The Untrusting Hero From Another World

Time Unknown, Ryan, Age 15

Darkness. That's all I can see around me, nothing but a black empty void. Am I still asleep? If I am, this is the laziest dream I've ever seen.

"This is no dream..."

I try to snatch myself around to hear the voice that's clearly listening to my thoughts. However, I couldn't move an inch, and to know why, I just had to look down. My entire lower half was trapped in black goo, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"What sort of moronic question is that? C'mon, we've both read enough manga to know this trope. I'm you," the voice answered, walking past me and turning to me. His face was visible to me, his eyes pitch black. Beneath his neck was the Mythic Hero armor, though it was tainted, covered in black and purple goo that hardened into armor, and its wings were larger and bladed, "Well if we need to get specific, I'm your soul. That thing that talked to you before Cass wiped us out? Remember? And what I want? I want you to get the Boost Medal back."

"What? So you can hurt them again?"

"Awe, don't be like that. They would've died either way. At least with us, they had a chance," he casually said with a shrug that pissed me off. At least I know for sure, despite what he says, this isn't my soul. I would never say such a thing, "The power felt so good, right? Think about it! If we had that, no one we love will ever die again? If we had that back then, we could save Mom and Dad. We wouldn't be the miserable excuse of a human we are now."

"Miserable...?"

"Of course! What else do you call a fifteen-year-old who's still trapped in the memories of a little kid?" he mocked before placing a hand on my shoulder, "Scared to trust, all this power and still helpless. We wouldn't have won without my intervention. So think on it. We'll talk more when you sleep again." Then, with ease, he shoved me back until he was nothing more than a speck

Eight and a Half Months Since Summoning Day, Ryan, Age 15

I groan, finally waking up. I wanted to brush that all off as a dream, but in my aching heart, I knew it wasn't. That thing must have entered me through the link in my suit, "Hey, buddy. Sorry if I thrashed about any. Had a really bad dream," I grumble, expecting a response from Ric or Hellas. However, nothing came of it. I begin looking around, afraid they fell off the bed, only to realize I wasn't in a bed. Hell, I wasn't even in a room. Looking around, I saw nothing but sand, sand, dead plants, and more sand. At least I still had my Shifter, but with no Boost Medal, I can't fly. As I panicky rummage through my pockets, I find a strange disk. After some fiddling, an image of the Vampire King appeared.

"Hello, Heroes. If you are seeing this message, you likely don't know where you are. As I said, your night in Broodwing City would be the last until you have completed your training. You each have been taken to various parts of the Vypari Wastes. Return to Broodwing Castle by any means necessary. If these conditions do not evolve your suits, I fear nothing will. Oh, and one last thing. Don't go to any villages expecting help. I've mandated that they do not provide you any assistance," the message explained before cutting itself off. Gritting my teeth with rage, I roar and throw it aside. You've gotta be kidding me!

Meanwhile, Jaune, Age 15

I look up at the sky, dazed. Well, I have this fire. Some dead plants on the cliff face made great kindling that lit up with a single bolt. But now, how on earth am I supposed to get down from here!? I was stuck on a massive rock formation. I could Storm Step, but in what direction? There's nothing for miles. I was essentially trapped up here unless I could find a village, but that's not a risk I'm willing to take. Still, I can't stay up here forever.

Dragging myself away from the flame's warmth, I make my way down in an instant. I needed to find a reliable water source. I didn't know much about survival, but I knew that at least. I started by wandering around the rocks, hoping to find a cave, maybe an oasis hidden around it, but I had no such luck. This is horrible!

Meanwhile, Makoto, Age 15

Okay, now this is just cheating! This doesn't even count as part of the Wastes! They just put me on a raft and put me out to sea! I groan and, without much further complaint, get to work. Placing my hand in the water, I channel my mana through it to create a small wave to hurry home. It'll take a while, but I need to make it home!

One Day Later, Zeddral, Age 1130

I slowly dragged myself away from the screen me, and Xandric were playing our game on. Ever since he returned, he's made more of an effort to spend time with me. I don't know what happened to my once proud soldier, but I can't help but smile at the memories of hunting outside the city walls, playing games, and even some training. It's a shame I must put that on hold to meet with Ritto. He waited in his lab for me, looking through the glass within the testing chamber. I could already tell he cooked up a new creation, "This had best be good. My son awaits."

"My my, you've become quite the doting parent, haven't you. You two have been glued at the hip since he returned."

"You've gotten bolder in the time he was gone," I scoffed before standing before the glass. Before me stood six regular citizens. They were completely unassuming, but I knew where this was going, "New Generals?"

"Oh no, hardly anything so simple. You see, with the mysterious disappearance of General Leon-"

"And your right hand..."

"Oh yes, her too. I've chosen to make a suitable replacement. Or should I say replacements? Behold!" He explained before flipping a switch on the control panel in front of us. Gas filled the room, no different from any other treatment that made the Generals. I didn't see it at first, but instead of being filtered out, he allowed it to build up. It filled their lungs, making them cough up blood that clotted together. Just like before, their skin began to change, each more monstrous than any general I've seen. The red one's body began to turn into mere flesh, armor forcing its way out from the meat. The spiked masses even cover the face, forming a three-pronged helmet with two massive bug eyes. Looking down at his equally mangled arms, he had three blades tearing out from his wrists and claw-like feet, "Riptar."

Next was the one in blue who didn't even have a solid form. She was pure liquid. The color would constantly change from blue, red, purple, and more, but ultimately, she would never be flesh and bone again, "Colagula."

The yellow one was easily the largest of the bunch. Towering over all of them with the brawn to match. Even more notably, the ground beneath his feet turned to gold. His face, from what little I could see of it, lacked a mouth with two massive horns sticking out from the sides of his now solid gold body. "Aug."

Black and White seemed to be a packaged set of sorts. One was a crystallized being, what little light was in the room reflecting off them and even melting some of the plates of the lab before retracting inwards to the form of a regular demonic woman with tanned skin and long flowing bleach blonde hair. Beside her was a man not unlike a Shadow. However, just like her, he could take the form of a dark-skinned demon with bat wings and a tail, the smoke emitting from his body being the only indicator of abnormality, "Lux and Kagan."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Last but not least was the one in green. She began to change the most, her entire body stretched out, turning scaley. Her green hair turned into a long mane. She was a Dragon in all but name, straight out of Dai Shi, "Fume. These six are each comparable to our missing general. With one for each hero, our Hell Heroes can train in peace. All that awaits is your command."

I look down at them, each seeming confused, curious, some even astonished. Still, the transformation itself seemed morbid. Still, I must do this. Having Xandric back doesn't erase Banshee's final wish. I simply nod my head and leave, "Give them a day to get acclimated to their new abilities. Then send them out."

Three Days Later, Ryan, Age 15

Three days... Three days and not a single drop of rain, not a river or even a puddle. Here, I thought the hardest part of survival would be the animals, but I haven't come across many. I feel so tired. I can't even see straight, but still, I stumble forward. Just coming into view, I see... trees. Lush green trees. Meaning they must be getting water! I desperately rush over the sands, and through my blurred vision, I see an oasis, a massive patch of green among the grey sand. The dark clouds even parted a little, allowing it to be displayed in full radiance. With no further hesitation, I hurry through the brushes, find a crystal-clear source of water, and begin gulping it down. Days without something so basic made me even more ecstatic as it re-entered my body. The day's just started, so fingers crossed my body isn't too badly messed up, but for now, I just need to sit here and let the fluids run through my body.

At least, that's what I had hoped for. Then I heard what sounded like hissing. It wasn't just one, either. Multiple sets of feet violently stomped as they surrounded me. Slowly standing up, I had no choice but to fight. Out of the bushes, massive lizards rushed on all fours, their teeth visible like that of a sabretooth tiger. I could shift, but that would be a waste of time that I don't have. While the transformation is instant, they'd be on me before I could even say the phrase. Immediately, one bites my leg, snapping it before I send it flying with a magically enhanced punch. When I got launched, though, another one was waiting to bite into my arm, snapping it like a twig as well. I used all my remaining Mana intake to keep my body going, so I couldn't do another punch like that. Damn it! Was that... thing right? All this way, and I'm gonna die to some overgrown lizards? Maybe if I had that power, I wouldn't have to worry about it? But here I am...

No...

No!

"No!!" I scream out, and with my one good arm, I reach for the Shifter. I'm gonna get out of here! And I'm not gonna let some goo tell me how to do it! "World's Combine, Heroes Unite!!" I shout, ignoring the pain. This time, though, the sequence was different. The area around me took the form of a Treasure Trove like before. But this time, a red dragon flew through me, creating the Mythic Hero armor previously only available through the Boost Medal. It then flew right back around, making the helmet, "Dragon Reborn: Red Mythic Hero!" I call out, the explosions sending the beasts flying. Looking at my HUD, I see a message.

'Congratulations! You have gained enough experience and endured enough hardship to evolve!"

"Oh great. So I had to nearly die a certain amount of times? Would've been real useful sooner," I grumble before wincing in pain. Despite my new form, both my arm and leg were still broken. I had better hurry back to Broodwing City. I'll give that damn king a piece of my mind.

Meanwhile, Makoto, Age 15

Gosh, I feel like I'm going crazy. I sit on the edge of my raft, catching fish with bubbles of water. I purify the water by removing all the impurities from it. That's not the issue, though. The issue is that I'm alone. All I've heard for three days straight is the crashing of the waves as I try to push myself across the endless sea back to anything resembling land.

"Alright, remove the scales, then dig in. It's not like I can properly cook it, so just take the risk," I coach myself out loud, trying to prevent myself from going insane. Eating raw food isn't great, but eating nothing is worse, too. I prepare myself as best I can and try to eat. It was absolutely disgusting, but I managed to gulp it down. It's getting dark. Well, darker. The faint rays of sunlight that broke through the clouds were disappearing. With nothing else to do, I close my and try to sleep this terrible day away. I don't know how long I managed to rest before I heard the booming sound of thunder. I snap up, knowing what's going on. The heavy rain blinds my vision, but I try to push through, attempting to make a stronger wave that sends the raft forward. Land slowly came into sight before my eyes, but just before I could make it, something came crashing down on top of my head. Once I snapped from my daze, I struggled to breathe the waves, trying to swim up. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, something glows in the darkness beneath the waves, two large yellow eyes. Without many options, I continue swimming; no matter how hopeless it may seem, I can't just give up. I have two brothers and a father waiting for me back home and a world to make better for them! When I finally manage to pull myself up, I don't even take time to breathe as I hit the gem on my Shifter, "Worlds Combine, Heroes Unite!"

Suddenly, I'm once again beneath the sea. This time, though, I don't struggle to breathe as something in the shape of a woman with a fishtail swims through me, giving Mythic Hero armor before swimming around and completing the set with the helmet. Now able to do so, I went underwater, the coat tails combining around my legs to form a tail similar to a mermaid's "Mermaid Reborn: Blue Mythic Hero!" Ignoring the message on my HUD, I rush the beast. No matter how fast I am, I won't escape it in my current state, so the only option is to fight. When I got close enough to actually see it, I could make out a massive shark almost the size of a cruise ship. Luckily, size wasn't the winning factor. I pressurized the water around me to cut it to pieces. Creating water takes a lot of mana. That's part of why the Suijin Dome is so useful. But in the ocean, I don't need to worry. It roared in pain, blood staining the sea as it descended back into the dark. I let out a sigh of relief and looked at the navigation built into my suit, "Oh, come on! All this time, and I'm still so far..." I complain but begin to swim back

Meanwhile, Jaune, Age 15

The crackling of the fire kept filling my ears as I lay down in my cave. Despite how grueling it started off, securing my needs became surprisingly easy. Moss here is actually edible if lacking in nutrients, and I found some water deeper in. If needed, I could live here for a long time and get by. Still, I'll need to leave this cave eventually. I'm practically a sitting duck.

It would seem my thoughts were heard in the worst possible way as the cave began to shake. Rocks began to come down, and I was forced to Storm Step out. Right behind me was a massive mass of teeth. It had almost caught me, but I was only grazed before escaping into the open desert. The massive beast came barreling after me, revealing a giant rope of flesh and four black dots for eyes, "A Death Worm!?" I exclaimed in disbelief at my own luck. I start to zip around with continuous Storm Steps. Worms don't have ears, and there's no way I can push back something that big, so Roaring Thunder won't have much effect. Even worse, I felt a sudden strike of weakness. Nausea overtakes me, and I begin to slow down. Of course, something called a Death Worm would be venomous, right? Just my luck. Without any hesitation, it barrels at me, and I would dodge before trying to strike. Every time, I would hit, but my strikes would just dig in, dealing no damage before I was sent flying by a shock. I have some resistance to electricity, but this was too much even for me. While I was stunned on the ground, it rushed me once again and swallowed me whole. Is this how I die? No way! I've got so much I want to do, so much I want to be! I can't do that if I die! My body is slowly going numb from the poison. But before that, I need to get out of here. With what little movement I have left in my arms, I press the button and say those words that have saved me so many times, "Worlds Combine, Heroes Unite!"

The world around me turns to a stormy sky. I had seen this once before. Thunder struck me, forming the Mythic Hero armor before a golden bird flew at my head, forming the helmet. Without hesitation, I fly up, blasting through the beast, "Thunderbird Reborn: Yellow Mythic Hero! You think a little lightning will kill me?! I'll show you lightning!!" I call out before chanting repeatedly. A wall of tiny lightning bolts covered the sky before slamming down onto it. Finally, I finish it off, Storm Stepping in one eye and out the other. I groan, the poison still taking its toll before I finally begin to fly back to Broodwing City. Here's hoping I make it...

One Day Later, Eliza, Age 15

The three of them all made it, luckily. Xandric and I stayed by their side at the hospital, our anger barely being suppressed. While they would all survive, it hurt to see, especially Jaune. As we watched from behind a glass wall while the doctors treated them, a familiar pale-skinned man approached, "They will make it. So why are you still here?" he asked coldly, causing Xandric to grab him by the throat.

"I wouldn't be so calm, were I you..." He growled. The guards immediately all raised their weapons, but King Necroli stopped them with a raise of his hand, "What if they died out there?! What would you do then?!"

"Xandric, calm down! I know it hurts, but we needed to do this..." I reluctantly admit, unable to look him in the eye

"You can stop doing that. I don't need to breathe, remember?" Necroli casually asked, grabbing Xandric's wrist and prying his hand off of him, "If you must know, I was sure they wouldn't die. After all, you all survived far worse. They just needed that last push." He then turned to us with a somewhat sadistic grin, "Now, it's time we catch you both up."