"Damn it…damn it!" Naofumi called out as he banged on the hourglass as the others watched.
"Damn that four-eyed jerk." Ajna said.
"He set us up. He kept most of us together just to rip us apart." Roxas said.
Rime put her hand on the hourglass for a moment before taking it off. "It's no good. The connection has been severed."
"You wouldn't be able to use it anyway. You aren't a Hero. Damn it!" Naofumi growled as Rime remained unfazed and calm.
"Naofumi…calm down. I know someone. Someone who is skilled at finding people." Kizuna said.
"Who is it?" Papelne asked.
"Lady Kizuna?" A voice asked as the group turned to see two men in robes. "Lady Kizuna!" one of them said as the two approached the group.
"Oh hey." Kizuna said. "It's okay. These guys are from Sikul. I hate to spring this on you, but…could you see if Ethnobalt is around?"
Sister noticed blood dripping from Naofumi's lips. "Damn idiot's gonna run himself ragged if he let's the Wrath Shield effect his body."
"Then we're just gonna have to make him happy by finding Raphtalia ASAP." Ethox said.
A while later, the group was led to a castle, where they were met by a group of nobles.
"So it's true. Mikakage captured our hero and imprisoned her!" one of them said, sounding outraged. "Rest assured, we will have words for them!"
"I can't believe you managed to escape the Infinite Labyrinth! How did you do it?" another asked Kizuna.
"It was thanks to them." Kizuna gestured to the group. "They're all heroes from another world, especially the Shield Hero."
However, the nobles gathered there went on the defensive.
"Lady Kizuna, get away from them."
"Someone call the guards."
"They're here to destroy our world!"
"With all due respect, if we wanted to destroy this world, we would've done it already." Mark said.
"Not helping, Anarchy." Tanya said flatly.
"Naofumi, please do not give into the Wrath Shield….Naofumi?" Thorani asked as they all saw the Shield Hero marching away.
"Removing himself from the situation. Not a bad idea, but…yeah, we better follow him." Moltar suggested.
As the group followed Naofumi, they saw him standing before a young boy with light hair, bordering on silver. He wears heavy robes and holds an ornate staff in his hand. His eyes are sharp and red/black-colored as he stood on a floating platform.
"And just where are you going?" he asked them.
"Oh, Ethnobalt, it's you!" Kizuna said.
"Is this the guy?" Hope asked.
"Yes. My name is Ethnobalt. And I am currently the Vassal Boat Hero." he said.
"That would explain the floating platform." Ajna said.
"But still, a boat can be a weapon?" Issei questioned.
"Thousand Sunny." Roy mentioned.
"...Point taken." Issei said.
"Oh, Kizuna…I have something for you." Ethnobalt said, holding a talisman.
"No way! You still have him?" Kizuna said as she grabbed it. Moment she did, the talisman glowed before transforming into a small blue penguin. "Oh, Chris!" she said, hugging it.
"What is that thing?" Adora asked.
"It's a Shikigami." Sheer said.
"Yeah. This is Chris. He was made from me and Glass. Since he's still around, so's Glass." Kizuna said.
"Oh, I get it!" Ethox said, excited. "If Naofumi makes one, they can help us find Raphtalia, right?"
"Yes. But for the ritual to work, we'll need the owner's blood and something from Raphtalia. A strand of hair would work." Kizuna said.
"Good. I have her hair stored in my shield." Naofumi said as he withdrew said hair from his shield.
"In that case, we'll begin the ritual immediately." Ethnobalt said as he began the ritual. "I wish for something to protect them, and give them power. The creation of that which serves as servant and as fragment of their magic. Let a servant that gives protection be born!"
A light shined under Naofumi's feet as he cut his finger open, letting blood fall onto the hair the circle was on. Soon thereafter, a being popped into existence as it knocked Naofumi to the ground, coming to rest on his stomach.
"Well that was fast." Koenig remarked.
They looked upon the creature to see it was a small raccoon with brown fur, almost looking like a tanuki.
"So this is a Shikigami?" Naofumi asked.
"Yes. And since the ritual went off without a hitch, it means Raphtalia is still alive." Kizuna said.
"Some good news, at least." Gimilor said. "Now we have to find her."
"Don't forget Filo. She's still out there somewhere." Lily mentioned.
"In any case, now we got something to work off of." Ethox said. "Thanks, Ethnobalt!"
"Yeah. Not bad for a monster." Theo said.
"Oh…you could tell?" Ethnobalt asked.
"I was raised by Minotaurs so I know how to pick up on non-humans." Theo said.
"Hmm…quite perceptive." Ethnobalt said as smoke dissipated around him, revealing him as a human sized white rabbit.
"A bunny!" Nuna said.
"He's a Library Rabbit. They're a race that live in secret and protect certain worlds." Sheer said.
"Yes, that's correct. I normally don't show my true form, but I feel rather safe with you people." Ethnobalt said.
"Okay, but you can just create Shikigami. That doesn't make you good at finding people." Naofumi said.
"Oh. That's no trouble. I'll just take you all on my boat." Ethnobalt said.
Ethnobalt took his human form and led the group outside as he then stepped off his platform before it changed in front of the group's eyes into a life size airship.
"Whoa!" Klonoa said.
"Now that's a nice ride." DJ whistled. "You could definitely buy your way into the guild with that baby."
They climbed onboard and approached a console with a holographic image of the world.
"Now, where is Raphtalia?" Naofumi asked the Shikigami.
"Aren't you going to name it?" Theo asked.
"A name? Yeah, eventually. Now where is Raphtalia?" Naofumi said.
"At least be more polite. Hey, Chris. Know where Glass is?" Kizuna asked.
Both Chris and the small raccoon put their hands to a single point.
"Wait, they're both in the same place?" Ven asked.
"That's not good." Ethnobalt frowned. "They're in Raybul."
"Raybul? What's it like?" Theo asked.
"Raybul is an ally to Mikakage. It's where that jerk Kazuki and those guys who imprisoned me are from." Kizuna said.
"So an enemy country. Seems there are a lot of those these days. Though if both are there, they were all likely captured." Ainz said.
"Even if it's a trap, we have to go. I hope Filo's there, too." Naofumi said.
"I'll warp the ship, then." Ethnobalt said.
Thus, the group warped from Sikul to the outskirts of Raybul, the group deciding to enter discreetly on foot to avoid drawing attention.
"So…what was all that nonsense about Naofumi destroying the world?" Kizuna asked.
"No clue." Luz said.
"Come to think of it, Ethnobalt did say Glass was busy with something. Wonder what it was." Kizuna said. "Hey, Naofumi, what was she doing in your world?"
The group got tense only to see Naofumi running in a different direction as they chased him.
"Hey…what is going on, man? You're acting really….ah!" Theo said as they stopped in front of a tent to see Filo inside being dragged and whipped inside.
"Holy…Filo!" Ethox yelled as he prepared to rush to her, only to be held back by Mirror Match. "Match, what're you-?!"
"Don't be a fool, Ethox! That goes for you as well, Naofumi!" Mirror Match said firmly. "Rushing in now will do Filo no good!"
"He's right. If we get captured now, we'll never get Filo out of there." Rishia agreed. "We'll have to wait until night, then we can save Filo and deal with that guy."
"Yeah…you're right." Naofumi said, as the group noticed that he had changed to the Wrath Shield on instinct.
"You are becoming scarier by the day, my friend." Cobalt said.
Night soon fell, as the group prepared to raid the show tent.
"Do you think it's possible this is one of Kyo's traps?" Kizuna suggested.
"I don't give a damn if it is! We can torture that slaver for information!" Naofumi said angrily.
"Uh…you mean question him, right?" Kizuna asked.
"We know what he said." Goblin Slayer stated.
"Geez, you guys are so intense." Kizuna said as they jumped into the tent and started searching.
"Filo, if you can hear us, peep three times! If you can't, peep twice!" Nemo said, getting confused looks from the others, before they then heard two faint peeps. "...Oh lord, she's dead."
"This way!" Kizuna said as they opened a door to a bunch of birds before looking at a small white one. "It's a Humming Fairy. They're rare and are said to be gifted singers."
"Wait…it's Filo!" Naofumi realized as the Humming Fairy peeped with joy.
"Huh?! Are you sure?" Megumin asked.
"There's no mistaking those eyes! That's Filo!" Ethox said in joy.
"Can she not transform?" Matheus questioned.
"The talismans on the cage are probably keeping her from transforming and using her monster crest." Sunset said.
"Let's fix that then." Naofumi said as he used Filo's crest to burn off the talisman on her body.
"I got ya!" Kizuna said as she followed up by destroying the cage.
Filo then jumped out and transformed into her humanoid form.
"Master!" Filo cried as she got up close to Naofumi and cried in his arms.
"Woo! Father and daughter reunited!" Ultra cheered. "And before you say anything, Shield Hero…she's your daughter, period. You aren't fooling anyone."
"Gods, we are never leaving you out of sight again…" Theo sighed in relief.
Just then a light shined. "What's all this noise? You think you can steal my golden goose, do you? Criminal!" A voice said as the group saw the slaver behind them.
*Gun Click*
"Don't take another step." Kido said as he turned visible with his Ravager pointed at the Slaver's head.
"Whoa, hold on! Don't you know who I am?! I-" the slaver started before he was punched in the face.
"GOD BLOW!" yelled as she knocked the guy down. "That was for Filo, you jerk!"
"How…how dare…huh?" he said as Naofumi unleashed his new Shikigami Shield on him, experiencing a nightmare of him in a cage being heckled and attacked by the people coming to see him perform.
"Not so funny when you're on the receiving end huh, asshole?" Simon asked as his left eye glowed. "Now you'll tell us everything you know."
It was later in the forest that the group sat around a campfire.
"So apparently, the guy got Filo from his father, a nobleman. I bet Kyo was the one who gave her to them to begin with. Another thing he's gonna pay for." Theo said.
Filo continued to keep close to Naofumi as they camped.
"But…why did she end up a Humming Fairy?" Emilia asked.
"Hmm…I noticed that whenever she visited my world, her monster form would be a griffin. I believe it's because Filolials don't exist in other worlds, that the laws of those worlds give her forms that best suit her." Ainz explained.
"That makes sense." Entrapta said. "It's sort of like how the rules work on the worlds in the Disney Heart Universe."
"Yeah. Sounds plausible." Sora said. "Anyway, we all should probably get some sleep."
The next day the group was exploring town as Filo clinged to Naofumi the whole time.
"She's never letting go of Naofumi, is she?" Grantz asked.
"Well, it's to be expected when someone's treated that badly." Rista asked. "We might need to call a therapist for her after we get back."
"You can call Sigmund. He's back in the therapy game." Sunset said.
"Sigmund?" Al asked.
"Oh right, you guys weren't there. He's the former leader of the Anarchy Kings we fought." Jexi said.
"Yeah…good ol' Sigmund." Ethox said fondly. "I mean, if it wasn't for Black taking advantage of his sadness over his family's death, he probably would be one of the best therapists in the Multiverse right now."
"Then again, we all would not have met if it wasn't for the Anarchy Kings." Le Kraken pointed out.
"Silver lining, huh?" Ultra remarked.
"Yeah. I've…actually been visiting him regularly for sessions." Sunset said.
"Really? Since when?" Mirror Match asked.
"Since…something that happened before the auction." Sunset said with some hesitation.
"Oh, right." Hapi nodded in understanding.
"Oh yeah… That whole thing. Yeah, that stuff at the Demon Election was very haunting." David said.
"Yeah, I'm surprised you're managing to keep it together after all of that." Sheer said.
"It wasn't easy." David simply replied. "Mental health is no joke, and it's starting to become a glaring problem nowadays."
"Anyway, we'll give him a call once we get back." Theo decided. "Are you going to be alright until then, Filo?"
"I'll be fine! Because Master and my friends are here now!" Filo said with a smile.
"...And you wonder why we call her your daughter…" Michiru snickered towards Naofumi.
"Master, who is this riding on your shoulder?" Filo asked, looking up at the shikigami. "They smell like Raphtalia."
"It's a Shikigami made from Raphtalia's hair. It's been traveling with us since yesterday." Naofumi said.
"Oh. Well it's nice to meet you, Raphie." Filo said.
The newly named shikigami chirped happily at that.
"Guys, the notice board is mentioning something about another Vassal Hero." Ajna said.
"Hmm…" Kizuna said, looking at it. "It says the Katana Hero appeared but disappeared shortly after."
"Why does that matter? He's a jackass." Nemo said.
"No…Kyo was the Book Hero. This Katana guy may be an ally." Theo said.
"But it says that Kazuki jerk…" Nemo said.
"Please…you honestly think a Vassal Weapon would choose someone like him as a holder?" Ainz asked.
"Well, he did seem like a big deal." Ethox said. "Maybe he's like our other heroes back home? Sort of a 'this is the best we got' kind of thing?"
"Here is a theory. Say he went to try and claim it, but a much worthier vessel was also at the scene. Which would you assume the weapon to choose?" Ainz asked.
"Easy. The more worthy." Jexi said.
"Exactly. Kazuki is only raising a fuss cause the Katana chose someone else instead of him." Ainz said.
"Yup, he's just a dumbass whose bark is worse than his bite." Simon said.
"Yeah, he's definitely Trash 2.0." Megumin said. "Wouldn't you agree, Shield Hero?"
"No way…it can't be…" Naofumi said with dread and rising despair in his voice, paying no heed to the conversation.
"Uh…something wrong, Naofumi?" Theo asked.
"Raphtalia's stats…I can't see them anymore." Naofumi said.
"What?!" Ethox said in alarm, before looking at Raphie. "Well, Raphie's still fine, so…she's still safe."
"Besides, Kagetsu and Kabuki are with them, so they all should be fine." Jesse said.
"Then where'd her stats go?" Rista questioned.
"Uh…I just had a thought." DJ spoke up. "The reason you can see her stats is because she's your…slave, right?"
"Yeah." Naofumi said.
"Something must've happened to Raphtalia that got her Slave Crest forcibly removed. And since it was removed, that means she isn't contracted to you as said slave. Which is a good thing honestly, cause the power imbalance was kinda iffy for the romance and-" DJ said.
"Get to the point, dammit!" Naofumi yelled.
"...Can Heroes be enslaved?" DJ asked, causing the group to think on it for a moment.
"Oh my me…" G. Aqua said in shock. "Raphtalia… what's going on over there with you?"
"Wait, you don't think that maybe…" Kurochi started.
"Yeah… It's definitely possible." David said.
A couple days earlier, Raphtalia and the others left behind looked up at a snowy mountain castle with determination in their eyes. Natyal's headpiece was removed, showing blue dragonscale horns curved on top of her head and white tiger ears.