Heroes of the Arks

ESKK: Well here we go Chapter 24 jeez this fic has come a long way and it almost makes me proud of it. Now it's time to begin this new chapter folks.

(Start from Last Time)

"Please spare me, have mercy on me." Idol begged as he was at Raphtalia's mercy now. Raphtalia pushed further and in turn Idol cried out in panic over the weapon coming closer to him

"After killing so m any Demihumans in that underground chamber of yours you dare beg for your life?" Raphtalia accused as she glared at the man before her.

"Just like a coward." Jun snarled a bit as she seen his sort. He is all high and mighty when he has the power but when the shoe is on the other foot he's a sniveling wreck trying to stay alive.

But in saying this Idol had recognized Raphtalia and thus was shocked. "You're not it can't be one of my enslaved villagers an animal like you?! A Damned Demi?!" Idol asked shocked to see that Raphtalia was here and most of all was well.

"Yeah I'd be careful with what you say Idol. Right now she has you at her mercy so if anything use that peanut you call a brain for once." Shiro said as he glared at the racist bastard before him.

"W-wait, wait a moment." Idol began as clearly he knew Shiro had a point there. "You'd all be dead the whole lot of you would have died like dogs if I haven't taken you in like that." Idol said as he looked at Raphtalia only for her to get angry.

"Keep your mouth shut!" Raphtalia yelled and thus Idol obeyed. "You think I can forget the atrocities you committed?" Raphtalia snarled as she glared at Idol. "Not till I die I'll never forget what you've done!" She yelled and looked ready to end Idol once and for all.

Acting fast Idol was on his hands and knees bowing to Raphtalia as he no doubt wanted to live. "I'm sorry I was wrong, I'll apologize I swear." He said as he had his head to the ground to apologize yet Jun saw right through him thanks to the darkness of his soul.

"This scumbag here he took Rifana, and he..." Raphtalia said and thus Jun knew what Raphtalia was going to say. As Raphtalia raised her sword she looked ready to cut him down right then and there.

"Jun." Shiro began as he looked to Jun knowing what she wanted to do. "No." Shiro said and thus Jun sighed and calmed herself knowing getting angry would not solve anything.

"No please don't!" Idol cried out and with his head to the ground sounded like he was crying now.

"Raphtalia." Shiro began as he knew it was time to step in. "I can't imagine how you feel right now, not even the slightest." Shiro said as he looked to Raphtalia knowing what she wanted to do. "But would killing him honestly give you closure especially doing it with rage in your heart." Shiro said as this got Raphtalia thinking. "You've become stronger since then not only with your sword but also with your heart and mind." Shiro said as Raphtalia was frozen in place by his words. "Whatever you decide to do I won't stop you but you need to do it with a clear heard otherwise you may just end up becoming something worse." Shiro said as he seen it before when a hero becomes the monster they seek to destroy.

It seems her words got through as Raphtalia pulled back and began to calm her mind. Shiro was right if she killed him in rage then she risks becoming no better than he is. Thus taking a breath to calm herself Raphtalia made her choice on what to do with this man. "You're a terrible person a monster who put demihumans through hell and killed them." Raphtalia said as she glared down upon Idol. "I'll never forgive you." She vowed as she glared down upon Idol. "But if I kill you I won't be any different from the disgusting worm you are." Raphtalia said as she glared down upon the noble before her.

Jun then saw the rage forming and in turn had her hand on her Legendary Sword ready to draw it and take this man down should the need arrive. "So I decided to let you live that way you can atone for the sins you committed in this place." Raphtalia said as she glared at the fat piece of crap before her.

"Damn you Demihuman." Idol said as this got everyone's attention. "You scum now you die!" Idol yelled and thus Raphtalia saw him draw a sword to which she blocked the attack with ease. As they parried Idol acted fast and went for the injury he inflicted on Raphtalia before and thus she cried out in pain thus losing her focus. This gave him the chance to disarm Raphtalia before slashing at her. Raphtalia dodged it and in turn drew her magic sword and ran Idol through with the energy blade. Idol then snarled when he saw what Raphtalia did. "Curse you!" He yelled and thus proceeded to kick Raphtalia down.

As Idol took a step back he began to rant over the Demihumans. "Demi's don't deserve to live, I GAUH!" His words were cut off as he found a short sword stabbed into him before vanishing from sight. Looking to the source he saw it was Jun who threw it as the same weapon appeared back in her hand to join its twin in her right hand.

"So that's how it works, I can throw it and it appears back to me since it was born from my sword." Jun said as she saw Idol grasping his stab wound where Blood was coming out. Idol then gasped as he lost his footing at the edge causing Raphtalia to gasp in shock as the man began to fall to his doom.

Once this was done Jun and Shiro glared down upon where the vile piece of shit fell and thus Jun clenched her fist to this. "He deserved worse." Jun said as she then turned away and with Shiro went to check on Raphtalia.

"Raphtalia are you ok?" Filo asked as the group surrounded her before Shiro and Jun joined in.

Shiro then kneeled to Raphtalia and smiled to her. "Personally I would have let him die." Shiro admitted but his smile never went away. "But I'm glad that you at least considered sparing him." Shiro said showing his pride in Raphtalia.

"Sir Shield Hero, Lady Sword Hero." Van was heard and thus the group looked and saw Reichnott was there holding his injured arm.

"Reichnott." Melty cried out as she ran over to the Noble who helped the Heroes. "Are you hurt?" Melty asked with concern for the man.

"No I'm fine thanks to them." Reichnott said and thus from the door Taiyo and Tsubaki with their party members came in.

"Yeap house is Gigas free for now." Taiyo said with a smirk on his face as he and Rino came in with Tsubaki, Rishia, Conan, and Ail.

"First Aqua Heal." Melty invoked and thus began to heal Reichnott's injuries.

"This is our chance to escape." Reichnott said as he looked to Shiro and his friends.

"No not yet we still need to bust out the captives here." Shiro said and thus Conan heard this and walked over to Raphtalia.

"Raphtalia." Conan began as he looked to Raphtalia. "We can go in by ourselves... if you want and you can stay behind to keep watch." Conan said as he remembered how he found his mother in a dungeon or at least what was left of her. He knew Raphtalia wanted to see Rifana but Conan wanted to find her first so he can confirm what happened if it happened.

"No I... I need to be the one to do it." Raphtalia said and thus Conan knew that Raphtalia was setting herself up for a world of hurt.

(Scene Break Later Outside)

The group arrived outside to find the pathway to the dungeons below as Shiro remembered passing it by on their way in. "Idol imprisoned his Demihuman slaved underground and tortured them." Raphtalia said as she Van was surprised to hear this.

"How do you know that?" He asked as he looked to Raphtalia.

"I know because." She began as the demihuman girl had to pause a bit. "Because I was lucky enough to live." Raphtalia finished and thus it was clear why she froze up several times here. This in turn got everyone to look at her with worry what this may entail after the initial shock ended.

"You don't have to do this Raphtalia." Shiro said as he looked to Raphtalia.

"Yeah stay here and we'll go in for you." Conan said as he didn't want to see Raphtalia get hurt.

"It's ok I'm gonna be alright." Raphtalia said and thus began to climb down the steps to the dungeon.

"That's what I said." Conan said as he said those exact words when he went looking for his mother in the dungeon back on the night when he first met Tsubaki.

Conan followed after her to which Tsubaki allowed before Shiro looked to the others. "Go we'll clean up out here a bit." Tsubaki said knowing Shiro and his party as well as Conan needed to do this.

"We'll be out here if you need us." Taiyo said as Ryuko nodded to this.

"Melty..." Jun said as she turned around to join her friends in cleaning house. "Be careful down there." Jun said and thus took her leave with Demonicon and Pete by her side.

(Later over with the Heroes)

As the other three Heroes and their parties went to do their part Tsubaki gave Jun a suspicious look. "Jun... you don't think Raphtalia will find all her friends down there will she?" Tsubaki asked as she looked to Jun.

"That's why you left Conan there right? He knows the pain Raphtalia is about to go through." Jun said as she walked ahead leading the group. "Now come on help me find Idol if he is alive he'll know where these Cards came from." Jun said as she led the group. "And while we're at it let's find us some Knights we need to feed our Weapons Gigas parts and learn where they got those Gigas Cards." Jun said as she knew what Raphtalia will find down there and needless to say it was better that Shiro, Filo, and Conan went down there with her.

"Papa shouldn't we?" Ryuko began but Rino cut her off.

"Ryuko sweetheart." Rino began as she looked to Ryuko. "Sometimes... there's not much we can do for those who suffer except be there when they need us." Rino said as she had a small idea of what happened to Raphtalia. After all she came closest to going through it thanks to Malty.

"Come on let's go fine a wagon for the survivors to get out on." Taiyo said as he walked on ahead knowing the survivors would need those Wagons if they find any down there.

"Wait... Where's Takaya?" Rishia asked as she noticed Takaya had vanished during the chaos.

"He does that sometimes but he always come back." Ryuko said as she looked to Rishia.

"Kind of strange for a Dragon to do so." Demonicon said unaware of what Takaya was really doing.

(Meanwhile with Takaya)

Takaya was a simple Dragon when he came into the possession of the Spear Hero Motoyasu. But since he was bound to him via a crest he could do nothing to defy him... at least until Ryuko came along and unknowingly had freed the Dragon. In turn Takaya had joined her brood comprised of Taiyo, Rino, and of course Ryuko.

He enjoyed being around them more then that fool because they treated him well. Ryuko always saw he was smarter then he let on and in turn saw that Taiyo was the intended spear Hero before anyone else did. With this in mind he also knew Ryuko would need help one day and he felt that she was a possible contender for the position of the Ruler of all Dragons. Hence why many times he vanished from the group, it was to find HIM so he may see if she is in fact worthy as his successor.

During the chaos he sensed his Patriarch nearby and thus had gone to investigate. What he found was a young boy with a dragon based spear in his hand that had a crimson blade upon it. The boy was wearing a hood and was barefoot as well as he sat upon the stone. Takaya proceeded to give his report to the boy wanting him to see Ryuko for himself as the boy heard what he said.

"So... you found a possible successor?" The boy asked as he sat there hearing what Takaya told him. "Very well I will gather the others return to her and await my arrival." He said and thus stood up using the spear to help him out. His voice sounded young and innocent but had a deep hollowness in it that can only be gained through an epoch amount of time.

(Meanwhile with Shiro's party)

The group entered the dungeon following after Raphtalia as she led them through. Melty could barely look at it as this place had the aura of suffering around it. Shiro of course glared at it as he could already tell from the equipment what sort of scumbag Idol was. Just then Shiro cried out in pain as he felt a surge forming from his Knight's Ark. During this he saw his Shield transformed into the Ark on its own surprising him. From it Shiro then felt a rage within the Ark and thus made him go wide eyed to this.

"Sir Hero?" Van asked as he looked to Shiro. "Are you well?" He asked concerned for the young man.

"Yeah... I think so." Shiro said as he then looked at his Ark. 'Wizel... can you sense something here?' Shiro asked and thus saw an Alert appear before him via his Statues Magic.

"THE WHITE KNIGHT AND ITS PACTMAKER ARE CAPABLE OF SENSING LINGERING AURA'S IF THE EMOTIONS BEHIND IT ARE STRONG ENOUGH."

When Shiro read this he was wide eyed by this and now knew why the rage was coming from his Knight. 'Wizel are you angry?' Shiro wondered as he could understand why the Knight would be angry considering what had very well happened in here. 'It's ok... I'm angry also.' Shiro admitted to the Knight and in turn saw that it began to calm down and with it the pain. If Wizel was able to feel rage and sadness like this... did that mean their Knights were in fact sentient and only chose not to speak with them or was there a hurdle they must cross to get them to speak? Shiro would have to look into that at some point but at least he knows Wizel has his back in this for the time being.

(Meanwhile with Jun)

"Dammit where did he go!?" Jun snarled as she, Taiyo, and Tsubaki had just finished rounding up the Knights and the only one missing was Idol. "I know he landed around here so where did that fat piece of shit go!?" Jun growled as she looked for that monster.

"How do we lose a fat guy like that?!" Taiyo asked as he looked for the missing Lord.

"Well he's fat but he's a coward and I heard they tend to run fast when their life is on the line." Tsubaki said as she looked for Idol.

"Hey boss." Demonicon said as he, Pete, Ail, Ryuko, and Rino rejoined the group. "We just got through asking the Knights about them Gigas cards apparently Idol gave it to them and Idol claims it came from the church of the three stooges." Demonicon said as he looked to Jun.

"Great more problems than we need." Jun snarled a bit until Taiyo noticed something.

"Hey guys blood." Taiyo said as he pointed to a trail of Blood that lead away.

"Heh rookie mistake." Jun said and thus they began to follow up on where the trail lead them. They hoped to find Idol and make him answer for his crimes while they ring the information out of him with less civilized methods if need be.

(Back with Shiro's group)

Eventually they came upon one cell and in turn Raphtalia looked upon it before falling to her knees no doubt with tragic memories coming to fore. The others had gone off to find others as Shiro opted to stay close to help Raphtalia through this. As Shiro saw this he could not help but feel similar grief as he saw the worst humanity had to offer before him.

Just then Van was heard from nearby after he searched the other cages. "There's a survivor!" He called out as Conan saw this.

"Come on lets go help them." Conan said and thus they all went to aid the survivors in their escape.

Once they got to the cage Shiro used his magic to pick the lock and thus opened the cage. Once inside Conan and Van ran over to the hurt child inside as Van kneeled to him. "You'll be alright now." Van said and thus Shiro was grateful that there was SOME good in humanity.

"Shiro over here!" Melty was heard and thus Shiro headed over to the others Melty found. Shiro upon seeing this acted fast and got the cage door to open and thus Melty got to work on healing the child.

"How can such a sick man be allowed to do this." Shiro said as he wanted to go after Idol and strangle him for what he did.

"There's someone over here too." Filo called out and thus Shiro and Raphtalia headed over to where Filo was. They were of course joined by Conan and soon arrived at the cage Filo stood at to see a young boy inside it held by a chain on one wrist while dressed in rags. As they boy raised his head to look to the group.

Raphtalia was wide eyed over what she saw as Shiro saw a look of familiarity in his slave/partners eyes. "You're alive, Keel!?" Raphtalia gasped as she looked to the boy now named Keel.

Acting fast Shiro got the cage to open and in turn Raphtalia ran over to her old friend. "Oh Keel I can't believe your here!" Raphtalia called out as she ran over to Keel and kneeled down near him. Conan stayed outside as he didn't want to get in the way of this reunion between friends.

"Who are... you?" Keel asked as he sounded tired and weak no doubt from his ordeal.

"I can't believe I found you after all this time." Raphtalia said as she was truly grateful to find her friend here alive. "I'm so glad... so glad that you're alive." Raphtalia said as her voice started to crack a bit a she was truly grateful to see her friend was alive. In turn she stood back and upon drawing her sword she cut her friend loose to free him from this nightmare dungeon.

Raphtalia then sheathed her sword as Keel got feeling back into his now freed hand. "Who are you I don't?" He began until Raphtalia cut him off.

"Have you forgotten already?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to Keel. "It's me Raphtalia." Raphtalia reminded her friend who didn't believe it and for good reason one might add.

"You can't be her, Raphtalia?" Keel asked as he was in disbelief. "No way that's Impossible." Keel said as he clearly denied it and considering the last he saw her was before Shiro met her it made sense. But when Raphtalia kneeled down this in turn got Keel to freak out a bit. "No stay away." He countered clearly not realizing it was in fact Raphtalia who stood before him.

"Listen to me Keel do you remember that time you went diving and nearly drowned and we had to find Sedina so she can come rescue you?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to Keel both recalling the memory from their shared past. "And there was another time where you ate a poisonous mushroom and ended up with an upset stomach. In pain you begged me not to tell anyone you remember that don't you?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to Keel with Shiro, Filo, and Melty all listening in with Conan on the outside. "After the Wave when I said we should all rebuild the village, you were the very first one to speak up and agree with me." Raphtalia said as she looked to her friend. "You don't know how happy that made me." Raphtalia said and thus it proved to Keel who she was.

"Raphtalia it's really you?" Keel asked as he was both shocked and happy to see his friend here after so long. "You're really here after all." Keel said and in turn Raphtalia acted.

"Thank goodness!" She cried out and gave Keel a hug who in turn hugged back with some struggle. "I'm so grateful you're still alive." Raphtalia said as Conan smiled while Melty wiped away a few happy tears over what she saw.

"Who are they?" Keel asked as he noticed the group behind Raphtalia.

"It's ok I'm travelling with the Shield Hero now." Raphtalia said much to Keel's shock upon hearing this.

"What the Shield Hero?!" Keel asked shocked over what Raphtalia just told him. "You really exist?!" Keel asked to Shiro who walked forward.

"He sure does and he's come here to save all of us." Raphtalia said as she smiled to Keel.

Once she said this Shiro got down to business. "Let me take a look at your wounds." Shiro said and in turn took Keel's hand before the gem on his shield glowed with healing magic healing Keel up.

Gasping over this Keel could feel the pain fading away from his body. "You really exist after all, so all those stories I heard about you are actually true." Keel said as he looked to Shiro happy to see that the legend was real before he began to hack and cough.

"You ok?" Raphtalia asked with concern over the coughing fit from Keel.

"Yeah." Keel confirmed once it began to calm down before a sad tone was noted in his voice. "Now I see." He said and in turn the tone was evident as Conan knew what that would mean. "I was just thinking Rifana would have wanted to see you." Keel said and in turn Conan knew what that tone meant as he spoke of Rifana in past tense.

"Wait a minute where is Rifana?" Raphtalia asked as she now grew worried for her other missing friend. But when Keel didn't answer Conan knew exactly what this meant. "She's in here right?!" Raphtalia asked as she looked to Keel wanting answers over her friend's fate. Keel then looked down the way where Rifana's cell was located.

But as she ran out Conan got in her way. "Wait Raphtalia are you sure you want to do this? If you do go you might not find what you're hoping!" Conan said urging Raphtalia to think.

"I have to see her!" Raphtalia said and thus she got Conan out of the way and ran down the path.

As she did so Shiro put a hand on Conan's shoulder to stop him from giving chase. "No... She has to do this." Shiro said as he had a bad feeling over what had happened to Rifana.

Conan then freed his shoulder and thus gave chase to Raphtalia as he knew what she would find there. Shiro was the last one to follow as they went to where Rifana's cage was and in turn arrived at it. Conan was wide eyed as he saw the state Rifana was in or in this case the bones left behind. Conan saw this as did Shiro as the later of the two looked ready to break down as well as in turn the tears came and following it came the cries.

Raphtalia's tears echoed across the dungeon as from where he was even Keel began to weep over the friend he lost. Conan acted fast and in turn hugged Raphtalia allowing her to hug into him and use his shoulder to cry on. He understood what she felt he understood it well as he found his mother in the exact same state Rifana was in nothing but bones and rags. "It's ok, I know... I know." Conan said as he knew her pain better than anyone else right now. "She's in a better place now so let it out." Conan said as he comforted Raphtalia.

Seeing this Shiro realized that this was the norm in this country. Demihumans were suffering because of the bigotry and the Three Heroes Church. And as the Shield Hero he was given it first hand and thus for Shiro it hurt worse than anything... no it was always hurting but up until now he put up a strong front for his friends. But now he just couldn't hold it in anymore and thus he fell to his knees much to everyone's shock.

"Rifana... I'm so... so sorry." Shiro gasped as he tried his damn hardest to hold back the tears. "I'm sorry we humans are such shitty beings and that you had to suffer for it." Shiro said as he looked to Rifana angry at his own and sad that a child had to suffer it to this state. "I'm so... sorry." Shiro cried as he never knew Rifana nor met her but despite this he felt responsible for this. He was the Shield Hero and those like her were counting on him and what was he doing, playing merchant while selfishly focusing on his own survival.

"I promise you... I promise all of you... I won't fail you all." Shiro vowed as he wasn't going to let another tragedy like this take place if he could help it in anyway shape or form. As he had his hands on the ground Shiro failed to notice his Knights Arc was active once more as small particles of light went unnoticed as they entered the Knight's ark via the gem of the Legendary Shield. What Shiro failed to realize was that Wizel was preparing to enact a miracle for Raphtalia to gain more strength to prevent a tragedy like this from repeating.

"Please Sir Shiro stop you didn't fail anyone." Conan suddenly said as this got Shiro and Raphtalia's attention. "And neither did you Raphtalia." Conan added as he looked to the duo before him.

"How can you say that? I couldn't protect anybody." Raphtalia said as she sat there still in shock and pain.

"Because I know what it's like!" Conan finally said surprising Raphtalia and Keel when he said this. "My mother died the same way Rifana did and even after traveling so long with Tsubaki... I still never forgave myself for..." Conan said as he clenched his fists while biting back his tears. "It's why I came down here I know what it's like to lose those close to you and if it wasn't for Tsubaki I'd probably wouldn't even be here now." Conan said as he looked to Raphtalia for this one.

"Shiro." He added as he looked over to Shiro. "You're the Shield Hero and what you said is a noble thing but... sometimes we can't save everyone and it's that reason alone we have to save as many as we can!" Conan said as he knew Shiro needed to hear this. "Humans can be terrible no one denies that but there are even Demihumans just as bad if not worse than some humans." Conan said as he knew that was fact. "The problem isn't the race it's just the nature of who we are, and that's why we need to stand together and teach others not to hate, it may mean nothing but someday in the future hopefully we can live in a world without such hatred!" Conan said as he looked to the duo before him.

"He's right." Keel said as he saw what Conan meant. "Life is difficult and Raphtalia all the times you smiled it's what got us through those hard times." Keel said as he looked to Raphtalia. "It was thanks to your smiles you managed to save those who are still here." Keel said and in turn they saw outside the cage were the two Demihuman children they found before. "We kept smiling no matter how bad things got and look what it gave us." HE said and thus Shiro and Raphtalia both saw what Keel and Conan meant.

Shiro looked to his Shield and remembered how this country hated him for it. If it wasn't for his friends... Shiro may have become a bitter and angry hero but thanks to his cherished friends he managed to hold on to his kindness the thing that made him stand out even when this world, tore him down. He owed it to all the people who he still had and those who are no longer here that he is even here now as the Pale White Shield Hero. His friends who had become his family in a way and it was for them alone that Shiro had to Rise.

Shiro in turn smiled and wiped away his tears as he stood up and offered his hand to Raphtalia. "Their right." He said as he smiled to Raphtalia. "No matter what the world throws at us we can't let suffering get the last word in." Shiro said as he offered his left hand to Raphtalia.

"And I'm sure Rifana is happy to, she got to meet the Shield Hero like she wanted." Keel said as he looked to the group.

"And now it's our turn to make sure no one goes through this kind of suffering again. Isn't that why you fight by the Shield Hero's side why we both fight?" Shiro said and thus Raphtalia smiled before she also took Shiro's hand.

"It is." Raphtalia said as she stood tall as she looked to Shiro.

(Mindscape)

Raphtalia stood in a prayer like stance as she was in a place that could only be described as heaven for it had an aura of utter peace. Unaware to her the Phantom of the White Knight hovered as he observed but never acted. "You're so lucky you're in the shield Heroes party." Came the voice of a young girl as Raphtalia looked and saw her friend Rifana as she wanted here to be remembered healthy, happy, and free.

"So now your jealous right?" Raphtalia asked as she smiled to Rifana.

"Don't be such a jerk!" Rifana said as she stood there only for Wizel to appear behind her as a simple observer. The two Demihuman girls shared a laugh with each other as they stood there for a moment. Once they calmed down Rifana had more to say on this matter. "Don't worry." She said getting Raphtalia's attention. "This isn't the end." She said as she didn't know why or how but she wasn't leaving just yet. "After all I'm not letting you hog the Shield Hero all to yourself!" She said and thus held a top like object in her hand that had a familiar crest in it.

"Wait isn't that?" Raphtalia began but Rifana cut her off.

"But until then we'll get stronger and you'll find me again but when you do... you won't recognize me but I will recognize you." Rifana said as she smiled to Raphtalia and in turn the water rippled and in Rifana's place was Wizel in the waters reflection. It then rippled again and following it was a Knight of unknown origins before Raphtalia looked up and saw a massive Knight with a Katana and a cape made from the flag Rifana had held on to for so long.

"Rifana?" Raphtalia said and thus the Knight vanished and in turn so did the world Raphtalia was in. But unaware to Raphtalia Rifana's work in this world was far from over.

(Unknown Realm Rifana)

Rifana opened her eyes after what felt like an eternity and in turned sighed a bit. She then turned around to face the phantom of the White Knight before her. "Doth thou know the struggle thy must endure?" Wizel asked as he looked to Rifana who nodded. "No speak child I need thine words of confirmation." Wizel said and thus Rifana nodded.

"Yes... I do." Rifana said as she looked to Wizel who wasn't done.

"Thine body has been rendered lost as bones and dust yet thy soul lingers." Wizel said as he looked to Rifana. "Thou still hath an opportunity for the next world art thou certain this is the path ye wish to take?" Wizel asked as he looked to Rifana.

"If my soul can be used to help Raphtalia and the Shield Hero... then yes I do." Rifana said and thus Wizel then gestured to the armor resting behind him with a top like Ark on it.

"Then thine task is clear, I shall stand stalwart of this form and when ye are ready then thou shall smite me to enter it." Wizel said as he then gestured to the realm. "Time moves differently, centuries or eons may pass but mere moments would be in living world." Wizel said and thus he summoned a weapon for himself and a weapon for Rifana who took it with a gulp. "Now prove thyself worthy!" Wizel called out and thus Rifana's training to become a Knight began.

(Real World)

Raphtalia had Rifana's remains on her lap in a makeshift bag as she wanted to be sure her friend got a proper burial. "Rifana I promise you I'll bring back the flag for our people with Shiro and all the friends we've made together." Raphtalia said as she held the makeshift flag in her hand before putting it in the bag and hugging it close.

Shiro stood there for a moment and then smiled a bit as he knew Raphtalia was going to be ok. Conan also agreed with her as he suddenly felt a bit homesick now. Maybe it was about time for this Demihuman to visit his mom's grave after so long.

(Later up at the Surface grounds)

Shiro was seen carrying Keel on his back as Filo was carrying the other two Demihuman children they found. As they got topside Van noted the smoke coming from outside the walls. "What is going on?" Van asked as he looked to the smoke.

"The Demihumans are rioting they came to bring you home with them so you should probably let them know everything is alright now." Shiro said as he looked to the scene.

"Indeed." Reichnott agreed as he looked as well.

Just then the entire grounds began to shake violently causing everyone to go wide eyed to this. "What's that?" Shiro asked as he tried to find the source.

"Master look over there." Filo said and thus Shiro looked and saw a pillar of energy coming from the monolith in the courtyard. "What is that?" Filo asked as Shiro got a bad feeling from the sight.

"I don't know but it can't be good." Shiro said and thus he and his group went to investigate it.

(Later nearby)

Shiro and his group arrived to find the fat noble Idol with the rosary of the Three Heroes Church in his hand mumbling some sort of incantation before the monument. As this happened Shiro snarled a bit as he saw the man before him. "I think is weight cushioned his fall." Shiro said as he glared at the man.

Suddenly the voice of was heard coming. "There he is!" Jun called out as she, Tsubaki, Taiyo, and their parties ran in to find Idol by the Monument. No doubt they were hunting him down for quite a bit as they followed the trail of blood he left.

"How did he still have any guards left?!" Taiyo asked as he glared at the fat man who was at the monument that gave off an ominous energy.

"I don't know Taiyo and I honestly don't care right now." Jun said as she led the group. "But if he has any information on the Gigas cards and where they came from then we'll carve it out of him if we have to." Jun said as she glared at the racist noble at least until Tsubaki noticed something with an odd sense of Déjà-vu.

In turn the memory of the day she met Conan came back to her of a similar scene from back then. It was followed by the gem of her Cardinal Bow going off as if to warn her of what this man was doing right now. "Oh please don't tell me he's about to do it too." Tsubaki said as she remembered another man who did this stupid shit because he was a sore loser. She remembered how that last noble she took on released a monster and needless to say she did not want a repeat of that particular performance right now.

Idol of course was finishing his chant as he was clearly being a sore loser. "Oh supreme God Grant me the power to rend the devils asunder!" Idol invoked and thus the monument gained a runic circle around it as the four parties regrouped together.

"I don't, it can't be." Vans aid as he was wide eyed in shock over what Idol was doing. Tsubaki and Conan also saw it as they knew the last Noble who did it had come to regret that action quiet quickly.

"What's wrong?" Shiro asked as he noted both Van and Tsubaki seemed aware of what was going on as did Conan.

"The great heroes of the past built that stone monument to seal away a monster forever." Van said as thus Tsubaki was even more wide eyed to this. "He's trying to remove the seal." Van said and thus Tsubaki knew what was about to happen.

"Oh not this shit again!" Tsubaki cried out as she face palmed herself as this was the SECOND time she was dealing with this crap. "We have to stop him now!" Tsubaki called out but it seems that would not be the case here.

"Too late!" Conan cried out and in turn the seal was undone by this crazed man.

The ground around the monument cracked and shattered and from it light came forth of a dark origin. "Yes your free now go and destroy everything you're liberated from your prison! Bring divine judgment upon the Devil of the Shield and slaughter the Witch of the Moon and the Ebony winged Demoness!" Idol called out and in turn the monument exploded in a blast of magic. As the group were forced to shield themselves from it they were met with the sight of a T-Rex like Dragon once the light died down.

"Holy crap we're in Jurassic Park!" Taiyo called out as he saw this.

Idol was clearly insane as he had a crazed look in his eyes. "Nobody can stand against me now. If I can kill the Devil of the Shield I will be eternally blessed by our God Madoras whom had descended upon this world!" Idol called out and thus the group all went wide eyed to his words.

"Wait did he just say?" Tsubaki asked but before she could get an answer something unexpected occurred.

From above the T-Rex like Dragon a new attacker appeared and thus began to maul its way into the Dragon. The new foe had a violet miasma erupting from its body as it bit and tore into the Dragon in its grip. The T-Rex like Dragon tried to fight it off but it soon found itself on its side as the new attacked had the upper hand now. Soon it bit down onto its neck and began to brutally eat the T-Rex like Dragon. From within the miasma a violet glow could be seen one that matched up to a similar glow inside the Dragon and with it inside Filo.

Soon the creature inside the miasma tore out a violet colored gem from the T-Rex like Dragon and swallowed it allowing it to join the ones already inside its body. Once that was done it bit down on its prey again before flying upward. Once that was done it tossed the now dead dragon aside where it flew off to an unknown location. Once that was done it landed on the ground and to Idol's horror right on top of him killing the fat noble instantly as his blood pooled around the foot that stepped on him.

The creature then reared back and unleashed a mighty roar while in doing so causing the Miasma to scatter unveiling the form underneath it. "Impossible." Shiro said as Taiyo in turn began to glare at the foe as did Ryuko and Takaya.

"This thing." Taiyo said as his eyes became draconic for a moment as did Ryuko's when they glared at the foe before them with the upmost hatred. "The Immortal Underworld Overlord the Netherwyrm!" Taiyo announced as roaring out before them was the plague bringer of the Dogma Wars who never knew true defeat the Netherwyrm itself. Whatever was about to occur one thing was certain they may very well be in for one Hell of a battle. Through this foe Taiyo knew it would prove if he truly was the one destined to be the Cardinal Spear Hero and not Motoyasu.

(TBC)

ESKK: Well here we are Chapter 24 and we hoped you had all enjoyed it and will leave a review for us and our hard work. So until next time again we asked for you to review before leaving and as I always say ja-ne.