“Veronica, are you there?” The king says to no one.

Appearing from behind, Veronica answers,

“Yeah, you need something?”

“How am I to slay Toriaku?

“Why should I tell you? What have you ever done for me that I should help you?”

“I have an army to kill him, but not the knowledge of how.”

“Then you shouldn’t have let my sisters die.”

“Well, we can't change the past but we can change the future.”

“There is no future benefit for me helping you. On another note, what do you see in that warrior you've chosen?”

“Well for one he helped place Toriaku in the amulet.”

“That is true, but can he truly kill the little bird? That's what I wonder., though truthfully I already know the answer. Asking how to kill an immortal is like asking if the wind can ever blow down a mountain. I know, but it's nothing you can do.”

“Well, how long can the amulet keep him locked up?”

“Depends on how lazy he is.”

Bellator strolls down the street to the market, and walks up to a local farmer, bartering his goods at Sunday market.

“G'day! I'd like to purchase some wheat, and maybe some of that whiskey you brew on the side.”

“Certainly, I have a few bottles of it, and how much of each?”

“Five bundles of wheat, and three bottles of whiskey.”

“Alright, plans for tonight?”

“Let's just say I'll be enjoying myself.”

“Haha, have fun with that. Two gold pieces and a silver.”

The farmer hands over the goods, and Bellator flips him two gold pieces and a copper and runs off before the farmer can count change.

Bored of her pointless conversation with the king, Veronica decides to follow after Bellator, popping up in front of him.

“Ah, such an honest and noble warrior for this kingdom.”

She grabs one of the bottles from Bellator, popping it open and taking a sip.

“This is pretty good.”

“Jeez, not only do you pop up out of nowhere, you also have no respect for personal property.”

She pulls out a silver and flings it, hitting Bellator between the eyes.

“And why should I?”

He grimaces in the slight pain.

“Very funny. Ya know, the king doesn't pay well.”

“Yeah, you kinda butted in without asking for pay, what do you expect?”

The King walks down the road out of his castle to see Bellator and Veronica talking, and stands behind a pile of hay to watch.

“Well they shouldn't that kind of heroism deserve reward?”

“Not if they think you're volunteering 'for the good of the kingdom'”

She uses her fingers to emphasize her point, the whiskey bottle floating for a moment as she does this before she grabs it again and sips.

“Fair point, but ya don't have to flaunt your magic. I thought witches were supposed to have humility.”

“It just kinda happens sometimes, and I gave up humility when I became an orphan. Oh, by the way, didn't anyone ever teach you that spying was rude, your Highness?”

She glances at the hay where the king is hiding, three black candles rotating around her head.

Revealing himself the King steps forward. “I apologize for not helping your people. It was just too much of a risk.”

Bellator shakes his head at the king, and then turns and looks expectantly at Veronica, who frowns.

“You had your chance to change that, but you didn't. I had to watch that monster slaughter my blood sister before my eyes and to think that could have been avoided, it haunts me to this day.”

“If there were something I could do now, I would do it!”

“You can trust me when I say that you're out of your league when it comes to that nasty little bird. That's what you can do for me.”

Turning to Bellator, ignoring Veronica’s answer, the king says

“Bellator, heroism is not about the reward it is the good you do for the people.”

“You really are terrified of that demon. Wimpy if you ask me. And as for you, king, I must live somehow.” He says king long and drawn out, as he does a mocking bow

“I said the cranes are out of their league, not me. I have my goddess behind me.”

She grabs one of the candles floating around her head, the only one that is lit of the three.

“And I have my cranes. Together we could defeat him.”

“I admire your trust, but trust means nothing when a demon comes knocking on your door.”

“Well if this demon is so powerful and destructive, wouldn't it be to your benefit to end it? One wouldn't want to risk losing what little you have left.” Bellator says, before muttering,

“Orphans are always so needy.”

Veronica slaps Bellator across the face,

“Never speak of me in that way. NEVER! I don't need to deal with Toriaku because he won't bother me.”

“Bellator, for a warrior you lack respect.” The king says, scrutinizing his figure.

Bellator rubs his now reddened face.

“Why should I respect you, or her. You are no more important than me, especially considering I was the one who defeated the demon, I was the one who sealed it away, and I am the one who deals with it's bickering nonsense.” He pauses, then saying “Your contributions to this world are nothing compared to mine.”

“Did anyone ever tell you stories about witches? Do you know what happens when they die? They never rest. NEVER. Every single woman who died at that monster's hand screams at me even now. So what? You sealed away a demon? Suddenly you think you're the most powerful being around! But for how long? A day? Two? You have merely delayed the inevitable.”

“And what is the inevitable? Now if you don't mind, I shall return to my home and make lunch.” He turns around, being sure to hit Veronica with the flap of his cloak, and walks off.

Veronica's eyes burn a dark purple, but she calms herself down, though her sleeves are beginning to soak a crimson red.

“Your respect is far lacking, and you are no warrior. You are released from my army!” The king shouts after him.

Veronica smiles and takes another sip of whiskey before turning and beginning to walk out of town towards the woods

“You have only worsened your army, and I was tired of serving you anyway, your people still hail me as a hero.” Bellator shouts back.

“How can I make it up to you and your sisters?” The king asks.

“Perhaps, but you should go deal with your little warrior first.”

She disappears in a puff of black mist, appearing in Bellator's room where she spots the amulet.

“I guess he won't be needing you anymore.” She grabs the chain and disappears again