Volume 2 Reconnect: The Hero's dream

Sometime early...

Lailah felt helpless, struggling to free herself from the binding magic that had her sealed inside a spear. She couldn't break it from the inside. She could feel her partner presence as he entered the Dream world, he came back again.

She crossed her arms leaned against the orb, she sat down curling up on her legs. She should've been the the first one to met him, she should've woken up sooner, she should've been a better partner-

"Oho, I thought I sensed something interesting~"

A young man with jet black hair with similar hair styles that resemble Shiro. Walked up to the orb with his gaze meeting hers.

Leon simply grinned.

[...]

Present time...

Nightmare Kill Count: 275

"Heeeyyya!"

I swung my blade as another wave of Nightmares goblins were defeated, Lailah and I spent most of our wandering around the cavern area discussing various battles strategy, one such such strategy was chain agro.

"Come on you stupid goblins, you think you can keep up with me, not in million years, HAHAHA!" I hurled some more insultes at them as ran for my life. "Argh, any day now, Lailah!"

A group of twenty or more goblins, chased me around the field, while normally I wouldn't have any problem picking them off one at time. This strategy has been effective thus far to clear all at once.

*Smack*

"Yeow!" I rubbed my head. "Who threw that! There throwing rocks now!"

Indeed the little goblins were a lot more aggressive the longer they stay in agro mode, as such I was now force to dodge an onslaught assault of rocks being thrown at me.

I noticed Lailah began to glow red signaling it was time to bailout. I stopped in my track as I hit against a wall with the goblins followed in pursuit

... it was a dead end...

Shit!

"Emittem o spiritus ignis statuam proferens diffamare Nova Ascensionis!"(Gather spirit of fire, strike down a pillar of flames, come and blaze forth Nova Ascension!)

Dread filled my eyes as I twitched upon hearing the finished incantation. It was too late for me...

Double Shit!

*Boooom!*

Nightmare Kill count: 299

...

..

.

"Please just say something, anything!"

For the pass half after returning to our base, I refuse look in her general direction, doing so would've force me to cave in and forgive her. Nope no way, not gonna happened.

She knows what she did wrong.

"..." I splashed some water on my face, scrubbing away the dirt I accumulated. I sighed the sound of running waterfall was relaxing to listen to. Everything happened so damn fast there wasn't a lot time to process it all.

Spirts, Nightmare and then,

there's her...

Lailah a guardian Spirit, or Nightmare in disguise, she appeared out of nowhere and yet it's strange that I feel relaxed around her. Like we've been friends for years or something. I scowled to myself.

My own body betrays my emotion.

"I'm sorry." Lailah whispered as her body swayed back and forth. I nodded and turned around, there that was the apology I was waiting for. "See was that so- Lailah!"

I ran over and caught her before she hit the ground. "Hey, what's going on? Are you okay?" I asked checking her forehead, she was burning up!

"Tch, Idiot you caught a fever! Damn it, you overexerted yourself!"

I carried her back into the cave, I started a small bonfire and ripped my left sleeves. This would be useful as a make shift towel, soaking in the river I placed it over her head. I banged my fist against the cave wall gritting my teeth.

Careless, I was to damn careless to notice anything. I slide down against the wall till I was sitting on cold hard floor. It was the relentless spell casting, whatever that spell she used took a lot out of her I realize. Even then, she still smiled and assured that she could keep going.

"I'm sorry."

I looked across the fire, it was Lailah who spoke in a hoarse whispered. Her eyes closed meaning she was sleep talking.

I sigh escaped my lips, you idiot, this was my fault! I'm the that should apologize. My eyes soften and glanced outside the cave, the dim lights reflected of the river giving it a nice blue glowing effect. It was unlike anything I've ever seen. I want to be able remember this scene when I wake up.

It was a breathtaking view.

"Just get some rest, your health is more important."

[...]

Xyaqom...

After parting ways with Zastin, Xyaqom was very adamant on returning to his home planet. To the rest of universe he was dead, and to him it was perfect opportunity to work in the shadows. After all, he was a man on a mission. He took a gamble on relying on Zastin, but sure enough he reluctantly agreed to work with me for the time being.

Xyaqom sighed. He raised his knuckles and knocked.

That was the easy part.

It gets harder from here on out.

*Knock**Knock*

"Hmm, who is it? Oh, hell no!" This is Ryouko Mikado a certify alien doctor, who will treats any kind of alien that visited earth, and to Xyaqom a long time friend.

"Yo, Mikado- at least me finish before shutting me out!" Xyaqom pleaded. "Come on, just one favor is I ask just hear me out okay!"

"Go away!"

"I would if I could, but there lies the problem." Xyaqom grinned, rubbing his head sheepishly. Mikado peered through the door her green eyes glared at him for holding his foot against the door.

"Did you crashed your ship, again?" She asked with a deadpan expression. Well it came off as more of statement then it is a question, and judging by the look on his face, she wasn't that far off the mark.

"...Kinda~" Xyaqom whistled. Mikado sighed, only Xyaqom. "But don't worry, there's this job I recently got, it'll pay for the repairs and feed me for days."

"What does that have to do with you being here?" Mikado asked.

"...I-I need a place stay."

Mikado froze, slamming the door as fast as she could, but Xyaqom intercepted desperately pleading for chance.

"Please, it'll only be temporary! I don't have anywhere else to go!"

"Anywhere, anywhere but here!"

Some people that walked by would chuckled at the scene, to them it was two young couple bickering at it each other.

They couldn't be further from the truth...

[...]

Unknown...

"Here me child, what is the real meaning behind the strength you sought out to seek? What is it that you desire."

A..Ah...A talking sword!? My jaw was hanging, my eyes were twitching, I had stupefied expression. I was stunned speechless.

It wasn't just any talking blade, it was the gravity blade that I had pulled out.

My own sword was talking to me!

"Where the hell am I? Are there any more voices in my head that I need to worry about? If so, I'm gonna have to start charging you guys for vacancies." I rapidly fired off as many questions as I could.

The sword roared in laughter.

I shook my head hat's it, i've officially gone crazy!

"I see, that smart mouth off yours is the only thing you've retained, how inadequate. Nevertheless, as for where you are-" It trailed off.

I blinked once more as the scenery changed.

It was the white void.

"The place where everything Reconnect back to, this place it's your heart," the sword paused for a short second. "Or at least what's left off it. You probably already knew that didn't you."

I stayed silent on his accusation narrowing my eyes at the blade, it was only hunched that much I did knew, there nothing to support it though. Spirit and Nightmare were born from the wishes of people, the heart was the key, the wisher. The dream world was catalyst that make the wish into reality.

Dreams, Spirits, and Nightmare, it all connects back to the heart.

"Hmm, makes sense. LIKE HELL IT DOES!" I exclaimed throwing my hands in the air. I wanted nothing more then to tear my hair apart.

"...Three years ago, you made a certain wish. That wish caused a frictions that nearly destroyed your heart. Prime lord Lailah tried her best to restore the missing piece, however a strange anomaly occurred."

" A wish? Anomaly?" I asked. I scratched my head and couldn't help but wonder, what define abnormal in this fantasy like setting that already defies the laws of normality.

'Was this really the only path I could take?'

'It's too soon to end it here, you still have a lot to live for!'

"..." My eyes widen in disbelief and clutched my head.

Vivid images were hazaly surfacing in my head. A figured in a familiar style of black robes stood silently stretching his hand, he opened his palm a single speck of light fell from his hand.

'It'll be scary, all alone in a new world, I have faith you'll live a strong happy life.' The figure gave a thin hollow smile before walking away. 'Until we meet again, on the fated path, that one day we'll become whole once more...Mashiro Yuuma!'

"I'm sure you too have already met, that figure in the black robes. Knowing him, he introduced himself as a Nightmare." The sword grumbled a bit. "But he is in fact the other half of your heart. In other words, you two are both one in the same person, Mashiro Yuuma."

"...!?..." I was at a lost for words.

[...]

Unknown Location...

A familiar shrouded figure in black robes stepped out of a dark portal. It growled clenching his bleeding hand in frustration. "I underestimated him, guess he's not a lost cause after all."

He opened his hand observed the wound he received. This was the hand that caught that fakers sword from earlier.

"I expect nothing less from my vessel, he is your other half after all." The figured growled again upon hearing another voice chiming in. "Piss off old man, nobody asked for your opinion!" He then lifted his head narrowing his eyes.

Someone had just entered his domain.

"Aha, so you're the source of his Nightmare."

A projectile was shot soaring at high speeds, however it was shattered before it reached him. The figure grinned, whoever shot at him did so from his blind spot.

Probably hoping end him swiftly. This guy is a high class mage. "Were those pesky toys of your suppose kill me, demon of the winds."

Leon strolled out from his hiding spot, no sense in hiding when you've been caught. Even with both hands in pocket, he might seemed to relax, but he kept his guard up.

"Oh man, a Nightmare that knows who I am, unfortunately I don't know who you are?"

The figured turned around with a hand stretched out. Leon finally caught a glimpse of his face his blood ran cold.

"No- You can't be!"

"Me a Nightmare? I suppose I am. Although if I must be addressed you may call me.." The doppelganger lifted his hood revealing his striking identical appearance to that off Shiro. "I am the lord of Calamity, Mashiro Yuuma." He declared.

"But that's- impossible!?"

"Gravitas gladio!" Yuuma called out as the gravity sword materialized in his hand. He smirked as he saw the rage look on Leon face.

Leon knew the blade the moment he saw it.

"Surly you recognized this blade, do you not? The one that was forged by that cursed man and wielded by that boy."

Leon glared furiously at Yuuma, he held his arms up and shouted. "Cavum alma umerus!" (Hollow Wing Blade)

Leon glowed brightly enough to to blind Yuuma for a brief minute before it died down. Surrounding Leon were eight blades concealed by wind that wrapped around them.

This was Leon's Artifact.

"Hmph, now I see. Using the wind to hide the presence of your artifact," Yuuma lifted his sword pointing it at Leon. "However, you're wasting Aura just by hiding them. I wonder just how long do you think you can last like that."

The stood there in silence, the sound of droplets were the only thing echoing in the abyss. When next three drops echoed...

There battle commenced.

Drip. Drip.

Drip...

The sounds of blades clashing echoed through the abyss.

[...]

Ren...

Ren fumed while storming through the streets. Nothing had gone the way he'd hope since he reunited with the love of his life. It was all because of that insufferable vial man, an image of Shiro standing alone on top of a mountain looking down at him briefly flashed in his mind.

That bastard!

He was the greatest obstacle that stood in his way, in between him and Lala. Somehow he'll find a way surpass him and become a real man! "Yes, I'll find a way to the top, then I'll make him suffer, Ufufufu!" Ren rubbed his maniacally as he made his way down the street he passed by an alleyway. He caught a glimps of something out the corner of his eyes that made him back track a bit.

"Eh, isn't that- Shiro!?"

Indeed it was, his greatest rival was leaning against the wall passed out.

"What the hell happened you, Shiro!" He rushed over crouching down to inspect him for any sign of injuries.

Which he wasn't thankfully.

"La..la" Shiro mumbled in his sleep. Ren sighed in relief.

"He must've been out here for hours if not days searching for her. Geez, What I'm a gonna do with you?" He concluded. Good question, what he gonna do with Shiro? He couldn't just leave him out here. It not like he knew were he lived or anything. Lala was still missing as far as he knew.

That only left him with one option.

"You better be great full that I'm even helping you, but as a man I can't leave another man behind." He lifted Shiro arms warping around him, leaning him on his shoulder.

There destination, Ren House.

[...]

Lailah...

Laiah groaned before opening her eyes. She sat up as the sleeve on her face fell, glancing at the fabric for a brief second she could help but wonder what happened earlier. She remembered facing a bunch of goblins with Shiro.

Shiro!

She frantically looked around the cave, her partner was nowhere to be found.

"HHHAAAAAAA!"

*BOOM!*

There was a loud explosion that nearly knocked her off her feet. She wobbles a bit towards the entrance and saw Shiro practicing with new sword, he swiftly swung it around testing each strike before lifting it up over his head. Her eyes were lingering on the blade.

"That sword...Thats-" She muttered.

"100-fold Tiger Blade!" He shouted.

*Whoosh!*

A shockwave blasted forth as he swung with all his might, creating ripples in the waves. The shockwave eventually sliced through boulder size structures, (the same building that was destroyed a few chapters back)

Shiro wiped his forehead of sweet. "Phew, it really is hard to hold this thing, even at a 100-fold. Huh, oh?" It was then, Shiro noticed her presence and slowly walked over to her.

"Thank goodness, you're okay, Lailah!" He put his arms on her shoulders smiling in relief.

Eh?

Shiro worried? She was honestly expect to be yelled for messing up so much.

"Don't worry about using the high level attack anymore, just focus on supporting from distance, you got any spells like that use. Ah, let me check your temp. before we get a move on." He press his forehead against her. She fought the urge to step back as he was in her personal space, though that didn't stop her face from turning red.

"Hmmm, are sure your okay?" He asked in concern.

"I- I'm a spirit of fire, it's only natural the my body heat slightly more attune to this kind of temperature." She stuttered a little, she was touched by his concern and smiled. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

"...I see." He simply said as he stared at her. He probably didn't believe her. "Alright, so long as your okay let's get this show on the road!"

Shiro led the onward, Lailah could help but admire Shiro over the amount of progress he's shown.

She just hope that he'll be ready to face his inner darkness.

...

..

.

Shiro...

"Damn how big is this damn cave anyway- Whoa, is that a basilisk!?"

Looking over the edge of cliff a large snake creature slithered around, was it just me or there was something off about it? Most fully grown basilisk grew to be around fifty feet tall this one was a bit small in comparison to let say, the tarantula spider I fought.

No it was definitely bigger then the spider. I was more focused on its face, for some reason it reminded of a turkey it was weird. It had four eyes with a reddish under neck, its feathers stretched out forming what seemed like wings, it'll hissed it flew off.

I blinked, what...

"...The hell, since when can they fly!?" I exclaimed.

"Actually, it's an Cockatrice. They may look similar to a basilisk, but there actually part dragon making them highly resistant to Martial Artes." Lailah spook with concern in her voice.

"It's a snake turkey thing, how is that a dragon?"

"The same way a palm tree can become a dragon I assume." Lailah shrugged.

"That's different," I scowled point at the snake turkey. "Besides that's just a myth, something like that can't even be real, and this I don't even know what this thing is!?"

"Regardless, we were lucky it didn't notice us." Lailah glanced at the retreating form of the cockatrice. "It's gaze can leave even the strongest spirit petrified. We have no defense against it."

"Hmmm," without a doubt that cockatrice, would be our greatest obstacle thus far facing right now would be suicidal, however...

"It's not impossible is it?" I asked out loud, I can feel Lailah shifting her eyes from the Nightmare to me, carefully choosing her words.

"It would be difficult, but not impossible."

'You two are both one in the same person, Mashiro Yuuma.' I clenched his fist, were both the same Shiro, but he's been suffering here all alone for the past three years waiting for me. "Difficult, but not impossible, huh?" I muttered.

As long as it's not impossible, I find a way...

To clear this crappy game!

We made it people, an entire year for Shiro's Tale! Thirteen chapters in and only one volume done the second one more then half way finished. The third chapter in the Reconnect story is finally done! Sorry for the long wait.

Ever since Jojo bizarre adventure Part 5 was announced, a friend convinced me finally to give it try and was honestly surprised with how much I enjoyed the series thus far, so much so I can't help but be inspired by it's clever writing. And the memes, It's nice to finally to understand them now.

By the time this chapter comes out I would've probably just finished watching Stardust Crusader and move on to part 4. Don't be surprised if you end up seeing a bunch of jojo reference in future volumes.

On a side note: Shiro's tale Volume 2 will end in 4 chapters along with the exciting conclusion for this arc. Until next time! I'm off to watch more Jojo