It was a strange start to the day, of that War was certain. When night had fallen and his allies fell to slumber, War spent the remainder of his night not only contemplating his next move, but reviewing the abilities of the 'Legendary Sword'. It was a decently empowered blade if the many blackened silhouettes held within its 'menu screen' meant anything, and it's ability to grow and evolve with each new item placed within it was certainly something to behold… but it wasn't his sword.

When the sun finally rose, he had learned all he could of his new blade and it's few varied forms. Although hopeful the weapon would gain new forms the more it devoured, he held some excitement at the prospect of holding what would at least be a somewhat proper replica of Chaos Eater…

"Mm~ Good morning Sir War," Hypolita murmured as she stretched languidly. War gave a grunt of acknowledgement, the Amazonian only giggling as she stood.

Artoria followed shortly, slowly clawing her way to her feet before lazily trodding to War's side and yawning. A hand found itself upon the half dragon's head, massaging the scaly scalp only to pull away. The Tyrella watched her new master's slow yet strangely methodical movements, single eye focused squarely upon him. His stature was something to be desired, but his strength and diligence had reminded her of her younger years… and her first master.

The man was no giant, he had swung naught but a sword a fraction the size of War's, but he was a warrior and a confidant. 'Masters' after her first were little more than prideful toddlers. Some used her in hopes of obtaining a glory they never deserved, others coveted her for her strength… and others only wanted something to hurt.

But not War...

The trio had left the small patch of forest they found themselves in, eyes set upon Melromarc's castle walls. As they traveled, War reminisced as well of the day prior… of the moment the trio had begun their adventure.

Artoria had stopped nary steps away from the guard towers, soldiers already snickering and or shaking their heads slowly and ruefully as they awaited the 'show'. The Tyrella lowered herself onto the earth as if waiting for the pair of War and Hypolita to mount her. Hypolita had been the first, War taking his time as he felt something had been off about his new mount.

"Ten silver she drops him in les than a minute," War heard a soldier murmur.

"Hah! I'll take that bet and raise you thirty she'll drop him in half that time!" Another soldier audibly shouted.

"You… won't actually drop us will you?" Hypolita asked the Tyrella worriedly. Artoria had only stared her down with her scarred, closed eye.

"Hypolita…" War growled out, shocking his partner to attention, "Dismount," Quickly nodding, the Amazon quickly got off much to the surprise and curiosity of the Tyrella, "Artoria. Rise."

With a widened eye, the half dragon did as she was told and rose before shaking away any loose dirt. With a nod, War walked up to her side and placed a hand atop her neck. For a moment, the two locked their gaze on the other as if reaching a silent agreement… just before she had burst forward, dragging War with her.

Surprised at the sudden turn of events, Hypolita stood wide eyed and mouth agape… at least until she jumped a little in shock at a soldier giving her a telescope of all things.

"They told you about that one, right?" The rather young and small soldier asked. Hypolita gave a slow nod at this as she tried to look for War as he continued, "That Tyrella supposedly does this every time a knight or adventurer tries to take her out of the stables. I'm sorry the Sword Hero has to go through this."

Humming in discomfort, Hypolita finally found War and Artoria. Much to her surprise, War had actually mounted the speeding Tyrella successfully and was holding on to the half dragon with absolute ease.

Through surprisingly high jumps, harsh turns and even a quick run through a thick forest; Artoria could not shake her rider try as she might. It irked her that the giant was such a talented rider… but it also filled her with such excitement that she couldn't help but wish to know if War was enjoying himself as well. With one last push and a grand roar, Artoria ran back to the castle gates and deliberately crashed meters before the Amazon.

From this point forward, it wouldn't matter if War held on to her or not. She would be his mount for better or worse, and as she tumbled forward into a vicious and haphazard roll, War curled in and rolled with her before pinning her down back first all as he stabbed his sword next to her head.

As they stared at the other, War simply smiled down at her. He would be her rider and she would be his mount.

With his mind once more focused on the present day, War once more found himself en route to those fated gates as, unbeknownst to him, history would be made once more.

"Sir War! Your left!" Hypolita shouted, her words rocking him from his reverie as he threw out his palm and caught…

"A Balloon?" He asked himself as he drew the shivering monster close. Eyes sharpening, he could see something almost familiar about the beast. Quickly hiding the beast, War turned his eyes to a contingency of approaching knights.

"Sir War!" The lead knight exclaimed, "Your presence is needed within the castle! Please accompany us!" Grunting, War hid the Balloon away within his own weapon as it morphed into a massive orange greatsword.

The trek to Melromarc's castle was slow going and tense, much of the citizenry having gathered before the castle's entrance.

"Sir War, what do you believe is happening?" Hypolita asked with a hushed tone, her only reply a grunt.

The guards had dispersed the crowd somewhat and allowed War and his companions through, but immediately stopped Artoria from progressing, "I am afraid this Tyrella must remain in the stables until further-" The poor fool of a soldier who had said this quickly found War's unforgiving gaze upon him as a chill ran down their spine, "A-apologies… please go right ahead…" The doors open, the accompanying soldiers let go of a collective sigh of relief.

Within, War was quietly ushered into a waiting room along with, much to his surprise, Usopp.

"Jester," War murmured in his usual gravelly voice.

"War," Usopp replied with a slight nod of respect.

"Sir Bow Hero," Hypolita spoke up, "Would you know of what's happening? Why were we called here?"

Usopp kept his eyes on her face and earned a slight recognition from War for not being distracted by her lack of dress.

"As far as I know we are here for a fair and just trial of the shield witch or shield demon."

This confused Hypolita while War only raised a brow.

"Demon?" The Amazon asked, "Why would they call the Shield a 'demon'? What has happened?"

" Oh you know the usual. Corruption of a princess, planning against the crown, being evil. You know regular things you label a scapegoat as." Usopp spoke with a hint of bitterness remembering what his nakama Robin went through.

The Amazon blinked in utter confusion, but was unable to voice her concerns as the door opened. A knight entered and bowed before he addressed the Heroes and their companions, "Sir Sword and Bow Hero, it is time."

"Time!? Time for what exactly?" Hypolita asked the knight in the stead of her Hero.

"I apologise, but as the trial has reached its conclusion, the details mean very little," The knight replied off handedly as he marched out.

"Meaningless," War murmured as he followed.

The group of five were soon brought before the throne room's gates as Aultcray's voice bellowed: "May the Sword and Bow Heroes enter!"

Many eyes were upon them, but War could not care less. All he had seemed to care for was his potential kin, the woman chained upon the floor and forced to kneel before the king. The sight itself… it filled him with a cold and bitter rage. Unfortunately, he had missed most of his fellow Hero's speech, (though it seemed this Jester was more than he first believed) however he did see when his arrow sang through the sky and pierced a hidden Shadow.

War never did see the point of hiding in the shadows. If one cannot fight their enemy at their best, what claim would one possibly have to truly defeat them?

"Sir War," Aultcray began as he shook away the sensation of unease, "The Bow Hero's… actions aside, have you words for this demon?"

"If her only crime is having been born a demon, then I am guilty of the same," War replied. It shocked many in the room, his partner among them, but his only concern had been Cheryl, the woman looking at him with understanding.

War had said nothing as he left, his partners doing much the same despite Hypolita's unease. Once outside of the castle proper, War once more found himself before Usopp, the bowman waiting for something.

"Jester," War called out with a bit more solemnity and respect then before.

"Aye warrior? What can this simple jester do for you?" Usopp smiled as he replied to War's inquiry with a bit of mirth on his face.

"I am usually not such a poor judge of character, although my own brother has told me I have a tendency to underestimate my opponents," War said, "As such, I must apologise for my words against you… and for your thanks for not condemning the cursed woman."

" Why War, you wound me? The best part of a jester is to lure people into a sense of calm and ease. After all that is when it is the easiest to strike. I used that to my advantage and struck down the super weapon of a heavenly demon. A weapon that did the unthinkable and stole memories. I know a real demon. I have seen the fake facades of witches, fallen 'angels' and demons. Although I do agree the miasma running off of Chery reminds me of a haunted island full of the undead."

"Cursed? She's actually cursed?" Hypolita asked, the confusion of what she witnessed still fresh in her mind, "Sir Heroes, what was all of that?"

Artoria simply huffed at the Amazon's dismay and laid her head upon War's hip.

"Have you never heard of a legitimate curse? I have seen a few in my time on the high seas. The most common is the curse of the sea devil for those that eat the forbidden fruit." Usopp mentioned while knowing about the phenomenon of eating devil fruits.

"Men foolish enough to devour a demon's flesh for power deserve their demise," War replied, "However, it is an entirely different matter when one is born with cursed blood."

"I am so very lost…" Hypolita whispered as Abigail led her away.

"Come along, the Heroes have things to discuss," The witch said as she took the Amazon away.

Just as the ladies had given their Heroes a bit of space, the castle's doors were open once again as a pair of knights unceremoniously tossed the Shield Hero out before slamming the doors shut.

"Augh… would it have killed you to unlock these shackles?" Cheryl groaned before attempting to worm away from the castle. Before long, the two Heroes hurried to her aid… though, Usopp had hurried. War simply trudged behind, "War? Pinocchio? You two stayed?"

"Let's free you from those chains," Usopp said as he started to walk forward… quickly followed by War who began to unsheathe his blade.

"Pinocchio look out!" Cheryl shouted. Usopp looked back and side stepped clumsily as War's now broken iron greatsword fell down and destroyed Cheryl's bindings, "God damn big guy! Couldn't warn me first!?"

"No," War replied simply before giving Cheryl a phantom of a smile, the woman sighing with a smile as she punched his leg and muttered 'Ass'.

"Anyway, thanks for the help, big guy," Cheryl said with a groan as she started stretching, "Manhandling a lady like that… Okay! Let's go!" She declared as she turned on her heels and started to march to the castle, only…

War stared at her, the woman absentmindedly walking on air as he lift her by the neckline of her jacket.

"He-hey!?" Cheryl shouted as she started to struggle, "Let me go!"

"If your plans involve going back, then they're a waste of time," War said matter of factly.

"Yeah Cheryl you have to realize going in their by yourself is suicide. You need to retreat and reconsider your options," stated Usopp as he recomposed himself from near death by sword.

"I have to!" Cheryl shouted, "They have her and she's in trouble!" Growling, she began to twist and turn until she fell out, body bare as she slipped out of her shirt and jacket, "Finally! You uh… mind giving those back, big guy?"

War only stared at her before reaching into his sword and revealing, *CHOMP*

"Huh?" Cheryl murmured as she pet the orange Balloon currently chomping away at her cheek, "Obo?"

"You seem to have misplaced something," War snarked as he dropped Cheryl's jacket and began to walk away.

"Wh- HEY WAIT!" Cheryl shouted as she started to follow War. Hypolita, bless her heart, had thought well enough to pick up her discarded clothing and rush after as well.

"Lady Shield Hero! Your garments!" Hypolita shouted as the others started following.

"Some women really don't seem to have any shame," Abigail whispered absentmindedly, though she couldn't exactly talk either.

Giving her thanks, Cheryl turned her eyes back to War, "War! You don't understand! It's here! That thing is here!" She shouted hysterically, "Pinocchio! You'll help me, right!?" She pleaded as she looked to Usopp.

"What do you mean by, it?" Abigail asked as she looked to Usopp for his response to Cheryl's plea, "That, and what did you mean by a curse?"

"And why are you cursed?" Hypolita added.

"Can we maybe not do this out in the open?" Cheryl asked as she continued to pet her Balloon, "People are watching."

Lo, the whole of Melromarc's castle town stared intently at the group with less than kind glares. Grunting, War had actually been leading the group to a surprising location…

"Welco- oh no not again…" Erhard lamented as War stepped through his door, "You… you've got a lot of nerve!" Erhard shouted in fear induced frustration, War only raising a brow as he made way for the others, "And you brought the Shield Hero…" He growled out.

"That a problem?" Cheryl asked.

"Town tends to look down on businesses who make deals with child killers," Erhard replied with a dark look to his face.

It wasn't long before War tuned out the heated conversation that followed, the group arguing in Cheryl's stead, Cheryl not denying having slain the infant 'God', Erhard sighing in resignation to it all and finally…

"This is just too much for me," The blacksmith groaned, "The situation isn't any better now that the queen's breathing down my neck."

"Queen?" Cheryl asked curiously.

"Queen Mirellia," Erhard replied, "Had me paid a hefty sum by one of her Shadows… so even if I don't want to help you, I don't have much of a choice."

Giving a low grunt, War began to o leave, "As the matter is resolved, I shall take my leave and return to strengthening my blade," He said as he turned to Hypolita and Artoria, "Coming?"

The Amazon and Dragon bid their farewells, following their Hero on his next grand venture.