Ch.86 The Sixth Member

Prologue 

Ch.1 End of a New Beginning 

Ch.2 End of a New Beginning Pt. II

Ch.3 End of a New Beginning Pt. III

Ch.4 End of a New Beginning Pt. IV

Ch.5 Return of the Champions 

Ch.6 The Champions History 

Ch.7 Power Orientation 

Ch. 8 Into the Marsh

Ch.9 Fear of Demons

Ch.10 The Underground City of Belrim

Ch.11 Night of the Betrayed 

Ch.12 Unspoken Truth  

Ch.13 The Redbeard Pt. I

Ch.14 The Redbeard Pt. II

Ch.15 Reunion 

Ch.16 Before the Storm

Ch.17 Flashpoint

Ch.18 The Fatal Swordsman

Ch.19 Rebirth

Ch.20 Into the Abyss

Ch.21 Overseer 

Ch.22 Demon General Balor Balor Pt. 1

Ch.23 Demon General Balor Balor Pt.2

Ch.24 Demon General Balor Balor Pt.3 

Ch.25 Demon General Balor Balor Pt. 4

Ch.26 Fallen King

Ch.27 Last Wish

Ch.28 Awakening 

Ch.29 Aftermath

Ch.30 All That Remains 

Ch.31 Chances

Ch.32 Gearing Up for Yalti

Ch.33 The Jungle of Yalti Pt. I

Ch.34 The Jungle of Yalti Pt. II

Ch.35 Armlocke Village 

Ch.36 A Rogue Healer  

Ch.37 Moving Forward 

Ch.38 Invasion

Ch.39 Tempo Blaze

Ch.40 Scream of Liberation

Ch.41 Retaliation 

Ch.42 Green-Band

Ch.43 Green Band Pt. II

Ch.44 Serpent Pool

Ch.45 The Silent Swordsman

Ch.46 The Serpent King Pt. I

Ch.47 The Serpent King Pt. II

Ch.48 The Serpent King Pt. III

Ch.49 The Serpent King Part IV

Ch.50 Prelude to Freedom 

Ch.51 Queen of Elbaronce 

Ch.52 Bounty

Ch.53 New Horizons

Vol.1 Afterword

Ch.54 Tyranny in Darmin

Ch.55 The Pink Sea

Ch.56 Wreckage 

Ch.57 Gathering of the Most Wanted

Ch.58 World of Champions

Ch.59 Womcos Wasteland 

Ch.60 Making of a Marksman 

Ch.61 Outfit Three

Ch.62 Unspoken Truths Guild

Ch.63 Goals & Decisions 

Ch.64 Captain Butch Jones Pt. I

Ch.65 Captain Butch Jones Pt. II

Ch.66 Captain Butch Jones Pt. III

Ch.67 Dragon Foot

Ch.68 The Message Pt. I

Ch.69 The Message Pt. II

Ch.70 The Message Pt. III

Ch.71 Time Will Tell

Ch.72 A New Adventure

Ch.73 A Deserted Island

Ch.74 Chimpa's Animal Kingdom

Ch.75 A Rising Threat 

Ch.76 Devil of the Sky Pt. I

Ch.77 Devil of the Sky Pt. II

Ch.78 Vessel of the First King

Ch.79 Humbled 

Ch.80 Kanon

Ch.81 Becoming a Symbol 

Ch.82 Emergence

Ch.83 True Colors

Ch.84 Phoenix

Ch.85 Our Beginning 

Ch.86 The Double Agent

Ch.87 The Astlin Pirates

Ch.88 A Worrisome Threat

Ch.89 Whistling Bounty Hunter

Ch.90 Stone Island Zetra

Ch.91 Havok

Ch.92 Out of the Shadows, Darmin's Rebellion

Ch.93 The Third Brother Pt. I

Ch.94 The Third Brother Pt. II

Ch.95 Locked Away

Ch.96 Prisoners

Ch.97 Examination

&#x3C;p&#x3E;Chapter Eighty-Six:&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;strong&#x3E;The Sixth Member&#x3C;/strong&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Jai&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Three days have passed since we were humiliated. AFK was wiped out at Fairot Lagoon. My body did not feel as it did when we left Yalti. Thanks to Calum&#x2019;s healing miracles, I wasn&#x27;t sick or severely injured.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;What felt different was in my chest. There were beating drums to the left side. It felt more like a heartache, yet it was no more than my ego flatlining as my guilt crept in.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;In the bottom feeder of the Astlin Pirates ship, I sat alone left with my thoughts. Three moments replayed in my mind, repetitively.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Would you rather save a million lives, or let the million die to save a mere six?&#x201D; Asaka&#x2019;s treacherously cold voice reverberated.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Six lives of the ones closest to you, is equal to a million.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;That question continued to linger around, with the sinister defeat, afterwards.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;It was the start of the downturn of not only our guild, but my confidence as a leader&#x2026;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Shing!&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;The sound of Almoses stabbing and turning me into swiss cheese. It reverberated through my being, echoing down into the core of my soul.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;My spirit was destroyed at that very moment&#x2026;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Almoses beat me, so easily. My mind flurried with concerns and doubts...&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Was I strong enough to take down this guild... or even the generals in it?&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;I wondered what happened to Lloyd, Lucy, Cassiel, Yucci, and Yosef. The five disappeared after everything occurred. I was told they were taken to Darmin for execution.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Part of me was relieved to hear everyone survived, but it was only for the time being.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;That relief was also mixed with shock, from the third and final moment that replayed in my mind.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;We are going to take down Layek and Unspoken Truth!&#x201D; Natasha&#x2019;s voice calmed me, after I had been taken out of the water, before losing my full consciousness.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Is she really a woman I can trust&#x2026;?&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Sure, her and my brother were friends at one time. She has been here for so long now... how far gone, is she?&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Why risk her neck out, for a group of adolescents who look to be in over their heads?&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;What would you do, if you were here?&#x201D; I looked at the old and cracked roof above me. A couple of barrels laid to my side with a small pillow and cover. My right hand was connected to a tight metal bar that barely budged.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Even if I tried to escape, where would I go?&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Before I could further my thoughts on escape, a small creak came from the wooden door in front of me. Light appeared. I could hear the quiet laughs and party going on in the front of the lower part of the ship.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Move it, prisoner!&#x201D; A pirate, with a single dreadlock and pale skin, barked. He held a rapier, still in its sheath, and pointed it in front of him towards Calum.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Calum looked no better than me. He was being called to heal enemies, of his own free will. It came as a surprise to me that he never tried to escape on his own.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;His loyalty towards our guild truly was something I admired about him. Most people, with short stints with a team, back out, especially when things go bad.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;He was once a man who never wanted to leave a crappy village. Now, he is no longer afraid to do what must be done, to look after us.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;You are pushing your luck, Fei&#x2026; If I were to tell one of the two executives, or Astlin of this misconduct&#x2026; Oh, what would they do?&#x201D; Calum cockily snapped, treating himself as an asset towards their survival.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Tsk. Whatever! Someone should bring your dinner later, ladies. So, stay locked up, and don&#x2019;t ya do anything that&#x2019;ll get you killed!&#x201D; Fei warned. He slammed the door shut.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Calum was now bound to the same pole I was. His hand was looser, inside the chains.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;You okay, Jai?&#x201D; Calum asked, soon after the door shut.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;I nodded my head to him, discussing how my buttocks were fast asleep sitting in one place all day and night.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;He chuckled to himself and looked out a small narrow window, staring at the pink blossom sea.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;I hope the others are safe&#x2026;&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;A slight crack in his voice wallowed out from an uneasy Calum. I patted his shoulder, attempting to comfort him.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;I hope so, too. It&#x2019;s the feeling that I know Lloyd is with them, which is a good thing. But&#x2026; These people destroyed us, in a blink of an eye. I couldn&#x2019;t do anything but watch it unfold!&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Oi, Jai! You could not have known Asaka was Captain Zero.&#x201D; Calum declared.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;I felt animosity growing inside of me. I bit my lip out of spite because as a captain, I should have noticed.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;The way he talked to us, after fighting Duke, should have been an indicator. His history was still under wraps with Kanon.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Maybe... it is better this way&#x2026; I mean, we are not even strong enough to combat these smaller forces. How can we beat Layek and the others!!?&#x201D; I asked. My frustration boiled over.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Uh! You don&#x2019;t mean that&#x2026;&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Calum muttered his words, shortly after shocked I would speak such a thing. It&#x2019;s true Asaka compared to Layek is twaredifferent things. A wolf versus a furious, hungry tiger.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;If we could not even stand on his level, much less Edmon, who let me hit him. We stood no chance.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Idiot&#x2026;&#x201D; Calum grunted, biting down on his teeth.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;I cannot believe you would say such words! You&#x27;re supposed to be our Captain, Jai. Even if you never believe we can defeat the Generals, much less the King. You never tell anyone that or repeat it. We look at your words at the end of the day, because you have proved you are the only one who can lead!&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;His anger from my lack of confidence showed in his spiteful distaste. His eyebrows formed together, veins popped out of his forehead, and his cheeks became bright red from a boiler of tension.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;We were not just going to ease through this like it was a game. No, we are going to be put through adversity, again and again. That is what makes us strong. You keep your headstrong and that will keep the rest of us strong&#x2026;&#x201D; Calum finished, turning away from me. He rested his arms on top of his knees, shaking his head.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;It&#x27;s like having a big brother all over again. Calum can give some of the best life advice, but he never used to follow it much. I commend him for keeping us all strong. He lacks power in combat, but it doesn&#x2019;t mean he is powerless.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;No&#x2026; Calum&#x2019;s power is in his voice&#x2026; The one person who will continue to push you, until you surpass your limits by a country mile!&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;My words to him were short since he left me mostly speechless. All his words and dialogue were simple to understand, especially where he was coming from.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;OKAY!!!&#x201D; I yelled out. I tried to stand up but could only get to my knees.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Hm&#x2026;&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;We are breaking out of here, then sailing to Darmin to rescue everyone!&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Calum immediately looked towards me, as if I was some kind of idiot. I felt it was a huge moment for me to come together.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;You river ear idiot!! Did everything I say just come out the other ear, to the floor? You make it sound easy&#x2026;&#x201D; Calum yelled.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;I nodded my head casually giving a thumbs up.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Yep. We just break out the chains, steal the ship, and sail to Darmin!&#x201D; I confidently declared.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;WHAT?? We do not even have a key or weapons! Hell! Where is Darmin?&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Oh&#x2026; Um, which way was east again?&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;I rested my chin on the palm of my head, trying to determine the longitude and latitude of where we were.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Calum&#x2019;s eyes popped out of their sockets and his tongue formed a lightning bolt from the shock.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Hm&#x2026;?&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;You do not even know!! Jai, you cannot even create your clothes, how do you expect to break the chains with a key?&#x201D; Calum asked out loud, to the point someone could hear us.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Oh&#x2026; you have a point. Well&#x2026; darn.&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;A slight creak came after, I nearly figured out where east was. I used the phrase never eat sour watermelons. East was across from the sun and , I was confident.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;You two seem lively this afternoon?&#x201D; A voice appeared. One which felt soothing and relaxing to be around.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;It turned out to be Natasha who was holding a tray that had some cut-up meat.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;HOW MUCH OF THAT DID YOU HEAR?&#x201D; Calum and I both yelled out.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Nearly, all of it&#x2026; I entered when Healer was yelling at you, Gray-Coat,&#x201D; Natasha said, as the two of us stated our names.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;For once, it felt odd whenever she would say our nicknames so casually. Adding on to that, my coat was taken away and I was given a ripped-up brown tunic. The pants made things breathable&#x2026;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Calum still wore his black top and gray trousers, so it seemed a bit unfair to discard my clothes.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Here, eat!&#x201D; Natasha set our plate between us, and the two of us looked at each other. She took a stool and sat in the middle of the room, by a wall. &#x201C;I see&#x2026; You two still feel the need to not trust me?&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;For someone to say they were willing to help take down their leader, with a group who just got demolished by them&#x2026; Yeah, I find it hard to believe. It seems more like a sadistic way to give us false hope!&#x201D; I sniped.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Natasha, from the stories I have heard about her, was a mysterious woman. She never revealed or told too much about herself, but she was always around.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Could she be willing to help us take down Layek? Why?&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Before anything, there was something I wanted to ask her. Lucy retold the story of the Belrim massacre Yuri and Natasha caused. In the story, something was left out that puzzled me. Because of that, I could never classify her as good or bad.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Natasha&#x2026;&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Yes?&#x201D; She cautiously answered her name.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;That night, when everyone from the old AFK died&#x2026; You didn&#x2019;t kill anyone, did you?&#x201D; I asked out loud.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Her reaction was like a patient with a bad breathing problem. Her chest elevated and dropped all at once, at the question. Her eyes widened, so if she had a fake one, it would fall out. Natasha&#x2019;s face was stuck.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;Why?&#x201D; I asked.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;She looked to the floor, swinging her foot around the chair. She held her shoulder, unsure what to say.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;It would be best to tell us what happened, because no one says something like that. Not without a valid reason or backstory.&#x201D; Calum noted.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;I see&#x2026; You are both sharp.&#x201D; Natasha bolstered. &#x201C;I believe it is fair to tell you about the short version, for now&#x2026;&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;She checked the door to make sure it was locked, to where even no one could peep. The pirates were still having a blast, anyways.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;Calum and I continued to eat our food in anticipation of what she was preparing to discuss.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x9;&#x201C;It had been a couple of months in this world&#x2026; We all were getting the hang of this place and how to survive. We were a strong guild, band from different races of people. Different cultures. No deaths, no adversity, and no accidents except one.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;

&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;strong&#x3E;A war that has caused a continuing rift between two worlds!&#x3C;/strong&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Mysterious rifts open around the globe, transporting regular people to another world. On a normal day a teenage boy, Jai Marshall and friends are sucked in. The group is forced to serve as champions of the world. This sequence of events is not at random considering Jai&#x2019;s older brother Omar was formerly a champion of this world. Jai will do anything to ensure the safety of his friends inside a world where the unexpected is constantly broadened. Even though the group is equipped with ancient abilities from past champions, the task they have been given is a great mountain to climb. Can Jai and his friends survive this world?&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;

AFK 