The journey back to Artry wasn’t too eventful. I got to read, got into another debate with Ice Cube (this time about taxation), and had to listen to Akane and Nerva bond over weird stuff. Akane has a weird and dark sense of humor, ex: she finds looking at dead bodies funny. Fortunately for her Nerva finds it funny as well so I suppose their friendship has gotten stronger. Warren drove, keeping to himself as he listened to the radio and Adam every now and then said something in the trunk but I turned the radio up so I could tune him out. All in all, a somewhat boring journey. Right before we entered the city Akane made Warren stop the car to tell us that she wanted to stand on the top of it as we made our way to the tower. I asked why, and she replied that it was cool and something about how she saw it in a comic once. I swear talking to her is like talking to a roleplayer who takes things too seriously. I wanted to argue but Warren acquiesced so we drove into down with Akane on top of the car, posing. As we made our way to the tower we encountered Will who learned how to fly and while he was demonstrating his power, Nerva wanted to show off too which ended in her knocking herself out. So as Warren pulled up in front of the tower, we had an unconscious girl in the backseat, a girl posing on the roof, and a guy in the trunk. If a cop pulled us over we would’ve looked very suspicious.

“Ok guys we’re here. You guys can go on without me, I’m gonna go park near the outskirts of the city and walk back.” Warren tells us.

“Why not just park here?” I ask as I open my door.

“Our group is very destructive. I’m not having my car get damaged because of some nonsense.”

I would say that Warren is being paranoid and that our people don’t cause that much destruction but I don’t want to lie.

“Fair enough.” I say getting out of the car with Ice Cube following, holding Nerva in her arms.

“We have arrived.” Akane states, backflipping off the top of the car.

Warren drives off leaving the four of us in front of the building.

“Come on did you really have to do that?” I ask, rolling my eyes.

“Of course.” is all Akane says to justify the flip.

“Hey you guys are back!” we hear a voice call from the tower.

I look up to see Nazuko waving down at us.

“Hey Nazuko!” I greet while waving back.

“Oh no is Nerva dead!?” Nazuko questions, jumping out the window and landing in front of us.

“Hey you’re still supposed to be healing Nazuko, no jumping out windows!” a second voice calls out from the tower.

I look back up to see Azura angrily glaring at us. I wave to her and look at Nazuko who has ignored Azura’s advice to examine the unconscious Nerva.

“What happened?” Nazuko inquires, sounding devastated.

“...” Ice Cube answers.

“Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no. Nerva wasn’t as tough as me. She must’ve died on impact.”

“...” Ice Cube tries to clarify.

I don’t think Nazuko’s paying attention to what Ice Cube is saying anymore. At least I think she’s trying to tell Nazuko something. I can’t tell but given her body language I think she’s trying to explain to Nazuko that Nerva’s only knocked out.

“Huh what? Who’s dead?” Nerva asks as she wakes up.

Ice Cube puts Nerva down and now Nerva’s looking around confused as to what’s happening.

“You are.” Nazuko informs, taking a seat on the ground.

She’s drooping her head so she’s not looking at Nerva.

“Oh fuck” Nerva curses, sitting down with Nazuko in disappointment.

“Yeah it’s awful. You died on impact when you hit the ground.” Nazuko continues somehow not realizing that Nerva is literally alive sitting next to her.

“Damn. Thought I would have gone out in a blaze of glory.”

“I know. You always told me that you wanted to die shanking people in prison while on fire”

“Yeah it would’ve been dope.”

Ice Cube and I glance at each other in confusion. Neither one of us have chosen to interrupt this conversation. I’m not interrupting because I find this hilarious, I wanna see how long this conversation goes.

“Now you’re dead Nerva. I wanted to do so many things with you. Like steal things, and play board games”

“I know I know. I wanted to fuck people up with you. Set shit on fire. Start that street gang we talked about. Being dead sucks”

“This is truly a sad end.” Akane comments somehow getting caught up in believing Nerva’s death.

Ice Cube looks like she’s had enough of this so she bends down and forces them to look at each other.

“NERVA YOU’RE ALIVE!” Nazuko cheers, hugging Nerva.

“OH SHIT I AM?” Nerva says in surprise.

“YEAH! I thought you were talking to me from the grave this whole time.”

“I thought the exact same thing!”

“Nerva we gotta catch up and celebrate you being alive! I gotta tell you what happened to me! I did cool stuff!”

“Hell yeah! I gotta tell you shit too!”

Nerva and Nazuko excitedly run into the tower ignoring all of us.

“That was beautiful. I wish I could have such camaraderie.” Akane expresses.

“Ugh go with them. I’m sure they’d love to hang out with you.” I tell her.

“Do you truly think so?”

“Unfortunately yes. I have a feeling Nazuko is going to like you so go with them.”

“I shall. Wish me luck in my endeavors.”

“No”

“Thank you. I’m off” Akane says as she enters the tower.

After she entered it’s just Ice Cube and I outside. I sigh. I did something nice for Akane and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s so she wouldn’t bother me inside the tower. Yeah that has to be it, that’s what I’m telling myself so now it's a fact. That’s one less person to annoy me, wait speaking of people who annoy me, where’s Adam?

“Yo Ice Cube, Adam is still in the trunk isn’t he?” I ask her.

Ice Cube’s eyes widen in realization and nods her head.

“Eh he’ll be fine. I’m sure Warren will hear him when he gets out of the car and let him out. If not...then Adam dies so win-win. Anyway, you gotta report back to Bianca now right? Guess this ends you being a part of the party huh? Aren’t you relieved?”

For some reason her face looks kind of sad. Is she sad she’s no longer a part of the party? Nah that makes no sense, we went through hell. Poor girl got beat up badly like the rest of us, there’s no way she enjoyed it.

“Ugh you ok girl?”

Ice Cube took out her notebook, looked like she was about to write something but abruptly closed it. With what I think is determination in her eyes she briskly walks into the tower, I presume to talk to Colonel Bianca. I’m the only one outside the tower now. Realizing that I’m just standing out here looking like a weirdo I headed inside. As I enter I see that the place is chaotic which I’m used to at this point. Besides the few knights walking about I see Nerva, Nazuko, and Akane in the back left corner of the room. I don’t see Ice Cube anywhere so she must have gone upstairs.

“Then I was like shablam!” Nazuko says raising her arms to mimic an explosion.

“Oh yeah well in my shit I was like kapow!” Nerva retorts trying to one up her.

“You two are both impressive. But in that same fight... I was like ``swoosh” Akane adds.

“Wooooaaahhhh” Nerva and Nazuko say in awe.

“Nerva ...Akane is amazing!” Nazuko exclaims.

“I know right! She does all the cool shit!” Nerva concurs.

“ Plus look at this hair! It’s so silky!” Nazuko praises, stroking Akane’s long hair.

Nerva joins in the stroking making a weird scene.

“Thank you. I use the blood of my enemies to get the texture” Akane elaborates.

“Holy shit! That’s hardcore!” Nerva yells in excitement.

“I need to get myself some blood” Nazuko murmurs to herself.

Ok I had enough of seeing Akane get praised. I head to the couch and see that there is a plate of cookies on the table next to it. I grab one and plop myself onto the couch. I take out a book and begin to read. After a few minutes of reading I heard the front door open to see Warren and Adam enter in mid conversation.

“I-it’s just not fair that everyone forgot about me.” Adam complains as Warren heads to the couch.

“Adam I already told you I’m sorry I left you in the trunk. I came back for you didn’t I?” Warren replies, sitting down next to me.

“Y-yeah but I could’ve died if you left me! Just imagine how awful it would have been to die in the trunk of a car”

“I agree with you Adam, it would have been awful. Poor Warren would have had to deal with your dead body.” I interject.

“Quincy be nice. Despite that being true. Adam I’m sorry we all forgot that you were in the trunk. Next time we’ll think of some other way to make you fit in the car.” Warren promises.

“Yeah ok... So what are you guys gonna do now?” Adam asks us.

“I’m gonna keep reading,” I answered.

“I’m taking a nap,” Warren says, leaning his head back.

He immediately starts to snore. Dang Warren falls asleep quickly and by quickly, I mean instantaneously.

“Oh ok. Ugh what should I do?” Adam follows up.

“I dunno just chill? I guess we’re waiting until Bianca tells us what to do.” I advise.

“I don’t really have anything to do ...or people to talk to.”

“Adam, that’s not my problem. I’m not hanging out with you, literally every time I do I get attacked. Go hang out with Nerva and them.”

Adam and I look back to where Nerva, Akane, and Nazuko are and it’s gotten worse. Nazuko is now holding onto Akane’s sword.

“I can feel it, Nerva. Holding this sword gives me such power. I feel like I’m worth ten Nazukos” Nazuko states, her eyes wide in awe of the power she wields.

Wait, is Nazuko a unit of measurement now?

“B-but if I go over there I already know I’m gonna get harassed, hurt, and maybe die.” Adam points out.

“Yeah I know. That’s the point.”

Before Adam could say anything else we hear the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. I take a glance and see that it’s Azura and Ryder. The latter’s arm appears to be in a sling. I wonder what happened.

“Ryder can you just slow down for a bit? Your arm isn’t fully healed.” Azura admonishes.

“I can’t Azura. Do you realize how long it’s been since I made an explosion? It’s been a whole week. If I don’t explode something soon, I’m gonna get rusty.”

“Yeah, I know it’s been a week. It’s been great to not have something explode within that time.”

“Can I at least do a tiny explosion?”

“Your definition of tiny is defined as large for everyone else so no.”

“Ugh you’re killing me Azura.” Ryder sighs as he then notices Nerva and co in the back.

“Oh hey Nerva is back and there’s a new girl. Wait she’s new right? Or am I just that bad with remembering people?” Ryder asks Azura.

“No, I think she’s new. I think I remember her riding away from the tower on a horse.” Azura answers.

Akane must have noticed she was being talked about as she stopped talking to Nerva and Nazuko and headed over to them.

“Greetings. I’m Akane, the bad bitch blood samurai. I was a former reaper, now I’m a hero.” Akane welcomes holding out her hand for a handshake.

“Ugh ok..I’m Azura, nice to meet you.” Azura replies warily, shaking her hand.

I can’t tell if she was thrown off by Akane’s weird title or the fact that she was our enemy not too long ago. Most likely a combination of the two.

“Woah. That title is awesome. I’m Ryder. Professional exploder.” Ryder greets not being phased by the fact Akane was a former reaper.

“Exploding things is not a profession” Azura corrects.

“Well I get paid to be an adventurer, and I blow stuff up on my adventures, so I’m a professional exploder” Ryder argues.

“That logic is flawless” Akane concurs.

“That’s...alright forget it” Azura sighed in defeat.

The three of them proceed to go back to Nerva and Nazuko who are excited balls of energy. They’ve been playing with Akane’s sword this whole time. Pretty sure they just cut a chair in half. I focus my attention back to my book and try to block out the ensuing loudness. Akane appears to be the center of attention, as I hear everyone freak out over how cool she is. She’s getting along with people so that’s good, I don’t see how they think she’s cool but at least she’s not bothering me. Unfortunately Adam is. Adam is too socially awkward to hang out with them, so he’s been glued to me. It hurts. I wish Warren was up to distract Adam for me. He’s still asleep despite all of the noise. I’m able to make Adam be quiet for a few minutes allowing me to read when I heard a voice call out to me.

“Pssssst. Quincy. Quincy over here”

“Huh?” I say in confusion, looking around trying to find where the voice came from.

“Quincy over there” Adam tells me, pointing to a window that’s near the front door.

I see Will’s head popping up from the other side. Confused, I slowly walked to the window.

“What are you doing?” I question.

“Quincy, look you gotta help me. Lilith and Remi are going to kill me.”

“And why’s that?”

“They think I slept with Remi. Now they’re angry at me because I won’t confirm or deny it.”

“Didn’t you sleep with Remi?”

“I have no idea! I woke up next to her so yes I did, but did I have sex with her? I don’t know. I asked Warren but he didn’t help at all”

“You got to sleep with a girl? Life is too unfair.” Adam complains.

He must have come up to the window shortly after I did.

“Listen what exactly happened?” I grill, ignoring Adam’s comments.

“Ok so they got stuck up on the airship, I flew my way up there to save them. After teaching Lilith how to pilot the airship it came up. Instead of answering I made a Shrek reference and jumped out the window. I’m sure Lilith is going to land the airship anytime now. Then they’re going to come here and kill me.” Will explains.

“Was it a Shrek 1 or Shrek 2 reference?” I question needing this vital piece of information.

“Shrek?” Adam asks in confusion.

Ignoring him I continue “Will if you chose the wrong movie, this made your situation a whole lot worse”

“I chose Shrek 1.” Will answers understanding the seriousness of the situation.

“Alright things aren’t too bad. Listen, your best bet is to quote the Bee Movie when you see them. You're lucky you quoted Shrek 1, if you quoted Shrek 2 you would’ve been out of options” I recommend.

“Yes of course. This makes perfect sense. Thanks Quincy you saved my life.” Will says as we shake hands.

“W-what’s happening?” Adam asks in confusion. Poor boy doesn’t understand our ways.

“Will! You better come back here and answer the question!” I hear Remi yell from behind him.

I lean to the side and see Lilith and Remi running towards Will. They stop about a dozen feet behind him.

“Will I have no idea what that answer was earlier, but it didn’t solve anything. We’re going to figure things out here and now” Lilith expounds.

Before responding Will closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath. After exhaling, Will dramatically turns around and says “According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway. Because bees don’t care what humans think is impossible.”

“..........What?” Lilith and Remi question in sync.

“I..I don’t know what happened just now but that statement was so strange that I forgot what we were doing. Lilith what were we chasing Will for?” Remi asks in disbelief.

“I-I don’t know. It slipped my mind. All I can think about are bees.” Lilith answers.

Lilith and Remi slowly walk past Will, still incredulous. They enter the tower, not knowing what to do now. Will turns around and gives me a thumbs up, I give one in return. Adam walks back to the couch muttering to himself about bees. Will enters the tower and for what feels like the first time in forever, we got to talk while our parties hung out in the back. Everyone mostly centered on Akane in their conversations, eating cookies with the exception of Adam and Warren. The former because he was allergic and the latter because he’s still asleep. While talking to Will I hear Remi and Lilith introduce themselves to Akane and I think I heard Remi wince at Akane’s introduction, thank god someone else acknowledges the cringe. Will and I basically told each other about the fights each of us went through. Apparently the thief they fought was quite the handful. They had to deal with a hostage situation. I’m glad my party didn’t fight him, if we did I’m sure all of the hostages would’ve died. After about an hour or so of hanging out Akane abruptly stops talking mid conversation. Her eyes widen and everyone looks at her concerned.

“I feel something. This-this power. I never felt such an aura except from Archer.” Akane states, taking her sword from Nerva.

“Oh no are we under attack!?” Lilith inquires, taking up her shield.

Everyone gets their weapons and are standing around prepared for a fight. Suddenly I heard glass shatter behind me.

“HIYAAAA” the figure screams, jumping through the window into the room.

“LUTHER!’ I yell in excitement, seeing Luther in the room with a large sack over his back.

Everyone gives me a weird look.

“Ugh that wasn’t me. That was Adam” I followed up.

“Oh ok. Yeah that makes sense” people in the group say in agreement.

Oh thank god, dodged a bullet there.

“Wait huh?” Adam questions just realizing what everyone thinks he’s done.

“My friends, I have returned from my mission! I am victorious.” Luther brags as he plops his bag onto a nearby table. Everyone calms down and goes back to their conversations. Everyone is used to Luther so they’re no longer alarmed. Except Akane who continues to stare at him.

“Luther where were you this whole time?” I ask, ignoring Will.

“Quincy my friend, shortly after the date Colonel Bianca gave me a secret mission. It was a harrowing adventure full of action, love, and betrayal. It took me two weeks to complete. On my journey I heard about what happened to you. You have done me proud.” Luther explains.

“So what’s in the bag?”

“Ah these are the heads of my enemies. Colonel Bianca wanted some proof that my mission was successful. I asked her if she also wanted proof of the many new girlfriends I’d obtained but she declined. The answer is four.”

I missed Luther. His insanity is so fun to witness. I haven’t seen him in weeks but this is making up for it. I then feel a hand on my shoulder.

“Quincy who is this man. Why does he have such power?’ Akane whispers in my right ear.

“My lady I can answer your question” Luther whispers into my left ear.

Why is everyone whispering to me?

Luther backs away from me and, dramatically posing by putting his hand in front of his face states “I AM IMPERIAL KNIGHT LUTHER!” followed by sparkling.

“Ohhhhhhhhhh” Akane says in awe.

“Now tell me young lady, who are you?” Luther asks in return.

“I’m Akane. I’m the bad bitch blood samurai. Former reaper, now hero” she responds as she turns around and tilts her head back to pose looking like she’s on the cover of a shounen manga.

“Oho! A woman of quality!” Luther says impressed by her posing.

“Mr. Luther. I sensed your strength before you entered the room. If you will indulge me, I would very much like to fight you, to test my own strength” Akane proposes.

“Oho? Very well, I detected your strength as well. I will show you my power. Follow me!” Luther agrees, jumping out the same window he broke before.

Wait, are they going to fight? Like fighting in combat? Akane is strong but she’s gonna get her butt beat if she fights Luther. Akane follows him by jumping out the same window.

“Hey guys Luther and Akane are going to fight!” I call out to everyone who has segregated themselves into groups.

“Wait what?” Azura questions, concerned about the implications of that.

“Oh sweet I wanna check this out” Ryder says rushing towards the door.

“Nazuko come on! We gotta check out the cool shit Akane’s gonna do!” Nerva says following Ryder.

“Yay!” Nazuko cheers following Nerva.

Everyone else follows as well curious to see what’s gonna happen. We’re outside now to witness Akane and Luther staring each other down. It’s about sunset so there’s this western vibe going on right now.

“Young lady, I will not go easy on you.” Luther warns.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. My body is ready” Akane concurs.

Ah man I’m kind of excited to see this fight. Luther decimates whoever he goes up against.

“Aha! Then let’s begin. I’ll let you have the first move” Luther states.

For her first move Akane puts her left hand on her hip and puts her right hand in front of her face. Wait huh? What type of fighting is this?

“It’s a pose off!” Will exclaims in excitement.

“Oho! Quite a move young lady, but how do you like this!” Luther yells as he stands on one leg and raises both of his arms into the air.

“Ooooohhhh” everyone says in astonishment.

“Oh he’s good” Azura compliments.

The pose must’ve been effective as it made Akane stagger as if she'd received damage.

“Ugh. Using your most powerful attacks from the start? That’s a level 6 pose!” Akane yelled in shock.

“My lady this is a simple pose for me. It is clear you have much to learn!” Luther informs.

“Tch. Don’t count me out yet. I’m just getting started.”

“Come on Akane you can do this shit!” Nerva cheers.

Akane raises her arms then forms an x above her head. She then squats while keeping up the x.

The pose was more powerful than the last, as it made Luther get knocked back a bit. But Luther looks unphased.

“Very impressive. But alas, I knew you were going to choose that pose!” Luther reveals.

Everyone in the audience collectively gasps. We’re all invested even though most of us have no idea what’s happening

“W-what!?” Akane shouts out.

Luther quickly does a new pose. This time he’s crossed his arms and is leaning to the left.

“NOT THE COUNTER POSE!” Akane yells, collapsing to the ground.

“You see my friend, I’m already ten poses ahead of you. It’s over.” Luther says walking away from the battle.

“NOT YET! You are underestimating me! I may be weak, but I have determination! I also have the power of friendship! I’m no longer alone!” Akane preaches looking at Nerva and Nazuko.

This has gotten very dramatic very quickly.

Unnecessarily hype battle music

Akane springs to her feet and a bunch of red aura starts to emanate from her body. She puts one leg up in the air like an acrobat while putting an arm out to the side. The powerful pose knocks Luther back about 10 feet but he does not fall. He nonchalantly walks back slowly unsheathing his sword. Back to his original position he puts the sword horizontally on his head somehow balancing it.

“You are correct Akane. I have underestimated you, but no more. I will show you the TRUE POWER OF A GENTLEMAN! HAAAAAA!” Luther yells as he t-poses with the sword still balancing on his head.

“NOOOOOOOO!” Akane yells as she faces the full force of the pose. She acts like she got hit in the stomach as she falls to the ground once more. She tries her hardest to get up but to no avail. She’s on the ground holding onto her stomach.

“Wow to think he would have used that pose.” Ryder says shocked.

“Truly an intense match” Will affirms.

“I have heard of such power, but I’ve never seen it myself” Lilith adds.

“Ok am I the only one who has no idea what’s happening?” Remi comments.

“No I’m confused too” Adam agrees.

I look at Nerva and Nazuko and they have tears in their eyes.

“S-she tried so hard” Nazuko voices acting like Akane just died.

“God damn it!” Nerva cusses.

Luther walks up to Akane who looks completely defeated.

“You are not weak young lady. You are truly strong. If you continue the path you’re on, you will be a force to be reckoned with.” Luther announces holding out his hand to help her up.

Akane takes it and gets up.

“I will defeat you one day. Somehow.” Akane vows.

“Oho and you shall! Because from this day forth you shall become my disciple! Now I have two!” Luther elates.

Akane’s eyes widen and gets on one knee in front of Luther.

“Thank you! I won’t let you down!”

“Aha! For now, you must rest. I must now report to Colonel Bianca.” Luther says going back to the tower. In front of the tower is Ice Cube who’s waiting for him.

“Ah Anastasia my fair lady how are you?” Luther greets.

“....” Ice Cube replies.

“Oh I see.” I hear as Luther and Ice Cube head into the tower. They’re inside so I can’t hear the rest of their conversation. I hope Ice Cube’s all right, she acted weird earlier. Everyone else starts to make their way back into the tower except Nazuko and Nerva who are trying to cheer up Akane. I head my way back in as Will walks alongside me.

“Quincy, your newest party member is really cool” he tells me.

“Will, you’re being sarcastic right?”

“No, I don’t think so. She looks cool and is a powerful poser.”

“Ugh”

What a weird afternoon. At least it’s official, Akane has embedded herself into our group. It doesn’t surprise me, she’s a weirdo, like the rest of us.