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Chapter Text

Everything hurt, losing to the Traveler and that puny god was embarrassing, now that he has failed so miserably to a child god and their lapdog, lost his heart, his purpose again, he didn't have the strength to break his own fall. Not that he had any to begin with. The machine he was plugged into robbed him of his power the moment his strings snapped. His eyes dulled as he plummeted.

Was he really that useless? That a fledgling god and a mortal with a guardian complex was enough to fell him, so worthless that his supposed allies never bothered to help him when he unknowingly played right into the enemies hands. For not being able to realize that Buer trapped him in a dreamlike state to study his attacks and locate his weaknesses, maybe his creator was right, he was useless dross, a worthless existence, no one would even care if he disappeared. 

Crashing to the cold unforgiving ground. The impact wouldn't kill him but it disconnected his systems for a moment, too weak to keep them going. He welcomed the bliss of unconscious oblivion, he didn't have anything worth clinging to anymore. 

Though unknown to the puppet, the laylines below them had been damaged in their fight. The power of two gnoses clashing caused a disturbance, a small rift had formed exactly where the false god fell. Swirls of Dendro and Electro mixed together distorting the area, the unmoving body of the defeated prototype slipped through the crack in the world. 

The puppet fell from a high place once more as the rift spat out it's tagalong, lucky for him, he wasn't awake to feel the second impact. His small form left a small crater in its wake. Unearthing the ground and grass below, trees and hills littered the surrounding landscape, the area happened to be where a certain Hero and his Companion were grinding for levels.

Any life in the area scattered at the sudden intrusion of the newly deposited Decender's arrival. Dust and dirt had been kicked up, settling into small cloud before the dirt rejoined the earth once more. 

A young raccoon demi-human paused with her dagger strike on a balloon monster when something caught her attention, her eyes shot to the sky as a glint of gold and a flare of rainbow caught her attention, her eyes followed the streak and a loud crash rang through the forest. 

Her attention was quickly recaptured by the balloon that tried to bite her. An arm blocked the advance. A human dressed in green had blocked it. 

"Don't get distracted so easily!" the man barked out as he smashed the biting balloon away with a small silver shield. The girl flinched and continued her attack. Popping it. Orange scraps fell in the monster's place. 

"Sorry Master Naofumi! I just… saw something strange!" The girl explained as she looked to the sky again. She heard her master sigh as an irritated look formed on his face. The hero seemed to be thinking something over as he gathered the monster remains. 

"That could spell trouble." He grumbled, he thought it through. "Alright let's take a short break to investigate, it might interfere with our grinding session." He reasoned. The girl nodded eagerly, jumping to attention. 

"I saw it going that direction!" She pointed to where the trees were slowly thinning out. So the Hero and his Companion set off to investigate. 

The two made haste towards the mystery noise, breaking through the trees a small clearing was disturbed by whatever fell. Naofumi wasn't sure exactly what he was expecting in this crazy world, but what they found wasn't something he'd be able to predict. 

He heard Raphtalia gasp in horror, the girl rushed over to the body, limbs bent in ways not natural, cracks lining exposed skin, almost like broken porcelain, blood and purple ichor bleeding from many places, the mix had slowly been forming a puddle underneath it. Naofumi was sure it wasn't human even if it had the shape of what seemed to be a boy? 

"Careful..!" Naofumi warned as he eyed the purple liquid. He pulled Raphtalia back before she accidentally stepped in the stuff. "We don't know if it's safe." 

She gave a sheepish nod. "Is… he alive?" the racoon asked. Naofumi looked closer and saw tubes attached to it back. It was the main source of the purple stuff. He moved closer, careful of where he stepped. 

The Shield Hero poked at the biggest tube. He jerked back when the body twitched with a soft hiss. It was alive somehow. Dull eyes flickered to life like a lightbulb. It had pretty indigo eyes, though it's gaze seemed unfocused. 

Until it seemed to finally register it wasn't alone. With a wild movement the puppet managed to shift itself up right. Hissing as the joints of it's body protested. Sparks forming pathetically in some form of defense. "Don't touch me!" It- He hissed, swiping the human's hand away from his strings. 

The puppet's body ached and pulsed as he tried to make sense of what was happening. This wasn't Sumeru. He couldn't feel any elemental particles in the air either, his mind lagged trying to register the human's face, Inazuman but so foreign at the same time. There was a Tanuki child with him. 

"Please calm down! You're hurt!" The girl insisted. It grated on his hearing. His head pounded, gripping it with one hand. The other felt dislocated. He needed to assess just how much damage he had received, though his elemental energy was almost completely drained. A fresh wave of pain coursed through his body when one of his strings snagged underneath him. 

"Nghah!" The youth felt mortification at how utterly weak he must look to the duo. The Tanuki girl pulled a face, she turned to the human in green almost pleadingly. 

"Master? Can't you give him something? He must be in so much pain!" the child wasn't wrong that much the doll could concede. 

"Why should I waste my resources on some stranger?" He asked, rather cold. The doll closed his eyes in silent acceptance. He didn't need their help… These two would not show him mercy, not that the puppet was expecting any. 

"But… you saved me?" The girl's voice was weak, it shook with unease. The puppet chose to ignore them, he tried to get up. Only for his legs to give in the moment he stood. Falling face first into the ground. He choked back a frustrated snarl as he tasted dirt and fluid. 

"He can't even walk." The human blatantly pointed out. 

"all the more reason to help him… it would be cruel to leave him like that!"The girl pleaded. She flinched, realizing that she raised her voice at the human. The puppet managed to move his head up to watch them squabble. So this is how he dies? 

Bleeding out in the middle of nowhere, he didn't have enough energy to kickstart his self repair function. Where was he even? No… wait he wasn't ready to sleep again..! Swallowing his pride, knowing he needed help to survive his current state. 

"We're leav-" The human was cut off when the hand of the puppet grabbed onto his leg. The grip was laughably weak. 

"Please… Wait…I don't want to… shut down…"He cringed at his own voice. Worthless, begging like that. He felt traitorous tears forming in his eyes. He hasn't been in that much pain in a long while. 

Cold green eyes stared down at the puppet. The purple haired youth recognized that look all too well. It was one he himself wore. The human moved his leg. The puppet didn't let go, grip tightening, he bit back a hiss as the strain of even that simple action was pain inducing. 

The girl shot the man with another pleading look. "What can you even offer me in return?" The man asked, bending down in front of the crippled puppet. 

The doll's face turned to shock before settling into realization. Huffing out a needless breath. Of course you'd want something in return… that's how it works…" He mumbled. The man eyed him up and down, eye rising at the attire the petite doll was wearing. His clothes were ruined at the back where the strings painfully sat. 

"I have nothing but my worthless life to offer in exchange…" The doll finally spoke again after a few moments of awkward silence. The man was taken aback by his words. 

"Worthless you say? What would I gain from helping you then?" The human recovered quickly from that. The doll closed his eyes again before answering. 

"I can fight…it's all I'm good for now." It was all a tool like him was useful for. The puppet seemed to have chosen the right thing to say. The man now looked a lot more interested. 

"You say that but I need absolute obedience and loyalty from someone who'd fight alongside me, the Shield Hero." He motioned to his tiny shield. The doll didn't recognize the make or the title. 

"The what…?" The doll held back a scoff. The Human's eyes widened in surprise, as did the racoon girl's. 

"You don't know who the Shield Hero is?"The supposed hero probed. The doll shook his head." Alright fine, I'll help you, but in exchange I expect you to fight and obey me." Hope lit in the doll. He didn't have a problem with playing lackey if it meant he gained benefits from it as well.

"I'll accept that deal, though I need a very specific type of maintenance…"The doll said as his hand dropped from the human's leg. 

"And that would be?" Naofumi had an idea where this could be going. The doll flicked his eyes to the tubes. 

"Those damn strings are obstructing my inner workings… It really hurts." He hated Dottore for installing them in a manner as painful as he could muster. 

"Strings…?" Those were strings? "What are you?" Most creatures would have died by now, judging on how large the blood puddle was. 

"... I'm a puppet, do with that as you will. No point in hiding it." He said. Naofumi nodded slowly. He moved closer, grabbing the string attached to the puppet's nape. The short doll flinched at the touch. Naofumi took a deep breath and pulled. 

A bloody murder scream escaped the puppet's lips as the golden end dislodged violently from his neck. Purple icor and blood spilled. He writhed in pain gripping his now bare neck. That hurt just as much as it did when it was inserted. 

The girl froze on the spot, watching in horror. "Keep… Going!" The doll snapped after catching unneeded breaths. Naofumi held the string in hand. He stared at it for a moment. Eyes flicking to the shield. 

The youth watched as the human held the cursed string to his shield's green gem. The string turned into particles that were absorbed into the shield. The doll blinked dumbfoundedly. "Um… what are you doing?" His frustration turned to confusion. 

New Shield Unlocked… 

Shouki No Kami String Shield.

Special Abilities: access to Raiden Shogun Prototype 1's systems: emergency override, emergency repair. 

Def+1(unmastered)

New Shield Unlocked… 

Archon Residue Shield. 

Special Abilities: Miasma of the fallen, corruption amplifier, apply Corrosion 

Def+1

Atk+5(unmastered)

Naofumi couldn't believe it. A shield with actual attack stats! A slight manic expression formed on his face but he had to focus. He turned back to the puppet. The string came from him, so was the puppet the prototype in the ability description? 

He checked his Companion tab. Sure enough. 

Name:

Raiden Shogun Prototype 1(no name) 

Level: 1

HP:791 

ATK:25

DEF:47

MP/ER: 100%

SP: 120

"Hurry it up will you! I might be artificial, but I can still feel pain just as well as any other organic being!" the puppet snarled out. Naofumi snapped back to reality. What a foul temper his new companion had. 

He got back to work. "Raphtalia hold him down for me, I'm going to remove the biggest one." Naofumi ordered. Judging by how he flailed from the removal of the first string, the puppet had to be kept still. 

The girl obeyed, though she was pale faced. Apologizing to the prototype for the upcoming pain. True to his prediction, the moment Naofumi ripped the string out the doll once more; writhed and squirmed under them, the racoon girl did her best to keep him from accidentally hitting her master. 

The other 4 strings came out in similar fashion. By the time they were done, the hole was filled with blood and ichor. Staining the clothes of the puppet, demi-human and human. 

Naofumi was surprised the doll was still conscious, albeit barely. A notification popped up in his peripheral. 

Obstructions Cleared

Start Auto-Repair? (will consume MP) 

YES/NO

Naofumi allowed it. He felt the drain on his magic points. It was a rapid but steady flowing feeling. Lines and markings on the doll's body slowly turned to a purple glow as the cracks slowly filled itself up. 

Estimated time of completion:

48 hours

The doll felt his systems start without his permission, not that he cared. He was still a puppet at the end of the day, a being destined to be used by others, free will wasn't meant for him, it only led to pain and misery. 

"You've actually kept to your end of the deal… So I'll acknowledge your authority, oh mighty hero." The puppet's words came out a lot more sarcastic and sharp than he intended. "Please do honor me with your name." Naofumi was now certain the doll was mocking him in some manner. 

"I'm Iwatani Naofumi , the Shield Hero." Naofumi said. "And you are?" The puppet's stat screen said he was nameless. 

"I went by many names but none are usable anymore, so call me whatever you want my new Lord."The puppet meant it. He couldn't use his old titles. They meant nothing here, he lost the right to them the moment he lost, he also didn't want to use his older names either, those had bitter memories attached. A new owner meant a new start. The doll had heard enough to realize he wasn't in Sumeru or Teyvat anymore. 

Naofumi went quiet in thought, the doll clearly had some ties to Japanese culture, it was very evident in his clothes and the name of the shield he currently had equipped, he didn't want to give him a dumb sounding name either so the human had to take this seriously. It was the least Naofumi could do, seeing as the man basically had a way to fully control the damaged puppet. 

The puppet was on the verge of passing out. His features smoothed out the moment his eyes closed once more. Without the scowl the puppet looked gentle and harmless. How deceiving. 

A name came to mind. Yuya. That seemed fitting. The display name changed accordingly. He'd tell Yuya his new name when he woke up again. But for now, they had to rerun to camp, they had wasted the rest of the day making the deal with Yuya. Naofumi picked him up. 

Careful to not aggregate Yuya's healing injuries. He was a lot lighter than expected. 

Chapter Text

When he came too it was abrupt, sitting upright faster than he wanted too. The puppet heard a gasp. The girl from last time. He wasn't sure how much time had passed. Nor did he trust his internal time perception once his memory of the previous time came back to him fully. 

"Oh! You're awake! I was starting to worry…"the girl took my hand. I rolled my eyes."You were out for three days… Master was going to leave if you didn't wake up tomorrow." She said. The doll cursed. 

How careless, his recovery took too long, noted. "Let me go get him so we can plan for the day!" She got up and scampered off. It was early morning from the look of things. He must have been a lot more damaged than he first realized if it took three days to regain consciousness. His back still felt sore but he at least didn't have gaping holes in them anymore. 

"Finally, I had to put off grinding waiting for you." He grumbled at the puppet. 

"Uh..? Grinding…? Again with these terms I don't have context to."The puppet half sneered before remembering his place."Apologies, my mood is rather sour after all that."He quickly added. 

"That's fine, Yuya."The man said. 

"Yuya?" The doll crooked his head as confusion settled onto his pretty features

"Oh right. That's the name I decided to give you. "The human explained. 

"Yuya…" The puppet tested the name slowly before nodding. "It's serviceable."

He wasn't glad about having a proper name! He wasn't! He felt his face heat up when his new lord chuckled at his reaction. What Yuya wasn't expecting was a head pat of all things. The contact made him freeze up, not knowing what to do. 

"You're a strange kid, Don't worry too much about it, all you need to do is attack for me, I'll handle the defense." Lord Naofumi said, for a moment his colder attitude melted away, Yuya just sat there taking it, not knowing how to react. 

"You feel very real for a puppet… Then again you also bleed." Lord Naofumi muttered to himself after he pulled his hand away. Yuya was missing his hat, he had tried grabbing for the non existent brim of it when he remembered he didn't have it with him anymore. 

Yuya settled for annoyance." I'm well over 400 years old! Thank you very much!" He huffed in a childish manner, turning his head away in embarrassment. 

The face his young lord pulled made it clear he was skeptical of Yuya's claim but he didn't push the matter. It was hard to judge Yuya's age with how his perfectly sculpted face captured the eternity of a youthful appearance. That or his lord thinks he's too short… That irked him a bit more than it should. He was a perfectly acceptable height! 

The girl stared at Yuya in awe. "Really?! Wow you don't look that old!" She said, looking the puppet up and down. Her tail wagged with her excitement. Yuya felt an annoying squeeze in his chest. 

"Yes, but that doesn't matter, I suppose we should get on with the day, I've clearly held you both up." Yuya switched the subject as he got up, testing his motor functions. His systems came up clear and moving didn't pain him anymore aside from the dull throbbing all over his back.

The human passed Yuya a bag with a dagger in it. Yuya raised an eyebrow at the tiny weapon. "Something wrong with it?" Lord Naofumi asked, noting the ever growing scowl on his new companion's face. 

"No, I just wasn't expecting this kind of trash, I know how to use a proper sword." Yuya said, gripping the hilt, giving it a few slashes. Too short for his liking. 

"It's all I have on hand for now, so you'll have to use it until we return to city."Lord Naofumi said his cold tone was a good indicator that his personal walls were back up and Yuya probably shouldn't question him anymore. Part of their deal after all was complete obedience. 

So the party of three set out to slay monsters. They were laughably easy to kill. Yuya was getting bored, these monsters were weaker than Hilichurls! Simple physical slashes downed one balloon after another, Yuya's steps silent and well trained. 

Yuya however did feel himself get stronger on occasion, what a strange sensation, his next slash he electro charged his blade sending a blast out through the blade. It tore through several monsters that tried to gang up on him. 

This caught his temporary allies' attention. He paused spinning to face them. "These small fry aren't a match for someone of my kind." He cheerfully said. "Disappointingly I'm nowhere near as strong as I used to be. Pity." He sighed, flicking the dagger to the side. It vanished in golden sparkles before reappearing behind the puppet's back. 

"How'd you do that?" Naofumi asked, his face was hard to read at the moment, he looked at the dagger and the elemental damage Yuya left behind in his wake. 

"Hmm? I have my own Inventory you know, though mine is… rather empty at the moment." The doll explained.

"So you know magic?" Naofumi was poking Yuya for straight answers. The purple haired doll nodded. 

"Yes, I'm rather good at it too, as you saw I freely wield the power of Electro." Yuya said. To Naofumi it made sense, Yuya's default name had 'Raiden' in it. 

"That will make things go faster then." The human said, taking this new knowledge into account. A beep alerted him to a new feature. 

Inventory system unlocked.

Storage of items now available

Why wasn't that a default option?! Naofumi was convinced this Shield was purposely making things harder for him! 

They gathered the monster drops and with the newly unlocked inventory they could easily pack away all their things into a singular bag regardless of size. 

The day had been spent catching up on the time they lost waiting for Yuya to recover. 

The next day the Trio were heading to the city. Yuya didn't seem all too pleased with that notion. He kept his mouth shut for once, he didn't want to anger the man who he owed his life to after all. He felt eyes on him as they walked to the herbalist store. 

Humans whispering to themselves, so nosy. Yuya rolled his eyes when he heard a particularly nasty comment directed at his young lord, the puppet glared at the gossipers, taking a bit of joy in the horrified looks that crossed their faces when they realized Yuya heard them. 

To rub it in Yuya pulled his eye and stuck his tongue out. Chuckling to himself when they scrambled to the opposite direction. Lord Naofumi had tuned out the world around them. Raphtalia stared at Yuya in shock. 

"They were talking very rudely about our lord." Yuya said with a shrug. 

"You could hear what they were saying?" The girl asked. Her little racoon ears twitched up and down. 

"I have superior hearing, so do you, that means we have to make sure our squishy human lord isn't caught unawares out in public." The purple haired boy said, keeping his voice low. Their lord had slipped into the store moments before. 

"But Master Naofumi is the Shield Hero, he's the opposite of squishy…" Raphtalia argued. Yuya barked a laugh at that. Not expecting that kind of response. 

"Is that so? Then that just means he can take more hits, he's still a human, they break easily." Yuya didn't have a very positive outlook on humans, he saw them as lesser creatures. For now however he was at that human's mercy, until he could balance the books of his life dept. 

Naofumi took them to an inn, claiming they now had enough silver to afford it. The currency were coins but they looked and felt nothing like the Mora Yuya was used to. These coins held no magical properties like Mora did either. 

Yuya sat down with a small grunt, bored out of his mind already. His lord ordered food.

"I don't need food to function, so don't waste your money on me." Yuya tried to refuse.

"It says you're still dangerously low on energy." Naofumi informed the puppet. "So eat, I don't want you running out of power in the middle of a fight. " The human pushed the plate towards Yuya. The puppet sighed very loudly but conceded. 

"Very well."Yuya with a dramatic flare grabbed the fork and slowly started picking at his food. Eating it purely to obey orders. At least the food wasn't sweet. Raphtalia was enjoying her meal fully, digging in like a starved animal. 

They retired for the night. Yuya took a spot on the floor, letting the organic beings take the beds. He preferred it like that either way. 

They went to go see a weapon seller the next morning. The human manning the counter was bald. He laid eyes on Yuya. 

"Where'd you get this one from?" The shop keep asked, eyeing Yuya suspiciously. 

"We found him in the woods. He isn't a slave if that's what you are really asking about." Naofumi said, his tone had a lot less venom in them than when he talked to the other humans of the town Yuya noted. 

"I'm Yuya, Lord Naofumi saved my life so we struck a deal, I will fight for him now in return." Yuya put on his best act of niceness, can't go around tarnishing his new employer's image anymore than it already was. 

The shop keep sighed, rubbing the back of his neck." As long as it's fine with both of you, I can't complain. Though we'd have a big issue if it wasn't the case, owning human slaves is illegal."The shop keep reminded the hero. 

Yuya saw the bigger man look at the raccoon girl. So was she a slave? That did explain the cuffs and collar. It didn't bother the doll too much. Humans were a cruel kind after all. 

"That aside, I need armor and a weapon for Yuya." Naofumi said. 

"A new weapon I can understand but Is there something wrong with my current clothes?" Yuya asked, motioning to his clothes. The only 'armor' he had on was on his pant armor and the shoulder guard. 

"It doesn't look very protective." Naofumi said, looking Yuya over again, poking at the symbol that hung from the doll's chest. Naofumi's hands brushed against the fabrics, he felt a slight bump underneath. 

Yuya's expression soured as his face darkened. Naofumi backed off face going red, how had he not noticed before? 

"I can check his current Armor's Defense stats." The shop keep offered, taking out a monocle. Yuya allowed it. 

"Huh this is some high quality stuff… He should be fine."The man said after his inspection.

Yuya took his time to look around the shop, none of the weapons stood out to him." Hey old man, don't you have any catalyst or magic tomes laying around?"He asked. 

" Magic huh..? "the man grabbed his chin in thought." Well I do have a few staves laying around."The bearded man brought over a box and set it down for the indigo eyed doll to browse. None of them seemed particularly interesting but Yuya couldn't be too picky. So he took the staff that caught his attention the most. It was a simple wooden one with a generic top that had a white gem engraved on it. 

Yuya grabbed it. It felt decent on his skin, and gave it two swings. Much like how he would do with a polearm. It was about his length too. Next he channeled some elemental energy into it. The gem on top started glowing purple as he released a small bit of it into the air. 

"Hmm this will do for now." Yuya said, shifting into a more casual stance once more. Letting go of the staff it floated next to him. "Well then my young lord, pay the kind sir. I can't fight if I don't have a weapon after all."The false sweetness in Yuya's voice felt like whiplash with how utterly rude he was to the shop keeper mere moments ago.

"Right… How much?" Naofumi snapped back to reality. The bearded man gave a price that seemed reasonable enough. Soon they left the store. Yuya played around with his new staff. Choosing to clip it to his back. Where his little bag was. Right next to the doll he carried around in it. 

"Let's go kill some monsters!" Yuya wanted to see just how well the weapon actually felt in battle. They returned to the forest for another grinding session. 

Chapter Text

Yuya laughed as he shoved the blunt edge of his staff into a rabbit monster's guts. Sparks flared up as he twirled with a graceful step. The thing died with annoying screeches.

Raphtalia stared horrified at the blood dripping from the staff. "Relax, it's just a worthless monster, no need to get worked up over nothing." Yuya said, flicking the blood off the staff.

"But…but… its… so bloody…" The racoon girl trembled. Yuya sighed, he turned his attention to Naofumi who was watching the two fight. Making sure they didn't get ambushed. Yuya bent down.

"So it bleeds. Get used to it." Yuya didn't bother sugar coating his words, but he held back its usual bark.

Naofumi blocked another rabbit that barreled out of the bushes. Yuya made a move to attack but Naofumi stopped him.

"Raphtalia should kill it, you said it yourself, she needs to get used to it." The human reasoned. Accepting that answer the puppet backed away. The nasty rodent was trying its best to tear his young lord's arm apart, though it wasn't making much progress with how absurd the Human's defense stats were.

The racoon girl trembled before the curse mark on her chest flared to life, a sick mockery of the very element Yuya commanded. She cried out, gripping on to her dagger, trying to steady her hands through the pain. Lord Naofumi shouted encouragement to the girl that Yuya tuned out, the current display in front of him wasn't all too entertaining anymore.

Sure enough she finally killed it. The white body lifelessly dropped as the blood stained the grass below. "This world isn't a game." He heard Naofumi say, as his gaze locked onto the two monster corpses. Was this the first time either of them saw actual bloodshed caused by their own hands?

They took a break after spilling monster blood. Yuya felt slight guilt for getting Raphtalia shocked so he put together a meal with the ingredients they had on hand. If they asked him why he'd just lie and say he felt like eating something that didn't taste like shit.

The dish wasn't anything amazing, just a simple curry, during preparation Raphtalia got curious and watched Yuya work. Amazed that he had such a good grip on cooking.

"How'd you get so good?" She asked, sniffing the food. Her tail wagging happily, Yuya made a hum debating whether or not to answer. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to tell them a little.

"Some kind people taught me how to do all kinds of things way back when." He didn't elaborate further, anymore and he'd ruin his own mood. It seemed to be enough for the raccoon girl. She had picked up on the sad fondness in his tone. He silently cursed to himself. He distracted himself by looking at his young lord.

Naofumi was poking at the food with a scowl on his face. "Is the curry not to your liking?" Yuya asked a frown forming on his own features as well.

"I can't taste it, did you make it bland or something?" The man said. Yuya crooked his head at that. He was sure the curry had enough flavor.

"It's definitely not my cooking's fault..!" Yuya felt offended, a slight raise in his hair as he childishly huffed, swinging his spoon in the air. Yuya excused himself for the night.

The next morning they made their tracks to the next location, a small town that was called Lute. Everything here was very reminiscent to the Anemo Archon's land. The people and the language. Yuya could thank the Irmensal for complete understanding of the spoken language, however he couldn't make head or tails of the written words.

The town was peaceful, Yuya however found the over friendliness of the humans grating at his limited pachients already and they haven't even been in town for more than an hour!

How the puppet hated the chatty humans the most, at least Lord Naofumi didn't talk nearly as much when they were out slaying monsters, he could put up with the tanuki's chatter as she was just a little kid.

Everytime they stopped at a shop or moved to the next, the annoying humans wanted to strike up conversation with them or he heard someone whisper to others at how pretty he was. Yuya was really starting to miss his hat.

Yuya in turn glared at everyone he saw, almost growling a few times from growing irritation. He kept himself in check when his lord asked him to calm down. Raphtalia took that as a cue to grab hold of Yuya's arm. "Humans can get overwhelming so let's stick together." The raccoon girl insisted.

Yuya didn't have it in him to push the girl away so he let her cling to his arm. Naofumi finally found a stall that would accept monster parts. Yuya could care less so he focused on the wall that seemed a lot more interesting than whatever the humans were discussing at the moment.

"There's an old mine that you could use, it's now sadly a nest for monsters from the last wave of calamity." The human who was looking at the rabbit furs informed them. Yuya refocused on the conversation.

These waves sounded awfully similar to the darkest days in Teyvat, when the Cataclysm hit, he had yet to come into existence so he's only heard stories from others in passing.

"Ore huh… we can sell those for some decent prices."Naofumi set their next destination, the abandoned mines. Yuya didn't mind the constant changes in scenery. It was rather nostalgic in a way.

The mine itself reeked of past battles. The ore glowed in the dark. Some of it was normal, others held magical properties. "Alright this spot will do, keep a lookout for any monsters." Naofumi ordered as he got to mining. Yuya examined the ores with his elemental sight.

None of them shone as brightly as they should. This world wasn't as elementally rich as his old one. Yuya paused in his musings, having heard something in the distance, it wasn't the sound of metal striking at crystal chunks. He drew his staff silently.

Footsteps. Light and swift. So it had to be a monster. Humans were rarely that quiet. Sure enough from the darkness a giant form skulked up to them. With a roar it lunged. Its teeth met wood. Yuya had rather recklessly jumped in front of its attack. Despite being a lower level than it, he didn't seem to be struggling all that much.

Naofumi cursed as he threw up his shield. Giving Yuya a chance to free his weapon. The shield slammed into the jaws of the dog monster. "Now this is more like it! I've been getting bored of the balloons and rodents!" Yuya laughed, a crazed look entered his eyes.

Naofumi was taken aback by the sudden switch in demeanor, he should be used to it as Yuya often fluttered between being nice and down right rude depending on who the puppet interacted with.

Raphtalia froze up again, her entire body shook with fear. Eyes trained on the two headed dog that was recovering from being stunned. Lighting burst to life as Yuya swung his staff. The tip alight with power. It shot out a sharp blade of energy. Cutting through the flesh of the monster.

Yuya sighed disappointed that it didn't tear the monster apart. Levels seem to actually matter, how annoying. Shifting his stance he kicked up some loose rocks at the now electrified beast. "Don't just gawk at it!" Yuya snapped sending the rocks hurling towards the black dog.

One missed, the other hit the hound square in the eye. It roared furiously. Charing at them, Yuya danced around its bites and slashes, applying Electro to it with every hit. He felt the Air Shield his lord usually used activated to block a bite from his left. Interestingly enough his electro clung to the shield, causing a small swirl reaction.

"Raphtalia! Don't just stand there! Help Yuya kill it!" Naofumi ordered. All three backed away, the girl was on the verge of tears when the slave Crest activated again.

"I… I.. I can't!! The dog monster..!" she was crying full now. Yuya heard his lord exhale. "Then hide, we'll kill it." The Crest stopped shocking the poor girl. So his lord truly had a soft spot for children like Yuya did… They were a lot more alike than the puppet cared for.

Yuya felt his energy returning with each strike. Seems like his elemental energy regeneration had kicked in with the proper battle raging. Each attack got periodically more powerful.

"Hey! You're going to electrocute us too if you keep that up!" His lord barked. Yuya noticed the floor sparking on some spots. The cave was wet after all.

"Apologies, I got carried away." He reigned in his output. Though that did give Naofumi an idea. "We'll push it off and then you can let loose!"Brandishing his shield. It turned into the Rope Shield.

If he was alone Yuya could easily just flood the cave with his Electro but killing his employer and the tanuki were out of the question. So he rushed at the girl grabbing her easily just as the dog tried to bite at the easiest target. The rope from Naofumi's shield shot out and tangled itself around the dog's hind legs. Making it trip.

The human was a lot stronger than Yuya first guessed as he was able to drag the beast down. Naofumi manuvoired to entangle the beast. Yuya assisted with a well placed kick before it tried to get up again. Hearing a satisfying crunch in the monster's jaw. They worked to push it off.

Raphtalia realized what she had to do when Yuya shot her a look, making a glance at her sword and the rope. She shook until Naofumi spoke.

"This is your chance to prove to me that you are strong, that you have worth on this team." He said. The dog snarled and whimpered as it tried getting up. Yuya kicked it again. The monster wasn't as dumb as it looked. Using its other head, it bit down into Yuya's leg.

Teeth gnawing at the skin that had yet to break." Unsightly insect! "Yuya snarled, his eyes glowed with rising anger.

"If you keep freezing up like that we'll get killed and then we can't save anyone from these things!" Naofumi warned. He couldn't move from his spot to help Yuya as it would loosen the straining rope around the beast.

Yuya was getting annoyed, his hp was slowly being drained with each annoying gnaw, getting deeper and deeper into his leg. It was starting to actually hurt the puppet. He let out an excited chuckle.

Something in Raphtalia snapped as she used her sword to stab the head biting down right in the eye with as much strength as she could muster. It reared letting go, roaring in pain as it nearly pulled Naofumi down with it. With another strike the rope was severed. The momentum sent the beast barreling off the cliff hitting rocks on the way down.

A huge splash echoed in the cave. Naofumi ordered Yuya to fire his magic into the water below. The puppet happily did so. With a swift movement he pointed the tip of his staff downward, creating a small ball of electro before kicking it down. Markings previously hidden under cloth revealed itself as he glowed purple. The energy hit the beast in the water. He watched as it got supercharged, before it finally died.

Yuya felt himself get stronger the moment the beast died. Leveling up was a strange feeling no matter how many times it had happened so far. Raphtalia let out a small sigh of relief as she fell onto her butt. It was over. She helped kill it!

After the rush of a proper threat died down Naofumi started making his way down to where the slain dog monster floated in the water. Occasionally sparks danced across the water surface before it finally died down.

Yuya helped Raphtalia up as they joined their young lord at the bottom of the cliff. "You want to salvage parts of that mutt?" Yuya asked. He had a slight limp from his injury.

Naofumi nodded. "We can't let it go to waste. Not after all that effort we put in to kill it." He said. Yuya sighed at that.

"Fair enough, though you fish it out." He didn't feel like getting wet. Naofumi used his Rope Shield to grapple the corpse closer. Once in range, Yuya helped haul it onto the slippery rocks. Raphtalia eyed it warily. Making a small noise when it twitched. She dived behind Yuya.

"Relax, it's dead. It's probably my electro in its systems."True enough small sparks danced around the body before that died down as well. The two companions watched as Naofumi carefully tore the monster apart, he had a lot of practice with smaller monsters beforehand.

Yuya lazily watched the man dismantle the corpse. Naofuni fed parts of it to his shield too. Once he was done, the human turned his attention to the puppet.

"Let me see your injuries." Naofumi said. Yuya looked at his bloody leg. A dull throbbing had stayed behind.

"It's nothing I can't handle." Yuya insisted. Naofumi frowned. He switched shields. The one looked like it came from his mecha. Yuya paled at the sight. "I'm fine. I've healed from worse!" he tried.

"It doesn't matter, I need you in peak condition, if you break down you'll have no more use for me." There was the cruel human heart Yuya grew to expect. He'd be thrown away…!

"I'm a lot more durable than I seem!" Yuya didn't mean to raise his voice. Naofumi stood up. Turning fully to the shorter man.

"I have yet to actually see if that's true or not. You weren't in the best condition when we found you, so I simply don't trust your claim on that." Lord Naofumi's words clawed at all of Yuya's fears and insecurities. Panic was rising within the puppet.

"Even Raphtalia knows it's stupid to deny treatment as both of you are useless if you are dead or too injured. "He pointed to the tanuki girl, who froze at being brought up.

He held the shield out. The purple strings on it made the puppet's back burn."If you don't cooperate I will use this Shield's abilities to force you into line." Naofumi threatened. The puppet took a step back. Those strings came from the Shouki no Kami… If the shield had the power to control him…

"Dottore…was planning…" A newfound realization hit him harder than he'd like to admit. He was shaking, rage and a fresh wave of betrayal hit him.

He fell to his knees. Head turned down to the rocks. "... Do as you wish…" Yuya sounded so defeated. What life he had regained was stripped from him yet again.

Naofumi flinched but kept his face. He approached the puppet with a bit more caution. Easing the doll into a better sitting position as he got to work on healing the injury. Using the shield to guide his mana over to Yuya. Naofumi let one of the strings attach to Yuya's leg.

"Relax, I'm just healing you." Naofumi said as he felt the puppet flinch under his touch.

Raphtalia watched uncertainty about what to do. It was hard to watch someone like Yuya crumble that quickly, but she thinks she understood what he felt to some degree.

The wound glowed purple shortly after as the skin started knitting itself back together. Once there was no sign of it Naofumi let the string detach. The small hole it left behind closed as well.

"Get up. We're leaving." Naofumi said to his companions. The dull look in Yuya's eyes tugged at his heart a bit. The puppet got up, shaking his leg.

The walk back to Lute was filled with uncomfortable silence.

Chapter Text

After the incident in the mines, the trio had fallen into a rather peaceful routine, well one that was peaceful by Yuya's standards. He was jumpy from the last time, a lot quicker to please as if to prove he was worth something.

Yuya took note of how fast Raphtalia was growing. Within a week she became a fully grown adult, she was disappointed that Yuya was still taller than her by 3 cm. He teased her about that, getting some of his more lively attitude back.

Raphtalia felt relieved when that happened, she had feared that her Master might have gone too far with Yuya. She did often complain to Yuya about their lord treating her like a kid when she no longer was one.

Yuya was baffled by that, did Naofumi not realize Raphtalia grew? Yuya didn't think too hard about it. He had tried to make more flavorful food for them too, but each dish was met with the same infuriating answer. 'I don't taste it.'

Yuya was just about ready to throw a bowl at him before he remembered he wasn't in control at all. One wrong move and his lord would use that cursed shield or throw him to the side. He had nowhere to go if he did. He didn't have a single thought on what he'd even do with himself to begin with.

Nowhere to rerun to. He was stuck in this foreign world. He rather take his chances with the Fatui than wander aimlessly again, but the Fatui wasn't going to look for him, Dottore deemed him a failure of a tool, it was clear as day with how that battle went. He clenched his fists in building rage.

A sound burst through the grass and a growl as a porcupine monster barreled into his lord's side. The quills appeared to have piercing properties as it got past his lord's defenses. Which led to them chasing it down while Naofumi took care of his wound.

It was caught in a ball of shields. "Shield Prison." His lord called it. Raphtalia then struck the final blow. Her pathetic little sword was worn down a lot.

"I think it's about time we upgrade our gear." Naofumi declared. Raphtalia smiled happily as she held up the dead monster, showing it off like some cat proud of its catch. Yuya snorted at the mental comparison. A racoon acting like a cat. How amusing.

They made their way to the weapon store, on the way people from all the stores and stalls were enamored by Raphtalia's newfound maturity. They had somewhat grown used to Yuya's pretty face, Yuya chuckled to himself at how flustered she got.

Being presented with extra snacks and discounts, she was enjoying the attention. Yuya didn't mind one bit as it took eyes off of him. Lord Naofumi on the order hand shot every last one of the humans who did so a weird look.

They arrived at Erhard's store. Naofumi insisted that Yuya learn the name of the only trustworthy human in the castle town. Turns out it wasn't a full blown city yet. Not that Yuya knew anything of this world to begin with. He just followed along with what the Shield Hero wanted.

Yuya's current staff was still usable, though he wouldn't mind refining it, until he could get a better one or switch to a proper catalyst. He had yet to see anymore sell the type he was after. Maybe he should bite the bullet and forge one.

Naofumi was talking to the shopkeeper about upgrades for Yuya and Raphtalia. Said racoon girl wasn't pleased with it at all. She grabbed a sword from one of the scabbards on display.

"Master Naofumi, you shouldn't play around like that or you will lose your life!" She boldly declared holding the blade up. It was a decent looking blade as far as Yuya could tell. Naofumi relented to getting new armor. They turned to Yuya.

"I'm fine with this, though if you'll allow me access to a forge I can upgrade it myself." He informed them.

"Wait, you know how to forge things?" Naofumi asked. Eyebrows raised at that. Yuya nodded.

"Yes, I was taught how to forge and enhance weapons." Yuya confirmed, letting his staff float next to him. "You seem so surprised everytime I display my many skills." He said with a shrug.

"You don't look like the type to do any of the things you can do." Naofumi said. Yuya felt annoyance rise in him again as he huffed.

"What do I look like to you then huh?"Yuya sneered, arms crossing over his chest.

"You look like a spoiled princess brat." Naofumi said. Yuya looked ready to murder at this point.

"Why you…! Ch you don't look all too impressive for a hero of legend!" Yuya snapped back, pride bruised. "And I'm a warrior not a royal brat…!" He huffed turning away. He heard Raphtalia stifle a giggle.

This caused his cheeks to turn red. He gripped air. "Ch… I miss my hat." He muttered. Erhard coughed in his hands to get their attention.

"You can use my forge for a small fee. I'm interested in what forging methods your friend knows." Erhard said. Yuya took that chance. He cleared his throat.

"If my young lord allows it I'll do it." He turned back to Naofumi, having reigned in his filthy emotions. Too much of it might get him punished. He wasn't sure how far he could push his lord yet.

"While that's going on we can wait for your new armor Master Naofumi!" Raphtalia happily added, breaking some of the awkward tension. Naofumi sighed.

"Very well, you can upgrade your weapon yourself Yuya. I'll pay for the forge fee and any material needed." The Shield Hero said. Yuya gave a fake yet dazzling smile.

"You spoil me so much." The sarcasm was palpable. Naofumi realized Yuya had a very nasty mean streak when he thought he could get away with it. It was entertaining enough that Naofumi didn't feel the need to call Yuya out on it. Those jerks usually deserved it. He even picked up a few tricks to appear and act more menacing from observing the puppet too.

Erhard took the silvers and showed Yuya the forge. The puppet tied his sleeves back and got to work. Increasing the weopon's potential. He worked swiftly and methodical, mechanically precise strikes.

By the end, the staff's base was now costed in Iron and the gemstone on top enchanted to handle more power than it previously could. He altered the shape a bit more to resemble his Inazuman attire. Might as well look good while slaughtering your enemies after all.

Erhard was very impressed with Yuya's craftwork. "You really know your stuff kid." He complimented the puppet. Yuya shrugged.

"I'm a bit rusty, haven't been at a forge for a very long time." Yuya kept it vague. Maybe around 300 years ago was the last time he touched one.

"That makes this all the more impressive! Say if you ever want a job as a Smith let me know. You'd make a killing with your talent." The bald human said, examining the staff more closely. It held similar properties to a spear now.

"You altered the grips too. Made the top sharper." Erhard noted. Yuya hummed.

"I am very intimate with spear work so this feels more natural." Yuya said, grabbing the staff. "Well i should be going old man, my lord is waiting. With that the shorter male bid the shop owner farewell, he headed to the inn they usually housed in when they were in town.

Yuya found them eating at the back. He joined the two silently. There was a third plate. Naofumi had ordered food for him.

"You honestly don't need to feed me when we're low on funds, i dont require food to function like you flesh bags do."The puppet sat down but took the food anyway.

"How'd your forging go?" Naofumi asked. Yuya showed off his newly improved staff.

"See for yourself. Of course I made some visual changes to it." Yuya was pretty proud of his work. Raphtalia looked at the staff.

"Oh! It looks so pretty! It even matches your clothes now!" She grabbed the base of the staff gently. It felt smooth to the touch.

"Do you think you can customize my sword too?" She asked, throwing her puppy dog eyes at Yuya. Yuya just laughed at her. Her cute charm no longer held any power over him!

"Hurumf! You're so mean to me now!"She complained, her tail puffing out. Yuya just laughed louder at her reaction.

"Ara…! Maybe you should have stayed a little brat instead of growing up!" Yuya stuck his tongue out with a bleh sound accompanying it.

Naofumi sighed louder, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Shut up and eat your food and stop teasing her." He scolded.

Yuya huffed and calmed down."Very well but I'm not taking it back nor apologizing, she is an adult now." He busied himself with his food. Ignoring the confused look on Naofumi's face.

"Yeah I'm all grown up now!" Raphtalia agreed.

"You don't need to force yourself to act like an adult." Naofumi said after settling with his words. Raphtalia got defensive, slamming her hands down on the table.

"I'm not forcing it!" She shouted. Which got rewarded by some food being flicked at her, her head snapped to Yuya who oh so innocently was chewing on his food. She glared at him.

The next day they went to pick up Naofumi's new armor. The green and silver suited the taller man pretty well.

"You look like a real bandit now kid!" Erhard smiled with a thumbs up. Naofumi frowned.

"I'm supposed to the a hero remember!"He protested. Raphtalia thought he looked nice in the new outfit. Yuya didn't see any issue with it either.

"It suits you a lot more than the generic everyday wear you had before, Heroes and important figures should always stand out from the crowd in dress." Yuya said, flicking his sleeves forward. The fabric swished hypnotically. The frills of his purple undershirt moved too.

"Wait, are those frills on your sleeves?!" Naofumi came closer and touched the fabric. Now that it was clean he realized it was genuine silk. The material of his outfit was crazy expensive looking.

"Ara…?" Yuya blinked at the sudden closeness. Naofumi eyed him suspiciously.

"You sure you're not some runaway princess?" Naofumi asked with a straight face. Yuya's face turned bright red as he stammered, unable to think of a proper retort to that.

The best he could come up with was a shaky "No!"

Yuya buried his face in his hands. "Mother, strike me down now please…!" He mumbled into his hands. How humiliating!

"Alright, alright I was just kidding… wow… Such a dramatic reaction." Naofumi said with a sigh. He did find it rather adorable that even someone as mean and sharp tongued as Yuya could get embarrassed.

"We have to be prepared for the Wave, I have no idea when or where it will hit." Naofumi said.

"Wait, no one told you about the dragon hourglass?" Erhard butted in. The look on Naofumi's face told Yuya that no, no one informed him about it. So Erhard directed them to the gaudy looking church at the center of the town.

Yuya was beginning to pick up on a pattern. It was getting painfully obvious that the Shield Hero wasn't looked upon in the best of light. Not with the nasty rumors he caught wind of every now and again when they came into town after grinding sessions. Or when they were to sell monster drops to local merchants, a far cry from the hospitality they received within the village of Lute.

The church was as obnoxious on the inside as it was on the outside. He'd say Barbatos's church was more modest than this one. It felt oppressive compared to the Anemo Archon's church as well. The nun working there side eyed Raphtalia and then his young lord. The blatant disrespect was making Yuya's artificial blood boil on his lord's behalf.

A strange feeling to say the least. It was a similar feeling he got when the other Harbingers were being disrespected, it reflected poorly on Yuya as well as being associated with them. Though in his current position as a tool for the hero, he wouldn't stand for such treatment of the man who commanded him. It sat wrong with the puppet.

He glared at the rude nun as they were led to the hourglass. It was gaudy like the rest of the place. Though Yuya could feel some sort of power emanating from the hourglass. It was similar to the feeling Naofumi's shield gave off. The shield reacted to the hourglass. Shooting a beam at it.

Yuya felt the magic shift in the air. His hearing picked up multiple footsteps from behind them. His attention snapped to the blond in red that appeared.

"Is that Naofumi I see?" Oh the man's voice was grating on Yuya's ears already. The way a growl was slowly forming in his lord's throat was clue enough for Yuya that these humans were an unwelcome sight.

The woman with red hair and the purple accented armor looked overly smug as she almost clung to the loud blond's side. The red gemmed spear in the red wearing blond's hand felt the same as lord Naofumi's shield. So this was another 'Hero'.

Yuya wasn't all impressed. The blond stepped up towards them." Don't tell me your still running around with that flimsy equipment are you?" The tone of his voice made Yuya want to electrocute something.

Yuya glared harder as he got in between the two humans. "That's none of your concern worm." Yuya growled. His lord had gone quiet. Raphtalia went to Naofumi's side asking if he was alright.

The Spear user was taken aback by this. "How dare you speak to sir Motoyasu like that!" The red haired woman shrieked, pushing Motoyasu to the side slightly.

"You dare disrespect my lord first and expect me to be civil?" Yuya glared down at the woman in front of him. Which was impressive as they were almost the same height. The growl in his voice was barely contained. Yuya could practically taste the bitter feelings his lord was feeling at the very moment. Raw unfiltered hate.

"Hey now, no need for a pretty thing like you to follow someone like Naofumi." The Spear hero nudged the annoying woman to the side gently as he grabbed Yuya's hands. Yuya froze at the contact.

"Unhand me or lose a limb!" Yuya hissed, he short circuited when Motoyasu gave his dainty hand a kiss.

Can't compute.

Error.

Illogical.

The fool had no fear. "Why don't you join my team instead? A pretty girl like yourself shouldn't be fighting for a brute like that." Motoyasu tried to be smooth.

Naofumi felt the air turn electrical. He should probably stop Yuya from making things worse for him but he also wanted to see that bastard spear hero suffer.

" Excuse me…? "Yuya finally spoke again. *I am a man!" He hissed, tearing his hands from Motoyasu, he raised one, sparking with anger, slapping the taller man with unnecessary strength. The slap echoed in the empty room.

Yuya's sadistic side reared as he looked very pleased with himself." Unsightly worm, know your place, I should kill you for such disrespect!" Yuya switched to his Harbinger personality. The air felt suffocating. The other two heroes that came in a little later drew their weapons. Sword and bow pointed at the puppet.

"Naofumi, who is this?" The one in blue asked. He had the sword. Naofumi was tempted to not answer.

"Stand down Yuya," He finally spoke. The purple haired man looked to his lord.

"My lord, you can't seriously expect me to let this slight slide?" the puppet tried to make his lord see. Naofumi shook his head.

"That's an order Yuya don't make me repeat myself." Naofumi said, the glint of green made Yuya stiffen ever so slightly. The puppet sighed in defeat.

"Very well, I shall refrain from purging these vermin." Yuya growled. His eyes glowed with poorly contained anger. "You shouldn't let these lowly mortals walk over you." He spat, crossing his arms over his chest. The room went silent before the woman with the red hair stomped up to Yuya.

"Apologize to sir Motoyasu right this instant!" She barked out. Yuya scowled even more. His features turned sharp. A growl worked its way into his throat.

"I'll say this once, get out of my face before I lose my temper. I hate dealing with idiots who don't listen." He growled, turning away. Lord Naofumi ordered him to not escalate. So he shall refrain… it however was tempting to just slap the screaming banshee as well. Yuya gripped his arm.

The Shield Hero grit his teeth." We're leaving. Yuya, come. "Naofumi repeated with finality in his voice. He raised his hand with the shield to beacon the puppet, a final warning. Raphtalia stuck to Naofumi's side.

The doll snapped to attention." Right, it's not worth spending energy on morons."Yuya said, taking a deep breath to sooth his rage.

"You know you're not safe to be around Naofumi. Surely you've heard?" Motoyasu butt in. Naofumi's soured mood got even worse at those words. He snapped his attention to the Spear hero. An angry red hand shaped mark stood out against the spear hero's skin.

Yuya must have hit him very hard to even leave a mark." That's none of your business." Naofumi snapped. Raphtalia's tail bristled. She was slowly starting to understand why Yuya and her master became so hostile with these people.

"Master Naofumi has nothing to say. Good day!" She grabbed her master's hand and pulled him towards the exit. Yuya sent one final glare at them.

"See you suckers on the battlefield. I might have an excuse to maim you." Yuya mockingly stuck his tongue out. Making a rather childish bleh sound along with it before he fell in line. If the other heroes got caught in the crossfire, Yuya wouldn't be upset one bit.

The Sword and Bow blinked dumbfounded at the rather hostile interaction they just witnessed. The Spear rubbed his cheek, complaining on how his face tingled. As the pretty boy with the purple hair laced magic into his slap. The smaller male was deceptively strong too. If Motoyasu was lower level and not a hero, that slap might have sent him flying!

"That little brat won't get away with that…!" The redhead sneered, already formulating a plan to ruin the Shield Hero even more. He was running around with a demi-human as well! That little bitch would pay.

Yuya felt a shiver down his spine. Was someone talking shit behind his back? He focused back on his lord. They had last minute preparations to do before the wave hit.

Chapter Text

Yuya could see the humans were on edge the closer their darkest day drew near. It was very amusing watching them scatter about while he waited for the timer to hit zero.

Oh he hoped these monsters put up a good fight. He's been itching for an excuse to take out his pent up aggression on something without being stopped. Much to his annoyances lord Naofumi made it clear he wasn't allowed to go over the top when they were grinding. Such an absurd word for training in Yuya's humble opinion.

The puppet only understood about half of what Raphtalia and his lord were talking about when he spoke of levels and things related to that dumb shield.

Morning was approaching, Raphtalia caught Naofumi's attention. She started listing all the things she was grateful for and how he gave her a reason to fight and live on. Her words struck a chord with Yuya as he listened in quietly.

He wasn't too eager to admit it yet however, no that would stay a thought for Yuya alone. The puppet knew he wasn't in the clear like Raphtalia was. So he'd bide his time and wait. But wait for what?

No one cared about him nor did he have a place to return too. A thought that kept forcing itself into Yuya's mind. He grunted, gritting his teeth as the seething anger of Dottore's betrayal burned anew. It was surely his fault. Dottore didn't even bother to help him, he didn't tell Yuya the exact functions of those strings, his utility ran out, but he was still useful!

"Yuya." The puppet snapped to attention hearing his name called. A hand clasping his shoulder, Naofumi looked at him apprehensively.

"Whatever you're thinking, stop. I need you to be calm to fight for me." Naofumi said, hypocrisy tainting that statement.

"Anger is good." Yuya dismissed his words with a scowl. "I think you should use it more, you have plenty to work off." He said. The timer hit zero before Naofumi could retort.

Yuya felt a strange sensation overtake him as they suddenly found themselves close to where Lute Village was. The sky turned dark red, swirls of green and purple tore through the skies as monsters rained down. Yuya stared in slight awe of the destruction waiting to happen, he now understood why it was referred to as Waves, a sea of monsters spawned to crash over everything.

The doll couldn't make out what kind of monsters were raining down. Yuya spotted the wannabe heroes running towards a clearing. From the ear grating noise coming from that direction, he guessed a huge monster was waiting for them.

"Wait, isn't that Lute?" Raphtalia pointed out to their lord.

"Did they all evacuate in time?" Naofumi wondered out loud. He got his answer in the form of a single flare being fired into the sky. Naofumi clicked his tongue.

"Let's go, the castle isn't far but by the time the Knights get there it will be too late." Naofumi ordered. Raphtalia nodded fiercely.

Yuya gave a growl of acknowledgement. "Understood." Yuya followed behind the human. They ran to the village. Yuya could now see what was attacking. Corpses, skeletons and giant wasps, summoning his staff he took aim. Electro burst to life.

He swiped downward. A whip of electro followed in its wake. Hitting a good amount of enemies in the process. Twirling the staff he stabbed an armored corpse. Blood erupted from it.

"Oh this will be fun." Yuya laughed. His opponents bled so it wouldn't feel too different from killing humans. He had been looking forward to a real blood bath.

Naofumi blocked a strike that would have killed a villager with his shield. Yuya focused back on his targets. The undead creatures swarmed at him. The mindless attacks reminded him a bit of his recon missions in the abyss, seemingly endless amounts of monsters throthing at the mouth to tear anything remotely human apart.

He felt his electro spread across his fingers as he used one hand to send a blade at them, then slashed with his staff, mimicking his creator's spear work and elemental abilities. As much as he despised her, he couldn't deny her methods of attack.

Yuya felt the energy around him build up as he cut down an insect. More fell with each strike, he spotted Raphtalia rounding up the villagers. Lord Naofumi was acting as a taunt on those who haven't agro'd on Yuya. Effectively they split the horde of monsters into more manageable groups.

He let the electro build up as his body markings started to glow. Creating a larger sphere of electro he jumped and kicked it down.

"Perish!" Yuya gleefully called out as his attack crashed into the trash in range. The weaker ones died faster, he felt his level go up. A wasp snuck up behind him. Getting in a stinging attack.

Yuya laughed as he recoiled a bit. Regaining his footing he whipped the staff at the monster just as the air suddenly filled with elemental energy. Yuya looked up for a moment. The sky lit up with what Yuya could identify.

Pyro

Pyro started raining down, it was powerful enough to lay waste to the monsters around him. Yuya cursed as he cut his Electro off, he did not want to overload himself by accident. The monsters that survived his burst had exploded once the pyro made contact.

Yuya covered his face from the debris as the flames roared around him, he hissed feeling the heat bite into his skin and clothes, but he wasn't burning persay. Fire and Pyro wouldn't kill him, it wasn't nearly enough.

Once the fire died down, Yuya heard Knights approaching, his name was shouted as Naofumi and Raphtalia ran in his direction.

"Yuya?! Are you okay?!" Raphtalia sounded so worried. Her face contorted to poorly hidden rage as her ears twitched when the human knights approached.

Yuya grunted as he patted at the fire clinging to his sleeves. "Yes, I'm fine… I'm very resistant to fire on its own, it still hurts though." He moved to put the fire on his hair out.

His lord paled a bit. To Naofumi he saw Yuya's HP drop to red. While the fire wasn't burning him anymore, the initial hit still took Yuya's HP.

" Those idiots! "Naofumi turned to the Knights." You could have killed us! Did you even bother to check if the town was empty of civilians?! "He seethed, his hate was slowly spiraling without his notice.

Archon Residue Shield proficiency increased +1

The purple liquid displayed within the shield glowed ominously for a moment. Raphtalia growled reflecting the Shield Hero's rage. She drew her sword pointing it right at the captain of the knights' throat.

Yuya watched with vigorated interest. He got all the fire on him doused. He found some pleasure in seeing them be so openly aggressive for once, excitement bubbled as he joined them, not nothing to warn about the surviving monsters approaching. They looked a lot stronger than the ones that got burned.

"Attacking a Hero and his Companions? Do you humans have a death wish?" He asked, he sounded a bit too cheerful for just being fire bombed.

"Then again your attacks barely did anything, ara weak too." He teased as he came to a stop next to his lord. Naofumi took note of the tone his puppet companion held. It was oddly terrifying.

"Filthy Demi-human! How dare you draw your blade at a knight!" the captain shouted. Naofumi felt like bashing his only attacking shield against the knight's very punchable face.

"Raphtalia stand down," Naofumi said. They didn't have time to squabble with fools who were out to ruin him.

Naofumi was tempted to just let the monsters have their way but orders Yuya and Raphtalia to intercept, as he was supposed to be a Hero.

"Listen up, we're going to buy you some time to get into formation." Naofumi said. He ignored the disappointed look Yuya gained shortly after. The puppet got into a very lax fighting position.

"Raphtalia, Yuya, take off." Naofumi ordered. The racoon girl jumped into the horde, sword clashing with the steel weapons of their foes.

Some of the Knights ran away, Yuya was not surprised, a small group of them stayed. "Form the Fallininks!" The current knight in charge called out. "Help the Shield Hero!"

With that shout, the monsters were now being killed left and right by everyone present. Yuya could almost forgive those lowly humans for attempting to burn him alive. Almost. He wasn't being too careful with his Electro's spread across foes. If someone happens to be shocked? Not Yuya's fault they got too close.

The monsters seemed never ending until the sky finally returned to normal. Yuya was disappointed. These waves, while similar, didn't have the same intensity as the deeper levels of the Abyss. Perhaps they would grow stronger over time?

With the fighting drawing to a close Yuya and Raphtalia went around killing any straggling monster, with no more monsters raining down, it didn't take too long for the Hero's Companions to mop up the remains.

Everyone around Yuya cheered as they survived the Wave, how annoying. They all looked exhausted, where Yuya wasn't even remotely tired, aside from a little blood and soot, he was in the same condition as before the start of the fight.

Raphtalia walked up to their lord, the adrenaline finally wearing off, she burst into tears muttering about killing so much. Yuya honestly couldn't relate, they were just monsters.

Naofumi comforted her with a head pat. Telling her she did a good job. Raphtalia lit up at that through her tears she smiled a bit, her tail wagging. They stood there for a moment.

"Yuya, you deserve some praise too. Come here." Naofumi made a gesture to the puppet who had distanced himself. The puppet froze at the request, unsure of what to do. Another prompt from the hero made him move towards them. He wasn't expecting to be pulled into the hug.

Yuya froze again, his mind blanked. He had no idea how to respond to these friendly gestures. It felt…

Nice…

"I was a bit worried back there but you thought it out. Good job." Naofumi gave him a head pat too. Yuya felt his face heat up as his chest started feeling tight.

"Hey are you okay?" Naofumi sounded a bit alarmed. Yuya realized why. The puppet quickly broke the contact trying to hide his face.

"It's fine. I'm fine." He said all too quickly , almost ferociously wiping at his face. Tears… why was he crying?! He was stronger than that! A mere show of affection shouldn't do such things to him!

"Are you hurt?" Stop asking things, stop pretending.

"My condition is stable enough." He huffed. Sure enough he was slowly regaining the lost HP. Naofumi frowned a bit. Raphtalia looked between the two again. Her heart broke a bit seeing the strange reaction Yuya gave to being praised.

"If you insist." Naofumi dropped it for now. Yuya was thankful the Hero wasn't nosy and left Yuya to his own devices. How the puppet hated his filthy human emotions so, he gripped the bag on his hip. It's where he kept two things most precious to him, useless sentiment, but he still couldn't bring himself to get rid of the items.

He really was defective, he just hoped his lord didn't pick up on how useless he actually was.

They were eventually invited to a banquet to celebrate the victory over the wave. His lord didn't want to go but the prospect of a reward made him reconsider. Yuya stuck to the Hero's side as Raphtalia went to get food. He didn't want to be there anymore than Naofumi. The chatter and lively atmosphere sickened the puppet. Self righteous fools angered him the most.

Yuya counted his lucky stars to the fact that his lord wasn't acting like he could do no wrong, or this servitude to the hero would have been a lot more frustrating and infuriating.

Yuya zoned out, staring at the sky. He had formed a habit of doing so. The stars… Are they fake here too? His attention was drawn back to reality when Raphtalia came over with two plates, each held a cake slice.

Yuya pulled a face at the sweet aroma coming from it. "No thanks. I rather swallow rocks."He pushed the offending plate away. Raphtalia's tail bristled.

"But it's really good! You just don't have good taste!" She stuck her tongue out in a similar fashion Yuya often did when he mocked people. "Besides, Master Naofumi needs to eat! It's really good, don't listen to mister 'I only consume bitterness!'" She presented her fork to Naofumi.

"Hah?! What's with that? You're deluded to think sweets are good, it's disgusting and eating stuff like that feels like my teeth will fuse together!" Yuya countered, he wouldn't admit it but he enjoyed the meaningless squabbles he got into, it was the best he could do without going full on sadist on everyone.

Naofumi took the offered bite. He didn't taste what Raphtalia was promising, maybe Yuya had a point. He watched the two fight, it was kind of adorable, then the juvenile mood was promptly murdered when the Spear Hero dropped his glove right in the middle of the Shield's party of three.

Yuya realized everyone was staring at them. The room had gone suspiciously quiet. He could practically taste a storm brewing.

Chapter Text

Yuya watched as the glove of the blonde idiot hit the ground. He glared up at the humans who had crowded around them. 

"Naofumi," Motoyasu said to get the Shield's attention. "time to fight." 

Naofumi looked so done with everything with those words. He gave the Spear a look that Yuya could only describe as pure irritation, not that he could blame his lord for that. The tall blond was a pain in the ass from the small interactions they had. 

Yuya took a step closer to his lord. A smile crossed his face when he saw the idiot flinch ever so slightly. The blond man in red put on a brave face turning to Naofumi. 

"I heard you enslaved those poor girls." the Spear Hero said. Yuya bristled, eyes flashing with growing rage. Before he could say anything. 

"Having a human as a slave is illegal here." The red haired bitch said as she practically clung to the Spear Hero. "Poor thing must be traumatized to be parading around, pretending." She sneered with false worry. 

Yuya saw red, his body sparked dangerously. This human was asking to be killed! How dare that imputant little insect disrespect him yet again! 

“This isn’t how a hero should be acting.”The Hero in blue said with a shake of his head, Yuya thought this human needed a lesson in humility as well! So cocky for no reason, that holier than thou attitude brought fresh irritation to the divine creation.

"Yuya isn't human nor is he a slave, he chose to be mine, Raphtalia on the other hand is my loyal slave." Naofumi was strangely calm in tone, like the calm before the storm. Naofumi grabbed his puppet and slave by their hands. 

Yuya felt his rage falter for a moment. His nonexistent heart skipped a beat. Did his lord have to word it in such a manner? Was it necessary to reveal his inhuman nature? It was unavoidable, he guessed. He bit back the poisonous words that wanted to spill from his lips as he felt his lord give his hand a warning squeeze, lest he electrocute everyone. That would make this situation way more complicated and tedious to deal with.

“How much lower can that guy sink?”The brat in yellow whispered with distaste, the Bow Brat glared as fierce as his stupid baby face could, Yuya was beginning to think these humans are doomed if this was the so-called Heroes that would save them. They were all children, barely even out of the nest, especially the Bow Brat and Sword Brat.

“This is ridiculous, we’re leaving.”Naofumi said as he dagger his shorter companions out of the ballroom. Of course things never went smoothly for the Shield’s party as the guards of the kingdom started to surround the three on the stairway. The three Heroes standing alongside the ruler of this land on the landing of the stairs. Yuya wasn’t very impressed.

“You can’t just walk away Naofumi!”Myne barked out. “You have to accept Sir Motoyasu’s duel!” She hissed out. The king reinforced this by claiming Yuya’s lord broke the law of the land for having enslaved a human, owning a Demi-Human slave and breaking the most sacred laws. That his lord had to accept the duel if he wanted to walk away with both, should his lord lose, Naofumi would have to free them.

They grabbed Raphtalia from behind. “You leave her alone!” Naofumi hissed. Yuya grabbed his staff, shifting closer to his lord’s side.

“Lowly worms, you dare threaten and dishonor my lord?!”He hissed, swiping his staff at the guard that tried to grab and pull him away from Naofumi.

“Wait! I’m with Master Naofumi by choice! He isn-!” The Demi human was cut off when the guards holding her gagged her with a white cloth. The king tutted at this display.

“Poor creature, being forced to defend that fiend Shield Hero, hiding behind a girl as well, they’ve clearly been brainwashed, seize the mage girl at once.”The king ordered. Yuya snarled. His tolerance for human incompetence had just hit zero.

“Disgusting filth!”He raised his hand and shot a blast of electro at the poor guard that tried to grab him again. The guard was flung backwards with the recoil effect of the charged attack. Yuya heard Naofumi curse. Everyone stared at the blatant aggression, the guard was still alive but that hit had taken a good amount of HP.

“Stop this at once or face even worse punishment!”The king barked out as he snapped out of his stupur. 

“Yuya isn’t my slave damnit! Don’t touch him again!”Naofumi growled pointing his shield, the guards responded again with raised spears. 

“How can we be sure you’re telling the truth huh? You know the situation yet you let your party member attack,”Motoyasu pointed out. Naofumi grew ferocious with those words.

“As if I’d let filthy mortals touch me!”Yuya hissed. He was preparing another attack. He paused when he heard Naofumi sigh.

“You won't believe my words so I’ll just show you that Yuya isn’t branded by the Slave Crest.”His lord’s words made Yuya pause, the energy he had built up fizzled out. Yuya turned to Naofumi with genuine confusion crossing his face.

“Surely we can fight our way out? You don’t need to lower yourself to those foolish mortals’ whims!”Yuya tried, he rather fight than surrender to the circumstances. His lord shook his head.

“They won’t leave us in peace otherwise, this is needed for them to realize that they are wrong.”Naofumi said. His Shield had shifted to the Shouki no Kami String Shield, he kept his arm out of sight. Yuya froze.

“I can’t…”Yuya felt unsure of what to do.

“It’s the fastest way, sorry but I’ll have to ask you to show them your chest, it's where a slaver would have marked you if you were one.”Naofumi explained, Yuya hated how soft his lord’s tone got, as if he knew how much the humiliation to follow would pain the puppet. “Please, Raphtalia is also counting on us to get her back safely.”Naofumi added softly.

With an uneasy breath. “As you with my young lord… if its to get the filth off our case then I will comply.” This is how it worked, Yuya was a tool, he shouldn’t hinder his lord. He slowly unclasped his golden choker, letting the emblem on his chest fall into his dainty fingers. The room went quiet as they watched the short magic user with baited breath.

Yuya slipped his short kimono off his shoulders, they pooled around his waist, still being held in place by his obi, exposing the black turtleneck halter top fully, he removed the fabric as it wasnt something one could just pull down, markings on his body was exposed, his chest wrapped tightly in a sarashi. Black lines ran across his shoulders, his exposed neck had purple chain-like markings wrapped around it. From the back they could see healing scars perfectly aligned,

“Inspect the mage for the curse mark Sir Motoyasu.”The king ordered. Yuya shot Naofumi a pleading look. Naofumi allowed the idiot to approach.

Yuya felt like crying with all eyes on him as his humiliation continued as the Spear hero took a closer look. “Hurry it up you pervert!”Yuya snapped. He felt the urge to hide away. He’s never had to expose himself like this before.

He heard whispers from the other two Idiot Heroes. Each had their eyes trained on something else. “So you’re just flat chested, no need to emberased, you are really pretty.”The blond idiot said. Yuya’s mind grinder to a halt.

Error.

Error.

Input Not Received.

“Um What..?”Yuya dumbly uttered, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing again.

“I mean you don’t have to pretend to be a boy just because you don't have bigger boobs.”The hero clearly lost track of what he was supposed to do! Yuya finally registered.

SLAP

The sound echoed loudly, Yuya was disappointed that the current level difference made the actual damage less but the reaction was satisfying all the same. “Stop with your delusional flights of fancy, disgusting pig and comfort that I’m not branded.”He ordered. “I'll say this once more for my lord’s sake, seeing as you are so incomprehensible brain dead and deaf too,I am not a woman…Get that wrong and I won't show you mortals any mercy.”The doll hissed. Motoyasu cringed as he held his face.

“Okay,Okay geez… I’m sorry,,ouch that really hurts you know..”The blond complained, he touched just above Yuya’s chest where the mark would sit. Peeking under the sarashi. Nothing was there but smooth skin. Yuya wanted to gouge the Hero’s eyes out for ogling his divine form for so long. The moment the Spear Hero backed off Yuya rushed to put his top back on.

“He isn’t branded.”The hero announced. The crowd gasped. 

“Then what are those other markings over his body?”The Bow hero asked. He had been staring at Yuya’s neck for the entire time.

“Yuya isn’t human, like I said.”Naofumi broke the silence. Yuya rushed over to the Shield’s side, gripping his cape. 

“You owe me big time for that..!”Yuya hissed, face still red from the inspection. 

“He still bears branding, so what is that about?”The bow asked. Yuya felt like burning himself alive again.

“Ch nosy little brat, that's a very loaded question to ask!”Yuya spat. Naofumi gave him a look. “Ugh fine, these markings aren’t foreign so relax your ass, I was born with them, rather if you're talking about the marking on my neck, it’s just a symbol bestowed on me for my divine lineage…”He kept it vague enough. Make it sound like some custom without spilling his darkest secrets. His lord already spilled the beans on his inhumanity and he had been carelessly throwing words around, so the puppet might as well play into that insinuation. They’d no doubt reignite in outrage if they found out he was a very controllable puppet.

This seemed to satisfy the Hero for now. “That’s one accusation proven false, now for the matter of the Demi-Human’s freedom. The Spear Hero will valiantly fight for the poor slave’s freedom against the dastardly Shield!”The king declared. Naofumi sighed again, he felt like if he didnt die first he’d go gray and bald early. This world hated him so much.

“Fine but grant me one condition, Yuya will fight with me, I can’t attack on my own.”Naofumi said. Sure he had the Archon Residue Shield and his Balloons but those were just chip damage and the other shield made him feel off when using it. It drained HP to function. That was the last thing he needed. He’d use it but he had to be sparing or he could get himself killed.

“Sounds good to me as long as I get to bring someone with me, it’s only fair.”Motoyasu brandished his spear at the two. He motioned to the red head. “Myne, will you partner up with me for this?” The hero asked. The woman gave a fake laugh, Yuya could tell just how two faced this woman was by that alone, so the Spear really was just a naive fool like his old self, Yuya should do him a favor and break his delusion for him.

With that settled they were all escorted to a battle arena. Yuya guessed duels before the throne were a thing here too. It was much more public than what duels in Inazuma were formally. With a few exceptions. Yuya and his young lord got shoved into one of the gladiator pits to ‘prepare’. Weapons mockingly lined the walls and racks.

“Sorry for putting you through all that…I have no idea what they would have done to Raphtalia or you if they took you both. I’d be defenseless…well attackless.”Naofumi said. Yuya grunted.

“It was a necessary sacrifice…my pride means nothing if I can’t serve the best and between you and those losers, you my lord are the best option by far. So you have some of my respect, those children and old fools are not worthy to command me. Though put me through that again and I will make you regret it!” Yuya ended his praise with a threat.

“So let’s kick these suckers asses and go, the stench of human idiocy is making me ill.”Yuya said, readying his staff. Naofumi felt a warm feeling cross his chest, one he hasn’t felt since he got there. Trust. He trusted Yuya to not betray him, Yuya very much could have during the inspection, could have told them about the Shouki no Kami’s String Shield’s disgusting abilities. But he chose to defend Naofumi and take public humiliation for Raphtalia and his sake, maybe even Yuya’s own.

The duel was about to start as the announcer did his thing, hyping up the crowd of uncaring nobles. The gates opened letting the rivaling Hero parties enter the battle arena.

The arena was as boring as it was grand, Yuya spotted no interesting details. So he focused on the enemy. The Spear Brat and his snake of a woman. “The battle between Heroes and their selected Mage companions will now commence in front of the throne and the pope!” Yuya spotted Raphtalia being held captive next to the youngest hero brats. His indigo eyes focused back on the duo.

Naofumi readied his shield. It turned square. “I still don’t understand why you would willingly follow someone as bad as Naofumi.”The spear spoke as he got ready. Yuya cringed at how horrible the hero’s stance was, so many errors in his posture Yuya could exploit with ease. 

“My loyalty isn't given haphazardly, lowly worm, know your place.”Yuya said pointing his staff’s tip at him. Yuya’s biting words got the woman more riled up than the hero.

“You clearly don’t know your place by choosing that man to be your ‘lord’! Sir Motoyasu is way more of a Hero than the Shield would ever be!”Myne barked out.

“Enough prattle, I am not privy to too much trash talk before battle, less I lower myself to a former co-worker’s standards.”Electro burst from his staff in a flash. This spared the battle to begin. Motoyasu rolled to get out of the way. Wind was shot at Yuya’s direction but it got blocked by a well timed Air Strike Shield. Yuya nodded to his lord, jumping backwards in an impressive display of acrobatics. Letting Naofumi block Motoyasu’s sloppy stabs.

“You can throw him off balance right now if you stun him.”Yuya advised as he condensed electro, throwing it at Myne’s direction returning the favor, the blade of electro narrowly cut her cheek. The contact was all he needed to apply Elecro to her. Yuya chuckled as he heard her gasp.

Naofumi rushed forward, bashing his shield. While it did no real damage, it stunned the Spear Hero, the blond staggered. Yuya grinned, taking advantage of that. Sending a blast that cut through the air. Hitting the Hero head on. The contact sent the unbalanced hero flying. 

The crowd gasped in horror and booed the Shield's side. "What a barbaric move!" A random noble in the crowd screamed. Yuya rolled his eyes. These humans haven't seen barbarity. He felt a blast of air hit him. His Electro swirled. The reaction made the puppet recoil as his HP dropped a bit. He wasn't immune to his own Electro. 

"This shouldn't be allowed! The Shield Hero is making the Mage do all the work!" Another annoying gnat shouted.

"Poor thing must be brainwashed!" Another. Yuya was losing his patients. 

He used his staff to block another wind strike. The sound of metal blocking metal ceased, Yuya glanced at Naofumi. The hero had frozen. Was the crowd's blatant disrespect getting to his lord? 

He jumped back again. Raising his voice. "Insignificant worms! Shut the hell up! This is a battle so show some respect and be quiet!" He hissed, sending a blast into the crowd. Purposefully missing, the electro cut into the stone. The crowd went quiet. 

The former Harbinger smiled oh so sweetly. He had missed the rush of putting mortals in their place." You can't just attack the crowd! Their non-targeted NPCs!" The blond shoute, as he recovered from the sudden interruption to their duel. 

Yuya sighed, a headache forming as he ignored the blond in favor of reaching his lord. He felt his lord flinch. "I'm here, you can't just freeze up in battle, you'll die." Yuya scholded. 

"Hey! Naofumi! Your party member is going against duel rules!" Motoyasu shouted. He readied his spear. Sparks began forming as the legendary spear changed shapes, so that was a feature all the weapons had. 

"My lord! Snap out of it!" Yuya did the only thing he could think of. He slapped Naofumi across the cheek. The impact didn't damage him but it made the hero lucid again. This probably wasn't the best way to deal with it but Yuya didn't know much about human interaction outside of violence. 

"Yuya…?" Naofumi sounded so out of it. "Yes it's me, now get ready, we're fighting, the brat is saying weird things, now translate." The puppet demanded. His lord looked very disoriented however. The sound of wind rushing caught the duo’s attention.

An attack from Myne again. Naofumi reacted this time. He used his Air Strike Shield. The woman scowled as her attempt was foiled. Naofumi was still plagued by thoughts unknown to Yuya but he noted the change in shields. It was the one he got from the Archon Residue. 

"Defend me and I shall lay waste to your enemies." Yuya declared. "On your command." Yuya was curious to see what his lord would do. 

"Focus down Myne. I'll start chipping at Motoyasu's HP." Naofumi said. Yuya's smile turned a bit sinister. He jumped into action once more just as Motoyasu finished charging his spear attack. Naofumi met the Spear with his Archon Residue Shield. The crystalline surface shimmered and released a black smog opon contact. 

Naofumi watched as his HP drained with the release of the Miasma skill. The Shield alerted him that the corrosion took hold. He smirked a bit when Motoyasu suddenly stopped. Small cuts appeared, making the Spear bleed. 

Yuya had broken through Myne's defenses and locked her into close combat staff to sword, he'd give her some credit. She had some basic grasp of swordplay but compared to someone of his standing, she was nothing but a lamb to the slaughter. The thrill of battle enhanced his mood enough for him to smile while he man handled the wind user.

Myne was being pushed back. She wasn't nearly as fast as Yuya with the firing of spells. He had to be cheating! Myne didn't see him do any incantations! She shrieked when the sharp end of Yuya's staff hit her right on the chest. Sending her flying into a pillar. The crowd burst out in rage. Just to spite the audience Yuya stuck his tongue out, pulling his eyelid down with the childish bleh tacked on the end.

Yuya turned to see Naofumi trapping the Spear in a Shield Prison. "Face it you've lost!" Noafumi said as he let the prison vanish. Motoyasu was on his knees panting and bleeding. Clearly tired. A good handful of wounds freshly glinted in the light, each wound laced with a dark aura.

Yuya made his way over. "Yield so we can end this farce of a daul."Naofumi said. Motoyasu scoffed. 

"You haven't won this game yet.. I still have HP left." The blond said as he struggled to his feet. Yuya stared dumbfounded yet again.

"Game? You think this,"The doll motioned to everything." Is some game? How have you not died yet?! "This human confused Yuya on so many levels. 

"Oh right… The others think this is one too. "Naofumi informed. Yuya's face grew darker. He pushed his staff tip into the Hero in red's face. 

"You're clearly still so delusional. Just because you have some fancy spear, doesn't mean you know how to use it! "He barked, sending a blast of electro into the Spear's face. The man got flung backwards a bit, the hero reoriented himself with his spear.

The puppet began glowing dangerously, the air crackled with purple lighting as he gathered the elemental particles around them, no one but Yuya seemed to have noticed them. The power he gathered caused him to float slightly as he raised his leg. The energy had begun to stabilize into a ball.

"I despise humans like you the most!" With a forceful kick Yuya sent the sphere crashing down on the Spear Hero. "Thinking they're superior because of their tools!"  Yuya laughed at the scream the Spear hero released once the ball hit. 

Try as Motoyasu might, he didn't have the time to block or dodge the powerful magical spell Yuya released. The mocking sound of the pretty inhuman overshadowed the ringing of his ears, the pain stopped just shy of his HP dropping to zero, he was barely holding on with a grand total of 10 HP left.

“This farce is over, return Raphtalia to my lord.”Yuya spoke as he landed, foot planted right on the Spear’s face. “Don't think I won't end him if you don’t comply.”The doll casually threatened. Motoyasu grunted pathetically as the pressure on his face increased.

It was lightened when the lighting mage was shot at by the bow hero. Yuya had a look of surprise across his face as the arrow had grazed his cheek, cutting into his flesh.”That’s enough.”The yellow brat spoke. Huh, so those weapons could hurt him more efficiently than most. Yuya realized with a laugh when the pain registered. 

“Alala, so you do have some capacity for violence, there’s hope for you idiots yet.”Yuya stepped away. He saw the blue one scowl even more at his mocking tone.

“Naofumi has won clearly, no need to go to the extremes,”Ren said. The king looked livid with the outcome, like they all expected the Shield to lose. The looks of utter disgust, fear and disappointment filled Yuya with immense joy. Naofumi walked up to Yuya placing a hand on the puppet’s shoulder.

“Since we won, bring Raphtalia to me.”The Shield demanded. The king growled in frustration but ordered the guards to escort the Demi human back to her owner. The Demi human grunted as she was pushed towards Naofumi, her tail bristled with anger, they had the audacity to gag her, 

Once they let go the gag was removed, Raphtalia whirled around slapping the nearest guard across the face, something she clearly picked up from Yuya.”Brute!”She huffed. “Can't say I’m surprised by the treatment but I’ll say it again, I’m with Master Naofumi by choice…”She reiterated.

“I still can't believe you’d stoop so low, it's real scummy you know that Naofumi, also rein in your NPC Mage, such behavior isn’t fitting for a Hero’s Party.”Ren continued his last thought. Yuya scoffed.

“The hell are these losers even saying, my lord?” These terms were being thrown around like they meant something. Naofumi didn't answer as he pushed Yuya to Raphtalia’s side then pulled her closer. Raphtalia was relieved they won.

“Let’s go before they frame us for something else.”He ordered, Yuya sighed a little irked that he was being ignored but he’d tolerate it for now. His lord was right, the faster they left the castle the better. 

“Don't think you’ll get away with assaulting royalty!”A voice cut through the tension. The Shield’s party froze. It was Myne, she finally came too after her beat down. The woman looked just as livid as the king.

“What?”Naofumi’s voice was shaken as he registered what Myne just said.

“You heard me! I am the Princess of this kingdom! You clearly broke duel etiquette and went too far!”She barked. The apparent princess looked ready to start several wars.

The bitch was royalty!? “Malty please don’t.” Motoyasu said as he finally got up, there was a new look on his face, Yuya felt pretty proud of himself for instilling that fear.

“Just go Naofumi.”The Spear hero said, he then winced accidentally aggravating his wounds. Naofumi didn’t need to be told twice, though rage had begun building up in him when the Shield realized the gravity of his own situation.

The Royals were purposefully trying to screw him over.

Archon Residue Shield Proficiency +2 

New Passive Skill Unlocked: Orobashi’s Anguish

Companions can now inflict Corrosion when the shield is equipped 

Chapter Text

Yuya wisely waited outside for his lord to claim his dumb rewards. Yuya was just too tempted with the thought of murder to deal with the annoying humans, Raphtalia was with him. She held a similar sentiment, Yuya was almost proud of the demi-human.

Yuya looked over to the Racoon girl. She was fidgeting with her sword, tail constantly flicking.

"Our lord will be fine… That King isn't dumb enough to cause a scene twice in a row." Yuya reassured as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm just worried what that princess might try…" She confessed. Yuya could see why that would be concerning. The red haired princess had been a malicious force in lord Naofumi's life so far.

"As long as we stay vigilant, any schemes that that royal brat might throw at us won't succeed."Yuya said, closing his eyes.

"Lucky for you I have much experience with low lives like that, I could even bet some of my former Co-workers are worse than that princess. "The puppet knew that to be true. Dottore alone committed so many atrocities. He himself had an impressive collection of wrongdoings to outright evil actions.

Raphtalia frowned at that." Say… Yuya, where did you come from?"Raphtalia asked, she had been ceorius ever since they found him that day. The puppet was a big mystery. When he revealed things about himself even Master Naofumi wasn't sure what he was refering to, despite the similarities in language use.

"I suppose you won't just drop it, it doesn't matter much anymore, as you might have guessed I'm not of this world like Lord Naofumi."Yuya didn't elaborate more as Footsteps indicated their lord was on his way out.

Sure enough Naofumi appeared. He had a bag of gold with him but it was clear his mood was very much soured. Without much word or fanfare the human made a hand motion for the two companions to follow.

They fell in line. Yuya stayed silent, Raphtalia on the other hand really wanted to ask or say something to break the uncomfortable silence they were walking in. "Master… Where are we heading next?" She finally blabbed out.

Naofumi didn't look at her. "We're going to see Beloukas." That was all Naofumi offered. Yuya didn't know who that was. Raphtalia visibly got upset.

"Why are we going back to that sleazy slave trader?" She asked, Yuya had to do a double take on her reaction to that. Was she pouting?! And people called him messed up?

"I just want to check something with his help." Naofumi sighed after seeing her pout.

The walk to the Slaver's place was awkwardly silent after that. Yuya's nose crinkled when they entered the tent. The short man welcomed the Shield Hero with gusto. Yuya growled when the man in glasses eyed him like an exotic prize.

"Now where'd you find a beauty like this? I must say such a fair face would fetch a rather high sum on the market." He said making a move to examine his sleeves. Yuya sparked. The man seemed very amused by the purple haired youth's reaction.

"Inncolent pig!" Yuya sneered. "Touch me and I won't hesitate in beheading you…" He threatened. His tone had gone toxic and his gaze piercing. The power behind his statement seem to ring like thunder.

"That's enough Yuya, Beloukas is a business partner, it reflects poorly on me if you keep running your mouth like that." Naofumi warned. Yuya paused, his lord was scolding him. Yuya bristled at being outright told to shut up.

Swallowing his bruised pride he turned with a huff. "Maybe if these humans showed me some respect I wouldn't have to lose my temper."Yuya back talked to his lord. Naofumi sighed.

"I apologize for his threats even if they are warranted, Yuya isn't one for crass jokes at his expense." Naofumi said, rolling his eyes at the frankly horrible joke.

"I merely jest, is this young man with you by choice? How rare, though I can't seem to pin down what he is, those markings don't look to be made from ink. Care to share?"The man seemed way too interested in Yuya as an oddity to be examined. The puppet shifted away from Beloukas, pulling his turtleneck up more. When did it slip?!

Yuya shot his lord a look."Well? He doesn't appear to be a demi-human and with how he spoke he doesn't concider himself human." The man continued to probe. His gaze made Yuya feel very uncomfortable.

"I was under the impression you didn't trust anyone dear Shield Hero."The man had an infuriating smile, Naofumi's eyes hardened at that. With a flourish of his shield it turned into the Shouki no Kami's String Shield.

"Seeing as he is some type of creature, how about I give you a discount and put a Slave Crest on this pretty thing you found." Beloukas offered as that same sleazy smile painted his face.

Yuya wasn't expecting this sudden shift in demeanor from his young lord. "It's not needed. Nor is it a good idea, he passes too convincingly as a human, Yuya can't go against me either," He flicked the Shield, Yuya froze as he felt his joints locking in place. Yuya decided he didn't like the feeling of his autonomy being robbed one bit now that he wasn't on his godhood high.

"He's a puppet I found and fixed up, this shield makes sure he can't betray me."The hero gave a simple enough explanation. Yuya grunted, his previous bravado melted into silence.

"I see, I see… What an amazing find! Now then do enlighten, how certain are you that you can keep him in line?" The man clasped his hands together. Another annoyingly nosy question. Yuya hated humans like that the most. Well almost as much as overly chatty ones.

Yuya glanced at his lord yet again… He was still frozen in place; a silent command had overwritten his own autonomy. Was this punishment for being too openly aggressive? Yuya wasn't sure.

He simmered down, closing his eyes. That shield was terrifying… It had full access to his systems form the feel of things… Lord Naofumi has never used that before or told him… So why now? A demonstration of power? Punishment? Yuya couldn't decipher the reasoning. He settled on trusting that his lord would rerun his autonomy once they were gone.

Yuya realized his urge to maim was very much still present. Did his lord pick up on that and choose caution over risk? Yuya felt tired… When was the last time he just rested? He couldn't recall.

"My shield, as I said, makes it impossible for him to go against me."He made a gesture. Yuya's eyes snapped open when his arm moved without his consent. Like invisible strings pulled at his limbs. Yuya felt conflicted, the feeling of someone else dictating his movements wasn't too bad. Though this illustrated just how far he had fallen. From reaching near godhood to being reduced back to the naive puppet he once was.

The mustached man was delighted by the display. "How interesting indeed! Though I do wonder, why have you come if you're not here to bind this monster to you?" The words of the dealer made Yuya want to commit violence again. Though he couldn't exactly find fault in being called a monster. Not with the things he had done.

"What I'm here for is Raphtalia, has her Crest been tampered with in any way?" Noafumi asked, drawing attention to the Racoon girl. The slave dealer made a thinking noise examining the slave girl.

"I see, alright, though you know the drill, although I must say she has grown to be quite the beauty as well." The man laughed then made a motion to one of Naofumi's pouches. That annoying nasty smile crossed his face. The man was asking for money for the service. Naofumi dropped some coins down.

"Just do it and I'll pay a little extra." Naofumi said. Raphtalia was instructed to sit down. Moving her shirt down so they could see the Crest. Beloukas got to work.

Yuya was released from the Shield's power, he blinked when he realized he could move on his own again. He turned to look around instead. Naofumi's attention was caught by a grid box with several eggs in them. Yuya examined them with his Elemental Sight.

Each came up either white or tinted with some elemental energy traces on them. Naofumi hummed as he waited, staring intensely at the eggs. They all appeared to have a Crest on them. Different from the one Raphtalia and the caged slaves had.

"What's with the eggs?" His lord asked. The trader was just about done with checking the seal.

"Those? This is a Monster egg Lottery. For 100 silvers you're at least guaranteed to get a Folial egg. If you take care of them properly you can get a monster for twice its value. Would you like to test your luck?" The man asked. That annoying smile never leaves his very punchable face. "and if you're lucky you'll win a dragon! And a beast like that is worth 20 gold pieces!" The man exclaimed very enthusiastically.

"Is it like a gatcha game…?" His lord muttered to himself. Gatcha? Yuya had a vague recollection of what that was, right it had become a recent fad in Inazuma city thanks to that dumb fox.

"Did that catch your fancy?" Beloukas did pause before he said it. The term was alien to the man. Yuya rolled his eyes as Naofumi considered it.

"What even is a Filolial?"The Shield asked. From the context Yuya gathered it was probably some common tameable monster.

"Oh it's those giant birds you see pulling carts and carriages around!" Raphtalia piped up again as she pulled her shirt up. The seal was luckily untampered with.

Naofumi thought it over and then settled on what he wanted to do. He bought an egg. Raphtalia wasn't very pleased with that. Though Yuya could tell she was more upset about how much silver it cost to get rather than buying a pet.

Their next stop was the herbalist store. "You should be more careful with your spending! Why'd you take it anyway?" She asked tail bristling.

"Having a monster would mean more fighters, I can't expect you and Yuya to always do the fighting." Naofumi said, shaking his head slightly.

"I can fight just fine! Right Yuya?" She was very insistent on dragging the puppet into this. Yuya shot her a look.

"Having Extra fighting power won't hurt us, I see no issue or error in lord Naofumi's decision or reasoning." Yuya shrugged. Raphtalia huffed at that.

"You always take Master's side." She childishly stuck her tongue out at Yuya. Naofumi rolled his eyes listening to them bicker. He held back a small chuckle, finding their small argument to be rather pointless.

"I don't always! It just happens to make sense!" Yuya's response was equally childish. "Why should we waste our time with small fry when someone else can do it for us anyway?" The puppet huffed, crossing his arms.

"Settle down you two, we still have business in town, and if the monster isn't worth keeping I'll just sell it back." Naofumi reassured Raphtalia. The girl huffed as well. Naofumi found it oddly wholesome at how his two Companions seem to copy each other's mannerisms.

They reached the store. The owner greeted them a lot more openly. Yuya opted to look around rather than listen to what the humans had to say. It didn't concern him yet.

Turns out their lord couldn't read the language of this world. Yuya glanced over to the grimoire being offered as a reward. He couldn't make heads or tails from what was written in it either. Naofumi frowned as he let the medicine man know he couldn't read the book.

The man then directed the trio to a magic shop, apparently they saved the witch's grandson during the wave. The mention of magic got the puppet's attention. They headed over right away.

"Wonder if this witch has any catalysts for sale…"Yuya muttered on the way.

"Right, you already use magic so we'll find something for you there for sure." Naofumi said as he absentmindedly pat Yuya on the head. The puppet fought down a blush at the doting touch.

The witch was a very friendly old lady that offered to test their magic affinities. Seeing no reason to turn down this offer, Naofumi allowed it.

"Oh my you have the rare affinity for healing and support magic and you have affinity to earth magic, sir hero." She informed them. That seemed to fit the role that that archon damned shield was trying to force onto Lord Naofumi. Raphtalia was up next.

"And you my dear have a strong affinity to light and dark magic, make sure you learn illusion magic." The witch continued. Raphtalia lit up at that. "You are a racoon demi-human so this affinity comes natural with your kind after all." She was a lot nicer than most of the humans in this castle town.

"You're up next, my what a pretty face you have."Yuya shrugged at that. He was very aware of how attention grabbing his face was. Honestly it was getting annoying again but he'd endure it, the elderly deserve some respect.

"Let's see…. Oh My you're very suited for combat oriented magic, your affinity is lighting and wind magic, though it does seem you have minor affinity for water, fire and ice magic as well, very well rounded, you should take time learning a bit of each." The old lady said. Lighting was expected but wind and the other elements?

"Oh wow that's so cool Yuya!" Raphtalia said, turning to him. "You can learn so many spells!" Her tail wagged behind her to emphasize her excitement. Yuya coughed but gave a condensing laugh.

"Alalala, I am a divine vessel after all it's only natural the elements bend to my whims." He hid his face with a turn, eyeing the books around them. Looking for a suitable weapon replacement. "Hey old hag do you have any catalysts?" Yuya asked, shifting a bit into his ruder demeanor.

The witch hummed, not bothered by his words." Oh? Do you already practice magic young lad?" She asked. Yuya nodded.

"I'm technically this party's mage, though using a book or an orb would give me more freedom in movement than this staff I'm currently using is allowing me. Right now it's just a glorified spear." Yuya said. She tapped the book she had on the desk.

"Well I have this magic grimoire right here." She said, Naofumi looked at it with a thoughtful look.

"I don't think we can afford it yet…" The hero said. "If you have any cheaper options that would be great." Naofumi concluded.

"Nonsense I was going to offer this book as a thankyou for saving my grandchild, I would have liked to give you a crystal ball instead… But I assume all the heros were given some by the king, you can instantly learn a spell contained within one." She explained. Naofumi scowled at that.

"Of course they did… Everyone got some but me." The bitter tone sunk in for a moment before he shook his head.

"Oh dear, though with a Grimoire it takes longer but you can learn a lot of magic from this book if you put in the hard work." The witch insisted with a smile. "I am very certain you'd be able to figure it out, dears."

"So we'll take the Grimoire then. Thank you very much." Naofumi said, accepting the book. He blinked at his own words for a moment.

"Does this mean we're sharing it…?" Yuya asked. He didn't like that idea.

"Just for now, you can use it as you please in combat, so do keep your staff on you just encase." Naofumi said with a small eye roll at Yuya's question. The puppet sighed but didn't push it further. With that done, the preparations for now came to an end.

They ended up in the forest to take a look at the grimoire, Naofumi voiced his frustration in not being able to understand the language again. Raphtalia offered to help him learn. Yuya coughed again.

"I can't read it either…" He admitted, eyes shifting to the ground. Raphtalia laughed then boldly declared.

"Then let's all work together to learn how to use magic and read, I'll be more than happy to teach you guys the basics!" the raccoon girl said.

Naofumi layed out what they'd do next. "We'll go to Lute Village for the night then do some grinding after."

The life of a hero had an annoying amount of traveling around, Yuya found the trips from one location to the other very tedious. Maybe whatever will hatch from that egg would be a beast of burden. Having something to ride on would make traveling way more bearable. While he enjoyed traveling, it lost its charm if they only traveled to the same places over and over again.

Yuya found himself flipping through the pages as they walked. Testing the book. He made it float, swinging around his arms the book followed his commands. He took a pot shot at a small monster that tried to ambush them on the road. The electro responded correctly. Yuya smiled to himself, very satisfied with the results. The remains of the monster were charred.

"Having fun over there?" Naofumi's voice broke Yuya out of his small sadistic kick. Feeling the heat rise in his cheeks again at being caught playing around with the new book.

"I was just testing it!" Yuya huffed dismissing the book. It reappeared behind his back and floated there for a moment before dissolving into golden particles.

The inn was pretty busy all things considered, they ordered some food and a room. Yuya poked the small meal he got as the other two looked through the grimoire. Raphtalia was pointing out some things on how to read. So Yuya did listen in.

They went to bed shortly after. Well Yuya just found a corner in the room and sat down there to meditate instead of sleeping. Raphtalia fell asleep pretty quickly however.

Yuya opened his eyes to a cracking sound. His young lord was standing over the egg incubator. Yuya realized the egg was hatching as Naofumi beconned both of his companions to come take a look. Sure enough the egg hatched.

A rather large pink puffball of a bird was born with pretty blue eyes. It cheeped happily upon making eye contact with their lord clumsily jumping at his hair. Making it a nest. Yuya openly laughed at this. Especially with the look his lord had on his face. Priceless.

Raphtalia found it adorable. "Aw! It thinks you're its mother!" She cooed. The bird seems to agree with another happy noise. Nuzzling into its own feathers it got comfy on Naofumi's head.

"I'm not it's mother…!" The hero denied. Yuya laughed lightly at that.

"You've collected two brats so far." The puppet teased. He shot Yuya a look. "I'm older than all you put together." The puppet shrugged feeling slightly smug. The little bird made a noise as if to remind them it was there.

"So how old are you exactly again?" Raphtalia asked. The puppet hummed in thought. He wasn't quite sure of the exact number.

Naofumi and the bird both stared at him expectantly. "The fact you're stalling must mean something."

"I can't pin down the exact number so a rough estimate would be… Under 500 years give or take… could be more if I count the time spent in another realm.."That was not counting the hours he spent down in the Abyss.

"You've been to other worlds before?" Naofumi asked. Yuya shook his head.

"It's more of a hell hole where all the monsters of my world reside. Time flows differently there."Yuya offered his tone got a bit more somber. He didn't continue as the pink bird cried out for food.

The course of the following two days were filled with grinding, feeding the bird and learning how to read and use magic. Yuya was surprised with how fast the pink bird grew. She grew to like Yuya a lot. When she wasn't riding on Naofumi's shoulders the bird was trying to sit on Yuya's. Much to his embarrassment.

During magic practice a near accident occurred as Yuya was testing out the so-called wind affinity he had.

"Get off! I'm not a perch!" Yuya complained as he suddenly got pushed forward by an increasingly growing Filolial, interrupting his mid casting attempt. Raphtalia laughed at Yuya's expense, he growled very openly at that but gave up when the bird refused to let go. The stray air current nearly hit their lord. He didn't look all impressed.

Eventually the bird became the size of a fully grown Filolial, she was also really fast and eager to run around carrying things and people, she nearly ran off with Naofumi when he tried to ride her back.

The speed she reached made it difficult for the human to hold on. The puppet found it very amusing while Raphtalia worryingly followed after.

The bird had to be kept in a stable as she was now way too big to fit in the buildings. "Filo sure grew up fast." Naofumi said as he fed her some food.

Raphtalia raised an eyebrow at the name. "Filo..? As in Filolial? Isn't that a bit too obvious?" She asked. Naofumi shrugged.

"Yeah but she seems to like it. And I think I'm pretty good at naming things. Yuya doesn't seem to mind his name either." Naofumi felt the need to defend his name choice. Said puppet rolled his eyes.

"Thank the Archons you didn't saddle me with something that literal."Yuya couldn't resist poking fun at his lord. Filo turned her head with a cute 'gwheh?' noise at this. She got excited again, trilling as she pressed her face towards Yuya. He blinked at the sudden closeness. She was demanding pets…

The puppet sighed and relented. Though it looked like he swallowed something sour doing so in view of the others and the people around the stable.

The rather joyful mood was ruined by the sound of marching troops and an obnoxious horn signaling the arrival of the princess and her hero. Naofumi's good mood took a visible nosedive as they went to check out what the commotion was about.

The princess claimed that the village of Lute now belonged to Motoyasu as part of his reward for clearing the wave. Crowning him the new lord of the area. The villagers weren't too happy about it. Rightfully so.

Yuya easily saw this as some exploitation attempt. These people wouldn't just have 50 silvers lying around. If this new taxation was approved, this small village would die out rather pathetically and fast. His lord realized this so he spoke up. It irked how smugly the Spear sat on top of his dragon mount.

"Motoyasu you can't be serious, you'll only bleed them dry, do you even know how much it costs to stay at the inn here? 1 silver food included." hearing the Shield stand up for them, the villagers agreed to Naofumi's words, protesting the absolute absurdity of the taxation price.

Malty grew furious at the lack of blind acceptance. She ordered her guards to attack right before she was stopped. Some robed and masked people dropped from the trees… Yuya had to calm himself. Those masks looked eerily similar to what Fatui Pyro agents wore. He had to tell himself that was impossible. It was just a coincidence… Filo 'gwehed' softly pressing her head against Yuya.

She somehow picked up his slight panic. Yuya felt foolish, these people had to have been there the entire time and he didn't notice! He was losing his touch. Yuya was getting too comfortable, he mentally berated himself for being so situationally unaware. So he took the time to signal out these masked strangers. Getting a good read on them before they enevidably disappeared again.

He should even leave an elemental tracer on them if he had the chance. Yuya despised the idea that they were being watched the entire time, being observed like lab rats in a deadly maze. He was snapped out of his more brooding thoughts when that bitch of a princess challenged his lord to a dragon race of all things.

How childish. "I refuse, this has nothing to do with me." Naofumi said, gripping Filo's reins tighter. He had no desire being pulled into the royal scum's schemes any further. The village chief begged Naofumi to reconsider.

Pointing out they didn't have the authority to fight against the Knights. Yuya's lord being the ever bleeding heart despite it being so tightly guarded eventually agreed to the race. Playing it off as him wanting to shut the Spear Hero up and with how Filo was growling at the dragon. It seemed like their newest addition wanted to do this more than anyone else.

Chapter Text

So here Yuya stood at the sidelines watching his lord give Filo head pats. The puppet found this whole thing ridiculous. Honestly. Choosing a lord for this land through a race is so childish. That was no way to decide on an overseer. But one thing Yuya learned about this princess was, she wasn't rational or had any capacity to rule justly. Only going on her own whims and agendas. It reminded him a bit of how the Harbingers operated. They could get away with literally anything If the Tsaritsa didn't see an issue with it.

And even then, the things Dottore got away with spoke volumes of how little the Cryo Archon really cared. Yuya snapped back to reality as Raphtalia settled next to him. "I do hope they play fair for once." She said, trouble was bound to start when the Spear Hero approached their lord.

"Doesn't that blond fool ever learn?" Yuya questioned as the Spear taunted Filo. Filo did not like it one bit. Especially after she got insulted. Yuya laughed really hard when Filo kicked the Spear Hero right in the crotch, sending the hero flying into some hay.

Naofumi and Filo snickered rather amused as well at Filo's excellent kick. Raphtalia was more fixated on her lord. She never saw him laugh quite like that before.

"Sir Motoyasu! Someone get a healer!" The princess barked out before turning furiously at the Shield's party, her blood boiled, hearing them laugh at Motoyasu's pain. That short brat being the loudest of them all. "That's cheating!" She accused Naofumi.

"It's not my fault he got too close." Naofumi laughed, he settled down a bit giving Filo more attention. Likely to encourage her to do it again. Yuya for one approved of this behavior. The puppet composed himself as the preparation for the race was made.

After the Spear recovered from his pain, the race would soon start. The two Heroes now on their mounts ready to go at it on the race track.

The race started with Filo taking the lead. She was kicking up quite the storm leaving the Spear and knight in the dust. Taking the lead, though, Yuya felt elemental energy suddenly sparking to life. It felt similar to Geo. True enough a hole appeared on the course. Yuya narrowed his eyes. He changed his vision, the world around him dimmed as colors glowed before him. The people all appeared white. There is someone glowing green…? That wasn't the shade of Dendro… Or the right color for Geo. So the magic here had different colors. What a pain.

"That knight cheated."Yuya said as Filo tripped to avoid the hole. Raphtalia gasped at how hard that fall looked.

"Oh no Filo!" Raphtalia was more worried about their fledgling than the cheating. The Spear Hero took the lead as if he didn't even notice the cheating. Yuya was impressed at how unobservant the blond was.

Filo and their lord recovered. Yuya decided to track those masked people. Using his elemental sight he tried picking them out from the environment. Sure enough he spotted the white 'Physical' element. He strutted off as the others intensely watched the race.

He made his way over to the tree line. "You know they're cheating." Yuya spoke without looking up. The cloaked person seemed surprised Yuya even spotted them.

"I dare ask how you figure that?" They asked the strange being the Shield Hero showed up with one day. The masked person was curious.

"Simply put… I have a skill that allows me to see mana in use. That hole also appeared out of nowhere. Surely you won't let this go unpunished?"The puppet answered casually."It would be such a pain if my lord has to deal with more hurdles than needed." A silent threat played on the young man's lips.

"We shall interfere once the race has concluded." They said, Yuya sighed at that.

"Who even are you?" The puppet asked. These masked people had real Authority with how the bitch of a princess reacted.

"You may call us Shadows. That's all you need to know, Companion of the Shield Hero."They said stiffly. Yuya thinks he understood. So these Shadows were royal retainers much like the Fatui higher ups. Clearly not as strong as the Harbingers, but competent enough to handle important tasks."I dare say you are quite observant."

Yuya rolled his eyes. He caught another flash. Those cheating soldiers cast a spell on his lord. Yuya scoffed as Filo suddenly got a lot slower. The dragon knight passed them shortly after. "Why let this farce play out? Their being so painfully obvious..!" Yuya hissed pointing at the guard that just cheated.

"I'm confident that your Lord will win. We shall make sure he isn't slighted." The Shadow insisted. Yuya growled. Useless human. He turned to the direction of the guard who dared to hinder the race.

"I'm not letting them interfere any longer." His book appeared next to him, startling the Shadow. They felt a strong intent to maim coming from the puppet.

"Stop! You'll get your lord into trouble." The Shadow had jumped down grabbing the puppet by the arm. The sparks that had formed around his fingers disappeared as he was interrupted.

"Release my arm or I'll rip yours off." Yuya spoke. He glared down at the Shadow. The Shadow felt like they were staring down a monster for a moment before they let go. "Hoh? A well trained human. That's new." The puppet sounded mocking and condescending.

The shadow was surprised at how… utterly infuriating it was to talk to the one named Yuya, how he looked down on them like that. This switch in behavior was concerning. Dangerous. Yuya was in all sense of the word Dangerous. What monster has the Shield found? Was he aware that he was making a beast that could lead to trouble stronger?

"My my… That look on your face… Is priceless. Ara… I must say, you're more observant than most… you know I'm a threat to you all, but relax, If I wanted to cause trouble, you'd all be dead by now." Yuya said with a sweet smile. "I've missed that feeling of fear wafting from humans in my presence…" He laughed to himself.

"Do keep your promise or I'll do something to make that fear a reality." Yuya had no qualms in spilling blood or causing panic. He enjoyed the rush he got from the Shadow's reactions. He made his way back over to the cheering crowd. The race was almost over. Yuya saw that poor beast Spear Hero was riding was trying its best after all. They were neck and neck.

Filo managed to cross first by her beak. She 'gweehed' happily as she skidded to a halt. Suddenly proofing into a larger bird that looked more like a chicken now. Naofumi looked surprised at this sudden change, Motoyasu cursed as he dismounted from the dragon, clearly still sore from the crotch kick. The dragon looked upset that it lost. Myne accused the Shield of cheating. Yuya growled, that insolent brat!

True to their word. The Shadows interfered with the princess. Announcing that the Spear Hero's side cheated as none of the Shield Hero's party members had the right affinities to cast such magics. Naofumi frowned upon hearing this.

It was concerning to the Hero that the masked people knew so much about them. Yuya narrowed his eyes, settling next to Naofumi, arms crossed over his chest. The princess was forced to leave though they were taking their sweet time preparing to depart, the princess fumed as she barked orders for her guards to hurry it up. Yuya felt smug at seeing her frustration. He taunted her silently from his spot.

Motoyasu glared at them. "Just so you know. I let you win. Don't think it will happen again, especially with that tub of-!" Spear was cut off from talking.

"Hey now how's your crotch doing?" Naofumi asked, rightfully smug. Yuya snickered under his breath as the Spear started to limp away with his tail tucked between his legs so to speak. Severed them right!

Raphtalia looked slightly mortified at the crude comment Naofumi made. Her tail bristled."Master Naofumi, you can't say such things!" She felt like he didn't need to stoop to potshots like that! She did not appreciate Yuya encouraging this behavior one bit either!

Yuya then noticed they didn't make a single effort to grab the dragon. It blinked as the hero didn't take its reins again, it stood there with visible confusion forming on its scaley face. "Leave the dumb thing. It's clearly not suited to keep up with a hero like Sir Motoyasu!" Malty huffed out, she was livid it lost the race.

"So you're just going to abandon your beast because you lost?" Yuya spoke out. It left a bad taste in his mouth as he walked up to the dragon with a sudden wave of something hitting him. Yuya felt that strange feeling coiling in his chest, a pang of pain he experienced whenever he thought of when he was discarded and declared useless.

"Ah.. What?" The Spear turned to see the short menace walking up to the dragon knight.

"You really are a coward. This poor thing tried its best and this is how you reward it?" The puppet raised his hands up to the blue dragon's face. To everyone's shock the lizard placed its head into the pretty boy's palms making some noises that seemed positive. "Hmm? What a well mannered beast… I think I shall claim you as my own seeing as they have no more use for you." Filo made a sound of pure offense at Yuya's words.

Naofumi blinked, what has gotten into Yuya? "I'll put you to better use." Naofumi got the feeling that was more personal than he first thought. Motoyasu looked ready to protest but Myne lost her patients and demanded they leave already, leaving the puppet with the dragon.

"You can't be serious Yuya." Raphtalia spoke. Her tail swished from side to side. She looked at him as if he grew a second head or something.

"I am. They just abandoned it like worthless dross. I'm keeping it. Surely you can grant me this selfish wish, Lord Naofumi?"Yuya turned to the human, there was a strange undertone to Yuya's voice that Naofumi had never heard before, it was a sharp contrast to what the hero was used to hearing from Yuya.

Filo growled again at this, feathers puffed. The dragon hissed back. A single stare from Yuya got them both to settle." That's enough from you two."That tone did not leave room for argument, the previous tenderness vanished as fast as it appeared, Naofumi even flinched a bit. Yuya could get really scary at times. The Shield sighed seeing as Yuya wouldn't budge on the matter.

"Fine but you're responsible for it, you're also in charge of making sure Filo and the dragon get along, you're good at keeping them in line." Naofumi relented. Another party member wouldn't hurt them either. Yuya smirked to himself.

"Sure I'll make sure they behave."The puppet said, running his hand over the scales of the dragon. This was a very impulsive decision he made so he would commit to it. Yuya wasn't one to go back on his word without good reason.

The villagers soon gathered around to thank Naofumi for his victory and saving them from extortive taxes. They wanted to give Naofumi a reward. Lord Naofumi refused the money, but Filo pointed out an old cart. She wanted it, so they got it. The villagers fixed it up. Yuya opted to ride his new dragon instead of inside the cart. Claiming he didn't want to be cramped into a moving box the entire time.

The village's lord gave Naofumi a Trader's permit after they talked a bit about Naofumi taking on the mantle of a traveling merchant so their passage from town to town would be free. They set off as soon as the cart was ready to be used.

Filo was having a blast pulling the cart as Naofumi got used to steering it. He's never steered a bird drawn carriage before. Yuya was half impressed with how quickly the human figured things out, was this a hero thing?

Raphtalia got motion sickness a few hours after they started going to their next destination. Yuya snickered as he rode alongside the cart. His dragon happily trotted along. Naofumi stopped to let Raphtalia throw up at the side of the road.

They later set up camp when nighttime hit. Filo happily snuggled against her cart. She shot a small glare at Yuya and the dragon. Yuya rolled his eyes as he got to cooking. Naofumi set up the sleeping gear and made sure Raphtalia was okay. She seemed red in the face.

"Sorry for making you both do all the work…" Raphtalia said. She honestly hated getting sick. Naofumi dismissed her apologies as he checked her temperature.

"Do you have a fever?" He asked. She shook her head looking over to Filo.

"She seems so happy now that she can pull that cart." The racoon said with a small smile. Her eyes landed on Yuya, he was a strange guy for sure. She wondered what he was making for them this time. They took turns on who cooked as Yuya was oddly insistent on doing so.

He offered soup for everyone. Naofumi was pleasantly surprised by how it tasted. Ever since the duel Naofumi had been able to taste more again… It wasn't fully back but basic tastes registered with him now. "Did you get better at cooking?" Naofumi asked.

Yuya bristled as he fed Filo and the Dragon. He put two bowls down for them. Filo happily dug in. She got extra meat chunks as she was bigger. Yuya made sure to give the dragon a lot as well. Though it wasn't nearly as gluttonous as the Filolial.

"How insulting! I always make great food! You're just impossible to cook for!" The puppet huffed out rather cutely. Naofumi found it to be at least. Yuya really had such squishy looking cheeks. Shaking his head slightly amused he hummed, drinking the soup. They soon settled into a peaceful quiet around their temporary camp. The fire crackled softly in the night.

Later they fell asleep. Filo decided to use their Lord as a pillow. Yuya was staring up at the sky. Using his dragon as a headrest himself. His eyes fixated on the stars above there the entire night. Thinking things over, this sky wasn't like the one back in Teyvat. It was still a jarring change from the night sky he was used to, even if he had been in this world for quite some time now.

These stars looked more random and spread out compared to the way the stars in Teyvat's sky clumped together. It was a mockery of the real thing.

Yuya wondered where he would have been if he didn't end up here… imprisoned? Back in the Doctor's 'care'?

He sighed, no use in dwelling on what ifs. During some point Yuya noticed Filo suddenly changed shape in her sleep. Yuya closed his eyes for a moment to try and sleep. He wasn't tired. It was just boring waiting for the sun to rise.

The next day came eventually. Lord Naofumi woke up to something he wasn't expecting. A blond haired little girl snuggling up to him… It dawned on the hero that the kid was naked, so of course he freaked out. Startling everyone awake.

Yuya's eyes snapped open as his catalyst appeared ready to fight whatever startled his lord. Only to relax when he realized what was going on.

Raphtalia looked confused as she woke. They didn't seem to realize the little girl was Filo. Yuya's dragon made a noise as it was startled as well, its head shot up looking around frantically. Yuya sat up, giving his dragon a few soothing pets. "Shh it's fine." He said keeping his voice calm.

He looked to his Lord and Filo who was confused at the reactions she got. She could speak perfectly the human language too it seemed. Once everyone calmed down things got sorted out. Naofumi had draped a cloak over Filo so she wouldn't run around bare. Filo later showed off her ability to transform between a big chunky bird and a little girl. She was proud of herself.

"Give me that cloak. She isn't walking around in a tasteless looking rag." Yuya said, grabbing the fabric from him. Raphtalia looked at Yuya questioningly.

"You can tailor clothes?" She asked. The puppet nodded as he brought out some supplies he usually used to repair his kimono with.

"It's not all different from doll making." He said as he made the cloak look a bit more presentable. It wasn't anything fancy. He just turned the brown fabric into a dress that fit Filo's human form. Yuya's dragon watched from its spot. He would have to name it soon.

"Oh wow big brother knows how to make things!" Filo gasped excitedly as she hovered over Yuya with a big smile. Yuya felt his face heat up at being addressed in such a manner.

"Don't call me that…!"Yuya hissed as he huffed, embarrassed by the title."Just Yuya is fine. None of that familial nonsense…"Yuya felt another annoying pang pull at his empty chest. That ever persistent void made everything he felt so much worse.

Yuya finished making the modifications and dressed Filo up properly, he was being very careful with her despite his hostile wording. Filo twirled happily showing off her temporary dress with an angelic smile.

"Thanks a lot Yuya!" She beamed before turning to taunt the dragon. Trying to make it jealous as she got a new item and it didn't. The dragon huffed in response smacking its tail to the ground in rising irritation, a small hiss-like growl escaped its throat.

"Alright…! Let's go get Filo some proper gear. I doubt that will last long."Naofumi decided as he felt the rising tension. He clapped his hands together as he ordered them to settle down.

So the party of five returned to Castle Town to see Erhard. Erhard blinked as Naofumi came in with yet another party member, a blond girl with wings. “Another one?” He shot Naofumi a questioning look.

"She isn't a slave." Naofumi insisted with a straight face. Filo looked around excitedly. "Do you have anything that can change shape with it's user? Filo can shapeshift."Naofumi explained his question before Erhard could ask why.

"Sorry I don't sell magical clothes, but there's a tailor shop that can make the clothes you need for you." The blacksmith said. He then gave the Shield's party directions to the shop in question.

The trip there wasn't too bad. Yuya stayed outside with his Dragon this time. Keeping the mount company as it got lonely for being made to wait outside for so long. Yuya had a feeling it was just jealous of Filo who was getting all the attention recently. He wasn't expecting this little trip to turn into a whole fetch quest.

Chapter Text

This was bad. The false god disappeared along with his giant mechanical body. Nahida frowned looking around the destroyed chamber. No sign of the Balladeer aside from the rubble.

The god of wisdom had just returned from Irmensal. Purging the forbidden knowledge with the help of the Traveler and Paimon, she felt disturbed by sorrow she could not pinpoint the cause off.

They had been in such a rush that they forgot to check on their Fatui foe. The tiny god bent down. Fingers brushing over the broken floor. Pieces of it were missing; only ground remained where the Shouki No Kami once laid. The tingling feeling in the air made her feel nervous.

Traveler walked over. Paimon peeked out from behind the blonde. "Um… You-you-you don't think the Doctor took back the Balladeer…?" The fairy thing was clearly on edge because of this judging from the stuffer her words had.

Nahida shook her head. "No… this wasn't the Doctor's doing. There's no way he could have made the Shouki no Kami disappear that quickly and leave no traces behind." She floated up. Bringing out the gnoses she had. Both floated next to each other. Dendro and Electro pulsed together.

"What are you doing Nahida?" Paimon asked, staring at the two divine objects.

"Testing something… I Think because of the two gnoses clashing… something must have triggered. If you focus you can feel the air here is different. I'm sure you're familiar with the reality tearing techniques the Electro Archon wields." Nahida answered not looking at the duo.

Traveler put their hand on their chin, thinking things through." I am very familiar with it… "They said." Are you saying the Dendro and Electro Gnoses tore space here?"

"What no way! Paimon thinks we would have noticed if that happened!" Paimon denied. "That sounds so weird!"

"No, the Traveler is correct. Though on its own The Electro Gnosis can't achieve this but say its been boosted by another source equal to it in strength? With the Dendro Gnosis' ability to bend reality and the Electro Gnosis' ability to tear and create spaces. Combining the two most likely caused a reaction similar to what you'd expect from mixing the elements together." Nahida said. She moved her hands in a motion. The two energies pulsed again.

A small tear formed for a second on the ground before it flickered out from existence. Paimon gasped at this. From the worried look she spied on the Traveler made her put two and two together.

"Wait! Does that mean the Balladeer isn't on Teyvat anymore?! Let alone Sumeru City?!" She shrieked out in panic.

"Yes… The Balladeer is no longer here… But… I can't help but feel dread." The Dendro Archon confessed.

"Yeah who knows what trouble he could cause without anyone there to stop him!" Paimon shouted, blinded by her dislike for the Harbinger.

"I'm more worried about the state he was in. We beat him and he fell really far… I can't help but feel responsible." Nahida was too kind for her own good.

"He had it coming but I understand your concern… he belongs in Teyvat."Traveler said.

"How sure are we that he's even still alive… if he fell through a rift in space?" Paimon asked, rubbing her head in growing confusion.

"I can tell as much, this rift that formed is more akin to those portals the Abyss Order used. So it had to open somewhere. Whether or not the other side is safe… I do not know. But I can't leave him stranded. The Balladeer is very durable so I don't think he's dead but he won't be safe from danger." Nahida said, with this new issue at hand she turned to the Traveler.

"The Doctor is still an issue. I can't let these fall into the Fatui's hands. Nor can we let them know their Harbinger disappeared. Sumeru isn't equipped to deal with a war between it and Snezniya."She said, worry painted her youthful face.

"Not until we retrieve the Balladeer. Traveler, you've done enough so I won't keep you here."She said returning the gnoses into their hiding spots.

"It's fine… I'll see what I can do." They said. It was pretty irresponsible of them to leave the Balladeer be. No, a destructive entity like Scaramouche can't be left to roam free. They had a lot of work ahead of them.

Chapter Text

Yuya stared blankly forward, the witch at the store had told them it would take awhile for her spinwheel to be fixed so in the meantime his young lord decided to travel a bit via the cart. Filo wasn't comfortable with the idea of sharing it with the dragon knight. But her complaints were not received.

Yuya had to think of a name for his mount. He couldn't just keep calling it the dragon… It was tedious, so he would have to think of a proper name.

Names were very important to him even if he would deny it when asked. Yuya secretly cherished the name he was currently using, it felt a lot more personalized to him as well. His old titles weren't really names but he liked having them. The one Naofumi gifted him felt right, as dumb as that sentiment was.

So he spent the rest of the trip thinking of a name. Annoyingly his thoughts kept drifting back to Inazuma, a snake to be exact. The one his mother had slain decades ago. The Orobashi… He sighed stretching on his dragon's back.

"It's better than nothing… Alright, you're now named Orobashi." He pet Orobashi's neck as he whispered the name to the dragon. The dragon made a happy noise at that. Jumping a bit. Yuya grabbed hold of his reins to prevent himself from falling.

"Calm down idiot!"The puppet complained. Filo glanced over. Her feathers puffed out slightly with a growl. Raphtalia pulled at Filo's reins.

"Focus Filo!"The cart had started going off course a bit. The bird looked sheepish at being caught as she worked to steady the cart again. The raccoon sighed in relief once the cart stopped shaking so much.

"Sorry…" The bird muttered as she continued her track. She shot Orobashi one final nasty glare before focusing on the road ahead of her. Yuya sighed, that rivalry was going to get old fast if they didn't learn to get along.

Up ahead a man was running. From what Yuya could tell he was carrying a bottle. Filo slowed down as Naofumi made them stop to hear out the human. "I need to get this medicine to the village just across the mountain!" the man pleaded.

Yuya resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His lord was way too kind as he asked the bird how long it would take to get there. She gave an answer. The three set off after his lord demanded payment in some form worth one silver." You three stay put while I deal with this."Naofumi ordered as he set off with Filo and the other man.

He waited with the cart."I finally named it." Yuya spoke to Raphtalia after a moment. She looked over to him and the dragon.

"Oh! That's wonderful, what's his name?" She asked leaning over to pet the dragon's head. Yuya paused for a moment, collecting himself. He's been slowly changing, he wasn't sure what to think about it. Starting conversations wasn't something he usually did. He justified it with the purpose of passing time and making the raccoon aware of the new name.

"Orobashi." He kept his words at a minimum, he would have to re announce this when their lord came back with Filo.

Sure enough his lord eventually returned with a new idea on what they'd spend their time on now. Yuya groaned loudly, hearing what it was.

"What? You don't like the idea of me becoming a wandering Merchant?" His lord asked. Yuya scowled at that.

"I don't like dealing with people. This explicitly will force me to interact with them." The puppet explained his displeasure. The Shield Hero didn't look all amused by Yuya's answer.

"Suck it up, this is what we'll be doing, it's idiotic to pass up a money making opportunity like this."Naofumi told the puppet, who in turn sighed in defeat, knowing he would cross a line if he continued to object.

"Very well, but don't expect me to play nice with every single human we do business with. I don't have that kind of patience at the moment."The puppet confessed. He learned to tolerate the Shield and his party but other humans? No way. He still found them disgusting and beneath him.

Thoughts he carefully kept to himself, he did not want his lord to deem him useless for his lack of empathy for human life. Though from time to time his diastase for humans and filthy emotions cropped up, he tried to reign himself in when he caught himself slipping.

So they started going from place to place to sell services and goods to random people in need at day, Taking anything from money to items.at night his lord studied up on how trade worked in this world and his magic skills. Filo and Orobashi took turns pulling the cart.

Yuya got a chance to tell the party his dragon's new name on the first night. "Orobashi…? That sounds oddly specific." Naofumi pointed out as he placed the book down he was reading from.

"It is the only name that came to mind when I thought of reptiles." Yuya answered. He decided to give a little more on his naming choice. "The Orobashi was a giant snake god that once attacked my old home. Only to be slain later by the god ruling the nation." The puppet offered a very bare bones explanation.

Filo made a weird face at the dragon. "Does this mean Orobashi will also die soon?" She sounded way too excited asking that. The dragon wasn't in the room for obvious reasons. Yuya scoffed at that.

"No, I won't let Orobashi perish like his namesake did to the Musou no Hitotachi."The mere thought of that rubbed him the wrong way, even speaking indirectly of his Mother put him in a somewhat foul mood. He was already attached. He really was getting weak.

"Aw… I Don't like Orobashi! He stinks and always messes up my flow!" she puffed her cheeks out crossing her arms. Something she learned from the puppet. Yuya ignored her complaints.

"Filo, that isn't nice! Orobashi is apart of the team now." Raphtalia scolded the transformed bird for her bratty behavior. "You really shouldn't copy Yuya's mannerisms!" she turned to the puppet who made an undignified sound of alarm.

"I do not act like that." He argued. Naofumi had enough of them bickering. He rose his hands.

"Alright enough you three. They'll kick us out for noise complaints."He said. The three companions settled down. All three were not happy about the abrupt stop in their argumenting." The point being, that's an interesting story behind the name, I keep forgetting you aren't of this world like me… "Naofumi said after thinking about Yuya's little story. The hero had noticed the slight shift in the puppet's wording during it.

"Get some sleep. We have a lot of work to do." The Shield Hero declared. After that night, there had been some tangible tension between the three.

Eventually one day Naofumi picked up a merchant that needed transport. It was Filo's turn to pull the cart. Yuya as usual now always opted to not ride inside the cart, his excuse being that someone had to steer the mounts that were on break.

He wasn't paying attention to what his lord and the client were discussing until Filo seemed to have gotten some ego stroke and broke the rule of not talking in front of strangers.

"Filo's a god?" She happily asked. Yuya found it so absurd he barked a laugh at her expense.

"You a god? That'll be the day." He commented. Filo huffed at that. Raphtalia rolled her eyes at that.

"You don't have to come off as rude, you know." She said, always disapproving of his sometimes hurtful bluntness.

"I'm merely stating a fact. There's nothing Divine or Godly about Filo, Queen or not. Though being seen as a god isn't that big of a compliment as you might think." He didn't elaborate but his tone only irked Filo more. Her feathers puffed out.

Their little spat was cut off when they saw a large group of bandits blocking their passage." Let's put this on hold. We have company. "Raphtalia said as her ears flicked upward.

Orobashi slowed down with a growing hiss in his throat. Yuya ran his hand over the dragon's neck."Easy there, these fools aren't even worth your time to get angry at."He soothed his Beast as best he could.

The bandits started barking out threats of violence and demands at the party. The former Harbinger found it painfully lacking, even when they implied they sexual assault towards Raphtalia and Yuya. Raphtalia asked if they could end the bandits. One boasting about some upgraded Class among their rank, he looked like a ronin to Yuya.

Yuya smiled when his lord gave them permission to attack the garbage. Before either Raphtalia or Filo could react Yuya jumped into action, almost too eagerly. He hasn't had a dose of propper sadism in ages.

"Wretched vermin!" He shouted kicking down a ball of electro infused with the wind spell he learned, swirling his attack for that extra oomph. He gleefully laughed as they screamed in pain. Once his attack settled the bandits were all twitching on the ground, barely alive. He didn't care too much as he took pleasure in their suffering.

"Alright that's enough Yuya." Naofumi reigned the puppet in. Those laughs concerned the Hero ever so slightly… Okay it concerned him a lot. The puppet thankfully backed off.

His mood significantly improved. The bandits were all gathered and tied up. Naofumi waited for them to recover slightly before he turned the tables using Yuya's previous behavior as incentive to scare the beat bandits. Yuya laughed again when they ended up stealing from the bandits. Irony at its finest.

"Alala, these worms aren't worth much. I'm sure they won't be missed." Yuya said, letting his hands spark up. The bandit leader caved and spilled his guts. They were after the jewel merchant. They begged for their lives. Satisfaction spread through the puppet's body as he listened to their terrified pleas.

Yuya was thrilled that the human he owed his life to at least didn't bother with being the perfect hero. He lucked out with this deal. It was entertaining enough. He was slowly regaining his strength, his injuries were a painful memory. They soon took a small detour to go take the items in exchange of sparing their worthless lives.

Snapping out of his revere he helped pack the goods into the cart. He hummed an old tune as he worked. Raphtalia wasn't pleased in the slightest about the moral gray they just entered as she complained about it to the merchant who wasn't bothered by it at all. Going as far to complement the decision.

"Hey, less talking, more helping." Lord Naofumi called out as he carried a box over. With the goods all secured Naofumi asked the Merchant for compensation for all the trouble they've been put through. The man offered information and trade opportunities.

Yuya didn't complain for once. As long as he got to beat up humans that got in their way, he would tolerate being around annoying humans so much. The days passed quickly as his young lord picked up new skills. He helped the young man with forging metal casings for the jewels Naofumi wanted to make and sell.

He found this relaxing as much as he hated admitting it. Though his good mood did sour whenever the contacts his lord made talked about the other Heros. Yuya scoffed at that notion. Those brats were not heroes. But this world was just as idiotic to believe such.

His lord had gotten his hands on some important paper for a mine. They could finally speed up the waiting process on the magical thread they had set out to find weeks ago. The location of the gem the witch lady needed. They set out to the place soon after.

"Finally.. I'm getting tired of fixing Filo's dress all the time." Yuya sighed as they rode to the mines with the witch lady. He had to either patch up her dress or make completely new ones if she forgot to take it off before transforming.

Filo blushed under her feathers at that."It's still very kind of you to fix it even after so many times." Raphtalia offered a glance over to Yuya. He was on Filo as Orobashi was pulling the cart today. Filo made some fuss before she let the dragon take it. Yuya was still secretly amazed at how soft Filo's feathers were. If he wasn't careful he'd just sink into the white fluffiness entirely.

"Keeping it fixed and replacing it is less of a hassle than dealing with nosy humans complaining..."He was fighting off the urge to fall asleep. He had unknowingly been slipping back into an old habit of his when he was known as the Kabukimono and the early stages as the Balladeer. Falling asleep in random moments out of the blue. He had to unlearn that when he got busy as Scaramouche. But with the lack of danger and the need to always keep face his guard was slipping more and more with each passing day.

He blinked back to reality when he felt a hand nudging his shoulder. He sleepily looked over to Naofumi, who had an odd expression on his face. Yuya couldn't place it. He realized they had made it to the entrance of a temple. Oh right it's in there. He vaguely recalled the chat about that.

"You fell asleep, are you feeling alright? You're not running low on power are you?" He asked Yuya. The puppet looked slightly baffled at that notion.

"I fell asleep…? When… for how long?" He couldn't recall when that happened! He was just admiring Filo's plush feathers when he was suddenly awoken by Naofumi.

"The entire trip to the temple actually. So are you running low on whatever is powering you?" Naofumi asked. Yuya shook his head.

"I'm self sustaining… my energy levels are fine. Your dumb shield can confirm it, yes?" He eyed the shield that was currently a book. How that counted as a shield Yuya had no idea. He didn't feel like questioning a dumb weapon.

"I see… just be careful you almost fell off Filo."The green eyed human warned with a concerned frown. Yuya felt something lightly stir in his empty chest. He pushed it down.

"Noted. Maybe if things weren't so boring." Yuya deflected with his usual attitude. Naofumi sighed, hearing Yuya back to his usual self. His worry lessened slightly.

The witch told them about an evil Alchemist that used to occupy these ruins beforehand as they entered the dark corridors. Filo paused. She heard something as the others went ahead.

"Filo! Don't fall behind!" Naofumi called out. Yuya felt off as they walked suddenly things turned dark even with the torch lighting the way and Yuya's night vision. He stopped walking entirely hearing that voice again. "Scaramouche."

The puppet went pale as the voice of the Doctor echoed in his ears as if he was standing right next to Yuya." Oh how far you've fallen puppet." Dottore chuckled in his ears. He spun around. Trying to figure out what was going on. How was he hearing that voice? "Scaramouche, you are nothing without me." the Doctor continued to dig at his mind.

"Poor puppet needs a puppet master to do anything. You can't even think for yourself, following anyone who shows you even the tiniest bit of attention, how laughable that you've been reduced to someone's attack dog once more. I made you what you are." Yuya growled at this. He wasn't…! He didn't need anyone! He wasn't weak! The Doctor didn't make him into anything! He'd argue the Doctor took more than gave. His hands sparked up with rage as he spun around again firing off his Electro Blades with blind rage.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" He growled out repeating those words, throwing his magic around without thought or care. He didn't hear the shattering of magic as the echoes of Dottore's laugh burned into his skull. Not until his body seized up.

His reality came back to him when he felt the strings on his back. Pulling slightly taught. "hey look at me. Yuya? Hey!" he realized Naofumi was shaking his shoulders. When did…?

"Relax… whatever you heard wasn't real. It was just an illusion." Naofumi said, trying to calm the puppet. They realized he had fallen behind when the bat monsters had attacked them. When they found him he was indiscriminately attacking everything around him. Chunks of monster flesh and broken rocks littered the area. The smell of a thunderstorm had overtaken the damp smell of the temple corridor.

Whatever the puppet heard triggered a violent response. A seething anger Naofumi felt through his shield when he equipped the Shouki No Kami String Shield to subdue him until he calmed down as one of the stray blasts hit Orobashi's side.

"An illusion…?" Yuya's voice went eerily calm and leveled when he realized what had happened to him. "Of course… HeHe wouldn't… InfsntI can't believe I fell for another…" the puppet trailed off muttering under his breath. Naofumi couldn't make out anything else Yuya said, but he realized Yuya was far more troubled than he first thought. It felt wrong seeing the headstrong puppet freak out like that. It wasn't who Yuya was.

This eery calm also felt wrong. "I'm fine now.. You can release me." The puppet said stiffly. Naofumi released the purple strings. He blinked, feeling Orobashi nudge his hand. He was worried about the puppet. "I'm fine…" He repeated giving the dragon a small head pat. Some guilt rose as he noticed a scorch mark on Orobashi's scales.

"Come on, we found a cave entrance up ahead." Yuya brushed off his sleeves as he nodded slowly. Almost mechanically he walked ahead. Inside the cavern were blue crystals and a giant sleeping monster.

The witch informed them it was a Nue, it had the body of a tiger, the mane of a lion, the face of a monkey and a snake for a tail. Raphtalia rushed ahead. Filo followed hot in pursuit. "Wait! Don't just rush into things!" Naofumi yelled.

Raphtalia got swatted aside by the angered monster. Filo tried her luck only to be dodged. Naofumi cursed under his breath as he ran to shield his party from the monster. "Please cover us!" He told the witch and Yuya.

She fired off a fire spell that didn't do much but it did slow the monster down. Until it started to spark blue electricity. Filo reacted by pulling her Master out of harm's way. Yuya moved, intercepting the bounding claws of the monster, his own purple sparks dancing against the blue.

The Nue roared in surprise as it's electrical attack did nothing to the puppet. A vicious grin spread across his face. Pent up rage from earlier now had a valid release. He manifested his catalyst firing off electro charged attacks one after the other. Not giving it an inch.

He grabbed its tail that was trying to bite him. His grip tightened as he started pulling. His other hand grabbed its throat. He did not even flinch when it tried to electrocute him again. The others watched in awe as the puppet had caught the Nue by complete surprise.

"You honestly think your pathetic lighting can harm me?" Yuya laughed at its feeble attempts. He was admittingly dragging out this fight. He had a lot of rage he wanted to release.

"Kill it already!" Naofumi barked out. Yuya scoffed with a slight growl. He ripped the tail off the monster. It's shrieks were muffled by chokes as Yuya slowly crushed it's throat with his bare hands. The puppet was pleased that his superior strength was slowly returning to him as well. It finally died when Filo kicked it's skull. Putting it out of its misery as Yuya was taking a bit too long to do it.

"I had it under control." He snapped at the bird wiping his face from the gore he caused. Not even the thrill of dominating a monster was enough to soothe him at the moment.

"You were taking too long!" Filo argued. Raphtalia gripped her arm. Slightly shocked that Yuya wasn't even harmed.

"How did you…?" She began to ask. Naofumi tended to her wound. He lightly scolded her.

"You have to be more careful, you could have gotten horribly scarred."He tied a bandage around her wounded arm. Raphtalia blushed lightly at this action.

"I was born from thunder and lighting. Naturally the element that forged me wouldn't harm me in any meaningful way."The puppet gave his answer as he turned to kick one of the crystals free from the ground. "Ch… Damn that bastard even when he's not here he ruins my mood." He couldn't get Dottore's annoying laugh out of his head. That lowly worm was dead if Yuya ever saw him again. How dare he just abandon him to the enemy. He couldn't even get his revenge thanks to getting stuck in this Archon forsaken world.

"Yuya." He turned as Naofumi called his name. He wasn't expecting another hug. This one felt tighter than the last time he had gotten one. The rage in him stilled in favor of confusion.

Naofumi didn't say anything for a solid minute. The silence was enough to communicate his intent to everyone but Yuya. "You shouldn't act so brashly… Even if you were immune." Naofumi said as he released Yuya from the hug.

"Whatever was bothering you clearly is affecting your thought process." Yuya stayed silent for a bit before he sighed and answered.

"It won't happen again… I apologize, my lord." His words came out stiff and forced. Like he was lying through his teeth. Naofumi didn't pry further. They collected the material.

"Good job, now let's get out of here. I had enough of this temple." Naofumi said.
Yuya agreed on that. They left, returning to the castle town.

Yuya apologized to Orobashi for hurting him while the others waited for Filo to weave the magical threads. Yuya stared at his clothes… tearing the red fabric off completely. He gripped the emblem on his chest, ripping it away. He needed to distance himself from Dottore, from Teyvat, a world he never really belonged anywhere in.The movement startled everyone.

"Are you sure you're okay? You've been acting strangely ever since those bats attacked…" Raphtalia asked, shifting in her seat.

"Ch it's complicated. But all you need to know is I'm not letting it bother me. No, that would mean he's right." He didn't elaborate. "Lord Naofumi, I think I want a change of outfit. This one… has run out of utility for this name." This was his Harbinger outfit. Not Yuya's. With a new identity a new look is needed. A restlessness stirred in him. A craving he couldn't place. His joints ached, phantom pains crawled over his back.

"So please grant me some funds to buy fabrics. I wish to make myself new clothes." Yuya declared with no hesitation or leaving any room for denial.

Chapter Text

Yuya felt proud of himself. He had created a new outfit with the materials his soft hearted Lord provided. The weird tailor lady watched him sow his sleeve patterns with great interest. Once the main body of his outfit was made he had requested to use Erhard's forge again.

At the forge he made himself some Armour pieces and most importantly the frame for his hat. He had enough of his face being exposed to the world.

Once everything was done he donned his new clothes. The colors of his previous outfit reversed to show some change in his mood and thinking.

His golden choker now had a white plume and a golden feather ornament hanging from it. The main part of his new kimono was white with red and black bordering the edges. He didn't close it fully, exposing his shoulders slightly. A red cape now pinned with the symbol that usually hung from his neck. Black fingerless bridal styled gloves covered his arms held in places by a golden ring each. The ends of the glove sleeves were purple to blend in with his wrist joints.

The sleeves of his kimono gradually turned purple into a diamond pattern outlined with gold. The center diamond held a purple galaxy pattern within.

His kimono was held in place by a purple obi with white rope that was tied together. A white fluffy plume kept them connected with purple tassels hanging from the plume. On his other shoulder a piece of armor sat, it resembled the one his mother wore.

He kept the armor plates from his waist covering his black hamaka shorts, each side exposing his outer thighs. Revealing the markings on his body due to the sheer fabric underneath it. He attached his cylindrical pouch to his waist. He didn't feel the need to change his socks or sandals.

Topping off his look was his new hat. It resembled his old one without the mask or veil attached. Red string held his plum patterned bells in place.

He would never admit it out loud but the sound they made was soothing to the puppet. He gripped the brim of his hat looking at everyone. "Well say something."Yuya scowled slightly.

"ahm… it looks great!"Raphtalia finally spoke after she took in the changes he made. Filo circled the puppet, poking one of the red strings. The bell attached ringed lightly.

"Oh! That sounds so pretty!" She chirped, Filo twirled in her own new outfit."Look, we match sorta!"The bird compared the white shades together. Yuya's was a bit more off-white than Filo's.

"Sure we do…" Yuya muttered, rolling his eyes. Giving the girl a light head pat, he honestly didn't have it in him to be his usual self towards her, each of his movements was now accented by light bell noises.

Naofumi was staring straight into his hat now." It's nice and all but what's with the hat? I can barely see your face now."being the tallest of the group.

Yuya smirked underneath his brim." Then that means it's working. I had one before… though due to… Reasons I wasn't wearing it at the time."Yuya was not in the mood to explain the whole Shouki no Kami mess to the Shield Hero party just yet… maybe one day. Yuya shook his head with a quiet chuckle.

He was getting too comfortable with this human. He had to be more careful.

The merchant approached the Shield's party soon after with a request of delivering herbicide to a village who needed a lot of it. Yuya rode on Orobashi as usual. The closer they got the more evident the problem was. With a quick look through his elemental sight Yuya could tell these plants were more alive than they looked.

"Wow! These plants are amazing!" Filo chirped. Naofumi poked his head out to examine all the vines growing around the area like parasites.

"Don't get too close. That's a monster in disguise most likely." Yuya warned. Orobashi made a surprised sound jumping over a vine he nearly stepped on. "Easy there…"Yuya gripped the reins.

"A monster? How can you tell?" Raphtalia asked. She couldn't see anything out of sorts aside from the obvious overgrowth.

"I have a skill, let's say… It lets me see things others normally can't see. For instance… It allows me to follow magic trials or auras surrounding people.. Right now these plants appear white to my eyes, it means it's a Physical aura… So It's alive. I was expecting Dendro…"The puppet explained. Naofumi went silent for a moment before commenting.

"That is a pretty useful skill to have… though what is Dendro?"He has heard Yuya refer to elements using different names than the people around here before.

"Dendro is nature magic essentially…" Yuya compared the two.

"You really are knowledgeable about magic huh."Naofumi mused."Once this is done you should teach us a few things."

"Elemental Reactions aren't hard to figure out. But alright." The party soon arrived at the outpost the villagers set up.

They shouted something about the heavenly fowl the moment they saw Filo. Naofumi started asking some questions as he handed over the herbicide to the village elder. The elder had explained that they sent some Adventurers to go kill the plants but they haven't returned.

"Filo go find those Adventurers and bring them back."Naofumi ordered. She sprang to action. She had gotten pretty fast. In no time she was back with some Adventurers in her wings. Dropping them to the ground.

"Man these guys are so weak they couldn't even handle a few plant monsters."Filo commented. Yuya barked a laugh at how crass the bird was. Raphtalia's tail bristled.

"Filo, that wasn't very nice. I swear you've been picking up on Yuya's bad manners!" Yuya made an offended noise at the accusation.

"Don't blame me for her actions!" He huffed, gripping his hat. "Besides, Filo is right. They are weak for not being able to defend themselves against a plant."He looked at the fibers stuck to the Adventurers closely. They matched the vines on the wooden walls.

"These vines are definitely a part of some sort of monster."Yuya commented as he crushed a vine under his sandal. Filo had grabbed some of the fruit she found hanging from the vines with a huff before she happily started munching on them as they talked.

"Hmm this monster sure tastes good!" She stuffed her face. Yuya pulled a face… The fruit smelled sickly sweet. Snapping away from his little argument with the racoon girl.

"Don't just eat it!" The puppet slapped the rest out of her wings. She pouted.

"Huh meanie!!" Filo complained. Orobasbi growled at Filo, stepping up. His tail raised.

"You're just dumb!" The dragon hissed. Yuya and Filo paused… Wait… both turned to the blue dragon in surprise.

"Orobasbi can speak?!" Filo almost shrieked. Yuya just had a cute surprised look on his face before he pulled the brim of his hat down.

"Of course! I learned from you all!"Orobasbi sounded a lot younger than Yuya thought he would. "Now I can finally say you are a dumb filolial."The dragon was just as childish as Filo… Great.

Naofumi and Raphtalia had disappeared into the tents to help cure the sick." That's enough for you two. I merely don't want Filo to throw up from eating something she shouldn't have."Yuya separated the two beasts of burden.

"Now you go sit in that corner and you stay put, put down those Abyss damned fruit." Yuya scolded the two.

"Okaaaay…." Filo whined plopping down next to the cart. Orobasbi sat on the opposite end staring at the vine covered walls. Tail thrashing the ground.

"So childish…" Yuya sighed as he searched for his lord. He caught sight of him purging plant-like growths from the poor humans that were inflicted with the monster by pouring the herbicide onto them.

"This is a nasty monster." Yuya commented as he entered. He saw these growths as Dendro… He Kept that in mind.

"It is…" Naofumi muttered with a frown. He was on the last few patients. "That should do it."He announced. They left the tent with some money in hand before they could pack up. The villagers begged the savior of the heavenly fowl to kill the plant monster causing this all. They explained that Spear Hero had given the the seed in the first place.

"I don't like cleaning up after that idiot Motoyasu but as long as I get paid, I'll do my part. Raphtalia, Filo, Yuya, Orobasbi come."He waved for them to follow. The four companions fell into line as Naofumi changed out his shield.

They followed the vines to its source. A few plant monsters attacked them. Yuya cut through the one with his Electro. Pleased to see he aggravated it to death. The thing glowed going faster before it died.

"Seems like it does act similar to Dendro…" Yuya said kicking the corpse away. Filo and Orobasbi's talons were sharp enough to cut through the vines of the plants. Raphtalia's sword rang true as well.

"That looked a bit strange. What did you do too it?" Naofumi asked as they advanced through the aunslaught. The giant tree loomed over them and looked in their direction. Yuya scrolled. He had enough of big trees.

"I triggered the Aggravate reaction within it. All you need to know is I super charged it so much it died."Yuya said. He threw more Electro blades at the vines. The main body of the monster got more aggressive.

"If we kill the body it should handle the rest right?" Naofumi guessed. It was a good as a guess anyone could make.

Filo rushed ahead without thinking. Naofumi used his Air Strike shield to boost the white bird into the air again. Raphtalia rushed in after to save the hasty bird. Yuya sighed as he saw both of them get tangled. He called Orobasbi as he mounted the dragon to get some leverage. Using Orobasbi's back as a springboard he channeled the wind magic. The markings on his body slowly changed colors from purple to teal.

"Rhhhah!" With a little effort he threw a wind blade at the vine as using his Electro would only hurt his companions. The vine severed before regrowing. Naofumi threw a herbicide bottle at Filo to give to Raphtalia who happened to be the closest to the flower eye. Yuya fell from the air afterwards. Generating a gust of wind to avoid some vibes being shot in his direction.

Raphtalia splashed the herbicide right into the monster's eye. It shrieked before it regenerated. Yuya and Raphtalia landed on their feet. The racoon seemed very angry at Filo. "I can't believe you laughed at me!" She huffed. They couldn't argue any further as Naofumi approached. He seemed to have figured something out.

Yuya Aggravated the plant in the meantime as his allies were now out of his way. The plant glowed as the vine lashed out. Another spike of Electro made it burst. Regrowing faster. Though the vines seemed to lag slightly. The Aggravate was causing fatigue within the monster.

This gave Naofumi time to do what he was planning. Pouring the purple liquid onto the plant. It shrieked and hissed as the herbicide ate at its plant flesh. Thanks to the combined efforts the generation had slowed down immensely.

Enough for them to kill the main eye. The entire tree withered and crumbled to the ground. Yuya pulled a face at the smell the fruit was giving off once more. He scowled under his hat when he heard the two girls start arguing again.

Naofumi looked in their direction with a relieved sigh. "Yay we beat the nasty plant monster!" Orobasbi's voice cut through.

"Wait since when can the dragon talk?!" Naofumi had missed it prior. Raphtalia pulled away from Filo with a huff. Tail rigid in annoyance.

"Since this morning!" Orobasbi happily informed them. He trotted up to the human. Tail wagging. "I learned by watching you guys and the dumb filolial!"

"Hey Filo isn't dumb you dumb dragon!" Filo turned her own annoyance towards the dragon.

"Enough. Don't make me separate you both again." Yuya warned. The two calmed down enough shortly after. Naofumi ordered them to gather all the seeds they could. Between the five of them they managed to gather all of them. Raphtalia and Filo, who was in her human form, started fighting over who picked up the one seed.

The puppet rolled his eyes as he gathered a few in his hands. Orobashi helped him place the seeds into a box

Naofumi was messing with the seeds. Raphtalia, ever the skeptic, wasn't too sure it was a good idea as he grew a plant monster before killing it quickly.

They returned to the village to report back. They learned that the village knew the potential danger yet went along with it anyway out of desperation.

They spent the night there. While the others were sleeping, Naofumi modified the seeds he gathered. Yuya watched from under his hat. He didn't feel like sleeping. He often found himself staring at Naofumi during the night time. He wasn't quite sure why he was observing the human so closely.

He had noticed that Naofumi was working on some sort of project. Though he never went further than just observing from his chosen sleeping spots.

The next day Naofumi sold the plant seeds to the villagers. Explaining how he changed the seeds. Yuya was half baffled with what the Shield Hero could accomplish with his dumb probably divine weapons.

Yuya didn't trust the monster fruit but everyone else seemed to like the taste. His lord said he was going to sell the seeds and fruit they got to the Merchant guy. They talked about some business. The only thing that caught the puppet's interest was the fact they were heading to a hot spring. He hasn't had a proper visit to one in a while. Last time was when he returned to Inazuma to bide his time in stealing his heart back.

Chapter Text

The trip to the springs was charged with underlining animosity between the companions that had been festering for a while now. They were supposed to drop off some supplies to the resort there. 

"Huh so even this world has a hot springs town." Naofumi commented as they looked around. It was a pretty peaceful looking town. Colorful too, despite himself Yuya felt like taking a dip. Filo and Raphtalia were sitting in one of the fountains. Filo sloshed her feet in the water with a smile. 

"Ooh, so warm. Master, can we do this hot spring thing too?" She asked from her perch on the rock. Naofumi thought about it for a while before asking the group if they wanted to spend the night. 

"Um I'm not that interested but if you and Filo want to I'm happy to accompany you." She looked bashful as her tail swished from side to side. Clearly she wanted to stay awhile. 

"Taking a dip in the water will do my joints some good."Yuya said, he felt a bit homesick. Which was a surprise to the puppet himself. Orobashi dipped his tail into the water. 

"Nice and warm…!" Naofumi took that as a sign. Smiling softly at them he decided. A look Yuya rarely saw on his lord's face. It felt nice seeing it… The puppet pulled his hat down, hiding his face at the strange thought. 

"Then let's stay at the inn for the night."The sun was already setting. They got ready to go to the pools. The pools reminded Yuya of the scale-like pools in Liyue a bit with how they were formed. 

He had stripped down completely as he climbed into the warm water. He sighed, sinking into the pool. Feeling his body relaxing already. The phantom pains in his back settled; he laid with his arms on the edges of the pool when he heard Raphtalia get in too. His back turned to hers. 

"Your back… Is looking better."She said awkwardly as she settled into the water. 

"It's not healing fast enough… These scars should have vanished by now." He huffed, shifting to look at her. "You seem riled up." She had been acting weird about their lord for some time now. 

"You're imagining things!" Raphtalia suddenly raised her voice a bit. She turned her attention to the statue in the pool. "Besides, you're not too cheerful yourself… Don't think I haven't seen the way you stare at Lord Naofumi!" She pointed out. 

"And how have I been staring?" Yuya felt defensive all of the sudden. The heat of the pool covered up the slight blush that had been creeping onto his features. 

"Yes you have. At night you're always watching him." She pointed out. There was something in her tone… Yuya pinned it down as jealousy. 

"I'm merely watching over him, he is still a human at the end of the day."Yuya countered as he turned. Raphtalia didn't believe him. They both knew not much could even touch Lord Naofumi with his ridiculous defense stats. 

"I think you like lord Naofumi as well!" She blurted out. He covered her mouth when Yuya shot her a look of pure disbelief. He tried getting words out but he was stunned speechless. 

The puppet didn't know what he felt. So he splashed water into Raphtalia's face instead." Ugh, you're so annoying!" She splashed him back. The two got into a small water fight. Before pausing when they heard Filo happily splashing around in the other pool. Lord Naofumi and Orobashi were on the other side as well. 

Yuya grunted as he focused on bathing himself instead. Swimming to the opposite end of the pool. He wasn't brooding! Ignoring the look that crossed Raphtalia's face after she realized Naofumi was in the other pool. 

Later Yuya got out as he was clean. Walking over to the room they were renting. His lord and Filo were already back. She was bugging him to brush her hair. Yuya pulled his red kimono closer as he flopped into the bed he would have to share with Lord Naofumi later.

"Oh your back. Did you enjoy the bath?" Naofumi asked as he grabbed the brush to start on the bird's hair. 

"It was fine…" Yuya's response came."It was enough to cleanse any unwanted dirt."His hair was still wet. His hat laid against the bed frame. 

"That's good to hear."He said. Filo was enjoying the hair brushing a little too much in Yuya's humble option. Too bad Orobashi had to sleep outside. The dragon was just too big to bring indoors.

Yuya felt exhausted for once. So he crawled under the blankets. Strange emotions swirled in his chest. It was draining trying to figure it out. So he shoved it down as far as he could. Human emotions still disgusted him to the core. 

Yuya was dreaming. He hasn't dreamed in awhile as he avoided sleep for the most part. Here he wasn't Yuya. Here he wasn't the Balladeer… He wasn't even the pathetic Kabukimono. Here he was just a puppet abandoned by its creator. 

Worthless and useless. 

Couldn't even handle the very thing he was made to hold.

The puppet stared up at the familiar broken roof and maple leaves, lonely abandoned, it hurt to even think about it. Through the falling leaves he caught sight of a green glint. He tried reaching out as it vanished behind the leaves falling into his palm. 

Self hate bubbled beneath his artificial skin as putrid human emotion tainted his being. He would have been flawless if he couldn't feel. She wouldn't have left him. 

She wouldn't have deemed him dross, he could have been so much more… cruel fate ripped his chances away before he could even comprehend the world around him. The room felt oppressive despite the vast openness of the Shakei Pavilion. 

This place was meant to be his tomb. He wasn't supposed to get out. Yet he did… The world around him melted slowly as a fire ate at his sleeves. He wished Katsuragi never found him. The wish to no longer exist returned as he felt his eyesight be overtaken by flames. A faint voice calling out a name obscured by the roar of flames that engulfed the puppet. 

Throwing him into that cursed furnace that marked the death of many people. The poison it spewed burned at his back. Phantom pains of strings he long thought removed. They pulled and strained keeping him within the fires as he tried reaching out to the shadows just beyond the toxic flames. Shadows of traitors and murderers. 

Anger festered as Niwa's visage got clearer. Hearts of humans still beating rained down around him. Taunting him. Mocking him for lacking one such thing. How his hate was starting to burn just as hot as the cursed fire around him. 

"You've been chosen to shut down the Furnace."Esher's voice echoed from everywhere. He couldn't see the mechanic. A shadow stretched out towards him. He flinched back as the heat around him got more intense. 

The burning got worse. He didn't recall the flames ever biting into his wooden flesh quite like this before. 

It burned deeper and deeper. To the point where the Kabukimono was starting to panic. The fire shouldn't hurt this much… this wasn't what happened. Why wasn't the device protecting him?! He stared down at the device.. Only to have a still beating heart in his grasp. 

"Abomination, a freak, only an inhuman creature like you deserves this fate." That traitor's voice mocked him. Taunted him as the strings held him in place. The flames grew higher and engulfed the puppet once more. 

His vision returned, the fire was gone but he still couldn't move. The strings in his back were pulled taught. He was back with Dottore standing before him smiling like he always has. Slight reprieve from the wrongness of the fire. The burning in his back was much more manageable. 

"Just a few more adjustments, Scaramouche… And then you shall become a god." The blue haired bastard always thought himself better than Scaramouche. He was wrong. Scaramouche was the one above him. Lowly human… 

That lowly human had him trapped using his desire for purpose and power to bind him to the mechanical body of the Shouki no Kami. The feeling in his back got worse. Searing pain flashed into his being as the corrupted energy was pumped into his smaller frame. 

It felt like his insides were on fire. Taking shaky breaths caused his breath to be noticeable…as puffs of hot air escaped his lips. He couldn't move his legs. They felt numb. Moving his arms was suddenly the most taxing thing he's ever had to do. Dottore never meant for him to have free reign once he actually won. 

The puppet realized this now. This new body was just a distraction. A means to control him, a godly made being. The sheer audacity. The physical pain he felt always got dwarfed by the rage that lived inside of him. The filthy human emotion that drove him to continue despite all the betrayals and pain. The spite to burn and take revenge on his enemies. Yet… He Had willingly walked into his own demise. Trusting the Fatui was… a mistake. 

It was what he wanted… If losing himself to another meant he could be a god… then why was he now so afraid of that. The Fatui gave him the opportunity to get his heart back… So why?

Why was he still not satisfied? Still not whole? Why was he letting that useless doctor toy with his body?

"Dumb little puppet. Your utility has run its course."Dottore's grating voice hammered against Scaramouche's ears. He was strung up within the head of the Shouki no Kami, unable to move. A black and blue gloved hand rested on his face mockingly. 

"You truly were my most fascinating and fun Project."Scaramouche felt a new rage building inside of his body. Purple mist had slowly started seeping and swirling into the room. 

Normally he just ignored and brushed off the Doctor's absurd claims and egotistical words but within this dream. Scaramouche had little to no control over his disgusting emotions. No matter how much he pushed them down. They refused to be buried. Each attempt just made the mist grow thicker. Caressing his body. He heard whispers. 

Get angry

Kill him

Burn everything 

Traitors 

Yuya… 

Hate them

They don't deserve our mercy

Humanity is nothing to us

Scaramouche hated humans. Scaramouche hated the gods. Scaramouche hated his own existence. 

Hate… Hate was one emotion he was very familiar with. Anger is a useful tool. Dottore's mocking laughs only fueled his most known emotion as the head. Sealing him inside leaving him within the dark red space and purple mist. 

There was no place in the world for a being like himself. Filled with useless emotions. 

Yuya! 

The puppet's head snapped up. The string buried in his neck hurt as he twisted to where the voice was coming from. Within the darkness. The red starry prison of the Shouki no Kami he saw a figure coming into view. A green glint from their wrist shone like a blinding beacon as it protected the figure from the oppressive miasma gathering within the space. 

Scaramouche starred as he managed to turn fully to the figure… A human…? A human was reaching out to him. No recognition registered behind the puppet's eyes. 

Why was a human here with him? Filth. Disgusting weak creature. The mist swirled and thickened. His body was getting hotter by the second. The puppet exhaled as puffs of heat escaped his lips. 

"Leave…!" Scaramouche hissed out, he hated how human his own voice sounded at this moment. The human flinched, holding up his arms. The gem on his weird shield glowed more brightly as a translucent bubble protected him from the harsh surrounding. The air was tainted in the cursed energy swirling around the two. 

"Yuya! Come on, wake up!" The human called out to him… With a name he never recalled doning. 

"Don't order me around filth…!"Scaramouche hissed. Moving his hand with difficulty. He could feel something was amiss… There was no gnosis. His heart was missing. He couldn't feel its power… This wasn't right. Where was it?! 

He twisted around. Trying to will the Shouki no Kami to move. To do something! He couldn't even see past the red space and purple mist anymore. With newfound panic and a bubbling suspicion he settled back into his original position glaring at the human before him. 

"This… This has to be your fault!" Nothing else made sense. "You…!" His words were caught in his throat as he saw the expression on the human's face. 

"Yuya…stop it." His words were shaky as he reached out once more. Scaramouche felt his body seize up shortly after. Strings from that strange shield had slivered and attached to his body… Scaramouche realized he wasn't connected to the Shouki no Kami but that shield now. 

"What is this…?! You dare try to control me!" The puppet's tone was venom. A flash of something crossed the human's face. 

"No… I just need you to calm down." The human said. Why did it sound like this mortal knew him?

"You're having a nightmare…" He informed the puppet. Scaramouche's eyes narrowed. Distrust and disbelief bloomed on his delicate features. 

"So you are admitting you trapped me in a dream?" The Harbinger accused.

"No not at all you dragged me in here. I'm just trying to help…" The human sounded annoyingly concerned about him. Scaramouche didn't even notice how close the tall human got to him until he made physical contact. 

"Let go…!" The puppet panicked for a second before realizing it wasn't an attack but a hug… It felt familiar. Warmth spread across his body… it felt different from the searing heat burning his inner workings. 

"Just try to remember me alright… I'm Naofumi… You're Yuya." Yuya…. A real name… He struggled a little before it came flooding back in loose chunks… Right… He, he already lost his heart. He wasn't in Teyvat anymore. 

Dottore betrayed him. He had a new name… he owed this human…Naofumi his life, he was useless. How far has he fallen? He went limp. The mental strain of everything caught up to him. 

"You're not worthless." Yuya looked up. It seemed like Naofumi could hear his inner thoughts as the world around them shifted. The miasma was slowly being filtered away. The shield shone and pulsed like a heart. 

"You are a valuable member of my party."He felt the pressure on his back lessen as the strings were detached."I won't abandon you… Like everyone else…" Did he share his memories with Naofumi? 

"I saw some things… Felt what you did. I understand it."Naofumi tightened the hug. Yuya was speechless… This This human accepted him even after knowing how much he actually hated humanity. 

"I don't think you really hate humans… I won't push it but you need to wake up…" His words felt genuine. When was the last time Yuya heard such tones directed at him? That annoyingly familiar yet foreign feeling crept back into his empty chest. Aching for something else. 

"I'm just repaying my debt… Stop trying to make me feel…!"Yuya hissed out with no real venom. He felt burned out in his own rage… TheThe mist had thinned out as the red void around them slowly turned black. 

"I'm not doing anything… but I get why you might think so." Naofumi almost gently pressed his forehead against Yuya's. "It's fine to feel hurt… But you can't act out everytime it happens… Now come on… The others will get worried." Yuya couldn't find it in himself to reject the physical contact as he closed his eyes. 

"Fine… I'll try to wake up… But you better keep your promise… Don't ever leave me…" Yuya did not think his soul could take it, being abandoned again. It's a pain he never wanted to feel again… the world around them faded as he slowly rejoined  the realm of the waking… 

"Oh thank god you're up." Naofumi was hovering over him. Yuya touched his face… It was wet. 

"You were crying in your sleep."Naofumi confirmed it. Yuya sat up. Letting the blankets pool around him. He stared down. 

"You… You connected to my mind…"He muttered, wiping the traitorous tears away. He heard Naofumi hum in affirmation. So his dream was shared… His human knew. His…? The puppet decided that Naofumi was worthy to be his. But what did that mean to him exactly? 

"Give me a moment… it's difficult to process…" Yuya laid back down. He pulled his lord closer before he could leave."Stay…" it was almost shy. An echo of his former self. Naofumi humored his request. This unexpected dream share accident gave Naofumi a better understanding of Yuya and how the puppet felt. He saw a lot and the conclusion the shield hero came to was: Yuya was terrified of abandonment. That he could only find worth in doing things for others. It made the hero feel a bit ashamed for unknowingly weaponizing these unspoken fears. 

He shifted slightly watching Yuya relax after a bit. The grip on his arm didn't loosen one bit. He sighed to himself as he patted Yuya's head like one would a cat. A lot of the puppet's behavior was very feline-like. That thought was enough to make him smile. His entire party was a disaster but they were his disasters. Naofumi did wonder though. Where did the girls go? Filo and Raphtalia's bed was empty. 

Yuya was struggling to stay awake for once. The physical affection was lulling him to sleep as embarrassing as that was. Naofumi stayed up for a little longer before deciding to get some rest. Raphtalia and Filo would be fine. They were pretty strong after all. 

Chapter Text

The Traveler didn't think they'd stay in Sumeru as long as they did. They couldn't just leave. Not with the Balladeer and his godly shell missing. Nahida had bought them some time by declaring she had the Balladeer under arrest for the crime of trying to usurp her as Ruler and God of Sumeru for the time being.

Il Dottore was not pleased when he was denied both the Dendro and Electro Gnoses and when he asked where the Balladeer was. Nahida did not falter in her lie on the 6th's whereabouts. She turned the Doctor away. Giving them time to leave her country as she bluffed her way throughout the exchange.

The Dendro Archon noticed something in the 2nd Harbinger's mind. As if he didn't really care about what she has done with the divine puppet. He was more disappointed that his experiment had failed. It sickened the youthful looking god to her core.

So they would help Nahida the best they can to get the rift stabilized. Perhaps they need more help… Someone like Dottore pushed things beyond morals and boundaries. The Doctor agreed to leave for now, however he would be back on a later date to retrieve his equipment and test subject. Commenting that it would be such a loss to give up a lab rat like Scaramouche.

With the danger put on hold and trying to fix her Country. Nahida had a lot on her plate. So the Traveler did as much as they could to help her in trying to locate the Balladeer.

The rift area felt supercharged and smelled heavily of storms the more they tried. Traveler held their sword at ready as Paimon clung to their neck. Nahida had been able to open the rift for a brief moment. Catching a glimpse of the world on the other side before it collapsed in on itself.

A wave of Dendro washed over them as Nahida protected them from the rifts implosion. She looked frustrated but determined. The way her big green eyes glinted when she made even the littlest of progress. Traveler had no doubt that Nahida would succeed in anything she put her mind to.

The world beyond was so close yet so far. Though they couldn't act rashly. They needed to locate the Balladeer first before they even thought of crossing through even if they managed to stabilize the rift. Though what state would they find the Balladeer in was the biggest question on their mind.

All the Traveler could hope for is that the Balladeer was not causing any harm and a small part of them hoped he was okay. The damage he took was extensive but that was all the grace they'd offer to their enemy. Traveler would have to be discreet and careful on who they would rope along.

Nahida made a suggestion one day. “The issue we have is the instability of the rift. We just need something to channel the bonds through. To keep it steady.” She hinted at Hydro.

Guess the Traveler had more reason to go to Fontaine now. So they would prepare to set out to the Nation of Justice.

Chapter Text

Yuya woke to the door of their shared room being opened rather abruptly. Raphtalia and Filo entered. The air around them seemed lighter than last night. He felt Naofumi stirring next to him. He felt rather sleepy still, an odd sensation. When was the last time he had a rest that felt safe… Yuya wasn't sure why he was even trusting them this much.

“Master Naofumi, we have a gift for you!”The Racoon girl offered a small box to him once the human got up. Yuya stretched as he got ready, glancing over he saw the way Raphtalia’s tail was wagging as his lord inspected the gift. A small but expensive looking hammer tool. Being familiar with forging items he could tell it was good quality on top of it.

Lord Naofumi accepted the gift giving both girls a head pat.”I'll make good use of it, but now both of you take a good dip in the hot spring.”He had a gentle smile on his face. One Yuya has seen more and more of their journey progressed. He found it fit more than the indifference Naofumi usually put on display.

Raphtalia and Filo giggled to themselves for some reason. “Wait, did something happen between you two..?” Yuya was sure they were pretty huffy with each other before.

“Oh nothing, we just came to an understanding.”Raphtalia said, smiling at them. Yuya shrugged. If it meant less annoying fights then he won't question it. They fetched Orobashi for one final bath before they set off to their next location.

Yuya glanced over from his spot. They had been traveling all day and were taking a rest for the night. He laid against his dragon who was curled up next to the fire. Filo and Raphtalia slept on the other end. The light tapping of his lord's metal work clinked away at night. A sound he never thought he'd miss. It reminded him of simpler times. Being in this world has made him think of his old life more and more. He wasn't sure what to categorize these things as.

The clanking stopped for a moment. Yuya closed his eyes. He's been keeping an eye on everyone during the night. His lord was checking the measurements of the project he had been doing in secret. Though as Yuya never really slept, the puppet was aware of the progress, though he never brought attention to it seeing as his young lord was trying to keep it a secret.

The next morning everyone helped clean up the camp site, Yuya and Raphtalia heard them first. A woman and her child approached them with a warning about a plague over a shared breakfast. Yuya rolled his eyes. Humans were so fragile. He was glad his human at least had that shield to protect him from such things.

The village they were heading to was the one the woman mentioned. Naofumi being the soft hearted man he was set out to help right away. Upon getting closer Yuya could tell the air was tainted. A rot not unfamiliar. It smelled similar to the rotting corpses of slain deities and dragons that were scattered around Teyvat.

The villagers immediately recognized Filo as the Heavenly Fowl. So Naofumi offered to sell them medicine. Yuya quietly helped with giving the sick humans the medicine. It was then revealed it was in fact the corpse of a dead dragon causing the sickness. Yuya scoffed loudly at this.

“One doesn't simply leave a dead dragon out without sealing away the miasma first. That's asking to be cursed,”Yuya remarked. Naofumi seemed tired already as the Sword Brat caused more trouble than it was worth.

“Even Ren should know leaving rotting flesh out is a bad idea…must have slipped his mind as he thinks this world is a game…”Naofumi muttered under his breath. Yuya still didn't quite understand why these heroes were under the assumption that this world was a game. Though with that thinking it was causing much strife in this world. Like the opposite effect the Traveler had on his world. How ironic he's doing similar things to the Traveler now… Cleaning up after dumbasses. He held back a laugh of absurdity. This world was really changing him. Though he was only doing these things for Naofumi.

He's only repaying a debt he can't ever fully balance out. Naofumi declared he would deal with the poisonous corpse instead. Not wanting the people of the village to die from the Sword Brat’s negligence. For a price of course. Yuya found his methods interesting. Helping people under the guise of wanting payments. He saw no fault in it. This was how humans worked. Exchanging one thing for another. It was only natural to seek compensation for effort. Especially life risking endeavors.

“I don't recall ever asking to be called anyone's savoir.”Naofumi said as he heard the nurse complain about the absurd price. They soon headed off to the mountain to dispose of the dragon corpse. Naofumi and Raphtalia had tied rags over their faces to try and filter the poison as best they could. Yuya refused as he didn't need to breathe and he claimed to be resilient against most poisons.

Orobashi and Filo were dragging the cart together to share the load. Though neither mount seemed too happy about the arrangement. They had to run though a horde of monsters. It was kind of funny seeing the two simply barrel the smaller creatures over like they were trash.

The party eventually reached the location of the corpse. The air smelled even worse at the source. Yuya stared at the dragon, blinking once activated his Elemental Sight. Wondering if it was like the Vishaps. It appeared White. “Wait, it's still alive.” He warned.

“Alive…?”The Dragon seemed to have heard them as the decaying corpse started moving. The blood and flesh of the creature reversed… Being drawn back into itself. Yuya in all his years has never seen something seemingly dead reclaim it's own spilled blood before. Dragons really did defy logic in strange ways.

Filo in her blind hatred for dragons attacked it. Or tried to. Yuya grabbed her leg before she could aggravate it even more.”Don't be stupid! This thing isn't normal!”He snapped as she crashed into the puppet with a huff. Orobashi growled from behind them. His tail slowly flicked, staring the giant zombie dragon down. Tension was high as the poison in the air got thicker.

“Get behind me everyone!”Naofumi ordered just as the dragon reared. Its split jaw opened, exuding its poisonous miasma. Even Yuya had to be careful. Less this thing was corrosive. Though that made the puppet realize something.

“Shielding might not work against this thing.”Filo broke from the Puppet's grasp. “Filo! Stop!” Yuya barked out. He rushed after the dumb bird.

“You two!” Naofumi didn't move from his defensive spot. Yuya caught up with the bird. Blocking a strike with his staff. The decayed tail smacked the puppet away mid strike. He hit the mountain side pretty hard. Yuya gave a pained laugh. His back had become a vulnerable spot since the removal of the strings. Still not fully healed. He did get off a single shock. Making it screech in anger.

Filo got riled up. Trying to kick it. The dragon's jaws snapped shut around the giant bird. Raphtalia coughed trying her best not to breathe in the rancid air. The bird went down its throat.

Something in Naofumi seemed to snap. Yuya pried himself off the hole his body made on the stone. “Haha… That thing hits harder than I imagined…”he froze feeling something was off. Glancing over he could almost taste it. Rage. Pure Hatred. Naofumi was slowly being covered in strange circle-like symbols that branched from his shield… The gem on it had flickered to an angry red.

Raphtalia looked just as confused and horrified as their human lord stumbled over to the dragon. The paw of the dragon came down with force. Yuya pushed himself forward with a burst of wind and electro. Using his staff and body to block the strike. His arms rang with the impact.

“What in the name of the Abyss are you thinking my lord..?!”Yuya snapped, struggling against the dragon’s weight. Unaware of the inner turmoil his human was battling with. He hated how weakened he was compared to before. Hated how this human made him feel his disgusting emotions. Forcing his own onto Yuya to bare… Hate. Where was this hate coming from…?

The shield had changed into something else. Yuya could feel a cursed power emanating from the shield. It felt almost overwhelming to the divine puppet. Yuya felt a heat he hasn't felt in years. The shield had ignited. Tainted with a purple sheen. The Tataragami within his blood stirred. The fire touched his skin. It actually burned.

Raphtalia was trying her best to ground Naofumi. Yuya grunted in surprise as he stumbled back. The dragon flinched back from the flames enough to give the puppet a chance to retreat. “Master Naofumi! Please… We still trust in you.”She begged the human. Her body twitched in pain from the supernatural burns.

The contact worked. Naofumi came back to his senses. He muttered something Yuya couldn't quite make out over the searing pain in his back. Naofumi was horrified with himself.

Yuya ignored the pain, throwing blades of wind at the dragon. Swirling the tainted fire on its paw. It shrieked and thrashed before its belly burst open from the inside. Slumping as the thing that animated it was ripped out most likely. Out rolled Filo. Covered in dragon guts.

The flames on Naofumi’s shield died down as he was filled with relief. Yuya stumbled slightly before he regained his balance. Thrown off by everything that just happened. That strange hate wasn't his own… He was sure of it. The markings on his body glowed that sickly purple for a moment. He coughed up the ichor. He stared at the starry liquid with slight concern. That Hate was resonating with the Tataragami. It wasn't sitting well with him at all. He felt disgusted with himself for being so useless when it actually mattered.

Raphtalia wasn't faring much better either. The combinations of the burns and poison left her weak even with Naofumi’s frantic healing. Filo seemed relatively unharmed even after being inside the beast for so long. Orobashi had wisely hid during the confrontation. Cowering behind the rocks. The dragon knight wasn't sure what he could even contribute. “Is everyone okay…?”He asked trotting over. He pressed his snout against Yuya's hand.

“We need to get to a doctor.”Naofumi said. Raphtalia reminded their lord they had a corpse to expose off first. He reluctantly agreed to it. Yuya helped cleave the dragon apart cleanly before they returned for treatment. Yuya looked over to Naofumi. The worry was clear on his human's face.

“She will be fine. I'm fine. It's not the worst that I've endured.”Yuya tried to ease his lord's nerves. Naofumi just looked at him with more concern.

“Let me see your wounds.”He demanded. Yuya sighed, turning his back. Most of the damage was found there. The curse marks burned into the port scars.”I hope this doesn't undo the healing…”he muttered.

“I'll be fine my lord. You shouldn't worry. We're survivors.”Frankly, Yuya didn't like seeing Naofumi in distress, he quickly realized. The doctor and nurse used some weaker holy water to treat their wounds. Yuya refrained from rolling his eyes at the quality of treatment. Though he knew purifying things was a pretty difficult task.

They were told to go to a church to get better holy water for the curse removal. Yuya knew that meant going back to the castle town. Raphtalia got flustered about something the nurse said to her before leaving them for a bit of privacy.

Filo presented Naofumi with a purple crystal. Yuya redid his kimono and layers as they talked.

“No, I didn't throw it up. This is another one I found!”The white bird explained with a cute huff when Raphtalia accused her of doing so. Naofumi looked at them.

“I'm sorry for everything… I shouldn't have hesitated like that. Because of it you all got hurt. Just as bravery and recklessness have a fine line, so does caution and cowardice.”He said with a solemn look.

Yuya had to agree they all performed pretty poorly with that encounter.”I wasn't strong enough to fend it off… If I still had my full strength,I'd be of more use.”The Puppet said. Hoping his Lord wouldn't hold his failure against him.

“No, I shouldn't have rushed in like that because i Hate dragons… Yuya got hurt because he tried to stop me.”Filo lowered her head in shame. Raphtalia also looked down.

“I don't mind that I got hurt.. It's just I felt like you would have gone away if that strange power took hold.”She admitted. Feeling ashamed of her own weakness. Naofumi now understood.

“Together we are stronger… We will grow even more, one day at a time.”Naofumi grabbed Raphtalia and Filo’s hands as he declared this. Yuya sighed. He was still useful. The other two looked reassured. Yuya wasn't too convinced. He had to do better. He was rusty. He needed to train harder. There are things in this world that could actually give him trouble.

“Oh you smiled!”Filo pointed out excitedly. Naofumi’s lips were upturned in a sincere way. This time fully. Yuya blinked being pulled out of his thoughts when Naofumi suddenly got all bashful about that smile. A warm feeling stirred in his heartless chest. That cold loneliness grew smaller every time he watched the others be so carefree even after being hurt. Maybe this new start would be different…

Maybe Yuya would finally have a place to stay. Yuya for the first time in ages hoped nothing would tear this identity away from him.