Aden smirked, “I guess so.” He broke their bind and jumped backward, setting the distance from his opponent.

  Talon found himself struggling against the orc’s rear choke. With every second he could feel himself nearing closer and closer to unconsciousness. He clawed at the ground, the dirt clumped under his fingernails as he gasped for air. Every breath was in vain as the orc’s grip tightened. In a last ditch effort, Talon tossed a clump of dirt into his attacker’s eyes.

  The orc grunted, releasing his grip on Talon. With this small window of escape, Talon dashed into the brushes. When the orc was finally able to see again, Talon was gone.

  Meanwhile, Wilhelm faced off against the pink haired girl.

  “So what’s your name?” She snapped her gum flirtatiously.

  Wilhelm awkwardly chuckled, “Easy there, I’m a little too old for you. The name’s Wilhelm, but I think you’d be more interested in my pal over there.” He motioned over to where Stevie was being held.

  “Whatever, I’m Candi.” She blew a bubble.

  Wilhelm politely smiled, “Well, it’s nice to meet you young lady. But do we really have to fight? I don’t hit girls.”

  Candi giggled as she continued to blow up her bubble.

  Wilhelm realized that there was no talking her out of the fight, “So you use gum magic? I’ve never seen such a thing.”

  Without wasting a second, Candi sucked the gum bubble back in and shot back out projectiles like a rapid fire gun. Wilhelm reacted with a shield spell, blocking all her gum bullets.

  “Wallace! I might need you!” She called out to the whaleman.

  The whaleman flung Barb over his shoulder while defending a front double-leg takedown from Sun Walker, “Kinda busy over here!”

  Sun Walker was naturally gifted, but Wallace’s years of training gave him the upper hand as he lifted the man off of his feet and pile-drove him into the earth.

  Over by the hostages, Aden charged their leader. Their blades clashed, flashing sparks in front of their eyes. The handsome man kicked Aden in the chest, causing him to stumble backward. Before he could regain his footing, the handsome man thrusted his rapier at him. Aden barely parried the attack, regaining his footing and connecting a left hook to the man’s jaw.

  The handsome man chuckled as he wiped his now busted lip, “You can end this, just call your men off.”

  “Not until you free those two.” Aden smirked, charging at him again.

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  Wilhelm blocked another volley of gum bullets as he gathered magical energy into his off hand. An ethereal, white light flashed above him. In an instant, Candi dropped to her knees. She screamed while rubbing her eyes.

  “I’m blind! I’m just a little girl, how could you?” She berated Wilhelm.

  “Relax, it’s only temporary. I told you I don’t hit girls.” Wilhelm sighed as he ran to help Barb and Sun Walker.

  Upon realizing her vulnerability, she screamed for help. “WALLACE! FABIO! JOHNNY! SOMEBODY!”

  Her blood curdling scream echoed throughout the campsite.

  “Fabio?” Aden mumbled. Studying his foe even more now.

  Fabio rushed towards him with his rapier once more. Aden dodged it from the side and slashed with his own blade. The blade barely connected with Fabio’s hand, cutting his glove. Revealing a tattoo-like mark Aden recognized from his past.

  Fabio looked down at his now exposed hand, “Enough playing around!”

  He sheathed his rapier and held his marked hand above. As if he was summoning lightning, an ethereal blade of light emerged from his hand. This sight sparked something deep within Aden, not just a feeling, but a memory. A memory he thought was once lost forever.

  “WAIT!” Aden shouted, tossing his blade aside and kneeling. “I thought it was you. It’s me, Fabio, Aden.”

  “Aden? You survived?” Fabio said in disbelief, absorbing his Divine Blade. “Get up.”

  In a very rare occasion of emotion, Aden embraced the man. Two old friends finally reunited after years of separation.

  Shortly thereafter, the two freed the hostages and called off each of their groups.

  As soon as the fighting subsided, Talon came running from the hill. Shouting like a madman, ‘He’s crazy! Help!”

  “Oh, that’s just Johnny.” Fabio chuckled.

  Immediately after Talon arrived, Johnny emerged from seemingly out of nowhere.

  Talon flinched at the sight of Johnny, “What’s going on? I thought we were fighting these guys.”

  “Long story.” Aden replied, back to his cold usual self.

  That night, the two groups camped together. Barb and Sun Walker arm wrestled Wallace while drinking and telling stories of their strength. Talon sat near the group of hulks and enjoyed a drink to himself. Le’Hennessy attempted to coach Stevie on how to talk to Candy. Wilhelm talked with Johnny in sign language about everything under the sun. All while Aden and Fabio sat together, catching up.

  “So what’s this group?” Aden asked, like a little kid trying to hangout with the older kids again.

  “This is the Valerian Rebellion.” Fabio chuckled, “We’re still working on a name though.”

  Aden looked confused, “There’s no way that there isn’t anyone else loyal to your father.”

  Fabio laughed, “There is, but the rest of the rebellion is hiding out in the Southern Providence.”

  “I see.” Aden replied. “What are you doing here with a squad of four then?”

  “We are going to take down Portland. If we can cut their ports off for just a week, it will significantly weaken the Dark Lord’s army.”

  Aden practically jumped from the log he sat on, “We’re in!”