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Chapter Text

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The scene begins to show two individuals getting up from a summon circle. The first individual had a set of fox ears on his head and a set of 9 tails that can conjoin into one on his back. The second is a humanoid looking one but the red scales around the person's body is an indication that this isn't human.

"It worked! It fucking worked!" the second individual exclaimed loudly.

When Catastrophe Hits

The scene changes to show the two individuals speaking with a woman wearing regal clothing and a crown on her head in a meeting room.

"So let me get this straight. This world is suffering waves upon waves of monsters?" the second individual asked.

"Yes, and we need your help to stop it." Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc said to the two.

"Don't you already have heroes to stop it?" the first individual asked the queen.

The scene cuts to show Motoyasu Kitamura, a blonde haired man in his late teens to early twenties wielding a spear, which he twirled and swung into the scene with a red light trail following the spearhead.

It transitions to show Ren Amaki, a black haired boy in his mid-teens wielding a sword, which he swung and unleashed a wave of fire that engulfed the scene.

It then transitions to show Itsuki Kawasumi, a boy in his mid to late teens with light brown hair and a bow on his left hand. He reels back the bow string as energy gathered and formed an arrow that was knocked on the bow. The boy releases the arrow and the scene transitions back to the meeting room.

"To be honest with you... they're not that reliable." the Queen said with a small grimace.

And Heroes Are Not Enough

The scene changes to a party at a castle and shows the first individual looking at the Knight Captain with disdain. "Fucking moron he is."

It then cuts to show Motoyasu throwing his glove at the second individual's feet, who steps on it and looks at Motoyasu with a sneer. "Oh, I'm sorry, was that yours?"

It then cuts to show the second individual dueling Motoyasu in the castle courtyard, the former was beating the crap out of the latter on the ground and occasionally juggling him in air with combo attacks.

These Idiots Were Summoned

It shows the two individuals arm wrestling with guards and causing quite a bit of trouble while cheering loudly like teenagers. It then cuts to show the two teens looking at a forest fire before they looked at each other and ran away like Tom and Jerry.

It then shows Princess Melty Q Melromarc facepalming and then the Queen also facepalms.

"That was definitely not us, right?" the first individual asked. "Nah...!" the second individual waved off.

It then shows the first individual extending a hand towards Raphtalia. It cuts to show him wrapping his tails around the sleeping yet shivering girl while giving her a soft smile.

Keith Levi

"The name's Keith Levi, a pleasure to meet you." Keith's Australian accented voice said as it shows him recalling the Leviathan Axe and throwing it at a large army of monsters. It then transitions to show him unleashing a cyclone of fire with his Blades of Chaos before it transitions to him blocking a large war axe with his Guardian Shield.

It then shows the second individual patting a human Filo's head and rubbing her blonde hair. It cuts to him cutting down an armored giant undead in half with a large sword, all the while he had a battle ready smirk.

Zane Grayson

"Zane Grayson, but everyone calls me the Hell Razer. Wanna know why?" Zane's voice said with an American accent. It then shows him wielding the Fusion Sword before he began cleaving down a ton of monsters with just a few swings from the large sword. "Well, let me show you!" His voice shouted before it showed him unleashing a ball of flames from his hand, all the while he held a face of satisfaction and delight.

It then shows Princess Melty looking at the two with narrow eyes. "Why do I get the feeling that mother made a mistake summoning you both..."

"Yeah well, when you put two crazy people in the same room, the room turns into an asylum. But when you put the two of us in the same room, let's just say I turn up the heat and he cracks heads like ice cubes." Zane said, confusing Melty.

"That sounded good in my head." Zane shrugged. "Believe me, anything that sounds good to you, sounds terrible for everyone else." Keith deadpanned him, making Zane flip him off.

A New Version With New Additions

Keith and Zane entered a room and wore a suit similar to the one from Ready Player One. The two put on their headsets and the games began. It shows the two running away from monsters before it transitions to them running on an omnidirectional treadmill in their "VR room".

The two in the VR room pulled out a pair of baton-like controllers before it changed into holographic versions of their weapons.

"We have video game avatars!" Zane exclaimed excitedly as it shows Zane and Keith's "avatars" being the humanoid dragon appearance and kitsune demi-human appearance.

"Let's show these heroes what the word actually means!" Keith declared as it shows him and Zane taking on a Dimensional Soul Eater, then it cuts to show Zane and Motoyasu clashing with their weapons, cut to the zombie dragon roaring at them.

And finally, it shows Keith blocking an attack from Glass, the Fan Hero. With a powerful bellowing yell, his Guardian Shield changed into the Wrath Shield and it erupted into flames that engulfed the scene.

WORLD JUMPERS

Rising Of The Glitch Heroes

Chapter Text

The scene opens up to show two different places side by side. It's a bright sunny morning in one place and the middle of the night in the other. It then cuts to show two boys waking up, passing by a clock and calendar that says the date of 8:00am, February 25, 2020 in the sunny area and 11:00pm, February 25, 2020.

The first boy in the sunny place is an emerald green-eyed boy with burgundy red hair and fair white skin. He wore a red shirt and black pajama pants. The other is a boy of Caucasian descent with pale skin, white hair with light brown tips, and ocean blue eyes.

The two stood up from their beds, showing the difference in their bodies. The red haired one was somewhat muscular, as if he was keeping himself in shape. The white haired one was slim and looked a little sleep deprived just from the dark bags under his eyes, but he does have a bit of muscle in him. They both exit their room and enter the kitchen.

The red haired boy's kitchen was clean. He pulled out a pack of bread from the closet and grabbed two slices. He then puts the two loaves on a plate before putting back the pack. As he did, he grabs a box of pancake mix and prepares half of it. While his pancakes are being cooked in a pan, he goes and grabs a jar of peanut butter and a jar of strawberry jelly. He grabs a bread knife and spreads both peanut butter and jelly on one of each loaf. He sets it down on the plate before grabbing the finished pancakes and putting it on the plate with the sandwich.

The white haired boy's kitchen, despite being somewhat clean, has a few messes of food stains and other things. He lazily goes up to the fridge and grabs a packet of bacon strips, which was apparently opened, and two eggs before preparing to cook them. As both bacon and eggs were cooking, he grabs two loaves of bread from a pack of bread and puts them on a toast. He then grabs the eggs and bacon and puts them on a plate and sets down the pans on the sink. He grabs the plate and lines it up against the toaster before it ejects the bread, which lands perfectly on the open space of the plate.

They both re enter their bedrooms and open their PCs. As their PCs turned on, they grabbed some clothes and wore them. The redhead now wore a red hoodie and black jeans with red sneakers. The white haired one wore a white long-sleeved turtleneck shirt, denim jeans, and black sneakers with white soles.

As their PCs fully boot up, their monitors open up, they immediately log on to their favorite game.

ADVENTURE BEYOND REALITY!

It is a fantasy MMO-RPG. Like any RPG, a player can create their own character, customize him or her with equipment, and take on quests. And like any MMO, a player can join up in parties, clans, or guilds, make friends, and explore the vast open world of the game. It's like Skyrim, but multiplayer.

(A/N: Do you think Skyrim Multiplayer mod is better than Elder Scrolls Online?)

Currently, these two boys are the most famous and most powerful duo in the game. HEL1RAZ3R, or mostly called Hell Razer, is the username of the redhead. His avatar is a strong and powerful red skinned/scaled dragonkin. His avatar wields a two-handed broadsword and is an expert in pyromancy and electromancy.

The white haired boy on the other hand, is the complete opposite. InariofUS20 was the name of his, as the name "Inari" implied, "fox" beastborn avatar. A balance between quick and agile and strong and dexterous. His avatar wields either twin swords or sometimes a hatchet and buckler. His class is a balance between an assassin, barbarian, and cryomancer.

Just as the two open their game, they notice that they have received a message from a person named: Gam3_Master (Game Master).

"Hello Dear Player, I am the Game Master. (And no, I'm not Teto from No Game No Life),

I'm quite intrigued upon finding you, the one of the most powerful duo of players in the game. Therefore, I wish to challenge you and your friend. Should you wish to battle, I shall wait atop of Mt. Quinr for you both. If you win, I shall reward you with a reward that is... "Other Worldly"."

As the two finish reading their messages, they both check if this was part of an update or the Devs messaged them but neither had gotten anything about this. The redhead decided to fuck it and simply wing it. The white haired one was skeptical about this but went on ahead anyways.

Their avatars teleported to the foot of the mountain where they both sent a private message to one another.

> InariofUS20: Did you get that message?

> HEL1RAZ3R: You did too?

> InariofUS20: Yup.

> InariofUS20: Shall we go and meet this guy now?

> HEL1RAZ3R: I still have some of my other equipment and potions so I'll be fine.|

> HEL1RAZ3R: Besides, it's not like we can't take him down.

> InariofUS20: Fair point.

The two moved their avatars up the mountain while they ate their food. As they reach the peak of the mountain, a health bar appears on top of the screen.

Game Master

Lvl. 500

Health: 100,000/100,000

The duo wasn't fazed by the level of this Game Master. They already had their best gear and casted their support spells or drank and ate their support items. After they did, they charged towards the boss and fought him. After what seemed to be an hour and a half long fight, they managed to win against him. On the first try too.

The redhead celebrates and makes his avatar do emotes while the male Marie Antionette was right about being skeptical. First off, the Game Master didn't drop off any loot nor experience. Second, he didn't give any achievement or even another message for them. And finally, there was no kill in the kill feed.

At first, the duo thought it was simply lag but their thoughts were proven wrong when their PCs glowed bright and blinded them. As they open their eyes, they find themselves sitting on a couch in a lounge.

HEL1RAZ3R: What the hell?

InariofUS20: Uh, what happened..?

The redhead's voice was slightly gruff but warm and held an American accent. The white haired one's voice was hoarse and almost silent and had a faint Australian accent but mostly had no specific accent. The two tensed up and looked at each other.

InariofUS20: You're HEL1RAZ3R (Hell Razer)?!

HEL1RAZ3R: You're InariofUS20 (Inari of US 20)?!

The two pause for a second before replying again.

Both: Huh, nice to meet you.

The two looked around and took in the looks of the lounge. It was a large two floor room. They sat on a 6 seater couch with a coffee table in front of them, a 4 seater couch on the right side of the table and two one seater leather seats. In front of them were another set of seats surrounding another coffee table. It has a futon and another futon beside it, a couch bed parallel to it.

Behind them was a mini bar. To their right is a kitchen and a room that leads to a pantry. To their top right is a set of stairs that lead up above to a second floor balcony with a set of seats behind it. Behind the stairs is a hallway that leads to bathrooms. There were also two more doors there, which are brown and black in color, that possibly lead to bedrooms. Beside the bar is a white door. The windows, from what they can tell, are digital screens instead of real windows.

The white door opens up and in comes a boy around his twenties with long unkempt dark blue hair, light blue eyes, and fair skin. He wore a black hoodie with neon blue highlights, a faded dark red scarf, black jeans, and black boots with neon blue thick laces and white soles.

???: Yo, wazzup Gamers!

InariofUS20: I'm going to talk a wild guess and say you're "the Game Master".

The boy, who seems to be Game Master, looked a little startled at Inari's hoarse voice before sighing and nodding with a smile.

Game Master: Yup, that's me! You can call me GM for short though.

HEL1RAZ3R: Ok, GM for short though, are you friends with Teto?

Game Master: *laughs* Haha, okay. Haha, no, I'm not friends with hehe, Teto. But I know him. Also, it's just GM.

HEL1RAZ3R: Okay, it's just GM.

Game Master's eye twitched at that. He knows Hell Razer is trolling him but it's also annoying at times when someone does that.

Game Master: So anyways, can you both tell me your names?

InariofUS20: *skeptical* Why?

Hostility was suddenly present in the air. Game Master raised his hands in a surrender gesture.

Game Master: Look, I already know who you two are. I've been watching you both for a while. And no, I'm not a hacker. Besides, would a hacker or kidnapper be capable of sending you here when you're both from two separate countries?

Inari's glare softens and ponders for a moment. While it's true a hacker or kidnapper couldn't have simply done this, he could have connections that helped him. But then again, it would have to be well coordinated or else neither of them would've been caught. Besides, this was instantaneous and there were no signs of struggle or abuse present between him and Hell.

InariofUS20: *sigh* Fine. I suppose you're right. Keith Levi is my name.

HEL1RAZ3R: And I'm Zane Grayson.

Zane holds out his hand towards Keith.

Zane: Nice to finally meet you Inari.

Keith takes his hand and shakes it.

Keith: Pleasure is mine, Razer.

Game Master: Oi, you were meant to share your names with me too, not just each other!

The two shrugged, causing GM to sigh loudly.

Game Master: Okay. Now, you're wondering why you're both here.

Zane: The closest idea I have is us being kidnapped by a stalker.

Game Master: I'm not a stalker! Just someone whose... Actually, now that I think about it, I am considered a stalker...

Keith: So you admit it?

Game Master simply flips them off, making the two teens laugh lightly.

Game Master: Look, I've been working on a project that I think you two can help me with.

Keith: And what project is that?

Game Master: "The World Jumpers Project"!

Zane: The World Jumpers Project? What's that?

Game Master: I'm glad you asked. It's basically a project where I scout for certain candidates that I shall give powers to go around different worlds across the multiverse.

Keith: The multiverse is real?

Game Master: Yup! It's very real!

Zane: And you're giving us powers?

Game Master: Yup!

Keith: Just like that? There has to be a catch.

Game Master: Well, there's kinda a catch. You see, I want to study different worlds and how they react when a different character arrives in their world.

Zane: And you want us to be your test subjects, correct?

The blue haired boy is silent for a moment before speaking up again.

Game Master: I mean... You can have video game powers.

Keith: Okay, I'm sold!

The red haired American looks at the white haired Australian in shock.

Zane: Just like that? Are you sure?

Keith: Look, Zane, my life back in our world is shit. I've been through hell and my life is already ruined no thanks to certain people. I have nothing left back home. So, if I can live a better life in a different world, then I'll gladly take the chance.

Zane hums in thought. Keith holds a point. Zane thinks back on his life. Like Keith, his life is already ruined no thanks to certain people.

Zane: I guess you're right. I have nothing left back home either.

Game Master: *smiles* Your old life is behind you now. You both were the strongest duo in Adventure Beyond Reality, and now you will indeed have an adventure beyond reality! From now on, you'll be warriors across the multiverse!

The two teens smiled at that declaration. Back in the game, they never intended to be heroes or villains, just warriors that fight and grow stronger. And they'll do the same across the multiverse.

Keith: Wait. I have a question and maybe a request.

Game Master raises an eyebrow to this.

Keith: You said you can give us video game powers right?

Game Master nods, curious to what Keith is implying. Zane, however, smirked at this.

Zane: Then, can you give us those video game systems like those gamer stories in fanfiction?

Game Master blinks and laughs before moving behind the two, patting their backs.

Game Master: Of course you two! I'm the Game Master, of course I'll do that.

The Game Master swipes his hand in front of him, creating a holographic screen. The two teens looked at each other with smiles on their faces.

Game Master: Would you like to have the powers of certain videogame characters?

The two's smiles widened, simultaneously saying "yes".

Game Master: Which one, only one for now.

Keith: God of War!

Zane: Cloud Strife!

Game Master: One at a time and to be specific, there's different variants of these guys.

Keith: God of War 4 Kratos.

Zane: Really? Not GoW 3?

Keith: That would be fun but I don't want to be an angry demi-god that wants to kill gods.

Zane: I guess you're right. Well, my Cloud Strife is the Advent Children one.

Keith: Don't you think the Dragonborn from Skyrim is more fitting for your character?

Zane: Keith, just because my avatar is a dragonkin, doesn't mean I have to be a dragonborn. Besides, I'm not 12 anymore to continue playing Skyrim in 2020?

Keith merely grumbles in annoyance. Skyrim may be old but it's still one of the greatest RPG games ever made alongside other great games like Dark Souls, Kingdom Come Deliverance, Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, and of course Skyrim's cousin game; Fallout. And Keith still enjoys it even though it's 2020.

Game Master: Alright then. Let me work on your characters then.

Keith: Actually, can I be like my character from ABR?

Game Master looks at him with a curious look but nods anyway.

Zane: Oh! Me too!

Game Master chuckles and finishes their character abilities. He hands a tablet to the two which had their characters in a character creator menu, indicating that they can change it to their liking. The two spent almost an hour fixing their avatar's appearances.

Zane's avatar was now different from his original one. His new appearance looked more human than his old reptilian appearance but retained some draconic heritage. Keith's stayed mostly the same fox beastborn appearance but the only thing that changed was his tail which now had nine instead of one.

Game Master: Now you two look ready for adventure.

Keith: Can I choose a world for us to start in?

Game Master: *sigh* You're so eager to start. Very well, I'll let you choose.

Keith: Rising of the Shield Hero world.

Game Master: Interesting. Would you want me to remove Naofumi out of the equation and make you two the main stars?

Zane: Wait, you can do that?

Game Master: The multiverse is infinite. There's not a single world out there that isn't different from the original.

Zane: Huh... That's cool... Kinda. Can I ask, how do you know so much about this?

Game Master: Well... I was a World Jumper in the past, of course I'd know this.

The duo jaw dropped at that. This person in front of them, is the same as what they were going to be. Keith recovered from his shock and smiled, knowing this will be fun. Zane was still looking shocked at the info bomb.

Game Master: So. Shall we begin?

And so, now begins the story of the World Jumpers. And their adventure, begins in:

Rising of the Glitch Heroes

(A/N: Keep in mind, because the World Jumpers were taken on February 2020, they don't know much about certain topics. Ex. Dream SMP, MrBeast Gaming, Beast Burger, K-pop, and COVID-19 wasn't officially a pandemic yet hence why quarantine wasn't initiated yet. As well as the passing of certain MCU King, Chadwick Boseman.)

Chapter Text

< Character Bios >

< Personal Info >

Name: Keith Levi

Username: InariofUS20

Age: 18 | Birthday: April 30

Sexuality: Male | Gender: Heterosexual

Personality: Calm, Level-headed, Responsible, Sometimes Mentally Unstable

Nationality: Australian, Unspecified

Religion: Atheist

< Appearance >

Skin Color: Slightly Sickly Pale

Eye Color: Green

Hair Color: White (Formerly - Chestnut Brown)

Height: 6'0

Weight: 145 lbs

Body Type: Slim

< World Jumper Avatar >

Race: Nine-tailed Fox (Kitsune/Inari/Kumiho)

Hair Color: Pale Blonde

Eye Color: Amber, slit pupils

Skin Color: Pale

Height: 6'2

Weight: 145 lbs

Body Type: Athletic

Extra Features: Fox Ears, Fox Tail

Avatar Appearance: (add extra features)

Clothes:

- Chest (outer layer)

- Chest (inner layer)

- Hands

- Legs

- Feet (outer layer)

*****

< Personal Info >

Name: Zane Grayson

Username: HEL1RAZ3R

Age: 17 | Birthday: September 14

Sexuality: Male | Gender: Heterosexual

Personality: Slightly Hot-headed, Slightly Arrogant

Nationality: American

Religion: Catholic

< Appearance >

Skin Color: Beige

Eye Color: Burgundy Red

Hair Color: Auburn

Height: 6'2

Weight: 182 lbs

Body Frame: Lean

< World Jumper Avatar >

Race: Dragonkin / Dragon-Human Hybrid

Hair Color: Red

Eye Color: Emerald Green, slit pupils

Skin Color: White skin, visible red dragon scales

Height: 6'5

Weight: 182 lbs

Body Type: Toned

Extra Features: Red Dragon scales - neck, chest, shoulders, arms, back, legs

Avatar Appearance: (add extra features)

Clothes:

- Chest (outer layer)

- Chest (inner layer)

- Hands

- Legs

- Feet

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00 - 01:28)

The dynamic duo arrives in the world of Melromarc. This Melromarc, however, according to GM, had no Shield Hero. The very first Shield Hero fell in battle against a powerful being, with the hero being forgotten in time. However, there was also something different. According to GM, World Jumpers of the past, Jumpers that were around even before GM became who he was and before he became the last, had visited different other worlds before. Two of those World Jumpers, a couple, landed here, in this version of Melromarc that they're in right now.

The couple decided to take refuge in this world and remained here to become its protectors after the Shield fell. They took the mantle and called themselves the Glitch Heroes. Heroes that are unbound by the laws of the Cardinal Heroes, wielders of other worldly powers, earning the title name Glitched Heroes. And unlike the Cardinal Heroes who grew older in time, the Glitch Heroes did not.

GM said he'll explain all of it in due time, now they just have to enjoy this feeling. Because one day, they won't have the same luxury as this.

As the two look up, they look around and see themselves in a dark room. A glowing magic circle glowing beneath them. The two looked at each other and noticed that they looked like their avatars now but still wore their attires when they were... kidnapped? taken? You get the idea.

Zane: It worked! It fucking worked!

Keith smacked Zane on the back of the head, causing the dragon boy to yell in pain but he stops upon noticing that he surprisingly felt no pain from that smack. He slaps Keith in the cheek, causing the kitsune boy to recoil and hold in cheek but was also surprised that he felt no pain. He then glares at Zane, who was giggling at him.

A person clearing their throat caught their attention. They turned their attention to where the noise came from. As they did, they were met with the sight of a beautiful well-endowed woman, who appeared to be around her mid-30s.

She has fair skin, amethyst purple eyes, purple hair that is tied up in a bob with bangs hanging on the sides of her face—reaching up to her collarbone, and pale purple lipstick. She wore a golden royal crown, signifying her being royalty, with 6 oval shaped rubies on it and a bronze breastplate over her royal garments.

The two World Jumper rookies knelt down in front of her.

Keith/Zane: Your Majesty.

Queen Mirellia: Greetings, I am Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc. Queen of the Kingdom of Melromarc. Please, rise and tell me your names, heroes from another world.

The two rose up and Keith was the first to introduce himself.

Keith: My name is Keith Levi, at your service ma'am.

Zane: Zane Grayson, awesome draconic warrior.

Mirellia smiles, she might have just summoned a good pair of Glitch Heroes. And so, Mirellia led them to a meeting room and told the boys about their mission and a brief history about this world and its heroes.

According to Mirellia, their world is being plagued by an ancient darkness that will destroy their world. This darkness is called, "The Wave of Catastrophe". To fight these waves, the people had to summon the legendary Cardinal Heroes. Heroes of the past that wielded powerful weapons but can only wield one. The Bow Hero, The Spear Hero, and The Sword Hero.

Unfortunately, when Keith had asked Mirellia if she knew about a hero called the Shield Hero, she said she hadn't heard of him or her. Much to Keith's disappointment, the Shield Hero doesn't exist because he's name's been lost in time but now they had to carry the torch. He glances down and imagines himself carrying the Legendary Cardinal Shield, making him smile at the thought.

The Shield Hero, to him, is the strongest and most bravest between the four heroes because the wielder of the shield would have to be courageous and selfless to protect people behind the shield. To tank the damage for others and protect them from harm. So now, despite not being the Shield Hero, he'd have to be the one to protect others. He'd have to be their shield.

Queen Mirellia: So please, I ask you, Glitch Heroes, will you help us?

Zane: Well... There has to be a cat-

Keith: Yes. We'll help you.

His partner looked at him incredulously before speaking.

Zane: *speaks gibberish* whachamahabutheward?!

The Queen gave Zane a confused look before turning to Keith, as if asking if he knew what his partner was saying.

Keith: I believe my partner is asking; "What about the reward?". If we're getting any, that is.

Queen Mirellia: Of course, you'll receive your rewards after each wave you participate in. Although if you wish to earn quickly, there are guilds out there that pay a good amount of money for quests and even pay for any monster drops you sell them.

Zane: Easy way to gain money and XP at the same time.

Keith: Is it XP or EXP.

Zane: Whichever one works.

Keith: Fair enough. We'll have to wake up early in the morning to grind so we can get enough to buy equipment.

Queen Mirellia: That won't be necessary.

The duo looked at her curiously, saying "huh" in unison.

Queen Mirellia: It would be discourteous of me if I never gave any of you money to buy your equipment. I'll prepare everything that you'll need in the morning.

Keith: Wow, um... You don't really have too...

Queen Mirellia: Don't worry about it, heroes. It's the least I can do to show you courtesy for being willing to help us.

The doors of the meeting room opened and in came a maid.

Maid: M'lady, dinner is ready.

The Queen stands up and thanks the maid before walking to the dining room, the rookies in tow. As they entered, the two were shocked to see the size of the dining room. From what the World Jumpers could describe it, it looked like the dining hall from Harry Potter. There were plentiful amounts of food there. It ranged from soups, pastries, meats, salads, and fruits.

Zane and Keith sat down next to each other, as the Queen sat on the single seat in the front, and they looked and saw a child that looked like Mirellia if she was 10. She had navy blue hair that was tied in twin pigtails, purple eyes, fair skin, and wore frilly royal garments composed of majorly blue in color that fit her child height.

Queen Mirellia: Heroes, meet my daughter, Melty. Melty, meet the Glitch Heroes.

Melty stands up and curtsied them as she introduced herself.

Princess Melty: A pleasure to meet you, dear Heroes. I'm Melty Q. Melromarc, daughter of Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc and Aultcray Melromarc XXXII (32nd) .

The two just looked at her. They don't know how to respond to that. Well, that was until Zane spoke out.

Zane: Can I just voice out what's in my mind for a moment... First off, how the hell did a kid her age learn to be this polite and serious?!

Melty glared at him with a hint of annoyance, causing him to chuckle nervously at that while Mirellia looked like a proud mom.

Keith: Second, your father is Aultcray Melromarc 32nd. How many Aultcray's are there? Isn't that considered... You know... *hesitantly* Incest..?

Melty looked at Keith incredulously before remembering that he was from another world.

Princess Melty: Do you not have monarchy in your world?

Keith: We do but not where we're from. Some countries still follow monarchy but most are democratic.

Queen Mirellia: Interesting. But as for your earlier question, because our country is under a matrilineal monarchy system.

Zane: Matrilineal? What's that?

Keith: It means the woman has more power than the man. In this case, the queen has more power than the king.

Zane: Thanks for the info. But how does that explain the last name?

Queen Mirellia: Since our country follows a Matrilineal monarchy, I, the queen, have the ability to change the last name of my husband. Hence why the last name, Melromarc. And the 32nd means that he's the 32nd king of our kingdom.

Zane: Ah, I see... And I was beginning to think that he was her 32nd husband... That would be heartbreaking...

Keith: That's interesting to know. So, our last question is, how can we help? Other than fighting the Wave of Catastrophe, of course.

Melty sits back down as Mirellia sighs softly.

Queen Mirellia: Well, you see, because of what happened after the first wave, I went on a diplomatic trip with Melty to the other countries to aid them and teach Melty about the duties she'll inherit when she becomes the next queen.

Zane coughs out his drink and Keith looks on with interest. Zane wipes his mouth with his sleeve before speaking up.

Zane: Hol'up, that can't be right! She's only... Ten?

Princess Melty: Hmph. I'll have you know, good sir, that I am fully capable of my responsibilities.

Zane: I know that but you're still young. Don't you have to have at least an older sibling.

At the mention of an older sibling, the Melromarc mother and daughter cringed. Their facial expressions were noticed by the duo.

Keith: You have an older child, Your Majesty?

Queen Mirellia: *sigh* Yes, I have an older child. Unfortunately she is spoiled and neglects her duties as a princess, using her royal title as an excuse to do whatever she wishes.

Keith: Huh... That's irony right there. The eldest acts like a child and the youngest acts like a grown-up.

Zane: The irony indeed.

The queen chuckled softly at that while the second princess blushed bashfully. As their mirth died down, the queen continued.

Queen Mirellia: And since I had to leave my kingdom, I had to leave my husband in charge. He and my eldest daughter, Malty S. Melromarc, were left unchecked in the capital. And because of that, they summoned all three of the Cardinal Heroes.

Keith cringed at that. If the shield hero actually existed in this world, he would gladly work with him. But maybe he could convince the others how they can change for the better. Zane, however, was confused once again.

Zane: But... Isn't that a good thing?

Queen Mirellia: For Melromarc, yes. For the other kingdoms, no. I had to convince the other countries to refrain from starting a war against Melromarc for summoning all three heroes. You see, each country was meant to have only one hero. And they must be summoned here, in Faubrey for this is the kingdom that mainly summons the heroes.

Keith: So, I'm going to guess that we have to travel around the world to help the other kingdoms fight the waves.

Queen Mirellia: That is one of them, yes. The other task I have for you is to aid the Cardinal Heroes.

The two looked at her with confused expressions.

Keith: Why do we need to help them? Aren't they heroes?

Queen Mirellia: That may seem so, but unfortunately, the heroes that Melromarc had summoned aren't really... Reliable per say.

Zane: Are they the type who abuse their rank and do what they want?

Queen Mirellia: Not really but that's not too far off. They seem to do more harm than good, unfortunately. It doesn't help that my eldest daughter is said to be manipulating one of the heroes and my husband tends to support her antics.

Keith: *sighs, mutters* I guess there's always corruption, no matter what world. *out loud* Very well, we'll aid the heroes. But wouldn't your husband and eldest daughter ask questions about our motives?

Queen Mirellia: I shall handle that in the morning. For now, let us dine and have you both rest for the night. You need to increase your levels for tomorrow.

Zane looks over to Keith, who flashes him a smile before focusing on his food. Zane chuckles lightly before proceeding to eat his food. Just from the mention of levels, Zane was already on board.

{Later That Night}

The duo entered their sleeping quarters to rest for the night but Keith remained awake. He was tinkering with his inventory and menu. To access his menu, he had to focus on the small icon on the corner of his vision. As he did, a small HUD opened up. The HUD had 5 words on the right.

- Character -

- Inventory -

- Skills -

- Abilities -

- Messages -

Upon focusing on "Character", his screen opened a menu that shows his character status.

[ Character ]

Name: Keith Levi

Level: 1 | Tier: I

Health: 100/100

Mana: 100/100

Stamina: 100/100

Status Ailments:

- None

He then moves on to "Inventory" and sees a few items.

[ Inventory ]

Armor:

- None

Vanity:

- White Turtleneck Long-sleeved Shirt [Chest]
- Denim Jeans [Legs]
- Black Sneakers [Feet]

Weapons:

- None

Equipment:

- Empty

Items:

- Empty

He then moves on to "Skills", which he surprisingly had none despite being Kratos.

[ Skills ]

- None

He thought that it was related to his character and not the abilities he based it off. The next thing he checked was the "Abilities".

[ Abilities ]

[ Natural ]

= Health Regeneration

- [5 HP] [10s]

= Mana Regeneration

- [10 MP] [10s]

= Stamina Regeneration

- [25 SP] {5s}

[ Powers ]

[Kratos - God Of War 4 Variant]

= Instant Regeneration

- Converts Stamina to Health

= Godly Strength

- Immeasurable

- Critical Damage Instant Kills target

- If target is Immune from Instant Kill, target is knocked unconscious

= Godly Durability

- Physical Damage Received is Halved or Neglected (weak)

- 75% Instant Health Regeneration

= Supernatural Resistance

- Mystic / Mental Damage is Halved

- Elemental Damage is Halved

= Vast Superhuman Speed

- 2x Movement Speed

= Godly Senses & Reflexes

= Godly Stamina

- 75% Instant Stamina Regeneration

= Power Absorption

- Absorbs & converts 50% elemental damage to Health & Mana

= Indominable Will

- Activates upon reaching 1 Health

- Activates once a day

- Instantly regenerates Health, Mana, & Stamina

Keith stared dumbfoundedly at his list of abilities. He knew Kratos was powerful but he did not expect this. He grins widely before collapsing down on the bed and fainting from excitement. He was definitely going to enjoy this adventure.

{Next Day}

The following day, the two World Jumper rookies woke up. Keith still had his smile, confusing Zane on why his partner is smiling in the morning.

Zane: Why are you smiling? Is it because we're in a new world like those isekai animes?

Keith: *still smiling* Not just that.

Keith was about to look for paper and ink to write down his stats and all abilities but his HUD opened up and showed a message that said; "Send info to HEL1RAZ3R?". He nodded and the message disappeared. Zane's HUD pinged and opened, showing him Keith's stats. Zane was silent for a minute or so before sighing and clapping his hands together and pointing at Keith.

Zane: Boi! How in the actual fuck?!

Keith: *rolls eyes* Dude, check your stats too before you judge. Just send it to me later.

Keith gets up and sees a military-like chest. It's appearance seems to look like Apex Legends' Death Box. He walked over to it and saw a screen open. The screen had a qwerty keyboard on it and a list on the side. He noticed that there was a red one while this one was white.

He scrolled through the list and saw some items. As he clicked the items, the items were being transferred to another list. The list that was on the left was under "Stored" and the right is called "Withdraw". There was a button next to Withdraw called "Confirm". He clicks it and the words "Processing Request" appears. After a second, the inside of the box glowed and died down. The words "Request Complete" showed up.

He opened the box and inside he saw all the items he withdrew. These items were a white coat, combat gloves, black ripped jeans, and leather shoes. He smiled and wore them, which were equipped in vanity.

A message popped up in his HUD, which was Zane's stats. Most of Zane's stats were the same as Keith but his skills and abilities were different.

[ Skills ]

[Cloud Strife - Advent Children]

{Limit Breaks}

= Braver [100 Stamina]

- Downward Strike that deals 3x physical damage

= Cross Slash [100 Stamina]

- three-slash attack that deals 3x physical damage

- 50% chance to paralyze target/s

= Blade Beam [50 Stamina, 25 Mana]

- Ranged attack that deals 3x damage

- Deals Physical and Magic damage

= Climhazzard [100 Stamina]

- Deals 4x physical damage

= Meteorain [100 Mana]

- Rains down 6 meteors on a single target

- Deals a total of 12x damage, 2x per meteor

= Finishing Touch [250 Stamina]

- 50% chance to Instant Kill target lower than current level

- Deals 3x damage if target is immune to Instant Kill

= Omnislash [500 Stamina, 500 Mana]

- Deals 15 slash attacks

- Deals a total of 60x damage, 4x per strike

- Deals single or AoE damage

= Omnislash Vers. 5 [500 Stamina, 500 Mana]

- Similar to Omnislash

- Eye catching

= Omnislash Vers. 6 [1000 Stamina, 1000 Mana]

- Deals 15 slash attacks

- Deals Instant Kill towards a single target

- If target is immune to Instant Kill or deals AoE damage, deals a total of 75x damage, 5x per strike

{Materia}

- Fire | Fira | Firaga [25, 50, 100 Mana]

- Bolt | Thundara | Thundaga [25, 50, 100 Mana]

- Ice | Blizzara | Blizzaga [25, 50, 100 Mana]

- Cure | Cura | Curaga [25, 50, 100 Mana]

- Ultima [1000 Mana]

[ Abilities ]

[ Powers ]

= Superhuman Strength

- Deals 2x damage

= Superhuman Speed

- Faster Movement Speed

= Superhuman Reflexes

= Superhuman Durability

- Health Regeneration 25% faster

= Superhuman Stamina

- Stamina Regeneration is 25% faster

Keith smiles upon finishing on reviewing his best friend's stats. Both of them are practically undefeatable at this rate. However, when he checked his own skills, which now appeared, it was more versatile than Zane's.

[ Skills ]

[Kratos | God of War 4 Variant]

{Runic Attacks}

= Leviathan Axe

- Njörd's Tempest [Light] [100 Mana]

- Fury of the Ice Troll [Light] [100 Mana]

- Tyr's Revenge [Light] [100 Mana]

- Leviathan's Wake [Light] [100 Mana]

- Charge of the White Bear [Light] [100 Mana]

- Wrath of the Frost Ancient [Light] [100 Mana]

- Strike of the Utgard [Light] [100 Mana]

- Hel's Touch [Light] [100 Mana]

- Thiazi's Talon [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Ivaldi's Anvil [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Mists of Helheim [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Frost Giant's Frenzy [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Blessings of the Frost [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- River of Knives [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Glaive Storm [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Breath of Thamur [Heavy] [500 Mana]

= Blades of Chaos

- Cyclone of Chaos [Light] [100 Mana]

- Nemean Crush [Light] [100 Mana]

- Rampage of the Furies [Light] [100 Mana]

- Rage of the Titans [Light] [100 Mana]

- Icarus Storm [Light] [100 Mana]

- Wrath of Artemis [Light] [100 Mana]

- Blast of Hephaestus [Light] [100 Mana]

- Spartan Charge [Light] [100 Mana]

- Tartarus Rage [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Fire of Ares [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Prometheus Flame [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Hyperion Slam [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Hyperion Grapple [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Meteoric Slam [Heavy] [500 Mana]

- Gift of Apollo [Heavy] [500 Mana]

He silently chuckled, he knew that the amount of abilities that Kratos has would piss off Zane. Especially if he chose the God of War 3 Variant, that version of Kratos would annihilate everything. He looks over at Zane, who finished dressing up. His red hoodie, black jeans, and red sneakers were now replaced by a new outfit composed of a burgundy red steampunk coat, black long-sleeved shirt underneath, red combat gloves, black sports jeans, and red combat boots.

Keith glances at Zane's hand, which holds a face mask with red forest camo. Zane wears it around his neck for now, letting it dangle there till he finds a use for it. Keith gave him a questioning look that was directed to the mask.

Zane: Don't ask.

Keith: Trying to copy Deku there bud?

Zane simply flips off his partner, who gave a mirthful laugh. Zane chuckles and heads out the room, his partner following suit. As the door of their room closes, the scene turns black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | By MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00 - 01:28)

The scene opens up to show the two Glitch Heroes in the meeting room once more, looking down on the various maps that were set on the table as well as the different books and other pieces of equipment and various items.

The Queen was writing down on a piece of paper, which the duo thinks is going to be a letter. They focused more on the items that were there and listened to Melty's instructions and explanations.

According to the second princess, they are currently located in Faubley, the capital city of the Kingdom of Faubrey. Melromarc is just the next kingdom over and would take two full months if they went on foot, and a month if they used a carriage.

Keith chuckled at that. Kratos and Atreus traveled to all 9 realms, mostly on foot, under a month at most. If the father-son duo could traverse a mountain and head to the highest peak in Jötunheim in under a month, while fighting everything that goes against them, then surely this duo could reach Melromarc in under a month just before the wave hits.

Zane: Aren't we going to help fight all the waves across the world?

Princess Melty: That will be difficult. But it is possible.

Keith: If we have a teleport or recall ability then maybe we can teleport throughout the world and help deal with the waves in each kingdom.

Zane: Simultaneously? Keep in mind, each of these kingdoms are at least one month apart from each other.

Keith: I know that, bud. But we're not the only ones fighting. The military of each kingdom will obviously hold out till we get there to aid them.

Zane: I guess you have a point.

He then glances at the items and equipment on the table.

Zane: What's with the goodies?

Princess Melty: These are items that we'll hand out to you to help you two out on your journey. Hopefully they will be useful to both of you.

On the table were a few grimoires, two crystal balls, a few sets and pieces of armor, a couple of weapons of different varieties, and some potions and vials of health.

Keith: *shyly* W-We can't accept these... You've already done so much for us...

Princess Melty: We insist, Sir Glitch Hero. You are the heroes who'll fight against the waves. The least we can do is help you prepare for the oncoming battle ahead of you.

Keith and Zane looked at each other before nodding and bowing.

Keith/Zane: Thank you, Princess Melty.

The two picked up some armor pieces that fit them and it all suddenly dematerialized into glitchy particles that disappeared into certain parts of their bodies. As the armor dematerialized, they saw a new icon on their HUD that resembles a semi-translucent man with neon green colors on certain parts of the body. The green parts of the body were probably the armor sets they wore.

Keith:

- Khaki Leather Sleeveless Gambeson [Rarity: Common] [Chest] [Condition: Very Fine]

- White Leather Bracer [Rarity: Common] [R. Forearm] [Condition: Very Fine]

- Black Padded Leather Greaves [Rarity: Common] [Legs] [Condition: Very Fine]

- Brown Leather Boots [Rarity: Common] [Feet] [Condition: Very Fine]

Zane:

- Chainmail [Rarity: Common] [Chest] [Condition: Very Fine]

- Black Leather Gauntlets [Rarity: Common] [Forearms] [Condition: Very Fine]

- Chain Leggings [Rarity: Common] [Legs] [Condition: Very Fine]

- Black Leather Boots [Rarity: Common] [Feet] [Condition: Very Fine]

As they finished checking it out they noticed that they had a few extra items in their inventory.

Keith:

= Leviathan Axe [Item Class: Weapon] [Unequipped]

- Unbreakable

- Deals Physical and Frost Damage

= Blades of Chaos [Item Class: Weapon] [Unequipped]

- Unbreakable

- Deals Physical and Fire Damage

= Guardian Shield [Item Class: Equipment] [Unequipped]

- Unbreakable

- Blocks attacks

- Can deflect physical, range, and elemental range attacks

= Stone Mason's Chisel Tip [Item Class: Equipment]

- Unlocks locked and magic doors

= Bifrost [Locked]

- Locked

Zane:

= Fusion Sword [Item Class: Weapon] [Unequipped]

- Unbreakable

- 6 Combiner Blades

- Separable

= Ziedrich [Item Class: Armor] [Unequipped]

- Unbreakable

- 2x defense against physical and magic damage

- Physical and Magic Damage is halved

= Ribbon [Item Class: Equipment] [Unequipped]

- Unbreakable

- Immunity to status ailments

As soon as they equipped their new items, they gained a huge stat boost. Keith glances on a button that says, [ Show Armor ]. As he focused on it, the glitchy particles appeared around his body before fully revealing his armor. Zane whistled at the sight.

Keith's gambeson was underneath his coat, his bracer was underneath his coat's sleeve but above the shirt's sleeve, and the greaves on his thighs were visible over his ripped jeans. The boots, however, replaced his white and black leather shoes.

He glanced at the button which now says [ Hide Armor ]. He focuses on that again and his armor disappears into cubic particles again, leaving him in his vanity clothes.

From what Keith could tell is that the vanity clothes give them no armor but because their armor is invisible, they are still protected. The closest idea he can think off is the similarity of vanity clothing to Minecraft skins but if Minecraft skins had the ability to hide one's armor.

Zane, on the other hand, was focusing on his weapon and equipment. He successfully equipped his armor and ribbon. He was looking for a way to individually show a single armor piece. He managed to find next to the armor 3 options: [ Unequip ], [ Equip Vanity ], [ Show Armor ].

Upon pressing [ Show Armor ] on [ Ziedrich ], the pauldron armor appeared on his left shoulder. He smiled and did the same on the ribbon, causing it to materialize on his right arm but it was hidden underneath his coat. He sighed at that, he wanted it over his coat but this was fine.

He then focused on summoning his [ Fusion Sword ]. As he did, glitchy particles appeared from his hand and extended as his Fusion Sword fully materialized. He was shocked to say the least. It was a 6 feet long and a foot wide buster sword in his hands and it weighs like nothing. He looked at Keith and saw his weapons materializing as well.

(A/N: Weapon & Armor Materialization looks similar to how Noctus from FFXV summons his weapons or the way weapons materialize in Ready Player One or Free Guy)

While this was all happening, the queen and princess were marveling at the duo's abilities. They were indeed different from the Cardinal Heroes. The Cardinal Heroes don't have the ability to hide their armor or materialize their weapons out of thin air. Unaware to the two, the "Glitch Heroes" can do more than that.

{Timeskip}

The two Glitch Heroes had finished preparing their equipment and were given by the queen 100 gold coins each as starting money. At first they declined this amount but the queen insisted since they will have a harder time gaining money once they reach Melromarc due to demi-human discrimination.

Afterwards, they were now on the way outside the city. They marveled at the steampunk setting of Faubrey. As Keith informed Zane, Faubrey is the most powerful kingdom just behind Melromarc. Their nobles were the most powerful and most of them were descendants of the previous Cardinal heroes.

Zane: Really? So we could recruit some powerful party members here?

Keith: Yes, we could. But I'd rather not.

Zane: Why not? Wouldn't it be better if we had powerful party members?

Keith: The people of Faubrey are also perverts. Powerful as they may be, but as soon as they realize that whoever is hiring them is a hero, then they will no doubt join but force themselves on us to get in our pants. Plus, they’re too prideful in their own abilities because they have "hero" blood in them.

Zane: Okay, I'd rather not have that then. Any preferences on party members then?

Keith: I know where we can get some but we'd have to head to Melromarc.

Zane: Okay, can you at least explain why we need to head there?

Keith sighs and explains the entire plot of the anime. Starting from Naofumi's betrayal, to him taking in Raphtalia, fighting in the first wave, fighting Motoyasu, getting Filo, the second wave, attempted assassination on Melty, meeting Fitoria, the battle between heroes and pope, heading to Cal Mira and meeting L'Arc and Therese, and the final wave. After explaining, Keith took a small breather.

Keith: You got all that?

Zane stared blankly at him. Keith glared at him and summoned one of his Blades of Chaos causing Zane to back away.

Zane: Sheesh! Okay! Okay! I got it! I understood most of it but damn dude. Naofumi guy had it rough, huh?

Keith: *nods* We're lucky that we weren't summoned in Melromarc because that would be catastrophic. Besides, we get to level up a bit.

Keith gestures in front of him. All the time Keith was explaining to Zane the entire plot, the duo were continuing down their path till they got outside the city walls and out into the open field. There they noticed the monsters being slimes, the most basic of creatures in any RPG games just right next to bandits and wild animals.

[ Slime | Level: 1 ]

The duo counted the amount of slime in the area and saw at least ten or twelve. Zane immediately summoned his Fusion Sword and swung once, hitting eight of the slimes. With a single swing, the slimes that were hit were decimated.

Zane: Sorry, Rimuru relatives!

[ Zane Grayson gained 8 EXP ]

He smirked and looked back at Keith, who summoned his Blades of Chaos . He reels back his arm and swings forward. His swing was strong but there was a problem, Keith doesn't know how to control the length of the chain that is connected to the blade. Everyone knows that the chains of Kratos' Blades of Chaos have no definite length so it extended till it reached the forest, hitting everything with fire damage and decimating all the monsters in the field.

[ Keith Levi gained 78 EXP ]

The two jaws dropped at the sight of the burning field and forest and some burning monster corpses. They looked at each other and back to the field and forest and then back to each other. They immediately comically ran away from the scene and into the not burning part of the forest, a trail of "AHHHHH" floating above them as they ran.

{Timeskip}

The scene cuts back to show the duo now deep in the forest, their levels have greatly increased. Keith is now level 9 and Zane is level 7. Because of Keith's longer range with the Blades of Chaos and throwable Leviathan Axe, he managed to gain the upper hand on leveling.

They weren't just targeting slimes now, they were targeting a lot of things. Most of these were killer bunnies, a bunch of balloons, wolves, and even a few giant bugs. Their leveling was going smoothly.

As Keith was about to strike a giant snake, Zane came flying by on a motorbike. Keith's eyes widened as the giant motorbike flew over him and landed beside him.

Zane: *smirking* Hop on bud! I found us a transport!

Keith looked back at the monsters that remained, all of them headed towards them. He focuses on his skills and looks at his Runic Attacks , activating River of Knives . He reels back his axe before swinging it from the ground up, creating a river of ice spikes that froze and stabbed a lot of the monsters that were after them.

[ Keith Levi gained 146 EXP ]

He smirked at the amount of levels that he got from that, but frowned at the fact he ran out of MP doing that. He got on Zane's bike as Zane drove them away from there and on the road.

Zane: That was awesome! This is awesome! All of this is awesome!

Keith: Don't celebrate yet bud. We still have a mission to accomplish.

Zane nods and they rode away from Faubley. Upon reaching a far enough distance, they stopped by for a moment to check one of the many maps they have. One map was the World Map , which included all the kingdoms. They also had 4 other maps which were the Kingdom Maps . When the duo reviewed the map, they knew their first stop. Their first stop was, thankfully, Melromarc.

{Timeskip, One Week Later, Melromarc}

[ Keith Levi | Level: 13 ]

[ Zane Grayson | Level: 10 ]

{Time till Wave of Catastrophe: 16 days}

It took them an entire week of traveling from Faubrey to Melromarc. Thankfully, it wasn't that long since Melromarc is just east of Faubrey. Upon entering its border, they gained the ability to Fast Travel . As they got that, they immediately set off to Castle Town, the city they must head to for the plot.

Zane was really thankful that the motorbike, which was called The Fenrir, named after the wolf from Norse Mythology, didn't run out of fuel or stall during the entire ride. And if Zane remembered, Fenrir's top speed is 250mph. Because of this speed, they managed to reach Melromarc in under a week.

Despite wanting to walk the rest of the way and admire the scenery, Keith reminded Zane that they are on a timetable to catch up with the events of the anime so they continued on.

{Timeskip, Two Days Later, Castle Town}

[ Keith Levi | Level: 15 ]

[ Zane Grayson | Level: 13 ]

{Time till Wave of Catastrophe: 14 days}

The duo made it just outside the borders of Castle Town, the capital city of Melromarc, early in the morning. They had to thread carefully through the towns because they didn't want to be seen riding a motorbike.

Zane apparently could put Fenrir in his inventory like how Percival from Red Player One stored his pocket sized DeLorean in his inventory. Or similar to how Hank Pym from MCU had a keychain sized tank or hotwheels cars that function perfectly.

Keith felt jealous at that since Kratos and Atreus ran around. Unless they enter a lake or river, then he could probably use the small boat/canoe that Kratos and Atreus ride on while in the Lake of the Nine.

Keith and Zane looked at each other before nodding and entering the city gates. But as they reached the gates, the guards blocked the entrance with their spears.

Guard #1: You are not allowed here, demi-human scum!

Keith's eye twitched before yelling at the top of his lungs as the scene turned black.

Keith: What the fuck did you say?!

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to show Keith and the guard from last time having an arm wrestling competition in the tavern. The guard was shown struggling to push down Keith's arm, even trying with two arms he still is unable to cause the kitsune's sturdy arm to budge.

Keith was looking at the guard with a smug smirk as he recalled what happened earlier.

{Flashback, 1 Hour Ago}

Guard #1: You heard me, I said that you damn demi-humans are not allowed in the city! Now go back to whatever master you serve and don't come back!

Zane: *scoffs* And what if our "master", if we had one, is inside the town?!

Despite Zane saying he was human, the second guard saw his somewhat hidden dragon scales and noticed his slit pupils when they made eye contact.

Guard #2: And what kind of master would leave slaves behind? Besides, I don't think slaves would wear such clothes.

Guard #1: Hey, that's right! Where did you get those clothes you damn demis!

Keith: We got them from corpses of people who discriminate-

Zane: We're mercenaries from Faubrey. We were ordered to head here to see if the summoning of heroes was true.

Guard #2: So what if its true? Not like Faubrey can do anything about it. If they attack, the heroes will back us up and not them.

Keith silently agreed to the guard's statement. Because the heroes were summoned in Melromarc, their allegiance would no doubt be towards Melromarc.

Keith: We were ordered by Her Majesty to-

Guard #1: Yeah, yeah, and my girlfriend is the first princess! Just leave now demi-human, or else we'll force you to leave.

Zane: You know if you do that, you'd start a war that you can't win.

Zane and Keith know they can easily beat the Cardinal Heroes with their strength alone. While the Cardinal Heroes are equipped with Legendary Weapons, Zane and Keith were augmented with the powers of a super soldier and a god.

(A/N: I'll let you guess who'll win that fight)

Guard #2: With the heroes on our side, I'm sure we'll win.

Guard #1: So you both get outta here or we'll put ya both in jail.

Keith: *scoffs* Cowards. I doubt you can win an actual fight without the heroes.

Zane: *teasingly* I bet they let the heroes fight all the battles for them because their babies.

Keith: *smirks* So dependent on the heroes. I bet they'll cry back to their mommies if demi-humans beat them.

Guard #1: *pissed* You shut your mouth you filthy demis!

Guard #2: I bet you don't have parents!

Zane: Yeah, because we killed them and ate them.

The two guards looked sick upon hearing that but glared at the two as they laughed their asses off from seeing the faces the guards made. They stopped laughing as the guards pointed their spears at them, and they looked pissed.

Guard #1: We're taking you in, you damn demis!

Keith: Finally! You two are letting us in!

Guard #2: We're not taking you in!

Zane: You just said you're taking us inside though.

Guard #1: I meant that we'll take you to prison.

Keith: But the prison is still inside the town though. So, how are you getting us there if you're not letting us in?

Guard #2: You know what, just shut your mouth you damn animal!

Keith: No!

Guard #2: Shut up!

Keith: No!

Guard #2: Yes!

Keith: No!

Guard #2: Yes!

Keith: No!

Guard #2: Yes!

Keith: No!

Guard #1: YES!

Keith NO!

Zane: Will you let us in?

Guard #1: YES!

The first guard opened the city gate as the two Glitch Heroes ran in and pulled the gates back down and locked it from the inside, leaving the two guards dumbfounded. The first guard looked at the second, who was giving him an "Are you fucking serious" face.

The duo high-fived as Keith laughed with mirth while Zane laughed at the dumbfounded faces of the guards. It was almost like a cartoon

Zane: Did you haha, know that would, haha, work?

Keith: Hey, it worked on the cartoons. If the Simpsons could predict that Disney buys 20th Century Fox nearly a decade later, then you can believe that repetitive stuff happens sometimes. Especially if you and the other shout random stuff at each other.

The two went inside the tavern to eat their food. Despite the sign outside saying; "We Don't Serve Demi-humans", the duo didn't really care about it. They sat down on one of the seats in the far back as a waiter walked over to them, clearly annoyed to see them.

Waiter: Did you animals not see the sign outside?

Zane: Hmph. We did and we don't give a shit. So if you're here to take our order then I'll get a well-cooked chicken meal with chicken soup.

Waiter: I'm not serving an animal like you!

Keith: Well then, I suppose we can tell our superiors in Faubrey that people from Melromarc have no respect towards foreigners. Perhaps the mercenary guild would need a new place to trash for some practice.

Keith glanced at the waiter, who was frozen stiff. He glanced around the entire room, as everyone in the entire room's attention was on them.

Waiter: I-I'm so s-sorry... I didn't know-

Zane: That's too bad. And here I thought Melromarc was hospitable towards others. I guess our superiors were right to suspect that Melromarc has become too smug just because they have the heroes on their side.

Keith: Well, I suppose they're acting like this because they wish to raise their arms-

Waiter: No! We're not! U-Um... Forget anything I said earlier. Please, just order whatever you wish, you don't have to pay.

Zane and Keith smirked. They knew having a reputation with Faubrey was good but not this good. It helps that their cover story is them being mercenaries from Faubrey that were sent by the queen. They could probably threaten people who wish to cross them just by saying that they were legally hired by the queen or just generally saying they're from Faubrey.

Zane: Well, if you'd be kind enough, please take the order I made earlier.

Keith: I'll have Salmon steak and beef stew.

The waiter nods frantically before running off to the kitchen. The two giggled and closed their eyes, seemingly trying to concentrate.

While they were concentrating, the two guards from before slammed the door open as they entered the tavern. They saw the two sitting there, eyes closed and waiting for their order. The first guard grit his teeth in annoyance and walked over to the two.

Guard #1: Alright! Get up!

Ignored.

Guard #1: I said get up!

Ignored.

Guard #1: You damn demis! Have you no respect?!

He goes to try and slap Keith but the kitsune's hand shoots up and grabs the guard's wrist firmly, making the guard wince in pain. Keith opens his eyes and glares at the guard, the kitsune gains an annoyed expression upon seeing him and his partner.

Waiter: C-Can you two show some respect?

Guard #2: Show respect? Do you really believe everything this demi-human says?!

The waiter clicks his tongue in annoyance.

Zane: Hmph. Tell you what, we challenge you to arm wrestling. You both beat us, we'll leave Melromarc and head back to Faubrey. But if we win, you two will leave us alone.

The guards looked at each other and laughed.

Guard #1: *laughing* As if you can haha, beat us!

Guard #2: *laughs* These damn demi-humans need to be reminded of their place.

The two guards sat on the opposite side of the duo, whose hands are now raised on the table. The guards grasped the two's hands firmly as the duo held smug smirks.

First off, Zane has Cloud Strife's superhuman strength and can lift a sword almost as big as himself. Second, Keith has Kratos' godly strength, the same Kratos who fought the invincible Baldur in a fistfight and caused a ravine to form on the ground just with their sheer strength from said fistfight. Finally, these guards are dumbass unnamed side characters.

As the waiter said start, the guards tried their best to push down the duo. Zane kept his smirk as the second guard failed to push his hand down. He didn't play around since he immediately slammed down the guard's arm, giving him the win.

Keith however, scowled and gave the first guard a death glare. The first guard couldn't knock his arm down so he used both arms instead, no longer pushing but pulling his arm back instead. Keith clicks his tongue in annoyance and pretends that the guard was winning by slightly moving his arm.

The guard laughs but his laughter ceases when Keith slammed his arm down, flinging the guard on the table opposite theirs and the said table collapsed from the weight and force of strength. The guard holds his arm in pain, probably broken by Keith's strength.

Guard #1: *weakly* You'll pay for that...

Keith and Zane's food arrived and the two began eating. Unfortunately for them, the food merely regenerates their HP and SP and it didn't really have any taste. As the two finished their food, they left their payment and a tip before standing up to leave. As they headed outside, the guards from before called out to them again but they ignored them.

The two began exploring Castle Town. There were dozens of shops and stands that sold quite a lot of things. While exploring the city, they turned to a corner and only to be met by a platoon of guards.

Guard #1: I told you you'd pay! Now, kill those damn demis!

The guards yelled out their battle cries as they charged towards the duo. Keith and Zane looked annoyed rather than threatened. Why did they bother choosing demi-human type races for their characters if they'd have to deal with shit like this. They were about to pull out their weapons but Keith hesitated upon seeing the first guard's smirk and the crystal ball that he was holding.

Keith halted on pulling out his weapon and tapped his elbow on Zane's arm. Zane then looked at his partner, who discreetly gestured to the glowing crystal ball on the guard's hand. Getting the message, Zane stopped and stood there with Keith.

Their sudden hesitation of pulling their weapons confused the guards but they continued their charge towards the two. The first guard, however, grit his teeth in anger.

Guard #1: Those damned demi-human! I was planning on recording the entire fight and altering it to show that these two were killing the other guards. But now they don't have their weapons out, it'd be useless. Damn it! This could still be salvaged. If they attack, I'll alter it to make it look fatal.

He smirked as his fellow guards reached the duo but his smirk disappeared and was exchanged by a look of annoyance as Keith activated his Guardian Shield to block the attacks directed to him while looking scared and confused. Zane dodged and ran around the guards, making it look like he was being attacked by the guards instead of the other way around.

Guard #1: Damn it! Those fucking animals are making it seem like we're the bad guys! Damn them!

Keith blocked another strike from one of the other guards and Zane backflipped away before getting skewered by three of the guards' spears. The two were now back-to-back and surrounded by the guards. Keith's ears twitched and he deactivated his shield and raised his hands in surrender.

Keith: *pleadingly* Please don't hurt us!

Zane looked at Keith with pure confusion. The guards were confused by the sudden change of demeanor but they all gained an evil smirk on their faces. As they were about to strike down Keith, Zane was about to summon his Fusion Sword but the guards' weapons were flung into the air by what seems to be a bunch of yellow arrows.

???: That's enough!

Everyone looked to the direction of the sound and the sound came from the street. The duo noticed the paled looks that all the guards had. Standing there on the street was a teenage boy around 5'1 tall, short and curly light brown hair, and golden eyes. His clothing consisted of a tan sleeveless tunic, grey clothes underneath, leather iron plated bracers, a metal pauldron on his right shoulder, brown leather boots with metal soles, and a green hood that covers his left shoulder.

The duo looked at him and the boy's name was identified as;

[ Itsuki Kawasumi | Level: 29 ]
[ Title: The Cardinal Bow Hero ]

Itsuki: What is wrong with you all?

Guard #1: B-Bow Hero, t-these damn demi-humans snuck in here and have been terrorizing the town.

Keith: So you're the Bow Hero?

Itsuki: Yeah, what about it?

Keith and Zane knelt down towards him, confusing Itsuki and shocking the guards at the sudden change of demeanor.

Zane: It's an honor to meet you. We are from the neighboring country called Faubrey. We heard that Melromarc summoned all the Cardinal Heroes and we wanted to see for ourselves.

Itsuki: Wait, are you envoys by any chance?

Keith: In a way, kind of. We came all the way from Faubrey after all.

Itsuki then glared at the guards, who all sweat dropped and then turned their attention to the first guard, who shrunk in fear.

Keith: We wanted to enter the city but those two *points at Guard #1 & 2* wouldn't let us in. They said that demi-humans aren't allowed in the city and then called us slaves. They didn't even listen when we told them we came from Faubrey and just verbally assaulted us!

Zane had to hold the urge to laugh because of Keith's tone of voice, which sounds like a child being bullied.

Zane: Did Keith go to acting school by any chance?

Itsuki: Don't worry, you're safe now you two. I'll take care of these corrupt guards.

The duo nodded and left the street as Itsuki handled the situation. As they left, they both shared a small smirk. Not only did they meet one of the heroes, but they unintentionally made themselves allies with him and unintentionally showed the corruption of the guards of the town.

The two continued to wander around the city till it became dusk. The two entered the inn to order a room for the night. But like racist pricks the humans in Melromarc are, they were rejected on being given a room by the inn receptionist.

Keith had to hold back Zane from knocking the lights out of the receptionist but Keith suggested they should just camp outside the walls. Zane reluctantly agreed and they left the inn.

Upon reaching outside the city walls, the two went to the plains and went to farm more exp before setting camp. Keith picked up sticks and firewood while Zane started a fire with the wood and dead leaves they already found.

Zane: Fire.

Using his fire element materia skill, he fired out the weakest fire spell on the wood, and created a small campfire. Keith sets down the wood he got and grabs some materials. Since they had no crafting ability, they had to make their own survival equipment. He tied two pieces of string together and tied one end to a stick. He then used his godly strength to bend and twist a small iron dagger into a hook before tying it to the string.

Zane looked at his friend with a dumbstruck look.

Zane: You know you could just make a spear out of wood and stab the fish instead of waiting for one to be baited by the fishing rod, right.

Keith looked at his friend with an annoyed look. He then summoned one of his Blades of Chaos and a strong wooden branch before sharpening it into a wooden spear. He then left for the river with both the spear and makeshift fishing rod.

Zane: You got anywhere to place the fish?

Keith: Inventory bruh.

And after a few minutes, Keith returned and summoned three fishes. He cooked all three and gave two to Zane and only one for him. And like food in most games, it helped heal their avatars. The two then laid on the grass and stared at the stars.

Keith: Could you believe it?

Zane: Hm? Believe what? That we’re heroes now?

Keith: That, yeah. But other than that, all of this. World Jumpers, world jumping, all of it.

Zane: I guess it is hard to believe. But then again, this is like your typical isekai anime. Get transported into another world, which always tends to be a fantasy one most of the time, then just go with the flow. And of course, if there's a videogame aesthetic to it then get used to the system and all that.

Keith: I guess it is easy to cope if you think about it that way. But then again, our avatars can't get hurt normally so we can actually tank some damage. Still, its all hard to believe.

Zane: I get what you mean. The question of "why us" still lingers in your head?

Keith nods to his friend's question.

Zane: Well, I didn't really have the greatest childhood when growing up. So, I guess, for me, this is vacation. *looks at Keith* What about you Inari, any reason?

Keith: *shrugs* I guess I just want to be free from the shackles of reality. To be free. To find purpose.

Zane: *blinks* Damn. That's deep.

Keith stifled a laugh but continued to look up in the sky. He raised his hand, seemingly trying to reach for the stars, before closing it.

Zane: You doing that thing they do in anime when they look at the sky.

Keith: *deadpan* Dude, let me have my moment.

Zane: *raises his hands* Aight then. I won't disturb.

Keith looks back at the sky and lowers his hand.

Zane: Welp, I'mma "log out" for the night. You wanna keep watch?

Keith: *looks around* I think we're safe here. Besides, we'll get notified if we get hurt.

Zane nods and turns away from his friend and closes his eyes.

Keith: No goodnights?

Zane: Ha! I'm not your boyfriend.

Keith: *rolls eyes* Whatever mate. G'night anyways.

Zane replies with a peace sign before lowering his hand down again and slept. Keith, meanwhile, continued to look at the sky.

Keith: *smiles, mutters* I wonder how you'd react if you were in my place sis.

Keith continued to look up to the sky for a few more minutes before closing his eyes as the scene fades to black.

(Level End Stats)

Keith Levi | Level 15

HP: 400/400

MP: 400/400

SP: 400/400

Zane Grayson | Level 13

HP: 360/360

MP: 360/360

SP: 360/360

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up back in the lounge. In one of the rooms, which was a bedroom, Zane wakes up. He sits up from bed and rubs the back of his neck. He walks over to the drawer and grabs a towel before entering the shower.

Minutes later, he exits the shower completely clean and refreshed. He exits the room after wearing a new set of clothes and putting the towel on a towel rack to dry.

Upon reaching the kitchen area of the lounge, he noticed two plates of food on a tray. The first food was a cheesy ham sandwich roll and a glass of orange juice. The second was a fish filet with mashed potato and chicken nuggets and a cup of water and a large cup of coke.

A note laid on the table written on it was;

"Already ate breakfast and waiting for you to log in

PS - The fish filet is lunch

- Keith"

Zane immediately grabbed his sandwich roll and glass of juice and walked up the stairs and went around the hallway and opened a door that led to another hallway with two glass doors on either side.

Zane looked to the right and saw Keith in the room through the glass door. He was wearing a VR headset that looks almost like the Sword Art Online Nervegear helmet and a suit almost similar to the haptic suit from Ready Player One.

Zane then entered the room to the left, which was his setup room. The room was plain and bland, no design or décor, and it only had one big wall table by the door. The table had a few pieces of equipment on them but had enough space for other things to be put.

He sets his food on the table and he grabs two bracelets on the table and puts them on his wrists.

He then activated the two bracelets and the suit emerged like a symbiote and formed underneath his clothes, forming some form of second skin or a tight spandex suit, covering up to his neck and stopping just below his jaw. He then grabbed the helmet and wore it as the HUD opened up.

[ Welcome User ]
[ Nerve Sensory Suit: Online ]

[ Virtual Heads-up Display: Online ]
[ Audio System: Online ]

He then grabbed the last two items on the table, which were two rod-like handles. Upon grabbing them, a holographic version of his sword appeared in his HUD. He combined the two rods and it became longer, making it easy to hold the handle of the Fusion Sword. He then reaches behind him as the rod magnetically attached behind him.

He then stretched out his arm and the rod magnetically detached and ejected from his back and connected to his outstretched hand. He nods and drops the rod and it is magnetically reattached to his thigh.

[ Weapon Controllers: Online ]

He then clicked his sneakers against each other and it both glowed a bright white light and the floor activated. He began walking and the floor moved like a treadmill. He then tested running around and the floor moved omnidirectionally.

[ Omnidirectional Movement: Online ]

He then jumped and a support anchor formed like nanomachines and erupted from the floor to catch Zane and set him down on the ground softly.

[ Room Sensors: Online ]

[ Equipment Status: Online ]

[ Activate World Jumper Avatar? ]
[ Yes ] [ No ]

He clicked [ Yes ] and the room immediately changed theme. It first became matrix like and then the room disappeared, only to be replaced by where his avatar had been. The floor ejected an anchor once more and laid him down on the ground slowly and softly. It then began adjusting his body to how he left his avatar before detaching from him.

He closed his burgundy red eyes and opened them again, now the emerald green eyes his character had as the scene then shifted to his POV. He was looking at the grass as his character slept on his side. He then moved to lay on his back rather than his side, causing him to cover his eyes as the bright morning sky hit his eyes.

Keith: Good morning sleepy head.

Zane looked to his left and saw Keith, sitting down on the grass in a cross-legged position. The scene then changed to no one's POV. Zane stood up and stretched.

Keith: Did you eat the roll I made?

Zane: I was about to eat it when we eat at the tavern.

Keith: I highly doubt the guards would let us in again.

Zane: We can try and persuade them rather than sneak in. Besides, the Bow Hero probably told them off already.

Keith shrugged but didn't argue. He stood up and they both headed for the city gate. Thankfully, the guards that greeted them were actually much nicer than the racist pricks from the previous day.

Zane: I wonder how long we've been gone on Earth.

Keith: *shrugs* GM never really specified.

Zane: Meh, I just don't want to lose track of time. If he could slow down time in our world then I wouldn't mind doing this for a few hundred years as long as we get to travel to interesting worlds and hopefully we don't age.

Keith: And here I thought you'd start acting arrogant like how you portrayed your character back in ABR (Adventure Beyond Reality).

Zane: Nah dude. There, I was roleplaying. Here, I highly doubt I can do that. I'd also probably ruin some first impressions.

Keith: Fair enough.

Zane: Besides, you're not acting like your communitarian self either.

Keith: Bruh, there's no community around here. I can't act like that. Besides, I thought you're an anarchist?

Zane: Hey, I made my character an anarchist because I want to destroy those noobs in public servers. You know how everyone is during our sessions, always playing like those Minecraft gamers from SMP Earth. You attack a single person, you get a bounty on your head. It’s the reason I don't join clans and guilds.

Keith: Fair point. Besides, I'm only a communitarian because I'm usually the one farming for materials and equipment.

Zane: But you're a mercenary.

Keith: It's part of my gig dude. I didn't earn the name Golden Fox just by farming. It's because I had the most money in the entire server because they pay me a lot for being a mercenary.

During the time the two were recalling their stories during their time on Earth, they had turned a corner at an alley and their path was blocked by two thugs. Three more blocked the way they came from.

Thug #1: Look what we have here. Some lost demis playing dress up.

Thug #2: Nah, they probably stole it from some adventurers or merchants.

Thug #3: Uh, the thought of it just makes me sick.

Keith and Zane looked at each other and laughed.

Keith: You go this way *points behind them*

Zane: And you go that way? *points in front*

The two nodded and immediately rushed towards the thugs in their respective directions.

Zane was quick to reach back and immediately swung his Fusion Sword, the flat part of it, bashing the three thugs into the wall which knocked them out.

Keith was immediately in front of the two thugs as he reeled back his left arm, activating his Guardian Shield, and bashed his shield into the head of one of the thugs. The thug was then knocked out and backwards with some of his teeth shattered. The last thug standing then brandished a knife and ran at Keith, who easily parried the attack, before being punched and launched to a wall and knocking him out.

Keith looked at Zane, who had already stripped the thugs of their weapons. Keith searched his two thugs and found a pouch of money. He looked at the pouch intently before checking the amount which was 19 silver coins and 158 copper coins.

{ Small Flashback }

Queen Mirellia: It won't be easy to gain money once you reach Castle Town in Melromarc.

Zane: Why is that?

Queen Mirellia: Some people discriminate against demi-humans. Most nobles aren't like me and would try to have you both arrested for no reason.

Keith: I'm sure we can find some ways to get money.

{ Flashback End }

He sighs and tosses the pouch back on the thug's chest as the coins jingled inside.

Keith: I'm not that evil.

He then tossed up the 19 silver coins with a smirk.

Keith: But I guess that RPG hoarding concept still lingers.

[ Keith Levi - Collected 19 silver coins ]

[ Total Currency - 99 Gold Coins, 19 Silver Coins ]

He then looked at Zane, who grabbed one of the thugs' knives as it dematerialized.

[ Zane Grayson - Collected x3 Knives ]

They continued down the alleyway, leaving the unconscious thugs there.

Zane: That was easy.

Keith: Its mainly because those punks were level 5 at best. I'm at level 15 and Kratos's powers gave me a huge boost there.

Zane: *nods* Agreed. Cloud can easily swing his sword fast enough to cut a bullet in half. If he could do something like that, then I probably can too.

As the two exit the alleyway, they find themselves looking at a circus looking tent but the large cages outside begged to differ. A creepy looking short man exits the tent.

He wore what appears to be a circus ringmaster outfit, round glasses with a small chain attached, white gloves, a tall top hat, and a red bow tie with a diamond brooch in the center. He looked at the two with a sinister grin that went well with his handlebar mustache.

[ Beloukas The Slave Trader | Level: ?? ] popped up on the two's HUDs.

Beloukas: Ooh, customers.

Zane blinked and immediately turned heel and began walking away.

Zane: Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. Not dealing with this black market shit!

Keith grabbed his arm and dragged him back and turned him back around to face Beloukas, much to his dismay.

Beloukas: Now, what can I help you two with? *grin* Some slave crests maybe?

Zane's eye twitched in annoyance while Keith tried his best not to yell out that he's not a demi-human but his fox features would only prove him wrong.

Keith: No adventurers wish to join us because we're demi-humans. So getting a slave is the second option we have.

Beloukas: Well, you came to the right place! Come on in, right this way.

Keith and Zane followed Beloukas inside the tent. To the two's surprise and horror, the tent was full to the brim with slaves. The slaves, however, had very few humans and mostly beastmen and demi-humans.

Zane: Why are there more demi-humans than humans?

Beloukas: This country practices human supremacy and demi-humans are thought to be closer to monsters. Life can be quite hard for them here, as such, they are treated as slaves.

Zane: Fair enough. Tsk. Racist pricks.

As Beloukas spoke out some more dialogue Keith noted that his dialogue was closer to the English Dub version of the anime instead of the Japanese, which makes it awkward and convenient at the same time.

Awkward because the sub version seems to be the most preferred by people due to the fact sub always came out first and that most dialogues in dub were adjusted to fit the mouth movement, making most dub dialogues awkward for the viewers.

Convenient because the auto-translate system installed in their gear would go haywire. Sure it would translate the dialogue but at the cost of the mouth movement of the characters not matching the dialogue at all.

It was already present during their first meeting with Queen Mirellia but he had to confirm it by hearing some of the dialogue from the anime scenes itself.

*cough* *cough*

Keith turned to the sound of the coughing with Zane following behind. They stop in front of a cage covered in tarp. As Keith removed the tarp, he saw the main deuteragonist of this world when she was still a slave.

Keith: Hello Raphtalia.

Beloukas: Sirs, over here.

Zane turned his attention to Beloukas but Keith kept looking at her. Zane pats his friend on the shoulder before walking towards what Beloukas was calling them for.

Beloukas: I recommend this for a high-class tenant such as yourselves.

Zane looked at the cage as Beloukas removed the tarp. As he did, the slave inside jumped towards the bars-trying to reach for Zane. Zane immediately recoiled back and was about to reach for his sword but stopped when he remembered that the slave was still caged.

Beloukas: It's at level 75.

Zane: Jeez, that's five times higher than my own level. The question now is, "how much"?

Beloukas: Well, it is highly capable in battle and fairly rare. How does 15 gold pieces sound?

Zane narrowed his eyes at the slave trader and then at the slave then back to the trader.

Zane: Showing the most expensive one, huh?

Beloukas: Indeed, you two are going to be my best customers. I got a nose for these things. So, I gotta make sure you develop a keen eye if you catch my drift, good sir.

Zane: Yeah I getcha.

Beloukas: Well now, since you've seen my best, let me ask you a question, exactly what kind of slave are you in the market for?

Zane: I'm not so sure. I guess something cheap and obedient.

Beloukas: Well, I believe your friend has already found one for you.

Zane looked at Keith and saw him kneeling down in front of Raphtalia's cage. Keith wasn't saying anything but he could tell he was trying to be approachable.

Zane: I'm going to guess those are probably the cheapest ones?

Beloukas: Right you are, my boy.

Zane then looked at the cage opposite of Raphtalia and saw a slave looking at Keith but looked away when the kitsune looked back.

Zane pat his friend's shoulder and tilt his head towards the slave. Keith looked at the slave and noticed that she was a fox demi-human, complete with fox ears and a tail.

Zane: *whispered* Any thoughts.

Keith eyed Raphtalia, which Zane caught and nodded. He raised right fist his left palm underneath. Keith crossed his arms and cupped his chin like a thinking motion. He snaps his fingers and grabs a silver coin from the pouch.

Zane drops his hands and nods. Keith shows the heads of the coin and tilts his head to Raphtalia, then the tails to the fox girl. Zane nodded as Keith flicked the coin up before catching it and putting it on the back of his palm.

The two looked at the coin as Keith removed his hand from the back of his other hand's palm, revealing the coin to be tails. Keith shrugs and points at Zane then Raphtalia before walking over to the fox girl while Zane then walks over to Raphtalia.

Zane: I'm taking this one.

Keith: And this one is mine.

Beloukas: Very well then.

Beloukas opened the two girl's cages. While Raphtalia remained passive, the fox girl was the complete opposite. She thrashed and tried to run, thus activating her slave crest. She screams in pain as was shocked, making her writhe and roll on the ground. As Beloukas grabbed her, the slave crest deactivated and she decided to remain passive to avoid getting shocked.

Keith: Oh great. Now I have to deal with a fiery fox.

The two followed Beloukas to what appears to be his office. As Beloukas explained how the slave crest works the two were sweating in real life. How the hell were they supposed to do a blood thingy when they themselves aren't even there?! Doesn't help that their avatar's don't bleed at all!

A message then appeared on their screen.

[ Message from GM ]

[ "Don't worry boys, I gotcha. I'm going to grab some blood via injection by entering your room then send it over to your avatars' inventories." ]

And as they read it, Keith felt a needle prick him in the shoulder. He then looked and saw GM in his room, grabbing some blood via injection. He then left after taping a cotton ball on his shoulder.

Keith focused back on the avatar and saw Zane wince and look to his left, muttering a silent "ow". A few seconds later, they gained their blood in their inventory.

[ Keith Levi - Gained Blood Vial x1 ]

[ Zane Grayson - Gain Blood Vial x1 ]

Beloukas: Now, your blood's gentlemen.

Keith pulled out his vial from his pocket.

Keith: We already came prepared.

He popped open his vial and dropped a few bits of his blood into a small plate of ink. Zane followed suit by grabbing his own vial from his pocket and dropped blood on his own ink plate.

Beloukas grabbed Zane's and walked over to Raphtalia, who looked scared and tried to hide her crest but continued to remain passive. Beloukas lowered her hands which she resisted at first but she eventually stopped resisting.

As Beloukas swiped the brush in a circular motion against her crest, it activated and sizzled. Raphtalia cried out softly as the crest continued to sizzle but left no burn marks.

Zane: So that's a slave crest, huh?

Beloukas: Indeed. That slave crest branded on her chest makes it impossible for her to defy you.

[ Zane Grayson - Acquired Contract: Slave A ]

Then came the fox girl. Unlike Raphtalia, she resisted a lot but in the end, her strength wasn't enough to stop Beloukas from doing the same thing that happened to Raphtalia being done to her.

And unlike Raphtalia, who seemingly winced and cried out softly from the pain of the crest, she cried out loudly. She writhed and screamed not just in pain but there was a tint of anger.

Keith: I guess she still has some pride and fight in her.

[ Keith Levi - Acquired Contract: Slave B ]

Beloukas: There you go good sirs.

Keith: 30 silver for Ta-the racoon and 75 silver for the kitsune.

Keith laid 1 gold coin and 15 silver.

Beloukas: There's 10 extra in here.

Keith: Commission and tip. Besides, I'm sure you're going to ask for it.

Beloukas: Well, you know your stuff don't ya?

Keith nods and walks over to the kitsune girl. She looks at her fellow kitsune with a look of betrayal. He then crouches down and looks at her.

Keith: May I ask for your name?

Slave B: Why does it matter? I'm a slave, right? So my name obviously doesn't matter.

Keith sighs and grabs her arm and pulls her up before dragging her outside, the girl reluctantly following.

Zane on the other hand, had a different approach.

Zane: What's your name?

Raphtalia: *coughs* My- *coughs*

Zane: Tell me your name child!

Raphtalia whimpered in fear on hearing Zane's somewhat intimidating tone.

Raphtalia: I-I'm c-called... Raphtalia...

Zane: Raphtalia. Good to know. Let's go.

Zane grabs Raphtalia's arm and leads her outside.

Beloukas: I look forward for your next visit. We're always open.

The two left the slave tent with their newly acquired slaves, Raphtalia and Slave B. Zane looks at Keith, who didn't speak but did move his mouth.

Keith: *points at Slave B* won't tell *points at himself* *points at Slave B* name. (She won't tell me her name.)

Zane nods and they continue on their way. They pass by a blacksmith shop and they enter.

The blacksmith of the shop was a bald middle-aged man with an Amish-style beard, grayish eyes, fair skin, and a well-built body with a few scars.

His clothing was an off-white undershirt with medium length sleeves, over the shirt is a beige forger apron tied only to the left shoulder, a belt and pouch tied to the waist, black gloves, dark brown pants, and beige boots.

[ Erhard The Blacksmith | Level 87 ]

Erhard: Welcome. Name's Erhard, what can we do for you?

Zane placed down 3 gold coins.

Zane: We need weapons that these two can use, some clothes for them if you have some that could fit them, and we're going to need some armor.

Erhard raised an eyebrow but nodded.

{Timeskip}

The two girls were now wearing better clothes rather than rags and were both equipped with iron daggers.

Zane got himself the following:

- Iron Chestplate [Rarity: Common] [Chest] [Condition: Excellent]

- Iron Gauntlets [Rarity: Common] [Hands] [Condition: Excellent]

- Iron Boots [Rarity: Common] [Feet] [Condition: Excellent]

- Iron Pauldron [Rarity: Common] [R. Shoulder] [Condition: Excellent]

- Iron Helmet [Rarity: Common] [Head] [Condition: Excellent]

Keith got the following:

- Leather Tunic [Rarity: Common] [Chest] [Condition: Excellent]

- Leather Gauntlets [Rarity: Common] [Hands] [Condition: Excellent]

- Leather Strapped Shoulder Armor [Rarity: Common] [Shoulders] [Condition: Excellent]

The two replaced their other armors because they were already in bad condition after being beaten around by some monsters the previous days of their travel.

Keith: Alright. You two look battle ready.

Zane: Should we head out for the fields?

Keith: We need to see if they can handle themselves first.

Keith activates his Guardian Shield and takes a stance.

Keith: One of you, try and strike the shield.

Raphtalia looked on in confusion but the other slave immediately brandished her dagger and struck the shield. She dropped the knife but grabbed it with her other hand and sidestepped, planning to stab Keith in his side. A small grin plastered on her face but immediately turned to despair when she felt her slave crest activate.

Keith: I figured you'd something like that.

She screamed in pain as she fell to the ground, writhing in pain. To her surprise, the crest deactivated almost immediately.

Keith: *scoldingly* Stop trying to kill me.

He then looks at Raphtalia and does the same.

Keith: Try not to attempt the same thing okay?

Raphtalia nervously nodded and unsheathed her knife. She took a step but stepped back nervously. Zane sighed and walked over to her.

Zane: It's okay kid. You can do this.

He gestures to Keith's shield, silently telling her to strike it. She gulps and runs forward, striking his shield. It was light but had some power in it.

Keith: Is this your first time with a weapon?

Raphtalia nods nervously. He then looked at the other slave girl.

Keith: I can already tell you're a fighter.

The slave kept quiet. Keith picks her up and hands her back her dagger before patting her head.

Keith: Let's go. And thanks for the equipment.

Erhard: Yeah, yeah. *smirks* Just come back if you need some equipment aight?

Zane gave him a thumbs up and they left the shop.

The small group walked around the city for a little bit more. They passed by some slavers and demi-human slaves, with the slaves being hurt by their masters. Raphtalia whimpered at that while the other slave girl growled.

Raphtalia's stomach growled in hunger and so did the second slave.

Zane: *teasingly* I wonder who that was?

The two girls blushed in embarrassment before following their masters to a tavern. Unfortunately, the sign outside the tavern said, "We don't serve demi-humans".

Raphtalia: *nervously* U-Uh... S-Sirs...

Keith noticed the sign and deadpanned it. He then punched the sign, cracking it and the "don't" part of the sign fell off but the rest remained intact.

Keith flashed a smile towards the two before holding the two's hands as they entered. The second slave was reluctant and pulled her hand away like a rebellious teen while Raphtalia gladly took his hand like a young child holding onto her father or big brother's hand.

The people saw the group and began whispering but remembered what happened the last time guards tried to stop the two. Then again, the two were pretty passive and even left a tip.

Waiter: So uh, its you two again.

Zane: Uh-huh. Just get me a steak.

Keith: Salmon and a salad.

The two looked at the slaves. Who looked back at their masters like curious children.

Raphtalia: U-Uh um...

Keith: I guess two kid meals. Unless you two want to order something else?

Raphtalia and the other slave were downright shocked to even reply.

Keith: I'll take your silence as a no. They'll have two kid’s meals.

Waiter: That'll be 19 copper.

Keith tossed the waiter a silver coin.

Keith: Keep the change.

Waiter: O-Oh... Uh, alright.

The waiter then left to grab their food.

Keith: We really need to find a way to get copper coins. At this rate, we'll run out of gold coins. I really should've grabbed some copper from that thug.

Raphtalia: Why sir..?

Keith's thoughts were interrupted by Raphtalia.

Raphtalia: Why would you get it for me and her..?

Zane: You two need to eat so you have some strength for later.

Zane then rubbed his stomach.

Zane: Now, while waiting for food, I shall meditate.

Zane closed his eyes as two hands raised behind him and grabbed his head as the helmet formed and was removed from his head. The scene then changes to Zane's room, which now looks Matrix styled.

He then stood up from a nanotech bench that was there as a holographic version of himself continued to sit, unmoving. Keith's avatar continued to move and so did Raphtalia and the other slave girl.

He then grabbed his sandwich roll and watched the systems of the room go on as the scene fades to black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to show IRL Keith eating pasta in his own virtual room. It was now his turn to eat as Zane finally finished eating, although he did finish when their food in the world had already arrived.

He finished eating his food and placed the plate on the table before entering the setup as he entered the world again.

Keith closed his eyes before the entire room shifted to the tavern. As he opened his eyes, he was met with the sight of Raphtalia and the second slave eating their food with smiles.

They, and Zane, finished their food before they all headed out to the plains to gain exp.

Zane: How come our XP gain is lower here?

Zane swung his Fusion Sword, cutting down a dozen balloon-like monsters.

[ Zane Grayson gained 8 exp ]

Keith: The terrain and climate of Melromarc is different from Faubrey. The monsters are no doubt meant to change in strength.

Keith threw his Leviathan Axe towards a group, chopping them down.

[ Keith Levi gained 6 exp ]

A balloon monster snuck up on Keith but a fireball incinerated it, courtesy of the second slave.

Zane blocked three balloons and Raphtalia cut them down.

They spent the entire afternoon trying to gain EXP. As dusk began to settle, they headed to the two Glitch Heroes' previous campsite.

Zane: We got a good amount of exp from that one.

Keith: Agreed. I believe we can go deeper into the forest by tomorrow.

Raphtalia: U-Um, sirs?

The two looked at the curious tanuki girl, who was also eating fish that they caught.

Raphtalia: Who are you two? What I mean is, who are you both really?

Slave B: Isn't it obvious? They are our masters. There's no point knowing who they are.

Keith rolled his eyes at his slave's reply. No doubt that his slave was sold into slavery.

Zane: Well, Raphtalia, we're heroes. The Glitch Heroes, more specifically.

As those words left Zane's mouth, Slave B stiffened up. She looked at the two with surprise just like Raphtalia.

Raphtalia: *surprised* Y-You're really... The Glitch Heroes..? Please sirs, what do we call you?

Zane: Zane Grayson.

Keith: Keith Levi.

Raphtalia: Zane Grayson... Keith Levi...

The second slave took note of their names before Raphtalia started coughing. Keith pulled out two medicine vials and handed one to Zane, who immediately took it and walked over to Raphtalia. Keith walks over to his slave and hands her the medicine.

Keith: Just in case.

The slave looked at the vial and quickly snatched it from his hands before minding her own business. Raphtalia's groaning caught the two's attention.

Raphtalia: It's so bitter.

Zane: Yeah well medicine is meant to be bitter. It ain't one of those kiddy fruit medicines so just drink up so you'll be better.

Raphtalia groaned again as she drank up the medicine before retching. Keith let out a soft chuckle before patting the fox slave's head, causing her to flinch and move away from him in a panic. Keith blinked and stayed there, waiting if she'd place her head back on his hand but she didn't so he just walked back to his spot.

{Timeskip, Night}

Zane and Keith were simply looking up to the stars. Zane's avatar may look awake but Zane himself was actually asleep. Keith volunteered for watch duty since Raphtalia could wake up any moment because of her nightmares.

And right on cue, she did indeed have her panic attack and woke up, wailing in agony. Keith was quick to embrace her in a tight hug.

Raphtalia: Father. Mother. They're gone.

She wailed as the second slave woke up covering her ears but Keith did notice that she had tears slowly forming on her eyes but she quickly wiped them away.

Keith: Shh... Calm down Raphtalia. It's okay.

He reassured her and when she finally calmed down, he laid her back down her sleep roll before he walked over to his slave. His slave immediately looked away from him but he engulfed her in a comforting hug, which confused and surprised her.

Keith: If you have anything you want to tell me, you can speak to me.

He then heard small sniffles from his slave and looked down to see her sobbing softly on his chest.

Slave B: W-Why... Why are you so n-nice to me?

Keith: Well normally I would say it's because I'm your master but in all honesty, it's because I want to get to know you. I want you to trust me and I shall trust you as well. Can we trust each other?

The slave girl slowly and reluctantly nodded, which Keith smiled and accepted. Keith then stands up to return to his spot. He stops in his tracks and slightly turns his head to the right to face her.

Keith: If you're not comfortable telling me your name then that's okay.

As he was walking back to his spot, he heard the slave mutter her name.

Slave B: Yanoka.

Keith: Nice to meet you, Yanoka.

After their greeting Keith sat back down his spot and continued to be the lookout. A few hours later, Zane logged back in to keep watch as Keith took his moment of rest.

{Next Day | 12 Days before Wave of Catastrophe}

As a new day dawned upon their little group, Zane had collected enough herbs for Keith to start making a batch of herbal medicine for themselves and to sell. And while Keith was busy with his medicine making, Zane and the two slaves were grinning on levels, mainly to help the two kids level up faster.

Once Keith was done with making medicine, they proceeded to enter the city and sell a batch of medicine with a few more herbal medicine vials to spare.

Keith: It's really unfortunate how we sold all of those medicines in hard to get vials.

Zane: I'm sure we'll get more.

Keith: Dude. We're not getting any more vials anytime soon. I suggest we put medicine to sell in clay pots while anything new like monster blood and all that are put in the vials.

Zane: We're not playing Monster Hunter dumbass. We don't need monster blood.

Yanoka: Actually, some monster bloods are used to create poisons and potions that increase the resistance of a person to a certain element, be it be poisons, flames, frostbite, or others

Zane: Well, aren't you a little knowledgeable towards alchemy.

Yanoka refused to speak any further but Keith was proud of her progress on opening up. The blonde kitsune looked back at the ginger haired racoon girl and saw her looking at a ball the other children were playing with.

Keith: You want a ball like that?

Raphtalia squeaked and waved her hands in front of her in denial.

Raphtalia: N-No I don't. I'd n-never want a ball, not at all.

Though her voice might deny it, her wagging tail told a different story. Keith sighed fondly, having thought of a girl he once knew back home.

Zane saw the vendor selling the balls and immediately bought one for Raphtalia. He looked at Yanoka but she didn't seem interested in it so he didn't buy her one.

Zane: You can play with it after we're done with today's work, okay?

Raphtalia: *eyes shining* O-Of course.

She smiled at Zane, who smiled back at the raccoon girl and patted her head.

The day continued on with them eating lunch, then Exp grinding out in the field, gathering resources for medicine making, eating dinner, and finally getting back to camp.

While the girls slept, Zane's avatar "slept" and prepared food for him and Keith in their living space. Meanwhile, the kitsune was busy making clay pots to put the medicine in and also making wooden spears for either fishing or used as either long melee ranged weapons or throwable weapons for the two girls.

While he was doing this, he was also multitasking on letting water boil to mix the grounded medicine he made.

Keith: I should be getting proficient on alchemy, even though there's no Skyrim alchemy skill and perks to help me make better potions.

Keith then added the grounded herbs into the hot water and mixed it for a few minutes.

Keith: Probably should've chosen the Dragonborn or maybe even Minecraft to help with this... Oh well.

He then picked up the kettle of boiling water and slowly poured its contents into the newly made pot. Once it was all down the pot, he used his observe ability like most games have on the pot of medicine.

[ Medicine Crafted = 46% Effective ]

He clicked his tongue and huffed.

Keith: Either the herbs Zane picked out are bad and not yet ripe, or I'm missing a few ingredients. Ugh, alchemy is so complicated.

He then pulled out a book that he bought from a store earlier and began to write down recipes. It took him almost two hours of mixing and matching of herbs to create medicine that was more effective than the earlier ones.

[ Medicine Crafted = 72% Effective ]

Keith: Meh, that's good enough.

Yanoka: *groggily* What are you doing?

Keith jumped, tense, by the sudden arrival of his slave girl behind him.

Keith: *calming down* G-Good evening, Yanoka. Just trying to make some medicine.

Yanoka took a look at his book of recipes and saw all the different mixes and effectiveness of the medicine he made.

Keith: I have made medicine that's at least 72% effective but I've run out of other herbs.

Yanoka: I can collect more if-

Keith: Go. Just don't go running off too far or try to escape.

Keith putting some trust in her was surprising to Yanoka. She slowly stood up and began walking but Keith didn't look at her and continued working on the medicine. She took more steps farther and he still didn't look nor did the crest activate.

She then began to run away to escape, only to yelp and fall to the ground when she got shocked by her crest. She grumbled annoyed when she stood up once the crest ceased its electric shock.

Keith: Told you not to wander off too far or try to escape, didn't I?

Yanoka gave him an eye roll and trudged into the forest to collect a batch of herbs. Keith, in his room, held a fond smile. She eventually came back with the herbs, but also held a snickering look.

Once Keith examined one of the herbs she brought back, it puffed a cloud of pollen that got Keith in the face. She smiled at that but that turned into a frown when Keith didn't go down and simply wrote down what the herb was and what it could do in his book.

Keith: Sorry to ruin your plan but poison doesn't work on me.

Keith saying that sentence plainly was just adding insult to injury like he knew she was up to no good and went along with it anyways.

She grumbled and went back to her sleep roll with an annoyed pout and puffed cheeks, something that Keith found adorable.

Eventually, Zane had to take over as the watcher and Keith logged out when his avatar slept. Ever since they got Raphtalia and Yanoka, they've been taking turns on eating dinner and going to bed, which wasn't healthy at all and one of them sometimes wakes up late.

{Next Day | 11 Days before the Wave}

The group decided to move deeper into the forest to hunt stronger monsters for Raphtalia and Yanoka. Zane went back to Castle Town to sell more medicine, herbs, and other loot for money. Keith was looking around for more herbs for medicine while Raphtalia and Yanoka were busy fighting monsters.

While Raphtalia was taking a breather, she left herself open for an attack. And that attack came in the form of an angry rabbit that lunged towards her. But before it could pounce on the tanuki girl, Keith intercepted it and blocked it with his Guardian Shield but was knocked back to the ground by the unexpected strength from the rabbit.

Yanoka: Sir Keith!

The fox girl would try and take on the rabbit but Keith stopped her.

Keith: Yanoka, no. Let Raphtalia do it.

Raphtalia: *surprised, scared* W-What? W-Why me?

Keith: Raphtalia, you need to get over that fear of yours and grow stronger. If not then you'll never get over them and it will continue to haunt you.

Keith managed to say while the rabbit continued to pounce on him.

Raphtalia: I-I can't... It'll bleed if I stab it...

She mumbled frightfully before her slave crest activated from disobeying an order, causing her to yelp and groan in pain.

Keith: *coldly* Raphtalia, if you don't help then Zane and I won't take care of you anymore. Simple as that.

Yanoka: Come on, suck it up and kill it already

Raphtalia looked at the two with disbelief but also a little scared. Keith was slightly struggling but not really struggling that much and just acting like the rabbit was winning.

Keith: Raphtalia... As heroes, it's our job to deal with the upcoming Waves of Catastrophe. Zane and I need to get stronger till then so we can protect others and do our damn jobs. But we can't do it alone. So if you can't fight monsters like these then we'll just send you back to the slave tent.

Raphtalia gripped the dagger tighter and the purple lighting of the slave crest dispersed. With a shout, she charged at the rabbit and stabbed it in the gut, getting a quick bath in its blood. Keith was so thankful that he was in a VR room rather than in the actual world or else he'd be covered in that blood after that.

Raphtalia: Then I have no choice, sir. I'll fight for you. Just don't, don't throw me away.

Yanoka: *huffs, mutters* About time

Keith tossed the corpse away and stood up and dusted himself, the blood disappearing from his avatar. He smiled at the tanuki girl and patted her in the head.

Keith: We won't. We'll grow stronger together.

Raphtalia looked at him with new found determination, despite being half-covered in blood. Yanoka simply looked away but Keith patted her in the head, causing her to flinch in surprise.

Keith: I'm glad you put some trust in her.

Yanoka: Tsk. I didn't do it for you or her. I didn't attack it because you ordered me not to.

Keith: But you could've easily defied that order and attack it anyways or run away with Raphtalia and leave me for dead and Zane wouldn't even know you're gone. *smirks* Yet you didn't. Why is that?

Yanoka refused to speak any further but the words "damn it" were quietly muttered by her before she stomped off with a huff and puffed cheeks while crossing her arms. Keith simply smiled at his fellow kitsune, even though he isn't one himself but his avatar is so he probably counts.

Zane: What's with her?

The redhead had just finally returned with a few pouches of coin while Keith simply waved him off.

Keith: It's nothing.

Zane: Why is Raphtalia covered in blood? Is anyone hurt? Why is there a dead rabbit? What the fuck happened while I was gone?!

{Timeskip, Lute Village}

While grinding for more exp, the group was unaware that they were moving deeper into the forest. Eventually, they found themselves near the walls of Lute Village and decided to take a break there for now.

Keith and Zane asked around if there's any place they could get materials to either sell or use for smithing weapons. The villagers pointed them to the same cave Naofumi headed towards in the show and also warned them about the monsters in there.

Zane: Two birds, one stone.

Keith: More like: "two jobs, one place."

Yanoka rolled her eyes at her masters' jokes while Raphtalia tilted her head like a curious toddler, not really getting the phrases.

The small group of ragtag adventurers headed for the cave and started mining the resources like they were Minecraft players.

Keith: Most mined minerals and ore gets 20 silver?

Keith's small challenge was something Zane didn't want to lose to.

Zane: You're on!

Yanoka: *deadpan* Are they seriously betting money right now?

Zane and Raphtalia headed to a small opening with some materials while Keith and Yanoka headed deeper.

Raphtalia: Um... Mister. How should I address you?

Zane: You can call me whatever. *thinks* Just not daddy.

Raphtalia: *giggles, jokingly* Okay, Mister Whatever.

Zane gawked at the tanuki girl who was giggling at her small joke before he soon joined her giggling fits. Their giggles eventually subsided and they started mining up some materials. However, they're giggles were heard by something that was nestled in the cave and was close to them.

Meanwhile, Yanoka and Keith were simply mining away like dwarves.

Keith: *sing-song* I am a dwarf and I'm digging a hole, diggy diggy hole, diggy diggy hole~

Yanoka looked at her master with curious looks but also weirded out looks.

Yanoka: What kind of song is that? And what are dwarves?

A scream came from the cavern that Zane and Raphtalia were in, followed by a loud roar that echoed across the cavern.

Keith: Welp, they're on their own.

Yanoka looked at her master with looks of disbelief and incredulously.

Yanoka: Master, what the fuck?!

Keith continued to mine before gripping his pickaxe tightly. He then turned heel and spun around before throwing the pickaxe directly at the cavern entrance the sounds came from. The pickaxe flew and spun at high speeds towards the entrance before Zane emerged from it, carrying Raphtalia bridal style, and missing the redheads completely. The pickaxe flew and hit the two headed dog monster behind them, staggering and hurting it.

Zane: Language, young lady!

Keith: No time for jokes, Captain America!

Keith said as he ironically activated his Guardian Shield

Raphtalia/Yanoko: *confused* Who?!

Zane/Keith: Nothing!

The two headed dog monster drops down in front of them, one of the heads ripped off the pickaxe that Keith threw at them from its body and growled at them.

Keith: Well aren't you a big dog.

Zane: Nice doggy... Nice two headed demon doggy...

The said doggy roared at him, causing Raphtalia to squeak in fear and hide her face in Zane's chest.

Keith: Dude, why would you call it demon doggy?! What if you insulted it?!

Zane: I don't give a shit bro! I'm just pointing out what the fuck it is!

Zane yelped and ducked as one of its heads lunged at him to try and bite him while the rest of it lunged at Keith and Yanoka, which Keith used his shield and bashed the creature away before picking up Yanoka under his arm and jumping to a different platform with Zane.

Yanoka: OI! Put me down! I can handle myself!

Keith: I know you can but I also don't want you to die!

The small group landed near the exit of the cave but the two headed demon dog jumped down in front of them and blocked their path. It lunged towards Keith as Keith threw Yanoka to safety before he activated his Guardian Shield to block it from pouncing on him.

Zane put Raphtalia in a safe spot before running in to charge at the beast with his Fusion Sword raised high to strike down on it. Unfortunately, one of its heads lunged at him and bit him in the torso before thrashing him around.

Keith: Zane!

Zane: Agh! This. *thrash* Fucker. *slam* Is. *thud* Making. *thrash* Me. *thump* Dizzy!

Zane managed to say dizzily as the dog thrashed him around. Meanwhile, in Zane's VR room, he was being thrown around like a ragdoll, hitting the walls, ground, and ceiling. He wasn't just slowly getting dizzy, he was also losing consciousness in the room from being thrashed around but also breaking the said room.

Zane: DO SOMETHIN'! AGH! FUCK MY BACK!

Raphtalia was simply looking on in fear while Yanoka was watching on, tempted to let them both die so she could be free. But there's also a part of her that wants to save them... She has no idea why but she just has to... no, she needs to save them.

Yanoka: Damn it! Why did I get so attached to them..?

She thought back to how nice and caring those two were towards her and Raphtalia. And if they do die, who's going to care for Raphtalia? She grit her teeth and decided...

Yanoka: Zweite Fire Shot!

She yelled out and raised her hand, pointing it at the monster as fire swirled around her palm before it shot out and hit the monster, engulfing its body in flames.

Raphtalia: *surprised* Yanoka..

Yanoka let out a battle cry before she ran forward while imbuing magic into her sword, enchanting it, causing it to be coated in flames. She then stabbed her sword into the demon dog's hind leg, burning it from inside and out, causing it to roar in pain before it threw Zane towards the fox girl.

The two crashed into each other and the redhead was already knocked out and exhausted from being thrashed around while Yanoka crashed hard into the wall, knocking her out cold.

Raphtalia: *Worried* Yanoka!

Keith snarled in anger before grabbing his Leviathan Axe and swinging it at the creature's first head, freezing it but the second one bit his arm, inciting a grunt from the blonde. And due to Keith removing his other hand from his shield arm, the weight of the demon dog took its toll and knocked him on the ground, its weight being felt on his arm and chest, almost close to cracking a few ribs or crushing his arm even in the VR room, causing him to howl in pain.

Raphtalia:* Scared* Sir Keith! Master Zane!

Keith: R-R-Raph... Agh! Raphtalia... Kill it..!

The blonde kitsune managed to call out despite the pain.

Raphtalia was frozen with fear. The longer she looked at the demon dog, the more she thought back to the very same creature who ate her parents alive so long ago.

Raphtalia: *Terrified* I-I-I can't..

Keith: Raphtalia, if you don't move, I die. If I die, Zane and Yanoka dies. If they die, no one will be around to care or protect you anymore. Do you want that? Do you want us heroes to die and be unable to protect kids like you?

Keith had no time for giving a speech like Naofumi did, mainly because he's slowly getting crushed by something that's not even there in the VR room with him. So, the closest he could do was give Raphtalia the truth of what would happen. Not like he can't respawn anyways but by then, Raphtalia and Yanoka would have been dead.

He looked at Raphtalia and saw her still standing there, shaking and terrified. Keith grits his teeth and glares at the monster.

Keith: If you can't fight it then just run! Take Yanoka with you and run! Don't look back and just run! Live your lives as free children once we pass! I'll buy you as much time as I can!

He shouted before ripping his arm off from the second head's grip. The second dog head lunged towards his face, forcing him to grab it by the neck and try his best to avoid it's baring maw.

Raphtalia was terrified by that thing but if they died, she'd be alone. Again. No, not again. She's not letting that happen.

Raphtalia: *Trembling* I can't be alone again! NO!

She charged forward, jumped as high as she could and stabbed the demon dead in the second head. The first head broke out of the ice and lunged at her, but Keith used his hand to grab it by the neck and managed to turn it over and off of him before slamming his Guardian Shield down its still half frozen neck, shattering and decapitating it.

[Keith Levi gained 215 exp]
[Zane Grayson gained 215 exp]
[Raphtalia gained 215 exp]
[Yanoka gained 215 exp]

The dog's body twitched slightly but didn't nothing else. Keith laid back down on the ground, coughing as that thing weighed like three huskies... Or maybe three rottweilers might be the closest description.

Keith: Good job, Raphtalia. Can you... Can you check on those two for a bit? I'mma lay down for a bit.

He sighed and rested for a bit, well, his character rested. Keith temporarily left his avatar there before taking off his VR helmet and running out of his room and towards Zane's. He got in there and saw an out cold Zane. He logged Zane out of his avatar and removed the helmet.

Keith: Zane... *coughs* Zane, answer me mate.

Zane didn't respond. So, like most people, Keith slapped Zane, snapping the redhead awake and getting vomited on, courtesy of said redhead.

Keith: *grossed out* BLEUGH! DUDE?! WHAT THE FUCK?!

The white haired Australian managed to shout out despite his hoarse voice. He grabbed a box of tissue nearby and wiped his face free from Zane's barf while the redhead coughed and tried to get his bearings.

Keith: Dude... *coughs* That's fucking nasty.

Zane: So- *cough* Sorry man...

Keith: If you're feeling better, go log back in. Raphtalia needs you.

Keith walked back to his room while Zane cleaned his room a bit before logging back in and waking up with Raphtalia looking down at him with tearful eyes.

Zane: *coughs* Hey Raph... You okay?

His answer came when Raphtsalia tackled him into a tight hug

Raphtalia: *Crying* Master Zane..

Zane returned the hug and rubbed her back like a father comforting their child.

Zane: Shh... It's okay, Raphtalia. It's okay. I'm alright.

Keith slowly walked over to the still unconscious Yanoka and grabbed a towel to clean the blood streaming down the side of her head. The fox girl slowly opens her eyes and sees a badly shaped Keith but was slowly healing overtime.

Keith: You okay, Yanoka?

Yanoka: What...what happened?

Keith: You saved us, remember?

Yanoka weakly widened her eyes before her gaze softened.

Yanoka: I... I see... I saved my masters.

Keith: Not just Master, Yanoka. You saved your friends.

The fox girl looked at Keith with disbelief but looked at Zane comforting a crying Raphtalia, who's once again covered in blood. She smiled slightly.

Yanoka: I guess I did...

Keith gave her a soft hug, a hug she accepted and returned.

Keith: Thanks for saving us.

Yanoka: *smiles and closes her eyes* You're welcome, Sir Keith. You're welcome.

The four stayed there for a while, the two heroes embracing their slaves like daughters.

Raphtalia: *Hugging Zane tighter* A little longer please?

Zane: I won't mind, kid.

The two World Jumpers quietly sighed in their rooms. After that near death experience, they know that this is more than just a game. It's real. And they need to be ready. The group remained there in the cave as the scene faded to black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to two furry tails moving around the tall grass, said tails belonged to two demi-human girls.

Raphtalia: Hey! Wait!

Yanoka: Get back here!

While the two were chasing something, Keith and Zane were watching on. Well Keith was watching on, Zane was busy trying to find a way to split his Fusion Sword into two or more blades.

Keith: Still can't get it?

Zane: *grunts* I have absolutely no idea how to do it.

Keith: Didn't you just search it in the internet or YouTube?

Zane: No, it's not there. This is the actual thing, not a replica.

The red haired American continued to try to find a way to split the sword but to no avail. The white haired Australian, however, rolled his eyes and focused back to keeping an eye on the two demi-human slaves.

Keith: There's only 4 more days till the Wave strikes. It's been a full week and a half since we got those two.

Raphtalia/Yanoka: Sir Keith!

Keith glanced at the direction and was jumpscared by a porcupine monster, causing him to let out a small yelp of surprise before he bitch-slapped it away from him. It was knocked down on the ground, giving the two demi-human girls a chance to strike it down. However, it was Raphtalia who got the killing blow.

Raphtalia: *proudly* Look Master Zane! I did it!

Yanoka: *snarkily* Hey! I helped you know!

The two World Jumpers looked at the two girls.

[ Raphtalia - Level 18 ]

[ Yanoka - Level 18 ]

Keith: I can only imagine how strong you two truly have become once the Wave comes.

{Timeskip, Castle Town}

The group arrives in Erhard's, the Blacksmith's, blacksmith shop.

Erhard: Wow, I hardly recognized you two. You two have turned into pretty ladies.

His compliment caused Yanoka to blush lightly but ignored that comment while Raphtalia was thankfully dense enough not to notice that.

Keith was leaning against the wall with right foot on the wall as well and arms crossed, a smile was present on his face. While Zane was leaning back against the counter, a smile on his face as well..

Erhard: Haven't seen you both in a while. What have you been up to?

Raphtalia: I finally learned correct table manners from the innkeeper. I want to eat my food properly like how Master Zane does.

Yanoka: I say you're being too attached to him. We only need one Zane, not another one. But I'm actually glad you learned some proper manners while eating.

Erhard: Hmm... Is that so? You've really grown up. Nothing like the pipsqueaks you used to be.

His compliment also came with a tease, a tease that Raphtalia pouted at while Yanoka huffed at.

Zane: Yanoka really hates compliments, huh?

Keith: *chuckles* She's a braggart.

Yanoka: *snarkily* Oi! Am not!

Zane takes a good look at Raphtalia.

Zane: Although I can't really see that difference with this one.

Raphtalia looked at him, a little offended, while Erhard chuckled.

Erhard: Looks like someone's hard to please.

Zane: Oh, make no mistake. I'm truly surprised. I just never expected everyone to suddenly be drawn towards demi-human girls like Raphtalia.

{Quick Flashback}

The group was looking around in the market, taking a look at what they should buy in preparation for the Wave. While shopping, one of the vendors approached Raphtalia.

Vendor: Wow, miss you're adorable! Have another one on the house!

He lends Raphtalia a corndog, which she gleefully accepts.

Zane: *voice over* I can understand that most people find girls like Raphtalia and Yanoka cute but come on, they sometimes take it too far.

Another vendor approached Raphtalia with another piece of food and then another, and another, and not long after, a lot of vendors had approached her to give their own gifts. Zane had a difficult time trying to get her out of the situation.

Meanwhile, in contrast to those two. Yanoka was proudly flaunting her own beauty towards the vendors that were handing her gifts. Even brushing her tail against their faces if the gift was "worthy" in her eyes. Keith wanted to stop her but how could he pass the opportunity of free gifts that they could sell if they were useless.

Unfortunately, Yanoka's flaunt also reached the age of young teens trying to propose to her. She turned them down, of course, but also bragged that she needed a true man to please her. A man that had the money, the physique, the courage, and the caring nature towards her. A man that would treat her like a princess, even though she wasn't one herself.

Well, she would've said such a speech had Keith not smacked her in the back of the head and scolded her for trying to persuade the people, much less nobles, to take her.

{Present Time}

Erhard: Alright listen you two. Do you know the stories of what demi-humans are like?

Raphtalia approached Erhard and Zane.

Raphtalia: Excuse me, can we forget about that stuff? We're here to buy armor for Sir Ketih and Master Zane. You do have some recommendations, don't you?

Zane: *raises an eyebrow* Raphtalia, our armor is fine. You and Yanoka need new equipment.

Yanoka: Thanks but no thanks. After what happened last time, I'm pretty sure you need the armor more than we do.

Keith: *raises his hand in fake surrender* Alright, alright. We might need some armor but you two need new equipment before the Wave hits.

Zane: *gestures to Keith* Exactly! We can handle ourselves without equipment for now but you girls-

Raphtalia: *points a finger at Zane* Master Zane. Stop messing around with your life.

She was quick to grab the hilt of a sword and drew it out of its scabbard before pointing it at the redhead, who barely flinched at the weapon pointed at his face. She then examines the sword before getting a look of interest.

Raphtalia: Boss, this sword looks really sharp.

Erhard: Yep, that's Magic Iron. You feel like trying it out?

Raphtalia: Well, what kind of discount can you give us?

Zane: Now she's just abusing that.

Erhard: Oh don't worry about that miss, anything for you and the other missy.

Zane smacks his forehead on the counter while Keith's eye twitches.

Keith: *disbelief* He seriously allowed it?!

Yanoka: While you're liking the sword, we should also get our Masters some armor.

The two looked at Yanoka, who smirked and shrugged while her eyes were closed. The two sighed and conceded.

Zane: Fine, what do you have for us?

Erhard: Well, if you're asking.

Erhard walks over to a full set of armor fitting for a paladin for Zane and a full set of leather armor for Keith.

Keith: Uh... No offense boss but that looks... out of our style.

Erhard: No problem, I can whip up something special for you two instead.

Keith: Really? Well, that would be great and nice of you.

Zane: Can I request that you make something that's strong and durable but also light enough for me?

Erhard. Sure, no worries. I'll have the special ready by tomorrow.

Keith: Thanks, Erhard.

{Short Timeskip, Location: Tavern}

Raphtalia: It was nice of him to give us a discount for the sword.

Zane: He's a good guy.

Keith: Are you sure you're still fine with your short sword, Yanoka?

Yanoka: I've already told you Master, my sword is fine enough as it is. I mostly prefer my magic than my sword.

Keith: Very well then.

A waiter approached them, the same waiter that they met just a few days ago when the two first arrived in Melromarc.

Keith: Beef dish and soup.

Zane: Sizzling beef dish with corn and carrots.

The two looked at Raphtalia and Yanoka.

Raphtalia: O-Oh, um... I-I'll be taking the uh... I'll be taking the same thing as him.

Raphtalia then pointed at Zane.

Yanoka: Salmon and pie please.

The waiter took down their orders before leaving to tell the chefs their orders. While waiting, Keith was the first to log out and eat his food, which was chao fan fried rice with soy sauce and topped with sunny side up eggs.

Once their food in their world arrived, Keith was done eating in his room and returned back into the "Matrix" to pretend to eat. Once Zane was done eating, he logged out for a bit and ate the food in his room.

Yanoka: Why do you guys do that almost all the time we eat?

Keith *shrugs* We meditate at times. Besides, we don't get to do that often.

Yanoka and Raphtalia looked at each other and shrugged, accepting that excuse for now.

{Next Day | 2 days till the Wave}

The group had returned to Erhard's shop and was given the armor they requested.

Yanoka: Well, don't you look dashing in that?

Keith: *bows* Thank you for your compliment, Yanoka.

Raphtalia: You look so cool, Master Zane!

(Armor only)

Zane: *grins* What can I say, I look awesome in anything I wear.

Keith then switched back his vanity on and his coat was over his leather armor. While Zane kept his armor on but also kept his jacket on, which adjusted itself to fit him and the armor.

Erhard: *looking at Keith* I call yours, Midnight Leather. *looks at Zane* And yours is Crimson Platemail.

Keith: I would've liked it in white.

Erhard: That's true but I figured that since you're wearing all white, might as well make your armor black for a contrast and you can just wear your coat over it.

Keith nodded in understanding. It did look nice. Some of the leather armor sticking out of his coat, mainly the arms, shoulders, and hips, made it look like Kickass's improved armored costume in Kickass 2.

Once they were done with checking and paying for the armor, they moved on to the church to check the time remaining on the clock and found that they only had 2 days left to prepare.

Zane: Should we continue leveling up more out in the field or start preparing supplies?

Keith rubbed his chin. They could use more levels but they also need supplies to help the townsfolk. Unfortunately, before he could answer, an answer was given to them in the form of an angry red haired person in royal-like armor.

Angry noble: Hey, what are you stupid demihumans doing here?!

Keith's eye twitches and grits his teeth before he hides his anger behind a poker face. They turn and are met face-to-face with Malty S. Melromarc, also known by her adventurer name of "Myne Sophia". Beside her was the Spear Hero, Motoyasu Kitamura.

Keith didn't have anything against his fellow blonde but the guy's too chivalrous that he can easily be manipulated by a girl like Myne and is too dumb to listen to reason when Myne is around him.

Keith: Apologies madam, we didn't know-

Myne: *scoffs* Just shut your mouth you filthy demihuman.

Keith did just that to avoid triggering any hostility. However, Yanoka didn't like what Myne said and stomped over to the redhead.

Yanoka: Why don't "you" shut your trap?!

Zane gawked and looked at Keith, who looked like he was done with her shit.

Myne: *surprised* E-Excuse me?!

Yanoka: *snarkily* I don't see you going anywhere with that outfit. What are you, a tavern wench dressing up as a knight?

Yanoka's snarky comment slowly pissed off Myne while Raphtalia and Zane gawked at Yanoka's comment.

Myne: W-Why you..! I'll make you pay you insolent-

Zane: Are you a hero by any chance, sir?

Zane asked, having approached Motoyasu.

Motoyasu: Well yeah, I am.

Zane raised his hand for a handshake.

Zane: Well met sir hero. My partner and I are adventurers from Faubrey and we're visiting after we heard that Melromarc summoned all four heroes.

At the mention of being adventurers from Faubrey, Myne stiffened up and looked at the two before shaking her head.

Myne: That's impossible. Faubrey doesn't accept demihumans as adventurers.

Keith walks up and shows his adventurer's tag in front of Myne.

Keith: I believe you're misinformed.

Yanoka grinned triumphantly and made a stink eye towards Myne while the redhead woman wasn't looking at her. Meanwhile, Motoyasu's attention was then at Raphtalia.

Motoyasu: *admiration, flirtatiously* Wow, you're cute.

Myne: *disgusted* Why are you praising a demihuman sir Motoyasu?

Yanoka: *snarkily* Probably because that demihuman is prettier than you and your makeup. Plus, your getup makes you look like a skank.

Myne glared daggers at Yanoka, who simply stuck out her tongue like a child.

Zane: Excuse me, sir hero, I would appreciate it if you stop flirting with my associate.

Zane then held Raphtalia's hand and pulled her back with the group. As they continue walking away, they bump into the two other heroes.

Keith: *bows* Oh, greetings sir bow hero.

Itsuki: It's nice to see you two again. I hope you're enjoying your stay here in Melromarc.

Keith: *sweatdrops* We would if some of the guards and nobles aren't so discriminative towards us.

Itsuki: Well, they better start treating you guys right. That's no way knights like them should act.

Zane: Well, this was a nice reunion but we must prepare for the wave.

Ren: Just don't get in our way.

Keith: *reassuringly* We won't, good sir.

The group walked out of the church while Yanoka walks up next to Keith.

Yanoka: I don't like them.

Keith: Which one?

Yanoka: All of them.

Raphtalia: But they're the heroes.

Yanoka: *huffs* They're more of douche bags rather than heroes.

{Timeskip | 12 hours before the Wave}

The rest of the days passed by really quickly as the group continued to grind exp and gather resources for medicines and poisons that Raphtalia and Yanoka could use in the fight. With only twelve hours left the group was sleeping, with Zane and Keith eating dinner in the lounge.

Keith: So, are you ready for the battle ahead of us?

Zane: Psh... Of course I am. Are you ready?

Keith: Cautious but yes, I'm prepared. All the equipment we need is ready.

Zane: Well, aren't you confident. Are you even sure your plans will work?

Keith: Even if they don't, I always have a backup plan or I can improvise. At least I'm not as arrogant as you, though.

Zane: *flips Keith off* Oh fuck you.

Keith chuckles before coughing as his throat aches. Zane passes to him the lemon juice, which Keith thanks him for before he fills his glass with it and takes a sip of the citrus drink.

Zane: Are you good?

Keith gave him a thumbs up.

Zane: So how are we approaching this, Mr Planner?

Keith: *sets down his drink* Well, we're mainly going to fight monsters so just hit them as strong as you can.

Zane: *deadpan* Wow, so much for a plan.

Keith: The plan is mainly to evacuate the villagers and then we can go ham. But watch out for the property damage, got it?

Zane: *groans in annoyance* Ugh... Why aren't those buildings damage resistant like the ones in ABR?

Keith: Uh... Probably because it's the actual world instead of a game?

Zane: Ah, well, that's true.

The two finished their dinner and took a bath before heading to bed, preparing themselves for the upcoming fight.

{Another timeskip, 5 minutes before the Wave}

The two logged back in when there was only 3 hours left to spare and made a quick double check for items and bought those they forgot to have. Once they were finally prepared, they waited till the timer finally reached its final zero.

They weren't the only ones waiting either. Other than the heroes, there were adventurers and knights as well.

Raphtalia: Master Zane.

Zane: Hm? *turns to her* What is it, Raphtalia?

Raphtalia: I just... I just want to say that me and Yanoka are truly grateful...

Yanoka rolled her eyes. Not that she wasn't grateful, she was, but its just she has trouble expressing it.

Raphtalia: And honored to have met you and Sir Keith. You gave us medicine and cured our illnesses. You gave me warm meals, Yanoka too. And most importantly, you both taught us how to live...

Yanoka: Gotta admit, you two did give us a reason to survive. And a purpose. To fight the damn Waves.

The two's eyes glisten with determination.

Raphtalia: I swear to be your companion forever. Wherever you two will go, we will follow.

Yanoka: Same here. I mean, it's not like I'm not going anywhere else.

Zane: *smiles* That's good to hear, you two.

Keith: *jokingly* Glad to know you're with us and that you didn't chicken out.

Yanoka gave a dry laugh while Raphtalia pouted.

As the last few seconds ticked down, the sky turned red. The group, along with the others, were teleported in a flash of golden light to the battlefield. And like Keith predicted, the first Wave the heroes participate in is the one nearby Lute Village.

Keith/Zane: The Waves of Catastrophe.

The two looked up and saw monsters dropping from purple and green swirling waves up at the red sky.

They unsheathed their weapons, ready to fight these monsters off.

Yanoka: Heroes below us.

Yanoka pointed out the heroes below the group as Keith looked at the edge of the cliff, seeing them run off to deal with the boss.

Keith: Maybe I can look for that boss later and skin it if they even left anything.

Raphtalia: Master Zane, Sir Keith! Look!

Raphtalia points to Lute Village and monsters were dropping more frequently there rather than the open areas of the forest and wilderness around the village. A flare was then fired into the sky, signaling that not all villagers were evacuated.

Keith: Alright, let's head over there and be heroes!

The blonde kitsune declared and ran forward, with Zane and Raphtalia on his tail while Yanoka smiled and followed just behind.

Upon arriving at the village, Keith activated his Guardian Shield and continued to run forward - using himself as a battering ram to knock away any monster in his path. One of the monsters, an undead, attempts to kill a villager but Keith blocked its attack before Raphtalia sliced its head off.

Another undead would've struck her down but a fireball from Yanoka prevented that from happening. Meanwhile, Zane was slamming his Fusion Sword against waves upon waves of weak undead warriors like he was using a greatsword from Monster Hunter.

Raphtalia: Sir, are you alright?

Her question towards the villager was answered with a weak nod.

Keith: Raphtalia, you help evacuate the village. Yanoka, help escort them to safety.

Raphtalia: Are you sure?

Keith: Yeah, we'll be fine.

Raphtalia: *nods* Okay. Come on, Yanoka.

Yanoka: *rolls eyes* Yeah, sure. Whatever.

The two ran off to escort the villagers while the two World Jumpers rushed towards a large horde, destroying them in mere seconds.

Elsewhere, a few villagers are cornered by a horde of Wave monsters. Before any of the monsters could attack, they were wiped out by Zane when he used Cloud Strife's Limit Break called [ Blade Beam ].

Villager: Thank you for saving us, good sir.

Zane: No problem. Y'all just get out of here while my partner and I keep them all busy.

A skeleton nearly hits him in the back but chains wrapped around its torso and it was pulled away from the redhead. It was then slammed against a wall by Keith.

Zane: Thanks man!

Keith: Just don't drop your guard, dude!

Keith then reeled his arm back and, with a battlecry, he unleashed Kratos's Runic Attack called [ Leviathan's Wake ]. The axe went flying forward with such strength and speed it cleaved anything in its path in half like they were nothing. And anything near its path was slowed by its freezing aura.

Zane then ran forward and spun around, swinging his Fusion Sword as he spun, cleaving and striking any monsters in his path and those trying to attack him. He then finished his spinning attack by swinging his sword upward, launching the monsters in front of him airborne.

Keith: Zane!

Zane glanced at Keith's direction, who threw a bottle of wine towards his direction.

Keith: *points at the watchtower* Lead them all there and set them on fire!

Zane grinned and nodded as Keith steadied his shield arm and grinded his Blade of Chaos against his Guardian Shield, activating the [ Spartan Charge ] Runic Attack , as he readied his shield arm. He then ran for the watchtower, bashing away any zombie in his path to pave a path for Zane.

Once he reached the tower, Zane jumped up and began climbing it while Keith took out a small vial of black smoke. He slammed it against the floor, unleashing a small cloud of smoke to hide him as he climbed up and jumped away.

While Zane reached the top, he uncorked the wine bottle and poured its contents down on the climbing monsters. He then grinned as he reeled his arm back, a spark of flame igniting on his palm and an orb of materia glowing on his arm.

Zane: Firaga !

He shouted the third level Final Fantasy fire spell, unleashing a large ball of flame towards the wine covered monsters. The monsters were set alight along with the tower, thankfully Zane's character is fireproof due to being a Dragonkin race. Zane would descend the ladder but the tower was doomed to fall so he couldn't descend the burning ladder fast enough.

A chained blade struck near Zane, courtesy of Keith. Keith held the chain firm, not too firm so he didn't pull it down towards him but firm enough for Zane to successfully zipline down. The Leviathan Axe was flying towards the redhead so he can use it to zipline down.

Keith: Zipline down, Z!

Zane did just that. He jumped out of the watchtower nest and grabbed the Leviathan Axe, which he used to zipline down to Keith safely. Thankfully, he touched down before the tower collapsed. Zane then handed the Leviathan Axe back to Keith.

Zane: Well, ain't that easy.

Keith: *glances at Zane* Don't jinx it dude. We're not as strong as we were in ABR.

The redhead raised his hands in mock surrender.

Zane: I'm just pointing it out, man.

Villager: Sirs.

The two looked and saw a group of villagers approaching them.

Keith: *confused* What... are you all still doing here? Shouldn't you be evacuating now?

Villager: We all changed our minds and came back after seeing how courageously you fought. Lute is our home, it's all we have... We can't just run away and abandon it. So we decided to fight with you both.

Zane: Okay, that's not the smartest choice- oof.

He got elbowed in the abdomen by Keith.

Zane: But a noble one...

Keith: *smiles* Very well. If you wish to aid us then help us keep these monsters at bay while the evacuation is ongoing.

Zane then parried a large skeleton's axe to protect Keith.

Zane: Don't drop my guard, huh?!

Keith playfully rolled his eyes before another skeleton nearly stabbed him in the back but then Raphtalia came out of nowhere and deflected the sword swing

Raphtalia: Sir Keith, are you alright?

Yanoka: Raphtalia, don't just rush in like that.

Keith: You just wanted to see me get skewered, didn't you?

Yanoka stayed silent at that, making Keith laugh lightly.

Keith: *to the villagers* Okay, half of you go search for more people in the village in pairs.The rest go to the entrance of the village and make a makeshift shield wall to prevent the monsters from following.

The villagers followed the instructions while the four dealt with the rest of the incoming monsters. Not long after, multiple streaks of fire were launched towards the sky and created a large ball of flame.

Keith: Zane! Protect Raphtalia!

Keith ran over to Yanoka and embraced her before raising his Guardian Shield while Zane embraced Raphtalia and turned around before he used his Fusion Sword as a shield behind him.

The ball of flame combusted into a rain of fire, burning everything within its vicinity, both buildings and monsters. As soon as the rain of fire stopped, an arrogant laugh was heard up front as a group of knights walked up. The laughing one was no doubt the leader.

Knight Captain: Hahaha, we burned them all in a single strike.

He then perked up once he saw the group standing up from their crouched and shield positions as they glared at him.

Knight Captain: What's this? A bunch of demi-human adventurers? You're all pretty tough.

One of the knights walked up to him and whispered something that made him snicker.

Knight Captain: Envoys from Faubrey? Don't make me laugh! These fools probably came from Shieldfreeden, maybe even Silvelt.

As he continued, he barely avoided a sword strike from Raphtalia, who charged in with anger in her eyes. But unfortunately for her and fortunately for him, a knight with a scar across his face blocked the assault while the leader looked seconds away from rusting his armor

Zane: *mutters* He's so fucking lucky.

Raphtalia: Did you know Master Zane and Sir Keith were here?! Answer me or I'll have your heads!

The raccoon girl's fury was so strong that some of the knights were too scared to even draw their weapons when the vice captain told them to do so.

Yanoka: Not bad

Knight Captain: What's this? Do you even know who we are?

Raphtalia: *readies her sword* I am Master Zane's companion! Respect him or die!

Knight Captain: Damn demi-human! How dare you draw your sword at a Royal Knight?!

Zane: *scoffs* Royal Knight my ass! What kind of knight are you, asshole?! Your spell nearly killed us!

Keith had a small smirk on his face. The entire time the knight captain was throwing verbal insults against Zane and Raphtalia, the monsters were slowly recovering.

Yanoka: Forget it guys! *smirks cockily* Let's just watch this moron get his ass whooped by the ghoul behind him.

Knight Captain: Ha! Like I'll fall for-

The giant armored ghoul behind him snarled at him before swinging its giant mace at him. Naofumi would've protected the captain but not these two as they let it slam its mace at the captain and knock him through a brick wall, leaving a human-shaped hole on it

Zane: *whispers* Ok, that was actually pretty satisfying

Keith: He's so distracted on berating us that he didn't notice the giant monster behind him.

Meanwhile, Yanoka covered her mouth to stifle a laughing fit while Raphtalia looked torn between laughing or feeling sorry for the poor knight. Although this was the same guy who allowed to unleashed a rain of fire that nearly scorched her and her masters and fellow slave so she stuck to a small stifled chuckle.

Keith: Let's go kill these things before I lose my temper.

Keith unsheathed his Blades of Chaos, setting it ablaze before spinning around like a flaming beyblade towards the monsters. Everything within his path was either burned or sliced in half. Zane was quick to follow up by unsheathing his Fusion Blade and swinging his sword to cut down any monsters in front of him.

Raphtalia followed behind him and cut down any monster that Zane and Keith missed with her sword while Yanoka used fire spells to burn down any downed monsters that were still moving.

Vice Captain: Phalanx formation and help these adventurers dispose of these monsters.

The rest of the knights followed his orders while some helped up the captain and they ran off to help the heroes instead. Zane saw this and only had one thing in mind.

Zane: Tsk. Pricks.

While that group was dealing with defending the village, the heroes were busy fighting the Wave boss, which was a Chimera.

Itsuki: Wind Arrow!

Ren: Crimson Blade!

Motoyasu: I'll end this! Take this, Lightning Spear!

The three's attacks struck the beast, killing it as it let out its final roar before it collapsed dead on the ground. With the Wave boss defeated, the sky returned to its blue color and the wave disappeared.

While they boasted it was easy, their achievement was nothing compared to the actions the World Jumpers had done in the village. Defeating the wave boss is but an achievement, protecting the village and its people was a true heroic action.

Zane: Finally... I was starting to think it was impossible to complete this.

Keith: Their numbers are a lot but they're no match for us. Besides, we know what we're doing.

Zane: *scoffs, smirks* Yeah right.

Keith looked at Raphtalia and Yanoka, who were both handing out medicine and herbs to the villagers, free of charge too.

Keith: I'll be heading over to the boss spawn area. I'll see if I can skin it and collect materials from it.

Zane: Gotcha. I'll see you in a while, yeah?

Keith nodded before jogging off to the direction the boss was in. Zane, on the other hand, approached the two girls.

Yanoka: Yo. All the monsters here have been slain.

Zane: Good to know. We can start foraging them for materials later.

Yanoka: Ew... I ain't touching decomposing corpses. They could have diseases.

Zane chuckled before looking at Raphtalia.

Raphtalia: Sir Zane... Did... Did we win?

Zane: *sighs* For now. But at least we did a good job here.

Village Chief: Young Adventurers!

Zane and Yanoka turned their attention to the chief.

Village Chief: Thank you very much. Please, accept our gratitude. There was no way we would've survived without your help and courage.

Zane: *waves them off* Ah, don't mention it. We saw the heroes run off to a different direction from your village so we decided to help you all out instead. Guess they were too busy to give you all protection.

Villager #1: If you all haven't been here, we wouldn't have been able to push those monsters all on our own.

Villager #2: We'll never forget what you've done for us.

Zane: *smiles* Part of our job.

The villagers bow in respect before leaving to help restore their village. It will be slow but they'll do their hardest.

Zane: Keith and I should try and help these people the next time we visit. Would be nice to be supported by people.

Raphtalia: They look truly grateful.

Zane: I guess so.

Yanoka: Well, one thing's for certain. *looks at Raphtalia* We prevented some kids from going through what you did.

Yanoka gestured to the children embracing their parents, happy they were all still together even after the wave had gone.

Raphtalia: Master Zane...

Zane crouched down and hugged the tanuki girl, who hugged him back for comfort and sobbed on his shoulder.

Zane: You did a good job Raphtalia.

Yanoka: What am I? Chopped liver?

Zane: You too, Yanoka.

While Yanoka had a proud smirk on her face, Raphtalia still continued to sob lightly.

Raphtalia: I-I killed... so many m-monsters...

She had a small smile on her face, happy that she managed to prevent what happened to her from happening to other children. The screen fades to black from there as the sun sets on the horizon.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to show the night sky before it descends to show the lively castle, for twas the night after the Wave. Within the castle, a party was held in cheers of victory with everyone enjoying their time. Well, everyone but the two World Jumpers.

You see, while the three cardinal heroes continued to party like they just saved the world, they truly didn't. All they succeeded in doing is save a single country, not the world.

As of now, Zane was enjoying himself but it was a bittersweet party for him. Keith, on the other hand, is checking on Melty and the Queen through a crystal ball, in lonesome, in the corner.

Keith: Are you certain everything is alright there in Faubrey?

Queen Mirellia: Yes, it is, now that the wave has passed.

Keith: I knew we should've stayed behind.

Princess Melty: While that sounds nice, Faubrey can handle itself at the moment. It's Silvelt and Shieldfreeden that need help the most.

Keith: While that's true, we unfortunately cannot head to Shieldfreeden and Silvelt now. I truly wish I can do more to help them but our hands are full as of the moment.

Princess Melty: How can your hands be full? The Cardinal Heroes are there, so shouldn't it be easier for you?

Keith: *grumble* No. The "heroes" went ahead and beat the Wave boss but unfortunately left Lute Village alone in turn. The poor villagers would've all been gone if it wasn't for us.

Queen Mirellia: *sighs* I'm going to have to apologize to the villagers once I return.

Keith: Worry not, Your Excellency. My party and I shall bring them aid by tomorrow.

Queen Mirellia: I cannot thank you enough for that, Sir Levi.

Keith: *giggles* Keith is fine, Your Majesty. *jokingly* Sir Levi makes me feel old.

Zane: Yo, Keith. Come on, they got cake here.

Queen Mirellia: Go enjoy yourself tonight, Glitch Heroes.

Keith: Thank you, Your Majesty.

Princess Melty: Have fun, Keith.

Keith: Will do, Mel.

Keith winks, making Melty flustered at the nickname he gave her before he deactivated the crystal ball and kept it in his inventory. He and Zane went to try out food with their fellow demi-human party members but had to listen to the king's victory speech.

(King Aultcray Melromarc XXXII)

King Aultcray: Thanks to our heroes, the battle was splendidly won! So tonight, we celebrate! Enjoy yourselves to the fullest!

Everyone, except the Glitch Heroes, cheered. Both heroes know that Aultcray is a dick and using his royal rank as an excuse to do what he wants. But Keith knew more than that but held off on sharing it.

Malty on the other hand, well... Well, she's a bitch so yeah. But Keith knew she's only acting like that because Aultcray raised her improperly. But that didn't mean he felt sympathy for her. The longer he stared at the pretty redhead, the more he couldn't resist glaring daggers at her.

Keith: My sister would feel pity for you but I won't, you bitch.

Before Malty could notice him, he was already gone and took a slice of lemon cake for him to enjoy. Zane, on the other hand, was chowing down on his food. Yanoka was mainly getting herself drunk with wine, which she surprisingly has a strong tolerance for. Raphtalia was also enjoying her own slice of cake.

Well, the two World Jumpers would've enjoyed their food if it wasn't now covered in bullshit sauce.

Nobleman: And latest reports say there are very few casualties.

Noblewoman: We all owe everything to our brave heroes.

The two's eyes twitch in frustration at that as Zane already lost his appetite. Especially when he saw the Knight Captain, who had a few bandages and gauges on him.

Knight Captain: Well, I did my part. I held my ground against a giant monster and fought with honor as a royal knight.

Zane: Did you, now?

The Knight Captain yelped in surprise before scowling in disdain towards Zane.

Zane: Last I heard, you abandoned Lute Village when a giant ghoul smacked you into a house. And that you and your platoon of knights burned down half the village, almost burning my party and a few villagers.

Noble: Oh, that's horrible. Was anyone else hurt?

Knight Captain: Well, fortunately not-

Zane: Other than wrap knight over here, there were a few since he decided to leave with other knights.

Some nobles were skeptical since he was a demi-human but those who were light-hearted glared daggers at the Captain, who was quick to take his leave.

Keith: Damn useless side character thinks he's so important because he's a high and mighty knight. Fucking moron he is.

Zane walks back to the group, not noticing the Knight Captain walking over to Malty. The redhead grinned before whispering something to Motoyasu.

Keith decided to make his move and walked over to meet with Aultcray, getting blocked by knights as he tried but upon showing a letter with the seal of Faubrey and Melromarc on it, they widened their eyes and let him pass.

Back with Zane, he was mouth feeding Raphtalia a piece of berry pie while Yanoka looks at the two with a knowing look. Sadly, their sweet moment was ruined by a blonde douche.

Motoyasu: *hostile voice* Hey, you!

Zane glanced over to the voice with disinterest and saw a glove thrown at his feet. An old message of someone challenging another person to a duel. "Throw down the gauntlet" as it was known.

Motoyasu: Time to fight.

Zane raised a brow before his name was called.

Keith: Zane. His Majesty wishes to speak with us. And make it quick.

Zane looked at the gritting Motoyasu with a sneer before "accidentally" stepping on his glove.

Zane: *arrogantly* Oh, I'm sorry, was that yours? You really shouldn't throw your clothing all over the place unless you're thinking of "showing off"

Motoyasu growled at him before the redhead World Jumper walked off with Raphtalia and Yanoka following close behind. Malty and the Knight Captain, on the other hand, were fuming.

Once Zane and the girls got up, they could see a sweat dripping Aultcray. He looked at Zane before looking at him with disdain.

King Aultcray: So you're both sent by my wife as envoys from Faubrey, yes?

Zane: Of course. We're envoys from Faubrey and sent by Her Majesty.

Raphtalia and Yanoka took notice of why the two hadn't mentioned being the Glitch Heroes other than them. Maybe they can explain that later.

King Aultcray: W-Well... I hope you're enjoying your-

Motoyasu: Hey! I wasn't finished with you.

Zane glanced back at Motoyasu, making Aultcray sweatdrop more. Behind Motoyasu was a sneering Malty and a snickering Knight Captain.

Motoyasu: I heard you've made poor Raphtalia here as your slave and she obeys your every command.

Zane ignores him and tries to speak with Aultcray again but Motoyasu grabs Zane by the shoulders and turns the dragonkin around to face him.

Motoyasu: I'm talking to you!

King Aultcray: P-Please, forgive him. The Spear Hero isn't always like-

Keith: Oh, so he's the spear hero, huh?

Motoyasu: Yeah? What's it to you?

Keith stared at him from head to toe.

Keith: Never expected him to be a blonde. Let alone look like a show off. How unfortunate is this generation to have a hero like you.

Motoyasu: Excuse me?!

Zane: Hope you enjoy the party, Your Majesty. The Queen sends her regards.

As soon as those words left Zane's mouth, Aultcray gulped while Malty and the Knight Captain paled.

Keith: We shall be returning to Faubrey now.

As Zane walks away, Motoyasu blocks his path with his spear.

Motoyasu: Now you listen up. I'm not letting you leave here with you thinking that it's okay to enslave others!

Zane: And what's wrong with that, hm? Melromarc is supporting human supremacy. If you care so much about demi-humans, then go head to Silvelt or Shieldfreeden.

Malty was quick to try and stop Motoyasu from trying to initiate the fighting but it was already too late.

Motoyasu: Grr... Let's do this! If I win, you and your friend are setting Raphtalia and that fox girl free!

Yanoka perked up at that. She could be free but then thought about the long run. She'd be free and then what? She's in a country ruled by human supremacy, she'd no doubt still be discriminated against.

Zane: And if I win?

Motoyasu: That's not happening.

Zane: You're an idiot if you think I won't go down without a fight. Even so, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be able to damage me enough to force me to forfeit.

Motoyasu: In that case, if you do win then things will stay the same.

Zane thinks about it before giving his answer.

Zane: Sure. At least I'm getting something done before I leave.

Raphtalia: Master Zane?!

Zane: Don't worry, Raph. I'll be sure to win if for you.

He gives her a smile and a wink, making her blush and nod at his promise. Yanoka simply rolled her eyes.

Yanoka: Just kiss you two.

{Timeskip, Battle Arena}

Zane prepared himself. While his abilities were severely hindered for choosing Cloud's Advent Children variant, a variant that barely showed Cloud's prime unlike in FF7, he still held some advantages from Motoyasu.

For one, he had [ Ziedrich ], Cloud's pauldron that halves the damage Zane receives and also a huge boost in physical and magical defense as well as an increase in power and strength. Just with this single pauldron, he already triumphs over physical and defensive attributes compared to Motoyasu.

Another advantage is the pink ribbon that is hidden underneath his steampunk styled jacket. The ribbon, literally named [ Ribbon ], is more than just a ribbon of remembrance of Aerith Gainsborough. It grants immunity to status alignments such as burn, freeze, and shock. And just like that, Zane now also triumphs over magic and natural resistances.

And for the final, other than the offensive materia, he also has healing materia like [ Cure ], [ Cura ], and [ Curaga ]. Unfortunately, these were his only healing materia available. But with these materia, he can successfully heal himself more frequently compared to Motoyasu.

Zane: *mutters, smiles* Did I ever tell you I admire you so much, Cloud?

Once Zane had finished his admiration, he had also finished preparing himself. He would've drank some potions to give him a bit of an edge but he decided not to. Not that he would be cheating, it was more of him being worried he'd kill the guy after being buffed by so many potions.

The doors opened for him and he stepped out, similar to the opposite side with Motoyasu.

Announcer: This duel will take place in the presence of King Melromarc and the Pope. And thus, it is legitimate and official.

While Motoyasu waves at the crowd and Malty cheered from the sidelines, Zane rolled his eyes in disinterest.

Zane: Seriously, can this guy get anymore of a jackass?

Motoyasu: *points weapon at Zane* You know you can just surrender and admit defeat, kid.

His reply came when Zane's eyes burned with determination. There ain't no way in hell he'd lose to this cocky bastard. He reached behind him, pulling his Fusion Sword free as it materialized in red cubic pixels.

[ Motoyasu Kitamura | Level: 43 ]

[ Title: Spear Hero ]

[ Zane Grayson | Level: 28 ]

Zane: Hmph. I'm a few levels lower but unfortunately for him, I have better gear.

Announcer: Ready? Begin!

Motoyasu charged forward, thrusting his spear forward to skewer Zane but the redhead used [ Climhazzard ] skill to avoid the attack. He then followed up with [ Braver ] to slam back down and power strike Motoyasu, his Fusion Sword slamming against the blond spear hero's weapon with a loud clang. Motoyasu was sent skidding back a few feet due to Zane's enhanced strength before Zane followed up with a lightning materia attack.

Zane: Gotcha bitch! [ Thundaga ]!

A blast of lightning from Zane's free arm was sent towards Motoyasu, staggering him. But before the spear hero could recover, Zane followed up with another blast of Thundaga and Firaga to damage him. Motoyasu skidded to a halt when he stabbed his spear to the ground.

Motoyasu: *panting* Wow... You sure have moves on you, kid.

Zane: *cockily* You sure I should be the one surrendering?

Motoyasu scoffed at that before standing up, not giving up that easily. He then immediately rushed Zane, lunging his spear at the redhead multiple times but Zane easily dodged his attacks and even parried some of them.

Motoyasu grunted in annoyance before his spear glowed red, indicating that he was about to unleash a skill.

Motoyasu: Chaos Spear!

The spear hero shouted as he unleashed a barrage of quick and rapid thrust attacks that Zane blocked with his incredibly large sword that could double as a small tower shield, but some attacks did hit him.

Keith was watching on the sidelines with Raphtalia and Yanoka, the former between the girls was cheering Zane on while the latter just ate her fruits.

Keith: Motoyasu might be levels higher than Zane but there's a clear difference between them. Zane knows his skills and strengths more than Motoyasu knows his.

Keith smirked as he saw Zane unleash a Blade Beam , which Motoyasu dodge. Unfortunately for the blonde spear hero, him dodging that attack left him open for an attack. Zane was quick to rush forward and unleashed a power attack, sending Motoyasu skidding before Zane unleashed even stronger and heavier attacks that sent Motoyasu skidding or sent him flying to a wall.

Even though he tried to dodge Zane's attacks, it was pretty hard to dodge a weapon with a reach of about 6-7 feet long, especially if it weighed like paper to the one currently wielding it but still hits hard.

Motoyasu managed to parry one of Zane's incoming attacks and counters, only for the redhead to duck under Motoyasu's spear thrust and deliver a strong gut punch to the blonde spearman. Said spearman coughed out some bile and spit after that attack while holding his aching abdomen.

Princess Malty: At this rate, Sir Motoyasu is going to lose to a demihuman. Not if I can stop it. *grins maliciously* I'll stop this damn demi and show him his place once Sir Motoyasu wins!

Malty prepares a wind spell to attack Zane. Upon unleashing it towards Zane, all the spell did was make his coat flutter for his Ribbon and Ziedrich protected him from Malty's magic attack. Zane merely turned and glared at the redhead, his slit emerald green eyes piercing through her soul and slightly intimidating her.

Motoyau finally recovered from Zane's attack and made three mistakes that normally work in anime and cartoons but not in real life.

For his first mistake, it's shouting your attack for a stealth attack.

Motoyasu: Lightning Spear!

Zane: *deadpan* Seriously? Who shouts out a battlecry when trying to stealth attack an unsuspecting person? It's called a stealth attack for a reason!

Oh well, that mistake caught Zane's attention and allowed the redhead to cancel out the rest of his attack with a Cross Slash , shocking Motoyasu.

Motoyasu's second mistake was letting Zane charge up for his ultimate attack. Once Zane's Limit Break was available, he unleashed it in the form of [ Omnislash ]. And Motoyasu's last mistake was just standing there instead of blocking or dodging out of the way, not that he could fully dodge a 15 strike Omnislash .

Zane dashed around the spear hero, slashing and striking him with his Fusion Sword with each dash. And for a finish, he jumps high in the air and slams down on the dazed Motoyasu with a final Braver and a yell of strength. With that final slam, Motoyasu was knocked out. Zane let out a "yeah!" of triumph.

Malty rushed to the tired Motoyasu, who glared at Zane. Zane then points his Fusion Sword at Malty.

Zane: I won. Even though you cheated in an attempt to make your boyfriend win.

Malty became flustered at that and glared at Zane. Everyone who heard that gasped.

Princess Malty: *glaring* I did no such thing!

Zane: *narrow eyes* I can see why your mother said that you're a liar. I know you are capable of both fire and wind magic while your younger sister has affinity towards water magic. No wonder you weren't fit for the throne, "princess".

The way Zane said "princess" was in a mocking tone. While Malty glared hard at the redhead, Motoyasu dumbly didn't hear Zane say anything else but the word princess. He didn't even acknowledge Zane saying it in a mocking tone.

Motoyasu: Y-You're a princess?

Zane's eye twitched at that.

Zane: Tsk, I should've killed you instead. You don't even care about being a hero. You completely forgot about what this fight was about once you found out she's a princess... Why was an idiot like you summoned as a hero in the first place?!

Zane raised his Fusion Sword and brought it down on Motoyasu but Keith blocked the sword with his Guardian Shield .

Keith: What the hell are you doing, Zane?

Zane: Tsk. The rumors were right. This generation of heroes are fools in disguise. They know nothing of this world's laws and they only think of themselves.

Princess Malty: You have no idea what you're talking about, you damn demi.

Zane: I don't? Just ask the people of Lute Village, who saved them. Where were the heroes while many of them were left to fend for themselves and eventually die? And the knights? All they did was burn down the village rather than actually finish off the monsters. Not to mention the "honorable" captain of the knights decided to leave the village in favor of the heroes. At least the vice captain and the other knights fought with us to protect and defend the village.

There were a lot of murmurs around the audience. While Aultcray grit his teeth in annoyance, Pope Balmus III watched on with interest.

Zane: People of Melromarc! Do not mistake me as a common demihuman slave! I am a proud adventurer that will do whatever it takes for the people of your country to be safe from the waves! And if an adventurer like me can do a better job than the heroes that have been summoned!

Zane glares at Motoyasu, pointing his Fusion Sword at him.

Zane: Then the heroes of this generation are a disgrace to the heroes that came before them!

The said three heroes glared at Zane.

Zane: The heroes your ancestors have have passed on as legends! Heroes that have sworn their lives to protect you all from the Catastrophe that has been brought upon your world! The once proud and noble heroes the legends have been told to you have been brought down to nothing more but mere phonies.

Keith grabbed Zane by the shoulder and turned him around, a frown and disappointed look at his face.

Keith: Can you just shut your trap? You've already won against the Spear Hero for Raphtalia and Yanoka's freedom. No need to make a scene!

Zane: But am I wrong?! We saved those people, the same people the summoned heroes were meant to protect. We saved them, not the heroes. They didn't even bat an eye at the village. If they can't even protect or bat an eye at a village then what are the chances they even try and protect Castle Town?! Or Melromarc?!

A few murmurs and voices of agreement came from the crowd, both peasants and nobles alike, while the three heroes felt shame and anger towards Zane. Who was he to diss them like that?

King Aultcray: Enough!

His loud yell silenced everyone, including Zane and Keith. Aultcray sighed and glared at the two, mainly Zane.

King Aultcray: You have already won the battle. There is no need to disgrace the heroes as they are trying their best to end the waves. Now if you are done rambling, begone!

Zane scoffed and turned away, glancing at Motoyasu. The two exchanged glares before Zane moved on with Raphtalia catching up behind him. Keith and Yanoka followed behind them.

{Timeskip, Later that night}

The party was comfortably asleep in a room in an inn. But in the lounge, the two World Jumpers were awake.

Zane: I think that went well.

Keith: What... the fuck... was that?

Zane snickered at Keith's question, especially since it had an Australian accent.

Keith: I'm serious mate! What the fuck was that speech?! And frankly, why did you do that?!

Zane: I'm just being myself as Hell Razer, bud. Don't worry about it. Besides, we might change how the heroes act in the future.

Keith: Nah, I highly doubt it. They're stubborn at what they believe in. But hey, you beat the shit out of Motorcycle back there.

Zane: *laughs, amused* Hahaha! And it felt good.

Keith walks back to the couch, a small vanilla cake roll with sprinkles and M&Ms with pieces of green candied baby peaches on the cream swirls of the cake.

Zane: What's the occasion?

Keith: Just a small celebration for us beating our first wave and you beating Motoyasu.

Zane: Nice. But where did you get the cake?

Keith: I baked it. GM gives us ingredients or food we request. How else do you think we had food the previous days?

Zane: No, no, no, I know that. It's just that I thought that you cook whatever's in the fridge.

Keith: Mate, everyone does that.

Zane: Yeah, fair enough.

The two celebrated their first victory together before the screen faded to black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to show the group back at Beloukas's tent. The two World Jumpers didn't bother collecting their rewards from the "Trash King" as he dislikes demihumans.

Zane: Why exactly are we here again?

Keith: I saw something interesting the last time we were here.

Beloukas: I'm still quite amazed that you two help these scrawny bags of bones grow so much in such a small amount of time. You could get 20 for them if they were virgins.

Raphtalia/Yanoka: But we are virgins.

Beloukas: 35 gold pieces! No, 50 gold pieces for both!

Zane: *rubs his fingers* Now that's a lot of cash.

Raphtalia and Yanoka stared at him in disbelief and looked at Keith for help, only for the kitsune to be chuckling silently.

Beloukas: 100 if you add the kitsune boy.

Keith: Oh for the love of- Ugh.

While Keith grumbled in annoyance, Zane was seriously thinking about it.

Zane: 100 gold pieces sounds nice.

Raphtalia/Yanoka: Master/Sir Zane!

Keith put Zane on a chokehold and began shaking him back and forth.

Keith: I'm not letting you take me! Never! I'll kill you before you send me into slavery!

Zane: *struggling to breathe* I-I ack- I wasn't going to, you dumb fuck!

The kitsune boy sighed and let go of the redhead before he waved him off and examined the monster eggs on the table.

Keith: What are these little things? I haven't seen one before.

Beloukas: This is a monster egg lottery. For a hundred silvers it'll guarantee at least a filolial. You'll win a monster chick that'll double in value if you take care of it.

Zane: A Filolial? The hell are those?

Yanoka: The giant birds that were walking around. *snarkily* Don't tell me you're blind and haven't seen at least one of them.

Zane: Oh... The colorful ostriches around the place. Huh, that doesn't sound too bad.

Keith: If it's a lottery, then I bet that there's a jackpot prize?

Beloukas: Indeed there is! The jackpot is a dragon! And may I remind you, those things are worth 20 gold pieces!

Keith: So a gacha... Oh great, I'm getting flashbacks when I first played FGO...

Beloukas: So, would you two like to give it a shot? Act now and I'll give you a package deal sir! For that and the slave crest!

After making a successful trade, the group left with two monster eggs.

Raphtalia: If you ask me, you shouldn't waste money like that Master Zane.

Yanoka: I agree with Raphtalia on this one Sir Keith. Even with all your money from the queen, neither of you should waste it on things like that.

Zane: Relax, it's no big deal. We can still sell materials, medicine, and equipment to shops if we need to replenish cash. And Keith handles most of our trades.

Keith: And having another companion as backup could be helpful. Either for extra baggage bearers or battle mounts.

Yanoka: I see your point, but that doesn't mean I fully support it.

The group entered the Apothecary to sell some medicine, only for the Apothecarist to take out a book of intermediate medicine.

Apothecarist: I have lots of relatives in Lute Village. They're the ones who asked me to help you out here.

Raphtalia: *whispers* Do you think it might have been someone you two have saved back then?

The two boys shrugged, not really knowing who exactly those people could be.

Apothecarist: This grimoire has recipes for finer medicine than the ones you bring me. Use it, it's yours.

Thanks to the system's auto translation, the book was easily translated for the two World Jumpers.

Keith: Thank you so much. We shall make good use of it during our travels.

Apothecarist: There's something else. The old hag in the magic shop was asking to see you. It's for a similar reason, she said you helped her grandkid back in the Lute Village battle.

The group headed there next after selling the medicine they didn't need. Upon reaching the magic shop, they encountered the elderly witch with another gift for them.

Elderly Witch: The young lady has the affinity of light and dark magic. And the other young lady has affinities for fire and charm magic.

Zane: I'm just gonna guess that our magic affinity relates to our magic skill set. I have fire, ice, and lightning while Keith has fire and ice.

Elderly Witch: That is correct. Though I did sense a fair bit of healing magic on you, young man.

She points to Zane, who smugly looks at Keith. The kitsune rolled his eyes in amusement.

Keith: Does Raphtalia's magic include any other subclass of magic? Illusion magic perhaps?

Elderly Witch: *nods* It does. Make sure she learns it.

Keith: Nice. And charm magic...

Keith trailed off, looking at Yanoka, who smiled "innocently" at him.

Keith: *deadpan* Why do I get the feeling you're going to be using that often.

Elderly Witch: Now that being the case.

She grabbed a magic grimoire from under her counter.

Yanoka: *raises an eyebrow* Another grimoire?

Elderly Witch: It's a gift as thanks for helping my grandchild. I would have preferred giving you a crystal ball instead but you two already have one, don't you?

Keith: Yes, yes we do.

Zane: Ugh, do we have to read?

Zane's small complaint got a light chuckle from the elderly witch.

Elderly Witch: Learning magic from a grimoire is certainly hard but if you keep at it and do the work, you can learn as many spells as you want. You both can do it!

Keith/Zane: Thank you.

{Timeskip: Next Day, Early Morning | Location: Lute Village}
{Days before the Wave: 29 days}

The group was currently in the inn of the village of Lute as they decided to help fix the village like the good heroes that they are. They had a long day yesterday.

Yanoka and Raphtalia had dealt with the nearby monsters attacking the village and also for leveling up with Zane, who practiced his materia based attacks. Meanwhile, Keith foraged for herbs and flowers to follow the recipes of the medical grimoire.

Keith was the first awake as he was tapping the others on their legs. Zane soon logged in and woke up before beginning to wake Raphtalia and Yanoka up. Keith was watching the monster eggs hatch.

The first one to hatch was Zane's monster egg, which hatched into a baby filolial. Zane huffed at that, he really wanted a dragon as his previous pet back in their old game was a dragon.

Keith was really glad he and Zane had shared party members or else poor filo would be completely different from her actual self in the show. And speaking of party members, Keith's egg had hatched and he hit a jackpots

Raphtalia/Yanoka: *squeals* They're so cute!!!

Keith winced a little at the two's squeals while Zane glared at Keith, moving his hand in a give me gesture.

Zane: I wanna switch. You take KFC over here *points at the baby filolial* and I get white Toothless over there. *points at the baby dragon*

Keith: Dude, we have shared ownership.

Their attention was drawn when the baby filolial chirped and baby dragon groaned softly while looking at them.

Raphtalia: It must think you're their mothers!

Keith: Father's to be exact.

Yanoka: *scoldingly* Don't ruin the moment, Sir Keith.

Zane: *sighs* We need to name them too...

Keith: Let's wait till they grow up. We need to find out their genders first and I don't want to take a peek.

The dragon gently flapped it's beautiful white scaly wings. It's wingspan is already comparable to an adult eagle's wingspan. While the filolial was pretty much like the size of a common baby chicken.

The two baby creatures looked at each other before glaring daggers at one another. They both flapped over to their respective owners, their glare not even breaking.

Yanoka: Oh great. Filolials and Dragons hate each other's guts. Good luck baby sittin' them, cause I ain't gonna do that for you.

Keith: *deadpan* Well aren't you lazy.

{Timeskip: 2 days later, Morning | Location: Lute Village}
{Time before the Wave: 27 days}

With the two days that have passed, the bonds between the dragon and filolial with their masters have improved. The two monsters have also grown bigger in just two days. And their genders were also confirmed to be girls, much to Zane's dismay at having a boy dragon.

Raphtalia: I can't believe these two have grown so much under two days.

Zane: True that. Probably the fact we all have a shared EXP boost that these two grew up so fast.

The filolial was already the size of a full grown ostrich while the dragon was the size of a raptor.

Keith: Filo and Frostine. Double F.

Zane: Oh how original. Filo as short for Filolial while Frostine is because she's a white, possibly a frost element, dragon.

Keith: Got any better names? Besides, they look like they like it.

Filo chirped in agreement while Frostine grunted in confirmation. The two also bonded a bit with Frostine being the only dragon that Filo can tolerate and vice versa. The group's attention was then diverted to the gathering villagers by the entrance.

Villager: Hey, why are the knights here?

Zane: The knights are here?

Keith: They better be here to help repairs or else I won't hesitate to beat the crap out of them.

Keith knew the real reason why the knights are here but it wasn't a bad thing to be hopeful. They walk outside with Filo and Frostine staying behind with Raphtalia and Yanoka.

Once they walk over to the gathering, they are met with the sight of The Spear Hero, Motoyasu Kitamura, and the First Princess, Malty Melromarc.

Zane/Keith: *mutters* Oh for fuck's sake.

Princess Malty: Inlight of his efforts during the last wave the Spear Hero, Sir Motoyasu, has been appointed as ruling lord of this region.

Motoyasu gives everyone a charming smile as Malty was explaining this, which made the two World Jumpers deadpan him.

Zane: *whispers* Are we sure he's too chivalrous instead of actually dumb?

Keith: *whispers* He just sometimes has ¼ of a brain cell.

Zane: *whispers* So DaitheNogla?

Keith: *whispers* Except he isn't Irish but also the worst kind of dumb.

The kitsune then thought of a certain blue skin tight wearing blue haired lancer with a red spear.

Keith: At least Cu Chulainn is Irish and a better spearman. And maybe sometimes dumb, in a funny way, but not too dumb.

Princess Malty: To help the rebuilding efforts, we've decided to make a toll. This toll will be 50 silvers to enter the village and 50 to exit.

Keith/Zane: *eye twitch* What. The. Fuck?!

Villager #1: But... That'll ruin us!

Villager #2: We won't have anything left to buy food for tomorrow!

Before Myne could speak up, the duo stepped in.

Keith: *dramatic hero voice* Never fear! We shall not allow this injustice to prevail!

Zane: Oh, why not raise the taxes to 1 gold to enter and exit so everyone will leave and revolt against you.

The villagers gawked at Zane's suggestion while Keith slowly turned his head to his partner, before elbowing him in the nuts. The redhead yelled in pain and fell to the ground, wincing.

Zane: *groaning* I was going to say... It would ruin her reputation...

Keith: Doesn't mean she won't do it anyways, idiot. Just shut up and let me do the talking.

Malty's eyes twitch just seeing the two while Motoyasu glared daggers at Zane.

Princess Malty: Ugh, you two again?! What are you still doing here?! This is Sir Motoyasu's domain now, you have no right to question him! Actually, leave this instant you miserable demihumans!

Keith: Correction, it isn't his domain yet. The village chief and the other villagers, *gestures to the villagers* aren't really happy about agreeing to those new decrees.

A few nods and murmurs of agreement rang from the crowd of villagers behind Keith. The kitsune wasn't done as he looked at Motoyasu.

Keith: Hey, Legendary Spear Hero, you have any idea how much it costs to spend a night at an inn here? Or how much would it cost to rebuild the damages that were dealt during the wave?

Motoyasu: *sweatdrops* Well, uh-

Keith: One silver to spend a night with food and water. And to repair a single house is roughly around 50-100 silver. So you're already charging 100 nights just to enter and exit the village and the same amount that could've been used for the rebuilding process.

Zane: *groaning* Some hero you are.

The villagers cheered in agreement with them.

Villager #1: Yeah, he's right!

Villager #2: And you can't just show up here and call yourself our lord!

Villager #3: And it was these boys and their companions that defended this village when the wave of catastrophe hit!

Princess Malty: You dare complain about a royal decree?!

Malty raised her hand, signaling the knights to ready their weapons. The knights did so and pointed it at the villagers and the two World Jumpers, who also readied their weapons. But before it could escalate further, five people dropped in front of Malty in a kneeling position. The identities of these people were concealed by a mask and cloak. These were the Queen's Shadows.

Queen's Shadow: I trust you know who we represent, Princess Malty.

Princess Malty: *sweatdrop, irritated* But why have you come?

The Queen's Shadow handed her a scroll. Upon reading its contents, her face contorted from irritated to frustrated.

Princess Malty: *frustrated* How could this be?! Grr...! *points at Zane* You! Fight us for the right to rule this village!

Zane: Yeah, no thanks...

Motoyasu: *grins* Scared that I might beat the crap out of you in a rematch?

Zane turned to him, a grin and fierce glare on his face.

Zane: Nevermind, let's do this.

{Short Timeskip}

Zane: I take it back, let's not do this.

Raphtalia: It's only a simple race, Master Zane. *encouragingly* You can do it.

Zane: I am not liking my odds here. It's a dragon race, but Frostine ain't letting me get on her.

Yanoka: Filo will be fine. Filolials are meant for travel after all.

Keith: And it already seems that Filo is pumped and ready.

He points at Filo, who was glaring daggers at Motoyasu's dragon.

Zane: Alright then, we'll do our best to win.

Keith: *encouragingly, whispering* You got this. It's just like Mario Kart, minus the power ups.

Zane: *whispering* Basically, medieval "Need for Speed"?

Keith: *whispering* Try a horse race in Red Dead Redemption. Except that you have an ostrich and he has a raptor.

Zane: *whispering* So in other words, a Jurassic Park race?

Keith pushes him forward so he and Filo could get ready at the starting line. Once they got there, they were greeted with harassment from Motoyasu.

Motoyasu: Seriously? That is so lame. You're going to ride that bird thing, not a dragon?

Filo's eye twitched in anger from the insult.

Motoyasu: How can you possibly keep up with my dragon with that thing?

And that's got him a kick to the nuts from Filo, sending him flying into a haystack. Zane and Filo looked over to where the spear hero landed and giggled, while Motoyasu groaned and held his nuts.

Princess Malty: Sir Motoyasu! Healing magic, come on!

Keith and Yanoka snickered while Frostine just quietly looked on.

As Zane and Filo got ready, and Motoyasu had healed up a bit, they prepared at the starting line. Myne and Raphtalia cheered on their respective heroes, wishing them good luck.

Village Chief: The race will be three laps around the outskirts of the village. Whoever reaches this gate first will be declared the winner.

The village chief raised his arms over his head.

Village Chief: On your marks...!

He swiped his arms down.

Village Chief: GO!

And the race was on! Filo and Zane got a good head start as filolials were natural born runners and carriage pullers.

Zane: So much for a "lame bird", eh Filo?

Filo smirked as she kicked up dust in front of Motoyasu and his dragon mount. The redhead and his ostrich of a mount laughed before completely focusing on the race. As they reached a turn, a knight that was hiding behind some bushes casted a spell.

Knight: As source of thy power, I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and create a pit in front of me. Earth Hole!

And just as the spell's name implies, a literal hole just formed on the earth in front of Zane and Filo. Filo managed to jump over it but had a rough landing, leading to her and Zane crashing down on the ground. Fortunately, both were okay and managed to recover.

Motoyasu crossed pass by the first gate for the first lap but Zane and Fio were right on his tail as they passed the first lap as well. Malty grits her teeth in annoyance and looks at the knight, who went back to the bushes to cast more spells. Keith picked up the grimoire to look for a counter to the spells as he headed up a watchtower.

Knight: As source of thy power, I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and hear my command to slow my target. Speed Down!

Zane and Filo were engulfed with a purple aura as Filo started to speed down. But not for long as Keith found a spell to counter that.

Keith: As source of thy power power, I, the Glitch Hero, order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and remove the spell casted on my target. Dispel!

Zane and Filo were no longer engulfed with the purple aura but they were behind Motoyasu and his dragon, which it tail slapped the two.

Motoyasu: Haha, how's that?!

Zane: *growls* Oh, just you wait!

Filo sped up, creating loud booms as she continued to dash ahead. Losing to a dragon and Motoyasu? She sure ain't letting that happen. She dashed past Motoyasu, getting back the lead as they passed the line for the second lap.

Raphtalia: Filo! You only have one lap to go!

The knight wasn't done casting but neither was Keith.

Knight: As source of thy power, I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and hear my command to hasten my target. Fast Speed!

A golden aura appeared around Motoyasu and his mount as their speed increased greatly, passing ahead of Filo and Zane. Though the aura disappeared just seconds after it was casted.

Unfortunately, Motoyasu and his dragon were already ahead by a few feet and blocked Zane and Filo's path.

Zane: Oh you bastard.

Zane noticed that he and Filo were headed straight to a hole that had just appeared in front of them. He unsheathed his Fusion Sword and threw it forward like a boomerang, stabbing it in the hole on its flat side. The sword was turned into a platform that allowed the two to cross the curve, leaving a surprised Motoyasu in the dust.

As the race was coming to a close with the finish line in sight. Zane's arrogant yet confident face was a complete contrast to Motoyasu's worried and unsure one as their mounts neared the line. In the end, Filo's beak touched the finish line first. Cheers erupted from the villagers as Zane smiled and waved.

Keith came down from the watchtower, hiding his grimoire in his inventory. Zane dismounts Filo and runs over to him.

Zane: We won! Yeah baby, let's go!

Zane cheered as he did some air thrusts, getting Keith to facepalm.

Keith: Yes, I saw. Filo did well.

Zane's weapon materialized on his back as the village chief congratulated him.

Village Chief: Brilliantly done! Thanks to you, we can rest easy and focus on rebuilding the village.

A glow came from Filo, who changed from the size of an ostrich to a giant chicken. Zane looked at Filo with a "wtf" look.

Zane: The fuck did you eat, Filo?!

Princess Malty: You cheated! You didn't tell us that your filolial was this big fat tub of lard!

Village Chief: But it only transformed after the race was over

Yanoka: Y'all were the ones that cheated!

Yanoka and Raphtalia arrived and stood beside their masters.

Yanoka: Creating holes, speeding up the spear hero, and slowing down Sir Zane and Filo! You cheated by using magic!

Princess Malty: *scoffs* You damn demihuman! How dare you accuse me of cheating!

The shadows arrived out of nowhere just like earlier.

Queen's Shadow: The fox is correct. We detected traces of magic on the course.

Princess Malty: Grr... *points at Keith* He's the one that obviously used illegal magic!

Keith recoiled back at that and looked at the red haired girl with an incredulous look.

Keith: *mutters* Nani the fuck?!

Zane: *whispers* She does know they're not stupid, right?

Raphtalia, Yanoka, and Keith shrugged. Who knows if Malty was actually stupid for thinking the shadows are idiots.

Queen's Shadow: Untrue. The red haired adventurer's magic affinities are fire, ice, and lightning. His raccoon friend has light and dark. The blonde kitsune has fire and ice, while the other kitsune has fire and charm magic. All we completely different from the magic we found.

Yanoka: When and how did they know so much about us?

Queen's Shadow: The blonde kitsune had also used dispelling magic to keep the race fair. Thus, it is clear that the Spear Hero's party cheated.

Myne: *grumbles* Well, we'll leave for now. But we'll be back!

She stomped off, an annoyed expression on her face. Zane looked at where the shadows were to thank them but they were already gone. Motoyasu walked past the group, glaring at Zane and Filo.

Motoyasu: Remember, I let you win today! But it won't happen next time! And you won't have that fat tub of-

A growl from a grown up magestic light blue dragon with snow white wings, which was around the size of Saphira from the Eragon movie, shut him up from insulting Filo further.

Yanoka: *surprised* Whoa... Even she grew up instantly.

Motoyasu backed away for a bit from the now grown up Frostine while Zane smirked.

Zane: *smirking* You better watch your tongue, spear hero. Not unless you don't want kids in the future.

Yanoka snorted at Zane's words while Raphtalia got confused at first before catching on.

Raphtalia: *scoldingly* Master Zane!

Motoyasu: *annoyed* Grr... Why you! I'll get you next time!

Raphtalia: *worriedly* Hopefully you get better...

Yanoka: *mockingly* Get well!

Motoyasu walks away, holding his aching crotch as he did. His groans of pain were the only thing the group could hear as he left.

The villagers approached the group and began to thank them once more.

Village Chief: Young adventurer, the whole village thanks you! We don't know how to express our gratitude for everything you have done.

Zane: Nah, it's nothing. Unlike that spoiled princess and showoff hero, we actually care for the people. We did help this village after all.

Keith slowly tilts forward, looking at Zane with a raised brow. If he knows Zane, he doesn't give a shit about NPCs as he just kills them whenever he finishes their quests for extra loot.

Zane: *whispers* You know why I'm like this, aight!

Keith: *whispers* And it's so weird seeing you like this.

Keith and Zane looked at the villagers who were about to hand them their reward before Keith declined it.

Keith: You guys need that money more than we do. You need it to rebuild your village after all.

Village Chief: But then, how can we properly reward you?

Filo patted Zane's head and gestured to the slightly broken wagon. Zane looks at Keith as if he knows what to do.

Keith: *sighs* Fine, I'mma work on it.

A few villagers helped Keith on restoring the wagon, which was a covered wagon. In the end, it was completely fixed and ready for travel. Filo was so excited to pull the wagon that as soon as the reins of the wagon were attached to her, she began trotting forward with happy chirps.

Keith was about to join the others but the village chief stopped him and asked if he and his companions would wish to take up being traveling merchants. The chief then gave him a gold tag, explaining that the tag will exempt them from paying tolls and traveling roads easier.

Keith gladly accepted it as it was a perfect time as they had begun carrying a lot of loot, mainly ones that came from the wave monsters. Keith suggested carrying those equipment and smelt them down to be crafted for spare equipment.

Once that was done, the group made their way back to castle town, with Frostine flying just above them. Everything was so peaceful...

*Bleugh*

Almost peaceful.

Raphatlia: *holding her stomach* C-Can we... stop for a-a while...?

Zane: Are you okay?

Keith: Raph is motion sick.

Zane: Alright then, let's stop here for the night.

Zane gently tugged on the reins, signaling Filo to stop. Frostine gently landed on the patch of grass just next to the group. Raphtalia immediately jumped down and rushed behind a tree to throw up.

By nightfall, the group had set up camp. Zane was tending to Raphtalia while Keith was tending to Frostine. Yanoka had gone to bed earlier while Filo was sleeping near Zane. The boys decided to leave for the night as Frostine always woke up and froze any hostile monsters that tried to jump on them. Unaware to the two World Jumpers, their pets had snuggled close to them when they left their avatars.

{Timeskip, Next Morning}

Once the two World Jumpers had logged back in, they were met with the sight of a confused Raphtalia and eye twitching Yanoka. Zane tried to stand up but felt weight on his lap. He looks down and sees a naked child with long blonde hair and a set of angel wings. Keith also found a naked child on his lap. The one on his lap had long white hair and had a set of dragon wings and a dragon tail.

Zane yelped in surprise and backed away from the child on his lap. He looked around for Filo and Frostine, not seeing the two anywhere. He looked at the now awake children before his eyes widened in realization. The blonde was Filo and the white haired girl was Frostine.

Zane: What in the actual fuck?!

Filo: *excitedly* Good morning Master!

Keith looked at Frostine, who rubbed her eyes before sitting up. Keith was so glad her hair was long enough to cover her chest assets.

Frostine: *serious* Good morning, Master.

Keith noted that Filo was more like an excited child on seeing her master while Frostine sounded serious, like a butler or a servant. The scene fades to black as Keith had only one thing to say.

Keith: Oh joy...

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to Erhard's blacksmith shop. The smith had a large BLT styled sandwich ready to be eaten. Just as he was about to enjoy his meal, the bell on the door rang as familiar customers went in with two extra girls.

Erhard: Welcome. *sees the two* Ah, come on you two. Don't just come here to show off every time you get a new slave.

Zane: *snarkily* A simple hello would have sufficed.

Erhard: *sees Filo and Frostine* More young girls? You guys are a bunch of lolicons...

Zane: Hell no!

Filo: *looks at the sandwich* Master, can I just have a little snack?

Erhard: Want a bite? You can knock yourself out.

Filo: *cheerfully* Thanks!

Raphtalia: Filo, don't over do it.

Keith looks at the silent Frostine, who was staring at the sandwich but wasn't saying much.

Erhard: Hey, relax. It's fine, miss. How big of a bite could she take anyway?

And cue Filo transforming to her filolial form under a puff of smoke, ripping apart the cloak that kept her modesty and nearly tipped over a few shelves. She then began munching on the sandwich, unfortunately eating it all.

Keith: *sighs* And there goes the sandwich...

Erhard just had a face of pure shock and surprise.

Zane: *embarrassed* Sorry about this glutton.

Keith began explaining the situation. In summary of what happened and how it started, the two woke up and found the two girls being their filolial and dragon pets that somehow transformed.

According to Beloukas the Slave Merchant, filolials have kings and queens that lead them and only those kings and queens could transform into human forms. A special crest was even needed for her, but Zane didn't want to give her one.

Frostine on the other hand, was a pureblooded dragon. A person normally can get a Tyrella dragon subspecies from one of the eggs, the same dragon Motoyasu rode during the race. Frostine was shockingly a dragon emperor, or empress in her case, that was capable of shifting between her dragon and human form.

Though Frostine didn't mind getting a slave crest, Keith politely declined as Frostine would no doubt not take too kindly to being ordered around as her natural dragon pride would suddenly trigger and grow angry at Keith.

After explaining it all and Erhard listening to them, the smith only had one thing to say.

Erhard: And here I thought they were just myths.

Zane: Seriously? That's all you could say?

Erhard: What else do you want me to say, kid? No one has seen a filolial queen, let alone a dragon emperor. *looks at Frostine* Or empress, rather.

Keith: Trust us, it's just as surprising. Apparently, most dragon emperors are hostile and seeing one that's so young and obedient is something different.

Erhard: *snarkily* So did you two just come here to show off your filolial queen and dragon emperor?

Keith: Sorry. We meant to come here to ask if you have any clothing?

Erhard: Clothing?

Keith: They both shred their clothes every time they transform.

Raphtalia: Please tell us that there's some kind of outfit made for transforming species.

Erhard: Nah, those are special order items. I haven't got any of them. Try going to see a dressmaker. But I guess you can't have them walking around in public looking like that.

He grabs two dresses in the size of a child, getting a raised brow from Zane. Erhard saw that look on the redhead's face and gave him a deadpan stare.

Erhard: Don't look at me like that. I didn't buy this, another customer left it.

Zane: *sarcastically* Yeah, sure. And my girlfriend is a princess.

The group then set off to a tailor shop, with the tailor herself being almost too hyper and eccentric for a normal tailor.

Tailor: Oh my God, she's cute! Isn't she just the cutest little angel?

The tailor asked, looking at Filo, who was wearing a pink dress.

Filo: Master, am I really cute? I wanna know!

Zane: Say no, say no, say no, say no...

Zane opens his mouth for an answer.

Zane: Yes.

The redhead's answer caught him by surprise as his avatar's eyes shrunk in fear. He really shouldn't have answered but he was caught in the net here, so he only had one thing to say.

Zane: FUCK!

Keith slowly turned his head towards Zane, who audibly gulped. He looked at Keith, who was frozen as a board before realization hit.

From his VR room, loud banging came from the door. Zane quickly froze his character before Keith stormed in.

Keith: FBI, OPEN UP MATE!

Keith's Australian accent made it twice as funny. The door opened and Keith ran in, tackling the redhead.

Once Keith proved his point just seconds later, he teabagged Zane and ran right back into his room.

The two logged back in with Raphtalia and Yanoka looking at the two with slight concern as they were staring at each other for a while.

Keith: Sorry about that. You look great, Frostine.

Frostine: I appreciate the compliment master.

Zane looked at Keith knowingly while the two stared off again, it was Zane's turn to FBI Open Up meme Keith. It was quick this time as they both quickly stopped staring at each other. Filo tugged on Zane's pants.

Filo: Are you my father or something else?

Zane: Uh... Kinda..?

Filo: And what about Raphtalia?

Zane: She's uh... My partner...?

Raphtalia blushed lightly.

Yanoka looks at Keith, as if asking what she is to him.

Keith: *unsure* Sister?

Yanoka facepalmed, but that was mainly to hide her flustered face.

Keith: Anyways, we're mainly here to see if there's clothes that don't get destroyed or ripped to shreds when Filo and Frostine transform.

Tailor: Oh, that's what you're looking for? Did you bring any magic thread?

Zane: Magic thread?

Tailor: Of course. Transforming clothes always use threads made out of the wearers' own mana.

Keith: So it's custom made then?

Tailor: Of course. *gleefully* If you would get me the magic thread, I promise I'll make you the cutest outfit you'll ever see in your entire life!

While Raphtalia and Yanoka sweatdropped, Keith and Zane remained neutral as they've seen characters in games that are just as eccentric as her. Filo meanwhile continued to look at the other pieces of clothing and smelled them before gaining a confused look as she didn't know if they were edible or not. Frostine on the other hand was calm and continued to remain where she was.

The group then headed out to the magic shop to ask the elderly witch about it.

Elderly Witch: Magic Thread? You certainly could weave them here but unfortunately right now's not a good time I'm afraid. The magic gemstone in my spinning wheel broke.

Yanoka: I'm gonna guess that it's expensive.

Elderly Witch: It is, but the bigger problem is that it's hard to find.

Raphtalia: What can we do about it?

Elderly Witch: *smiles* I'll talk to some people and see if I can procure a new gemstone as soon as possible. It might take a little bit longer.

Zane: *scratches his hair in annoyance* This is turning into a wild goose chase.

Keith: Calm down mate. We'll get there eventually.

Filo: Hey, what does this thing do?

She gently poked at the crystal ball and eyed it with interest.

Elderly Witch: This crystal ball measures one's magical affinity. Why don't we measure your affinity?

Filo looked at Zane, who nodded in approval. The filolial girl smiled and got her magic affinity checked.

{Timeskip: Midday | Location: On the road}

{Days before the Wave: 26}

The group was currently on the road and Filo was singing a song about how her magic affinity was wind. And though Frostine was silent, she appreciated that her magical affinity was ice as she was an ice dragon.

Raphtalia: *holding the trade pass* This trade pass you got from the village lord, I hope it comes in handy soon.

Keith: Well we are heading down a road. We're bound to reach a village soon.

Filo: Master, look. There's someone up ahead.

Raphtalia halted the wagon just beside the man.

Raphtalia: Is something wrong sir?

Villager: I need to get this medicine to the village. It's just past the mountain, it's urgent.

Keith: Frostine.

Upon calling her name, Frostine dropped from the top of the wagon and on the ground. The villager got spooked first but calmed down once Keith got on Frostine's back.

Keith: Hop on, we'll get you there quickly. *to the others* You guys try to catch up on the road.

Zane and Raphtalia nodded as Filo took off before Frostine took flight to the village. Once flying over the village, Frostine flew down and hovered over the location.

Keith: Which is your house?

The man points at his house and Frostine flies down to its front door. The old man got off and Keith followed suit. Once inside the house, Keith sees the man's mother lying sick in bed.

Keith: Listen, you go boil water. I'll give the medicine to your mother.

The man would've argued but a reassuring look on Keith's face was enough to convince him. He nodded and handed Keith the medicine. Once he was gone, Keith kept the medicine in his inventory and logged out for a brief moment.

Keith: GM, can I ask a favor?

Game Master: Let me guess? A very effective medicine?

Keith nodded, earning a soft sigh from GM. The Game Master snapped his fingers and Keith got a notification that he got an Ultimate Healing Potion [Skyrim] and a potion of Cure Disease [Skyrim]. Keith nodded at GM who shrugged and walked away.

Upon logging back in, Keith gave the woman the ultimate healing potion and cure disease potion instead of the actual potion. There's a reason as to why Keith saved that potion. Upon checking it on his inventory, it had the name:

[Elixir of Yggdrasil]

- The Medicine of Miracles

- Capable of curing most illnesses and boosting energy

The elixir's ingredients are very expensive and hard to acquire. This is one of the only times the elixir can be acquired, hence why Keith decided to keep it just in case he'd have to use it in the future.

Once the man came back, Keith had switched the potion bottles to an empty potion vial that looked exactly like the elixir's vial. The man's mother gently woke up and sat up on the bed.

Villager: Mother, the medicine, it's helping already?

Old Lady: Yes, the pain went away in an instant. Thank you, good sir.

Keith nodded and took his leave, not asking for a payment. Once he was outside, he got on Frostine's back and they took off to find the others.

The group continued their travel and had begun setting up a mobile shop and sold any spare items and some medicine they have like traveling merchants.

During the night however, it was an attention battle between Filo and Raphtalia for Zane. Raphtalia wanted to show her affection to Zane while Filo was trying to hog all of Zane's attention like a child.

Keith, meanwhile, was at peace with Yanoka and Frostine as the dragon girl wasn't really interested in romance and Yanoka isn't really interested in Keith and sees him more of a companion.

{Timeskip: Morning | Location: On the road}

{Days before the Wave: 24}

The group were once again on the road again. Filo was back in her filolial form and Frostine in her juvenile emperor (empress) dragon form. This time, they were escorting an accessory merchant named Hickwaal.

[ Hickwaal | Accessory Merchant ]

Hickwaal: *astonished* I really can't believe I'm riding with our Savior of the Heavenly Fowl.

Zane: Savior of the Heavenly Fowl?

Hickwaal: Ah, yes. You have quite the reputation. In a carriage drawn by the god of domesticated birds, protected by a dragon as white as snow, our savior travels and treats the sick.

Filo: Did he just say I'm a god?

Raphtalia: I'm surprised at you. *scoldingly* Didn't Master Zane tell you not to talk while there are strangers?

Filo: Sorry.

Hickwaal widened his eyes in surprise.

Hickwaal: Well, I'll be, it talks. That really is a god.

Zane: She's not a god. Just a special kind of chicke- *gets nudged by Keith* filolial.

Raphtalia: There's a large gang that's blocking our path up ahead.

Zane moved up to the front of the wagon and saw bandits blocking their path.

Keith: Keep your head down.

Hickwaal did so as the gang's leader, probably, spoke up.

Bandit Leader: Whoa now, you can stop right there.

Raphtalia stops the wagon and Filo halts on her tracks. Yanoka walked up to the front to see the commotion.

Bandit Leader: Now, that's an odd bird you got there stranger. We heard an accessory seller was hitching a ride with you. Come on, we know you're in there!

Zane: *mutters* And this is why I hate escort missions sometimes...

Bandit #1: Just hand him over quietly and you'll get away with at least your lives intact.

Keith: You mean anything but our lives.

Bandit #2: Haha, this one's sharp as a tack.

Bandit #3: Those two are pretty hot for demihumans.

Bandit #1: *pervertedly* Looks like we're gonna have some fun tonight~!

Yanoka/Raphtalia: Pigs . Sir Keith/Master Zane, permission to end his lineage?

Keith: Hurt, don't kill.

Bandit Leader: Don't even think about it! We've got a class upgraded bodyguard with us! *to the bodyguard* It's all up to you now.

The said bodyguard walks over and he smiles smugly. Keith snickered and looked at an equally smug Yanoka.

Zane: You guys got this?

Raphtalia hopped off the wagon with Yanoka.

Yanoka: Save the smug guy to me.

Raphatalia: As source of thy power, I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and conceal me utterly in a magic haze. Hide Mirage!

Raphtalia was engulfed in a golden glow and turned invisible, surprising the bandits.

Filo: Fast Tornado!

Filo flapped her wings and brought forth a small tornado that launched the enemies away. Once they recovered, Raphtalia knocked them down with her scabbard covered sword. Only one left was the class upgraded bodyguard.

As he unsheathed his sword from its scabbard, Yanoka had already sent forward fireballs towards his direction forcing him to back away and trip on his footing. Yanoka continued though and only stopped when the bodyguard threw down his weapon and raised his hands in surrender.

Yanoka smiled and took the sword, which was a really nice looking katana.

Yanoka: *grinning* Well, I think I'll be keeping this.

Raphtalia tied all the thugs together with one of Keith's Blades of Chaos. Once the bandit leader was awake, they started the interrogation with Keith activating the flames of his other Blade of Chaos.

Keith: Now you know what these swords and chains are capable of, I wonder what happens to you guys when I activate the flames of the chains wrapped around you guys?

With Keith saying that with a straight and stoic face, the bandit leader was quick to break and speak out their intentions.

Bandit Leader: *panickedly* Some other traitor told us to mug the guy riding with you because he was supposed to be carrying a bunch of really nice stuff! I swear that's all I know!

Hickwaal: *disappointed* So, one of my own sold me out...

Zane: So, what to do with them now?

Hickwaal: We usually hand them over to the local guards but I'll leave that up to you.

Bandit #1: Hey... You're that red haired boy that challenged the Spear Hero, right? *mockingly* Did the spear scare you that you let demihumans fight for you now?

Zane raised his shirt and revealed his dragonscales and cocked a brow at the dumbfounded bandits.

Zane: Funny how the spear hero lost to a demihuman, huh? And you guys also lost to said demihuman. *smirks* That's just so embarrassing.

Bandit #3: Ha, the guards will believe us when we tell them you attacked us unprovoked.

Keith: *unamused* Because Melromarc is a country that practices human supremacy, right?

Bandit #1: Well, aren't you a perceptive one? Then you can bet they'll take our word over you demihumans any day.

Keith: Welp. As an old saying goes. *darkly* "Dead men tell no tales."

His cold and dark words sunk into the bandits and thought that he was bluffing but his next words made them pale.

Keith: Hey Frostine, Filo, you girls hungry?

Filo: Yes I do! I want food!

Frostine woke up and got off the wagon's cover. Her white color and dead like posture made her look like she was the wagon's cover. Once she landed, her stomach rumbled loudly and eyed the bandits.

Frostine: I'm quite famished, master.

The dragon and filolial eyed the bandits with hungry eyes, making the bandits try and escape for their lives but Keith's chains only tightened and made escape impossible.

Zane: I forgot those two eat whatever they deem edible, humans and demihumans included and they don't care about gender either.

Bandit #2: Hey! You can't do that! You're the "Saviour of the Heavenly Fowl"! You can't commit murder!

Zane: Oh, ho, ho, hell no! *leans over to the bandit* Listen here pal, I'm no savior. That ain't my job and I ain't taking that title. I'm just an adventurer.

Keith: *grinning* Think of this as your execution for no doubt murdering or robbing other people you came across in the past.

Bandit #3: No! Please, spare us! Just take anything that you want, just spare our lives!

Zane and Keith's brows rose and they looked at each other then the wagon and back at each other before grinning like cheshire cats. They slowly turned to the bandits with shadows covering their face with their mouths having cat-like grins and shining stars for eyes.

Zane/Keith: "Anything", you say?

{Timeskip, Afternoon}

The bandits were now giving up their "belongings" to the group as Zane and Keith had begun hoarding the goods like players always do. Frostine and Filo kept watch while eating meat treats just for extra intimidation. Yanoka was helping sort the items in the wagon while Raphatalia and Hickwaal kept watch, the former of the two wasn't so happy with the situation.

Raphtalia: *sigh* Are we actually looting these bandits..?

Keith: They stole these from somewhere, were just selling them back somewhere else. It's good business.

Hickwaal: Exactly! They're offering up everything just for their safety. They're simply treating their lives as merchandise. If I may say, these two are fine examples of a true trader's spirit.

Raphtalia: This looks more like intimidation...

Zane: Well, more like hoarding. Which is perfect for me since I'm a motherfucking dragon!

Keith: It's plain survival for me. And maybe a bit of trade, but still more into survival.

Yanoka: Speaking of trader's spirit, how can you compensate for the trouble you brought with you?

Hickwaal: I can offer you all the knowledge and connections I possess. It is at your command.

Keith: Knowledge and connections, huh? This might be a perfect way for me to get to learn about the business side of trading. Might get useful when trading items in shops or selling stuff in the black market in other worlds in the future.

Hickwaal: *smiles* Yes, I've taken a real liking to you two.

Hickwaal then began teaching the two on how to process precious metals with the necessary tools, craft gemstones, and imbue the gems and crafted accessories with mana. Keith, even when taking notes, was quick to learn on the process while Zane wasn't terrible but he wasn't good either.

Unfortunately for the redhead, he was also terrible at trading and bartering. Once bartering an accessory worth of 120 silvers for only 85 silver. Although, he was very good at intimidation hence he was mainly identified as Keith's bodyguard.

After a few days, the group was eventually invited by Hickwaal to a small gathering of traders. While in the gathering, the duo learned a few things about the heroes' current statuses.

Motoyasu apparently saved a famine stricken village, Ren fought a dragon in the mountains, and Itsuku was a mystery but Keith knew all too well what Itsuku is up to.

Though, with all of Hickwaal's gifts to the two, one stuck out the most. It was a letter that will allow the two to mine for ores and gemstones. One of the mining towns even held a location for the magic gemstones they were looking for.

Unfortunately for the group, it was apparently somewhere dangerous. But Keith and Zane didn't mind. Keith and Frostine took off while the others continued to head to the location. Once Frostine and Keith arrived back in Castle Town, they told the witch from the magic shop about their findings and she decided to join them as she knows what stone to look for.

Upon reuniting with the others on the road, they continued to head to the destination.

Elderly Witch: What surprises me is how you managed to find that gemstone so quickly.

Keith: Well, we had to ask around some traders. We were fortunate to find someone who knew where to find some. The unfortunate part is that it's located in a not so great location.

The Filo and the wagon stop in front of an ancient-looking temple.

Elderly Witch: A long time ago, this temple was once a notorious evil alchemist's base of operations.

They all got off the wagon as Zane spoke up.

Zane: *whispers, jokingly* What kind of alchemist? Full Metal?

Keith snickered while Raphtalia and Yanoka were confused and shrugged. The group soon approaches a tunnel beside the temple.

Elderly Witch: Strange. I've never heard of a tunnel being here.

Yanoka: According to the mining chief, this place has been nested by monsters so no one dared enter or even go near it anymore.

Keith: Alright, eyes up and stay cautious everyone.

Zane looked up at the ceiling with a smirk, making Yanoka deadpan him while Raphtalia and Filo giggled. Keith rolled his eyes, amused. The group then trudged forward and walked into a chamber with an opened chest.

The Elderly Witch walked forward and saw the ancient writings beside the chest while the World Jumper's systems focused on the writings and began translating it.

Elderly Witch: Ancient writing... *reads the writing* We pray that the seed never makes it out of this tunnel. It is a horribly twisted manifestation of our wish that nobody will feel the pains of hunger ever again.

Zane: Hehe... *whispers, pervertedly* That'd be some twisted "seed".

Keith stifled a laugh while Raphtalia and Yanoka looked at Zane unamused.

Keith: *whispers, snickers* What would they be feeding those poor people?

Zane covered his mouth and briefly paused his character before Keith heard him laugh loudly in his simulation room. Seconds later, Zane's avatar began moving again but that perverted grin on his face hasn't left yet.

Raphtalia and Yanoka's eyes twitched as they heard their master's perverted comments but were thankful that Filo nor Frostine heard them.

Zane: *calming down* Well, it seems like bandits broke it open. Probably to sell it off.

Keith: I doubt it mate. One of the traveling merchants said something about the Spear Hero heading southwest and saved a village from famine after handing them an ancient seed.

Zane stifled a laugh at that while Yanoka rolled her eyes.

Yanoka: You think that rumor and this seed are related?

Keith: Knowing the Spear Hero, it's possible.

Filo: Master, look down there. There's a path over that way.

The filolial points down a tunnel on their left with her feathers. It led deeper into the cave and quite possibly to the materials they were looking for.

Zane: Nice job, Filo. *Mario accent* Letsa go!

Keith and Zane fearlessly walked down the tunnel with the elderly witch following behind. Raphtalia and Yanoka soon followed and then Frostine. Filo was about to follow but she began hearing Zane's voice echo in her head.

Zane: For crying out loud, Filo! If you aren't going to listen to me, then why did I even bother with you?

Filo looked around, paranoid, but shook it off and caught up with the group. The group continued walking down the path further until the Witch stopped them.

Elderly Witch: Stop here. *points at the monster tracks on the floor* Look, a monster footprint and, my goodness, it's a large one.

Zane: Well, we've come this far. Let's deal with it and get what we-

Their torches' flames went out before purple aura engulfed the group.

Zane: The hell?!

Fortunately for the two World Jumpers, their artificial bodies and not being there made it impossible for them to be affected by the aura's effects. Unfortunately for the others, they were actually there.

Raphtalia began hearing Zane's voice in her mind despite the redhead actually looking confused in front of her.

Zane: You're pathetic. I can't believe I even took you in as a slave. You can't even fight for yourself. What happens to you when I'm gone, huh? Dead, that's what you'll be.

Raphtalia widened her eyes at that but shook it off as that couldn't have been her master.

Keith: Stupid lizard. You have no emotion because you only follow orders. What kind of proud dragon are you?!

Frostine huffed in annoyance. She may be a newborn but she wasn't dumb. She may be a slave but she was still a proud dragon. But while she is emotionless, it doesn't mean that she doesn't feel any emotion.

Yanoka, however, the voices weren't Keith's or Zane's. Not even Raphtalia, Filo, or Frostine. It was the one person she hated the most. A certain sultry redhead girl.

Princess Malty: You? A princess? Ahahaha! Don't make me laugh. *smugly* Look at you, you're nothing more but a slave now. All ounces of your nobility are gone.

Yanoka growled in anger as flashes of the first princess smugly looking at her before she was at that slave tent. The girl's red hair shimmering under the candlelight, the wine glass she held half filled with red wine, emerald green eyes that held smugness, disgust, and mischief.

Elderly Witch: Don't let the voices mislead you!

The witch's warning snapped Yanoka out of her rage-filled trance.

Raphtalia: What are they?

Elderly Witch: The monster's provoking. They do it by saying the last things you want to hear and the last voices you want saying them.

Keith: How do we deal with this?

Keith threw his Leviathan Axe forward but hit nothing, even after recalling it he still hit nothing.

Elderly Witch: As source of thy power, I order thee! Decipher the laws of nature and restore our sight! Fast Anti-Bind!

And with a bright flash, the purple aura dispersed and revealed the monsters responsible. Once they were visible, Yanoka yelled out in anger and sent out fireball after fireball at the monsters. Any downed monster that was still alive, she stomped on with an angry cry till they were dead.

Zane: Geez, that's hardcore.

Keith walked over to Yanoka and placed a hand on her shoulder, only for the girl to turn around and attempt to draw out her sword but saw that Keith took it before she turned around.

Keith: First off, are you okay? Second, care to tell me what happened? Third, what did the voices say?

Yanoka: *glares* Fine, No, None of your business.

Yanoka harshly grabs her sword out of Keith's hands and continues walking deeper down the tunnel. Zane walks over to Keith.

Zane: She's feisty.

Keith: *nod* Mhm-hm.

Filo walks over to Zane, a little nervous.

Filo: U-Um... Excuse me, Master. You won't abandon Filo, will you?

Zane smiled and gently patted the filolial on her beak.

Zane: What kind of master would I be if I did that?

And a smack in the back of the head for Zane, courtesy of Keith.

Keith: *mutters* Moron...

Keith began foraging for the monster hide and meat. Soon he was done, he followed the others with Frostine following suit.

Keith: Care to tell me what you heard?

Frostine: Just the voices telling that I'm stupid and emotionless for a dragon. They don't know anything about me nor you.

Keith gave her a soft smile and patted her snout, earning a cute purr from the frost dragon.

The group then reached a cave that had large bright blue crystals and a single monster sleeping in the middle. It had the body of a lion and its tail being a snake.

Zane: A manticore?

Keith: Nope, that's a Nue.

Zane: That annoying mini boss fight that Ryuji and Joker fought in Madarame's Palace in Persona 5?

Looking at the Nue in front of him and thinking of that large crouched snake tailed feline persona, he could slightly see it. Except that the persona was crouched like a human rather than a lion.

Elderly Witch: It's a little on the smaller side but still dangerous.

Zane: *incredulously* Smaller side? How big can those get?!

Keith: Size doesn't matter, it's still an obstacle that's blocking our path from getting what we need.

Yanoka: Agreed. Let's kill it.

Before they could charge Keith halted them by raising his arm.

Keith: Let's avoid having to fight it up front. If one of you gets bitten by that tail, we don't have an antidote with us.

Hearing his concern, the girls stayed low for now.

Zane: Does it have any weaknesses?

Keith: As far as I know, it's weak to sound. So cover your ears.

Keith activated his Guardian Shield and pressed one of his Blades of Chaos against it, ready to scrape it against each other. Seeing what he was about to do, Raphtalia and Yanoka quickly covered their ears. Filo and Frostine followed the example of the demihuman girls.

Once they were done, Keith scraped the blade against the shield, making a loud and unpleasant noise that immediately woke up and scared the Nue. Once it was running, Frostine unleashed her ice breath upon the lion-snake hybrid, slowing it down.

Yanoka and Raphtalia charged forward and sliced its tail off and cut its leg joints, crippling it. Filo then charged forward and delivered a powerful kick to its chest, caving it in and killing the monster.

Keith kept his blade and shield before walking over to the others.

Keith: You guys alright?

Yanoka: *snarkily* Not counting the noise you were making earlier, then yes.

Keith let out an amused huff and walked over to the crystals.

Filo: *awe* Wow, so pretty.

Frostine looked at the crystals and couldn't help but feel the need to hoard these.

The group began their mining, with the witch getting at least 3 gemstones while Keith sneakily took 10 large chunks. And while no one was looking, he took an entire large crystal and put it in his inventory just cause he could.

{Timeskip: Morning | Location: Castle Town}

{Days Before The Wave: 22}

The group has returned to the capital and is currently in the magic shop, with Filo using the gemstone and spinning wheel to create some magic thread.

Filo: Doing this makes me feel so tired.

Elderly Witch: Don't worry my dear. It's only because your mana is turning into thread. Endure it just a while longer.

Filo let out a whine as she continued.

Raphtalia: I'll get you some snacks once you finish

Filo: Yummy ones? Then I'll do my best!

After a few more minutes, it was Frostine's turn to use the spin wheel. And compared to Filo, Frostine was pretty calm and took small breaks to restore some strength instead of whining like Filo.

Once they were done, they handed the thread to the tailor so she could make Filo and Frostine's transforming clothes.

And skip to the next day, the dresses were made and when the group returned, Filo and Frostine wore them in the dressing room. Upon exiting, they looked cute.

(Frostine appearance)

(Frostine clothing)

Zane and Keith blinked in surprise as they got a good look at Filo and Frostine on their dresses. Filo was very happy with her new dress while Frostine, for once, had a smile on her face. Raphtalia had a jealous pout once Zane's attention was now on Filo while Yanoka smiled upon seeing Frostine smile.

Filo: So... How do I look? Alright?

Zane: *smiles* You look super cute!

Zane carries Filo, who cheers and giggles, and embraces her while Raphtalia crosses her arms and continues to pout in jealousy.

Raphtalia: *jealous* I mean, sure, she looks cute and everything...

Yanoka: *teasingly* Someone's jealo- Ack!

Before Yanoka could even finish her teasing, the tailor skids beside her and bumps her off to the side like a bowling ball hitting a bowling pin.

Tailor: *enthusiastically, excited* She's darling! I did my very best to bring out every bit of Filo's angelic charm and Frostine's dragonic pride and I think I did a helluva job!

The two World Jumpers sweatdropped at her enthusiasm and even noticed the bags under her eyes. Did this woman even sleep? Is there even coffee in this world? How is she still hyper?

Tailor: For Filo I used white as the base color to go with her wings, and I added plenty of frail as a nod to her feathers too, and since it would contrast with her lovely blonde hair, I went with blue for the ribbon as you can see!

She then moves over to Frostine who looks so comfy with her new outfit.

Tailor: For Frostine I used white to go with her wings as well as her tail, and added gold embroidery to show off some of her dragonic pride, and bronze colored ascot and leather sash to go with her red eyes and reptilian scales.

Zane: Did it have to be furry?

Keith: Well, she is a frost dragon after all. It fits with her cold as ice theme.

Yanoka: Either way, with you two having those clothes plus the silver we paid for them in the beginning sums up to 680 silver. *encouragingly* So you two have to work hard to pay it back.

Filo: *cheeringly* Yay! I'll do my best!

Filo transforms into a filolial all of a sudden, with Frostine now on her back.

Frostine: *monotone* Filo, can you put me down?

Raphtalia: *scoldingly* Don't suddenly transform indoors!

Yanoka: Calm down, Raphtalia. I wanna see Frostine's transformation too.

Frostine got off Filo and transformed in an open space. One thing noticeable for both girls is that Filo's ribbon was wrapped around her neck, similar to Frostine and her ascot.

Tailor: Even on a monster it's cute! I'm sure you agree, don't you? Aren't your daughters as cute as a button?

Zane: Wha-?! Filo ain't my kid! I just said she's "kinda" my kid.

Keith: The ascot does add a different color to Frostine's palette but close enough to match her eyes.

Zane huffed in annoyance at being ignored while Filo and Frostine smiled at them before the scene faded to black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to show the World Jumpers and their party in their wagon, along with them were a cart full of herbicide. They were headed towards Lerno Village, a village at the south-west, as they were meant to deliver the herbicide there.

Raphtalia was up front in the wagon as she's the coachman, or coachwoman in her case. Keith was brushing Frostine's hair while Yanoka was checking if they had all the herbicide. Zane on the other hand, was laying down on the bench.

Zane: *bored, sighs* Why are we doing this again?

Keith: It's our job, idiot.

Zane groans in annoyance and sits up.

Zane: This is fun at first but now it's becoming boring. Where's the action? This is exactly why I hate doing fetch and delivery quests!

Keith: You just hate doing it because you always choose bounty quests.

Zane: Okay, that's true. But still, quests like this only have us travel and deliver or fetch something in exchange for money or some item we either already have or are useless to us.

Keith: Hey, not everything we get is useless. Some of it can be used in other ways. Just ask Hickwaal, he'd say the same.

Yanoka: Speaking of Hickwaal, I think I know why he needs a lot of herbicide.

Zane and Keith peeked up to the front with Yanoka and saw overgrown vines, weeds, and roots all over the place.

Filo: Master, the plants here are amazing!

Zane and Yanoka looked at Filo like she was crazy while Keith snickered before returning serious

Keith: Well, Hickwaal was right about those people needing tons of herbicide.

Yanoka: Filo, get us to the village as fast as you can.

Once they arrived in the village, they spoke with the village chief.

Lerno Village Chief: I don't know how to thank you enough. This place was about to fall prey to all the vines too.

Raphtalia: How about burning them? Or have you already tried that?

Lerno Village Chief: Certainly, we've tried everything that we could think of. We've even resorted to summoning adventurers but the situation is worse than before.

Yanoka: *mutters* How worse can it get?

Lerno Village Chief: Our village was already overrun by the vines. What's worse, the plants turned into monsters and started to attack us.

And cue screams from the village

Yanoka: *mutters* Oh me and my big mouth.

Keith pats her head to comfort her.

Lerno Village Chief: Some adventurers went to level up but when they left the village, they had no idea what was ahead of them.

Zane: *scoffs* Well aren't they idiots.

Raphtalia: *scoldingly* Master Zane.

Keith: Filo, go find those adventurers and bring them back here.

Filo: Okay! Be right back.

She says while walking with a basket of fruit before Yanoka took the basket away.

Yanoka: *scoldingly* And stop eating their remaining food supply!

Filo: *whines* Aw...

After her brief whining, she took off to rescue the adventurers. After a minute or two, she got back to the village with the adventurers who were out cold.

Filo: There were plant monsters all over the place. Some of them even spat poison or acid or something at me. Why would these guys go there when they're so weak? They must be stupid.

Raphtalia: *frowns* You didn't really need to add that last part.

The two began to bicker while Yanoka facepalmed. Frostine just looked on with curiosity, not understanding why they were bickering.

Lerno Village Chief: Please good sirs, tell us. Are one of you the "Savior of the Heavenly Fowl?"

Zane: No, we're not god damn saviors alright! I don't even know where that name came from but we are just adventurers, not some holy saviors that are meant to solve every problem!

Zane fumed with rage, making the villagers back away in fear but Keith tapped his shoulder.

Keith: But if we're not meant to solve every problem then we won't be getting that adventure you are asking for.

Zane: ...

Zane faced the villagers with a smile, his demeanor turning a complete 180.

Zane: *determined* We'll help you with your problems!

And cut to Zane boredly standing in a medical tent while holding a tray of medicine and herbicide while Keith was handing out medicine for the sick people and using the herbicide to remove the parasitic weeds and vines on their bodies. It was like Poison Ivy mind controlling people by wrapping them with vines and weeds.

Minutes later, all the sick villagers were cured and Zane marched out the medical tent with an annoyed huff and his hands crossed.

Zane: *annoyed* That is not the help I was talking about you sonuva-

Raphtalia: *scoldingly* Master Zane!

Yanoka rolled her eyes fondly but did look disappointed on seeing Filo, who was lazily sat down by the cart in her filolial form while eating the villagers' food supply... again...

Frostine: Yanoka said not to eat the food, Filo.

Filo: But I'm hungry. And you're not Yanoka.

Frostine: But I am more responsible and grown-up than you.

That small roast made Filo glare and let out an annoyed "hmph" at the dragon girl, who was in her humanoid appearance.

Filo was about to take another piece of food but noticed that Keith, Raphtalia, and Yanoka were looking at her with stern looks. She puffs her cheeks, annoyed, and puts down the basket of food before crossing her arms in annoyance while Frostine couldn't resist a smirk from forming.

Zane: *grumbles* There better be some action or else I'm demanding payment.

That earned him a glare from Raphtalia but he ignored it, though Keith does reassure him and Raphtalia.

Keith: Relax, Raph. He's not going to demand payment. We can just ask around how this all started and see if we can find the source of the problem.

Yanoka: Why don't we start with them then?

Yanoka gestures behind Keith, who turns around and sees the village elder and two more villagers on their knees and bowing down.

Lerno Village Chief: Our savior of the heavenly fowl, we beg you from the bottom of our hearts, please save our village.

Keith points to him and then Zane.

Keith: Remind me again, which one of us specifically is the savior?

Lerno Village Chief: Why you, of course. The demihuman fox with the nine tails brings good health to those he blesses with his medicine like a savior, accompanied by two angels.

Zane: Oh thank god, I'm not the rumored savior. I don't need that in my reputation.

Lerno Village Chief: And he also travels with a red devil with a large sword that smites down sinners and evil doers that brings harm to the savior's blessed ones.

Zane: Now that's more fitting for my shtick.

A thought bubble appeared on top of Yanoka and Keith's heads. A comic representation of Zane with an evil laugh, devil horns, wings and tail, and sharp teeth. He was standing on a pile of whimpering bandits and raising his sword with fire raging around him.

Keith/Yanoka: Yeah, I can imagine that works well.

Lerno Village Chief: Our village was being ravaged by famine until one day, the Spear Hero visited. When he heard of our plight, he went to some nearby ruins and brought back a seed that had been sealed there many years ago. He called it, "The Miracle Seed."

Keith: Miracle seed, huh? Are we sure it's not a cursed seed?

Villager: At first we had no idea. We were overjoyed when we saw how quickly the plants were growing, bearing fruit. However-

Raphtalia: They grew too much and overwhelmed your village. Is that what happened?

Lerno Village Chief: Indeed. While investigating our options, we heard an ancient legend passed down among our people. A long time ago, an alchemist would set up shop in this area and created a seed. For some reason, he sealed it away.

Villager: Legend also said that after only a short while the plants would overgrow everything in the region.

Zane: Well if you knew about the legend, then why'd you accept the seed like idiots.

The villagers looked down, guilty.

Zane: Ah, I see. You ignored the legend because a hero gave it to you.

Yanoka: Hmph. *sarcastically* Great way to get your reputation up.

Lerno Village Elder: Savior of the Heavenly Fowl, we'll pay for any treatments and even the monster extermination in advance. Anything... Just save our village, I beg you.

Yanoka sighed in annoyance. These people expect them to clean up the mess of the heroes?

Keith: *sighs* As much as I want to deny the title of savior, it's kinda our job to help. We gotta prove that we can do a better job than those heroes after all.

Zane: *scoffs* Please, we're already better than them.

Zane and Keith walked away, unsheathing their weapons. Yanoka, who grumbled in annoyance, and Raphtalia followed behind them with Filo and Frostine close behind.

{Timeskip}

The group were facing off against the plant monsters that had overrunned the village. Keith and Yanoka were using flames to burn down the plants. Zane and Raphtalia were quick to cut down any vines that tried to ensnare them. Filo took down the plants with her quick kicks and Frostine, who was in human form, simply raised her hand and unleashed a torrent of frost at the plants, freezing them.

Keith collected the poisonous sap of the plants in empty vials as it would probably be useful in some encounters.

[ Keith Levi added: [14 vials of poisonous sap] ]

Keith: I have to make a note to take jars or barrels next time.

The group then advanced forward, defeating more plants as they went on. They eventually reached the source, which is a redwood-sized tree with a big bright flower. The flower bloomed and a single eye replaced the flower's stigma.

Zane: You're one, ugly motherfucker.

Raphtalia: *scoldingly* Language, Master Zane!

Filo charged in recklessly as she dashed forward with quick speeds. She jumped on vines and with the help of Frostine's frost breath creating a platform for her, she reached the flower's eye and squashed it with her foot.

Unfortunately, the eye regenerated and the tree sent vines after the giant chicken. Those vines however were cut down by Keith's Blades of Chaos.

Keith: It's regenerating too fast. It's like eating an enchanted golden apple level of regeneration. *smirks* But regeneration doesn't cancel out poison or wither effect.

Keith pulls out a vial of herbicide from his satchel and tosses it at Raphtalia.

Keith: Raphtalia, use that on the tree's eye.

Raphtalia: Yeah, right away.

Yanoka cuts down the vines trying to ensnare Raphtalia and burns them with a fire spell for good measure. Raphtalia then hops on Filo's back like a knight mounting her horse for battle.

Raphtalia: Okay Filo, let's go!

Filo: Right!

The filolial rushed towards the tree monster, dodging every vine that was sent towards her. A few vines were also cut down by Raphtalia, but her movement causes Filo to complain.

Filo: Stop holding me back, Raphtalia!

Raphtalia: *incredulous* Wha- Hold you back?!

Zane: *scolded* Don't take your eyes off the enemy you two!

And because they did, vines managed to ensnare Raphtalia while Filo managed to speed away. Raphtalia lowered her skirt just enough so that neither of the boys could see under it. Meanwhile, Filo let out a small snicker at Raphtalia's predicament.

Raphtalia: Filo! Did you just laugh?!

Filo: No, of course I didn't.

Frostine: She definitely did.

Filo: *squeaks* Uh... Nevermind that, just grab the herbicide!

Yanoka: *snickers* That position of hers would no doubt get any boy aroused.

And cue Yanoka getting the same treatment, the only difference is that Yanoka is wearing shorts rather than a skirt.

Yanoka: Eek! Why me? I meant Raphtalia, not me!

Keith throws his Leviathan Axe at the vine that ensnared Yanoka, causing her to fall but Keith caught her in his arms.

Keith: *giggles* How'd you like that instant karma?

Yanoka pouts at the nine-tailed kitsune, who sets her down.

Raphtalia, meanwhile, poured the herbicide on the tree's roots. It dealt some damage but it regenerated once more.

Zane: Yo! It's regenerating too fast for the herbicide to deal permanent damage.

Keith looked through his inventory and got an idea.

Keith: I have a plan, get Raphtalia out of there. Frostine, Yanoka, cover me.

Zane nodded and ran forward with Filo towards the tree, cutting down any vines or plants that prevented them from getting to Raphtalia.

Zane: Activate Cross Slash .

Zane's Fusion Sword glowed red and in his HUD he saw the symbol of the Cross Slash and dim glowing lines. He slashed the lines once they glowed, similar to how rhythm games work. Once he did so, the skill was initiated.

Keith meanwhile, was mixing herbicide with more salt. Simple science really, salt is primarily composed of sodium chloride. And let's just say that chloride is bad for plants.

[ Keith Levi - Crafted: x19 Salted Herbicide ]

Keith: Alright! Zane, you and the girls over there should move!

Zane cut down Raphtalia and got on Filo, who got them out of there. Keith tied the bottles of salted herbicide together and activated his Spartan Rage . He then charged forward like a raging bull, burning through any vines that tried to stop him.

Once he got close to it, he jumped up and smashed all the vials of salted herbicide on the plant's eye. Once he did, it shrieked in pain as it began to wither at a rapid pace. The tree then began to fall down.

Zane: Timber!

The tree falls down on the ground.

Yanoka: Alright! We got it down.

Keith: Good job everyone. Now, let's go grab those seeds before they begin replanting themselves.

Everyone replied with either a "right" or "okay" before they began picking up the seeds from the tree. During this time, Raphtalia and Filo began bickering again just because Filo took the seed that Raphtalia was about to pick out from the tree.

Zane: Those two have been bickering ever since Filo got her dress.

Keith: Yea... but can you blame 'em? Filo's just a week old and Raphtalia's trying to act all grown up even though she's actually a child.

Yanoka: Oi, I'm a child.

Frostine: As am I, yet I act like a mature adult.

Yanoka: *sigh* Fair enough.

Zane looked back at the two girls, who were still bickering like angry sisters.

Zane: Can those two at least stop fighting for a day?

Keith was examining a bioplant seed.

Keith: I'm going to need some alchemy tools to modify these since I don't have Naofumi's powers.

{Timeskip}

The group had returned to the refugee camp at sunset.

Zane: We took care of the monsters but since we'll eventually head out soon, it's up to you guys to do the clean up.

Lerno Village Chief: Yes, of course.

Keith: Well, if that is all, then I shall try and find a way to fix these seeds.

Keith entered the carriage and began tinkering with the seeds. During that evening, while everyone was asleep, Keith was continuing to experiment with the seeds. He temporarily logged out and examined the seed and its properties.

Zane entered Keith's room with a mug of coffee for his friend.

Zane: Still having trouble?

Keith: Just a little bit. *takes the coffee* Thanks.

Zane: You're welcome.

The two looked at the screen in front of them and saw the bioplant seed's properties.

[ BioPlant Seed ]

- Growth Rate: 80%

- Productivity Rate: 70%

- Mutation Rate: 70%

- Breeding Rate: 40%

- Intelligence Rate: 50%

Zane: Well, no wonder why that thing was like that. Why would you put intelligence in a plant life and add breeding together, that's just asking for trouble.

Keith: That's your concern? My concern is how the alchemist gave this seed a 70% production and mutation rate. No wonder they spread and mutate so fast.

Zane: Any ideas how to change it?

Keith: Well, Naofumi had the Plant Reformation skill. I don't and neither does my character.

Zane: Well, obviously. You're the god of war, not the god of plants.

Keith: I'm going to have to see if I can alter its properties manually.

The white haired Australian began to work on it while the red haired American walked to his room to sleep.

{Hours later}

After hours of experimenting, Keith managed to fix the seed without the help of Plant Reformation and only with the help of science and technology.

He managed to tone down the growth rate to a good 60% to make sure it doesn't suddenly turn into a large tree like before and balance the production rate on 60%.

The breeding rate was put to just 10% to make sure it doesn't multiply and spread too fast. Same with the mutation rate to make sure the plants don't mutate into monsters hell bent on destroying the village.

And intelligence was toned down to 5% to ensure it doesn't start acting self-aware but make sure it's not too dumb not to bear fruit or seeds.

Keith: Wouldn't want a complaining plant now would we?

Keith walked out the carriage and planted the seed on the ground. He then saw Raphtalia walking up to him.

Keith: Hey, Raphtalia. Sleep well?

Raphtalia: *nods* Yes, I did. Is that a seed from yesterday?

Keith: Yup. I managed to fix it. All I need to do now is see if it works.

Raphtalia: I don't want to sound like I'm nagging but you really shouldn't take risks like that.

Keith: The only way to know is to try. *chuckles nervously* If it fails, we're bolting outta here as fast as we can.

Raphtalia deadpanned Keith's logic but readied herself despite only having woken up moments ago.

Keith poured water on the seed and watched as it grew up into a tomato-like plant that bore fruits.

Keith: Alright. After trying to fix it for the entire night, it ended out great.

Keith falls on the floor and sighs.

Keith: I need sleep after this.

Filo: *awe* Those look yummy!

Keith: AGH! Filo! Don't eat it all!

Minutes later, the villagers woke up and saw Keith and Yanoka picking up the fruits, which were blooming almost quickly. Raphtalia and Frostine were sorting the fruits and seeds in the appropriate baskets while Zane was carrying the baskets of fruit over to a stock area.

Said fruit stockpile was always losing more fruit baskets because Filo, who was in her filolial form, was just eating them. Zane slowly turned his head towards Filo with a deadpan expression.

Zane: I swear, I will turn this overgrown chicken into Kentucky Fried Chicken.

He then watched Filo casually take another basket of fruit for herself, not even looking sheepish or ashamed that she took it in front of him. Zane's eye twitched as he was so tempted to unleash a F iraga spell at Filo but held off since she's still at least a week old.

Minutes later, they managed to gather at least a few baskets. A few because Filo kept taking more to satiate her possibly never ending hunger.

Keith: As long as you have a stable farming area, your village won't have to worry about famine from ever happening in your village again. Or even worry about the plant monsters since the mutation rate is lowered now.

Yanoka: Even if there are more plant monsters, they'd be a weaker version of the original.

Lerno Village Chief: Thank you so much, good sir. Not only did you save us from danger, you've given us the most wonderful gift we could imagine.

Zane: Well, I wouldn't really call it a gif- *gets elbowed by Keith* Ack!

Keith: Yes, well. *smiles* Helping people is what we do.

He then looks at the baskets of fruit and seeds, along with the unchanged bioplant seeds.

Keith: I'm certain that you and your people aren't the only ones that have suffered famine. If it's alright, we shall be taking some of the fruits and seeds with us to sell to merchants or share with other famine stricken villages.

Lerno Village Chief: Of course, we'd be glad to help.

Keith smiled in appreciation. Once they had finished packing up and on the road, Keith closed his eyes, still smiling, before he logged out. Once he was separated from his avatar, he lost his smile before he giggled.

Keith: Welp, that's food supply for us and free seeds. I ain't spending more time on changing those properties.

He knocked on Zane's room, who logged out for a quick moment.

Keith: I'm heading to bed in my system room. Wake me up once we get near Hickwaal's location.

Zane: Got it, buddy.

Keith returned to his room and laid on the ground, going to bed.

Keith: I should ask GM if he could get me a bedroll.

{Timeskip}

The group reached Hickwaal's location around near the afternoon. Keith kept a quarter of the seeds and sold the rest along with half of the fruits, which he dubbed, "biofruit".

Hickwaal: If you aren't busy, can you assist me with a little job that I have?

Keith: *shrugs* Sure, what's the job?

Hickwaal: There's a hot springs town not too far from here. I need you to deliver some goods to an inn there.

Keith: You got it, just show it on the map and load up the goods then we'll be on our way.

After showing where it was on the map and loading up the goods, along with a list of them, they began to head to the town.

Zane: *whispers* Do we really have to do this? I mean, sure we're doing this out of good will, but do we really have to do it?

Keith: *whispers* Well, other than it being part of the story, the girls could use a break. Especially in the hot springs.

Zane: *whispers* Fair enough. Wish we had a hot spring.

Keith: *whispers* Does the bathtub count?

Zane: *whispers* What kind of country uses a bathtub as a hot spring?

Keith: *shrugs, whispers* Third world countries.

Zane: *quietly laughs, whispers* That's dark but why does it sound so true?

The group reached the town near sundown. While Keith checked the inn for the order of goods, Zane looked around the town in fascination.

Zane: *awe* I haven't been in a place like this before. I've only seen hot springs in video games, books, and magazines.

He then saw the girls dipping their feet in the warm water of the hot springs. All girls except for Frostine, who had a visible bead of sweat on the side of her head.

Zane: Too warm for you?

Frostine nodded, wiping the forming sweat on her forehead.

Filo: It's so warm. Hey master, this water's so great! Can I go to this hot spring thing too? Can I?

Yanoka: I truly would appreciate it if we stayed here for the night. It's a relaxing place.

Zane: *smiles* I'm not stopping you girls. What about you, Raphtalia?

Raphtalia: *tenses up* Well, uh... *looks away, shyly* Well, I'm not really that interested actually... But if you and the others want to go, I'll be happy to accompany you.

Zane hummed in that while looking at Raphtalia's wagging tail.

Zane: *not convinced* Yeah... Sure... *normally* Okay then. I guess we can stay here for the night. It's sundown anyways and it's better to rest here than on the road.

The girls, sans Frostine, cheered. Filo runs up to Zane and hugs him, making Raphtalia pout in jealousy. Keith eventually returns to the group.

Keith: Orders done. So, what did you guys talk about?

Yanoka: Just Sir Zane saying that we're staying for the night.

Keith: *looks at Zane* You're paying, not me.

Zane looked at his friend incredulously before trying to make a rebuttal but Keith had already left and walked to the hot springs with Frostine and an excited Yanoka following behind him.

{Timeskip}

Raphtalia was alone in her own pool, though instead of relaxing in the springs, she was thinking of how close Zane and Filo have gotten.

Raphtalia: I'm happy we're staying at a hot springs inn except that Filo is being clingy with Master Zane. I want to be clingy with him also.

Yanoka: Then why don't you do just that?

Raphtalia squeaked and hid herself upon hearing Yanoka, who walks over to the same spring pool as Raphtalia and dips down.

Yanoka: Why are you embarrassed? We've bathed together a few times in the river before.

Raphtalia: *flustered* R-Right... I just got spoked that's all.

Yanoka hummed and relaxed.

Raphtalia: *bites her lip* What did you mean by "why don't you do that?"?

Yanoka: I mean, why don't you act all clingy with Sir Zane if you want to be clingy? It's simple logic.

Raphtalia: Well, I-... I'm not sure if he'd appreciate me being clingy with him.

Yanoka: *giggles* So naive. Why don't you just ask him. Sometimes boys don't come to ask for your hand, sometimes you go to ask for their hand.

Raphtalia blushed lightly and squeaked.

Raphtalia: W-What do you mean?! It's not like that!

Yanoka: Are you sure? You don't want to kiss your master?

Raphtalia: *blushes intensely* M-Master and I-I can't kiss. I-I'll end up being pregnant.

The fox girl looked at her weirdly.

Yanoka: What are you on about? That's not how it works.

The tanuki girl just gave her an innocent look.

Raphtalia: I-It doesn't?

Yanoka sighed and shook her head before relaxing on the other side of the pool, leaving Raphtalia alone with her thoughts. The tanuki girl's thoughts were interrupted when Zane spoke up.

Zane: Yo, this is awesome. I haven't been in one of these.

Filo was swimming merely in the water while Keith and Frostine were in another pool.

Keith: Filo, no swimming in the bath.

Filo: Aw, why not?

Frostine: You're splashing water everywhere.

Raphtalia: I was wondering why Filo wasn't here yet. She's with Master Zane.

Filo: Come swim with me, Master.

Zane: No thanks, I'd rather relax in the bath.

Filo: Then come wash my hair.

Zane: Don't be demanding, kid. I just said I only want to relax.

Filo and Raphtalia pouted for two different reasons. The former pouted because Zane wouldn't give her what she wanted while the latter pouted out of jealousy.

Keith meanwhile felt Frostine snuggled against his avatar's chest. He really wished he could cuddle the cute dragon girl with his own body but his avatar will do for now.

{ Timeskip, Lounge}

Zane: You think Raphtalia and Filo got along tonight?

Keith scooped up a bit of his ice cream.

Keith: Maybe. Depends honestly. But I'm certain.

Zane takes a scoop from his bowl of ice cream.

Zane: So what's next? *nom*

Keith: Well, heh, we're gonna take on a fucking dragon.

The red haired American perks up and smirks as he wipes his lip clean.

Zane: Now you're talking my language!

He then slams his bowl down on the table and points at Keith with a smile.

Zane: Well then, let's head to bed so we can start that dragon fight tomorrow! I can't wait!

Keith: *raised brow* Why are you pointing and shouting like an anime character?

Zane: You're asking me that but we're visiting anime worlds?

Keith: Fair point.

The two finished their deserts and Zane turned in for the night early while Keith did the dishes before turning in as well. As Keith enters his room and shuts his door, the scene turns black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to Keith staying up late and working on Filo and Raphtalia's accessories. Raphtalia's bracelet and Filo's hair clip. He was also working on Yanoka and Frostine's accessories. A necklace for Yanoka, and a tiara for Frostine.

After a short while, he walks over to the girls and checks if the accessories would fit. When he got to Filo, the blonde angel girl slowly woke up though she was still half-asleep.

Filo: *sleepily* What's wrong, Master? Can't you get any sleep tonight?

Keith: No, it's... I just came to check on you girls. You can go back to sleep, Filo.

Filo: *sleepily* Okie... Goodnight Master... Thank you for checking up on us... See you tomorrow...

Filo gently closed her eyes and slowly fell back asleep. Keith smiled and kissed Filo on the forehead.

Keith: Yeah... See you tomorrow, kid.

Keith smiled and moved back over to the wagon and kept the tools and accessories in his inventory before moving back over to his sleeping spot. He then logged out, letting his avatar sleep and letting himself sleep.

{Timeskip - Next Day}

{Time before Wave - 14}

The group were packing up and preparing to head out. They stopped when they saw a mother and her child exhaustedly walking by. Keith decided to help them by preparing food for them.

Mother: You folks would do well if you turn back while you can.

Son: If you keep going down this path, you'll die.

Zane: Meh, I've dealt with worse.

Keith rolls his eyes at Zane's remark before facing the mother and son.

Keith: We heard there was a village down this path.

Mother: The village is devastated. Even the village elder got sick with the plague.

Keith: Don't we have a plague that's slowly on going back home...? SARS-CoV-2 I believe it was called...

Zane: A plague? What, like the Black Death?

The mother and son looked at him confused.

Zane: I-It's a plague from a... story book I read... yeah...

Once they were sure the mother and her son would be okay, the group set out to the village with Keith and Yanoka already making extra medicine on the go.

Raphtalia: What's happening there?

Yanoka: I'm not sure, but we'll find out soon. Right, Sir Keith?

Keith remained silent.

Yanoka: Sir Keith?

Keith was still silent.

Zane walked over to the blonde fox and smacked him in the back of the head.

Keith: OW! You mother-!

Zane: *raises hands in mock surrender* Dude chill!

Keith calmed down and continued to make medicine. He was preparing himself mentally for what's about to happen. And if he can, maybe he could prevent Filo from getting eaten. And perhaps, if he was lucky, he could find Wyndia.

(Manga Spoiler: To those who don't know, the Zombie Dragon was actually a Dragon Emperor named Gaelion, who had an adopted demi-human daughter named Wyndia. Wyndia, in the main Shield Hero series, was sold into slavery and was handed over to Naofumi for his village)

They eventually reached the village, which popped up in Keith and Zane's HUDs as Mirso Village. Keith hated this village as in the manga of the Shield Hero, the villagers tricked Ren into killing the dragon so they could hoard the dragon's loot for themselves.

As much as Keith wanted this village to suffer for tricking Ren and having him kill an innocent old dragon, and quite possibly sending Wyndia to slavery, he has to save them as he was meant to be a hero. If he wasn't and it wasn't for the girls present, then he wouldn't bother saving these people at all.

Villager: Well, what brings you to a god-forsaken place like this?

Keith calmed down and spoke up.

Keith: Just traveling merchants passing through. Seems like this town needs some medical help.

Villager: Traveling merchants you say? *sees Filo* Wait, that Filolial! Could it be?! Is that the Heavenly Fowl?!

Zane and Keith sighed. They know exactly where this would lead up to as soon as the villager ran inside the clinic while shouting out for the doctor, who immediately came out to see the group.

Zane: So you're the doctor here, huh?

Village Doctor: Yes, I run the village clinic. If I may ask, are you really-

Keith: *scoffs* Believe whatever you want, we're just here to sell medicine.

Village Doctor: Even that would be a great help. I can't make enough for everyone.

Keith and Yanoka continued to make more medicine inside the wagon with the use of nearby herbs and those they had while Raphtalia and Zane carried the medicine inside the clinic. Later on, while Keith finished stacking up another batch of medicine, he saw a man mourning by the graves of those who died from the plague.

Keith: If I wasn't a hero, I wouldn't be bothered to save this town at all. You all deserve this karma.

Zane: Yo, you good?

Keith got startled when Zane walked up from behind him. He calmed down and nodded before the two continued with handing out medical care to the villagers.

{Timeskip - Dusk}

Zane: 50 silvers...

Zane counted and waited for an 'and' from the doctor...

Village Doctor: We can't thank you enough.

Suffice to say, he didn't get one - which made his expectant look drop into a disappointed one.

Zane: *disappointedly* Seriously? It was that bad that you ran out of money?

Raphtalia elbowed him in the side in a way to rebuke him.

Village Doctor: You both were truly a great help. Now we've staved off the immediate crisis.

Keith: Well, we're glad we could help. We shou-

Yanoka: We would like to help by trying to find the cause of this epidemic.

Keith slowly turned to Yanoka, the look on his face was frozen from when Yanoka cut him off. Yanoka shrugged it off.

Zane: Honestly, I don't mind staying around for a while. We get paid for every medicine we make so that's a profit.

That got him a smack in the head from Raphtalia and Keith. The former because her master was going to exploit the poor villagers, meanwhile the latter smacked him because he doesn't really care about this village after they fooled the Sword Hero to kill Gaelion.

Village Nurse: We know that we can't let this go on, but there's nothing we can do.

Raphtalia: What do you mean?

Village Nurse: We believe it's the winds coming from the mountain that's causing the plague to our village. A mountain that's home to the monsters.

Yanoka: Home to what kind of monsters?

Village Doctor: Around a month ago, a large dragon that nested there was killed by the sword hero. That at least was the good news.

Keith lightly growled at hearing that. He had heard the rumors, yes, but hearing it in the scene of the crime only pissed him off further.

Yanoka: We heard rumors about that. Though how does that connect to the plague?

Village Doctor: Many adventurers came to our village, mostly in order to see the dragon's corpse, as well as to purchase supplies. That certainly did help the village flourish of course. But then one day, one of the adventurers collapsed and more followed. The dragon's flesh had begun to rot and began emitting some kind of poison.

Zane: *sarcastically* Are we sure it's not just some foul odor? I've smelled dead fish before and wow was it disgusting and sickly. Just give the corpse some perfume and it'll be fine.

And cue him getting elbowed in the side by Raphtalia.

Keith: Can I ask? Who in the right mind would want to leave a dragon's corpse to rot?! Didn't anyone in the village at least think about skinning it free of its flesh first before you all started admiring it?

The doctor and the nurse stayed silent at that and looked away in shame.

Keith: *disappointed* Great, not only was Ren an idiot for leaving the corpse to rot but also these people are a bunch of morons...

Zane: *rolls eyes* Even a caveman is smart enough to skin their trophies first to avoid rotting...

Raphtalia: If you know what the cause is, then how come you haven't gotten rid of it already?

Village Nurse: That mountain's filled with violent monsters, so the only ones who've even dared to go there are the adventurers. There's nothing we can do about it...

Village Doctor: And perhaps due to the dragon's poison, the very ecology of the mountain has changed too. Given the terrible consequences, the average adventurer won't go near the corpse.

Keith: Have any of you informed the royal court yet?

Village Doctor: Yes, we're supposed to receive a delivery of medicine shortly.

Village Nurse: But they said the heroes are still too busy to help us yet, so all we can do is wait.

Raphtalia: They're too busy to help?

Zane: Cancel the request. We'll do this ourselves before the heroes fuck it up even more.

Raphtalia gasped in surprise and smiled as did Yanoka.

Keith: Get ready you two, we're setting out.

Village Doctor: Wait, you don't mean to say you're planning to go out there yourself! It'll be far too dangerous!

Raphtalia: *reassuringly* Oh, you don't need to worry about us. We're used to danger.

Village Doctor: I just can't find the right words to express our gratitude.

Zane: Whoa, dude, we didn't say we're doing it for free. Just pay us up later.

Keith: The money you were going to pay for the medicine from the court would suffice.

Village Doctor: *incredulously* That's too much!

Keith stood up and began walking towards the door with Zane following behind him.

Keith: The total would probably round up to 500 hundred silver, which includes the payment for the hazards we'll encounter along the way.

Village Nurse: *annoyed* Savior my foot! They're just lousy money-grubbers!

Village Doctor: *scoldingly to the nurse* You mustn't speak like that.

Zane: Lady, we were never saviors to begin with. We're just another group of adventurers.

Keith: And we're no saints either so don't expect us to do our good deeds for free.

With their statements said, the two left the doctor and nurse and prepared their equipment outside.

Keith: How's your armor holding up?

Zane: It's doing good, honestly. I think the systems keep changing though.

Keith: I saw that too. When we first started, my systems were somewhat close to a D&D character sheet. Now it's slowly turning into the GoW4 system.

Zane: Same here. The original system I had was something akin to our accounts in Adventure Beyond Reality, but now it's slowly turning into something like that Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

Keith: It's not yet out though, so how would you know?

Zane: I've seen the gameplay trailer for it.

(A/N: Fun fact, Final Fantasy 7 Remake demo came out on March 2, 2020 while the game was on April 2020. The gameplay trailer, however, was released in June 2019 and the World Jumpers were recruited on February 25, 2020.)

Keith: I guess that works too. Come on, let's get something to eat and rest up for tomorrow.

{Timeskip - Next Day | Early Morning}

{Time before the Wave: 13}

Raphtalia: Master Zane, Master Keith, you both are deliberately trying to make them hate you, aren't you?

The tanuki girl asked as the group began traveling up to the mountain with all of them wearing facemasks made of cloth.

Zane: Not by choice. We just need the extra money. We've been burning through our savings rather quickly ever since Filo grew an appetite and our armors and your weapons have also been taking a beating.

Keith: Also the fact I don't like them.

Yanoka: Anyways, other than burying a dragon... Do we really need to bring all this extra luggage?

Inside the wagon, Yanoka and Frostine - who was in her human form - barely had any room to walk or properly sit around.

Keith: We had to take the wagon anyways. Besides, a little extra luggage wouldn't hurt.

Raphtalia: We could've traveled much lighter if Filo hadn't thrown such a tantrum.

{Small Flashback - Earlier that day}

Filo: *whining* I've collected a lifetime's worth of memories with this wagon. We can't leave it behind.

Filo whined as she argued with Keith about her wagon.

Keith: *sighs* Right... A lifetime of a month...

Filo grumbled and gave Keith a pout, which didn't affect Keith the slightest but knew they had to take the wagon up the mountain anyways.

{Flashback End}

Raphtalia: I don't know what to do about Filo's selfishness.

Zane: Actually I'm beginning to think it's a good idea.

Up ahead of them there were a lot of poison enhanced monsters, making Raphtalia gasp in surprise at their numbers.

Keith: Frostine, take flight and freeze those creatures in ice to clear a path. Zane and I got the sides. Yanoka, keep watch on the back. Raphtalia, take the reins and Filo, keep going forward.

Frostine jumped out the wagon and changed into her Frost Dragon form and flew on ahead of them to freeze the enemies, leaving them frozen and vulnerable to Keith and Zane's attacks but also cleared the path for Filo to run through.

It wasn't long till they reached their destination and the poison in the air was much more noticeable now, given how Yanoka and Raphtalia had some difficulty staying up and not falling victim to the poison. Keith was perfectly fine thanks to Kratos ' immunity to poison and Zane's Ribbon was canceling out the poison effect.

Keith: You two can stay back if you're having difficulty breathing in the air.

Raphtalia: No, don't worry, we'll be fine.

Yanoka: You know, looking at the corpse... I feel like it was a good idea not to eat first since my stomach is starting to churn just from looking at it.

The group turned around after hearing rustling behind them and saw Filo casually eating some of the bio-fruit they had. She hummed in satisfaction after eating a good amount of fruit.

Filo: Mhm~ I don't know what it is, but looking at it sure made me hungry.

Raphtalia: *sighs* Try not to overeat...

The group then approached the dragon corpse. Frostine landed beside Keith and looked at the dead dragon with remorse.

Keith: I guess your dragonic kinship is making this hard to bear, huh?

Frostine gave him a sad nod.

Zane: How are we going to bury something this big? As far as I can tell, whether we break it down to pieces or just make a large crater for a grave, this will take a long ass time.

All of a sudden, the flies on the body began to buzz away for some reason. Keith knew exactly why. Looking at the dragon's blood, it began reentering the dragon's body. It wasn't long before the dragon was fully reanimated into a zombie dragon. It stretched out its wings and roared into the heavens.

[ Zombie Dragon | Level: ??? ]

Zane: HOLY SHIT!!! IT'S A FUCKING ZOMBIE DRAGON?!

Raphtalia: *worried* What do we do Master Zane?!

Zane: *panicked* The most obvious thing to do! RUN!

Keith: *mutters* Tsk, where's a healer when you need 'em!

Yanoka: We don't have one!

The four ran away from it with Frostine flying up to get some distance. As the four neared the wagon, Filo jumped up and landed behind them with fire in her eyes directed towards the once majestic now turned undead reptile.

Filo: A dragon! I hate dragons!

The filolial immediately rushed forward towards the beast with a rage filled glare and delivered a quick kick to its face, staggering it.

Frostine tsked in annoyance at how Filo was once again blinded by her natural hatred towards dragons. She then dived down and unleashed a frost breath that froze the dragon's back, causing it to shatter but it didn't care about its injuries. The zombie dragon then prepared to breathe out its poison.

Keith: Get behind cover!

The group of 4 took cover behind either rocks, or behind a shield in Keith's case, just before the zombie dragon spewed out its poison breath. Unfortunately for Raphtalia and Yanoka, they were still affected by the poison while the two World Jumpers were immune. Filo and Frostine were fine as they were able to avoid it by remaining airborne.

Zane immediately dashed forward with a battlecry as he unleashed a Firaga at the zombie dragon, damaging it but not enough to fully hurt it.

Filo: Now I'm mad!

Filo immediately charged alongside her master while Keith stayed back to nurse the two afflicted demi-humans.

Keith: Filo! Be careful!

Unfortunately, his warning fell on deaf ears as Filo just continued to smash her talons against the dragon and continued to only stagger it as brute forcing it could only do so much against a tougher and bigger foe.

Keith: Damn it! Zane, Filo, Frostine! We need to regroup, Yanoka and Raphtalia aren't going to last long against another poison breath attack!

None of the three heard him. The filolial was too busy letting her rage get the best of her, the redhead was too engrossed in the fight to even care about retreating, and the ice dragon was too angry at her own kind for hurting her companions.

Zane was then swiped away to the side of a cliff by the dragon's claw. Frostine flew away to avoid getting spewed at with poison. And with one more attempt to get a hit in, Filo charged forward and was about to attack it.

Upon seeing Filo try to attack it, Keith made the same mistake that Naofumi did. Calling out to Filo and distracting her just enough to get her chomped up by the dragon.

Keith knew she was alive but the scene in front of him was still traumatizing. She was alive, Keith reminded himself but who the hell would be sane after seeing one of your friends being eaten alive by a dragon.

Zane: YOU FUCKER! GIVE ME BACK MY OVERGROWN CHICKEN!

Zane roared in anger as he charged at the dragon and began slashing at it wildly and began stabbing it in the stomach.

Zane: SPIT HER OUT! SHE'S MY LUNCH NOT YOURS!

The dragon swipes the redhead idiot away and breathes poison towards the three distraught demi-humans. Keith blocks the poison breath with his Guardian Shield but the poison just engulfed the three.

Keith: Damn this! Damn it all...!

Frostine breathes out her frost breath and shuts the dragon's mouth closed in ice, causing it to thrash around and claw the ice off its maw.

Frostine: Leave my master alone!

The ice dragon flew at the zombie dragon at high speeds, attempting to claw at the larger reptile but it managed to free its maw from the ice. Frostine tried to redirect her flight but the zombie dragon bit her wing, causing her to roar in pain before the dragon slammed her to the ground.

Keith: Stop it!

Frostine tried to fly away but the zombie dragon clawed her back, causing her to shriek in pain. The zombie dragon turns the frost dragon over and slams its left forelimb on her chest, clenching it slowly and embedding its claws deep into her scaly flesh, inciting a louder pained roar as she tried to fruitlessly breathe out ice towards the zombie but was quickly running out of breath as her chest was slowly being crushed by the weight.

Keith: Stop It!

The blonde kitsune turns to his fellow demi-humans, who were coughing even more now due to the poison slowly filling up their lungs while Zane was stuck under rubble and was currently trying to get out. And finally his dragon was being brutalized by a bigger foe and Filo was still stuck inside the dragon's belly trying to find a way out.

The kitsune boy began to hyperventilate as flashes of him waking up in a cell, being beaten up by an adult man with a stick or a belt, him screaming in pain as he had flashes of bloody surgical equipment, a manic giggle of an older woman, and a picture of a girl that was covered in blood that says "Save Me" written in blood in the background.

Keith: *furious, beggingly* STOP IT!

The kitsune roared out in anger as his vision slowly darkened.

Keith: I'm not losing people again... I won't let it happen... Not this time...

He gripped his axe and shield tighter.

Keith: I'll protect you all if it's the last thing I'll do!

And with that declaration, an awakening has begun.

ḓ̵̘͕̓̀̄̄͠0̶̙̊ ̷̠̜͕͆Y̵̬͌͛̉̐̿0̴͎̼͋̐ų̶͉̮̂͌̍ ̷̡͕̹̙̇̎͌͐͝s̷̮̫͚̙͛̄́̉̊3̷̠̍͘3̸̪̪͊̐̓k̷̗̱̘̿ ̶̙͂͑́̊͠P̸͉̣͔̖̜͝o̶̳̺͔̿̾͐̽͠W̵͎̅̋̈́̅͗e̴̬͈̱̰̺̓̀Ṛ̴̫̹̇͑͐́

Keith: Damn right I do.

D̶̩̗̺̓̊̿̂͜ͅ0̴̡̡͉̥̳̹̓̅ ̸̨̹̺̭͙͂̅̌̕͘y̵̪̫̼̗̑̄̀͠O̸̗͗̐Ȕ̷͓̉͌̔͘ ̶͓͈̊̓h̴͓̬̀͊̾͛͝a̶̭͔͉͇̎̓͜Ţ̸̙̻̤̖͘3̸̝̦̖̜̹͋̑̈́͠ ̸͍̱̿͛́̃͝3̴̬̜̆̑̂͊̃͠v̴̧͔̻̟̱̞͌̈́̏̈́̂́r̸̝̰̞̯͈̾͒̃̃̈́͝Ŕ̶̜̭̳̣̣̇̆̌̆Ý̷̎͋ͅṫ̴̹̀̅̅͠H̷͚̠̯̀̀͘͠I̷̧̛̤̪͇̤̭͐̽Ņ̸̩͇̝̪̌̐̈̓̕ͅĠ̷̺̜̕͠?̷͓̗̯͉̫͗́̾

Keith: I don't care about anything right now! Just give me the damn shield so I can fucking protect them!

Keith's rage slowly built up as brief flashes of his past began playing in his head, him having trouble growing up, always running, little to no love, parents arguing over each other, beatings... Now him watching Filo get eaten, his dragon being crushed by an undead reptile, Malty being the annoying bitch that she is towards demi-humans, and Zane, his best friend, could die here if he didn't do something.

He didn't hate anyone, he hated being weak. He hated not being able to do anything to save those he cares about. He hated losing. And mostly, he hated dying.

Keith: FUCK YOU!

He shouted as he dashed forward with rage filled eyes, a dark mist erupting from him as he charged on. The dragon lifts its other front limb and slams it at Keith.

Yanoka: *worried* Keith!

The kitsune girl then began coughing again from the poison still in her system

Raphtalia: *grief-stricken* No... Not Sir Keith too...

Just as the two's fighting spirits were about to break, they felt a strong gust of wind ahead of them. Looking ahead, the two gasped at the sight.

Keith was holding the dragon's claw back with his shield, which instead of being Kratos's Guardian Shield , it was now the Legendary Cardinal Shield but in its Wrath Shield form.

Just like Naofumi in the show, Keith gained the same skill and shield icons around his body, his shield was glowing bright red as was his eyes, and was bellowing in rage.

With little effort, Keith pushed back the dragon's limb and even managed to cause it to stagger just enough to let go of Frostine, who rolled off the dragon's platform in pain. Keith meanwhile had a sadistic smile on his face as his shield caught fire.

The zombie dragon slams its half tail at Keith, who easily catches it with his off hand. He then smirks manically.

Keith: *sadistically* Burn .

The Wrath Shield ignited the zombie dragon's half-tail alight with cursed flames. He then began marching forward, his normally white outfit was slowly turning into a charcoal black color from the edges first and spreading, his Spartan Rage slowly flaring up, and he was scarily slowly getting Kratos' iconic red tattoos on his face and around his body as they began to burn bright orange.

Keith: I'll Kill You. I'll Burn You All. Make You All Suffer.

Keith then began to imagine everything burning down in his path... almost eerily similar to Kratos not going to lie.

Keith: NOW DIIIIIEEEE!!!

Keith declared loudly while grinning widely like a deranged maniac as the flames around him burned brighter and stronger. And then...

He was cut out of his trance by a fire alarm going off. No speech from Raphtalia or Yanoka at all, just loud blaring through a fire alarm. He panicked and quickly took off his VR helmet and yelled in fright as he saw the Wrath Shield on his arm, not his avatar's arm, his actual arm.

Oh and guess what, it was still in its Wrath Shield form and yes, it's also still on fire.

Keith: FUCK! What the fuck do I- What the shit is this?! GM!

Keith began trying to take the shield off but to no avail, hell, there wasn't even an arm strap or grip on it so it was just stuck there on his arm via telekinesis or something like that.

Keith: WHAT THE FUCK IS-

Zane: *from the other room* Dude! Log back in!

Keith then remembered he just logged out due to panic and completely forgot he was still in the middle of a dragon fight. He panickedly put on his headset and immediately logged back in.

When he logged back in, he saw Raphtalia and Yanoka laying on the ground, already cursed by the Wrath Shield's flames.

Keith: SHIT! Um... What do I do...? *repeatedly, panicking* What do I do? What do I do?

While the poor World Jumper was having a panic attack, the zombie dragon roared and was about to breathe poison again but Zane cut open its throat and prevented that.

Keith ignored the shield for now and pulled out his Blades of Chaos before charging forward towards the dragon. Zane then understood what he was going for and cleared a path for him by slashing at the dragon's forelimbs and caused it to roar in pain and reel back in pain, giving it an opening attack to the chest

Keith: If I remember correctly, according to Filo, the dragon emperor crystal should be near in between its belly and chest. I just hope I don't accidentally stab Filo in there.

Keith then jumped up and threw his Blades of Chaos at the dragon's chest before he tugged it downwards, cutting open its torso before he dashed forward and immediately punched his hand through its abdomen.

He then began feeling around the dragon's innards for anything that felt like a crystal while the dragon roared in pain and tried to claw at him but Frostine, who had just a bit of energy left, froze the dragon's limbs into the ground to keep it immobile.

Keith then felt a large crystal object inside its body and began pulling it, only to get bitten by a beak.

Keith: OW! Filo! You glutton, this isn't food!

Keith then pulled the large crystal out before Filo could even eat the whole goddamn thing. He stumbled backwards and saw the dragon lose its strength as it began collapsing like a carcass. Keith was then pushed and dragged away from the dragon's collapsing corpse by a familiar feathery oversized chicken.

Keith: Is everyone alive?

Raphtalia: I'm okay.

Yanoka: Poisoned... But still breathing...

Frostine growled softly, too weak to answer him properly.

Filo: Woo, it took me a little while but I'm out now.

A red blur immediately dashed towards the overgrown bird and slammed into her cluster of feathers.

Zane: *muffled, joyfully* AHAHA! I knew it! My overgrown chicken is still alive! I knew you weren't so easy to kill!

Keith: *fondly* Of course she wasn't that easy to kill, look how big she's gotten just from constantly eating. Add the fact that her size would no doubt choke a hunter like that dragon before it could even fully digest her in that form.

Raphtalia: But it ate you and there was blood everywhere.

Filo: *clueless* Blood? *realization* Oh, that was just the fruit I threw up when the dragon gobbled me up.

Zane paused for a moment and stopped snuggling Filo before backing away immediately before going behind a rock and began spitting and probably barfing... He did just snuggle with a bird that just barfed out her food so that seems logical.

Filo: And you know what else, while I was tearing at its belly trying to get out, I found a big purple crystal. It was so shiny. Although Master Keith took it before I could even get it. Meanie.

Keith: Don't call me a meanie, the strong bite you gave me meant that you planned on eating the crystal! *thoughts* Also now I don't have to worry about you having a Dragon Emperor core in your belly. That would've been an issue in the future. But the crisis is averted... for now.

Filo: *whines* No I wasn't!

Zane: *wipes his mouth* Knowing you, you probably would.

Filo pouted at them, making the weakened Yanoka and Raphtalia giggle before coughing. Keith immediately ran to Frostine's side and checked on her injuries while Zane checked on Raphtalia and Yanoka.

Keith: How are you feeling?

The poor dragon was trying to suppress tears and staying strong for her master but her soft whines and whimpers of pain told a different story.

Frostine: *shaky breath* I-It hurts... all over...

Keith: *softly, reassuringly* It's okay, I'm here dear. You can cry, it's okay, I got you.

Frostine snuggled her snout into Keith's chest and sobbed in pain, wheezing due to the injuries on her back and chest that gave her some trouble with breathing, but despite that - the dragon girl held strong.

Filo: *concerned* Master, what's wrong?

Zane: These two need medicine, fast. Let's head back to the village and rest up-

Raphtalia: No. We got to get rid of the dragon's body first.

Zane: Oh hell no, you girls come first.

Keith: He's right, Frostine's bound to die of blood loss if we don't patch her up immediately.

Yanoka: But what about-

Keith: I know of a fast way to get rid of the body. Zane, just load the girls and other pieces of equipment in the wagon, I'll start working on getting rid of the body.

Zane began to do just that by helping Raphtalia and Yanoka up and leading them to the wagon while Keith began chopping down wood. Zane then helped Frostine up on Filo's back as she was still in her dragon form, unable to change back due to her major injuries.

Keith then discreetly sliced a portion of the dragon's hide and chopped off some bone and absorbed it into the newly acquired Legendary Cardinal Shield like Naofumi does. And like Naofumi, he was underleveled for that crap.

He then glances at the purple crystal he got, which is called the Dragon Emperor Core. He knew this was a game changer but it was also dangerous as it holds the life essence of the Zombie Dragon once named Gaelion. He then looks at Zane and Frostine and then looks at the crystal again before sighing and pocketing it in his inventory for now.

He then began to pile up some trees on the dragon's corpse and began lighting it ablaze via sparks from striking the Blades of Chaos like flint and steel. The now burning corpse would cause smoke and no thanks to the wind, it would no doubt be directed towards the village.

But Keith could care less, that village can burn and suffer for all he cares. They did this to Gaelion, a peaceful dragon just living here and now he was reduced to a zombified corpse, pride broken by a fooled sword hero, and his heart now full of rage and vengeance.

Keith: Rest easy, Gaelion.

After saying his goodbye to the once wise dragon, he and the group took off and back to the village.

{Timeskip - Evening | Location: Mirso Village}

Village Doctor: The mountain wind has gone back to normal. We'll be alright. Thank you so much.

He then puts down a bag of coins on the table, making Keith sigh.

Keith: Just use the money and treat the girls. Money doesn't matter right now, just make sure they stay alive and get better.

Village Doctor: The dragon girl we can help, but the two other girls will be difficult. They've been inflicted with a curse, a powerful one at that. We've done what we can.

Keith clenched his fist as he glanced at his Guardian Shield, which is now the Legendary Shield attached to his arm back in his simulation room.

Village Doctor: We've wrapped them with bandages soaked in holy water, but we don't have holy water that's pure enough to dispel curses like this. However, if you go to a church in a big town, I know you'll find some.

Keith: I know exactly where.

Meanwhile, Zane was keeping an eye on the girls. New bandages were already applied to Yanoka's cursed areas while the nurse was already applying new bandages to Raphtalia's cursed areas.

Frostine was back in her human form and peacefully sleeping, her wounds were already bandaged and being slowly healed by the medicine-soaked bandages.

Filo and Keith entered the room and saw Raphtalia and Yanoka feeling better.

Filo: *excitedly* Raphtalia! How are you feeling?

Raphtalia: Well, they have taken good care of me. I feel better.

Village Nurse: I never knew corpses could inflict such powerful curses. I just can't believe how terrifying dragons are. *points at Frostine* Well, except for the cute one over there that's sleeping.

Zane: Well, it wasn't really-

Keith elbows Zane, which confuses the nurse.

Zane: It wasn't really a normal dragon, it was an undead one so it could probably inflict curses.

Raphtalia: Right. I shouldn't have been so careless and gotten its flesh on me.

Yanoka: Same here. Guess I need to work on fixing my recklessness, huh?

The nurse accepted the excuses while Keith looked at Zane while subtly shaking his head. Zane nodded in understanding. Keith then smiled appreciatively to his fellow demi-humans, who smiled back.

The redhead then sat beside Raphtalia on the bed, patting her shoulder like a caring father or brother. That gesture didn't go unnoticed by the nurse, who whispered in Raphtalia's ear.

Village Nurse: *whispers* He cares very much for you, doesn't he?

Raphtalia became flustered and tried to come up with an excuse but the nurse had already started to leave.

Once she was gone, Keith walked over to the girls and knelt down.

Keith: I'm sorry... For what I did... I was just so... angry.

Yanoka: It's quite alright Sir Keith. We're fine, aren't we? We were just worried you'd lose yourself to that power.

Raphtalia: And so, given that we were able to stop you before that, this doesn't bother us in the slightest.

Yanoka: *deadpans* Uh... it kinda does, Raphtalia. My fur and body is covered in black spots that I now look like a raccoon rather than a fox.

Keith: Heh, I think a raccoon fits you more. You just seem to always nick my stuff whenever you get the chance.

As Keith said that, Yanoka had already snatched his ring without him noticing. Well, that's what she thought.

Keith: *smiles fondly* Like that for example.

Yanoka: *feign innocence* Like what?

Keith grabs her wrist and pokes her in the side, making the kitsune girl giggle as she struggles to keep Keith's ring away from him while Raphtlia, Filo, and Zane giggle at the sight.

{Timeskip - Night | Location: The Lounge}

The two World Jumpers were in the living room while Zane was looking at Keith with an incredulous look.

Zane: So you're telling me, that shield just appeared in your arm?

Keith: W-Well... *Sighs* Yeah, pretty much.

Zane: And it works?

Keith picked up a lettuce leaf from his salad and pressed it against the gem on the center of the shield, which absorbed it and upgraded the leaf shield.

Zane: *wide eyes* Holy shit it does work.

Keith: Told ya so.

Zane: How did you even...? You know?

Keith: No idea. I guess the shield knew my avatar was being controlled by me so it attached to my avatar and I.

Zane: I guess that makes sense. But I thought there wasn't a shield hero in the first place?

Keith: No, no, no. GM said there was no current shield hero as the shield hero perished in battle and was forgotten about. Meaning that there was actually a shield hero, no one just knew about it.

Zane: But wouldn't that mean you're now banned from using anything other than a shield?

Keith picked up a butcher knife and then a wooden training sword but he wasn't denied weapon privileges like Naofumi was.

Keith: Dude, I was still able to use my axe and chaos blades earlier. I guess our World Jumper gig prevented the restrictions from happening.

Zane: I guess so. I just hope it's worth having that shield because if not, I think you just got ripped off.

{Meanwhile - Location: Unidentified}

The scene transitions back to the Shield Hero world and to a grassy plains with some hills at night. On those plains were stones set in a rectangular position on the ground like a grave marker.

An armored hand then suddenly erupts from the grave and begins pushing its entire body out, revealing an armored man with the exact same shield. The man opened his eyes, revealing a glitching pair of eyes. It then stood up and walked away, its body glitching around as it did so before the scene turned black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Click*

Keith: *groggily* It's so difficult to sleep with this damn shield...

Keith uncomfortably shifted around his bed as the shield was currently on his back. He then sits up before moving the shield back on his left forearm before bending back, inciting a loud pop from his back.

Keith: Ooh... My back...

Keith then exits his room and sees his breakfast, which was a beef gyudon bowl, on the table made for him by Zane.

Keith: Thanks Zane.

Keith carried his food to his VR room and prepared while eating his food. Once he was done eating, he ran back to the kitchen to place the bowl on the sink before running back to log in to his character.

{Meanwhile}

Zane yelled a battle cry as he swung down and cleaved a wasp monster in half. He then stood back to back with Raphtalia, who was breathing heavily.

Zane: You sure you're okay? You don't have to push yourself so hard.

Raphtalia: I'll be fine. Master Zane, don't forget, I'm the one who begged you to let me fight.

Zane: Fine, but make sure you get some rest later. Let's finish this up.

Filo kicked away a caterpillar-frog creature with her talons.

Filo: Raphtalia, you okay?

Raphtalia gave her a nod before she sliced down two wasp monsters. A small while later, the trio had finished killing all the monsters.

Raphtalia: Thank goodness we managed to finish that job.

Filo: Aw... I wanted to fight some more. I was having fun.

Zane: Keith said we should start heading back to Castle Town tomorrow.

Raphtalia: Huh? So we're wrapping up the trading trip already?

Zane: We need to cure that curse of yours.

Raphtalia: But I-

Zane: It's not just you, Yanoka's too and to get Frostine better medicine to get her back into fighting shape. We can continue our trading trip next time, till then you need to take it easy.

Raphtalia conceded to Zane's request before Filo spoke up.

Filo: Raphtalia, I hope you get better real soon.

Raphtalia: *smiles* Thanks, Filo. I'm gonna be fine.

As they were about to continue heading to the village, Filo suddenly diverted her attention to the noises behind some bushes.

Filo: Master, listen! Something's going on over there.

Filo points to the bushes and Zane walks over to it and moves the leaves out of the way. He saw a clearing with a familiar purple clothed girl surrounded by colorful filolials.

Zane: Isn't that...?

*Crack* One of the branches he moved away broke off with a loud snap, alerting the filolials and causing them to run away. Melty looks behind her and sees the group. Meanwhile, Filo's thoughts were elsewhere.

Filo: *licks her beak* Those birds looked yummy. If we start now, we can still hunt them down.

Zane slowly turned his head to her and gave her a wtf look.

Zane: No wonder my chicken is so phat, she thinks of food all the time... At least she wasn't thinking of eating Melty.

Raphtalia: What do you mean yummy?

Filo gave her a confused look.

Zane: I ain't explaining to her cannibalism... Unless it doesn't work for animals and only humans? Or she's just too hungry to even care what cannibalism is.

Princess Melty: *in awe* So big.

Zane: *facepalm* Oh goddamn it, this place has hentai references too.

Keith: That's what she said!

Zane: *shrieks* WAH!!! WHAT THE HELL?!

Zane accidentally kicks Keith, making the demi-human scream as he flies and crashes into a tree.

Zane: *exclaims* Where'd you even come from, man?!

Keith: *mutters* From my mother's vagina. *outloud* Hey there, Melty.

The second princess ignored him completely as she was more focused and in awe with Filo.

Princess Melty: Are you really and truly a filolial?

Filo: *points at herself* Do you mean me?

Princess Melty: And you can actually talk as well?

Filo nods at her question, making Melty shiver in excitement before she excitedly exclaims.

Princess Melty: *excitedly* I've always dreamed of talking to a filolial and here I am doing it!

Filo gets a little overwhelmed by Melty's sudden outburst of excitement.

Princess Melty: Oh! *grabs a piece of dried meat* This is for you. It's dried meat.

Filo: Hehe, thanks!

Zane: Careful, she's a glutton.

Keith: It's fine, it's not like Filo would bite her hand off.

Filo hops over to Melty and gobbles up the treat. Melty then brushes some of Filo's fluffy feathers before smiling in delight.

Raphtalia: Do you think she's from the village?

Keith: Nope. That's Princess Melty Q. Melromarc. The daughter of the Queen and... ugh, the trash king and younger sister to the annoying redhead in the spear hero's party.

Princess Melty: What's your name?

Zane: Did she seriously not hear you say her name?

Filo: Filo! And you?

Zane: *blinks a few times* Were they even listening to us or are they in their own little world?

Keith: No doubt the latter.

Princess Melty: Filo is a beautiful name, I'm Melty, Filo. It's nice to meet you.

Filo: That's great, I'll call you Mel!

Keith: Oh great now she stole the nickname I gave Melty...

Zane: Lmao. Get cucked.

Keith backhanded Zane really far deep into the forest, accidentally and unintentionally using too much of Kratos' strength when he did.

Raphtalia: *worried* Master Zane! *looks at Keith, scoldingly* Master Keith!

Keith: He'll be fine, relax.

The two look back at the two kids and they're still in their own little world.

Keith: Filo! Don't forget that we still need to return to the village. In the meantime, you can play with Mel.

Filo: You mean it?

Zane: Why the heck not. Also hello, Melty.

Princess Melty: Ah, Sir Zane. It's wonderful to see you.

She greeted him as she walked towards him. He kneels down in respect, only for her to walk right past him, making him fall on his side. Melty then stops in front of Keith before the two bow to each other in respect.

Zane: Really? Why'd you past me?

Princess Melty: Because Sir Keith is more responsible and respectable than you.

Zane facefaults with a gong being sounded in the background.

Zane: But I'm responsible...

Keith: No you're not.

Princess Melty: *gestures to Filo* Can she really?

Keith: Sure, I don't mind.

Filo happily jumped up and cheered in excitement before transforming midair into her human form, surprising Melty.

Princess Melty: *awe* Wow! Can you really transform whenever you want to?

Filo: Sure I can.

Melty squeals in delight with a bright happy smile on her face.

Zane: Well, at least Melty didn't freak out as much when she changed

Raphtalia: They certainly seem to like each other.

Keith: Filo does need to interact with other kids more. Frostine's too mature at times.

Filo: Master, can I play for a little while longer with Mel?

Keith: Just make sure you don't wander off too far. And be back by sunset, we don't want you to get lost in the dark.

Filo: Kay!

Keith sighed fondly, it's like being an older brother.

{Timeskip - Night}

The group was now in their room, Keith and Zane were replacing Yanoka and Raphtalia's bandages. Frostine was still sleeping but her wounds had stopped bleeding and were healing.

Keith: I'm so lucky to have learned how to stitch wounds close properly.

Raphtalia winced a little at the sizzling of the curse being slightly healed by the holy water soaked bandage.

Zane: You okay?

Raphtalia: *reassuringly* I'm fine. Don't worry about it.

Keith: Again, I'm sorry about what I did.

Yanoka: Sir Keith, we've already forgiven you, remember. It's not your fault, you weren't in control.

Keith: Y-Yeah...

Filo: Master, I'm back!

Zane/Keith: Glad to have you back, Filo. *looks at each other* Oi!

Zane: She's my chicken!

Keith: Nuh-uh. I ain't leaving you responsible with her, and she's a filolial, not a chicken!

Zane: What's the difference?!

While the two bickered, Yanoka rolled her eyes while Frostine turned over to her side facing the wall and placed the pillow over her head, covering her ear, as she tried to continue sleeping. Filo, on the other hand, walked over to check on Raphtalia.

Filo: *concerned* Are you alright, Raphtalia?

Raphtalia nodded at her, making her smile in relief.

Filo: I'm so happy because I made such a wonderful friend today.

The two stopped bickering now so Keith spoke up.

Keith: You mean Melty?

Filo: *nods* Mhm-hm. She told me she's traveled to all sorts of amazing places, just like me.

Zane: That so, huh?

Filo: And then, she told me about so much other stuff that I didn't know.

Keith coughed a few times, coming up with the excuse of swallowing his saliva at the wrong time.

Keith: Mel, you better not have given Filo "the talk". Though you're like 10 so I doubt it.

Filo: She also told me how she got separated from the rest of her people while she was playing with filolials.

Zane: Well good for her, that will teach her not to play with those ostriches for too long.

And cue Keith grabbing him by the back of his collar and opening the window before yeeting him outside, the redhead attempted a Wilhelm scream as he fell but failed.

Raphtalia: *reprimanding* MASTER KEITH!

Keith: He's fine. He deserved that for speaking about Melty that way.

Speaking of which, Melty just walked in the room.

Princess Melty: I apologize for showing up so late.

Keith: *waves it off* It's fine, Mel. If you need a lift to the capital or to any of the towns we'll pass by, we'll gladly give you a lift.

Princess Melty: Um... Where's Sir Zane?

Filo: Master Keith threw him out of the window after he said that getting left behind by your bodyguards should be a lesson.

Princess Melty: *groans* Of course he did. He's still rather annoying, isn't he?

Keith: *smiles fondly* He never changes.

Keith was suddenly pulled out the window by Zane, who entered and closed the window behind him.

Zane: Bye-bye Keith!

Keith signed that he couldn't hear Zane through the window. And the redhead made the mistake of opening the window, earning him a Leviathan Axe to the face. Thankfully, he was only hit with the handle of the axe instead of the axe head.

Zane: Ow, okay, I deserve that.

Keith climbed up to the window and entered the room before grabbing Zane by the collar. The redhead immediately spoke up.

Zane: Truce.

He offered while pointing at Keith, who was quick to drop him and let bygones be bygones. Zane fixes his jacket as Keith ignores him.

Keith: We leave in the morning so you girls get some sleep.

Princess Melty: Thank you, Sir Keith.

Keith: Just call me Keith, Melty. Oh and I do request for your father and sister to stop harassing us a lot, they don't seem to believe the envoy excuse we made up with your mom.

Outside the building, on the trees, one of the queen's shadows was keeping watch of them.

{Meanwhile}

Out in the wilderness, screams of bandits were heard as most of them burned alive due to cursed flames or were strangled to death by chains. Some were even eaten by large snakes or poisoned by them.

Bandit: W-Who are you?

An armored arm grabbed him in the back of the head and slammed him against the ground, crushing his head.

Armored Man: T̴̝̮̾ĥ̵͇̕͠ê̷̢̢̥ ̴̥̥̦̆͠W̵̮̆͝o̷̫̖͗͑̿͠r̸̹̒̍̈́ļ̵̃̑̈̈́d̶̖̰̘͋̑̃ ̶̹̎͜͜J̸̰͚̳͆͘u̴̹͌m̴̠̦͚̋̽̀̚p̶̰̟̬̽̕ě̴̠̅̎ŕ̶̻̰̑̒͝s̴͍̀͆͝ ̵̨̗̘͔͑̆̉̚a̸̛̫͕̤r̶̢̧͚̳͑̒̾̓e̴͖̗͝ ̵͉͑͛̈́h̶͉͇͍̋̓͗è̴̖̬͎̗͒r̵̲͐́͐̚͜e̴̘̤͖̊͝.

The armored figure picks up its victim's body before absorbing it into itself. It then continues on its way.

{Next Day - Late Evening, Near Midnight | Location: Campsite}

{8-9 days till next Wave}

Just soon after the World Jumpers left the village, Melty and Filo enjoyed their travels as the two had fun. Melty enjoying riding shotgun on the wagon, Filo showing off her combat skills to Melty, Filo catching a fish for dinner, the two hugging like besties, and Melty about to offer Filo her last piece of food but Keith and Raphtalia weren't letting the glutton eat too much.

The World Jumpers were currently watching over the girls. Just as they were about to log out, Raphtalia woke up and Frostine crawled over to Keith's lap and laid her head there before snoring softly.

Keith: *smiles* Fine, I'll let you sleep there. You'd do it anyway even if I deny.

Frostine softly smiles at him as he gently brushes her hair to the back of her ear. Keith gently rubbed her shoulder as she slept.

Zane: Did we wake you, Raph?

Raphtalia: No, no. I can keep watch now if you want to go to sleep.

Zane: Thanks. It's rather late so I might turn in soon.

Keith: Do one more patrol for us just in case. I can't leave since Frostine trapped my legs with her sleepy head.

Zane: Fine by me. *sarcastically* Better than me watching over those two hyperactive demons over there.

Raphtalia giggled at Zane's nickname to the two kids, the same kids who were the most active just earlier that day.

Raphtalia: They're both so quiet now.

Keith: *jokingly* Like Zane said, they're two hyperactive demons.

Raphtalia giggled at Keith's joke before looking at Zane.

Raphtalia: Aren't you cold?

Zane: Nah. I'm fine.

Raphtalia ignored it and wrapped a blanket around him anyway.

Raphtalia: We can't have you catching a chill.

Zane: *smiles* Thanks, but I already have a jacket to keep me warm. You need this more. It's going to be a long night.

Zane took off the blanket and gently wrapped it around Raphtalia, who smiled kindly. There was a few seconds of silence between the three awake members of their party. That silence was broken when Raphtalia noticed that Melty was missing.

Raphtalia: *worried* Hey, where's Melty?

Zane: *confused* Eh?

Yanoka: *groggily* Who's missing?

Raphtalia: Yanoka, have you seen Melty anywhere?

Yanoka: *groggily* No... I have been asleep ever since we finished eating. I just woke up because you all were being noisy.

Keith: *clears throat* Ahem.

The three looked at Keith, who pointed at Melty's clothes beside Filo. The three gasped in shock before walking over to the set of clothes. Raphtalia picks up Melty's dress before speaking out about her concern.

Raphtalia: *concerned* You don't think...

Zane: *disbelief* Hell no, there is no way.

Yanoka: *incredulous* Would Filo really do something like that...?

Zane: If her saying that even her own kind was yummy was already a red flag, then we clearly fucking ignored it.

There was silence between them for a few seconds.

Zane: Guys. There's only one logical thing to do.

Raphtalia: *scared, worried* Huh?

Zane: We get rid of the evidence and we saw nothing.

Raphtalia: *gawks, panicky* Wha- *lowly* What are you saying?!

Zane: *panicky* We tell the Queen that Melty was eaten by a bunch of hungry cannibalistic filolials, okay?

Keith: *smirks* When you mean hungry cannibalistic filolials, you mean your filolial, right?

Zane: *waves him off, sweat dripping* S-She doesn't, you know, n-need to know that.

Yanoka: *panicky* I agree with Zane. We really don't want to be on the Queen's bad side. Her knowing her second daughter is dead and eaten by our filolial is going to get us killed by all of Melromarc. And we're all demi-humans too!

Raphtalia: *disbelief* You both can't be serious!

Zane: What do you propose, Raph? We confess that Filo ate the second princess to Her Majesty and hope we don't get our heads chopped off?!

The bickering between the three woke Filo up, who was faced with three different faces with different facial expressions that all relate to anxiety. Zane's avatar's face was worried but he himself was sweating bullets under his VR headset, Raphtalia had a face of growing concern, while Yanoka had a quivering smile and based on her shaking legs, she was ready to bolt out of there in case Filo was still hungry and needed another snack.

Filo: *groggily* Is something wrong, Master?

Zane: And of course Filo would act like nothing's wrong.

Raphtalia: *growing concerned* Filo... What have you done with Mel?

Filo: What do you mean? She's sleeping in my feathers, she has been all night long.

The three looked at each other as Filo shook her wing around a bit. Was this Filo's excuse or was this the actual reason why Melty was missing?

Filo: Time to wake up, Mel.

Zane: It better not be a skeleton, Fi-

Zane didn't bother to finish that sentence as Melty's head popped out of Filo's feathers with a soft gasp of air.

Zane: Uh...

Zane looked at Melty and could see her collar bone and some exposed skin from her shoulders before turning to Raphtalia, who was holding Melty's dress.

Princess Melty: *groggily* What's the matter?

Zane raised his two index fingers up before opening his mouth to speak but had nothing to say. Instead he shuts his mouth and turns away from the naked 10 year old, who was thankfully buried deep in a lot of feathers to even see anything else lower than the collarbone and shoulders.

Zane: *inhales* *exhales* *inhales* *exhales* I... Saw... Not... A thing!

Zane marches away to do his last patrol while grumbling to himself.

Zane: I need fucking bleach.

Meanwhile, Keith's avatar was pretending to sleep but Keith himself was cracking up from the awkwardness of the situation. Laughing and wheezing this one was.

Back to the girls, Yanoka was the first to break the awkwardness since Zane marched off.

Yanoka: *confused* What are you doing anyway?

Princess Melty: Filo's feathers are so soft and comfortable I couldn't resist going to sleep.

Yanoka: *gawks* So you took off your clothes?

The second princess simply nodded before she and Filo fell back asleep.

Raphtalia: *curious* But how'd you get in there?

Raphtalia placed her hand on Filo's feathers before it sank deeper into the filolial's feathery body. It wasn't long before she fell into the warm and cozy sensation before she fell asleep. Yanoka was still in disbelief before she finally gave in and had the same reaction as Raphtalia.

{Timeskip - Morning}

The group had finally reached the capital and sadly, Melty had to part ways with the group.

Princess Melty: Well then. *bows* I guess this is where we part, Saviors of the Heavenly Fowl.

Zane: *mumbles* I don't like the title-

Keith: *interjects, bows* It was a pleasure being your escort, Your Majesty.

Filo: Master, is it alright if I take Mel home?

The two World Jumpers looked at each other worriedly.

Keith: Sure. Just be safe, okay?

Filo: M'kay! *to Melty* Let's go!

Princess Melty: Right!

As the two walk, Melty waves back to the rest of the group.

Princess Melty: Farewell, till next time!

Raphtalia waves back at Melty while Yanoka gives her a single wave of goodbye.

Yanoka: We're going to see her again much sooner, aren't we?

Keith: Given where we are and what we are, I have no doubt about it...

The group then heads to the Three Heroes Church, much to Keith's disdain. But the Holy Water they needed to acquire was too worth it for them to not enter just because of the church's disdain towards demi-humans.

Once they were inside, they were greeted by "his holiness", the Pope.

Pope Balmus: Well, well. If it isn't the demi-human adventurers who stood against the spear hero. Welcome to our church, young ones. *looks at Zane* I saw your magnificent duel at the royal palace. I must say, the way you fought with the odds stacked against you made a profound impression on me. And I couldn't believe you held your own and win despite being a lower level than the Spear Hero.

Zane: Yeah, well, the Spear Hero is an idiot. No prior training at all and relies too much on his spear's special skills rather than his own. And thanks for the compliment by the way but we're here for some Holy Water.

Pope Balmus: Holy water? Is that it?

Keith: Ones that are capable of dispelling curses please. Our friends really need it.

Bishop: Done. Then please make your offering.

Keith: And how much would that be?

Bishop: If you want the most powerful one, that'll be 1 gold coin.

Keith: Done. Give us 5 and I'll add a 6th coin just cause I'm generous.

Raphtalia: Master Keith, you mustn't! That's too expensive!

Zane: *waves off* Meh, we can afford it. Besides, you two are more worth it than gold.

The two demi-human girls smiled at their kindness while Keith patted Frostine's head, who enjoyed the headpat.

As Keith handed the payment, the Holy Waters were given. As he was about to offer one extra gold coin out of kindness, he retracted his hand upon seeing the holy waters' condition.

Keith: *glares* You're handing us 5 cheap holy water for 5 gold coins?

Zane: *ticked off* Is this a scam or something?! Our friends are suffering from a curse and yet we get that garbage water?!

The nun glared at the two before the Pope raised his hand to calm the two World Jumpers down. He then looks at the nun.

Pope Balmus: For what reason did you bring the low quality item, my dear?

Nun: *stutters* W-Well, um...

Pope Balmus: *calmly* God is equally compassionate to all. If you did this to satisfy your own personal beliefs, then you must repent. I hope I made myself clear?

Nun: I-I- I'm terribly sorry...

The nun then goes to run off and grab the correct holy water.

Pope Balmus: I apologize for my disciple.

Zane: You know, just for that, I think you earned my respect and that extra offering. I guess God's love or Himself doesn't discriminate.

Pope: No, no he does not. And thank you for your understanding.

Zane hands the Pope a gold coin like a child handing an offering to a priest at Church. The Pope graciously accepted his offer.

They eventually were given the Pure Holy Water instead of cheap ones.

Keith: Thanks again for the help. Let's go guys.

As they walked away to leave, Pope Balmus spoke up.

Pope Balmus: God will faithfully show us the way to go. Be grateful for his guidance. Everything we have is given by God's grace, never forget that!

Keith: Uh-huh. Whatever you say Pope Francis knockoff.

Once they were out of the church and walking down the stairs, Zane spoke up.

Zane: Well, he seemed nice. I think I'll like him.

Keith: Aha, ha. No, you shouldn't.

Yanoka: *points at someone* Uh, Sir Keith, Sir Zane!

The two saw a young knight running towards them.

Zane: And that's our cue to run!

The four immediately started running away, well Keith lost the knight in the crowd by deactivating his Vanity clothing. It wasn't long till he was the one chasing the knight, who lost Zane and the others in the crowd.

Zane, meanwhile, was at a street with vendor stalls, trying to catch his breath. He looks around and doesn't see the knight around so he sighs in relief that he lost him. Although the relief only lasted for a whopping 3 seconds.

Motoyasu: GRAYSON!

Zane: OH FOR LOVE OF-!

Zane detached the smaller blade of his Fusion Sword and used it as a type of parrying dagger to block the Spear Hero's incoming slam attack. As Motoyasu's spear slammed into his blade, he was forced to his knees as the ground cracked beneath him from the force.

Zane: Cloud, your Mako enhancements and Jenova cells just saved my knee and shoulder.

Zane forced himself up and jumped up as he pushed Motoyasu away, who was sent flying towards one of the stalls and crashed into it.

Zane reattaches the smaller blade but detaches the two back blades then dual wields the two longsword sized blades.

Zane: Seriously?! In the middle of a crowded street?! Are you a hero or a common mercenary?!

Motoyasu: *ignores him* Shut your face!

Motoyasu twirls his spear before swinging it at Zane, who ducked under it before giving Motoyasu a deadpanned stare.

Motoyasu: Where is that slave girl?! Free her now!

Motoyasu thrusts his spear at Zane, who sidesteps and drops the sword on his right hand before punching Motoyasu straight in the face. Motoyasu stumbles backwards and wipes his slightly bleeding nose as he gets his footing back.

Motoyasu tries to attack Zane, who blocked his attack and says nothing.

Motoyasu: Answer me!

Zane: You told me to shut my face, idiot! Why would I answer?!

Motoyasu processed that before getting a look of realization and shaking his head.

Motoyasu: Don't get smart with me and answer! Free that slave girl now!

Zane: Are you stupid or something? Maybe you forgot the agreements of our duel? Let me remind you that Raphtalia and Yanoka are-

Motoyasu: I'm not talking about her.

There was an awkward silence between the two.

Zane: *processing* ........................ *clueless* Eh?

Motoyasu: I'm talking about the blonde girl with wings on her back. I saw her with you so don't lie to me.

Zane: *processing* ........................ *confused* You mean, Filo?

Motoyasu: *points at Zane* Filo's her name. *lowers his hand into a fist* How can you make her your slave?

Zane: Is this moron serious? He just called my chicken a tub of lard the first time they met and now he has the audacity to protect her because she has a human form now?! Is this fucker high or some shit?!

Motoyasu: I've never seen a girl that perfect. She's incredible! It's hard to believe there's a girl who's just like Freon from Hellworld.

Zane: Yup, it's official. he's fucking high.

Motoyasu: *blushing* Actually, I have this thing for angels.

Zane: *deadpan* And a pedo too. Perfect. Just all the evidence for the FBI to lock you up

Motoyasu: My heart has been in overdrive ever since I got my first look at that wonderful face. *declares* I love other worlds! And I love that beautiful blonde angel!

Zane: Okay, Romeo, you chill out before you continue being high as a kite.

Zane then noticed Motoyasu's armor plates on his crotch. Zane smirked, having found a way to taunt Motoyasu.

Zane: Nice crotch armor upgrade. How much did they cost?

Motoyasu: *glares, ticked off* Oh yeah. I almost forgot that fat bird's yours too, isn't it?!

Zane: *cackles, smirks* Yup. And it turned your nuts into a soccer ball.

Motoyasu: *growls* I'm gonna send you and your chubster friend both to hell!

His spear glowed red and he reeled his arm back quickly.

Motoyasu: Air Strike Javelin

As he threw his spear, Zane kicked up his dropped Back Blade as he backflipped away, the spear missing him completely and hitting a wall near the stalls. As he landed in a crouched position, he connected the two Back Blades together before he raised his hand and caught his main Fusion Sword .

He slowly stood up and pointed his Fusion Sword at Motoyasu before giving him a "come at me" gesture. Motoyasu was clearly taunted by Zane as he then followed up his attacks.

Motoyasu: Chaos Spear!

Golden energy spears were launched at Zane, who combined his swords together again before using the Fusion Sword to block the attacks. Unfortunately, not all attacks were blocked as those attacks now broke even more market stalls and walls. It wasn't long till a riot began amongst the crowd.

Zane: That's it, unleash a bit of chaos so no one will notice me kill the Spear Hero. No one's going to miss him anyway, besides he's done more harm than good. One less problem for me and Keith to handle.

Just as Motoyasu charged to try and spear Zane, who raised his Fusion Sword up in hopes to cleave Motoyasu in half. They were both stopped when the same young knight chasing Zane stood in between the two, making Motoyasu redirect his spear to avoid the knight's head while Zane halted his sword to a stop just a few inches close to the knight's head.

Zane: Who the hell?

Ake: This is a public place. Take your difference elsewhere, this is no place for a duel!

Myne: *declares* It is now!

Ake gasps in surprise when he hears the First Princess speak. She then orders the knights to surround the three in a circle like an arena, the vice captain sighs in clear annoyance but orders his men around anyway as it was the princess' orders.

Myne: *shows a scroll* Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare this as an official duel between the Spear Hero and the demi-human adventurer. All thanks to the royal crown which has bested me with the authority to do so!

Zane: And the slut ruins the fun. Seriously, how am I going to get away with killing the spear idiot now?

Princess Melty: Put your weapons away!

The knights turned before kneeling down before the second princess. Zane looks behind him and sees Keith with the others there just beside Melty.

Melty: I absolutely forbid this duel to continue.

With one nod from her, Keith nods and flicks his right Blade of Chaos towards the parchment, setting it ablaze and completely unusable as it was now ash.

Myne: OI! You'll pay for-

Princess Melty: *nods* Thank you, Sir Keith.

Keith: *bows* Your welcome, Your Majesty.

Princess Melty: Sir Zane, I do hope you didn't cause all these damages. My mother did not hire you to vandalize our capital city now, did she?

Zane looked at Melty incredulously at why she's speaking like that to him but one knowing look made him understand.

Zane: No, she didn't. My apologies, madam. She hired us to be envoys and your bodyguards, I have not forgotten why we were hired.

Myne simply gawked even more. Not only was her little sister there but she has one-upped her by having two powerful bodyguards at her side. One of which was capable of beating the spear hero too. This was going to make things even more complicated for her if she wanted to find a way to become the next queen.

Myne: *growls, annoyed* What- What are you doing back here?!

Princess Melty: It has been way too long, dear sister. I hope you don't think you or the hero's privilege can cover up this mess. The damage that has been done is plain for everyone to see. Spear Hero, look around you.

Motoyasu flinched when she called him and did take a look around, seeing all the damage he did.

Princess Melty: Would you call a man a hero when he puts others' lives at risk?

Motoyasu lowered his spear and actually looked guilty for once. Zane smirked in triumph at that.

Zane: I guess I can let him off. It's better to see him suffer rather than die so early.

Princess Melty: Dear sister, your fun and games have gone on much too long.

Myne: *smugly* I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm simply doing my job as the hero's aid, that's all.

A series of "boos" can be heard from Zane and Keith's direction as they pretended to be an angry crowd booing. That only ticked Myne off while Melty ignored them.

Princess Melty: Oh... So making him fight in a public place is your idea of aid, I see?

Myne: *scoffs* You dare defy me, your older sister?!

Princess Melty: *calmly* If I have to, I will let Mother know about this.

Myne scowled at Melty, who continued to give a look with a straightface. Myne eventually stormed away but not too far, just enough distance where she could grumble to herself. Meanwhile, Melty was apologizing to the townsfolk about the damages as the party members of the two World Jumpers walked over to them.

Raphtalia: Master Zane, what happened here?

Zane: Nothing much. Just a blonde idiot with a spear running around attacking me.

Said idiot walked up to Filo and gently held her hand as he crouched to her level.

Motoyasu: *softly* Filo, that is what they call you, isn't it?

Filo innocently nods. Meanwhile, Zane was really disturbed at how calm and almost knightly Motoyasu sounded right now. He didn't know whether to laugh or continue being disturbed.

Motoyasu: Oh, you poor thing. I bet Zane's working you like some sort of beast of burden.

Filo: *merrily, innocently* But I like pulling the carriage a lot.

Motoyasu: *snaps at Zane* Grayson, you swine! How could you?! You're making her pull your wagon like that big fat bird! You'll pay for this!

Zane and Keith stifled their laughs, ticking Motoyasu off but he was cut off by an upset Filo.

Filo: *upset, shadows covering eyes* Why did you have to call me that?

Motoyasu looks at her confused.

Filo: *upset* You made fun of me the last time we met too!

Motoyasu: *clearly confused, clueless* I did...? And when was that...?

His answer came in the form of Filo transforming into her filolial queen form. And she was quite ticked off with Motoyasu.

Filo: *growls* I hate you spear guy.

Keith: As a fellow blonde to another, choose your next words carefully.

And cue Motoyasu's second mistake.

Motoyasu: *scared* O-Oh... You mean you're that... big fat-

And cue Filo kicking Motoyasu in the groin, again. This time, the crotch plating was kicked off by the impact and he had a face of pure "masculine" agony.

Myne: *gasp* Sir Motoyasu!

Motoyasu lands back down to the ground with a loud crash.

Myne: Someone get him to a doctor right away and make it quick!

Melty facepalmed at the sight while Yanoka and Frostine cackled. Keith had a proud smirk on his face while Zane...

Zane: *smirks* Thank you for taking Filo Airlines, nut safety not guaranteed.

Filo: Filo wins again.

Keith: Good job, Filo.

Raphtalia: *reprimanding* Master Zane, Master Keith.

Zane: Oh come on, he had that coming. That's what he gets.

Raphtalia: I know but... What's with that satisfied smirk?

Zane: *waves off, smiles* Don't worry about it. I wish I had that on camera though.

Princess Melty: Ahem. Saviors of the Heavenly Fowl, we need to speak urgently.

Zane: Yeah, sure. We're heading to a blacksmith to get some new gear situated for the next wave. Only a week left till the next one hits. We can talk along the way.

The group heads to Erhard's shop to get extra gear and weapons to give to the people in the next wave for self defense. Also to get their armor's repair, both their armor were badly damaged during the zombie dragon fight. Also so that Keith could snag a peek at a few shields he could "borrow" from the guy.

All the while doing this, the group had also informed Erhard of their mission as the queen's envoys and to find ways to stop Myne and Aultcray's misuse of their royal power, Myne especially.

Erhard: Okay, let me get this straight. So you two were hired by the Queen to make sure her eldest daughter wouldn't misbehave and also aid the heroes during the waves?

Keith: And tidy up their messes. Seriously, those three buffoons are making more problems than solving them. I guess the heroes of this generation are idiots.

Zane: Add the fact that Aultcray doesn't believe we're truly envoys and just pretenders is bad enough. Us being demi-humans and having demi-human party members is much worse for our case.

Princess Melty: I'll try and convince my father to stop mistreating you both and your party.

Keith: That would be well appreciated.

Zane: I'm going to guess that us preparing for the waves and you having this family feud means that we can't see each other for a while, correct?

Princess Melty: Correct. Though I do hope we'll see each other again soon.

Filo: But I want Mel to stay.

Keith: Filo, that's not how it works. Mel has things to do and so do we. Maybe after the wave we can see her again.

Princess Melty: I promise, Filo. We'll see each other again.

Filo: *sulks* Kay...

A knight enters the shop and calls for Melty to come with them as her father was now calling for her.

Melty gave Filo one last hug before she walked out the shop, waving goodbye to her new friends. As the door closes, the scene fades to black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to the World Jumpers meeting the knight that was chasing them in Erhard's shop. Behind the knight was a group that was composed of two more knights, a human witch, and a demi-human witch.

Zane: So, you needed something? You kept chasing us and got in between me and the Spear Hero earlier.

Ake: *nervously* W-Well... Uh, we actually uh...

Keith: It's okay, take your time kid.

Ake takes a breath to calm himself before he and his companions bow.

Ake: Please let us accompany you. At least during the waves!

Keith and Zane raised a brow at this while the girls were surprised.

Ake: We were deeply touched by your courage and selflessness when you fought in the last wave. Everyone here wants nothing more than to support you.

Zane: Oh, so that's why you kept chasing us?

Ake: Yes. We all decided that we should ask to fight side-by-side with you the next time we saw you here in the capital.

Keith: I appreciate that but can't you guys fight the waves on your own? Why join us?

Ake: No sir. The point is we wanna fight together with you.

Zane: And why is that? What's your reason for wanting to fight alongside us?

The male human mage of the group spoke up.

Male Human Mage: Because sir, we all hail from the village of Lute. Back then, you all saved our families from a tragic end.

The two remembered that they did indeed save a lot of people back in Lute Village. And to think some of them are related to the knights and mages here in the capital.

Male Human Mage: So you see sir, we want to help you in any way we can.

Ake: We wanna repay you for saving our fellow villagers, that's all.

Zane: Well we are mercenaries so you gotta-

Before Zane could finish, Keith suddenly slammed his fist into Zane's groin, causing Zane to yell and fall to the ground in pain. Everyone winced at the sudden hit while the males in the room instinctively covered their own groins, except for Keith.

Keith: *to Zane* You're not going to force them to join via payment, asshole. *to Ake* Sure, you guys can join us. But make sure you can handle yourselves and be careful out there, I don't want your deaths on my conscience or your bloods in my hands.

Ake: Of course.

Keith then grabs a pouch and fills it with 200 silver coins

Keith: Use this to buy equipment or medicine for the oncoming battle. Best to have spares than none, right?

The party nods and gratefully accepts the money before heading out to get some better equipment and medicine. Keith then checks his savings and finds out that he only has 14 gold coins, 4 silver coins, and 84 copper coins.

Keith: Damn, I'm burning through my savings pretty fast.

He checked his armor's condition and it was fine but some pieces were on the verge of breaking.

Keith: I'll see if I can get Erhard to get us a new set of custom armor. *looks at his shield* And also see if I can get this shield to craft some armor for practice.

Zane was already getting rid of his almost broken armor pieces and placed them on the counter. Zane himself was also very low on savings as he only had around 8 gold coins, 39 silver coins, and 107 copper coins left.

You see, between Zane and Keith, Zane is mainly an offensive attacker thus he always charges head on to battle without regards to his armor or defense or what the enemy is capable of. Keith, meanwhile, while he was still just as bold as Zane, he took his approach in a more strategic manner and is always cautious of new enemy encounters. Thus, the redhead's armor tends to break more often than the blonde's.

Zane: You got time to repair these ones?

Erhard: *sighs* Again? Seriously? At this rate not only will you run out of money but also run me out of materials just by constantly repairing your armors.

Keith: Can you make both of us a new set of custom armor? Preferably something easy to repair on the road. Oh, and a spare set just in case.

Erhard: You know that's going to cost ya a lot.

Keith: *to Zane* How much gold you got?

Zane: 8 of em. You?

Keith puts 12 gold coins on the counter, putting 2 to Zane's side.

Keith: 5 gold pieces for the actual armor and its materials, the other five is for the spare set.

Zane: Wait... I- If I pay up my gold...

Keith: You need the armor. Better to have easy to repair ones and a spare than constantly pay for repairs of your current armor.

Zane groaned before nodding in understanding. He put down the remainder of his gold coins on the counter, leaving him with only his silver and copper coins. Keith still had 2 gold coins left but only a few silver and copper coins left.

Erhard: Alright, I'll see if I can make something that'd fit you both.

Zane: *jokingly* Need our measurements along with that?

Erhard: Ha. With me constantly repairing your armor sets that you keep breaking, I have a good idea what your measurements are.

Zane rolled his eyes before his attention was diverted to the stars beside their party member's names and levels.

Zane: Hey uh... Erhard, can I ask? What are those stars beside the girls' names and why aren't their levels increasing anymore?

Erhard: Oh. You guys are ready for class upgrades, already?

Zane: Class upgrades, huh?

Erhard: It lets you increase your level cap. Only those recognized by the court have the option. But if you're the princess's guardians, it's possible. When you're upgrading a class, that's when you choose which path you want to take. I've had a helluva lot of trouble deciding mine.

Zane: And where do you do that?

Keith: At the dragon hourglass. *to Erhard* Also, can you make my armor light weight while Zane's-

Zane: Make mine heavy. Not too heavy but something strong to protect me.

Erhard: You got it.

The group then heads out and are about to head to the church but Keith stops them.

Keith: What are the chances they'd let us get class upgrades?

Zane and the girls looked at each other and understood what he meant. They're all demi-humans and most people aren't too kind to them.

Zane: I guess class upgrades will have to wait. *to Raphtalia* You got any idea what your class upgrade would be?

Raphtalia: I'm fine with whatever you decide, I suppose.

Keith: Tut, tut, tut, tut, tut, tut. We can't always decide for you, Raph. You need to choose your own path as it's your life, not ours. *to Yanoka* Same to you, Yanoka.

Yanoka: *scoffs, crosses her arms* Like I don't know that already.

Zane walks over to Filo, who was eyeing the skewer stand so Zane ordered some. Keith meanwhile looked through the shields he sneakily copied from Erhard's shop.

Keith: Sorry Erhard but I need these.

[ Silver Shield ]

[ Magic Silver Shield ]

[ Magic Shield ]

[ Siderite Shield ]
= Bonus Skill: Shooting Star Shield

Keith: My Guardian Shield is already powerful and so is the Legendary Shield and Wrath Shield. All the other shields just give me bonuses or other attack options while the others aren't really that helpful.

Taking a look at the Legendary Shield's skills, those he deemed useful anyway, he's so far unlocked the following:

[ Rope Shield ]
= Bonus Skill: Air Strike Shield
= Shield Skill: Rope

[ Two-Headed Black Dog ]
= Bonus Skill: Alert Shield
= Shield Skill: Dog Bite

[ Bee Needle Shield II ]
= Shield Skill: Bee Poison (paralysis)
= Shield Skill II: Bee Poison (poison)

[ Chimera Viper Shield]
= Equip Bonus: Antidote Compounding Up, Poison Resistance (medium)
= Bonus Skill: Change Shield
= Shield Skill: Snake Venom Fang (medium), Hook

[ Chimera Meat Shield ]
= Equip Bonus: Cooking Quality Improvement

[ Chimera Leather Shield ]
= Equip Bonus: Increase Defense by 10

[ Voice Gengar Shield ]
= Equip Bonus (bat form): Sound wave endurance (small)
= Equip Bonus (rat form): Blinding endurance (small)
= Shield Skill: Megaphone

[ Bioplant Shield ]
= Equip Bonus: Plant Reform
= Shield Skill: Hook

[ Mandragora Shield ]
= Plant Analysis

Keith: My natural resistance against poisons and elemental attacks are thanks to Kratos's own natural immunity but it's increased even further by the other shields' bonuses.

His thoughts were interrupted when Frostine tugged on his coat. He looked down at his quiet dragon and saw her eyeing a meat kebab with different assortments of meat. Keith sighed softly and carried her on his back like the child she is and walked over to the vendor to order two, one for himself and one for her.

The group were walking to the tavern to get some food to eat. As they ordered, Keith decided to tell the girls some good news and bad news.

Keith: Alright, we have good news and bad news, which ones you girls wanna hear first?

Yanoka: Bad.

The rest of the girls looked at Yanoka with looks that said "seriously?". The fox girl just shrugged.

Keith: Alright... Bad news is that because of me and Zane breaking our armors, we've been spending so much money trying to repair or get them fixed so our savings have been depleting rather quickly.

Raphtalia/Filo: WHAT?!

Keith: Let me finish. Part of the bad news is that the gold we have is only around 2 pieces so we need to spend them wisely.

Yanoka: And the good news is?

Keith: Two good news. The first one, is that me and Zane used the last of our gold, except for the two pieces, to get custom made armor that's easy to repair on the road so we won't spend any more money next time for repairs. As for the second good news, we're going to continue our expeditions as traveling merchants once we're done with the upcoming waves so we can replace the money we've spent.

Filo: Hooray! We get to travel again!

Raphtalia giggled at Filo's excitement while Frostine smiled fondly. Yanoka wasn't impressed that the two just blasted through their savings but was glad they were willing to make up for the expenses. Zane then looked at Keith.

Zane: Any other news?

Keith: Well, we're probably going to head to Lute tomorrow and see if we can mine more of those ore there.

Raphtalia: Why is that, Master Keith?

Keith: I have found a way to craft weapons very easily but it needs a lot of metal and other raw materials. So, I suggest we start getting some ores for tomorrow and quite possibly extend the day after so we have extra ores just in case.

Zane: So we don't have to keep going back and forth over and over, right?

Keith nodded at that before their food arrived. Keith had already memorized and wrote down the menu of the tavern and managed to recreate what they wanted to order earlier that day in the lounge. Thus, Keith and Zane can eat their food in their VR room, while also having their avatars eating their own food in the Shield Hero world at the same time instead of taking turns on logging out to eat.

Zane: Hold up, can't we just head to Faubrey to do the class upgrade?

Keith nodded as he took a bite out of his salad. He took a moment to chew and gulp down what's in his mouth before speaking.

Keith: I was thinking the same thing. But then again, we don't have the money. Class Upgrades aren't given for free you know. *whispers* And besides, no one else but the Queen, Melty, and the demi-human girls know that we're heroes so we'd need to pay for class upgrades like everyone else.

Zane: *nods understandingly* Ah, gotcha.

By the end of the day, the group had managed to rent themselves a room in the inn. Keith was disappointed that he burned through his savings really quick so those Wyvern Talons that Filo was meant to equip from the Slave Trader has to wait for now.

The two World Jumpers were applying bandages doused in Holy Water on Raphtalia and Yanoka's curse burns. Yanoka winces a little as Keith applied the bandage on her arm.

Keith: You good?

Yanoka: Yeah, I'll be fine.

Keith: That's good to hear. I'll have Zane give you a bit of a cure spell once this is applied. Can never be too careful, right?

Zane: *half-jokingly* Who's excited for the wave?

Keith: I don't think the waves are something to be excited about.

Zane: True. But come on! We get to upgrade your shield with new materials, we get to fight new monsters, and most importantly, show those three idiots and their party how it's really done.

Keith: *chuckles* Alright, alright, maybe it is something to be excited about. *calming down* But it's still 10 days away, so be patient.

Zane: *waves lazily* Yeah, yeah, whatever. Raphtalia is already going to bed, I'mma hit the hay myself.

Once Keith had finished bandaging Yanoka, the girls went to bed and so did Zane. Keith meanwhile, stayed up late and began rewatching his recordings on the mountain village from his avatar's eyes as that would be the next location for the Wave.

Keith had a manila paper and was drawing a crude birds eye view map of the village just from the recordings. He added sticky notes on notable locations such as a place where Elrasla Grilaroc, the old lady, lives, possible locations where they could hide the wagon full of supplies, possible evacuation routes, and defensive positions.

{The Next Day}

The group had set out once more, ready to spend the rest of the days till the wave arrived as traveling merchants. They got some of their money back from selling medicine and with Keith's shields, he was easily making more. The blonde kitsune was even planning on starting up a mobile diner just cause they could.

The group eventually reaches a ruined town. Even though they had a Traveler's Pass, the village guard still asked for an entrance fee. Who could blame them? Their town's in ruins.

Filo: What a sad-looking town.

Zane: Man, this place is much sadder than Australia.

Keith: *offended* OI! The f- heck you trying to say, ya snag!

Zane: *snickers* Nothing~

The group continued on till they reached another ruined town but this one barely had any buildings unbroken and still standing compared to the last one. And unlike the other one, this one had refugees that barely had anything, let alone any food to feed themselves.

Refugee #1: Please sir, I'll give you this *offers a wooden totem* for something to eat.

Yanoka: What happened here?

Refugee #1: We're refugees, we fled out of the north.

Refugee #2: Some say that an adventurer was apparently sent from this place to put together a resistance force and begin a revolution. Now we're in this mess...

Zane: Hold it!

Keith elbowed him in the side. While the kitsune appreciated the reference, he knew this wasn't the time nor place for one.

Zane: *clears throat* Sorry... Hol' up. Do you know what this adventurer looked like?

Refugee #1: We don't really know, but the rumors say that he used a bow.

Zane paused his avatar before screaming on the top of his lung in his VR room.

Zane: GOD FUCKING DAMMIT YOU ROBIN - SHITING - HOOD WANNABE!

Keith: *groans, facepalms* Bloody hell, Itsuki... Even we have to clean up after ye.

The cries of a hungry infant broke Keith out of his thoughts. Keith already expected this as to why he had kitchen utensils in his Legendary Shield's inventory system.

You see, unlike his and Zane's inventory, which were slowly turning into their chosen games' inventory systems, the shield had an inventory system similar to the Bag of Holding from D&D. But unlike a bag of holding though, there's no need to worry about it being destroyed, torn, or pierced by a blade as its part of the shield.

The only worry is that the inventory is still affected by time, thus anything living or organic inside the shield will suffocate, rot, and/or decay overtime. Keith proved this by placing a biofruit inside the shield's inventory and after a week, it became rotten. Thankfully, the seeds aren't affected as they were still plantable and bore fruit despite being inside the inventory for a week.

Keith: Set up an emergency kitchen. *takes off his coat* Let's see if my cooking skills improved.

He took out the kitchen utensils from the shield's inventory before he moved his shield on his back and switched it to Chimera Meat Shield. He then began cooking once Raphtalia gave him the ingredients they had.

Keith: *annoyed* I still can't believe Zane thought it was a good idea to feed Filo the rest of the chimera meat. *calms down* Then again, Filo did eat the rest of the meat in the manga. Still can't believe the meat gave her blonde hair when she was maturing... Although Fitoria's hair color is similar to the Filolial Queen feather colors since she didn't eat chimera meat.

Zane: Until now I'm still wondering what you were going to do with the things we got from the chimera. Without the shield, obviously.

Keith: *shrugs* Souvenir.

Zane: Fair enough. Still, if we got to the chimera earlier or got the final kill, we could've gotten the other heads for ourselves. Instead we got left with the snake tail and the rest of the body.

Keith: Yeah, it sucks. But hey, we gotta give those three credit, they took on a chimera. That's not really an easy task.

Zane: Psh... *waves off* Yeah right. Without these leveling systems, they'd be dead.

Zane walks off and leaves Keith be to continue cooking food for the villagers. Keith managed to cook a large pot of creamy stew made of potatoes, carrots, onions, meat slices, and béhamel sauce. Simple but it's enough to feed the refugees.

Keith wanted to help these people, he really did, that's why he was planning on having the refugees come with them to that other town and help feed them via bioplants as the town they're in now isn't really a great place to settle, given the dry and stoney landscape.

Keith: Now I know how farmers feel when potential farmland gets turned into a town.

The remaining days, Keith and the rest of the party led the refugees to the previous ruined town and began to help rebuild it. They helped it prosper via giving them bioplant fruits for food and helping them set up a mine and woodcutting areas. Even though they didn't have the papers for this, Keith didn't care as these people needed the resources to help themselves as he knew the king and first princess wouldn't send help here right now or at all.

Unaware to the group, they were being watched by the Queen's Shadows from afar and were impressed at the group's actions, Keith's especially. Unbeknownst to them, Keith's reason to help was pretty simple.

With each time Keith helps, he sees the faces of kids who were smiling. He closed his eyes and thought of a distant memory.

{Small Flashback}
{December 5, 2009 | Children's Foster Home, Brisbane, Australia}

Keith was 8-years-old and he was helping set up the Christmas tree. The other kids were so excited and couldn't wait for Christmas to come around. Keith then jogged over to the kitchen to help make gingerbread houses with their foster family and cookies.

Their foster family weren't allowing them those yummy Christmas treats till Christmas Eve, making the other kids pout and sulk. So, Keith decided to sneak a few cookies in his pocket before walking over to the living room and handing it to his fellow orphans/foster kids.

He smiled happily as soon as the kids lit up with joy as they saw the cookies and treats he gave them. The small thank yous were worth it as their foster family softly scolded them for eating the treats so early and ruining the surprise but Keith giggled and didn't mind. He just wanted to see his fellow kids smile and be happy.

{Back to present}

Keith smiled as he saw some of the villagers looking at him and the rest of the party gratefully. Seeing the villagers smile and look at them gratefully hit home for Keith, and he was happy to help.

The group had hastily returned to Castle Town as they only had less than 30 hours left till the Waves of Catastrophe hit. The two have yet to grab their new armor and have yet to speak with Ake again.

The group decided to enter the tavern and order their food first as Filo was hungry, as usual. To their surprise, the Bow and Sword heroes were there in the tavern.

Zane: *mutters* And my mood is ruined...

Keith and Yanoka agreed with Zane. The Ren, the Sword Hero, caused them the most problem as his mess nearly got everyone in their party killed. Itsuki, the Bow Hero, well he overthrew an oppressor sure but he put another oppressor in that one's place. So in short, he fixed nothing.

Itsuki and Ren noticed the two but didn't really bother with them. The two then began a conversation about "their" job troubles.

Itsuki: I overthrew this despot in the country to the north, but you know what happened after that? When I went to the guild to pick up the reward, they had already paid it out to someone else.

Ren: Same here. I lost a job request from some guy out of the blue.

Itsuki: Looks like someone's going around pretending to be us.

Meanwhile, at the World Jumpers table.

Zane: *whispers to Keith* Look at those two, if only they knew we're the ones who fixed their problems.

Keith: *mutters* The audacity of those two, given they don't know it's their problem, they still considered it a "request" instead of part of the job. It's like they're mercenaries instead of heroes.

Back to the two "legendary heroes".

One of Itsuki's party members, the Spear girl as the fandom named her, approached him with a note.

Spear Girl: Itsuki. We just received another guild request to overthrow a town lord to the north. What do you want to do with this?

Itsuki: From the guild?

Spear Girl: Yes. From what I can tell, it seems that the local lord is heavily taxing the citizens way beyond the court set limits. And he's using that revenue in a vicious campaign to suppress dissenters of any kind and to hire mercenaries.

At the protagonists' table.

Keith: If only he knew that lord from the north was the same one that replaced the one he kicked out. The wanker didn't even fix anything, he just made it all worse.

Keith was brought out of his thoughts by the waiter coming back with their orders, much to Filo and Frostine's excitement.

Back in the idiot table.

Itsuki smiles once he finished reading the note.

Itsuki: Interesting. They need to be taught that "with great power, comes great responsibility."

Zane immediately choked on his food and accidentally paused his avatar mid choke so now his avatar just slumped down on the table and to the ground. The food in his mouth, combined with the saliva he coughed out, made it look like he was dying of poison when in reality he was choking on his food while screaming at the top of his lungs at Itsuki's virtual appearance in the VR room like a raging banshee.

Keith had already heard it from the anime, he had read it from the manga and light novel, but hearing it in person... Let's just say he soaked his food in water after crushing his cup and nearly yeeting everything, his food included, in his own VR room after pausing his avatar.

While Raphtalia and Filo were worried for their "dying" master and Frostine and Yanoka were scared shitless at Keith's triggered and unchanging face and shaking fist. Did I forget to mention the constant eye twitch from the blonde fox? I did? Well now you know.

Itsuki: What's with that reaction?

Zane immediately got back into his setup and was about to deck Itsuki in the face with full force of Cloud Strife's strength, while also about to yell like an angry Spider-Man fanboy.

Unfortunately, he won't be able to do either as Keith immediately put Zane in a tight headlock and Zane was back choking on his food as he still hasn't swallowed or chewed the food in his mouth. And Raphtalia and Filo were back to worrying about him while Keith continued to eat his soaked fish fillet and salad like everything was normal.

Itsuki: Hey, I'm talking to-

Keith: *coldly* And I'm going to ignore you. You're not worth the attention.

Itsuki's eye twitched at that.

Itsuki: It's you isn't it? You're the ones impersonating-

Keith immediately stands up and towered over Itsuki by a few inches, clearly intimidating the two a little with his height and the dark cold glare he was giving them with his avatar's amber eyes.

Keith: Impersonating? *chuckles slowly* Not at the slightest. We don't give a damn shit about your money, your guild, or your reputation. The last one's oddly... questionable.

Ren: Wh-What are you talking about?

Keith slowly walked over to Itsuki, who backed away slightly and was about to pull out his bow as Keith was just a few inches away from him.

Keith: You're the adventurer who held a bow that aided the resistance in the north. I assume I'm correct in that?

Itsuki: *narrows his eyes slightly* Yeah...

Keith: Did you ever wonder what happened to the country after you dethroned the king? Your little resistance decided to increase the taxes anyway, the same reason you aided them in the first place to overthrow the previous king. *coldly* In simpler terms, you didn't solve jackshit.

Itsuki: Stop trying to change the subject! We're talking about you impersonating my-

Ren put a hand on Itsuki's shoulder to calm him down. However, Keith noticed Itsuki said "my" instead of "our". He already knew Itsuki was only thinking of himself, similar to the manga and the same reason the Pride Curse Series was unlocked because the bow hero only thought of his own reputation and gains.

Ren: How do you explain my case?

Keith: Why should I care? You should know, it was your job.

Ren: If you know, that makes it easier.

Keith: Well, your "dragon hunting" caused you to be a village hero. But your recklessness and for some reason your idiocy decided to knock and you stupidly answered the door. Because of that, you left the dragon's corpse to rot and cause a plague that nearly wiped out the same village that deemed you a hero.

Ren gasped in shock before Keith continued.

Keith: We got rid of the corpse for you, that's why your job request was canceled.

Ren: N-No way...

Keith: *pissed off* *to Ren* Our party nearly died because of your mess *to Itsuki* and we wasted all our remaining savings just to help make sure the refugees are safe and well fed because of your mess!

The two recoiled in shock at Keith's sudden outburst. Itsuki was still in disbelief but regret was showing on Ren's face.

Ren: *regretfully* Because of what I did...?

Ren looks and widens his eyes in shock as he sees the bandages covering Raphtalia and Yanoka's arms. Then just looking at Frostine, he saw that the girl had a small scar on her cheek and some others around her arm and the way she shifted uncomfortably meant she had other injuries somewhere.

Ren: *regretfully* I-I see... I'm sorry...

Itsuki: *disbelief* You mean, you believe them?!

Ren: Why shouldn't I? They have no reason to lie. Besides, the proof is right in front of us.

Ren gestures to the scars on Frostine, who looks ashamed at her scars but the two heroes didn't notice it.

Keith gently kicks Zane in the shoulder, the redhead immediately wakes up and wipes his mouth. The girls had already finished eating as Raphtalia and Filo switched places with Yanoka and Frostine earlier as they needed to eat while the latter pair was already done with their food.

Keith: *points at the two angrily* Try not to cause any more trouble. Because me and my party are sick and tired of picking up after you, you careless degenerates.

Keith stomps off with the others following behind him. Itsuki still didn't believe Keith's words but the kitsune didn't care, he said what needed to be said.

When Itsuki and Ren weren't looking, Zane gave the bow hero the middle finger.

Zane: *mutters loudly* How dare you use Uncle Ben's line you retarded green arrow! How dare you ruin childhoods of both children and grown men!

Keith pinched Zane's ear and began pulling the redhead with him, the redhead saying "ow" the longer he was pulled along.

Keith: We get it. No need to show off your Spider-Man and Arrow fanboy side.

{Timeskip, Erhard's Blacksmith Shop}

The two World Jumpers finally got their new armors and Erhard was already in the process of making the spare set. And the blacksmith even decided to give the armor sets auto-repair functions just so the two stop wasting money and armor pieces so quickly.

Erhard: It's probably my best work. What do you say?

Keith: I'm impressed. This is mighty fine work.

Zane: This is awesome. I definitely look cool as hell.

Keith: Aren't you going to stand out too much?

Zane had put on his vanity clothes before even registering what Keith said.

Zane: What was it?

Keith: *sighs* It's nothing. Nevermind it. *to Erhard* Though I do wonder, why do we have these capes and it's a little... regal.

Erhard: If you're the princess's bodyguards, you gotta look the part.

Keith: Yes but a bodyguard is meant to be inconspicuous and simple. No need for the fancy regalities. But then again, you made this for us so... *bows* I do gratefully accept it for how it is made.

Ake: Pardon us.

The young knight politely excused himself as he and his party arrived.

Ake: Thank goodness you're here. I thought we'd miss you.

Zane: You guys are right on time.

Keith: Let's strategize and think of a plan.

Ake: Right! Thanks for having us again.

Keith, being the currently assigned leader, accepted Ake and his companions into their party as a sub party. Zane asked Erhard if it was alright to have the discussion in his shop instead of out in the open. The blacksmith told him that his shop isn't really a meeting spot but begrudgingly allowed it anyway.

{Meanwhile}

The waves have slowly begun to form and the first person to see it is a woman who wore a black kimono and held a pair of fans on each hand. The woman smirks as the scene fades to black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to show the small group. Everyone among them was ready for the incoming battle in 5 minutes. The two World Jumpers have eaten earlier so they have energy for the fight.

Keith was reviewing the plan that was written down on the sheet of paper. He knew that Glass would appear during this wave so he made sure to find a good defendable area for Ake and his party while they waited for the Wave to end.

Erhard: It's almost that time. Along with potions, I threw in some left over weapons I had laying around. They'll make for decent backups.

Raphtalia: Thank you so much.

Erhard: Still, I'm pretty impressed that you've managed to stock up so much medicine in so little time.

Yanoka: You have Sir Keith to thank for that. He's been working hard on making a lot of medicine.

Keith: Even then, these might not be enough but hopefully it is. Even the best medicine can't heal everything.

Zane: *jokingly* Like a broken heart?

Cue Keith throwing a shield at Zane's face, making the redhead stumble and fall onto his back.

Erhard: *laughs lightly* If you're being that careful, you wouldn't have to worry at all.

Zane: Speaking of being careful. Raphtalia, Filo, I have something for both of you.

Keith: Technically I made them but whatever. Yanoka, Frostine, you two have something too.

Keith and Zane handed the girls their accessories. Keith had made sure that Raphtalia and Filo's accessories were just as similar to the show. Meanwhile, Yanoka was given a necklace that increases her fire damage and Frostine was given a tiara that increases her frost damage.

Erhard: What brought on this accessory making spree?

Keith: Well, until we get the chance to get class upgrades, we need to rely on stat bonuses for now.

Erhard: *unconvinced* Right...

Ake walks up to the two, he and his party are just as ready while the timer counts down from 25 to 0. Keith nodded at them and stood up, ready to see if his plan would work. If it fails, he needs to be ready to start with a plan b. By 10 seconds, the two parties were engulfed in a golden glow that would teleport them to the wave location.

Raphtalia: Here we go.

Filo: Be right back.

Erhard: I'll be waiting in the shop. You just come back alive.

Keith: *salutes* You got it mate.

Zane: *jokingly* Imagine we actually come back dead.

That got him a slap on the shoulder from Raphtalia.

The golden glow glowed brighter and when it died down, the group was now at the mountain village where the Wave was happening.

Yanoka: I'm surprised you're right.

Keith: Even if I was wrong, I have plans for every village we visited.

Frostine: So that's why you're usually up late and staying in the wagon most of the time.

Zane: Woohoo!

Zane cheering caught their attention and it seems that the redhead was excited for combat that he jumped off the cliff and used his [ Braver ] Limit Break to descend down to the village quickly and cut a monster below him in half. As the monster's body fell, Zane had a battle ready smirk.

Ake and his companions looked at Keith and the others.

Keith: Yeah, he's... he's always battle ready.

Frostine changed into her frost dragon form and carried the wagon to the spot while Ake and his companions rode on Filo's back as she glided down to the village in her filolial form. Keith, Yanoka, and Raphtalia ran over to a slope and slid down towards the town.

Once they all regrouped, they moved over to the defensive area they had planned and set up a perimeter around the "safe zone" they planned. Keith made sure that the area had a house or two in their safe zone area.

The first house would serve as a medical cabin, a house that would hold those that are injured and have people with medical expertise handling them. The second house would serve as an emergency kitchen as they cannot set a kitchen out in the open lest they expose themselves to hungry monsters.

Keith and Frostine ran to the forest to grab logs for both firewood and to create makeshift spikes, quite possibly for walls too. Zane, Raphtalia, and Filo ran deeper into the village to find more villagers to rescue. Yanoka, Ake, and his companions were holding down the fort and occasionally rescuing nearby villagers.

Keith and Frostine returned with a bunch of logs and began turning them to spikes. Frostine's dragon claws were pretty useful for sharpening the logs into spikes while Keith used his Rope Shield to hold them together.

The plan went well and it was a given that they would last long. However, Keith knew they would soon run out of supplies and most of the villagers could barely help in the fighting. Most were injured and those not out of commission were stuck to either being cooks and medics or they were too scared to do anything to help, the children especially.

Zane: Yo, Inari!

Zane cuts down another lizardman monster and kicks its body towards another, staggering it.

Zane: This Wave's been going on for 3 hours now! What the hell is going on?!

The redhead ejects one of the Fusion Sword's side blades and throws it like a throwing knife towards the other lizardman monster, killing it. As he goes and crouches to pick it up, Raphtalia cuts down an insect monster floating above him. As he stood up, Filo appeared behind him and power kicked an undead off the mountain village.

Keith: *sarcastically* The heroes are probably toying with the boss. *frowns* Make that vice versa.

The sounds of fighting caught the attention of the two and they saw an old lady fighting a few monsters and holding her own very well.

Raphtalia: *awe* How did she do that?

The old lady noticed the group and Keith being up in front. She bowed towards him in sign of thanks.

Elrasla: Thank you very much for your help in the past young man. I'm indebted to you.

Yanoka: You know her?

Keith: Yeah, she's the mother of that guy we saw running on the road that one time.

Zane: The one you cured? She's that same lady?

Elrasla: Yes indeed. Thanks to him, I feel much better now.

And to further prove her point, a goblin tried to attack her from the back but a single round house kick knocked it down.

Elrasla: As you can see.

Filo: *amazed* Wow!

Elrasla: Small fry like these are no match for me. I swear by these arms, which have fought many formidable foes back when I was an adventurer.

Elrasla began laughing heartily as she flexed an arm and patted her bicep.

Zane: *looks at Keith, whispers* What the fuck did you give that woman?

Keith: *whispers* An ultimate healing potion and cure disease potion. Kinda asked GM a favor.

Zane: *whispers* And where's the potion that's actually for her?

Keith lifted his Guardian Shield, gesturing that it was in the Shield's inventory.

Ake: Sirs! All the villagers have been moved to safety.

Keith: That's good. Make sure to keep the enemies out of the safe zone.

Zane: Meanwhile, we'll go check on what's taking the heroes so freaking long to end the wave.

Yanoka: *groans* Do we really have to?

Ake: Ma'am, you really should go. We need to put an end to the wave quickly. It'll help all the villagers as well.

Keith: But what about you guys?

Elrasla suddenly smacked Ake in the back a little too hard, making the poor kid cough as the air was all of a sudden smacked out of his lungs.

Elrasla: You can leave the village to little ole me and these whippersnappers.

Zane: *smiles* Alright then, just don't push yourself too hard "granny".

Keith: C'mon, let's go find those three idiots.

Zane and Raphtalia got on Filo's back while Keith and Yanoka got on Frostine's back. Frostine took to the skies while Filo began to follow on the ground. With Frostine on the air, it was pretty easy to spot the flying pirate ship in the distance.

Frostine wasted no time and flew towards it with Filo following below.

As they arrived, Frostine avoided a barrage of arrows from the cliff below. The arrows hit the figurehead and exploded but did no damage.

Itsuki: Keep it up!

Frostine was so tempted to unleash her frost breath at the Bow Hero and his party for nearly shooting at her but held off due to Keith telling her not to engage the heroes.

She landed just beside the Bow Hero's party and Filo arrived just as she landed.

Keith: Bow Hero, what's the status?

Itsuki looked at Keith and was surprised to see him but held a small frown due to their last encounter but pushed that aside for now.

Itsuki: The others are on the ship. I told them attacking that figurehead and spawning the Soul Eater came first, but nope. They won't listen to reason.

Keith grabbed his Leviathan Axe and threw it towards the figurehead, only for it to bounce off. Keith looked surprised at first before recalling the axe and trying again, only to get the same result.

Keith: That's a little odd...

Itsuki: What is?

Keith threw his Leviathan Axe towards a tree and it embedded itself into it. He recalled the axe once more and threw it to the ground, which it embedded itself onto.

Keith: My axe doesn't bounce off trees and rocks yet it's bouncing off the figurehead...

He threw it on the ship's hull and it also bounced off. The only time it didn't bounce off was when the axe hit the Kraken tentacles on the ship.

Keith: Hey, Bow Hero. How long have you been trying to hit the figurehead and got no results?

Itsuki was reluctant to answer but seeing as how Keith's axe always seems to bounce off the figurehead, he was also getting suspicious about it being the actual way to summon the Soul Eater.

Itsuki: About an hour now, why?

Keith: Is there a chance that the figurehead is part of an indestructible ship, which would serve as an arena for the Soul Eater. What if you were just hitting a cosmetic?

Itsuki and his party stopped firing at the ship and suddenly had a look of realization. Have they really been just shooting at a figurehead that's meant to just be part of the ship shaped arena?

Keith: You guys find a way to get up on that ship, we'll see how the Spear and Sword Heroes are fairing up there.

Itsuki: Y-Yeah... Sure...

Frostine and Filo jumped up to the flying boat. As they got up on it, they saw the Spear Hero dealing with the Kraken's tentacles and the Sword Hero dealing with the Skull Captain mini boss.

One of Ren's party members attacks the Captain, forcing it to block his attack. Once it was open, Ren attacked it and brought it to its knees.

Unfortunately, the Skull Captain stood back up and its previous injuries fully healed and health was back up to full. Ren grit his teeth in annoyance that it just won't go down.

Motoyasu meanwhile was having difficulties trying to deal with a group of the Kraken's tentacles. One of them tries to slam itself on him but the Spear Hero jumps back to avoid its attack.

The two heroes were now back to back before they began arguing over which to attack.

Ren: What are you doing, Motoyasu?! We need to take out the skeleton!

Motoyasu: We're gonna have to take down the Kraken first or the Soul Eater won't spawn otherwise!

The two continued bickering and their parties joined the argument. They all went silent at the sound of slow clapping above them. They looked up and saw Zane on the ship's main top yard and standing against the ship's mast.

Zane: Wow. And you two are the Legendary Heroes of the Sword and Spear? Why do I see two bickering children in your steads instead?

Zane hops off and lands between the two heroes in a superhero landing pose, only to stand up and fall to his side while holding his knee.

Zane: Ah, fuck. My kneecap cracked, give me a moment to recover.

Ren: Oh, it's you again.

Motoyasu: Why don't you go defend some village?

Princess Malty: I agree. Incompetent demi-humans like you shouldn't even be-

Zane stabbed his Fusion Sword to the ground and stood up, a little limp due to his injured kneecap but still he managed to stand up and tower over almost everyone on the ship as his avatar is 6'3.

Zane: If you're just going to speak out insults, I suggest you shut the fuck up. So unless you have something important to say, then just be a good girl and let the adults talk.

Malty gasped at his insult at her and scowled at him but Zane ignored her.

Zane: *looks at Motoyasu* And as for you. We have been defending the village for 3 hours now. THREE! WHOLE! HOURS! Do you have any idea how tired everyone is down at the village and how difficult it's becoming to defend with the nonstop wave of monsters?

Ren: *ticked off* Don't you think I know that by now?! That's why I'm hitting the skeleton to spawn the Soul Eater!

Motoyasu: *cockily* HA! You killed it earlier but nothing spawned.

Ren: *slowly getting pissed* We have to kill it more than once to make it work!

The two were beginning to bicker again and so was everyone else but they were all silenced when Keith threw his Leviathan Axe and it bounced off the ship's floor. It recalled to it's owner, who jumped off and landed on the ground without any trouble.

Zane: I call hacks!

Keith then threw his Leviathan Axe and unleashed [ Leviathan's Wake ] Runic Attack towards the Kraken's tentacles, cutting some of them off with ease. He recalled his axe back and the tentacles that were cut off were replaced with new ones.

Keith: Well, you two have the same issue as the Bow Hero down on the cliff below.

Ren: What do you mean?

Keith: The Bow Hero was firing at the figurehead, not realizing it was actually part of this indestructible ship.

Keith threw his axe on the ground, causing it to bounce and make him recall it to his hand.

Motoyasu: And what does that have to do with summoning the Soul Eater?

Itsuki: Listen to him, he might know what to do.

Itsuki and his party finally found a way to get on board the ship. Keith sends a nod of thanks to Itsuki who nodded back.

Keith: *points at the Kraken* That Kraken will continue to replace its tentacles with fresh ones. It's meant to keep you occupied and eventually overwhelm you with its numbers.

Ren: It's a distraction.

Keith: Correct. As for the Skull Captain you're up against...

Zane just cut down the Captain and despite being cleaved in half, it just regenerated its injuries and its health returned to full in mere seconds.

Zane: It's a decoy. It's meant to wear you down and waste your time trying to kill it.

Motoyasu: So these guys are just distractions?

Keith: Not entirely. The boss is lurking somewhere, observing. It cannot leave the ship because this is its arena. Keep your eyes peeled for something that looks out of place.

Zane: Aha! *points at a barrel* A barrel!

Everyone deadpanned Zane before Keith threw a barrel at his partner, knocking him off his feet and stunning him.

Zane: *groans* Yeah, I deserve that one.

Everyone then did as Keith said and kept their guard up for anything suspicious looking on the ship. It wasn't long till Yanoka saw it, the shadow of the Skull Captain was too distorted compared to everyone else's.

Yanoka: There! On the shadow!

Ren took notice of it and tried to stab it but it moved away, making him click his tongue in annoyance before moving away from the Skull Captain that tried to slash at him.

Zane: Raphtalia, cast light magic.

Raphtalia: L-Light? I can try... As source of thy power, I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and illuminate my surroundings... Fast Light!

A bright light shined above them all and illuminated the entire ship, creating more noticeable distorted shadows. And this time, other than the faces on them, they were now tangible.

Zane: Let's see the boss hide in the shadows now!

Zane ran up and clotheslined the Skull Captain to the ground before stabbing one of his Fusion Sword's side blades on the shadow, causing a Soul Eater spirit to erupt from it and into the air.

Ren and another one of his party members stabbed two more shadows, Malty and Motoyasu stabbed another, Keith threw his Leviathan Axe at another one, Itsuki shot at two shadows, and Raphtalia stabbed the last one. With all the Soul Eater spirits appearing, they all begin to converge into one.

Motoyasu: *nervous* Oh now what are we gonna do?

Keith: *readies his Blades of Chaos* Remain calm and think of a plan.

Once the spirits finish converging, it turns into a puff of smoke that reveals a Dimensional Soul Eater. It roars at the heroes on the deck, who got ready for a fight.

Keith: Ice on me, Zane-

Zane: You want to know why I was called Hell Razer?

The redhead walked up and grinned at the Soul Eater, which roared in reply to his question.

Zane: Well then, let me show you! Firaga!

Zane unleashed a large ball of flame towards the Soul Eater, damaging it slightly but did inflict some fire damage to it. It roared in anger but Zane unleashed another one, then another, and another. He only stopped when the heroes unleashed their attacks next.

Ren: Thunderbolt Slash!

Itsuki: Thunder Shot!

Motoyasu: Lighting Spear!

Their lightning attacks barely damaged it. Even Zane's Thundaga barely harmed it too, and that's the strongest lightning magic he can cast.

Keith threw his Leviathan Axe at it but its Frost Damage barely harmed it but the physical damage did hurt it. Frostine unleashed her ice breath but like the axe, her frost damage simply annoyed it.

Yanoka: Filo, see if Wind Magic does more damage to it!

Filo: Kay! Fast Tornado!

Filo flapped her wings once and unleashed a strong gust of wind that made a tornado that hit the Soul Eater, which thankfully hurt it a bit. It growled and charged up its energy attack.

Ren: Come on! We need to take it out before it unleashes that thing!

Keith: No, don't! It's airborne and your attacks won't reach it before it unleashes its attack. Allow me on this one.

Motoyasu: *puzzled* What are you doing?

Keith: *smirks* Wait and see.

The Soul Eater unleashes its ball of energy at them but Keith, with the correct timing, manages to deflect the attack with the Guardian Shield right back to its sender. The Soul Eater roared in pain as its own attack was dealt to it.

Motoyasu/Ren/Itsuki: Alright!

Raphtalia/Yanoka: Nice one Master/Sir Keith!

Keith: Thanks but it ain't over yet. Frostine, bring it down to ground level!

Frostine flew up and tackled the dazed Soul Eater to the ground, causing it to roar and squirm in defiance.

Yanoka: Fire, Wind, and Physical attacks hurt it the most.

Keith: Then let's hit it with everything we got!

Zane and Keith charged forward with Filo and Raphtalia. Yanoka prepared a fire spell along with Malty and the other magic casters.

Filo: High Quick!

Ren: Crimson Sword!

Motoyasu: Chaos Spear!

Itsuki: Wind Arrow!

Zane: Let's see if you like the taste of Cross Slash!

All their attacks hit the Soul Eater and harmed it greatly with Keith and Raphtalia slashing off one of its arms. It then roars at Frostine and tries to blast her off it but she flies off and freezes it in place, only for it to easily break out of its frozen cage.

Just as it was about to blast at them, it was interrupted by a barrage of arrows, wind and fire magic blasts. It dazed it but it was back to trying to attack again, only for Frostine to blast it with ice attacks to distract it and give the others enough time to think of a new strategy.

Motoyasu: Damn it, it's not even down to half health yet.

Zane: This is taking too long, at this rate those villagers down below won't survive.

Ren: We need a better plan of attack.

Keith looks at his Guardian Shield and thinks about using the Wrath Shield now but holds off.

Keith: Ren's here. Dragon's not going to like it when Ren's here.

He still has more Runic Attacks to use and Zane still has his Limit Breaks. He then widened his eyes, he still has Spartan Rage and Zane has Omnislash.

Keith: Hey, Z. You still got enough strength for OS-5 or 6?

Zane looked at Keith and nodded.

Zane: You got enough fuel for SR?

Keith smirks and nods. Zane smirks back and the two already knew what to do.

Itsuki: You two got a plan?

Keith: It's an ability we haven't used in so long. But it might be our trump card. Can you three get its attention?

Ren: You got it. Crimson Sword!

Motoyasu: Air Strike Javelin!

Itsuki: Thunder Shot!

The Soul Eater turned to face the heroes and instead of blasting them, it decided to charge at them. Wrong move.

Keith roared in rage as Spartan Rage flared up, covering him in fire and Kratos's red tattoos glowed around his body and face. Keith suddenly jumped up and tackled the Soul Eater into a piledriver down to the deck. It caused the ship to shake but it did knock the Soul Eater down.

As the dust settled and everyone steadied themselves, Keith was shown pummeling the Soul Eater down to the deck like an angry barbarian. He was pushed away but only by a few inches. Keith growled and grabbed the Soul Eater by the tail and threw it up in the air.

Keith: Now Zane!

Zane jumped up and spun his sword as a blue aura engulfed him. He raised his Fusion Sword and split it into its separate blades before performing Omnislash Version 6.

Zane landed back down on the deck, his swords falling around him in a circular formation before he caught the main blade of the Fusion Sword. As his blue aura dispersed and Keith's flames died down, both looked and saw the Soul Eater floating there, hurt and unmoving.

Everyone got ready in case it was still alive and about to attack. They were simply proven wrong when Yanoka blasted it with a fireball, causing a small explosion. The Soul Eater soon floated down to the ground, dead.

Zane fell down to his butt, tired and breathing heavily. Keith meanwhile collapsed from exhaustion, only for Frostine to arrive and catch him on her wings.

Zane: Did we win?

Yanoka: Yeah, I think we won.

Meanwhile, with the three heroes.

Itsuki: I'll be damned. So that's what those two are capable of.

Ren was unable to accept that they were carried by those two and said the only thing that was the most logical in his head.

Ren: So basically, they cheated...

Keith: Or we just have abilities specific to what we are. *half-truthfully* We're from Faubrey after all. Home country of the heroes of old.

Zane: Plus, who knows. Maybe next wave things will be different.

Motoyasu: You can bet things will be different next time.

Filo changes into her human form and skips over to Motoyasu.

Filo: *mischievously, teasingly* Hey. Don't tell me you're a sore loser.

Motoyasu: *stutters* T-T-That's not it, Filo. I was j-just saying that I could've easily one-shot that thing if I got serious, you know what I mean? It was a no brainer, really.

Filo: *teasingly* Really?

Motoyasu: *nervously* Y-Yeah, absolutely. Motoyasu never lies, haha.

Yanoka: *chuckles* Why do I have a hard time believing that.

Keith forces himself to stand up and Zane panickedly stood up and grabbed his Fusion Sword's Main Blade. Everyone followed where they were looking and saw another Soul Eater beginning to form, causing everyone to grab their weapons and get ready for another fight.

Itsuki: Another one?!

Ren: I've definitely never seen this in the game before.

Keith tried using his Spartan Rage but his Rage Meter was out. Zane had also hit his limit (pun intended) after that last attack.

It roars at them but before it could do any kind of attack, it was struck down by a rain of golden spikes made of energy. It was dead before anyone could even register what happened.

And then the voice of a woman was heard from above.

???: How very disappointing!

And cue said woman descending from the heavens of calamity and crushing the impaled Soul Eater to mist as she landed. She was a young woman with jet black hair, pale skin, red eyes, and her outfit was a black kimono. Twin fans were held on each of her hands.

Zane: *mutters* Oh great, now we need to deal with one of those weird Japanese ladies with white makeup.

Keith: *whispers* You mean a geisha?

Zane: *snorts, whispers* You said gay...

Keith ignored his best friend and faced back to Glass.

Glass: *mockingly* You actually have trouble with weaklings like these? Are you really the heroes holding the world's fate in their hands?

The three heroes glared daggers at her.

Motoyasu: She took out that Soul Eater in one hit.

Ren: If you ask me, she's just showing off.

Glass: There's only two here worthy of being called a hero. *walks up to the World Jumpers* And what are your names?

Keith: *politely* Please, ladies first.

Glass: *calmly* Oh pardon me, whatever happened to my manners... My name's Glass and that's all you need to learn for now. Feel free to consider me your enemy.

Zane: *wolf whistle, teasingly* There's Keith's woman right there.

And cue Keith slamming his fist right into Zane's groin, making the redhead yell and cry in pain in a manly manner as he fell to his side while holding his family jewels.

Keith was red from embarrassment while Glass hid a small blush at that statement but it disappeared just as fast as it got there. Keith then faces Glass.

Keith: *politely, bows* Keith Levi, a pleasure to meet you.

He then gestures to Zane, who was rolling on the ground in pain.

Keith: And this knucklehead is Zane Grayson.

Glass: Keith Levi and Zane Grayson. Well, well...

Glass unfolds her fans and points one at the two's direction, mainly at Keith since Zane's on the ground.

Glass: Then may I suggest that we begin? The only battle of this wave worthy of the name?

Zane got up and recovered from the nut punch but not as fully recovered.

Keith: You girls get ready, you three, care to back us up?

Glass: Trying to send those servants of yours at me first, are you?

Keith: Wha- They're not-

Ren: Servants?! What the hell?!

Itsuki: Did you just call us?!

Motoyasu: His servants?!

Ren/Itsuki/Motoyasu: SCREW YOU!!!

Keith facepalmed as the three and their parties got ready to fight Glass without a plan and just decided to attack her with their best attacks.

Ren: Meteor Slash!

Motoyasu: Meteor Thrust!

Itsuki: Meteor Shot!

All three attacks were launched towards Glass yet as the attacks hit her, she was still standing and wasn't even scratched.

Zane: Now that's some level bullshit! Of course she'll tank it, we don't even know what her level is!

Keith readied his Guardian Shield for defense and Zane lazily used his Fusion Sword as a shield.

Glass: Is that all you've got? Zero Stance Rondo: Reverse Four Seasons!

Glass swiped her fans and unleashed a combined gust of wind and energy at the heroes and their party members, knocking them all back. They would've had a rough landing had Keith not decided to be merciful and catch them with the chains of the Blades of Chaos and slid them all behind him and his party.

Glass: As I was saying before, mere servants.

Itsuki: How'd she do that...?

The three heroes and their parties were unable to get up after that attack, be it due to exhaustion from fighting for 3 hours straight or just slowly recovering from a powerful attack.

Keith: Are you all okay?

He got a few nods from the nicer members of each party and scowls from those who dislike demi-humans. The heroes just glared at Glass.

Meanwhile, Zane collected the rest of his blades and combined them all back into one and Keith lowered his shield but didn't deactivate it. He popped a mana potion and drank it before he handed another one to Zane, who took it and immediately drank it.

Glass: I hope you'll at least entertain me a little.

Keith: Yeah well, entertainment ain't really our speciality.

Zane: Yeah, let me show you what I'm good at.

Zane unleashed a barrage of Firaga at Glass, who barely got hurt by it.

Glass: You can do better than that, your flames are too cold.

Zane: Insulting but not really why I attacked you with that.

Yanoka and Raphtalia charged on either side of Glass and tried to strike her but Glass simply blocked their attacks. The two girls widened their eyes in surprise before jumping away and letting Frostine unleash her ice breath towards Glass, who still tanked it. Filo then tried to kick her but was shoved aside.

Glass unleashed two strong gusts of wind towards the two World Jumpers. Zane was lucky and managed to cut the gust of wind sent towards him in half. Keith, meanwhile, tanked and managed to reflect the hit back to Glass, who actually had to brace herself as this was her attack, not Keith's or Zane's. Taking the opportunity, Zane called out to Filo.

Zane: Filo, go!

Filo: High Quick!

Filo dashed forward towards Glass and dealt rapid kicks towards the fan wielding woman but she blocked all of Filo's attacks.

Glass: *mockingly* 8 kicks in a second? How very admirable, but I'm afraid it's not enough.

Raphtalia and Yanoka tried to strike Glass from behind while being invisible but Glass sensed them and blocked their attacks, even though Yanoka's sword was a few centimeters away from hitting Glass. Glass looks at the two, unimpressed.

Glass: *coldly* Not even worthy of mention.

Yanoka growled and tried to blast her with a fire spell but Glass swiped her Fan to the side and cut their swords in half, causing Yanoka to stop her spell cast to avoid hitting Raphtalia by accident.

Glass then stretched out her arms, taking a familiar stance. Frostine jumped and grabbed Yanoka and Raphtalia before hiding behind Keith and Zane, who got ready to block her assault.

Glass: Reverse Four Seasons!

Keith and Zane tanked a lot of the damage but the two's weapons aren't big enough to protect them all and managed to actually hurt the girls, knocking them out cold. It didn't help that they themselves were exhausted too.

Zane and Keith were the only two left standing but both were on the verge of collapsing. The two were sweaty, the suits and headset they were wearing in the VR room gave them a hard time to breathe right now, and both have yet to take a hydration break.

Glass: I must say, I'm impressed you're still standing after all that. Now then, when exactly do you intend to use those auras and attacks of yours?

Zane: *whispers* We need to finish this fast, I'm about to faint.

Keith: *whispers* Take a break, I'll handle her.

Zane nodded and took a knee, looking like he was meditating in a kneeling position.

Keith sighed and unsheathed his Blades of Chaos. He knew that Glass was a spirit race and can be affected by any spirit damaging attacks.

Keith: These Blades and its flames have harmed the spirits of Helheim, I bet it can harm someone like Glass given her race.

Keith cracks his Blades of Chaos like a whip, setting them ablaze. He and Glass stared each other down, their eyes looking at each other, trying to read each other's moves and motives. And then, without warning, Zane suddenly returned and dashed towards Glass while attempting to hit her with Cross Slash but she avoided his attack and then the two clashed while Keith took this as his opportunity to take a small break.

Zane knows he can't hurt Glass but he can distract her long enough for Keith to rejoin the fight. Zane splits off the Hollow Blade from his Fusion Sword and dual wielded them before delivering a Blade Beam towards Glass, distracting her and allowing Zane to get close to deliver a flurry of attacks.

Zane's strength and speed from Cloud Strife gave him an advantage over Glass but she was still higher leveled than him so he had to keep the pressure on her to make sure she doesn't hit him, because as of right now, he's a glass cannon.

And then Zane slipped up, one of his attacks was so wide that it gave Glass just enough space to avoid his next attack and back off. Zane tried to run towards her but it was too late. One of Glass's fans glowed purple and when closed, formed a blade made of purple energy.

Glass: Rupture Stance Rondo: Tortoise Shell Cracker!

She unleashed her attack and Zane braced for it, only for Zane to be pulled and tossed to the side on his butt by a chain. He looked and saw Keith had returned from his break and instead of blocking the attack, he deflected it right back at Glass, who widened her eyes in surprise before she dodged her own attack.

Glass: Interesting, even that's not enough to bring you down. If nothing else, you certainly know how to handle a shield.

Keith: Thanks for the compliment, but I don't think flattery will get me to like you. Even if you're quite charming.

Glass: *chuckles* And you say flattery will get me nowhere. I believe I should be telling you that instead.

Zane: *teasingly* Ouch. Rejected already-

Zane was then hit with a barrel, courtesy of Keith and for some reason Glass. Keith looked at Glass, who hid her face behind her fan.

Glass: Your friend was becoming annoying.

Keith accepted that, unbeknownst to him, despite Glass keeping her piercing glare at him, she was blushing a little behind that fan but like earlier it disappeared just as fast as it appeared.

Glass: Aside from your friend, you must have an ace up your sleeve. Stop holding out on me. Show me what you can do.

Keith: Very well then.

Keith unsheathed his Blades of Chaos and got ready to battle Glass. Glass widened her eyes slightly at the ominous presence of the blades but didn't falter.

Just as the two were about to clash, blades vs fan, the ship began to slowly descend and crash into the sides of a ravine below.

Glass: The time limit? I didn't expect it to hit this quickly.

Keith gasped in surprise, he completely forgot the time limit.

He looked at the exhausted people on the ship and then back at Glass. He began to think, he crouched beside Raphtalia and whispered.

Keith: Raphtalia, once I heal you cast light magic immediately to blind her. Got it?

Raphtalia nodded weakly and got ready to cast it.

Glass: The battle of the waves will end in our victory, there can be no other outcome. I have nothing against you but it is what it is.

Keith: Fast Heal!

Keith, thanks to the Shield, was now capable of using this world's magic. Since he threw a barrel at Zane, who is either knocked out or is taking a break, only he could heal Raphtalia as of right now.

Raphtalia: Fast Light!

Raphtalia's light magic managed to blind Glass and once she recovered from it, she widened her eyes in surprise as Keith was now in front of her and the next thing she knew, she was uppercutted up to the Waves above.

Keith then got in front of the ship and threw his Blades of Chaos at each side of the ravine before performing a Tobey Maguire.

Zane: Well, I haven't seen this in Spider-Man. What episode of Spongebob did Spider-Man stop the Flying Dutchman from crashing into a ravine?

Keith: *annoyed* TIME AND PLACE, ZANE!

Zane laughs and runs to the back of the ship before stabbing the Hollow Blade on the ship and then stabs his Fusion Sword on the ground, slowing down the ship's crash.

Both teens yelled in pain in their VR rooms as while their avatars did have their respective characters' strengths and feats, they themselves didn't have that so it was a rather painful experience for both their torsos, backs, arms, and shoulders.

As the ship finally crashed, the two World Jumpers let go of their weapons and fell to the ground, tired. They managed to walk over to Raphtalia, who was nursing the other tired party members but Keith managed to heal them before he collapsed from exhaustion and logged off. He could hear the girls shouting him and Zane's names but he just can't stay up anymore, his entire body hurt and he was dehydrated.

Back in the VR room, the two World Jumpers managed to log out and get their headsets off but couldn't even get up anymore and fainted from exhaustion then the scene fades to black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Rise | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to show Keith in his bedroom, a warm bandage wrapped around his chest. On his shoulders, front and back, were ice packs that were bandaged to him. And on his back were heat plasters. He groggily wakes up and is greeted with a familiar face.

Keith: *surprised* What the fu– OW! Fuck!

Keith collapses back on the bed and hisses in pain. He shifts uncomfortably in the bed due to the pain but slowly gets over it and gets comfortable on laying down.

Keith: Wow, a real life android from CyberLife. Never thought this would be the day I get to see one up close. Kara right?

The AX400 android, Kara, just stares at him for a few moments like she's trying to examine him.

Kara: *politely* Yes, my name is Kara. It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Levi.

Keith: *politely* Likewise Kara.

Keith looked to his side and saw a dining tray that was set aside on the bedside table. Kara notices him looking at it and stands up to pick it up. Keith slowly and carefully sits up on the bed. Kara fixes up a small bed table for Keith and sets up the plate of food. His appetizer was two french toast bread, the soup being chicken macaroni stew, the main course which was a creamy cheese fettuccine pasta with bacon bits, parmesan cheese, and a bit of chopped basil. And for dessert, it was a banana split that was put in a translucent freezer.

Keith: W-Wow... Um... This is one well prepared full course meal. *bows* Thank you, Kara.

Kara: You're welcome.

As Keith was about to eat his food and Kara was about to leave his room, he had to ask three questions.

Keith: Kara... How long was I out, is Zane okay, and when can I get back in the VR?

Kara: For your first question, you have been asleep and recovering for 2 days. As for your second question, your friend is doing well in his recovery. For your last question, your recovery is still on-going and may take a week for you to fully recover. However, you may enter the Virtual Simulation Chamber by tomorrow, as long as you do not do anything reckless that will injure your body further.

Keith: That's all good to know.

Kara: Do you have any more questions, Mr Levi?

Keith: Please, call me Keith. Mr Levi makes me feel old. And I do have one question, how has Zane been treating you?

Kara: Mr Grayson has been treating me perfectly fine. However, there are some of his "service" jokes that I sometimes find humorous but oftentimes I find them uncomforting.

Keith: *sarcastically* Oh, he's been requesting for you to "please him", has he?

Kara: Indeed he has. You're not the same, are you?

Keith: Nah, gal. You're safe with me. Just hope you didn't give him any services.

Kara shakes her head and leaves him to recover and eat.

{Next Day - Morning | Castle Town}

The two World Jumpers were back in action but they were still recovering and not yet back to full strength. To recap what happened the past two days:

After Keith and Zane had collapsed from exhaustion, Frostine and Filo had made a mad dash back to the village with Raphtalia. Yanoka remained behind to skin the Soul Eater for any useful materials for Keith's shield and for crafting.

Despite Raphtalia giving both World Jumpers medicine, their avatars wouldn't wake up but were breathing. During this time, the villagers assumed that the two just needed rest. What was worrisome was while the two were unconscious, the Knight Captain said that the two were requested to report to the royal castle at once.

Raphtalia, Yanoka, and even the villagers argued that the two needed rest and weren't waking up any time soon. This tested the Captain's patience but thankfully Ake suggested that the party could travel and continue to care for the two on the road.

The villagers offered some of the medicine that was handed to them by the group to help the two World Jumpers "recover". Unbeknownst to them, their avatars were perfectly fine and the players themselves were being nursed by Kara in the "Lounge".

Traveling to Castle Town took a day but it took two to reach it because the group decided to rest up in the mountain village for a day to let the World Jumpers, mainly their avatars, rest up. Thankfully, once they got there, both World Jumpers were finally capable of logging back in though their sore body made things a little difficult for the two but they pushed through.

As of right now, the duo were currently meeting with His Royal Majesty, King Aultcray XXXII. The king was watching the boss battle of the second wave, more specifically how Keith and Zane double teamed the Dimensional Soul Eater with Spartan Rage and Omnislash Version 6.

King Aultcray: *clears his throat* I saw what happened through the crystal ball. You did well to quell the wave. *grumbles* As much as I hate to admit it.

Zane: What a way to show your gratitude you old geezer.

Keith: *uninterested, mutters* Why did I even agree to this...

King Aultcray: I have a question for you both. I want to know exactly how you obtained such incredible strength.

Zane: *mutters to self* Oh you know, we met some dude who gave us video game powers.

King Aultcray: You both possess powers that exceed the powers of the heroes. It is your duty as royal bodyguards to reveal the secrets behind it. *demandingly* It's time to spit it out! And don't you even think about lying to me!

Keith continued to look uninterested while Zane smirked cockily.

Zane: No thanks.

King Aultcray: *glares at Zane* What was that?

Zane: *smartass grin* We don't answer to you, you old douche. You didn't hire us, your wife did. Thus, we take our orders from her and not yours.

Keith: *uninterested* To keep it simple, what my colleague meant to say is that... We are not obliged to follow your commands nor comply with your demands.

Aultcray gritted his teeth in anger but Zane had more to say.

Zane: Although if you want to know so badly... *points at to the ground, smartass grin* Why don't you get on your knees and kiss our boots.

The knights in the room simply gawked in surprise while Aultcray was losing his temper.

King Aultcray: You insolent cur!

The knights drew their weapons and surrounded the two. But before they could do anything, Zane's Fusion Sword split into its six blades and pointed themselves at the throat of six of the knights. Meanwhile, Keith held out his Blades of Chaos and they lit ablaze, intimidating some of the knights and forcing them on their butts.

Keith: You dare threaten us, when mere seconds ago you watched us kill a wave boss with ease. What we did to that Soul Eater, we'll do it to you too.

King Aultcray: *sweatdrops* You're bluffing and you know it!

Zane and Keith's auras flared up, Zane's blue aura from his Limit Break and Keith's flaming aura from Spartan Rage. This show of aura not only intimidated the knights but forced them to back away in fear for their lives.

Zane: Wanna bet?

The two kept their eyes on Aultcray, who's glare hasn't dropped despite the growing fear inside him.

Keith: We'll continue to cooperate with you for now. But cross our path again and/or try to order us around like servants, we shall stop aiding your country and your heroes during the next waves.

The two dropped their aura but were inwardly cursing at how they just wasted their ultimates just for intimidation tactics but it was well worth it. Just as they were about to leave, Aultcray didn't back away that easily.

King Aultcray: I-I am the King! I forbid you to disrespect me this way!

The two stopped walking before facing the king with sneers.

Zane: *sneering* We're not from here so we don't really fucking care.

Keith: *sneering* And your country follows a matriarchal monarchy. Thus we respect the queen more than your old ass.

Aultcray gets ticked off by the two's comments as they walk away. However, the words that came out of the king's mouth would've been his final ones.

King Aultcray: I know what I'll do. *points at the two* Those slaves of yours will pay for your crimes. Don't think you can get out of this that easily.

Big mistake.

The two stopped once more and this time, instead of facing him with sneers, they faced him with a hard cold glare. Eerily, Zane's avatar's eyes had turned from its normal emerald green to a fiery red color that seemed to burn through deep into the soul of the king. While Keith now had Kratos's tattoos that were on fire, showing that he's more than willing to show his brutal side.

Both faced the King before their weapons snapped from their holsters and towards their owner's hands in a second, making it feel like a slasher villain had just acquired his killing weapon.

The knights tried to get in the way of the now terrified king but they themselves were about to shit their pants. The two walked eerily slowly towards the throne and the king sitting on it, their auras suddenly flaring up once again with every step they took.

Zane: *coldly, darkly* If you want to know our power so badly...

Keith: *coldly, darkly* Then we'll gladly give you a taste of it...

The two were now in front of the king as the atmosphere in the room suddenly became hot, dark, and grim.

King Aultcray: M-M-M-Mercy...

The two simply leaned their faces towards the king, their hard cold glare not dropping.

Zane: *coldly, darkly* If you're going to threaten us, make sure you can back it up.

Keith: *coldly, darkly* Because if you can't, then we'll threaten you instead.

Keith pointed his Leviathan Axe towards the king, its cold air brushing through the king's face.

Zane: *cold, darkly* Dare threaten or cross us again, we will come marching back through this hall and declare you our enemy. And you do not want to make an enemy out of us.

Keith: *coldly, darkly* Because once you do, we will not stop, we will chase you and hunt you to the ends of the world till you're within our grasp. And once you are, we will make your life a living hell that death would be the greatest mercy.

As the two's auras died down and everything returned to normal. Aultcray widened his eyes as he realized he was now kneeling in front of the two out of fear and quite possibly begging them for mercy and forgiveness. The knights that were meant to protect him and stood between him and the two demi-humans, they were all cowering in fear or too scared to even pick up their weapons — let alone capable of standing.

The two World Jumpers continued to glare down at the king before sheathing their weapons and walking away. Aultcray couldn't even shout at the two as he just saw his life flash before his eyes and stood in front of him just now were not two demi-humans anymore, those were two devils.

The two World Jumpers were satisfied with their threats and weren't letting him take their party members away. What happened during the wave just reminded them that they are still human underneath the avatars and can still be hurt unlike their avatars.

Kara even stated that their recovery would take at least a week and their condition could worsen if they continued fighting during their recovery. Threatening the king wasn't a good idea, yes, but they won't let him threaten their party members like that and get away with it.

Zane: I can't believe we just said the threat we use to say in front of annoying players

Keith: I'm surprised you still remember it. Last time we rehearsed it for a roleplay was 3 months ago.

The two World Jumpers walked down a flight of stairs and passed by a woman in a regal red dress. She took two steps up the stairs and stopped, the two World Jumpers stopped as well as they could still see her in their peripherals.

???: You did well this time, I dare say Glitch Heroes. I dare say.

Zane widened his eyes and was about to grab his sword but Keith placed a hand on his shoulder to reassure him.

Keith: The only people who know what we really are Raphtalia, Yanoka, Melty, and Her Majesty and you're neither of those people. And we haven't used that name once we left Faubrey, so that leaves me guessing you're either an enemy spy or you're a friend of Her Majesty.

Shadow: You're quite the perceptive one. I am one of Her Majesty's 'Shadows', tasked with keeping watch on Princess Melty.

Zane sweatdropped in his VR room and he had a very good reason why. The "Filo Ate Melty Incident" was still fresh in his mind and no doubt the Shadow's too. While Filo didn't really gobble up the second princess, he did just tell Raphtalia and Yanoka that they saw nothing that night and planned on telling the queen that her daughter was eaten by cannibalistic filolials.

Thankfully, the Shadow wasn't there to discuss that incident and instead talk about more pressing matters.

Shadow: Your efforts have become, shall we say, somewhat impossible for anyone to reasonably ignore any longer. Including certain powers who, to put it mildly, aren't taking too kindly to your interference, Sir Heroes.

The Shadow pulls out a three heroes church rosary. Keith already knew what this meant, the church and the pope were making their move while Zane was just tilting his head in confusion.

Shadow: Virtuous on the surface, conniving and conspiring behind the scenes. You should exercise the utmost caution going forward, I dare say. Understood?

Keith: *bows* Of course, thank you for warning us.

After her cryptic warning, she walked away. The two walked out of the castle though Zane was still confused about that warning.

Zane: Was she giving us a riddle or a warning?

Keith simply facepalmed while Zane got annoyed at that.

Zane: I'm being serious. All I got was that she showed us that weird looking rosary that the cool pope was wearing.

Keith: It's nothin' important, mate. Wait... COOL POPE?! WTF?!

{Meanwhile, Back in the Throne Room}

Melty walked into the throne room, making Aultcray's attitude do a complete 180 and turn from an angry king to a joyful one upon seeing his youngest daughter.

King Aultcray: *joyfully* Ah, Melty, what can I do for you?

Princess Melty: I was told that you and my two bodyguards had a conversation just now, is that right father?

Aultcray's face dropped from joyous to slightly fearful and a bit of an eye twitch.

Princess Melty: And I was also told that the conversation ended in a very hostile manner.

Aultcray sighed tiredly and sulked in his seat, he wasn't fond of those two and now it seems that Melty was defending them. He completely forgot that they were her bodyguards and escorted her home in the first place. Melty continued on.

Princess Melty: Father, if you remain at odds with them, we may lose one of our only means of fighting the waves — which could threaten the safety of our entire country.

Aultcray's hands were twitching in annoyance and anger, if Melty only knew what kind of threat the two said then maybe she'd understand why he can't trust them. And if she only knew what his past was like then maybe she'd understand better.

Princess Melty: Please try to reconcile with them.

That request was the last straw and Aultcray snapped, slamming his fist on his throne's armrest.

King Aultcray: *angry* Reconcile with those swines?!

Melty squeaked in surprise as she hasn't normally seen her father snap like this, much less in front of her or towards her.

Aultcray was quick to realize who he snapped at and was quick to change his demeanor.

King Aultcray: *reassuringly* D-Don't worry, my dear. I'm not angry at you.

Princess Melty: *curious* I just don't understand, father. Why do you hate those two demi-humans so much?

King Aultcray: *sighs* It's just that... If those two demi-humans do as they please, I'll lose my family again...

Princess Melty: *softly* Father, I...

Itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water spout, the throne room doors opened and in came the bitch.

Princess Malty: Your defiance isn't a front.

Melty looked at her sister, who was walking up to their father.

Princess Malty: With the queen away, the king's word is final. And not even we princesses can go against it. Our father is the king. Whether you understand his decisions or not, they all have the betterment of our country at heart.

Malty leans against the queen's throne before facing Melty with a "caring" facade.

Princess Malty: I realize that you're still at an age where you want him to baby you. Of course, I was once small like you too. But you really should learn to hold back a little, dear Melty. Just a word of advice from your big sis.

Princess Melty: *smiles* I appreciate your concern and I'm grateful. But you see big sister, this is really none of your business.

Malty's facade nearly broke as her lips slowly quivered into a frown and her eyebrows twitched.

Princess Melty: Just like our mother and father, I only want what's best for our subjects and our country — you understand. So you see, *places a hand on her chest* it is my job as crowned princess to see that everything is put right.

Princess Malty: *scowls* Melty... you little...

Melty simply smiles smugly before bidding her father, who was stuck between choosing to side with Melty or Malty, farewell.

Princess Melty: I'll take my leave now father.

Aultcray tried reaching out for Melty in hopes that she would stay a little long.

King Aultcray: Melty, please I–

Malty stops him and continues to scowl and glare daggers at her younger sister, who was walking out the throne room.

Once Melty was outside the throne room, she met up with the Shadow in disguise. Once they were walking away, unbeknownst to the two, a knight hiding behind the pillar watched them interact and retreated away to somewhere.

{Meanwhile, at Erhard's Blacksmith Shop}

Erhard: I can't believe you actually went spoiling for a fight with the king.

The group was back at the blacksmith's and Keith had told Erhard everything about the meeting.

Zane: Correction. The motherfucker started it.

Keith: And when you say mf, do you mean figuratively or literally? Because the queen has two daughters.

Zane: Try both.

Raphtalia was shaking her head fondly while Frostine covered Filo's innocent ears from Zane's vulgar language. Yanoka was using a whetstone to sharpen her katana, even though she barely uses it.

Erhard: Whatever, you can do all your shopping here cause I got everything.

He then thought of something else before growing worried for the group.

Erhard: But wait a sec, what about the Class Upgrades? Based on everything you've said, it's unlikely they'll let you use the dragon hourglass here.

Keith: Well, Her Majesty is still in Faubrey so our best bet is heading over there. And quite possibly the safest.

Zane: I thought Shieldfreeden is the safest?

Keith: It is but having Her Majesty on our side compared to a temporary safe haven on Shieldfreeden is better in the long run.

Zane: Fair enough.

Filo: Master, are we– are we going on another trip?

Keith: Yes, Filo. We're going on another trip.

Filo: *cheers, happily* We're going on a trip!

Zane: *mutters* On our favorite rocket ship.

Keith: *whispers* Zooming through the skies.

Zane and Keith pointed at each other with knowing looks and smiles.

Zane/Keith: *mutters* Little Einsteins.

While Filo bounced around in excitement, Erhard spoke up.

Erhard: Normally it takes about 4 weeks, but I'm pretty sure she'll get you there in less time. I'll get everything you need loaded up on your wagon. You're gonna have to get going pretty quick.

Keith bowed in thanks.

{Timeskip}

The group are now on the road just a few meters outside of Castle Town.

Raphtalia: Erhard is always so fast and organized, isn't he? We wouldn't have been able to leave so quickly otherwise.

Keith: We're so lucky to have him, honestly.

Keith was reading through Erhard's letter:

"Just thought I'd put in some gifts for the road kids. Use them if you like. They may prove useful on your journey."

Keith and Zane were looking at their spare armor sets in one crate.

"For you two kids, your spare armor sets that you ordered. Finally got them both done just earlier today and I gave your armor sets the auto repair function as requested so try not to break them immediately."

Raphtalia was admiring the completely identical sword to hers.

"For the little missy, a brand new sword. It's the same make as the one she broke. Nothing beats a trusty old friend, right? I put another one for her too. A mana sword. For enemies with no physical body."

Zane and Raphtalia looked at the mana sword, which was only the handle of the sword and no blade. The two looked at each other puzzled while Yanoka snickered and Keith shook his head and continued to read the letter.

"For the fiery little miss, a pair of leather gloves that increase her fire spells' damage. Had to ask a favor from the old lady at the magic shop to help infuse it with magic enchantments."

Yanoka was trying out the rose red colored leather gloves with fire shaped silver embroidery on the back of the glove. She smiled in appreciation for the gift.

"If God forbid, your feathered lassy can't draw the wagon anymore, this little item will come in handy. She puts this on she'll gain the strength of 100 men, even you could draw the wagon kid."

The group had stopped by near a small river and were fishing, well Filo was more into catching the fish in her arms. Keith hands her the gloves, which were also white and blue themed like her outfit. She tries them on and smiles.

Frostine: It seems that I won't be receiving a gift as of right now.

Keith looked back at the letter and saw Erhard's small apology.

"It seems that I can't make something for your dragon lass yet. I'd give her armor but they'd break each time she transforms and it'll be a pain to put them on and take off over and over again. But don't worry, I'll try and make something special for her."

Keith smiles and rubs Frostine's head, who purrs softly and nuzzles her head against his hand. Keith found it adorable and wanted to cuddle her with his real body.

Later that day, the sun was setting over the horizon. Filo gently blew on her wooden mug of chocolate milk but as she took a sip, it was still too hot and made her recoil back and stick out her tongue to the breezy open air to cool it off.

Yanoka was easily gulping down her milk despite it being hot and was already ready for a refill. Frostine simply turned hers into iced chocolate milk as she's not really fond of hot drinks, well all except soup anyway.

Keith was simply admiring the sunset. Or that's what everyone else sees. In reality, he was in deep thought. Zane let his friend be and looked up to the sky with a smile.

Zane: I miss being free like this. Being able to adventure and travel all over the place. You don't normally get this kind of freedom back on Earth, only in video games. I just hope this moment doesn't get ruined.

And cue the moment being ruined.

Princess Melty: *excitedly* Found you!

Zane's smile contorted into a frown as he looked down at the road and saw a group of knights on horseback and a wagon with Melty inside, smiling that she found the group before they got too far.

Zane: *annoyed* Me and my big mouth.

Filo: *excitedly* It's Mel! Hey we're over here Mel!

Filo gets up from her seat and jumps up and down while waving her arms in the air like a child calling their bestie.

Keith: Filo, please sit down. You might bump into us.

Filo didn't hear him. Or she probably just straight up ignored him. Either way, Keith sighed in annoyance as Filo nearly toppled his drink over after accidentally hitting his seat from jumping.

The knights stop just a few feet from the group and Melty walks up to them. All the while, Zane kept the annoyed look on his face.

Princess Melty: Saviors of the Heavenly Fowl. I have a request, please return to the capital and speak with King Aultcray again.

Keith was about to speak but Zane spoke up first.

Zane: Okay, first off, don't call us that cause it's becoming annoying. And as for your second request. Hell. No.

Melty recoiled a little at Zane's words but she didn't relent.

Princess Melty: I want you to apologize for your conduct and reconcile.

Once again, like earlier, Zane spoke before Keith could even get out his words.

Zane: FUCK! NO!

Melty's lips quivered into a frown and her brows twitched in annoyance before she lowered her head and closed her eyes to try and calm herself down but Zane declining just kept increasing her frustration.

Princess Melty: We need your help "sir heroes". We just can't stop the waves without you. Besides, you'd be nowhere without the king's financial help. Don't you understand.

The two blinked in confusion before Zane spoke up first. Again.

Zane: What financial help? The King doesn't give us any and we don't care for his financial help. *smugly* We're doing just fine on our own. Besides, we're the one helping y'all.

Melty lowered her head and her shaking fists and shoulders indicated that Zane was pushing her patience to the limit.

Raphtalia: *scoldingly* Master Zane.

Zane dismissively waves off her scolding look, making Raphtalia give him an annoyed look instead.

Princess Melty: Why?! *frustrated* Why do both you and my father have to act this way?! It's ridiculous! A hero and the king can't be fighting among themselves! Absolutely not!!!

Zane recoiled back a little nervously at Melty's sudden temper tantrum while everyone else, but Keith, were surprised to see this side of Melty.

Filo: *nervously* M-Mel...

Princess Melty: *frustrated, tantrum* Don't you agree with me Filo, isn't this silly?! You agree don't you, Raphtalia?! What about you Yanoka?! And you, Frostine?!

The girls nervously sweatdrop as they don't really know who to agree with.

Princess Melty: *frustrated, tantrum* You see! They agree with me, all four of them!

Keith: *lifts a finger* Well, they didn't actually–

Princess Melty: Shush!

Keith threw his hands up in exasperation before shaking his head and walking to the river as he felt like he wasn't needed there.

Princess Melty: Look, just apologize to father, just this once! Otherwise, mother's gonna yell at him when she gets back!

Zane put his hands on his face before groaning in annoyance. Melty was becoming too annoying for him to deal with. He lowered his hands but his annoyed look never went away.

Zane: This little kid throws a tantrum just like a spoiled brat not getting what he/she wants. Much more, her throwing a tantrum like this reminds me of her dad. Shesh...

Melty saw that Zane wasn't even listening to her anymore, ticking her off more.

Princess Melty: *almost demandingly* You listen to me when I'm talking to you!

Zane growled in annoyance but didn't snap at Melty. Zane then focuses his attention on the knights instead of Melty and notices their odd formation.

Zane: This feeling... I've felt it before... A long time ago...

Zane sighed and turned away from Melty and towards the others. While Melty was yelling at him, he saw Yanoka was preparing a fire spell on her free hand behind her back while Frostine was inhaling a lot of oxygen. Raphtalia and Filo were more focused on Melty than the knights, however.

Zane saw one of the knights charge towards them while in the process of drawing his sword. He glared at the knights and was about to pull his sword for self defense.

Zane: I knew it... A setup.

Before Zane could grab hold of his weapon, Keith places a hand on his shoulder and he pulls Melty towards him and walks towards the wagon while Frostine blows the knight away with her ice breath but it was only air. However, instead of blowing back the knight, she instead knocked him off his feet and made it seem like he tripped instead.

Knight: Curse you! How dare you take the royal princess Melty hostage!

None of the party answered him and they all just walked away towards the wagon, not wanting to entertain their facade. You see when Zane walked to the wagon with Melty, he passed the others and told them about the crystal ball. Keith and Zane had told the others about the racist knights during their first visit to Melromarc when they were still escorting Melty.

The knights gawked and sweatdropped that their plan wasn't working as none of the group actually looked at them directly to even alter their appearance and they were all walking away calmly.

The knight that charged thought fast and yelled out to his fellow knights.

Knight: Fellow knights, justice is ours! Let's destroy those devils!

The knights charged at them but were stopped when bioplant monsters suddenly erupted around the road and attacked them while the party rode off to escape. Inside the wagon, Keith lowered his bioplant shield and switched it back to his Guardian Shield.

Keith: That went better than expected.

Melty was still in shock at what she heard from the knights and demanded answers from Keith.

Keith: I'll explain but you need to calm down, Mel.

Once Melty calmed down, Keith began his explanation.

Keith: Okay. To put things simply, one of Her Majesty's shadows gave us a warning about the Three Heroes Church and that they are planning something big. Before we headed to Erhard's shop, we went looking for Ake, one of the knights that joined us during the wave, and asked him questions.

Brief flashback to Ake speaking with Keith and Zane.

Keith: How many knights support the Three Heroes Church?

Ake: I'm not sure but I'm certain a lot of the knights do.

Back to the present in the wagon, Keith continued his explanation.

Keith: When we were headed to Erhard's shop, we noticed that we were being tailed by a knight and led him to an alleyway where we interrogated him.

A brief flashback to show Keith and Zane being followed by a knight and when they turned to an alley, the knight lost them. When he went deeper into the alley, the two ambushed him and interrogated him.

Keith: *voice over* The knight was a religious fanatic. When we asked why he was tailing us, he wouldn't answer. Even threatening to strip him of his armor and weapons or threatening him with a quick death, he wouldn't budge.

Princess Melty: *voice over* You weren't really going to kill him, right?

Keith: *voiceover* No. But when we threatened to destroy his rosary, he begged not to. So, I came up with an idea.

It flashes to show Keith using the shield's crafting system and making 9 identical copies of the rosary using a similar-looking metal. He held up the 10 identical rosaries to the knight's face.

Keith: *voiceover* I made 9 identical copies of his rosary and told him that for every question he refuses to answer or doesn't provide one or if he lies, I destroy one rosary and he won't know which is actually his.

It flashes to show Keith and Zane stepping or breaking the fake rosaries in front of the knight, who kept begging them not to break them and revealed a lot of secrets regarding the Three Heroes Church and the assassination attempt of Melty and frame the two. Unfortunately, he didn't know anything else.

Back to the present, Melty was trying to process all this.

Keith: Best you rest, Mel. We're heading to Faubrey and getting help from your mom. She'll help us resolve this.

Melty nodded slowly and rested her head on Frostine's shoulder, who wrapped a wing around the second princess.

Keith: I hope those bioplants managed to destroy the crystal ball. Because even if we didn't look like we kidnapped her, there'd come a bullshit about us being able to control monsters or the mind control bullshit.

Unfortunately for Keith, the knights had already sent the video to the mages and they managed to alter some of it, even though it didn't make sense at all.

The footage had Melty arguing with Zane but Zane did nothing to harm Melty. Then one of the knights charges forward and trips. The group leaves with Melty following the group to their wagon and the knights suddenly charge forward even before the bioplants monsters erupt from the ground and attack the knights.

The knights showing the footage explained that the princess wouldn't listen to the knights in the video and ignored their calls for her to come back to them. Then they argued that the knight charging forward was paralyzed, which caused him to trip and fall. They then argued that Melty was mind controlled by the two demi-humans and they mind controlled the monsters to attack the knights.

Sadly for these knights, not very many people believed their bullshit as most towns that were visited by the two demi-humans flourished and were grateful that the two medically treated the sick and wounded. Even if the knights argued that the two were devils in disguise, none of the villagers believed them for three reasons.

Reason one, the video didn't make sense at all. It was clear as day that the princess decided to travel with the group and monsters attacked the knights just as the same time the princess and the group were leaving. And reason two, how would two demi-humans, who've helped a lot more people than the knights and heroes, become devils in the first place? And reason three, the villagers thought of it as either a plot of the Church to rid of demi-humans or the knights were just envious that demi-humans are doing a better job than they are.

Either way, the group weren't capable of entering any towns or villages because most of them now had more knights guarding them, and assaulting the knights would spell even more trouble for them.

Zane groans in annoyance as it shows that it was now night time and the group was deep in a dense forest. The two World Jumpers were looking at the town below and saw no way of getting in without starting trouble.

Zane: Seriously, why can't we just kill a few knights and feed Frostine their bodies. Heck, I bet Filo can eat them too and she wouldn't mind.

Keith looked at his partner incredulously.

Keith: I know this would be the perfect time for you doing all your anarchy stuff and allow us to commit war crimes but dude. Melty's with us.

Zane: Then drop her off somewhere. Make her hide in Erhard's shop for all I care, I wanna do some anarchy. Besides, those knights ain't gonna be reasonable.

Keith: You say that, but do I "seem like a calm and reasonable person" to you?

Zane: *snickers* Nice reference.

Keith: Thanks, but seriously. As much as I want to commit said war crimes with ye, I'm afraid that's only going to piss Her Majesty off.

His sentence only made Zane grumble in annoyance. After surveying the town a little longer and finding no way in, Keith decided to head back to the group with Zane.

Yanoka: Well? Anything good?

Keith: Nope. We've surveyed the town and just like the others that received the video, security became tight.

Yanoka: Damn.

Zane: Don't worry, y'all. I'mma just pin the blame on Mr 32nd husband.

Princess Melty: *snaps* My father can't be behind this!

Zane: Yeah sure, keep telling yourself that. I'll believe you if the bastard didn't actually threaten us back in the throne room. If he was willing to put someone like Filo or Frostine, who are only a month old mind you, in prison then I have no doubt he'd frame us for kidnapping you.

Zane and Melty glared daggers at each other, both furious at one another. Keith put a hand on Zane's shoulder to calm him down, which worked and Zane clicked his tongue in annoyance and lowered his glare.

Keith: Melty, do you have any idea who could've plotted something like this?

Princess Melty: *reluctantly* My sister, probably.

Yanoka: *growls, mutters* Of course it'd be that heartless bitch. Only she'd be crazy enough to kill her own sister just to ascend the throne.

Frostine: You seem to have a grudge against her.

Yanoka: *snarls* It's none of your business, you stupid reptile!

Frostine doesn't react much to that insult but does glare at Yanoka.

Keith: Hey! You keep that mouth of yours in check, Yanoka. This bubbling attitude of yours is both concerning and becoming a nuisance.

Yanoka huffs in anger but doesn't retort back.

Zane: I suppose that red haired bitch did plan on killing you. But if it didn't involve you, then I would have no doubt your father would do something just like this to frame us because we're demi-humans.

Melty glowered at the redheaded World Jumper.

Keith: That's enough, you two. Arguing won't get us anywhere.

Keith lowered a map and lit one of his Blades of Chaos ablaze as a light source.

Keith: Going back to the capital now is suicide. Our best bet is staying clear of the roads so we don't encounter any knights and steering clear of towns or villages to avoid suspicion. We still have enough food supply to last us 2 weeks, 3 if we add hunting and fishing in safe areas the knights won't look.

Zane: So I guess we're heading to Faubrey?

Keith: Yeah, we'll meet up with Her Majesty and we'll help her settle this problem. We can't do this alone. And given what was shown on the crystal balls, *to Melty* I doubt your father will even believe a word we say.

Melty sighed. She had to agree, her father for some reason has a huge disdain towards demi-humans and she doesn't know exactly why. To have Keith and Zane bring her back to her father would either result in her being an easy target for her sister, or Aultcray would have Keith and Zane arrested and they'd be on the run.

Keith: Let's rest up and we'll head out early at dawn. Staying here for too long is not safe for any of us. We need to get to that border before any of them know what we're planning.

Everyone went to rest and Zane was the first to watch. Keith went out of his VR room to make coffee but saw Kara heading to their VR rooms while holding a tray that had two mugs of coffee and four packets of crackers.

Keith: Oh... I was... I was just about to grab coffee.

Kara: Well, I noticed that both of you are awake so I decided to make you both coffee. It would seem I made the right call to do so.

Keith: Uh-huh. Zane and I are keeping watch of our friends and even if it gets in the way of our recovery, we're not leaving them on our own.

Kara smiles at that and hands Keith the crackers and his coffee.

Kara: Iced brown coffee with one teaspoon of sugar.

Keith: *smiles* Thanks, lass.

The android smiles and bows her head before knocking on Zane's room. Keith enters his and enjoys his coffee and crackers. Zane logs off really quickly and opens the door and sees Kara with the coffee and crackers.

Zane: *smiles* Is that...

Kara: *smiles* Black roast coffee.

Zane: *cheers, softly* Yes!

He pumps his fist before grabbing the coffee and takes a sip before moaning in delight. He then takes the crackers and thanks the android lady.

Zane: Thank you, Kara.

Kara: You're welcome, Zane.

Kara gently closes the door to his VR room as Zane enjoys his coffee and snacks.

{The Next Day}
{Days Before The Next Wave: 27}

The group was traveling up the mountain ranges and avoiding the roads as best as they could to avoid the knights. However, there was one person who wasn't happy.

Filo: *whines* What about the wagon?

Keith: Filo, we've talked about this. We can't bring the wagon up these mountains. And Frostine bringing it to safety in Castle Town will only get her in a lot more trouble.

Frostine: We can simply return to it once this is all over. We left it hidden in the forest just outside near one of the towns, remember?

Filo: Promise? You promise we'll come back for it?

Keith kneels in front of Filo and cups her cheeks before kissing her forehead like a big brother or father would.

Keith: *smiles* I promise.

As the group continued to trek and hike the mountain, knights had begun to spread out and searched for the group but to no avail. Back with the group, Keith was simply singing.

Keith: 🎶 Far over The Misty Mountains Cold. To dungeons deep and caverns old. 🎶

The rest looked at him along with Zane, causing Keith to be embarrassed and stop singing.

Keith: *clears throat* Sorry...

Zane: We didn't tell you to stop, buddy.

They continued on but Keith decided to entertain them a little bit by continuing to sing The Misty Mountains Cold.

It wasn't long till the group found their resting spot, which was a small cave just near the peak of the mountain. Keith looked around for possible escape routes while Zane led the girls inside the cave to rest.

During that night, Keith and Zane were sleeping in their VR rooms as they missed out on sleep, again. Raphtalia and Yanoka's ears perked up at the clanking noises of metal from the armor of knights. Unfortunately for them, the two World Jumpers were still fast asleep in their VR rooms.

The group decided to have Raphtalia and Yanoka carry the two sleepy dorks while Frostine carries the packs. Even more unfortunate is that no matter where the group went, knights seemed to have blocked their exits or would be difficult to slip by unnoticed because the two idiots were still sleeping.

As the group tries to find another way to escape, the cliffside gives in and causes Melty to scream as she nearly falls. That was, if it wasn't for Frostine catching her. Unfortunately for the dragon girl, one of the bags slipped off her when trying to catch Melty and the knights heard the scream and collapsing rock.

Yanoka: Damn. Looks like we're gonna have company. Melty, can you run?

Princess Melty: I think.

Yanoka: Alright. Sir Keith said that if all else fails, head for that clearing past the big rock.

The girls made a run for it and skidded to a stop when they noticed the big drop. They turned behind them and saw that they're surrounded by knights. And to make matters worse, the three "heroes" were there with them.

Itsuki: That's it. You've got nowhere left to run. You're surrounded. Even you have to admit that. Cease your resistance and release Princess Melty at once.

Yanoka: What do you mean release?! These two on our backs are her bodyguards and they're taking her to Her Majesty in Faubrey!

Motoyasu: *cockily* Quit lying to us. We have all the proof we need now.

Princess Melty: Please sir heroes. I'm perfectly fine as you can well see. My bodyguards kept watch over me, making sure I was safe.

The heroes didn't believe it.

Ren: Wait a minute, this whole thing is happening because those two abducted you.

Princess Melty: This is all a misunderstanding. You see someone is plotting to have me killed. I asked them to take me with them and protect my life.

Ren: He's protecting you? Come on. We barely know them.

Yanoka: *raised brow* And yet you followed his lead during the wave, why?

That got Ren to shut up and Yanoka to smirk smugly.

Princess Melty: Besides, what advantage could these two possibly stand to gain by abducting me when they were hired by my mother in the first place.

The girls nodded in agreement.

Princess Melty: The queen told me, this is the time for all of us to work together. It's the only way we'll be able to thwart the catastrophes. Our world can't withstand any more of these ridiculous, pointless conflicts. Put your weapons away, please.

The three heroes were silent throughout her small speech. Yanoka then speaks up.

Yanoka: Like she said, this is all a misunderstanding and a setup. We have no secrets, we'll tell you everything we know.

However, her reassurance was broken when a redheaded nuisance showed up.

Princess Malty: I command you not to listen to her! That lying devil possesses charm magic! It allows her to take over your mind by simply talking to you! It's the most dangerous weapon she has!

Yanoka blinked a few times before her calm demeanor turned into a hostile one as she growled ferally upon laying eyes on Malty.

Raphtalia: *dumbfounded* Who would believe something so stupid and silly?!

Frostine: I can vouch. While Yanoka has affinity for charm magic, she has yet to use, show, or even practice it at all. Much less on anyone.

Malty didn't listen nor argue with the two and continued on.

Princess Malty: The Three Heroes Church has discovered that "heretics" who worship those two, have started popping up all over the kingdom in the last month. The devils call themselves, "The Saviors of the Heavenly Fowl" and go around brainwashing the innocent.

Yanoka: *ticked off* We weren't brainwashing anyone! We were simply being merchants! What's wrong with a little reputation?!

Princess Melty: Sister, you're mad.

Princess Malty: Melty, my dear little deranged creature.

Keith: Excuse me?! The fuck did you say to her?!

Guess that line triggered the big brother, huh?

Princess Malty: It's obvious that the devils have already brainwashed you.

Motoyasu: Now I see. That means Raphtalia and Filo were brainwashed by Yanoka too.

Raphtalia: No, you're wrong! Yanoka hasn't brainwashed any of us.

Yanoka: *smirks* You know, your lie is so good but there's one incy wincy problem there.

Princess Malty: *scoffs* What lie are you talking about?

Yanoka: If I did have full control over my charm magic through speech, then how come you, the heroes, and the knights are still standing and not kneeling before me? *smirks teasingly* Oh and, how come you're still in those clothes and not stripping for me~

Malty recoiled in disgust but a blush was present on her face. Blushes were also present on Raphtalia, the three heroes, and all the other knights' faces. Melty covered her ears as Frostine told her to do so while the dragon girl covered Filo's ears, who just tilted her head innocently.

However, with Yanoka's declaration made, she already proved a point. Ren and Itsuki had to agree with Yanoka on this, they haven't been charmed yet or felt charmed despite Yanoka speaking so much. Motoyasu still wasn't convinced though.

Yanoka: I guess the manipulator forgot loopholes in her manipulation. As usual.

Princess Malty: Shut up, you demi-human!

Again, another hint that the group was innocent. Yanoka spoke directly to Malty and she wasn't hit by any charm spell. However, Ren had to confirm first.

Ren: Do we have a guarantee that you can't do it? What kind of proof can you give to convince us that you're not lying.

Yanoka: Simple. I have the affinity but that doesn't mean I know the spells. It's like saying someone has fire affinity but without the proper spells or training, they can't cast it. I've yet to cast charm magic because I don't know any.

Princess Malty: *mutters* Or you're just ugly.

Yanoka's smug smirk was wiped off her face and would've been replaced by a feral scowl but instead, she clapped back.

Yanoka: *smugly* At least I don't dress like a tavern wench.

Malty grit her teeth and glared daggers at Yanoka. While Ren could agree with Yanoka, he still didn't fully trust the two World Jumpers nor the girls of their party.

Ren: As much as I believe you, *raises his hand* I'm afraid you need to hand over the princess right now and no one will get hurt. I promise you she won't be harmed in any way.

Melty gasped in fear and looked at Yanoka, who sighed. She understood Ren couldn't trust strangers like them but she can't risk Melty's safety, she knows her masters wouldn't. Well, Keith wouldn't, Zane is a probably.

Frostine got behind Yanoka, Melty, and Filo and whispered something to the two. She then slowly scoots over to Raphtalia and whispers the same thing.

Yanoka: You know, I guess she is safer around you heroes...

Malty's smiles widely once she hears Yanoka's sentence. She walks over to Ren and becomes all sweet and affectionate with him.

Princess Malty: You are absolutely right Sir Ren. I'm so glad we all agree that Melty's safety comes first.

Yanoka scowls at Malty, showing that she wasn't impressed at the manipulator at all. Melty holds on to Keith's avatar's coat, her hand trembling in fear.

Princess Malty: Come. Let's all go home together now.

Princess Melty: *mutters fearfully* No. If I go, I'll be killed.

Yanoka heard that and so did her master, whom she is carrying.

Malty took a step forward, arms open like she was greeting Melty into a hug. A good way to lure the victim into a false sense of security... if your plan hasn't been revealed or realized, that is.

Princess Malty: Come to me, dearest little sister.

Zane: *mutters* Gross.

Raphtalia's ear twitched as she realized her master was awake. She whispers to Zane Frostine's plan but as she was explaining, Zane cuts her off.

Zane: *whispers* Don't worry, Raph. We heard it and were ready for when Keith or Frostine give the signal.

Yanoka steps up to face Malty but not too far from Frostine or Filo.

Yanoka: You know, Sir Sword Hero, I have to admit that your offer is quite generous. However, I just do not trust Melty's life with that minx.

Ren: What are you suggesting?

Before Yanoka can retort, Malty speaks up again.

Princess Malty: What's that devil talking about now? Melty is my dearest little sister, I wouldn't dream of–

Yanoka: Shut your trap you hoe! We all know that Melty is crowned princess and heir to the throne instead of your bitch ass! With her gone, you're the skank that's going to replace her.

Malty was taken aback by Yanoka's sudden vulgarness and that Yanoka saw through her act and figured out her plan, it wasn't really that hard to solve anyway.

Yanoka: You'll just kill her when no one's looking and then take the throne for yourself all because you're a sore loser. And to kill a child, you're so heartless and barbaric, no wonder you dress like that.

Malty just got ticked off as Yanoka was pushing her patience to the test. And Yanoka wasn't stopping there as Keith's left arm lowered to the side as Yanoka continued her insult spree.

Yanoka: I bet your mother cares a lot more about Melty because you're such a spoiled brat she got annoyed with you. Come to think of it, I wonder who daddy dearest loves more, you or Melty? I bet you it's Melty because she's much sweeter, doesn't lie, and definitely doesn't whine or wear something profound.

Malty was gritting her teeth and shaking furiously as the heroes continued to watch the scene unfold and back away a bit as this might turn into a catfight but were ready to jump in to help. What Yanoka said next was the final straw.

Yanoka: *smirks teasingly* Too bad, daddy and mommy love Melty more than they love you~. I bet everyone in the kingdom agrees and so do the heroes. No one loves you, you lonely whore~.

Malty yells in anger before unleashing a bunch of fireballs at the group, blowing them up. The heroes gawked while Malty chuckled furiously and darkly.

Malty: *snaps* AND NO ONE WILL MISS YOU, YOU DEMI-HUMAN BITCH! ANY OF YOU!

Unfortunately for her, it revealed her true colors to Itsuki and Ren. And while Motoyasu was satisfied that Zane was gone, he was still shocked at what Malty did.

Itsuki: Myne?! What did you do?!

Ren: You just killed your sister!

Princess Malty: *snaps* So what?!

The two recoiled back as she snapped her head at them with a furious glare that wasn't befitting of her. Malty then got her composure back before clearing her throat.

Princess Malty: Well, um... *acting sad* That is an unfortunate tragedy. To save my sister from the brainwashing, she had to die.

Yanoka: Is that so bitch?! Well too bad!

Malty widened her eyes in surprise and so did the heroes as they saw the group still alive. Filo was in her filolial form and on her back were Yanoka and Raphtalia, the girls heading down the narrow path. Taking off into the skies was Frostine. And to the side, the two World Jumpers were running in the opposite direction from the girls with Zane raising his sword like a shield towards the knights, heroes, and Malty.

Yanoka: *smirks* Guess which one of us has your sister!

Malty grits her teeth in annoyance as she chases after the girls with Motoyasu, Ren and a few knights chased the two boys, and Itsuki and the archers fired their arrows at Frostine — who easily evaded them.

Motoyasu: Not so fast!

Motoyasu throws something towards Filo but Yanoka blasted it with a fire spell, not strong enough to destroy it but enough to lose its momentum and fall to the ground instead.

Motoyasu just had a look of defeat and sadness as he curled into a ball and rolled around while whining about how Filo couldn't be his because of the stupid fox blowing up the special ankle bracelet that would've belonged to "his" little angel.

Malty raises her hand in the air and fires off a flare for backup but knew they wouldn't arrive on time but hoped that it'd at least intimidate the group. Too bad, it didn't. Seeing that Filo kept running, she settled for firing as many fireballs as she could towards them but each of them were countered by Yanoka's own fireballs.

As Filo continued running and Frostine was now long gone, the World Jumpers managed to lose Ren and the knights by cutting down a few trees and using them as blockades. However, Ren was agile enough to catch up to the two and noticed that they were running out of road to run but they didn't even have Melty with them.

Keith: I like you, Sword Hero. But just seeing what Malty did and Melty's assassination attempts, you know that something fishy is going on here.

Ren lowered his sword and looked at Keith. Keith smiles and tosses Ren a rosary of the Three Heroes Church.

Keith: Whether you believe us or not, just know that the Three Heroes Church seems to be conspiring something behind the scenes. And they're making a move. I suggest you be careful.

Ren looks at Keith and Zane, who were walking backwards towards the cliff.

Zane: Adios amigo.

Zane and Keith jumped off the cliff and Ren lost them in the darkness of the mountain range. He looks and examines the rosary a bit longer before taking his leave.

Meanwhile, Malty was pissed off and angry that the group got away but she knew very well where they're heading. As she and knights and heroes marched off, they failed to notice a bit of rustling and a rope tied to one of the hanging trees on the cliffside.

The rope led to none other than princess Melty, who was dangling by the rope. It was tied around her waist and wrapped diagonally around her chest like a cross styled harness.

Keith and Zane arrived with Frostine, who now only had one bag instead of four, and cut her down before catching her. They then flew and rendezvoused with the other girls.

Keith: Nice plan, Frostine.

Frostine smiles and thinks back to what her plan was.

{Small flashback}

Frostine: *whispers* Master, are you awake?

Keith discreetly gives her a wink.

She then looks behind them and sees a tree branch on the cliffside.

Frostine: *whispers* Master, I have a plan. Change your shield into that rope shield and tie a harness to Melty. We'll descend her down to the tree below and tie her there just in case a fight breaks out. One team goes to the narrow path, another goes the opposite, and I'll take to the skies. Once we escape we'll come back for her.

Keith glances at Raphtalia and Frostine understood.

Frostine: *whispers* Use Raphtalia's invisible spell?

Keith winked at her again and continued to pretend to sleep.

It cuts to Malty firing her fireball barrage at the group but Keith ain't letting that hit them.

Keith: *whispers* Air Strike Shield.

A shield made of green energy formed in front of them that blocked the attack. The two World Jumpers immediately got off Raphtalia and Yanoka's backs before Keith used his Rope Shield to tie a harness to Melty and slowly descend her to the tree and tie her rope harness there. Once she was secure, Raphtalia casted her Hide Mirage spell to make Melty invisible just in case someone looks over the edge.

Once they were ready, they split off and got the majority of the knights and the heroes distracted with them.

{Back to present}

Zane: I guess she's just as a schemer as you, Keith.

Keith: Hey, even if I am a schemer, I'm still cautious. We didn't even know this would work but we did it anyway.

They regrouped with the others and rested for a bit. Yanoka was glaring at where they just ran from, growling like a feral canine. Keith decided to leave her alone for a while.

Just moments after they arrived, one of the Queen's Shadow – more specifically the one whom Keith and Zane met earlier and keeps an eye on Melty – appeared to meet with them once again. However, none of the girls in the party didn't know who she was and were about to engage in combat when Melty stopped them.

Melty: Wait! That's one of the shadows. An espionage squadron under the queen's control.

Shadow: Sir Glitch Heroes, this is the first time I'm meeting you in this form, I daresay.

Zane paused for a moment before getting a look of realization.

Zane: Holy hell! You're that noblewoman from the palace earlier!

He then gets smacked in the shoulder by Keith, who shushes him. Zane looks back to where the Shadow was and gets surprised upon not seeing her there.

Shadow: Allow me to get straight to the point.

Zane yelped as the Shadow was now beside Melty, still in a kneeling position.

Shadow: Sir Glitch Heroes, you are hereby requested to meet with Her Majesty, the Queen. The roots of this commotion go deep, you understand? I daresay, we would appreciate all the help you can give. This abduction, and the events leading up to it, were set up by those who find your accomplishments alarming.

Zane: Oh, that's just brilliant, even more shit to deal with.

Keith: Don't forget. *whispers* Adventure...

Zane grumbles but doesn't argue with that.

Keith: Well, we're planning on meeting with Her Majesty anyways. I guess this problem's bigger than we thought.

Keith and Zane turned to the Shadow, only to find out that she was gone without a trace.

Zane: Well then... I guess we best get to resting. We need all the energy if we're heading out early in the morning.

Keith: I don't think that's a good idea...

Keith was looking above them and saw ash and embers being blown away by the mountain air. Raphtalia and Yanoka sniffed the air and smelled fire nearby, which Frostine pointed at. They then saw a large forest fire that would no doubt soon engulf the mountain.

Keith: That's definitely not us... Right?

There was a brief pause before Zane answered.

Zane: *waves off* Nah...!

Another pause between them all before Zane picked up one of the bags and bolted off down the mountain.

Zane: *exclaims* Run away!

Raphtalia: *yells* Master Zane!

The group immediately grabs the bags and bolts off along with the redheaded World Jumper before the scene fades to black.

Chapter End

Chapter Text

Faith | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to show the group hiding behind a bunch of trees near an estate quite a ways away from the mountain, mainly the girls as the two idiots were "meditating". When in reality, the two were actually replacing their heat packs and bandages with Kara's help as their bodies were still sore and even more so now due to their skirmish back in the mountain earlier and lack of proper rest time.

Keith was already suffering a migraine and his entire back was sore. Zane, meanwhile, was massaging his aching shoulders as they felt heavy and numb.

Zane: I can barely lift my sword properly.

Keith: I can't even move without my back hurting.

Kara: I already warned you both that you need proper rest, yet you wouldn't listen.

Keith: We're sorry, Kara. But we had to check up on our friends.

Kara: Just don't push yourselves too hard.

Keith: *chuckles* No promises.

Once they were done, the two idiots wore their suits, which was uncomfortable due to the heat packs around their body but they bore through it, and VR headsets to log back in.

The two avatars woke up and slowly got up and walked over to where the girls were looking, which was a field being tended to by demi-humans.

Raphtalia: There are so many demi-humans in this region.

Zane: Huh, look at all those kimeno... something, something they're called.

Keith: Kemonomimi?

Zane: Yeah, that.

Keith: Dude, just say demi-human, it's easier.

Zane waves it off with a small sneer. Keith fondly shook his head.

Princess Melty: I wonder...

Melty trailed off for a bit before remembering.

Princess Melty: *exclaims* Oh right! I know the nobleman in charge of this region. He's a good man, he might just be able to help us out.

Zane: A nobleman? Really? The last time I trusted a noble from this country, I had to fight an idiot with a spear.

Keith nudged him to shut him up. When he did, Keith ushered Melty to continue.

Princess Melty: These days, humans treat demi-humans like slaves. But in the past, some nobility encouraged peaceful relations between the races. The leader was a wonderful man. He was the lord of the domain of Seaetto.

Raphtalia let out a small gasp upon hearing that.

Princess Melty: But after he died in the first wave, all the nobles who had sided with him were banished under father's orders. To the most remote regions of the kingdom.

Zane: Seriously, what's with him hating demi-humans?

Keith looked away having remembered what he read on the Shield Hero wiki back then about Aultcray's past. Aultcray's feud with the demi-humans has been going on for a long time, but it doesn't mean that all demi-humans are one and the same - something the king doesn't even bother to acknowledge.

He then turns to Raphtalia and Yanoka, seeing the two have different looks on their faces. The former looks solemn, her eyes closed in grief and mourning. The latter looks the complete opposite, seething with anger as rage burned in her eyes.

Keith: Hey, are you two okay?

Yanoka turns away, refusing to answer him.

Raphtalia: The village my family's from. It was in the Seaetto district.

Princess Melty: I heard that after the first wave, the Seyaette region was badly hit by rioters.

Raphtalia: I'm afraid it was... My village was attacked by a mob of Melromarc soldiers who were totally out of control.

Zane: Like with that Knight Captain back in the party. He abandoned the village and then claims "he fought bravely and honorably like a royal knight"... Those fucks no doubt did the same thing.

Princess Melty: *looks down, solemn* I'm so sorry.

Raphtalia: *surprised* But Melty, it's not like it was your fault.

Princess Melty: *solemn* As royalty, there must've been something we could've done. *grips her dress* But we did nothing to help...

Melty then looked up, her solemn tone being overtaken by a responsible tone.

Princess Melty: Raphtalia, tell me everything you remember about those soldiers. Once things have been cleared up, I'll make sure they're brought to justice.

Raphtalia: *smiles* Thank you.

Keith: Alright, now that we had one of our occasional heart-to-heart talks. How about we see if we can trust this man.

Zane: Well, he better. I'm getting tired of being mistreated by these "Melromarcians".

Keith: Oh please. Just from the demi-humans around here, I'm certain he doesn't mind having demi-human company.

Yanoka: Unless he's a demi-human himself. Otherwise, I'm not certain if it's safe to trust him so easily.

???: *politely* You are indeed correct.

The group immediately turned behind them in alert before seeing the individual. He was a slim young man with bluish ravenous hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. On his face were a yellow pair of small, rounded, armless glasses. His outfit consisted of a dark blue overcoat, brown pants, leather shoes, and a regal white cape.

Princess Melty: It's been too long, hasn't it, Reichnott?

Lord Reichnott: *politely* Princess Melty, it's so good to see you again.

He turns to the group, his polite smile not even wavering.

Lord Reichnott: *politely* Very pleased to meet you. You may call me Van Reichnott. I'm the reigning lord of this region.

Zane smiled at him before whispering to Keith.

Zane: *whispers* I thought you said your shield had the ability to detect people from 20 meters?

Keith: *whispers* It does. It probably didn't register him as hostile or an enemy.

Zane: *whispers* Or he just has better stealth.

Keith: *whispers* No you idiot, I already told you that it acts like a spider sense. It only detects hostile entities.

Lord Reichnott: However, this is no place for a chat. Why don't you come over to the house and we'll talk?

The group accepted Reichnott's offer, mainly so that the two World Jumpers could rest their legs. And when Reichnott meant a house, he meant a mansion.

The group were in a dining hall, having told Reichnott their troubles and the nobleman listened intently.

Lord Reichnott: I see. So you reached my domain after escaping Melromarc's forces. Is that it?

Keith: Uh-huh.

Lord Reichnott: The knights informed me that you were the one that started the wildfires in order to cover your tracks, good sirs. Would you consider that account to be accurate?

Zane: That account doesn't belong to us, it belongs in a pile of trash.

Yanoka: *growls* I bet that redheaded bitch did it and pinned the blame on us.

Lord Reichnott: I thought so. In fact, when I ran into your party in the woods, I had been patrolling the area out of concern for Princess Melty.

Two maids then entered the room with carts of food.

Lord Reichnott: You must be exhausted from your travels. You're more than welcome to rest up here for a while if you wish.

The maids set down the meals for the group. The meal consisted of soup, bread with butter spread, and cube sliced meat with peas, carrots, and corn.

Filo: *excitedly* Wow! May I eat now, master? Please, can I eat?

Zane: Hm... Are we sure these aren't laced with anything?

Reichnott proved him wrong by taking a piece of bread from Zane's meal and eating it.

Lord Reichnott: Mhm. Absolutely exquisite. Rest assured, the food isn't poisoned.

With that out of the way, the group dined in. Well, the girls did as Zane and Keith's avatars were dining in but the boys themselves were not. However, Keith was still a little cautious of the food, something that Raphtalia noticed.

Raphtalia: Come on, Master Keith. I'm sure it's safe to eat.

Princess Melty: It's incredibly rude to cast such doubts on his gracious hospitality.

Keith: *sighs* Alright fine. But we're heading out early in the morning tomorrow.

Princess Melty: But why so soon?

Keith wiped his mouth before answering.

Keith: The longer we stay, the higher the chances of us being found. Not to mention, we're endangering our newly acquainted friend here.

Princess Melty: *disheartened* Well, yes... but I was- Um... I was hoping to be able to rest a little more.

Lord Reichnott: Princess Melty, if you'll allow me to say so, it appears you've grown.

Melty perked up upon hearing that.

Lord Reichnott: In the past, you used to have a mature attitude that went beyond your years. However, since you've been traveling with these good sirs, I'd say it's helped you grow. And I mean that in a good way.

Melty squeaked in embarrassment while Zane used this opportunity to mess with her.

Zane: *snickers* Heh, being with us helped her grow in a good way? Hell naw, I think you mean in a bad way.

Princess Melty: *embarrassed* Wha-?! You keep quiet, you!

Keith: Quit yer yappin', we're trying to eat here.

Princess Melty: Whose fault do you think that is?!

Keith rolled his eyes fondly at Melty as he continued to eat his food while Zane continued to mess with Melty while eating.

Once they were done eating, the group was led to the bedchambers, which Keith and Zane immediately fell asleep in. Mainly so they could get some rest. However, they did instruct Yanoka and Frostine to keep an eye on things and wake them up if they see any knights coming towards the manor.

Once the two had logged off, they immediately walked over to their rooms after showering and putting on ice packs and bandages. While Zane was restfully sleeping the afternoon away, Keith was having a bit of a discussion within his mind.

{In Keith's Mindscape}

Keith was sitting in a dark void. Once he stood up, fire roared to life around him and the Legendary Cardinal Shield appeared in his left forearm in its Wrath Shield form. He screamed as he tried to contain the flames on the shield and bare them to a minimum, which he succeeded in doing after a while.

Keith then looks up and sees a dragon made of flames. He then remembers smashing Gaelion's Emperor Dragon core into 4 separate parts when he was making accessories. One of the four pieces he gave to his shield for absorption. The other three are currently in the shield's inventory space.

Gaelion's Spirit: You!

Keith screams in pain as he feels something sharp stab his back but when he went for a feel, there was nothing there.

Gaelion's Spirit: You will pay!

Keith then saw flashes of him and his friends fighting the zombie dragon and a few memories of Ren fighting the dragon.

Gaelion's Spirit: You will pay for humiliating me! Defeating me as a puny human! And for humiliating me by taking my bones and turning me into a tool!

Keith yelled in pain as dragon bones erupted from his body like impaling spikes as the memory of Keith teleporting to Gaelion's burial site played. He was picking up any remaining undamaged bones and flesh of Gaelion that wasn't in the funeral pyre when he cremated him and then feeding it to his shield for extra power. He also checked for any of Gaelions ashes and absorbed them into the shield, which Keith looked like he regretted but he couldn't resist being a hoarder.

Keith: Yep, I knew adding your core to the shield was dangerous.

Gaelion roared in anger as Keith felt dragon fire erupt around his body, causing him to scream in pain, as the words Grow Up appeared in his vision. However, despite the ever growing pain, Keith didn't let up and continued to resist the dragon's rage.

Keith yelled in rage as the dragon roared as well. As both calmed down the fires dimmed and simmered down. Keith felt the bones sticking out of him disappear as Gaelion's flaming dragon appearance growled at him.

Gaelion's Spirit: Hmph. Resisting a dragon's fury is... impressive.

Keith narrowed his eyes at Gaelion and grinned triumphantly.

Keith: You won't control me.

Gaelion's Spirit: Then we'll see how long you'll last, before you break.

Keith narrowed his eyes at the flaming spirit before he was woken up.

{Back in reality}

Keith groggily wakes up and sees Kara tending to him like he just had a fever.

Keith: Kara...?

Kara: Oh, Keith. You were screaming and when I entered your room, you were thrashing around and your temperature felt like you were having a fever. Are you okay?

Keith: Kara, trust me. I'll be fine.

Despite Keith's pain and the slowly growing mental corruption of the Shield of Wrath, he was still completely sane and wouldn't be an enraged maniac anytime soon.

All of a sudden, Keith's shield began glitching out. This confused Keith so he went to the VR room.

Keith: Kara, go wake up Zane. I think there's trouble.

Kara went to grab Zane as Keith suited up and logged in.

Upon logging in, Keith saw Melty sitting on the window. She sees him sit up and greets him.

Princess Melty: You're up?

Keith: Yeah. I'll watch now.

Princess Melty: It's fine. I'm really not very sleepy actually.

Keith: What's the matter?

Princess Melty: Keith, I... I was just thinking that as a crowned princess, should I really keep running like this? As a member of the royal family, there's just so much more I could be doing. But I find I'm doing nothing, because I keep running.

Keith: *sighs softly* Mel, I know you want to help but you can't do that when you're being hunted down by traitorous knights and your own sister. Your life comes first before your duty.

Princess Melty: *clenches her fists* But I feel so pathetic

Keith stood up and put a comforting hand on Melty's shoulder.

Keith: Don't be too hard on yourself, Mel. I know you're responsible enough and will make things better like your mom can.

Melty smiled softly at him before she decided to get some sleep.

Princess Melty: Thanks Keith. Goodnight.

Keith: Goodnight Melty.

Keith turns his attention to Raphtalia, who was gasping and breathing heavily in her sleep.

Raphtalia: No please... No please stop...

She calmed down once she felt Keith lay a comforting hand on her cheek and rub his thumb against her eye to wipe away her forming tears. He gives her a gentle kiss on the forehead, making Raphtalia relax herself.

Zane: I hope there's a good reason you interrupted my beauty sleep and not just to show you're stealing Raphtalia.

Keith: What do you take me for?

Zane: A fucktard, that's what.

Keith rolled his eyes fondly while Zane fondly shook his head. The two looked out the window before Keith pointed at something in the distance. Zooming in the forestry just past the fields, there was a figure watching them from afar.

Zane: That's either a scarecrow or a stalker.

Keith: A scarecrow? Way out of the field?

Zane: Stalker it is.

Keith woke up Frostine but before the girl could question anything, Keith and Zane exited the room and went outside. Once they were outside, the figure was still there, watching them.

Keith: Come on. Let's get it far away from here before we engage.

The two ran to the forest before they saw the figure march and follow them like a terminator. As they picked up speed, the figure sped up its sprinting but lost the two in the dense forest.

The figure then raised up a shield over its head as it blocked Zane's attack in the form of the [ Braver ] skill. The Limit Break's aura was bright enough to illuminate the area a bit, along with the figure.

The figure was an armored individual but Keith knew who it was despite the helmet covering the face.

Keith: Mamoru Shirono, the Shield Hero of the ancient past...

Zane: You know this guy?

Zane avoided a punch from the armored Shield Hero.

Keith: Yeah, this guy was meant to be the inspiration to demi-humans. Summoned in the country of Siltran, Siltvelt's predecessor, and was summoned when it was only the Bow and Shield that existed in their world.

The kitsune explained as he avoided a Shield Bash from the corrupted Mamoru

Zane: I remember that. You told me that each Cardinal Weapon had their own worlds till the fusions of worlds began after the waves. Bow and Shield while Sword and Spear. And then now, all four worlds are conjoined to one.

Keith: GM said something about the shield hero of the past being corrupted and needed to be put down. Guess the past World Jumpers didn't put him out of his misery.

Zane: Then let's do that for him, yeah?

Zane and Keith charged forward with their weapons and coordinated their attacks. Each time the corrupted Shield Hero blocks one of their attacks, the other follows up and knocks the hero back.

Zane swiped his Fusion Sword towards the hero, prompting the hero to dodge backwards. The corrupted Mamoru blocked Keith's Leviathan Axe with an Airstrike Shield, which despite being glitchy still retains its green color, and blocked a [ Thundaga ] from Zane with a Second Shield.

However, unlike Keith, he didn't have many shield transformations and he didn't have backup either. Thus, the corrupted shield hero was already having difficulty trying to fight the two but that didn't mean he was out yet.

Zane charged at him and swung his sword, which the shield hero blocked but was overpowered by Zane's strength and was sent flying through a few trees.

Keith threw his axe at the corrupted hero but was blocked by an airstrike shield. However, the axe exploded and caused frost damage to the corrupted hero. With the hero covered in ice and frost, he was slowed.

Zane dashed forward and performed [ Climhazzard ], knocking the slowed hero in the air before blasting him back down the ground with [ Thundaga ]. The hero got up and blocked an attack from Keith and used Shield Bash but Keith countered it with his own version of Shield Bash. The two's attacks canceled each other out, sending the two skidding away from each other.

The corrupted hero ran towards Keith but the kitsune used the Blades of Chaos to entangle the shield hero's legs and swing him 30 feet in the air before swinging him back down on the ground. A small crater formed but Keith was shocked to see that the shield hero had protected himself via the Shooting Star Shield's aoe defense bubble

The gem on shield hero's shield glowed and unleashed a beam of black fire towards Keith, who blocked it with his Guardian Shield before encasing the corrupted hero in a Shield Prison.

Keith: The piss was that attack? Was it a skill of his I overlooked when checking the wiki?

The corrupted shield hero broke out of his confine and threw his shield towards Keith using the Shield Boomerang skill but Zane parried it away before charging at the corrupted shield hero.

Keith looked behind him and saw that the beam he blocked hit a few trees and was causing a forest fire, which would no doubt alert knights of their presence. Keith had to finish this... and fast.

Keith: Zane, keep it busy aight!

Zane groaned after he was thrown towards a tree and landed roughly on the ground.

Zane: *mutters* The fuck do you think I've been doing?

The redhead was picked up by the throat and was slammed on the ground hard. Zane was then repeatedly getting punched by the shield hero with his shield before Zane froze him in place using [ Blizzaga ].

The shield hero broke free using Shield Bash but Zane froze him in place once more with another [ Blizzaga ]. The shield hero broke free once more but was once again trapped in ice.

Zane: Come on, Keith! Whatever you're planning, hurry up!

Zane looked at his Mana and it was decreasing rapidly due to using the highest form of ice magic too many times and not letting him regenerate mana.

Zane: I can probably only cast 2 more and I'm out.

His attention was turned towards Keith, who bellowed in rage as fire exploded and engulfed him. Keith's Guardian Shield was changed into the Wrath Shield. The right side of his coat was slowly turning charcoal black.

Keith took a knee as he struggled to keep his sanity as the dragon's rage was slowly taking over his mind. But like before, Keith managed to overpower it and keep his sanity. He looked at the frozen corrupted shield hero with his glowing red eyes before unleashing his attack, the spirit of Gaelion burning behind him in the form of a dragon's head made of purple flames with red glowing eyes.

Keith/Gaelion: Shield Prison!

A sphere cage formed around the frozen shield hero before Keith followed up.

Keith/Gaelion: Follow up, Change Shield!

The corrupt shield hero within the Shield Prison was then skewered with spikes, inciting a glitchy bellow of pain from the hero. He tried to free himself but it was impossible and instead attempted to use his Shooting Star Shield or Airstrike Shields but he couldn't cast anything due to both the pain of being skewered and being immobilized by the spikes.

Keith/Gaelion: Within this virgin of cold ore, who shall swallow even your screams with her embrace, suffer in anguish as your entire body is stabbed and skewered!

As Gaelion's raging spirit was burning wildly behind Keith, the blood red gem of Keith's Wrath Shield glowed and shined ominously and brightly. Suddenly, a purple and red hurricane formed, the strong winds blew out the forest fire, and a glowing light blue light shone from the heavens.

Keith/Gaelion: WE SENTENCE YOU TO THE IRON MAIDEN!!!

A bell's toll was heard from the sky, followed by a crack of thunder and lightning as a large iron maiden descended from the heavens via chains. The device's doors opened with a loud creak and sounds of turning gears, revealing hundreds of spikes within her. The shield prison floats up to the sky and lands in the iron maiden. Keith raised his right hand towards the iron maiden.

Keith: *solemnly* Farewell, Mamoru.

Keith clenched his fist close and the iron maiden's doors snapped close, its eyes ominously shining a bright red color. After a few seconds, the iron maiden dissolved and the corrupted hero's body fell down to the ground with a loud thud and clank of his armor.

Keith's Wrath Shield transformed back into the Guardian Shield and the kitsune stumbled a little due to exhaustion. He managed to walk over to Mamoru and turn him over on his back. Keith took out the hero's helmet and saw that the hero was already decomposing but he could see a restful smile on the mangled hero's face.

Zane then noticed something moving through the holes of Mamoru's armor. He tried to take off the hero's chest armor, which was rusted and broke almost immediately when he tugged on it.

Keith, despite being exhausted, glared at his friend with a look that clearly says "are you fucking serious?" Zane just replied with a shrug.

The two noticed the glitching object on the hero's chest, which was an orb. The systems of the two read it as:

[ Cyber Virus Core ]

Keith and Zane looked at each other and then the orb. Keith picked up the orb and it crackled with electricity against his avatar's hand. He examined it and noticed how uncontrolled and wild its form was on his hand.

Keith: *confused* It's like... a beating heart...

Zane placed his hand on it and felt a small pulse, similar to a beating heart.

Zane: *worried* Keith... What the hell did we just kill?

Keith: No idea... But I'mma lie down...

Keith suddenly fell to the ground as Zane yelled in concern for his friend. The redhead logged out to check on him in his room and saw a very exhausted Keith laying on the floor. He logged Keith out of his avatar and called for Kara to tend to Keith.

He, on the other hand, logged back in and carried Keith's avatar back to Van's mansion via fireman's carry. However, before he left, he cremated the body of the fallen Shield Hero via a quick funeral pyre.

Due to how far the two had gone away from the mansion and Keith's avatar weighing Zane down, the two reached the outskirts of the mansion at dawn. To Zane's surprise, there were knights and a fat man escorting Melty into a carriage and heading off.

Once they had left, Zane leaves his friend in the front steps of the mansion and drives off to follow Melty. While Zane does that, Keith was simply resting in his VR room with Kara. Despite Keith's stubbornness to get back in the game, Kara wouldn't let him till he was feeling better.

What exactly happened while the two were away?

{Earlier, with the girls}

Frostine was peacefully sleeping, dreaming of hoarding gold and treasures in her cute little igloo in a snowy forest and eating really yummy mutton and sweet ice cream that was prepared for her by her lovely and carrying kitsune master.

Just as she was about to eat the ice cream, her master shook her shoulder and made her ice cream fall on the floor. Oh, also waking her up.

Frostine moaned in disappointment that her sleep was interrupted but groaned in anger and annoyance once she saw her master and his partner leave the room. They no doubt woke her up so she could keep watch.

Frostine huffed and pulled up her blanket over her head and went back to sleep... Well, she would've if she could. She was trying her best to get back to sleep but she just couldn't find herself to be able to do so.

She grumbles angrily and stomps over to the window to be a lookout since she couldn't force herself back to sleep after a few minutes of trying.

Frostine: *grumbles* Stupid, dummy master... ruins my sleep and leaves... *sighs, pouts* I had a good dream too...

She gasped as she saw a beam of black fire in the distance and caused a forest fire. After a minute or two, a small hurricane was forming above the forest in the distance and a light that was light blue in color shone down. She then faintly hears in the distance.

???: We sentence you to the iron maiden!

The next thing was a loud bell toll and cracks of thunder were heard before a large iron maiden descended from the hurricane before its doors opened up. She watched as a large ball floated up towards the iron maiden and crushed the ball in an instant, its eyes glowing ominous red in color. It then dissolved and the hurricane disappeared with it.

Frostine was both worried and a little scared. Worried for what her master is doing and scared that it was him and/or his partner that was sentenced to that iron maiden. She wanted to fly out there but she knew she couldn't leave the others. So she stayed and waited for her masters.

After an hour of waiting, she was already growing worried sick. Neither of the boys had returned and she was scared that they were injured or captured, or they were killed by the iron maiden being the worst case scenario.

Two hours have passed since she saw the iron maiden and neither of them had returned. Frostine was growing weary and was contemplating on leaving to go find them.

Three hours in and neither have returned. It was turning dawn soon and Frostine was planning on heading out to find them but she knew the risks of doing so. She'd wait for one more hour, if there's still no sign of them then she'd head out.

...

...

...

???: ...tine...

...

...

...

???: Frostine...

...

...

...

Yanoka: Frostine!

Frostine squeaked and fell off a chair.

Frostine: I must've fallen asleep... Oh no! Master!

She wasn't the only one who just woke up.

Raphtalia: *gasp* Rifana!

Yanoka shushed her before asking if she was okay.

Raphtalia: Yes...

Yanoka: Good, because we need to leave.

Raphtalia and Frostine looked at each other concerned. They both peeked out the window and gasped in worry and shock as they saw Reichnott being led away into a carriage, his hands bound behind his back.

Raphtalia: Why is the lord being taken away?

A maid suddenly bursts into the room, startling the girls.

Maid: Girls! You have to leave now!

Yanoka: What's going on?

Maid: A nobleman from the next town over marched right in here and accused us of hiding you.

Yanoka: Well, let's go prove them wrong.

Maid: The kitchen's the only safe way out.

The girls followed the maid down the hall but Frostine had questions.

Frostine: *concerned* Where's Master and his friend? And where are Filo and Melty?

Yanoka and Raphtalia's ears twitched, causing them to slow down before they turned the corner. The reason they halted was because there were two knights around the corner.

Knight Leader: What do you have to report?

Knight Scout: They're not anywhere around, sir.

The knights thankfully left to a different direction and the girls were safely hidden in the kitchen pantry. They were hidden just in time as knights entered the kitchen and saw the maid working on lunch.

Knight #1: Hey, you there! What are you doing?!

Maid: I'm preparing lunch...

Knight #2: Well forget that! C'mere!

The second knight tightly and roughly grabs her arm, making the maid wince. The girls were about to burst through the pantry and give those two knights a lesson about respect.

Princess Melty: What do you think you're doing?!

The two knights turned to look at her while the girls decided to let those knights off.

Princess Melty: I am Melty Melromarc, second princess of Melromarc. Let her go right now! I command you two to stop this right away!

The two guards looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Knight #1: What should we do?

Knight #2: I'm not sure.

???: My, my, if it isn't princess Melty.

Raphtalia gasped sharply and gritted her teeth while her tail rose up with the fur raising erratically, like a cat raising its body and the fur stood erratically on end while staring at an enemy.

Yanoka placed a hand on top of Raphtalia's hand, which was ready to draw out her sword. Raphtalia looked at Yanoka, who gestured for her to wait.

Princess Melty: Aren't you...

The noble standing in front of Melty was an overweight, middle-aged fair skinned man with an unkempt mop of frilled, blonde hair, and two leaf-like tufts of mustache. While his regal clothing of purple, gold, and black hues with white frills, dark purple cape, olive-yellow pants, black riding boots says "elegant", his attitude does not.

???: *bows* I'm so glad to see you're alright. I rushed right over here because I was worried for your safety.

Yanoka: *glares* Lies. I can smell it from here.

Princess Melty: Idol Rabier. I heard rumors that in the past, you had disagreements with my father.

Idol didn't deny it.

Princess Melty: May I assume that these soldiers are with you?

Lord Rabier: They are indeed.

Princess Melty: Then have them withdraw from this premises immediately.

Lord Rabier: Before I do something like that, tell me where those two demi-human devils are hiding.

Princess Melty: All I can tell you is that the two are gone.

Idol didn't believe her but Melty continued.

Princess Melty: I encouraged them to escape. There's no way your men will ever catch them. They're too far away.

Yanoka knew Melty was making an excuse but Frostine... the poor girl thought that her master abandoned her. Was it because she was weak? Did her scars show how weak she was? Frostine was slowly breaking down and was about to burst into tears but Yanoka patted her head to calm her down.

Princess Melty: I intend to tell my father everything. And I will do everything in my power to clear my bodyguards' good names. *demandingly* Now, you will take me to the capital as soon as possible.

Lord Raiber: Oh I understand perfectly. I'll make arrangements for your journey at my mansion. You'll be more than comfortable there. *to the knights* Alright, take her.

Yanoka simply glared at the fat man as he disappeared from the door while Raphtalia was breathing heavily. Yanoka placed a hand on hers, stopping her from drawing her sword.

Yanoka: *whispers* Don't ruin Melty's plan. Charging out now will only make Reichnott an enemy of the country for housing us and will make us actual criminals for attacking a lord.

Minutes after Raiber and his knights left, the girls were allowed to leave the pantry by the maid.

Frostine: I need to find Master.

Yanoka: We need to find Filo first.

Frostine: No, you both do that. I'll go find Master.

Yanoka: Frostine, wait!

Frostine didn't listen to the fox girl and ran towards the front door of the mansion. As soon as she opened the door, she gasped as she saw her master asleep on the steps with Zane nowhere in sight.

Frostine slowly crouched down and touched her master's chest, feeling his avatar's heart beating which indicated that he was alive.

Frostine didn't know why but feeling that heartbeat made her face warm... and wet? Was she crying? She pawed at her face and tried wiping away her tears but they just kept pouring out. She couldn't understand why she was crying.

A gloved hand cupped her cheek softly and wiped away some of the falling tears. She looked and saw that it was her master, who looked really tired but still managed a warm smile. That somehow made the dragon girl cry even more as she hugged her master and sobbed softly on his chest.

No words were shared between the two. Keith understood why she was crying. He and Zane left without a reason after suddenly waking her up and she must've seen the Iron Maiden from a distance, add the fact both him and Zane returned when it was becoming dawn. There was no doubt that she was very worried that he was gone but now very happy that he was alive.

Frostine: *mumbles brokenly* P-Pwease... don't- *sniffle* don't weave me again...

Keith: *softly* I can't promise that-

Frostine: *pained, beggingly* PLEASE!

There was silence between the two for a few moments before Frostine begged once more.

Frostine: *sadly, beggingly* Please... Please don't leave me alone... I don't know what I'd be without you...

Keith was silent before he sighed softly and embraced her tightly.

Keith: *softly, caringly* I promise. I'll never leave you again.

The two stayed there, staying in the sweet quiet embrace

...

...

...

Keith: FILO! GET DOWN HERE NOW OR WE'LL EAT ALL THE FOOD WITHOUT YOU!

Frostine covered her ears from her Master's sudden yelling before they heard loud crashing and tumbling thuds from the top floor of the mansion, which was followed by a loud whine.

Raphtalia and Yanoka went to the source of the whining and found Filo rolling on the ground while whining in pain as she rubbed her red forehead. Just from the fact she was near stairs, the two could guess that Filo was in such a hurry that she slipped off the steps and fell face first into the floor.

Filo: *whiningly* Did you eat all the food...?

The two facepalmed before Yanoka decided to ask the real question.

Yanoka: Where were you?

Filo: Mel wanted to play hide-and-seek. We weren't doing anything wrong. She said it's really important that I should hide somewhere I wouldn't be found and not to come out no matter what.

Yanoka: *sighs* But she never came to find you, didn't she?

Filo then notices that Melty wasn't with the two demi-humans.

Filo: Wait a sec... Where's Mel?

The two looked at each other, not sure how to explain the situation.

{Timeskip}

Filo: I'm going to save her!

Raphtalia: Filo, no, wait!

The tanuki girl ran after the filolial girl, stopping her from leaving the mansion.

Filo: We have to get going! If we don't hurry up then she'll-

Keith: Filo. Calm down. Zane's tailing them. They're currently in Idol's domain. If you charge in there blindly then you're only going to prove that we are indeed devils that they point us out to be. We need to do this quietly, because if we don't then we're gonna have to kill everyone in the premises to hide the evidence that we were there.

Frostine: What master is saying is; think smart.

Filo pouted in annoyance at the dragon girl, who was still snuggled up to her master.

Keith began planning and occasionally looking into Zane's room for the 3d scale of Idol's domain as the redhead Glitch Hero was looking down at the domain from a cliff.

{Timeskip, Night | Location: Idol's Domain}

Zane continued to overlook Idol's mansion from a cliff and was using a pair of binoculars that Keith made from the Legendary Shield's crafting system. He then hears a beat of wings and followed by two thuds behind him.

Zane: *snarkily* Took you guys long enough.

Keith: You got anything useful?

Zane: Few patrols of guards but most of them are busy holding back the rioting demi-humans.

Yanoka: Guess Idol taking Lord Reichnott made some demi-humans angry.

Raphtalia was focused on the mansion in front of them.

Keith: You know, you can stay behind if you're not feeling yourself.

Raphtalia: *shakes her head* No, I'm fine. I'm not afraid anymore, now that I have my sword.

Keith: It's not about whether you have a weapon or not. It's about whether you're ready to face the past or not. *looks at her* Are you?

Raphtalia: *determined* I'm ready.

Keith: Copy that. *smirks* Bravo six, going dark.

Meanwhile, in Idol's mansion, Idol was looking down at the gates from the guest room that Melty is staying in. He scoffs in disgust upon seeing the mob of demi-humans that were protesting.

Lord Rabier: Ugh. Look at those damned demis.

Princess Melty: What are they doing out there? Why are they protesting?

Lord Rabier: Just some annoying flies buzzing around. Nothing to worry about. We'll get rid of them at once.

He then faces Melty with a small sneer.

Lord Rabier: And since we're mentioning annoyances my dear, I believe it's time to tell me where the devils are.

Melty looked like she was running out of patience with this man but continued to be formal with him.

Princess Melty: I already told you several times, I do not know.

The door opened and revealed a badly beaten Reichnott being held by the arms by two guards. Rabier grabbed a fistful of Van's hair and forcefully raised the man's head.

Lord Rabier: Where are the two devils?

Lord Reichnott: I have no idea who you're speaking off... *smiles* The only 'two' I know of are Princess Melty's two guardians.

That had Van receive a punch in the abdomen from Rabier, making him groan in pain. The obese noble looked back to the princess as Van was dragged out the room.

Lord Rabier: As you can see, we're having a bit of a difficult time getting him to cooperate. I would very much like to avoid getting rough with you if that's at all possible.

He then held up a rosary that was hidden behind his jabot, showing that he was a supporter of the Three Heroes Church, much like the knights that tried to assassinate Melty.

Lord Rabier: But as a humble servant of God, my dear, I have taken a sacred vow to punish anyone who sides with the devil. That is my holy duty, dear princess.

Melty gasped and looked at him with fear.

{Meanwhile, at the courtyard}

*CLANG*

A knight falls unconscious after Zane slammed the flat side of his Fusion Sword on top of the knight's head.

Zane: Remind me again, why the fuck did we knock out all the guards?

Keith: Blame Filo. She busted through the manor walls like Kool-Aid man.

A brief flashback of Filo bursting through the walls, which knocked a few guards unconscious and alerted the others. All of them were knocked unconscious by an invisible force as Raphtalia used invisibility on the others as they began knocking all the guards out.

Frostine just looked at Filo with a deadpan stare while the filolial looked away to feign innocence.

Raphtalia, meanwhile, was looking down at a pair of doors that probably led to a dungeon. Yanoka placed a hand on Raphtalia's shoulder before the pair continued on.

{With Melty}

Rabier approached Melty with clear malicious intent. The 10 year old simply raised her hand, threatening to blast him with magic but...

Princess Melty: *terrified* Stay away!

She was too terrified to even cast anything, letting out poor terrified whimpers as tears began to build up on her scared face. Idol just had a crazed, sadistic look on his face.

Lord Rabier: I truly adore this part. That valiant look in your eye. I want to see it become despair. And watch as your face warps in agony. Come on! Let me have a good look at you!

Before he could even reach her, he heard a knock at his door.

Lord Raiber: What?!

No one answered, the knocking just continued.

Idol growled and marched over to the door as the knocking only grew louder this time. However, as soon as he put his hand on the door handle, there were only three loud knocks that were followed by three famous words...

Keith/Zane: FBI, OPEN UP!

Keith suddenly shield bashed through the door, breaking it open and launching Raiber back a few feet on the ground. Idol groaned in pain as he saw Keith getting up from his crouched position as the others walked into the room, with Melty running towards Filo for comfort.

Filo: Are you okay Mel?

Princess Melty: I am now, thanks to you guys. But why'd you come back...?

Zane: Like hell we'd leave you behind. We're your bodyguards after all.

Princess Melty: *pouts, annoyed* You realize that you wasted all my hard work.

Zane: We do and we don't care.

Princess Melty: *smiles softly* Thank you though...

Zane simply smirked before Idol got back up and began shouting.

Lord Rabier: You dare make a mockery of me?! Torture clearly isn't enough for the likes of you! Your insolence can only be paid for with death!

There was silence in the air for a few moments before Raphtalia walked forward. The sound of her boots echoing in the quiet room. Her face looked calm but the fur on tail was standing up.

Idol grunted as he lashed his whip at Raphtalia, who paid the pain no mind. Filo was about to interject but Keith stopped her. This was Raphtalia's fight.

Lord Raiber: You miserable worthless demi!

Idol's insult fell on deaf ears as Raphtalia continued, ignoring the whip that lashed at her. Again. And again. As Idol was about to lash at her once more, the sound of an unsheathing blade was heard followed by the sound of flesh being sliced.

Idol fell on his butt before beginning to beg as Raphtalia pointed her sword at his neck.

Lord Raiber: *beggingly* I beg you! O-Oh please! *whimpers* Spare my life, I'll give you anything!

Zane looked at the obese noble, who was replaced with a beaten up teen.

Teen: I beg you. Please! I'll give you anything! You win alright!

Zane: Funny... I said the same to you. Guess what you did. Because that's gonna be you this time.

Zane, who had an uncaring look, picked up a baseball bat and slammed it at the teen who shouted in pain. Zane simply continued to stare at the obese noble and only had one thing to say.

Zane: Pathetic.

Keith was also watching on, his mind wandering off just like Zane.

Keith: Please... No more... I repeated those words as you continued to laugh at my pain.

Woman: *nervously* N-Now, now, sweetie. Don't do anything rash now. W-We were just studying, remember...?

Keith: Yes, we were.

Keith held up his right forearm, which was cut open and bleeding. His right thumb was limp due to his tendon being cut.

Keith: Let's continue our lesson about tendons, but let's make you the test subject this time, shall we?

The woman shook her head beggingly before Keith began to cut open her right forearm, making her scream in pain while he smiled with sadistic glee. Keith just watched on as Idol begged but said nothing.

Raphtalia: So many demi-humans begged for their lives just like that. But... it wasn't enough!

Raphtalia had tears streaming down her eyes but she shook it off and continued to glare at the nobleman.

Lord Raiber: *beggingly* Please, spare me. Have mercy on me!

The tanuki girl just inched the sword closer to his neck, making him whimper.

Raphtalia: *angry* After killing so many demi-humans in that underground chamber of yours, you dare beg for your life?!

Lord Raiber: *disbelief* Y-You're not... It can't be... One of my enslaved villagers? An animal like you? A damned demi?!

Raphtalia simply inched the sword even closer to his neck, making him squirm into the wall just below the window with a whimper.

Lord Raiber: W-Wait! Wait a moment! You'd all be dead. The whole lot of you would've died like dogs if I hadn't taken you in like that.

Raiber's explanation was cut short when Raphtalia shouted

Raphtalia: Keep your mouth shut!

The tanuki girl raised her sword, ready to stab the fat bastard.

Raphtalia: You think I could forget the atrocities you've committed?! Not till I die! I'll never forget what you've done!

Idol then had the audacity to get on his knees and bow down in shame, apologizing frantically just to keep his head attached to his neck.

Lord Raiber: I'm sorry. I was wrong! I-I'll... I'll apologize, I swear!

Raphtalia: *glares* This scumbag here... he took Rifana and he...

Raphtalia seethed with anger as she raised her sword above her head. Raiber saw her about to bring down the sword before he began to cry, making Raphtalia's glare harden.

Yanoka: This bastard has the audacity to cry?! How pathetic can you be?!

Keith: *sighs* Raphtalia.

Raphtalia snapped out of her anger as Keith began to reason with her.

Keith: He's not worth it. Look how pathetic he is.

Raphtalia looked at how pathetic Idol looked. She wanted to kill him, she really does.

Keith: Do you think a worthless piece of shit like him deserves death? You were once begging like that to him and look how the tables have turned. You've grown stronger and he's grown... a beer belly, I suppose.

Zane and Yanoka snickered at that while Raphtalia stifled a small smile at the joke.

Yanoka: I say we let the demi-humans have him. Let's see if a worm like him can worm his way out.

Raphtalia lowered her sword, which was unfortunately the opening that Raiber needed.

Lord Raiber: Die you demi-human scum!

Raphtalia parried a sword strike from Raiber, who unsurprisingly drew out a rapier. Yanoka prepared a fireball but Keith held her back as he conjured up an Air Strike Shield.

Idol managed to disarm Raphtalia by grabbing her shoulder, which was injured from the whip lashing earlier, to distract her. As he went for a killing blow, Raphtalia ducked under his attack and stabbed him with the mana sword.

Idol backed away and grunted in pain as he held the wound he received from the mana sword. Keith called out the obese nobleman, who looked at him.

Keith: See ya, cunt.

Keith launched the Air Strike Shield at the nobleman, who screamed as he was launched out of the window

All Idol saw as he fell was Keith looking down at him with Kratos' tattoos glowing on fire. A damn demi-human, who was now looking down on him, would end his life. As he hits the ground, the scene fades to black.

Chapter Text

Faith | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)

The scene opens up to lush green plains. Cries of seagulls flying overhead a village on the coast. On the plains, just at the village outskirts, were demi-human children playing soccer/football.

While those kids played, two kids were sitting down on a log under a tree just nearby. These two were a younger Raphtalia and her best friend, a weasel demi-human girl named; Rifana.

Raphtalia: Huh? A person that I love?

Rifana: *nods* Do you have anyone special like that?

The tanuki girl pondered for a moment before answering.

Raphtalia: There's my dad. How's that?

Rifana hung her head low, a soft hum of disappointment escaping her lips.

Rifana: *disappointed* That's not what I'm talking about.

Raphtalia: So what about you, Rifana? Do you have someone?

The weasel girl looked up with a smile.

Rifana: There's no one yet. But I wanna marry someone like one of the legendary heroes.

Raphtalia: Someone like the Glitch Heroes? I've wanted to meet them forever.

Their chat was cut short when the sky flashed a bright light, the same kind of light that engulfs the heroes and their parties when attending the waves. And as the flash of light died down, the sky was now in its ominous red color, signaling the beginning of a Wave of Catastrophe.

Rifana and Raphtalia held on to each other as they screamed in fright when strong winds blew across the village. The winds died down and a dog demi-human pointed up to the sky. Monsters soon descended down the village and began attacking the innocent demi-human villagers.

It transitions to show Raphtalia and her parents running away from the village. Unfortunately, they ran out of road to run and were now on a cliff. Behind them was a cerberus-like monster that cornered them.

Despite the horror-filled looks on her parents' faces, they got in front of Raphtalia to protect her from this monster. Raphtalia's father soon spoke.

Raphtalia's father: Raphtalia, we only wanted to make sure you survived. Please, find it in your heart to forgive us of our selfishness if you can.

That was the last thing he said before Raphtalia was pushed off the cliff by her parents, sending her falling to the waters below. Sadly, the last thing she saw was the cerberus-like monster feasting on their corpses.

As Raphtalia fell and made contact with the water, it transitions to Idol Raiber now laying presumably dead on his castle courtyard after tripping on his own whip and falling out the second story window. Keith was looking down on him from the same window the fat bastard fell out of.

Keith: Good riddance to ye.

Keith looks down and picks up Rabier's whip, which he stored in the Legendary Shield's inventory

Filo: *worried* Raphtalia, are you okay?

Princess Melty: *worried* Raphtalia...?

Raphtalia sat up and looked at Keith and Zane.

Raphtalia: Master Zane, Master Keith, I –

Zane: Don't bother apologizing, Raph. He deserved it.

Keith gives Zane a glare before looking back to Raphtalia.

Keith: While what Zane said is harsh, he's not wrong. *puts a gentle hand on Raphtalia's shoulder* But it's not your fault.

Lord Reichnott: Sir Glitch Heroes, I can't thank you enough, for saving my life.

The two looked up and saw Reichnott leaning against the door frame, clutching his injured arm.

Princess Melty: Reichnott! Are you hurt?

Lord Reichnott: No, I'm fine.

The princess ran over to him and casted healing magic to heal him.