True Hunters! [Private| Shohei, Linxwire]

Xavier had never pushed anyone beyond the edge of death before, and some ungodly premonition sunk upon him, and shook him to his core sending a shrill chill down the kid's spine, and he tried his best to shake it off. Despite what he put up, he wasn't quite the hardass he was making himself out to be and he was clearly shaken.

Dark and decrepit a lone area of the mind, harboring the inevitable banter of two silhouettes echoes endlessly, with neither brake nor bother.

“You could feel it couldn't you? The lives you've just taken slip away like that, the sand between your fingers... That's not the way I do things. I don't care who you are, in my body there's only one person who makes the rules get it?”

“Geez, where do you get off Xavier. Your still that prim and proper little rose that your parents forged out oil and water. When will you get past it? The family's gone kid, and with it should go the old order of things around here. It's time for a new regime.”

“No, where do you get off? This isn't about family or some fantasy about how life is going to be great in the future or how I can make things right. Despite how I look, I'm not kid anymore. There are things I've let go and gone without, but I just have enough pride to live by a few decent morals.”

For a moment they stared each other down, but it appeared the more upright of the two had seen through this debate, or just the other off.

Coming back to reality, Xavier's posture returned to normal. The crazed look in his eyes faded along with the vicious grin, and slunk down turning his head to meet his friend in the hands of a giant only to smile. Shohei's offer, the first nice thing he's ever done for him. Wordlessly he climbed aboard.

Shohei observed Xavier. For a moment, he couldn't tell whether the tension was rising or just passive. If he knew anything about Xavier form his dazzling observations, it was that he was always quick to respond. Perhaps he was thinking about something profoundly at that moment? It didn't matter to Shohei unless he were to space out in combat. Then yeah, they're in trouble. Shohei knew Bertholdt wouldn't stay summoned for long. Eventually he'd wouldn't be standing here anymore.

He ignored Xavier's expression... it wasn't as surprising for him. As he walked onto Bertholdt's skinless body, Shohei leaned back on his neck and looked up at the sky. He crossed his arms behind his head and leaned onto it. "I've never seen you do something such as accept my offer with nothing to say in return. You're probably really humble." He spoke under his breath.

It was never but always Shohei's intent to push people away. And it's not like he always had the gut to say the things he says with no care at all.

But after years of suffering, constant rejection, and isolation, he eventually turned off his ability to feel sympathy for himself, and begin to simply not care. And once he got into this state, he convinced himself that he does not want to leave it. He created for himself, a internal world where he can't be touched by the malice of other people. It is the smartest solution. It is the best solution. It is the only solution. If he is to be disliked by masses, he might as well take advantage of it. And he gradually deluded himself into the ego he has now, being the better one at everything. It was something that developed when he started walking outside, publicly a few years back. When he was younger, instead of having nothing nice to say, he kept his distance and stayed silent.

Now it's different, now everyone around him was either irrelevant in his life or just someone he dislikes. Ignorance and arrogance. Though having "friends", he simply wouldn't and even now, can't realize how much those so-said friends care about him. No one can argue Shohei's logic, but the only issue with it is that it's self-destructive.

You don't have to befriend Shohei, and this isn't a matter of understanding him either. Just simply accept him.

Shohei never actually thought about the realism of his mindset. And thus, it never bothered him. Shohei tapped Bertholdt's skin with his foot, giving him the go-ahead. "I might as well be an idiot too for not getting direct and accurate directions from the guy... but of course, I'm too good for that." He shrugged as Bertholdt began taking his gigantic steps.

The ground shook, and a number a buildings partially crumbled as the giant holding the two kids shook the world with its footsteps, wreaking havoc on the structures’ stability. Bricks seemed to crumble to dust and pour over the edges like a rain of sand. The catacombs were within site, and from the outside it was obviously visited recently because the volume of footprints outside could fit a small army, and they were accompanied by the tracks of some sort of vehicle. “I think it’s a good idea to depart here. Your friend won’t be able to join us down there.” He said looking over the entrance to the cramped looking underground space. It was only accessible through a stairway that led far down into the ground, there was no way of knowing precisely what awaited them except for the obvious – armed bandits.

Xavier was ready… somewhat to take the necessary plunge into the depths of the world, a little disheartened to have to leave the big guy behind, but he didn’t really have much of a choice in the matter. Looking at Shohei, his eyes conveyed his worry, as the reflection of the sun’s light shimmered in them. “We’re going to have to go down there to keep these douches out of these vital treasures. Given how loud we – or rather, your friend was, I believe they might be expecting us. His footsteps aren’t the most subtle, in fact I feel like he could cause a tsunami if we were anywhere near a body of water. Regardless do you think simply walking down would serve to hinder us?” While waited for a reply, he prepared his staff, and carefully tested it functionality by sending some magic power into it, and it responded by crackling with lightning soundly as he thrust it into the ground.

Shohei almost fell asleep on Bertholdt's shoulder. While others may find it impossible to sleep with wall the vibrations, Shohei found it soothing and calming. His lidded eyes, and crossed arms gave off the do-not-disturb sign. Xavier began to suggest that they'd stop here. He only slightly opened an eye to give him the vibe that he was listening. Bertholdt calmly listened to the two rather anxiously. "I don't think size will be a problem, dragon boy." Bertholdt flinched in surprise and set the two down on the ground. Shohei snapped his fingers, signalling the transformation. At the cracking sound of his snap, smoke began to surrounded Bertholdt, vanishing in the midst of the water vapor and smoke. After a few seconds, a still rather tall man (Standing about six feet and 5 inches), nervously walked out from the midst of the mesmerizing smoke. "U-um. . . I should. . . be able to fit. B-besides, I don't want to leave Shohei alone. . . he's kind of defenseless." Bertholdt averted his gaze from Shohei's deathly glare and sweated nervously.

"Tch," Shohei smacked his lips with annoyance, "but anyway, size is not a problem." He smirked. Bertholdt smiled anxiously and lifted Shohei up with ease, actually, with only four fingers, into a piggy-back-ride position. Shohei smirked, "Besides, it's not like we can't show those bandits our strength. We're gonna have to fight them face to face eventually anyway." Shohei murmured. The titans in their human forms had the same strength as their titan forms, so picking Shohei was was easy. Shohei crossed his arms and rested them and his jaw on Bertholdt's hair covered head. "Do you have a better plan?" Shohei questioned while Bertholdt hummed some anonymous tune.

He felt quite mighty on the shoulders of a titan. Like a king even. But, he didn't think he were better than another simply because of wealth and social class, but sense of justice and judgement. No, he did not believe everyone is equal. He believed that because of the human mind, we convince ourselves that everyone deserves a second chance. Well, that's wrong. There are people lower and higher than that person, based on their credentials and wrongdoings. That's how we measure someone's worth. Weigh their accomplishments to their mistakes. It's an unfair and cruel way to judge someone but that's how things are.

Lamia Scale was... different though. Despite the darkness that covered the world, in that guild hall was an environment where the wisest minds to the most reckless ones could cooperate with one another. Despite rejecting most of society, even Shohei had began to care for certain individuals. He had originally joined this guild is search of work and because Zuo himself invited him, he never expected his selfishness and bonds to stretch so far. And it wasn't troubling, it was actually enjoyable. He admitted it, he liked this guild for it's goals, it's meaning (No matter how unrealistic it comes to be), and it's people.

At the thought, he gave glanced at Xavier and smiled just barely with lidded eyes. But then came back to reality. "What's it gonna be, dragon boy?"

MP: 90%
HP: 100%
Summon Status: 1 Post left (Duration)

Honestly, I’d prefer it if fate decided what lies ahead. I’m not to meddle with what the order of things here is. I’ll take my chances.” Without much argument, Xavier began to march down the stairs assuming that Shohei on the shoulders of Bertholdt. The stairs trodden with sand were caught by stay winds clouding the descent. The underground passage seemed very narrow at first, but as they progressed further it became clear that the crypt was built inside of some underground cave of some sort, and it was wide underground space with a lot of religious statues place around the area. There was a smell of upturned soil and the musk of metal and sweat. A man’s voice echoed throughout, it was demanding and shrill simply from the wordless echoes that could be heard. There’s wasn’t a singles soul in sight, but far down as an illuminated hole where figures danced in the light. Finally at the end of the stairs, they were still a fair distance away but the sounds of tools being worked boomed, and to think they could whosever’s voice that was over it all. Xavier turned to the two and motion for them to remain hidden from view, as he got low and went to investigate. Skulking below the height of piled dirt, and advanced carefully on the illuminated area not too worried about making a sound, it was so noisy down there he doubted they would hear him approaching. He was able to peek inside from a considerable distance, watching as five men in similar attire two the ones they fought before steadily worked on what appeared to be some massive door. The construction of it looked ancient, and instead of taking the time to open it these men were just going to rip through it. Overseeing the five men, a much bolder looking figure stood atop a rock barking orders. He was the only one wearing any actual equipment for this job, and a respectable beard with golden eyes. His aura suggested he knew some pretty powerful magic too.

The member 'Linxwire' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

'Monster Dice' :

Shohei followed Xavier, unsure of the fate that lied ahead. He was never an adventurous person. Always taking precautions and taking the easy way out. The power of denial when it came to offers probably saved him plenty of times! The power of "no" keeps people from participating in bloody battles or downright stupid conflicts. Perhaps this was one of the jobs he should have refused. If he hadn't accepted his temporary companionship required for this job, we probably would have never had to get involved in such things.

After a quick farewell to his colossal titan as he dispelled, his body vanishing into the steam. The only traces left behind being his still-hot skeleton. Shohei leaned over Xavier's small body, paying close attention to the words being spoken by their enemies.

"Oi, beansprout," And all of a sudden, he appointed this midget a new nickname after realizing how notable his size was, "n-not that your input is favorable according to the situation... wouldn't you say? Again, I don't like you!" He whispered in an angered, but hoarse voice. He obviously had mixed feelings about him.

Shohei, stepped out of his emotional daze and took a step back to think. A hand to his chin and his eyes lidded, he thought. "We can achieve our objective without actually fighting the trash mobs. Perhaps, disturbances we can cause will show us a way..." He whispered. And with that, he glimpsed at the enemies in the background, and at the thick walls. A few moments had passed by when Shohei gazed at these walls of stone and dirt. He walked over to them, in deep thought, knocking on them twice. He smirked. "For both our stamina's sake, I suggest we make the stone and dirt collapse on them. It will save time and energy. Unless you want to be a strong bean sprout and repress them all with all the brute bean sprouted force they can take?" Half sarcasm, half truth. Shohei believed that if they could avoid all collisions with these foes but still prevent them from interfering any more with their objective, that they would walk out here all in one piece.

On one knee overlooking the men from their position, Xavier grimaced at Shohei in light of this new nickname, and he was hoping they would have some sort of understanding by now, but he felt it would take a little bit more work than previously proved. He absolutely despised people making comments about his height, and from the tone of his voice he could tell Shohei didn’t care. Not that he really needed that little indicator to tell, his attitude today was more than enough. And for once, he hate to admit it but Shohei had an excellent idea. Facing these jerks head on would be stupid, regardless of their possibilities of survival. He sighed quite loud, and took a glance around at his opportunities and prime locations to strike. “For once Shohei, you might be on to something.”

While scoping out the situation he found his points to strike, there was a vertical wooden support about the center of the operation that was placed there temporarily and looked like it would hold on it’s on but isn’t quite resilient enough to endure a direct attack. Alongside that, there were a few structurally weak places in the rocks where faults had formed or rock faces didn’t meet properly that he could take advantage of. “You might want to stand back a bit for what I have planned.” He climbed up to the top of this mound they had ducked behind, and whispered his spell. “Lightning Dragon: Comet Combo” This was the first time he had every used this spell in a combat situation. A magic circle formed at his feet, rotating clockwise slowly as his limbs surged with energy. Then he got low reading for physical combat with apparently nobody when he went for a right hook. It looked to be mundane until lightning extended from his hand, and barraged the un-expecting men below, knocking them to the floor before they could think to react. He followed up with a left jab that shattered the support beam with another lightning hand. And with finality, he jumped down from the mound performing a somersault kick on the rocks that brought them clattering down on the men’s heads.

With a twist, turn, and thrust, the men were easily repressed with a few bolts of lightning. Shohei walked out from the corner of the area and started to clap. "Bravo. Small bean sprout, big potential." It was only with these words that his praise was not as sincere as it started out to be. He stopped clapping and let his arms fall to his sides, fingers rolled back up into his palm, making relaxed fists in his pockets. The plan had worked out perfectly, and it was a perfect opportunity to restore their stamina and magic power at the moment.

But this peace wouldn't last for long. With all the rubble crushing the enemies below, the eruption would alert nearby targets their position. If only they could repeat the plan they just did... ah-hah! Shohei snapped his fingers with slightly wider eyes, shocked at his own brainstorming. Coming up with a new plan. "Listen beansprout, what you did was beansprout-tastic and everything, but that eruption's noise isn't going to give us safety for long. We need to position ourselves but also move forward. In other words, we need to go." He explained.

His original plan had more depth to it than that. To ration as much energy as they can before actually engaging with the enemy, physically. Depending on where they were at when, and how many enemies there were could complicate the plan itself. But it must all wait, until they came to a point where it must be considered.

Shohei stared at Xavier. A small, but living battery. He thought carefully, ...Hopefully we could do some real damage if he and my titans attacked in sync. In time, we'll see, unfortunately... He thought. Even in the simplest of situations, Shohei had chosen his every move carefully. "I hope your brain can process that."

Xavier had long since been tired of Shohei nicknames, the first time they met it only took about 30 seconds d for him to be titled before Shohei grew bored of the first name before even the end of the day. He grimaced at his partner, with that face that simply spoke bitterness, but on some level he knew to expect this lowly sort of degradation from the surly teenager. Xavier rubbed his temples, to prolong the inevitable headache before scanning the area. The area they were in now, didn’t expand in very many directions. There were plenty of holes to relocate oneself to, however being deeper in might only make things much harder for them, and the entrance to the actual haul of loot the men were looking for had just been covered by the well placed attack and fall of debris.

They didn’t really have much an option here. If they went down into the holes, the best option they would have would be to establish an ambush, otherwise they were likely to just be beaten outright. “I know it sounds terrible right now, but we have to go lower!” He pointed to a lone hole dug a while ago by these men searching for their folly. “We’ll have to leave the Vault behind for the moment, because they’ll surely be all over it like gnats at a light.” Without much else to say, he rushed over to the edge of the hole to glance down it and see how far down it went. It went a fair ways, but was also pretty steep. Xavier frowned when he realized it, but he would need Shohei’s help to descend it, and to hold his hand… As much as he looked forward to doing so, he knelt at the edge and signaled his partner towards him. He could already hear the men approaching.

The member 'Linxwire' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

'Monster Dice' :

Shohei couldn't stand Xavier. But he only dared to continue speaking to him with such grim words. After Xavier explained the actions they should commence, Shohei had only had enough time to flinch in surprise before he dashed off into one of the holes. Shohei had no choice but to follow after the footsteps grew louder.

He dashed alongside the boy, simply observing every hole they passed by as they approached the chosen hole. Xavier halted, and knelt down by it. Shohei soon afterwards came to the same stop and stared. "Need a push?" He glared, completely willing to toss him into the hole without any consideration of the physical damage that might be done if he did. He could hear the men's footsteps grow louder. They didn't have much time, Shohei knew this.

He smacked his lips and gazed down into the steep ditch, then transitioning his gaze to Xavier. If he were to plan an ambush, this was only one of many ways to do it. But considering the circumstances, this was a better option than to face them head on. This is only the beginning. If this plan is what I think it is, and if it's a success... we may be able to redo the procedure again. The only enemies aware of our presence is the ones we've faced. Perhaps... we can triumph with little engagement?... Shohei thought. Despite his insults and unwanted input, Shohei would only simply acknowledge Kihia and Xavier. Not as his friends, guildmates, but mages. Beyond the lines of their relations was something unimportant to Shohei.

But he was thinking too far ahead, plan-wise. He needed to focus on what's happening right now. Shohei grudgingly raised his arm towards Xavier, his fingers uncurling from his palm. "Your hand. Give it to me and jump."