Javal hurried over to the Ash Lands trying to come to the aid of his fellow Fighter’s Guild members. Although the Ash Lands especially Darkveil City were known for its shady and dangerous figures, there was something very wrong going on in one of the camps. Something or someone was hitting Fighter’s Guild camps all around Charon, Javal thought he was done with them but hearing a call of emergency to help a camp in the Ash Lands Javal couldn’t just look away. He was a hero and if someone needed help then he was going to be there his sword in hand. Whoever this force was wasn’t just a normal bandit group or mad group of criminals they must be skilled and strong to take down one of his brethren. Javal wasn’t going to let anyone get hurt any longer by this mysterious threat and he hurried even fast, increasing his pace.

It was because of his rush and recklessness that he slammed into someone on his way towards the base. He ran into an armored fellow and fell to the floor quickly jolting back to his feet.

He gave an apologetic bow towards the stranger, “Hello there good sir my name’s Javal Zarrias and you have my sincerest apologies for bumping into you. I hope I didn’t hurt you or damage your precious armor. I am in a big hurry at the moment so forgive my recklessness, there are people I need to save and evil I must stop”, he declared pointing his sword towards the sky.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Shadow of the Hawk
Guild: Fighter's Guild
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 5 post per person, 200 words per post
Base Reward: +1 Renown
Guild Reward: +1 Mystical Archive Ticket, +1 Guild completion
Description: Over the last few months, several Fighter's Guild outposts across Charon have been ambushed and assaulted by small groups of highly skilled assailants. They have been destroying defenses, raiding supplies, stealing classified information and even holding guild members hostage. You find yourself tangled up in one of these ambushes while visiting the outpost, and are called to help defend and protect the area. A small ambush team of exalted level enemies will try to take control of the base.
Special Requirements: After successfully defending the outpost, you find information on the bodies that ties them to a group of mercenaries known as the Iron Hawks. Their leader, Gabe Hawkwood is a known criminal and is said to operate out of Frostgale.

Since setting off on his own, Das has made it a bit of a personal mission to visit different places in Charon and meet new people. In a short amount of time, he met a few people that he holds in high regard already. If he has met such amazing people already, then surely there are more people throughout Charon to add to his expanding network of allies and friends.

The Ash Lands and Zeinav both were of great interest to him, both because of ancestral ties and the weather. And also he’s heard that Darkveil is a great place not just to make a difference, but it houses the volcano that exploded a year ago! He must see it! Or what’s left of it.

What Das does not anticipate on his journey is another Fellblood running into him hard enough to fall back in the sand. The very large red Fellblood stumbles forward and looks back, confused. “Ah, uh, excuse me?” In no time at all, Javal is on his feet and apologizing. “Oh, no harm done,” Das says, offering to help Javal up or dust him off if he lets him. However, the larger of the two looks surprised.

“There’s trouble afoot? Allow me to lend a hand! I’m Kar’Das’Dun, but you can just call me Das. Lead the way, you’ve got my sword!”

---

Note: Javal got a work charter so Das can have the additional thread rewards

“Oh okay thank you so much, sorry again if I scratched or bumped your armor”, Javal continued apologizing before the stranger waved off his worries. Instead of a frown of regret a large smile of excitement sprouts on his face as he looks up towards the taller red fellblood.

“Hello Das it’s a pleasure to meet you stranger my name is Javal Zarrias, Captain of the Sword of Abaddon, Commander-in-Chief of the Drakon Security Company, and member of the Fighter’s Guild. Yes indeed trouble is a foot, or a leg, or well to be honest I don’t know what limb trouble is exactly but I know it’s nearby and people need some help. Would you be willing to join me and help others out really? Woah that’s exciting and you even have a sword on you too? Where’d you get yours from? I got mine from my sensei back at home. Can I see it?”.

But before the talkative younger man can continue to babble, Javal shakes his head vigorously, stopping himself from going any further.

“Agh, sorry I'm just really excited and should stop, we should get going as fast as we can run. There are Fighter’s Guild members that are being attacked all over. There’s one of their camps just up ahead, we have to make sure they’re alright and face down any villains who dare to hurt others and spread chaos”

Das absolutely did not expect the guy who ran face-first into him to have so many titles, and his single visible eye goes wide with surprise. “Wow, such a titled fellow. A pleasure to meet you!” The smaller of the two must be extremely excitable to go on even after Das has offered his help, so Das just nods vigorously.

“Ah, long story, actually,” he says in regards to his sword. The greatsword at his back with a blazing blade made to look like a flame, was not something he expected to have in his possession. It’s a fine blade, after all. He feels privileged to have it in his possession. “I have a feeling you’ll be seeing it in action when we take on this trouble!”

When Javal explains the situation with members of the Fighter’s Guild being attacked, his brow furrows. There’s a potential that they might run into the Red Riders, but would the Riders really be so foolish to pick a fight with one of the crown-sponsored guilds? Even the most haughty of the leaders would need a good plan of attack, something months in the making. There’s no reason for them to have gone after the Fighter’s Guild. No, it must be someone else.

“Agreed! Perhaps after this you can tell me more about this guild! For now, let’s get to the fight! We can chat when the raiders are defeated!”

“Woah, I'm excited to see it in action. A greatsword like that of such obvious craftsmanship must be strong. However, a blade’s effectiveness is determined by the user and you seem pretty strong so I’m sure it’ll be a fun fight”, the fellblood would say as he turned his body towards the direction he was originally going.

“Okay friend with our powers combined and the conviction in our hearts no evil shall escape. Just follow me and I’ll lead us to the Fighter’s Guild camp that’s being attacked”, he’d call out as he began sprinting north.

His pace was an urgent one but he tried not to go at a full sprint since he didn’t want to lose Das on the way there. The trail was fairly easy to get through well besides the many stray branches, bushes, and fallen trees but in all honesty, Javal simply ran through everything without giving a second thought to logical self-preservation. He was focused and determined to reach those in need as fast as he could even if he was covered with various deadwood flora.

Arriving at the edge of the base something was immediately seemed amiss. The smell of fire and the sound of fighting signaled that conflict was already going on. Before he could call out for Das to get ready he heard the sounds of nearby arrows whizzing through the air. Quickly acting the azure fellblood smashed his hands into the ground causing a large block of ice (1) to appear in front of the two adventures and shielding them from a sudden arrow attack.

A smile sprouted on his face as he exclaimed, “Alright Das here we go looks like we got a warm welcome from these fiendish enemies. Give it your best effort and make sure to keep an eye out for anyone in need of help”, pulling out Theseus from his sheathe.

---

1. Glacial Wall

“There’s still much to learn about wielding a sword!” Das agrees. “Maybe I’ll learn a trick or two from you on this day.” Without further hesitation, Das rushes after Javal, ready to dive into a fight to do what’s necessary to assist with a fight. Luckily, Javal breaks a good number of the twigs and branches in the way as he barrels through the area, which means that the only ones left are the ones for Das to run into with his face. After the third smack in the fact, he smartens up and holds his arm aloft to protect his face and lets his armor take the brunt of the forces. It overall leaves him with a few minor scratches, but he barely seems to notice it.

“They may have given us a warm welcome, but you’ve come in like a cold wind, friend!” he laughs, impressed at the wall of ice that suddenly protected them. “Let’s show them what fire and ice can do together!”

Glowing hot greatsword in hand,^[1] Das rushes forward at the closest enemy and takes stock of them. These are true raiders, he can tell immediately at a glance. Well armed and armored, they’re going to be tough. This might be just as hard as taking on anyone from his old company. Still, he won’t be deterred. Das may not have control over magic like Javal, but he has spirit. That can carry them through!

With a powerful sweep, Das swings his sword at the assailant. His blade catches on the armor, but the heat sends searing pain deep despite the protective metal.

"BACKUP IS HERE!!" the raider shouts, alerting the others.

---

1. Scalded enhancement

Theseus’s metal shined against the day’s light, Javal’s blade was ready for battle as the runes on its body glowed a bright cerulean blue. He stands in front of the deteriorating glacial wall and grins widely as he yells, “Alright Das let us show them our combined might, try not to let their numbers overwhelm you. Even if you face a hundred enemies as long as you stand tall with a heart filled with conviction, you will never falter”.

He glances around, counting about ten masked thieves running around and defeating the losing Fighter’s Guild members. Rushing forward the fellblood sprints towards the nearest opponent, a monkeyfolk figure wielding a long metal quarterstaff. He quickly pulls back his sword and sends a powerful slash aiming towards the fellow’s back. However, before his blade could sink into their back a loud clanging sound rings through his ears. With a proud smirk, the monkeyfolk looks back and grins revealing his metal quarterstaff clashing with Javal’s sword.

Each of them jumps back sizing their opponent up, “Oh lookie here is another one of these Fighter Guild folks looking to get knocked down. Well bring it on blue horns you’ll face all the same”.

Javal simply chuckles, “Good luck you vile fiend you will pay for hurting these innocent people. Now prepare to fall at the hands of justice”, before sprinting forward and looking like he was going to go for another slash. The monkeyfolk bandit scoffs and prepares himself anticipating an overhead strike.

However instead of another clanging of metal at the last minute, Javal smirks. He then opens his mouth sending out a fast beam of sharpened water (1) right at the fellow’s chest sending him flying back and barely managing to catch himself by slamming his quarterstaff into the ground.

---

1. Water Cutter

Das has only known Javal for five minutes and already decides that he likes him quite a lot. Unlike the Red Riders and their leadership, Javal has a thirst for justice and seems to thrive on doing the right thing. It’s the right kind of influence that Das needs right now, especially because there are many well-equipped enemies here.

Still, he can’t help his mind flashing back to situations where he was the raider who needed to be fought off. Being outnumbered by dozens means nothing when they can do little to stand against you. Gripping his sword tighter, Das lets Javal’s words invigorate him, and he focuses on the bandit in front of him, who has dashed back to get space.

Two swords in hand, the raider starts swinging his swords wildly^[A1], then he rushes forward toward Das. Das isn’t so light footed to get out of the way and hopes his armor will help, but the speed at which the blades move find purchase in the gaps in his armor.^[1]

“Agh!” Das winces before fighting through the pain and flipping his own blade up to create some distance. With practiced aim, he stabs the tip toward the raider and catches his chest, pressing the heat through his cuirass for another bout of searing pain. The man stumbles back, shouting as the white-hot weapon scalds his skin, and Das turns his blade down for a quick slash across his unprotected leg, sweeping it out from under him and dropping him to the ground. “Stay down,” the massive Fellblood warns before dashing forward to the next assailant.

---

A1. Blade Dance

1. -1 minor wound

The monkeyfolk bandit scoffs as he spits blood on the floor and glares at the fellblood in front of him appearing very irritated.

He stands up, supporting himself upon his quarterstaff, calling out, “Hey, you dumb, good for nothing. I don’t think you proved anything. Lucky shot that you managed to catch me by surprise with. No matter, though, let me take this more seriously,” he says, stabbing his quarterstaff on the ground as he climbs all the way to the tip of the weapon.

Javal looks confused turning his head at the man’s strange technique before shaking his head, “No matter even if you know some cool technique that hasn’t done anything yet it won’t discourage me from defeating you”.

The azure fellblood sprints forward with reckless abandon as he swings back his blade and attempts to slash through the metal quarterstaff. However just before his blade makes contact the quarterstaff disappears, Javal looks up confused only to see the monkeyfolk holding the quarterstaff above him in midair (A1) before feeling a hard impact on his head. He stumbles back in confusion and his helmet breaks open from the surprise quarterstaff overhead attack.

“Heh, gotcha good huh? Weren’t expecting that, ya?”, the monkeyfolk proclaims in victory only to find in the next moment a searing sensation come across his chest. Javal appears in front of him, unwavering after the attack and slashing through his chest with Theseus (1).

“Aghhhh dammit I got too cocky”, the bandit cries out, stumbling back and falling to the floor holding his wound.

Javal rolls his shoulder as he walks away searching for his next opponent, “Even if you break my entire armor set I will not stop coming after you. My convictions and determination won’t let me get distracted, not even for a moment”.

---

A1. Shepherd's Drop
1. Katana Slash
-1 HP

Glancing over at Javal, Das sees him take a good blow to the head and yet still down his foe. A nod of acknowledgement and respect crosses the battlefield, but there are a lot of raiders here. It’d be easier for either of them to get cornered. Turning himself away from another opponent, and running over to Javal, Das says, “Maybe it’s better we stick together and watch each other’s backs, friend! These bastards are tough, and getting caught alone would be bad for either of us.”

Working together hasn’t ever failed Das before, and he’s glad he made the suggestion because a flurry of fists with clawed knuckles explodes out of a waft of smoke and delivers a blow powerful enough to not only damage Das’s armor but knock him off his feet entirely.^[A1] “OOF!” he cries, tumbling to the ground and losing his grip on his sword. The hot blade clatters to the ground a few feet from him.

With a laugh, a burly Grem individual emerges from the smoking ruin of a small outpost building, debris on his shoulders and blood staining his metal knuckle claws. Holding on hand up, the Grem beckons Javal forward in a taunting fashion, taking up a stance that shows he’s ready for Javal’s next move.^[A2]

---

A1. Lunging Haymaker
A2. En Garde
Das -1 HP

Javal glances over to Das seeing a sign of respect coming from the older fellblood, a nod of acknowledgment. He couldn’t help but smile overcome with pride at a sign of mutual respect only making him more excited to bring down enemies. However, before he can turn his attention solely on a nearby bandit that clotheslined a Fighter’s Guild member the azure fellblood sees his companion rush over to him with a really good idea.

Javal nods his head as he scratches his chin pondering the potential strategy, “That is probably a good idea that way we can both cover each other’s weaknesses. While I’m fighting one guy there’s a chance another guy can pop up and attack me from behind the same thing with you. However, if you fight back to back then there’s no way they can get the jump on us. Brilliant thinking my friend you sounded a lot like my lieutenant commander Nadia knew her genius tactics and lieutenant abilities”.

Before Javal could try to pick out an enemy to work together on he felt a loud boom of power appear right next to him one second Das was standing beside him and the other one he was flying through the air and knocked back on the floor.

“Das oh no are you alright? Are you hurt?”, the fellblood quickly asks, his voice filled with worry, glancing back towards the culprit, his eyes filled with anger as he sees the grem bandit taunting him to retaliate.

He grits his teeth furious, how dare someone do something so underhanded like a surprise attack especially one that hurt his friend? He wasn’t going to let the stand this man had to pay and it seemed like Javal was going to be the payer.

“You’re going to pay for that you wicked despicable bandit, Do you think hurting people is funny? Well I’m going to show you how unfunny the power of justice and virtue feels as I knock you down”.

Javal then taps his foot, coating the bottom of his boots with ice (1), and sprints as fast as he can towards the grem, his speed greatly heightened. He swings his sword at high speeds building up momentum (2) before clashing against the grem bandit’s knuckles.

---

1. Frozen Feet
2. Blade Dance
-1 HP

Das is glad that Javal attaches himself to the idea quickly, but he’s so distracted by bringing it up that he gets absolutely clobbered because of it. “Down, but not out,” he groans, pushing himself to his knees and looking around for his sword. Seeing the burning blade stuck under some rubble, Das quickly tries to get up to get over to it except… There’s one problem.

His foot’s gone.

“Huh??” he exclaims, looking back at his knee and finding that his entire boot from the left knee down is not attached to his leg. “Oh shit. Oh shit.” That’s not good. Arrows whiz past him, not necessarily aiming for him, but stray from the battlefield. “Just uh, hold him off for a minute, Javal!” Das yells, scrambling to his disconnected boot. It’s a very silly sight to see amongst the very serious battle happening on the field.

The Grem’s prepared stance is shaken by the ice now encapsulating his feet, but his arms stay prepared to hold off Javal’s strike. Even still, the speed at which Javal moves his blade slashes at his arms. He grows in annoyance, but Javal has moved into his space, and the Grem has been watching him. Pulling his fist back, the Grem looks for an opening then attempts to smash Javal in the chest with a stunning technique^[A1] in an effort to get some distance.

---

A1. Heart Stopper - attempts to knock javal unconscious for 1 post

“Don’t worry Das I got this just leave it to me, I promise I won’t let you down my friend. I will avenge your injury and defeat this vile cowardly fiend”, Javal calls out struggling to hold his ground against the grem as they continue to clash knuckle vs blade. The bandit’s strength is formidable even as the fellblood tries to find an opening in his defenses.

His eyes search the grem desperately trying to find even an inch of opening though this leaves him distracted for a moment. At that moment a surprise attack catches him completely off guard as the groom's first slams into his chest with great power, the impact even breaking through his cuirass. The fellblood goes flying back and crashes into the ground completely losing consciousness.

Javal’s eyes close and a deep darkness is the only thing he can see in front of him. He yells at the top of his lungs in frustration, “NO NO COME ON UGH. I just have to get up and move, Das needs me out there. I can’t leave him alone to take them all on by himself especially since I told him I had his back. Gosh, I’m such a fool for getting distracted that bandit nailed me in the chest”.

He tries to open his eyes and get back up but nothing happens and he continues looking into the void. In the next moment, the nothingness of his mind changes into a crescent isles-styled room. He is sitting on the floor in front of a table with a familiar terrifying figure sitting across from him. A similar-looking azure fellblood looks back at him with a wicked scar running across his face, a scarlet yukata, and a smug devilish grin on his face.

The figure cackles, “You tried your best kid but it wasn’t enough now then let me show you how it’s fucking done”, and that’s the last thing Javal hears before everything goes back to darkness.

“I believe you!” Das calls, snatching his boot and fitting it back into its place at his knee. After a test bend, he looks up only to see Javal get absolutely knocked back and unconscious. “Well… Shit.” Das looks past Javal at the very smug looking Grem pulling his feet free from the ice. “Shit, shit, shit. Javal!!” As quickly as he can be, Das is on his feet and rushing for his sword. The Grem spots this and smirks, dashing over to interrupt him.

“Thought you lost your leg there,” he taunts, delivering two quick blows to Das^[A1] while the Fellblood just tries to get his sword in hand. “You’re not good like the others. Just some random do-gooder who thought he could get involved? Stupid!” With a laugh, he goes in for another hit, but Das manages to grab his sword and swings its hot blade at the Grem wildly. It’s a clumsy move that the Grem sees coming from a mile away, and he dodges under it to get in close between Das and his sword^[A2] and strikes the Fellblood with such a speed that his arm goes numb and drops the sword.^[A3]

“Pathetic! Go back to where you deserve! A grave in the dirt!!” the Grem taunts, kicking Das away.

Das stumbles back, breathing heavily and looking desperate. This isn't good. This wasn't supposed to happen. How did he get so in over his head?! He thought he'd made progress, gotten stronger! Why is he still being toyed with?? His eye cuts around, panic starting to set in. What can he do? What can he do??

---

A1. Double Strike / -2 HP Das
A2. Azucena Counter
A3. Sting like a bee / -1 minor wound Das

'Javal' rises from the ground in an almost eerie way he jumps back up to his feet and immediately something is different. Smoke begins bellowing out of his mouth and skin and his body seems more muscular and he even appears taller by about a foot. Red tattoos appear all over his arms and legs and his eyes glow a bright yellow.

The fellblood cracks his neck and stares at the scene in front of him, looks like this Das kid is getting the shit kicked out of him. After Das is beaten up the fellblood places his hands on his hips and calls out, “YOOO asshole over here!”, motioning towards himself, “Man you think you’re such a badass huh? Oh you got a lucky hit in and you’re proud of kicking up on some weakling wannabe heroes?”, he chuckles, “You're not shit, let me tell you back in my day we used to eat posers like you for lunch”.

He then pulls out a smiling scimitar from his bag, its appearance matching the user’s unnerving smile now dual wielding two swords.

“Now then I’ll try to make this quick and kill ya”, the figure would say throwing the azure blade Theseus at the Grem as it whirled through the air (1) and spun directly aiming at his throat.

'Javal' stayed still, however, holding the smiling scimitar in his hand in an offensive stance and analyzing the grem’s defenses (2). He stays still watching him and seeing how he’ll defend against the incoming blade in the air just waiting for the moment to wipe him off the field.

---

1. Boomerang Arc
2. Heart Seeker