shield hero · rising of the shield hero · betrayed · protective · raphtalia · filo · anime · trauma · resilient · post-battle
Sunlight pierced the arena dust. Naofumi stirred, pain throbbing in his skull. The memory of Malty's treachery and Motoyasu's blow lingered. Beside him, Raphtalia and Filo slept, their vigil unbroken. He sat up, the shield heavy on his arm, reality crashing back in as he looked at the two who remained.