The Gods' Decree 203 Indulge

He looked around before letting out a sigh of relief when noting there was no outsider who saw him with the weapon.

This was the saber of one of the notorious Barker twins. Imagine the catastrophe he would draw upon himself if they dared to hear he wielded the weapon. He at that point he truly would have been akin to a dead man walking.

"Hey, hey.., it's not that bad. Yes, those twins are bloodthirsty but give them credit as they are not solely dumb. You have friends in high places, after all.

Now, this is my property which was 'fairly' attained. You may call it my spoils of war. Would they dare try to steal what I deem mine?"

Taf questioned with a smile but his squadmates and the others knew he downright stole it after beating the brothers to a pulp.

He seemingly did this to all his victims with even Doan previously suffering the same fate. He provided what was essentially a double blow to the losers.

Having had his fun with Lovren, Taf then once more retained the golden saber. He knew the very thought would scare the c.r.a.p out of him.

"If you ever attain some b.a.l.l.s you know where to find a worthwhile saber. By then, however, a price might be added."

Hearing Taf's words Lovren had to admit he was tempted by the gift. It was an exquisite saber and of far better quality than the one which he currently wielded. Yet there was by no means he would keep it within his possession.

 Sure the Barkers feared Taf, but did he warrant the same fear? They might even relish the thought of taking his life knowing he was also a.s.sociated with the fellow.

??????

After a while, Lovren finally attacked with his saber. He wasn't as fast as the previous Luke but his attacks had a bit more bite. Noticeable he avoided the use of elements. Perhaps this was due to his taking note of Taf's battle with Luke.

With each movement of his saber, it could be seen the time and dedication taken to perfect the saber's techniques. They weren't callous but precise similar to luke. Apparently, one of the advantages held by both was their weapon-wielding skills.

Yet, Taf similar to all the other ninth stages noticed the lack of elemental use by Lovren would be his ultimate demise.

"Your primary means of attack is your elemental fire if I am not mistaken, right?" 

Taf questioned as he continuously wove from the serious slashes of Lovren who held nothing back. Hearing the question posed Lovren halted his a.s.sault momentarily before replying,

"Yes but as you know fire is one of the most overbearing elements when expending qi. Since you highlighted to Luke his qi consumption would be his demise, I sought not to make the same error."

Taf nodded his head seeing that this knucklehead was seemingly taking notes, but still, he might have over thought the matter.

"You are correct I did disclose such a fact to Luke. Yet there is such a thing as under compensating, and your lack of fire within your attacks has made you an easier target.

Sometimes the first means to win a battle is not through your fist, but your mind. Currently, I'm your adversary who holds the advantage in all aspects, strength, qi, and cultivation. Imagine me going full throttle at you while you're also attacking without any elements.

Is there a deterrent not to fully decimate you as are?" Taf ended with a question that had Lovren thinking. He then responded by saying,

"You're telling me that my fire can be used as a tool of intimidation. Allowing me to bide my time in a battle." This was indeed the case as Taf nodded before clarifying,

"Yes, still the amount of qi being expended is key. How to properly use this method is by planting the idea in the opponent's mind from your first or second attack that this is within your a.r.s.enal.

This I suggest should be implemented through one of your more basic elemental fire techniques."

With Taf guidance Lovren eventually made the relevant changes before once more resuming the battle as his hour came to an end.

?Cameron?

"I am more of a long-range strategist, so this battle scenario is one which I would certainly fail. Actually I would rather an hour in which I might pick that brain of yours on some strategies of mine."

Cameron hurriedly stated seeing Taf had completed his training with Lovren and awaited his movements to the center of the practice area.

This was a bit surprising to Taf at first but then he recalled this was indeed Cameron's skill set, 'Archery.' 

He was similar to May in the use of a bow and arrow with the wind element but unlike her, he was not one who was able to adapt to close combat. 

"Fair enough we can have a drink within the week," Taf responded with a tinge of expectancy. Of the group, this fellow was the most reserve. It seems he has somewhat become resolved to come out of his sh.e.l.l.

Of all the persons currently gathered it can be said that Malgrey was the most thrilled with how things had unfolded. Never before has he seen these three as motivated as they currently were. It seems Taf had a knack for teaching. Wouldn't it be ironic if this was his true calling?

???????

Taf then looked to the group feeling quite accomplished with himself he uttered,

"I seem to have an hour free. Is there a need for my divine teaching? Hmmm, Ava, Malgrey, Selene, or my dearest Niesha?"

His words were then subsequently ignored by the four.

PSs.h.!.+?

Divine teaching?

Sure within a fight, Taf would demolish them and his eye for detail was quite remarkable.

Yet they would hold on to the last bit of pride they had in knowing his age was his undoing. All that he highlighted about Lovren and Luke they too saw so though impressive it was astonis.h.i.+ng.

Still, Niesha who always had that broad sword on her back took the time to vent obviously still feeling wronged from Taf's comments a few hours prior.

"Call me dearest once more and I guarantee the first thing May hears when I see her is about your playboy way."

She threatened Taf who nonchalantly placed his hands behind his head. In response he said,

"Calm down miss self-righteous. With that att.i.tude of yours, I am having second thoughts of having you join us for a small outing. Which I know might come as a shock, but it will be my treat."

His words were not only a surprise to Niesha but also the seven others who wondered what being had possessed this fellow.

When did he become this generous? Not that he couldn't afford it. They all knew he was fifty rich after attaining his spoils of war in Starlight City. Yet this was very uncharacteristic of him.

"I see your feeling quite guilty for avoiding us this past month."

The fiery-haired Malgrey firmly gripped Taf's shoulders as he ruffled his hair with a grin.

With his guess, Malgrey was quite on the nose. Both Taf and May had ama.s.sed this vast amount of wealth in quick time so they had no qualms in spending a bit. 

They usually might come of stingy to their squadmates but in truth, it was never about the qi stones rather it all boiled down to messing with them.

"You're treating, so this one's gut by the end of the day will be bursting filled with liquor." haughty laughter could be heard coming from Malnor. 

" I say yes to that," Lovren interjected before hurriedly quieting when he saw Niesha's gaze. She then scolding him and luke similar to an older sister,

"Wasn't that display two months prior not enough of an embarra.s.sment. If I see you or luke even sniff the fumes of any liquor. Hmmm."

Luke could only shake his head while sighing. How did one statement by Lovren cause him to be roped into a scolding?

"There isn't a catch to this is there?" Ava looked on Taf suspiciously. It can be seen ever seen Starlight City she still sought to see through his 'disguise'.

He had too many cards which made him very hard to read in her eyes. With a cheeky smile displayed on his face, Taf uttered.

"Haven't I been only nice to you sisters since our meeting, why such mistrust."

She was then nudged by Selena,

"Will you hush up before the invitation is withdrawn."

Which woman didn't like being treated once in a while? It is not often such chances come along.

After the events of Starlight City, there have not been any reasons to celebrate only an empty void from the loss of their friends and comrades. Thus the reason they became close to the members of squad Malgrey and Malnor.

"Any suggestion as to where to done?" Taf then asked openly as truthful he had no idea where to bring them. Before anyone could get a word in, Lovren blurted out saying excited, 

"I know the perfect place!"

Seeing his excited state who at that moment would have the heart to go against his will.

Unedited Version

To be continued....