Chris' Accidental Reveal & First Meeting with Verdia:
The next morning, after training Kazuma, Maximus returned to the Guild once again to inquire about the few quests. One was asking for a Sword Master to help train a young boy within the town. He took hold of the paper and proceeded to the place where he needed to instruct the boy. The woman thanked him once it was over and he informed them he would return the next day shortly before noon. They agreed upon the boy's training would go for a whole week. He taught the young boy what he needed to know about swordplay, everything from how the wrist will tell when an attack was imminent to footwork and stances. In between training Kazuma and the boy he would frequent the Guild to visit Luna.
One night he was laying in the haystack after arriving back before Aqua or Kazuma had returned. He began to think to himself how boring it was and began to question if there really was a Demon King to battle against.
"I wonder what's this Demon King's deal, I defeated a Manticore the first night I arrived. Slayed a herd of Giant Toads and made quite a show during the Cabbage Harvest. I was certain after all of that he would at the very least send someone to investigate these achievements." He thought to himself and sighed from frustration.
He kept his gaze at the ceiling of the stables and relaxed a little more before closing his eyes. The next moment he heard someone walking into the stables. When he opened his eyes, he saw the same woman, who was visiting the stable last time, standing before him. She was looking down at him with a smile.
"You know, if you are going to lay around like that, you'll make it easy for anyone to sneak up on you." She informed him.
Maximus was surprised to see her and sat up with all haste with his gaze fixed upon her. Her skin was extremely fair and her hair was the color of silver.
"Do you mind if I join you, it looks like you could use the company." She inquired of him.
"Sure, I don't mind the company," He said and motioned his left arm with a welcoming gesture. "Have a seat, don't mind the haystack or its smell along with the stench of horses from the other stalls." He said with a half-smile feeling embarrassed. "Wait, what am I doing, I shouldn't have her stay in this filthy place. The manner in which she dresses makes it seem as though she shouldn't sit upon this so-called bedding, let alone be standing within these stalls at all." He said to himself panicking.
Eris noticed his panicked expression and she giggled a little. She sat down next to him and locked her arms around his.
"Who are you, I mean, what is your name, you seem to have a similar face as someone I know." He inquired.
"My name is Eris; I am one of the Goddess' who looks after this world." She introduced herself.
"My name is Maximus Matthews, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Eris." He said.
She giggled a little. "You can call me Eris if you like, no need to make this a formal affair."
"So, why has one of the Goddess' of this world decided to visit me?" He inquired.
"Oh, I was feeling a little bored and since I had some time to spare, I decided to meet you. I should let you know that I know everything there is to know about you when you were first brought here by Lady Aqua." She said.
"Yeah, not very Goddess like to just take someone away from their world only to force them to choose another. Don't get me wrong, living in this world isn't so bad, it's just," Maximus paused for a moment beginning to feel his Demonic Rage build up within him. He could tell it was attempting to act out against her, as though warning him of danger. "Oh no, I need to be careful about this." He said to himself and began to curve the rage.
"You would have preferred it if she asked you to assist this world instead of forcing you." Eris finished his original thought before aiding him by managing his rage.
"Yeah," He said and paused for a moment.
He soon felt her holy aura seemingly causing half of his body to feel a slight stinging sensation that grew by the second. At the same time he felt his rage being calmed a little.
"Oh no, because of me being part demon and her being a Goddess, I feel as though our two auras are reacting in a negative way within me. I also feel as though my Angelic aura is keeping it from hitting me full force. Also did she give me some aid a moment ago?" He said to himself trying to show no pain at all and sweat began to drop down the side of his face. "I hope she isn't going through any pain at all, I would feel terrible if that were to happen." He finished his thought.
"Just as I suspected, as long as I am in my Goddess form, his body would react in a negative way and he is only one-third demon. I can tell it's not completely harming him, but it is causing him to feel discomfort." She said to herself and began to feel bad for making him endure the pain.
Maximus began to feel his head spin and became heavy and soon found himself passing out. Eris changed into her mortal form as Chris and placed his head upon her lap. She began to brush her hand through his golden hair and waited for him to wake up. The next moment she began to think a little about him.
"I wonder why he has no such reaction to Aqua whenever they are around each other?'" She wondered to herself. "It could be because of her adventurer level, compared to his, is far lower. So, I guess this system can place a certain cap on everyone no matter who or what they are. It also could be the reason for his discomfort in the mornings, it must take longer to affect him. And let's not forget he is part Demon, Human, and Angel, being a Human Nephilim and all must stave off the effects as well." She thought to herself.
She kept her gaze upon him a little more and soon notice he was waking up. His eyes slowly opened and he felt extremely fatigued and sore all over his body. His head felt as though it was expanding with every pulse flowing through his veins.
"Ah, my head really hurts, what happened to me?" He said out loud and quickly noticed he wasn't aching.
The next moment he felt the warm thighs of Chris' legs resting under his head. His vision soon focused and he saw Chris looking down at him with a smile.
"Oh good, you're awake." She said feeling relieved his condition was improving. "You know, you shouldn't leave yourself vulnerable like this or else someone might end up taking advantage of you while you're sleeping." She informed him still feeling a little concerned she had caused him to be in this state.
"Was I dreaming before she showed up," He thought to himself. "No, that was most certainly real. But why didn't I felt like that before when I last saw that woman. It could be because she was near me for a brief moment instead of a few minutes." He finished his thought.
Maximus kept his head where it laid, feeling it would bring more uncomfortable sensory overload if attempting to move.
"Chris said something similar to what Eris had spoken just prior to her being here. I wonder," He stopped his thought and took a closer look at Chris' face and soon noticed the scar on her right cheek wasn't present. "Wait, Chris, what happened to your scar?" He inquired placing his right hand on her cheek.
The next moment she felt his touch upon her face and smiled. "Let's keep this a secret between you and me, okay." She said and placed her hand on his forehead.
Afterward she used her powers to form the scar and kept her gaze upon him. Moments later Aqua arrived from the marketplace. In her hands was a large bowl of food she was able to bring back for dinner. She had thought it would be a good way to ask him for his forgiveness in taking him out of his world.
"Maximus, I'm home, how was your," She stopped after seeing Maximus' head laying on Chris' lap.
She instantly shot an angry stare towards Chris, who just responded with a smile as if to one up her in some way.
"What are you doing here and why is your head upon her lap?" Aqua shouted pointing at the two of them.
"I happened to be in the area and saw he wasn't feeling good, so I did the friendly thing and allow him to rest as he is now." Chris said smiling the entire time. "He may lay with you every other night, but by your reaction you two never have been in this particular situation before. I know what you are up to ever sense he had his impressive show the first day he was here. I meant what I said when the game is on." Chris said to herself.
"I don't see what the big deal is, it's not like the two of us are in some sort of relationship. Honestly, you're acting childish over something so trivial." He paused for a moment as a thought about another situation popped in his head. "I wonder if I could go find this General of the Demon King and see what's his deal. Maybe scare him off or something to get quests going again." He finished his thought.
Aqua slammed the bowl of food on the box that was sitting on the opposite side of the stall. Maximus turned to see her angry face puff up a little and stomped over to them.
"I don't know what makes you so special and how you seem to know me, even if you don't, but Maximus and I are party members and it should only be me whose taking care of him. After all, I do have to make him see that I am sorry for what I did to him." Aqua stopped for a moment and pointed at the opening of the stall.
Maximus was a little surprised she would use that excuse knowing she hadn't made too much of an attempt recently and in response to this he only prayed to her whenever she begged for his forgiveness.
"Now, if you don't mind, I believe it's time for you to go!" She shouted with her eyes closed and her head tilted upward.
Chris sat there not moving an inch and responded. "Oh, I don't know about that, I think I am going to stay with him tonight and show him how he should be taken care of." She smiled and started to giggle a little.
"Oh really, well as a Goddess, I forbid it completely." Aqua replied still in the same stance as before.
Maximus was beginning to be annoyed at the banter they were beginning to throw at each other. He was also surprised she would call herself a Goddess in front of anyone since no one has yet to believe her.
"Enough!" He shouted at the two of them before they could continue further. "This is getting out of hand with the two of you. If the both of you don't stop yelling at each other, I'll just go sleep outside." He said as he began to sit up.
Before he could both Aqua and Chris forced him to stay down.
"No, you won't." They shouted at him in unison and turned to stare at each other intensely.
"You will stay right there and eat this food which I was able to bring home for you." Aqua instructed.
"Not to mention you still need rest from what happened to you earlier." Chris said knowing it would drive Aqua crazy.
"What?" Aqua said wondering what she meant by it. "What did the two of you do?" She inquired further.
"Oh, nothing really important, that is if you count me and him together and alone, what do you think would happen." Chris said to tease Aqua.
The two went on and Maximus felt this night wasn't going to end well. After a long exchange of banter between the two of them and being spoon fed the leftovers, they all were finally able to agree to sleep together that night. Chris laid within Maximus right arm and Aqua in the other.
"To think I was going to find it hilarious about Aqua being stuck in this world. Now I've got to put up with this, how annoying. What was supposed to be me watching as Aqua freaks out from life itself has somehow backfired. But I couldn't just leave her there when we first arrived." He said to himself and sighed. "I guess this is something I may have to deal with from here on." He finished his thought.
He looked down at Aqua who was asleep like she normally is without any concern of what happened earlier. He saw Chris' expression on her face was peaceful, sleeping with such grace.
"To think these two were at each other's throats before we went to bed and now here, they are, so peaceful and quiet. I might as well get some sleep and not dwell too much on what happened earlier." He thought to himself and closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Kazuma had returned shortly after he went to bed and saw Maximus with the other two.
"Oh, come on, Chris has fallen for him too?" He said to himself almost spurting it out loud. "Then again it shouldn't have been a big surprise since the night after the Cabbage Harvest. Man, I was really liking her. I should have made an advance on her before now. But how could I, after acting like a silly fool of myself when I stole her panties." He sighed feeling a little depressed and went on to sleep the night away.
Upon the morning's first light Maximus saw that both Chris and Aqua were still sleeping within his arms. He saw how peaceful the two were resting away.
"The way they are now, it's almost as though last night never even happened. Oh boy, is this something I can come to expect from the two whenever they are near each other?" He wondered.
The day pressed on and Chris attended every obligation he had today. She was eyeing him in a way to study him a little further. During the sword training breaks with Kazuma and the boy she would bring him water. As Aqua worked harder through the day she felt as though she was losing ground against Chris. Kazuma and Megumin would go off somewhere and Maximus wouldn't question what was going on. He noticed as the days moved on the two wouldn't miss a chance to run off somewhere.
"I guess those two are becoming more of a couple, yet if they wanted to be discrete about it, wouldn't it make more sense to leave at different times instead of what they are doing." Maximus said barely over a whisper.
"What's that Maximus, what did you say again?" Chris inquired looking over at the door where Kazuma and Megumin exited the Guild. "Oh, I see, you're wondering if the two of them are seeing each other and why are they acting nonchalantly about it. Are you getting jealous of him?" She inquired with a teasing tone in her voice and winked at him with a smile.
He looked down at her noticing her expression and quickly protested. "What, no I would never be that way towards him. Nor do I have any kind of thoughts towards her other than she's just a party member, nothing more."
"I'm just teasing you." She giggled a little elbowing his side.
"Devilishly so, that's not becoming for a," He stopped to lean down by her head. "Goddess such as yourself." He whispered into her ear.
Don't you dare say that out loud!" She quickly shot back covering his mouth with her hands. "No one can know about that so long as I am in this form, got that." She whispered back to him after seeing everyone looking towards them.
Maximus thought it was hilarious. "I might just hang this over your head for a little while longer." He teased her.
"You wouldn't dare!" She said with a serious tone in her voice. She stopped for a moment and saw him smiling underneath her hands. "Hmph." She back away from him. "Well, even if you do, it's not like anyone would believe you anyway. Furthermore, it wouldn't be the most embarrassing thing about me if people found out if I were a Goddess." She said for a moment and began to feel a sense of insecurity.
Maximus noticed this feeling was wearing on her face. "And what, pray tell, might this now found enlightenment be that would make you so embarrassed?" He inquired in a teasing manner.
Chris looked back at him with her finger pointing at him. "I-I not telling you anything and if you try to pester me, I'll never speak to you again, got it." She said with a spark of fire in her eyes.
Maximus couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Maximus, I mean it." She protested.
"Okay, I promise, I won't pester you about it from now on." He smiled holding up his hands to try and calm her down.
Chris sat back down next to him and kept her distance from him not believing in his promise. He scooted over to wrap his arm around her shoulder and placed his hand on her chin to guide here gaze to him.
"I promise, I will not seek after this embarrassing knowledge of yours." He said with a sincere smile.
"I will hold you to that." She said smirking at him. "So, what should we do for the rest of the day?" She inquired.
"Well, before anything else I am starving." He said picking up the menu.
The next moment Luna approached the two of them and she felt a little worried.
"Uh Maximus," She nervously said to get his attention. "May I ask you something in private?"
"Sure," He nodded his head and approached her. "What seems to be your question you wish to ask?" He inquired.
"Well, I couldn't help but notice you and Chris were spending a lot of time together and," She stopped for a moment looking down at her hands twiddling her thumbs.
"Oh yeah, I'm not sure what to say honestly, it was just a spur of the moment kind of thing." Maximus said with a smile and scratched the back of his head. He opened his eyes and saw her mood was unchanged. "But that doesn't mean I have less feelings towards you, it's just that,"
The next moment Chris stepped to his side and placed her hand on his arm. "It's not uncommon for a man such as himself to ultimately have a Harem. There are old tales of male Heroes of the past to have multiple women be his wives. I'm sure he would have asked you about it at a future point in time; but might as well get it all out there now. Isn't that right Maximus?" She said to him and shot a quick wink and smile at Luna.
"Oh, I had never heard of a tale, it must be from an unfamiliar poem or something of the like." She said feeling surprised by this new information.
"Not sure I would have put it like that, but it's too late now." He said to himself.
"Well, I was going to add since it's nearly impossible to find someone who is well worth settling down with in this town, I am okay if it's you I am ultimately with." Luna said smiling at him.
"In that case, why don't we sit down for lunch." Maximus said and the other two agreed.
The three went on to finish their meals and back to the usual activity. After night approached, Kazuma was with a burnt out Megumin and Maximus approached the two.
"Where did the two of you go this afternoon that made your entire journey take until just moments ago to return?" Maximus inquired with no thought about what he saw previously during the day.
"Oh, Megumin and I walked far out to use her explosion magic on some castle. It's become an everyday routine now." Kazuma said feeling a little annoyed yet seeing some benefit from it.
"I noticed that, but don't you think you should check out to see if the castle is occupied or not before blowing it up?" Maximus inquired.
"Nah, I'm sure there is no one living within it," Kazuma paused for a moment as a disturbing thought brew in the back of his mind. "Wait, what if he's right and the castle wasn't abandoned. No, if it was occupied someone would have made a big hissy fit about us blowing it up every day."
"Well, ok, but if anything does transpire as a result of this, it will be completely on the two of you." Maximus informed them.
"Wait, how is that even fair? Don't you think the blame should be solely hers alone?" Kazuma protested.
"True, it is her magic that is to blame, however," Maximus paused for a moment folding his arms. "You were aiding her in this endeavor since its inception. I would have preferred it if you said the two of you were running off to spend time together since you made no effort to conceal it." He finished.
"Wait, that not what's happening," Kazuma shouted in embarrassment.
Megumin was laying against the table feeling the same embarrassment. Her face had turned red and she began to wonder about Kazuma a little more.
"I am fine if party members end up having any relations with one another, just so long as it doesn't hinder our performance during quests. That said, I do ask you keep a professional attitude when the two of you are with the rest of the party and I hope you hold the same expectation with me." He informed them and went on his way.
Maximus met up with Luna once more and had another outing with her that night. The two ended at her place and he waited for her to close the door. She found herself wanting him to come in but decided not to. Maximus walked back to the stables to find Aqua waiting for him. She had a disappointed look on her face.
"What took you so long to return?" She asked. "I was getting cold out here waiting for you."
"You could have just snuggled up in the haystack instead of waiting." He said walking past her, yawning. "If you want to know where I have been so badly, maybe trying to ask me for my forgiveness might get you the answer." He said to tease her knowing it would anger her further.
"Tsk, whatever, I'm not going to waste my time with that until you start praying to me again." She shot back at him thinking it would get him to bend.
"Hah, then I guess you will never know won't you." He chuckled.
"Huh, wait just a minute, that's not fair at all." She began to pout. "I want to know where it was you were earlier." She demanded. "If he says he was with that big chested harpy or that thieving little wench, I am going to scream." She said to herself feeling overwhelmingly angry.
"Just go to bed already, I'm tired, now goodnight." He responded and laid down on the makeshift bed.
Aqua grunted at him, feeling annoyed. She laid next to him with her back facing him. He sighed for a moment and went to sleep.
Hours later in the middle of the night, he felt the cold sting of the fall air beginning to creep in. He looked over and saw she was slightly shivering. She had both blankets on her and knew they had been not enough as they were light in thickness.
He sighed with frustration and took his coat off to place it on and tucked it under her. He then positioned himself against her back to ensure she wouldn't be cold anymore.
"There seems to be times where she has her charms and others where she has the mentality of a child. With that said, I still can't help myself from liking her a little at a time." He chuckled at his thoughts.
"Thank you, Maximus." She said genuinely placing her hand on his. "It's still a slow process, but I will make head way with him." She thought to herself and turned her head to face him.
The moment after she saw he was fast asleep and smiled a little and felt annoyed she didn't get a chance to say what she wanted.
"I'll say it anyway, even if you can't hear me. Maximus, I am sorry for what I did to you and hope you will forgive me one day." She said to him and returned to sleep the night away.
"That was your best attempt thus far, so I will consider the thought of forgiving you later." He responded.
She wanted to be angry but thought it would be a sour idea to ruin a great moment for the two.
"Oh, Goddess Aqua, may you continue to bless our journey with your light and shine the path to everlasting happiness." Maximus whispered into her ear.
"Well, it looks like we're back on track." She said to herself feeling excited from his first prayer in quite some time.
The next day they all met up at the Guild and Darkness quickly approached Maximus when she walked through the doors with Chris pacing behind her.
"Maximus, it has been too long since we last saw each other. Tell me, is there a quest we can undertake today?!" She shouted with her usual tone and stood close to his face.
Kazuma was feeling unsettled by her excited tone knowing how she would react if Maximus were to give her the response she wanted.
"You do realize it's only been two weeks since we last spoke. That's hardly enough time for me to even think about missing you." Maximus quickly replied.
Darkness closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself, and backed away with such exhilarating excitement. "Your words hit me like daggers piercing into my very soul with that response. So quickly and so harshly, please tell me off some more." She said wanting to be berated by him again.
"This behavior is unsettling; doesn't she see how others perceive her?" Maximus said to himself. "No, I will not indulge you further. Your state of excited bliss is very uncomfortable to watch, any longer and I think I may have to lock you up,"
"Yes, that's it, lock me up right now!" She shouted with joy.
"Oh no, I just set her off again." Maximus whispered out.
"Torture me in the most unimaginable and pornographic way you can muster. Oh, the shame of such an enduring task would be an exquisite experience!" She continued to shout.
"Oh man, Maximus, you really need to be careful of what you say to her." Kazuma said to himself with his jaw dropping and a shocked look on his face.
Maximus quickly took hold of her shoulders. "Look," He almost was on the verge of shouting to get her attention.
"Oh, yes, take control of me with your intense strong hands." She said as her excitement was boiling over.
"You're making it worse!" Kazuma shouted.
"That's enough of your talk!" Maximus said with a serious tone that somehow got her attention. "What kind of woman are you for enjoying being tortured to such a degree it causes you to quiver in some kind of ecstasy? This behavior is most unsettling and if you can't keep it in check, I will throw you out of this party faster than I accepted you. And you will be back on the streets, on your own, all alone with no one to torment you or anyone to call you friend. It's a wonder if you even have any to begin with." He shouted. "Wait, wouldn't she actually enjoy the thought and actual action of this. I probably set her off even more. Is there any way to get through to her?" He quickly thought to himself.
The next moment he noticed she was standing still, no longer having the same excited look as before. She was looking down a little, not facing him as tears began to fall down her face. The words that hit her the most brought back memories of her childhood without any friends up until she met Chris.
"You're right, I am sorry that my behavior has made you unsettled in such a way." She paused for a moment.
"There's no way any of that actually got to her." Kazuma and Maximus had the same thought go through their minds.
"If I have crossed the line in some way, I will atone for it now by leaving." She said and turned around to leave the Guild.
"Wait, Darkness," Chris shouted to get her attention but was met by the closing of the doors. She quickly turned around with a disappointed look on her face. "Now look what you have done Maximus."
"What I did was to get her attention, but not like that, and I didn't mean to go off on her in such a manner. I was just so annoyed with her behavior." He quickly said feeling horrible for lashing out at Darkness.
Chris walked up to him and took hold of his arm. "I understand she can be odd at times, but underneath her exterior is a kind and gentle soul. Just so you know, when she was a child, she didn't have any friends until she met me. You should go after her and apologize right now." She commanded him.
The next moment Maximus was out the doors and began to look for Darkness. After spending several minutes, he found her near the halfway point from the gate.
"Darkness wait, let's talk this out!" He shouted to get her attention. He stood in front of her and took hold of her shoulders once more. "I'm sorry for what I said back there, I didn't mean to take it that far and I didn't know about your situation when you were young. That being said I want to make it up to you in any way I can." He proclaimed to her.
"When I was very young my mother passed away and I only had my father around. During my youth I was also without any friends, possibly because my father spoiled me to no end. He kept me shielded for the outside world and that was the reason I didn't have any friends. So, I prayed to the Goddess Eris every day for a friend until I met Chris." She paused for a moment as tears began to fall down her face once more. "I also prayed that I would one day be accepted into a party that would take me in unconditionally."
She stopped to look up at him and grabbed his coat with both hands and began to lean towards him.
"The day you accepted me without knowing too much about me was a joyous occasion. I had finally found a party that was so generous to take me in. You were the one who made that possible. I was so thankful for your acceptance that I didn't want to show you how I truly felt in that moment." Darkness paused again and thought of what he said before continuing. "The moment after you said you were going to leave me alone, without any friends, I suddenly was reminded of my youth. Your words hit me the hardest today than anything or anyone else could have done." She stopped and began to cry.
"Darkness, I am sorry for what I said earlier," He paused for a moment. "It's just your extraordinary attitude towards being physically and mentally tormented is something that is not becoming of anyone. This quickly became annoying to me and I didn't mean to take it out on you. Will you forgive me?"
Darkness looked up at him seeing the sincere look upon his face. She saw he was genuinely sorry for what he had done. She leaned up towards him and they both placed their foreheads together.
"So, how did you like my performance just now, I think I did a most wonderous job of fooling even you." She began to laugh in a little sadistic manner.
"Wait what?" He said as he was confused from what had just transpired.
"Oh, I will accept your apology on one condition and that is," She stopped for a moment and Maximus was listening intently. "Continue to berate me in such a harsh manner and never stop tormenting me in any way you see fit! Show me no mercy as you gaze upon my body with lustful feelings and thoughts!" She shouted.
"Emergency, emergency," Luna's voice began to echo across the town. "We need all available adventurers to assemble at the Front Gates immediately."
"I wonder what could be going on that would have her sound truly scared." Maximus said a loud.
"I do not know, but we should head over there at once." Darkness said and she saw her hands were still holding his coat. "Am I falling for him as well?" She wondered to herself.
He turned to the gate and the two of them dashed to it with all haste. When they arrived, they stood at the head of everyone else and noticed standing on a large rock was a knight clad in dark armor. The steed he was sitting upon was without a head and after Maximus took a closer look, he saw no head was visible on the shoulders of the mysterious figure. Aqua and Kazuma stood next to him. Chris had arrived shortly after them and began to lock arms with Maximus.
"What is that?" Chris inquired feeling a little scared.
"I'm not so sure, but whatever it is, it's most certainly not friendly looking." Maximus replied.
"No kidding it doesn't look friendly and that's because it looks like something out of a nightmare!" Kazuma shouted with a little fear, stepping back to hide a little behind Maximus.
"My name is Verdia," The Headless Knight introduced himself. "And I have been stationed of late in a nearby castle." He raised his hand pointing at the large group. "I am here for the one who has been blowing up my castle every day for the past two weeks. And I demand to know who that is!" Verdia shouted in anger and annoyance.
Kazuma nervously gulped and looked at everyone in the party. "We're so doomed right now aren't we."
Maximus and everyone else kept there gaze upon Verdia, seeing the red glow of his eye fixated upon them. Everyone within the whole group was wondering what was going to become of this day.
