The battle was about to begin. Marius, with his bronze shield, spear in hand and the gladius sheathed, was ready for battle.
"Battle. How I miss you." said Rollo, also harmed. "Are you ready, my friend?"
"I am always ready." said Marius. "Now with the queen's aid we have more armies than we had during the last wave."
"I'm amazed you put together this big army in such a short time." said Naofumi.
"This is nothing. Dealing with the Waves is an important responsibility of the royal family." said Melty.
"Why did you come along, too?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Because you like Naofumi, did you?" Hanzo teased.
"It- It's not that! I'm... I'm still part of Naofumi's party, remember?"
"I'm happy I got to see you again." said Filo.
"By the way, will the people of Cal Mira be all right?" said Raphtalia.
"The lord of the island has already evacuated the island. The civillians should be safe." said Lady Ingrid, and she turned to bow at the queen. "Your highness."
"Thank you, Lady Ingrid. Besides, it's likely that this Wave will occur out at sea." said the queen. "That should help you focus on the battle."
"That's true." said Naofumi. "But we can't get complacent. As always, those guys didn't seem to want to fight together."
"They said they would be fine after they leveled up at Cal Mira." said the queen.
"Looks like things might get ugly yet again."
"You need not to worry, shield brother. I feel a victory waiting for us at the end of this battle! Just you wait!" said Rollo.
"Easy for you to say."
"We will assist as much as we can, Shield Hero." said Lady Ingrid.
"Master Naofumi." said Raphtalia, pointing at a ship sailing beside them. "It's L'arc, Therese and... the cloaked lady."
Marius walked towards the edge and saw all three of them on the ship.
"You know them?" said Melty.
"Our allies during our hunt at the island." said Marius.
"I'm glad we have them on our side." said Raphtalia.
"They're way more reliable than Motoyasu and the other guys." said Naofumi.
However, L'arc did not greeted them like he used too. Choosing only to ignore them.
"Something is not right." said Marius.
"It's too late for that now." said Naofumi.
"We'll engage the enemy as soon as we teleport." said the queen. "Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Rollo started banging his sword on his shield. "Valhalla here I come!"
"Ready?" said Marius.
Filo nodded, "I'll do my best!"
"Warriors! To arms!" Lady Ingrid shouted.
The Raider, the Kensei and three knight guards responded to their commander.
Then, the yellow glow engulfed the ship and it teleported them to the battleground, with dreaded skies much like the one during the last wave.
And from the portal underwater, humanoid fish-like creatures emerged and swam their way to the ships.
The knights started dropping barrels after barrels full of cohol wine to the waters. The floating barrels then exploded, releasing the intoxicating wine to the ocean.
"Archers!" the Kensei shouted. "Release!"
The knights followed his command and they launched a barrage of arrows at the drunked creatures.
"Now that is strategy." said Marius.
"By Odin's beard." Rollo said, looking at the giant aquatic monster approaching. "That is not a whale."
"No. It is not."
Itsuki fired his bow at the monster but it dived underwater to avoid the attack. It then emerges and struck the ship with Ren on it.
"Shield Hero, please keep the most formidable foe in check." said the queen.
"You make it sound easy, but it's underwater." said Naofumi.
"That's exactly why it must be you." the queen said to Filo.
"She can stay underwater much longer than us." said Marius
"In that case, I'm gonna draw that thing out of the water Filo! On me!" said Naofumi.
Filo transformed into her filolial form and Naofumi rode her back.
"We will stay here and keep on the fight." said Marius. "May the gods watched over you two."
"Good luck. Let's go, Filo!"
" 'kay!" Filo jumped into the water with Naofumi on her back.
"There's a harpoon gun on the top deck. Raphtalia, I think you should have it." said the queen.
"Yes, your highness." said Raphtalia.
"We will guard her back. Rollo, will you fight me us?" said Marius.
"Show me where the fight is, brother! I'm thirsty for blood! And mead!" said Rollo.
"Good. We must move. Now!"
And with that, all three of them ran to the upper top deck. Raphtalia got on the harpoon gun and waited for the monster while Rollo and Marius stood guard.
Then, the monster emerged out of the water chasing after Naofumi and Filo. All three of the heroes fired their long ranged attack on the monster. All three attacks hit the monster but did little to no damage. The monster retaliate by firing a beam at one of the ship which caused major damage.
As the monster was still visible, Raphtalia fired the harpoon gun and it penetrated through the monster's hide. The monster returned underwater, and fired its beam at their ship. The attack only scrapped the side of the ship as it nearly toppled it over.
As the passengers were recovering from the attack, the small creatures climbed up to the ship and began attacking the crew members.
"Protect the royals!" Lady Ingrid shouted, and the two warriors and the three knights readied their weapon.
"What's going on?" said Raphtalia, before a creature jumped on her harpoon gun.
It was about to attack her when a spear pierced through its chest. Marius threw the creature aside and it unlodged itself from his spear.
"Keep manning the gun! We will protect you!" said Marius.
"Let's show this little shits what war look like!" said Rollo, before charging into battle.
The viking slaugthered every creature who thought it can take down Rollo. One creature pounced from his side, grabbing the round shield as it tried to yanked the shield from Rollo.
"How dare you!" Rollo headbutted the creature, cracking the creature's skull before Rollo bashed it away. "I'm ready! How about you!"
"As source of thy power, I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and use the power of water to thrash my targets. Zweit Aqua Shot!" Melty conjured a wave of water that destroyed the creatures but left the others unscathed.
"Princess! Behind you!" Marius yelled out.
Melty turned around and saw one of the creatures pounced on her. Before it could get closer to grabbed the princess, Hanzo reacted quickly and swung his katana at the creature. It fell to the floor with its head rolled away from its body.
Hanzo then looked around and saw more of the creatures climbing up the ship. "More of them!"
"Form a circle! Protect them with your lives!" Lady Ingrid shouted.
The Order and the knight guard formed a circle around the royals, and waited for the creatures to attack.
Then, just out of nowhere, a whirlwind swallowed the creatures and sliced them as they were carried off their feet. After the area was cleared, L'arc landed right in front of Lady Ingrid.
"Though you guys needed help." said L'arc.
"Adventurers." Lady Ingrid scoffed.
"L'arc!" Naofumi called on top of the ship's mast. "Get on that big fella and attack it! Even if you fall into the water, Filo and I will save you!"
"Well.. I suppose it does need to go down first." said L'arc. " Get its big ass out of the water again!"
"Our friends at Cal Mira have finally joined us." said Marius.
"That's a relieve." said Raphtalia.
With their combined effort, the monster jumped out of the water chasing after Naofumi and Filo. L'arc used the same attack he used saving The Order and the royals, and it did damage to the monster.
Filo dashed through the monster, cutting its hide before coming back and kicked the creature's lower jaw. Followed by a stronger attack from L'arc, and it slayed the monster leaving its carcass floating on the water.
"It is done. They have slayed it." said Marius.
"Finally. Come on, let's go meet them." Raphtalia unmanned the harpoon gun and joined Marius.
"You are coming with us?"
"I am honored. You two do need someone with the boat." said Rollo.
As the three of them walked away, they saw the cloaked lady standing in the middle of the upper deck.
"It's her." said Raphtalia.
"I will not ask again. Who are you? What do you want with us?" said Marius.
The cloaked lady took off her hood, revealing a face of a middle-aged woman with pale blonde hair. "Hello, Marius. It's been a long time."
"No... It can't be!"
"Oh no... It's her." said Rollo.
"Who?" said Raphtalia.
"The warlord... Apollyon..."
"You are dead! The samurai killed you!" Marius shouted.
"Yes, I did died. But I was given a second chance, and now here I am." said Apollyon.
"Raphtalia. You need to get to Naofumi and Filo."
"I won't leave you. We'll face her together." said Raphtalia.
"You do not want to fight her, Raphtalia. Go. Naofumi and Filo needed you more."
"You're right... Good luck."
"I think I'll help miss Raphtalia instead... Good luck, brother." said Rollo, and he walked away to find a boat with Raphtalia.
Apollyon looked at the two before returning her gaze at Marius. "And I thought I'll fighting all three of you."
"This will be between you and me! And I will do what I should have done all those years ago!" said Marius.
"Apollyon!" said Lady Ingrid, as her and the other two warriors approached them.
"Ingrid? Long time no see. And how was Lord Warden and the Iron Legions?" said Apollyon.
"By my orders, you will be punished for your crimes!"
Then, Apollyon lifted her hand clenched her clawed gauntlet, and more creatures jumped out of the water and surrounded The Order and the royal family. "You heard the centurion. This fight will be between him and me."
"What do we do now?" said the Raider.
"... Our order still stand. Protect the royals. Let the Masked Hero deal with her." said Lady Ingrid as she and the others backed away.
"Finally. Just us alone." said Apollyon. "I say, you have changed alot, Marius. I remembered how hotheaded you were. Cross always said you were too difficult to handle.
"And now you are what? The Masked Hero? Fitting name, for the mask that I gave you. And you are friends with the Shield Hero, the demi human and... This one was very surprising to me, you are a lover to the little winged girl? Guess there was more to you than I remembered."
"You will not lay your hands on them!" said Marius.
"I'm not after your friends or your little bird, Marius. L'arc and Therese will deal with them instead."
Marius turned his head and saw his Naofumi and Filo with L'arc and Therese standing on the monster's carcass. "Once I am done with you, I will go for them!"
"That is the wolf I knew." Apollyon took of her cloaked, revealing her darkened armor. She grabbed her helmet that was tied to her waist and put it on. "Now. Kill me! If you can!"
Apollyon readied her obsidion sword, and Marius got into combat stance with his shield and spear.
Two warriors charged at each other. Apollyon swung her sword to the side and Marius blocked the attack with his shield. He swatted the weapon away and thrust his spear at Apollyon's abdomen. She dodged the and swung her weapon. Marius dodged the attack and backed away with his shield raised.
Apollyon charges and attack Marius with multiple sword strike as Marius kept his shield up. Seeing an opening, Marius stabbed Apollyon's arm as she was about to swung her sword, drawing first blood.
Marius pulled his spear away, before he spun around and swung his spear at his former master. The tip of the spear slashed at Apollyon's helmet and it pushed her away before returning to her combat stance.
"You've gotten stronger." said Apollyon.
"Why are you here?!" said Marius.
"Have you not see it yet? Have you forgotten what I've taught you?" Apollyon turned around watched the Wave happening before her. "The Wave of Calamity have choose the people of this world."
They should have accepted the wave as the opportunity to prove themselves worthy... But they are cowards. Instead of facing the waves, they summoned heroes from different worlds so they can hide and wait for salvation."
"You wish to kill the four heroes?"
"Indeed. Glass and I have different goals. She, L'arc and Therese wanted to kill the heroes to save their worlds. I wanted to kill the heroes to teach the people of this world their true nature... So they can fight the waves themselves. Only then the wolves among them shall rise."
I'm sure you understand me, Marius. After all, I was the one who pulled you out of the dying empire you called home, and gave you the title Centurion. You were a wolf among your people. I turned you into something greater."
"You turned me into a monster!" enraged, Marius threw his spear at Apollyon.
The spear pierced through Apollyon's shoulder. As she was about to grabbed the weapon it banished from thin air leaving a gaping hole from her armor and a wound underneath. She looked infront of her and was met with the bronze shield pushing her from her feet.
Apollyon immediately planted her feet on the floor and pushed Marius away with her shoulders. Marius recovered from the push and charged at Apollyon. The warlord dashed to Marius side and slashed the centurion's thigh.
Almost dropping to his knee, Marius twisted his wrist and thrusted the spearhead at Apollyon. Apollyon spun and dodged the spear and backhanded Marius's face, causing his head to violently turned and nearly losing his balance.
After he recoverd, Marius saw Apollyon thrusting her sword at him. He quickly raised his shield up to blocked the attack but the obsidion blade pierced the bronze shield and Marius's vambrace, cutting his flesh.
Marius screamed in pain, before Apollyon pulled her sword still stuck to the shield and left Marius's hand. Apollyon then kicked the damage shield off her sword. With only his spear left, he thrusted the spear only for it to be caught on Apollyon's grip.
Apollyon then kicked Marius away, losing his spear at the hands of Apollyon. She then thrust the spear and Marius caught the weapon with his hand. But it was not enough to withstand Apollyon's strength, and the spear slipped on Marius hand and the spearhead pierced Marius's shoulder.
Apollyon readied her sword and swung to Marius's side but he caught the blade before it could cut him in half. The sharpened obsidion blade cut throught the leather of his cestus and it slowly cut his hand.
Then, a rain of blue fireball fell from the dreaded skies and it hit every ship in the battleground. One fireball landed directly between the two warriors. The impact blew both of them away, nearly falling off the boat.
The queen quickly formed a forcefield protecting them, The Order and the knights from the firey rain.
Laying on the floor, Marius tried to get up still bleeding from his wounds. He saw Apollyon getting up on her feet unscathed, safe for the gaping wound on her arm and shoulder. Then, rain started pouring on them. The rainwater flowed around Marius, carrying his blood to the deck floor from his wounds.
Enduring the pain, Marius got up on his feet and pulled the spear from his shoulder. He then felt a burning feeling in his heart. It screamed at Marius. Demanding one thing and one thing only... Revenge.
No longer having control of the fire, Marius let a powerful war cry before stomping his foot on the floor and exploded in a firey rage that engulfed his body in golden flames, evaporating raindrops around him.
Marius lifted his spear above his head, and a bright thunder struck the weapon. With the spear covered in electrical aura, Marius threw his spear with his newfound strength and hit flew towards Apollyon faster then before. Apollyon used her sword to blocked the incoming attack but the thunder spear shocked her entire body.
Marius drew his gladius and charged towards Apollyon before leaping towards her. Recovering from the shock, Apollyon blocked the incoming attack.
"You think you're the only one with the flames!" Apollyon entire body suddenly bursted into the similar flames from Marius.
The two then engage in a back and forth attack. With each clashing of their blades causing firey sparks flying around them, and the combined heat of the flames heating their surroundings.
Meanwhile Hanzo watches the battle that was happening before him, and the battle on the monster's carcass between L'arc and Therese against Shield Hero and his two comrades. That's when he realized someone was missing.
After rowing the boat for the Bow Heroes party, Rishia endured fatigue and was about to climbed up the ladder when princess Melty jumped on the boat, surprising Rishia.
"P-Princess Melty!" Rishia exclaimed.
Melty then tackled her, "Take me to where Naofumi is!"
"Huh? B-But we just barely brought Master Itsuki back!"
Then, someone else jumped on the boat. They both turned and saw the Orochi onboard.
"Don't try to stop me, Hanzo! I can't just stand there and do nothing! I have to be there for my party member!"
"Then let me help you." said Hanzo.
"Hanzo?"
"I cannot let my princess go to battle without her bodyguard. Now..." Hanzo grabbed the oar and tossed it at Rishia. "Row!"
"HOEEEE!" Rishia screamed.
Both warriors have their weapons locked at each other. And just when Marius was about to make a deadly move, his flames slowly fading as was his strength. He was then overpowered by Apollyon as he pushed him downed further until he was on one knee.
"I will give you one last chance, Marius. Leave the Shield Hero behind and join me. We will build an army and with you as their commander, so we can wage war to this world." said Apollyon.
"Never!" Marius shouted.
Frustrated, Apollyon pulled her sword away and unleashed a powerful swung at Marius. The blade hit Marius's helmet and threw him aside. The steel mask and one if the cheek pads flew across the deck, leaving Marius with a broken centurion helmet and a sliced face.
"Stubborn as always."
Marius got up on his feet and he removed the helmet from his head and threw it on the floor, before he readied himself for combat. Marius charged to stab the warlord but she swatted the gladius away and bashed Marius's exposed face with the pommel of her sword. Marius fell to the floor and was under Apollyon's mercy.
"You were stronger than the last time we fought. Well done. But it's a shame I have to kill you." Apollyon pulled her sword and pointed the tip at Marius's heart. "Farewell, Centurion."
Apollyon thrusted her blade at Marius, only to be caught by a pair of clawed weapons wield by the filolial queen.
"Ah. The girlfriend." said Apollyon.
Filo lifted her legs up as she ready to kick the warlord away. Apollyon waited for the attack, expecting the kick to weak. But Filo's kick proved it otherwise, as her kick threw Apollyon away.
Apollyon collided with the edge of ship, breaking the wooden border behind her. She quickly recovered from the attack and charged at the filolial queen with her sword above her head. As she was about to chopped the girl in half, Filo suddenly banished from thin air.
Suddenly, Apollyon felt three sharp blade penetrated her abdomen. She looked to her side and saw the clawed weapon pierced throught her armor by Filo. She quickly grabbed Filo's arm and dug her clawed gauntlet in her flesh. Filo screamed in pain and thrust her other weapon at Apollyon only for the warlord to caught the weapon with her sword and twisted it off Filo's hand.
"Impressive." Apollyon then grabbed Filo's neck and lifted her off the ground, letting go of her weapon. "I can see why the centurion fell in love with you."
"Don't... You... Dare... Hurt him... Again..." Filo struggled to spoke a word, having Apollyon's hand around her throat.
"A wolf."
Filo transformed into her filolial form which surprised Apollyon. She spun around and slashed her talons at Apollyon, slicing her armor. Then, Marius with raging flames charged at Apollyon and delivered a powerful uppercut that sent Apollyon flying and her helmet came off her head.
Apollyon landed hard on the floor. She quickly got back up her feet and readied her obsidion sword. The large filolial queen and the firey centurion readied themselves for combat.
Then, L'arc and Therese teleported behind her. Along them was Glass under the effects of the cohol wine.
"Apollyon! It's time to go!" said L'arc.
"Y-You again?! I thought I killed you!" said Glass after seeing Marius.
Marius glared at Glass. The urged to charged in and stabbed her with his gladius as payback built up inside him.
"Filo, was it? You have proven yourself to me today. Well done." Apollyon walked towards her helmet and joined her ally. "Till we meet again... Centurion."
"Your friend the Shield Hero did well too. Maybe next time we'll get to fight too, big guy." said L'arc.
All four of them floated towards a yellow light then banished away, along with the Wave. The flames on Marius dissipated, and he fell on one knee. Filo transformed to her human form and went to Marius.
"Marius..." said Filo.
"Filo... Why have you come for me?" said Marius.
"I can't just let you die like that!" Filo pouted. "You said we look out for each other, remember?!"
"I-I said that?"
"You big dummy!" Filo hit her fist on Marius's shoulder. She then planted her face on Marius's chest and started crying.
"I am sorry... I was foolish to think I could face her alone." Marius pulled Filo's head away from his chest and whiped her tears away.
"After you saved me from Spear Guy, I just wanted to do something for you in return."
"And you did it well. You saved my life... I love you."
"I-I know." Filo grabbed the back of Marius head and pulled him closer to her to kiss him.
Meanwhile, on another ship, Hanzo watched the aftermath of the battle, with princess Melty, Naofumi and Raphtalia recovering from their fight with Glass and her comrades.
"Hey, Hanzo." said Raphtalia. "Who was Apollyon? Do you know her?"
"Before Marius became the leader of the Blackstone Legions, he was under Apollyon's command. She was the reason why we were at war at each other. That was until Marius took over and conquered our lands."
"As if Glass wasn't bad enough." said Naofumi. "Any ideas why she teamed up with Glass?"
"Perhaps Marius know. He knew her better than I do."
"Help! Someone help me!" Ren yelled out for help while he struggled to keep himself afloat.
"Stop flailing around you idiot! You're making it worse!" said Motoyasu, clinging on a piece of wood.
Then, a boat approached them with a smiling Rollo onboard. "Need help?"