A few days had passed since Vandri had been rescued by Atreus and joined his party. Atreus and Co. spent most of their time travelling, roaming the countryside of Melromarc in search of new things to explore. Vandri mostly kept to herself, keeping to the back of the cart and reading the books that Atreus had decided to lend her. She mostly got on well with the others of the party, if only a bit withdrawn and snarky. Drífa, however, didn't get along so well with her. Vandri and Drífa ended up starting a rivalry that quickly became fierce. There was not a day where the two of them weren't going at each other's throats over something relatively minor, with Atreus usually being the one to step in and calm them down.

The group roamed a narrow road by the countryside. The air this day was crisp, as a soothing wind blew from the north. Atreus had the reins as he stayed at the front with Drífa, who pulled the carriage. Raphtalia, Kratos, Mimir and Rino all sat in the cart, talking amongst each other. Vandri kept to the very back of the cart, reading a book, trying to keep herself hidden, as usual. Mimir noticed Vandri and decided to try and start a conversation with her.

'So, Vandri,' Mimir said. 'You're some kind of dragon?'

Vandri let out a low growl as she looked up from her book, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Mimir. So far, the Shield Hero and his companions didn't give her any reason to distrust them, but she was still cautious about them. She flared her nostrils, nodding slowly.

'Not exactly,' she answered. 'But technically yes, I am. I am what is called an Aotatsu. Or a Dragonnewt. Whichever you prefer. Aotatsu and Dragonnewts are Demi-Humans that have any traces of Dragon within them. Though not all Aotatsu are Dragonnewts. An Aotatsu is able to use Wind and Water Magic together. Though I am capable of Magic, I prefer the physical side of combat.'

'What is their history?' Kratos asked. Vandri let out a low growl as she lowered her head, already getting annoyed by the constant questioning.

'Many of the Aotatsu came from Siltvelt,' she explained. 'They currently hold the most authoritative positions in that country, alongside the Genmu and Shusaku. There was this great war they had with Melromarc, apparently. From what I heard, the Aotatsu, Genmu and Shusaku were in competition with the Hakuko for control over Siltvelt. They quickly gained influence and power after the Hakuko were ravaged by the war.'

'I see. An interesting piece of history, there,' Mimir said. 'I gotta say, I like learning the history of places.'

'I just don't get why you and Drífa gotta go at each other's throats all the time,' Atreus called out from the front. 'It's like the moment you two met each other you've been trying to kill each other. What do you two have against each other?'

'Filolials have a natural hatred of Dragons,' Rino explained. 'It's a sort of rivalry thing that's been happening for centuries. Though I cannot for the life of me remember how it started.'

'Well, can you two at least be kind to each other, at least once? I'm getting pretty tired of having to break you two up when you almost come to blows.'

'I will once she stops nagging me about her "Master",' Vandri replied.

'Master is mine!' Drífa called out suddenly. 'I will not let you take my Master away from me! I will not!'

Vandri let out a growl, snarling and exposing her fangs as her anger flared.

'Grrr, what's it gonna take to shut that little brat up?' she muttered to herself. She slinked back into the shadows of the cart, continuing to read her book.

Their travels eventually led them to a small tavern in a quiet town. Atreus elected to have a visit to learn what was going on around the country, while everyone else camped outside of the town. Atreus kept his hood over his head, his Shield in its Book Shield form, as he sat at a lone table. He was keeping his head down, his gaze on the table, when he overheard a conversation between a group of patrons nearby.

'Did you hear what happened at that village north of here?' one of the patrons said.

'No, I haven't,' another said. 'Do tell me.'

'I heard,' the patron went on, 'that the town's suffering from a nasty famine, apparently. The people over there are starving.'

'I heard,' another added in, 'that the Spear Hero had visited that place, hoping to help with their famine. Apparently, he found a seed that he decided to give to the people.'

Atreus raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the conversation. In the end, he couldn't help but go up to their table.

'Hey,' he said. 'I couldn't help but overhear the conversation you were having. So, apparently, the Spear Hero tried to help a village with a famine?'

'Aye, he did,' one of the patrons replied. 'And it worked. A little too well, I suppose. Fruits started to sprout everywhere. The people were overjoyed at first, but then the plants started getting out of control. Now, the whole village is swarming with vines.'

'I see.'

'Apparently,' another patron said. 'The Spear Hero used the seed that some evil alchemist made.'

'Alchemist?' Atreus said. 'You mean the one who used an abandoned temple as his base of research? The one who had the seed sealed?'

'So you've heard the stories, eh? Well, in any case, yeah.'

Atreus nodded slowly.

'I see. Well, thanks for the talk. It was nice meeting you.'

'Aye. Take care out there man.'

The patrons bid him farewell as Atreus left the tavern. He had learned more than he needed to know. He thought through the story in his head as he made his way back to the camp. This village to the north was a place worth checking out.

'So what is this place we're heading to again, lad?' Mimir asked curiously.

'It's a village. To the north,' Atreus replied, looking back at the group. 'They're dealing with a bit of a plant problem. From what I heard, they were suffering from a famine, when the Spear Hero gave them a seed to help. Only problem was, it was the same seed that the evil Alchemist had sealed. Now the whole village is overwhelmed with plants.'

'So that was why the box was empty,' Raphtalia said.

'But why would the Spear Hero do that?' Vandri asked. 'He should've known that it would cause untold destruction.'

'Most likely, Myne set him up,' Rino theorized.

'Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too,' Atreus said. 'My guess is that Motoyasu couldn't read the warning, so he had Myne translate for him. Then she lied about what the warning read.'

'Either way,' Mimir said, 'it's probably a problem we could go and sort out.'

'Master!' Drífa called out. 'These plants look amazing!'

'Huh?'

The group craned their necks as they looked out the carriage. Vines covered the whole street, thick enough to threaten to block the way. A close look revealed that the vines writhed and moved around slowly.

'What the bloody Hel,' Mimir muttered.

'Oh. I guess we're pretty close,' Atreus said.

'Be prepared,' Kratos said. 'Anything could happen.'

Within the distance, they found what appeared to be a refugee camp. As they got closer, the doors to the refugee camp opened up, granting the group entry. They got out of the carriage, where the village elder greeted them.

'Welcome, to our village,' he said. 'Or, at least, what's left of it. Have you come to help us?'

'Yeah, I guess,' Atreus replied. 'I heard about what happened here.'

'Yes,' the village elder replied. 'We were dealing with a severe famine. Then the Spear Hero unsealed a miracle seed for us. It worked, for a time, but then…'

'Yeah…' Atreus said, looking around at the plants that overran the village. The Village Elder squinted as he stared at Atreus, then his eyes widened.

'You…You're the Shield Hero, aren't you?' he said. Everyone in the camp immediately became tense as they stared at the group. Kratos let out a low growl, standing tall.

'Be at peace,' he said. 'We are not here to harm anyone.'

'Yeah,' Atreus replied. 'I'm willing to help anyway I can.'

The village elder squirmed uncomfortably, then let out a sigh of relief.

'If that's the case,' he said. 'Then please, save our village! There are people here even who have been consumed by the vines!'

Atreus nodded, his face stern.

'I'll do what I can,' he said. 'Show me the way.'

The Village Elder led the group into a tent, where several people laid on beds, their bodies covered in writhing vines. Atreus nodded as he took out some restorative medicine.

'Alright,' Atreus said. 'I'll try to cure them. I can't promise it'll work, but I'll try whatever I can.'

Atreus went up to one of the sick, a young boy who looked like he was having trouble breathing. The people watched anxiously as Atreus applied one of the medicines. The boy was enveloped in a bright light, and Atreus applied some sort of Magic to the vines. The boy writhed, seemingly in pain, even yelled out a bit. But then, the vines began to wither away, before they broke off, curing the boy. Everyone watched in awe, overjoyed at seeing him healed. The boy squirmed as he slowly woke up, blinking.

'Papa?' the boy asked. 'What happened?'

'You were sick, my boy,' the village elder said. 'But the Shield Hero has healed you!'

The village elder hugged his son tightly, overjoyed at having him healed. Atreus smiled, before he went around applying the medicine to the sick patients. One by one, the vines covering their bodies withered away and broke off, healing them all before long.

Once they were all healed, the mood of the camp had improved greatly. The people all huddled around Atreus, bowing low before him.

'Thank you, Shield Hero!' the village elder said. 'I suppose you are nowhere near the monster they say you are! Oh, how I wish we could all reward you.'

'Don't worry about it,' Atreus said. 'I don't want your money.'

'Are you sure? You deserve to be rewarded!'

'Just helping people is rewarding in itself,' Atreus replied, and meant it, making a small smile.

'Now all that's left is the vines,' Raphtalia said, looking around.

'Yeah,' Atreus said. 'That's gonna be a problem.'

'They're so thick, though. I don't think we'd be able to pierce them.'

Kratos grunted as he lowered his head, before he got an idea.

'Atreus,' he said. 'Your arrows…Do you still have some of that Sigil magic on you?'

Atreus frowned, then thought for a moment, shrugging.

'I don't know,' he said. 'It's…been a long time since I used them? Why?'

'If we used your Sigil magic,' Kratos went on, 'then we could burn those vines.'

Atreus slowly nodded, understanding where he was coming from.

'Alright,' he said. 'I guess I could try…'

Atreus took out his bow, before nocking an arrow to it. He took a breath as he aimed at one of the vines, pulling back on the bowstring.

'Auka!'

Atreus fired his arrow as it became wreathed in Sigil Magic. It hit the vines and applied a large purple Sigil. Everyone watched in awe as Atreus's magic worked.

'Brother, your blades?' Mimir said to Kratos. Kratos grunted as he took out the Blades of Chaos, wreathing them in flames as he threw one of them at the Sigil. The Sigil exploded in a massive burst of flames, burning the vine to ashes and making it crumble away.

Everyone stood in awe at the foreign magic that Atreus just used. Atreus smirked as he put his bow away, chuckling.

'I've still got it,' he said.

'Interesting,' Rino said, intrigued. 'I have never seen such magic before. Impressive, Loki.'

'Yes,' Raphtalia agreed. 'Very impressive.'

The village elder blinked, at a loss of words at what he just saw, then frowned.

'You are far different from any other heroes I have seen,' the village elder said, looking at Atreus sternly. 'I have never heard of the Shield Hero ever being able to use such magic.'

'The magic I have is special,' Atreus explained. 'It's my own magic, separate from the Shield's.'

The village elder only looked at him. Then he sighed, lowering his head.

'Either way, if this "special magic" will help take out the plants, then please, Shield Hero, save our village!'

'Say no more,' Atreus said, turning to his party members. 'Let's go, guys.'

The group nodded before they turned and left the camp, heading towards the village. The villagers watched as they left, holding onto hope that their village would be saved.

'Be careful everyone. We won't know what we'll find here,' Atreus said.

'Yes, Master!' Drífa replied.

'Alright, Loki,' Raphtalia said.

'I'll be careful,' Rino said.

The group had been travelling for a bit when they reached the village. The whole village had become overrun with vines that had all sorts of different plants. Atreus kept to the front, protecting his party if necessary. Not only were the vines poisonous, but they could spit out acid as well. They had walked for a bit when the vines had decided to attack them. Raphtalia and Drífa took care of them quickly, but it only made the other vines attack. Atreus kept them at bay by shooting them with sigil arrows, before Kratos used his Blades to burn them. The vines all burned to ashes as they crumbled into nothing.

They eventually reached the heart of the village, where they came upon several plant monsters. The plant monsters, named PlantRiwe, and Mandoragora, were all taller than the group, towering over even Kratos.

Laid within the centre was the Bioplant. Thick, writhing vines, they overtook the whole village. The group watched as one of the bulbs on the vines grew larger and larger, until they burst in a rain of juices, creating a PlantRiwe. Atreus knew that that was the monster they needed to take out.

Atreus raised his shield as they were accosted by a PlantRiwe. It looked like a humanoid monster made from vines, with a large flower bulb for a head. Atreus protected his group as the flower released a cloud of poisonous pollen. Even with the Shield's defence, Atreus found himself coughing horribly.

'Be careful!' he said to the others. 'It's poison!'

The others stood back as Atreus shot a Sigil arrow at the PlantRiwe, before Kratos struck it with his Blades. The Sigil exploded, burning the monster to ashes. Atreus pointed to the Bioplant in the centre of town.

'That's the one producing these monsters!' he said. 'We need to take it out!'

'Right!' Rino said.

'I'm going in!' Raphtalia said.

'Leave it to me Master!' Drífa said.

'Hmph. These monsters are nothing. Witness my strength!' Vandri said.

The group fought off the plant monsters, hacking at any vines that got too close to them. Vandri used her wings to fly around the area, cutting down every monster she saw with her blade. Atreus watched her in awe, impressed by her fighting capabilities. As the group fought, Atreus and Kratos got close to the Bio-Plant, before burning it with Atreus's Sigil Arrows and Kratos's blades. The Bio-Plant screeched as it burned, before withering away and dying, as if its heart had been burned.

'Alright!' Atreus said. 'That's the way!'

Raphtalia began to cough horribly as she took in the pollen in the air, covering her mouth. She ended up getting distracted, as a Mandoragora threw one of its vines at her. The Mandoragora looked like a large, immobile pitcher plant with a large gaping mouth. Atreus quickly got between Raphtalia and Atreus, blocking the Mandoragora's vine. The vine produced an acidic liquid that spilt on the floor.

'Raphtalia, you okay?' he asked.

'I-I'm fine,' Raphtalia said, before having another coughing fit. Atreus gritted his teeth, tossing her a piece of cloth and a medicine bottle.

'Stay close to me, okay?' he said.

'Y-yes, Loki,' Raphtalia replied as her coughing subsided, putting the piece of cloth around her mouth and nose.

The group continued onward, battling the plant monsters all around them, until they eventually reached the heart of the town. A large tree could be seen in the centre of the town, its branches reaching high into the sky. When the group got closer to it, a large eyeball suddenly opened up on the tree, screeching at them.

'That must be the one causing all of this!' Mimir said.

'Yeah, we gotta take it out!' Atreus replied.

'I'm going in!' Drífa said, before charging at the Bioplant and delivering a powerful kick to the eye. The eye screeched as it exploded into juices that spilled onto the ground. Immediately afterwards, however, another eyeball quickly grew in its place, screeching loudly.

'Damn, this thing regenerates!' Atreus said. It was then that he noticed the roots near the eye.

'Maybe if we take out the roots, that'll kill it!' he said.

'We can try,' Mimir replied.

'I will follow!' Kratos said, gripping his blades tightly.

'Everyone, take care of the monsters for us!' Atreus said. 'But be careful!'

They all nodded, before they charged at the massive tree. They were immediately blocked by thick, massive writhing vines that attacked them. Atreus fire a chain of sigil arrows at the vines, before Kratos threw one of his Blades at the sigils. The sigils exploded in a massive chain of fire, burning the vines to ashes, clearing a path for the group.

The bulbs all around the tree grew and exploded, creating more and more plant monsters. Rino, Drífa, Raphtalia and Vandri kept the monsters at bay, while Atreus and Kratos fought their way towards the tree. Raphtalia found herself accosted by a PlantRiwe that threw its poisonous pollen at her. Raphtalia quickly stepped back, avoiding the pollen, before charging and cutting the monster into several pieces with her sword. Several vines attacked her, but she parried their attacks, before cutting them to ribbons. Nearby, a group of PlantRiwe came charging at her, screeching. Rino came to her aid, holding her staff out.

'As a source of thy powers I order thee, decipher the rules of nature and send a blast of water at my enemy! Aqua Blast!'

Her staff glowed, a bluish aura, before it fired out a blast of water at the PlantRiwe, shredding them to pieces. At the sight of a Mandoragora nearby, Rino sent out a large mass of boulders that crushed it, leaving it flattened.

'Thanks, Rino,' Raphtalia said, smiling.

'No problem, Raphtalia,' Rino replied.

Vandri used her wings to fly around the arena, hacking away at the plant monsters left and right with her sword. Several vines attacked her at once as she flew. Thankfully, the vines were not very durable. Vandri flew into the air as she dodged the vines, slashing at them when they got too close. Once high enough, she spun around and dived towards the vine, snarling as she swung her sword in a furious frenzy, slashing through the vines. Several more vines came rushing at her at once, secreting venomous acid. Vandri roared as she threw out her hand, sending a powerful gust of wind that vaporised the vines.

Drífa dashed around the area, using her powerful legs to kick and claw at the plant monsters. She seemed particularly aggressive when she was in close proximity to Vandri, acting as if this was a competition, in which she had personal stakes. She spun and kicked at several plant monsters that had attacked her, before charging in and clawing at several vines that blocked her path. She turned and saw Vandri flying in the air, fighting several vines. Not wanting to be outdone, Drífa charged at the monsters, more aggressively than before, before leaping high into the air.

'Take this!' she said, as she slashed at the monsters with her powerful legs, cutting them to pieces. She turned to Vandri and struck a triumphant pose, smirking at her. Vandri growled and snarled at her, fury in her eyes.

'You brat! Those where mine!' she said.

'Get real! I'm not gonna let Master replace me with you!' Drífa shouted back, pouting like a child. Vandri snarled and threw a gust of wind at Drífa, sending her flying through the air and tumbling to the ground. She chuckled as she watched Drífa sprawled on the ground in a heap. Drífa frowned at her, furious now.

'Meanie!' she said.

'That's what you get for being a little brat!' Vandri snarled at her.

'Hey!' Raphtalia said, after slaying a plant monster. 'Focus you two!'

She found herself momentarily distracted by the two of them arguing, just long enough for several vines to grab her. Raphtalia struggled as the vines wrapped around her tight, threatening to crush her as they raised her into the air.

'Aaaah!' Raphtalia screamed, squirming. 'S-someone help!'

'Raphtalia!' Vandri shouted, before she flew in and cut the vines that gripped Raphtalia. Raphtalia yelped as she fell from the air, only for Vandri to catch her, setting her gently on her feet.

'You okay?' Vandri asked. Raphtalia nodded, a bit shaken.

'Y-yes, I am unharmed,' she replied. 'Thank you Vandri.'

'Don't mention it,' Vandri said. They both stood, side by side, as they charged at the vines, fighting together.

Atreus and Kratos continued to fight their way through the vines, determined to reach the tree. Vines and plant monsters continued to block their path. Kratos burned them all to ashes with his Blades of Chaos, empowered by the Sigil arrows that Atreus fired.

'Damn, there's too many of them!' Atreus yelled, growing frustrated. 'We'll never get to the tree at this rate!'

As they got close to the eyeball on the tree, several vines attacked them at once. It seemed the closer they got the more aggressive the vines became, as if they were protecting the tree. The vines surrounded them both from all sides, before suddenly lunging at them.

'Shield Prison!' Atreus yelled out as he held his hand, and the ability formed around them both, protecting them as the vines wrapped tightly around them. The Shield Prison groaned as the vines tried to crush them. Thankfully, the vines were not strong enough to crack the Shield Prison.

'When the Shield Prison disappears, we strike,' Atreus said. Kratos nodded, holding his Blades at the ready. The timer on the Shield Prison finally ran out, causing the Shield Prison to dissipate.

'Strike, Brother!' Mimir shouted. Kratos roared as he swung his Blades, cutting the vines and burning them. The vines writhed as they were consumed by the flames, creating a clear path to the eyeball. Atreus snatched the opportunity, quickly firing a row of Sigil arrows that hit the tree and its roots.

'Now!' Atreus yelled out. Kratos roared as he threw his Blades at the Sigil marks on the tree, impacting them hard. The Sigils exploded in a chain of fire, burning the tree deeply.

The Bioplant screeched in agony as it was set aflame, writhing, before it crumbled away into nothing. The surrounding vines and plant monsters writhed as they too began to wither away, screeching in pain as they were reduced to withered husks, before crumbling like ash. Everyone had a collective sigh of relief. The monster was no more. The village had been saved.

'So that's that then?' Rino said.

'It is done,' Kratos replied.

'Good grief,' Vandri said, wiping her sword clean with a piece of cloth.

Atreus looked around. Withered plants littered the streets of the town. Curious, he began to absorb the withered plants into his shield and got three new Shields. Within the centre of town, where the tree had been, now laid a seed. Atreus knelt and picked the seed up, examining it in his hand.

'Is that the Alchemist's seed?' Mimir asked.

'Doesn't look like it,' Atreus asked. 'Either way, doesn't hurt to be careful.'

Using the new shields Atreus had acquired, he decided to modify the plant a bit so that it was less destructive. Once done, Atreus planted the seed onto the ground. It instantly sprouted into a large plant bearing fruits. At his command, Kratos burned the plant to ashes, and it reverted back into a seed. Atreus picked the seed up, putting it into his pouch.

'Alright, that's over then,' Mimir said.

'Yeah,' Atreus replied. 'Let's head back to the village.'

The group made their way back to the village, where the people were waiting anxiously. The Village Elder bowed low towards Atreus in gratitude.

'We saw the vines wither from here,' he explained. 'We took it as a sign that the vines were dealt with. Thank you so much for saving our village, Shield Hero.'

'Don't mention it,' Atreus replied. 'Oh yeah, I wanted to give you something.'

Atreus opened his pouch and took out the seed, handing it to the Village Elder. He raised an eyebrow as he examined it, curious.

'What…Is it?' he asked.

'It's a seed,' Atreus said. 'I modified it so that it would be less destructive. Hopefully it'll help with your famine. Use it at your own risk.'

The Village Elder looked at Atreus in gratitude, before bowing low again.

'Thank you, Shield Hero,' he said. 'We are eternally grateful for what you have done for us. Perhaps you are not a monster like they keep saying.'

'Why would you even accept the Alchemist's seed in the first place?' Vandri asked, crossing her arms. 'You should've known that the seed was dangerous.'

The villagers all shifted uncomfortably, lowering their heads in shame. Atreus sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

'I get it,' he said. 'You probably thought that because it came from the Spear Hero, it must've been good. I don't blame you. I'd think the same way too if I was in your shoes.'

The Village Elder nodded, grateful.

'You have done a lot for us,' he said. 'It would not be right to let you leave empty handed. Please, accept a reward from us.'

'What did you have in mind?' Atreus asked. The Village Elder gestured to two carts full of fruit, smiling.

'Our gift for you,' he explained. 'Take it. You might get hungry on your travels.'

Drífa jumped around excitedly, chirping happily.

'Yay! More things to pull!' she said. 'The carriage was starting to become too light for me!'

'If it makes Drífa happy,' Atreus said, 'then sure, we'll accept it. Thank you.'

The villagers helped in loading the two crates onto the carriage, exchanging words of gratitude. The group climbed into the carriage and headed off. Atreus waved goodbye to the villagers as they left the town, continuing on their adventure.