So, I was reading Rising of the Isekai mess the other day and in my infinite wisdom I thought, "Hey, you know what would be funny? An Oops, All Berries situation!"

I want to finish this story before doing anything else, but if that's something you'd like to see in the future then I would be more than happy to entertain this dumb thought. Though, if I do, which Legendary Weapon should get the Four Swords treatment?

Bargram had started to converse with the Blacksmith, no doubt they spoke of proper armaments for the giant. I could not be a part of their conversation, I felt… a weight within me. I had left the shop quietly, sitting myself upon a wall as I looked at the reforged Nail. What was this feeling?

Master? Fera… Before I knew it, Fera had sat down next to me. Master, what ails you? Is the weapon not to your liking? Was it not? Its edge now dwarfed what it once was. It's pale shine was a far cry from the once cracked and shoddy Nail I entered this world with.

Fera… This Nail is not my own. My Nail died with me… no, from its shattered pieces it lives anew… and so too must its edge change hands.

Looking upon Fera, I could see the hesitation she felt. The sadness and guilt that gripped her echoed in my mind. She wished to refuse, offered to purchase another weapon… but that would not do. Fera, this Nail has found a new Master. It has found a new home.

"Ah, you two sharing a moment then?" Bargram asked as he exited the shop, he wore steel adorned leather armor and his dull iron fists had been replaced with a steel equivalent with sharper spiked knuckles.

Nodding, I turned back to Fera, taking her hands and placing the reforged Nail within them, only letting go once she fully accepted its weight.

"We go to the Church, I find the Hourglass, and then we make our leave…"

Bargram and Fera gave their approval, the giant leading the way, "Safer like this, some nasty folk run the church here… might even attack you since you're not human."

Hostility because we aren't human? The members of the church have been known to slay demi humans for sport and pastime. This hostility only became more apparent as we neared the entrance, several priests and priestesses flinching at our sight as they began to chant… their chanting ending once out of what was quite possibly their casting range.

The church itself was a grand building, it's size and structure rivaling that of the Soul Sanctum. Within its white halls lay rows upon rows of empty seats, statues of carved stone lined the walls, chandeliers of shining crystal hung above… and the centerpiece of it all… a grand hourglass held by a magnificent golden dragon.

"E-excuse me, sir?" A priestess had encroached on our trio and confronted Bargram, "Are you perhaps here to make a donation… or are you here to be… rid of a burden?"

The priestess was shy and timid in her posture, yet malicious in her words and intent.

"You'll have to excuse me, lass," Bargram replied, "As you can see, I'm escortin' the Sword Hero and his mate," I could feel a heat radiate from Fera… was all well?

He has called me your mate… you understand the implications do you not, my Master?

Ah, I understand now. Unfortunately, I could not correct this as Bargram gently pushed the priestess aside and led us forward, "Sorry about throwing that out there," He whispered, "Needed em to know the lass with us wasn't for sale "

"Sale? Because she is a slave?" I asked curiously.

"Aye, lad. These church folk tend to buy slaves whenever they can so as to 'teach them' the ways of their gods, or some such nonsense," He explained quickly as we approached a group of priests in prayer before the Hourglass.

The half ring of priests immediately sensed our presence and rose as they quickly reached for their arms and charged their magics.

"Woah! Woah there, no need to be hostile now!" Bargram shouted as he raised his hands placatingly, as if the act itself would calm the agitated priests, "Just escortin' the Sword Hero…"

"The Sword Hero?" One of the priests questioned, "You mean the rumors that this filthy demon was chosen to be the wielder of the Legendary Sword was-"

"Now now, brother Yosef," A more calm and elaborately dressed priest wearing glasses spoke up as he approached, "You'll have to excuse the members of our congregation, some of us have already lost friends and family alike to the last Wave."

"Aye, it's true the Wave already claimed it's victims," Bargram stated confrontationally, "But don't think that gives your men and women the right to draw arms against the Heroes here to save them."

"Yes… it surprised all of us to hear that the Legendary Sword had chosen a demon to wield it," This priest declared with a frighteningly joyous smile, "And yet here we are, in the presence of royalty! Allow us to formally welcome you to our world, his highness Prince Hollow!"

He and the rest of his priests gave a bow… though it was apparent the priests hated doing such a thing.

"Yosef!" The head priest shouted at his subordinate, "Please, bring our Sword Demon sands from the Dragon Hourglass… Sir Hollow, if you would?"

The semicircle of bodies parted as they motioned their arms towards the Hourglass. Be wary, they may still attempt harm against you. With a slow nod, I kept my hand against my Nail as I walked. Their collective gaze sought to bore holes into me no doubt, their own hands itching for a reason to fight.

Finally nearing the hourglass, a thin beam of light had shot directly into my Nail's gemstone. Few seconds had passed as the beam of light faded, a counter appearing in my vision.

[37:08:46:31]

We have time sufficient to prepare for the next wave. It would be wise to visit a general goods trader, an apothecary, and the local magic shop before returning to grinding levels both four ourselves and your swords.

Thirty seven days, eight hours, forty five minutes and forty one seconds and counting… Mastering the Balloon Blade takes precedence I suppose… afterwards, everything else. Returning to Bargram and Feta proved an inconvenience at best, the head priest holding a palm full of crimson sand within a fine cloth

"Leftover sand from our magnificent Hourglass, Sword Demon," He stated with an almost sickened smile as he presented me with the sands. I gently took hold of the cloth, much to his surprise as he nearly dropped the sands.

With practiced ease, I had wrapped the sand within the cloth, my blade soon consuming the items.

[Red Dragon Hourglass Sword Unlocked]

[Silk Blade Unlocked]

The priest did well to hide his growing disgust, his smile never faltering… despite the corners of his eyes tightening.

"Would that be all, Sir Sword Demon?" He asked before looking to Fera, "Or would you be willing to part with your… pet. I hear she is from the castle proper, we've been in such dire need of a… professional."

"May the Radiance shine its unending light upon you," I stated calmly before turning to walk away, his smile having softened. Fool… I doubt he realizes the curse I had lain upon him.

"Oi, Bug Hero, what was that about the Radiance?" Bargram asked of me as we walked out of the church, Fera leading our group this time.

"The wicked goddess of my world," I replied easily, "All who bathed in her light became a mindless slave to her will… or worse."

"What constitutes worse?" The giant asked with rampant curiosity.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. I could not only recall what had happened to myself… but another of my kin had suffered a similar fate. We had finally left the church when I had my response, "To those who follow the Radiance willingly, they are granted great strength at the cost of their mind and body… to those who resist? Their bodies become shattered husks as their minds become ravaged… warped beyond all imagination," I had reached for my left arm instinctively, it had not been so long since it had been nothing but a growing tumorous pustule of explosive disease.

"That scar on your face," Bargram said as he motioned to my mask, "That from the Radiance?"

Scar? It is a rather large scar, my Master… had I a mirror… no. Maybe… My vision began to blur… the world around me shifting until I saw… myself. The image itself was still rather faded, but I took note of the long, thin, cracked line. My vision soon returned as Fera fell to the floor.

"Lass!" Bargram shouted, rushing forward and stopping as she landed in my arms.

Master… I'm sorry. There is no need for apologies, partner mine. Walk, there is much to be done.

We had not walked long as we reached our first destination, a general goods store, before Bargram spoke.

"Lad, I don't want to pry, but what exactly happened to the lass?" He asked with worry.

"We share a bond of Mind and Soul," I replied as we entered the wooden shop, it's keeper an elderly and balding man, "It was her decision to push the boundaries of that bond," Before he could question this, the shopkeeper urged us in.

"Quickly! Shut the door!" He shouted, "You're letting all the flies in! Now what do you want!? Make it quick, you're scuffing up the floors!"

"Now calm down, sir…" Bargram pleaded as Fera and I stayed in place, "We're gonna want the basics for camping out in the woods, now. Maybe a pickaxe or two…"

Grunting, the shopkeeper quickly began to pile together a large set of what I had guessed had been out door necessities. A lantern, three sealed pots of oil, three bedrolls, one had been a bit larger… ten packs of smoked meats and four of dried fruit, two steel pickaxes, several arms length of rope and chain, as well as a cast iron set of pots and pans.

"Alright pay up!" The shopkeeper shouted, "Five gold! Three for the supplies, one for the floor, and another for my time!"

"Now what kind of asinine-" I quickly placed a hand upon Bargram's chest as I lay down the five gold coins… only four left.

"Thank you for your service, we shall be taking our leave," The elder only shooed us away as I placed the mass of items into my inventory.

[Digger's Blade Unlocked]

[Rope Sword Unlocked]

[Chain Sword Unlocked]

[Lantern Blade Unlocked]

[Frying Pan Unlocked]

[Bait Blade Unlocked]

"So, where to next, lad?" Bargram asked as he crossed his arms.

"Fera suggested an apothecary," I replied aa Fera took the lead, "I believe it is so we may purchase salve and potions to offset any wounds and poisons we may accrue."

"Ah, somethin' tells me the lass and I'll be needing potions more than you will," He commented as we travelled the rather short distance, "Tell me something, Bug. You don't care all that much when something harms you, do ya?"

I placed my hand upon the stone, plant adorned building as I looked back to the giant, "No mind to think. No will to break. No voice to cry suffering…"

I gave him no chance to speak as we entered, the apothecarist immediately catching us, "Customers, you must be the Sword Hero. The whole town's been talking about you, you know?"

"Nothing flattering I would suspect," I replied calmly as the apothecarist laughed.

"They say you're the wealthiest of the Three Legendary Heroes, is that true?" They asked as Bargram cleared his throat.

"Mind not prying into the wealth of the Sword Hero? We're just here for a few health and status potions," The giant stated with a clear and sharp tone.

"Of course, of course…" The apothecarist had gone into a backroom and brought out several bulbous vials of what had no doubt been filled with the healing filters my partners would require on our journey, "Now, with the waves coming soon, I don't exactly have the stock that I would like to have, but for our... esteemed Hero… well, I can part with a few of my private stock."

I am not at all professionally trained, but I shall appraise these potions to the best of my ability.

Nodding, I stepped aside as Fera chose five of the eight filters as well as four vials of a yellow slime like substance, "Hmm… I'm going to want five gold for this," The apothecarist stated plainly.

"For five measly potions!?" Bargram shouted, causing the vendor to flinch in fear.

"I can perhaps… take three gold?" They asked moreso from fear than any good will.

[Leaf Blade Unlocked]

"Bah… whole town's gotten gold fever they have…" Bargram growled out as we left, "We'll be forced to take jobs from the Adventurer's Guild at this rate."

Would it be wise of us to begin paying shops with drops?

Drops… it would prove a better alternative to handling gold coins… "For now, we find the town mage. I believe it would benefit you both if you managed to master my magic."

Both Fera and Bargram nodded, Fera had already been exposed to the intricacies of Soul, but our giant had neither the training nor the Void to handle such a thing without proper preparation.

"Mages…" Bargram scoffed, "Trust em as far as you can throw em…"

Query, had he an ill experience with magisters? Some do not trust in the mystical arts, some do not trust its practitioners. Regardless, we had found the rather tiny Magic Shop, the witch behind the counter smiling at us.

"Oh, hello there, here to learn a bit of magic? Maybe you'd like to attune your affinities?" She asked kindly.

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble," I replied calmly, "It would certainly benefit us to know as much of our magic as possible."

"Come along then, don't be shy now…" She replied as she ushered us closer to a crystal ball, Bargram being the first to place his hand upon the orb, "Oh… a little rough around the edges I see."

"Now what's that supposed to mean!?" He shouted as a brown mass swirled within the orb.

"That you're a diamond in the rough. Tough, unrefined, but a jewel waiting to be discovered and released…" She replied with a calm, happy smile, "Here, a book on basic earth manipulation. Now then why don't we see what you can do, dearie?"

She took Fera's hand as Bargram grumpily took the book, though it seemed he was as curious as to what Fera could do as well, "Oh… oh dear this is quite strange," She muttered as a shadow had been seemingly intertwined with a pulsing sharp yellow light, "You seem to have an affinity for lightning… but there's something there I don't think I've ever seen before… benign, yet volatile."

With a curious hum, she allowed Fera to back away once she had been given a book on thunder as she reached for my own hands, "Bound together, aren't you?" She asked as she looked between Fera and I, "I thought I sensed a Slave Seal at work… but it's different somehow."

With a shrug of her shoulders, she bid me place my palm upon the orb, a peaceful blue light shining forth along with an encroaching and suffocating shadow, "Two times…" She whispered, "And from you both, no doubt… For now, that inky black attached to your souls seems harmless, but I fear it could spell doom and disaster for you both. With that said, dear… you have an almost… beautiful affinity with water, only much like this shadow it is nothing I have ever seen before."

Water? Had I ever had experience with water? Could it be something else entirely? She had given me two books, one a compilation of magical theorems, and another on basic water magics.

"That will be two hundred silvers, or two gold," She stated. Bargram looked as if he wished to yell, but my hand on his chest had stopped him much the same as before.

"One gold, one hundred silvers…" Fully armed, we would begin our adventure…

[Spellblade Unlocked]