A/N: Hello again. I have free time and motivation again today so I decided to write the next chapter already. I guess I should say that I am cross posting this fanfic on here (QQ), space battles (my username is Unholyexcaliber456 on both), and fanfic (my username there is swordmaster888 though). Not Archive because I don't like the idea of making another account that I apparently can't delete. For that reason I also can't use the light novels as sources, since I don't trust NU and google docs. Fortunately I have access to the manga for mobuseka, and the anime, and the manga for Eminence and the game on my phone. There's also the chibi spin-offs which are like, nebulously canon. Like there's stuff I can take from there, though it really depends on what I think is the coolest.

Disclaimer: I do not own Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games Is Tough for Mobs, nor do I own The Eminence in Shadow. The only Beta reader here is the elf.

P.S. despite the time skip, I think everyone in Shadow Garden would still look like their pre-time skip selves.

-Cid-

Since the glorious founding of "shadow garden," it has been six long years. Alpha and I turned 16. Claire, my sister is 18. Because of that, she must now rush to the academy. As she explained to me while begging me to say she looked cute in the uniform, noble children must attend school at the capital after the turn 18, such is the rules. There are a few different academies across the kingdoms, however the one in Midgar seems to be going under construction, so we're going to be forced to attend the one in the neighboring kingdom, Holfort. Today was the day Claire was going to leave, however...

On that day... My sister was kidnapped.

"To be able to kidnap Claire... even though it happened at night." Ponders Pops, "That someone must've been exceptionally skilled."

"If they were so skilled," says Momma through a smile that doesn't reach her eyes, "I suppose there's nothing we could have done?"

The light shines through Pops' head as he comes to a conclusion. "Nothing at all. Thus, I can't be held responsible for sleeping through it all in the next room."

Oh, yeah. Pops and Momma sleep in separate rooms. Pops stays close to Claire so that she isn't corrupted like most of the other noble women, or at least that's what he said. I think it's because he figured Claire could protect him if anything happen.

Momma turns to me and Alpha, "Cid. Can you and Alice please leave the room?"

We nod and leave, as we do I can hear the normal sounds of domestic violence. It's fine, Pops can at least heal himself. I think that's why Momma married him, to pass down his self healing skill down to us, Midgar is huge on the Dark Knight abilities of their nobility.

"SCREW YOU BALDY! DON'T GIVE ME THOSE CONVOLUTED EXCUSES!" Yells My mother, each word enunciated with a punch. If there's one thing I learned from her, it's that in this world it's completely possible to juggle someone in combat like a fighting game.

Also, that through magic women can be as strong if not stronger than men. Or at least that's what the tutors say. I know I ran into a few female gang members that were stronger than the men in my past life, and some female bandits in this one too. Anyway, despite us living in a fantasy world with a nobility class system, it's common for there to be male and female heirs. Claire is the hope of our family. As for me? I'm hardly noticed. Not much is expected of me, nor do I cause trouble. I'm going to a lot of trouble to keep being a background character. Plus, with how women are usually like in this world (at least by comparing them to Momma and Claire) I get away with a lot by bursting into tears.

When I first brought Alpha to the house, Claire had managed to catch us since I let Alpha sleep with me in my bed. Momma had wanted to let Alpha go, but by crying that I wanted a friend who wasn't going to beat me up all the time like Momma and Claire did, Pops upgraded from Baldy by putting his foot down. And his head, and his arms. He taught me how to grovel shamelessly, and that men need to stick together in this world. The latter seems kinda sexist, which is uncool, but he did let me keep Alpha, so, meh. I also did have to give her a civilian name, I originally thought about Zelda, but that felt a bit too on the nose. Allison felt like it was taken, Alexia was the name of the princess, and Alpha's face shriveled up like an adorable angry puppy when I proposed Beatrix, so I decided to keep it as Alice.

However, "Alice," isn't the only servant I employ. See, Alpha was serious about expanding our organization. I know for a fact we have seven, my seven shades I call them, but Alpha keeps picking them up like stray cats. They're nice enough to play along with the whole eminence in shadow routine in return for me paying them. Though as far as my family knows I only have "Alice." Everyone else stays in a nearby hidden city. Well, when it was just me and the shades for the first three years we stayed in a house I built nearby some bandit camps. After that we got more people and the girls decided to move out. I was worried about them since they didn't seem to know anything about how the world works besides the "shadow wisdom" I passed onto them, so I followed closely. It's not that I was jealous they were hanging out without me, not at all, that wouldn't be cool. Anyway, after going through this cool poisonous mist I fought this dragon and the girls found a cool city. I visit every now and then, since they gave me a room. I just tell Claire I'm playing with the local village children, like that one kid... Oliver, or something. Luckily Claire isn't given the chance to follow me since she's stuck with all the heir duties or whatever.

"You can come out, Beta."

A cute elf with silver hair, a mole underneath her sky blue eyes, and a studious face that's bereft of it's usual red glasses emerges from behind some curtains. She nods to me as I continue walking with her close behind.

"Where's the other shades?" I ask.

Beta begins to take out some documents as she responds, "Looking for any traces mistress Claire may have left. According to our investigation the perpetrator is from the diabolos cult."

I nod as Beta pauses for dramatic effect and looks to Alpha.

"One of their highest ranking officers in fact." said Beta.

"Oh?" I say, "Why did the cult take my sister?"

"They suspect that she might be a hero's descendant." Beta says as she lays out a map, "Take a look here. From what we've gathered their hideout is likely in the north..."

I see... these girls are the best. The story of the cult I fabricated is getting more and more elaborate thanks to them, and they even find a way to incorporate stuff like a random kidnapping into it! Beta and Alpha go over the possible locations. Hm... that one to the northeast is far enough that I can make it back before my parents notice if we leave now. I threw a knife made from my slime suit.

"There, that's where they're keeping my sister." I said while not letting it be shown that I completely missed. Alpha, who has been by my side this entire time squints at me until Beta manages to draw her attention with a gasp.

"Wait could it be!?" said Beta as she searches through the documents, "After looking through all our data, I believe they have an underground hideout in the South! To be able to tell that at a glance...! Sasuga Shadow-Sama!"

Just like that, whatever random stuff I come up with they follow up with an Oscar worthy act! Although Alpha seems to get a little tired of my shit every now and then. I guess that's just what having a best friend is like though. Maybe I should do her a favor and handle Delta today? It's not like we'll run into anything on the way.

-Leon-

Six years have passed since I regained my memory.

This world of an otome game is full of absurdities, is just my reality now. Every day, I'm appalled by this mean world. Here, it's a problem for guys who don't get married before graduation. You'll be looked down upon if you're still single by 25. Christmas cake syndrome, but for men. It's even worse for aristocratic men. If you don't get married you won't get a job or succeed in life supposedly. Wars, skirmishes, sky pirates, monsters... There's a lot of conflict in this world, and the death rate for knights and soldiers in the Kingdom of Holfort is high. In Holfort, the ones who fight and work are men, Yet here and elsewhere women hold all the power. It's a matriarchal world through and through, though unfortunately(?) it's not a total world of moral reversal.

My family, the Barfort barony, would be akin to mobs in a game. I don't think any were even mentioned beyond when the Villainess was condemned but only exiled in the "true" endings, when she's sent to marry an ugly baron after the events of the game.

Speaking of the game, in about two years I'll be enrolling in the capital's academy. It's the main setting of Alto Liebe. Though according to Nicks it really sucks. I pat my new little brother, Colin, on the head as I lie to him about what Nicks said in his letter.

*Later*

"BETROTHAL!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!? I'M GOING TO THE ACADEMY AREN'T I!?" I can't help but yell as I slam my hands on the table. Mom and Dad try to get me to calm down while the old hag looks at me from behind her teacup.

"She's the daughter of a court noble that I associate with. Do you have any objections?" She says with a calm face.

Objections!? Who wouldn't have any! Look at her, this 50 year old human muk! No, that's offensive to all Muk! What's worse is that she's had 7 marriages so far! What, did they all leave as soon as they saw her!?

I look back at the hag in front of me, "Why are you talking about this now? I haven't even been enrolled yet! Aren't nobles supposed to go to school first!?"

Zola sneers as she lowers her teacup again. "The second son is fine, but there's no point in having the third son go to school. Enrolling costs quite a bit of money."

Second and third son my ass. I look over at my dad as he avoids my gaze in shame. Apparently blood tests became a recent thing. Unfortunately, you have to do it through some new merchant company, and Zola panicked when dad had mentioned it. She protested so hard that it became obvious what the result was going to be, so even her kids don't look down on the rest of us. Well, Merce doesn't, Rutart still does. Momma's boy doesn't have the sense to realize he's fucked if Nicks gets married before him. Though with the luck Nicks has been having I'd probably have a better...chance...

...

This bitch.

Dad recovers a bit and tries to interject, "It's... true that we don't have the money right now... but I think we could cut some costs-"

"If you have any money you could make that way, then it should be sent to me in the capital. Lea, or whatever, might not find work even if he graduates. It's the smart choice to marry for the sake of his family. He should be thankful that this marriage comes by easily." Zola sneers again, "I've also planned for you to become a soldier. Do your best."

THIS BITCH. She clearly wants me to die in battle, that way even if I somehow get along with slagathor I can't do shit about her affair babies! Plus! In Holfort, it's an honor to die in battle as a noble and due compensation will be given. Slagathor's past spouses ditched to the army and were all "honorably killed"... Damn you! You're not even trying to hide it!

"I refuse!" I shout.

Zola stands up and level her fan at me, "Silence! You're the third son! If you're a man you'd better work for your family!"

I can do nothing but take it as she shouts at me given that we have no legal way of forcing her kids to do anything while she's still in power. Damn it! What about you... Do you even work!? The only reason you can live in luxury in the capital is because of dad's money! Even I have to work till I drop at the fields everyday! If only dad could divorce her... but if dad did that he'll lose his reputation. Her family will slander us and we won't be able to associate with other families. If that happens we can forget about getting help the next time any pirates or bandits come by.

How do I get out of this situation... C'mon I spent so many years thinking about what to do if I wanted to become some super op character, I have to know some kind of money exploit or something. If I don't do something here, I'll have no future!

I throw out some words, "Then what if I have the money?"

Zola merely laughs at me, "You? How would a loafer who doesn't work come about that much? You may as well say a commoner is going to attend." Zola gets up and starts to leave, "It's rude to refuse a betrothal, don't think that just paying the entrance fees will be enough. Besides you should be thanking me. Forget 25, no woman will want a man past the age of 20. Just ask what's his face. Honestly, this is why I hate brats from the country side. Come along now children, before you pick up anything from them."

"Like how less pointy our ears are?" I snark.

Zola flushes red and throws her tea at me before storming off. Her baby daddy glares at me but doesn't do anything else given last time he tried I showed how it's perfectly legal to beat up a slave in self defense. As scummy as that sounds. Rutart sneers at me and leaves too. But Merce calmly curtsies at us. Luckily the tea was already lukewarm. Mom comes to me with a towel and helps me dry off.

"Dad, why'd you marry someone like that?" I sigh.

Dad sighs in response as he pats me on the shoulder, "I know you're angry but it had to be done. We could only be barons if I married Zola... and for the sake of everyone in our territory there was no way for me to refuse. I'm sorry. I'll do my best to get some money together..."

You had to huh... Well I have to protect myself, and, I think I know the one way I can do that. I look dad dead in the eyes.

"Father," I say in a way that gets dad and mom's attention, "If you really want to apologize then I need you to arrange something for me."

"Leon," says mom, "what are saying."

"Is nii-chan going to run away?"

I hold mom's hand and look at Finely and Colin who join us. "I'm saying that I'm going to be an adventurer."

-Cid-

"Boss~ Play with Delta! Let's play!"

I dodge the wolf therianthrope as she charges towards me. I don't know why but I am reminded of those flickering lights whenever she does this. Hm... maybe I should let her hit me at least once? Nah, it wouldn't be cool. I catch Delta as she passes and twirl around.

"Hello Delta, have you been a good girl?" I scratch behind her ears as I stare into the night sky.

"Mhm, Mhm. Delta has been really good. Her ladyship sir says that I can play with you today!" I don't have to look at her to see that her tail is wagging hard enough to generate wind.

"Mhm. Good girl." I continue petting my dog as I think back to the one I had in my past life. I wonder how you're doing Requiem. Are you among the constellations? Are you with Nishitani?

"Bossu, what are you looking at?" Asks Delta.

I very quickly swap topics, it's too early in the story for the eminence in shadow to reveal his back story. Besides if anything I'd reveal it to Alpha first. "I'm searching for a Kentaurous."

I see Delta, pardon the pun, space out. "A ken..? What's a kentoro? Tororo?"

I summon a pole with my slime and draw the head of a horse in the ground. "It's called a kentauros. You know about horses, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well a kentauros," I say while circling the head, "is a horse who has the upper body of a human. Basically the human body starts here."

"A human on it's head..." says Delta while tilting her ears and head, "Poor horse."

"Well, I've never actually seen one." I admit. Delta thinks I'm cool just because I'm strong, which means that I can be more honest with her. I mean it's a little disappointing but there's a difference between her and the other shades. And Alpha, I dunno why. I guess it's because she's my best friend?

"You're going to fight it? Delta will too!"

Heh. I pat Delta again. We got somewhere to be, so I try to close the conversation for now, we can look for it thoroughly later. "Well, there's also a kentaurous that turned into a star."

Delta's eyes gleam like said celestial body, "A star? Then Boss and Delta should jump up there and fight it!"

"I mean, that's pretty high." I said.

"Then, then, Boss! Throw Delta up there!" Delta jumps up and down while waiting for me. I shrug. As far as I can tell it's clear sky save for a few clouds, and I think a flying fish?

Might as well if that's what she wants. I pick up Delta and toss her at maximum speed. "Okay, there you go!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF!"

*CRACK!*

Ooh that sounded expensive. *Sigh* Alpha will be mad if we hunted pirates without her, especially when we're supposed to be doing something. I'd better keep Delta from killing them and let them go. Hopefully this one's smart and takes the offer of living for the generous offer it is.

-Leon-

As I hunt one of the Carp Queens for the free bonus exp, assuming things still work that way too, I reflect on the most recent letter Nicks sent me. Apparently, my marriage partner, slagathor, has a reputation about as bad as her appearance. Under the impression 'men are slaves so we can do whatever we want with them,' she formed an association called the 'Forest of Ladies.' They marry off useless men, send them to battle, and collect the compensation money. Nicks knew about this for a while, but wasn't allowed to talk to anyone aside from me since I'm technically not a Barfort anymore.

Why is a side character like me involved in something like this..? Just let me live in peace!

At least as an adventurer though I'm not a Barfort, I'm afforded some respect. After all the nobles were descendants of adventurers. I thought by becoming an adventurer and using my game knowledge I'd become invincible. while I don't have a status screen, I do feel some changes, but just like how it wasn't enough for the bull shit game, it's not enough here. Life here is tougher than it was back then. I've come to appreciate having a meal, the opportunity to study, and a home in general. *Sigh* for people like me, we're nobility in name, but only that.

I swear, one day, I'll explore this world, find a new island, and find some treasures. But first, I need to find a cheat item. No, the cheat item. I need to find Luxion.

According to the calendar, the protagonist should be the same age as me. In the story, the protagonist obtained access to the shop after enrolling, in other words, she hasn't been able to obtain anything yet. I feel sorry for her, but I need this a lot more than she does. I'll repay the favor one day. For now though, I'm at least a month away from Luxion's coordinates. Normally, it'd take a few days (if that) since you'd have access to the prince's stuff. But since I only have what my dad could acquire, and it was basically impossible for him too, well I'll be repay him soon enough. First I should stop by the local territory. If I remember correctly I'm technically not even Holfort anymore, but since we're both so close to the border, it doesn't really matter. In any case, I think there was a shop keep nearby? They had unique dialogue but I forget why.

All of a sudden I hear a strange sound.

*WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF!"

Is that a dog-

*CRACK!*

THAT'S MY SHIP!

Fuck! Shit! Sonnuvabitch! I'm falling!

Wait, okay, it's more like gliding. The balloon is popped but I should be able fall somewhere close to the village or whatever it was. I quickly gather all my stuff in the bags and do my best to hold onto the steering wheel and aim for the river.

*CRASH!*

Okay those are trees! Fuck! Shit! OW!

I tumble to the ground with my dad's ship in even worse shape behind me. Thanks to my adventurers gear, and probably the levels I gained from that fish, I manage to survive. I do my best to get up and get my bearings. But...

*Step, Step, Step.*

Almost in sync with my heartbeat I hear the footsteps of someone. I do my best to get up thinking it's some pirates... But what I see... It's... It's the scariest thing I've ever seen. It looks like some kind of ghost with a some kind of black mist poring from it's face, the only detail I can make of it's appearance being it's red glowing eyes.

I gulp and do my best to talk, "H-hey... there. Did... did you happen to shoot me down by accident?"

The figure doesn't speak but stops walking in my direction. I guess that's a good sign.

"It's... It's cool. Just" I'msofuckingscaredwhatthehellisthis, "Just point me in the direction of the nearest town. I'm an adventurer I'm used to this kind of thing."

The figure doesn't say anything, and I reach for a grenade just in case. But then, it raises what I'm pretty sure is their hand, and points to the right. According the last time I checked my compass, right of the river is the opposite of what I need but... yeah, this is probably what it feels like when you think you're going to die. I'd better just book it. Sorry about your ship dad.

I book it. Going past all the trees, past some animals, not even caring how much noise I'm making. I don't hear anything behind me but that monster probably knows how to hide.

*BOOM!*

Fuck. FUCK! What the hell was that!? Please let that be the most difficult thing I have to deal with toni-

I trip over something.

"Woah!" I yelp.

"Eep!" Cries out a feminine voice.

Oh c'mon! I get up quickly, look behind me and see the damn thing from earlier. Except it's not alone anymore. Accompanying two red glowing eyes are two purple ones.

"Sorry about this, butweneedtogetoutofhere!" I manage to spew out. I grab the girl I apparently tripped on and rush past the trees.

"Eh? Eh? What's going on!?" she yells. "Who are you?"

"I'm Le-" I look back and see the purple eyes right behind us, "AH!"

I book it as fast as I can go, honestly I feel like I'm sprinting like the ninjas did in Naruto more than how a normal human does.

"Uh, I, it's nice to meet you. I'm Olivia. Um, what are we..." Olivia looks behind me, and probably sees what I did, "EEEEK! Run faster!"

I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN! I wanted to say. Yet strangely, I find a hidden spring of speed. Did this girl cast a buff on me?

-Cid-

The shades and I watch as the two kids I found run into the cult's den. A few of the shades accompany them as I command, but secretly.

"Cid?"

"Yes Alpha?"

"I normally never question your decisions, but... aren't we going to save your sister?"

"Cid Kagenou would never abandon his family," I start.

I can see the question revving up in Alpha's mouth, but as always she's hesitant to question me. Hm. I get it, I do pay her after all. But, that's why this plan is going through.

"... and it should go without saying that Shadow would never abandon his shades." I say while squeezing Alpha by her shoulders.

I hear Beta furiously scribble something at my statement of fact.

"...Then what's the plan?"

I can't help but smile. "Remind me, what is the motto of our Shadow Garden?"

"We lurk in the shadows, and hunt the shadows." said Alpha and Beta in unison.

"Correct, but shadows are only casted when light is cast." I said.

Alpha thinks for a few seconds before contributing to the setting, as expected. "Of course! By having an upstart adventurer and a possible Saintess cadidate be the ones to rescue Claire, we make sure that the cult's attention will be drawn elsewhere."

Beta takes a break from writing to join in, "and by dividing their attention we'll be able to take advantage of their thin numbers and annihilate them! Sasuga, Shadow-Sama!"

Eh, yeah something like that. Sasuga Alpha-Sama. Hm, wait something in the middle of that sounded important. Well it can wait for later. For now, we dive into the darkness.

-Leon-

"Mr. Lea?"

Who? Oh, me.

"It's Leon. I just, y'know, screamed because of... y'know." I say while we slowly walk forward through the den those monsters chased us into. I can't help but worry if this place is some kind of monster nest, because it's full of dead bodies everywhere. I can barely stand the stench, I can't imagine how Olivia is holding up.

"Right. Mr. Leon, c-can I hold your hand? I'm scared." said Olivia.

I want so badly to say yes considering how cute her teary face is (man I wonder what that observation says about me), but it's not the best idea right now.

"No, I need both my hands free just in case someone gets close." I said. I regret it immediately upon seeing her face. God it's liked a puppy you accidentally kicked! "...if you need to, you can hang onto my coat with one hand."

Olivia brightens up a little and holds onto my coat. We both continue our slow walk through the creepy place.

"Mr. Leon?"

"Yeah?"

"What were you doing in the forest?"

"Being chased by that monster."

"Mou~ Before that."

"Sorry, sorry."

"One sorry is enough!"

"Okay, okay."

"Mou~ Mr. Leon teasing girls like that in a situation like this is a big no-no!"

Ah~ how cute~ I guess she's right though.

"I was flying to the nearby town to rest for a bit. I'm an adventurer y'see?"

"Oh wow! I've never seen an adventurer my own age."

"Heh, well it's nothing like the fairy tales, but I've learned a thing or two about fighting monsters. So long as they aren't as strong as the ones that chased us in here, I bet I can take them. Just stay behind me okay?"

I smile at Olivia, and she smiles back. I think we both manage to calm down a bit thanks to that small exchange.

*Stomp, stomp, stomp*

"Olivia, someone's coming. Do you know how to use a weapon?"

"N-no. I-I, uh I could-" Olivia stutters, which is cute, but we don't have the time right now.

I quickly take a spear from one of the nearby corpses and press it into Olivia's trembling hands.

"If they get past me, swing or thrust this at them. Okay? If you don't want to do that, then just run."

Olivia opens her mouth before stopping and just nods. We get ready as the footsteps approach. Suddenly a man turns the corner, or at least what's left of a man. this guy is glowing, with his veins bulging and his height barely allowing him to fit in the corridor. He sees us, and dashes straight for me. Luckily, i'm a bit used to fighting enemies bigger than myself so when he swings a sword and gets it stuck in one of the building's concrete pillars I take the opportunity to dash forward, slide between his legs and cut at his tendons. When he collapses I cut at his back and kick him to the ground for good measure. As he groans on the ground I go back to Olivia. I may not be able to exploit a lot of the same strats when it comes to this damn world, but physics haven't failed me yet!

Plus, this guy appears to be out of his mind.

"Kuh... tell me." Okay the roided out guy is still coherent, I feel a little apprehensive about fighting him now. "Where did you come from? Just what is Shadow Garden?"

Shadow Garden?

"Staying silent, after your friends had taunted me so? Or am I just not worth it in your eyes?"

I tell Olivia to back up as the guy shrinks a little back to normal size.

"Do you really mean to oppose... No, No matter your strength... You won't stand a chance! The darkness, IS ROOTED FAR DEEPER THAN YOU FOOLS COULD EVER IMAGINE!"

The man dashes forward again, this time faster and more controlled. I meet his sword with mine, making sure to use his momentum against me to parry it into the iron cage this time. Both our swords get stuck so I take the opportunity to punch him in the face. He backs up a little but I don't let up and this time hit him in the face with the pommel of my sword. I think I break his nose but he heals it right away so it only stuns him for a second. I back up when he makes a blind swing with his sword. He rubs his face and glares at me, this time starting with a thrust that I barely dodge followed by two slashes, the first I manage to parry but the second was a feint that he uses to leave me open to a kick. He lands a good hit on my stomach, making me double over in pain and drop my sword as I sail through the air. I land in front of Olivia, whom I really expected to have run away by now.

"Mr. Leon! Let me help!" said Olivia. Before I can ask her to just run she drops the weapon I gave her, leans down, and her hands start glowing. For as much as it helps, I can't help but think that the man(?) in front of us isn't going to give us the opportunity to heal.

Or so I'd think. But strangely, the man just stares. Is the light stunning him?

"I see... Ha... ha...ha...!" The man laughs sadly.

As soon as the pain fades from my stomach I stand back up and usher Olivia to stand back further. I take out my pistol and sword from one of the random bandits. Alright, this must be one of those mini bosses with regen factors. I take a look of my surroundings and find some beer and wine bottles strewn about. Perfect. I pick up one and hand it to Olivia. She looks confused.

"When I say 'now'," I whisper, "throw it at him."

Olivia nods.

The man stops laughing and begins speaking, "Those within brave enough to face the dark are those with a light. I wonder... Milia if I had this light, could I... You. You... YOU! YOU! HAND OVER THAT LIGHT!"

Ugh, how cliche. The man and I dash towards each other again. We meet swords once more, his hits hit hard, but not enough to break the sword and that's enough. I parry every hit that comes my way and dodge every thrust. He feints and I take the opportunity to fire a few shots. He dashes backwards, and I miss every shot but that's exactly what I wanted.

I shoot more, forcing him into a corner. "Olivia, now!"

Olivia throws her bottle at the man, he cuts it in the air, but the booze still douses him.

I point my finger and shout "Agialo!" Forcing a decent fireball to come out of my hand and hit the man.

"AGH!" The man shouts in complete agony. I feel sick but I know that every blow he leveled at me were trying to kill me. As I take in the thought that I may have killed a person, I see that rather than stop, drop, and roll, the man reaches in his pocket and dumps something from a bottle into his mouth. His muscles swell, his skin grays, and the fire on him begins to look more like a warrior's aura than something harming him as his eyes glow more intensely than before.

He jumps up faster than his build would suggest and I barely manage to dodge as he slashes straight into where I was. With a loud BAM his sword hits the ground hard enough to split the cement. I try to fire again but find that my gun is empty and I have no time to reload. I duck as he swings once more cutting through some pillars and iron bars from both sides of the hall in one strike. He continues his assault and I dodge more and more, with each strike getting closer and closer to hitting me. I'm left with no options but retreat.

The man shouts with each spring as he backs me up into Olivia's spot, "IT'S USELESS! USELESS! THIS IS STRENGTH! THIS IS POWER! SO SLOW! SO FLIMSY! SO BRITTLE! FACE REALITY AND HAND OVER THAT LIGHT!"

The man swings his sword over his head, cutting into the ceiling but not stopping. I try to take out a smoke bomb from my bag as my last option, but then-

"Enough Playing Around."

A voice booms through the hall and a dark mist fills it. The man and I both pause as the red eyed monster, no the cloaked man, appears while drawing a sword. The hulked out man tries to swing his sword but before he can move an inch the cloaked figure sheathes his sword again.

"Wha-" The hulked out man gurgles out. However, as he speaks, his body splits apart.

As the now bisected man falls to the ground the hooded figure turns to me and Olivia.

"Not bad. But," he says as he summons a dark purple flame from his hand, "this was just the surface. If you wish to delve even deeper, then you will need more power."

The cloaked man dismisses the fire by clenching it in his hands, and he turns to leave.

"W-wait!" interjects Olivia as I wonder what the hell she's doing. "Who are you? Why did you lead us here?"

The cloaked man turns his head in our direction, letting us barely see his glowing red eyes. "I am Shadow. I lurk in the shadows. I hunt the shadows. As for you, you are the light. You save those within it."

Shadow turns his head before tossing something our way.

"A gift."

Shadow leaves as I'm left inspect the necklace in my hands. Before I can really get anywhere, Olivia and I hear something in the distance.

"Grr! You! You better not lay a hand... on... Cid! Cid! Cid! Ciiiiiiiiiiid!"

I put Olivia behind me again and reload my gun. But we both see a girl about our age with black hair covered in chains and blood hobble around the corner and decide to help her instead. The girl collapses and I carry her out as Olivia heals her. Man, I'm so ready to go back to town.

-Cid-

Hm... I feel like I could have done a better job than "You are the light, you save those within it." I mean I got the idea from the necklace I gave them. Normally I don't like parting with treasure but that piece of junk was just something I stole off some pirate a while ago. Hm...but still it doesn't work as well as "lurk in the shadows and hunt the shadows."

Oh well, my sis was saved and more importantly I found the heroes!

I mean, not the heroes from the lore, but the ones from today. After all how can I be the eminence in shadow if there's no one playing the role of hero? I need them to face impossible odds with me showing up every now and again to nudge them in the places they need to go, then when things get to their climax I join them for a boss fight then dip as they face the final boss themselves.

"You seem happy Cid." said Alpha. "Aren't you worried about your older sister?"

"It's fine. Claire's made of stern stuff. I bet she's going to walk through the front door any moment now." I say, as my parents have been unnecessarily doting on me since I was gone for a bit last night too. I don't get why, they never cared about me before. I mean, I guess pops did a little bit, but just a little.

"Ciiiiid!" Oh look right on que. Sasuga Shadow-Sama... hm. It sounds weird when I say it.

My sister immediately runs towards me, and just like always Alpha spins her like someone handling a shark in the water before I'm tackled... or she would've but Alpha decided to betray me and Claire tackled me to the ground.

"Oh, is that Cid?" Calls out Olivia.

"Huh, why does her fiancé already live in her house?" Asked Leon.

As Claire nuzzles into me and I glare at Alpha's stupidly cute smug face I manage to sweep my eyes across the room and see Leon and Oliva hesitantly climb the stairs. As Momma and Pops approach Leon kneels and Olivia follows suit.

Momma sighs, "Cid... is her brother."

I see both Olivia and Leon struggle to come up with words.

"Claire who-"

"Onee-chan."

"Onee-chan, who are these two?" I ask in my best innocent mob voice.

"Oh, this is Leon-Kun and Olivia. They helped save me and take me home." Claire says as she holds my face and prevents me from looking at Olivia. I don't get why, I mean Alpha and the other Shades are way more beautiful, I'm not going to be swayed by some random girl.

"Oh my!" said Pops.

"You have our thanks, is there anything we could do repay you?" said Momma.

"Leon-Kun said he wanted a bunch of stuff." said Claire without hesitation.

"*AHEM* That is not what I said. I said that I lost a fair bit of ammo and my airship to the bandits and would simply like them to be replaced. I have no use for reward after that." said Leon.

"Of course. It may take us a week to get a suitable ship for you, will that be alright? You may stay at our estate in the meantime, unless you'd rather stay with Miss Olivia?" said Momma, prompting Olivia to burst into flames. Okay no, she just turns red. Hm. Maybe I should look into setting myself on fire? The way that guy did last night looked kinda cool.

"I-I don't think my parents would-um plus, my teacher"

Momma laughs at Olivia babbles.

"Teacher?" Asked Pops.

"Oh, Mister Lucas. He comes by and teaches the local village children how to use magic all the time. He's the one who taught me how to use mine! I was getting some flowers last night for him when I ran into Mister Leon. Oh well, Mister Leon ran into me." said Olivia.

"Ah... yes, I'm afraid you just missed him. He had been looking for you actually. I believe he said something about an offer he wanted to give you?" said Pops.

Leon turns pale for some reason. I see the gears in his head turn before he manages to talk, "Um... was this offer a scholarship?"

Pops hits one hand into a palm, "Ah, yes. That was the word he used."

Leon turns his head and chews on one of his fingers. I then see him walk over to where Olivia is.

"Olivia."

"Y-yesh!?"

"I might have mentioned it before, but I'm an adventurer. Would you join me? Last night proved that you are a great partner to have and I'd love to have you by my side. If your answer is yes, then please meet me here in a week when the Kagenou's have gotten me a new ship. I promise, I'll help you find a one of a kind treasure."

I hear all the woman in the room gasp at Leon's declaration. I mean I guess I sorta understand it, it sounded like something from one of the novels I see Alpha and Beta read every now and again. But what was that about treasure?

"Can we come!?" said Claire.

Claire you're the best big sister ever!

"Claire!?" yelled Momma.

"But Mother, I was kidnapped and Cid is good for nothing! If we don't make a name for ourselves we'll be complete laughing stocks at the academy!"

Yeah, you tell her Claire! Momma cares way to much about our reputation to stop us once again!

Leon ponders things for a second before sticking up a few fingers.

"First, you have to agree to my conditions. 1. I call dibs on any and all lost items we find. 2. I am in charge. 3. I don't work for you so don't boss me around like I do." said Leon.

"Aren't 2 and 3 the same?" asked Alpha.

"Not if you're from the kingdom of Holfort like I am." replied Leon.

Claire lets go of me with one arm and extends it to Leon, he shakes her hand, and then mine.

Heh. One week from now I might enjoy spending time with my sister for once.

A/N: Hello, hope you enjoyed the story. It made me happy to see some likes on the first chapter. Unfortunately I won't have much time over the weekend so I probably won't get a chapter out for a couple of days.

To Haseo55 on Fanfic, sorry for the confusion, it looks like the lines I included to separate scenes aren't when I copy and paste. Hopefully I was able to successfully update it. Maybe from her on out I can include a heading with the characters name, or use "xXxXxXx" instead of the lines.