Chapter 1: The Enemy of my Enemy
A/N: This idea has rolled around in my head for a long time and finally it took shape and just kept coming. I have this rated M for future meetings between our characters as well as Elias doing whatever it takes and perhaps an accurate approximation of how Naofumi would handle his new ally. I hope you enjoy what I've started and maybe want to see more.
"Bind him down! Do not falter brother's and sister's we are the servant's of God do not falter!" The priest shouted to his follower's as they cast spell after spell, using whatever holy magics they had at their disposal to begin holding down the most wicked of demons in their eyes.
It roared in pain as it struggled to keep itself upright. It was a massive black mass, black feather's running up it's back with spindly black vines lashing outwards from its mass slapping and striking the devoted who tried to pin him in place. The wolfen skull with red eyes burned intensely as thick saliva flew from its flailing mouth.
Several of the faithful rushed forwards, their hands glowing with holy light grappling with the large beast in their midst. Their faith in their religion, pope, and God would guide them through this challenge.
Yet heavy wet musk escaped from the monster's mouth, several pairs of exposed ribs jutted out from it's inhuman body as it's long serpent-like tail coiled around a frame inside of it's black mass. Taking a single full arm it swung and connected like a battering ram smashing those foolish enough to touch him with nearly enough force to kill. "YOU WILL NOT TOUCH MY BRIDE!" It's voice shook the entire room, the thunderous force causing bits of rock to shake loose from their bonds and fall down onto the floor.
When the hundred gathered inside of this cathedral paused their minister did not. He was devoted, he was an instrument of the Pope and therefore God itself!. He took to the forefront holding up the symbol of their sacred order. The spear, the sword, and bow. The three heros church was a symbol of this nation's might, the banner flapped as he pushed forwards."The devil himself has challenged the holy! Do not falter my fellow servants of God! Do not relent, we must not let ourselves be swayed!"
Their fear evaporated and they were consumed with zeal. "Holy light! Purge Evil! Cleansing Rain! Fireball!" The first line chanted, aiming all of their attacks for the monster as he was pulled down onto one of his elbows, the stone floor cracking under his pressure. His head strained to raise up but it continued to move up and up even as several more holy chains were lashed around his antler crown and tied to him and began to pull down only to be raised slowly off the ground.
"False Holly on a ring, nettle in the shadows, twine the branches and strike down those that do me harm!" Blue light flared from the arm pressed into the ground and a dozen black sharpened needles slithered slowly upwards around his wrist before shooting outwards in every direction. Each one finding it's mark before splitting out and striking another and then another.
The priest looked on horrified as his flock were culled, more than half of his congregation falling to the ground. Their faces locked in horror as the black vine covered barbs pierced all of them and they fell.
"I am the great Pilum Moralis, a mage, and I am neither human nor fae…" The black creature began to rise upwards from it's position towering over all, his figure beginning to darken the room as he blocked out the stained glass windows. His form released someone from his tendrils. Golden binding chains broke apart and scattered as their casters fell before his power. But he did not move, remaining vigilant over the form of a young woman dressed in white, her phoenix red hair remained vibrant in the darkness and her emerald eyes still looked just as captivating. But her small frame looked tired as the massive serpent-like tail had removed itself.
"You are Lucifer, the plague of men monster! You were not summoned like the waves of catastrophe that attack our world, we called to the holy mother your malformed ilk is not welcome in God's house!"
The massive horned creature snorted, "The fool God… you blind fanatics haven't changed… but you are also able to cast magic." The creature spoke but shook its head. "It matters not, I am leaving with my bride but if you continue to interfere with me I will kill all of you."
For a Holy man he was faced with the horned demon himself he found himself being overwhelmed by its presence even though they were in God's holy palace. But he could not afford to be weak. His eyes looked at the holy mother, the one the Pope had called to help mankind on this world. No I shall not falter. God grant me your protection and power to slay this abomination and save our blessed one! Offering up a prayer to his god the priest moved forwards. "I will not give up Devil! Submit to God!" Holding up the banner high above his head his inspiration went to his devoted followers.
The woman looked up towards the beast. "Elias... " She breathed softly, raising up a hand to which he took gently. Sharing a brief tender moment as the world around them had been completely upturned.
"Chise, please do not worry I will dispatch them and then find us a way home. Do not fear I will not leave your- AGHHHH-!" Elias screamed a massive golden bolt of light shot through into his chest. It slammed him backwards into the wall as four massive golden chains sprouted from the light which took the shape of an arrow and became bonds holding him back.
"ELIAS-!" Chise shouted running towards him but as she reached out to touch him her body was engulfed in a blinding golden orb. It did not sear her skin but only mildly burn as she withdrew her hand as she could not take any further heat.
His form struggled but more chains sprouted from the arrow in his chest and wrapped themselves further around his limbs. "NOOOO-!" The beastial roar came as his black wings spread themselves out from behind his back his tendrils whipping up in a frenzy.
"My loyal servant you have done well, I am most pleased." A voice spoke and all of the servants of God dropped to their knees. Walking in wearing a most pleased smile in the finest silks and golden threads.
"My holiness!" The priest said falling to his face in prostration to his blessed ruler. "God has sent you my Pope! Truly this blessing is for all!" The man said his face to the floor. His affirmation of faith had all been assured.
"Of course, God knows his true children, the masses have gathered outside and granted me this holy power." Holding up a golden glowing bow in his hands, the pure power and spirit of the three heroes church on full display for all as their prayers, faith, and magic fueled the pope's ever growing strength.
The advent of the holy mother's arrival had only spurred the masses to pray harder and they would all be heeded. The pope then drew back the golden light surrounding the red haired holy mother and summoned her to his side. His smile was still impeccable as she looked up at him. "Please-! Please don't hurt Elias, he was just protecting me, we don't mean any harm!"
Chise saw the golden light swarming around Elias what had been several chains was now almost twenty, each one slithering around him like his tendrils squeezing and burning into him. She saw the red in his eyes fade away becoming nothing but black husks as the sounds of bones creaking filled the church.
Her eyes filled with tears as she watched the man who called her family be squeezed and crushed. Who wanted to marry her even if she wasn't sure he actually understood or meant what he was really saying. But those memories were pointless in the face of a man who wielded magic like he did and she could still barely control her own powers.
She had been in the study with Elias when the ground opened up beneath her feet and sucked her down. Elias hadn't hesitated and grabbed hold of her and followed her until they awoke up here.
Ruth and Silver weren't close enough. It had taken less than a second but Elias had been right beside her and right now he was the only person she had left in this strange world and seeing him be in so much pain ripped at her heart.
The pope reached down and touched the holy mother's head. "Fear not gift of God, for I am the Pope and God's most merciful of followers." His eyes then looked at the demon, "I have no intention of killing this one." Not yet anyway… it can still serve quite a noble purpose after all devils are made to kill other devils.'
[***]
"What the hell do you want? Was humiliating me and stripping me of my companion not enough?" The Shield Hero, sir Naofumi Iwatania shouted. A grizzled snarl brought on by constant use, not practice, fell across his lips. He had been caught and pushed into a corner once again by the bitch princess and trash King. 'All because I had a slave, Because Raphtalia was my sword… This whole damn world is nothing but a fucking joke! I hate it and this whole damn country!'
The rage was causing his fists to shake as his shield rattled through so much unkempt anger that just wanted to be unleashed yet he was forced to keep bottling it up. Dressed like he jokingly called himself the king of the bandit's with straps of hard studded leather and plate armor bound with a green cloak.
Being forced to be at the King's call right now, though he'd rather be anywhere else he was trapped. Put into an unwinnable situation from the gathering last night and propped up to be pushed around yet again.
How was he supposed to be a Hero when every hand was turned against him? When the entire palace was working to undermine him at every turn. His false rape accusation was given credence because the bitch of a princess had her daddy's ear.
Used, and used again. Naofumi doubted it would ever end- well it would probably end when he made it end but he refused to do that. He wouldn't give them that sick satisfaction of ruining him. He vowed it in his heart that he would get them back, somehow, someway.
King Aultcray remained arrogantly postured on his throne and quite enjoying the humiliation of the devil of the shield. But he knew that he was more than correct, the corrupting influence of the shield could not be allowed to fester and spread across his wonderful country. "Your tone and disposition are unbecoming of a true Hero Shield. Your actions have landed you in the pitiful state that you are currently in. Your assault upon my daughter was warranted enough to have you executed, but then your poor misuse of a demi-human slave… have warranted further tests of your actual status of a Hero."
The king's jeweled finger's clattered lightly as he strummed them across his throne. "But I am the King and must put aside the minor threat you pose for the betterment of our nation. Should you complete this task I will return the demi-human to you and give you an additional ten gold pieces."
Naofumi gritted his teeth, he'd do anything to get Raphtalia back. She wasn't just some slave like they all thought she had become his sword and they had taken away his best chance at moving forward. Though internally he wanted her back, the loss of her presence was more painful than any blow the moron had landed on him during their duel.
"I'll take that as consent, your task is simple. There is a small village two days away, the most holy sight for the three heroes church for this is where the Holy Mother was brought to our world. It is…" The king's words dragged on for a bit letting Naofumi try and put the pieces together in his head. 'Holy Mother? That's the first time I've heard anything like that.' "The Three heroes church stated that a demon followed after the Holy mother and has been kept bound beneath it's sacred halls for months until just a week ago."
The last wave of catastrophe… "The devil has gotten free and if you are able to subjugate it I will return your demi human though she will be free to make her choice on whether or not she joins you." The king finished, "So what will be your choice Shield Hero? Embark upon this most noble of quests and maybe you yourself might get mee the Holy Mother herself."
"Who even is the Holy Mother no one has ever mentioned that name?" He had a legitimate question and Aultcray chuckled.
"She is a powerful source of magic blessed by God himself, she was summoned by the church to help battle evil and protect this country. She is a treasure of the church as all manner of monsters and beasts had attempted to bring her down only to be slain by the most faithful of the church. It is said that she can grant blessings and her blood is capable of purifying the most wicked and cleansing mortal sins. Some have gone blind after gazing upon her holy visage, others claim that a mere touch can heal the soul. Though I have yet to meet her myself as my duties as King have kept me quite busy. I would trust you," Pointing at Naofumi. "Would turn down such a possibility. She might even forgive your past transgressions though I will not."
'Asshole… you just wait.' "Like I have much of a choice, but what is this devil and why didn't the church deal with it when they summoned it?" His question was justifiable and on the heads of several in the room but not vocalized. "But how do you expect me to defeat it without Raphtalia? I don't have anyone who can do direct damage effectively… or is that a part of your plan?" Naofumi narrowed his gaze upon the king who gave a light twitch in his lip. 'More than enough reason I guess. Use me as a pawn to clean up the church's dirty work.'
But the King was prepared for this question and pushed back. "As a Hero I would expect you to be able to handle something like this. Vanquishing evil after all is what Heroes do and if you ever wish to utilize the Church's services you would do well to not refuse this request."
He was screwed and the only thing he could do in hopes of getting Raphtalia back was taking upon this mission. Yet the smile on the King's face only meant ill tidings for him. Steeling his resolve, Naofumi regained his presence. "Just make sure Raphtalia is untouched, your Majesty."
"Of course… Of course…"
An hour later after leaving the King's company-not that he had any intention of sticking around longer than needed- he got himself onto the back of a wagon transport bound for the town knowing that only he had a monster to kill in order to save his companion. But this was more than likely a ploy to either kill him or put him in a position where he could do nothing but fail and deny him Raphtalia.
This wasn't ideal at all, but he didn't have any money to refuse. His reward from the last wave stripped away along with his sword. Sitting back in the covered Wagon Naofumi began his new quest and set him on a collision course with what would make him a literal devil of the shield.
While Naofumi made his journey towards the small town Elias was in a rage underneath the cathedral. His composure as a mage or hell even as a man was out of the window. Several golden chains still bound him to the floor but where they had been perhaps a dozen before they were only enough to keep him in place.
"CHISEEE-!" His massive bellows erupted once again causing a dome of radiant holy magic to surround the area he was chained too.
The underground section of the temple was twice as big as what had been atop. The reasoning for it? Elias didn't care as his large clawed fists punched and bashed the thick stone supports. He had carved out chunks from the massive pillars but there had been nothing else.
The priesthood had stopped coming to chastise him ever since whatever had been holding his bonds down so intensely had begun to wane. He imagined that he looked rather upsetting being strung up like a bird, his arms and legs pulled taut, his neck collared and his chest wearing several thick bands keeping him all but stationary.
Yet his thoughts were being consumed by a single thing now. 'Where is Chise? What is it that they want with her?' Elias the mage had worried that they were after her magic, using her like a fount of magical power straining her poor body and causing her damage and weakening her fatally. But he also knew that humans especially those of the cloth often had a sick lust of the flesh. Whether they be holy or not, the cruelty of humankind had been viewed by him as a creature of shadow.
He had originally not cared for the intimacy shared between mortals, the actions and words were bonding, strengthening connections and one's position in a human's life. The role of partner, parent, community, and position. There were many forms of it and all of it served the same role. It was why he had asked Chise to become his Bride, to be a welcome member of his family. Telling her what she would want to hear, to attach her to himself as a part of his household and more if experimentation requested it.
Before their separation Elise had been able to learn something from his Chise and discover that something deep inside of him needed her so very much. It had been unintentional but the act had led to much more. Chise had asked in her usual meek way for a kiss, not the usual nose snout rub that he gave to her. Like the proper kind shared between lovers, not parents or siblings.
His hypothesis on how to best take the act had been a hybrid of what he could achieve. He'd swapped saliva with his long tongue, sharing a deep caress inside of her mouth, tasting sweet surei bega mana in her female juices.
Elias had developed more than just affection towards his Chise. While normally he could feel the odd thud in his ribs now he felt a stirring within his loins. The odd sensation left him strained at times and he could have ignored the feeling, he wondered what it would be like to satisfy it.
The experiment he performed had only meant to last for several days, after several months he realized the experiment had forgotten it's true purpose. He kissed Chise everyday, moving from short five to ten seconds to longer thirty seconds upwards to a full minute- Chise dictated it as to 'making out'. But that had not given him enough, no he wanted more, it was akin to hunger but not of a sustinece nature.
He wanted Chise but in a different way. So he changed up their schedule, she now slept in his bed with him following the sleep spell incident it was actually rather pleasant. But of course that too quickly devolved into a more basic feeling, He disrobed wearing only underwear- in his more refined humanoid form- and she would wear the barest of clothing.
Having her close made him feel better- but strangely hungrier. But it wasn't him to break things up, it was his little puppy. Sweet Chise one evening had asked if she wouldn't mind a little touching. Curiously he accepted the idea and he had loved it.
Chise had discovered his male phallus, a part of his anatomy that was used for its base utilitarian means.
Dry heaving in the underchambers of the church Elias felt his own body stirring at those now distant memories. The inhuman man was still chained to this place though some of his bonds had been broken he did not know if it would occur again, how long it would take, and the status of his bride would be still left in the unknown mercy of his captors.
Letting his head hang for a moment, the clattering of hsi glistening chains echoing in the defiled underground sanctum. Elias began to breathe another moment where he was more man than beast. "My fear is that I will not see my Chise again but I am more afraid of what is happening to her while I languish in this cell. Yet I still lack the understanding of why we are here? This world is like our own but so unlike it in many other ways." The ability to think clearly had been taken from him in his monstrous rage, but more from the constant pain of being bound up by this world's magic. The binding of his limbs had caused no small amount of pain though no permanent injury was left on his flesh.
"My shapeshifting doesn't remove the binding's, and forming into a shadow is far more confining on my body than it is on this form." Moving his limbs back in where he rested on his hind quarters with his tail able to freely sway behind him. His wing's were still constrained but not hampered. His large paw touched the golden harness around the center of his chest, the intricate spell weaving between his boney ribs before locking itself tight.
"Where is this magic's source? How does it continue to function?" Trying to understand how it could exist without an incantation or the source of the cast being away from him for so long. "If that is the current situation."
Elias released a sigh, he did not know what to do. His captors had provided him little in ways of information. That and he'd killed several of them and devoured their bodies for not only nourishment but also their mana as he surmised that keeping his sense in top priority would be one of many things on his list should he ever get the opportunity to escape.
"But then how to escape? The moment I leave this brick layered prison they will surely take Chise somewhere and keep her from me. So how do I escape without rousing their suspicion?" Using a large clawed finger Elias began to write out his options, opting to make some measure of a strategy.
[***]
The small caravan didn't take too long, Naofumi arrived that afternoon his entire mind stewing with malcontent and thoughts on how to handle things going forward. He disembarked with a small jump from the back of the wagon, not trying to be flashy but the faster he got on with this the quicker he'd get Raphtalia back.
The town however wasn't exactly jumping for joy upon seeing him arrive, perhaps they already knew of his coming. It wouldn't surprise him to put it past that the Trash King or Bitch Princess probably sent some information ahead to poison the people against him already. 'Not like I'm here to help your asses or anything.' Naofumi thought with a slight sigh of annoyance.
It seemed a bit strange as he looked back towards the caravan he had traveled with. There was a large amount of building supplies. He hadn't thought much of it before, but the large amount of lumber, stone, ropes, and other resources were piled high in the wagons.
His eyes were looking to an entirely new building being created in the center of town. The scaffolding was already in place along with the majority of its foundation. 'Guess the church isn't satisfied with having just one holy place.'
Coming closer he could see the steps were already being laid and on top of that he viewed the three heroes' church symbol already engraved into the stone. 'Like they need to shove their symbol onto everything, though I can't imagine why they want me to do this. I mean it would make sense for one of the heroes that this organization actually likes to do this?'
Imagining all of the propaganda that could be pushed out with either the sword, bow, and dumbass spear. They didn't respect the shield, so why send him?
While he looked around the construction site a priest approached him. A man in his late forties, wearing the traditional priestly garb of black and white. His hair pulled back into a short ponytail, Naofumi would guess to help make the balding on the front of his head less of a focal point. "I take it you are the Shield Hero?" The man's voice having that same haughty aristocratic voice like that of the King.
He had just met the guy and already Naofumi was pissed off at him. For perfectly legit reasons.
"You guys have some kind of large monster problem I hear?" He asked to which the priest shushed him as a few heads turned towards the group.
"Not here," He whispered before pulling back and putting on a fake smile. "Come with me you must be tired after your journey."
Shrugging, "Whatever." The shield Hero let himself get taken to the edges of the town. While walking behind the priest he was getting more than just a fair share of weird vibes from the townsfolk.
Hushed whispers, finger pointing and slight scowls all aimed towards him, but he doubted they were for the man he was following.
'They aren't looking at the priest, it's like they are almost accusing me of what's going on here. Christ I'm wondering if this is some kind of stunt that the King is already pushing on me even though I wasn't even here.' As the shield Hero his growing-and warranted- distrust of all things had only been increasing. 'But when your back is against the wall, do you have a choice?'
Penniless, friendless, and hated by the many. The few lives he'd managed to help weren't going to be turning up whenever he needed their aid. That's just how shit this world was, 'Man I am bumming the shit out of myself… though do I really have anything to look forward to?'
Putting his hands in his pocket's aside from the one stuck with a shield on it he let his finger's rest inside of it while being mostly obscured by his cloak.
Peering over the shoulder of the priest who kept walking and not saying a word to him. "You wanna start telling me what is going on here? You're rebuilding a church despite having one as I can see." While it wouldn't be a comparison to the main three hero's church cathedral back in the capital it was the single largest building out there.
The priest stopped moving, adjusting the collar to his shirt before turning around. "While it truly isn't any business as to our affairs, I will answer your question Shield."
Naofumi said nothing but his stare grew a bit harsher, he'd left out the part Hero on purpose. Since they only believed in three of the four cardinal heroes he obviously didn't fit in. What was it with people and their outright hostility towards him despite being out here to help them all he got was more distrust and hostility.
"The new church is being built due to the presence of the monster beneath our current one. I don't know what can be done to kill it but no matter the spells and bindings placed upon it there doesn't seem to be anything capable of harming it… and since the wards he had keeping it confined have begun to fail we might just have to collapse the entire thing down upon it in order to kill it so that evil like that doesn't escape…" His eyes looked over the shield with similar disgust. "While some evil are able to walk freely, others are not, it's just the lesser in this case."
"Look I know you don't want me here, hell I don't want to be fixing problems with your stupid church but I didn't have a choice and it's not like the other heroes are coming out of their way to come and fix your problem since apparently this country has a fetish for summoning people who are and are not welcome."
A cough cleared the priest's throat. "I'll forgive you for that Shield, this place brought us the Holy Mother. A gift from God himself, you can't imagine all of the blessings and good fortune she has brought the people of this town and for the followers of our glorious God. With the Holy Mother we can rid the world of monster's, heretics, and bring the full glory of our teachings to every single un-enlightened soul."
Naofumi gave him a look of disbelief before rolling his eyes. 'This guy is so caught up with his own religion I doubt he even smells the shit coming out of his mouth.' "Yeah, it's so good to summon a monster into your town and then be left with the option of crushing it to death since it refuses to die… but i'll drop the priestly mumbo jumbo. Just tell me about this thing so I can be out of here faster."
"Confident, but perhaps you might succeed." Dropping his preaching tone, "This is not a normal monster. It is the Devil itself."
"You're joking right? You summoned the Devil?" He was a bit skeptical of that. It took an entire country to summon four heroes and some country priest summoned a holy figure and Devil at the same time. 'It's probably just some nasty critter with horns. I doubt they've even seen the stuff from the waves.'
Taking a moment to look around he didn't even see any signs of the fighting that had occurred less than a week ago. No damaged buildings, no fresh graves, nothing.
"When you summon such a holy figure do you think Evil will sit back and let it occur? No, the Devil latched himself onto the Holy Mother and killed dozens of my own congregation as we attempted to rescue her. You could not imagine the horror of a massive misshapen monstrosity with black wings, a skull for a face, massive claws, and a serpent like tail. It is easily five times the size of a mortal man but were it not for our faith we might have perished and let evil run loose among our town." The priest had seen everything first hand, he knew the kind of evil he was dealing with. He couldn't imagine what would occur if it were allowed to just run free. Several of the faithful had gone down to rebind it when the wards started to fail only to be devoured by it. "You are not of our order Shield, but know that I would rather see you victorious than that creature. I would overlook the heresy of what the Hero of the shield brings, but you would have to view the horror that lurks beneath our holy cathedral to truly understand that if it isn't stopped it will plunge this world into darkness."
The shield Hero wanted to say something smart but what good would it do to have an argument with some religious fanatic. "Just show me the damn thing so I can do my job."
Twenty minutes later the priest led Naofumi to a hidden door, a massive stone slab had been rolled in front of it, a series of stairs twisted down from the main area.
He had seen as he walked inside that there had been some type of fight. The stained glass looked like it had been replaced in several places along with long whip-like marks throughout the main pillars and columns. Some of them were still blackened like it was burned or corrupted as the priest had told him.
Moving to the side the priest who managed to roll the stoney block out of the way revealed the hidden doorway. "I wish you luck, but should you fail, know that I will still attempt to recover what remains of your body and attempt to have God bless it even though you carry the shield."
"Oh, wow really?" The sarcasm laced response was ignored by the priest as Naofumi moved past him. But as he peered down he saw nothing but complete darkness, a small bit of light glowed down below but even with his abilities he couldn't see in total darkness. "You have a torch or something?"
Grabbing a brazier from the wall the priest handed it to him. As the hero's hands touched the priest closed his eyes and brought his free arm to his chest."Heavenly father guide this sinner to victory over the devil."
Releasing a groan he took the light source and walked down the steps, the stone blocks were much older than the ones upstairs. Looking through his HUD he scanned around looking for what would be down here and as he did he saw something that made him stop in his tracks.
He could see a large arm moving on the floor. Yet as she tried to get a level on the monster in question the only thing he saw was a bizarre set of symbols. They weren't even numbers just ¿?. What did that even mean, he'd never seen anything like this, even the crazy monsters didn't have stats like that.
He continued to examine which only further complicated the matter. No name, no hit points, but there was a magic bar and it was absolutely massive. It created several entire rows below the non-existent health bar which meant this thing was alive.
Still his eyes watched and the large arm moved around in the ground. Cutting small grooves and as he watched he saw something that caused him to lose his composure. Without stopping himself he blurted out. "Is that English?"
"SHIT!" Naofumi cursed as the large hand stopped moving in place. Any element of surprise was not completely off the table. Leaving him to try and settle this with just his poor shield and a stick with fire on it. 'This is going to be rough isn't it.'
"Are you able to read this language? Perhaps fate isn't unkind to me." A thick rough voice spoke back to him causing Naofumi to almost jump in surprise as a large bony head drew itself into sight. Two large red eyes stared at him, along with a fairly monstrous form, but even for that he saw the golden chains strapped to the creature's body in place for the most part.
"Are you speaking to me?" It seemed a tad illogical for a giant monster to start talking to you with deep reverberations.
The creature just stared directly at him, "Would I be speaking to someone else? However, you aren't dressed like those religious fanatics and your recognition of this language tells me volumes more than me speaking at you." The head turned away, "But I wouldn't be surprised if this strange world has some other unknown magic that allows you to understand a language that I know."
That really hit with the shield hero, that realization that this creature was somehow connected to his world? 'Wait. Wait. Don't jump to conclusions. THis could be some type of elaborate trick. Think about this, I can't even register his status. He doesn't really appear as anything. I mean hell he doesn't even resemble anything from my world?'
Still Naofumi made his way down the steps further. Stopping just at the base where it opened up revealing the massive 'monster' in all of his glory. Holding up the torch the Shield Hero was able to look around and see the less than appealing remains of those that had come before him, their clothes left in tatters around the clay floor. Their garb of that of the three heroes church along with their aquila, "Evidently the holy order attempted to purge you and failed I see." Looking for a reaction.
But the large monster settled back on it's serpent-like tail. "Does that upset you?"
"No, these guys have been assholes to me…" Setting the brazier in a mount along the wall Naofumi leaned himself back against the stone. "I'm guessing they haven't been kind to you either."
The skull creature plucked at the magical chains around his torso. "I would say given my current situation that would be accurate." He then set his large hands down on the floor. "Perhaps though you would enlighten me as to why you're here? Those who have me imprisoned have only let those of their faith down here since my imprisonment."
The Hero could see the cuts and grooves made into the large pillars holding up the basement, all of them looked like rage as large gouges were made into the stone and the red brick dust was covering the creatures hands. But since he was still chained up, Naofumi decided to gamble and play honesty perhaps there was something more to this situation than he was first told. "They sent me here to kill you."
An audible silence came next for several moments along with the slow dragging of the creature's serpent tail. "That would be an unwise course of action, but before we discuss our upcoming battle might I have your name?"
"You're quite formal for a monster." He couldn't help with a light chuckle.
Taking a moment to clear its throat the skull monster continued. "I believe etiquette is more respected amongst humans, although others disagree and just view my fair visage and make brash assumptions. Now before we progress further, do you have a name?"
What the hell did it matter if he told him his name? Perhaps he was going a bit crazy? Yet there was no reason to be brash if both sides were being cordial for now. "I'm Naofumi. Naofumi Iwatani or how the rest of this country addresses me as the Shield Hero."
It was Elias's turn to study the human in his company. There were obvious differences in appearance, speech, tone, and presentation. He had very little in common with those that had been his captors/tormentors, but his appearance had indications of something closer to Chise, perhaps it was due to their geographical nature from where they came from, hereditary traits were often similar for people sharing a common ancestry.
On Top of that, this... Naofumi said that he wasn't affiliated with this church. Coupling that with his understanding of a language from where he had come from also gave further inkling's that this was more genuine.
"Where are you from Naofumi Iwatani?" Elias asked looking down at the human.
He scratched his head, "Well that's complicated but I came from Japan, back from the world I was from, I'm not from this place or country." He put on a grin and shrugged back towards Elias.
His head slightly tilted, "Were you magicked to this world? A bright light enveloping you and then awakening in this country?"
"Yeah, that was a bit shocking of course it seemed kind of cool like a Video game or something… but this country is run by a no good piece of shit King and bitch daughter. But that's getting a little off topic. Would-"
"Continue," Elias interrupted. " I would like to know more. I know little of this world and having been trapped down here for so long I would like more information. But before that, you may call me Elias. Elias Ainsworth and I weren't brought here alone… my apprentice, but more importantly my Bride she was taken from me. Like you, she was from Japan, perhaps you knew a Chise Hatori?"
The shield Hero shook his head, "Sorry that name doesn't ring a bell. But I'll venture to guess that your Chise is this Holy Mother everyone is talking about-!" Naofumi had a take a step backwards and put himself in a defensive posture as Elias lunged forwards. The golden chains glowing brighter and the sound of burning embers began to fill the room-like a crackling fire- as the red eyes that glowed in the large skull seemed to only grow larger and focus strictly on him.
"Do you know where my Chise is? Is she fine, has anyone hurt her? What are they doing to her?"
He had readied his shield just in case of attack, the twin headed dogs forming outwards from his new shield's shape. The two just stared at one another, Naofumi's hand only slightly flicking his fingers as he stared straight at Elias, giving himself just enough room to possibly shield prison and make a break for it if he came after him.
Slowly the red eyes faded to black, leaving where his eyes would be completely empty. "I apologize, I have never been easily able to control myself when it comes to Chise." Slowly he pulled back, the glow and sound of fire crackling dulling as he no longer strained against the bindings. "It was hard to control myself when I discovered jealousy, and when she left to be with others and I would have to wait for her return." There was a long pause as Elias collected himself. "This… sensation now is hard to describe as I am worried for her and my imprisonment has only amplified these new emotions flowing in me."
Returning himself to a standing posture, Naofumi looked at the massive 'monster' Elias. Nothing about this was right. A part of him wanted to rationalize this as some kind of trick, that this monster was just like any other except it could mimic people, he'd never seen another creature like it so it could be possible. Another part of him however disagreed with that, first off he was sent here to fight this thing in order to get Raphtalia back and this thing was way stronger than anything he'd faced previously. Of course he could put that off to his display not giving him any real information on Elias but then his explanation would be an answer as to why that was.
'Wait a second…' "You're saying you and ehm… Chise were summoned here right?" Elias nodded his head. "So this country has summoned six people to this world. So why keep that a secret from us?" Naofumi put a hand under his chin as he processed this. "Summon the four cardinal Heroes and leave out the fact that another girl from our world and her… Fiance," Looking at Elias for a second. "Are brought here ahead of us by the church. Yet the country is only supposed to be the one with the power to do that, but I'm believing the bullshit that the King told me… Yeah right." He shook his head. "They summoned us probably as an afterthought, these two or she was the real target for the church. I'm guessing they probably wanted to cover it up and got us here faster. Dirty bastards so then just...' It then slowly drew the only logical conclusion that was now staring him in the face.
'I was sent here to either die or cover this up. I very much doubt they expected me to just come in here and have a full blown conversation.' His eyes shifted back up towards the doorway which was still covered. "As if I didn't have enough reasons to hate this fucking country. Let's just add one more on top of the pile." He spat the bad taste that began to build in his mouth as he had obviously been treated like a sacrificial pawn. Yet considering all that he had been framed for doing so far this would give the King a perfect out for getting rid of him without doing it himself. Take away Raphtalia thanks to the moronic spear hero then leave him with nothing and face off against some crazy monster and probably have the other heroes come in once he failed. It was a good plan but clearly the Trash King didn't have enough information otherwise he doubted he'd be standing here speaking with the monster that he was supposed to kill, maybe the church hadn't told King Aultcray about it or they just took him for stupid.
He took in a full breath of air, "Well now I'm stuck." His head rolling up and looking at the ceiling and the obviously faded decor of the church above him.
"Pardon?" Elias said, "Stuck how, your legs seem capable of moving or do you mean in a metaphoric sense?"
Naofumi sighed. "I was sent here to destroy you in order to save Raphtalia… but I believe that you're telling me more truth than the people of this country so I have to think on what I should do. The obvious thing would be to fight you but I'd probably lose, leaving a demi-human in the captivity of a bunch of human supremacists but if I leave they'll just send someone else to do the job meaning I still don't get her back." He turned and sat on the bottom steps, "So I am literally unable to make any headway. I'm put in a no win-situation like you."
The mage could hear the sadness in his voice, it reminded him of the worry that Chise had felt for him when he had lost the ability to maintain his refined form. This Naofumi was worried about his Raphtalia- Elias's version of Chise- and listening to his words he could believe him as telling the truth, the Church would more than likely send someone to actually finish him off. But he could not, and would not allow his bride to be a prisoner by this church's fanatics. 'This human does not like the ones who imprisoned me, he has status as a Hero though I'm not sure what that fully entails.'
"If you leave here, what will you do?" Elias asked, setting up a proposition should he hear some acceptable answers.
"I don't know, perhaps try and do some cheap work and try and buy another slave… but it will kill me to not get Raphtalia. She was already a slave once before and I don't think they'll treat her better just because she's separated from me, I believe they'll do worse…"
"Worse?"
He looked down at the floor, "I don't want to say it or even think about it." 'Why does everything have to be so complicated.'
"Might I offer a solution then? You wish to retrieve your purchased slave Raphtalia and I would like to get my Bride Chise back." Elias raised up a hand from the floor. "How about a bargain, if you free me and in return I will give you aid. We both can use one another to get what we want."
That hadn't crossed the Shield Hero's mind. "You want to work together?" The giant skull nodded at him. "But how? I mean I can't exactly get you out of here, this place is huge and you'll probably attract a lot of attention and even if I do help you they'll probably kill Raphtalia and your Chise."
Elias's red eyes flared, "I will not let that happen! I am thousands of years old, a powerful mage that is known as Pilum Moralis. The thorned one, the non-human and non-fae being accepted by no one except my teacher and Bride." Elias almost shouted and then offered his hand a bit more forcefully again, "You will have my utmost services until Chise is returned to me." The look in his eyes burning like the sun.
"How can I trust you?" It was honest to which Elias tilted his head and looked down at the Hero.
"Do you trust those who sent you here? Take my hand and I promise your Raphtalia shall be brought back and revenge against the ones who have wronged you… once I have Chise I will try find us a way back home." He was tempting the Shield Hero, giving him a deal that was loaded. But Naofumi did not jump at it, cautious and processing the worst case scenarios in his mind. "Do you think this will be the last time they use you? The longer your indecision consumes you the further your Raphtalia slips away from you as my Chise does." Rising up Elias stood on his legs towering above the human, his black wings spreading as his mouth opened up, giving a terrifying display of power. "Now is the chance, do not be Passive Naofumi Iwatani! Will you keep your head bowed and let those you care for suffer or fight back?"
The voice reverberated as the display of Elias's power was not lost on the human. Make the choice? Risk fate with the people who betrayed him time and time again or the monster locked beneath the church by the very same people who constantly stabbed him in the back. His fists clenched tightly together. "I promised her that I'd see her returned to me…" His voice low, reminding himself of how the princess and King pushed him into a corner and stole the only person that had mattered to him in this world right out from underneath him only to then laugh and spit in his face.
His head snapped up and he thrust up his hand towards Elias and in that moment he could've sworn he saw that boney skull smile.
[***]
The priest walked down the steps looking at the side of the Devil of the Shield, though he did not announce his feelings. It appeared like there had been a significant fight, the Shield's face was slightly bleeding and then peppering in dirt and grit. Then the cuts on his apparel, his armor looked broken off and in separate sections of the room. "One of my other members of my clergy who was still inside said you called for me?"
As he came down he saw the downed image of the other devil on the floor. It's body sprawled out and laying limp. "Thanks for coming so fast." Naofumi said, sounding irritated. "I need to remove these chains in order to kill this thing, since I don't have someone fighting for me I need to get up close." He didn't take his eyes off the creature. "I can end this but I need to remove the chains keeping it bound."
The priest stared at Naofumi who didn't shift his focus away from the flattened creature. "Why can you not kill it as is? You have it subdued, don't you?"
"Yes that would be ideal, but if I try and finish this that spell will affect me," His one eye then shifted towards the 'holy man'. "You did know that right or was that convenience just left out for my sake?"
"That spell does not do that, it is designed to keep evil bound." He countered but the shield Hero turned fully towards him. His green twisted shield held up between the two men.
"I can detect magic and there's a hidden counter measure in that spell and you just stated it was to keep evil bound and what was I other than evil just this afternoon according to you?" It couldn't be unsaid, to this church Naofumi was the sinner. Perhaps not compared to their literal devil but he was the devil of the shield so which one was higher on their shit list would be difficult to determine.
The older man's face went a bit red. "I will not be directed by your will, I am a servant of God and the Pope and you will-"
"Shield Prison!" The metallic ball formed around the man's body with tightly wrapped chains. Turning the world dark.
"Demon! Release me from this, or I swear you will suffer for this you accursed Shield Hero!" The man's voice still reached Naofumi.
But Naofumi just kicked the ball causing a heavy ringing sound that stung the man's ears inside. "Look I don't have time for this, no remove the spell so I can be done with this. I have a very long time to wait Priest. So the faster you get going the faster we both can be done with this."
"I will not waiver you sinner!" The man was still being damn stubborn.
Growling, "Fine, then I'll just leave and come back tomorrow, my magic can sustain that for about two days… and if you really get frisky I can just push that ball closer to that devil and we'll see how long my shield prison lasts against a monster like him. I'm sure he will listen to you."
"Bastard, my congregation won't stand for this, they won't let you get away with this." He was calling Naofumi's bluff. He didn't believe that he could actually do this, what was the benefit. Even if the spell did have some effects on it… they weren't intended to be used on the Shield Hero… perhaps.
Yet Naofumi didn't back down, he could only double down. "Yeah and what are you going to tell them trapped within a ball down here? All I have to do is cast some earth magic and that stone slab won't move for anyone. But since you are still being argumentative I'll just leave you here to think about it." With that Naofumi began to walk up the stairs, while not quick it wasn't slow either. Each audible clack taking a small toll on the holy man trapped inside as while he knew he could be vindicated he wasn't sure how long it would take.
When the sound of his audible steps were about to fade away the man felt the sweat drip from his brow- "ALRIGHT!" The voice shouted, "ALRIGHT JUST LET ME OUT OF HERE!"
"Drop the spell and I'll let you out." Naofumi said, crossing his fingers.
The brilliant golden glow surrounding the monstrous form began to fade, the golden bonds shimmering and then began to rapidly dim. "It is done! Now let me go!" The prison faded and the priest landed on his knees looking towards Naofumi who was still on the steps. Spitting in the hero's direction he got up to his feet. "I gave you what you asked for, now finish the job sinner." Yet as he looked at the other man he felt the warm breath on the back of his neck like a bull snorting behind you.
Turning his head the priest saw the face of the devil staring directly at him, blood red eyes just a foot from his own face. The wolf skull twisted and gnarled brown horns only seemed to swell in size. His feathered wings slowly expanded upwards like an unholy angel.
"You call me a monster, the devil, how little you know Human." Elias's monstrous voice spoke as he continued to swell upwards towering over him like a giant until his horns were halfway to the ceiling. "I am Shadowy thorns, neither human nor fae. But beyond my name, you are the reason my bride was stolen from me."
His black hands easily the size of the man's torso grabbed either side of him and lifted him up off the ground. "I will spare your existence if you tell me where my Chise is. Where is my apprentice, the woman who makes me feel more human than fae... " He surged his face within inches of his. "TELL ME!"
It was terrifying and probably the single most horrifying experience this man ever had for the man of the cloth… and yet. "Never… You are…" His voice and fortitude faded as his stared death in the face and began to whimper. The massive jaws of the horned one opening wide, saliva dripping from the edges of his teeth until only the massive purple skinned jaw encapsulated his field of view. "The devil. I will not tell you anything. Even if-!"
Elias's massive jaws snapped around his body, blood spurted as Elias severed the man in half but he did not stop. Tearing into the flesh with abandon, viewing this human much like the monster Cartephelius had speared his precious Chise. Blood ripped and sprayed all over the place until nothing remained but a few bits of tattered cloth. With an exhale, bits of flesh and thick blood dribbled from his teeth Elias slowly began to shift forms.
Naofumi didn't object, due to his precarious position, but as Elias shifted forms becoming a black mass along the floor which moved up the steps and then made contact with his own outline he felt a surge overtake him.
Elias's black shadow touched the shield and the green orb turned red. His HUD flared with unknown symbols and his arm began to twitch and bend without his will. Naofumi's blood felt on fire as it twitched and boiled 'What? What is this!?' His shield was reacting to Elias and as he stared straight ahead a single word flashed across his display.
Cursed
Looking at his shield it had become an amalgamation. It was jet black like a kite shield, two large spiraled goat horn protrusions came off each side, the middle portion flanked by the blackened feathers that hung along the edges. But the center held the image of a large mouth, as if staring into the jaw of Elias's huge form with only a single drop of red.
'Fascinating.' Hearing the mage speak to him brought him back to reality. 'You are more similar to Chise than the other human's and your weapon of choice has adapted my physique to it. I must say this magic is quite unique, it holds none of the arcane qualities back from our world.'
"Where exactly are you?" Naofumi asked as he didn't see the horned Elias anywhere.
'I am in your shadow, this will be most agreeable for me at the moment. I will remain hidden but with you at all times for the current time frame. The less people see me the safer our pact shall remain.'
"I see," Though in reality he didn't. No, Naofumi couldn't see him at all but he could feel him crawling up and down his spine. It felt… a little uncomfortable but bearable. "So, what now?"
'What now? We find my Chise and your Raphtalia. I am your partner until we get what we want. You have helped me and I shall help you. It is most beneficial for both of us to work together, you will be persecuted even worse should they discover your role and your female will likely perish as a result to punish you and my Chise could share a similar fate. So until that time we are allies with a common cause. You shall be Naofumi the Shield Hero and I will be your shadow.'
"Kind of sounds like you really are the Devil with you lurking in the shadow's like that?" He tried to make a joke but he didn't quite understand the creature he was dealing with.
"If-" Elias's voice sounded closer as his form appeared seemingly out from his back like a liquid. "That is what they call me I will not refute this so long as I achieve my goals and get my Bride back." Elias's head moved fluidly in front of Naofumi. "I disagree with your attire, it does not reflect well. You look like a thief or bandit."
Someone actually sees it besides me?' He couldn't help but appreciate that perception someone else had.
"So how about I make things a bit more appropriate." Falling back around Naofumi's shoulders the plate armor and leather became something much more refined fitting for Elias's tastes. A full three piece black leather suit with a white button up shirt and dark blue vest carrier. His cloak now a full size collared black leather duster with blue and white accents that hung at the edges of his wrists and just around his ankles. "Should my Chise see me, she will know we are together and such an appearance is more formal and acceptable."
The Shield Hero had to admit he looked a bit more, high class. His shield transformed back to it's regular shape he allowed it's reflection to give hima full glimpse of himself. "Looks a little too noble though and not practical for fighting."
"This is only magic, an illusion, your regular armor is just hidden. It is both functional and dashing." To emphasize his point the illusion disappeared revealing his regular garb was in fact just as it had always been.
'Ehhh can't really argue with this guy. If calling him a guy is appropriate.' "Alright well I've got to convince people you're dead and that this priest guy died during the fighting any thoughts?"
The mage merely laughed. "Of course…" And with only a moment's pause began to cause the entire cathedral to collapse in on itself. "I'd suggest running." With that brief explanation Naofumi began to sprint towards the exit, dirt and stone raining from above as Elias brought the entire place down upon itself.
Several hours later…
The dust had settled, the Shield Hero had been 'victorious' to the masses but their holy priest had unfortunately perished in the final conflict and as Naofumi mounted up on a wagon to take him back to the capitol to retrieve Raphtalia did his shadow move from behind him and stare him in the face.
R&R