Ch3

"Drugs! Drugs! Give me more!" Keyaru howled as the chain around pushed into his neck. "Drugs!"

It was an act of course, he had a higher immunity than in his last world but his captors didn't need to know that. In his faux frenzied state he could see the other heroes looking at him with pitiful looks in their eyes. Behind them both Myne and Flare looked at him with contempt in their eyes.

"Alright he'll heal you all up," Myne said as the gates opened and two armored men came into his cell.

"Drugs!" The soldiers knocked him down with the buts of their spears his eyes bulged out as he pretended to be a crazed drug addict.

"Are you sure this is alright?" Itsuki asked with a bit of concern.

Myne let out a sob. "This creature is absolutely disgusting, he helped that shield hero and now he has gotten himself addicted to drugs."

The spear hero stepped forward. "Don't worry we'll teach him a lesson if he ever tries to escape," Montoyasu said gripping his spear tightly.

The spear hero entered first and rammed him with the but of his spear. "Mad dog," Montoyasu spat.

It took all his will power to not break his façade. You'll all regret this. He was very tempted to put the spear her on his list of people he wanted to get revenge on

He recoiled as a shoe hit his gut. "Heal me," Montoyasu demanded as he lifted him up by the hair.

"Hey calm down," Ren said. "Why don't we-"

Montoyasu cut him off. "Why don't we what? This bastard should suffer for what he and Naofumi did."

The bow and sword heroes looked at each other but said nothing. Jury is still out on them. Some days he considered adding them to his revenge list, other days he didn't feel like it.

His arm gingerly gripped the spear hero's leg. "H-Heal." He felt the experience flow into his body as the spear hero was none the wiser.

"Well that's the least he could do," Montoyasu said. "Myne want to get out on a quest?"

Myne clapped her hands. "Of course Montoyasu-sama! Lets go I don't want us to be late for our trip."

As soon as they left he 'healed' Itsuki and Ren. With each healing he had been growing stronger and none of the heroes would notice for a while that their experience was gone.

"We'll be going on our own quests," Ren said. The sword hero looked at him and he could have sworn there was some bit of sympathy in his gaze.

Itsuki nodded. "Yeah there are so many things we want to do here."

Finally they are leaving. He had been waiting for the three heroes to leave the capital as soon as they could. He didn't want witnesses to what he would do to Myne.

"Fine. Alright Renard make sure he's locked up," Flare ordered.

The head guard Renard nodded. "Yes my lady."

Good luck with such low stats. Still he needed to be here, he needed information on how this world worked and what Flare's position was.

As soon as Flare left with the two heroes he slowly sat up and glared at the door. You'll all pay. He honestly hoped Naofumi was safe, wherever he was. If we reunite I'll assist you in your own quest for revenge. There was no doubt in his mind that Naofumi wanted revenge and was probably dealing with a smear campaign.

He slowly sat up and cleaned the blood from his face. This is world is a shithole. It definitely needs to be cleansed. Taking a deep breath he looked at his stats, a smile spread across his face as he looked at the countless abilities he had unlocked due to stealing from the other heroes.

Taking a slow deep breath he rested his back on the cell wall. Flare I'll take care of you tonight. He resumed his façade of a drugee for the remainder of the evening, that was until Renard came into the room for his usual taunting.

"What a pitiful brat," Renard said as he came into the cell and kneeled in front of him. "A criminal like you has need for life." The man then grabbed him by his hair and pulled closer their faces inches apart. "Beg for your drugs. Beg well and I might just give them to you."

He placed his hand on Renard's chest. "Heal."

Renard's eyes went white as he fell to the ground. This is for abusing me. He grabbed Renard's unconscious body and took all of his experience. "Heal."

His own body transformed into the image of Renard while Renard's body fell to the ground dead. A smile spread across his face. Just wait Flare. Soon you'll be suffering.

After changing their clothes he exited the cell and locked it. The other soldiers in the castle were none the wiser to his disguise as he made his way to Flare's room.

As he entered he found Flare talking with two guards. "The shield hero must not succeed," she said.

He cleared his throat. "My lady I have something to report to you."

"Renard? What is it?" Flare asked innocently.

He gripped his sword and drew it. Her guards didn't stand a chance as he lopped their heads off. Flare tried to scream but he quickly grabbed her by the throat and flamed her against the wall.

"Renard what is the meaning of this?" Flare asked as fear filled her eyes.

He laughed as he quickly pinned her against the wall. "Renard?" Placing a hand on his face he undid his disguise. "It's your loyal pet Keyaru!"

Flare's eyes widened. "K-Keyaru! What is the meaning of this? Is the shield hero helping you?"

A wicked smile spread across his face, his blood boiled at the memories of all the torture and abuse he had suffered at Flare's hands. "I'm here for revenge and questions. Heal!" He had never heard such a beautiful sound as Flare screaming.

Naofumi paced around his rented room debating what to do. I feel bad leaving him but I can't just barge in there. He also couldn't just stay in the capital where he was hated and detested.

"N-Naofumi-sama is something bothering you?" Raphtalia asked timidly

He looked at his slave who shrunk a little under his gaze. They were still working on their relationship. "A person is trapped in that castle."

"Is he a friend of yours?" Raphtalia asked

He leaned against the window not sure of how to respond. He didn't know Keyaru but he did try to stand up for him and honestly was probably the only person who was decent to him. "Sort of," he muttered. I can't stand this capital; the sooner we leave the better. Yet could he leave the one person who stood for him so far?

The past few days he had been snooping around down to get updates about Keyaru. What he heard made his stomach turn if they were half true. To think they would be that low to turn him into a human battery. It made him want to destroy this world more.

It was then that the ground rumbled and a burst of flame flew into the sky. "Naofumi-sama it's coming from the castle!" Raphtalia yelled.

"It's him," he said as he grabbed his cloak. He didn't know why he said that but deep down he knew it was him. "Come on we have to help save him."

Frankly he knew something was off about Keyaru, at times he acted scared but sometimes he would see something in his eyes, something intelligent like an animal waiting for his prey. He was up to something, he chose to stay behind for a reason.

They did their best to run past the soldiers. "Naofumi-sama where are we going?" Raphtalia asked.

"There must be a side entrance we'll find him there," he said as they ran down an alley.

Looking at the flames he wondered what could've caused them. Keyaru just what are you? As they entered a deserted area around the back of the castle he noticed a hooded figure walk towards them.

Raphtalia stepped in front of him and drew her sword. "Naofumi-sama be careful."

He readied his shield just as a familiar figure walked towards them. "K-Keyaru? Is that you?"

The healing hero removed his cloak, he was holding something it looked like a human. "Hello Naofumi. Long time no see."

Something was different about Keyaru; he no longer was timid, in fact the glint in his eyes and his wide smile made the hairs on his neck stand up.

"Don't worry I won't hurt you," Keyaru said calmly. "I suggest you leave, you don't want to be entangled with a guy like me."

He motioned for Raphtalia to lower his sword. "What do you mean?" What's going on?"

"I got revenge on my abuser," Keyaru said as he held up the covered body. "Well one of them."

The sound of soldiers in the distance caught his attention. "Come on I have a safe place, you could stay there."

Keyaru looked at the ground. "You really don't want a person like me around you. Trust me you should run and not turn back."

His voice was soft and sincere and just looking into the madness in his eyes he could tell Keyaru was not fully well in the head.

"Why not? This world has treated me like crap and you've been one of the only decent person to me. Now come on."

The hardness in Keyaru's eyes was replaced by softness. "Thank you."

"Come on Raphtalia," he said.

Keyaru put his cloak on and held the body close to him as he followed from behind. They managed to avoid the guards and arrive at the inn where he was staying. "Just follow me," he said as they discreetly entered from the back door.

As soon as they arrived at his room he locked the door. Keyaru placed the body on the bed and removed it to reveal a girl that looked somewhat similar Flare.

Raphtalia gasped and stepped back. "Don't worry I wont' hurt you," Keyaru said calmly as he looked at both of them. "I only hurt those that harm me and she tortured me longer than I can remember," he said with coldness in his voice.

"The rumors are they true?" He asked. "Were you being tortured?"

Keyaru looked him in the eyes and nodded. "I was used as a healing battery for the other heroes and for Flare's own amusement. I was own her personal toy who she used and abused along with her friends."

A shadow fell upon the room as he took in what Keyaru said. How could be so cruel? A shiver went down his spine as he looked Keyaru in the eyes. There was a madness in them and he didn't blame him for having it. This world can rot and burn.

"How horrible," Raphtalia muttered.

"I decided to make my escape when the other heroes weren't around." Keyaru stroked Flare's hair as a cruel smile spread across his face. "I took my revenge. She also confessed that what she and Myne did to you was an act. Both of them along with the king wanted to defame you and capture me."

He clenched his fists while Raphtalia looked at him in confusion. Despite the madness in the heal hero' eyes he was hesitant to ask what he did to get those confessions from her. "What will you do now?"

Keyaru looked at him. "I'm going to destroy all those who hurt and abused me and those who take advantage of the weak. I have already erased her memories and replaced them with those of her being my personal lover."

The way he said the last part made his skin crawl but that was combatted by the part of him who wanted to applaud his efforts. "Was Myne there?"

"She's with the spear hero," Keyaru said. "Besides I figured you'd want to deal with her yourself." The heal hero looked out the window. "If you don't want me around I understand, I'll leave and you won't have anymore trouble. But if you want a partner I could use the help."

"Will innocent people get hurt?" he asked folding his arms.

Keyaru looked him in the eyes and shook his head. "Only those who abused and hurt me. I won't harm you or your possessions."

He folded his arms debating what to do. Frankly he could use some help since the world hated his guts. "Fine."

Keyaru smiled. "Sounds good. I'd shake your hand but you don't want to know where it was."

"I don't. Oh by the way this is my slave Raphtalia," he said.

Raphtalia bowed her legs shaking. "Nice to meet you sir."

"A slave eh?" Keyaru raised an eyebrow.

"I needed someone to help me level up, besides she's decent with a sword." He scratched his head. "I could get you one if you want?"

Keyaru shrugged. "Sure why not. We'll need all the help we can get for our new party."

"Raphtalia watch over the room," he said as Keyaru closed the curtains and covered Flare with the sheet he brought.

"So how hard has it been?" Keyaru asked as they walked down the streets of the city. The fire had long been put out and the few soldiers out were now at the castle leaving the city eerily calm

"Horrible," he admitted. "This world hates me and the feeling is mutual."

"I get that," Keyaru said as they approached the slave house. "Mine was the same."

He looked at the heal hero wondering what was really going on in his mind.

Eventually they arrived at the dark alley where he bought Raphtalia and they were greeted by the slave master. "Ah Mr. Shield Hero what brings you back here?"

"My friend here wants a slave," he said pointing to Keyaru. "We want this to be a quiet transaction."

"Rest assure I keep all information about my clients confidential," The slave master said "Let me show you around."

The sound of various creatures and animals growling caught his attention. Keyaru looked around until he stopped. "She looks good."

He looked and saw a fox girl with blue hair growling at them. Her body shaking as various wounds were revealed in the light. The young fox girl growled at them her body shaking as her gaze mixed with fury and fear.

"Ah she's a difficult," The slave master said. "Her name is Setsuna."

"Setsuna," Keyaur knelt down and looked the fox girl in the eyes. A smile spread across his face. "I'll take her."

AN: I shortened the amount of time Keyaru was tortured. I would say he was there for at least four weeks just biding his time and getting information. Also I couldn't see Ken and Itsuki approving of Keyaru being tortured to the extent he was in canon

As for the other heroes, I debated how they would react to Keyaru's situation. Ken and Itsuki would feel bad for him deep down but the spear hero would probably not care.