Desert Realm Scorch

“You fight good.”

Avalon raised an eyebrow to Guster. They had been riding alongside each other in complete silence.

“Well,” she corrected him.

“Huh?”

“Never mind,” she sighed. “Thank you. You fight well too.” she chuckled.

There was a brief pause between the two. Guster lit a bliss stick before continuing his small talk again. “What are you doing after dis, Blue?”

“After what?” she asked, confused.

“All dis. You helpin’ me out. What does 'Avalon' have to go back to? Who is waiting for you to return?”

Avalon bit her lip, “My work as a Silent One I suppose, I haven’t really thought about it much.”

Guster grinned stupidly. “Ah blue, you’re lyin’ to yourself. I've seen you up at night, missin’ someone. Wishin’ you were with dem and not me.”

Avalon scowled. “I always wish I was with someone other than you!”

“What about dat mint leaf. Sharp but pleasant. She has a thing for you. I can see it in her eyes.”

“Vada!? I- she's my Blade Sister!” Avalon blurted out as she blushed. Yes, Vada had always had her back, even when they were enemies, they only wanted what was best for each other. Was there something more between them than just sisterhood?

“For someone fast enough to deflect my knives, you sure are slow,” chuckled Guster. He ducked as Avalon threw a punch.

Avalon adjusted her jacket as she found her composure, hiding a smile by pulling her hood lower around her face. “What about you, Mister Laroux? Lost Dawns could always use your services,” suggested Avalon.

“Nah, my ugly mug wouldn't last a day with dem pretentious elves,” snorted Guster. “Once I’m back in de good graces with de Network, I ain’t ever lettin’ go again.”

Avalon stifled a giggle as she imagined the gruff bounty hunter trying to live in high society. A rolling cloud of dust blew past them in a quick rush. Both riders had to throw up their arms over their eyes from the sand. The wind was so harsh it nearly toppled them both off their horses.

Then as fast as it came, it passed.

“What was that? A sandstorm?” asked Avalon, rubbing the crust from her dry eyes.

“Don't think so, blue, dey tend to last longer. Someone or somethin’ created dat.”

Avalon focused her sight and peered into the distance. The horizon wavered in the desert

heat, but she could make out blurred images and the glint of steel. “There's people up ahead, a battle!” she said.

“One of dem Uther?”

Avalon rode up ahead to get a better look. Indeed, one of them towered over the others. “Maybe... yes, I believe so.”

Guster rode to catch up to Avalon, but stopped. The horse’s hooves now sounded as if they were back on a road instead of shifting sands. “Avalon, look. Look at de ground,” Guster called out to her.

As she looked behind her, she watched Guster dismount his horse and examine the ground. It was not sand, but a smooth polished stone. Guster moved his hand over the carvings, feeling the grooves until his fingers caught into a jet-black liquid. He pulled his fingers away as the slime thinned and then snapped back like an elastic band.

“I ain't ever seen anythin’ like dis. What do you think it is?

“A Celestial Seal. It has to be,” she said. Her mind flashed back to her ancient realm studies. She passed the lessons off as folklore, but here it was right in front of here. Real as Jedeo. Avalon drew her sword. It gave off a soft red glow as it ebbed and wisped off of the metal like smoke in water.

This black substance is demonic in nature. Like Woadhollow...

“I think Uther is trying to destroy the seal. He must have gotten mixed up with the Night,” Avalon finished her thought out loud.

“Breaking the seal, what’s dat mean for us?”

Avalon pulled her reins trying to settle her spooked horse. “Catastrophe.”

“I’m not paid enough for dis,” he said, shaking his head and wiping his hand on his pants leg.

“Heroism is its own reward,” said Avalon, “Come we must hurry!”

Riding fast and determined, she made her way closer to the battle before her. Two fighters fended off Uther and his companions. They wore white and used a fighting style that resembled the Black Rabbit martial art.

Not one of my Silent Ones...who are they?

As Avalon drew near, she rose on top of her saddle. Her left foot back on the cantle, her right balanced herself on the horn. Taking her sword in both hands, she leapt from the horse, sailing over the combatants and driving her blade into Uther's shoulder.

“Remember me, you bastard?!” she roared.

Uther grunted, dropping his hold off Wiccer and ripped Avalon away from him.

She tumbled and rolled through the air, landing gracefully on her feet. Avalon held out her palm and whispered, “Come.” From Uther's wound, the sword wriggled free and spun to Avalon's awaiting hand.

From Avalon’s flanks, the two white clad warriors slid to her.

Elucard? Wiccer?

“Avalon, what in the name of Father are you doing here?” exclaimed Wiccer.

“Avalon, you’re a welcome sight,” grinned Elucard.

“I could ask you the same question, Wiccer,” said Avalon. “Right now, we need to stop them from destroying the seal.”

Avalon and Elucard clashed their blades against Inle’s. They grunted pushing the clown backwards.

“Glad we’re on the same page,” said Wiccer. He rolled out of the way as Uther pounded at the ground.

“Hey blue, you gonna introduce me?” said Guster as he jumped off his horse and strutted behind them.

Avalon rolled her eyes, “Wiccer, Elucard, this is Guster.” She parried Inle’s sword and kicked him away.

Elucard examined the bounty hunter up and down, “Can you fight?”

“Ole’ Guster's been in enough scraps to hold his own,” smirked Guster as he opened his long coat to reveal the thirty odd throwing knives fastened within the jacket's lining. Guster threw an ugly punch, connecting the Collector in the jaw.

Wiccer pawed a fresh wound on his side. “This is more than a scrap. The seal is being infused with something they call 'Plague Reach'. It makes them faster and stronger. We can't underestimate them,” explained Wiccer.

“What's the plan?” asked Elucard.

Wiccer paused looking at his allies, assessing his new strengths, “I'll handle Inle. I feel the Collector is a bigger threat, so I'm going to leave him to you, Elucard,” he waited for his friend to nod before continuing, “I don't know what this Uther is capable of, but something tells me you two are here for him,” said Wiccer looking to Avalon and Guster.

“You just leave him to us,” smiled Guster, “I have a dance to finish with Uther.”

“Alright. Now that's settled, let's do this!”