Requiem Online: Synergy

Chapter Thirteen: Samael Returns

As the light of dawn peered over the red dunes that have the Red Hills its name, Johnathan was hard at work helping the Freedom Kings build their hall. With the help of over 50 people, the hall was put up in a matter of hours.

"Thanks for your help Johnathan." Said Zayne.

"No problem. Listen, I wanted to put together an elite group of warriors that will serve as the royal guard for the Raven Hawk Guild. As Jack's right hand, I assume you have great skills in combat situations?"

"I do. I was in charge of training new recruits that wanted to be warriors. Of course, I joined after you left the Guild, which is why I didn't get to train you. I also served as Jack's personal sparring partner."

"I could use someone like you in my elite group. Is there anyone you'd recommend to join us?"

"There's a few I can think of. There's one we call Bear, he's a berserker-type warrior, but he's fiercely loyal. He is the only one to have bested me in one on one combat, besides Jack of course. There's also Minerva, she's a stealth specialist. She served as Jack's assassin. She's never gotten caught or failed a mission. She also won't take anyone's life, but the target. She's clean and efficient, leaving no evidence behind. Leo, is another. He's a sharpshooter. His skills with a bow are unmatched, they even rival the gods themselves. He's also deadly up close, he wields 2 daggers. One is coated in Dragon's blood, the other in a poison that affects only demons and arch-demons."

"Impressive. Gather them, then meet me by the oasis behind the Guildhall."

An hour later, Zayne, along with Bear, Minerva, and Leo, met Johnathan by the oasis.

"As I have previously discussed with Zayne, I am putting together an elite squad to serve as the royal guard for the Raven Hawk Guild. We will consist of twelve members: Me, Zayne, Bear, Minerva, Leo, and the former Leader of the Red Hawk Guild, Samael who has gotten in contact with about joining the Raven Hawk Guild, are the only confirmed members. The other six will be selected by trials of strength, intelligence, combat, stealth, and ingenuity.. We will be responsible for high risk operations that the other warriors will not be able to handle."

"What will we be called? All the elite squads have a name, you have the Sun Warrior's that serve Altania, the Sea Dragons in the Emerald Kingdom, and so on." Asked Bear, who spoke in a voice that was a vast contrast to how he looked.

"Once all twelve members are gathered, individual codenames will be given, but as a whole we shall be known as the Zodiac Warriors of the Raven Hawk Guild."

As Johnathan spoke Samael, walked up behind him.

"I heard you defeated Jack." Samael said, surprising Johnathan and the rest.

"Samael, welcome. This is Zayne, Bear, Minerva, and Leo. They will serve alongside you and I in the royal guard."

"Jack; is it true you beat him?"

"Yeah, Jack and I fought to the death. It was an honorable fight that ended in an honorable death."

"I knew the stories were true. After you defeated me in one hit, I trained my ass off to catch up to you, but hearing you defeat Jack just made realize how far behind I was."

"I got lucky with Jack. He dominated most of the battle, but a luckily timed weapon swap allowed me to get the upper hand and turn the tides into my favor. I ended it with my strongest technique, something a warrior of his status deserved."

"Amazing. I left the Red Hawk's to join you and the Raven Hawk Guild in hopes of becoming strong enough to stand toe to toe with you one day."

"And that day will come, but for now, welcome to the Raven Hawk Guild. There an empty room next to mine for you to stay in for the time being. I plan on adding a tower that will serve as the housing unit for the Zodiac Warriors, but until then you shall stay wherever you please. I will speak to Sophie about arranging trials to determine our final six members."

"Sophie? She's here?"Samael asked.

"Yeah, she's the leader of the Guild. She serves as it's head and me, Sarah, and Jonas serve as her inner circle."

"I had no clue she was a part of the Guild."

"It's okay, I spoke with her about you wanting to join and she was okay with it. She already told me about her brother and her leaving the Red Hawk's. We had a nice discussion and she seemed almost happy that you wished to join."

Samael had a pleased look on his face as Johnathan spoke about Sophie's forgiveness towards him. Truth was, Samael had felt guilt and regret ever since that day, but couldn't ever say it anyone. Now that he a part of Sophie's Guild, he hoped to reforge their friendship.

Johnathan, Samael, Zayne, Bear, Minerva, and Leo conversed until nightfall about how the Zodiac Warriors were going to function and what they would be involved in.

Even though Johnathan now had people he needed to protect, he didn't feel burdened. In fact, he felt like a weight was lifted off of his shoulders. The pressures of all the solo combat he had been through, was now shared by his group. Each member was strong enough to protect themselves and the other members without issue.

In just a few days the Raven Hawk Guild grew to over 50 members thanks to Johnathan and his strength, and it planned to grow more.