Ranma(now female) currently set stomach deep in water, after they had got some good distance from the city she had ordered everyone to rest. Raphtalia had taken several hours of fuming until she had calmed down. To her credit she did not so much as touch him in anger, Akeno had found the whole situation amusing as hell which did not help things. So when she had ordred everyone to go and train after camp set up the Tanuki girl had gone off to no doubt release some steam.
Akeno had informed him that she was going to practice with her bow and Firo and suu were hunting. So he had gotten undressed grabbed the necro dragon heart and stepped into the small pond to get clean and do some work. Naturally this turned him into a girl but that was fine for what she was doing.
Currently she was holding the dragon core with both her hands, drawing power with the right one, purifying it with her own Ki and sending it back to the core with her left. It had taken several painful experiments to figure out the maximum amount of energy she could handle at once. If she ended up taking too much the power would backlash with agonizing mental effects.
Still it was going faster than she had really expected, she was going to have to stop in a few moments because her mana bar was rapidly draining. With a sigh she put it to the side, about one eighth of it had been purified which was good enough for today.
Leaning back she let out a sigh, the battle with the Cerberus had been sort of a wake up call. She was quite sure the monster was not the strongest thing in the world and it had been more powerful than anything she had faced so far. Given how life generally was that meant it would harder still it. She looked up as something approached, Akeno in her hunter outfit walked forward with an arrow knocked but not drawn.
Ranma raised an eyebrow before it occurred to her that she did not know about the curse, "May I ask who you are gorgeous" the girl said amiably.
Ranma raised the shield showing it to her and even morphing it to confirm what it was. "I suppose I forgot to tell you."
Akeno just stared at her open mouthed like a fish, "Its a curse i gained in my original world" she cupped some water "To make a long story very short, cold water changes me into girl, hot water into a boy."
The girl just sort of stood there for a moment, held up a finger in the gesture of give me a moment turned around and walked out of sight. Ranma waited for several minutes before she came walking back sans arrow, and sans clothing.
She looked away her face flushed as the girl entered the water with her, sitting down so that the water just covered her chest. "Ok" she said calmly "Please explain."
Ranma did a very good job of avoiding her eyes as she spoke "It all started when my moran of a dad decided training could best be done at a group of cursed hot springs."
(Twenty minutes later)
"And here we are now" Ranma finished.
"I have never heard of a curses like that."
"Neither did I until I got hit by it."
"At least you got a hot body out of it?" Her voice filled with mirth "I'll bet you did a bit of exploring with it?'
She gave her a look of horror "What?"
Akeno laughed at her look "I'm kidding, you don't seem like the person that would do that."
Ranma ducked under water and held her breath trying to get rid of the flush that had come across her face. In several moments of weakness the idea had occurred to her. Her will and own mortification at the idea of doing anything like that with her body had stopped her.
When she surfaced and shook the water from her eyes emotions were back under control, at least that was until she noticed that Akeno had crossed the pool and was standing over her with a positively predatory grin. "um" Ranma managed to say before the girl began to aggressively fondle her body.
That was when the most girly sound she had ever made came out of her mouth "Kyaaa!"
"Oh my" hands roamed everywhere "So muscled yet not losing the feminine touch"
Her normal reaction of beating the ever loving hell of whatever or whoever was touching her seemed to be shorting out right now. That reason of course being that she had never had a women try that on her.
"Perfect proportions" Akeno was muttering "everything just the right size ."
"S-stop" Ranma said desperately.
"Why I'll bet if feels good."
A hand grabbed Akeno's shoulder and yanked her off of the poor girl, Raphtalia looked somewhere between enraged and jealous. "What do you think your are doing?"
"Skinship of course"
"S-skinship" Raphtalia stuttered.
"of course" she said without shame " You have such a head start on me I need to try and catch up."
Ranma finally shook herself out of her daze "So Skinship helps?" Raphtalia asked looking a little too intently at Akeno.
"No, no it does not" Ranma shouted in a panic "Don't do that again!"
Akeno grinned "But why Ranma, you seemed to enjoy it?"
"No I did not!"
A new voice joined in as they all heard "Firo Cannonball!" her child from came spinning down from the sky transforming into her bird from as she did so. There was enough force to drench them all, she bobbed up like a top. "What did Firo say about mating" the Philo Rial snarled.
"...what?" Ranma asked.
"Firo could smell it, you two were about to mate."
It took Ranma several seconds of panicked thought before she realized what the girl was talking about. "Um, Firo...the smell of arousal does not mean humans are always going to mate. We" she paused glancing at Akeno "I at least can control myself."
Akeno touched her heart "That hurts master." a laugh followed it "But at least i know you really, really enjoyed it."
If her face was not already scarlet it was now it certainly so, "Look I"
Akeno stood up then and Ranma found himself staring at her mountains in a sort of daze before snapping her eyes shut. Raphtalia of course noticed very much where her eyes had been stuck and let out a growl.
Hand reached around her head and pull it into something soft, Akeno's voice came out amused "Now that is much worse than what I was doing."
"Hold in blood, hold in blood," Ranma chanted as the two soft objects pressed against her.
"Firo wants a hug too"
"Well if both of you are doing it I don't see why I can't."
That was when Akeno encircled her too along with Firo, of course Firo was not much of a problem but the addition of Akeno's mountains to Raphtalia's mounds meant only one reaction was possible.
Ranma slumped forward and simply passed out right then and there with blood from her nose leaking out into the pool. .
1
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1
The next morning after he had turned back into a man, he had given them a severe tongue lashing. They had promptly ignored the tongue lashing and he felt that might have been because Akeno had bent over and he had lost his train of thought for several seconds.
It was going to take him a few weeks to get used to her and her body but he would get to the point where it did not affect some badly...hopefully.
So they were riding the wagon with Firo pulling them along at a fast clip, Raphtalia the poor girl was once again safely within Suu. Speaking of Suu, Ranma taped the wagon and her head appeared between him and Akeno who was sitting in the front with him "Yes?"
"Where were you last night?"
"Training Master."
"Oh..good job"
"Thank you" her head vanished.
Akeno looked down where she had been "How long does it take to get used to that?"
"Three days give or take"
"Ah."
"Do you mind if I ask a few questions?"
She smiled "You may ask but I make no promises to the answer...unless its an order."
"Ok then," He paused thinking "She did not want to talk about what she was but maybe she would answer who."
"How did you become what you are?"
Her eyes went distant "Once upon a time this position was given only to the daughter of the original priestess." she let out a slight laugh "Then they started having sons and that was changed. Soon it became that the apprentice of the current priestess took the position." her smile became somewhat wistful. "I was just a small refugee among a large crowd, it would not have turned out well for me I think. In fact I look human enough to be sold as one. I was taken, tied up and thrown in a dark room."
Ranma glanced back at Raphtalia "Looks like you two have something in common then."
Akeno followed his gaze "Ah, I see" *sigh* "Nothing was done to me, but that was only become she came. I remember an argument, the sound of shouting and the feeling of magic then silence. We she found me in the back room I was taken to the temple, she bathed me, fed me, let me cry my small heart out then asked if I wanted to stay."
He smiled "I think I could get along with her"
Her eyes sparkled "If she was still alive I would think so too, she educated me, taught me magic, archery." an almost bitter laugh came out "You should have seen the infighting between her and the city when it became clear what she was training me for. Only the fact that despite the looks I was not human calmed them. Granted they did not know what I was and I am fine with that but It was still a major point of contention." with a shake of her head she continued "She died two years ago of an overuse of magic"
Ranma noted that she did not say anything about what had caused that overuse of magic but did not push. "With her dead I as her apprentice became the youngest to ever assend to this position." her real smile returned "Then you showed up and here I am now."
They continued talking as the wagon bounced along the road at whatever pace Firo felt like, according to their maps Firo had made even better time than he had hoped and they were only two days away from the capital.
They stoped and made camp after which Ranma took the chance to train Firo, Suu, and Raphtalia. He also convinced Akeno to learn from him as well after explaining all the stat boosts the Martial Arts Skill gave. He worked on hand to hand combat with her as so to give her something to do if anything got within the range of the bow. He worked very hard to give all the girls equal time under his tutelage and avoid teaching Akeno how to grapple, he was not that stupid.
Will he was going through a form with Suu copying his movements the slime asked "Master?"
"Yes Suu?"
"That cold thing you did, back against the Cerberus how did you do it? Suu has been trying to copy it but can't."
"That Suu is a skill that you are not ready for" he thought about it for a moment "But I am impressed you noticed it, when you reach the rank of expert I'll show you how."
"Yay" she said.
The continued moving in unison through the from "What do you think of Akeno?"
Suu pondered that question for a moment "Suu can have bigger boobs so Suu is ok with her."
"What does boobs have to do with it?"
Suu sighed deeply "Master can be so dense sometimes"
He decided to move away from that subject before he dug the hole deeper "I noticed you have been using water pressure for your attacks."
"Suu has."
"I have some ideas as to how we can use that better."
The slime girl smiled at him "Suu is listening"
Ranma found himself grinning back "First off all did you know that water with enough pressure can punch holes in steel?"
1
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1
As the training drew to a close he was working with Raphtalia on hand to hand, the girl was now better than him with a sword so any input he might have on that would probably be detrimental. Right now he was working on getting her in touch with her Ki, it had taken him years but with the insight he had Ranma was pretty sure he could work that down to a few months. Judging by how close Raphtalia was to it he thought he was right.
In the middle of their match Raphtalia sudden asked "Do you like big breasts?"
"What?" he asked and his guard fell enough for Raphtalia to deck him in the chest, "You stare at that woman."
"I also stare at you!"
That stunned her into silence for a moment "Hell for that matter the only person I don't have trouble staring at is Firo."
"But" she said.
"Raphtalia, women are not one size fits all, if there was no diversity. If all women were the exact same it would be a sad, sad world. I like you, I like your body can you please stop putting me on the spot with these questions."
"Y-you like my body"
Ranma stopped moving and just stared at her "I thought that was self evident"
"T-then tell me I'm pretty."
"Raphtalia you are beautiful, you are amazing, and right now, just because we have a new women in the party does not mean that I am going to give all my attention to her. In fact one day is not enough for me to form a meaningful relationship that takes a little time, ok?"
Raphtalia looked a little woozy at his declaration, but she also looked a lot happier than she had been since Akeno joined the party.
And so it came time for magic training "*fu*fu* are you ready master?"
"Not you too" Ranma(Now girl) whined. Akeno laughed again "Oh she was right this is fun."
"Damit Suu" Ranma called out.
The slime laughed back at him from wherever she was "Now master" Akeno said primly "What do you wish to learn"
"Sacred magic."
She nodded "Ok then let us began, first what do you know of it?"
"Nothing"
Akeno nodded "Good answer, the basics first then. The Sacred element or holy element is the power to erase darkness, purify corruption, vanquish evil." She paused for a moment "Of course don't think for a moment that it cannot be used for a darker purpose. The power in and of itself is a force of good but it truly depends on the person using it." She held up her hands and with a chant a veil fell around the area eliminating sound to those outside.
"What I am about to teach you is of the greatest secrecy." She tilted her head "Granted as the hero of the shield you may do as you wish with it."
Ranma nodded "Now where do you think the power of Holy comes from?"
In girl form she came to an answer that might have taken a long time as a guy "Faith"
Akeno blinked in surprise "That's right, for the most part. The stronger you believe what you are doing is right the more of an impression the magic makes upon the world. In stories of old entire villages would channel their power through one with the sacred element the sum of their faith in what they were doing gave what ever spell was cast power far beyond what should have been possible."
Ranma pursed her lips "But you can be doing the wrong thing and still believe in it wholeheartedly."
Akeno nodded "That is how it can be prevented, however if one believe they are doing and evil thing the belief in the magic will not work."
"But if a person did the same evil thing and believed it a good action then?"
"Then the magic would work, thats kind of how the inquisitions got going."
The shield hero stared into the distance at nothing "What I have faith in is myself, I know there are higher powers otherwise I would not get fucked so hard. But what I believe in is martial arts, I believe in the duty that practitioners of the art take upon themselves. The protection of the weak, the keeping of promises and the honor one must hold oneself too."
Ranma noted that Akeno was looking at her with the oddest expression "Finding the sources of ones greatest faith is the next lesson. But you are supposed to keep it to yourself, such intimate knowledge is dangerous and powerful." The girl looked a little embarrassed "That you just told me that, like-like it was nothing, that's is terrifying."
A smile stretched Ranma's face "Well what is the source of your greatest faith?"
"Is that and order master?"
"of course not"
"Then if it that is the case I would prefer to keep it to myself"
The Shield hero shrugged "Fair enough."
"One more question, how far do you want to take this?"
A hint of an arrogant smile touched Ranma's face "Until I am the best in the world."
Akeno shook her head "I think I really like you master, now lets start with the small stuff, something like Radiant Burst."
1
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By the time Ranma ran out of steam the sun was long gone, Firo and Suu had caught dinner for which they were well rewarded with a pat on the head for Firo and a Kiss for Suu. By the time Ranma(Now He) was done he noted that Akeno had spirited Raphtalia away for something she called a girl to girl talk. The Tanuki had not been happy about it but she went along with it, Ranma got himself a hurried bath and managed to get finished and back into male form before the two of them returned.
He never did find out what they talked about but the coldness Raphtalia had been emitting towards the new girl had abruptly vanished. It was rather disconcerting in a way, in fact to his mind it almost looked like the established a truce based on common ground. Hmm mayhaps he should be worried as to what this could mean.
Something twinged on his senses and he glanced around sounds small movements just far enough away that he could not get a good sense of what it was. The sounds vanished and he shook, his head, most likely just monsters.
He glanced over at the two girls who were whispering to each other, in fact Raphtalia was jotting down notes, occasionally flushing as some remark. Vaguely he could make out Akeno whispering "And remember to sway your hips it draws the eye and that very important."
Firo and Suu were having a sparring match which was causing rampant destruction, he felt kind of proud actually seeing that. He leaned back and closed his eyes today had been a good day, now if only he could figure out what Akeno was talking about with Raphtalia.
"Do you ever feel you're being watched?" Ranma asked to no one in particular.
Akeno glanced at him from her seat on the wagon's front "No master"
They were currently traveling through a plains like environment, the path was walled in on either side by wheat like plants about eight feet tall in length. It made for great training in teaching his students how to deal with surprise attacks and using senses other than sight to make up for lack of vision.
Unsurprisingly Firo was really good at it and Suu was as well for some reason, how the hell did she even hear things?
Raphtalia and Akeno were still having trouble working through the loss of sight that happened when one entered the tall plants but they were getting better.
What was bugging him was the sense that somewhere on the edge of his perception something was following them. A lot of somethings were following them always out of sight, hell he might have assumed he was just being paranoid if it weren't for the fact chaos was a constant in his life.
"Master" Akeno said leaning against him, he noted the change in her voice and the way she bent her body to give him the best angle. Thankfully as she was in her travelers clothing it was not that big of a deal.
He raised an eyebrow "Don't you and Raphtalia have a truce of something?"
She blinked "What gave you that Idea?"
"...you're like best friends or something now."
"Oh that" the dark haired girl shrugged "We came to an agreement."
"What kind of one?"
"Oh this and that."
Ranma frowned "Not helpful."
"If you wish you can."
"I'm not going to order you to tell me something you don't want to."
Her eyes sparkled and she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, he jerked to one side nearly sending Firo off the road. The bird straightened her path and turned her neck one hundred and eighty degrees to give him an annoyed "phuu" before refocusing on the road.
Akeno giggled "I am really starting to like you master."
"Don't do that" he half whined.
"Why, you kissed Raphtalia on the lips?"
"I'm expecting it then"
"Oh so I surprised you?"
He glared at her, "Its only fair master, you should be more aware of your surroundings." She pressed up against him his arm being swallowed in between her breasts "And of the enemy you face."
His face crimson in embarrassment he muttered to himself about ungrateful students who turned his own words back on him.
A blue tentacle shot out from the wagon and yanked Akeno into the carriage "Hey what are you doing" the girl squealed "That doesn't go there, hey that tickles." The girl let out a scream "Master"
Ranma glanced back worried at just what was happening, he should not have been worried. The slime girl had taken off one of Akeno's shoes and was tickling the sole of her foot.
While that was happening slime gathered onto the seat where she had been and Suu appeared in her busty form. Ranma raised and eyebrow as Suu copied what Akeno had done to his arm pressing it against her.
"Really?"
"Really" Suu answered "Master seemed to like it so I wanted to try"
In the wagon bed Akeno freed herself from the grapple, she gave a fencers nod to Suu and moved Ranma towards the center of the front seat. She returned to her position and stared at Suu with a smirk on her face. Suu returned the stare and with an effort of will expanded her own assets to surpass the priestess.
The girl's face froze for a second in a cracked smile "Oh you're good"
"Suu is good"
Ranma got the feeling of a tree in cougar country, hopefully there would not be territorial scarring of his bark next.
"Suu likes master"
"I can see that"
"Suu thinks your pretty"
"Thank you"
"Master also thinks your petty"
Her eye sparkled "well now"
"But Suu was here first"
"...I see…"
Ranma frowned deeply and scrunched up his shoulders trying to stay out the metaphorical lightning bolts flashed out in between the slime and the girl. Then Akeno paused blinked and suddenly laughed "Oh, ara ara I'm sorry Suu I don't want to take him away I just want an affair."
Ranma gave her a look of horror as Suu tilted her head "Ah Suu is fine with that then."
"Now wait a minute" Ranma said.
"Yes Master" they both answered.
"Suu do you even know what she is saying?"
"She wants to mate with you." the slime said as a matter of fact.
Something in his head exploded as the ability to make words simply stopped "Good we have an agreement" Akeno said.
"Suu agrees"
Ranma decided for his sanity that ignoring the two's conversion was his only option, the only problem with that was his lower regions refused to listen to his order to calm down. In desperation he poured water over himself and transformed into a girl. Neither the slime or priestess showed any change in pace at that. "Empty night" she sighed the headaches never stopped.
1
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She woke up during the middle of the night to the sound of Philo Rial cries lots of them, Akeno who was on watch was standing bow half strung looking around. Firo was up as well in her demon from looking confused.
"Master" she called out as Ranma and Raphtalia hastily dressed.
"Yes?"
"They say they're coming to meet me?"
"Who?"
Firo tilted her head "The other Philo Ria of course."
Ranma listened as the ground rumbled "How many?"
Firo paused for a moment "All of them?" she offered.
The large wheat light plant began to be trampled around them, nothing could be seen yet as a layer of the stuff still separated them from sight. But if the ground was literally trembling that could only mean one thing. More cries were heard and Firo tilted her head "There are so many, Firo can't keep up."
"What the hell?" Ranma half sighed preparing spells to the tip of her tongue and mind. "It was just a guess but this was not a normal occurrence...unless they did a go south for the winter thing like birds in his world. No that would not make sense they were headed east right now, logic said that it might have something to do with Firo but what?.
It took nearly half an hour for the earth to stop shaking and the cries to abruptly fall silent, the last layer of wheat like plants were trampled and under the light of the full moon Ranma could see what had happened. They were currently surrounded, surrounded by thousands upon thousands of Philo Rial. As far as he could see into the moonlit night there eyes glowed back upon him a sea of stars against the dark landscape.
Behind her Akeno and Raphtalia went back to back as both let out a loud gulp at the sight, Ranma was going through her head calculations at the idea of having to fight them. Lets just say it would not be fun if Firo was any example of what they could become of course granted Firo had the Ki advantage but still.
Everything went quite under the stars as the Shield hero and her companions stared down the army of monsters that had surrounded the camp. Firo however looking nonplussed while Suu slithered up around Ranma and formed into her armor.
No one moved, no one seemed to want to move...it was kind of starting to get awkward. Then a single sound pierced the silence it was the cry of a Philo Rial but it had something in in that reminded one of a trumpeter "Gua!"
Then was movements that would have made an army instructor proud the birds in front of them took three steps to the left and right. Like sea parting the opened a path through the center of them. A single Philo Rial walked towards them pulling what Ranma could only describe as the most extravagant, more expensive, most flamboyant carriage she had ever seen. The thing looked to be made of gold though it was more likely it was gold plated. The wheels were solid metal with germs at the centers each a different color. In laid in tasteful positions were more large gemstones with runes of silver inlaid lovingly across the gold plating.
Ranma frowned and glanced down at her shield, yep the gems looked like the same kind as the shield had in its center. The single Philo Rial pulled the carriage and Ranma caught Firo staring at it with drool coming out of her mouth. "Wow…...that is so cool. I'm jealous" Thats right the Philo Rial seemed to have a fetish for carriages or wagons.
The carriage approved them and suddenly Ranma felt magic, at least three times the amount of magic she had in her whole body pulse out from within that vehicle. All around them the trampled plants began to glow green lighting up the area to the point where Ranma could see the end of the Philo Rial Army.
Akeno looked around confused "A barrier?"
Raphaelia spoke without taking her eyes off the demon birds "What?"
"Sanctuary type barrier a high class illusion magic. The heroes of old are said to have hidden their equipment inside of a Sanctuary type barrier such as this." The priestess looked around and even though her eyes were closed Ranma got the feeling she was seeing something they could not. "If people look on this area they will see a fog" she said "It is similar but not the same to the barrier that guards the old hero's equipment."
The single Philo Rial that had been pulling the cart shrugged off the harness connecting her to it, power swelled around the bird. Power on the scale that had created the barrier, power that was one on a grander scale than Happosai, power more controlled than the old ghoul. It grew and grew until a Philo Rial over nine feet tall. But it looked exactly like Firo looked from the white feathers to the pink tips. The only real difference a wing like crown that adorned her head regal as anything that monarchs in this world and hers.
"Kueeeeeee!" the creature cried and Ranma felt her everything vibrate to the sound waves of the noise.
Firo turned to them "Um she says that because there is an ancient pledge and oath, that she can not speak to people easily but she wants to talk with us."
Ranma was not even surprised that Firo could talk to others of her kind, why not it made a sort of scenes. She walked forward to stand beside Firo staring into the eyes of the huge Philo Rial. "I am Ranma Saotome Hero of the shield"
"Kueeee"
"She knows" Firo informed her "She says that she is the Queen of the Philo Rial but her old name was Fitoria."
"I see" Ranma pursed her lips "I assume you wish to talk."
Fitora gave out several sharp sounds and Firo frowned "You wish to know my ability?"
Ranma frowned at that the Queen made several more sounds "Firo's a queen to?"
What that made her eyes go wide, hopefully this was not going to be like when there were too many queen bees in one hive. Because if that was the case she was going to have to fight something on Saffrons level and that never ended well, she was still dealing with the fallout from that fight.
"Master she was a" Firo tilted her head listening "She says she wants to fight but I think its more of a sparring match."
"To what end?" Ranma found herself asking cautiously.
Fitoria did a few more bird cries "She says its not a death match she just wants to see how strong Firo is."
Ranma glanced at the army surrounding them "I reserve the right to interfere if I desire"
Fitoria tilted her head back and started cawing and Firo bristled "She's laughing master."
The red head shrugged "Considering the power she has my statement might be laughable." There was no warning, no prelude to the next action. One moment Ranma was standing still beside Firo, the next she was inches away from Fitora's face. To any eye save Fitora's it looked like the martial artist had teleported. Air solidified for a moment under her feet as her whispered spell finished, it would only last for a few seconds but that was enough. Eye to eye with a creature on the same level as Saffron god the phoenix flame she said in an utterly empty voice "Are you still laughing?"
The air spell faded and Ranma landed lightly in front of the queen, she got the sense that through her actions she had gained this creature's full and complete attention. Tension mounted as they did not break eye contact, neither moving a muscle.
Then unexpectedly the Philo Rial queen tilted her head slightly and let out a very soft "Quuee"
Firo who looked like she had just forgotten how to breathe said "She apologizes master"
Ranma nodded and in the same faster than fast movement returned to her original place, "Firo do you want to?"
The bird clawed the ground and her eyes suddenly glowed bright "Oh yes Master"
Ranma nodded and went over to Firo whispering several words of advice in her ear, "Ok master"
"Good" Ranma stepped back and around them the Philo Rial's made space for combat "Firo will not lose" the bird called out.
"Guaaaaaaa" was the sound a thousand throats made as the other Philo Rial's cheered their queen.
Fitora set herself and waited making it clear that Firo was to make the first move, Firo tensed and with a sudden burst of speed that left a circle of dust behind her she charged the queen. Fitora raised one wing and as Firo got into range brought it down.
At the last second the bird equivalent of a smirk appeared on Firo's face, her ki shimmered around her legs as she dashed to the side leaving several afterimages behind her. Even as the Philo Rial's wingbeat slapped the ground Filo was curving her high speed movement focusing all of her power to a single point. Her kick caught Fitora in the leg just above one of her clawed feet.
The force of the blow backed by the power Firo's life incarnate caused the desired effect knocking the queen over. However as this happened the Fitora wings flashed out and flapped hard. The wind force sent Firo tumbling as the action allowed the Philo Rial queen to regain her footing. Ranma noted however that she was putting more weight on her left leg now.
Firo saw it too and Ranm felt proud of her teaching ability it was one thing to show someone how to hit an opponent, it was quite another to teach her how to look at one. Firo dashed circling her opponent trying to get on her weaker side. Fitora turned with her however the hurt foot was not so bad that she could not put weight on it.
There was the sound of something like thunder as Firo dashed at Fitora Ki and wind magic pulsing off her. But Fitora was ready, Ranma had noted that she had been able to track her movements during their short confrontation she just had not been able to react fast enough.
Perhaps that had been a mistake as it had set the creature on her guard against similar movements. One wing slapped Firo away knocking her off course, the magic faded and Firo blurred into after images seeming to be coming at the Philo Rial queen from the front and the back at the same time. The queen ignored the afterimages and parried the real ones kick with her wing, Firo had been prepared for that as her body blurred again running up the wing and her kick catching Fitora in the area between her beak and her neck.
Firo was already leaping back off of her as the wing force sent her sprawling again, Fitora had not reacted to the kick in any way, it had almost been like Firo had kicked a wall. The two Philo Rial's started at each other as Firo regained her feet and Fitora gently rubbed the spot where Firo had kicked were with the feathery edge of a wing.
Something changed about her stance, her eyes became brighter and sharper Ranma knew the look, she had just started to take this fight seriously. Firo charged again heedless of the change starting to zig zag and strafe her ki causing more images of her to appear and confuse the issue. About six images of Firo converged on the queen but she ignored all but the last, her own leg, her currently hurt one at that lashed out.
Firo's forward moment turned into backward force as she spun end over end through the air, in that moment Fitora took in a breath and a nearly imperceptible barrier of wind coated her body. Ranma herself would not have noticed it in male form but as stated before female form was much better at noticing and dealing with magic.
Firo took a few moment to get up but get up she did, FItora gave a caw of approval or at least that was what Ranma assumed she had done. Firo shook herself and began to chant "Firo command the origin of power. Firo had read and deciphered the laws of nature. blow her away with a raging tornado, Tzuvait Tornado!"
Ranma's eyebrows tired to climb their way right off her head "Looks like someone has been spying on my magic practice" she said aloud.
As the spell no doubt intended a whirling miniature tornado about three times the size of Firo spun towards Fitora. That was when Ranma felt it agian, raw magical power "Kuekuekeu kueeeeeee" the Philo Rial queen cawed. The tornado shimmered with another magic and then vanished in an instant.
"Counterbalance" Akeno whispered in shock.
Ranma however knew that already, her mind went blank as the scene of counterbalance replied over and over in her head. Information of the phenomenon, everything she had read united to a single point. Interfering with magic, counter balance is only possible if the user has sufficient power and is able to analyse the magic as it is cast. The proper magic system required varies every time. All this Ranma knew but seeing it in action it clicked. This was the power of anything goes to see a technique and know it, to take it for your own and use it against one's enemy. Already several ideas and innovations were flowing through her mind of how such a skill could be applied.
Shaking herself out of her sudden flash of insight she watched Firo somehow get through the queens defenses and land another strike only to be deflected and blown away by the wind armor. Still the attack had touched skin ruffling a few feathers, the kick Firo had landed before was turning into a nice bruise.
Firo was breathing hard now, she had been using up a lot of her power at an extremely fast rate and it was starting to catch up with her. Still she pressed on wind and ki gathering around her her legs tensing as if for another charge. Fitora set herself ready for what was going to be the final attack of this match she knew it, Ranma knew it, and Firo knew it.
All of Firo's feathers stood on end as if she had been hit by a burst of static electricity visible wind swirled around her legs, her body, her head. Golden ki colored that wind in streamers of radiance and the air around her began to shimmer with power. Then something more happened the very magic in the air around them began to become visible and spin around her as she somehow absorbed the stuff.
Ranma made a mental note to study up on that once she had tired her innovation on counterbalance.
It took about half a minute, far too long to be of any use in battle but for this with an opponent content to wait and see it was perfect.
Everything had become quiet for those moments, but that was shattered when Firo let out a war cry and charged her elder. Fitora looked ready her wings tensed as she prepared her defence, faster and faster the distance closed.
The second of action came as Fitora's wings shot up as if she had planned to smash Firo like a bug, but that was not what Firo had in mind. The instant before she came in range of those wings the demon bird abruptly came to a dead stop. Her body whiplashed and her head snapped forward " Moko Takabisha" her companion shouted.
A status update appeared on Ranma's status screen informing her that because of her mastery of Anything goes way of the monkey Firo was now considered a first level master in the art. A list of stat's increased and retroactive stat advances also appeared under that message about Firo's stats. But Ranma was not paying full attention to that.
Firo's moko takabisha was different from her masters, it was cone shaped to a razor point with wind swirling around it making it faster. Whereas Ranma's was explosive and destructive Firo's was focused to a single point, a piercing attack of immense power.
Fitora had not been ready for that, the ki attack hit her center chest and drove her back foot by foot as it clashed with her wind armor. The shear friction the warring magics caused had arcs of electricity to spew everywhere. For that moment the Queen of the Philo Rial's could not move to defend herself. Firo called to the last of her stores of energy dashing forward leaping into the air and kicking with everything she had on the flat end of her moko takabisha.
There was an explosion, a flash of light and a wave of wind, when that faded Firo was lying about twenty feet away from Fitora she had reverted to human form was was lying on the ground panting. Fitora was still standing, Ranma could sense her wind armor had broken and blood trickled down from a chest wound where Firo's attack had pierced skin.
Ranma walked out on to the field landing beside Firo "*huff*huff* sorry master Firo lost"
"You did amazing," she told her "I have never been so impressed in my entire life Firo"
"Really?"
"Really" she assured her, with several motions she picked her up and had her wrap her arms around her neck. Ranma turned to Fitora who was approached them he held up a finger before she could speak and approached her slowly. The Shield of Reiki appeared on her arm and she touched the wound Firo had caused, as it had with humans the power of her ki closed the wound, mended flesh and even grew back the feathers that had been destroyed. As a side note Ranma also healed the bruise on the queens neck and the hairline crack on her leg.
"Queee" she said, and Firo spoke in a tired voice "She says thank you and that you and I were much more than she was expecting."
From what might be a semi divine being that was high praise "KeeKue"
Firo blink blearly at the Queen "You're going to give me something?"
A single feather pulled itself off of the featherly crown and landed on Firo's' head the feather turned gold and vanished and an honest to god ahoge appeared in its place.
Firo did not seem to notice any change at all, a stat screen appeared showing her ability scores had risen again. Well, well, well, things just kept getting stranger and stranger, there was no way in hell that was all this gift did, not with the chaos that infested her life.
Then the Queen of the Philo Rial's turned to him and pointed at her shield and pointed up, Ranma got an idea of what was about to happen and lifted the shield towards the queen. Another feather pulled itself off of the crown and fell onto the shield. With a glow the thing was absorbed "All Philorial Series have been unsealed"
Ranma checked the skill trees and noted a lot of shields with speed ups, Philorical ability corrections, ect and a lot of shields she could not use yet because her level was apparently not high enough.
"Um thank you" she said deciding some smart ass comment about balding problems would be out of line. Fitora shrank back to her original size and the harness attached themselves to her without any help. Then the damndest thing happened the bird spoke, and not just spoke, spoke with a voice exactly like Firo's ""I have an old oath that I can only speak words of parting with humans so see ya"
With those words she turned around and dashed away, Ranma just started after her as the sound barrier broke. "What the hell" she said.
Around the army of Philo Rial vanished as they dispersed and ran the earth shook again as they moved and it was a while before it stopped, that had not stopped Firo from falling asleep on her back. Given how much power she just threw around it looked like she had found her limit and crashed.
Akeno turned to Raphaelia, they both had been quiet during this whole event "Does this happen often?"
Raphaelia shook herself "Its never the same thing but events like this do happen a lot."
"Ah, I will be more prepared next time."
Suu's head appeared on the shoulder Firo was not sleeping on and Ranma looked at her "There's not a queen slime is there?"
Suu's feeler took the shape of a question mark "How should Suu know?"
"Right that would be to easy"
Ranma looked around to her companions "Screw it were sleeping this off like a bad hangover all in favor?"
"I" the three awake girls said.
Ranma focused a little and waved her hand, a small green glow suffused them "Its not anyway near as good as what we just saw but it will keep the monsters away."
Akeno stared at her "You know how to use barrier?"
"Not until ten minutes ago no"
"But you only saw it once?"
That caused the redhead to grin "Sometimes thats all that its needed, wait till you see what I have planned for counterbalance."
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The next morning was an interesting one, Firo came to the relizaion that there was an ahoge on her head, when she turned into her demon from it appeared as a single feather which she pulled out multiple times only to find out it grew back. Eventually she had to give and spent a great deal of time pouting and muttering about her loss. Ranma decided to let her fume for a while and get it out of her system if she could not come out of her own funk Ranma could kiss her on the head to do so. Having decided to let Firo rest the whole day Ranma now found herself in an argument with Akeno around just after lunch having spent the whole morning mastering counterbalance and working on her invitation. "You want me to what?!"
"For the third time I want your to throw a lightning bolt at me Akeno"
She sputtered "But master that just stupid and dangerous."
"I'm the shield hero I think I can tank a little lighting."
The priestess gave a frustrated growl "My lighting is naturally stronger than most master I can't."
"As party leader, not as the shield hero" she made sure to state that last part very clearly "I order you to help me train."
She gave her a helpless look "Fine if you down want to I'll have Raphaelia throw her shadow wave at me" Ranma turned to Raphaelia who looked horrified at the thought.
"All right master I'll do it" Akeno sighed in a defeated manner.
"Awesome" Ramma said with a happy grin.
"Um master maybe this is not a good idea" Raphaelia said.
"Of course its not a good idea but you should see how badly my good ideas tend to go, this is actually safer and more to the point lighting is the fastest magic so if what I am planing works I'll know I did it right."
Raphaelia pursed her lips "Um master do you have any more of that ointment?"
Ranma waved a hand at her pack "Ya I've been toying with medicine since I have really good shield for it, hard to find a use for it though when my Reiki is so much better."
"I'll make some balm," her companion told her and when you take a bath i'll be ready to apply."
Ranma did not let it show how awesome that sounded, Raphaelia had been reading up on massage books and that combined with the knowledge of pressure points that she was teaching her made her really, really, really good. But per guy code she could not let on how much she loved it.
The walked about twenty feet away from the camp and Suu appeared out of the trampled grass "Perhaps Suu should armor master" she told him with a worried expression on her face.
"No thank you Suu" Ranma pounded her chest "I need motivation to make this work and nothing motivates a human like pain," she paused for a moment "Or pleasure" she said as an after thought.
Taking her place she focused her mana "Alright hit me"
Akeno cursed out loud and prepared, "Wait" The girl sighed with relief at Ranma's order. Stepping away Ranma took off her shirt and pants and then stepped back into the line of fire "Ok now my clothing won't be destroyed "Hit me Akeno!"
The girl had a bit of drool coming out of her mouth but the sound of her name reminded her what she was supposed to do. With clear reluctance she chanted her spell and cast forward a bolt of lightning that had a savage brilliance Ranma had never seen before. Her technique was ready, her mana control perfect….and then the bolt hit her in the chest and sent her flying back forty five feet in a painful tumble.
Ranma got back to her feet "Ow, ow, ow," she muttered shaking it off "Ok so I can't just let it hit me not yet anyway, my mind need something to connect what I am trying to do."
"Master are you all"
"Again" Ranma said interrupting her.
"But"
"Again" she said.
Once more the same thing happened and the shield hero was knocked flying, "Ow, ok need to work on the focus point."
This repeated for about twelve more lightning bolts as Raphaelia, Suu and Akeno seemed in some sort of horrified awe. They knew how tough their master was but those bolts were no joke, seeing her smashed again and again with only scorch marks on her chest to show for it was something else.
"Ok" Ranma said flinching as her chest clenched up "Again"
Akeno looked really, really, scared at this point "Please" Ranma said "I think I got it and if it does not work we can stop."
Looking sort of relieved at seeing and end point the poor girl chanted her spell again "I am the priestess of the shield who commands the origin of power, vanish with the sky's wrath, Thunderbolt"
Once again the scorching light seared the air with ozone, the flash and savage radiance flared forth once more. And Ranma held out her right hand palm up, in the instant the light passed over her hand power flared to life, the lighting bolt stopped as a band of thin white energy expanded in a circle from Ranma's palm then the circle closed and as if turning off a light the thunderbolt vanished. "Ha" Ranma said punching the sky in glee and then curled in on herself as her entire chest protested the movement "Ow, ow, ow ,ow!" she snarled putting both arms across her stomach.
Akeno, Raphaelia, both of them stood there stunned, Suu held out her slime and a white circle expanded and faded. Ranma noted that and muttered "So not fair...though I suppose that was what my opponents thank when I do the same thing."
"Ranma" Akeno said forgetting her game of making the Shield hero uncomfortable by calling her master "how did, what did?"
Raphaelia finished for her "what the hell did you do?"
Ranma recovered her breath and control over her pain 'Hee, hee" she laughed "Counterbalance"
"But counter balance has to be done as the spell is being cast not the instant before it hits." Akeno said
Ranma grinned "I once saw a man cut a bullet in half with a sword" She paused "A bullet goes faster than sound just so you know. Anyway I asked him how he did it and he told me he did not know that he could just react. His mind analyzed the bullet and without his pesky thoughts to get in the way his instincts, his reflexes allowed him to cut it. I put the same principle in this variation of counterbalance, the spell touches my aura, my brain analyzes the mana within the spell and the first counter part of the spell begins." Ranma held up her hand and the white circle appeared "I expend the amount of mana used to cast the spell to catch it" the circle closed and vanished "Then I expend the same amount to crush it." She grinned at her awestruck followers "The trick is learning how to create a vessel for the spell, thats what the circle light is, and I sort of based it off of how items could contain magic. Then the other trick once you have mastered the original counterbalance is not to think about it. Let your mind do it on instinct, don't overthink it. Its about twice as costly as normal counterbalance but it more useful in combat. I think I'll call it Hanki(Reverse Demon)"
Ranma paused in thought "I think this could even stop the movements of weapon or a body part" her eyebrows furrowed in thought "The application is not all that different, I'm just stopping kinetic energy instead of mana energy." Another wicked grin stretched her face "I have to think on that."
Raphaelia and Akeno both said at the same time "Can you teach me that?"
Ranma flinched as her chest muscles tightened "Ow, sure once both of you get better at sensing magic."
Akeno frowned at that statement "You're good but not good enough yet trust me, and once you are I think we will use zephyr spells instead of thunderbots ow."
"Master" Raphaelia said worriedly "Lets get you to the spring"
"Its too early in the day for a bath"
Akeno literally picked her up like a child "No buts master, we are not going anywhere today so its fine."
Ranma made as if to struggle but the pain in her chest stopped her "I'll just use my ki to heal it"
"And waste Raphaelia ointment and massage skills" Akeno asked with a knowing look.
"That...that was a very good point….now put me down"
"Hmm no can do master."
Now if she had really tried to Ranma could have broken free and they both knew it but her scorched stomach hurt enough that she decided to let it be. Akeno and Raphaelia worked together to strip her of the rest of her clothing and plop her in the stream they were using for bathing purposes. Apparently while Akeno was teaching Raphaelia whatever the hell she was, Raphaelia had been teaching Akeno how to massage. Someone probably could have killed her five minutes later and Ranma would not have noticed. Hell if they had let her go she would have sanke and been carried away by the stream and would not have noticed.
"You were right" Akeno was saying as her hands did something to her to Ranma's calfs "Master becomes like a kitten."
Fear pinged through her body and Ranma thrashed on reflex "Baby, master she ment baby" Raphaelia assured her and gave Akeno a shushing motion. The priestess raised her eyebrows in question but complied.
There was motions in the water and Raphaelia glanced over and started in shock "Suu, what are you doing?"
Ranma turned her head, Suu was standing in the rushing water...standing in the water without any problem. In her relaxed state Ranma realized what was happened "You're using Ki to hold your form aren't you Suu?"
"Suu is" she answered "Suu wants to touch master too" Ten tentacles shot out of the water all around them and Ranma gave a very calm response to the situation "Oh shit"
Ten minutes later they were sitting around a fire, Raphaelia was leaning against Akeno shivering "It really was not that bad dear" the priestess was assuring her.
Ranma was on the other side of the fire with Suu who had shrunk to a comfortable size to fit in her lap. "It was horrible, I feel so violated"
Ranma blinked "She just tickled us, she even avoided the spots I told her to."
Raphaelia glared at Suu "I hate being tickled"
"It was not that bad" Ranma said.
"You're not ticklish" Akeno said in a slightly sulking manner.
Ranma smirked "That is true...Suu High five"
The slime girl formed a tentacle in the shape of a hand and slapped it against Ranma's, Raphaelia's mouth dropped open "You...you did that on purpose"
The martial artist lifted an eyebrow "Would I do that? Or is more likely that Suu would do that on her own, thank you Suu by the way."
The slime girl made a pleased sound, Ranma glanced over at Firo who was still fast asleep where she had fallen. She stopped when she could start to make out the words "Oh master are we doing it on the wagon?"
Even Akeno looked uncomfortable at that statement and they decided silently to pretend they never heard it, so Ranma changed the subject "Firo has reached a new plateau of power I think we will be in the capital by late tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Looking at her stats yes?"
"Wow" Raphaelia said eyes wide "The feather did all that?"
"Not just the feather, you saw her ki attack right?"
They nodded "She had reached the level of master in her martial arts."
"What! But how I'm better than her at it."
"To be a master of anything goes, you need to be able to copy you opponents moves and understand them. Filo copied my moko takabisha perfectly. That means she has reached the state where one can be considered master. Granted I still have to get her more skill but that is what happened."
Raphaelia frowned looking at her hands "I," She nodded "I guess I needed this" Standing up she nodded at Ranma "I'm gonna go train.;"
As she walked passed her Ranma said "You're almost there, I can tell you just need to find the right push."
As she went a safe distance away to start her training Ranma sat back and pulled out the dragon core starting to purify it once more. "Did you plan that?" Akeno asked watching her.
"I don't plan much of anything" Ranma said "But I did guess it would give her the proper motivation to reach that stage."
"I see shield hero well done." Akeno stood "Looks like I can fall behind either."
"I would not suggest it" Ranma agreed.
*fu*fu* "Well then Master I shall go practice.
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Evening came and Ranma went off for her own training letting the girls rest their weary bodies, she stood just outside of the sight range of the camp, her holy magic was coming along nicely but she still wanted to finish the expert tome of wind. Speaking of wind Ranma glanced at the bracelet on her wrist again and read it aloud "Come to me ruler of air, come to me I who bear your mark ask your aid and blessing, my name is" and it just ended. Seriously what was the point of this thing "My name is" who, who made this and why skip the last part "My name is" well she did not know the name its maker but she did know her name "Ranma Saotome" she said aloud .
The bracelet glowed green, there was a clicking sound as the clasp on it vanished, Ranma looked at it eyes wide "Oh shit"
Green light suffused her and shot skyward punching a hole in the gathering clouds and training them with a greenish light. For miles around birds erupted from their nests, animals from here hollows and shelters. Wind began to pick up swirling around her in a tornado of green light. All sound was reduced to nothing and between one moment and the next she martial artist was no longer standing on a trampled field.
Her feet touched a greenish substance, and she found herself standing on a platform of pure jade, there were nine thrones around her. They were each a different color and each made of a different valuable element. They were just off of the platform floating over a space of ever changing color that writhed and shifted with every movement of the head and body. Eight thrones were empty but the one she was facing was not, try to imagine the every free wind, the power of stones and hurricanes. Try to imagine the absolute force of nature that cannot be contained or controlled, the power of the infinite wind. Now try to imagine a form that is all that and more. A woman tall and powerful who wore nothing but a dress of green wind, hair clear as crystal and eyes as blue as the azure sky. Her bare legs were crossed as she gazed upon her and Ranma felt her knees weaken, this was a divine being. But this was more, this women was not a demi god, oh no this woman was a goddess and the difference in power would have been clear to even a child.
The women waved her hand lightly and Ranma's clothing vanished, wind wrapped around her in soft but unbreakable bonds lifting her up and pulling her close to the women of wind. Her hand touched the blotch of burn's that remained from her battle with Saffron and the touch was like the kiss of a hurricane. "You are maked mortal thou has slain one of the divine."
Ranma did not answer "Does though wish to try thine strength against mine"
*Gulp* "Um I like my atoms right where they are."
That was when she laughed and the sound of it was like and autumn breeze "Good answer hero of the shield." The hand moved to the bracelet on her wrist "I have been watching thou wondering when you would say the proper words."
"*gulp* you have?"
"Indeed it has been eon's since a mortal with enough power hath truly said the proper words, not even the hero's of old did so." A light smirk touched her face "The others will be frothing at the mouth when they hear of this."
Ranma did not like where this was going "It will be my power that echoes throughout the world as you will become my contractor."
Ranma flexed her body but nothing stirred "Um what?"
The women stood up and Ranma's body was lifted until it was eye level, when the women spoke again everything shook "LET THESE WORDS ECHO THROUGHOUT CREATION" Ranma was fairly sure they did "I AM SHINATOBE I AM THE QUEEN OF THE EVER FREE WIND. IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANCIENT OATHS, UNDER THE BLESSING OF THE ALMIGHTY I NAME THE RANMA SAOTOME MY CONTRACTOR, MY AVATAR, RECEIVE MY BLESSING HERO OF THE SHIELD" The goddess of the wind lord of the ever free kissed her on the forehead as the earth and heaven shook with its acknowledgment.
"As fire comes easily to your magic so to shall wind, whether in male or female you now stand with my blessing. The wind, the air, will not longer resist your movements for that is what my blessing will do. However should you decide to call upon me as is your right as my contractor then all the wind under heaven will be yours to command. Be wary however should you use this power your body will fail you mortal bodies were not meant to contain or channel this power."
Ranma could only listen in shock as the bonds of wind let her go "Let us see what you can do child, I will be watching with great interest.
Ranma fell and fell and then she opened her eyes on the trampled field the bracelet was gone and she could hear her companions rushing to her aid. Her status window appeared and the title "Blessed of the Wind" had been added.
Everything in her felt drained and her mind began to fuzz over as rational thought faded, yep time to sleep this off like a bad hangover. With that thought she let her consciousness go making a note that the universe was really overdoing its job now that she had met a freaking goddess.