| The Motavian sun is relentless on unwary travellers. The heat is unbearable, the sweat pours into your eyes, and the sheer wieght of going on has wasted many a lesser man. So contemplated Chaz, as he rested his feet on the dashboard of the Land Rover as it tore through the sandy deserts of Motavia. The air conditioner ruffled his hair, and the masseus chair gently kneaded his back muscles. Adventuring has never been this sweet, he thought to himself. Looking back, he noticed Grimm wouldn't have agreed with him. In the latest round of one-upmanship between the two hunters, Chaz seemed to be winning. Grimm was on Chaz's turf, in the legendary Land Rover, looking ver uncomfortable indeed. Turning to Kyra, Chaz smiled and asked; "So where are we going first, Kyra?" "The last time both me and Grimm saw WhiteShadow and Dark-Sol together was in Paseo, and although you saw WhiteShadow later it's the best place to start tracking them, I think." She smiled as she steered the Rover. "And considering I'm a much better hunter then you two boys, I'm in charge." Chaz laughed as he saw Grimm's countenance darken. The boy would have to learn a sense of humour if he was going to handle Kyra's company for long. Suddenly, the Rover ground to a halt. Climbing out, the trio saw the low walls of the friendly town of Paseo before them. "I can't believe that last time you guys were here it was actually snowing! Must have been one strange night." Exclaimed Chaz. "It felt just like home, actually." Kyra replied. "C'mon, Chaz, you should know more than anyone that Algo hasn't recovered fully from the Dark Force's attack;" added Grimm, "freak weather conditions are the least of our problems, with all those biomonsters still around." Chaz lead the way into the city as he spoke. "Oh well, it seems that things have calmed down around here, at least. These two high criminals didn't seem to leave a massive scar upon the population." In fact, the streets were empty, not totally unheard of but strange for this time of morning. "The tavern is just around this corner, Chaz." Mentioned Kyra, pointing past yet another sand coloured building. Stepping out of the blazing heat of the day and into the tavern, Chaz noted that this place must've been a magnet for trouble-makers. Although there were no signs of a recent battle, the wooden walls were scarred with many scratches and the stone fireplace, used mainly as a gathering point of the room rather than for heat, had many chips in it's facade. The tavern was empty aside from the tavernkeeper, who stood behind the bar, wiping glasses with a sullen look on his face. Upon seeing the three hunters enter the tavern, his face brightened. "Welcome friends! Welcome to the Tavern of the Last Stand! Pull up a stool!" His weathered face broke into a smile as both Kyra and Grimm looked confused. Turning to his companions, Chaz noted their expressions. "What's up guys?" He asked, remaining in the doorway with them. Grimm was the first to speak, his eyes darting around the room. "This isn't the Tavern of the Last Stand, it was called the Raging Bull, and had a thriving clientele. And you're not the same bartender - what's going on here? Where are all the people of this town?" The bartender's face fell yet again. "Sit down and have an ale and I'll tell you the whole story." Taking a seat at the bar, Kyra sat between the two men, saving them the trouble of squabbling over who was sitting where. "Just water will be fine," Said Chaz. "You're sure? Not even a fine Dezolian wine?" Pleaded the bartender. "Positive." Grimm replied. "Now, the story." Passing out three mugs filled with water, the bartender put down his dishrag and leant on the bar, casting his gaze over all three hunters. "I'm afraid all the people of Paseo have either died or fled." Chaz coughed and spluttered as he sprayed all his water along the bar. "What?!? What happened here?" "Calm down, lad, and let me tell my story. It ain't a long one, and since you're getting it for free I'd mind the bar." The bartender retorted with a wry smile, tossing his dishrag to the now slightly embarrassed Chaz. As Chaz wiped down his water, the bartender continued. "Not long ago, a fight broke out in this bar, during the night of the freak snowstorm. But it was no ordinary fight. The fight involved a dark figure with claws and a six foot plus albino motavian." The bartender faltered for a moment as the faces of those gathered before him did not change for a moment. "You're not surprised?" He asked, clearly stumped. "I was there," Said Grimm, flatly. "I cleaned up afterwards." Kyra added. "I wasn't around, but I did meet the motavian, disband an evil cult surrounding him, and am currently hunting the clawed man." Said Chaz, smiling. Gathering himself, the bartender chortled momentarily and continued; "Alright, so you know what happened that night. I wasn't here myself, but heard all about it from the previous owner. He sold this place to me the day after the incident. As a former brawler myself, I thought that a fight or two wouldn't faze me when running this joint. Might even join in. "But that was before the dark one returned." The look of surprise on all three hunters faces finally gave the bartender reason to smile. "Ahh, didn't see that coming, did you?" He laughed. Chaz raised an eyebrow, while Grimm's hand fell to the sword at his hip. Spluttering, the bartender hurried to continue. "He came from the east, some of our traders saying he had emerged from Soldier's Isle. Anyways, he appeared at the town gates, his face uncovered, Laconian Claws on his hands. He declared that the people of this town were doomed, for looking upon the prodigy of darkness, and that their time was at hand. Those watching told me later that he had flowing black hair and glowing red eyes. "Well, the town militia wanted no part of that, and banded with a few travelling hunters to mount a defence. Those that got away swore that the Dark One simply touched them with his hands and they died on the spot." Chaz gasped. "Megid!" His face turned pale beneath his blonde hair. "So, the Dark One went through the town, killing any who opposed him. The remains of the militia made their last stand here, before being destroyed by a technique called 'Unholy'. I saw it all myself. The rest of the survivors all packed up what they could and ran for the mountains, and I've been caretaker of the town ever since. It's up to two weeks evil free." Grimm cast the bartender a dark look. "You tell the story rather light-heartedly for someone caught up in a slaughter." The bartender smiled for a moment, but then his mouth settled into a hard line. "Gotta have a sense of humour, lad, otherwise ou can't get on with your life. I paid my price for witnessing that scene." Reaching to his left eye, he pulled right out of it's socket. "With the amount of sand on Motavia, making this glass eye was rather easy. If I hadn't been quick, I would have lost the left side of my body into the bargain. If you want to go moan and complain, you can go west and cower with those too frightened to return and rebuild. In the meantime, I'll keep getting on with my life, and that could include a cute barmaid too, darlin'." the bartender grinned and winked with his good eye at Kyra. Kyra matched the grin with one of her own as she politely flipped the bartender off. The bartender grimaced as the two men laughed. Calming down, Chaz asked the pertinent question. "Do you have any idea where the Dark One went after here?" The bartender shrugged. "Last I saw, he headed out of the gates and back east. But he could've gone anywhere, really. I wasn't going to follow him." They all sat silently for a moment as the bartender went back to wiping his glasses, but not before popping his glass eye back in. Chaz thanked the bartender for his help, tossing some coins on the bar, before all three got up to leave the tavern. As they were leaving, the bartender called out; "If I were you, I wouldn't hunt that thing. My sign doesn't have room for "Tavern of the Two Foolish Hunters and Their Attractive Friend." " Kyra groaned as Chaz spun round. "She's a hunter too, my friend, and yes, we are going to hunt Dark-Sol down, no matter what the cost." "Then you're mad, boy," The bartender declared. "It's my job, friend. Farewell." With that, they stepped out into the town, just as the sun began to set. Chaz couldn't help but notice how the light seemed to paint the streets red. |