Chapter 18 - "Elivera past and a manly fight"

I walked north while following the trail leaved by the young bandit, their base mustn't be far from here since they must send someone everyday to look at the tree, also the footprints seem fresh, it seem Elivera didn't leave for now... But still this girl is weird... She call herself and is called a chivalrous thief, yet she force the one she protect to give her little boys, isn't that a contradiction? Also why didn't she move with the werebear case? Not that I care, really...

After walking north I found a small mountain that the footprints seemed to climb, following a small path to the side who was hidden by enormous rocks. Seem like I found the jackpot after all... I followed the path and climbed the mountain, and from afar I could see what seemed to be a cave with two guard at the entrance, so that the beast lair uh?

Without a care in the world I simply walked to them without hiding. As they saw me the guard paled and screamed that they were under attack. Soon a lot of young men and boys got out the cave, all armed and ready to fight, but when they saw who was the intruder some started to felt weak at the knee.

But as if to destroy the mood a beast ran and leapt at me.

"I knew you be back!" (Elivera)

Now in my arms as I was holding her in a awkward manner, she hugged me tight and started to smell me loudly like would a pervert... That's... Disgusting... If it were Mysty or Setsuna it would almost please me, but I really have no feeling for her, and when someone that is no better than a stranger to you, snuggle against you while drooling and smell you, no matter how you look at it, it's creepy as hell.

"Can you... You know, take some distance?" (Shun)

Still not leaving my arms she just grinned at me.

"Now, now, don't be shy! You came back to me after all!" (Elivera)

It seem like she completely misunderstood the reason I came to see her, well from her side it really look like that so I can't hold it against her.

"Sorry but you're wrong, I didn't came here to become one of your harem boy, but because I needed to ask something of you." (Shun)

When she heard what I said her face completely changed from a carefree one to a serious one. It even surprised me, since she wasn't in the mood anymore I slowly put her on the floor and she took some distance before looking back at me.

"I see... Let's hear what you have to say, follow me." (Elivera)

Her attitude was completely different than before, she had now a serious and noble aura and was clearly showing no opening, I'm pretty good at not showing my feeling but it's nothing like that with her, she just completely switched the mood in a flash, it was weird but to my eyes it was something praise worthy. It's no wonder the boys and men look at her like a boss with respect.

I followed after her and entered the cave as the thieves make way for us to pass, as we walked in front of them, I could felt animosity from their eyes. We walked through rooms that were carved directly into the cave, and entered what seemed to be her bedroom and study, It was a room with a small window carved into the wall, a table with documents on it, a couch with a luxurious chair in front of it, and the most impactful piece of furniture in this room was the giant round bed with a princess like feeling, there no question as to what that giant bed is useful for...

"Take a seat." She said that while pointing at the couch.

And as I was expecting her to sit in front of me, she suddenly sat beside me on the couch. It seem she didn't give up on me as she opened her cleavage, looked into my eyes and took a sexy pose while crossing her legs.

"So what can I do for you?" (Elivera)

"It's a pretty long story actually... And most of all I must make you promise that nothing I say here will leave this room." (Shun)

"What do you take me for? I'm maybe a thief but I still have my pride!" (Elivera)

Since she seemed sincere enough I simply nodded at her words and started to tell her all the story. From what happened to my family as to why we needed her specifically. I told her about my family so she can trust me and understand why would someone like me would want to help the second prince.

After hearing my story she took a thinking pose while having a stern face, it seem something in my story made her mad.

"Do you know why they call me a chivalrous thief?" (Elivera)

That was out of nowhere and her question surprised me.

"Mmm... Maybe you steal from the rich and give to the poor?" (Shun)

The only reference to chivalrous thief in my mind was Robin hood.

"Ahahah! What kind of retard would steal to give it away to someone else?! No it's nothing like that, the only reason why I'm called like that is because I don't kill." (Elivera)

"I... See... Is that why you went easy on me that night?" (Shun)

I mean if she is really that strong of a wind mage she must really have gone easy on me.

"Easy?! Are you kidding me?! I fighted you with all I had, in fear for my life and the boys ones! You just are ridiculous!" (Elivera)

Oh... Seem I was wrong.

"I see but does that mean you also don't kill monster?" (Shun)

"Ah... You talking about the werebear incident? Yes, even monster have their life, who am I to take it?" (Elivera)

So it was like that...

"Since you given me some of your life story let me tell you mine, I give you my decision after that." (Elivera)

"Sure..." (Shun)

I want to finish this as quickly as possible but if she want to talk about her backstory she must most likely indent to refuse to help. So for now let's listen and think how to persuade her.

"I was born on the west continent, home of most the Magickin in this world, you already know about the Magickin don't you?" (Elivera)

"Yeah they group all the species of humanoids beings with a high source of magic and is one of the three great clan of this earth with the Humans and Beastmen clans.It group the Elves, the Dwarfs, the Fairies, the Dryads and the Carbuncles." (Shun)

"Right... I was born in the capital city of the elves, 'Elmirana', there, it was the good life, no hunger no fear of war we just lived freely and in peace, but as I was still pretty young, my father who was at the time the guardian of the holy relic, got it stolen under his watch. It was a stupid error, he just had a stomachache and couldn't hold it anymore, the thief took this chance and stole it behind is back. Because of my father carelessness my family were exiled from the west continent as this relic was something dear not only to the Elves but also to every Magickin. If you ask me, it was a pretty lenient punishment as the relic was never found again, well at least from what I heard. And so we had no choice but to move, our choice being limited between the south and north continent as the east continent was too far, we obviously choose the south one since the north was cold as hell and home to the dragons." (Elivera)

AS she was remembering those days, you could see a mix of nostalgia and sadness on Elivera face.

"And so we departed to the south continent, at the time we were thinking that we could pass for humans if we hid our ears and hairs, how naive we were. It didn't took a week before humans knew the fact we were Elves, since our specie sell well on this continent, we were pursued by everyone, as much by farmers than by mercenaries or slave dealers. And in the end all my family died trying to protect me and let me run away, in vain as I was captured a day latter... And that how I became a slave. But unlike much slave I was pretty lucky, the one who bought me was a good noble with a gentle personality, he wanted me to take care of his sick son and play with him, the poor boy were lonely and didn't have any friend as he couldn't leave his house." (Elivera)

This time Elivera showed a smile as those memories seem to be her best one.

"The little boy was named Nicola, he was a young boy around 11 years old who was born weak. He was a really gentle boy who was always smiling and never angry, at the time I was really young and we fell in love with each other, as I took care and played with him. It was a child love story, but a true one non less, even his father was for this relationship since Nicola was to die young and with his weak body won't be able to marry a noble daughter anyway, even more as even thought he was the first son of the family he wasn't the successor. His brother Arnold who was 2 years younger was the one to success their father, but as years passed and we were now young adults, an accident happened, Arnold seemed to have wanted me for himself, and because of that his brother was in his way." (Elivera)

As she said those last line she slowly started to lose her smile.

"This bastard couldn't kill directly his brother as his father wouldn't forgive him, so he made a plot. He poisoned the food I made and was directly feeding to his brother, and as Nicola started to cough up blood he appeared in the chamber with a grin, he was followed by his father who couldn't believe what he was seeing. Just five minute sooner they came here, Arnold told his father that I put something strange in his brother food, at first his father couldn't believe him as he trusted me like he would his own daughter, but since his son was quite insistent he followed him to Nicola bedroom. And what he saw was me panicking as Nicola was dying and called guards to arrest me. Even if I cried with all my soul that it wasn't me and I would never to something like that to him, he preferred to believe in Arnold that was his true son, than me. And so like that I was imprisoned in the basement as I was falsely accused of killing the most dear person to me. It didn't take me long to understand what truly happened, the timing of Arnold was too perfect for not being planned, but I didn't understood why he would even do that. His brother wasn't in his way to succession so why kill him?" (Elivera)

Typical noble... But still their father was a true retard to not see the truth... Well now that I think about it, when I was Rick no one in my family ever found out about my true self, I guess family tend to think their one blood is clear...

"I soon found out as the first one to visit me in my cell was none other than Arnold, when he entered he was smiling from ear to ear and was looking at me with disgusting eyes. It's was when it hit me, the reason my lover died was simply because that fool wanted me. I was in pure rage, he would most likely ask for his father to give me to him for punishment for what I did, and like that I would become his plaything, I couldn't accept it, this bastard killed Nicola and was now trying to make me his toy. As I was a simple maid in the family and never showed it, nobody knew I was a mage, and that was his downfall, I used wind magic and ripped him apart as I did my chains. It was gruesome, I never killed anyone before that, and I would never kill anyone else after, and that scene of blood and gore was too much for me. As I was vomiting all my stomach content I heard the door opening. The one behind it was Nicola who was at death door and was supported by his father to walk as he didn't even have enough strength to be on his legs. As they saw the scene inside, his father drew his sword and was going to stab me still supporting his soon with his other arm, but as he was attacking me Nicola stopped him." (Elivera)

This guy didn't sound like that at the start but it seem he had some serious balls to stop his father from killing his own brother murderer as he was himself at death door.

"Not only his father but I was also shocked as I never heard him shout this loudly for all the time I knew him, it seem he understood what happened immediately as his father was telling him I poisoned his meal, and he then forced his father to bring him here, and now in front of me all he said was, 'Sorry. Because of my family you even had to bloody your hands. And all I can ask, is for you to forgive us, and also, please... Leave. Quit this place and live free, I can't thank you enough to have made me know love before my death and can't ask anymore of you, but there is one thing I want you to do for me, it's the last request I ever made of you, please never kill again, I want to leave this world knowing that you never bloody your hands again'. After he finished his last line he closed his eyes peacefully and would never open them again. I couldn't believe it, and never could his father, even as I killed his own brother and had nothing to exonerate me, he still believed in me until the end. His father put him on the floor and started to attack me once again, it was no wonder as he lost his two son and believed I was the culprit for both their death. I didn't have any choice, I ran away, for days, never looking back while crying." (Elivera)

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"I see... And so you became a perverted thief that don't kill." (Shun)

"Hey! It's true it's how I became a thief, but I'm no pervert!" (Elivera)

"Oh? So you have a reason to take under your care this much little boys?" (Shun)

"Of course! Most of them were slaves I freed!" (Elivera)

"And what of the boy you asked the villagers to give you?" (Shun)

"...... That's because I love little boys......(Elivera)

"..." (Shun)

"..." (Elivera)

"DOESN'T THAT MAKE YOU A PERVERT?!" (Shun)

"You fool! The one who love little boys are the one in the right! The other who love oldmen older that 14 years old are the pervert!" (Elivera)

Seriously?! What is wrong with her head?!

"Anyway... Let's stop talking about that and get back to topic." (Shun)

"Yes... Since I took the time to tell you my story you must already know my answer no?" (Elivera)

"Mmm... I guess it's something like, 'I hate noble and would love to help you, but since I have a vow to kill nobody and I gain nothing out of it, it's no.' right?" (Shun)

"Exactly, if you were to enter my gang and become mine I would accept, but I won't for any other reward. Not only it would put my boys in danger it would also put the whole country against me if we were to fail." (Elivera)

"It won't fail, and you can even win a lot of Sol from this mission." (Shun)

"I don't have any interest in money, I have enough of that." (Elivera)

It's bad, negotiation aren't really my specialty and she clearly have the intent to refuse... Guess I don't have any choice but to do this the hard way uh?

"We are under attack!" (Thief)

As I was starting to think I would need to abduct her and force her to open the door to the secret path, one of her men came into the room and told us the lair was under attack. Now I can use that, I hope that those attacking are strong enough, for the thieves to need my help.

We stood up from our seats and followed after the thief that was returning to the entrance after making his report. As we reached it ourselve we finally saw the figure of the intruder, it was a giant... The man was hiding his body under what looked like a big white curtain, and the only thing we could saw of his body was his feet who was wearing strange werebear boots.

This guy have weird taste... But I guess that when you are as tall as him you don't really have the luxury to choose what you wear.

As we were trying to guess who the hell could that be, the giant took off his hood and what we saw was... A brown werebear! WHAT THE HELL?! Wait don't tell me that's...

"You band of thieves! This Bobo received the plea of a poor merchant and came to punish you! Be ready to take a beating!" (Bobo)

"He Talk!" (Thieves, Elivera & Shun)

So it really was the other fairy that Melody saw!

No matter, werebear or man since he clearly said his intents, the thieves rushed at him with their swords unsheathed, what followed was a ridiculous scene of a werebear using wrestling moves while shouting their names, to beat the the gang that was attacking him making them fly in every directions...It seem he was surprised at first to see kids among the thieves but still beat them. Good! Good job, werebear or whatever you are!

"Hey! Elivera! This werebear is too strong for you or you guys, at this rate you are all going to die." (Shun)

She looked at me annoyed as she understood what I meant.

"Goddammit! Fine! You won! Please take care of this thing and I help you!" (Elivera)

"Good! We have a deal!" (Shun)

Perfect! Now all I have to do is to beat this guy.

I walked to him like taking a stroll and when our eyes met he showed a face of shock, those werebears can be really expressive even with their weird mugs.

"You?! Are you the gray beast?!" (Bobo)

"Gray beast? What's that? Is that another ridiculous nickname?..." (Shun)

"Aren't you the one who started to decimate the werebear community in the forest north of here since around 6 years ago? Because of you most werebears had to go south to find a new home!" (Bobo)

Wait werebears have community?! Seriously? I always thought they were dumb, bear like creature with a chicken comb on their head. And it also seem I'm also the one responsible for the werebear attacking Melody village... Who knew? Not that I care...

"Well yeah, sound like me, but their seem to be a misunderstanding..." (Shun)

"Uh? What do you mean?" (Bobo)

"I never killed a werebear in cold blood, it was always a duel and if the werebear ran away from me I didn't pursue him. I mean it's not like the werebears can talk, they do kill humans at every occasion too no?" (Shun)

"... Wait... You're right! Well it's not like I really care about the fact you killed them to tell you the truth... I was big lovers of bears and most of all, Grizzly, before I was reborn as a werebear, but now... Those werebear are really weird and I can't seem to like them... You know with the chicken comb, lizard tail and all..." (Bobo)

"Oh so you are also a champion! But still, I seriously pity you to be reborn as a werebear, I mean, seriously, a werebear?" (Shun)

"Oh so you are also a champion! What god do you serve? Like you can guess I'm the werebear god champion... The Weregrizzly..." (Bobo)

WEREGRIZZLY?! Seriously?! Poor guy... That must be the first time I ever pitied someone this much...

"I'm Shun Fenrik, the champion of the Blade goddess, the cursed Swordsman. But going as far as saying I serve her..." (Shun)

"Uh? Do you mean you don't have to serve them?! If you don't your not going to receive divine punishment or something?!" (Bobo)

"Nope nothing like that. They just use champion as a way to pass time, the same can be said about the god ranking, in truth they don't care..." (Shun)

"Wait, what?! You mean I was put in this goddamn body just for fun?!" (Bobo)

"Well it's only my guess from what I heard of different sources, but yeah seem like it." (Shun)

"NO WAY! And here I was trying to do good acts to gain humans faiths..." (Bobo)

This guy seriously is pitiful... As we were talking peacefully, I sensed a gaze behind my back coming from Elivera wondering what the hell I was doing.

"Oops. Sorry but I need to do my job, so let's fight!" (Shun)

"*Sigh* Yeah let's do that, you seem strong, that's going to be fun!" (Bobo)

Seem that this guy is also one of those who enjoy a good fight, we took our stance and faced each other. We looked into each other eyes in silence waiting to see who would take the first move. Suddenly Bobo jumped feet first at me while screaming.

"DRROPPPP KICCKKKK!" (Bobo)

Holy cow! It look ridiculous like that, but as he was approaching me with a insane speed I could feel the wind pressure forming a wall in front of him, to me it looked like a goddamn truck was trying to run me over. But it seem a interesting challenge, okay, I take you on!

I also jumped in the same way as him and made our feet clash against each other.

*BLAMMMMM*

The clash of our two brutal strength against each other, made dirt flying around us as we made a giant gust of wind from the pressure. Our strength was almost the same but he had a little advantage on me, as most likely his weight must have been at least five time mine if not more. As we finally loose our momentum we started to fell from the gravity but as I simply fell back to my feet, Bobo did a handstand and made pirouettes to take some distance. That guy sure is nimble for his size and being a werebear!

"Hey! You're good! I didn't expect you to take my challenge head on! You have much more strength that you body would seem to have at first sight." (Bobo)

"Hehehe, you're pretty good too Bobo! That the first time I encountered someone with as much strength as me!" (Shun)

We grinned at each other, and stayed silent for a little while, before starting to run at each other at the same time while taking a boxing stance. As we entered each other range we started to duke it out by punching one another with a barrage of fists, blood started to fly in the air and our face and body was changing color from bruises but we continued to battle like madmen not showing any sign of stopping.

Gust of wind started to rage around us as our fists was making air pressures before reaching our opponent body, and voices of awe could be heard around us as the thieves was looking at this epic manly fight.

*Crack*

Shit! The bastard just broke my left shoulder!

As he heard and saw that he did good damage Bobo started to grin as he was feeling victory was close, but no chance for him, I leaped at his face while he had is guard down and kicked it with all the strength I had left, making him fly away. Now completely empty I fell to the floor unable to stand, I just rested on the floor while heavily breathing, and started to laugh out loud.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" (Shun)

When he heard me laugh Bobo who was also resting on the floor his face looking at sky, also started to laugh.

"BUWAWAWAWAWAWA!" (Bobo)

That was a hell of a strange laugh, as expected of a weregizzly.

We finally were able to stand up and walked at each other in pain, as we stood in front of each other we could hear the thieves make a gulping sound as they were feeling the tension. And we... Made a high-five!

*Slap!*

"Mannn, that was epic! I didn't had a fight this good since I was reborn!" (Bobo)

"Yeah I also didn't have a fistfight this good in a long time!" (Shun)

And that how our manly and eternal friendship between a man and a werebear was born.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So now for the announcement I have a lot to say.

First I'm right now working on the second version of the prologue, as I reread it I couldn't 'Bear' to leave it like that... It should be posted tomorrow as an edit, so you won't see any new post but it still be there. But let me warn you I got a lot better at writing sick shit since then and this prologue going to be much sicker than before with much more details as it's going to much better describe how I imagined Rick, there will be also some change that won't impact the main story, also your finally going to find were Rick was born, I wanted to let you know with only hint that started next chapter but well it was kinda obvious so I decided to simply write it in the prologue.

That was for the prologue, also, since a lot of people do tell me I seem to do a lot of grammatical error I would really need a 'proofreader', I didn't ask for one until now as I felt it wasn't really necessary and I most of all didn't want to annoy my readers with that... Anyway if your interested PM me, but the only thing you would gain in return would be the fact you would be able to read two chapter in advance. :(

That's it folks! Next chapter Shun make another unexpected encounter! Stay tuned!