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Chapter Text

"Guards! Haul this filth to the dungeons where he belongs!"

Naofumi could hardly breathe, unable to comprehend why they were doing this. Why this kingdom had singled him out from the very start, setting him up to fail.

The Shield hero felt himself roughly yanked to his feet, his cries of disbelief ignored by the spiteful King. The King whose whore of a daughter was offering the most shit-eating grin that Naofumi had ever seen as he was dragged out of the throne room.

And then, he was thrown into the darkness of the dungeons.

------

For the first few days of his captivity, he screamed his innocence to the heavens, pleading and begging for someone, anyone just listen to him. He tried to be logical in his arguements, pointing out the farce of a trial and the unjust sentencing, only for his words to be seen as insolence that was to be punished.

But still, he shouted and pleaded, regardless of the punishments piercing his armor, until his hope began faltering alongside his voice.

This was when the battling begun.

Every day a new challenge was thrust upon him. It was never anything simple like the hordes of balloon creatures he and Myne had trained with. No,these creatures had been chosen with intent to cause the fallen hero harm. But still, he fought. At first, he had tried convincing himself it was neccessary if he wanted to save the people of this world and prove his innocence. But in his heart he knew that he was merely living on instincts and spite.

Meals were meager portions, meant to sustain him, never enough to nourish him. It tasted as good as wet cardboard for all he could tell however, and soon Naofumi found it harder and harder to stomach even the smallest amounts of the meager meals.

It was just shy of a week before the next wave when he was permitted a visitor. A blacksmith who would armor him, making it seem as though he had been well prepared for his inevitable failure. But he wasn't lucky enough to end up with a random stranger.

Ernhard had been angered at first. But for reasons Naofumi couldn't understand, the blacksmith merely took his measurements with a gentle demeanor, avoiding fresh and untreated wounds. Gazing at him with what Naofumi would recognize one day as pity.

Unfortunately, that pity would not be enough to aid him in the fast approaching wave.

Chapter Text

The day of the wave was a tense one.

While many of the townsfolk wandered about in aimless tension, Ren stood in the town square, his party not too far away.

The swordsman was looking over his various skills and weapon types, debating which sword to begin the battle with.

Just as he had narrowed his choices down to three options, one of the NPC townsfolk tapped him on the shoulder.

Not looking up from his task at hand, he hummed an affirmation, letting the stranger know he was listening.

"Sir Ren, the Bow hero wishes to speak with you. He is currently in the Three Heroes Church, awaiting your arrival."

With an annoyed huff at the interuption Ren closed the menu, glancing up at the messenger with a bored glance.

"He couldn't just meet me here?"

The young man shook his head, hands folded infront of him.

"Ah, no he was very clear in the fact that this was a matter of utmost secrecy Sir."

Now that had Ren's interest. What was so important that Itsuki didn't want to risk being overheard?

With a brief glance at the wave countdown in the corner of his screen, Ren nodded shortly.

"Alright. Thank you for making me aware of this. Ill be heading over immediately."

------

The walk to the Church took a bit long than he would have liked. More often than he would have liked, he found himself hounded by excited townsfolk who wanted his acknowledgment. He didn't have time for it though, and soon took to the alleyways.

By the time he arrived at the church, there were only ten minutes before the teleport.

Making his way into the holy building, it was all too easy to find Itsuki.

The bow hero had taken to standing beside the hourglass, greeting him with an impatient wave.

"Have you seen Naofumi?"

The question was met with confusion from the swordsman, especially since this was apparently what they'd be discussing.

"Uh..No? He's in the dungeons remember?"

Itsuki had paled considerably for some reason.

"Why? Have you?"

Taking a breath, the other teen started his explaination.

One week earlier

Itsuki entered the blacksmith's shop alone, having sent his party members off to restock on supplies.

"Welcome to my humble store! How can I help-oh."

The man's face had soured upon seeing who had entered, much to Itsuki's confusion. Usually shopkeepers were overjoyed by his patronage, and Ernhard had greeted him much more warmly earlier on in his journey, so what had changed?

He was broken from his train of thought when the smith cleared his throat.

"Can I help you?"

Frowning Itsuki merely began browsing the various items lain out for display.

"Im just looking for anything that could boost my defense."

"Ah. Right. Can't rely on that scummy Shield hero can we?"

Sarcasm was absolutely dripping from the smith's words, leaving Itsuki a bit taken aback.

"Excuse me?"

A spike of irritation surged through him at the disrespectful tone.

"Well, obviously the guy's a hardened criminal."

"I beg your pardon but the trial-"

"Was a sham. Cmon. Surely the famed bow hero has at least a little bit of sense."

Itsuki narrowed his eyes. How could anyone believe that Naofumi was in any way innocent?

Before he could ask what the guy's problem was, he was answered.

"If you haven't seen the way he lives, I reccomend that you do. Because those aren't the eyes of a man who knows he deserves punishment or regrets it. Their the eyes of a man who has been so beaten down that he's given up on even trying to get someone to listen to him. Until you go do your heroic duty of checking on your fellow hero, Im not going to be providing you with anything."

Itsuki was stunned into angered silence by the man's brash words. But he held his tongue, turning and walking out. He'd do as the man asked, if only to prove that he was wrong.

----

Making his way into the dungeon was easy. But it was obvious that the guards were stalling him from his visit for some reason.

Thankfully, he needn't do more than shove his way past them.

As he came towards the part of the dungeon where he'd been told Naofumi was being held, he heard the splashing of water and shouting.

"Stay still you damn bastard

There was the sound of a slap, and then Itsuki turned the corner.

Drenched and shivering, Naofumi was kneeling in a pool of water before the knight, who's companions held empty buckets. The water was mixing with blood that sat freshly upon the stone.

He cleared his throat when the knight moved to strike the Shield again, causing pause.

All except Naofumi turned to the waiting hero, the captain quickly moving to greet him warmly.

But his words were ignored as the teen looked on the other hero's condition in absolute shock. A myriad of wounds covered his body, many of them clearly in various states of infection.

"Leave us."

"But sir Itsuki he-"

"And give me the keys. Now."

The knights frowned amongst themselves briefly before he clarified.

"Im not letting him out, Im going in. Now give me the keys and leave or will I need to inform the king that you refuse to cooperate with one of the Cardinal Heroes?"

After that statement, he was left alone with the keys and a broken man.

Though he didn't raise his head, Naofumi did speak.

Or rather, he began repeating a quiet manta to himself.

"I didn't do it."

Frowning, Itsuki unlocked the door, entering the cell. He took note of how quickly Naofumi shrank away at his entry. But the mutterings continued, frantic and quiet.

Moving to offer the downed man a hand, he swiftly found himself blocked off from the imprisoned hero by a bright green shield. In his attempt to approach, Naofumi had moved himself so his back was in the corner, effectively leaving himself unguarded to all sides.

And like Ernhard had said, he tried to catch Naofumi's gaze. But his head was facing the floor, obscuring the his eyes from view.

"Naofumi. Raise your head."

Itsuki was almost surprised at how quickly his command was answered, but that line of thought quickly disappeared as he met the Shield hero's gaze.

His eyes were distant and broken.

-----
Ren was silent.

Guilt swelled in his chest as he thought over the trial. Combing through everything that had occurred.

Naofumi's honest confusion, the betrayed look of horror as he was dragged away...and how when he glanced at Myne, it shifted into anger. Why would he have just then gotten angry at her when he looked at her? He had been looking at her during the whole trial...so why then?

"Ren."

Itsuki's voice broke him out of his reminiscing.

Raising his head, he met the other teen's eyes, almost matching the intensity of guilt that festered there.

"Ren..Im really starting to doubt Myne's story."

"..yeah. Me too."

But before they could further the discussion, golden light began to encompass the pair.

The wave was beginning.

Chapter Text

Whilst two of the four heroes had converged elsewhere, Motoyatsu had been summoned to the throne room, alongside Malty. The woman hung on his arm, clinging to each and every word he spoke about their plan for the wave. Though this planning was drawn to a swift end as they finally arrived in the throne room.

Upon the luxurious rug kneeled the scorned shield hero, his arms and legs bound in weighty chains that forced him to hunch over as gravity pulled him into an awkward bow. His head turned as the two entered, and Motoyatsu was admittedly a bit surprised by how empty the previously lively man had been. But a quiet gasp from Malty reminded him just why those chains were there. So he ignored the gauntness in the shield’s face and the tired posture that spoke of hopeless submission. Instead, he looked towards the king with contempt clear on his face.

“Why is he here? Why have you summoned not only myself, but poor sweet Malty to stand in the same room as that deplorable creature?”

The woman seemed to cling tighter to his bicep as attention was called to her presence. She must have been horrified to be forced into the same room as Naofumi. How could her father do this to his own blood? Hadn’t she suffered enough?

Before his thoughts could progress much farther, a quiet cough from the kneeling criminal caught the attention of the quiet room. One of the guards standing to the side shifted closer, and this movement alone earned silence from the chained hero. He’d been well and truly cowed into submission by this point.

Motoyatsu’s spite clouded his eyes to the paleness of the other hero’s skin, to the silent shudders that ran up and down his frame unbidden, causing the occasional clink of metal on metal to resound.

Aultcray chose this moment to speak, beckoning closer a servant who carried a velvet pillow with several obscure tools, as well as an inkwell.

“I apologize for the distress this must cause you both. However, we’ve finally found a potent enough slave crest to ensure that the Shield Hero remains subservient during the wave. Seeing as Malty is his victim, we deemed it fitting that she be the one to hold command of the shield, if that is acceptable with you Hero. The magic will bind the two together, so that she may will him to aid yourself and the other heroes.”

The Spear hero frowned briefly, unsure of the offer. While Naofumi was indeed a Hero, could they actually use him? He’d been in the dungeons all this time. Surely he wouldn’t be much-if any- help in the wave. Though before he could voice his opinion on this, Malty began forward. Her head held high as she stiffly passed the kneeling hero to offer her hand to the servant. When she spoke, it was clipped and made Motoyatsu’s heart weep for her.

“If it will help Sir Motoyatsu, then I will bear this burden.”

Her loyalty and bravery in being bound to this disgusting man was nothing short of touching, and the Hero felt himself growing ever fonder of the temptress. Casting a glance between the room’s occupants only once, he gave Aultcray a nod. And the process began.

All in all, the process didn’t take too long. A hiss of steam and pain, as well as a test. A simple question. Malty thought it over before a wicked idea came to mind. She could ask him for an answer, and shock him before he spoke the truth. A manual punishment.

“Did you try and assault me that night in the tavern?”

As she’d expected, the hero had opened his mouth to speak, only for a quick flick of her fingertips to change those cries of denial into a wordless scream of pain. Though, the fun didn’t last long. He was quick to collapse into himself, trembling like a pathetic mutt left in the rain. Though, it wasn’t all bad. Motoyasu’s reaction to this gave her confidence. His unbridled anger and contempt was clear. Any pity he’d garnered at the other man’s condition was snuffed out with her ruse. There was a reason that trials using these crests were overseen by impartial parties.

That line of thinking was short however, as her Hero marched over to the chained Shield and grabbed him by the collar. Hauling him off his feet roughly, the blond got close to the other’s face. Ignoring the fear and pain in the defender’s gaze, he only sneered before tossing him to the ground.

As Naofumi hit the rug once again, there was a growing flare of light enveloping the three. And before long, Aultcray was left in his throne room alone.

The wave was truly beginning.

Chapter Text

Naofumi, to put it bluntly, was exhausted. Throughout the fight with the Chimera he had done his very best to defend the other cardinal heroes and their party members, as well as becoming an unnecessary meat shield for any blows Myne didn't feel like recieving. Hesitation hadn't been permitted, seeing that the first scratch she'd gotten due to that earned him a few seconds of mind numbing pain. Suffice it to say, the Shield was doing his best to just be that. A tool for protecting whomever wields it.

His anger had long since died, along with any hope or excitement towards this new world's prospects. Instead, he felt hollow. Empty of everything save for despair that made him wish to simply disappear. For all the lies and pain to end. But things are never that easy for him.

The fight came to an end when Ren managed to slice the final head from the beast's neck, the wave beginning to recede as the boss of it finally fell. It was at this point, amongst the cries and shouts of victory that his wounds finally seemed to register. Regardless of his naturally high defense, he'd bore the brunt of many an attack, some completely avoidable had the redhead in control decided to actually try and move rather than stand still forever. Punctures littered his skin, tinging the pale skin around the bites a pale green with the creature's venom. Blood stained his clothes, a mix of his own from various slash injuries or reopened dungeon wounds as well as that of the Chimera. His party members were relatively unscathed in comparison, only with a few scratches and bruises. Myne had been clear. He was to protect them or die trying. Who knew what tale she'd spin if he didn't. Not that it mattered.

The longer he stood idly, the hotter the air around him seemed to get until he was practically soaked in his own sweat. His discomfort didn't end there, as flashes of chill left him shivering and trembling enough to rattle the remaining chains hanging from his wrists. The noise was loud. Enough for a few of the others to take note.

By this point in time, the world was slightly off center. Swaying and shimmering like a fading memory just out of reach. The haze was thick, to the point that breathing felt like trying to inhale soup inplace of air.

He heard words, but the meaning was lost to him. Distorted and echoing in his pounding head. In the corner of his eye he could see several statuses in action, though he was unable to properly discern them.

A hand landed on his shoulder. Harsh and frightening. And he could only lunge away as his mind slipped from his reach. Becoming more wounded animal than man.

Ren had been the first to spot Naofumi's behavior. As well as Myne's. When the fight had ended, the shield hero had gone still with a glassy look in his eyes. He was far too worse for wear, and that was mostly Myne's fault. Ren would be in the middle of dodging an attack only to hear her bark a command, the Shield unable to do anything but follow or be punished. And the punishments were nothing to scoff at.

Regardless of the cause however, Naofumi was handling the effects. And the Sword quickly elbowed their Bow. Ignoring the indignant squawking and merely speaking to him quietly.

"Somethings wrong. He took a lot of hits. We should check his status."

Itsuki's reaction would have been funny if not for the severity of their situation. Unfortunately, Itsuki wasn't the only one to hear them.

"Are you seriously worrying over that Thing? We should be collecting the loot and heading back to get our rewards."

Before either could lash into him, Myne started to shout.

"I said come here Naofumi! We need to reapply your shackles!" Nothing.

She tried again, louder this time. Like he was simply not hearing her. Which wasnt too far off the mark.

"NAOFUMI!"

Motoyatsu had grown irritated with the hold up and the disrespect. Rather than let the beauty shout herself horse over that mutt, the Hero took matters to his own hands.

Storming over to the dazed Shield, he grasped him tightly by the shoulder and whirled him to face his fellow hero. The result was...unexpected.

Rather than snap out of his state, Motoyatsu was quickly pushed back by a translucient green shield. Naofumi had stumbled away from the blonde, falling onto the dirt. But instead of getting up to flee, he merely gathered his weak limbs and ducked into himself. A circle of the shields gathered close like a wall. As Motoyatsu straightened up with a rage and began to storm towards the shuddering hero, Ren's blade found it's way beneath his neck, the edge just barely grazing flesh. The younger Hero's typical stoicism was replaced by a fury that surprised the Spear. And when he spoke, his words were cold.

"Back the hell off or lose your head."

"But he's-!"

"Injured, sick, and likely terrified to be forced back into the dungeons. Not all of that blood is from the chimera wounding him. Hes too thin. Paler than he should be. His level is far too low, and he's shaking like a fucking leaf. So if you're really that threatened by him right now, you need to really up your game."

As the teen spoke, Itsuki had finally made his way over to Naofumi. Carefully crouching and holding empty hands up. Like how one might approach a startled cat.

"Its alright...Im not gonna hurt you. I just need you to focus on me alright?" He spoke with a softness he hadn't thought himself capable of. But Naofumi was obviously terrified out of his mind, and needed someone to carefully coax him back.

It took a moment, but broken eyes met concerned ones and all at once the ring of shield's broke. Though, so did Naofumi.

The bow only barely managed to move fast enough to catch the other, cradling him carefully in his arms as he lowered down the now unconscious hero. Itsuki let Naofumi's head rest on his leg for a moment, pulling a glove off to feel at the flushed skin.

Burning.

The bow recoiled, calling out to their sword.

"Ren! We need to move him somewhere and get a doctor!"

There was no hesitation. The sword dropped from it's position at Motoyatsu's neck, Ren only giving him a final whispered warning before hurrying over.

The two hauled him up by the arms, Ren quickly forming a party with the two. Thankfully, Myne had disbanded it to rechain the hero. And in a flash of light, the trio was gone from the field, fast travelling to who knows where.

And the spear could only listen to the whispered words echoing in his mind.

Tell the king that if you follow us, or she uses that crest, we will not be heroes any longer. Not to this kingdom of torturers anyway."