Majimonsters: Rosewood Journey - Chapter 176

The Ox-headed Terrorcotta Soldier let out a bone shaking roar before charging directly towards Triton. It’s entire body glowed with orange light before gathering at the head of his great axe weapon. Once it got closer enough, it swung with an absurd amount of force and launched a blade of energy toward Triton.

[Triton! Aqua Shield]!

[Right]!

The Shellvalier slammed his shield on the ground and began to circulate Water aether throughout its structure.

The nautilus shell-like shield was soon coated in a thick layer of water that took on the form of an even more elaborate shield.

*BBWOOOSSSHH-SHKKKK*

As blade and shield collided with one another, a horrible, deafening sound followed by shockwaves rocked the surrounding area.

Triton was preparing to knock the energy blade away and counterattack, but the Ox-headed soldier had other plans in mind.

Just as Triton managed to knock away the attack, the Ox-headed Terrorcotta Soldier bull rushed him once more. But instead of knocking the Shellvalier into a wall, it knocked him to the ground.

[Triton!], Savina cried out in fear.

Before Triton could get back onto his feet, the Terrorcotta Soldier stomped a heavy hoofed foot onto his chest. With the Shellvalier locked into place, the soldier raised his axe for a finishing blow.

[Feels…Familiar…].

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Long before that fateful day, in a land much different from today.

Once upon a time, there was a little harbor town called Enbarr’s Reach.

In the days of the Old Empire, Enbarr’s Reach was under a different name and was a port town. It was a prosperous, peaceful place… until the dragons rampaged.

The town would’ve been sunk had it not been the intervention of a certain majimonster, the town’s namesake in fact, but that is neither here nor there.

What was important, however, was that in this little town, a certain family was performing an important coming-of-age ceremony.

“Nera”, a matronly lady adorned in sea blue robes began to say, “You are now of age and as is tradition, you will be bestowed a bound drajule to see if you are worthy of being a member of the Inner Branch. Are you ready”?

“Yes mo-matriach”, a young girl kneeling before her replied in earnest. If one were to see this ceremony from afar, they would notice that the one running it and the one participating, had strikingly similar features.

The matron proceeded to produce a jade box from the confines of her robe and pull out a deep blue drajule that pulsated with life and aether, a clear sign that something was bound inside of it.

“As is tradition, I present to you, your first majimonster”, the matron said as she held the crystal like scepter and placed it in front of the girl.

The young girl hesitated for a moment before grabbing it. When she did, the drajule glowed to life along with herself, a sign that a contract had been established.

“This majimonster is known as a Shellvalier”, the matron said, a hint of relief on her face, “may he serve you as faithfully as a knight of old”.

“From now on, your name is Triton”, the young girl said with a smile as she held the drajule close to her chest.

Deep within the drajule, the Shellvalier felt something warm inside of it.

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A year or so before that fateful day.

Far and away, in a forest untouched by man, a young binder was in the midst of a battle with a bear-like majimonster known as a Stalagamaul.

ROAR!

The Stalagamaul swung wildly at it’s a opponent, a huge knight-like majimonster with seashells for armor, a great trident and a nautilus shell shaped shield. Unfortunately for the bear, the shield was a bit too tough.

“Come on Triton! Use Aqua Strike!”, the young woman with a fierce yet noble bearing commanded.

Her partner, Triton the Shellvalier, roared in agreement as he thrusted out a trident wreathed in Water aether.

The mighty weapon struck true and pierced the Stalagamaul in it’s stomach, blood flying and mixing with the water.

“Gaoo…”.

The blow proved fatal for the Stalagamaul, as the earth bear slowly returned to aether after Triton had removed his weapon.

The young woman let out a sigh of relief and collapsed to the ground as the Fog of War began to disappear. Stamina was a surprisingly important about majimonster battling, she only wished someone had told her earlier.

“Good job, Triton”, the woman said between breaths, “You’re shaping up to be one great warrior”.

The Shellvalier couldn’t talk at this time, but he could feel the gratitude radiating from the one he called “master”. Unable to express his thanks in words, he radiate his own feelings of gratitude while kneeling before like a knight before his lady. He didn’t know why he did it, it just felt right to him.

Seeing her long time friend kneeling before her, she reached out a hand began to gently rub the Shellvalier’s helmeted head.

“Thank you for sticking with me for so long Triton. You’re a true friend…”.

Even though her words her kind and true, there was a hidden sadness in it that only he could vaguely find.

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That fateful day.

Deep within a valley, where spring and winter danced together.

A girl

Her knight

And a devil fought under pale moonlight.

The knight fought hard/as best he could/trident and shield drenched in power.

But it was all for naught/for the devil was too much.

The knight could not match it’s speed/ he could not match it’s wits/and his power proved useless, against a devil just out of reach.

The knight was soon pinned under jagged claw, his princess looking on in horror, as the devil began to tighten it’s grip.

The knight has long been mute/Never been able to utter a word/ but under pale moon light/ he said a single word.

[Run].

And then…the knight disappeared.

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As the Ox-headed Terrorcotta Soldier was readying to swing down its axe, repeating a history Triton once suffered, the Shellvalier turned to see Savina with a horrified look on her face.

[Familiar…], he thought as something in him began to stir.

Would he allow his opponent the satisfaction of defeating him?

No

Would he allow his new master, his new friend, his new princess the indignity of watching him fall once more?

No

Would he allow himself to be defeated and rendered useless, while feeling the life of his partner slowly fade?

No!

Feeling his rage, the aether around Triton began to churn in a violent manner and flow into the Shellvalier. Newfound power began to enhance his shield and trident as a strange idea began to form inside his mind.

The Terrorcotta Soldier released a mighty bellow as it swung it’s axe downward, but as he did, a single technique name was transmitted to Savina from Triton.

[Tidal…Reversal]!

Before the axe could hit it’s mark, the Terrorcotta Soldier was blasted with a geyser of sea water.