Grace came to at the sounds of shouting and swords clashing all around her. She couldn’t remember how she had gotten on the floor or why they were fighting all she could tell is that her friends were desperately fighting to protect her. The smell of blood and sweat had filled her nose intensifying as Hunter had slashed at an attacker that had gotten to close to Grace. She fought the urge to vomit and accepted the hand that Hunter had offered her after he noticed that she had finally awoken. Worriedly she looked around for her other friends that just moments before had been standing right next to her protecting her from the unknown attack force. Panic had started to set in before she noticed a familiar heap of red hair could be seen chasing after any of the straggling attackers that had begun to retreat followed by a familiar looking Amazonian woman in a breathtaking set of robes and a holding a similarly magnificent staff. Her sense of relief had been cut short as the sky had began to darken at an unnatural rate and the bodies on the ground began to rise again.


    Shortly before, Hunter had woken up confused in an unfamiliar rom sharing a bed with a pretty girl that he had been holding only moments before. Sleep still taking hold of his brain he slowly got up taking care not to disturb the mess of hair in his lap and arm loosely hanging off his chest he sat up taking a moment to digest his surroundings. He noticed a couple extravagant paintings hanging on the walls and a very ornate vase atop of a similarly impressive dresser, he also took notice of the slight discoloration of the walls around the paintings as if a larger painting once hung there. Satisfied with his observations of his surroundings he checked the mop of hair and the cute face that hid underneath it, unsurprised but very grateful to find it to be Grace he smiled slightly. Letting out a deep sigh he laid back in the lavish bed and for the first time he noticed the clinking of chainmail over his leather jerkin. Confusion once again filled his mind as his innate curiosity had taken over when he suddenly heard yelling from down the hall. An audible “What the FUCK?” could be heard unmistakably from his close childhood friend Alex while less audible and less familiar voices could almost be heard trying to calm her down. Grace began to fidget in her sleep after this exclamation and Hunter quickly started stroking her head in an automatic motion trained by comforting many canines through many thunderstorms. This motion seemed to calm Grace immensely as she immediately stopped her fidgeting and her breathing returned to normal.


    Unbeknownst to Hunter at the time, Grace was continuing to have an extremely bad dream as her friends were slain by an endless horde of zombies until it only Hunter and she were left completely covered in blood struggling against a never-ending wave of zombies. Just as she assumed all hope was lost Hunter pointed out in the massive piles of bodies to Alex who was fighting her way through the zombies to Mary who was surrounded by a series of massive explosions. Suddenly full of courage she woke up to a loud “What the FUCK?” coming from right outside her door and jolted upright nearly knocking Hunter’s hand and her head into his. Scared she began to take in her surroundings as she felt a soothing sensation run through her body as Hunter’s reflexes kicked in once again and he began scratching her head. Temporarily calmed down Grace relaxed a bit before realizing she was in an unfamiliar room and was unsure to who was scratching her head albeit in a very relaxing manner. She whipped her head around suddenly almost smacking her head into Hunter’s head for the second time in the last minute she immediately relaxed again upon realizing who it was. She opened her mouth to speak before being interrupted by the door crashing in by Alex surrounded by quite a few strange people and followed by Mary. Completely surprised by this she closed her mouth only to open it again unable to form any words as she took in the sight before her. Alex had come in wearing a pair of billowy white robes with sleeves that had been rolled up as much as humanly possible surrounded by many maids and a pair of butlers. Mary had crept in behind her wearing a very slim dress that showed off more cleavage than Mary was obviously comfortable with and was wearing a very large pointy hat that made her look like a witch.


    “What are you wearing?!?” Hunter barely go through as he struggled not to completely go into a fit of laughter.


    “Shut Up” Alex retorted having fought off her handlers and continued her vain attempt to fight her robes into a manageable state.


    “You look like an altar boy” continued Hunter as he struggled more and more not to laugh at her ridiculous get up.


    Grace let out a little giggle when she heard this and for the first time Alex noticed that it wasn’t only Hunter in the room “And what are you two doing hmmm?” Hunter suddenly stopped laughing and instead started to blush instead knowing full well that they haven’t done anything when Alex continued “And alone too if I might add hmmm.” Grace only continued to giggle as Hunter struggled to turn an even deeper shade of red than Mary who was already quite embarrassed by her own outfit and looked ready to shut down at the mention of the two alone together. “What is wrong with her?” Alex asked as Grace had completely burst out laughing relieving a large amount of the tension that had been building in the room.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    “I don’t know maybe she’s nervous” suggested Hunter as his face slowly returned to his normal pallor letting out a chuckle.


    “You know what I think you two did do it while we were all sleeping” Alex said leaning in extremely close to Hunter.


    “No, we didn’t” Grace interjected very seriously “It’s just that this is so ridiculous” she continued letting out a long sigh of relief.


    Alex couldn’t help but to stare at the outright denial that Grace had blatantly put there, not like she had actually believed that the two of them had actually done anything, but still she liked teasing Hunter anytime possible. “So why do you two get some cool armor while the two of us are out here cosplaying for the fanboys? Well one of us at least.” Alex said, saying that last part underneath her breath though still loud enough for everyone to hear.


    “Um…” Grace pondered not actually knowing what she or Hunter were actually wearing yet as she had woken up last. Looking down she noticed a very sleek set of leather armor that she could barely notice any more than the clothes she normally wore though it was nearly black a color she hardly ever wore.


    Grace was still lost in thought about her leather armor and missing clothes when Hunter broke the silence again “I don’t know, but what are you wearing?”


    “Hell if I know, but you’re right I look like a damn altar boy” Alex answered, ignoring the servants around her murmuring about her use of foul language already having used it at least twice before. “Let’s get out of here and find some new clothes Mary looks like she’s about to die of embarrassment.” She continued nodding her head back at Mary when she mentioned her name.


    It was then that one of the servants cleared his throat and finally spoke up “Excuse me,” Alex answered with a glare having become completely fed up with them in the past 5 minutes, but Hunter gave a polite “Go on” and a head nod. “The Royal King his Majesty would like to speak to you first if you would allow me,” he started before getting interrupted by Alex who already did not like this King of theirs.


    “I don’t care what ‘The Royal King his Majesty’ wants, what I want to get out of these bedsheets that you put me in.” Alex made sure to put special emphasis on the Royal King to show her immense disdain for the man.


    “Well I for one think we have nothing to lose” Hunter argued “maybe this King of theirs will give you some different clothes.” Hunter tried to reason “And I don’t think they’re giving us much of a choice.” Looking to the servant who simply shook his head in agreement.


    “Fine” Alex submitted “Well lead the way ‘Oh humble servant’.” She motioned exaggeratedly towards the door.


    “Follow me” the servant said relieved that they would finally listen regretting every moment that had led up to his meeting with Alex.


    The servant led the group of four down several corridors and hallways eventually leading them to a pair of extra-large doors that opened to the Throne Room. All along the way Hunter took great notice to every detail that he could, having spent many an afternoon in escape rooms his eyes had become very keen to odd patterns and things that were seemingly out of place. While Grace marveled at the detailed artworks and intricate artistry, Hunter noticed the places where the artworks were missing, and the simple flowers placed in ornate vases. And while Mary looked nervously side to side for anyone who might notice her in her revealing outfit Hunter noticed the lack of servants or guests that would be in these halls. Alex simply complained the entire way making the servant leading the way increasingly annoyed, and Hunter couldn’t help but grin as he thought of the many years that he’s had to deal with her. ‘Poor Guy’ thought Hunter ‘Well if makes you feel any better it doesn’t get any better you just learn to deal with it better’. The servant went through the doors before them leaving them almost alone except for the two bored looking guards standing outside the set of doors that lead outdoors. Hunter couldn’t help but be absorbed in his own thoughts easily ignoring Alex’s usual complaints of being hungry only coming to when he felt Grace holding tightly onto his arm. Utilizing a proven method, he stroked her head continuing to be lost in thought until the servant finally came back out and announced, “The Royal King his Majesty will see you now.” The last part joined in by Alex who had succeeded in annoying the servant while correctly assuming the words that he would use.