Erhard sighed as he finally got to cleaning up his shop. It had been a long day and after a few customers and three heroes, he was more than a little mentally exhausted. Entering his forge, he had to fight back a shiver as the first thing to greet him had been the Sword Hero's 'stone' writ. How the monster of a man managed to pound out iron in such a way would forever haunt him so long as it stayed empty.
Shaking his head, he turned to the slab of metal leftover from the shattered blade and the materials he had chosen to add to it in order to make a decent set of armor parts. Steel, bronze, copper… basic metals alone, but good for an alloy. Sighing, he got to work on forming the metals as he started to reminisce on the day.
Shield Hero was quite the strange woman, he thought. They had all been strange in their own way, but the Shield Lady had been strange in that normal way. It was like she was too used to this world despite obviously being from a different one. Then there was the way she held herself around the girl he knew to be the king's first daughter. It was like she was her mother…
He could see it, how childlike Malty looked next to the Shield Hero.
Then… then there was War. Oh sweet gods on high, War was a piece of work. Even now he can feel the writ for 'Chaos Eater' stare at his soul as if demanding to know why it wasn't being completed. The banging from his hammer thankfully kept his mind on the task at hand as he continued his thoughts.
War… what a commanding presence. His very eyes spoke of an ever repeating history of murder, destruction, ruin, and more bodies then even the Waves could pile. The banging from his hammer felt far heavier as the fires brought upon him a bitter chill. Growling, he turned his thoughts to the embarrassment brought upon by the Sword Giant's Amazonian partner. At least the thought of refitting her in real time managed to bring back a bit of heat. Speaking of, why was it he wasn't angry about their Tyrella walking in his shop, and why and how was it so… well mannered?
Confusion wracked his mind as he pondered on 'The Mighty Bow Hero'. The Bow Hero, despite the strange and outlandish outfit… well, it was like he was trying to hide who he was and what he was actually capable of. Being a blacksmith, he could tell a fellow craftsman apart from lesser men and the muscles on the Bow Hero's arms proved that he was no lesser man. Everything down to the way he treated his more than well endowed partner showed it, the Bow Hero was as noble as they came.
He only hoped that the Spear Hero had a good head on his shoulders, already wondering where on the weirdness spectrum he'd fall. Would the Spear's wielder be another walking disaster waiting to happen, or was he a slightly mundane yet dedicated warrior? As he pondered this, he breathed a heavy sigh before pulling back and looking at his handy work before gasping and nearly tripping backwards. Before him hadn't been the normal pauldrons for an adventurer, but spiked and dastardly black shoulder guards adorned with indented skulls.
Once more he looked at Chaos Eater's empty writ and paled. He knew it and it knew it… the longer he took making that dreaded sword, the more it would remind him until it drove him mad. Fortunately for his sanity, he heard gentle tapping from his front door and rushed out.
"Shop's closed! Come back tomorrow!" He shouted.
"Your Queen knows no patience in this matter, Erhard," A gravely voice spoke from the past the door. Quickly swinging it open, he was met by one of the queen's royal spies who quickly ushered themselves in.
Gulping, Erhard closed the door and asked, "What services could I possibly provide to her Majesty?"
"Ask not what you may do for your Queen, but what your Queen may do for you," The cloaked and masked spy replied simply, much to the blacksmith's confusion.
"I-I'm sorry?"
"The queen is willing to pay you handsomely for your continued support of the four Heroes, especially to aid one Shield Hero," The spy clarified, "He will soon be the target of much ridicule."
"Wh- he?" Erhard asked as the spy quickly walked away. The blacksmith rushed out through the door to find no one but held back no word as he shouted, "THE SHIELD HERO IS A WOMAN!"
-Usopp-
The sun had finally begun its descent upon the world, the light of day fleeing the land as the four Heroes made the most of what was left of the fading rays.
Usopp had taken Abigail hunting, finding various mushroom creatures and beasts ranging from ravenous (though weak) rabbits to vicious vulpines and dastardly dogs. Though, he didn't just hunt monsters, but tore out every weed, herb, flower and appraised every tree they came across. He didn't know how, but he would gather the necessary materials to create a suitable weapon for himself and Abigail. She deserved that much after all.
It was in his gathering however when he took notice of a moving shadow. Utilizing his Kenbunshoku haki, Usopp managed to find the 'shadow' and stared in their direction. This startled the shadow as it didn't expect to be seen much less by such a braggart like the bow hero.
Knowing their location was compromised, they decided that discretion was the better part of valor and quickly fled.
"Sir Usopp? Is something the matter?" Abigail asked worriedly, arms full of herbs, twigs and mushrooms.
"The forest must be haunted," Usopp replied with a serious and wary look, "I could have sworn I'd seen the shadows dance."
"Sir Usopp, I find it unlikely that any shadows would dance," Abigail replied matter of factly as she put the herbs down onto a piece of cloth.
Usopp looked around the camp and decided that he would find a better place to set up camp and give him a better lookout for what had apparently been spies. None on the level of CP9 but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared.
"Right Abby, let's get these herbs together and I can tell you an adventure I had where zombies roamed and shadows were stolen."
Abigail could only smile at the closeness she is developing with her hero. This land of undead interested her greatly.
-Kratos-
Night was fast approaching, yet Kratos could not sleep. Nay, he felt as if he had no time for sleep. Not when he needed to return to Sparta. Not when he needed to return to his men… Not when he needed the comfort of his family. Stifling his growing anger, Kratos left the warmth of his shared room and its current inhabitants.
He needed time to clear his head, to forget Athena's words and lies about Ares. He needed-
As he had finally exited the inn, he gave a mighty yell and threw his spear into the nearby alley. The sound of cloth being pinned to stone echoed as whatever was struck let out a muffled grunt. The Spear thrummed from the point of impact as if struggling to be free. Unbeknownst to the Spartan as he made his way to the Spear, the weapon was doing its best to return to his grip, but Kratos' will unintentionally kept it locked in place until he moved to reclaim it himself.
Once free, the cloth that had been pinned to the stone fell to the ground at the exact moment the glint of a blade whipped through the air… only to clash against the shaft of the Spear, Kratos angrily clasping a hand onto his assailant's masked face. With a mighty roar, the would-be assassin was slammed into the wall of the inn back first, head whipping onto the hardened brick as he slumped into unconsciousness.
"Princess Malty…"
'A princess?' Kratos thought to himself. Growling, he held the image of just who this princess could be as he bound, gagged, and meticulously destroyed the bones and continuously concussed the royal assassin before him. It was going to be a cold day in Tartarus before he allowed a child to toy with him...
-War-
The night was cold, yet bright. His eyes wandered the landscape of this world and wondered to himself as to why. Why was it the Charred Council sent him here? Here to a world seemingly unblemished by the forces of Heaven and Hell.
Was it to show him something? Was he to understand the folly of his failure? Then why show him a world not yet rocked by the end of days? To train him? To ensure that the tragedy of Earth was not repeated?
"Sir War, will you not sleep?" Hypolita asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and gestured to the patch of gathered leaves and pelts from the evening's hunt. Artoria had already made a place among the cleaned hides, head and tail wrapped around her body as the fire licked her scales.
"I do not require sleep the same way mortal men do," War replied with his usual smooth monotone.
"Ah, yes… of course Sir War," The Amazon murmured as she made her way to their patch of bedding. It did not bother her to sleep out in the wilderness, in fact, she much preferred it. However, she did not know what it was that War preferred. Was he a warrior content with sleep in such an environment? Did he prefer the comforts the castle had provided?
"Do not wait to sleep," War stated, "I shall be here."
Sighing, Hypolita placed her faith in her chosen Hero and allowed the gentle flicker of flame to lull her body gently to slumber.
War looked to his rag-tag partners, a half naked warrior nigh as tall and strong as he with a body built from muscle and a half dragon beast of unknown history and origin. It was strange how accepting they were of his presence. Of how they followed him despite what little they knew… "Would you follow me if you knew my purpose?" He asked no one.
"Would you allow them to?" And no one answered.
Whipping about, War unsheathed his Broken Blade, leveling it a cloaked figure, their face well hidden behind a mask.
"Hold, Hero of the Sword," The cloaked figure uttered, "I do not wish you harm."
"Then stay your ground and relinquish your weapon," War demanded, his own blade never moving an inch.
Sighing, the stranger dropped a curved longsword at War's feet as well as several daggers and knives, "I shall repeat that I do not wish you harm, Hero."
"Then state your purpose," War growled.
Nodding, the cloaked stranger removed their mask to reveal a feminine, yet battle hardened gaze, an eyepatch over her right eye and a single crimson eye staring intently, "I am a Shadow in her majesty's service. A spy if you will."
"What does one who lurks in the darkness require of me?" War questioned.
"Ask not what you may do for your Queen, but what your Queen may do for you," The Shadow replied as she stepped forward, "We Shadows have been tasked with giving aid to the summoned Heroes. What that task is shall differ depending on the needs of each Hero."
War gave a low hum that did not seem to unnerve the Shadow. Nodding, he sheathed his blade and looked away, "Do as you wish, but know that if harm comes to my current companions because of your actions, it is your Queen who shall pay."
Nodding, the Shadow donned their mask once more before retrieving their daggers, "The blade shall be yours to keep. Should you require my service, call for my name, Valmet."
Nodding, War watched as Valmet faded into the darkness before continuing his vigil.
-Cheryl-
The night had been far chillier than she thought it would be. Still, she forwent her own warmth and comfort and decided to drape Myne in her prized jacket. It looked like she needed it too, what with her tossing, turning and deathly cold skin.
"What are you dreaming about right now?" Cheryl asked the sleeping red head as she smoothed her knuckles over her cheek, Myne sighing as she seemed to manage a smile.
This world had been something new to her, yet more than a little familiar. Having two sons, you tend to pick up on a few things after all. Video games, animated media… surprisingly saucy books and less surprisingly saucy books… If she had to guess, she more than likely Isekai'd herself with her own psychic powers.
"Could be worse I guess. At least I'm not pregnant with a hate baby this time," Cheryl said to herself before chuckling, "By the way, how long you plan on hiding?" She asked as she looked off to the side, eyes sharpening to a glare as a knife had flown through the air only to stop centimeters from piercing her head. As sweat built up along her brow, she turned the knife at an angle and willed it into the tree she leaned against, "We playing that game, huh? Great, just when I was actually starting to enjoy myself…"
The psychic needed to keep track of her Mana as more and more knives flew at her from all sides. After the third knife, she managed to lock onto her assailant, after the fifth, she learned his (or her) pattern. After the ninth, a wet and sloppy sound of impacting metal piercing flesh and the grunting of a muffled voice.
"You… are far more skilled than what was expected," A voice called out as a shadowed figure shakily made itself visible, "The Shield Demon should not be capable of such a feat."
"Demon, huh?" Cheryl asked, "You know, the last person to make that mistake doomed an entire town," She explained calmly, "Unlike my mom though, I can do something before getting burned alive."
It was a bluff as she had drained the entirety of her Mana, but it was a bluff she was willing to bank on.
"Do not think that your reckoning shall be avoided simply because of your gender, Demon," The Shadow taunted, "Killing you may doom our world, but Melromarc shall be no safe haven for you…" With that, the Shadow once more faded into the darkness as Cheryl sighed in relief.
"Dad… Douglas... Alessa…" She whispered to herself, "If you're out there… keep Myne safe."
Author's Note:
Azure: Just a quick little thing before the revolving door starts back up with Cheryl. I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing.