destroyed the statue devoted to the Sword Maiden? How low can you possibly kick someone below the belt...?" Cow Girl asked.

"These people deserve every shot they take..." H.E. Druid said seriously before unleashing another arrow.

"We got them all." D.R. said.

"Wasn't aiming at them. Look..." H.E. Druid said before D.R. looked through his scope...and saw that she hit a hob through the neck.

"Oh shit...rifts!" He said before one opened downstairs, then he and Cow Girl opened fire on the goblins that rushed up the stairs as H.E. Druid braced her hook.

"Everyone climb down!" She yelled before she and the other two jumped out the window and rappelled down to the ground as some goblins tried to follow them...only to fall out of the window and hit the ground head-first as the three laughed at them.

"Dumbasses!" D.R. yelled as they continued laughing. When they reached the bottom, they ran straight for the main square, then saw Warrior impaling some of the terrorists who were still alive.

"You damn coward!" A terrorist yelled, then Warrior grabbed him and forced him to look at the statue.

"You're the cowards here! The woman who's honor this statue was built in, was a symbol of love and hope to the entire country, and you tore it down, and for what?! Fun? Sport? Spite?! Well guess what...no one likes people that pull shit like that, especially not us!" He said.

"So unless you want to see what that looks like, you might want to start cooperating." D.R. said with a raised eyebrow and his arms crossed.

"You don't scare me-" Warrior pulling his hammer and charging it with lightning shut the terrorist up.

"Afraid of this?" Warrior asked.

"FYI, getting hit by lightning hurts..." Wizard said casually.

"Alright alright! What do you want to know?" The terrorist asked.

"Where is everyone?" Warrior asked.

"Most of the troops who were here are dead, but the rest of the people are in cages under the city, if they weren't taken to the spire." The terrorist said.

"Spire? You mean that spire in the background?" H.E. Druid asked.

"Of course! A goblin wizard runs that place, and he's in league with the God of Wisdom, just like alot of the highest-ranking goblins are. And before you ask: no, I don't know why he wants people to be taken there!" The terrorist said.

"We can guess; goblins are known for being...creative with people they captured." Wizard said.

"Unlike what you did to this statue; that was real subtle." H.E. Druid said.

"Better what we did...then what the goblins did..." The terrorist said.

"Oh that is it!" Warrior snapped before slamming the terrorist's head into the ground then smashing his skull in with his hammer. The wizard siblings then used a Repair spell on the statue to restore it to it's former glory, then even used alchemy to fasten the base to the floor so it couldn't be knocked down again, then they all looked at the statue of the Sword Maiden simply standing there holding her staff and wearing her archbishop outfit...minus the blindfold.

"Did you see that Sword Maiden? Even in death, you are still loved..." Fighter whispered before sucking in a breath to keep her composure.

"O.k...I hate to break up the moment, but we were being chased by goblins from a hell rift earlier, and there's likely to be more around town." H.E. Druid said, and the team snapped their heads to their rear and saw a swarm of goblins heading down the sides of each of the canals. Fighter then opened her chakras, then rushed through one side of the canal...and dozens of goblins were sent flying in all directions. Some landed in the canal and tried to keep themselves above the water but failed, others crashed into the goblins on the other side, and some were simply splattered into the buildings.

Fighter then jumped to the other side and kicked every goblin within an inch of their lives as they got close to her. At one point, she side-stepped a hob's axe swing, ran up it's side, then jumped off of it with enough force to not only launch Fighter to the other side of the horde, but also sent the hob crashing into a building hard enough to crack the wall, and depress it's skull. When Fighter landed, she continued to maul every goblin with her arm and leg blades with a flurry of sweeping strikes with her arms and legs that were so rapid, the goblins could barely keep track of where she was, let along what she was doing.

Meanwhile, Cow Girl, D.R. and H.E. Druid opened fired on the rest of the goblins, tearing every goblin in the line of fire to shreds in the process. Warrior and Rhea Fighter swung their swords at the goblins who swarmed them from the flank, and even the goblins who weren't hit were sliced apart. The wizard siblings unleashed a stream of fire at another horde coming from the sides...and only the goblins were torched; the city itself was fine while the goblins were set ablaze...as were the stolen supplies.

The ones who weren't ignited, got to watch their brethren scream and thrash around trying to put the flames out until they died. The survivors charged at the wizards yelling in rage, but once they got close, the wizards put their hands on the ground at the same time...and the goblins that got too close were all launched into the air as the team laughed at them so hard that Warrior, Wizard's brother and Rhea Fighter fell on he floor, and Rhea Fighter even got on top of Wizard's brother as they laughing continued.

"Hey honey, that's one way to end a fight!" Warrior said before he continued laughing.

"We thought you'd...get a kick out of that..." Wizard said as she got ahold of herself...then her brother and Rhea Fighter noticed she was on top of him, and they both blushed like mad.

"Uhhh..." Her brother trailed off.

"I blame the laughter..." Rhea Fighter said as she got up.

"Anyway...I am so using that trap later on. I wish I used it earlier..." Wizard said as Fighter casually walked back as she removed her mask to reveal her cyan eyes that turned back to black as the wind picked up.

"Wow...if I were a goblin and I saw a woman like that come my way looking like that, I'd be shitting bricks..." Warrior said seriously as the wizard siblings used Repair to restore the damage to the stolen goods.

"Those goblins probably were." H.E. Druid said.

"The rest of the terrorists occupying this city definitely will." Fighter said seriously as she looked in the distance, as did the rest of the team.

"That spire..." Cow Girl said.

"We're probably going to need the whole team to assault a place like that." D.R. said.

"Right, they'll probably have no expense spared when it comes to defenses." H.E. Druid said.

"Then let's head to the Temple of Law. It's going to be dark soon anyway." Fighter said as they marched to the Temple of Law.

---

In the sewers, Priestess and Goblin Slayer were heading down a canal...with dozens of goblin corpses behind them, then the roof shook...

"Something serious must be happening up there." Priestess said.

"Use Vision to see what's happening." GS said.

"Oh...right..." Priestess said before she closed her eyes. "It's Fighter...she's tearing through an entire horde of goblins, and she's winning!"

"Good..." GS said simply...then a large shadow moved through the water.

"What was that!?" Priestess exclaimed.

"Probably just the familiar the Sword Maiden left as a guard." GS said.

"No...it vanished when she died; she let me know that before, and I don't sense it anywhere either." Priestess said.

"Then use Vision again." GS said...and Priestess gasped. "What's wrong?"

"That...that was a leviathan! Only smaller...much smaller, and it's not alone..." She said nervously.

"Has it eaten any goblins?" GS asked.

"I don't think so...but-" Priestess shut up when a shard of ice flew past them, then GS pulled one of his shotguns.

"A shaman..." He said as a shaman pointed at them and dozens of goblins rushed at them..only to get shredded by GS' gun. "That's 5..." The goblins then tried to rush them, only to take another volley from GS' shotgun. Some more goblins then charged them from the other side of the canal, then GS put his shotgun away, and drew his sword before he started slaughtering the goblins once they got close enough. Priestess then drank some holy water, and threw up Protection as reinforcement as GS sliced through the goblins from within the barrier. "Can you handle these goblins on your own?"

"I think so..." Priestess said as GS rushed to the other side, then Priestess drew her own sword, and the two sliced through the goblins as they neared the barrier.

"24...27...32..." GS said as he butchered his prey.

"48...53...59...61...67..." Priestess said as she stuck one goblin through the brain after another, then GS threw a bomb between the canals...which exploded and froze the goblins on both sides solid.

"You're next shaman..." GS said before Priestess beamed him with Holy Light as GS simply watched. "That makes 92..."

"There's got to be more-" A multitude of voices calling for help shuts Priestess up, as the two rush down a hallway, and when they got to the source of the commotion...they saw dozens of iron vats with people trapped in them.

"We're saved..." A woman said as Priestess empowered GS as he cut open their doors one by one and she healed them all in one feel swoop.

"You should be alright now..." Priestess said softly as the people looked her over.

"The Sword Maiden still smiles upon us...her spirit sends the Priestess and Goblin Slayer to save us!" A man said with reverence and the people all cheered.

"I knew she would not forsake us. She is truly our messiah!" Another man said.

"She didn't send us, we came here on our accord." GS said simply.

"Goblin Slayer! She very much had a hand in us coming here. If it wasn't for her, me and my team wouldn't have the stomach to come back." Priestess said.

"So...even the 11th Platinum Rank has returned. What about the rest of you?" A man said, and Priestess recognized him as the one who sells ice cream.

"We all came back sir." Priestess said as the people all chattered to each other.

"My good Priestess, there are other chambers like this one, and they have people there as well. Please help them." A woman said.

"Of course." Priestess said as she used Vision.

"Anything?" GS asked.

"Yes, this way." Priestess said.

"What about us?" A man asked.

"We will come back to retrieve you, please stay here until then. I promise we won't be long." Priestess said as she led GS down the hall, and eventually got to a ladder.

"That leads up to the Temple of Law." GS said.

"I know...but I think we might need this later." Priestess said before they went down another hallway until hey reached another room full of vats...with no one in them.

"Nothing here..." GS said.

"There's one person...in that one." Priestess said while pointing at one vat. GS then pulled the light sword he got along with his new armor and sliced the vat open, then the person inside yelled in fear, before GS tore the door off it's hinges...and revealed a man who looked like a male version of Witch covering himself with his arms in fear.

"Who are you...?" The man asked.

"The Goblin Slayer, and the Sword Maiden's successor, we're here to save you." Priestess said.

"And to kill the goblins-" She cuts GS off.

"And to save the city." She said seriously.

"Right..." GS said.

"You're going to...save the city?" The man asked.

"Yes, now may I ask who you are?" Priestess asked.

"I am an enemy to the forces who overtook this city, a Sword Mage to be precise." Sword Mage said.

"Sword...Mage?" Priestess asked.

"Yes, although...without my sword, I am little more than a simple mage." Sword Mage said.

"How did this all happen?" GS asked.

"I came here to visit my mother, but during my visit, the Evil Sect's forces attacked. It...it was chaos. Even the strongest of us were no match for them; the guards were all slaughtered like cattle, and their families executed as well, all to instill fear, and to extract revenge for the damage done by the 11th." Sword Mage said.

"Ranger..." Priestess said softly.

"It's all hypocrisy; it's no secret his hands are not clean, but compared to the Evil Sect, his hands are clean enough that even the Sword Maiden herself would probably be proud to eat out of a plate that clean, even if he wasn't a servant of hers...why else would she send him to kill the vampire queen?" Sword Mage said.

"He actually killed her on his own accord; the Sword Maiden just sent him to the north." GS said.

"A distinction without a difference; she graced the world with another Platinum Rank, as if she wasn't already enough of a goddess in human form." Sword Mage said.

"Well...do you know where your sword is? We're in a bit of a hurry." Priestess asked.

"I wish I did- wait...where did you get that one?" Sword Mage asked and GS looked over the handle of his light sword.

"This one?" GS asked and Sword Mage's eyes widened.

"That's the Sword of the Stars, said to have been granted the power of the stars themselves, which burn with the same power as the sun. This weapon is sacred-" GS cuts him off.

"Take it." He said simply before tossing it to Sword Mage.

"Goblin Slayer?" Priestess asked in awe.

"He lacks a weapon, and I'm nowhere near as comfortable using it as I am using my sword, especially in tight spaces." GS said.

"I do thank you for this, but the moment I get my sword back, I will return this. " Sword Mage said.

"Keep it." GS said simply.

"No, my sword isn't just a weapon; it's also one half of a conduit for my power." Sword Mage said.

"What?" Priestess asked.

"It's very complicated, but there's an armor set that goes with the sword, and the two can work together to make my spells stronger. It's part of why I'm Ruby Ranked." Sword Mage said.

"Ruby? Wow..." Priestess said softly.

"How many more rooms are there with vats like these?" GS asked.

"To my knowledge, five. This one, the one I heard you save, and three ahead." Sword Mage said.

"You heard that from here?" GS asked...then Sword Mage brushed his hair back to reveal his ears.

"You're an elf." Priestess said.

"Half-elf; my father was human; he's actually the one who made my sword and armor, so it's as sacred to me, as that starlight sword is to the rest of the elves." Sword Mage said.

"Take us to the other rooms, if you know where they are." GS said and Sword Mage stood up.

"Of course. I saw the other three while I was being dragged down here by the goblins." He said as they walked out.

"Do you know why they're capturing people?" Priestess asked.

"No, and I don't think I want to know...but it involves that spire behind the city...I have no idea how that spire got there; it wasn't built here; it just...appeared out of thin air." Sword Mage said.

"Maybe someone used a gateway." GS said.

"Or something used a gateway..." Priestess trailed off.

"What are you suggesting...?" Sword Mage asked seriously.

"I'm not sure, but if it really did just appear with no explanation...then clearly something more sinister is happening." Priestess said.

"It doesn't matter. We'll deal with it in time, let's get those people, kill the goblins, and get out of the sewers..." GS said.

---

When Ranger got to the stairs of the Temple of Law...he couldn't help but stare at the entrance; it just wasn't the same knowing the Sword Maiden was no longer alive, even if she was practically a guardian angel now. The implication of what he'd see...and who he wouldn't or might not see made him sigh deeply. He then went inside and looked around...and his relief sharpened.

"At least this place wasn't robbed..." Ranger said as he looked over the artworks in the temple, from the paintings, to the statues, to the occasional relic. He then got to the place he had his wedding in...and recalled the moments like they just happened. How lovely fighter looked, the Sword Maiden's blessing...his and Fighter's first kiss as husband and wife...and he had to stop reliving the moment before he lose his self-control. He then eventually got to the chamber they first met in, and he recalled his meetings with the Sword Maiden, from the time he told her about what kind of damage they did to the goblins' numbers, among other things, and especially the times she handled his infant daughter, as if she was the mother herself. He then closed his eyes as the self-inflicted mental torture continued...he then saw a flash through his eyelids.

"Ranger..." Sword Maiden trailed off.

"Why am I not surprised you'd come back...?" Ranger asked.

"Because you know me so well, and I knew my home would affect you like this." Sword Maiden said, as Ranger glanced to the side, and lo and behold Sword Maiden was right there.

"I'll never forget the first time I saw this place; how much anticipation there was...especially for Priestess." Ranger said.

"It's not the same is it?" Sword Maiden asked.

"Not at all. Even with you right behind us, sometimes literally...you are still technically dead." Ranger said...then felt Sword Maiden hold his hand, which made him right look at her.

"I am not just alive...I'm immortal, and it's all thanks to the people's love...thanks to your team's love...thanks to your love." She said with a smile, then he looked back at the entrance and breathed deeply.

"I just recalled the times you held my daughter as if she was your own child...what a mother you would've made." Ranger said softly.

"I would gladly bare Storm Mage's child, or if fate decreed otherwise...your own." Sword Maiden said and Ranger sighed.

"I do love you...I always did...but..." He trailed off.

"When I used the miracle of Resurrection on you...you said that if your heart didn't belong to Fighter, you would have given me what I asked. If that really is true...I am glad you refused me, even if you didn't have another heart in place with your own. Trying to seduce you was a mistake, and I'm happy it had no weight." Sword Maiden said.

"Storm Mage deserves your heart more than I could hope to." Ranger said seriously, then Sword Maiden looked the room over.

"Speaking of whom...I must show you this..." She said as she showed him images of Storm Mage hurling lightning bolts and orbs at the goblins or just shredding them with his sword-whip with Sword Maiden laying down on the ground behind him watching the massacre in awe. Then the goblin champion Storm Mage had to use Thunderstrike on, only to get bashed aside as the goblins closed in on Sword Maiden to claim her...again. Then Storm Mage struck the champion again before finishing off the goblins, then meeting Sword Maiden's warm embrace.

"That man..." Ranger whispered in awe.

"Every...single fear I kept bottled up inside of me for the last decade, completely consumed me in that moment; I could neither run, nor scream...nor even weep. He rescued me in the single darkest moment of my life. He has earned everything I have, and everything I am, and I wish I had more than one heart to give...because then I'd give it to him in addition to the first. No amount of greed can smother that kind of love..." Sword Maiden said with a cracked voice.

"Sword Maiden..." Ranger breathed out.

"If he had not been there for me...what those little monsters had in mind probably would have crushed my very sanity beyond any hope of repair. But...when he is with me, in my bed...I apologize for invading your privacy but I had to know what you and Fighter's intimacy was like. Ours actually surpasses yours; the contrast between his touch, and the goblins'...there is no difference greater; with you it is as simple as an expression of love and lust, albeit a strong and dignified one. With us, or at least me...only the Supreme God's touch gives a greater rapture." Sword Maiden said with intense passion.

"And this is coming from a man who's avarice was immeasurable..." Ranger said thoughtfully.

"As if the contrast was not great enough. If the love you, your team, and the people gave me makes me immortal...then the love he gives me makes me..." Sword Maiden trailed off.

"Strong? Happy? Free?" Ranger asked.

"All of those things..." Sword Maiden whispered, then Ranger reached for her...and she threw her arms around him and held him as tightly as she could. Ranger couldn't help but smile as he returned the favor. He could feel Sword Maiden completely relax as she stood there in his embrace. It was like the first time Storm Mage embrace her all over again...

"Sword Maiden..." Ranger breathed out.

"You must think me foolish...comparing our love lives at a time like this..." Sword Maiden trailed off.

"If it occupies a place in your mind this great, go ahead. I have no right to judge...nor does anyone else." Ranger said seriously as Sword Maiden backed up and looked his armor over.

"This armor...I know it both is, and contains the spoils of war, but...I accepted what you said to Priestess the last time she saved you long ago." Sword Maiden said.

"What do you mean?" Ranger asked.

"You told her that you're not a gentle spirit; if you were, you would not have slaughtered thousands of goblins, with and without your team aiding you." Sword Maiden said.

"I see..." Ranger whispered then Sword Maiden giggled.

"You sound just like Goblin Slayer when you say that." She said while smiling as brightly as Fighter does.

"That wasn't my intention..." Ranger said.

"Nevertheless...I have one last thing to show you." Sword Maiden said as she showed an image of the Chief God's home.

"What in...?" Ranger breathed out.

"I may be the Sword Maiden...but not even I have my own statue...in Heaven." Sword Maiden said as Ranger looked over each of the statues until he got to the one of Hero...and his eyes widened when she got to the one of himself.

"I don't believe it..." He trailed off.

"All the Platinum Ranks have their own statue in Heaven." Sword Maiden said, and Ranger smirked.

"My Porcelain Rank self never thought of this..." He said.

"That is why no one outside of Heaven knows this...and for good reason; only the most trustworthy people can go in and out of Heaven on a whim...and I know few that even rival your trustworthiness Ranger." Sword Maiden said.

"Why?" Ranger asked.

"Because...you love the people as much as I do, you're a remarkable warrior, a wise leader, have more devotion to your cause than can be measured...and even your hatred and greed are used for good. You've killed goblins with the same vigor and efficiency as Goblin Slayer himself, and you acquire more material possessions just so you can increase your ability to make the lives of your friends, family, and the innocent better. As far as I know, only the War's God's first champion, the Destroyer, was more worthy of his favor than yourself." Sword Maiden said.

"The War God actually told me to my face that only the Destroyer was more worthy of his mark than myself...he also said I was your servant." Ranger said.

"You disapprove?" Sword Maiden asked.

"How can I refuse being a servant of the Sword Maiden? Countless adventurers would kill to have a chance to do something for you. Then again...I'm sure the same is true for those who would wish me to do something for them. Quite an interesting irony..." Ranger said.

"Yes. You...the cold-blooded avenger who fights on the frontlines, and I, a fragile authority figure who sends you there..." Sword Maiden said, then Ranger touched her face.

"Sword Maiden...I don't see you that way at all; you're as much a part of my family as the rest of my team is, and I love you just as much." He said seriously and Sword Maiden giggled.

"There's that sweet side of you, the one that earned you Fighter's heart...and what a fierce, noble, and benevolent heart it is." She said.

"From where I'm standing, yours isn't far behind, or ahead." Ranger said.

"That's what the people think; Priestess and Goblin Slayer recently freed some people...and they practically sang my praises. Priestess even slew some goblins with her sword; I couldn't have done better myself." Sword Maiden said.

"She what?" Ranger asked seriously.

"You will all have interesting tales to tell when you reunite." Sword Maiden said.

"Apparently..." Ranger said.

"You know...I never thought I would see the day when I'd envy any set of adventurers, but the bonds your team have surpass that of the bonds I had with my own team when I faced the Demon Lord." Sword Maiden said.

"And now you're- well, you're not officially part of my team, but you might as well be." Ranger said.

"You honor me Ranger..." Sword Maiden and Ranger kissed her forehead.

"The honor is mine...Your Grace..." Ranger whispered and got a smile out of the Nephilim. His eyes then widened as they looked out the window.

"What is it?" Sword Maiden asked.

"It's going to get dark soon!" Ranger said seriously.

"Relax, we were in Limbo from the moment I arrived. We could speak for hours longer, and your family would still be in no danger without you." Sword Maiden said.

"How lucky can a man be to be able to speak of things this personal, with the Sword Maiden or otherwise, and get away with it, during an occupation?" Ranger asked.

"Not many. But then...not many go from the humblest of origins to...a Platinum Rank." Sword Maiden said.

"A Platinum Rank that...well, while I do enjoy speaking with you immensely-" Sword Maiden cuts Ranger off.

"You have a temple to save. I can sense a great deal of activity in the gardens where you fought and defeated the ogre. Something I failed to have congratulated you for, much to my dismay..." She said.

"I'll pretend you did..." Ranger said and Sword Maiden giggled.

"I should've known you would say that. Now...let us waste no more time." She said as she and Ranger vanished.

---

Ranger reappeared in the gardens...and when he looked around, the sun was nearly set. He then morphed his guns and waiting for any threats to appear...but none did.

"Sword Maiden? There's nothing here..." Ranger said, then Sword Maiden appeared behind him...just before a series of rifts opened in front of him, and dozens of goblins poured out of them...and they were actually laughing at him much to his curiosity.

"These are the same goblins Storm Mage saved me from...the ones who first attacked me a decade ago..." She said and Ranger snapped his head to her with his outrage visible on his face. He then closed his eyes and shook with fury as the goblins approached slowly but steadily. Ranger then drank some holy water and exhaled deeply.

"Immolation..." He whispered before unleashing a burst of flame that covered half the area in front of him in one quick burst. The goblins burned and screamed at the top of their voices as Ranger watched with complete disregard for their agony. Eventually...only one was left alive and then looked at Ranger...only to get a metal javelin thrown through it's gut as it struggled to free itself before expiring. "I'll bet you thought you were lucky..."

"Ranger...there are more coming, and these are the ones you killed before you were set on fire a year ago..." Sword Maiden said and Ranger sighed before dozens more came through the rifts.

"How many times must I kill the same stinking goblins...?!" He growled before he morphed a greatsword and heavy armor as he charged into the middle of the garden, tackling down a hob that tried to stop him with an axe, then several more goblins were crushed under the hob before Ranger whirled the greatsword around as he himself whirled around to chop down every goblin that got too close; even ones that snuck up on him weren't safe, like the one that pounced on him from far away, only to get bisected as the sword happened to have been going through that particular space...talk about sour luck.

Ranger eventually morphed his light armor and twin short swords, and dashed through the goblins as he butchered them in various ways. Heads and limbs went flying, guts were spilled, and bones were split as Ranger's blades went through their flesh like it was melted butter. If he wasn't using his unnaturally hard and sharp blades, he kicked them into the walls, each other, or just plain struck them hard enough to crush their insides, all while he moved so fast that even Sword Maiden couldn't tell what was going on. He then broke his swords into whips that he lashed around like Storm Mage did...much to Sword Maiden's surprise as she watched the War God's champion shred, and burn through the little monsters.

A second hob eventually appeared, then Ranger extended a sword-whip through it's neck, and out the back of its head. He then ripped the blade out of it's throat as the surviving goblins watched it bleed to death, then Ranger latched another goblin with his other sword-whip, yanked it towards him, then charged at the wall to the side and slammed it head-first into the wall once to make it suffer a headache and a concussion...then slammed it into the wall over and over and over until it's head was completely caved in. He then tossed the corpse in view of the other goblins...who were all shaking and whimpering in horror as the armored abomination before them made their comrade look pathetic...without a shred of remorse or compassion in his face. Ranger then morphed his guns and shot the rest down in cold blood before watching them bleed to death.

"It always amazes me how you can treat them with such cruelty...yet the rage that drives you isn't as overpowering as it once was." Sword Maiden said as Ranger de-morphed his guns.

"I have dealt with rage more than enough times to know that letting it drive me without thinking about the consequences is a bad idea. Besides...I'd rather see them shaking in fear than feel their bodies break against my knuckles." He said.

"Fear..." Sword Maiden said thoughtfully before Ranger turned to look at her directly.

"Like with my wife...I love you dearly, and the knowledge that you dealt with a fear induced by these gutless wretches for over a decade...really bothers me, and as a servant of the War God, there is no way I'm letting that slide." Ranger said and Sword Maiden sighed.

"Ironic...I would normally be afraid that I would be adding to the darkness your heart contains, but after seeing you demonstrate the Art of Silent Wrath to this degree; that even in the grip of unfathomable rage you still stay true to what you fight for...I am not afraid at all." She said softly.

"Good...the last thing I want to do is instill the wrong kind of fear..." Ranger said.

"You know...me and Storm Mage discussed the revenge we got on the goblins in addition to the vengeance you and your team have wrecked...like that familiar I had that patrolled the sewers." Sword Maiden said.

"We saw that thing devour at least a handful of goblins, and destroy several ships...I'd hate to have met it as a Porcelain Rank." Ranger said and Sword Maiden giggled.

"Who wouldn't feel the same way...?" She said.

"Now...about what I said about controlling my rage..." Ranger trailed off.

"There's is no need to explain; I know what you said to that crime boss, and you were always right about it, even before you became a Platinum Rank. I dare say your self-control is second only to your wife's." Sword Maiden said.

"Which is one contest I'm almost happy to lose." Ranger said and Sword Maiden smiled yet again.

"I'm proud of you Ranger...I am as honored to have you serve me as you were to have served me." She said before getting alarmed as Ranger morphed his guns again...and a larger rift spits out a goblin paladin...the same one that his entire team...and Goblin Slayer killed at the farm a year ago...and it wasn't alone.

---

Meanwhile, the team was on their way to the Temple of Law...when a fire broke out of the other side of town. Obviously they went to see what happened, and their hearts sake when they heard a girl screaming for help. Warrior then morphed his full armor, including his mask, then rushed inside as Wizard summoned a group of ice and water elementals to quell the flames. About half a minute later...Warrior jumped out a window and landed with the same girl Fighter met earlier tucked into his arms.

"Daddy!" The girl yelled.

"Daughter..." Her father breathed out as she ran into her father's arms before gasping.

"Wait! I dropped my dollie!" The girl said, before looking at Warrior.

"Of course you did..." He groaned before heading back into and came back out with a burnt doll that Wizard's brother used Repair on then the girl took the doll back.

"That's some armor you're wearing sir." Her dad said.

"Anti-magic enchantments...what's not to love?" Warrior said with a smirk before Fighter ran off. "Hey! Where are you go- ohhh shit..." Turns out, Fighter was running right at a large platoon of terrorists as the civilians ran the other way. When Fighter got close enough...she knocked them into the water, slammed them into the walls, the ground, or each other. took their weapons and threw them at the ones on the other side of the canal, in the far distance, or even killed the weapons' users with them, all while rushing between, and through their ranks and blocking and dodging their attacks.

One time she was swarmed from all sides, and blocked one sword swing after another before popping her blades and destroying their weapons before gutting them. She then grabbed the last two, spun around several times before throwing them away and jumping over a third terrorist and slicing his back open before running off again as the rest of the team finally caught up. They eventually approached the main square while shredding and chopping down goblins this time as they were ambushed from above, the alleyways, or rifts that appeared just above the water's surface.

"Alright...cheating time..." Wizard's brother said as some goblins rushed out of an alleyway...then pounced over the water and got snatched by crocodile familiars that popped out of the water, much to Warrior's amusement.

"That's right! Fuck you!" Warrior yelled then Rhea Fighter gasped.

"There's some goblins harassing those people we left!" She exclaimed.

"Well go see them!" Wizard yelled, and her brother went with Rhea Fighter as he flew across the city with his mace pointed in the direction he was going as Rhea Fighter rushed up the buildings and went to go see the people, and while they were butchering them up close with the usual slipperiness in her case, or launching paralyze and fire spells and commanding the crocodiles or just bashing the goblins' skulls in the case of Wizard's brother...the rest of the team held up against a small horde made entirely of hobs.

Warrior rushed around chopping them in half with his blessed sword, if he wasn't shocking or bashing their brains in with his hammer, either up-close or at a range via throwing the hammer, or blocking and deflecting the hob's blows with his shield. He eventually retreated, took a life potion Wizard was halfway through before rejoining the fray. Wizard herself deflected the hob's blades with her glaive before slicing their knees, or stabbing them in the gut or heart, sometimes one after the other; she ducked one blade then stabbed it's heart before stabbing another before it even swung it's blade. She even had the ice elementals form an ice tower for Cow Girl, D.R. and H.E. Druid to safely take pot shots at the hobs...and all of their shots hit the hobs' heads.

"No survivors!" D.R. yelled before shooting down two hobs.

"No mercy!" Warrior yelled before swinging his fully charged sword and shredding several hobs with one swing...that unleashed a spiraling wave of razor-sharp energy. Fighter eventually got her barrings, then re-joined the team as they were charged at by another horde of hell goblins...who were all stopped cold by Wizard unleashing a Firestorm that blew the horde to pieces with a barrage of fireballs. The group then took a moment to get their barrings, then relaxed as their hearts and lungs steadied.

"The people are fine now...although I doubt they're going to live alot down." Wizard said.

"What do you mean?" Fighter asked.

"Turns out that goblin attacks are nothing new recently; the guards...before they were killed off, fought of quite a few goblin attacks...but sometimes they were too late to save anyone. I don't want to think about what that means, so let's just go see the boss..." Wizard said.

"Right...please Supreme let Priestess be able to restore what this city has lost..." Fighter said as they marched to the Temple.

---

Back at the Temple of Law, Ranger activated his heavy armor, superheated a gauntlet, then punched a hob in front of him, which caused an explosion that blasted it, and some other goblins to bits. When the dust cleared, only the paladin and a few hobs were left standing, and a few dozen normal goblins exited the rifts. Ranger then used a chain to grapple towards one of the hobs, kicked it in the chest with both feet with enough force to cave in it's ribcage before jumping off of it, and landing where he was originally. He then charged forward with two greatswords, and chopped down goblins by the dozen, along with the hobs as Ranger spun, jumped, flipped, and wove around the crowd, until eventually the paladin got involved then swung an energized mace which made Ranger duck...then a hob grabbed him and threw him into a wall.

Ranger shook off the impact and grappled to the roof as the hob tried to finish him off, only to hit the base of a pillar...then Ranger cut off the top of the pillar and had it fall on several goblin. He then countered by dropping to the ground and flipping the hob over as it tried to grab him again, then ran the hob through with his sword before kicking it into another hob. Ranger then morphed a dozen greatswords and had them fly around and slice apart the goblins with sheer willpower as more came through the rifts. He then morphed his guns, opened fire on the paladin who covered his face with his hands before every greatsword impaled him from every direction.

"What do you know? Even an obsolete detail, can lead to a flawless plan." Ranger said as he re-absorbed the greatswords before looking back at Sword Maiden who then watched Ranger sprout chains out of his armor to absorb the demonic essence of the goblins, as well as their weapons. While he did that, the paladin regenerated and slowly stood up, only for Ranger to charge it, punch it hard enough to flip it over, then punched it again hard enough to launch it into a wall. He then grabbed the paladin's mace, then used it as a battering ram to cave in the paladin's face with repeated, and violent blows to the head as the goblins who showed up as reinforcements looked on in dread as Ranger finished up, then casually walked back to where he was as the goblins backed away from him.

Eventually one gets brave enough to pounce at him...then gets it's head enveloped by Ranger's gauntlet as the goblin pounded and stabbed at the metal hand covering it's face as Ranger squeezed until it's skull was crushed like an egg. Ranger then chucked the body aside like trash, which enraged the other goblins as they charged at him...only to get slaughtered as Ranger morphed his light armor, flipped over them, and either shot them dead at a distance, put the barrel of his guns at their heads and pulled the trigger, simply bashed in their skulls, or even making the goblins flinch by winding up to bash them...then shooting them with the other gun when they weren't looking.

"Impressive Ranger." Sword Maiden said.

"How ironic is it that I express a piece of wisdom that gets counteracted, while they express a flawless detail in an obsolete plan...then it doesn't get counteracted at all?" Ranger asked.

"Incredibly so. But you should know that I cannot intervene in this battle too often. I apologize for not giving you any blessings...but this situation is unstable enough as it is." Sword Maiden said.

"How so? Should I aware of something?" Ranger asked.

"I believe so; I sense an unspeakably sinister presence nearby." Sword Maiden said.

"A demon?" Ranger asked.

"Yes, and this is no ordinary demon. So I'd stay on the alert as long pos- Ranger behind you!" Sword Maiden exclaimed, and the moment she finished her warning, Ranger put a greatsword in the way of an energized sword...that cut halfway into his own as it poked through a Hell Rift. The sword then went back into the rift as Ranger looked around.

"Not this again..." He groaned as he looked around while his sword repaired itself. He then took several sword blows to various parts of his heavy armor, and blocked others until a figure wearing the same light armor he uses comes through a rift...then dashes from one side to another and Ranger actually has to retreat as the figure engaged him. Every time Ranger swung his sword, the figure dodged it, and Ranger had to block the figure's attacks; they were too fast to dodge, and he could feel the force behind each blow as if he was being hit with a hammer while he was wearing leather armor inside of his heavy armor.

Eventually he got knocked to his knees and blocked a barrage of relentless attacks until his guard was broken and he was kicked into a wall hard enough to make the wall crack. He then watched the figure casually walk up to him and put his greatsword in the way as the figure charged up his swords...and cut Ranger's in three pieces...but a Protection barrier prevented his arms from being sliced off...then Ranger morphed a gun and shot the figure in the leg...which the figure dodged just before Ranger fired.

The figure then jumped and rolled around, and even blocked several bullets as the Ranger shot at the figure...almost mindlessly. He was unironically surprised by how equally-matched he was with this...figure. Ranger then morphed his own light armor, and twin longswords, got his heart and lungs under control, then charged at the figure, and the fight became one of speed vs speed. Ranger was now able to fight on-par with the figure; they dodged and blocked everything each other did, from straightforward swings and stabs, to reverse-gripped side stabs, to round, front, side, and spinning kicks, to grappling attempts which never once work on either side, even when Ranger tripped the figure, and tried to stab him in the gut...only for the figure to grab Ranger's sword and snap it in two as Ranger finally ended the fight by having the snapped-off half hit the figure in the back with his mind. The figure then retreated into a rift.

"Ranger! That wasn't the demon I meant, that was someone else; someone human!" Sword Maiden said.

"What?" Ranger asked.

"I don't know, but that man had your moves for a reason, I think we can find out later, but that demon I ment-" Sword Maiden's voice was cut off the moment a Hell shroud appears and darkens the entire place expect for where Ranger is.

---

"What the-? Sword Maiden? Sword Maiden!" Ranger yelled as he looked around...then a surprisingly pleasant, masculine hum is heard from all sides, which aroused more than a little suspicion...then the hum then fades as a quest board appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the area, with nothing on it except a small piece of paper. Ranger then approached it slowly, and saw it had nothing on it. As he was about to turn it over...the words "Do you dare?" appeared on it...written in blood. Ranger then slowly turned the page over and it read "Suffer". He then tore the paper in half and tossed it to the sides as more papers appeared and it read "You may have conquered your anger, but your fears will betray you." Ranger then smashed the board with his sword.

"Even Platinum Ranks have something that bypasses all their defenses, something that pierces their hearts, and makes them weak, makes them dangerous...drives them mad..." A voice said from all directions.

"You're the demon the Sword Maiden just warned me about aren't you?" Ranger asked as he looked around.

"Ah..the woman who has been a deliciously broken shadow of a woman for years, and soon, the entire town will scream with the same amount of fear in their hearts. I wonder if I'll be able to hear it...?" The voice said.

"You've got some nerve talking about her like that. Do you know who the fuck I am?!" Ranger snapped.

"I know you're a man who deep down, underneath all that love, lust, and rage...is smothered by fear." The voice said.

"Of course I'm afraid, but there's plenty keeping that fear in check." Ranger said seriously.

"And should you lose it?" The voice asked.

"I'll die first..." Ranger said simply...then shadowy images of goblin heads appeared on all sides with each one letting off a hysterical and eerie laugh which made Ranger cringe and raise his furrowing eyebrows. The faces then vanished before a shadowy humanoid appeared in the middle of the area...and took Ranger's form.

"How right you are..." The voice said, and both Ranger and his copy morphed a knife, and as the copy slowly put the knife at it's own throat...so did Ranger, against his will. He tried to fight it but couldn't control his body to save his life...as the copy ended it's own, and Ranger dropped to the ground.

---

He then woke up with Sword Maiden sitting over him as he gripped his throat and felt it was still intact as his whole body trembled.

"Relax Ranger, that was nothing more than a nightmare." Sword Maiden said.

"What is this magic?!" Ranger asked while still shaking in terror.

"I told you, this demon thrives on fears, no matter how minor. He will most certainly go after what you love and what you hate next, not just your desire to live..." Sword Maiden said, and Ranger finally got a hold of himself.

"Let him...I can face it." He said seriously as he got stood up.

"I am sorry, but you must face it alone. I cannot bare to go back to what I was..." Sword Maiden said before vanishing.

"A shame..." The voice came from behind Ranger...then a figure wearing Ranger's light armor and mask swung a sword at him...and slashed him across the eyes, blinding him and making him scream and thrash around in agony before several figures pinned him to the ground, and once again...he couldn't fight back.

"Our dear, blind savior...how does it feel? Now you know how the goblin's victims felt. Hopeless, impotent...worthless..." Ranger's fear then turned to anger as he snarled, only to get a wicked laugh as a reaction.

"I have good news and bad. The good is that I have no intention of killing you. The flip side...is that soon you'll wish for nothing except for death before long...and never receive it. Why? Oh...let's ask your family shall we?" Ranger then began to hear his teammates scream and cry in pain...especially Fighter. He even heard laughter as he heard the sounds of his teammates getting brutalized. Ranger did nothing but snarl the entire time.

"Yes...let that anger flow through you, but it's too late for any kind of resistance. Bravado will not sooth you, love will not save you, and soon...the same will be said for this city." Ranger then felt a hand grip his throat.

"Every scream, every death...all vengeance for what you have done. Blame us all you wish, but you brought this war...upon yourself." Ranger sucked in the deepest breath he could.

"Anything to say Ranger...?" At this...Ranger's response was immediate.

"I do not believe you..." Ranger said and the hand let him go.

"What? Do you not understand? It's over, the Demon Lord...my lord, has won. It is over!" The demon said.

"The battle is over demon...but not the war...!" Ranger breathed out.

"Why...aren't you scared?!" The demon growled.

"Because I am not a weakling who believes his team is hopeless without him, that's why. We don't just have faith between them and only me...we all trust each other; it's not a two-way street, but a 25-way network. We all demonstrated how much that trust can accomplish countless times, so mind games like this? That's all they are: games. Ones I refuse to play..." Ranger said as his body finally worked and he stood up without effort, wiped the blood out of his eyes...and looked right at the demon...then the shroud was dissipated by a golden-white flash.

Ranger then woke up to barely see himself choking a demon.

"No...! I instilled enough fear in you to drive ten people mad...! You're not human...you're a monster...!" The demon exclaimed as he was being choked.

"It takes a monster to stop a monster...!" Ranger growled until he was impaled in the lower chest with the same sword that he was slashed by...then the demon ran off as Ranger fell down and passed out.

---

"Ranger...? Ranger!" Sword Maiden said as he up to see her over him...again.

"Sword Maiden?" Ranger asked as he felt his head on her lap.

"Yes." Sword Maiden said as Ranger looked around.

"What is that light?" He asked.

"A Heaven Seal, a holy version of a Hell Shroud. It resembles a Protection barrier, but much more powerful, and the demon who attacked you fled into Limbo. I believe he knew he could not win." Sword Maiden said.

"How do I know you aren't another illusion?" Ranger asked seriously.

"Ranger...that demon lied to you; I didn't face him because I didn't have a chance to. I can face an entire legion of goblins with the power I have, and even if they did get their hands on me...Storm Mage will protect me like he always has. But even if that wasn't the case...why would I abandon you if you being tormented like that when even your daughter was in my care when she was attacked herself?" Sword Maiden asked and Ranger gasped.

"You are the Sword Maiden...!" He whispered before trying to get up...and felt Sword Maiden stop him.

"Rest...I healed your wounds, but you really were damaged, in the real and dreaming worlds, and it might take some time for the demonic energy you were hit with to dissipate." She said and Ranger sighed as he stayed there.

"Damn..." He whispered.

"I'm sorry I cannot heal you entirely yet. That was a powerful demon..." Sword Maiden said.

"It's alright. I've been injured more times than I can count, and I still remember the pain of being burned nearly to death. Compared to that...this is nothing." Ranger groaned.

"Still...you deserve none of the pain you suffered, from this, or before. Least of all the loss of your sight." Sword Maiden said softly.

"At least we have something in common..." Ranger breathed out and Sword Maiden sighed.

"I supposed so..." She trailed off;she was clearly recalling the time she had a blindfold.

"How is Storm Mage?" Ranger asked, and Sword Maiden sucked in a breath.

"Ranger...he promised to help me retake the decade the goblins took from me." She said seriously and Ranger tensed up.

"That...that has to be the loveliest notion I've ever heard..." He whispered.

"He's proven his love for me more often than I can take track of; I was touched of course, but it was not a surprise in the least." Sword Maiden said before Ranger hugged her...neither caring about his head being planted in her breasts.

"I remember when I asked if you could face the goblins in the sewer yourself before I discovered how much they wronged you..." Ranger whispered and Sword Maiden returned the embrace.

"I was never angry with you about that, and like I said before...I can face a legion and not be consumed by fear again; my fears are as under my control as your anger is under yours." She said softly.

"Will my eyes heal?" Ranger asked seriously before Sword Maiden pulled away and held his face.

"My eyes could, so can yours." She said.

"Good, because..." Ranger trailed off.

"What?" Sword Maiden asked and Ranger sighed.

"That is something I do fear: not being able to look at my wife again...I'd rather be thrown into a room full of goblins with no weapons than never get to see her smile at me, and never know whether or not she only looks at me in horror..." Ranger said while trembling.

"Ranger!" Priestess exclaimed as she rushed to see him...then she gasped when she saw his eyes. "Ranger...your eyes...!"

"He'll be fine...eventually." Sword Maiden said before Priestess touched Ranger's flushed face.

"Ranger?" Priestess asked softly.

"Please...I don't care how...please fix my eyes...I can't live without being able to see Fighter again..." Ranger said with a cracked voice.

"Ranger..." Priestess breathed out, then looked at his abdomen and gasped. "You've been injured!"

"I don't care..." Ranger said.

"You don't-?! You were healed by the Sword Maiden before; you need to think about this-" Ranger cuts her off.

"I just fought a demon that exposed me to everything I fear, and made my most believable one come true!" Ranger snapped and heard Priestess breathing hard; she was clearly surprised by his outburst. "If I cannot see, I cannot fight for this world...nor can I see my wife's angelic face again. Being robbed of one of those things is a fate worse than death, both combined...are Hell on Earth..."

"I know what to do...let's get him to the main chamber." Priestess said...then Ranger heard Priestess scream, and flinched himself as an energized blade blocked another, then there was a clash between two of them for several seconds. "Goblin Slayer!"

"Goblin Slayer?" Ranger asked, and the clash ended with the unmistakable sound of a rift opening, and the figure being sucked into it.

"Who was that?" Priestess asked.

"The demon that attacked us...and he's bound to return." Sword Maiden said seriously.

"Let's get him to the main chamber now." GS said and helped Priestess carry Ranger to the main chamber. Ranger then opened his eyes as much as he could to see Sword Maiden get behind Priestess in front of the alter as Priestess knelt down.

"Priestess...?" Ranger asked.

"Great Supreme God...hear my plea. Your most holy city is in it's most desperate hour. The people are scared and dying, your servants are scattered, and a servant of the War God is badly wounded in both mind and body. Send down your power, and show the world true healing is like...Restoration..." Priestess said softly...and a light from the sky shined down and the night turned into day for the better part of a minute.

"I can feel it. The dead are returning to life, the buildings are being repaired, and-" Sword Maiden shut up the moment she looked at Ranger's eyes and gut being healed as the light died down.

"I can see...I can see!" Ranger exclaimed.

"Can you still fight Ranger?" GS asked.

"Not at my fullest no..." Ranger said.

"Then stay here and wait for the rest to arrive." GS said as Priestess knelt down to Ranger's eye level.

"Sir? would you like to get some bedrest?" She asked softly.

"That would be best..." Ranger whispered as Priestess helped Ranger up and walked him to bed. Sword Maiden then looked away and sucked in a breath.

"That demon...it was cruel beyond words, even by demon standards..." She said.

"If it appears again, I'll kill it." GS said and Sword Maiden looked right at him.

"You would do that for your comrade? Even if it's not a goblin?" Sword Maiden asked.

"Yes. It may not be a goblin...but it might as well be." GS said as Sword Maiden smiled.

"That farm girl really got through to you didn't she?" Sword Maiden asked.

"Yes...she did..." GS said softly, much to Sword Maiden's surprise...then they heard rapid footsteps behind them.

"Boss? We dealt with as any problems as we could-" Warrior shut up the moment the team reached the main chamber...and saw GS standing there with Sword Maiden using Restoration...and Sword Maiden had her old outfit on this time, minus the blindfold.

"Sword Maiden? Nice to see you in your original dress again." Wizard said.

"Thank you very much." Sword Maiden said.

"Where's Ranger?" Fighter asked.

"He's not here Fighter. Priestess took him to bed to rest." Sword Maiden said.

"Lovely...wait, why?" Wizard asked before Cherub appeared.

"I hate to show up at this of all times, but I have some news. The Cambion actually took some of the Death God's power from the Elder Revenant...and it's now backfiring; life and death don't mix for a reason afterall." Cherub said.

"What does that mean for us?" Priestess asked.

"That means, he'll be out of your hair until further notice; I'll let you know the moment something comes up. But more importantly...you may not be aware of this, but there was an army just outside of Water Town, and that Restoration kicked a hornet's nest. You're now going to have to hold the city you just saved!" Cherub said.

"Well then let's go get Ranger and kick-" Sword Maiden cuts Warrior off.

"Listen, Ranger is in no condition to endanger himself." She said seriously.

"What are you talking about? He's the Ranger! He's as tough as they come." Warrior said in disbelief.

"But he's not invincible..." Sword Maiden said softly.

"What happened...?" Fighter asked seriously, then Sword Maiden and GS looked at each other.

"Let's use the Recaller..." Sword Maiden said.

---

"Now that's just all kinds of messed up..." D.R. said as he shook his head, then Fighter stood up, opened her chakras and left.

"Where are-" Fighter cuts H.E. Druid off.

"To find my husband." Fighter snapped as she left.

"Uh...somehow I doubt she can be addressed as Miss Healing Hands..." D.R. said.

"She means she's going to heal his mind." H.E. Druid said.

"Even still..." D.R. said.

"My good sir, you clearly have no idea how close she is to Ranger do you?" Wizard asked.

"Can't say I do no." D.R. said.

"As far as Ranger is concerned...that lady is a walking painkiller, as we'll see soon enough.

"What do we do about the invasion?! It took most of our efforts just to retake the place!" H.E. Druid exclaimed and Warrior cleared his throat.

"My time to shine..." He said proudly.

---

Oh shit, better batten down the hatches again. Also...holy shit this was a long chapter; just over 23,000 words; if I break that record again, I'm done...although to be fair, this was quite a bit to do here; I guess I'm just lucky like that. Anyway...Inspector's really moving up in the world when it comes to her power isn't she? Not to mention the tactics and stealth used by the team...before they all resorted to one-man-army stunts again, but who cares? Plus...get ready to see more of Sword Mage in the future; he's going to be a big shot. I'm not spoiling how though, you want details, you'll have to Rate Review, and Share while you wait so...stay tuned?