A Special Kind Of Magic

Chapter 5

"Trick or Treat." Raphtalia held out her bag towards the man. She had short blue hair, no ears or tail, and was wearing a large yellow raincoat.

"Oh my!" The woman at the doorway smiled down to Raphtalia, holding out a bowl of large candy bars to choose from. "Are you that Coraline girl?"

"Maybe?" Raphtalia looked back to Naofumi, who was dressed in a blue onesie with gold trims on it and a very large computer mounted on his wrist. He was taking a sip from a glass bottle and just waved back.

"Well, take your pick."

Raphtalia wasn't really sure which was best. She already tried chocolate many times, and some peanut butter based things. There was one thing in the bowl though that caught her interest so she grabbed that.

"Happy Halloween!" The woman waved as Raphtalia walked back to Naofumi.

"So, what did you get?" Naofumi asked as he leaned down. "These rich neighborhoods always got the good stuff."

Raphtalia responded by grabbing the candy she picked.

"Raisins….you picked raisins on Halloween."

"Are they bad for you?"

"No..but...let's go to the next house."

Both of them heard approaching footsteps and turned to see the human disguised Petra, only she was also wearing a costume.

"I don't understand this festivity. I thought this was supposed to be a holiday to revel in horror?" Petra pulled at the odd skirt that was assembled with strange white metal.

"It is." Naofumi nodded.

"So why are we not dressed as monstrous beings?"

"Because these outfits are cooler."

"Naofumi?" Raphtalia grabbed some raisins and started to snack on them.

"Yes?" THe man turned, disgusted by the sin happening in front of him.

"Am I dressed as Coraline?"

"No, you're Six. But honestly I can see how some people would get mixed up."

"Is she from something scary?"

"Both of them are, but Six is way more terrifying than Coraline."

"Then what are we supposed to be dressed as?" Petra asked, holding up her mechanical bow.

"You're Aloy, and I'm the Lone Wanderer. I thought you watch pretty much everything I do?" Naofumi asked in some confusion. He had been playing some other games lately to try and unlock some new mechanics for the shield while watching for any changes in magic. The first part was successful, the second not so much. He lifted his shield he currently had disguised as a pipboy and gave it a harsh glare. He was going to open this thing up and get it to spill all its secrets.

"The waves are approaching soon." Petra warned. "And both of you need to level up fast."

"Raphtalia needs some time to be a kid." Naofumi gently explained. "You've leveled her up so fast that she might already be like twelve to fourteen years old. Everyone should get a childhood."

"Actually." Raphtalia cut in. "I was wondering if I could practice with my sword a little more? I don't feel like I've gotten good enough to fight the waves with it yet."

"What's with the obsession with the waves?" Naofumi put each of his hands on one of their shoulders. "Look, we can deal with that. I've unlocked so many shields so fast that I can't even keep track of them. Petra you're already over level sixty, and once Raphtalia learns how to tap into mjolnir she's going to be kicking a lot of ass. So, let's just, enjoy the relaxing moment while we have it. At least for tonight?"

Petra narrowed her eyes at him. He went against every way of life she ever lived in service of...it wasn't service, she had a choice now. Though this was a much more relaxed effort than she would expect of someone seeking to not just fight the waves but stop them entirely. Glancing over to Raphtalia, the girl seemed to want to train as well, to become more useful to them. That was good, but Petra did long for days of her youth back where she didn't need to worry about the end of the world.

"Fine."

"YES! Now, after we're done here we can carve pumpkins, bake the seeds while watching some scary movies, go to some haunted houses. Oh! And a corn maze!" Naofumi marched ahead of them, clearly indulging in this more than them.

"And by the end of the night." Naofumi smirked devily as he held a roll of toilet paper. "We tp Wong's room."

Maybe it would be easier to save the world than keep up with his shenanigans.

Raphtalia swung her massive sword in front of the cabin that was decorated in fake cobwebs and colorful lights. And dozens, dozens of jack o'lanterns. She appreciated Naofumi's efforts to, preserve her youth. But that was gone, she never wanted to feel as weak as she did back then. She was ready to take on the responsibility of adulthood.

*SHWING*

Fight the waves

*SHWOOOM*

Save the world

*SLICE*

Defeat the monsters

Raphtalia rested her sword against her shoulder, eyeing the pumpkin that faced her blade. Her future was here, ahead of her and was within her grasp.

So why does she feel like there's something she's missing?

Naofumi watched Raphtalia from inside the cabin, a multitude of magical circles around the shield on his lap analyzing it to the smallest possible details. "Petra."

The spider woman, now back to her undisguised form, was sitting right above him on the ceiling while watching a video on a tablet about the inner workings of guns. It was very convenient technology, especially when she only had to speak to it and it would guide her to the information that would be spoken to her. She had yet to learn the written language of Naofumi's world. "Yes?"

"What do you know of Raphtalia's home?"

That was a subject she knew would come up but would rather avoid. "How do you expect me to know?"

"Because that's the first thing I would expect a spy to do when recruiting an ally, discover their background." Naofumi reasoned, knowing full well that Petra tended to do her own thing whenever she could.

The spider woman used her four back legs to grip the ceiling, slowly repositioning herself on the ground to sit in front of the shield hero. "She's from a rather plain shore side town in the Seyaette territory that was destroyed in the first wave. Those who survived did their best to recultivate their land, but they were taken captive by those under a corrupt captain's orders and sold into slavery."

"So, did she have friends at that slaver's tent?" Naofumi asked, his gaze still focused on the demi-human swinging that large sword.

"No, before Raphtalia was sold to Beloukas she was in possession of Idol Rabier, who owns many of the children from that town."

"Owns?" Naofumi asked, his magic freezing mid spell.

Petra took in a steady breath, unsure of how he would react. "That is correct."

She wants to go over, kill every human that possessed the demi-humans. From what information she gathered the man was a sadist and tortured his slaves to death. Already she indulged herself and freed many of those captured, right now she had to help Raphtalia gain experience, fight larger foes and….hmm.

"I have our next task in mind." Petra mentioned. "I think this would benefit Raphtalia well."

"Yes?"

"We have her defeat the man who is holding her friends in captivity."

*SLAM* Raphtalia kicked open the door, the ears atop her head directly facing Petra. She gripped the sword tightly in her grip, as if she was about to cleave someone in half. "Let's go, right now."

"Is this really a good idea?" Naofumi asked, back in his robes as he stood next to Petra on a grassy hill. The night air was decently chilly, he wrapped his cloak a little tighter around himself, glancing back to the shield on his arm. He wasn't sure which version to use, it was hard to branch out from Cap's shield and the portal one. Both of them were just so damn useful. Of course, this was Raphtalia's mission, they were letting her be in charge of this for some reason. Yeah, it would make sense if it wasn't a child they were letting lead them to battle!

"It's best for her." Petra simply stated. "You want her to retain her youth, but her friends need her help now. This is her past and she should confront it."

"Not when she's a kid."

"It doesn't matter." Petra turned to face him, dressed in her own dark cloak. "Demi humans age through experience, and this is the best experience she will ever earn."

Naofumi sighed, turning to face the woman head on. "I do admire your determination to help us get stronger the fastest way possible, and you helping those in need of it, but I can't help but feel you take the most extreme measures possible."

"I give my very best to produce the highest results."

Running a hand through his hair, he couldn't think of a way to argue against Petra. She had good intentions, got good results, and knew very well how to read people's emotions and took those into account. So why the hell did her methods seem so wrong?

"She's approaching the bridge." Petra turned towards the large castle-like mansion.

When Naofumi looked over, he saw Raphtalia wielding her sword above her head. She was standing on the stone bridge that led over to the property that stood upon a cliff. What the hell did she think she was-

"IDOL RABIER!" The small girl called out, dressed in some basic leather armor. "MY NAME IS RAPHTALIA! AND I WILL BE THE ONE TO TAKE YOUR HEAD!"

WOAH WHAT THE HELL?!

"I thought she was just going out to try scouting?!" Naofumi panicked towards Petra.

"We'll supervise, and step in if things go wrong." Petra informed him, steadily watching the scene.

Raphtalia slowly marched forward, her face as cold as the stone she beat her feet upon. Two security guards lazily stood out in front of her, looking at her with disinterest.

"Filthy demi-human, what do you think you're-"

"Stand aside and your life will be spared." Raphtalia continued going forward, bringing her sword to her side. "If you do not yield I will consider your life forfeit."

The man drew his spear, leveling it towards her in sudden anger. "L-listen here you!"

*SHWING*

Moving her sword with ease, the weapon in the guard's hand broke easily, crumbling into splinters beneath her. Raphtalia stepped over the fragments, crushing them under her heel. "Yield." She warned one last time.

The other guard drew a sword, nearly growling in anger at the scene. "Like hell I'll-"

*CLONK*

Raphtalia swung her massive blade, the flat side knocking away the guard to fall over the bridge and into the waters below. She eyed the first one with her vibrant eyes, the fear in the man rising. He ran, straight to the mansion that held Idol Rabier.

"She's causing a scene." Naofumi noted, running his hand around the rim of his portal shield.

"She should be able to handle a few arrogant soldiers." Petra put a hand on his shoulder, keeping him from acting.

"RAH!" Raphtalia swung in a wide arch, cleaving three men in half in one move. Metal, flesh, her blade treated it all equally. She wished it could have just been her own skill carrying her this far, but she had to give credit to the equipment in her hand. It was light, easy to move to wherever she wished it would go no matter the obstacle.

"AHH!" One brave man, facing through his fear and charging at her with a halberd rushed at her with a battle cry. Raphtalia moved the blade to intercept the weapon, using mjolnir as a shield. The enemy's weapon was halted by her own. With a quick shift in her stance, Raphtalia ran her sword through the man, giving him a quick death in battle.

She kept the conflict to the courtyard, right in front of the exit, near the staircase that held her friends she pleaded were still alive, and right in view of that damned man.

"R-retreat!" They shouted, rushing around her and leaving the manor. Raphtalia lifted her blade, watching the blood on it rush off to leave no trace of her victims.

She waited in her spot, for him to come out. It didn't take long, whatever soldiers he selfishly kept to himself opened the doors to the home of that bastard. They surrounded him, at least thirty all with longer weapons. The fat lord with his purple colored robes, groomed blond hair, and filthy mustache scowled at her in the middle of his personal guard.

"You've come to my home, kill my men, and-"

"YOU HAVE DONE MUCH MORE!" Raphtalia screamed back. "MY ENTIRE VILLAGE WAS DECIMATED, THE SURVIVORS AND I TAKEN AND SOLD ONLY TO FALL VICTIM TO YOUR SICK PLEASURE! I WILL NOT HAVE ANY MORE OF IT AND NEITHER WILL THEY!"

Petra was using long range listening magic, Naofumi doing his own version with a window in front of him to view the scene.

"Her speech is changing." The demi-human noted.

"Is she trying to mimic Thor?" Naofumi asked, but was trying to recall a time that he saw her watching any footage of him.

"I'll need to learn more about these Avengers."

Naofumi looked over to her, trying to think of where the hell she should start.

"Men, surround her and attack!" Idol ordered.

The thirty soldiers obeyed him, more confident than the last ones. They split themselves into two lines, starting to encircle her. Raphtalia refused to give them the chance to organize themselves around her, and instead charged the lead of one of the lines.

"RAH!" Raphtalia threw herself forward, her blade leading the way as she collided with the first group. Three of them collapsed under the weight of her sword, the fourth one swinging his longsword right for her. Raphtalia moved to the side, bringing her blade with her and spinning in a circle. She sliced the man's torso, and cut the arms off of another that managed to get behind her that she didn't notice. Spinning, that was a good trick.

Gripping the leather handle on her hilt, she spun the sword around her head, finding it much easier than anticipated to turn a huge piece of metal into a blur above her.

Some of the guards wisely stayed cautious, now intimidated by the whirling display this small girl demonstrated.

"Cut her down already!" Idol shouted in impatience.

One of them stepped forward, and Raphtalia angled her spinning blade to intercept the limb and free it from the man.

"A-AH!" He screamed out, another man taking his place to try and fight her. Raphtalia smirked as she saw no chance for them to overpow-

*Crack*

Raphtalia's hand recoiled from the whip that struck her wrist. Her sword clattered to the ground, the noise echoing in her head.

"Don't just stand there! Kill her!" Their lord commanded. Raphtalia lunged for her sword, an axe slicing into the dirt right in front of her. She rolled away, dodging another blade that tried to take her head. Raphtalia was on the defensive now, swerving and dodging every weapon that passed next to her skin. She needed to get back to her sword!

The fat man in the corner of her vision waddled towards her sword, the blade that would carry her to save the world. She began to run towards it, but had to jump to the side to avoid a grabby pair of arms.

*WHOMP*

Raphtalia responded by punching the soldier in the unprotected groin.

"How did some peasant like you get this sword?" Idol Rabier asked mockingly, smirking as he reached down to grab the hilt.

"It's mine!" Raphtalia rolled between the legs of another man as the group of soldiers were huddling around her. She grabbed one of their knives from their belt and stabbed it into another's leg.

"Not anymore." Idol gripped the handle.

"NO!" Raphtalia took a blunt hit to the side of her head. She swung her fist towards the source of her pain, hitting her knuckles against a plate of armor. "GRH!"

"Just give it up!" One of the men tried to stab forward, but Raphtalia gripped the blade and pushed it further into another man, cutting her palms in the process.

"THAT'S MY SWORD!" Her throat burned the more she yelled, desperate to reclaim her weapon, defeat her enemy, and save her captive friends. She needed to prove she could do this, that's why she didn't tell Naofumi or Petra how to help her. This was her fight here, and if she could handle her own problems then she had the strength to solve others'.

Idol's smirk began to strain, the larger man gripping the weapon tighter and tighter, lifting with all the strength he could muster. It wasn't enough, it was hardly anything to the blade as it remained on the ground. "Curse this vile, demi-human weapon!"

Said demi-human didn't understand why the blade wasn't moving, but was grateful it showed loyalty to her. If she was lucky, that proved she was that much stronger than he ever was-

"Gah!" Raphtalia took a hammer to the gut, sending her back.

Naofumi held up his portal shield. "We're going in-"

"Wait." Petra stopped him, eyeing the moment. "Let her fight."

"To her last breath?!"

"I'll intervene if I see she can't continue."

He didn't like this, he really didn't. That sword hasn't demonstrated any special abilities other than being worthy. Maybe the magic was limited now, or only a portion of the original spell remained. Damn asgardian magic, damn shield magic, just...damn.

Raphtalia felt the grip of another soldier's hand land on her shoulder, her own hands already occupied in digging her fingers into other men's throats. With no limbs available she bit the hand, digging her teeth past the taste that flooded her mouth.

Her ear twitched as she heard someone charging. Mustering as much strength as she could she kicked off the men in her grasp and rolled onto the shoulders of the one behind her.

"GET HER OFF GET HER OFF!"

She gripped his ears, and using her entire body weight leaned the man into a long spear. Once he was dead, Raphtalia took advantage of her smaller stature and began to leap from soldier to soldier in the crowded and confused group that continually tried to slay her.

Hop.

"AH! IT'S ON ME!" The man's arms tried to push her off, but she was already moving.

Dodge

*Grck* Her living platform suffered from a minor case of a split skull, thanks to another man wielding an axe.

Drop

Moving down, she weaved between the legs all while moving towards her blade.

Just a little further!

*CRACK*

She recoiled from the noise alone, the whip halting her from moving any further.

"GRAB HER!" Idol shouted, one foot on her sword.

A large weight fell on her from behind, two men had jumped on her and used their bodies as restraints. She fought to release herself, managing to squirm one arm forward out of the dirt. Her fingers inched towards the strap on the hilt, almost touching it.

Idol stepped on her hand, crushing her fingers. She ignored the pain, ignored the sweaty sack of shit that was above her. Raphtalia was restrained, suffering from him once again. It was supposed to be different! It still is, as long as she chose to live!

"You, I recognize that filthy face of yours!" Idol leaned down as Raphtalia ignored his breath over her neck. "Did you try to come here and rescue your friends? You think you can save them?!"

If she could just get

A little

Closer!

"Men, execute the filth!"

NO!

Idol looked up, seeing that the only remaining men he had left were the two on top of Raphtalia. He growled in anger, lifting up his foot from her hand to kick her in the face. "YOU LITTLE BITCH!"

Raphtalia's head felt the blow knock stars into her sight, but she smiled. With her numb fingers she gripped the hilt once more. Moving her wrist ever so slightly, the entire blade moved with her knocking Idol to the ground.

"S-stab her!" One of the men shouted.

Raphtalia felt cold iron enter her arm, trying to pin her to the ground. Too late, she would not be trapped here again!

"RAAAAHHHH!" Raphtalia ordered her one free arm to move the sword that was in her grip to fall edge down on her captors.

*SCHLIK*

With the grip of the men pinning her going slack, Raphtalia pushed herself up past the weight stopping her. Standing up her legs that were shaking with adrenaline, Raphtalia felt the whip come into contact with her arm again. This time, she tightened her grip, glaring at the one who's death sentence was already declared.

"YOU!" *Crack* Idol whipped towards Raphtalia, who cut the tip with her blade.

"ARE" He tried again, a third of his weapon being cut away.

"BENEATH ME!"

With a desperate attempt to stop the oncoming child who held the fury of a god, he threw his whip at her. Raphtalia merely cut it in half, steadily approaching him while raising her blade.

"S-stay back demon!" Idol gripped a pendant from his shirt pocket, backing towards a pillar.

"S-spare me or I'll return you to hell myself!"

Raphtalia stopped, her sword right above him. He cowered below her, falling to his knees. She could strike him down, right here, right now. Yet he was no threat to her now, just a sad cruel man. For a moment, she thought about sparing him, being better than him in some way by not killing someone weaker and defenseless.

Yet, as she looked to the stairway, the buildings that were still standing around her, she knew what would happen should she choose to spare him. He would continue, always finding a way to indulge in his sick version of pleasure.

Steeling herself for what needed to be done, she tightened her grip and readied to deliver the final blow.

Idol felt his body growing cold, seeing a demi child about to slay him. If it was his last act, then he would send her to a fiery grave and be praised for killing such a beast.

Petra felt the air grow cold, glancing at Naofumi as he was waving his hands through the air. Lines of magic revealed themselves in his window over the scene, pooling from the pillars around the area. "This, doesn't look so good. Let's get closer just in case."

"Under disguise." She informed him, already casting an invisibility spell on herself.

Petra vanished from the naked eye, not to be seen anywhere around him. Yet he kept his eyes routed to her position, then shifted to slightly in front of himself.

"You can still see me can't you?"

"The more magic you use to disguise yourself the more you stand out." He explained, casting another spell making himself not any less visible.

"What kind of spell is that?" Petra asked aloud as Naofumi created a portal with his shield.

"It doesn't hide you, just makes you less noticeable. Mental based rather than visual."

"I should learn that."

"If you teach me the one that makes your targets silent."

"I don't think it would match your affinities."

"Screw that just teach me it."

"Fine, after you teach me."

"Deal."

The portal closed behind them, bringing them closer to the larger fight.

Raphtalia stood next to the headless corpse, feeling something in the air. The pillars began to glow around her, channeling to something beneath her feet. Walking backwards, she never took her eyes off where it was pooling towards.

"RAAHHH!" A monstrous being emerged from the ground, with large horns that adorned its head like a crown.

"Why the hell does this place have a T-rex?" Naofumi asked aloud.

"What's that?" Petra questioned.

"It's...ah I'll just have you watch Jurassic Park."

"RAH!" Raphtalia challenged back at the beast, charging forward with her sword at her side. Pushing the adrenaline she had into her legs she jumped towards its leg, ready to cleave the foot aw-

*SMACK* Using its head, it sent Raphtalia flying to the side, hitting a pillar dead on.

Raphtalia could barely move, her health bar was nearly gone and she didn't have any potions. Her entire body was one large bruise at this point and probably broken in a few other places. Still, leaning against her sword she pulled herself up, seeing the monster that towered over her. It huffed towards her, stalking its way as if it had already beaten its prey.

Raphtalia refused to choose death, instead she held her sword out in front of her as the legs underneath her wobbled. It stopped, mere inches from the weapon. Using the feeble amount of strength she had left she stepped forward, the blade cutting into its snout.

It roared in response, pulling away and taking a few steps back. Hehe, she managed to make it begin retreatin-

It spun, using its tail to hit Raphtalia straight on and send her flying across the courtyard. Her sword soared over the walls, falling into the waters.

Naofumi 's heart fell as he witnessed the health bar drop to a fraction of a fraction. He was already on edge when it was one and expected Petra to do something like she promised. Now she was less than one, still barely alive. He gave one look over to Petra, who pulled an item from her coat.

"She fought well."

"She nearly died twice." Naofumi scolded.

"The armor she is wearing has a seal on it that will allow the wearer to survive two killing blows before failing." She explained, pulling out a health potion. "Yet we should retreat, this monster far exceeds my own level."

"Get her out of here, I'll get the demi-humans and the-

*boom*

Naofumi looked up, seeing clouds of thunder begin to roll in.

"What is it?" Petra asked, trying to see what he saw.

"Hopefully something badass."

Raphtalia laid there, her mind practically separate from her body. Her thoughts couldn't move her body, no matter how much she tried. The thudding footsteps of the monster came closer, yet she couldn't fight it.

No, she had to.

A sword under the water shifted.

Get up!

It began to rise to the surface.

SHE NEEDED TO SAVE HER FRIENDS!

Mjolnir shot out of the water, the asgardian metal soaring through the air, into the clouds, and straight down towards Raphtalia. The best stood over her, opening its maw over her.

FIGHT!

Raphtalia's hand shot into the air, catching the sword by its hilt. Lightning exploded around her, throwing the monster back in recoil.

Her health bar broke, shattering alongside her level indicator as a whirlwind of storm circulated around her. As she stood up with her sword pointed towards the air, metal flew and wrapped itself around her. Metal plates clicked into place as fabric seemed to materialize into existence. Silver armor with shimmering crimson trims covered her, only leaving her head and hands exposed. White cloth ran underneath it, turning into a silver cape that extended down her back. Her hair flew into a large singular braid that wrapped over her shoulder, until a winged helmet adorned her head.

Once she was armored, she swung her sword to the side to disperse her personal tornado. Lightning continued to fill the sky as Raphtalia stood against her opponent, not a wound in sight.

Roaring at the change of events, the best ran towards its prey. Raphtalia leapt twenty feet into the air, her sword channeling arcs of lightning straight from the clouds and into her blade. Swinging down, the might of a thousand storms hit the beast's head, sending it into a daze. It swung its tail back at her, but this time she did not fall victim.

Raphtalia cut the tail of the beast clean off, grabbed it, and hit the monster with its own limb. It clenched its teeth into the flesh, growling loudly at her. Raphtalia let go, jumping into the air and spinning her blade above her like a helicopter. The storms grew more wild, wind raging around them as any loose object was taken into the tornado.

Soon, the monster was lifted off its feet, screaming in confusion at the turn of events. It targeted the source, trying to eat Raphtalia but was unable to control its direction.

"YOU WANT A MEAL?!" Lightning flowed from the sky and into Raphtalia's body, not harming her in any way. "THEN HAVE AT THEE!"

She flew forward, straight into the maw of the beast. Lightning exploded from the inside of it, scorching the meat and dissolving the blood near instantly. With one more swing, an explosion of air from inside caused the monster itself to pop, the remains scattered around as Raphtalia held onto a large glowing shard in her free hand.

"HOLY SHIT!" Naofumi shouted below her, smiling proudly at Raphtalia.

The girl slowed her sword above her, gently descending as the raging clouds began to die down. He ran over to her, giving her a tight hug, then pulled back to check her over.

"How the hell did you figure all of that out so fast?! Before you could only lift it but now you can fly, use lightning, wind, summon armor, Raphtalia you're a badass!"

"My friends." Raphtalia asked, taking off her helmet and resting it on the hilt of her sword. "Are they safe?"

"Yeah." Naofumi nodded with a smirk, Petra seemingly materializing from thin air beside them. "Some were in pretty bad shape, but we got them somewhere safe. We can see them soon."

In a surprising turn of events, Petra came forward and put her hand on Raphtalia's head and began to rub her hair. "Good work. "You're stronger than me now."

"W-what?!" Raphtalia tried to check her level, but it wasn't there. "H-how?! I was only level fourteen after defeating those men!"

"Raphtalia." Naofumi laughed at the notion. "I think you're broken."

"WHAT?!" She cried out in sudden fear.

"Nonononono!" Naofumi waved his hands. "It's a term used for characters that are really strong, so strong they ignore the normal rules!"

Raphtalia looked over herself, now starting to take in what she just did. It just all, came so naturally to her.

"So, whatcha got there?" Naofumi pointed towards the crystal. Raphtalia looked at it, turning it in her hands.

"I'm not sure, but I thought you might want it."

"Me?" Naofumi pointed to himself.

"It's magic." She summarized. "You like magic, so I thought you'd like this. You can also absorb it into your shield if you want."

Naofumi gently held the crystal, moving it between each hand. "It does seem to have some odd properties, we better-"

"Leave." Petra took a sturdy stance next to them while watching the bridge. "We need to leave."

Naofumi looked up, and saw….really big chickens? Curiosity overtook him as Petra and Raphtalia took defensive stances next to him. The multi-colored birds circled around them, not making a peep. Using his hud he analyzed the birds, filolials apparently, only had around level twenty stats at most. So what was Petra so concerned abou-

*SPLOOSH*

A giant explosion of water arose from beside the property, a massive white filolial that was taller than the recently slain beast landed in front of them. Naofumi's jaw dropped as he gazed at the 'filolial queen' that was so high level it couldn't display it.

"Damn, I'm kind of craving some KFC right now."

Ok, yeah I was gone for a bit. Life is getting much busier and fanfic is not my number one, two, or even fifth priority in life. But I still enjoy it and will update when I have a good chance.

Any grammar mistakes please point out and I will fix them ASAP.

Let me know how well you like it and if you want to see more.

Jebest4781: I'll see if I have any time, but with how much I'm changing the canon I don't think it will be highly necessary.

Final Genesis: Yeah, a war machine Raphtalia would be pretty awesome.

Rlotm: What kind of bothers me about a lot of isekai stories is that it is either way too video game like, or doesn't take advantage of the fact that they are from another world. This way, we get to see our fantasy characters enjoy fast food while still kicking monster booty.

Perseus12: They're on heavy watch that's for sure.

Kisame Hoshigaki: If I learned about her vassal weapon in the web series I might have kept it hammer based, but I also wanted a small reference to another Avengers arc.

Xavex: True, and Doctor Strange himself has faced many universe ending threats much larger than the waves.

GREAT CELESTIAL-DRAGON: Ren always seemed like the guy who is quick to pick up on a situation going south.

RedBurningDragon: I don't know if I'll involve her, but odds are rising given the mini arc I just did.

MaxPrime:

It's hard to make plans like that, but I don't plan on writing more than 100k words for this. We'll see if that holds true.

drmcgraw186: I honestly think a lot of higher ups would have super slaves that can't betray them. To have certainty that they won't do certain things is too good to pass up.

Malty is going to definitely try and spin things around so she doesn't have to put up with Ren's simple requests. I don't know if Naofumi would be up for upgrading the other heroes yet, seeing as how they haven't demonstrated their responsible sides to him.

Yes, Naofumi will always have issues with a child soldier.

You're right, Naofumi has a cheap sense of taste, but don't you dare call Burger King bad food.

:(

Vongola Ninja: I think this is where we're going to stop mixing marvel characters with shield hero ones. There's already a lot we can use from what we have and we need to show improvement on what they already have.

The Queen will definitely be worried, knowing that Petra can spill any secret to arguably the most powerful hero they summoned. I do plan on writing a bunch about the shadows and their dealings with Petra.

IronTiger26: That will happen after the first wave is dealt with, also since this story is staying alongside MCU timeline events Black Widow is dead.

AnimeFan13579: We'll definitely see a version of that scene play out.

Guest: That pairing will not happen, don't worry.

Rose rich 2002: No infinity stones

Kitsune Obsessed Freak: You're the first person to actually point that out.

Jlargent: Since this is MCU, we haven't seen the use of adamantium yet.

Rodenmar: This will give a big reason as to why Naofumi won't like melromarc, even if the Queen is incharge.

Sandmanwake: Good point on the smartphone shield, but Naofumi also has access to Earth tech so he could go either way.

Shadowkragg: Technically, the shadows could have stopped the summoning which is an international disaster.

Dicoan: Not sure if I'll do one yet.

Sakra95: Petra already had her slave seals removed by Doctor Strange.