Arnimos and the rest crested another dune and in front of them saw a small trade post. It was a small cluster of buildings out in the dunes with only a few homes, a bar, a post office and a store. Arnimos looked back as John, the Vishashi and the Kalach's came up just after him.

  "Finally a bit of civilization," John said.

  "Indeed outsiders," The Vishashi said. "Let us enter and then we shall see you on your way,"

  The group descended into the town, as they did so 2 soldiers eyed them cautiously.

  "First, i think i'll get a drink at the old watering hole," John said. "Why don't you join me Arnimos, it'll be the sendoff to our little journey together,"

  "Sounds fine," Arnimos said. "I don't think my father would like me drinking though,"

  "What he doesn't know doesn't hurt him," John said.

  "I shall join you as well," The Vishashi said. "The Kalachs have some things to purchase before we return to the tribe,"

  "Then let's have a bit of fun," John said.

  The three split off from the Kalach's and made their way to the bar. As they entered through the swinging doors they got a good look of the establishment. It was old and dusty with a thin layer of sand covering everything, an old jukebox sat in a corner playing quiet music. The only people here looked to be locals or more rough-and-tumble folk. They eyed the group as they entered and went up to the bar. The bartender, a Luxicon it seemed, eyed them.

  "What'll it be?" The bartender said.

  "Get us three whiskey's," John said.

  "That'll be 6 marks," The bartender said.

  "You accept DE?" John said.

  "I do," The bartender said.

  John held out a hand which the bartender took, a thin stream of purplish energy flowed from John and into the bartender. Once it had stopped John pulled his hand back and the bartender poured three small glasses of whiskey.

  "Bartender," John said. "That was enough DE for the whole damn bottle, why only these three shots?"

  "Hard to get whiskey this far out," The bartender said. "Be lucky i have any at all,"

  John slammed the whiskey while the Vishashi took time to savor it, Arnimos just held it awkwardly. He had never drank before and didn't expect his first to be in such a setting. The Vishashi turned to Arnimos.

  "You do not have to drink if you do not want to," The Vishashi said. "I know of many men who have never had drink in all their life,"

  "I know," Arnimos said. "I still feel like I should though,"

  "Are you worried about something?" The Vishashi said.

  "Is there really a point for me to drink?" Arnimos said. "I mean, my Dichotomies would just suppress the effect,"

  "True," The Vishashi said. "Those I know with strong Dichotomies due it for the taste more than the drunkenness,"

  "Is that why you drink?" Arnimos said.

  "I only drink because I was offered," The Vishashi said. "Normally we Vishashi would never drink, in case we were to encounter someone in need of advice,"

  As they spoke John had taken down two more glasses and was getting his fourth.

  "What are your thoughts on this place?" Arnimos said. "I saw how conflict between your tribes and the Empire is,"

  "It is not befitting of a Vishashi to comment upon political matters," The Vishashi said. "But if i am to speak then i wish there was a more equitable solution, i do not wish for violence between my people and the Empire,"

  "Do you believe there will be one?" Arnimos said.

  "I may pray to the Sandfather for such," The Vishashi said.

  "I do want to know more," Arnimos said. "Why do your people still follow the culture of land your predecessors came from?"

  "It is a matter of respect and tradition," The Vishashi said. "I have been told our forefather's homeland was a desert much like the one we inhabit, to follow after them seemed only reasonable,"

  As they spoke John motioned over the bartender.

  "Now barkeep, I got a question?" John said. "You heard of a man by the name of Alex passing by this place?"

  "Depends," The bartender said, tapping the bar twice.

  "Already bought 6 shots," John said. "Ain't that enough?"

  "If you ain't paying extra then i'll tell you just this," The bartender said. "That group of men in the corner came into town a few days ago, it seems they're waiting for someone named John to pass through. Assume that's you?"

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  "Might be," John said. "Say why they're looking?"

  "Something about a bounty," The bartender said. "Nothing for me to ask about,"

  "I see," John said.

  John reached into a pocket and placed down a small pile of coins, 40 marks. He didn't like spending them normally.

  "For the trouble," John said.

  The bartender looked at the marks then back at John and sighed.

  "Thank you mister," The bartender said. "Don't cause too much ruckus,"

  "Try not to," John said.

  Arnimos looked over as John placed down the marks then looked over his shoulder towards a group of men in the corner.

  "What's happening?" Arnimos said.

  "Think those guys know something," John said. "Got some questions for them,"

  Arnimos looked over at the group, it was 5 rough-looking men each with a pistol on their hips.

  "What are you asking them about?" Arnimos said.

  "Bit personal," John said. "You don't need to get involved,"

  "I will," Arnimos said. "You saved my life, i'll help you if i can,"

  John looked at Arnimos.

  "You're a good one," John said. "Jump in if it gets violent,"

  Arnimos nodded and looked over, it seemed they had noticed them looking. The five men stood up and sauntered over to the bar, an older looking one stepped out in front.

  "You got an issue with us or something?" The older man said.

  "Nothing you need to worry about," John said.

  One of the other men looked at John.

  "Hey boss," The man said. "Don't that guy look like who we looking for,"

  "An uncanny resemblance in fact," The older man said.

  "Got a common face," John said. "Who you searchin' for anyhow?"

  "No business of yours," The older man said. "But we do got some questions for ya,"

  "Same," John said.

  John spun around and drew both revolvers pointing them at the group, the group drew theirs. Arnimos grabbed at his hammer and the Vishashi raised a hand.

  "Seems we got the right guy," The older man said. "Man said nothing about friends though,"

  "Gotta keep some things secret," John said. "Who hired ya?"

  "Man outta Paradise," The older man said. "Got some beef with him?"

  "You could say that," John said.

  "You comin' willingly?" The older man said.

  "What do you think?" John said.

  "Thought so," The older man said. "Was hoping there'd be no fighting,"

  The men stood with weapons drawn for a few seconds, each side was tense. A single shot and the whole place would erupt into a fight. The tension stood for a few more moments until John fired first, one shot tore through the head of one of the men but the older man ducked and received a grazing shot to the cheek. The survivors let loose a volley of shots into John's body, as the bullets passed through his flesh moved like water and the bullets seemed to have little effect.

  Arnimos stepped forward and brought the hammer up, it connected with the jaw of one of the men, throwing him back and breaking the man's jaw. One man turned his gun towards Arnimos but the Vishashi gave a motion and a blade of hardened sand sliced through the air severing the man's arm. The man had barely the time to scream before another blade silenced him. The last man standing there fired a shot towards the Vishashi whose body seemed to turn to sand and avoid the shot. John's body stopped being like water and he brought the pistol up and put 2 shots into the last standing man's chest.

  The older man recovered from his stumbling and drew an obsidian blade from his waist up in a quick motion, it delivered a slash along John's chest that avoided being negated by his body's water-like form. It was a Fear-Made weapon. The older man then stepped forward but before he could slash again another blade of sand cut through the air, causing the man's head to fly off in a large arc.

  7 seconds, that's how long that fight took. Arnimos looked around, he had barely done anything and the fight was already over. John looked over at him.

  "Let's make ourselves scarce before the guards get here," John said. "Follow me,"

  John turned and ran, the Vishashi following shortly behind. Arnimos looked over at the bodies, the adrenaline still in him kept his Dichotomies in check but he could feel them scratching at the edge of his mind. It took him a few seconds before he turned away and left with the other 2.

  They ran for a few minutes till they found a secluded area to take a breather.

  "What was that about?" Arnimos said. "Why were those guys after you?"

  "Former business partner of mine betrayed me," John said. "He knows that if i'm alive i'll be gunning for him,"

  "And what caused this?" Arnimos said.

  "Bit personal," John said.

  "What will we be doing now?" Arnimos said. "Not like we can stay around this town,"

  "I'll be heading for Paradise," John said. "You can do what you want,"

  Arnimos stood there for a moment and considered, what should he do? He could head back towards home but he didn't exactly know how to get there or follow John. He did save his life, wouldn't it only be fair to help?

  "I want to help," Arnimos said.

  "Sure about that," John said. "It'll be a long and violent trip there, not to mention what happens once we arrive,"

  "I still want to help," Arnimos said. "Paradise sound important, once I've helped you i can probably use it find a way home,"

  John seemed to consider it for a moment.

  "Fine," John said. "You help me and once its all over i'll use the money I get to get you home,"

  "Deal," Arnimos said.

  "Good, now with that out of the way-" John said.

  "I would also like to come," The Vishashi said.

  "Agreed-" John said.

  "Why?" Arnimos asked.

  "I am certain the stories that will come from this will be great," The Vishashi said. "And i believe that the object John is getting is important,"

  "I ain't handing it over to you," John said.

  "I am willing to pay a fair price once we have acquired it," The Vishashi said.

  John stared at him then sighed.

  "Won't deny help from someone like you," John said. "But let's get out of here posthaste,"

  The three departed town and onwards towards Paradise. It would be some time till they reached the city and there was still much in their way.