Surgence of The Armored hero
Chapter 3: Pains of The Past, March Towards The Future
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
As the sun was covered in the clouds, it masked certain parts of the fields and bushes as Cody was waiting. The young hero stood patient as he was ready to defend. As the air brushed by, he reacted with a jump into the air as soon following him were a few of the Savage Rabbits, each one lunging for him.
Yet before they could, several daggers followed by a rush of wind passed by as the daggers struck one set of the rabbits. The swift wind came from Raphtalia as she cut down the rest, causing the small monsters to drop dead while Cody landed back down with a sigh of relief.
"Looks like you two are improving on your skills." Cody praised the young girls.
While they grew a bit taller from their training and leveling, they were still young, around a couple of years younger than before, but the two girls smiled at the young hero. Both of them still had their clothes from before, but stitched up into their taller forms for now.
"I-It still doesn't get easier…" Raphtalia said with a few pants from their counterattack from the Savage Rabbits. Cody had to teach them to defend to live and survive. As harsh as it was, he did use the Slave Crest to get them to understand that they need to do this if any of them want to live to the next day. They were getting better at their craft as Raphtalia was becoming quite the sword wielder while Rifana being a good rogue-like fighter.
Rifana though, while also still shaken from the early training sessions, has started to grow more into the role she was given as an ambush fighter, using her skills to detect her enemies' scents, disappearing either into the flora or shadows before finally attacking in response.
"We have the best trainer around, after all!" Rifana smiled brightly from Cody's praises as he gave them both a gentle pat on the head as he went to collect not just the bodies but the materials for now before they use them for pelts and food.
Cody however slightly cringed at that phrase, it didn't really help him feel any better that these girls were essentially slaves in the European sense. He had to teach them all he 'somewhat' learned from his experiences from books to games and shows. While the worst way to learn it, it seemed to help translate well to them. Sadly he was still far from doing any real damage against the monsters that the Waves sent out beforehand.
Speaking of, he glanced softly at his HUD as he was still a few months off before the next Wave would hit this world. He was still unprepared even after 2 months of working alongside the girls since then, and it hasn't gotten easier.
He learned to start crafting certain potions and remedies as he had to give them to the girls to help heal their conditions. While not fully cured, the two girls were getting better with their health. Cody even had to learn how to cook both in failure and success with them all. It's still rough for them all but they're managing as much as they can.
"So, what exactly are the Armored Hero's known forms again?" Cody asked the girls while he cooked the rabbits they had killed.
"Well, nobody truly knows how the forms are." Rifana responded, she was the one with the most knowledge on the subject so far. "Only that they are meant to be the bonds between the other heroes."
"So, a sword, a bow, and a spear…." the Armored Hero guessed before he sighed, "Great, and Motoyasu likely still hates me for what happened…"
"Most likely." The young demi nodded. "But they could be something else entirely or even from the other fallen heroes? The Armored Hero was described as the most versatile of the heroes after all. At least that's what mama and papa said in their books."
"Yeah, though I heard that wasn't always the case." Raphtalia recalled, "I remember the fourth hero initially used a shield rather than armor. However when a Grongi turned against his kind to protect the world, he passed on his power to the Cardinal Shield and evolved it into the Legendary Belt."
"Seems like there's many stories but not enough evidence and proof on it all…" Cody noted with a sigh.
Even with his current awareness on his skills and powers, he was still in the dark over everything else compared to the other heroes who have been making the rounds lately.
"Well, at least it'll be easy to get the sword and bow forms." he admitted, "Question is, what exactly do I have to do to get the forms from Wren and Ibara?"
"Let's hope it's nothing bloody…" Raphtalia grimaced, "I don't want to see anymore people suffer."
"I know… let's hope it's something simple." Cody reassured her as he patted her head with a smile, "Anyways, dinner's ready. We should probably eat before it gets cold."
The two girls smiled with a nod as they dug in. The moment he saw their faces light up with delight, he knew he made a good meal. He wrote down the ingredients on what he made for the meal to keep his memory sharp on remaking it in the future for them.
As they finished up their meal, Rifana smiled brightly at the young hero as her tail wagged with excitement, "So! Finish the story about your land!" She pleaded as when they did a good job he would reward them with something as Rifana was curious to learn about Cody's home and everything about it. She had a great gift with knowledge and history.
Cody couldn't help but chuckle as he nodded, "Right right… So where was I?" He pondered as he was remembering the right amount of details to tell them, "Ah right. Well, after they figured out how to make moving carts like you all do, they went further as they found a way to harness fuels from the old past otherwise known as 'fossil fuels' and use that to power their carts, turning them into cars. And with each era they keep getting better, faster, and more unique. Though it still is causing problems to the planet as we're trying to now move away from fossil fuels to something that benefits everything now." He explained to them that the last thing he left off on was the change in transportation in his world.
As Cody continued to talk about the world he came from, the girls were surprised by how advanced his world was in comparison to their own, from technology to worldwide travel, and more.
"Wah! Your world sounds so cool! I hope I can see it one day!" Rifana said with a brightful smile.
"Hehe, maybe one day." He chuckled, amused by her interest but as he turned his attention to Raphtalia, she was soundly asleep, making him get up to cover her with a blanket. "Maybe a rest would be nice, it is getting late." He said, taking notice of the sun setting.
The trio then began to set up camp for the night. Once finished, he helped tuck Raphtalia into the tent as he patted her head before turning to Rifana.
"Bed time for you too." He said to her with a smile.
"Good night!" the girls said.
"Rest well you two." He smiled as he closed the tent.
Though for him he was unable to sleep as he went to work on refining the herbs in combination as he hopes he'll figure out the proper way to cure them. Even with his new Herb Gloss that he unlocked through having his belt absorb many herbs and more, he still couldn't cure them completely. He can only hope he'll find the right medicinal combinations will finally do the trick.
'This one has to work… it has to…' He said within his thoughts, constantly feeling guilt in his heart when he couldn't heal them properly.
Cody doesn't want them to perish due to such diseases and such, as when he gives them their daily medicine, he worries it won't ever be enough. He soon began to work all through the night, trying his best to complete the crafting recipes for the medicine he and the girls will need in the upcoming Waves.
Of course, though his concentration was interrupted as he heard the screams and cries of the girls. Putting down his work for now, he rushed to their tent and spotted the two hugging each other.
It seemed like the girls experienced another night terror. Something that the girls keep experiencing each night. Memories of the past and their parents being killed by a Wave Monster followed by the trauma of those who harmed them.
The Armored Hero couldn't ignore them since the first night and would comfort them until they had a more peaceful sleep, which was luckily only once. He hugged the girls tight before tucking them back into bed.
"Don't worry girls, I won't leave you." he whispered, making a promise not only to the girls, but also to himself. He then hugged the two as he let them cry their hearts out, his own mind shivered with sadness from hearing their cries each night.
"Shh… it's okay… I'm here…" He gently reassured them as he gave them comfort until their cries faded into a more peaceful slumber.
With a heavy sigh, he wiped their tears away before tucking them back into the bedding and went out to continue his work once more. He knew it was going to be a long night for him after all.
XXX
The next day, Cody slowly began to wake up and saw that he fell asleep at his desk. He must have worked all night to try and make the medicine and fell asleep due to the exhaustion. But before he could go back to work, he felt something new as he noticed a blanket on him and near his seat were the sleeping girls as it seemed they woke up only to cover the hero before falling back asleep again.
It brought a smile to his face as he was filled with new confidence that this new batch will do it. With doubt no longer in his mind and heart and continued to work once more as he hopes the Wren and Ibarra are well.
XXX
Meanwhile, Wren was training by himself, his party members were already preparing breakfast while he found a good place to train. The swordsman was beginning to adapt to this world much easier than the other heroes as truly not much has changed other than the addition of Demi-Humans.
However there was a bit of terminology that was lost on him compared to his more modern team mates. Things such as "levels", "drops", and "stats" were very much a foreign language to him. Even with his team giving him the information about it, he still felt alien to the concept. In spite of this, he will strive and continue like he has been.
As he practiced his swordsmanship, the knight decided to take a small break and sit down.
'That feels like enough progress for me.' he thought to himself.
As he looked up to the morning sky, Wren felt a bit of pride that he, Cody, Ibara, and Motoyasu were chosen to defend this world. It meant that the universe saw something special in these four to become the Cardinal Heroes.
'If only we were still united…' he silently bemoaned, recalling how Motoyasu broke off from the quartet due to the allegations.
And while he occasionally encounters Ibarra from time to time, Cody was mostly hidden away, wherever he is now. The knight stood for justice, peace, and chivalry, yet to see so many people that would do anything for power. It showed him just how much the Waves have hurt this world.
If anything, he still believes when the time comes to fight the actual Waves, they will band together and fight as one…. Hopefully at least.
XXX
Within Ibarra's camp, Rishia was hard at work with tending another wound that the Bow Hero gained, a worried look showing on her face as she patched him up.
"Ow! That smarts!" he yelped.
"S-Sorry, Sir Ibarra!" Rishia flinched from his cry of pain.
"It's fine." he reassured her, "That's the last time I'm trying to hunt on my own. Dumb killer bunnies…"
"I did try to warn you beforehand, but you had to be gun-hoe about it." A sly voice scolded the Bow Hero as a young man entered the tent.
He had medium length scarlet hair and wore a typical magician's cloak, while his weapon was a worn-out spellbook and a dagger at his side.
"I know, but I didn't want to bother the others with hunting." Ibarra sighed, "I mean, I can't sit by and let you guys do all the work."
"Starting to think that maybe you're just diving head first to die as quickly as possible." The sly man said with a shrug.
"Tak! Don't say such things!" Rishia scolded him with a frown.
"Remind me how many times he's led most of us into situations over his head?" he noted before he let his sleeve drop to reveal a four-legged piranha chewing at his arm, at least before it noticed the Bow Hero and Rishia and scampered away.
"H-He is from another world after all, he has to adapt to this even more quicker than us who live here…" Rishia said, defending Ibarra's actions.
"Well, I mean this world is somewhat like a game. Real life pain aside." Ibarra noted as he got up, "Still, I guess you might be right about me being a bit reckless."
Tak nodded as he removed his cloak, "Now then, I think I'm going to need to get the rest of those wretched beasts off my back."
Rishia and Ibarra winced as there were several balloons also gnawing on his back as he left the two alone once more.
Tak soon said before he left, "Also, please be gentle with her. She is my only sister and I don't want her to be a mess."
"T-Tak! Shut up!" Rishia scolded, her face fully red as she threw a rock at her brother.
"Wait what?! Who does he think I am, Kuya Motoyasu?" Ibarra added in protest.
Rishia was covering her bright red face, letting out her usual "Fueh" sound from whenever she got embarrassed or more.
Skips looked towards the tent as she sounded off.
"Are they okay in there?" the rabbit Demi-human asked Lei, who was removing the wrappings around her hands.
"Just usual early couple syndrome…" Lei sighed, "Now, are you coming or what?" She asked, giving him a sly whistle of attention.
"Yeah yeah, I know." Skips sighed, rolling his eyes as he got his bo staff and placed it on his back.
"Not that type of attention…"
Skips flinched, "Wait, we're not training?"
"Yeah… come on. I'm needy right now." She said with a smirk of interest.
"Uhh… are you okay Lei?" Skips bemoaned.
Lei then giggled before she walked a bit sultrily towards the rabbit Demi-human. "Well… I just tested some herbs and they gave off something… delightful…"
"What do you mea-" Skips didn't get to finish before Lei dragged him, cottontail first into their tent.
XXX
After a while, Cody and the girls reached a new town to rest up in. As he was procuring a room, he noticed that several mining gear was either being sold or discontinued as it made him ponder what the problem was? Once a room was paid for, he went around to see the town more, seeing it was a mining town to begin with, but something had changed recently that made the miners begin to quit or flee the city.
"Ugh, what a day…" Cody groaned, slumping onto the bed with a thump.
As he turned his head, he had a soft smile from seeing the girls play with their new ball, but as gently as possible at the moment since they didn't want to break something again. Cody felt a small sense of pride, he had taken care of kids before, but these two were something special.
The young hero was happy to have them in this new life he has and he'll do what he can to get stronger and protect them. But as he laid there, from the corner of his eye he noticed that a few miners were gathered around some guards outside his window. Curious, he slyly opened the window to see what the problem was.
"Is everything alright here?" he asked the miners.
The miners turned their heads up to the boy, at first looking annoyed but then they turned to each other for a moment before returning their looks to him.
"Yeah, we've been trying to get help from the guards or some adventurers for weeks now. A Wave Beast has made its home in our mines and we need to have it removed." One miner spoke up.
"Yet every day we have no progress. Either the guards are too busy, the adventurers don't come back alive, or we're just told to 'wait it out'. But this is our town! Mining is important to us, and without a steady supply it'll ruin our town and we'll have to move. Nobody wants that here, especially with the upcoming Waves and the Grongi roaming about now." another spoke up, showing concern.
"Hmm.. maybe my party and I could take a look?" Cody suggested.
"You sure kid? Even some top adventurers don't make it back…" One miner questioned, worried to lose another life.
"I am." Cody nodded with reassurance, "You guys take it easy."
The miners looked at one another before turning back to the boy as they nodded, "Alright then.. We'll tell you where its at. And if you somehow defeat it, you can take as much as you want as payment."
"Thank you so much." He thanked the miners.
XXX
Once he was told where the mine was, after a meal they set out to it. It truly was almost abandoned when they arrived as warning signs were around it all, including dried pools of blood and more that lead into the mine.
Raphtalia had to fight back the urge to hurl as they trudged through the empty mine. Rifana was a bit worried too, yet she was doing her best to hide it behind a brave face. Even if a few times the distant sounds of the mine or roaming bats made her scream in fear a bit.
Cody kept reassuring them they were fine, as he took up a new addition to his arsenal as he had one side adding rope around his arm and the other showed a few pick ax heads on the forearm as he unlocked the Drill Strike and the Rope Toss techniques for him to use. One of these new abilities known as Air Strike Shield, a likely useful one to use for defense.
"Hmm… no sign of the monster…" Cody noted as they kept tracking through until they reached the large open mine that was in the center of the mountain they entered.
Several tracks, mine carts and ore were all around them as it was a small treasure trove for them to have once this mission is complete. It felt and looked like a new world to them all as the girls looked around in awe.
"Wow~!" Raphtalia cheered as she saw the various ores glimmering in the light.
"So pretty!" Rifana chimed with delight as it was very glorious for them both to see a sight.
Cody smiled softly as he soon gained an idea of something to give to them later on, and these ores will help that out as he went of to one as he use the mine arm to pick and pluck up a few deposits of it as he store some in a bag and the rest being added to his belt once more.
"So, Rifana? Any signs or traces of our target?" He asked her, since her detection prowess grew since the attack on the bandits.
"Not really, but I can feel that something's here." Rifana reported, "We should be careful for now."
The young hero nodded as the trio marched forward, but carefully so just in case it was an ambush. The miners did informed them that it was a tough Wave Monster, but who knows if it repopulated after all this time or if something else took its place.
Then, they heard a growl…
"Rifana? That was your stomach, right?" Raphtalia questioned.
"N-No… was that yours?" Rifana responded to her friend.
"We ate not too long ago." Cody reminded the girls.
The Armored Hero frowned a bit only to quickly turn around and he slammed his fist into something before he and the girls jumped back. Soon they saw that standing there was a twin headed dog, with glowing red eyes and a maw of dried blood on it. It was most likely an Ourthoros, as Cody knew about it from history and mythos, he just hoped this one only had a strong bite and nothing more.
"Guess we found our target. Girls, get ready!" Cody said, but soon another sound caught his ears… one of whimper and fear as he turned to the girls, "Raphtalia? Rifana?"
The girls didn't move, they were too frozen by fear at the sight of the monster. Flashes of a village burning ran through their minds as the Ourthoros snarled at the trio.
"Girls!" Cody shouted to them, hoping it would snap them out of their trances of fear.
Yet when the beast lunged and the girls stood still, Cody had to react as he tackled the beast away before it could hurt the two.
"Raphtalia, Rifana! I command you to respond!" He said, having no choice but to use the the Slave Crest to snap them out of their fear.
Raphtalia and Rifana felt pain course through their bodies, snapping them out of their trance, but the fear still remained as the Ourthoros snarled at them. It recognized them, it knew who they were.
He gave a sigh of relief, knowing that they're back to their senses, "Girls, we need a plan to fight this thing. Can you two-" He called to them only to see the fear in their faces much more.
"W-We… we can't…" Rifana spoke up first, shaking her head, "T-This thing…. This was the monster that… that…"
"Killed… our parents and village…" Raphtalia finished as tears began to race down their faces. This was the beast that killed their family and turned them into orphans.
While that was all he knew about it since they still kept everything else hidden in fear and worry, it was obvious this beast continued after the Wave ended before it took hold in these mines for a home.
After howling it's declarations, the Ourthoros charged at the girls, ready to finish what it started. Cody quickly retaliated as he changed into his Growing Form, he striked first against the beast. Upon staggering he had his forearms shift into the the Rope Gauntlets and Mine Arm as he was given more of punching strike this time.
"Girls! You have to fight!" He called out to them, knowing that while they were scared, they can't freeze up now. "If you don't, then this thing will kill more people! Probably us included!"
"W-We can't… we… just can't!" Rifana cried out, fear and sadness gripping her as she dropped to her knees, clutching herself in terror.
"Girls... " Cody muttered softly.
They were too scared, and even with the Slave Crest, it didn't seem like they'd budge. They were frozen in fear and couldn't fight…. He soon looked to the beast and tackled it, pushing it back with his might as best as he could.
Though as he did, the beast snarled and tried to bite his arms off. The Armored Hero slowly began to power through, but even then the monster was much stronger than him. One of the monster's heads bit down on his shoulder, piercing his armor with its fangs as blood spewed from it while the other went to Cody's side to go for the Armored Hero's throat. Unfortunately due to his low levels and Growing Form being still weak armor, it was unable to protect him from the jaws of the beast as he howled out in pain but kept pushing back.
He needed a miracle if he and the girls are to survive this attack.
"Cody!" The two girls gasped with shock as they see the blood being spilled.
"Raph…talia… Rif…ana…. Go… Get out of here…. This… is a direct order…" He commanded as the Slave Crests lite up, showing he was serious about this.
"But… what about you…?" Raphtalia questioned with worry.
"I'll cover your escape. I won't let anyone die, not while I can do something about it!" Cody shouted before he punted the beast back.
"B-But… with those wounds.. You'll…" Rifana choked up, as she could feel the Slave Crest weaking, meaning that worse outcome.
"Then that's the price I'll pay for leading you two to your deaths." Cody muttered.
"You.. You can't… you promised us that you'll be with us!" Raphatlia teared up.
The Armored Hero tried his best to keep the Ourthoros mouths shut, "Just go! Save yourselves, I'll be alright!"
"Don't lie! We know you're not going to make it! So why have us flee?" Rifana questioned, tears running down her face as she didn't want him to be hurt anymore.
"This is my final order! Go! Get out of here! And please… make sure you two watch out for each other…" Cody said to them before he turned to them with his mask gone as he smiled at them. Yet as he does the girls remember the face of one of their friends, Rifana's older brother giving the same smile before he pushed them off into the waves below.
Raphatlia and Rifana flinched, as they recalled those exact same words that Flix, said to them right before he was devoured as well. Cody turned back as he redonned his mask, lunging forward as he struck the Ourthoros with his fist.
The beast snarled from the hit as it swiped its paw at him, cutting into his forearm that was equipped with the Rope Arm, as he flinched in pain. Cody used his free arm to aim at one of the beasts jaws, as his fist slightly ignite in flame as he struck it hard, causing it to sound as if the pick ax hit a stronger ore.
The Wave Monster howled out in pain as the jaw of the second head was broken and dislodged, causing the right head to growl before flames ignite from its maw.
'Shit… it does know a fire more…' Cody cursed in thought as the beast launched a fireball at him. Cody quickly held up his unwounded forearm as he swapped the two armor pieces with the rope arm on his uninjured one.
AIR STRIKE SHIELD!
He quickly activated the skill as a green shield of energy and air appeared, blocking the fireball. After that, he tossed the rope towards the monster's injured head.
"Get over here!" he roared before tugging the rope and pulling the Ourthoros in for a strong punt to the head.
The dog monster was left staggered but enraged. It began barking loudly at Cody, who was more than ready to fight it.
"Alright, you mutt. Come at me!" he taunted the monster.
The beast howled as it rushed at him, as the uninjured head lunged and snapped at him, trying to go for his throat as Cody dodged and struck it with a punch, sadly the other side was now in control of close combat as it swiped its paws at him, hitting his injured side as he yelped out in pain before taking a knee.
The Ourthoros then tackled him to the ground and pinned him as the good head began to charge up a fireball, point blank. Cody grimaced as he couldn't move freely and began to close his eyes, only hoping the girls made it out in time as he was ready to accept his fate.
'Sorry Wren, Ibarra, Motoyasu… I don't think I'll be going home when this is all over…'
But before the Ourthoros let out the fireball, several daggers flew across and stabbed the beasts in its eyes, causing it to wail and shoot the fireball into the air. The moment that happened, Raphtalia jumped on its back and plunged her short sword into its neck, causing the beast to flail before throwing her off.
"Rifana! Raphtalia! I thought I ordered you two to leave!" He snapped at them, only to see the pair panting as the Slave Crests were still active and trying to force them to flee, yet they didn't.
"There's… no way… we're… letting you die here!" Raphtalia snarled despite the pain she felt.
"We d-don't… care about this pain… or if you abandon us after this… W-We… We will stay and fight too…" Rifana added, as the girls were using all of their will power to fight the crest and help him.
"Girls…" Cody muttered out, shocked that they were willing to take this pain, even if it meant their deaths too to try and help him. Touched by this he gave a different order so they would be okay from the crest, "Raphtalia, Rifana. Don't you dare die on me. We're slaying this beast together, no matter the cost!"
The Slave Crests reacted as it soon freed the girls of the shocking pain, as the moment they felt free from the previous orders they rushed together as they stab the monster before kicking it away to give them all some breathing room. As it stumbled back, Cody quickly got back up as he gripped a nearby boulder and lifted it up, only to throw it at the beasts to stagger it.
He then felt some of the stone from the gems he absorbed begin to form into a steel drill around his arm. With a confident smirk, Cody charged forward.
DRILL PUNCH!
He then shoved the drill into the Ourthoros' chest and let the drill spin rapidly. The beast wailing in utter pain as the girls rushed from both sides with Rifana aiming to the blinded head as Raphtalia went for the heavily wounded head as the weasel demi tossed one of her spare daggers to Raphtalia as her main weapon was still in the neck of the blinded head.
The girls jumped, dashed and bounced from the Wave Beast to the ground or nearby rubble, as Cody kept delivering punch after punch with the drill attack as the girls occupied the heads so it couldn't retaliate or return its attention to Cody.
With the monster stunned, shivering from the damage and blood loss as Cody slammed his foot onto the ground to ignite it in flames. He held out his arms in a lunging pose before he charged ahead. Either each footstep his foot sparked with electricity and flame, leaving an imprint from each step before he used both of his legs to jump high into the air. He curled up into a somersault as he spun once before extending himself once again and came into a flying sidekick as he aimed as the center mass of the beast, as his foot connected with its , the energy, electricity and fire he built up rushed into the body of the beast as the Kuuga Symbol appeared from the hit, causing it to surge rapidly into the beast before Cody jumped back in time, only for the symbol to light and ignite into a large, fiery explosion as bits and chunks of the beast fell onto the ground, leaving barely a torso of the monster left…. It was finally killed and those that it slain were finally given closure.
Cody panted heavily as his armor finally dissipated from the damage, leaving him in a very bloody and injured mess. But he wasn't done as he had to escape the mine with the girls, though before he could the two of them rushed and hugged the Armored Hero tightly, causing in to flinch in pain.
"Girls…. Easy now… I'm still hurt…" Cody weakly chuckled as he hugged them back.
"W-We… we thought… we…." Raphtalia whimpered and sniffled, trying to speak properly but unable to at all, as even Rifana couldn't keep her tears back.
"I know… I know…. But its okay… It's over now…" Cody sighed in relief, knowing they too were okay. But as minutes passed and the pair kept crying and hugging him, he had to speak up, "Can you let me go for now?"
"L-Little bit longer… please…?" Rifana requested between her sniffles and whimpers.
Cody could only sigh and nod as he let the pair vent out their sadness, worries and pain from not just what happened, but also that they avenged everyone that beast killed. Seems like it was going to be a bit longer before he could collapse.
XXX
Another week went by for Wren's and Ibarra's teams as they reunited for a small job as they were moving onto the next town, and it seemed to be a miner town. Though as they enter they see several lively people and more, including passerby's. They heard from one of their contacts that a Wave Beast settled in this town's mines as they were ready to talk to the miners for more details.
"So, you're going after the same beast too?" the Bow Hero asked.
"Many people were in fear and with worry. This beast seems to have stayed after the first wave and caused many people to suffer. I have to help end this threat as well." Wren nodded.
However, as they were about to enter the town, Kage noticed how happy the people were in comparison to the rumors the two parties heard.
"Doesn't look like it." the rogue observed.
"Hmm… we should talk to the one who made the request and see what changed?" Wren noted.
"Yeah, speaking of, wonder where Lei and Skips ran off to?" Ibarra pondered aloud.
"Oh you poor, innocent soul…" Tak shook his head.
"What?" the Bow Hero asked.
"You'll find out someday… especially if sis ever con-"
"Tak, You promised!" Rishia scolded him as she slapped his head hard.
XXX
As the two teams continued into town, they soon reached the Mine's main building before entering within it.
"Excuse me, but we heard about some kind of monster in the mines?" Ibarra asked.
"Ah, well sorry to inform you, but we had someone take care of it, only a few days ago." The head miner informed.
"Really? Who?" Kage asked, curious about who did it.
"Why, the Armored Hero of course!" The miners smiled, "He saved our town from the beast."
Wren felt a smile crop up on his face, it seemed like Cody was doing just fine.
"Dang. Well we kind of need to grab some supplies here." the Bow Hero noted.
"Oh, are you friends of his?" the miner questioned.
"We are actually." Wren said.
"Ah, then by all means, help yourselves. Its thanks to him that we can continue with our lives. And if you're friends of him? Then you're friends of ours."
As the two heroes looked through the stash of weapons, Wren noticed something was calling for him. Same for the Bow Hero as he felt like something was beckoning him somewhere.
Within the barrel of weapons, a rusted purple blade and a worn out green bow was softly humming to them, as if only they could see it. Their Legendary Weapons reacted in kind, as if it was telling them to pick up the weapon.
As they did, the pair could feel like they were nothing like the weapons they found during their journeys. The two weapons felt more… ancient. Felt somewhat similar to what Cody's belt had and was like. Maybe it was connected to the Armored Hero? And if so, maybe they could possess it too, not for glory or for boasting, but to aide Cody as well as protect others.
"How about these?" Ibarra asked as he and Wren showed the miner the two weapons.
"Hm? Really? Don't you two want something more… 'fresh'?" The miner questioned for a bit since the two weapons looked ready to break apart or turn to ash.
"I believe they are more than what they seem." Wren noted.
"Well… if you insist. Go ahead." the miner nodded with approval to let them take it.
As Wren and Ibarra held up their legendary weapons, they placed the new weapons against theirs, as it absorbed them into it, only for a new status to unlock and appear for them.
WARNING!
ONLY WEAPONS COMPATIBLE WITH THE LEGENDARY WEAPONS CAN BE ABSORBED
"That's odd…" Sherra observed, "You two should be able to absorb these no problem."
"Hmm… maybe it must be connected with Sir Cody to truly unlock their power?" Tak observed.
"If that's the case, then we should probably give these to him if we catch up with the guy." Ibarra said as he put the strange bow on his back.
"Ah well, you might be able to make it soon. He left only 2 days ago." The miner informed, "Though when he and those two girls crawled out of the cave, I thought for sure he'd be on death's row… but after one day, he was completely healed up. Not even magic can work that fast."
"Hm? Explain please." Ibarra questioned.
"Well, as I said… they came crawling back from the mines. While the girls looked fine, they were still covered in splatters of blood, and the Armored Hero was bleeding out. We had our best doctors do their best but they were unsure if he'd make it. We went into the cave to investigate and the beast was nothing but mush."
"As for the girls? What happened to them?" Wren asked.
"Hm? Well, they went along with him. Most likely ones he either acquired or… well…. Was sold to." The miner said as he wasn't aware of the full details of it.
"Sold to? Like slaves?" Ibarra gasped.
"Yeah… As rough as it is, it is legal in the kingdom."
"Shit… and there's currently no way for him to get a party normally." Kage noted, "I can't really blame him for using slaves."
"But slaves they may be… From their reactions and talks, I don't think he's having them 'as' slaves but… family." The miner informed.
"That's at least a good sign." Ibarra said.
"Indeed… Let us hope though it doesn't get taken out of context like his trial.." Wren frowned, knowing that if any word about that got to the wrong ears? Who knows what it could do to the hero.
XXX
Meanwhile in one of the far off forests, Cody was cooking up another meal for the three of them. The Armored Hero, while still not fully healed, was good enough to move and cook.
He was just as shocked as the others when he was partially all better the day after they helped him. He glanced at his Status Magic, as he was now at Level 14 alongside the girls. They grew up surprisingly as he pondered why they aged, only for them to tell him that Demi's have the innate ability to grow up as they gain levels. So by doing so, they are now pre-teen and taller.
Speaking of, he turned his attention as the two girls came back with some fresh kills and meat, both of them showing more life in their eyes since the mine incident. Both of them were still under his chest in height, but they never looked better.
"So, what'ca catch this time?" he asked the girls.
"Chicken and deer." Rifana smiled, as she held the wild chickens and Raphtalia held up an adult doe.
"Well, time to try something new! Something from my lands known as…. 'Tacos'!" He snickered as he had the other stuff ready to be used as he was waiting for the meat to arrive.
The two girls smiled with a nod as they helped strip and clean the meat for them to use as Cody took his time to cook it well, and once ready he handed them a wooden plate of vegetables and these 'tacos' as it was a folded unique grain shell with meat, veggies and cheese added in.
"Dig in, you two!" He smiled as he leaned in and bit down on it, as a satisfying crunch of the shell and meat was heard from him as the girls looked at each other before doing the same thing, only to have their eyes light up with delight and surprise.
"So good~!" They cheered before scarfing down the tacos.
Cody smiled from their responses as they kept enjoying their meals. The crunch sounds and their delighted responses showed that his cooking truly was better as he chuckled with amusement before they finished their meals.
As the fire crackled and gave heat and light for them as it was night time, Cody looked to the girls with gentle eyes. He did his best to avoid talking about their past, but now was the time for them to tell him of that day and what they can manage to inform him about…. 'Those days' as well.
"Raphtalia? Rifana? If… it's not too much trouble… I would like to learn about your pasts. Your home before the waves, what it was like? And…. maybe at least tell me what you're able to stomach during…. 'Those' times too?" Cody requested.
At the moment, he wanted to know more, so he can also make personal plans to find those responsible and make them pay for hurting these girls. Cody just hoped that he wasn't digging up past trauma, especially after the incident in the mines.
They looked at each other for a moment, before they gave a nod to one another. They were in agreement, it's time to talk and heal before they returned their attention to the Armored Hero.
"Well… our village was very peaceful. It was on the coastside of Melromac, known as Lurolona Village. It was actually made as a peace between the Melromac Kingdom and the kingdom of Siltvelt, the kingdom for Demi-Humans." Raphtalia started off, "It was a seafare town. So most of our money, resources and more came from the sea."
"Raphtalia herself was a very good expert fisherman, or fisherwoman." Rifana chimed in with a giggle, as Raphtalia playfully rolled her eyes.
"It was mostly comprised of Demi-Humans, but we accepted anyone who needed a home. It was just in our nature and blood." Raphtalia smiled. "My parents were part of the town's council as they spoke with the Lord of the area, Lord Seaetto, as he governed over it and watched out for us."
"My older brother, Flix, was a shipwright. He helped others know when to sail, where to catch and more. I truly looked up to him… Both me and my little sister Siesta." Rifana smiled softly, "But… one day… The first Wave hit… Nobody was prepared for it, it just came out of nowhere…. Many of us flee or hid, but certain Waves Beasts made it difficult… Grongi then showed up to make sure there were no survivors…."
Rifana frowned, as she clenched her arm, as Raphtaliad held her gently, giving the young demi reassurance as she took a few breaths to continue, "We… we found by that beast and chased… my brother, Flix came in time… but much like how you got wounded… so did he… With his last strength he told us that same message you gave us and shoved us into the sea…. Only for me to see him be devoured…."
Raphtalia, feeling her friend shiver a bit took over the rest of the explanations, "After that, we came to. We woke up on the shore and found many other survivors as well as some who returned from their trips and more…. We attempted to rebuild, to not let it take us down…. Until… Melromac's Army came…." She said with a heavy frown, "We thought they came to help us, to give us support… but no… one of the other lords nearby took reign of our area…. Charged in… and either killed those who defied them or sold them off to slave traders….. For nearly a year… Rifana and I were subjugated as worthless by that lord…. Only when he was tired of us did was when he sold us off…."
"Almost all of us…" Rifana chimed in as she had a look of devastation. "Me and Raphtalia were sold off… but… my little sister… Siesta…. She wasn't…. She remained as we were sold from trader to trader…. Only for our hope of ever seeing life again fading… until you showed up and saved us, Cody." She smiled, looking up at him.
"After you saved us… we were worried and scared at first, as it wasn't the first time we were tricked into thinking we were saved. But you…. You did. You kept your promise…. You comforted us… saved us from such illnesses… and gave us purpose…." Rifana smiled happily, as she and Raphtalia smiled with such life and brightness than ever before.
"You, the Armored Hero, rescued us from such a fate… and… we couldn't bare to see you die as well…." Rifana said as she and Raphtalia stood up, their arms reached out to the young hero.
"By our life and honor, we will continue to serve and work alongside you to end the waves." Raphtalia spoke up, "We will stay by your side, even if the entire world is against us. We will work for those who have suffered from the kingdom, the Waves, and the Grongi."
"We will fight for you as your swords. As your allies that will never leave you." Rifana chimed in next, "Any enemy you make, is our enemy. Any friend and ally you gain we will trust you. Until the day either the Waves and Grongi are forever stopped, or by the end of our lives, we entrust ourselves to you. I, Rifana of Lurolona Village."
"And I, Raphtalia of Lurolona Village."
"Shall serve you until the very end. This, we swear." The girls said in unison, giving their speech and proclamation to their duty and assistance with the Armored Hero, forever more.
Cody sat there as he took in their words, their lives, their pain, and their resolve. A smile forming on his face as he stood up, taking their hands with his as he nods in return.
"And I, Cody Aldrich, The Armored Hero, promise that henceforth, we are not just a team or allies, but family. We will not stop until the Waves and Grongi are stopped forever more. And by my might, I lend you my strength, my wisdom, my power until the very end. This, I swear." He responded back with their declaration, showing he too will put his faith and trust with them.
This was their pact and rite. With this they will fight together and become a force that even the kingdom, should they turn against them and the world, will fight until the bitter end. They gave their vows of promise and trust, and this was when things began to change for them.
XXX
AUTHOR'S NOTE
HackerEX: HO HO HO! BRING OUT YOUR DEAD, BRING OUT YOUR DEAD!
Striberx: i'm not dead….
HackerEX: Who said it was you? I was talking about Buffa. Like seriously dude, Takahashi has been bloodthirsty since Geats started.
Striberx: I mean, technically since Ex-Aid. Mostly 'cause he knows how to make good suspense and twists imho.
HackerEX: And Zero-One would have done the same… if the producer and director of that show allowed him. But regardless, this ain't about Geats, it's about Kuuga.
Striberx: Mhm, cause yeah we're still at this. Especially with S3 coming soon, I'm hyped as heck for more. So, as previous stated we will mostly be going through 3 of the 4 Cardinal Heroes and their adventures alongside other stuff as they grow to face the Waves. How many more chaps left before our first Wave? Ehh… maybe 1? 2 more? We are trying to make sure things get built up well enough, but there are limits to how much progress and thinking we have before we feel either ready or just wanna get it done.
HackerEX: Plus, Motoyasu has been out of focus for quite a while since chapter 1, so we should probably cut over to see what he's doing. As for Ren and Ibarra, yeah for the former we wanted to show the knight's current mindset in this crazy world, while Ibarra's was meant as a breather for the in-coming monster fight. Also, I wanted to introduce Tak after name dropping him for two chapters now.
Striberx: Now we know we're also moving things around since technically Rishia isn't shown until like after the first Wave they face, but we also figured its better to get certain things done and building up so we can try new things out as well as certain parts we believe need more development, such as romance.
HackerEX: Not to mention, once again, we wanted to flesh out the parties of the other two heroes more since they'll be helping out our Cardinal Heroes. There's also some major developments between the two couples in the Bow Hero party. Don't worry though, we're not going to rush the development of the couples in this fic, even the minor ones.
Striberx: Yeah, we may give snippets and such for the development, but we are trying to do our best with making such things for them, even if we only delve into it for a little bit. Not everyone can think of such writing at all times, especially when they have multiple stories and characters to work on. So give us time to get things fleshed out, even if its small points.
HackerEX: Speaking of fleshing out, yeah I don't think anyone expected two of Kuuga's weapons to pop up this early, did they?
Striberx: Don't fret about us rushing that either. He truly won't unlock the others weapons and their respected forms until we reach the Islands. He still needs to get Mighty form, remember? We're just teasing certain things and outcomes is all.
HackerEX: They are connected to the bonds he shares with the other heroes after all. Anyways, we're almost at the Wave and things are heating up.
Until then, later minna.