Dungeons, Idiots, Treasures, How Hard Can It Be?

Aldir stood in front of the cage of Sticky who was battered from wounds the slime sustained from forcing his way out of the cage. There was a dark light flowing around Aldir as he spun a dagger made of black roots with sharp jagged edges.

"Tell me old friend, do you remember me?" he leaned in towards the cage.

Sticky's back convulsed as the slime created two arms and punched at the cage only to be shocked back the electrical barrier surrounding it.

Soon after an explosion happened right outside the stronghold. Erick opened the door entering the room and bowed before speaking, "Lord Corlind of the Merchant's Guild is here, and he is mad at the loss of the elves he sold to Phillip." 

Aldir simply laughed before summoning a sword made of black stone, blue crystals which smoothed out the edges, and a blue fiery glint to it. He walked out of his room, and walked down the stairs before reaching the entrance.

Immediately he was met with a male elf that had long silver hair with a black polearm resting on his right hand.

"You better have a good reason for already losing those elves!" the elf gritted his teeth in anger while pointing the polearm at Aldir.

And in that instance the elf lost both his hands as Aldir walked back inside the stronghold before looking back at him, and placing his finger on his lips whispered, "Little Theo is alive, do whatever you want with that info."

Then, he closed the doors as the elf groaned in pain before walking back to his massive crimson warship. A woman from the ship awaited him, and as soon he got back on the ship she laughed right in his face.

"Shut it, and tell the crew to set sail to Cerrix!" he ordered while a male crew member walked over to him giving him two mechanical hands.

The woman who had short crimson hair took out a horn made of black scales from a toxic wyvern,"Set course for Cerrix!" she blowed on her hot causing everyone to move to their designated spots.

"So, Corlind why are we exactly heading to Cerrix that burning trashcan?" the woman asked while lighting up a cigar.

Corlind looked over at the stronghold before replying madly, "That Valdez brat is still alive."

The woman laughed as she placed her hands on Corlind's shoulders as her face went serious and cold, "Then we shouldn't waste time."

Back at the tavern, Volhcard fell asleep from his exhaustion while Idol stayed guard outside the tavern blocking its doors, while Aralia trained and Jae practiced her shapeshifting abilities.

Groaning in pain Theo slowly sat up from the table to see himself in the tavern as he held his head in pain all while he tried recollecting what had happen.

"You're awake!" exclaimed Aralia as she hugged him tightly.

Surprised, Theo simply chuckled before patting her back, and soon more arms wrapped around him. He looked up to see Jae tearing up which the tear drops fell on to his face.

"I'm alright... Well somewhat" he said realizing the scars he has on his face and body.

Awaking from his sleep, Volhcard immediately stood up and pushed the two aside as he checked on Theo.

"Any problems with speech? Is there pain anywhere?" he asked while inspecting the elf's body.

"Bro, relax! I'm fine." Theo reassured as Volhcard took a step back before shaking his head, "Sorry, it's just we're all quite stressed."

Suddenly, Idol crashed through the entrance as a group of black knights entered the tavern with their obsidian swords out.

"Alright, surrender to the Order of the Stars or face judgment!" the one that stood in the middle shouted.

Theo looked around his surroundings for a way out before Volhcard suddenly summoned a shield of flames at the knights.

"Escape through the backdoor! And if you ask, Idol can shrink his size!" ordered Volhcard as he grabbed his staff twirling it before sending out a barrage of lightning bolts at the knights.

Idol picked up Yuni's unconscious body before running out the backdoor with Jae, and Aralia. Theo stop there motionless before hearing the words of Volhcard, "Theon Valdez get your focus now! Or else we'll die here so move it!

Theo quietly chuckled hearing Volhcard be serious for once after all he couldn't believe the same drunkard of priest dwarf could get so serious.

One of the knights dashed forward towards Volhcard only for the knight's head to blow up from the bullet of the blunderbuss from Theo who held it with one hand.

Reloading the blunderbuss he aimed at another knight blowing up the knight's left leg. While Volhcard impales four knights with swords made of ice.

Theo used this chance to grab Volhcard and ran towards the backdoor before closing it and blocking it with a nearby dumpster.

"We need to head to the docks of Cerrix!" Theo grabbed his black leather coat from Volhcard and wore it.

"Right, the Stronghold is just a quick boat ride from here, but wouldn't that place be heavily guarded!" Jae spoke up as Aralia grabbed her shoulder.

"We need to bring back Sticky." she replied while Volhcard rubbed dust off his clothing.

"Then, we are we going to find a ship?" just as Jae asked that question Volhcard pointed at a warship manned by the Order of Stars.

Theo looked at this before gripping the blunderbuss tightly and spoke with a grim smile, "We're all gonna die or we can save out friend."

Idol who had Yumi in her arms nodded and spoke up, "I shall join in this expedition!" 

Seeing Idol agree on his own made Volhcard smile before replying, "I'll do it just so we can continue our journey on Volantis."

Aralia nodded as Jae sighed before nodding as well. Theo chuckling walked out of the backalley and into the center of the burning city.

"There! It's the Ragtag!" a knight of the Order of Stars shouted.

Everyone ran towards the warship and as soon as they got on it they cut the ropes tying it to the docks.

"For a group who serves Aldir, they're not very smart." Jae commented as Theo rushed towards the wheel.

Volhcard raised the anchor as Idol placed Yumi near the captain's cabin before raising the sails.

"It's time." Aralia quietly muttered as Jae got close to her.

"Just a fair warning do not be a hero." Jae said as Aralia raised her eyebrows.

"You'll see what I mean soon enough."

Back at the stronghold, Aldir sits in his office as he reads many ancient scrolls and books all while Sticky kept trying to break out their cage.

Aldir stood up as he placed his hands on his desk accidentally breaking a piece from holding it to tight.

With a sly smile on his face he looked over to Sticky, "Looks like your friends are here."

Hearing this Sticky kept trying harder to break out of the cage as Aldir chuckled.

"You're trap worked, my lord." said Erick who was standing near the door of his office.

As the silhouette of the stronghold appear, the crew slowly stop the ship as Aldir awaits them in his office.

"May the Gods give us luck." Volhcard clasped his hands together as he prayed.