Akira sat with Morgana in a somewhat broken down bar with his head on the table. They had spent most of the day trying to grind, key word trying. As it turns out Morgana much like Akira had very little in the way of attacking power. Even still they were still able to do somewhat more than him sense Morgana at least had their claws in ways of attacking. So it would go Akira pinning them down and waiting for Morgana to claw them close to death at which point Akira would hit them till they popped. Needless to say it was an exhaustive endeavor that left them worn out in the end. To make matters worse when they went to sell they found merchants trying to stifle them. Where as before they could trade one Balloon skin for one copper now it took twenty to get the same.
Akira had been tempted to 'pull a Skull', as Morgana had put it, to get a better deal. So after getting rid of his hull he left with twenty copper pieces, how you may ask? Well Morgana is still a thief and sense the merchant was more focused on him he didn't notice the cat making of with them. Akira might have been worried about being caught but according to Morgana they had a stockpile of copper they were hiding, so it is very unlikely he will report a few coins missing.
When they had headed back out after eating a small meal they had found some medical herbs that they had seen around town. Not only did they unlock the Leaf Shield series but they also sold for a good price. The medical shopkeeper was better than the other one which made him feel better but still the price bite hurt. All of that lead him to where he is now. Short of cash and eating what little food he could. Glancing over he saw Morgana in their hiding spot eating the meat Akira had given him. Most shops would not allow him in them so lacking any school bags, Akira believed that it was stolen by Malty so it was probably gone, they had resorted to him sneaking in.
This had been going on for a few days by now but it had only gotten Akira to level four and sense Morgana wasn't natrale to this world he didn't receive the boost of experience points and levels like Akira. While he could level up as they discovered during there time his stats didn't increase in the same way Akira's did.
"O Great Shield Hero," some nameless thug said walking up to him. The man was a bit on the portly side with a bowl cut. "We'll join your party."
"Yeah, yeah, thank your lucky stars." His friend some scrawny looking guy who probably never heard of a bath said.
Akira let out a questioning noise to let them continue their pitch. Over the past few days he had seen many of the same type of people approach him. They would act friendly but having been around Munehisa and been taught by Toranosuke, plus every dive into Mementos, gave him a good read on people. He politely turned down most by showing them how little money, show a few copper coins then ask if they have any to give, he had. Most wanted to use his position as a Hero to further themselves and saw hooking up with a hero as their ticket to fame. Plus with him being the only 'Disgraced Hero' he was the easiest to approach. Those few that tried to stick around him were quick to leave after one walk through town where the villagers would yell and taunt them into running, no longer seeing it as worth it.
Man how did that King fool him now that he thought about it. Maybe he had let his guard down? Was he just not expecting it? No that couldn't have been it, it must have been because it was so long since he last needed his skills. Same must have gone for Min...Malty. They had been together for awhile yet he didn't suspect anything? It was bugging him so he had decided to be more vigilant.
"So how about we make our way to the weapon shop and we get some nice armor and weapons." The third said from behind him. Akira let out a sigh as he pushed his wooden plate forward. Getting to his feet he dusted off his clothes making sure to draw each action out. "Well are we going or not!"
"Sure, sure, just follow me." Akira said leading them out of the bar after dropping his payment on the counter. He pretended not to hear them laughing at each other as they followed him down an ally. "I assume you know how low I am on funds correct?" Akira asked stopping in the middle of an ally.
"Oh don't worry we'll keep it cheap." The skinny one said waving his hand in the air.
"Oh good I would hate for you guys to waste your money buying unnecessary gear." The three did quite a good double take as their brains seemed to catch up to what he said.
"Wait, you don't seem to understand! You are paying for our gear!" The round baseball man shouted.
"Now why would I do that?" Akira asked tensing his muscles to get ready for what was going to happen next. Like said before this wasn't the first time he had done this stick. Most would leave but a few tried their luck against him. "You are joining my party so I expect a certain amount of hmm… how to politely put this? Ah.. yes I expect for my team to be ready to go at a moments notice and to be prepared without me being there to hold their hands through something as simple as buying gear. So how about as a little test you three go off and get some gear and meet me out in the fields? I assume you have enough brains to know how to shop for yourself."
In the past Akira had been the one to shop for the Phantom Thieves but as time went on and prices started getting hire they had a group meeting and had decided to buy their own gear. Now watching these three he saw the three turn red with anger. "Screw this shit! Just give us your money!" Skinny said while drawing a knife. Seeing the blade brought back fond memories for Akira who was quick to doge and disarm the man in a quick move. Round was next to run forward with his fist drawn back for a sloppy punch. Makoto would be so disappointed. With ease Akira let the fist hit the shield which sent out a burst of air sending Round back toward the last lackie. The third seemed to be shaking allowing Akira to step on the knife Skinny was crawling toward. With practised ease Akira kicked the blade up to himself before twirling it around and sticking it in his belt. While 'equipping' it was impossible Akira would not be returning it to those three.
"Damn it!" Third shouted before running out of the ally. The other two were quick to follow.
"Nice work," Morgana said as they approached. "We should find someplace to rest for tonight. I saw an abandoned building while scouting earlier. It should work as a hideout for a good while." Twas true, sense most Inns would turn them away and the others charged way to hi they had resorted to abandoned homes or camping out in the fields.
Akira let out a sigh while his shoulders slumped in defeat. This had been dragging on for to long now. While he wouldn't say anything out loud both of them knew that without their former powers they were sitting ducks. "My you seem to be quite troubled." A cheerful voice said from an ally further down. Spinning around Akira spotted a short man wearing one of the most eccentric suits he had ever seen. The man looked he had just walked out of a cartoon with his glasses and large top hat. "But luckily for you I have just what you may need!" With a twirl of his cane he stepped forward.
"What would that be?" Akira asked as nicely as he could while Morgana jumped up on his shoulder.
"Careful Akira this guy rubs me the wrong way." They whispered to him, not that it was needed. Much like before only certain people were actually able to hear what Morgana actually said and not just a meow.
"Oh, that look in your eyes!" The man said with a large smile. Seeing Akira not about to answer he pressed on. "Well I can tell you are interested so how about I show you something I know you'll enjoy!" With a wave he lead them down an ally. After a while they came across a large circus looking tent which the man lead him in. As soon as they entered the smell from the stacked cages was the first thing that he noticed. Well that and the almost hundred of cages, though they were kind of hard to miss.
"So what service do you offer?" Akira could feel a cold pit start to form in his stomach. Morgana had gone stiff and he could also feel their claws start to dig into him.
"Oh I thought it was obvious." Akira could see eyes glaring at him from the cages. "I offer slaves of course!" The pit fell and Akira could feel it travel up his spine now as he saw the creatures being offered better now.
"Why would I want a slave." Akira's voice came out strained as he fought to keep his composure. Right now fighting this man would be unwise for many a reason so he had to play it cool. He felt Morgana shift on his shoulder as they eyed some loin human thing in a cage pace back and forth… Akira made a mental note to hasten his increase of knowledge gathering for this world.
"The fact that they can't lie or betray there master." Akira's eyes widened as his mind went over the implications. This world had pushed his trust in people to its edge but did he really need something like this? Glancing over he saw Morgana going through the same feelings. "Slaves are put under the effect of a cursed seal. A strong, seal-based curse that can take their very lives. What do you say?"
His mind raced as he held up a hand, "I need a minute to think." The slave trader gave a happy nod as he went further into the tent. "What do we do?"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN!" Morgana yelled at him. "Are you actually consider buying a slave!" Akira hesitated answering causing his eyes to widen further. "You are aren't you?!"
"...Somewhat." Akira admitted reluctantly. "Hear me out," he said when he saw Morgana try to interrupt him. "Right now neither of us can really fight the wave and it takes way too long to take down even a Balloon. Face it without our Personas we can't do much." Morgana took a moment to think things over.
"I know but still, SLAVES!" Akira let out a sigh, he really didn't want to even consider what he was right now.
"Yeah but we need more team members. You said it yourself back in Kamoshida's palace." They both fell into silence until they heard coughing. Following the sound they arrived at a cage partly covered by a blanket. Tossing the blanket aside he saw a little girl shaking and coughing in the cage. The girl had chestnut long hair, brown eyes, and, for some reason, round racoon like ears on her head.
"Ahh, I would not recommend that one." The slave dealer said from around a corner. "Now this one is much better, and much more useful to you." With a wave he showed a werewolf! The thing was slamming on its cage and reaching out. "It is level 75 and quite proficient in battle." Akira was very tempted to accept but thought about it. The thing was vicious and thus he would be too reliant on the slave seal. Plus that level alone would markup the price…
"You showed me this knowing I couldn't afford it." Akira had heard about this type of business practice from Munehisa.
"My how perceptive of you! You are sure to become one of my better s." Their grin grew larger if at all possible. "Though you seem quite shocked by its appearance. It appears the rumors might be true about you not being from this world."
"It is true," Akira said leaning on a cage while his eyes slid over to the girl.
"Well then I guess you don't know about Demi-humans or Beastmen." The man continued to explain about how Demi-humans and Beastmen were believed to be related to monsters which caused them be looked down upon and treated as second class citizens. Akira nodded his head before pointing at the girl. "Oh her, I wouldn't recommend her. She has a chronic disease and a mental disorder. I'm having trouble with her myself."
Akira knelt down to get a better look at her causing her to start shaking some more while huddling in on herself. "Her previous master loved his torture you see." A memory surfaced of Mishima covered in bruises and carrying the same look in his eyes as this girl now did. "I doubt she'll last much longer." In that instant Akira's mind was made up.
"I'll take her." He could feel Morgana press their claws more into him. He would explain his reasoning to him later. But right now he saw the girl start shaking even more now. "I assume you'll have her ready soon?" By later Akira meant as soon as possible because even with the shield it was really starting to hurt. Then again the shield only seemed to give extra defence during what could be considered 'battle' or against something Akira considered hostile to him.
"Of course just meet me up front and we will finish this transaction there." They said as they went down a hall to, maybe, get the keys.
As Akira made his way to the entrance Morgana started, "Akira I get that she is a real sad story but still. Are you sure about this? Are you really committed to something like this?"
"I need to get her out of here, and fighting our way out isn't an option. You saw that wolf thing, there is no way we can defeat it as we are now." Akira explained. "Besides we agreed we needed someone to help attack for us so this might be for the best."
"I suppose your right." The blue eyed cat thief said with a sigh. "But we are treating her right got that! As Phantom Thieves it is our duty to show this world the strength of our convictions!"
"As if you needed to remind me." Akira said with a chuckle as the slave trader appeared with the racoon girl. You know looking at the ears they seemed to more resemble what a tanuki is depicted as having in media.
"Just put some blood in here." The man said placing a bowl in front of him. Akira gave a nod before pricking his finger with the knife he got earlier. As he dropped his blood into the bowl he saw the message pop up as the knife was dropped from his grip.
After mixing the liquid the slave trader took a brush and applied it to the seal on her chest. Akira was taken aback when she then started screaming as purple lightning started spewing from it. Before anything else could be done a message popped up declaring he had obtained a slave. From there he could then see the conditions he could apply to seal. He was tempted to take all of them off before deciding against it, having no idea what that would do. So instead he left only the follow his order box checked. "So how much?"
"She is thirty silver," he said while putting the bowl down. Akira dropped a bag in front of him before walking toward his new, *shudder*, slave. "There is one extra in here."
"It is for the ritual, I didn't want anything left between us."
"My, you certainly know your stuff."
Kneeling down in front of the girl Akira slowly extended his hand. "I guess we better introduce ourselves to each other. My name is Akira Kurusu and this here is Morgana." Waiting a bit Akira pressed a bit harder. "So can you tell us your name?"
"Ra… Raphtalia." The young girl answered her voice shaking. Akira retracted his hand as he stood up slowly grabbing the knife he dropped earlier.
"I guess we shall be in each others care for a while." The trickster said giving Raphtalia his best smile. "So a word of advice, don't try and take Morgana's fish, he is very protective of it." Morgana let out a series of reputals and denial that Akira didn't pay much of attention to as he opened the door. "Now come on we need to get you some better clothes." He stood there for a while waiting as Raphtalia stayed curled in on herself before the slave curse started sparking causing her pain for disobeying him. Needless to say she was quick to run out the door and stuck close to him all the way to the weapon shop.
The shopkeeper there had been the one to give him clothes after the fake accusation. Akira had been quick to pay him back for his kindness and now he was hoping to use it once more. As he entered the burly man was standing behind the counter and happily welcomed him before noticing his new party member. "Who's the girl?"
"A new party member," Akira said before putting down some coins. "Could I get a weapon for her under six silver? The rest are for whatever armor you can spare." The man nodded before heading into the back to grab the clothes first. He soon returned with a set of clothes which he dropped on the counter before grabbing three daggers.
"These all fall under six silver and below category." Hmm, seems we have copper, bronze, and irion. Picking up the irion he handed the clothes and irion to Raphtalia and pointed to the changing room. Once she was gone Akira leaned on the counter while Morgana jumped down and made himself comfortable.
"So is there like an actual clothing store you know of? Don't get me wrong I love the stuff you give me… But I would prefer to have actually clothes too." Akira asked hoping to start a conversation.
"Yeah I know of one," Old man, or Oyaji, said writing down some directions. "Kid I know what she is." Akira freezed up hearing him say that. "I won't judge just, don't let her or yourself die alright." Giving a nod he turned his head he saw Raphtalia walk out wearing a nice dress/armor combo with her dagger on her hilt.
"Looks good, now I need you to do one more thing." Raising up his cloak he heard everyone gasp as he showed the balloons biting him. With a bit of force he grabbed one and held it in front of him. "Draw your dagger and with it kill this monster." He saw the hesitation in the girl along with Morgana sitting straight on the counter. "Come on show me your power!" Akira remembered that look in her eyes, it was similar to his back in the palace before he got his powers. Purple lightning started sparking causing the young girl to hastily draw her weapon and charge forward.
The strike went by the Balloon's mouth which did little damage and resulted in her being sent backwards. "Raphtalia! Put some more effort into it! Swing it with your whole being!" Akira said trying to help the girl who shaklee stood back up. With more effort the slave girl stabbed the Balloon causing the creature to explode as both of them gained exp. "Huh, we both got exp?"
"Yeah cause you set her as your companion." Oyaji explained before stopping. "Wait didn't you do that with the women from before?" Akira paused for a moment as his thoughts returned to the vile women from before. She really hadn't intended to be his companion did she? But now with this information there was something he could do. Within a few seconds another window had popped up in front of Morgana who quickly accepted the invitation.
"This will speed up things," With little preamble the blue eyed thief retook their spot on Akira's shoulder. "Back out to the fields?"
Akira gave a discreet nod before turning back to Raphtalia who was still sitting on the floor. "Listen me and you are going to be fighting monsters together from now on. Like I said we will be in each others care, now come along there is much to do and not much time left." With a small nod she sheathed her dagger and ran after him.
An: I swear we will have Persona's in the next chapter! This one was just starting to drag on! Now on to answer some questions. Gun and Knives: I am still undecided as to what to do with these though it would be nice for Akira to have some long range options. Second: No I will not be going through all the stations of the cross. Just the fact that Akira is here and has Morgana is present has already changed quite a bit and prevented/slowed down the release of a certain serious. As you can figure they will start to become more apperent next chapter. Third: Thank you for all the reviews they really help.