(Ow...) After Luna patched me up and calmed down Stanford, we retreated to the Drunken Skag to have lunch with our fellow team members. (She healed the...wound through my clothing so she wouldn't have to visually inspect the damage.)

"You're...serious," Dorrian began in horror as I sat down beside Luna, "Stanford actually got you?"

"Yep." I confirmed, swallowing my pride, "I got the tip."

"Of a fucking spear." Analise tacked on, her voice rising in pitch to convey the her outrage. "What the hell did you do?"

I chuckled, "I uh, figured out Stanford's last name."

Dorrian motioned for me to continue, "And? Don't leave me hanging, my dude."

I snorted, "His last name's Pinesworth."

Even Ben cracked up.

"Yeah," Dorrian managed to get out after he had finished laughing his ass off, "I'd make fun of his last name too. You know how easy it is to make a spear joke right now? Oh, never mind: that'd be pointless."

I groaned while Luna slugged him in the arm.

"Ow!" He squeaked as the table erupted with laughter.

Luna rose an eyebrow in question, "I didn't even punch you that hard."

Nova shook her head, "yeah, sorry Dorrian, but that was pretty damn wimpy."

While Dorrian glowered over what just happened, I thought over the events of yesterday. Nova had decided against the wishes of her family to come with us back to Helios. Her parents wanted her to stay in Volhime, but she politely told them that she had a team to look out for. I still remember the looks on everyone's faces when she unintentionally called me "Bro."

A few moments later, Stanford entered the tavern. Sitting down at our table, he shot me a nasty grin: "You're safe...for now."

I edged away from him and accidentally bumped into Luna. She sighed and glared at Pinesworth.

"Thank the lords I didn't have to inspect the damage you left on Helix," She began, ears flattening against her head in visible agitation. "I'll warn you once: try to stick him with that spear of yours again, and I'll tear you to shreds."

Stan whistled, "Damn lass, when did this side of you surface?"

"I taught her everything I know, asshole, so show the 'lass' some respect before we both kick your ass!" Analise snapped, winking at Luna.

She shook her head, then huffed out an airy chuckle.

After we finished eating, Luna and I paid a visit to Virrius. He met us at the door and shook my hand heartily when we entered his tower.

"So I hear your team is going to Mareth," he stated.

I nodded, "Wha-How did you figure that out?"

"Stanford told me before he went over to the Skag."

"Oh." I remarked. "A-Anyway, Is there a reason you wished to speak with us, Virrius?"

"Of course there's a reason." He replied with a chuckle, "Mareth is a very dangerous realm to traverse-well, nowadays anyway. Not only are there creatures that will try to kill you, there are also creatures that'll attempt to damage your soul and turn you into a demon. I have one spell I wish to teach you: it's an incantation that'll nullify any form of dark magic that may do harm to you or anyone in your team. Use this if someone comes into contact with a demon: those types of beings mostly corrupt by getting their blood on you, so that is why I suggest you stay well-away from any demon you've slain. Even if they're dead, they can still ruin your day."

"Well, shit...I may have to check up on Ana then." I murmured, "Luna, give me a hand real quick."

She looked at me in confusion, "What's wrong?"

I sighed, "Everyone got demon blood on them during the mission in Volhime. Analise probably bathed in gallons of the stuff considering the fact she was covered in it. I'm going to use this spell to make sure we aren't going into this mission compromised."

Luna nodded, "Fair point. I never thought the blood of a demon could be deadly, but now we know."

We joined hands and focused on our team: Ana, Nova, Dorrian, Ben, and the two of us. I could tell that their auras were tainted slightly, but the damage wasn't substantial. Nevertheless, we casted the spell and felt more than watched the darkness fade from our auras.

I breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks Virrius. This spell will be a lifesaver."

He nodded, "Of course. I wish the best of luck to you, my dear students, and may the lords be in your favor."

As we exited Virrius' tower, Luna looked at me with a question in her eyes.

"If it's alright with you, can we try to see if we can find a store for me to get a new set of robes before we leave for Lowell?" she inquired: "I...Doubt my novice robes are sufficient for this mission..."

I grinned, "Of course. I know of a shop that's not too far from where we are. We can stop by there real quick and see what they have to offer before rejoining the rest of our team."

"Alright, thank you Helix," Luna replied.

After we walked out the large front doors of the castle, Luna and I navigated our way through the wide, stone-paved streets of Helios-which, mind you, were packed full of people. While it did take us about twenty minutes, I was still able to find the store I told Luna about.

"Is this the place?" Luna inquired as she stared at the sign that hung outside the front door, which read: "Mage's Armory: Come inside for robes, staves, and more."

"It is," I confirmed, "Thanks to the fact that there's a large community of witches, wizards, and mages in Helios, there are plenty of stores like this that sell equipment."

"Oh, how convenient," she mused as we entered the store.

Once we were inside, I had to stop and glance at the exquisite robes that were on display around us.

"Wow..." Luna murmured, "I never thought you could actually walk into a store and buy a set of robes..."

I chuckled, "Most traditional magic users fashion their own robes, but Aylsian magic users aren't so adept at needlework."

She snorted, then busied herself with studying the robes that adorned wooden mannequins that were arranged about the store.

"Good afternoon!" the shopkeeper (a middle-aged woman) greeted us: "Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"No, we're just browsing." I told her, only to notice that Luna had pinned her gaze on a set of battlemage armor. (In short, it's a combination of armor and the robes a mage would traditionally wear.) The robes were a brilliant shade of white, and the armor that adorned the shoulders, hands, shins, and feet appeared to be made of a fine silver metal. I wasn't able to tell if the robes would fit on Luna, but they looked like they were designed to fit someone with her figure. (I won't say much, other than damn...)

"I think I found the one I want." Luna breathed.

I chuckled and looked at the shopkeeper: "How much for the set of battlemage armor?"

The price she gave me caused my heart to drop into my stomach.

"C-Come again?" Luna and I stammered.

"The robes will cost ninety platinum royals." (Keep in mind that a platinum royal is worth about one-thousand gold marks...)

I huffed and pulled out a pouch of coin I carry around with me out of my pocket. "Alright, I'd like to buy it."

Luna balked at me: "Helix!-"

"You're going to need good gear that'll protect you," I reminded her. "And most robes that are worn by magic users don't provide much protection. I'd feel better if you wore a set of battlemage armor than if you were to enter Mareth with a simple set of robes."

She sighed, "Okay...You win..."

The shopkeeper removed the gear from the mannequin and met me at a counter that was set at the center of the store. After I paid for the robes, the shopkeeper told Luna that she'd have to try them on so readjustments could be made. I sat down on a chair near the counter and watched as they both disappeared into a dressing room. About an hour passed by before they walked back out into the main store.

"What do you think?" Luna asked me.

One thought dominated my mind: Holy shit, she looks badass. The armor components she wore glittered in the low light of the store, and her robes seemed to glow with a soft light.

"Whoa." was all I could manage to get out.

She laughed, and we thanked the shopkeeper before leaving. Considering we spent a fair amount of time away from the Skag, that was our next destination.

"What did you two do while you were gone?" Ana asked us as we sat down at our usual booth, "I feel...I dunno, cleaner? Also, I see you got new robes Luna. Might I say that you look badass."

"Why, thank you." Luna replied with a faint chuckle.

"I concur with Ana: you do look badass." Dorrian agreed. He then turned his attention my way. "But yeah, what did you two do?"

Luna and I exchanged a glance. We then explained the spell Virrius taught us and why we had to use it.

Dorrian laid his head onto the table with a loud thump while Nova looked at us in bewilderment.

"I wish you were kidding right now." She began in a hushed voice, "I really wish you were kidding."

"Yeah, same here." Dorrian grumbled, "That's just lovely to hear that I partially corrupted my soul just from shooting the fucking fuckers."

Ben snorted, "What lovely language you've chosen to use, Dorrian."

"Fuck off."

Stanford laughed, "Respect your elders, Dorrian."

"Eat a dick, Stan Pines," He shot back, a wicked grin on his face.

A vein pulsed in Stan's neck, "Helix, I'm going to kill you, then I'm going to turn your friend into a pin cushion."

Dorrian and I looked at each other and laughed our asses off.

Luna sighed, "You both are going to die a slow, painful death if you keep this up."

I chuckled, then died a little on the inside when Dorrian whispered, "Stan Pines!" in my ear.

Luna shook her head and swiftly cracked our skulls together.

"Ow!" We both cried.

"Apologize now before it's too late." Luna instructed us.

"Sorry Stanford," Dorrian and I grumbled.

He grinned, "See? The lass understands."

"Trust me, Stan Pines, I whole-heartedly understand." Luna replied with an innocent grin playing at the corners of her mouth.

A vein pulsed in Stan's forehead, "You too?"

Luna spared a glance at Analise, "I learned too much from a certain blood elf-I couldn't resist."

"I knew it!" I exclaimed, pointing at the smug blood elf, "I knew you were corrupting Luna you evil, evil person!"

Analise started giggling, "I couldn't help it. Besides, it's fucking hilarious to see her work her magic on you. It's almost as if your brain shuts down."

"She's right Hel." Dorrian chimed in, "It is pretty hilarious."

"Eat a dick, you cackling bastard," I shot back.

The table erupted with laughter, and everyone continued to chat and enjoy themselves well into the night. By the time I began my journey back home, the moon was already past the horizon, illuminating the cobblestone road in front of me. Luna was out cold, so I had to give her a piggyback ride.

When I finally reached my room, I laid Luna onto my bed and sighed as she promptly stole all of the blankets. I then re-stole some of the blankets after I changed into my sleeping garb and got into bed.

As my feline companion curled up beside me, purring softly, I smiled and drifted off into a peaceful slumber.