Saiyan

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

A data consultant.

Zell automatically wiped his eyebrow and forehead with one hard stroke of the heel of his palm. The lazy effort to rid himself of the blood only resolved to leave faded red streaks around his temple, but he didn't care as he was paying attention to the conversation. Now: Zell was not the brightest bulb in the box. He had no idea what the hell a data consultant was, but it sounded like nerd stuff (Adam voiced a somewhat similar train of thought.) And Alison may or may not have been a lot things - who could know, at this stage? - but one thing she definitely wasn't... was a fucking nerd. In addition to this hypothesis, the Englishman had seen, first hand, how slick she ran her team of Thieves' Guild agents, down in that tunnel. How they moved with military precision and timing, as a unit. How they responded to her words, her hand signals... how they looked at her. How she looked. Like she was in control of everything. Like she wasn't to be messed with.

Another trickle of blood made it's way from Zell's hairline to his eyebrow, in right about the same path as before.

A data consultant.

Zell would have to tease her about this at a later date. He smiled easily as Alison shook MacKensie, putting an arm on the back of the chair next to him as he relaxed, thinking how the two women with the attention of the table looked like 'Big Sis' and 'Lil Sis' right now. It was pretty funny. Nice to see too. Zell had a feeling already that Alison would fit in just fine with the group, should she choose to join Second Chance. And surely she would join? They had the same questions... and this world had the same answers, hiding in the same places.

One thing at a time, Zell told himself. Let's survive Saladin's showdown first.

"Cheers bruv," Zell said to Barracker as he recieved his drink, giving him a friendly pat on the back as the paladin sat down next to him.

"And so here I am..." Alison drew Zell's grinning face from Barracker back to her "...finally finding a piece to a very big puzzle." The rogue leaned in, eyes gleaming for the first time. "So tell me, do you have any more?"

Zell quietly cleared his throat and looked around to see if anyone else wanted to speak first. He wouldn't mind being the one to enlighten Alison on the situation, but would've preferred to let someone else, who hadn't already had the pleasure of conversing with the charismatic rogue over a drink, do the talking. Adam was the one to pipe up and Zell gave a couple of nods in confirmation of Adam's testimony before he took the opportunity to drain a little of his tankard.

As he was putting his flagon down, he knocked it lightly against Fenna's drink in salute, gave her a playful smirk and put eyes back on the conversation.

He was interested to see if Alison would unveil anything cool. Zell wasn't sure what Adam's orb did, nor James' holy symbol, but damn did Fenna's spear kick ass, and he was jealous as hell of MacKensie's gauntlet.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

bruh Alison's cool af

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Jay009

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THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Dumb. So dumb. But damn... did it feel good. To have an external opponent to fight once again, was a very nice sense of normality. To vent some frustration by punching someone, even if that someone was his friend, was extremely satisfying. Even the feeling of getting punched was nice, although Zell wouldn't be able to explain why. Zell looked at the paladin across from him with not just 'no hard feelings' but full-on gratitude for being the right person, at the right time, in the right place. Zell wasn't sure anyone else would have fit the bill and he felt closer than ever to the man, for doing him this solid.

“You hit like the very giants that created the Sibliconians.”

"A bloody good job too. It's like hitting a piece of iron, hitting you. Think I might've broken me hand."

Zell chuckled quietly. It was apparent in his speech that he'd busted his mouth open (probably Barracker's headbutt) and laughing any louder would have hurt too much. Additional injuries consisted of a split skull, courtesy of hitting his head on the corner of the drawers, when Barracker had damn-near put the Englishman through the fucking wall. A possible broken hand - it wasn't just banter when Zell attested to the toughness of Barracker's iron chin. Aside from being sore in different areas, that was about it. Truthfully, Zell knew he had got off lightly, picking a fight with Kass. The vampire probably could have destroyed him.

“I am not mad at you, only Baphomet."

"Yeah, same goes, mate," Zell interjected to agree.

"Only he deserves the blame for this mess.”

Zell nodded. Blood from the cut just above his hairline, had built up enough in his bed-head that a trickle came down to be caught by his eyebrow.

“You are cursed Zell, just like a hundred men before you. You do see it, don’t you?”

The nod of reply that followed, this time, was far more reluctant than the last. Zell's head lightly hit the wall behind him as his eyes went to the window. Maybe the vampire's stone gaze was too much for the moment. Maybe he was looking to the heavens, hoping they could hear him. "You know," he started. "In my world, when we say, 'I'm cursed' we're usually just decrying our bad luck. Fuck, if only. Who knew there'd be a world where being cursed means there's an actual Devil living in your head. Talk about 'Rent free.' I feel like I'm being slowly eroded to dust, bro. And there's nothing I can do."

Barracker assured him they would sort it and Zell assured him that he would cooperate. He also, not realising just how much the vampire knew, told Barracker that James had already put in hard work to help him and that he'd messed it all up by being insincere with his feelings. But he would be honest with both the paladin and his best friend, from now on.

Anything else they had to say was interrupted by a knock at the door and MacKensie popping her head in. Shit. And if anyone thought that things couldn't get any worse, more footsteps could be heard approaching and next was a Clive appearance.

"Well... if it isn't the two best-sounding accents in all Mytheria." Zell gave a guilty and nervous laugh as Clive folded his arms. It was clear by the faces of the Frenchwoman and American that quips weren't going to cut it. At the same time, Zell thought it bad enough that in addition to James, now Barracker was aware of what was going on. This was one too many already. Something told Zell that the more people who knew, the more unpredictable and problematic this situation would get. He just hoped that it was his gut telling him this, and not Baphomet. "It's nothing guys. Barracker and I are just screwing around and it got a bit out of hand." It was an obvious lie, but he hoped they would take it. "We're fine. Go on," he told them. "We'll be down in a sec."

Once they were gone, Zell took a breath and got to his feet. He waited for Barracker to be up, then they clasped forearms in Barracker's patented warrior's handshake, Zell pulling him in to pat him on the back. "Thanks for going along with that, mate," he said. "Everyone has enough on their plate, right now. After the battle, if everyone needs to know then, then fine. But let's just see about saving Valhiem before we go about tackling my problems, eh."

Going downstairs (and forgetting to clean himself up, therefore leaking a trickle of blood down his forehead and sporting a bloody, busted lip to boot) Zell said, "Hey," to everyone like nothing was remotely wrong at all. He spotted Alison come in but did not even look twice. He sat down like normal, then waited for MacKensie to introduce Alison to the group before doing anything, showing his acting skills by feigning his reaction to fit with everyone else.

"Zell Brooks. A pleasure." He offered Alison a one-sided grin and his hand to shake. "Any friend of Mac is a friend of mine." And if MacKensie had already revealed that Alison was also from their world: "Boy, do we have a lot to talk about."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Torture.

Just the few hours of sleep Zell got felt like days. Weeks. Baphomet was entrenched deep now. Zell had forgotten what a good dream was like, or even a dreamless sleep. Just like every night since he'd first said those fateful words... "Take Vor, Baphomet" ...Zell was in the unending void of impenetrable blackness. This time he was on his knees with the pain Baphomet had filled him with.

It's not real. It's not real.

This is what he repeatedly reminded himself of to try and help handle the pressure. It had worked that one time when Baphomet tried this tactic. But that last time, the illusion was of physical pain. Zell was better suited to dealing with that. Hard training on the football pitch. Gym. A fight or two, in his past. A fight or six since arriving in Mytheria. Zell could handle physical pain. But this was different.

This time, his heart and mind were filled to the brim with overwhelming sadness. An incredible amount. Zell didn't know it was possible to feel this level of sorrow. He didn't have the strength to stand. He wanted to cry. His face was contorted with unbearable emotional damage. The sadness came first. Then came the thoughts of his family. How his mother might never get over his passing. How his father might be glad that he was gone. How his sister might not give a shit. After that came everyone else he ever knew. How his relationships were all shallow and transactional. How his friend he grew up with might be better off without him because he'd now get on the straight n narrow - stop being convinced by Zell to do Zell's selfish bidding. Or maybe he would get himself killed trying to step into Zell's shoes at Uni. Then came Mytheria stuff.

"You'll never evolve," Baphomet told him.

"I... I can be better," Zell said weakly.

"We are not enough."

"We are not the same."

"You don't have that kind of heart. That kind of nature. Face it - a sabrecat never cannot change it's stripes. And your fellow party members know it. They just tolerate you. They know you're not like them. They know you're no good." He could no longer reply. All he could do was feel like he was being torn apart by sheer sadness. "She knows it. You'll never be good enough for her." Zell could not deny this even if he had the strength. "Do you think they will ever see or appreciate that you came back? That you had the chance to leave but didn't? They'll probably think that you just didn't want to risk going it alone. Or something else that serves yourself. Because that's what you do. That's all you've ever done. That's what you're built for. A self-serving machine - good at it too."

"Stop. Please."

Zell awoke to the sound of his bedroom door being knocked loudly. His heart was beating hard. His temples were soaked with tears that had forced their way through closed eyes and streamed down the side of his face as he lay unconcious on his back. He took the deepest breath, relieved that it was all over. But why the hell was someone banging down his door like police!?

He sat up and wiped his eyes and then his face, then shook his head of cobwebs, swung his legs off the bed and quickly put on his trousers. The moment he turned the door knob, Barracker came barging in and just unloaded a stream of abuse at him. Zell was thrown off, but quickly caught onto the fact that the paladin had figured him out. Figured everything out. Fear crept up from the back of his mind. The thought of an upset, vampire paladin was pretty damn scary. But there was also another emotion. Anger. A flicker of disquiet at the verbal attacks, the disrespect, the barging into his room...

It was this negative emotion - anger - that Baphomet took and multiplied dozens of times over.

Who the fuck does this guy think he is?

“...Sound familiar?…” Barracker shoved the book he was holding into Zell’s chest roughly. “...Baphomet!”.

That was it - all Zell could take. His jaw clenched with anger and, without thinking, he fired a straight right-hand. His punch clocked Barracker square on the nose, taking the vampire by surprise. It must have, for a surprise attack was probably the only way Zell could beat vampire-speed. As Barracker reeled back, Zell realised that he was in trouble. He didn't mean to lash out like that - to hit his own friend. Oh crap, he thought. But also along with that thought was rage and a bit of fear that if he didn't press his advantage, Barracker was going to kick the shit out of him. And so he charged the vampire, slamming his shoulder into chest and sending his friend flying into the door that slammed shut with the momentum.

Zell pressed his attack and threw hard hooks... "The fuck. Are you. Talking to!?" ...a combination of Ascension and Baphomet's power giving him the strength to hurt Barracker with every hit.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@AvaP

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THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I am back, I finally have a PC. But I'm so far behind I dunno how I'll make up for lost time. What has happened so far?

Edit: I'll step back if need be, considering you got new peeps. Sorry for being gone so long it took awhile to get a computer.

@Dark Cloud

lesgooo! wb bruv

<Snipped quote by AvaP>

Zell will be mad you're muscling in on his territory :P

@Zapdos

all good lol i got plenty of material for Zell so I concede all territory on that front to our new rogue

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

After his question, Zell and the woman who'd poured his drink locked eyes. Green versus blue - cold, bombadier blue eyes. Now that she'd pulled her mask down, Zell could see her properly. She was an older lady, maybe around Fenna's age, with a look about her that suggested cool confidence and control. Zell felt like his soul was pierced in the eternal silence that she left between them as he waited for her answer, but his own gaze was unwavering. Then she grinned and Zell decided instantly that he liked her.

"Because, Zell Brooks, like you I was given a... second chance." That threw him through a loop. Not the fact that she knew his name or his party - that much was a given for the leader of a crew like this, plus; it's not like Second Chance's name wasn't everywhere right now, not least because of his own rumour-spreading, storytelling and bar-room bragging. It was the implication of her words that hit him hardest.

She went on to tell her own story and more explicitly state that she was also from another world. Zell wanted to interject and call 'bullshit' but if she was lying then she deserved a damn Oscar for this performance. "...And then, Pete here gives me good info. Tells me about you, about your little group. Second Chance. Cute name. I like it."

..............Which one of us thought up that name, again? Zell thought. Deep in his mind, the image of a figure silouetted by shadow, struggled in their chains. And the shackles cracked audibly, threatening to buckle and break................

"Tells me that your infamous little band of heroes are actually like me, not from this world. That you are people who died and woke up in this, bizarre fairy tale of a world. Where undead roam the lands, wizards cast spells, and the very souls of people can be trapped in infinite time loops of despair and horror. What fun!"

"Fucking fun indeed," Zell agreed, ignoring her tone of sarcasm. "I'm having a right old time."

"But I wasn't having any," she finished, not quite feeling the same sentiment.

One of her crew objected, making Zell aware that this woman, whoever she was, had been through a lot to get to this point. There wasn't a question if he believed her or not. It was just crazy that there were more of them. Just how many folks had these Mytherians kidnapped from the universe next door!?

"...earlier today I finally got my first real piece of that puzzle." Alison sighed, thinking about the encounter. "I met that lovely French girl, Mackenzie..."

And there she was - that silouetted figured cloaked in shadow, in the back of Zell's mind... Baphomet growled in frustration as the darkness he'd worked so hard to put over her was banished and the shackles around her wrists shattered and splintered with the sound of broken glass. MacKensie Trydant. Outside of his mind and in the actual tavern with the crew of rogues, Zell's features softened at the sound of her name. MacKensie - the lion's share of the reason he could keep so grounded and sane in this insane world. He pictured her smile and laugh, the bittersweet mix of the euphoria of being around her and the guilt that he'd ever think of betraying his team.

He'd missed a little of what the rogue leader was saying but not too much and caught back onto the conversation quickly. "It seems Mackenzie's praise wasn't misplaced. She genuinely cares about all of you."

The Englishman nodded. "She has enough heart for the whole world, that girl."

"So unfortunately fur us lot, that damn blondie bewitched our boss ere with those cute laughs and honey words about yous and now we stuck in this town. Bastard you are, ya know that? Well meanin bastard, but yous a bastard right through." one of the crew said, throwing a friendly punch into Zell's shoulder.

Zell's trademark one-sided grin appeared. "You ain't wrong, mate. This hero-business doesn't come natural, I'll tell you that much."

Another of them gave a soft laugh and praised Zell's loyalty, reaffirming that the entire crew were very-much in the know of everything that was going on, including the stakes of it all, and actually testing him this whole time. Bloody spies, Zell thought not-unkindly. They're good, I'll give them that.

The leader nodded to them both before crossing her arms and staring back at Zell. "Well, there you have it buddy. Your answer. So the next question now has a much harder answer..."

"How do we save this ship from sinking?"

Zell let out a breath. "Christ, we're better off giving out swimming lessons," was his first comment. "Nah, fuck it, we stand tall and proud and fight to the last man. I've not had a chance to speak in-depth with Commander Thorn just yet, but I imagine his plan is to defend the walls, then fall back to choke-points in the streets , finally taking a small stand at Little Bridge, then retreating up the hill." He scratched the back of his head as he thought. He was getting a lot more used to all of the foriegn knowledge of melee combat and battle tactics that were growing in his head with every Ascension. "The walls of the city are trash for a defence, they've got nothing but a couple o' towers here n there, but the Citadel Mountain is pretty defensible. The enemy outnumber us 3 to 1, at least. And that's just the infantry. It gets worse when comparing cavalry and mages. And they have necromancers too, so we have to be even more careful about throwing away our forces on bad positions. If Commander Thorn is smart, we don't spend much time at each checkpoint. Hit n Run, and make our best stand on the mountain. Let the city burn."

On another subject. "I don't like this idea that the city officials think they can wait until the last minute to evacuate the city and bring the people up the mountain though. I know they're going for efficiency and conservation of rations for being trapped up top, but they're playing with fire. The civilians should'a been squeezed up there, like, yesterday."

Zell and the crew of rogues talked until the sun came up, eventually getting Alison's name and shaking her hand for a proper introduction. He found himself quite at home amongst Thieves Guild associates and was surprised that The Source didn't give him the Rogue Class instead of Fighter, but he guessed that it was to put his gym-bro background to good use. And it was like Olaf had said earlier; Zell was heavy and clumsy when it came to sneaking about, which was likely a huge set-back in the job role of a Rogue. Nevertheless, he liked the Alison's eclectic crew and got along with them swimmingly.

"Well, I better go get a few hours of sleep," Zell said, standing up. "I'll see you at lunchtime for 'our first meeting,'" he smiled at Alison. Of course, they would act like they'd never met, later today when MacKensie introduced Alison to the gang. "A pleasure working with you all. Always nice to be amongst professionals. See you around."

And with that, he left the Brass Monkey and made his way back to The Mended Drum, hoping that he could slip inside and get to bed without bumping into anyone and having to explain where he'd been all night.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

The midnight streets were empty. Quiet too, save for the explosions of the artillery fire hitting the barrier high above. Zell moved in step with the Ambassador, silent - his mind occupied with a straight-up tug of war between his selfish half and his selfless half. Not surprisingly, Mr Selfless had not exercised nearly as much as Mr Selfish, who was jacked as hell, but the skinny little twerp was making it a fight.

As they hit the crossroads of Beam Street North and Beam Street East, the Ambassador whispered for halt under the streetlight. Zell looked moodily at him, confused and rather peturbed that they would stop on the most illuminated spot in the bloody street. A moment later, a man could be seen approaching them. Zell inquired about what the hell was going on and got his answer. The Ambassador had flip-flopped last minute and re-hired his original bodyguard.

"What? Why?" Zell pressed. "I told you he was a waste of money."

"Watch your mouth, boy," the bodyguard threatened gruffly.

Zell looked at him like he was an idiot. "And how do you suppose I do that, then, eh? Take my fucking eyeballs out and turn em around? Do us a favour keep your trap shut while the grown-ups talk."

"Stop it, you two," was the harsh reprimand from the Ambassador. Then he explained to Zell. "I know you said that the West Road to Cherrad was safe, but... but I'd still rather not walk it in the dark."

Zell shook his head, annoyed and exasperated. "Whatever. S'your money."

...

The Thieves Guild was an outfit of bonafide pros, to be sure. Zell observed this as he watched them operate, slick and clean like some kind of Black Ops Unit. Second Chance's frontliner kept his mouth shut and his eyes and ears open from the moment they'd stepped into The Brass Monkey - a rare time when the idiot knew better than to be yapping like he owned the place. A very rare moment. But, after being taken to and ushered through the tunnel, the trio of the Ambassador, Zell and the bodyguard stopped at the exit and Zell needed to speak up.

"We need to get onto the West Road," Zell told Seal Team 6. "Our client is aiming for Cherrad." He was informed that they would be in the woods, at the foothills, southeast of the city walls. When Zell commented that finding his way back was going to be rough, a guildmember - one of the two women - gave him a pouch of rainbow glint stones to make a breadcrumb trail, instructing him to make sure that he picks them all up on the way back. "Clever. Ppreciate ye, boss."

Out into the open air and south they went, crossing the river and entering the southern hills that bordered The Mazy Hillocks. Zell made sure to put a stone down at regular intervals, in wellplaced spots where junctures or multiple paths might confuse him. All the while they slowly progressed around to the westside of the city. The hours went by, all the while Zell tortured himself as his two sides argued.

You're too sentimental. You're too stupid. What about your friends? You barely know them. We fought shoulder to shoulder for our lives. Because you had to, not because you wanted to. Would a hero leave now? A hero would live to fight a battle that could be won and possibly save Mytheria, not throw his life away.

And it went on.

Zell eventually made a decision. He stopped putting down rainbow glint stones. He had no more need of them.

No sense in dying for nothing.

It hurt. It hurt so bad. But he knew that ripping off the band-aid always did. This was more like excising a tumor - a ball of emotions and feelings towards a bunch of strangers. A ball that would kill him. Every time one of Second Chance's faces entered his mind, he banished it quickly, filling his brain with other thoughts.

I wonder what Capitol City looks like, he pondered, moving a bushle of branches aside and holding them to let the Ambassador and the bodyguard past. The dirt path through the hills had become thin, but he remembered it being like this when he and his frien- he and the people he was with had needed to sneak back into the city. Fuck this whole 'tryna find out the truth' thing. I'm better off just making a life for myself. I died in that world. What the fuck do I care why I got a Secon- why I'm here now.

They made it onto the West Road and Zell let out a breath. "This is it," Zell told them. "I've changed my mind. I'm coming with." The Ambassador looked quizzically at him. "Don't ask."

Fortunately the other two didn't press him and everyone just started walking. Zell wouldn't have been able to take being questioned at this moment. He just wanted to get as far away as possible, so he didn't have to think about it anymore.

We'll be fine, he told himself. We'll be better than fine. We'll be great.

"Wait," Zell stopped not fifty yards down the road. The Ambassador and the bodyguard were once again eyeing Zell expectantly. "We?"

"Excuse me?" the Ambassador inquired.

You'll be fine, Zell thought. I said, 'We.' No, I didn't. Yes, I did.

"It's you, isn't it," Zell said, an accusatory tone as he looked at the Ambassador. The old man recoiled in confusion, but Zell wasn't talking to him. He was talking to Baphomet. "I should'a fucking known. You never shut up normally. Suddenly you go quiet?"

I'm trying to help you, Zell thought. Although, now he knew that it wasn't his own thought. Baphomet had evolved his game and was now using Zell's inner voice instead of his own. How long for, who could say? But Zell suspected it was the moment on the Ambassador's bed when he got that strange headache.

"I've gotta admit... you almost had me," Zell tried to say it in a cocky tone, but it came out weak and bitter. He was so tired of this game. Then he realised that the other two men with him were wide-eyed and wondering what the hell was going on. "You two go. I'm going back."

"Err," the Ambassador was a little wobbled but recovered to say, "I will not forget what you've gone out of your way to do for me, Zell Brooks. May the Quinity smile down on Valhiem in this desperate time."

Zell gave a lazy salute. "Best of luck, lads." And with that, he turned back the way they'd come.

There was no need for the wave of uncertainty that hit him when trying to find his way back to the last rainbow glint stone he'd dropped. It wasn't hard to get to as the path had become so one-way towards the end. Relief filled him when the moonlight bounced off the stone and into his vision and that uncertain part of him turned into anger that he was actually dumb enough to be going back. The city had done nothing to deserve his sacrifice and...

"Will you fuck off," Zell muttered to Baphomet. "It's not gonna work."

To be honest, a part of him (an actually true part of him this time) was repimanding himself for being a daft, sentimental twat. But it was an endearing reprimand. He smiled as he now thought of the faces of his friends. If they were going to die, so be it. At least they would die together. Looking out for eachother. Ultimate trust.

Fenna. James. Adam. MacKensie. Clive. Barracker............................. My comrades to the end.

Second Chance.

Picking up the last stone, he stepped over the tree roots and move through a bush, coming out the other side and looking around uncertainly for the tunnel entrance. A short whistle got his attention and he moved toward it, finding the tunnel and going in. What had to be four or five hours and of hoofing it on uneven ground was finally over. His ankles were hurting but not nearly as much as his head was.

"Fuck, I need a pint. Badly," he said to no one in particular, but looked towards the masked woman afterward. "Are the taps still on? If they're not, I'll pay you triple to pour me one beer. I'm begging."

When they got back to the Brass Monkey, Zell sat at the bar, realising the time. It was almost dawn. He dug the heels of his palms into his eyes as he tried to soothe his headache. When he got his beer, "You're a star, boss," he offered up a gold piece.

After downing a good portion of the pint, he smacked his lips. "Ahhh, that hit the spot." He put the tankard down and grabbed the pouch of rainbow glint stones off his belt, putting them on the counter. He needed to return them, but his thoughts were everywhere, at this moment. "You know," he started to the rogue who poured his pint. "I gotta be the dumbest bastard alive. I just..." He shook his head as he stared at his pint, then looked up at the rogue. "I couldn't leave it like this - ye know? Even if all is lost - I'd rather live a few days as a Lion, than ten thousand more as a Snake."

"What about you?" Zell ended up asking. "Why are you still here? You've got the keys to the tunnel. Why stay?"

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Jay009@AvaP dem last posts dough

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