Chapter 8: Children of Apocalypse
-Camp Site-
Naofumi and his party set up a small camp ways away from the kingdom after finishing their business. Raphtalia gained a new sword due to her old one being shattered by Glass while also given more supplies by the blacksmith. Yin and Yang sat by the riverbed looking out at the dawning sky talking about the good old days as Naofumi was cooking food for them.
"Found You!" Melty's voice shouted from behind the groups gathering earning everyone's attention.
"Melty?" Yang asked standing up and making his way to Naofumi along with Yin.
A royal carriage with seven knights escorting her before finally coming to a stop. Melty poked her head out of her carriage smiling.
"Oh, Mel-chan!" Filo shouted as she got off her seat and waved to her friend. "Hey! Long time no see!"
"It hasn't been that long has it?" Yin asked looking down at his brother then back at Melty as the princess was making her way to Naofumi.
"Shield Hero. I'd like you to return to the capital and meet King Aultcray once more," Melty asked looking at Naofumi.
"I refuse," Naofumi shouted making Melty take half a step back before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath and opening her eyes.
"I want you to apologize for your conduct and reconcile," Melty spoke making Yang narrow his eyes.
"I refuse!" Naofumi shouted back at her.
"We need your help to stop the waves. Also, you would have been lost without the King's financial support," Melty spoke glaring at Naofumi while gritting her teeth.
"Support? I'm the one graciously working with you lot until the waves are gone," Naofumi said with a smug look causing Melty to face the ground making Yin sigh heavily and walk up to the young princess.
"Why..." Melty started making Yang raise a brow. "Why do you and my father have to be like this?!" She shouted glaring at Naofumi earning a surprised gasp from most of the party. "A hero and the king can't be fighting amongst themselves! Absolutely not!"
"Mel-chan?" Filo asked blinking her eyes.
"Don't you agree Filo?" Melty shouted looking at Filo. "Don't you agree as well Raphtalia! Even you Yin-san?!"
"This is why I hate politics," Yang commented immediately earning Melty's attention.
"All Naofumi has to do is apologize to my father! How hard is that?!" Melty continued to question.
"Sounds dumb to me," Yang answered with narrowed eyes as he walked up to stand in front of Melty now.
"Why is it dumb?!" Melty asked loudly.
"For one...Naofumi did nothing wrong," Yang started before taking a deep breath. "The one who has done wrong is your father...well and your sister...but mostly your father. I hate talking about politics but I ain't bad at it either. Tell me Melty...what has boss here done wrong?"
"He disrespected my father and..." Melty started before Yang raised his hand to stop her from continuing.
"Let me stop you right there little girl," Yang interrupted with a chuckle. "The one who started to disrespect boss here first was your father...and to add salt to the injury, your older sister even made a dumb rumor that further damaged his reputation and gave many others to not show any bit of respect to him. Only a rare handful have shown him respect...not including the party of course. So before you talk any more about who should apologize to who, you need to find out the story on both sides rather than one side."
"Brother..." Yin whispered looking at his brother.
Yang's relaxed expression suddenly shifted to full attention as his eyes widened while watching one of Melty's escorts holding a crystal ball followed by another running toward the princess with his sword drawn. Yin's eyes caught the sudden shift in his brothers standing and turned his attention to where Yang was looking to see the same knight moving forward. The paladin ran forward and brought his left arm up blocking the sword while Yang took hold of the princess and jumped back to land behind Naofumi.
"What are you doing?!" Yin shouted pushing the sword away while glaring at the knight.
"Curse you?! How dare you take Princess Melty Hostage!" The knight shouted causing the two brothers' eyes to widen.
"Don't you fucking dare..." Yang whispered.
"Hostage?" Naofumi repeated confused.
"...we're getting set up..." Yang said gritting his teeth while releasing his hold on the princess and walking back by Yin's side. "Boss. If this is anything like before...we are going to have a very difficult time,"
"Fellow knights! Justice is on our side!" The knight shouted while raising his sword before pointing it at Yin and Yang. "Destroy the Devil Shield and his slaves!"
With the command given, the other knights charged toward Yin and Yang before the Paladin took hold of two of their swords. Yang ran forward and used his left palm to redirect the sword followed by bringing his right fist into the knight's face knocking him out. Yin was taking on four knights on his own, but their swordsmanship was something he was very used to and simply slapped the swords to parry while countering with a full-on straight punch.
"Raphtalia! Filo!" Naofumi shouted causing the others to join in on the fight that lasted only a few seconds before the knights that charged at Naofumi's party were knocked out.
"R-Retreat!" The same knight from before called out with a smirk as they turn tail and ran.
"Wanna chase them?" Filo asked looking at Naofumi.
"No," Naofumi spoke looking at Yang. "Yang. What did you mean when you said we were going to have a difficult time?"
"A noble did the same thing to me in blackmailing. Remember when I told you that you were framed like me?" Yang asked looking over at Naofumi who simply nodded. "Well it just so happened to be something like this but...on a...smaller scale. Just a nobles daughter looking to try and throw me in prison or get me killed so that she could have bro here all to herself...but at that time pops was still around so things were settled fast thanks to our families trust in one another,"
"What were the nobles claim?" Raphtalia asked blinking her eyes.
"She claimed that Yang killed their slaves and a few of their knights. They had a crystal ball, just like the one that was being held by the knight in the back," Yin answered.
"I kicked their ass sure, but I promised not to kill unless absolutely needed and honestly I barely tried to knock them out. Their swordsmanship was terrible," Yang said with a chuckle before sighing and shaking his head.
"So the claim was solved because of mother's magic giving her the ability to force others to tell the truth," Yin continued. "The slaves and knights were not killed...but were merely hiding. Because of this...father broke off all ties to this noble."
Melty fell to her knees with her hands on her thighs and eyes closed tightly as she shook from fear. Raphtalia was the first to bring her attention to the princess to kneel and try to comfort the princess.
"Are you okay, Mel-san?" Raphtalia asked with her hand on Melty's back.
"Boss, we need to leave this country as soon as possible," Yang said looking at Melty then at Naofumi with a serious expression who only nodded and looked to the wagon.
"We're leaving," Naofumi spoke as he made his way to the wagon. "Melty is coming with us as well,"
The party immediately packed up and left the road to try and find a route out of the country.
-Hours later-
Naofumi's party was gathered in the forest with a small fire while the shield hero himself left to scout around for the time being. Melty sat with Filo still shaking from her experience of nearly being killed by her escorts.
"Mel-chan..." Filo whispered worriedly for her friend.
The sound of rustling caught the attention of Raphtalia, Yin, and Yang before Naofumi was seen walking out of the bushes.
"Naofumi-sama," Raphtalia spoke as the shield hero joined his party member leaving Yin and Yang to talk to one another.
After a brief time has passed, Naofumi turned his attention over to Melty narrowing his eyes at her.
"Thanks to her stupid dad, we're stuck here with nowhere to go," Naofumi pointed out causing Melty to glare at the shield hero and push herself off the ground gritting her teeth.
"My father can't be behind this," Melty shouted causing Yang to get up groaning.
"Yes, he is. Your father does the dumbest shit girl and your defense to your father, although understandable, is also dumb," Yang said tilting his head while walking up to her. "Who else would have ordered your death?"
"...my sister probably," Melty answered causing Yang to blink.
"Damn... the life of a royal sucks!" Yang commented while snickering and shaking his head.
"So she's trying to kill you and take your place as crown princess," Naofumi said looking at Yang causing him to shut up before turning his attention back to Melty.
"That is how some royal families are...survival of the fittest," Yin added closing his eyes and lowering his head.
"But those knights who attacked you are under the king's direct control, right? It'd be natural to assume he's in on this," Naofumi pointed out causing Yin's head to rise slightly while Melty remaining quiet. "Knowing them, they want to frame 'The Devil of the Shield' for this whole plot, huh?"
"Father would never!" Melty shouted earning a glance from Yang.
"How are you so sure of yourself little girl?" Yang asked narrowing his eyes and taking a step forward.
"Because father is..." Melty started but stopped half-way.
"Why stick up for a scumbag like him?" Naofumi questioned before turning his back to Melty.
"You're wrong!" Melty screamed while gripping the bottom of her dress rightly causing Yang to walk in front of the princess with his head tilted slightly.
"If you are so sure little girl, shall we continue where we left off then?" Yang challenged causing Melty to look up at the Beggar with watery eyes.
"Brother, don't," Yin spoke walking up and placing his hand on to his brother's left shoulder to pull him back but this only caused Yang to move his shoulder enough to move out of the paladins grasp, even though he was not trying.
"No, she thinks her father is the greatest person in the world with no hint of corruption whatsoever. And if that were the case, little girl, why is it that our family perished for his decision and cowardice? Give me a good answer little girl...and do not even try to lie," Yang challenged now glaring down at the young princess.
"That..." Melty spoke but stopped while gritting her teeth again.
"That's what I thought you little..." Yang started but was stopped as Yin wrapped his arms around his brother's neck and held him there until he passed out only to place him over his shoulder and bowed his head in respect to Melty.
"I know you mean well Princess Melty...but for what your father has done not even I can trust you...or the royal family," Yin spoke turning his back on Melty as well as following Naofumi.
"Why won't either of you understand?!" Melty shouted after wiping her tears. This caused Yin to stop in his tracks. "This is no time to be fighting among yourselves! Talk to father one more time!"
"If only it were that easy Melty-sama. Your father started this...and I do not think he will ever apologize for what he has done to both the shield hero and the Todoroki household," Yin replied without turning to look at the princess before continuing on in following Naofumi to the edge of the cliff.
"Naofumi-sama..." Raphtalia whispered.
-With Naofumi-
"Naofumi-sama," Yin spoke walking by his side to look at the border before them. "...although Melty is the child of the king...she means well...it is not her doing that we are in this mess,"
"You would take her side?" Naofumi asked turning to look at Yin.
"I am not taking her side. I am giving you a different perspective of what is happening to the young princess," Yin replied turning to look at Naofumi. "She is young and given the title crowned princess for a reason. Unlike the king, the Queen is much more reasonable than her husband,"
"What are you trying to say?" Naofumi asked narrowing his eyes now.
"She is young. What child would not try to defend her parents? Even if one is bad, it is not her fault," Yin answered looking back out at the borders once more. "Give her a chance as you have given us,"
"...and if she is like her father?" Naofumi asked with a raised brow.
"Simple," Yin said casually before turning and looking at Naofumi. "I will kill her myself,"
Naofumi's eyes widen at this before watching as Yin went back to the group so that he could rest for the next day along with his brother.
-Dawn-
Dawn had arrived as a party began to travel through the mountainside of the landscape. Naofumi took the lead as the main guard with Melty being behind him followed by Filo and Raphtalia. The brothers stayed in the back in means of being the main rear guard in case an ambush took place allowing the party upfront to talk with one another.
"Are you going to keep with what you said, bro?" Yang asked with his hands behind his head.
"What do you mean?" Yin asked looking at the ground.
"...if she betrays us...will you really kill her?" Yang continued while letting out a heavy sigh. "Cause last I checked you're not the type to just say something and not back it up,"
"I will do what needs to be done if it ever crosses that point," Yin said closing his eyes.
"I've never known you to be a child killer bro. If it ever comes down to it...I will do it. You already killed many people but those many have always been men, young men or older. You have never killed a woman or a child no matter what they did to us. That burden is something I will take upon myself rather than let you live with your life with the blood of a child on your hands,"
-Hours later-
The party had gathered at a cave allowing some of them to rest while the brothers remained outside. Naofumi eventually came along to stand before Yin while looking down at him.
"Is there something up boss?" Yang asked narrowing his eyes.
"Would you do it?" Naofumi asked still looking at Yin.
"...yes," Yin answered looking up at Naofumi.
"And he will do it. But such a thing will not be done by him. That role falls strictly under me," Yang spoke up finally gaining Naofumi's attention.
"Would you go so far to kill a child?" Naofumi asked narrowing his eyes now.
"Boss, please. I have my records and bro has his records. And let me tell you, my record of killing is much higher than bros. This will not be my first time killing a child, hell I've even killed women and the elderly. Assassins have been sent to take us out for some time now, and every single time I would have to deal with them by myself. The shitty thing is, they sent everything at us. Bounty hunters, assassins, spies, soldiers, knights, animals, monsters, and even women and children as well as elderly to take our lives. Why would they do that? Hell, I don't fucking know. It just happens and we just have to live with it," Yang explained with a shrug while sighing heavily. "It's something I hope you do not gain either boss. I hate to admit it as, cold-blooded as you are or at least you act to be... there are people out there much more ruthless than you are. Take the other princess, for example, she's ruthless and a bitch. The sad thing is there are people a lot more ruthless than her so be wary,"
Naofumi listened carefully before sighing heavily and nodding his head before turning and walking back to the others. As soon as Naofumi was far enough away Yin turned to his brother with a confused look.
"When have you dealt with those trying to hunt us?" Yin asked with wide eyes hearing of this for the first time.
"Every time I went for a little...walk...I think. Pfft, I can't remember every single encounter since it happened so much," Yang answered scratching the bottom of his neck while looking up at the coming night sky in deep thought.
"Every time you went for a walk?" Yin repeated. "That was practically ten times a day,"
"Okay in truth some of them were just a normal walk...the rest were me dealing with hunters or assassins," Yang pointed out making Yin roll his eyes and sigh.
"You really watch over me brother..." Yin said chuckling while shaking his head. "I'll be honest...I do not want to kill Melty-sama..." The paladin spoke closing his eyes.
"I know bro...but there's a difference between want to and have to. And knowing you bro...you would have done it too...but at a cost," Yang said looking at his brother. "It's getting late...I'll take the first watch...you rest up,"
Yin smiled at this and nodded his head before closing his eyes and rested himself while sitting up straight.
-Hours later-
As time passes the party was gathered to continue moving at night at the cover of darkness. Sadly, it did not go as planned as try found themselves cornered by not just soldiers but also the other three heroes. Yang narrowed his eyes while Yin prepared his great sword.
"you're surrounded. Cease your resistance and release princess melty at once," Said the bow hero.
"Release? It's not like I have her tied up," Naofumi corrected with his left hand on his hip.
"Quit lying. We have all the proof we need," The spear hero countered with a smirk.
"Dumbass," Yang commented loudly earning a scowl from the spear hero.
"Heroes, I'm perfectly fine, as you can see. The shield hero kept me safe," Melty defended.
"Hang on. Didn't Naofumi abduct you?" The sword hero questioned now slightly confused.
"A dastardly plot was behind all this. I asked him to take me and protect my life," Melty explained.
"Protect?" The sword hero repeated.
"What could the shield hero possibly stand to gain by abducting me? The queen told me... This is the time for all of us to work together to thwart the catastrophes. Our world cannot withstand any further pointless conflict! Please put your weapons away," Melty continued.
"As she says, this is a setup. I'll tell you everything I know. So-," Naofumi said but stopped as he was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"You mustn't listen to him! That devil possesses a brainwashing shield. is that a cursed shield lets him take over one's mind just by talking to them," Malty explained.
"What... Who would believe such a lie?" Raphtalia asked.
"Raphtalia's right. Who the hell would believe such a dumb lie?" Yang added.
"The three heroes church has found that heretic School worship the devil shield have started popping up in the past month," Malty started while turning her back to Naofumi them.
"The three heroes church again?" Naofumi commented.
"This is fucking bullshit!" Yang shouted with wide eyes.
"The devil of the shield called himself 'The savior of the Heavenly Fowl' and went around brainwashing innocent people!" Malty continued while turning to face Naofumi and pointing at his party.
"That is not true. Naofumi-sama has done nothing but correct the mistakes of the other three heroes!" Yin shouted in defense to the shield hero.
"You have no proof of his feats!" Malty countered while glaring at Yin who flinched at this.
"Sister?" Melty said softly.
"Melty, you poor thing!" Malty said while clasping her hands together. "I see the devil of the shield has already brainwashed you,"
"Bitch...you're really starting to piss me off with your fucking lies," Yang whispered whole gritting his teeth.
"I see! Then Raphtalia-chan and Filo-chan were really brainwashed by Naofumi, too," The spear hero spoke with a smile.
"That is not true either!" Yin shouted as he began to shake trying his best to hold in his rage.
"Yin's right! You're wrong! We haven't been brainwashed!" Raphtalia shouted.
"It's my shield had an ability like that, we wouldn't be in the situation to begin with!" Naofumi added.
"But there's no guarantee that it doesn't. Do you have any proof to convince us?" The sword hero spoke up while raising his left hand. "Naofumi, hand over the second princess. I promise you she won't be harmed in any way,"
"Are you all fucking deaf or stupid!?" Yang shouted while walking up and stopped after a few steps to be in front of Naofumi them before stabbing the ground with his sword. "No proof of bosses feats? The fuck you want us to do? Bring a plank saying we did that? Even so you should know the rule of a Todoroki! They cannot lie! All he says is the truth!"
"And how is that proof exactly? The Todoroki household has been dead for years. do you think as foolish to believe the words of the servant of the devil shield?" Malty countered with a grin.
"You son of a..." Yang spoke but was stopped as Naofumi placed his hand into the beggars to stop him.
"Well, if we can avoid fighting, that might be for the best," Naofumi spoke.
"You're absolutely right, Ren-sama! Melty's safety comes first!" Malty spoke looking over to her younger sister grinning.
This caused melty to tightly grip the robe of the shield hero.
"Come, now. Let's go home together," Malty said softly while reaching her hand out smiling.
"That's not going to happen bitch," Yang shouted while stepping in front of Naofumi and Melty. "I can feel the blood list from your gaze woman...and for someone whose killed many already. That's not something to be proud of,"
Naofumi took the hint then glanced at Melty who was now shaking in fear while tightly closing her eyes. With a soft sigh, Naofumi raised his right arm slightly to place his shield in front of Melty.
"Ren, I appreciate your offer, but I don't trust that woman with second princess," Naofumi said looking to the sword hero.
"What do you mean?" The sword hero questioned.
While Malty was talking, Yin listened in with the rest of the party along with Yang.
"You want to be crown princess so badly that you're willing to kill your own sister? you'll see you're undoing the brainwashing and killer when no one's looking. I bet that's what you're planning." Naofumi shouted, interrupting Malty's question. "I did promise to keep you safe."
"Spoken like a real hero," Yang commented while smiling.
"Filo!" Naofumi shouted while looking at the Fowl'.
" 'Kay!" Filo shouted back while raising her right hand and transforming to her real body allowing most of the party members to hop on their back while Yin and Yang stayed on the ground ready to make a run for it.
"Go!" Naofumi shouted as most of the group took off while Yin and Yang followed after them.
It only took a second before the spear hero through an ankle cuff that snared onto Filo's leg turning her back into her human form and causing the party to fall to the ground. During this time Fila was captured by the spear hero while Naofumi, Raphtalia, and Melty landed in the narrow path. As they got up they began to fight against Malty and the other two heroes; the sword and bow hero. The two brothers were held back by the soldiers that blocked their path preventing them from joining with Naofumi them.
"Heaven's descent?" Yang asked looking at his brother who nodded.
The Paladin pulled his sword out and spiraled once while Yang jumped up allowing Yin to bring the flat part of his sword to his brothers feet and launching him over the soldiers. While the soldiers attention was on Yang, Yin ran forward and bulldozed through their blockade easily making it through to find Melty trying to kill her sister. Seeing this yin's eyes grew wide with rage and fury while his armor darkened jet black as he continued to charge toward Malty. Yang on the other hand landed behind melty while turning to look up toward the other princess feeling the bloodlust not from her but his own brother just like last time.
"Brother?" Yang whispered.
"Myne-san? Are you trying to kill Princess Melty?" The bow hero asked as he and the sword hero glared up at the princess.
"She's the one who attacked first!" Malty shouted before hearing the sounds of heavy footsteps behind her.
What the princess saw was a black armored Knight that gave off the image of a raging rhino who jumped up in an attempt to crush her under his feet. Malty's eyes grew wide with fear before she jumped off the cliff and landed near the sword and bow hero.
"Yang! Call off your brother!" The sword heroes shouted.
"...I...am not...his brother..." Yin replied well standing up tall and glaring down at the two heroes.
The heroes were left dumbfounded, including Naofumi before the jet black paladin jump off the cliff and descended toward the two heroes and the princess. Yang immediately ran past Naofumi and jumped up while bringing his sword out to crash into the Paladin knocking one another back. Yin found himself back up on the cliff while yang crashed into the ground in front of the swords hero Ren.
"...ow..." Yang spoke pushing himself off the ground and keeping his focus on his brother.
'You cannot save him, Yang Maeda,' Lavar whispered into his ears.
"Yes, I can! I will save my brother from the fate bestowed upon us by the gods!" Yang shouted before getting to his feet.
'You will fail...just like the many others before you,' Lavar whispered before disappearing.
"Well they ain't nothin' like me," Yang whispered back before raising his sword and closing his eyes.
"What are you doing?" The sword Hero asked unsure who to aim his sword at.
"Isn't it obvious? Kill these two!" Malty shouted just as Yin launched himself toward the Malty once more.
"I demand a meeting with those who slumber in the graveyard of blades," Yang spoke causing the world around him to stop in motion and fall silent.
-Sword Graveyard-
Yang opened his eyes to find himself standing in the same field of swords as before but this time instead of being surrounded by thousands of swords, there were only five swords each with their own forms. four of them being young girls while the last one was a young man with his arms crossed.
"We are the children of the apocalypse. Why have you summoned us?" The male questioned glaring at Yang who gritted his teeth and fell to his knee and bowed his head to the five.
"...to make a deal," Yang spoke earning a surprised gasp from one of the four girls.
"You would fall to your knee and bow your head to us to make a deal? What is it?" The male asked tilting his head.
"My brother...I can feel him in there...you said many have failed before me...but tell me...have any made a deal with you?" Yang asked raising his head to look around him seeing the confused look of all five. "I'll take that as a no..."
"What is your deal? When we hear it...only then will we decide to accept it or not..." The male spoke narrowing his eyes.
"Let me use you five as my own...and if the day comes that I no longer feel my brother's presence...no matter how much I want to save him...I will kill him..." Yang answered closing his eyes.
"A bold claim...but it is only words...how do we know that you will hold to it?" The male asked now unfolding his arms now.
"Then I will use the march of a hundred warriors...and have Death judge me..." Yang spoke opening his eyes ever so slightly.
"...very well..." The male spoke with a faint smile.
"But brother!" One of the girls spoke up but was silenced the moment he turned his gaze to her.
"You will have access to all five of us Yang Maeda...but if you break your word...know that we will do everything in our power to not only kill the son of Wrath but also the four heroes," He spoke causing Yang to nod his head in understanding. "Now go. Show them the strength of the children of the apocalypse,"
-Present-
Yang opened his eyes and gritted his teeth sashing upwards.
"Terra!" Yang shouted as his katana was suddenly transformed into a dull bastard sword made of stone which knocked the paladin into the air. "You still wanna try me bitch?" He asked turning to look at Malty who froze in place. "Didn't think so..."
With that said, Yang turned his attention back to the falling paladin who was slowly spinning forward from the sudden attack.
"Vapos!" Yang whispered and jumped up to slash at his brother once more while the sword transformed into a long Muramasa with its blade being made of pure wind.
As the blade touched Yin, it launched him to the other side of the path.
"GET TO THE OTHERSIDE!" Yang shouted before looking over to Filo who had broken out of the spear heroes grasp and knocked him out.
"Stop them!" Malty shouted as Filo broke the cuff on her ankle and flew toward Naofumi.
"Release of Lavar!" Yang shouted throwing his sword at the pathway watching as it separated into a hundred swords.
The swords were engulfed in flames as they destroyed the pathway between Malty's group and Naofumi's. Yang clapped his hands and caused one of the many swords to appear in his hand to use it as a board to fly back to his boss. Halfway to Naofumi, it shifted back into a normal sword causing him to face plant into the ground before picking himself up and groaning.
"Let's go. Hurry," Naofumi spoke as he retreated with Melty and Raphtalia with Filo carrying an unconscious Yin on her back in her bird form.
'Step on me like that again and I'll kill you myself,' Lavar threatened earning an annoyed sigh from Yang.
"Duly noted," Yang spoke following after Naofumi.
/To be continued...