Back again! I don't own Rising of the Shield Hero, I do own my OCs and plot twists.
There has been some responses from readers, which I appreciate deeply. Some of the reviews were very in-depth in their reasoning and it was awesome to read! Eventually I will talk more about how the Titles work, but my hint to you is she is coming at this world from the perspective of a tabletop D&D player. It is VERY different from a video gamer's perspective :) Now, let's get started!
"What do you mean you still have not found the False Hero?!" Aultcray rages.
His guards wince as the messenger shivers in front of their king.
"Your Majesty, the Shadows have met resistance and many of them are unable to continue the search-!"
"Excuses!" He roars, silencing the messenger.
"Find her or you will be thrown into the dungeons for you incompetence! She must be found!"
Silence rings in the hall after Aultcray's outburst. Aultcray takes a deep breath and fixes the messenger with a fearsome glare.
"Tell the Shadows to continue the search; they may enlist the local militias and soldiers as they need to. Melromarc needs the False Hero found and brought before this court for questioning. Is that clear?" He demands, continuing to stare down the messenger.
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty!" the messenger stammers and bolts from the room.
Aultcray sighs and leans back against his throne, rubbing his forehead as he considers his problems.
The Shield Hero has been dealt with- the fool has no place in Melromarc as anything other than a tool and scapegoat. He is no threat. The False Hero, however… she is a problem. If we are not careful, she can destroy the system of the Four Heroes, particularly here where women are powerful in society. We have no information on her aside from a partial description and the nature of her weapons. What are her motives and how can I turn that to my advantage..?
As the King of Melromarc considers the 'False Hero', Hazel considers her options for titles near the Shieldfreeden boarder.
"… Okay, I've decided." Hazel says aloud.
Despite her misgivings, Hazel doubts that Knokene and Rysty would offer bad choices, but only one really felt like it was hers.
Knokene and Rysty's purple gems glow brighter in anticipation.
[What is the Hero's selection?]
Hazel takes a deep breathe to settle her nerves.
"I choose the Title Martial Artist."
On the screen, the Title Martial Artist is highlighted and the alternative options vanish.
[Title selected: Martial Artist! Bonuses from Title choice; + 10 to Agility and Stamina. Gained (Locked) skill Ki Mastery!]
A purple light glows from Hazel's body and she feels something different- almost like an extra sense was waking up, just out of her reach.
"So, how can I unlock Ki Mastery?"
[Hero must find the method herself.]
Hazel glares at Knokene and Rysty.
"Figures. Guess I have some work to do…"
The next several days are spent fighting low level monsters and walking along the river, keeping out of sight of the road. While Hazel has zero clue of where she is going, she does know roads built through deep forests like this are hard to maintain and must lead somewhere.
The first indication of trouble was the increased presence of knights and soldiers along the road, forcing Hazel into the woods repeatedly. Worried, she watches as the soldiers question travelers and show them a picture. One of the soldiers was careless and drops one of the posters as he rides away with his cohort. Risking exposure, Hazel checks both ways and then dashes out to retrieve it.
Once safely back in the woods she hides behind a tree and examines the poster closely, wondering who or what the soldiers are looking for.
Dang, I can't read this- wait, isn't that ME?!
Hazel stares in horror at the poster- the likeness to her is impressive and unmistakable. She thumps her head against the tree repeatedly, swearing.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!"
What the hell does this say?! And why are there posters out with my likeness?! Wait, calm down, breath Hazel. Think logically: why would they have a poster?
Forcing herself to breathe slowly, Hazel sits.
Well, I am one of the Heroes… perhaps they are not happy I was teleported away. Clearly they, whoever 'they' are, want me found. Are they doing this to help or hinder me?
…
I could always test it. If I could eavesdrop on the soldiers, then I would know one way or another. But I need to disguise myself or be a ninja…
A rumbling sound catches her ears and she peeks around the tree, spotting a caravan on the road. She eyes it then decides to follow- eventually soldiers would interrogate them like everyone else on the road.
Sure enough, a convoy of soldiers chase down the caravan and forces it to halt. The merchants put up a fuss but the soldiers ignore them in favor of investigating the wagons. Hazel chances closer, pulling her hood on. The soldiers and merchants are screaming at each other so none of them are paying attention to the forest. Hazel army crawls under one of the wagons and stills, listening.
"-How could you?! Those furs are marked at 1 gold piece per fur and you cretins have dumped them on the ground!"
"Oh, shut up! We're on official business!"
"What sort of business could you possibly have that would justify this- this unnecessary behavior!?" The merchant snarls, getting right into the soldier's face.
"Get out of my face, little man! Don't think I don't know what you're up to!" The soldier barks, hand on his sword.
The merchant glances at the soldier's hand and takes a step back.
"Are you threatening me? I'll report you to your superiors for this!" He blusters, clearly nervous.
The soldier laughs at him.
"Like they'll care what I'm doing with a False Hero on the loose! Word is she appeared to throw the country into turmoil and even kill the Three Hero Saints! She's dangerous, so if you see her, report her immediately!"
"What does this 'False' Hero look like?" The merchant reluctantly asks him.
Soldier guy shrugs.
"Description is incomplete but she's got brown hair, green or blue eyes and has silver gauntlets with purple gems on both hands. The other Heroes, even that filthy Shield Hero, all agreed they had never heard of a 'Fifth' hero, so she must be a fake!"
"Then why would they want her found? She disappeared- isn't that for the best?"
"No, see, she could stir up unrest and the king wants her brought in for questioning. He's got the best interests of the kingdom in mind!"
"Queendom." The merchant says softly but firmly.
The soldier blinks.
"Eh?"
"Queendom. Melromarc is ruled by the Queen and she is the highest authority in the land, not her consort. Simply because she is out of the country does not make Melromarc a kingdom overnight." The merchant stresses, glaring at the soldier reproachfully.
"Urgh…" The soldier steps back and retreats to his commander.
"Fool." The merchant mutters under his breath as he kneels to pick up the furs.
Hazel stiffens, realizing the merchant would be eyelevel with her in seconds.
Movement could attract his attention- but so could not moving!
Before she can decide, the merchant glances over and freezes, his eyes widening. Hazel tries a smile- smiles put people at ease, right? The merchant's face is a mask of terror and revulsion as he leaps back and points at Hazel.
"There's a filthy Demi-human here!" He screams.
Demi-human? Hazel wonders.
The soldiers immediately stop tossing the wagons and draw their weapons. Hazel sees that as her cue to get out of dodge. She rolls out, springs to her feet as the merchants gasp with- terror? Horror? Disgust? Hazel has zero time to analyze their puzzling behavior as the soldiers partially encircle her, cutting off multiple escape routes.
She sighs, eyeing the soldiers critically. They all hold their swords and spears with competency if not expert skill.
Fighting eight people is dangerous, even if they can't get behind me and they are all armed. Maybe I can talk them down..?
"On your knees, filth!" The commander barks, glaring at her with feverish hate.
"Hang on, I just-!" Hazel starts to speak but has to dodge a thrust from one of the foot soldiers.
"Tricky little rabbit girl, maybe she'll bounce for us tonight boys!" One of the soldiers jokes, sneering at her.
"Think she'll last long enough for all of us? It's been a while since we got to entertain a rabbit demi-human…" Another grins, eyeing her critically.
Rabbit girl? Wait, are they talking about my hoodie ears..? I mean, YES they are supposed to look like rabbit ears, but they're CLEARLY fake people!
"On your knees, filth!" The commander snarls, clearly losing patience.
"Yeah, on your knees! We'll give you something to attend to down there!" Several soldiers laugh at that, rubbing themselves.
Okay, you know what? I'll take my chances with the woods. Hazel decides before suddenly diving under the wagon.
The soldiers yell as Hazel rolls out the other side and dashes for the woods, peeved their 'rabbit girl' is doing a runner. Several of the soldiers guarding the perimeter charge after her to cut off her escape. She notices and accepts she'll have to fight at least one guard.
Soldiers' Point of View
The soldier pants as he runs closer, drawing his sword when suddenly the demi-human stops and kicks him in the knee! He stumbles, thrown off balance by her trickery and tries to slash her with his sword. It catches on her ear as the demi-human dodges, slicing it off! She doesn't react to losing her ear and counters with two punches to his ribs with strange slivery gauntlets and one more to his groin.
He squeals and collapses into fetal position.
How can she punch that hard?! Augh, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts-!
As he thrashes on the ground, he sees her racing away into the woods to join all the other monsters there.
Who the hell was she?! And why isn't there any blood on my sword? He notices, blinking at the strange detail.
Wait… Silvery gauntlets? And that ear…
He reaches over and touches it, shocked to find it is some type of fuzzy fabric of all things!
It's not real! So, she wasn't a demi-human..? Just disguised as one..?
Hazel's Point of View
Asshole! This is my favorite sweatshirt!
Hazel fumes as she dodges through the trees, hell-bent on getting away from those shitty soldiers. After nearly two hours of running, Hazel finally stops and considers what she has learned.
Okay, I'm considered a 'False Hero', the other heroes haven't heard or read the expansions clearly. The king wants me for 'questioning', but I would wager on jail time or being quietly killed. I'm in Melromarc, which is a queendom and has the Church of the Three Heroes as its main religion. And something is going on with the Shield Hero… Should I stick around? I need to find a Dragon Hourglass, but I don't think I should go near the one in Melromarc's capital.
"… Knokene, Rysty. Do either of you have suggestions?"
[Hero is unclear.]
Hazel rolls her eyes.
"Never mind. Which way is the nearest Dragon Hourglass?"
[Processing Hero's request.]
Hazel waits patiently, scanning her surroundings.
[Nearest Dragon Hourglass is to the Hero's left and another 47 kilometers.]
Hazel sighs at the distance but grits her teeth and starts walking.
"Just think of it as a training exercise- one from hell." She tells herself as she punches another Red Balloon.
Elsewhere…
The Queen's Shadow listens carefully to a soldier's report of an encounter on the road. She stays still in her shadowy corner of the garrison commander's office, reading and listening to reports from the last week.
A week and no one had any sightings of the Fifth Hero- until now, though the soldier currently reporting doesn't seem to realize it.
"So, she appeared to be a Rabbit Demi-human, but was only disguised as one?" The garrison commander asks, eyeing the battered soldier.
The soldier nods and holds out what appears to be a rabbit ear.
"I cut this off and she didn't react at all except to punch me. Then I noticed a lack of blood and realized it is made out of some type of fabric. So, it must have been a disguise!" The soldier finishes triumphantly.
The Shadow listens closely, her interest perked.
It could be coincidence… but not many disguise themselves as Demi-humans without a good reason. Could it be her?
"Anything else, Private? Do you have a description of this imposter Demi-human?" The garrison commanders demands.
The soldier nods.
"About shoulder height on me, green eyes, brown hair and she had these strange gauntlets on- they must be very expensive! Oh! And her clothes are really strange too- she was wearing pants!"
The commander stares at the Private but that seems to be the end of his report.
"Very well. Dismissed." The Private bows and leaves, closing the door to the study.
The commander sighs and says.
"That was her, wasn't it?"
The Queen's Shadow deactivates her [Conceal Presence] skill and nods.
"I believe so. The physical description matches and the added evidence of her disguise lends weight to that conclusion."
The commander nods.
"I will keep this report confidential- it will not be sent further up the ladder."
The Shadow nods.
"The Queen is grateful for loyal subjects such as yourself, Commander Silitysrauta. This service will not be forgotten."
He waves a hand at her, dismissing it.
"It is a pleasure to serve a Queen with resolve and wisdom. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for her Majesty."
The Shadow nods and vanishes, leaving Silitysrauta to deal with paperwork.
Shadow's Point of View
At last! A real clue!
The Shadow races deeper into the forest, starting at the point the caravan had been investigated and the Fifth Hero had been spotted. She activates [Detect Presence] as she searches for signs of the elusive hero.
I will not fail you, my Queen. She vows, tracking the hero's footsteps.
Hazel's Point of View
Her first inkling of trouble was a vicious growl behind her. Hazel pivots to face a massive black dog with glowing red eyes and ghostly flames dancing around its' body.
[Hero has encountered a Hellhound!]
Hazel blinks at the feeling of panic coming from Knokene and Rysty.
[Hero is advised to avoid combat!]
"… I doubt he'll let me be." She tells them, keeping her eyes on the opponent.
It snarls and lunges, snapping at her face. Hazel sidesteps and rams her fist hard into its ribcage, twisting her torso to give the punch more power. It stumbles back a step and Hazel lunges forward, thrusting her knee into its belly. The hellhound gags and staggers back, staring at her.
Hazel glares back and cracks her knuckles.
I either need to cripple it or kill it: on four legs it can outrun me.
The hellhound opens its mouth and spits a ghostly green fireball at her. Hazel swears and dives into a roll, popping back onto her feet. Emboldened, the monster spits more fireballs, setting the forest on fire in the process.
Coughing, Hazel quickly zips her hoodie all the way up, covering her nose and mouth. Gritting her teeth, she counts to see if the hellhound has to rest between the fireballs as she dodges.
One, two, three, four-!
Hazel dives forward, rolling under the fireball and runs for all she's worth at the hellhound. It blinks at her apparent stupidity and opens its mouth-!
Hazel uppercuts its' chin, forcing its jaws shut and the ghostly fire spews from gaps between its teeth. She grimaces at the heat and snap kicks its throat, cutting off its airflow. The hellhound staggers back, gasping, and slashes at her with its claws. Hazel blocks it, but flames suddenly catch onto her sweatshirt!
She drops and rolls frantically to put out the flames, only to feel teeth tear into her shoulder. Hazel howls, reaches up and presses hard at the hinges on its jaws, trying to not black out.
Come on, come on, come on, come on-! OPEN!
It suddenly releases her and Hazel drops, jarring her shoulder.
SHIT! Ow!
She forces herself to sit up and thrust kicks it in the face, driving it back. The hellhound staggers back and eyes her, assessing. Hazel painstakingly gets to her feet, grimly noting she can barely move her left arm.
"This doesn't look good…" She mutters, getting into a defensive stance.
It spits another fireball at her, clearly concluding that was the best way to end her. Hazel narrows her eyes and angles her roll diagonally. She pops onto her feet close to the monster and stiffens her fingers into a 'blade' or 'spear' before thrusting into its throat-!
But the hellhound moves at the last second to protect its' throat and opens its mouth to bite down on her arm! Hazel knows she screwed up and she's gonna get hurt no matter what now: so she gambles.
Changing the angle, Hazel rams her right arm into its mouth and down its throat. Its red eyes widen with panic as it realizes it can't breathe! Struggling, it bites down and backs away, frantically attempting to get away from her. Hazel bears with the pain, knowing this might be her best chance to kill it.
She reaches with her fingers and starts clawing and ripping at the inside of its throat. The hellhound makes an awful groaning sound and tears into her good arm in retaliation. Hazel feels her vision going fuzzy from the smoke and blood loss.
As her eyesight fades, suddenly bright colorful lights appear; the forest is a mix of golden browns and rich greens while her own is a vibrant purple mixed with turquoise. She looks at the monster and frowns; its light is… wrong. An ugly red with black and festering yellow streaked through it.
[Hero has Unlocked Ki Mastery skill!]
Ki… Mastery?
[Hero may use Ki Mastery to kill opponent!]
"…"
Hazel stares at the hellhound, feeling her vision clear slightly but still seeing the lights. Instinctively she tries to push her own Ki into the Hellhound's. It stiffens and a garbled scream erupts from it, muffled by her arm. Hazel pushes harder, shoving more and more Ki into it until-!
It collapses and its light flickers out. Hazel dumbly lays on the ground, suddenly too tired to move, much less think.
[… Hero has gained 2660 xp.]
Knokene and Rysty report, shaken and slightly awed. Hazel blinks at the screen and tries to bat it away, but her shoulder hurts too much. She glances over at her right arm and starts pulling it free, tugging against the teeth. Time passes and eventually Hazel has her right arm out of the Hellhound's mouth.
Wordlessly, she lets Knokene and Rysty absorb the carcass and finally collapses.
Shadow's Point of View
She rushes into the clearing where the hero's footprints had led her and jolts when she sees the Fifth Hero unconscious on the ground. The Shadow's eyes widen when she sees the forest fire is treacherously close to the hero's prone body.
Acting swiftly, she hoists the hero, noting the blood and racing away from the fire, silently sending a quick thanks to the gods.
After running out of the woods, the Shadow goes to one of the hidden waypoints Shadows use and starts tending to the hero's wounds. Once done with that task, the Shadow pulls out a small crystal ball and activates its magic.
Merillia's face appears.
"Report." She orders.
The Shadow bows her head in submission.
"I have located the Fifth Hero, your Majesty."