Chapter 5: Pao:

Max's POV:

First, we arrived in Bustoke. "So, Tao, let me know if you need a big strong warrior to protect you," says Luke.

"Let me know if you know any," says Tao.

"Wait," says Gort, "why isn't Lowe moving?"

"Guys, we're heading into Bustoke, didn't here," asks Lowe, "there's a werewolf stalking this area!"

"There's no such thing as werewolves," says Guntz, "unlike zombies, goblins, centaurs, and dragons, which are definitely real."

"Are you sure werewolves aren't real," asks Hans, "because there's one there!"

A werewolf comes out of the trees. "You," he said. We were prepared to fight. "you're about to run over that baby bird!"

Guntz looks down and sees. "Oh, I'm so sorry," says Guntz.

Balbaroy then picks up the baby bird and returns it to its nest.

"So... you wanted to protect that poor baby," asks Tao.

"I am sworn to protect the wildlife," says the werewolf, "I am Zylo!"

"All of life could be in danger," I said, "would you like to help the Shining Force?"

"The battlefield is like a second home to me," says Zylo, "very well. Where are we going?"

. . .

We then arrived in Pao.

"This is where we'll meet Elliot," says Zylo, "a Runefaust general. He is an honorable man!"

"So... he won't attack us then," asks Luke.

"If his superiors ordered him to," says Zylo.

"This should be fun," says Luke.

. . .

We then walked around. The people here are neutral, so they'd allow us and the forces of Runefaust.

"LOOK OUT!" An old man in a flying suit then almost hit us, but Balbaroy catches him.

"Are you alright," asks Balbaroy.

"Thank you. I suppose I need to work on my landing. I'm Kokichi and I'm an inventor. I'm working on this flying suit."

I observed and it could be useful in battle, but an inventor might be helpful should anything happen with Guntz' suit. "Is anyone thinking what I'm thinking?"

. . .

Now we got Kokichi the Sky Knight. "Sky Knight," says Kokichi, "and to think, I just wanted to fly."

We're then faced with Elliot and his forces. "Shining Force," says Elliot, "I give you this chance to leave now!"

"I'm sorry," I said, "but it is my destiny to stop the return of Dark Dragon!"

"So be it," says Elliot.

We then took on his forces and I fought Elliot. "Sword of Light, I hope you can help me out here," I said.

The fight went on and Balbaroy and Kokichi attack from the sky. Mae helps me fight Elliot. We then defeated him. "Give me an honorable death," says Elliot.

"I only destroy the forces of evil," I said.

"Then I must do something for you," says Elliot, "in return!"

"You could join the Shining Force," I offered.

"Besides that," says Elliot.

I then had another idea. "Return to Runefaust and stall Darksol!"

"That I can do," says Elliot, "I never liked the idea of Darksol coming back anyway!" Elliot then left.

"Thanks for your help," I said.

"I'd do anything for you," says Mae, "uuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh... that is... because you're my leader."

"Max, that Sword of Light is amazing," says Luke, "hey, we just beat our first real boss!"

"Indeed, you did," says the Priest, appearing, "and for that, Max, Lowe, Mae, Luke, Tao, Hans, and Gong, you shall be promoted! The rest of you, I'm sorry, but you are still too new."

"I just joined, so I'm okay with it," says Kokichi.

"Same," says Zylo.

"Mae the Knight, you are now a paladin! Gong the Monk, you are now a master monk! Tao the Mage, you are now a wizard! Hans the Archer, you are now a bow master, Luke the Warrior, you are now a gladiator, Lowe the Healer, you are now a vicar, and Max the Swordsman, you are now a hero!"

We then got our new looks. "I could get used to this," says Luke.

"My staff floats," says Tao, "it floats!"

"Thank you," says Mae.

"I'm a real hero," I said.

"I recall another with the rank of hero," says the Priest, "his name was... Kane!"

To Be Continued

In the next chapter, the Shining Force goes to Uranbatol.