A/N: Neat thing, on QQ we're finally on the next page. I was wondering how long that'd take. Guess my chapters aren't as long as I thought they were. Also this chapter has both an image and a NSFW scene. So… like I'll post the link to the former here but go to QQ if you want to see the NSFW scene. They go all the way this time.
Anyway, let's get back into it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Trapped in a Dating Sim: This World is Tough for Mobs, nor do I own The Eminence in Shadow. The only Beta reader here is the elf.
"My name is Lea from Bart's Fort. I'm 19 years old. I have a younger brother named Julian, he's precocious because our ma and pa spoiled him when he was younger, on account of being sick and all, but he usually means well. He's back at the farm while I'm out adventuring with Ann. We've been together since… I guess since forever really."
"Aw Lea…"
[You next madam, please do not get distracted.]
"Right, right, I'm Ann from Bart's Fort. I was dropped off at the church as a baby and grew up with the clergy. There weren't many orphans, plus, I was the only one at my age. So, I was often made fun of by the other children. Lea was the only one who treated me like a person before and after I hit puberty, so of course I've always been head over heels for him."
"Aw sweet pea."
"Honey buns~"
Lea and Ann share a sweet kiss, one of many that they've had over the past hour. Luxion had been helping them remember who they were, however, they were completely unable to recover their memories as "Leon" and "Angelica." Rather, when they heard the names, they'd come across a headache. As such, Luxion made the decision to leave them as Lea and Ann for now.
[Focus please.]
Lea takes his hand off of Ann's chest as they both separate. They stare at the drone as he lies in a crater on the floor, no longer able to float.
"*ahem* Right. So, eye guy, you said we fell here from way up those holes?"
[My name is Luxion, and yes. I did my best to slow down you two and ended up in this state as a result. We were going on an adventure to reach the end of this dungeon. If you two believe yourselves able, I do not see why we should not complete said task. It's likely that we would be able to return to the surface much faster that way.]
Lea and Ann both nod. Ann casts healing magic over the two of them, and they check over their bodies as she does. Ann notices that her favorite necklace is missing a few gems.
"Aw shucks…" said Ann.
"Ann," asked Lea with a worried voice, "Somethin' wrong honey?"
Ann holds up her necklace with tears in her eyes. "Oh darlin' the necklace you gave me for our anniversary broke our fall."
Lea inspects the necklace and hugs his lover. She loved that necklace, never took it off. Lea stayed up several months just to make it for her.
[Not to interrupt you two, but 1. I am still on the floor and would prefer to be carried. And 2. If you get me to my main body, I can easily fix that necklace for you.]
Lea and Ann exchange glances. They have some reservations about the robot considering they don't know anything about where they are and why they're there. However, not knowing what else they could do, they decide to trust Luxion for now. They're hesitant, but then nod. Lea uses magic to summon some twine and then ties Luxion to his belt.
[This is sufficient. Thank You.]
"You know, why was it we fell so hard? I know how to slow down my fall." asked Lea.
[Despite our joined efforts something had disrupted your magic and my systems as we fell into the floors.]
"Ah," Ann shakes her head, "Did someone try skipping stuff and leave behind all them holes? Rookie mistake."
[Could you clarify?]
Lea nods. "When people try to skip stuff in the dungeon, they'll find themselves penalized by it. Unless you have a mana reserve the size of a country, you're likely to get sick every time you skip a floor. You said we fell through a bunch, right? That would explain why we ended up so sick and couldn't remember where we were. It should come back to us in a bit."
[I see. Thank you.]
"No biggie. Now let's mosey on before we get stuck in this room." Said Lea.
With practiced ease Lea and Ann begin to sprint in the one direction that they can, every time an obstacle pops up from the floor they easily vault over it or side step it. Every time the floor falls they run on the walls while supporting each other, losing absolutely no momentum.
[Lea, Ann, monsters approach!]
"Thanks partner! Let's get em'!" Yelled Lea.
"Right behind you honey!" Declared Ann.
A few slime monsters dash towards the pair. Lea immediately brandishes his sword, coating it with ice magic, and cuts away at the slimes. As the slimes freeze Ann uses wind magic to throw them into the wall instantly shattering them into a million pieces.
[More incoming!]
"I can do this all day!" shouts Lea. "You with me sweet pea?"
"You know it honey!" affirms Ann.
More slimes emerge but this time they're accompanied by some wolves. With a shout of "MaAgidyne" Ann shoots a wall of fire stopping the wolves in their tracks. Lea then shouts "MaZiogna!" and shoots three giant bolts of electricity, the two elements joining and causing a massive explosion. As the smoke clears it's obvious that nothing's left.
[Impressive showing.]
"Anyone left Luxion?" asked Lea as he scanned the room back to back with Ann.
[None nearby. However, there is what Leon classified as a 'boss monster' a few rooms ahead.]
Lea sheathes his sword, "Good." Lea then collapses onto the floor, "Because my body ain't as well rested as I thought it was. Hoo-wee."
Ann sits on Lea's lap. "Oh, too bad Mary ain't here with us. She'd be able to give us energy just by smilin'"
[…Pardon but are you trying to say Marie?]
A/N: So, the difference her is Mary is (M-Air-ee) and Marie is (M-aR-ee)
"Nah, Mary." Said Lea.
[Who is that?]
"Mary's my little sister by one year. She's cute as a button and soft as a marshmallow." Proudly said Ann.
[I thought you said you were an orphan.]
"Huh, oh no we're not really related. She was an adventurer we met a while back; she thought I was the coolest gal ever and asked to call me 'respected older-sister' in the one of the older languages. I thought it was cute and she liked Lea too so we let her tag along." Said Ann.
[…forgive me, but was she calling you 'Onee-sama']
"Oh yeah! You know how to speak the older languages, Luxy?" asked Ann.
[Please clarify by what you mean by 'older.' Please.]
"Uh… well a while back there was this big war. I don't know much about it, just that we got a lot of bots like you roaming around because of it. Most of them are shutting down, but thanks to some people we call the old ones, we were able to start using stuff like the armors." Recounted Lea.
[What happened to the old ones?]
Lea shrugged, "They got married and had kids, I guess? I dunno, they were human but couldn't use magic. Nothing stopped their kids from using it though. Hell, I think my grand pappy was one of them."
[I see… about what I had concluded I suppose. Are you both rested now?]
Ann raises her hand.
[Please do not force me to wait for you two to finish exchanging saliva.]
Ann lowered her hand.
-P2W-
I softly sing a song that dork was singing when we were adventuring together as I walk back to my dorm after a long day of training. It's been two years, but it's still stuck in my head, "Everybody is your enemy, Say that they are who they wish they could be, Tell me pretty lies so you can get all that you want from me~"
[Miss Claire]
I immediately strike the ball with my sheathed sword. Luckily Luxion is made out of sturdy stuff and merely bounces off a nearby tree.
[Ow, I suppose. Mistress Claire we need your help.]
"What?" I say, what does Luxion mean by 'we?'
[Leon and Cid are in danger. Please get some trustworthy individuals and a very long rope.]
I didn't have to be told twice. I immediately started sprinting towards the girl's dormitory. At Leon and Cid's teasing I actually did manage to make a few friends.
"Clarice!" I shout as I break down her door. So, what if she was friends with Livia and Leon first, still counts. Plus, we're in the same year.
"Kyaaa!" Shrieks Clarice. "Claire what the hell!"
[Pardon me. We need your assistance. The lower floors of the dungeon have collapsed. We need help to get Leon and everyone out safely.]
Clarice immediately starts getting dressed. "I'll meet you at the dungeon! I'm going to go get my followers and an air bike. Luxion, do you have a long metal rope and some harnesses?"
[My other bodies are transporting them now; they'll be at the front of the dungeon.]
I nod at this and then run, this time in the direction of my other friend… that I also made through Livia and Leon… man no wonder Cid is worried about me.
Wait it's not like he's any better! Aside from that elf hussy that ran away two years ago Cid relies on Leon to make new friends too!
I ready my foot to break down Roseblade's door only to see her open it.
"I heard you from here, let's pick up Oriana on the way and go. Hopefully they aren't surrounded by monsters."
Just wait boys, Claire's coming!
-P2W-
[This is where the signature of the enemy is. It seems rather strong. Are you ready? Those traps seemed to do quite a number on you both.]
"Pssh. Nothin' sweet pea couldn't heal." Waved off Lea.
"Honey buns~" said Ann as she gave Lea another kiss.
[Really? Some of those bug bites may have been poisonous.]
The two separates with a trail of saliva between them as Lea grins, "Nothin' she couldn't handle. Like I said. Ann can heal basically anythin'. Even the curses those demon worshipers have been usin' and they're from a entirely different 'verse."
Ann smiles smugly and cuddles more into Lea.
[Could you clarify the use of 'curse' and 'verse' in your sentence?]
Ann laughs, "Yer a really curious fella, aint'cha Luxy? Just like me when I first learned how to read a couple of years ago."
[…I suppose the comparison isn't inaccurate. However, I would ask for you to not patronize me.]
"Right, well sweet pea could you explain? You know more about this stuff than I do." asked Lea.
"Well," said Ann as she put a finger to her chin, "Kage-Kun was really the expert when it came to this stuff, you'd think he was there when it all happened. But from he told us when we were travelin' with him and the girls, a long time ago, the land was on the surface and there were no monsters. Everything wasn't exactly peaceful, but it was largely good, some bad sure, but nothing that could end the world. At least, not that anyone knew of."
[…]
Ann crosses her arms and leans her back on Lea as he holds her, "But there were these alchemists, they weren't satisfied with the way things were. No, they wanted more, and what's more they wanted it to be under their control. So, they were secretly runnin' some experiments and one day, well it worked. Monsters came, and they were from some place even beyond the stars. From what I know there was a war takin' place at the time, too. It was bad. Like, we had to move the continents with magic and alchemy because most of humanity straight up died, either from the war or the monsters. It was the people who worked together that lived."
If Luxion had emotions, he would be experiencing every negative one at once right now.
"But it wasn't just the good guys that lived," said Lea as he shook his fist in anger, "those damn alchemists lived too, and they weren't done messin' everythin' up!"
Ann hugs Lea to calm him down. "Right. Some of those alchemists, well they were more like demon worshippers. A whole cult really. We found more and more of them on our own adventure, and even ran into some people who were fightin' them. After a while we traveled together with em' but…"
"But not all stories have a happy ending."
Ann and Lea jump up as the doors they'd been standing in front of swing open. In it they see two figures.
"MARY!?" screamed the couple.
[Mistress Olivia!]
Floating in a bubble of darkness was Oliva. Her features were just barely visible, it appeared as though she was having a nightmare while suspended. However, in front of the bubble was another figure. This one a man.
"Either works I suppose." Said the Man with an evil grin.
Although the details are a bit difficult to make out due to the black smoke and violet mana surround him from what Lea and Ann could make out, the man was a dark-haired male, his short ebony locks interrupted by a set of black, red-tinted horns. He stands tall, a tattered black coat with gold engravings and a violet inside draping over his well sculpted body. He doesn't have a shirt, his torso instead covered in glowing purple markings that are reminiscent of eyes. On his right arm he has a normal gloved hand, but on the right his arm is covered in bandages. Luckily, even though he forgoes a shirt, he's wearing pants and long boots. Both are covered in gold engravings matching his cloak, but his boots have a few gems decorating it.
A/N: It's Cid's appearance from the Valkyrie Connect Collab. I know nothing about that game and little of the event collab, but I know the outfits were sick.
Lea and Ann recognize those features, the red eyes are new, but otherwise "Minoru!?"
Minoru pauses. His edge seemingly taken off. "W-what?"
"Minoru, it's us! Ann and Lea!" Cried Ann, "Don't you remember us!? Don't you remember all the adventures we went on!? Don't you remember how we fought those cult members along Olivier, Lili, and Freyja!?"
Lea solemnly pushes Ann behind him, "Don't bother Ann. Our Minoru died in the fight against Aurora alongside his wives. This is just another one of their damn copies."
As Ann steels her resolve, Minoru, or rather, Cid, is feeling a bit lost. He had prepared this adventure for Angelica and Leon to get closer, but surely, they shouldn't be at the level of closeness they are at now. I mean they had been kissing a bunch of times. That's really fast! Leon just told the dark blue guy about not doing that! Wait, come to think of it they said something about penalties and falling and etc. Hm… they might have a little brain damage. Oh well, you know what they say about sleepwalkers. But still, how do they know his name as Minoru, he hasn't even told Alpha that yet! And how do they know about all this cult lore?
Whatever, Cid can work with this. He shakes his head.
"I'm afraid there's no Minoru here. I am Shadow. Now, let us begin our conversation, shall we?"
Lea grits his teeth and dashes in, Ann meanwhile begins to chant "Heat Riser! Concentrate! Focus! Tetrakarn! Makarakarn! Debilitate!"
Cid feels his speed, accuracy, strength (both physical and magical), and defense weaken. Cool! Maybe he'll get an actual fight this time! He crosses swords with Lea only to feel his sword immediately pushed up, Lea then uses the cross guard of his sword to hit Cid in the face, followed by a strike with the pommel in the face as well. Cid then kicks Lea away, who lands on his feet. Cid tries to use a small fire spell to slow him down only to have it reflected back at him. Lea then shoulder bashes Cid into a nearby wall.
"Excellent!" booms Cid. "But I will never be defeated by borrowed strength!"
Cid immediately breaks free from the wall and begins to exchange blows with Lea. It's weird, Lea is making a bunch of moves that Leon never has, which is reflected in how his body seems to strain from making them, yet he does them with such practiced ease. Lea manages to land another blow, however this time it was specifically on Cid's sword, breaking it.
"There's a difference between borrowing strength and working together! Maybe you should learn that!" Yells Lea triumphantly.
Huh, noted. Thinks Cid. On to the next phase.
Although it was a slime sword and Cid can just remake it easily enough, that would ruin the immersion, so Cid throws it away and uncovers his bandaged arm, and demonic features burst through it before he can finish uncovering it.
Lea grits his teeth again, and his knuckles hold his sword so tightly they begin to turn white. "Damn it! Even if you're one of those damn clones I can't believe those demon worshippin' freaks would do somethin' like that to you!" Lea relaxes his grip and assumes his stance again, "Sorry buddy, but I ain't about to let you run around like that! I'll put you out of your misery!"
Huh. Cid supposes that the lore is that demonic modifications used to be better? He guesses it makes sense, after all the cult doesn't seem to be the smartest people around, just the most dedicated and greedy. It makes sense that eventually they'd get too greedy and mess things up, resulting in things like the 'possessed' rather than the cool stuff he's faking he has right now.
As Cid thinks about things while matching his claw to Lea's sword strikes, he can't help but wonder, where was Ann. He made this dungeon for the two of them… Oh! She's saving Olivia first while he was distracted, smart! It makes more sense this way now that he thinks about it, Leon and Angelica were more of the analytical type of people than combat focused like him. Oh, and she's reaching for the bracelet he found. Smart, from what he could tell that gave a major boost in light magic, which is the weakness of his current demonic appearance. Not really, but he'll play the part.
"Oh Mary," said Ann as she reached for Olivia's face, "Did you go all this way to find my bracelet? I love how dedicated you are, but there are limits. Here, give it back to me, I'll go ahead and end all of this."
Ann takes the bracelet from Olivia's hands, and Cid subtly disengages the dark bubble he had Olivia floating in. It was really just a bubble he put some dark mist in with some incense, totally harmless, smells like lavender. Oh, but he did use magic to knock out Olivia earlier. He used that spell on the shades and other members whenever they had nightmares all the time, so it should be fine too. Although he does think it's weird that the red signature from Olivia's old 3D looking one has faded so much. In any case, Ann catches Olivia and sets her on the ground after putting on the bracelet.
"Lea! Give me a clean shot!" shouted Ann as she began to surge with light magic.
"You got it sweet pea!" shouted back Lea.
Cid could easily end this with any of his nifty slime suit functions, but this is the perfect set up for the heroes to win, so when Lea charges in Cid does his best to overextend with a hit, allowing Lea to drop his sword, grab Cid's arm, and then throw him so hard on the ground that he bounces into the air.
"Morning Star!" shouts Ann, and a giant ball of light encompasses Cid.
It burns slightly, but as the weakening spell had already faded it's not doing much. However, Cid does his best to convincingly yell in pain and uses his speed to disappear from the room quickly enough that it looks like he disintegrated.
[The signature has been eliminated. Good job.]
Ann and Lea smile, bumping their fists. However, as the light bathes the room, it also reflects on them, and they find themselves healing. Worn out, feeling warm, and now safe, they join Olivia on the floor.
[Oh dear… Hm? Who's there?]
From the corridor an extremely exhausted Mob style Cid emerged, "*Pant* *Pant* Olivia…! Leon…! Angelica…! You… here…!?"
[Ah, Cid. We are over here.]
"Luxion…! *pant* what… happened?" manages Cid.
[I shall explain as the others arrive. There are no enemies nearby, so do your best to catch your breath. I'm amazed you survived this far.]
Cid gives a thumbs up as he collapses.
-P2W-
"Cid!" cried Claire as she hugged the stuffing out of her brother. "Are you okay!? How did you even manage to get down that far?"
Cid manages to choke out an answer, "It's all thanks to Leon's gear that he loaned me and the treasure we found. After that one guy attacked us and stole Olivia, I managed to make my way down there by just running through everything. Too bad I was useless when he attacked us."
"It was very brave of you Kagenou, I'm sure your friends will thank you for your hard work." Said Deirdre. "You did the best you could do given the circumstances, and thanks to you marking your path we managed to find them relatively quickly."
"You're a noble person Kagenou-kun," said Rose with stars in her eyes, "what you lack in strength you make up for in your spirit."
Hm… maybe this plan was a bad idea after all, thinks Cid. It's bringing too much attention to a mob like him. Oh well, it was pretty fun. Plus, there's no way this can get worse.
As everyone exits the dungeon they're greeted by Zenon and several other knights from Midgar.
Clarice steps forward, "You guys here to help? I'm afraid you're too late we already got everyone out of the dungeon."
Zenon shakes his head and walks towards Claire and Cid. "Can I have a moment?"
"Can we help you?" asked Claire.
Zenon stares at Cid, "…As a matter of fact, Alexia hasn't returned to her dormitory since yesterday."
This is the first I've heard of it, thinks Cid. Cid guesses that she's gone off on a journey to find herself or whatever. The timing seems about right for her age.
"I was searching for her this morning when I found this," states Zenon as he holds out one of Alexia's loafers, "There's evidence of a struggle nearby. The Knight Order is investigating this case as a potential kidnapping."
"No way…!" remarks Rose. Clarice, Deirdre, and their followers all have similar reactions.
However, in his head, Cid is thinking something like: Ha! Serves you right, princess!
Zenon continues and looks Cid dead in the eyes, "Upon investigation, the Knight Order has deemed Cid a suspect as the person who last came into contact with her. We'd like to have a word with you."
The group with Zenon is in full gear, standing menacingly at the entrance of the dungeon, blocking any path of escape.
"I'm assuming you'll cooperate, right?" demands Zenon.
"Now hang on just a second!" yells Claire, "Cid has been in the dungeon this entire time! How could he be the one to kidnap that princess!"
"I concur!" yells Deirdre, "Leon had invited Cid to delve into the dungeon right after he finished training with Alexia the other day. Cid had no opportunity to do what you are accusing him of!"
Zenon shakes his head, "But Leon didn't walk Cid back to the dorms right? They separated after speaking. Something we have witnesses confirming."
Claire growls and attempts to take out her sword, only for Cid to stop her.
Cid looks over at his senpais, "Rose, Clarice, can you restrain Nee-san for me?"
The two look at each other before nodding. They do their best to hold Claire as she struggles like a wild beast, "Cid!? What are you doing!?"
"It'll just make things worse if I don't go with them," says Cid as he allows the knights to cuff him, "This is an international incident. I'm sure that if I cooperate with them everything will be fine."
Zenon nods with a smile, "Good man. The knights will just ask a few questions and let you go home."
-P2W-
Blood splashes onto a nearby wall.
I am interrogated in a room comparable to a detention cell as a suspect in the kidnapping of Princess Alexia.
"Still haven't had enough, you scum?" asked Knight A with a sneer. "We know you did it."
Knight B readies his whip again with a similar expression as he 'asks' me a question, "I'll ask you one more time: where did you hide Princess Alexia?"
I can tolerate physical pain, but something else rattles me…
Knight A forces my face to look at him, "why not do us all a favor and confess? You're only prolonging the inevitable."
Knight B laughs, "The sooner you come clean, the sooner the pain will all be over."
Knight B whips me again, causing more blood to fly.
"Agh…!" I yell in pain. Although it's more cringe than physical.
These men have captured the essence of a truly stereotypical interrogation! I can't afford to be outdone by their intense dedication to these tropes!
Knight B grabs me by the hair and forces me to look at the needles he's holding in his fists like some kind of wolverine. "I say it's time we use more creative methods to turn up the pain. Heheh…"
I put on my best scared/traumatized mob face and cry out, "I don't know anything! I really don't! Pleeease! You've gotta believe meeeee!"
He jabs the needles into my thigh with a punch and I begin to cry in pain "Aaaaghhh!"
Hehe… Who's the more convincing background character now? This is the best! My mobness is being restored!
Knight A yells a me while twisting his fist, "Fess up, you bastard!"
I cry more, throwing my head back onto the chair I'm chained onto in pain "Aghhhh! Pl-Please… just spare my life…"
Knight B laughs again, "Begging for your life now, are we? Think you're the first to grovel like that?"
Yup, pulled off that pathetic plea for mercy flawlessly! Anyway… How long is thing going to go on for? I'm starting to get hungry.
-P2W-
Alexia sits in a similarly restrained manner to Cid. Her eyes have been losing their usual glint. There's no nearby window for her to look out of, only cell bars. Across from her sits something she believes was once human. Her arms are full of holes, from when the mad doctor withdraws her blood.
In order to retain her sanity, Alexia does her best to talk, "I'm sure they're already looking for me—my sister too probably…"
The doctor returns, and he takes more blood with that same crazed look on his face.
Alexia, too used to the pain, turns her head slightly and says "I'll have a hard time staying alive if you take too much blood. I'm not ready to die, you know."
The mad doctor cackles, "Hehehe… I k-know. I want all the blood you can give me. I'll siphon it from you bit by bit.
Alexia looks away as the doctor does so, "yes, please do."
As long as he needs her blood, he won't kill her. Which is why she keeps docile and doesn't try to resist. For the time being, she decides to wait to be rescued instead… but it's so hard.
"Th-Th-This wasn't supposed to happen. I blame those morons for all of this." Stutters the Mad Doctor like someone on a trip.
"Uh-huh, I hate idiots too." Remarks Alexia. She stares at the man in the white coat as she mumbles under her breath, "Because dealing with them wears me out."
The mad doctor begins to shriek "they destroyed my… my laboratory. And then they kept coming and coming and—Aaaghh!"
"That's a shame. I'm sorry to hear that." Said Alexia.
The mad doctor nods, "Yes! Yes, it is! M-My research was almost doneeeee! I-I-If I don't finish it soon, I-I'll be banished… Banished…!"
"That sounds terrible." Said Alexia.
"C-Curse it all! Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it! That good-for-nothing…nothing!" The mad doctor approaches the chained creature and kicks it as he shrieks. He kicks it over and over, stomping on its body as the creature all but keeps still, huddling into itself.
Starting to feel bad for her fellow victim Alexia speaks up, "Weren't you going to take my blood?"
The mad doctor stops, "Oh, right. Right. With your blood…With your blood, everything will be complete."
"That's great" said Alexia with her most monotone voice.
The mad doctor makes no note of it, continuing his mad ramblings, "With your blood… blood, blood… Oh! I forgot."
Alexia moves her eyes but not her head, "What is that?"
The mad doctor approaches with a bowl of slop, "Your blood is decreasing. I forgot to feed you."
He force feeds Alexia who does her best not to vomit as he laughs manically.
-P2W-
Alpha stands at the throne they had prepared for Cid for when he eventually visits Mitsugoshi. She drums her finger on the side as she contemplates the love of her life's current machinations. Especially given the revelation Beta had brought up the other day. Her and the shades had only assumed that they had Cid's permission to use his Shadow Wisdom to their own benefit, but they never asked him. It's possible that he knows nothing of Mitsugoshi other than it was a business they had built. It's possible that he doesn't know they did it all for him.
However before she can brood too deeply, Beta bursts through the doors.
"Lady Shade!" cried Beta.
Alpha does her best to school her features as she responds, "What's wrong?"
Beta speaks frantically, "Someone has kidnapped Princess Alexia, and the Knight Order has arrested Master Shadow as a suspect!"
It's just one thing after another! Thinks Alpha. "What!?"
Beta readies her bow and puts away her glasses, "We must send out a rescue party immediately!"
Alpha's first instinct is to take out her sword and join Beta, but then she considers. It was Princess Alexia that was kidnapped. The same Princess that has been hanging around Cid lately. "Wait!"
Beta stops mid dash and looks a lot like Delta when being told to stay, "B-But—!"
Although Alpha is hesitant to state what she is about to order she knows it's what Cid would want. "Calm down, Beta. Do you think he'd let the Knight Order arrest him without reason?"
Beta deflates, dismissing her bow. "No… I don't."
Alpha walks over to Beta and pats her on the head. Beta leans into it, embracing the comfort. "Wherever they may have taken him, I'm certain he could easily escape if he wanted. If we act now, we may interfere with his plans."
"Ngh…True." Pouts Beta.
Alpha smiles, "I understand your worry. I'm tempted to rush to his rescue as well, just as I was when we heard of the dungeon collapsing, but that shouldn't be our priority. He knows what he's doing."
"You're right. We should get to the bottom of this." Nods Beta.
"Let's put our trust in him." Alpha removes her hand from Beta's head and moves it to her hip as she thinks, "Come to think of it, this is likely why he had gotten involved with Princess Alexia. The fact that she was kidnapped must mean he was on to something."
Beta pulls her hands into fists near her chest as she sways back in forth in excitement, "You're right. There's no way he'd spend time with that sleazy women otherwise!"
Alpha paces back in forth, "Princess Alexia… considering her royal blood, I'm guessing the Cult is involved."
Beta scratches at her mole on her cheek, "I also have my suspicions about the Knight Order."
Alpha nods, "Let's launch another investigation into the Cult's hideout and the Knight Order. We'll also have Delta track Alexia's scent."
Beta puts her hand to her heart and fervently nods, "Understood! I'll gather everyone immediately!"
As they leave Alpha remarks, "We'll do our part—that's the best we can do to meet his expectations."
-P2W-
A crimson haired woman marches forward throughout the school as she is followed by the Knight Order and Zenon.
"Is that the end of your report?" she asked.
The knight answers, "Y-Yes, Princess Iris! We'll continue our search to the best of our abilities."
Iris nods, "Dismissed."
As the knight leaves Zenon speaks up, "Thank you for your cooperation, Princess Iris. I'm sure the rush from Midgar to here hasn't been easy and I'd like to apologize for everything. The incident took place on school grounds. I was responsible for keeping her safe, and more importantly, I'm worried about her well-being…"
Zenon lowers his eyes and bites his lower lip in frustration.
"No, you did the best you could do given the royal decree from Prince Julius. Right now, we need to focus on getting Alexia back safe and sound." Declares Iris.
Zenon nods, "Yes… the priority is your younger sister."
"Another thing," Iris then glances outside a nearby window, "It seems that this Cid Kagenou is most likely the perpetrator…"
"Based on the circumstances, I have to say I find him suspicious," confirms Zenon. He carefully chooses his words as he continues to speak, "Though I don't think he's strong enough to overpower Alexia in a duel. Which means he either had an accomplice or he drugged her. Perhaps both, considering his friend."
"You mean to accuse the hero of the lost winds?" asked Iris.
"Cid didn't crack during the interrogation. Perhaps he wasn't involved in the kidnapping at all and was merely a scapegoat." Offered Zenon.
Iris merely shakes her head, "Unfortunately he has multiple people confirming where he's been. You'd simply stack on another international incident if you were to accuse that. As for Cid, five days of interrogation, and he didn't crack. Perhaps, we should let him go free while keeping tabs on him for-"
"LADY IRIS!" Cries out a voice from the hallway.
Iris and Zenon turn to see Claire, who is currently covered in many bruises from her friends' attempts to stop her.
"PLEASE… I BEG OF YOU LET MY BROTHER GO!" cries Claire.
Princess Rose, Deidre, and Clarice all emerge. They all suffer from bruises as well. As they begin to pull at Claire Rose shouts, "C-Claire!? You're in front of a princess, mind your manners!"
"Who is she" asks Iris nonplussed.
"I'm Claire Kagenou!" yells Claire as she struggles to escape her friends' grips, "Cid Kagenou's sister!"
Zenon looks to Iris and confirms, "She is an exemplary student, and currently a trial member of the knight order."
Iris nods, "Let me hear what she has to say."
Although they aren't dragging her away, Claire's friends do stop her from charging towards Iris as she advocates, "My brother… I heard that Cid has been going through torture for the past five days! I'm absolutely sure that he's innocent!"
Rose takes her hands off Claire and gasps, "Torture!?"
Iris shakes her head and levels a glare at Claire, "I'd rather you not call it torture. The order is conducting a thorough investigation, making sure nothing is overlooked. And his guild hasn't been ascertained yet."
"But if the true culprit is not found, my brother will be executed!" Claire gets a few feet away from Iris as she screams, her friends no longer stopping her as they look in horror, "He's simply incapable of abducting someone! He's a kind boy who wouldn't hurt a fly! He must be afraid and crying right now! If anything happens to him, even if you're a princess I'll…!"
Zenon gets in front of Claire, "Stop it, Claire! I understand how you feel but that's enough!"
Claire's friends lead her away, and as Iris watches Claire begin to cry, she does as well. So, she loves her family just as I… thinks Iris, Alexia… please be safe…
The two sisters used to be close, but somewhere along the way, they started drifting apart. In fact, they haven't spoken in years. Iris knows they may never again.
-P2W-
As I'm tossed flat on my ass, with nothing covered by some underwear that's in tatters, I notice that it's evening. The knights tell me to scram and throw some clothes at me in a bag. Luckly, I left my treasure with Clarice and her followers when they got me, so there's nothing for the knights to try and steal. It takes me a while to get dressed since all my fingernails were ripped off.
When I get everything on, I heave out a big sigh and start walking. I stand out among the people on the busy street since I'm beaten up and drenched in my own blood. I let out another long exhale, and my field of vision clears. I could heal my wounds instantaneously. But I don't, because I'm fully immersed in acting out my role as a nobody. It is a bit annoying though, maybe I'll have Olivia heal me later. She should be up by now.
I pay attention to my surroundings and sense strange shadows lurking behind me. Two of the knights are tailing me. The kidnapper hasn't been caught which obviously means that the state of Alexia's well-being is up in the air. Just because I've been released doesn't mean it's all sunshine and roses. They just don't have enough evidence to convict me, and my name hasn't been cleared yet.
I trudge back to my dorm room, pretending to hang my head from exhaustion when—
[Cid.]
"Cid! Oh my gosh!" cried Olivia.
Olivia and Luxion appear to have been waiting for me.
I do my best to wave but immediately start bleeding.
"Eep! Here!" Olivia begins to heal me.
Convenient I guess. Though I can't help but wonder, "What are you two doing here?"
[Ah, master and Angelica have yet to wake up. However, I figured Master would be curious about your situation and I thought it best to check up on you.]
Olivia nods, "I heard that you were being tortured, so I wanted to heal you before—eep!"
Olivia covers her mouth and shakes her head.
"Before what?" I ask.
"Nothing!" said Olivia, "Just go back to your room for now. I'm sure you're exhausted. We can talk about everything later. Okay?"
I nod and smile.
Returning to the dorm, I headed to my room. As I open the door, I see golden locks I remember dearly dance in the wind as a familiar perfume permeates through the air. I can't help but smile widely.
"It's been a while, Alpha." I say.
Sitting on my bed with a similar smile on her face and a uniform on her body, Alpha's presence heals me about as much as Olivia did with her spells. Just when I think things can't get any better, she gets up and hands me a burger. "It has been. Here, I'm sure you're hungry."
I sit next to Alpha, and she begins to fuss with my hair as I eat.
"I thought it was Beta turn on support," I remark.
Alpha nods, knowing that I'm just curious and not saying anything else. "It was. But when I heard what was going on I couldn't help but rush to your side."
I nod. She missed me too. I finish the burger and lie down on my bed, which feels strangely bigger than normal, "Ahh! I'm alive again."
Alpha pouts with that glare she always has when scolding me, "Hey, at least change out of your clothes."
I whine like I usually do when it's just the two of us, "Can't. Gonna go to bed now."
Alpha gets on the bed as well, "Don't you know the position you're in? They're going to think you're the culprit if you don't do something."
I nod, it's nice to see she was keeping tabs on me. Rude of her not to let me do the same though. "True that, an unassuming student from a poor noble house is the perfect target."
Alpha lets out a frustrated sigh.
If the real culprit is never found, I can almost guarantee the next suspect in line will be punished. Especially since this involves the kidnapping of a royal. Someone has to die or else the case will never be closed. You gotta love the Middle Ages.
Alpha begins to lift my feet and takes off my shoes, "We can't trust the Knight Order."
"Has the Cult infiltrated them?" I ask.
"Yes, without a doubt." Confirms Alpha, "The abductor is a member of the Cult. Their goal is to obtain high concentrations of the 'blood of the heroes.'"
Guess that means Alexia is still alive. Guess that's good for my mob persona.
"Are you done with your family issues Alice?" I ask.
Alpha leans over me, slipping off my tie. "Did you miss me Cid."
She's so close…
Ah, to hell with it, you did it first.
I lean my head forward, and my lips meet Alpha's. She's surprised at first but then leans in as well.
"Mm~"
Alpha moans and something awakens in me.
A/N: This section is a full lemon and it's only on QQ.
Essentially Cid awakens his libido and love for Alpha who embraces it whole heartedly.
A/N: Okay, lemon's over.
As Alpha and I get dressed she seems to realize something.
"Ah." She states, "There's no way we're going to be able to hide this from Delta."
"Delta's here?" I ask with some excitement. I missed my Dog.
Gunshot Delta, otherwise known as Suicide Weapon Delta. Good Girl, but simple. She's a bit of blockhead who's spent all her experience points on her battle skills. A little reunion would be nice. I'm not expecting to do what I just did with Alpha of course, but I'm praying that everyone else grew up well.
"She wants to see you." Alpha smiles, "I'll let you know the details when the preparations are complete. See you soon."
Alpha flashes me a final smile as she walks out of the door with a limp. I could have healed her completely but she was insistent on having it. Guess it made the experience more special or something. As for me, I decide to get my room ready for when Beta arrives… well first I have to clean up the mess.
-P2W-
A day has passed since Alpha had checked on Shadow; she's since given the signal for Beta to go check on him.
"Lord Shadow!" declares Beta as she enters, "The preparations are complete!"
However, as Beta enters the room she sees it full of darkness. Before she can question it, a hand turns on a light, and she sees Shadow in all his magnificence surrounded by paintings, treasures, and the finest of wines in his hand.
"The time is ripe." Declares Shadow as he swishes around a wine glass, "Shadows engulf the world tonight…"
Beta is taken aback by how elegant everything is, not even her own imagination could have envisioned something so perfect looking. She takes another look around the room in an attempt to ground herself. She sees the wine in Shadow's hand and recognizes it as Porteaux Wine, a rare brand that can sell for as high as 90,000 Dia. She looks right and sees a lamp and sees it's adorned with jewels. She turns left and sees how somehow Lord Shadow even got a hold of The Scream a painting almost no fortune could buy. Beta can only geek out silently as to not disturb her Lord.
Slapping her face and almost knocking off her mask, Beta readies herself before kneeling and giving her report, "Lord Shadow… According to Lady Shade's orders, we gathered every available member at Holfort's capital. The plan is to ambush every diabolos cult hideout in the city. In the confusion we will search for traces of Princess Alexia's magic, and rescue her. Delta's ambush will be the sign to-"
Shadow tosses a letter to Beta who catches it and begins reading it immediately.
It reads: If you want Alexia back, come to the forest path behind the academy.
Beta gasps, "Lord Shadow is this-!?"
Shadow interrupts Beta once again and states, "It was delivered to my room while I was being interrogated. Surely from those who wish to incriminate me."
Shadow stands, gazing upon the moon and crushing the wine glass within his hand. "Sorry, Delta. This prelude is mine to perform."
Shadow then adopts his Cid persona again as he walks out.
Not even moments before he leaves the dorms a shoe is tossed at his feet, and he recognizes it as Alexia's. Cid then gazes up and sees Knights A and B from his interrogation.
"Hey there lover boy," mocks Knight A, "what are you doing there with the princess's shoe?"
Knight B joins in stating, "Ooh-wee is that some magic residue I feel there? So you were the culprit after all Cid Kagenou!"
The knights then charge at Cid, clearly aiming to kill and frame him in that order. However as they do Knight A stops feeling something change. To his horror as he glances down his right leg is missing.
"Huh?" The realization sinks in and Knight A falls to the ground as he clutches his stump, "AH! AARGH! MY LEEEG!"
Knight B glances at Cid but before he can do anything his head is already separated from his body. Knight A looks in horror and tries to slowly crawl away.
"S-Stay away! If they find us dead, everyone will know it was you! BY DAWN YOU WILL BE A DEADMAN…!"
Cid merely smirks and slowly unsheathes his sword, becoming Shadow at the same rate.
Beta looks on in amazement and begins to continue writing her handwritten Shadow Chronicles.
"Perhaps." Acknowledges Shadow, "But there's nothing to fear. By dawn," Shadow then strikes Knight B clean in two as he finishes with "All will be over…"
A distant crash of buildings grab Shadow's attention.
"Looks like Delta started her rampage…" Shadow turns to Beta's hiding spot, "Let's go Beta."
Beta salutes with a "Y-yesh Lord Shadow!"
As they depart Shadow declares "Nocturne Begins."
-P2W-
*Groan*
Where…?
Oh shit, Angelica!
I quickly look around and see myself in a field of flowers with a river nearby. I find Angelica next to me and do my best to wake her up.
*Groan*
"L-Leon? What happened?" asked Angelica.
Before I can answer a voice cuts me off.
"I think we should answer that."
I look to my left and too my confusion, and I imagine Angelica's too, we see mirror images of ourselves. If a bit older.
"Howdy, name's Lea and this is my wife Ann." Introduces Lea.
As he and Ann wave, me and Angelica fall back asleep.
A/N: Okay, that should be a good stopping point for now. Not sure how things are going to look once I take out the smut for the non QQ readers. Sorry guys but rules are rules.
For the images, here's a link to a reddit post showing what Cid looked like this chapter. I didn't put it in the middle of the chapter because I felt like it didn't fit. r/TheEminenceInShadow/comments/1b9heqz/valkyrie_connect_collaboration_costume/
Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Epsilon were also in the collab, so they have renders too.
Now for some comments:
From QQ-
EternalPonderer: So, you're about right. But was it, Anne? Fuck. I thought it was Ann this entire time.
Someone ani: Thanks! Hope you liked it.
TheBetweener and Someone ani: Yeah so that's as far as I know. I meant like I didn't want to make up personalities just for them to be completely different. Lea and Ann are free game since the series ended without delving too much into them I think.
Zackman2k12: Thanks! That means a lot. Hopefully you picked yourself back together.
From Fanfic-
J-More: I do like it too, but I'll have to see as I already plan on giving the shades more screen time than they have in canon.
Fangs of death: Hope I was able to help those expectations.
Haseo55: Thanks! I was worried my original stuff fell flat. As for them interacting more, I'm going to but it's just hard to find the opportunity.
HalfmoonSilver80: heh, yeah. As for the necklace, find out next time on Life's a Pay to Win Game!
From SB-
Kaleidoscope89: Holy shit you're the guy with the only other actual crossover. Thanks for reading, and also writing. I guess I'm updating pretty quickly? Never really occurred to me, lol. Thanks for the compliments on the original stuff, it really makes my day.
So I do want to do that too, it's just hard since EiS really revolves around a bunch of people creating misconceptions due to their habit of staying alone most of the time. I want it to feel organic, and not force it too hard. As for the tea party thing with Claire, it's because she's not only a foreign noble but also because she's not in the same year. Leon didn't even ask Clarice, Olivia did.
Golden Darkness and Maelger: I have to agree, the reason I made this crossover was because of how well everything could work together. Hopefully I met a few of the expectations you had this chapter.
Although, I do want to mention that Lea and Ann aren't researchers, Minoru was. So they aren't exactly the most reliable narrators.