After Jackson had calmed down, he strapped the false leg to the stump and went for a walk to clear his head. His head was buzzing, and he couldn’t make sense of the dream. It felt so real. The phantom pains had returned, and it was like he’d lost his left side all over again. He wondered why after being saved by the Berserker once, and fending it off twice, did it still scare him. He wondered what the burden was like, and he wondered if he’d ever get to ask Barbara the questions that floated in his mind. The idea of raising cattle came back to him. He could be a farmer, end his days as an adventure and settle down with Gypsy and Barbara just outside of town. He thought he could be happy living a simple life, even if a war broke out. Jackson began to wonder about that supposed war. He heard nothing of it on the winds, or on the rumor mills. It wouldn’t surprise him if the war was a lie to get the heroes on the Kingdom’s side, as an ace in the hole.

“I’ll talk to them later. See what they think of being farmers.”

The sun was rising by the time Jackson returned to the Madame’s, and they were setting up for the day. The Madame was over at the counter reading a letter sent to her carefully. A rather young boy was waiting with his arms behind his back, looking at each girl carefully then averting his gaze if any looked back. He looked so pure and young with his chestnut hair and hazel eyes. Julia pulled out some parchment and began to write a hurried letter while the boy blushed at the sight of Scarlet and some of the younger girls. Jackson wanted to get him out as fast as possible, as the younger girl weren’t the only ones eyeing him. Jackson could see some of the vultures circling above, one licking her lips as the boy tried to hide his nervousness. Luckily, Madame Julia finished her letter with a short signature, and passed it back to the boy to be delivered.

“Make haste boy, that is very important.”

“Yes ‘a’am!”

The boy took off running, like the devil was chasing him. Jackson moved over to her and took a seat by the Madame. She was resting her head, looking stressed but still gave him a warm smile.

“Trouble?”

“Maybe. The Beast-men are summoning some of our better girls. Something going on in the west, storms brewing boy. Heroes hunting the Berserker, movement from all the corners, summoning in each country and worst of all, no one is talking. It was like this last time, right before the last great war broke out. Might have to move shop soon, somewhere more in land. Places like Border town become war zones really fast, no money to be made if you’re dead.”

“Is it really that bad?”

“Maybe. I can’t say for sure; I wasn’t in this business back then. The last war happened while I was still an adventure. Worst decision I ever made was joining that mercenary group all those years ago. Dear, make sure you’re ready to travel in a few days, understand. I need some strong people looking out for them.”

“Yes ma’am. I’ll tell the others once they wake.”

“Good lad. You remind me a lot of John, must have been why he helped you.”

Jackson didn’t know how to respond to that, John the Blacksmith not being known for his chivalry. Instead he just smiled, hoping that would suffice. The Madame didn’t say anything to the contrary, so he guested he was fine. Time passed, and the red skies of sun rise turned to bright blue.

“There you are!”

Angela screamed at him from the second floor, still in her nightgown. Her hair was a mess, her face red with rage, and her eyes closed to almost slits. Gypsy moved next to her, giving Jackson a deadly smile. Barbara joined them a moment later, she looked clueless, but Jackson felt a cold sweat run down his face. She seemed somehow more dangerous.

“Dear, you might be too much like John.”

“Yeah, maybe a little too much like him. What did he do in cases like this?”

“John? Back entrance is that way, I hope you know what they like.”

“Thank you!”

“Don’t you dare try to run away!”

Angela leaped from the second story, landing with grace. She blushed slightly, remembering what she was wearing. Gypsy, who had more sense went down the stairs, dragging Barbara with her whom planned to mimic Angela.

“How dare you disappear! I was worried when I woke up and you had vanished!”

“I just needed to clear my head. And why does it even matter?”

“It matters because you vanished again.”

“And you left us with her!”

“Gypsy, you’re mad to?”

“Honey, why would I be mad? It not like I was woken up by a hysterical woman. Not like I had a sword to my throat for the second, and then third time since last night. It not like you left me with… Barbara undefended! What happened dear, have a bad dream?”

“Yeah.”

Jackson answered honestly, his voice dropping slightly. The phantom pain returned with a vengeance as he thought about that dream. He could still see the sword bursting from his chest and feel the heat it created. A look of pain must have overcome Jackson’s face, as Gypsy’s expression softened, and Barbara gripped his arm. She laid her head on his right side, resting her eyes.

“Let me get this straight. You had a bad dream and expect that to excuse abandoning me in bed? I am not letting you out of my sight again, do you understand!”

“Wait, what? Hold up. Why does that even matter, you hate me!”

“I did hate you. What am I saying? I still hate you. I however don’t want to experience a classmate’s death again. So come back with us.”

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“No.”

“In that case, I’m not leaving your side, and you aren’t leaving my sight! Do I make myself clear?”

“What make you…”

“Do I make myself clear?”

“What about Joseph? I’m not travelling with him!”

“Joseph doesn’t go losing an arm and leg before picking up girls. I trust him.”

“That’s not really what happened…”

“I am staying by your side unless you agree to come back to the Kingdom.”

“I’m not going back.”

“Then I’m staying by your side.”

“Do what you want. Madame I need a drink.”

“Have some Dragon’s Blood, careful, it might knock you out.”

“Funny.”

Jackson took the pint she poured for him and downed it in one go. Unlike the rest of the heroes, Jackson wasn’t new to alcohol. His aunt would give him some at the end of the day if the training sessions got a little too violent, which happened almost daily. She did so simply to help numb the pain before handing him a first aid kit and telling him not to bleed on the carpet. Jackson would laugh at that statement before taking his time to patch himself up. The Dragon’s Blood was strong, but it’d take at least two before he collapsed. For now he just enjoyed the relaxation it created.

“Well that was… um… a thing.”

Kevin said, walking over to the group. He gave Angela a devilish smile, showing all his sleazy teeth as Jackson grabbed something a lot lighter. Angela covered herself and returned to the room to get dressed. The other two followed as Kevin took a seat next to Jackson. That smile didn’t leave his face.

“So, you and Angela huh. Wow, of all the people to think you stole one of Joseph’s cheerleaders.”

“Didn’t steal anyone.”

“Sure, she was just pissed that you left her in bed. Yeah, I was there from the start. You know I used to have those type of dreams about her.”

“Okay man, I really don’t care. What do you want?”

“One to talk with your new girlfriend, and secondly to enjoy myself. Tell me, what’s it like to be a harem king?”

“Harem king? I don’t have a harem.”

“I count three.”

“Angela’s just stalking me. It not a… no it not… no way… oh god! I need more Dragon’s Blood.”

Kevin laughed as Jackson held his face. He hadn’t even thought about it. Sure, he was in a relationship with Gypsy, and Barbara was a thing, but it didn’t click until Kevin brought it up. Jackson had very few fears, and one was harems. Jackson had found light novels, and web novels, Manga and Anime and enjoyed them. He used to get mad at protagonist that happened to get all the girls on the show, which made no sense to him. He also over analyzed the concept of Harems. He come to the conclusion that a true Harem like in a show would result in one’s imminent death. Now, Jackson could see his death flag flying high. The question was which would kill him. Barbara seemed the most likely, communicating through violence was easier for her. Gypsy didn’t seem to mind other girls, and thought of Jackson more of a plaything, at least from his perspective, so she was least likely. Angela hated him and was a hero. However, she didn’t want to see him die again, and that one thought both scared Jackson and brought soles.

“Could you make sure I get a proper burial.”

“The killer is scared, wow. Don’t worry man, I’ll make sure you are buried with honor.”

“I guess it will be a double burial. How did the girls take Joseph’s?”

“Oh, you know?”

“The whole place knows. Gypsy wouldn’t shut up about what Lilim did, and Lilim been smiling in her corner a little too brightly, telling the other girls about his holy sword.”

“Yeah, the girls don’t know yet. Me and Franklin are keeping it a secret, and Joseph staying quiet for now. Want your own tomb stone, or shared one?”

“What, and have it say: Here lies the two morons.”

“I was thinking: Here lies the two kings, they lived as many men dreamed!”

The two classmates laughed. They never really interacted; Kevin being scared of the rumors. However in another world, with different rules and many experiences under their belts, both boys had changed into young men. The old world didn’t seem to matter, and they could sit side by side, laughing about stupid things like old friends, with in jokes only they would know.

“What are you two laughing at?”

Angela’s cold voice called down to them. She was once more in her armor, and a scary expression was across her face. She used the stairs this time, glaring at the pair of them.

“Just guy things.”

Kevin said, the devilish smile growing across his face again.

“What do you want Kevin?”

“To tell you there is a change in plans. We’re being called off the Berserker for the time. Something’s going on out west with the beast men.”

“Don’t tell me, is it…”

“No. Much stranger. The queen is trying to create an alliance.”

“What’s strange about that?”

“What’s strange is she’s sent out marriage invitations to all heroes, princes, princesses, nobles and would be high ranked adventures. It gets funner, the invitations are for her daughter and heir to the beast kingdom’s throne. They’re gathering everyone in their capital in a about a week or so, travel time of course taken into account.”

“Isn’t that dangerous? I mean with war on the way, dragging everyone into their capital sound like a fast way to lose it. Also, it could be a trap, put everyone off their guard and drop something powerful on them.”

“Jackson, what the hell. Man, I thought the king was paranoid.”

“He has a point; this could go south in so many ways.”

“No matter how bad it might seem, we are asked to go. The Prince is going as well, with some of the younger knights. Princess is staying in the Kingdom, along with most of our classmates, though I did hear Ms. Jinx is coming. And in case you’re wondering, the Princess ripped up Joseph’s invitation personally. However, the king still wants him there just in case Jackson is right.”

“Well, I’m not leaving this idiot. He’d get himself killed if he continues as he is.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. However I am also heading out west.”

“What, you got an invitation to?”

“What? No, as a guard. The Madame got a request to send some of her girls that way.”

Angela let out a sigh of relief, then pondered what she was told. Gypsy and Barbara joined them a moment later, Gypsy wearing a much more modest dress than normal while Barbara continued to wear Jackson old green shirt over some leather armored pants. The two massive blades rested on her back. Jackson filled them in, Gypsy went to talk with the Madame while Barbara looked clueless.

“What the story with this one?”

Kevin asked, wondered how Jackson had built his harem.

“She dragged me off that battlefield, saving my life. I can’t get rid of her, so we travel together.”

Barbara was nodding her head, then stopped at the part about getting rid of her. She puffed out her back, looking dangerous as she tightly grabbed Jackson’s remaining arm. Her teeth sunk in, rooting her to him. Jackson held in his cries of pain, instead breathing heavily.

“It was a joke. Please release me.”

Barbara removed her teeth but tighten her grip as she glared at Angela.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

“Suddenly, that burial doesn’t feel like a joke.”

“Burial?”

Scarlet walked over, looking between the heroes, and Jackson and Barbara. Kevin blushed brightly at the sight of her, and Jackson wanted to face palm, but didn’t have an arm to do so with.

“Just a joke Scarlet. A very serious joke.”

Jackson gulped as he felt the air become electrified. Never had he felt so close to death, and so powerless. He would take the Dragon and the Berserker over his current situation.

“Hi, I’m the hero Kevin Haring. Your names Scarlet, right.”

“Yes master hero.”

“I talk with you two later. Scarlet, let go talk elsewhere.”

“Um, sure?”

Kevin started to lead the young girl away. Jackson watched them, doing his duty as guard. He couldn’t shake the new flag that seemed to have risen over them, and apart of him felt despair. His sort conversation with the Berserker came back to him. Once more he could see the blade striking through his chest, feel the burning and hear the words. He must have turned pale as both girls seemed concern, and Gypsy rushed to his side.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, just had a bad feeling.”