The Rogues Of: No Man's Land

The last of the multi-limbed creatures crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud, its life snuffed out by Rex Lupus' brutal assault.

The remaining beasts retreated, hissing in fear as their fallen packmates were scattered across the wasteland.

Rex Lupus stood amid the carnage, breathing heavily but with a triumphant glint in his eyes. His primal energy radiated from him like an aura, his senses still sharp, his muscles coiled and ready for more.

Tao, on the other hand, was still trying to process the intensity of the fight. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. He hadn't even known what he was running from until it was nearly too late.

He steadied himself, taking a deep breath.

"Alright," Tao muttered to himself, "that's enough running for today."

But before he could take another step, Rex's eyes locked onto him, the hunter now narrowing his gaze.

"You're still here." Rex's voice was low, almost a growl, the raw power of his primal energy still echoing in his tone.

Tao tensed, immediately on guard. He was no fool. There had to be something behind the way Rex was looking at him. He wasn't some idiot who'd just helped him without reason.

"Listen," Tao said, raising his hands slowly, trying to keep his movements calm. "I'm not looking for trouble. I'm just a normal guy out here. I'm not an enemy, I swear."

Rex's eyes flicked over him, the tension still thick in the air. The man didn't seem to relax, but his stance shifted ever so slightly, a sign that he wasn't immediately about to attack.

"A normal guy, huh?" Rex's voice was skeptical. "Out here, you're either a predator or prey, kid."

Tao laughed dryly, wiping a layer of dirt off his face. "Yeah, well, guess I'm just lucky today, then."

Rex tilted his head, considering this for a moment before speaking again. "I'm Rex Lupus. This wasteland's my home."

Tao felt a strange sense of relief at hearing that. It wasn't much, but at least it was a start. "Tao Dagger. I'm not from here... Earth, if you can believe it."

Rex's eyes narrowed in thought. "Earth, huh? Never heard of it."

"Yeah, well, I'm not surprised," Tao grinned. "You're probably better off not knowing."

The two stood in silence for a few moments, the weight of the wasteland pressing on them. The howling winds made the desolate world feel even more lifeless. Tao had only just realized how much he'd needed someone else out here. The landscape had swallowed him whole, and now, for the first time, there was another person who seemed like he might just be able to survive in this hellhole.

"Where are you headed?" Rex finally asked, his tone no longer as harsh.

Tao shrugged, the brief moment of camaraderie easing some of his tension. "Don't know. Was hoping I could figure something out by... well, just trying to survive for now."

Rex snorted. "If you want to survive here, you'll need more than hope, Tao."

"Yeah, well, I'm working on it," Tao said, glancing over at the wreckage of the battle. "How long have you been out here?"

"Long enough," Rex said cryptically, rubbing the wolf's skull ornament on his shoulder. "Out here, it's all about adapting or dying."

The conversation lingered in the air, unspoken words and experiences connecting them. Tao could feel Rex's energy. It wasn't just raw power, it was confidence, like he was one with the world around him. Tao envied it.

After a few moments, Rex turned his back on Tao, gesturing for him to follow. "I'll show you around. Might teach you a thing or two about surviving in No-Man's Land."

Tao blinked, surprised by the offer but didn't hesitate to follow. After all, the only way to survive here was to understand it.

The two spent the next few hours traveling across the wasteland, Rex leading the way with a confident stride. He pointed out key landmarks, ruined cities, wrecked vehicles, and natural hazards that could be fatal to an unprepared traveler.

"Every inch of this place is dangerous," Rex explained, his voice steady but laced with years of experience. "You think those creatures are the worst? You haven't seen half of it."

Tao stayed quiet, absorbing the information. There was no shortage of dangers here, wild beasts, bandits, the remnants of the Demon Kings' rule, and, most dangerous of all, the unknown. Every corner held a threat.

"What's this about the Primal Engines?" Tao asked after a while, curiosity finally getting the better of him.

Rex stopped mid-step, turning to face Tao. "You don't know about them, do you?"

Tao shook his head. "No, not really. All I know is that I'm here, in this place, and it's nothing like Earth."

Rex narrowed his eyes, looking Tao over carefully. "Primal Engines are what make people like me different from the rest of the world."

He continued, explaining how each person's Primal Engine was tied to their instincts, their fight for survival, and how it defined the way they fought and lived. Rex's Primal Engine, Lupus Core, was tied to the wolf, heightening his strength, speed, and instincts in the heat of battle. It made him stronger, more dangerous, and far more resilient than he would have been without it.

But what really caught Tao's attention was Rex's special ability: Pack Tactics. Rex could communicate telepathically with his allies, coordinating strikes and moves with precision. It made him and his team incredibly efficient in combat, as if they shared one collective mind.

Rex's final words about his Primal Engine settled over Tao like a weight. "Out here, if you don't have one, you don't last long. You either evolve or you die."

Tao felt the gravity of that statement. He knew that he'd have to grow, evolve, or he'd become nothing more than a casualty of this world.

Tao hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Well... I've got a plan. I'm going after the Vault of Eternity."

Rex's eyes narrowed dangerously. "The Vault?"

"Yeah," Tao said, eyes flashing with determination. "It's got the key to getting out of here... and 3 million gold. I plan on taking it."

Rex let out a short, humorless laugh. "Kid, you're a dead man. That's a fool's mission."

"I'm not asking for your pity. I'm asking for your help," Tao said, his voice firm.

Rex crossed his arms, considering this. "Help you steal from the Vault? What's in it for me?"

Tao gritted his teeth, already knowing the answer. "You get a cut. 10%. Deal?"

"Deal," Rex said quickly, almost too easily.

Tao scowled but shook his head. "You're really something."

With that, they shook hands, sealing their uneasy alliance.

As they continued to move deeper into the wasteland, Rex led Tao to some of the more dangerous places he'd come across. They explored areas marked with the scars of ancient battles, wrecked cities that once had the semblance of life but now lay in ruins.

That's when they stumbled across something more sinister, a secret operation.

Tao's sharp eyes caught sight of a group of men in dark armor loading crates into a heavily guarded vehicle.

"Demon King's soldiers," Rex muttered, his voice cold with disgust. "Master Sora... One of the Demon Kings. He's the one running this."

Tao felt the adrenaline kick in again. "What are they doing?"

"They're stealing," Rex said. "And no one's stopping them. Not even the other Demon Kings."

Tao turned toward Rex, a fire igniting in his chest. "We're stopping them. I've got a plan."

Rex's eyes widened in disbelief. "You? Stop them? You're insane."

"Maybe," Tao said with a grin. "But if I can get us a good haul, I'm in. What's the worst that could happen?"

Rex shook his head but grinned. "Alright, I'm in. But if this goes south, don't expect me to save you."

Tao chuckled darkly. "I wasn't counting on it."

And just like that, their path became clear. The first step in Tao's grand scheme: take down the demon's and steal their precious cargo.