A man named Marcus: Indomitable

The entirety of the townsfolk gathered in the town square after the arrival of Wolfgang and his newly reinforced host. You could cut the tension with a knife, nobody allowed themselves to speak at a volume any louder than a ghosts whisper. The Bouceroc Guard and the company from the royal army stood at attention, giving off the air of military obedience and discipline, that may be true for the actual soldiers but I've known the guard garrison long enough to know that they were less than professional.

A table and two chairs were set up in the centre of town square with Wolfgang already at his seat, merely waiting for the Drow guard to retrieve the Countess. He sat in his black wooden chair with his arms crossed, an unsettling glare like that of an angry father who just found a broken vase. Wolfgang could be considered a joker, he constantly pokes fun and slings insults at both his men and I. Still, the old man has an aura around him, the look in his eyes when he gets serious, lets just say I wouldn't want to get in the way of his war path.

Time passed at an agonizing crawl, I simply stood in the crowds, doing my best to fend off the lecherous hands that tried to cop a feel. But I was more concerned for Penelope, standing beside me holding her arms against herself, her gaze never left Wolfgang who only gave her a quick glance and a nod before marching into town square.

Finally the Countess arrived, escorted by four guards in ceremonial golden armour with spears. She wore a dark red dress that left little to the imagination. The V shaped dress with the open centre barely constrained her rather buxom set of breasts, H-size at least, her dark hair was decorated in a Victorian fashion, with frilly bangs of hair flowing down against each shoulder. Her dress dragged behind her as she walked, though she didn't seem to mind the dirt, her scarlet eyes focused on Wolfgang.

“So you must be Captain Wolfgang.” She spoke with an accent, like one of a well-off noble, the closest I could compare it to would be a sultry French accent.

“You have me at a disadvantage.” He spoke without skipping a beat.

The two didn't seem all too fond of pleasantries with one another, no hand shaking, no standing up to bow, just business.

“Forgive me.” She purred. “I am Lady Acelyne III of House Kirith, Countess of the town of Elengnon.”

“Rather prestigious title.” Wolfgang admitted. “But I'm not here on a goodwill mission.”

Even from here I could see Acelyne's smile widen, sending an uncomfortable chill down my back. She sat down in her chair and crossed her legs.

“You are here to get straight to business then?” She asked. “I like that in a man.”

Penelope tensed at her countess's words, giving the leader of her home a rather intimidating death glare. It looks like she had her sights dead set on being with Wolfgang.

“Then I'm sorry to inform you that I'm not interested.” Wolfgang commented, Penelope sighing in relief.

“Such a shame...” Acelyne cooed, shrugging her shoulders. “Then what are you here for?”

“There are several problems that arose with your towns sudden arrival.” Wolfgang began. “Such as the eight men that went missing from Bouceroc, the illegal conduct taking place here, and the unprovoked advance into Zant territory.”

I wasn't sure from this distance, but I could have swore that the Countess winced, she maintained her smile and uncrossed and recrossed her legs.

“Advance into Zant territory? Whatever do you mean?” She started, avoiding the obvious accusations of slavery and kidnapping in town.

“Elengnon was built in the centre of Zant's realm, it is unregulated and not recognized as sovereign territory while it is in our jurisdiction.”

“Aha, dear Captain.” Acelyne objected. “We are not on Zant soil, we are under i-”

“Under the rule of King Archibald IV of House Rathmore, all lands in the realm of the Kingdom of Zant, be they the skies above or the caverns below, are under the jurisdiction of the King and his noble court.” Wolfgang cut her off. “Elengnon presence is not only unlawful, but could be seen as an act of war by your particular Dark Elf cabal.”

The Countess went silent, the scene became even more tense and unsettling for everyone involved. Still, Wolfgang remained stalwart in his words, he never shook nor did he stutter.

“Furthermore, we would like to talk about the eight men you are holding as slaves within your boarders.”  Wolfgang continued.

“They are not slaves.” Acelyne protested. “They are indentured servants repaying society for their crimes against the Dark Elf people.”

“What crimes?” Wolfgang asked.

“Some were caught sneaking into town without the proper authorities.” She explained. “Others for assault of an Elengnon officer.”

“Then they are labourers?” Wolfgang asked. “And nothing else?”

“That is correct.” Acelyne said confidently.

Wolfgang finally broke his stare from Acelyne, turning his attention immediately to me without falter. I  jumped at how fast he spotted me in the crowed, though he probably already knew exactly where I am.

“Marcus.” He called out to me. “Step forward.”

I looked at him, then to Penelope, who nodded and moved back. I gulped and stepped forward, expecting to be hit between the eyes by an arrow or something for speaking out against my 'masters'.

“How long have you been here?” He asked.

“Three weeks.” I answered bluntly.

“Are those your clothing or the ones they gave you?”

“I actually picked these out.” I spoke honestly, though I didn't know why.

“Whats your job here? Street cleaner? Butler?”

“I'm uh...” I stuttered, why was he even asking me this? He was captured before I even got back from Cartuga, why was he playing these games?

“Well?” Wolfgang insisted.

“I'm...” I continued to stutter, to this point I wasn't even aware I could blush this red. “I'm an escort for the local brothel.”

At that moment, I could hear a few snorts and snickers come from the guard that came in with Wolfgang, though they quickly shut themselves up before it became too noticeable.

“An escort...” Wolfgang repeated my words. “By will?”

“No...I was bought...Sir.”

“Bought.” He said, turning back to Acelyne. “As a slave.”

Acelyne grimaced, she wasn't expecting the humans in her town to still have a back bone, maybe some sort of behaviour conditioning laws should have been enforced before slaves were sold.

“So you were used for sex. Plain and simple.” Wolfgang spoke up again. “Do you think you can point out the monsters in the crowed that used you against your will?”

Well, I wouldn't necessarily say against my will, but I digress. I peaked around the crowed, many of their faces turning noticeably scarlet when our eyes met. I knew most of them by first name. There was Lacuna, the shoe salesman a few doors down who rode me for a span of three hours. Akiko, a Danuki sales lady who settled down here for some time who had me rail her from behind until she couldn't walk anymore. The two Kobold ladies who smiled and wiggled their fingers at me when our eyes met.

“Yes.” I responded simply.

“How many?” Wolfgang asked.

“...A good number...”

The town populace went completely silent, it seems like everyone was trying to avoid eye contact with everyone else. Though Wolfgang kept his immovable glare, I saw, just for a split second, the left corner of his lip move slightly crooked. As if he wanted to say “Remind me who's the whore again?”
That mother fucker.

“Have you been paid for any of your services?” He asked me.

“Wolfgang..C'mon man...” I complained, breaking eye contact and looking away like a teenager who was just grounded.

“Please be cooperative. For everyone's sake.”

“...Nnnngghh.” I groaned, wiping my face against my hands. “No...”

“So Marcus over here is being used for sex with no profit to himself?” Wolfgang turned back to Acelyne. “So he's not even an escort really? But a sex slave?”

He's making it sound way worse than it actually could have been, from what I understand I got off easy from what can happen to you in a Dark Elf community, but considering their male to female ratio is practically zero here, I can see why I have a much more gentle stay if I'm not considered expendable.

Acelyne remained quiet, she didn't have any defence or anything else to bring to the table. It was all semantics, only a blind and deaf fool wouldn't know what happens in a Dark Elf settlement. They were at a disadvantage, from the maps I've seen the town was far out from any other settlement underground. Reinforcements were unlikely to come and even if they did, this town would have been occupied and reinforced by the Zant military before any actions could be taken.

They were outnumbered, outgunned, and outplayed by Wolfgang and the soldiers he brought with him, the portcullis leading into town being forced open from the outside spoke volumes for what humans could do when pushed.

“But as I said.” Wolfgang spoke up again. “These aren't demands, we are here to negotiate.”

Acelyne was caught off guard, she was expecting to be told to leave and that be the end of it.

“My liege, the King of Zant, does not want to open any sort of hostilities against the Dark Elf people of the East. War would be the worst conclusion for both our peoples.”

“...Go on.” Acelyne beckoned, leaning forward with interest.

“You will cease all future raids against Bouceroc and Zant in general, slavery will be abolished as long as this town is in Zant territory, and you will release all humans who are being held against their will here.” Wolfgang demanded.

Acelyne winced again, her zesty strong woman demeanour evaporated when she realized she was on the ropes.

“Its not so simple!” she begged. “We have no males, we need males to thrive, we can't survive on settlers alone!”

“Have you tried dating?” Wolfgang asked.

Acelyne eyes widened, the proposition never even occurred to her. She sat back in her chair.

“If you agree to our terms.” Wolfgang started again. “Then we will accept an open boarder policy with the town of Elengnon. Your people can come and go as they please as long as they follow the rules and customs of our nation.”

Acelyne was dumb struck, her jaw almost dropped at the rather generous terms.

“Do we have a deal?” Wolfgang asked.

“Y-yes!” She burst out. “Of course! How could we not!”

“Good.” Wolfgang stood up from his chair. “Then our negotiations are over. We will gather the freed prisoners and return the Dark Elves we have captured in turn.”

It seemed like no one really knew how to react, there was no cheering or booing or anything of that kind, rather everyone stood in complete silence. Though, if the town just came to Bouceroc in good will to begin with then this could have all been established from the start. The Dark Elves dominion stretches through many cavernous deeps across the continent, many of them only knew of the humans that live in Church territory, which is not a good thing for people with a sexual appetite such as theirs.

“Th-Theodore!” Penelope shouted, almost knocking me to the ground as she ran past...Wolfgang's first name is Theodore?

Wolfgang turned to her, giving her a smile I didn't even know the old bastard I was capable of.

“I was sure you forgot about me.” he commented.

Penelope noticed the mark on his cheek right away, a large gash stretching from below his left ear to the centre of his cheek.

“What happened to your cheek!?” She gasped, placing her hands on his face.

“Geez, really?” He asked her. “Its just a cut, I have plenty of these.”

Penelope sighed with worry, reaching into her bag for a cloth to rub the already scabbing cut with.

“I'm fine, really!” Wolfgang begged, trying to defend himself from her affectionate onslaught. “Penelope, please...Not in front of my guardsmen...”

So I guess I'm free then. But before I leave, I have one stop to make.

“Hold on, damn you!” The Slave Master complained, barging her way towards her front door. “I said hold on!”

She opened her door and immediately froze with fear, I stood towering over her like a demon out of hell, my eyes fixated on her.

“My hoodie...” I stated bluntly. “Where is it?”

“Y-...Your hoodie..?” She asked, her lips trembling.

“My shirt...”

“R-right! Your shirt! I-I still have it...Just g-g-give me a moment!”

She retreated slowly, too afraid to turn her back on me. She almost tripped over a chair while she made her way towards a chest at the other side of the room. Now opened, she rummaged inside with one hand, feeling around until she felt a familiar fabric. And behold, there it was! The beautiful fabric held together with bits and pieces of leather I used to cover up the holes and cuts it had gathered over the years.

The Slave Master approached me again, holding the sweatshirt out in front of her like an offering to the gods.

“There you go! Just as you left it! There's no reason for you to get violent or sexually aggressive... Unless you really like the idea of the latter...”

“I'd rather not.” I admitted, throwing my hoodie over the rags I have been wearing.

“Oh...” She pouted. “Well I'm not going to beg...”

I left her behind without another word, sticking my hands into the hood pockets and marching down the street, I couldn't wait to feel sunlight again. But then I spotted her in the corner of my eye, doing her best not to attract attention. I glanced at Myra standing at the corner, holding herself up with her spear and in full uniform, she looked away as soon as my eyes met with hers, staring at the ground and nothing else.

“Hey uh...Myra.” I called out. She didn't respond.

I sighed and approached her, causing her to shrink with every step.

“Hey, listen.” I started. “Open boarders and all. If you ever want to visit or hang out or just nap or whatever. I live just outside of town by the east gate, the house on top of the hill, feel free to drop by whenever.”

Myra looked back at me with an almost quizzical look, she pondered on my offer before nodding.

“I'd like that.” she admitted.

“Alright then, I'll see you around.”

We parted ways and I reunited with Wolfgang and the rest of the guard, drudging our way back up the slope leading towards the town entrance.

“So whats the deal with you and Penelope?” I asked.

“She's moving in with me.” He told me nonchalantly.

“No shit?”

“No shit. I'm helping her pack her things and she's selling the brothel, says its too much effort for her liking.”

“Well, whatever makes you happy.”

We followed the trail of torches back to the surface. The sun blinded me for at least a few minutes, and then I struggled to keep them open while we marched back to Bouceroc. Now with the sun at my back, it was much easier to see what was in front of me. They took no precautions to reinforce the town walls, I guess Wolfgang figured they would just scale over it before any of them knew what was going on, I may have to ask him how he handled the last raid.

The guard atop the wall announced our coming, both town folk and garrison alike erupted with cheer at the return of their unbloodied and unscathed heroes. I stood at the gate while the force handled the clambering crowds and was surprised to find myself joined by Henry, Santa, and the priest. We stood in a circle, almost like a clique.

“I see you're all okay.” I said to them. “What are you all going to do now?”

“I think maybe I'll head back.” Santa admitted. “I kind of liked working in that smith shop, lady Elena was a very nice lady.”

“I...I believe I may do the same.” The priest spoke, much to my surprise. He scratched his shaved head before continuing. “I do think I have much to ponder on, my beliefs, my faith, my role in life. Being a scribe for Lady Tabitha, it was...Eye opening to say the least...”

“Well, good luck to you two then.” I said to them before turning to Henry. “Now that I think about it, I didn't see you during our stay.”

“Acelyne's personal butler.” He grumbled. “Had a full belly, had a nice bed, had plenty of lasses to share the bed with...But I'd be damned if she'd let me leave that stuff manor for a breather...”

“So what now?”

“Now?” He repeated, looking off over the horizon. “I guess I head back home for a while, catch up with some friends before heading out into the field again...”

“Best of luck to you then.” I said to him, shaking his hand.

“What about you?” The priest asked. “What are you going to do?”

“I'm going home.” I stated bluntly. “Going to take a nap, read some books, y'know.”

We all said our final words and then went our separate ways, leaving yet another interesting chapter of my life behind me.

The relationship between the human race and the race known as monsters have always been a fickle one. One thousand years ago, the one they call the “Demon Lord of Old” waged a bloody and endless war against humanity. His soldiers, known as monsters, were vicious brutes that came in all shapes and sizes, nothing in his war machine was lacking. Humanity, under the banner of god, came together with the power of magic and the strength and power of over a hundred nations. The war claimed countless lives on both sides of a front, and it seemed to have no end in sight. But one day to the next, the war stopped. The Demon Lord was overthrown and a new lord was crowned, a succubus of incredible power had claimed the throne for herself and saw a new future for herself and the monster kind.

Eventually, the males began to die out, either killed in battle or of age. The females began to change, their children took a more human form, and they themselves began to change over the course of time until they too resembled humans. Demonic energy no longer spread violence and destruction wherever it went. It became soothing and intoxicating to both humans and monsters. Then came the attraction, monster began to see human males as alluring, with them already being attractive to the human eye, it was just a matter of time before the races mingled. But with change, comes resistance.

The Order of the Undying Sun, the religious dogma that kept humanity together was tossed away for a new order, the Ecclesiarchy in all its glory. It's preaches of peace through discipline were torn asunder for scriptures of hate and purification. Those who refused to give up their faith in the old ways were hunted down and butchered or forced into hiding. Men who consummated with monsters were hung from trees, monsters were burned at the stake. The prosperous kingdoms of Vellond were left in ruins and forced into tribalism until the appearance of the Emperor a thousand years later. Inquisitors hunted freely and viciously throughout the known world in search for men, women, and monsters to put to the sword.

But to force good men to go to war is to bring the wrath of the a hundred hells down upon you. Entire nations rebelled, monarchs and leaders alike renounced their faith, blood against blood and steel against steel. When the flames finally squelched and the last drop of blood was spilled, the old world was no more. The Ecclesiarchy, more popularly known simply as “The Church” survived and maintained its grip in the core regions. The nations who so defiantly fought the new faith now stand as simple kingdoms, republics, and confederacies throughout the west and east. But the war between God and Demons never ended.

Many monsters in this modern day care very little about the squabbles between the faithful and the Demon Lords host. They live their day to day lives by their own creeds and cultures much like the neutral nations of men, even they would be victims if the Demon lord triumphed totally as much as they would be if her and her daughters skulls sat on pikes.

But the sands of time do not hold still, and even when all things seem routine, the world changes. A third power has risen to the table, one that openly defies both The Church and the Demon Lord and has the power to stand its ground against the onslaught that bear down on it.

The Empire of Vellond, born in fire and forged in war. Led by an emperor no one is sure is entirely human. Tiberius Crom:The Butcher of Ardok. He wields the broad and monstrous axe from a minotaur like it was a simple sword, he walks through the most condensed and fertile demonic energy without even sweating. His glare is fear inspiring and his command is inspirational. With his hands alone, he united the warring tribes of Vellond under one banner and built a prosperous realm where both man and monster can live without the fear of reprisal from the iron fist of the Church or the all seeing eye of the Demon Lord. His legions are of steel and his rule is total.

But Tiberius's very existence bothers me to no end. He knows where I am from and even admitted to me that he was born in Germany. But he's so much older than I am, he has ruled Vellond for forty years and from what I can tell from archives, he hasn't aged a day. No man can become that large from hard work alone. Rumours are wild and endless of him, how he can match dragons in strength and how he is the Demon Lord reincarnate. But what is the truth? How can one man be so powerful? But most of all...What drives a man to such ambitions?

“E're ya go.” The Smith handed me the blade, a rather shabby piece of steel, but it was sharp. “Couldn't be doin much recently, what with 'avin to arm the guard and all. But she's sturdy an' she be gettin the job done.”

“I wasn't looking for master grade at the moment, anyway.” I admitted, handing him the coin I owed him.

“Steel can never betray you.” He lectured. “As long as ye be taken care of it, she'll be cuttin' up wha'ever ye be swingin at.”

“I'll keep that in mind.” I chuckled, sheathing the blade in its new scabbard on my hip. “Thanks again.”

“Now you come back now, ye hear!?” He called out as I jogged away at a brisk pace.

I was excited to come home, especially after I heard the guard stationed a few people there in case Dark Elves decided to use it as a staging ground. Hopefully they didn't snatch anything themselves... I saw Wolfgang was at the east gate, talking to another guard about things I could hear at this distance. He saw me and waved.

“Heading home?” He asked.

“What else would I be doing?”

“Fair enough.”

I stopped for some idle chatter, mostly about the things I had missed while I was underground. All quiet on the Vellond front it seems, with Cartuga back under royal control, the Church seems to be thinking twice before declaring crusades against the empire in the north.

I was so lost in the chatter, I didn't even notice the carriage stocked with goods heading towards town. It was guarded by four well armed men in eastern armour and carrying curved blades, walking in front of the ox pushed cart was a familiar short woman with a green, sleeveless Yukata and a recognizable puffy brown tail.

“Hey! Moriko!” I cried out with a wave, stepping in front of the gate where she could see me.

She seemed to be heading towards my house at first until she spotted me, waving back at me rather excitedly. I was happy to see her, its been awhile since our little...Gambling incident, but we left on good terms (for obvious reasons) and it was good to see a friendly face. So happy that I didn't even notice the figure trailing behind her carriage at first.

It was huge, almost as large as Crom was, but still a little shorter. It began to quicken its pace, gaining on the cart inch by inch before drawing steel.

“Moriko! Look out!” I called out.

Her ears stood on end and she turned around, spotting the lumbering creature charging towards her, brandishing two blades that were almost as tall as I was. Her body guards sprung into action, shouting out in Zipangu and unsheathing their blades. But it was already too late for them.

Like a whirlwind of death, each man fell to the ground, bisected, beheaded, or disemboweled by the giants mighty swings. I heard Moriko scream from back here, falling to her behind and crawling under her cart to try and get away from the beast.

“Where are you going, poppet?” The giant asked, stepping towards the carriage as Moriko repeated at the opposite end.

She backed away towards my home, trying to gain distance from the giant before he struck. With an upper hand swing, the pommel of his right handed blade smashed into the cart, tearing it away from the ox and sending it and its supplies crashing down on top of Moriko.

“Wolfgang! Go get more guys!” I cried out, drawing my own steel and charging off down the road.

“Aint no use hiding.” he taunted, stabbing his blade into the cart. “May as well just surrender and die now.”

Moriko cried out in fear every time the swords stabbed through the wood, I didn't have much time. I ran faster than I even knew I could, grip of my sword now in both hands as I leaped on top of the carriage wreck and launched myself at the giant. He brought his swords to bear in a cross, blocking my blade effortlessly and throwing me back across the carriage and  on to the dirt below.

“You got a lot of nerve, boy.” The giant growled. “I'll remember to have a pint for you after I killed you.”

The giant pulled his cloak off, like he was preparing for an actual battle instead of just a slaughter. He was huge, a statue of muscle and iron, his face disguised behind a Bascinet with a front visor resembling a roaring lion. He resembled Crom in many ways. His weapons were too big to be called swords. Massive, heavy, and far too rough. They were more like heaps of raw iron than anything. Even so, this prick was more like a discount Tiberius Crom if anything, his body was protected by leather lamellar rather than the architecture muscular chest plate of the Emperor. I should have been scared, should have thought twice before charging in to save someone I had a one night stand with. But when I heard Moriko scream, something set off warning signals in my mind, I didn't care if this asshole killed me in the progress, he isn't laying a hand on her!

“Why?” I asked. “Why are you doing this?”

“What makes the world go round, boy?” he asked in return. “Coin. Coin builds nations, coins arm soldiers, and if there is enough, coin can even kill...”

The giant pointed with his sword towards the overturned carriage, I could see Moriko moving around under it through the splinters in the wood.

“Someone back in Zipangu is paying me a generous amount to bring back this bitches head...”

I straightened my stance, the tip of my sword aimed towards the giant, it didn't seem to bother him at all.

“Who are you?” I growled.

“Its just so damn hard these days to make a name for yourself, innit?” He mused, spinning the sword in his left hand. “Kojak: The indomitable. Simple name, simple title, enough to get the point across.”

“So what?” I called out, trying my damnedest to get under his skin. “What does that make you? The poor mans Crom?”

“Best be watching yer tongue, boy.” He snarled, aiming me down with his blade. “Else I make yer death slow and painf-”

Kojak stopped himself, staring off like he just zoned out of the fight. Suddenly he began to chuckle, followed by a low, bellowed laugh.

“I see, that's the plan is it?” He humoured. “Trying to stall me? Thinkin' your little friends in town will come and save the day?”

He crouched down, like an animal ready to pounce, his blades at each side of his body. “Unlucky for you, I ain’t got all day...”

Like instinct, I ducked and dropped to my right, I didn't even see Kojak leap at me from his position. But I felt the force of his blade, the wind was enough to blow my hair back when the weapon narrowly missed me.

I fell into a roll, struggling back to my feet and turning to face him again. But he was already on the attack, towering above me and bringing both blades down. I stumbled to the side while his swords tore up the ground with ease. He was going to hit me sooner or later, I couldn't dodge all night.

I went in for a strike, bringing my sword down upon him only for him to deflect it almost effortlessly. He twisted his right arm and caught my blade against his with enough of an impact to send me stumbling across the dirt.

Where the hell was Wolfgang? Someone should have been here by now! As long as I could keep him deflecting my swords I should be able to distract him long enough for help arrives, or at least I hope. With my balanced regained, I stepped into range, there wasn't a distance I wanted to be in this man's reach. If I misstep or am outmanoeuvred or miscalculate a single attack, that’s it, its over.  This isn't a battle where you can walk away with an extra scar or an eye patch or something like that, if his sword connects, I'm dead meat, if his fist or feet connect, I'm mush on the gravel.

I went in, total offence, no time for him to reposition himself and prepare a counter attack, as long as I kept swinging he had to keep blocking, and maybe, hopefully by the grace of the heavens above, he slips up.

And slip up he did, turns out this guy really was just a cheap knock off of Tiberius. His foot stepped on a loose rock in the road, grinding against the rest of the gravel and stretching his leg to the side, forcing him on to his other knee. He saved himself with his left fist against the ground, but it was already too late. I lunged forward, blade aimed for his neck.

My teeth grit, my eyes widened in rage, every sinew in my muscles were put into this attack. I growled like a rabid beast, kicking up dirt when my feet slid against the ground. My arms thrust forward and my blade met its mark. Or at least I thought.

Kojak dropped his blade, leaving it on the ground and bringing his arm up to defend his neck. My steel ran red with his blood, the sword pierced his palm and was inches away from his neck

“Aw, so close.” He mocked, wrapping his fingers against the sharp edges.

The sharp of the blade dug into the webbing between his fingers, his blood oozing from the wounds and dripping down the sword and against my hand. I tried to push forward but to no avail, and with a twist of his wrist, he disarmed me with very little effort.

Before I could come up with a new plan, Kojak twisted his body and threw forward his other hand, still gripping his sword. His knuckles collided with my stomach and for a second the world just stopped existing for me. I was pushed from the ground, launched into the air like a baseball before coming crashing down against the carriage behind me, bouncing off it and landing on the dirt. I tried to make a noise, to scream in agony or even swear as loudly as I could, but no sound was produced. I couldn't breath, there were spots in my vision and my knees struggled to support my weight.

I began to vomit, everything in my stomach came pouring out like a faucet, spreading across the ground and almost desecrating the corpse of one of the Zipangu men that came with Moriko. I heaved and coughed, doing everything in my power to regain some form of composure. I turned back to spot Kojak approach, but also saw Moriko look at me from under the carriage, scrambling to come to my aid.

“N-...No!” I whispered to her, beckoning her to halt. “Stay put...”

“Oh, you're still alive?” Kojak mused. “You're tougher than you look.”

Kojak twisted and bent at the blade embedded in his palm, snapping the steel as easily as a twig and tossing both pieces aside. He only carried one sword now, leaving the other one on the ground. Thankfully the would didn't miraculously heal, so at least he could be hurt, if he even felt it.

I looked forward again, spotting the blood and gizzard drenched corpse in front of me. He sword rested in his left hand, putting it closest to me, and right now it was my only hope. Kojak stepped around the carriage and stood at my side, eyeing me with amusement before raising his blade over his head.

“Fun times over, I'm afra--”

I love it when they add dialogue, it gives me just enough time to be the little rat bastard that I am. I scrambled for the curved blade in front of me, gripping it in both hands and forcing myself to a foot and a knee. I let out what I could as a battle cry, but instead received a low, gurgled growl. The razor edge cut deep into his armour, spraying blood into the air like we were in a Tarantino movie.

Kojak cried out a bloody roar, gripping his stomach with a wounded hand as it opened and poured crimson against the earth. For a moment, I caught a glimpse of his eyes behind his helmet, like an animal that was just cornered. He snarled and scowled, bringing himself back to his feet.

“When I'm done with you, you little fuck!” He started. “I'll take my time with the girl! Make her scream! Make her beg! She'll be beggin fer hell when I'm done with her!”

I bore my vomit and blood stained teeth at him, I had nothing to say. This was less of a battle now and more like two hungry wolves fighting desperately for survival. Not only was he wounded, but he was disabled, his right hand held to his stomach as the blood refused to end. But even when he stumbled forward,  he did so at alarming speeds.

Kojak attacked with an outward slash aimed at my neck, I ducked and pivoted to the side, bringing the blade to bear. This wasn't just some hunk of steel bashed into a shape and ground until it was sharp, this curved blade had markings on it, letters I couldn't read. It was commissioned, obviously lots of love was put into its forging. It was durable, well kept, and most importantly, extra sharp.

Once again, the blade met its mark, cutting past the leather of Kojak's armour effortlessly and digging into his flesh like scissors through paper. I flinched as crimson splattered against the side of my face, drenching the entire left side of my hoodie in his blood. Kojak's cry of pain echoed through my ears, twisting around to meet him again only to receive a large boot to my chest.

The wind was knocked from me once more, sending me rolling across the ground and coming to a stop a few metres from my original position. Kojak didn't care about Moriko for the time being, fixated solely on me. I took comfort in that, when he does kill me, he'll me too injured to catch Moriko. Hopefully she'll make a mad dash for the town as soon as the opportunity arises.

I struggled to my hands and knees, a crushing pain smashing into my rib cage as a boot forced me to my back before stomping down on my chest. I couldn't breath, had nothing left in me to fight back. He held me in place and raised his sword, its pointed tip aimed directly for my neck. It was wide enough to remove my head completely from my body, and I think that's what he intended.

“You little shit...” He cursed. “No one harms Kojak the indomitable and lives!”

He put effort into his blade, raising it just a bit higher before bringing it crashing down towards my neck. But I felt no pain, I didn't feel my body remove itself from my control, and my world didn't go black. Kojak was stopped, last moment by an impact to his chest in the form of a crossbow bolt jutting directly from his heart.

“Ghkk...” He struggled to come to words. “Ggghhhkkk.....”

The bolt was followed by another, then another, and another until his chest was peppered with them.

“Second line!”

I heard Wolfgang's voice followed by the sound of rushing foot steps. The pressure on my chest was relieved when Kojak stumbled backwards, his mighty weapon falling to the ground as his colossal hands brushed against the feathers, unable to process what happened.

I rolled to my side and looked towards the town, seeing thirty men with crossbows at the ready, firing in formations of fifteen.

“Second line take aim!” Wolfgang ordered. “Loose!”

The bolts flew over my head, turning Kojak's chest into a wall of bolts. He fell to his knees, roaring in defiance before another bolt pierced his neck, followed by one in each eye and finally one last bolt crushing through his helmet and between his eyes. With no last words, no last cry of defiance, Kojak plummeted backwards, lifeless and motionless.

“Russel, help Marcus up!” Wolfgang ordered. “Oscar, remove that dead son of a bitch's head! I'm not taking any chances!”

One guard ran passed me and another helped me from the ground. The battle lasted only a few minutes, but to me it felt like an eternity had passed.

“Moriko!” I gasped. “She's trapped under the carriage!”

“Donner, Kennan, help the poor girl out of there!” Wolfgang ordered and they did so without hesitation.

Moriko's ears rested against her head, her tail motionless against the ground. She held her legs against her body, shivering in fear and disbelief at what just transpired. I pushed myself away from the ground, nodding to him in reassurance and limping towards Moriko.

“Hey...” I called out to her in the lightest, most comforting tone I could muster, crouching down in front of her.

She looked back at me, tears in her eyes.

“Hey Moriko, its alright, its over, you're safe now...”

“Marcus...” She whined, letting go of her legs and crawling into my arms. “Marcus!”

The guards kept their distance while she sobbed against my chest,  I held her as tight as I could with my injuries, not even noticing that Kojak's blood stains disappeared entirely from both my face and my clothing.

“Shhh.” I hushed, just saying whatever calming thing I could think of. “Its over, I'm here now...”

“Marcus...” Wolfgang whispered, putting his hand on my shoulder. “Doc is on stand by, he already has some concoctions ready to patch you up good as new...”

I nodded to him, brushing the Danuki's ears and hair. “Just give me a few more minutes.”

“Don't take too long.” He lectured. “Not that you drop dead on us...”

It took six men to lift the corpse on to the cart with another carrying the over sized swords underneath each arm. The doc looked both Moriko and I over in town, for the first time since I met him he examined a patient without his beaked mask on, his attempt to “Not frighten the poor girl any further.”

I sat in the waiting room, its fascinating what magic can do to fractured bones and deep cuts. All he told me was to “Take it easy” for a few days to let the repaired bones harden.

“No papers on the guy.” Wolfgang told me, leaning against the wall to my left. “No records or past events with this Kojak guy. Whoever he was, he was damn good at not leaving a trail to follow.”

“He said he was getting paid.” I told him. “Someone in Zipangu wants Moriko dead...”

“Then her best option is to not go back to Zipangu.”

“She can stay with me.” I said. “I don't have a problem with that.”

Wolfgang snorted and looked away.

“...What?”

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Really?” I gave him a rather nasty scowl. “At a time like this?”

“Right, sorry. Jokes are just getting to my head.”

He sat down in the chair next to me, locking his hands and leaning forward.

“You're a good kid, Marcus.” He told me. “Don't let all of the jokes get to you.”

“Could be worse.” I humoured the old man. “I could have a track record like mine in Church territory.”

“That would be a fucking fiasco...”

The door into the Doc's office opened and out came both him and Moriko, her arms bandaged of any visible cuts.

“The damage is more mental than physical.” Doc explained. “Trauma has a way of coming back after an event. I suggested that she doesn't stay by herself for some time..”

“I have no problem if she stays with me.” I announced, the news was enough to get Moriko to stop staring at the ground and smile. If only a little.

“Then I will leave her in your care.” Doc said as he stepped away.

Moriko approached me, her shoulders slouched and her brown ears low against her head. I didn't even know a monster could get so broken up about anything.

“You want to just head home?” I asked her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She simply nodded and I led her along towards the front door. Wolfgang stepped aside and let us pass, he looked like he had more to say, but he thought it was probably better to leave it for another time. We walked in silence, the moon and the stars lit our path back to my home. As promised by Wolfgang, the house was still intact, nothing was looted or broken and it seemed for the most part that the guards put here kept their hands to themselves.

“I think your stuff is at the guard station.” I told her. “We can pick it up tomorrow, if that's okay with you.”

“Okay...” She whispered, standing in the centre of my living room.

“C'mon.” I tried to rouse her spirits. “You want to play some dice or something? Read some books? I have a bunch of good ones in the other room.”

“I'm actually pretty tired...” She admitted.

“Well okay then.” I agreed. “The beds up here.”

I led her upstairs and into my bed room, jogging ahead to make the bed with fresh sheets. She simply watched, still standing in place with her right hand holding her left wrist.

“There you go.” I presented the clean bed to her. “All yours for tonight. If you need me I'll be on the couch downstairs.”

I was stopped when I walked past her and towards the door. Moriko grabbed on to my hand with both of hers, her eyes misty.

“Can...Can you stay with me tonight?” She asked. “I don't want to be alone...”

I looked at her and nodded, stepping back into the room. “Yeah. Yeah sure, no problem.”

I handed her a pair of pyjamas from my drawer, I didn't think she would want to sleep in the stinky clothing she drudged around for miles in. The blue coloured cotton nightwear hung lazily off her petite body, her hands didn't even reach the sleeves and her puffy tail pushed the pants lower than most people would like. Still, she didn't seem to mind. She waited for me to dress in my own pair before she beckoned me to get into bed first.

Once I was lying comfortably, she crawled in after, pulling the blanket over us much like she did during the night we spent together. My mind was racing with questions, so many that it was driving me mad. But the frustration quickly melted away when Moriko rested her head on my chest, her brown, furry ears brushing gently against my chin.

“Good night...” She whispered.

I whispered back and pulled a hand over her shoulder. The pale moon illuminated brightly through the window, marking the room in its white glow. I wanted so many answers, who exactly was Kojak? Not only was he almost as large as Crom, but he concealed his face just like he did.

It was best not to dwell on it for now. The Danuki fell asleep rather quickly, poor girl must have been exhausted. Her breath was gentle, soothing to the ears. And pretty soon, I too drifted away.