A/N- Here I am guys, a little latter then usual and I do apologize for it, but this one took a bit too finish, since it's not only slightly bigger then normal, but it had to under go a few changes.

Important Notice - Now, originally I was going to make a single full chapter bout Ryou's past, and what happened before he was summoned, and in some ways the origins of his Cursed Series, but then I realized, it would be kind of boring to have a single chapter just with angst on the MC, so I decided to separate it into a parts, each part will appear on the following chapters in the beginning, the is also another reason why this chapter is bigger then usual. Well that, and the stupid amount of build up I'm doing...

That said, it won't be super big parts, and I'am going to shorten it just enough to let you guys understand were the cursed series come from as Ryou is concerned, it will also help to show people that he is damaged in some ways, and carries scars. Sure I have alluded to it, but it's a different thing to upright show it.

Onto the next topic... Some people seemed to be rather... Worried I should say about the inclusion of the Eldrich Worms in Ryou's party. Worry not as they will be mostly used for support, and won't be considered true members of his party. They will however play their part as total bad-ass siege weapons, amount other roles... But that is in the future...

Another thing was the Shooting Star Arrow... Now funnily enough the anime as two different effects for this skill, and in the light novel the description doesn't really match up with either of them. In the LN the skill is described as an arrow that comes with stars around it that also damages whatever hits... Now I don't know how to say this, but that sounds kinda girly..? Don't want to be sexist here, but that's an attack that I imagine from a Magical Girl... Not Madoka though, since she would just blow up the Universe... Puella Magi Madoka Magic... Now there is anime that wrecked me, since I went into it blind... STupid animations tricked me into thinking it was a cute anime... Joke was on me... Kinda like RE:Zero wrecked from half-way through to the end... But that's neither here or there... My anime tastes aside, the anime version of the Shield Hero as two visuals for the skill. One is a Blue Arrow coated in golden light, and the other is a full golden blast of energy. I talk this will a reviewer and the only explanation I could rationalize for this, is that the blue arrow is showed when Itsuki is over in his head, since the attack is rather lackluster, and the Golden Blast is showed against the Pope, and it breaks a few of his barriers, and there they made the skill look cooler to show hat the Pope was being pushed back. From three the chose his one simply because the skill is a icon the the series, and it will be a crucial part of Ryou's arsenal. So if I'm going with it, I'm going with what I think is the coolest version, since it would be kind of lame for one of Ryou's main skill's to be literally a shower of golden glitter on the enemies... Killer glitter mind you, but glitter nonetheless...

Now ranting aside, let's just get on with it... Where Ryou finally meets with his fellow heroes, Malty finally executes her plan, a threat descends on Ryou and company, with more ominous signs lying in the shadows, and fate finally revels it's hand to Ryou, one that will turn anything that he though he could count on into ashes...

Full Disclaimer - This chapter contains scenes no explicit scenes but it contains Quartz and Motoyasu in the same scene, and Quartz and Filo also in the same scene... Just getting it out there for reasons...

Chapter 35. Braving Into a New World - Illusion's End

Two-and-Half years before the summoning

A soft if persistent clinking sound echoed, followed by some light cursing. Trying to open the door to their house while carrying bags was an arduous task, but one he had always emerged victorious, and today would be no different.

With a click, he released a breath as the door unlocked, and with his foot he pushed it open just enough for him to pass.

Dropping the bags full of groceries unceremoniously on the ground, he closed the door, one of his hand rising to his forehead.

"What is up with this heat…" He muttered to himself, as he watched his hand glistering with moisture, "...must be over forty degrees out there."

With another huff, he paused to the sound of something that resembled a laser being fired coming from further in the house. Rolling his eyes he moved towards the sound, half-expecting something obnoxious.

His hopes weren't dashed, as he crossed the boundary to their living room, and leaned against the doorway, his eyes fixated on the television.

"What exactly am I watching?" He questioned after a moment.

"Steven's Universe…" A far softer voice answered in a bored tone, from somewhere in the couch.

"Steven's what now?"

"It's a cartoon, and that over there is Steven." His sister explained as she rose a finger to point at the figure showing in the image.

"That fat kid? I guess he is the main character huh?" Ryou concluded out loud, as he continued to watch the cartoon.

"Stupid brother, he isn't fat! He is chubby!" His sister defended heatedly.

Someone is a fan… Wait… "Is that a pink jewel in his belly button?" Even his sister did not fail to pick up on the disbelief oozing from his voice.

"Yes…" She drawled almost through clenched teeth, "...That's where he gets his powers."

The oldest of the two siblings blinked slowly, as he tried to understand the logic behind such a thing. "Back in my day, main characters got their power through Ki, Chakra, Reiatsu, heck even a moon crystal made more sense than this…" He mumbled the last part to himself, however, it became apparent he hadn't been subtle enough, as a head full of untamed light brown hair shot from the couch smiling like a Cheshire cat.

"Say that again! That last part!" His sister demanded full with giddiness.

"I'm invoking my right as the oldest of the two to not comment any further." Ryou deadpanned, and even he felt amazed at how measured his tone had come out.

"Fufufufu…" His sister laugh was both forced and haughty, eerily similar to that of a villain gloating, "...I wonder how Susan is going to react when she finds out her boyfriend is a Sailor Moon fan."

She won't blink an eye I guarantee you… His girlfriend was the one responsible for him knowing the plot of far to many romantic and tragic animes, She had all but forced him to watch every single one of the ones on her watch list.

"Go right ahead, she'll laugh at most…" Ryou dismissed with a shrug, "You might think that information is worth something in the ways of blackmail, but it really isn't…"

"Muh… You're no fun…" His sister pouted, crossing her arms as she dropped back on the couch.

"Not fun huh?" He questioned as he turned around and slowly walked out of the room, yet his voice still echoed from the hallway, "So I guess I should cancel that trip to the beach that I was planning for the two of us after lunch, hmm?"

"Beach?!" Her voice came in a higher pitch, as she all but jumped off the couch, and reached the doorway in record time, "We are going to the beach?!"

Ryou turned around with a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips, "Not in your pajamas you aren't…" He pointed out.

His sister looked down at her clothing for a second, before dashing down the hallway and through a door, her voice carrying after her "I'm going to get changed!"

Hook, line, and sinker… Ryou thought in amusement. It wasn't that he wanted to go to the beach all that much, but he knew that if he left his sister have her way, she would stay in the couch for the entire week watching tv until their parents returned, though his mother also heavily shared the blame for his sister sedentary lifestyle, at least during vacation.

I swear that woman would call the entire police force and the army if her daughter moved beyond a five-meter radius from home unsupervised… Ryou sighed, as he picked the bags, and made his way to the kitchen. Their mother had always been a mother hen, though thankfully she had given up on following his every steps a year or so ago and focused most of her attention on his sister.

Thank god for that small miracle. No more awkward silences every time she asked if I was going to Susan's… Ryou commented to himself as he removed his groceries from the bag. Ever since he had acknowledged the existence of his girlfriend to his parents, and with her becoming a regular visitor to their household, his mother had acquired the embarrassing habit of questioning him about it, something that always led to an awkward silence composed of both understanding and embarrassment. His mother wasn't an idiot and knew what exactly they were going to do during the afternoon, and he also knew his mother knew. There was never any verbal acknowledgment pertaining to it, but the realization that his own mother knew exactly what they were up too was just mortifying at least in the beginning.

"Hey Ryou! What beach are we going to?" The question came from down the hallway.

"Which one do you think?!" Ryou half-shouted.

"Yay! We are going to the lagoon! I can swim there!" His sister shouted in childish glee.

"Yeah...Like a nail!" Ryou shot back, with a grin.

"Hey! I can swim now! Father taught me last year!" She replied offended, and he released a small laugh as he pictured her annoyed face.

"I'll be the judge of that since I specifically recall an event where a small girl almost drowned in a pool!" He joked, but deep down he knew that she had already learned it, his father would have seen to that.

"Stupid brother that was years ago! I have gotten a lot better since then."

Ryou released another chuckle, as he picked another tin, and released its content into a bowl. Since they were going to the beach it would be best to only have a light lunch, especially since he doubted his sister would resist the temptation of going for a dive the moment they arrived.

Better make some sandwiches too, since we are bound to get hungry… He mused as he mixed the content in the bowl.

"Hey, brother…"

Turning around to the voice he took in the pink dress that his sister had on for a moment, "...Yeah?"

"Shouldn't they have called by now?" She asked, her eyebrows tightened closer slightly.

Now that she mentions it... They should be more than halfway already so it is strange that mother hasn't called yet… He had been up to bid them goodbye when they had left, at an ungodly hour, since his father preferred to drive before the sun was even up.

"They probably can't get any signal." That would also be the most likely explanation. As far as he could remember his father never once took the highway, preferring to drive through the less known roads among the fields to get to his maternal grandmother's village. The old woman had been not so subtly nagging everyone that she wanted to spend some time back in the village.

His Aunt had ditched the idea almost immediately using some half-assed excuse, but Ryou knew the truth. She wanted to enjoy her vacations freely, but that was a common theme with her. She would always find a reason to not have to deal with her old mother, every single time.

With that, the responsibility to take his grandmother to her home village had fallen once more on his parents shoulders.

"But are you really complaining though?" Ryou asked after a minute of contemplation, banishing the thoughts he rather keep to himself.

"No! The less nagging she does the better, I just found it strange that's all."

"Hmm...Don't worry she will definitely call when they get there," He assured, as his eyes moved towards the bowl.

"Now… How about some lunch?"

Present

Looking towards his fellow hero who seemed to be regarding him with nothing short of contempt, Ryou blinked in confusion.

The moment of silence only made the frown on the Sword Hero's face worse, "I'll ask again." He repeated in a low tone, "What do you think you are doing Ryou?"

The tone shook Ryou out of his fuzz and rattled something inside of him, as he returned the glare with one of his own, "I have an even better question. What exactly crawled up your ass and died there?"

"You…" Ren growled.

"Seriously! I know we aren't even close to being friends, but it has been over a month since we last saw each other and the first thing you do is act like I murdered your pet goldfish in cold blood!" He commented slightly aggravated.

"That's because you're KSing me!" Ren exploded, pointing one finger at the Bow Hero.

Wait ? What? Kill Steal..?

"You know…" Ryou began as he closed his eyes briefly in annoyance, "...we both come from a different world, so I don't know if the definition in mine is the same as in your world, but I don't think that means what you think it means."

"Kill stealing is kill stealing no matter in what world! The fact that you know what it means proves it!" The Sword Hero replied, as he cut the air in front of him with his hand. "I took this quest! I was here first! You can't just walk in and try to steal it from me!"

"Didn't this happen before? I have a feeling this happened before... Like I'm having the biggest sense of Deja Vu ever…" Ryou muttered to himself before locking eyes with the irritated teen, "Look I'm not trying to steal your quest or whatever you're thinking. I was legitimately hired for it…" As far as one can call it legitimate when that Shadow Maid is involved, "...heck I even talked with the noble of this region like two hours ago and she gave me the green light for it."

Surprise seemed to come over the Sword Hero's face, then his expression dropped and he looked to the side, "You talked to Lady Adamalys huh..?"

"Yes…" Ryou confirmed slowly, narrowing his eyes in suspicion as he watched the Sword Hero.

"I...I see…" The Sword Hero replied, all irritation gone from him, leaving only behind only a mumbling teen.

"What's this really about Ren?"

It can't be about the money… He concluded. While thirty gold could be considered a hefty amount, between his dragon based-potions, ore selling and drops Ryou could easily make that amount with a little bit of time, and he knew that the Sword Hero could too, especially since unlike him, Ren did had some manner of knowledge on where the best hunting grounds were and such. Ryou also didn't think it would be about taking credit for it, since unlike the previous Bow Hero, Ren didn't seem the kind to lavish in praise, at least not to the extent that Itsuki did.

"Isn't it obvious? I already told you I got here first, so this quest belongs to me!" Fire seemed to return to the teen as he almost shouted.

"By your own logic you're still the one in the wrong here, since as far as MMORPG's go, you would be hard-pressed to find a quest that was reserved for one single person and since I didn't get the memo from Aultcray stating that this entire area now belonged to you, I say it's free game!" Ryou shot back with a scowl.

"That's not how this works! We have exclusive rights to quests! You can't compare this world where there are only four of us to a game with thousands of players!" Ren countered.

Lady Irony you are not lost to me… " You're the one that started with the comparisons when you said I was KSing you, which by the way is bullshit since KS implies that someone comes and steal kills from you, and since I was gaining experience before, that proves that you weren't in fact here, and only just arrived, so technically I was never KSing you."

"That's not the point!" He shouted, stomping on the ground in aggravation.

Ohh for fuck sakes…"If it's not the point then why did you even brought it up in the first place?!" Ryou demanded as he threw his hands in the air in an exasperated fashion.

"It doesn't matter! What matters is that you are ruining everything!" The Sword Hero cried out.

Isn't he supposed to be the most reasonable of the three stooges? I feel like I just lost whatever faith I had in him, and it wasn't even that much to begin with…

"Who is this person?" Rifana asked loudly, tired of being in the side-lines.

"Someone annoying." He replied dismissively, "Ignore him and maybe he will go away."

"A-Annoying?!" The teen stuttered in unconcealed anger," I'm the Sword Hero you noob!"

"This?! This bratty kid is the Ken-no Yuusha?" Rifana deadpan.

Ryou however couldn't help but to find once more the irony in the situation.

You call him bratty but weren't you acting just like him a few minutes ago?

"You! Who the hell are you to call me that?" Ren demanded.

"Me?" She asked pointing to herself, "I'm Rifana, and I'm the person not acting like a spoiled brat."

"I don't have to hear this from a two-bit half skunk" Ren shot back with a huff.

"S-Skunk?!" She stuttered, "I'm half weasel you jerk!"

"Sounds all the same to me." He countered with a shrug.

"Not only are you a spoiled brat, but you're also brain dead and blind to boot, I see!" Rifana declared.

"I don't have time for this." Ren rebuked, as he looked towards the Bow Hero, "Ryou you should really learn to control your minions better."

However, Ryou did not have the time to answer, since Rifana cut right in the middle of them coming to a stop almost at breathing distance from the Sword Hero.

"At least he as minions to control!" She announced almost mockingly, "You on the other hand look like a lonely boy with his ego, and apparently, you can't even control that!"

"You…" Ren growled glaring at the demi-human girl, who responded in kind locking gazes with the teen.

I think I just got benched on this one... And is that lightning between them? What exactly am I seeing here..? Ryou questioned as he watched the battle of wills.

" You know... I'm a huge fan of the Legendary Yuushas. I have been since I was a kid, I have read every legend I could get my hands on, and I can only say I have never been so disappointed in my life!"

"I'll be sure to tell you when your opinion starts mattering to me." Ren shot back patronizingly.

At those words, Rifana's glare hardened, "Well maybe it should! Weren't you summoned here to save lives?" She asked rhetorically, continuing before the Sword Hero could offer a response, "Because as it stands you're only accomplishing the opposite of that."

"Huh?" He uttered in confusion.

The Bow Hero just watched from his place a little further away. He knew were Rifana was going with it, and while he wanted to call her out on the fact they had been summoned against their will, he didn't, because deep down this was something the Sword Hero needed to hear.

"Yes, you heard me right! While you're here throwing a fit like a little kid, you seem to be conveniently forgetting that those things have already caused a lot of deaths, and instead of doing the reasonable thing and help us save lives, you're far more worried about getting the rights to your quest! Acting like that does not only makes you a sorry excuse for a Yuusha but it also makes you a sorry excuse for a human being!" Rifana declared with a tone of finality.

She really doesn't hold back, does she? Ryou winced, On one side I'm proud she is standing up for what she believes in, on the other I think hanging out with Quartz as rubbed her in a wrong way, she's gotten way too blunt in such a short amount of time... And, that was a critical hit if I ever saw one... It showed, as Ren's face paled, and he completely lost any anger he had leaving behind only shame.

"I…" He hesitated as words failed him, his eyes going to the ground.

"Honestly…" She huffed shaking her head, her eyes soften a fraction as her hand came to rest on her hip, "Growing up as a demi-human, I always looked up to the Legendary Yuushas… As the oppressed race in Melromarc, you guys were ours… My shining symbol of hope. The symbol that stood for everything good and righteous. Valiant, strong, humble but above everything else kind… Ryou once told me that I should moderate my expectations, but that's hard to do when you spend your entire childhood idolizing someone, so it really sucks when I finally get to meet my heroes, the ones I have always look up to, and I'm left with nothing but disappointment…"

Never meet your heroes, because they are sure to disappoint you… The saying from his previous world had never rang more true then it did at that moment. The situation happening in front of him had been exactly what Ryou had wanted to avoid for himself. Because there more expectations grew, the easier it would be to disappoint someone, and to have people demanding responsibility.

"I just wanted to prove myself…" Ren muttered still looking down.

Is he sulking? The hell is up with him… The actions from the Sword Hero filled him with nothing but confusion. While condescending, he had always perceived Ren as a collected if aloof teen for the most part, at least as long as above knee high water wasn't involved, but now he could hardly keep up with the Sword Hero's mood swings.

"Prove yourself?" Rifana asked as she tilted her head to the side, "Too who?"

Ren's eyes widened as he flushed, and he moved his head to avoid her gaze muttering something that Ryou failed to pick up, however, Rifana didn't, as realization hit her and she closed her eyes.

"I see... So that's what this is about…" She commented with a trace of annoyance.

"You know?" Ryou finally joined the conversation again, his toned laced with curiosity.

"Yeah, I know…" She continued, her voice still oozing with annoyance, "...It seems that the Ken-no Yuusha as come up with a severe case of being love-struck…"

L-Love-struck?! "Hahahahaha!" Ryou laugh out loud at the preposterous idea, "There's no way that's tru…" His words came to a halt as his eyes fell on the Sword Hero, whose face went critical with embarrassment before he covered it with his hands.

No way…

"Y-Y-You're kidding, right? You're screwing with me aren't you?" Ryou asked almost perplexed, as he watched the Sword Hero release another mumble.

"Ahh…" Rifana sighed, "It seems he has become a victim to that woman's wiles…"

There is just no way… Ren of all people? REN?! He doesn't give anyone the time of the day! The only person I remember him giving any attention too was Eclair! When she was royally kicking his ass! Ryou screamed in his mind, however, the more he looked at the Sword Hero's mortification at having his not so secret crush discovered, the more real the situation became.

Did he actually fall for a random Noblewoman ruling a village in the middle of nowhere?! In Ryou's mind, it wasn't like there was anything special about Adamalys. Sure that by all accounts she was both beautiful, and had an air of gracefulness that reflected her lineage and upbring.

But it isn't like she brings anything to the table that every single one of us hasn't seen… If one was to talk about straight up attractiveness then there was no shortage of it. Ryou would almost go as far as to say that there were too many attractive women around the heroes, so much that one could even get desensitized to it. In any party, there was a member like that. Naofumi had Raphtalia. Motoyasu had a harem of pretty girls, even Rino who didn't flair herself, had a huge cute if petite factor going for her. He had Rishia who was both beautiful, and had an amazing if carrying personality going for her, eccentricities aside, even Rifana was on a fast track to match her best friend in looks if her growth was of any indication.

But as he thought about all the females in their circle, a realization begun to dawn on him. Ren didn't give the time of the day to anyone, but the reverse was also true. Even Malty who would flirt with a wooden pole if it suited her, had her eyes locked on Motoyasu, and hardly paid attention to the Sword Hero as far as Ryou was aware.

And if by some cosmic joke, where all the planets and stars align themselves, a random attractive woman with huge assets appears, and starts flirting and throwing compliments his way like she did with me, then maybe... Just maybe…

It actually made sense in his mind in a weird manner. Ren in Ryou's mind, like Naofumi, had at one point been nothing more than a one-dimensional character. But here, in this world he existed, he was a breathing human being with every emotion and feeling that humans had, and for everything that Ren might have been, he was still a highschooler, and probably one that had yet to experience any kind of intimate relationship, so it probably would be easy for Adamalys to worm her way into his heart, if she brought up her A-game to the table.

Still… Looking at the embarrassed Sword Hero, and at Rifana's annoyed and slightly disgusted expression, Ryou felt a wave of crescent irritation slowly but steadily creeping on him.

"Let me see if I got this straight..." Ryou began softly, as his eyebrow twitched, "... You're telling me that the reason why you acted like a condescending asshole was because you wanted to complete this quest by yourself so that you could show you're random crush, who I bet you probably only just met, how courageous and gallant you were, all the while taking your sweet time and ignoring that this is in fact, a dire situation in need of your full attention... Did I get it right?"

"Huuhhh…" Ren half-moaned half-grunted in consternation.

"I see… So I pretty much nailed it." He commented lowly with a sniffle, nodding to himself twice as he realized what it had to be done before approaching the Sword Hero with fast and steady steps.

Wham!

Rifana visibly winced as the Bow Hero's hand made contact with the back of the teen's head sending him face planting into the ground.

A moment later Ren half raised himself snarling, "The hell Ryou!?

However, Ryou was beyond himself, as he crouched in front of the Sword Hero and grabbed his collar snarling right back, "You Idiot! When I think you guys can't sink any lower you still manage to find a way to surprise me! You were there when I told Motoyasu to start thinking things through, but it went right above your head didn't it?! The only thing I ever asked of you idiots was that you started using your heads, but I meant the one above your shoulders not the one under your belt!"

"Ryou…" Rifana moaned as she placed a hand on her face, even then her cheeks still gained some color.

The Sword Hero stuttered once more trying to come up with words, but Ryou shook him harshly, "Seriously! I half-expected this kind of crap from Motoyasu, but I always thought you were at least above crap like this!"

"What's this about me?"

A voice cut through Ryou's tirade, and both him and Ren turned their heads to look at a confused Spear Hero standing just behind Rifana.

It's official… Someone out there hates me… Ryou concluded as his eyebrow continued to twitch.

Her eyes were focused on the front, refusing to look back. She knew what was about to happen, and couldn't bear to look at Rino's hopeful face as the small girl happily trailed after them locked in a conversation with Lesty.

The moment they had arrived at Ehrenhalf Village, the Spear Hero had moved to go visit the noble in charge, and that had been the start of the princess's plan. Malty had convinced the blond young man that they would only be in his way, and wanted to spend her time shopping.

The Spear Hero hardly batted an eye at it, and actually encouraged such a decision. Rino had been the only voice of discord, stating that she wanted to help the Hero with his quest, however, the small petite girl's fate had been sealed when not only Motoyasu but Malty managed to sway her.

She felt sick when she saw the princess extending her hand to Rino inviting her along, with one of the best, and most pleasant smiles she had ever seen in her face.

Having been an outcast in their party for so long, the invitation from Malty had seemed like an olive branch to the innocent girl, and an opportunity to finally mesh with them.

Elena's eyes moved to the princess's back, as she watched the redhead walk in front of her with a spring in her step, humming to herself.

A demon in human clothing… I really don't want to be a part of any of this… She had always managed to avoid being pulled in every time Malty decided to deal with one of their party members. She knew it would only be a matter of time before the princess got what was coming to her, either by her mother's hand or by pissing off the wrong person, as such it would be better to have plausible deniability when her time finally arrived. However this time it would have looked too suspicious if she had tried to get away, so now she had to bear witness.

"This way Rino-chan." Malty chirped, as she pointed towards an alley.

"Huh, through there?" Rino questioned as her eyebrows knitted in confusion peering into the humid, and almost ominous passageway.

A hand landed on her shoulder, and she turned to look at the happy smile in the princess's face as she nodded, "Yes, it's a shortcut that will take us to one of the best shops in Ehrenhaft."

"Really?" The small mage questioned once more still in doubt.

"Really…" Malty confirmed as she pushed the girl lightly on the shoulder towards the alley… "I'm sure you will love that shop… As if it were your second home."

Taking a few steps into the narrow passage, Rino smiled, "If you say so Malty-ch! Guh!" A gasp escaped the petite mage, as a spasm coursed through her body, and she pitched forward, dropping like a puppet whose strings were cut.

"Hahahahahah! It really works fast!" Malty laughed, as she raised a small dagger to eye level, the weapon she had used to deliver a small cut to the other girl's arm.

"M-Malty-cha…" Rino slurred before her tongue got tied and she lost the ability to speak.

The redhead smirked, as she rolled the girl with one foot so she could look at her face, and released another laugh as she saw Rino's eyes moving franaticly in fear, but unable to move anything else.

"You're probably wondering why... Aren't you Rino?" The princess asked softly, as she lowered herself to a crouch, a hand moving to cup Rino's small chin.

Fearful forest green eyes, met a pair of cruel almost lime ones, as the princess lowered her face locking gazes with the smaller girl.

"This is because you got in the way of the next queen of Melromarc, or did you think hogging Motoyasu-sama's time just for yourself would go without punishment?" The first princess demanded, as her grip tightened.

Rino's eyes swam with confusion wanting to say anything in her defence but unable too do so.

Letting go of Rino's chin, Malty raised herself, as she threw her hair back in a haughty manner, "Well that said, I'm not without mercy, so in honor of the time we spend as party members, I decided to find you a new job."

Lesty lost it at that, as she laughed behind them. Elena however had her back to the whole scene unable to stomach what was happening.

"Yes…" The princess continued, a cruel smile taking over her face, "Since you were so good at monopolizing Motoyasu-sama's time, I decided to get you a job where that particular skill will do wonders for you."

"It's truth Rino-chan! You will spend the rest of your life hogging other men's time! Just not Motoyasu-sama's." Lesty joked as she continued to laugh.

The petite mage's eyes widened in fear, as a sinking realization begun to creep on her.

"That is, if you can even survive your first customer. Fuse will definitely give you an experience you won't ever forget, though I'm rooting for you Rino!" Malty quipped, as she grasped a handful of auburn hair, and pulled the girl slightly up, her hat dropping to the ground.

The petite mage closed her eyes but even that wasn't enough to stop the cascade of tears that were running down her face.

"Now come along!" Malty said, as she dragged the petite girl by the hair and deeper into the alley, "You're new home awaits!"

Through the pain, Rino still opened her eyes and caught a final blurry gaze of Elena's expression, one full of regret.

Elena, please…The girl begged in her mind, however, her heart broke when her only hope, closed her own eyes in resignation and moved her head to the side.

Forgive me... Rino…

"Well?" Motoyasu asked, tilting his head to the side.

When was it that this became a Legendary Heroes party. and why wasn't I informed..? Ryou inquired himself as he released the Sword Hero's colar. "Don't tell me you are also here for the quest?" He deflected somewhat.

Raising and dusting himself, Ren sent Ryou a side glare, before turning his attention to the Spear Hero, who blinked twice, before releasing a grin.

"That's right!" He exclaimed resting his spear against his shoulder, "I, Motoyasu am here to save this village from the gryphons!"

"Oh! Not you too!" Ren exploded from Ryou's side, "Don't you guys have anything better to do than to steal my quests?!"

"Ohh brother…" Ryou muttered to himself before raising his voice, "Are we really going back to that topic?"

His question however was mostly ignored.

"What do you mean your quest? If anything it's my quest!" Motoyasu declared with a frown, before opening his status window. A moment later an embroidered fancy looking parchment fell on his hand, and he waved it in the air, "See here! This is an official document from his majesty asking me to deal with the gryphons!"

"Tsk!" Ren crossed his arms, as he looked from the paper to the Spear Hero's face," I can't read what's in there, so it could be a cooking recipe for all I know."

"What?! It's an official document! Official I say!" Motoyasu argued back.

"Seems pretty legit to me," The Bow Hero added, as he narrowed his eyes to read what was on the parchment, and at first glance from what he could understand it did seem like an official document.

"Like you can read it." The teen dismissed with a hiss.

Ryou frowned as he looked towards the youth, "Actually I can and it seems official to me."

"It is," Rifana added from their side as she pointed to a place at the bottom of the parchment, "That. You see? That's the official magical stamp from the crown."

"See! Even they agree with me! Besides I got authorization from the lady in charge to complete this quest and everything!" Motoyasu explained as he stored the document back in his inventory.

"Huh… So you met with Lady Adamalys too…" Ren muttered.

The blond young man nodded, "Yeah I did, and let me tell you she's really hot!" He added with a smile.

Ren's head shot up at that, with a withering glare, "You stay away from her Motoyasu!"

The smile from the Spear Hero's face turned confused, "Why should I? You like her or something?"

"L-L-Like?!" Ren stuttered, and maybe it was the sunlight but Ryou would almost swear that the Sword' Hero's face had gained some color.

Slowly but surely a grin formed on Motoyasu's face. "Oh, I see how it is…" He nodded to himself almost satisfied with his own conclusion, "So under all that coolness, flows the blood of a male in the springtime of his youth huh?"

"I-It's not what you think!" The youngest of the heroes cried out as he took a step back, waving his hands in the air, in a manner that reminded Ryou of his partner when she was embarrassed.

"Come now... There's no need to deny it." Motoyasu mused shaking his head as he moved in closer to the Sword Hero and hooked an arm over his shoulder, "I completely understand. But leave it all to Big Brother Motoyasu! I'll give you some advice that will get you doing it in no time!"

Did this turn into a rom-com comedy when I wasn't looking? Why the heck are we even having this conversation in the first place?

"Like hell would I ever take advice from you!" Ren shouted as he shoved the other hero away.

"That as to be the wisest decision you've made since you were summoned here…" Ryou offered from the side.

Motoyasu's eyes went from Ren to Ryou, "Why?! What's wrong with me?!"

What isn't?! The words echoed inside of Ryou and Ren's head at the same time.

"Come on guys! I'll let you in on a secret…" Motoyasu voice dropped a fraction lower as he cupped his mouth with his hand, "I've already done it…"

Thank you for the mental image… Praise the lord that you're not here to listen to this shit Naofumi… Ryou closed his eyes in disgust, however, a pull on the hem of his shirt had him opening them a moment later.

"Ryou… This person… Is he the one you spoke before?" Rifana asked almost hesitantly.

"Yeah."

"Haaaa… I see what you meant back then."

"Yeah… He's also the Spear Hero by the way." Ryou added as an afterthought.

"Huhhhhh..." Rifana moaned as her head dropped.

"You can't say I didn't warn you though." The Bow Hero reminded her with a shrug.

"I know, I know. It's just… I didn't think it would be this bad…" She admitted, "At this point, I'm almost afraid of meeting the Tate-no Yuusha-sama you know?"

"You should!" Motoyasu interjected as his head snapped in their direction, "A fair lady like you should absolutely not go near that guy! He is the worst, and he will do unspeakable things to you!"

"U-U-Unspeakable things?" Rifana stuttered with a hint of fear in her voice.

"Ohh shut up Motoyasu." Ryou interrupted with an eye roll, "Don't listen to him Rifana. The worst Naofumi will do to you is scowl, and that's part of his to go facial expression so don't take it to heart if he does."

"No, listen to me!" The Spear Hero urged as he approached the demi-human girl, " He will definitely abuse you until you have nothing else to offer!"

"You mean like he abused Raphtalia until she had nothing else to offer?" Ryou supplied, before snapping his fingers, "Ohh wait! But last time I checked she was growing into a fine young lady if I say so myself. Healthy as a horse too. Boy, it really did appear as he was abusing her alright…"

"T-That's because he is using the slave seal to trick her into believing everything is fine!"

This crap again..?

"Uhhh…" Rifana hesitantly raised her hand in the air, "...slave seals don't really work like that."

Thank You Rifana! Truly! For being the voice of reason! Ryou shouted in his head.

"How do you know that exactly?" The Sword Hero asked narrowing his eyes.

The Demi-human girl however sent him a look that seemed to question his intelligence, "I'm a demi-human… In Melromarc… Nine out of ten demi-humans in this country are slaves, and so was I before Ryou freed me."

"Ohh…" Ren uttered as his eyes soften just a fraction.

"Yeah…"

"It's a shield I bet! A brainwashing shield!" Motoyasu insisted from his place, as he shook his weapon in agitation.

Everyone, even the Sword Hero sent him a dubious look at the declaration.

Are we really that far gone already? "A Brainwashing Shield? Really?" Ryou inquired, tone oozing with sarcasm, "So if he has access to that kind of power, why is he still living like a traveling merchant just to cover his expenses instead of brainwashing the king and living like one?"

Motoyasu mouth open and closed like a fish as he tried to come up with a counter-argument, but Ryou raised his palm in the air.

"Motoyasu just stop. You're going to suffocate under all that straw you're pulling." Ryou chided as he rubbed his face with his other hand, "Is it really that hard to believe, that someone would actually follow Naofumi out of loyalty alone?"

"That's impossible! No one would do that after what he..!"

"Onii-shama we're back, and Quartz brought a gift." A soft voice interrupted whatever the Spear Hero was going to say, as a small girl came out of the woods, dragging two corpses of gryphons by their tails.

The bush rattled some more, and Rishia soon followed, but stop when her eyes fell on the present company.

"Fuee! Motoyasu-sama and Ren-sama!" She exclaimed in surprise.

Looking towards the prize Quartz had dragged along, that sported two different colorations, Ryou couldn't help but to smile, "Good job Quartz."

"Ohh...Ohhhhh! Ohhhhhhh!" A strange sound escaped the Spear Hero's mouth, a mixture between a sound of admiration and a yelp, as his eyes widened, and locked in on the smaller girl.

Here we go… Ryou declared in veiled disgust as he watched Motoyasu march towards Quartz, however another pull on the hem of his shirt stole his attention once more.

"Ryou… You said Raphtalia-chan was doing well for herself, but what the Yari-no Yuusha-sama said just now... Is she really doing alright?" Rifana questioned, worry over her best friend at the forefront of her mind.

Raising his hand he patted her on the head twice, "Don't worry about her, she's doing just fine." He assured with a small smile," I wouldn't lie to you about that."

"It's true that what I saw after the duel points to what you were saying." The Sword Hero reasoned as he took a couple of steps towards the duo. "However this as been bothering me since then… After what he as done, why did you defended him back then, and why do continue to do it?" He asked, confusion and doubt lingering in his mind.

The Bow Hero turned his attention towards the teen for a moment, before closing his eyes briefly. He knew it wouldn't change anything, they had already formed their opinion on Naofumi, nothing would change that. Only when his innocence was proven in front of the entire country would Ren believe it.

Just another one of those events that are fated to happen… Ryou had never been a huge believer in fate, but now, having spent entire nights musing over the topic he couldn't help but consider that something like a convergence point might actually exist. A point in time where no matter the actions before, it would all lead to that inevitable event.

While he had done nothing to help Naofumi, his existence hadn't change anything concerning the accusation, and everything had come to pass as it should have. However later he had tried to interfere with the duel, and yet the events that followed had also come to pass exactly as he remembered them.

There were some things he couldn't explain, such as Gentlewood acting far sooner than he should have, or the adicional boss in the wave. Even Rifana's current existence and the extended time between the waves were things that escaped his understanding, and the only thing he could gather was that those were nothing more than ripples that his existence had brought upon.

But at the end of the day they don't matter at all if some outcomes are already written in stone… He admitted, though he didn't exactly knew what defined an event as unchangeable.

I suppose at the very least I should give it a try... If nothing else, I owe Naofumi that much… He finished as his eyes snapped open.

"Ren… There are always two sides to a story, and you never asked for his…" He stated softly as he turned to look at the sky, "No… You just accept it as it was and that was that. Since it didn't have anything to do with you, you immediately cleaned your hands off of it without bothering to find out if it was the truth or not."

Just like me only in a different way...

"You weren't there but I know, that you are aware of the trial. During that time, not once did he ever denied it." Ren countred, "Isn't that the same as admitting that he was guilty?"

Taking the clear blue skies, Ryou let his thoughts move to the Shield Hero for a moment, "Perhaps… But you have to consider that everyone was accusing him, and declaring him guilty. Even you guys jumped on that bandwagon without a second thought, so I reckon at that time Naofumi realized that even if he tried to deny it, no one would believe him."

Ren took a moment to digest the words as his eyes narrowed slightly. "The way you are saying that... It's like you believe he is innocent."

"I do…" Ryou confirmed, as he once more locked eyes with the Sword Hero for an instant.

"Do you have proof to support that belief?" He asked tilting his head slightly.

"It's all around us actually, you just have to open your eyes to see it…" Ryou stated as his gaze went to Quartz and Motoyasu for a moment, "...you're smart Ren, smarter than that idiot over there, so if you really want to find the truth then next time you meet Naofumi ask for his side of the story. If you do that and put together the pieces, you will see that this tower of lies against him will fall faster than Jenga."

The Sword Hero crossed his arms, and took on a thoughtful expression, as his mind wandered back to the trial, "Looking back we only had circumstantial proof at best, along with the word of a single person, and I did thought it was a little suspicious for the princess to try and pass for an adventurer. I suppose she could have been trying to hide her identity so she wouldn't be treated any different do to her lineage or something like that, though from what I have observed, that doesn't seem to fit with her personality."

Ryou raised an eyebrow in slight surprise at the Sword Hero's observation.

So he as been paying at least a little attention to what's going on…

Shuffling a little in place Ren continued, "But like I said he never denied it, and the next time he appeared he was walking around with another attractive woman, that conveniently happened to be his slave. What conclusion was I supposed to gather from that if not the obvious?"

"Fair is fair I suppose, but at the very least you should have gathered your facts before forming a definite conclusion." Ryou pointed out in a measured tone, "Also you seem to be forgetting that he didn't have much of a choice. I hate… No, I abhor the concept of slavery, the thought of a human being owning another is sickening, nevertheless, I can't fault Naofumi for doing it, since he didn't have a choice. Ask yourself this... After the information got out, who would ever party with him?"

"He could have just moved to another country though."

"You make it sound easy but the closest country is the one on the other side of that forest." Rifana stated joining the conversation as she pointed towards the mentioned forest, "That's also no man's land for the most part. Not counting this one the closest ones, where you can actually find people are the Northern Territory, and Shieldfreeden and those are two weeks by carriage."

I wonder where she got that information… Is she studying topography with Rishia? Ryou questioned before deciding to leave that train of thought for another time. "Rifana is right, and a carriage costs money. Money that he didn't have."

"Transportation doesn't cost all that much. You can easily make that amount in a day." Ren noted furrowing his eyes.

"Sure you can, if you know how to make money, but you are conveniently forgetting a few other factors, like the fact that similarly to me, Naofumi never played a game that resembled this world, so he didn't know any efficient ways of making money back then, and it's not like he could just hunt monsters for it, he is the Shield Hero remember? That means almost no offensive capabilities, and no party members to do it for him." Ryou explained before shifting his weight to another leg, "So that leaves him with traveling on foot, and since you actually played a game that resembles this world, tell me… What are the odds of a level one shielder, without the means to increase his level or make money, as of making it to another country alive, or even before the wave rubber bands him back into the middle of Melromarc?"

The Sword Hero had the decency of looking just a little embarrassed, "When you put it like that, it does sound logical." He mumbled.

"So you see, Naofumi didn't bought Raphtalia because he had any weird kinks or something, he bought her because he didn't have any other choice if he wanted to survive." Ryou finished.

"I see…" Ren muttered to himself before his eyes widen at something fast approaching.

Fhroooshhh!

Releasing a yelp, the Sword Hero raised his arms to protect his face, as a wave of heat hit him, courtesy of a jet of flames that passed just a few meters from him.

A couple of minutes earlier…

Crouching on one knee, the Spear Hero gently grasped one of the girl's hands in both of his, his eyes filled with nothing but adoration.

To think that I would find a girl just like Freon-chan! The Spear Hero though in almost ecstasy, as his eyes took in the bat-like wings sprouting from the small girls back.

Even if one that looks like her fallen angel form...

"Little lady, may I have the honor of knowing your name?

Quartz tilted her head to the side, "Quartz's name is Quartz, and Quartz is a dragon."

"So Quartz-chan is a dragon huh? That's adorable."Motoyasu chuckled, "So what do you like to do Quartz-chan?"

The small girl tilted her head upwards as she placed a finger on her chin in a thoughtful manner, "Hmmm… Quartz likes to eat. She likes slow monsters best, but the rock monsters suck!"

Slow monsters..? Rock monsters..? What..? The Spear Hero considered as he blinked slowly.

"...Quartz also likes to sleep with Onii-shama and Onee-shama."

"Haaa… Onii-shama? That's Ryou isn't it?" He asked hesitantly.

The small girl nodded, "Onii-shama is Onii-shama."

"So he is like your older brother then?" The blond young man asked in clarification.

"Onii-shama is family, and Onee-shama is also family, and there's Rifana-Onee-shama, and Onee-sama father too, they are also part of Quartz's family, and Quartz's minions are family too."The small dragon enumerated as she raised her small fingers.

Minions..? Is she talking about the worms? Rishia thought furrowing her eyebrows slightly.

"I see,.. You have a big family then. That's good!" Motoyasu chirped happily, then cupping his hand over his mouth he asked, "What about dislikes?"

"Quartz hates stupid birds!" She exclaimed with a little bit of heat raising her fist in the air.

"Ohhh! I also hate those stupid birds!" He also exclaimed as he clapped his hand over her fist in agreement, "They really are stupid aren't they?"

"Yes! Quartz thinks she should just eat them all!"

"Fuee! Quartz-chan! Please!" Rishia chastised lightly.

"Yes! They should all be roasted like chickens!" Motoyasu declared to the heavens, receiving a nod from the small dragon girl.

"Fuee! Motoyasu-sama please don't encourage her, or s-she will cause trouble!" Rishia exclaimed. Already Quartz had a habit of roaring at every Filorial she came across, so the last thing they needed would be for her to actually immolate them on sight.

"Rishia-chan let me tell you something…" He murmured as he lowered his head, his hair hiding his face from view for a few moments as he shook slightly, "Those birds…"

Rishia inched a little closer to him, but jumped back as he sprung from his place roaring to the skies, "Those birds are the spawns of the devil!"

"Fueee! D-D-Devil?" She questioned unable to understand how could someone equate the usual chirpy and cute creatures to something evil.

"The devil! They have it out for me I say!" He declared with anger as he turned to the green-haired girl, his ponytail brushing against Quartz's nose, as she gave a small snifle, her eyes narrowing a fraction.

"You're blond…" Quartz stated as she considered something.

At her statement, Motoyasu stopped his rant and blinked, grasping a few strands of his hair between his fingers as he nodded, "Why yes, since birth. Why do you ask Quartz-chan?"

Quartz however ignored the question, "You're also tall…" She said mostly to herself.

Motoyasu blinked again as he straightened himself, and flexed a little, "Yes I'm quite tall! That's because I always finished my milk, and so should you if you want to grow into a tall and beautiful lady!"

"If she grows any bigger we won't be able to feed her!" The green-haired mage exclaimed as she clapped her face between her hands in slight horror.

"Rishia-chan she is clearly growing, so it's just normal for her to eat a lot. I was the same too!" Motoyasu explained with a free smile.

"I-I don't think that's exactly the same…" She mumbled to herself.

"You also have a stupid smile on your face…" Quartz continued as her face lightened up.

"S-S-Stupid smile?!" The Spear Hero cried out in shock.

The small girl nodded to herself, "Onee-shama, Quartz found tall, blond, and stupid looking!" She almost chirped as she pointed to Motoyasu.

"Fuee! Quartz-chan don't!" Rishia cried out as she saw Quartz puffing her cheeks and rearing back slightly.

"Who was it that told you th... WAHHHHHH!" Motoyasu cried out, his voice turning into a high-pitch scream as he was engulfed in a conflagration of flames that erupted from the small girl's lips.

The flames passed leaving a screaming and hopping Spear Hero trying desperately to put out the flames that were spreading through his hair.

"Onii-shama, Quartz sneezed on the tall, blond, and stupid looking person." The small girl declared as her eyes turned to the Bow Hero almost expectantly.

She didn't have to wait long, as Ryou blinked taking in the sight, and then exploded in laughter, hands flying to hold his stomach as he doubled over, "Hahahahahahahaha! G-Good job Quartz!"

"Fueee! Ryou don't encourage her!"

"Quartz was praised…" She chirped with a small turn of her lips before her eyes widen as she remembered something. A moment later she was puffing her cheeks, and another pillar of flames erupted from her lips, bathing the Spear Hero who had only just finished putting out the flames, once more.

Raising her small hand over her eyes, Quartz gave a tiny salute towards the howling Bow Hero, "Double-tapping confirmed Onii-shama!"

"Hahahahahaha! S-Shit, I'm dying over here!" Ryou howled as he fell on his rear, "D-Drop and roll Motoyasu! Drop and roll!" He roared falling backwards, as the Spear wielder dropped on the floor rolling, his hands attempting to put out the flames that were creeping on his pristine hair.

Rifana just raised a hand to her face, but even then a small strangled sound escaped her, as she tried to keep her shoulders from shaking. Even the Sword Hero turned to look at the side, hiding his face from the present company but the small tremors from his shoulders gave him away.

"Master! Look! Spear guy is on fire!" A childish voice chirped, from just behind Ryou, and he realized then that something was covering the sun. Something white, large, and fluffy looking.

"I can see that…" A far more familiar voice echoed, one that had an underlying tone of amusement.

"Naofumi…" The Sword Hero mumbled with some reservation, as he watched the Shield Hero seated on the front of his carriage, chin laying on his palm with a rather satisfied smirk on his lips before his eyes moved to take in the rest of the present company.

"What are you idiots doing here?" The Shield bearer asked in confusion.

"Nice to see you too…" Ryou grunted as he raised himself, his eyes moving to the pink-feathered Filorial Queen, that seemed rather bored for a few moments before moving back to the Shield Hero, "...But if you really want to know, I came here for a quest, then somehow that changed into a debate over Ren's love-life…"

"L-L-Love-Life?!" Ren stuttered embarrassed.

"What..?" Naofumi deadpanned, as his eye moved to the Sword Hero who looked ready to find a hole to hide.

"...yeah, and then Motoyasu happened…" Ryou finished waving his hand in the direction of the Spear Hero, who seemed out of commission lying on the ground, though there was a distinct lack of damage save for a few singed marks.

Guess she went easy on him… Ryou noted, and as amusing as the whole ordeal had been, he did wonder what would have happen to Motoyasu if Quartz hadn't hold back.

The Shield Hero pressed his chin further in his palm looking somewhat bored, or maybe tired, "You don't need to say anymore... I completely understand…"

I don't know if it's sad or funny that you can explain everything by summarizing it with those words… Ryou contemplated as he rubbed his face, though he furrowed them a moment later as he saw Filo shaking slightly, her feathers ruffling.

"That..." She murmured lowly, before her head snapped upwards."...it's a dragon!" She declared as she exploded in motion.

Ryou's eyes widened in fear as he jumped to the side to avoid being trampled by a raging Filorial Queen, however, the sudden movement sent the wagon drifting, and he didn't even have time to blink before it slammed against his body.

"Gahh!" The Bow Hero cried out, as he grabbed on to the side of the carriage.

A familiar sound of displaced air reached his hears followed by a roar, and suddenly the smell of something burning reached his nostrils.

"Naofumi-sama! The roof is on fire!" Another familiar voice shriek from within the vehicle, as the world around the Bow Hero spun.

"Goddammit Filo! I order you to stop!" The command was followed by a high-pitch screech of pain that brought the entire thing to a halt.

Taking a few heavy breaths, Ryou closed his eyes, as everything around him was still spinning, before lowering his feet to the ground, or tried to. Opening his eyes they widen in fear, realizing there was nothing under him.

"Shit!" He cursed as he gripped the side of the wagon tightly. Under him there was nothing but a very large drop with a shining lake at the bottom, and the carriage had stopped right at the ledge.

Another roar followed as something rammed the carriage, pushing it off the ledge followed by a chorus of panicking screams along with a yelp of pain.

"Fueeeeee! Ryou! Quartz-chan!" Rishia screamed as she dashed towards the ledge followed by Rifana, and Ren, who watched a bundle composed of a dragon whose tail was caught in the beak of one of the two filorial queens along with a flaming wagon as it plummet down the cliff before hitting the lake with a huge splash.

"Ohh my lord! Ryou! Quartz!" Rifana cried out as she crouched near the ledge, followed by an almost hysterical Rishia.

"Do we even take fall damage?" A voice contemplated from Ren's side.

"Don't know, never tried it." Ren shrugged.

"Should we go check on them?" Motoyasu asked rubbing his head as he watched the ripples on the surface of the lake.

"Are you actually worried about Naofumi?"

"Of course not! I'm worried about Quartz-chan, Raphtalia-chan, and Ryou too!" Motoyasu dennied heatedly.

The order in which you mentioned them is quite telling. And didn't she just set you on fire? Are you seriously over it already?! Ren questioned, before his eyes moved towards the green-haired girl that seemed ready to burst in tears.

"Calm down," Ren ordered as he saw something rather small break the surface of the lake, followed by two other dots. "See they're fine."

"Fuee!"

"Ohh thank goodness…" Rifana breathed out with no small measure of relief.

They could have just confirmed it in their H.U.D... Ren released a sigh, as he crossed his arms looking down the ledge.

Unknown to the Sword Hero, or anyone else, far above the clouds, a pair of great golden eyes narrowed slightly as they took in the new threat that had slaughter part of its flock. The creature knew that these newcomers were different than the rest of the humans that had come for them, but it would matter not, for he would retrieve what those cursed humans had taken from him, no matter how many he had to slaughter.

With that thought, a giant shadow slowly descended into the clouds, and towards the unsuspecting crowd.

Reaching the bank, Ryou crawled a little, before dropping on the white sand and rolling on his back, his chest heaving from exertion.

How the hell am I even alive… He wondered in silent disbelief. Movement somewhere to the side had his attention as he saw Naofumi crawling out of the water followed by Raphtalia before both slumped to the ground, tired but not looking any worse to wear.

"Quartz?!" He uttered and no sooner had he released those words, the surface of the lake broke, as two white feathered wings waved in the air sending waves across the lake, before a puff of smoke took place, revealing a confused if unharmed girl, that slowly swam in his direction.

"What about Filo and Sakura?" Raphtalia asked worriedly, as she watched the lake with trepidation before her attention moved to a trail of bubbles making their way towards them. Slowly something white and pink could be seen just under the surface, and a moment later the Filorial Queens surfaced, pulling a partial singed wagon leaking water everywhere on to the shore.

"Noooo! Filo's carriage!" The Filorial Queen cried as she reverted back into a form that Ryou was also familiar with.

"Sakura's carriage has drowned…" The other, pink-haired girl mumbled solemnly.

"My merchandise…" Naofumi murmured from their side.

"All of Filo's precious memories were tied to her carriage!" The blond girl cried, before her eyes were filled with anger, as her head snapped towards something behind Ryou.

"You stupid dragon! You're going to pay for what you did to Filo's carriage!" She shrieked as she launched herself at the white haired girl.

Quartz's eyes narrowed in aggravation as she too responded in kind, "You stupid birds are the ones who will pay for hurting Quartz's tail!"

"Shut up lizard brains!" FIlo cried out as the two girls begun what could only be considered a cat-fight, with scratching, hair-pulling, and small fists flying everywhere.

"No! You shut up you chicken head!"

"Filo is no chicken! Filo is Filo!"

"You're stupid as one, and fat too!"

"Filo is not fat! You are the fat one! You..! You ugly looking dragon!"

"I'm not ugly! You are… Guhh!" The small girl gagged as something grasped the back of her dress and pulled her back, and away from the Filorial Queen.

"Enough!" Ryou yelled as he dropped Quartz back on the ground with a glare.

"But Onii-shama…" She tried, but closed her mouth and shrank under the angry glare.

"But nothing! What the hell is wrong with you Quartz?! We could have died!" He shouted. He knew there was some bad blood between Dragons and Filorials, but there were limits.

"Not only that you also set their carriage on fire! With Raphtalia inside!" He continued, as the girl tried to look as small as possible under the Bow Hero's wrath.

Taking a breath, Ryou tried to calm himself, since his temper was getting the better of him, yet his eyes were still full of anger, "Take a moment to reflect on your actions."

"Aha! Stupid lizard is getting scold!" Filo gloated pointing a finger, before something crashed on top of her head, "Ouch!"

"Don't laugh at other people's misery!" Naofumi warned with a scowl.

"But Master is always doing it!" The small girl pointed out rubbing the top of her head.

"Do as I say not as I do," He ordered, before his eyes took on a bit of steel, "Besides you were the one who attacked first, so as punishment you are going to clean both the carriage and every single merchandise that's in there.

"Booo!"

"Do you want me to take you back to the Slave Traders tent?" The Shield Hero threatened, and Filo's hands flew to her face in horror.

"Noooo! Filo will clean! Filo will be good!" She cried out jumping towards the carriage.

"Quartz you are going to help her, and so help me, if I hear even a peep coming from you," Ryou warned pointing towards the carriage.

Head hanging low the small girl nodded, her feet dragging through the ground.

"Sakura go help them," Naofumi ordered.

"Okay…" The pink-haired Filoril agreed lazily as she fell in step with Quartz also dragging her feet through the ground.

Sheshh... She's normally well behaved and I did wondered what would happen when they finally met... Guess I jinxed it because this was way over the top… He thought tiredly as he watched Filo, and Quartz lock gazes before looking away from each other with a pout.

"Ryou… Why is it that almost every time we met, some misfortune soon follows?" The dark-haired young man asked with a glare towards the Bow Hero, arms crossed.

Ryou's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "What? No it doesn't! There was only that time with the wolves, and the wolves again, and…" He trailed off under the Shield Hero's pointed glare.

...and the second boss during the wave, and there was also the party at the Castle, though that would have happened even if I wasn't there… Urghh… He recalled realizing that there seemed to be some truth to the Shield Hero's words.

"I guess you just have bad timing?" He ventured with a small shrug looking almost apologetic.

"How unlucky of me…" Naofumi drawled.

"I blame Rishia, she's the one misfortune follows!" Ryou decided with a nod earning a rather unimpressed look from Raphtalia.

"Really Ryou-sama..?"

"Hey don't look at me like that! Her words, not mine!" Ryou explained looking affronted.

"Whatever... " The Shield Hero mumbled, as his eyes moved towards his vehicle, "...so what came out of that egg of yours was a dragon huh…" He considered for a moment, "She looks just as much as an handful as Filo, but it's just my luck that you get something as cool as that, while I'm saddled with this KFC party…"

...as cool as that…

Those words brought the Bow Hero to a very sudden pause. Those words were something that shouldn't have come out of Naofumi's mouth at all, and with a very pointed if somewhat apprehensive look his Status Window appeared in front of him, yet, his attention went for the timer on the corner, that displayed the time until the next wave.

He recognized then that if the time between waves hadn't changed, the wave would be occurring any day now, with that realization his eyes went to the Demi-human girl, who was looking confused as the Bow Hero assessed her from top to bottom, looking for something that wasn't there.

There isn't a single burn on her...

"Ryou-sama..?" Raphtalia ventured.

No… Abruptly his mouth felt very, very dry and he swallowed in a shaky manner.

"Naofumi… By chance did you happen to have an ill-fated encounter with a dragon a while ago?"

Naofumi's expression turned blank at the question, "Is that supposed to be a joke? Are you trying to be funny Ryou?"

"Just answer me!" Ryou almost pleaded, making the Shield Hero frown.

"You mean besides the one that knocked me off a cliff just a couple of minutes ago?" He asked sarcastically.

Why?! How?! Everything happened as it should, even the whole seed tobacco, I heard the rumors about it, so how come something as crucial as he awaking the Curse Series changed?! Ryou cried almost desperately, then his eyes went to the top of the cliff, as another memory hit him.

"…besides, this time I'm sending support to help you if needed."

He recalled the Shadow Maid's words, and suddenly everything about the appearance of his fellow heroes made sense. He hadn't put too much stock in it since they never had much screen time, and it was never showed what they had been up during the time between the waves but Naofumi's appearance should have given him a major hint right off the bat.

Don't tell me… That was all it took?! That fucking woman just royally screwed us all over! Ryou screamed in his mind, then taking a sharp breath he tried to calm himself, but another far worse thought crossed his mind.

An image of a village besiege by a plague appeared in his mind, and he remembered vaguely there were already some graves back then. With that thought his face lost all color as cold sweat ran down his forehead and dread filled his being.

Next Chapter: Into Oblivion Part 1