One of the attackers lunges at you with a knife, but you manage to disarm him and send him sprawling onto the floor. His friends are less enthusiastic now, glancing nervously at each other and the growing crowd of onlookers. The heavy man, blood trickling down his face, wipes it away with the back of his hand and roars in frustration. He charges again, his bulk and momentum difficult to stop.
As you hit the heavy man with an uppercut, his head snaps back and he stumbles, momentarily stunned. The other four attackers, seeing their leader falter, rush you simultaneously. You pivot on your heel, delivering a swift kick to one's chest, sending him flying backward into a table. Another swings a chair, but you duck under it and grab the chair leg, smashing it into his stomach, causing him to drop the chair and double over. The third attacker pulls out a knife, but you catch his wrist and twist, making him drop the weapon. You elbow him in the face and he falls backward, unconscious. The last two, now realizing they're outmatched, try to flee, but you're too fast. You tackle one and knock him out with a single punch. The final attacker makes a break for the door, but Maggie, having finished taking her photos, trips him with the rope from her camera, and you deliver a final blow, leaving him sprawled on the floor.
The saloon falls silent, the only sounds the heavy breathing of the combatants and the crackling fireplace. The patrons stare in a mix of amazement and fear, some still frozen mid-action, others slowly returning to their drinks. The bartender emerges from his hiding place, wiping his hands on a dirty apron. "Well, that's one hell of a way to make an entrance," he says, eyeing you and Maggie warily.
Maggie saunters over to you, grinning broadly. "You've got quite the right hook, Raven," she says, her British accent thick with excitement. She holds out her hand, offering to help you up. "And just think, we're only just getting started." She winks and pockets her camera, the lens cap snapping shut with a satisfying click.
With the saloon quiet and the attackers incapacitated, you and Maggie make your way over to the barely conscious man. Leaning down, you grab him by the collar and demand to know the whereabouts of the Tip Brother. He mumbles through swollen lips and blood, revealing a shack located southeast of Van Horn. The man's eyes flicker with a mix of fear and resentment as he provides the information, clearly not expecting to be on the losing end of the confrontation. As you release him, he slumps back to the floor, unconscious once more.
The bartender, having watched the entire scene unfold, cautiously approaches with a rag to mop up the blood and whiskey from the floor. "You're gonna want to get going before the law shows up," he advises, his voice low and even. "Folks around here don't take too kindly to outsiders causing trouble."
Raven nods, taking the hint, and helps Maggie gather her things. "We'll keep that in mind," Raven replies, glancing at the unconscious men scattered around the saloon. "Let's get out of here before they wake up."
Maggie agrees, and the two of you make a hasty exit into the cool night air. The stars twinkle above, a stark contrast to the chaos you just left behind. As you walk away from the saloon, you can't shake the feeling that the townsfolk are watching from the safety of their homes, whispering about the newcomers who just stirred up a hornet's nest.
"Well, that was...eventful," Maggie says, brushing dust off her skirt. She seems thrilled by the excitement, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "But we got what we came for, didn't we?"
Raven turns to Maggie with a smirk, acknowledging the craziness of the situation. "You are definitely crazy," you say, shaking your head in disbelief. The bartender nods in agreement, keeping his distance as he continues to clean up the mess. Maggie laughs, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Maybe a little," she admits, her grin widening. "But it's all part of the job, darling." She tucks her camera away and starts to lead the way out of town, the cobblestone streets dark and quiet except for the distant sound of a horse whinnying.
As you walk, you can't help but feel a strange kinship with Maggie. Despite her flirtatious demeanor and penchant for trouble, she's proven to be a reliable ally in a world that seems increasingly hostile. You both share a look that speaks volumes about the unpredictability of the path you've chosen. The adrenaline from the fight still courses through your veins, making it difficult to ignore the thrill of the adventure.
You and Maggie make your way to the stables, where you find your horse waiting. The animal seems to sense your urgency and snorts impatiently. You both mount up and ride southeast from Van Horn, following the directions given by the unconscious man in the saloon. The night is clear, the moon casting a pale glow over the landscape. The journey is tense, with both of you scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble. You navigate through the dense forest, the trees casting eerie shadows that dance across the trail. After an hour of riding, you spot the faint outline of a shack in the distance, nestled among the trees. The area is quiet, almost too quiet, which sets your nerves on edge.
As you approach the shack, you notice a foul odor in the air—something between rotting meat and unwashed laundry. The place seems abandoned, with the windows boarded up and the door hanging off its hinges. Maggie looks around, her expression a mix of curiosity and wariness. "This can't be it," she murmurs, disbelief in her voice.
Dismounting, you tie your horses to a nearby tree, ensuring they're hidden from view. The shack's door creaks open with a low groan as you push it aside. Inside, you find a mess of overturned furniture and discarded possessions. A flickering candle casts jittery shadows across the walls, revealing a scene of chaos.
"Looks like someone's been living here," Raven says, drawing their revolver, "but I don't think it's the Tip Brother."
Maggie nods, her hand on her own holstered pistol. "No, this place looks... abandoned. Or raided." She takes a cautious step inside, her eyes scanning the room. "But let's not rule it out just yet."
The pale, skinny man with the elephant rifle shotgun storms into the shack, his eyes wild with anger and fear. He raises the weapon, pointing it at the two of you. "Where is my Tip Brother?" he demands, his voice shaking. You and Maggie freeze, your eyes locked on the barrel of the gun. The man's clothes are tattered, and his skin is caked with dirt, as if he's been living in the wilderness for weeks. His eyes dart around the room, searching for his kin. The room is silent except for the crackling of the candle flame and the distant howl of a coyote.
"Who are you?" Raven asks, trying to keep their voice calm. "What happened here?"
Maggie's revelation that the man with the elephant
rifle shotgun is theTip Brother fills the tense silence. He seems even more agitated, his grip tightening on the weapon as he glares at the two of you. His eyes narrow as he tries to process the information, sweat beading on his forehead.
The Tip Brother's says "Where have you taken my tip brother ?" he snarls, his finger twitching on the shotgun's trigger. His eyes dart between the two of you, searching for answers. His desperation is palpable, and the tension in the room skyrockets.
Raven and Maggie share a confused glance, the situation growing more bizarre by the second. "Hold on, you're the Tip Brother?" Raven asks, raising a hand to placate the distraught man. "We're looking for information, not to cause trouble"
The Tip Brother, visibly agitated, nods frantically. "Yes, yes! I am the Tip Brother!" he exclaims. "But there's another—my twin, identical! He's been taken, and I must find him!" His words tumble out in a rush, his eyes searching yours for any sign of understanding or deceit. The room seems to close in around the three of you as the reality of the situation sinks in. The identical twin plot twist adds a layer of complexity to the mission, raising questions about the nature of the game world and the true objectives of your quest. The Tip Brother's desperation is palpable, and his erratic behavior suggests that he's been through a harrowing experience.