Rising of the Masters of the Universe
ESKK: New chapter let's start.
(Start Erhards Shop)
The now expanded group arrived at Erhards shop with the three girls and one boy that they found as they were all currently wearing a tarp as a cloak to cover their decency. Erhard was then seen walking out from the back humming to himself when he noticed the trio were back in his shop. "Welcome." He began but then took note of the children. "Oh, come on don't come here every time you all get new slaves." He scolded which nearly caused Naofumi to loss his cool for that one.
"Guess again." Naofumi said as he looked to the group.
"Geez young children can't tell if you're a lolicon or if she's a shotacon." Erhard said as he directed that last bit at Akane.
"Hey wow!" Akane countered as the blond-haired girl with the pink haired girl walked over to the sandwich on the counter.
"Don't be ridicules." Naofumi countered as Ayato was still cringing from what happened this morning.
"Master, can I have just a little snack?" The girl asked as she looked to the food.
"Yeah please." The pink haired girl added as she wanted to eat something.
"Want a bite knock yourselves out." Erhard said offering the sandwich to the two girls.
"Thanks!" She called out taking the sandwich in her hands while pink-haired also smiled.
"Filo Sakura don't overdo it." Raphtalia scolded the two girls now known as Filo and Sakura. This of course got the group worried as they knew what was about to happen now.
"Um Erhard you might want to take that from her." Daito added knowing what was about to happen.
"Hey, relax its fine guys how big a bite can they take anyway?" Erhard asked but alas he just screwed himself over for lunch.
Just then the sound of fabric tearing, and a puff of smoke went off causing the duo to step back as Filo went up in smoke. In her place was the large Filolial of Naofumi's and the pink Filolial of Yumi's as the pair had the collar and a happy look on their faces. "Time to dig in." Filo said showing she was ready to eat. In turn she proceeded to take the sandwich in her beak to which Sakura bit the other half and thus the two broke the sandwich in half between them.
The whitehaired girl face palmed herself as she saw what just happened while Yumi sighed. "That wasn't too bad actually." Filo said as Sakura hummed a nod with satisfaction in her tone.
"Tried to warn you." Yumi said as Catra nodded knowing Erhard should have listened.
A little later after Erhard regained himself Filo was seen pecking some of the armors to keep herself entertained while Erhard wanted answers. "So, what's the story here?" Erhard asked and thus Raphtalia spoke up. Nearby Daito was carrying Kou as Yumi was keeping Sakura entertained.
"According to the Slave Merchant, Filolials have a King or Queen leading each flock. That's what he told us anyway." Raphtalia said as she remembered how the Slaver was looking over the four humanoid Filolials when they brought them in.
"I thought that was just a myth?" Erhard said as he couldn't believe Naofumi, and his party had lucked into getting 3 Filolial Queen and one Queen.
"Those Kings and Queens are highly skilled at transforming and they blend into flocks by disguising themselves as normal Filolials." Catra added as she was still finding it hard to believe.
"And they can transform themselves into humans too?" Erhard asked shocked to hear this. "That's nuts." He said until Naofumi cut in on this.
"What's more it turns out they need a special crest to be tamed." Naofumi said as he recalled having to pay the Merchant for the four new crests. "I hadn't budgeted for that." Naofumi added as he was just thankful that Catra had pick pocketed Motoyasu already.
"Things got crazy while trying to give the midgets those crests." Catra said while scratching her head a bit.
"They started resisting with all their might each on harder than the last." Raphtalia cut in as no doubt seeing it happened to the others go the Filolials worried. "Yuki was the hardest of them." Catra said as Yuki was clearly a proud one among her siblings.
"And that was when they were at level 19, who knows how strong they will be at level 70 or something." Naofumi said and thus it was time to get down to business.
"So, you guy didn't come here to show off these Filolials royals I assume?" Erhard asked them as Naofumi said to him, "We're just here to buy clothing."
"Clothing?" Erhard said as he was confused on that with Hajime use her magic to lift all the shredded cloths around and fuse them back together again as she said, "Anytime one of them transforms, they shred every clothing or covers they are wearing or covering them."
"Lucky you can repair them or else we would have to keep buying more and we'll go broke in no time," Naofumi said as Hajime said, "Yeah, but I don't want to keep fixing them, and it just waist my magic doing so."
"So, we need some sort of magical clothing that can transform or expands with them when they do change," Akane said as Erhard got the idea, but he gave a look that read bad news as he said, "Well sorry to say but those are special order, and I don't have any of them."
"Then who does?" Ayato asked as Erhard said, "Go see a dress maker they are the ones you talk to for that."
"Ok thanks but..." Ayato trailed off as he looked to the Filolial Royals.
"Oh right." Erhard said as he then reached down for something. "I have a few things customers left here they can use, it's on the house." Erhard said as he reached out and took out a small handful of outfits for the group.
"Thanks." Akane said with a nod until Erhard remembered something.
"And before I forget, I got something for you here kid." Erhard said and thus placed two brand new shields on the counter. "Your friend and I have been working on these for a while now." Erhard said as Naofumi gave the shields a raised brow. "Try them out." Erhard said and thus Naofumi took the first shield and copied it with the weapon copy system.
"Blade Shield?" Naofumi asked and thus once the new shield was copied went wide eyed as his attack stats went from 1 to 25. Before he could ask a blade shot out from the Shield making Naofumi go wide eyed to this. "No way." Naofumi said as even Raphtalia was surprised by this.
"Yeah, I figured since the weapon restrictions wouldn't let you use any other weapon, I figured I could trick the shield with a loophole." Daito said with a smile on his face.
"It's still a shield but the retractable blade bypassed its restrictions since its primarily a shield." Naofumi said and thus he looked to the other Shield. "If this thing has a retractable sword what does this one, have?" Naofumi asked and thus copied the second Shield. "Crossbow Shield." Naofumi said and in turn his shield transformed into the Crossbow Shield and thus Naofumi looked at the wooden sign near a display. Taking aim Naofumi fired a bolt from the shield revealing that this Shield had a range weapon inside it.
"Well, what do you think kid?" Erhard said as Daito smiled when he saw Naofumi smile.
"How much you want for them?" Naofumi asked and thus Erhard smirked to this.
"Don't worry about it, your friend made them and paid for the materials so as far as I see it it's on the house." Erhard said as Daito smiled from the praise.
"Nah you played a huge role yourself." Daito said as he was blushing a bit.
"No Daito you really outdid yourself now I don't have to constantly rely on you guys to fight for me." Naofumi said showing he now had a method to fight for himself now.
(Dress shop)
"Oh, my goodness they are so cute!" the dress maker inside the dress shop said as she was looking at the four Filolial children as she went on saying, "Aren't they the cutest little angels? wait a second they have wings on their back so maybe they really are angels."
Raphtalia gave a nervus laugh to the dress maker lady as they didn't know what to make of it as Filo turn around and showing off her temporary clothing as she ask, "Master, am I really cute?"
"Same here?" Sakura said as she looked towards Yumi with Yuki and Kou didn't ask or do much with Kou just enjoying a snack he was nibbling on to keep his occupied for a bit, and Yuki just stay silent until so, as Yumi said, "Sure your cute. But you were cutter when you were just a small bird."
Yumi said that last part to herself as Naofumi look at Filo and said, "I don't know."
"Fathers should not talk like that," The dress maker said addressing Naofumi as Filo's father as Raphtalia suddenly said in a shock, "Father?"
"Compliments help girls grow ever cuter." the Dressmaker said as this got Filo's attention.
"Master, are you, my father?" Filo asked and in turn Sakura looked over to Yumi with a look of want.
But before Naofumi could answer Akane grabbed him by the arm and began to squeeze making it clear how she expects Naofumi to answer. "He is if you want to see him as such." Akane said giving Naofumi a sideways glare reminding him to agree since Filo is a child not a slave.
"Yes... what she said." Naofumi said as even with the shield an angry Akane terrified him.
"What about Raphtalia?" Filo asked but just then Catra cut in.
"Ok moving on." Catra said knowing how Naofumi planned to answer. "I'll cut to the chase lady we need cloths for the four midgets that don't get torn to shreds when they transform." Catra said making it clear she wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.
"Oh, that's what you're looking for. Did you bring magic thread?" the dressmaker ask as Shiro asked, "Magic thread?"
"Transforming clothing are always woven using thread made out of the wearer's own mana," the dressmaker explain as Raphtalia asked while Filo was looking around the shop with Sakura, "So they really are custom made?"
"Indeed. If you give me the magic threads," the woman started to say as she suddenly did a pose and said, "I'll make you the cutest outfits ever!"
Ayato sighed to this as it seemed it's always something that comes up for him as he then asked, "Do you know where we can get magic thread then?"
(Later at the magic shop)
The group reach the magic shop to see that woman again about getting magic thread for their new Filolial Royals outfits as she said, "Magic thread huh? You certainly could spin it here, but not right now. My magic gemstone broke recently."
"Is the gemstone costly or something?" Daito asked with the woman said to him, "It is, but the bigger issue is that it's always in short supply."
"Well, that does seem like a problem," Raphtalia said with the woman said, "I'll talk to people and try to procure one as soon as possible. Could you give me some time?"
Hey! Hey!" Filo said as everyone look down at her while she was looking at the crystal ball before her as she asked, "What is this?"
"A crystal ball, it measures one magical affinity. Let me check yours, too," the woman offers, as she would give her an answer of what it is, with Naofumi saying to himself, "Seem like we're not going to get a dress anytime soon."
(Later on, the Road)
The group were back on the road as Filo was pulling the cart this time with the others riding on their own mounts. "I want to ride Filolials all day I can use wind force to blow enemies away." Filo sang as she pulled the cart as the group all heard her. Currently the other Filolials were in the cart with Raphtalia, Daito, Yumi, Hajime and Catra as Raphtalia held the reigns on Filo with Daito sitting next to her. Everyone else bar Ayato and Akane who were on Cringer and Swifty were riding in the back of the cart at the moment.
"Seem like Filo is in a good mood," Ayato said as filo made her own verse of the Filolials as Akane said, "Yeah, but why does she have to sing that song?"
"Just ignore it Akane as we have other issue to deal with as it would be a while before we can get her and the others some proper clothes to wear, so in the meantime let make some money," Naofumi said as he held up a Token pass he gotten from the village noble back at Lute village as Raphtalia said, "This trade pass we got from the village lord, I hope it comes in handy soon."
"Well it's a free pass of us getting into a village without paying so there's that," Catra said as that would be a big help for everyone as giving a silver or two per person would be a pain for them if they keep coming in's and out of villages as Hajime said, "And with it we are able to sell thing to people while also watch the prices."
"A good way of not relying on king dude of giving us money too," Yumi said as a major amount of their money did came from that king, and Catra stealing from Motoyasu while their income was coming from small job or selling stuff like medicine and monsters good to merchants who no doubt making better money from the stuff they were selling to them, suddenly Filo spoken up saying "Master, look there's someone up ahead."
Everyone look and indeed there was someone ahead who seem to be running towards somewhere as Daito said, "What's a person doing way out here for?"
"He seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere. Pull up beside them, would you Raphtalia?" Hajime asked the racoon girl ask as she began to pull up to the side of the man who seem exhausted from running as Raphtalia ask the man, "Is something wrong sir?"
"Please I beg you, give me a life with your carriage," the man said as everyone was confused of the man's request as he said, "I need to get this medicine to the village, it's just the one pass the mountain, its urgent, I pray you."
"Filo how to get there at full speed?" Naofumi said as he asked Filo as he came up into view as Filo said, "Not too long, but you know, we can get there sooner without the carriage."
"WE can swap Filo with Sakura to pull the cart, no doubt she wants a chance to do so," Yumi said as Sakura came up and said, "Oh can I, Please-Please-Please!"
"Okay-okay, you can, just give me a moment," Naofumi said as to Sakura as she cheered in joy as Naofumi turn back to the man and said, "Anyways I can get you there for one silver."
The man was surprised by Naofumi's charge feed as he said to him, "But I already spent my money on this medicine."
"It doesn't matter how you do it, pay me now or you can pay me later, just don't try to skip out on it," Naofumi said as the man to him, "That would be fine sir."
"Alright, give me those reins Raphtalia," Naofumi said as he took them while the other quickly detached Filo from the Carriage, with Naofumi pull the man up onto Filo as he said, "Thank you."
"You can save your thanks for later," Naofumi said as Ayato quickly came up on Cringer and said, "Hey You need someone to follow you Naofumi?"
"No, its fine Just stay with the carriage and watch over everything, and I'll just meet you guy at the village when you get there." Naofumi said as Ayato just nodded with Akane said, "Stay safe."
"Right, Let's go Filo" Naofumi said as he and Filo soon takes off at great speed, faster than Filo had shown during the race with the spear moron when she was a normal Filolial as Yumi said, "Alright Sakura let's get you set up to pull the carriage."
"Yes!" Sakura said as she soon started to transform in the cart as Daito, "No-no-no wait not-
*POOF
Smoke came forth with pink feather as the Carriage gotten bigger from Sakura sudden transformation with Daito said with his voice muffle, "En Fhe hart."
"Oh boy," Ayato said as he and Akane just witness this as Akane said, "We need to get her train not to do that in the cart itself."
(Naofumi)
With Naofumi was holding on well with the man behind him seem to be holding on for dear life as they rush down the road towards the village that was just up ahead.
Meanwhile at the village gate itself with the guard there watching over thing, he saw a cloud of dust coming from the distant, as he looks carefully, he saw a giant Filolial with two people on its back, coming in fast as he soon shouted out to them, "Halt, stop you have to pay the toll!"
Naofumi throw the pass at the guard as he caught it while Filo jumped the gate as Naofumi said to the guard, "I'll pick it up on the way back!"
(Scene break)
Naofumi arrived at the man's house with the sunsetting, as he walked into the house with the man and soon came into a bedroom with an old sick woman was lying in as the man said to the old woman, "Mother, I got you the medicine.
The old woman turned towards the man and was about to speak until she started to cough weakly showing how sick she really is as Naofumi suddenly said, "Listen, you go boil water, I'll give the medicine to your mother."
"But I," The man started to say with Naofumi assure him as he said, "Relax it's free."
The man soon gave him the medicine as he soon went to the kitchen to boil some water as Naofumi started to check on something as he pulled up his shield that changed into a Book shield, which Naofumi activate its effect which enhance the potion effects.
In the kitchen as the man was getting some water Boiling, Naofumi uncork the bottle and soon lifts up the old woman and slowly pour the medicine into her mouth as the old woman drank it, soon after a glow came over her with her skin and health returning to normal.
Soon enough the man returned back to the bedroom with a cup of warm water as he soon heard his mother spoke as she then said to Naofumi, "Thank you."
The man stood there shocked as his mother was sitting up by herself now. "Mother?! The medicine's already, working? He asked shocked over what he was seeing.
"Yes. the pain went away in an instant, thank you," The old woman said before turning to Shiro with a smile to show she is graceful to him as well as he gave a nod to her.
(Little later outside)
The sun was beginning to set as Naofumi was getting ready to head back to the gate. During this the man had come out carrying with him with a bag filled with goods as he asked Naofumi, "Um... exactly what kind of magic spell did you use?"
"Trust me it's better you don't ask." Naofumi said as he was currently on Filo's back ready to go. "Now that that's done." Naofumi began and thus the man nodded in understanding.
"Oh, uh here." The man said as he presented the bag to Naofumi. "This should be worth at least one Silver." The man added as Naofumi took the bag and looked inside at its contents. Inside Naofumi saw some dry meat, food, and bred, some items to sell which is good fortune for him and his party.
"Yeah, that will do." Naofumi said as he was ready to depart. "See you later." Naofumi said and in turn they were ready to leave.
"Thank you, very much and safe travels to you!" The man said as Naofumi nodded before he gave Filo a light kick to make her go. Once they were off, they the duo began to head to the gate where the others were no doubt waiting for them. As they rode Naofumi was thinking as he could see how beneficial this traveling trader business was going to be if done right.
"Besides selling goods, I can even transport people. This traveling trade might be more profitable than I had thought." Naofumi thought to himself as it was clear an idea was formed.
(Montage)
And thus began their journey as a traveling salesman and part time healer. With the Filolials taking turns at pulling the wagon the party went from town to town healing the sick and selling their goods. During this Naofumi, Hajime, and Akane were reading the Grimoires while the boys and Yumi, and Raphtalia manned the shops with the Filolials using their adorable nature to attract customers.
Daito helped as he helped maintain any passing by adventurers, equipment and much to their surprise said equipment came back better then when they originally got it. The party was a travelling enterprise as Daito would even do weapons if he had a forge to work with. Some nights they opted to stay in inns if they can while others they camped out. During this Naofumi seemed more focused on the Grimoire while Filo tried her best to get Naofumi's attention. During the day Kouh would randomly stare at the sky when he saw birds flying high and gained stars in his eyes at the sight.
Hajime performed a few magic tricks to also get a few extra coins while Yumi sat back and took the money. Catra of course glared at anyone who gave her the stink eye no doubt a few racists assholes in the crowd. Catra and Yumi basically doubled up as security for the times they take stops at towns to tell their goods. Akane and Ayato also helped about with Akane going about as She-Ra doing requests for coins and more books while Ayato did the same but for supplies to feed themselves. This also helped spread the name of the Masters of the Universe as they changed it up with varying Masters of the Universe between towns.
(Montage End)
Soon enough they were back on the roads traveling to a new place while transporting V.I.P who was a merchant. The group were on their mounts all of which were carrying bags of supplies as it was an odd sight to say the least. After all, not every day you see a caravan of traveling traders riding Filolials, a Tiger, and a Horse. The Merchant however seemed very happy that he was riding with the trio as he said, "I can't believe I get to ride with our Savior with the Heavenly Fowl."
"Savior of the Heavenly Fowl?" Naofumi asked as he rode in the back next to Catra while Raphtalia was driving.
"Ah yes you have quiet the reputation." The merchant said with a smile on his face. "In a carriage drawn by the God of Domesticated Birds, our savior travels, aids Adventurers, and treats the sick." The man said as the group didn't realize that they were making a name for themselves.
"Did he just say I'm a god?" Filo asked as she heard the conversation from where she was.
"I'm surprised at you, Filo didn't Shiro say not to talk when there are strangers?" Raphtalia scolded while glaring at Filo causing her to moan a bit at being scolded.
"Well, I'll be it talks, that really is a God." The Merchant said as he was surprised to see Filo do this.
"She's not a god but I can say that getting them to talk is the easy part it's getting them to shut up that can be difficult." Catra said as she laid down on her side to take a nap until her ears perked up and her nose twitched. "Crap." Catra cursed as she realized trouble was afoot.
Just then Raphtalia saw something and thus looked to the others with concern. "There's a large gang that's blocking our path up ahead." Raphtalia said with her voice showing her concern on this.
In turn the group all saw what was on the road with Naofumi and Catra coming out of the wagon. They party of the Shield hero all saw a group of obvious thugs standing in their way. It didn't take a genius to figure that this was not going to end peacefully for them. "Hey now! You can stop right there!" The Bandits were heard as the Wagon came to a halt.
"Well, that's an odd Bird and thing you got there stranger." A bald man said as he wasn't taking note of the Akane and Ayato riding behind the Carriage. "We heard an accessory seller was hitching a ride with you, come on we know you're in there!" The man called out as the Merchant heard this.
"Gentlemen I'm sure we can be reasonable about this." Hajime said as Yumi backed her up.
"Sure, just hand him over quietly and you can get away with your lives intact." The men said as they quickly took note to Raphtalia, Daito, Yumi, Hajime, and Catra.
"So, you'll just try to take everything BUT our lives, right?" Yumi asked as she glared at the men in question ready to ram through them and kick all their asses.
"Seems they're sharper than they look." The bald man said as Catra glared at the men in question with the Masters in the Wagon ready to fight.
"But those girls are pretty hot, even that cat looking demi-human." One of them said and thus took note of Catra. "And with staff like that, she's gotta be a noble's daughter." He added motioning torts Hajime. "Looks like we'll be getting rich after we have fun tonight boys!" He called out as Hajime had just about had it with this.
"Master Naofumi... can I end his lineage?" Raphtalia asked as she and Yumi looked ready to cause problems.
"Not that you would listen to me If I said no to you." Naofumi said as he Raphtalia enough of what she would do regardless of what he says as Catra said as she flexed her claws a bit, "Shall we hurt them?"
"I say we do it!" Filo added as she wanted to fight as well, as the one bandit said, "don't even think about it, we have a class upgrade bodyguard that can make hamburger out of you."
One guy with a katana steps up and he seem fairly strong to say, as Naofumi thought, "Class upgraded, there's another one I haven't heard of. Well one thing for sure, he's not going to be easy picking, but then again..."
Suddenly there was a sound of Cringer and Swift wing running into action as Akane and Ayato were rushing in as they call out, "You forgot about us!"
The bandits were surprised by them as some of the bandits ran to get out of the way of the horse and tiger coming their way, with Cringer seem to share to shit out of the bandits themselves with Raphtalia quickly cast a spell.
"As source of thy power I order thee." Raphtalia began getting everyone's attention. "Decipher the laws of nature and conceal me from utterly in a magic haze: Hide mirage!" Raphtalia began and thus Raphtalia vanished from sight.
"Fast Tornado!" Filo invoked with her sibling adding her a bit causing a large dust cloud to form to give everyone cover as the next thing the bandit knew, they were attacked all of the suddenly with many cries of pain, and a battle cry from Yumi as she rammed through many of them, and boy Yumi was really hardheaded when ramming.
(Little later)
The Bandits were all tied up now as they were all beaten up from this and a bit mauled from Cringer. "Some other trader told us to mug the guy riding with you because he was supposed to be carrying a bunch of really nice stuff, I swear that's what happened." The leader said as he looked to the group.
"So, one of my own sold me out hmm?" The merchant asked as he looked to The Master's as Naofumi question, "What are we going to do with these guys now?"
"We usually hand them over to the local guards, but I'll leave it up to you," The merchant said as it was Naofumi and everyone that capture these guys with ease, with one of the bandits gotten a good look at Naofumi's arm seeing a fancy shield on his arm and realize who he is as he said, "Hey you, you're aren't the shield hero, are you? Kind of obvious you have no weapons and only that shield."
"Let us guess, you were just some adventurers going about your day when suddenly the shield hero came up and attacked you, that is what you were going to tell the guards, right?" Akane said as the bandits smile to this as they figure it was an easy victory for them as the bald man said, "You are a perceptive one, then you bet they take our word over the shield heroes any day."
"Then it seems we have no other choice," Ayato said as he knew what his sister going to say with Naofumi just smile at his cousins as he knew where this was going as Akane said, "Looks like we're going to have to slaughter all of you."
This freaks the bandits out as Naofumi turn towards filo as she said, "Hey Filo, do you and your sibling want a snack?"
"Yes, I do, I want food!" Filo said as the other three suddenly said, "I'm feeling quite hungry myself/ They would be a tasty snack/would they taste good?"
Suddenly the other three transform reviling their true forms as four big Filolials surrounding the bandits as they looked very worry as the big birds had a look in their eyes that the bandit didn't like as Naofumi said to the bandit, "You see they are omnivore, they will glop everything in one bite."
"Hey, but your our savior of the heavenly Fowl, you can't commit murder!" the Bald bandit said trying to avoid getting eaten as Naofumi said to them, "I'm nobody savior, and I have to act with the best interest in mind for my family and friends here, you guy must have killed plenty of people so far, just consider this your turn and give into it."
At that moment all the bandits were shitting themselves as that one bandit suddenly cry out in fear as he said, "No wait please! Take anything you want! Just let us get out with our lives."
"Got it I'll spare your lives at least," Naofumi said as the bandit started to relax until Naofumi went on saying, "However..."
With that all the bandits were very worried of what could happen to them with Akane, and Ayato look at each other and give a nod.
(Later)
At the bandit camp, all the bandits were taking valuable stuff from their hide out and hand it over, one by one as everyone loaded up the stuff into the wagon with everyone keeping the bandits in check, just in case someone tries to run or attack them with Catra having a good time looking at all the great stuff they were getting while Raphtalia looks disappointed as she said, "Are we actually looting the bandits? Doesn't this make us eviler than they are?"
"Your joking, right? They're just a gang of bandits no one will care if they're being robbed instead." Catra said as Akane said, "And we aren't looting them, they are just paying a toll to live is all."
"Quite right, he's just simply treating their lives as merchandise. Sir Hero's a shining example of the trader's spirit, something lacking in our youth today!" the Merchant said as Raphtalia said with a sweat drop on her head, "I'm pretty sure this is just intimidation."
"Hey about you two do a little less chatting and a little more working, and while we are on the subject pal, how are you going to figure to compensate for the pack of trouble you cause us on this trip?" Naofumi said as the Merchant said, "I can offer you all the knowledge and connection I possess, it's at your command."
"Knowledge and connections?" Naofumi asked as he wondered what that would entail for him.
"Yes. I've taken a real liking to you," the man said as the group grew curious as to what the merchant had to offer that could make up for all this trouble. They would all to soon come to realize that what he had to offer would be worth it.
(Start Montage)
at the next village the group was taking a rest from traveling with the Merchant guy was teaching not only Naofumi but also Hajime and Daito how to make jewelry with precious metals. Learning how to use the proper tools that are required to do so, which one worked best, how to maintain said tools, and how to enchant them as well to craft gems and imbue them with mana.
They each picked up on it like a sponge to water and as the more they learned to use mana the better control they had with their spells and other things too that required the use of mana. Daito took to the crafting aspect of it well enough that he was able to apply it to the blacksmithing he tend to do. Hajime on the other hand took to the magic aspect of it and grew to gain a better understanding of mana and its uses.
Thanks to this the group had begun a new business venture and that was crafting gemstones and accessories. This later lead to the group to get in touch with the trader's grape vine and had gotten word on how the other heroes were doing. Motoyasu apparently saved a village from famine down southwest by way of a magical seed. Akane was smart because she knew that it was more than likely Malty's idea no doubt trying to mooch of Motoyasu for all he's worth until he is no longer useful to her.
Meanwhile Ren had gone southeast and did the same thing but from the sound of it he did it on his own. No doubt he was already there on his journey to find monsters to slay. No doubt it may be something that they may need to consider looking into later as from what Catra said she knew someone from that area and hadn't heard from them in a while.
The last of the three, Itsuki, well he was all over the place that had nothing concrete for them. Rumors and tales were being told about him and in the end none of them ended up being true in the slightest. The only thing that they did know as fact was that apparently, he was last seen up North but that was it. But again, there was nothing concrete to prove or disprove that particular rumor.
Any who the party saw that the merchant was true to his word as he gave them a lot of connections to utilize. Catra asked about her friend from the area Ren may have been at and while there was nothing in that regard Ayato saw Catra was showing a rare case of concern for someone other than herself. This caused the group to look into it whenever they got the chance to do so. But there was one bit of information that the group found most helpful that the Merchant passed on to them.
(End Montage)
So, we now find the Shield Party at a mine as the foreman held the letter the Merchant had given Naofumi. "I can't believe it, but this deed must be the real thing." the foreman said as he looked at the deed in question. "I'm amazed that grumpy money grubber actually gave this to you." The Foreman said as the group was happy that things were going so well. "Anyway, if there's a gemstone you want, I can arrange for you to get it... at a discount of course which obviously goes without saying." The man said to which Naofumi understood well enough. "What are you looking for sir hero?" The man asked and thus Naofumi spoke.
"For the gemstones you use to make threads that are magic." Naofumi said and thus the foreman was surprised by this. The look of surprised meanwhile gave the rest of the party the sinking feeling that this was not going to be one of those easy jobs for them.
(Scene Break Road several days later)
The party were once more riding down the road as Naofumi recounted everything up to this point as sitting across from him was the Magic Shops keeper. Catra sat next to Naofumi laying on her back trying to take a nap since she knew the journey would be a long one. "What amazes me is how you managed to find that gemstone so quickly." The old woman said as Naofumi begged to differ on this.
"It's not that simple actually." Naofumi said as he remembered what the Foreman had told him. "Let's just say it's in a location that makes it hard to get to." Naofumi said knowing how dangerous dungeons tend to be.
Just then Raphtalia spoke up to get everyone's attention. "Master Naofumi." She began as she got their attention. "Look." She finished and pointed to the location up ahead.
"Well, you don't see that every day." Daito said as he was riding of Kou with Yumi nodding in agreement as did Sakura.
(Later inside a tunnel)
After they had parked the wagon and unhooked Filo the group had entered the cave and began to explore it a bit. "A long time ago this temple was once a notorious evil Alchemist's base of operations." The old woman said as Naofumi, and Ayato lead the group through the cave with a lit torch. Hajime meanwhile had a ball of light in her hand as she helped light the way for the group. "Strange though I never heard anything about a tunnel being here." She added as they walked down the cavern which clearly looked manmade in origin.
"According to the mining Chief nobody's dared to approach this place ever since monsters started nesting here." Naofumi explained as he led the group so he can act as the first line of defense when needed. "Keep your eyes peeled everyone." Naofumi urged and thus they understood the warning was for good intentions.
"Caves I hate caves." Yumi said as she never liked entering caves of any sort. She would have stayed outside but knowing Naofumi if she and Sakura didn't pitch in then they had to make their own money to get that damn gemstone.
"Just be glad it's not snakes." Catra said as she could see where Yumi was coming from... snakes she really hated snakes.
(Later)
Eventually they arrived at a large room where an open treasure chest laid with red cushions inside said chest. "It's empty." Raphtalia said as the group then took note of the engravings to the side of it.
"Ancient writing." The Old woman said as she took note of the writing in question. "We pray that the seed never makes it out of this tunnel. It is a horribly twisted manifestation of our wish that nobody would feel the pangs of hunger ever again in this world." She read and thus Shiro went wide eyed to this remembering what he had learned of Motoyasu and his deeds.
"Please tell me he didn't." Ayato said as it almost added up. Seed, warning, famine, and Motoyasu it was sending off warning lights in Ayato's head.
"I'd say it but then I'd be lying." Akane said as she knew Motoyasu may have done something incredibly stupid with that seed.
"Good we're in agreement then." Naofumi added as he knew what Ayato and Akane were thinking and began to worry that if Motoyasu did something this stupid what are the chances Ren and Itsuki did something just as bad if not worse.
"Master look down there." Filo was heard as she then pointed her wing to something. "There's a path over down that way." Filo said as she pointed to said path.
"Wonder where this leads to," Ayato said as Naofumi said to his cousin, "Only one way to find out, let's go down it."
Soon enough as everyone was walking down the tunnel, Filo and the other Filolials stay behind a bit as the others started to call out to them, "Hey Filo, what are you doing? Hurry up."
"Sakura, what's the hold up?" Yumi called out to the pink hair girl with Hajime call out, "Come one Yuki, we can't delay,"
"Hey Kou, let's get going already, we got a lot of ground to cover," Daito said as then Filo spoken up saying, "Ah master I think you should really…"
Filo trailed off as a Naofumi's voice was heard in an echoing way as he said, "For crying out loud, she won't listen to me, then I don't need you anymore."
"Yeah, what worthless birds," Yumi voice spoken in an echoing voice too as Hajime spoken up with her voice echoing as well saying, "We shouldn't have left them behind."
The others were wide eye to this as Yuki soon rush over to Hajime knowing they were in danger as somehow; they knew that wasn't them.
AS the group already gotten deep in the tunnel as the witch woman said, "Stop here."
"What is it?" Naofumi said as everyone look with Yumi spoken up saying, "Ah... it looks like a big monster footprint?"
"A monster footprint that is, and my goodness, why it's a large one," the witch said as suddenly Yuki came up saying, "Mistress Hajime! We're in danger!"
"WE know there's a large monster in this cave ahead," Hajime said as Sakura said, "No there are other monsters! They are all around us!"
"What?" the other said in surprise by this while the torch Naofumi was holding suddenly went out and the entire area was glowing in an eerie purple aura with everyone voice seem to be muffled up a bit as they started to speak, "What's going on?"
"What the hell is this?" Akane said while Ayato was putting his fingers in his ear and said, "Maaa-maaa-maaaaaa! Am I the only one who ear feel stuff or something?"
"Protect me wrench!" Daito said as he held up his wrench-mace weapon as Yumi voice is heard in an echoing tone, "Man he such a weakling, why did we even bring him in the first place."
"What?" Daito said as he couldn't believe Yumi would say that with Naofumi suddenly hear Raphtalia voice as she said, "I am tired of being master Naofumi's slave."
Naofumi was surprised by Raphtalia saying that, with everyone hearing the other person voice saying bad or rude thing about them, even making death threats, and but before anymore could be heard, Hajime quickly raise her staff with a glow coming off as she said, "Star light!"
Hajime slam her staff down with a light releasing from it making the eerie aura vanish while reviling the culprits that was attacking them as they were bat like creatures, with Ayato take his fingers out of his ears and said, "Hey I got my hear back."
"But now we got some monsters surrounding us!" Akane said as bat like monster surrounds them and started to attack Naofumi said, "Wait if we can see them- Filo!"
"I got it; I'm going to blow you away!" Filo said as she hit the bat monsters with her wind attack as that got them with everyone soon calming down as Akane ask, "IS everyone okay?"
"Never better," Catra said as she hated those bat creatures as she stepped on one hard with Naofumi picks up a part of one's wing and place it in his shield, getting a new shield being a Voice Ganger Shield (bat form) out of it as he said, "I don't see how that going to come in handy."
"Interesting," Hajime said as she put a piece of the bat monster in her staff and got a familiar summon power from it as Yumi said, "Can we get going already?"
"Yeah-yeah we're going," Naofumi said as he didn't want to hear complaining form anyone right now with Filo said, "Ah, excuse me master You won't abandon me, will you?"
"Or any of us?" Yuki said to Hajime as the other gave a similar look to their owners as Yumi said, "Are you kidding? Of course, not"
"I got money riding on you, I'm not going to get rid of you that easy," Naofumi said as Hajime said, "And we won't abandon any one of you guys either, your apart of our team, and we will stick together no matter what."
"You guys been a big help on our journey so we won't ditch you guys for any reason," Daito said as Ayato look to the Filolials and cringer as he patted his head and said, "We're together until the very end so don't you guys worry about a thing."
"Let's get going you guys," Akane said as soon enough entire group went on down the tunnel with the witch smile at the group thinking they were some good kids and follow behind them.
Later ahead as the group came down the tunnel Cringer suddenly stop with Ayato said, "Something wrong Cringer?"
"Something is in there," Kou said as the entire group ready themselves with Naofumi set the torch down so it won't alert whatever was up ahead. They then saw a large room filled with crystals as Daito said, "That's a lot of crystals."
"Yeah, but that's not the only thing in here. Look," Hajime pointed out to a deeper part of the crystal cave area, as up ahead was some sort of lion monster that was sleeping with a snake tail that was looking around and sense their present as the witch said, "That's a Nue. It's on the small side, but still dangerous."
"Great, just great," Catra said as she hated when something always pops up when they are trying to do something and make a job 10x harder as Naofumi said, "This might be rough. The gemstone's right there in front of us but we can't get at it."
"Then there is only one thing to do," Akane said as the answer was simple as she brought out her sword and Ayato pull his off his back and said, "Time to slay us a monster."
"Let's go!" Raphtalia said as she and Filo suddenly charge at the monster without any sort of plan as Daito said, "…Oh my gosh they just ran in there."
"At least no one did the Leeroy Jenki…," Hajime started to say until Yumi tighten her helmet and yell out, "LEERRRROY JENKINS!"
"Never mind," Hajime said as soon enough every ran in to attack the Nue, as it woke up no doubt by Yumi yelling, Raphtalia was going for a stab, but the Nue jump over her and kick her with its back legs, with Yumi charge at it going at it head first with the snake notice her and told its lion half to avoid it as it did, leaving Yumi to crash into a crystal, which cracked upon impacted with Yumi having a bit of a dazed look from that as she said, "Did I get it?"
She was hit away by the snake tail before it hissed at her, then Daito came in with his weapon in both hand with Filo came in as they came at it from above about to try and hit it, but it dodged their strikes, then both the witch and Hajime both casted, "Zwei Fireblast!"
Their attack hit the Nue, causing it to cry out in pain from the flaming attack upon it, but it pushed through it until the fire went out and about to pounce onto the magic user until Naofumi charge in with Ayato as he activated his shield to help block the Nue's attack and keep it at bay.
The Nue started to growl while a spark of lighting came off its body which wasn't good as Raphtalia called out, "Master Naofumi!"
"Strength enhance X5," Ayato called out as he body glow red before throwing the Nue off both him and his cousin, with ease as Akane come in using the broad side of her sword to swing at the Nue's head making it back away with Yuki in her Filolial form back her up with a kick, causing it to bleed a bit while he release an electrical charge blast, with Naofumi and Ayato were pulled away just in time by the two.
"Thank Akane," Ayato said to his sister as his enhance power boost soon faded and left him a bit winded, a side effect to enhancement power as she said to him, "I've told you not to push it up that high."
"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Ayato said to her as Naofumi, "Calm down you two, we got a problem now, we have to avoid that lightning at all costs."
"How can we attack it then?" Ayato said with Daito said, "Ah I think our furry friends maybe on it?"
Pointing out to Raphtalia as she used her invisibility spell, and Catra using the darkness to cloak herself, somehow blending into the darkness itself, no doubt using a shadow spell.
The Nue stay still, and it suddenly notice Raphtalia as it growled and eye it as Naofumi notice this as he yelled out, "Raphtalia watch out!"
Soon enough the snake tail attacked with Catra use her whip to strike it, causing some pain to it, to make it back off from the Racoon girl with Catra try to get in close with her knife and try to stab the Nue at its side, but it dodged her knife and kick her away with Catra roll away to avoid the snake.
"How did that thing see her coming?" Yumi said as she saw this herself with Sakura coming up next to her saying, "It didn't see her, it heard her. IT seem to have sensitive ears."
"Wait, sensitive ears you said?" Akane said as she and Naofumi suddenly thought of something as Akane said, "Naofumi!"
"I'm already on it!" Naofumi said as he looked for that new shield, he gotten from the bat monsters from before as he found it as it changed into a megaphone, with the Nue charging at them Naofumi said, "Filo, yell into this thing as loudly as you can!"
"Okay!" Filo cried out as she was ready to do so. Naofumi then looked to his party and proceeded to order everyone, "Everyone cover your ears quick!"
With everyone doing so, Filo gave out the loudest yell she could do which was amplified by the bat shield causing the Nue's ear drums to burst and bleed.
"Now's our chance!" Ayato called out and in turn they all got their attacks ready.
"ZWEIT FIRE BLAST!" Hajime and the Witch both invoked sending a torrent of flames against the Nue.
Next came Ayato, Akane, and Raphtalia as they roared out with their attacks ready. But first Catra jumped over with her chain whip out and wrapped it around the monster's neck and with the momentum forced it to stand. Ayato and Akane then slashed at either side of it with their swords before Raphtalia came in and ran it through with her own sword.
Following it up the four Filolials began to run around the cavern building up momentum and one by one they struck the monster. This gave Daito an opening to hit the monster with his trust battle wrench sending a few hits into the monster's head cracking the skull of the monster open. Finally, Filo jumped upward to finish the job as she slammed her taloned leg and thus crushing the monster's skull entirely.
"We won!" Filo called out as everyone was happy to make it out of it alive.
"Are you ok?" Naofumi asked as he walked over to the group.
"Yeah, don't worry, we'll live." Catra said as Akane narrowed her eyes a bit.
"Then what do you call those gashes?" Akane asked and thus sighed and took out her first aid kit and began applying it. "If you guys are hurt, just say so I'd rather we deal with a minor injury now then let it become worse later." Akane said as she applied the bandages to Catra first.
"She's right you know." Naofumi said as he knew better then to argue with Akane on matters he agreed with her on. "I rather none of you get scarred for life." Naofumi said and thus Raphtalia smiled to this.
That was until Catra's ears perked up and following it the cave rumbled a bit. "That's not a good sign." Ayato said as Daito began to grow scared.
"Look!" Catra called out and thus the group looked and saw a doorway open via parts of the wall crumbling.
"Wow another room." Akane said as she looked to the cave.
"My word." The Witch said and thus Ayato smirked a bit.
"Let's go check it out." Ayato said but Naofumi stopped him
"Ayato, we came here for some magic gems not to explore." Naofumi said but Akane then stepped up.
"Let's split up then there might be something valuable inside." Akane said and thus gestured to Daito and Naofumi. "You guys can mine for the crystals and the rest of us can do some exploring." Akane said and thus Naofumi looked to them. But as Naofumi was silent Akane smirked and thus it was time for a bit more exploring.
(Later in the Cave)
The group nary had to walk long as they soon found themselves in what looked to be an ancient lab of some kind. Looking around Hajime shined her light with Akane's around the room but what was noted about it was the objects inside it. "Ok is it just me or does this stuff look a little to advance for a medieval world?" Yumi said as she looked at what looked to be a robotic headband of some sort.
"I have to agree." Akane said as inside the room was technology far to advance in comparison to what was currently available. "But where did it all come from is the question and why is it here?" Akane asked as Ayato picked up what looked to be a broken legless drone.
"Well, we might as well grab a few things from here if we bring it to Daito he can tinker around a bit and figure out what the heck is going on." Ayato said but that was until a new voice spoke up.
"Why wait when I have the answers." Came a voice Akane knew well enough from when she first landed in this world. All eyes looked to the source as the masters saw Shadow Weaver sitting on a bit of stone. "Hello." Shadow Weaver said waving her hand to the group.
"Shadow Weaver." Akane said as she glared at the possible foe.
"You know her Akane?" Hajime asked as this was the first time that they were meeting Shadow Weaver.
"Long story short I have no clue if she's friend or foe." Akane said as she could not get a good read on Shadow Weaver.
"What do you know about all of this?" Ayato asked as he wanted some clearcut answers on this.
"A great deal all of this came from the old world where technology and magic went hand in hand." Shadow Weaver said gesturing to the room around them. "It's also from the old world where the Four Cardinal Weapons were forged." Shadow Weaver said as she then jumped down and became a shadow moving through the room.
"Great so we know who to blame for the shirt Naofumi's gone through." Yumi said as she wanted to give those people a right headbutt to the crotch.
"Not exactly, the old world also suffered from the Waves of Catastrophe but back then they had one singular Cardinal Hero who was accompanied by two Vassal Heroes and the last bearer of Greyskulls power." Shadow Weaver said as she was now looking at the headband like machine.
"Wait there was a time when there was only one Cardinal Hero?!" Ayato asked shocked to hear this.
"Yes, alas something happened, and two worlds collided causing the Cardinal Hero of that time to work with another Cardinal Hero going from one to two Cardinal Heroes." Shadow Weaver said as she went about in the room. "Two eventually became four when that new world melded with another recently merged world and thus it had been the Four Cardinal Heroes to this very day." Shadow Weaver said as Akane glared at the witch.
"And why tell us this?" Akane asked as she wanted answers.
"I told you Akane I seek knowledge and as the saying goes, knowledge is power." Shadow Weaver said and thus she stood up while admiring her new acquisition. "Just a bit of wisdom the seeds of the future lie buried in the past." Shadow Weaver said and in turn she took her leave via one of her dark portals.
"Wait!" Akane called out but alas Shadow Weaver was already gone leaving the group confused.
"Ok one what the fuck is this a video game or something? And two, what the fuck was that all about?" Hajime asked and thus Ayato looked lost but then focused on the task.
"Come on let's go." Ayato said and in turn he looked to the robot he picked up earlier. "And bring that along as well." Ayato said and thus they got ready to head out. But one thing was for certain... a trip to Castle Greyskull was in order because either the Sorceress wasn't telling them something or there was information hidden away in Greyskull.
(Scene Break Magic Shop)
A day or so later the party was back at the magic shop as Filo, Yuki, Sakura, and Kou were all working on their magic threat. Right now, it was Filo's turn as the Seamstress can only let one of them do the work at a time. Thankfully the group had the forethought to grab a few extra magic stones before leaving the cave in the event one of them broke. Filo was not a happy girl at the moment as she spun the wheel weaving the magic threat while holding their newly acquired crystal... well one of them. "Doing this is making me feel so tired." Filo said as she looked ready to sleep.
"Don't worry my dear its only because your mana is turning into thread!" The Witch said giving Filo words of encouragement. "Endure it for just a while longer." The Woman said and in turn Filo was not happy about it.
"What?!" Filo asked surprised to hear this.
"Stop whining already Filo, master wants this done!" Yuki scolded as clearly, she was the big sister of the group of Filolials and the self-appointed leader.
"Yuki." Hajime scolded as she saw how the white haired Filolial acted which had a lot of pride in herself.
"Don't worry I'll get you some nice snacks once you finish." Raphtalia stepped in and in turn Filo changed her tune.
"Yummy ones?! Then I'll keep going!" Filo called out and continued her work as the other Filolials grew anxious for their turn if it meant a snack was in the near future.
"Well, ain't that cute the quickest way to their heart is their stomachs." Catra said with a cocky smirk on her face.
(Scene Break the Dress Shop the next day)
Once they got the threads needed from the Magic Shop, they took it all over to the dress shop to make Filo's new outfit. It would take a day, so the Trio opted to come in the next day after it was done. When they came in the dress was all made and thus Filo was ushered through to try it on. The Shield Party in turn saw the curtain open up Filo walked out in her new outfit making all eyes fall on her. Right behind her was Sakura, Yuki, and Kou as the four of them all looked like the words most adorable group of angels. They had this aura that just cried out how they were too adorable to be harmed.
"Well how do we look?" Filo asked as she looked like a stereotypical angel girl all she needed was a halo and it would be complete.
"We look great right?" Sakura asked and thus Naofumi had his answer for the four.
"You look terrific." Naofumi said giving praise to the Filolial Queen only for Filo to cheer for this.
"YAY! Thank you master!" Filo cheered out as she jumped up and hugged Naofumi making him go wide eyed to this as he was hugged like that.
"As expected of course." Yuki said as she really was a ball of pride.
"I LOVE IT!" Sakura cheered as she jumped into Yumi's arms and gave her a big hug. Meanwhile Kou looked ready for another nap at the moment causing the group to chuckle a bit at his lack of motivation.
"I mean sure she's cute and everything." Raphtalia said pouting at Shiro and Filo being close like this.
"Don't be a jealous racoon, Raphtalia." Catra joked as she grinned over to Raphtalia just before the Seamstress cut in.
"They're all darling!" The Seamstress called out as she looked to the group surprising them. "I did my very best to bring out every last bit of these little girl's angelic charm and Kou's boyhood sweetness I think I did a Hell of a job!" The Seamstress boasted as her eyes had bags under them showing she was up all night working on the dress.
"Truly they are works of art!" Akane said with a smile on her face. Yuki was wearing a beige one-piece dress and long sleeve like gloves on both her arms which Shiro recognized as the Seamstress handiwork from Filo's own outfit. The dress was decorated with a waist belt, buttons, and a white trimming around her neck with a black ribbon attached with some type of Jewel.
Sakura was dressed in a pea-green one-piece dress made by the same seamstress as Filo's outfit was that was decorated in pink heart patterns and a single dark green ribbon tied above her chest.
Kou meanwhile was dressed in a simple pair of overalls as he looked every bit of a little boy, he was prone for rough housing even if he was a bit on the lazy side.
"Well now we don't have to worry about you losing your cloths every time you transform." Daito said as he smiled a bit while he had the robot Ayato brought for him strapped to his back.
"Well, if my math is right the total amount of the crests and the outfits add up to... 1,360 silver coins." Akane said and in turn each monster owner began to cop up their share of the price.
"Don't worry we'll pay you back for this gesture." Yuki said and in turn Sakura and Filo jumped in.
"We'll do our best!" The pair of Sakura and Filo called out and thus they transformed into their Filolial forms.
"Sakura Filo don't transform indoors!" Yumi cried out as she saw the pair had transformed before their eyes.
Of course, the seamstress gushed over the scene as she saw this. "Even on monster's its cute!" She gushed before turning over to Naofumi and Yumi. "I'm sure you agree aren't your daughters cute as buttons?" She asked as Ayato then appeared behind the Seamstress with Akane both giving Naofumi a look to watch his words carefully. All the while Filo and Sakura were soaking up the praise like sponges in water.
(Meanwhile on Snake Mountain)
"One Tri-Clop Drone just as asked." Shadow Weaver said as she presented the old piece of the apparent old-world technology.
"Shadow Weaver never a doubt." Skeletor said as he saw the old bit of technology.
"I fail to see why we need this... device amongst our arsenal of tools." Evil-Lynn said as she glared at the headband like device.
"Use your head Evil-Lynn He-Man, the Masters, and the Cardinal Heroes are growing stronger, so we need to tip the balance of power in OUR favor." Skeletor said glaring at Evil-Lynn. "And to do that we need a Cardinal Hero not a Vassal Hero." Skeletor said as he sat on his throne. "And this, Tri-Clops, will bring the Hero of my choosing to our cause." Skeletor said as he looked to the Tri-Clops device. "And also, just about anyone who we need who gets their head stuck in it." Skeletor added as Trap-Jaw gave the device a look over.
"You control the hero you control the weapon; you control them both you control the people's faith." Evil-Lynn said as she could see how all of this could be used to their advantage. As they all schemed Shadow Weaver stuck to the shadows as it would seem that everything was progressing smoothly. Soon enough Hordak will arrive and when he does this world will know true terror. But first things first she needed to find his herald and only Hordak can decide on such a person and who they are.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, here you go another chapter off the docket. I hope you all enjoyed it and will join us next time for the next chapter. So, until we next meet leave a review before leaving and as always ja-ne.