Fallen Fate Online

Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.

The sound of the campfire was drowned out by conversation and pouring alcohol, but the ones close enough could hear those calming crackles that came from the only thing that emitted heat in the cold night.

"Hahaha, today was a great day! That merchant was so scared that he gave us everything he had! Too bad he didn't know that it didn't decide whether he stayed alive or not. AHAHAHAHA!" The red-cheeked drunk bandit exclaimed cheerfully before taking another sip.

"Yeah, that was awesome! That's the easiest money we ever got!" His buddy joyfully spoke, then sighed, "Agh, too bad we have to take most of it to the vault... Going down to the very bottom every time, I'm sick of it!"

"Well, those are the rules. Everyone shares their income, otherwise, we couldn't be part of the Black Wing. You know it's best for everybody." The bandit with the thick black beard said with a confident smirk.

"Hey, young one, what have you been up to today?" The drunken bandit turned to the guy whose face was almost completely hidden by his hood and dark cape, but his azure eyes were clearly visible.

"Nothing much, just hunting a boar." Zayne shrugged as he waved.

The bandits looked at him as their eyes went wide and the bearded one said, "And...? Go on! Tell me, what was that boar?"

"Yeah! I want to hear about it too! You're so quiet!"

Zayne nodded, "Fine, in that case, listen to me carefully, and don't deny yourself anything. Drink as much as you can, it's very important on such a cold night."

"Hahaha, sure, I wasn't going to stop! I could drink till morning!" Bandit grinned emptying one of the many bottles.

"That's the right attitude, keep up the pace." Zayne said calmly as a faint smirk appeared on his face.

Perhaps during the day, the bandits would have realized immediately that a stranger was among them and would have easily dealt with Zayne, but the night made that possibility nil. The bandits were too drunk to understand anything, to them, Zayne was one bandit among many who was part of the Black Wing.

'I'm lucky they don't worry about their safety at all...' Zayne inwardly muttered looking at the many bandits walking around, 'Although, they have a right to. Even Roland's squad wouldn't attack them in the open, moreover, it's only a part... the rest sleep in the caves.'

"What...? So you were able to eat a whole boar? Pffffff, I don't believe it, you look pretty skinny." The bearded bandit snorted as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well, I can eat or drink quite a lot, but honestly I've had enough... I'm pretty damn sleepy..." Zayne mumbled shaking his head.

"Hmm...?" The drunken one gave him a questioning look, "So what's the problem? No one's forcing you to sit here, go to the caves, and sleep."

"I agree." The bearded one nodded, "Better go now while you can still stand on your feet. I don't really want to carry you on my back when you pass out because you drank too much."

Zayne's eyes sparkled as he smiled slightly, 'Damn, that was easier than I thought. They're just here to rest and drink, not on duty, then it gets simpler.

Crackle.

Zayne got up, shook off the dust, and headed toward the entrance to the cave.

"Wait! I'll come with you!" Drunk One said quickly, catching up with Zayne.

"Hmm? Do you want to sleep too?" Zayne asked with a frown.

The bandit shook his head, "Of course not! Unlike you, I'm not that weak, but I want to hear your story again! I haven't had good meat in a long time, so your story has encouraged me to go hunting tomorrow!"

Zayne smiled, "Fine, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much."

At the entrance to the cave stood several guards who, unlike the other bandits, they didn't drink and wore heavy armor as if they were knights.

"Hey, you guys need to stop being so serious!" The drunken bandit said looking at one of the guards and handing him a bottle, "Here, you can have some if you want."

The guard stared at him as well as at Zayne walking beside the bandit and in a strict voice said, "I'm doing my job and I advise you to stay out of my way. Move along before I get angry."

"Well, that's your choice, I won't insist." The bandit shrugged, put his hand on Zayne's shoulder, and walked forward.

The guard glanced at Zayne moving away, but didn't do anything, he just continued to observe the situation around the camp. He couldn't make a check on everyone who came inside, otherwise, there would be real chaos, after all, they were a group of bandits, not an order of knights who strictly followed the rules.

"Agh, okay, I guess I'll be getting back to the others." The bandit said bringing the bottle to his mouth.

Zayne nodded, threw the bandit's hand off his shoulder, and said, "Looks like the Guardians are missing all the fun, right?"

"Yeah... I understand them though, someone has to keep an eye on this mess." Bandit shrugged, about to take a sip, but Zayne stopped him, "Hmm?" Bandit's eyes went wide.

"Wait, maybe we should save that for the people guarding the vault. I'm sure these guys aren't having any fun at all, we can help them relax, can't we?" Zayne said with a sly smile.

The bandit stared at him for a while until a wide grin appeared on his face, "Damn, you're right! The guards at the entrance can drink at any time if they want to, but the guards at the vault are all alone down there! Come on, we can't waste a minute!"

'Well, well, when people are drunk they not only get braver but kinder, that dangerous mix can make people do things they normally wouldn't even think about.' Zayne chuckled inwardly as he followed the happy bandit, who actually thought it was a good idea.

The caves were divided into several levels and the main vault was at the very bottom, so it took them a long way to finally get to the right place.

"Hey! Guys! We came to help you!" The bandit exclaimed waving his hand and heading toward the massive gate with two men standing in front of it.

The Vault's guards looked like the other bandits, as they wore dark clothes, but they had wing-shaped tattoos on their foreheads.

"What the hell...?" The guard muttered with a confused look, "What are these idiots doing here?"

"I don't know." His buddy shook his head, "This is the first time I've ever seen anyone get this drunk. Agh, we really need to get some discipline and stop taking everybody. Well, let's get them out of here."

The guard took a step forward as he put his hand on his dagger, about to threaten them and make them leave but suddenly a chill ran down his back.

'Hmm? What is it...?' The guard inwardly muttered at the sight of Zayne, or rather the strange wings that appeared behind him, 'Am I imagining it? Wait... this guy's eyes, they're too cold, he's not drunk... No!'

The guard hastily prepared to fight, but it was too late since Zayne had already flapped his wings.

Whooooooooosh.

In a heartbeat, Zayne appeared in front of the guards with an ice-cold stare swinging his scarlet sword. The red blade easily went through their necks, cutting off the heads.

Zayne sighed, lowered his sword, and turned toward the drunken bandit with a ruthless look while drops of blood fell on him like crimson rain.