A/N: Thanks once again to Orajje for being my Beta! Enjoy!
Chapter 11 –
The Queen of Filolials
Fitoria stilled after killing the weak boss monster that was in charge of the Wave she had been summoned to. Turning around, she ignored her flock cleaning up the small monsters that had been brought into this world, for what caught her attention was something far more important.
The Heroes had finally been summoned.
She didn't know why they had not been summoned prior to the first Wave as was normal. She didn't know why it took until the third Wave to strike the World, even if only the first had hit a human settled region. She was just glad that some of the load would be taken off of her shoulders.
Frowning, she realized that something was strange. It took several moments, but she finally figured out that all four of the Heroes had been summoned at the same time.
As far as she was able to remember, that had never happened before. Though vague, she remembered that they would all normally be summoned over the course of several days.
Clicking her tongue, she decided that it didn't matter. As long as the Heroes cooperated and worked to stop the Waves, then that was the only thing that mattered. She desperately hoped that she wouldn't have to kill another group of "Heroes" for the sake of the World, but she would do it because it was one of the few requests of his that she remembered.
P-*-*-*-H
Fitoria couldn't help but scowl to herself as she prepared to be sent to deal with another Wave.
"What are the Heroes doing?" she griped to herself. While she nowhere near tired with this current incarnation of the Waves, she couldn't help but feel the growing frustration at seemingly the laziest group of Heroes she's ever encountered.
They have yet to deal with a single Wave. Even the previous two that have hit human populated areas that are their jurisdiction.
Frowning a bit, she vaguely recalled the strangeness that she sensed when they were first summoned three weeks ago. Could it have something to do with the fact that they were all summoned at the same time? Were they perhaps even all summoned to the same place?
But that still wouldn't account for the fact that they had yet to seek out any of the other Human's Hourglasses. No matter where they were summoned, there was an Hourglass roughly two weeks of travel apart from any other for a normal human.
Taking a deep breath to try and force herself to calm down, she did her best to slow her thoughts and anger. She would give these Heroes the benefit of the doubt, it was still early enough that they could afford the delay.
"A Hero has just synchronized with the Hourglass you are about to handle."
Fitoria stalled when the not words entered her mind. It had been a long while since she had experienced it, because it was exceedingly rare when the World had Words. To her understanding the only other beings that had experienced it had been the original Dragon Emperor and the few fully realized Heroes. So to receive the feelings that were automatically converted into words by her mind, let alone the message they conveyed, was a shock to say the least.
"Why? Why an hourglass that no longer has a human population since that Dragon Emperor Fragment claimed the land?"
"A Hero seeks to defend the World. It matters not where they go. Do you still wish to be summoned?"
More not words filled her mind. Were she not used to the mannerisms, never mind the fact she did the same, she would've been confused and angry at the vague answer. But she was asked a question, one she knew she had to think about for a moment.
Glancing at the timer in the corner of her vision, she saw that whichever Hero had linked up with the Hourglass had cut it awfully close, only a little over ten minutes remained.
"I wish to observe at least one of this generation of Heroes. But it would not do to rob one so new of the experience that would be theirs. So yes, I will still go so that I can observe and intervene if necessary, but please send me far enough away that our weapons will not interfere with the other while I can still see them."
After giving her response, she waited for some kind of affirmation yet received none. Scowling in frustration, she resisted the urge to throw a tantrum like a child. She knew that the World would do exactly as she asked, it always did its best to help those that protected it.
But that didn't mean that she was used to being ignored like that, nor that she had to like it.
Turning to face her gathering flock, she decided to inform them of the change in plans.
"Listen well everyone, another Hero is to be present at this Wave. We will all be going, but I want for all of you to stay out of sight and allow this Hero and their party to deal with the Wave. When I give the signal, then you all may have your fun hunting the monsters that are trying to claim out territory!" she declared, issuing her instructions like the Queen she was.
A loud resounding sound of affirmation rang forth as hundreds of filolials answered in understanding.
Soon, the timer in her vision hit zero, and the world around her changed in a familiar flash of light and accompanying ringing sound.
Looking around, Fitoria saw that she was part way up a small hill, mostly hidden from the sight of the strong nearoby source of magic that she figured was the Hero. Now the question was which was it and how capable were they and their currently small party.
Looking towards the sky, she habitually figured out the capability of the attacking monsters and their boss. Unsurprisingly, despite the massive amount of them they were extremely weak, roughly around level 20 if she had to guess. The boss she would class around level 35, but considering it was receiving the attention of the Wave it would probably be closer to level 40.
While she was to far away to hear what was said, Fitoria watched as the Hero and their party swiftly assumed a simple but reliable formation as they rushed towards the Wave. Well it seemed at least that she was wrong about this Hero being lazy it seemed.
"Hmm?" she made a sound of interest at seeing the familiar shape leading the charge. It was a Royal Filolial.
How long had it been since she had seen one besides herself? Almost a dozen generations of Heroes? She could no longer remember. But that fact alone raised her respect for this Hero several notches.
Now hopefully this one would be a worthy successor to herself unlike the last one.
Keeping in mind the one kilometer distance required to not cause weapon interference, Fitoria kept an eye on their performance while doing her best to stay hidden. It seemed like despite still being young, the Royal Filolial was strong and fast but showed no signs yet of using any magic. Not that it was needed on monsters this weak, but still. The rest of the party did admirably as well, the skills being used allowing for her to figure out that this was the Shield Hero, working well together to make quick work of any monster in their way.
With a respectful speed, they made it to and began to deal with the Wave boss. But soon she sensed something change with the Wave.
A new boss had been assigned.
Sensing the strong source of magic appear on the ground a good distance away from both herself and the Shield Hero, she was quick to recognize what was was going on.
An [Invader] had appeared, much earlier than expected.
And judging by the beeline they made straight for the Shield Hero, they knew what they had to do.
'Not good!' she yelled to herself.
Seeing that the Shield Hero's party had managed to finish off the original boss, but that the Invader was closing in fast she made a split second decision. She wanted to see what they could both do, the Hero and the Invader.
If the Shield were to fall now then that would just confirm her suspicion of the current Heroes wasting their time. Then she herself would finish off the others and summon the new ones herself before sending them off to do their job properly.
She did her best to ignore the icy feeling gnawing at her soul. The safety and survival of the World had to come first.
Suddenly a loud ringing sound followed by a small shockwave rustled her from her thoughts. Turning her attention back, she saw that the Shield Hero, despite the massive level difference she could sense, had managed to block and survive an attack from the impressively strong Invader. Narrowing her eyes, she did her best to evaluate his rough standing, something that was always hard with the amount of buffs that even Vassals could achieve. But if she had to guess, he was near the natural level cap but had not yet achieved [Excess].
And the Shield had managed to survive, even if receiving damage that would cripple or kill a normal being, maybe even one of the other Heroes. She felt herself smiling, happy at being proven wrong.
The smile only grew at how quickly the Shield's party rushed to their aid, especially at seeing the potent wind magic swirling around the Royal Filolial.
It was finally time to interfere.
Coating herself in wind magic, she focused and weaved her spell with experience from her millennia of experience. While more costly, she had the energy to spare and not enough time for an incantation.
"[ Liberation Wind Aura ]!"
With that declaration, she moved. To an outsider, it would appear as if she had teleported over a single kilometer in a single step. At her movement, her flock that had accompanied her moved to begin cleaning up the remains of the Wave.
"You will not harm the Shield Hero." She stated as she appeared in front of the Invader that had begun his charge, using the dissipating Wind Aura to blast him back into the remaining hoard of monsters.
Had she not been watching him intently, she would've missed it. The second he actually looked at her, he blanched, obviously able to see how outclassed he was somehow. Before she could start her charge, too. close to make use of Wind Aura again, he was coated in a bright light that she was familiar with.
He was using his [Transport] Skill to escape back to his World.
Clicking her teeth in frustration at the Invader getting away, she frowned before turning around to look at the Shield Hero.
For a moment, she was taken aback, not having expected the young female that greeted her. It was rare that the [Legendary Weapons] picked a person younger than 16 human years, and never before had it picked a female that young. But this person was chosen by the Shield, and she had seen first hand how capable she was so young and so new to this world.
Watching she waited while the Shield Hero moved her shield to her other arm, the one it had been on obviously broken from the impact. Yet despite the pain she obviously had to be in, the only sign was a small grimace. To her sides, the swordswoman tanuki that felt familiar in some way and the Royal Filolial assumed ready positions, watching her wearily even as the dogs of exhaustion and fear nipped at their heels. Behind them, shaking slightly the weak but skilled ranged user readied her own weapon in defense of her Hero
Slowly making her way towards them, she spread her hands and arms out to the side. While she was more than capable of crushing them without any sort of weapon, she remembered that humans were often more at ease when an unknown approached empty handed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Shield Hero. My name is Fitoria."
P-*-*-*-H
Homura looked at the terrifyingly powerful angel like being in front of her. She seemed friendly, or at the very least currently on her side. Doing her best to suppress a wince as yet another lance of pain flashed through her arm at the minute shudder of fear ran through her.
This was a being that by itself could probably one-shot Walpurgisnacht if it wanted to. Then go on to do it another two dozen times before even starting to get tired.
Rishia let out a small strangled gasp at hearing the name, so she guessed it was an important name. Unsurprising given the sheer amount of power Fitoria possessed, even if she was considered just a legend for whatever reason.
"Thank you for saving me Fitoria." She finally answered.
Wearily she watched as the small girl stopped several paces away from them. She further fought the urge to shudder as she swept her gaze over all of them slowly.
"Your arm." Fitoria finally said, making a 'give to me' gesture.
Frowning softly, Homura stepped forward while hesitantly and painfully raising her broken arm towards Fitoria.
"[ Dritte Heal ]!"
Homura watched and paid close attention as a flash of green tinted light shone from the angel girl's hand, covering her arm. This was an entirely different type of healing magic than she was used to, but she was able to feel the similarities as she felt it with her magic senses. While she considered herself talented in using her magical energies, she knew it would be a while before she would be able to do something close to that level.
Pulling her arm back when the light, and the pain, faded completely Homura rotated her hand and arm experimentally.
Incredible. She had only seen that level of healing from Sayaka, and only on herself. Healing others was an incredibly complicated and costly spell back in her world. The fact that Fitoria just did so without a full incantation was mind boggling, especially since it was at what she had learned was the third tier of magic.
"If you keep up at this rate, I will never be able to get out of debt with you." She said, moving her shield back to where it usually stayed.
"You may consider them a reward for doing a good job with the Wave, and for being the first Hero to finally do your job." Fitoria answered, an edge entering her emotionally cold voice.
Homura could only swallow nervously, hoping that the rising anger she could vaguely feel wasn't going to lash out anytime soon.
"Though I would like to ask you questions Shield Hero. To you and your party."
Homura contemplated that for a moment. It seemed reasonable enough, and judging by her previous statement, she could take a guess at what kinds of questions she had.
"Before that," Homura started, "would you allow me and my party to gather the materials from the monsters we have killed? They are instrumental in allowing me and the other Heroes to grow stronger."
Fitoria stared at her, her wine colored eyes seeming to shine in the dimming light as the sun finished it's trek through the sky.
"Very well Shield Hero." She finally nodded.
"Thank you." Homura gave a small respectful bow before turning to face her party.
"Sakura, please go grab our carriage. Raphtalia, Rishia, please start gathering up all the familiars we killed. Sakura, after you grab the carriage, pick the other two up and help. I will deal with the boss' remains." Homura gave her orders.
"Understood!" They all responded, Sakura chirping in response. They all gave Fitoria an uneasy glance before quickly setting off to complete their assigned tasks.
Homura watched them all run off to complete their tasks. Taking a deep breath she did her best to mentally prepare herself for what she was about to do.
Slowly making her way towards the body of the Unseelie Knight, Fitoria following close behind. Frowning she looked over everything that was there.
"I wonder…" She muttered softly.
Grabbing a hold of the massive black great sword she deposited it into her shield's storage, before doing the same with the large black plate armor and the underlying chainmail and leather. Now that it was no longer garbed in it's fearsome looking armor, she got her first good look at it's natural appearance.
Overall it looked like a rather lanky but muscled human, with purple tinted black skin, pointed ears so stereotypical of it's race back in her world, and massive but elegant butterfly like wings of black and purple. Homura felt some shame building in her soul at having killed something so human, even though she had not landed the killing blow and it could rightfully be said to have been in self defense.
And she was going to desecrate the dead even farther to make herself and the other Heroes even stronger. She crushed down the building disgust, burying it as far as possible under the ice with her other regrets.
Flipping the body over, she used her knife to cut the wings from the back while leaving them as intact as possible. Setting them carefully off to the side, she rolled the body back over onto it's back. Taking a deep breath to steel her nerves one more time, she proceeded to dissect the faerie as if it were any other monsters, gathering everything that she usually would from other monsters after learning what would unlock new shields.
Skin.
Muscles.
Bones.
The Heart.
With the feeling of ice covering her emotions, she worked mechanically, feeding each component to her shield and unlocking the corresponding shields as she went. After she had finished with the body, she finally absorbed the wings, having decided to save them for last as what felt like one of the most important pieces.
{ Ebon Fae Skin Shield conditions met. }
{ Ebon Fae Meat Shield conditions met. }
{ Ebon Fae Bone Shield conditions met. }
{ Ebon Fae Heart Shield conditions met. }
{ Ebon Fae Wing Shield conditions met. }
{ Ebon Fae Shield conditions met. }
{ Ebon Fae Skin Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: Dark Resist (medium), Wind Resist (small) }
{ Ebon Fae Meat Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: Dissection Skill Up, Paralysis Resist Up (small) }
{ Ebon Fae Bone Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: Defense Up (medium), Agility Up (small) }
{ Ebon Fae Heart Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: Party Agility Up (medium)
Equip Effect: Heroic Adrenaline }
{ Ebon Fae Wing Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: Agility Up (medium), Wind Resist (small)
Equip Effect: C Void Wing }
{ Ebon Fae Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: Persuasion Up (small), Magic Resist (small), Fae Stat Up (small) }
Homura couldn't help but blink slightly in shock as she read over all of the shields that she had just unlocked.
"This…this is what a Wave Boss can provide?" she muttered.
"This boss was extremely weak in comparison to what can and will come. Even that Invader was mid tier at best." Fitoria answered her breathless question, shocking her further.
"I mean, I knew that the Waves had to get harder. Why else would the people of this World go through so much effort to summon us from our own? But still, for that man that attacked me to barely rank in the middle of what we can expect…" Homura trailed off, eyeing the bright green jewel in the middle of her more ornate Ribbon Shield R.
"Just how powerful do these weapons become?"
"If you fail to surpass me by the end of the Waves, then you would be considered a failure of a Hero." Fitoria calmly answered. "Are you done here Shield Hero?"
"Homura."
"Hmm?" Fitoria tilted her head to the side slightly.
"Homura. Homura Akemi. My name." Homura scowled slightly, a bit frustrated at constantly being called by hero title. It was reminding her of Myne, even if Fitoria was lacking in spite.
"You will have to forgive me Shield Hero, but my memory…is a short one and I have lived a long life. For now, it is simply easier for me to call you by your weapon. Maybe if you prove yourself worthy as a Hero, I might be able to remember your name." Fitoria answered, her already soft voice getting a bit softer.
Homura could only give a small sigh of frustration. She was in no place to give a being this strong commands, as is, she considered herself lucky that Fitoria took it in stride as well as she did.
Hearing the now familiar sound of carriage wheels squeaking steadily, she turned around and smiled at seeing her party approaching, a generous pile of materials visible in the back of their carriage.
"Mistress Homura! We're done!" Raphtalia waved excitedly, sitting on the driver's seat that Sakura normally forcefully reserved for her alone.
"Good job girls." Homura said once they had gotten a bit closer, giving them an encouraging smile. It was getting easier to show them her emotions after everything they had been through over the last few weeks. Even if she was still a reserved person.
Reaching up, she started petting and lightly scratching at Sakura who preened and cooed happily under her ministrations.
"I'll make sure to cook the best meal I can to celebrate our first Wave." Homura said, getting a cheer out of all of them. She managed to even catch the interested gleam in Fitoria's eye before she hid it.
Putting that thought on the shelf for the moment, she went around the back to sort out all of the materials that they gathered. From the looks of things, it seemed as if all the familiars only left one kind of remains a piece, but even for what she considered weak monsters, the shields she got all had respectable defense stats and good bonuses.
{ Gnome Ore Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: Prospecting Up, Party Earth Affinity Up (small) }
{ Undine Core Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: "Water Shell" skill, Party Water Affinity Up (small) }
{ Sylph Feather Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: "Wind Gust" skill, Party Wind Affinity Up (small) }
{ Salamander Magma Shield
- Abilities Locked – Equip Bonus: "Ignition" skill, Party Fire Affinity Up (small) }
If Homura kept earning skills like this, she was going to lose her mind. A straight affinity boost to her entire party for the four primary elements of western culture? Essentially a new skill a piece that her intuition told her would be boosted by the affinity boost? She was getting too many useful skills to close together, Homura wasn't sure if she was going to be able to have them all unlocked by the next Wave in Melromarc in a week.
"You have grown significantly from this battle." Fitoria said, looking at her before shifting her gaze over the rest of her party before settling them on Sakura.
"You are about ready to change little one. Why not have one of your friends release you from your carriage?" Fitoria asked, causing Homura to raise an eyebrow in confusion.
'Ready to change? What does she mean by that?'
Sakura turned to look at her with confusion as well, her head tilted to the side as she let out a long chirp. Deciding to trust Fitoria even though she didn't know what was going on, the magical girl walked back around to release Sakura.
Shortly after Sakura stepped away from the carriage, she started to glow with a bright light. Covering her eyes as she flinched back, Homura did her best to keep an eye on what was happening with Sakura. For some reason, the spike of magic reminded her of when a girl made a contract and transformed for the first time, but it was different.
But even still the Spark that she had felt that was both similar and different to Raphtalia and Rishia roared with the force of a hurricane and the soothing feeling of the filolial's namesake.
When the bright light faded away not long after it started, Homura felt shock flood her at the sight that greeted her.
A small girl, maybe around the age of 9 or 10 was standing where Sakura had been, her face and coloring made her look like she could pass as Madoka's younger sister. Her hair was long, going down to near her waist and was the same shade of pink as Sakura's feathers, and even kept that same flower like swirl at her part. The familiar pink eyes also blinked in confusion at the sudden change before locking on to her.
"Momma, I'm hungry!" the little girl whined, lunging at and latching on to her in a tight hug.
She was also completely naked.
"Wha-?" Homura made a sound of confusion, her brain still trying to play catch up at yet another blow to her sanity. Momma? Why was Sakura a human with pink angel wings and calling her momma? Why was she naked?
"She has grown much under your care, and is a good girl for being so young." Fitoria said, looking at them, a strange look of…nostalgia?...in her eyes.
"I do not remember the last time I was able to witness the growth of another Royal Filolial, even as the Queen."
"A Royal Filolial? Is that what Sakura is?" Homura asked, glad to be finally getting answers to some of the questions she's had for a while now.
"Yes. She is a filolial being raised by a Hero, therefore she is not allowed to be normal. So she has become a Royal Filolial by right as the mount of a Hero." Fitoria answered. "And while I was not expecting to find a potential Queen candidate when I was summoned to this Wave, it is a pleasant surprise."
"Now are you ready to go Shield Hero?" Fitoria finished
"Go? Go where? I thought you said you had questions for us." Homura asked, confused. She was still trying to catch her mental bearing, distracted by the naked seeming 9-year-old nuzzling her stomach asking for food.
"Indeed I do, but it would not do to do so in a place such as this. A Wave battleground and the former territory of a Dragon? No. Certainly not a place to have our discussion." Fitoria looked at her like she was the one not making sense.
Finally giving a sigh, Homura decided it would be best to just keep rolling with the punches as it were. She doubted her sanity could handle anything else.
"Alright, give me a moment." The magical girl said, prying the clingy pinkette off of her and handing her to Raphtalia.
"Watch her please Raphtalia." Homura directed, doing her best to keep her exhaustion from her voice as she went back around to the back of the carriage.
"Mistress?" Raphtalia asked, doing her best to keep Sakura from rushing back to Homura.
Not answering the raccoon girl, she set about digging out one of Raphtalia's spare sleep gowns.
"I am going to need to get you some new sleeping clothes, please make sure I do not forget whenever we return to Castle Town." Homura said, raising Raphtalia's confusion before she suddenly tore the sleeves and dress portion in half.
"Mistress?!"
"Dame?"
Even Fitoria tilted her head to the side in confusion without saying anything.
"Sakura come here."
Blinking a few times, Sakura eagerly ran up to her.
"Yes momma?" she asked, looking up at her with bright happy eyes. Looking even more confused when the torn black dress was put in front of her face.
"Please put this on for me."
"Ah. Just so you know Shield Hero, that dress will not survive her transforming back into her filolial form. You will need to get her clothing made from magic thread." Fitoria informed her while she helped Sakura get into the dress.
"Rishia?" Homura turned around and asked the party's book smart member.
"I believe I know where we can get some in Castle Town, Dame." She answered the unasked question, getting a small sigh out of Homura.
"That will have to do then." Turning her attention back to Sakura, she knelt down and after cleaning off her hunting knife proceeded to trim the still slightly long dress up to just over Sakura's ankles.
"Please make sure you take off this dress before you transform whenever possible. Do you understand Sakura?"
"Yes momma!" Sakura chirped happily before spinning around a few times to play with her temporary dress.
"That was my comfy one…" Homura barely caught Raphtalia muttering while eyeing Sakura. Well, if that didn't make her feel a bit bad for not asking at first. She made a mental note to remember to splurge a bit on when she finally got around to replacing it. Raphtalia and Rishia deserved the best she could get for helping her so much.
It was hard to believe that she had first thought that she could make it alone when she was first summoned. While it was still a hard pill to swallow, she had to rely on others in this world. She could admit to herself thought that she could not have gotten any luckier than she had with her current party.
"Are you ready now Shield Hero?" Fitoria asked. Homura and the rest of her party answered in affirmative.
Nodding in answer, she reached up and pulled the carriage shaped necklace off before setting it on the ground. In a familiar flash of light, it had changed into an ornate and very extravagant carriage, complete with a familiar jewel front and center of the driver's seat.
"If you would like to hook up your carriage to mine, I will be able to bring it along for you." Fitoria said, drawing Homura's attention away from her thoughts. Giving a nod, she directed Raphtalia and Rishia to help with hooking it up.
While they did that, Fitoria stepped up to the side of her carriage and opened the door, gesturing for them to enter the lavish interior.
"Please enter, Shield Hero and friends. It has been a long time since I have allowed anyone to ride in my carriage, but I feel it has been earned."
"Thank you very much for your hospitality Fitoria." Homura said with a respectful bow. Raphtalia and Rishia doing the same while Sakura stared wide eyed at the fancy carriage.
"Hey momma! Do you think Sakura will ever have a carriage this amazing?" Sakura asked like an excited child. Homura couldn't help but to give her a small encouraging grin.
"Maybe if you behave and are a good girl you will one day." Homura answered, not aware of just how parental like her answer was. "Now come on, let us get into Fitoria's carriage. We have kept her waiting long enough."
Ushering the excited filolial child into the carriage actually turned out to be a very easy task. Corralling her into a seat was a bit harder, but doable after giving her some headpats. For a moment Homura was confused when Fitoria didn't enter with them but instead went around to the front and grabbed on to the draw bar.
"[ Portal Carriage ]!"
With that gentle but firm declaration of what was obviously a skill like one from her shield, Homura realized exactly what Fitoria was, but even more confused about how it was possible.
She was a Hero.
In a flash of light similar to the one from her shield changing or the one that took them to the Wave, she felt them move. Not because they had experienced actual movement, but because the magic density in the air had changed. It was much heavier, older, a place that had experienced a large amount of magic being used. Like Mitakihara after Walpurgisnacht descended.
A few seconds after the light faded, Fitoria opened the door.
"We are here. Please, come join me and my flock."
Homura made sure to be the first one out on the slim off chance that they were attacked. Looking around as she got out, she noted that they were in the remains of some kind of old civilization based off of the crumbling remains of cobblestone houses.
"Where are we?" she asked while helping her party out. Focusing on her magic senses she couldn't help but draw parallels to Labyrinths with how the white fog surrounding the area felt. But instead of the dark sludge like feeling of despair, this was much calmer and peaceful. A declaration of protection and safety then a cage of darkness.
"This is the remains of the civilization that the Hero that raised me was summoned to." Fitoria answered. "While it is…not somewhere I frequent nowadays, I do make sure to protect it to the best of my abilities since the humans that called it home destroyed themselves in war."
Homura looked around, a small flare up of frustration at her own race. This was the kind of darkness all humans wrought with their presence. The kind of destruction she had once upon a time considered letting her Witch rage in with Madoka's.
Then she had been saved…and committed her greatest sin.
Taking a deep breath, she forced the memories back down with the ease of long practice. When she opened her eyes, she noticed Fitoria looking at her with narrowed red eyes.
"You carry a curse already? No…not yet. The remains of a Curse from your World?" she muttered, more to herself than to Homura. She deliberated whether or not to answer, but if her hunch was correct, she figured that answering would allow her to get more answers.
"In my world I was what we called a [Magical Girl], a girl who's [Wish] brought [Hope] to the World. But when a Magical Girl makes a Wish, an equal amount of [Despair] is made to balance with the Hope. We were tasked to hunt and kill [Witches]…Magical Girls that had fallen to their Despair." Homura explained as simply as she could.
"I have almost fallen myself a few times. Most often when I was new and inexperienced."
Fitoria stared at her for a long while, unblinking, almost as if weighing her yet there was no judgement in her eyes.
"Then you must be careful. Every generation at least one Hero receives a Curse. It may grant them great power, but that power always comes with a cost. You must do your best to never use that power if you receive it Shield Hero." She finally said.
"Now come. I would like to…partake in this meal you promised your party. I shall even provide you access to some of my own private supplies." Fitoria directed, turning and walking away.
Feeling her eye twitch at the obvious self invitation but having enough self preservation instinct to not say anything, Homura just released a massive sigh. Behind her Raphtalia and Sakura both began cheering about their big reward dinner.
Oh well. They had earned it.
Even if she was going to be cooking for the next several hours.
P-*-*-*-H
It was a few hours later when she had finally been able to sit down and rest. Originally, she had presumed that she'd just be feeding her party and Fitoria, but it turns out Fitoria could out eat Sakura easily…and then the flock of hungry filolials had turned sad begging eyes on to her.
Homura had tried to ignore them, but ultimately failed. So, digging into the deep recesses of her memories, she drudged up a basic soup recipe that had been taught to her by her mother when she had been younger. It had hurt, pulling those long-forgotten memories back up to the surface, and she was ashamed to admit just how fuzzy everything was. But she had pushed on just like she always did, because lingering in sadness wouldn't help anyone.
Pulling her own bowl of soup towards her, she watched as the tiny girl that Fitoria appeared as lifted up the giant metal pot that had to weigh close to half a ton as if it were nothing and chug the remaining bit. It was a bit disorienting to witness. She was used to seeing and even performing super human feats of her own, but it was different seeing the Queen of Filolials do the same simply because it was an even higher tier.
Turning her attention to Rishia who appeared to be nodding off from exhaustion. Homura felt bad keeping her awake for even longer, but she had questions.
"Rishia." She called softly, trying not to startle her too much.
"Fue!" Rishia gasped and sat straight up with a jerk, glancing around in slightly panicked confusion before her eyes settled on Homura's mostly patient gaze.
"Dame Akemi? Did you need something?"
"Just a few questions, then you're more than welcome to go to sleep and rest." Homura assured gently, getting a nod in return.
"First thing, do you know who or what Fitoria is?" This was the most pressing question she had. It would help to have at least some kind of idea of what she was dealing with.
"Ah, Fitoria is officially just a legend, mostly known by the upper class and people who raise and trade with filolial. Most sources just call her the Legendary Filolial and she is said to have killed the Griffon King and Dragon Emperor several centuries ago, or at least had an intense rivalry with them. Most sources of all of them having been witnessed seem to have all ended at roughly the same time, so it was assumed they had killed each other." Rishia explained.
Homura nodded in understanding. From the power she felt from Fitoria alone, she had no doubt that she could stand toe to toe with beings that her mind conjures up when she hears "Griffon King" or "Dragon Emperor". It leant weight to her title as "Queen of Filolials" even if it didn't bring to mind the same image of power.
When she looked over at Sakura who was playing with some of Fitoria's flock, she remembered just how strong Sakura was even at a young age. That put the title into perspective a bit more. It was then that she received a notification of an update to her [Help Menu].
Apparently even her Shield deemed Fitoria that important to create a permanent note.
"What about this [Magic Thread] she mentioned?"
"Magic Thread is used to create clothes from a person's own magical energy. They're most commonly used by mages that use transformation magic, as rare as they are. It's also occasionally used by craftsmen to create very customized items, but that's even less common." Rishia answered a bit more excitedly. This must've been close to a topic she was very interested in.
"There's a lot of theories by some mages about things that may be possible, but the amount of people with enough mana to spare to create the clothes and the number of craftsmen with the required amount of skill makes it very difficult."
That seemed interesting. If the clothing made functioned anything like a magical girl's outfit, then she could see why they'd be desirable.
"So where would we need to go to acquire some of this thread?"
"Most major cities have at least a single magic store that should have the capability to make some. It's a bit more questionable on if there's a weaver that has the required knowledge and skill to turn it into fabric, and again for a seamstress that can turn that fabric into clothing. After all, handling someone else's concentrated magic is no easy task though it is doable. But I do believe there's for sure the required people in Castle Town since it is one of the largest capitals." Rishia answered.
"If you had to guess, how much do you think it will cost?" This wasn't a question Homura was looking forward to the answer on. But it was still an important one to ask and budget for.
Rishia's eyes glazed over for a bit as she seemingly did some mental math. She ticked her numbers on her fingers in a way that Homura couldn't figure out the exact meaning of lent credence to that thought.
"Probably…about 3 to 5 gold depending on how many people we have to go through and how much they charge." Homura winced slightly at that figure. While she could definitely afford it, it was still a sizable dent in their funds.
Letting out a small sigh, she just accepted the incoming blow to their budget. She'd rather her sanity have some preservation by not having a naked little girl running around her all the time.
"Thank you Rishia. Go ahead and go to sleep, I will make sure to wake you up in the morning." Hesitating for a moment as she stood up, she finally faced her and gave a small encouraging smile. "You did a great job today; I am proud of you."
Turning around she left to go check on Raphtalia and Sakura, not catching the shocked and hesitantly hopeful expression that bloomed on Rishia's face.
Getting Sakura under control long enough to get her to take the dress off before she transformed back into her bird firm took more energy than Homura thought it would. Apparently, she had been having more fun playing than she had thought she was.
"Thank you for all of your hard work Sakura. You are such a good girl." Homura said while petting and scratching Sakura, actually reaching into some of the deep feather parts to scratch at areas she normally didn't.
"Mooooommmaaaaaaa…" Sakura drawled out as she basically turned to putty under Homura's ministrations.
Withdrawing her hands from the soft heat of her feathers, Homura rolled her eyes. While she still felt weird at being called momma, considering that she hatched and raised Sakura it wasn't an inaccurate title so she would leave it be.
"Now go get some rest and sleep. You can play with your friends a bit tomorrow before we leave." Homura said, once again not realizing how parental her wording came across as.
Sakura let out a small whine but nonetheless found a comfortable spot near to but far enough from the small fire before settling down like she was in a nest.
When Homura saw her breathing even out and a soft snoring start coming from the obviously exhausted bird, she smiled. It was finally time to talk to Raphtalia.
Raphtalia looked up at her when she heard her approaching, before looking back down at the ground. Homura paused for a moment after seeing those eyes. She had seen eyes like that before. On Sayaka and Madoka when they realized just what it meant to risk your life and claim another. On all of her friends every time they realized what it truly meant to become a magical girl. To learn they'll either die or become a Witch, the very thing they fought to kill.
Firming her resolve, she decided that she would do her best to help the girl that sought to become her sword. She felt dirty doing so, but this was just another stage of sharpening that sword into perfect keenness. But she had given this girl the chance to leave, to not have to wade into the ocean of battle, but she had chosen this path. So Homura would do her best to help her.
"Talk to me about it Raphtalia." Homura gently instructed, taking a seat next to the tanuki girl.
Raphtalia was silent for a while, just staring at the ground.
"It was…terrifying…it was like I was back home…back then…" she finally spoke, softly and haltingly. Scared. Pained.
"Me and my friends were out playing when the Wave hit. We hurried back home as fast as we could, wanting to find comfort in our parents. But everyone was panicking, and monsters quickly began to break and kill everything they could…Then that giant three headed dog made it into town. My…my father grabbed me and my mother and ran, trying to escape. But…that dog caught us on the cliff…my parents they…they told me that they loved me and told me good bye…to always keep smiling. Then…the next thing I knew I was falling into the ocean watching them be torn to shreds." Homura looked over at Raphtalia with pity and sadness at finally hearing the story, but was polite enough to not interrupt.
"By the time I had managed to make it back ashore, the knights had finally arrived right as the cracks were closing. But it was too late, most of the village was already destroyed and killed…It wasn't long after that that most of us surviving demi humans were captured and sold into slavery…" Raphtalia trailed off, seemingly not wanting to continue. Not that Homura blamed her, she had her fair share of memories she tried to avoid thinking about.
"If Mistress Homura hadn't been there today…" Raphtalia eventually continued, "then I doubt I would have survived. That I would've been able to do anything but stand there and die. But Mistress reminded me that she'll always protect me. That I'm not alone, because Sakura and Rishia are also there, extensions of Mistress' Will." As she continued, life and fire started to return to the young raccoon girl.
It seemed like Raphtalia was more or less past the point of actually needing help. She just needed to vent out her sadness and work on sharpening herself. But Homura knew the words that Raphtalia needed to hear.
They were the words that she had always wanted to hear after all.
"Your suffering was not for nothing Raphtalia." Homura said firmly but gently as she stood up. "While I do wish that it had not happened, it helped ensure that you were ready to help me here today. Your job as the Sword of the Shield Hero is to help prevent what happened to you from happening to others. Keep that in mind for the next Wave we have to deal with."
Raphtalia looked up at Homura with wide, teary eyes, shock filling those tea-colored eyes. Her eyes widened farther when Homura reached out and gently tussled her hair and ears, a caring smile settling on her face.
"And most of all, I am so proud of you Raphtalia. You did an amazing job today."
"Mistress…" Raphtalia let out a soft sob before lunging out and latching on to her waist. Blinking in slight confusion, Homura restrained a soft sigh that fought to escape but continued to stroke Raphtalia's hair as she cried and cried.
Soon, Raphtalia's breathing finally eased and levelled out as she cried herself to sleep. Gently prying her off she gently picked her up and carried her over to near Rishia and Sakura, setting her down into a decently comfortable position.
Looking over her party sleeping, Homura felt a small sense of peace fill her soul. This was the kind of goal she was fighting for to attain with her own friends back in her world. It gave her a small semblance of confidence that she could do the same whenever she finally returned.
Sighing softly she turned and left them. As much as she wished to join them in dreamland, she still had one more conversation left for the night. She just hoped Fitoria would be able to keep in fairly short.
"Ah, Shield Hero. Are you finally done with your companions?" Fitoria asked when she got close enough, not turning around to face her.
"Yes. They are all asleep now, so we can talk uninterrupted." Homura answered. Fitoria hummed softly before hopping off of the broken remains of a house that she had been sitting on.
"Follow me. I hope you forgive me, but there is somewhere specific I would like to have our conversation."
Giving her a slightly confused look, Homura nodded anyways and followed behind the Filolial Queen. Taking the time she looked around and took in the surroundings. Homura couldn't help but imagine what this ancient city must have been like before it had fallen. It was an impressive size for the era it had existed in. And if Fitoria had been correct, they were the first ever to summon a Hero from another World. Had it been the Waves that had driven them to do so? Or had it been something else?
Soon enough they approached a drop off that overlooked a valley teeming with life and farther remains of civilization that went on for almost as far as she could see.
"Tell me Shield Hero, you are not as bad off as I imagined you would be with the prejudice against you for being summoned in Melromarc." Fitoria stated. Homura was smart enough to read between the lines to find the question that was being asked.
"There are those that certainly tried to make things difficult for me, but they all backfired or just did not work for one reason or another. Ultimately, through luck and skills from my world, I managed to find those that would help me and have certainly helped. My party chief among them." Homura answered obviously, leaning carefully against the wall as she looked over the valley below.
"Hmmmm." Fitoria made a soft sound of acceptance. "And what of the other Heroes?"
Here Homura stopped to think exactly about the other Heroes. Honestly, outside of her encounter with Itsuki and his party, she had not much thought of or dealt with the others since those first couple of days.
"I guess the only one I have had any real issues with has been the Bow Hero, Itsuki Kawasumi. He is…not a bad person, but he…has his own opinions and ideas. But he can and will listen to reason if you can slow him down to consider other things. However, I worry for some of the voices that may be dripping poison into his ear that lay in his party." Homura started her answer, taking her time to carefully pick her words.
"These voices in his party, are they some that tried to cause you trouble?" Fitoria asked. Homura simply nodded.
"Yes. He wishes to trust his party which is understandable. I can only imagine how careful they have to be to not be caught." Homura scowled slightly. Malty and Mald felt like they were going to cause a lot of issues down the line. But she couldn't go around killing party members of her other Heroes' off of gut feelings. Even if she were capable of it, she no longer had that option open. Assassination was not something she would ask her party to commit.
"Otherwise I've only had a little experience with the other two. The Spear Hero, Motoyasu Kitamura, is annoying but…kind of in the way of an older brother. Though I may find his…womanizing habits distasteful, he seems to be a good person that cares about others." Homura explained, scowling softly.
"The Sword Hero, Ren Amaki, is…quiet. He cares but also keeps people at a distance. But out of all of the Heroes, he is the one that helped me the most in the beginning." She finished her short explanation of the Heroes, not really feeling confident to say any more than what she already has.
"So you would say the Heroes get along?" Fitoria asked, a strange inflection in her voice. Glancing over at the Queen, Homura frowned slightly at the strange question and tone.
"Well enough I suppose. We have not truly spent an extended period of time together, nor have we fought together yet. That may or may not change."
Fitoria seemed to relax slightly and give a small satisfied smile.
"For your sakes I hope you all continue to get along. I would hate to have to kill another group of Heroes because they refuse to cooperate to deal with the Waves." Fitoria said it so calmly, with such a matter-of-fact tone, Homura almost missed it. Swallowing thickly, she did her best to repress the fresh surge of fear at the being standing next to her.
"I will…make sure to keep that in mind, Fitoria." Homura said. She simply nodded in response as if it were the perfect answer.
"Now please, explain to me why it has taken so long for any of the Heroes to finally do their job. And why with a Wave that they should not have had to worry about." It was worded like a question, but Homura knew it was an order.
Frowning slightly, she felt a small urge of irritation spike at the command. Powerful or not, Homura did not care for being given orders like that.
"I cannot speak for the others." The magical girl started, "But I was forced into a bit of a slow start. Raphtalia was sick when I first received her, and I needed her to be better so I could have a reliable method of doing damage to receive parts to upgrade my Shield. It took Sakura another week until she had grown enough to be able to carry the both of us, but we were still working on levelling and upgrading my Shield. I had to spend close to a week helping Rishia before she was able to join my party and provide me with knowledge that we were sorely lacking in. The issue is by that time we had a bit over a week until the Wave in Melromarc. The closest hourglasses that Rishia knew of would take longer than that even with Sakura pushing herself. So we doubled down on training to be ready for the Wave in Melromarc with plans to go and link up with others after the Wave. It was by pure happenstance that Rishia accidently stumbled upon this hourglass by our camp for this Wave."
Fitoria frowned, turning towards her while contemplating her explanation.
"Why were all four Heroes summoned in Melromarc? Each of you should have been summoned in a different location to allow for the most widespread coverage as possible."
Homura could only shrug in response.
"Politics I would assume. I do not know enough about this world to say for certain. But a Hero could be considered a military asset in a sense, and it only makes sense to deny an enemy, or potential enemy, access to a military asset. Especially one as destructive as a Legendary Hero." Homura gave her annoyed answer, one that she had considered herself with Rishia.
Fitoria scowled, turning to look back over the valley. The valley filled with the remains of the civilization that she had said fell to civil war and other strife.
"There is other life in this World besides humans. But humans can only ever see the squabbling of their small narrow-minded attention. It is why I have retreated into isolation with my kind. We live a simple life, and I am able to walk among them without the reverence or strife that comes from my position." Fitoria sighed deeply and heavily, a heavy weight seeming to settle once more upon her shoulders, one that she usually hid or ignored.
"Please Shield Hero," She started, the power eased from her voice and replaced with traces of bone deep weariness. "Please work with your fellow Heroes. I am…tired. I try to keep my word to my Master, but it gets so hard. Especially since I can no longer remember his face…not even his presence. I can't even remember which Hero he was."
She turned and looked up at her with a pleading expression, tears beading in her red eyes.
"Have I not been a good girl?! I've done as he's asked! I've done it for so long! So why do I have to keep hurting?!" Fitoria cried.
Homura looked at the crying child in front of her sadly. She saw so much of herself in Fitoria since hearing her story. She had only spent about 12 years trying to save her best friend. This being in front of her had presumably been born in strife, raised to fight under the care of a previous Hero. Then that Hero asked her to keep fighting and shedding blood, to continue the mission he had been summoned for. So that's what she did. She fought and killed and fought and killed. For centuries.
And she could no longer receive the acknowledgment of the one she wanted it from above all others.
Reaching out she gently set her hand on top of Fitoria's head, gently ruffling her hair while giving her the most comforting smile she could. The one she dreamed of receiving from Madoka after finally succeeding. Fitoria's eyes widened slightly, glazing over as if she were seeing something, or maybe someone, different.
"You have been a very good girl Fitoria. I'm proud of you."
OMAKE
"A Deeper Look" by Orajje
Two beings played a game, with harsh consequences. Watching, and causing a course of events set out in one world.
"Why were all four Heroes summoned in Melromarc? Each of you should have been summoned in a different location to allow for the most widespread coverage as possible."
Homura could only shrug in response.
"Roll."
"Natural 20"
"..."
"Politics I would assume. I do not know enough about this world to say for certain. But a Hero could be considered a military asset in a sense, and it only makes sense to deny an enemy, or potential enemy, access to a military asset. Especially one as destructive as a Legendary Hero." Homura gave her annoyed answer, one that she had considered herself with Rishia.
Fitoria scowled, turning to look back over the valley. The valley filled with the remains of the civilization that she had said fell to civil war and other strife.
"There is other life in this World besides humans. But humans can only ever see the squabbling of their small narrow-minded attention. It is why I have retreated into isolation with my kind. We live a simple life, and I am able to walk among them without the reverence or strife that comes from my position." Fitoria sighed deeply and heavily, a heavy weight seeming to settle once more upon her shoulders, one that she usually hid or ignored.
"Please Shield Hero," She started, the power eased from her voice and replaced with traces of bone deep weariness. "Please work with your fellow Heroes. I am…tired. I try to keep my word to my Master, but it gets so hard. Especially since I can no longer remember his face…not even his presence. I can't even remember which Hero he was."
She turned and looked up at her with a pleading expression, tears beading in her red eyes.
"Have I not been a good girl?! I've done as he's asked! I've done it for so long! So why do I have to keep hurting?!" Fitoria cried.
Homura looked at the crying child in front of her sadly. She saw so much of herself in Fitoria since hearing her story. She had only spent about 12 years trying to save her best friend. This being in front of her had presumably been born in strife, raised to fight under the care of a previous Hero. Then that Hero asked her to keep fighting and shedding blood, to continue the mission he had been summoned for. So that's what she did. She fought and killed and fought and killed. For centuries.
And she could no longer receive the acknowledgment of the one she wanted it from above all others.
"I would like to headpat Fitoria."
"... roll."
"Another Nat 20."
"... If it weren't impossible to cheat here, I would accuse you of it"
Reaching out she gently set her hand on top of Fitoria's head, gently ruffling her hair while giving her the most comforting smile she could. The one she dreamed of receiving from Madoka after finally succeeding. Fitoria's eyes widened slightly, glazing over as if she were seeing something, or maybe someone, different.
"You have been a very good girl Fitoria. I'm proud of you."
"... Now get out of my fucking house you character wrecking bastard."
"Heh, You're just annoyed the birds of a feather have already become so close."
"... If I could kill you right now, I would."