Settling things

( Sometime later)

Mark closed the door on his empty apartment and headed outside, trying his best to avoid any unwanted attention.

It had been three days since the press conference and most of the trouble had settled down. Forged Justice had kept their word and accepted all responsibility for Duke Vonewell's actions as well as the damages caused by the battles against Mark and his party. In the eyes of the law this was a attack on the city by a rouge member of Forged Justice.

Not that the people saw things that way.

The people had been split into three main groups when it came to Mark.

One thought he was some upstart who had disturbed the whole city with his reckless use of magic.

One thought he was a selfish asshole who had stumbled on a new source of magic and was keeping it to himself.

The third thought Mark was a pervert who wanted to start a sex cult.

To say that Mark's reputation was in the gutter was a complement. Both Dolla's bar and Lucy's workshop had been vandalized words like Whore and Slut had been painted all over the buildings. Mark had tried to put a stop to this but Eliza told him to not bother since it would only stir up trouble.

Mark had tried to get in contact with all of the party but only Eliza and Tal'E had been available. It seemed like Mother Golantalk was putting the party through some special training only letting two of the ladies out at a time. Dolla was in deep with some family drama but wouldn't tell them more. Mark and Lucy had been on few dates that were mostly just meetings with Alice; who was appointed the resident manager for Forged Justice, and was determined to have the best armor available. Lucy was giving Mark the cold shoulder for reasons unknown to him the only time she came to his house was to take him to settle their grudge.

Usually work would ofbeen a distraction but naturally one couldn't go from public enemy #1 to contributing member of society without cosequence.

Not to say it was all bad.

Guild girl: Heeeeeyy Mark!!!

A flock of females swarmed Mark, but Mark ignored them heading straight for the counter.

Mark: “ This is it! The last of the paper work before I get out of here!

Guild receptionist: “ Actually we were hoping you'd meet the new chief to....”

Mark: “ Is that a reacquired part of the process?”

Guild receptionist: “ We would all apre....”

Mark: “ No.”

Guild receptionist: “ We have a very generous incentive ….

Mark ignored the women's attempts to flaunt her chest along with a number of busty adventures who somehow had to adjust their gear in lewd ways at the same time.

Mark sighed.

The guild had used the evidence from this incident to make all kinds of potions that required Mark to “ release his seed” as the scientist liked to put it while they surrounded him. So far they had just been trying to seduce him with money and women but the look of desperation in their eyes was starting to freak Mark out so he had given them his two weeks notice.

Mark ignored the well dressed tiefling who waved at him across the street as he left the guild as he went to go clean out Lucy's office.

While the adventurers guild's master had been arrested the head forge master was only reprimanded. Lucy didn't want to see the “ Bald Hack” so she had instructed Mark to get her stuff.

She had neglected to tell him the size of her office.

Mark stood in a warehouse fool of heavy machinery one wall was covered in tools of every sort. Even if he could fit the various tools in a inventory the heavy machinery wouldn't fit not to mention it was bolted to the ground. Mark put the tools in his bag then called Lucy only to get a voice mail

Lucy: “ Sorry I'm living life feel free to hold it!”

Mark was scratching his neck when he felt someone behind him.

He turned around to see a elf in thick glasses. All healthy elves were beautiful but something about this one screamed Nasty Bastard.

Nastard Elf: “ Hello Mr. Gollantalk, might I have a moment of your time? You see your current actions have put our people at odds and I was hoping to avoid any future troubles. If you would just sign here ...”

The Elf produced a stack of documents with several signatures on it, Mark tried to read them but Nastard pulled them back offering only one page and a pen “ I assure you it is a fair deal you will be absolved of all liabilities and even paid a fair compensation. If you would just sign here!”

Mark: “ I don't sign things I can't read.”

Nastard Elf gritted his teeth “ the fact that one of your kind can read elvish is a stain on all our tongues! Now put your putrid name on these papers while I'm still being... sensitive to your stupidity!”

Mark walked away pretending to study a 4D printer while staring at the elf in its reflective chrome.

Nastard looked shocked for a moment then reached in his coat pulling out a silver ball that quickly flew towards Mark he jumped aside and his scarf turned into his family sword Mary. He turned around just in time to see the silver ball absorb the 4D printer before returning to Nastard.

Nastard Elf: I really don't know why her Ladyship insist upon your consent in these matters. You should be honored to play a part in her court even as a stud horse!”

Mark swung his sword at a whistling sound cutting a silver orb in half both pieces absorbing parts of the ground before flying to Nastard, who pulled out four more.

Mark filled Mary with magic power and hoped on her flying off through the skylight as Nastard yelled

“ You will sign these papers! If it's the last thing you do!”

Mark was too far away to hear the rest but he suspected it was mildly insulting. He landed on a roof top as Mary hovered in front of him “ That flight cost you a hour in a oil bath!”

Mark: “ I already polish you daily!

Mary: “ I said YOU in a oil bath!”

Mark rubbed his face trying to remember all the signatures that had been on the paper. He didn't know all of the names but they were probably elvish he pulled out his phone to call Alice but the phone blared white noise in his ear then Nastard spoke : “ Sorry but you have reached the number of someone we already got to, but feel free to try someone else.”

Mark grabbed Mary and jumped off the roof flying off to find Alex.

He only made it three blocks before he was struck from the sky. Mark looked at what hit him and his face went pale. While he had never met this person he had seen a seen her picture and knew she was a lot worse for wear.

For starters she was missing a wing, and a eye. She was panting as she spoke

Artisal: “ Mark ... help … Dolla ..getting married!”

Then the roof exploded.