Jacob walks into the guildhall and sees Rose behind her counter. She smiles at him and leaves her counter to meet him at a table.
Rose: So how has it been going?
Jacob: I need you to come back to my room.
Rose chokes on her drink and starts coughing.
Rose: Well aren't you forward.
Jacob: I found your mother.
Rose drops her cups, her eyes are wide and she starts tearing up. She stands up, grabs Jacob and runs out the door. As she drags him he's almost entirely parallel to the ground.
Jacob: Wait, I didn't finish my drink yet.
Rose ignores his cries and just runs full speed to the inn. She opens the door to Jacob's room and sees Iris sitting in a chair by the window. Iris looks at Rose and both start to cry. Rose runs into her mothers arms, and both fall to the ground embracing each other. Phoebe and the girls start to tear up seeing the mother and daughter reunited, Sylvie looks outside the room wondering where Jacob is only to see him sprawled on the floor covered in bruises from Rose dragging him.
After the mother and daughter finish their reunion and Jacob gathers his bearings they all meet in the room.
Rose: Jacob, thank you so much for finding my mother, this means so much to me.
Jacob: It's no problem, now we have to focus on Hazel and stop him from awakening the Azure dragon. Girls, let's go.
His team stands up and follows him. Jacob looks at Marie, Rose and Iris and says they'll be back once all this over.
Jacob and the girls arrived at the location of the hidden panel Phoebe used her mana to open the door. Jacob grabbed all of his girls and floated them down so they wouldn't be tired from the walk down the hundreds of flights.
Sylvie: This really is deep.
Roxy: How did someone make this and no one else knows?
Phoebe: It's possible it was made by the original inhabitants of the village hundreds of years ago, but with time passing people just forgot it existed.
Jacob: Whatever it is, it's harboring a giant dragon, and a bloody murderer.
They continued their descent into dangerous terrain. After a few minutes they reached the bottom and entered the main room. There behind the glass the Azure Dragon was there still in the position it was when Jacob saved Marie.
Roxy: Magnificent, I've never seen a dragon in person.
Sylvie: I hope it doesn't wake up while we're here.
Jacob: I'm not sure, it hasn't moved an inch since I was here last time.
At that time the group heard footsteps approaching them, as they readied for a fight out of the shadow Marie walked up.
Jacob: Marie, what're you doing here?
Marie: I felt a calling and I knew I had to come.
Phoebe: But it's not safe, you could get hurt.
Marie: wasn't listening, her face was focused on the Azure Dragon slumbering in its spot.
She walked up to the dragon, she started stretching her hand out. Before she could touch it Hazel shot out of the shadows holding a scalpel in each hand. Jacob jumped in between Hazel and Marie. Before the impact Jacob grabbed Marie and threw her towards Sylvie.
Jacob: Sylvie, catch!
Marie landed safely in Sylvie's arms. At almost the same time Jacob used the skill of Colossus to turn his arms into metal when Hazel's weapons made contact.
Hazel: I don't know how you found the Dragons Keep. but now none of you are leaving.
Jacob: You seem very confident in that statement.
Jacob pushed Hazel back and took a fighting stance. Hazel started laughing and then he licked his scalpel.
Hazel: I'm gonna carve the mana out of you and use it to control the Azure Dragon.
Jacob: Hmph. Take your best shot.
At that moment Hazel and Jacob dashed at each other making contact. The force of their collision caused the girls to trip to the floor. Marie this whole time hasn't been paying attention to anything but the dragon.
Phoebe: Jake, please be careful.
Roxy: We need to get back, we shouldn't get in his way.
The girls got up and started moving away, Marie on the other hand got up and walked toward the dragon
Phoebe: Marie, what are you doing?!
Jacob took his attention off Hazel for a second to see what was happening and in that instance Hazel slashed at Jacobs face leaving a deep gash in his cheek.
Hazel: So that's where that thing went, I've been looking for it.
Jacob: What do you want with Marie?
Hazel: Hahaha, is that what it calls itself, Marie?
Jacob bleeding profusely from his face looked confused and angry at Hazel who was calling Marie an it.
Jacob: Care to explain to the rest of the class here, you clearly know something we don't.
Hazel: That creature isn't some girl named Marie, she's the consciousness of the Azure Dragon.
Jacob and the rest are shocked at learning this world shattering information. They all look at Marie who is staring at the dragon in a trance.
Hazel: I extracted it with the help of that fool Filip, but his own damn guilty conscience about killing and extracting the mana of the town folks got the better of him and he just became a nuisance.
Jacob: Why would you remove the conscience of the dragon, what purpose does that serve?
Hazel: That damned dragon was too righteous, it would use its abilities to bring more fish to the surface for the people and bring rain for the crops. This dragon has the abilities to make a country fall to its knees all by itself.
Jacob was infuriated. The Azure Dragon or Marie, was just a creature that wanted the people in the village to live full and prosperous lives. This power hungry man who had no qualms about killing anyone and everyone to achieve his goal needed to be put down.
Jacob: How many people?
Hazel: What was that meat?
Jacob: How many people have you tortured and killed for your own sick game?
Hazel: I don't keep track of the stock I've collected but I know it's more than enough to make the dragon mine.
Jacob remembered that in that book it said "Collect the aura of 1,000 people" told him that he had killed the minimum 1,000 people. He felt his rage boil over and decided that he wasn't going to hold back. Jacob outstretched his hand, in his palm wind started to form an orb shape. After a second four blade shapes started to protrude out of the ball. Hazel jumped at Jacob laughing maniacally and swinging his scalpels to cut and rip Jacob to pieces. The wind orb in Jacobs hand had increased in size to such a great extent that everyone in the room could feel its pressure.
Hazel: I don't know what skill that is, but the amount of mana it would take to make that will be mine.
Jacob: Do me a favor, and shut the fuck up. Rasen Shuriken.
Jacob threw the Rasen Shuriken full force at Hazel making contact. The blast radius not only sucked Hazel but Jacob as well.
Roxy: JACOB!
Sylvie: NO, PLEASE NO
The blast created such an intense light that for a moment everyone was blind. Once their vision came back Hazel and Jacob were both on the ground in a crater Hazel had lost an arm and a foot, he was unconscious. Jacob was standing in the hole covered in devastating wounds. The arm he used to throw the Shuriken had been completely ripped off and was destroyed. He was barely conscious standing with pure willpower alone. The girls saw him and the sight of the man they love in such a state almost made them collapse. Phoebe ran into the hole, tears covering her face she laid him down and began administering first aid, her tears falling on Jacobs face as the other girls joined her to be by his side.
Phoebe: You fool, you absolute fool.
Jacob: How do I look?
Phoebe: Like crap.
Jacob: So nothing new then.
Phoebe and the girls started laughing. Hearing him be his goofy self made them feel better.
Jacob: Hey I want to try something. Can you help me?
He sat up and with as much focus as he could, he used his ability to regrow his lost arm thanks to Piccolo's ability. The girls were in disbelief that his ability could do that. His face was drained of color from the pain of it though
Jacob: I think growing it back hurt more than losing it.
Phoebe, Sylvie and Rox all not believing he just grew his arm back felt it to see if it was actually his arm.
Jacob: Girls I know, but it is my actual arm.
He began moving it in all the ways a regular arm is supposed to. He asked if they could hold him up, and they all held him. The feeling of embracing their love made them feel better after seeing how damaged he was just a moment ago. They walked out of the hole to see Marie standing in front of the Azure Dragon. She looked at the group, smiled and touched the dragon's head. When she did a bright light enveloped them for an instance, but when it dissipated Marie disappeared. They looked around when the dragon woke up and started staring at them.
Jacob: Um Marie are you there. If you are, just know, we come in peace.
Phoebe: Darling I love your jokes but right now is not the time.
The dragon leaned its head down and Marie began speaking as if she was in their minds.
Marie: I had forgotten.
Jacob: Marie, are you in my head?
Sylvie: It's telepathy.
Roxy: What do you mean you had forgotten?
Marie: When I was split from my body it fractured my mind and it ended up not knowing who I was.
Jacob: But now being whole do you remember everything?
Marie: Yes, I came up from the bottom of the lake to inform the leader of the town that fish had been overfished which would cause starvation if they didn't moderate the amount they were pulling up. But when I got here he immediately used a spell to trap me and forced me in this room.
Sylvie: How long ago did that happen?
Marie: Based on the location of the stars I saw last night. 5 years.
Phoebe: You poor thing, 5 years of absolute torture.
Marie: I will admit that in that time I started to develop a hate for humanity, I wanted to free myself and leave from sight never to be seen again. I wanted to let humanity fend for itself after this and if they died they died.
Jacob: I understand completely, if I was in your scales I'd feel the same.
Marie: Yes. However, when you saved and took care of me I started to remember why I loved humanity. Maybe one day I'll find something close to the love I once had.
Jacob: I hope so, we humans are flawed beyond belief but we have our good points.
Marie: I believe you all are those good points. I will take my leave, but if you ever need me just remember the feeling of our minds linking and I will be there to help.
Roxy: You really will.
Marie: I like you all and I would be honored to help you like you have helped me.
Jacob: I appreciate it, Marie.
Marie then dives into the water and disappears into the blue abyss. Jacob and the girls restrain Hazel and bring him back up to the surface and hand him into the proper authorities. They return to the inn to find Rose sitting on the bed, her mother had gone home to get some much needed rest. She sees Jacob being supported by the girls still covered in wounds and his clothes are destroyed. His shirt was completely ripped beyond repair and one pant leg was gone. She teared up realizing that he had battled hard for her and her mothers sake. She stood up and ran into Jacobs arms sending them both careening into the floor. The girls were shocked at what just happened but they knew the feelings she had that of a grateful person.
Rose: I'm so happy you're alright.
Jacob: Yeah, but that hurt.
Rose: Oh, I'm sorry. I was just so happy to see you'd won and now we don't have to fear that man coming back.
Jacob smiled and patted her head. He told her that the town could start healing and begin the process of changing its route. She smiled and agreed.
A few days later the group walked to the guildhall Rose and Iris were standing behind their own counters welcoming guild members and new registers, when they saw Jacob.
Iris: Oh if it isn't my hero. How are you feeling?
Jacob: I'm still sore, probably will be for a little longer but I'm okay.
Iris: I can't thank you enough for all you've done for our town.
Jacob: It was nothing. How does it feel being back at work?
Iris: It's been a treat, everyone has missed me.
Phoebe: May your life be peaceful from now on.
Iris: Thank you. What is the plan for you all?
Jacob: Once I feel better we're heading to the next town, our journey is long.
Iris: I understand. You're all welcome back anytime.
Rox: Thank you.
Rose: For all you've done, it's the least we can do.
The group spent the next several days recuperating and restocking their supplies. Back at Hazel's house the soldiers are investigating the hidden room filled with bodies.
Soldier 1: My gods, how did he get away with this under our noses
Soldier 2: I don't know, but if it was up to me I'd hang him for every soul he took.
They bring every body out and properly cover them. While they pull them out the book that Hazel was using is missing from the table, outside perched on the top of the tallest tree Bazrik is reading the book and laughing
Bazrik: That fool believed this book. Humans will buy anything they think they can get ahead. However the carnage he left behind will make him a wonderful ally. Die hating the world and you'll come back stronger than ever.
Hazel down an arm and foot sits in the cell staring intensely at the wall as if he's waiting for something. The lead guard walks in and drags Hazel out. The other prisoners chant "Dead man walking" and others laugh at him.
Prisoner 1: You deserve this Hazel.
Hazel was smiling as he did not care what they said. He was guided outside to the gallows, a hooded man waits at the top by the lever. The location is secluded so the only witnesses will be the hangman and the chief guard. The hangman slips the noose over Hazel's neck and pulls it snug.
Chief Guard: Hazel you have been found guilty of mass murder and inciting an insurrection against the crown of the Rayner Kingdom, do you have any last words.
Hazel said nothing and just smiled.
Chief Guard: If you have nothing to say, then execution will commence. Hangman stand ready.
The hangman gripped the lever tight
Chief Guard: In normal circumstances I would pray for god to give you mercy, however no amount of praying could forgive you for the atrocities you've committed.
The Chief nods at the Hangman.
Hangman: May your journey to Hell be as painful as it comes.
The Hangman pulls the lever dropping Hazel, with a snap Hazel was dead.
Chief Guard: Let's leave the body for a few days, let the birds have a toy.
They leave Hazel hanging, hours go by and in the dead of night Bazrik steps out from behind a tombstone.
Bazrik: Well you look worse for wear, that hero really left you his mark, and it excites that I will bring his head to my lord soon.
Bazrik proceeds to stab the corpse with his finger and pump it with a dark mana. Hazel's body starts twitching when suddenly the stubs of his foot and arm regenerate with dark skin and sharp claws. The rope holding him snaps and he hits the ground with a thud. He shoots up gasping for air.
Bazrik: Welcome back my puppet.
Hazel: Who are you?
Bazrik: I'm your salvation, and now you're part of the demon king's army.
Hazel: I'm no follower, I am a leader.
Bazrik: And look where your leadership landed you. Down and arm and foot and you floating in the rafters. Face it you're a sheep, and our lord is the shepherd.
Bazrik snapped his fingers and a magic circle formed on Hazel's head. In an instant a searing pain is coursing through his head, he feels as if his head is about to split open.
Hazel: M-make it stop, p-please.
Bazrik: Has the little lamb realized he is powerless now.
Hazel: Y-yes, I'll do whatever you say.
Bazrik snaps his fingers again, stopping the pulsating pain. Hazel falls face first into the dirt panting.
Bazrik: Now get up, we've got work to do.
Hazel stumbles to get up and follows Bazrik into the shadows.