Seeds of a Rivalry & a Wish Comes True:
A week has passed since the battle against Leech and Maximus was sitting at the table within the Guild Hall. His mind going over an important detail he was informed the day he awoke from his fatigued state. He was informed by Aqua and the others nearly all of their money had been paid to the Blacksmith for the damaged equipment.
"I cannot believe that overrated slug would pull something like that while I was asleep. Any other person would be grateful someone had the wherewithal to take command and save the town. But no, this town so far is filled to the brim with idiots, underachievers, and ungrateful people. Well, see if I ever step in to help this town out again." He said to himself feeling his frustration move into anger.
He turned his attention briefly back at the Quest Board.
"Quests are getting fewer in number making it harder to earn money to make it through the winter, which is unforgiving from what I have been told before. With money on the level of being scarce, I had reached such a desperate level, I ended up taking one where I was nothing more than a genuine pig for some Arch-Wizard. It paid very decent for the few experiments he wanted to do and I even taught him some things about magic he surprisingly did not know about. That helped out so well, he added extra to my total amount earned." He paused for a moment rubbing his right shoulder. "I still can't believe I lost my focus long enough for him to damage me from being so bored." He chuckled at himself.
He turned to the desk and saw Luna cleaning it and remembered a conversation he had with her. "I am surprised she took it well about me and Aqua beginning our relationship. Also, the whole Harem nonsense Chris sputtered out had a distasteful feeling in her mind as well. I find it funny how I was just being too kind to those women, but it is over and done with. I guess deep down she is a kind soul, I will say had it not been for me to choose to bring Aqua along, I could see myself with her."
The next moment his mind went back to their situation. "I need to find a way to earn more money, at least enough to get us through winter. Right now, Aqua took a needle and some thread and began making clothing for the winter coming up to sell. It is so surprising that a talent such as that was not explored more so than before. She also has been making random artistic items such as fake flowers and other craft items, which all together has yielded a good income, but she has stated people have not been buying of late. I wonder if it is because everyone is preparing for winter. Oh well, at least she repaired my clothing and stated she blessed it so they would not damage so easily. She even added a little extra onto it." He said looking down at his clothing.
It was all the same as before but she added waves of water along the trimmings and ends of the sleeves. The buttons on the coat were a mint green with a patch of yellow at the bottom. She also added a crest of her own making on the left side of the coat upon the outside pocket. It was an etching of water waving around a single mint green jewel, with a gold ring around it, as though it were a blossoming flower made of water.
He held his hand above it and smiled a little remembering when she gave him his clothes. Her smile became larger and her face shined more noticeably.
The doors opened and Aqua walked in wiping her forehead. She looked around and saw Maximus sitting at one of the tables as promised.
"Maximus," She said in a cheerful tone with a smile as she dashed towards him. "Are you ready?" She inquired.
Maximus nodded and walked over to her. She wrapped her arms around his left arm to be escorted and they both walked up the second floor. The two began to do a routine involving her Nature's Beauty and him playing an Ocarina. When she first saw him playing with it the other day, she concocted another method to earn money. The two performed several numbers they had practiced beforehand and everyone was enjoying the show.
Meanwhile another Adventurer was standing in a far off distant desolate mountain region of the country. Standing firm and tall before the most powerful creature in all the land. A Dragon; counted among the most powerful of all dragons. Known to all as the Ancient Dragons. The fierce titanic beast hissed at its opponent and took a step towards him.
In the background were two scantily clad young ladies huddling together in fear. Trembling before the mighty creature, they begged the young hero to run away. Despair gripped their minds as they could not move a muscle.
"Kyouya," One of them shouted to get his attention. "We should run away right now this monster is too dangerous for us to face!"
"No, I have to defeat this beast to ensure this world's survival." He calmly said without a single ounce of fear in his body. "I must, to ensure this world is saved from all manner of evil, defeat anyone who stands against all things good and just." He said to himself.
He began to remember the moment he met Aqua, who gave him the choice to reincarnate into this world. The words of him being this world's Hero rang loudly in his head. He was also captivated by her beauty and wished he could see her again, even if only for a moment.
He raised his sword in the air and soon the blade was filled with a bright white light. "Now, die!" He shouted swinging his sword, Gram, and launched an energy blade upon the titanic beast, slaying it in one shot.
The Dragon's body fell lifeless to the ground and the young women cheered as they quickly took hold of his arms. Their cheerful cries followed as though they had never doubted him in the first place.
"It's time to return to Axel, I hear there is trouble that is in the works." He said and they nodded their heads in agreement.
Later that afternoon, they arrived at the Guild Hall and the few people which were close to the door noticed him.
"Look it's Kyouya, what did you slay this time?" One of them asked.
"I was able to best the Ancient Dragon far to the north that was plaguing a nearby village." He replied humbly.
"That's amazing, now we have two Dragon Slayers in town." Mohawk said patting Kyouya's back.
"Wait are you serious, who is the other person that can slay a Dragon?" He asked with amazement and wondered who it could be. "Did Mi Lady send another Hero to this world besides me?" He said to himself.
"Yeah," Mohawk turned towards Maximus pointing at him with his thumb. "He is right over there sitting next to his woman. The town of Axel is in safe hands now that both of its Dragon Slayers are here. That will make the Demon King think twice before coming around here." He began to laugh as he walked away.
The moment before Kyouya was to take a step, he noticed who was sitting right beside Maximus. His eyes could not believe what they saw and for a moment he could not move a muscle. He at first thought it was a dream or a deception his eyes were trying to employ. The next moment he heard the sound of her voice as she laughed uncontrollably.
Moments prior to Kyouya entering, Aqua and Maximus were sitting at one of the tables as he was wrapping up a story about his friends and he, being together doing something goofy. She was laughing so hard her stomach was aching in pain and leaned against him. His arm was around her, holding her close the entire time.
"I can't believe you and your friends did such a thing, that is hysterical!" Aqua barely said as her laughter was echoing loudly through the whole Guild Hall.
"You should have been there to see it in person." Maximus stopped for a moment as his mind wandered and he could not help but wonder how his friends were.
Aqua began to regain her composure and slightly turned her body as she placed her hand on his chest. "Is everything alright?" She inquired sensing his demeaner change.
"Huh, yeah, everything is alright. I had just realized that that was it though, that was the last time we were all together as I left the next night to head west to join my country's military to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather, Marcus." He said trailing his gaze off to the side.
"Do you miss them?" She asked with a hint of sadness.
"I would be lying if I said I do not." He replied.
"I am sure they are alright, as you said the other day, there was someone would make the enemies of your world look like infants fighting against a giant in terms of abilities." She stopped for a moment to sit upon his lap to look him in the eye with her left shoulder pressed against his chest. "I am actually glad we crossed paths and that you brought me along, even if I did not like it at first. But you have been watching over me ever since we started our adventure. Maximus, I want to say something to you for a little while now, and that's,"
"Mi Lady!" Kyouya shouted.
Aqua went from enjoying her time spent with Maximus straight to being frustrated. Her chance at telling Maximus how she felt about him yet again slipped away by another interruption. She looked over where the voice shouted from with a vengeful glare in her eyes, feeling the meaningful moment the two were having be ripped the very next. She clenched her fists and fired her right hand forward to the one who interfered with her meaningful conversation.
"God Blow!" She shouted.
Her fist slammed upon Kyouya's jaw and he was sent to the ground almost instantly. She quickly took hold of his clothing underneath his plate mail armor.
"How dare you interfere with a Goddess' conversation with the one she cares deeply for! You shall know despair in the foulest parts of Hell you lowly dog!" She shouted raising her fist once more filled with her Goddess aura.
"I think her God Blow is improving since I last saw it on display. Her level has gone up quite a bit after that battle with the Lich and his Undead Dragons. Which reminds me, I wonder why my adventure card has disappeared and the crystal ball cannot take a reading from me. Could it be because of the deal I made with Eris and the forces of heaven? No matter, I better make sure Aqua does not end this poor soul's life." He said to himself.
Before she could send her next strike upon Kyouya, Maximus took hold of her wrist and she instantly stopped. She saw Maximus gestured her to stand up.
"Aqua, I think one blow has done him in. Besides if you hit him with another strike, I believe you will end him here and now." He said helping her up.
Her face had a sad look and began to have the same cute puffy demeaner. Tears began to form as she could not get over the fact, she had been cheated out of say what her feelings were for him. She saw his face had a welcoming smile and leaned down to kiss her forehead. After he finished, they turned to see Kyouya was still slightly unconscious on the floor.
"Now, I think we should see who this fellow is and why it sounded like he knew you somehow. Do you recall who this young man is?" He asked feeling curious about the young man. "If he recognized her, that must mean he must have been sent to this world like Kazuma and I was." He said to himself.
Aqua study Kyouya's appearance with her right index finger over her lips standing at each side of him. "No, I do not recall him at all." She said with no memory sparking up about him.
"Hey, what have you done with my Kyouya, you fiend." One of the girls with pink hair shouted at Maximus.
"Yeah, what she said. Also, since when is he your Kyouya?" The other girl with green hair followed suit.
"Who are these two supposed to be?" Maximus asked out loud turning his head towards them.
"They look like a couple of hussies who are nothing more than just eye candy for him to look at. Or they are just clingy fangirls who are just around him because he is cool or something." She said with no emotion towards them.
"Yet you forgot about the time you were clingy too with me." Maximus shot at her in a teasing manner.
"Huh, that was different, because my clinginess grew into something deeper." She shot back at him.
Maximus smiled a little and helped Kyouya off the floor. He sat him on the bench and snapped his fingers. He used his magic to cause his mind to regain its functionality.
Kyouya's vision was beginning to focus once more and he saw Maximus sitting opposite side of the table before him with Aqua at his side.
"Mi Lady, is it really you?" He inquired.
"Who are you?" Aqua asked in a demanding tone.
"It is I, Kyouya Mitsurugi. You gracefully reincarnated me into this world with this sword, Gram, you yourself forged for me." He replied feeling as though he were on the brink of collapsing mentally if she did not recognize him.
She studied him a little further with a concentrated gaze. "Oh, right, you are that guy. Sorry I forgot all about you, I helped so many people crossover to this world, I am bond to forget a few of you all here and there." She giggled out.
"Uh, yeah." Kyouya said not sure how to respond.
"Well, interesting reunion for the two of you however, Aqua, I believe we better get back to our place before we get carried away. Besides, you said there was something you wanted to show me." Maximus said standing up. "That explains it all then on how he knows her." He said to himself.
"Hold up," Kyouya turned towards him with his hand gesturing him to stay. "I have to ask you, how is she even here right now?" He inquired. "I got to figure out how she is here in the Mortal Realm and why. Did something happen to her and if so, is he responsible for her unfortunate predicament?" He wondered to himself beginning to glare at Maximus.
Maximus sighed with a little frustration as he sensed the intense stare, he was receiving from Kyouya. "I do not see the need to inform you about anything revolving her at all. Why do you even want to know anyway?" He inquired.
"Because… she is… umm," Kyouya paused for a moment feeling embarrassed and nervous at the same time looking down at the table.
"You're kidding me, he is infatuated with her! Heh, you should have snagged her when you had the chance. Although, I highly doubt this boy would have the strength of character to put up with her silliness. Not to mention he would have nothing except her and would not be able to do anything to impress her. I will admit it was quite the chore to muster through, but in the end, I eventually saw the charm she possessed. No way this flower is going to be tainted by your honey little fool." Maximus said to himself.
Aqua began to feel uncomfortable being near him and leaned to whisper at Maximus. "Hey, I am not so sure about this guy, something about him is giving me the heebie-jeebies something fierce, I can sense it. I feel like he is going to be trouble with a capital T."
Maximus nodded in agreement. "Come on Aqua, let us go home for the night." He said standing up.
"Wait I need to know how she is here!" Kyouya slammed his hands on the table causing Aqua to flinch in fear. Maximus was becoming annoyed but wanted to maintain his composure.
Maximus sighed once more. "Well, here goes," He said and began to tell him how she was brought by him to this realm and a few details of their journey.
"What?" Kyouya shouted in disbelief. "You mean to tell me you are the reason Mi Lady is stuck here all because you forced her to come with you!" He took hold of Maximus' coat with anger mounting by the second.
"N-no, it's not like, you see I don't mind he brought me along. Ever since he did, he has done nothing but watched out for me so I could return home. Although, I am not so sure about that now, but I have had loads of fun being here. We have been on quests, started doing shows here at the Guild, and we even sleep together every night in the stables as well." Aqua informed him.
"Are you serious, you monster! Not only did you drag her here but you are forcing her to sleep with you every night in the filthy stables! How could you treat a Goddess like that?!" Kyouya raised his voice a little more.
Maximus allowed himself to let a little of his anger show as he took hold of Kyouya's wrist. He applied a little pressure to let him know he was going too far.
"This little upstart is beginning to annoy me." He said to himself. "Who do you think you are, storming up in here and making a scene that I am sure will tarnish your name. You march up to me as though you have a chip on your shoulder that I put there. I would understand your frustration were any thoughts you might be thinking about me and Aqua are true. The kind that is unsavory in nature, however, they are not. I am not forcing myself upon her in any manner that would tarnish my name. The connection and feelings between her and I are not fabricated in any way, they are true. Built ever since we started and watched it blossom to what it is now. And no boy scout with a fancy plate of armor, and curiously made sword is going to separate us. Let alone anyone else. So, what I will say to you good sir is unhand me, begone from my sight, and have a good evening to you!" He said feeling his anger growing to the point it was boiling over.
Maximus let his wrist go for a moment and soon noticed Kyouya was not unhanding him. Maximus placed his hands back on Kyouya's wrists and began to force them off his coat. Both of their strengths were evenly matched and Maximus was surprised at his strength.
"You cannot be serious right now, how does he have this much strength? How is he matching my strength, one who is a descendant of the Nephilim? There must be an explanation to this." Maximus said to himself trying to move his hands away from him. "I wonder if he received some sort of boost when he reincarnated here. It would make sense if that is the case."
The next moment Aqua and the other girls were standing there not sure what to do until she approached Kyouya.
"Listen, I am sure we can all talk this out as reasonable adults, no?" She inquired.
"Hey, what's going on over there?" An adventurer asked out loud from the other side of the Guild Hall.
"Kyouya and Maximus are about to fight over a girl." Another one said.
"Man, can they not take it outside so it doesn't disturb us?" The previous one said.
The next moment Kyouya let go of Maximus coat and took a step back. "Let us settle this outside." He said turning around.
"Why should I even indulge you, if you are indeed going to do what I believe you are about to employ, you can forget it." Maximus said brushing his coat and straighten it. "Little punk made it wrinkle and he even ripped it! Wars and fights between many men have been started for less." He said to himself looking down at his coat. "Do you realize how much effort Aqua put into this coat? She slaved all day and night to present me with this and you made a tear. You are lucky I am still in a good mood else I would have half a mind to beat you into the ground where you belong you lowly dog!" Maximus snapped at him.
"We are going to have a duel for the right to have Aqua in our party. Do you accept my challenge?" Kyouya asked turning around.
"Tsk, you should have asked about a friendly sparring match to see how you measure up against me. Instead you do the most predictable thing imaginable. I would rather fight you for other reasons. Besides, Aqua is right here and can speak for herself on who she wants to join. All you have to do is ask. But you are an insolent cur and would dare suggest such that ploy as if I am her owner. The nerve of you to assume that and act in such a manner is shameful, disrespectful, and unforgivable. So, I will say I am disinclined to acquiesce your request." Maximus replied.
Kyouya stood there not sure what he said at the end.
"It means I am not interested in accepting your challenge." Maximus said taking off his coat to look at the damage to it.
Aqua stepped to his side and was a little angry at Kyouya for damaging her gift to Maximus. She decided to remain silent and not say a word to him as the two of them made their way out of the Guild Hall.
"I cannot believe he tore this, I put a lot of work into this, that little weasel I have half a mind to punch him in his face." Aqua said feeling angry while looking at the coat and was on the verge of sadness.
The next moment Maximus picked her up. "I know you did, when we get back to the castle you can stitch it up to be as good as new."
"You're right and while we are on that subject, I finished the interior of the entire place that I did not want you to see yet. I know you are going to like it." She giggled a little and wrapped her arm around his neck.
"Wait!" Kyouya shouted.
Before he could say another word, Maximus leaped up into the air and was flying off into the distance.
"I will win her over." Kyouya declared knowing Maximus already had a head start.
"Man, that guy does not know how to quit, I feel as though I have gained a rival in not only in a competitive way, but a way to compete for your affections. I believe we are going to run into him a lot more now." Maximus said feeling annoyed.
"You don't have to worry; I only have eyes for you." She kissed his forehead and smiled.
"I know you do and I am not worried about him trying to hopelessly gain your attention in any futile attempts. I feel as though he will seek to challenge me quite often of which he will try to say that I agreed to fight him for the right to have you in either party. Good grief, I almost want to not return to town for quite some time if that be the case in the hopes he will give up." He said wondering what to do about the situation.
The next moment the two glided down before the doors to the castle and he snapped his fingers to employ his magic to open them. Her hands were over his eyes as they began to enter into their new home. The doors closed behind them and she removed her hands.
"Okay, now open your eyes." She instructed him.
Maximus opened his eyes and saw the many curtains she had made for the tall windows. They were in the same color scheme as her outfit. A solid sapphire blue at the center with gold trimmings and had the same crest she had placed on his coat litter the entire center.
The rug before them was a sky blue which stretched all the way through the hall. The windows were also accompanied with small nightstands with flower vases on top. The many bouquet of flowers was pink and red. The various furniture was polished so sharply, their image was reflecting off it.
"Come on, there is more to show you." She giggled as she danced down the hall pulling his arm behind her.
They arrived at the door to the room she had picked out for the two of them that rested in one of the towers. Once they entered, he saw the same sharp finish that was at the front hall. The master bed had red bed curtains attached to the poles. The bed itself was dressed in a sapphire blue blanket that bore the same crest upon it. The pillows were also sky blue and the furniture in the bedroom had the same polished finish as the rest of them.
"Well, what do you think?" She inquired as she saw his stunned gaze look around the room.
"This is amazing, how did you find time to finish this?" He asked.
"Well, I had a lot of time in between work and our shows at the guild. Plus, the spell you initially used to repair the structure and foundation helped a lot." She replied smiling up at him.
"I now know why you wanted me to stay away from this place and insist we sleep at the Inn until now. You are amazing at this, I am beginning to think we should have looked into this right after we got here, but it matters not." He stopped to turn his gaze back at her. "I will admit, all of this still pales in comparison to you." He said to flirt with her.
He took his coat from her and placed it on the bed.
"Hey, nighttime is approaching, let us go and look at the stars for a bit." He suggested and she quickly nodded with a smile.
He took her in his arms and she wrapped her arm around his neck and the next moment he teleported the two of them outside, hovered over the castle, high in the air. She looked around and saw the vast open sky. When she turned to the west, she saw a single star shining brightly.
Look there, it's the first star in the night's sky." She said and the next moment a shooting star shot across the sky and over the single star. "Oh wow, a shooting star as well." She added and turned to Maximus with her hand gently caressing his cheek. "Do you know what they say about shooting stars that fly over the first star and what they are called?" She asked.
"I am afraid I'm unfamiliar with such a tale. What do people say about them?" Maximus asked knowing full well what she was going to say.
"It is known as the God's Blink and any wish made from it will come true." She replied.
"And what did you wish for?" He said to tease her a little more.
The next moment she flicked his forehead. "You silly, you should know better, for if you say it out loud it will never come true." She began to giggle.
They both had their eyes locked onto one another, staring deep into them as if to peer into each other's soul. She began to move a little towards him and he mirrored her. Before closing her eyes, she had something on her mind she wished to confess to him.
"Maximus, there is something I have been wanting to say for a little while now." She said gracefully.
Maximus remembered the last time she tried to confess what he already knew she was going to say. He was glad they were far away from everyone as to not have any interference.
"That is to say, I love you." She said slowly not to let it be shot out and she waited for his response.
His face formed a smile and she felt a little nervous and more so excited as she knew the words he was going to say. "Aqua, I love you too."
They leaned closer to each other and engaged in their first kiss under the purple and sapphire blue sky. Their lips gently pressed against each other and the salty taste followed soon after. Their tongues danced around within their mouths gracefully.
Aqua felt ecstatic at not only confessing her love to him, but also receiving her first kiss she had never experienced before and glad it was with him. From their exchange that was progressing, she could tell he was a passionate sort and had most likely kissed someone else before her in the same manner.
They wrapped up their kiss and she felt herself shaking a little with newfound feelings which were foreign to her. Her breathing was a little rapid in that moment and she kept her eyes closed feeling his passionate touch still lingering on her lips. She felt a new sensation tingle all over her body as if completely connected to him, a new sense of devotion, deeper than what she felt when they first started their journey.
"I am going to have him tonight, all to myself, and I hope he wants the same." She said to herself.
Maximus could sense the strong bond they were sharing in the moment and was thinking about her a little more. He pressed his forehead against hers and made sure his eyes would not open yet until he sensed she was going to.
"It feels like an eternity since I have been this close to anyone," He paused for a moment swallowing the saliva within his mouth. "And yet, holding her this close in this manner makes me want her tonight more than anything." He finished his thought.
The next moment they both opened their eyes at the same time.
"Let's go," They both started at the same time and stopped to laugh a little.
"Shall we retire to our room?" Aqua inquired.
"I would like nothing more." He replied.
The next moment he teleported them both into their room and he raised her up to have her look down upon him. She had a large grin, stretching from ear to ear, and a soft caring gaze. She leaned down to kiss him a little more while wrapping her arms around his head.
He walked over to the bed to gently placed her down upon it, stopping their kiss. He moved to lay next to her with his left arm wrapping underneath her side and resting it on her lower back. His right hand caressed her left side of her face as she wrapped both arms around his neck and the two leaned closer to each other.
After a few moments of kissing, she moved him to lay on his back and she mounted his waist. She stopped feeling her nerves skyrocketing throughout her body. She was extremely nervous for what was to come next. She sat there for a few moments collecting herself until she finally mustered up the courage to speak to him.
"Maximus," She said with a loving tone. "I am ready for you."