WebNovels

Chapter 4 - Chapter Four

Noah and Atlas carried the bags while Dax paired with Blake haggled for cheaper prices. Ethan kept a look out for thieves and took care of Quill.

"I guess we got everything." Dax nodded with satisfaction

Blake sighed, "Let us go home."

Dax was about to agree when his eyes locked on a street vendor's item. There were unnecessary trinkets but what the teenager liked were the unknown two animals banging around in a cage.

"How much?" he asked

The vendor sighed, "These creature a 40 bronze coins. Just take them and NO REFUNDS! They're unruly and bad for business."

Dax bought them and teleported everyone back to the island.

"I advice you to rest. Tomorrow morning is going to be a new dat!" Dax smiled

Dax took the animals with him to his room.

"Why'd you team up with the Boss, Vice?" Blake asked

Atlas looked at the staircase and answered, "I can't explain it just a gut feeling that is I don't I'll regret it."

~~

Dax looked up at the night sky and released the animals from their cage. The winged creatures snarled at him but a sad smile was on his face.

"I know...it's horrible being locked up isn't it." Dax whispered

The animals closed in and nuzzled him in comfort. Dax eyes became heavy listening to their soft purring.

"I'm a little all over the place...but I guess it's real...." he said before sleeping

Dax slept peacefully until someone punched him in the stomach. He gripped the neck of the attack but stopped immediately.

"...Blake? Why?" Dax coughed

Blake asked, "Do you want the truth?"

Dax looked around at the dark swampy area and moments later a stench of death blew in. Screens appeared in front of the members.

You are trusted? knights of the Halo Kingdom tasked with defeating the evil Queen-

The blue screen glitched and twisted. It turned a mixture of yellow and red with a new concerning challenge for them:

You have now joined the enemy faction, Queen of Shadows!

She has trusted you to defeat the knights sent by the Halo Kingdom while she prepares an ultimate spell to win the war.

"Ah..." Dax said in understanding

Ethan asked, "Spill."

Another screen appeared above their challenge. It had their faction logo: a red smiling mask and a yellow frowning mask. Underneath was the cause of all their problem, they vaguely remember the commentator talking about creating benefits and advantages per faction.

The Crazed Faction benefit was their was a 30% increase in rewards (excluding medals) when they due performances deem 'craze' and gain attention from the audience for it.

There disadvantages were: a 20% chance of their enemies gaining two random helpful buffs and...50% chance of joining the opposite side in trails and/or challenges.

"So the Halo Kingdom has a 20% chance of getting something like 'increased attack power'?" Noah nodded

Ethan sighed, "That's not the problem. We're now on the Queen of Shadows side but all the contestants are on Halo's side."

Dax let them talk and changed his outfit. He didn't see the creatures he bought so he assumed they were still on the island. It was technically tomorrow but who factors in 2 am in their todays.

"Are you done?" he asked "Enemies closing in four o' clock."

Ethan's dagger deflected an arrow aimed for Quill. The teenager squeaked and fell into muddy water.

"Don't worry Quill, we'll take care of ya!" Noah laughed heartily

A heavy shield materialized and crashed down on earth. Noah picked it up with ease and jumped forward.

"FOLLOWING!" Dax announced following Noah with his scythe in hand

Noah bulldozed through the weak sticks called trees and bashed his shield into the archer. Dax hooped on his back slashed into the archer's teammate.

"Only two?" Dax sulked

Atlas frowned, "Scouts. We'll run into their faction soon since they won't return."

"Ugh!"

They looked at pale faced Quill crouched on ground and holding his mouth. He avoided looking at them and fear of visible in his eyes.

"Need help?" Ethan asked with frustrated gaze

Quill sniffed...huh?

Noah said in flustered manner, "Don't worry Quill...it will be over soon!"

"Don't lie." Blake interrupted

Dax smiled softly, "We'll take care of you. Sadly it gets easier the second time."

Noah and Dax said comforting words to the terrified Quill. Until Ethan struck the back of his neck and the poor boy fainted .

"We don't have time for...whatever this is." Ethan sighed

Noah smiled awkwardly "You're still cold hearted."

He placed Quill on his shoulder while his friend scolded him for being too kind even in wrong situations like theirs.

"I didn't expect that from you though." Ethan said to Dax

Dax answered, "He's part of my team of course I'll take care of him...all of you."

His intense gaze shifted to the forest and his muscles bulged in anticipation.

"Anything that wants to harm my team will need to get through me first." Dax said firmly

His blade clashed with large sword. Dax forced the attacker back but didn't have a clear attack route.

"BEHIND!" Atlas shouted as he ran forward

Dax fell back, Atlas dealt a heavy blow on his head and the enemy's body slumped forward.

"What is going on?! Aren't you contestants too why are you attacking our members?" a man frowned

Behind the man were four archers prepared to fire. Blake moved forward with a relieved expression as he pushed Dax behind Noah.

"Thank goodness. The Queen didn't get you yet!" Blake sighed

The man, introduced himself as Maxwell was alarmed. Blake described a chilling tale of the Queen of Shadows infecting their members and forcing them to attack other contestants. While Maxwell was focused on Blake's report an archer disappeared.

"We'll need to tell the other factions." Maxwell frowned

Atlas said, "How would you do that...hypothetically?"

Maxwell pulled out a pendant, "You probably forgot to collect it at the Halo Kingdom. These can be used you track allies and display a map. Sadly there's no communication feature to avoid enemies intercepting messages."

Maxwell demonstrated how to use the device while two more archers vanished.

"Oh...I'm from Wonderland Faction and you?" Maxwell smiled

Ethan appeared behind Maxwell, the last archer gone and his dagger pierced through his chest. Blake took the pendant from his pocket and smiled.

"Until next time. We are the Crazed Faction."

Maxwell fell and Blake opened the map again. They all looked down at the many scattered red dots and their own location. Several screens spun around saying: A new member has joined Crazed Fanbase.

"So...any ideas?" Blake smirked "Cause I have a plan...."

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