"Talking"
"Thinking"
[Status Magic or other reference to a system or power]
…
Raphtalia felt someone shaking her, "Mom, help! Filo wont stop hitting me!"
Naofumi felt a someone else do the same to him, "Dad, Monti's lying... Okay he isn't lying, but he pulled out one of my feathers first. It really hurt!"
Raphtalia and Naofumi only caught part of that exchange as they opened their eyes. Before them was a naked little girl with long blond hair, piercing blue eyes and angel wings. On the other side was a naked boy a bit older looking than the girl. He had short messy burnt golden hair, eerie eyes, bat wings, a scorpion tail and cat Ears atop his head.
Raphtalia was freaking out, "What the hell!?"
Naofumi wanted to go back to bed. "What the hell?"
...
"Tell her to stop! It hurts!" Monti pleaded to Raphtalia again.
"You plucked one of my feathers out! That hurt way worse!" She pointed at him angrily.
"But I did it once! you've hit me six times!" Monti begged.
"Shut the hell up!" Naofumi yelled louder than he had intended to.
The two loud-mouthed kids went silent as Raphtalia and Naofumi cleared their sleepy daze. They looked at the pair again. Their features were unmistakable.
"There's no way that's them though, right?" Raphtalia denied.
Naofumi opened up his party menu and sure enough, it confirmed that this was Monti and Filo.
"It is, but how?" Naofumi had no clue what was going on. "Is it because I wanted children? They became this way because... that makes zero sense."
Naofumi's [Menu Plus] accepted these as questions toward itself and began answering.
[Notice] [Help Menu]
[Individual 'Filo' has become Race: Filolial Queen. Said race has the ability to transform into a mostly human form]
[Individual 'Monti' has become Race: ? of ?. Said race has an ability which incorporated some of individual 'Filo' into himself. Would you like to view party member status?]
"Yes"
[Name: Monti Iwatani]
[Race: ? of ?]
[Class: Interdimensional Invader]
[Equipment]
[None]
[Hp: 413]
[MP: 243]
[SP: 0]
[Atk: 83]
[Mag: 83]
[Def: 77]
[Mdef: 77]
[Agi: 83 +5]
[Level: 20]
[Skills, Abilities, and Spells]
[Fear] Cause fear via a strong lion's roar
[Poison Venom] Poison that destroys flesh
[Parabolic Venom] Poison that causes paralysis
[Flight] Can fly
[Incorporate] By eating from something of a matching type, gain a small portion of their power. (Matching types are broad categories you share with your prey. Current types: Royal, Wave Boss, Chimera.)
[Incorporated Abilities]
[Transformation: Human] Can transform into a humanoid form.
Naofumi had been awake for literally one minute and this day was too full of new information. He looked over the information a bit, before he spoke. "His stats are so even. He has no outstanding stats like Filo's speed. You'd think he'd be leagues ahead of her, being a wave bosses offspring and all."
"Monti?"
"Y-yes dad?"
Naofumi was being called dad. It felt weird. Then again, he held Monti from the moment he was born until he was too big to carry. Still Naofumi had to wonder about this. Monti's status already had his last name as 'Iwatani'. Was that because Monti declare it so? Because Naofumi raised him?
"You ate the feather from Filo so you could transform too?"
"H-how did you know that?" Monti in human form was painfully easy to read. The human face plus cat ears left him as open as Raphtalia. Right now he was scared his 'dad' would take Filo's side.
"Why did brother need my feather to transform? ... You could of asked meanie!"
"Wait! Wait! Naofumi-sama what's going on?" Raphtalia was having a very understandable reaction to this whole mess.
Naofumi explained to Raphtalia why they have their current forms as well as the race changes they both received.
"This is too much... can they even change back?"
"Of course we can mom." Filo then transformed into a huge fat Filolial form that neither of them remember seeing.
"How did you become that big... And why are you calling me your mother?"
Filo spoken in her giant bird form confusing Naofumi and Raphtalia further, "Well I thought you were sister, but brother said that mom is mom."
Raphtalia wasn't entirely against the idea. Being seen as Filo's mother in her eyes, while Naofumi was seen as her father. It made her feel like she was in a real relationship with Naofumi. A more official one... But that also meant accepting Monti calling her 'mom'. She wasn't thrilled by that, but...
"Then I guess I am 'mom' then, isn't that right, 'dad'?"
Her manipulation was so obvious to Naofumi, "I bet you're loving this..."
There was a brief pause between the four of them. A lull in the talking. Naofumi thought for a bit.
"We're going to need to go back to the capital first."
"Why's that?" Raphtalia asked, while Monti and Filo asked what a 'Capital' was.
His face soured "Because after those false crimes I am not walking around with naked kids. Erhart might have some kind of magic armor that morphs to the user or something."
"Ah, that's true. Well any excuse to visit Mr. Erhart" Raphtalia tried to lighten the mood.
Naofumi looked to Filo, "Filo. I need you to get the cart ready, you get to start pulling today, but stay in that form. Your little form can't pull carts, okay?"
He appealed to what he mistakenly caller her 'bird brain'. He needed her to behave until this cloths problem is handled. Filo left the room on her own as Naofumi went to the door and closed it.
"Now Monti... I have a few questions... we can talk now."
"Sure dad, what do you want?"
Naofumi paused for a brief moment and it was enough for Raphtalia and Monti to realize this was a serious conversation now.
"Yesterday I received EXP twice during the race... Care to explain."
Raphtalia was relieved. It was just that Monti ran off to kill weak monsters again.
"Those people hiding in the trees were casting spells at you and Filo, so I got them."
There was pause. Raphtalia realized and Naofumi hated being right.
"Why?" Naofumi's face was hard now and so was his voice. Monti didn't understand why his dad was mad.
"Why?... Because they were attacking you and Filo. We did the same thing in the woods. Did-did I do it wrong?"
Raphtalia raised her voice, "You killed people!? That's not the same as killing a monster!"
Monti's ears were as low as they could go, "I don't get it. How was I suppose to know that? Something attacked you. I killed it before it could. Isn't... that how you want me to act?"
"Don't you see the difference between killing people and monsters?" Naofumi asked.
"No." Monti said in full honesty. "Me and Filo are sibling despite being really different. You two are my parents despite being different from one another and us. We are all four different things... I don't see a reason to care about appearances, because if I did... you wouldn't be mom and dad... and what would that make me?"
He was tearing up and even Raphtalia was calming down a little. Naofumi decided to use some tactics that worked on Raphtalia back when she was a kid. He bent down on one knee and placed his hands on Monti's shoulders, making him look back at him. He spoke with the soft voice that used to really affect Raphtalia.
"I agree. We are different, but I guess we are kinda like a family... sorta... But listen. You can't just kill people. If you're facing something that can talk, then talk before anything else okay? Monsters included... We can come together like this because we are smart enough to talk to one another and understand one another. That's what makes us people. That's how we form connections."
Monti had a small protest, "but-" But Naofumi wasn't having it.
"That means the people you killed yesterday probably also had people they were connected to. People that will never see them again. Because of your actions. Just like all the nice people in this village are connected to each other."
It was starting to sink in and his face made it clear to both of them too. Shame clearly visible.
"I wasn't thinking... I just wanted to be useful." He was getting more upset.
"Monti. You are plenty useful. You don't need to prove anything."
"Yes I do! That's why I always do what you tell me and why I tried to keep Filo from bothering you. I'm still not doing good enough."
Naofumi realized that the other day when they both ran off it was right after Naofumi complained about Filo bugging him. Monti wasn't being aggressive, only helpful. It was also true that Monti did everything asked of him every single time.
"What are you talking about? You're a kid. You aren't suppose to worry about that kind of stuff."
"Mom still hates me, so I have to do better. I don't know why, but I gotta do better. That'll solve it, right?"
The room was silent again. Naofumi awkwardly half turned to Raphtalia who looked rather ashamed of herself.
"Listen um, It's not that I hate you-"
"Yes you do. You've never held me. No matter how much I try and help you in a fight, you get mad. You do everything you can to avoid me! And you can't even call me by my name!"
Monti was now shouting tears going strong. Naofumi gave Raphtalia a look of, 'want me to?' and she gave him a look of 'yes, please do'.
"Monti... It's not your fault so it's nothing you can fix. Raphtalia is scared of the waves."
Monti crying slowed and looked at him, "Waves?"
"Yeah. There are these terrible events called 'The waves of catastrophe'. It's my job to stop them, our job to stop them. One hit this village. One hit Raphtalia's old village too... A lot of people died. Her own parents included."
Monti had stopped crying and was now listening with full attention
"The waves cause monsters to appear. Each wave has a really strong monster called a 'wave boss'. Her parents were killed by one and... you came from one"
Monti glanced at Raphtalia, before quickly looking away. He both; wanted to see her face and was afraid to.
"It's nothing you've done wrong, so there's nothing you can really do about it. Just give her time."
"But if... If I..." He was lost. He wanted a solution. He wanted the person he saw as his mother to like and praise him. "If I kill a wave boss, would she see that I'm different... I hope I'm different."
Raphtalia was getting sick of herself. When he was born, he really was super cute, but she refused to touch him. She seen that he really did focus on aiding her more than the other two. He even killed two people to try and please her. He was days old. If she wanted to be an adult then it was really her fault. She called herself an adult, but she was being a child. That she leapt at announcing herself as 'mom' to position herself with Naofumi without regard for the kids themselves...
She forced herself to take two steps forward and knelt down to him. His eyes really did remind her of only her most awful memories, but... She gave him a light hug. Monti froze and didn't move a muscle. He might mess it up if he did. She pulled back and spoke.
"I selfishly said I'm your mother not because I am or even that I want to be, but because you said Naofumi was your father. It was cruel of me. This is new to us. All of us. When we got you and Filo, we thought we'd have pets, not kids..."
Naofumi wanted to interrupt her, but wanted to trust her. He remained silent.
"But people aren't pets. As Naofum-sama said, monster and people are different... and they should not be treated like them..."
"Damn she's thinking about her slave days." Naofumi frowned.
"Just as killing people is wrong. There's a clear difference between people and monster... Monti?"
"Y-yes?" He was really happy at this point.
"We both need to put more effort into how we treat people. If you can learn to not treat people like you do monsters, I'll try to do the same... Deal?"
"Deal." Monti was happy in a way that neither of them had seen him before. It seemed uncharacteristic of him, which they thought was kinda sad.
They didn't exactly decide to adopt kids, but they guessed that's their life now. Raphtalia took comfort knowing that Naofumi had more to aid him. This support network that wasn't a real family was going to help him immensely. She also took comfort in knowing how much Monti cared about her approval. Looking at it that way, he seemed way less scary.
Having seen Monti so emotionally vulnerable and so very much like a kid, Naofumi could hardly think of him as anything else. He'd do anything for Raphtalia's approval and he was 100% on their side. "We aren't really a family, but pretending isn't so bad".
Monti opened the door and transformed. He then began to talk and it was as weird as when Filo did it. "I'll go make sure Filo is actually doing her job."
Naofumi nodded "Please do, you know how she is."
After Monti left Naofumi checked to make sure via [Minimap], then turned to Raphtalia who didn't want to meet his eyes. Naofumi sighed heavily.
"So what are we going to talk about?" Raphtalia asked. Knowing it was coming.
"I think you handled that well at the end..."
"Which is just another way of saying I really screwed up until then. You've scolded me before about the way it treat hi-Monti." She was now making an effort to say his name.
"We're all guilty of ignoring each other... "
"Stop. It's on me. I don't want you treating me like a child. If I act like a child call me out on it. It's the only way I'm going to catch up emotionally."
Naofumi ignored her and kept on with what he was saying, "You ignored Monti's needs, but Monti also ignored your apprehension... And Filo drives us up a wall without consideration."
He kept on ignoring her words as he sat on the bed next to her, "Just as I've ignored how you feel about me..."
Raphtalia looked at him, for once her face showed no hint of her thoughts.
"I feel we're all just too emotionally immature to be of much use to each other outside of a fight... yet. We'll have to work at it. We'll be traveling all over the country soon. Meeting all kinds of new people. Getting into all kinds of situations, good and bad. Helping people whenever possible. Maybe somewhere along the way, we can become who the others need us to be."
He was basically telling her 'give me time', but also letting her know that regardless of how much Monti and her screwed up, there was far more time ahead to make up for it.
"Understood."
As they left the inn many villagers waited to send them off. The Lord approached the couple and presented Naofumi with an odd piece of solid copper. It held some writing, but Naofumi couldn't even half read it.
"What is this?" Naofumi examined it.
"That is a merchant's pass. It is usually issued to merchants who have close ties to the lords of Melromarc. Showing this will exempt you from tolls and searches. If you mean to travel around selling your wonderful medicine, this should be of some help."
Naofumi faintly smiled and placed it into his pouch.
"I wish I could just stay here a bit longer y'know? There's probably all kinds of metals and gems within your mine I haven't absorbed yet... But to stay ahead of the king... We hope to visit again."
Cheers were heard as they left, wishes of farewell and such. It warmed all of their hearts.
...
-The capital of Melromarc-
...
The party arrived at the capital. Filo was so quick that Naofumi believed she could have made it in less than four hours if she went full speed. Unfortunately, Raphtalia got motion sick. Even with potions on hand, it was rough for her. Naofumi had some covers for the kids to wear for the moment, but Naofumi was unsure if Filo would listen. To make sure he bribed her with food.
As the four of them entered the capital Monti and FIlo were amazed. In their short lives, the only civilization they've witnessed was the severally damaged Lute Village. Seeing this huge city had them seeing stars. Naofumi and Raphtalia slowed down a little so they could gawk, but never stopped moving. They both knew this place was more dangerous than the wilderness and far more prone to ambushes.
...
-Erhart's shop-
...
Erhart was just sitting out fresh pieces, after crating up his finished commission from the castle. While he was always paid in advance, he found it easier to complete orders as fast a possible. Kept him from losing track. He placed the last mace on the wall and turned back toward the counter. The bell at the door rang, as the door opened.
"Welcome, Welcome! I was just set-" Erhart turned to see Naofumi. Raphtalia and two little kids wearing sheets. He looked up to Naofumi in a tired look.
"You said you wouldn't buy more slaves for your party... What changed?"
Naofumi leaned toward Monti and gave him a look. Monti nodded and dropped the sheet while transforming. In an instant the front of the shop was nearly filled up completely by Monti's imposing form. For an animal standing on four legs and of as wide a build as a Lion has, being nearly as tall as Naofumi standing at his full height was some scary stuff.
"Not a slave. These two are the eggs I had when I left... Explanations for that can wait. As you can see, I need something they can wear. Please tell me you have something for this?"
Erhart was still reeling from this massive beast just simple coming into existence in his shop.
"The hell kid!? you're going to give me a heart attack!"
Monti flinched and transformed back, "S-sorry". He quickly grabbed his sheet back off the ground and put it back on.
Erhart was now bewildered in an entirely different way from a moment ago. In all his years, he'd never seen a monster as imposing as Monti was just then. Yet he buckled to an old man yell so easily?
Naofumi saw the reaction and approached the counter, "He's scary in a fight, but he's still a little kid. Go easy on him, okay?"
Erhart caught his breath, "What the hell kid... How in the world did those eggs even turn out like this?"
"The girl there?" Naofumi pointed to Filo, "That's Filo. Filo is what's called a filolial queen. Super super rare I guess... They can transform into humans apparently"
"Him?" Pointing at Monti. "That's Monti. The chimera egg was a manticore. I don't know if that term is familiar to your world, but my own world had some legends about them. He copied Filo's human transformation sorta."
He leaned in to get a good look at them. Filo looked nice enough, but Monti's eyes and that tail and wings were clearly giving evil vibes. Erhart used [Appraisal] on the both of them. He could not see Monti's race, that hadn't happened before. He gave Naofumi a cautious look before returning upright.
"Morphing cloths, is it? Sorry, but I have nothing like that."
"Come on man. I can't have half of my party be butt naked children. The old rumors will have nothing on the next wave of rumors, if I do."
"Well, I don't have it here, but there is a way to make magical clothing. I know someone who might have what you need. Here's her place."
He pointed it out on his map. Naofumi knew that shop, the magic shop.
"Ah the witch's place. Good I had an evil plan to spring on her anyways."
Naofumi and his party quickly left, promising to come back before they left the capital.
...
-The magic shop-
...
"My, you've returned sooner than you said. Is something wrong?"
"Well, remember when you told me I could come to you if I needed assistance?"
"Calling that in so quickly?" She peeled her eyes away from Naofumi and Raphtalia long enough to notice the kids.
"They are why we're here. Believe it or not, they came from monster eggs. They can transform and when they do, they destroy their clothing."
"Ah, so magical clothing is what you seek?"
"That and to have their affinity checked."
She nodded and motioned for Monti and Filo to place their hands on the crystal ball. To no one's surprise, Filo had an affinity for wind magic. Naofumi figured this based on that weird wind movement she used when she kicked Motoyasu. The purpose was really to check Monti and maybe get some books. Monti went next and there was an oddly long pause. It was taking longer than theirs did.
"This is truly baffling..." At her words Raphtalia gave a inquiring look.
"He has a good amount of mana to be sure, quite high... but I saw no signs of an affinity. In all my years I've never seen someone gifted with mana, but no affinity. It's a contradiction..."
Monti seemed worried he'd disappoint them. It a real shame how low his self esteem was.
Naofumi pondered out loud, "Is there any magic that isn't tied to affinity? Well regardless, you still have your monster exclusive spells"
The witch was still bothered by the information. "Monster exclusive spells are still an option, but still no affinity?"
Raphtalia moved the conversation along "It's not that important, the cloths are way more pressing." Raphtalia wanted to stop talking about Monti lacking in some way. He was already a very insecure child, he didn't need another reason to dislike himself.
"Hmm, right. Well unfortunately... My stone is shot."
"Come again?"
"Making magical clothing requires magical thread and making magical thread requires crystal ore. My own crystal ore is shot."
"And you have no spare magic thread?" Rapthalia pleaded
"That isn't going to work. Magical thread is different according to the individual. That's because you use the crystal ore as a catalyst to imbue thread with your mana. Since the thread is of your own mana, it is treated like an extension of your body. That's another good thing about magic cloths, they are incredibly convenient. They repair alongside the wearer and have durability similar to the wearer. While it's not the same as armor that increases your defense, it offers quite a bit to someone who gets into rough situations and can't often go in for repairs."
Naofumi looked to his party, "That sounds absolutely ideal... Raphtalia and I may also want to consider additions utilizing this thread. So, where would I find some of this crystal ore?"
"You do seem to be in greater need than most... and I said and meant that I'd help you... It's decided then! I'll guide you to a cave that holds the crystal ore."
This seemed to throw Naofumi off, he wasn't expecting such direct help.
"Really? Isn't that a little out of the way for you?"
She smiled softly, "Not at all. As I said, I also need a replacement. Ever since mine broke I was searching for a replacement and just recently found the right place. I was planning to do a commissioned order through a merchant to acquire it, but this presents a great opportunity for the both of us. I'll guide you, I'll even help with the monsters. You provide transport and keep me safe. How's that sound?"
"Sounds like a good first deal in my new life as a merchant."
Naofumi's party let Erhart know they were leaving and going to be back soon. They sold more medicine to the apothecary, bought some better food that Lute Village could not provide and left before dusk.
They encountered a few monsters on the road and that is where the witch got to see Monti's and Filo's true forms. She didn't have much of a reaction, she simply watched them fight. Naofumi didn't like not knowing what she was thinking. At one point the witch struck an enemy with [Zweite Fire Place]. It seemed impressive and Naofumi immediate inquiry left him optimistic. She said 'Zweite' spells were of the intermediate level, just one rank above novice. It began to make Naofumi desire magic more.
They had to camp a bit early and when the witch inquired Naofumi informed her that he couldn't read the language, but was learning. Taking a few hours each day to learn. Upon hearing this, Monti also asked to learn to read, no doubt to be seen as more useful. Filo wasn't interested at first, but felt the need to ask after Monti did. That evening Naofumi and Raphtalai took turns reading out loud for Monti and Filo, with the witch listening to correct any mistakes they made. The witch once again gave a look Naofumi disliked, because he had no idea what she was thinking.
As they prepared for bed, Naofumi became quite conscious of himself. As he laid down with Raphtalia with Filo resting at his side and Monti at Raphtalia's side, he saw the judgmental grin of the witch. It betrayed none of her thoughts, but that just left Naofumi to speculate as to what she was finding so amusing exactly. All the same he fell asleep easily next to Raphtalia.
The next morning as they were gathering up things to leave, Naofumi noticed how energetic Filo was and how hard Monti was trying to keep her in check. It was beginning to effect their speed at getting to go. Raphtalia approached the two of them.
"Filo what's the problem?" She tried to be as nice and patient as she could.
"I just wanna pull the cart already. Waiting around is no fun!"
Raphtalia had an idea, but had her own reservations. She went back to the cart and pulled out her ball and walked it over to her.
"Tell you what Filo, how about I let you play with this ball... It's precious to me though. So promise you'll use it gently, okay?"
Filo sprang at the chance to play. She forced Monti to play too. They took turns hitting the ball in the air and then the other one had to hit it before it hit the ground. They seemed to enjoy it well enough. Naofumi was actually a bit upset with himself for not considering their needs as children. He thanked Raphtalia and for the forth time the witch gave the whole party this look. Naofumi was beginning to decipher that look.
That day travel was smooth as they only stopped for monster twice. Along the way Naofumi decided to ask the witch a question he'd neglected to. He asked her why she was helping them at all. She quickly laughed about forgetting to mention it. Some of her family lived in Lute Village. This was something he assumed, but something struck him. The look she gave as she talked about her family was nearly the same as the look she kept giving his party.
Eventually they reached the cave as the witch described. From the outside it seemed like a natural cave, but only feet into the cave it changed to placed stone on the floor and walls. The witch spoke in response to the looks of caution and confusion.
"This place is know as 'Alchemist's Cave'. It is called that because of secret research once done here. While the stories differ on whether there was one evil alchemist here or many in collaboration, it never showed any results and was abandoned."
Naofumi took a piece of wood and had the witch light it, so he had a torch. As they walked further in they came across a chest on a display, with words written above it. Naofumi decided to try and read it. It took him a bit, but he understood it, reading it out loud.
"To he who would break the seal of the seed... It is my desire that this seed never be released into the world. It will play with the people's desire to be freed from famine, granting their wish in the worst way imaginable... The seal is not so easily broken."
It sounded quite ominous, but the chest was empty, what was once housed here was long since gone. The witch reexamined the words several times.
"Did I misread it?"
"No... But this would indicate that research was finished here, but that the person or people who worked here were likely not malicious in nature after all."
They paused a moment to consider this, but pressed on. eventually the set stone floor and ground was replaced with dirt with wooden support beams. Naofumi and Raphtalia recognized it as similar to Lute's mine in appearance. As they walked they began to slow down. First Filo, then Raphtalia. Monti did not slow as much as stop in his tracks, this grabbed Naofumi's attention. Suddenly he heard several voices.
He heard Filo "I'm hungry. I think I'll eat dad! Then I can play as much as I want."
He heard Monti "I am of the waves, am I not? Killing is what I'm meant to do. If you try and stop me, you're next!"
Finally he heard Raphtalia "He still hasn't given me the chance. I had this seal placed on me again to lull him into a defenseless position, just die already."
Naofumi was shocked, but only for a moment. "I know Raphtalai better than that... and I doubt that was Filo or Monti either." He used [Tele-communication].
"Guys something is going on..."
Upon feeling she was able to talk to each of his other party members the witch shouted, "Do not listen to these voices! This is an enemy attack!"
She spoke the incantation then cast [Fast Anti-Bind]. A light sprang from her that seemed to move clouds away from the party that they didn't notice were there. Suddenly with the odd obscurities gone, they saw they were surrounded by bats and rats with holes along their backs. The party was uncharacteristically angry and leap that their prey without mercy. After the last one was slain, they took a breath and regrouped.
"Is everyone okay?" Raphtalia asked. Naofumi nodded, but neither Filo or Monti responded.
Naofumi could only guess what they heard "Yeah, Filo? Monti? You two okay?"
Filo looked at him as a few tears formed on her face, "Do you... Do you really hate me calling you dad?" She said in little more than a whimper.
"No of course not. whatever the bats made you hear, it's a lie."
"So you wont sell me?" tears still going.
"No. Absolutely not. Please understand that it was not us who said any of that."
"I know, but... It hurt a lot to hear it. To here that we weren't really a-"
"Stay back!" Monti screamed as Raphtalia tried to approach him. Naofumi realized that he didn't help kill the monsters. He hadn't even moved from that spot. He knew how insecure he was, so in a way it was the worst possible attack for him to endure. Naofumi held onto Filo as he guided her towards Monti.
Raphtalia took another step and Monti raised his tail in response. This shocked everyone involved, even Monti.
"Stop! Don't take another step!" He sounded as cornered as he looked.
Raphtalia did not advance, but she also showed no signs of retreat. She watched him a moment, then turned to Naofumi who also reached her, but took no steps further.
Naofumi tried to use his soft voice, "Monti listen whatever you heard was an attack by those monsters. Whatever it was, it wasn't the truth."
Monti looked like he desperately wanted it to be true, but was fearful. "I-No. Then what is the truth then. I'm not your son! Y-you said you'd kill me if I-If I screwed up again."
"That isn't the case! We have no intention of harming you! You are-" Raphtalia was refuting everything he said, but she found herself more than a little reluctant to say that he was their son. Even in this moment. When he was little more than a crying child scared of the only people he cared about, she actually hesitated to give him those words. Even if she didn't mean them, they'd of comforted him greatly and yet she held back.
Without warning Raphtalia dropped her sword and all her throwing knives and began to approach him. The moment was nervous for all involved. Monti attacked with his tail, but Raphtalia acted like he'd done no such thing. The tail struck the ground around her again and again. It never hit it's mark, because he never meant it to. Every miss reinforced Raphtalia more as she resolved herself.
Once she was in front of him, she saw that he looked like a swirl of emotions, but the most prominent one was acceptance. This was the last straw for Raphtalia who began to cry. She embraced Monti hugging his neck as the tears fell. "He really would of rather let me kill him right here and now than lay a finger on me!? How could I ever consider someone so kind a threat!?"
Monti didn't know what to do or how to react. Before he could figure out what to do Naofumi and Filo were there too hugging them both. Naofumi also understood why Raphtalia was crying and while he wasn't showing it, he was proud of them both for choosing the other's safety at the cost of their own. Eventually Monti's head caught up to his heart and he hugged them back. Crying for a different reason.
They stayed like that for what felt like quite a while before Monti spoke, "So... You're okay with me calling you mom and dad? It doesn't bother you?"
Raphtalia pulled away and looked him in the eyes. His eyes seemed less dreadful then they used to. She quickly glanced at Naofumi who nodded in approval. "Monti... and this goes to you too Filo. I'm okay with you calling me mom... In fact I prefer it."
Filo chimed in, "So the monsters were lying, right? We are a family?" Asking expectantly.
Naofumi caught the witch out of the corner of his eye watching the four of them. The same look on her face again. He finally placed that look of hers. He'd seen it many times before coming here, to this world. The look of someone else approving of and appreciating anothers family.
Naofumi knew those bastard monsters hit him with the worst phrases they possibly could. That was likely how it worked, going straight to the worst thing. That meant that abandoning Filo and saying she wasn't family was the most terrible thing that she could hear. Which meant she also held their relationship as the most important thing to her... and Raphtalia and Monti both showed a willingness to place their lives in the hands of the other... Why was he making excuses up until now?
Raphtalia and him both promised to pursue happiness together, yet shy away from the word family. Filo and Monti depended on and clearly loved them both. Naofumi had also grown close to them rather quickly, as he really did feel a lot of positive emotions raising them, even in the bad moments. Why couldn't he just use the word? He didn't care what people thought. Raphtalia's previous life was stolen from her, Naofumi's was snatched away too. Why not start a family. Wouldn't that make all four of them happier?
"Regardless of what anyone else says... we are family, okay? Never doubt that again."
[Second and third conditions for F*m*** *r*** series has been unlocked]
He found no protest and he saw the witch making a face like she witnessed something super cute. They stayed a moment longer before regrouping. There was a weird energy in the air. One of quiet contentment. An easy, light feeling that they all enjoyed. Naofumi slowly absorbed parts from the monsters.
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[Voice Gengar Shield (Bat form)]
+5 Sound resistance
[Unique Ability: Megaphone] Amplifies sound sent through it.
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[Voice Gengar Shield (Rat form)]
+5 Binding resistance
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The party moved further in. Eventually they hit the back of the cave. It was natural for the most part. It had dozens of crystals all about it. most of which were very large. Naofumi decided then and there that he'd grab as much of it as he could. Maybe he'd sell some of it. Maybe he'd use a lot of it.
"Hold, shield hero" The witch whispered. As she did, she pointed to one of the corners. Naofumi used [Inspect] on whatever lurked in the corner. He paused and fought an urge to say something to Monti. It was a Nue. It had quite a few similarities to Monti. Naofumi considered a few options.
"There's a chimera over there. We need to deal with it first. I'll lead. Raphtalia and Monti behind me, Filo to my left by about 30 feet. Once he attacks me, charge in." He then points to the witch, "You're in the rear obviously."
They all quietly assembled as he instructed and he began approaching the Nue. He got kinda close before it reacted, giving Naofumi time to hope it'd be docile. As it stood it roared loudly and pounced at Naofumi.
Naofumi switched to his [Two-Headed Black Dog Shield], once the Nue slammed against his shield, he used [Dog Bite]. As the two heads bit into it, Filo began running in from the right.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
The Nue began to spark wildly, but kept pressure on Naofumi, not allowing him to retreat. In the next instant Filo passed by the pair, grabbing Naofumi by the cape and quickly continuing in that direction. The Nue erupted into a small storm of lightning burning the stone around him. Naofumi was surprised. Sure it was strong, but burning stone is no small feat.
"Good thinking Filo, let's reengage."
They turned around. They saw Monti leap and fly over the Nue by a healthy distance. From his back Raphtalia threw 3 knives. One hit the tail, the other two landed into the creatures back. A growl and a hiss were heard as it turned it's attention towards them. It raced towards their landing point. It meant to intercepted them as they landed.
[Air Strike Shield]
He placed the barrier flatly above the Nue. Giving Monti and Raphtalia a spot to land before relaunching themselves. As the Nue changed targets again to Naofumi and filo it was struck hard.
[Zweite Fire Blast]
This was not the enveloping flame spell she used the day before. This was more of exploding fireball that landed near the rear of the Nue's side knocking him sideways, spinning to face her. It was growing ever angrier and now it's body exuded lightning from every inch of it. Another knife was thrown and Naofumi and Filo slammed into him using [Bedrock] just after it took flight.
It barely budged from the slam. Likely whatever this cloak of lightning is, it had strengthened it greatly. As Filo and Naofumi took damage from the lightning, another knife left Raphtalia headed for the Nue's eye... But the snake tail lashes out snatching the knife out of the air inches from its mark. Its head threw the knife in the direction of the witch and used it's front claws to grab Naofumi and push him underneath it's imposing frame.
The witch was far enough away to move out of the way of the knife and began to circle around placing more party members between her and the Nue. As the Nue pushed Naofumi down, Filo began striking him with her strong legs. Each one seemed to do quite a bit of damage. As at least one bone broke with each blow. Raphtalia ran at the beast charging with a yell.
Naofumi thought she was foolish for a moment as the snake tail lashed out at her. However Monti was above her in flight and came down impaling the Nue's tail with his own. Raphtalia took the opportunity to sever the snake tail while it couldn't move and she and Monti retreated for the moment. A fourth kick loosened the Nue's grip on Naofumi and he used [Liberation] the knock the Nue off of him. It spun in air and landed mostly on it's feet.
Naofumi motioned to his party and Filo and Monti switch places. Raphtalia climbed on Filo as Monti places himself directly behind Naofumi.
"Without it's snake tail, attacks from anywhere other than the front are all the more useful. If it uses lightning retreat, let it wear itself out."
He said that, but the Nue was already looking worse for wear and it knew it. It was being cornered and becoming desperate.
Naofumi approached it again, Monti just behind him. As it lashed out Naofumi used [Parry] and Monti followed up by reaching past Naofumi and poisoned the Nue. The Nue tried twice more and was repealed each time then poisoned further before resorting to lightning again. Monti wrapped his tail around Naofumi's waist and used his wings to leap upward.
As the surge of electricity shot out, Filo surrounded herself with wind and the witch shot another [Zweite Fire Blast] through the line of sight made by Naofumi going upward. The moment after the lightning ceased Filo was above him. Raphtalia jumped down to one side slashing the Nue from top to bottom. She let herself land low on the ground for what came next. Filo appeared on the opposite side from Raphtalia and struck the Nue with all her strength.
The Nue was launched over Raphtalia and collided with the [Zweite Fire Blast] mid air. The painful gasp was the signal. The beast died in that moment. The party, no, family marveled at how well they worked together. Everyone did their part and damage was kept to a minimum. The witch felt the need to say as much herself. Saying she felt like a 5th wheel in a otherwise well oiled machine.
Naofumi gathered materials from the Nue. He also remembered to have Monti consume some, as it was a chimera.
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[Nue Monkey Shield]
+1 mdef, +1 spd
[Ability: Trickster] Can keep others from hearing the name of a spell or skill you use for slightly more SP or MP cost.
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[Nue Viper Shield]
+1 def, +1 mdef, +5 to poison resistance
[Unique Ability: Hook] grab onto something 6.5 meters away
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[Nue Raccoon Shield]
+1 def, +1 mag, +5 shadow resistance
[Ability: Inconspicuous] Make yourself seem unimportant and/or weak for a short time.
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[Nue Tiger Shield]
+2 agi
[Ability: Latch] Upon activation, anything touching the face of your shield is held to it by force. Similar to strong adhesive or invisible bindings. This lasts until dismissed.
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[Nue Thunder Shield]
+1 mag, +1 Spd, +7 lightning resistance
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After Monti consumed some of the Nue he had a few sparks between his fangs. Naofumi took note of this for later. He then began gathering magic ore. He filled his [Inventory] full then had Monti and Filo take trips filling the cart several times until they said the cart was full. He then absorbed the leftovers from his mining
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[Crystal Ore Shield]
+1 mp
[Ability: Fine Crafting] Slightly increase the quality of things you craft.
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As they wrapped up their first real quest as a family, they exited the cave with smiles adorned. Naofumi felt he was so right to of embraced the word. It felt about as good as when he accepted Raphtalia fully. He wasn't alone. Not even close. He had a family by his side, who'd always be there. He had several allies which now included the witch in his eyes. He had all the villagers he helped and will help moving forward. Every day he was winning more and more.
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[Author's Notes]
I wanted Monti to have some insecurities and Raphtalia's reluctance seemed like a great reason. He will still have insecurities and more may pop up, but he can use his position as eldest child to help out all his siblings and in doing so, help himself.
Next chapter will be their early merchant exploits and possibly also the Bio-plant.
What kinda outfit should Monti get?
Please leave a review!