Episode 250 - The End?

With the guards out of the way, the Heroes needed only to claim their prize. They found an exit from the arena and made their way down a tunnel. As they emerged into a hallway, they saw the fantastically dressed man making his escape with the large red jewel. He turned his head to see the Heroes and their party, and let out a loud yelp before sprinting away.

They chased after him, not willing to let him escape with their hard earned prize. A few guards step into the hallway from a side passage, but were quickly dispatched. A Young Man wielding a spear and a Young Woman wearing spiked gauntlets knocked two of them aside, while the third was pummeled by one of the villagers who appeared to have developed some vampiric features in his face.

They continued on, much faster the fantastically dressed man who wore a horrified look as he saw them gaining on him. As he rounded a corner, he screamed loudly as he realized he had run into a dead end. He entered a door, finding himself in a small bedroom reserved for their most lauded fighters. He saw an armoire and quickly his himself inside.

He peered out through a small crack in the door, hoping the Heroes would lose track of him. He held his breath in fear as the door to the room opened. He saw the sinister look on the Jester 's face as he grinned from the doorway. To the fantastically dressed man's surprise, the Jester closed the door without entering the room and seemingly left. The fantastically dressed man let out a small sigh of relief.

It was short lived - the doors to the armoire suddenly swung open as if on their own, and the the man let out a loud scream. He looked out, but saw nobody in the room with him. A small motion caught his eye, and he looked down at his feet. A small skeleton stood looking up at him. This disturbing creature had opened the doors.

The fantastically dressed man kicked the skeleton away, and its bones scattered across the room. He panicked, and ran for the door. Opening it, all of the air left his lungs as he was face to face with the Jester. Before he could react, the Jester grabbed him by his throat and dragged him into the hallway.

Throwing the fantastically dressed man to the ground, the Jester glanced around at the group behind him. They all watched on as the man begged for his life. He sobbed uncontrollably, finally offering up the giant red jewel. The Jester ripped it from his hands and handed it to the Female Combatant. Struck by the sudden generosity, she couldn't contain her emotions. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she repeatedly thanked the Heroes. She would be able to provide the orphanage with the lives the deserved.

Looking back at the fantastically dressed man, the Swordsman Hero crouched down to meet him eye to eye. The man had soiled himself, and continued to sob as he begged them to let him go free. The Swordsman Hero turned to the Warrior Hero, asking for his input. The Warrior Hero made a motion of pointing his thumb down, which only served to cause the man to cry out further.

The Swordsman Hero nodded to the Warrior Hero, then waved the Jester to the man. The Jester grabbed the man by his arm and pulled him back down the hallway toward the arena. The man screamed out, flailing around wildly in an attempt to break free. But it was no use.

They made their way onto the balcony that they had observed the fantastically dressed man on earlier, presenting him to what remained of the crowd. From where they stood, they were high above where the battle had taken place. A fall from this height would do wonders at changing one's appearance.

The crowd watched on nervously, unsure of what the Heroes were planning to do. The man grips the Jester's arms tightly, not wanting to fall. He begs the Jester to spare him, but only receives a terrifying grin in return.

The Heroes address the audience, telling them that such treachery cannot be allowed. They gesture to the remaining spoils of victory still sitting atop the balcony. The crowd will be left to decide the fantastically dressed man's fate. Should they find themselves some treasure in the process nobody would bat an eye.

The Swordsman Hero motions to the Jester, and the Heroes and their party leave the balcony with only the Jester and the fantastically dressed man behind. As the Jester's grip loosens, the man lets out a scream. He falls briefly, before suddenly coming to a halt, his shirt pulling up under his armpits and holding him in place.

He looks up to see that the Jester had stabbed a knife into the railing of the balcony through his shirt. The tear was slowly increasing in size, and wouldn't hold him for long. The man desperately tries to pull himself up, but only rips his shirt further in the process. The crowd storms the balcony, and the man begs them to help him. They look over to him, and then back to the treasure. The Jester walked away before seeing their decision.

A short while later, the Heroes graciously leave the Female Combatant at the orphanage and instruct her on how to sell the giant red jewel. She would need to be smart with the money, as many people would likely come looking for it. She continued to thank them repeatedly, promising that one day she would find them and go on an adventure with them.

The left her behind and met up with their party at the largest tavern in the city. The tavern is alive with noise and energy, the air thick with the mingling scents of roasted meats, spilled ale, and the earthy scent of firewood crackling in the large hearth.

The Heroes sit at the center of the room, their presence commanding attention despite the spectacle of individuals that surrounds them. Their armor, still bearing scratches and dents from the recent battle, gleams in the firelight. They laugh and talk animatedly with their companions. The party continued well into the night, with the Jester playing music loud enough to cause the royal guard to sheepishly arrive and ask for them to quiet down.

In the morning the various villagers and companions set off to return home, all carrying a small bag of treasure taken from the arena's coffers. They would return as heroes to their villages, bringing tales of glory, though they really only served as a show of strength.

The Heroes turned to the Warrior Hero. He explained to them that he had borrowed some concoction from the healer's hut. She had explained to him that he would need it, but never explained further. He had healed entirely, and his return to his friends was only slowed by the arrival of the others. The healer had sent word that the Heroes that had defeated the mighty beholder and protected multiple villages would require assistance and all that had received her word had responded.

The Heroes looked at the cobbled streets of the city, having forgotten entirely their reason for venturing there in the first place. They smiled at one another, walking toward the city gate. As they crossed its threshold, they prepared themselves for whatever adventure awaited them. Their excitement for the unknown filled their faces with joy, apparently drowning out the sound of the messenger from the royal family that had chased after them desperately since their arrival in the city. 

To be continued.....?