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The Nightstalker's Bow by LoganMidnight
 Destiny & Rising of the Shield Hero/盾の勇者の成り上がり XoverRated: T, English, Adventure & Fantasy, Ghost, Guardian, Naofumi I., Raphtalia, Words: 86k+, Favs: 588, Follows: 751, Published: Dec 31, 2019 Updated: Jul 8 223Chapter 3
Disclaimer - I do not own the Destiny franchise or The Rising of the Shield Hero
Before this chapter starts, I just wanted to add what the ranking of weapon tiers that I will be using in the story.
Weakest - Common, Uncommon, Rare, Legendary, Exotic, Mythic, Relic - Strongest
The first four are pretty normal. Exotics are one of a kind weapons with a very strong and unique perk. Mythics are one of a type weapons (one mythic bow, one mythic shield, one mythic sword, one mythic spear, and so on) with super powerful bonuses. Relics are super legendary weapons that can only be wielded by a few, all of the heroes legendary weapons and vassal weapons fall under this category with a few others.
With that, enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 3 - Solo Play
The rest of the night was uneventful for Lance and his ghost. The ghost was occupied by the help screens, noting anything interesting as he read, while the hunter kept an eye out for anymore eavesdroppers like in the garden. He didn't get any sleep that night.
Not like he needed it.
A maid came by in the morning to collect him and the other heroes for breakfast in the large dining room. Like the dinner the night before, the meal had too much food for them. It was more fit for a large family. Luckily for the food though, the heroes weren't alone.
Others were in the room, a mix of what looked like adventurers and nobles conjugated in the room. None of them came up to Lance or the other heroes. A fact that suited Lance just fine.
'It seems like the king wasn't lying when he said he would bring in adventurers for us to partner with.' Shade said after seeing the so called adventurers.
'Yeah, but…' Lance observed one of the bigger knights trip over themselves, 'They don't seem like the "Best of the Best" to me.'
'Well maybe they're more professional in a battle.' The ghost replied in a strained voice after seeing the exact same thing.
A hand was waved in front of his face, "Hey, Earth to Lance. You there man?"
The hunter turned to the owner of the hand, Motoyasu, "Yeah, sorry." Lance apologized, "I was just thinking."
The spear holder smiled a knowing smile, "Yeah, I bet you were thinking about the cute girls over there." He leaned back with a smile, "I hope I get a party full of cute girls like them. That would be awesome!"
Lance stared at him for a second, "You have no shame do you?" He asked him, echoing his ghost.
A surprised looked covered Motoyasu's face, "Hey, what is that supposed to mean?"
Next to them Naofumi let out a chuckle while Ren put on a little smile at the little transaction.
Motoyasu quickly regained his composure and tried to change the subject, "Hey Lance, why don't you take off your helmet and eat something?"
"Yeah, now that I think about it," Naofumi followed, pointing his fork at Lance, "You haven't taken off that thing since you got here, have you?"
"You know, you're right." Motoyasu continued with a teasing smile, "You got some scars or something?" His eyes then lit up in excitement, "Oh, maybe you're an alien and you want to stay hidden in our human society." He ended with a laugh.
Lance thought for a second before responding, "Nothing like that, I'm just used to wearing it for protection while fulfilling my duties as a Guardian."
Ren piped up, "You've said that title before, Guardian, but what does it mean?"
"I've been wondering about that as well." Naofumi said, putting his eating utensils down.
"So what about it? You going to tell us or what?" Motoyasu added.
Again, Lance paused for a second to think before answering, "In simple terms, a Guardian is a protector of the people. A lot like being a hero here in fact."
"Ah," The spear wielder said, "So that's why you're so composed all of the time." He leaned in to Lance, "So, what was your party like? I mean, you must have had one."
The hunter gained a thoughtful look, putting his hand on his armored chin, "I never really had a party. Once in a while I formed a fireteam with a scholar and a shielder, but we mostly traveled separately."
Naofumi perked up at the mention of the shielder but didn't comment on it as Lance continued, "That reminds me actually, I need to speak with the king."
He stood up from his seat and moved towards the door, ignoring Motoyasu's question of, "Why do you need to talk to him?"
As he got to the door though, Lance spotted a figure that gave him a feeling of deja vu. Through the crowd he spotted a woman with dark red hair, hair that reached her shoulders. It seemed too familiar to him for some reason.
There was no time to think on that though, he needed to talk to the king about his partnership details.
(Corridor to Throne Room - A Few Minutes Later)
'Why are you going to talk to the king about this?' Shade asked confused, 'I thought we just weren't going to choose anyone to party with.'
During the night before, Lance and his ghost ultimately decided that traveling alone would be better for the both of them. It would provide the hunter more freedom and keep the chances of Shade being discovered to an all time low.
'While that was the plan,' Lance thought to his ghost, still too paranoid about someone listening from the night before to speak to his ghost out loud, 'I noticed that the adventurers were focusing on us just as much as I focused on them. I think that they may be the ones choosing the partnerships.'
'That could just be a coincidence for all you know.' The ghost tried to argue.
'Still,' The Guardian followed, 'It would be better for the king to know beforehand so he doesn't try to force people on us.'
The ghost sighed, 'Whatever you say.'
They walked for a few more minutes in silence before coming up to the door of the throne room. Just as he was about to knock and enter though, he heard the voices of the king and one of his advisers in the middle of a conversation.
"... and what of the adventures that came to party with him?" The king's voice rang, no matter how silent he was trying to be.
"They have been put in the dungeon and are currently being… taken care of." The adviser's voice responded, "There is no need to worry my king."
"Good, it's all going according to plan then." The king stated with what could be called appreciation, but it was more like satisfaction, "Gather the heroes from the dining hall, it is time they started their journeys." He finished with a tone of authority.
"Right away my king." The adviser said before footsteps could be heard coming to the door.
Moving before his ghost could tell him, Lance retreated to a short distance away from the door to make it look like he wasn't eavesdropping.
'What was that about?' Shade asked in a worried tone.
'I don't know,' The hunter replied, 'but it didn't sound good.'
They didn't have time to discuss it further though as the throne room door opened, causing Lance to walk towards it as if he never stopped. Out of the door came the same noble they had seen the day before at the king's side, said noble stopped once he saw the hunter.
"Ah, sir hero," He noble spoke with an eerie smile, "I was just about to get you and the other heroes. The king would like to start his audience with you."
Lance nodded, "I was just about to talk to the king myself. Is he in there by any chance?" He finished the statement by pointing at the throne room door.
The noble looked surprised for a fraction of a second before speaking again with the same smile, "Yes, he is. Don't let me hold you sir hero." The noble walked away after that, prompting the hunter to enter the throne room. The doors closed behind him.
The king looked at him in surprise as the hunter walked up to him, "Sir Nightshade, what an unexpected surprise. I just sent one of my advisers to get you and the other heroes."
"Yeah, I saw him walk out." Lance started, "I wanted to speak to you about an important matter though." He stopped in front of the king, where he and the other heroes were the day before.
"Oh, what would that be Sir Nightshade?" The king asked curiously.
"It's about the parties you want us to form," The hunter started, "I would like to go alone."
The king looked shocked, his mouth slightly agape. He quickly regained his composure, coughing into his hand, "Why would you want that Sir Nightshade? Surely you know how dangerous it will be out there alone?" He said this in a tone of worry and suspicion.
Lance spoke in response, "Of course I know it will be dangerous your majesty, but I have always traveled alone in my old world and I assure you that it will not be much of a problem for me."
The king gained a look of confusion at the mention of his old world, "What did you do in your old world that would make you think that?"
"I am a Guardian." Lance stated like a fact, "I traveled into the wilds everyday to kill the monsters that threatened me and my people." He motioned at himself, "It is why I wear this armor, it gives me the protection needed for that job."
"Even with that," The king started to reason, "Why would you want to forgo any help that a party could give you? It would be more beneficial for you to have others to help you in this world."
"I'm not denying that your majesty," The hunter stated calmly, "But I have been trained to travel alone and simply put, having others with me could make fighting the way I learned harder."
The king seemed to think for a second before finding it better to relent to the hero, "Fine, I will let you travel alone Sir Nightshade," Lance was getting annoyed at that nickname, "But if it turns out you do need help, come back to me and I will gather it for you."
The hunter bowed his head, "Thank you, your majesty."
The conversation seemed to end at the right time as the door to the throne room reopened allowing a group of adventures in followed by the other three heroes. The adventures lined up in front of the king and faced the heroes while the other heroes stepped into line next to Lance.
The hunter only nodded to the other heroes as they looked at him. Motoyasu started to ask him something in a whisper, "Yo dude, what did yo-"
"Heroes! I hope you have rested well, for today is the start of your journey." The king started his grand speech, "I have gathered the best adventurers and fighters from across Melromarc and gathered them here today to accompany you on your journeys."
As he said this, the king motioned his hand at the line of people in front of him. They were a mix of robed and armored men and women. Some of them looked at Lance with what excitement and determination. Maybe they wanted to partner with him, maybe they just like the bow hero, or maybe it was both.
If it was, they were about to be dissapointed.
"Earlier today though," The king continued, "Sir Nightshade came to me and informed me that he decided to travel alone and I shall respect that decision."
The few adventures looking at Lance had their excited looks changed to crestfallen looks. 'Huh,' The hunter thought, 'They did want to party with me. Sorry.'
Motoyasu on the other hand looked at Lance like he was crazy, but wasn't able to say anything as the king continued.
"Now then adventures," The king stated, coming to the end of his statement, "Stand by your chosen hero!"
'You were right,' Shade stated, viewing the events, 'The adventures are choosing who they go with.'
As the ghost stated, the line of adventures stepped up to the heroes and stood behind them. Something was off though.
"Hey king!" Naofumi shouted after looking behind him, and he was right to do so. None of the adventures were behind him.
Out of all of the adventures that gathered here, ten if Lance's count was right, none of them went to Naofumi. It was suspicious to the hunter, even more suspicious if he considered what he had overheard from the king and his advisor.
'I feel like we need to investigate these… dungeons after this audience.' The Guardian said to his ghost, not sure what the dungeons are supposed to be used for in this world.
The only dungeons he knew were filled with hive or taken.
'Agreed.' Was all the ghost said in reply.
The nobles on the second floor balcony, who came in a minute or two after the other heroes, started to whisper among themselves.
"I have to admit," The king started in a tone Lance could tell was fake surprise, "This was something I was not expecting."
The hunter nearly snorted, 'I call bullshit on that.'
A noble from the side of the room came up to the king and whispered something to the king. Motoyasu saw this and spoke up, curious, "Did something happen?"
A frown appeared on the king's face, one that looked a little forced in Lance's opinion. It was like he was trying not to smile. "Hmm, it appears that rumors have spread around town, rumors that the Shield Hero is ignorant about most things in this world."
The implications of that statement made Lance go still. If that information was out, that meant someone was spying on the heroes' conversation the night before.
'How did they get past the motion tracker?' The hunter worriedly asked his ghost, 'Even if they used stealth tec it would have still picked them up.'
'I… don't know.' The ghost replied before he sighed(?) in frustration, 'Why is this world full of so many questions and next to no answers?'
'I bet,' Lance stated, 'That we have more access to answers if it weren't for the king.' He narrowed his eyes at the king, 'He's planning something, no, he is acting out his plan. What is it though? What purpose does he have for treating the Shield Hero poorly like this?'
Naofumi brought him out from his thoughts, "What does that even mean?" Confusion was in his voice as he said it.
"Legend says that the Heroes are always summoned with deep knowledge about this world," The King explained, with tone, and posture equal to someone commenting on the weather, "And apparently everyone seems to think that this is knowledge the Shield Hero doesn't possess."
"How did the rumors start then?" Lance asked, putting that question into everyone's minds as they looked at him, "If the legend truly says that the heroes are to be summoned with a deep knowledge of this world, what would prompt such a rumor?"
Motoyasu seemed to think for a second before saying, "Maybe someone heard our chat last night."
"If that's true, then that holds several implications. The most prominent though is why aren't the rumors also about me?" The hunter questioned again.
This time, the look of confusion on the king's face was real, "What do you mean by that Sir Nightshade?"
Lance made sure to face him head on before saying, "What I mean is, I know just as much as this world as Naofumi here. I'm not afraid to admit that." Nobles around the room gasped at the statement, finding it hard to believe.
"T-then why would you want to go alone?" The king said confused, surprised, and a little panicked.
The hunter's cloak seemed to billow in the non-existent wind, "As I said before, I am a Guardian. Hunter class. I am trained to fight in any condition, in any terrain, and against any foe. All while alone."
The king looked flustered before regaining his composure and speaking again, "Yes, well, even if you can go alone, the Shield Hero is not trained like you. He will need a companion." The king looked over the adventures, "Will any of you be willing to party with the Shield Hero?"
Most just stood around awkwardly at his question. People on the sidelines of the balcony seemed to mutter more quietly, as if getting heard would lead to them being picked. The new companions of the heroes seemed even more nervous, sticking close to their chosen hero.
All except for one.
"I'll partner with the Shield Hero!" One of the women behind Motoyasu said before stepping into view.
When Lance saw her he regained his sense of deja vu. She had red hair tied into a ponytail, but it was still straight and nice. Her eyes were a bright green. She wore a simple set of leather and hide gear that, while trying to appear simple, was obviously custom made and fit. A simple iron sword was at her side, but it was polished and clean. Too clean for an experienced adventurer. In fact, it looked like it just came out of the shop.
That is when the hunter recognized her. While the clothing was obviously different from before, the hair was the same. He was positive that this was the same noble woman he saw spying on them the first day.
What was she doing here though?
"You sure?" Motoyasu asked, sounding slightly jealous.
"Yes!" She looked all to happy with that answer, her already present smile widening even more.
"Is there any one else who wants to join the Shield Hero's party?" Aultcray questioned only for nobody move, making the king sigh before he continued.
"It can't be helped, you will have to recruit more for yourself. In compensation, your payment will be higher than the rest of the heroes, the same goes for Sir Nightshade."
Lance raised his unseen eyebrow, 'Payment? Already?'
'They probably just want to keep you and the rest of the heroes invested.' The ghost replied.
"Every month we will provide the heroes with war funds to help you in your task, and here they are." Four servants came forward with bags in their hands, each bag deposited into the heroes hands.
Lance weighted the pouch in his hand with curiosity before slipping the slightly heavy bag into the largest compartment on his belt. Shade didn't waste a second, flashing the bag into his inventory space.
'Hmm,' The ghost started after observing the coins, 'One thousand pure silver coins. These would be worth a lot in the city. Well, to Tess at least.'
"Sir Naofumi will receive eight hundred silver coins," The king continued, "And Sir Nightshade will have access to one thousand silver coins since he will be leaving alone. Sir Ren and Sir Motoyasu will be given with six hundred each. Use these funds on equipment, and other necessities, and set out in your journey!" Aultcray declared, finishing his speech.
(Castle Corridors - One Hour After Audience)
After the heroes and their companions left the castle, it wasn't that hard for Lance to get back inside without being noticed.
What was difficult though, was finding the so called dungeons.
'Just what would it even look like?' Lance asked himself as he sneaked around the castle, dodging guards and maids with his motion tracker.
'Maybe I can take a look?' The ghost said anyway.
The Guardian stopped and thought for a second before sighing, 'Find, scan the surroundings and tell me if you find anything.'
On last check of his surroundings, making sure the coast was clear, prompted Shade to appear in a flash of light. The harpy shaped ghost floated around for a second before expanding, spreading his 'wings' and emitting a blue light around his eye. A visible pulse of light was seen coming out of the ghost, the light scanning the corridor and making a map, before the ghost collapsed again and moving forward with Lance following.
The ghost did this at least five more times before stopping abruptly, focusing on one spot on the floor, "Here's something." The ghost said as he floated to a spot on the floor, "It… seems to be blood, a trail of it."
The Guardian nodded, "Follow it then, it's probably the best clue we'll get without a proper castle layout." As he said it, Shade started to follow the trail through the castle corridors, only stopping when they had to dodge a knight or a maid.
After a few minutes, they came to a familiar point in the castle. More specifically, they were in the corridor with the heroes rooms. They didn't stop though.
They went further until they finally reached the door where the trail led. It looked simple enough, made of sturdy wood with an iron door handle. In fact, Lance remembered it from the night before. Only, he and his ghost thought it led outside.
That didn't stop him though. He opened the door and entered the room, softly closing the door behind him. Except, it wasn't as much of a room as it was a stairwell. A stairwell that spiraled down to the sublevels of the castle. Shade disappeared in a flash of light as the hunter crept slowly down the staircase, silent as a shadow.
At the bottom of the stairwell, a hallway stretched ahead before turning to the left. On either side of the hallway there were iron barred cells, six of them total. They were all open, the only things in them being chains on the back walls. The ground had a few small puddles of water, though the smell told Lance it wasn't all water.
'There's no one here.' Shade said as the hunter walked from cell to cell, observing the insides of them for potential evidence, 'Do you think we're in the wrong place?'
The hunter stopped at the last cell on the left before the turn and crouched to the floor, putting his right index finger on the ground before looking at it, "No, we're in the right place." His finger came up covered in a dark red, "This blood is still fresh, spilled maybe 30min ago."
In the normal flash of light, Shade came into view and scanned the blood, "Your right, this is a lot fresher than what we tracked to get here. This is weird though…"
The hunter stood up, "What is?"
"Well…" The ghost started, "It's human, but not at the same time."
The hunter tilted his head slightly, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"First I should say that the blood here is mixed, four different people from my scan, so it may not be accurate." The ghost was bobbing left and right during his dialogue. "But each sample seems to be a natural mix of human and animal blood."
Lance put his gloved hand on his chin, "When you say natural, you mean they would have been born with it?"
The ghost nodded(?) in confirmation, "As far as I can tell."
The hunter hummed before looking back down at the blood, his eyes following a fresher blood trail leading from it, "Would you say that the owners of this blood are still alive?"
"I can't be sure." The ghost replied, "We need to keep following the trail to be sure." And so the hunter did, sneaking as he did.
The trail led Lance and his ghost, who hid behind the hunter, around the corner and down a musty and dark hallway. Near the ceiling of the hallway there were grate like windows that let sunlight in, illuminating parts of the hallway. This hallway wasn't that long though, and at the end of it was another door.
The hunter and ghost, after checking the motion radar for movement beyond the door, opened the door and went through. What they found on the other side made them stop cold.
There were bodies, four of them, thrown on the floor haphazardly and left to rot. Two of them were female, the other two being male. This was easy to tell because all of them were stripped of everything, including their clothes.
The most noticeable thing about them, other than the fact that all of their throats were slashed, was that they all had some kind of animal trait. One of the men had fox ears and a tail, the other man and one of the women had dog ears and a tail, and the last woman had cat ears and a tail.
"... so that's why there was animal blood mixed in." Shade said, breaking the silence.
(Chapter End)
Chapter 4 - False Accusations - February 10
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