The Powder Keg

Formation of the Party

Here it is! The long awaited chapter 6 of the Powder Keg!

Powder Keg soon returned, and everything was seemingly normal. Yet, things were quite tense between everyone. They only spoke to do their jobs.

Powder Keg hopes, that they will not pursue further. That they won't have the hunger to continue pursuing that forsaken place. He sat at his usual table. Isolated from everyone else. He doesn't enjoy that. He wants to talk and have fun with everyone.

Yet, his reputation of a brutal and fearful opponent. Prevented people from approaching him, and him approaching them.

Despite everything he said to Priestess. He hopes she'll forgive him. That's all he wants, some form of affirmation. That what he's doing is the right thing. That he won't end up like...

"Ahh, you were at my side all along..."

"...The secrets beckon you so sweetly.."

"....Beasts all over the shop, you'll be one of them sooner or later...."

"...Oh dear oh dear, what was it? The Hunt, the Blood?..."

"...Grant us eyes, ohhhh, grant us eyes.."

...like them.

Powder Keg sniffed the air, three new scents filled the air. He looked to the side, and saw three nonhumans. From what he can hear, they are a High Elf, a Dwarf, and Lizardman.

"...Oh, Goblin Slayer!" Guildgirl exclaimed. As she said that, Goblin Slayer walked in with Priestess. Powder Keg stood up, forcing down what little of his pride he had left.

He walked over to his 'party members.' "Oh, Powder Keg, is there something you need?" Guildgirl asked as the hunter approached. His ashen set ruffled in his approach. "I'm sorry to interrupt your request. I..have something to say Goblin Slayer, Priestess," Powder Keg gave the dignified bow gesture.

"I'm sorry for my actions and temperament at....that place. I wish to work with you two again. You two have been nothing but kind to me. I repaid that by lashing out. I hope we can work together again," Powder Keg apologized and waited with baited breath.

Goblin Slayet nodded and Powder Keg sighed in relief. "It's alright Mr. Powder Keg, please talk to us if you need anything," Priestess gave him that same innocent smile. Powder Keg wanted to cry, but he couldn't.

He had no tears left to cry. Goblin Slayer and the other three went up to a meeting room. Powder Keg and Priestess sat next to eachother.

"Did you tell anyone about, that place?" Powder Keg asked. "No Powder Keg, I didn't. It's indescribable, how could a place with so much suffering exist? How did you survive that place?" Priestess asked.

"Who says I did?"

"Hello you two, do you mind if I sit here?" Witch asked as she approached. "It's a free country," Powder Keg replied without looking up. Witch took it as a yes and sat next to Priestess.

He overheard Priestess's self doubts and something about a scroll. Yet, she remains resolute about partying with him and Goblin Slayer. "Priestess, you are an invaluable member of the team. You might not be physically skilled like me or Goblin Slayer. Yet your miracles and bright soul keeps the party together," Powder Keg swishes the cup.

Priestess looked surprised at his words. "As I said before, people who speak words, with no resolve to back them up disgust me. It still holds true, but I see a glimmer of it in you. It just needs to be brought out," Powder Keg continued.

"You see resolve in me?" Priestess asked in a hopeful voice. Especially after he berated her last time they talked. "It's small and untapped, but there. It needs to be tempered and unleashed. Only then will you truly understand your power," Powder Keg replied in his usual monotone.

"When your back is against the wall, and it's do or die. I hope you make the right choice. Because if you choose to give up, you'll remain weak," Powder Keg heard Goblin Slayer's footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Goblins, I'm heading out. The lizard will give you the details. I would like payment for the last quest," Goblin Slayer said to Guildgirl.

Priestess ran up to Goblin Slayer, Powder Keg was behind her. Towering over her and looking quite intimidating. "What did they want? Is it a quest?" Priestess asked.

"Yes, slaying goblins," Goblin Slayer answered. "Then I'll get ready immediately," She replied ready to get back to work. "No, I'll go with Powder Keg," Goblin Slayer said bluntly.

Powder Keg looked at Priestess. It was do or die in this moment for her. To either lie down and accept defeat. Or continue onward with your resolve. "THAT'S NOT FAIR! We, could've at least, discussed it," Priestess said, shaking in anger and hurt.

Powder Keg nodded, even if she lowered her tone. She still had the gall to speak for herself. That's all Powder Keg needs to see.

Powder Keg and Priestess walked off with Goblin Slayer. He heard the other three coming down, ready to join them.

Powder Keg smirked, his sharp teeth slightly glinting. This was going to be an interesting development.

*At night, by a campfire*

"...So, why did you become adventurers?" High Elf Archer asked. "For me, the exquisite cuisine obviously," Dwarf Shaman replied. "For you?" Lizard Priest asked, and Dwarf Shaman replied with 'for me.'

"For me, I always wanted to see the outside world," High Elf Archer began, but Dwarf Shaman interrupted with the food he is eating. Powder Keg was digging into the flesh like a hyena.

"For me, I wish to root out heresy, so I may become a dragon. That's the reason I became an adventurer," Lizard Priest said. Goblin Slayer just said 'goblins' as his reason.

Everyone looked at the Good Hunter. Who stopped his eating and was looking like a child caught eating put of the cookie jar. "My job was finished in my...home, so I decided to continue it here. Sadly, things are...starting up again," Powder Keg said ambiguously as possible. Lacing the word home in hatred unconsciously.

Everyone began to exchange gifts. To repay the kindness of Priestess. High Elf Archer got drunk. Goblin Slayer passed out cheese. "Haven't had cheese in so long. I forgot what it tasted like," Powder Keg mused nostalgically.

"What about you, Mysterious Ashen fellow?" Dwarf Shaman asked Powder Keg. Powder Keg was writing in his journal. Closing it and stowing it in his coat pocket. "My...culture is very secretive about our objects. Everything we have is both useful short term, and harmful in the long run. So I don't think it's a good idea for me to share anything," Powder Keg replied.

He hates using Yharnam as his culture. Yet, he doesn't remember his past. Only what he was before he became a hunter. So despite his disgust and hatred. Yharnam by all accounts is his home. Technically he is the ruler of it, but that's neither here nor there.

He did hear them debating the origins of goblins. Powder Keg wondered if they were products of the Blood. Yet when he thought about it. He knew it wasn't possible, they didn't remotely smell like a beast or Powder Keg.

Because there is a thin line between Hunter and Beast. So thin it almost doesn't exist. It might not even exist in the first place. All he knew is that, as long as he remembers. Remembers the nightmare, he might have a chance.

But it's only just a chance.