The tour rolled on, and Lynx, all fired up as usual, shared the epic tale of how Raven, their badass leader, had taken down the castle when it was in the clutches of a messy bunch of brutal orcs. Lynx's storytelling painted a picture of Raven, rolling solo, armed with nothing but his smarts and battle skills, sneaking into the castle walls under the cover of darkness.

"Raven knew going head-to-head with the orcs was basically a death wish. He's got this supercharged Very Unique Skill, but it's a real energy hog," Lynx said, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. "So, he decided to wipe them out in one fell swoop. He played the surprise card and used his tactical know-how to blend in and kick off chaos in their ranks. One minute they're all feasting, the next, their world's turned upside down."

With deadly precision, Raven exploited the orcs' weaknesses, sowing discord and confusion. He was like a shadow, striking quickly and disappearing before they could even think of retaliating. With this strategy, he didn't even need to draw his Negakinesis; a simple blade was enough to dismantle the orc army. The culmination of his master plan was the ascent of the Vision Tower, the tallest tower in the castle, over a mile high, from which any enemy could be seen from oceans away. It was the place where the orc chieftain had set up his headquarters.

"Just picture Raven, standing in front of the Vision Tower, while the orcs inside are rushing down to prep for their final stand," Lynx kept going, with the gang, including Marshmallow, totally hooked on the story. "With a single move, Raven finally unleashed his Negakinesis, and the door blew apart in a blast of pure energy, leaving the orcs defenseless."

As Lynx spun the saga of Raven, Dam couldn't hold back his hype. "Man, those orcs had no clue who they were messing with! Raven on his own is like a whole army."

Samantheye, with a raised eyebrow, jumped in before Lynx could get a word in. "Orcs are no joke, tough and resilient. Raven's game plan must've been top-notch."

"Exactly!" Lynx agreed, nodding at Samantheye. "The orcs' brute force is nothing compared to Raven's strategic genius."

The Goat Horse, totally drawn into the story, tossed out a question, "But Lynx, how did he not freak out with fear? He was taking on an army solo!"

Before Lynx could chip in, Dam jumped into the convo with a shout, "Ah, but come on, when you've got a Very Unique Skill like his, what's really gonna scare you?"

While Lynx chuckled, Samantheye dropped a wisdom bomb that echoed off the ancient castle walls. "The real deal isn't about the skills, but the guts of the person wielding them. Raven's not just skilled; he's got a fearless heart driving every move."

Dam, unable to hold back, let out a loud raspberry. "Courage? Come on, sometimes it's all about having the right skill at the right moment!"

Samantheye turned to him, her expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Maybe, but without the guts to use those skills, even the most awesome talent goes to waste."

As Lynx was about to play peacemaker, Dam wasn't ready to back down. "Courage, huh? Raven just got lucky, that's all. If any of those orcs had half a brain..."

"Lucky?" Samantheye cut in, her voice tinged with challenge. "Luck favors the bold, not those who watch from the sidelines. Remember, Raven took on an army solo."

Dam was about to clap back, but Marshmallow stepped in, aiming to lighten the mood. "Maybe luck played a part, but without courage, he'd just be another notch in orc history. Raven changed that story's course."

Seizing the break Marshmallow created, Lynx jumped in to cut off the brewing squabble and cool things down. "Guys, guys, let's not get lost in this debate. Whether it was luck, courage, skill, or a mix of all three, Raven pulled off something epic. That's why we can now call this place home. Let's focus on that, okay?"

Dam grumbled something that sounded like a reluctant agreement as he slung his arms behind his head and swayed his tails. Samantheye nodded in response, valuing the wisdom in Lynx and Marshmallow's words, and Marshmallow offered a peace-making smile.

"Great, then follow me!" Lynx said, diving back into her role as the enthusiastic guide. "Let's hit the tavern to grab a bite. After that, we're off to the main hall. Raven and Parabellum are expecting us."

At the mention of a tavern stop, Dam's eyes lit up, and a satisfied grin spread across his face. "Finally," he burst out, rubbing his hands together in sheer anticipation. "Time for some well-deserved chill."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As the group neared the tavern, the vibe got more chill. Lynx swung the door open with a flourish, beckoning everyone in with a "Behold, the Victorious Warrior's Tavern!" The tavern, with its dim lighting and rustic decor, had this welcoming, homey feel.

Settled around a large wooden table, Dam didn't waste any time. "Alright, who's up for the first round?" he asked, eyeing his mates with a sly grin.

Samantheye, sitting upright and poised, watched the scene unfold with a hint of reluctance. "Just remember not to overdo it," she cautioned, shooting a meaningful look at Dam. "We've still got an important meeting after this."

Dam lifted his already filled glass as if toasting to Samantheye's words, but with a chuckle that suggested he had other plans. "A quick stop never hurt anyone!"

Marshmallow, amused by the group dynamics, got swept up in the lively atmosphere while keeping a watchful eye on Dam's antics. It wasn't long before the general cheerfulness gave way to jokes and laughter, with Dam, as expected, beginning to show the first signs of high spirits.

The Goat Horse, for his part, contented himself with what looked like a glass of grass juice, observing the scene with an almost zen-like calm.

However, Dam's enthusiasm seemed boundless, and as the drinks kept coming, his voice grew louder, and his jokes more daring. "Hey, Lynx, you sure it's not you A Ranks that are the exaggerated ones?" he quipped, sparking a round of laughter.

Lynx, getting into the spirit of the moment, responded with a laugh. "Maybe you're onto something, Dam. In this castle, everything is exaggerated, including our tales and, apparently, your drinking!"

Things in the Victorious Warrior's Tavern went south way faster than anyone could've guessed. Dam, way past the point of moderation, was belting out tavern tunes at the top of his lungs, occasionally trying to drag others into his one-man party, who alternated between embarrassed smiles and worried glances.

"Dam, maybe it's time to call it," Marshmallow chimed in, trying to soothe his buddy, who was now dangerously teetering on his chair with one too many drinks in hand.

But Dam wasn't having any of it, too caught up in his own little bash. "Come on, Marsh, when do we ever get to cut loose like this? Another round for everyone!" he bellowed, trying to flag down the barkeep.

Samantheye shook her head, clearly stressed about the looming meet-up with Raven and Parabellum. "We don't have time for another round, Dam. We gotta go," she pressed, hoping to appeal to her friend's better judgment.

Lynx, realizing things were quickly getting out of hand, stepped up to Dam. "You've been a riot, Dam, but we really need to get moving. Raven's waiting, and you don't want to tick him off, right?" she tried to coax him with a calm, rational tone.

In the end, seeing no way to snap Dam out of it, the group decided to let him crash in a quiet room of the tavern, hoping a few hours of sleep might do him some good. "We'll take care of him, don't you worry," the barkeep assured them with an understanding smile.

With a mix of reluctance and urgency, Marshmallow, Samantheye, Lynx, and Goat Horse hurried towards the main hall, acutely aware they were already late. As they sped through the corridors of the Overblown Castle, the shadow of their tardiness loomed ominously ahead of them.

***

Lynx slowed her pace as they neared the main hall, and just outside, she cast an uncertain glance at the others. "Here we are," she murmured tensely. "Let's just hope Raven's in a good mood." After a moment's hesitation, she knocked on the door with a sense of purpose.

Stepping into the main hall was like entering another realm. Vast open spaces unfolded before them, with towering columns reaching up to a distant ceiling, almost as if challenging the sky itself. In this setting, two figures dominated the scene: Raven, the leader of the Wyolander, whose natural charisma seemed to ease the atmosphere.

And then there was Parabellum, a man whose aura of nobility was tangible even from afar. His lean figure immediately drew the eye, and his cold gaze felt like it could peer into your soul, no matter who you were. Dressed with a blend of military practicality and aristocratic splendor, he held his head high, the very image of someone at the pinnacle of power.

Next to Parabellum, almost hidden by his imposing presence, a smaller figure clutched an enigmatic scepter as if it were the key to untold secrets. It was unclear who this person was, but their position next to someone as prominent as Parabellum suggested a significant role within the Wyolander hierarchy.

"We apologize for being late," Marshmallow started, his voice barely above a whisper, and Parabellum, though in a restrained manner, showed a hint of annoyance as he eyed the newly arrived group.

"In this castle, punctuality is not just a virtue but a duty," he began, his voice carrying the tone of authority typical of someone used to being listened to and obeyed. "We expect every Wyolander, without exception, to conduct themselves with the integrity befitting our heritage. We do not allow frivolous distractions to undermine our discipline."

His gaze then settled on Marshmallow, more penetrating and intense than ever. "However, I will let it pass this time. I am aware of the attractions that the Overblown Castle has to offer. Jolly Rank, we finally have you with us, your reputation precedes you. I hope that your actions here reflect the greatness that has been attributed to you," he said, his tone as cold as iron yet as refined as only a true noble could muster.

Marshmallow nodded. "I'll do my best to meet the expectations," he replied, trying to keep up a confident front.

Raven stepped in, aiming to lighten the mood. "I'm sure Marshmallow will prove his worth, as he always has."

Parabellum offered a smile. "Indeed, time will be our judge," he said, turning away from the group with a graceful, measured motion. "Let's just make sure it's not time wasted."

What's with this guy? Why's he got to be all passive-aggressive with me?