Jackson and Edward were waiting outside a bar, as humans weren’t allowed inside. Luna said she had a contact in there, and they weren’t going to argue with her. Just in case, Jackson had his eyes strengthened, and was watching her through the wall. She was talking with some rather large and powerful people. Edward, who lacked the skill, was pacing back and forth. He was red in the face and seemed worried.

“That’s not helping.”

“But what if something happens? What if they saw us with her? What if they think she’s a traitor? What if she’s attacked in there? We’d never know, she could need us right now! Oh god, master we should go in!”

“She’s just talking to some people. Geez, you just met this gal.”

“But, how could you know that? What if she’s in trouble!”

“Hey, dumbass, I can use magic remember. I know what’s going on inside.”

“Really master? That’s amazing! How, what the incantation? Is it tied in with your golden eye, or maybe the green one?”

“Shut up! I’m trying to concentrate.”

Jackson lied, trying to get Edward to close his mouth. The magic on his sight took almost no mana and needed little concentration. In fact, it was one of the easiest forms of magic that Jackson knew. However, going into any detail might lead to more questions and Jackson just wanted to end his association with Edward and Luna as fast as possible. Less they knew about each other, the better. Luna started to leave the bar.

“I got a location.”

“That was easy. What’s the catch?”

“Catch? What catch?”

“It’s never this easy. There always something. All the jobs I’ve done, this has been true.”

“Jobs? You mean you’re an adventure?”

“Here’s my card. And, I’m serious! What the catch? Are they on ship in the middle of the ocean? In some noble’s mansion? Guarded by an army of Wurms or a Dragon?”

“No, there in a warehouse by the docks. It is trafficking of slaves, captured by our own people! I will not forgive them!”

“And, you were just given this information? This seems fishy.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Nope.”

“I trust you!”

“Shut up lover boy! When things go south, as they always do, how do I know you won’t stab me in the back? Either of you!”

“You can trust me master! I would never betray you! There is so much I wish to learn, and, and…”

“You just need a little faith human.”

“I do have faith, in myself. Going in blind, and without all the facts has costed me a lot. Never again!”

“So serious. Listen, I told my contact I was trying to learn about an abduction of beast folk. He told me to check the docks, and then explained what was going on. Happy?”

Jackson growled at her but sighed knowing this would not help. For now, he simply needed her to lead the way.

“Let’s get a move on.”

The dock was on the west side of town. The waves were kept under control by a long buoy system acting as a gate while the large cargo and war ships gently floated. There were no real shops, but a few places were set up to be moving food carts to grab the hungry sailors who pulled in. Early, simple cranes littered the docks, some in use, to help with cargo and supplies. Finally, large wooden and brick buildings acted as warehouses just a few yards away from the wooden dock. Jackson was examining the warehouses, checking for everything and everything with his magic.

“Why are we waiting? I told you the building was number 166.”

“I’m looking for that catch I asked about earlier.”

“There isn’t always a catch. Come on, the longer we wait, the more harm those monsters can do!”

“Rushing in has never done anyone any good. You will thank me later.”

“Sure, I will. Paranoid much. What could possibly be waiting for us?”

“A dragon.”

“A dragon in the middle of the capital? Are you an idiot. Where would something like that even hide?”

“I’m triple checking because last time I didn’t, I had to fight a dragon. It’s not something I ever want to do again.”

“You fought a dragon? Sure, and I bet you fought the Berserker as well.”

“Yep.”

Luna shook her head, rubbing her forehead. To her, this all felt like a waste of time. She had never left the capital, not on her own, never done a job of her own choosing, and lacked the experience Jackson got from getting his hands dirty and seeing the world. It was tearing her patience a part waiting to act.

“Meat shield come on. This is taking too long! When we save the people, we’ll let them know how you were going to help but got stuck over examining.”

“Maybe we should…”

“Come on idiot, let’s get a move on.”

Jackson just laughed at them, his enhanced eyes noticing something.

Luna and Edward moved in the shadows, drawing closer to 166. Several times they stopped each other, preventing them from being discovered by the guards. The building was almost dead center, slightly more beat up and weathered then the ones around it. Luna approached the back door, almost rushing to it. Edward, who was adapt with magic, was trying to sense if any were in use while keeping up with Luna. Luna smashed the door handle, laughing as it hit the floor with a low bang. She signaled for Edward to follow, and they carefully entered the warehouse. The inside only had the four exterior walls, but large piles of boxes and shipping crates blocked much of the room. The place was like a maze, but Luna’s contact had given her rough directions for navigating to the slaves.

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“Are you sure about this? Maybe we should get master.”

“Coward, we are so close to the prize, don’t lose heart.”

“If you say so.”

The pair came to a large crate, and Luna could see the beast folk chained up inside it. There were also humans in the same cage, looking just as miserable. Luna looked to Edward in surprise, he just shrugged his shoulder and they went to open the cage.

“Why are there humans here? I thought they were barred from entering your city?”

“They are. I don’t know, does it really matter? Let’s get them free and figure out the details later.”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I can’t take this any longer.”

A man jumped down from the stacks of crates behind Luna and Edward. He was laughing at the sight of them, and soon the small path was filling with several large and touch looking men. The first to jump down was human, though he could have pasted for a giant. He was intimidating, loaming at over six feet in height. His hair was cut short and was a copper color. His eyes were hazel, and he had an old scar running across his nose. He was dressed in light plate mail with a sword on his side.

“You guys are really stupid. Like we didn’t see amateurs like you coming a mile away. Some guy in a bar tells you were to find illegal slaves, and instead of calling for the guard, you charge in here trying to be heroes? Wow, I mean wow. How stupid are you people? Hey, boys how much do you think a little snow leopard will go for? Better question, what about a republic hero?”

“Like we’ll fall to you!”

“Maybe we should, what’s it called, tactical retreat?”

“Don’t show fear in front of the enemy!”

“That’s not fear little girl, that what we call intelligence. Careful boys, he’s still a hero, no telling what he can do!”

The large group started to slowly walk forwards. Greedy grins spread across their faces. Luna readied her bow, while Edward grabbed one of his pre-done magic circles. The circle was on a metal medallion hung around his neck, with a red gem in the center.

“By the will of the Salamander, burn all my enemies!”

A small flaming lizard appeared and started to slither in the air. It charged at the group slowly in closing on the pair, lighting several on fire. This was short lived as the mages on the other side started to chant, and a moment later the lizard was destroyed by large shards of ice and streams of water. Edward grabbed another medallion, made of copper with a green gem. They weren’t going to let him cast another spell. Two men, each armed with axes, broke from the line and swung at Edward. He rolled back, avoiding the attacks.

Luna aimed her bow, slowly taking steps back. She opened fire, and the arrow went through one of the thug’s right eye socket. He dropped to the floor as a pool of blood leaked from him. She readied another shot and aiming for the leader. She released the string, smiling. That smile was quickly removed as the arrow was caught by the leader, who broke it a moment later. The two with axes turned on her, swinging in unison from either side. Luna ducked back and took aim again. The slavers just laughed.

“Give up kids. It’s clear you’re out classed. Think about it this way, maybe the same owner will buy you both. Doubtful, but you never know.”

“I’ll never give up!”

“Running away isn’t giving up.”

“Shut up you spineless little human.”

“Well that was just mean.”

“Not now!”

“Wow man, you got it rough. Maybe selling you away from this little girl will be a blessing.”

Edward didn’t respond, feeling anything he said next would embarrass Luna. Mostly because the only retorts that came to mind were about how he’d never leave her side. His face turned bright red, which irritated Luna anyway.

“If we can break their line, we might be able to change the tide in our favor.”

“Okay, how? There’s only two of us.”

“How powerful magic can you use?”

“Very. I got the perfect spell. I’ll need about five minutes!”

Luna just looked at him, resisting the urge to strike him. There was no way she could buy him five minutes to do a chant, let alone be allowed to.

“Don’t you have a faster one?”

“That’s the fastest powerful spell I know. The others take eight to ten minutes.”

The slavers were in tears from laughing. They weren’t taking the fight seriously anymore, assuming the one loss was his own stupidity. That didn’t mean they wouldn’t use it as an excuse to charge double for Luna. Luna was bright red with anger, wishing desperately to have had anyone else with her. The leader waved his hand, telling his men to end it. They slowly approached the pair. They easily blocked the few attacks sent at them, locking their eyes on their prize. Then, they stopped, their eyes went wide, and a cold sweat dripped down their faces. The leader noticed, and he turned a bright red in anger. While they were distracted by the pair of would be heroes, the slaves had all escaped.

“So, you two were just a distraction. And here I thought you were just morons!”

“Distractions?”

Luna turned around, and then looked around in surprise. Edward noticed as well, and a look of curiosity covered his face. They had been fighting in front of the cage this whole time, yet no one noticed a thing until now.

“If it wasn’t you two, then who was it?”

“Me.”

Jackson jumped down from the grates above. He cracked his neck, looking over the group of slavers with cold eyes.

“What did you do?”

“A simple illusion. I’m amazed it worked; you guys didn’t notice a thing. And, I got a good laugh. This has been a good day. So, um… who are you?”

“I am the most feared adventure on the west side! I am Lock Jaw, the destroyer!”

“Lock Jaw, Lock Jaw, Lock Jaw. Oh, I know you, there’s a bounty on your head. If I remember correctly, its rather large. You see kids, when an adventure goes rogue, the guild likes to clean out its trash. So, they put a large and nice reward on the rogue. I think yours was about 5,000 gold, which is a nice bit of change.”

“An adventure huh? Well, you must have heard my stories. I have defeated armies of monsters, cleared dozens of dungeons, and faced off with the southern drakes!”

“And, you’re only 5,000 gold. You are the lowest ranked rogue. The only reason no one come after is you’re not worth the trouble. How pathetic.”

“And who are you? Some up start I bet! I bet you never even seen the battlefield. You just some kid, acting high and mighty while the adults clean up your messes.”

“Hold my cape.”

Jackson popped the buckle, allowing his cape to fall. He then grabbed it with his right arm and tossed it to Edward. Some of the thugs laughed, while others retreated. Jackson knew his eyes were cold, and unforgiving silencing the few fools who thought him a joke. He pointed to his left side and said one word.

“Berserker!”

“Shit! Kill him!”

A single snap echoed, followed by an explosion. The left flank was destroyed by the blast, fried bodies rained from the sky for a moment. Jackson leaned back, avoiding the axe wielders. Compared to what he’d been fighting, they were moving in slow motion. It was just like the bandits, and the people in the ally, Jackson was just too used to fighting over powered monsters. He drew his dagger, and with a single motion slit both the Axe men’s neck. The blood hadn’t even hit the floor when Jackson moved to fight Lock Jaw. Lock Jaw drew his sword, blocking Jackson’s attack.

The pair eyed each other, breathing gently. They had both fought on the battlefield, both overcome powerful opponents, and both understood a foolish move would cost them their lives. Jackson might have talked big, but he was staring down a high-ranking adventure, someone who could give most heroes a run for their money.

“Cut!”

A large cut ripped through the plate mail, and some blood spilled out of the metal. Lock Jaw didn’t seem to notice and charged. His blade swung down with speed impossible for a normal human. Jackson recognized it as the same magic he’d first learn, body strengthening. Not to be out done, Jackson pushed his magic up, causing more mana to flow throughout his body. His dagger stopped the heavy sword of Lock Jaw, digging in slightly. He then copied the Berserker’s favorite move and landed a powerful kick on Lock Jaw’s stomach. The rogue went flying and struck the grates behind him. Full of anger, Lock Jaw jumped back into the fray, and the pair locked blades once again.

“Shatter!”

The plate mail fell into thousands of pieces at Jackson’s order. Lock Jaw face grew even redder, looking almost like he was about to burst. With his anger, his sword skill dropped. Jackson could read his moves easily. Lock Jaw swung wide. Jackson ducked under the attack and moved at his highest speed as he ran his blade though Lock Jaw’s bloody chest. He then carved up, aiming for his neck. The resulting attack painted much of the floor red. Lock Jaw laid dead at Jackson’s feet. He then looked to the remaining slavers and smiled as he put his dagger away.

“Shred!”

On his word, the last of the slavers fell to the floor in piles of body parts. Jackson swung his cape back around his body, and once more did up the buckle.

“So cool!”

“What the fuck just happened?”

“Come on, the slaves are waiting outside. Oh, guess what? Did you know Luna that beast men pay a pretty penny for a human slave? They were shipping them in from the Kingdom and the Republic, and from what I can tell were making a lot of money. But of course beast men are nothing like humans!”

Jackson bent down and removed Lock Jaw head with a single word, then put it in a bag. He then led the way to the slaves before bidding them farewell. Jackson only hope was to have as little interaction with the pair as he could. Little did he know that they would make his life much harder over the next few days.