Headed by a Snake

Kimura Tamaki was beaten lightly but was largely unperturbed by his capture. The Young Master had tried to escape and was beaten by martial arts for his troubles. Young Pale commiserated with him, bonding over their shared personal experiences.

Tycon beat the both of them with a stick until they stopped feeling sorry for each other.

The Muto western fortress was set ablaze, most of its weapons were destroyed, and all of its defenders turned into corpses. If any survivors did escape, they would be hard-pressed to explain the deaths of several dozen men and women, well-positioned in a secure military structure... especially if they understood fortoress was lost to a mere group of five.

Guild Invictus returned to the Ivory Judge sect past the midday-bell of the following sun.

Barza and Dragan had purged the targets Tycon had earlier identified in the Kimura household. Even if more spies remained hidden, they would certainly act with caution, seeing some of their ilk conveniently missing. The disappearances would become more apparent in time, but Tycon was intent on Invictus having left the sect by then.

As added insurance, Pale and Tarquin Wroe had succeeded in gathering information. Blackmail material was so very delicious to Tycon.

As a great, but welcome surprise, Kimura Taree had succeeded in gathering the requisite ritual scrolls and alchemical mixtures in their absence.

"So, Warrior Tycon," Kimura Tamaki, along with his sister and the members of Guild Invictus were gathered around a campfire. "Could ya tell me again why I wasn't allowed ta go back to the house?"

Tycon sprinkled a handful of coarse salt on the river fish Tamaki had caught. "Kagehisa Yumiko has been informed of your safety. Are there any other issues you would need to address?"

"Well, I was just curious."

Taree scooted closer to listen. She seemed curious, as well.

Tycon twisted his mouth, "Caution. Whether there is or is not a plot against our attempt to cure the Guardian Beast, there is no need to broadcast our efforts."

"Well, alright, then. I'm just glad I'll be able to help." Tamaki gave a warm smile.

Tycon sipped from his warmed cup. Yumiko, the Kimura siblings' mother, had gifted Invictus two jugs of rice wine containing steeped unripened plums.

"I've only brought people I trust," Tycon said quietly to himself...

« System, change setting: Aggression ranking, Levels:4. Hostile, Tentative, Non-Hostile and... Trusted. »

[Setting change complete.]

Tycon mentally changed his System's tag settings and he watched as the transparent green tags of all of Guild Invictus change from a green color to a comfortable blue.

He trusted their character. And he trusted their strength. Anyone that wasn't at least Bronze-Rank would die a meaningless death if they were to fight against Old Fool at his full strength.

« System, inquiry: I wish to know the classes of my immediate allies. »

Tycon looked to Dragan first. He couldn't hate Dragan, as foolish as he often acted. There was a spark of cunning in the man's eyes that Tycon wouldn't dare underestimate. As long as they remained allies, however, that cunning was a boon to the guild.

[System response: Dragan Ashlord, Iron-Rank Swordmage.]

Tycon couldn't hate Tarquin Wroe, either. The poor fool was misguided in his love for the beyond. It would certainly lead to a young death. Tycon would use that to his benefit. And payment for his good faith, he silently promised to kill the man with his own hands, if the Daeva were to ever cross a forbidden threshold...

[Tarquin Wroe, Bronze-Rank Hexblade.]

Pale-- or Bucket, as he was often called, had come a long way. The case was similar with Barza Keith. The fight ahead would be dangerous, but its potential for growth was exponential. Old Fool would be the strongest creature that Invictus would have ever fought, (to memory.)

[Pale, Bronze-Rank Spear Novice; Barza Keith, Bronze-Rank Warrior.]

...The classes of those 2 were incredibly peculiar. Pale's Spear Novice class sounded like it would promote into something far better... And Barza's Warrior was a side-grade from his previous Ruffian class, but better suited his natural strengths.

Pale needed more diverse training in order to unlock his potential. Barza needed more training, all-around. Long, harsh suns were ahead of him.

He was surprised that even Kimura Taree had a blue tag. He had thought the young girl didn't like him much. She caught his gaze and turned away with a hmph.

Rude, as always.

[Kimura Taree, Bronze-Rank Martialist.]

Tycon raised his wooden cup to the man of the hour, Kimura Tamaki, whose presence had increased their enjoyment of food in the wild by adding delicious fish and non-poisonous berries to their diet.

[Kimura Tamaki, Bronze-Rank Fisherman.]

Tycon involuntarily spat out his delicious wine, the worst recent faux pas he had ever committed.

"What's wrong, Warrior Tycon? Is the wine mama made too strong?" Tamaki asked.

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about, Young Master. I think I may have bit into the sour plum." Tycon shook his head.

Tamaki laughed, "Yeah! It'll sneak up on ya if yer not careful!"

Tycon decided he'd have Kimura Tamaki watch when they reached Old Fool's cave... no, to avoid suspicion, he'd have both Kimura siblings keep watch.

...

Pale bowed politely to the massive serpentine fish, "Hello, Guardian Beast! Please excuse us!"

Tycon waved his hand, "No need to be overly respectful. Old Fool is a few epochs older than you, but isn't grand or respectable, at all."

"(Little White! Must you correct the little one? My feelings are hurt!)" Old Fool, the flood dragon, scrutinized the group of 5 that came to visit him.

Pale bowed again before running off to observe Wroe. The Hexblade was arranging a ritual circle with the use of several previously crafted talismans.

"(I do look forward to a great battle.)" Old Fool's voice rumbled excitedly, "(Five of you! You must be great heroes! The blood of titans! The blood of angels! And you, Little White... Ah, and the human must be a great, storied hero! And the elf must be an incredibly powerful being, to have reverted in age to look so young!)"

Tycon smiled but did not respond.

Old Fool squinted his eyes, "(Little White... I see you've drawn a sealing formation... But... what is that second circle your magician is drawing?)"

Wroe finished the spell circle and it began to suffuse with a gentle bluish cloud of mana.

Tycon explained, speaking quickly, "Ley Line Circle. It establishes a focused connection to a targeted ley line, of which your underground lake, quite obviously, is a natural hub. The focused connection provides a surplus of siphoned mana. The rich mana environment allows the caster to focus eldritch energies with a higher Completion Rating, affording a more efficacious mana-to-spell ratio, faster casting rate, and reduced mental fatigue..."

Tycon shrugged, "I'm uncertain to any particulars beyond that."

"It's like drinking from a punch bowl!" Pale added.

Tycon nodded, "Very astute, young man."

"(And... those additional pills and talismans?)" Old Fool asked.

"Mister Barza is applying the Waterbane enchantment to our weapons. We also have a small collection of pills that will temporarily increase our strength and agility. Miss Kimura Taree has been quite thorough in arranging for the assistance and even House Muto has donated hundreds of spirit herbs towards our cause."

The large box of spirit herbs that Tycon had appropriated from Muto Hisato was easily enough to create additional pills if it was for a mere five combatants. Tycon requested temporary enhancement pills and enchantment talismans, as opposed to life-saving pills and talismans containing damaging spells.

Old Fool's voice took on a tone of concern... "(Is that-- that is a siege weapon!)"

Dragan was positioning a ballista, adjusting it to point at the overgrown river eel. The projectile was designed to break a fortress wall and would inflict a grievous injury, even with Old Fool's strength.

"Yes, that is indeed a siege weapon," Tycon nodded, feeling quite proud of Dragan's suggestion. "I've also brought a small collection of explosives."

Old Fool's nervousness was palpable, "(When thou mentioned we'd do battle... I was hoping... for... an honorable duel of strength?)"

Tycon checked his pocket watch, "It's been about 30 minutes since you've swallowed the mana circulation pill, Old Fool. How do you feel?"

The flood dragon averted his gaze, "(Little White... Please listen to this old fool... Can we... can we talk about this??)"

Tycon yelled out, "Old Fool's said he's ready! Commence the attack!!"

"BY HER BLADE!!" "VICTORY OR DEATH!" "DEATH TO THE ENEMIES OF GUILD INVICTUS!!" "ALL RISK, NO REWARD!!" --Each of Guild Invictus' shouts were more worrisome than the last.

...The mournful cries of the Guardian Beast's injustice rang throughout the sect's lands.

The Ivory Judge sect would enter a new age of strength and prosperity. Their warriors would grow strong under the Guardian Beast's protection. Their enemies would never dare to lay siege to their lands, lest they offend the ancient creature.

For generations afterward, the sect flourished, owing thanks to the Chosen One of legend and their band of noble heroes.