"Wow! This coffee is superb, Sir Adacus.""Mhmmm. Purely exquisite in every way." Maggie added.Their facial expression showcased a feature of pleasure and amazement."What's the secret recipe to such an amazing coffee?" Vorus asked as he takes another sip at his cup."The quality of the beans, the ratio of beans to water, the amount of time the coffee is brewed for, the coarseness or fineness of the beans, even the temperature of the water and the amount of time it is left standing for will all affect how sweet or bitter each particular cup tastes," Adacus replied and poured more coffee in their cups. "But, the most important ingredient... Is love.""Pft. Love? You can't eat love, old man." A vein seemed to pop on his head upon hearing Reginald's remark. Maggie smacked the head of the thief knocking his hat in the process. "Hey! What do you that for?""By love. I mean the passion for what you do. Making coffee takes patience and such patience can only be achieved if one has the love
Ace and Kaz were currently having a sparring session."You have gotten stronger!" Kaz said as he parries a straight jab from Ace and responds with a spinning kick which the latter avoids by jumping out of range.Ace then summons his daggers. "So have you!" He exclaimed with a wide smile on his face and then charges at his sparring partner.With a couple of unique footsteps, Kaz avoided the flurry of swings from the daggers and manages to slap them away from Ace which in turn resulted in the daggers returning to the assassin's shadows."We'll call it a day. What're our scores now?"They made their way to the counter to have some biscuits and coffee."185 battles with me leading with 93 wins."Ace then stares at the dark hallway which Adacus and Maggie entered.Vorus walks up to the two. "Do you think she's alright?""Heh, it's Maggie we're talking about here... Of course, she's fine!"Vorus and the others couldn't help but worry about the historian as it has been two days now since the
"Four hundred years ago, a war broke out between humans and relimen." Adacus was reading out to Maggie from a book.She was practicing with her new powers as the others were getting packed and ready to depart."The lands were ravaged by the destruction and the sees became dry. When all hope seems lost for the world, Seven heroes appeared and put an end to the war. They were a group of both humans and relimen... They were celebrated as champions within their fields of expertise and went on to later be called... The Seven Saints."He walked up to her and handed her the book."Keep it. You seem to be quite interested in the world's history. There aren't many books as good as this.""Thanks. Uhm, do the relimen still exist? As in outside of crypts.""Now what good will that be if I tell you? Find out yourself.""Guys!" Vorus came running carrying luggage."We're ready to depart."They silently nod and all made their way to Dragonheart."Any word from Rhea?""Yep, they've done their best t
"Take care, Ace.""We'll be back before you know it hihi.""Conroy.""Yes Sir Reginald?""I don't know what you might find out there but... Try and keep your calm at always."Conroy smiled at the advice from his teammate."I know you must be thinking that there's a chance Serena is alive. Don't get your hopes crushed and your will shattered even further.""Don't worry Sir Reginald, whatever happens, I won't lose focus on the mission at hand. This battle isn't just for revenge. It's also for the faith of two nations and possibly the entire Western Continent."As Conroy was bidding his farewell with Reginald, Ace was having a conversation with Kaz in private."Kaz, you'll take command of the clan while I'm gone. Keep an eye on Vo as well, I'm worried he might be overtaken by his emotions especially since Jester knows his way around getting inside a person's head. Vorus can be reckless when not kept in line." He was referring to the way Vorus and Conroy acted when Jester appeared.'If Re
"Wh-what are you doing here? Rohan!"Jake grabbed the bars of the cell as he stares at the sight of someone he never thought he would meet in such a condition."I should be asking you the same." He raised his head to see Ace emerging from his shadow. "Ace? What's going on?""We're leading a rebellion against your brother by freeing the prisoners here to lunch a two-sided assault against his army that's currently on route to Kondo."Ace's precise and blunt summary of the situation fazed the two."Heh. You're still the same." Rohan smirked."Step back, I'll cut the bars." Rohan obliged and Jake slashed the hard metal bars of the cell.Rohan stepped outside and stretched his arms. "Thanks.""You're welcome."Rohan looked at Jake and spoke in an apologetic tone."Listen, Jake... I know all of this is my fa-""Enough. When we heard that Khan had overtaken both nations, we feared that he might've... Killed you. I'm glad you're safe, we all are."Rohan smiled at his long-time friend."Roro,
"Devil woman, we received word from the Demon spawn. They've succeeded in their infiltration mission and will join us in a bit."Rhea had a malevolent smile on her face."Gather everybody."A few minutes later, Rhea, the Enders, and the Aegises were all gathered around the castle entrance."Rada Khan is already near the outposts. It is time.""Everybody, gear up! Eat! Take a 10 minutes nap or whatever... We're going to war!"They all cheered in unison as they prepped themselves, physically and mentally."So, we all know our parts?"Rhea and Vorus nodded at Reginald."Hehe." Kaz slaps the back of the thief. "Don't worry about a thing, your plan is foolproof. We just have to hold on till the cavalry arrives.""Well then, as the Demon spawn will say... Let's do this thing."..."Woah."The alliance was currently staring off against Rada Khan's army."Hahahaha! Just as expected. Rhea Kay will join the party as well.""Khan! We should have just killed you off when we had the chance.""Oh b
Ace, Conroy, and Vorus had managed to defeat a weakened Jester.Conroy ran towards the City to get medics so the injured can be healed.While Ace, on the other hand, made his way back to the battlefield.A few moments ago..."Guys! Vo is in trouble, that Jester over there is a fake.""I was with him when he picked up Adacus earlier. He made off to the direction of the district. I thought he'd be back by now.""Tsk." Ace activated his Seismic Insight. Unlike before, it took him a while to activate.He was already tired from all the battling and using a wide-ranged sensory technique like that will drain him."Gotcha." He opened his eyes."Conroy, let's go!"That was how Ace and Conroy made their way to Jester."Hahaha." Rada Khan bursts into a peal of maniacal laughter."Your strongest asset has just abandoned you to fall at the hands of the clown."He pulled his sword as Kira followed suit."But don't worry, as the clown takes care of the trash, I shall round up here."They were curren
"Gantala! You bastard, what have you done!?"Gantala had stabbed Jake in the back. He didn't pay heed to the voices of Rohan, Rhea, and Chase who were calling out to their friend.Ace had just arrived. "What in the world is going on?"Gantala pushed Jake with his foot to withdraw the sword as he scrambled back to the side of Rada Khan.Rohan glared at the two. "You two were in this together, from the very beginning.""I'm afraid so, Roro. But you don't worry not one bit. I'll have you and all your friends here follow Jakey soon enough!""Then... When you said that Axel and Mel betrayed yo-""Those fools chose to die with their king. I chose to live with my emperor!""Gantala!"Driven with rage, Rohan charged at the former General as their swords clashed."Rhea, please give up. Surrender and all this will stop, if I say a word to my liege he will show mercy."Rhea stood silently as Kira urges her to surrender.Kira might have been following the wrong leader, but she has no malice towar
"So, this is it." Ace faced his teammates. He recalled all the difficulties and trials they faced together. "We've been through alot, huh?" Reginald smirked. The others wore saddened expressions. "This goodbye is not forever, sir Ace." Conroy says struggling to put his emotions in check. "Yes!" Vorus exclaims as he throws his arms in the air. "When You return, I shall challenge you, Captain!" "I'll be sure to share my findings with you." Maggie added. "Yeah bro, we'll rock it out when you get back." Ernie added. "I'll keep these rascals in check for you." Said Kaz. "Guys..." Ace's eyes sparkled. He bows silently and turns to Ryker who was waiting for him with the Cruiser. "I'll miss you..."
"Finally!" Ryker exclaimed as he spreads his arms apart. "I can breathe fresh air again!"He, Jackal and Zera have made their way back to the Black Stallion."Well?" Jackal turned to the vampire. "What do you think of Stally?" He asked with a grin as he puffs out his chest.Zera scans the cruiser momentarily before setting her gaze back to its captain. "She's as vibrant as ever." She remarked with a smile.Ryker wore a stoic expression as he glances at the two. 'Why are they talking as if the cruiser is a living thing?'Just then, Ming approached them."Ming..." Zera said in a cold tone.Ryker felt a chill run down his spine. She gave off the same vibe as earlier when they met. The look was aimed at the android yet he felt restless."Zera..." Ming responded in a similar manner."I see Jackie still hasn't taken you for recycling.""I see you're still trying to pass off as a young and beautiful woman despite being an old hag."A vein popped on the vampire's head. Zera gritted her teeth
"You didn't have to go that far." Tommaso had returned to his room where he was met with the sight of Keith. "I thought you weren't coming till after your match?" "Don't change the subject!" Keith snapped at Tommaso. "Watch how you address me. I'm the captain here." "Pfft. Have you forgotten that I'm merely a part of your clan for conditional reasons? We're here to win the access codes." "Yeah yeah but that doesn't change the fact that I'm thr boss around here." Tommaso brushes off Keith's shoulder and made his way to the bed. He sat down and clutches his hands. His body was shaking excessively as he lowers his head. "That girl was stupid enough to awaken my taste for blood.""You almost killed her. As much as I love a good showing of brutality, that would have disqualified you." "You think your brother would just sit by and let me kill his clan mate? I thought you knew him better than that given that you two are twins." Keith clicked his tongue. "If I was you, I'd be worr
Ace used his strongest attack to attack Jester as Reginald and the Saints watched the mad clown get encased in the explosion of the massive slash attack."Is that it?" Asked Reginald. "I'm afraid not, lad." The dust clears and Jester remains standing although he had suffered considerable damage from the attack. He held his shoulder as his clones gathered around him. "These are your super clones?""The boy who barely killed one of my fingers has developed this much?" Jester didn't bat an eye away from Ace. He can share the same memories as his clones, so he recalls all the events that transpired with his clone that fought beside Rada Khan. "Harold," Ace looked at the Dark Saint. "Can I count on you and Jacob to take care of these clones? I want Jester myself." The two Saints nod their heads as the four clones divided themselves and approached them. "Kisha!" Harold called out to the Sloth Saint. "Elders Ram and Bari are in the rehabilitation room, you have to heal Bari."Kisha
"Black Guillotine!" Ace used his strongest attack to attack Jester as Reginald and the Saints watched the mad clown get encased in the explosion of the massive slash attack."Is that it?" Asked Reginald. "I'm afraid not, lad." The dust clears and Jester remains standing although he had suffered considerable damage from the attack. He held his shoulder as his clones gathered around him. "These are your super clones?""The boy who barely killed one of my fingers has developed this much?" Jester didn't bat an eye away from Ace. He can share the same memories as his clones, so he recalls all the events that transpired with his clone that fought beside Rada Khan. "Harold," Ace looked at the Dark Saint. "Can I count on you and Jacob to take care of these clones? I want Jester myself." The two Saints nod their heads as the four clones divided themselves and approached them. "Kisha!" Harold called out to the Sloth Saint. "Elders Ram and Bari are in the rehabilitation room, you have
It was now day 4 of the Vagrant games, the day of the quarter-finals. The crowd was vibrant as always.The announcer made his introduction speech giving the names of the participants that have made it thus far. "Ladies and gentlemen, this tournament keeps hotter by the day! For our first match, a battle you all have waited eagerly for... Two captains pitched against one another in a fight that will be nothing short of a final before the final... Ace Shadows vs Tommaso!"The crowd cheered and booed for Ace and Tommaso respectively. The Aegis clan had all gathered at the bleachers to watch the match. They glared at the captain of the Valhalla clan as he descended to the bleachers. Tommaso had a smug look on his face as he looked at Ace who had waited for him to descend. "You finally get me, one on one. Are you excited?" Ace darts Tommaso with a venomous look.His hands were shaking excessively. It wasn't out of fear, but out of rage. He recalled the way the man in front of him bru
Ryker Steele, a C-Grade interstellar bounty hunter was left for dead by the very people he worked for. Drifting in the endless void of space, he was beamed by an unknown cruiser and found himself in the care of a peculiar man. "Let's conquer the cosmos together and along the way, you'll have your revenge on the association." He receives a power unlike any other from a mysterious being. Will he get his revenge? Or will he find a new purpose in his life It was now day 4 of the Vagrant games, the day of the quarter-finals. The crowd was vibrant as always. The announcer made his introduction speech giving the names of the participants that have made it thus far. "Ladies and gentlemen, this tournament keeps hotter by the day! For our first match, a battle you all have waited eagerly for... Two captains pitched against one another in a fight that will be nothing short of a final before the final... Ace Shadows vs Tommaso!" The crowd cheered and booed for Ace and Tommaso respectively
Ryker Steele, a C-Grade interstellar bounty hunter was left for dead by the very people he worked for.Drifting in the endless void of space, he was beamed by an unknown cruiser and found himself in the care of a peculiar man."Let's conquer the cosmos together and along the way, you'll have your revenge on the association."He receives a power unlike any other from a mysterious being. Will he get his revenge? Or will he find a new purpose in his life It was now day 4 of the Vagrant games, the day of the quarter-finals. The crowd was vibrant as always.The announcer made his introduction speech giving the names of the participants that have made it thus far. "Ladies and gentlemen, this tournament keeps hotter by the day! For our first match, a battle you all have waited eagerly for... Two captains pitched against one another in a fight that will be nothing short of a final before the final... Ace Shadows vs Tommaso!"The crowd cheered and booed for Ace and Tommaso respectively. The
"Black Guillotine!" Ace used his strongest attack to attack Jester as Reginald and the Saints watched the mad clown get encased in the explosion of the massive slash attack."Is that it?" Asked Reginald. "I'm afraid not, lad." The dust clears and Jester remains standing although he had suffered considerable damage from the attack. He held his shoulder as his clones gathered around him. "These are your super clones?""The boy who barely killed one of my fingers has developed this much?" Jester didn't bat an eye away from Ace. He can share the same memories as his clones, so he recalls all the events that transpired with his clone that fought beside Rada Khan. "Harold," Ace looked at the Dark Saint. "Can I count on you and Jacob to take care of these clones? I want Jester myself." The two Saints nod their heads as the four clones divided themselves and approached them. "Kisha!" Harold called out to the Sloth Saint. "Elders Ram and Bari are in the rehabilitation room, you have