To Be a Hero {SBI Fantasy AU}

11. The Search Continues

"You're going to need to pay more attention to your left side, Tommy," the white boar's skull bobbed a little as he casually flung constructive comments his way, "You're getting better, but you're definitely going to need a shield. You can hold up someone like Philza for little while if you try hard enough, but you don't stand a chance with anyone wielding an axe or club."

Even though he was tired from training, he still had it in him to perk up excitedly. "Does that mean I get a shield?" he called out excitedly. His momentary distraction gave the knight just enough time to knock him off his feet. Sighing a little as he pulled the boy back to his feet, Philza scolded him lightly, "You're supposed to focus even if something exciting is happening around you. If you're distracted like this your opponent could land a good hit on you and leave you severely injured."

"Yeah, yeah," he said, ignoring the exasperated huff from Technoblade, "a shield would be so cool though! I'll really look like a hero, defender of innocents!" he puffed up with a grin, "When do you think I could get one?"

The pink haired man shrugged nonchalantly, "Probably the next big city we run into. We'll have to make sure to get you a decent one though, or all the coins we spend on it will be all for naught if it snaps in half during its first use." A giddy feeling rose in his chest and he couldn't help but raise his fists in the air with a happy yell. Imagine how cool he'd look with a shield and sword! He'd really look like a legendary hero then! Swooping in with a strong, sturdy shield so that he could save the day! If he could use it right, he could deflect almost anything! With a shield he could finally switch between attacking and protecting, something he couldn't ever do with a short sword alone!

By then, the other two had woken up and joined them. Tubbo ran over with his bag as he saw his friend's excitement and asked, "What's going on?" He turned around, excitedly chattering about the news, words flying out of his mouth like overexcited hummingbirds. While his best friend was used to this kind of behavior, Wilbur couldn't catch half of what the boy was spouting. "What?" the bard interrupted, "I could barely catch a 'hello' and something about heroes how do you even speak that fast?" 

Ruffling his hair, causing the squire to let out an annoyed squawk, the berserker explained, "He's just overly excited about the shield we're gonna get him so that he doesn't die." Of course Techno could make even a shield sound boring. The bard gave a noise of acknowledgement as he already began gushing at Tubbo.

"Can you imagine!" he grinned, "They'll sing songs about Tommy, defender of innocents and strongest man alive!" He made a great show of hoisting an imaginary shield with his other arm as he puffed up proudly. By then the older boy's eyes were as wide as saucers. 

"Do I get something cool too?" the boy asked, his green hood bobbing up and down with excitement. Suddenly under attack from two pairs of pleading eyes, the berserker reluctantly muttered, "Uh I think I might know someone who can get you a staff but I mean I've never had to use one myself so—" Despite the man's hesitance the two boys were already celebrating the future additions to their equipment. 

"Haha YEAH!" the younger boy exclaimed, "It'll be you and me, Tubbo! A formidable defender and fearsome mage!" The other grinned, "We'll be so well-known that they'll sing praises to us forevermore!" 

"Now you're just quoting the ballads at this point," Wilbur said with a sigh, "do you even know what half of that even means?" Tommy retorted, "It means something legendary" he crossed his arms to emphasize his point, "and that's all I need to know!"

Philza was trying very hard to hold in his laughter and lightly said, "Well, we should get going if we want to get there faster." He didn't need to be told twice. Beaming, he tugged on Techno's sleeve, "C'mon lets go then!" The masked man scowled as he pulled out the enchanted compass from his pocket. "We will, we will, now stop before you rip my sleeve," he growled, "the vase is in the same direction and we still need to get that before we do anything else."