The Rising of the Shield Hero

The Shadow of the Shield

Chapter 7

The Slaves

"Please spare me! Have mercy on me!" Idol whimpered.

Raphtalia's sword was no longer shaking, "After you killed so many Demi-humans in that underground chamber of yours, you dare beg for your life!"

Idol looked at her closer, "You're not? It can't be... One of my enslaved villagers!? An animal like you? A damned Demi!"

Raphtalia's face showed pure rage, "Not till I die! I will never forgive what you have done!" She readied her sword, "This scumbag here, he took Rifana and he..." she held her sword high.

"Raphtalia." Naofumi's voice caused her to freeze on the spot. "I can't imagine how you feel, but will killing him help you get closure? You have become stronger over time and not just with your sword."

Her eyes widened.

Kioka looked up at Naofumi, then back at Raphtalia.

Raphtalia lowered her sword, "You're a terrible person, a monster who put Demi-humans through hell, then killed them. I will never forgive you, but if I kill you, I wouldn't be any different to the disgusting worm you are. So I have decided to let you live. That way you can atone for the sins you have committed in this place."

Idol scowled, "Damn you Demi-human... you scum, now you die!" He stood up and drew his sword, clashing it against Raphtalia's. He grabbed her arm where a cut from the whip had hit causing her to cry out in pain, knocking her sword out of her hands. He sliced at her, she dodged and drew her mana sword, piercing it through his chest.

He yelled out, "Curse you! Demi-humans don't deserve to live!" He pushed her to the ground and stepped back. He stepped on the handle of his whip, slipped and fell into the window, which shattered from the force and fell out of the building to his death.

Raphtalia gasped and turned to Naofumi, "Master Naofumi... I-"

Naofumi closed his eyes, "Forget it, it's not your fault."

"But I..."

Naofumi approached her, stroking her head, "It's going to be alright." He smiled at her.

Once everyone had gathered their thoughts on what had happened, they all left the manner with Reichnott and stopped in front of the stairs to the underground chamber.

Raphtalia looked down at the stairs, "Idol imprisoned his Demi-human slaves underground and tortured them."

Van looked at him, "How do you know that?"

Raphtalia's eyes narrowed slightly, "I know because... Because I was lucky enough to live."

Everyone gasped.

Naofumi looked at her, "You don't have to do this, Raphtalia."

Raphtalia closed her eyes for a moment. "It's okay. I'm going to be all right."

Raphtalia began to walk down the stairs. Naofumi and Kioka stayed close to her. Once they started to descend, it was clear to everyone what had happened. The smell of death and decay hit them hard as they walked through the dark and dreary chamber.

Kioka stopped and leaned against one of the walls, the stench getting to her.

Naofumi stepped before her, examining her closely, "You could have stayed up there."

Kioka said, "No, I want to be here for Raphtalia." She looked up at him, "To think what she and the other Demi-humans had to go through while down here makes me sick."

Naofumi nodded, "I know what you mean."

Melty bowed her head, putting her hand to her mouth.

Filo looked at her, "Mel, are you feeling okay?"

Melty nodded slowly, "Mm-hm."

Raphtalia continued to walk, closely followed by the rest of the group.

Naofumi looked around, seeing cells with chains on either side of the corridor they walked down.

Raphtalia stopped at one of the cells, she glared at the chains, shaking slightly. She knelt and held the bars of the cell.

Naofumi leaned forward and put his hand on her shoulder.

Kioka bowed her head.

"There's a survivor!" Van's voice travelled from down the corridor.

Naofumi turned his head, "Hmm?"

Raphtalia gasped, looking at him.

"Hey, Raphtalia. Let's go."

They ran down the corridor. Once they arrived at the cell with the survivor, Naofumi placed his hand on the lock, unlocking it.

Van ran towards the weak Demi-human, "You'll be alright now."

"Naofumi! Over here!"

Naofumi ran over and unlocked the cell, Melty cast her healing on the poor Demi-human. Raphtalia smiled slightly as she held onto the Demi-human.

"There's someone over here, too!" Filo cried.

Raphtalia gasped, heading over to Filo.

The Demi-human looked up towards them, very weak and injured.

Raphtalia gasped, "You're alive!? Keel!"

Raphtalia opened the cell and ran towards the Demi-human, "Oh Keel! I can't believe you're here!"

The Demi-human with grey hair looked at her, "Who are... you?"

Raphtalia had tears in her eyes as she smiled at her old childhood friend, "I can't believe I found you after all this time! I'm so glad- so glad you're alive!" Using her sword, she broke the chain.

Keel cradled her wrist, "Who are you? I don't-"

"Have you forgotten already? It's me, Raphtalia."

"You can't be her. Raphtalia?" She shook her head, "No way, that's impossible!"

Raphtalia leaned forward, her hands on her knees.

Keel backed cautiously against the wall, "No! Stay away!"

Raphtalia smiled, "Listen to me, Keel. Do you remember that time when you went diving and nearly drowned? And we had to find Sadeena so she could rescue you? And there was another time when you ate a poisonous mushroom and ended up with an upset stomach. In pain, you begged me not to tell anyone." She smiled a little more, "You remember that, don't you?"

Naofumi and the others stood there, watching them both.

"After the Wave, when I said we should rebuild the village, you were the very first one to speak up and agree with me." She put her hand to her heart, "You don't know how happy that made me."

Keel gasped and looked up at her, tears filling her eyes like Raphtalia, "Raphtalia, it's really you?" Her voice was shaking, "You're really here after all!?"

Raphtalia hugged her, "Thank goodness! I'm so grateful you're still alive!"

Keel looked at Naofumi and the others, "Who are they?"

Raphtalia smiled at her long-lost friend, "It's okay. I'm travelling with the Shield Hero now."

Keel gasped, "What? The Shield Hero? He really exists?"

Kioka smiled, bowing her head.

Naofumi slowly approached.

"He sure does! And he's come here to save all of us."

Naofumi looked at Keel, "Let me take a look at your wounds." He lightly gripped Keel's wrist, the gem on his shield glowed and a healing aura covered Keel, healing her bruises and other wounds.

Keel gasped and looked up at him, "Huh!? You really exist after all! Then all those stories that I've heard about you are actually true!" Keel started coughing.

The glow disappeared.

Raphtalia showed concern for her friend, "You okay?"

The coughing subsided and Keel smiled, "Yeah. Now I see..." Keel looked away, " I was just thinking... Rifana would've wanted to see him."

Raphtalia's face dropped, "Wait a minute... Where is Rifana?" Her expression showed sadness and concern, "She's in here, right!?"

Keel's smile disappeared.

Raphtalia gasped and ran out of the cell, running down the corridor.

Raphtalia's cries echoed through the underground chamber.

Keel started crying.

Naofumi closed his eyes and stood up, following the sound of Raphtalia's cries.

Kioka put her hand to her chest and followed.

In the cell which Raphtalia was in, there was a small skeleton child, in one of the hands was a little flag made out of a twig and a bit of scrap material.

Filo's eyes filled with tears as she held onto Naofumi, "Oh, Master..."

Melty watched, "I can't see how... such monstrous deeds could exist here."

Van stood behind her, "Melty... As much as I hate to say it, similar things happen all across this country."

Melty's eyes widened, "It can't be!?"

"That is why we needed Sayaette. But now..."

Raphtalia put her hands together, bowing her head, "I failed you. Forgive me."

Naofumi looked at her, "Hey, Raphtalia, who was that?"

Raphtalia opened her eyes, "My friend, Rifana. She was gentler and more graceful than me, and she'd always say that she wanted to meet you- To meet the Shield Hero."

Naofumi held his hand out, "Let's give her and the others a proper send-off. They can't rest in peace in a place like this." He looked at her, "What's wrong?"

"I hate myself."

Kioka's eyes widened and she looked at Raphtalia. Something seemed to stir in her.

"Because I couldn't protect anybody." She gripped her arm, "When we first met, I was so weak and powerless. I couldn't do anything."

Kioka bowed her head, closing her eyes.

"I'm sure I could have saved everyone. If only I'd been stronger. I'm too late..." She started crying again.

Keel looked at her, "Come on, you did help! If you hadn't arrived when you did, I probably would've died in here. You saved my life. You're not weak. You know what else? The only reason everyone hung on so long without losing hope was your smile! We decided to keep smiling, no matter how bad it got!"

"Sorry."

Keel gasped.

"I'm sorry, but I'm just not- I'm afraid I'm- Well, I just can't smile like I used to. I'm not worthy... I mean I'm... I ended up killing someone."

Naofumi looked at her, "You're wrong."

"It was all wrong. Every single thing I've done so far... All of it... Was a mistake! I don't deserve anything!"

"That's not true, Raphtalia..." He put his hand on her shoulder.

She shook her head, "I don't even have the right to walk beside you! I'm worthless!"

Naofumi pulled Raphtalia to him, "Listen!"

"I don't believe for a second that you are weak or worthless."

Naofumi gasped and looked at Kioka, who had stepped forward, her expression stern. Her gaze was on the floor, but then she looked at Raphtalia.

"Yes, that Lord died, but you did not kill him. He fell out of a window because he tripped on his whip, if that is your fault, then I will take that blood on my hands." She looked at her hand, it was shaking slightly.

Naofumi gasped, he had never seen a look like it on Kioka before, not even when they had been fighting. It was almost as if... He shook his head, pushing all thoughts and concerns from his mind.

She looked back at Raphtalia, dropping her hand to her side. "You did not kill him. Everything you have done is from the goodness of your own heart, you are a good person, one of the best people I know." She looked at Keel, "Even Keel here said that you gave everyone hope with your smile. Being able to smile in the toughest of times is a strength beyond something I would ever have. Just because you couldn't fight back then, doesn't mean you were not strong. So don't ever let me hear you say that you were weak ever again, you got that, Li-" Kioka gasped in shock, her eyes wide as she clutched her head.

Naofumi stood up, "Kioka?"

She held her hand out to him, shaking her head, "Raphtalia, if it weren't for your strength and kindness, I probably wouldn't be able to fight. It's hard being this empty shell of a person with no memories. You have kept me from going insane. You have helped me more with your smile than I could ever put into words."

Raphtalia looked at her, tears flowing freely down her cheeks.

Naofumi knelt and looked at Raphtalia closely, "I agree with Kioka. If it wasn't for you being in my life, I'd have run from this world without ever trusting anyone."

Her eyes widened.

"That's right. It's because you believed in me that I am here with you right now..." He smiled, "That I met Filo, Melty and Kioka." He looked up at Kioka, who smiled and nodded.

Keel smiled, "Yeah, see? It just can't be a mistake! It's like, before, you were so small and everything and now you've met the Shield Hero. You've turned into this really cool lady and even came back to save us!"

Naofumi turned his head, "Look."

Raphtalia turned her head and looked at the two Demi-humans who stood with Van.

"You were the one who kept those kids alive."

Raphtalia looked at him, "Master Naofumi..."

Naofumi smiled, "Stop crying now." He put his hand on her head.

"And I'm sure Rifana's happy now, too. She finally got to meet the Shield Hero." Keel looked over at where Rifana lay.

Naofumi turned to look at her also, "From now on, it's our job to protect them. To make sure nobody goes through this kind of suffering again. Isn't that what we've been fighting for all this time?"

Raphtalia gasped.

"Together with me, the Shield Hero?"

She bowed her head as more tears fell, she looked up at him with a smile, "It is!"

Kioka walked over and knelt next to Raphtalia, helping tie up the little bag which they put Rifana's remains into. She looked at Raphtalia, "I just want to say... Thank you, Raphtalia."

Raphtalia shook her head, "No, thank you. I think I needed to hear that. I honestly didn't think I had done anything special, I am glad you and Master Naofumi were here with me. I don't think I would have been able to face this without you both."

Kioka smiled slightly but then lowered her gaze to the small bag.

Raphtalia held the bag on her lap, "Rifana... I promise you, I'll bring back the flag for our people. With Master Naofumi and Kioka." She tucked the little flag into the bag and hugged it closely.

The group started making their way out of the underground chamber. Keel was on Naofumi's back in front and everyone followed behind them.

Smoke from a fire was bellowing into the sky.

Van looked around, "What is going on?"

Naofumi looked at him, "The demi-humans are rioting. They came to bring you home with them. So you probably oughta let them know everything's all right."

"Indeed."

Before anything could be done, the ground started to shake furiously.

Naofumi gasped and looked at the floor, "What's that?"

Filo stepped forward, having the other two Demi-humans on her back, "Master, look over there! What is that?"

The group turned their attention to what was happening.

A large pillar in the centre of the square had started to glow a blue and sparks of magic seemed to shoot out of it like lightning.

Kioka's eyes widened, "Where have I seen that before?"

The light faded and at the foot of the pillar was a very much alive Idol, muttering something as he clutched his Three Heroes Church Roserie.

Raphtalia gasped.

Naofumi's eyes widened, "What a pain! How's he still alive?"

Idol held out his Roserie, "Oh Supreme God, grant me the power to rend the Devil asunder!" An ancient magic circle appeared around the pillar. The pillar started to glow once more.

Van stepped forward, "I don't- It can't be!"

Naofumi turned to look at him, "What's wrong?"

"The great heroes of the past built that stone monument to seal away a monster forever. He's trying to remove the seal!"

The ground around the pillar started to crack and light poured out of it.

Idol turned around to face them, "Yes! You're free now! Go and destroy everything! You're liberated from your prison!"

A large dinosaur appeared from the light, as it let out a roar, the ground shook from the sound.

Idol laughed maniacally, "Nobody can withstand me now! If I can kill the Devil of the Shield, I will be eternally blessed by God!" He laughed even more as the light began to fade.

The dinosaur stepped forward and its large clawed foot landed on Idol, squashing him effortlessly.

And that was the end of the evil Lord Idol Rabier.

The dinosaur let out a roar towards the party, the force of its might causing everyone to flinch.

However, Kioka did not flinch, she stepped forward, lifting her shield. Her eyes grew dark.

Naofumi's eyes widened, the mere idea of fighting this monster was troublesome to him.

The dinosaur started to walk towards them, seeming to target them as its prey. But as soon as it got closer, it stopped, almost frozen from shock as Kioka walked forward. Almost as if it was hesitant to approach her.

Her eyes stayed glued to the monster.

Naofumi stepped forward, seeing all of this play out before him, "Kioka?"

The Shield Hero sealed you away once, this time, you won't be so lucky.

Kioka gasped, "Shadow?" Her body seemed to step forward on its own. This was the same sensation she had felt the day of the wave and the day they stood before the King. It felt... Good. Kioka smiled slightly, keeping her eyes locked on the beast. There was a familiarity with this monster, almost as if she had faced it once before. But that was impossible, right?

Naofumi watched Kioka's stance, before looking at the others, "We need to lead it out of the town! There will be too many casualties if we don't!"

After speaking with Van, they agreed that Keel and the other Demi-Humans would go with him. Raphtalia said her goodbyes to Keel and watched as they left in the other direction towards the main gate where the rioting Demi-Humans were.

Naofumi walked over to Kioka, placing his hand on her shoulder. His eyes widened slightly as he watched her steel her gaze towards the monster, "Kioka? Do you think you would be able to draw it away from here?"

She exhaled slowly, "I can certainly try..." She stepped forward, lifting her left fist high and hit it against her shield hard, three times.

The monster stepped forward and let out a roar towards her.

Everyone flinched, but Kioka, who narrowed her eyes. She hit her shield three more times.

The monster scrapped the ground with its large clawed feet and charged towards them. Kioka shifted her feet slightly, readying to block an attack.

Naofumi's eyes widened as he saw the side of Kioka he hadn't seen since the day they met in the wave, "Kioka! You aren't fully healed yet!"

Kioka's eyes widened as she snapped back into her senses. She looked up at the beast, she probably couldn't take a block at the beast's attack, but she couldn't stop now. She raised her shield.

Naofumi gasped, "Kioka?"

All of a sudden Filo bolted past them, kicking the monster in the face, causing it to stagger and turn its attention to Filo. The monster's chest began to glow purple.

Filo's chest started to glow purple as well.

Kioka bowed her head as Naofumi ran towards her.

"Are you okay?"

Kioka exhaled deeply, relief on her face, "Y-yeah..."

Naofumi turned to look at Filo, "Filo! Come here! We are going to lure it out of town!"

Filo ran towards them, stopping so they could climb onto her back. She quickly started running the shortest route to the border of the town, using walls and houses to cut through.

The monster let out another roar and followed them, Filo was not its target and their plan was working. It easily crashed through the walls and buildings, trying to reach its target.

Filo glided out of the town and ran through the forest on the border, only slowly down when they came to a clearing next to a large lake, no one in sight, no risk to anyone else but themselves. Filo stopped so everyone could climb off.

The party readied themselves for a fight, watching the monster approach. The monster let out a roar and watched them.

Raphtalia and Filo charged forward, launching attacks at the monster, but nothing they did affected it.

Raphtalia charged forward once more, swinging her sword at the monster's leg, but her sword bounced off, knocking her unsteady.

The monster swung its tail towards her.

Naofumi gasped, "Raphtalia, watch out!"

Raphtalia's eyes widened.

Kioka darted forward at the same speed she used the day they had met and blocked the monster's tail with her shield, flinching slightly. The impact pushed her back, but she dug her feet into the ground and stood her ground. The monster swung again and Kioka blocked it again, but this time, she cried out in pain, her left hand went to her right, gripping it tightly.

Raphtalia gasped and looked at her, "Kioka!"

Kioka smiled weakly at her, "I will be ok... Just a little out of practice..." She exhaled and looked at the floor, "I am just glad you're okay."

Naofumi watched her, she wasn't ready to block those attacks. This boss was at a much higher level than the Wave Boss they had fought, which must have been why the previous Cardinal Heroes had sealed it away. This was no ordinary monster. He looked over at Filo, "Filo!"

Filo nodded as if she knew what he was saying, she bolted towards Kioka and grabbed her by the cape and jumped up high and dropped behind Naofumi, setting Kioka down. She looked at Kioka, "Are you okay?"

Kioka knelt on the ground, cradling her arm, her head bowed, "I will be ready to fight in a moment..."

Naofumi watched as Melty launched attacks at the monster. He sighed, "Right, everyone get behind me! We are going to try something else!"

Once everyone was behind him, Naofumi closed his eyes, starting to activate his Rage Shield.

Don't!

Kioka's eyes widened, "That voice..." She looked up at Naofumi.

Naofumi looked at her with a frown, but then his attention was taken by the sound of an army of Filolials running towards them, coming from the forest. They were all running in rank, two lines towards the monster, but before they got to the beast, they split off and began to circle the area. The beast looked around at the birds of all different colours and let out a roar at them, but once they stopped, they didn't move, didn't flinch either, they just stood their ground.

Naofumi scowled, "Great..." Knowing this army of Filolials was no match for the beast, he put his hand over his shield, but when he tried to activate the Rage Shield again, he gasped, seeing that he was locked out of it. His expression showed concern.

Kioka slowly stood up and saw his expression, her eyes widened.

Please, do not resort to that power!

He scowled, "What are you!?" He yelled out angrily to the sky.

A mist appeared all around them, Kioka scanned her surroundings, "Something is coming..."

A large Filolial emerged from the water behind them, jumping over the party and landing in front of them. This Filolial was at least twelve times bigger than Filo if not more. Her plume laid out like a crown on her head.

Melty's eyes widened as she watched this majestic bird before her very eyes, "No way! It's the Filolial Queen!"

Filo gasped, admiring the Queen, "She is so pretty..."

Kioka stared up at the Filolial Queen, her eyes showed a mixture of confusion and shock as she looked at this magnificent bird.

The Queen turned her head towards the party, holding her wing out to them, "Stand back..." She turned her attention to the monster, "The Dragon Emperor's fragment has caused the body to grow uncontrollably. If you hand it over peacefully, I will spare your life. You have been warned."

The monster aggressively clawed the ground before charging towards her.

She scratched the ground with her large taloned foot, "As you wish..." Once the monster approached her, she kicked it with enough force to send it backwards, off its feet.

Once the beast got back to its feet, it began to breathe fire in her direction.

She waved her wing in front of her, "Pathetic." Without any effort, a magic barrier formed before her, blocking the fire.

Naofumi gasped, "Airstrike Shield!"

The green-winged shield appeared in front of the party, blocking the aftermath of the attack.

Once the attack subsided, Kioka stepped forward, her eyes wide as she looked up at the Queen.

The Queen dropped the shield and looked at Kioka.

Her eyes widened.

The Queen bowed her head and turned back to the beast, "I am finishing this now." She shot forward, the speed made it look like she teleported behind the monster.

Large cuts began to appear all over the body of the beast and blood spurted everywhere. The corpse of the beast fell into the lake with a large splash. The Queen approached the body and took hold of an incredibly large Dragon Emperor's crystal from the corpse with her wing and put it into her feather before turning to look at Naofumi, "I take it that you are the Shield Hero... Am I correct?"

Naofumi looked up at her and nodded slowly, "That's right."

"There is much I wish to discuss with you, but this form isn't exactly suitable. One moment please." She held her wings across her face and her body began to glow and shrink until she turned into a young girl. Her wings moved out of the way to reveal her white and blue hair, three cowlicks on top of her hair. She looked at them with her hot pink eyes, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am the Queen of all the Filolials in the world. My name is Fitoria, it is nice to meet you."

We never expected that you would encounter Fitoria so soon...

Kioka's eyes widened, stepping towards Fitoria.