Fame. Wealth. Glory… The vain rewards sought after by all manner of adventurer. Big and small. Miniscule and Grand. The Weak and the Mighty. Under the watchful eyes of the Cardinal Heroes, those fools and pleasure seekers would earn riches and praise beyond their wildest of dreams…
All but those under the care of Kratos, the Chosen of War. Pain, suffering, and merciless anguish would be all those unfortunate men and women who bid their service to him would find. From the moment the last of the "Party Requests" had been accepted, their fates had been irrevocably sealed.
"WORMS!" The Spear Hero exclaimed as he placed his heel upon one of his many 'soldier's' bare backs, keeping the man down as he struggled to push his body up against the weight, "WEAKLINGS! IS THIS WHAT I HAVE BEEN OFFERED!?"
All around him, men and women alike had been given heavy gauntlets and boots as they ran laps within the castle training grounds, lifted stones to temper their arms, and had been forced to fight with heavy and blunt armaments. Their pleading tears echoed through the world as he would swiftly strike the weakest of his party with a sharp crack of a whip, all the while ignoring his own Weapon's complaints for using an unauthorized armament.
This had not been overlooked by the group of men and women as it was said that the Legendary Weapons were beyond fickle… Not only did Kratos ignore the lightning running along his hand, he would often participate in the exercises with just as many weighted pieces and in full armor.
For as harsh as his words had been… for as wicked his actions against them… Kratos was a proven warrior, his victory against the Shield Witch further cementing this fact.
"Pitiful! All of you a disgrace!" Kratos shouted before pointing to a giant in golden armor, "Mald! You are the only true warrior in this court!" The Spear Hero declared, "I leave you to train this excuse for a war band as I prepare our meal for the day!"
"By your words, oh great hero!" Mald had replied before taking up Kratos' still electrically charged whip… the Legendary Weapon having poured far too much power into the leather and in turn imbuing it with elemental force.
As the torturous training was resumed anew, they could only hope that Kratos went to find the aid of a castle cook for their meal…
Not one person seemed to wish to stop whatever it was the Spear Hero was doing in the kitchens, King Aultcray having already proclaimed the man as the kingdom's chosen Hero, but it was starting to get rather… discomforting.
For one, the man had bound and knocked unconscious several beasts and fowl before quickly snapping their necks and slitting their throats as he collected their blood. Afterwards, he had actually taken the time to clean himself before digging around the royal pantry for spices and onions which he began to finely dice along with several other vegetables. Going back to the large collection of animals, the Spartan began to carefully slice, sever, and dissect before tossing away mounds of clumped feathers and skin.
Finding the largest pot he could, Kratos began to fill it with the collected blood and animal parts before lighting a flame and setting the melting pot atop of it. Most of whatever onlookers there had stood speechless while a few of the more experimental cooks had started taking notes. Before long, Kratos had finished the now blackened mass, its smell leaving much to be desired.
With a grunt, Kratos heft the massive pot as he carried it away to his makeshift army, fear and disgust striking all those he passed…
It was the smell that had struck the now tired and resting war band first. The weakest among them had immediately wretched, covering their mouths as they attempted to crawl away. The strongest among them stayed their stomachs long enough to bare witness to just what horrid atrocity carried such an overwhelming stench… What they beheld had to have been the most dreadful stew in existence.
"Um… we aren't actually eating this, right?" One of the women in the party asked, the barely adult woman part of a trio of girls.
"It looks like rotten pig shit," Another of the trio said in disgust.
"Smells like it too," The last of the girls commented as they backed away from Kratos' now piercing gaze.
"For so long as all of you are a part of this… party…" Kratos growled, "This will be all you shall eat as you walk the road of a Spartan soldier! Do I make myself clear!?"
This declaration had been the straw to break the Filorial's back it seemed as more than half of the adventurers had severed their ties to the party. Though simple an act, it would have very dire consequences should they not find and party with one of the other Cardinal Heroes. Some would be ostracized for their weakness, others shunned within their social circles for bringing shame to their families.
Those that remained did their best to stomach the foul black tar their leader called food. Yet… there were some notable adventurers Kratos started to keep an eye on.
"Needs salt," A bored looking noble woman commented as she gingerly ate her share. Even hardened men outside of Sparta found that stomaching the black stew had been a trial, yet this almost Athenian woman ate spoonfuls as if she were chewing on bread.
The golden giant, Mald, had also shown little discomfort to the dish, though beads of sweat dripped from him occasionally. Then… then there had been the most surprising of all. A child in a pointed hat and robes, a witch or mage as the others called the mystic weavers. Despite having no stomach for the stew, little Rino forced the meal down her throat. Looking down at the child had reminded him of his own daughter, Calliope. Silently he approached the child before grunting, Rino gasping as she looked up and up and up…
Even despite her fear ridden face, the child had actually continued to eat. The act of indomitable bravery moved the Spartan, "You shall be a fine warrior under my care, witch," He declared softly, "Do not disappoint me…"
As he walked away, he could hear the child choke on her food before shouting, "I WON'T LET YOU DOWN, SIR KRATOS!" Though she could not see it, the declaration brought a smile to his face. How Calliope would have enjoyed kinship with another like Rino…
By the end of the party's meal, three men had remained and only two of the women. It had been a good move in the Spear Hero's eyes, subjecting them first to the torturous training of a Spartan followed by the dreaded black meal. It had culled the herd in a sense, and now he had a group he was more than certain would be loyal to him.
Especially since…
"Is this for real!?" One of the remaining men exclaimed. He had been garbed in green tinted leathers and carried with him a small wooden mallet.
"I feel like I could take on a hundred waves!" The second added excitedly. This man carrying a similar mallet and was garbed in red.
Mald had not said anything, but it was evident he noticed something as he curled and uncurled his hand.
"A fifteen percent boost to strength and defense…" Rino whispered as she stared at a status menu.
The bored noble only huffed, rather annoyed that she suddenly had so much energy running through her body, "Annoying…" She mumbled to herself.
"We eat like Spartans!" Kratos declared, "We fight like Spartans!" His proceeding war cry was met with an equally excited 'Yeah!' as he led the group of five out of the castle and stopped…
"Sir Kratos, is something the matter?" Mald had asked as he looked down at his scowling leader.
Growling, Kratos gave a huff before shouting, "Manual!" Scaring his party out of their wits, "Hmph, the Witch Mother may have had a point in all this…" He whispered as his eyes saw things his party could not before shouting once more, "Map!"
"Mister Kratos, sir?" Rino spoke up, "We don't have a map…"
Looking down at the now shivering child, Kratos put a gentle hand upon her head, "This Holy Armament holds many secrets… I have called upon a map of the region, but am unfamiliar with the terrain."
"Might I see this map?" Mald asked as Kratos crossed his arms over his chest.
"This magic is foreign to me," Kratos replied, "There may be a command to call upon a physical manifestation of this map, but I do not know how…" Growling once more, Kratos barked orders at the air itself, "REVEAL YOURSELF TO THE WORLD INSUFFERABLE PIECE OF CARTOGRAPHY!" As if reacting to the sheer rage of the Spear Hero, a massive map appeared before the entirety of the party.
"Isn't this," The Green party member muttered as he stared wide eyed at the map.
"A map of Melromarc?" The Red man finalized.
Sighing, the noblewoman walked up to the map before jabbing the ethereal visage with a finger, "We're supposed to go hunting, right?" She asked as Kratos nodded, "We'll follow the eastern path out of the city and onto this empty trail. It's been overrun by monsters since the last wave.
"Then that is where we shall hunt," Kratos stated as he dismissed the map and called out, "Party!"
"You mean," Green spoke up.
"Us, Sir?" Red continued.
Growling at the pair, Kratos looked at the five members and their levels.
Mald: Level 10
Lui: Level 4
Gii: Level 4
Elena: Level 6
Rino: Level 3
"Present yourselves as we walk," Kratos commanded, "As well as how best to utilize your abilities on the battlefield."
Clearing his throat, Mald had spoken first, "I am Mald, Sir Spear Hero. My larger than average frame and strength are best utilized to detain, stagger, and overwhelm any and all manner of beast as well as act as a physical barrier when need be," He explained as if he were attempting to weave a tale, "My proficiencies include greatswords and all manner of axes."
"I'm Lui," The Green man spoke up next as he popped up to Kratos' left and gave a short wave.
"I'm Gii," The Red man continued, popping up on Kratos' right.
"And we are the Luigi Brothers!" The two exclaimed as they started walking backwards in sync while placing their hammers over their chests. Kratos raised an eyebrow at their antics, Mald had scoffed at the two, and Elena stared nonplussed. Rino however couldn't help but giggle at the brothers.
"We deal in quick, debilitating strikes," Lui explained.
"While running circles around anyone that tries to mess with us," Gii continued.
"And if that doesn't work," The two said in unison before jumping rather high in the air, "Then it never hurts to jump!" Grunting, Kratos looked to Elena as if he were silently asking her what she could do.
Rolling her eyes, the nobleman huffed and crossed her arms, "I'm Elena Haven," She replied lazily, "I have a head for business and fight with a sword and magic."
"Business? You have knowledge as a trader?" Kratos asked as the woman gave a quick nod.
"I'm Rino, Sir Kratos!" The child witch declared as she ran up to the Spartan, "I'm training to be a Sorceress so I can make enough gold to help my family out of poverty!"
The child's goal was strong and noble, Kratos thought as he looked down at the girl, "Do not disappoint your mother and father, they will depend on your success."
The child gave a happy nod, determination burning in her eyes.
As the party traversed the path, several feral animals from dogs, foxes, and horned rabbits attacked accompanied by monsters such as living mushrooms and variably colored balloons.
"We'll handle the monsters!" Lui and Gii exclaimed as they jumped into the fray, landing on a pair of mushrooms before batting away a pair of Balloons.
"Mald! Carry Rino over your shoulders and detain the dogs! Haven! To me!" Kratos shouted as the giant snatched the girl with a hand and dropped her onto his helmet as she yelled at the height. Meanwhile, Elena's hand had been engulfed in fire as she drew her blade, a thin rapier which she used to pierce a fox's skull.
Despite the numbers disadvantage as well as the level disparity, whatever boost the food had given the party had proved a saving grace as both animal and monster had either been crushed, stabbed, cleaved, or incinerated with precise ease.
Mald would either step on, grab, or slam a great sword into oncoming beasts while the child atop his head not only lobbed and peppered the floor with fireballs, but had also imbued the giant's weapon with fire. Coupled with the fact Mald still carried the electric whip and the duo saw very little trouble in what they faced.
The Luigi Brothers had much the same luck, finding the waist high mushroom creatures suitable jumping boards as they focused on the many balloons. Said balloons popping upon impact of their falling hammer swings.
Kratos and Elena had the easiest time, the elongated Spear ensuring that no monster or beast ever drew close enough to cause harm as Elena flourished her blade and waved her magic. By the end of the one sided slaughter, the road had been littered with monster parts and charred corpses.
Kratos looked upon the carnage and smiled. It had been less than what he expected of his soldiers, but with time, these individuals would lead teams of their own and rival even the greatest of Sparta's forces… the greatest of his forces… The Spear Hero's smile faltered, uncharacteristic worry etching itself upon his visage as he remembered the moment he would have lost the life he held dear… The moment he would have lost the right to ever see his wife and daughter again.
"Sir Kratos!" Mald exclaimed, shaking the tortured soldier from his reverie, "We have just asked if we are to collect the monster parts and game."
Nodding, Kratos began to stab his Spear into the varying creatures, watching in wonder as the corpses and corpse parts were dragged into the Weapon's jewel. Stranger still had been the many messages that would appear upon every new creature's retrieval. They spoke of new forms his Spear could take.
"Manual!" Kratos shouted once he and his party had finished collecting the parts and putting them within the Spear. Mumbling to himself, Kratos then shouted, "Inventory!" and was greeted by several small boxes and miniature images of the parts held within those boxes. Pressing a box gave him that part, in this case, a giant mushroom cap.
"May we see that?" The brothers asked in unison, Kratos complying as he saw no reason against it, "Hmm, non poisonous," Lui mumbled.
"Medicinal strain," Gii added, "This would be good for an apothecarist," The two then looked to Kratos before echoing, "Got anymore?"
Before long, and at Mald's grumbling expense, a spit was dug and a fire started as Kratos once more got to creating a new batch of Black Blood Stew utilizing the giant's chest plate. With experimental ingredients chosen and prepared by the whole of the party, the wild beast blood soon blackened and thickened as it boiled and heated the cleaned flesh of animal and Myconid alike.
[Mushroom Black Stew: Full Stamina Recovery, Strength up 15%, Defense up 15%, Heal over time 10hp/s]
[Cooking Skill Up!]
"What a strange world…" Kratos whispered as he ate, idly watching his party members choke down the highly nutritious, but incredibly disgusting stew.
"Oh Gods…" Lui mumbled as he fought back tears and the urge to wretch.
"I get that it's good for us…" Gii added as he forced down a spoon.
"But does it have to be so terrible!" The brothers whined in unison.
Despite being silent, it was obvious the others felt the same way… Save for Haven who actually seemed to enjoy this iteration.
Their meal finished and Mald's armor washed and cleaned, the party set off once more with renewed vigor. The path continued on until they reached a massive forest entrance that Elena had sworn had not been there before and was non-existent within Kratos' map until it was existent. The most striking thing however had been…
"Welcome, Kratos!" The talking statue of a woman placed before the forest, "I see you have gathered suitable companions to aid your journey."
"Athena!" Kratos shouted, "What news have you of Sparta!?" The party stayed quiet and kept back as the two began to converse.
"Your home is safe," Athena replied, "No longer able to find you, Ares has relinquished his blessing to the invading barbarians allowing his loyal soldiers to overcome the army."
"For what purpose would Ares send another to lay waste to his people!?" Kratos demanded, "Why abandon us to die!? Why abandon me to die!?"
"That is something I can not answer," Athena replied sadly, "All I can offer you now is the chance to grow in power. To match the God of War so that when the time comes, you may demand those answers from him."
"And how would you propose that?" Kratos questioned as he drew closer to Athena, the statue pointing to the forest as it opened.
"Within, I have locked away creatures and monsters loyal to Ares as well as warriors given freely by Hades," Athena explained, "It is my understanding that your Spear has the ability to evolve with every new beast it slays. Go forth, Kratos. Become wrath incarnate so you may face the God of War!"
Growling, Kratos struck the statue with the Legendary Spear, cracking and loosing stone upon the weapon, "ATHENA! RETURN AND GIVE ME THE ANSWERS I SEEK!"
Silence had reigned before the Spear Hero began to swing and strike the statue until it had become a pile of rubble…
"M-mister Kratos?" Rino called out, gasping in surprise as Kratos quickly turned his head to face her, "I'm sorry! Please don't be mad!" Regretting his rage, Kratos gently knelt before the child and began to hush her now fear induced tears.
"No…" He whispered as he pet her head, "No little one… My anger is not against you…"
"Sir Kratos!" Mald exclaimed as the rest of the party moved closer, "I do not wish to pry, but I believe we are curious as to what has just transpired."
Growling, Kratos rose as he lift the surprised child with him, "A Goddess of my own world, Athena. She has played a hand in my being here and has given us beasts to hunt."
"That was," Lui mumbled.
"A Goddess?" Gii continued.
"Annoying…" Elena muttered.
"Even if you are right about the annoyance Elena, enough talk, now is the time to hunt!" Kratos declared as he entered the forest… the trees almost moving to cover the entrance once the party had been consumed by its darkness.
The grove the party found themselves in was wide and long, almost as if the forest interior had been carved into an arena. Prepared for a fight, the party had been surprised when not a single creature had been present to greet them… at least until a black, flame filled smog rose from the earth to deposit two mighty and rotund ogre like beasts sporting single eyes and surrounded by cream colored skeletons armed with shields and swords.
"Battle positions!" Kratos shouted as Mald quickly took the child and brandished hand axes once Rino was safely affixed atop his shoulders. The Luigi Brothers took on a mirrored battle stance and rushed into the fray and rammed into the skeletons all while Elena peppered a cyclops with fire along with Rino who focused on the second.
Kratos had immediately switched to a fox tailed spear, his speed increasing considerably as he would slice the leg of one cyclops before rolling out of the way of the swing of its wooden club before stabbing and striking the belly and waist of the other.
Though unable to truly comprehend their chosen Hero's skill before, the party was almost struck every now and again from distraction as they bore witness to Kratos' true strength. He was as a hurricane, vicious and swift as he rend flesh from bone as they made short work of the skeletons.
Gasping, the party had thought that they earned a spot of breathing room only to groan as eight blackened hounds wearing spiked metal collars rose from the reappearing smog. The monsters spat bursts of fire at anyone foolish enough to draw near as well as gnashed their steel sharp teeth, one even destroying Gii's hammer.
Thankfully, Kratos had taken hold of a cyclops, blinding the creature as it swung madly and cried in pain. The swings of its massive club would periodically find purchase against a hound, breaking the creature's spine as well as saving one or both of the brothers long enough for Elena to swoop in and finish the job with a well placed jab or fireball.
As the beasts were slain and the cyclops felled, the last of the giants had been struck down by Mald, the golden warrior throwing his axes into the beast's stomach as Rino launched a weak electrical shock onto the metal, the voltage just strong enough to cause the cyclop's stomach to rupture outward spreading its stomach acid all over its insides.
Panting and gasping for air, the party all collectively agreed that once the monster parts had been collected, they would rest for the remainder of the day… so long as Kratos let them…