First of all, reviewer's response.

wingweaver22 : Oops... Thank for letting me know. It's corrected now. I hope you'll keep reading.

: Glad you like reading my fic.

Author's note : I didn't got as much reviews as I wanted, but I suppose I sort of expected it with a prologue that short and the game not that known. Here's the first chapter. As promised, it is much longer than the prologue. I hope you'll like it.

Disclaimer : I don't own Riviera

--

Chapter 1 : Forest Travel

Ein and Fia left early in the morning, so they could travel as much as possible in one day. Rose, Lina and Cierra waved them good-bye while Serene shouted that if Ein tried anything "funny", to smack him with her scythe. They took with them food, some travelling gear, some potions in case they have to battle demons and of course, weapons. Ein brought Einherjar, while Fia took the Rosier. Both powerful holy weapons, they were sure to dispatch any enemy quickly.

So far, they didn't encounter anything out of the ordinary. The forest was calm, and light was able to pass through some trees.

"It's sure quiet around here", said Ein.

"It's like there's no one here", added Fia.

After some time, the pair decided to take a break. Ein started a fire, while Fia sorted out the food she was going to cook.

"I'm going to search for some water, Fia, you'll be okay?" asked Ein.

"Yes, I'll keep an eye on the fire while you're away."

Ein took a bucket, and took a direction where he thought he heard water streaming before.

After some time, he came upon it. A small river, easy to take some water from, was streaming before him. After filling the bucket, he headed back to the small camp.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

"Fia?" said Ein, worried. He dropped the bucket on he ground and started running, drawing Einherjar. He stopped when he had the camp in view, noticing three figures unknown to him. Starting to sneak, he could finally see who they were : a savage ogre, and two strong guards. The savage ogre, likely the leader, looked at Fia lecherously speak to the two others:

"Well, boys, what do you think of this cutie we found here? Think she'll be 'fun'?"

Ein had had to stop himself from just running straight to them and cut the head of the bastard with his sword. He started to evaluate his chances. He could maybe take them, with his strength, but three against one was a bit risky, and it could endanger Fia as well.

Speaking of her, he could finally see her on the ground. She was tied, and had a gag to stop her from further screaming. Looking at her eyes, she was obviously panicking. Watching this, Ein felt some pain in his heart. He had to act quickly, unable to bear Fia's pain any longer.

"We're going back. Andy, you take her. Be wary both of you, I doubt she was travelling alone. After, we're going to have our fun..."

Bastards, thought Ein. Not only were they going to hurt her, but they suspected his presence.

One of the guard lifted Fia on his shoulder, and they started to move. Ein, having no weapons other than his sword, had no choice but to rush them from behind and creating a surprise effect.

Andy smiled to himself. Rick, his leader, never had a better idea than travelling in forest for some treasure. They found nothing, but instead got the cute girl. He was tired of travelling, but she was worth all the efforts he made today. Right now, he wondered what they would do with her once they "played" with her.

He never knew what hit him.

Ein immediately set his sights on the guard carrying Fia, to stop him from using her as a shield. Piercing his gut with his sword, the guard simply collapsed, dead. He immediately placed himself between Fia and the remaining two warriors. He couldn't see where she was dropped by the dead guard now, or he was going to get himself killed.

"What the hell?", said Rick, drawing an axe. "You think you can barge here and kill us like that? Let's get him, Mick!"

Both attacked Ein had the same time. Having nowhere to dodge, he blocked the sword of Mick coming down on him and kicked Rick in the stomach. While he backed away, gasping for air. Ein pushed Mick's sword away and quickly struck him, ending his life. He was now even in numbers with the leader.

"Bastard! I'm going to kill you!" shouted Rick, who recovered.

Concentrating, he launched his best move, Carnage Drive. Ein, finding himself attacked from many sides, tried to block them all. Some struck, leaving him with some cuts on his shoulders and arms, but all were superficial. Fortunately, his adventure one month ago made him stronger, and attack such as these were not at all dangerous to him.

"Now it's my turn!" shouted Ein. The savage ogre, finding his best move useless, tried to run away, but too late.

"This is the will of the gods! Disaresta!"

He had no chance of survival.

Ein quickly put his blade aside and turned to Fia, who had been dropped in a puddle of mud. He quickly put her on dry ground, and removed first her gag.

"Ein..."

"Give me a second to untie you, Fia" said Ein.

After setting her free from the bonds, she put herself in a sitting position, saying nothing. Ein put himself down to face her.

"Fia? Are you all right? You're not hurt?" asked Ein, worried.

She said nothing. Ein not knowing what else to do, took Fia in his arms and set her head on his left shoulder. Finally reacting, she held to him like her life depended on it and started crying.

"It's okay, Fia. I'm here." said Ein.

"Ein! I'm so glad to see you!" said Fia, between her tears. "They took me from behind!I thought you wouldn't have been able to find me! I... I was so scared! And they were going to... they were...they..."

She couldn't speak further, sobbing uncontrollably. Ein, holding her tightly, let her tears flow freely.

Later, when Fia calmed down, they returned to their camp. Progressing towards Tetyth for the rest of the day was out of the question in the state Fia was in. Ein decided to bring her to the river so she could wash herself.

"Yes... I suppose I should get rid of this mud..." said Fia when Ein asked her if she wanted to clean herself. "Just make sure no one else come... And please don't look..."

Ein had no problem with this request. With what happened, being a peeping tom was the furthest thing on his mind.

While Ein patrolled the area. Fia started to wash her clothes, so they would dry while she washed herself. Not wasting anytime, she put her clothes on a rock nearby and entered the water, getting rid of the mud.

While she felt the water streaming around her, she started to think about the whole thing. She fought demons. She even fought the Accursed and lived to tell the tale. She even fought Hector and dealt him the blow that made him kneel. Yet, back now, she had been helpless when she got caught. As fragile as a flower.

"Am I weak?" she thought. "Will gods truly listen to the prayer of... someone who can fight demons, but is helpless against simple bandits."

Casting further thoughts away, she got out of the water, dried a little in the air, and put back her dress on.

Ein , after patrolling, doubted that someone else was in the area. Still, Fia couldn't help but check often around her, a bit insecure. After the sun set down, they decided to turn in early to be in good shape for tomorrow. Sensing that night wouldn't be cold, Ein put out the fire, but still took out one of the blanket they brought with them to sleep with. Choosing a spot near a tree, he set himself down, and was about to shut his eyes when Fia asked him something:

"Ein... Is it okay if... I slept next to you tonight? I.. don't want to feel alone."

Ein understood perfectly what she asked, and let her lay herself next to him. Since the blanket Ein took was large, she set herself under it.

"Thank you Ein" she said, before drifting to sleep.

Ein watched her sleep, and started to think about what happened today. How could he let Fia get caught by bandits? She was strong, yes, but a surprise attack can take even the strongest. How could he have been so careless?

Ein started to ponder more about this, but felt something move, then setting itself on him. Opening his eyes, he was surprised to see Fia, the side of her head against his chest and her sleeping face turned towards him. Her arms were also around him.

"She must have moved on her sleep unknowingly" Ein thought.

Looking at her, he caught himself admiring her. Like this, smiling in her sleep, peacefully, she looked truly beautiful. She was strong, but was also frail sometimes.

Ein found himself putting his arms around her, in a protective manner. No way he was going to let someone hurt her again, he thought, before falling asleep too.

Fia in her mind, was peaceful. She felt secure, sensing herself in strong arms. Sensing the person who had those arms, she hugged even more whoever she held at that time.

She never wanted to lose that feeling for this night.

Meanwhile, back in Elendia that night...

Rose, Lina, Cierra and Serene were playing poker. And for the fun, they used fruits for betting.

So far, Serene was winning, always able to keep a poker face when the time was needed. Rose, who surprised everyone by figuring out own to play quickly, had a good share of fruits. Cierra wasn't that good at cards, but had her share.

However, Lina was losing badly. She only had some fruits, and she had not choice but to bet her applecots. Her applecots!

"What Lina's going to do?" she thought. She didn't want to lose them, especially since she loved them so much. The problem was that she couldn't keep a straight face, and the others guessed her hand easily.

The conversation was about Ein and Fia. They wondered how far they got today, and what could have happened.

"I just hope Ein won't try anything perverted." Serene said, still remembering what happened that time.

"I'm sure he knows better than to try it again." Cierra said, answering Serene's comment.

Lina listened, then got an idea. Something that would distract them long enough ss she could win this hand and protect her dear, sweet applecots. Of course, Lina knew she was going to get in trouble when Fia will come back, but her applecots were worth it.

"You know, Fia peeked on Ein once." Lina said, putting her idea in motion.

Of course, the effect was immediate.

Serene spitted back the water she was drinking in her cup, her brain assimilating what she just heard. Cierra, who had her usual smile whn playing, just froze on the spot, like time stopped. Rose froze too, her eyes widening in realisation, but she recovered first to start speaking, saying what was in the mind of the three girls.

"Fia? How? When? THE Fia we know?"

"Yup. It was when we found Ein outside our village, unconscious. Fia told me to go wash his clothes while she applied medicine to his body. When he woke up and blushed when he learned we took care of his clothes and his body, Fia quickly said she didn't peek on him. But when Ein said he was glad for it, Lina heard Fia release her breath, like she escaped something embarrassing. So Lina understood that Fia held her breath after saying that, because she looked at him!"

The minds of Serene, Cierra and Rose all shattered on the spot when they heard the facts.

And of course, Lina won the hand, the others too shocked to play good hands.

--

Author's notes : Well, it's done. I'm still a little surprised i was able to write all of this. Next update will take a bit of time to be up.

So, as always, r/r.