“Brian, are you sure Gnash is northeast of Brisben?” Jessica watched the dragoon open his map, inspect it thoroughly, then put it back in his satchel. “Pretty sure, at least if I read the map correctly.”

“We’re lost, aren’t we?” The mage couldn’t believe she let dragoon take the map.

“We’re fine. Don’t complain, it was your idea to go looking for people that beat up Matt. I said we should wait and talk, but nooo.”

The mage crossed her arms, stifling any further conversation. He was right, but she had figured finding the city would be easy, or at least easier than this. The pair had walked a long way since the first two villages, long enough for Jessica to realize this was a bad idea.

As the duo continued to trek the flat plains, they watched carefully for Mox holes.

”They say moxes have large claws and fluffy ears, and razor sharp teeth. They eat anything that they happen to burrow into. Apparently, they’re also used in coats.”

“Well Brian, why not skin a few for Matt, I’m sure he’d love a coat made from these ugly things.”

“Yeesh Jess, just trying to lighten the mood.” Brian regretted bringing conversation back up, cursing himself for even thinking to try while in Jessica’s company.

Soon the plains began to elevate into hilly terrain. A town became visible in the distance, not far from another forest. As the two entered the town, they noticed it was rather spare near the entrance. Despite the many small shacks that appeared to be the main occupancy of the town, a large noise could be heard at the center.

A large crowd of people had amassed at the center, so large that there were even people on the outskirts. “She’s mine!” A male voice yelled. Brian and Jessica watched as two men beat each other while a woman looked over them. “I think we should come back later.” Agreeing with the dragoon, Jessica followed back near the entrance.

“Did you see how crazy those guys got over that woman while she was making out with another guy?” The mage shook her head. “No, I saw two adults doing…well, you know.”

“Some of the seven sins must be here.” Brian scanned the area, seeing the town curve around the center. “Not sure where they are, but if they’re not in the center, it shouldn’t be hard to find them.” Just then, the dragoon felt something poke his back; turning around, he saw it was a brunette woman, smiling at him.

“You lookin at my woman?!” An amber skinned man growled at Brian

“No, he was probably admiring you.” Jessica’s comment had cause the man to completely flip his reaction, posing like an embarrassed teenager whose crush just acknowledged them. Before Brian could object, the woman had pulled the man away. “Mine!” she gave Brian the death glare before disappearing around the curve.

“Jessica, I’m scared.”

“I am too Brian.”

“Why hello there, don’t you look like a lovely couple.” A woman’s voice had shifted the pair’s attention toward two teenagers, not

The man was tall and wide, covered neck to toe in plate armor, leaving only his head exposed. With short brown hair and a pale complexion, the figured looked to be a caveman. The woman was dress in formal wear, a black shirt and pants, a red tie and sleek black loafers, the ensemble completed by her fedora and long, jet black hair. She was classy, her figure average, yet inviting compared to the man next to her.

“You guys know why the townspeople are acting weird.” Brian’s directed his question at the woman.

“Hmm, no, I’m afraid we don’t.” The woman was perplexed when a grin formed on the dragoon’s face.

“That wasn’t a question. I know you know, because you two are the only ones not acting strange.” Brian was satisfied himself, but the woman still seemed confused. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb, the people here all beating each other up while you two just stand there, and I didn’t see anyone else enter town. I’m guessing you two are part of the seven sins.”

“Hmph, well aren’t you clever? Yes, we are of the seven sins, but it’s still bad manners not introduce yourselves.” The woman glared at Brian expectantly, but he would not budge. Turning over to Jessica, she got the same response. “I shall go first then. I am Alexander Sharla, Pride of the seven sins, and my silent companion here is Xander Hart, also known as Wrath.”

“I am pleased to meet your acquaintance.” The man finally spoke, his voice booming yet his tone was eloquent. “I shall be your opponent. En garde!” The man stepped forward, unleashing a large claymore befitting a man of his stature.

“Leave him to me Jess, I can take this fool down easy.” Brian rushed the paladin head on, rocketing through the air before stabbing at him. In a turn of events that surprised Jessica, the man didn’t seem prepared for this maneuver, Brian’s attack forcing him backward.

“Looks like I underestimated you, but that strike was still underwhelming.” Darkness had surrounded the paladin, his figure growing even larger. The devil sported no wings, no tail, no horns, but his armor was still bulky and intimidating, but now the same charcoal black as his skin. His signature claymore was also made completely black, now with a fancy handle.

“Hmph, just a bigger target to take down!” Pushing himself harder, Brian flew at the devil even faster. The dragoon rushed his target so quickly that he could not stop himself from meeting the broadside of his sword. Brian was sent crashing into a wall of a building still under construction.

“I apologize for my crude commentary, but I must say that strategy was…lacking.” The giant had turned his attention to the mage

“Ah, now this is starting to look familiar.” Jessica had turned to see a hole where Brian’s trajectory had been. “But it’s not going to end the same way. Unlike that stupid boar from two years ago, I’m going to take you down and prove I’m not weak.” Jessica faced the devil, her staff glowing with anticipation.

“I have no context for what you’re referring to. That said, I was more interested in clashing with you to begin with. Have at thee!” The challenge Xander demanded was met with a large column of ice being flung his way. Slamming his sword into the ground, he rushed the column, stopping its propulsion, before lifting it over his head and putting it down gently to his side.

“Don’t think I’m done yet!” The mage flung smaller icicles at her opponent, decreasing the interval between attacks as he approached. As the devil towered over the redhead, she smiled a devious smile. Before he could attack, the girl turned the ground to ice. Encasing her arms in a block of ice, she jettisoned herself forward by creating an icy slope, sending herself and the giant into the column of ice. The back of the paladin slammed into the ice column, causing part of it to shatter.

Brian had sat up, rubbing the back of his head. Looking in the direction he was thrown, he saw Jessica was now fighting the large devil. The dragoon attempted to join her, but he was unable to move any part of his body except for his eyes.

“Now now, two-on-one wouldn’t be fair.” The blonde turned his attention to a familiar voice, but not a familiar face: a devil was standing to his side, wearing red heels barely visible through a long red dress, offset by her charcoal skin, leathery wings, and horns on her head. “I’ll keep you company while Xander plays with your friend.”

The mage had looked smug as the paladin began to slump. Her victory was short lived however, as the paladin erupted, stretching his limbs and standing up. Taking advantage of his bulk and close proximity to the mage, he stomped on the ice floor, breaking the ice under him before he delivered a flurry of punches. Left hook, right jab, Jessica had taken punch after punch straight to the face, her mana only able to protect her for so long. With one final slug, the girl was sent sliding across what remained of her own ice floor.

“Alex, it seems my bout is over. You may gloat if you please.” Alex had forced Brian to move against his will, standing up and following her.

The devil girl walked over to the mage, kneeling so that her face eclipsed the redhead’s vision. “Look at you, so sweet, even with the bloody nose Xander gave you. Since you knew who we were, that means you or someone you know must have met one of us before. Because you didn’t listen or forgot, I’ll repeat the warning: don’t look for the princess or else we’ll beat you up again, okay?” Jessica had squinted as the woman pushed her nose. “Take care now, cutie.”

With that, the two walked away casually, leaving Brian to fall next to Jessica before he regained control of his body.

“Next time Jess, just wait for Matt.”