A/N: Okay, here's the next chapter, people.
...
"Ow, jeez." Elrick winced, though he tried his hardest not to show it, as they made their way through the forested area.
"Quit complaining. I offered to let you stay at the cave, but noooo. You had to leave now." Groused Naobi.
"What? I got places to be. Things to do."
"Yeah, like handing over your money." The group is suddenly surrounded by obvious bandits.
"Greeeaaat!" Astaroth hefted Kulutues. "Finally, something to kill!"
...
Cormack kept walking, still annoyed by the lack of a challenge in his last kill, before he heard the sounds of fighting not far away. He ran to the familiar sound of metal against metal, only to find a small clearing, with many cut down trees and large gashes in the ground. What drew his attention was the odd group fighting off a bunch of bandits. He decided to stay in hiding, to see how it'd all pan out.
...
There were only three of the enemies left, and Elrick had pretty much ended up useless as he was still wounded. It was frustrating! Finally, there was only one bandit left, and he snapped.
"Critical Edge." Came Elricks words. He flew forward, Tyrfing now alit with flames as he slashed the bandit, before kicking said bandit away. He turned to him, made a downward slash, and sheathed his sword. When the blade was fully hidden, flames blasted from the bandits chest, leaving him dead on the ground.
"Whoa, overkill." Said Z.W.E.I.
"I was sick of being useless." Replied Elrick. Tira frowned, but then grinned.
"You're not useless!" She said happily, obviously Light Tira in charge. "You're fantastic!"
"You're a real suck up, you know?" Says Naobi. Tira's face suddenly becomes Dark.
"Shut it, skank." Replies Dark Tira.
...
Cormack face palmed. Sure, the big green guy looked strong, but he was slow and dumb. The guy with the weird wolf thing had some promise, but he was too stiff. He didn't flow. Then there was the girl that could either be cute or cruel, she was a wildcard. And then that Oni. If he had to hazard a guess, she was too drunk to fight anyway. That left the white suited man. He was obviously a noble, lesser or otherwise, according to his armer and weapon. Maybe he was from Ostrheinsburg. Either way, Cormack needed a challenge, and there one was. That's when Cormack heard the snap of a twig, and continued observing.
...
"Hurry up, guys!" Shouted Maxi, marching his young charges forward.
"Awww, but Maxi! I'm hungry!" Cried Xiba, rubbing his stomach with his left hand as his right hand held his chosen weapon, the Kali-Yuga bow staff.
"Xiba, you're such a piggy!" Complained Leixia. Natsu merely chuckled at her friends' antics, before she noticed Maxi halt, his face stony.
"Master, what's wrong?" Asked Natsu. Maxi held a finger to his lips for silence, but Natsu could see the rage in his eyes.
"It's him." Growled the Nunchaku master. "I can smell him."
"Who?" Asked Xiba.
"Astaroth." The three went silent at the sound of the Black Giants name. They new from both his reputation and the stories told by Maxi that Astaroth is the one creature Maxi would throw himself into hell itself to kill. Finally, Maxi couldn't stand it. He ran ahead of his pupils.
"Maxi!" Called Leixia. The three followed him. They came upon a clearing, scattered with the bodies of bandits, and a small group faced them.
"ASTAROTH!" Yelled Maxi. "I'LL KILL YOU EVERY DAMN TIME!" The Black Giant looked to him, but frowned. Who the hell was he?
"Who are you? ANSWERE ME!" Astaroth hefted Kulutues, and prepared to fight of the white jacketed nunchaku master, before Maxis eyes fell on Elrick.
"Elrick?" He asked. Elrick was at a loss. He had no memory of this man, but his voice, like Astaroth's, seemed familiar.
"Have we met?" Asked the malfested nobleman. Maxi grinned, momentarily forgetting about his grudge with Astaroth.
"You don't remember me?" Asked Maxi, walking up to him. "It's been seventeen years, but man, is it good to see you again. Even if you were a little shit back then." Finally, it clicked. Of course Elrick wouldn't remember someone he met seventeen years ago, because he had those memories erased.
"Sorry, I don't remember." He filled Maxi in on what happened, and Maxi introduced his three charges, before remembering his most hated enemy was right there.
"Come on, you freak!" Shouted Maxi. "I'll send you to Hell in pieces this time!"
"I'm telling you! I don't know who you are!" Shouted the giant angrily. Elrick came between them.
"Wait, before you two kill each other, Maxi, you've killed Astaroth, right?" Asked Elrick.
"Oh, yeah." Replied Maxi. "You helped me, last time." Elrick shook his head, but continued.
"And Astaroth, how much of Maxi do you remember?"
"Nothing." Responded the large golem.
"So, I would say you had your revenge, right, Maxi?" Elrick looked at his supposed friend.
"I guess, in a way, it's like he's a different person entirely now." Replied a hesitant Maxi.
"There. Clean slate." Elrick grinned, and Light Tira swooned.
"That's good and all," Came a deep, powerful voice. "But, now I know who to fight." A young purple clad man jumped in the middle of the group, pointing his sheathed sword at Elrick. "I challenge you."
"Huh?" Elrick looked at him, dumbfounded. "You have an infamous axe wielding giant, a famous nunchaku master, and an Oni in front of you, and you want to fight a lame 'ole nobody like me?"
"Don't insult my intelligence." Growled the intruder. "I saw what you did to the bandit. Only masters can perform Critical Edge." Elrick Sighed.
"Alright. I accept your challenge." Naobi made to argue, but Elrick stopped her by raising his hand. "Let's do this. I don't have all day." The group made a circle around the two, and for a split second, Natsu's eyes made contact with the newcomers.
"What's your name?" Elrick asked.
"Cormack Veyn. Yours?"
"Elrick Von Schlou."
And with that, they attacked, flying at each other with almost untraceable speed. Elrick would slash at Cormack, only for Cormack to dodge or block, and vice versa. Soon, it became more an elaborate dance then a fight. Both of them, trained to master their respective styles. Suddenly, Elrick felt his cut reopen on his chest, and he faltered, in pain, drawing a conclusion to the match as Cormack slammed the pommel of his blade into Elricks gut, sending the older fighter to the ground.
"Do you yield?" Asked Cormack, but no answer came. Confused, he flipped Elrick onto his back, and he saw blood leaking from the white scaled armer, like blood on snow. The others. obvious concerned, piled in to get a look. But Cormack hadn't struck there. There should be no prior injury, unless...
"Has he had any injuries before this match?" Asked Cormack. It was Naobi who answered, as Tira still felt guilty from it.
"Yes, he was injured not four hours ago." Replied the Oni, instantly sober.
"Then why was he fighting?" Asked Cormack.
"Would you have said no to your challenge?" Asked Maxi. Cormack hung his head. No, no he wouldn't have said no.
"He needs medical attention." Said Cormack.
"What he needs is a little of my BRB." Replies Naobi.
"BRB?" Asks Leixia. Naobi grinned.
"Big Red Body." The Oni gave a bark of laughter.
"Skank." Growled Tira.
"Brat." Replied Naobi.
"Let's move him, before you two kill each other." Says Z.W.E.I. The others nod in agreement. Cormack attempted to help, but his wrist was grabbed in a strong grip. He looked up, his eyes meeting Natsu's.
"When this is all finished, We are fighting." Said Natsu, a challenge in her voice. Cormack smiled, eager, then pointed something out.
"You're blushing." He said. Natsu's eyes widened, but she tried to keep from being obvious as she made her escape.
From her vantage point, Leixia's cheeks burned in jealousy at the interaction between Natsu and Cormack. Damn teenage hormones.
...
A/N: Well, that's that. I need to pick up more coffee in the morning. I'm running on fumes. Night, ya'll.