“Ricky Rodriguez.” Jason walked up to the man with a smile. He went to shake his hand, but Ricky pulled him into a bear hug. “It’s been too long man,” Ricky began “It’s been awhile since I met a fellow Earth man that wasn’t trying to eat us.” Jason nodded understandingly, then asked about what had happened so far.

“ You don’t know how bad…. or rather I suppose you know best how bad it is. It’s been hell bro. The first week was the worst, we were attacked again and again. We never actually killed our enemies though even spared goblins when we could. God, I didn't realize how stupid we were being. Anyway by the time the first week ended, 2 of our original party were dead, and we all had pretty bad wounds.”

“After that,the attacks just stopped. We thought we were safe. Over the next week, we tried to gather as many non-hostile people as we could. Some were humans from this world, slaves to goblins that we freed. Most were stragglers that escaped base camp when that shit went down on Bloody Sunday. Thats what we call the first night. Then they came en masse. not just one or two people, or a dozen goblins.It was like 20 people and a small army of goblins. what’s more, they were working together! It was a massacre. Most of the people were the ones we had left alive, so they knew our abilities…”

Ricardo could speak no further as memories flooded his mind. The blood, the carnage, they were too much. As Jason put a hand of comfort on his shoulder, Ricardo began speaking once more. “ In the end, there were only a handful of us left. As we prepared for death, Sabrina… she saved us. She sacrificed her life and became a pillar of blue flame and burned our enemies to ashes… and then that beautiful flame burnt out. I gathered what was left of us, and began searching for allies once more. Then, weeks later, I remembered you, and here we are.”

By now, all of Ricardo’s allies had come forth and were clearly visible among the trees. Most of them were garbed in worn clothing from this world, but some wore apparel from Earth. Ricardo went and stood among them, and asked the question Jason had been anticipating for awhile now. “ Jason, I’m not going to lie to you. We intend to seek vengeance.I know it’s got nothing to do with you and your group, but will you join us, friend?”

Jason shook his head with a slight smile. “ Ricky, it has more to do with me than you think. I have more reason to hate Alexander and his group than you know, but its impossible for us now. he has thousands at his side, not to mention hundreds of us.” After Jason said this, Ricardo paused, then with a confused look, he asked “Alexander? Wait, the Bull? He’s a part of this? It doesn't matter, we can still take them!” Jason sighed and facepalmed.

“No man, we can't. Firstly, you obviously aren't too well informed. Alexander isn’t a part of them, he’s in charge. And did you not just hear me say he has hundreds of us? the goblins, orcs, and imps could be dealt with, with careful planning. but hundred of ability users strengthened by eating others? No, it’s impossible for just us. Secondly, look at yourselves. Why aren't you wearing armor? Why aren't you carrying weapons? Have you just been using raw abilities to defend yourselves? That’s terribly inefficient, you would run out of energy in ten minutes of fighting, easy. You aren’t ready for any form of warfare, I-”

“WE WILL FIGHT! I WILL PROTECT THEM!!!” Ricardo bellowed in a voice that was Inhumanly deep. Thin bristles of hair began to sprout from his growing body… but then he was back in control, and was the same Ricky from two minutes ago. He looked and saw that Everyone had weapons drawn, and facepalmed “Ugh... I’m sorry, sometimes it just comes out. It needs to dominate and protect, I-”

“I understand. I go through it too sometimes.” Jason interrupted. Many of the people on both sides look confused, but the ones who actually had affinity with their transformations understood. Sometimes the urge was too strong, Jason himself had fallen prey to it. It was why his group never went hungry. His need to hunt drove him to kill anything that was big and delicious.

But that was just the snake, whom Jason had pretty much under control, and he could resist its impulses for the most part. The urge he had to fight was that of the dragon. unlike the snake, the dragon was a dominating animal, and the urges were stronger, despite a lower affinity. All of Jason’s group bore packs now, full of valuables that Jason couldn't just let go. His hoard was ever-growing, and he didn't know it yet, but he was quite rich.

“Listen, I know you want vengeance, so do I. But if we go after them now, all that happens is we put a dent in their army, at the expense of losing everything. I don’t want to lose anymore, do you?” Jason told Ricardo. Ricardo could only nod. As much as he wanted to fight it, It was the truth, and he knew it.

Ricardo looked back at Jason, sighed, then asked “ So what’s your plan?” Jason looked back at his group for confirmation that it was ok to share, then began to speak “We plan to get out of this forest, for one. past those mountains over there, there is a human frontier city. They do business with the high elves, but rarely send people in themselves, for obvious reasons.We plan to go there, get information, warn the people about the threat although Alexander is moving in the opposite direction,buy a small boat, and then leave. We’re headed towards somewhere we can earn a lot of money, then to a magical academy. Magic is probably the way back to our world, because let’s face it, that imp aint letting us go back.”

Ricardo paused, thought for a moment, then said “Ok, We’re in.” Jason looked at him confusedly, then proceeded to say “No, nonononono. This is OUR plan. it wasn't exactly an invitation bro. How could we feed all these people in a city? I don't have the money to-” “Come onnnn, don't sweat the small stuff, so when do we leave?” Ricky interrupted, swinging a muscular arm over Jason’s shoulders. Jason just sighed. His life just became a little more complicated.