It was mid-February, Phoenix was finally back into groove with his newly accustomed life. He woke up every morning, ate breakfast, did his daily fitness regime, and then geared up for the guilds daily dungeon raid. It was the Guilds new normality since Phoenix was back, and they were so close to the end now. Then they could move onto Aftermath and Leave Helios. But finding the twenty-first boss, was impossible, the search had gone on for months, every single guild had put time and effort into finding it, but to no avail. But they remained undeterred. Phoenix stood at the dungeon gates for over an hour waiting for the others, but he didn't mind, it gave him time to think.

After a while everyone showed up. But they had one extra player, who accompanied. He was at least forty, longish silver-grey hair, six and a half feet tall, and always had a grim serious look on his face. "Um who's this?" Mono asked, as Takara stepped through the portal. "New guild law, the third in command must at all times have a body guard, so can one of you relive him." She said her eyes begging. Her body guard looked surprised. "My lady, that simply isn't possible, none of these children are capable of protecting you." He said stepping between her and Phoenix. "Um, hi, were all above level seventy, we all have legendary weapons and amour, we are excellent fighters, and are much more powerful than you." Phoenix said challenging him. The body guard was taken aback by the statement. "How dare you, I was chosen by the Oakensheild herself, and I will not leave her side." He said.

"No, Tremor, you will go back to the guild, and leave me alone, you have done nothing but become more and more paranoid, and accuse people of assassination attempts, so leave." Takara shouted. He looked like he had just been torn in half. But after a minute he left for the guild, muttering angrily under his breath. And with that the small group went into the dungeon and had some fun. For hours they battled monsters, Phoenix and Suki provided some ranged attacks, and when they ran out of Mana, joined Tatami, Amara, Takara, and Mono, and Tem would cover them with a seemingly endless amount of arrows. Nothing lasted more than ten seconds around them, it was too easy. But despite their efforts they only found useless amour, and weapons. No boss room. As the group walked back Takara suddenly perked up. "Hey guys, do you guys want to swing around my place once were outside, I just bought it, and since we never properly celebrated Phoenix coming back, how about tonight?" She asked. Everyone was in agreement, except for Tatami who had guild business that evening. But on the way back they ran into a small group of players, running for their lives.

Stopping them and giving them some health potions, and stamina potions they explained what had happened. They had found the boss room, it was massive, and when they had peaked inside they had seen it. It was Set, the ancient Egyptian god of evil. A ten feet tall muscular, red skinned man, holding two Khopesh swords. And with the face of a dog. They had ran as soon as they had gotten a glimpse, because they would need everyone to take that boss out.

Thanking them for the potions they gave them the map co-ordinates and headed out of the dungeon. Phoenix and the other followed suit. And saying goodbye to Tatami, they went their separate ways. "You know guys, we need some new attack plans." Phoenix joked as they made their way to the portal. "What, why, our fighting patterns are flawless." Tem said not catching on. Phoenix faced her. "Because young lady, it is far too easy, we should at least have more of a challenge out of these dungeons." He said smiling so she knew he was joking. "Oh, yeah I guess, but its only easy for you guys, I just clean up after you." She said, as Takara selected the nineteenth floor. "Oh, and that wasn't you I saw kill that three headed crocodile." Phoenix said. "No it wasn't, must have been another archer." Tem replied, holding her arms behind her back. "Well, I speak for all of us, that we couldn't function with the loss of a member." Mono said giving Tem a small noogie as they went through.

Phoenix had never been to the nineteenth floor before, and was very impressed by what he saw. Surrounding a giant lake was a modern city, filled with buildings and houses, and it was a constant sunset over the lake, so it was a seriously romantic location. Phoenixes breath was taken away by the view. "Wow, this place is amazing." Phoenix gawked. "Yeah, this a pretty romantic setting." Amara said drawing a little closer to him. "Come on, we can give you a tour." Takara said taking the group for a ride though the city. Even though it took the five hours, Phoenix was to taken back by the city he didn't care.

It was truly amazing, it was literally like a modern city, shopping centres, food markets, hell even some parks, where Phoenix was forced to play truth or dare. Then they went shopping for some housewarming gifts, which Takara said wasn't necessary. But they were going to be her guests, so it was only fair. Then about an hour into the shopping trip Amara grabbed him around the waist and took him out of sight. "Amara, what's going on?" He asked. "You know our little project." She said smiled. "You finished it." Phoenix said amazed. "Yeah, but it's just as good as the sword you already have, why do you need it?" Amara asked sending him the weapon. "You'll find out tomorrow, I promise, he said, accepting the weapon, and giving her a quick kiss in the cheek he resumed his shopping.

Two hours later they were at Takara's house. It was really nice. Two stories, nice front garden, bright lights shone from the windows, and the house itself was made out of stone. The inside was even more impressive. Inside the perfectly smooth stone walls, was a nice lounge room, with white leather couches, and a fire place. She had a top of the line kitchen and a perfectly cut walnut dinner table, and it had a luxury spa bathroom, and top of the line bed room, with a holographic ceiling, temperature and burglary controls.

"How much was all this?" Suki marvelled, sounding jealous. "Three million including the interior." Takara said switching to her casual outfit. Everyone else did the same. "How did you even get that much money?" Tem asked in bewilderment. "As third in command, I have to live at a certain standard, because I handle some heavy negotiating with other guilds here." She explained. "You all make yourselves at home, Phoenix could you help me in the kitchen?" Takara asked. Nodding, he followed her into the kitchen. They made a whole three courses in under ten minutes. Assorted dips, cheeses and crackers for Entree, Glazed ham, baked potatoes, and assorted vegies. And for desert, they had created a chocolate and custard, layered cake. Phoenix had no idea why, but serving his friends the food he had prepared, made him happy and appreciated. The entree was gobbled up in minutes, dinner was heavily appreciated, especially when they brought out wine, and some juice for Tem. And then the cake for desert was completely obliterated.

After the completely stuffed group made their way to the lounge, Phoenix and Takara were praised for their cooking skills, and once again they were flattered. Mono then brought out two card games, Cards Against Humanity and Super Fight. They had become all-time favourites amongst the guild. They played for hours, having to explain or avoid the more vulgar cards around Tem, but still a fun evening.

"Man this was a great evening." Mono sighed sitting back on her couch. "I second that." Suki said beginning to doze off. "I think we can all agree on a fine evening." Tem yawned, and passing out straight afterwards. Phoenix chuckled, the only one who seemed to be awake. "I'm heading off home everyone, see you tomorrow." He said grabbing a teleportation crystal and beaming himself back to the Honour Guard House. It had been a great night however, and tomorrow, Phoenix was going to try out a rumour, and a legend. So finding his bed, he drifted off to sleep. And there were no nightmares, none at all.

The next morning Phoenix woke up, had a good stretch, and when he walked out, a bucket full of water fell on him, completely dousing him in water. "What the hell." Phoenix yelled, looking for the perpetrators. And he found them giggling into her morning smoothie. Tatami. "Really, really?" Phoenix spluttered. "Hey, come on, it may be unoriginal, but it has some comedic value." Tatami chuckled. "And secondly, it was too good to be true, you alone in the house, too good an opportunity to miss." She continued covering her mouth with her hands. Phoenix then noticed her smoothie, and smiled. "You put ice in that smoothie." He said grinning, heading for the door. "Yeah, so?" She asked confused. Just as the contents of her smoothie rose out of her glass and hit Tatami in the chest. She swore and spluttered, fell to the floor. "Now, were even." Phoenix called, going off for his morning fitness.

Phoenix, and Tatami had to wait an hour for the others to show up. "How long does it take to wake up in the morning?" Tatami said boredly. "Hey they were up late last night, cut them some slack." Ben scolded her. "Still, it shouldn't be taking them this long." She said dryly. Then the portal spluttered to life, and four glowing figures appearing inside the portal. "About time." Phoenix sighed walking up to the portals steps. Just as his four friends appeared, wearing panicked looks, and they were sprinting full pace. "Look out." Suki cried, as all four of them landed on top of Phoenix, knocking the wind out of him, forcing him to close his eyes.

They lay there for a moment until Phoenix spoke up. "Um, girls, normally I'd be overjoyed, but can you guys please get off me." He said, pretty sure someone's breasts were in his face. Warily one by one they shakily got to their feet. With his eyes still closed Phoenix pushed whoever was on top of him up right, they had a really squishy stomach, he noted. Then he heard a gasp from a group of people who had apparently surrounded them. Confused phoenix opened his eyes, and saw Takara looming over him, and he suddenly realised where his hands were, and what they were holding. He quickly backed up, and dusting himself off jumped to his feet. "Um, Takara, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to." Phoenix said quickly.

Unleashing an ear-splitting battle cry Takara round house kicked him in the chest, and sent him flying twenty metres. He would probably have gone for forty, but he smashed into a stone pillar, snapping it in half. Slowly Phoenix walked back to his friends, healing himself as he went. The crowd around them had started laughing, and making whistling noises. "Ok, firstly, ow, and second, that was an accident." Phoenix wheezed. Everyone was cracking smiles, except for Takara and Suki, who just looked horrified. "Um, yeah sorry, just a little wound up this morning." Takara said, looking extremely sheepish. "Clearly." Phoenix muttered, repairing what was left of his ribs.

Suki then rediscovered her voice. "No, Phoenix you don't understand, someone was spying on us this morning, we saw someone outside last night, and this morning." Suki said, still stunned at the pure horror of the situation, that had taken place moments before. Mono and Tem confirmed the story. Then the teleported sprung to life and spat out Tremor, and when he stepped forward, all four girls looked ready to tear him apart. "Takara, I insist you come back with me to the guild, this childishness must stop." He growled. "I'm not going anywhere with you, you were spying on me, in my own home." Takara screeched. "My mission boundaries are mine to set, and I believe you are not adequately protected at home." Tremor said simply. "There is a difference between protection and stalking, psychopath." Suki spat at him. "It's just wrong, you not a body guard at all, you're just some pedo." Tem cried picking an arrow from her quiver. "Seriously, how are you a qualified body guard?" Mono growled.

Tremor calmly turned towards them. "I have no interest in you, you fucking, sluts, I am here to bring back the Lady lightning bolt, back to the guild for her protection." He growled, grabbing Takara by the wrist. Phoenix then grabbed Tremors wrist, and applying enough pressure he let Takara go. "Guild members aren't objects buddy, and you are going to apologise for what you said to my friends." Phoenix said drawing his sword, and sending a duel request. "Oh, and if I win, Takara will return to the guild with me." Tremor said grinning. "And when you lose, you will apologise, and leave for your guild alone." Phoenix said, as Tremor accepted the duel.

Phoenix knew what he was going to do, he didn't have to, but he really wanted to show this guy up. As the counter above him reached ten seconds, he reached into his inventory and pulled out his second sword. It was the brother to the Tempest sword. The Light bringer sword, just as powerful, and identical in every way except for the colour White and gold, and fire aspects instead of lightning. The crowd around him gasped, and Tremor looked uneasy. And as the counted hit zero Phoenix charged forward. Slashing up with Tempest, shattering Tremors weapon, and as he passed him swung around and stabbed him in the back with the Lightbringer. Tremor went down hard. And when he got back up, he looked bewildered. "How, you dual wielded?" He said shaking from head to toe. "It's a perk you can accept to take when you reach level eighty-two." Phoenix said smirking. "Now, apologise, and leave." Phoenix commanded, pointing Lightbringer at his throat.

Grudgingly he apologised to Mono, Suki and Tem. And Taking a vengeful look at Phoenix he went to the portal and went back to The Dragon rider guild. Satisfied Phoenix walked off towards the dungeon doors. And His friends followed him in awe.