Southeastern Path, Late Morning.

Pattou and his allies journeyed onward towards Eastern Torrs. Riff would be seen strumming away at his guitar practicing his craft. Liger had already sent his sniper falcon ahead in search of possible opponents or hurdles. Gerard was pushing his cart, which was quite heavy but it is a blessing for their company to have provisions that can aid in their survival and journey.

About halfway through the path, they were met by a familiar face. Dino Corrvin showed up once again with a smug look in his face. 

Dino: So, these are the so-called 'Great Liberators' and the Blade Empire? You six were able to overthrow an oaf and a buffoon? You all don't look much -sees Gerard- Hey you! Looks good that you were able to recover huh -sees Rikkou- Your clothes look familiar. Oh yes, I slayed your men. Oh those pathetic dogs thinking their fists can even come near me when I can hack and slay them easily like knife on butter 

Rikkou is clenching his fists readying for a fight to avenge his fallen brethren, but Dino pointed his sword at Pattou's direction, 

Dino: You're the thorn in my brother's side huh. The oh-so famous, 'Patriarch Blade.' Brother told me to spare you so that he can have the satisfaction to send you to the depths of hell, where your coward parents reside!

Pattou was being restrained by Sayfuro, but Pattou after hearing that last line had snapped. He was drawing the Legacy Sword, pointing towards Dino, preparing to lunge after him. However, Pattou would be met by an air knuckle shot, courtesy of a menacing, muscular, champion among Dino Corrvin's ranks. Pattou collapsed to the ground as the champion that shot that air fist introduced himself, 

Tierria: I am Tierria Rizing, muscle of the Corrvin Empire. Any who stands against me will be put down for good! 

Rikkou charges forward after his cousin had been struck by the air fist, only to meet the same fate by Tierria. Dino smugly smirks and said, 

Dino: Tierria, destroy these fools but spare Patriarch Blade. Brother would want him alive and in chains. Now as for you soldiers, join in on the fun and destroy what's left of the Blade Empire. I will have some fun hunting down rebels in the East. - turns his back on his foes upon heading into Eastern Torrs - Blade Empire my foot! What a bunch of pathetic losers... 

Dino's soldiers advanced upon Liger and the rest of the allies, while Tierria continued the onslaught on Pattou, punching his ribs and his torso until his target became unconscious.

The Corrvin-Torrs troops were charging towards Sayfuro but Sayfuro would go in position and use his assassin skills to quickly and his opponents. Hacking, slashing and stabbing away at his opponents in quick succession while leaping mid-air to reach his victims. Liger shot his arrows at the charging enemies to keep them away from the provisions cart. Gerard struck his axe down on the ground to cause a shockwave to stun the oncoming soldiers. During the cooldown, Gerard brought out some gold coins and chanted an incantation, which brought out an entity that rained sharp coins towards the unsuspecting soldiers. Riff also did his part by strumming his guitar to produce a sound wall to push away foes from reaching their provisions.

Amidst all the chaos, Tierria had Pattou on his shoulders, carrying him off towards Eastern Torrs to join Dino Corrvin. Rikkou came to and tried to reach Tierria, but was met by another group of advancing soldiers. Rikkou had no choice but to power his fists and strike at the oncoming enemies in the hopes of reaching his cousin.

Tierria was almost close to the Eastern Torrs archway when he felt a shield charge at him, momentarily stunning the champion. Then came in two whips that were coiled towards both of Tierria's legs and once pulled, tripped him. The shield returned to a Paladin (Special knights who are able to heal but wield a polearm and shield). The paladin then pulled Pattou away from Tierria and set him somewhere far for the mean time.

The two dancers then used their whips in rhythmic fashion to dance and at the same time, strike at their unsuspecting foes. One of the dancers had danced her way into a near onslaught when Liger luckily shot an arrow to stop the incoming assault on the dancer. Liger then went near the dancer and asked her, 

Liger: My lady, are you okay? 

Dancer 1: You got good eyes on you. Hopefully your eyes upon rescue had set upon one worth rescuing -winks- 

Riff then the other dancer enter the fray and end up on the wrong side of an attack by producing an energy ball towards the charging foe. For a ladies man, Riff rescued one woman, a dancer at that who aided them just now.

While the chaos is ensuing, Pattou was out cold, but that did not stop a High Priestess to appear and cast healing spells on the knocked out leader, 

High Priestess: Don't leave this mortal coil. Please! Not while I am on my way back to my home. 

This priestess with her emerald eyes, and long orange hair tried as she might while attempting to heal Pattou.

Some soldiers saw the scene and found this an opportune time to dispatch the healer. They were met with a polearm from the Paladin to ward them off. 

Paladin: You scoundrels! The man is down and being treated and you dare go after them. I shall cut you down. 

The paladin then executed a High Cross, sending a shockwave in front, behind and on both sides of him, dispatching the soldiers.

Tierria came to and saw that the Corrvin soldiers were being decimated by this rag-tag Blade Empire and signaled the remaining soldiers to retreat back into Eastern Torrs to aid Dino Corrvin's rebel hunt. Upon seeing this, Rikkou and the rest of Pattou's allies approached the High Priestess still healing their leader. The paladin and the two dancers joined them in seeing what was happening with Pattou.

The High Priestess then frantically said, 

High Priestess: He is still not coming to, we must bring him to Tamaran. 

Liger: Tamaran? Where would that be? 

Paladin: It is a small region located at the outskirts of Eastern Torrs. Allow me to lead you all. 

Before he marched, the paladin then said,

Zo: Where are my manners? We all fought alongside one another yet we have not properly introduced ourselves. Zo Virtue, Paladin of the Eastern Crusaders, at your service. 

Liger: - shakes Zo's hand- Pleasure to meet you around these parts.

Liger then felt someone poking his exposed abs, he then saw the dancer that he rescued earlier. 

Dancer 1: Hey Mr. Trickshot, how about me? Is it not a pleasure to save a damsel in distress?

Liger was all confused until the other dancer said, 

Dancer 2: Jinzy! Come on. You're coming on to him too fast! 

Jinzy: Is it wrong to thank my rescuer Clara? Anyway, you already heard her say my name but for the sake of me saying it on my own behalf. Jinzy Aerhart, dancer extraordinaire. I can dance to get anything I want, but it seems I did not need to dance much to obtain a hot rescuer. 

Liger, sweating up at how forward Jinzy is could only mutter an okay.

Riff laughed at the scene transpiring but then approaches the dancer named Clara, that he had saved earlier. 

Riff: Your dance illuminates this rather ugly stage. But the unsightly stage does no harm to your finesse in rescuing our leader. May I know the name of the flower whom I saved?

Clara: Clara Mannequin, dancer from Eastern Torrs. Jinzy and I work in the same troupe.

The High Priestess then asked Sayfuro, 

High Priestess: Assassin, kindly ask your allies and Zo to aid us in bringing your friend to my home village. I will not be able to heal him here. 

Sayfuro relayed the same to Liger and the rest. Gerard lay Pattou's body on the cart along with the Legacy sword in its scabbard. The Blade Empire and their new allies now head to Tamaran.

Eastern Torrs Governor's Mansion, Eastern Torrs, Noon.

Governor Don Patricius was in his grand hall when Dino Corrvin entered. 

Don Patricius: Lord Dino, you have arrived. 

Dino: So is he here? Our asset in bringing the Tamaran to our side? 

Don Patricius: He will arrive shortly. The asset still needs to win the people's hearts to ensure he will be chosen as their new Tribal Leader.

Dino: -smirks- I cannot wait for that day...

That was Chapter 18. Can Pattou be healed in time? Can the High Priestess save him?

Stay tuned!

Keep safe and stay awesome!