Cluster didn’t like to talk about her past, but they knew she was from Switzerland. What they didn’t expect was that they appeared right next to Clusters Hometown, a fact she only revealed after Bullseye asked her how she knew the surroundings so well.

To all of them it was clear that Cluster wasn’t happy with that, probably since it made avoiding her friends and family harder, Scythe assumed. She kinda hoped they never ran into them, even it was rude. Cluster obviously didn’t want to deal with them or even dwell on it, so Scythe doubted she would mind if they could avoid them. Probably was for the better.

While Cluster knew her way around, she had never been in this District, probably because of the restrictions in place. But she spoke all the languages commonly used here fluently so it took them no time at all to be pointed to a bar, although the person giving them the information looked a little uncertain.

For whatever reason Scythe would probably never understand, each and every one of them looked exactly like the day they had been brought to Amnellium. Sure, she could imagine Dragons aging differently, it was a pretty common fantasy trope, but for no changes to happen in three millennia seemed kind of extreme.

However, they were still given directions, probably since all of them had the weight of age about them. They might look young but anyone close to them could feel just how much they had experienced.

The bar itself was a nice place, not the most successful one out there, but still in good shape. To no one’s surprise they were the center of attention the moment they stepped in. It was almost comical how much their unusual appearance and feeling had them stand out like a sore thumb.

The five of them looked around, Scythe as usual meeting all the gazes directed at her head on and with a challenge in her glowing purple eyes. It was normal for everyone she locked eyes with to avert their gaze, however one person didn’t. It was an unassuming looking man, not human, but she wasn’t able to figure out to what race he belonged.

He had pale skin, which was in eerily fitting with his nearly white, shoulder long hair. It wasn’t as unnatural a color as Silks was, yet still distinct enough to turn some heads. His eyes were of a dark crimson. Overall, he looked more scrawny than anything else, which didn’t seem to fit the almost stubborn gaze he possessed.

Without a word Scythe began to walk towards him. She didn’t break eye contact for a second, not wanting to lose this staring contest. She shifted into her Hybrid form once more, drawing gasps of shock from the onlookers, and finally drew the attention of even the last person.

Her friends followed her, lost in their own thoughts and conversations and only stopping right in front of the table the man was sitting at with his conversation partner.

His friend looked way less calm and sure of himself as the mysterious man did, trying to shrink himself into his chair.

After a moment Scythe gave the mystery man a broad smile, displaying her predatory fangs in their full glory. „You… I like you. You have the look of a predator. What’s your name? I am Scythe, a Cyborg Shadow Dragon.“

A few people around them began to murmur between themselves. As if their unusual appearance wasn’t enough to stir the rumor mill, that claim was outrageous.

Although, Scythe thought with mild satisfaction, they seem to know better than to accuse her of lying. Of course, they weren’t talking too openly, but her hearing was damn good. Being a Cyborg wasn’t only downsides.

Her friends sat down on a table next to the mystery man, observing the interaction only with mild interest. They of course knew of their bosses’ antics and had long since gotten used to them.

„I am Vladimir. You probably already guessed, but I am a Vampire“, he said in a soft tone that was calm and serene. Scythe felt a shiver run down her back. He sounded dangerous and she loved it.

„Vladimir… I must admit I have never met a Vampire before. Succubus, sure. All devouring Slime, Apocalypse Arachnid, even a Sylph and Nyriad. But not a Vampire. Well, Vladimir the Vampire, how about a drink?“, she said, sitting down opposite him.

That brought the volume of the murmurs up by several decibel, she could almost feel the rumors starting to spread.

One thing she hadn’t noticed in this hodgepodge of people was that she could not read Vladimir whatsoever. The usual feeling of people’s thoughts and emotions was entirely missing from him. If that was because Vampires were undead, she couldn’t say, although she didn’t get the feeling of undeath from him.

Finally, Vladimir broke eye contact, looking at his friend, „Do you mind him joining in on that? We were having a conversation, which you so rudely interrupted. I think the least you can do is repay him that with a drink, don’t you think?“

Scythe laughed, „Sure pal, no problem. One drink for your friend. I trust that one drink is enough? I am not made of money and I don’t like people who fish too much“, she said, giving him a very dangerous smile.

Finally, she could see a reaction in him, if only very faintly. „Of course. I wouldn’t dare to ask too much of a lady such as yourself.“

„Lady, HAH! That was a good one. Nah man, I ain’t no lady, I’m a mouthy bitch with a happy trigger finger and too many insults stored in my stupid brain. No need to act so all high and mighty with me, my boy. I ain’t some frail flower that gets mad when you insult her“, Scythe exclaimed with a snort.

Vladimir didn’t answer immediately, then nodded, „If you see yourself as such, I won’t argue. Although it is a shame that someone of your beauty is acting so… mouthy, as you said it.“

Scythe smile froze, then vanished. „Pal, you are about three thousand years too young to start flirting with me. So stuff it, unless you want me to pull your spine through your mouth and use it as a sex toy later today“, she snarled.

Scythe didn’t care about many things, but useless flirting from someone was one. She had never understood the appeal and after she had seen the disgusting things humans did on Amnellium she had lost all interest in such things.

While people were talking between themselves, they still listened to the conversation and her sudden death threat brought them up short.

Vladimir didn’t react at first, but then his facade broke, and a smile crept on his lips. „What an interesting image to imagine. Well then, Scythe the Cyborg Dragon. I’m up for a drink.“

Scythe smile returned and she waved at the waitress as she leaned back in her chair. She wasn’t paying too much attention to the people around them, but one thing she heard over and over again after his last statement.

„Did he just accept a DRINK? Vladimir?!“

While it wasn’t the exact wording, it was multiple variations on that, and it piqued her interest. She looked around, one eyebrow raised, then looked back at the Vampire in front of her.

„You seem to be quite famous here. Who are you exactly?“, she asked, her curiosity at a new height today. It seemed that she had made quite the interesting drinking partner.

He shrugged with a lazy smile, „I am Vladimir, one of the Overseers in the local Council, as was my father. He is an Elder Vampire and probably the strongest person around. While I don’t like being revered because of his accomplishments, it does have its benefits, no?“, he explained. By the lack of outrage from the people Scythe surmised that he was not lying, or if he was, he was telling the same lie to everyone.

Stolen story; please report.

„Oh wow, that sounds fancy. And Elder Vampire to boot. I don’t suppose you could get into contact with your old man? I’m itching for a scrap and an Elder Vampire sounds like someone who can hold their own against me“, she asked, eagerly bent over the table, her face almost in his now.

His expression turned to shock and surprise. No, it would be better described as dumbfounded. „You… You want… You want to fight my father? Are you suicidal?“, he asked, clear disbelief in his voice.

It seems the old man is far stronger than I originally thought, if he reacts like this… Well, not that it matters, Scythe thought to herself.

She shrugged, „Not really. It’s just damn hard to find someone that can actually give me a worthwhile fight. Once Nukes aren’t enough to hurt you anymore things get a little difficult, y’know. Although I doubt that earth nukes would have been enough to hurt me even before those Lab rats rebuild my body.“ With a long sigh she let herself fall back down into her chair.

The entire bar was so silent you could hear a pin drop. With a chuckle Silk spoke, „I think you broke them, Boss“, she said with an amused look.

Scythe joined her with her own chuckle, „It appears so. Well, what do you expect? It was worth a try. Guess things are gonna get boring now that we no longer have those Amnellium punching bags.“

„You are serious, aren’t you?“, a woman asked from the side. Scythe couldn’t see her in her current position, nor did she care to really.

„Of course I am. Dead serious“, Scythe said, then paused when a stunning waitress finally stopped next to them.

„What would you like to drink?“, she asked, unphased by all of it. To be fair, conversations such as these probably weren’t completely uncommon in the magical world.

She sighed, „Gimme the strongest thing you have, then double that“, she said, before settling at the table and looking at Vladimir’s friend with an eyebrow raised.

„I… I uh… I take one beer…“, he mumbled, not lifting his eyes from the table.

„I take the usual“, Vladimir finished their orders and with that the background noise from the other patrons resumed again.

„Alright, a double Death Dance, one beer, and one Bloodcurler coming right up“, the woman said with a smile, before turning and walking away.

Vladimir cleared his throat, „By that comment I deduce you are the person who claims to be Rin Savart?“, he asked, all business now.

She sighed once more, „Yep, in the flesh. Just went through a truth spell today, that shit felt disgusting. But yeah, I am. You’re one of those bigshots who questioned our story, eh?“

He settled more comfortably onto his chair and interlaced his fingers, „Well, yes. Normally I wouldn’t dare speak of such matters in a public space and with such an audience, but you seem like someone who really couldn’t care any less. When I was told who you claimed to be I was shocked, to be sure. We had a person vanishing here ourselves, so it came to a great shock to hear that some of those who went missing returned.“

His eyes flicked to behind Scythe and she could see recognition in his eyes. „Although it seems that question has now been answered too. It appears that S-“

Within a moment Scythe was standing, a pistol drawn and held straight in his face. „Do not even fucking dare speak her name“, she said in a frosty tone that quite literally chilled the air around her.

If it would be anyone else, she wouldn’t have cared. But it was Clusters wish to remain anonymous. And Cluster was the only thing in her life that mattered. Well not the only, the other three mattered too, but Cluster was by far the most important.

„Actually I advise you even forget her name and scratch it out of every record you have“, she continued, not moving the pistol even an inch.

Scythe noted with mild surprise that even this didn’t get too much of a reaction out of people, conversations did continue, even if a little more subtle. It appeared that Paranormal Bars were quite the interesting place to stay at.

Cluster sighed, „It’s alright Boss. No need to piss of the neighbors. I appreciate you standing up for me like this, but it’s not like I would want them dead for it.“

Scythe gazed deeply into Vladimir’s eyes for a moment longer, then lowered the pistol, vanishing it into thin air. „You’re right love“, she said to Cluster, then looked back at Vladimir, giving him a frosty glare for a moment longer.

„May I inquire as to why the both of you harbor such strong feelings on the matter? I can guess, but…“, he asked, an eyebrow raised. While obviously a little rattled, he didn’t seem overly concerned.

„Don’t know, don’t care“, Scythe said immediately, „She doesn’t wanna talk about it, so we don’t talk about it. Simple as that.“

That produced a long silence at their table as Scythe sat back down, relaxing into her chair and closing her eyes. She hadn’t really wanted a fight like this here, but she wasn’t about to back down from anyone, and Cluster was her number one priority.

After a moment Vladimir spoke again, although despite his words he seemed more curious than anything else, „Are you not afraid of the consequences of you pulling a gun on someone with my standing?“

All Scythe could do was snort. She spoke without her opening her eyes or otherwise moving, „Pal, I thought you were on the Council. Didn’t you hear our story? If you think standing saves your ass with me, I have a nice beach side property near the local star I have to sell. If they heard what we did and still decided to let us have a gander it means that you either can’t do anything to stop us, which is of course the case, or you don’t care, which I don’t know if it’s the case. I promised your friends to behave, they have something we want, and I’d rather not end up a fugitive a day after we got out of our cells… again. That doesn’t mean I won’t protect me, my friends, or our secrets. Others use words, but I quickly realized that words don’t do shit when you face a Hovertank, so I decided to pick up something that can deal with said tank.“

„Uhm… What are you talking about?“, the same woman from earlier asked. She sounded considerably closer, and Scythe opened one eye to look in her direction.

She found the woman standing right next to the table. For a moment Scythe was shocked, surprised by just how beautiful the woman was. Around twenty-five if Scythe had to guess, she had green skin and pinkish hair, and big eyes that looked like straight out of an anime, with a clear light blue color. Her figure was… very arousing. To say she was curvy was an understatement, yet despite that, she seemed even thinner than Scythe.

„And who the shit would you be? You look like a sex doll that developed sentience“, Scythe inquired, not moving her eyes away from the woman’s full bust.

The woman turned a deep crimson, „Excuse me?!“, she asked, turning away slightly covering herself with her arms, not that it was necessary. She wore quite fancy clothes that did their best to turn the attention away from her figure. A shame really in Scythe eyes, she could definitely stand to gain from Clusters dressing sense.

Scythe comment had drawn some involuntary laughter from all around them, and the woman angrily looked at the people who were laughing. Or at least tried to look angry, with how hard she was blushing she looked adorable.

„Look, sweetheart. If I had a body like yours, I would be sleeping my way up a company ladder. I am just very honest about what I like. And unlike those limp dicked idiots over there you don’t need to worry about me doing something really stupid. Mainly because I wouldn’t survive Cluster over there blowing me to hell and back with a nuclear powered rocket launcher“, she said with a smirk.

„Damn betcha! Get your eyes off her, boss!“, Cluster exclaimed, playing along with Scythe in their usual banter.

Scythe chuckled, then closed her eye again, „Jokes aside tho. Who are you? You ain’t no Succubus, no ma’am, but you are something similar, right? Anyways, why did you come over again?“

„I am a Dryad, shouldn’t that be obvious?!“, the woman exclaimed in outrage, „And my name is Lucile, you better remember it well!“

It was truly adorable how she tried to be angry while blushing more furiously than a teenager on their first day of sex ed.

„Well, Lucile the Dryad. Why did you come over here? I mean, you’re nice to look at, but you don’t strike me as the kind of woman who wants to be oogled at like some piece of meat in a tiger cage, even if it’s a shame. So out with it, what do you want from me? Or is it something you want from Vlad the Impaler over there? Or maybe this cutey?“, she asked, grabbing Vladimir’s companion and hugging him tight, shoving him towards Lucile.

Both Lucile and the man in her grasp didn’t seem to appreciate the antics. So, after a moment she let go of them. While she wasn’t about to apologize she was curious what Lucile wanted. True, she had some ideas, but she couldn’t know for sure. And she didn’t want the lovely woman to leave before her curiosity was satiated.

„I wanted to ask what you were talking about earlier, with the Council letting you go and being unable to stop you and all that. But I’m not sure if I want to continue talking to you, you scandal on two legs“, Lucile said, huffing derisively.

„Scandal on two legs, I like it. Not as harsh as the other things I know, but it has this no-nonsense vibe. I dig it“, Scythe looked genuinely pleased, which confused Lucile even more. „Anyways, Vlad baby, you mind me talking about all my little misadventures or are there things I should not talk about?“

Vladimir gave her a pained smile, „I can’t forbid you talking about it, however maybe, uhm… turn it down a bit? Your story is quite… extreme.“

„Damn betcha it is!“, Grunt agreed, pumping a fist in the air, and the rest of the group followed suit.

Lucile looked at all of them a little lost, before her gaze returned to Scythe.

„Well… Where to even start. Okay, maybe I should start at the beginning“, Scythe began, settling herself in just as the drinks arrived.

She took a sip and her eyebrows rose up, „Damn. This is good. I actually feel that.“

During her talk with Vladimir and Lucile her friends had gotten the same drink, and they too seemed surprised.

„Anyways. It all started way back in 2019. Was on my way to school when I was just whisked away into the magic lands. That day, Rin Savart died.“