Chapter 6: Break

A/N: Sorry this took way longer than I wanted it too. Hopefully though though for those still reading this chapter can make up for it. I'm hoping to be finding a new job which means more free time- less stress but no assurances yet.

'This doesn't look… appealing.' Chise had that thought run through her as she approached a large mountain in the middle of nowhere. Believing that they had taken her from the capitol to start preaching or something, but clearly this wasn't the case.

As she looked towards the mountain drawing ever closer she had a mild string of worry hit her. Images of her being some kind of ritual sacrifice to some giant lava pit briefly flashed before her eyes, the ones that old cheesy B movies from the west produced. Of course it was a bit preposterous to think about, but then again so was a world built like a video game…

As Chise remained in her carriage looking out from the exposed curtains she obviously caught the attention of her primary attendant. The other- Raphtalia was currently strewn across one side of the carriage and lost in sleep. She had no idea why her riding companion was still sleeping but she looked exhausted before loading up that morning. It had only been a few days since the attack.

But Adelle was perfectly content to greet Chise's fears. "Don't worry Holy mother, this temple is a sacred ground for our church. It will be a perfect location for you to begin your full training."

"What do you mean training? I thought I was-"

"My apologies for that my Saint, we had to say that in order to ensure that everyone believes it as well. But not to worry, we've made several other young women of the faith spread your word and holy image. Though they are not copes of you, they have similar features and are about spreading the word of God in your holy name."

Fake saints, but true believers. Several of them had been touched with the light of their lord and had been chosen by the pope himself to set out on their holy journey to further the Holy Mother's glory as she was prepared to handle the many trials and tribulations of a world that still did not follow the Church's teachings.

"Our goal was to get you here undisturbed but the monster's slowed our progress and now that we have arrived we can prepare you for the upcoming battle in the waves of catastrophe."

'Train. Battle. Waves of Catastrophe?' "What do you mean, I'm not a fighter or anything like that!" Chise already had enough issues being a surei beggah and some divine saint now was she expected to start leading armies too into a battle with monsters? They must not understand exactly how frail she could be at times.

Adelle smiled, "Do not concern yourself with the future. The Pope has made sure to take care of everything. You will have many of the holy flock gathered to protect you as you stand as a symbol of God's glory. Though I understand your hesitation, you don't wish to hurt others. I've seen how you want to protect people. The weak and the helpless, but so do we!" She told her, eyes shining with admiration. "We are here to do that with you, all of us gathered here will follow you Holy Mother. We shall protect many villages from devastation, just like you protected the young and the newborns except now you will be able to do that for this country!" The zealous excitement was too much and Chise would be hard pressed to even tell her that wasn't something she wanted to do.

It wasn't long until the carriage escorting them were completely covered in the shadow of the large mountain. The horse-drawn carriage vanishes underneath the foliage and exposed by a large ornate door bearing the mark of the three heroes' church.

A few people stood watch outside all bowing in reverence as the twin doors were pulled open allowing those in the caravan to be brought inside.

Creaking loudly they were pulled open revealing the part of a hidden city. A chorus of church bells chimed their echoes bouncing off the interior rock walls as the procession of carriages headed inwards.

Chise watched as people began to flow outwards, dressed much the same to the back and white robes from before. Men, women, and children all of them flocked towards the carriages. "I guess I'm still too popular." She thought as the rolling of the wagon's wheels came to a halt.

Lady Adalee stood up on the front of the carriage, proudly raising her arms upwards to all. "Loyal followers of the blessed three heroes church!"

'Oh no…' Chise covered her face. "We have come bearing our gift from God! The Saint herself has come here to live with all of us!"

What followed was a deafening cry of cheers and jubilation spreading throughout the masses, it woke Raphtalia from her deep sleep as the doors were opened and Chise was bid to step down. A plush red carpet laid out for her, and thralls already lined up on either side, most of them praying, others kneeling. Some even held up hands as if seeking some kind of minor blessing.

"You are really popular." Raphtalia said behind her. "But at least they like you." trying to play it off a joke. Though it made Chise feel only a tiny amount better as she walked along the lines. Wanting herself to be small no matter how impossible it might seem at this moment.

Still as many dropped to their knees, hands reaching out to touch her or where she stepped, Chise kept her composure despite the pounding in her heart as she was led to the large temple. Several more robed practitioners were outside armed with large spears all bowed to her as the doors opened up.

Adalee was leading the way inside and as they entered the doors behind the number of them closed. It was then the head nun exhaled, "Very well. The formalities are over with. It is time to begin training."

Chise and Raphtalia looked at one another. But the nun turned around, "Indeed, we were caught unprepared for those monsters… but in here that won't happen." Moving towards one side of the room. "I was raised here myself to be a loyal servant to God and the church." A large table was stacked with books and several crystal balls. "Now we will use it to strengthen you to help spread God's word and salvation."

[***]

The day had been a hectic one, his victory-well deserved- over the spear hero had put Naofumi up on a big high. But that hadn't been all, no the effects of his victory had been the highest of highs and near lowest of lows.

He had retreated to his room at the inn where he couldn't be bothered. Mostly due to the shrieking caused by the trash princess and all of the local villagers who started losing their minds.

'You all sall it! That was the devil of the shield exposing himself to everyone! On Top of his cheating he's also corrupted!' Naofumi felt it, the way his body twisted unnaturally, his arm had stretched well over the length of his body to make contact with Motoyasu and caused him to fall backwards.

Looking at his hand turning it up and over he had no conceivable idea how he had actually done it. Because he just couldn't do it on command. The cursed menu of shield powers didn't mention anything about these abilities. "Maybe it's because Elias isn't like this world… but then again what do I really know about my own world?"

All of this was a bit much to handle at once and his mind was being pulled all over as it tried to rationalize what was going on. 'Maybe I shouldn't have taken that bait and challenged Motoyasu…' But he brought his hands over his face. "Argh what am I thinking that jerk deserved to be knocked down a few pegs, or thrown off a cliff." Serving up his smug face with a big fat L to the forehead was more than warranted.

Yet he'd been quick to act, and short on thinking. He'd shown his hand (pun intended) with that attack. It wouldn't take long for daughter dearest to run to the King and blow a load of smoke up his ass and cause him more issues. Which wasn't going to be helping him, but avoiding conflict with his 'frienemies' would be better than escalating what was basically a cold war with each other into a hot one.

Then on top of that he had the -"FILO is here master!" The door was kicked open and a short blonde haired girl dressed in a white and green school girl outfit jumped from the open door and straight into his lap. "Did I do good master? Did I? Did I?" She spoke rapidly and eagerly grabbing onto his clothes and bouncing up and down in his lap.

"Whoa- Whoa! What's going on?" The shield hero had to grab the little blonde girl's shoulders as bright blue eyes looked up at him with an unfamiliar expression.

"That would be your Filo or Filolial Naofumi." Elias came in next, closing the door behind him, his mask not in place. "I had taken her to the stables to calm down when she suddenly changed forms."

"Oh be quiet Bone guy! Of course Master knows me!" Filo proclaimed adamantly before sticking out her tongue at the old mage.

"Remind yourself as to who conjured up those clothes child and I also didn't have to go through the process of feeding you as well child." Elias took a seat folding his arms across his chest and settling one foot overtop the other. Seeing the confusion on Naofumi's face the old mage nodded. "Perhaps some explanation would be in order."

He couldn't go into greater detail about the exact reasons behind their mount suddenly becoming a small child. But it was perhaps another transformation, not an unheard of topic in the lands of the fae. Considering he was able to bend his own appearance along with other creatures to mimic other basic creatures or forms of humans.

Filo settled down into Naofumi's lap, her head receiving gentle pats, almost like a cat as she closed her eyes and had a massive smile that only a child could have.

"Based on your previous explanation of the rapid aging ability that is passed onto you humans, this once newborn quickly developed into a young juvenile perhaps around the six or seven year mark. I'm assuming that her hatchling state was merely a molting into the progressive forms we see now."

It was a marvel to think about, and it impressed even the Shield Hero. "That's just insane. It's like she was growing up at a day to year ratio even within the egg." His finger gently tickled behind her ears which made her giggle yet as he did so he felt a light flutter against his stomach. His eyes dipped down and saw them.

A pair of pristine white wings.

"Her young wings, no doubt they will grow further as she develops but I don't see her aging continuing at such a further rapid pace." He was aware of them as he had created the clothing to match something more for her age. He was without a proper needle and thread so magic would simply have to make do. "I used the hay in the stables to make the exterior, bending the fibers into something softer and pliable, and with a little bit of horse hair magically sewed all of it together. It's something that Chise wore back in her youth. She had a photo of when she was a younger child… I thought it might be more appropriate for her given the age of Filo."

"It's still crazy, I practically feel like I'm a dad or something." He laughed putting a hand behind his head. All things considered, this was at least something he wasn't going to start complaining about… although. "It will be a little harder now to get a ride along to places. We can't exactly go riding into town on Filo's back now. I would rather not be seen as some sort of loli-con."

"Even in medieval times it was normal for serfs to carry their master or masters belongings on their back. I don't think it would be that inappropriate for such an action to take place even for this world."

"Dude… I'm not riding on some little girl's back that would be beyond creepy and plus could you imagine what they would say? It was bad enough when everyone had an issue with me having Raphtalia. There's no way they're going to permit me to ride on a child's back."

"Considering she is not an ordinary child I fail to see the difference, but you have your reasons. However I would assume she could return to her original form if needed." Elias's red eyes closed for a moment. "It is not evident but she is not bound by human limitations. She is still quite powerful, given that she was fast enough to catch you off guard and move your entire frame."

That they would disagree on, but as she calmly rested on the Shield Hero's lap he would be hard pressed to think of her as a child. Her content face slowly slipping into slumber as the day had undoubtedly taken a toll on her just like the hero. He continued to quietly pet her head, a small smile on his face as he remembered some of the good memories of Raphtalia and helping her grow and develop.

It carried on for several minutes of quiet then Elias reclined backwards and let his hands settle on his lap. "You look like a human father."

"Heh, Maybe I do. Though it does feel kind of weird." He felt content for the moment, softly running his hand through the golden locks of Filo. "I sorta had the same thing with Raphtalia but I guess I got to skip a lot of the actual raising of a child but the whole mom thing was missed out on or what they say is the actual fun part of making a child."

Elias released a soft snort clearly amused. "I will attest to that."

"Noted." Directly stating that before abruptly changing topics. " Anyway...any thoughts on going forwards?"

"I fear the complications of today and my recent foray into the surrounding areas will leave me with little success for either of us." The playful mood had shifted and Elias stood up and walked towards the window. "They have hidden Chise from me and in turn your own ward. The numerous scent lines in the woods are not normal… but I did manage to gather some information…"

'Hold!' A voice shouted as a group of cavalry rode up to what appeared to be a man standing in the middle of the road. But of course anyone within fifty meters could tell there was something clearly inhuman about him.

It was Elias in his refined form, his head turned back towards them slowly as they approached. 'Where would I find my bride?'

'Monster…' the leader said, his hand drawing out a large blade from the scabbard alongside his horse's reins. 'Men-! We have a job let's-'

'I smell…. I smell… Chise…' He exhaled as he moved forwards. Unlike the trails he had been following, this was more fresh. More recent.

'Men charge!' A dozen armed horsemen made the full blown charge headlong into their foe.

"Rocks below, shatter and break upon my approaching foe!" Elias chanted and swept his arm forwards which sent a massive crevice to break apart in front of him. But also those attacking him. The ruptured ground went quickly from a foot to a meter then several more.

The horses stalled and neighed as they refused to go further, but momentum kept them in their progress as the handlers could not control them as more than half fell into a black casam below. But that was only the beginning. Elias leapt over the gaping maw, surprising those who had managed to stall their rides before plunging into the abyss below now looked as the massive blackened mass rose upwards now ominously looked down upon all of them.

'Men we-' The captain couldn't even finish his sentence as Elias slammed his forearm into the man's chest. Blackened tendrils rippled outwards from the forelimb and impaled him creating a series of holes in his chest with the blackened claws that exploded out the back. Blood sprayed out from gaping wounds as his hand ripped backwards and sent the man's corpse flinging into the same gaping abyss.

'Retreat-!' Another man called out but that was a foolish belief. As Elias threw his head back and roared. The ground turned back like ash, the trees bark darkened as if it were rotting. Leaves and foliage shriveled up as if they had progressed through the fall and winter months in mere seconds.

The ground broke apart, unable to hold the horses weight and they sank up to the creatures torso, despite their thrashing they only sank deeper into the mess. Unable to escape, Elias's twisted boney head swayed and twisted in the pale glow of the moon. The half man half fae creature uttered a single word. 'Die….'

Elias didn't bother sharing the previous night's incident directly. The memories souring what was a pleasant mood. "I managed to speak to someone who saw Chise. I know that she has been in the area recently, exactly when… I'm not sure." His tongue rolled within his lips flipping inside of his jaw line still finding a few bits of bone that were stuck within his molars that had not been fully picked out yet since last night.

"What exactly did they tell you?" Naofumi asked not sensing the underlying discontent that he was giving off. He had no idea that Elias had gone on a murderous rampage. The distress he was suffering from was growing within the ancient mage but his bland face and tone gave off not a single inkling of the roiling issues within him.

"They didn't say much. But they spoke of this Holy Mother which we know to be Chise." His head tilted upwards, looking at the wooden boards of the ceiling.

"I see, well at least it's something. Maybe we'll get some rest and then head out first thing before sunlight and hopefully avoid any further issues with the royal pain in the rear." Naofumi was about to ask. Filo if she was ready for bed only to discover she was already asleep. "Well I guess this day was pretty tiring." Considering everything that had already transpired it would probably be best that they get some rest.

Elias didn't shift his head from the ceiling. "It has been, I shall remain awake a while longer and keep watch. You should rest." The mage remained much quieter as Naofumi put Filo in what would be his bed, but the mage didn't care, the fae like child could use some sleep and he needed to think.

But the only thing that played across his mind was failure… or at least he believed it was failure as the knot that had been spreading within his chest had only begun to grow more and more until he felt like he could just burst.

Yet to have her so close… Elias lowered his head and placed his hands over his own skull and breathed in quietly.

That following morning came quickly and just as promised Elias had woken Naofumi and Filo before the sun had even crested halfway up the forest before they were setting out. The royal guard had left as well as Naofumi didn't see any of their caravans or attendants in the area. Which was all the better for them.

Mounted up on the back of Filo who happily started her trot out of the small village. "Ahh, it's so nice in the morning, Master!" She was happily moving along her much larger frame giving more purchase to Elias and Naofumi as they rested on her back.

"Yeah it's pretty nice Filo." He could actually enjoy how beautiful everything looked in the cool glow of the morning light.

Filo happily hummed along as she walked, but as they continued to progress her nose dipped towards the ground not stopping her pace but almost like a dog with a scent. She did it enough times for the shield hero to take notice of it.

"What are you smelling there?" To which the large bird head twisted back around to him, even while moving quickly she didn't need to focus too much on where she was going.

"I smell something funny, but in a good way. Like it's really nice and I just want to follow it." Filo admitted.

"That would be her." Elias told them, his face concealed by magic. "We are following her."

"Well that certainly answers that question." But there wasn't a whole lot of time for further inquiries as a very well dressed man in deep red clothing and carrying a large sack stood beside the road. Waving his arms he got the attention of the small party coming towards him.

"Hold up Filo." The shield hero and his partner dismounted from the back as the man made his way over. Clearly he was a bit disheveled and worried. "Can we help you?"

"Oh I heard the hero of the heavenly fowl was in the area but I didn't imagine running into you!"

'Why does everyone keep calling me that, it's just a Filolaili.' He mentally rolled his eyes. "So what are you doing out here all alone and with no small amount of luggage." gesturing towards the large sack that was being dragged along with him.

"I'm sorry sir Shield Hero. I am a guild merchant, I was traveling in the area when strange happenings occurred, my guards that I hired to escort me turned on me and attempted to hold me up and when I came across a group of soldiers in the evening who later vanished. I have been out on the road trying to find some type of passage out but you are the only person I've seen."

The mage remained quiet as Naofumi continued the conversation. "Well you said you're a merchant but why are you out here?"

"Oh, that's mostly business, my name is Hickwaal. I make accessories and trinkets for adventurers and collectors alike. I had heard that a caravan that was following the holy mother of the three heroes church had moved through the area not too long ago. I was hoping to strike a business dealing with someone in her party." The man pulled out a few trinkets from inside his bag showing them off to the hero. "I mostly do work with gems and jewels and I was certain that I might be able to make a decent profit offering some well priced relics that the Holy mother herself could either bless or-"

"Chise isn't someone you can just exploit she is-" the mage had fire burning in his eyes at the notion that more people were looking to use and abuse his little robin. He wasn't going to stand idle for this until the Hero stepped between them.

"Calm down man, calm down."

Even with the face of Lindel on it was hard to ignore that fiery red gaze looking directly back at him. Anything that involved his lover set him off and the stress of it was starting to show that the mage wasn't tolerating it very well. It was like that of a child wanting his present now, not months down the line.

Releasing a growl, Elias's teeth audibly snapped before abruptly turning away from Naofumi and walked away from them. Deciding to take a short walk into the woods vanishing from sight for a while and reduce his anger, but the notion of people still exploiting Chise, using her like they had any right too? He pushed a tree down with a single hand and continued walking.

The Hero put on a smile and turned back to the merchant, "Sorry my friend is a big supporter of the new Saint, he doesn't like people using or disparaging her." It was a simple enough answer without outright lying or trying to explain the truth that he was a giant malformed monster that loved the girl who many praised as a gift from god.

"Eh, I see. Well not the most uncommon thing for those religious types." The man patted his forehead. "Perhaps then I might offer you an exchange then?"

"What do you mean by exchange?"

The odd merchant smiled. "Well I need transportation to the next town and you are probably the most ideal protection I can ask for and I'm rather limited on options. So a fair deal would be safe passage for myself and then I can then offer to teach you how to craft item accessories and trinkets but not only that I'll get you into the merchant's guild which can help you move about the country easily."

'Well that's not the worst offer I've ever heard.' However, "Well I'm not exactly a crafter, I can gather herbs and such but I don't have any skill with making items."

Hickwall simply laughed. " Not a problem sir Shield Hero I'm a man who knows talent when I see it. Give me a chance and I assure you that you won't be disappointed with my offer."

"I can't very well turn down someone in need, so we'll find a way to get you to the next town. Just be sure to deliver on your promise alright." Naofumi offered his hand to which the other man took.

"Indeed this will be perfect."

"Master! We've got people ahead, and they don't look friendly either!" Filo called out as she saw a very less than approachable group of individuals.

Aside from the ten men walking up with all manner of weapons and armor already drawn. "Great… bandits." The Shield Hero turned his attention to the merchant. "I'm assuming them?"

Hickwaal nodded his head, "Yes, they were the ones."

"Well, well, looks like you didn't manage to get too far." The leader of the little group said with a grin. His eyes looked towards the merchant and his large sack of goods. The large wooden club hung over both of his shoulders. Like a highschooler showing off a baseball bat.

Hickwaal moved closer behind Naofumi. Which only further caused the men to laugh at his meekness and tell the brigands that they had definitely picked the right target. But they didn't ignore the Shield Hero.

"Look here, we don't have to do this Shield," His degrading tone of Shield as he spoke only turned Naofumi's gaze hard. "But don't worry we even came prepared." Gesturing to one of their members. "He's got class upgrades and more than match for you."

'Class upgrades? Just what the heck is that?' His eyes looking over the unique swordsman they were propping up like he was some big deal. 'Oh well it's not like I don't need to give out a good beating today.'

"I'm ready Master!" Filo announced moving into position as she felt the obvious situation rising.

This only caused the group to laugh. "Look here, we've come blessed by the Holy Mother."

"What?" Naofumi questioned, "What do you mean blessed, she's not a savior for petty thieves."

Off to the side and out of sight the forest moved unnaturally just to the bandit's flank.

"Believe it or not, give the right amount of coin and that young girl will give you that blessing." The donation was primarily for the church but what did they care, "She gave us a touch on the head and said that we would walk in God's light and be free from sin? Just what kind of honest man wouldn't turn that down?" He shrugged his arms with an arrogant laugh. His piety obviously lacking to all to see.

"Yeah and what did this Saint look like?" Naofumi asked, maybe this was Chise. Perhaps this meant Raphtalia wasn't too far away? "Doesn't sound like the real one I've been hearing about."

A few of them snickered, "Fine you don't believe me? She was teenage, red hair, kinda small. Not really the Saintly divine body I was hoping for, you know the curvy voluptuous kind. But you know I'm not the kind that would pay for favors to start sleeping with her. I'm not into young girls, but I'm sure there's some old pervs out there that probably sampled the Saint." The group burst into laughter at the situation.

"So, you pay for absolution, and then come here and use it for justification? On Top of your already sick set of ideals?" The Shield Hero took a step forward. This whole country was just full of bullshit, people exploiting one another, 'it's practically not worth saving.'

"Be quiet Devil of the Shield, no one gives a damn what you think anyway. Besides, we'll just go find the saint again up the road and ask for salvation who cares about the morality of it all when you have some dumb little girl make everything all better with a kiss yah know?"

The final straw had landed, and broken the ancient magus's extreme patience.

"NOOOOO-!" The massive black Tsunami hit like a literal charging bull. The curved and gnarled horns slammed into their sides and sent them crashing into the ground. Others were sent flying into the air and sprawled out from the impact.

There wasn't any hope of countering as the large blackened behemoth, his tail whipping around and broke any of those who were attempting to stand upright. "I will not! I CAN NOT!" In his large hands he slammed several unfortunate brigands into the ground several times as he went berserk. "No one can touch her like that-! Chise is MINE- ONLY MINE-!"

The hero was stunned as he watched Elias nearly crush the-stupid and somewhat deserving- idiots in front of him. But as Elias quickly broke down the group his head snapped towards the. "I'm coming Chise. They will not touch you again!" He then tore off onto the ground ignoring all signs of stealth. His arms and legs moved unnaturally fast as his serpent-like tail dragged along the ground acting like a rudder for his feet.

"Damn!" Naofumi jumped onto Filo's back. "Come on Hickwaal we've got to get going."

The man looked towards what he just saw transpired then towards the young man. "You mean to follow that beast? I say sir wouldn't it be-"

"Look, do you want me to leave you with these bandits?" Gesturing to the badly injured group of men still wallowing in their own pain. "I'm not taking you to fight it but I'll ask a favor for you later, now come on-!"

He wasn't really with alot of options grabbing his goods he took the Shield Hero's arm and was pulled onto Filo's back.

"Alright let's get going Filo we've got to catch up!" He told his new partner which nodded.

"Right, I'll catch up to bone head!" She then took off after the monstrous form of Elias.

But even with her speed the mage was still faster, his limbs leaving huge cut gouges as his claws cut into the ground as he rampaged down the road towards the nearest town, his body not slowing down even if he encountered obstacles. A tree branch or fallen log not even breaking his stride as he either smashed through it or broke it upon his body.

Naofumi was hesitant to also start using his mana, in the state Elias was in he wasn't sure if he could even subdue him and being the target of his anger also wasn't on his agenda either. 'I need a plan.'

"Oh… Sir Shield Hero there is some good news for us." The merchant said still holding tightly to Naofumi's back, his sack of goods pressed between them.

"What's that?" He asked turning his head back around. "If this direction is correct I heard that another hero and his party should be visiting the village if i'm not mistaken. Perhaps you two Heroes might be able to take it down?"

There wasn't a reply as the teen's head turned back towards the road. 'When it rains it pours in this damn world… I just hope it isn't Motoyasu.'

[***]

The pace continued for almost twenty minutes at still a very fast speed but Elias began to pull away as the town came into view and began to start bounding with big leaps like an animal of prey on the hunt. It had given the Shield Hero enough time to start planning a strategy but he was still lagging behind the monstrous form ahead of him.

"Alright Hickwaal. I'll drop you off just over this next ridge. Once we deal with the monster we'll come and find you or meet you in town alright?"

"Agreeable, I don't want any part of that fight you are heading towards."

'You and me both.' He thought but didn't voice it but as he slowed down enough to give the man time to jump off he looked up and saw that Elias was now like a bull and leapt up and over the town wall and vanished inside.

"CHISE-! The howling voice was already upon those inside the town hall when the doors exploded off of their hinges. Showering those gathered inside with splinters and chips of wood and a few parts of the stone wall that came off with the metal frame holding it upright.

"I Smell Her! I SMELL MY CHISE! WHERE!? WHERE ARE YOU!?" The towering form that stood in the doorway, bore the figure of the fallen angel locked beneath the temple that first trapped him on this planet. Just a taste, just a fragment of her had been found and he had followed it like a bloodhound straight here.

The blackened tendrils swayed behind him as his wolf skull face panted with small gusts of steam escaping from it's edges. Just a taste, just give me a sign my sweet little puppy! I will take you home!' His head craned around sweeping from side to side but no sign of Chise.

But the surprise had worn off and soon the entire place was turned into a screaming mess of people, holy men, and guards. Their panicked cries of demon, monster, and calls for aid were ignored by Elias who continued to look around until a bolt smacked into his front chest. As if he hadn't even realized it His head tipped down to the fletching of a bolt was embedded several inches into his black flesh.

But he felt no pain and as another half dozen more rippled outwards striking him all over his torso he did not care. His black flesh seeped outwards slowly swallowing the tips like mud. His red eyes flared as several men leveled their pikes at him and charged. Valiant but, "Foolish!" His arm thicker than a man's torso bashed them all aside, sending their bodies into one another and the partioniers who fell over only further adding to the panic.

Crawling inside his body dragging along with his snake-like tail that snapped backwards catching another two men rushing from behind with swords. Batting them away as he moved inside. Looking at all of the imagery inside the mage knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be! His head swiveled and turned until spotting someone on a chair. Her body covered by a white cloak, wisps of red hair teased the edges of her face. "CHISE-!" He leapt upwards, his ribs were being hammered by a rush of emotion that he couldn't place his tongue slipped out of his mouth as he barrelled through those still in his way. His long arm shooting outwards and grasping the figure that sat upon the throne. "Chise-! Chise! CHISE!" He repeated as he hefted her upwards but as her hood slipped from her head and Elias froze.

The hair was red, but not fully red, it was a tinted brown in some spots on her head, and the face, the face was younger, had freckles on it. Even worse was the difference in eyes. They were a light hazel and not a rich green.

This was not her. A lie… his beloved wasn't here but… but...

"Gah… hnnn… haaa… Nooo… nooo." He was shaking with a mixture of emotion… Why had his senses led him here? Why had he smelled Chise, her scent was in this room but what he held was not her.

He looked into a face filled with snot, eyes flushed with tears and ready to begin bawling but they were too scared, unable to start shedding them as Elias looked and saw a small braid on the side of the child's head. Bright red phoenix hair in long strands had been woven into the child's own hair. Lifting up a single finger the old mage knew without even saying what this was. He clipped the braid with his finger before dropping the imposter from his grasp. She hit the ground with a heavy thump but he didn't care, sitting in his hand was many strands of Chise's hair.

He knew it because he could still feel the pull, like any piece of a Sueri Beggah. This was hers

"You aren't Chise!" The behemoth roared in frustration, losing control Elias began to thrash about. Hammering the wall with his fist, his long serpent tail snapping and knocking into the wall. If people were in his way he didn't care. He just NEEDED to get this feeling out, he needed to smash, break, and scream until this feeling left him.

'They touched her! THEY TOUCHED MY BRIDE-! He snapped back around, still the young girl hadn't moved. The imposter girl, his body twisted unnaturally his hand moving to grab her-

The next moment he was slammed into a wall, a burning sensation of pain came next as the malformed homunculus form of the mage was struck by over a half dozen golden blazing arrows.

"Master Itsuki!" A voice proclaimed excitedly.

Standing in the now destroyed opening was the Bow Hero, Itsuki. His white, brown light leather apparel and green cloak standing like ever the noble Hero he believed himself to be and the arbiter of… "Your rampage ends here, monster! I am justice and order and the Bow Hero of this world!"

His silver trimmed bow remained upright as one hand remained grasping the string. "I will end your violence against the people and the three Hero's church!"

Elias growled as his hand reached out and grasped the glowing arrows pinning him to the wall. With only a minor grunt he ripped them free, his flesh reshaping as he swelled in size, his entire form dominating over the much smaller Bow Hero. "You dare to incur my wrath, little child!?"

"I am not a child!" Itsuki replied with his self righteous tone, further growing his self confidence as he stood up to the massive blackened behemoth and unconsciously only further enraged the blackened monster. "I don't know what you are, but your days of causing suffering are over!" His finger drew back the bowstring making a golden arrow appear from his mana.

"It is you who will suffer… For taking my BELOVED!" Elias surged forwards, his body's unnatural shape only twisted further and more erratically as he bound forwards.

A sharp crack as a golden arrow bounced off of Elias's skull. The arrow sparking straight over the curved wolfen bone. "Support magic, bind him down and reduce his mobility!"

An armored figure armed with a halberd made a charge headlong into the fray. Activating his defensive skill he stood ready and braced for the oncoming blow. A titanic swing of the monster's tail impacted with a resounding thud.

But the man didn't budge, even for a blow that might've sent a car through building this armored knight barely even flinched. It only served to further infuriate the ancient magus who bashed him with his hands only to be struck by another arrow in the shoulder, the blazing light stuck outwards from his arm.

"YOU DARE!?" Elias's head snapped towards Itsuki who only smirked at him.

Several blades of wind and chunks of earth were shot forwards, gouges were cut into the blackened flesh, the earth tore apart his blackened wings forcing him backwards and only to be hit several more times by arrows fired by the bow Hero.

The armored halberdier came next swinging up and connected the huge metal end into the bony chest it sent Elias rolling backwards onto the ground with a titanic crash, stone broke apart, the windows that had been unaffected by his entrance now exploded as dust swept upwards blocking any sight with this upswell.

"Nice job everyone! Now ready back into position it might not be down!" The Hero rallied his party of four back into position. Their frontline tank was getting ready with two support casters ready on either side of Itsuki who had his next shot lined square towards the dust.

Yet the silence that followed quickly filled with an angry low growl, "I am the Pilum Moralis… I am not human nor am I fae… I have lived for thousands of years and a powerful mage. Yet you… YOU miserable little insignificant humans. To think I tried to emulate you, to attempt to become human MYSELF!" Elias rose upwards, his bestial limbs gone instead they were long spindly limbs that did not match his form. His feet were hidden by the black mass of his 'clothes' or skin. "Now come little Hero… I shall taste your flesh between my teeth when we are done!" His one arm stretched outwards as he then moved forwards. "Be impaled by my thorns!"

Hundreds of black thorned barbs ripped upwards from the ground and headed straight for the party. "Meteor shot!" Itsuki unloaded a direct attack into the oncoming assault, both of them slammed into each other, but the effect Itsuki had hoped for faded as it was swallowed up by a torrential sea of blackened thorns that sucked it down.

But that wasn't the only thing that followed.

The bow hero noticed it- "Move!" He exclaimed as he saw the jaws appear from below the tidal wave of blackened thorns. He barely managed to move as the shadowy vines crashed into the others.

"What are you going to do now?" The looming visage now swirled upwards regaining shape as his blackened form now looming over the covered members that were now trapped within his spell.

He could only grit his teeth and pull back his bow. "I won't bow down to a monster that threatens justice! You will release them at once!" Despite the grip upon his weapon there was an undeniable shake and quiver that traveled along his arm and fingers. It was subtle but the massive beast looking down upon him could tell.

"Huragggh!" Elias's mighty below rattled the entire room and echoed outside.

Just at that same moment. Naofumi rode up, keeping himself securely fitted to Filo's back but still traveling with haste. "Where is he?" His head rolled around on a swivel attempting to look and find the source that obviously came from the inhuman partner of his.

A massive temple exploded outwards, but he didn't initially view the blackened mass, instead a green, brown, and white colored figure flew outwards, rolling through the air hitting the ground and rolling several times.

Before he could call out to the other Hero a twelve foot blackened mass ripped out from the building, his lower moving unnaturally fast. "Break upon false shadows! I summon blackened Miasma!" It exploded out from his mouth like a thick black smog of a cloud, it moved twisting and bending in different directions but swept outside and headed for its target.

Isuki let out a fire arrow and the burning blaze hit the blackened smoke only to be snuffed out like a candle. "Choke and DIE!" Elias swirled the magic around Itsuki as he drew back one of his massive hands. The gnarled skull and horns only seemed to be glowing with enjoyment just as.

"Airstrike shield!" it collided with the Ancient Magus sending him sprawling outwards and onto the ground. The black cloud broke apart allowing the Bow Hero to run out mostly unscatched as the few clouds burned and melted sections of his clothing without the slightest resistance.

"Naofumi!?" He watched as he rode up on his Filoliali, it was a relief to see a fresh face.

"Get out of here, I'll handle him!"

The bow hero balked at the notion. "Run away? No, I'll help you fight him. We can bring him down together so that this monster doesn't hurt anyone else."

'Damn! Damn I need to get Elias out of here but who knows if he's even thinking clearly.' Trying to struggle with a plan but at the same moment the mage righted himself. But there wasn't any small talk, just unimagined rage. The red in his eyes were like small fires, each one blazing away as he lowered himself back onto all fours. "Filo!"

"Right!" She called back, ignoring the bow hero he charged headlong towards Elias. "I'll show that big ol bone head to calm down!"

Naofumi and Filo rushed forwards it was going to be difficult to do this as the shield hero didn't want to seriously hurt the mage but with him still on a rampage he knew he'd be limited, and on top of that Itsuki was here and probably watching him so he couldn't pull too many punches without drawing more suspicion to himself. 'It's a lose-lose situation. Dammit man snap out of it!'

Elias reared back on his massive serpent like tail and held up his hands. "Shadows fall one time, two times, and repeat!" He then slammed them down into the ground and turned the entire sky into a pitch black night, letting Elias to fade into the backdrop as soon rain- or what would be assumed to be rain fell from the black clouds.

But the second it touched Naofumi his arm threw up his shield. "Filo, get ready to roll!" he shouted as the large bird's head swiveled back and looked at him. "Ready!"

"Shield prison!" the metallic chains and metal wrapped around the two of them letting the pair roll like a hamster ball towards the edge of the blackness. Through the small cracks the two bounced forwards with the enthusiastic Filolalial spinning like a controlled wrecking ball.

Breaking through the darkness and back into the light as the sound of thunder followed after them. But the hero knew exactly what was charging up behind him.

"Look out-!" The bow hero saw it but the other party was already aware as the prison vanished and revealed both Filo and Naofumi looking right back into the wolfen skull head.

A placed air shield giving perch to Filo who shot upwards. "Rapid Tornado!" The young voice called out, sending the duo even higher into the air. The pair arced as Filo spread her wings allowing her to glide towards the Earth.

"Come on! Earthen wall!" His defensive magic was utilized to summon rows of heavy rock pillars but instead they drove upwards jabbing the large beastly form repeatedly from below.

It worked out well as the slow gliding Filo only drove Elias to chase after them. The speed of flight much greater than Itsuki could manage not that the other hero wasn't a little drained already from his earlier fight with Elias.

"That's it… that's it." Pleased with his own plan they made it out into the woods perhaps a mile or two away. Filo landed on the ground as Elias still followed but as they had been traveling perhaps some several minutes there was less intensity. His limbs not smashing the ground, his face no longer howling or screaming as had been before. "Set us down."

"Kay!" The two finally dropped down and landed with a soft thud. Filo remained in her bird form as Naofumi put his hands on his hips as Elias approached.

"You want to tell me what the hell happened there? We said we'd take it slow, we agreed to be working together on finding the two of them yet the first time we get an inkling that we might find one of them you go into an absolute tear without thinking things through for a second." Perhaps he might be acting a little bold but he knew he wasn't wrong. "You've just wasted our time and possibly put the two of them in even more danger! Did you even think that whole thing through?"

The huge wolfen skull dropped, despite being several times if not more larger than Naofumi at the moment he looked like a whipped dog. "I want to work with you, no, I need to be working with you but this kind of crap that you're pulling? How the hell does this help either of us or is this some kind of pseudo death wish situation?"

Elias's head slipped even further.

"So are you civil enough to have a conversation or do you want to risk her life by having another rampage like that?"

The black mass pulled forwards until the refined form stood there but Elias's head remained hanging down. The parties remained silent until the ancient mage finally spoke. "I thought it was her. A young girl, red hair, there was even a trace of her mana along the road." How could he explain it? "This feeling in my chest just boiled up, I can still feel it but that intensity is no longer there. I just wanted to rush to her, everything in my body just wanted to get to her and move without even thinking."

The faint smell of Suergi Beggah… He lifted up his hand which held the small locket of Chise's hair. It was her hair without a doubt there was still mana lingering within it. Something that would be impossible otherwise. "I just want Chise… I still need…. I need you." He looked down at the piece of hair, it was the only part of her that he had seen since his imprisonment. Yet every time he thought he got closer he was sent twenty steps backwards.

There wasn't any thinking involved or cool composure. "Why? Why do I feel this need to have her close to me? Why do I act irrationally when I shouldn't? Why won't this feeling in my heart go away? This hole inside just won't close up and everytime I think of her it only grows bigger, the pain is more and I feel so hollow."

Tatsumi sighed, "It's hard to be angry with you when you do this."

"Why not Master? We had to kick his but and now I can't get any of that yummy food that I smelled when we were in there. Of course you can be angry!" Filo shifted back into her childlike form. The schoolgirl outfit appeared on her as Elias had designed.

"No we can't do that Filo." Naofumi sighed, giving her a pat on the head. She was the polar opposite of Elias in so many ways and while truthfully he'd enjoy giving the bone head a punch to the head but that was childish. It would solve nothing.

"Come on master, it could be fun!" As if getting into a duel with a giant monstrous mage with a bone skull for a face with dark powers could be anything but fun and exciting.

As the trio stood there the sound of fast approaching feet drew their attention, Elias sat for a moment as if contemplating if he even should hide his appearance but quietly his face shifted to the face he had worn in hiding before.

"Naofumi! Where is it!?" It was Itsuki and his party. All of them had been released from the entangling thorns that Elias had put them in.

The other hero looked up from his sullen companion and walked towards him.

"Don't know, we managed to draw him away but then it just vanished in the forest."

The bow hero kicked the dirt. His hands tightly balled as his evident frustration boiled over. "Dammit! This is why we should've stayed and fought Naofumi! We could've ended it's evil once and for all in the town instead of letting it flee."

"You don't even know if we could've won, second what about all of the people you want to endanger by fighting it there?" It was always one thing or another with Itsuki. He wasn't as annoying as Motoyasu but the whole hero for justice gig just really pissed him off.

"There will always be casualties Naofumi, but if we let that thing go, who knows what kind of harm it could do, if we had killed it there that would've been the end of it." He moved up to Naofumi directly coming within inches of him, his eyes boring right into the other Hero. We were summoned here to fight monsters and protect the kingdom from the waves of catastrophe. We can't do that if we let the monsters get away. You do realize that don't you?"

'Friggin brick wall 2.0' "Look you can try and play super hero all you want, but you don't' involve or threaten innocent people. It'll be a small comfort to their families should they die and we let it happen." He was done with the conversation since it wasn't productive anyway. He turned away from the Bow Hero. "And just so you know that 'monster' doesn't want to be here. He wants to go home and pissing it off isn't going to solve anything."

"What are you even talking about?" Itsuki questioned, "You know that monster?" His anger switched to confusion. He even took a slight step back from him. But that turned back into a hardened glare. "Monster's are the enemy, and especially those that attack cities, are you working with it?"

"No, how about you take a moment and stop trying so damn hard you wanna be a superhero, stop and think for just a second. You saw that thing, does it even resemble a single creature so far, or it's stats or are you like me and unable to get any information on it?" There was a brief moment of hesitation and signaled that he was right.

"Yeah I thought so, just so you know that thing, it's the one the church summoned along with their saint."

"That creature was brought here with the Holy Mother?" It sounded like he was a little bit indoctrinated into the cult as well.

"Yep," he said, simply walking over to Filo and Elias. "The church stole his wife." His head turned over his shoulder. The look on Itsuki's face was even more confusing and shocking. "What?" He asked Naofumi as if he didn't understand." The shield Hero helped Elias stand not wanting this to degrade into a whose right or wrong shouting match that might set him off again. "You heard what I said, love is a crazy thing even for that monster. Perhaps you might understand why they just might be acting in that way."

The words didn't make a great deal of sense to Itsuki, but it did to the incognito mage. The Shield knew why Elias was acting the way he did, he wasn't happy because of it but neither could he blame a being for being in love and just lashing out because of it. As the trio walked off, looking to go find the merchant Hickwaal that they had dumped off before arriving into that sea of Chaos Elias put a hand to Naofumi's shoulder.

"Thank you."

R&R