The Untrusting Hero From Another World

2024, Cass, Age 15

I hummed as I sat on a bench in the park, waiting when suddenly everything went black, "Guess who?" a familiar voice asked. I nearly threw her off, if not for that. But once I knew that voice, I couldn't help but grin as I flipped the figure into my lap.

"Look at that. I caught an angel," I teased, to which Eliza giggled, wrapping her arms around me, "How did you know I'd be here?"

"Well, this is where you always go when you're not in the fencing club," She answered before the smile on her face faded, turning dead serious, "What's wrong?" her voice was stern, leaving no room for lies. Somehow, she always knew the right tone to force the truth out of me.

"I... think I may have pissed off the wrong people," I answered, hanging my head. My hair covered any emotion on my face, ensuring she wouldn't have further reason to worry, "Some punk from school tried to threaten you, so I knocked a few teeth out, and well, his buddies weren't too happy about that."

"Cass. You can't solve everything with your fists or a sword. You need to be smarter about these things."

"I know! It's just... whenever people talk about you, I can't help it! We can't tell anyone but the things they say..." I was then cut off by a soft peck on the lips. I was stunned, as always, whenever she did that, causing me to perk up.

"Whatever they say doesn't matter. Let them talk. I know who I love, and it sure isn't any of those creeps," She assured and patted me on the head like a little kid. Normally, I'd hate that, but it felt so warm when she did it. Eliza and I had been together for a while now, though we kept it a secret to avoid trouble with my parents. I didn't particularly care, but she didn't want me to do something now that I was tough enough to stand up to them. She then pulled me up, using my stunned state to her advantage, "Come on, enough brooding! Let's get some ice cream."

"Fine, but you're paying," I joked, making her whine like a toddler. There was an ice cream shop just on the edge of town, making it basically a straight shot from there to the mansion she called home. We each got our favorites, Mint Chocolate Chip for me and Neapolitan for her. I let out a sigh of relief as I finished mine while walking her home, "You really know how to calm me down, babe."

"I'd hope so after so long," she answered, but I suddenly had a feeling of tension. I froze in place as men began popping up out of the tall grass. Eliza quickly hid behind me, "I take it these were who you were talking about?" she asked, to which I nodded my head and pulled my sword out from my backpack. It's usually pretty dull for club practice, but I skipped it just so I'd have time to sharpen it.

"One chance, guys. Back off," I warned. Typically, I wouldn't even do that much. But they already had us surrounded, so Eliza could get hurt if we were split up. I took a firm stance, keeping my sword ready. The thugs simply laughed.

"Wow, you know you're much better when you're quiet. You suck at threats," one of them taunted while closing in. I wasted no time stabbing him in the shoulder the moment he reached into his pocket. He screamed in pain, and the remaining four all lunged at me. One by one, I took them down, either with a strong punch or just by stabbing them in their joints, making it painful to stand. Still, playing bodyguard and taking them on exhausted me. I dropped my sword and turned back to Eliza with an exhausted expression.

"Okay... Let's get you home, Princess..." I tried to joke, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone rush past me with my sword. One of the thugs got up in a feral rage and rushed to stab her. In a flash, I shielded her with my body, only letting out a grunt as I felt the sword pierce my chest. I turned back to check on Eliza, but she had also been ran through

"Cass..."

Hearing her mutter my name so weakly, I flew into a rage. The punk tried to let go and back away, but I grabbed his wrists with an iron grip before pulling him into a headbutt. Over and over, I would repeat the same move. Eventually, he went out, but I didn't care. That just made it easier for me to pound his face in without him trying to get away. All I saw was red clouding my sight as his blood splashed across my face. Once the adrenaline wore off, I collapsed, my vision getting foggy before going black, "Please... someone... save her..."

Seven and a Half Months Since Summoning Day, Cass, Age 15

Why did I suddenly remember that now? It feels like so long since that happened. As I thought about it, I turned to this world's Eliza, bound in chains as I rested by the fire. I had set up a small camp just far enough outside the city that it would be hard to find. I guess deep inside, I knew things were only getting worse. So there's only one thing I can do

"Don't worry. I won't lose you too..."

Meanwhile, Jaune, Age 15

"What?!" King Thaddeus's voice boomed through our room. Both Kai and Queen Min quickly covered their ears. Before I could even get further in my explanation, he was already grabbing me by my collar, "How could you let this happen? I trusted you four to keep her safe!"

"I'm sorry... They were gone by the time I recovered..."

"Then you should have followed them! If you really cared about her, you would..." He was cut off as Ryan's fist collided with his jaw, sending him across the room. A king-shaped crack was firmly placed onto the wall.

"Guess I can mark 'sucker punch a world leader' off my bucket list," Ryan said with a halfhearted chuckle. He would approach King Thaddeus, lifting him up by his cloak, "Listen, old man, it took three of us to even beat the weakest Hell Hero. Even if he did outsmart her like last time, he'd then have to deal with her Goliath. Now, I'm assuming you have a brain in that royal head of yours. Use it"

"How dare you!" Queen Min shouted, but Ryan immediately snatched his gaze toward her

"Oh, don't think I've forgotten about you. According to Jaune, Eliza was taken from the Royal Palace. You even said you wanted to meet her to teach her something. So what happened?" He asked, to which she fell silent. We waited for a minute straight before she finally spoke.

"I remember Cass having some proficiency in Illusion Magic, nothing comparable to Jarred but good enough to make convincing disguises. Perhaps she used that," She explained. Ryan raised an eyebrow before helping King Thaddeus up to his feet.

"Thank you for knocking some sense into me," He said, still rubbing his cheek, "Did you have to add Enhancement Magic to it, though?"

"Maybe not, but I really wanted to do that. Now, can you return to your castle while we handle this?" Ryan asked, to which he nodded. It was clearly a lie. Anybody could see it by his nervous reaction. It was mostly just a formality, though, so it didn't matter. King Thaddeus and Queen Min stepped out, and we looked at each other, "Ready?"

"If Eliza really is Hero White, that tracker you and Jaune had should work," Makoto said, pulling out the device Felmi gave us.

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"I'll send my Shadow Soldiers to scout ahead of us. After that, the three of us will take her down or, at the very least, hold her off until you arrive," Xandric added. Wait, arrive? What does he mean?

Meanwhile, Min, Age 2039

I gently grasp my shaking fist to calm my nerves. What have I done? I just gave away the daughter of a close friend to my sworn enemies, and for what? Would they really want this? As I returned to my office, a familiar thin ghostly figure with glowing amber eyes awaited me, "I've received word from Cassandra. You did good work."

"I don't want your praise. Just uphold your end of the bargain," I answered, my disgust making me incapable of looking him in the eye. He chuckled in response, a stark contrast from his usual self.

"Don't worry. You will see your husband and child soon. But first, we have a guest." What? How? I quickly snatched myself around to see Ryan, not even trying to hide his presence. He stood leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. Ritto quickly vanished, leaving a malicious laugh in the wind.

"Well, that's not at all what I expected," He said casually. In a panic, I began chanting trigger words. I can't let him leave. The ground beneath him shatters, but instead of falling to his death, he digs his hand into the rubbly and rushes back up. Shocked by the speed, I didn't even respond when he kicked me across the face, "Calm down. I wanna help."

"Like you helped Shi and Mao?" I asked, not even hiding my spite as he dodged the magma that I fired at him like a laser cannon. He then transformed into his Hero Form, sending me out the window.

"Queen Min!" one of the guards called out to me. They readied their weapons, but I waved them off. Ritto ordered me to dispose of him. I can't have him finding any loopholes that would let him back out of our deal.

Makoto, Age 15

"Are we sure this is it?" I ask, poking my head out from behind the tree. Sure enough, I saw the dim light of a flame before turning to Jaune, who was holding the tracker, "So you both knew Eliza was Hero White and didn't tell us?"

"It was her call. I simply respected her wishes," Xandric answered as he approached us from behind, "My Shadow Soldiers are watching the surrounding area as we speak. She can't escape without us knowing."

"Good work." The two of us were about to move forward, but Jaune stopped us as a man appeared from nowhere and walked inside the cave, "Who's that"

"Arch Mage Ritto," Xandric answered with disgust, "He's the one who makes everything for the war."

"Then what is he doing here?" Jaune asked. Me and him wasted no time transforming and rushed to go find out, with Xandric staying behind. Before we even reached the cave, we felt the earth begin to shake, and we were launched into the air, along with the massive chunk of earth we were trapped on. Slowly, the two exited the cave, Cass being ready to fight.

"Knew you guys would come. But you're already too late. You know what to do," Ritto assured as he turned to Cass.

"What are you planning?!"

"You'll know it when it happens," Ritto answered with a grin before leaving. That just left me, Jaune, and Cass. Without many other options, we both took a defensive stance.

"Don't make me do this, Cass. I don't want to hurt anyone close to Eliza," Jaune warned, but Cass hardly hesitated, rushing at him with a sword aimed at his throat. If not for my whips, he would have been skewered. I snatched her away by her now bound wrist, almost throwing her off the side of the island, only for her to immediately recover and dash back.

"Well, aren't you just a knight in shining armor? You're too late, though! She's mine! And I won't lose her again!" She declared, zipping between the two of us. Jaune would do his best to shock her with multiple lightning bolts to little avail. It's a good thing we don't need to beat her. We just need to survive.

Eliza, Age 15

I groan as I finally wake up. Cass must have knocked me out pretty well. I groan into the cloth that was used to keep me from using spells. Without my staff, I need to be able to say the trigger to cast a spell. Speaking of which, where is my staff? My thoughts are cut off by the sounds of grunts and weapons clashing. I use what little movement I have to shrimp towards the cave exit, where I see Makoto and Jaune fighting Cass. Even from this distance, I could tell what they were doing. They hadn't used their Heroic Spirits or their Boost Medals yet, so they're likely trying to avoid any unnecessary strain. They're waiting for everyone to join them. I can't just sit on the sidelines and wait to be rescued. Using the cave walls to prop myself up to my feet, I began hopping deeper into the cave. In the very back, I found my staff stuck on some sort of makeshift stand. The snow decoration on top was now combined with a black stone with a wave of Darkness painted on it. Whatever this is, I need to stop it!

Meanwhile, Ryan, Age 15

I let out a loud grunt as a rockslide began pushing me towards the edge of the city. Still, it's controlled. She's intentionally avoiding everyone except me. She's not beyond reason. I quickly pull out my Boost Medal and attach it to my chest.

"BOOST UP!!"

"Dragon Reborn: Red Mythic Hero!" I called out and flew out of the landslide

"What are you thinking, Ryan? She is our enemy but also their queen," Ric inquired, placing himself on my shoulder, "This doesn't look good either way."

"Grow us! We can help!" Hellas insisted, desperate to help. But I already had a plan. With a sigh, I give them my answer.

"I'm going to talk to her."

"Are you insane?!" They both shouted, but I was already flying directly towards her. As I did, though, the sky began to darken. No, more like it was being covered. A massive meteor was aimed right at me while a barrier was placed just above the civilians. I quickly tossed both Ric and Hellas, growing them to their full size. I heard them both roar as their mechanical bodies strained to redirect it. Thanks, you two. Not letting it go to waste, I tackled Min to the ground. She screamed and thrashed about, but I eventually pinned her hands above her head.

"Let me go! My family needs me! I need them! You can't keep us apart!"

"They're not coming back!" I shouted, snapping her out of her anger for a bit, "You think I wouldn't give everything to have my mom and dad back?! Huh?" It seemed that queue. It seems I calmed her down as she lowered her head, "Now can we talk?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Sure, we can talk, or I can lock you up. Your choice," I half heartedly joked as I got off her. She could've easily continued her assault, but instead, she chose to join me, "So, from what I've gathered, you lost your family, and Ritto promised to bring them back, right?" I asked, to which she nodded

"Those two were my whole world. Mao and I had grown up together. Friendship turned to love, then the rest was history. We had Shi five years after our wedding. He would be no older than that boy you brought here..." She explained, sorrow filling her voice, "But the Demons attacked one day. The city wasn't airborne yet, and the heroes tried to fight them off. But where were they when a building collapsed on top of him?" she asked, and I could only listen. How do you console someone like that? I simply let her rant, and then she finally asked, "You mentioned your parents. What happened?" I then proceeded to explain everything, how Mom died and Dad was arrested. Her face slowly contorted in shock and sadness, "I didn't know..."

"Yeah, wanna know what also happened? I got angry. I pushed everyone away and became distrustful of cops because that's who took him from me. Sound familiar?"

"And what would you have me do? I can't just let it go!" She shouted, her emotions rising as I stood up and held out my hand

"You can start by helping us stop Ritto, but after that? It's up to you," I answer, and she hesitantly takes my hand, allowing me to help her up, "Now, why did they need Eliza?"

Jaune, Age 15

I struggle to get back to my feet as I look around. My vision was getting blurry, and my ears were ringing. How long was I out? Cass was fighting off both Xandric and Makoto, as well as her Heroic Spirit, with ease. Xandric was barely getting by off his Kairos Sight alone, her lightning-fast strikes grazing him. Makoto would try to bind her, only to be shocked by Electric Magic. Once the ringing died down, I heard something in my communicator, "Hello? Hello! Is anyone there?! Answer me! This is Hero Red! Do you hear me?"

I tap the side of my helmet and respond, "This is Yellow. Sorry, the others are struggling. I just got back up."

"Thank God. Look, you get your Goliaths and start destroying that hunk of rock!"

"Excuse me? Ryan, what's going on?"

"Wherever that thing's going, it's gonna start draining souls, living and dead! Destroy it now!" He shouted. I quickly looked around, trying to find the nearest landmark. That's when I saw Mao Zhua, "Ryan, you may wanna start evacuating. It's heading right for you."

"What?! He said he wouldn't!" A voice exclaimed on the other end. Queen Min? It doesn't matter. I quickly Storm Step towards Cass while she's distracted, tackling her to the ground

"We need to push this thing back! Hurry!" I called out before a backhand sent me away. I threw Thundaga and Naga off the side, making them grow, with Makoto throwing Mera and Spot off the side as well. The four all tried to stop them, digging their mechanical talons, hands, and teeth in to get a grip. Cass rushed us, knocking us both away. Xandric tried to attack but got slammed into the ground by his throat. Makoto tried to attack from a distance, but Cass was already in her face, ready to run her through. I couldn't make it in time, only able to shout, "No!!" that word echoed through the air, and suddenly, Cass was blasted back. To say I was stunned would be an understatement. Sadly, it was too late as a purple beam began to shoot out from the top of the cave, and only two words could escape our collective lips.

"Oh no..."