The Devil and The Shield

by Kerghan-MB

A/U Crossover- Before the summoning of the Four Cardinal Heroes to Melromarc a secret summoning was conducted by the three Heroes Church to summon their own 'holy warrior' a powerful source of magic. Except that summoning brought with it a protector/friend/and lover to her side. At the same time Naofumi is stripped of Raphtalia by the King and forced into a fight he can't win. (MA)

10. Fight Night

Chapter 10: Fight Night

A/N: Another update and hopefully what all of you have been waiting for.

"This is unsafe Chise," Raphtalia, while complicit with her friend's desires, did not shy away from giving her opinion about the matter. The plan was reckless and didn't really help the situation, this was only going to put them at risk or cause them even greater pain. 'But I also can stand the thought of her sending me away. I don't want to be here anymore than she does but if we leave I don't know if we'll be able to stay together. I need to be with her, she's just as important as Naofumi is.'

The Saint had packed an entire backpack filled with supplies, mostly the essentials, food, water, a set of spare clothes and some magical items but beyond that it was probably not going to sustain her for more than several weeks at most and at worst ten days.

It was why Tanuki had an even larger bag. While physically she was much stronger and felt inclined to stock up on more than her companion wanted.

"I know it's reckless but we have to go out and find them, Elias is out there and I know that there's something going on with him and Naofumi… If we can just find them… then maybe we can actually do something." It wasn't as if the Mage and Hero needed a proper rescue but they did need someone to come and help them since no one else was going to offer them aid.

If anything Chise felt that she was probably the only person who could be of help to her Elias… Since she began hearing the rumors she was being driven into a panicked state of fight or flight and she was never one for a direct confrontation unless she lost her own collected self control. But deep down she was afraid of what might happen, that she might not be able to see Elias and if that happened then she probably would never go home.

That part was something she refused to let happen, Chise had a purpose that she never had experienced before and actually coming to live with what she was and seeing both sides instead of just the overwhelming negativity. There weren't any hands wrapped around her throat anymore, no standing on the ledge of her school, this was her chance at finding her own life and more importantly happiness.

The Raccoon girl did disagree with her method. "How do you even plan on finding them and with them being together and branded as traitors and wanted throughout the entire country? I don't believe they'll be sticking their heads too high out to be trying to see us." They had an entire country to look for two needles, one being a hero needle and the other a twisted amalgamation of human and monster needle. It wouldn't be easy even considering those separate facts.

"Even if it might be impossible I refuse to keep playing the role of a puppet for their church, I'm not their savior and I never was." After viewing some of the very people she had spoken against they were being appropriated by the church and becoming cultists of this religion despite knowing nothing. Everyone was being led astray by the Pope and her leaving could throw all of that out the window. They shouldn't see her as some type of Holy Figure; she was just a mage and a teenage girl. There was no divine prophecy, because the church is the reason they were here to begin with.

'They will just keep using me and I can't trust them not to hurt Elias when they told me he was fine.' Grabbing her pack, Chise strained slightly as she hefted it up and onto her shoulders the weight almost caused her to stumble. Her Tanuki friend steadied her before she made herself into an embarrassment. "Thanks." She smiled but Raphtalia didn't return it.

"What's your plan for getting out of here even? I mean you don't expect us to just walk right out the front door."

"Well I have an idea… but I'll need you to cover your ears first." Chise held up a pair of ear muffs that would hopefully do the job.

"One, two, where do you bloom?"

Those outside didn't know what was happening nor did they try to question it. Her voice was carried along gently and the faithful all stopped to listen with rapture in their eyes as the words of God's blessing sang to them. Her soft tone crept into their ears, much like she had with Elias.

"Under the window where the Children sleep, White flowers on the night of a pale moon."

Adalee was just outside the door and felt the effects first, her legs became rubbery and her body began to feel like lead. "She… She is... '' Grabbing a chair the head nun settled herself into it thinking herself overwhelmed by God's radiance or Chise's own presence she fell backwards into the chair. "Sing… Sinnnggg." Her voice trailed off into a gentle snore. Etricka hit the ground beside her senior.

The two guards stationed outside fell asleep their bodies resting against the pikes they were balanced against in their seats just beyond the interior door.

Raphtalia couldn't believe it as she held the ear muffs to her head. Chise walked with her hands folded like in prayer and what she believed was some type of singing. It wasn't easy for her to hear the words and while she really wanted to hear her voice she had been told not too. The effects were showing all around her as Chise walked down the hallway. Anyone who could feel the effects of her voice fell into a peaceful slumber. No one was immune to her apparently.

"Three, four, Where do you bloom? One the Frame of Mother's Mirror."

For the redheaded teen she just focused on what she was doing, repeating the words that she had sung to Elias while they shared their bed together. 'If it's just my voice and not directly sung like I did to him, then everyone else should have a mild affect.'

Elias had fallen asleep for several days due to the spell she had placed on him-accidently of course- so with just a few words sung here and there this should give them perhaps just long enough to make their way out.

"A little blue flower blooms"

Tanuki in tow the two of them moved fluidly coming across everyone collapsed in their positions some on the floor some in chairs other's strewn about all over the place. Still Chise continued to sing, focusing completely on her own voice. Looking straight ahead Chise kept walking, until they came across the large gate that granted them entrance to the location. The guards collapsed at their posts as her soft words carried them into a painless slumber until they found a door.

Chise's fingers grasped the handle and tried to pull down but the heavy stone latch barely budged, her tune slipping as she stopped her magic and was forced to grit her teeth and push down on the door's mechanism to get it to open. She strained for several long seconds and had nothing to show for her efforts until Raphtalia grabbed alongside Chise's hands and pulled downwards together.

Raphtalia was so close to Chise, the smell of her hair, the intoxicating aroma of fresh spring air and sweet mana enraptured her then with the touch of their hands so close only further drove the Raccoon girl to even greater heights of euphoria as they pushed open the side door.

The door completely opened up to the outside world, the guards outside were not asleep but they were heavily drowsy as they leaned back against the smooth stone wall and covered their eyes which were heavy with sleep. Too exhausted to notice, the pair slip away as the struggle to stay awake took their focus from the sound of footsteps.

[***]

"She fled." Everyone in attendance in the room was silent. All higher members, cardinals, bishops, and the Pope himself were all sharing the same space. Eyes looked to one another, perhaps a chance to shift blame, point fingers, or move up in the hierarchy of the church given the grand opportunity presented to them to humiliate or denigrate their peers.

"Why do we sit here? Surely there must be something we can be doing?" A figure protested.

"We already have several thousand of the faithful looking in the area, but given that it is mostly likely two individuals traveling through an entire forest and you expect her to be found easily? If such were possible do you put God's gift to be something to be readily found?" Another countered, their faces hidden by the lack of light in the room save the small beams that allowed the Pope's face to be visible aside from his closest aides.

"We have tens of thousands of holy followers Surely with all of them looking we could find our dear Saint why are we-"

"There are servants of God, But there are few true disciples!" He shouted, cutting off the one speaking foolishly. "I may worship God and his holy ways but sooner would I trust all of the faithful than I would trust the Devil. We do not know all of our devout believers' intent. Should we not send out everyone we can not guarantee our Lord's gift safe return, there are spies possibly from Shieldfrieden or other countries in amongst them. This could threaten all of the work we have done and cost us everything!"

"The saint's attraction of monsters and demi-human has been an incredible weapon for gathering the faithful. But if she were to get herself into a populated town the masses will be slaughtered by a deluge of monsters and creatures… but far worse would be the veneration of her by the Demi humans. They would proclaim our keeping of her would be grounds for a war between Melramarc, we have all heard the sheer dedication given by that miserable creature that sits at God's servant side like an obedient dog. Her presence is a taint to the blessing of God. It disgusts me so much."

"Our country has the primary cardinal Hero's they wouldn't dare do something so foolish, even as lower demi's they can not imagine the cost of fighting the Heros in a battle while the waves of catastrophe continue to spread all over the world."

"It is possible."

"We must find her! We MUST-!"

"Venerated brother's sisters, I ask for a moment." The Pope raised his hand silencing the gathered masses before him. He remained sitting holding a nondescript wooden staff in his hand. Tapping the base to the ground all voices quickly ended their bickering in his holy presence. "This action was expected, I have known that the Devil that has come to this world has reached out towards our Saint and lured her from our safety for our own protection."

There was a hushed gasp and quiet murmurings, heads and eyes were shocked to hear such a revelation. "Our saint fled to protect us, the Devil is still too powerful and grows in strength. It was her desire to flee and not worry us so that we might not be slaughtered by the horned one who blocks the radiance of God."

"How do you know this Holiness?"

'The faithless always question the will of God.' "I saw them speak, through means unknown to us he reached out to her. The Devil spoke with lies as the snake always does." He closed his eyes and dipped his head. "Seeing his words for what they were, she had to run, run for our safety and souls. While we may wish to throw ourselves in the path of our foe we must know that it is our duty to keep those who can't protect themselves safe. Just imagine if the horned one made his way inside our holy temple filled with men, women, and children of the cloth not the spear. He would butcher and tear apart perhaps thousands if not more. That is why she has fled, but know that we shall find her. She is looking out for all of us and there is a location that she is already going to head to I guarantee it. So fear not she shall be back to grace us all with her radiance when it comes in due time by fellow believers."

With the masses once again quelled, their fears lessened and seeing his reassurance the Pope was left alone with only his most loyal and trusted aides. It's not that the Pope didn't trust them, simply put he could not trust them. The Pope had his plans and while lying was a sin, withholding the truth was not. Not everyone needed to know God's full plan.

Removing the gentle platitudes from earlier the Pope spoke this time looking out one of the windows leading to the ornate courtyard, the holy chapel inside the capital of Melramarc was his current domicile and everything needed to appear as normal. "Have we any information on where she might be?"

"Not yet your holiness, although we have narrowed down the locations to one major settlement could be the proper course for the two of them. His aide brought forth a map. "There's a large ravine and narrow stone walkway in these areas but one would have to know about them to locate them. We could guess that the Demi would lead her through the underbrush of the area and take towards the region of Seaetto, my belief is that she will be heading there."

"It would be logical, a large town, vendors, places to gather supplies would be an ideal gathering spot for them and hiding within a mass of people… Do we have any contacts in the city that might be of some use?" The Pope stroked his chin as he observed the large settlement wondering just who could be seen as a potential ally.

"Hmm, there is a local lord Rabier and Count Van Reichnott in the area. However, the count has direct loyalties to the Queen and should we go to them it is doubtful that he will be willing to aid us without telling her highness."

"I see," The Pope looked at the estate grounds, "Very well, the local lord will do. See to it that his guards and services might be put to use for our disposal since they already know the area, is there anything about this man that might better our cause?"

The aide gathered a file and looked through the known nobleman's short and shallow history of what they had collected from informants and contacts in the empire. "It seems he has a preference for young Demi human children. He's got an apparent obsession with that of a tamer."

"Tamer? What sort of vile Noble is he?" The Pope while not averse to discipling or treating non humans poorly there were always poor choices made by those in the upper nobility to satisfy some basic urges.

"From what I gather he likes to beat and whip them into submission, not in the disciplinary way but for his own pleasure."

It was a disgusting fetish, "This only goes to prove that the Country needs God more than ever and the fact that there are individuals in such positions and remain in such glorified positions only show the corruption that has spread across this world."

"So it would seem Holiness… still shall we make use of him?"

Nodding his head the pope relented, "It is always important to utilize those around us and see to it that what strengths they have can be put to some good." 'There will always be time later to dispose of the filth and corruption of the elites.' Of course he had a short thought, "Actually send him one of our 'gifts' should he come across the Saint it would be best given through another hand than our own."

"You mean the crown?" The aide seemed a little shocked but the pope affirmed it with a tilt of his head. "Very well," There wasn't any questioning of God's spoken voice. With any risk there was the possibility of a reward.

[***]

"Is it true?"

"Yes, they say that he kidnapped the princess and is working alongside a hideous monster."

"Oh, the poor princess, hopefully they find her!"

'Great, everyone thinks that I kidnapped her, technically I did but I wanted to give her back but I didn't know that at the time.' People were observing the newly posted wanted signs, the large evil and less than flattering picture that was Naofumi's own personal wanted poster was more insulting than he would admit. He didn't always frown like that and he didn't really have small horns poking out of his head. One time maybe, but not always and certainly not a dorky look like that.

The picture of Melty, Filo, and he was assuming was an amorphous shape meant to represent Elias but there was nothing really of description. His face was twisted, he wasn't anywhere near as big as they were putting him out to be by comparison.

When everyone else was a bit shorter than Elias who was around seven feet tall it by proxy made everyone else look tiny.

'So a Giant, a bird, a Hero, and Princess. Guess it should be some sort of fairytale novel.' Pulling at the hood of his cloak to keep most of his features concealed he made his way back out of the town. "I probably should've had Elias do this since he can change his shape and all but he doesn't really know where we need to get going. I'm also afraid if people start belittling him or lying about him I don't think he'd take that very well. Either way I'm mostly concerned that he's going to run off."

For an Old Mage he lacked the extreme patience one would expect. Like in stories a senior mage would spend years training a protege or perhaps learning some wizened form of magic that took a lifetime. But for a homunculus that was a thousand or more years old that he could remember it probably faded.

"He's just super desperate to find Chise, I mean I get it she's the only thing he has but we still have to work out how we're going home, on top of clearing our names, returning the princess, fighting the waves. All of this is just pure chaos and I can tell Elias is not a fan of that."

But he was mostly apprehensive about losing such a powerful ally. He needed people with strength, he had Filo sure but someone with Elias's potential that wasn't just something you discarded or let go without good reason… and on top of that reason the Shield Hero could only guess how Elias would take finding out information about Chise.

Images of a large horned beast stalking towns, grabbing anyone and anything that would befall him and then be tossed aside when no longer useful to him.

'That fairytale story idea only seems more and more plausible every passing second.'

Walking outside of the town, into the edges of the forest that bordered the town and littered the majority of the area had been their cover since fleeing the Capital. But clearly information was moving faster than his party which only made things more difficult.

The group was waiting, Filo passing the time with Melty as Elias sat atop a stump that he had created. His refined form looked like he was in quiet contemplation but his finger was fevertly tapping his arms. Restless and frustrated.

Red eyes looked directly towards him when he entered the small clearing they had made their camp. "You come with more bad news."

Filo and Melty turned their attention to Naofumi as well.

"Yeah, all of our posters are set up in the town. So we can't use the roadways for the time being, but if we follow the river we can reach the mountains and then slip towards the border." Shieldfreeden, that was his goal. A place that would respect him and be a land of Demi-Humans. It would be good for Filo and the Mage considering he wasn't entirely human either.

"I will not cross the border with you Naofumi. I will take you there to repay you but with Chise still here in this country I shall keep looking for her."

Here had been the point of contention between the two of them. Naofumi couldn't say and Elias was putting his foot down about leaving.

"Look," He started. "You stay here and you won't even have a chance of finding her."

Elias's head leaned forwards towards the Hero. "I could find out information about Chise in the next town. Humans are very pliable when it comes to learning what they know."

"Just what does that mean? Are you planning on hurting my people!?" Melty took her chance to once again stand up for herself to the Mage who looked down upon her with his red eyes.

"Pain is often the greatest motivator to speak. The threat of pain though is far greater a fear than pain itself. One could imagine being strung out in agony to be far worse than the act itself. The application of fear is what makes it so powerful, a tool that I learned growing up when I was persecuted by the Church and Humanity from my world. But physical pain is not the most reliable of ways of gathering information. Several enemies from my days long past required me to be far more cunning. Breaking down a human's mental barriers requires something more than just a breaking finger, the act itself is going to demonstrate your authority, but when you apply that same pain to those they care about…" Elias's tongue slid out of his mouth and licked at the edges of his wolfen canines.

Melty took a step back, the heavy aura that this-this MONSTER exuding was terrifying. The calm manner in which he described torturing people in order to gather pieces of information was just completely abhorrent in her eyes. "No one deserves to be tortured, they can be punished in the eyes of the courts but there has to be someone neutral determining a person's fate. You yourself can't just-"

Elias stepped forwards towering completely over her to where she had to look up at him with his face partially blocking out the sun from view. "There are very few people who can tell me what I can and can not do as a little child. In my eyes you are the perfect avenue for me to have the one I loved given back to my possession."

She went pale as Elias reached down but Naofumi punched Elias right in the side of the head. It made him stagger only half a step but his head slowly righted itself and then glared at the Hero.

"That's enough! We aren't doing anything like that. She's innocent in all of this and should not be involved in whatever twisted scenario you are making inside of that skull of yours." His shield flickered and became the cerberus as he stared down the mage. "Only the right way, if we do anything to Melty then we legitimize everything they say about us."

"What makes you think I care what Humans think of me? Human's always try and act like they are so noble and proper, but from what I gather about this world they are just as rotten if not more so than the ones from our own. Just look at you Naofumi! You are the only single person in this planet who wants to do the right thing when everyone else has done nothing but try and hound you and cripple your efforts?" His eyes burned brighter red as he threw our his arms to the side, "You are a masochist of a human if you believe there is any saving these other beings, because no one has lifted a finger to help you except for me, no one is looking to put their neck out for you, and the only person that you care about is still gone and you have done nothing to right that wrong!" Elias was shouting now, he could feel anger mixing in with something else. "Right now all we have to do is use this child as a bargaining chip and then we can have what we want. It is efficient and the best method of getting back our property."

Both sides were drawing lines in the sand, Elias was not above anything to get Chise back and Naofumi refused to surrender his morals and principles, despite his slip ups Naofumi did not want to become the evil they saw.

"We are not involving her with our problems. She has nothing to do with the King and Church." Leaving out the relationships and information being conveniently left out she was only a step above the low pieces of human garbage that were in charge of this country. "You do anything to her and they will retaliate against Raphtalia!"

"Hmm, well then. We shall have to settle this dispute." Elias took off the cloak that covered his body and tossed it over a low hanging branch. "Once I remove my shirt and gloves we are going to fight and fight until the other side gives up." His hands undid the buttons on his clothing slowly working his way to stripping off his upper layers in a refined manner, pulling off the clothing and then folding or hanging it along the same tree branch.

'I guess it was only a matter of time huh, we'd end up fighting sooner or later.' He looked to Melty and Filo, "You two go somewhere safe, me and him are going to have to settle this."

"Jeez why are all the adults I've run into this past week nothing but idiots!" Grabbing at her braids she walked to the side out of the small clearing that was going to be a battlefield.

"No master I should help you beat up on old bone head, he needs to learn that you are master!" Filo said shape shifting into her avian form as Elias hung his jacket and then grabbed at the necklace hanging around his throat.

While he'd love the help, and probably would need some of it Naofumi shook his head. "No, this has to be me alone Filo, it's a duel between pride and honor. If you help it won't resolve anything and we'll be back at each other's throats in no time." Elias grabbed at the individual fingers of his gloves and pulled them off, his large muscular torso covered by a dark purple skin. Elias's focus was not shifting as he pulled off one glove and was looking directly at Naofumi with enough energy to probably set him on fire.

It wasn't slow or sudden, Elias's bare fist slammed hard into his shield, the impact creating a loud rippling bang. It pushed back Naofumi several feet, "Tch, no warning?" He battered away the next blow as Elias punched at him again.

"You did not see fit to give me one when you hit me, I see no reason to offer one in kind." Twisting into his opponent's open strike Elias shoved aside the shield and reared back one massive hammer blow. Emotionless as always he dropped it forwards smashing the Shield Hero right into the chest. The crack of bone on steel was jarring but the pain Naofumi felt as the impact of his breastplate crushed against his ribs was like a harsh stun to his system.

He lost his breath for a moment and then a second, then a third strike came in in the exact same spot with so much force he thought that his chest or armor had to have been broken.

His shield had always taken the beating for him, but he'd never been in a full on fist melee duel before. 'He's either really good or he's been paying way too much attention.'

"AIr-" The same hand clamped over his mouth and his fingers dug into his skin, a finger pressing hard into his temple caused the Teen's eye to flicker. It clamped down harder and harder, with sheer brute force Naofumi felt like his ears were going to pop.

The two male's clashed further. Naofumi holding back one of Elias's large hands with his shield while he tried to match the strength of the mage, a foolish endeavour considering the obvious differences in how they would fight. Elias could trade blows and cast spells, Naofumi could take hits better than anyone but unless he planned on trying to kill Elias he was handicapping himself.

Wrenching his hand down he forced the Shield hero to fall only to have the large grasping paw of the mage pick him up and slam him down into the ground with a thunderous crash. "I don't enjoy this, but I will show you that nothing will stop me from recovering my bride." Elias began punching him into his face, the huge purple fists landing once, twice, until a shield blocked the third strike.

Focusing the cerberus head shot outwards one biting on the closest arm the second sprung and bit into the shoulder. The homunculous's body flinched visibly despite his face showing nothing. "Strike-!" Naofumi created his weaponry shield and knocked Elias away from him, his opponent skidded along the ground and he grabbed at his stomach yet that was all as he slowly righted himself back up.

"Nettle in the shadows…" Elias began to chant his spell and this gave the teen only seconds to react, rushing forwards Naofumi concentrated attempting to activate the cursed shield. 'Error-Error-Error!' The warning covered his vision. "You won't use the power I gave you against me." The cold calculating voice came as his hand slammed down into the ground emitting a brilliant blue light.

His silver shield twisted just enough to absorb the blow which impacted hard glancing off but sending him smashing to the ground. A large thorned tendril had come from the ground where Elias's hand had been. Yet the mage remained still. "It's not over." He spoke calmly as Naofumi was hit upwards from below, then a second, and third time sending him into the air. His arm deflected the fourth blow as he flipped around and landed onto his backside.

There wasn't a moment of reprieve. Pilum Moralis was already over top of him, his arm drew back and began swinging hard once again. Blocking the blows with his shield as each impact drew out even more sounds of crushing sinew and bone.

'Damn-Damnit! Why, Why are you doing- this!' This was wrong, blocking blow, strike, and swing thrown towards him. The stone faced Elias showing nothing as he just kept beating on him.

'He has rage, but not true anger, not the boiling vengeance that you possess. Why aren't you using it?' Naofumi heard the voice ring in his own head, the battle fading out as the voice of the dragon he had vanquished talked to him. 'Let him feel it, let the man who dared challenge you suffer your fury! Use it and burn him to the ground!'

With a mighty roar Elias was sent flying in the air, his body covered in a sea of roiling red flames that covered his entire torso and sent the ancient mage sprawling on the ground.

"Filo… Maybe we should move somewhere else?" Melty whispered to her friend, seeing just how both of them weren't so much fighting instead turning more into a savage brawl.

"We can't leave Mel, I need to be able to protect Master just in case the bone brain decides to do something really mean." Filo told her friend looking over her avian form towards Melty who sat near the base of her neck.

He ignored the sting of his burnt flesh, Elias stood upright and looked squarely back at Naofumi. The Hero's arm was eclipsed by a fiery red and black shield.

The Shield Hero held forth the Rage Shield, "I can control this Shield much easier than the one you stopped me from using, and I have to admit it feels a whole lot better!"

"Shield Prison!" Swallowing Pilum Moralis in the metal chains and plates into a tightly wound ball. " I don't want to do this. But if you don't stop this I will do it to bring some sense into you." Naofumi held up his other hand "Now I cast the-" His shadow beneath his feet moved rising up rapidly into a physical form.

Where the mage had once been standing he appeared behind him, the black mass of a shadow stretched along the ground allowing the other mage to take form behind him. "Let's see how your constitution handles my Miasma!" throwing open his mouth a thick black purplish smoke bellowed out from the mage's mouth instantly catching Naofumi in the face. It smelled even worse than it looked and hurt far more as his lungs caught fire. Elia's hand grabbed him by the top of his head as the hero gasped and struggled to keep himself conscious and breathing. Ignoring the rage shield he pulled back and slammed another huge fist right into his opponent's gut. Throwing his mouth wide open exposing his mandibles and canines as he moved to cover the Hero's head inside his gaping maw.

Except there wasn't any other opportunity, a huge blast of water struck him in the side. Melty held up her hands which began channeling another burst of water. "Mel!" Filo interjected but it was too late.

"Get Naofumi and let's go!" The princess ordered unleashing another large bolt of high powered water which slammed into the mage knocking him through a tree as he attempted to get back onto his feet.

"Raagghhh!" Elias screamed his body shifted into a more canine form watching as Filo scooped up the Shield Hero onto her back, and ran at Melty with full speed one of her large wings extended outwards to catch her and cart her off. "Nothing will stop me! Nothing-"! His paws tore into the rocky ground.

"Fast Tornado!" Filo jumped around acrobatically throwing a massive wind gust towards the now dog like Elias who was forced to slow down through the gusts of wind. Her mobility wasn't restrained enough as Melty held onto the Shield Hero as they began putting more and more distance between them and their pursueuer.

The only thing that they didn't foresee was the huge ruckus that everyone would be able to hear as a result.

Any patrol that wasn't already on high alert as a result of the kidnapping of princess Melty could see the commotion. Runners and messengers were sent to every nearby soldier that could be spared but a direct connection was made and the three other Heroes and their 'escort' were dispatched with all due haste.

At the direction of Princess Malty who had gathered the Heroes were willing to join up with the King's request to go after and save his dear daughter. Motoyasu joined up to get back at Naofumi for embarrassing him, Itsuki because it was a matter of principle to be Noble and Chivalrous, and Ren joined because there was simply no way that he was weaker then Naofumi.

Most of them had been waiting for some type of news ever since they had heard the reports coming in, of course some information had been left out but the fact that the princess had been taken front he capital was indisputable and her subsequent disappearance for several days only added to the idea that somehow this could be a far greater betrayal caused by the Shield Hero.

"Once we find them the first thing is Princess Melty's safety." Itsuki was currently directing the battle plan up as they headed out in the most recent direction. "We all know that Naofumi is strong and his partners are probably on the same level as him."

"Oh come on Itsuki, The Shield isn't that strong it was just a fluke… yah know he got lucky that's all." It was something the Spear Hero refused to accept, overconfidence or arrogance? Who was to say?

"Fluke or not, Naofumi has powers that the King say's most Shield Hero's do not possess." Ren kept the same stoic appearance since they had begun their journey. "We have to be cautious, we can't underestimate our opponent's and this time we actually have to work together or we'll just end up a side show again." Referencing the disaster that had been the battle onboard the ship in the waves. They all had been a bit humiliated going from the main Heroes and saviors to basically a side peace to Naofumi and the Devil.

"Whatever it is, there's no way Naofumi can stop the three of us. Even with his monster friend."

Overconfidence, it was almost absolute and great for the hand that was feeding them. "Sir Heros!" Malty pulled back at her mount's reigns to come back to the gathering.

"What is princess?" Ren asked as neared them.

"We have them." 'And my chance to become the first princess.'

It was dark by the time Filo and Melty found themselves a chance to rest. Neither of them had any real sense of direction other than to just keep running to avoid the Mage's wrath. It had been almost an hour since they had lost him, using Filo's much greater agility and stamina to outpace their pursuer. They wound up along a narrow pathway connecting to a larger mountain range. They were high up and near a boulder, giving them some measure of coverage and ability to look out if they were on the lookout for Elias.

Naofumi was still struggling, he felt everything just burning in his lungs and the only escape was when he passed out from the pain when the two girls decided -perhaps rightly so- to flee. Whatever spell or trick that had been used was probably lethal to anyone other than him. Holding his stomach Naofumi just focused on trying to keep himself awake and attempt to understand just where they were.

"Mel, do you not know any healing magic?" Filo now in her humanoid form said looking over her still cripple master.

The princess shook her head, it was something she just did not have the aptitude for. "Sorry Water magic is my specialty. I can't really do anything because I'm not really sure what happened to him to begin with. I don't know if that crazy monster cast a spell, used some type of ability. It's all unknown for me, there's not much I can do." 'The Shield Hero has to remain alive, we need all of them and considering he was trying to get me home I don't really believe he intended to do… what he did. He even protected me. '

"Wh-where, are, are, w-w-we?" Clenching his eyes and fighting the stinging inside of his own.

"Please do not try and exert yourself too much Sir Shield Hero I-" Her purple eyes flicked upwards and saw it.

A massive fireball exploded overhead, the parties in its intended path might have very well been killed had the princess not of noticed and performed a desperation spell cast to interfere with the meteor style attack. "What now?" Naofumi pushed himself up and onto his feet where he at least could look like he was in fighting shape. Despite his hud still showing him drained and perhaps at best fighting at half of his full potential at the moment.

But the Hero watched in disbelief as the small cliff overlooking their position was covered with archers and royal soldiers, but worse than that was the visage of four people. One the second princess, the other three were the defunct Heros in his eyes. However, the same look he had for them was returned, they were here for a fight and he was in no position to stop them.

"Naofumi. You have kidnapped the princess, return her to us and we promise you that you will not be harmed." Itsuki the noble bow Hero offered the first peace offering.

Ren made no other movements instead keeping a eye watching the ground for any unexpected guests. Motoyasu was less subtle, "Look I don't care what happens to you Naofumi just hand over the princess and kindly surrender and I promise that I won't kick your ass."

"Motoyasu!" Itsuki barked at the spear hero who rolled his eyes. "We are Heroes not villains, even still Naofumi deserves a chance to explain himself and it won't benefit us to get into a brawl right here and now."

"Look, you can keep playing the ideologue but that's not for Me-!" Jumping from his position the Spear landed just twenty meters away from Naofumi who kept himself upright. "You're not a Hero Naofumi, you are nothing close to what a Hero should be! You take slaves, you force children to fight for you, you kidnap a princess and you side with a horned devil monster!? Just who the hell does all of those things and considers themself a Hero?" He was shouting loudly before swinging out his spear in his arm, the smooth spinning of his weapon came to a sudden jarring stop as it leveled directly in the other Hero's direction.

"..." He could say nothing in this situation, because while it was true he had done all of those things, mostly out of necessity. It was also not at all in the way that it was described as. It was the lesser of two evils, but it was the only thing he could do.

Except for both parties the first princess interceded. "No-!" She stated adamantly walking between them with both of her arms raised up to her sides. "This has to stop, the Hero's must stop this at once! Sir Naofumi's actions were to protect me, not harm me!" 'Not at first but he has done more to ensure my safety.'

"What?" "Huh?" The three other Hero's looked confused, looked to one another then back to the princess. "But my Lady, he kidnapped you!" Itsuki protested, "He grabbed you from the palace and fled, there is no excuse for that!"

"It was too protect me," She said defiantely, "I was targeted for assassination and sir Naofumi has kept me safe, even from the monster you claim he sides with he fought him off and defended me. I implore you Hero's to please stop this."

For a few moments the fire for this quest slowly burned out. Considering one party was protesting any further action and that being the supposed Heroine in need of saving.

But this was Malty's chance. "Heros! Do not be put off by my sister's words, she has fallen under the spell of the Devil of the Shield's brain washing!"

"My what!?" The teenager shouted directly towards the bitch of a princess.

"Did you not all know this?" Malty played up the role of the concerned and desperate older sister. "The Shield Hero can control a person's mind with their powers, it's how he was able to control the slave girl so well, how even the young girl over there is stuck with the Shield and why my dear, sweet, and innocent little sister refuses to listen to reason. It's horrible!" She said being dramatic and grabbed at Itsuki's shoulder. Her eyes showed a desperate pleading. "You saw the monster he sided with, the Devil granted the Shield hero demonic powers. He is controlling my little sister and everyone else around him."

It was quite the shocking accusation, one that might require nothing more than a scoff at if coming from a commoner speaking out against his betters. But this was a royal princess, a victim of Naofumi's evils and in the eyes of the other Heros just one of many failings. Whether or not the accusation was true didn't matter, the culprit was to be guilty before anyone had a chance to say otherwise.

While the bow and sword might have reservations, the spear Hero held no such inklings. Malty's word was paramount to truth in his eyes, she was a beautiful princess and a loyal member of his party always looking out for her people as he believed. How could he possibly not believe her now?

He was being given carte blanche justification for revenge and a chance to bring his greatest rival down to his knees. It was an opportunity he simply could not resist. Motoyasu did not hold back, he let out a war cry with sword in hand and charged at the Devil of the shield all the while the second princess smiled gleefully.

Spear and Shield impacted, the sparks cracked loudly as the weapon shrieked off of one side of Naofumi's defense but he twisted, catching the edge of the squared shield and pulled back. It caused the Shield to stagger, already suffering under the heavy effects of Elias's toxic Miasma he was caught flat footed and his opponent did not give him any quarter. Driving upwards he kneed Nafoumi in the stomach and then slammed his fist not holding the spear square into the other heros back sending him to the ground.

"This is over!" His spear swung upwards into a downwards thrust action, but Filo intervened her large bird form, tackling into Motoaysu who was bounced backwards by the heavy bird.

"Master?" The Filoliali asked cautiously, standing just to the side of him protectively.

"As expected," The redheaded princess said, her hands on her hips. "Luckily I took precautions."

Motoyasu stood upright holding a pair of cuffs, a dark purple glow emanating from them. "I'm sorry you're a victim of this, forgive me!" Planting his feet he threw the cuffs forward, spinning like a bola weapon. Filo attempted to bat them away but the magic in them snapped around her wing and whipped around. Filo lost her avian form and more of her powers as she was transformed and had the second cufflink snap to her wrists.

"Filo no!" Melty shouted as she moved in to protect Naofumi and her friend. "I'm ordering you all to stop, I am not under any spell this needs to stop at once please!"

"Oh, sister… It truly pains me to do this, but sometimes tough love hurts!" Malty threw forward her hand and uttered her magical chant creating a massive fireball out from her palm.

"Princess!" "What are you doing? That can kill her?" Bow and Sword protested her actions but it didn't seem at all to cause her to rethink her plan.

"Don't worry this won't hurt her that badly, but while she's under the brainwashing powers of the Shield Hero she's still a threat!" WIth a flash of light Princess Malty dropped a massive fireball towards the group. Everything was intent on killing the annoying hero and removing her rival sister from her position as future Queen.

Melty threw up a defense as the attack neared but protected the three of them. She wasn't sure if she could-

"As source of thy power, I summon a holy ward of light!" A voice shouted and from nowhere a massive golden light blanked the area, Malty's fireball slammed into the protective object but did little more than flare up for several seconds.

"Who dares aid the Devil of the Shield!" Malty shouted her anger showing on her once passive features. Her eyes swung around to a cloaked figure walking towards the group, small in stature but clearly not in magic.

"It's another ally of the Devil of the Shield! It's probably that monster in disguise stop it!" Her command towards Itsuki and Ren was slow to accept but both of them moved, Itsuki overlooking as Ren jumped down, weapon drawn.

The figure was hidden by a cowl but faint wisps of red showed just from the edges of her veiled head.

"Remove what ails the body and cure their wounds." Their hands became covered in a golden light as Naofumi felt all of his body's weaknesses and pain vanish in moments. He had been purified and healed just like that.

"Don't let her cast she just-!" The Princess felt cold steel touch the side of her throat it caused her voice to hiccup and all of those nearby to freeze in place. A long steel blade was held at the Princess's neck and no one would be able to stop it from being a mortal wound with the perpetrator being so close.

"I'd advise you to stop speaking." The voice was female and their tone was completely direct and focused on the task they had been given. But also angry that anyone would dare begin shouting at her companion. Basic armor covered the new arrivals form but their face was exposed and a pair of small ears poked out from the top of their head.

It was a face that Naofumi knew. "RAPHTALIA!" He shouted excitedly and sadly at the same time, tears sprang up in his eyes as he viewed his once lost Tanuki girl again. She gave him a smile but kept her focus on the princess.

"I'd order your men to stand down, my sword hand is getting tired."

"Why you no good demi-" Her angered voice hitched as she felt the thin cut into her skin and the small tingle of iron in the air.

A single bowshot struck the very edge of the blade knocking Raphtalia's sword just enough away to get the Princess out of direct harm. "Move!" Itsuki rushed forwards drawing another two arrows but Raphtalia wouldn't just back down even to a Hero's command like that. She dodged the next arrow and spun, raising up her right armored leg.

Malty didn't have time to dodge as she was smacked right upside the head by the armored heel. Sprawling her out and over the ground before her attacker darted backwards.

"Myne!" Motoyasu shouted in panic, jumping back towards the fight as Naofumi was joined by the cloaked figure.

"She'll be fine she's just the distraction." The female voice spoke as she came closer, looking towards Filo who just stared up in awe finding herself unable to speak a word. "Let's get those off." Grabbing the cuffs that broke apart as their curse/spell placed upon them was nullified.

"Thanks, but who are you?" Naofumi said, stunned at the extra hand they were receiving.

"Just a friend helping out someone else's friend." She said with a slight laugh apparently a little levity wasn't too bad. "But let's get out of here first." She then reached over and grasped the chains keeping Filo bound and with a light touch the glow from the cuffs faded and they opened up with a heavy thud on the ground.

Both Filo and Melty were awestruck at the new arrival but there wasn't any time to enjoy it as movement from the ridge line caught everyone's focus.

Raphtalia deflected two more arrows sent her direction as she drew backwards before leaping back onto the lower ledge.

"We have to get moving Chise!" The Tanuki shouted coming towards the gathering with a full head of steam. Her armor gave off loud clunks as she moved forwards but she was forced to spin around and block Ren who jumped towards her. The two blades clashed with one another.

"No Raphtalia!" Naofumi jumped upwards, his body feeling completely reinvigorated as he went to help his old companion.

"You're not getting out of this Naofumi!" Motoyasu rushed forwards attempting to corner and cut off the Shield Hero but he wasn't prepared for the blitz attack that came from his flank. The Filoliali was supposed to be out of the picture but when the huge bird came towards the Spear Hero he put up his weapon in defense but was not struck in the chest.

A massive bird foot crashed straight into his crotch causing the Hero's voice to rise several octaves before falling over in pain and grasping at his possibly broken family jewels.

Ren saw Naofumi coming and clipped to the side pushing Raphtalia into his path but also giving her a chance to pull back.

"Sorry for the wait master, but I knew this had to be you." His former slave told him still focusing in on the Hero in front of them.

"It's fine, I'm just happy to see you." He told her honestly looking at her with his side eye and seeing just how mature and beautiful she had become. Maybe he hadn't noticed it before but either way he could see her more than what he had previously after losing her.

She smiled, not moving her sword until the Shield Hero threw up a barrier catching a volley of arrows coming from the side. "We can't fight all three, let's pull back.

"But Naofumi we could-" He shook his head at her. "Very well, move back fast on three."

"One, Two, Three!" Naofumi threw up his shield while jumping backwards, his focus on keeping Ren to his front and letting Raphtalia guard his side as the two jumped backwards towards Filo who went back towards Mel and Raphtalia's friend.

Slowly pushing herself up, Malty felt her body boiling with rage. Her face was hurting, her eyes were spinning, and a lowley demi human slave had put her hands on her figure! Low class trash dared to disrespect the royal family. WIth a slight wobble the Princess got to her feet and threw up her hands. 'I don't care what happens, the whole lot of you fools will pay for this!' Using every ounce of her magical power that she could summon forth a gigantic fireball formed overhead, the brightness and intensity made the entire area appear as if day had arrived. With nothing but a guttural roar she threw both of her palms downwards unleashing the massive destruction spell onto her foes.

"Princess!" "Stop, what are you doing?" Both Itsuki and Ren shouted towards Malty who didn't seem concerned at all about her sister's well being. They were here to rescue her and apparently the older sibling wasn't trying that hard.

"Shit, everyone get behind-" Naofumi's voice faltered as the other figure moved in front of him and folded her hands together. He couldn't hear her but as he saw the attack coming down she was chanting,

A wall of golden and red light shot upwards formed between the two parties. The size eclipsed several times more than the giant meteoric strike headed towards them. The entire ground and mountain shook as the attack colided creating a huge shockwave of energy like that of a bomb dropping.

Naofumi caught the figure ahead of him, her covering blown away by the violent whipping winds exposing a head of pure red hair, a young face and also Japanese with beautiful emerald eyes. She seemed to be out of breath as her cheeks were flushed red and her face glistened with a thin line of sweat.

But he didn't have time to say anything about it. Grabbing her by the wrist he dragged her backwards towards Filo, Raphtalia, and Melty. The group already together huddled close following the explosion. "I'm sorry about this-!" He said truly apologetic as he picked up Chise in both arms and tossed her towards the group.

Filo didn't ask a question and caught her with her two big winged arms. "Are you okay?" She asked protectively, wrapping her wings around the girl.

"F-Fine." But as all four females looked towards Naofumi who stood facing the group of soldiers and Heroes.

"Ren, Itsuki! Don't be fooled by their lies, you must look for the damn truth!" He shouted as the smoke cleared before running towards the group which was loading up with Filo.

"Wait-! Stop Naofumi!" Itsuki shouted his focus on engaging the other Hero as a foe was given pause upon the unexpected and less explained events. Ren sheathed his sword as Filo jumped away using the narrow path that would be hard to keep up with on foot.

"What are you Heroes doing! They're escaping!" Princess Malty shouted at them, one hand now holding her poor face as she glared daggers at the Bow Hero.

"We're risking too much by attacking them now and we don't know who just helped out Naofumi so we need to take a moment to gather ourselves before pursuing." Itusuki told her sternly, but moreover he wasn't entirely sure about the whole situation right now. The Sword Hero gave him a questioning look but both tipped their heads towards one another in acknowledgement.

Meanwhile Motoaysu still held onto his possibly shattered balls wallowing in misery while his princess began barking orders about getting a fire going and smoking them out of the area.

As the Chaos ended behind them Naofumi and the group were all given a chance to slow down when it was evident they weren't being pursued. Naofumi gave a deep embrace to his once lost Tanuki. "Raphtalia…" His voice sounded pained as he wrapped his fingers deep into her brown hair holding her close. Fearing that this day might never come to pass and the actual reality of having her close with the high high and low lows of his emotions he couldn't stop himself from feeling water tickle at the corner of his eyes.

"Master Naofumi…" The girl pressed herself into her old master. She couldn't believe it anymore than him. Her arms were under his, her fingers curled into his shoulders from behind.

Both of them remained quiet and those watching said little. "I'm so sorry Raphtalia… I wasn't strong enough, I should've been there for you and fought more for you." The final moments of her being stripped away from him, all of that loss and emotions were boiling over but the pain of his failings lessened by the blessing in his own arms.

"It's okay Master. It's okay now." Sniffling slightly, her grip still tight but able to smile against him. Both took a moment to regain their composure before Naofumi popped the obvious question.

"How did you even find us?" He had believed it would've been him finding Raphtalia first, not the other way around. Plus the sheer coincidence of them crossing paths out here and in such a manner. It was just hard to take in so suddenly.

"Well I didn't find you, Chise could feel something was wrong and once we saw the explosions we-"

"Wait." Naofumi cut her off. "Chise? Did you say Chise, as in Chise Hatori?" His head turned towards the redhead who looked surprised to hear that someone knew her full name.

"Y-Yes, that's me. You probably think I'm the Saint or something right." The redhead slightly diverted her eyes away from his gaze. He had quite the intense look but even she recognized that he was Japanese and he might know something else about her. Things that she had long buried.

"No, I don't. Because I met Elias." That had her turn her head up and look at him, "Yeah tall guy, wolf head, english accent and blunter than a piece of wood?"

"N-No way, Elias, is-Is… is he…" Chise slowly lost consciousness, her entire body went limp and even before Naofumi had moved Raphtalia grabbed the girl. Separating from her master without the slightest bit of hesitation.

"She used up a lot of her mana again…" The Tanuki slowly stroked the sides of face. "She's so reckless again, but she can use a rest."

"Y-Yeah." Even for the Shield Hero this was just well out of left field and not entirely sure what to make of it. Even still, he reached out and gently touched the top of Raphtalia's head. It was good to have her back at least.

As scouting parties throughout the forests searched the area the harrowing screams and panicked cries became more frequent in both volume and quantity. In the light of the moon stood Elias, his mouth leaking blood as he held the dismembered corpse of what was once a loyal follower of the church. 'If I can not have Chise! Then I will have my Revenge!'

R&R