Zapdos

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

“It's a calamity, a horrible thing!”

This was not the first time this sentiment had been expressed during the walk of two adventurers to their destination. Considering the loud tone, one might think the speaker was talking about the current siege of Valheim and the danger Saladin's forces represented to its citizens. Or maybe even just a description of the war in general. However, it was not; instead, it was a certain gnome complaining about a different group entirely.

“Everywhere I go, it's Second Rate this, and Zeros of the Sky that. What did they do to deserve all that praise?”

Xavier Johnson's question went unanswered by his unfortunate walking cohort. Vaella knew from bitter experience that it was rhetorical and that he would answer it in due time.

“Nothing, that's what!”

Due time = not even a second, in this case.

“First red-eyes harasses me, then when I called out the disgrace of Hades and his slack-jawed sidekick for their evil ways, the thug almost attacked me!”

The elf offered a rare smile at this, knowing that this was not what actually happened. The oblivious gnome continued.

“Oh, and now supposedly their Ranger is some athletic expert now, according to the Thieve's Guild. Like a group of grade school dropouts is credible? Please. MacKensie Trydant? More like MacKensie Try harder next time.”

And with that, the elf was grateful that Xavier did not handle the Silver Arrow's diplomacy needs. Annoying that group was one way to end up in a shallow grave, never knowing how it happened. Oh, hopefully no one from there heard that, she thought.

“And don't get me started on their so-called leader.” 

Oh, how Vaella wished the speaker would not get started on anything, ever.

“They say that lames is some kind of tactical genius. Well if he's such a genius, why doesn't he ever-”

The mustached man paused for a moment, seeing Adam Phillips as the gnome and elf approached the Mended Drum. “See? They never leave me alone!”  Following this angry outburst, Xavier started walking more quickly away from that establishment, apparently forgetting it was their destination in the first place.

“What’s his problem?” The fisherman asked Vaella, clearly confused by the exclamation.

“I wish I knew,” she responded with a heavy sigh.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@AvaP good luck with your test! Having spent too much time in college, I can relate to your situation.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

James’ reaction to being praised was comforting. Now Adam knew his friend was at least aware that he had the support of his team, and that was the point of it all. It was a nice time in general, really - everyone together, enjoying a nice meal. No battles, just pleasant conversation.

Upon hearing Zell's compliment to him, Adam humbly waved it off. “It was nothing, anyone else would have done the same.” The Fighter's suggestion of a feast, however, elicited more of a response from the caster. “That sounds like a great idea. They're lovely people, all of them. Isabelle is precious and adorable, Tyrion is like a little Barracker junior - in the best sense, of course - and Eren will make a great Druid someday. I'm sure they would all be happy to meet everyone. You too, Alison.” The red-eyed man even was considering visiting before Second Chance descended upon the orphans.

Speaking of the Rogue, Adam would have wanted to help her register for the Guild…if he didn't remember his conversation with Lucy yesterday. James had the political understanding to make this emergency Guild registration thing happen; he did not. Therefore, he deferred to their team leader in this regard.

-----

Upon saying his goodbyes and exiting the Mended Drum, Adam thought he would return to Golden Tree Park right away to resume his work. However, this would end up not being the case. Instead, he ended up running into someone he did not expect…

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Teyao the SpongeBob one made me literally lol

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@xenon sounds good - dunno if I'll be writing in the literal next week or not, so this works out well.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Jay009 me too, especially since I have no clue what it does yet :P I picked an item design that seemed to fit in with the Druid aesthetic and figured I'd think of something later.

I'll probably be away from home Sunday-Wednesday so I wanted to get my post up today - the initial idea was the part about what James said, and the rest kind of snowballed from there.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

"Here, be easier if I just showed you,”

Alison Walker

“Okay, that makes sense,” Adam thought, nodding, “I wonder what she'll-”

And then she was gone.

Her disappearing like Houdini was not what he expected to happen there. Mytheria sure had a lot of new stuff to learn about. How long would it last? Was there a set number of times it could be used? And where did she-”

A hand appeared on the young man's shoulder, answering the question that was cut off. And the Rogue elaborated on what the cloak did, one more question was answered. “Impressive,” the red-eyed man said in response. And the demonstration gave him an idea; perhaps he would have to ask her about it later.

When Alison asked about the source mail and seemed almost ashamed at her lack of knowledge, Adam wanted to jump in. To say that it was okay, that everyone here was new to this world and that it was perfectly reasonable to not know things. However, James beat him to the punch with a solid explanation of what she was asking about. One part of it bothered the Druid though; the Cleric calling himself the current leader of Second Chance. Was that “pathological fear” worse than he expected? Or was the Mexican overwhelmed by the work of leadership? Perhaps he thought this new girl with her noticeable confidence wanted the job? Whatever it was, it did not sit well with the American, so he spoke up after James had said that.

“And you're doing a great job with it, too.”

Best not to lay it on too thick, so he left it at that. He then stayed quiet, happy to let MacKensie talk. She added context to what he had said earlier, then ended it with a pertinent question.

"Although, I am not sure if Alison will be authorised for this.  Do you think Lucy would allow it?"

MacKensie Trydant

Ah, yes. The message, and a question Adam knew about thanks to his screw up with the source mail. He did give his word to James that he would try not dwelling on that though, so his focus was on the facts at hand instead.

“Normally, I would say yes. I suspect it got sent to all of us when we arrived in this world. However, Source Mail use is blocked right now because the Witch Queen can read anything that is sent. Maybe if our leader or someone else on the team asked Lucy - the Guild master - about it and explained the circumstances, she would allow it?”

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I think by the end of the story most of the team will be tied for last on James' list :P

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Loksfjoer enjoy your time away!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

<Snipped quote by Zool>

Yeah, I was originally going to major in Intelligence Analysis and work for one of the three-letter agencies before I switched majors to something I've always wanted to do. The big holdover for that is the knowledge of the field. I'm no expert. More like an "enthusiastic hobbyist" lol, but I've always had a passion for history, government, macroeconomics, etc.

I appreciate the compliment and I'm happy y'all are enjoying Alison! I've been trying to capture the energy of Josh Brolin's character in "Sicario" and Jason Hudson from Black Ops, but with a slightly more positive twist. Glad to see it's working out well enough.

@AvaP

That's cool, always nice to see a fellow history nerd. Less relevant for my character than yours though :P