The group watched as the Tyrannosaurus Rex monster stomped through the streets as some of them looked up in shock as the beast roars into the sky.
Miles away, at some misty ruins. A brown feathered filolial was talking with a white haired girl with wings that sat on top of some rubble.
"So...you managed to find four candidates for me to choose to become the next queen, huh?" The girl asked
She pets the filolial's head making it chirp as it purred in delight.
"Oh? You say they're not far from here?" She asked
She looks up at the sky showing her stern scarlet eyes "I will go see them" She said
Back with the group, the Tyrannosaurus Rex monster continued its rampage.
"This isn't good" Irene said
"No shit. We have to get out of here!" Gin yelled but was smacked on the head by Irene
"Language Gin! But yes, we have to go!" Otome said
The group tries to get away as the Tyrannosaurus Rex monster started to chase them as Idol's mansion was being destroyed in the process.
"Well, good news. The bastard's place is getting trashed" Gin said
"He won't need it where he's at anyways" Rem said as Gin nods
The group continues to run as they hid behind a building as they hoped that they lost it, but Rem knew better.
"You okay Van?" Rem asked
"I believe so" Van said catching his breath
"That's good" Otome said sighing in relief
"It's not right! That horrible man set a monster loose, all because he wanted to kill Rem" Melty said
"And look what happened to him. He's nothing more than a red stain on the ground" Yami said
A groan from Keel caught their attention as Raphtalia held Keel in her arms while Rifana looked at her with worry.
"Oh Keel..." Raphtalia said
"I'll be alright" Keel reassured her
"You sure?" Rifana asked worried as Keel nods
The wall behind them was destroyed as the beast poked through the hole that it made as it saw them.
"How did it find us!?" Raphtalia asked
"No clue, this thing probably has enhanced sight or something like that" Gin said
"I completely forgot that this beast has a Dragon Emperor Core Shard too. This explains how it knows where we are" Rem thought
The Tyrannosaurus Rex monster glares down at them.
The filolials let out a couple growls "Stupid Lizard!" Filo yelled as she charged towards the beast without a second thought
"Filo!" Melty called out trying to stop her
"Filo stop!" Gin shouted
For Sakura, Yuki and Kou. It took all of their willpower to not to charge at the beast like Filo as they still remembered what happened with the Zombie Dragon.
Filo ran up to the beast and kicked it in its jaw but it did nothing. Gin took out his Buster Sword as he glared at the beast.
"Wait Sir Gin. You can't fight that thing here! We're right in the middle of town" Melty said
"Right, but how the hell do we lure it away from here!?" Gin asked
The group noticed that the dragon was eyeing Rem whose shield was glowing. Rem of course knew why and knew what he had to do.
"Rem?" Otome asked
"That monster has a Dragon Emperor Core Shard" Rem explained
"Like the one Gaelion had?" Yami asked as Rem nods
"I can lure it out of town. It wants me cause I have a shard in my shield" Rem said
"We're not going to let you do it alone. We're staying with you" Irene said as the others agreed
"I know, but thanks anyway" Rem said smiling
He looks at Van "We can lure it out of town, but what about you and everyone else Van?" He asked
"Don't worry about us. We'll be alright" Van reassured
"I'll stay with Lord Reichnott and help him take care of everyone, Sir Shield Hero" Rifana said
"Alright, good luck on your way back home Van, and be safe Rifana" Rem said
He looks at Lolisa who stared at him with a smile "I'm staying with you, you can't convince me otherwise as I'm staying with you" She said answering the unasked question
"Alright then. Let's go" Rem said
Raphtalia was hesitant to leave both Keel and Rifana behind as Rem places a hand on her shoulder.
"It's going to be alright. They're in safe hands, right?" He asked
Raphtalia nods, but still looks hesitant as she looks at Keel and Rifana.
"Hey, Raphtalia...you're with the Titan Force Heroes. You're with their party, aren't you? That's what you told me" Keel said
Raphtalia gives her a nod as Keel smiles.
"Then you have to go" Keel said
"Don't worry about us Raphtalia, we'll be alright" Rifana said with a smile
"Are you sure?" Raphtalia asked unsure as the two nod
"We'll be just fine. Don't worry, we'll rejoin my people" Van said assuring her that everything's going to be fine
Raphtalia contemplates this, she looks at both Keel and Rifana as they gave her a reassuring smile.
"Alright then. Please make sure that they're alright" Raphtalia said
"You have my word. I promise" Van said assuringly
Raphtalia nods as she hands Keel to Van while Rifana moved to his side.
"Please be careful" Keel said
"I will" Raphtalia said, she takes off her golden bracelet as she gives it to Keel as a sign of a promise "I'm sure we'll meet again someday" She said
"Filo! It's time to get going!" Rem called out
"Coming Dad!" Filo said jumping down from the roof of Idol's mansion as she joined the others
The group got on the filolials as they raced through the town while jumping through rooftop to rooftop as the Tyrannosaurus Rex monster chased after them as it bursts through the buildings while people were getting behind cover.
"Well, It's definitely coming after you Remy" Melty said
"Yeah, and I don't need to look behind me to know. I can hear it perfectly from here!" Rem said
"I gave away the bracelet. Sorry about that" Raphtalia said
"It's okay Raphtalia, I trust Keel to take care of it for you" Rem said as Raphtalia smiled at him "And who knows, maybe I'll make matching bracelets for her and Rifana if they'd like. As a token of friendship" He said as she giggles
"Or maybe as part of your har-" Gin teased
"Now's not the time Gin! We've got way more important things to do, like get this beast out of town!" Rem said cutting him off as Gin pouted but nods
The group was able to get out of town while leading the beast away as far away as they could, they eventually led it to a large lake.
"This'll have to do" Rem said "Gonna have to stall til Fitoria gets here" He thought
"Everyone, get ready cause it's coming" He said as they nod
It wasn't long before the beast came crashing through the forest as it roared at the group before charging at the group.
"Air Strike Shield!" Rem shouted as a single green shield appeared in front of him
The Tyrannosaurus Rex makes contact with the green shield causing a shockwave to happen along with the water to ripple, the green shield however shattered upon the impact.
Filo charges at the beast as she hits it in the jaw but it had no effect. She attacks again as she hits it in the abdomen, but like before it did nothing to the creature.
"Zweit Aqua Slash!" Melty shouted as she shot a torrent of water at the beast but it did any damage to it
"Arcane Fire!" Otome Shouted as she launched a star shape stream of fire at the beast, but it only left burn marks on its side
The beast roars at her and was about to charge at her but was kicked in the shin and the head(below the left eye) by Kou and Yuki respectively. Frost blew an ice cold breath which froze some parts of its side.
Raphtalia charged forward at the beast as she slashes its leg but it didn't even leave a single scratch on it.
"I can't cut it!" Raphtalia thought in shock
Rem jumps up high as he took out his sword Diabhal an Ripper as he slashes the neck which did cut a good a bit into the beast, but not enough to kill it.
"Damn it. This thing is really tough, no wonder the previous heroes had to seal it away" Rem thought gritting his teeth in frustration
Filo jumped up with the help of Gin using wind magic as she avoided an attack from the beast as she kicked it in the shin which did nothing to it.
"Nothing's working!" Filo said
Rem summons large spikes of shadows that only slightly hurt it as Otome and Gin launched a Fireball/Firaga at it which hit its face getting its attention as it roars before charging at them, but Rem got in the way as he used his sword to hit its side hard diverting its attention to him before he hit it with a charge of Void lightning scorching its face.
He blocked a strike from its tail with an Air Strike Shield as Raphtalia slashes at the beast which did nothing like before.
"This isn't good....nothing is working, do I really have to use the Wrath Shield on it?" Rem thought as he was about to use it
"Don't" A Female voice echoed in his head surprising Rem a bit
Melty got his attention "Rem, something's wrong, but I don't know what it is" She said
A mist suddenly started to form around the whole area.
"Oh no, is this what I think it is? A high level magic field?" Melty asked
"Magic field?" Gin asked
However, before Rem could explain about Magic fields, Raphtalia and Yami's ears twitch as they heard noises coming from the forest.
"Master, something's coming" Yami said
Rem nods as he turns to look at the forest, then the group saw as a large flock of filolials came trotting out of the forest and into the clearing.
"The hell?" Gin asked
"It's a bunch of filolials!" Melty exclaimed
"But what are they doing here...?" Otome asked
The flock of filolials surrounded the Tyrannosaurus Rex monster and the group in a semicircle formation.
Rem didn't bother to try with the Wrath Shield as he knew that Fitoria would just stop it, and could do so easily.
"Please, do not resort to that power" The voice said in his head again
The water formed into a whirlpool as a giant figure was emerging from it, a giant pillar of water appeared from the lake and out of it came a giant filolial that was 10 times larger than the four filolials that the group had as it landed on the opposite side of the beast.
The group looked at the giant filolial in awe while Rem smirked.
"No way. It's the filolial queen!" Melty said
"She's so pretty" Filo said
"Agreed" Yuki said in awe
"Fall back" The Filolial Queen commanded before she focused her attention on the beast
"The Dragon Emperor's fragment has caused your body to grow beyond control. If you hand over the fragment peacefully, I shall spare your life. You have been warned" She said
The Tyrannosaurus Rex monster roars at the filolial queen and charges at her.
"As you wish" She said
She reared her foot back and kicked it in the jaw staggering it shocking the group except for Rem.
"Woah..." Otome said
The beast skids back before stopping as it glares at the filolial queen before it unleashed a breath of fire at her.
"Pathetic" She said as she blocked it with a barrier that easily blocked the torrent of fire
Rem also brought up his Air Strike Shield to block the remaining flames.
"I'm finishing this now" The filolial queen said
She suddenly moved faster than anyone could see as a shockwave appeared when she took off, she appeared behind the beast in a second before blood erupted from the wounds that were inflicted on it as the beast roars one final time before falling to the water dead.
The group stood there shocked except for Rem as they most of them couldn't even injure the beast and the filolial defeated it effortlessly. They saw her pick up the Dragon Emperor Core Shard and pocketed it in her feathers.
"I take it you three are members of Titan Force?" She asked
"Yes Ma'am, we are" Rem said respectfully
"There is much that I wish to discuss with you. But this form isn't exactly suitable. One moment please" The filolial said
She folds her wings in front of her as she was engulfed in a bright blue light before shrinking down to human size as she reveals her human form which is a young girl with white hair wearing a pink and white dress and large white wings, she opens her eyes to reveal purple calm and piercing eyes.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am queen of all the filolials of the world. My name is Fitoria" Fitoria said looking at them with a calm expression
"Fitoria? It is you!" Melty said
"Wait, you know her?" Gin asked
"Who doesn't? Centuries ago, one of the heroes at the time raised a filolial called Fitoria" Melty explained
"Centuries ago? So, did you inherit the name or something like that?" Yami asked
"No, the name Fitoria has always belonged to me" Fitoria said
"Do you think I'll ever be as big as she is? I hope so" Filo said
"If that happens, we'd have to find an unlimited food supply to feed you, cause you'd burn through our whole food supply if that happens" Rem said with a sigh, he looks at Sakura, Yuki and Kou knowing that they would ask the same thing "The same goes for you three" He said making his four filolial pout
"If they were to grow to be as large as I am, it would take them dozens of times longer than the lifespan of a normal filolial" Fitoria explained
"Aww" Filo said in disappointment
"What's that mean?" Gin asked as Rem sighs in annoyance
"It means what it means, Filo and the other three would need to live longer than a normal filolial to be able to be as big as she is" Rem said, he looks at Fitoria "Sorry if that offends you Fitoria" He said
"It is quite alright, I'm not bothered by it like most are anyways" Fitoria reassured
Rem nods as he was glad to not have offended her.
"So this is the party of the Titan Force Heroes, is it? Please, tell me your names" Fitoria said
"It's a pleasure to meet you Fitoria, I'm Rem Clive" Rem said
"I'm Gin Umi" Gin said
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Otome Tokinoumi" Otome said
"A pleasure to meet you three" Fitoria said
"Hello Fitoria. I am Yami" Yami said
"Greetings" Fitoria said
"My name is Raphtalia. It's nice to meet you" Raphtalia said
"Likewise" Fitoria said
"I am Irene Flashfáng" Irene said
"A descendant of the last Sword Hero?" Fitoria asked as Irene nods "I see" She said
"Hi! I'm Maple" Maple said
"Like a Maple Tree, huh?" Fitoria said interested
"I'm Noire" Noire said
"A harpy, haven't seen one in a while" Fitoria said
"I am Flare" Flare said
"The daughter of the Phoenix.." Fitoria thought as she nods
"Lolisa" Lolisa said simply
"A Succubus too" Fitoria noted
"Hi your majesty, I'm Filo" Filo said
"I'm Sakura your highness" Sakura said
"Yuki" Yuki said
"Kou" Kou said
Fitoria just nods as Filo pouted while Sakura, Yuki and Kou didn't even react to that. Fitoria looks at Melty.
"And we've met before, haven't we? Thanks again for your assistance" Fitoria said
"Of course. My name is Melty Melromarc. It's a pleasure to meet you" Melty said as she bows
"Yes. Melty-tan" Fitoria fondly said
"Wait...wha...?" Melty asked confused at the nickname
"Wait, you two met each other before?" Yami asked
"Yes. I was on my way back to the capital during a diplomatic trip" Melty said
"Most mature 10 year old.." Rem thought fondly
"How the hell is a 10 year old able to do that?" Gin asked as he got smacked on the head by Noire
"Language Sir Gin, not in front of Melty-tan, Kou or Filo" Noire sweetly said
"Anyways. Thank you Fitoria for helping us with that monster, but what do you want with us?" Otome asked
"Answering that will take time and this isn't the best place for a chat. Let's go somewhere more comfortable" Fitoria said as she gestures towards a regal looking carriage that has filolial colors of white, baby blue, pink and gold
Melty and Filo excitingly smiled while Gin, Irene, Raphtalia and Yami looked at her skeptically.
"The Vassal Carriage. Just looking at in person is even more impressive than looking at it through a computer" Rem thought with a grin
He then looks at the corpse of the beast as he walks towards it.
"I don't like the idea of a Cardinal Hero using dragon material" Fitoria said
"It will help strengthen the shield" Rem said
"Please don't. I sense an ominous aura in your shield" Fitoria sternly said concerned "Cursed powers may be impressive, but the consequences of using them are dire. You must trust me" She said
Rem knew that using the power of the Curse Series can lead to dire consequences as Fitoria said, as the power deprives from the Seven Deadly Sins. However, he's an exception due to his ability to not only not feel pain, which meant that the Wrath Shield can't hurt, but also because he could handle any type of pain regardless of what it is.
"Thanks for your concern Fitoria, and for the warning, and I do trust you. But I will be alright" Rem said as he got closer to the beast's corpse "After all, the consequences of the Curse Series can't affect me" He said
Fitoria was surprised by that, especially since she can tell that he's being honest. She watches as he fed a couple of pieces of the beast to his shield while he grabbed one of its teeth to keep for later in the future.
"I'm done Fitoria. What about the body?" Rem asked
"I'll have my family bring the remains along with us" Fitoria said as Rem nods "Get in the wagon please, I'll have some questions when we arrive" She said
"Of course" Rem said walking to the carriage
"Are you sure that we should go with her?" Gin asked
"Yes. Fitoria can be trusted, it's the matter of if she can trust us that you should be wondering" Rem said
"Guess we'll have to see" Gin said as they all got into the carriage
Rem saw Frost quivering in fear as he patted her head "Shrink down and get into my cloak" He whispers
Frost nods as she shrinks to her infant form as she quickly crawled into his cloak til she was hidden in the back of his neck.
"That should help her. I can't blame her for being scared, after all, we're literally heading into the territory of the filolial flock" He thought
The carriage was engulfed in a bright gold light and the next moment they were now in another location.
The group got out as they saw the new terrain that they were now in.
"What just happened?" Raphtalia asked
"Some kind of instant travel magic" Melty said
"So teleportation basically" Gin said
Rem looked as he saw the large family of filolials as he could only do nothing but sigh.
"I have the feeling that I'm going to experience what Emiya goes through with Artoria..." Rem thought
"Look at these ruins..." Otome said
"Imagine the history behind them" Raphtalia agreed
"Should we get some glasses for you two?" Gin teased which made the two look flustered before Otome kicked him in the groin causing Gin to be on the ground
"What a dump" Filo said
Rem shook his head at Filo's bluntness as he sighs.
"Supposedly, these are the remnants of a civilization defended by the original heroes" Fitoria said
"You don't sound too certain about that" Yami said as Flare agreed with her
"They've been like this since before I was born. But I watch over them now" Fitoria said
"This is a filolial sanctuary, huh?" Melty asked
"Correct. In fact, I'm not supposed to bring humans here" Fitoria said
Melty looked around the ruins in awe while Yuki looked uninterested in the ruins and just stood close to Rem and Frost.
"Well, guess we're safe here for the time being" Irene said
"I hope she doesn't kill me..." Frost whimpers as Rem pats her head
"I won't let her Frost. I promise" Rem reassured her as Frost snuggles closer to him
The heard a stomach growl as they looked at Filo as Rem chuckles at her sheepish look.
"Perhaps, you should all rest here for a little while" Fitoria said slightly amused
"Yeah. Let's rest here while we still can" Rem said as the others agreed
"Well, it sure has been a long day" Melty said
"And a hectic one" Otome agreed as she nods
"I wonder how Rifana, Keel and the others are doing..." Raphtalia asked
Rem looks at her "Don't worry Raphtalia, Van and the other demi-humans are with them, remember" Rem said as she nods
"Yeah, you're right" She said smiling
"Anyways. I'll get started on making food for everyone" Rem said, he looks at the filolials who were eyeing him expectingly "Yes. That includes you" He said
The group got everything ready for Rem to cook as they decided to cook the Tyrannosaurus Rex meat for everyone. Once he was done making the food they all started eating their food, Rem ate with Frost as he knew better than to leave her alone within the sight of a whole flock of filolial.
"Isn't it yummy?" Filo asked
"It's delicious" Fitoria agreed
"I'm glad you like master's cooking Fitoria" Sakura said as Yuki and Kou agreed with her
"They could almost be siblings" Melty said
"Yea, they certainly look like it" Rem said
"And all five of them are gluttons" Gin said chuckling
Otome nods as she giggles, she subtly glances at Rem who had finished making more food for the hungry filolials before heading back to Frost.
Later that night, every filolial were passed out asleep with full bellies and empty pots and pans on the ground.
"That takes care of satisfying the stomachs of every filolial in the flock..." Rem thought looking at each and every one of the filolial
He turned and saw Fitoria walking towards him as he knew that it was time for the two of them to have that talk.
"Hey Fitoria, you still hungry?" He asked
"No thanks, I'm full. But I would like to have our talk now" Fitoria said as Rem nods
The two walked in silence as Fitoria was balancing herself on parts of the ruins, Frost was still hidden in Rem's cloak as only her eyes could be seen in the cloak.
"I'd like to know how that monster came to be released from its seal" Fitoria said
"I thought you came because you knew about it?" Rem asked despite knowing the real reason why she came
"I was there because I was told that four possible candidates for the next queen have been found" Fitoria said
"Oh god, I hope that what happened between Thor and Loki doesn't happen with those four..." Rem thought
"You mean Filo, Sakura, Yuki and Kou?" He asked
"Yes" Fitoria said
Rem nods, he didn't bother to ask about those four and their growth rate because he knew that they and Frost are like Fitoria in which they were raised by a hero, specifically him as he's also the Shield Hero since coming to this world.
"Now tell me, why was that monster released from its seal?" Fitoria asked again
Rem sighed as he knew what was coming, he then proceeded to explain everything to her. And after the explanation Fitoria sighs in annoyance.
"I am appalled. You cardinal heroes should all be ashamed. Squabbling with each other when the next wave is approaching" Fitoria said
"To be fair, they didn't make it easier with getting along with them. And people hating me for being the Shield Hero isn't making it easier" Rem pointed out
"The Shield Hero has always been shunned by the human supremacist countries" Fitoria said
"That's why we're trying to cross the border to-" Rem said but was cut off
"Leaving won't solve anything. Work it out. The humans and demi-humans may hate each other, but the heroes mustn't fight amongst themselves" Fitoria said as she continues walking ahead with Rem following her
"Ren I can find easier to convince because he's mature enough to know better, but Itsuki and Motoyasu are a different story all together" Rem thought with a sigh
He looks to see Fitoria pile up rocks on top of one another like a tower.
"Don't you know about the hourglass? All four of you certainly should" Fitoria asked
"You mean the dragon hourglass? Yea, I do" Rem said with a nod
"Then why aren't you fighting the Waves of Catastrophe across the world?" Fitoria asked
"It's more difficult than you think. My party and I have been cleaning up the mess that those three made" Rem said
"The heroes are also meant to go to one country each, every time there's a wave" Fitoria said
"I know, however cleaning up after those three is-" Rem said but Fitoria cuts him off again
"Yes. You're cleaning up after the other three. So, I've been traveling the world in your stead whenever I'm asked. But you four aren't helping anywhere else" Fitoria said
"It's not easy. We can't be everywhere at once, and those three aren't helping, they'll destroy everything if the waves don't" Rem said
"Honestly, what happens to the humans doesn't matter to me. I'm only fighting because the hero who raised me asked me to do so" Fitoria said indifferently
"Asked or told?" Rem asked
"My job is to protect the world and keep its people safe..." Fitoria said and after a moment she continues "But I can't do that all by myself. I need the heroes to help me" She said
"My party and I are able to help, but you seem to have this taken care of" Rem said
"That may be true, for now. But eventually...I won't be enough" Fitoria said
Rem caught a rock just as the tower collapsed. He looks at her with a gentle smile.
"You're not the only one fighting the waves. I can't guarantee that I'll work something out with the other heroes, but I will protect as many people as I can" He said
"Then why not make up with them? The Cardinal Heroes are supposed to work together. That is absolutely crucial to this world's protection" Fitoria said
"It's hard to when two of them are either too stubborn or too prideful, only one of them is mature enough for me to probably work something out with them. Besides, we're still wanted across Melromarc" Rem said
"Don't worry, I'm aware of what's happening. Regardless, the heroes must stop fighting each other" Fitoria said
"That would be difficult on its own considering what's been happening, but for now we'll need to focus on other things, like the next wave" Rem said
He begins to walk away, but he stops only a few feet away from her.
"I'll find a way to get them to work with me, Fitoria, but for now I need to focus on getting ready for the next wave" Rem said
He places the rocks in a neat circle of 7, symbolizing the unity between the Cardinal Heroes and the Titan Force Heroes.
The rocks had the looks of a Spear, a Sword, a Bow, Shield, a type of Crest, the Buster Sword and a filolial. All 7 of them facing each other.
"I hope you're right....Rem Clive..." Fitoria muttered
Meanwhile in Castle Town, Ren and Itsuki were with their parties as they were inside the three heroes church, they had stopped upon reaching a triangular door.
"Is this the place?" Ren asked
"Yea, I think so" Itsuki answered
The two mages from their parties walked forward casted a spell to unlock the door revealing a dark staircase that leads below the church.
"No question, the three heroes church is definitely hiding something" Itsuki said
Ren nods as he pulls out the three heroes church rosary that Rem had tossed to him that night on the mountain.
"Hard to believe that Rem was right" Ren said
The two walked down the stairs with the mage from Ren's party providing light for them, they arrived at an archive room as they began to browse through the books in search of clues.
The rest of the two's parties were on guard duty, though they failed to notice Malty who was hiding behind a pillar who was scowling at them.
"Mind your own business" Malty mutters
Back with Rem, he was resting next to Frost in a part of the ruins as Frost was in her human form snuggled up to his chest, Rem opened a single eye as he smiles down at her before falling back asleep.
Published: 10/26/23