Chapter 8: Bar at the end of Ken'bitch

"Alright Lee. Start talking?" The hydra member just sat there on the ground, not making a single sound. If Ricten was the bad cop, and Lizen was the worse cop. Then Flores would have to be the good cop so the others don't accidentally or purposefully kill him.

"What? Dog got your tongue? Did Shiku crack a rib?"

"Actually she did." Lee gestured to the healing bandage on his side. "And You don't have to listen to them. We could escape together." Lee suggested. It was an obvious ploy, but Flores decided to humor him a bit.

"What are you talking about?"

"Riala just tried to kill you with no remorse a few hours ago. Even worse. The nation that wants to "lend you it's strength" only has one person competent enough to help you out."

"And where are you going with this? And be warned, I'm prepared to strike if you try something." Flores held the tip of his flag near Lee's neck. Despite all of that, he stood there unfazed.

"The hydra could fix everything for you. Your arm, your weak companions. We can give you all the power in the world. Mr. Tylia would be overjoyed with a hero like you joining.

"Sounds too good to be true." Flores removed the spear from Lees his neck and placed it on his back.

"Katarina told me you were a skilled hero who fought an orc several times his level and lived to see the day. Imagine all the untapped potential you can unlock if you just joined us." Lee wiggled around a bit.

Flores held up his spear and prepared to attack, but Lee dropped some sort of pin on the ground. 5 hydra heads all letting out a mighty roar.

"That is the symbol of a new recruit. If you're even in Hatyr, the boss will recognize it as a sign and scout you out personally."

"And what if I don't want to join?"

"Then get rid of it for all I care. But the offer still remains. We can always use a hero like yourself."

"Tempting offer. But no thanks."

This hydra was still too mysterious for me to agree on the spot. Either way, I reached down to grab the pin.

"A shame." The second Flores went to pick up the pin, Lee got up and hit him with a corkscrew kick to the head. Being sent to the ground. Lee cut his rope with the sharp end of Flores flag and tan off.

"Oh God Damnit!"

/~/

"YAY! Mommy's here!" Neila cheered as she hugged her mother. After the realization of Lizen leaving her Child back in the sanctuary. She did a complete 180 and went to pick her up.

"So. What are we gonna do about Mr spandex?" Ricten asked. All of Lizen's torture and questioning turned out to be fruitless, so they just left him in the back cart. Their last attempt at getting the guy to talk was Flores.

"He's very stubborn from what we see."

"No answer comes, no matter how hard we plea." The twins replied.

"Despite all my torture, he seems to fear that the consequences of what he says. ." Lizen picked up one of his arrows and twirled it in his fingertips.

"Once we get back to Ken'bitch, I'll message one of my informants to see if we can get any information on the guy. Until then, we're in the dark."

Crash!

"Oh God Damnit!"

Two sets of footsteps could be heard from the caboose before transferring to the roof.

"You think we should help him?" Ricten asked.

"Eh. let's give him a shot. Not that we'll be losing much if he escapes anyways." Lizen added.

"Yeah, but I'm more concerned for Flores."

"Oh, he'll be fine."

Ricten sighed. "You should tread carefully when dealing with a hero. One wrong move, and that's a new deadly sin you'll have to deal with.

"I'm well aware. Flores is fine on the outside, but most definitely suffering on the inside. Allowing him to show his worth will be a good stepping stone to boosting his… well morale." Lizen chuckled. "At least, I hope it does."

"And on the off chance, it doesn't?" Ricten questioned.

"Let's hope I don't have to answer that question."

/~/

Lee leapt up and drop-kicked Flores. Falling to the floor, Flores moved his head to the side to narrowly dodge a punch and then sent a kick toward Lee. The mercenary however activated his ability and back flipped backwards to avoid the hit.

Getting up. Flores activated his attack order and ran forward. When Lee dodged his thrust, Flores purposefully let the flag slide with the attack. The weapon's unique functions prevented the flag from leaving his palm. This allowed Flores to use an 180-degree slash and hit Lee's side.

Leaving a gash, Flores wasted no time and attacked again. Following up with his slash, he attacked with an overhead swing as Lee landed. Not having the time to dodge, he stood his ground and took the attack head-on.

Flores could tell the attack hurt, he even heard the sound of some bones popping. Lee however, successfully blocked the attack.

He then grabbed onto the flag and pulled Flores closer. Punching Flores in the face, Lee followed up with an uppercut and a roundhouse kick. that sent Flores to the ground, and almost off the edge of the train. Before he could fall off however, Lee grabbed Flores and pulled him back up.

"It seems killing you was a bad idea. so I'll let you live for now." Flores watched as Lee walked towards the edge of the train. "I suggest you rethink what I said. The hydra could use someone like you." Lee fell backward. The sound of bones cracking under the weight of the train's wheels was heard. His lifeless body getting further and further away as Flores couldn't believe it.

"Damn it!"

/~/

"Flores. How'd it go?" Lizen asked. He was attempting to hold in his laughter, Most likely because Flores had a black eye and bruise on my cheek and chin. He was hit hard yesterday. But he never felt a combo so devastating before.

"It was like an ultimate from Grand Fighters XI was just performed on me."

"About as good as you think it went. Fuck you by the way." Flores tossed the rope that used to bind Lee at Lizen. He didn't dodge and just allowed it to hit his face.

"So he escaped?" Ricten commented.

"No. He killed himself actually"

"Huh?." Everyone reacted.

"That certainly was a big twist."

"I wasn't expecting a suicide in our midst." The twins pondered.

"Maybe he thought death was better than Lizen's torture?"

"That could be it but I'm not sure. I have a feeling he's more afraid of what his boss may do?"

"The dark hydra leader is unknown, so it's not impossible for him to be some sort of tyrant. Did you get anything out of him before he died?" Lizen questioned.

"Nothing really. Just that he wanted me to join and gave me a pin."

"A pin?"

"Yeah. He said the boss should recognize it if I'm ever in Hatyr. So odds are their boss is located there."

"You don't say," Lizen muttered. A few sparks of electricity flew off him before his aura calmed down. "Good then. I finally know where to bomb."

"Wait what?"

"Honey! Double time."

"On it Ham!"

"Hey! I thought you said you'll stop calling me that!" Lizen Flushed.

"I lied!" Riala laughed as she sped up the train.

"Nobody can convince me these two aren't still together. Anyone who says so is either in denial or just stupid."

/~/

"RIALA!"

"MIHARE!"

The two women glomped at each other at a speed too fast for Flores to comprehend. It wasn't just an average tackle hug. Mihare's feet were left indented and even cracked the ground as she refused to move from that spot.

"I don't know what kind of immovable object she is, but she's also going on the do not fight ever list."

"Look at you. You actually got some sleep didn't you." Riala ruffled Mihare's head after taking off her hat.

"It was unwanted. But definitely needed. Besides, look at yourself. Finally got a new dress."

"Made it myself. I also redid my hair, got a much-needed spa day, and made my little Tamale a new dress."

"Oh my god, I saw that! She is so cuute!" Mihare gushed. It was the most energetic Flores has seen of her.

He could only feel sorry then for all the stress she's going through if this was how she acted with a full nights rest.

"You two can talk about spa treatments later." Another voice demanded. Looking over to the source, it was Yomiko. And she did not look happy in the slightest.

"Yomiko."

"Riala."

The two looked at each other. One with disgust in her face. The other with guilt.

"Hey, Riala. We got a situation that we could use your input on."

"Y-yeah. Let's get to that." Riala excused herself along with Mihare.

"That was akward."

"Lizen. I need some materials in the lab. Mind helping me."

"Well I was gonna-"

"Thanks." Yomiko didn't let him finish and immediately dragged him off.

"We'll if we're all splitting up."

"We're going to go clean up." The twins waved goodbye and went towards the fort. Ricten also had his own stuff to do and went along with the twins. That only left Flores with Neila.

"Did I just unknowingly get put on babysitting duty?"

"Come on Mr Flores. Let's go play!" Neila grabbed Flores sleeve and started to tug it.

"Yep. I did."

/~/

"Come on Mr Flores. You're moving slow!" Neila giggled. "I know a super cool pla-"

"Neila Starlight Nicodia Sinclair the third!" Someone yelled when as they passed by the town's bar.

A lady came out and went over to Neila. She had curly red hair and brown eyes that were covered by a pair of glasses. She wore an apron over a lavender shirt and a black skirt that went down to her knees.

"Wow... she's hot."

"That voice. M-m-miss Freya!" Neila stammered.

"You're not trying to go to the Misfortunes tempest without permission again, are you!" The lady pulled on Neila's cheeks.

"Sowwy Mwiss Fwewa."

Freya sighed. "Seriously. You and your father are extremists. If you keep leaving town again without notifying an adult. Your apple juice privileges will be revoked." Freya threatened.

"Wait wait wait. I have Mister Flores with me. He's daddy's friend so he counts."

"Flores huh?" The lady inspected Flores, keeping a very close eye on his flag as she examined him up and down.

"Fine. I'll allow it. But next time-."

"Yeah yeah, tell daddy. Come on Flores, quickly." Neila grabbed Flores by his only arm and started to run.

"Watch where you step Neila!" Freya called out.

/~/

"You sure you know where you're going?"

"Are you worried cuz I'm blind?" Neila asked.

"Yes." Flores cut down a piece of a branch with a knife for Neila and continued to move forward.

"Don't worry. Daddy spent months teaching me the concept of erudition and sensory magic. I can see all!" As she claimed this, she tripped on a rock and fell. Thankfully, Flores grabbed her before she could hit the ground.

"Okay, I can see some." Neila grumbled. "Mostly things that can produce a shadow."

"So erudition is being so in tuned with your element, that you gain abilities surrounding it?"

"Kind of. It's more of like... waking up inner energy."

"Inner energy? You mean life force right?"

"Y-yeah that thing. When you wake up your life force, you can change it you know."

"I'm not following."

"Uhhh. Aha."

Neila touched the shadows of one of the trees and formed it into a small ball of shadow in her hand.

"Imagine this cube is sand."

"That's a sphere."

"Okay. Imagine this sphere! Is sand." Neila grumbled. "Erudition is where you use your inside energy to dictate its shape and flow."

The ball Neila was holding turned into a long rope. Neila then swung it forward, cutting a tree in half before turning the whip into a ball again.

"See how cool that was. Aunty made this form of erudition when she was in Rinoth." Neila beamed. "My family is the coolest!"

"Mihare made this?" Flores asked.

"Yeah, Aunty is strong. She beat Ms. Yomiko, father, and fought Mommy to a tie. Every fight she goes like woosh and swoosh. Then there's the occasional slam." Neila did her best to explain the movements she does. But clearly, she had no idea what she's talking about.

"Wow. She must be very tough."

"Yeah, she is. That's why we need to get you into shape as well. Aunty hasn't been feeling well ever since the dragon glass turned on. I want to make sure she can sleep well."

"You're a good kid." I patted Neila on the head. "So. where are we heading?"

"Hehe." Neila laughed. "Long long time ago. In an area not so far away. The hero Miguel fought the Storm Tenko with the force of 300 men. It was this fight that… rock formed?"

"Terra formed." I corrected.

"Yeah. Terra formed the area, trapping it in a pe… parp…perpitual?." Neila sighed. "An endless storm." Neila ran forward and what Flores saw shocked him. It was a large building, larger than the fort of Ken'bitch. Its walls were a pear white and seemed to be some form of brick that glowed with purple energy.

In the center of that wall was a door. When Neila opened it, a powerful gust of wind almost knocked Flores off his feet, but Neila held him down.

"WELCOME TO THE MISFORTUNE'S TEMPEST!" Neila yelled. She was barely audible due to the howl of the large winds.

Inside was a large forest-like area of oversized trees and roots. Metals, clothing, and weapons flew around a sphere of wind that acted as the storm's borders. On the other side of the storm, there was another door, but getting there wasn't really an option either.

Lightning struck all over the place at random intervals. Tornadoes grouped up and moving all over the place. There was even strong winds that could fling even the heaviest of objects.

All of this and more were gathered together in a forest that was a mere walking distance away from Ken'bitch. It was a mystery to Flores on how how any plant life survived any this.

"These people are crazier than I imagined."

"MAMA SAID THE SEAL OF THE STORM TENKO IS WHAT KEEP'S THE TEMPEST BOUND TO THIS SPOT! PAPA ALSO SAID IT'S THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE IN ARCADIA!"

"THEN WHY ARE WE HERE!"

"BECAUSE! I WANTED TO TEACH YOU ERUDITION! COMMUNING AND INTERACTING WITH THE ELEMENTS IS THE FASTEST WAY TO LEARN THE WILD WINDS!"

"WILD WINDS?"

"JUST WATCH!"

"WAIT NEILA DON'T-" and with that, she jumped into the storm.

While inside, Flores finally learned of the power gap between him and Neila. Not only was she moving with ease in these 300-mile-per-hour winds. She was also fighting the natural forces of mother nature… and she was kicking its ass.

When lightning would strike, she would just reach out her hand and smack it away like a tennis ball. When a tornado came at her, she punched it and made it to disperse immediately. Hail? Blocked. Acid rain? Ignored. Being flung halfway across the sphere? She landed perfectly on the trees and leapt back into action.

At one moment, she grabbed lightning out of the sky and toss it at a tornado. The tornado defied all physics and absorbed the lightning. And Neila still destroyed it in a punch.

"Lizen did something similar, but at least it was with a magic spell. Neila is just grabbing acts of nature and manhandled it. Only the Sinclair family."

"SEE MISTER. YOU JUST GOTTA FLOW THE ELEMENTS AROUND YOU! JUST LIKE MAGIC!" Neila yelled as she dived through the entrance.

"I BARELY KNOW BASIC LIFE FORCE! AND I CERTAINLY CANNOT CATCH LIGHTNING!"

"YOU BARELY KNOW LIF-." Neila cleared her throat and closed the entrance.

"Right. Hehe, I forgot." Neila chuckled. "This may have been a bit too advanced."

"You think."

"I'm just trying to help!" Neila pouted. "Fine. If you're not prepared for the wild winds, we'll just use a basic form of life force."

"And what's that?"

"Han Zou."

"Han Zou?"

"YEP!"

/~/

"Haha. Sorry Mister Flores!" Neila nervously chuckled.

Despite the apology, Flores was still pretty angry. He was currently using ice to fight off a massive knot on his forehead. The giver of said knot, being Neila.

Neila's "training" or what she called training. Consisted of showing Flores how to use Han Zou.

It worked by overcharging body parts with life force for a short burst of enhancement. Neila showed off how her movement was enhanced. She even let a monster attack her to show off her enhanced defense too. She then had the smart idea to show off the strength boost, by punching Flores in the face.

On one hand. Flores indeed felt the difference in power. On the other hand. That punch knocked him out for around twenty minutes, and gave him a pretty big headache.

Being escorted back. Neila took him into a bar called the Ditzy drunk, and was wrapping his head in healing bandages.

It was a common bar you'd find in most old tv shows. Tables all about, the usual long counter with a few bar seats, and the usual drunken brawl going on. Flores watched on as one of the drunken patrons tried to fight Freya. The bartender however. Paid him no mind and effortlessly tossed him out the door with one hand.

"Damn. Why isn't she in my party."

"Alright, Miss Freya. A gallon of apple juice."

"You already spent last week's allowance on apple juice You're getting a pint."

"Gallon!" Neila argued.

"Pint!"

"Gallon."

"Alright then. You get a Gallon."

"No. I want a Pint!"

"Deal!" The bartender put down a small glass of apple juice with a smug grin on her face.

"... Wait that's not what I meant."

"Haha, Just kidding. Drink up, kid." The bartender slid down a jug of apple juice toward Neila. One of the biggest mysterious Flores had at the time was how she was even allowed inside.

"Yay! Thanks, Miss Freya." Neila started to chug her apple juice.

"I'll put in on Lizen's tab." Freya shifted her focus from Neila over to Flores. "So the new captain of Ken'bitch finally reveals himself to the public."

"I didn't know news about my promotion spread that fast. Especially since it was just an offhand comment from Lizen before training.

"There are two reasons for a bar to exist. A place to drown away all your troubles. Or a vast network of information cuz drunk idiots can't keep their mouths shut. Guess which one I am, Morale hero."

"Well shit… actually, is revealing my identity even a bad thing?"

"Welp you figured me out. Not sure what that achieves though."

"Nothing really, I just love gossip. Although, that pin you carry around is a cause for concern."

"You mean this thing?-"

"Yes. It's a dark hydra recruitment pin. It indicates one's potential employment in the dark guild. And by the looks of it, you seemed to have gotten one from a paid intern."

"Paid intern? Wouldn't that just be an employee at that point?"

"No no no." Neila finished her jug and was about to speak, but Freya passed her another. "The dark guild's ranking system goes as followed. Slave, unpaid intern, intern, paid intern, and the boys. You've gotten a pin from the second rank, meaning you're high on their scouting priority." Freya took out a pin of her own which was glowing a bright purple.

"I got this from a recruiter a while back. And by got I mean kicked his ass and ran off with it." Freya chuckled. "The recruiters who have these can then track where you are if you're ever nearby. That's how I knew you had it on you when you walked by. I was also making sure Neila was okay since a dark hydra member near her isn't good news... for the person of course."

"What a scary child." Flores shuddered.

"So that's what he meant by the boss will recognize me. Do you know any more info?"

"Yeah, I do. But it'll cost you something."

"And what might this something be?"

"Information for information. You've encountered a paid intern, give me all of the details."

"Well If that's all then where do I begin?"

Flores spent the next few minutes describing the oddity that is R. Lee. Everything from his fighting style, special ability, and his death. Freya already knew who Lee was, and even had some entries on him before. He was classified as a highly-skilled scout who specializes in assassinations and theft.

Sadly though, that was pretty much all she had. She had nothing on the boss, any previous missions, or even his goal for attacking Riala. She did however go berserk when Flores finally gave her a mountain of new info on this man's fighting style.

"Oh, I hit the jackpot today! I knew the hero would have good shit!"

"Child."

"Who gives a fuck!" Freya slammed the table "Give me more and I'll happily give you a beer for life."

"I don't drink."

"Then… I'll think about it later."

"Anything smoke able then?"

"That I do have." Freya took out a pack of cigarettes called Royal lagoon. Flores was giddy at the chance to start smoking again, and immediately lit the first stick and put it in his mouth.

"Ahh. It's not weed, but it's something."

"Anyways sir hero. How about you stay?"

"What for?" Flores asked.

"We're having some rap battles tonight. It would be epic to have you join!"

"I'm not good at rhyming. I'll pass."

gasp. "Then that means we can train your magic too!"

"Excellent idea Neila! Lets give the hero a crash course in Rhyme magic!"

"Yes mamm!

Freya leapt over the counter and landed on the stage. Sliding her food across the ground, the lights of the stage dimmed and focused on the girl.

"Earth and Water, combine and grow. Cover the stage and match my flow. Transform yourself, grow in might. Protect yourself from the strongest of smites. Magic of the tavern and barkeep as one, grant my request, and let's all have fun!" Freya stomped her foot and the ground started to shake. "[Galaxy Terraform!]"

The walls opened up and expanded before closing again, making the tavern bigger. The stage then broke apart and reformed into a larger one with it's new space. That's when things suddenly went dark, with a light focusing on Neila and Freya.

"Poems of old."

"And limericks a new."

"Rhyme are divine."

"So let them through."

"Sing with us tonight."

"For that is your goal."

"Show us what you got."

"FOR RAP IS A MANS SOUL! Melodic Magic: Grand Show!"

Lights filled the room as Neila and Freya took the stage. It seems the terraforming magic turned the bar into a theater. The stage was much bigger now and shined with dozens of lights that floated in the air.

"Alright Flores. Let's see if you got the bars."

/~/

Journal of Flores

Entry #1: Dark Hydra

My old journal was blown up by a mortar, so I'll be starting a new one for future generations to read. I would have done this a lot sooner. But between being summoned, losing my arm, and having to deal with the dark hydra, I never got the proper chance.

If Flores is reading this, then ignore this page. If you're a new reader, then welcome. I am Sylvester Flores, captain of Ken'bitch and hero of the morale tools. This entry will be on the dark guild of Arcadia. The dark hydra.

According to Freya. The dark hydra is pretty much a myth. To those who do know though. It is the mercenary guild of Arcadia with the Exodus Legion as their front so no authorities would catch on. Their ranking system is also based on capability. So paid interns are a lot more suited to handle difficult tasks than the level 500 unpaid intern who is dumb as shit.

Also despite the name. Unpaid interns do actually get paid.

Their benefits also include 3 meals a day, a place to sleep. Flexible work schedules, and a guaranteed 3 days off your choosing every work week.

If this weren't a criminal organization, I would have taken Lee's deal in a heartbeat. But I'm not trying to deal with the mental repercussions of being evil, so I'll pass for now.