Apocalypse Reset: My Crab Can Heal the World!

Barns paces by the gate, looking at his gathered allies. "We're going to go at this mission a little differently."

His associates listen intently at what he has to say.

"First thing's first - the vampire known as Eldrie. He's all about physical attacks, and he can attack from range. With my Harden Body skill, and with Maria's... indestructibility? We're the most logical two to take him on. He'll have less opportunity to hurt either of us."

"I agree," Maria reasons. "Though a vampire's teeth can break through either of our defenses, Barns. We must still be cautious."

Barns nods. "That goes for all of us. Even you, Clancy."

The crab wiggles back and forth. "KING BLITZ!"

"Right. Clancy and Godrick, you'll be going against Wilfort. Both of you are our fastest attackers, and Clancy can resist some powerful magic. He'll draw Wilfort's attention and Godrick will go in for the kill."

Barns turns toward the remaining fighters. "That leaves Haima and Osmond to take out the spellcaster. Haima and the vampire can both control blood. With any luck, they can cancel each other's techniques out, leaving Osmond to blast away."

Barns raises his sword up valiantly. "The rest of the Adventurers will guard Dimartino in our absence," he says, sounding courageous and heroic - so much so that he surprises even himself.

"We're fighting today alongside allies we may not have much experience with, but we've all proven ourselves. We will strike all three towers at once and secure a decisive victory!"

"That's right!" Godrick calls, invigorated by the speech. He gives Barns a crab salute. Clancy and Haima follow suit.

"The salute is really catching on, huh?" Barns chuckles, saluting back. Maria and Osmond exchange a look, and the Princess rolls her eyes.

The party sets out toward the no-man's land between Ordella and the Pale Court. In this desolate span of forest is where the three towers have been erected - a checkpoint of sorts, dividing the land between Francois' region and the twins' land.

Barns leads the group, marching forward. They walk in relative quiet, the gravity of their upcoming battle isn't lost on a single one of them. The threat of death was always a reality, but as long as the group was victorious, there was a chance Barns could undo any casualties.

As they trot deeper into the dark woods, the endless fog of the Pale Court is visible on their right. Osmond jogs up to catch a word with Barns.

"Hey, Barnie boy," Osmond says with a smile. "Haven't had a chance to thank you for the other day. Maria is sex-crazy lately!"

Barns laughs uncomfortably. "Glad to hear...I think?"

"Oh yeah," Osmond grins. "VERY glad. She even gave me a big old-"

"And what are you two talking about?" Maria calls from the back of the group.

"Just appreciating the legendary hero, my sweet dove!"

Osmond falls back to do damage control with his woman.

Toward the middle of the group, Clancy and Godrick attempt to talk strategy.

"So, King Crab..." Godrick isn't sure what to say - talking to sentient crabs was a step out of his wheelhouse. "Any strategies you want to talk through, or...?"

"CRAB BLITZ. FOAM AND STAB. NO BEHEADING."

"Right, right. So, dunno if you heard, mate, but I'm a master at this art called 'Blade Dancing' you see. I can fight with all four swords at once, I can! Maybe you remember me, back when we first stormed the ol' Dimartino Castle, eh? I sure saw you with that massive cannon on your back, looking like a whole walking fortress, you were!"

Clancy clicks his claws as they continue walking forward. "BLOOD WOMAN HOT. SHARE?"

Godrick peeks over to Haima, who's walking by herself, not far ahead of them. She seems lost in her own world.

"You talkin' about the little lady over there, mate? Ay, she's a looker. Was thinkin' of putting some moves on her myself, I was."

"CLANCY KING. NO HUMAN WOMAN YET. SAD CLANCY. TOO BUSY FOR BOUNTIFUL WHORES."

Godrick blinks in apparent disbelief. "Well, mate. Duty first, aye? Them whores do be bountiful, though. I hear Dimartino back in the day was a right ringer, if you know what I mean."

As Godrick consoles the horny crab, Haima picks up her pace to match Barns', pulling him into a conversation.

"I wanted to thank you, Mr. Barns," she says sweetly. "When I heard you asked for me by name for this mission, I was elated. It's an honor to be considered worthy to travel with the legendary hero."

"Just 'Barns' is fine," he replies with a smile. "I might be the one who can perform resurrections, but it's all of us, together, that will bring an end to the apocalypse. You're just as important to that as I am."

Haima blushes. For such a fearsome fighter, she certainly has her self-conscious side. "I wasn't even sure if you'd remembered me, to be honest," she says quietly.

"Quite the opposite," Barns chuckles, giving her a flirtatious look. "Feels like I've been noticing you more and more, lately."

She fights the urge to smile and looks away, trying to focus on anything but the hero. "I'm flattered, Mr. Barns."

He stretches casually, making his move. "Assuming we don't get sucked like juice boxes when we fight the vampires...would you be interested in getting dinner sometime? Like a...date?"

Haima gasps audibly. "Oh, my," she says. She can't help but look behind her, glancing at Godrick. Barns wasn't necessarily her first choice, but in the weeks since she met Godrick, the dashing blade dancer hadn't made his move yet.

"You know, Mr. Barns...sure," she says with a giggle. "If we survive, I would love to go out sometime."

He wraps his arm around her for a second, pulling her closer and laughing. "Okay," he says, shaking her. "But you gotta call me Barns on our date."

The team walks a bit further, but before long they find themselves standing just outside the three towers. They loom menacingly before them, each one twenty stories high. The vampires were likely waiting at the top. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The team splits - Barns with Maria, Clancy with Godrick, and Haima with Osmond. It was time to battle.