This story is based on a serious idea bug that had plagued me for several days, resulting in this. It originated as a One-Shot.

Hope you enjoy.

She's bleeding, but she had to stand.

Master Naofumi needed her.

The sounds of grinding bone, something crushed.

"Raphalia, wake up!" Hands motioned, stirring her awake. The dreams disappeared.

Raphtalia's eyes fluttered open, tears falling, her heart wept. She couldn't see well, her eyes weak.

"Raphtalia," the voice said again, gently. "Please, wake up."

Raphtalia focused, she fought through her dizziness. A face appeared before her, one she only saw in her dreams now. "Rifana…?"

The weasel demihuman looked down and offered a hand. "I'm here for you. Don't worry." She then let out an uncomfortable cough.

Raphalia extended her arms and for the first time in what felt like a lifetime to feel her touch. Tears rapidly fell from her eyes.. "Rifana… you're… alive!"

"Yes, I'm alive." Rifana lowered herself down and held Raphtalia close. "Don't worry. Me and Keel are still around. He's just next door."

"Keel?" Raphtalia muttered weakly. Wasn't he supposed to be back to Lurolona? She clutched the side of her head, a large bump there. She tried to stand, but she felt like she could fall over.

Rifana supported Raphtalia, keeping her from falling. "Raph, careful. You took a beating last night."

"Beating?" Raphtalia slurred. The pain was starting to subside and her thoughts were becoming clearer… Why was Rifana as tall as her? Did she go through a growth spurt? In fact, why was Rifana here at all? She was supposed to be…

A chill ran up Raphtalia as a pang of realization hit her. She looked down at her arms and found them thin. Ugly welts all over her body were barely covered up by the tattered rags that served as her dress. She was a child slave, not a grown warrior.

Raphtalia wiped tears from her eyes. She recognized this dungeon, the place where she had been cooped up in with many of her friends as they were slowly taken away from her, one by one.

Why was she here, again? Raphtalia uttered a cough.

Rifana gently held her before breaking the hug. "You were dreaming again. It sounded awful."

Raphtalia tears flowed like a river. Had she dreamed it all up? She met the Legendary Shield Hero! It can't have been a dream. "No….No…. No…" She hadn't felt so vulnerable in so long.

"Raph…." The weasel demihuman weakly spoke..

The half-tanuki girl tried to wipe away the tears from her eyes. "... I had a good dream, a very good dream." At least it had been good, until… something came. Something happened.

Rifana smiled. "Oh, what's it about?"

The half-tanuki tried to smile back. "... I... I had an adventure with the Shield Hero."

Rifana looked very interested. Of course they all dreamed of having gone on an adventure.

The half-tanuki nodded. "It all started when, he bought me as a slave."

"Wait, what?" Keel, who had been nearby and mostly quiet until now, decided to speak up. He was in the cell next over.

Raphtalia suddenly felt very embarrassed, when she realized what she said. Nobody could think the Shield Hero would buy a slave… though it happened in her dream. "Master couldn't fight monsters. He could only defend, so he asked me to be his sword. An evil witch made the Shield Hero hated, but then he found me."

Rifana smiled widely, clearly loving the idea. "I thought you wanted to learn fire magic, not swinging a sword."

Raphtalia smirked. "I did magic, too. This good witch lady we met said I had a good light and dark magic affinity! So Master bought us books to learn magic!"

Keel laughed from the next cell over. "What kind of dream is that where you read books?"

"My dream!" Though Raphtalia had to admit, it did sound silly when she said it outloud. "The Shield Hero and I went camping alot. I was sick…" She coughed to reiterate the point. "And I thought he would be a bad master at first, but he was so nice. Even if he did force me to fight."

Keel laughed. "If the Shield Hero bought me as his slave, I would be a man of the sea who wouldn't hesitate to help him."

Raphtalia wondered about that. What if Master bought Keel as a slave instead of her? She had a feeling he was fibbing, but didn't press it.

"After that I killed a dog monster in some mines and… " Raphtalia stopped as she noted that Rifana looked uncomfortable.

"But Raphtalia, your parents…" Rifana coughed.

Raphtalia understood her confusion. A dog monster killed her parents and she only overcame it when Master forced her to kill one, but that was in her dream. Raphtalia realized she was over her previous terrors. "I….I'm not scared of them. I killed many of them!"

"Wow, Raphtalia, when did you become so brave?" Rifana beamed in awe.

The half-tanuki smirked. "We also fought skeletons, a dragon, and other heroes…. The Spear Hero wanted to steal me from Master. He really liked girls, especially a Filolial who liked kicking him."

That sent both of her close friends laughing. Even some of the people in the cells nearby, child and grownup alike, burst out in chuckles at the absurdity of it all.

"So wait, is that Filo?" Keel asked. "You kept talking about a Filo in your sleep."

Raphtalia smiled. "Yup. She was so annoying because she-."

"Quiet your racket!" A voice that Raphtalia sometimes only heard on the worst of times shouted. Idol Rabier, the man who owned this dungeon stepped down into the depths and suddenly the warmth was replaced by the open chill the room actually had. He lazily looked at his property. "I could hear your screaming up in my room, but thankfully you soon won't be my problem."

Raphtalia glared back.

Lord Rabier let out an amused chuckle. "Oh, aren't we spunky today? You were in tears last night, crying and weeping. Maybe you need another lashing!"

A whip suddenly cracked in front of Raphtalia's cage. She hadn't even seen the thing in his hands before she was sent flying back and onto the stony floor. Her face stung. Raphtalia felt her heart race.

Gasps rang throughout the dungeon.

"Now quiet down before the buyer gets cold feet and I'm stuck with you!" Lord Rabier shouted as he walked out. "The same goes for the rest of you, mangey beasts!"

Silence spread like a wildfire, removing all sound, even the weakest of coughs.

Raphtalia held back the tears forming over face. She… refused to let that monster beat her into submission.

Wordlessly Rifana went over to console her. She looked back at her surroundings to see if the slave master was around. "Wow, Raphtalia… you're different," she whispered into her ear.

Keel from the next cell spoke. "Yeah, you are."

Raphtalia coughed. She was different, wasn't she? She was sickened, weak, and in pain, but she had hope. And experience… even if it might be from a dream. She recoiled from the pain she had been given, but her owner didn't strike fear into her heart with a single lash. He was scum, the worst sort of creature to walk this earth. It might be his mark on her chest, but he would never again be her master.

The half-tanuki frowned. She wished she remembered how it all went in her dream… if it even was a dream. She had been crying her eyes out in her dream so much so that it was like she had been magically whisked away in a flash. Was this the day she and Rifana were separated forever?

Raphtalia took a deep breath. She grabbed hold of Rifana, looked her in the eye and took it in. "I don't want to lose you."

Rifina looked crestfallen as her gaze turned to the floor. "I don't either, but the slave trader will be here for you very soon. He'll take you away from us and we'll never see you again."

Raphtalia frowned. She remembered that the slave trader… took her to Master. What if she… encouraged that man to take more than just her? "Would you like to come with me?"

Rifina blinked. "Uh, really?"

"We can meet the Shield Hero together, like when we played that one time." Raphtalia whispered, her eyes pleading.

Rifina sniffled. "Alright, if it makes you happy."

More tears fell from Raphtalia's face.

"You're planning on going?" Keel uttered quietly. "Wait, what about us?"

Raphtalia thought to herself for a moment. If she wasn't hallucinating or dreaming it up, she could save herself for sure. But everyone else here? She…didn't want to lose Rifana again, but what about Keel? What if he died if Rifana was taken?

The half-tanuki looked out to see the other cages, all full of other demihumans that she could only barely make out in the darkness. Some of them were people Raphtalia knew, some of them she knew perished before she would meet them again. Was it fair to them that she had a way to maybe save her two friends along with herself, while these others suffered in the darkness?

Maybe it was a little selfish of her to only think about taking her two friends, but there were so many people here. And Master wouldn't have the money to free them all even if she could somehow think of a plan to have Lord Rabier to sell everyone.

No, if… when she was stronger, they would come back, just like before. And with two more friends, it would be easier. "I can't save everyone. But we'll be back. And we'll save who we can. I promise."

Raphtalia couldn't see him, but she knew Keel was thinking about it. In her dream, she recalled refusing Keel travel along with her and Master, but then Keel was already free. Where they were going, the safest place would be by Master's side.

He said at last. "Alright….I… I wouldn't mind meeting him myself."

Rifana frowned. "Alright, I'll g-" she trailed off as the sound of clanging boots silenced her.

Raphtalia shuffled to the side of her cage. If she remembered correctly, it must have been breakfast.

A barrel chested man who was tall as a door frame walked right into view. Between his sagging slacks and his rotten shirt, you might have mistaken him for a slave, were it not for the large truncheon at his side and his foul attitude. "Alright, you rotten runts. Breakfast is here you lazy mongrels."

Raphtalia didn't know his name, but this is one individual that she had no desire to know any more of. To her, she was simply the Keeper, a man whose only purpose was to ensure that the slaves didn't die too quickly.

The Keeper moved from cage to cage, throwing disgusting slop into bowls as he went. Raphtalia recalled this was a reminder that demihumans were monsters, not people. So they were fed like pigs.

The half-tanuki girl's stomach groaned, but she was utterly repulsed by the sight of the "meal".

Master's cooking wasn't here, but she knew she'd be eating that even if she reached the capital. It would all be worth it, she hoped.

The Keeper slowly approached the cage, becoming more visible as he neared. It was then Raphtalia noted that there was a small sack of coins along the man's waist. Even as a poorly paid serf, the man would have had enough coin to purchase a lowly slave or three children suffering from disease and injury. She didn't need much, but she just hoped that what she learned in her dreams was truly real.

"Rifana, keep him distracted," the half-tanuki whispered.

The weasel girl nodded, though she clearly didn't have an idea on what to do.

Raphtalia hid as the man approached. With the lowest voice she could muster, she uttered a simple incantation, "Decipher the laws of nature and hide my target. First Hide."

A simple veil covered the girl, rendering her unseen. As long as she made no mistakes, she could do what she wanted. Raphtalia didn't have the strength to laugh at her success. She had so little magic now that even invoking the simplest magic was tiring, further she had to use all of her focus to keep the spell up.

The Keeper stumbled over into the cage, foul as ever as he poured slop into a dirty bowl. "Alright, mutts, your turn to get your food. Wait, where the other girl? Rabier want to whip that crybaby again?"

Rifana tilted her head. "She's… in here, Sir. Can't you see her?"

Raphtalia coughed, still invisible. "I'm here, Sir!"

"What?" The keeper shuffled, turning his direction towards where the voice came from and spilling slop on the floor as he did. "Where are you?"

But Raphtalia already left that location. Weary and empty, she snuck around the mean man and deftly lifted the coinpurse off his belt. He didn't notice one bit.

She then laid herself against the wall, the coin purse right behind her. Exhausted from maintaining her spell, Raphtalia let it go. "I'm… over here, Sir." she coughed. "You didn't see me."

The Keeper rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever. Lousy kids." Raphtalia remembered, the Keeper was many things, but diligent was not one of them. He shuffled onto the next cage and offered Keel before moving to the next area.

Once he had left, Raphtalia clutched her head, a small headache appearing inside. "Ow, that hurts…" She guessed that because of how weak she had become, magic was much harder to work for.

"You're incredible, Raphtalia!" Rifana stumbled to her side. "I saw it all. You did great, where did you learn that?"

Raphtalia let out a giggle. "I'll tell you later..." She grimaced as her gut groaned.

She looked at the awful mess of… slime that her owner had set aside for her.

Rifana took the bowl and sat right beside her friend. With unwashed hands she dug in, greedily scarfing down the mush. She wordlessly offered the other side of the bowl to Raphtalia.

Raphtalia looked at the weasel demihuman and frowned. She may have become a bit…spoiled, now that she thought of it. She remembered fondly how Master brought her to a restaurant. Greasy slime that was something between animal meat and vegetable matter coated her fingers. It tasted like bad laundry that had been baking in the sun, but this was the first meal she had with Rifana in what felt like a whole lifetime and starvation made one lower their standards.

So she ate and ate, until she felt like she would throw up.

Rifana's body fell against the floor, tears welled up in her eyes. But she didn't speak.

Raphtalia also laid down, hoping deep down, that she would succeed.

Footsteps once again graced the dungeon, but this time it was clear there was more than one set of legs marching down.

"This way, peddler. Just watch out for any excrement that might have been leftover, the animals don't know how to clean after themselves," a voice that was clearly that of Idol Rabier spoke aloud.

"Yes, yes. I'm very familiar with the dealings of my trade," the other voice said.

Raphtalia shot up, her eyes lighting as she saw her apparent savior. The man was unmistakable with that purple feathered get up of his, especially with those spectacles. It was happening. One step closer to freedom.

The slave trader stepped to towards her cage and began inspecting the merchandise behind an inscrutable gaze.

Raphtalia rose to meet him, the coin purse she had been hiding in her hands.

"Please, Sir…. Buy all three of us." Raphtalia begged. "Take us with you." She didn't remember his name. She hated the slave trader and never understood how her Master could stand him. But she remembered how he loved a good bargain.

The bespectacled man knelt down at her, his eyes judging with a scrutiny that cared little for morals. "Hm, now why would I do that?"

The half-tanuki girl weakly lifted the stolen coin purse. "I'll pay you. Please."

"Oh, isn't this exciting? Rarely does a slave pay me to buy them. Usually, they just want to have their own freedom." The man brought his hands under the coin purse and lifted it out of the girl's grasp. "But you, little girl, are quite weak. What's to stop me from taking this… bag of ill gotten gains from you and not giving you anything in return?"

Raphtalia coughed but looked him in the eyes. "The Shield Hero hero will buy us."

The man's head tilted in amusement. "You? Hm, now why would the god of demihumans and beastmen do that? I'm pretty sure that Siltvelt wouldn't approve, nevermind that I don't offer services there."

A knowing smirk formed on Raphtalia's face. She knew she had his attention and interest, now she just had to make sure he truly listened. She gestured at the man to have his ear lower down, so she might whisper something no one else knew. "Because soon, Melromarc will summon all Four Cardinal Heroes."

The man let out a laugh. "Oh, information like that… That's very, very valuable indeed." He sighed as he pointed to the weakened Rifana, who laid there in the back corner of the cell. "But are you sure? Your friend there is quite ill."

Raphtalia continued. "You'll be paid twice. By me and by the Shield Hero later on. The Shield Hero will also buy more from you as well, but later. More slaves, monster eggs… Think of it as an…" she tried to remember the word. "An investment."

The man let out a laugh. He held up the coin bag and tossed it up. Maybe he knew just how much it contained by the way it bounced. "Alright, little miss. I think I can arrange a little special order." The slaver lowered his hand down.

Raphtalia didn't hesitate to grab on and shake.

The slaver pocketed the coin bag and turned swiftly to Lord Rabier. "Are you really sure about selling this one?"

Raphtalia blinked in surprise.

Rabier shook his head. "I don't want to put up with it anymore. Every time she opens her mouth it's either bad dreams this or Shield Hero that. I'm sick of it and I want her gone."

The bespeckled man adjusted his glasses. "Well, if that is what you wish. I would also like to buy these other two here. They seem to be of a reasonable price and I could always use more merchandise."

Idol rubbed his chin. "Hm. Why the sudden interest, Beloukas?"

"Really, Idol? Isn't it obvious?" the slaver laughed. "If I didn't buy these two additional children, then I would have lost money and time on this trip."

"I suppose that's fair," Idol shrugged. "Very well, just make sure you pay the right fees."

"Splendid."

Raphtalia didn't think she would ever be relieved to be sold to a slaver, but here she was. Her plan was bearing fruit. She knelt down towards Rifana and gently stirred her awake. "We're going, I'm not leaving you behind, again…"

Rifana coughed. "What?"

The slave merchant took Raphtalia by the hand and led her out. "Come this way."

Two men, probably bodyguards, similarly took Rifana and Keel by the hand as they were led out the dungeon. Neither of them fully understood Raphtalia's enthusiasm, but that didn't matter right now.

A wagon was right outside the dungeon entrance. It already had several other demihumans as well, their wrists bound with rope. Raphtalia and her two friends were lifted inside and thus began the next leg of Raphtalia's plan.

Why did humans hate her? Was she really a monster? She sat sobbing to herself at her misfortune, contemplating on the bruises and cuts on her skin and the illness in her chest. She laid there in filth, wishing that all of this was a horrible dream. She wished that her parents weren't dead, that her village remained standing, that her friends would come wake her up and they could pretend to go on an adventure.

But in her dreams were horrible visions, cruel beasts, and demons in human skin. She couldn't remember the last time she slept.

She wanted to ignore the both around her and within her, yet she couldn't.

She could hear someone talking outside of her enclosure. Yet another slaver, she assumed. He sounded like he was looking for muscle, someone to fight for him, and not someone who would whip her for the sake of pleasure.

"Name?" she imagined him saying.

She didn't know what to say.

"Don't you have one?"

"Raph…Raphtalia," she answered.

The slave trader above, his voice horribly jovial as he described her as a sack of meat. It was something about how foxes were more popular.

She looked up at the man, remembering the stormy hateful look in his expression. It was another monster.

"She sounds fine," he said at last.

Raphtalia didn't know how long the entire trip took or how long it had been since they arrived. All she knew was that it was right back where she met Master, the only difference now was that she was not alone. The circus tent was dimly lit. No light came from outside, so it was probably night time.

Raphtalia felt awful as she rose to her feet. Whatever illness she obtained while she was at Lord Rabier's dungeon had worsened, but she still held out hope.

"Raphtalia?" a voice said weakly.

The tanuki girl turned. Keel was kneeling down next to Rifana, his hands against her head. "I don't think she's gonna make it. Rifana's forehead feels hot."

Raphtalia's heart skipped. She lunged down towards her best friend and touched her forehead. Rifana had a very high fever.

Rifana's eyes slowly fluttered open. "Raphtalia…"

The half-tanuki girl held Rifana's hand, eyes welling up. "I'm here for you…Don't go."

Rifana gave out several pained breaths.

Keel snorted. "We've been here for days. He hasn't shown up!"

"But… Master will show up…" Raphtalia shouted back. "I know he will. He… he hasn't left me behind, he hasn't abandoned me!"

"Raph, what if you dreamt it all up?" Keel said, leaning against the cage. "I… I know you've been saying to hold out, but I don't think Rifana will make it. Even if he does show up now, it might be too late."

"You're… horrible," Raphtalia muttered behind closed eyes. She can't have made it all up, and he can't just be… too late for Rifana.

"At least we aren't being whipped… There's not a lot of screaming either. " Rifana muttered between pained breaths. "It's safer here."

Raphtalia held her friend's hand tightly. It pained her to have to find an upside to this, but at least Rifana would die without too much pain. The slaver also placed their cage far away from the other creatures, so the smell didn't reek of death.

"It appears you have a problem."

Raphtalia's eyes narrowed as she turned towards the slave trader Beloukas. In his hands was a bottle made of brown glass. She knew he wanted to speak to her. "Watch her, Keel," she said, turning to her old friends.

The dog boy nodded.

Raphtalia moved to the edge of her cage and met the slave trader. "Why do you have medicine?"

Beloukas's smile was the stuff of nightmares. "Because clearly my merchandise is in poor repair. And in this kingdom, because I haven't delivered my goods yet, I'm financially liable for any damages received even though I only received the initial payment."

Raphtalia tried not to feel repulsed that he had just called her best friend mere merchandise.

"Oh, don't give me that look," Beloukas laughed. "I'm merely here to do business." He uncorked a bottle and poured a small amount into a tiny thimble. He handed it to Raphtalia. "A free sample, but I think you clearly need more than that. In fact, I am certain all of you do."

Frustrated but more concerned with her friend's wellbeing, Raphtalia took the thimble and went over to Rifana. "Drink this."

Rifana, too weak to resist, accepted the drink. But as she tasted a single drop, she stuck her tongue out in disgust. "It's bitter."

"Good medicine is supposed to taste bitter," Raphtalia replied back, remembering the words as they were said to her once upon a time. "Drink it up."

Rifana frowned but did as she was told. Almost like magic, her breathing didn't seem as difficult.

With the immediate danger passed, Raphtalia went to see the slave trader one more time - their business had not been concluded yet. She knew he wasn't giving this medicine without gaining something back. "You want something from me?"

Beloukas smiled. "It appears you were correct. The public has just been informed that the Four Cardinal Heroes were summoned by the King and the Three Heroes Church. There was a betting pool on which Hero Melromarc would choose, but no one considered the possibility that all four of them would be summoned here, at least not publically. Oh, I can already see my business going places."

Raphtalia felt a surge of pride well up in her; she was right to put her faith into Master.

"Which means you might be considerably more valuable than what your appearance would dictate," Beloukas continued.

Raphtalia's pride suddenly turned to fear and panic in her chest. This was not at all planned at all. "... I don't understand."

The slave trader raised a finger as he knelt down to meet the girl. "I still intend to fulfill our little arrangement, but knowledge is sometimes more valuable than gold. You are clearly more than what you appear to be."

"I don't follow."

Beloukas smiled as he pointed at her chest, a threat evident. "You don't act like an abused child slave, at least, not a normal one. You don't talk like one, you don't apologize, and neither do you fear like one. And merely being a demihuman who grew up by levels and was suddenly sent back to level 1 would not explain how you were so certain that all four Cardinal Heroes would be summoned here. Lord Rabier told me you've been a slave for quite a while, far too long for any accuracy even if you were a spy."

Raphtalia's eyes widened as she clutched her chest as a faint surge of energy pricked her. She knew that the slave trader could force her compliance, maybe even force her to tell him what she saw in her dreams. She been so used to her Master never using her slave seal that she forgot what real slave masters were like. "I… no, don't…" she panicked. She was cornered and she knew it.

Beloukas smiled. "I could force you to tell me anything you haven't said. I wonder what secrets you know if you knew the Heroes were to be summoned so soon. An Oracle with accurate prophecies was the sort of thing entire kingdoms went to war over."

Raphtalia turned to her friends. Keel was hopefully too busy tending to Rifana to listen. She resolved that if nothing else, she would protect her friends. "... I'll talk," she spat, "But don't harm them."

Beloukas's expression was unreadable.

Raphtalia took a deep breath, bracing herself for anything that came next. She didn't want to deal with this human slime. "In my dreams, I… I traveled with the Shield Hero. We… fought many battles together… I was his sword… You sold me to him because I was sick and dying and he was broke."

Beloukas frowned. "And the other two?"

"They remained with Rabier," she uttered with a whisper. She turned to the ground. "Rifana didn't make it."

The slaver adjusted his spectacles. "Your story is… implausible, though it has been a topic fiction books explored. Heroes in particular were often hoping to find a means to alter the past to correct an incident they endured, but to no avail."

Raphtalia wept, eyes watering and defeated. She was so eager to meet her Master again, so confident she could outsmart Rabier that she had forgotten the slave trader was more than a drunken lout. "One time, once we gained enough levels and I became a grown up, you said I was worth 20 gold, only to say I was 35 because Master did not do something to me. I don't know how real it was all, but I wanted it to be."

Beloukas's hands moved forward.

Raphtalia squinted as the medicine bottle was still in his hands.

"A deal is a deal. I don't renege contracts just because I found a better deal," said the slave trader. "Would you believe I had to turn away several prospective buyers because of our arrangement?"

"No, it never crossed my mind." Raphtalia blinked several times, not even realizing that the slaver would have honored a deal with a demihuman. She also never realized there were people offering to buy her. Then again, she supposed she was healthier than she was last time if only because her sleep was far more regular. She wordlessly stumbled over to Keel and handed him the bottle. All three of them were suffering from some illness or another and would no doubt need to share the bottle.

When she noticed that the slave trader was still there, she turned back and faced him.

"I don't necessarily believe you. But, supposing what you have is genuine, I would like to make an arrangement."

Raphtalia narrowed her eyes.

"If you are indeed the companion of a Hero, perhaps even destined to be, antagonizing you here and now would only serve to designate me an enemy for no benefit. I have not used your slave crest beyond reminding you it was there," Beloukas licked his lips. "Instead, you are a business associate. Knowledge, power, connections, and money are all fairly fluid currencies in my line of work. You lack money and power, but knowledge and possible connections are what you bring to the table."

Raphtalia thought about it. She still didn't like the slaver, but she couldn't deny that her friends both here and elsewhere would need the money. Similarly, offering too much knowledge could be its own danger.

Rifana whimpered in the background. She had fallen asleep. This was a reminder of what Raphtalia fought for. She could save more than just her friends.

"My friends in Lurolona village and in the former realm of Lord Seatto, that's my price. You'll save them from their cruel masters. We'll find a place for them later, but I'd like as many people to survive as possible." Raphtalia demanded. "And in exchange, I'll tell you a secret of the Three Heroes Church."

Beloukas turned his attention over his tent, checking to see if there were any onlookers, but there were none that could be found. "Go on."

"The Three Heroes Church, they hold what is called the Replica and have kept it hidden for centuries. They used it when they nearly overthrew the King and Queen, but it was destroyed by the Holy Heroes."

"What is the Replica?"

Raphtalia frowned. "It's a weapon, Sir, a legendary weapon created to replicate the power of the four Holy Weapons. A fake that wields vast power. It can shapeshift and use the power of all four Holy Weapons, but the Pope refused to use the Shield."

"...Utter morons." the slaver spoke under his breath. Raphtalia was sure she saw him sweat. "You mean to tell me that all this time, the Church has held a mythical weapon in their vaults, and rather than use it to accomplish anything useful, they think to overthrow the country?"

Raphtalia nodded.

"That information is volatile and radical, but also incredibly valuable. Possibly enough to sway politics, to end and create dynasties. I have never really thought of myself as a patriot or a zealot, but at the end of the day, I prefer serving my Queen despite her policies upon my business. I will… act upon this information discreetly, partner."

Raphtalia wondered if Master would be proud of her. It didn't really make her feel comfortable, but at the same time, it was necessary.

She turned back to her friends. Keel was suddenly asleep. The medicine bottle was in his hands.

Beloukas spoke. "The medicine induces sleep. I would recommend taking it, you still cough quite a bit even if you don't notice it."

Raphtalia took the bottle in her hands. She remembered that it took some time after the summoning before Master was desperate enough to buy a slave, to buy her. She could afford to waste time.

A single sip led to instant relief. Her friends were nearby, she could rest.

"Is this for me?" she could remember herself saying, even if silently. Every time she said it, she couldn't believe it.

"Raphtalia, drink this."

"Don't you want to eat it?"

"I saw you eying that ball."

"Let me cut your hair."

"Wear this, it might look good on you."

Monsters were not this kind, therefore, maybe Master was not a monster? But why was he troubled, why were his eyes like that of the monsters?

"Boss!" someone called from outside the tent. "Someone's here to see you. Says he's the Shield Hero."

Raphtalia heard voices shouting, stirring her awake. The tent was brightly lit now, it must have been day.

Beloukas stepped into her vision. "Oh, I didn't expect him to arrive first thing in the morning. Bring him in!" He turned to Raphtalia. "I wonder why he's here."

Surprised, Raphtalia stood up and wiped the sleep from her eyes.

A man rushed in, dressed in green. His hair was matted wet by sweat. His clothes were vaguely recognizable but not from this world. He breathed heavily as he approached the cage. "Raph… Raphtalia…" he said with exasperation.

Raphtalia's eyes lit up, her heart pounded, relief and excitement surged. "Master…Na," the name was on her lips. "Master Naofumi," she reached.

Naofumi paused. "Hey, I'm… not your master yet. It's… really you. You remember me?"

"You're… early, I think," Raphtalia commented, a smile crept on her lips.

"I couldn't bear the thought of leaving you here," Naofumi said. He held a coin purse in his hands. "I got my silver from the King, so I'll buy your freedom. You won't have to wait for me to get desperate. I'm here for you already." His gaze turned towards the other people in the cage. "Keel, is that you?"

The dog boy rose from where he sat. "Wait, you're the Shield Hero and you already know my name?"

Naofumi blinked.

Raphtalia held Keel's hand. "He's here to save us, along with Rifana. I told you."

Keel frowned but then let out a chuckle. "I should have believed in you more Raphtalia."

Naofumi's gaze lowered and turned towards the sleeping girl in the cage. "Is that who I think it is?"

Raphtalia nodded. "I saw a chance to save my friends and I took it."

Naofumi lifted the coin purse in his hand. "I think I can afford it, it'll be tough but I think I can take care of you all."

Beloukas returned back and handed Raphtalia a similar sack of coins. "Here, young miss. As part of our arrangement, I've already deduced your processing fees. You're free to go, though I still recommend acquiring slave-seals for your protection." He then opened the cage door before disappearing elsewhere in the tent.

Naofumi suddenly went blank. "Raphtalia, what did you do?"

Raphtalia let out a giggle, knowing full well her master would want to know the details. "I followed your example and sold some things. We can talk about it later."

Naofumi's expression warmed. He brought his hand over Raphtalia's head and gently patted her on the head. "Alright, I trust you."

"Is that the Shield Hero?" a voice said weakly. Rifana arose and stumbled to meet the Hero.

"I sure am. And I am in need of your help." Naofumi raised his hands, showing the Holy Shield he carried. "I am the Shield Hero. This shield makes it hard for me to attack. I can guard and protect others, but I cannot defeat foes by myself. Will you fight by my side?"

Tears fell Rifana's eyes. Raphtalia knew that this was a dream come true for her. "Yes… I will!"

Keel pounded his chest. "Same here!"

Raphtalia blushed back. Last time she did this, she was a slave who fought because she had no choice. Now, this was the thing she wanted most. "I will be your sword, Master Naofumi."

An hour later, Raphtalia gently handled the small dagger in her hands. It was the same dagger she had been given when she and Master Naofumi began their journey together. She remembered she was so scared of using it, terrified at the prospect of fighting. Now, she was eager. This was where she knew to be.

"Ooh, what's that?"

"Can I try that?"

Raphtalia laughed. Unlike her, Rifana and Keel were rapidly searching for a weapon in the store that interested them. Even though both of them were still tired and sick, the prospect of fighting alongside the Shield Hero was enough for the two children to ignore most of their previous ailments. It also helped that they had fresh clothes, a bath, and cough medicine.

Erhard the smith rubbed at his temples, obviously annoyed at his situation. "Not that I hate you or anything, but uh, why come here? My store's not really a nursery."

Master Naofumi raised his hands. "I heard you were the best smith in town. And besides, demihumans won't remain kids for long especially with this thing around." He pounded his Shield.

Erhard gave a proud smirk. "Alright, with an attitude like that and the money you got, we can help them get there safely. And one of them seems to know what she's doing." He said that as he glanced at Raphtalia.

Raphtalia let out a laugh. She already knew what she wanted and sat in a chair. "I'm just being well behaved for Master Naofumi."

Erhard whistled. "And you said they were slaves earlier. You honestly couldn't tell now."

Keel dashed around pretending to parry an unseen attacker. As a result, he knocked over an entire barrel full of spears, causing a cascade of crates and boxes to spill onto the floor.

Erhard shouted. "Hey. You clean that up right now!"

Terrified, Keel immediately went to pick up weapons and armor pieces off the floor.

Rifana nearly joined in before Erhard spoke up. "Not you, girl. That 'man of the sea' has got to learn a lesson about playing in my store!"

Raphtalia nearly laughed as she saw what happened in front of her. It was starting to feel like her two friends were going to settle in, a small slice of home saved from the Waves.

Naofumi's shadow loomed over her, causing the half-tanuki girl to look up. Naofumi placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's not everyone, but it's a start. Not sure about how to get Eclair without the Queen and I don't even think Filo's egg has been laid yet, so for the first wave, it's just going to be us."

Raphtalia frowned. She was disappointed in herself for forgetting about Filo. Yes, they might have been… rivals for a time, but she was a friend, too. In fact, a part of her was more disappointed in the fact that she and Filo wouldn't be spending these early days together. But Naofumi was right, her egg might not exist yet.

Eclair, she could handle herself, though Raphtalia did want her to be free as soon as possible.

Naofumi's gentle hand went over her head. "Hey, don't worry about it. You did everything you could with what you had. You did great."

Raphtalia blushed. "Thank you."

Naofumi looked down, his eyes warm and attentive. "I woke up in my world and thought it was all a dream. I thought I was back to living with my parents and that all of our adventures were just a fantasy I wanted to play out. I almost didn't come back. But then I realized, it was the wrong month. I wasn't just back in my own world, but I was also back in time."

Raphtalia looked up and in awe, realizing just how much her own thoughts were like that when she first awoke.

Naofumi's eyes darkened, his stare intense. "I was tempted to stay behind, to let someone else save the world, I'm not going to lie about that. Melromarc treated me like garbage and the rest of the world isn't far behind. But that would have meant abandoning the people who depended upon me, most especially a small racoon girl in need of medicine."

Raphtalia wiped tears away. "Master Naofumi."

Naofumi gently edged Raphtalia's head closer to his chest. She didn't want to fight his touch. There was a faint glow that appeared from the Holy Shield as he spoke, warm and gentle, but it could have just been a figment of the light. "I just didn't expect that girl to be so… resourceful. I was expecting to have to care for you again, to help you stand up, to teach you how to fend for yourself. I would have gladly done it, too."

Raphtalia laughed. "We have Keel and Rifana. They haven't exactly grown up like I have."

Naofumi shook his head. He reached into the backpack she didn't realize he had. In one hand, he pulled out a colorful book featuring several demihumans on the cover; the symbols on it were unreadable. In the other was a small box with… colored sticks? He handed the book to Raphtalia. "Here, open this."

The half-tanuki girl opened the book. It featured a number of very well made sketches of demihumans in dozens of different outfits, some of which Raphtalia had no name for. All of them were in black and white. She squinted up at Naofumi. "What's this for?"

"It's called a coloring book. It's a children's toy from my world. You're supposed to color it using crayons." Naofumi said as he opened the box of colored sticks and pulled out a red one. He lightly touched the hair of one of the sketches, making it slightly red. A pensive look appeared over his face.

Raphtalia pouted and pointed at him. "Master Naofumi, what are you thinking about?

"Oh well, it's just that it's a children's toy. But maybe you can still use it."

Raphtalia's face started to redden. "What? No, if it's for children, uh Keel and Rifana can use it… I don't need it. I'm glad that they'll get to something like that growing up."

Naofumi laughed. "Or you could play with it. You are a kid, too, after all."

The idea was somehow as tempting as repulsive. "Master Naofumi, I'm not a child," she said matter of factly. "Just…. Just wait til I level up, I'll be grown."

Naofumi shook his head with disagreement. "Yeah, but that's later, at least twof weeks of grinding. We have nearly a whole month. I think you deserve some time with your friends."

Raphtalia turned towards her two friends as they finally narrowed down what weapons they wanted to use. Rifana carefully adjusted the small sickle weapon in her hands, whilst Keel was trying to decide between a fishing spear and a small curved blade. Raphtalia realized that it had been a long time since she had done much with either of them. Maybe she could afford to be a little immature. She was, after all, only 10 years old.

"Hey, Master Naofumi brought us something!" she smiled as she ran towards them, the coloring book in her hands.