Chapter 6

“......Was that real?” I gazed up at the ceiling, with the events of my dream still fresh in my head.

Was that just a really strange dream or could the girl have been telling the truth? An ability having control over dreams is something I’m quite familiar with, considering all those nightmares I've been reliving. So it seems plausible. But what was the original ability? If the two activated at the same time, does that mean she was at the battlefield at Pops’ house? If so, does that mean she’s an enemy? If she is, then why would she be helping me now?

I guess it doesn’t really matter. If it keeps happening, I’ll assume it’s real. It being real would mean my suffering through those nightmares is over.... but it also means I have to deal with that girl.

“I shouldn’t worry about it too much.” I mumbled to myself as I got out of bed.

I walked over to my dresser and got dressed. I had only a few changes of clothes. Most drawers were empty. An empty bookshelf, an empty closet, an empty desk. This room was my room, this house was my house, and this new team was my team. But it really didn’t feel like it.

I grabbed my swords and headed downstairs. No doubt we had a new mission today. Part of me wanted it to end in disaster like last time. Part of me wanted to sabotage things in hopes I’d be reappointed as leader. But I could never do that. I wordlessly joined the rest of the group at the table.

Breakfast went just like dinner. The tension from the previous night was still very much there. The only people who didn’t seem affected by it was Roku, who was devouring his meal with a ferocity unmatched by wild beasts.

“This food is amazing! Pass me more!” Roku loudly announced, spraying bits of already chewed food from his full mouth.

“Manners Roku. Say ‘Please’” I replied wiping the food he decorated my face with.

“Glad you are enjoying it.” Ise laughed, doing the same.

That was very gross, but at least it broke the silence. Conversation finally began.

“So Ise, what’s the mission for today?” Ivory asked as she finished her meal.

“Thank you for asking Ivory. I have not received word yet as to our mission. They are supposed to deliver it soon though.” Ise answered in his usual very polite tone.

“It’ll probably be an easy one, considering we failed our last mission......I hope it’s easy.” Ace sunk in her chair a bit.

“I hope it’s hard! I hope they give us a mission expecting us to fail horribly! I hope we get one that they think will be impossible for us! Then when I bring the head of whatever demon they want us to kill, it’ll show that snobby lady in her cushy office to underestimate me!” Roku yelled.

“.......I hope not.” Ace sunk further and further into her chair.

“Well, no matter what assignment they give us. I have faith that we can accomplish it, as long as we work together.” Ise smiled.

“Delivery!” A knock on the door and a yell came from outside.

“Would you be so kind as to get that for us, Ace?” Ise asked her, as she was the closest to the door.

“ok.” The words quietly fell from her mouth as she got up from her chair.

She opened the door, was handed a letter, and had the door immediately closed on her. I guess the mailman was in a hurry.

“Here, you read it.” Ace handed me the letter before face planting on the couch. I don’t think she’s handling her nerves very well.

“Okay, I’ll read...” I opened the letter and was met not by a beautifully written letter done by quill and ink, but uniform letters done via typewriter. Some fantasy world this is.

“Wow, they have typewriters here? They're more advanced than I thought.” I mumbled before I began writing.

“It says ‘Your task for today is to eliminate the fugitive known as ‘Naught Guudminn’. He is guilty of many crimes, most notably the assault and robbery of our guard’s barracks. We do not take these crimes lightly. As a result, you may bring him in either dead or alive. Both are equally acceptable. According to our sources, he is currently living at a bandit outpost to the north.’ Then it gives a bunch of numbers which I think are coordinates or directions. Not sure” I finished reading the letter then handed it to Ise.

“Huh, they do have typewriters. We have the coordinates. Everyone, gear up. We shouldn’t discuss strategy until we are there and see what we are dealing with. I will do my best today and can assure that no harm will come to any of you. Please do your best as well!” Ise bowed to the group. It seems he has taken the position of leader.

***

“So that’s the bandit camp....” Ivory looked through her binoculars.

“How can you tell? Roku asked.

“Well, it’s at the spot we were told, has a bunch of guys in scary armor, and has a sign that says, ‘Bandit Camp’......I’m pretty sure that’s the spot.” She replied.

“Okay. We’re here. We see the place. That’s the place......a lot of people down there...... But we only need to worry about that one, right? How are we gonna do this Ise?” Ace nervously asked.

“Okay. First things first. They may want him dead or alive, but we are bringing him in alive. I will not budge on this. Am I clear?” Ise firmly said.

“What if I punch him, and it ends up being too hard, and he-”

“No! We take him alive!” Ise interrupted Roku. He had a noble look in his eyes. I could already tell. He was going to be one of those leaders that live by a strict moral code, which includes “No killing!” He’s sounding more protagonist like by the hour.

“Yes, Lee? Do you have a question?” He asked in response to my raised hand.

“Yes. I use swords. What’s your ruling on dismemberments?” I asked.

“No! Absolutely not! We will not kill him! We are going to bring him in, alive, with all of his limbs intact.” he sternly replied.

“.......If one happens to fall off of him though, you could heal it, right?”

“Yes, but that’s not important because we will not be cutting off any limbs. Any other questions?” Ise calmly asked the rest of the group. He was promptly met by two other raised hands.

“I also use a lethal weapon. If I accidentally kill him, could you heal him?” Ivory asked before she was called on.

“No! I can’t heal the dead........I think.” Ise seemed less repulsed by her question.

Hearing his response to Ivory’s question, Ace lowered her hand.

“Your question was also about accidentally killing him!?” I asked.

The only reply I got was a guilty gulp. That’s surprising. Ace didn’t strike me as the killing type. She doesn’t even carry any weapons. I guess when you’re dealing with magic you should never judge a book by its cover. Or in this case an extremely nervous girl on her ability to kill.

“So, what’s the plan? We gonna sneak in? Ambush the guy? Have Roku draw him out and Ivory snipes him? How’s this gonna go?” I asked.

“No. We are going to walk to the town, and ask him to surrender.” Ise happily responded.

“......What!?” Roku was not pleased with this plan.

“We are going to walk up to a bandit camp. A Bandit. Camp. And ask them, Naught Guudmin a bandit ballsy enough to rob the guards, to surrender?” And neither was I.

“Yes.” Ise responded, undeterred.

“......oh no.” Ace buried her face in her hands.

“Trust me, I will never let any of you die. You chose me to be the leader, and I will do all that I can to live up to your hopes and expectations.” He smiled a reassuring smile.

What Ise was saying was crazy, we have the element of surprise on our hands. But somehow, we all went along with it. And somehow, we ended up at the entrance to the bandit camp with swords and bows pointing our way.

“Who are you!? Why have you come!?” A bandit yelled, pointing his spear in our general direction.

“We have been sent to collect the bounty on Naught Goudmiin, and have been told that he is currently residing within your camp.” Ise answered.

“Are these guys for real?” A bandit whispered not so quietly.

What we are doing is crazy. No one walks up to a bunch of criminals, announces they are there to arrest one of them, and is just let in. Before doing this, we may have been able to sneak in and deal with just Naught, but now we are going to be up against the whole encampment. With Ise’s no kill rule impeding us as well........What does it say about me as a hero that I’m complaining about a no kill rule?

“Our orders say that we may take him living or dead, but our intentions are to capture him alive. We have no orders about what to do with the rest of you, and I have no intention of interfering with your lives. We are just here for the sake of our mission.” Ise explained.

“Really? You expect us to just turn him over? To bring him to you and beg you to leave us alone? Like hell!” They didn’t take too kindly to Ise’s suggestion. What kind of bandit camp would it be if they just turned people in at the first sign of trouble?

“If we must fight through you to complete our mission, we regretfully must. However, I beg you to reconsider. I am not asking you to turn him in, just do not interfere in our attempt to take him into custody.” Ise bowed as he asked.

Great, our new leader is begging to not have to fight. What a great first impression.

“Stop wasting your breath. Sure, there are a whole bunch of them. But they aren’t strong. I’m tired of waiting.” Roku showed an uncharacteristic amount of restraint as Ise attempted to talk our way out of a giant fight, which happened to be Roku’s favorite activity.

“Ha! They think they can take us? All of us here are hardened criminals! You aren’t the first group that has tried to arrest one of us, but we’re all still here!” They laughed at Roku’s assertation that they would be easy prey. If only they knew.

“No Roku, we will only fight if we have to.” Ise stood his ground on negotiations that were going nowhere.

“Still going on about that? Ha! You’re fools! All of you! The one who thinks he can talk his way out of this, and those who follow him! Death is all that awaits you!” A bandit screamed as he let an arrow fly from his bow.

“If we must fight...” Ise whispered. Time almost seemed to slow down, all our eyes fixated on the arrow, as it flew through the air, and into Ise’s shoulder. Ise fell to his knees as soon as it made impact.

“No!” Ivory yelled. Our healer was down, and we were about to enter a fight where we were grossly outnumbered. It looked like it hit Ise in a non-lethal spot, but this was still bad.

“You’re the fool!” Our thoughts were interrupted as the bandit who shot Ise was punched in the face.

“Can you not, see? We don’t stand a chance....” The bandit was an older man, and possibly the leader. He had a long white beard and blemished armor that was once a proud silver. His eyes almost looked glossed over in the way a drunk man’s would be. But his were battle hardened. His whole demeaner, his whole being, was battle hardened.

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“That gentleman is right; you don’t stand a chance. We do not want to needlessly fight. Take us to Naught.” Ise arose from his knees, holding the arrow. Had he healed his own wound that fast? No, that’s impossible. Did he catch the arrow before it hit him?

“Very well, we will take you to him. I doubt he will go quietly.” The man said.

“We didn’t expect him to.” Ise said as he walked through the entrance. We all followed closely behind, surprised that his plan had somehow worked.

As we trudged through the town, the first thing I noticed was the cleanliness of it. A town of criminals far removed from the rest of society; one would expect it to be decaying. A muddy, gross pit of rotten houses and rotten people. But as we continued through the center of town, that is not what we saw. It was clean, a self-contained civilization. These people were outcasts from everywhere else, and with nowhere else to go, they made do. It wasn’t a camp; it was a full-blown village.

“This is his house......You promise you’ll take him alive?” The old man asked, after guiding us to Naught’s house.

“I promise. The only way he will be leaving this village, is alive and of his own will.” Ise bowed as he spoke. Fulfilling that promise is going to be challenging.

“Knock, Knock!” Ivory said as she repeatedly knocked on the door.

“Hello?” A young women answered the door. Her eyes grew wide as she saw our group standing outside.

“Who are you? What do you want?” She nervously gulped.

“We want Naught. Where is he!?” Roku barked, growing impatient.

“I-I don’t”

“Roku! Let me do the talking you oaf!” Ivory took control of the situation.

“Is that alright with you, captain?” She said, referring to Ise. None of them ever called me captain.

“Yes. If you want to take initiative, go ahead.” Ise smiled. So, she can do what she wants?

“I was hoping you may invite me inside your home? We have some things to discuss.” Ivory smiled a fake smile; her piercing eyes showed the insincerity of it.

“I guess.” The lady opened the door for us. It was as normal a home as you’d get out here.

Ivory immediately made herself at home, sitting on one of the two chairs available at the table.

“Sit.” She signaled to the lady to take the other available chair. She followed Ivory’s signal without delay.

“Now, we are here for one reason and one reason only. The capture of Naught Goudmon. That is our only objective, and we will complete it...” Ivory seemed to stop mid-sentence, as she stared at the lady whose house, we were in.

“I-”

“What is your name?”

“Sherry Tr-”

“Sherry, what a pretty name. My name is Ivory. For your own sake I recommend we stick to first name basis only. After all, one doesn’t end up living in a bandit camp unless they have some misdeeds tied to their name.” Ivory stood up from her chair.

“....” Sherry said nothing.

“They say girls with names that end in Y are the prettiest, wouldn’t you agree?” Ivory asked as she found her way to where the glasses and milk were.

“…...May I? I find myself to be rather thirsty after such a long journey.”

“Go ahead.”

Ivory grabbed a bottle of milk and two glasses and brought them to the table with her.

“Milk. I heard it's good for your bones, and if it goes bad, you can always make cheese. Such a versatile liquid.” She began to pour both glasses.

“I don’t think cheese works that way.” Sherry spoke.

“Really? I didn’t know. To be honest, I’m not all that knowledgeable. But you seem to know a lot. A brilliant mind is a beautiful thing. I do know some things, and those things I know, I know very, very well.” Ivory stopped and took a long sip of her milk.

“I have.... a proposition for you.” Ivory set the glass back on the table.

“As thanks for your hospitality, I will not show you what I know, and you will tell me what you know. Specifically, in regard to Naught’s location.” Ivory began to stand up from her chair.

“I don’t-”

“You don’t understand? Well, I’d rather not make you understand Sherry.” Ivory began to remove the briefcase she had strapped to her back.

“Don’t misunderstand, I would personally be very excited to open this case and use what is inside. But, since you were gracious enough to open your home to us, it would be in poor taste for me to open this case. So.....I’ll leave you with a choice. Let me know what I want to know or make me sour this otherwise nice meeting.” Ivory set the briefcase on the table.

“I don’t think you understand-”

“No. I understand perfectly. There are two chairs here, two cups, two plates. There is someone else living in this home, Naught. Now tell me, where is Naught Guodmen?”

“No he-”

“You know where he is. You will tell us. I’d rather do it the quick way and easy way. But we have a healer here in case you’d rather do it the long and hard way.” Ivory’s gaze was piercing.

“He doesn’t live here he-”

“I will not ask again! Where is Naught Guudminn!?” Ivory began to unlatch her suitcase.

“He-He” Sherry began to hyperventilate in fear.

“He, he what? Spit it out Sherry! I want this to go good for you! Where is-”

“Sorry to interrupt.” Ivory was interrupted by the door opening.

“I’m sorry Sherry, I brought these people to your house by mistake.” the old man said.

“Naught Goudmin’s house is next door.” He and Sherry said in unison.

“Well why didn’t you say so earlier Sherry?” Ivory’s face turned red with anger and embarrassment.

“I tried! You kept interrupting me! Now get out of my house!” Sherry yelled.

Sherry threw Ivory’s glass at her as we exited the house. All that for nothing. I sure hope we don’t have to interrogate anyone at this house.

“Are you sure it’s right this time?” Ivory angrily asked.

“It’s okay Ivory, no need to get upset. Anyone can make that mistake. I’m sure it’s right this time.” Ise tried to calm her down.

“I'll do the knocking and talking this time. What was even in that briefcase Ivory?” I laughed as I walked to the doorstep.

The second my hand hit the door to knock, a spear stabbed through the door, and straight through me.

“GACK!” I coughed up blood, the spear piercing my chest sent a pain throughout my whole body.

“Lee!” Ise rushed forward to heal me. An amateur mistake, the healer rushing to the front of the battle.

Before anyone could react, a man burst through the door, literally. The door shattered as this man rammed through it, slamming Ise and I to the side.

He was a large man in stature. Black hair, glazed over black eyes, and a blank expression decorated his face. He was one of the few people in the entire bandit camp who we’ve seen without armor on. In fact, he had no shirt on. Strange choice for someone who clearly knew we were coming. He was without a doubt the man we were looking for.

“Die!” Roku yelled as he ran at Naught.

Without saying a word, Naught turned his spear, and launched it at Ace, who was still in shock and hadn’t yet grasped what was happening.

“Shit! Dammit!” Roku changed his destination and tackled Ace out of the way of Naught's spear.

Out of everyone on our team, Ace was the youngest, and seemed to be the least experienced. She was always nervous, almost petrified, before missions. She did fine on the last one, but she is still green.

Naught’s gaze turned to Ivory, the last one standing. Without even a change of pace, he lunged at her.

“Stay back!” She let an arrow fly, aimed for Naught’s heart, but he dodged to avoid it. The arrow grazed his left arm. The first scratch we put on him.

“I’m not good at close range!” Ivory attempted to stab him with an arrow, but it was for all for naught, as Naught caught her wrist before the arrow could hit him. He grabbed her by her head and lifted her off the ground.

“I almost have you healed Lee, save Ivory!” Ise said, but Naught heard him. He threw Ivory like a dodgeball, nailing us both.

“Your first mistake was picking a fight with me,” Roku got up from the ground and cracked his knuckles.

“But your second mistake,” Roku’s body began to steam from his energy surging.

“Was hurting my friends!” Since when was Roku the ‘power of friendship type’?

Roku aimed a strong right hook at Naught’s face. Naught moved to catch the punch, his third mistake. The punch connected with Naught’s hands, sending him flying into his house.

“That......felt wrong.” Roku seemed to finally notice what he said.

“Was that it?” I got up off the ground, freshly healed by Ise who was now tending to Ivory’s injuries.

“......It was not supposed to go this way.....” Ise mumbled, shocked at how quickly everything fell apart.

“I don’t think it’s over. Something was......wrong with that punch.” Roku stared at his own fist.

“Was that because you dedicated it to friendship and not your love of violence?” I joked.

“Wait, that punch was you lacking power!?” Ace smile beamed as she stood up.

“There’s something weird about this fellow. I can sense it. We all need to be prepared, be ready to back them up Ace. I’ll be ready to heal you all if you get hurt. Ivory is healed, but she’s unconscious. Roku and Lee take point. Ace, you need to be prepared to fight if they go down.” Ise commanded.

“But I-”

“We must be prepared. He caught us off guard and nearly wiped us out. It is my fault. We shouldn’t have just waltzed up and expected him to come quietly. I admit my mistake there. But we will still take him alive!”

“Then, I can’t.......” Ace trailed off. The look in her eyes wasn’t fear, it was despair.

“Guys, I have to tell you-” Ace’s quiet confession was cut off as a rain of spears and other weapons clouded up the sky.

“Defend them! I’ll handle Naught, it’s about time I start getting my payback.” I grinned.

“Banished Blades Version One!” With speed on my side, I ran through the onslaught of weapons, duking, dipping, and diving between the wall of swords, spears, and axes, and coming out the other side clean.

Naught stood among the wreckage of his house, one last spear in his hand. He took one look at me and then reached into his pockets, emerging with a pair of gloves which he put on, before immediately going back to his previous stance.

“You’re lucky it was me who knocked on that door, otherwise this would’ve ended a while ago!” I shot towards him, both swords drawn and ready.

He stabbed in my direction, but it was slow. Much too slow. I easily weaved around it, his whole body was exposed, all it would take is one blow.

“GAH!” Impact, both swords struck his neck.

“It’s over.” I said, deactivating my ability and sheathing my swords, now standing behind Naught.

He felt around his neck, where both swords connected, but found no cut.

“I could’ve killed you there. Easily. You would be dead without even knowing it. You lived only because I used the back side of my swords. Surrender, I won’t spare you again.” Damn it all, where is this sense of loyalty to Ise coming from?

“Heh.” Naught smiled a wicked smile, before throwing an electric charged spear my way. It must’ve channeled the charge from my attack.

“Mind if I join in? A man always finishes a fight once he starts.” Roku approached from the other side of Naught.

“Come on Roku, he hit me first! This is my fight.” I bickered back.

“Fine. I guess we both have to finish this.” Roku smiled a wicked smile.

We each stood on either side of Naught. Each ready to take him down. Now that I’m not on a team ruled by Diran, we don’t have to worry about the “honor” of a fight. No need to wait for Diran to take down the big bad himself. No need to draw straws over it, with Diran always getting the winning straw. Roku and I were going to beat the snot out of him together.

“Fine! But I’ll get the finishing blow!” I drew my swords and activated Version One again.

“Not if I beat him first!”

Roku was closer so he reached Naught first and hit him with a flying knee kick. No fanciness behind it, Roku was going to beat him down the old-fashioned way. His knee connected with Naught’s face, sending him flying towards me.

I intercepted him, kicking him upwards, sending him spinning through the air. I jumped up, I wasn’t just going to set the spike, that’d be too boring. I held both swords above my head, ready to launch him back towards the ground. He held his hands to block my attack, but it merely softened the blow.

He hit the ground with enough force to crack the ground and bounce. Roku grabbed him, holding him by his shoulders. Roku’s evil smile shone as he uttered these words.

“Fighting Flow, forehead.” He focused his energy in his forehead, for one reason.

Naught held his hands up to try and block the attack, but it was the equivalent of trying to stop a train with a pillow. Roku’s headbutt connected with Naught’s hands, pushing them back into his own head, breaking his nose, sending a few teeth flying, and sending him back my way.

“Banished Blades Version Three!” I blasted him into the ground with no delay.

This was a massacre; he stood no chance. Roku and I on our own were enough to defeat him, and together we were unstoppable. Naught managed to stand on his feet once again. The fight, if you could even call it that, continued.

“We should do this more often.” I said to Roku as I hit Naught his way once again.

“This is way more fun than I thought it’d be. I love violence!” I felt guilty seeing Roku pummel a man into the ground yelling about his enjoyment of the event as the poor guy struggled to keep his hands in front of his face.

For most heroes, jumping someone goes against their code of honor. It certainly does for Diran, and I assume our poor teammates who are watching on in horror. But Roku and I do not care. We’ve had enough of this so-called honor. This man was a bad guy. It is our job to stop him.

This fight is a rare type of battle. A brawl reserved only for those who get it. For those whose strength is enough to stand above restrictions like honor. Can you see my now Diran? Can you see what your sidekick can do?

My fist connected with Naught’s face. My swords had long since been sheathed. He stumbled a few steps before finding himself in Roku’s territory. The smile that was plastered on my face would not fade. I was leaving the shadows behind and being embraced by the sunny warmth of the limelight.

I turned to my teammates, were they witnessing my glory? …......No. This wasn’t glory. What met my eyes was a disappointed Ise and shocked Ace. We had already won. I had already won. There was no need for this to continue. The euphoric feeling of victory had left me as fast as it had come.

“I think he’s had enough, Roku. We don’t want to kill him, remember.” I walked up to Roku and put my hand on his shoulder.

“.....Okay.” Roku said sadly, stopping his foot inches from Naught’s face.

“Well, I’ll carry him.” Roku reached down to grab him, when a blast of lightning hit him square in the chest, launching him into the air.

“What!?” Before I could react, a punch hit me in the stomach. It wasn’t a normal punch. Not a normal energy enhanced punch. It was a punch with all of Naught’s concentrated energy behind it.

I hit the neighboring wall. My whole body numb. My spine most likely broke. That was not a punch that Naught could produce. It was Roku’s punch. Roku's power, somehow being wielded by Naught.

“Lee! Don’t die! Hold on!” Ise’s face was pale with fear. Fear for me? This must be worse than I thought. He rushed to my side and began the healing process, but it would take a while. Do I have a while?

“Ace........you need to stop him.....he...absorbs.......our power.” I barely managed to croak out.

Naught stood holding Roku’s throat. It was my power he used, an acclamation of all the electricity I used on him. And it rendered Roku helpless just long enough for Naught to grab him. His hands must be the key to his ability. That's why he tried to block everything with his hands.

“I can’t move! I can feel my energy being taken!” Roku roared.

If Naught fully absorbs Roku’s power, then we are dead. There is no stopping him. I don’t know if we can stop him. All we have left is Ace, and I have no idea what she can do.

“Ace! You need to stop him! Save Roku!” Ise franticly yelled.

“I-I-” Ace’s power started growing, but she was still unsure.

“Ace, if you don’t stop him, we all die! I wish I could stop him myself, but I can’t!” Ise gritted his teeth.

“You’re the only one who we have left, you have to try!”

“......Okay. I'm sorry Ise.” Ace’s cloak began to wave from her energy flowing around her.

“Sorry? Sorry for what!? You can do this!” Ise yelled, but he received no answer.

Ace put her hands together and aimed them towards Naught. Her power was rising like never before.

“Roku! Try to dodge!” Her energy kept rising. How did she keep it so subdued before? Is this? No. There’s no way. It can’t be. Is she going to-

“!!!” The words she yelled were unheard. No. I heard them. I just wasn’t ready to comprehend them.

A giant blast of green light fired from her hands. A giant beam with one target: Naught.

The laser destroyed all in its path. Its green light was blinding, and it sounded like a jet engine as its powerful force shook the earth around it.

When the beam dissipated, the wreckage and destruction was incomparable. Naught was gone. Dead. The only piece of him that remained was the hand on Roku’s throat. Some of the houses behind Naught were completely gone. Others, due to the angle of the blast, only had the tops blown off.

Ace stood still, unmoving. Somehow, after a beam like that, she still had more than enough energy to spare. Roku coughed and gasped for air. Besides that sound, there was silence.

“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.” Ace fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands.

“I’m too strong.”