The group walk through the portal despite dally standing guard
Nero just casually walks through and has to jump out of the way of Yugo
Ruel: it's exciting, the first time you take a zap portal, eh of course I do it a,k the time
Percidal: oh stop telling one of your tall tales I know you fell flat on your face when you got here because I saw you you just got up quickly
Nero: for the record I saw it too
Ruel: I slipped and you might try showing a bit more respect for your elders boy
Yugo: don't worry Ruel I slipped as well
Eva: stop behaving like kids if we want to reach Oma it's in our best interest to get along and to stick together
Amalia: your right Eva we didn't start an adventure to end up bickering like some spoilt princesses
Yugo: right! How about we visit Kelba market huh last one there's a mangy gobbal
Nero: Ahh innocence you love to see it
Nero runs after Yugo
Yugo starts geeking out
Nero: well this place looks promising
Eva: it's perfect the first thing we need to do is club together and find a map of the world, my purse is as bare as a field of cawwots on rabbit island
Amalia: spent all your money on that beautiful outfit of yours did you
She starts laughing but so does something sinister
Nero: why does Amalia sounds like a Bwork
Dally: not very classy for a gentle maiden
Amalia: but it wasn't me
Merchant: Gah it was him!
A dude with a bird mask on a cool flying vehicle
Merchant: the black crow Ahhh
Nero: The black crow huh sounds interesting
BC: Hahahhaha
He starts destroying all the merchant stands
Nero: you know I was waiting for things to liven up a bit
Percidal: I know right I'm starting to get excited
Eva: take cover I'll deal with this crazy bird
Nero: uhh no way
Percidal: you're-joking hey black crow come fight
BC: Hahahah pathetic merchants fear the fire of darkness, fear your worst night more tremble before the power of the black crow
He fires our eggs that turns into crows that explode destroying all the merchant stands
Nero just dodges them
The black crow keeps flying around
Percidal: COME DOWN HERE AND FIGHT YOU COWARD
The black Crow starts flying towards them
Eva: uhh I think he heard you
Nero: Yeah he is coming this way isn't he
Yugo: he's quick but if we attack together we might be able to hit him
Are you ready
Yugo: Ready
Nero draws his sword: Ready
Eva draw her bow back: ready
Percidal: Ready!
The black crow is coming towards them at high speeds
Yugo: Three
Eva: Two
Nero: One!
Percidal can't count and the black crow flies right past them
Percidal: that coward he's flying away
Yugo: he's done what he came here to do
All of the merchant stalls are destroyed they then talk to another merchant and he tells where to go and they walk in that direction turns out there's another merchant named kabrok. That never gets attacked because they built a stall underground out of the black crows way
They see a lot of signs for him and eventually get to the stall
Yugo jumps on the door: IS ANYONE THERE!
Recorded voice: if you've come to spend a few kammas you ar every we,come sirs
Yugo busts the door open
Percidal: if our feathered friend wanted to demolish this shop he'd have to become the black mole Hahaha
Amalia: do you think they've got any sadida bags
They walk in and see a whole lot of stuff
A humanoid animal woman walks out
Woman: in my shop you will find riches that you will not find anywhere else
Ruel: there are treasures here which I never dreamed existed. Forgive my lack of tack madam
Nero: (3 2 1)
Woman: KABROK
Ruel goes flying back after almost kissing the woman's hand
An old horned blue man walks out: welcome to kabroks we have the roofs biggest treasures for an adventures greatest pleasure everything is for sale here as long as you can afford it of course
Woman: and too avoid kamma less customers wasting our time we put all our clients through a little test
A furry vacuum cleaner looking creature appears
Yugo: what is that thing
Woman: we call this charming creature a snoofle they can sniff out kammas like nothing else we use it for finding money that falls behind furniture and the richer you are the more he loves you
He dislikes dally, Yugo, Amalia, Percidal and Eva
It that's to Nero and seems to really like him
Nero: ugh get this weird thing off me
Woman: ooh he likes you guess we got a young rich one
Nero: uhh you could say I don't pay for that much
But then it seems to run away from him and sniff Ruel and it adores him
Ruel: this thing must be broken now
Woman: of course of course ladies and gentlemen we are at your service
Nero: you got any weapons for sale
Kabrok: hmm how are you at forging
Nero: never tried
Kabrok: well for five kammas take this fire steel when forged into a sword it can wield the power of fire
Nero's eyes light up: awesome, Sold pleasure doing business with you
Kabrok: thank you
Nero goes wondering around and finds a trophy room
Yugo: it's amazing isn't it have you hunted this many monsters Nero
Nero: not even close
Kabrok: I think you have the potential for it my young friend
Nero: so it was you
Kabrok: Yup!
Yugo: seriously that's awesome some are really impressive some are really bizarre
Kabrok laughs: Yes it's true impressive aren't they I was a big collector when I was young
Nero: (this guy seems genuinely happy now that's weird)
Woman: yes and now your collecting days are over
Ruel: oh yes I know exactly what you mean madam as the old enutrof proverb says collecting is great but selling
Woman: is better
They both laugh
Kabrok huffs
Woman: Here is the map of the world that you asked for it should appeal to one Who appreciates beauty like you it's exceptional
Kabrok: no Miranda not the grav mad av map it's priceless
Miranda: dear husband! everything has a price and let it never be said a traveler couod not find what they needed in our shop
Kabrok: but it's power
They all get excited Nero just looks skeptical
She then unfurls the map but it's blank she then talks nicely too it and it talks back and shows them a map of kelba
Kabrok: impossible
Miranda: huh oh please come on kabrok kicking up so much fuss for a pitiful map is beneath you
Miranda: sir Ruel I have a proposition for you and your friends you may have the map for free if you rid us of the black crow
Kabrok: oh not the black crow again what is it you really want? Oh he's never attacked us in fact he's gotten rid of the competition
Miranda: adventurous don't visit often cos of him, and it's bad for business not to mention his horrible laugh which rings out for hours after each of his wicked deeds
Ruel: my poor lady that must chill you too the bin
Yugo: black crow for the map says
Percidal: excellent we have a score to settle with him
Eva: we need to make a plan
Nero: she's right he's way too tough to try and wind it
He chuckles slightly
Eva: Ruel
Ruel: why are you looking at me like that
Later
Ruel has been forced to act as a merchant
Percidal: absolutely perfect
Eva: he is a real kelba plains merchant
Amalia: then one last little thing and it'll be perfect
Eva: Ruel remember your words
Ruel: Here a Ruel's there's all that you need weapons for brave warriors or your tofu speed
Amalia is laughing
Eva: that's perfect, right you four positions
Nero: Yes mam
Ruel: why do I have to be the bait
Nero: oh I don't know
Eva counts down with her fingers
Both mimicking Ruel: my purse is as bare as a field of cawwots on wabbit island
Eva: seeing how the snoofle reacted earlier
Nero: You're as rich as Crassus
So either act as bait
Eva: or pay for the map yourself
Ruel: Ahhh I feel heroic all of a sudden
Nero and Eva sigh
Nero: Wanna do the honours Eva
Eva: will do
She uses her arrow as a flare to call the black crow
The not bait are hiding behind the stall
And it works
The black crow stops in front of the fake stall
Ruel does his line
Black crow: Hahahaha
Ruel: hey guys he's arrived you can come out now
They do
Black crow: hahahaha pathetic mortals fear the fire of darkness, fear your-
Yugo: just a second I'd like to ask you something
Amalia: be careful Yugo we don't know what he's capable of
Black crow: you should listen to your friend kid, fear the fire of darkness fear your worst nightmare tremble-
Nero: Yeah yeah we know
Yugo: what kind of name is the black crow anyway how ridiculous
Black crow: Whaaa what do you mean ridiculous
Yugo: all crows are black
Ruel: huh now that's true the lad's right
Black crow: it's too stress my evil side a bit like the black knight you seem use anyway where was I fear the fire of darkness fear your..
Yugo: Ywah yeah but you should really find something else like the evil crow or the devil crow
Nero: there's also the sinister crow or maybe the ominous crow
Yugo: heh those aren't bad the sinister crow
Crow: not but seriously the fire of darkness - Your worst nightmare
Amalia: it could even be something class like the somber crow
Nero: Nah that's depressing not cool
Percidal: or how about the feathery shadow
Nero: Or The abyssal annihilator!
They keep talking and the black crow grabs Ruel
And Nero forgetting himself grabs on and gets dragged along
Nero: so your keep the old guy and me as bait
Ruel: what again it's becoming obsession now
Nero: oh you're awake
Black crow: we are going to wait patiently for your friend and then we are going to have an epic battle the kind that legends will speak of it's the perfect day for opponents to cross swords and kick up some dust from the earth
Ruel: but can't we be somewhere different like down in the ground
Nero: Nah if you want a truly epic battle the setting needs to be just right
Black crow: You're right my young rouge, in battle the setting is just as important as the opponent here the setting is ideal the view suprerb and the north wind will carry the echo of our confrontation trhighh the ears of the bards whose songs will make legends
Ruel: may dear fellow it seems to me that you are suffering from complete dillusion
Nero: (he is everything sounded alright to me)
Black crow: I just wonder how I guy like you has the nerve to chat up my wife
Ruel: what! Your wife I have no idea what you
Nero: ugh kabrok take of the helmet already
Black crow: What how long have you known
Nero: since I first heard you talk
Black crow: fine! Yes the black crow is
He tries to pulls of his helmet but it doesn't work so Ruel unbuckles it
Black crow: thanks it's non other than kabrok the merchant
Ruel: Wait, but aren't you rich already? Why do you need to terrorise those poor merchants?
Kabrok: nothing to do with it, when life is full of adventures, like mine it's hard to settle down eventhough I have the finest and most delicate woman there is I need to take up on my hair you must understand that. Old timer you've spent your life on the road
Ruel: you know if I'm lucky enough to have a woman such as yours I'm
Kabrok: ahh don't believe that you and I are the same we have a real need adventure combat and young nero will be like us before he knows if
Ruel: combat?, so you think destroying old stalls is combat
Kabrok: No them it's because I hate them it disgusts me that Miranda wants me too be like them I'm an adventurer not a merchant.
Ruel is then tackled by the snoofle
Yugo: Ruel, Nero are you ok
Ruel: everything is fine
Nero: Yup all good here
Percidal tosses Ruel is shovel: here's your shovel Ruel oh kabrok when did you get here where did the black crow go
Nero: Kabrok is the black crow and he's an old adventurer
Ruel: and he got married and became a merchant but appears he's buried and he hate so the merchant so he disguises himself and vents his frustration on them and any other adventures he meets
Nero: speaking of which Black Crow I challeng you to a duel one on one just me and you know tricks just pure honest sword play
Kabrok looks serious and puts on his mask: young adventurer I accept your challenge
Nero: clear the area guys this is going to be intense
They stand either side of the nest and both draw their blades
Black crow: So you really think you can challenge me
Nero: I know I can and I plan on beating you because honestly you seem really strong and I've wanted to cross swords with you since the moment you first attacked me
Black crow: HAHAHAHA I'M REALLY LIKING YOU KID!
The draw their pure black blades and changes each other
They clash swords and they both get blow back and they start to fight even harder
Doing exactly what the black crow wanted
Every sword clash or charge they kick up dust the clashing of metal echos through the valleys
Nero: so am I living up to your expectations
Black crow: oh yes this is perfect LETS KEEP GOING
Nero: YEAH!
They are both clearly very happy
After what seems like hours
The two are exhausted
Dally: it's amazing neither of them wants to be the one to fall first
Yugo: yeah it's Seriously incredible I had no idea Nero was so strong
Ruel: this is truly impressive
Amalia: men are weird
Eva nods
Using the last of their strength then make one final roar of strength and charge each other
Due to him being taller the black crow gets the ugh ground
Black crow: FEAR THE FIRE OF DARKNESS FOR I WILL NOT LOSE
Nero: I REFUSE I WILL NOT LOSE!
He pushes and with one might swings sends the black crows sword flying and the adventurer then has a sword to his throat
A small shockwave is emitted form this
Black crow: put the sword down kid I mean Nero you really earned the map
Nero sheathes his sword and grabs the map
Nero: Thanks that was an amazing battle
Kabrok: it truly was
He walks away
Eva: poor Kobrok whose going to help the black crow regain his honour
Nero: take this Yugo
He hands him the map
Nero: you know you are the toughest opponent I've ever faced and I've faced a lot of opponents
Kobrok: in all my time I've never faced anyone with your kind of strength it feels like there's something lying beneath something more
Nero: Well if you ever want to cross swords again just send me a message and I'll be there and next time I'll be stronger
Kobrok: I look forward too it
Miranda: KOBROK
Kobrok: whoops there's a battle that I lost before I started
Nero runs off when she turns up
And then the entire gang leave
The map however doesn't work
And that's a wrap
I enjoyed writing this chapter while the original fight was good I think the black crow would've preferred a proud battle with no tricks just skill and strength