15 Everyone’s Tasks

Contrary to his expectations everyone looked at Mikax with confusion. Glancing around the room he also became confused, did this world not have bards? That couldn't be, right?

"You all do know what a bard is right?" Mikax had to ask. No one seemed as excited as he was or excited at all for that matter. Everyone shook their heads, Mikax was beyond floored. Bards, we're some of the best support that a group could ask for. Their ability to buff allies while weakening enemies always was helpful. As a bonus, they created some really good songs! All Mikax could do in this situation was sigh.

"Alright, Kydorzia we will work this out later. Right now we have the most important part of founding our guild to accomplish." Mikax then pulled out 9 scrolls, a long slender box, and an inkwell.

The group gathered around Mikax as he had unrolled a scroll. He then opened the box to reveal an extremely ornate yet sinister-looking device. It was a calligraphy pen on the bottom with what appeared to be a razor-sharp blade at the top. Lastly, he opened the inkwell.

After everything was prepared Mikax began explaining. "Please take what I am about to say seriously, this is a contract. It describes the expectations of every Misfit that has come before you. Using this pen you will draw your blood. It can be a slice or a prick, but once you do the blade will then absorb it and move it down into the pen. Once that is done you dip the tip of the pen into the inkwell."

As Mikax was explaining he had gone through all of the steps himself. Once he had dipped the pen into the inkwell it had glowed a bright golden color. He began signing his name at the bottom of the contract. As he finished the ink on the bottom of the page turned from black to golden. The contract itself seemed to plate itself in crystal. After that the symbol of the guild appeared on the back of Mikax's hand, glowing golden for just a second before disappearing. Everyone's eyes were wide with amazement. No one had seen anything like it before.

Mikax himself was currently fighting back tears. It was a lifetime ago when he first did this. The contract itself was simple. It stated that if the person signing it betrayed The Misfit Toys then the mark would activate, killing the person. It had some extenuating circumstances such as going undercover, but if your actions were done with the intent of the greater good of the guild, it would not activate.

The guild would keep and store all member's contracts. The crystal that encased it not only protected the contract but would also alert the guild of status changes. If a person was poisoned with a deadly toxin it would turn green, if they had been enslaved or imprisoned it would turn blue, if they were mortally wounded it would turn red, lastly if they died it would turn black. There were many other colors but those were just the big ones that happened most often.

Mikax had planned to place all 9 of their contracts in the main room of the guildhall. This way the newer members who joined would know those who paved the way for their guild. The ones who took the greatest risks to ensure that all Misfits had a place to call home. The contracts would be immortalized even long after they all had passed.

After Mikax had gotten up to allow the next person to go, the seat was almost immediately filled by Hesa. It appeared that her prior demeanor of playing it cool had passed. She couldn't be slowed down or stopped if anyone tried. This made Mikax wonder what her story was. Why had it been so easy for her to betray her father and country? The timid girl who sat by him at the bar only hours before that was gone.

After Hesa each member had sat down one by one to sign the contract. When they were done Mikax met with each one privately to go over their immediate tasks to start the guild's founding.

He sent Eura back north to recruit demons he truly trusted. Although they would eventually begin to accept random members and build their forces over time right now they needed manpower that could lay the foundations for the future.

Hesa and Rotnam needed to one last time dawn their Royal visages as they announced the creation of a new guild in the Azran Kingdom. Mikax had figured the best way to do this would be to advertise the guild as its own entity similar to the churches back in his world. They would have their own set of rules that were similar to the local laws, but they would govern themselves. Mikax made it clear that they were not to advertise his or Eura's involvement just yet.

Mr. Akkar was to resign from his position immediately. He would then begin to purchase the surrounding buildings to the Valedge Inn. He was to find and hire manpower to demolish the buildings as soon as possible. After that, he needed to hire a new crew for building. The one stipulation was that the guild hall would be made with metal so the blacksmith was needed. Mikax also suggested poaching smiths from other towns. This request made everyone wonder what Mikax was thinking. No one had seen a metal building before. They had no idea where he would get so much metal in the first place.

Arlyne and Kydorzia were to head back to Mythden to pass on a letter to the King. They would then relay the information to their families about the creation of The Misfit Toys. This way word would spread even if the King made an effort to stop it.

Lastly, Lyra and Orion were to keep operating as usual for the time being. As they made progress he would work with them on their operations of making new wines. He was extremely excited for that day.

Each new member of The Misfit Toys had set off on their task immediately. Mikax had given the ladies traveling a few gold coins in case they needed to buy something before leaving the capital. Once they were ready he teleported them directly into the throne room. When everyone had completed their assigned tasks he planned to raid his pouches and upgrade their gear. He had no shortage of epic gear and several pieces taken from the corpses of Demi-gods.

~~~~In a forest west of the Demon Country~~~~

In the shadows of a tree, a creature was finishing filing in a grave. A crude headstone had been made with the name 'Asura' carved into it. After he had finished his task he walked towards a cave not far off.

As he came into the light it was easy to see his skin was tinged red, the tell-tale signs of most demonic heritage. This young demon was different though, on his head instead of horns were two fox ears, and instead of the tail of a demon, he had three bushy tails resembling that of a fox that he wrapped around his waist like a belt.

Upon entering the cave he began packing his bag with necessities like food and water, clothing, and camping gear. He picked up a cloak off of a rock being used as a hook and covered himself. He then walked over to a bed made from grasses and leaves. On the bed were two daggers, if Mikax or Eura were here they would instantly recognize that these were no ordinary weapons.

The daggers were made from the same material as the sword that Mikax had gifted Eura. The fact that this young demonic fox had two such demon blades was miraculous and mysterious at the same time.

He picked each blade up as he would a baby before placing it in their sheath. If anyone was watching they would be able to see him fighting tears. "Don't worry Dad, I will make the Demon Lord pay for what he's done."

As the Demonic Fox finished his sentence he disappeared into the shadows.

~~~~Mythden~~~~

A bright light began to form in the center of King Jearr's throne room. The guards immediately took defensive stances near the King. Everyone knew only 1 person was capable of using magic of this level and that scared them senseless.

When the teleportation magic had subsided everyone was relieved to see Kydorzia and Arlyne and not Mikax.

"I take it you two ladies failed your tasks that were assigned to you? Is my daughter at least having some success since she isn't here?" The King was annoyed and upset that they were sent back here so suddenly.

Arlyne was the first to speak, "I wouldn't say that we failed." She chuckled after she ended her sentence which made everyone feel like something was off.

"Oh no, Arlyne, weren't we ordered to get closer to Mikax to try and persuade him to help the Kingdom? I'd say that we succeeded." Kydorzia jokingly replied to Arlyne as if no one else was in the room. Both girls were having a good laugh at the joke.

Arlyne began to approach the King. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and removed a sealed letter from her pocket. The King's attendant made his way closer to retrieve the letter and hand it directly to the King.

King Jearr frowned when he saw the seal on the envelope matched the fancy seal on his sons <Slave Bracelets>. After breaking the seal his heart nearly burst thru his chest in fright as a single golden coin fell from between the pages into his lap. Everyone in the room did their best to stifle a smile or laugh watching the Kings unsightly behavior, none of them had seen the coin fall.

After taking a moment to regain his composure the King began to read the letter. His face turned into a frown. He continued to read, as he did however the color began to drain.

"Is this true? Have you all joined him and abandoned your Kingdom and committed treason against your families and me?" King Jearr's voice teetered between fear and anger.

Kydorzia stepped forward towards Arlyne and placed her hand on her shoulder. "We have joined him to build a better place for the future." Although they were afraid to be in the lions den and speak so boldly they believed in Mikax. That he wouldn't have sent them here to die and if they were captured they believed he would save them.

"Guards! Escort these two women out of the city immediately!" King Jearr's face was now turning purple in rage.

Both ladies shook their heads in unison. "We will be going to our families houses before returning to Redgate. If you try and stop us from doing what is asked by our guild, we were told to let you know that Mikax will personally make a visit to negotiate with you." Arlyne informed her former king of their plans.

"Fine. Once you leave the city never return. You and your fellow misfits are hereby banned from the capital!" King Jearr was not going to fight over them returning home so long as they left and Mikax never returned.