Headed by a Snake

The Brazen Guard collective had started with over a hundred adventurers... but after the Stormbrands defected and so many casualties later, they were left with less than half of that. Guild Letalis and those too injured or too exhausted to fight remained in the back of the formation.

...as they headed deeper into the town.

Lone thought it made *no* sense.

The city was FULL of crazies. Wouldn't it be better to head towards one of the outer walls? Away from the enemies instead of towards them?

Lone took it upon himself to fight alongside Karodin, keeping Priestess Ariadne and the ranged line safe.

That left Bannok leading two tent-groups in the front line... supported by maybe a tent-group-and-a-half of ranged support classes.

Bannok fought with the same screaming rage and fervor the enemy had... and he was a Gold-Rank... but it was like he was fighting with one arm tied behind his back.

--because he only had one arm.

It was especially weird that the Elven Priestess was having a lot of trouble and hadn't sounded a retreat or anything. Boss Tycon was always asking Zenon and Athena about their mana reserves, but... he wasn't in command here.

Ariadne seemed really tired-- and none of the spells she was using were really flashy. It would be a nightmare if she ran out of mana... all the other healers were barely running on empty.

Maybe he was imagining it... all of it. Maybe Bannok and Ariadne were actually fine?

...They didn't look fine, though.

"Korr!!" Ariadne yelled, "Can I have you head to the front? They could maybe use a li'l help?"

Korr crossed her arms, addressing the Eleven Priestess, "[MY PRIORITY IS GUILD LETALIS.]"

"Seven hells, come onnnn!!" Ariadne shouted, "How about you, Decanus Salt? C'n we get some of your gunners ta help out?"

The green-helmed Sergeant shook his head, "I'm sorry, Lady Priestess. We don't have the ammunition to spare on anything lower than Gold-Rank."

"AarrRRRGHHH!!" The Priestess growled, "Y'all are just as bad as-- ARGH!! Nevermind!!"

Sorina limped forward to Lone's side, "We just need to hold out. By my calculations, Boss Tycon should be arriving soon to break us out of the Reality Marble."

Lone nodded in understanding... Sorina had informed everyone that this wasn't an illusory world. It was an alternate dimension... (or something like that?) Dying in the burning village would have the same effect as dying in the real world. Or this was also a real-world?

The explanations were confusing-- but he gathered that he had to not-die... which was the same plan he always generally had. That's what had worked for him so far.

The Priestess cast another healing spell targeting Bannok... then turned to look at Sorina, her thick Elven eyebrows furrowed in anger, "Y'all put way too much faith in your Tactician! You have NO idea who that fella really is."

Lone gulped... "He's... he's a monster."

Sergeant Salt started at the road, "The Baron is... a terrifying individual."

Sorina looked away, "He... has a good work ethic?"

Lone took in a deep breath of the hot and smoky air... and wished he hadn't. After coughing a bit, he managed to choke out his intentions... "I'll... I'll move to the front."

"That's a good idea!" Legionnaire Karodin exclaimed. "Wh-whoa?!"

Suddenly, Karodin ducked, blocking a randomly thrown hatchet with his shield... "Whew, that was close. Go ahead, Lone. I'll keep watch over Priestess Aria."

"YOU?!" The Priestess scoffed, "What can you-- ugh, don't bother. Ah'm barely keepin' up with tha healin' as it is!"

Ouch. That was kinda rude...

Lone shrugged as he began to walk, drawing his longsword and summoning his wolf-hammer into his offhand. Tres Leches hurried to his side, barking playfully, "I won't need heals... I'm immortal."

"Don't piss on mah leg an' tell me it's rainin', Mister," Ariadne rolled her eyes. "That's a downright lie and you know it."

Lone turned back with a smirk, "Every member of Sol-- err... of Guild Letalis' forward team gets a healing potion before each battle. Don't worry about me."

Salt spun his head towards him, reaching his hand out, "Lord Ranger, wait!!"

The back line was well-protected with Sergeant Salt and the Letalis forward team guarding them... and it made sense to keep them there. But if he could help... he wasn't the hero they deserved, but he was what they had.

"Let's go!" Lone shouted as he began to run, "TRES LECHES!!"

The Dark-Iron wolf howled deep and low before hurrying after him.

"BANNOK!! I'm on my way!!" Lone let mana fill his chest, flowing hot to his legs as he activated his movement technique, "⌈Flamewolf RUUSSSHH!!!⌋"

...

Sergeant Cecil Salt put his hand down. He'd been too late to stop the Lord Ranger.

"...Lady Korr."

The lithe woman in black plate turned to face him wordlessly.

Cecil gulped, scratching the back of his green helmet, "I was under the impression that Lone had already used his healing potion."

Korr looked back to the swiftly departing Ranger... then back to Cecil as she nodded.

The Brazen Guard Legionnaire, Karodin, yelped in surprise, "Oh NOOOO!!! Should we-- should I go help him??!"

Cecil grimaced underneath his helmet and looked to Korr once again, "Orders?"

"[IT'S PROBABLY FINE,]" She shrugged.

...

⟬ A period of time prior. ⟭

"Hey, Boss," Dragan dropped to the back of Invictus' small formation to walk beside Tycon, "Got a sec?"

Tycon narrowed his eyes, "If you're asking for a moment to speak in private, you have it."

The crimson-haired Titanblood was wearing his customary grin, "I was just thinkin..."

"A welcome change, old friend."

"Ahaha! Got me..." The large man's face fell into contemplation... "You know, Boss... you look at these guys diff'rent than you do me."

Tycon took a deep breath into his nostrils... He often forgot, but Berserker class aside, Dragan was always the most astute member of Sol Invictus, "What of it?"

"My guess is..." Dragan took a deep breath, lowering his voice and speaking in the Titan language... "(--in the future, I'm still here... and our friends are not.)"