<Tokito pov>

Tokito stuttered dumbfounded being asked such a question.

“Why do you want to be in a team with me?” I asked back. “Being that you’re the leader of your current party, I don’t think your teammates would appreciate you leaving to partner with a total stranger.”

A few minutes later Belace answered my query, “… I got to be real with ya Tokito. I wasn’t even suppose to be part o’ the CCC. Although those chic’s call me leader the guild appointed me to only be a temporary teacher for their quest completion. But weird things kept happening during quest and after staying with them for a couple of months I was requested to become part of them. Honestly, Raymos was originally to be the leader of the group, but guild code orders whoever has the highest individual ranking within a party is automatically appointed leadership. At that time of teaching them, I was a B while everyone else was a D or lower.”

…. That was a long roundabout way of saying ‘I was appointed babysitter.’ Is it just me or do old ladies like to talk. “Doesn’t that mean you can’t resign since you’re their teacher?”

“Child, those rascals don’t need me no more. It’s been three years now and though they make a few foolish decisions those youngins have their heads in the right place. Besides it’s about time for me to move on and be a teacher again and from the skills you showed me you obviously need one.” Belace said with enthusiasm.

“What do you mean? I thought you said my skills were fine for surviving.”

“Just to gather food and such yes, but lad, from the sparing we did I could tell in a glance that whoever taught you to fight barely did enough. With those skills, if you fought against anything over D rank you’d be lucky to survive. And I’m guessing I be right from the new headwear you’ve been sporting since we left the dungeon.”Belace stops and looks me dead in the eyes. I heard sincerity as she asks, “So what say you? Do you want to be in a team with me?”

 The question wasn’t peculiar, it wasn’t odd in any way shape or form, but it stumped me into a stupor. A part of me wanted to agree on the spot for any instructions that could aid me in a fight. But another part of me knew that if we became comrades, I’d have to divulge secrets that I’m not ready to give up yet.

I consider Belaces question. Determination beam from my eyes as I answered her, “If you’re serious about forming a team with me then I have a few conditions. 1. I don’t mind you being my teacher, but you’re not to order me to do things I’m uncomfortable with. 2. I won’t become an adventurer as I am forbidden from entering anything larger than a village. 3. If at any time you try to force me to open up about myself then we’ll split there and then.” I stop as I poked at the fire to keep it going. Letting my circumstances sink in I add.

“…. If these conditions are too much, then I’ll forget our conversation ever happened.”

Disconcerted for a bit Belace smiles nodding in agreement to my rules.  “I can’t promise too much about the first one. As an instructor it’s my obligation to put you in uncomfortable situations that you’ll need to solve for yourself. As for the other conditions you don’t need to be an adventurer to be my fighting partner and I certainly won’t go digging where I ain’t wanted. But I hope one day you’ll at least trust me enough to take off that crazy mask. Until then, I’m willing to wait.” Belace stands up, finished cleaning her gun and whip, and she eats a kabob then prepares to leave. Bidding me farewell she says she has to talk with her chics and that she’ll be back in the morn’.

After Belace left my line of sight Berry pops up right where she sat moments before.

“…Such a coincidence you pop up like a mole when certain events have already transpired or do you have a skill that allows you to steer clear of trouble?” I asked sarcastically sitting up to eat my now chard meat kabob. But as soon as the words left my mouth Berry shuffles side to side like he was guiltily of something.

“Wait seriously! There’s a skill that allows you to evade problems and you haven’t taught me! You know the troubles I could’ve avoided if I had that!” I gave Berry a piece of my mind from late evening till the witching hour.

 

……..

<3^rd pov>

A few hours later Belace arrives at the Tabernacle. She finds her chics in the corner of the dining area drinking in merriment. Raymos, Pragmeme, Lila, and Gilbert greet her as she walks to their table. Taking a seat she orders herself a drink and prepares herself for the heart ache she’s about to bring.

This is gonna hurt them worse than it will me, but its time these kids walk their own path. Hopefully one day they’ll forgive me…. Well here goes.

“I’m separating from the party kids. So Raymos you’re now the leader of the CCC. Do it well.  ”Belace states.

Everyone dropped their cups digesting the joyless news befalling them. Belace sips her fruit beer to cool down from the heartbreaking announcement only to take a huge swig a second later when she witnesses the shocked expressions of her chic- no full grown chicketys. 

The happy revelry of the inn is disrupted when Raymos slams his fist hard against their table nearly cracking it in half yelling, “What for?!” startling the nearby customers from their seats. Not meaning to drive anyone away he quickly sits back down and in a low voice beseeches, “Our most recent mistake might’ve been upsetting, but not enough for you to do this!”

“Exactly right Ray!” Lila butted in, “Statically speaking we’ve caused worse dilemmas and disputes that overshadows what we have done any day.  And yet this last error of action chases you to depart from us?!" A small tear falls as Lila whispers pleadingly. "No! I can’t believe it.” 

Pragmeme who’s been silent the entire time beats it from the table out of the Tabernacle.

Gilbert fetches back Pragmeme as Belace rubs Lila’s shoulders consoling her for the last time.

Once everyone quieted down Belace spoke her mind, “Although ya’ll blunders are headache inducing they’ve never truly hurt anyone. Besides ya’ll recognize I’m doing this not because of what happened recently, but for what you’ve accomplished over the years of questing together. I’ll always love and appreciate all the beautiful memories of adventuring done together, but the times come for this mother hen to leave the nest.” Belace grins mournfully. Then like a Band-Aid quickly ripped off her next words pushes the group to the edge.  “Right after this quest is done a new chapter of hunting and missions will begin for all of you, I just won’t be part of it.”

Pragmeme stayed silent, Lila cried, and during the entire speech Raymos drank gallons of Mozel wine drowning his grey fur in a yellow citric concoction as specks of it spills through his fangs.

Oh deary me! I didn’t think they’d act like this. But they had to see at some point I’d have to leave them. Forgive me ya’ll, but.... there's someone else that needs a teacher now.

Although Pragmeme shows a tough front at the end she’s still a pixie and all pixies are unable hide their emotions for long. Saddened Pragmemes skin turns denim blue as she despairingly asks, “What will I ever do without you?! You’ve treated me like family when even my own parents didn’t care enough to send me off when I joined the CCC! And now you’re abandoning me! Why?!” Pragmeme anguishes. Fury and resentment bubbles from her inner depths, but she couldn’t bring herself to curse the very person closest to being a grandmother to her, so she does the next best thing.

Pragmeme points at Belace then bawls “You know what?! Go! Go and never come back! We don’t need you and we should’ve never made you part of this team!” Pragmeme storms off to the party’s room. Lila rises from her seat to join her, but Raymos and Glibert stayed drinking their wine watching fixedly at Belaces face in anticipating a ‘ hahaha’  displaying that she was joking.

Their dreams were dashed as Belace stood from her seat and neither of the boys uttered another peep. Walking to the inn door Belace noticed the room that was supposed to be full of joyful customers now vacant. The surrounding carefree festivities died off long ago.

I’m sorry little chics, but now I seen I’ve done you worse. Letting you see me as more than a teacher was my fault. Don’t worry though. Unless it’s a state of emergency or need of cooperation I won’t show my face to ya’ll again.

 

Belace walks past the tarp door.

*****

<Tokito pov>

Belace came back the next morning as promised but her past cheery mood was nowhere to be seen. Other than occasional creature attack we trained or traveled without a word said between us. 

A day passes by as I, Belace, the CCC, Stozo, and regular fox  beast guards escorts the caravan to its next destination. During this time only Gilbert would approach Belace to speak briefly while the rest of the CCC glared at me like I kicked their baby.

 Meanwhile, Amahte hasn’t come to bother me about fulfilling the wishes. Though I should be happy the stalker hasn’t revealed himself his lack of appearance makes me all the more worried. Since last night passed it feels like somebody placed weights in my stomach causing my endurance to lower significantly. My appetite also worsened, it became difficult to eat even the plainest food and the little I do consume is thrown up soon after. Belace and my tamed can’t make heads or tails of what’s going on, but encourages me in any way they can to keep my strength up. Calamity seems to know the reason I’m feeling sick, but will only hint ‘You need to fulfill the agreement soon.’

What’s worse is that Belace had to smell my stench since she sat right behind me on Berry’s back. Apparently her mount had to be confiscated since it was originally bought by the CCC, so she has to ride with me the entire trip.

 It’s the second day since the dungeon incident, the tent city's packed leaving early morning as planned, none the wiser of what has occurred right under their nose. The caravan finally stopped to allow their mounts a rest after traveling to late evening. Belace dismounts from Berry’s back and says, “Let’s get to learnin’ Tokito. ” Then hands me her whip, “unless of course, you want to learn some mana skills.”

  I don’t want to rely too much on mana in case I have to fight against magic resistant enemies, so I obviously pointed to the whip.

“Alrighty then, we’re doing this differently since you didn’t understand the demonstration the night before.”Belace said reassuringly.

Belace stands me straight, keeping my arms at the forefront, and has me slightly tighten my grip on the handle. Slowly relocating behind me she strongly holds my hand that’s gripping the whip then brings its braided body behind our backs. When the end of the whip touches the ground Belace flicks forward our wrist causing a crack sound to echo in the air. Suddenly nostalgia of my past hits me. Memories flash of when my dad taught me to fish for the first time almost bringing a smile to my face, but the feeling doesn’t last long.

“Focus Toki-”

 Growling stops her instruction as Sila’s roar could be heard throughout the camp, “Raiders are coming from main road. Everybody ready for battle!”

Belace releases me from her grip then unfastening her gun jumps unto Berry’s back shifting into battle position. Loading her gun with bullets she shouts, “Boy, I’ll give you cover fire. Take point, but stay close to guard the main camp. GO!” Nodding I head towards the direction of the invaders, but heard Belace scream one last thing to me.

“And use that darn whip!”

I raised my hand clenching the whip in acknowledgement.

Running past half pitched tents, adults scramble attempting to pull out any weapons to defend themselves and the few that don’t are collecting their loved ones to run in case of failure.

Seeing the crisis brewing I wondered how I got in this mess. Damn it! I signed up to fight monsters and beast, not freaking thieves!

Anger. Sadness. Emptiness. These feelings fuel my emotions as I run out of camp to battle an adversary I hoped to never face.

…..

<Belace>

Belace wits spin in a tizzy. Phlantos fury! Why did it have to be raiders?! That boy aint ready for real monsters, much less these goons. And worse the sun dimming is throwing my aim off.

 I tap Berry’s back to get his attention, “Hey golden guy. Make sure to keep those marauders off me, so I can keep those no gooders off Tokito’s fanny.”

The golden hiphon bobs his head nearly knocking my balance off. “Wow big guy! Don’t be all wobbly me about now when I’m shooting. Otherwise I might hit an ally.”

Right as I said those words a war cry rings out. The battle has begun. I mush Berry to move forward getting us flanked by guards and the battle field. The CCC and Stozo are already engaging the war mongrels wearing purple and black leather armor.

Gobsmackels! There’s about half an army worth of bandits here! Were these guys waiting to ambush us and got impatient? How’d they even know where to intercept us?!

 I aim my gun concentrating my eyes on the boy. Scoping Tokitos surroundings, I almost thought he was another person entirely as I noticed chaos energy saturating him entering my whip. The whip embroiled with a chaosmic hue writhes like a snake showering unsuspecting victims with its poisonous bite. Tokito dances a twirling tornado bulldozing men and women out of the way while disarming all who were in the range of the whip. The strange thing though is that he seems to be going in a straight line heading to where the enemy came from. And any baddy who got in his way either became blinded by a lashing or if they ended up too close got knocked out when he chopped them in the throat. But he didn’t chase after the goons that got past him and kept moving forward.

Damn it Tokito your disobeying orders! Where in Kanos are you heading to lad?!

Distracted by watching Tokito whale furious ass whoopin’ I almost neglected the safety of the merchants. A cry for help shouted not too far away from my position past the camp ground line. One of the raiders managed to charge past the perimeter of camp setting their sights on a defenseless half fox boy. No chance of the camp guards making it in time since they’re too busy protecting the line, so I aim at the raiders head and fired. However, because of the light of the sun settin’ I was only able to blow the goons arm off. Blood splattered as chunks of meat and bone spews on the fox boy wetting his clothes and scaring him to the point of fainting. The raider falls to the ground screaming holding the sinews of his arm, but quickly scrambles to lay right next to the kid. Even with the loss of his arm the raider doesn’t give up. Instead taking off a purple sash from his waist he stuffs it into the wound then stands up. Fast as lightening, with his remaining arm the raider picks up the fox boy carrying the kid on his shoulder and blocking any chance for me to take another shot without harming the kid.

“Gosh Darn it.”

I sheath my gun onto my back plunging off Berry to madly dash after the kidnapper. Zipping past beast folk and jumping over fallen tents I sense a presences about to cut off my path. I draw my knife then flip high feeling the weight on my hand as my knife cuts blood from the air as I spin.

These raiders are wearing cloaking armor! How prepared are these guys, but most importantly why are they attacking this caravan?!  There has to be a reason these guys are raiding these folk. But this caravan shouldn’t be carrying anything that valuable they need this much preparation to deal with us.

I split open the waist and necks of these scoundrels attempting to block my way. Unfortunately, I manage to somehow lose my knife in their intestines, probably cause my grip became soaked in the body fluid showers of these bastards fowl red streams. No way I’ll be able to find the knife in this mess, I continue to chase after the kidnapper, but he’s gained a lot of ground and I can hardly tell him from the throng of other pedestrians as he nears the camps edge. Quickly realizing I won’t be able to rescue the fox boy at the rate I was running I unsheathed my gun intending to put holes in the guys’ leg. Getting as close as I could, I stopped in the middle of fallen field of tents drowned out the fleeing and panicked. The noise, the rancid smell, and sights of everyone disappeared.  All that I knew was my target who was getting further away from me. I pulled the trigger.

……..

<Tokito pov>

Using Calamity as a compass I head in the direction of the enemy leader. I’ve already past half of the invading raiders and I think they’re finally noticing where I’m going to as most stop heading to the camp to try tackling me. My whip, too fast for the eye to see, easily swipes them away with a flood of strikes. If not for the screams of those who I blinded in passing bringing me back to reality, I almost thought at one point I was in the middle of a thunder storm from how the air cracked every few seconds. A few marauders try grabbing me only to let go as the chaos energy either scalds or freezes their hand from their feeble attempt at stalling my movements.

Without warning Calamity nearly makes me lose concentration yelling, ‘Tokito why are you not killing these thieves?!”

I continue my wallops razing through the ranks of raiders.  ‘Why should I kill them? All I need to do is get the leader to signal a surrender to get these guys under control. ’

‘Even if the enemy leader is caught the chances are low for these people to surrender. These thieves are more likely to retreat in the hopes at getting another shot of ambushing the caravan, so it’s best to put many of them down now instead of later.’ Calamity points out.

I don’t have time to respond as I've reach the other end of the raiders as the sun disappears under the horizon no longer lighting the grass field in its golden rays. The moon lights now shines my path as I come face to face with the raiders’ boss and what appears to be 4 specially gun equipped henchmen. The boss is dressed in a long purple buttoned overcoat and a black cowboy hat dons their head to his neck not allowing any of his face to be seen.

Wha-! Did I just walk into a Wild West movie set? I mean seriously, first all these raiders wearing leather hoedown clothes and then their boss looks like the bad guy that squares off against the sheriff in the last moments of the movie. All that’s needed now is a tumble weed to cross between us with that weird showdown music.

Then the unexpected happened. A squeaky scratchy Lolita voice spoke from the boss, “Well, well, well. Look who the cat dragged in.” Obviously mocking my attire, “How’d a big kitten like you get past my men? Not only that, but your all on your lonesome. Come now , you can't get here with little to no harm just because.”

I shrugged giving no indication otherwise of why or how I was here.

The boss continued on, “The silent type I see. What’s wrong? Tigon got your tongue?” The henchmen laugh at the terrible joke as they pointed their guns at me. The boss raises their hand to signal. “Doesn’t really matter if you answer me. It’s past your bedtime anyway, but don’t worry, my men will gladly tuck you in… hehehe…. with a blanket of metal.” 

We all stare at each other waiting for someone to make the first move as I roll up my whip. Then it hits me.

 And I just came to realize I’m very under equipped for this scenario! Fuck! Why do these guys even have guns and I had to bring a freaking whip?! This is worse than the ‘you brought a knife to a gun fight.’ At least I still have my other weapons in my space, but I don’t have enough time- 

One of the guards couldn’t wait anymore fires. Without realizing it my whip is unfurled batting back a rain of bullets. Dancing a tornado of slicing half the bullets and deflecting the rest I become unable to move forward or back.

 The ballet of ricocheting bullets goes on for quite a few minutes with neither of us making progress in wounding the other. Fucking hell! How many bullets do these guys have?! At this rate I’ll tire before they run out!

Swiftly I use [Ice breath] then [Fire breath] and like a ballerina spinning and twirling, the two air temperatures collide creating a foggy mist that envelops all who are within twenty feet of me. The henchmen curse as what little visibility they had from the moons rays was smothered by my actions. Immediately using [camouflage] and [hide] my very presence seems to disappear into vapor. With [hide] allowing me to stay blended in the background and move faster while silencing my foot steps, I stealthily walk from the scene. Like a chameleon blending in the foggy darkness of the night the raiders unable to detect me, stop shooting fearing they would hit their own men.

 The purple coated figure yells, “Jozlitma’s Tits! Where’d the boy go?!”

 The henchmen yell, “We don’t know boss,”

“Well find h-” The boss stops abruptly, a sharp object could be felt nicking their chin.

I undid my invisibility then said to the boss, “Put arms up. Call off the raid!”

The boss slowly raised their hands and the henchmen hearing my voice shifts around to see me. The henchmen find to their astonishment I had sneaked past them to capture their boss with my Rambo under their neck. Holding the boss hostage I stare them down, “lay down your arms.” However, the henchmen don’t lower their guns though.

“You idiotic kitten! Think just because you caught me you’ve won.” The cloak figure laughs maniacally, “You’ve another thing coming if you think I’m that easy.”

They snip their fingers causing something on their wrist to sparkle. A flash bang goes off blinding me. Momentarily sightless and deaf I’m head butted by the Lolita sound jerk.  I fall backwards nearly blacking out from the head trauma. The coated figure spins to kick my chest but my [fast reflexes] manage to react on time, getting me to duck. I stab at his leg, but miss as he manages to shift his weight to kick down on my head.  Then hopping away on one leg the boss takes a long blade from his sleeve forcing me to enter an engagement of slashing blows.

Freaking crap.  Lack of nutrition and getting my head hit twice is making me dizzy and lose balance. At this rate I’m going to pass out before I can do anything.

‘Calamity I’m running on fumes of adrenaline here. Any advice would be helpful!’ I pleaded as both me and the boss duke it out in a contest of strength.

‘I can’t help you Tokito. Also releasing your tame from your space will only get them killed at this close range of the gunners. But don’t worry I can sense the adventures and mercenaries coming this way. Your only chance is to last until help arrives.’ Calamity answers worriedly.

With the gunners trying to get a shot in every minute they can, I’m barely dodging and keeping up with the cloaked figure from slicing off my limbs. But my fatigue is starting to hamper my movement as my stamina and endurance continues to decrease.

Can’t … last….any… longer….

About to fall, the cloaked figure is about cut into my shoulder, but gunfire not from the henchmen, clips his sword breaking it. The boss quickly sidesteps out of the line of the unknown assailants hailing bullets, but still tries finish me off with what was left of his blade. However, in the time it takes to blink a saber comes into my sight blocking the cloaked figures broken blade.

“Just got here in the nick of time”, Stozo says as he clashes blades. “you okay kid?”

I nod, but swoon unsteadily right after. Within my regained hazy eyesight I see Pragmeme jumping onto the scene as well, her legs on fire kicking at the henchmen.

“Barbarian, you’re not dead yet? Pragmeme yells. “What a pity.”

“Oh don’t be like that princess” the boss says as he flicks away Stozo, “More company means more fun!”

A henchmen defending against Pragmemes kicks yells, “But boss, that also mean more work!” A henchmen seeking out whoever returned gunfire adds on “Yeah boss! The targets here anyway! Why don’t we just leave?!”

“Ahhh! Your no fun!” the boss kicks away Stozo and throws a shiny object at me. Stozo seeing what was thrown quickly leaps over grabbing my shirt and pulling me away from whatever it is as it explodes.  The boss turns to Pragmeme still unaware that she is surrounded. “Fine!” The cloaked figure as fast as a bullet appears behind Pragmeme knocking her unconscious with a swift hard chop to the back of the neck then grabbing her before she falls to the ground. “Sorry for the discourteous treatment princess, but there’s no more time for games.” Retrieving a pocket watch from their inner coat the boss yells, “Time to go home boys.” Then pressing the crown of the watch the cloaked figure holding an unconscious Pragmeme and his henchmen slowly becomes dust as if disintegrating.

The raiders, one by one, disappeared as well. Unfortunately, there were a few raiders left behind terribly wounded.

Confused, hungry, dizzy, there was nothing I could do but faint in the embrace of a stunned Stozo.

……

Hmm? What’s this odd coldness on my chest? I open my eyes to see a cream colored roof? I’m in a bed? Promptly sitting up pushing off a fluffy blanket I quickly check to see if I’m still wearing my mask.

Phew! My mask is still on. Of course that doesn’t mean anything these days. Someone could’ve simply taken it off and put it back on without me knowing….. But since no one’s here badgering me for wishes I’ll have to take the gander no one knows yet.

 Rolling my eyes, I perceive I’m in a tent and its mid-morning from the indication of light shining in through the flap door. Then the cold sensation I had earlier intensified.

‘Looks like someone finally decided to wake up.’ Calamity says unfeelingly. ‘Like a fool, who you’ve been asleep since last night. Don’t worry though, you haven’t missed much. After those goons used a transport timepiece to escape, everyone’s been capturing the raiders who didn’t make the cut to be brought back.’

Hearing that piece of news I charge out of bed and tent to find Belace. She should be devastated right now since she just lost an old teammate. I hope she’s not panicking, her old heart might not be able to take it. Traveling around the camp I discover people running around bandaging up the wounded and kids crying for someone to comfort them. Soon I spot Belace, Sila, and three members of the CCC in a heated discussion in front of bounded up wounded raiders in what remains of the bloodied grassplain.

Before I am able to approach them to see what’s going on Stozo out of nowhere pops up in front of me. “Whoa kid. I didn’t think you’d be up for quite awhile, but I’m glad to see your fine.” Both of us look over at the heated discussion turn for the worse. “But I don’t think it’s a good time to interrupt those 5 right now. That wolf and old timer especially. They’re about to chew off chief Sila’s head and I’m having trouble just keeping them from actually doing it.” Stozo sighs in distress.

I asked, “Why argue?”

Stozo stares at me gloomily answers, “What happened last night hit the team hard with Pragmeme being snatched right in front of them. They want to take their anger out on the prisoners by using the idea of calling it interrogation. But Sila doesn’t want to hurt anymore than they’ve been. Not for any good intention of course. If their injuries take too long to heal then their value to sell as crime slaves lowers.”

My eyes open wide, appalled at the fact slavery actually existed here. Stozo notices my silence is bewildered about my reaction.

“What’s wrong kid? You never heard of crime sla-… Oh wait… it’s because we’re not simply finishing them off, right? From what I’ve read of Lila’s notes you guys usually kill bandits immediately or beat them harshly and take their weapons. Then you leave them far from civilization to fend for themselves, because of something about survival of the fittest I think she said.” Stozo ponders something no longer continuing the practical on sided conversation

Now staring at the prisoners I begin speculating about my race and the culture I should be adhering to.  What the hell?! The race I chose really is barbaric. I’m all for punishing thieves and bandits but-

“Hey partners, come here for a sec! We need some opinions!” Belace yells breaking up my thoughts.

Scared we’d be a victim of harsh judgments from the CCC, I and Stozo walk over hesitantly.  

Sila ignores our nervousness ask, “We need some help in considering what we should do with some of the prisoners. All have injuries and majority of them are so heavily wounded it’s difficult for our healers to keep them alive. And using our own supply of potions would be a wasted since only extremely high potions can grow back limbs. Plus even if we were able to heal them we don’t have enough food to feed them all and they’d need a lot of nourishment after being healed from their wounds. So any opinions on what is to be done with them would help.”