The fields outside the town of Calgez were filled with all forms of life. They surrounded the small town and were filled with high and low patches of grass. Along with the grass came small clusters of trees and several scattered patches of dirt. It was the perfect place for training, especially because of the beasts that roamed the area.
The beasts roamed the land in search of any living source of food. They would hunt and kill wild animals and humans a like. Beasts ranged in shape and size, there were too many of them for anyone to ever keep count.
None of these small facts seemed to matter much to Edge while be fought off a wolf like beast a few yards away from Calgez. With well-formed movements he ran across the filed incredibly fast. Upon reaching the beast that now bared its fangs Edge struck down hard with his Demon�s Blade. The well-placed blow decapitated the beast. Edge watched for a moment as he slumped down to the moist grass.
All the while Edge paid careful attention to the shuffling noise that was coming from behind him. When the noise finally reached its pinnacle Edge leapt into the air performing a perfect back flip. While landing on the soft grass he locked his eyes on the target that had just ran past him; it was another wolf beast. A small grin curled onto his lips as he charged towards the beast and violently split it in half with his blade.
When the beast hit the ground in two pieces, black blood oozed from its body for a moment. Mere seconds after landing on the ground the beast along with its blood vanished into thin air. The same had occurred to the first beast Edge had slaughtered but this was nothing new to him.
The Naz-Lycan warrior then turned his attention over to Caleb who at the moment was floating backwards a few yards away from him. Caleb was currently handling a pair of flying beasts that resembled bats but were much larger. At the moment it appeared as if Caleb was toying with the two beasts as they desperately tried to take him down. Strike after strike was dodged until finally Caleb flew higher into the air and flipped over the two.
�You guys are way too slow.� Caleb said. He landed in a patch of high grass, patiently waiting for the two beasts to turn back around. As soon as the two turned around to see him standing behind them, Caleb held out his staff and shouted, �Water!�
Mere seconds after casting the spell a massive amount of water crashed down on the two beasts. The pure force of the water pummeled the two beasts into the ground, quickly and effectively destroying them.
�They were way too slow.� Caleb muttered in disappointment. �I do like my new spell though, it�s pretty cool! Don�t ya think so, Edge?�
�What do you mean �pretty cool� I do not understand.� Edge replied.
�Well�oh never mind.� Caleb said. �Let�s go look for some more beasts. We�re doing a pretty good job so far; if we keep it up at this rate we�ll get a lot of experience under our belt. I don� know about you but I really need to keep practicing my spells.�
�Aye, as I need to continue with my training.� Edge replied. �If I don�t fight daily then I may lose some of my ability. I certainly cannot out that to happen.�
While Edge and Caleb continued to talk they turned their attention towards Joe who had finally made his way out of the town. After only getting a few yards out of the town Joe had already gotten himself into a battle. A flying beast like Caleb had fought earlier had now engaged Joe in battle.
�He�s not using his sword.� Edge pointed out.
�Yeah, that�s kind of weird.� Caleb remarked.
Joe jumped from left to right as the flying beast attempting to strike down. With every attempt the beast made Joe�s speed kept him one step ahead of it. The Ehrgeiz gloves Kayla had given him felt great, he couldn�t wait to land a solid hit on the beast. It attacked two more times but to no avail. This time as it attempted to attack a third time Joe rolled to the side of the beast. He got back up to his feet quickly and pulled back his right clenched hand. With one solid movement Joe punched the beast and sent it flying into the dirt.
�Wow!� Joe shouted out in surprise. �These gloves really do pack a wallop. One more punch and that thing�s finished for good!�
The beast slowly began to make its way off of the ground. Before it was able to react to anything Joe charged towards it and once the beast was at eye level landed another hard right hand into it. This time the blow was followed up a left and then another right. The impact really leveled the beast and this time around left it lying on the ground. Seconds after hitting the ground it disappeared from sight.
�Yeah!� Joe yelled in a fit of happiness. �I love these gloves!�
�He can fight.� Edge observed.
�Yeah.� Caleb replied. �Let�s head over to him.�
Edge nodded as the two made their way over to Joe. They walked through the field and as they grew closer to Joe, he spotted the two. After adjusting his gloves Joe made his way over to his two friends. The three met up in the center of the field while a cool breeze picked up.
�Why aren�t you using your sword?� Caleb asked.
�Kayla gave me these really good gloves.� Joe said while pointing out the new gloves to his friends. He clenched his fists and threw a few punches before continuing to speak. �They�re really great.�
Edge and Caleb nodded to Joe while looking over his gloves for a moment. The three stood in the field for a few more minutes as they prepared to do more training. Now all they had to do was wait for the next set of beasts to find them. When that time came the training would resume.
***
In the center of the town Weazel continued working on the shut down ERZ-1001. With every passing minute he continued to grow tired of fixing the robot. At first it was interesting but now that he knew exactly what to do it was quickly becoming boring to him.
�Damn it, this is boring.� Weazel said aloud. He rested his chin in his left palm while his right hand continued to work on reprogramming ERZ-1001. �I should have just gone out to train with the others. Man this really sucks, damn hunk of junk, bolt bag, rusty, scrap metal, no good, big ass, robot!!!�
Weazel�s shouting caused a few of the townspeople to look at him as they walked by. In turn Weazel looked right back at them and grinned widely at each and every one of them as they walked by.
�Can�t even have an outburst now a days without people looking at you like you�re a maniac.� Weazel muttered.
He grew quiet once again and continued to work on ERZ-1001. After another hour of hard work the reprogramming was finally complete. To see if it had all went as smoothly as believed Weazel stood up and flipped on the button lodged deep inside ERZ-1001�s back. Seconds after turning the button on Weazel shut the back panel and made his way to the front of ERZ-1001.
�Now let�s see if you are sane.� Weazel said.
A few seconds passed by before a small humming noise began to emit from ERZ-1001�s body. It took the large robot a minute to warm up and then finally his eyes opened, as he stood upright once again.
Weazel didn�t take a single step backwards as ERZ-1001 came to. He wasn�t the slightest bit intimidated by the massive robot that nearly wrecked the town. The lack of emotion on Weazel�s face as ERZ-1001 looked down at him proved the point perfectly. While others in the town began to walk a safe distance from the robot, Weazel continued to stand right before him, patiently waiting for him to say something.
�I am ERZ-1001, the most advanced robot to date. I can state my list of abilities if you so desire-�
�Save it.� Weazel muttered while waving his hand in the air. He bravely took a few more steps towards ERZ-1001 and looked the massive robot dead in its electronic eyes. �Do you know who I am?�
�Performing memory scan, one moment please�� ERZ-1001 said and then grew quiet. After a minute passed by the robot looked back down at Weazel and shook its. �I do not know who you are, my memory has been tampered with.�
�I�m your daddy now.� Weazel said as he released a sinister grin.
�You are my�daddy?� ERZ-1001 asked. Every time the robot spoke it�s mechanical voice making a cackling noise. �Do you mean, creator?�
�Same difference.� Weazel replied. �Look, bag of bolts, I�m the one who fixed your programming glitch.�
�My name is ERZ-1001 not bag of bolts.� ERZ-1001 corrected him. �But I desire to be called ERZ.�
�Got some hefty A.I in you huh?� Weazel asked.
�I am state of the art.� ERZ replied.
�Do you remember anything that you just did bag of bolts err I mean ERZ.� Weazel asked.
�My memory system has been tampered with.� ERZ reminded Weazel. �I am unaware of where I am or what I am doing here.�
�I�ll try to work on you�re memory later.� Weazel said. �As for now, you have a new objective, ERZ.�
�What is my new objective?� ERZ asked.
�You are to accompany me along with my friends on our journey.� Weazel said. �When I get some more updated equipment I�ll try to fix your memory, ok?�
�Yes.� ERZ replied. �I must place all of your friends in the memory bank I have left, then when my memory is fixed I will combine both.�
�Sure, whatever makes you happy.� Weazel said.
�Where are we to go now?� ERZ asked.
�Going to go visit some of our friends outside of town.� Weazel said as he waved ERZ on. Weazel started towards the exit to the town with ERZ not far behind him.
�What town are we currently in?� ERZ asked while following Weazel.
�Calgez.� Weazel replied.
�I will log our current location for journal purposes.� ERZ said.
�Whatever floats yer boat.� Weazel muttered.
***
Joe pulled back his sword and swung it forward, releasing a small beam of energy in the process. As the beam of energy hit the targeted beast, Joe stabbed his sword into the ground and sucked in large amounts of air. It was the final beast that had targeted him; the long fight was finally over. He had accomplished his goal victory.
A few feet away from the outsider were Edge and Caleb who respectively finished the small group of beasts they were combating. It seemed as the two made their way over to the now winded Joe the long day of training was finally over.
�That was�great�� Joe said. �I may�feel tired but it was well worth it.�
�Aye, you did well.� Edge commented.
�Yeah!� Caleb shouted while he put away his staff. The young mage wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead as he looked up to the dusky sky. �I really got to work out my new spell. I�m spent now, I could go for a cold drink and a nice shower, then some great sleep.�
�Yes.� Edge said. �Nightfall will come shortly, we�ve had a good training session today. Perhaps it is time for us to return to the town.�
�I think that�s a good idea.� Joe added. He sheathed his Sword of War and stretched his arms out as he looked at his two friends.
�You�ve done well today, especially in hand to hand combat.� Edge pointed out. �Your sword fighting skills have yet to rise but the next time we have a chance I will teach you how to use that blade correctly.�
�Thanks, Edge.� Joe said. �Right now all I�m doing is swinging and shooting beams of energy out of it. I�d really like to learn how to actually use it and I know you�re damn good with a sword.�
�Aye, I am.� Edge replied as a small grin appeared on his face.
The wind blew strongly across the plains as the three began to make their way back towards Calgez. As they continued their walk they could see two figures making their way towards them in the distance. Upon getting closer to the two figures they quickly recognized who they were Weazel and ERZ.
�I guess he�s done�� Joe muttered, still carefully making his way towards ERZ.
Edge and Caleb nodded to Joe and took the same precautions. Upon reaching the two, they remained in a ready position for combat.
�He�s fixed.� Weazel said.
�Who�s fixed?� ERZ asked.
�You�re fixed.� Weazel replied.
�I�m fixed?� ERZ asked.
�YES!� Weazel shouted.
�Ok.� ERZ replied.
�Uh�� Joe muttered while scratching his head.
�Fixed the glitch and now he�s going to come with us.� Weazel replied. He then turned his attention towards ERZ and pointed out his three friends. �These are my three friends; Edge Damon, Joe Vaelen and Caleb Soreus.�
�Adding into memory now�� ERZ said. A few seconds passed by before ERZ talked again. �Friends added.�
�Well, hello ERZ-1001.� Joe said.
�Hello, please just call me ERZ.� ERZ said.
�Did I miss out on the training?� Weazel asked.
�Aye, we�re finished for the night.� Edge replied.
�Damn.� Weazel muttered. �I guess I�ll just have to hope we run into some trouble tomorrow when we head to Margel. I need to get some practice in as well.�
�I�m certain we�ll see some beasts on our way.� Edge replied.
�When do you not see beasts when you travel?� Caleb asked while releasing a heavy sigh.
The five began to make their way towards the town as they continued to talk. ERZ took the rear of the group in an attempt to look over his four friends. The robot would now protect his friends from any possible threats; it was quite possibly one of the major things installed in his program. If the gigantic robot had his way not a single beast or any other threat would get through to his friends without a little trouble.
�So I�m guessing all these beasts came after Gallu?� Joe asked.
�Yep.� Caleb replied. �Now they roam the Earth looking to kill and destroy anything in their paths.�
�Do they attack the towns?� Joe asked.
�Very rarely.� Caleb said. �They tend to stay away from the town since they don�t work together. I�m certain though if the beasts were able to work together they could easily destroy a small town.�
�They just�disappear when you kill them?� Joe asked.
�Aye, they do.� Edge replied. �Their bodies decompose about thirty seconds after death.�
�Interesting.� Joe said.
They reached the town of Calgez and entered its gate. Inside now the town�s lamps and torches had all been lit in preparation for nightfall. The small yet lively nightlife was beginning to pick up as men began to pile into the bar and little children began to play games in the square.
�I�m going to head into the bar to get myself a drink, does anyone want to join me?� Caleb asked.
�I could use a drink.� Edge replied. �I�ll go with you.�
Caleb and Edge walked off towards the bar while Joe, Weazel and ERZ made their way back to the inn.
�Not thirsty after your training?� Weazel asked.
�Not really.� Joe replied. �Besides they have water in the rooms. That�ll do for me, I just want to get some rest.�
�How about you buddy?� Weazel asked. �You want some uh oil or something?�
�I am a robot, I do not eat or drink.� ERZ reminded Weazel.
�This has turned out to be a pretty long day.� Joe muttered as the three reached the inn.
They made their way into the inn and up the small set of stairs. Upon getting up the stairs they each found their rooms and prepared to go in.
�Are you in for the night then?� Weazel asked.
�I think so.� Joe replied. �I�m just feeling really tired right now.�
�Gotcha.� Weazel said. �Well, I�ll see you in the morning then.�
�Right.� Joe replied.
�Hey, would ya lighten up you frickin outsider.� Weazel spat at Joe in a joking manner. �You�re in another world, I mean haven�t you ever dreamt of being in a different place.�
�I think everyone has.� Joe replied. �It�s funny when fantasy becomes reality though.�
�Amen to that.� Weazel said while he opened up the door. �Alright, get some rest then and you bag of bolts, get in here I guess.�
Joe watched as Weazel and ERZ entered their room.
As the door was shutting Joe could hear ERZ saying, �I told you, my name is ERZ not bag of bolts.�
Joe forced a smile as he opened up his door and walked inside. Inside the room looked nearly identical to the one in Baz. It was the same set up, the only differences being this room was slightly bigger and it was on the second floor.
The view from the window was of the town square; it was a pretty site. From above Joe could see the pale lamps mixed with the candles. They neatly lit up the small town along with some help from the moon. Outside Joe could hear the conversing of many people, the town seemed happy, nearly the polar opposite of how he was feeling at the moment.
�I feel so lost.� Joe said as he sat down on his bed and looked out the window. �Lost, confused�so far from home. At least I�m not alone but still I feel alone. Even now traveling with five other people I still feel alone.� Joe released another heavy sigh as he un-strapped his sword and placed it on the floor next to his bed. He then fell onto his bed and attempted to get some well deserved sleep.
***
It was quiet and peaceful in Kayla�s room as she stared up at the ceiling. She had slept for nearly eight hours by now, her tired feeling was gone but now it was late at night. The thought of going down to the bar for a drink crossed her mind but was quickly dismissed.
�There�s way too many drunken jerks down there now.� Kayla muttered in disgust. �If I go down there one will try to hit on me and then I�ll have to hurt them. There�s no sense in causing a scene now.�
She released a small sigh and continued to lie down on her bed. After a moment or so she closed her eyes once again and began to concentrate slightly. Kayla then opened her eyes once again and breathed out a sigh of relief.
�Well, he�s sleeping.� Kayla said. �They�re probably all sleeping now. Ah well, I might as well try to get some more sleep even though I don�t need it.�
Kayla rested her eyes again but this time in an attempt to fall asleep. As if it wasn�t meant to be her eyes quickly opened up once again as she sat up in her bed with a surprised expression on her face. She then slipped out of her bed and put her boots back on her feet, all the while her since remained the same; she was concentrating again.
�He�s having a nightmare�� Kayla muttered. She went to sit up but then forced herself to sit back down. �No, I shouldn�t interfere with it. I don�t�think I should�damn it, I wish I was given more direct orders!�
Kayla sat back down in her bed and pulled her boots off. She then slipped back under her covers and rested in her bed, this time with her eyes opened and a frustrated look on her face.
***
Caleb rested peacefully in his bed but the same couldn�t be said for Joe. Every ten seconds he violently tossed from side to side in his bed as beads of sweat began to come down his forehead
All Joe could see was the image of a hand reaching out for him and then a bright light. The next thing he knew he was flying in the air and the falling through what seemed to be a void in space and time. He swung around violently in the void, it seemed like it would never end until finally he came crashing down.
�AH!!!� Joe screamed as he turned to his side and sat up quickly. The mixed movement caused him to fall out of his bed and come crashing down on the hard wooden floor.
�WHAT THE!!� Caleb shouted as he sat up in his bed and looked over to Joe who was now on the floor, rubbing his head feverishly.
�Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!� Joe screamed out in pain.
�What�s going on?!� Caleb shouted.
Joe looked up as he stopped rubbing his head. He shook his head at Caleb as he wiped away the sweat on his forehead, �I was�having a nightmare.� Joe replied.
�You scared the crap out of me.� Caleb said.
�I was the one having the nightmare!� Joe shouted.
�What was it about?� Caleb asked.
�I don�t really�remember.� Joe muttered. �It�s all fuzzy.�
�Well�it was just a nightmare.� Caleb said. �Go back to sleep.�
�Easy for you to say.� Joe replied. He stood up and jumped back in the bed. �Now my head hurts.�
�You don�t remember anything?� Caleb asked.
�I remember a hand�� Joe muttered. �Just like that night I was taken and wound up here. I don�t think it was really a nightmare, I think it�s memories coming back to me.�
�I see�� Caleb replied. �Well, get some rest Joe we�ve got a hike ahead of us tomorrow.�
�Right.� Joe said. He released a sigh and lay back down in his bed. �Night.�
***
The rest of the night passed by rather peacefully for the entire group. When the morning came the team of now six met up right outside of the inn. Once they were all together Weazel tossed Joe, Caleb and Kayla large pieces of cooked ham.
�Edge said we really need to head out right now.� Weazel said. �So I just went to the bar and made them make that for us really fast.�
�I�m sorry but we must hurry.� Edge said. �Do you mind if we eat as he travel?� Edge nodded as he spotted the three shrug as if to tell him they didn�t really care. �Thank you. Then let us begin our journey.�
Without waiting a moment longer the group left the town of Calgez and began their trip towards Margel. The group was headed by Edge and Weazel, in the center Joe, Caleb and Kayla stood while ERZ once again took up the rear.
�So you managed to fix him?� Kayla asked Weazel.
�Yeah.� Weazel replied.
�Can I please have your name.� ERZ asked Kayla. �I need to store it in my memory.�
�Kayla Magnus.� Kayla replied. �You are, ERZ-1001, right?�
�Yes but please just call me, ERZ.� ERZ replied.
�Very well.� Kayla said. She then turned her attention to Joe. �How did you sleep last night?�
Joe shrugged as he took another mouthful of the ham Weazel had given him, �Had a weird dream but I don�t really feel like talking about it right now.� Joe said.
�I understand.� Kayla replied.
�How did you sleep?� Joe asked.
�Decent enough.� Kayla replied.
Silence swept over the group until they finally grew close to the river. Once they were twenty yards from the river they were able to get a good look at it. A single tree rested near the river on their side. Otherwise there was nothing but low grass all around the river. As they grew closer to the river they could see just how wide it was as well as how rapidly it was moving. It seemed if you fell into the river there was a good chance you would be swept away with the current.
�Well, now what?� Joe asked as he stepped to the front of the group and walked to the edge of the river. After looking down at the fast speed of the water, Joe shook his head a few times. �That water is really moving and it�s a pretty far distance. I guess we�ll have to get a good jump and leap across it, huh?�
�Speak for yourself buddy, I can fly across.� Weazel replied.
�I�ll be able to jump across without any problem.� Edge said.
�I can fly across like Weazel.� ERZ said.
�I can use my magic to get across.� Caleb said.
�So can I.� Kayla added.
Joe looked at them all in silence for a moment and then said, �Yeah well�unlike you people, I�m�I�m-�
�Weird?� Weazel asked.
Joe clenched his fists in annoyance and took a few steps backwards, �Whatever, you guys go first.� Joe said.
�I can take you across.� ERZ said.
�I can probably jump across while holding you.� Edge boasted.
�No, no, no!� Joe shouted. �All go, I�ll do this on my own.�
�Are you sure Joe, I can definitely take you with my magic.� Caleb said.
�Nope.� Joe replied.
�I�m might be able to.� Kayla said.
�GUYS.� Joe said. �Just go.�
Joe stood behind the group and watched as they each made their way over the river and onto the other side. First went Edge who easily cleared the river without much of a running start. Then came Weazel who quietly flew across the river. ERZ flew across just as smoothly as Weazel had. Caleb then held out his staff and floated over the river. Similar to Caleb, Kayla made her way over the river as well.
Once they were all safely over they backed up a bit and watched as Joe prepared to jump over the river.
�I bet he doesn�t make it.� Weazel whispered.
�We will see soon enough.� Edge replied.
On the other side of the river Joe looked across to see all his friends waiting for him. He breathed in and took a few more steps back in preparation for the jump. �Come on, you can do this.� Joe said to himself. �Go, just go!� Joe yelled to himself again as he started his charge towards the river.
As soon as he got to the edge of the river Joe jumped with all of his strength and began to soar over the river. The team watched patiently as Joe flew over the river in his attempt to get across. They knew that they�d either hear one of two noises a thud from him landing on the grass or a splash from him crashing into the water. A second more passed by as they all looked on in shock as they heard one of the noises, it was a splash.