#cornmaze

Mystical corn maze illuminated by lanterns

Corn maze in shape of pilgrim hat from above

“Filo-chan! Where are you? You better not be getting into trouble!” Raphtalia looked frantically for her friend. A Filolial named Filo, who can transform into a racing bird, a large fluffy bird, and a small child at her will. She also had unique powers that rivals the other Filolials, indicating that she would be the next Queen of her flock. However, Raphalia and their Master Naofumi always seem to find her in unusual situations. This time it was a large corn maze.

“Geez, why does she act like a spoiled brat.” Naofumi mumbled, rubbing the back of his head as a migraine was forming. He then stood straight up and took a deep breath. “FILO!! YOU GET BACK HERE OR I WILL WITHHOLD YOUR MEALS!!!”

There was an uproar to the north of them, hearing the scream of despair of their Filo in that direction. “NOOOOO!!! FILO LOVE FOOD!! BUT FILO MUST STAY FOR MASTER AND RAPH-CHAN TO FIND FILO!!””

“Filo-chan wants us to find her? That is unusual.” Raphtalia looked at her master in confusion. “I wonder what she is doing.”

“I don’t know, but that does not warrant a command seal. She seemed eager for us to search though. Besides, I have had fun going through Corn Mazes when I was in my old world. You get to see a variety of things and sometimes win prizes.”

“Prizes? What kind?” Raphtalia said, wagging her tail and stars began to form in her eyes. “I would love to get a prize!”

Naofumi chuckles at his first partner’s enthusiasm. “Then let’s find Filo, then see if we can get to the center of the maze.” He patted her head before taking her hand and guided her through the maze, occasionally looking at double or triple paths figuring out which path to go. It was a ruse actually, Naofumi knew exactly what he was doing and he had asked Filo to help make things believable. Filo was at the center of the corn maze, setting up a picnic of everyone’s food, especially Raphtalia. Today was a special day for the Female Vassal, and they wanted to make everything perfect.

Filo was in her small-winged girl form, smoothing out the large picnic blanket of crimson and ensuring no dust or straw or dead corn leaves didn't get in the way of the plates, food, and drinks. She was happy that the master gave her a special mission for her, and it involved her big sister Raph-chan. It was going to be fantastic.

“Filo, there you are!”

“Ah! Master and Raph-chan found Filo!! Filo is happy!” Filo said, jumping up and down before hugging her big-sis and master. “Did Master and Raph-chan have fun?”

“Yes, we did. Thank you, Filo.” Naofumi smiled, petting Filo and pulled the other to the picnic, leaving her confused. “Ummm, master? What do you mean thank you to Filo?” She looked at the two, who then had certain twitches only she could see, causing her to pout. “You two planned this?”

Filo nodded and hugged Raphtalia again, “Master gave Filo a mission to set the picnic for big sis, today is your anniversary of freedom. Today is also the anniversary of meeting our master!”

Raphtalia blinked a few times before realizing it was. The last and final day she was in a cage, purchased by Naofumi and given free reign, tasting the air once again. “T-thank you, Naofumi, Filo. This makes me so happy. If things were different, I was sure I would not have met either of you.”

“Don’t get sappy and enjoy the picnic,” Naofumi chuckled, teasing her for the tears. “You want your prize, right? Hurry up before things get cold!”