Chapter 12-Gathering
Deep in the Lute Village mineshaft Naofumi sighed as his muscles burned from overwork. The labor required to restore the local mine into service that the Bitch Princess had wrecked was a lot tougher than he had anticipated. He had traveling back to the royal capital to restock and drop off the book he had to deliver and returned to Lute ostensibly to train up his party's levels until the Second Wave's foci opened in the vicinity. His unspecified real reason to return was to atone for the mine getting trashed. There was little he hated more (other than the Melromaric royals) than owing a favor. He wiped sweat off his brow as he had stripped naked to his waist in the infernal heat. He looked on with satisfaction as his loyal followers and locals had pitched in to level off the rockslide that filled in the chasm. The mine had been purged of all dangerous monsters and the minecart rails had been rebuilt to reconnect the front and back halves of the mine.
An equally shirtless Takia joined his noble leader as the pale-skinned mage was doing his level best not to faint from his exertions, "I think that's everything, sir."
Iwatani gave a curt nod to his scrawny Mage although he was secretly pleased his luckless retainer had finally seemed to rally his strength despite still looking perpetually exhausted. He muttered softly, "A debt is a debt."
"Master Naofumi," a bright a cheery voice echoed through the entrance tunnel. A lovely auburned-haired tanuki maiden that looked to be in her late teens entered the main cavern in her now standard pinstriped tunic with maroon and red panels, a frilly hem, thigh high boots, and her ever present longsword. She stopped short as she openly gawked at her sweaty and well toned master leaning on a minecart and glaring at her with mild annoyance. The scent of his intoxicating sweat made her turn pink in her cheeks as she averted her gaze. She stammered in a slightly dazed tone, "M-master Naofumi, it is suppertime."
The Japanese youth shrugged as he threw on a sleeveless undershirt and mused on why his adorable bodyguard was suddenly so shy. Raphtalia was usually too brassy for own her own good if anything. As she had aged up her shy demeanor had quickly evaporated as she rocketed through puberty. She now spoke her mind honestly; which was a quality that he deeply appreciated. At least her growth spurt had apparently finally petered out once she had reached level 20. He was still deeply conflicted on the warring constructs in his brain between his honorary kid sister Raphtalia, and the lovely 'Library maiden' Raphtalia. It hurt his head too much to think about what he should do about his muddled feelings, so he simply tucked them into a dark recess in his mind. He waved to the other mine workers, "Good work everyone." He then walked up to his dear ally and stretched his arms out wearily, "I thought it was still daylight. Thanks for the heads up. Let's go Talia, Takia."
She beamed, "Of course!" She didn't dare admit out loud about her all too obvious infatuation with her beneficent master. He was her savior, and she never wanted to leave his side, ever. Seeing his bare chest made her tingle inside, and she constantly had to fight down her unruly feelings over her Master and love.
Takia donned his shirt and wordlessly followed Raphtalia and Naofumi up the gently sloping tunnel. He softly exhaled as he was all too well aware of the deep romantic bond between his beloved and stalwart comrades; although they acted like unbearably awkward kids. It really was unfortunate that they were both too tongue-tied to simply state their feelings to each other.
Iwatani blinked as he exited the tunnel into the balmy nighttime air. After a short walk, he noted that Raphtalia's tanuki ears perked up at a sound that she found puzzling as light and music poured out of the Greenwood Inn's wide open windows and door. He scratched his chin in thought as he inquired, "Hey, what is it?"
Her pink eyes lit up with delight, "That's Master Jeremiah's voice! He's…ummm…chanting something odd, Master Naofumi."
The three warriors were astonished by the sight of a packed tavern attentively listening to Usagi strumming an Earth melody on a bulbous maplewood ten-string lute. A deeply embarrassed Varri tapped out a beat on a thin drum. Santrana was dancing to entertain the patrons.
Jerry belted out with a look of rueful self recognition, "You're on a mission and your wishin' someone could cure your lonely condition. Lookin' for love in all the wrong places; No fine girls just ugly faces. From frustration, first inclination is to become a monk and leave the situation. But every dark tunnel has a light of hope, so don't hang yourself with a celibate rope."
Raphtalia gawked openly as she saw Master Jerry rhyme without shame as his face dripped with perspiration.
"Your movie's showin', so you're goin'. Could care less about the five you're blowin'! Theater gets dark just to start the show. Then ya spot a fine woman sittin' in your row. She's dressed in yell-ow, she says 'Hell-o, come sit next to me you fine fellow.' You run over there without a second to lose, and what comes next hey bust a move."
Naofumi caused both his loyal mage and lovestruck tanuki sword warrior to gape in astonishment as their master burst out into giggles and exclaimed, "That crazy SOB is rapping! What an asshole!"
Talia fell in love with her master all over again as she had never seen Master Naofumi ever laugh before.
The foxgirl crooned out the chorus as her hips swayed provocatively, "If you want it, you got it. If you want it, baby you got it!"
Jerry joyfully geeked out as he chanted to cheers, "Just bust a move!"
"If you want it, you got it. If you want it, baby you got it," the cute kitsune sung with sultry abandon. She twirled around and abruptly stopped and beamed at the new arrivals, "Heya Master I!"
Iwatani shook his head as he clasped Jerry's outstretched hand and they pulled into to brief affectionate hug. "You look like a real dumbass, my friend."
Amidst cheers from the crowd Jerry flushed slightly as he grinned, "Hey. No reason the kingdom can't learn about the wonders of Young MC."
Varri respectfully saluted the Shield Hero and mused, "Somehow I don't see Bust a Move becoming a bardic staple, Master Jerry."
A now adult Usagi walked over with mild annoyance flashing in her sky blue eyes. After gently setting the lute down, she scribed, I think it is catchy and novel Master Jerry.
Jerry mopped sweat off his brow using Usagi's proffered handkerchief and shook his head with a silly grin, "Naw. I'm not quitting my day job as the Sword Hero, Sagi."
She gravely nodded with her ever serious expression. The rabbit harekin suddenly winced as her surrogate sister wrapped her up in a crushing embrace.
"Neechan, I'm so happy to see you again," Raphtalia beamed through her tears as her supremely fluffy tail wagged in unbridled elation.
The harekin smiled slightly as she hugged her sibling back, as her rabbit ears swiveled forwards. Her own cottonball-shaped tail flitted side to side.
Jerry had to fight down the almost irresistible impulse to caress her fluffy white furred ears as he didn't want two dozen Flechette rocks flung into his face. Jerry shook his head, bit his lip slightly and made a mental note to take a cold bath later. He cleared his throat as he fist-bumped with Takia and hugged the charming tanuki maiden. He was still stunned by how tall and gorgeous she had become.
Usagi tugged on the Sword Hero's sleeve urgently.
He chuckled in embarrassment. Never change my brave and clingy heroine of justice he silently noted. Since she had aged up, he had sadly realized that lovely and charming little girl was now nearly his age physically. He had adored being a big brother figure to Usagi, but that phase of their relationship was abruptly over. Besides he couldn't miss the signs that she was seriously into him; not that it could amount to anything. He would never lay a finger on her pearlescent hair considering that she was still his slave and therefore couldn't give or refuse consent. He fingered a silverite cross that she had labored behind the scenes to replace the gold one he had surrendered to purchase her contract and patted her shoulder affectionately. "Hey Sagi, thanks again for this gift. I'll find a way to repay you."
She shook her head gravely and penned with Charlotte's gel pen, No Master. I know that is a symbol of your devotion to your God. You gave up a priceless symbol of your faith to save my petty life. It was the least I could do.
His eternal shame that had never left his guilt-plagued soul flared up fiercely once again. No matter how he tried he could never shake his guilt over owning another person. Even though she explained being under a slave contract to a Cardinal Hero conferred protections from the worst of the racist laws of the Kingdom of Melromarc, his conscience refused to be placated. He tried to erase his worried frown as he soothed, "Someday I will free you. I swear it on my late father's honor."
I will remain at your side for as long as I draw breath, she stated flatly.
Oh brother, Jerry noted with growing embarrassment. She wasn't kidding. Staying by his side was not metaphorical to his talented mage beastkin. He had fruitlessly informed the stubborn harekin to not share his bedroll at night, so she had simply taken lain in the grass at arm's length. When he told her to take his blankets instead she had waited until he had slumbered and then snuggled into his back. He smiled and gave his harekin Mage a warm embrace to atone for making her jealous, "Sorry Sagi."
She instantly turned crimson as she grumbled silently that her albinism left her with no ability to hide her blushing cheeks. She took a few breaths to calm down her nerves and then she wrote out, No need to apologize, Master Jerry. I am pleased to see you all are well, Master Naofumi, Takia and Raphtalia.
"I am beyond pleased to serve as Master Naofumi's sword," Raphtalia crowed.
"Fate pitied me enough to send me a kind Hero of the Shield to serve," Takia concurred.
Jeremiah chuckled as they exited the inn and headed out the front gate, "Anyway, time to reassemble the team."
Naofumi blinked in surprise as he saw a gray three-headed hydra romp with a tall Amazon Berserker. He pointed to the rambunctious duo as he glanced at Jerry, 'Umm, are they…?"
"Yeah, they're with me," The Sword Hero replied with a bemused shrug. "Hey Indra, Razskull!"
The ashen-haired warrior eagerly took the small cask of berry wine from Varri and eagerly poured out a tankard for herself. After downing the strong booze in one go she laughed and gave Jeremiah a backslap that nearly toppled him over, "Thanks boss! After Wave we duel."
The brown-skinned hero rubbed his sore shoulderblade as he mused, "We couldn't help that Klinok village was attacked by a band of marauding orcs just as we were about to fight. You'll get your duel once we deal with the Second Wave."
Her crimson eyes flashed with fiery passion as she pumped her fist, "Raskull ready to crush enemies and then crush Boss!" She then downed a second drink as if it was nothing.
Valeria sighed deeply, "Miss Raskull is spirited…I'll grant you that."
Santrana giggled impishly, "She and Indy are fun 'tho'!"
Jerry smiled sincerely, "This is Indra the Hydra and Razskull MedarThrakka the Beserker."
The Shield Hero raised his hand in perfunctory greetings, "Yo. Iwatani Naofumi."
The rail thin pale man bowed politely, "Mage Takia Aliki."
The bright tanuki beastkin beamed, "The Shield Hero's Sword…Raphtalia."
A pair of glowing violet eyes seemed to appear out of nowhere in the near distance, "Such happy camaraderie. I remember such days well from my former life…"
Several of the Heroes' followers flinched at the undead maiden's appearance. Raphtalia stood defiantly in front of the Shield Hero. Both Varri and Usagi had their weapons at the ready.
Clint frowned tightly as his party walked out the misty evening, "Penny, do you mind not scaring my friends."
The white haired undead maiden shouldered her massive axe as she nodded respectfully to her Master several centuries her junior, "I meant no offense Sir Redmond. I am Penny Anterisa."
"Holy crap, you recruited a dullahan," Jerry stated with a mixture of wonder and elation.
Clint adjusted his glasses and sighed at his hopelessly geeky pal.
His faithful hawk-kin Rosa giggled as she joined her master with an amused smirk plastered across her face, "Hey Penny, I think you have a new admirer."
"Oh. Do you not fear my dark aura, Sword Hero?"
He shook his head with a tight smile. This was just too cool.
Lynne shyly hid behind Rosa's legs as she bashfully spotted the boisterious crowd of Cardinal Heroes and their followers. She addressed her broom, "Mister Sweepy, you'll stay with me, right?"
"I'll stick with you too cutie," Rosa kissed the shy maid's forehead. She waved to her allies, "I'm Rosaline the Merc. This is Lynne the maid, and Penny the badass."
Penny eyed the hawk girl with a sharp gaze as Iwatani noted, "You keep interesting company Clint."
"And you don't," the teen retorted with a stiff smile.
"Aaaand I gotcha all beat," Charlotte chuckled as she joined the crowded meadow with a slumbering dragonet nestled in her arms. She eyed the swelled ranks of her fellow Heroes with a mixture of surprise and amusement.
Holding a torch, Cyril chuckled heartily, "No argument there, Miss Charlotte." Inwardly he was getting nervous as the Second Wave was nigh. A little levity would be good for his awesome Mistress. "You look better, Varri."
"Thanks bro," Valeria replied with a strained smile, "Master Jerry was kinder that I deserved."
"He's a real softy," the foxkin Santrana gushed.
Usagi crossed her arms huffily. She simply could not accept that her Master would have eyes for another maiden. She believed with all her heart that she was born to stand by Master White's side, in every way.
The lancer Lugiel laughed heartily at the sight of so many potent warriors. This coming battle promised to be so much fun.
Darius stretched out stiffly as he held hands with the nearly blind feline seer. He sneered with a cocky smile filled with sharp canine teeth, "Those bastards coming out of the sky tomorrow won't stand a chance. We'll send the bastards of the Second Wave all to hell!"
Charlotte yawned at their fatiguing return trip from the otherwordly Nexus, but gave her black-furred thief a confirming nod, "We will win, Darius."
His amber eyes lit up with delight as he bowed, "My pleasure, Miss Charlotte."
Ah if only you could see me now Nora, Charlotte inwardly noted with a smile. She was well aware of her fanclub, but she more concerned about saving the world than starting a reverse harem. "The big bruiser is Lugiel, the Swordsman is Cyril, the thief is Darius, the cute dragon fledgling is Khan, and our Seer and Healer is-"
"Nobody important, Mistess," Kiata cut in softly. She was trying her best to hide behind the handsome wolfkin lest a rail thin Mage follower of the Naofumi Iwatani notice her. By the Shield Hero God, please let Mister Takia not see me she prayed.
Charlotte gently squeezed her sweet Healer's hand, "It's okay. You don't need to worry. I don't tattle on my friends."
Kiata gave a vigorous nod, "Yes, Mistress."
"Anyway this is Kiata. She's just being shy," Chartlotte brightly noted as she blocked Takia's line of sight.
Takia was intimidated by the appearance of so many talented followers. The other Heros seemed to have swarms of followers, while his poor master only had his Sword and Takia's paltry magic. He hoped that his awful luck wouldn't drag his master or Tanuki maiden down with him. He caught a glimpse of the scrawny but cute catkin hiding behind Master Curtiss as he stewed and wondered with a quizzical frown who on Earth she was. Why was her face so familiar?
The four Cardinal Heroes each solemnly unsheathed their weapons and gently touched metal with an almost musical chime. All four humans looked at each other with encouraging expressions of confidence meant to bolter their fellow warriors' confidence.
As if on cue, all of their followers formed a circle surrounding their masters, and bowed in unison.
In the morning, the Dragon Hourglass would flip over and register the start of a new Wave.