Chapter 4: Prayer of Exodus
It was another night as Naofumi and most of his party were resting by a small makeshift tent. Raphtalia and Filo laid by one another while Yang laid on a top tree branch only to fall off and land flat on his face yet remain deep asleep. Naofumi was in his wagon currently working on a project while Yin stayed outside removing his armor piece by piece.
"Your armor...is a family heirloom?" Naofumi asked while keeping his focus on a bracelet he was making for Raphtalia.
"Yes. The armor of Exodus. Said to repel all forms of the undead," Yin said holding the chest plate up to his face smiling proudly.
"Is that saying true?" Naofumi asked raising the bracelet so he could see it in the light better.
"I am not sure. Its abilities are only legends. So far it served its purpose by protecting me against the giant plant monster from before," Yin admitted before placing the chest place down and sigh while looking over his shoulder to see what Naofumi was doing. "What are you making Naofumi-sama?"
"Nothing," Naofumi answered before exiting his wagon to walk toward Filo and Raphtalia with Yin following behind him without his armor.
Yin watched as Naofumi knelt by Raphtalia to reveal a golden bracelet before he looked over to a hairpin in her hair. Yang suddenly woke in a panic as he pushed himself off the ground and looked directly at Naofumi causing the shield hero to jump a little.
"I didn't do it!" Yang shouted as he looked around with his tired eyes to see Naofumi and Yin standing up while he rubbed his eyes. "What I miss?"
"...nothing brother. Go back to sleep," Yin whispered with a light chuckle.
"...got it," Yang said before falling back to sleep in an instant.
Naofumi and Yin looked at each other before the paladin let off a soft chuckle.
"Did you get any sleep at all Naofumi-sama?" Yin asked as he walked back to his armor pieces.
"Not yet," Naofumi said as he stashed the hairpin as well as the bracelet.
"I see. Try not to sleep too late. There is still much to do every day," Yin said before turning toward Naofumi and sitting down on the ground with his back leaning against the crates of herbs.
"...noted," Naofumi spoke before looking at Yin's armor. "Are you not worried that someone is going to steal your family heirloom?"
"I would wish them luck. Only those of Todoroki bloodline and worthy of a successor may touch it. All others are burned by its magical protection," Yin said closing his eyes.
"You've seen it happen before?" Naofumi asked with a raised brow.
"Yes. Many have tried to steal my armor, but all have lost their limbs due to the armors magical protection," Yin said letting out a soft yawn.
"What do you mean?" Naofumi asked walking up to Yin who opened his left eye slightly.
"Their arms turn to ash the moment they touch it...whether it be bare or with a tool. The magic spell on it travels through all fabric and turns it to ash..." Yin answered before closing his eyes. "Sleep well Naofumi-sama."
-Morning-
As morning came, the party started to clean up with Raphtalia folding up the blankets, Filo preparing the wagon for herself while Yang helped his brother in putting the crates back into the wagon. Suddenly, two figures appeared out of the forest path revealing it to be an elderly woman with a young boy. Naofumi looked to Yin and nudged his head in which the paladin nodded and lightly placed the crate down before walking over to the two.
"Are you two okay?" Yin asked before the young boy nodded.
"Do you have food?" The boy asked in which Yin nodded his head as he turned to look at Naofumi.
"Can we offer food to these two travelers?" Yin asked while turning his body slightly.
Naofumi sighed before nodding his head and then turned to Raphtalia.
"Get two bowls and two spoons for these two Raphtalia," Naofumi said.
"Right away Naofumi-sama," Raphtalia said before putting the blankets down to prepare the two a bowl of leftovers stew, they had in the morning.
After Raphtalia finished serving them, the two travelers ate slowly with sadness in their eyes.
"If you keep going, you'll die," The young boy commented while looking down at the food.
"We heard there's a village down this path," Naofumi said narrowing his eyes.
"The village is done for," The elderly woman said staring blankly at the food.
"Done for? What do you mean?" Yang asked with his head tilted slightly and his hands-on his hips.
"The plague even got the village elder," The elderly woman before she started to eat food given to her along with the boy.
"A plague has overtaken a village and the king does nothing..." Yin said looking at the ground while standing by Naofumi.
"It's nothing new with someone like that as king," Yang commented with an annoyed groan. "What's surprising is that no hero is acting on it,"
"No matter. We won't change our course," Naofumi said looking over at Yin and yang.
"Yeah, I know. So, when are we heading out?" Yang asked with his hands behind his head now.
"We can leave as soon as these two are done eating," Yin said looking at the elderly and the boy seeing they were halfway done eating.
"Fine. As soon as they finish, we head to the village," Naofumi said closing his eyes and making his way back to the wagon.
Once the two had finished eating, they returned Naofumi's bowls and spoons with a bow of thanks before they went on their way. With the two gone, everyone finished packing up and left to the village down the path. It took half an hour for them to reach the village with Naofumi flowing down Filo to a walking speed so that he could hop out and lead Filo into the village. The first one they saw was an elderly man who had just come out of his home.
"What brings you to a place like this?" The elderly man asked while looking at Naofumi.
"I'm a traveling merchant. I'm here to sell you medicine," Naofumi answered.
"A traveling merchant?" The elderly man repeated before looking at Filo causing his eyes to widen. "Wait, that filolial...Could it be the Heavenly Fowl?"
"Nah. I still think she's an overgrown chicken," Yang commented earning a slap in the back of the head by Yin. "What? It's true!"
"Doctor!" The elderly man shouted as he ran past them toward a stone house.
"What's the matter?" The voice of another man asked.
"Our savior of the Heavenly Fowl has come for us!" The elderly man shouted before moving out of the doctor's way to point at Naofumi and his party.
The doctor of the village walked up and looked at Naofumi before moving his attention to Filo as he left his home to make his way to the shield hero.
"Are you here to help us?" The doctor asked as he stopped in front of Naofumi.
"For the right price," Naofumi answered with half-opened eyes.
"Always so cold," Yang softly commented.
"Then please, this way," The doctor said before leading them toward the church.
It did not take them long before they came into view of the church while Filo waited outside with the wagon.
"Doctor?" Naofumi as the Doctor lead him inside the church with most of the party following their leader inside revealing Yin in his full armor set now.
"I run the village clinic. If I may ask, are you really..." The doctor started before being cut off but Naofumi.
"I'm only here to sell you medicine," Naofumi said.
"Even that would be a great help!" The doctor said with a smile. "I cannot make nearly enough for everyone,"
As Naofumi walked through the door of the church, he could already see the spread of this unknown plague. With all of them inside, Yin could not help but look at the patients that struggled to cling to life. Suddenly a nurse spoke up due to the unexpected guests while she held a clipboard in her arm.
"Doctor, who are these people?" She asked looking at Naofumi then at the rest of his party while her eyes lingered on Yin for a few extra seconds.
"Oh, they say they'll sell us medicine," The Doctor answered with a smile.
"...looking at this, I should probably give it to them myself," Naofumi said before walking up to the closest patient while taking out a potion he had in his pocket as well as his shield shifting into his medicine shield to increase the efficiency of the potions.
"That shield comes in handy," Yang said with his hands placed behind his back.
"The herbs also help," Yin added looking at his brother as the patient Naofumi was treating was cured of the negative status ailment.
"Distribute the potions to the rest of the patients," Naofumi said causing the three-party members to nod their head and start to treat every patient in the church.
Once all the patients were treated, Naofumi brought his party out of the church to move a few potion crates into the shack near the church. As Naofumi placed the last crate inside the shack, he walked outside to see Yin looking over at a small graveyard with a lone elderly woman before a tombstone lost in thought.
"...where did this plague come from?" Yin questioned while looking back at the old lady with worried eyes.
"Don't know. Why not ask the doctor here. Pretty sure he's got answers," Yang answered before they both looked back at Naofumi.
"They still need to pay for the potions...but I will ask," Naofumi said with an annoyed tone making Yin smile softly and bow his head in thanks. "Raphtalia, come on,"
"What about us?" Yang asked with his arms stretched out.
"What about you? Stay out here and wait," Naofumi answered before heading back into the church.
Yang sighed heavily at being told to wait patiently outside with his brother while he leaned up against the wall of the building with his hands behind his head. Yin, on the other hand, was standing up straight with his arms crossed over his head and eyes closed.
"This is boring. There I said it," Yang admitted as he pushed himself off the wall and placed his hands by his sides now while looking at Filo who was sitting in front of the wagon.
"Patience brother. I am sure there is a reason why they are taking long. After all, Naofumi-sama is still getting information on the plague," Yin said opening his eyes to look at his brother.
"I know. I know...but you know how fast I get bored bro," Yang said tilting his head at his brother only for Naofumi and Raphtalia to finally walk out of the house.
"Naofumi-sama," Yin said unfolding his arms and walking up to the shield hero stopping him in his tracks.
"We have work to do," Naofumi said before continuing to walk to the wagon in which Raphtalia looked at Yin than Yang.
"He'll explain along the way," Raphtalia said with a smile before she followed after Naofumi.
"You heard the lady, let's go, bro," Yang said with a chuckle as he followed the young warrior as Yin followed behind him.
-Path to the dragon corpse-
"So how did the plague come to be?" Yin asked looking at Raphtalia than Naofumi.
"A month ago, a large dragon had nested in the mountains but was killed by Ren. Instead of cleaning his mess, he left it and because of that...the dragon corpse rotted...and poisoning the air," Naofumi explained.
"Can't they get rid of that themselves?" Yang asked sitting in the back with his hands behind his back.
"They couldn't. From what we heard, there are a lot of violent monsters in the mountains. Due to the monsters, average adventurers cannot even get close to the corpse," Raphtalia answered.
"... when you put it that way, I guess it's understandable," Yang admitted.
"Because of the rotting corpse, the land has also changed," Naofumi said narrowing his eyes.
"So, you're telling me the sword hero killed a dragon and left it?" Yin asked with a slight hint of rage.
"Yes," Naofumi answered bluntly.
Yin was about to question more into it but was stopped by Yang who nudged his side to get his attention. As Yin turned to look at his brother, all he saw Yang shaking his head as a means to leave it alone for now. The paladin could not help but shut his eyes tightly and grit his teeth but nodded his head before moving to the back of the wagon to calm himself down.
"So, what about the Royal Court..." Yang quoted with a mocking tone. "...what are they doing about this?"
"They are sending medicine to help the village but nothing else. The heroes are too busy doing...other things," Naofumi said with an annoyed tone.
"And yet they still want to be called heroes. Stupid," Yang said sighing but sat up straight with a smile. "What are we getting out of this?"
"Five-hundred silver coins and hazard pay," Naofumi answered.
"...uhh do they even have that much?" Yang asked with a raised brow.
"They will be giving us the money that they were planning on giving to the Royal Court," Naofumi answered.
"HAH! Now that is something I can agree on," Yang shouted before laughing.
"Wait, we are going to an area that has poisoned air. Do we have any protection against that?" Yang asked looking at Naofumi.
"We will use cloth wraps to cover our nose and mouth to prevent us from breathing in the poison air," Naofumi answered as they were coming up to the mountain path leading to the dragon's corpse.
"Alright, I'll let Yin know then," Yang said before moving back to see Yin glaring out the back of the wagon and sighed. "You okay man?"
"Does it look like I'm okay?" Yin asked turning to glance at his brother. "A hero killed a dragon and left its corpse behind to fester which not only threatens a nearby village but also the land as well,"
"Yeah. Welp good thing we're going to deal with it right? Not only are we going to clean up that dragon's corpse but maybe it will also help the land...as well as the people," Yang said with a smile as he placed his hand on his brother's shoulder who looked at the ground before nodding his head.
"You're right brother. As always... thank you," Yin said with a smile once more while Yang sighed in relief.
"Alright anyhow. Boss wants us to wrap a piece of cloth around our nose and mouth, so we don't get poisoned," Yang said while handing him a cloth for him to use.
Yin nodded his head in thanks before taking his helmet off and wrapping it around his lower face while Yang did the same.
"Hope this doesn't take to...OH, SHIT!" Yang stopped as the wagon sped up making Yang tumble forward and face plant into the floor while Yin braced himself against the back of the wagon and the side.
The sight of monsters being thrown over them caught Yin's eyes as he watched their forms grow smaller and smaller with each passing second.
"I take it back...I hope it does," Yang said pushing himself off the ground and shaking his head as the wagon started to slow down again.
-Dragon Corpse-
As they arrived, Naofumi walked ahead with a pickaxe in his hand while Raphtalia held a hammer. Yang and Yin were right behind them with the paladin having two pickaxes while his brother held only one hammer.
"We should've eaten before coming here. Looking at this is making me lose my appetite," Naofumi said looking at Raphtalia while Yin nodded in agreement.
"... meh I've seen worse," Yang commented before walking past Naofumi and Raphtalia to make his way toward the dead dragon. "...but I am pretty hungry so the faster we deal with this thing the faster we can head back to the village and eat,"
Naofumi nodded his head in agreement before the three made their way toward the corpse.
"Looking at its size, even taking it apart will be a pain, " Naofumi complained before Yang came to a full-on stop as a piece of stone fell to the ground.
"Brother?" Yin asked looking at his brother before the dragon's corpse began to shift and move before pushing itself off the ground to its feet as it released a loud screech.
"A dragon zombie?!" Naofumi spoke with wide eyes.
"What do we do Naofumi-sama?" Raphtalia asked in shock.
"What else are we going to do? We're going to kill this thing..." Yang paused before shaking his head and dropping his hammer. "I mean re-kill this thing,"
"No. Let's back off for now," Naofumi called making Yang groan but turn to follow after everyone else back to the wagon only for Filo to jump over them and land.
"A dragon! I hate dragons!" Filo shouted as she charged the zombie dragon.
"She's got the right idea!" Yang shouted before running back to the wagon and grab his weapon while Yin dropped the mining tools to pull his sword out just as Filo kicked the zombie dragon across the face.
"Maybe we can fight it," Naofumi commented before Yang jumped past them as well to join up with Filo.
"I got your back, Filo!" Yang shouted as he grinned madly. "Release!" As he unsheathed his katana to fire a hundred katanas out and pierce the zombie dragons' body causing it to screech in pain.
The dragon zombie slowly looked at the party with poisonous gas spewing out of its mouth causing Naofumi to grit his teeth.
"Everyone, get behind me!" Naofumi shouted.
Everyone immediately moved behind Naofumi as the dragon zombie shot a stream of its poisonous breath at them. Thanks to Naofumi, he was able to deflect most of the attack but sadly some had gotten through and poisoned not only Raphtalia but also Yang. This caused both to cough heavily while Raphtalia used her free hand to cover her mouth and Yang fall to his knees.
"Damn it! *cough*cough* Fricken poison breath!" Yang shouted before coughing more. "Seriously?!"
"We have to kill this zombie as quickly as we can before it's too late for Yang and Raphtalia!" Yin shouted as he charged toward the zombie dragon.
"Now I'm mad!" Filo shouted as she followed Yin.
"We have to fall back and regroup!" Naofumi shouted which Yang laughed lightly.
"Filo ain't gonna listen. Bro's not going to listen either... both of them *cough*cough* wants to kill that damn thing *cough* and I'm with them *cough* do you really think that thing is going to let us run?" Yang asked looking at Naofumi.
Naofumi looked at Yang as he was talking before he turned toward the dragon and watched Filo pound away at the dragon while Yin slashed at its legs only for its wounds to simply heal a second later. Suddenly, Filo was knocked back only to charge back toward the zombie dragon once more before Naofumi shouted at her. This distracted Filo for a split second allowing the dragon to open its maw and devour the filolial before swallowing.
"FILO!" Raphtalia shouted as the zombie dragon brought its tail to knock Yin into the side of the mountain causing a loud BANG.
"YIN!" Yang shouted as he got to his feet with wide eyes before the zombie dragon looked at the three and released another breath of poison toward their direction forcing Naofumi to raise his shield to defend against the attack once more.
Once the poison breath finished, Raphtalia and Yang walked in front of Naofumi with their weapons raised and at the ready.
"How dare you kill Filo!" Raphtalia shouted.
"You mess with my bro *cough*and you're in for one hell of an ass-whooping!" Yang shouted preparing his blade for the quick draw technique until Naofumi walked past both of them.
"No, Naofumi-sama!" Raphtalia shouted.
"Boss, what are you doing?" Yang asked as he felt a chill run down his spine.
As Naofumi was in arms reach of the dragon, it raised its claw before bringing it down on his form.
"Naofumi-sama!" Raphtalia shouted.
Yang brought his sword up in a means to shield his eyes from the debris and dust before it finally cleared revealing the shield hero still standing strong.
"Ha. I knew that wouldn't kill him," Yang commented with a smirk before it slowly faded away as the chills came back once more. "The hell are these chills I'm getting?"
Naofumi stood under the dragon's claw with his shield raised over his head as his body began to emit dark energy. Raphtalia was about to make her way to her master but was stopped by Yang who walked in front of her.
"Somethings not right," Yang commented before narrowing his eyes watching as Naofumi's attire changed to black and his shield transforming into a black flame designed shield while it pushed the dragon's claw away.
The zombie glared at Naofumi before whipping its tail toward his direction. An invisible force protected the shield hero from the tail as Naofumi grinned evilly.
"Burn," Naofumi spoke as the zombie dragon's tail was caught on fire.
"Naofumi-sama!" Raphtalia shouted as she pushed past Yang causing him to watch her run toward the shield hero who was now engulfed in flames of rage and hate.
"Raphtalia!" Yang shouted before falling to his feet again before coughing heavier now. "Fucking poison,"
Yang raised his head as he watched Raphtalia wrap her arms around the shield hero causing her to catch on fire as well but not as heavy as the zombie dragon. After a second, the flames of rage and hate disappeared as Naofumi was brought back to his senses to turn and see Raphtalia in pain. With widened eyes, he started to heal his companion with fast healing.
"Hot damn... she brought boss back..." Yang said as the dragon raised its claw again making the beggar narrow his eyes. "Oh no, you don't!" Yang shouted as he got to his feet and ran toward the zombie dragon and launched himself forward.
"Yang," Naofumi spoke while he was healing Raphtalia.
"Hymn of Maria!" Yang shouted as he drew his katana and slashed the dragon's claw upward protecting his boss as well as his student only for him to crash into the ground and skid before coming to a stop groaning. "Ow..."
The dragon retracted its arm back as its wound started to heal leaving them all wide open for an attack now until its stomach began to bulge outward. This sent the undead dragon in a fit of screeches and roars as it thrashed its head back and forth before finally collapsing to the ground. A second later, Filo popped out of the undead dragon's belly and shook her body before looking at Naofumi them with a smile.
"I finally got out," Filo cheered.
"What happened? What I miss?" Yang asked as he was in too much pain to see anything.
"Filo...killed the undead dragon from the inside," Naofumi answered while carrying Raphtalia in his arms bridal style as he looked at the dragon's unmoving corpse.
"...ah makes sense... yeah... can I get treated now? This poison is really kicking my ass," Yang asked with a smile as Filo landed in front of Yang only to turn around and look at the downed beggar causing her to smirk.
"Ho ho... some help you were," Filo said with a smug look on her face.
"Yeah yeah yeah. Whatever. Poison is one of my few weaknesses okay," Yang admitted before turning away from Filo with a faint blush of embarrassment.
Suddenly the undead dragon started to move once more before getting back to its feet and roaring at the four-party members.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me," Yang said closing his eyes and leaning his head back.
"Shine and guide. Save and protect. Watch and listen," Yin's voice called out as the paladin walked up to the dragon with his sword held in both hands and the blade pointing to the sky.
"Yang?" Naofumi asked as the undead dragon quickly turned to the paladin and screeched loudly, not in a means of intimidation but rather of fear while it started to back away from Yin.
"No way..." Yang said to himself as he opened his eyes and looked at his brother before the zombie dragon spewed a stream of poison at Yin.
"YIN!" Naofumi shouted only for the poison breath to be blocked by a circle of holy light revealing hundreds of runes lightning on the armor.
"Shine down a path to guide the forsaken. Save the broken and protect the lost. Watch me from the heavens and listen to my prayers...EXODUS!" Yin shouted raising the sword over his head as a blinding beam of light shot from the skies and connected with Yin's sword from its blade down to the handle.
The light was so blinding that it forced the entire party to close their eyes and use their arm/wing to block the light.
"STRIKE OF EXODUS!" Yin shouted as he brought the long beam of light down on the undead zombie completely obliterating it before the light faded away slowly.
"Is it safe to open our eyes bro?" Yang asked as he opened his eyes slightly to see the light had faded away. "Kay, it's safe!"
With the words shouted, everyone opened their eyes to see the undead dragon was nowhere to be found. The land itself seemed to be purified as if the poison was never here.
"What happened?" Naofumi asked as he looked at where the zombie dragon stood before as his gaze slowly turned toward Yin who was collapsed on the ground. "Yin?!"
"I got it!" Yang shouted but coughed heavily. "After you heal me please,"
Naofumi looked at Raphtalia who laid on the ground as well and did not want to leave her side. That was until Yang dropped in front of him due to Filo walking over and tossing him by her master. The shield hero only nodded his head before he pulled out a potion from his coat and made Yang drink from it. After yang drank the potion, he could not help but groan and get to his feet gagging.
"Uhm it's worse than I medicine," Yang complained before pushing himself onto his feet and wiping his mouth with the back of his left hand. "...but thanks, boss. Now you look after Raphtalia, me and Filo are going to go check on Yin."
Naofumi nodded his head before taking Raphtalia and making his way toward the wagon while the other two made their way to Yin.
"Bro, you alright?" Yang asked as he knelt by his brother to bring his hand to poke Yin's head.
"...so...tired..." Yin mumbled in which Yang sighed heavily and nodded his head.
"Yeah well, whatever you did bro. We're done here. Raphtalia's messed up, I'm messed up, and Filo reeks of dead flesh so...yeah," Yang said with a chuckle while Filo glared at the beggar.
"Hey!" Filo argued making Yang look over his shoulders at the Filolial.
"Am I wrong? I mean you did just burst out of a dead dragon's stomach. Who knows what else that thing ate," Yang said with a smirk causing Yin to laugh but groan a second later.
"Please don't make me laugh...it hurts," Yin admitted in which Yang chuckled before nodding his and sighing.
"Pain? What pain? Come bro time to get up. We can joke later," Yang said with a chuckle.
"I... can't...so...much pain...so...tired..." Yin answered before passing out.
This left Yang speechless as he looked over his brother worried about his state but closed his eyes and took a deep breath before nodding his head and opening his eyes.
"Welp. Wanna help me carry my brother back to the wagon heavenly fowl?" Yang asked taking his brother's left arm while Filo smiled and took his other.
Seeing Filo helping, he nodded his head in thanks before the three make their way back to the wagon.
-Village-
Naofumi had gone into the church with Raphtalia in his arms in hopes to have her cured of the corruption she was inflicted with. While he was taking care of business, Yin laid in the back of the wagon recovering from their battle. Yang and Filo hung out at the door of the church with the beggar lost in thought as he stared at the ground.
"What the hell happened to him?" Yang asked himself softly.
"What do you mean?" Filo asked Yang confused.
"In all our years in fighting anything. Hell, even after our fight against those giant plant monsters he has never been in this much pain or weakened. Whatever he did...is almost like my trump card..." Yang said in a worried tone before looking at Filo.
"You mean your march of a hundred warriors?" Filo asked as she blinked her eyes.
"Yeah. He shows the signs. It's too painful for him to move and he is extremely exhausted," Yang explained while looking at the ground. "Strike of Exodus...the hell kind of attack is that?"
Naofumi soon comes out of the church and looks at Yang.
"If you want you can go see Raphtalia," Naofumi spoke causing Filo to transform into her human form to follow jog over to Naofumi.
"Nah I'll stay here and keep my brother company. All he needs is rest," Yang said waving to Naofumi with a weak smile.
Naofumi only nodded his head before entering the church with Filo. A minute later, Naofumi came back out to look up at the sky with a determined yet troubled look.
"Sup boss. So, we resting here for the night?" Yang asked with a smile.
"Yes. Tomorrow we head to the city to buy holy water," Naofumi answered making Yang blink his eyes only to laugh nervously.
"Your joking right?" Yang asked as Naofumi looked at him unfazed and with a serious gaze. "You're not joking..."
"We need to buy holy water to cure Raphtalia," Naofumi explained.
"...this is going to be one hell of an adventure," Yang commented while leaning his head back and closing his eyes tight.
"Why do you say it like that?" Naofumi asked narrowing his eyes at Yang.
"...let's say that the church and I are not on...equal terms," Yang said opening his eyes slightly with rage in his eyes.
...to be continued