Rest and relaxation where just as important to developing strength as intense training, anyone who pushed their body to the limit over and over knew this to be true. Martial artists and athletes alike would take time off from training to rest their bodies and minds of the physical and mental strain of being at the limit of what the body can handle. In the case of Liek Galswith his genetics ensured those limits where far and beyond that of normal humans, but the benefits of simply taking time to unwind could not be understated.

The Saiyans might call it a sign of weakness, he didn’t know for sure, but that was the impression he had of the violent savages. From what little he had learned their entire culture was built around war, conquest and the worst understanding of the term ‘Survival of the Fittest.’ From what he understood the Saiyans took fitness to mean strength, raw power with which to crush everything. He wouldn’t be surprised at all if a traditional Saiyan where to see him in this moment they would think him weak.

On the other hand he didn’t really know what the Demons would think of him right now. He knew next to nothing of them given his almost non-existent interactions with them. For all he knew they where hedonists who would look at him in confusion for training so hard, wondering why he didn’t spend all his time sipping wine and indulging his base desires. He wondered how his mother would react to him, to how unlike he was to the impression he had of Demons as a whole, to his honourable ways and tricky fighting style.

He knew his father detested her, the letter relaying what he said about her and how Liek had come to be was very clear on that. But Liek, young as he may have been, was wise enough to understand that his father was likely not the most reliable narrator given his animosity. Plus, he couldn’t reconcile the completely heartless monster his father wrote of with the vague memories of his mother, of how she looked down at him with gentle, loving eyes.

Paper scraped against paper as Liek turned the page of the old novel he was reading. It was a work of pure fantasy called The Magician, and while the young man’s mind often drifted off into different directions, far from the words on the pages, he was rather enjoying the trials and tribulations of the protagonists. Though a part of him couldn’t help but wonder on what ifs for the story, like what would have happened between one of the commoner protagonists and the princess character if the invading forces from another world had never arrived? There had seemed to be the first inklings of a romance there…

His musings where interrupted by the chiming of the nearly century old communicator sitting on a nearby counter top. It was the communicator the EDF had given his Grandmother oh so long ago after the Secret War when the J Numbers had worked out the independent contractor agreement with the EDF. The same one the General had used to contact him when they needed help with the Fury-tech robot.

Marking his place in the novel the young man hauled himself off the couch he had been sprawled out on and set the book down on the coffee table before walking over to the communications device. Pressing a button on it he said, “Liek here.”

“Glad I could catch you so quickly, Liek.” The familiar voice replied, “This is General Akubra. We need your help with some trouble that’s brewing.”

The young man pulled out one of the chairs at the table and sat down before replying, “I know you wouldn’t call over something minor. So what details can you tell me?”

“There is nothing secret about this one, lad.” The General assured him, “A refugee village of Cerealians is under threat by a rogue squad of Saiyans, three in total and with a grudge over losing some of their crew during the Saiyan Invasion of Cereal. The refugees aren’t combatants and are in no shape to be fending off much of anything.” The General paused to breath before adding, “The EDF can’t intervene directly with our regular forces due to red tape. So we hired a mercenary by the name of Zaks Luna who requested additional backup-”

“Zaks? I know her.” Liek cut the General off, “She’s a good person.”

“Aye.” The General agreed, “But the Saiyans have her out numbered three to one. If even one of them gets past her those refugees wont stand a chance. That’s where you come in. Will you back her up and help these people?”

Liek smiled, the General probably already knew his reply before he even started the call, but he said it anyway, “On my Honour as a Fury, I will keep them safe.” He sighed as he stood up, so much for a day off, before asking, “Right, so where am I headed?”


Some time later Liek was soaring over the plataeus of Yunzabit Heights, his senses having already locked on to Zaks’ energy and using it as a guide. The General had been wise enough to fill the young man in on how the Cerealians would be uncomfortable, to say the least, about him flying in with his tail flapping about for all to see, so he’d adjusted his usual attire some. In the end he’d settled for wearing the largest shirt he owned, one easily large enough to reach halfway down his legs and baggy enough for him to wrap his tail around his waist without a noticeable bulge.

Soon enough he descended from the skies and landed gently next to Zaks and offered her a smile and the greeting of, “Heya Zaks! Good to see you again!” He then turned to the Cerealian elder and saluted with his right hand horizontal across his chest and bowed. Standing back up he introduced himself formally, but softly, “Hello sir, it’s an honour to meet you. I am Liek Galswith, Knight of the Fury. It is my Honour to be here at the request of the EDF to help Zaks in defending this village and it’s people.” Technically his Rank as a Fury was still Squire, but that was still a member of the Knighthood. And as the sole Fury there was no one to debate over whether it was appropriate or not.

---

WC: 1,100
PL: 13,901
Weighted PL: 3,475.25
Zenny: 2,182
Bonuses: Looters (-25%)
Super heavy weights 75% bonus
Pre-workout mix 10% Bonus
Total bonus 85%

“Eh.” Liek shrugged, “General Akubra has me on speed dial.” This was his way of explaining why he was the one in particular who was chosen over other potential free agents. He also had the feeling the old General really wanted the young man to sign on in a more official and long term way. While both he and the General agreed he didn’t have the temperament for being a cog in the military machine both could see advantages. The General saw how much his strength would be an asset to the EDF’s collective battle power, plus the young man wasn’t the sort to be influence by the spectre of the Red Ribbon.

Liek on the other hand saw the chance to experience life as close to living among the Fury as he could find with their extinction. As an aspiring Knight, learning what it is like to live and work as part of the military would help him understand what it is like, thus making him a better leader once he has become worthy of calling himself a Knight Lord and starts to build a new Fury Order… whatever form it may take.

“Yeah, little by little.” He agreed to the comment about his growth, “But I have a long way to go yet to catch up to you! And even further before I could match Grandma!” The bar he’d set for himself was very high, so high he could hardly see it. But Zaks was a more reachable first step. And that’s how he saw his goal, not as something he had to reach for in one stretch, but something to build up to, one step at a time.

Liek nodded along as Zaks explained how she was worried things may go, adding, “It’s a good thing I can sense powers then. If they try that I can cut off the break away.” He thought of something and asked, “Is sensing powers common among Saiyans? If not we may be able to take the break away by surprise.”

“You’re right. I did get a good bird’s eye view on the way in, but some things can only be seen from the ground.” Liek agreed. She was the more experienced of the two, so her taking charge was only to be expected. Mentally he was also taking notes and trying to remember what she was doing. This was a chance to learn from her experience and he didn’t want to waste it. He smiled and replied, “I’ve been doing well, thanks. And don’t worry about it! I’m taking this as a chance to learn something from you!”

He wasn’t the slightest bit upset about the elder’s concern, or questioning his abilities. He was young, so it stood to reason that others would question his ability. He’d read enough stories and watched enough shows to know this always happened, and had long come to terms with the fact it would happen to him immediately. In response he replied, “This will be my first time facing Saiyans, but not my first time facing death.” he looked down, remembering the cyborg that gave it’s life to protect his, “But on my Honour as a Knight I will not allow them to harm any of you.”

He listened quietly and intently as the elder hybrid cautioned him to the nature of the Saiyans they would be fighting. He’d nearly died against a murderous machine, but had managed to overcome it in the end. But this would be his first time fighting a living foe in anything other then friendly sparring. Truth be told, it scared him. Terrified him. An icy chill ran through him at the thought of having to kill. Even though he knew, logically, it would probably come to that it would be necessary to keep the Cerealians safe, it didn’t mean he liked the idea.

‘Well…’ he reasoned to himself, ‘I just have to get used to it…’

When she outlined her plan he nodded along, it was more or less what he was thinking. While he was worried about her taking on two foes while being unable to sense her foes she did have a huge edge on experience in battle. So he would just need to trust in that and her power letting her overcome the disadvantage. He nodded in agreement, “Got it. I’ll handle any that break away while you take point. Should I hide until they break away and spring a trap on them?” he didn’t care if it was the less ‘thankful’ job or not. There was no Honour in glory for glory’s sake, the Honour was in defending the innocent!

---

WC: 797
TWC: 1,897

Liek was fairly ignorant to how much of the world really worked. He wasn’t oblivious by any means, while he’d lived in relative isolation it wasn’t devoid of means to learn about human society and while those means where limited to multimedia, movies, shows, comics and games about half a century out of date he did get a broad understanding of things. But when it came to matters like how the military worked his understanding was very limited, doubly so for the EDF. The only member of the leadership he’d ever met had been General Akubra, and the young man knew that the next highest rank he’d met, a lieutenant, was quite a ways down from general. And the General had been very clear about being careful of the rest of the brass, with many looking for any advantage to claim the chair of the EDF Commander.

Bunch of gyrelarks, was the impression Liek got.

Gyrelarks being a species opportunistic predators native to the Fury home world. They where a kind of mammal lizard bird with behaviour patterns reminiscent of vultures, ravens and hyenas all wrapped into one. They also apparently sang surprisingly beautiful songs during mating season. During all other seasons they only emitted cacophonous shrieks and howls.

It did indeed appear that hiding would be difficult. At best Zaks could wrap up and pretend to be an especially tall member of the refugees, but even then she’d stick out way too much for that to be viable. And Liek looked nothing like the locals, so there was really nothing he could do. Unless he wanted to pretend to be a little old lady bundled up in several layers of cloth… and he really did not. “The Fury of old used something like that, but they couldn’t use ki at all.” Liek noted about the scouters when Zaks mentioned them, “Sounds like both a hindrance and a help; no needing to learn the technique, but if it’s destroyed you’re stuck.” He rubbed his chin, “Good for me if they can’t hide either. Once I’ve got a bead they can’t get away.”

He looked up at the sky and grunted, “Makes sense.” He vaguely remembered an old story he read in a book Cay-luum brought with him to Earth, one on Fury history. He’d entirely forgotten it until now, but in the moment it came back to him in bits and pieces. The Saiyans of ancient times had once tried to invade the Fury home world with one hundred of their Elite Warriors. Just like Zaks said they had landed a fair distance from a civilisation centre. Thirteen never made it to the ground, being shot down during their approach to the planet by the Fury’s Trans-atmospheric Orgone Cannon network. It may sound like a tiny number, but those guns where huge and meant to shoot large capital ships, not fast moving one man pods.

He was also reminded of Zaks’ less the reputable youth. But it didn’t bother him, after all, here she was using those experiences and knowledge to protect the very sorts of people she had been trained to murder. If she hadn’t redeemed herself yet in the eyes of the Gods, then, in Liek’s eyes, she was well on her way to doing just that.

“I know.” Liek replied looking down, “In order to save lives a Knight must sometimes take the lives of others.” He bit his lip, “I’ve been told that since I was little. I’ve read enough books and movies and whatever else to know it.” with a sigh he looked Zaks in the eye, “But I was raised to be a Knight of the Fury. If I am to be soaked in blood, let it be in the defence of others!” It was clear from his tone he still had some nerves about killing, but not enough to make him hesitate in a critical moment. Even if he didn’t go in for the kill, he wouldn’t hesitate to ensure the attackers where unable to continue the battle by whatever means he needed to use.

He was a Knight, not a Hero. They could beg for mercy all they wanted, he was still going to knock their lights out and tie them up. He’d leave handing out mercy to the EDF, or Galactic Patrol once the refugees where safe.

Shaking his head he admitted, “I know of the technique, but figuring it out hasn’t been a priority.” pondering for a moment he suggested, “Depending on if they split up from the start or not, it may be better for me to just go with you. If they split up I’ll tell you where to find them then go after the one that breaks off. If they start off in a group I’ll just stick with you. If they have scouters we can try to destroy them, but not if it puts us at risk.”

Dropping his fist into his open hand like a hammer he perked up before whispering, “Oh, I don’t know if it’s a thing they can do, but if the Saiyans have a way to turn into Great Apes I can counter them. I can control mine.”

---

WC: 894
TWC: 2,791

Liek inhaled slowly and nodded. His Grandmother had killed. The other J Numbers had killed too. Every drop they spilled was in the name of defending others, keeping the Earth and it’s people safe and free from Gar-Ravan’s crusade. Soldiers, both from Earth and of the Fury died, innocents died at Fury hands, but they didn’t stop because they would have to kill. His Grandmother had confessed that the first time wasn’t easy. Nor was the hundredth. But she was a born and raised human, and he was the combination of a Saiyan and Demon, would he even feel anything? Would the biology of both make him indifferent when he actually committed the act? The boy subtly bit his lip at the thought.

As instructed he shifted his focus to his senses, seeking out the powers around him. Zaks was obvious, both from proximity and her sheer strength. The Cerealians around them gave of smaller powers, but greater then the kind of life he was used to sensing out. Beyond them was the life signs he’d honed his skills against ever since he was small, small animals, birds and other wildlife. Tiny and seemingly insignificant, the kind most who learned the skill would train themselves to over look, but he’d trained to hone in one. After all, it made hunting his next meal much easier if he could sense them at all times. He then cast his sense out further and… there! Three powers grouped together, fading, but more powerful then the Cerealians by far.

If it had been any other situation Liek would have thought they where in terrible trouble. But in the present context, and the fact their energies felt malicious and clawed, he knew better. Those three had to be the Saiyans they where after.

“I think I found them. They’re trying to suppress their energies, but the way their grouping and the way they feel gives them away…” He looked over at Zaks with a face that told her how unpleasant their energies felt to the youth, “They should be coming from…” He pointed his finger, “That way!”

---

WC: 361
TWC: 3,152

And just like that Zaks was moving. Racing in the direction he’d indicated with all the speed she could muster. She probably suspected that if the Saiyans lowered their energy any further Liek may lose track of them, but the young man was confident he could continue to track them even if they suppressed their energy even further. But when someone learns to sense energy by hunting rabbits they tend to be pretty good at picking out feint signals, so the young man was confident they couldn’t slip past his sense.

Not that it mattered in the here and now. The young man watched Zaks fly off for a moment longer before shrugging and, while looking at the nearest Cerealian joking, “Well, she’s certainly eager to give them a warm welcome!” He waved at them before taking off after her. Once he was far enough to not damage the camp he went into full gear and sped off, sonic shockwave in his wake.

He felt Zaks’ energy land ahead of him and, surprisingly, not immediately start fighting the Saiyans like he’d half expected her to do. Instead it looked like she was trying to get them to leave peacefully. Liek could respect that, the greatest battles you ever fight are the ones you avoid, as the old Fury proverb would say. He was also surprised how Zaks’ energy seemed to waver some, like she was hesitating.

That… wasn’t like her.

Granted, he didn’t know her that well. They’d only met and sparred once. But he learned a lot about the woman in that time, and he was quite confident in saying she was not the sort to lose her nerve easily. Something weird was going down.

Then he sensed her take the first hit and the other two Saiyans throw themselves at her!

The first any of the three knew Liek had arrived was him slamming into the leader of the three at super sonic speeds, alongside his Broken Arms crystals slamming into the other two, all in time to throw off the aim of their ki blasts. Flipping through the air Liek came to a stop just above the ground between the Saiyans and Zaks, hovering with his two crystals orbiting him from different directions, his tail hanging freely from under his shirt. Thrusting a finger at the attacking Saiyans he shouted, “I am Liek Galswith, Knight of the Fury! You are not welcome here! Leave now if you want to live!”

---

WC: 420
TWC: 3,572

If there was one thing Liek had learned from all the media he’d consumed during his early life of isolation, it was to never get between a woman and the object of her fury. While he didn’t think allowing one’s self to be overcome by rage was a wise thing to do in battle he could tell from the way he shouted the lead Saiyan’s name there was some personal baggage involved. He didn’t have the big picture and couldn’t possibly understand her anger, but what he did know was that the guy had blasted first when she had been trying to resolve matters peavefully.

For his part Liek actually preferred to keep his emotions under control to avoid slipping up. This ideal was built upon by both what he’d observed through media and lectures from his Grandmother. It was like a universal rule; getting angry made you stupid and more prone to making mistakes you would have otherwise avoided. So many stories could have entire arcs resolved before they even started if one or more people had just maintained a cool head in a crucial moment.

Like the Saiyan that decided to charge at him, if he’d taken the time to evaluate the situation and take into account the power wielded by Zaks and himself he’d have realised that the three raiders where at a disadvantage. But instead his thirst for revenge over took his reason and he charged the young hybrid recklessly despite his earlier demonstration of his speed.

Liek sighed as the older man approached with his fist glowing. He could easily avoid the attack, but he chose not it. Instead he recalled his grandmother’s lessons, at last feeling ready to put into practice a technique she’d taught him years ago.

The Saiyan would feel his glowing fist impact something. Perhaps he’d feel pride or accomplishment for landing the blow on someone who had shown such mobility earlier. But any sense of elation would quickly evaporate as it became clear that his fist was inches off the mark, held in place by a wall of sparkling energy.

Furiemshinken: Energy Cloud.

It was still only the most basic version of the technique, but it was more then enough to hold the Primal Fist attack at bay.

And then Liek countered, using the man’s own arm as leverage to throw himself forward and drive his knee into his face, leaving Orgone crystals behind on both the wrist and the man’s face, before replying, “Primal Fists, meet Broken Arms!” in time for his Broken Arms crystals to sweep in crash into the man’s back and the side of one of his knees. The youth then spun and unloaded two ki blasts into the man’s chest at point blank range.

---

WC: 475
TWC: 4,047
-2TP to learn [DT1] Furiemshinken: Energy Cloud and [DT2] Furiemshinken: Energy Cloud

Both Zaks and that Daikon guy had lost themselves to their anger, that much Liek could tell easily. Both had very different, if related, reasons for their anger, tying back to a single person. Daikon’s daughter who had apparently been killed by Cerealians at some point in the years since Zaks had defected from the savage ways of the Saiyans.

For Daikon in became fuel for a lust for vengeance. How many innocent lives had he slaughtered in the name of vengeance? In the name of avenging a single person? Had the one who killed his daughter been killed or had they escaped to never been seen again? If they had been killed, then why had Daikon visited such savagery on innocent people needlessly? So many slaughtered pointlessly over a killing that may have very well been avenged within moments of the act being carried out.

In Zaks’ case the rage was more raw due to how fresh the betrayal was. The proverbial knife had been thrust in her back just moment earlier by a man she had thought of and loved as a father, at least as far as Liek understood things. He could only imagine just how much that had to hurt. He couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of his Grandmother deciding he needed to die, for any reason, let alone how much it would break his heart. For Daikon to want her dead, for something that was neither her fault nor she would have ever wished to happen was just too cruel.

Through it all he heard Daikon call Zaks by the name ‘Luceteia’ but he did not question it. The older woman had her secrets and a past she didn’t want to talk about too much. Besides, he also had another name he kept to himself, so it wasn’t like he could really blame her. Luceteia, in Liek’s mind, was just the Saiyan she was before she renounced that life and became the Zaks she was today, the Zaks he counted as a friend.

“If it should come to fighting with friends or family… I hope to do so more with my words then my fists.” Liek mournfully replied after watching Zaks blast Daikon from the mortal coil. Turning his head back to his opponent he sighed as he watching him surrender when he realised he was the last Saiyan standing.

Still, better safe then sorry. The youth quickly zipped behind the surrendering Saiyan and grabbed his tail tightly. He wouldn’t put it past this guy to try and shoot them in the back, make a run for it the moment he could or to try and kill the Cerealians when they where distracted and grabbing the tail should ensure he couldn’t try any of those.

He looked back at the Saiyan Zaks had one-shot earlier, still out cold on the ground, before saying, “We should secure these two for the EDF and Galactic Patrol.” He wasn’t sure what Zaks would do in her emotional state, but his code forbade executing surrendered and unconscious soldiers. He knew she could think different and while he hoped she thought the same as him, he wasn’t going to force the issue in the moment.

---

WC: 546
TWC: 4,593