Heroes of the Arks

ESKK: Well a new chapter let's start.

(Start Tsubaki Forest)

Tsubaki was walking down a lone road as she had her bow on her back while walking. She had been traveling for some time now trying to put some distance between her and the Capital to aid the people. So far she had been trying to find information on the Sun King and its Ark in hopes of keeping it out of the wrong hands as much as possible. The Knight was useless without the Ark so her best and only bet was to locate the Knight's Ark. That in of itself had already proven to be a difficult task and she rather keep its existence to herself.

"Geez." Tsubaki sighed as she began to walk by a large field area. As she walked she saw a flock of Filolials running by as she smiled to them before she continued walking. She was currently on her way to a Domain famous for its Fine Wines as she had been hearing a rumor she wanted to check out. It might be too good to be true but apparently the Lord of that Area had recently acquired a mask of some sort from an auction. The Mask was a rarity and if Tsubaki heard right had some hidden magical power. It might be the Sun King's Ark and if that is the case she needs to try to convince the Lord to Part with it before anyone realizes what he had acquired.

As Tsubaki walked she looked back to her map using it as her guide to this Lords Domain as she kept walking. The Land itself is supposed to be a beautiful one with miles of Vineyards ripe for picking. Tsubaki never really had wine and even then she wasn't much of a fan of it. Still it was worth looking into as well once she can confirm if the mask is in fact the Sun Kings Ark.

But as Tsubaki walked she noticed that the greenery seemed to grow duller as it was something to note. It could mean it was the dry season or it could mean that something was terribly wrong... Tsubaki really hoped it was just the dry season while she walked. But after a while she eventually arrived at a hill that overlooked the village this Lord ruled over... what she saw was not a pretty picture. From what Tsubaki could see the Land had fallen into hard times big time. She could already see some of the houses had holes in time are were lacking a roof altogether. What made it worse was that the biggest building the Lords Estate looked pristine and well kept. Tsubaki glared at it and knew instantly something was very wrong here.

(Later at the Village)

Tsubaki was walking through the village seeing some of the people were not doing so well. She hoped it was because of the Waves but they looked skinny a bit too skinny in fact. "Pardon me do you know where the." Tsubaki began asking a group of Demihumans who then saw her before running off in fear. "Wait come back!" Tsubaki called out as she never seen such a reaction before in her life. "Ok that is in no way troubling at all." Tsubaki said as she looked to the villagers as they ran. She only wanted to know if this town had an inn she could stay in but clearly that would not be the case.

Tsubaki sighed and began to walk through the village hoping to find something suggesting an Inn. Mind you some of the houses looked good but others not so much suggesting a major gap in one's wealth. Whatever was going on here Tsubaki didn't like it not one bit but it sell left questions for the Moon Maiden's pactmaker to investigate. While Tsubaki was trying to avoid trouble it seems Trouble had a nasty way of finding her.

"Damn stinking Demihuman!" A random voice called out which got Tsubaki's attention. Tsubaki looked and saw a group of men harassing a pair of Demihumans on the ground. One was curled up in a ball as he was being kicked while another was held down to be made to watch.

"Stop leave him alone!" The one being held down cried out as Tsubaki glared at the scene.

"This will teach you to bother your betters!" The human said as Tsubaki glared at the man. Glaring at the scene Tsubaki was not at all pleased by what she saw occurring before her. In turn she opted to act not caring how it will affect her. Tsubaki then drew her bow and notched up an Arrow at the man's raised fist. Once he swung she fired her arrow and in turn the arrow pierced his hand causing the man to cry in pain.

All eyes looked to her as het men looked to Tsubaki with lustful eyes. "Leave them alone!" Tsubaki ordered as she glared at the men.

"YOU little." The man growled but then calmed down. "You must be new around here." He said trying to be 'reasonable,' with Tsubaki. "We're with the town's watchmen and we were just dealing with these Demihuman for obstructing justice." The man said as Tsubaki glared at the man. "So tell you what how bout you drop your equipment for the toll and we can treat you to a nice meal." He offered as it was clear Tsubaki knew what that meal included and it wasn't something for a dinner table.

"How about you all back off from these people before you end up hurt." Tsubaki said as she glared at the men clearly wanting to cause them harm for harming innocent people. "I doubt any woman would want to go near you without as tick to keep distance or beat you assholes down with." Tsubaki said and thus the 'Town Guard,' glared at her in contempt.

"Little bitch you asked for it!" He called out and gave the signal to attack her. Tsubaki seeing them opted to fight back as she knew what she could do. Tsubaki had been learning magic since she got here and using it in combination with the Magic from White Knight Chronicles. But even then some of her magic needed time to cast and during that brief moment she was left vulnerable to attacks on her person.

The battle started as the two goons charged at Tsubaki. Seeing this she opted to use some of the weaker spells seeing as their cast time was sufficiently less. "Air Shot." Tsubaki invoked and fired a ball of condensed air knocking one of the guards back. She then spun around the other one and stabbed him with one of her arrows causing him pain from this. Tsubaki was able to utilize magic as a faster rate thanks to the Moon Maiden giving her an advantage all she had to do was learn the spells before she can use them.

While it gave her an advantage she also had to be wary of her mana gauge if she uses it all up then she was a sitting duck. The one she blasted with air charged at her causing Tsubaki to bash him with her bow before kicking him back. She looked to them being calm about this as she wasn't exactly sure how to do this. Tsubaki then pulled out another arrow and spun around another attack before firing it off at the second guy hitting him in the arm causing him pain as the result.

And then there was one,' Tsubaki thought as she turn to see the last cut coming at her charging at her like a moron as he soon leaps at her, she simple ducks to avoid it and make the guy fly over her, before flipping down on the ground, as she soon jump on top of him, as she landed on his face before raising a foot up and slam it down hard onto the man private area making scream out in pain.

She gotten off the guy as she saw the guy roll over holding his now crush manhood. He was crying out as the guards that were still conscious gotten up while holding their wounded parts, with Tsubaki look at them with a glare as she said, "Want to go again?"

The guards looks at each other, as they pick up their friends and drag them away crying out in pain or just plain knocked out, with the Demihuman looks at her in fear, as she turn to them, walk over and started to ask them "Is everyone alrigh-

Before she could finish, they took off, and pretty quickly as she wonder what was that all about, as she walk into the village, she saw the fear in people eyes, as she can see they were mostly demihumans, while she sees one or two normal humans around, some of them being guards, and she could guess some others being slave owners, but they were being quite at the moment so she didn't do anything to them… yet.

She reach an Inn as she step inside, with no one at the desk, she saw a hand ringing bell as she picks it up and give it a few rings, soon enough a man came up and said, "Hello welcome to the… wait, you're the new person in town aren't you?"

"Yes I am, and I would like a room place, to stay for the night," Tsubaki said as the man soon told her, "Sorry but we got no room for you."

"Surely you must have one room?" Tsubaki asked the man, as she saw there were some keys hanging behind him, but he said to her, "I said we ain't got no room for you, now scram before I call the guards."

"You're joking right?" Tsubaki said as the man look at her and said, "No, get out now or else!"

Tsubaki soon left the Inn before turning around at it and said, "What is with that guy, better yet what is up with this place?"

"You should have left," a woman voice called out to her as she turn to see an poor demihuman woman wearing old clothing with what seem like quilt hung over her body as Tsubaki asked the woman, "What do you mean?"

"No Inn will let you stay here now sense you attack those mercenaries," the woman said as Tsubaki was confused on that as she said, "Mercenaries? I thought they were just normal guards, lousy ones at best."

"They weren't, after the first wave we lost a lot of people including our old lord, but now a new lord that taken his place and he hire these men to guard this place, but they aren't protecting this place from monsters of bandits," the woman said as Tsubaki soon said, "Then what are they doing?"

"They abuse us, torturer us, make high tax collection, and if we don't do what they say, they will punish us," the demihuman woman said as Tsubaki asked, "Has anyone try talking to the lord about this?"

"We tried, many had tried but no one them let anyone get close to the lord of the land," the woman said as Tsubaki thought this was strange as why would mercenaries do this to the people, they are only paid to do what their client tells them to do, and this is a bit much to ask them to do, as she said, "Where is this lord you're talking about?"

"There, in the center of the village, that was the old lords home before, with the former lord family were also killed in the attack, with no heirs to take over as lord, the new lord came forth and took his place," the woman said as she said, "Thank you, I think I'll pay a visit to the lord myself soon. Good day."

"I wouldn't if I were you." The woman warned causing Tsubaki to stop in her tracks.

"How come?" Tsubaki asked with some concerns. "If you people are living in fear because of him then someone needs to confront him about this." Tsubaki said but the woman then sighed in a combination of sadness and tiredness.

"You're not the first one to have such thoughts." The woman began getting Tsubaki's attention. "And you're hardly the only one who had acted on them." The woman finished to which Tsubaki was now worried.

"What do you mean?" Tsubaki asked with concern over what this woman meant.

"Anyone who had gone to confront the Lord about his actions and treatment of us had nary been heard from again." The woman said making Tsubaki go wide eyed to this realizing her attempt may end badly if not make matters worse. "If you want my advice I suggest leaving the village before he sets his sights on you, if he doesn't destroy you and your reputation and any hope of gaining an income then no doubt he will do something much worse to you." The woman said and thus Tsubaki knew she had to be strategic about this.

"It's too late to travel but I'll be sure to be out by morning." Tsubaki said as the woman nodded with sadness.

"I suggest you should leave now but I can't promise he won't send men out to bring you in." The woman said and thus Tsubaki knew she needed shelter for the night.

"Yeah well this might be hard if I don't have a place to stay." Tsubaki said as the Moon Maiden's pactmaker was well aware that without a place to stay she was basically a sitting duck.

"Maybe you can stay with me." A new voice spoke causing Tsubaki and the woman to look and saw a young Demihuman boy and by the looks of him he seems to be part kitsune. "I have the room if you need it." The boy offered but the woman begged to differ.

"No Conan if you help her he will surely target you." The Woman said but the boy, Conan, would not be deterred in this.

"Mother always said to help those in need regardless of who they are." The boy said wanting to help Tsubaki as the Pactmaker took note of the woman who gained a saddened look.

"Ok." Tsubaki said surprising the woman. "Seeing as no Inn is willing to house me I don't have much of an option." Tsubaki said as she then gave a woman a look with a promise to watch out for him.

"Ok then follow me." Conan said as he in turn began to lead Tsubaki to his home to which Tsubaki humbly followed after him. All the while Tsubaki grew concerned over the boy who seemingly was wandering around such a dangerous place by himself.

(Later)

After following Conan for a little bit they eventually arrived at his home which Tsubaki had noted looked a tad bit nicer than the other houses in the area. As Tsubaki looked to it she saw that there was hardly a sound coming from it as he opened the door and let Tsubaki in. "Mom!" The boy called out but the only thing he was greeted with was silence from the home. Tsubaki noted that it was oddly quiet here and in her mind a boy his age shouldn't he living alone like this in such a dangerous location.

"Are you sure your mother won't mind me being here?" Tsubaki asked hoping to change the subject a little bit.

"No she won't mind... at least I hope not." Conan said as it was clear the boy's mother was not around but he didn't seem to be the delinquent sort. This meant that he raised himself right somehow or something was happening or had happened to his mother. As they entered the home Tsubaki took note to how nice it looked on the inside suggesting that it was well taken care of or taken care of to the best of ones abilities. But despite how homey it felt she noted it also felt lonely at the same time. As she walked through the home Tsubaki could not help but feel that something was amiss like something was loss but no one knows or wants to accept it.

"She's not around... is she?" Tsubaki asked with concern for the young man.

"No... She went to talk to the Lord try to convince him to act more like the previous Lord." Conan said sadly as he then looked to Tsubaki. "She hadn't come back since." Conan explained and thus Tsubaki understood the boy's mother was currently missing and if she was last seen visiting this lord... well from what Tsubaki had seen and heard thus far was no painting a pretty picture for her.

"Hey I got food I can share let me cook it up and we can eat!" The boy called out and thus Tsubaki sighed to this as she was hungry.

"So long as there is enough to go around." Tsubaki said even though she did not wish to impose. Conan smiled and went to get the food as Tsubaki then began to explore a bit. From the looks of it this place was his home but a young boy on his own it was clear he struggled to keep the place afloat. She even wondered where he finds the coins to pay his taxes and the like. Despite this Tsubaki sighed and found a spot to sit at as she tried to relax as best she could.

Unaware to Tsubaki things this night would not turn into a peaceful end for anyone.

(That evening)

"Here is the guest room." Conan said as dinner was a silent affair as Conan had asked Tsubaki a barrage of questions. Tsubaki in turn tried her best to answer every single one as she smiled seeing how curious Conan was.

"Thank you." Tsubaki responded with a smile as she saw the bed.

"Make yourself at home I'm sure you'll love it." Conan said as he welcomed Tsubaki into his home.

"I'm sure I will." Tsubaki said happy to have a bed for the night despite having to leave come morning. "Conan..." Tsubaki began as she walked to the window and saw the silver moon outside it full and bright. "How long as your mother been gone for?" Tsubaki asked as Conan then looked down as he knew exactly how long. "For almost a Month now." Conan confessed as that was when the new Lord had taken control of the estate.

"I see." Tsubaki said as she began to fear the worst may have befallen Conan's mother.

"But I'm sure she's ok she is probably hiding right now." Conan said being hopeful for the best possible put come.

"Yeah I'm sure she." Tsubaki said smiling to Conan but inside she begged to differ. From what she had seen of this country of bigotry and human supremacists it wouldn't be outside the realm of reason for Conan's mother to have met a grizzly end. As Tsubaki then turned her attention back to the window she quickly began to take notice of something in the distance. It shined a moment and from it a burning heat could be seen causing Tsubaki to go wide eyed.

"Conan get down!" Tsubaki called out as she pushed Conan down just in time to avoid a barrage of burning Arrows to pierce her or Conan. As the two were safe Tsubaki saw that the arrows were on fire making her go wide eyed to this.

"What?!" Conan asked in shock to what he saw.

Tsubaki seeing that they were in danger took charge and began to cover Conan as she covered him with the beds blanket. "Come on!" Tsubaki ordered as she worked on getting Conan out of the house. Tsubaki didn't know who was attacking this place but she was damn well sure going to find out but first things first she had to make sure Conan was safe. Once the place starts burning she knew for a fact those thugs would either make sure they were dead come in to finish the job. AS Tsubaki guided Conan through the house the fire was already spreading out which Tsubaki knew she had to be fast.

She controlled her breathing and kept Conan low to the ground so he wouldn't suck in as much toxic fumes as she was. As they made their way through the house Tsubaki needed an exit strategy they could use to move to safety. But any strategy she thought up had its risks and she knew it all depended on speed and endurance to get out of this mess. She didn't have time for a prolong fight and she feared if it did come to fighting she would be made to use the Moon Maiden. Preferring to keep that trump card in storage her only option was to run and get to safety. But the question remained how she was going to do that safely.

She reach the back door knowing the front would be cover by those goons, as she try opening it, to her surprise it won't open, no doubt they trap them in the house before setting it ablaze, but they fail to realize something, there are other way of getting out of a burning house.

(Outside)

The Mercenaries keep lighting up arrows and firing them into the house to keep the fire burning as a fat looking one said, "That should take out that girl."

"What about the kid, I remember he was the son of that woman," a skinny one said as the fat one reply, "Who cares about some demi-brat. The woman was already taken care of, after this whole place burns down we can relax and-

*Crash!

A loud sound of glass breaking, coming from the side of the house as all the Mercenaries saw it was Tsubaki that broken out and she had Conan in her arms with the blanket still covering him, giving out a few coughs to get some of the smoke out but not enough time to rest as the fat guy said, "Damn it, she survive, and she got that brat too. Go after them, kill those two!"

Tsubaki turn to see the Mercenaries were coming at her quickly, as she took off as well, running as fast as she could, with little to no time to rest she can only do is self-heal as she cast, "+Heal 3."

A glow came over her as she give out, another cough as the smoke was leaving her body, as she soon reach a wall that block off the outside world from the village. As she look for a way to get around, but there were no nearby guards guarding gate, and to her thought they could have been guarded heavily.

With little to no choice as she put down Conan and uncover the blanket as he asked, "What's going on, what's happening?"

"There no time to explain this Conan, some bad men are coming after us, we need to leave this place now," Tsubaki said to him as Conan eyes widen to this as he soon said, "But what about my mother?"

"We'll find her instead, but we need to get out of here. Get on my back and don't let go," she said as Conan nodded as he did what he was told with Tsubaki not have both hands freed to pull out her bow and draw an arrow as she hears the Mercenaries are not so far behind as she took aim with her bow, about to take a shot as she called out, "Air shot!"

The arrow flew with great speed and power, impacted the wall as a huge dust cloud form, but there was a hole big enough for her to right through as she did so with the Mercenaries very much on her tail as one of them called out, "Get her! She is escaping!"

She gotten pass the wall now she was on the run, going down the way to reach the forest area ahead of her, thinking she can lose the merc goons in the trees, she just hope she can do so.

"Take her out! Fire upon her!" the fat merc said as soon enough the few Mercenaries that had bows pull out some arrows and fire up in the air, making it rain arrows as she dodge them well enough, as she soon about to reach the forest, suddenly something happen as she saw a cluster of colors coming out from the woods themselves, a flock of Filolials all quickly running out and around her, shrouding her for some reason, including the Mercenaries for some reason as they cry out being blinded by feathers in their faces, as Tsubaki stops in her tracks and looks at them as she said, "What the hell is going on here? There no way those dumbasses can tamp this many creatures, they don't even have one!"

"That because I set them free from them," a voice called out as Tsubaki turn and to her surprise she saw a girl, with light blue hair and what seems like angel wings on her back, with many creature in white knight chronicles and this world, she never seen anything like her before, as she gotten an arrow ready in her bow and said, "Who are you?"

"An ally, you must trust me when I say you are in danger," the girl said as Tsubaki said, "Tell me something I don't know."

"It involves what you have been looking for, the mask of a king," the girl said surprising Tsubaki and she wonder how does she know about the sun king ark?

A moment later as a the flock of Filolials soon running back into the forest, with the Mercs look and saw that their target was gone, and nowhere to be seen as the fat merc look at the skinny one, both of them confuse of what just happen.

(Ruins)

After running for so long, the Filolials soon stop at a place, with Tsubaki is seen riding one of them with Conan behind her still, as the bow user look around and said, "Where are we?"

"Somewhere safe that we can talk to each other for now," the voice of the same girl from before is seen standing before Tsubaki, as she was surprise that that girl was able to somehow follow them without riding a Filolial as she asked, "Who are you?"

"Allow me to introduce myself." The girl said as she looked to Tsubaki and Conan. "I am queen of all the Filolials in the world. My name is Fitoria. Nice to meet you." Fitoria introduced as she looked to Tsubaki as Conan was shocked to see this.

Tsubaki looked to the winged girl and found it hard to believe that she was the 'Filolial Queen,' as she had stated. Still the girl made her name known so it was only fair that Tsubaki did the same. "I'm Tsubaki Kaguya and this is Conan." Tsubaki said as she looked to Fitoria. "Look it's not that I don't appreciate the aid but what do you want with us?" Tsubaki asked as she looked to Fitoria.

"It is not him I wish to see it is you." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki who was the target of her visit. "I have questions of importance for you and you no doubt have the same." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki. "My questions play part to why I saved you earlier." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki.

"Ok then ask away." Tsubaki said as Fitoria then gave Tsubaki a close look.

"Why do you have that ominous power and where did you acquire it?" Fitoria asked as she looked to Tsubaki.

"Ominous power?" Tsubaki asked before she realized what Fitoria meant. "You mean this?" She asked as she summoned the Moon Maiden's Ark to her hand.

"Yes." Fitoria said as she looked to the Ark. "I detect an ominous power from the Ark..." Fitoria said making Tsubaki go wide eyed to this.

'Do the Knights still have the Fragments of Madoras to enact Final Awakening?' Tsubaki wondered with a great deal of worry.

"Yet..." Fitoria began getting Tsubaki's attention. "I can also sense a Light that keeps the ominous power at bay for the time being." Fitoria said before Tsubaki allowed the Ark to return to its storage once more.

"A light?" Tsubaki asked and in turn was reminded of Ciscna when they traveled between the worlds.

"Yes." Fitoria said as Tsubaki had to think it over for a bit until Fitoria began to ask a major question. "Why were you summoned yet did not receive a Cardinal Weapon?" Fitoria asked as she knew the Moon Maiden was not of this world so how did Tsubaki get summoned.

"Wait what?" Tsubaki asked as she looked to Fitoria.

"The Ritual used was meant to select a Hero and bind their Cardinal Weapons to them yet here you are without a Cardinal Weapon." Fitoria said as Tsubaki had to think on that one.

"The closest I got is the Knights Ark." Tsubaki confirmed as Fitoria was apparently putting a puzzle together. "The closest I can suspect is that when Shiro and I were next to each other we got pulled through together." Tsubaki said and in turn Fitoria saw another problem.

"That should not have happened." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki. "Only the Shield Hero would have been brought through so how did you come to be here?" Fitoria asked again and in turn Tsubaki was now confused. "You don't know do you?" Fitoria asked and thus sighed with a tired form of it. "Your theory was that it was simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time... I think something different." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki. "There is a chance that you were the intended target as the Bow Hero and that 'Knight,' you possess was to bond with the Cardinal Bow." Fitoria said as Tsubaki was surprised by this.

"Wait back up what do you mean that I'M supposed to be the Bow Hero?" Tsubaki asked shocked to hear this.

"It makes sense the Dark Presence I detected seems to be reaching out torts others in the world like it." Fitoria said as Tsubaki heard this. "I may suggest the fragments make each other stronger the closer they are to each other." Fitoria said as Tsubaki heard her theory. "The Cardinal Weapons would cripple if not halt that power all together while the Knights would allow the Cardinal Weapons to grow stronger near each other." Fitoria said as Tsubaki figured that was a sound theory if she ever heard one.

"So or the sake of the argument let's say it's true and I'm the actual Bow Hero, what happened?" Tsubaki asked and thus Fitoria explained her side of this.

"I believe that something or someone from another party had interfered with the ritual." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki. "These other forces some aspect of it may have given you the 'Ark,' for the sole intention that the Cardinal Bow would fall to your hands, but another force had stopped that and ensured the current Wielder would be using it and keep it away from you." Fitoria said as Tsubaki listened to this conversation with intent.

"So a Second Party had given us the Knights to gain access to the Cardinal Weapons to both enhance the weapons and cripple the Knights while a Third Party wanted the Knights to grow stronger without this Achilles heel." Tsubaki summarized to which Fitoria nodded to this. 'So if Cisna got us the Arks... would that imply Madoras had interfered?' Tsubaki wondered with a good deal of worry or what would come. 'Wait... is Madoras here?' Tsubaki asked herself with great fear of facing the 'Dark God,' knowing full well the sort of damage Madoras can and will cause in his ambitions.

"I believe you may have a theory as to whom they second and third parties are?" Fitoria asked to which Tsubaki nodded to this.

"Yes I just pray that I'm wrong." Tsubaki said knowing they could not hope to beat Madoras if he is in fact here in this world.

"I see." Fitoria said knowing something had Tsubaki troubled.

"If the Moon Maiden was all you wish to speak about then..." Tsubaki trailed off as her eyes laid upon them moon. The Moons glow grew brighter to Tsubaki's perspective as she then felt a headache coming along. She moaned in pain a bit before stumbling and then falling to the ground causing Conan and Fitoria to be shocked by this.

"Tsubaki!" Conan cried out as he was shocked to see Tsubaki collapse. In turn Fitoria picked up Tsubaki and had her carried by one of the Filolials around the three of them.

(Tsubaki's mindscape)

Tsubaki suddenly opened her eyes to an unusual site around her. It seems as if the whole area was darken with the only light is shining is from above from the moon. But towering before Tsubaki she saw something unfamiliar to her.

A pillar or a spike of sort sticking out from the ground, with no idea what it was but it had an aura around that just scream bad Juju. It was in some sort of area near or by a building and she saw a darken figure with some mass to them was yelling out something she cannot understand, like the guy had a broken jaw or something before he did something with the pillar and before she realize it the entire scene change.

One moment she was in a nice scene the next she saw death and destruction everywhere. Tsubaki wondered what was going on as he look around her. Just then something appeared behind her as the archer soon sensed its presence behind her. Thus Tsubaki turned around quickly to see a giant monster shrouded in darkness while the only thing she could see were two orb in its hands before it raise them up and brought them down upon her.

Tsubaki with no time to dodge the strike, they came down upon her causing a huge explosion that wipes out the village.

(Waking world)

The moon maiden pactmaker soon awaken as she open her eyes and gasp out for air before coughing up a bit, with a bit of fear in her eyes, the only thing that came to her was, 'What… what was that I saw?'

"Tsubaki!" Conan voice called out as she turn and saw the demi-human boy running towards her seeing she was awaken as he hug her and said, "You're okay!"

She was taken by surprise by this as Conan let off as he soon asked her, "What happen to you? You suddenly acting weird before screaming and went to sleep."

"H-how long was I out for?" Tsubaki asked with Fitoria walking up and said, "Not long, but we had to bring you to a better place to rest in."

"Oh… thanks, that was so weird, and a bad hangover from it," Tsubaki said as Fitoria asked her, "Do you know what happen to you?"

"I… don't, I was about to say something then the moon was suddenly bright and I had this really bad headache and pass out I guess, then… I thought I saw something," Tsubaki said with Fitoria soon said, "Saw something? What did you see?"

"It was weird a pillar or something then this person was at it, shouting before he did something to it and then… I saw some sort of monster that… wipe out the village," Tsubaki said as suddenly an alert came up on her statue screen as it pop up automatically for her as she saw something, a notification that was telling her of what happen as it said-

"Moon maiden pactmaker special ability."

"Future site: the pactmaker to the moon maiden is able to see far into the future at random time or the requirement for one has been meet with the prediction that has a 50% accurate of certain event coming true."

"Future site? It was a vision of the future? I didn't know the moon maiden had this power," Tsubaki said as Fitoria said, "Interesting."

"Future Sight a rare ability that at times is impossible to control." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki.

"I know people have gone out of their way to force or prevent a, prophesy and end up either making things worse or enacting the thing you wanted to prevent." Tsubaki said to which Fitoria nodded in response. "So the problem for me is if I go there I might cause the thing I saw to appear." Tsubaki said as she sat there.

"But if you don't you run the risk of it happening anyway when you could have stopped it." Fitoria said understanding Tsubaki's train of thought. "But still those people they need help." Tsubaki said knowing that she had the power to help them and this monster was more fuel to the fire to have her go there.

"If you truly believe you can stop this by being there or at least ease the damage then do as you must." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki knowing she both had a point about visions and was being reckless to aid others.

Tsubaki knew well enough that this was a risky gamble if she goes there then she runs the risk of enacting what she is trying to prevent. But if she leaves them then for all she knows the creature will come out regardless and even then she will be abandoning these people to their fate. So for Tsubaki the only logical path she could take was to go and defeat the monster herself because regardless if she was there or not the chances of it coming out was formidable.

"It will be tough but I can't let these people die." Tsubaki confessed to which Fitoria nodded in understanding.

"Of course." Fitoria said before she moved on. "But at least grant me a simple request." Fitoria said before looking directly at Tsubaki. "If it can be helped try to abstain from using the Moon Maiden as you had called it." Fitoria said as she looked to Tsubaki. "I do not trust her power to not corrupt you or cause others to desire her power." Fitoria said and thus Tsubaki nodded in understanding.

"I'll try... but I feel I might not have much of a choice soon." Tsubaki said and thus Fitoria nodded in understanding to Tsubaki's words.

"You said we'd find my mom." Conan said as she looked to Tsubaki.

"I know but this is getting dangerous so I need you to stay put." Tsubaki said as she looked to Conan.

"But." Conan began but Tsubaki cut him off.

"No buts mister." Tsubaki scolded him before she looked over to Fitoria. "Can you watch over him until the danger has passed?" Tsubaki asked as she looked to Fitoria.

"I will be happy to." Fitoria said and in response to her Tsubaki nodded to the Filolial Queen. "I assume you're heading back to the village to bring down the Tyrant?" Fitoria asked and thus Tsubaki nodded to her.

"Yeah I have to." Tsubaki said and thus Fitoria understood and signaled for a Filolial.

"This one will take you as close to the village as she can after that you are on your own." Fitoria said and thus Tsubaki nodded and hopped onto the Filolials back.

"Thank you." Tsubaki said grateful for the aid of the Queen. Once Tsubaki was mounted onto the Filolial and had a firm grip the Filolial ran off with Tsubaki on its back. As they left Fitoria wondered if her theory was accurate enough to warrant approaching the other heroes yet. If someone or something truly had interfered with the ritual then would allowing the Knights to acquire the Cardinal Weapons be beneficial or detrimental to the world? She did know the answer but she hoped it would be beneficial to all. Unknown to Fitoria Conan was sneaking into the large group of Filolials nearby.

(Scene break Tsubaki at the Village)

Tsubaki made it back to the village and as promise the Filolial had drop her off as close as possible and took off running back to the flock, with Tsubaki had her bow out and ready for anything as she went through the hole she made, before as it seem the merc goods were too lazy to block it off right now.

Looks around just in case of any goon were guarding the hole and well, there was one but he was half asleep as she smile to this, as she took advantage of this waiting for the guy to close his eyes once more before she strike and really put him to sleep.

After that she took to the shadows to hide, keeping an eye out all around, as it seem after her escape the mercs numbers were doubled, patrolling the streets, unaware to her that Conan seem to have follow her as he snuck through the same hole, but soon took off on his own.

Tsubaki herself focus on getting pass the patrol and somehow reach the lord of this village and give him a well deserving ass kicking.

She soon took off sneaking pass the patrols while sticking to the alleyways and go in between buildings on her way reaching the lords home.

(The castle)

The lord of the castle was sitting in his private room, a fat looking asshole who held a whip in his hand, and were using on a Demi-human girl who cry out when she was strike with it, by the look of her she was quite young and hurt badly, no doubt this wasn't her first time getting whip showing some old wounds mix with the news ones on her skin that was expose.

"Come one, cry louder for me," the fat lard of a lord said before he whips her again as she cry out, with tears dripping down her face.

Suddenly there were loud knocks coming at his door, as the fat lord stop whipping the poor girl, turning to the door and asked, "Who is it?!"

The door open showing some mercs that he hire as his new guards as one of them said, "Sorry to bother you at this time my lord but it seem we have an uninvited guess, who wishes to speak with you."

"If it's another one of those Demi-human, do like the rest and throw them in the dungeon until they can be dealt with," the lord said as the merc said to him, "Well you see my lord, it's not a demi-human, it's that Adventurer girl from before we reported about, she came back and she push her way in, we can't keep her back for much longer."

The fat lord looked worry about this as quick fix himself as he said, "Damn it, of all the times. Get this one back into her cage now! I'll try stalling until you get more help to take this Adventurer down. Do it now!"

The two mercs nodded as they quickly rushes in and grab the Demi-human girl and taken her out of the room as the lord put away his whip and fixes himself a bit before the door suddenly force open with a random Mercenaries flew in and seem to be knock out before he even hit the ground, surprising the fat lord as he look up and to his shock to see the Adventurer he was told about, Tsubaki Kaguya.

(Meanwhile with Conan)

The Demi-human child Conan, was sneaking around the castle coming to an open area with piles of dirt around no doubt someone was digging in the area, with Conan picked up a small shovel that was up against a pile of dirt, as it seem it was him that was digging trying to break into the castle.

As he went into the hole he made, soon went at it as he shove out scoops of dirt one after another as he said, "I'm almost through, just a bit longer."

(Inside)

Coming up from the ground, the shove that Conan use had broken through the stone floor squares, lifting one up and push it away with all of his strength as he came up dirty from the digging and out of breath from moving the heavy stone, but he didn't stop as he climb up out of the hole he made.

Soon he pulled out a small torch and a tinder box, as he light up the torch and went the hall of the floor he came up at as he looks around seeing barrels and food creates as he said, "Where am I?"

He keep traveling down the area and soon came up to a cell area as he plug his nose and said, "What's that smell?"

To his it seem like something hasn't bath in weeks and then just died while rotting away, as he came up to the cell and looks inside, using his torch to light the area, and to his shock of what he found in the cell before him.

(Tsubaki)

"Hello there, you must be the lord of this place," Tsubaki said with a menacing smile on her face and a tone to match it that scared the fat lord greatly.

"Y-yes I am, and who are you might be?" the fat lord asked as Tsubaki said to him, "My name is Tsubaki, and maybe the worst thing in your life if you play hardball with me."

"What do you want?" the lord asked with Tsubaki looks all around the room seeing it filled with amazing thing of art, statue and other things that seem to cost a small fortune as she said, "How about we start with what are you hurting the people of this village that your supposed to be watching over?"

"I don't know what you mean exactly can you by chance specify?" He asked hoping to stall her so help may arrive.

"The town it's deep in poverty and your guards are not exactly helping the matter." Tsubaki said as she looked to the fat Lord. "Their currently abusing its people as we speak." Tsubaki said and in turn the Lord started weaving the story.

"Well you see... running these lands takes a great deal of money as you may or may not know." He began as Tsubaki was inspecting the nearby art. "I try my best but Gold doesn't grow on trees." The Fat Lord said but Tsubaki was far from done on this matter.

"Then why not sell some of your 'art pieces,' I'm sure they'll fetch a pretty coin to help put your state back in working order." Tsubaki said as she looked to the Lord knowing he was trying to stall for time.

"Well yes that is a splendid idea but..." He began but Tsubaki then cut him off.

"Never mind your guards on the other hand have been a bit how you say... abusive." Tsubaki said as she then gave the Lord a glare. "Do you mind explaining to me... why they are allowed to continue on as they have?" Tsubaki asked but the Lord laughed a bit.

"Oh the Demihumans must have been exaggerating my guards aren't that bad." The guard said only to find an arrow narrowly hitting him as he was surprised that he didn't even realize Tsubaki had notched up an arrow.

"You lying fat scumbag." Tsubaki said as already she had another arrow at the ready. "At no point did I mention the Demihumans yet immediately you assumed it was them." Tsubaki said as she glared at the man. "Yes I admit I was speaking about their treatment by your mercenaries, but after what I've seen keywords like that was a given." Tsubaki said as she glared at the Fat Lord in contempt who saw he was in a corner.

The Lord realized he was caught as he glared at Tsubaki wondering where the rest of his men were at. "Have anything to say for yourself?" Tsubaki asked while the lord glared at her knowing he was being held at Arrow Point.

Just then the door burst open and from it Tsubaki was wide eyed as she saw Conan. "How about the fact he is a damn liar!" Conan yelled as with him was an old man with a certain air around him.

"Conan?!" Tsubaki gasped in shock seeing the boy here.

"He's been lying to everyone since the Wave! He's taken the actual Lord Hostage and imprisoned any and all of his supporters!" Conan yelled as she glared at the fake Lord.

"It's true." The old man said as he held onto Conan no doubt weak from his long stay in the dungeons. "This man was but one of my servants whom I had trusted before the Wave." The Old man said glaring at the snake. "When the Wave hit and I was left with no other heirs... he attacked me and locked me and my supporters up in the dungeon with his hired thugs." The man said and thus it was clear to Tsubaki that shit was hitting the fan.

The Fake Lord gritted his teeth and glared at the group. "Where the Hell or my soldiers!" He yelled losing his composure.

"I didn't just let the actual Lord out I let out his guards also!" Conan countered and in turn the sound of fighting can be heard from outside the window.

The Fake Lord was wide eyed at what he heard as he realized he was in deep trouble now.

"You damn... filthy Demihuman!" He yelled and charged at Conan. Tsubaki moved in to stop him only for the man to duck and grab her before restraining her. "Come any closer and this little hero losses her head!" He yelled holding Tsubaki at knife point. Too bad for him Tsubaki had a good grip on her arrow and thus spun it before stabbing him with it. He cried out in pain and thus Tsubaki elbowed him before kicking him back.

As he stumbled back Tsubaki glared at him as the man held his injuries. "After everything you have done..." Tsubaki said glaring at the fat usurper. "I should kill you myself!" She growled tempted to do just that.

"Please! Mercy! Please!" He begged but Tsubaki wasn't going to give it. As the man stumbled back he then hit the window where it shattered due to his weight and thus he fell down. Tsubaki going wide eyed chased after him and grabbed him just in time. She wasn't going to kill him she wanted to but that right belonged to the laws of these lands and the Lord who oversaw them. But the guy was too heavy for Tsubaki and thus her grip gave out causing the man to fall.

"NO!" Tsubaki cried out but she was too late. She looked away and returned to the room to avoid the horrid sight she would have borne witness too. As the man fell Tsubaki walked over to Conan and the Lord as she looked to the two. "Are you ok?" Tsubaki asked changing gears knowing the old man needed help.

"I will be young one." The old man said as he looked to Tsubaki. "Young Conan has told me much about you, claimed you met a Filolial Queen recently." The man said with a tone of mirth before coughing bit. "Pardon me old man in poor conditions." He said before looking to Tsubaki. "Now then introductions my name is Gawain former Knight now local Lord." The man said as he looked to Tsubaki.

"Tsubaki Kaguya." Tsubaki introduced as she looked to the old man.

"Anyway my guards will be working on rounding up the Mercenaries I believe some of the local villagers may attempt to provide aid as well to free themselves." Gawain said as Tsubaki listened to the old man grateful the man will try to do what he can.

"Will they be up to the task?" Tsubaki asked with worry for those troops.

"As I said the locals will want to help especially when they find out I'm still very much alive." He said adding the fact he was usurped from his position would no doubt light the fire under his good.

"Lord Gawain Sir." Conan began as he looked to Gawain. "Was there another prisoner with you... a demihuman woman?" Conan asked as Gawain looked to the young man. "A woman trying to talk the fake lord into treating us better?" Conan asked and thus Gawain knew who she was talking about.

"Yes I'm afraid there was." Gawain said sadly as he knew what that monster wanted to do. He wanted to break them all before killing them and he had almost succeeded.

"Was... as in past-tense." Tsubaki said and thus a dark feeling reached the pit of everyone's stomach. Conan felt it too and in turn ran to the Dungeons causing Tsubaki to go wide eyed to this. "Conan wait!" Tsubaki called out and in turn gave chase to the boy. All the while Gawain sighed sadly knowing that boy was about to experience a horrible pain.

(Later back in the Dungeons)

Conan had arrived at one of the cells and had used the key to open it. He managed to avoid much if not all of the major fighting to find this cell. When he opened it he was wide eyed at what he saw as he fell to his knees. "No..." Conan said as he saw a skeleton before him. Around its neck was a familiar necklace as Conan recognized it as his mother's necklace. "Mom..." Conan struggled looking ready to break down. Just then Tsubaki arrived and saw the scene before her.

"No..." Tsubaki said as she realized what had happened.

In turn Conan began to shed tears at what he saw. Tsubaki didn't know what to do but simply walked over to the boy and hugged him. When she did Conan saw her, and thus the damn broke and tears were shed. Conan cried his eyes out as he just found his mother dead after trying to do the right thing. As Conan cried Tsubaki hugged the boy close comforting him as best she could.

"It's ok... let it out. Just let it all out." Tsubaki comforted the boy knowing he just went through a great loss. Conan continued to cry as he had just lost his mother to the cruel hands of fate. He continued to do so even after Gawain had arrived with a guard accompanying him. It was clear that Conan had just lost his mother but despite this Tsubaki held him close.

After a time the tears finally came to an end and thus Tsubaki and Conan were seen with Gawain as the man gave the boy his condolence for his loss. "Sir!" A Knight called out while approaching Gawain.

"Speak." The Lord ordered the loyal Knight.

"The Townsfolks are aiding us just as you predicted we'll have the mercenaries rounded up within the hour. We still haven't found their leader but I suspect now that he can no longer pay them he won't be missing for much longer." The Knight said and thus Gawain nodded to the Knight.

"Good once the situation is contained send out a small legion for rescue and relief." Gawain said and in turn the Knight nodded and went to give out the order. "Conan my boy." Gawain began getting Conan's attention. "I'm deeply sorry for your loss if there is anything I can do to help you... do not hesitate to ask." The boy said and thus Conan did have one idea.

"The Mercenaries... they burned down my mom's home." The boy said and thus the old man had a pretty good idea of what he wanted. "Can you... rebuild it somehow?" Conan asked and thus Gawain nodded to the boy.

"Have no fear I'll get my best workers on the job." Gawain said looking heroic for a moment but then old man mode reactivated. "Assuming old age hasn't ruined my mind... and they are still alive." The old man said but this got a laugh out of Conan at how silly this old lord was being.

'Hard to think this guy is a Lord one minute you respect him the next you wonder if his grandkids were spoiled rotten because of him.' Tsubaki thought to herself before letting it go. Just then the ground shook causing everyone to go wide eyed to this while holding onto the walls. "What was that?" Tsubaki asked as she looked around for the source of it.

"It came from outside." Conan said as he knew something was going on thanks to his sensitive hearing. In turn they headed out to investigate what it was.

(Later Outside in the Courtyard)

The group arrived outside and found the entire area was covered in Storm Clouds. "What the heck?" Tsubaki asked wondering where the clouds had even come from to begin with.

"Look!" Conan called out as he pointed to the large spike in the Courtyard.

There they saw the Usurper on his knees holding a cross in his hand as the spire was glowing via its runes while mumbling something to himself. Gawain seeing what the man was doing went wide eyed knowing full well what was about to happen. "Stop you mustn't break that seal!" Gawain cried out as he looked to the usurper Lord horrified at what he was about to do.

"Seal?" Tsubaki asked as she remembered her vision realizing what was about to happen.

"Long ago the original Heroes sealed away a powerful monster within that spire. He's trying to remove the seal!" Gawain said as Tsubaki was wide eyed at this.

It seems the Noble was done as he then began to speak once more. "Please oh Supreme God grant me the power to rend asunder these fools and their heretical views!" The Usurper cried out and in turn on the ground a crest appeared which then vanished. The ground began to crack and glow as something powerful began to rise from the ground. "Yes your free now go and destroy everything if I can't rule then no one can!" The Usurper cried out as the seal was unlocked allowing the beast inside its long waited freedom.

Tsubaki was then wide eyed at what she saw rising from the ground. The creature lacked legs but levitated on what can be argued as a lamp, its stomach had a nose and a mouth a large mouth as the 'head,' simply had the eyes and a mouth guard while looking like a genie. On either of its hands were orbs of what seemed to be crystalized magic and wrapped around its arms were two armless humanoid bird like creatures with snake head/tails.

"Efreet." Tsubaki said as she saw the guardian who protected the Moon Maiden's Ark in White Knight Chronicles 2.

The Usurper laughed insanely as he had just attained victory or so it would seem. "Yes go forth and slaughter them all. Slaughter those filthy demi's and wipe out all my enemies!" The man called out while laughing in favor for his oncoming victory. His joy was short lived as just then one of the snake heads grabbed him causing him to cry out in shock. "No wait NO not me THEM NO!" He cried out before his screams of terror soon followed. IT wasn't long until his screams were silence as the creature moved him to its main mouth and with a blast of magic the usurper was dead.

"That fool his own arrogance and greed became his undoing." Gawain said as he glared at where the usurper once was. "Regardless we must make haste and escape." Gawain said as he knew a lost battle when he saw one. "Perhaps if we head to the Capital we may request aid." Gawain said but sounded as if he did not wish to do so.

"No." Tsubaki said as she glared at the creature and saw how the Full Moon held high in the sky. "I'll stop it." Tsubaki said as she began to approach the monster.

"But that's madness how can you hope to face something like this?!" Gawain asked and thus Tsubaki simply smiled to the old man.

In turn Tsubaki began to chant as she summoned forth the Moon Maiden's Ark. "O' Luthia, argent goddess and beacon in the ancient night; Grant me your power." Tsubaki began before she grabbed the bow and pulled the handle notching up an arrow. She pointed it to the full moon as a magenta energy formed around her. As she pulled the arrow an energy string of magic formed to help give the ark more of an appearance of a bow. "Verto!" Tsubaki invoked as the Crest where the Arrow is supposed to exit flashed before opening up. Once it was open Tsubaki let the arrow fly where it passed Efreet and hit the moon. When it did so the magic rained down starting off as a flower of sorts where it then went to Tsubaki.

Once it got to Tsubaki it formed a mystic circle before she did a bow of sort. Once she did so she stood back up with her left arm spread to the side with the Moon Maiden rising up behind her. As the Knight rose Tsubaki levitated into the air where she was in front of her Knights chest. Tsubaki began to glow with magic before both Tsubaki and the Moon Maiden melded into one.

One the merge was completed the Moon Maiden's eyes flashed to life as she stood tall with her bow in her left hand. Conan and Gawain were awestruck at what they saw as the Moon Maiden then took a battle stance ready for combat. "Beautiful." Conan said as he saw the Moon Maiden stand tall ready for combat.

"Incredible." Gawain added as he saw what had just occurred before him.

"Come on time to end this!" Tsubaki called out through the Moon Maiden ready for combat.

Tsubaki from her vision saw a hub appear around her eyes. No doubt all the Knights had this to monitor both the Knights mystic systems and the Pactmakers physical health. She even saw a Turn Break Counter or what counts as its local equivalent, which only had 1, on her lower right side next to her Knights Magic Levels just above the current weapons Commands. From what she saw she was wielding the Arrow the El'Liet the Moon Maidens starter Bow which means the only major attack skills she has available are the Energy Arrow and the Concussive Arrow. For magic skills she saw the healing spell +Glittering Moonlight which is best used for parties, +Pale Moonlight to help raise fallen allies, and finally Spirit Dance which is a lowers her foes magic.

Her Knight was mainly support but from what she felt around the body it seems the Moon Maiden produces her own arrows which may be why she never had a quiver equipped to her in the game. Still it was to be noted later as right now she had a foe to take on. It also gave her plenty of opportunity to test out her Knight and her power. Efreet went on the attack and started firing off magical attacks at the Moon Maiden. In response Tsubaki ran around the White Knight Chronicles Monster and returned fire with her own Arrow Shots. Luckily since she wasn't using any of her Knights available attacks she wasn't using any of her mana according to the Knight available data.

Once the fire stopped Tsubaki slid to the ground and had an Arrow Notched up. "Energy Arrow!" She invoked causing the Arrow she was using to light up with magic before hitting the monster in the upper face. When the attack hit the Monster took a hit and thus Tsubaki saw it charging up magic again. "Dammit almost forgot you're a magic caster that's your primary means of attack." Tsubaki said and thus focused on the last skill on her list. Tsubaki began channeling the magic as magical energy formed around her body. She then raised her free hand up to cast her spell. "Spirit Dance!" Tsubaki called out and thus the Spirit Dance lowered her foes magic by a large margin thankfully. This in theory should cripple it enough for her to have an easier time to face.

The Draw Back of Magic casters is that when they focus so much of their attention on magic they moment they no longer have it they are as good as dead. "Concussive Arrow!" Tsubaki invoked firing off another arrow at the Monster and smiled how it blasted upon impact to her foe. "The last Bow user couldn't fight you on even size could he!" Tsubaki taunted as she continued to fight off her foe. "This evens out the field then!" Tsubaki continued her taunt as she notched up another Arrow before firing it off.

She smiled seeing how it pierced the monsters body with ease. Tsubaki wasn't done just yet as she then charged in and grabbed one of its snake like mouths. Once she had a firm grip she proceeded to dig her heels into the ground and pull. Thus with a mighty roar she flipped the monster and slammed it into the ground with a gust of wind from the impact. The Knight wasn't done just yet as she then spun her body and pinned the arm before firing off another Concussive arrow at point blank range. The Monster roared in pain at the loss of one of its means of attack while it thrashed about.

Tsubaki then jumped off and fired a regular arrow at it pinning it there. The Pactmaker wasn't done just yet as she then went to the other tail and pinned it as well. The Monster was struggling to get free as it then saw the Moon Maiden was right on top of it. Tsubaki then used the heels of her Knight to pin both of its arms and aimed another Arrow at its mouth. "Open wide!" She called out and thus fired off another Concussive Arrow into its mouth. The blast caused it damage inside making the Monster spit out the blast when it roared in pain. Soon she jumped off just as her Arrows Vanished before the Monster went wide eyed at what was coming its way.

Tsubaki then took another arrow and stabbed it into the monsters head before flying over it. "This is the end! ENERGY ARROW!" Tsubaki called out and fired the arrow down the monsters head once she got a clear shot. Soon the Arrow came out of the bottom causing the monster to roar in agony as the result. Soon its roars were silenced as it fell over dead and defeated thanks to Tsubaki and the Moon Maiden. Tsubaki won't lie she was very angry when she was fighting as suggested by her brutality of the Monster. Truth was she wanted to do something like that to that usurping snake but since the Monster killed him it became her rages new target.

Tsubaki knew how the whole kneel and reverting thing was cool but she wasn't like that. She simply spread her arms on either side and deactivated her Knight reverting to her human form. Tsubaki levitated for a moment as she came down before touching down on the ground. She then sighed and looked to the group who was shocked at what they saw. "So do you need me to do all of that again to scare off the Mercs?" Tsubaki asked but Gawain chuckled.

"No but perhaps we do have a few things to discuss." Gawain said as he knew Tsubaki had to have had some reason for being here.

(Later)

After the Mercenaries were arrested or chased off the trio of Tsubaki, Gawain, and Conan were gathered in the study to talk. While Tsubaki and Conan had tea Gawain was already taking potions to regain his strength. "You have my most humble of thanks young archer." Gawain thanked as he looked to Tsubaki.

"It was nothing." Tsubaki said as she took a sip of her tea.

"But I find myself curious as to what brought you here in the first place." Gawain said as he gestured to the moon outside. "With that sort of power I doubt you came here because it was on the road." Gawain said and thus Tsubaki looked to him before she sighed in response.

"I'm looking for a mask." Tsubaki said as Gawain looked intrigued. "It's connected to a similar power to the one I have I'm trying to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands." She said before continuing. "I heard the guy who overthrew you recently acquired a mask of unknown origin and I was hoping to secure it before he figured out what it could do." Tsubaki said and thus Gawain nodded and then gestured to the Knight with them.

"Would you by chance know of this new piece?" He asked and thus the Knight nodded. "Then go retrieve it." Gawain said and thus the Knight went to acquire it. "In all honesty if you had not told me of this mask I would have undoubtedly sold it to pay for repairs to the damages that man had caused." Gawain said as his treasury had taken a nasty hit due to this.

"Understandable." Tsubaki said as Gawain nodded to the young woman. "But why did he overthrow you, didn't you have heirs to take over?" Tsubaki asked as she looked to the old man.

"I did... once." HE said sadly while they spoke. "The Wave took my son and daughter-in-law from the world." Gawain said sadly not wanting to think of it. "Without any immediate successor to fight his way through he took control and left me in that dungeon to break my spirit." Gawain said showing he had suffered a great deal.

"That bastard." Tsubaki said and thus she then sighed to this.

"Any who I feel a reward is in order for all that you have done." Gawain said as he looked to Tsubaki. "But with my treasury as it is will an art piece suffice I'm sure you can sell it for a pretty penny." Gawain offered but Tsubaki looked to him.

"No... You need all the money you can get to rebuild." Tsubaki said but Gawain smiled to her.

"Young lady I'm a Lord it's expected out of me that I know how to handle my gold." Gawain defended showing he can sell those art pieces and come out richer than before.

"Ok sorry." Tsubaki laughed until the door opened again.

"Milord here it is." The Knight said as he passed to the trio a box with the mask. But when it arrived Tsubaki gave it an annoyed glared.

"Is this the mask?" Gawain asked but Tsubaki growled.

"It's not." Tsubaki said realizing she went through all of this for nothing. It wasn't the Sun Kings Ark it was just some random mask for those with expensive tastes.

"Oh... I'm sorry." The Old Lord said and in turn offered the mask to Tsubaki. "If it's of any consolation... perhaps you may take this mask as your reward and sell it to your hearts content." Gawain offered knowing he owed Tsubaki a lot.

"I..." Tsubaki began before sighing. "Thanks." She said taking the mask as her reward for this job. "Now then I'm going to need to get some rest I'm going to be busy in the coming days." Gawain said before taking his leave leaving Tsubaki and Conan alone.

Once they were alone Tsubaki looked to Conan and decided to voice her concern for him. "How are you holding up, Conan?" Tsubaki asked as she looked to the young boy.

"I... I don't know I just... I just feel numb." Conan confessed and considering he just lost his mother it made sense.

"What do you plan to do now?" Tsubaki began and thus Conan only had one idea.

"Bury my mom and get our home rebuilt but then after that I don't know." Conan said as he sat there not knowing what to do with his life now.

"Geez." Tsubaki sighed knowing she couldn't leave the boy alone in the world like this especially as a Demihuman in Melromarc. "Perhaps... you'd like to accompany me." Tsubaki offered as she looked to the Demihuman boy.

"W-what?" Conan asked shocked to hear his.

"It's just a thought is all, sure I'm sure Gawain can look after you for a while but eventually you will have to learn to live on your own." Tsubaki said as she looked to Conan trying to get him to think it over. "I mean you get to see the world and probably save it by fighting the waves and yes it will be very dangerous but at least you get to aid one of the Cardinal Heroes." Tsubaki said and thus Conan went wide eyed at this.

"You're a friend to the Cardinal Heroes?!" Conan cried out in shock when he heard this.

"Yeah everyone hates him though I don't know why, the Shield Hero is a close friend of mine." Tsubaki said as the pactmaker then sighed to herself. "Still Shiro is kind of a Royal pain in the ass." Tsubaki said as Conan had to think it over. "Besides if you team up with me you won't have to worry about becoming a slave out there you know." Tsubaki said smiling to the young Demihuman boy.

After a little longer of thinking it over Conan nodded to the girl. "Ok." Conan said with a nod of confirmation. "I'll do it." Conan said as he had a good feeling on what he was getting himself into... but Tsubaki cared and protected him... he couldn't turn his back on her without repaying that debt.

"Ok." Tsubaki said and thus smiled to Conan and proceeded to add him to her party. It didn't take long for her as soon Conan was a member of the party of the Moon Maiden's pactmaker. As she smiled to Conan Gawain who was outside the door saw the whole thing and smiled. He had a feeling that this young woman would be going places... ahh to be young once more. As the old man took his leave he would be sure to provide the duo with as much support as he possibly could.

But unaware to any of them the Four Knights appearance had made no small wave in the plans of others.

(Scene Break Castle Melromarc Throne Room)

Aultcray saw the crystal balls that had images of the other Three Knights on it. One was being shown to him by his daughter Malty, another by one of the Knights whom Taisuke had met, and the last being held by a Mercenary whom had escaped Gawain's grasp. "This is most concerning." Aultcray said as he saw the Three Knights in combat. A Sword, a Bow, and a Spear these Knights had powers that he could not deny. With this in mind it would imply that they had powers to even challenge the Cardinal Heroes.

"Your Majesty this is quiet concerning." The Prime Minister said as he looked to the King. "If those four are allowed to roam questions will be asked but more importantly how long will it be before they realize the power they have?" The Prime Minister asked knowing these Knights were seemingly impervious to all matter of attack and could utilize magic and that's not factoring in the ability to fly shared between the Dragon Knight, the Black Knight, and the Moon Maiden.

"We need a way to tip the balance in our favor." Aultcray said as it was clear that none of them were aware of the Sun King. If he was then he would no doubt pool his resources into locating the infamous King of the Sun.

"Perhaps we should consort with the Mages and Alchemists to see if it's plausible to mimic these Knights." The Prime Minister said and thus Malty spoke up.

"Papa." She began getting Aultcray's attention. "We can't allow the Shield Devil to roam about with that power let alone his allies." Malty said as she looked to her father.

"I understand my daughter but we can't just rush them and hope we can over power them." Aultcray said as he looked to his daughter.

"Then what do you suggest we do." Aultcray said only for the doors to open getting everyone's attention. From the door a man in a lab coat walked in accompanied by two young girls one clearly the more outspoken of the two and the other quiet and timid.

"Pardon my intrusion but I could not help but overheard the conversation while I was passing through." The man said as he walked in.

"Who are you?" Aultcray asked until the man spoke up.

"Not anyone important save for aiding you with your Knight Problem." The man said as the outspoken girl then stepped in.

"That's right so you better pay attention to what the Doctor has to say." She said clearly loyal to the man.

"Now then I'm been studying these Knights for some time and while I can't confirm I can make something to match them I can make something that can help even the playing fields." The man said before smiling a bit. "Or at least summon someone who can match them." He said causing all eyes to go to him.

"Pardon did you just say 'Summon,' someone to match them?" The King asked as he looked to the odd man.

"Of course, none of your Knights can hope to challenge these four and even your Cardinal Heroes would not be able to win, but I can summon someone who can fight these Knights toe to toe but even over power them." The man said smiling to the King.

"Don't be foolish we've already summoned the Cardinal Heroes there is no way to summon a 'Fifth Hero,' with what your suggesting." Malty said but the Doctor laughed a bit.

"Oh I can guarantee there is a way but I need a few important items to make it so." The man said as he looked to the group. "I mean while you're preparing it I can begin developing my own artificial Knights but I would have need for you to harvest monster parts for me to make it happen." The man added as he looked to the King.

"And what would that be?" The King asked wanting to see if this man could deliver.

"Simply put I need parts from Monsters that are filled with magic so Dragons and what not." the man said as the King heard this. "It's either that or risk the four turning on your people and wiping out your family." The man said and thus Aultcray knew he had no other choice.

"Very well we shall provide you with aid for both these Artificial Knights and the Summoning." the man said and thus the man in the lab coat bowed.

"Much appreciated." The man said and then turned to the girls with him. "Come along little ones we have work to do." He said to the girls dressed like maids.

"Right Doctor." The two girls said and thus followed after the man leaving Malty to glare at the man and the King to look somewhat hopeful. Still as he left the man grinned sinisterly as it was clear he had ulterior motives to helping these people. Hidden away under his cloak was an amulet with the same crest each of the Knight Arks Possesses. Clearly a power play of sorts was being done here but the question was if this was the long game or not.

(TBC)

ESKK: Well here we go another completed chapter I hope you all enjoyed it and join me next time for the next chapter. So until then leave a review before leaving and as I always say on this thing ja-ne.