The Shield Heroine of Shinzo
ESKK: Chapter 4 is here let's get this chapter started.
(Start that Afternoon Erhard's shop)
Erhard was manning the shop once more as he made sure his product was nice and clean for potential customers. It was another uneventful day for him or so he would hope. But his mind kept drifting to Yakumo and how she was doing. The girl was soft and kind even to those who should be enemies he suspected. He was worried that this kingdom may corrupt her or break her beyond repair. If what Yakumo's metal companion said is true, then that girl might not be able to handle what this world will throw at her.
So, when he heard the bell of his shop go off, he saw standing there was Yakumo with Hakuba parked outside. But with her was to his surprised a little girl in rags of all things. "Sorry… Mr. Erhard." Yakumo apologized as she seemed a bit unwell now. "Do you mind getting her some equipment?" Yakumo asked looking over to the balding blacksmith. "And can you keep it under six silvers?" Yakumo asked as she put the silvers on the table.
"Oh, uh sure." Erhard said as he went to look around for some equipment for the demi human girl Yakumo brought… and a bucket for Yakumo. "Try this one." Erhard said once he found what he was looking for as he kept the bucket hidden.
"Go on… I'll wait for you here." Yakumo said and thus the demi human girl nodded.
"Alright." Raphtalia said and thus she went to the changing area to try on the armor Erhard brought.
Once she was behind the tarp to change Erhard gave Yakumo the bucket he hid. It didn't take Yakumo long to figure it out as she then fell to her knees and proceeded to vomit into the bucket Erhard brought. As Yakumo dry heaved the contents of her stomach out Erhard was there to make sure that she made it through.
Yakumo did this for a while as Erhard came behind her and rubbed the girls back to help her through it. "Alright Shield, lass what's wrong?" Erhard asked comforting to the girl.
"I'm becoming a monster." Yakumo suddenly spoke which got Erhard worried for Yakumo's wellbeing. "I bought a slave… I bought her like she was a pet at a store." Yakumo admitted as she hated herself for it finding no way to justify what she did.
"Hey, you're no monster lass." Erhard said comforting Yakumo like a father would his own daughter.
"How can you defend what I did?!" Yakumo snapped as when she looked to Erhard, she had tears in her eyes.
"Because your good kid, Yakumo." Erhard said standing his ground that Yakumo was a good person. "As far as I see it, you saved her." Erhard said as this hit Yakumo. "She looked like she's in bad shape and I know for a fact you wouldn't have done that to her especially when you just got here." Erhard said as he defended Yakumo was not cruel or a monster.
"But… I bought her as a slave." Yakumo said as she looked to her now shaking hands in regret for taking part of a slave trade.
"You didn't have any other way to free her, and I don't think you're the one that goes for wholesale slaughter." Erhard said as he comforted Yakumo.
"But she's not free Mr. Erhard I made her into my slave." Yakumo said as Erhard knew that removing a slave crest required at least five hundred Gold.
"You played with the hand you were dealt to the best of your abilities." Erhard said knowing Yakumo did what she could with what power and knowledge she had. "Just be glad she's in your care instead of some bastards care." Erhard said as he hugged Yakumo close with promises that everything would be ok going forward.
During this Raphtalia had finished changing but had listened in on the conversation. She tried not to cry when she heard the state Yakumo was in. She didn't want to take part in this practice, but it was the only way to help her. Raphtalia was already starting to see her new mistress was a kind soul.
During the ride here Yakumo had Raphtalia ride in Hakuba her metal mount while Yakumo herself walked by its side. During this Hakuba had apparently scanned her and given Yakumo a list of her issues. Not once did Yakumo do or say anything cruel to Raphtalia. But the thought of being cruel to Raphtalia was what put Yakumo to tears.
Biting back her tears Raphtalia waited until Yakumo calmed down enough. Once she saw Yakumo wipe away her tears Raphtalia stepped out in her new gear. Yakumo quickly regained herself and smiled at Raphtalia a smile that Raphtalia knew was one Yakumo used to hide her sadness.
Yakumo walked over to Raphtalia and made sure she was ok. "Are you ok?" Yakumo asked and thus Raphtalia nodded to her.
"Yes ma'am." Raphtalia said as she didn't want to make Yakumo upset with her.
"Alright good." Yakumo said and thus she activated her Enteran Shield. She reached into the box of cards she had and drew the Balloon Card she got the other day. "Ok let's see what this does." Yakumo said and thus she inserted the card into the Enteran Shield.
[Realize Orange Balloon]
When the command popped on her hub screen Yakumo and Erhard saw a balloon monster materialize in front of her. Raphtalia cried out in shock when she saw it appear, but it made no move to attack. Yakumo saw the creature and then her hub showing its vitals. The Balloon glared about waiting for something to do and thus Yakumo grabbed it and saw it was set to standby.
"It's safe." Yakumo said as the group began to calm down.
"Wow I didn't think the Shield can do that." Erhard said as soon information popped up on her hub.
{Information: Beast Cards are divided into three types, summoning, assist, and Fortification.
Summoning cards allow you to summon phantoms of defeated monsters.
Assist Cards allows for monsters special traits to act as traps and healing.
Fortification allows certain monster traits to be equipped onto the hero or party members.}
When Yakumo saw the information, she quickly realized how similar these Beast Cards were to Encards. Yakumo sighed and then put her forehead t the balloon. "Forgive me for this." She said and thus pointed it at Raphtalia but held it in place. "Alright young one… I need you to draw your knife and stab this monster." Yakumo said surprising Raphtalia. "I can't attack that well on my own and need help." Yakumo said as she looked to Raphtalia. "That's where you come in." Yakumo said as Raphtalia heard this.
"But I can't." Raphtalia said as Yakumo raised a brow.
"Why can't you?" Yakumo asked with concern for Raphtalia.
"Because… I just can't." Raphtalia said and thus Yakumo sighed to this.
"Don't be afraid." Yakumo said as she looked to Raphtalia. "I know you're afraid but, in this world, there will be a lot of things that will harm you." Yakumo said as she looked to Raphtalia. "I have every intention to free you, but I need to know that if you decided to leave that you can protect yourself." Yakumo said as Raphtalia was wide eyed to this revelation. "So please at least try." Yakumo urged and thus Raphtalia heard her kind words before swallowing her resolve and drawing her knife.
Raphtalia then let out a battle cry and attacked the balloon. When she did that Raphtalia's attack missed and the Balloon bit on her knife and forced her back. Raphtalia cried out from it but when that happened Yakumo kept going.
"You can do it; little one now try again!" Yakumo said cheering on Raphtalia to stand up and fight.
Raphtalia let out a roar once more and once more attacked this time she nailed her target causing it to pop. When that happened the force of the pop knocked Raphtalia down and with-it Yakumo saw a significant increase in her EXP. Normally she had gotten one or two EXP points but when Raphtalia killed the balloon Yakumo got fifteen points instead. This perplexed Yakumo for a moment as she thought about why this was the case.
But then it occurred to her starting from back when Malty was in her party. During that time Malty had hardly raised her sword at all to help Yakumo fight. All Malty did was hide behind a tree and cheer on the girl from Entera. The more Yakumo thought about it the more it made sense to her about it.
"Hey you ok, Shield Lass?" Erhard asked noting the perplexed look on her face.
"Yeah… just realizing that Malty tricked me again." Yakumo said as she didn't sound hurt about this sudden realization just disappointed.
"Ah I see so I guess you never made her into a companion." Erhard said as he saw where this was going. "Damn that woman." He said realizing that Malty had played with Yakumo's feelings.
Yakumo then walked over to Raphtalia and to the Demi human girls shock offered her hand. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced; my name is Yakumo." Yakumo said as she offered Raphtalia her hand. "What's your name?" Yakumo asked as Raphtalia gulped a bit and took the hand after some hesitation on her part.
"Raphtalia." Raphtalia said introducing herself back to the Shield Heroine.
"Raphtalia… such a pretty name." Yakumo said smiling kindly at Raphtalia. "We'll be fighting monsters from now on… can I count on you to help me fight them?" Yakumo asked as she looked to Raphtalia. "I promise that if you can't I won't force you." Yakumo said but as Raphtalia saw it she didn't have a choice. It was either fight for Yakumo or go back to that place of suffering.
"Y-yes." Raphtalia said and thus it was time to leave.
(Later out in the town)
Yakumo was looking at her current funds as she saw she did a count of her coins. She had a good amount of coins left after all these sudden purchases. It was mostly thanks to going cheap but even then, the recompense from the false trial also helped. She had enough for a meal for both her and Raphtalia. Speaking of Raphtalia she was once more riding in Hakuba who continued to scan her to decide what the best treatment was for her current sickness.
Just then Yakumo saw a commotion nearby which drew her attention. Another pair of Demi human slaves being used by their master. It sickened Yakumo with how the man was treating the two small children. But she held her tongue for as much as she wanted to intervene Erhard's words echoed in her mind about the locals view on the shield.
Raphtalia saw the look of defeat Yakumo had clearly wanting to help but was unable to. Raphtalia felt like being around Yakumo was being around an older version of herself. The girl had lost loved ones and Raphtalia felt that somehow Yakumo had lost them in a similar fashion to how Raphtalia lost her parents. Just then Raphtalia's stomach began to growl with the demand for food which drew Yakumo's attention to her young charge.
According to Hakuba a meal might be a good start to improving Raphtalia's health. Due to the signs the girl had of malnutrition it was no surprise that Raphtalia was hungry. Yakumo agreed that a nice meal is a must for Raphtalia seeing as the young girl had not eaten well for only God knows how long as a slave. Looking nearby Yakumo soon found what she was looking for and made her way over. "Come on Raphtalia let's get something to eat." Yakumo said as she lead them to the restaurant for a meal.
Once they got there Raphtalia saw the words on the sign that clearly stated Demi humans were not welcome there. "Uh ma'am." Raphtalia said as she got Yakumo's attention on her.
"Come on, can't have you go on with an empty stomach." Yakumo urged and seeing that Yakumo intended to feed Raphtalia the demi human girl dismounted Hakuba and followed after Yakumo.
(Later inside of the Restaurant)
Entering the shop Yakumo drew the attention of several people especially with Raphtalia following her. At least one woman voiced some discontent about Yakumo bringing a Demi human into the eatery. Once the pair sat down a barman walked over to their table to take their order.
"Can I help you?" He asked almost hesitantly when he saw the traveling pair.
"Yes, can I have a lunch platter… and a child platter for my companion here." Yakumo said with a kind tone to the young server.
"That will be nine coppers." The man said which Yakumo understood.
"I only have silvers." Yakumo admitted as she placed a single silver piece on the table. "Will that be an issue?" Yakumo asked hoping she wasn't causing trouble for the man.
"Not at all." The man said as he then went off to get the food out for them.
"Uh miss." Raphtalia began as she got Yakumo's attention. "Why?" Raphtalia asked wondering why Yakumo would go this far to help her out.
"Why what?" Yakumo asked with concern for Raphtalia. She was also worried that she ordered the wrong meal for her charge.
"Why are you getting that for me?" Raphtalia asked while sitting across from the Shield Heroine.
"I suppose because you were hungry, and you seemed like you wanted to try it." Yakumo said admitting that her reasoning for this was altruistic.
"Alright." Raphtalia said accepting the answer Yakumo had given.
(Later)
"Alright here's your food." The server said as the plates were brought in with Raphtalia's food having a small white flag sticking out from the top. She had stars in her eyes as she saw the spread in front of her.
"Well don't be shy, dig in." Yakumo said and thus Raphtalia smiled to Yakumo.
"It's all for me?!" Raphtalia asked as her tail wagged behind her in happiness.
"Of course." Yakumo said and thus Raphtalia began to dig in. First, she took one tentative bite of the meal and when her tastebuds were hit, she smiled and began to eat. Being a child Raphtalia ate with her hands as Yakumo used utensils to eat her own food. Yakumo was happy to see that Raphtalia was getting a full stomach after heaven knows how long.
Yakumo then noticed how fast Raphtalia was eating and was in turn reminded of Mushra. "Hey, take it easy your going to." Yakumo began but was too late. Raphtalia stopped as she felt something was stuck in her food pipe. With a sigh Yakumo pushed a cup of water over to Raphtalia. "Drink this." Yakumo said and thus Raphtalia took the cup and drank it to help the food ease down her throat. After the food was down Raphtalia grabbed a random utensil and began to eat again under Yakumo's watchful eye.
"How's the food?" Yakumo asked as she wanted to be sure that Raphtalia was doing ok. In response Raphtalia nodded with her mouth full to show she was enjoying the food Yakumo brought. With a nod Yakumo began to eat her food as well as she began to plan out their next move. But as Yakumo ate, she could not help but think about the friends she lost.
(Scene Break later that day)
The trio had spent the rest of the day training and gathering items to feed to the shield. Yakumo set the monsters up and Raphtalia took them out. During the whole thing Hakuba watched them to make sure that Yakumo and Raphtalia would walk away from this without any injuries. It went on for several hours until they ended up setting up a campfire.
After catching some fish Yakumo and Raphtalia sat around the fire with Hakuba preparing to enter rest mode. Raphtalia had two fishes on sticks that she ate with great vigor after a long day of training. For her part Yakumo was looking at her Statues magic after she had fed the shield a few herbs. Today she learned a few things as well. Her Beast Cards had a cooldown period between uses as she saw when the Balloon she summoned was eventually defeated by its former allies. During this she also got other Balloons of different colors and fed their remains to her shield. This unlocked a few more shields and brought more Beast Cards for her to use in battle.
Despite this development Yakumo was still hesitant to use the Encards for battle. She didn't know what they would do when used. More so since the shield heroine currently had the Encards of the Enteran Generals locked away in Hakuba. Yakumo did not want to risk the possibility of giving those Enterans a second go at wiping out humanity even on a world like this the Enterans had great power more then what the humans here can hope to handle.
Raphtalia's level had gone up a couple numbers as Yakumo's also went up. During the training Yakumo had used her power to help nudge Raphtalia's movement towards the right direction. As they ate Yakumo was investigating a few new shields she got from the local herbs and the different color balloons she fed the shield.
"Oh." Yakumo hummed as this got Hakuba's attention on her.
"Is everything ok, Yakumo?" Hakuba asked his concern for Yakumo's well-being ever present.
"It seems I have a blending ability now." Yakumo said as she looked to Hakuba.
"It sounds that you might be able to craft medicine." Hakuba said and thus this gave Yakumo an idea when she glanced over to the sick demi human girl happily eating her fish. Hakuba also had ideas for potions to help with Yakumo's depression and mental health but before he could voice it Raphtalia cut in on them.
"Mistress… ma'am." Raphtalia began as she looked over to Yakumo. Yakumo looked over to Raphtalia showing she had her attention. At the same time Yakumo was wondering what Raphtalia wanted to ask of the girl. "Who are you? And what I mean is who are you really?" Raphtalia asked as she wanted a straight answer from her new mistress Yakumo.
"I'm Yakumo… and I guess I'm supposed to be a hero, the shield hero." Yakumo revealed to Raphtalia as her tone shifted again to a bit of a sad tone.
Meanwhile Raphtalia was wide eyed at Yakumo's that she was the Shield Hero on in this case the Shield Heroine.
"Wait do you mean like the Four Cardinal Heroes?" Raphtalia asked shocked over what she learned.
"Yeah." Yakumo said confirming what she said and was being asked by the demi human. At the moment Yakumo was trying her hand at blending so she can create medicine to cure her charges sickness.
As she sat there Raphtalia was in shock to the revelation. She then began to recall all the stories her parents told her growing up about the Cardinal Shield Hero. To think the hero her parents told her about was sitting across from her it was truly a humbling experience.
"Please ma'am what do I call you?" Raphtalia asked as she needed to know how to properly address the heroine.
"Yakumo." Yakumo said repeating what she had told Raphtalia back at Erhard's shop.
"Yakumo…" Raphtalia said but then the girl began to cough no doubt from the sickness she had.
"Here drink this." Yakumo said offering to Raphtalia a leaf cup filled with the medicine she had blended for her. "It's a medicine I just blended, apparently it can cure light colds." Yakumo said as she offered Raphtalia the medicine. Raphtalia hesitated for a moment as she looked at the medicine being offered. "Drink it and you'll get better in no time." Yakumo said assuring Raphtalia that she was going to make a full recovery.
Raphtalia was hesitant but took the medicine but as she swallowed it, she hurled it back up. "It's bitter." Raphtalia gagged but Yakumo giggled at Raphtalia being a child.
"Of course, it is, good medicine will always be bitter." Yakumo said as she walked over to help Raphtalia a bit. "But you have to drink it if you want to get better." Yakumo said and thus Raphtalia knew she had no choice but to endure. So, pinching her nose Raphtalia downed the medicine and forced herself to swallow it all. Needless to say, Raphtalia did not enjoy the bitter medicine.
(Scene Break later that night)
It was late at night as Raphtalia was sleeping in her cot. Nearby Yakumo was working on some more medicine while she kept the fire burning. Hakuba was in sleep mode as all was peaceful around the camp this night. Yakumo focused on what she was doing as she didn't want to let her mind wander. She knew that if she allowed her mind to wonder she would be reminded of what she had lost on Entera. Her friends, her family, and even her race.
Hakuba was no doubt monitoring for dangers and threats ready to act in the guardian was needed to protect Yakumo. Yakumo was grateful to Hakuba truly she was but a darker part of her just wished that he'd let her end it all when she had the chance on Entera. Well, it wasn't all bad she did land in a world where humanity still lived only to find that these humans were just as cruel as the Enterans had been.
Yakumo saw herself as the last living testament that the human race of her world existed after the Enteran uprising. She was all that remained and soon… she'll be gone to and join the others. But soon her thoughts were interrupted by a cry from Raphtalia which got Yakumo and Hakuba to respond.
"They're dead! Their dead!" Raphtalia cried out as she shot out and reached for her lost parents no doubt having a night terror. Hakuba awoke as Yakumo ran over to Raphtalia to try and sooth her through this.
"What's wrong?" Yakumo said as she hugged Raphtalia close. "It will be ok, just calm down." Yakumo said as she hugged Raphtalia and rocked her body with hers.
"Father… no! My mother." Raphtalia cried as this struck Yakumo deep as she knew this anguish Raphtalia was feeling. "They're both gone." Raphtalia cried as this all but confirmed it for Yakumo.
Rubbing her hand through Raphtalia's knotted hair Yakumo soothed the girl as she realized that they were two of a kind. 'You've lost everything to… just like me.' Yakumo mentally mused as she held Raphtalia close to comfort her. "It's all right. It'll be all right." Yakumo said as she just let Raphtalia grieve.
(Scene Break Drug Store Melromarc)
Yakumo stood inside the store to barter off the medicine she made and the herbs she gathered. Hakuba was outside with Raphtalia as Yakumo did her business with the old man at the drug store. "Very impressive if I do say so myself." The old man said as he inspected what Yakumo had brought for him. "Are you well versed in making medicine's, Madam Hero?" The old man asked which Yakumo shrugged a bit.
"Just the basics I'm afraid." Yakumo admitted as there was a time, she had to rely on her own two hands to make medicine for herself. "So, if you don't mind me asking sir, which would you be willing to pay more for the herbs or the medicine?" Yakumo asked as she knew this was the only way she can make funds until Raphtalia was ready to fight the larger monsters outside of the city walls.
"Due to the Waves Impact, medicine is flying off the shelves lately." The old man began as Yakumo figured as much. "So rather than herbs, I'd pay more for your medicine." The old man said as Yakumo saw that was good news at least. "In total this is worth four silvers." The old man said before Yakumo's eyes laid upon the alchemy tools on the shelves nearby.
"Thank you, sir, but do you happen to have any tools you don't use anymore?" Yakumo asked as she had an idea on how to keep her parties own supply of medicine without having to go to the store to buy some more.
(Later outside with Raphtalia)
Raphtalia sat on a bench with Hakuba floating next to it. Nearby she saw a group of kids playing with a ball as her ears twitched a bit every so often. "Raphtalia its time to go!" Yakumo called out but saw Raphtalia was distracted by the children and the ball that they were playing with nearby.
Yakumo looks back at Raphtalia seeing how she was acting with how the kids are playing with the ball before the thought came to her as she smile and said, "Looks like they are having fun with that ball. You think we should get one ourselves?"
"Hu?" Raphtalia said as she looked at Yakumo surprised as she said that as Yakumo said to her again, "I said, you think we should get one ourselves? We can have fun when we're not working."
"I-I Ahhh?" Raphtalia said confusedly as she didn't know how to answer that, but her tail was wagging like crazy to the thought of having a ball to play with as Yakumo smile as she understand what that meant as she went to a place that was selling balls at, buying one before bringing it over to Raphtalia and hand it to her saying, "Here, now we can play too."
"Thank you… Lady Yakumo," Raphtalia said as Yakumo giggle a bit as she said, "Its fine, and I did say you can just call me Yakumo."
(Later)
At an Inn as Yakumo and Raphtalia came in and rang the bell twice, then a man walks up and said, "I'm coming- Ah the shield heroine here?"
"Hi there, we would like a room for the night for the two of us please, maybe one at the end of the hallway if you could," Yakumo said kindly as she then put a hand on Raphtalia and said, "She would get cry out during nightmares and I don't want to disturb many guest."
The Inn keeper was a bit hesitant as he had heard the rumor of what the Shield heroine had hurt to the princess before the king dismissed the case, as he didn't know if the rumor were real or not, and after a bit of not saying anything with that look on his face, Yakumo said, "I guess I'm not welcome here then. I'm sorry for wasting your time then."
Giving a sad look as she turn away and walks off a few steps, the man felt guilty after seeing the shield's heroine's face and said, "Wait!... There's a room at the end of the hall with no guest around, you can have it."
Yakumo was surprised by this as she turn back around and saw the inn keeper put a key down for her as she smile and said, "Thank you sir. How much is it?"
"Free of charge, to make up for my rudeness," the inn keeper said as Yakumo frown a bit before she pulls out a couple of silver coins and put them down before the inn keeper as she said, "Here's 2 silver for the troubles."
"B-but I said the room was free," the inn keeper said surprised by this as Yakumo said, "Maybe, but taking it for free doesn't feel right, so to make up for it I must give something back for it, so two silver coins."
The inn keeper is still surprised by the girls kindness before he smiled and said, "Very well, I'll accept this as payment for the room."
Yakumo smile before she took the key and walk to the room with Raphtalia by her side as they turn in for the night, and hope for tomorrow to be a good day.
(time skip)
After the next few days as Yakumo and Raphtalia has been gather material, fighting monsters, gaining Exp, before going place to place selling their monster material to a guy who almost trick them in giving only a few copper coin for a pile of balloon monster parts until a an honest young looking knight stopped him and told Yakumo the real price of the monster part before threatening to call the guard on the shop keeper unless he give the shield hero the right among of coins which he did as last thing he wanted it seem was to be in trouble with the guard before Yakumo look to the knight and smile.
After that they went to a food stall to get a treat as Raphtalia, and Yakumo did enjoy them before they went back to the inn and then give Raphtalia a haircut as needed making it all nice and neat.
After that as Raphtalia turn in for the night while Yakumo was making medicine to sell, and also making more cold medicine for Raphtalia to help her recover from her sickness, before going to sleep herself then waking up the next morning with Raphtalia.
They soon went to the medical ship to sell the medicine, then went to the tavern to get some food before headed out to do more monster hunting.
(the forest)
Raphtalia was getting better with her small dagger as she cut down two more balloon monsters with Yakumo smile and said, "Good job Raphtalia, you gain another level."
"Thank you," Raphtalia said as she smile a bit to this before Yakumo said to her, "Well then, now that you are a bit more stronger, we can head deeper into the forest-"
She stop in her words as she heard a rustling noise before a rabbit like monster pop up from behind the bushes giving a friendly face as Yakumo said, "A monster bunny?"
The rabbit leap at Raphtalia with a battle screech as Yakumo acted quick and protected the little Racoon girl as she held out her arm as the rabbit bit into it, causing Yakumo to flinch a bit, as she didn't get hurt from it but the sudden attack, but still surprised her, and it seem the monster rabbit wasn't giving up yet as Yakumo held it the best she could before she said, "Raphtalia quickly, attack it!"
Raphtalia stepped back in fear as she saw what this meant for her. The Balloons had no blood which meant that Raphtalia could kill them without her trauma being triggered. But this was a creature of flesh blood and bone. "Raphtalia please!" Yakumo cried out but then saw the look of fear in Raphtalia's eyes.
"But I can't." Raphtalia said taking a step back in fear. "I'll bleed if I stab it." Raphtalia said unable to bring herself to do it. "I hate blood." She said which meant Yakumo saw what this meant for them.
"Raphtalia listen!" Yakumo cried out and thus got the Demi human girls' attention. "There is a wave coming the same sort of wave that destroyed your home, and I have to stop it. But I can't do it on my own!" Yakumo cried out as she knew this was underhanded on her part and she hated herself for doing it this way. "I can't fight on my own I need someone to fight for me." Yakumo admitted as she knew even with her telekinesis her attack power was useless.
"You'll fight the Waves of Catastrophe?" Raphtalia asked shocked at Yakumo's words.
"Of course, if I don't... Mushra... Sago... Kutal... they'd probably never forgive me if I abandoned the people of this world." Yakumo admitted as she knew if they were here now her friends would fight by her side even now. "I won't force you to fight if you can't fight, I'll find a place for you to be safe." Yakumo said as she won't force Raphtalia to fight. The last daughter of Entera can't compromise her morals any further or she might fully break.
Raphtalia was quiet for a moment until she grabbed her dagger. "I understand." Raphtalia said while picking up the dagger and held it at the ready. Seeing this Yakumo position the rabbit for Raphtalia to run through. The demi human girl roared as she charged in for the attack stabbing the rabbit with her dagger. Its blood spewed out as it stained Raphtalia' her blade, and Yakumo. It didn't take long for the monster to die and when it did Raphtalia pulled back while Yakumo felt the monsters bite ease off showing that it has died. "Please... Lady Yakumo don't leave me behind." Raphtalia begged as Yakumo was then reminded of the Kittens asking her something similar.
Yakumo blocked out the memory and put her hand atop Raphtalia's head. "Alright." Yakumo said promising to keep Raphtalia close by. This reminded Yakumo that this was not a game this was real life and if she didn't do this she would certainly die. She had to stay alive for as long as possible so that way when her time does come, she can face everyone with her head held high.
(Scene Break Erhard's shop)
A day passed and after selling the pelt of the rabbit, after feeding it to the shield and getting a new shield and the beast card for it, the pair stood in front of Erhard. "Hello Mr. Erhard." Yakumo greeted to the man before her. "I was wondering if you might have a sword for Raphtalia." Yakumo said as she looked to the blacksmith. "I think it's time she gets an actual sword." Yakumo said as she felt Raphtalia was ready for it.
"It certainly seems to be the case." Erhard said as he can tell Raphtalia had grown a lot. He then walked over to the side to the bargain bins for a sword for Raphtalia. "One on the short side is a good place to start." Erhard said as he began rummaging through the swords inside. "Here's a nice little item. A preowned iron short sword." Erhard said pulling up the short sword in question.
Raphtalia began looking over her new sword when she was given it by Erhard. As Yakumo pulled out her money purse, she began to rummage through it but then paused for a second. "Uh Mr. Erhard is there a town we can travel too with the equipment we have?" Yakumo asked as she looked to Erhard.
"With all your stuff? The only place that comes to mind is a small village called Lute." Erhard said as this gave Yakumo an idea.
"Alright that sounds perfect." Yakumo said and thus she paid for the purchases and knew where their next stop would be.
(Scene Break Lute Village)
After getting what they would need from the city Yakumo and Raphtalia got onto Hakuba and began to make their way to Lute Village. The Journey was not a long one and Hakuba was a great guide to get them where they needed to go. At the moment the pair stood in front of a merchant who was looking over a monster pelt they had acquired on the way.
"How much?" Yakumo asked as she hoped it would be good. "I'd say... about two silvers, give or take a copper." The man said to the Shield Heroine and her two members of her party.
"Really?" Yakumo asked as she had hoped it might have been worth a bit more. "Sorry if I sound rude but is there anywhere nearby where someone can earn coins fast?" Yakumo asked and thus the man thought about it for a moment.
"Well, now that you mention it." He began as he looked over to the mines which had Yakumo and Raphtalia follow his gaze. "The ore coming out of the mines outside the walls ought to fetch a decent amount but..." The man began which Yakumo was worried about.
"But there's an issue." Yakumo said putting the pieces together.
"Ever since the first wave came, it's become home to a bunch of dangerous monsters." The man said which made things difficult. "These days nobody wants to go anywhere near that place." The man said as he then scoffed a bit. "I don't know what our summoned heroes are doing, but if you ask me, it isn't much." The man complained as this brought depression into Yakumo which Raphtalia noted. But swallowing her resolve Yakumo looked up to the mines and knew where she had to go next.
(Later up at the mines)
"Yakumo, I suggest against this path of action." Hakuba said with concern for Yakumo. "We don't know what sort of monsters you will be facing in there." Hakuba said as Yakumo fed her shield a rope and a mining tool. "More so I fear that you and Raphtalia might not be strong enough for this." Hakuba said but then Yakumo rubbed her partners head.
"Don't worry... we'll be careful." Yakumo said as she now had two new shields to her arsenal. "Now I want to try something." Yakumo said and thus held her shield out. Seeing this Hakuba hovered back and waited for Yakumo to act. "[Airstrike Shield]!" Yakumo invoked with the rope shield and in doing so a shield made of green energy appeared in front of Yakumo.
"Impressive a new skill." Hakuba said while observing the new shield in action. "But this only proves my point, please at least raise your levels a bit more before you go." Hakuba urged but then Yakumo smiled to the machine.
"Don't worry I'll bring the cards with me in case of trouble." Yakumo said and when she was done, she directed her attention over to Raphtalia. "Let's go, Raphtalia." Yakumo said and thus the demi human girl nodded.
"Right!" Raphtalia called and thus she followed Yakumo into the mines.
"Oh dear." Hakuba said as he knew if he went in, he might not be able to come back out. "Curse my size." He added once the pair were inside of the cave.
(Later inside of the mines)
The two were seen walking through the tunnel into the mine as they both held pickaxes for the task ahead. "Alright just remember if there are monsters here then we need to run." Yakumo said as she and Raphtalia walked. "Hakuba is right we might not be strong enough to handle it." She said as her earlier bravado was to keep Hakuba from worrying.
"Ok." Raphtalia said as she kept pace with Yakumo. As they kept walking Raphtalia looked over to Yakumo with concerns for her. Raphtalia was not the only one to have night terrors she saw Yakumo have a few of her own. During these events Raphtalia heard Yakumo repeat three names in them, Mushra, Sago, and Kutal. The fight against the rabbit monster those names were dropped again. Raphtalia didn't want to pry but she was curious. "Um excuse me... Yakumo." Raphtalia began as she had to ask to sate her own curiosity.
"Yes Raphtalia?" Yakumo asked as she looked over to Raphtalia as they kept walking.
"I was just wondering, and not to pry but who were Mushra, Sago, and Kutal?" Raphtalia asked and in turn she was surprised when Yakumo suddenly stopped.
Yakumo stood there in silence which began to worry Raphtalia on how Yakumo would answer. She hoped she didn't strike a nerve as she feared that Yakumo's kindness would vanish. But instead, Yakumo gave a short but direct response to Raphtalia's question.
"They're... they were dear friends." Yakumo said and thus she got moving again. "Let's keep going." Yakumo said and thus with a nod Raphtalia followed after Yakumo.
(Later deep inside the mine)
The pair soon arrived in a big cavern with a small waterfall and a great number of glowing gems. "Well, I guess this is the place." Yakumo said as there were a lot of ores for them to mine from. "Come on Raphtalia lets get to work." Yakumo said as she had honestly never done anything like this before. But she had to admit that the view was truly breathtaking to behold.
The pair entered and began to make their way to the closest rock to get to work. Using the pickaxe Yakumo began smashing it into the ore with her mining shield active. As Yakumo began to mine for the crystal Raphtalia sat by and watched Yakumo work. This shield provided Yakumo a small boost in mining, so she kept it active while she worked.
As Raphtalia watched Yakumo work she noticed something on the ground nearby. "Footprints?" Raphtalia wondered when she saw the footprints.
Soon enough Yakumo made progress and pulled out a large bit of crystals from the mining crop. "Well, that wasn't so hard." Yakumo said with a smile at what she managed to retrieve. "Alright Raphtalia let's try a little further." Yakumo began but stopped when she saw Raphtalia staring at something with a terrified look on her face.
Looking to the source Yakumo was wide eyed when she saw a two headed do coming out from one of the tunnels with glowing red eyes. Yakumo quickly saw what was about to happened and knew she had to act fast. Dogs it had to be dogs because Raphtalia was now frozen in place. "NOOOO!" Raphtalia cried out and thus the monster attacked.
Yakumo moved quickly and grabbed Raphtalia before moving away from the monster. When Yakumo did this, she jumped down towards the water holding Raphtalia close to her body knowing her defenses should act as a buffer for Raphtalia. They hit the water with a loud splash that echoed across the area for a bit.
While under the water Yakumo activated her rope shield and shot it upwards towards a rock before she began to climb up the rock side. As Yakumo climbed, she held Raphtalia close to her as she saw what was going on. "Do you think you can make it, Raphtalia?" Yakumo asked with concern for Raphtalia.
"Dog... dog monster." Raphtalia cried as she was having her own panic attack from her traumas. "It killed all the villagers even my mother and father." Raphtalia said as Yakumo realized what this was for Raphtalia. Just then Yakumo shushed Raphtalia as they heard the dog moving on the ledge no doubt looking for them.
Waiting a sec to make sure it didn't see them Yakumo spoke. "Raphtalia, is that the same monster that destroyed your village and killed your parents?" Yakumo asked the girl in her arms.
"No, that one had three heads, this one has two." Raphtalia said and thus Yakumo knew what to do.
"Listen Raphtalia I'm going to draw its attention when I do run and get Hakuba." Yakumo said but Raphtalia was wide eyed by this.
"But if I do, you'll be!" Raphtalia began but Yakumo smiled to her.
"Don't worry I'll be ok." Yakumo said as she began to climb up the ledge. "I know what it's like to lose your parents... my father died for me and back home I was the last of my kind." Yakumo said as she got to the ledge and took a battle stance. "I'm the last human girl on Entera when I go then Entera will never see a human being ever again." Yakumo said sadly as Raphtalia was wide eyed to that fact. "When I have its attention run!" Yakumo said and thus she got ready.
The Dog Monster saw them and roared before Yakumo charged in to fight. She blocked the attack from one head, but this allowed for the second head to bite down on her shoulder. Yakumo cried out in pain as the bite drew blood. "Yakumo!" Raphtalia cried out when she saw this.
"Hurry Raphtalia run!" Yakumo called out as Raphtalia was wide eyed at what she saw.
"But if I run it will be just like my parents." Raphtalia said as she teared up recalling how her parents had died.
"Hurry Raphtalia!" Yakumo cried out as she wasn't going to let Raphtalia get hurt any more.
"No..." Raphtalia began as the memories of her parents and the memories of her time with Yakumo and Hakuba replayed in her mind. "No." She repeated as the memories were being played on loop in her mind. "Don't leave me!" She repeated as she was having flashbacks to the loss of her mother and her father. It was at this moment her resolve kicked in forcing her to act. She charged in with her sword and jumping off a ledge she stabbed it into the neck of one of the dogs causing it pain.
The monster threw Raphtalia aside and focused its attention on her. But just as it was about to attack Yakumo acted. "[Airstrike Shield]!" Yakumo invoked and with it the Airstrike Shield blocked the monsters attack. Activating the Enteran Shield and then drew an Enteran card. "Encard! Scan!" Yakumo called out going on instinct and scanning the praying Mantis Bounty Hunter, Katris's Encard. In her eyes she applied the card to Raphtalia and in doing so she saw what happened. Her short sword soon shifted and turned into the blade one wound find on a praying mantis increasing her attack power to match up. "Now Raphtalia!" Yakumo called out and thus with a roar Raphtalia attacked when the Airstrike Shield vanish.
Raphtalia then stabbed the sword into the monster before slicing outward with it causing its blood and innards to spill out. When the deed was done Yakumo looked at the Enteran Shield not sure what compelled her to do that. "It worked." Yakumo said as she saw how Raphtalia's sword soon reverted to its original form. "So, this is what the Enteran Shield can do." Yakumo said realizing the shield can apply the powers of Enterans to her party members. But then Yakumo remembered Raphtalia and looked to the demi human girl.
"Raphtalia/Yakumo!" Both girls cried out with Yakumo suddenly being hugged by Raphtalia.
Yakumo hissed in pain but chose to endure it as she returned the hug for Raphtalia. "It's ok... you're ok now." Yakumo said as she hugged Raphtalia close.
"Promise me you won't ever die!" Raphtalia cried out as she knew why Yakumo was willing to do what she did. The last human of her world she's alone like Raphtalia. She won't lie and deny that she had a few dark moments where she contemplated ending it to be with her parents again. "Don't leave me alone Yakumo please." Raphtalia begged as she hugged Yakumo.
"I... I promise." Yakumo said as she rubbed Raphtalia's head close. "Now when you're ready we'll feed that monster to my shield and..." Yakumo began but soon heard more growling which got Raphtalia's attention as well. Looking to the source of it they saw more of those two headed dogs appear showing that the one they just took out was a scout. Looking to her wound Yakumo realized they smelled her blood.
"Raphtalia stay close to me." Yakumo said holding Raphtalia close.
"Y-Yakumo." Raphtalia said fearful that their luck had finally run out. The monsters roared before they went on the attack.
Yakumo hugged Raphtalia close as she closed her eyes waiting for the end. "Mushra! Sago! Kutal!" Yakumo yelled to the heavens above and when she did something happened. Her shield released three burst of power that knocked back the monsters to the wall. When they did Yakumo saw in the lights three familiar gems hovering in it.
In the center was a purple-colored gem that was forming into a tiara. To the left was an azure gem that was splitting into three. Finally, to the right was a green tear shaped gem. The Monsters began to get back up and in turn the gems acted. The central gem released a powerful fire that took the form of a phoenix that cried out. The Phoenix cried out as it released its fire.
The green gem flew into the ground and broke apart the earth to form a lion of stone. It roared out ready to do battle, but it was not ready yet. Finally, the azure gem flew into the water bellow and from there the water shot upward to the shock of Yakumo and Raphtalia. The water then formed into an eastern dragon that joined the other two beasts.
"What is this?" Raphtalia asked in shock to what she saw.
"It... could it be?" Yakumo asked shocked at what she was seeing. Then it came the voices she had not heard in so long the voices of her beloved friends.
"HYPER FLAME!" Came a young man's voice from the phoenix. First it started young and then turned older as it began to take form. From the flames a man shot out in red armor based around a phoenix with wings on his back to boot with a spear in hand.
"HYDRO POWER!" Came a voice from the dragon as the water formed into a wave around the gems inside. From the water a man with horns and dragon wings came out holding a spinning blade of sorts.
"EYE OF THE LION!" Came the third voice as the earth gathered around the gem into a body. From the stone lion a beast man shot from the stone with four pauldrons similar to wings. In one hand he had a mace and in the other a sword.
Yakumo was wide eyed as it was in fact who she thought it was. The first one to speak was the phoenix armor guy as his eyes had been closed when he emerged. "Alright Dark King we blacked out there for a bit but!" The man began but then saw where he was and what he was facing which were two headed dogs. "Wait what?" He asked as the other two were just as confused.
"How did we end up here?" The dragon man asked as he was confused.
"I thought you guys would know?" The beast man asked as he looked to his two compatriots.
"Mushra." Yakumo began as this got the phoenix man's attention showing him to be Mushra. "Sago." Yakumo continued as she saw the dragon man who was no doubt, Sago. "Kutal." Yakumo finished on the beast man now known as Kutal.
"Yakumo?!" Mushra asked as Yakumo looked like she was seeing a ghost. But when he saw her injury and blood, he then glared at the monsters around them. "You jerks did this to her didn't you!?" Mushra yelled as he glared at the monsters who all roared in fury.
Sago and Kutal were also ready to fight and in turn the monsters attacked. Charging into battle the three Guardians of Entera went on the offensive and began making quick work of the monsters. Mushra roared and sliced his spear through the oncoming monsters hitting several of them at once.
Kutal followed it up as he slammed his mace down to the ground causing the monsters to lose their footing. He then charged in and attacked with his sword stabbing through them his blade.
Sago was the last one to act as he jumped in and threw his weapon and watched how it spun around taking out several monsters at once. The monsters were quickly dealt with as the three regroup and saw their foes fall one after the other. When this happened, they looked confused even further as they saw their enemies were not breathing.
But then their focus went over to Yakumo as they saw her. "Yakumo are you ok!?" Mushra asked as he saw Yakumo's injured arm. But instead of answering Yakumo hugged Mushra much to his surprise.
"Your back... you're really back." Yakumo cried as tears were streaming from her eyes.
"Back? Back from where?" Sago asked as he joined them with Kutal who then noticed Raphtalia.
"And who's the little girl?" Kutal asked as Raphtalia hid behind Yakumo.
Yakumo let go of Mushra as she wiped away her tears with her arm. "It's a long story." Yakumo said as she hadn't felt this level of joy for a long time. "But I'm just happy that your all back." Yakumo said as she then began to calm down.
"Um Yakumo." Raphtalia said while hiding behind Yakumo. "Who are these people?" Raphtalia asked and thus Yakumo smiled.
"Don't be afraid, their friends." Yakumo said and thus Musha nodded.
"Yeah, and if Yakumo says you're a friend, then that's fine by my books." Musha said with a thumbs up to Raphtalia.
Just then their bodies began to give off a life and began to shrink and shift. Or in the case of Kutal his body began to ground and round out. Soon enough the three Hyper Enterans were completely different. Kutal was a large house cat looking being dressed as a chef with a green gem on his forehead, Sago was in a body suit with a cape draped around his shoulders and the same three azure gems on his helmet, and Musha was dressed in light armor but with his head exposed showed his violet locks and a golden headband around his head.
Raphtalia was surprised by the sudden transformation because now instead of looking heroic and intimidating these three looked friendly and huggable. "You asked me who Mushra, Sago and Kutal were well here they are, Mushra." Yakumo began as she gestured to the orange armored fellow. "Sago." Yakumo began gesturing to the one with the helmet. "And Kutal." Yakumo said and thus she gestured to Kutal who waved at the girl.
"Hello." Raphtalia greeted too the trio of Enterans.
"Guys... this is Raphtalia." Yakumo said as she gestured to Raphtalia.
"Nice to meet you." Mushra said with a smile.
"Well met." Kutal said as he smiled down to Raphtalia.
"How do you do." Sago said which made Raphtalia smiled at the trio.
As Yakumo watched the three meet Raphtalia she could not help but smile at the scene. She didn't think she never thought she would experience this sort of joy ever again. Watching her friends back from beyond it made Yakumo feel that everything would be ok again. 'I missed you guys.' Yakumo thought to herself as she saw Mushra, Sago, and Kutal talk to Raphtalia and saying or doing something to make her laugh. One thing was for certain the gang was back together again.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, here we are chapter 4 done and published. I hope you all enjoyed it and I'd like to thank Mr. Unknow for helping me with this new chapter. If you find his account, give his fanfiction a read. Anyway, I'll be heading out so be sure to leave a review before leaving and until the next chapter, ja-ne.
