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Chapter Text

The final war had come and gone, White Star and the Sealed God taken care of for what one could only hope was forever.

Both the Western and Eastern Continents were focusing on rebuilding, Cale himself having given up his title of Supreme Commander to retire.

There was peace, there was quiet. 

... 

Cale should've known that it wouldn't last long, should've realized that such a peaceful and quiet time was too good to be true. 

And, perhaps in some ways, he had always been on the edge and waiting for the other shoe to drop for awhile now. 

So he wasn't all that surprised when the moment came and it all changed; He was still highly disappointed, though. 

【 Domain - God of Death (Azrael) 】

Azrael – the God of Death – sat behind a large desk, stacks of papers covering its surface along with other various knick-knacks. 

He stared at the man standing before the desk and smiled. 

“Cale, my child –”

"Don't," Cale snapped, cutting the God off, his eyes narrowing and gaze sharp, "Why did you bring me here?" 

"Cale, I'm wounded. Can't a father seek out his son just because?" 

"Tsk," Cale ignored the other's claim of parentage for the moment, scoffing, "It's never 'just because'."

"..." Azrael sighed, leaning back in his chair, "Okay, fine, straight to it then." He paused, staring at the mortal for a moment in silence before continuing, "Cale, there is a situation that has occurred. A rather unique one that, after consideration with some of the other Gods, we have managed to come up with a solution for."

The God coughed, the smile he gave a sheepish one, "It's just, well... This solution is one that would require both your consent and assistance along with the participation of your people."

"Oh?" Despite the even tone, Cale began to release a not-so-subtle pressure that pressed down a little on the God – and that was even without the use of any of his powers.

Azrael's smile wavered, "Cale. Had there been any other way, I swear that I would've never considered bothering you or yours with this matter. However... The issue itself is, more or less, due to you and all that you accomplished since your transmigration into this world."

Feeling the pressure lighten up a little, he breathed a sigh of relief – he would never admit it aloud but there was a reason why he, along with other Gods, feared Cale as much as they could claim to love him. 

He heard the other sigh before giving a simple, "I'm listening."

"First and foremost, a point that you're already aware of – In addition to this one, there are multiple additional worlds that exist." At Cale's nod, Azrael continued, "Now, most of the time, these worlds are able to run without direct interference of the higher beings, their Fates along with all those within them more or less set in stone.

"Then there are the worlds in which something happens that ends up distorting their original Fate. Most of those cases, there isn't too much of an issue and despite the distortion the world ends up adapting and continues on its altered path; Sometimes, from the point of distortion, that path ends up branching itself off to create an entirely new world with an entirely new Fate."

Taking a moment to take a sip from his coffee, the God set the cup down to continue.

"There is still no need for interference in those cases, but then there are those whose distortions do require the interference of Gods such as myself. That is when we're allowed to take advantage of existing variables that allow us help us solve them."

Once again, Azrael stopped talking, allowing for Cale to process everything he had said so far before finishing, "The original Cale Henituse –"

"Kim Rok Soo."

"Hm?"

"Refer to him as Kim Rok Soo, he – and I – have long decided to forgo our former identities."

"... Kim Rok Soo and yourself were two such variables that were put into play through the deal I made with him, and in the end you succeeded in changing the Fate of this world. That should've been enough, but –"

Cale didn't need to be a genius to know where the God was going, the remaining pressure that still lingered int he air retracting with a sigh. 

"Something went wrong," He stated, then asked, "What?" 

"This world, instead of continuing to run the path of its fixed Fate, ended up branching off into two additional, separate worlds. One of its past and one of its future, and both of those two worlds have a final ending that threatens the existence of their origin world – yours."

Mulling over all that the God spoke of, Cale frowned, "I’m assuming the past refers to the original intended Fate as written in【The Birth of a Hero】and later told to me from Kim Rok Soo."

“To be expected of the most brilliant and smartest of my child –”

“No. Now, what is it that happened with the future one?”

At his question, Azrael's expression changed, traces of pain and remorse obvious in the dark eyes that stared into his own. 

"That, well, it distorted right after the final battle against White Star and the Sealed God. Something, ah, influenced some of that world's people and caused a rather drastic change within them. One that directly impacted another."

There was the slightest flicker within Cale's eyes, the smallest twitch of his fingers of one hand as he knew who was being spoken of.

"My people," He whispered, a hint of uneasiness edging his tone, "What did they do?"

Azrael hesitated, the pain and remorse within the God of Death's gaze growing and darkening it further, "Cale." 

"What did they do?"

"... They broke you."

Ah, and there it was. 

【 Reaction Plane (Cale & Cale) 】

After all was said and done, in the end what else could Cale do but agree to what the God of Death proposed; Of course, he made certain to make some requests of his own, unwilling to give in without gaining some form of compensation. 

Compensation that was deserved, he thought, considering all he was being asked to give up. 

Not to mention all that he could possibly lose –

Then there was what happened to his alternate future's self, something that never should've been allowed to happen. 

He closed his eyes and breathed in deep, exhaling slowly in an attempt to calm his agitated nerves. 

Fuck, why couldn't he stop thinking about everything that damned God had told him?

It hadn't even been him, it hadn't been his people. 

But it could've been. 

No, no, no. 

His fingers curled into a loose fist that hit his thigh, nails digging into his palm in a attempt to use pain to distract his veering thoughts.

He hated pain. 

How could they. 

— Cale!  

— Cale, it's fine, you are fine. 

Cale choked back a laugh as he heard The Glutton and Super Rock speak up, shaking his head to clear it. 

"Ah, what am I doing, this helps no one."

Why was he allowing this to affect him so much?

He wasn't even the one who had to suffer. 

He wasn't the one who'd been betrayed, whose heart and trust had been broken and shattered. 

It wasn't him. 

But it could've been. 

Cale somehow managed to pull himself back together, face once more of its usual stoicism. 

He stared at the door right before him, thinking of what awaited him on its other side.

It would bring him to where Cale had been brought, the God having given him the task of helping his alternate self. 

'Don't be surprised at how he looks, he's in bad shape.'

'Try to get him to take the healing potion we're providing, he'll need to be healed before we can lift the seals that'd been placed on his powers.'

On and on the God had rambled, telling Cale more than he ever wanted to know about what Cale had gone through. 

Why. 

Cale had been warned but being told and seeing were two different things. 

His hand shook the moment the light from stepping through the door faded and he found himself face to face with Cale. 

He couldn't stop from running his gaze along the other's body, taking in the multitude of wounds in varying stages of healing and the myriad scars left behind from ones healed. 

His gaze flickered, his hand shaking further as small streaks of rose-gold traced against his skin in an attempt to use their shock to keep him from sinking. 

"Haaa..."

Cale finally forced himself to look up at the face of Cale, meeting that dull, empty gaze that was all-too familiar to him. 

"Ha, ha..."

It was the gaze of someone who had given up in the place that was meant to be home.

【 Reaction Plane (Baby Dragon & Human Cub) 】

The room was large and divided into three large sections, transparent barriers made of magic separating each one.

Within the middle-most one, something appeared.

That something was about one meter in length and covered in black scales – It was a dragon, one that was still considered a baby at four years of age.

The Baby Dragon was curled up into a ball; The shackles were gone along with the mana-restricting collar the moment he appeared in this unknown place, but despite that he found it hard to stop shaking.

This situation he found himself in, one where he had been released from the cage and restraints that bound him, he should be happy.

He hadn't needed to resort to what he had planned to do, having been so close to cutting into his very essence regardless of the consequences just to achieve –

"F, free..."

Free.

The first word he spoke aloud was to no one but himself, one of a concept he had been willing to destroy himself for.

His shaking stopped.

"I'm... free."

His form uncurled, head lifting as he looked around the place he had been brought to, taking in the various pieces of furniture situated around the various sections.

There were also tables with what appeared to be an assortment of different foods on them.

Food...

He hadn't eaten in so long.

He trembled a little as he stood on all four paws, wanting nothing more than to go to the nearest table.

He took one step forward –

There was a sudden flash of light, followed by a light thud.

The Baby Dragon's first use of magic after being granted his freedom was to turn invisible, crouching low to the ground as he stared at what was revealed as the remnants of light faded.

It was a human – not an adult, but one of their cubs.

The Baby Dragon stared at the other, a slight tilt to his head as he smelled the familiar scent of blood that wafted over from the human cub.

There was a part of him that wanted to go over to the human cub that reminded him of himself, but at the same time he hated humans!

But... that was a human cub, right?

He... it wouldn't hurt for him to take a closer look; He was still invisible and could run after.

Rising to his paws once more, the Baby Dragon crept closer to the human cub; The nearer he got, the stronger the smell of blood.


His blue eyes widened as he saw the human cub's appearance fully for the first time – 

Much like the Baby Dragon himself, the human cub was a mottled patchwork of bruises in varying stages of healing along with a countless number of other wounds.  The blood he smelled came from the most recent of injuries, crimson seeping through the fabric of the human cub's clothing.

...

The Baby Dragon hated humans, having all the reasons to but he had never thought they could be so cruel to their own kind, to their own cubs!

He hated humans but couldn't help but see a kindred spirit within the human cub that reminded him so much of himself; Unlike him, though, his human cub was still so small and weak.

"... Free..." He whispered, watching as his human cub flinched at his voice before lifting their head and looking around with fear-filled eyes.

"D, don't be afraid," He said and stepped closer as he dropped his invisibility.

For a moment the two just stared at the other, blue meeting red-brown that widened with a small gasp.

"D, dragon?" His human cub spoke in a soft voice that he liked the sound of, the fear leaving their eyes and replaced with wonder as a small hand reached out.

"Yes, I am a dragon!" He butted against the palm of his human cub's hand and repeated his words from earlier, "You're free."


The Baby Dragon decided he liked it when his human cub wrapped their small arms around him, both of them finding comfort and warmth in the gentle touch both had been denied too long.

That comfort didn't last long, though, his human cub tensing as another flash of light – this one far larger than the one that brought his human cub to him – flooded the room.

— Come on, weak human.

He spoke into his human cub's mind, invisibility cloaking them both as the two hid beneath the nearest table in time as the light began to fade and other forms appeared in its place.

— Don't be afraid.

He crawled into his human cub's arms, allowing them to hug him close as they began to shake once more.

He nuzzled against them.

— This dragon will protect you.

Chapter Text

The Declaration of War announced from those allied under the banner of the Indomitable Alliance was more a formality than an actual warning, for not long after it was issued, an attack had already been launched on the first of their unsuspecting foes. 

There had been no signs given beforehand, no warnings of the events to come –

The first casualties of war were the lives of those living within the territories under the jurisdiction of the Henituse County. 

The Wyvern Knight Brigade, revived from the annuls of legend under the command of Paerun Kingdom's Guardian Knight, Clopeh Sekka, darkened the skies with the sheer number of their massive forms; Upon their descent, no roomor time was left for preparation or chance of a counterattack regardless of its success. 

The members of the Bear Tribe that launched their own massive forms off the wyverns' backs and parachuted downwards were just an additional destructive force of a more grounded nature, one that ran Berserk and left nothing but broken bodies and rivers of red in their wake. 

Everywhere, buildings were razed and burned, no structure spared from the smallest shed to the largest of businesses.

Throughout it all, a cacophony of seeming never-ending screams rent the air. 

Cale Henituse* could hear it all.

Whether it was the piercing screeches of wyverns or the loud, raucous growled laughter of Bears or the endless screams of terror and death that came from their County's people, he heard it all.

For the first time since he first chose to pick up a blade and follow the path of a swordmaster, he regretted making such a choice, the heightened senses that came from such an occupation more of a curse than a blessing in moments like these. 

He pushed aside his discomfort, forcing himself to focus on other things instead. 

In the room behind him, he could hear his younger brother's voice shaking, the other attempting to establish contact with someone – anyone  – within the Capital; His sister's cries could also be heard, regardless of the attempts she made to muffle them.

The three of them were all that remained of the Henituse Family, the deaths of their parents ones that Cale* had been unfortunate to witness both of.

Deruth Henituse, his father, had gathered together what remained of their soldiers and led them out with nothing but the clothes he had chosen to wear that day; There was no time to put on armor, not that it would've offered much protection against the white sword aura that ran him through nor the sharp teeth and claws of the equally white wyvern that then proceeded to tear the then still alive Count into pieces. 

Then there was Violan Henituse, his stepmother. 

She had thrown herself with all the fury and anger that a mother determined to protect her own could possess at a charging Bear, almost feral as she attacked it with her own nails and teeth, all in an attempt to buy her children more time to escape.

Cale* had arrived in time to see the Bear eviscerate her with just one of its claws, turning from the gruesome sight to further assure that her sacrifice wasn't in vain. 

"Don't look, Lily," He had whispered to his sister as he swept her up into his arms, pressing her face against his shoulder as he ran, hearing Basen's own choked cries as his brother followed behind. 

The three siblings had escaped, but now all three of them were trapped alongside the single mage within the Communication Tower. 

Cale* wasn't stupid, and he knew that there was no means in which any of them were escaping with their lives, but still he hoped.

He hoped to buy enough time for the Capital to be contacted, to inform the Crown of the attack and the consequential downfall of their Henituse County. 

“Well, well, what do we have here?”

The tall, white-haired man laughed as he stared down at Cale*, his green eyes shining with a manic glee.

Cale* flinched, recognizing the other as the one whose sword and wyvern were responsible for his father's death. 

Though, he supposed, considering who he was, it could be said that the man was responsible for everything that had happened to his home. 

“You –” Eyes shaking, he shifted his stance, attempting to block the entrance he stood before as best he could, knowing that any time they might've had was quickly running out. 

Despite that, he would continue to do whatever he could, determined to keep standing his ground however long he could manage – and, hopefully, the effort would be enough for Basen and the mage to succeed in their endeavor. 

He tried to ignore the fact that none of their attempts so far had any success.

(Clopeh Sekka watched on in amusement at the actions of the redhead, appearing to be in no real hurry as he remained mounted on the white wyvern beneath him, knowing as much as the other that his death would be quick to come should he wished it.

Cale* was, after all, nothing but a miniscule footnote on his path to becoming a legend, the other doomed to fall as all others had before him.)

Attempting to defend against Clopeh Sekka of all people would be a fool's errand, Cale* knew. Not when his own skill with the sword was still no where near the Guardian Knight's level. 

So what point was there to even try when there was another option? 

In the room behind him, Cale* could hear Basen*, anxiety and panic causing his younger brother's voice to raise as he asked, "What's going on, why?! We've been trying for so long, why aren't we able to connect to anyone?!" 

For the first time since the younger had started his attempts, met with failure over and over again, Cale* found himself wondering on whether there was something else behind their inability to reach out to anybody else.

Then he remembered that there was no spare time to think further on the matter, catching the flicker of impatience within the bright green of the white-haired Swordmaster's eyes that once held calm indifference.

(To Clopeh, Cale* was just the renown 'trash' of Count Henituse's Family, a role he had continued to play into when under the public's eyes.

The redhead was a nothing, useless and far from a threat he needed to worry about.) 

Had Cale* known the other male's thoughts, perhaps he might've agreed, but as it was there was one thing he did know and believed to be true. 

He took in a single, deep breath and exhaled slowly, noting the slight raise of a single white eyebrow as he proceeded to toss his sword aside. 

Cale*, despite all the training he had forced himself to undergo and despite all his natural skill, was still a fledgling welder of the sword and now might never get the chance to grow and hone his skills to become a Swordmaster on the level of the Hero Choi Han or Guardian Knight Clopeh, but –

His sword wasn't needed in order for him to fight. 

Right now, he wasn't needed to attack. 

He met Clopeh's poisonous gaze, a firm determination within his own red-brown one. 

Memories flashed in his mind, remnants of scant dreams he had over the course of the past few years, some being the one that led him to the black tree upon a hill in the slums.

His hands lifted, a bright, golden-white light beginning to stream out from his palms. 

His purpose now was to defend, the one thing he knew thus: In a battle when a sword goes up against a shield... 

That light grew outwards into a large, shimmering dome that snapped into place over the tower he stood upon at the same time Clopeh launched an attack. 

The white aura reminiscent of a snake slammed against the Shield, an explosion of light emitted upon its contact, one so blinding that Cale* had to close his eyes –

【 Reaction Plane (Neutral Space - The Henituses) 】

“H-hyung-nim?” 

Basen's voice sounded no less panicked than when Cale* had heard it earlier, but as the younger male continued to speak, it didn't shake as much. 

“Hyung-nim, where are we? T, this place isn't...”

Cale* opened his eyes at the question and found 'this place' that his brother spoke of was a small area with translucent barriers that served as 'walls' to separate them from what appeared to be other areas far larger than the one they were in. 

There was also a lot of white that seemed to color everything that was solid. 

Wherever it was that he and his siblings were, he couldn't help but feel it gave off a sense of divine.

“Am I dead?”

The question was asked on a whim with no belief in its words but the next moment a smaller form latched onto him, hands clutching at his arm and a soft whimper falling from Lily's lips. 

“O-orabeoni, don't say such things!” 

Cale* looked down, taking in the sight of his sister and found himself thinking of how young Lily* still was. Her birthday had just passed but she was still just nine years old and all in the span of a single day, she had lost both of her parents. 

He himself had been eight when he first lost his mother and now, at twenty-one, his father was lost to him as well.

“... Sigh.”

He sighed and closed his eyes as images flashed in his mind, once more playing out Deruth and Violan Henituse's final moments of life.

He breathed in a single, sharp breath and exhaled slowly. 

“... Basen, Lily.”

Cale* opened his eyes and looked to his sister, then to where his brother stood. 

"It should be okay. This place, wherever it is, I don't think we're in any danger here."

He looked around at their surroundings again, at the large swathes of white all around; Contrasting the white were the various pieces of furniture situated both where they were as well as in the other areas beyond the barriers of their own. 

There were chairs, sofas and tables of various sizes that were either empty or full of food and drinks.

Cale* found their own area a bit sparse in comparison with two couches and a single table with refreshments. His gaze flickered, noticing that beside one of the couches was a see-through container full of what he recognized as various medical supplies. 

He glanced to his siblings, taking in their small but still there injuries before considering his own too.

"Come on, let's head over there," He nodded towards the couch, "There's a med-kit and now is as good a time as any to tend to our wounds."

The Henituse trio had just finished bandaging up the last of their injuries, the three now sitting on the couch the medkit had been found near and bearing witness to the very phenomenon that had brought them into this unknown place.

The bright light dissipated as quickly as it came, leaving a group of people in its wake. 

Cale* couldn't help the flinch that came as he realized just who some of the newcomers were, phantom remnants of past wounds flaring up at the sight of one man in particular –

Choi Han*, the Swordmaster and supposed 'Hero' under the declaration of Roan's Crown Prince.

Haaa, some 'Hero'. Where were these 'heroes' when the wyverns and Bears came? Or are our lives as worthless to them as I claimed those of Harris Village's were those few years ago? 

Cale* knew his thoughts were far from simple pettiness, well aware that those same heroes he bemoaned didn't have to do anything to help him or anyone else; Even if they would, how could they or anyone have helped when no one even knew what was happening?

He might know and realize but the bitterness remained as did the memories. 

The tragedies that had befallen his home and took his father and stepmother's lives. 

The carnage that wyverns and Bears alike had unleashed on their unsuspecting lands.

The sheer desperation that he could hear Basen* falling into as all his attempts to get in contact with someone outside their County were met with failure after failure. 

He wouldn't – could not – forget all that. 

(Cale* knew that Basen* was as aware as he was that there was no chance that their situation could be reversed even if assistance could be requested and denied. No assistance could be received that wouldn't result in more lives wasted for an instance that, from the start, seemed like a pre-determined failure. 

There had been no time left for their survival and had it not been for the Shield he used in the last moment, Cale* was just as certain that the deaths of his siblings and himself would've been a foregone conclusion. 

For that matter, wouldn't their deaths still be an inevitable fate after they left wherever ‘here’ was?)

“Orabeoni?” Lily's whispered voice and soft touch of her fingers to his arm drew him out of thoughts that were taking a darker turn, “Are you okay?”

He couldn't bring himself to look at her nor at Basen* whose gaze he could feel looking at him from his other side. 

“I'm fine, Lily.”

【 Reaction Plane (The Birth of a Hero) 】

The last thing that Crown Prince Alberu Crossman* ever expected to happen to him was to find himself just one of many who suddenly found themselves in a strange and unfamiliar place.

The timing of it all had been a rather poor one, too, his brow furrowing as he remembered what had happened right before –

One of his disguised Dark Elf subordinates that he had stationed in one of the Northeastern territories had come to his palace, demanding an audience; He had looked far too disheveled with torn clothes and visible blood, sheer panic in dark eyes and out of breath.

"H-horrible, it's so horrible!" The other had gasped, entire form trembling where he stood before his desk, "There was s-something disrupting... mana... I ran as fast as I could until I c-could..." His words were all over the place, "T-the Hen –"

Alberu* never had a chance to hear the rest, the bright light having come and gone in a flash, resulting with him being displaced in its wake.

One look around was all it took for Alberu* to realize that he wasn't the only one here and he recognized a lot of the people while the others were ones foreign and unknown to him.

Questions were something he had a lot of, but now was not the time for him to ask them and even if it were, he was sure that none of the others could answer them to his satisfaction.

Sigh.

With a heavier than intended sigh, the blonde schooled his face into that of serene calm and took another, more careful look around at the others besides himself that were brought here.


He noticed the Hero Choi Han was here along with his small group.

There were also a few nobles from various territories in Roan, though for some reason he couldn't help but note the absence of the Henituses.

His subordinate had started speaking of a matter starting with 'Hen', hadn't he?

He shifted his attention elsewhere, catching sight of a small group that seemed, to him at least, stood out from the rest. The four – two adult males, one adult female and a young male – all had delicate-looking, pointed ears and an appearance akin to elves with its beauty. However, as one with elvish – dark as it might be – heritage himself, Alberu* couldn't help but feel there was something decidedly more about them. 

What, he didn't know, but not knowing didn't leave him any less certain that it would be nothing short of disaster for both Roan and himself should he end up on their bad side.

He looked somewhere else almost immediately after that thought, interest piqued at the comment a woman made –

"This damn place reeks of that fucking God of Death." There was a thinly veiled irritation edging those words, their speaker one who couldn't care less if others viewed what she said as being blasphemous.

Recognizing just who the woman was, he wasn't surprised, recalling the few reports that came across his desk now and then of the other's activities. She was Cage* – the Crazy Priestess – a former follower of the God of Death that, despite being excommunicated, still retained the divine powers she'd been granted under her (former) God.

"So," He murmured, a slight tilt of his head and blue eyes thoughtful, “The God of Death, hm?”

The statement Cage* made held merit, the prospect of at least one God's intervention a plausible explanation to the whole situation; How else could all of them be here, when everyone present came from various different places that spanned both the Eastern and Western Continents?


No matter how hard he thought about it, though, Alberu* could think of nothing that provided explanation or reason enough to justify a God interfering in such a manner like this.

Whatever this was.

Why them, why here?

Tsk.

He clicked his tongue and decided to brush those thoughts aside, assuming that even the Gods would need to provide their explanation for what was essentially a mass kidnapping. Until that time, it would be smarter for him to go and regroup with those he could consider somewhat of allies instead of continuing to flounder about alone.

His new purpose determined, Alberu* moved, his steps light as he headed towards the small group he first noticed.

“Choi Han, Rosalyn, Lock.”

The dark-haired Swordmaster looked over at the call, a slight narrowing of his eyes as he took in the sight of the familiar man before giving a slight nod in acknowledgement. 

“You're here as well, Your Highness.” Choi Han's lips were drawn down in an obvious frown, his shoulders tensed and hand twitching against his sword's sheath.

“Mm, so it seems to be the case,” Alberu* affirmed and inclined his head in Cage's direction, “Apparently due to the whim of at least one God, so there's nothing to be done. For now."

After all, there was not much that they, as mere mortals, could do to go against the will of the Gods.

He once more looked around, noting that most of the other people had decided to stop standing around, moving instead to sit at the provided tables; There were some that even seemed to be perusing the contents of what appeared to be tables laden with various food and beverages.

Cage* was one of those people, the former priestess sitting alone at the smallest table and drinking straight out of a bottle of alcohol he could only assume she pulled out from seeming nowhere

There was also the group of four beings he noticed earlier, the ones he felt were not-quite-elves sitting at a table far from the rest of them.

"Did you want to sit with us?" Choi Han asked with a slight gesture towards one of the tables that the rest of his group had claimed, the blonde considering the offer before taking note of another familiar and far more friendly (to him, at least) face.

"Thank you for the offer, but no. My aunt appears to also be here so I'll sit with her."


Alberu* watched Choi Han leave with his two companions before heading over to the table where a dark-haired female sat with another, the second's features unseen beneath the shadow of the hooded cloak they wore.

"Aunt Tasha, Mary." The smile he gave the two was small, but genuine, relieved to see the two of them safe and sound at a time when so much else seemed uncertain.

"Alberu, I thought that was you I saw," Tasha* returned her nephew's smile before it faded, "I was afraid I wouldn't get a chance to speak to you again, not when..."

"Not when what?" Alberu* frowned, the last he saw of his aunt before this place being when she was heading for the Underground City, a destination he assumed she reached since Mary* was with her.

"Later, when we have time," Tasha* looked around, at the many people around them and changing the subject, "There are a lot of people here, aren't there?"

"... There are." He finally sat down on a chair opposite the two females, "With the mention of the God of Death having some involvement, I... am a bit worried for the reason we've been brought here, and I fear it has something to do with the Declaration of War that the so-called Indomitable Alliance issued earlier today."

The blonde waved a hand, noting that almost everyone had chosen to find a table at this time, a distance and not so subtle division between those on not so friendly terms with one another. The fact that none of those with hostilities had confronted or attempted to fight one another was something Alberu* attributed to either fear of unknown consequence from being sent to an unknown place or more interference from those who brought them here.

Alberu* was more certain that it was a combination of both factors. It also helped that the Whipper Kingdom's infamous 'Mage Slayer' Toonka* appeared to be unconscious, his huge form sprawled out on the floor next to a table. 

He had never met Toonka* personally, but the tales he had heard of the other's apparent love for fighting the strong and penchant for blood were many.

If the gossip and rumors were to believed, it was nothing but a good thing for Toonka's lack of awareness. 

The quiet that had fallen save for the the few hushed conversations those of various tables were engaging in did little for Alberu's nerves. The more time passed, he wanted nothing more than the reason for their being here to be revealed and, hopefully, whatever purpose fulfilled so all of them could return to their lives in the world outside.

He had never seen that particular subordinate look so scared before, and why did he feel the other was about to mention the Henituses? The noble family that, again, wasn't here despite the presence of some lesser households.

He considered whether or not to be the one to rise and bring attention to himself in order to, perhaps, start some form of discussion among all of them instead of allowing everyone to remain segregated in their own little groups and factions.

War was coming to the Western Continent, after all.

The Roan Kingdom had already fallen victim to a countless number of bombings that had destroyed places and taken lives with no end to them in sight; His kingdom might be the main target right now, but while he hadn't been alive the last time any of the Continents were embroiled in conflict, Alberu* was smart enough to realize that Roan wouldn't be the last.


"Ahem." Alberu* cleared his throat and stood up from his chair, a political smile in place as he raised his voice to address everyone, "From what Miss Cage mentioned in the beginning, the reason all of us are here has something to do with the interference of, at least, one God. I cannot pretend to know what all you think but I do believe They must have a reason for such a thing to happen, as well as a reason behind why we are the chosen ones."

He paused, both for a chance for the words he spoke to be processed and to take a small sip of water to wet his throat.

"From what I've observed, our origins span across both the Eastern and Western Continents and, considering the most recent Declaration that the 'Indomitable Alliance' issued, there is a suspicion I have that they're at least one of the reasons for all our attendance."

War.

He didn't speak the actual word itself, but it was implied.

"In the face of such possibilities and assuming that everyone here are those who might prove to be a possible ally, perhaps we should take the time to introduce ourselves?"

The smile on his face widened, just a little, "I am Alberu Crossman, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Roan."

His smile remained even as silence fell over all the conscious participants, not once faltering at the sharp, judging stares some of them gave.

Then, one of the Heroes under Roan's name stood.

"I am Choi Han, a Swordmaster."

The Hero speaking up seemed to break the tension as, one by one, others stood and introduced themselves; some with a more obvious reluctance than others, while others remained silent and seated, unwilling or uncaring to bring attention to themselves.

Not long after the last willing person had given their name, something in the air seemed to shift, Alberu* among others forced back into their seats. 

⟪ Welcome, everyone, from the world of Nameless 2 that shall be henceforth known as [ The Birth of a Hero ], or TBH. ⟫

The sudden voice startled all of them, the unknown speaker one who was undetermined to be either male or female. 

⟪ The reason in which all of you have been brought here will be given in due time. Until then, feel free to partake in the provided refreshments if you haven't already. There are also medical supplies that can be found next to those tables if needed. ⟫

There were a few faint murmurs, some who hadn't noticed the tables full of food stealing glances over at them. 

Others, on the other hand, sought out the mentioned medical supplies with their eyes.

⟪ It should also be noted that no violence against another is permitted and some form of punishment will be doled out to offenders  should this rule be broken. ⟫

Toonka*, having regained consciousness moments before the unknown speaker first started, snorted but otherwise didn’t say or do anything that might incur the other's wrath. 

For now, anyways.

Still, though, that didn't stop the large man from sitting in the chair beside Glenn and looking around at everyone else, a sneer on his lips and obvious disdain in his eyes no matter who he saw.

⟪ For now, that is all. ⟫

With those final words, the unseen being’s presence left them along with the sense of pressure that had pressed down upon them since the first words they spoke.

【 Reaction Plane (Neutral Space - The Henituses) 】

Cale* and his siblings had heard all that had been told, a question on his mind that had appeared when he realised that none of the others seemed to notice their presence.

⟪ Cale Henituse, Basen Henituse, Lily Henituse. ⟫

There was a softer, gentler tone as the voice spoke to the three remaining Henituses.

⟪ While there isn’t much more that I can tell you that I haven’t already told the rest of your world, I do wish to express my condolences on your losses. ⟫

Cale* couldn’t help but frown, subconsciously wrapping his arms around either of his siblings and pulling them closer to his sides.

⟪ This space is a bit different than the two largest ones. Those within it are able to see and hear all that happens within the other two but remain unseen and undetected on their ends. ⟫

⟪ Until any of you wish to reveal yourselves, that is. Your movement is also unrestricted, allowing you to come and go as you please between here and the other areas. ⟫

The redhead hummed, the given information answering the question he had, but something about their explanation brought up new ones.

“Perhaps I am mistaken, but I can’t help but wonder – are there others that will be here in this, ah, ‘space’ with us aside from my siblings and myself?”

⟪ Yes. ⟫

⟪ There are two others that arrived here before you three, and there will be three others arriving eventually. ⟫

⟪ Before you ask, those two are a bit of a special case which is why neither of them can be seen right now. Otherwise, everyone in this space can see whoever else is in it. ⟫

⟪ Do not worry. No one in this space wishes harm on any of the others within it. ⟫

Cale* waited a few minutes after the last statement before assuming whoever speaking to them had left, sighing as he glanced to either side.

His younger brother and sister were looking at him, their eyes free from the fear that lingered upon their initial arrival – The sadness, however, remained.

“Hyung-nim,” Basen* whispered, “I’m glad you’re here with us.”

The oldest of the three closed his eyes, hearing more to the words the other spoke.

His lips quirked into a small, sad smile.

“Yeah, I’m glad to have the two of you here with me as well.”

He just wished he could rid himself of the morbid thoughts that it wouldn’t last.

【 Reaction Plane (Neutral Space - Human Child & Baby Dragon) 】

The child hadn’t spoken another word since the last, hesitant call to the Baby Dragon that was still held within his thin arms.

The two had moved out from beneath the table when Cale* and the other two had appeared, sitting inside against one of the invisible walls with his knees drawn up, bracketing the inhuman creature between them and his chest.

(The provided couches had looked nice and he couldn't help but stare at them with longing eyes before remembering what he'd been told about nice things and himself – he didn't deserve them and never would, just as he didn't deserve a lot of things.)

The two of them had listened to all that happened around them, both of them just glad that none of the new arrivals paid them any mind –


(— Of course they wouldn’t, Weak Human.

The Baby Dragon had been rather certain of their skills and assured him even though he had never expressed any doubt aloud.

The dragon had then continued to share their observations.

— There are a lot of humans and also a lot of not-humans!

Blue eyes stared at the larger group with wariness before turning to the trio that had appeared before the rest.

— Those three are also humans but the one with bright hair, his smell…)


– Then came the loud voice of someone that was there but at the same time wasn’t there, speaking of things the child understood but at the same time didn’t.

He did understand everything it said later, though!

⟪ How interesting, the two of you. ⟫

He decided he liked it when the voice spoke in its quieter tone.

⟪ Don’t be afraid, no one can hurt either of you here in this place, and after…⟫

⟪ No one will hurt you ever again. ⟫

He wished he could believe the words the voice spoke, subconsciously tightening his arms around the dragon in his arms, reveling in the calming warmth its presence provided him.

No child ever wished to grow up in an environment where violence was something to be expected, hunger a given save for the few scraps one managed to scrounge up.

He couldn’t remember the last time when he had fallen asleep free from pain and feeling full.

⟪ You have no reason to believe Us. Especially not you, Kim Rok Soo. ⟫

Kim Rok Soo, is that… me?

He couldn’t remember the last time someone had referred to him by his name.

— Weak Human, are you okay?

The Baby Dragon lifted their head as something wet landed on black scales, blinking at the sight of small drops of water falling down their human’s cheeks.

— !!!

⟪ Neither of you can be blamed for not believing Us, but we hope later that the two of you can believe in those closest to yourselves. ⟫

The Baby Dragon hissed as they sensed the strange presence leave, the final words its voice left disregarded at the sight of their human’s tears.

— Weak Human, don’t cry. I’ll find the non-human who spoke to us and make them pay. I –

“I, I’m fine.”

The child’s voice was nigh audible, but easily heard by the dragon.

He paused, the smallest spark of happiness lighting up within his otherwise still dull, red-brown eyes.

“D-dragon, I… I’m glad to meet you, I…”

“I have a n-name.”

The dragon tilted their head – The human cub was their ‘(Weak) Human’, but they also understood the importance of names to all beings.

— This dragon wishes to know of your name.

They nodded, deciding that it was worth asking to see the other’s eyes light up further.

“M-my name…”

His voice rose a little, a little bit stronger as the syllables rolled off his tongue.

“Kim Rok Soo.”

— Kim Rok Soo?

— Um, it is a good name!

The Baby Dragon nudged their human’s chin, mindful of the bruises still marring pale skin.

— You will always be my Human, though.