Elsewhere Goro and Tamaki were hunting their game as well, killing flying fish demons and some humanoid beasts. Less of them and more so Goro was doing the killing — Tamaki just sat on a nearby boulder talking.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5havqiPkDp
“I’m just saying, things are very interesting. Though I can’t say why. Kenji has been running around a lot more often with that Scientist and her group. I almost feel left out.”
“HURRRYAAAH!!” With a swift and powerful attack Goro struck the various building sized demons with his spear — making cannonball sized holes in their bodies — landing and wiping the sweat from his brow.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c9NNiZML6
“Phew and that’s that, it seems we’ve finished up here.” Goron exhaled while looking at the bodies, raising his spear, thrusting it, then with a swift yank he flicked the blood and guts off — and right at Tamaki.
“Hey! Watch the gore! It takes me a very very long time to make my hair look this flawless you idiot!!” Tamaki shouted, reaching up and wiping the blood off his face and launching it aside. Standing up he’d gather the equipment while Goro gathered the bodies and together they were off to the campsite.
Meanwhile with Sun and Xenthos the pair were on their way to the campsite, Xenthos dragging one of the monstrous alligator demons and Sun carrying three fire blight bodies hanging off of sticks with his tail and two larger ones on his shoulders. Both of them were pretty silent with one another — no words spoken or even eye contact really made. Sun didn’t really like the quiet so he decided to lighten it by whistling. Which didn’t do much at all — but slightly annoy Xenthos — which is why he decided to go for broke. He might get punched buuut that’s a bridge he’ll cross when he crosses it.
“Soooo.” Xenthos’s attention was grabbed but not completely taken in, he listened but didn’t really show.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SuDrTOYMZ
“Ibaraki is an amazing girl, really funny, beautiful, and well-”
“Are you planning to sing her praises around me every time?”
“I’m just trying to keep the hostility between us to a minimum, feels like anytime we’re together you’re mugging me.”
“Because you keep calling me old man, you ass. Ain't got nothing to do with her, we’re siblings more than anything else. She likes hanging around you and I think you and a couple others are annoying.”
“Hopefully I’m not one!” Zaibatsu called out with a smile as he walked from the shadows, his umbrella open and over his head.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul6asZa79d
“Hey! I thought you guys were lost so I came to find you, no need to thank me.”
“You tryna say my directions are bad?”
“...Yes.” Zaibatsu began to run as Xenthos rushed after him in a rage, in the end everyone arrived together at the campsite. Kenji stood nearby slashing at the rocks to kick sparks into the nice fire pit they made. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y8ncmgIc6
Meanwhile Zaibatsu was rendering down all the food they’d gathered and making the various servings cooking some of the food on the flames — near the flames — or on the coals created by the fire to achieve their proper cooked states. It took time, it took patience, and it took effort but soon they were all seated and eating with one another — though the silence was deafening.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCfJjUJPOL
“So let’s be honest here, what’re you guys' dreams?” Everyone looked over at Lee tilting their heads towards one another.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSZFyf7xfe
“Mine is to get filthy rich, I mean like swimming in gold kinda rich. I feel like with enough money I could live the good life. Or at least I don’t gotta worry much about hunting.”
“That scrawny body weighing ya down?” Goro teased as he took a bite of his fish and rice.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ClJvQ5rM2
“We can train ya.”
“Meathead lifestyle ain’t my lifestyle folks, I’m just the guy that wants to run around, make some gold, and live it up in a free easy life.”
“Sounds boring as hell.” Kenji commented while taking a bite out of the demon leg he was eating — taking big bites while Takata sat beside him munching on his serving.
“What’s yours then huh? Bet I’ll guess it.”
“I’m a warrior, I don’t want to do anything. I’m going to become the strongest swordsman in existence. With my power and my blade I’ll make sure there’s nothing in this world I can’t cut. Only through that path will I be able to cut down the person that gifted me with the joy of combat and brought me life when I had none.” Xenthos’s head bounced up as he looked at Kenji.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJcOCu12ST
“Calm down, it ain’t you. Someone else.”
“I’d have to say I wanna be a superhero!” Sun shouted out loud and proud — everyone collectively turned their heads towards him.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoRcdPZmPJ
“What?” In a group they all burst out laughing at Sun who laughed with them before stopping.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxH3fiT3Eb
“Okay what’s so funny huh?”
“A superhero? Seriously, you? We’re Fiends man, we’re about as bad as the demons to humans.” Lee held his laughter in thinking on it again he spit out his water mid drink coughing and laughing.
“Duh, that's what everyone sees heroes as at first. The point is to build that rapport with people. Show them why you’re really here, day in, day out. Be a beacon of hope for them.”
“What’s next? Gonna wear your boxers on the outside and chuck a cape on?” Lee acted out wearing a cape while Sun rubbed his chin and agreed.
“Pft if my non existent mother made my suit, definitely. Since you guys are so on me, what do you think heroes look like huh?” Everyone sat for their few moments and thought, soon Tachibama stepped up with his idea of a hero's outlook.
“Bright colors most likely, most of us are already lost causes with that. Probably something like the sun, so I’d say blonde hair.”
“Agreed, it’d have to compliment them properly. I’d say a red white blue with it, a bright smile would also help! It would bring peace to people, symbolism is key isn't it?” Tamaki added his two cents into it.
“Some sort of hopeful symbol on their chest would work too.” Goro added while eating.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQEjYZ3P80
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“I can say one thing, you’ve got the quirky and jokey personality a hero requires Sun. As for the rest of us I don’t think we’ll be doing as well.” Tachibana added.
“Fiends aren’t heroes, we weren’t even known till recently, people are scared of us and we ain’t getting any less terrifying. Leave the heroics to heroes, we aren’t and won’t ever be that.” Kenji finished eating — souring the mood pretty greatly.
“I disagree Ken." Everyone looked at Takata.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwDsDGcm1Q
"I feel heroes can be anyone as long as they fight for the right reasons. You’re all fighting for your own purposes yeah but at the end of it all it’s to help the world be better. No one can say we aren’t unless we prove otherwise, sure we’re destructive,-" Xenthos looked at his fists and looked away.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsDyTM37Tn
"-dangerous." Kenji grumbled and looked at his food.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKLAEftg95
"Even scum." Takata looked at Lee.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPtQCu8U8s
"Okay come on man, I WAS a bandit. I ain't no more."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNXqsEq40H
"Case and point, everyone knows that and yet. The people in the village still cheer for us. When they need help they call out our names. Because they know no matter what, we’ll get what needs to be done. Done. Even if it means killing something or someone, we’re no peace makers sure but we’re definitely heroes in our own right.” Takata huffed still trying to crack open a coconut.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0n97eKMd8
"Hand it over." Passing it to Kenji he’d crack it with a slight squeeze and hand it back to him.
“I can agree on that, killing demons whether they’re once people or just monsters is no easy task. Nor is saving the world, so the best thing I guess any hero can do is play the part.” Zaibatsu fixed himself another serving angling it toward the winds to cool it.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO8HFLbUPk
“Everyone is who they choose to be but you can’t be angry at others for what path those choices end up leading you down.”
“I’ll toast to that.” Xenthos raised his glass and Lee followed after.
“Agreed.” Lee downed his bottle, finishing the whole thing before launching it at the rocks shattering the bottle, looking at everyone he’d take a second to catch his breath and then put his hand up.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g1Xd18sBB
“How about we do a big finish to this before going back to the village tomorrow huh?”
“A big finish? Hell’re you talkin’ about?” Xenthos looked up from his food towards Lee.
“Let’s hunt a monster, like something dangerous as hell! Let’s really give into our dumbass urges, find some big beast deep in the miasma infested areas and kick its ass.”
“So a suicide run?” Kenji looked at Lee confused as he finished his drink.
“With all of us? I doubt we’re going to lose, you chicken Kenji?” Lee began laughing.
“Nah I just think your drink is talkin’ for you. Don’t wanna wake up and see ya chickened out.”
“Oh it’s on you bastard!" Everyone raised another glass to their dumbass nature and started to joke with each other again. Reinforcing their bond as a team that’s — what they were and what they’d need to be.
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