The Untrusting Hero From Another World

Four Months Since Summoning Day, Ryan, Age 15

"So he just woke up and left?" Makoto asked, not entirely trusting my story. Those darn Mer Eyes make it hard to hide things from her.

"I tried to stop him, but he got away," I answered, sticking to the lie Xandric and I had set up. I could see the worry written all over her face, and I can't entirely blame her. After all, she doesn't know where he's gone. Zeddral would be fuming if his son had actually gone missing, "Relax. He'll be back," I tried to assure her. Maybe I was showing my hand a bit too much, but I didn't want her to worry. "He's our enemy. We can recover him next time he attacks."

"You seem quite sure. Are you certain you're telling us everything?" Jaune asked, to which I just looked at him and nodded without a second thought. I'm putting a lot on the line, Xandric, the trust of my team and the people. Don't let me down.

One Month Later, Xandric, Age 116

I wandered aimlessly around the streets, the lamps shining a beautiful mix of red and violet. It was the only true source of light in these darkened skies, but still, life went on. Children played, and people drank their water and dark ale to their hearts' content. I entered a tavern in one of the back alleys just off the main street. Over this last month, I had learned it's easier to gauge people's true feelings by going off the beaten path. I sat down at the bar, my cloak hiding my identity from the customers to avoid the panic of their King-to-be sitting among them, "The usual?" the barmaid asked, a beautiful young woman with grey skin. Her horns practically blended with her hair as it folded in, "You know, this would make for one heck of a promotion. The Dark of the Moon Bar, home to Prince Xandric."

"Please don't joke like that, would you, Chorone?" I asked with a smile, "Anyway. What's the poll say?" she asked, to which she pulled out the board I had left. It was magically infused with a way of organizing itself. Age and social status being the two contributing factors. It seemed younger demons, roughly in the four hundreds, couldn't care less. It was the demons in their five to eight hundreds that desired to return to the Island of Light. It makes sense based on what the voices said. A thousand years ago, they would have understood, but the next generation yearned to return. I let out a sigh, "They either don't understand the danger they cause, or they don't care."

"Ya know, I never asked, but why do you care?" Chorone asked, "The Royal Family's never really been one to come and ask what we think. So what's up?". I think on whether or not I should tell her. After all, Father knows all that happens on the Dark Island, and I don't know how far that extends. But by that logic, I may as well tell because he already knows.

"I'm trying to decide whether I want to keep fighting for my father anymore." With just those words, she went from indifference to shock, "I understand he wants us to go back home. This island isn't exactly paradise, but we've learned to make it livable. I want to determine if I think it's worth the risk it would cause to everyone else."

"Yeah, I get what you mean," she answered, irresponsibly taking a sip of her own product, "Thaddy's perfect world wasn't a one-man job. It took everyone pitching in. We just have to pitch in more than most. Way I see it, your old man doesn't get that. But what are you gonna do?" she asked, and I went silent, contemplating that very question as I walked out. What do I choose? Helping my own kind or helping everyone? If I stop father, I can request help for us, but do I have what it takes to beat him? Even if I did, would they accept me as his replacement? I found a proper hiding spot and shifted into my Hero form, not that it mattered much as the explosion was a dead giveaway, before taking to the rooftops. It wasn't much; it was just stopping robbers and burglaries, maybe an occasional murder. It was barely scratching the surface of the crime our guards failed to stop, but it let the innocent live another day.

"Well aren't you just the big hero?" I hear someone ask, causing me to turn to see the Hell Heroes all together, "So this what you've been sneaking off doing? Playing vigilante and hiding among the common folk?" Jarred teased.

"Shouldn't you still be in bed, Jarred?"

"We'd all love to be. But your dad wants you to come back," Riley answered as he approached me, trying his best to look intimidating. "So, are you coming or not?"

"I'll come back when I want to come back."

"Okay, can we please not fight right now? I'm not in the mood, babe," Cass argued, annoyed as ever since whatever happened while I was talking with the voices.

"Well, sorry, but I'm not leaving. I spent too long in that damn castle," I answered as I thought back to when I was a kid.

Xandric, Age 75

It was the first and last time I very rarely got to see the last time I would see the city outside the castle. Things were quieter back then. Monster attacks were the biggest problem, but our small but well-trained Guard Corps held it off. Things were so much easier back then, "Yo, Lo! What should we play?" one of my friends asked. Back then, my mother told me to use a fake name. There are scary people on this island, and they would hurt me if they knew who I really was.

"Hmmmmm, why not monster hunters!" I suggested

"Sure, but who will be the monster?" my other friend asked, simply blinking her eyes in confusion.

"Don't worry about that. I know just the right target," I assured, and the three of us ran into the market in the lower district. It was fun, climbing and gliding off walls to the lower parts of the city because we were too young to fly. As we prowled the city, we found her, a beautiful woman with silver hair similar to what mine was slowly turning into. Her horns folded back and had a slight curl to them, and her wings large and gorgeous, "There she is. Ready?"

"Ready" They both answered and pulled out little cans

Once ready, we hopped down and assaulted her with a barrage of fake webbing we pretended was a net, "Ambush complete! The monster is in custody."

Mother laughed as she fell to the ground, holding the basket containing groceries tightly in her grip, "Oh, so I'm a monster now! I'll show you a monster!" she exclaimed, letting her wings flap out, both scaring and exciting us as they ran off, leaving the two of us to our laughter, "Using your new friends to play pranks on your mother, eh? You're getting bold."

"Well, Mister Leon told me, 'superior numbers can overpower a mighty foe,'" I said, doing a terrible impersonation that nearly sent her to the floor.

"Well, my little general, just be sure to get home on time. I'm making Fried Sandworm and Gargante Eggs," She assured, and my eyes sparkled with excitement. Despite having countless servants, she loved how personal it felt to cook and serve one's own food to their family. Upon hearing that, I immediately tried to hurry home, only to bump into someone, a cloaked figure whose features I couldn't make out. All I could make out was an odd weapon, a magic channeler with two serrated prongs at the end to act as both a conductor for the mana and as a spear. I couldn't even get out an apology before he tried to strike me down, only to be blocked by a black barrier, "Xandric, run!!" Mother ordered, and I obeyed. I still didn't know what was going on, but if Mother was calling me by my real name in public, it was important. I could only hear screams of terror as the battle raged on behind me, and I hurried back to the Palace, screaming and crying all the way right into Leon's arms.

"Whoa, easy lad. Calm down, talk to me," He said in as calm a voice as he could muster as he held me close,

"A-A man... A man tried to...A-And Mother is..."

"Where is your Mother now?"

"In the Market..." I managed to answer, and he rushed out with a squad of troops. I never saw Mother after that day. I was forced to sit outside the Throne Room while Father discussed what happened with Mister Leon and Archmage Ritto. Against my better judgment, I pressed my ear against the door to listen.

"Our Queen, my wife, murdered in the streets?" Father asked in rage and disbelief, "How could this have happened?"

"Queen Banshee was a powerful mage and no slouch when it came to hand-to-hand combat. Whoever did it must have been quite formidable."

"Perhaps I can make a suggestion?" Ritto asked, stepping forward, "I took the initiative of searching the late Queen's private quarters to uncover anything that may explain such a tragedy."

"You knave! You violated the belongings of the dead?! And Royalty at that?!" Leon exclaimed in outrage, about to draw his sword, but Father raised a hand, and he calmed down just like that

"As I said, it was necessary to understanding why she was slain. With that in mind, I found this," He explained, pulling out a diary, "Private accounts of Queen Banshee's day-to-day life. She seemed to be studying the people in order to be a better Queen and assistant to you. It is the final entry that is concerning."

"Read it," Father demanded

"As I wander the streets of our great city, I am appalled by the false happiness of our citizenry. They act joyfully and go about their days, but the more I talk to them, the more their misery is laid bare. They yearn to return home to an Island safe from the Darkness and the vile beasts it creates. I will approach my husband and General Leon on the matter. I do not want bloodshed, but if war is necessary for my people to escape this Hell, then so be it," Ritto quoted. I could not believe what I was hearing. Mother would never want war. She hated hurting others and even tried to calm Father's urges for battle. There's no way Father would believe that... or so I thought.

"I see. So she was going to ask us about war and paid the price. But who would do such a thing?"

"Perhaps a spy from the Island of Light?" Ritto suggested, "It is no secret they fear our curse. I'm sure they would have no qualms about wiping us out, given the chance. Who's to say they wouldn't be watching us in case we thought of war?"

"Indeed. Well we shall fulfill their prophecy," Father assured as he stood up, "Ritto, I have a special commission for you. My wife wished for them to be used as a substitute for guards. But now we need soldiers and lots of them. Leon, start scouting for potential commanders. My Queen wanted our people's wish to return home realized, then it shall be done!"

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From that day, the war began. I wasn't allowed out of the castle after that until it was my time to fight. I was rendered blind to the plight of the people all for this war. But never again.

Xandric, Age 115

"I said I'll go back when I want to," I repeated, kicking Riley in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him as he's sent flying.

"Guess you've made your choice," Jarred muttered and charged at me with his three-piece nun chuck, which I blocked with my Hades Spear before wrapping the chain around it and throwing him against the wall. Next was Cass, who tried to get me with quick stabs from her blade, but I managed to deflect each one before sweeping her leg out from under her, sending her to the ground. Lastly, Riley took his turn, going for a mighty overhead swing, but I quickly jumped away. He just barely stopped shy of Cass's head.

"Don't be stupid, kid. You only won last time because we went easy, and you went nuts. It won't be so easy this time," Riley warned, but luckily, I wasn't planning to win. I quickly pressed a button on my wrist, summoning my Goliath. It burst out of the castle's stone walls and rushed to pick me up. It was by no means a smooth ride, however, as the guards all began firing bolts of concentrated mana that tore through the Bat Goliath's wings and made flight difficult.

Riley, Age 15

Well, crap, the boss isn't going to be too happy about that. Even if they shoot down the Goliath, we'll have no way of pinpointing his location. Ready for whatever may happen, we returned to the Palace and bowed before Zeddral in the throne room, "I'm sorry. But we have no way to pursue your son," I told him, preparing for the worst. But instead of getting angry, he motioned us to rise.

"Very well. There is only one place he can be going," he spoke to himself before turning to Ritto, "Ready a new General. Kill the Heroes, but leave my son alive. I merely need to crush any potential allies."

"Right away, Your Majesty," Ritto answered with a bow as he left. It was weird, though. That tone didn't sound right, as if he would take an unusual amount of joy in whatever he was doing.

Three Days Later, Ryan, Age 15

We hurried to the War Room once again. We barely had a chance to properly wake up before, for the first time since the Super Shadow incident, the Capital was attacked, "What the heck is going on?!" I demanded to know as Eliza pulled up the live feed. It was an abnormal amount of Shadows swarming the city, and a new demon general composed of... Electrical plugs? Okay, this is becoming way too much like my shows for my liking. I always hated the goofy monsters. Its body was made of wires of various colors, and its face was shaped like a massive outlet. Besides its arms and legs, multiple wire tendrils came out from its back with plugs of their own that fired electricity.

"We were fortunately warned ahead of time that something like this might happen. Everyone's been safely evacuated to the shelter.

"Warned? By who?" Jaune asked to be answered by a familiar voice

"By me."

"So you made up your mind, I guess?" I asked, turning to Xandric

"More like Father forced my hand. He sent your predecessors to retrieve me while I was gauging the will of our people. It would seem his power tends to be self fulfilling" Xandric explained, opening a flood gate of questions but he simply began to walk out, "Now, we have a city to save, do we not?" he asked and we all nodded and transformed"Worlds Combine... "

"Souls Combine... "

"Heroes Unite!" we exclaimed as per our usual routine

"Passion of the Dragon, Hero Red!"

"Power of the Storm, Hero Yellow!"

"Grace of the Mermaid, Hero Blue!"

"Will of Demon Kind, Hero Black!"

"Alright, team, let's go!" I ordered, and we hurried out into the city below. We cleaved through them with ease, thanks to our magic weapons and enhanced numbers. What few guards remained to protect the shelters did their part as well, though their weapons could only put them in a sort of stasis. One Shadow almost caught a guard by surprise, but I punched right through as Xandric zipped past, "Don't forget. We're not soldiers, we're Heroes. If someone's in trouble, take a sec to save them!"

"Right! My apologies!" He exclaimed, rectifying his mistake by saving another guard until we finally reached the monster, "Halt!" he commanded, prompting the demon to turn to us

"Well, if it isn't the traitorous Prince!"

"I'm no traitor. I'm merely trying to do what's best for my people," he argued, slowly approaching him despite constantly firing bolts of lightning from its many plugs, which he narrowly avoided, "Look what's been done to you, and for what? A land you've never seen? I understand you trust my father to do what's best, but use your own mind. Is it really worth this?"

"I wouldn't expect a traitor to understand! But that doesn't matter. I was ordered to fry you and your 'Hero' pals! So that's what I'll do," the monster bit back, and Xandric seemed shocked for just a moment.

"You're wrong! Xandric's da-"

"Thank you, Blue. But it's alright," Xandric interrupted, taking deep breaths to calm himself, "If Father truly wants my life, he can come get it. Until then, it is devoted to the well-being of all my kind!" he proudly proclaimed before throwing his so are into the two 'eye holes' on the socket that made up his face, blinding him and giving us time to get a few quick shots in. Makoto quickly used her whips to bind the tendrils, preventing the plugs from firing on us as Jaune cut them off completely. Eventually, it regained composure and sent us all flying with a massive spin attack. I guess when you're made of wires, you can just twist and turn however you so please. To further undo our progress, its tendrils regenerated before coming together. We barely had time to react before Xandric had pushed all three of us out of the way, taking a massive blast. There was barely any charge, yet it left a massive crater and sent Xandric flying back into a tower.

Xandric, Age 116

I groan as I look around and see the eyes once again. I see, so I recognized the attack before the others and got knocked out for my trouble, "Well, that's okay, I suppose. I haven't slept in three days," I thought aloud before turning to the eyes, "Plus, I need to tell you all my decision."

"Please tell me you made the right choice," The positive eyes plead

"Of course he did! And the land will be ours for it!" The negative eyes said with such confidence

With a sigh, I then explain to them, "Our people are divided. During my digging, I saw some who thought this invasion was for the best. Others believed it was not worth the cost. I even set up an anonymous poll so we may all share our thoughts. However, it left me with no conclusion."

"Bah! What a waste of time! We were taken from our homes and forced to live on a blighted island! You would tolerate such injustice!?"

"We are monsters, you fools! Our bodies, minds, and souls are tainted! It is best that we stay away! You agree, right, Your Highness?!"

"I don't know!!" I shout at the top of my lungs, stunning them into silence instead of the usual constant arguing, "But I do know this, our people are suffering in our streets now. Our Voids go unchecked as the focus is pointed toward this war. So I will end it by any means necessary," I answered, causing an uproar as their rage turned on me. I let them scream and berate me until I finally said, "Silence!!" With one weird, the shouting died down to muttering and finally, nothing, "I am Prince Xandric Volum de Gravaditch. I am the Heir to the throne and your King to be! When I make a declaration, you obey, and I declare this war shall end! From there, all I ask is you lend me your strength to make the next move". I was far from some master of speech. But I knew there was one thing that could quiet the Void in a Demon's heart: a firm hand. The eyes all shut and said in unison.

"Yes, Your Highness"

"Now, before I wake, I must ask one voice among you. Is the late Queen Banshee among you?" I asked, and the eyes faded, save for one that got closer, forming a figure in the spitting image of my mother, save for a white hue around her body, "Long time no see, Mother," I managed to get out as my voice began to crack. I could barely make her out due to the blood filling my eyes.

"You did amazing, Xandric. They truly respect your resolve," she praised before pulling me into a hug, "But you didn't call me out for my opinion, did you? What do you want to know?"

"Were you... really going to suggest this war?"

"Do you think I would?"

"Of course not! But over the years, I've seen many things I never thought possible. Father commissioned the experimentation of our people, accepting traitors into our ranks. I thought... maybe I didn't know you both as well as I thought."

"Well... You were right. Never once did I consider war," she answered, prompting me to look up at her, "Your father's Void is his rage and bloodlust. I would never reopen such a Void."

"Meaning that diary..."

"Exactly. Someone wanted to use your father to start this," She answered, pulling away,

"Now that you know, what will you do?"

Wiping my tears, I break from the hug fully," I just told you, didn't I? I'm going to end this war. Watch over me until then, please."

"I always have, and I can't wait to see you do it," She answered with a smile as I snapped back awake. The city was even more damaged than before if that were even possible, and the other three Heroes were struggling to compete. He was about to fire another blast at Yellow until I landed in front and used a barrier spell to deflect it into the sky, "My apologies for sleeping on the job. I'm back now."

"And none too soon," Yellow responded as we all gathered around

"So the traitor doesn't even have enough dignity to die properly?! Fine! I'll make sure there's nothing left!" the general declared before taking to the sky. The plugs began to form an orb of lightning around him. Sparks flew off from all sides.

"What?! You've gotta be kidding me!" Red exclaimed in disbelief

"There has to be something we can do, right?!" Blue followed

"Can someone tell me what's going on?"

"Eliza scanned him through our helmets. He's essentially turned himself into a living bomb," Yellow answered, and I suddenly shared their shock. He was far from losing, yet he was willing to give his life in order to take mine. But Red was already thinking.

"Xandric, you got your Goliath?"

"Huh? I mean, yes, but it's damaged!"

"That won't be a problem. Just get ready," he ordered before doing a strange chant. The three Goliaths then appeared from seemingly nowhere with only a blast of colored smoke to show they weren't there before. They then combined into their merged form. Then suddenly, the Bat Goliath appeared, its ears and legs folding in before connecting to the mechanical monster's back, leaving only its wings out. In a flash of light, I appeared alongside them in the cockpit, "Heroic Titan: Flight Mode!!" Red declared, much to my confusion, before pushing the orb of lightning against the Titan's shield and flying into space, "Jaune, send it flying!!" he commanded, and Yellow used the shield for one mighty push, sending it into the heavens before exploding.

Ryan, Age 15

When we got back, we all stood before the King, awkward silence filling the air. Yeah, we won but there was still much to clear up. Without much choice, I explained everything that happened after Xandric's escape, "So you lied to us all, allowed him to escape, all based off the hunch that he would make the right call?"

"That's correct. What are you gonna do about it?" I asked, to which the entire room, including the guards, asked the same question.

"Who are you, and what have you done with Ryan Harlow?!"

"Sheesh, is it that unbelievable?" I asked with a nervous chuckle

"Very!" Makoto answered, "You don't trust anyone. It took months before I could actually get you to relax with us."

"Still, are we truly sure he is on our side?" Eliza asked, "He's a demon, Zeddral's son at that. I cannot help but feel like we're playing with fire," she admitted, and in response, Xandric approached her, bowing to her and Thaddeus

"I understand your distrust. I have caused a great deal of harm. All I ask is that you let me prove myself through actions," He pleaded, and we all watched in anticipation.

Meanwhile, Zeddral, Age 1568

When I received news of my son's official betrayal, heartbroken could not even begin to describe me. Forgive me, Banshee. I have lost our boy. I stayed in my private quarters for the remainder of the night, going through family portraits, gifts he had made himself. Were all these memories truly so meaningless that he would betray me? I heard a knock on the door and, despite my sorrow, called out, "Enter." Ritto stepped in, giving a light bow, "Ah. Ritto, how may I help you?"

"I should be asking you that, Your Majesty. We have hardly seen you all do," Ritto responded, concern painting his face.

"You are no parent. I doubt you would understand."

"Indeed. However, I do know sorrow, and I know it may lead to foolish choices."

"You doubt my ability to continue this war?"

"Certainly not, but it does not hurt to be sure," he answered with a look of concern, "Should you need anything, I will be here." He was right, however. I had considered giving up on this war. But to do so would be a disservice to my late wife and my people. Steeling my resolve, I clenched my first

"You may start by turning the remaining volunteers. Thaddeus has a new ally, so we shall respond in kind."

Ritto simply took a bow and left. No matter how much it pains me, this war will go on until my wife's dream comes to light.