A whole squad of bandits came out of hiding in various places around them to surround the small knot of questers. Some of them recognized Momo and Kyoka. One looked Denki up and down and winked. A lot more looked at Shoto. Most of them were girls, but a few males were in there, they looked tough. The strangest thing was there was no one more than a couple years older than Camie herself. Denki commented on that, and received the explanation that no one older than Camie would be in her command, princess or not. A strange custom that Momo's tribe apparently didn't share.

"Now, the rules are simple," Camie explained. "I like to warm up with a duel, so each of you can fight one or two of us, and if you're strong enough to win, then we'll go on to the real challenge."

"That's not a real challenge?" Denki squeaked.

"And if we win, you'll let Deku go?" Shoto said.

Camie made a scoffing sound. "Hey, this spell isn't permanent. Time it right and you can win right about when it wears off."

"Most Illusion Magic lasts only a few hours," Momo said.

Shoto sighed. "So, we have to beat one or two of you? Let's get this over with then, who's it going to be?"

"Any volunteers?" Camie asked of her whole squad. 

They eyed Shoto, then a couple people stepped forward. The same for Denki, who was really unhappy with this arrangement. But Kyoka and Momo were another story. The bandits said that it wasn't fair when their skill level couldn't compare to a Paladin and her right hand. So Camie fixed that by saying no magic would be allowed in their fight; she was impatient to go on. Eijiro got assigned a couple too, but Bakugo was sitting it out. Which was fine by him, as his only interest in winning was to prove a point. Getting Deku free didn't matter to him in the least.

The fights commenced, and went predictably how they expected. Shoto won his easily, as did the two Warriors, and Ei. Denki struggled, but he used a song to lower his opponent's attack power to a more manageable level before they could club him, and he charmed them into surrendering. This all took a lot out of him, in fact, he went into some kind of daze afterward.

"What's wrong with him?" Camie asked bluntly.

"I don't know..." Momo waved her hand in front of his face. Suddenly, out of nowhere another girl appeared panting.

"Ugh, I can't hold it anymore, I need a rest." She flopped onto the ground.

"This is Tohru," Camie said carelessly. "She's our very best rogue in stealth."

"You jumped us!" Kyoka said. "I don't remember you." 

"New recruit," Camie explained. "Pretty impressive huh? Jealous yet, Bakugo?" 

"Hmrf. Being invisible isn't that impressive." Bakugo said.

"Are you kidding, it's literally the most terrifying thing ever," Camie said. "Oh look, right on time."

She pointed. Deku's tower had poofed into smoke and blown away. Deku, tired and hungry, looked over at them in surprise. "How'd you all get away? What was that? Was that illusion magic? Who are all those people?" 

"That's the idiot you were so worried about?" Bakugo raised an eyebrow. "He looks like a sick puppy." From him that didn't sound like a compliment.

"Are you all right?" Shoto asked Deku. 

"Oh, yes, I'm fine," Deku said. "I'm just... sorry I couldn't do anything. I really am completely helpless. I even lost the knife you gave me, Princess, I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's fine, I can make another one." Momo said.

Camie tossed Deku's knife at him, he caught it.

"It was boring anyway." She stretched and yawned. "Well, this is dull. I guess you all passed, let's eat."

"Eat?" Denki said.

"I'm famished," Camie said. The bandits all heartily agreed.

"A feast is in order." Tohru said, sitting up.

"I'm afraid we really can't, we're supposed to be at another village today," Momo tried.

"You aren't seriously trying to refuse an invitation to a feast?" Camie fingered a dagger. "I mean, that would be so rude."

Momo swallowed. "No, we'd be grateful to accept." 

"What?" Shoto said. "We just beat 7 of them, we don't have to submit to her."

"That wasn't them at full strength," Kyoka warned. "And there's more of them than us. We can't cross them. We'd better just play her game for now."

"Food doesn't sound bad..." Deku said.

The bandits took them all to their camp. On the way, Denki seemed to come out of his daze. Deku asked him what was wrong. 

"Oh... uh...just a little side effect of using too much magic." he said. "It uses up intelligence points, but it's okay, they recharge, just takes a while." 

"Points? What are points?" Deku asked.
"You really don't know anything about magic, huh?" Denki said. "Points are what we call magic units, you know, what flows through you. It comes from your body, mind, and soul. Depending on what kind of spell you use, it takes more energy from one than the other. Dark Magic takes up the soul most of all. It drains the life out of the thing it's cast on, like the Dark Land's, but people say, it drains the life out of the caster too. Regular magic just uses up points from your mind and body, with a little feeling in there from your soul. Elemental Magic relies more on your body, Charismatic magic relies more on your mind, everything else tends to fall in between. Make sense?"
"Uh... actually, yes." Deku nodded. "I think I get it now."

Kyoka looked back. "How is it you didn't know any of this?"

"No one in my village uses magic." Deku replied. She frowned.

"Seriously? How do they survive?"

"We don't make any trouble, we don't fight a whole lot either," Deku said. "It's really quiet and peaceful."

"That sounds nice," Shoto muttered.

"Yeah, it's too bad though," Ei spoke.

"Why?" Deku said.

"Because the Dark Lord will eat something like that up and never even feel it," Ei replied, not aware that this might be upsetting. "Without magic, you can't possibly defend yourselves. I mean, look at Bakugo. His people have really strong combat magic, and they still got pushed back. It takes all we got to even hold some ground."

"That is true..." Momo said seriously, then hastily, "but perhaps, Deku, your village is too small to be a target." Deku looked at his hands. "Or, I just really need to find my friend, fast." He muttered.

The camp was in a clearing in the woods, well lit by a bonfire, though it was only just early evening, and a large spread of food was laid out. More food than Deku had ever seen. Barbarian or not, the bandits ate like kings. Camie was almost normal about this, she didn't make them do anything strange before sitting down. And after they gave thanks, everyone just started to dig in... however, then it took a turn the boys didn't expect. All the bandits started stealing each other's food, it was like some kind of fantastic game to them, seeing who would be able to hold it long enough to eat it. Fruit, meat, rice, it didn't seem to matter. Only things that were already being eaten were off limits. If you hadn't taken a bite yet, it was up for grabs. The same apple changed hands about 12 times. Deku had all his food stolen almost the second he got it, they were so much faster than him. Only Momo and Kyoka were ready for this, they kicked away anyone who tried, and Momo put up a protective netting over herself. Bakugo joined in the fighting, and Ei just hunkered down over his plate using himself as a barricade. Nothing ever seemed to hurt him, even when he got hit really hard. Shoto had difficulty just like Deku, but finally, he used his ice dragon to freeze a wall around himself so he could eat in peace.

"They're so uncivilized." He complained.

"We work for our food," Kyoka shrugged, munching on a bird leg.

Sight, the falcon, ate a piece of meat out of Momo's hand. "It's not so bad," she said. "Once they get tired, whatever's left is free for anyone. It's sort of a strong finish first game."

Deku's stomach growled. "Why..." Denki moaned. Tibult munched grass. "My freaking alpaca is eating before me."

"Here," Momo tossed him an orange and Deku a plum. "It's not fair to expect you to keep up, your ways are so different."

"You can't keep babying them, you know," Kyoka complained. "They think this is bad, wait till you get to the Dark Lands, it's going to be way worse. You'll never survive if you can't even cut it with the bandits. At least they will have rules. The Dark Lord doesn't."

"You're really all sunshine and rainbows, you know that?" Denki grumbled.

Some time later, the bandits exhausted their energy and lay around the fire, falling asleep. Camie and Bakugo had fought long enough to both be too tired to stir up trouble. Momo lay down and fell asleep. Eijiro was out long ago. Deku and Denki were finally finishing their meal. Shoto stared at the fire. "You know, I've been wondering," Denki said. "Why exactly are you after the Dark Lord, Shoto? Where are you from?"

Shoto looked up. "You haven't figured it out?" He said, touching his hair.

 Denki shook his head. Kyoka nudged Momo.

"You might want to hear this." She whispered. Momo blinked up at them. 

Shoto sighed. "Well, I might as well tell you, you'd find out eventually I know."

Shoto was a Prince. Somehow that shocked Deku and Denki, but not the girls, it made sense. In fact, he was the youngest son of the King of the civilized realm. That was the land around the area occupied by the tribes, the united territories. No one knew much about the King who didn't live in the Capital, but he had four children, three of whom were sickly, and one who no one ever saw much of. King Enji was known for being a cruel, strict ruler, who taxed the people heavily. Shoto, the fourth child, had scarcely set foot outside the castle grounds until the last few months. But he'd run away from home with the help of one of his siblings, and his faithful horse--which had been stolen some time ago, unfortunately.

"I have to find the 8th," he concluded. "If I want to get back what's most precious to me."

"You mean being a prince?" Denki said.

Shoto shook his head. "No, I could have that anytime, my father has scores of people looking for me. I'm his favorite... No, something else... My... my mother, she's...well, she's been taken away."

"Oh..." Deku said.

"That's horrible..." Momo was heartbroken.

Shoto started at his hand. "They say it was her fault, but, I know better. It's the Dark Forces... my father... well, I think he might be working with them."

"You think the king of the country is working with the Dark Lord?" Denki said. "Uh, no offense, there, your highness, but how would we miss that?"

"I don't know if we have," Deku rubbed his chin. "Think about it, it's always been a little odd how the blight goes everywhere but the Capital and the primary lands around it. People always thought it's the powerful wizards and enchantresses that work for the royal family, but...it could be some kind of agreement, couldn't it?"

Shoto looked up. "That's just what I think... the evidence is too strong, right? Which means it's my responsibility to stop him."

"All by yourself?" Momo sat up straighter.

Shoto shrugged. "All of you are going alone, aren't you?" 

"We're not, who's that crazy?" Kyoka said. Then glancing at the boys "oh...right... but if you don't have someone to watch your back, you can't survive out there. Even if you're the most powerful mage in the land." 

"Our tribe believes you should never send anyone alone on a mission," Momo said. "We need each other."

Deku rubbed his head. "Uh..." he said. "Listen, I haven't exactly been honest with you guys... it's just, if you all have these incredible reasons to find the 8th and the SOL... it seems like you need it even more than I do." He pulled out his map. "The truth is... I have the key to finding him."

They all stared at him. 

"What?" Denki said finally. 

"I've had it the whole time." Deku said. "I just... wasn't supposed to trust anyone... well, if I had to, I was, I guess... I just don't feel right, not sharing it with you." 

"That's a blank piece of paper." Denki stated.

Deku sighed. "It's crackers." 

"What?" Denki said. The map shimmered and appeared, the girls gaped. Shoto gave a start. Deku pointed to a dark spot.

"This is me, well, all of us, and this is the most direct route..." he pointed to a dotted line running out of the forest towards the North. "I can't navigate the terrain very well, but as long as I can get directions from people, I can find where I'm going... so there it is."
Everyone exchanged looks.

"Where did you get this?" Shoto asked.

"Old hermit, last person who knows where the 8th is." Deku said in a small voice. 

"I've heard of him," Momo said.

"Me too," Denki said. "Dude, you actually met him?" 

"Yeah...it was weird." Deku said.

Kyoka sat up straighter. "Do you realize what this means? This isn't just a blind search anymore, we could actually find this person... so he is alive?" Deku nodded.

"Then, there's hope," Momo said. "Really hope..."

"Why didn't you tell anyone this before?" Shoto demanded.

Deku winced. "I was told people might kill me and try to take my place, and I didn't know you at all, but, you waited for me back there, and you have such noble reasons to find the 8th, I don't think you'd betray me."

"Well that's dumb," Kyoka said. "People with noble reasons betray each other all the time, it's that important to us."

Deku looked nervous. "Oh... really?"

"But we won't," Momo put a hand in front of Kyoka. "I would never feel right stealing from someone to get ahead."

"But Princess, this is the most luck we've had in ages, we might never get another chance like this," Kyoka said. 

"We are not going to rob Deku," Momo said. "I am sure, he was given this map for a reason. What would the goddess say about it? We each have our own tools. He has his map, we have our skills. It's fair."

Shoto stared at her. "You didn't even hesitate..." he said, stunned.

"Wow..." Denki said. "You're easily the best person I've ever met."

"No, it's just a matter of honor," Momo protested. "That's really great, thank you..." Deku said.

Shoto sighed. "That would be the best chance for me too, but, my father steals from innocent people. I don't want to imitate him, or I'm just as bad. I won't take that from you."

"Thanks," Deku was touched. 

"Well, I got no reason to take it, I'm not trying to do anything heroic and crazy," Denki said. "But I'd keep my mouth shut about it if I were you, Deku, we are literally surrounded by bandits."

"Oh, we already heard the whole thing," Camie said. They all jumped. No one had noticed her moving closer and listening in. 

Momo put a hand on her sword. "Camie, you'd better not be even thinking of stealing that map."

"This Map?" Camie held up the paper.

Deku grabbed at his pants. When had she...?

"Hey!" Denki cried. "That's not fair! It's not yours."

"I'm a bandit," Camie said, like duh. Bakugo was up too. "I'll fight you for it." He said. 

"I'm not that stupid," Camie scoffed.

"Camie," Momo pointed her sword. "Return it. Now."

Then someone kicked her down and knocked her sword away, pinning her. 

Shoto put a hand to his wrist guard. "Leave her alone," he warned. "Or we can get serious."

"Oh, please, let's" Camie leaned forward. "I'm dying for some more amusement." 

"Is this a game to you!?" Kyoka yelled at her. "This is the fate of the empire! Our people too! You strumpet! Give us that map!"

Camie examined it. "I don't think I will. What are you going to do about it? We've got you outnumbered."

"I can take 50 of you, easy!" Bakugo declared.

"Wait, you're helping us?" Denki said.

"He-- no," Bakugo said. "I want it for myself, you scarecrows are on your own."

"That's no surprise," Kyoka muttered.

"No, come on," Deku protested. "Don't you all think that we'd accomplish more if we worked together? What's the use of fighting amongst ourselves?"

"Why would we listen to you?" Bakugo jeered. "You're so useless you couldn't even get out of an illusion by yourself. I say we have a free-for-all and the last one standing gets the map." 

Kyoka frowned. "It won't be a free-for-all. It'll be all of you fighting each other and the 5 of us as a unit. Got it?"

 "Wait, you're going to work with us?" Denki said.

Kyoka tossed her head. "I don't like you, but at least I can rationalize what you're saying, this is just idiocy."

"I agree," Momo stood up. "Exceptions have to be made. All of us together, you can't beat us, Camie."

Camie glanced from one of them to the other. All of them, even Denki, looked determined. She glanced at the map, then she laughed. They all blinked.

"Uh...should we be worried?" Denki said.

"Yes." Kyoka said.

Camie walked up to Deku---and handed him the map.

"That was good," She said, still laughing. "You all put on a real show."

They stared at her. She slapped her thigh.

"You should have seen the looks on your faces! You were all like 'We're going to fight to the death for this thing and the stranger we just met yesterday!' and 'Oh, Camie, you're so evil...' In faith, you all need to learn to relax a little."

"Re--relax!?" Kyoka sputtered. "You mean, you were just playing us?"

"Duh," Camie waved her hand, the bandits stepped back. "I might get a kick out of stealing stuff, but no one wants to fool around with kicking that Dark Monster off our territory. The sooner you interlopers clear out the better. If you can find the 8th, we're not going to stop you."

"You're on our side?" Deku said in relief.

"More like we've got no reason to oppose you, broccoli boy," Camie said.

 Bakugo looked disappointed. "We were never going to fight for it?"

"Not on my turf," Camie said carelessly. "What you do after is your business. Who wants to clean up after that? I just ate, you know. Seriously, you should have all known this was bluff, I never fight after a full meal." 

"It makes you sick," Tohru's voice said from behind Momo, who jumped.

Camie smirked, then she took a swing and knocked Kyoka onto her rear. Kyoka sputtered, rubbing her face. 

"But, don't ever call me a strumpet, sweetheart," Camie rubbed her fist. "I'm a queen."

Bakugo snickered. Shoto looked seriously annoyed.

"I can't believe you lied to us just for fun, what is wrong with you?"

"Awww, did I make you mad?" Camie pulled a puppy dog pout. "That's too bad... how can I make it up to you? Oh I know!" she snapped her fingers. "We'll escort you all to the edge of the territory. No one'll bother you then."

The idea of being in her company, personal or as a whole, for any longer didn't suit any of them, but refusal was futile. "Now that we've settled that, I'm exhausted," Camie yawned. "Let's turn in."

The bandits began unrolling sleeping blankets.

The five looked at each other. "You guys were all willing to risk your lives for me?" Deku said.

"For the world," Kyoka corrected.

"And for you," Momo said. "A warrior must always be ready to fight for a just cause."

Deku wiped away some tears. "That's so nice... hey... can I ask... would all of you like to join me?"

They stared. 

"I know, you have rules," Deku said. "But... it wouldn't be for long, and you can follow your rules and all, but I would help you find the 8th, we could all get his help, together then. I don't want to act like my reason is more important than yours."

Shoto frowned. "I would, but... my power, it's not that easy to control. I've only used small amounts of it, but, in the Dark Lands, I might have to go all out. I don't want to risk hurting you, that's why I work alone."

They looked somber. 

Then Momo said "But, maybe if all of us went, you wouldn't have to go all out." 

"Princess?" Kyoka said, surprised.

"I know what our code says," Momo said. "But there are exceptions. Great Need is one of them. I think this qualifies, so much hangs in the balance. It cannot be wrong to combine our forces. I think we should."

Kyoka slowly nodded.

Shoto looked unsure. "I don't know.. But I do need the map... if you're willing to risk it, I guess our paths would end up crossing anyway." 

Deku smiled. 

"Oh, this is so cool..." Denki grinned.

"You guys are finally banding together, I should commemorate it in song." He pulled out his lute.

"You know," Deku said. "We could use a bard, if you're interested..." 

Denki looked up. "You really mean it? You actually want me to join you?"

"Just feels right," Deku said. No one else objected, not even Kyoka. 

Denki beamed. "Oh, all right then I mean, why not, you would have been lost without me a bunch of times anyway. I can bring Tibult right?"

"Uh, sure," Deku said. "Sweet," Denki leaned back and began to strum.