Chapter 51
Departure From Moonstone
It had been a few days since Erin had been asked about her intentions in regards to her sudden intensive training. During that time, the redhead had greatly improved her physical abilities, along with her skills in swordsmanship.
Her magical abilities had also improved a lot, thanks to the guidance from Arkay and the books he had bought her. The cat boy had even helped her learn to use electricity and flames. At the moment, she couldn’t shoot fireballs out of her hands, but she could still summon flames from her palms, which was sure to become useful. Erin had managed to learn the lightning grasp spell, which Arkay had used on Ryle when they first met. While not as powerful as the cat boy, the redhead could use the spell to give a decent shock to someone or even fry electronics.
However, Erin hadn’t just been building up her combat abilities, as she had also bee making other preparations as well. Thanks to working with Lexton to sell medicine, she had gathered a decent amount of money for herself. The redheaded assassin had also managed to get her hands on some useful equipment, such as medical supplies, knives, smoke bombs, flash grenades and even a couple of magical stones to be used with her sword.
All in all, Erin had done a lot of work to make sure she was prepared to go and take on the forces of her former friends, The Five Overlords. But the most difficult task was still ahead of her, which was to break the news to her friends and basically disband their group.
Whether she liked it or not, her new friends had only joined her in order to take down a common enemy. With that task accomplished, there was no need for any of them to stick together. Even if she wanted to continue traveling with them, Erin knew that she had no right to think that any of them would be willing to join her on her quest to take on the most powerful people in the world. In fact, she didn’t want them to join her either. The mere thought of any of them being hurt due to her own actions was something the redhead doubted she could live with. So no matter how much it would hurt, she would have to say goodbye to them soon.
Taking a deep breath, Erin prepared herself for the announcement she was going to make to her friends. She made her way to the place where Lexton’s workshop was parked, as she had told the others to meet her there.
Arriving at the place, the redhead noticed that all three of her companions were already there, talking with each other. While she couldn’t hear what they were saying, she was certain that they were all talking about what she was going to tell them.
“Hey, Erin’s here!” Arkay exclaimed, having noticed the redheaded assassin walking towards them.
“Well, it’s about damn time she got here,” Lexton said in a bit of a joking tone. “I’m up to my ass in all kinds of work that needs to get done, so I really need to get this over and done as soon as possible.”
“Nice to see your caring side, Lex,” Ryle said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes, before turning her attention to Erin. “So what did you need to tell us? Judging from the way you’ve been acting, it has got to be something pretty big and important.”
“I’d say it’s something like that,” Erin said with a small smile. She was going to miss the upbeat attitude of her blonde friend quite a bit. “You all know that I’ve been practicing my skills lately and you’ve been wondering what it’s for, right?”
“It’s not just that you’ve been practicing a lot lately, but it’s clear you’re preparing for something,” Lexton stated. “Not only are you trying to improve your combat skills, but you’ve been doing a lot more work as well. I’ve also noticed some of the things you’ve been buying. In all honesty, either you’re even more paranoid than I am when it comes to your own security or you’re getting ready to go to war. And I have a hunch that it’s the latter. Isn’t that right?”
“...I guess I should have expected this from you, Lex,” the redheaded assassin said, confirming the kobold’s suspicions. “You’re right with your assumptions. I am preparing myself for a great battle ahead of me.”
“What battle are you talking about? We already beat Lune!” Ryle asked. “Now I can understand that if you’re looking to get into bounty hunting-”
“No, Ryle, I am not talking about bounty hunting,” Erin interrupted the blonde. “I am going to take on The Five Overlords.”
To say that the redhead’s three friends were shocked would be an understatement. While they all had their guesses as to who her new enemies might be, none of them had even the slightest idea that she was talking about the most powerful beings in the whole world themselves. Many great men and women had made proud proclamations about opposing the five on top of the world. Not a single one of them had lived for long after making such claims.
For them, this was like Erin was announcing her own suicide.
“ARE YOU FREAKING CRAZY!?” Ryle yelled angrily. “You’re going to take on the five biggest and baddest bastards out there by yourself!? That’s like an ant picking a fight with the biggest dragon out there! You’ll only end up dead!”
“S-She’s right, Erin! This is way too reckless!” Arkay joined in on trying to stop the redhead. “We might have been able to defeat Lune, but he is nothing compared to some of the most powerful people within the armies of The Five Overlords! And that’s not even taking into account the Overlords themselves! Please don’t do this!”
“I have to agree with Arnie and the idiot. What you’re saying is absolutely insane!” Lexton stated. “I do hope you haven’t gotten some crazy idea in your head just because we managed to beat Lune and his War Maidens. Even if you got anywhere close to even one of them, The Five Overlords are all insanely powerful monsters that no one could hope to defeat! It was due to their sheer overwhelming powers that they were able to conquer the world in the first place! Do you really think you can stand up to something like that!?”
Erin had been expecting these types of reactions from her friends. After all, what they were saying was the undisputed truth. The opponents she was planning to take on were far beyond her capabilities. She would need all of the miracles in the universe not to end up dead.
However, despite the odds being against her, the redheaded assassin knew that this was something she would have to do. Not just for the sake of the world, but for her own sake as well.
“I know it sounds crazy, but I’m not going to change my mind about this,” Erin said. “Just know that I have my own reasons for doing this and that I have to at least try. Even if I am going to die because of it, I cannot simply let this go.”
“Well, you certainly are going to die…” Lexton muttered in a slightly frustrated tone.
“Hey, scaly-ass, shut the hell up for a second, okay?” Ryle said angrily at the kobold before giving a stern look at her redhead friend. “Alright, so you want us to go after the biggest guys in the yard then? Where do we start?”
“You misunderstand something. You guys are not coming along,” Erin replied. “I am going to do this on my own.”
“...EXCUSE ME!? WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY!?” the blonde yelled angrily. “You actually have the freaking nerve to leave us behind!? You think we’re not good enough or something!? Do you think you could have gotten anywhere to the point you’re at without any of us!?”
“Again, you’re misunderstanding things,” the redhead said with a sigh. “I am not saying that any of you aren’t good enough. In fact, I’d say the opposite. All three of you are the best companions a person could ask for and I am forever grateful that you all have been there for me so far.”
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“T-Then why don’t you want us to come along?” Arkay asked. “We might not be able to do much, but we should still be able to help you!”
“Because I don’t want you guys getting hurt because of me,” Erin answered. “I don’t know if any of you feel the same way, but I consider all three of you my friends. That’s why I don’t want any of you to get involved in my mess. Please try to understand me.”
After finishing her explanation, the redhead turned around and began to walk away. She had placed a backpack filled with all of her equipment nearby and picked it up, ready to go on her journey.
However, before leaving, she turned around to look at her friends and said one more thing.
“If it’s worth anything, I would like to say that being together with you all has been great. I had fun and enjoyed my time together with you all,” Erin said with a small smile. “I hope you all get to live happily from now on.”
The redheaded assassin was about to walk away, when a hand grasped her cloak, stopping her in her tracks. She looked behind her and saw Arkay grasping her cloak as tightly as he could.
image [https://i.ibb.co/Qrb9WpC/Ch-51-Pic-1.jpg]
“What is it, Arnie?” Erin asked.
“...Can I… Can I come along?” the cat boy asked, before looking up at the redhead with a determined look in his eyes. “I want to join you on your journey. So can I come with you?”
“Arnie!?” Ryle cried out in shock.
“Are you serious!?” Lexton asked, shocked by Arkay’s sudden request. “Don’t you understand just what kind of insane and dangerous task Erin’s trying to accomplish!? You are sure to get killed!”
“I… I’m fully aware of the danger. In all honesty, a part of me just wants to run and hide just from thinking about it,” the cat boy said. “But I know that if it wasn’t for The Five Overlords that people like Lune wouldn’t be in power! It’s ultimately because of them that the world has become such an awful place to live! I don’t want anyone to go through what I had to! So if I can help prevent people like Lune from getting into power, I’ll do it!”
Before Lexton could argue against Arkay’s point, Ryle surprised him by walking up to the cat boy. The blonde stared down at her young friend with an intense look that made Arkay shiver a bit.
“Are you sure about this, Arnie?” Ryle asked. “You know that the people you’re going after are far beyond Lune and The War Maidens, right? Even then, do you still want to challenge them?”
“I know how powerful they are.. And I am scared of them,” Arkay said nervously, before looking up at Ryle with a strong and determined gaze. “But I still wish to do this. Nothing will change if someone doesn’t stand up to them. And I know that if I didn’t do this, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”
For a small moment, Ryle simply stared into Arkay’s eyes, looking for any signs of hesitation or regret, but found none. The cat boy was completely serious with his words and there was no way to change his mind.
“Alright, I guess that settles it then,” Ryle said. “I’m going as well.”
“Now hang on a second!” Erin quickly called out. “Didn’t you hear that I was going to go on my own!? Why are you two trying to join me all of a sudden!? You don’t have to!”
“Of course we don’t have to! Do you think we’re doing this out of some dumb obligation or something, you moron!?” the blonde yelled at the redhead, who was taken aback by the outburst. “We are doing this because we want to! Nothing else! What Arkay said was true, you know? Had it not been for those five, my brother and I would have probably been way better off! The way I see it, I’m just paying them back for all the crap they’ve caused me!”
Erin was desperately trying to think of something to say against Ryle, but couldn’t find the right words. Her fumbling was put to a stop, as the blonde put a hand on her shoulder.
“Also, you should know that Arnie isn’t going to back down either, no matter what. And if he’s going, I’m definitely coming along,” Ryle whispered into Erin’s ear. “You’re out of your mind, if you think I’m letting him slip away from me just like that.”
The redhead still wanted to argue against her two friends’ decision of wanting to join her, but one look into their eyes told her that it was futile. She could tell that both Arkay and Ryle were determined to join her and there was absolutely nothing she could do or say to change their minds. Her solo adventure had become an adventuring trio.
“...Alright. I can tell that I’ve been beaten,” Erin said with a sigh, before a smile came to her lips. “Although, I do have to say that I am a bit glad that you’re coming along. I honestly was dreading this day, because I didn’t really like the idea of going on my own. Thank you both.”
“Oh, don’t be all sappy like that! You know that we couldn’t just let you go on your own!” Ryle said with a grin as she gave a playful slap on the redhead’s back, almost knocking her to the ground. “No way is this merry band gonna split up so soon! We’re gonna stick together whether you want it or not!”
As the three of them were happily talking among themselves about the great things their team was going to accomplish, a certain kobold remained standing to the side. It wasn’t until Ryle noticed him that did he voice his opinion on the matter.
“Hey, Lex, what about you?” the blonde called out to the kobold. “You gonna join us or not?”
“Do you even need to ask?” Lexton said in a surprisingly bitter tone. “Do you really think that I’m as stupid as you all are?”
“What the hell do you mean by that!?” Ryle yelled back angrily.
“Exactly what I said. Do any of you really think you have a chance of getting close to any of The Five Overlords, let alone beat them?” the kobold asked. “You’d be lucky to get close to where one of them lives! What you’re all doing is essentially suicide! Why the hell would I want to risk my life on something like that!?”
“We are fully aware of the risks, but we are still going to go for it. Not because it’s the smart thing to do, but the right thing to do,” Arkay answered. “You know as well as we do that a lot of the bad things in the world are caused by the influence of The Five Overlords. Unless something is done about them, things won’t get any better. In fact, they might get worse for all we know.”
“It’s exactly as Arnie says, Lex! We all hate how things are, so we might as well try doing something about it! Even if we end up dead, we can at least die knowing that we gave it a shot, unlike cowards who just sit around wishing for things to change!” Ryle said with a big grin. “Besides, aren’t we all a team? Why wouldn’t we do this together?”
“I’d like to correct something about that. We WERE a team,” Lexton stated. “Remember that I only joined up with you all because we all shared the same goal. Now that it has been fulfilled, there’s no reason for us to associate with each other. In short, this is goodbye. Try not to get yourselves killed right away, at least.”
“Why you little-!”
“Ryle, please. There is no need for that,” Erin said before walking up to Lexton. The kobold expected her to plead him into joining her group for good, but instead was surprised to see her smile at him while offering a handshake. “It was great working with you, Lex. I hope all the best for you in the future.”
“...Likewise,” Lexton said as he took the offered hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I understand as to why you are doing what you’re doing. I just consider the risks far too high for my tastes, alright? It’s just simple logic.”
“I understand completely. I am not about to try and force you to come along against your own will,” the redhead said. “You take care of yourself, okay? Hopefully we’ll meet again in the future.”
With that, Erin’s group made their final preparations, before walking away. Lexton was left behind to watch, as his three former companions eventually disappeared beyond the horizon.
“...Well, there they go now! On a quest that’s going to get them all killed!” Lexton ranted to himself as he started to make his way back to his workshop. “In all honesty, why should I care? It’s no skin off my back! I work better on my own anyways!”
The kobold was about to enter his workshop, but gave one last glance at the direction Erin and the others had gone to, before going inside.
Back with Erin and the others, the three friends were walking in silence. Their departure from Lexton had left them silent, along with the knowledge of what they were aiming to do. With the mood being what it was, no one really had anything to say.
“So… I spy with my eye something that begins with the letter R,” Ryle suddenly said, hoping to end the awkward silence. “Can you guess what it is?”
“Is it a rock?” Arkay asked.
“Correct! Good going, Arnie!” the blonde said happily. “How did you know?”
“Perhaps because there is literally nothing else around us except rocks?” Erin asked sarcastically.
“Oh please! It’s all about a matter of being able to notice the small details around you that makes this game fun, as it gives you more options!” Ryle said. “For example, I hear something that begins with the letter C! Do you know what it is?”
Upon hearing what their blonde friend said, both Erin and Arkay stopped in their tracks and turned towards her.
“Is it something that we should be worried about?” Erin asked, wondering if it was some vicious beast.
“Ummm… No? It’s a car,” Ryle answered, before realizing what she herself had said. “Hang on a second… A car?”
The trio turned around and saw a vehicle driving towards them. Once it had gotten close enough, they recognized it as a very familiar RV. Erin and the others could only watch in stunned silence, as Lexton pulled up next to them in his vehicle. The kobold had a solemn look on his face, as he sat behind the wheel of his car.
“Lex, why are you here?” Erin asked. “I mean, I’m happy to see you, but I was under the impression that you would remain in that city for at least a bit longer.”
“Yeah, what brings you here?” Ryle asked. “Did your scamming ass finally get kicked out or something?”
“Ha ha. You’re a real comedian,” Lexton said sarcastically, before looking at Erin. “Look, the thing is that… business can be tough without helping hands, you know? And when we worked together I managed to make a pretty nice profit from it.”
“What are you getting at?” Erin asked.
“...I still think that what you guys are doing is a bad idea. But I think I can stick around for at least some of the journey,” the kobold answered. “Think you guys could use me as a part of your group for a little longer?”
“Of course! Happy to have you along!” the redhead said happily.
With the group together again, the four continued their journey, which was made easier thanks to the vehicle they now had. Unfortunately, there was still a bit of an issue.
“Hey, Lex, would you mind and get rid of some of this shit!?” Ryle called out to the kobold, as she, Erin and Arkay were sitting in the cramped space of the small RV. “It’s already tight as hell over here, we don’t need all this smelly crap making things worse!”
“Oh, shut your mouth! Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to get all that!?” Lexton yelled back from the driver’s seat. “All those ingredients are worth a fortune, so you better not even think about throwing any of it out!”
Erin could only let out a deep sigh, as a slimy piece of monster flesh fell out from one of the cupboards on top of her head. Maybe going on her own would have been better?