The Untrusting Hero From Another World

Nine Months Since Summoning Day, Eliza, Age 15

Did I just see that right? My vision started to blur as my temperature started to rise. I could barely breathe, and my hazy eyes were locked onto my dad's face. He looked so peaceful. He was on the ground with a hole in his chest, but he had such a warm smile on his face. Meanwhile, his murderer stood over him, daring to cry. What does he have to cry for? He did it! That's right. He did it! And I'll make him regret it. "eriflleH, ekuaQ, drazzilB, mrotS, eriflleH, ekuaQ, drazzilB, mrotS, eriflleH, ekuaQ, drazzilB, mrotS..." I chanted over and over again, getting louder with each second. The powers of Hero White made most spells instant cast, but for this combination, I needed it at least five times. Despite clearly seeing me, the man made no effort to stop me.

"What are you doing, child?" He asked, his tone devoid of any emotion. He had just murdered his friend. Did he really feel nothing? No, I just saw his tears. It's more like his emotions are repressed by the raw killing intent. There was no sadness, grief, or even the rage I witnessed in the past, which was suppressed by pure bloodlust. Finally, with my chant completed, I visualized the destruction I would rain upon him. A wall of blue fire surrounded us, blocking us in. The earth began to quake beneath us, but it was all focused on one point. The crack would continue to expand until he fell in. Before he could fly up, a massive pack of snow would land on him, pushing him deeper down into the earth. Calling it a blizzard was too simple. It was more like the sky raining down massive snowballs to avoid being immediately melted by the flames. Inevitably, they would melt, but I needed them to last just a while longer, to push him deep enough.

"You killed my father pretty quickly. But I'm not going to be so merciful. For everyone who has suffered because of you, your punishment will be slow and painful," I spat, slowly closing the fissure in the ground. Once that snow turns to water, he'll be boiled alive, and while submerged, he won't be able to speak, meaning he won't be able to cast a single spell to escape. I sigh and sit back, waiting. I know this is wrong. Dad wouldn't want to see me so sadistic, but enough is enough. Cruelty will be met with cruelty. It ends today... That was until a bolt of lightning struck the exact spot, shattering the ground.

Meanwhile, Ryan, Age 15

I gasp as my back is slammed against the wall. An explosion went off right beside me. Damn it, he still has that power even in Monster Form. Even worse, he turned his arm into a canon, making his small grenade blasts more like a missile. I struggle to stand up, my spine feeling like it was cracked, "I'll give you one last chance. Join us. You don't have to suffer, man," he insisted, approaching me with an outstretched arm. Even though my suit is as broken as my bones, I still muster the courage to slap his hand away. Through his mangled face, I couldn't see his expression, yet I sensed some disappointment. His arm began to change, bulging like the back of a vacuum cleaner as it filled up. Just before he could blow me away, I threw out my leg, tripping him up. The explosion is sent into the sky as I hurry to land a series of punches.

"I already told you! Don't project yourself on me! I had it rough, and I'm sure you did too! That doesn't make it everyone else's problem!" I ranted, letting my rage shine through. The Dark Dragon Armor helped heal both me and the suit, even making black tendrils from the Darkness to block his strikes. While he was dazed, I threw him into the sky once again, sending bits of my wings as projectiles. For some reason, though, he didn't try to deflect or anything. Instead, he focused on a stray bolt of lightning. I hadn't noticed due to the fight, but the disasters that left the Capital had stopped. So what was that?

"Sorry, kid. Gotta run," Riley said, turning back to his Hero from before, using a chain of explosions to send himself in the direction of the bolt.

"H-Hey! We're not done, damn it!" I shouted and chased after him. When we arrived, we saw a wall of blue fire dissipate. A shocked Eliza stood there, and Zeddral stood unfazed beside his burned clothes. What is this feeling? My legs are shaking, my heart feels like it's about to break out of my chest, and every signal sent to my brain was telling me to run. This isn't Draconic Presence. It was just pure fear. All the while, the guy who was handing my butt to me on a silver platter seemed entirely calm, muttering to himself.

"Hell Heroes, converge on my location."

"Hero Red here. Meet me at my position immediately," I ordered, trying to counter whatever move he made. No, it was more like I lacked the confidence to fight this monster by myself. All the while, he just stared down the quivering Eliza.

"Clever. You tried to make up for your lack of raw power by combining elements for a trap. That may work on anyone else," he praised, devoid of any emotion in his voice. The wind began to pick up, creating the series of tornadoes once again. Just as he does, the Hell Heroes all leap to his side while three of the four of us rush to Eliza. Where the hell are you, Xandric? "Hell Heroes, wipe them all out! Leave no one!"

"On it, boss..."

"You bastard!!" Eliza roared out as a massive white rune appeared beneath her. A giant beast began to form around it. It looked almost like a Goliath. It was almost like a mechanized recreation of her, armor and all, save for the massive wings on her back, "Angelic Goliath!" she boldly declared, firing beams of light as if they were some sort of divine judgment. Still, he tanked them all with ease before blasting up in the blink of an eye and kicking the head so hard, it spun as it hit the ground. Without hesitation, I got my Crimson Mind to work. The Mythic Titan would have no pilot, but what if I combined them with her Angelic Goliath.

"Guys, throw out your Goliaths!" I ordered, to which they complied. Mera and Hist were already on the field, so it just required the remaining ones. The Mythic Titan formed exactly as before, but made room for the Angelic Goliath to use it as a shell. The wings came out of the back along with the pre-existing set "Full Secondary Machine: True Mythic Titan!" I called out, trying to keep my usual energy. I couldn't bear to show my fear. My team needs me. Next up was the Heroic Titan, which we all piloted, just like the old days

"Destroy of Light: Demonic Titan!" three voices called out before we could attack. We braced ourselves for an interception, but instead, a small sun was fired at Zeddral, sending him back and managing to singe his skin.

"You dare?!" Zeddral called out, the first sign of anger finally showing itself on his face

"Sorry, old man! But we have our own goals! We're not just mindless puppets like your Shadows!" Riley answered without a care in the world. My fear washed away, replaced with hope that we may actually be able to win this fight.

Meanwhile, Xandric, Age 116

I grunt as I dodge and deflect the Warlords' attacks. My Spirit Barrier Magic would hold against the more brute force attackers and beings who could get through, like Kagan, I could simply deceive with illusions. But it's a battle of attrition, and in a battle of five against one, it was obvious the one would tire faster. Shadow Soldiers were out of the question as well. I kept a few in reserve while sending the majority to help the guards fight off the Shadows. The few I had left were destroyed with lightspeed blasts from Lux. My focus was briefly averted as I saw three Titans in the distance. It's getting worse. I need to hurry to their side. Without much time, I summon Gorgara. When I try to fly to their side, though, the five monsters immediately grow to follow. Once they see the scene, however, their attention shifts from me.

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"What the Hell?!" Aug exclaimed, watching as the Hell Heroes fought alongside my team to defeat Father

"Traitor!!" Riptar roared and pounced at the Goliath, only to have his entire chest blown out by the blast from the Phoenix's mouth

"All of you were distractions, mere decoys while we grew stronger." Riley seemed to pay them no mind, kicking the giant Riptar at Father, who cleaved him in two with the air. I tried to rush to save him, but the whirlwinds that covered the area made flight almost impossible as I would be blown back. "Now be good little tools and keep the Prince distracted."

"So long as the King lives, I won't listen to a word you say!" Colagula states boldly, sending out her tendril-like arms. They pinned the Goliath for just a moment before a lightning bolt forced her to release them.

"So we just gotta kill the King, then you'll obey? Deal!" Cass declared. I was forced to watch as my plan collapsed. I could still stop this. I could tell him about the cure, and it would be the end. But if I spoke up, Father would be distracted and would be slain. All I could do was helplessly watch and hope that he lived.

Ryan, Age 15

Thank God Xandric's safe. Now, we just gotta finish this fight. Hopefully, we can save his old man. I know better than anyone how that feels, but between Eliza soaring through the sky, raining down divine punishment, and the Hell Heroes' assault, I don't know what to do. All we can do is fight all three. He easily blocked the strikes of our massive Titans as if they were those of a small child, barely having to move an inch. He hardly seemed concerned. He only really bothered to move for Eliza who he shot himself like a bullet through the limbs, destroying her Goliath and dislodging the others. One of our greatest weapons was destroyed as easily as pulling blocks from a toy tower.

"Eliza!" Jaune immediately called out, Storm Stepping out of the cockpit to catch her. However, the moment he stopped, a geyser of lava shot from underneath him. Stunned and burned, he was then taken out by a simple chop to the back of the neck. I rushed to his controls, catching him before a shockwave sent the Titan flying backwards. Looking up, Cass had sucker punched Zeddral. The force her Goliath had taken from him during our battle must have been transferred to her as the shockwave echoed through the sky, even destroying every piece of glass above ground. Blood erupted from Zeddral's gut and out his mouth before he put both hands together and smashed them against Cass's head, sending her to the ground. A fissure opened in the ground, swallowing her whole before shutting once again. He then turned to the remaining two titans, both weakened with one less pilot. Unable to decide where to direct his rage, he unleashed a massive gust of wind. The sheer strength began to cut us, sending us further back as we tried to strike him. Riley tried to fire another of his small suns, but it was forced back into the Demonic Titan's mouth, destroying it from the inside out.

"What do we do?" Makoto asked, awaiting orders. I had only one idea left, but it's risky.

"Ric..."

"Do what you must..." Ric answered simply. He didn't even give me a chance to finish. We must really be screwed. With that, I have my Heroic Spirit take Jaune's controls and leap into the sky, axe raised.

"World Splitting Chop!!"

"Just give up!! You incompetent excuses for Heroes have no chance of beating me!! Get that through your thick skull!!" He roared out, blocking the strike with his hand. However, while he was distracted, I decided to rush in. He adjusts himself to block. I was hoping to tackle him and force him to take the hit, but he blocked us both with ease. That was until something blasted him from behind, a massive unpainted Dragon Goliath!

"Ryan! Are you hurt?!" Hailey's voice called out, reinvigorating my dying spirit. With a grin, give her a thumbs up as the World Splitting Chop strikes us both. For some reason, there's always an explosion after the chop, so I tackle him into it. But I have no intention of dying. Crimson Mind is the power of imagination. So I'll just imagine myself as being invincible. When I land, it's on a piece of magma, cooled and hardened by the constant wind and snow, and across from me is a very angry Zeddral, panting heavily as a massive gash crossed his chest. My ears are ringing and I feel dizzy, but other than that, I'm okay.

"You have some nerve, child. But I will not be satisfied until this war ends..." He growled, making a blade from pure magma. He must have used up all his Mana if he's willing to fight me one-on-one. I quickly reapply the broken Boost Medal, which I had removed prior to using the Heroic Titan. It provided no use, and I couldn't focus on resetting the Darkness before

"Boost Up..."

"Really going all out, eh, Rookie?" Riley asked, standing beside me in his monster form. I can barely focus on him with my splitting headache, "Well. let's wrap this up." With those final words, we both rush Zeddral. He slashes his sword, reheating the magma and sending it as a wave. With my invincibility, I simply power through while Riley blows it away. A flurry of punches and kicks strikes the weakened Demon King. If he were at full strength, nothing I did would matter, but like this, we may have a chance. Calling on my Heroic Spirit once again, I kick him towards it with each of us creating a massive orb of fire, slamming both into him at the same time.

"avonrepuS!" We both exclaim, and while it does harm him, he eventually carves through both the sun and the Heroic Spirit behind it. Luckily, Riley was already prepared with a massive overhead strike with his Maul Arm. He beat down on Zeddral, who desperately tried to guard. When his sword broke. He blocked with his hands. I didn't want to, but at this point, I see no other way. Apologizing to Xandric in my head, I deliver the final kick to the back of his head. I could hear his neck twist as the explosion went off. For the first time since ending a battle, though, I don't feel the desire to pose. I can barely call this a victory. As I walk back to the damaged Heroic Titan, I see my team coming my way, complete with Hailey. However, the moment I begin to relax, the headache suddenly gets worse, much worse, so bad that it feels like my head is ripping itself apart. I scream out in pain as I collapse to the ground. All my nerves are lit ablaze as if someone poured a piece of the earth's core on all of them. They hurry to me with Makoto and Eliza, both trying to heal me.

"What the hell? Why isn't it working!" Eliza asked, clearly baffled

"My Mer Eyes are picking up something in the brain! Could he have overdone it with Crimson Mind?" Makoto further asked. I could barely make out what they were saying over the sound of my own screams as I begged for the pain to end. I try to power through and stand up. After all, we still have an enemy, one that's aiming its explosive arm right at us. The moment it's fired, though, it's blocked by a Spirit Magic-enhanced barrier. The Hell Heroes were all back in their Hero Forms, Capes of pure Mana covering them now as something flowed into the stones around their necks.

"Thanks for the help, rookies. Shame you gotta go now," Riley said, feeling no sense of guilt.

"This is your last shot, babe. If you don't agree now, we'll..." Cass began to offer, but was interrupted

"You'll what? Kill us? Go ahead. At this point, six more pints of blood don't matter." Cass fell silent at Eliza's words. I appreciate her courage, but it won't really help us. That's when I remember, I have one last thing. Titana said to use it when I'm about to die, and I can't think of a better time than this. As the Hell Heroes rush us, I push through the pain to pull out the stone she gave me. A wave of light engulfs us just before I lose consciousness from the pain.

Riley, Age 15

It's done. The rookies are dead. So why do I feel so uneasy? We return home, where Ritto was waiting for us, "Excellent! The Shadows told me everything. Now I can keep-" he was promptly silenced by a collar Cass put on him, "Wh-What? What is the meaning of this?!"

"You really didn't think this plan through, did you? Manipulating the people you were powering up?" Cass asked, a sadistic grin crossing her face. The Warlords all looked to him with disdain. Still, they reluctantly bowed before us despite hating us even more. As our new subjects lined the way, I went to sit on the throne.