The rescue mission has commenced! Alex has taken the leadership and he seems dead set on finding and saving Ayu! And, we got to meet some interesting(and in my opinion, awesome) characters. L'arc and Therese are simply amazing. And then there's the two new OC's we met. Both Xev and Krystal were two of the top fan submissions that I chose from for new OC's for the series and they're sure to make a big splash. But don't think that you can't submit an OC anymore because I chose them. There's still room for the future because I can guarantee i'll add a few more before I catch up with the shield hero light novels. Anyways, let's get right back into the story! Enjoy!

Thanks to some rather good luck, we didn't meet any bad weather during our voyage to Cal Mira archipelago. And because of that, we managed to arrive the next morning. We docked at the port and.... well.... most of us got off in one piece. Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Ren were seasick all night and had to be escorted to a medical ward when they arrived. 

I thanked Xev and Krystal as I left the ship along with Neela, Naofumi and the rest of his party. 

"Welcome to Cal Mira archipelago. My name is Habenburg, and i'm the Earl of this island. Please, allow me to direct you to your inn." A man said to us as he approached us, wearing a stylish blue suit. 

"Oh my, I was not aware that we'd be in the presence of the first prince of Melromarc. It truly is an honor to meet you again, sir Alexander. But, that was over a decade ago so i'm sure you've forgotten of that time." Habenburg said to me as he bowed to me. 

"Well, you're right about not remembering much. But, another thing..... i'm not exactly the prince anymore. I've now become king of Melromarc, alongside my mother, the queen." I explained to him as he looked shocked. 

"The king!? Please accept my apology, I was not aware of this development! I will accept any punishment you wish to ensue upon me." Habenburg said to me as I just looked embarrassed in front of everyone now. 

"Hey now, there's no need to apologize. You didn't know and that's that. Nothing you can do about it. And, if you want to be punished, then how about taking us to the inn you were talking about? Will that do?" I asked him as he stood up and nodded. 

"Jeez, you've only been the king for just over 2 days and you're already doing a better job than your dad. Nice work." Naofumi said to me as I thanked him. We then began to follow Habenburg as he walked us through the streets of the town. 

"Cal Mira is a collection of small islands, and the one you're on now is the largest of them. Cal Mira is actually the sacred training ground for the five cardinal heroes. Every generation of them has come here to level up quicker. But, the activation of the boosted experience brings other adventurers as well. This is our busiest time in our lives, as you can probably tell. And, because there's so many of you, there are just a few rules you must all follow." Habenburg explained as we walked through a market, teeming with life of every kind, human, demi-human, dogs, cats, birds, you name it. 

"What kind of rules, Mr.?" Filo asked him. 

"The first is that you may only travel between islands by boat. I'm sure none of you will have any issues with that though. And that's just because large and terrifying monsters lurk in the sea at all times. Wouldn't want any of you to die on us, am I right? Anyways, the next rule is you must try to kill as many monsters as possible but do not interfere with other adventurers. If you happen to be close to others, the experience you would've gained from slaying a monster will drop to zero, for all of you." Habenburg explained. 

"I see. So, in other words, get as far away from everyone else as possible so they don't steal or you don't take away kills. Makes sense to me." Naofumi said as we all agreed. 

"Are there any other rules we must abide by?" Raphtalia asked but Habenburg shook his head. 

"Nope. That is all. They're simple, see? Like I said, i'm sure none of you will have any issues with them." He said to us as we arrived at the inn. He showed us to our rooms and we unpacked our supplies. Habenburg then left us to check up on the other three heroes. When all of us were finished, we gathered together outside the inn in front of a totem. 

"Is everyone ready to begin our search?" I asked as they all gave me nods. 

"Master, what's this thing?" Filo asked Naofumi as she pointed to the totem. 

"It's a totem pole, Filo. Supposedly it represents the inhabitants who lived on these islands in ancient times." Naofumi explained. 

"And there's supposed to be an epigraph left by a cardinal hero here as well." Neela said. 

"Is it this thing?" Filo questioned as she walked up to a small stone slab with lettering engraved into it.

"Magical writing? Let's see here...... As source of thy power, the shield hero orders thee. Decipher the meaning of this message, and energize the target of my choice." Naofumi said as the writing began to glow. He then placed his hand over Filo. 

"Casting Zweit Aura." He said as Filo briefly glowed teal for a second. 

"I feel.... powerful...." Filo said as she jumped straight up into the air, going clear over the totem pole. And it was easily 30 feet tall. She landed on her feet in front of us all. 

"Nailed it!" She cheered as she held her arms out with pride. 

"So, a hero of the past left this here? I guess that means all the legends are true, that this was their sacred training ground." I said as everyone seemed to agree. 

"Hey! Shield kiddo!" A familiar voice yelled as we all turned to see who shouted at us. It was L'arc and Therese. 

"Filo sure did get some good height on that one. It helped us figure out where you all were. You know, it kinda hurt my feelings when you left the boat without saying goodbye." L'arc said to Naofumi. 

"I didn't realize I needed to." Naofumi replied. 

"Company can make or break a trip. Besides, you never answered us when we asked if you wanted to  team up." L'arc explained. 

"Obviously, we've only just arrived. So first of all, we'll need to get our barrings here. But, we could help each other out." Therese suggested as Naofumi began to think. 

"Alright, but i'll drop you in a heartbeat if you hold us back." Naofumi said as L'arc just laughed at the comment. 

"Right back at ya, kiddo! Anyways, the two of us have gotta get some supplies first. We'll catch up with you all later!" L'arc said as the two of them turned around and walked away. 

"That guy is just way too nice. And something about the two of them just doesn't feel right to me." I thought to myself as we all headed out to the centre of the island. Apparently, some smaller monsters had begun to spawn there. We set out into a plains area first that was filled to the brim with small purple goo-like creatures. They'd hop over to us and try and latch on but one strike was all that was needed to kill them. But they gave us so much experience points. 

"Man, these foes are so weak, it's hard to find any encouragement to fight any of them." I said as everyone sighed and agreed with me. We kept on walking around the island, facing off against a plethora of weak enemies. We leveled up and searched for any signs of Ayuma or the demon, but the latter brought us no luck. And, on top of all that, we stopped gaining experience points for some reason. 

"Master, what's going on? Why aren't I getting any points now?" Filo asked. 

"So, you're the reason why it's stopped for us." Someone said to us. We turned and saw Itsuki, as well as, his party members coming down a nearby hill. Obviously, we were all too close to each other so now we couldn't gain any points. 

"What happened to my exp?" Motoyasu asked as he now appeared from some nearby bushes along with all his party members. 

"Hey, what're you guys doing here? This is my spot." Ren said as he and his party walked through a couple of trees. Looks like their recovery time was pretty short if they're out here already. 

"I can't farm any exp like this with you all here. Please go somewhere else." Ren asked us all. 

"Oh no, why don't you go?" Motoyasu suggested. 

"You're gonna have to leave too, Motoyasu." Itsuki said to him. The three of them went into some pointless back and forth banter and me and Naofumi decided it was best for the five of us to just leave and go off to another island. We headed back to the port and met with Xev and Krystal. 

"You wanna go to one of the smaller islands? Yeah, sure, we'll take you to one we know that gives loads of exp." Krystal said to us as we thanked them. The two of them then boarded into a much smaller passenger boat, maybe capable of holding up to 10 people. 

"Um, shouldn't we take one of the larger sailing ships here?" Neela asked them. 

"It's quicker to take this kind of boat between the islands. Less chance of hitting rocks out there too. Besides, we're not on duty in the Melromarc port for the next few days. We'll gladly be your guides around to the islands. We happen to be from here ourselves." Xev explained as we all got onto this smaller boat and took off. 

"Okay, everyone hold on tight! We're going full speed ahead! Xev, hit it!" Krystal said to him as he placed his left hand in the water. He activated some sort of magic from his palm that started pushing the water away and propelling us forward at an incredible speed, like we were an arrow in the water. 

"How exactly is he doing that? Can he control water or something?" I asked Krystal. 

"Nope! Xev here can use reflector type magic. Right now, he's using it to repel the water and the force of that is moving us forward. But he can also make barriers and other cool things like that. You should see what he can do to our larger ship." Krystal explained to us. 

"That's pretty neat. Then, what about you? Can you use magic like Xev?" Neela asked her. 

"Yep. I can use two types, actually. My strong point is healing magic but I can also bend light and form weapons with it. Cool, right?" Krystal explained. 

"Wow, that's so awesome!" Filo cheered as we were already coming up on the island. It was so much smaller than the main island, probably 10 times smaller. We hit land and Xev told us he and Krystal would stay with the boat while we went on to search and grind. 

We faced a much wider assortment of monsters that were much larger and dangerous than the ones on the previous island. And they were giving us tons of exp. We'd jump an entire level, sometimes two by defeating just one creature. We kept it up until the sun had started to go down. I managed to reach level 57, while Neela got to 59. Filo reached 62, Raphtalia 60, and Naofumi now sat at 58. Despite only being in the archipelago for less than 12 hours now, we'd all managed to grow by nearly 20 levels each. This was insane. 

"It's starting to get dark. I think it would be best if we set up camp for the night." I suggested as Naofumi agreed. We set up our campsite which was surrounded by trees and Neela made us a fire. We all gathered around an inspected the drops we received from slaying monsters all day. They were certainly more high-level than the ones in Melromarc. Strength enhancing potions, rare gemstones, and so much more.  

But, as we were looking at everything we obtained, some nearby bushes began to rustle. We all stood up at the same time and readied ourselves in case it was another monster. But, a metal blade poked out of the bushes, and soon after, its wielder. It was L'arc who was wielding a large scythe and Therese was right behind him. 

"Oh, thank goodness, we found you all." L'arc said as they came over to us. 

"Why are you out here so late?" Raphtalia asked them. 

"Xev was beginning to get worried since you were staying out so late. We got a ride here from another ferryman." Therese explained. 

"So, you two decided to come look for us, then? Come on, it's not like adventurers dying on a quest is anything new." Naofumi said to them. 

"That doesn't mean we're going to ignore you, because i'd never be able to sleep at night if my associates were to turn up dead or missing." L'arc explained. 

"Associates?" I asked him. 

"Well, yeah. You wouldn't say we're not, would you?" L'arc asked but no one gave an answer. 

"We haven't even been here a full day. I understand you're wanting to grind as fast as possible, but let's call it a night." Therese suggested. 

"Well, she's right. It is getting late out. Maybe it's best we end today." Neela suggested. I was hesitant at first because I just wanted to keep searching for Ayuma. But, I knew they were right. Getting rest would help me rather than hinder me.

"Fine. Today's sear- I mean grind was good enough. We'll resume tomorrow morning." I declared as everyone agreed with me. 

"Man, you take the whole king thing way too seriously, kiddo." L'arc said to me as I just sighed and accepted it. No use trying to argue with a guy like him who's always so cheery. We met back with Xev and Krystal and they took us all back to the main island. We arrived at the inn and everyone but me decided it was a night to party. I don't blame them, each and every one of them, including the other heroes grew so much today. They deserved it. 

But as for me, I just couldn't find any happiness right now. Not as long as I know that demon is out there. Not as long as I know Ayuma isn't safe. I retired to my room for the evening but I didn't get much sleep at all. I decided it would be a better use of my time to work on my combat skills. I turned the ball of copper I brought with me into a sword and I began swinging it around until the sun rose. Maybe today we'll have better luck. I met up with Neela, Naofumi and his party, along with L'arc and Therese at the entrance to the inn.  

"Morning, king kiddo. Ready to get the day started?" L'arc asked me. 

"Yes, I am. But, for today I will not be accompanying you all." I explained to them. 

"Seriously? What're you gonna do then?" Naofumi asked me. 

"I'm going to continue my search and grind with Ren and his party for today. I heard he was going to an island I haven't checked yet so I figured it was my best option. I hope you all can understand." I said as they all nodded. 

"Yeah, we understand. We'll see you later, then. Good luck with Mr. dark and gloomy." Naofumi said to me as they all left me. Ren and his party then came out of the entrance. 

"So, I here you will be joining us today. Are you all prepared to leave?" He asked me. 

"Yes. Now, let's head to the port." I said as Ren nodded in agreement. We headed off and found a ferryman who gladly agreed to take us to one of the other large islands. We set out immediately and made land after about 10 minutes. We then began our search and grind, quickly running into an array of middle tier monsters. 

"Looks like these ones are much higher level than those weaklings we faced yesterday. This should get us better experience easily." Ren said as he pulled out his sword and fired a lightning bolt at a nearby wolf creature. He struck it down with one hit and went over to see what kind of materials it dropped for him. But, what he didn't notice was that in a bush right next to the dead wolf was a second. I saw it at the last second and I quickly pulled out a metal ball, reshaping it quickly so I could make it to him in time. 

"Ren, get away from the wolf! Go, cobalt eagle!" I said as my ball of cobalt molded itself into the shape of a small eagle and flew towards the bush. Ren jumped away from it as my eagle struck the bush and the wold hidden within it. My eagle teared up the creature with its metal talons until the wolf died. 

"Thanks for that, your highness." Ren said to me. 

"Just make sure to keep your eyes open on all of your surroundings. I'm sure there'll be times when someone isn't there to help you out." I said to him as he agreed. 

"I think there's more creatures for us to slay over there, Ren. We should go and check it out." One of his party members said to him. 

"Alright then. Let's go see what we've got to slay next, shall we?" Ren said as he went to walk by me. But I stopped him when I grabbed his left wrist. 

"Hold it. We should search for signs of Ayuma or that demon first before we continue to grind. Besides, i'm sure you gained a level or two from killing that wolf." I said to him. 

"Yeah, but it won't mean anything unless I gain more levels. That way, we can all be more prepared for the upcoming waves and for that demon if it reappears. Now please, let go of me, your highness." Ren asked me. 

"Have you forgotten what our primary objective for coming here is? Might I remind you that the reason every one of us are here is to find and save Ayuma from that blasted demon. Or, have you become so self-centered and obsessed with your own personal gain that you no longer care?" I asked Ren as he slipped his hand out of my grip. 

"I haven't forgotten the mission. It's just that I feel it would be best to become stronger before facing an opponent as strong as that demon. Now, I don't really care what you do, sir. But what I decide to do is what I feel is best for me and my party. And if you don't agree with that, then I see no reason for you to be with us." Ren said to me as he and his party walked away. 

"Fine! Go off and ensure we all die next time we face that demon! I'll see you in hell, you bastard!" I shouted to him as he left my sight. I then decided to just give up on him and head back to the main island, hoping I could meet up with one of the other heroes. When I arrived, I noticed on a beach that was near the port that Naofumi and his party members, including Neela were relaxing. 

"What are they doing? They're supposed to be searching for Ayuma! Why are they here instead!?" I thought to myself as I started to walk over to them. 

"Hey, king kiddo!" I heard L'arc yell as I turned to see him and Therese walking over to me. 

"Hello, you two. What happened to grinding?" I asked them. 

"Well, we spent all morning battling monsters and shield kiddo over there and his party members completely exhausted themselves. So they decided to come back here and have a break until later." L'arc explained to me. 

"What they should be doing is helping me with my mission. They can't be just sitting here all day doing nothing." I said to them. 

"Look, everyone gets tired, even you. You must understand that, right? Let 'em have there break for now. Besides, they're going back on the grind later today, anyways. Just let 'em have a bit of fun while they're here." L'arc said to me as I just sighed. 

"I guess they have been at it since yesterday when we arrived. Very well, i'll allow it. But aren't you two tired as well? Why aren't you with them?" I asked. 

"Nope! Not tired one bit! We were actually about to head off to another island to grind. Wanna come?" L'arc asked me as I nodded. 

"Yeah, sure, i'll come. It'll make me feel a bit better after..... well.... I had a little fight with an associate of mine." I explained to them. 

"Oh dear, I hope things get resolved between you two." Therese said to me as we started walking around the port for a boat to take us to the island. 

"He's just one of those people who care more for themselves than the others around them. It's hard to fix that type." I explained to them as they fully understood. 

"Hey, your majesty! If you're looking to travel around, then come along with us!" I heard Krystal yell to me as we turned to see her in the distance with Xev, waving at us. 

"Nice timing! The three of us were actually looking for a boat to take us to the southwest island! Think you could take us there!?" L'arc yelled to them. 

"Yeah, sure! Now get over here, already!" Krystal replied as we walked over and took off. The island wasn't far from the main one. It was only like a 5 minute ride to it. But, as we approached the island, i'd finally found my first clue that Ayuma and the demon were here. 

"Woah! Whatever did that must have some serious precision and power!" L'arc said, impressed at the sight before us. The island we came to wasn't too big but it still had a few small mountains on it. But, one of the mountains had been completely split in half, with a perfect clean cut.

"I haven't seen anything else on these islands that could do so much damage. which means...." I tried to say as L'arc poked me in the shoulder. \

"Sorry to ask, kiddo, but we've both been wondering something." He said to me. 

"Yes. You said earlier that you were searching for something? If it's not too much of a bother, can you please tell us what it is you're looking for?" Therese asked me as I just looked at them both and sighed. 

"You're both very good people. And, I didn't want to tell you before so you didn't become involved. But, if you're asking me, then i'll inform you of the situation. Someone who I care deeply about was recently taken from me, her family, party members, and friends. A demon has possessed her and we believed she was taken here to grow stronger. Our mission was simple, find her first, grind second. But now..... everyone seems more focused on grinding instead of helping me find her." I said as I put my head down. 

"Well kiddo, right now, we'll help you in your search. And, judging by the looks at that split mountain, you might just get your wish and find her pretty soon." L'arc said to me. And honestly, I hope he's right. But, at the same time, i'm kinda hoping he's wrong. Sure, it would be amazing to find her, but that would also mean we find the demon. And who knows how powerful it's become since it got here. 

"If that is the case, and we do find her and this demon, I do not want either of you fighting it. You will leave this island immediately. Understand?" I asked them. 

"Kid, that's just suicide, what you're saying. I'm not just gonna leave an associate behind like that. We'll stay to fight if we have to." L'arc said to me as I decided to give up on our conversation. There's simply no getting through to a guy like him. 

Shortly after our talk, we hit land. Xev and Krystal stayed at the boat again while the three of us went into the forest on the island. We were headed towards the split mountain. 

"It's already late in the afternoon. Just so we're not out here after dark, I believe it would be best for us to split up for the time being." I suggested as they both agreed with me. 

"Sounds good, kiddo. Just watch your back." L'arc said to me. 

"Thank you. We'll meet back at the boat in 2 hours. I wish you both good luck in your search." I said them as we left each other. 

The next hour or so was spent trying to reach the mountain. And finally, I did. I began to walk around it to inspect the damage it took and I eventually laid my eyes on a cave that was several dozen feet up the side of the mountain. I climbed up so I could see if anything was inside. When I got up there, I saw the cave itself wasn't very big and it didn't go too far into the mountain. Regardless, I went in anyway just in case. 

The cave went into the mountain for only about 50 feet before coming to a stop. I didn't encounter anything on my way through it so I knew nothing was residing inside. I gave up on this cave, turned around and began to leave. 

"No..... don't go......" I heard a girls voice silently say as I stopped and began looking around for whoever said that. 

"Hello? Is someone there? Please, answer me!" I asked them. 

"Don't leave us......" The voice said again.

"Where are you!? Please, tell me!" I asked. 

"We're over here..... Over here....." The voice said to me. 

"Please, show yourself! I'm not going to harm you!" I shouted. 

"Good....." The voice said as suddenly, four long black tentacles shot out of the darkness and latched onto my limbs. 

"What the hell!? What is this!?" I questioned as I fell over, the tentacles beginning to drag me deeper into the cave. 

"Let go of me! Help! Somebody help!" I shouted as everything suddenly went black. 

When I awoke, I had no idea where I was. It just looked like a pitch black room with nothing but a single light seeping down from up above. 

"Hello?" I called out as my voiced echoed into the distance. But I received no response. 

"Is anyone else here?" I asked but yet again, I did not receive an answer. 

"I.... I.... Is.... Is... it...." I started to hear someone say as I could hear footsteps over in the darkness. 

"Whoever's there, reveal yourself! If you step out of the shadows, I promise you I will not harm you!" I stated as the footsteps grew louder. 

"Is it really you.....?" A girls voice said as I could see a figure standing near the edge of the darkness and the light. I couldn't make them out though. I used my ball of cobalt to form a sword in my right hand, preparing myself in case this person was hostile. But they stepped out of the darkness and into the light, and I dropped my weapon when I laid my eyes on this person. 

"Is it really you, Alex?" Ayuma said to me as I saw what had become of her. Half of her body had formed into the demon, a single black wing emerging from the right side of her back, one horn from the right of her forehead, those black scales all over her right side..... it was horrifying. 

"What's wrong? Don't you recognize me, Alex?" She asked me as she stepped over to try and hug me. 

"No, stay away! You're not Ayuma!" I said as I picked up my sword and stepped backwards a bit. 

"What're you talking about? It's me....." She said to me as a black tentacle came out of nowhere from my right, latched onto my sword and pulled it away from me. I kept on walking backwards away from this monstrosity until I walked into something. I reached behind me to feel it and it felt all slimy. I turned my head to see an enormous black creature standing above me. It's body, from what I could tell, was serpentine with the head of a dragon.

"My dear Alex.... why do you look so afraid? It's me, Ayuma..... see?" She said to me as the demon half of her detached itself, allowing Ayuma's full body to drop to the ground in an unconscious state. The demon then formed its entire body and walked right up to me. 

"You give her back, you filthy demon!" I shouted to it as the demon just laughed at me. 

"My, my, such brave, but empty words. I'm afraid you're too late, little king. Our merging is complete. Me and Ayuma are now one." It explained to me.

"No, that's not true! I know there's a way to destroy you and free her! I'll kill you right here and now, myself!" I shouted as I made another sword out of copper and swung it at the demon. But it went right through it like the demon was made out of smoke. 

"What!? It's not working?" I questioned as the demon laughed again. 

"That's because i'm not really here. I'm speaking to you through your feeble little mind. Now, as to your statement before, I will be helpful and inform you that it is possible to slay me. But, now that i'm merged with Ayuma, killing me would also end her own life in the process. Now, tell me, little king..... how does that make you feel?" The demon said to me as I gripped my sword tightly in my hand. 

"You're lying...... There has to be someway to beat you without killing Ayuma!" I shouted to it as it walked around me, stopping behind me and grabbing the back of my hair, pulling my head back so i'd now look up at its face. 

"There is one way! Simply take her place and destroy yourself! But my host now is one of the five cardinal heroes, someone i'm never going to give up. We'll be together for all time!" The demon roared as it let go of my hair. 

"What do you plan to do with Ayuma?" I asked it. 

"Reshape this broken world into my image. Eternal darkness shall cover the land, sea, and sky and my power will become infinite. Not a single one of you worms will be able to stop me!" The demon said as I swung at it again with my sword. But, like before, it went right through it like smoke. The demon could touch me but I could not touch it. 

"The other four heroes will not allow you to achieve this goal. And, as the king, neither will I. We will stop you and save Ayuma somehow." I said to it. 

"If you're trying to threaten me then just stop now. You're almost making me laugh. I've surpassed the strength of you and those puny heroes. Even that Naofumi and that dreaded curse shield he wields. It's nothing but child's play to me now." The demon said to me. 

"Why tell me this? Why tell me, of all people, any of this? What are you getting at?" I asked it as it suddenly lunged at me, grabbing onto the front of my face and lifting me into the air. I tried desperately to break free of its grip but it was too tight. 

"I'm telling you because, in the end, none of this will matter. You'll become one with me, just like Ayuma. And together, the three of us will rule over the new world I seek to create! And, isn't that what you want? To be together with Ayuma? To share your feelings with her? To love her?" The demon asked me as I tried again to break free. But before I could, the demon threw me against the ground, sliding me over near the darkness. Black arms appeared and tried to grab onto me but I crawled away before they could touch me. 

"If you think i'd ever join you then you are very mistaken. I would rather die than side with a demon who only cares about death and destruction. I swear on my life, as the king, I will do all in my power to end you, demon. Your time of casting fear and suffering will come to an end. I will defeat you and free Ayuma from your clutches, and then i'll cast you back into the world you came from. I'll send you straight back to hell itself." I said to the demon as it just laughed again. 

"Good..... GOOD! Fuel your hatred! Unleash all those negative emotions built up inside you! Oh, they'll taste so good when we meet again! I'm looking forward to it!" The demon said as Ayuma's body began to lift itself up. The demon walked over and merged itself with her, back to the form it had at the start of all this. 

"We'll see you soon, Alex. We'll see you.... very..... very...... soon....." She said to me as she vanished back into the darkness. I then heard hissing behind me. I turned and saw that serpentine creature lunge at me with its mouth wide open. I shut my eyes in fear as it was just about to engulf me.

"Hey! Kiddo, wake up!" L'arc yelled to me as I opened my eyes. I saw I was outside the cave, the sun shining down into my eyes. 

"What.... what happened to me?" I asked him and Therese. 

"You tell me. You've been missing for two days." Therese said to me as I became utterly shocked. 

"What did you say!? Two days!? That can't be!" I questioned. 

"Yeah, well it's true. I haven't gotten any sleep since we separated. And, I would love to ask where you went but right now, we don't exactly have the time for chit chat!" L'arc said as I then became curious. 

"Why's that?" I asked him. 

"Shield kiddo found a dragon hourglass in some underground ruins two days ago. That means that the waves can affect this archipelago as they do the mainland. And when he discovered it, it's timer said the next wave that would hit here would occur in two days, which means today!" L'arc explained to me as I shot up to my feet. 

"Do you know where the others are!? What are they doing about this situation!?" I asked. 

"Apparently, the queen of Melromarc has sent several battleships to Cal Mira to fight off the forces of the wave. She's come along as well. And everyone else has gone off with her to prepare for the battle. But, we stayed here to look for you first." Therese explained to me. 

"Thank you both for finding me. But, now we must hurry! I believe a force much more powerful than the waves will appear during it. And we'll need everyone we've got if we even want the slightest chance to survive." I explained to them as we started running back to the boat. 

"Look, there he is! L'arc and Therese found him!" Krystal shouted as we ran out of the forest and over to where they beached the boat. 

"What happened to you, your highness?" Xev asked me. 

"No time to explain. Just get us back to Cal Mira port and prep your vessel, Xev. We need to catch up to the others before they become overwhelmed by the forces of the wave, and the threat that'll surely follow it." I said as we pushed off back into the water, making our way to the port as fast as we could. 

"What're you talking about!? What do you mean, "The threat that's sure to follow it?" Krystal asked me. 

"The demon is here." I said to them. 

"What? Are you positive?" L'arc asked me. 

"Yes. I encountered it before you found me. And it's planning to destroy everything and cover our world in complete darkness. So, we need to hurry and help the others before it arrives. They'll need all the help they can get." I explained as we nearly crashed into one of the docks at the port. But we made it and quickly boarded onto Xev's largest ship, L'arc and Therese joining us. 

"No time to gather the crew! The five of us will just have to do!" Xev said as we undid the sails and took off. I was informed that this wave that would hit would most likely occur out in the open ocean. So that's where we were headed. 

"Xev, is this ship ready for battle? Can she fight?" I asked him.

"She's more than ready to fight! She's full of surprises, your highness! Those things from the wave or this demon won't know what hit them!" Krystal said to me. 

"Good. This may be our final battle. So, if we do indeed lose, let's make sure we go out with our pride held high!" I roared as everyone else cheered with me. 

The battle that would ensue would surely test each and every one of us, pushing us to our absolute limits. This wave could not have come at a worse time. It only gives the demon more time to grow even more powerful, giving it that much more of a chance to destroy us. But, we had to stay strong and focused on our current objective. Because even the slightest moment of hesitation could cause doom to us all. But, it was nearly impossible for me to focus on my duty after what the demon just told me. If I want to slay it....

"....Then Ayuma must also lose her life....."