Heroes of the Arks

ESKK: Well here we go the fourth chapter. Also heads up folks we won't be going into the fourth wave after this chapter. We will have three filler chapters before the team reunites for the Wave. So yeah please enjoy this chapter.

(Start Slaver Tent)

Shiro looked down upon the girl as he was appalled by the state she was in. As Shiro looked to her he was calm for a moment not wanting to give this guy any idea he was going to one day tear down his business if he can help it. "Sir over here." Beloukas said as he looked over to Shiro. Shiro went over to what he was showing him wondering what it was. "I recommend this for a high class gent such as yourself." He said as Shiro saw a beastman glaring at him. "It's a level 75." He said and thus Shiro already had his answer for this.

"No." Shiro said surprising Beloukas. "From the looks of him and from his level alone he's way above my price range." Shiro said as he then looked to Beloukas who then began to laugh.

"I knew you had that keen eye, my good sir." Beloukas said as Shiro was oddly calm almost cold even.

"I'm guessing this is your most expensive." Shiro said as he looked to the Beastman with a look of pity while it glared at him in contempt.

"That's right it's a rarity and this was my way to help you develop a Keen eye you already have." Beloukas said as he knew full well Shiro would become one of his best costumers. "Now that you've seen my best let me ask you a question exactly what kind of Slave are you in the market for?" Beloukas asked as he looked to Shiro.

"What about that one I found the one that's sick." Shiro said as he looked back to the Tanuki girl.

"Oh her? Well she is one of the cheapest ones I have one of the ones that isn't dead at least." Beloukas said as he guided Shiro back to the girl from earlier. "Don't know why you'd want her though as I have warned before, she is ill and has a lot of mental issues, especially with canines." Beloukas said as Shiro looked to the girl who was scared witless.

"Had her for quite some time, too...Her previous owner loved to torture her…" Beloukas chuckled a bit as he looked at the girl. "She's not long for this world I suggest something else." Beloukas said but Shiro had other ideas.

"She'll do." Shiro said as he looked to the girl. "I'll take this one." Shiro said with a cold look in his eyes. His face didn't show any emotion no cruelty or joy simply a blank look void of anything. "How much you want for her?" Shiro asked as he looked to the slave trader.

"Hmm...Considering she might not have long left for this world...160 Silver." Beloukas said as he looked to Shiro.

"Fine." Shiro said as he then produced a single Gold Coin instead of the Silver and gave it to Beloukas.

"Um sir I think." He began to speak as there had to be a mistake. He may be a Slave Trader but he was no crook and figured Shiro gave it to him by accident.

"As an Advance payment for any other child you get here I have three allies out there who you can contact about this." Shiro said before he produced the Silver Coin. "You have connections right?" Shiro asked as the man nodded.

"Why of course." He said and in turn Shiro produced pictures of both the Sunk King and its Ark. "If you hear anything about these items let me or my three allies know about it immediately." Shiro said as the man took the silver and the pictures.

"Mind if I ask why." Beloukas asked as he looked to Shiro.

"That's for me to know until we build a better working relationship." Shiro said as the man then grinned to this.

"Oh I'm going to love working with you." He said showing he was like Shiro more by the second.

(Later)

After letting her out of her cage Shiro found himself in another area as his thumb was being cut to draw blood. The Blood dripped into the ink. From what he gathered it was to bind the girl as his Slave which he honestly did not approve of in the slightest. She was frightened and shaking like a leaf. As he began to apply the mark Shiro offered her his hand surprising her and Beloukas.

"If it hurts squeeze my hand." Shiro offered as he surprised Beloukas like this.

"Huh?" He asked but Shiro looked to him with a look of a plan.

The girl was hesitant but none the less took his hand if it meant he wouldn't hurt her worse later. When she did so Shiro saw the mark on her chest the same mark he had seen on other Demihumans around the Kingdom. With the brush that had ink mixed with Shiro's blood he drew a circle on the crest causing the crest to activate and even steam. The girl didn't mean to squeeze but she did so regardless while Shiro simply let her do it.

"Is she going to be ok?" Shiro asked as he looked to Beloukas with a tone suggesting he didn't want her to die just after he spent money on her.

"Don't worry, the pain will dissipate soon." Beloukas said as Shiro nodded and held the girls hand for as long as she needed. "That slave crest branded on her chest makes it impossible for her to defy you." He said as Shiro then saw a pop up appear before his eyes.

'Slave A has been Added to your Party. Slaves are unable to disobey commands of their owners so long as they are branded with the appropriate level of Slave Seal. Stronger monsters require stronger Slave Seals to keep command over. Selecting a Slave in your Party allows you to modify the level of damage caused by disobedience.' Shiro read silently to himself as he saw the pop up. 'Set as Companion?' Shiro asked as he took note to this bit of information as well.

As Shiro looked to the girl he knew the Gold Coin covered this and the next several children this guy came upon. As he looked to the girl he saw how she coughed and helped her ease to it. "Do you have a name?" Shiro asked as he looked to the girl in question. "If you need a moment then don't worry." Shiro said as he looked to the girl.

"It's Raphtalia." she finally said as Shiro nodded to her.

"Ok nice to meet you Raphtalia." Shiro said being kind to her hoping the guy will see being kind to a slave would gain the benefit of greater results. "Now come on let's get you out of those rags and into something new." Shiro said more than happy to acquire for Raphtalia a new outfit... within his tight budget of course.

(Scene Brake that afternoon Erhards Shop)

With Erhard was stocking things on the wall over on his side of the counter, the door to his shop opens turn around to see who it was and seeing its Shiro as he said, "Oh it's you."

Suddenly he notice Raphtalia at Shiro side and said, "Well, well. What with the girl, kid?"

Shiro throw down 6 silver and said, "You got any sort of clothing you may have in her size, and a small weapon she can also use with this amount?"

"I'll check," Erhard said as he looks in the back storage, as a few minutes later he came out with a small stack of clothing and a tiny dagger weapon that made of copper and given it all to Raphtalia as Shiro said, "Change into these, in there okay?"

She nodded as she took them into the dresser room as a minute or so has gone by and Raphtalia came out looking better with proper clothing on as he said, "Seem good, how does it feel for you?"

"Its… okay," Raphtalia said as Shiro nodded as then he said, "Alright then, draw your dagger as I need you to do something."

Raphtalia was confused as she drew her dagger weapon as Shiro reached out to something behind him and pull out an orange balloon monster that he kept hidden on him somehow with its mouth gag with a rock and cloth tied around it so it could not spit it out as the child gotten frighten by it with Shiro said, "Relax its harmless right now, but I need you to attack this monster, stab it with your knife."

"No!" Raphtalia said as she back away from it as Shiro saw how scare she is as he said to her, "Look I'm not going to order you to do it, but I need to know if you can defend yourself, stronger monster than this will come at us, and they will not hesitate on attack you or me, but if it comes down to it will your freeze in fear and die… or live and fight?"

Raphtalia didn't know what to do as her hand tremble and as she didn't know what to do as she just stood there scared as Shiro said, "I know you can do it Raphtalia, I believe you can do it, you just have to be brave, clench your teeth and do it."

Raphtalia wanted to cry but she did what Shiro said as she clench her jaw and charge at the balloon monster with her dagger, give a small battle cry and stab it, popping it gotten 15xp, no doubt due to she was smaller and weaker than it but some of that EXP transfer to Shiro seeing he gotten 15xp as well as he said, "Hu, a bit more experience point from that, maybe due to you being so young."

"What do you plan on doing with her?" Erhard asked with Shiro said, "Get her train up, to fight higher level monsters with me, while also getting a steady supply of coins as well with it, so Raphtalia listen well."

She turn towards Shiro as he knee down close to her and said, "This world is pretty dangerous outside this kingdoms walls, and I cannot fight all that well by myself just yet, I'll defend you with my life but in exchange I am going to need your help to fight with me. You think you can do that?"

Raphtalia give a soft nod as Shiro held out his hand and said, "Follow me then, let get you some proper food to eat."

Raphtalia grab his hand as they walk out of the store with Shiro said, "Thanks again Erhard, I'll come again for more stuff later on."

"Don't keep my waiting," Erhard said as he smile with Shiro out of site he said, "That kid is gonna go places, I guess this world need more people like him."

(Shiro and Raphtalia)

The pair were walking down the streets of the capital, with Shiro was looking at the amount of money he had as he said, "I have a at least 10 silver left, after my cost spending with that slave trader and what I spent for clothing and a knife, better keep it small."

"Hey get a move on!" Shiro stop with Raphtalia halting in place as they turn to see a slave owner working some Demihuman to carry goods on to his small wagon, when a child fallen down and spilt some of the things he had in a box he was holding with his owner saw this and said, "Hey I don't have all day you little Moron!"

"I'm sorry!" the kid said as he gotten back up and grab all the things he spilled, then suddenly Shiro heard the sound of a rumbling stomach as he look down to see Raphtalia holding hers as he can guess where that sound came from as he said, "Oh sorry about that Raphtalia, let find a place to sit and eat at."

Looking around as he saw a carving sign above a door with the look of a plate with a fork and knife over it and a beer cut in the center of it, no doubt a tavern as he said, "Come on lets head in there."

Walking in as Shiro didn't notice a sigh on the side, with Raphtalia did, reading it as it says, "We do not serve Demihumans" With Shiro call out to her, "Hey what are you waiting for?"

"But," Raphtalia said as Shiro wave his hand and said, "Come on."

She soon follow him in despite what the sigh said, as she thinking that Shiro doesn't care about that, as they walk in, with very few people there, with the waiter greeted him, but stop half way when he saw the shield on Shiro arm as he said, "The shield hero."

"Is he the rapist?" Someone said as they saw him with someone else said, "Shut up man."

Shiro just ignore them and went to an empty table with Raphtalia taken a seat across from him as Shiro called out. "Hey, we would like some service here."

"Yeah be right there." The server called back to which from his facial expression he didn't want to. Once the guy arrived Shiro was calm about this and then got to ordering. "I'd like the cheapest lunch platter you got for me." Shiro began as he then saw the kid from the sable down the way with whispers being spoke of about Raphtalia. "She'll have what that kid over there is having." Shiro said hoping to get her strength back up.

"That will be 9 Coppers." The man said and thus Shiro understood.

"Alright." Shiro said giving the coppers over to the server who took it. But before he left Shiro stopped him for a second seeing how he didn't want to do this. "Wait." Shiro said and thus passed him a Silver. "I know you don't want to serve me but I appreciate it, so take a silver for your troubles." Shiro said trying to be nice to the guy.

"Oh... well it's no problem at all." The Server said at how generous Shiro was being despite what was being said about him. He then went to get his food and thus Shiro sighed a bit.

"Geez this is going to be one of those things for a while." Shiro said as he noted how people were whispering about Raphtalia behind his back.

"Why sir." Raphtalia was heard and thus Shiro was confused.

"Why what did I order wrong?" Shiro asked as he looked to Raphtalia.

Raphtalia then turned her head to correct herself a bit. "No sir. Why are you getting it for me?" Raphtalia asked and thus Shiro sighed a bit.

"Because you need to eat I'm not gonna let you starve to death." Shiro said as he looked to Raphtalia.

(Later)

"Alright here's your food." The server said after a small time of waiting. Clearly he did appreciate the tip Shiro gave him and had gone out of his way to make sure they get the food as soon as possible with excellent service. Raphtalia had stars in her eyes when she saw the food before her clearly happy to see it all.

"Well dig in." Shiro said as he began to eat his own food.

"It's all for me?!" Raphtalia asked as she heard this with a smile.

"Well it's the Kids platter so yeah it for you." Shiro said as he kept eating his food. Raphtalia smiled to this and in turn began to dig in. After the first bite the girl began to smile and in turn was starting to inhale her food. But she was eating a bit too fast and in turn Shiro got worried for her from it. "Hey slow down your gonna choke." Shiro said and low and behold she did begin to choke a bit causing Shiro to sigh. "Here drink this." Shiro said offering the cup to the girl. She grabbed it fast and downed it to allow the food lodged in to flow down easier.

Once she got it down she continued to eat and Shiro smiled to her. "So how's the food?" Shiro asked and thus Raphtalia nodded to Shiro showing she loved it. "Good just don't eat to fast ok don't want you to get sick." Shiro said as Raphtalia nodded and slowed down her pace so she didn't choke again.

(Scene break later that day)

Shiro and Raphtalia sat around a camp fire as Shiro was going over the new shields he unlocked. The duo had spent the whole day training as Shiro had unlocked a few new shields. Luckily since he can use a sword to protect himself it made it easier for the both of them but due to the limitation with it Shiro wasn't a reliable alley for sword play.

"Huh I got blending abilities now." Shiro said to himself when he saw this. "I can use that." Shiro said as he smiled to the new ability he now had.

"Master... sir." Raphtalia began and got Shiro's attention. "Who are you and what I mean is who are you really?" Raphtalia said as Shiro knew she deserved honesty from him at least.

"Well I'm the Shield Hero." Shiro said as he looked to Raphtalia.

"Wait do you mean... the Four Cardinal Heroes?" Raphtalia asked as Shiro saw she wasn't spiteful to Shiro on this.

"Yeah." Shiro said as he looked to the Demihuman girl. Shiro was working on his new blending ability as Raphtalia was surprised at what Shiro said. "But please don't call me Sir, Master, or Sir Hero if we're going to work together then my name is Shirogane Takeru but please just call me Shiro." Shiro said as he looked to Raphtalia while working on something.

"Shirogane Takeru?" Raphtalia said but then began to hack and cough.

"Here drink this." Shiro said offering Raphtalia a leaf cup with a liquid in it. Raphtalia was nervous about it but Shiro sighed a bit. "It's a medicine I blended it can cure light colds." Shiro said as Raphtalia was still nervous about it. "I promise you'll feel better if you do." Shiro said being patient with her.

When Raphtalia took the cup she then drank the liquid before going wide eyed and spitting it out. "So bitter." Raphtalia said and thus Shiro smiled kindly to her.

"So what if it is a little bitter but it will definitely work." Shiro said and thus Raphtalia ended up swallowing it anyway despite not liking the bitter taste.

(Scene Break that Night)

The soft sounds of snoring could be heard within the forest outside the kingdom as the group rested up near it for tonight. Shiro continued to work on his current project as he was hoping to make several to sell later. As Shiro continued to work with his improve tools he sighed a bit as his eyes then went to his left hand. He focused for a moment and in turn the White Knights ark appeared. He looked the item over as he compared it to the shield for a minute. Clearly the Shield and the White Knight would work well together considering the Shield was a part of the Knights power to begin with. With that in mind Shiro had to wonder just how far the two can work together. Furthermore would the other Knights work well if not better when equipped with a corresponding Cardinal Weapon? Shiro sighed to this just before his thoughts were soon interrupted by the sounds of whimpering, looking over to see Raphtalia shaking and squirming a bit in her sleep.

"Mother...father…" Raphtalia whispered, trying to reach out for something as she began to pant in her sleep, "No... Please...don't leave me... no...No...No…! NO!" she cried as she shot up, tears in her eyes as her tail stood up, "MOTHER! FATHER!"

"Raphtalia?" Shiro said as he sees Raphtalia crying out as she just screams, "Their dead! Their dead!"

Shiro quickly rushes to her and held her close as he said, "Calm down Raphtalia, it's just a dream, it going to be alright."

"Mother. Father they're gone, They are both gone," Raphtalia cry out as she balled in Shiro chest, as he genteelly rub her head as he said to her, "It's all right. It will be alright Raphtalia, I will protect you."

They stay like that throughout the night, as Raphtalia cry to sleep as Shiro hold her close near the fire, while keeping her calm before he fell asleep as well.

(The next day)

Back in the capital as Shiro pay a visit to the drug store again to sell more herb he picked out as well as the medicine he made. The old man running the Herbal Shop was looking at the quality of them as he said, "Hmm. Very impressive if I do say so myself. Are you well versed in making medicine Sir Hero?"

"Actually yesterday was my first try." Shiro admitted as he looked to the old man while rubbing the back of his head a bit as he didn't think his skill in herb mixing was that good as the old man said, "Really?"

"So what is more profitable the herb of the medicine?" Shiro asked as he needed to know what sells better to rise his flow of money as the old man said, "Due to the wave's impact medicine has been flying off the shelves lately so rather than herbs. I'd pay more for your medicine."

"That's good to know," Shiro said as the old man did the count and trying to be a reasonable business owner and not try to cheat Shiro as he said, "In total this is worth four silvers."

Shiro was looking around the store as he saw some tools and equipment around that were left untouched and plenty around to sue as Shiro had a thought and said, "Hey instead of paying me, how about we trade, you have any spare tools and equipment that you haven't been using?"

(Outside)

Raphtalia was told to wait outside for Shiro, as she did so, she seen some kids playing in the streets with a ball they were playing with, with Shiro walk up to where she was sitting, he called out, "Raphtalia?"

She wasn't paying attention to him as she was looking at the kids while her ears twitch a bit, he look and saw what she is looking at, seeing the two kids playing with a ball as they throwing to each other or keep bouncing it in their hand, as Shiro gotten an idea as he came up to her and said, "Hey would you like a ball like that as well?"

Raphtalia react to that as she gotten up from where she was sitting as she said, "No I don't! I never want a ball, not at all!"

She says no and with confidence but her tail was swinging left to right fast as Shiro smile and said, "Alright then."

A few minute later in front of a street stand that was selling balls like the one Raphtalia saw the two boys playing with. The Tanuki girl was surprised by what Shiro had in his hands as it was a ball.

She reaches out to it, grabbing it as she held it close with Shiro said, "Now be careful with it, you can play with it after we're done working or on a break, but not during it."

"Yes!" Raphtalia said happily as she, played with it a bit with Shiro smile to this seeing the light in her eyes was slowly returning back.

(Later at an inn)

Shiro ring a bell as the manager came up and said, "Welcome, Oh it's the shield hero."

Sound disapproving when he saw Shiro as he said to the manager, "I would like to rent a room, one that far away from any other occupied rooms. My little friend here tends to get night terrors."

The manager was about to refuse him, even though Shiro saw there were plenty of room available due to seeing the key rack behind the man until Shiro raise his left arm and summon forth the white knight gauntlet and said, "You don't want any trouble do you?"

The manager freak out as he said, "No of course, I'll go get your room set up now!"

The manager rushes to find a room that was good enough for him and Raphtalia as Shiro sighed in disappointment in himself as he said, "I am reducing myself to threat. At this rate I might end up like Jun."

(With Jun)

With the gothic girl with a new get up, as she was walking away from a village she just came from then sneeze as she went, "Achoo!"

Sniff her nose a bit and said, "Great, who's talking about me?"

(Shiro)

"Still." Shiro said more to himself then anything. He needed to get stronger to survive the next Wave and the ones after that. Right now Raphtalia may prove to be the key to that survival while he and his friends walked separate paths. For now he had to focus on the task at hand and that was training himself and Raphtalia up. Still Raphtalia was a child he had a feeling she may prove to be a lot of work to handle.

(Scene Break Forest)

Shiro was proven right on the case of the Demihuman girl. It was simple enough when they walked through town Shiro saw the looks people gave him and opted to ignore them. Then again Raphtalia didn't help with the image either but he sucked it up and dealt with it. Of course on multiple occasions Shiro had to stop to buy a snack for her and swore the girl knew he'd break for her and she took advantage of it. Shiro of course gave Raphtalia a haircut to the best of his abilities as it was more Tsubaki's cup of tea then his own. When he gave her the haircut and fixed her hair Shiro swore he screwed up but for some reason Raphtalia loved it.

There was a time she got a bruise on her face that Shiro had to help tend to. He didn't ask how she got it only that she wasn't the one to instigate it or throw the first punch. Some nights Shiro swore were hard as while he worked Raphtalia would still have night terrors. They weren't as bad as they were before the only problem was when she wet the bed. Of course in response he simply pat her head and told her she needed to get a hang of that or else one of the inn workers will start charging him for a replacement.

They sold their goods to the shops and all in all it was just business as usual for them. They duo were currently out in the field as Shiro and Raphtalia were working on farming for EXP. Raphtalia had made a great deal of improvement and Shiro was proud of her for that as it meant they were getting better. Once Raphtalia finished up another group of monsters he smiled to the demihuman girl.

"Good job Raphtalia I think we can no go deeper into the forest now." Shiro said as he wanted to push themselves a bit to get stronger. Just then they heard movement from the bushes and from it they saw a Rabbit creature jump out. "Seriously? A monster rabbit?" Shiro asked as he heard of monster rabbits through Easter events or just none aggressive creatures but as an aggressive monster... that was a new one. Just then the monster went on the attack causing Shiro to panic. "Watch out!" Shiro called out as he acted and let the monster bite into him taking the blow meant for Raphtalia.

"Raphtalia now's your chance to kill it!" Shiro called out as he held the monster in place. But alas Raphtalia hesitated as she clearly didn't want to do it. "Hurry up I can't hold this thing in place forever!" Shiro called out as he looked to Raphtalia.

"But I can't it will bleed if I stab it." Raphtalia said as she looked to Shiro.

"Raphtalia!" Shiro called out trying to get through to her.

"I hate blood!" She cried out and in turn Shiro understood what was going on.

"I hate blood also!" Shiro called out as he looked to Raphtalia surprising her. "But I don't have a choice but to spill blood for others." Shiro said as he held the rabbit in place. "There's a wave coming that can end everything and I have to get as strong as possible to take it on or we're all dead." Shiro said as he looked to Raphtalia. "Even if I have the ability to use a sword my defensive power makes it impossible for me to get stronger with it like everyone else can." Shiro said showing he wasn't much aid with a sword.

"I get it if you can't then that's ok I'll take you to Erhard and he can watch over you while I take on the Wave." Shiro said as Erhard was a kind man and he trusted him to take care of Raphtalia if or when he can't.

"You'll fight the waves of Catastrophe?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to Shiro.

"I have to because it became my job." Shiro said to which Raphtalia understood well enough.

"I understand." Raphtalia said as she picked up her dagger and took a battle stance. Shiro seeing this smiled to Raphtalia and thus held the rabbit before her knowing it was her time to shine. Thus with a mighty roar Raphtalia charged forth and stabbed the blade into the monster causing its blood to spew out. "Then I too have no choice." Raphtalia said as she began to calm down from the high.

"You always have a choice Raphtalia." Shiro said as he looked to her and took out a rag to wipe some of the blood off her. "Having a choice its part of being free." Shiro said as he smiled to Raphtalia who looked shocked to Shiro. Raphtalia didn't know why but the way Shiro smiled to her... it was like he simply tried to warm the souls of others with just that smile.

(Scene Break Erhards shop)

Shiro dropped a sack of coins on the table as he looked to Erhard. "What kind of weapon can I get for that?" Shiro asked as he looked to Erhard. After they had gotten enough coins Shiro opted to upgrade Raphtalia's gear for the wave.

"Well the time has come to get the little miss a real sword then." Erhard said as he then went to pick up a sword for Raphtalia. "One on the short side is a good place to start." Erhard said digging through the chest filled with swords all used no doubt. "Here's a nice little item a preowned iron short sword." Erhard said as held the weapon for the two.

Raphtalia went to give the weapon a try and thus Shiro had to ask. "Listen with the equipment we have is there a weapon or a town we can travel to?" Shiro asked as he had to ask.

"With all your stuff the only place that comes to mind would be the small village called Lute." Erhard said as he looked to Shiro and in turn he knew where there next destination would be.

(Scene Break Lute Village)

"So how much?" Shiro asked as he offered the rabbit pelt to a merchant.

"I'd say... about two silvers give or take a copper." The man said and thus Shiro looked to the item.

"Really?" Shiro asked with a bit of hope as all he had made were coppers. "Hey do you know any spots nearby where you can earn a lot of money quick?" Shiro asked as he looked to the merchant.

The man took a moment to think it over to see if there was area that matched up to what Shiro was looking for. "Well... now that you mention it the ore coming out of the mine outside the walls should fetch a decent amount but..." The man trailed of knowing of the dangers involved.

"But what? What's wrong?" Shiro asked with concern.

"Ever since the first wave came it's become home to a bunch of dangerous monsters." The man explained to which Shiro got a better understanding. "These days no one wants to go anywhere near the place." The man said and thus Shiro saw an idea.

"Monsters huh?" Shiro asked knowing what needed to be done.

"I don't know what our summoned heroes are doing but if you ask me it isn't much." The man said as he then sighed a bit. "In fact I've been hearing rumors of some adventurers able to summon these massive suits of armor taking out bandits and freeing a Lord domain from a usurper." He said as Shiro had a hunch as to who they are.

"Did those armors happen to use a spear or a bow?" Shiro asked as he looked to the man.

"Well the spear was more of a trident but yeah." The man said and thus Shiro smiled a bit over what his friends had accomplished... but that left Jun unaccounted for. Well she never was one for the spot light so whatever she was doing was probably important.

(Later at the Mines)

The party of two were preparing to head into the mines, with Shiro found some equipment that people left behind no doubt scared by the monsters inside the mines, which was lucky for him as he had a pickaxe head and put it in his shield and gotten a pickaxe shield, and some extra rope in which he also added to his shield and unlock a rope shield, that also unlocked a special move called air strike shield as he said, "An exclusive effect skills, nice."

Shiro stood up to try it out as he raise his hand, switch to the rope shield, and called out, "Air strike shield!"

With a burst of magic, a green clear magical shield came forth as Shiro is surprise by this as he thought it would be a something else but this is much better with Raphtalia asked, "Is something the matter, Shiro?"

"Hu? Oh nothing really, just surprise how well that worked," Shiro said as he soon dismissed the air strike shield and said, "Let's get going into the mines, hopefully we can find some ore."

(Inside the mines)

With Shiro carrying a torch which lit well in front of the two, he had Raphtalia carry a lantern on her pickaxe to keep a light shining from behind them so they could see both way as Shiro said, "Hey listen, if they are monster in this place, and when things get so bad we will have to run away, so its best you don't lag behind."

"Okay," Raphtalia said as they head further in the cave as soon enough they arrived in a cavern filled with light filtering in and crystals all providing natural light and a water to boot make the whole place seem like a hidden paradise as Shiro said, "I guess we're here."

Shiro gotten to work as he use his pickaxe shield to help increase his mining skills as he swing his pickaxe down at a stone and said, "okay a bit tough but nothing a little hard work cannot get done."

Shiro keep at it as he swing his pickaxe down harder and harder at the crystal stone, with Raphtalia stood by and watch over things as she notice some foot prints made of dirt or mud on the ground as she said, "Foot prints?"

Soon enough some crystal broke loose as Shiro stop and pick it up saying, "Not so bad, Raphtalia, let's try heading dee-

He stop as eh turn to see Raphtalia was scared of something as Shiro turn to see what she is looking at and to his surprise to see a creature with glowing red eyes come down from a tunnel, with Raphtalia having a panic attack from seeing it, as looking at it as it appears to be a two headed dog monster but the image flash in her mind seeing a 3 headed creature that was similar to it, just as big, and just a scary as she soon scream out.

The monster roar out and charge at them with Shiro quick rushing, grabbing Raphtalia before the monster could get her and leap down a cliff to the water below, landed safely with Shiro quickly swimming to the surface and to the closes area of dry ground, using his rope shield to further climb out, as Raphtalia cough out, getting the water out of her mouth as Shiro said, "Hold on Raphtalia, we'll get out here."

"Dog... Dog Monster killed all the villagers even my mother and father," Raphtalia said suddenly as Shiro is surprise to hear her say that as he thought, 'During the wave then? No wonder she cries every night.'

The two manage to get back up to an upper area, but to their surprise that two headed dog monster had follow them around as Shiro asked, "Is that the same monster that killed your mother and father?"

"No." She admitted with Shiro looking at it as he could have guess it may have not been the same monster but maybe a similar species, as he check on its level which was 15, he was barely up to level 5, and Raphtalia at level 4, at the way thing were looking, they would have to fight anyways, and if worst comes to worst, he'll summon the white knight armor and deal with it himself as he said, "Listen Raphtalia, you are going to need to fight this thing and take it out here and now."

"Hu? Raphtalia said as Shiro said to her, "in the position we're in we have no choice to do so, and if we do we can get stronger to fight the waves, so that tragically you had face will not happens again, I know your parents are gone and cannot come back, but we can prevent the same thing happening to other children to go through the same thing that you did."

Shiro stood up with his shield still in tis rope shield form as he said, "I believe in you Raphtalia as this what I have you training for make use of the skills to fight the best you can!"

He soon charge at the dog monster, meeting it head on as he block the first head from striking him, but the 2nd head gotten a free shot and take a cite out of Shiro's shoulder, with blood coming out from it, no doubt it was strong enough to pierce his defense, but Shiro wasn't stopping as he drew his sword and stab it deep within the monster with the heads growl out in pain but kept hold of him.

"Stubborn bastard aren't you?" Shiro growled as he glared at the monster. "Raphtalia you need to grab your sword and kill this thing!" Shiro called out as he tried his best to ignore the pain. "You have to do it now!" Shiro called out and thus Raphtalia couldn't do it.

"I can't." Raphtalia said as she looked to Shiro.

Shiro cried out in pain as the monster bit deeper. Shiro in response stabbed deeper as the monster was clearly not going to let go. If Raphtalia didn't jump in soon Shiro feared that it will depend who loses more blood. If it's Shiro the least he can do is make sure Raphtalia escapes with the White Knights Ark. "You have to kill this thing you can't live your life in fear like this!" Shiro called out as he looked to Raphtalia. "If you don't, we'll both die!" Shiro called out as he knew it was a bad thing to say but he didn't have a choice.

"Please don't!" She called out and in turn Shiro had to pull out the big guns on this one.

"PLEASE!" Shiro begged Raphtalia making her go wide eyed to this. "I know that pain you're feeling the pain of losing your parents I lost a parent too!" Shiro called out as he looked to Raphtalia trying not to allow the tears to flow. Shiro didn't remember it well all he remembered was screeching tires, a crash, and finally his mother's lifeless body hugging him close to shield him from the brunt of the damage. This of course made Raphtalia go wide eyed to this as Shiro remembered it. "My mom died to protect me... she used her own body as a shield for me." Shiro said as Raphtalia was reminded of her own parents and was surprised to hear how Shiro went through the same thing. "That's why we can't let any other kid go through that." Shiro said and thus Raphtalia was wide eyed to this.

"But if you can't fight then so be it." Shiro said as Raphtalia was wide eyed to this. "If I have to give up everything to save you then I'll do just that." Shiro said as he looked to Raphtalia as he then willed the Knights Ark to appear. "Raphtalia just get close and grab my gauntlet I'll tell you what to say and you need to say it." Shiro said as he remembered how Shappur became the Black Knights new pactmaker in White Knight Chronicles 1. "Once it's done run and don't worry about me!" Shiro called out knowing the White Knight will protect Raphtalia.

"But... then that'd be just... just like my parents." Raphtalia said as tears began to form in her eyes. "No!" she said as she began to have a panic attack of sorts. Then she saw her parents walk away and eventually saw Shiro do the same thing. "Don't leave me!" she cried not wanting to lose anyone else. "Don't leave me please no!" she begged as she watched them walk away. In turn Raphtalia swallowed her resolve and glared at the monster. "NOOO!" she cried as she jumped and stabbed it in the head, releasing Shiro from it.

The Monster roared in fury as it directed its attention to Raphtalia after it shook her off. "Air Strike Shield!" Shiro invoked just as the Monster charged at Raphtalia saving her. "Now Raphtalia!" Shiro called out and thus with a roar Raphtalia proceeded to stab the monster in the chest causing its blood to spew out. "Heh." Shiro was heard as he got up smiling to Raphtalia. "We did it." Shiro said smiling showing that he was proud of Raphtalia.

Raphtalia seeing Shiro then charged at him and hugged the young man for dear life. "Shiro!" She cried out and hugged Shiro before she broke down.

"Hey." Shiro said patting her head while hugging back despite the pain. "It's ok." Shiro said trying to comfort her.

"Promise me you won't ever die don't leave me alone Shiro please." Raphtalia begged as she cried to Shiro but Shiro gave her a sad look.

"Raphtalia the sad truth is one day either one of us may die." Shiro said as this didn't help. "But I can promise you I won't leave you alone be it in life or death." Shiro said as he had the Ark out and comforted Raphtalia with it making her look to it. "This Gauntlet it can summon a powerful ally that when I die will carry my spirit." Shiro said partially lying to comfort her. "If I do die I need you to look after this friend of mine and in exchange he will protect you." Shiro said and thus Raphtalia looked to Shiro with some hope.

"Now then let me feed this monster to my shield and we can head out." Shiro said and thus Raphtalia nodded but didn't let go as she hugged closer to him.

"Ok come on time to let go." Shiro said but Raphtalia refused.

"A little longer." Raphtalia said and thus Shiro sighed to this in frustration. It was peaceful until the entire cave began to shake causing the two to go wide eyed.

"Please tell me was your stomach and don't lie." Shiro said and thus Raphtalia now looked scared again. The duo looked over to a large ledge area and saw something make its way torts them from it. "That's not a good sound that's not a good sound at all." Shiro said as he began to realize they may be in danger here. In turn once it got to the ledge it jumped down and proceeded to roar at them. Raphtalia screamed in fright but Shiro was wide eyed at what he saw. "Pyredaemos." Shiro said shocked to see a creature from White Knight Chronicles in this world as well. The cannon, the six legs, and even the grotesque face it was all there as plain as day.

"Raphtalia." Shiro began as he looked to the girl. "Run for cover." Shiro said with urgency knowing full well she wasn't strong enough to fight this.

"But what about you?" Raphtalia asked with fear for Shiro.

"I'm going to give you a glimpse of my powerful friend while I introduce this monster to it." Shiro said while stepping back with Raphtalia to give her room to run and himself room to transform. "Now find cover!" Shiro said and thus Raphtalia ran to find herself a spot to hide and watch the battle that was about to begin.

The Pyredaemos grew closer with Shiro standing his ground against it. He then in turn began the chant with the dagger appearing in his hand as he said, "O Wizel, white warrior, wielder of the ancient sword, grant me your power."

Shiro raise his arm and stab the dagger into the gauntlet as he called out, "Verto!"

A magical circle appeared around Shiro as it spun around at his feet, raising up his left hand, Shiro's Knight rose up. He began to float to its chest while the two spread their arms out ready for what was next. The two then crossed their arms completing the union before the White Knight began to stand up.

Raphtalia was shocked at what she saw not realizing that Shiro's 'friend,' was a giant suit of armor. As the White Knight made its stand its eyes flashed to life before its azure blue cape fluttered out behind it. Under the armor Shiro now had time to actually look around his vision to see what laid before him. He saw a magic gauge much like in the game as well as a counter for his Counter Breaks. The White Knight's HP was also to be noted if either of those ran out the Knight will disengage to recharge its power. Shiro would also have to build up his own MP to summon it again as well as use it longer. This meant he had to keep a close eye on his gauge less he runs out of juice at the worst possible time.

Another thing Shiro noted was his available skills at the bottom of his vision much like in the game. They were the same skills one gained when the player had both White Steel and the Runic Shield equipped for battle. But he also noted another list to his fight right just above the target monsters information which wasn't in the original game. The minute he saw the Airstrike Shield on it Shiro figured out that it was the Shield Skills that Shiro had learned as the Shield Hero. Up on the upper right corner of his vision Shiro saw Raphtalia's name as well as her MP and HP no doubt so Shiro can keep track of his allies.

As the monster stood in attention for battle seeing the threat the White Knight possess to its own life Shiro glared at his foe knowing full well he had to take it down. If it got out then a lot of people in the village could get hurt or worse. Besides it woke up because it had no doubt sensed the White Knights Power. In the game Eldore had confirmed that when the Knights had awoken many if not all of the monsters began to become volatile because of it. The battle began as Pyredaemos roared and attacked but Shiro was ready. Using the Knights Shield he blocked the attack causing Raphtalia to notice the emerald gem attached to the Knights Shield proving that it was in fact Shiro under the armor. Once Shiro managed to push back his foe he used White Steel, the White Knight Sword, to attack as he performed a cross slash based attack. The attack did damage and unlike the game it drew blood and left gashes on the monsters body.

Shiro was fully aware that in the game this monster was supposed to be a tough one to take on. It was mainly due to the fact that lore wise it was a powerful monster to begin with. Thus Shiro knew he had to do what he could to take this beast down and make sure it stays down to boot. The battle went on as Shiro slashed at the monster with his sword and made sure to block the attacks as they came. Shiro knew he had to do whatever it took to take it down as this monster was the perfect test dummy to see what he can do.

"Ok let's try." Shiro began as he jumped back from the monster. "AIRSTRIKE SHIELD!" He invoked and thus to Shiro's shock and joy the Airstrike Shield launched itself at Pyredaemos bashing into it knocking it back. When the Airstrike Shield had formed it now had a blue hue to it and possessed the Knights crest which was actually the sigil of Yshrennia. Seeing this Shiro smirked at what he saw knowing full well he now had the upper hand for this fight. The monster proceeded to aim its cannon at the White Knight causing Shiro to go wide eyed at this.

"Oh crap!" Shiro gasped out and this the monster fired its primary weapon at the White Knight. Shiro held his ground for it by hiding behind his shield for defense. "Ok change of plans!" Shiro called out as he then charged at the monster. "Let's go for a swim!" Shiro called out and in turn he dug his feet into the ground and proceeded to throw the monster into the water below. The Monster roared to this as Shiro had put it somewhere where its fire would be at a disadvantage... he hoped. Shiro then ran off the ledge and jumped down before he stabbed down on the monster attempting to take its life.

Once he did so Shiro went on the offensive against the mighty beast as he stabbed into its back. The Monster roared in pain as Shiro was grateful for this combat form. He wasn't limited by his controller and can actually jump, roll, and attack as he sees fit. Shiro was soon forced to get off the monsters back as it began to bash around to force the White Knight off. But before he did that Shiro stabbed the cannon so deep that he made the weapon useless until the monster could heal itself.

The Knights armor and cape got wet from the roll in the water and due to the water the armor gained a sheen that seemed to cause any light that hit it to make the armor sparkle. "Let's finish this!" Shiro called out as he made The White Knight take a battle stance ready to end this as Shiro said.

The Monster roared out in defiance against Shiro before it charged at him ready to put the White Warrior into the grave. The monster charged at Shiro forcing him to put all is strength to blocking its charge. The Knights feet grinded on the ground until Shiro dug his feet in and stopped the charge. The Monster kept on charging but Shiro would not allow it the satisfaction of going any further. Thus he grabbed the horns of the monster that held fires at the tips and proceeded to toss the monster behind him. It roared out as it flew across the sky as Shiro then smirked at it ready to end this once and for all.

As the monster got back up Shiro charged in with his sword at the ready. Then with a mighty roar Shiro stabbed his sword into the Monsters face causing it to go silent from the attack. Blood came out and stained the blade and even a bit of the White Armor but Shiro was unaffected by it. Shiro pulled his sword out and turned away before swiping it causing he blood to fling off the blade. As he walked away the Monster was silent for a moment longer until it fell down dead.

Raphtalia was shock and amazed at what she saw amazed at the White Knights power. She then remembered the events leading up to it... Shiro had wanted to give her the Knight if he couldn't beat the monster by himself. This meant he wanted to give to Raphtalia some way to protect herself without him. She was grateful for it and in turn she saw the White Knight got ready to jump. When it did Raphtalia was lucky to be out of the way because it land on the ledge and with the light looked oddly heroic as it stood.

"The Pale Hero the White Knight." Raphtalia said when she found her voice once more. As she looked to the Knight she wondered was Shiro destined to be the strongest and greatest of the Shield Heroes or something even greater. Regardless she wanted to stand by his side through it all regardless of any possible outcome. And thus began the tale of the Rising of the White Knight this... this was the Shield Heroes Chronicles.

(TBC)

ESKK: Well here we go a new chapter I hope you all enjoyed it. Anyway the next few chapters may take a while since they will mainly be original stuff until the Wave. So please stay tuned for them and see you when I see you. So until then I will ask that you leave a review before leaving and as I always say ja-ne.