“Wha… what the he-all….? An Elf…?”
“Hello! I’m a Wood Elf for your information and are you ready to take us back?”
Paul could sense she’s the energetic type who would never run out of stamina even after an entire day of running and fighting. Bahamut didn’t stop grooming him, continuing to lick his face even though he was already conversing with the Elven woman.
“Oh crap, I fell asleep. Wait, lemme get my barings first. Give me five minutes… and Bahamut, stop licking me will you? You know your saliva when mixed with the chemical you use to throw flames is acidic for us.”
“Stop moving Master. There’s still some sweat on your forehead.”
A light punch then comes from his behind, hitting him straight to his forehead before Bahamut could clean it with her long tongue. He looks up while resting on the bench, seeing Escobar in his replica USMC General Service Uniform with the pins changed to the logo of Eldwood. Not like his Green General uniform, only the shiny badges he wore reflected upon the sunroof's rays. With a more annoyed posture, he stands up with Bahamut who takes off and starts flying around him. The Dragon then lands on the airport bench to sit down with the adventurers waiting on the General to prepare.
“Was the punch really needed?”
“Pendejo, every time you say an extra five minutes you just slip back to sleep.”
“Well fuck you, because I like to sleep, though I think sleeping on that bench destroyed either my neck or spine.”
“Don’t mess this up. You’ll be the first of our kind to make contact with the natives of this land. Look human and look good. Like going to a job interview.”
The young Grifvet tilts his head, never having encountered the word before.
“What’s a job interview?”
“Wha- ah… It’s nothing. Ugh, Esco, help me up.”
Grunting like an old man who just awakened from a long night's sleep, Escobar helps him up and Paul immediately starts thinking on how to spawn his outfits and weapons. He first tries to make a small cross and opens his player tab. The Adventurers were amazed by this but nonetheless stayed quiet as the two men tried to figure out how to get clothes.
“Okay, stop. I know you're thinking of testing things and creating chaos while you're at it but save that later. Simply think about the uniform or weapon you want and cast spatial teleportation. It takes Mana so if you're gonna summon a Horse or some Legendary level weapon, be sure you have the juice for it. Francis who first tested this told me that after you bring out an item from your inventory, you may never return it. So best have a room to place all the shit you have in one place.”
“How do I know if I’m low on Mana? It’s not like I have a meter on my top left anymore.”
“Never tried it myself but I’m guessing you’d be sleepy? Tired?”
A tall woman in mage robes butts in the conversation of the two. Her voice immediately allures the two. It was Eattare and she crossed her arms, ready to lecture the two.
“If you run low on Mana, You’ll indeed get sleepy, but try too hard you might get internal damage and even sudden death if you were to try to cast magic way out of your league, this is why the Adventurers Guild with the Ministry of Magic created the leveling system.”
“So you people created leveling in this world?”
“Mhm. I don’t know how it is back in your land but this is the way here.”
Escobar, who is looking at her very sexy robes, showing her curves, snaps back and gets Paul to prepare.
“Mamacita, I’d like to explain this, but it will take long and hard. Paul, get going and prepare. Good luck, I still have to do some stuff here. Goodbye for now.”
Paul who’s now fully awake, walks to the comfort room below the stairs that leads to the Terminals second floor. As he’s inside it, sparks of light could be seen flying out the door and metal clanking the tiles of the comfort room is heard.
“Uhhh… Escobar! Call some soldiers to get these things into my carriage! It's located near the Police Station!”
“Si!” He gestures to some of the skeleton soldiers that were loitering around, the two jumps seeing the General point at them. “What, the. You two are players?” the two nod. “You heard the General, go pick up his shit.” The two skeletons ran to the comfort room and started collecting the things Paul was spawning and loading them up on an MTVR truck outside.
After a bit more ruckus and what could be sounds of a sword being recklessly swung, the General emerges from the comfort room in his Death Knight Armor. The intimidating jet black armor immediately stood out, its scary and intimidating look was out of place in the entire lobby of skeleton men in modern combat uniforms and equipment. The helmet covered his entire face and had two metallic horns reminiscent of a Dragons. Grifvet and Pierence are immediately stoked seeing it, reminding them of the stories they once heard.
“By the Gods.”
“Not gonna lie, having that as our escort back home seems like an awesome deal.”
Paul’s voice was muffled but could still clearly be heard through the heavy helmet and armor.
“I don’t remember this armor being this heavy. And that’s from someone who wore this almost everyday back then.”
“Just like old times Master.”
“It’s only been a year since I wore this. Well technically going by in game days, it might have been longer, either way, everyone to the tarmac.”
Grifvet then tilts his head “What’s a tarmac?”
On the airport's lively tarmac, with helicopters and fighter planes getting maintained while some are on quick response, engines on and armed. Ready for what could be the largest combined arms assault that’ll happen against the Knights of Eldwood. Bahamut was already in her larger form, able to ferry the five passengers. Her size was higher than the Apaches around her and the tail of the massive Dragon could easily crush the planes behind her.
After some effort, everyone was loaded in and strapped to the Dragon’s spiky spine. Though Paul was just standing on top of her head. Her immense downwash from her wings violently rattled the tied down helicopters around her. Prompting everyone to crouch and grab whatever they can to hold them down.
She heads West of the city, avoiding the gathering army and going around them through the longer way, near a large river that’s known to be the landing spot for the soldiers of the Demon army. After gaining some altitude, F-16s sent from the Airbase escorted them till they reached territory far into the Kingdom of Meilurious. The jets was dwarfed by Bahamut’s immense size and couldn’t even catch up whenever she felt like adjusting her course or making a tight turn. Her natural body could easily pull it off while the fighter jets had to go the long way around to save wear and tear.
Some hours have passed and the jet pilots wiggled their planes wings and waves off. The Sun slowly shows itself above the sky. Sniffing the air, Bahamut slowly descends and below the clouds, a dense forest appears. The greenery was far beyond anything the two had ever seen before. Not only was it fresh and alive, but the quality of the air was so good that they could feel it entering their lungs and cleaning it out. With a color of an untapped beauty of nature, the Dragon starts looking around for an area to land.
“If those Drone operators were correct, there should be a town somewhere up here. Bahamut, if you ever smell a body of water, stop and land.”
“Of course Master. I can already smell humans near us.”
“To imagine before this we’ve just planned to go on another expedition to Dark Island. Look at us now, in a foreign land in a foreign world. Bahamut, keep a low profile alright? We don’t know how they’ll react if they see you.”
“As you wish, Master.”
“And promise me one thing, you won’t be going all out. I want us to keep a low profile right, I don’t want to attract any unwanted attention from the bigger factions that might be vying for power or something.”
“That should be easy, Master. I promise.”
In a few minutes, Bahamut lands. Crushing some smaller patches of trees, her scales were able to tank the damage and land safely. The bark was unable to even leave a small scratch at her glistening black metallic scales and the forest was extremely dense with a cold and merciless air surrounding them. The Sun was high up in the sky and its rays pierced through the leaves and vines. The Adventurers with the Knight jumped down from Bahamut’s back as she lowered herself enough for everyone to exit out without having to do much effort.
“Okay, where to?”
“Head North Master. I saw some smoke from that direction and that’s where I smelled the humans and.... Fish.”
“Okay, you go back into a smaller form now.”
“Mhm.” Bahamut transforms into her smaller version and lands on Paul’s pauldron. Using the protruding spike to rest her body. Plopping down like a disabled item as she lets her Master haul her around like a small pet.
“Okay, Grifvet, Eattare, Pierence and Ingraine. I’m at your service. Please don’t do anything that would make a large ruckus.”
Ingraine and Pierence look at him with confident smiles, assuring him that everything will be dandy.
“Ah-a! We’ll try our best but I can’t promise anything!”
“Ingraine’s courageous personality tends to get us into trouble.”
The Death Knight facepalms. Realizing these are still technically teenagers. Ignoring his brain and the countless scenarios of his imagination, he faces the young swordsman in light armor with chainmail underneath. The entire time, the young man has been staring at his armor.
“So I’ve heard. Grifvet, if you want to ask anything about my Armor just say so. Your mouths’ starting to water.”
The group laughs off Paul’s jab at Grifvet’s curiosity about his armor and weapon. They then head North. Going through the dense forest. The heavy knight armor Paul’s wearing could be heard clanking as he makes some complex movements to go around some obstacles. The Cape of his armor flaps as strong wind comes from the North. In a few minutes, they hit a dirt road which leads to the Port Town. Following it, they converse with one another to make the walk a bit more livelier.
“Also, who is this Demon Lord you guys speak of?”
“He was formerly known as one of the greatest Kings of the Continent of Schon in ancient times. Even the ancestors of leaders in this Continent recognize him and his might. King Gunther the First but he’s been dead for decades and now King Nergal commands the Legions of the Undead and Demons.”
“I see, what’s his story?”
Pierence, having read many books about the old ancient King of the Kingdom of the dead opens up, the tall young lad was vigorous and full of energy and his face was that of a young man who has a lot to look forward to in life and this very moment where he could show off his intellect on the subject.
“Ahem. He was an ancient Noble. They say he was one of the first ones next to the first Knights of the Gareth family, and was visited by a God from a world full of fire and suffering. It is said that he got talked into going into a strange place where he fought many things and came out a very powerful and smart person, having suddenly mastered all of the true arts of ancient magic and became smarter than anyone who has ever stepped foot in this world.”
“I get the feeling that guy is gonna be one Hell of a fighter. I hope I’ll never ever encounter someone like that here, this place smells of stupidly powerful creatures. So how was he stopped?”
“The combined efforts of the Kingdoms of Dragovh, hundreds of thousands of years ago, fought a massive war against him. He almost took all of the land till James the Conqueror and many others rose against him from the dark and pushed him back to the Continent of Schon. You should read the books, tales of their exploits are known throughout the land.”
Pierence then inserted his own comment.
“And now, it is said that the current King of that Kingdom, the Kingdom of Vitas making friends with the Vampires and Dragons to once again try to take on the Continent of Dragovh.”
“Smells like they're just trying to get by though. After having such a reputation like that, and the fact that thousands of years later that all of you still remember it just goes to show what thin line they have to walk upon to avoid being seen as aggressive.”
“You seem awfully open minded. But I guess you are an Outworlder. If you’d stay here long enough. You’ll see the scars of the Resets and what it’d done to the people. It was far beyond any true magic as true magic ends as soon as its user dies. But the labyrinths, dungeons and contraptions he’d build still litter the land.”
Eattare, with all her elegance, crossed her arms and lectured the Knight in basic magic.
“Also if you're new here, the dark arts of magic have things to it that’re unnatural to man. It is said that whatever he learned in the Underworld gave him the ability to not age like a Vampire. It's as unnatural as it gets as human souls aren’t molded to live forever. Do not try to dabble in its arts, you might see things that you’ll never forget Lord Jackson.”
“Huh, looks like my type of magic is not well accepted here.”
“It's because it can cause so much harm to innocents. Dark magic has been used for good before, but too much of it also leads those to ruin. If maybe you could teach us how you Outworlders managed to get so powerful with dark magic without losing your humanity, maybe we could use it again to benefit the many.”
“That’s the thing though, I don’t know. Like, down from my armor to my longsword and greatsword. All of it is imbued with dark arts as it's the one that has the biggest output of raw damage and defense. Though things might be different here. I don’t feel anything other than me wanting to eat Beef. The Rations we have back at the airport aren't really good.”
Ingraine, touting her homebrewed cooking skills walks in front of the man. Posing valiantly with a big smile.
“Ahahaha! You have to taste my cooking then!”
“Some other time. I get the feeling this is one of those tropes I’ve seen before which I should absolutely avoid since I need a good toilet to dump my bombs properly.”
“You say a lot of strange words, strange Knight! I like it!”
“Ugh…”
As the group was walking along the dirt road, a carriage hurriedly passed by them. Nearly hitting Ingraine who was tip-toeing near the middle. The Death Knight senses a strange rumbling, as if he hears multiple other horses coming from behind. He immediately goes to the middle of the road and looks back, he could see masked and cloaked men on horseback. Armed with swords and bows. He unsheathes his Longsword, its shiny blade could reflect the Sun’s bright rays. Many things are running through his mind, he knows he can save those on the carriage but he’ll have to intimidate these bandits if he was ever gonna walk out of it without hurting anyone.
“Looks like it's time to cast some magic. I’d recommend you guys to hide behind me.”
“Be careful Lord Jackson. One of them is different, Knight I think.”
“How do you know?”
“Look at how he is riding that pristine horse. That’s not normal.”
Just like that, he casts Great Fear Resistance on himself. It instantly activates, giving him resistance to fear for two minutes while giving him an intimidating aura that could strike the hearts of people that would look at him, basically stunning them. The Adventurers hide behind his cape, Grifvet with his shortsword out and Pierence ready with his bow.
As the bandits get near, he drills his longsword into the dirt and with shaky hands, he tries to give him his best impression of an Evil Knight. The horses instantly feel the aura as they get close and violently stop, throwing some people on horseback to his front.
“Wait, this spell never affected horses before.”
The bandits were in awe of the massive figure in armor in front of them. As they stood up, swords came out. Some who were able to stay on their horse fire arrows at him. It bounces from his armor and does no harm to it. As the Fear magic slowly gets to them, many start running but one bandit stood right in front of him even though visibly shaken. He notices Paul’s shaking hands as he holds the Pommel.
“Y-you… think you're some hotshot Knight? Whose Lord did you hail from!?”
“Just go home. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Heh, this might be your territory, but we’ll report you to the Kingdom. The passengers inside that carriage are the property of the Lord in this Region. Make way and begone!”
“As if. Looking at your eyes, you people are full of bloodlust. I suggest you cool off before continuing whatever you're trying to achieve here.”
“Tsk! I wouldn’t be this angry if those fools didn’t hurt one of my men!”
“Prepare a better entrance then. Last chance, YOU begone before I show you some magic that will freak you out.”
Ingraine teases the man with her tongue out like a child.
“Who do you think you are bandit!”
“Looks like Sir Knight here has an Elven friend. Your type could sell good in the Slave Market. A good exchange with those in the carriage. Hmmm… yes a Wood Elf. Did you hail from Geraldia by any chance? The Northern regions?”
“Booo, ain’t gonna tell.”
The Knight suddenly felt a pulse of anger course through his veins. He lifts his sword and points it to the bandit. Inches from his chin. The bandit was frozen at the instantaneous action, he didn’t even have the chance to pull out the Knife on his back.
“I won’t ask this again. Get back on your horse and go. I’m not playing this time.”
His hands this time were as solid as a rock, there was no shaking as his adrenaline took over. On the back of his head, he wanted to run as far as possible but at the same time had to stand his position. After a few seconds, the Bandit accepts defeat, raising his hands to show his unarmed. He takes off his mask, it shows a well built face with lots of scars.
“Remember this face Knight. As it’ll be the last thing you’ll see.”
“Remember this helmet, it’ll be hunting you tonight when you go to sleep.”
The bandit slowly walks backward till he hits the body of one of the horses. He got on it and shouted to the ones that hadn’t run yet to follow him. Paul was still as hard as a statue even though the Bandits were no longer in sight. Ingraine taps his shoulder lightly. The knight just deflates like a balloon. With his knees on the ground.
“What the Hell is up with this place?”
Ingraine was disappointed there wasn’t any big show of power while Grifvet could see that he wasn’t ready yet to kill or harm.
“Ehhh, I thought you were going to do something fancy.”
“Ingraine, let him rest. He’s shaken. Lord Jackson, I suggest you breathe in and out. Don’t think about the situation too much.”
Collecting himself, the Knight stands up. Breathing in and out. Pierence raises an eyebrow, curious of the man's ability to fight as inside the helmet. The man starts hearing voices on a radio. “Colonel! We confirm civilians in the area! Halt the CAS! I repeat halt the CAS! No NATO forces are in this sector! Captain Benedict is trying to get everyone out but it's far too many!” snapping back, the man lets himself stand straight up while looking at the sun directly.
“Okay, okay. Thank you.”
“Are you sure you're a trained Knight?”
“Trained? Nope. Virtually? Yes. I’m also the farthest from someone as honorable as a Knight to. I’m a businessman for Christsake.”
Grifvet and Eattare on the other hand could notice that he was experienced to a degree and knew how to react to situations. Commenting that he was still professional to a degree.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“But the way you instantly felt the danger coming from behind us was not something an inexperienced person would do.”
“And the way you held your sword. You did it all correctly though. Maybe you meant you're independently trained?”
“I’ve told you. I’ve never been trained in reality, just virtually which is two different things. I just felt it, as if something angry was coming from my back and the sword? How do I know? I have my own style and everything since I had no one to teach me proper sword fighting.”
“Strange, you did show good swordsmanship there. I’m sure you already have it in you to use a sword.”
After a few minutes and drinking some water, Paul managed to get back on his feet and back on their journey to the town. The Sun was slowly setting when they could see the grey stone walls of the Town on the horizon. The town had a quiet and sad atmosphere to it, the Sun was just above it as the group saw its Main Entrance. Bored, Ingraine who was curious about Bahamut turns to the Knight.
“So, how did you and Miss Bahamut meet?”
“It’s… uhhh complicated. Let’s just say I completed a quest which required me to collect one point five million dragon scales within a year and I guess that summoned her? If you want me to get down and gritty, it involves fighting a half naked man on the top of a snowy mountain and the getting down part was just as eventful as the getting up.”
Bahamut switches from his Left to Right Shoulder, being closer to Ingraine who was strutting along next to him.
“I met him after a great calling came after me, after centuries of isolation on a plane above the living. I simply rested. Many great and worthy Heroes came after me, but I’ve bested them all. I simply wanted to find a human worthy of my time and go back to the existing world. I left my isolation and came to the mortal world and put up a special quest on my behalf and the Dragons of the world. Though of all humans, the one I got has a special ability to attract problems wherever or whenever he is.”
“Uhhh… what she said. Except the part about attracting problems. I literally can’t do anything about that since it's been like that in Dark World or Earth. But at the same time, it has led me to meet great people like Bahamut here.”
“Wow~! That must be one heck of a story you could recall to your Knight friends.”
“Told you before. Ain’t a Knight or Lord technically. Just a man trying to get home. I got Bahamut since I needed a Dragon friend to help me out. Simple as that. She’s my longtime Companion and partner in crime.”
“Mhm, it does seem that you two have been through a lot.”
“Yea, Miss Bahamut has told us a lot of stories.”
“I’m guessing these involve many failures and many good days. Though I guess it's all worth it seeing how she is now. I even remember panicking when all of the sudden her health went to like One percent when I was riding a bike back to a Portal. Stuff scared me and I still remember it to this day.”
Underneath his helmet. The Knight smiles seeing Bahamut truly alive and talking, happy and satisfied that his Dragon companion has turned out to not only be his best companion but also protector and translator between their cultures.
“Through the rain, the scorching heat and the raging seas. Me and my Master had traveled through it all.”
The group lines up to the entrance of the walled Port Town named “Kustline”. Though the queue was short, just a few humans and Reptilians with Elves, the guards were taking their time checking the Documents of the people entering.
“Uhhh… I might’ve made a short oversight. I do not have any papers on me.”
“Just say you're a Knight. You have the look, and with armor like that. They won’t ask questions, don't worry. These guards are far too concerned about not dying in some coastline town that smells of fish than to do their duty.”
“Okay, I guess. But if anything happens Grifvet, you just bullshit your way out of it. What’s the letters on the sign say anyways? What town is this?”
As his turn comes up. The guard was just quiet at the man. After a few awkward seconds, one of them steps up and speaks.
“Sir, what affiliations do you have?”
Paul looks at the guard to his left and straight in the eyes he says:
“Knights of Eldwood. Knight General.”
“Heinz, do you know that?”
The Guard on the right awkwardly looks back at him. Signalling that man is no one he should fuck with and tugs him to let him through without any problem.
“Don’t look at me. Just let him in, we don’t want trouble.”
“-of course sir. Please, check the Adventurers building.”
“Uhhh… will do, thanks.”
The others went through the gate without a hitch. Inside, the town was very lively inside, though the light fog gave the streets an eerie vibe, the people were still lingering about and children were playing on the old stone sidewalks where grass could be seen growing from the soil below it.
The Knight quickly smells the stench of the horse's manure on the street and the dilapidated buildings weren’t inviting at all and one could hear the rattling of the boats on its badly maintained Pier. “Lively place. This is exactly how I imagined Medieval life would be.” The Knight wishes he could transform to his skeletal form and not smell it but Ingraine looked as energetic as ever.
“You should see the Capital of James. It's way better than this. Meilurous has a reputation for leaving its far away towns in decay. James on the other hand has clean and organized buildings and roads everywhere. Their economic ties with the Dragon Kingdom really made the two countries become filthy rich and powerful.”
“I’ll keep my hopes up then. Okay, first things first. Let’s find a place to eat so that we can get out of here fast. The smell is killing me.”
He felt that he could vomit from the smell but the people were surprisingly washed with well ironed clothes and didn’t seem to be dirty as the people walked through the horse dung without any problem. “Geez, they’re so used to it and they can practically avoid the shit without having to look. Ugh.” Though he wants to use magic, he wavers at the idea and follows the group forward.
“I’ve heard some people say there’s one near the center of the town. I’m not the Ranger for no reason ya’ know Lord Jackson?”
“I heard it too. Should we go? Casting magic yesterday really drained me.”
The party heads off to the center, they find the Tavern just when the sun is about to go down and disappear in the horizon. Inside, the place was well lit and various humanoids were littered amongst the crowd. Though the Humans outnumber them, their unique features make them stand out. Paul immediately stood out when he entered the Tavern, being the only heavily armored person in the entire settlement, everyone looked at the unique bunch. In obvious distress with how people are looking at them, the Knight couldn’t be happier with his helmet covering his entire face.
They sat down on the far left corner. The Elven waitress approached the party cordially and asked them for what they’d want. Totally clueless, Paul raises his hand and asks if there’s beef. The party laughs as it's such an obvious answer but yet, with an absolutely serious tone Paul asks if Beef exists in their world.
“So, Lord Jackson. What’s your training like?”
“Grifvet, I’ve been telling you man. I’m self taught and I did it with very specific swords. Aka my Arming Sword and Greatsword. Till it got replaced with one from a Demon King’s and my Greatsword, literally my original one just repurposed over and over again till it became the Meta weapon it is now.”
“WOAH!”
Ingraine nearly pukes her drink from hearing it. Standing up and pointing her finger at him in a childlike manner.
“WAIT! REALLY?! YOU KILLED A DEMON KING?!”
Everyone in the tavern looks at the group and then to the armored Knight in jet black armor. To deescalate the situation, he calmly tells her to sit down. The Elven girl complied and sat down with her face full of curiosity and excitement.
“Yes I did, but…” he thinks how he could explain that it was not a real Demon King but one from a full dive video game. After some seconds he gave up. “It took me a while. Many long days of planning and preparing with Bahamut and the boys.” he recalls watching videos on the Internet on how to cheese the Demon King Paimon and skimming through multiple Walkthroughs and Guides. But the entire group of adventurers was stoked and their eyes full of wonder and amazement.
“Lord Jackson, do you have it on you right now?”
“Oh no. I’m currently using the Longsword of King Belial. Another Demon King, the Arming Sword is sadly damaged and I was planning on gathering items to repair it but this happened. But my Greatsword… it's the one I have in my back right now. Freaking thing keeps reminding me I have a huge ass blade on my back whenever I try to turn my torso.”
“WOAH! May I see it?”
He looked around and could see how tightly packed the tavern was. His Greatsword’s tip alone would reach the ceiling if he was to demonstrate it.
“Later, not here. Swinging a sword around a place like this is dangerous.”
“Oh of course but why do you even need to wield such a weapon? What else have you fought that required you to have such a blade?”
“One day Grifvet, you’ll also wield such a weapon. The more powerful you get, the more powerful foes you’ll be looking for. Maybe not now as you're still adventuring. But maybe in a few years when you get to see what it means to swing a blade like these two babies of mine.”
He could strangely see himself in the young man when he was starting in Dark World VR, reminiscing, he could remember being with a pair of friends and some hope, a few years later, only he remained playing and became a Knight General for a Knight Order. After an hour of eating and chatting, the party leaves the lively Tavern, the Sun was already down and the Moon with the Stars could be visibly seen.
The town’s spooky vibe just went up by the hundred, Paul’s head couldn’t stop thinking about getting out of the Port Town, he looks back and sees the old Church in the middle of the city is giving off an atmosphere of death and solemnity. It leaves chills to his spine but the adventurers seemed calm and fine with it, casually chatting with one another as if it was just another day in their life.
Walking after some few minutes of walking, the hair on the Knights back suddenly awakened as if a ghost just touched him. Swooosh, as the flow of air is suddenly redirected. He stops at his feet and violently looks around, knowing what creature could send him such fear.
“Don’t be scared, but right now. I get the feeling that someone’s watching us and it's not the good type. Didn’t you guys tell me this Port is used by the Kingdoms of the Demon Continent?”
As soon as he said this, the adventurers unsheathed their weapons and prepared to fight on with the unknown enemy lurking in the shadows. In a few seconds, on a tall four story building, a woman pops in standing on the edge with her heeled shoes, with a thin and curvy body, the girl appears with a long flowing hair that’s being lifted by the air as the Moon and its blue shine illustrates her silhouette and the long gown she wore. Her piercing golden eyes shine through the night’s sky.
“Holy… shiiiit…. That’s totally a Vampire! It’s a real fucking Vampire. A freaking real one! BAHAMUT!”
“First time?”
“No, yes. Technically, no. But in this context, yes.”
Eattare quickly holds her staff high, already casting multiple spells without speaking and Bahamut awakens, walking out of his pouch fully awake and ready to fight.
“Just keep calm, don’t let it bite you and cover your surroundings! Lord Jackson! You have Stop Ribs, so unless she bends that armor of yours, you're safe!”
“I don’t know what you call those types here, but to me, that’s absolutely a Countess or a Lady just by looking at her. We have to ru-”
As Paul was about to say run, the Vampire’s voice struck through the quiet street, her beautiful gown flapping at the roof as the Moon’s bright light showed her magnificent face and the red gown she wore.
“Knight, I can see that you're afraid of me. Have thou been captivated by my aura? If so, feast thy eyes on the Countess of Manor Chaîne de Montagnes. The daughter of the esteemed Minuit family, maker of the finest wine that ever blessed this soil. Impressive how you have not yet run in absolute fear or cowered as you see the one that’ll end thine life.”
“Jokes on you. I’m into that shit! Countess or not, I’ll stand here with my sabatons planted in this stone path!”
The intimidatingly beautiful woman smirked at the Knight’s joke even though he’s visibly afraid of her. Floating blood red roses then appear around him and the color of the area turned red, the foreign Moon itself with its small satellite changed its blue color to red, completely changing the atmosphere of the area.
“I hope thou can keep up one's humor in battle.”
In a blink of an eye, the lady suddenly disappears from the Adventurer’s sight. Paul on the other hand is having a sensory overload as he could feel the rapid speed of the woman going around them.
“Damn It! She’s scoping out our formation! If we don’t do something, she’ll take us out one by one.”
Bahamut was calm the entire time, as if to think of when the Vampire’s gonna appear. All of the sudden, the Dragon speaks.
“Master! On your right!”
And just like that, Paul swings his sword to his right. An irritating clang was made as the blade hit the Lady's hand. Her red gloves were gripping the blade tightly as the man tried to continue its swing. Out of nowhere, Grifvet attempts to strike the charming woman from the left, she swiftly disappears before being stabbed. The group was then toyed by her, appearing from behind them and surprising them by appearing in front of them and then disappearing.
Annoyed, Paul screams ”Elven magic! Immense Speed!” The high level spell used to increase movement by twenty percent, though he doesn’t know the effects of it in the new world, at least he could see the attractive woman with her long black hair rapidly moving around. The magic worked so well he could hear her high heels as it touched the stone street.
*Click clack*
All of the sudden, he senses her right behind him. The woman who is just as tall as him embraces him from behind. Trailing her nails at his armor and visibly scratching it, Bahamut was moving, but was just staring at the Vampire in absolute anger.
“I’m Countess Alana from the Continent of the Dead. Known as Schon. I’ve cometh here on the Lord’s behalf. My people need their blood. Knight, would you be a gentleman and introduce yourself to this maiden?”
“Hello, I’m the motherfucker that’ll scrape your face on the Sun’s ray.”
“Ara, feisty one aren’t we? Well, since you’ve made me laugh, I’ll entertain you. The Sun does not affect me like those lowly Vampires. If thou wants to end thee, one must have a blade that God itself made.”
“Oh yea? I got something better. It’s an express ticket to Hell… and where did you learn that word? Ara? That's an extremely specific word from our culture… is there an Outworlder in where you are?! Who's the player working with you?!”
“Eheheh, thou truly is entertaining. Thou might be able to give lonely me some fun. I’ll let you go today. I’d like to see where your story would go. Would you be a gentleman Knight and tell this damsel in distress thy name?”
“It’s Paul. Paul Jackson, Knight General of Eldwood. When we meet again next time, I’ll make sure you won’t heal from what I’m about to do to you.”
“Even though you're shaken and afraid? Lord Jackson. I can smell the great fear in your words.”
The last words she spoke sent immense chills to his back. It was so scary if it weren’t for his helmet, everyone would see the tears in his eyes as his body shakes in absolute fear of the woman. The Countess simply disappears and reappears at the roof. This time, she had Knights with her. All in dark red demonic armor, she simply disappears right as she appears. Gone with the wind with her floating red roses gone.
Shaken, Paul’s grip on his sword was stone cold and hard. It didn’t move an inch the entire time, his body still foreign to the many dangers in the strange world he had ended up in. Ingraine was checking each one of her members for bites while Grifvet and Pierence was still high on their toes ready to fight. Eattare was shaken but also prepared to fight the Vampire head on.
“That was not what I expected it to be.”
“Lord Jackson, are you alright? It looks like she went after you.”
“Of course she would. She sensed I’m the most powerful one. Her intimidation tactic didn’t work the way she intended it to be but I’m very shaken and I think I need a toilet.”
“The entire time, she was aiming for you. Looks like you're on her list now.”
“Great, just what I need. A freaking Countess wants my blood and head. C’mon, I really need a toilet too. I-I’ll deal with this later. Fuck! How bad is my luck?!”
“See… I told you guys. Master attracts problems a lot.”
“Shut up Bahamut, you're with me too on this crazy crazy ride!”
“And that’s why I can never leave your side Master. Whenever I sleep, I hope I won't wake up with you surrounded by powerful enemies like back then.”
“So what? Doesn’t mean it happened multiple times that it'll happen again!”
“Uh huh. Excuses Master, excuses.”
“B-b-but!”
After gaining their barings, the group once again moves to the outside of the town. Leaving behind the scary encounter. Everyone was asleep behind Bahamut’s back as she soars high up in the sky. The Knight on the other hand was wide awake, thinking about the encounter.
“Bahamut, how powerful was that Vampire?”
“Extremely powerful. She was able to even catch me off guard. If I was able to spot her, I would’ve been able to move. She took advantage of my concern for you and caught me when I had my guard down. Her magic was not strong enough to override mine, but her gesture of scratching your armor was to warn me that she could easily slice you open if she so desired.”
“Damn it. She’s smart. Very smart. Next time, even if my life is in danger, go for it. I’d rather die than have my blood sucked by a creature of the night.”
“I apologize, Master. I wasn’t able to transform into my bigger size.”
“No need to apologize. It’s not like you could’ve done anything, if you were to transform. We would’ve damaged the already worn town and even hurt innocents. She knew what she was doing and caught us at the best time and moment.”
“Wouldn’t you want to sleep, Master? Humans need their sleep to function properly.”
“I might just. But this entire thing is really weighing down on me and I’ve only been awake for a day at most.”
He removes his Helmet and sits down on Bahamut's head. Grabbing her spine to prevent himself from slipping. He silently takes in the fresh air of the sky. As the Moon and its smaller friend orbiting it appears and disappears over the gigantic plume of clouds high above the skies. He looks back and sees the Adventurers were sleeping soundly with Grifvet and Ingraine snoring loudly as their beds were located in between Bahamut’s spikes making sure they’re secured as the mighty black dragon flaps its wings and glides above the foreign world.
“The people here are really something. The fact that they could still sleep after witnessing something like that. When I first went to war, I couldn’t sleep knowing what I was getting myself into and I was an adult already.”
“This is how their life is, always facing danger and seeing death. It’s not surprising they would sleep so neatly. Though they kinda remind me of you, who can sleep so soundly after screaming his heart out the entire day.”
“Oy, I sleep because I’m stressed. It’s my escape but when the stress is too much, but when it becomes too much, even I can’t sleep it away… now I kinda miss my pampered life in an advanced society now. Though the food at the Tavern was good. Whatever cows they had were pretty well taken care of.”
“I had to savor it a bit. It was very good indeed. But Master, why wouldn’t you give me another portion?”
“Uh huh, another portion my ass. Knowing you, you’d just ask for another till you deplete me of my money. You’ll literally devour a cow if the opportunity was given to you. So no… but I wonder, will we be able to go back? Give me numbers Bahamut.”
“I’m sure we will. If I’ve ever learned anything from you, it’s that if there’s a way in, there’s a way out. That’s how we’ve been operating Master and so far, it has yielded an infinite amount of results. I’m sure with your determination, it can be done.”
“Ahahaha, I can see you’ve picked one of my quotes. Also, can you turn into a human? The others told me that their Dragon Gods here are all in human form.”
“I can, but I chose not to. Thou would not shed these scales for the feeble body of a human.”
“But it can help a lot, I’m sure you’d blend in nicely with us.”
“… I’d rather not. I’m a proud Dragon. I shalt not betray my kin and turn into anything else.”
“I see, well. I’m not gonna dig further as I feel like there’s history to this so I apologize if I have any bad memories… Are these memories, us killing you in the Global Events? Or that time one of the Great Mages shot you down with an Orbital Laser from the Sun?”
“It’s fine. I’ve lived for thousands of years. Some words can’t hurt me. It is a long story Master, one that sent me into isolation for thousands of years. If only Rah Lee was here, he would’ve known what to do…”
“Rah Lee, you mean Thorbolt?”
“Mhm. I suddenly remembered that annoying Dragon Lord and his green armor.”
“I’ve never actually met Thorbolt. Last I heard about any Dragon Lords being summoned is some random player actually getting him to awaken in a forest.”
“Eh? Wait, Rah Lee’s awake?”
“Yep, when we were in that Tower of Knowledge. I was looking through the books one of the Scholars had there. Some player unlocked him and were paid handsomely for registering him in the Codex as I did with you.”
“Huh, I await the day I’ll meet that man again.”
“Knowing this world, it’ll probably happen.”
He yawns as the man puts his back down. Enjoying the pretty sight of the Moon.
“Kinda strange that their Moon is bluer than ours… and it has a tiny smaller Moon orbiting it.”
“I wonder if I can use it as a weapon. Hehehehe…”
“WHAT?!”
“Nothing.”
He yawns again, stretching his hands out as his eyes slowly close.
“Have a good night Bahamut. And truly, thank you for helping me all throughout these past days and years. You might not be as powerful as a companion back then since you were nerfed, but now that you’ve been free and your wings fully out. You’ve been flying higher and happier.”
“Hmph. It’s only natural I’d give my all to my Master. It’s not everyday I get to be under someone. I’m also quite content with how you treat me. Not as an animal or a beast you ride on… but as a friend and a companion. I truly desire to be with you for all of eternity, regardless of your mortality.”
“Of course, I always treat those who treat me nicely as friends. Nothing more, nothing less and you Bahamut, my first Dragon companion. Of course you’d have a special place in my heart. I didn’t go through all the trouble of leveling you because I needed a powerful ally. I have more than enough of that, you're simply a cute dragon with a lot of personality that I wished to keep by my side.”
“Heehee. Maybe one day Master. I shall show you my human form and let you caress my human skin. You like boobs right? Then I shall show off mine and you’ll be blown away by their softness! Oh! I also have a pretty crown given to me by the Dragon Cult of Bahamut!”
Paul slowly shuts his eyes and sleeps. Though not obvious, Bahamut’s mouth is smiling after the conversation. Noticing her Master soundly sleeping on top of her head. “And when you need it, I shall give you my heart.” She continues on to fly, dodging clouds and maintaining her speed. He later awakens after a few hours, he could hear Ingraine’s usual loud voice as she excitedly chats with Grifvet while Pierence and Eattare are eating breakfast. He sees this and groggily stands up.
The man pats Bahamut’s head and she notices this. The giant dragon straightens her neck for him to pass and starts to glide, letting her wings stay in position to let him through her back without much hassle. “Thank you Bahamut… yaawwwnnn… ah grudd. I feel like shit…” he looks at himself and fixes his hair a bit before continuing down to join the party.
“Be careful now Master.”
“Mhm. Good flying… keep it up.”
He joins in on the adventurers having a good time. He eats some bread from Eattare and then some water from Pierence’s canteen. After some time of chatting and laughing, Bahamut starts to slow down. Descending as she nears the Capital city of James. Its massive blue and white Castle situated in the middle and on top of a Hill could be seen from miles away and the massive Dome with a golden roof.
Paul was a bit shy as he was about to be the first of the Knights of Eldwood to visit the city. The Dragon lowers herself below the clouds, over the horizon he could spot a gleaming city even better, with its castle and upper district’s shine reflecting the Sun’s ray and blinding him a bit even at such a distance. Amazed by the city, he couldn’t be anymore contended with just a peek at the bustling metropolis.
“Dang, look at that place. If this far, I could see that massive Castle and those large white walls. I wonder how it’ll be up close.”
“Well look no further! I also recommend you to change into something less intimidating.”
“Heh, good thing I packed some extra clothing.”
Using Teleportation magic, Paul teleports a Combat Pack to him.
“Wow, I’ve never seen high level Teleportation Magic before.”
“I only really used it to teleport around when sword fighting, but now, I guess it has its other uses now. This type of magic is really draining with the location it's from being far to away. So if I can, I’ll have to carry these all in a suitcase and lug it around. I already felt my body getting weaker just from that and I just awoke from a good night's sleep.”
After a while, they land and the adventurers once again disembark the large divine beast. Paul hides behind the large wing. Using it as a cover as he changes his outfit. Ingraine tried peeking but got scared off by Bahamut after a few attempts. After changing, he teleports his armor and combat pack away and his body literally plopping to the ground after losing so much Mana in an instant. “OOUUCHH!” The Dragon lifts her wing and the Knight emerges wearing his old disguise. Black suit with a long trenchcoat and fedora. Eattare is immediately reminded of her fathers clothing, as it resembles the ones worn by Nobles.
“You look good.”
“I guess maybe here, but I kinda overdone it with this one. But it’s one of the only outfits I have that doesn’t have armor on it and remotely doesn’t have anything intimidating other than the whole ensemble itself. But I have no visible weapons.”
Pierence on the other hand sees his guns, holstered at his hip. Tilting his head at the strange metallic objects.
“What’re those metal things on your hip?”
“Ah these? Point Forty Five Glock Seventeens.” He opens his trench coat and blazer revealing two more guns on his chest. “These two here are Colt Pythons. Point Forty four and here on my right is my good ole’ Scabbard for my Longsword.”
Ingraine hops around, remembering the guns used by pirates.
“Oh! Just like those flintlock things I’ve heard pirates have been using!”
“Ehhh… something like that but way more worse or more effective you should say.”
After some more lighthearted talk, the party moves into the forest. Walking towards the big city. Bahamut transforms into her smaller form and flies into Paul’s trench coat. Comfily resting inside its inner pocket.
“Man, how cold is it here? The fact that it seems to be Summer and yet here I am wearing this and don’t feel hot is so strange.”
“Isn’t that fabric enchanted, Lord Jackson?”
“It is Ingraine, but before it actually heats me up or cools me down. It usually takes a second as the wool this came from isn’t really that high quality since I was saving cash for the more important things like upgrading my armor.”
“Wow! You’ve really been through a lot huh?”
“Maybe. But still, crazy temperatures you guys have here.”