Second Flash Back

Naofumi could barely surpress the feelings of rage and sorrow that bubbled forth. He took each step out of the throne room as heavily as he could. Unsure whether he should consider the flinching of the guards around him as a victory or lose.

He had just been accused of Raping Myne, who was apparently the first princess of this kingdom and named Malty. Motoyasu had stuck by her side, believing every little thing that let her mouth. Ren and Itsuki stood to the edge, the former simply glaring while the latter seemed to debate whether he should join Motoyasu in hazing him or not.

As he left the castle he could feel the glare of everyone around him. He could hear the whispers, the allegations levied against him. Even the blacksmith who had been kind to him the day before just glared at him as he past.

He knew one thing, he had been set up.

It wasn't long before he was out the gates and in the wild. Where was he going, he didn't know, nor did he care. His expression was nothing but scathing, his hatred growing more dominant with each step. No care was given for the beasts which swarmed and bit into him. He cared not for the balloon creatures, nor for the usapils, the mushes, or anything else around him.

His hatred just grew. He felt a great scorching heat take hold of him. He didn't notice as the beasts who had latched onto him began to burn and combust. The few who were smart enough to flee soon joining as the very ari around him began to burn.

His fist struck a tree, the force leaving it with a massive crack running along its length. Black flames licked the bark as Naofumi stepped away and continued forward. Soon his every step left faint trails of black fire, the echo of his boots making a crisp snapping sound everytime they hit the ground.

"That Bitch." Naofumi snarled his first words in what felt like hours. "I'll... They'll all burn." He growled as the flames grew hotter. "Fuck this country. Fuck this world." he started screaming. "I'd rather let it burn to ash than give half a shit." he started to rant.

The forest around him began to pop, before everything around him ignited. First the bark, then the leaves, then the bushes and grass. Everything around him burned with the black flames which now wrapped around his form. His ranting turned unintelligible as the flames began to lick at the sky above.

People from the capital would watch as the sky turned to night and a roaring inferno began several miles away. The flames a sickly pitch black, only visible due to the greyed smoke and the stars which it blotted out. Knights and adventurers rushing into action, the three heroes were awakened before they could fully rest.

All the while Naofumi just sauntered forward. His mind blanking at the destruction which followed his every step.

It was midday now. Priests and Clerics were now called in, retrieving the highest grades of holy water from the churches and blessing whole barrels of normal water to aid in combating the black flames.

The three heroes were sent to follow the path of destruction as Knights put out the fires around them.

Every where the flames had touched was reduced to nothing more than blackened husks. No trees stood in the path, no creature waltz through the destruction, hardly even a whisper of life existed outside of those who had just arrived.

"Who could have done such a thing?" Ren muttered as he took it all in. "Who else sir Sword Hero, but the Shield Devil." Myne spoke up. "That's not possible, there's no way his shield would allow him to do all this." Itsuki interjected while gesturing to it in exaggeration. "Well, who's the only hero not present? Who did we see walk out of the city walls and never return?" Motoyasu spoke up.

None of them really wanted to play with this thought; but the idea of Naofumi, a weak Shielder class, being capable of all this just didn't sit well with them. Because if this was true, it would mean that they may be wrong about what they know. AnD tHaT wOuLdN't StAnD a pervasive thought echoed in the backs of their minds.

"Hey, I found a trail!" One of the random adventurers in the area spoke up. The three followed after him, finding a massive clearing that held a series of burning footprints. They began not far from it, seemingly digging into part of the earth for a second, before continuing onwards.

They had the start of a trail.

A trail that was easy to follow thanks to the amount of destruction caused by it.

"Wait heroes, before you persue I must request that you take these?" A voice spoke out. The three boys turned to see one of the High Clerics was approaching them with a sealed box. They opened it to reveal three small pieces of jewelry.

"Each of these belonged to a previous hero. The one on my left was used by a past Spear Hero, the one in the middle is one of the oldest relics left behind by a Bow Hero, and the one to my Right was used by the last Sword Hero." The cleric explained as they present the contents of the box. "Please use them wisely." The cleric added in as they each grabbed at their respective piece of jewelry.

Motoyasu held the small jewel up to the sky. it resembled an earring, yet seemed to be built to be attached near the head of his spear. He hooked it into where the shaft met the blade and watched as his stats doubled while a special skill was added; The Drill Breaker Spear.

Itsuki took the small ring and stuck in on his right hand. The moment the ring got close to his bow it glowed and felt his stats double and gawked at the new skill he had gained; The New Choir Arrow.

Ren didn't say a word as he took the small necklace and wore it around his neck. He displayed calm as his stats doubled and a new skill was added; The New Type Stance.

Each sweat dropped at both the power up they had received and the ridiculous skills that they now held. "These aren't as useful as I expected." Ren muttered as he read the description of his new skill. "What do you mean?" Motoyasu inquired. "The Mp and Sp cost means that we can't use them reliably until higher levels." Itsuki interjected. "Well, it doesn't matter, we just have to hit them before they can get a chance to strike back." Motoyasu surmised.

The other two just groaned before they turned back to the trail. Even with the cursed fire being put out they could see the trail footprints. The sheer heat being let out having burnt them right into the ground. "Well we're off to kill a monster now." Motoyasu said as the other two just followed him, their parties not far behind.

Naofumi, had calmed down somewhat.

Don't get him wrong, he was still burning with anger and the very air around seemed to boil with his mood. He just wasn't causing a massive inferno all around him anymore.

He let out a sigh, watching as flames seemed to follow his every breath. He was tired now, he didn't know how long he had been walking before he stopped, but his legs ached. His back burnt into the tree he laid against as he looked out at the cliff face ahead. The sun is going to set soon, he was starving, and he was hopelessly lost. Anything that got close to him just started to boil.

He let out a loud groan as he watched the sun disappear under the horizon. 'Should I even bother?' he mused as he looked down at the cliff. 'I could end it all now. Have my death spite them, or would I spite them better by staying alive?' he started debating.

He stood back up despite the complaints of his body. Now that he was calmed down enough he could see that his level had skyrocketed far past what he had ever expected. He was now level 37 and his stats seemed to have glitched on him, showing random series of numbers ranging from low three digits too high four digit numbers. "Well, at least I'm now stronger than any of those fuckers." Naofumi muttered as the air started to burn once more.

He walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. There was a river flowing past the bottom of the cliff, numerous trees and wild fauna far as the eye could see all around. 'Would a fall from this height even hurt me?' Naofumi mused before he felt something pierce his shoulder.

He looked back to find a glowing arrow had run clean through his left shoulder. He let out a scream of pain while his right arm raced to the injury. He turned to face his attackers, anger brewing deep within. "See, I told you it was the Shield Devil." He could hear the Bitches' voice echo in his ears.

He saw the three fools and their parties reach the clearing and stopped with gobsmacked expressions on their faces. "Naofumi." Ren muttered as he looked him over. Naofumi didn't give him a response, too busy brewing in his deep resentment that bubbled to the surface once again. "Looks like we found a secret boss." Itsuki spoke as he notched another arrow. "Indeed, let's finish this side quest and get back on the main story." Motoyasu chimed in.

Naofumi didn't care about what they just said, not even being belittled as nothing more than a side quest. No, he was focusing on the whore who had ruined his life here. The air began to boil and burn, black flames licking his form as his shield grew into a deep and cursed state. The first wave of attacks just burnt up before they got close to him, weapons left as nothing but scorched vessels.

Only Ren and his party seemed off put by this, by seeing Naofumi like this. Naofumi's arms just hung limply to his side as the black flames roared back to life. "Stop him." One of Itsuki's party yelled as the fires grew worse. By now they were launching spells, these actually bypassing the inferno which had shrouded his form and striking him directly.

He barely flinched as the spells hit him, elements which just bounced off the burning skin he was now covered in. Itsuki seemed to sweat before he notched an arrow that let out a bright white glow. Ren prepared his self before changing stances and rushing forwards. Motoyasu's spear began to spin with a deep emerald hew and a powerful drilling noise.

Naofumi lazily swung his arm up, releasing a wave of black flames on that very side. Rem seemed to dash around his, his speed far greater than normal. Motoyasu barreled through it, his rotating spear shredding it's way through the flames. Itsuki's arrow struck forth, hitting Naofumi through a gap in the flames. The arrow seemingly carried by four bright wings as it struck the very same shoulder, this time much closer to his heart.

Ren was practically weaving through Naofumi's torrent of lazy black fire. He had no strategy, no plan, just instinct screaming at him to destroy all in his path. He didn't even bother as Motoyasu struck him right in the chest and a deep echo of pain hit him. Motoyasu flinched back as the black flames licked at him and Ren cut into Naofumi's shield arm.

The slash hurt, but it didn't take the arm off. Itsuki notched his last arrow, and struck Naofumi right in the heart. He barely noticed it at first, until he started slowing down. Then the flames began to simmer and die out. His lazy movements gave way as his eyes showed no form of consciousness. Rem made a move to grab him as he fell back over the cliff.

The battle had barely lasted five minutes. Both parties simply exhausting themselves in a rapid period of time. Ren could only look as Naofumi seemed at peace, his eyes closed as he fell down the cliff. His body striking the ground before tumbling into the river below. Ren looked back, finding Itsuki being carried by two of his teammates while Motoyasu was being healed of his burns.

Two of his own teammates walked over to him and helped him to his feet. Using his new skill once had left him exhausted, if he was going to use it again he'll need more levels.

He looked back one last time, seeing the faint outline of Naofumi's body as it was carried under by the river currents.

Raphtalia huffed to herself. Behind her were Keel and Rifana, working together to carry a large bucket a quickly as possible. "Is it even still safe?" Keel muttered as she looked around the forest. "I don't know, but I'd take monsters over Knights any day." Rifana quietly responded. Raphtalia nodded to them as she held a fairly large stick as an impromptu weapon.

They had been alone for a week. First the wave destroyed their home village, then the Knights took what was left. They had only made it because the remaining adults had them hide deep in the rubble of one of the old buildings. They could only cower as they heard their friends and neighbors being taken away.

"What if they come back?" Rifana voiced her concern. "Then we fight them." Keel retorted. The other two girls just turned to her and gave her a worried stare. "Fine." Keel retorted as she held her hands up, forcing Rifana to hold the bucket by herself.

Keel swiftly apologized before taking her side back into her grasp. "Let's... just get some water." Raphtalia said to get their attention. She honestly didn't want to spend too long out in the open, less chance of then getting caught if the knights returned.

The made it to the stream and let the bucket fill up. Then they noticed something up ahead, small bits of blackened material and ashes floating in the water. The three girls strained and pulled the bucket back up before any of the contaminants could reach it. They watched as red began to flow in with the black.

The girls stepped away as they saw a finger drifting through the water before beaching near their spot. His form was scarred and burnt, his clothing half destroyed, and he smelt of sulfur. The girls pulled away, covering one another's mouths to keep themselves from shrieking in fear.

They stared down at the man, wondering what to do, before Raphtalia summoned what courage she could get and approached him with her stick raised. She cautiously poked him, taking note of the steam that appeared to be radiating from his body. The stick made the sound that wet wood makes when you put it in a fire before the tip was lit up with a small black flame. She jumped away, dropping the stick as she did so.

They all hid behind a nearby log, waiting for something to happen. They watched as the fire spread up the stick until it got halfway and just stopped, watched as the last of the water seemed to just boil off of the man, before he suddenly let out a groan. The three girls hid, trying to make themselves as small as possible behind the log as the man rose.

They could hear shallow breathing and coughing as he trudged himself out of the river. He let out a sickening wheezing before they heard him dry heave. "Shit. Guess I'm not dead." he said as he stood up. He sat against a tree and they could hear it let out small popping noises. "If they think I'm dead, then all the better." He said in a fairly loud voice.

Raphtalia summoned her courage once more and glanced above the log. She could see that the man had three large scars running along his left shoulder, a deep red marked was front and centre on his chest, and his right arm seemed to have a nasty slice wound running just above the elbow. She hid back down, hoping that he hadn't noticed her.

"Oi, I know you're there. What you looking at?" The man snided. He stood back up and walked forward, only to suddenly tumble and brace himself against the forest floor. The man groaned before picking himself back up. "You looking to steal from a dead man?" he said.

The three kids could feel the air getting hotter. "N... N... No." Rifana croaked out, letting the man know about them. "Then stop hiding." The man said. The three girls nervously did so, taking the bucket with them. The man's eyes seemed to widen as he saw them, taking in just how dirty and scarred they seemed to be. The three girls glanced back as the water in their bucket began to change between Boiling, to simmering, then just steaming.

The man huffed. "You never saw me." he said before he turned away and began walking along the river. The three kids just watched in shock as he walked away. They watched as the man's large slab of metal (was it a shield or a foreign gauntlet design? they didn't know.) reflected any light in either a crimson or emerald glow.

"Wait Mister." Raphtalia said before her friends covered her mouth. The man turned back, seemingly annoyed by her words. She quickly batted their hands off her mouth and continued. "You're heading back the way you came, the ocean's the other way." She said. The man seemed to consider what she said before looking down the stream.

Sure enough, more debris and ash was flowing from the direction he was heading.

The man just seemed to scowl before turning in the other direction. "Like I said before. You. Never. Saw. Me." The man said in a rather bored fashion. The girls let out a sigh of relief as the burning guy left.

Keel and Rifana held the bucket as Raphtalia looked back at her stick. The tool was now snapped and not but crisp black.

She huffed before turning back to her friends. "Let's go." She said as the others nodded. As they walked back along the path they heard something break the branches. "You said we never saw you-" Keel had turned, expecting to see the man following them, only to find a three headed dog staring them down. Rifana let out a scream as Raphtalia froze up.

Naofumi continued walking. The river boiled in his presence and any sort of animal fled before he could get close. His face left with an uncaring scowl as he walked onwards.

The he heard a loud scream from where he was walking away. It was obviously one of the girls he had ths displeasure of seeing. "Just ignore it, it's nothing." he muttered. "PLEASE HELP US!!" he heard another one yell as a beastial roared echoed through the forest. "The country hates you, why should you give a shit." Naofumo argued with himself.

The screaming just grew louder as he heard trees breaking. "Fine." he muttered before turning back and walking at a brisk pace. He could feel his shield radiate with power as he did so. The screams grew louder, he could hear them crying as well.

It didn't take long for him reach them. The sight of a Three Headed Dog biting into the Dog girl's arm while the raccoon girl froze up and the other just rocked back in shock. Naofumi let out a whistle, getting the beasts attention.

"Hey, you want some actual food huh?" Naofumi snarked as he glared at it. The Dog turned to him, letting the dog girl out of its jaws before it tensed up. "Come on then." Naofumi taunted as the beast jumped at him.

That was its first mistake.

The moment its teeth tried to sink in it began to burn. It tried to pull away, only to find its outer heads grasped by his two hands. Its blood began to boil as its fur burned. The beast roared, then whimpered, then slumped down. Naofumi let it go, leaving the body to slump against him while his shield began to absorb its components.

The whole corpse was pulled into the weapon with a bright flash of light.

Naofumi looked down at the three girls. The raccoon girl was just staring at the spot the corpse had stood. The weasel girl had stopped rocking back and forth and was now sniffling. The dog girl was holding her now bleeding shoulder as teeth marks ran along her left side.

"Please Mister?" The Raccoon girl started at she looked at the dog girl. Naofumi sighed; 'I should just leave, but they think I'm dead. That and if I do leave but they survive then it will just leave them on a trail to get revenge." Naofumi thought. He walked over to the dog girl and leaned down, supporting her neck and legs as he picked her up. "Where do you live?" he asked them.

"This way." The two girls pointed down a trail. Naofumi just nodded as he carried the dog girl while the other two just grabbed onto his legs. The weasel girl had the bucket dragging behind her, most of the water in it having boiled away.

He followed their direction through the forest, finally reaching a ruined village. The whole place was in disarray, very few buildings even standing. 'This place must have been the first place those Waves struck.' Naofumi hypothesized as he walked into it. The girls led him to a small bot of ruined building that held a cave like hideout. Supplies were scattered around it, but he could see bandages and alcohol so he could help the dog girl.

He set her down on one of the cots as the other girls finally let go of him. They just watched as Naofumi grabbed some bandages and alcohol and began to treat the dog girl. She growled as he cleaned her wounds before she scrambled back. "I can't treat you if your shirt is in the way." Naofumi stated. "You're a disgusting pervert." The dog girl shot back. "Fine, you want an infection, go ahead." Naofumi replied as he stood back up.

The dog girl huffed before she looked to the others. They just shot her concerned looks as Naofumi began to leave. "Fine. Just don't stare." The dog girl said. Naofumi just leaned back down and dressed her wounds with the bandages.

"There, now I'll be going." Naofumi said as he stood back up and turned to the exit. "Wait, wait. You saved us, can't you stay for the night?" The weasel girl asked. Naofumi huffed; "what are your names?" he asked. "I'm Raphtalia, that's Rifana, and the one you helped was Keel." The Raccoon girl answered while pointing to each respective girl as she listed them.

"Listen, I would rather just leave." Naofumi said as his stomach growled. "Oh... we have some food." Rifana said as she held out a small bit of preserved meat. Naofumi looked at it, his stomach screaming at him to accept while his mind told him to leave.

"Alright, you win." Naofumi said as he took hold of the meat and tore it up before taking a bite from it. The other girls just watched as he ate almost half of it before passing it back to them. "Thank you." he said almost begrudgingly. "But sir, there's something else." It was Raphtalia wore spoke up. "What is it." Naofumi asked.

"Are you the Shield Hero?" she asked.