Reuniting the team: Part two

Mark, having separated from his companions, continued on his way toward the dark zone of the kingdom. There, poverty was rampant, and the crime rate was sky-high. It was almost impossible to avoid becoming a victim upon entry. People watched the fighter with caution. Several known criminals lined the path, but he paid them no attention. Along the way, he interrogated anyone who seemed familiar with the area, but they were reluctant to provide information. As expected, most conversations ended in a fistfight, though Mark didn't seem bothered. No one posed a challenge to him, but those who dared to defy him were often too injured to reveal the whereabouts of his companion. Eventually, someone appeared who was willing to answer him at first glance, aware of what had happened to the others and not wishing to meet the same fate.

Apparently, the madman with the spear was at a bar called "The Road of the Hero." Rumor had it that this was where Jack's revolutionary group gathered, aiming to free the kingdom from corrupt nobles. As soon as Mark learned this, he headed straight there. Upon arrival, he saw that the place was small, yet it was guarded by two burly bodyguards standing side by side at the entrance. Both were smoking and chatting about their love problems. For a seemingly unimportant place with two guards at the door, it suggested that someone significant must be inside—and who else could it be but the kingdom's most wanted man? Mark had no choice but to step forward and interrupt the guards' conversation.

"Hello, petty criminals, sorry to interrupt, but I'm looking for Jack Stormrider. Is he here?" Mark asked cordially.

"We don't know what you're talking about. Leave; we're discussing important matters," one of the guards replied, glancing sideways and motioning for him to go.

"At least let me in to grab a beer?"

"It's closed," the guard responded curtly.

"But I hear people talking inside. Please, I'm Mark Tiger, a member of the hero's group, and I order you to let me pass by command of Princess Verena," he spoke firmly.

The guards looked him up and down, then exchanged glances, and one of them replied.

"Are you really the guy from the statue? You don't look like it."

"Finally, someone says it. I know, I know—they made me smaller in the statue."

"No, you're even shorter in person! Hahaha."

"Hahaha."- The one who was silent until now laughed like a crazy man.

Both laughed wildly in front of the fighter, who glared at them with fury, veins bulging from his forehead.

"Fine, we'll do it the hard way."

They stopped laughing and turned serious. Without giving them time to react, Mark slammed their heads together and pushed them through the door with all his strength. They slid across the floor until they reached a table at the end of the bar. There, a man with a spear on his back was calmly drinking beer, with a beautiful woman on either side. Silence fell over the bar, though the bartender kept to his work. The spearman looked up and saw the broken door frame. Mark walked in, cracking his knuckles.

"Long time no see, Jack."

Mark stood in front of the spearman, who continued drinking and replied, "Likewise, Mark."

They looked at each other, sparks flying from their eyes, and Jack stood up while finishing his drink. Everyone in the bar watched, anticipating the outcome. But, to their surprise, both men smiled and slapped hands.

"Why not stay for a drink?" Jack invited, making room at the table for his friend.

"It would be a pleasure."

"Hey, bartender, bring more of your best beers!" Jack called to the bar owner, who nodded and brought two mugs of beer to the table.

Mark sat down and started drinking. They drank for an hour, reminiscing about old times. As they grew tipsy, the conversation became more serious.

"So, how’s everything? Are you still with Liz in Coy Town? Any progress?" Jack asked with a teasing grin.

Mark spat out a bit of his drink and replied, "You know she's not open to a relationship—her heart’s set on Hiroshi. I'm just there to keep her company as a friend and because I promised our leader."

"But you'd be open to a relationship, right?"

Mark was about to drink but froze, stunned.

"I'm not answering that."

"Fine, suit yourself. But don't stay tied to her forever; you're missing out on the beauty of life, which is women," Jack said, touching the head of one of the women beside him. "She may seem fragile, but she's strong and knows how to protect herself, you can leave Liz alone."

"I’ll do what I want with my life, and for now, I want to be by her side, whether as a friend, enemy, lover, or whatever," Mark replied with a hint of annoyance. He then looked at Jack seriously, steering the conversation toward the reason for his visit. "Listen, I heard about your situation. I’m not sure your way of fighting corruption is the best. Why not ask Verena for help? She’d help you, you know she's always supported you."

Jack gripped his drink tightly, visibly irritated. "Stay out of it. I don’t meddle in your life, so don’t meddle in mine. Besides, I was doing this long before I joined you all."

"I know, but now you're a hero to Aurelia. You shouldn’t tarnish your image. You have the connections now to fight them legally."

"I told you to stay out of it!" Jack shouted angrily, silencing the bar. "Legal means? They're nobles—they always get away with it. This is the only way."

"But you're hurting Verena's reputation. She’s the only one protecting you in the royal court. Please, talk to her," Mark said, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

Jack glared, even angrier. "I see, so she sent you. I should've known. Here I thought you came to see me. But no, no one cares about the crazy spear guy! I'm sure she claims to support me, but she’s never come to help; all I've seen is her aiding the nobles more than me."

"You know that’s not true. She has responsibilities as a princess. She can’t be seen with a criminal. If your group is still running, it’s because of her."

They continued drinking while arguing until they were both drunk and nearly passed out. At that moment, many of the bar's rough patrons rose, weapons in hand.

"Hey, can't you see we’re talking? And why the weapons? I don’t see a corrupt noble here," Jack seemed oblivious to his men's intentions.

"Sorry, boss, but we never cared about the nobles. We only joined you because we want revenge. Many of us went to jail or lost loved ones that were executed by the kingdom because they were trapped by your group. And now, we have two of its members here drunk—lucky us."

"Tch, everyone around me is a traitor! Ladies, leave if you don't want things to get ugly."

The women that were with Jack left. Mark, still tipsy, seemed clueless but stood by his friend.

"Leave. This isn’t your problem."

"Don’t you remember? Every problem of one is a problem of the group," Mark replied confidently.

"Do as you wish. But boys, you made a mistake facing me while I’m drunk, because when I am, I get even crazier," Jack grinned and took a battle stance beside his friend.

After a while, all the bar's ruffians lay beaten on the floor, while the two members of the hero's group stood unscathed and began to laugh.

"Ha, I missed fighting alongside you," Jack said excitedly.

"Same here," Mark replied, glad they had reconciled. But he returned to the main issue. "Listen, Jack, I’m not here about the nobles. We're gathering the group again. There's a new mission, and we need you."

"I already have a mission here, and you can manage without me, so go."

"But a lot of people might be in danger, really, a lot. Plus, we can finally fight together again, and you can make amends with Verena. Please, Jack. We need your madness."

"I told you to leave. Leave me alone!" Jack shouted, pointing to the exit.

Mark gave him a sorrowful look, taking one last glance at his friend before leaving. But before he exited, he said, "If you change your mind, we’ll be waiting at the kingdom's gates. We leave in an hour. Come if you're man enough to face your issues with the princess."

Mark left, leaving Jack alone with the bartender, who cleaned up the mess they’d left behind. The spearman looked thoughtfully at a painting he had donated to the bar, showing him with the hero’s group. In the painting, he was smiling beside Verena.

"Shit" Jack muttered to himself.

An hour passed. Mark had reunited with Verena and Liz, and they waited calmly in a carriage to leave when the hour struck.

"He’s not coming. He’s too angry with me, and rightfully so," Verena said impatiently. "I'm sorry, but it’s time. I’m moving on." The horses started forward.

Mark lay in the back, glancing out at the kingdom’s gates as they grew smaller. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared, like lightning, quickly approaching them.

"I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you. Jack's never left us hanging," Mark said confidently, eyeing the growing flash.

"Huh?" Verena turned, surprised by the oncoming streak of lightning.

The flash came close enough to reveal its source.

"Got room for one more?" It was Jack, the fastest of the group thanks to his lightning magic, moving at the speed of a bolt.

"Always," Liz replied, letting him into the back, where Mark was hanging around.

-Welcome- Mark said like knowing his friend would come sooner or later.

-Idiot.

Verena was the only one who stayed silent and didn't react to the new member. She showed a face filled with guilt, and her words seemed caught in her throat.

-Relax, Verena, I understand. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused, and thank you. I know it didn’t seem like it, but I know you’ve been helping me from the shadows -Jack spoke calmly, showing sincerity.

-But I could have done more! All those nobles acting as if nothing happened, all those victims! -Verena began to cry, filled with regret.

-Now’s not the time for regrets -Jack approached her and gently wiped her tears away-. We have a mission ahead of us. If you want to make the kingdom a better place, do it when we return.

-Promise. I swear I’ll make sure you don’t have to get your hands dirty anymore -Verena showed a smile, typical of a princess.

-Good, I’m counting on you. So, who do we have to kill? -Jack asked, still having no idea what mission they were heading towards.

Liz and Mark dropped their smiles, looking worried. The only one who had the courage to answer was Verena.

-We’re not entirely sure yet, but we have reason to believe Hiroshi has become a threat in his world. We’re going to investigate and see if we can help, but we’re not going to kill him.

-Ha! You should have started with that, and I would’ve come right away. I’ve always wanted to give that arrogant bastard what he deserves -Jack showed a smile of anticipation for the fight, the same smile that had earned him the nickname "the madman with the lance."