Making their way back around, in due course, the three heroes were able to sneak around to the side of the creature.

"There's our mark." Applejack stated the obvious. "Looks like Cerberus, but it's got only two heads."

Naofumi nodded. "Yeah. Now we just need to slay it."

Applejack shook her head. "Nuh-uh. Raphtalia needs t'be the one ta kill it."

Raphtala's eyes widened. "ME?! What?!"

Appejack looked back at her. "Yer th'one what fears that thar beastie. If we did it in fer ya, then ya still wouldn't be able ta face it down yerself, if we find 'nother one. B'sides, this's a matter o' vengeance! Do it in yer family's honour."

Raphtalia still looked unsure, but Applejack attempted to assuage her further. "Look, hun; You'll be doin' this so no other children ev'r hafta go through what you did - what you do even now. If that monster ev'r e-volves inta whatever it is ya fear s'much, there'll be more problems an' more families lost. Do ya want that?"

Raphtalia took a deep breath, then let it out, a determined look on her face. "You're right. That thing needs to go. Afraid or not, I need to face it. I get it."

Naofumi smiled. "That's the spirit. But remember, we can only open the door for you. You need to walk through. Okay? On my mark, like always..." Naofumi raised one hand, counting down silently. When he put the last finger down, they dashed forward as one.

Raphtalia was visibly shaking, but held her ground.

Naofumi called out, "{Air Strike Shield}!" and a giant kite shield appeared between him and the monster, blocking its forward momentum.

It was about to go around, but Applejack pointed in that direction. "Nothin' doin', ya varmint! {Interposin' Hand}!" A gigantic hand appeared to block the monster's path.(1)

Naofumi then ran forth, slammming the monster in the lower face. It bit down on him, suitably distracted. "Raphtalia! Come on!"

Raphtalia trembled, memories of that day coming back, her parents pushing her aside, the -

"NO!" she exclaimed, Pushing the horrible visions from her mind. Refusing to look at the monster's faces, she ran toward it. Baring both of her blades, she leapt, bringing down both at once, piercing the monster's chest, but not quite hitting its heart. Nevertheless, it roared in pain.

Withdrawing her blades, she exclaimed, "This is for my mom and dad!" She thrust again, this time hitting home.

As the monster went down, a notification appeared before Naofumi's vision.

[Raphtalia has earned the title "FearSlayer"]

Raphtalia withdrew her swords, breathing heavily, soaked with the two headed dog's blood.

Naofumi walked over, casually patting Raphtalia on the head. "I'm proud of you, Raphtalia. Good job."

She smiled, still breathing heavily. "Thanks.... Master... Naofumi." she said, sinking to her knees and blacking out.

"Let's git a'goin' back ta the village. Th' people thar will wanna know that the monsters are dealt with, an' we can git Raphtaliia a good night's rest. An' a bath. She's earned it, Ah'd say." Applejack suggested.

"Good idea." Naofumi said, with a nod. "Something tells me that her dreams will be a lot more peaceful from here on."

Withdrawing her swords from the Cerberus' chest, she kicked one of its heads. "And this time, STAY down." she grumbled. She then sheathed her swords. Would she be able to face the real thing anytime soon? Maybe? Maybe not. But this was a step in the right direction, she was sure.

Her parents ran toward their daughter, giving her a big hug. "We're so proud of you, Raphtalia." her father said. "And especially proud that you've become a confident and strong young lady." he added.

Her mother nodded, saying, "Now we can move on."

Raphtalia was startled. "Move on? What?"

Her father said, "You carried us with you. Now that you've faced your fear, we can finally rest."

Her mother added, "Good on you for doing so." She and Raphtalia's father began to fade, rising into the air.

Raphtalia reached out for them. "Wait! No! Don't go!"

"Keep growing; be that strong young lady that you've become." her father advised

"Never forget that you have all the strength you need if you dare to use it." her mother added. "Goodbye!" she said, as they both faded from sight.

Raphtalia lowered her head, weeping somewhat. She sighed. "Don't worry, Dad, Mom. I won't forget. And if I see another one of those things, we'll make sure that they don't either." she vowed.

That night, she did indeed have pleasant dreams for the first time in a long while.

Author's Note

1: To complete the mental image, think of Master Hand. I did.