The Unified Divine Realm. A mystical Ground that serves as a Central location for all the Gods and Goddesses of the Adventure Universe to converge. It's here that Ethox and Mirror Match have been taken to by Ristarte, and where she recapped what has happened to her so far.
Ristarte is a Novice Healing Goddess who was selected to take a hero of her choosing into the world of Gaeabrande in order to defeat the Demon Lord and in turn become a real goddess. She picked Seiya as her hero, but overlooked one crucial fact before summoning him...that he was impossibly cautious of all things. Now she's stuck with him on the world in question, which has been branded as the dreaded S-Class. In layman's terms, S-Class worlds in the Adventure Universe are so chaotic, the Multiverse public aren't allowed near them and gods and goddesses fear going there.
"I see...so that explains a lot about why it was so easy to sneak into this world." Mirror said. "Normally there's barriers to keep ships from crossing through. But we travel using the portals so we didn't have that problem."
"It certainly sounds like you're in quite the predicament already, Rista." said a beautiful brown haired goddess in a blue dress. The three were with them at her house as she served them tea.
"Yep." Ristarte replied, referring to Seiya. "He's got the strength and stats to take down a Heavenly King pretty fast. But all he does? ...Blast the pecs, crunch the abs, and wail on the glutes! That handsome meathead probably has muscles for brains too!"
"I wouldn't say that." Ethox pointed out. "He was smart enough to make sure Chaos Machina didn't see him fly in when he showed up."
"He does have a point. And he cant keep that up forever. Everyone plateaus at some point and he's no exception." Mirror said.
"They're right. So you must be patient." the woman said sipping her tea.
"Ugh…" RIstarte groaned slumping onto the table. "Being a wannabe bigshot is getting old. I just wanna take control of Gaeabrande and be more like you."
"I do have a high rank, but you don't really want to be like me." the goddess replied.
"Don't be so modest, you're Ariadoa, Goddess of the Seal and vetran savior extraordinaire. You've summoned heroes to 300 different worlds and saved them all." Rista complimented.
"That's not true. There was one world I failed to save. It was ranked as a B but we still could not save it." Ariadoa said.
"A B-Class world?" Ethox asked. "That sounds like it should've been easy, what happened?"
"Ethox, you probably shouldn't ask a personal question like that." Mirror Match said.
"It's fine. If the hero I had picked was just a bit stronger...maybe...no...it's no help thinking of the past. Point is, no one is perfect. Not even gods or goddesses." Ariadoa said. "While I've saved many others since then, I am still haunted by that one worlds fate."
"Oh, uh… I'm sorry…" Ethox said.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm going to get us some more tea, would you like some?" Ariadoa asked.
"Oh, yes please-" Ristarte started before Seiya suddenly barged in.
"So this is where you three have been hiding." Seiya said.
"Hey! I can't walk in on you, but it's okay for you to do it to me?!" Ristarte asked as Ariadoa dropped her teapot. "See what you did? You startled poor Aria!"
"He's fine… I mean, I'm fine." Ariadoa said, walking up to Seiya. "Hello, you must be the hero Rista summoned."
"And you are?" Seiya asked.
"Forgive me. I am Aria, the Goddess of the Seal, Ariadoa." Ariadoa introduced. "You appear to be in a hurry."
"I've been exercising to boost my level, but no matter how hard I try I can't get it any higher." Seiya said.
"(Yes! He's hit a wall on working out!)" Rista cheered inwardly. "You shouldn't worry, you can only get so far just by working out. It's time you start beating on yourself and start beating the monsters!"
"Combat… I don't know. It sounds awfully risky if you ask me." Seiya replied.
"Well if he wants to get a major boost, he could always train with a god or goddess here." Ariadoa said.
"If I may," Mirror Match spoke up, "Is that honestly the best idea? The difference of power between gods and mortals is very staggering."
"If he's going up against gods, there's no risk of him getting killed. Plus he'll earn much more XP than fighting monsters." Ariadoa winked. "It's my backdoor loophole."
"That sounds like it'll work, right Seiya?" Ethox asked the hero.
"I do like the aspect of minimizing the risk…" Seiya thought over the idea.
"Well even if the idea works, who's going to do the actual training?" Ristarte asked. "I'm a Healing Goddess and Aria's a Goddess of the Seal. Neither of us know a thing about fighting."
"As it so happens, I can spot a god training his heart out right at this very moment." Ariadoa said looking out the window of her house.
Ariadoa took them to another area of the Divine Realm to see the god in question swinging a large blade around, never stopping.
"Him?" Ristarte asked. "The Divine Blade Cerceus? He's stubborn enough to not swing his blade anywhere else."
"Yes, but perhaps he'll be persuaded to help us." Ariadoa said approaching the man in gladiator armor. "Working as hard as ever, Cerceus."
The man noticed the goddess and turned around. "Well now. If it isn't Ariadoa, Ristarte, and…" he looked at Mirror Match, Ethox and Seiya. "I'm guessing you three are heroes?"
"Uh, he is," Ethox said, pointing at Seiya, "we're not."
"We have other business here in this realm but we were wondering if you could train Seiya." Mirror asked.
"Well, since you were brought all this way to me by a high ranking goddess, I don't have any right to refuse. Still…." Cerceus said, walking up to Seiya. "Listen up, human. I should warn you, my training is very intense. I have serious doubts anybody but a god could handle it."
"Yeah? We'll see if you're still this cocky after we spar, bro." Seiya said. "You'll be too busy crying like a little girl to talk any smack."
"You're gonna eat those words, you piece of emo diaper bait." Cerceus said.
"Shut up so we can get started." Seiya shut Cerceus up as the two headed over to an arena to begin.
"I'm glad that's out of the way, but we did come here for something else." Mirror Match said.
"Oh? And what's that?" Airadoa asked.
"Violet...the Color God Violet...I need to speak with her, apparently" Ethox said.
"I see...no issues there. I'll take you to her building." Ariadoa said, leading the trio.
"You mean...she lives there?" Mirror asked, seeing a small wooden building in the woods.
"I half expected her to live in a fancy palace or something…" Ethox said.
"Violet isn't one to be materialistic. What she enjoys is pure adventure." Ariadoa said, leading them to the door as she knocked.
"It's open." a voice called from the other side.
Ariadoa pushed the door open as Ethox, Mirror and Ristarte looked in shock to see the walls covered with multiple weapons and maps and pictures of adventurer guilds as they saw a woman in plain looking clothes and round glasses reading from a book. "Welcome." she said closing it and getting up as her violet hair sparkled in the light.
"(Wow!)" Ristarte thought. "(This is my first time meeting Violet, and already I'm blown away! She must have loads of experience with adventures and heroes!)"
"Um… hello." Ethox waved. "You're… Violet, right? Color God of the Adventure Universe?"
"That's right. I am as you say. I am Violet." she said with a bow. "A pleasure to welcome those with the spirit of adventure in their hearts."
"Thanks, I guess." Ethox thanked. "Um, my name is Ethox, and this is my buddy Mirror Match."
"It's an honor to meet you, esteemed Color Goddess." Mirror bowed in respect.
"Oh...please...don't praise me like that." Violet said as her face flushed red as she looked away.
"Forgive her. She doesn't really take compliments well." Ariadoa said.
"Come on, don't tell them that!" Violet said.
"(She's...a Color God? The beings we were previously trying to destroy?)" Mirror thought. "(She's acting just like an embarrassed child! Just what was it that Sigmund thought was dangerous about them?)"
"Okay...now then...just what is it I can help you with?" Violet asked.
"Well, I'll keep it simple." Ethox said. "I need answers. About this...fight for balance between stars and destruction? I'm not really sure what I'm even saying anymore but…"
"No...I think I can understand what you're trying to describe." Violet said. "Now...what you're talking about is the long going battle to maintain balance in the universes. It started long ago on an unnamed world. Rising from the ashes of a decimated civilization was a lone warrior. One brought up from the chaos whose one desire is to destroy all in their path and leaving nothing but destruction and sorrow. But to combat this, a few gods, along with myself, crafted from the stars a single warrior. The two have engaged in battle for numerous lifetimes. Everytime they strike the final blow on one another, they die and reincarnate on different worlds. No matter where they end up, they almost always collide and fight, normally getting the same result. This has gone one for many many millennia. The reincarnations have gone on for so long, I can't remember what number we're on right now."
"So these beings are existent in the current day and age?" Mirror asked.
'Oh yes. The one who sows destruction has taken the name of Ehto and is creating his own army to bring destruction to all." Violet said, creating an image of Ehto. "But the warrior from the stars has also reincarnated. He's taken the name...Theo Starcrest." she said, creating an image of Theo.
"Theo?! That's him! That's my brother!" Ethox declared, hopping up and down in place.
"But this cycle is different. A third force has been created this time around. A being born from Theo after being slain by the Seeker of Darkness. He should look like this." Violet said, creating an image of Ethox. "Hey, he kinda looks like…." Violet said before comparing the image to Ethox. "Oh…"
"Ethox… you do know what you are, right?" Ariadoa asked.
"Yeah. I'm a Nobody." Ethox said. "When someone with a strong heart becomes a Heartless, the body left behind becomes a Nobody, a being with a will of its own separate from the one who became the Heartless. They retain their original memories and personalities, but… Nobodies… they don't exist at all."
"Yes. and Nobodies like yourself, ones born from people with incredibly strong wills, are very rare." Ariadoa said. "But in your case… you were never supposed to be born at all."
"Huh?!" Ethox asked in disbelief.
"When Xehanort struck down Theo, you were born. But at that time, it wasn't the appropriate moment for him to perish." Ariadoa said. "Your birth tipped the balance of the entire cycle."
"She's right. Eventually, all three of you will fight. But now Theo's power is in the red now that you, the third force, has been born. So, he must gather the 10 Isekai and then face Ehto in a battle to determine the fate of all universes." Violet said.
"The 10 Isekai…?" Mirror wondered aloud before he made the connection. "The recruitment drive in the Adventure Universe, of course! Those must have been the ten!"
"Actually, despite the efforts, he only has at least 4 on his side." Violet said. "6 still elude him. Actually...make it 5. You see, one of them is here."
"Really? Who would…" Mirror said before realizing. "You cannot be serious."
"He may be overly cautious, but Seiya is without a doubt one of the 10." Violet said.
"What?! Seiya is that important?!" Rista exclaimed before she sunk to the floor in shock. "I can't believe I managed to find someone like that…"
"It's no surprise. A lot of the 10 happen to hail from Japan at some point or another." Violet said. "And it's not like we can just spill who they all are willy nilly."
"I can't believe it." Ethox said. "It was only just pure coincidence, but we ran into one of the ten. No wonder he's one of them, hes insanely strong."
"I think you missed something...pretty sure she just said you and your brother are gonna have to fight." Mirror said.
"Fight...but…' Ethox said. "(I've spent so much time looking for him. But...I don't want to...wait…)" he thought before an idea came to mind. "Excuse me but...is there anything that says I have to fight him? What if we teamed up against this Ehto guy?"
"Hmm...well...it is based here that the third force was neutral in some way. But...I suppose that it's not completely out of the question." Violet said.
"Well, I don't wanna fight my brother." Ethox said, looking conflicted. "But… would he really see me as an ally? What if I'm a reminder that he died, or what if he sees me as a threat to the balance, or…"
Ethox scratched his head furiously as he wandered off.
"Oh dear… I think this is all too much for him to process." Ariadoa said.
"Violet, thank you for telling us all this." Mirror Match said. "We may have to speak more later. Ethox, wait!" the former king called out, going after his friend.
"Is he really gonna be okay after having all this shoved in his face?" Ristarte asked. "I mean, I personally didn't take getting Gaeabrande well at all at first."
"It will be alright. We've informed him of what's at stake." Ariadoa said. "It's now all on him to see how he takes it."
Four days later…
"...so thanks again for coming with me, you two." Rista thanked the two former cultists as the all walked through the Divine Realm's cafeteria. "Hey, you feeling any better, Ethox?"
"I'm okay. All that info Violet put on me was hard to digest in one go, but… I think I got a handle on it." Ethox answered. "I dunno what I'm gonna do right away… but I'll figure it out as I go."
"I'm jealous you're so upbeat about everything." Ristarte said. "Meanwhile, I've been worried about Cerceus. These past few days, he hasn't been himself, a lot more down than usual."
"You said he's usually here, correct?" Mirror Match asked.
"Yeah, but I don't see him." Rista remarked. "I wonder if he's taken the day off or something… well, we'll probably find him when we get these snacks to him and Seiya." she decided, holding a picnic basket.
The three of them headed past the kitchen and onto a beach behind the cafeteria. Ristarte was looking to get some seaweed for some Onigiri. While they were browsing, Ristarte suddenly jumped back in shock to see someone behind the panels.
"Wah! Cerceus?!" Ristarte asked in disbelief. Indeed, it was the Divine Blade, but he wasn't the same man four days ago. He was now hiding in the panels and reduced to a quivering ball.
"Why are you here?" Ethox asked.
"Shh, keep it down." The Divine Blade shushed the boy.
"What happened to you? I didn't think it was like you to hide away like this." Ethox asked.
"Yeah… but there's a good reason I am." Cerceus said. "That guy, the hero you summoned Rista? Nutjob."
"Trust me, I'm well aware." RIstarte sighed.
"You mean that Seiya is responsible for your current condition? What has he done to you?" Mirror Match asked.
"I told him that he's done enough training, but he says 'Nope, not yet'. That's all he ever says and he won't let me go." Cerceus explained. "He's… relentless, I haven't had a chance to rest."
"That's horrible." Ethox said in sympathy.
"Yeah...so I'm hiding from him. And so he can't ask me to spar, I threw my sword right into the ocean." Cerceus said.
"You WHAT?!" Rista exclaimed in total shock. "You mean the Divine Blade threw away his own sword?!"
"That's right, I did it!" Cercrus yelled, completely losing it. "I never want to see those things ever again! I can't stand the sight of them!"
"This is where you've been hiding."
The group jumped and yelled in shock as they saw Seiya standing in front of them, his grey eyes locked on Cerceus.
"I said you could go and eat lunch. It doesn't look like you're eating to me." Seiya said.
"I was… impersonating seaweed. I'm practically withered at this point." Cerceus frantically said.
"Well, we're wasting too much time." Seiya said. "We're gonna have to power through with no more breaks."
Seiya started to approach the shaking god, only to be cut off by Mirror Match.
"Seiya, can't you see you've broken the poor man? You're done training." Mirror stated matter of factly.
"Nope, not yet." Seiya said, trying to get past the former king.
"But Cerceus said it himself, you've already done enough training." Ethox added. "You've gotta be at least 4 times stronger than him by now."
"I can't stop, not until I'm 100 times stronger." Seiya responded.
"Listen you!" Mirror said, getting angry, "You are done with him! Find someone else to train with!"
"And who's gonna do that?" Seiya asked sharply.
"Well, I for one can certainly teach you some humility!" Mirror yelled.
"Don't do it! That guy's a super berserker!" Cerceus cried out.
The two glared at each other, Seiya even starting to reach for his sword, before Ethox got between them.
"Hey, enough! Match, do you even know what you're saying?!" Ethox asked. "Besides, you heard what Violet said. He's one of the ten heroes!"
"Him, a hero? Then maybe he should act the part!" Mirror yelled.
"Match, please! If Seiya wants to train, let him train with me!" Ethox said.
"You're crazy, kid! You won't last a day!" Cerceus said.
"Excuse me." a calm voice broke up the argument. It was Ariadoa. "I've been looking for you. Rista, Ishtar wants to have a word with you."
"Really?" Ristarte asked.
"I don't know about what, but it sounds important." Ariadoa added.
"We should probably go see her." Ethox suggested.
"Yeah, lets go." Ristarte said. "Sorry Cerceus, but please tough it out a little longer!" she said as the three left.
"No, wait! Don't leave me alone with this psychopath!" Cerceus cried.
In a quiet part of the Divine Realm, the three stood in front of an eldery woman, knitting a scarf of sorts.
"So Ristarte, I understand your hero has been training with one of the gods." Ishtar said. "And you've also seemingly accommodated the third force and an ally of his."
"Yeah, it was sorta a coincidence we bumped into each other…." Risarte said.
"Miss Ishtar, please pardon my rudeness, but Seiya's training with Cerceus has left the man completely in a state of despair. He has thrown away his sword and is now cowering in shame." Mirror Match said.
"It's not surprising." Ishtar said. "You see, Cerceus used to be quite the faint-hearted man."
"Wait, really? A rugged, disciplined guy like him?" Ethox asked. "How could he have changed to be faint hearted?"
"Is it possible…?" Mirror Match asked. "Tell me, was Cerceus once a mortal human?"
"Yes. In fact, Cerceus was once a human swordsman, before he was reincarnated as a god." Ishtar explained. "When he was reborn, he lost all memory of his former life. But those feelings etched deep into the soul… they do have a habit of being persistent. After having such demands wear him down, it seems that the weaker part of his soul was exposed somewhat. In that regard, one could argue that the experience has been good for him."
"Good for him?" Ethox asked in confusion. "Being too traumatized to pick up a sword is a good thing?"
"I didn't say that the experience is over yet." Ishtar said. "But enough about that for now. Let's get to the point of why I called you here. I need you all to travel to the next town immediately."
"The next town? Has something bad happened on Gaeabrande?" Ristarte asked.
"Edona, the town I picked as a starting point for you and Seiya, was a relatively safe place. But the Demon Lord was aware of our plans and sent a powerful enemy to combat you. They are far more prepared than I expected. And it seems they plan to retaliate. One of the Four Heavenly Kings, Deathmagla, is leading an undead army to attack Seimul, where you are to meet two young warriors who shall become your allies." Ishtar said.
"So we're getting new friends? Cool!" Ethox said in excitement.
"Then I suppose we should go and collect Seiya… provided that we can tear him away from whatever he's inflicting on Cerceus." Mirror quipped, rolled his eyes.
"Don't worry, we'll pull him off Cerceus if we have to, c'mon!" Ristarte said as she and Mirror match headed off. Ethox went to follow, but he turned back to Ishtar.
"Excuse me, Ishtar? You found out about the attack and our allies by seeing into the future, right?" he asked. "If you can… maybe you could look into my future, and tell me what's going to happen with me and Theo?"
"I'm afraid it isn't that simple." Ishtar said. "I cannot predict the future of one who hasn't chosen his role. Your future is up to you to decide."
"...I see. Thanks anyway." Ethox said as he left, the words floating around in his head.
Back at the arena, the three marched to get Seiya, only to see him whaling on Cerceus.
"He's beating the hell outta him!" Ethox gaped.
"Seiya, for the love of Harmony, stop it!" Mirror said.
"I didn't ask for any criticism on my technique. This is part of the training." Seiya said.
"So, is this what you guys do? You train him on your back like that?" Ristarte asked, looking at the god. "Hold on, why is he just lying there sobbing and not saying anything?!"
"Did you guys need something or what?" Seiya asked.
"Yeah, we need to head to Gaeabrande. Like right now, there's something big coming its way." Ethox said.
"Whatever… I think I've gotten all I can out of this guy anyway." Seiya said standing up. "I am….perfectly prepared. That's right. I'm 100% ready for this."
"Great…." Ristarte groaned before she went to open a portal, Mirror match following. Ethox looked back and saw Cerceus sitting in a ball, completely devoid of emotion.
"I can't just leave him like that…" Ethox said.
No, you certainly can't. It seems like this god needs some encouragement. Or rather… some inspiration?
Another flash then instantly flowed through Ethox's head, accompanied by the crow of a rooster. "Inspiration, huh? Alright...here goes."
Ethox summoned his keyblade and assumed the same position he did back in Edona.
"As my call changes night to day, hopelessness becomes determination." Ethox recited as he held his Keyblade over Cerceus's head. "Lend me your call, bringer of daylight to the pasture. Inspiration!"
The Rooster Kanji lit up as the crow came again, a warm light washing over Cerceus. As the light faded, the dark cloud over the god let up, and the Divine Blade got up off the ground.
"Huh… suddenly, I feel a whole lot better." Cerceus remarked. "I dunno what you did, but thanks kid."
"No problem, Mr. Cerceus." Ethox said. "Good luck!"
"Same to you." Cerceus said as the two shook hands and parted ways.
The town of Seimul….
"Here we are!" Ristarte said as they arrived. "This is Seimul. According to Ishtar, our new allies are waiting at the church, so let's go there."
They then heard noises as they saw a host of citizens evacuating.
"Looks like most of the people are packing up to leave." Ethox asked.
"I'd know I would have the city evacuate, if there was an army of Undead bearing down on us." Mirror Match said as they headed inside.
"So, what are the undead anyway?" Seiya asked.
"They're dead things basically, that can move and attack." Ristarte said. "They're pretty hard to beat with a sword."
"Well then, how do you kill them?" Seiya remarked.
"Well all undead creatures share a weakness against light and holy elements. So dousing them with holy water normally does the trick in normal cases." Mirror said. "Although, in a pinch, fire can work as well, but only if you're looking to kill."
"Well, I already have fire skills… so we should stock up on holy water." Seiya remarked.
And so, the group found a shop that stocked up on holy water.
"Holy Water. If you're dealing with those undead, you'll need to get yourself some of that." the shopkeeper said.
"I'm surprised you're still here, what with the horde coming and all." Ethox remarked.
"Can't keep those undead stop us from making a living." the man laughed. "You'll need to get as much as you can, cause you don't wanna run out."
"You're right about that." Seiya said, putting a bag of money down on the counter. "I'll take a thousand." at that, Ristarte winced in pain.
"Hold on, I said you didn't wanna run out, but this is overkill. You just gotta splash a bit on each one, you're not gonna be dunking them in the stuff." the shopkeep said. "Besides, I don't have anywhere close to a thousand in stock."
Seiya then grabbed the shopkeeper by the scruff of his shirt. "Well then you better order more. Otherwise I'm gonna tear off that ascot, brosef." he demanded.
"We'll just take 10!" Ristarte interjected, separating the two.
Outside, Seiya held one of the bottles.
"It's not enough…" Seiya muttered.
"It is too." Ristarte argued, the two former Anarchy Kings following a ways behind.
"Geez…. I thought it was bad when he was attacking Chaos Machinas ashes, but asking for a thousand bottles of holy water?" Ethox asked. "The doc never needed that much when he was working."
"True enough." Mirror stated deadpan. "Just another reason why this 'hero' is completely insane."
"Hey, don't be like that." Ethox remarked. "Remember, the guy saved my life. Sure he's a little… rough, but he's as determined to save this world as the Hero Alliance would be. Just give him a chance."
"I feel as though I've already spent most of them…" Mirror grumbled as the group arrived at the church. Heading inside, the two saw a priest and a nun, alongside two young children. One was a warrior in green and brown clothing, and the other was wearing all pink with her hair styled in a pony tail.
"Who is… ah, a goddess!" the priest said. "You must be! The signs from god foretold your coming. We've been anxiously awaiting your arrival. These two young souls you see before you are descendants of dragonkin, so they have dragon blood in their veins. They will be teaming up with the hero so that he may defeat the Demon Lord."
"Dragon blood? That's so cool!" Ethox said. "I had a friend who was part dragon, so I definitely know how strong people like that can be."
Seiya said nothing as he approached the priest. He then poured a bottle of holy water out right onto him.
"Seiya, that is enough! I mean, honestly, he's a priest. There's no way he's…" Mirror said before looking at the priest.
"Impossible...how could you have known?!" the priest said as he started melting.
"...I'll be damned." Mirror stated blandly.
"Wow, the hero knew he was an Undead right away?" the boy asked.
"That's amazing!" the girl exclaimed.
The priest, now revealed to be an Undead, lost most of his hair and glasses as he growled. "I should've expected the one who killed Chaos Machina to be so cunning. I had originally intended to gain your trust and then slaughter you, but this changes things! No matter, I can still take care of the lot of you. My power was bestowed upon me by the Four Heavenly Kings member, Deathmagla. With it, I'll destroy you all!" he said, revealing his disfigured face.
Ethox summoned his Keyblade as Mirror Match created a sword made from black crystals.
"Bring it on, bastard!" the dragonkin boy said, drawing his sword.
"Yeah, you're dealing with me, too!" the girl said, getting a wand.
"How long has that stinkmouth been at the church?" Seiya asked the nun.
"He came over as a missionary from Crane Castle a few days ago." she replied.
"Crane Castle… wasn't that the place the townsfolk mentioned got sacked?" Ethox asked.
"He's a scout." Mirror Match said. "He must've been sent here in advance. They knew we would be coming here."
"So this dude's not one of the local townspeople." Seiya remarked.
"Very astute observation, Seiya." Mirror remarked sarcastically. "Now, would you kindly draw your sword and assist us?!"
"You don't have to yell. I've already immobilized the enemy." Seiya said.
The undead charged, but suddenly stopped midway as he found himself being systematically hacked to pieces.
"What's happening?!" he asked as his arms, torso and neck were amputated instantly.
"Look at that. Even when I tear you apart, you don't bleed. You just sound constipated. Are they all like you?" Seiya asked.
"When the hell did you cut him up?" the boy asked.
"I didn't even see you draw your sword!" the girl mentioned.
"Neither did I." Ethox added. "Did Cerceus teach you a quick draw skill during your training?"
"What I don't understand is how you managed to figure out that priest was undead." Mirror said.
"I used my brain." Seiya stated. "The priest was the oldest and most feeble in the room. He'd be dead soonest, which means he'd also be undead soonest. So I gave him a little shower."
"...Eh?" Ethox cocked his head in confusion while Mirror simply put his head in his hands and shook it.
"I don't get it! That didn't make any sense at all!" Ristarte gawked.
"Oh, the little hero is so damn clever?" the chopped up zombie asked in mocking. "Deathmagla's undead army is going to put an end to your victory celebration! It won't just be a small group of zombies. An armada 10,000 strong will be here tomorrow morning to eat your brains for breakfast!"
"Ten thousand? And they'll all be here by tomorrow?" Ristarte asked.
"Yeah, thanks for clearing up everything that was already said, genius. I'm gonna have to clean this mess up." Seiya said. "Since cutting you up didn't shut you up… I'm gonna have to be extra thorough."
"Oh crap..." Ethox said. "He's gonna do that? In here?!"
"Flee for your lives!" Mirror ordered as the other three members of the group grabbed the nun and two dragonkin and ran to the building's exit as Seiya charged up.
"What's he doing?!" the girl asked.
"Just run, trust us!" Ristarte said as Seiya had the spell ready.
"MAXIMUM INFERNO!"
The church was bathed in fire as the force of the blast threw the group to the ground outside.
Ethox and Mirror Match were thrown flat on their backs as the church was burning behind them.
"...He couldn't have waited to do that outside?" Ethox groaned.
"Why would he do that? That's too sensible for him." Mirror groaned back as the church collapsed. When the nun saw the destruction, she collapsed in shock.
"Well, that's one way to do it." the boy said. "This guys pretty weird… but he's strong." he approached the three. "Nice to meet ya, heroes. My name's Mash. I'm a warrior with Dragonkin blood."
"And I'm Elulu. A mage also of Dragonkin blood." the girl said.
"Nice to meet you both." Ethox greeted. "I'm Ethox, and this is my friend Mirror Match." he presented, gesturing to the former king. "And-"
The Nobody was interrupted when Seiya took another bottle of holy water and poured it on Elulu's head.
"...you've already met Seiya." Ethox finished while staring at the sight.
"Hm. This one's human." Seiya said before pouring another on Mash.
"What're you doing?!" Mash asked.
"Him too." he said, dumping another on the nun. "Cool. Human."
"Not a good idea to do that while she's unconscious-" Ristarte said before she was dumped on by water as well. "Hey! What did you pour it on me for?!"
"I had to be sure you didnt turn undead at some point." Seiya said, immediately pouring another bottle on Ethox.
"Wh-me too?!" Ethox asked. "I'm a Nobody, not a ghost!"
"Doesn't hurt to check." Seiya said, not even sparing Mirror Match.
"I loathe you, Seiya." Mirror growled.
"This guy has some trust issues, huh?" Mash asked Elulu.
"More like a problem." Elulu replied before said hero and goddess were staring at them. "H-Hey, what're they staring at us for?" she asked Ethox.
"Huh? Oh, they're just checking your stats, don't worry about it." Ethox remarked.
"We don't even know what that means!" Mash protested.
"(Not all that impressive to be honest. They don't have a fraction of what Seiya's packing. But they have room to Grow.)" Ristarte thought. "(Hm…. while I'm at it, better check Ethox and Mirror Match's stats too. Let's see…)"
The goddess looked at both of the former cultists' stats, seeing that their levels were slightly lower than Seiya's.
"(Hm… all their stats are a little lower than Seiya's… but I should probably keep my eyes Ethox. If he's at all what Violet said he was, he's got more to break out than what he's got.)" she thought. "I think keeping Ethox and Mirror Match around won't have any harm. And it will be nice to have more help on the team, don't you thi-?" she was about to ask before lurching back at Seiya's face… as he was looking at all four of them in disapproval.
"No way." Seiya said as the wind blew, the dragonkin and cultists in shock.
"But Ethox and Mirror Match are really impressive! And once the two dragonkin level up more, they'll learn Dragon Metamorphosis, and they'll-!"
"No way." Seiya repeated.
