Finn took a moment to breathe as he observed the large grassy plain just outside of the town. The plains extended as far as the eyes could see with a forest as the backdrop. A large cobblestone street stretched from the front gate to the horizon.

"So, what do we do now?" Finn asked Welt, his rapidly growing go to guy for information.

"We should get you up a few levels before the day is over." Welt suggested.

"How do I do that?" Finn walked towards the grass fields, the grass itself so high that it reached his knees.

"By killing monsters." Welt's gave snapped to the grass as it rustled independently of the wind and Finn's movement. "Finn look out!"

"Really? That's it?" Finn called back to Welt as he walked through the grass heading into the forest. The grass rustled around him the only warning he was given as several objects flew towards him. They were simple ball shape monsters with their face taking up the entirety of their bodies. Without looking at them or even slowly down, in a single fluid motion Finn drew his blade and cut down the creatures and kept walking to the forest. "Easy enough."

Quickly the rest of his companions caught up with him as he entered the forest along the way killing more of the balloon monsters that tried to attack them as they caught up. Though Finn had to wait a bit for Welt to catch up as he had stop to collect the remains of the balloon monsters that Finn killed.

Finn watched him as he joined up with the rest of them, the silent question in his eyes.

"There are a couple of merchants all over the world who'd pay good money for monsters' parts. The more powerful the monster, the more powerful the profit."

"How much are balloon monsters worth?" Finn asked curiously as they journeyed deeper into the forest. He was careful avoid stepping on any dry twigs or trip over tree roots.

"Their rubbery skin is usual as tarps and the inner lining of water skins, so it fetches around a copper piece." Welt explained.

Finn thought back to the bag of silver he was given. "So how much copper is in a silver?"

"One hundred copper goes into one silver, and one hundred silver goes into a gold piece, Finn." Welt explained.

As they dove deeper into the forest, Finn noticed that the three of them were moving in a formation, Welt in front with Tersia behind him and Farrie covering the rear. They moved into place with such ease that Finn wouldn't have been surprised that this wasn't the first time the three of them were in the same group before. As for Finn, he walked to the side of them with the ease as this forest was not so different than the ones Finn had grown up around.

"Been through these woods before, Welt?" Finn asked.

"I go through here regularly. There is always some weak monster prowling around here good for some easy coin." Welt admitted.

"Weak." Finn whined in disappointment momentarily before asking another question on his mind. "So how long have you three been working together?"

"A few months. I'm surprised you were able to tell." Welt admitted.

"Just a vibe I was getting." Finn paused then trying to come up with the right way to ask his next question, but knew he needed to ask. "Why were you three so afraid to join Naofumi, the Shield Hero?"

The three of them stopped with a tension that had nothing to do with being in a forest filled with monsters. Welt gave Finn a look of the same kind of fear he had in the King's chamber, he opened his mouth nervously, but no sound came out.

Finn gave him a hard look, sighed, and kept walking.

They continued their trek then in an awkward silence. Welt pausing every now and with his head snapping towards every sound. Every time he stopped the other two would pay attention to him, just as tense as he was, they then relaxed as he did. He was even doing it now, Finn noticed. Expect this time didn't seemed to relax. Turning to look at what Welt noticed, Finn could hear the quiet crunch of grass as it was stepped on all around them. Slowly Finn reached for his sword and dropped his bag, at the same time Welt reached into his cloak and took out two daggers, Tersia pulled out his book, and Farrie slipped into a fighter stance.

They were within a clearing in the forest. Trees high enough and spread far enough away that the canopy of their branches blocked most of the dying sunlight from reaching them. It was basically an arena of low patches of light and shadows. The four of them didn't have to wait long for their opponents. From between the trees, they came.

They at first looked like grey and black furred wolves to Finn. Then he noticed that along their backs and shoulders they had these bone-like protrusions. Each one of them was also almost as tall as Finn at their shoulders.

There were ten of them as they slowly began to prowl around them. One last one came out of the bush. It was easily taller than all of the other wolves and them. It had snow white fur instead of the black and grey of the others. It also didn't prowl around instead it just stood there as it observed them.

"Shit." Welt whispered under his breath as he moved around best, he could keep the pack of wolves in his line of sight.

"What are they? They look like wolves but different." Finn had already drawn his sword reverting it from its candy like blade back into regular steel.

"A pack of Direwolves and their alpha pack leader." Welt responded. "They shouldn't be this close to the capital."

"Maybe you should tell them that." Tersia snapped as he whispered magic words under his breath and balls of light began to float around them slightly lighting up the area around them.

"Something must have drove them from their normal hunting ground. There were no signed of them when I scouted out this place yesterday!" Welt shouted.

"No time for that!" Farrie screamed.

Without even the slightest warning the packed moved to attack them. One of the wolves dived at Finn, forcing him to jump forward and roll away from the others to avoid being brought to the ground.

They move as Finn did and he was quickly surrounded by three of the direwolves. As the first one pounced for his chest, Finn held out his right arm to ward it off. Without pause it bit down on Finn's arm, a hungry gleam in it eyes as it snarled. Instead of blood being spilled and filling its mouth like the direwolf excepted, its teeth clinked on the metal of Finn's prosthetic arm.

Finn stepped forward and plunged his blade through the direwolf's chest and into its heart. But even as the blade pierced it's fur it was only able to go so far before it was stopped. Finn had to put even more strength than he thought as the blade was finally forced through.

Deeming it dead, Finn yanked his blade from the direwolf and threw it towards the second one sending it to the ground with the corpse of its packmate on top of it. Turning to the third, its eyes widened in almost surprise that one of its own was so quickly killed, wasn't able to react in time as Finn brought down his sword with everything, he had in a two-handed grip over the top of its head in a swing that parted its perfectly down the middle. Finn panted as his swing buried the blade in the ground.

This might be harder than I thought, Finn wondered if he was just out of practice, or maybe this is what they meant about levels?

Growling from behind Finn drew his attention.

The second direwolf getting up from under the corpse of the first watched as another of its pack was killed. It snarled as it lunged forward at Finn confident it could kill Finn in the opening he made.

It was wrong, Finn not bothering with pulling his sword out of the ground instead he dragged his blade through the ground into an almost uppercut like fashion and cutting the direwolf from chest to shoulder as it harmlessly passed by him. Falling to the ground and quickly bleeding out.

The entire fight had only taken seconds.

Finn turned to the other three to assess their conditions. His eyes passed over Welt who was on the ground struggling to keep a direwolf from tearing out his throat. Farrie was punching and kicking at any direwolf that got close to her but was unwilling to chase after them. Tersia on the other hand was making hand gestures in the air with his orbs following his movement. As the orbs touched the direwolves fur they left singe mark behind, but the direwolves themselves were quick enough to avoid any real damage.

We're not going to last if this drags on to long!

Making his decision Finn dashes by Welt swinging his sword at the direwolf on top of him. The attack itself had no purpose but to distract the monster, and it did just that. As the wolf moved to dodge Finn's blade, Welt buried his daggers into its neck. Pushing the wolf of himself Welt stood up.

"Help Farrie! I got Tersia!" Finn barked out orders as he charged across the field, his shoulder slamming into a wolf that was seconds away from tearing into an unaware Tersia. The other two around Tersia stopped at Finn's sudden appearance. A mistake that they paid for as balls of fire slammed into them from all sides.

"I'm fine!" Tersia shouted as he conjured a ball of flame as big as him and threw it at the two already badly burned wolves. As it hit, they were reduced to ash. Tersia turned to glare at Finn. "Now deal with the Leader!"

"Sorry." Finn laughed nervously as he turned away from the impromptu bonfire. He cast a quick look to see how Welt and Farrie were doing.

The answer was, pretty well actually. Caught on two fronts between Welt's knives and Farrie's fists, the other direwolves were caught off guard and one was even killed. So that left four, five counting their leader. A howl cut through field as the Alpha called his surviving packmates back to him. As the remaining direwolves reached them, they underwent some kind of change. Their fur raised into points as their claws and fangs enlarged. Even their eyes started to glow red.

"A Skill?" Welt shouted.

Finn wanted to ask what he was talking about but as soon as Welt opened his mouth the direwolves moved. It was only Finn's instincts and reflexes that saved him as he placed his sword in the perfect way to defect the claws of a direwolf from tearing out his throat. From then it was a frantic dance as it took everything Finn had to avoid being wolf chow. Spark, fur, and blood flew all around him. Finn was almost thrown off his feet whenever one just so much as bushes past him. He didn't even have the luxury of checking on the others.

This isn't going to work. Finn desperately thought to himself, stepping out of the way of another killing lunge. I'm being worn down and they are only speeding up! I need a way to stop their movements… That it!

Almost like turning an imaginary dial in his head, Finn brought back his Gum Sword. This time instead of avoiding the direwolves, he purposely let them hit him. The attacks pushed him back his feet digging burrows into the ground as with each attack he took was another chunk out of him and his sword.

As they passed by him Finn did his best to strike out at them, but his blade scraped harmlessly along their fur. All he could do was endure the unrelenting barrage as it continued to slowly whittle him down until suddenly it stopped.

Lowering his sword Finn looked on at the remaining wolves surrounding him. They howled and bayed at him as they tried to move forward but found that they couldn't. Their fur tattered with the fragmented remains of his sword just like the ground around them. The pieces of his Gum Sword keeping them place like a fly trap.

Not taking any chances Finn switched his sword back and quickly killed the four of them before they could break free. Bound in place as they were, it was easy enough to dispatch them.

Not taking his eyes of the large white Finn called out to the others. "You guys alright?"

"We're all still alive." Finn peeked at Welt from the corner of his eyes. The man had several cuts and tears along his form, even his green cloak was tattered. "And not much else."

"Running low on mana." Tersia panted, he was relatively untouched but dripping in sweat and was barely standing. "Got one more spell in my before I pass out."

Farrie said nothing but held up one of her arms as the other dangled uselessly at her side, with a deep gash in her side leaking blood along the ground.

"Just one more left!" Finn shouted. "I'll keep it busy! Terry, when you get the chance blast it with your strongest spell! Welt, Farrie, keep him safe!"

"I don't know how I feel about that nickname." Tersia muttered to himself. The other two just gave Finn a nod at his orders.

The Alpha Direwolf reeled backwards as the last of its pack was killed. It let out a mournful howl that quickly changed to one filled with rage. It launched itself at the one who had killed most of its people tonight, Finn.

Finn met the Alpha's charge with one of his own. Screaming his own war cry, Finn rushed the Alpha. As the closed the distance between them right before they crashed into each other Finn dropped to the ground and slid underneath the Alpha. As he did, he dragged the blade along the underside of the beast. Once again, his sword barely made a scratch. Finn had to spin along the ground to avoid being stepped on as he passed by the Alpha's back legs.

Finn kicked up to his feet, as his feet hit the ground Finn spun around to face the wolf.

At the same time the Alpha turned circling the field and ignoring the other three as it charged Finn again.

This time as they neared each other, Finn didn't move. Planting his feet, Finn prepared himself to receive the Alpha's attack. The Alpha seeing this picked up speed, the glee clear in its eyes.

Finn watched as its mouth open, a gaping maw big enough to swallow him whole. When it got close enough that Finn could count the amount of teeth in its mouth, he ducked underneath it's jaw. As Finn took the tackle on his shoulder, he thrust his blade through the chest of the Alpha, its charge helped to easily puncture through the Alpha's armor like fur.

With a shuddering breath Finn lifted the Alpha up. It's front paw dangle off the ground as it tried to reach towards Finn, as it back paws dug through the earth.

"Now!" Finn screamed out as he could feel the tip of its claws drag along his back. Blood dripping down his hair almost blinding his sight.

"Tzuvait Fireball!"

The darkness of the approaching dawn disappeared as a giant ball of fire appeared in the sky, before then crashing down on the back of the Alpha. It is turned let out a piercing cry as it was burned. It's screamed died down as the fires did, but it was still alive.

With a heave Finn tossed it on its side. It laid there then, too weak to pick it's self-up again. He looked down at the thing quietly, then slowly he drew his sword and stab the Alpha through its heart. As the blade pierced it flesh the Alpha let out what almost sounded like a sigh.

As the sword rested there in the wolf, the jewel in the guard lit up again. The light completely covered the Alpha as more words appeared in front of Finn's eyes.

Catalyst accepted, Wolf Fang Daggers unlocked.

Alert, you have leveled up!

You are now Level 3.

Alert, you have unused Stat Points!

Remaining points 10.

That is a lot of words, Finn scratched his head as he tried to make sense of what it all means. Then an idea appeared in his head. Wait, don't I have a help menu?

Finn then took his time examining the new form his weapon had taken. This time there was two of them. They had a short hilt ending in sharpen points, the guards were a white fur same as the Alpha, the blades were singled edge, and white as teeth they were also long as his forearms. Giving them a quick spin in his palms, Finn marveled at their light weight.

Finn was used to using a variety of weapons growing up. But he had never had one that could change their shape so completely. This had some potential.

"Here." A vial was pushed against Finn shoulder interrupting his thoughts. Turning he held the two daggers with one hand and accepted the vial from Welt.

"What's this?" Finn asked, turning completely around he watched as Farrie was set down against the trunk of a tree as Terry bandaged her wounds. In Farrie's still working hand she was drinking from the same kind of vial Finn had.

"Health potion, it'll take care of the worst of your wounds." Welt clicked his teeth as he looked around. "It's getting kind of late, we should camp out here tonight, head back in the morning. If that's okay with you?"

"It fine." Finn popped the cork out of the vial and down the contents. "I'd actually prefer sleeping outside to sleeping in towns."

"Really?" Welt began to skin the remaining Direwolves. Finn watched the man make quick work of the wolves. "Well, you do look at home out here."

"I lived in a giant tree most of my life." Finn told Welt as he took began to butcher the remaining wolves with Welt.

It took some time, but together the two of them were able to remove the fur from the wolves. Afterward, Welt produced some rope and hooks to hang the pelts up of the ground. As for the rest of the wolves, there guts were removed and with some work a fire was started, and they began to cook the wolves.

On a whim Finn took the wolves burned by Terry and the leftovers parts of the dismembered wolves to see if his swords could absorb them. It did, but no new words or weapon forms appeared to Finn.

By the time all was said and done night had fallen. The four of them sat done around the fire as the meat cooked. Feeling eyes on him, Finn turned to look at Welt. The two of them sat in silence until Welt began to talk.

"Look, it's not that we're afraid of the Shield Hero, but more like we're afraid of the Church." As he spoke Welt looked around nervously.

"What does a church have to do with anything?"

"How to explain this? Well, I guess it all begins with the Church's idea that Heroes are the one closes to God."

"God, huh." Finn had met people who called themselves gods before, and he had to admit a few of them had the power to back up the claim.

"Right so because of that belief the Church of the Four Heroes was created, to worship the Four Cardinal Heroes."

"Worship!? Me? People are worshiping me!?" Finn chocked on air at the thought. "But what does that have to do with the Shield?"

"I'm getting to that. So basically, a real long time ago, there was a war between the Humans and the Demi-Humans."

"Demi-Humans?"

"Humans with animal features. Can I finish?"

"Right go ahead, sorry." The thought of humans with animal features brought to Finn's mind the tribe of mutants living under Ooo. They had looked mostly human, until you take off their hats to reveal the fish parts underneath.

"There was a war between the Humans and Demi-Humans, during the course of the war the Four Heroes were Summoned to help Humanity win. But when they appeared only the Sword, Spear, and Bow sided with humans. Only then that the Shield Hero decided to fight for the Demi-Humans. People don't really know how it ended, but it resulted in parts of the world with Humans in charge and parts of the world with Demi-Humans in charge. Even the people were split on the worship of the Heroes, with Humans keeping to the Faith of The Three Heroes, and Demi-Humans exalting as their Saint."

"So that's why the King doesn't like Naofumi, because of some war that happened a long time ago?"

"Not really, if all the stories about him are true then his reasons are far more personal." Welt leaned forward a small grin on his face.

"This sounds like a story." Finn leaned forward too.

"There was another war or well a series of wars fought about 20 years ago between Melromarc and Siltvelt, a country ruled by Demi-Humans. Siltvelt was trying to take over the world and would have succeeded if not for the king, who was known back then as the Wise Hero Lüge. The wielder of the 7 Star Staff."

"What's a 7 Star Staff?"

"A super powerful weapon. Not as strong as the four Cardinal Weapons but still the closest thing to them." Welt pulled out a waterskin and took a sip. "So, with the staff in hand Lüge tore through Siltvelt's armies. And just when victory against Siltvelt was assured, tragedy struck against the hero. While Lüge was out on the frontlines Siltvelt sent assassins that snuck into the country and killed his sister, Lucia. When Lüge found out, he rushed towards the Siltvelt capital and in single combat killed the leader of that nation and saved the world. In recognition or his great deeds, the hero married the queen and became the king of the country, changing his name to Aultcray."

"That sounds amazing, but what does that have to do with Naofumi." Finn could understand Aultcray if anything ever happened to Jake, his brother, Finn didn't even want to entertain the thought.

"After the war hatred against Demi-Humans was at an all-time high, and the Church that preached all Demi-Humans are evil got a lot more popular when the King himself became an avid believer."

"And the Shield Hero is the Demi-Humans Patron Saint." Finn continued as the pieces came together. "So, he is hated too."

"That's right." Welt agreed as he reached over the fire and tore of a piece of wolf to eat.

Finn chewed on his wolf as he thought. "What about you three, do you hate the Shield Hero?"

"I'm not that religious of a person." Welt answered. "But I'm not dumb enough to rock the boat."

"The Boy seemed nice enough, but I wouldn't stick my neck out for someone I just met." Farrie added her thoughts.

"I might be a powerful mage, but the king is on another level entirely. To side with the Shield is to stand against the Staff and only a fool with a death wish would do that." Terry said quietly.

The mood around the campfire turned awkward and strained again. Finn could tell what they were hinting at about Naofumi. But fir someone like Finn who lived in a world filled with all kinds of different people, it was hard wrapping his head around hating a person because of their species.

Finn stood up from the campfire after finishing the rest of his wolf. "I'm going to take a look around, make sure nothing else is around."

"Don't stray too far where we can't hear you scream." Welt replied.

"Okay." Finn said as he made his way deeper into the woods. He wandered aimlessly, never going too far away from the others more in a circular path. He kept walking looking for nothing mostly trying to think about everything. Eventually Finn rested against a try as he brought up his menu again, searching through his HELP function until he found something about stat points...

Stat point is what the Hero can use to strengthen themselves in their upcoming battles. Stats are the numerical value that represents an aspect of the Hero's capabilities. All Stats increase by one with each level and five additional points to be added to whatever the Hero chooses. To apply unused Stat Points, please access the Hero section.

Finn flipped through his menu until he found the Hero section. Two options appeared before him.

Traits

Stats

Finn pressed the Stats button and…

Strength: 18

Agility: 17

Constitution: 20

Perception: 10

Wisdom: 10

Unused points: 10

"Let's see… easy enough to tell what each one dose. All I have to do is click on one to raise it. So, the question is what do I pick?"

After careful deliberation Finn decided that what he needed most was agility and strength. So, his stats ended up as…

Strength: 25

Agility: 20

Constitution: 20

Perception: 10

Wisdom: 10

With that done Finn flipped to the other things on the menu, Traits. Only one thing was listed there.

Child of the Comet an Agent of Change

Effects: ?

Comet, the Catalyst Comet? It has been years since he last thought about that, about what it means for him. Just trying to wrap his head around it always gave him a headache.

The Catalyst Comet comes once every thousand years and irrevocably changes the fate of the world it lands on, along with carrying an Agent of Change. Change Finn knew could be both good or bad depending on where you stand.

But it was getting late so instead on dwelling on his brewing existential crisis Finn went back to the campfire to sleep it off.


After waking up in the morning Finn and his team made their way back to Castle Town as dawn broke, with their spoils in tow. They walked through the town until they reached, what Finn believed to be the market place. People were all around them buying and selling wares. From herbs and spices, to jewelry, and even raw materials.

"I'm going to sell these pelts at the traders and meet you at the usual place." Welt lifted the dried wolf pelts. "The rest of you?"

"I'm going to the public baths." Farrie said. "I'm filthy and need to be clean."

"I'll shall go with Farrie." Terry said.

"You're not coming in with me, the Co-ed bath times are later." Farrie reprimanded Terry

"Of course not!" Terry spluttered. "I'll have you know I'm a complete gentleman."

"Well, that's a shame." Farrie said a sly smile on her lips.

The two stared at each other for a moment, then broke down laughing.

"Finn?" Welt, wait what was his actual name, asked me.

"I'll…" Finn stopped talking as he heard shouting. Turning he and the rest of his party could see a group of guards rushing towards them.

"LORD FINN!" The guard in the lead shouted at him. The guard in question had better stylized armor, so Finn figured he had to be of a higher rank than the others.

Finn waited till they were close enough so he wouldn't have to shout. "Yes? You need something?"

"The King requests your presence in the castle at once." The… Captain, Finn guess the rank of the man, hunched over gripping his knees. The others with him weren't much better.

"Why? Did something happen?" It hadn't even been a day yet, Finn thought troubled.

"It was the Shield Hero!" The Captain shouted at such a volume that Finn had to step back. Even the people around them turned to the Captain in surprise at the volume of his voice. "That Demon attacked his companion! You are and the other Heroes are needed when judgement is passed on the demon."

At the Captain shout the people around them began muttering to themselves. Finn couldn't catch all the words, but it sounded like the people were expecting something like this was going to happen.

"Naofumi, him really? Hmm, he didn't seem the type?" Finn mused. But I have been tricked before.

"That man is a Demon!" The Captain shouted again. "There is no telling the level of depravity he would sink too!"

"Okay! I'll come with you just stop yelling at me!" Finn shouted back at him.

The Captain skin paled as he took a step back and bowed to Finn. "My apologies, please follow me."

Finn sighed shook his head and motioned for the guards to go, as he started to follow them.

"Finn." Welt interrupted Finn from leaving. "Remember what we said and be careful."

"Don't worry about it, everything will turn out alright." Finn smiled at Welt, then turn to follow the guards.

With that Finn left with the guards and returned to the castle. It took the better part of the hour to make it there, and along the way the Captain began to explain to Finn what Naofumi did, loud enough for everyone around them to hear.

He's doing this on purpose, Finn quickly realized, He wants the whole town to know what Naofumi apparently did.

By the time they reached the castle Finn could practically hear the entire town ranting about the Shield Demon, and how he should be killed before he could hurt anyone else. Do the people of this country hate the idea of the Shield Hero that much? Finn knew hate, he had felt it enough times growing up. But the thought of hating someone you had never met before was almost foreign to Finn.

They pushed their way inside the castle ground and made their way to the throne room. Inside the other three heroes were gathered. Motoyasu and Itsuki stood above just before the King. The both of them were in armor, Itsuki was dressed in leather while Motoyasu was in black chainmail shirt and wrapped around Motoyasu's arms was the red-haired adventurer that was with Naofumi. The one Naofumi supposedly attacked. The two heroes along with the King were glaring down at Naofumi. Who was being forced to his knees, surrounded by guards each with a spear pointed at his neck. His was also the only one in the room in his underwear and a thin shirt. They must have dragged him out of his bed.

Above them residing in the balconies were, what Finn had to guess based on their finery, the Nobles of the country.

At Finn's entrance the conversation between the Heroes and the King died off.

As King Aultcray looked away from Naofumi and to Finn, the fierce hatred and almost triumphant grin washed away, and a calm visage took its place. "Lord Finn, welcome. I was worried you would miss this."

"What is this exactly?" Finn asked as he slowly made his way towards all of them.

"Judgment!" King Aultcray declared. "This demon attacked the only person who dared to help him! But as much I would see this scum punished. We need all four heroes to combat the waves. So, for now as regretfully as it is, the Shield Demon will go free for now. But know this Shield Demon all of the kingdom will know of what you did."

So that's why The Captain was shouting out loud for everyone to hear.

"You can't be serious!" Motoyasu snapped pointing his spear down at Naofumi. "After what he did to Myne. You expect us to work with this bastard!"

"I agree." Itsuki simply said. "There is no justice in letting him walk. Lock up this animal like he deserves, or just kill him."

"You Bastards, if you don't want me here than just send me home." The voice was so low and filled with hate that it took a moment for Finn to recognize it as Naofumi.

Finn walked in front of the others to stand before Naofumi, he in turned looked up at Finn. Naofumi's eyes were narrowed into slits and his teeth were bared as he snarled at Finn, there was also numerous scratches and dirt marks along his form. The guards weren't gentle with him it seems.

Finn had met a lot of people over the years, some good, some bad, and some who were a little bit of both. With all those people Finn had met he had learned that a person could hide many things but the one thing they couldn't fake, was what lied in their eyes.

Finn knelt till he could see Naofumi eye to eye. "Did you, do it?"

Naofumi look as if he wanted to kill Finn with his stare alone, but Finn had met a lot of scarier things than him. By the time when he was ten!

"Did you, do it?" Finn asked again.

A moment of silence passed, and Finn wondered if Naofumi actually did it when the Shield Hero uttered in a voice barely above a growl. "No."

Finn looked in his eyes then to see what was there. The obvious thing was the hate in Naofumi's eyes, but that was just a cover for an overwhelming sense of despair. No lie though.

Breathing a sigh of relief Finn smiled as he reached out and gripped Naofumi's shoulders. Standing up Finn lifted Naofumi to his feet as well. Stepping away from Naofumi, Finn then turned to Myne, Naofumi's former partner. Myne, who at that moment chose to rushed into Finn's arms.

"It was horrible." Myne wailed uncontrollably. "He walked into my room, smelling of booze. Then he… he…" she buried her face in my chest and started crying.

"You Bitch!" Naofumi shout from behind us made Myne flinch as if she was being hit.

Myne looked up at me then, her tear stained face made her make up run. Her smaller form pressed against Finn's larger frame as she looked imploringly to make him believe in her.

And Finn didn't.

In her eyes Finn could see the fear and pain she was in, but beneath that buried so far that he could barely make out. There was this sense of pleasure and happiness running though her. She was enjoying this, Finn realized. The thought must have been clear on his face to Myne. As expression shifted from terrified to gleeful face the change was so sudden that it sparked a bit of fear in Finn.

"You're lying." Finn accused quietly.

"Yes." Myne admitted just as quietly. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Why?"

"Why not?" Myne smiled like a snake as she slipped from Finn's chest. As she turned around the tears came back. She then ran to Motoyasu and clung to him. From there her eyes found Finn's and stayed there.

"Lord Finn." King Aultcray called out to Finn. "Is there something wrong?"

Finn knew that the smart thing would to be quiet, but when had Finn ever done the smart thing.

"I don't think he did it." Finn said out quickly.

A beat of silence… and the throne room exploded in noise.

"What the hell is the matter with you!" Motoyasu roared. "How could you possibly believe him over Myne."

"I can just tell, okay!" Finn shouted not really knowing what he could really say that would change their minds. "Besides the people here already hate Naofumi just because he's the Shield Hero."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Naofumi asked.

"Oh, it's like this whole big thing." Finn told Naofumi. "There was like this big war and the previous wielders of the Sword, Spear, and Bow was one side and the Shield Hero was on the other. After that the people were divided on what side they liked more. And well this kingdom likes us and hates you."

Naofumi eyed narrowed in rage as he hissed. "I have to go through this bullshit, because of some stupid war!"

Aultcray took a sharp breath at Naofumi comment. The King glared down at Naofumi the hatred in his eyes laid bare. Naofumi returned it with a look of equal venom.

"Aultcray lost his little sister in the last war, apparently." Finn explained, quietly.

Naofumi eyes soften a bit a that information, he looked from the King then to Finn, but as his eyes passed out the still cowering Myne they harden again. "And? I'm not standing here and getting blame for shit I didn't do."

With that Naofumi turned to leave. The guards raised their spears at Naofumi as he passed, but just one look from him had the guards were cowed and too afraid to make a move.

Finn saw from the corner of his eyes as Myne stepped forward and whispered into Motoyasu ear. As she did Finn saw Motoyasu's eyes widened as they locked on to Finn and then narrowed in rage. Myne in turned stepped away a smile on her lips.

Oh, this isn't good. Finn thought mentally preparing himself.

"You Bastard!" Motoyasu bellowed as he did Motoyasu drew his spear and thrust it at Finn.

It was such a simple and basic move that Finn barley had to move to defend himself. He brushed aside the attack with the back of his prosthetic hand. Sparks flying as the metal blade scarped along Finn's metal arm. Twisting his wrist Finn gripped the shaft of the spear and forced the tip of the spear into the ground.

"What is this all about!?" Finn screamed out to Motoyasu. Finn risked a look at his arm and breathed a sigh of relief as it was unmarred.

Naofumi stopped his exit at the sound of metal against metal. Turning around to see the Heroes of the Sword and Spear clashing.

"You were threatening Myne just now weren't you!" Motoyasu shouted out. "She told me how you were there that night! You two were in on it together."

Finn stared at him in shock. "What?!"

As Finn was distracted Motoyasu let go of his spear with one hand to try and punch Finn. But Finn just caught it in his other hand. What Finn didn't noticed was his prosthetic breaking out into a few tendrils as they brushed along the gem in Motoyasu's spear, then quickly retreating.

[Sample acquired.] Owl said. Not that Finn heard it.

"Really?!" Finn yelled at Myne.

Myne screamed then, curling into herself. The smile on her face hidden within the crock of her arm.

At the sound of her voice Itsuki was moved to act, he pulled back on his bow and fired on Finn. The time it took for Itsuki to draw, and fire was long enough for Finn to reach out and grab the arrow before it could hit him. Unfortunately doing so freed Motoyasu, who stepped away from Finn then thrust once more at him. The tip of Motoyasu spear hit a shield as Naofumi stepped forward to defend Finn.

The force of the weapons colliding sent both wielders several step backwards. Naofumi almost tumbling to the ground if not for Finn reaching out and steadying him. Motoyasu ended up next to the King, and already held his spear out ready to attack again. Itsuki at his side bow drawn as he switched his arrow from both Finn and Naofumi.

"Let's all just calm down." Finn held out his arm placating gesture, as around both him and Naofumi guards held spears aimed at them. Though no of them seemed to what to start a fight with two Cardinal Heroes.

"ENOUGH!"

A weight settled on Finn shoulders as wind from nowhere slammed into him from above. From the startled cries around him others were also hit with this incredible pressure. Finn was barely able to stay on his feet, as Itsuki, Motoyasu, and Naofumi were knocked prone to the throne room floor.

"Wh… what… is… this?" Finn grunted out. It was like some giant was stepping on his back trying to force him to the ground.

Standing from his throne with his faintly glowing cane pointed down at the them was King Aultcray. King Aultcray glared at them all for a few heartbeats. It was a tense moment where anything could happen.

"Father stop this, please."

Everyone in the throne room that could turned towards the sound and watch in shock. As the Adventurer Myne draped herself along the King's shoulders.

"Are you sure, Malty?" The anger in Aultcray's disappeared and concern took its place.

Malty, I thought her name was Myne? Finn wondered if he had been hearing the woman's name wrong this entire time.

"There has been enough violence this day. I have no wish for more." Myne? Malty said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Father? So, she's a princess? Finn was beginning to feel a headache coming on. I'm so lost right now.

King Aultcray face flashed through a variety of emotions. Ranging from surprise to shame and then settling on calm.

"Okay." As King Aultcray spoke the spell holding the Heroes in place was lifted.

"All of you are to leave this place at once. To attack each other here at this time. You're all as shameful as the Shield Hero." Malty with tears in her eyes buried her face into the King's shoulder.

Finn was almost impressed. The only other person Finn knew who could spew such unbelievable bullshit and have people buy it was his father, Martin.

"As my daughter said, leave now." King Aultcray ordered dismiss the Nobles and Heroes as he slumped into his throne, rubbing his face tirelessly.

"Good idea." Finn agreed with false cheer in his voice. He tried to help the others up, but the only one who accepted his help was Naofumi.

What followed was a tense silence between them as the Four Heroes exited the throne room. As the door closed behind them, Princess Malty could still be heard talking to the gathered Nobles. There were guards behind them and infront escorting them out. Not that any of them noticed. Seeing as most of Motoyasu's attention was used to glare angrily at Naofumi and Finn. Itsuki, walked next to Motoyasu, Itsuki periodically switched his gave from Finn to the floor.

As they exited the castle both Motoyasu and Itsuki may have left without another word, but they gave Finn and Naofumi a death glare as they departed.

Finn and Naofumi walked to the castle gates and with an unspoken decision stopped and stared at each other. To Finn it felt as if Naofumi's earlier anger had cooled off and he looked lost. The silence stretched between them until.

"I'm starving." Finn proclaimed suddenly as he looked at Naofumi expectantly.

"I could eat." Naofumi replied.

"Great! Let's go find a diner." Finn laughed as he patted Naofumi on the back, as the both of them entered the town once again.