Monster Girl Quest! (Monmusu Quest!) Two Sides to a Coin

by FrozenLightningRai

An AU of Monster Girl (Monmusu) Quest! where a second companion with a dark past works with Luka on his quest to the Monster Lord's Castle. With yet more dissenting viewpoints, how will Luka overcome all of the views which keep his dream of coexistence out of his reach? (Non-hentai version. Few OCs. Minimal non-canon/OC relationships. May rate to M later. Foul language.)

4. The Kitsune's Fascination

The Story so Far: After holding off Granberia in Iliasburg in an unsettling fight, the three make their way to the Irina Mountains, where a group of mysterious monsters are plaguing travelers. Making quick work of the four bandits, which turn out to be children, Luka sets them back to Iliasburg, where they apologize, and are taken in to make up for their actions. Next, the three make their way to investigate Happiness Village. The Harpies there had been stealing men to supplement their own existence. After a long fight with the Queen Harpy, the two villages lay down their arms and unite after much debate. Now, with portions of Luka's dream being fulfilled, all that remains is a small detour to the village of Enrika, then finally Iliasport. With Balthazar's motives being questioned by Alice, can the three keep on their way to the Monster Lord's Castle?

The three turned west, and after several hours of travel, finally reached the area. Nearing the small village, Alice sniffed the air, and vanished.

"A-Alice?" Luka asked worriedly.

"Eyes forward, kid." Balthazar commanded. Walking out of a few trees, a human appeared. Not quite. It was an elf, pointy ears and all. However, she was not fair skinned, like out of legend, instead her skin had turned dark, but it still displayed its prior beauty. Wearing small robe-like dress and top, and a sword at her side, she faced Luka.

I see. It's an Elf. Usually, they are kind-hearted and friendly, but some fall into darkness, and become Dark Elves. I've only heard stories though… Luka thought.

"Go back whence you came, you have no business where humans shouldn't tread." The dark elf stated, drawing her sword.

A sword? This might get dangerous… "Why aren't humans aloud here?"

"Because they are human." She brandished her sword, threatening the two off. "If you do not retreat, I'll be forced to act."

The sword… It's most likely a feint. She'll make openings with her sword, then switch to pleasure-related attacks to attempt to defeat me… Luka predicted. "Even if that's the case, I must pass." Luka brought Angel Halo off his back, and pointed it at the dark elf.

"If you won't retreat, I'll force you to submit to darkness. I'll contaminate you, and make you my living pawn." She threatened. Luka rushed forward, his sword creating a wide arc. However, the elf blocked his attack with her blade. Parrying, she cut Luka's cheek as she whipped her sword around, and resumed her stance. "You assume that I am not serious. En guarde!"

The two locked blades, but the dark elf's swordplay was much better than Luka's. Out of desperation, he used Demon Decapitation, landing his first blow on the dark elf, which forced her to stagger.

"Come on, we don't have to do this…" Luka pleaded.

"No human is allowed here…" She warned, getting back to her feet. The two again clashed, but the blow dealt by Angel Halo had done its damage. Luka now had the upper hand, and managed to parry and deflect most of the dark elf's new combos. With one final effort, Luka dashed in once more, swinging at her neck with Demon Decapitation, which finished the job as her magic gushed out of the non-existent wound. "My… My body…? What's happening?" When enough of the gaseous magic escaped, the seal took effect, and she shrunk small enough to fit in Luka's palm.

"Are you done now?" Luka asked.

"To seal me… I'll remember this, human." She swore, jumping off of his hand. It was almost comical at how long the fall must have been, for Luka snatched her in midair, and helped her to the ground. Cursing, she fled.

"A Dark Elf, here of all places?" Alice asked herself, slithering back to Luka and Balthazar. "But why?"

"I, for one, didn't know that Elves were this close to Ilias Village." Luka admitted. Taking only a few steps forward, yet another appears.

It was another Dark Elf, only this one was considerably twisted by dark magic. Her skin had turned dark blue, and many hooked, clawed, and bladed tentacles appeared to be twisting in and out of the fabric of space around her.

"I won't let you get any further. I'll summon these tentacles and erase your existence!" She threatened, as even more dangerous and twisted looking tentacles pierced what seemed to be the fabric of reality.

This doesn't look good. Those weapons… They're tentacles, but infused with sharp objects. Living weapons… How horafying. Luka thought.

Immediately, one of the tentacles raised a sickle-like claw, which swooped over Luka's head as he ducked. Shocked, he wasn't prepared as bone-tipped tentacles hurtled at him, piercing the ground and creating sharp holes as he retreated. Instead of beginning his assault, several tentacles appeared behind him, and bound him as they tightly wove around his body.

"I've got you now. I'll take my time to tear you apart… Slowly and painfully." The twisted Dark Elf said slowly. Struggling fiercely, he managed to break the grasp of the binding tentacles.

"I've got to end this quickly… Demon Decapitation!" He yelled out. His blade encountered tentacle as his arc was interrupted, but it sliced through the flesh. When the dark elf shrieked in pain, he figured out his attack plan. As more tentacles were summoned by a wounded dark elf, he cut them down, only causing more damage to the elf. Eventually, she was out of energy, and couldn't summon any more. Luka walked up to the dark elf, pointing Angel Halo at her face.

"I'm not done yet… I'll fight until I die." She threatened, a tentacle morphing out of her own body. Ending the fight, Luka swung Angel Halo down, cutting the tentacle off, and cutting her down her chest. Magic power escaped from her body in one large burst. Her skin resumed its normal color, but her mindset was still the same, even though she was small enough to fit in Luka's hand. "A seal? By a human!? Impossible!" She exclaimed. Fleeing, she cursed at the boy.

Balthazar looked at the environment closely. "How strange. Usually, Dark Elves do not join in groups like that."

"Besides, aren't there rather very few to begin with?" Luka asked.

"That is true. The Elves are supposed to be a pure and innocent race. According to legend, there were even male Elves, but no one knows why there are none now. Maybe they all succumbed to Degeneration… Made into a collective force of darkness?" Alice asked.

"Such a force…" Balthazar sighed. "Degeneration is a rarity though. They're like Incubi. A rarity amongst humans."

Alice looked at Balthazar. "An Incubus? What the hell? That kind of comparison…"

"What? It's true though."

Luka tilted his head. "An Incubus?"

Balthazar looked incredulous. "Seriously boy? You know of monsters, but not Incubi?"

Alice sighed. "It's fine. He's an idiot, he probably won't understand."

Luka staggered back. "W-what? I'm not idiot! Can't you explain what you're talking about?"

Sighing, Balthazar leaned on a tree. "You know that monsters are all female, right?" Luka nodded. "Right. Now, what are Succubi?"

Luka blushed. "They're monsters. Human like, with very few differences than human females."

"Correct. Succubi are human females who were infused with a monster's energy somehow. Either with the Purple Moon, born a Succubus, or by some other method." He explained "But, does it not make sense that the same can happen to human males? Consider, if a monster makes a man their plaything, they knowingly or not infuse him with their own spirit energy. Eventually, it corrupts the man, and turns them into a monster."

"But male monsters… Even Ilias said it's impossible!" Luka exclaimed.

"Yes and no." Balthazar looked to Alice, but she avoided his eyes. "Fine. It's true that monsters can only be female. In this case, Incubi are still considered human. However, should they unleash their massive spirit energy though, they become demons."

Alice eyed Balthazar suspiciously. "You know an awful lot about Incubi."

Balthazar laughed. "So I do. Anyways…" His light aura shifted. "We should be on our way. We wouldn't want to be attacked again. Let's go."

"R-right…" Luka agreed, distracted.

After a few hours of wandering, the three came upon a small village, with tense, dark atmosphere hanging around it. Luka shuddered at the weight of the air. It had a sense of unease as the three stood, observing the scenery around Enrika.

Alice suddenly spoke up. "So it's like that, is it? Those Dark Elves from before make sense now too…"

"What do you mean, Alice?" Luka asked. But his questioning was interrupted as a mysterious woman with long, blonde hair in green regal clothes flanked them.

"You… Don't appear to be merchants…" She stated, looking over the three.

Luka nodded. "That's right… I heard from a shopkeeper in Iliasburg about this village…"

"… Please leave. Other than merchants who trade things we need, we don't allow anyone else in the village." The woman stated. "You may take offense to our prohibition, but this is how we've lived for a very long time. If you are sensible travelers, please leave us alone."

"I'm sorry for troubling you, I understand." Luka said, bowing. Turning around, Balthazar and Alice followed

"That ring!" She exclaimed. "Could you be… Luka!?" She gasped.

"Y-yeah. That's right." He said. She… She knows my name!? I've never been here before!

"So you really are Luka aren't you? You've grown up so much." She murmured.

"I'm sorry, do you know me?" Luka asked.

The woman bowed. "Yes, I do. Sorry, my name is Micaela." She answered. "I know your parents well." She seemed more resolute. "But for now, please turn back. When the time comes, we'll be able to talk more."

"Very well. We'll be on our way." He said.

As the three left, Micaela gave them a small wave. "I wish you luck in your battles, Luka." Balthazar glared at the village, for reasons Luka couldn't see through. He swore he felt some sort of aura appear around him, but without warning, Balthazar abruptly turned around and started to leave.

"Come on. Let's leave." Luka could have sworn he saw Balthazar's usually black eyes reflect yellow for just a second.

"Woah, Balthazar? What's wrong with…" He stopped, as Balthazar turned around impatiently, his eyes black, as per usual.

"Nothing's wrong with me. I'm just irate." He paused, stared at by all three of them. Micaela stared at Balthazar, her eyes betraying suspicion. However, Balthazar turned again, this time walking at a brisk pace. Alice poked Luka as she started walking as well. Eventually, after a couple of seconds, Luka took off as well, looking back at the village.

Walking separate from the group, Balthazar led for once. Alice walked behind Luka. "I wonder what it means… Enrika Village…"

"What's with that village?" Luka asked. "When we entered it, you looked like you realized something… And Balthazar…" He whispered to Alice.

"I understood something, but there's still some things I don't get. I thought Enrika was an Elf Village…" She said. "And? What about him?"

"Are we really just splitting this conversation in portions like this? So are you saying that everyone in Enrika is an Elf? And didn't you see his eyes?"

"Well, that's what I thought… But that Micaela woman…" She paused. "And whatever it is about Balthazar you noticed, you were probably hallucinating. Whatever… I didn't get to have a feast at the village like I thought I was going to. This trip was pointless."

Dismissing everything for food? "Well… Anyways… Shall we make way to Iliasport?"

"Hm. If it's a port town, there should be a lot of foreign delicacies and foods gathered from all over." Alice sighed in content.

"It's about time. I was wondering if we were ever going to leave Ilias." Balthazar muttered to himself.

The three set out, and after a few hours after rejoining the main road, a monster appeared before them. It was stronger than any Luka had previously encountered, with the bottom half of a multi-tailed and gaping mouth with numerous tentacles of a leech, and the top half of a black-slime covered horned woman.

"Oh, travelers… And two unbaptized ones at that." She licked her lips. "I'll suck out all of your life force… There'll be nothing left, save for a broken husk." Luka shot into the fight first, slashing at the Leech Girl twice. The attacks struck, but she grabbed him almost immediately with one of her tails. Bound, she started to drag him into her lower mouth. He struggled fiercely, but she started to sap his life force as green light began to spill out of Luka.

With one burst of strength, Luka freed himself, gaining three claps of praise from Balthazar. Scowling, he tried to wipe some of the slime from the Leech girl off. "Yeah, some help you are." He muttered.

"Don't forget now, I told ya that I was just accompanying you for a while." Balthazar called out.

Wearily shaking his head, he focused on the Leech girl. I'll have to use Demon Decapitation to get anywhere in this fight. He thought. Dodging a slamming tail, Luka dived in, slashing at the Leech girl's neck. The blow gave a satisfying slam as magical power escaped in a gaseous form from her body. "Now, with this attack, I'll end it!" He attacked with everything he could, putting the entirety of his force behind the final attack. Sure enough, the Leech girl was quickly sealed, becoming a small leech which began a slow escape.

Balthazar picked up the leech, making sure it couldn't bite him, and chucked it in the air. "That takes care of that. Finished?" He asked.

"Oi, oi, why'd you have to go and throw her like that?" Luka asked.

But he sighed in response. "Didn't you look? Take a look at where I threw her." He said, pointing in the distance. A stream bed was present, and a small plop could be heard. "She would have been fried to a crisp in the sun. Making it that far in a hot day like this, she wouldn't have made it."

"I… I see…" Luka said, barely grasping what Balthazar had just done.

"Huh. Looks like you have a good side too." Alice stated.

The three continued on their path. As they continued to walk, Luka spoke up. "I think I've started to get pretty good, don't you think?"

"Bah. Have you even seen yourself? What were you watching? Your attacks are pathetic." Alice chided.

"Eh!? I thought I was doing good, too…" Luka sulked. "By the way, where do you go when we fight?"

"You mean you fight. I haven't lifted a finger since Granberia." Balthazar corrected.

"Where I go? Oh, I take walks, have tea, and maybe catch a bug or two, just to name a few things." Alice listed.

So basically, you're bored. Well, if you're so bored, you could always help me to alleviate that. Luka thought. The three continued but eventually, the sun set. Luka set up camp, while Balthazar took off on his own on a walk, and Alice watched Luka as he prepared food.

While Balthazar was still out, Luka told a story to Alice while he waited for the food to cook. "…And that's how Heinrich defeated the Monster Lord, and brought world peace. After that, everyone lived happily ever after." Alice took some of the food out, and began to eat.

Alice frowned. "What do you mean 'everyone lived happily ever after', you idiot?" She tested the food, to see if it was ready. "I'm a monster… Did you really think I'd enjoy a story about a human killing a Monster Lord?" She spat. "Do you want me to tell you a story about a monster killing a human king?" She tested.

"I… Guess that's true." Luka said, ashamed for his negligence.

"If you want to build a peaceful world where everyone can coexist, you'll need to have some delicacy about this type of subject." Alice chided.

"But… Heinrich defeating that old Monster Lord is worthy of some praise." She said, her voice losing some of its edge. "She only cared about power, destruction, and chaos. Perhaps being defeated by a Hero was brought upon her by her own actions."

"Brought down by her own mistakes?" Luka asked. "That's a cutting remark."

She closed her eyes. "Trying to rule by power is an act of savagery. You should expect it to come full circle."

"You're right… I wonder how the current Monster Lord is…" Luka wondered. The current Monster Lord is shrouded in mystery. No human has seen it, and even most monsters have only heard rumors about her. Luka thought, still completely ignorant of his traveling partners. Said to be extremely strong, even the strongest Monster Lord yet. "If they've declared full-scale war with humans… I guess they're a villain after all?"

Balthazar made this his point of time to return. He seemed shaky as he sat down by a tree, not bothering for greetings or why he had left. Luka took it as a cue to not engage conversation with him. Alice eyed him curiously, but said nothing, instead, returning her gaze to the food which Luka was finally setting out for his own meal. "I wonder if the Slaughter of Remina was by her instruction as well." Luka paused. "She must be a horrible person as well, don't you think?" He asked.

Instead of giving him a direct answer, Alice shifted her eyes, looking into the night. "Who knows…? Maybe… She's just lost her way. Whether or not humans should be destroyed…"

Luka was about to dive in to his steak, but stopped, surprised. "Alice? Do you know the Monster Lord!?" He paused, trying to place his thoughts together. "Don't tell me… You've seen her!?" He gasped. Only important monsters have seen the Monsters Lord… Which means the Four Heavenly Knights should all have met her in person as well.

She closed her eyes. "Yes. I know the Monster Lord. She may be closer to you than you might think." She opened one eye at Balthazar, gauging his reaction, but all she got was him grimacing.

"To me? But I've lived on the countryside my entire life." He said. "I've only seen my first monster only recently, too."

"Man, you're really empty-headed, you idiot. Anyways, changing the topic…" She looked at Balthazar. "Where have you been? You don't look to good." She observed.

His voice wavered when he replied. "I'm okay." Luka looked at him closely. It was true. He looked haggard, pale, and his eyes were dull. "I just decided to take a walk." He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He seemed to make an effort to stand up, but couldn't.

"You don't look like you're okay!" Luka exclaimed, walking over to Balthazar. He tried to touch his shoulder, but Balthazar parried his hand. "Ilias…" He gasped. Balthazar was cold. "What's wrong?"

Balthazar pushed himself back. "It's nothing. Give me a night; I'll be right as rain." He cursed, struggling to get up. Damn. I never expected this to happen. He thought.

Alice looked on as Balthazar retreated from Luka. "Hey, idiot." She called out to Luka. "Forget him, it's time for more training. Seeing your pathetic fight made me disappointed." She noticed that Balthazar gave a sigh of relief as Luka hesitated back. "If you try to fight the Monster Lord like that, it'll be a miserable sight."

"You don't have to say it like that…" Luka sighed.

"Come on, pick up your sword!" She ordered. "I'll show you how to fight!" She exclaimed.

Balthazar stared from the shadows, gasping for air as Alice trained Luka. All sound came to him as if he were underwater, and his vision was tunneled, his left eye blind. 'Stabilize your upper body. Step forward with your foot, and thrust at your enemy…' She instructed. Balthazar shifted, and closed his left eye. That woman in Enrika… I thought she was an Elf, but it can't be. This reaction can only come from two kinds of monsters… He gasped as he opened his eye, but sighed shortly. I can see out of my left eye again. It's fading. I'll make it through this one. The shivering began to fade. 'It's said that Bloody Fernandez mastered this technique, and covered the battlefield with his bloody thrusts. Using this Blood Fissure Thunder Thrust…' Suddenly, his world reverted back to normal.

"He killed his enemies one after another, forming a lake of blood." Alice finished.

Luka grimaced. "That's a rather shady sounding, bloody technique…" He complained. When I use it, I'll omit the Blood Fissure part, and just say Thunder Thrust.

Alice shook her head. "It's most useful right at the start of the fight. If you're able to use it as your first technique, its power won't be inhibited." She explained. "But the longer the fight lingers, the weaker it'll become as you become more exhausted. Choose wisely to decide if it's worth using so much energy on." She closed her eyes. "I think that's the end of practice for today. We should sleep to get ready for tomorrow." She suggested. Luka nodded, and fell asleep after making his sleeping bag.

Balthazar stood up, his prior afflictions fading away, and rested on a tree. Chains of Hell flashed strongly as he examined his body. Is it exaggerated or aggravated by the Chains of Hell? He wondered.

Alice moved over to Balthazar, looking him over. "You seem to be feeling better than before." She observed dryly.

"So it appears." He still sounded a little shaky.

"You want to explain?" Alice asked.

Balthazar shook his arm, watching waves form and listening to the rattle of the Chain of Hell. "Not particularly."

Alice pressed a hand to Balthazar's forehead. "You're not as warm as normal human."

Balthazar scoffed. "Heh. I suppose not. You'd think that Hell was freezing over."

Alice frowned, apparently not finding the sarcasm humorous. "That's the best you can come up with?" She asked. Her tail coiled around Balthazar's right leg. "Well, you offered a position as a warmth partner… I'm going to accept that offer."

Balthazar staggered as she pulled on his leg. "Th-that was a joke, you know…" He laughed nervously.

"I don't take jokes lightly." She said. "Are you daft? You know who I am… Why would you joke so freely to me?"

"If I didn't, boy-wonder over there might suspect something." Balthazar defended.

"'Boy-wonder over there' is an idiot who still hasn't added two and two." She said. Quickly taking her chance, her tail wrapped up to his thigh, and flipped him upside down. Balthazar yelped, and the two froze, looking at Luka, who was still sleeping. "There's no use resisting. You know it'd be more comfortable than the trees you usually sleep on." She persuaded.

"Fine. No funny business though." He declared. Alice placed him back on the ground. "Good god… The things I go through because of my mouth." Alice smiled as she made several large coils with her tail and used one as a pillow. Balthazar did the same, but almost immediately, she coiled herself around him, binding him. "Seriously? It's not like I'll run at this point…" He teased.

She simply continued to stare at him. "I have sleeping habits." Was all she said as the two were slowly inched together as the coils loosened and tightened. Eventually, the distance between them disappeared until they were mere inches apart.

Balthazar avoided her eyes, which never left him as the two grew closer. "I thought we were supposed to be sleeping." He whispered.

She closed her eyes, disappointed. "You're no fun to tease."

He chuckled. "I suppose I'm not." He said. The bindings loosened and he was able to lie on his side. He brought his back to Alice, but she didn't say anything. Eventually, the two fell asleep as well.

Balthazar woke to darkness yet again. "Oho. It's been awhile since you've pried into my head." However, no response came. No holy light to have Ilias descend from, nothing. "Huh. Usually, I get Ms. High and Mighty scolding me over something or another." He stated to himself. However, the Chains of Hell were still present. This was his subconscious alright. Rattling made him start, and he scanned the darkness. Eventually, he found a figure walking up to him from the darkness. "Who are you?"

The figure kept walking up to him. It appeared he was bound by the Chains of Hell as well, but the darkness prevented Balthazar from seeing who it was. The only distinguishing features he could see from the approaching man was startling yellow eyes.

"I know those eyes…" Balthazar stated. Laughter came from the man. The voice belonged to Balthazar. "Oh… So this is what it is. After the woman in Enrika, you woke up, and you're going to start haunting me again." Suddenly, holy light descended and lit the darkness. "Of course, you'd have to show up now." He cursed mockingly.

The light which had descended illuminated the figure, which was revealed as Balthazar as well, only with white skin, yellow eyes, and a line of black across his eyes, and a vertical line down his body up to his neck. A single twisted horn sat on the left side of his head, bent forward at the direction he faced. He wore black leather cloths and jacket, but also a similar cape to the one Balthazar wore.

"Oh, Balthazar, what is this? Don't tell me you developed that 'thing' while you were off with that wench in Hellgondo, did you?" Ilias laughed.

"Seven years, what did you expect?" He spat back. "Most Succubi can make their own partners in less than a month. Seven years with her… That's enough time to make more than ten."

"I see. I wonder how long you can keep up all of your lies. You better hope Luka doesn't end up confronting you about it." Ilias threatened.

"Oh? You think the boy a threat? Please. I can swat him to the side and knock him out. My strength might not be up to par as much as even Granberia's is, but don't get me wrong, I won't be taken out easily."

"Oh, Balthazar, you've already made your own coffin, why not lie down in it? We'll see how long you last, shall we? How about a bet? Luka kills Alice, and you'll only be chained to Hell for two hundred years. Alice kills Luka, and you're bound for eternity? Or… If I kill-" Ilias' bets were interrupted as Balthazar's deep slumber was disturbed.

"Ilias?" Luka exclaimed, jumping out of his sleeping bag. Gentle morning light filtered down from the sky. Alice wearily woke up, rubbing sleep from her eye. She opened her eyes to glare at Luka.

"Loud in the morning, as usual." Alice yawned.

"Good Morning… Alice..!? B-Balthazar!?" He gasped, as Alice realized that she was crushing Balthazar in her coils. "The hell were you two doing?" He asked.

Balthazar tapped the side of Alice's tail several times as if he were giving up in a wrestling match. Alice looked worried for a second, quickly loosening her coils. Coughing and wheezing for several seconds as his lungs were finally able to expand with fresh air, he gasped as he fled from Alice. [Alice defeated Balthazar!] … Or so Luka comically thought.

"A-ah… Sorry about that… I forgot you were there…" But she stretched happily. "But it's nice being able to wake up, already warm." She smiled. "Let's do it again~" She hummed.

She's in such a good mood because she was able to wake up warm? Balthazar questioned in his mind. Gah… This girl… She's friggin' crazy! If she tightened much further, she would have ended up crushing me in my sleep! Balthazar scrambled to his feet, the occasional cough still bubbling up.

"Ah, come on! What're we doing just standing here?" Alice asked. "Let's hurry up and start heading out!"

Luka and Balthazar gave each other a simultaneous look. "This happy Alice is intimidating." The duo whispered in unison.

Later, as the three continued down the road, they passed through a damp and humid forest. "This forest is muggy…" Luka complained.

"In these kinds of places, a lot of tropical monsters are likely to appear. Watch where you're going, and you'll be fine." Alice warned.

"A tropical monster?" Luka asked.

As he asked the three, or two when Alice immediately vanished, stumbled upon a large plant. It was flowering, but the bloom quickly opened, revealing twin Rafflesia girls. Armless torsos rose from stems, the petal-covered girls rose with several green pistils.

"Ah, perfect timing. It's just about time I needed pollinated…" She seduced.

"Watch it boy. Plants are oftentimes much more quick to use pleasure-related attacks, and tend to be specialized in them if they do." Balthazar warned. He drew his blade an inch, but backed out of her range. If she uses some sort of fragrance to cripple Luka, at least I can waft it away. Balthazar strategized.

"Why draw your blade if you aren't going to help me?" Luka asked.

Balthazar scratched his head and chuckled. "Oh, you know… I hate the fragrances let out by some plants…" A tip? Luka thought.

"Hey, you wouldn't mind mating with me, would you?" The Rafflesia girl asked.

Luka shook his head. "I… Can't do that." To mate with a monster… I can't break one of Ilias' commandments! Not if I can help it!

"If you're worried about it being difficult, it won't be. Just leave everything to me~!" She persuaded. "I'll make it worth your while~" She licked her lips.

"I can't! I won't do it!" Luka brought Angel Halo to his side, pointing it at the Rafflesia girl.

"Oho? Then I'll force you?" The pistils seemed to quiver of their own accord.

Now… I'll use that new attack I learned last night from Alice! Luka jumped forward, and bringing his momentum as far as he could bring it, thrust his blade forward into the stem of one of the Rafflesia girls. "Thunder Thrust!" He shouted. The blow dealt a satisfactory amount of damage, Luka sensed.

"No one can do it if they aren't in the mood, I guess… I'll have to warm you up first…" The younger Rafflesia girl, the one not struck by Luka's attack, smiled wickedly. Some of the pistils extended caressing him in various methods. Luka shook them off, and focused.

An enemy that only uses pleasure attacks… It's not as difficult as I thought. Though, I should knock on wood, but it's not as dangerous as one that is out to kill me, is it? Luka wondered, forcing his thoughts on his fight. Pulling a two-slash combo, he backed up as more tendrils extended, trying to bind him.

"I'll finish with…" Luka jumped in, blade parallel to his neck. "Demon Decapitation!" He roared, finishing off the Rafflesia girls in a single strike. The two girls looked shocked as they degenerated into a small rafflesia flower. Quickly the plant began to fade into obscurity amongst the background.

"Ha ha! That was pretty good!" Luka exclaimed.

"Having so much trouble against her?" It seemed like the oddly good mood had dissipated as the morning wore on, leaving Alice back to her regular, unimpressed mood.

Balthazar sighed. "Aw, come on. It wasn't that bad. Four hits? He's… Improving." He commented.

Alice looked down at the rafflesia plant. "Oi, Alice, you're not going to eat her, are you?" Luka asked.

Alice was flabbergasted. "What are you saying!? How could I eat a follow monster!?" She gasped. "… I only wanted to eat a petal."

A drop of sweat dropped down Luka's face. "H-hey... Are you serious…?"

"It's a plant, so it would grow back… Besides, it's just a passing thought." Luka shook his head, but didn't press the topic further, and the three continued.

On the outskirts of the forest, another monster ambushed the group. A Roper girl, a columnar-like monster, with only a woman's head with purple hair as a basis of what could be considered female, and numerous purple tentacles for arms and three eyes located on her vertical line of symmetry appeared, the whip-like arms swaying.

"A Roper, huh?" Luka asked. This is one of those infamous monsters… They weaken their prey with sexual skills, or by squeezing them until they break their prey's spine, then melt and eat them.

"It's been a long time since I've last had a delicious treat…" She sighed, tentacles waving in the air

"Like I'll let you eat me!" Luka exclaimed, Angel Halo drawn. Just like last time… I'll open with Thunder Thrust. Then I'll see what she can do, and see if I can't finish her off. According to his plan, he jumped forward, thrusting Angel Halo with Thunder Thrust, dealing damage to the Roper. However, as he adjusted himself to attack again, a powerful arm slammed into Luka's side, causing him to flip in midair as he recoiled.

"Come on; make me work for this treat, at least." The Roper girl amusedly asked.

Luka scowled, rubbing his side in pain. "That smarts…" Looks like this is one that would rather break my spine and paralyze me than try to violate me. Not that I have a preference, as I'd rather not die, but at least I can fight one on equal terms if all we're doing is fighting.

Luka dashed in, parrying two slams from the Roper, and cutting her once, but three more whips came down on Luka, dealing a hard-hitting combo on him. Panting, he used Angel Halo to straighten himself off. I have to finish this quickly. She's getting too much damage on me… Luka carefully circled the Roper, trying to figure out the algorithms of her swaying arms. He closed in, but miscalculated, accidentally letting several of the tentacles bind him as his attacked missed "D-damn it!"

While bound, the Roper girl sadistically jabbed him with her arms, even as Luka struggled. Finally, after taking a few hits, he pulled free, but bruised. "I have to end this, now!" He frantically yelled, raising Angel Halo to his neck. Using Demon Decapitation, the blade slashed where he thought the neck should be. After hearing a scream of pain, Luka collapsed on the ground.

"Oh? You didn't think I was finished, did you?" The Roper asked. She was badly wounded, magic exuding from various wounds.

"Idiot, get out of there! Don't just stop paying attention to the fight!" Balthazar roared, jolting Luka back into his mind. The Roper's arms all pointed at Luka, making to impale him several times. However, as if in slow-motion, Luka's instincts took over, and he rolled as they lunged forward. Grasping Angel Halo, he thrust the blade into the central eye in the Roper's columnar body as a tentacle sheered past Luka's Enrikan armor. Magic power, this time as a luminescent liquid, burst out of her as the final blow was dealt. Luka collapsed to the ground as the Roper was sealed into a tiny worm-like creature.

Alice appeared. "You took quite a beating. If you took too long to defeat her, she'd have taken her time in eating you."

Balthazar helped Luka up. "Hey, guys… If a monster was going to eat me, would you just sit and watch as it happened?"

"It would be quite unfortunate, but I'd sit still and watch. Due to my own reasons, I won't give special support to any human." Alice admitted.

Luka turned to Balthazar. "I wouldn't help. Although I detest watching that kind of stuff, I'd carry on. The world doesn't revolve around you, kid. I've got things to do, people to see. I can't be saving your ass every time you screw up." Balthazar stated.

"What… Do you mean it's unfortunate?" Luka asked.

"It'd be better to be eaten by me than some random monster like that, right?" Alice asked.

Shivers rocked Luka as he let a small scream slip. "I knew it; you're definitely a bad person!" He shuddered. Alice laughed at his reaction.

Shaking his head, he pointed to the exit of the forest. "A-anyways, let's go! Once we pass that, we should arrive at a vibrant port!"

Soon after, the three eventually arrive at Iliasport. It appeared to be a sizable city, but with most of its economy focusing on fishing. However, the phenomenon of most of the docks filled with boats tethered became apparent. Not much activity in the docks was happening, even though the sun was high, and the sky was clear. Only a few passing clouds, far too high in the atmosphere to develop into a full system, were present, and a soft breeze constantly ruffled the three newcomers, along with many of the folded sails. Only very few people other than Alice, Balthazar, and Luka were present.

"For a port town, it doesn't seem as busy as I thought it would." She stated.

Luka nodded, observing the odd event. "You're right. I wonder, could something have happened to prevent them from setting sail? Like a monster in the sea?"

Balthazar's thoughts flashed back to Iliasburg. Could this be the work of the pirates I heard about? He carefully looked over the sea vessels. Besides a few scrapes and scuffs which would have accumulated over the years, the vessels were in prime condition. That doesn't appear to be the case. Have they been intimidated by rumors? "No, that doesn't seem right." He thought aloud.

"Huh. I thought there'd be people all over the docks, and merchants with lines… But it's so quiet." Luka stated. "Perhaps we should ask a shop owner?" Pulling over a nearby merchant passing by, he began to inquire about the port. "Excuse me, but has something happened to the port? It seems strangely deserted."

The merchant nodded. "Of course it is. Since last year, nobody has made a full round trip to the Sentora continent. Even lately, there haven't been any ships arriving." Luka gasped in shock. The ships aren't able to go to the Sentora continent? Well, considering that there haven't been many visitors to Ilias Temple lately…

"What's wrong? Why aren't ships coming through anymore?" Luka asked.

The merchant sighed. "There's a horrible storm. Every time a ship leaves off the coast, a rogue storm system always seems to generate, and sinks it."

"A storm? You don't mean… The storms appear as soon as the ships set sail, do they?" Luka asked.

The merchant nodded gravely. "Yes. Every time. No matter how clear it looks, even a storm just passed through, as soon as any vessel takes off, another system comes through."

Balthazar folded his arms. "These can't be natural occurrences. Something has to be manipulating the weather." He gave off a creepy smile, but sobered from his thoughts. "We'll need to figure out what, who, and how to stop it."

The merchant nodded. "As the rumors go, it's the schemes of monsters. They're harassing us or something to that effect, I have no idea."

Alice thought for several seconds, closing her eyes. "Hmm… I see. That makes sense."

Luka tilted his head inquiringly. "Do you know something, Alice?"

She whimsically shrugged. "A little…"

"What does that mean? Can't you explain it?" Luka asked, not sure to laugh in disbelief.

Alice frowned. "I can't speak too much about it. A strong monster is blocking ships from crossing. Their goal is to block pilgrims from making it to the Ilias Temple."

Balthazar didn't like the answer. "I've never known monsters to be able to control the elements. To control rain systems… That's unheard of for me."

"A strong monster? In other words… We have to beat them!" Luka clasped a fist.

Balthazar's jaw dropped. "Are you an idiot? What kind of monster would be able to summon an entire storm?" He exclaimed. "I can point suspicions, but that's even a longshot for them!"

Alice shrugged. "Don't underestimate your opponents, Balthazar." She warned. "Besides, Luka, you wouldn't even be a match for them." She paused, letting the full effect of her words weigh on Luka. "But at this rate, I won't be able to enjoy any of the foreign delicacies."

That isn't what matters here, Alice. Being unable to leave this continent would be very bad. If I want to beat the Monster Lord, I can't just stay on Ilias. "Well, what do we do now?" Luka asked.

"There's a way, my Hero!" A familiar voice called out. Within seconds, an awkwardly running lamia appeared, confronting the three.

"What the hell is this abomination?" Balthazar gasped in shock. Luka looked in surprise, but remembered that he had disappeared when Amira had shown herself before.

"My my, so cruel. But you are so powerful for holding your own against Granberia… I'm not sure to be in awe or…" Amira wondered, somehow giving off a lewd aura.

"Hell no." Balthazar said immediately, crossing his arms in an 'X'.

"Perhaps I can introduce myself? I am Amira, an Unfortunate Lamia. A snake which sways in the breeze." She introduced herself.

"Huh. I thought you lived in Iliasburg." Luka stated.

"And what the hell's she doin' here for?" Balthazar asked, still recoiling from Amira's sudden unsightly appearance.

"I am Amira, a snake that travels. In short, a Snavel. I follow my darling, and sometimes go ahead of him to welcome him." She said. No one could tell if she was joking or serious, as her unblinking eyes stared at the three, her tongue flicking in and out.

"I… I see… Well then…" Luka said, trying to block her out of his eyes. Eventually, he stopped, and just turned around to walk away from her, gathering Alice and Balthazar. However, with agility unsuspected from her prior pathetic dash, she blocked Luka.

"Wait, darling! I'm not just an annoying character." She said, trying to grab his attention. "For my darling, I've collected information from the 'sort of' illegal information shop!"

"Very well. We'll listen, but only to that." Alice demanded.

Hissing at Alice, Alice talked back. "Quiet, you!"

Alice was taken completely aback. "What!? Why you…!" She said, her annoyance reaching bounds she had never experienced before.

Luka, in an attempt to quell the situation, took over. "That information. Can I hear it?"

"For my darling, I'll tell my everything. My three sizes, from above, are 275, 78, and 93." She proudly stated. Balthazar teetered on dry-heaving and laughing his head off.

Luka shook his head, annoyed. "I don't want that information at all. You couldn't pay me to want to know that information. Do you know a way to get to Sentora?"

She nodded, an awkward notion that made Luka consider not have asked it. "From what I've gathered… If you go out of the town and head east a ways, you'll come across a cave. In the cave lies a treasure from the legendary pirate Captain Selene."

"Captain Selene?" Luka asked, looking at both Balthazar and Alice. Both shrugged.

"I wonder if she had a tic that made her want to be known by that title." Balthazar wondered. "I've heard of some pirates that always want to be known by their ranking… Like this one pirate always insisted you called him Captain, and would correct you if you didn't." He paused. "How eccentric."

One hundred years ago, Selene was a legendary pirate that traveled all over the seas. She was known all over the world… Even to my village. Luka thought. "In that treasure trove seems to be a legendary item, known as Poseidon's Bell." Amira explained. "Carrying that bell, no matter how the sea rages, the ship will remain afloat."

"I see. How incredibly useful. I can see why Selene would want such an item." Luka said.

"Captain Selene." Amira corrected. "But the cave is now a monster's den. Many adventurers have attempted to brave the cave to claim her treasure, but have all been defeated." Luka's sword arm began to twitch has he grew more and more uncomfortable and unable to resist his urge to slash the lamia. But the value of the information he learned had overcame it, and he forcibly smiled. "Amira's happy embarrassing information session ends here. I was helpful, right?"

"You were annoying, but it was helpful." The fake smile plastered on his face was clearly barely holding its existence.

"Then, I shall leave with the breeze." She said. "Oh, by the way, I don't have any ecchi scenes. Sorry guys."

"Urge to kill rising… Releasing in three…" Luka gave a warning countdown. Amira gave as much as an innocent smile as her snake head could give. "… Two…" With that, Amira crawled away.

"I never expected to see that side of you. Granted, I nearly killed her myself." Balthazar said. A clink could be heard as he sheathed his sword.

"Ah. I didn't notice you were drawing your sword." Luka observed. "I'm glad I'm not the only one who wanted to kill that thing just now."

Alice reigned the topic in. "A pirate's treasure… Even if it's rotten, there may be delicious dishes down there."

"The hell, Alice? Any food down there would have been eaten by monsters, or molded away." Luka exclaimed. "Besides, food doesn't matter. Let's go to the cave, get this out of the way."

The three set out to the cave which supposedly held Poseidon's Bell. However, after several hours of walking, they only made half-way to the cave. Dismayed, they had no choice but to settle down for the night.

"You're such an idiot. Pick up your sword; we're going to train again." Alice commanded. Balthazar leaned back as the two began basic exercises. A few hours passed as Alice trained the boy. Eventually, they quit, and Alice looked at Luka with folded arms. She didn't teach him any new techniques usable in battle, merely going over basic tactics, swordplay, and strategy in battle. "You have so many wasteful movements. It kills your speed and power, reducing your effectiveness."

Luka panted. "Even if you say that… I'm swinging with all of my power…"

Closing her eyes, Alice quoted a warrior's mantra. "One's movements are to be as fast as the wind, one's body one with the earth, their senses as fluid as the ocean, and have fire in your sword." She opened her eyes. "That is the secret to fighting. If you can't get any better, beating the Monster Lord will remain a dream."

Luka scratched his head, embarrassed. "Sorry, but… I have no idea what you're talking about to be honest…"

Alice sighed. "Jeez… First, you need to focus your mind. Cross your legs right there, and try to meditate." She instructed.

Luka sat down. "I'm… Not really good at these kinds of things."

"Just do it. Don't grumble at me." Alice chided. "It's said that the fallen angel Erigora was able to immediately heal their wounds mediating. It's obviously a fake story, but concentrating your mind is still important. It'll help you…" She trailed off, speechless.

Quickly, Luka's health regenerated, and his wounds closed. "Ah! It's true! My wounds healed!" He exclaimed excitedly, looking over his hands.

Alice staggered back, nearly tripping over. "WHAT!? Is that even possible?" Her mouth opened and closed, not sure what to say. "What the hell is wrong with your body!?"

"Is it strange?" Luka asked, unaware of the absurdity in Alice's voice. "Didn't you just say some fallen angel or something was able to heal her wounds?"

Balthazar burst out laughing. "The hell, boy!? You got some regeneration magic now? You're becoming more and more of one of the strangest Heroes I've ever known!"

"Why did you think that would make it normal for you to be healed by meditation!? Having your wounds close and heal just by sitting around and meditating is strange, no matter how you look at it!" Alice whimpered.

Luka tilted his head. "But…" He meditated for several seconds, and recovered his stamina. "See? I can do it again."

Alice slowly backed away from Luka. "What is that…? Creepy…" She whispered. She grabbed a stick, prodding Luka.

"Oi! Stop that!" Luka complained. He meditated again, and Alice shivered as he began to glow with energy.

"You're a strange one…" Alice muttered.

Eventually, the commotion between them died down. Alice came up to Balthazar, holding out her hand. "Come on, warmth partner."

Balthazar struggled to avoid her when Alice sent her tail to bind him. "Hell no, not after this morning…" If she doesn't kill me while I sleep, she acts so strange when she's… Warm.

"You don't have a choice." She said, continuing and failing to capture her agile victim. "I'll drain you of your heat if you don't settle down." She threatened.

Balthazar jumped onto a tree, sneering down on Alice. "Ha ha! Get me now!" He taunted. Alice frowned, but quickly wrapped around the trunk, using it as a grapple as she slid up the trunk. "H-hey, what the hell?" Balthazar staggered on the tree, nearly falling off. However, he recovered, and jumped to another tree.

"This is getting tiresome." Alice stated. She looked down to see Luka watching the spectacle. "Don't just stand there, what are you doing?"

Luka smiled wickedly. "I dunno… Taking a walk… Might make some tea… I know that fireflies are out this time of year."

Alice was taken aback. "Wh-why you!" She exclaimed. Balthazar laughed, and in his distraction, she nabbed him midair. "Tch. Got you know."

Hanging upside-down by a leg, Balthazar scratched his head. "C-crap…"

Dragging Balthazar down, Alice made sure her victim wouldn't escape, and coiled around him, falling asleep. Balthazar rested his head on Alice's tail. She's certainly coldblooded. How strange, you'd think that as a Monster Lord, she'd be able to control her body temperature. Unless… Maybe it's a lamia thing? Balthazar traced a few of Alice's scales with this finger. If she's awake, it's possible that she can control her body temperature, but when she's asleep, as a lamia she loses that ability.

"Balthazar. Stop." Alice said. "That tickles." She said. "It's not normal for a human to touch a lamia's scales like you're doing."

Balthazar sighed. "I think this is the third time now? I'm not normal." He smiled.

"You're strange." Was all Alice said as she closed her eyes again. Balthazar yawned and did the same.

Morning came quickly. Balthazar woke before either Alice or Luka. However, as he tried to get up, he noticed he was pinned by Alice's arms. Oh. She's getting warm, but she's sort of cool. Balthazar rested in her arms, the lamia's body pressed up to his as she coiled around him. I was right. She can't control her warmth when she's asleep… And gets off to a bad start in the morning. Well, I've figured something out about her.

Finally waking up, Alice tightly squeezed Balthazar as she stretched, but rested after a couple seconds, her arms falling back around Balthazar. "See? Still living. Still breathing."

Balthazar chucked, working his way to face Alice. "Oh, physically, I think I only have a few broken ribs from yesterday." He smiled coyly. "And I still get this twitch, you see…" He faked twitching his eyebrow. Alice pushed Balthazar, uncoiling around him, a smile on her face.

Maybe… This isn't so bad. Balthazar thought. Maybe just being with these guys… It'd be interesting, that's for sure. Alice suddenly looked at Balthazar seriously. "Can I ask you a few things?"

He looked at Luka, spread-eagle as much as possible as his sleeping bag would allow. "I suppose so."

"What was your mother like?"

Balthazar looked up in surprise. "My… Mother?" Alice nodded. "She was… And still is the most important person to me." He lowered his eyes. "She was a beautiful woman. She was strong, courageous, and not afraid to speak her mind." He smiled, closing his eyes. "When I was just a kid, we'd sit outside on our porch, watching the people of the village do what they did. I would sit right next to her and lean by her side. We'd go to the markets, and poke fun of this one particular merchant, who always seemed to be in a really bad moon. Afterwards, we'd laugh about it, and think of something fun to do."

Alice smiled. "She seemed nice."

Balthazar nodded in agreement. "She was also extremely talented. Ask her to do something she'd never done before, like making a really complicated recipe, and she'd have it mastered in a couple of hours. There was this chocolate pie she made once… It was extraordinary to see such a masterful process."

"I wish I could have met her. Perhaps to see if her cooking was up to par." The two laughed. Sighing, Balthazar settled his gaze on the ground. "What about… Your father?"

"He's a stingy topic." Balthazar said. He could subconsciously feel his inner walls form, even to this Happy Alice.

Alice shook her head. "Such a woman wouldn't marry a horrible person. What was he like? Before that happened?"

"Well…" Balthazar paused. "He was a Hero, once. Supposed to have been a pretty talented one too. He didn't want to fight, but he was thrust into battles, and eventually, he became powerful. But at the same time, he was gentle, and wanted to unite humanity in peace. I don't know if the feelings extended to monsters though. He led a group of baptized warriors known as the White Crusaders into battle…"

Alice looked at Balthazar in confusion. "The White Crusaders? I've never heard of them."

Balthazar shrugged. "Have you ever heard of Ilias Kreuz?" Alice slowly shook her head.

"It's a terrorist group." Balthazar and Alice turned around to see Luka, who was awake now, and walking around. "Ilias Kreuz is a terrorist group that murders monsters and people who break Ilias' commandments. They take her laws to the extreme."

Balthazar nodded. "That sounds about right. The White Crusaders were similar to Ilias Kreuz. However, when monster ran amok and destroyed or captured a town, they'd arrive and drive them off."

Luka stretched. "The White Crusaders? I've… Heard them mentioned before."

Balthazar shrugged. "Eh… They're a name dying in history. Anyways, my father decided to lay down the sword, and met my mother after saving her in an assault from some monsters. The two began to frequent each other, and eventually married." He paused. "I was born, and we were happy."

Alice nodded. "I understand."

"I don't." Balthazar stated, to her surprise. "If you pulled them apart, it was like candy without sugar." He thought. "Like, your Ama-ama Dangos without the Happiness Honey." Alice's face twisted as she imagined it. "One day, he doesn't wake up. Four days straight, we keep waiting by his side. Then, one morning, I wake up to a bunch of noise, and I check it out. There's blood on the ground." He grimaced. "I follow the trail outside of the house, where I find my father, laughing like a madman, spouting out some shit about Ilias this, Ilias that. He said my mother was just some fallen wench, a monster, and that in order to redeem himself in Ilias' eyes, he should kill her." He said, his voice rising. "My mother is lying at his feet, as he holds the blade he used to protect people. He walks off, laughing maniacally. As a little kid, I run forward, and I don't know a damn thing. I ask my mother what's wrong, and why she's hurt. She just smiles at me."

"'Don't hate them.'"

"That's all she said to me. She's bleeding everywhere, and before long, I'm covered in her blood. As I sit by her side, she dies. I watched her die in front of me, powerless to change anything." A tear slipped down his face. "My father just murdered my mother in cold blood, ranting that it was to please Ilias."

Luka looked shocked. "That's impossible! Ilias would never-"

"Shut up! I know what I heard!" Balthazar spat. The Chains of Hell, only visible to Alice and Balthazar rattled and shook as he flailed his arms. "You think she's goody-goody two shoes, but she's fucked up!"

Luka shook his head. "There has to have been a reason! Ilias would never do such a thing! What if a monster attacked him, which made him fall into that coma, and while he was in it, she possessed him? What if that's what made him go crazy?"

"You don't think I never thought of that? I tried to reason it out, like I'd die if I wasn't able to get it right!" His voice shook.

"Guys, enough!" Alice commanded, placing herself between the two. "Maybe I shouldn't have brought your father up…" She said. "But… It makes me glad that you could trust me enough to tell me."

Balthazar sighed, regaining his composure. "Yeah… Well… It's your turn, next time." He said.

Eventually, the three packed up, and continued their trek to the treasure cove. Within a few hours, the three made it to the entrance of the cave. From the outside, it looked relatively normal, but just walking past the opening atrium, it turned into a neatly carved square tunnel. Several passages shot off from various intervals, giving it a maze-like feel.

Stepping into one of the passages, Alice smelled the air. "IT smells like a fox." She commented. She turned her nose away, as if it disgusted her.

"What does a fox smell like…?" Luka wondered aloud.

Alice smiled smugly. "Thin fried tofu."

Balthazar hung his head. "R-really? That's… An interesting way of putting it."

The three continued down one of the stone paths. It doubled back on itself, lowering itself below sea-level. From now on, they'd be continuing to descend.

Luka looked around at the architecture. "The ground and floor are rather sturdy."

Alice nodded. "If pirates really did hide all of the treasure here, there are sure to be many traps."

Luka nodded. "Then caution should be our first priority." It is possible that some of the adventurers that came in before and vanished might have triggered some of the traps. "It's odd… IF so many came in here without leaving, where are the corpses?" He paused, searching down some of the offshoot paths. "Somehow, it seems like ghosts are just going to appear at any second…"

Alice jumped. "G-ghost?" Luka and Balthazar looked at her questioning. "It's… Nothing…" She said, scanning the hallways.

As the three continued down the path, Alice began to walk close to Luka. Eventually, she was within his personal bubble, and Luka tried to gain some space. "Why… Are you so close to me?" He asked.

"Y-you're the one who's too close to me." She said. "Besides, why do you think I'd be afraid of something like this? You know? I mean, ghosts are so un-scientific and everything. Just an ignorant product of foolish humans."

Balthazar tilted his head. "But…" He started, as if to spark some sort of conversations about the afterlife.

Alice snapped her tail. "No buts."

A flash of motion caught Luka's eye. "What was that!?" He exclaimed, trying to make out what it was. However, all attempts of doing such were muddled as Alice screamed, coiling around Luka tightly. "D-don't wrap around me!" Alice somehow managed to place her whole weight on Luka's small frame. He staggered as he tried to find the shadow that had moved.

Balthazar's eyes narrowed. "It seems as if we aren't alone here." He paused. "It doesn't just have ghosts of victims past…" He subconsciously teased, earning a groan from Alice. "But there's something living occupying this place."

Alice nodded. "This isn't a ghost." She said, slowly uncoiling around Luka.

"Ghost?" He questioned.

Alice glared at Luka. "Don't say that word! Finish this quickly!" She demanded.

If Alice disappeared… That means a monster! Luka called down the halls. "Hey! Show yourself already!"

Within a couple of seconds, a small girl appeared, twin fox tails and fox ears twitching abound. "Wawawa! A human appeared!" She exclaimed. Huh. I don't think she expected to see me. But as a fox monster… They can be anywhere from very weak to ungodly powerful. With more tails, the more power they can possess… This tiny one has two tails. Hopefully, she should be weak. Luka thought, lowering his sword.

"What should I do?" She asked timidly, her eyes darting every which way. "I got separated from Tamamo, and now a human shows up…"

"I don't really understand this, but if you're attacking humans, then I won't forgive it!" Luka exclaimed, Angel Halo returning to his side.

"She told me not to let a human take Poseidon's Bell! I won't let you past me!" She declared, albeit she was still timidly darting about.

Luka lowered his sword again. "… Who told you not to?"

"… That's a secret!" She replied.

Poking at her defenses, Luka pressed. "That name you mentioned… Tamamo was it?"

"Auu…" She groaned.

Bulls-eye! "I really need to get by…" Luka said, trying to tip-toe around the kitsune. However, she stopped him. "If you don't let me, I won't go easy on you!"

Balthazar laughed. "You're already on easy mode, kid."

The kitsune took a dramatic pose. "Then… It's time for a match!"

Luka rushed in with Thunder Thrust. The attack dealt damage, but compared to the monsters beforehand, it didn't do the trick as he thought it would. The kitsune replied in kind, using her usually fluffy tails as whips. But as soon as they made contact, she scratched Luka with her sharpened nails.

"Gah, that stung!" He exclaimed, wiping off the blood she drew.

"Of course! I'm not holding back!" The kitsune replied, proudly showing off her sharpened claw-like nails.

Luka closed the distance, sacrificing a few cuts for a two-hit combo on the kitsune. Reeling back from even more cuts, he watched her movements.

"Wawa! Damn you human! Clone Technique!" She called out, making a hand gesture. In a large puff of smoke, two more of the kitsune appeared, all completely identical.

Faced with three enemies, Luka looked at them in worry. "What the?"

Balthazar tapped the cold stone wall with his katana, grabbing Luka's attention. "Clone techniques are tricky, kid. You've got to look at the clones. If you're lucky, an inexperienced user might have flaws in their technique."

Luka nodded. "Thanks for the tip!" Uh… Now how do I go about using that knowledge? Luka looked over the kitsune girls.

"Fufufu! Amazing, right!? Now do you see that I'm the real deal!?" She taunted. There! The only one that actually talked! The one on my left! "I've got you!" He struck his target, at the two clone disappeared.

The kitsune yelped in recoil. "Heh. I guess you're… Pretty good…" She said, intimidation rising in her voice. Like he said, it had a pretty big flaw. I bet I could have just stood there and watch her undo it by moving. Luka thought. "Muu! If it's come to this… I have no choice but to show you my true power!" Her two tails coiled in the air. A small glimmer of light seemed to emanate from her as she dashed in, slamming her tails against Luka. This time, the tails had weight behind them, as if they were fifty pound weights.

Luka was out of breath. "I have no choice…" He thought aloud. He concentrated, mediating for a few seconds. His stamina came back, and the aching in his chest subsided as he regenerated. "Now, let's finish this!" He said, pulling Angel Halo to his side. The kitsune did likewise, claws ready. The two collided, but Luka left the winner. As small bursts of magical energy was sapped from the kitsune, she was sealed into a small, twin tailed fox.

He leaned over the fox. "You can't do anything bad anymore in that state." He brought Angel Halo back to his back, and tried to pat the fox, but it bit him as she fled.

"Wow. I can't believe I just witnessed something as dumb as that." Balthazar's hand flew to his forehead at Luka's attempt of superiority showed.

"Are you finished?" She asked. "Foxes are infesting this place… But that shouldn't be. They shouldn't live in this cave."

"Then where did she come from?" Luka asked. She said something about Tamamo… Did this Tamamo also come in search of the Poseidon's Bell?

"Jeez, those things can be really annoying." Alice complained.

The three continued further down the paths, the air growing more and more stagnant. Eventually, the three came across a giant boulder blocking off one of the passages. Looking around, a giant spiked ball had collided into the ground, and over in yet another passage, a huge pitfall had opened up. So many sprung traps right next to each other sent an odd feeling through Luka.

"Someone else has already triggered these traps… Recently, as well." Alice stated.

Luka nodded. Since the traps have been activated already, it's not something we have to worry about anymore. But if they got the Bell before us, this whole trip will be pointless. As the three picked up pace, they stumbled upon a Meda, an odd-looking monster which took the shape of a multi-limbed floating mass of tentacles on the bottom and the upper portion of a yellow-clad woman. Two tentacles sprouted from her neck and replaced her hair, and an odd amethyst-colored gem sat in her forehead.

She's a lot more insect-like than most cave monsters… Luka noted. Even in his state of confusion, he drew Angel Halo, and quickly unleashed Thunder Thrust. "Catch…" She murmured. Almost immediately, the tentacles restricted Luka, holding the two afloat in the air. Luka struggled, but couldn't break her hold. "Fluids… Drain…" She whispered, a transparent tubule extended from her back. It pierced his chest, but only a green colored liquid was sucked out. He was being forced closer into a lower mouth which opened up, where countless wriggling worm-like tentacles waited. She'd probably dissolve me and take out more that strange liquid… Luka thought.

"Get off!" He yelled. He managed to break her grasp, and sliced the tubule out of his chest. It quickly regenerated, but the Meda withdrew it. He pulled out the portion in his chest. He didn't feel much significant pain, the green liquid dissipated.

"Catch… Escaped…" The Meda confirmed. Luka pulled back, his strength was drained when the green liquid escaped.

"Gah… What was that stuff?" He asked aloud. He shook his head. I'll have to finish it quickly. He brought his blade parallel to the Meda's neck, and executed Demon Decapitation. As it struck, she was left barely unsealed. Jumping in midair as a tentacle attempted to grab him; he landed his blade in the gem-like structure in her head. "Final Attack!" He roared, driving the blade in. With a final stream of magical energy, the Meda was sealed, leaving a sea-louse in her place.

"My, my, you sure are brutish." Alice commented. "You say you want to create a world in which monsters and humans can coexist… And here you are, sealing monsters left and right."

Luka turned his head. "I'm only fighting monsters that are attacking travelers, and can't get along with humans."

"Says the invader of the monster's home." Balthazar interjected. "What are you waiting for, let's go."

As the three hurried down the path, Luka grabbed his companions' attention. "Why does a monster want the Poseidon's Bell anyways?"

Alice shook her head. "If you used your head a little, you would figure it out, you idiot. They're obviously trying to get it so that a human can't use it."

Balthazar tilted his head as the three ran. "What, if you get it, I can't have it, so I'll take it before you can have it?"

Alice shot a surprised look at Balthazar. "I didn't think I need to explain it to you too. Going through all of the trouble to cause that huge storm would be pointless if a human could just get this bell and sail as if it were a calm day."

"The timing doesn't seem right though." Luka observed. "The storms have been occurring for at least a year now, why wait until now to grab the Bell?"

Alice smiled. "Well, it looks like you aren't completely hollow-headed." She praised. "Most humans wouldn't ever try to venture to the very bottom of this cave. Thinking that, they probably just let it stay where it was."

"But we overheard that people were trying to go to the cave before…" Luka said. "That can only mean…" He paused, placing all the pieces of information in his head. "They were tipped off about me."

All of Alice's praise vanished. "You're a real idiot. Nobody cares about a pseudo-Hero." She said. "You'll need to be careful though, whoever they are. I don't know if it's Tamamo or Alma Elma, but it's sure to be difficult."

Luka looked at Alice in surprise. "Oh? Do you know the Tamamo girl?" The three paused as they came across an unusual scene. The fox from before was caught in a large spider web, struggling to free herself. "Is that a monsters' trap? Why would it try to catch a fellow monster?"

Shaking her head, Alice explained the situation. "Not all monsters consider each other allies. Like humans, they often fight each other. Especially insect-type monsters. They make a habit out of making anything their meal." She looked at the fox. "That kitsune was stupid." She said, before taking and abrupt turn, vanishing from sight.

Luka turned around, surprised by her actions, but realized the source of them: a young Spider girl. Just like the legends of the arachnes, she had the lower half of a spider, but a human upper torso erupted from the body. She wore green carapace on her body, to cover herself, which matched the natural green color of her shell.

Luka rushed in to stop the spider's catch. Balthazar tried to stop him for a moment, but in a second lost interest. "Arara? Another stupid catch." She looked at the two males. "Delicious looking… I'll steal your life force… No, I'll consume you completely!"

"Let the kitsune girl go!" Luka demanded, drawing Angel Halo.

The spider girl did so immediately. "Sure, sure, I'll do that. If I can get a human boy like you, I don't need such a tiny monster."

Luka dashed forward, forgetting to open with Thunder Thrust. Instead, he cut forward, attempting to force the spider girl away from the kitsune. As a response, she spun a snow-white silk from her abdomen, spraying it on Luka.

"Ara? Caught already?" She looked over Luka. "I'll keep wrapping you like this until you're a cocoon! After that, I'll suck out your life force from your husk… Or would you rather I do that in person?"

Although I'm bound, it doesn't mean that I can't attack in this situation. I can't let her get much more of that silk on me, though, or this won't end up well. Luka, his movements slowed and weakened by the spider girl's threads, managed to cut the spider girl. His attack was noticeably weaker, but at this rate, Luka noted he could still win.

The spider girl's movements were much faster than Luka's now. She scuttled out of his range, but close enough that she could attack with her legs. Jabbing, she began a small combo as Luka feebly attempted to block. At the end, she sprayed more of her silk at Luka. Not good… I can barely move in this silk… It's nearly a complete coffin… I have to make one last attack! He thought. Focusing all of his strength, he tried to lunge forward, but he was still. Then, a particular memory rushed through his head. Take this dagger. 'If you're ever bound, make sure to have at least one hand near this at all times...' … Balthazar's dagger! I can still get out of this! His free hand slid the dagger out of its hiding spot, and easily cut apart the silk, like a hot sword through butter.

"H-hey! That's not fair, that's cheating!" The spider girl exclaimed, watching as Luka tore apart her cocoon without trouble.

"Good job kid. I was wondering if you were ever going to use that dagger." Balthazar commented.

"You gave that knife to him? I'll make you pay when I'm finished with him!" She exclaimed.

Luka rushed forward, closing the distance between them, and with a single uppercut with Angel Halo, sealed the spider girl. The monster turned into a rather small spider, which with some impressive speed, jumped away. Her spider webs were dissolving as her monster form's magic wore off. Luka freed the fox from the remaining web, and tried to pat her head, earning another bite mark from her.

Alice returned, her arms folded. "You done? You like doing pointless things, don't you?" After examining the scene, she looked down on Luka. "You're a bigger idiot than I thought. If that Spider girl doesn't eat, she'll die. You should have let survival of the fittest take its course." She paused, wearily remembering the battle. "Thinking an act like that is evil is like thinking nature itself is evil."

Luka bore his eyes in the ground. "I know that… It's just…"

"If you save all of the predator's prey, then all of the predators would starve. Do you think that's a better outcome?" She berated. "If that's so, herbivores are good and carnivores are evil?"

Balthazar took a turn, but in a neutral stance. "Oh? But with Alruanes, could not they be considered yet another prey by herbivores?"

"I'm trying to make a point here." Alice said. "No, actually, thanks. So, anything that eats is evil, while if something can live off of nothing is good? What a strange sense of good and evil." Luka didn't reply. "Well, even if you don't understand, it's pointless. Even understanding the inherent contradictions, it seems to be human nature to help something when it happens right in front of you, while denouncing the act in self-righteousness… Even though you commit the same act."

"I don't really understand the difficult things but if I come across the same situation, I'm going to help the weaker one." Luka said.

Balthazar folded his arms. "Why? The weaker one is weaker for a reason. It'll just encounter the situation again in time…" He said, mostly to himself.

"Good luck carrying out your beliefs. At least try not to let your mask come off and reveal your true character in the process."

"I believe in myself!" Luka exclaimed, sheathing Angel Halo. "Come on, we don't have time for this!"

Eventually, after more fast-paced walking, the three came upon a small room. In the middle sat a rather ordinary chest, but it quickly caught Luka's attention.

"What do you think guys? Should I open it?" Luka asked

"Do whatever you want. Just know that if something happens, I'll leave without hesitation." Alice said.

"I know that already… Balthazar?" Luka asked.

"You've got two outcomes. You either find some kind of treasure, or your find some sort of monster. The latter is more likely, considering everything." He said, not paying any particular attention to Luka. "Ah, here it is." He said, pushing on a piece of stone. A trap door in the side of the wall opened up, revealing their new path. Balthazar looked at Luka, who was still debating on the chest. "Come on! If it was treasure or something useful, don't you think that Tamamo would have taken it already? Quit wasting time." He said, finally leaving. Alice rolled her eyes, but followed Balthazar.

Left alone in the room, Luka's curiosity got the better of him. Unlatching the lock, a black-shirted girl popped out of the chest. Luka jumped back in surprise, the Mimic's quick endeavor to catch him off-guard succeeded. However, just as quickly as she appeared, she dived back into her box.

Luka stood completely still, just realizing he had unconsciously drawn Angel Halo. However, still too stunned to move, he simply stood there, waiting for the Mimic's next motion.

"Maybe I can… Just walk around her like that?" Luka wondered aloud, slowly tip-toeing around her.

"The moment you turn your back to me, I'm going to eat you." The Mimic said, her voice echoing through the chest.

"Looks like I have no choice now…" Luka thought aloud. I wonder how far Alice and Balthazar will go before they notice I haven't caught up?

The two stood for several seconds. "Not going to attack?" The Mimic asked, popping back out of her chest.

Luka continued to wait, both staying perfectly still. How am I supposed to deal with a Mimic? If I take Balthazar's strategy, I need to probe her defenses… But as it is, I don't know if I should attack her with her inside or outside of her box. I mean, it seems like I found her closed, maybe I should attack closed? But she initiated battle by popping out… Gah, I'll just attack now! Luka stepped in, slashing the Mimic across her chest. Her black clothing, even ripped apart began to regenerate. "Wait, you can regenerate?"

The Mimic mimicked Luka's surprise. "Ah? I can?"

Luka's eyes shadowed over. "Seriously? Are you playing that game with me?"

The Mimic did the same. "Seriously? You're asking me such a question?"

Oh Ilias, what the hell is wrong with this girl? Luka stepped in close to attack again, then jumped back. "God, this'll be annoying."

The Mimic groaned. "This'll be annoying." God… Dammit… Luka came to attack yet again, but the Mimic opened the lid of the fanged chest wide, and snagged Luka in mid-attack. "I'll swallow you whole… At this rate, you're going to be completely pulled in."

Luka struggled, trying to keep the lid of the chest open as the Mimic wrapped her arms around Luka's waist, trying to drag him in to the void in her chest. The tug of war continued, until his right hand began to slip. "I can't lose here… Not to you!" He roared.

"But you're so close! It'll feel good to be digested by me.. Come on, I'll play with you inside my void…" She said, trying to persuade Luka into giving up.

With an additional bout of strength, Luka planted his foot directly on the Mimic's face, and kicked himself out of her grasp. "Ha! …" He panted, recollecting his breath from the Mimic's impressive grasp. "You won't find me so easy to eat!"

He prepared to attack the Mimic again, but she withdrew into her box. Luka hesitantly lowered Angel Halo. "Wai- What?" He looked in confusion. Noting the similar tactic as before, Luka readied his blade, expecting her to attack at any second. His blade hovered in the air, as if to block any attack that should come his way. But as the seconds passed, she remained in her box.

"Oh come on, you can't be that cautious!" She exclaimed, bursting back out of her box. Again, Luka took these few vital seconds to attack, but she caught him again, mid-strike. "Aha! You aren't getting away this time!"

The teeth rimming the edges of the box began to dig in Luka's arms as he pushed the lid to a position he could better grasp. "I don't think so…!" He said. The Mimic grabbed him by his foot this time, making sure he couldn't kick her in the face as before. With one foot holding the bottom edge, his other being pulled on by the Mimic, one bent arm keeping the upper edge open, and his other arm holding Angel Halo, Luka was slowly being drawn into the Mimic's void. He propped himself up, giving him just enough room to thrust his blade at the Mimic.

She released him in an instant, not at all hesitant to release him if it meant she wouldn't be sealed. "Kuku… How dare you…" She cursed, blue saliva bubbling out of her 'mouth'.

"I'm going to finish this!" Luka called out. He was exhausted, but nothing his Meditation couldn't handle after the fight ended. Dashing in using Demon Decapitation, he finished the fight, the Mimic being sealed into a small toy box.

Luka sat on the ground, and meditated, the gaping wounds from the teeth on his arms closing. Alice wondered back in, with moderate surprise on her face. "Wow. So you were able to defeat the Mimic. I thought you had a zero percent chance of winning that fight…" She said.

Luka didn't say anything, letting his wounds fully heal. When he had recovered, he looked up. "I guess that means I'm getting closer to being a true Hero! … Or are you saying that the fight was rigged?"

"I did say that I'm not your ally… But any normal person would be suspicious of a chest in the middle of a room like that." Alice said. "It seemed like any idiot who would open that would be fated to lose."

Luka's eyes shadowed over. "Wh-whatever." He said, getting back up. "Let's keep moving. I wasted enough time on that fight, even though the experience was quite useful."

Within a few minutes, the two caught back up with Balthazar, who had paused in a room ahead. As the two came closer, Luka realized why Balthazar had stopped. A monster guarded the door, as if its guardian. Not just any monster, it was a kitsune, like before, but instead of two tails, it sported a grand total of seven. She however, was different than the two-tailed fox, as from her waist down, she was centaur-like, only with the anatomy of a fox. From her waist up, she was human, save for the furry ears as large as her head. Fur covered her chest in a coat as she folded her arms to look at the newcomers.

Luka cautiously joined Balthazar at the entrance of the room. "Woah…" He muttered. "Are you that ally of that kitsune!?" He asked. He counted over the seven tails once again, just to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

The seven-tailed fox nodded. "Yes. I am Nanabi." She stated. What? She isn't Tamamo? "Past this door is the treasury… So I am unable to allow you to pass."

"I'll advance, even if by force!" Luka exclaimed.

Balthazar pushed Luka back. "Wait kid. Don't get in fights you can't handle. You're going to get yourself killed. Let's see if we can't try to reason with her…" He trailed off as Luka ignored him, brandishing Angel Halo. "Idiot." He looked around, and spotted Alice concealing her presence in the background, silently watching. Balthazar faced Nanabi. It seems like she's a kitsune, but one that can assume a complete human form. I've heard of that kind of subspecies… They can be much more powerful in physical combat the more monster-like the form is, but their magical talents are more devastating… Not to mention, the human-like kitsune have an affinity to pleasuring humans… Balthazar thought.

"Understood. I'll show you the power of Tamamo's aide." Nanabi stated, her tails waving around slowly, exuding a tremendous aura.

Luka recoiled from the sheer power. However, he recovered his fighting stance. "Thunder Thrust!" He yelled, jumping forward with a single step. The attack landed, but after a few seconds, Nanabi swatted Luka aside with one of her tails.

He attacked again, avoiding one of her clawed feet. "Jeez… How powerful…" My attack didn't do anything… Balthazar slowly drew his katana. Luka looked at him in surprise as he took his stance. "You're helping?"

He nodded. "Any strong monster has a chance of allowing me to unlock more and more of my sealed power."

"If you think you can defeat me by sheer numbers, you are mistaken." Nanabi insisted. "Turn back now, or I'll destroy you both."

Balthazar smiled. "I can't let chances like this just slip past me." He slashed in a fluid strike, but his blade made no progress in the dense fur of one of Nanabi's tails. "Shit… I wasn't expect-" He was cut off as another tail slammed into him.

Luka covered Balthazar's recovery as he attacked, trying to distract her. "I got your back!" He said, attacking. Yet another tail slammed down, disrupting his attack, and a fourth tail swung, knocking Luka off of his feet.

"Damn… Did I underestimate her as well?" Balthazar question. "Luka, with me!" He called, and the two drew close, their blades forming a tightly knit defense. "We'll attack together. You attack her, and I'll drive Angel Halo home!"

The two rushed Nanabi. Luka swung down on her chest, cutting her coat, and Balthazar spun, slamming his katana into Angel Halo, causing liquid magic to leak down from her chest. Dropping down and gaining distance, the two nodded to each other as Nanabi finally recoiled from an attack.

She frowned. "I suppose I'll get a little serious then." She said, a leaf floating to her forehead as she concentrated her magic.

Balthazar sensed the change in her aura. "Shit. Luka, we've some time!" He said, quickly updating him on Nanabi's strategy. "She's defenseless right now, so we can gain some hits, but we've got to avoid her attack no matter what, or we're done for."

"Right, I got it!" Luka nodded. The two let off a small barrage, and Luka pulled back to heal himself as Nanabi straightened out, her leaf falling from her head which signaled the end of her charge.

"Now… Prepare yourself!" She threatened. "Fall to madness!" She yelled, her tails spreading out. A small ball of energy formed, no bigger than a fingernail. But as more energy was absorbed into the small space, it shot out, creating a small shockwave as it exploded. Balthazar was flown into one of the walls, the impact of it knocking all the breath out of him. "Oho… You survived. Pretty sturdy humans." She praised.

"Let me catch my breath… You need to recover as well, Luka. You don't look too hot either." Balthazar said, jabbing his sword in the ground, using it was a resting stick.

The three of them made no motions to attack each other, Luka meditated to recover from his injuries, Balthazar panted as a black aura grew around him, and Nanabi closed her eyes. "Since there's no moonlight down here, it takes longer for me to regenerate."

The three rested. Luka was the first to recover, and took advantage of the resting Nanabi. Managing two attacks, her pressure knocked him back as she recovered.

"I can't… Not yet…" Balthazar wheezed. Did the impact break a rib? He wondered, oblivious to the black aura around him. His chains sparked as he tried to set himself straight, watching the pseudo-Hero and Nanabi attack the other.

"Two Moons!" Nanabi exclaimed. Two tails separated themselves from the mix of the winding tails. Bristled spears made out of her fur extended out of the tails, impaling the ground. Luka jumped backwards as the spikes closed in on him, and Balthazar swung his katana to redirect the spiky fur spears to the ground harmlessly.

As the spears of bristly fur retreated, Luka stepped in, swinging Angel Halo at Nanabi. However, her tailed defense returned, knocking Luka back. He noticed that the two were clearly outmatched right now, and he was barely keeping up, even as he meditated to regenerate the bruising from Nanabi's trashing. As he recovered, however, Nanabi extended three tails to bind Luka, but didn't bother with Balthazar as he was too far out of range.

"Now that I've caught you, I can finish this." She said. "Should I end you quickly, or draw this out slowly?" She asked herself.

Luka struggled, trying to free himself from the fox's grasp on him, but failed. A burst of black energy shot throughout the room. Both looked in surprise as Balthazar, cloaked in a black smoke, jumped forward, ripping Luka out of her grasp.

"Th-thanks, Balthazar." He said, pulling himself together. "That's…" He looked at his new ally, bristling with dark power. "That's quite the energy you're able to use." He paused, noticing a cuff on Balthazar's right arm when his cape was pushed off his shoulder. "What's-"

"Don't get distracted, we can talk about unimportant things later." He said, his katana glinting dangerously.

"To be able to rip him out of my tails… You had more strength than I anticipated." Nanabi commented. However, it seemed she was still unfazed to Balthazar's new power.

"To be forced to use this technique twice…" Nanabi muttered, her leaf returning to her forehead.

"She charging her magical aura. Luka, with me." Balthazar ordered. The two used the same formation, though Balthazar attacked on his own, Luka providing backup. This time, his katana pierced her, but Nanabi gave no physical suggestion that the attack overwhelmed her. However, her attack seemed to have charged much quicker than before, and Balthazar realized his mistake. "Shi- fall back!" He said.

It was too late. She slammed a tail into Balthazar, and even though he used his katana to shear the bolt of energy, it detonated as she fired it, the force primarily engulfed Balthazar. The force of the condensed explosion shot Balthazar's unconscious body through one of the walls, creating a large hole and kicking up a cloud of dust.

`Luka was caught in the shockwave of the blast, which knocked him over and the heat of it seared him. "Balthazar? Are you still with me!?" Luka asked as he noticed the hole in the wall drifting with dust. However, Luka heard no response. "Balthazar!? Damn it!" He despaired. He fought on par with Granberia… And she knocked him out with a single attack!

Luka mediated as Nanabi stamped the ground. "Well, that's one that will not be rejoining the battle. When I finish you off, I'll finish his unconscious body off as well." Nanabi said, coyly smiling. "But don't think I'll give you any time to recover!" Her eyes glinted and flashed.

A wave of drowsiness washed over Luka, as Nanabi's hypnotic eyes slowly overwhelmed Luka's consciousness. "D-damn… It…" He said, passing out standing up.

"I'll use my tails to finish the job…" She said, her tails bristling. The tails shot out, but as if in a trance, Luka's sleeping body deftly avoided the attack. Nanabi was taken aback by Luka's save. "What the? Was that just a fluke!?" She asked.

"I've… Got to… Get the range…" Luka murmured, a faint snoring underscoring his breathing.

Again, Nanabi sent her tails out to impale Luka, but in a dance, Luka avoided each tail. Laughing, Luka twirled around, as if drunk. "Are you mocking me!?" Nanabi roared. But as she got no reply, she looked at the boy. "No.. He's definitely asleep still. My Hypnotic Eyes worked…"

"Here… We go… Ninefold… Rak…Shasa…" Luka whispered in his sleep. His body, as if possessed, swayed, but in a second, had appeared in front of Nanabi, and twisted in a deadly dance as Angel Halo twirled around, the slashes formed by it somehow even more dangerous than before.

Nanabi took a few steps back. "Impossible… It's like… He's a completely different person!" She grunted. "Very well then, how about Two Moons?" She said, two tails extending in the air, sending a barrage of fur-spears at Luka. In a bizarre dance, Luka avoided each on as if in slow motion. "What the hell? I can't hit him!" She exclaimed, using Two Moons again.

"Gah… So full…" Luka contently sighed in his sleep. "Can't eat… Any… More…" A huge aura developed around Luka as an attack he had never used before charged.

"Heh. So it's like that, is it?" Nanabi smirked, her leaf flowing to her head.

However, the charge time was completely off Nanabi's calculations, and Luka unleashed a new attack. "Heavenly Demon Revival…" He muttered, his voice oddly off-tone. The huge aura around him condensed and slammed into Nanabi, lifting her up and slamming her into a wall.

"What!? That kind of power…! How!?" She questioned, all of her seven tails bristling with irritation. "If I were to get hit by that…" Her leaf returned to her forehead, and she finished accumulating her magic. "I'll have to counter it with my Seven Moons!"

"Useless piece of…" He gasped, somehow finding agitation in his dream. "Daystar…" He muttered.

The magic sphere created by Nanabi was turned full circle and absorbed by a brilliant light as it invaded the room. Causing a large explosion, one that was only contained due to the underground room, Nanabi was left severely injured.

"Impossible, this!?" She gasped, as Luka pierced her with Angel Halo. The blade caught in her chest, and he pulled it out, swiping magical liquid off of it, as if it were blood. Quickly, with so many wounds leaking her accumulated magic, she lost her form and assumed the form of a small, seven-tailed fox.

Luka stilled for a moment, then yawned. Groggily stretching, Luka rubbed his eyes. "Oh man… That was good… I like those kinds of naps…" He said blissfully, opening his eyes to the dark ceiling above him. Drifting clouds of dust caught his attention, then the fox that sat, simply staring at him with seven tails coiling around the others. "Th-that's right! She used those strange eyes that knocked me out…" He took a few seconds, then remembered Balthazar. "Hold on!" He exclaimed, jogging down to the hole, but coughing as rubble fell down on him.

The kitsune that Luka had defeated before jumped into the room, frantically running around the slightly larger fox. Eventually, the twitchy younger fox settled down by the larger fox, which simply sat on her hind legs.

"Wh-what's happening?" Luka asked, dragging a battered Balthazar out of the rubble.

Alice slid into the room. "You don't remember? Huh. Looks like you really were completely out." She said. Slowly, Alice bent over Balthazar, and placed two fingers on his neck. She straightened up, and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. He's just been knocked unconscious. I'd wager that increase in power left him vulnerable."

Luka nodded, cautiously looking over Balthazar's beaten body. "That's good." We fought side-by-side… Am I getting good enough that he considers me an ally? "What happened…? When I was asleep?" He asked.

"You're significantly stronger when you're asleep, but I haven't a clue as to why." She said, thinking. "You should fight only when you sleep from here on out. If you do that, you'll make this an easy trip." She said.

"You can't be serious." Luka sighed. "He'll be fine here, right? Let's take care of this Tamamo monster or whatever's in there!"

Alice didn't move. "It seems like you were one step too late."

The door that Nanabi had been guarding slowly ground open, the harsh, grating noise of rock-on-rock sliding filled the air. Several seconds later, a cute young girl stepped out. She had long blonde hair that extended past her waist, and wore an old, traditional-looking kimono. Immediately, Luka noticed that her eyes were a teal color, but her pupils were slit. She also had fox ears, and several tails coiling behind her.

She's so small… And has an alluring charm… But… She looks kind-of weak. Luka thought, hovering over Balthazar's body. "She looks weaker than Nanabi." Luka accidentally thought aloud..

"Idiot," Alice scolded. "Look at her tails." She commanded.

Luka followed the tails' movements. "One two three… Four five… Six… Seven…" Luka paused, his voice getting weaker. "Eight… And nine!?" He gasped. He counted her swirling tails several times, but his count always reached nine. Luka shook his head, trying to rationalize the situation. "But… It's only two more than Nanabi…"

"Don't be an idiot. Seven tails do not even compare to the power of nine." Alice paused, adjusting herself. "She's one of the Four Heavenly Knights, Tamamo. One of the strongest monsters in existence right now, like Granberia."

Tamamo, paying little attention to the two, bend down to the two kitsune. "Sorry you two… You became like that when I went into the treasury." She lovingly stroked the two foxes on their heads. "I'll give you a tiny portion of my power." With that, he palm glowed as she touched the two-tailed fox on her head. Almost immediately, the twintailed fox popped back to her original form.

"Wawawa…" She cried, hiding behind Tamamo.

Nanabi expectantly waved one of her tails at Tamamo. "Sorry Nanabi, it'll take a little longer to unseal you. I'll have to do that later." Nanabi bowed at Tamamo's feet. Tamamo, finally faced the group of three.

"So, you're Luka?" She asked. "And the unconscious one with those Chains must be Balthazar. He seems to have completely taken the force from two of Nanabi's Seven Moons." She stated. "I can still smell her energy on him. But to defeat her… You must have some skill." She praised. Tamamo slowly walked around and sniffed the air near Luka, who tried to get in between her and Balthazar. "So cute~" She squealed. "You'd be a good husband and mate."

"No way." Luka immediately stated. "Wait, what chains?"

Tamamo took it in stride, almost ignoring it. "Fufufu… You're a good guy. I want to play with someone cute like you on my bed."

"Oh gods…" Balthazar groaned, slowly coming to consciousness. He slowly opened one eye, which seized on the bell in Tamamo's hand. "The hell is…" He paused, trying to sort everything out.

The bell was incredibly old, affixed to a piece of frayed string. "No way… Is that!?" Luka gasped.

Tamamo nodded, jingling the bell, which surprisingly rang clear. "Indeed, this is the Poseidon's Bell. Crossing over to Sentora is annoying right now, so I'm taking this." She said. "Honestly, it doesn't really matter to me, but Alma Elma is being so annoying lately."

"Alma Elma?" Luka asked, helping Balthazar to his feet.

"She's one of the Four Heavenly Knights as well. She's the underlying cause of the storms that have been blocking the sea route." Alice explained.

Balthazar wearily held himself up with his katana. "Gods… But it makes sense."

"Oho? I didn't think you'd be up that quickly. You're a hardy human specimen." Tamamo said, walking around the swaying warrior. He did nothing as she popped up directly in front of him, tearing a small piece of his cape off.

"Oi. I just got these clothes, and they've been ransacked by your minion." He said, amused by Tamamo's strange behavior. "Don't disrobe me in a place like this."

"Fufu… I like your humor. But you smell strange." Tamamo stated. "Not a bad strange, mind you." She paused, sniffing the piece of cloth. "But I wonder why a human like you smells so much like Alma Elma. That's why you smell strange."

Balthazar sighed, nearly losing his posture. "Who knows, eh?"

Luka quickly reigned in the off-topic conversation. "Do the Four Heavenly Knights have a reason to block the route?"

"Mentioning that… If you want this bell, what are you going to do?" Tamamo asked.

Luka scratched the back of his head. "Er… Defeat you and take it, I guess?" Luka meant to grasp his sword, but both Balthazar and Alice seized his wrist.

"Don't. She's not someone you can face right now." Alice warned.

Balthazar also looked serious. "You're going to drag me to my death." He breathed for a few seconds. "She's not like Granberia, but she'll wipe the floor with you if you fight her so fast you won't know what even happened."

"But… How else?" Luka asked.

Tamamo laughed. "That's surprising. Those humans catch your interest, Monster Lord?"

Luka looked shocked. Monster Lord? Tamamo just called Alice Monster Lord, I'm not hallucinating, or dreaming, am I? Alice is… The Monster Lord? He staggered back, his movement breaking Alice's grasp. "Alice… You're…"

Alice sighed, and was silent for several moments. "… Did you finally realize it, idiot? I am the Monster Lord, Alipheese Fateburn the Sixteenth."

"No way!" He exclaimed. I didn't think she was a normal monster when I first met her… And when she drove away Granberia, I was right to think she was someone important. But for Alice to be the actual Monster Lord?

Tamamo chuckled, scratching her head in false concern. "Ara ara, was I not supposed to say that? I guess I spoke out of place." She said.

Luka looked at Balthazar, who showed no reaction. "Balthazar!? Why don't you look surprised?"

Balthazar whimsically swayed his head. "Eh… I kind of knew… Since the start…" He admitted.

Both Tamamo and Luka looked at him in surprise. "But how!?" Luka exclaimed.

"Oh? I didn't think that any human knew of Alice's true identity." Tamamo observed, looking at Balthazar with curiosity. "Oh what I'd do to examine you for a night now…"

"Well…" Balthazar began. "When Alice told me what her name was, I knew who she was immediately. Alice Fateburn is a name only the Monster Lord can claim." He said. "Ergo… Alipheese Fateburn the Sixteenth was a traveling companion for a Sinner and a peusdo-Hero."

Tamamo looked at the bell in her hand. "Anyways, I'll be taking the bell now." She said. Suddenly, the kitsune girl who had been carefully shadowing Tamamo's every movement tugged on her sleeve. Lending an ear to the younger girl, she listened to her whispers. "Huh. I see. You spared her life, Luka? Then as leader of the Kitsune's I must thank you. " She walked up to Luka, laughing. "How would you like me to thank you? Thin fried tofu?" Suddenly, Alice's earlier remark makes sense… Luka thought. "Or do you want to touch my special fluffy tails?"

Luka closed his eyes. "I want Poseidon's Bell." He declared, without a second thought.

Tamamo nodded. "That's what I expected. Well, here ya go~" She said, dropping the bell in Luka's hands.

Luka looked shocked at her willingness to give the Bell away. "Wait, is that really okay? Just handing it over like that?"

Tamamo shrugged. "I don't really care. The traps in this cave looked fun, so I wandered in here just to set them off!"

Luka shook his head at the insanity. "That can't be…"

Suddenly, with a wave from her tails, Tamamo faced Luka and Balthazar. "Now what are you going to do? Are you going to try to beat me?" She asked.

"Well…" Luka furrowed his eyebrows.

Balthazar sheathed his katana. "Fuck that." He said so blatantly, even Tamamo recoiled in shock. "Not now. While you're being a moron, kid, I'm going into the treasury." He said, walking right next to Tamamo. However, the two said nothing, only a tail brushed against Balthazar's side as he limped into the darkness of the treasury.

"There's no reason to fight." Luka nodded. "I'll only fight those who try to stop monsters and humans from coexisting."

Tamamo nodded. "An admirable endeavor. However, we will fight eventually." She promised. "After all, I am one of the Four Heavenly Knights."

Luka breathed in deeply. "If it happens, it'll happen."

"Well then, farewell." Tamamo said, giving Luka and Alice a small wave. "Oh, but before I go… I have something I want to talk about with that Sinner."

"Sinner?" Luka asked, remembering Tamamo mention it before.

"Ah, ah. I already spoke out of turn once already. Be right back." She said, walking into the darkness of the treasury.

Luka and Alice were left alone as the seven-tailed fox followed the kitsune and Tamamo into the darkness. "So… You're the Monster Lord, huh?"

Alice folded her arms. "I didn't hide it. You were just too big of an idiot to realize it. Balthazar figured it out the instant we met." Although the exact details I don't have drawn down yet. She thought.

Luka nodded. "In hindsight, it was pretty dumb to not notice."

"You should have noticed it and figured it out when Granberia followed my orders." She reminded. "Remind me, who is the only person who is capable of giving orders to a Heavenly Knight?" She asked. Not waiting for an answer, she said it anyways. "The Monster Lord."

Luka was silent for a few moments. "Why did you travel with me?" He asked.

"My answer hasn't changed…" She replied. "You're an interesting human. In addition, I want to see the world with my own eyes. You were two birds with one stone."

"Did you really order an all-out war with humanity?" Luka asked.

Alice shook her head. "'Only in self-defense are you allowed to exert power.' That was, and still is, my only command I have ever given. It must have been distorted when it reached human ears. I never wanted a full-scale war." In the background, a gentle blast of air could be heard as Tamamo teleported out of the cave. "Looks like she's finished with him." She thought aloud.

"Exert power not to rule humans, but in self-defense? But then why was Granberia attacking Iliasburg?" Luka asked, trying to fathom Alice's motives.

"With the Slaughter of Remina, the humans were burning with hatred toward the nearby monsters, creating quite a dangerous situation." She explained. "Violence was only approved for self-defense. But, a lot of monsters seem to have been more liberal in translating my order. It is inexcusable."

"What the hell happened then!?" Luka asked. "Wasn't it the Monster Lord's command not to leave a single survivor!?"

"I don't know." Alice admitted. "That was also another reason I went on my journey."

"You don't know?" Luka asked, incredulously.

Balthazar stumbled out of the treasury. He seemed to be in better condition than before, but still a little shaky. "I have my own theories of Remina." He said. "I suspect Alice knows my own, and it might make sense…"

"The Slaughter of Remina took place before I took the throne. However, the previous Monster Lord did not give that instruction to attack the town either. I do not know who gave that command." She said. "But what makes me suspicious is what Balthazar implied, another force was involved. Monsters were also completely decimated in Remina. They were slaughtered there as well."

"The monsters were killed as well…?" Luka repeated. I had only heard it was an act of violence from monsters on humans…

"Well, that's my part done. Don't you have questions for someone else?" Alice asked.

Luka looked at Balthazar. "Tamamo…" He asked, trying to word his questions correctly. "She mentioned something about a Sinner?" He asked. "But more importantly, where did that metal cuff on your wrist come from?"

Balthazar looked at Luka in surprise. "Ah. You can see it now, can you? Granted such a small piece, but you are gaining power…" He commented to himself. "Hm. The two questions you just asked me are closely related."

"They are?" Luka asked, tilting his head. "I'm not sure I understand-"

"Nor need you." Balthazar interrupted. "You won't like any of the truths I represent, nor any 'lies' I spread. I am a Sinner, it is true."

Luka gestured in exasperation. "That's what I don't get… What's a Sinner?"

Balthazar pushed his cape to the side, revealing the shackle Luka could now see. "See this shackle, boy? This is what brands me a Sinner. Ilias and I don't see eye to eye. So while I was busy trying to carve hers out, I got these fancy things."

Luka looked blank. "Wait… What?" Slowly Balthazar's implications dawned in Luka. "Oh my… There's no way!" He exclaimed, stepping back from him. "That… Explains everything!"

"Don't it boy?" Balthazar smiled darkly, taking a single stop forward. "I said you wouldn't like my truths. I told you the 'lies' I spread would only cause you discomfort."

Alice crossed her arms. "Well, that covers that base as well. So what are you going to do?" She asked. Balthazar took his cue, and walked over around Alice's corner, so the three created a lengthy triangle. "You have the enemy you must defeat in front of you, as I, the Monster Lord…" She paused.

Balthazar resumed. "And you have a dissenter amongst your precious goddess Ilias, whose main goal is to kill her and your old way of life." He said. "Will you try to kill the man who fought for his beliefs of what is wrong with the world? Will you attempt to take the life of the Monster Lord, and try to create peace and harmony between man and monster?"

"Guys… What the hell are you two asking me?" Luka asked. "What would you have done if I challenged you, Alice? I wouldn't have been able to defeat you anyways. Besides, if you vanished right now, wouldn't the monsters just become confused? What you've been doing… It doesn't make sense at all for me to defeat you. It would undo all the work we've done so far… And monsters… What would they do if their leader was killed?"

Alice nodded. "They might. I still have wishy-washy ones like Alma Elma and Granberia…"

Luka nodded. "So the person causing the storms between the continents was Alma Elma and not your own order?"

"You know, Granberia has always insisted that Ilias Temple is one of the ringleaders of evil." Alice pointed out. "It's a hero manufacturing plant that cranks out Heroes to fight monsters. Her argument lies with the fact that destroying it is self-defense. It's just a theory of course…" She said, thinking on it. "But as it is, it's not too far off the truth. Those that call themselves Heroes are pretty unsightly."

"And then you have those like me." Balthazar said.

"Balthazar…"

"And? What's your verdict on me? Why let the man who can be so easily slain live now?" He asked.

Luka shook his head. "No. We fought together. I can tell from the way we fought that you aren't fighting just to fight. You have your beliefs of what is wrong and right in the world." He paused. "Maybe I don't understand the reasoning, maybe I never can… But there's something that makes you fight. And it's because of that that I can't do it."

"Elaborate." Balthazar demanded.

"It's because… I have my own reasons, just like you. I want to create a world in which we can all coexist in peace. That's my reason. But… It's true I don't know yours… But then the world you want to create, even if I can't fully understand it yet, but it'll never see fruition! If I fought you, then it's like I'm fighting to destroy my own dream!"

"Huh." He sighed. Luka noticed that Balthazar held a black pearl in his hand, but said nothing. "To think I'd get pity from the puppet of whom I'm trying to kill. These Chains aren't lightly given to anyone, kid." He said. "These are the Chains of Hell. Ever hear of them? Maybe you're too young, maybe I am too… But someone like me… Are you sure that you can hold your own when we confront each other?"

"Confront?" Luka repeated.

Balthazar nodded. "Yes. I don't know when, but it's fated. The Hero who wants to save the world in Ilias' name… And the Sinner who wishes to dethrone the very same Goddess… Both in pursuit of the same world." He said. "Like I said, it could happen tomorrow, it could happen next year… It may even happen in our next life-time."

"I don't care!" Luka yelled. "If we're working towards the same goal, like you just said!" He said, trying to poke holes in Balthazar's defense. "If we're really on the same side, what would I gain in fighting you?"

"That answer isn't mine to give, and isn't yours to learn." His voice was cryptic.

"Is it okay? Not raising your blade to either of us?" Alice asked.

Luka nodded. "I've told you guys several times already. I'll only fight those that get in the way of coexistence between humans and monsters!" Alice is different. She's not an evil person. And Balthazar's confusing, but he's not an enemy. "But the Monster Lord's castle is still my destination. And since it looks like the Four Heavenly Knights are going wild doing their own thing…"

"I can understand their viewpoints… Therefore, I usually leave them alone." Alice stated. "I have my own viewpoint as the Monster Lord. All monsters are my cute subordinates. No matter what you say, I won't lend a hand to defeat my own cute little minions." She said. "You understand that, right?"

"You're not a blade worthy of cutting me apart yet, kid. I don't have enough respect for you yet to call you by your name." Balthazar said. "You earned some points just now, but it'll take more than that to earn your name."

Luka nodded. "That's right. I won't ask for your help. You're traveling with me, but you aren't my allies. Even if you join a fight or two." He threw in, teasing Balthazar. Huh. I'm traveling to the Monster Lord's Castle with the Monster Lord herself… And a Sinner who has his issues with Ilias who wants to create a world like mine… it might be the strangest journey I've ever heard, but that might be fun as well. Luka thought.

Nodding and rounding up, the three withdrew from the treasure cave, the Poseidon's Bell in hand, along with several trinkets Balthazar snuck for himself.