(A/N)
...Well, I'm still alive and caring about this story, if everyone is asking. The time that I spent off of this story has truly… woke me up, if I should say. Okay, I should just… come out of the shadows and just… talk about how I'm really feeling. Right now, no, let me go back a little. Before, my time to just… write and think of ideas for fanfiction happened in the time of high school. I loved writing and writing for many hours for fanfiction because I was truly becoming close to what I wanted to do in life: writing(?) The time that I've spent on this laptop of mine, writing the dumbest ideas come to be, and eventually have others call this story a… successful story of some sort… made me afraid. It made me afraid so much to the point where I don't know where I'm going anymore. I'm happy that this story is good to you all, I'm happy that I'm able to come up with these brilliant stupid ideas for this story… but something just feels missing. Where I'm thinking of writing a fanfiction or update a story on fanfiction, the fear just takes over. I've spent months on this site, posting stories and chapters to this site… and yet, I'm scared? I'm scared of posting again? I'm scared… of updating one of my most beautiful stories?
I'm confused. I'm confused and lost, that I don't even know what I'm doing anymore. I'm writing a note for others online so that I could eventually be degraded on the internet for God's sake, look at me! But then again, I just need to realize that this is the internet, and that's all it is. Nonone here knows me. You haven't talked to me in real life, and I'm sure that you can judge me all you want, but I can only say that I'm human. When I get bored, I get bored. When I get tired, I get tired. I'm the most human thing that everyone sees in other humans. So, what's the problem of me posting my real problems? I don't know.
But… I just want to come clear to everyone now. I'm confused and happy at the same time. Everyone here(okay, maybe not the jerks) had made some part of this happiness that I'm feeling. For everyone who had helped me create this story with your words, I'm truly grateful. College had some part of what I'm trying to do with my life as well. When I started college, something in my head snapped that made me want to become an artist. And by the time I found myself improving on something that I had sort of given up on a long time ago… I noticed that I've left everyone on here behind. I didn't even know how to continue this story until today. And before… I was bored of this story. Not just this one, but all of my other stories. The others updates and creations were to just help me get back into the groove of things, but sadly, something isn't working. My heart isn't here anymore, it's on improving my art. But, for a good thing, I think I should try to come back to this story. I need to do… something to help me get back into writing. But, first, I just want to say that I'm thinking of creating my own story. Like… no fanfiction this time. And… that will be addressed another time.
In short, maybe it's writer's block.
And finals are coming up, but just know that I'm coming back… as soon as this laptop charges.
Have fun reading everyone.
The boss of this Wave had been attacked in a single second. Pierced by that magic from earlier, the boss fell to the ground; lifeless and deceased. At this point, everyone had stopped moving. We were all shocked at the fact that boss that had managed to drag out this long of a fight, had been defeated with just a few attacks.
Or could that be considered as only one attack?
"My, what a degrading sight to see." Startled, I looked ahead, noticing a mysterious woman standing in front of us with a fan to her mouth. Was she… always there? I didn't even notice her…
"You… were the one who killed the boss, right? If you are the person who did it, then thanks for the help." Looking at her, I could tell that she looked off. From her calm expression to her robe attire… I could tell that something was wrong. I didn't need to notice my spine shivering a bit to notice that she could possibly be our enemy.
"Mhm, there's no need for the gratefulness, it only tells me how useless the Four Cardinal Heroes are. So please, spare me the words." To that, my body tensed up. I knew it; this woman might not be a friendly person after all.
"Useless?! What the hell are you talking about, lady?!" Motoyasu yelled, angered at the insult she made. Not only him, but Ren and Itsuki were visibly upset as well. For me, I could only stand there with an unsure expression. The Grimm features of my body is telling me to run away, but I… can't. I can't afford to leave the other Heroes to this dangerous foe.
"Not only are you useless, but you have trouble hearing as well? Must I continue to talk about how disappointed I am to see the Heroes struggling against such a pitiful enemy? Or… shall we begin fighting?" And just like that, Motoyasu stepped forward.
"If you think you're strong enough to take us on, then-"
"May I ask why you feel as though you need to fight us?" Hearing that from me had caused her to raise a brow at me. I had managed to stop Motoyasu from speaking any more than that. He's seen what she could do, so why is he acting like a tough guy? If we were having trouble with the boss, where does he think we stand compared to her?
"You're asking me why? Should there be any reason to explain to you why we must fight? You four are the Heroes of this world. Therefore, enemies are looming around every corner, so you must be on your guard, Shield Hero."
"But still, even if you want to fight us, why save us from the boss? You could've made your job a whole lot easier." True, she did save us, but for what reason? To see where she stands above the Heroes?
"You make an excellent point, Shield Hero. However, you must understand that it must be me who will do the killing." Killing?! We've come to part of killing now?! Just what kind of grudge does she have against us?!
"Heh, it seems that you can't hear well, lady. Like I said, you really think you'll be able to take us? The three of us are more than capable enough to take you down!" Saying that, Motoyasu's spear was covered in light.
"Meteor Thrust!"
"Meteor Slash!"
"Meteor Shot!" All three of them made their attacks, each willing enough to try to kill the lady in front of us.
And then, the explosion came when their attacks went into contact. Surely… that wouldn't be enough to kill her, right? Insults are… aggravating at most, but to just kill someone because they insulted you isn't a good enough reason to do such a thing.
"Hmph! And to think you three call yourself Heroes!" With a single swipe, the dust that surrounded her became nothing. Taking three attacks from us… and not getting a single scratch! How strong is this woman to just tank attacks like that?!
"What?!" Itsuki shows his disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Motoyasu grips his spear angrily.
"Tch!" And Ren clicked his tongue.
This was not looking good!
"Care to try again? Or… should I perhaps allow the Shield Hero to have a chance at harming me?" She should know that a shield wouldn't do much damage to her, so why even give me the chance? Or… should I use the Boarbatusk Shield again? It's necessary, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to control myself.
"Like I'll need that guy's help! He'll only slow us down! Take this!" Insulting while thrusting his spear out, he went out for an attack on the woman. And sadly, for an attack like that, she easily brushed passed him. And slow them down?! How am I going to-no… just let it go, Jaune.
"Oh? It seems that you Heroes have a dislike for the Shield Hero? Hm, I must say that's sad, but not any of my business. What's important…" Suddenly, her fans became the color of yellow light. "Is the death of you Heroes!" Giving out attacks that I couldn't even see, the other Heroes and their partners went down without giving that much of a fight. I… knew that we wouldn't be enough for her… but I didn't think that she could take us out so fast!
"And for you, Shield Hero." When she looked at me in the eye, I could tell that she was ready to take me down without any effort. But something was wrong. Why was it that she was so close to my face? "What can you do?" And just like that, I was sent backwards by some invisible force.
"Mr. Jaune!" While I was still able to stand while skidding backwards, I was able to see Raphtalia already unsheathing her sword to attack her. Raising her sword, she attacked the woman, only for her to stop suddenly.
"Raphtalia!" Noticing the reason why she stopped, I was able to see the blade of the woman's fan up to her neck. She was quick enough to do that?!
"Now, did you really think an attack as slow as that would reach me?" She smiled while taunting. However, Raphtalia strangely smiled even when she looked nervous.
"Of course not. I was only the bait." She was… bait? Raphtalia couldn't have possibly sent herself like that without thinking, but why act as bait?!
"High Quick!" Hearing Filo cast her self-casting magic, she quickly disappeared, only reappearing to the side of the woman. Now, with her feet encased with yellow light, she started to attack her with a barrage of attacks that even I couldn't see.
"Bait, you say? I must say, eight attacks in such a succession is truly admirable. It's a shame that a bird could surprise me to an extent." With Raphtalia and Filo moving away from her, we had some time to think of… something. She's… unbeatable if I don't do anything! But… I'm afraid of losing myself again! Even when she had lowered her guard a bit, she sounded disinterested! Wait, did she not take any damage from that?! Looking closer, I could see that one of her fans were… emitting smoke?! She… was able to keep up with Filo's speed?!
"I would like to get to the main course, Shield Hero. Stop sending your servants and attack me!" To that sentence, I found myself stepping back a bit. I don't have enough time to think of something, and I don't think any one of my attacks would be able to do anything!
"Hm? Jaune-if I heard that correctly from your servant, whatever is the reason for you to step away? Surely, you don't plan on dying without a fight, correct?"
"...Why are you coming after us? If you have some grudge against us, then-"
"Why are you insisting that I have some sort of grudge? The only thing that you need to know is that my name is Glass, and that will be the only thing you will ever hear!" With speed I couldn't track, her fans had made wind that was enough to blow all of us back. "Attack already! I'm here for the heads of the Heroes, but if I must use other methods, then I will!" Directing her attention at Raphtalia, she was wounding up for an attack, which I was easily able to see.
"Raphtalia, behind me!" Quickly running in front of her, I raised the Chimera Viper Shield, ready to block the attacks directed at her.
"Reverse Four Seasons!" As she released her attack, I was able to see multiple light attacks heading towards my direction. I'm not using the right shield to block an attack like that! And… I won't be able to protect Raphtalia from all of those attacks!
And so, I pushed Raphtalia out of the way.
"Gaaaagh!" As the attacks were connecting, I was feeling a ton of pain. Even when I'm blocking a majority of her attacks, some of them were attacking me from behind!
"Mr. Jaune!" As the attacks stopped, I felt worn out. My health was now in yellow. I could only thank the shield's defense and my own aura for that. She… was strong enough to bypass the shield's defense and my own aura? How… strong was this woman?!
"Hm? And I was so sure that would've been enough to take you down, Jaune. I must say that you're one tough guy to crack. I don't know how you were able to take all of those attacks with so little damage, but I must commend you for your bravery of taking those attacks for your servant."
"Don't… call her a servant! None of my companions are servants! Boarbatusk Shield!" As the Chimera Viper Shield turned into the Boarbatusk Shield, the weight of the shield was heavy. It wasn't like that before. Am I… afraid?
"My, what a beast-like form, Jaune. I hope to see that this mysterious new form might give more of a challenge?" Calm down, Jaune, they are only taunts. I might have some control over this shield, but something… else is in this shield. And it feels hot like a fire.
"Motoyasu. Ren. Itsuki." I looked to them to see that they're struggling to get up. They won't be able to help if they looked that wounded.
"Wh-what… do you want?" He might sound angry, but I can tell that he's hurt. If I asked him for help, then he's going to get killed. And… for the sake of the world, and my own mind, I must have him and everyone else run away.
"I want all of you to get out of here. Take your partners and leave. Being here will only put you all in more danger." Hearing this, I watched the woman named Glass smile at me. She looks confident… but let's see her handle me when I'm like this!
"What?! You're asking us to run away?! And why should we listen to-"
"Enough, Motoyasu. He's right. Compared to him, we don't stand a chance against her. It's best if we just leave." Ren said, trying to convince Motoyasu to run.
"Ren, you can't be serious! You think that he'll be able to win against her in that form?! Him?! Jaune?!"
"I don't see you pulling something like that, Motoyasu. And still, that form was enough to give us trouble in the past, so let's… rely on him for now." As they all stood back up, they looked ready to leave.
"You too, Itsuki?!" Motoyasu and I both shared our glances, before turning to what's important. "...Fine, but I won't thank you after this, Jaune! Let's go, everyone!" With that, using the ropes that were connected to the ship, they started to get off of the ship.
"Thanks guys." I said to no one. I knew that not a single one cared for me, but I didn't care. What I need to do is save their lives.
"And you think that I will allow that?" Directing her attention towards the remaining members of the others, she was ready to release another attack… but I won't allow it! I'm going to try something stupid and crazy at the same time!
"Keep your eyes on the opponent!" With the Boarbatusk Shield spinning, I ran up to Glass and swung at her with it. Stopping what she was doing, she used both of her fans to stop my attack. That's something different!
"My, that's some strength for someone who uses a shield! Show me some more, Jaune!" Without any effort, she pushed the huge shield to the side, this time, hitting me in the stomach with her fan. It was enough to push me back!
"Damnit!" Setting the shield down, it started to spin on its own, this time moving by itself towards her. Jumping up, she looked even more confident as she was going to attack me without my shield.
"A projectile? A foolish decision if you're not going to have a shield to cover you!"
"Don't think I'm done yet! I still have some control!" Before she had the chance to attack again, I moved my hand upwards to control the Boarbatusk Shield to go after her in the air. It's not mindless, I still have control over the shield. With the speed that it has, she won't be able to deflect it so easily!
"Very good!" Turning around to block it, with the speed it had gotten, it managed to send away from us. "But… still, you won't be able to defeat me." Yeah, I figured that would happen. If I can't defeat her, then I'm going to have to-
"I have a question, Jaune. Why did you want to protect the other Heroes? If I heard correctly, I was sure that one of them said that they wouldn't have you as a helping hand." It's her time to talk? Fine.
"...I won't let my comrades die, that's all. I don't care if they hate me. As long as I'm saving them, then that's enough for me."
"A sacrifice, huh? You must be either foolish or… no, you're just foolish. Especially when you think this conversation would be enough to distract me." Without any effort, she swung her sharpened blades at Raphtalia, who was concealed in her magic. Having enough time to block it, Raphtalia raise her sword, only for half of it to be remaining. She… knew that Raphtalia was there?! And what was she talking about?! She was the one that started the conversation!
"Too slow!" As she swung her blades again, Raphtalia managed to dodge the blades, but the ribbons near her neck were cut off. She's going straight for the kill…
"And here we are again, Jaune. We're back to how this all started. Now, is there something else that you have up your sleeve? Otherwise, I'll just have to kill you and go after the remaining Heroes later." This… wasn't good. I'm almost out of juice, and Raphtalia nor Filo is enough to hold their ground against her. Do I… have to force myself to lose it again?
"Raphtalia… I might need to-"
"That's enough of the mere chats, Jaune." Suddenly, I was sent to the floor. What just happened? I heard her right behind me… but everything just happened to fast. She… effortlessly put me down into the ground? And… Raphtalia and Filo are down too? She… how can she be so fast?!
"Sadly, this is where my entertainment ends, Jaune. It was fun to have a challenge such as yourself, but those mere attacks were nothing to me." As I was on the ground, she had her foot on my back and her blade to my neck. She could easily slice off my neck without any problems… and that would be the end of me. I… lost? This… is where I'm going to die?
"Release him!" Hearing Raphtalia, I was able to see her stand up with her broken sword in hand. She… was going to fight her alone?! What about Filo?!
"Please. You think you'll be able to fight me alone? Haven't we both discovered how slow you are with a sword?" She taunted.
"I might be slow, but I'm not going to stand letting you set your foot on Mr. Jaune!" She took a nervous step, waiting for Glass's next reaction.
"You could easily run away while I kill him. My target is the Shield Hero, not you or the bird. However, if you still decide to stand against me, then I will not show mercy."
"I won't run away. I was given so many opportunities to run away when I was afraid, but I never ran! I'm not going to leave Mr. Jaune anywhere! It doesn't matter if I'm facing an opponent that's stronger than me, I can't run away when his life is on the line!" She… can't be…
"Hmph. If that is what you think, then come attack me. Let's see if you push me off your precious master!" With Raphtalia starting to run towards her, Glass only swiped the air, causing a gust of wind to be sent towards her. And yet… she struggles to hold her balance.
"Raphtalia, stop! You're only going to get yourself killed!" I tried to tell her to stop resisting as this was the end for me, but she still stood while trying to advance to her.
"And risk losing you?! I won't! I'd rather die than run away from you! I'd rather die while knowing that I fought for you! Wherever you went, I followed! You won't be alone, Mr. Jaune, I promised that to you!" Why…? Why can't… I… do anything?! If I use the emotions contained in this shield, there's no promise that I'll be coming back! There will be no promises that I won't attack anything that's in front of me! I can't. I can't. I can't! But… Raphtalia's going die. If I don't do something, then Raphtalia's going to die.
"You bore me, servant. If you're struggling against mere wind, then this will be over quickly." I then felt her blade on my neck, ready to slice off my head.
"You won't harm him!" Suddenly getting rid of the wind with her sword, Raphtalia ran towards Glass with her sword ready to strike.
"Pitiful." Turning her attention back towards Raphtalia, she swiped her fan at Raphtalia, this time, sending Raphtalia backwards.
"Raphtalia!" Hearing her cough, I could see that she was hurt. But even as she coughed, she stood back up with her sword at the ready. At this rate, she's going to die!
"Filo! Help Raphtalia! Filo! Filo! Wake up! Filo!" As she was out cold from whatever attack Glass did to her, Filo was not responding. She would not get up.
"You still stand?"
"I… won't allow you to kill him!" After running towards her again, she tried to slash her at her stomach, but Glass was quick enough to slap her with her fan. Again, she was sent backwards.
"Raphtalia… let me… I have to-"
"Don't!" Before I could even try to call upon that power, Raphtalia told me to stop. Why… was she telling me to stop? I… have to beat her, so why is she telling me to stop. "If you use that, then like you said, there's no guarantee that you won't be the same again! You… don't want that! And I don't want that either! I want to see Mr. Jaune as Mr. Jaune! Not the beast of Mr. Jaune! And besides… if you keep helping me like this because I'm injured… then what good am I?! What good am I if the shield continues to protect the sword?!" Raphtalia… don't do this! Come on! Where's that heat at?! Where is the damn heat that I felt before?! No, not now! Let me… use that damn power! No… I can't be afraid right now! I don't care if I'm not going to be myself anymore, just let me use that power to beat her!
"...Reverse Four Seasons." And just like that, the attacks were sent at Raphtalia. I couldn't look. I had to close my eyes from seeing this happen.
Why…? Why can't I use that power when I need it the most?!
Her screams. She's screaming. She's screaming. She's screaming!
I… can't allow this to happen! I can't… let Raphtalia die!
Just…! Just…! Just…! Just burn already!
And when I opened my eyes again… all I could see was the bleeding cuts that laid on her body as she laid there…
Dead.
"GRAAGHHHHHH!" Feeling the heat, I pushed it behind me, causing Glass to jump off of me. Given my opportunity, I ran to Raphtalia, seeing her body that was covered in cuts and bruises. She… died because of me. She's… dead. Raphtalia… no. You can't be dead!
"Raphtalia… wake up! Come on, we can take her, Raphtalia!" No matter what I say to her, she won't open her eyes. This was… my fault.
"See, Jaune? No matter what you do, you won't be able to-"
"SHut UP!" I was finally feeling the rage again. I was feeling myself slip away again. Setting Raphtalia down, I started to move towards Glass on my own. I had no control over myself. "Ah. Ah. Ah! AGGGGGH!" My body… was starting to get onto all fours. I was… changing into something different. I was… why is my body hurting?!
"Oh? Another ace up your sleeve, Jaune? This time, this will be your dying breath! You will fall here, Shield Hero!" As she started to run at me, I was out of it. I couldn't move my own body as I was feeling pain all over my body.
And as her fan was her blade, she slashes at me. This… was the end for me.
...That is, if it connected.
Looking up, I could see the familiar sight of brown hair in front of me.
"Raphtalia?!" Feeling a part of myself come back a bit, I was able to yell out her name. Strangely enough, Raphtalia felt… off. Yes, she always had that warm feeling whenever I'm near her, but… something about the blue aura that surrounded her was different. It felt… strange.
"What?! You're still able to stand after-guh!" With a new sword in hand, Raphtalia had somehow managed to push Glass backwards with the new sword. With an unbelievable length, the sword was covered in blue flames that was way too tall for her to hold in her hands. And yet, she was able to hold that long blade without any trouble.
"Raphtalia…? Are you…?" With Glass out of the way, she turned to me and smiled. I wouldn't be shocked if I didn't notice the blue fiery horns on her head, along with her replaced blue colored eyes. Was this… really Raphtalia?
"I don't know where you suddenly got that power from, nor how you managed to heal, but-" Raphtalia suddenly disappeared with blue flames in front of me, and reappeared in front of Glass to strike at her. Being quick enough, Glass was able to jump out of the way and into the sky.
"Tch! Reverse Four Seasons!" Sending her attacks towards Raphtalia while in the air, Raphtalia was strangely prepared for them.
"...I" That was all I heard as Raphtalia was able to deflect all of Glass's attacks. How did she…? What is that power, Raphtalia?
"You've changed, servant! I don't know how you've managed to pull it off, but-" Before she could continue to say anything else, the boat started to shake out of nowhere. "The time limit?! The Waves are about to be over?! No… or you could've done something!" She was about to release another attack as she stood in a different posture, but she didn't. She appeared to be reluctant to do so.
"Guh!" Hearing Raphtalia grunt in pain, I looked to see her holding her head as the blue flames were slowly starting to dissipate.
"It seems that you can't hold onto whatever that form is for too long, servant! Very well, since I managed to get a taste from the party of the Shield Hero, I'm afraid that will be all for today! I bid you farewell, for now, Jaune! Our next meeting will surely be your last if you fail to get stronger!" And so, hovering to the sky, Glass disappeared into a bright light.
"Mr. Jaune…" Seeing Raphtalia fall down to the floor, I rushed towards her side to see if she was okay. I don't know how, but her wounds are healed. The cuts may be scars, but at least she's living…
...We won. We won against the Wave, and won against a strong opponent. This… was surely a victory to sleep over…