NameLess

”Sir.” Mako walked forward, allowing Jak to back up towards Meru. ”My name is Mako Kunzite and my compatriots are Jak Yanda and Meru. We were on a mission to apprehend a wanted noble and free the slaves he was holding. Amidst all the ongoings, we were forcefully teleported here. As my friend has already said, we apologize for the intrusion and will immediately vacate if you so wish. Our only purpose is to get home.”

The Oxuon didn’t immediately respond to anything Mako said, merely watching instead. Intense eyes flicked over from the blue haired Rookie over to the fiery haired one, and finally over to the short and rag garbed female. For some reason, his golden hues seemed to linger over Jaks shadow for more than a second or two, raising a number of questions. However, after a minute or so of just perusing, the Oxuon turned around and made his way back towards the other Aramlians.

”Tre?na e gritopiň numew dreqìol réytz aquinten. Yekso fru?yt réylu wreuyn yulwindre brutópla.” The Ox beastman glanced back towards the trio. ”Jesgde tr?ndel réylo itretil weh es chróno edser.” (*Send a scouting party around the perimeter. Make sure there aren’t anymore surprises. We’ll hold them here for the time being.”)

Giving a sharp nod, a few of the Aramlians forming the circle left the area, spreading out in different directions. The Oxuon turned around and made his way back over to them after giving out a few more words.

”We will hold you until we can verify you’re alone. When that’s done, you’re to take your leave at once. Adventurers aren’t welcome in our Village.”

((”Not welcome?”)) Jak furrowed his brows more than he already was. ((”Adventurers specifically. So it’s not racism. Must be the ongoing Guild Wars or some bad history with those calling themselves Adventurers. It’s weird though. I read that Aramlians were a barbaric and territorial race. Why let us go if we fall into the category of enemy number one?”))

”Additionally, you claimed that you aimed to free a number of slaves from this.....nobles captivity.” The Oxuon gaze landed on Meru, of whom quickly glanced away to avoid making eye contact. ”Am I right to assume that the small one is among the ones that you managed to set free?”

Nothing was said, everything falling into silence. The chattering from the Aramlians in their native language ceased, halting all forms of communication. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the wind rushing through the area, scattering the loose sand.

”If she is?” Jak asked.

”Then when you depart, she’ll remain here. We can take care of her. She doesn’t seem like your kind, ’Adventurers’, beings that are constantly out to destroy, subjugate, and enslave.” The Oxuon didn’t seem to hold any hatred towards Jak and Mako themselves when he said those words, but rather an anger towards the idea of adventurers as a whole. ”If she remains in your hands or the hands of other Adventurers, she’ll become tainted. No harm will come to her. This I can promise you.”

Mako rubbed the back of his head, stepping forward. ”Ah. Well you see. About that-”

”It’s not happening,” Jak interjected, cutting his friend off. ”She stays with us.”

”YOU DARE QUESTION ONTOKI-”

A number of Aramlians flared up, shouting in a mix of Ornerian and their own language. It probably would’ve escalated from there if the Oxuon, the one they call Ontoki, hadnt raised his hand, signaling for them to quiet back down. Once again, it was apparent that his authority was absolute.

”Adventurer child. You have an objection?”

”She stays with us. I’m not asking for your permission. She may not be an adventurer but she’s also not one of you.”

”Can you guarantee her safety when you leave here?” Ontoki waved towards the south of them, an endless sea of sand and cacti spreading outwards. ”’Ard Araml is a dangerous world. You may yet live but can you truly say that you can help her. We have food, water, shelter, everything one needs in order to live to the utmost.”

”I made a promise.”

Jak held out his hand to the side. From a few meters away, where he had thrown it, Masamune twirled off the ground and shot into the redheads open palm.

”As of this moment, you’re all free. However, that doesn’t mean we’ll abandon you. From this point onwards, you’ll be taken in by the World Guild Center and helped to get back onto your feet. You have my word that you will not fall into that man’s hands again or anyone hands. If you’ll just follow the will of those here and put your trust in us, we can assure that you all live happy lives.”

”A man is only as good as his word.” Jak held out one of his arms, taking a stance in front of Meru. ”So, while I’m still alive, I WILL fulfill the promises I made. If you intend to have her then you’ll have to go through me.”

”And me as well,” Mako added without hesitation, bowstaff now in hand. ”She stays with us.”

”Very well. It was disrespectful of me to treat you like children.” Ontoki nodded. Reaching to his back, he pulled off the enormous horn and let it rest it on his shoulder. ”You’re true warriors. Those who can stand up for their own allies and ideals in the face of adversity are worthy of respect at the very least. Therefore, I’ll have mercy as fellow Warriors do. If one of you Adventurers can survive a strike of mine, I’ll allow you to do as you please. Leave or stay. We’ll offer what we can so you can survive the journey home. Even an escort back to Desira’s gate if need be.”

”Okay.” Jak nodded immediately, taking a step forward. ”I’ll do it.”

Before the redhead could get too far, he felt a sudden tug on his cape. Looking back, he noticed Meru and Mako holding onto either end.

”Please.....Be careful.” -Meru

”You die and I’ll kick your corpse.” -Mako

”It’s fine. If I can move, I can fight.” - Jak

”And if you can fight, you can win.” - Mako

The young rookie let out a small breath, black smoke escaping his lips as he trekked through the sand, crimson eyes locked onto the challenger before him. Without a word, he drew his katana from its sheath, Masamune’s blade practically glowing as he took a stance with it. The previously silent crowd erupted into indistinguishable chatter the moment they saw the weapon, never moving from their spots. Even Ontoki seemed a little intrigued upon seeing the bright red blade, almost as if he recalled seeing it before.

”My name is Ontoki, Leader of the Blood Guard and acting Chief for the Village of NorthClaw.”

”I’m Ja’ak Eto Yanda, last member of the Flaming Sparrows and Rookie Class Adventurer.” Jak took a stance, digging his shoes into the sand. ”You can call me whatever you wish.”

”Very well. May we meet again in the Isles Of Blessed.”

On the sideline, Mako grit his teeth as he watched on, hands clenched around his own bowstaff. Next to him, Meru also focused closely, a mixture of emotions plastered on her face.

Boom!

It happened instantaneously, or at least very close to it. One minute the two opponents were a dozen meters apart and the next, Ontoki was standing in the very spot that Jak had been. The redhead had all but disappeared, either sent flying to who knows where or crushed into fine red mist, it was hard to tell. Especially with all the sand that had been kicked up into the atmosphere. Even so, it didn’t seem that the redhead had survived, no matter how one looked at it.

”Hm. I held back almost all of my strength.” Ontoki seemed disappointed as he calmly stood up, resting his hook onto his shoulder. ”Still, giving up his life for his comrades. I guess the Adventurer child was truly worth respecting.”

”Who said he’s dead?” Mako asked. ”Don’t see a body.”

”Yerflads!! Do you think he live?” One of the Aramlians, another Oxuon by the looks of it, raised his voice, speaking in a broken mix of Ornernian and their native language. ”Ontoki is strongest in Village. Yerflads ìopal!!”

”Yeesh. No need to be rude about it.” Mako rolled his eyes. ”But can you really call yourself the winner without any proof?”

”Very well-”

”Clawjorn. Réytz Adventurer oj huryt itretil!! (*Chief. The Adventurer is over here!!)

Everyone’s head immediately turned as a horse beastfolk, an Equenik by the looks of it, trotted over. Held in his arms was an unconscious Jak, of whom was bleeding in a multitude of places but looked otherwise alive. He wasn’t conscious but judging from the way he was gripping onto his katana and his occasional movements, he was clearly still among the living.

Moving towards them, the Equenik unceremoniously dropped Jak onto the ground without a second thought.

”Oi. Do that that again.” Mako raised his staff. ”I dare you.”

Immediately a number of Aramlians moved forward the moment the blue haired Rookie raised his weapon.

At that exact moment, chaos broke loose as, from Jaks shadow, an enormous body phased into existence in front of not only Jak but Mako and Meru as well. With deep growls and a few warning bites, a large black Vox Lion took a defensive stance, ready to attack at a moments notice.

((”The Vox Lion from the trap?”)) Mako was at a loss for words, his brain not properly computing all of the events unfolding in front of him. ((”But when did.....?”))

The blue haired Rookie glanced at his slumbering compatriot.

”Anyone ever tell you, your luck sucks?” Mako grumbled as he crouched low to the ground, making sure Jak was alright. ”Meru. Stay behind me okay?”

The girl nodded in understanding, fear and confusion in her gaze.

The Vox Lion pawed at the spears near him, maintaining an small perimeter around Jak as best he could manage, occasionally glancing back to ensure the youths safety. Mako didn’t even stop to ask the multitude of questions now running through his head such as why a wild animal was protecting his closest friend. Instead he took up arms next to the beast, aiding it as best he could.

”Seft?n!! Seft?n!! Those who do not will be punished accordingly. ALL of you!!”

The chaos seemed to immediately halt in its tracks, the ones who had approached Mako immediately backing up to the previous encirclement. Though a number of them looked irritated and angry about the sudden order, including the Equenik from before, they obeyed Ontoki’s order without question. Even the Vox Lion who had appeared from the shadows seemed to quiet down as the violence tapered off. Of course he still never let his guard down, moving closer to the unconscious Jak.

”If he survived than he has been granted immunity and will be allowed to enter NorthClaw as he pleases. A deal is a deal. Am I clear??” Ontoki made his way towards them, ignoring the hissing Lion and kneeling towards the collapsed Jak.

After checking for a pulse, the Oxuon lifted the redhead with one hand and gently placed him over his shoulder.

”A man is only as good as his word.” Ontoki gave Mako and Meru a nod. ”Until you decide to leave and head on home, please rest up and replenish. You are our guest. All of you.”