Saiyan

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

"Eek!"

"!!!" Zell's soul damn-near jumped out of his body. He almost fell over.

"Zell."

"Christ Almighty, woman, I'm having a heart attack," He shook his head in shock as he gripped his chest, back against the column. "How the hell did you... can you teleport!?"

In the end, he laughed. It was funny. But he was now acutely aware that MacKensie did in fact make zero noise when moving around. He even recalled previous moments in their time in this world. She was like some super assassin. He recovered his original position, leaning his shoulder against the column and folding his arms. "Got it done, eh," he said to her. "Gold contract. Wasn't easy, but we got weeks of adventurer work done in four days. Source Comm, here we come."

When she posted up on the opposite side of the column, he smiled. Two badasses, yin and yang, looking into the night, talking through a wall. It was kinda cool. "What are you doing out here? You should be resting your injuries."

"I should," he had to concede. Stab wound in the abdomen. Nasty bubbling scar developing on the shoulder, from the ghost blade that nearly cut his arm off. A rest would tie him over until he could pay a visit to that Tiefling, 'Ms Devil Doctor' from Valhiem's magic hospital. Oh how proudly he would show off being back so soon. Take it slow, she said. He grinned to himself. I'm Zell fucking Brooks. Take it slow, like fuck I will. But back to the current conversation. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired."

They traded a couple of short stories about how they got their injuries. Zell complimented her on her tenacity. And, he suddenly remembered, "Holy shit, doll. Back in that library. I was busy dealing with my own particular brand of pain-in-the-arse. But I clearly remember seeing you burst from a wall of fire like a god-damn phoenix, machine gunning down bad guys in mid air." Zell let out a breath, shaking his head as he stared sightlessly into the dark. "It was glorious - Serving them that 'MacFlurry.' If I wasn't avoiding getting my head chopped off, I would've given you a standing ovation."

A comfortable silence fell on them for a minute.

"How are you feeling?"

Zell guessed she was talking more than injuries now. Perhaps the emotional weight of the job. Maybe just general morale. Or anything bothering him? Didn't matter. Zell would answer the same way to her as to anyone in the group... except maybe James.

"Bloody fantastic, sweetheart," he replied casually. "I'm having so much fun. Just saved a bunch of towns from a demon-thingy. The Heroes from the Sky are at it again." He grinned. "This is a damn sight better than being at Uni, studying Psychology and..."

Managing a miniature drug empire.

"...roll call for football training." That was a close one. God help his chances of securing this drinks date they'd been flirting with if Ms Stiff-as-a-Plank found out he was selling everything under the sun at City, London University. "To be honest, MacKensie - and this is gonna sound pretty mad - but I'm over the whole 'getting hit by a bus' thing. Truly. I'm a pretty simple guy. Adaptable. And I'm here now, dealing with it. And I can live with that.

Especially with you around."

He let that last sentence marinate. So far, it had all been banter between them. A bit of honesty from him was past it's due date. "I still want answers though. Ending up in this weird world was no accident. And I've got a fair few questions for whoever has the answers."

On top the tiredness, pain made him check his injuries. James had done a great job, but blood still stained his bandages, and there was no magic cure for soreness, it seemed. He really did need to lie down. Like, now.

"Thanks too," he admitted. "For blowing up at me on the temple roof, this afternoon. With great power comes great responsibility. Sounds pretty damn cringe, but it's true." The cringe was worse than the actual physical pain. "Being a hero ain't half bad. I'll try and take a little bit more seriously." And of course, he couldn't help himself and added, "A teeeeeny little bit."

"How about you doll? You doing alright?" he asked, trying to stop his voice from softening - failing a little at the end, but back to a strong and cocky tone as he continued. "You manage to stop overthinking that problem of yours?"

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Any combination of Barracker+Fenna or Barracker+Mac =

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Adam and Zell passed eachother in the entrance hall, the Druid coming in as the Fighter was going out. Upon seeing the younger man, Zell smiled. Not his usual one-sided grin. Not a cocky smirk. Simply a tired and warm smile for his friend. They didn't stop to talk - talking one on one wasn't something Adam and Zell did often - but as their paths crossed, Zell reached across the man to give him a pat on the opposite-side shoulder. And then one went further inside, while the other went outside.

Upon hitting that crisp night air, Zell took a big whiff, letting out a "Whew!" to exhale, forcing some energy. As tired as he was, he was not ready to sleep just yet. Not that he was scared of sleeping. Never that. Of course not. Zell wasn't scared of anything. Ha! Zell? Scared? Don't be ridiculous.

He took a slow strolling pace, looking at the stars as he made his way to the edge of the plateau, where the steps down Temple Hill began. There, he stopped, got off the path a little and posted up against a stone column, arms folded, looking out onto the view of Northern Central Mytheria's silouette.

"Fucking hell," Zell said aloud, feeling the ache of his wounds through James' bandages and 'first aid stuff.' "If that's a Gold Tier contract, I dread to think what lurks in this world."

True as that might be, what was important is that they had indeed completed a Gold Contract, which meant that Second Chance's party classification would make one big leap from 'Brand new Bronze Tier Registrar' straight to 'Silver Tier with access to the Source Comm' in just a single, relatively quick mission. And that meant answers. Zell was sure of it. It was one thing that he, Fenna and MacKensie were instinctively certain of.

~~~~"There's a message in your Source Comm. But you've only just registered so how...?" Even the Adventurer's Guildmaster was confused.~~~~

Not surprising really, Zell thought. Fucking ANYTHING related to people from another planet is bound to confuse the shit out of anyone.

Still, that message. A message left for them. By a sender who surely had answers as to why they were here.

Zell sighed loudly, continuing to stare sightlessly into the dark. He would have to sleep soon. But not just yet.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Had to bring this back for ma boi

Clive the Legend: Song entered into RPGuild Poetry Comp 1 year ago. The Theme of the comp was the number 10

There once lived a warrior named Clive,
On the field, left no man alive,
It'd take ten men together,
With ten brains so clever,
Ten arms holding ten swords to survive.

The strength of ten boars in his fists,
Ten to the power ten maidens he's kissed,
Aura ten feet tall,
Creatures all great and small,
Praise the legend, the myth that exists!

CLIIIIIVE the farmer! ClIIIIVE the farmer!
Ten insults could never besmirch him!
CLIIIIIVE the farmer! CLIIIIIVE the farmer!
Ten women took ten years to birth him!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zapdosoh sure, you disagree with me about the purposeful creation, style and direction of MY character lmao cool story bro

You've done a good job with him. He's the party do-gooder type. James is kinda that too, but with some extra layers and a crazy side. But Adam is strictly, reliably, consistently, plainly Mr Morality. Every party needs one of those.

That scene was funny af. Adam and Zell carrying Second Chance's rep rn lesgooo!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosA very engaging side character lol I'll take it

You have better self control than I do then lol

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosDon't worry about Zell, I've got him covered. Everything about the sword was appraised by Gildor Hammerfist. It's all going to plan. Zell is just pissed, that's all lol he doesn't need too many powers, he's a side character. He can fight, that's all that's really necessary

Druid convenience fs lol Adam has had a million powers from the start if you really think about it. Dude can grow any tree in his imagination in seconds. And he is like Magneto for hippies, on top of that. Holy shit, if I had Adam smh lol I'd be creating fortnite launch pads, transforming into a bear in mid-air wearing wooden boxing gloves and being orbited by flaming branches

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZoolNot in the same boat exactly. I built a 'Side character type' for this RP and I intend to play him just like that lol n anyway, I have my sights set on cool magical items to boost Zell up :DDD

It's funny you should mention that you're having trouble. I had an idea for cool-ass ability but I threw it out because I thought it might outshine MacKensie's magical gauntlet. However, if you need something of an upgrade that could tie into MacKensie's gauntlet from another world, connected to her soul etc... well, do I have an idea for you missy

DM incoming

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Zell appreciated the patching up from his friend.

"Be gentle with me, fair knight," he said in a voice like a pure maiden on her wedding night.

Aside from the crass humour, Zell watched his bud do his medical magic with care and precision. That scowl James always wore might fool some, but never Zell. James was as nice a hearted individual as they come. Afterwards, he gave the Cleric a fist-bump and thanked him, then walked to the lecturn at the head of the chamber to collect his sword, giving a nod of comradery to anyone he made eye-contact with.

"And so the dashing rogue pulled the sword from the stone and became king of the Demon World," he muttered, then freed his sword, wiped it clean with his sleeve, then sheathed it.

Seeing that others were out dealing with the former cultists, Zell, always one to shirk duties, slunk off to go find some food. He was sure Barracker had mentioned there'd be a kitchen somewhere in this joint. As luck would have it, he found the scullery quite quickly and started rifling through the cupboards for some good food. As he did so, he thought about fact that their Source Crystal's had glowed again, meaning they were all ascended to new power-levels. No doubt that meant that everyone would get fancy new magic and moves. Everyone except him. Seemed he had no affinity for magic whatsoever. His one and only special move, his teleport, was deemed by Lucy Bottrill as not even a magical spell. She said, 'Oh, you errr, you just do it,' he seemed to remember.

<sniffle sniffle>

"?" Zell grunted and looked around. He was sure he heard something, but he was more concerned with wallowing in his own self-pity.

And finding food.

One cupboard, two cupboards. Rice. Would take too much effort to cook. Oooh, an apple. <Chomp>

Zell thought about his teleport and 'applied magical energy.' He looked through the data of the ability. Hm, he thought pleasantly. It's improved. He could use it more times per day and he now could also expend 2 of his teleports to create what could only be described as, an After-image?' Well, it didn't matter what it was called. Zell wasn't smart, but he was certainly cunning and creative. It would prove useful.

<sniffle sniffle... cough>

Alright, now that was definitely someone. Zell went to investigate, lamenting the fact that he'd recieved no special magic except a mild boost to his already-existing ability. He went into the room adjacent to find a young man, sat on the floor in the corner of the room, crying. Judging by his cultist robes, it didn't take a genius to figure out that here was a man dealing with the sudden weight of guilt and: Let's call it 'Post-Cut Clarity.'

Zell's mind could be ruthlessly disgusting at times.

"Hey," Zell said casually, causing the man to jump out of his skin. He gave the man a chance to eye his gear and realise who and what he was, then continued. "Get up and come with me." The man clearly felt he had no choice, probably fearing that his time for judgement had come. Into the kitchen they went, then Zell gave him a very serious look. "Make me a sandwich." The former cultist was bewildered. Zell went and sat at a table. "And whatever you know how to cook. I could eat a fucking horse, right now."

...

With a full mouth, Zell proceeded to explain a few things to the man who sat opposite him. First he asked the man his name and about his crimes, finding out that Draco Smitt had taken part in two raids and murdered several people in the process. They were from a neighbouring town and he did not know their families, but he did know other people in that town. Draco himself came from Cherrad. The young man was wracked with guilt, and probably needed to be on suicide-watch, in all honesty. Zell kept his face dispassionate, even though inside he was so twisted with a mixture of sympathy and disgust for the man in front of him. It was a difficult situation. Complex, to say the least. But sterness was what this young man needed, right now.

"Look me in the eyes, Draco." The young man did as he was told. Zell pushed his empty plate aside. "Repeat after me: I, Draco Smitt, am a man."

"I... Draco Smitt<whimper> am a man."

"And I am responsible for my own actions and my own destiny." Draco repeated. "And on my honour." Repeated. "I will spend my life atoning for my sins." Repeated. Zell got louder and rose to his feet. "Stand up. Because that's what men of honour do!" Draco was perfectly compliant, even down to the volume of his voice. "I can only beg those families for forgiveness." Repeated. "BUT IT MEANS NOTHING IF I CANNOT FORGIVE MYSELF FIRST!" That was when Draco stuttered. "SAY IT, DAMMIT!"

"It means nothing if I cannot forgive myself first," Draco said, tears streaming from his eyes.

Zell stayed stern. "As a man of honour I !WILL! forgive myself of my transgressions. And then before going anywhere else, I will walk my ass to that town and face my crimes." Repeated. "I will go and beg for forgiveness and I will accept whatever the response I get." Repeated. Zell moved aside the table as he went to meet Draco, eye-to-eye, damn-near nose-to-nose. If looks could kill, Zell's wide-eyed stare would've stopped Draco's heart. "And then I will pledge my life to atone for my sins." Repeated. "I will pledge to provide whatever I can for the families I maimed, for as long as it takes for them to recover." Repeated. "Because I am a man of honour." Repeated. "And only then will I go home and give myself the rest I deserve." Repeated. "Because I am worthy of rest and forgiveness." Repeated. "And I am a man of honour."

Draco was crying, but everytime he slouched, Zell made him straighten his back. Everytime he stalled, Zell intimidated him into continuing. The adventurer knew that it would take a lot to just wash away someone's guilt and hatred. But any good sportsman knows that words speak louder than thoughts, just like actions speak louder than words. Visualisation and Chants were key to mental strength. And sports logic was all Zell had for the poor bastard.

"Now make me another sandwich and think about what you're going to say when you face those families. And whatever you do... remember that you are a man of honour who will dedicate to atonement no matter what. Alright?"

"Yes sir."

...

Draco left the temple shortly after Zell was suitably fed. He skipped his home village of Cherrad entirely, marching off in the direction of the town he'd raided twice, constantly trying to walk tall and strong, and carry his heavy weight of guilt as a burden his honour and strength welcomed.

As for Zell, he no longer cared about Draco. He'd damn-near forgotten about the guy, after falling asleep briefly at the dinner table, awaking to yet another nightmare that confirmed an awful realisation...

Sleep would never be restful. Not for the forseeable future.

Not as long as he carried this uber-fucking-powerful sword on his back.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

got covid
weekend boring
gonna post