Chapter 7: Corrupted
A/N: A new chapter and I hope this can help everyone to forget about the world around them for just a few minutes no matter where you are and what you believe.
He sat around the fire of their small campsite letting Filo and presumably Elias sleep, that was if Elias actually wanted to sleep. He had been restless since the town incident and not that he could blame him.
Naofumi looked through one of his new spectacles as he worked on crafting a pair of trinket accessories for the road. Hickwaal had been generous enough with information and some starting trinkets and after a few short lessons the Shield Hero was a natural when it came to crafting. Taking raw gemstones or even ores and transforming them gave him a focus he hadn't felt in awhile.
It just let him stop thinking for a while and he greatly needed it. "Not having the world stress you out every single day is a must have and considering everything we've been going through I just need this time to just not think."
Working with his fine tools into curving one edge of a rich purple gemstone into a bangle to amplify dark magics was so satisfying. The swipe of his knife, the pull with his balanced rod to shape and direct the flow of the stone. It was probably one of the most Japanese things he could be doing right now, training himself to be a craftsman without the need of fancy electronics or computers.
Just a slight of hand and touch.
His shadow flickered within the fire illuminating the large Filolaili snoozing by her new 'cart' having been given it as a token gesture by the town who praised Naofumi leading the giant demon from their homes into the woods.
Perhaps some measure of word had gotten back to them that the Shield Hero had wanted to draw it away that people were much more open and friendly with him. "Meaning I was right about people not wanting to be seen as expendable cattle." Of course it wouldn't probably dent the massive Ego of Itsuki.
"But what to do going forward? That's my new million dollar question. No doubt the church will be making preparations for Elias and keeping an even tighter leash around information regarding Chise and Raphtalia… that's assuming they still are together. But the slave trader made a good wager that they would be when we last spoke."
Popping out a section of his trinket, he eyed the center connecting rod that locked the outstretched flower petal like design of the gemstone. Looking it over in detail through his crafting glasses any imperfections before sliding it back down and pulling out a soft mallet to begin tapping it down into its place securely for the last time.
"I often wonder what I'll even say to Raphtalia if we even find her," Though he hoped dearly that they would. "I'd have to apologize for being so weak, for not standing up for her when she needed me. Then having her be dragged around until landing in what I would assume would be Chise's care. But I can't imagine her wanting to come back with me." Exhaling, Naofumi set his tools down for a moment, taking a second to lean back and rest his once hunched over figure. THe soft cracks of his back were a welcome relief from the strenuous position it was being put in. His eyes looked towards an open section of the sky at the hundreds of stars, a view that would not exist back on Earth anymore.
'A thousand little worlds all on their own… Hmm I wonder if one of them is even Earth or if the constellations are even visible from here.' He thought absently looking up and recounting the times that he'd thought of the age old question. Are we really alone?
Well clearly they weren't, but the alternatives hadn't been anything but pleasant for him. Still he would have an answer to it should he ever return home. The… "Oh right… that's coming soon." Naofumi pulled out a small notebook from his back pocket. A small number of pages had been crafted into a makeshift calendar of sorts. Giving him time to know how long he'd have before he'd have to start making plans to return and fight the waves of catastrophe. They had only a week or so left before he'd have to consider going back and he was sure that this wasn't going to be something his partner was going to enjoy…
'Then add on all the questions, dealing with the damn King and his bitch of a daughter. Man, I don't even know if it is worth it.' But the small promise of payment and resources was something he was going to need regardless.
"Is there something you wish to tell me?" The calm voice spoke behind him, the slight jump scare making Naofumi flinch slightly. He had not been hiding his concern that well if Elias had noticed his concern that easily.
"Well now or never I guess." The Shield Hero set aside his little trinket and turned back towards the mage who was remaining in a shadowed form against the side of the wagon. His outline moved with the flickers coming from the small campfire where Filo slept. The red eyes staring at him were the only indicators to anyone that it wasn't his real shadow.
"Well, I'm not going to beat around it. We only have so much time before we have to make a return trip to the capital." The shadow didn't react at all, remaining just as it was but still stared straight at him. "We have to do this for the upcoming waves, primarily if we don't this world could end up being destroyed and we sorta need the money to help looking for both Chise and Raphtalia. Now it's not ideal and I sure as hell don't want anything to do with anyone from the royal family considering what's happened but I have too, and considering you and Filo are all I have as backup we need to do our part. If we do this we may be able to get more information about the two of them."
There was a long pause, maybe almost a minute until Elias flattened himself against the wood and regained a corporeal form. "So you wish to subject yourself to those humans with whom you don't get along with on purpose, because you have a need for money and possible information, am I right in assuming those are your only reasons?"
'I don't see what other reason there would be.' "Yeah I'd believe that would be it, maybe keeping up appearances and not having the entire country trying to kill me or put my head on stake might be another but that would be it for me for now." The teen didn't think there was anything else.
"Very well, I will accept the return to the capital, though I am wary of dealing with your royal family. I would like to be excluded from your visits with them in the future."
"I can try and see to that." Both then fell back into silence for a moment until Elias popped the obvious question. "What is it that you're doing?"
"Oh well Hickwaal's lessons really sparked something in me and I've been just tinkering around with trinkets as another source of income. Most magical items require a lot of work but this just seems to come naturally to me." He then reached over and picked up the amethyst gem with his fingers and offered it to the mage. "This one's for you, take it."
Elias's head slightly craned to the side, "Why?" His hands did not move to accept.
"Well I needed practice and it would be a bit rude not to at least off you one and besides you special in shadow magic right?" His hand tipped the gem towards Elias again. "Well this should help you with your spells and make them even stronger."
Reaching out a hand, and with a strange gentleness plucked the gem from Naofumi's fingers and brought it up to his eyes. Despite looking small and fragile it didn't look like it was going to fracture and break. It was peculiar, almost like a rose in its shape but no bigger than the small blue gem that hung around his own neck that had been given to him a long time ago.
"I appreciate the offer, I shall make use of it." Elias brought the small gem up and set it against one of his pockets inside of his clothes, the threads swept aside and locked the tiny bauble into the pocket of his jacket. Despite it being magical in nature it was tied into his outfit.
"I'm still working on something for Filo but it would be nice for you to have something."
The old mage didn't reply, his eyes going down towards the bauble on his breast pocket. It was like Christmas when he had Chise celebrate it back in their home together. The need to exchange gifts… It was a human thing.
Naofumi didn't push the need for thanks or anything, he hadn't expected it but switched topics. "I heard the other Hero Ren was in the area and that he had killed a dragon. A lot of adventures have been rumored to head in that area to explore and collect resources. I was thinking that it might be a good way for us to find out some more information." That information regarding the all important question between the two of them. "We might be fortunate and learn something or if not there's apparently something else going on that we can look into."
"We may proceed with traveling to where this Ren is. Perhaps he will be of a better caliber than the last two heroes." Noting that so far the Spear and Bow heroes were nothing but a complete pain and they weren't even annoying like others he had to deal with like Simone or the Aerials that lived nearby and always had to put their noses into his affairs.
'It is strange that I feel different about their company now than what I would've imagined.' Elias tried to place what exactly he should be feeling but it all came off strange to him now. It wasn't pleasant or hurtful in his chest but more of a mild itch across his torso. Tilting his head to the side the old mage wasn't exactly sure what to really do himself.
[***]
"I was expecting something a little different, but this is clearly bad." Naofumi was looking at one hell of a depressing scene, an entire ward and infirmary littered with all kinds of people that were seriously ill. All of them were obviously afflicted by the same thing. Their faces were pale, and visible dark veins were showing underneath their skin. All of it was not a healthy sight.
The mage in disguise didn't speak his mind as freely. He had kept himself quiet but as they had neared this small gathering of people he was able to smell the disease. It was like a festering wound and it reeked.
But the ailments were foreign to him. It didn't resemble anything from his previous knowledge and he'd seen a lot of virulent plagues and diseases throughout his thousands years of existence.
Unconcerned about any diseases, his body was primarily immune to such things he walked forwards. Wearing the face of Lindel he bent downward and spied a young child. Her breathing was erratic, the marks along her skin were forming along the veins and were covering numerous parts of her exposed skin. "If this were the fae kingdom we could use more direct magics." His open comment was spoken only to himself as his gloved hands lifted up one of her arms from underneath the thin white sheet he saw that it was spreading.
It was as this was transpiring that the nurse of the small building entered and was taken back by the childlike Filo, the Shield Hero, and a well dressed man looking at one of the sick inside.
The trio were quickly taken to another section of the now makeshift hospital. The headmen and doctor sat behind a wooden table and spoke with Naofumi about the current situation.
"You see sir shield Hero ever since the dragon was slain and adventurers and travelers much like yourself have visited this plague that has struck our entire area. We don't know how to even begin stopping it, there's no signs of any of our medicine having any effect and we have very little of that to begin with."
"So you're poor and you desperately need my help… this scenario screams like a broken record for me." He commented while sitting back in the chair, the front two legs no longer rested on the floor.
The doctor looked down almost ashamed, "I know it is not much but this is what I can spare, if you please can do something to help us sir Hero." The nurse from earlier walked in with a small bag of coins on top of a tray.
Even for Naofumi he could tell that it was a light bag, but the part of him didn't want to just outright leave these people to their fate. He swiped the money, "I can't make any promises but I'll have a look up along the mountain where the dragon was killed. No doubt the two are related in some way, but there isn't much that I can do to aid the sick."
Elias then stepped forward, "Allow me to handle that." Surprising the Hero. "I've seen enough to know that this isn't a disease, but in fact a curse. It's a blight no doubt caused by the dragon, they are similar to our own when their mana and essence becomes unstable they expel a massive amount of magic that can cause a variety of ailments from flat out mutations to sickness in those around them."
"Truly?" The doctor was astounded at the man in front of him. "Can you help save them?"
"I will do what I can. But my knowledge of medicine and creating potions suitable for recovery have done plenty of work for humans who need them. But I will need to see this dragon to perhaps better understand what affliction is currently holding all of them."
"Of course, but I recommend taking protection, there is a thick fog that has been slowly rolling down the hill. If you are seriously considering making the trip up that mountain I ask that you go prepared."
"Noted, considering we still have most of the day left, we'll make that trek up the mountain now. The faster we find what's causing all of this the faster we can start helping your village." Naofumi sat forwards and then rose upwards. "Just point us in the right direction and one other thing…"
"What is that, Sir Shield Hero?"
"Do you have any food?" His comment came as Filo was holding onto the back of his cloak and putting a finger in her mouth. "You see, my little friend here would love a meal before we go up." He patted the top of her head letting her know that he was thinking of her.
"YAY!" was the excited response from Filo as she practically jumped several plus feet into the air and grabbed at the back of his neck. "You're the best master!"
"Easy now, I just know you will be starving by the time we get there." He shared a quick laugh as she smiled happily. Elias's face didn't shift at all but turned away from them and made his way towards the door.
'Maybe these dragons have some connection to Lindel. If there is, then perhaps there might be hope for us going home.' If there were any pools or fountains of mana connecting this dragon's lair to those of the Aerie back on Earth… It might actually make him feel some warmth within himself.
What followed was a long journey up towards the top of the mountain. Naofumi's high constitution allowed him to tolerate the thick miasma that had begun seeping downwards. He did not know exactly what was causing it but he could take only a few guests as to what might've actually started all of this.
Considering the next stop was to a dragon, a dead one anyway. The Shield Hero posed a question to his compatriot.
"So how exactly are dragons back on Earth? Are they like the old stories say big fire breathing monsters or not at all what we imagine?" It was something he was curious about.
Elias, no longer disguising his face shook his head. "No, the Dragons of the Aerie are rare, they don't interact with humans and it has been several hundred years since one has left Lindel the caretaker of the Aerie to meddle with humans. But your fantasy depictions of them being large fanged beasts that breathe fire is their primal form. A false truth that was passed on by a mage who had one under his command, but they are not like your large fantasy lizard that you imagine. Most of the young hatchlings grew a deep affinity for Chise and treated her like their Onee-san, or big sister. I'm sure that her Surei Beggah status also made their affections even more than normally, but my bride has a natural way with all types of beings, fae or otherwise she is so gentle and compassionate and always puts them above her own needs… It is why I worry about her tremendously." This world would treat her much like the humans in her life had and those that Chise would look after would end up straining herself and putting herself in danger.
'I pray that you are safe and well Chise…'
The conversation stopped as Filo came to rest at the top of the large hill/mountain. "I'm hungry Master." Taking a chance to flop onto her large tail feathers as she let out a slight oof of effort before looking around. Despite the odor being nearly visible she wasn't bothered by it as Naofumi had to cover his entire lower nose and mouth to prevent from breathing it in too heavily.
What was littering the area disgusted the Hero and Mage alike. The corpse of the dragon that had been slain was out in the baking sun, it's body slashed many times while it's blood now thick and pustulant covered large splotches all over the ground. "That idiot, just let this thing rot? No wonder it's like this… what did he think this was skyrim and that he'd just drain it's soul and it would be nothing but skin and bones?"
It was displeasing to the mage to see such a rank image. If it had been a fight recently he wouldn't have objected or if the dragon had been at least used properly there would've been some measure of morals for this sword Hero but apparently he just dumped the corpse here.
"Well, let's get this thing cleaned up so that we can start helping the villagers." Naofumi kept his composure and had to remind them why they were here. He could berate Ren later for being such a fool.
The bloated corpus of the dragon's body remained on a perch of stone overlooking the valley, allowing the Shield Hero to picture a victorious Sword Hero standing on top and lording it over all of those in sight. No doubt the picturesque image that Ren would want. But that wasn't all that remained afterwards. Yet as Naofumi approached there was a rumble and not one that came from nature.
"Gahhh, A hero… A hero did this to Meee-!" The voice came out from the last place one would expect.
"Filo Elias Get back!" He shouted as the body of the dead dragon began to move, erratically as bits of bone and sinew began to move in an unholy fashion. The dragon's rotting flesh still had life within its bones, but out of revenge.
It stood on it's back two legs and released a ghastly roar, putrid smoke bellowed outwards into the air in the same thick choking miasma that dampened the air upon their approach was a hundred times thicker and would be even more deadly.
The mage sensed the shift and remained composed, "It appears the dragon's curse has kept itself intact… but I have never seen it act upon its own body after death."
"What curse?" Naofumi asked as the large mass of dragon meat and bone stood up using its webbed wings as support for its balance.
"When a dragon is pushed too far, it's body and senses snap forcing it to devolve rapidly through the absorption of mana, meaning that when it fought it was unable to completely devolve and become the beasts that you are familiar with. I'm assuming that during the battle a great deal of mana was absorbed and before the dragon could fully devolve it was slain, but the mana inside of it wasn't dissipated and is now reanimating itself." This was a very worrying prospect even for a mage such as him. "I don't know what I can directly do in this situation but I could be able to drain off it's mana. But I would need direct contact with the creature in order to do so."
"Well that's just great." The teen really, really didn't need to be hearing that. But as the short explanation was over the undead beast let out another roar and slammed it onto rock cracking it.
"You! YOU SMELL LIKE HIM!" It's voice coming despite there being no movement of mouth or tongue. It's black soulless eyes were now alight with a red glowing orb in each socket. "PAY! PAY! PAY-!" It shouted before throwing itself forwards.
"Shit!" Naofumi let slip, but as that happened the dragon's head was hit to the side. The large avian foot of Filo crashed into the side of the creature's face snapping its head into an awkward angle and would've probably hurt more if it wasn't already dead.
"I've got this one master! Old stinky bones dragon can't beat me!" Filo dodged the dragon slamming one of it's giant claws where she landed. The rotund Filolial was far quicker than that as it missed several more times allowing the large bird form to swing up and kick and bash the head of the large dragon again.
"You can't catch me!" Filo taunted her tail feathers at the large undead creature while continuing to dodge. It belched another massive amount of thick smoke from its mouth, Filo dashed from the effect but Elias and Naofumi weren't far enough away as it swept towards them.
Elias threw out one hand forwards. "False Holly rise up and down, skewer my foe and pierce the veil before me!" The glowing on his new adorned gemstone lit up brightly as the enchanted trinket amplified the mage's ability. Hundreds of black thorns erupted from the ground, shooting forwards in a torrential stream of blackened barbs some breaking apart on contact with the dark cloud others survived and spun and connected with other black vines becoming larger spines and with force to impact upon the dragon's flesh and pin it down hard to the ground as the blackened vines spread back outwards into the ground like tiny anchors.
"I guess it's my turn." Naofumi swung his hand to the ground and caused a ripple of stone pillars to shoot upwards into the air and attempt to pin down the dragon's corpse.
But the resilience of an undead beast was not to be underestimated as it ripped itself free, the damage caused to its body was nothing. "You will burn Hero! You will Suffer! You will be made to pay for everything you have done to me!" It's head lolled back and released a thick burst of blazing hot fire from its mouth. It was just enough time for the Hero to jump in front of his partner and summon a defensive shield to stop the flames from consuming them both.
"Damn, this thing isn't going to go down easy like I hoped." He kept his shield upright as the flames continued to wash over the two of them.
Elias saw the dragon's fury and decided that magic wasn't going to be an ace card to play. Seeing the fury in the creature's eyes, the unbridled rage he knew that look well. "I will break it's will with my own."
"What?" Noafumi's head swung backwards as he watched The monstrous form of Elias rise up from behind him, the flames of the dragon licking his skull and gnarled brown horns as he rose out of the protection of his shield.
WIth a harsh war cry Elias threw himself over the Hero, the sight causing the undead monster to stop unleashing his flames as the other monster charged at in human speed his black wings unfurled and clawed hands cutting through the ground as he leapt forwards through the air.
Pilum Morlais clashed with the beast, his own claws cutting deep into the dragon's flesh as he moved alongside and bit down hard into the dragon's neck. His mouth flooded with blood and tissue as he tore out a chunk but his actions enraged the other monster.
Filo wasn't one to be left out as she hit the dragon hard from the other side. Punching through it's flapping wings creating a car sized hole through it as he flipped upwards and then slammed down onto its back.
"ENOUGH!" The dragon's tail lashed and hit Filo as the faintly tethered limb swung unnaturally hitting her off to the side and bounced across the ground.
She rolled several more times end over end until stopping but even then the undead did not give her respite. "FILO!" Naofumi rushed forwards, discharging an airstrike shield straight into the dragon's torso but it barely slowed its stride. Even with Elias ripping into its neck it didn't slow down.
But the mage saw what was going to happen and grappled the underside of its neck attempting to force it to stop. Pulling with it's claws halfway sunk into it's flesh the dragon then laughed. "FOOL!" The dragon announced with a deep reverberating voice.
The massive jaws turned and when the mage went to pull itself free the skin latched onto him. WInding around his flesh the neck bent at an impossible angle and then Naofumi watched as the creature just went *SNAP* around Elias. The crack of bone on bone was enough to kick dust off the ground and the entire body disappeared and then audibly the large creature swallowed, the huge bugle vanishing down the dragon's gullet.
"No! ELIAS!" Naofumi shouted as he stopped just feet away from the large beast.
"You will pay! YOU WILL PAYYY-!" The undead continued to rave, only making Naofumi's hands clenched tightly at his side.
'All of this, because of a world I was forced to be on. So much pain and humiliation because of this damn world!' He was trembling as the dragon's mouth opened and saw nothing of Elias.
The shield on the Hero's arm shifted and became a gnarled mess mimicking the face of Elias. 'Just another humiliation… another test I have to burden for this god forsaken world? What is worth SAVING!?'
The faces of the other 'Heroes, the King, His bitch Daughter, the Guards who spat in his face, The church that looked down upon him?'
"Hah! You have much rage Hero, but mine is stronger!" The dragon's voice continued to torment him; what followed was every single failing, mockery, and humiliation that the Shield Hero had suffered. The ever present reminders were akin to daggers that were constantly striking at his very being.
They cut him down time after time and what did he have to show for it? For all the sacrifices, forced and given freely by Nafoumi? How his friends had been injured and stolen from him. Nothing... This entire world has given me nothing.
Slowly he began to walk forward, the throned shield shifting and changing as the face on the shield elongated, the thorns disappearing and shriveling as the frame spread outwards, the white skull becoming a large oversized shape of Elias's head with pointed ridges and in the middle of it set a large red orb, it glowed a fiery orange before the entire shield was set alight with fire.
"You want Rage? I'll show more Rage than you can even imagine!" Naofumi's voice grew hoarse as his arm thrust forward holding the shield vertically with both hands. He didn't see anything anymore except red and his foe in front of him. "NOW BURN!"
The dragon exploded in flames appearing not from any source except around the dragon. They tore across his flesh making it scream in pain. It made a wicked grin spread across the Hero's face. "Come on, I want to hear you SCREAM!" The unholy flames reached higher and crested over the dragon's head and continued up several more feet.
It writhed around snapping wildly until the pain became less of a distraction and it's sharp gaze now looked at Naofumi. "You think this fire is true pain… NO I will show you. I will show you-Arghhh!" the flames only spiked again, the red flames becoming a fiery blue.
There was only one thing left and Filo watched as she righthed herself and saw a blackness overtake the Hero's body. His shield remained affixed to his arm as a creeping black mass flowed over him. There was nothing but a shadowy outline until the black mass exploded and Filo gasped as she saw what had become of her master.
HIs limbs had become longer and spindly, perhaps a half foot or more taller than she remembered. His clothes were nothing more than the same as the ancient mage but his head had changed but remained 'mostly' human. HIs hair was pure white, with a pair of red orbs for eyes. But sprouting from the sides of his head were a pair of golden brown gnarled horns rolling outwards before spreading to the side.
The dragon was not ready for it as The shield Hero bashed his skull with his bone shield, the flames came to life and burned away chunks that sloped to the ground.
Naofumi hammered his opponent again and again, the blows scorching away more chunks causing it to fall to the ground stunned and disorientated. "You wanted to see my rage? Then take IT TAKE IT ALL-!" His small fingers became claws which extended to that of several meters and slashed another huge piece off of its body.
The dragon thrashed about it's mouth belching up thick black bile as it stumbled and then promptly fell and collapsed. "Come on… don't tell me you're done already? We're just getting started!" The Hero laughed though with his black body, human face with pure white hair and horns one might confuse him for anything but what he was supposed to be.
His opponent didn't rise, it was down but Naofumi didn't stop. He began slamming the skull shield right into the undead's face. He was so absorbed he didn't feel anything except the wet shlop of bone and sinew until the face was all but caved in.
"MASTER!" "MASTER!" MASTER-!"
It kept repeating over and over again, who was yelling at him? Didn't they understand that he was here- 'Wait… why am I here? Wasn't I supposed to be doing something?'
Why did it hurt to start thinking about it? His hands came to his face but he didn't feel anything. Still a voice continued to cry out, one that he should know. But he couldn't place it.
Who was it and why? Why? There was someone there as he heard them but there wasn't anyone nearby.
Memories flowed back into him, the faces of Raphtalia, young Filo, and Elias… They were out there. Maybe it was one-
A large black fist broke through his stupor, he didn't see where it came from as it latched around the head. "Quiet those in shadow, hear the words and render them with no power, no will, and not to rise!"
His head smacked off the ground, as Elias stood over Naofumi, his own bestial form awakened but there was focus in his eyes. Yet he did not say more as Filo, now in her humanoid form rushed over to her master who remained limp and unmoving, he looked like a corpse except his body was like stone. Every limb was rock solid, there was no push or pull with his skin as the shadow of Elias swirled down from his large into his more refined form.
"What did you do to master? He isn't moving at all!?" The young Filoliali girl gave a hard glare towards the mage who drew back from him and looked to find a small rock to sit on. "Hey bonehead what did you do?" Her voice rose into a high pitched scream as the mage rested back on his 'chair' and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I would refrain from screaming so loudly, your voice may cause him unneeded stress if you continue to do so." Elias remained calm, the only indication of his stress was the grip he had on his arms from his fingers.
Filo pouted but then looked at him hard. "What is wrong with master?" The concern did not leave her voice as she remained by his side.
"I will overlook your childish antics as you clearly must see the physical changes, even you must be able to notice that he was not like that before." The small girl's hands touched the white hair, his blackened arms. "Yes, it seems there is some kind of alteration that occurred. It happened not too long ago. It was when he first used this power of his, but this time it was much different."
'Of course he was more feral before when he transformed. His actions were nothing like I felt today.' Elias had put this as a possibility but he didn't have time to voice those concerns while he was inside the dragon. It was perhaps the best way to start draining the power of the creature while being in contact. Of course while he'd had an idea of what was transpiring there was another thing that had occurred.
It was why the mage was keeping himself in check. He could not afford to start flying off the handle. That was not what he needed. The moment right now required control, focus, and slowly attempting to calm himself down. Yet the other party member was making this mildly difficult with her constantly squawking. 'Though she is avian so that might be a part of it.'
Looking at Naofumi the mage had to wonder how long he could keep him in a state of paralysis. Naofumi wasn't unconscious, but he was unable to speak, move, or feel anything in the moment. The close equivalent of being locked inside one's own mind would be apt.
"How long is he going to be this way?"
"As long as needed, child. Now rest he'll be fine." Elias tuned out her further concern and worry, letting his red eye sockets slip into darkness as he just focused everything he had into the reason why he was here.
'Chise… Chise…'
[***]
"You may deliver unto me your report sister." The figure of the revered and holy Pope of the three heroes church was seated atop his religious throne. One that was more decadent and visually stunning than the one that the Queen of Melramarc sat upon. Truly worthy of his own holiness and divine servant of God. Yet as he sat with his small staff in his hand the Pope's smile showed no other emotion as he looked down at the handpicked subordinate for this task.
Adalee was on both knees with her feet cushioned by a small white pillow. The matron of the Saint was both caregiver and humble servant and the right hand when it came to anything involving their holy icon. There was no announcement of the Pope making a visit to their hidden mountain temple, while it would've been an event welcoming him here.
That was not his goal, no he had come to see the progress of their Saint. The sweet girl Chise was not fully committed to his plans, no she was still trying to be independent. But-and a very big one, he was currently working to resolve this issue. But he had to be patient, and considering what he stood to gain from it? What was there to worry about after all the country was following God's plan and turning from the aristocracy and into his hand. 'With no small amount of foolish help by one Noble family member.'
"Your Holiness, the training has gone well. With the isolation in the mountains we've allowed our Saint to make up the ground on all of the other Hero's save for the devil as he hasn't been seen in several weeks by any of our agents."
"Excellent, your hard work and spiritual belief is why God has put you on this path. Truly you are helping spread his word more than me by this action Matron." The pope's humble demeanour was crafted to please others.
"But My Holiness." Adalee remained kneeling, her head tucked down. "Our beloved Holy Mother… she does not wish to harm, she only wishes to protect. Nothing is truly deserving of Death in her eyes, I fear that if put in front of the waves she might not wish to wholly purge those standing up to her."
"I don't see that as any true concern, as long as she remains a bulwark protecting the faithful we are the spear of God and she is his shield." There were hundreds of people ready to do the work to be one of his soldiers. There would be little effort involved considering all of the miracles now laid at the church's feet. There would be few people in the country that wouldn't know of all the great things done by their blessed savior and her followers.
The door to the private room was opened, and while heads turned they quickly looked back to Adalee. It was one of the scribes working outside holding a message. It was passed to one of the priests inside and brought directly to his holiness.
'Troubling… most troubling.' What was seen did not give the Pope any reason to be jubilant. It was quite an unfortunate read. "The devil walks this world freely."
Adalee, and all those in the room turned their heads at the statement. "Holiness?"
"The Devil that came from beyond, the payment for summoning our saint is roaming this world. He was seen and attacked the church in a town searching for a savior that does not belong to him."
Several members made gestures with their hands, some silent and soft prayers to their blessed God.
"Was it not killed by the Devil of the Shield?"
Shaking his head the Pope looked up from the letter. "No, it was never the intent of the church to use evil to destroy evil. I had hoped that the Hero might've perished in that moment but the only thing to come of that was the church's destruction. We could not openly state that we had anything to do with the one who does not walk down the path of righteousness. I had hoped it might've gone dormant but even that was too much wishful thinking as it struck out at the decoy's we had sent around. Thankfully the clothes and hair we were able to gather was more than enough to fool the demon and keep him from tracking her true location." Folding the letter in half he handed it to one of his attendants. "Yet the news I've been hearing out there is less than ideal in regards to the other Heroes."
"Of course, the Bow Hero has been causing a stir in the fringes of the country by deposing a Warlord in the region and brought it to ruin as the power vacuum created led to starvation as roving bands of brigands ransacked the land." There was a file in a man's hand. "But many refugees are flocking to the sites of the Holy Mother, the donations and pledges by new followers is growing as a result."
"This is true, but the Heroes are supposed to be God's symbol and yet such foolish and often childish actions will not satisfy the faithful if they see no true good coming from their actions." The Pope believed in the Heroes but as time progressed they seemed to be lacking more of the purity he had hoped to see in them.
"Yes this also follows the plague caused by the Sword Hero who slayed a dragon in the area. Many adventurers and an entire town fell ill following the incident according to the local doctor and nurse that are still tending to the sick." Heads turned towards one another and shook in quiet disgust. "And let's not forget the actions brought about by the Spear Hero and forcing people back to the capital by Royal decree." Murmurs spread from the group as the notion of another failure by the Heroes.
"I see yet another failing of those who were summoned, but what of the Devil of the Shield? How is his progress?" The Pope hoped to hear some disparaging news about the blasphemer still roaming around.
"That Holiness has been a problem, his popularity amongst the commoners is growing. While nothing close to the gains we've made there are many folk who haven't been touched by the Holy Mother and look to him for salvation, even with the rumors surrounding him there have been even more unforeseen events." There had been unconfirmed reports that the Shield Hero was now the owner of the heavenly Fowl. It
He sighed, the Pope took a moment to wipe his brow and release a small measure of his frustration. "If only all Heroes were born the same…" His quiet lamentation echoing those who shared a similar mindset. With a refocusing breath the Pope then looked back to Adalee. "It seems we've strayed off topic. Is there any other information that is concerning our Saint?"
This was something that did bother Adalee as she clenched her fingers against her clothing. "It is unbecoming for me to say this, but the Demi Human is a permanent fixture of our Holy Mother. She does not leave her side scarcely at all and has been developing her skills alongside her. I am ashamed to say but her presence makes me jealous. No matter our pure devotion to our gift from God she always has her attention, her concern, and time. The miserable Demi has even been offered freedom but will not think of abandoning our saint."
Perhaps neither side wished to be outdone or that each participant believed that they were right and the other was wrong. A loyal devoted servant and the other a slave given a new lease on life by their intervention.
Maybe the sister just missed that Chise longed for someone who was not a zealot and that both of them were similar in age, sharing a backstory that was relatable to both sides was overlooked.
In either case Raphtalia would remain so long as Chise wished and since there was no end in sight for that that probably bothered the faithful the most.
But the Pope did not seem bothered at all by this revelation, he actually smiled. "Your love for her is understandable, we would all desire to have the attention of God's personal gifts but know that your position would not exist were it not for your faith. I'm sure that God understands your dedication and will reward you for that so take this challenge in stride. Prove that you are worthy of our Saint's personal attentions everyday and mayhap you might just receive what you have earned."
"Of course My Holiness, I shall always put God's will before my own petty desires. Forgive me." She bowed her head to the floor.
"There is nothing to forgive, for even I would enjoy spending more time with our Saint but I know that the world and our followers need our help. It is why you were given this task. Please keep working diligently."
"Always father, always."
"Now onto our final topic…"
[***]
'Melty I trust you with this task because you are the only one that I can send right now. You must return home and speak with your father, try to uncover what has been occurring while I am away. My shadows can only report to me so much while keeping me up to date with all of the information in regards to the Heroes and the deterioration going on at the Capital. We must have resolution in these times as the waves of catastrophe are going to set upon our country soon. Discuss what you can with your father then with an escort look to right any wrongs between our country and the Heroes. Especially the Shield, but I ask that you take the utmost caution when doing so. There is a monster that is currently traveling with the Shield Hero, one that is beyond our comprehension and power. While I would not ask you to do this as the first princess and put yourself in danger, I fear that if we do not gain the Heroes to our side all of the work we've done will be in vain.'
'Please do everything you can my beloved Child,
Love Your Mother'
The letter and directions that she had been given by her Mother the Queen was the reason she had been sent out here, on a most noble and honorable journey to restore balance to the kingdoms and fix the issues with the Heroes!
But…
"Ohhh, I just can't find my way back to my group…" The first Princess Melty Melramarc was now not "lost" just without bearing or direction. She had gotten so excited and ran off to see Filolail's only to quickly realize that she had gone much further and lost sight and sound of the party that had been entrusted to take her to the capitol.
"Mother is going to be so mad." Wearing a light purple dress with white accents, her dark purple hair bound into large twin pigtails that were easily the size of a large ball now had her hands up as she wandered around the woods not knowing if this was the way back.
As she wandered through, the shadows above her moved on their own. A pair of large red eyes quietly stalked her from above. It's lengthy form hidden in shadow as it drooled hungrily in search of food.
Moving from branch to branch seemingly without effort given its size a long serpent-like tail followed it with a pair of twin arms pulling it along letting the rest of its body slide effortlessly behind it.
Melty was not oblivious to everything, she could feel something was watching her but did not see anything. She had looked around many times to be sure which only further added to her anxiety.
But as she walked in the grass with her clothes and garment that were not appropriate for either she heard the unmistakable snap of a branch and a small twig with fresh leaves fall and hit the top of her head.
Melty's head slowly turned upwards then looked squarely into the face of a horrifying black shadow with red eyes and then felt the wet slop of drool splash on her face. She couldn't stop herself from screaming as the horrifying sight was something she had never even dreamt of, a living nightmare above her head and she could feel the soft breeze, the rustle of grass beneath her shoes and the rich smell of the forest. She knew this was no dream. She broke away and began to run, while knowing she could possibly stand and fight with magic… she didn't exactly want to bet against a creature that she'd never seen before.
Living was far more important.
So she kept running, her eyes looking backwards and saw the black mass in the trees still following her. But it dispensed with stealth and was smashing through the canopy of the trees and with every rumble she felt the tremors of its movement drawing closer.
Fear was choking up her throat as she ran and as she tried to raise her hands to cast a spell the words failed her, she panicked and slipped up the incantation which only added more to her frustration and made her panic stricken flight even more terrifying.
WIth a twist the large beast slammed into the ground behind her, perhaps only a few dozen feet but it's body's impact blew dust and debris all over the area. It blanketed the entire landscape in dirt and dust blocking vision.
Melty threw up a hand to cover her mouth as she covered, waving it away before throwing up her hands in the most assumed direction of her pursuer. With her back against a tree. "As source of thy power I order thee-! Decipher the laws of nature and unleash a torrent of-!" The spell whipped upwards a swirling mass of water formed in front of the princess's hands. It was more than half of her body size but as she kept her hands aloft there was no sign of any potential attacker.
The ground itself was barren, her head looked to the side, nothing to the other. Nothing there. She even looked upwards, but still it was not there. Her heart was still hammering within her chest and even her breathing was still rapid.
It went quiet, no other sounds except the swirl of her magic and the pounding in her own ears. Nothing came. The girl's eyes flicked, side, to side, but more silence and no movement.
"Wh-Where did it go?" SHe knew something had been chasing her, she wasn't crazy. People didn't imagine giant black monsters unless they were crazy and she was the first princess. She wasn't crazy at all.
But just as she began to take a second and actually breathe. She heard a click of a step and from behind the tree as her head turned a blonde haired man appeared. "Oh, Hello child, what are you doing out here?"
Black suit, long black jacket, sharply dressed, his honed face, blue eyes and dark blonde hair gave off no ill will. She was so terrified she missed that he was completely out of character for the location. But a friendly face appearing out of nowhere was probably more relief than raising suspicions. "Th-There was a monster chasing me." She stammered as her hands dropped and the spell dissipated just as well.
Having a moment to breathe again the adrenaline finally wore off and she fell against the tree and slid down.
Her new face then looked around, barely scanning the surroundings before addressing her. "I do not see any monster around the child, are you sure that there was a monster out here?"
Melty nodded her head, "Y-yes. Some black creature with red eyes… I've never seen anything like it before."
The man postured himself in a thinking pose, "Well perhaps I should get you out of this forest then. It would not be proper to leave you out here to die." A white gloved hand then extended down for her. "Come I have a wagon not far from here. Let me show you a way out of here… Miss?"
Having no other options at hand, the first princess was forced to accept his offer. "Melty, or just call me Mel. I got separated from a caravan I was traveling with, I would appreciate it if you could take me back to them or the capital. I'll see too it that my Father rewards you well."
The man smiled. "How generous, very well come with me." He helped her to her feet and the two walked together. Following a line that seemed to have been carved in the ground by something sliding along it making a flattened groove like path. "Oh I haven't even introduced myself. How improper, "I am Elias, Elias Ainsworth." He then did an informal bow to her.
"Well it is nice to meet you Elias... I guess I was lucky to run into you out here." She said now having a few moments to actually breathe. She looked over at the man beside her carefully. His hands were in his pocket and his lips were slightly pressed flat. It almost seemed as if the man was a bit bored or perhaps not even paying attention as he walked, though when he spoke to her he smiled and flashed a set of brilliant white teeth.
"Yes, rather fortunate Miss."
The two continued to walk together following the same path. There was a small clearing ahead with what Mel could distinguish as a Wagon But-
"So what is it you do Sir Ainsworth?" It was better to compliment someone while trying to pry a little piece of information from them. Considering she had more morals than her older sister and she had no intention of throwing herself at him in order to get some small sliver of information or attention in mostly negative ways.
"Oh I'm but a simple mage. I haven't been around humans that often and usually keep to myself."
Both parties missed the slip in his words. One because of the scene that followed shortly after.
"Oh and here we are, fortunately it wasn't too far of a walk." Elias then looked towards the object of Melty's deepest desire. "Filo, we have company." Stirring the rotund mass of feather's up it turned back around from the wagon that it was currently looking at intensely.
"OH MY GOD!" Melty sprinted straight ahead almost skidding to a halt right in front of the giant Filoali. "You're so pretty, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" her girlish screeches only made the large bird laugh.
"You're funny!" She happily chirped. "I'm Filo, what's your name?"
Elias stood back and watched as the large avian bird conversed with the human girl. The two were perhaps similar enough in age considering the rapid rate at which the creature had developed shortly after hatching. The young girl threw herself into the large bird's feathers making Filo laugh happily as she continued going on and on about how amazing she looked and how soft she was.
But the Magus wondered more about the child in front of him, he guessed that she was probably a child of an Elite. Her mannerisms and dress were clear enough of that fact, but the more concerning aspect was why she had been out there. Judging by her reaction she hadn't yelled Devil or Demon, instead she called him a monster and while he had been hunting he had attempted to gleam just why a child would be roaming around the woods. Considering her terrified nature it wasn't because of him or his party.
Sitting back on a chopped stump the Mage had a small campfire and a pot brewing up a small kettle of tea. He had been missing having a proper Camomile tea mostly stuck to finding black tea or herbal teas as supplements, of course it was nothing compared to what Silver Lady prepared back home. He wondered how she was handling this separation… but then again Ruth would be there to keep her company and so long as Chise lived Ruth would still exist. A familiar needed a master. That would be enough for Silver to keep the Hearth ready when they returned.
He exhaled and grabbed a small cheap porcelain cup and used the small cut lip of the kettle to pour himself a fresh cup of tea. Praying that he had done this enough times to not spit it out in embarrassment.
Still his magical appearance watched as Filo and this girl Melty quickly became just rambunctious children. If anything she was going to be no threat. But there were other things to consider, walking with his cup Elias looked over towards the Wagon where Naofumi remained. He had gathered him up from the mountain and moved them from the peak, collecting the meager reward while the Hero dealt with his issues of being paralyzed due to the magic spell Elias had cast on him. Keeping him Paralyzed until he either ran out of energy or lost his transformed state. It had been more than a day and still neither had happened and Elias thought it best to put Naofumi in the cart and begin moving away. If anyone were to see that form he could only imagine the amount of difficulties that might follow.
Still… He put a hand on Naofumi's head making sure that he was still there in the land of the living. Life was still there, and Elias took a small sip of his tea. The magical face he was wearing pulled back slightly. It was bitter and he made an effort to swallow it. He then tipped the Shield Hero so that he might pour the liquid down his throat. He was still paralyzed and it would be best to get some fluids into him… just to be safe. He wasn't sure how long this state would remain. The last time had been only a couple hours but at least he was no longer all black with white hair and horns. His body was mostly back to normal aside from being not much more than a fixed water feature at the moment.
Turning around the mage then went back to his kettle to try and fix this mess into something proper and fit for an Englishman.
Both of the girls were lost in their own enjoyment. The thrill of a playmate and the other of a soft and fluffy Filoliali was just too much. Neither of them really had anything at the moment and the fact that both were able to communicate just made the experience even better.
An hour or more passed until both Filo and Melty were laying by the small campfire and happily basking while still lightly huffing, the human more so. But Filo was no longer in her large Avian form.
"So Mel, how did you end up getting lost in the woods?" Filo asked while looking over from her vantage point.
The First princess blushed embarrassed. "I hate to admit it but I saw an adorable flock of Filoliali's." It was hard to state despite her upbringing the sight of the soft vibrant colored birds were just too much for her to handle. "I sorta ended up running away and playing with them and it was only then that I realized that I had gone much further than I thought and I got lost in the woods until Elias found me."
"Well you're lucky that Bone head found you." The blonde humanoid girl giggled with a cheeky grin.
There was a snort. "Filo watch what you say around others." His words weren't directly pointing to her being crass, but because she was pointing at something that one didn't need to know.
"Oh stop being such a downer, once Master gets up we can start moving again." Filo said, throwing herself upright.
That was the first time Filo had said that in front of her. "Huh, what do you mean Master?"
"Oh, sorry Mel my Master is-"
"Oh God! What was in my MOUTH!?" A voice shouted before a coughing fit came afterwards from the direction of the wagon where Naofumi Iwatani was desperately trying to shove a finger down his throat to release the bile that had appeared inside him.
R&R