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''Protection of human life can be costly; but so is the neglect of that protection.''
-Max Anders.
''Again!'' Naofumi heard the ring of the bell behind him as he held his shield firm and prepared for another mock attack. Valiant Barrier certainly lived up to his moniker. At first, Naofumi had a moment where his brain stopped working.
''He holds that hammer like he has hands.'' Naofumi lowered himself, not choosing to tense until the very last second, the force pushing him back a few inches before he roared and charged forward, pushing the hammer off to the side as Raphtalia came around Naofumi with a wooden sword, dragging the blunt stick across Valiant's midsection in a horizontal arc. ''Ha!'' Naofumi swiveled on his feet like a boomerang as he came back around and slamming the shield into the dazed guard that sent him to the ground.
Vaulting over his right shoulder like a table, Raphtalia followed her assault, pushing her boot into Valiant's jaw and causing him to flip on his back as the sword stopped an inch short of his forehead. ''Checkmate.'' Rapthtalia cheered, smirking at the guard who paused in the next attack he was attempting.
''And that's the match!'' Starswirl's voice boomed as both parties settled down and reviewed the situation. By himself, Valiant certainly proved to be someone that Naofumi couldn't take lightly. It was thanks to Raphtalia's skills and reflexes that won them this match. Getting up and levitating his hammer by his side, Valiant took off his silver and blue helmet adorned with flares towards the sides, with the image of the Royal Guard in the middle, setting it on the ground as he took a seat on the ground and laughed a bit. ''Good job, both of you!'' Starswirl cheered, handing the pair a cup of water each as Valiant took his from the wizard's magic.
''When you said that you were a guard of Celestia, I thought you were more of a grunt, but this is a whole different level,'' Naofumi commented, the guard looking at the pair in curiosity. ''How'd you get so good?''
''Push-ups, sit-ups, running, and plenty of juice,'' Valiant responded matter-of-factly, pushing some of his dark blue mane to of his eyes as he told the pair. ''I always had a knack for getting into tussles, so I figured to just apply that more in a professional sense,'' Valiant smiled wider the sun itself, the teeth in his square-shaped muzzle shining brighter than ever. ''But you two actually gave me a run for my money a few times, especially with that shield of yours; what's it made out of?''
Naofumi didn't even know the answer to that question. The Legendary Shield sure performed its job like no other when it came to defense. Most times, depending on the enemy, the shield would cancel out the inertia of the attack, allowing him to quickly follow up with a shield bash, but Valiant's attacks forced him back every so often, which had to speak to the level of strength of his magic.
''Not really sure, but I know I can depend on it, and Raphtalia when I need it the most,'' Naofumi commented, looking to see his partner holding her sword in a sling on her hip. ''So, how's Filo doing with her repairs?'' Starswirl chuckled and gave the otaku a piece of parchment with details about the Filolial's equipment, and what would be needed to fix them.
The spell that Starswirl cast on the pair that allowed them to read the language of the land certainly helped to clear up any confusion. According to the list, they would need a few items to help fix, and even improve her claws. When it came to taking stock of all their weaponry, Raphtalia's sword would need sharpening, and Filo's gauntlets would need reinforcing when she would be in her human form.
''Green Ariendust, Magnesium, Copper, Iron Ore, and Redback Spider Silk?'' Raphtalia asked, looking at the list.
''Yes, these are the kind of materials I can gather that may be beneficial to Lady Filo's weapons, as well as yours, Lady Raphtalia,'' Starswirl smiled, looking to Naofumi. ''And Lady Melty is also contemplating about acquiring a weapon as well.''
''That'll be the day.'' Naofumi laughed, not being able to imagine the ex-princess with anything besides magic, but the thought of her attempting to improve her skills, but it was appreciated nonetheless. ''So where can we go to get these kinds of things?''
''I shall mark the particular locations, but most of the items on this list can be found in The Everfree Forest. Valiant Barrier will assist you in locating the necessary materials.'' Starswirl said, looking at the guard in a hopeful manner to which he nodded and began to clean up the practice arena. ''After gathering what is needed, then we shall help you with the implementation, and then we can begin our plan of action to each of the lands governed by the Chains.''
Naofumi held no doubt that the upgrade process would take long and only the group would need to make sure that they have all that they need before setting out on their journey. ''And what of the other two who were going to join us?''
Starswirl assured the group that, at the same time as the otaku's group would be gathering the items, the other two who were going to join them at the first Chain's location when all was said and done.
''Master Naofumi, hopefully, we can become stronger than ever before,'' Raphtalia had to have some sort of mind-reading powers from time to as that was the very thought the otaku had.
''Yea, me too. We're gonna have to if we want to stay alive in this world and stop Night Order.''
Melromarc.
''Ugh!'' Motoyasu, Ren and Itsuki grunted as they were pushed to the back of a wall by Wind magic.
''I will ask again. . .where is Naofumi?'' Fitoria asked the other 3 heroes as the Filolial Queen looked at the 3 useless heroes before her. She felt a disturbance a few days ago, but thought nothing of it. When she ventured to a nearby Filolial clearing to observe around when she heard whispers of a recent Wave Of Calamity and a bright, almost blinding light following the death of one of the bosses. ''And who was the one to kill the boss?''
The other Heros tried to defend against the wave, but only served to distract the fodder until the true Legendary Hero was able to turn the tide.
But at a cost.
''We told you, we don't know!'' Motoyasu said, clutching his sides and looked at the strange girl who suddenly ambushed his and his friends on their way back to the kingdom. She was quite the babe, however. But that could come later. Why did she want to know about that sham Naofumi? ''We did.'' Ren and Itsuki looked at their 'friend' and frowned. Even they know that was a lie, but lying would do no good at all.
Motoyasu was smacked across the with such force that his face warped and he instantly sunk into the ground. The Sword and Bow Hero winced and looked to the girl that stared at them. ''Do you two want to tell me the truth?''
Ren clicked his tongue and stood up, noticing the fire in her eyes, even for a small girl. She seemed to hold some kind of relationship to Naofumi, but to what extent, he couldn't tell. And as far as the Shield Hero, the trio heard nothing at all about him; they merely thought he was lying low from injury, but according to King Altcray, he died in battle, defending against that woman with the fans.
He didn't have much of an answer.
''We. . .didn't. It-''
''-Was Naofumi. . .I know; I only wanted you three to be honest.'' Fitoria sighed and looked at the Spear Hero on the ground. She wondered what exactly happened with Naofumi. But, the bigger issue also was the impending disater that was sure to follow without him present. All 4 heroes were needed to help save this world, and waiting for him to return would be even more useless. So it would only be one such thing to do that would yield the best results.
She grew tired of having to do this. From the times she could remember, every encounter with the Legendary Heroes that failed to get along always ended up in the same result; death.
''Promise me. . .promise me that you will help this world, Fitoria.'' the thought of the Shield Hero who mattered to her the most, besides to a degree, Naofumi, sounded out to her. ''No matter what it takes.''
''I will. . .father,'' Fitoria whispered, clutching a hand to her chest as she willed her power to rise and create a sword out of her magic. The horses long abandoned the three, leaving a bit of a lengthy journey back to the kingdom.
And with no help, things were looking less than desirable.
''Huh?'' Itsuki asked, slowly getting up and backing away. ''What are you doing?''
Fitoria only responded by sweeping her hand in an arc, sweeping the would be heroes off their feets once again, the look of fear, anger, and pain in each of the of trio's faces. ''This world will be saved, one way or another.''
''You can't do this. We're the Heros Of Legend!'' Ren growled as her sword lightly made a cut on his cheek, the movement not even registering to any of them. How powerful was this girl?
''You are nothing. Naofumi was the only true hero out of the four of you, regardless of what you may think. . .and without him, we are surely doomed if something is not done.'' Fitoria stood firm in her actions. And when it came down to it, the three of them would barely be anything of a challenge to her as she was able to prevent Naofumu from using his weapon, she doubted much could done to her aside from annoying her. ''Unless you're prepared to sit down and listen to me so that this world may be given a chance, I will cut each of you down where you stand,'' Fitoria turned around and walked a few feet away, waiting to see who would strike first.
Sensing the object coming towards her as she turned around, her foot went into the chest of the unsuspecting Sword Hero while her Wind magic provided a sleeve of protection against the edge of the blade going to cleave through her shoulder. Watching him fly back a few feet made her smile.
They would die trying.
Silence reigned for a moment before their shouts filled the air.