Chapter 28
The Rising of a New Country
Nephalem has had enough of what was going on in order to settle what is going on. Everyone other than Arthur is paralyzed and chilled to the bone, at least those who are conscious. Queen Mirellia can even feel his presence as she look at Nephalem's spiritual form that freezes her in fear. All the crews and soldiers in the ships are just as terrified as they freeze in place. The monsters around started to die off when they feel Nephalem's presence.
Glass is trying to muster her courage but, 'What is this?' She is unable to move nor able to do anything, 'Is this really...a god? I can't move. This is...'
"You are correct." Nephalem said that surprise Glass, "Yes, I can read your thoughts. Now listen everyone, because this is important. Long ago, there were many gods that coexist throughout the universe as they guide mortals, ensure peace and stability. Even mortals managed to find ways to ascend into our ranks and are welcomed. I, Lord Qui Custodit Te In Libra Autem Omnes Rerum, was in-charge of maintaining the balance of all the worlds along with my children, the Nephalem. Creatures of half-angel and half-demon blood that are the very definition of neutrality. I was also a disciple of the Creator themself. However, one mortal has ascended into a rank similar to a god with sadistic tendencies rose to power. A truly evil and mad woman that came in and started wiping us out one-by-one as we were nothing to her. This "goddess" managed to unleash hell among all of us deities. Absorbing our powers and gaining more for each one of us she destroyed. I was one. Once she destroyed most of us, she decided to get more power by unleashing a torrent of monsters on each of the planets while gaining their energy."
"The Waves of Catastrophe." Ren put two and two together.
"That is correct. Now she hopes to unite eight worlds in order to drain more energy. Even worse, she enjoy causing pain and suffering to all mortals. The heroes were meant as an emergency measure in order to combat her and many other immortals like her. Although, she does send in fragments of her soul to hinder the heroes' progress."
"Like Malty." Motoyasu realizes.
"Indeed." Nephalem nod, "But as of now, it is time to put all differences aside and work together to defeat Medea Pideth Machina to save your worlds from destruction. Once she claimed the energy of all eight of these worlds, she will gather more from not just one universe but multiple. Such as your Earths, for example."
Motoyasu, Ren and Itsuki had their chords tugged. Their home, friends and family will suffer and be destroyed while having every last drop of energy be absorbed into a sadistic bitch that makes Malty a naughty child. However, what they saw during the ship Wave and the Soul Eater, the monster Arthur recognizes does make some sense. If Medea is gathering monsters from Arthur's world, then there is a high probability that their world will be in danger as well. Who knows what might come into this world from theirs.
"So what say you?" Nephalem asks.
Arthur is the first to speak, "Well, I'm in. I mean, you've been a part of me so far and I do know more about Medea since she is the major antagonist in The Rising of the Shield Hero."
Motoyasu steps up, "I'm in as well!" He sounds serious, "As a hero, it is my duty to help and protect the people! I maybe an idiot, but I'm willing to do everything!"
Itsuki is the second to step up, "I'll help as well! Medea sounds like a total bitch that needs to be brought to justice!"
"Count me in." Ren joins in.
L'Arc sighs, "Guess I have no choice. Count me in."
Glass lowers her weapons, "If what you say is true, guess I have no choice but to join forces."
"We're in!" Raphtalia also wants to fight with Filo wanting to fight as well.
"Very well." Nephalem returns to the shield and rest up.
"Well...that was interesting." Arthur looks at his shield. He looks at Glass, "To be honest, I thought you wanted to fight."
Glass says, "After seeing that...thing," there is some disdain in her tone of voice when she refers to Nephalem, "I have little choice in the matter. Looks like we may have to work together to save our worlds."
Arthur sighs in relief, "I'm glad you can see reason."
Glass is very crossed, "Oh please! I'm not some monster that won't listen to reason. I'm not like L'Arc."
"HEY!" L'Arc is offended.
Arthur jokingly says, "Or worse, Motoyasu."
"OH COME ON!" Motoyasu is also offended.
Glass jumps up into the air, "I'm afraid this is farewell for the time being. I wish you and your fellow heroes luck on your fight, Arthur." and she disappears into the Wave.
"We're heading back, too." L'Arc says, "See ya later, Shield Kiddo!"
Therese waves as they head up to the Wave, "Goodbye, new friends! I wish you luck on your journey!"
Filo waves at the two, "Bye-bye! Hope to see you again soon!
Everyone waves goodbye as Therese and L'Arc head back to their world. Arthur seems happy that the heroes from a completely different world understand and are willing to cooperate. Thanks to Nephalem, things would've gotten worse along the line.
AN: Sorry guys, no big fight.
As the three left this world, the Wave of Catastrophe has finally come to an end.
Mirellia rallies the troops, "ALL VALIANT SOLDIERS OF MELROMARC, WE HAVE WON!"
The soldiers and sailors cheer when Queen Mirellia made the announcement.
After everyone headed back to the islands, all the citizens came back and celebrate the heroes for fending off the Wave. A big party was thrown at the count's manor as they celebrate. It is a big mansion as Motoyasu tries some party tricks with his spear, which his party likes. Filo is singing with the band, Raphtalia beats Mald in another drunken arm wrestle, and Ren just hangs out near the door with a glass of wine in his hand with Gwen next to him. However, Itsuki and Arthur are talking close to the stairs.
"Hey, Arthur?" Itsuki begins the conversation, "There is something I would like for you to do."
"Look after Rishia?"
Itsuki sighs yet smiles, "Guess you know about that. Anyway, I would like for you to look after Rishia in case something were to happen to me like you said."
"You got it, pal." Arthur gives the thumbs-up.
"Pardon my intrusion." Mirellia intrudes, "But there is something I have to address."
Arthur and his party made it to Raphtalia's home village where they meet up with Keel and Rifana.
Rifana runs up to Raphtalia, "Raphtalia!" with Keel following behind.
"Rifana!" Raphtalia hugs Rifana and Keel, "It's been a while!"
"I'm glad you made it, Raphtalia." Keel is happy to see her old friend again.
"Hey everyone!" Gwen smiles and wave 'hi'.
"Rifana!" Filo runs up and joins in on the hugs.
Rishia looks at the desolated village, "So this is Raphtalia's village? I heard of what happened, but how horrible." But she spots something in the sea, "What is that?!"
At the distance, there are some mountains that appeared to have been perfectly cut, as if was cut neatly from the ground and taken out from the planet. Yet there are alpine forests still there. There are fifteen peaks judging from what everyone can see, possibly more.
"What in the world?" Arthur sees it and is just as lost as everyone else. "Where did that come from?"
Keel explains, "That massive island there just appeared out of nowhere during the Wave and landed out at sea."
"Guess we have no choice but to investigate."
Arthur and his party went on a boat and see what exactly is it. When approaching, Arthur picked up a familiar smell.
"You smell that?" Gwen asks.
"Yeah. I recognize that scent anywhere. It smells like home."
"What do yo mean?" Raphtalia asks, "Are you saying these mountains are from your home world?"
"Could be."
They dock the boat near a cave system that they use as their entry point and head up. Raphtalia uses her light magic to help light the way as everyone climb up until they come across something. They see wooden beams that are acting as support alongside basic mining equipment.
"A mine?" Arthur raises his eyebrow, "And it looks more recent."
"We might be close to a settlement." Raphtalia states.
They head further and made it out back to the surface.
"No way!" Arthur says in shock.
They come across a very familiar town. The town looks like they are made of train carts, shipping containers, and a bunch of tiny houses and RVs. Not to mention that these train carts and shipping containers are converted into houses. There also appears to be a large river to the northeast with some farms. There also appears to be a few other structures made of bricks and concrete that almost look like store fronts. The place have walls made of the very boulders of the mountains with random junk that have been sharpened to keep things out.
"It can't be!" Gwen is surprised, "We're in the same town where we got the book!"
Some people in the town peek out from the curtains or shutters of their buildings. They're scared because of what happened before they arrived.
Arthur approaches and waves his arms while shouting, "HEY! IT'S OKAY! IS MATTHEW SMITH HERE!? IT'S ME! ARTHUR! ARTHUR VAN BUREN!"
A glowing blue, cybernetic left eye is shining from a window of a container house on the second story and scans.
"Holy shit." Matthew says as he starts to smile, "Holy shit! That lucky sonuvabitch." he turns to say to one of the lizardman holding a sniper, "Hold it, Tom! It's Lil' Arthur."
The lizard mutant lowers his sniper, "Leonardo's kid? Hot damn! How did he ended-up here?"
Matthew comes out and greets Arthur, "Yo! Arthur!"
"Matthew!" Arthur is glad to see him.
Everyone else is coming out as the girls are surprised by the diversity of people. Not just humans, but also cyborgs and people as well. Raphtalia, Rishia and Filo end-up getting surrounded by old school anime fans, who are asking for autographs or able to shake their hands. (Or for the most desperate, ask Raphtalia or Rishia out on a date.) The three are confused on why they are popular with so many.
Rishia shyly hides behind Raphtalia, "How do these people know about us?"
"I don't know, but it's starting to get creepy."
Filo wonders, "Are we famous in Big Bro's world or something?"
Gwen says to the three, "You three are. As a matter of fact, allow me to show you." Gwen points at a few old wind turbines, solar panels and an old destroyed cabin next to a farm. "Because that there is our home."
Arthur looks, "What the hell?! Why is my shelter doing here?" He looks at Matthew, "How did it get this close to the town, Matthew?"
"That place is yours?!" Matthew is surprised, "Well that might explain the security." He looks at Arthur's home, "Anyway, where exactly are we? I keep on smelling salt water in the air and it is a bit warmer."
"I'll explain inside."
Arthur, Matthew and Arthur's party head inside of the old bunker as Arthur explains the situation as Gwen gives the others a tour. Gwen showed them the old lab where their mother worked but is locked down, the vault that contained every last bit of mankind's knowledge that were used to educate Gwen and Arthur, the kitchen, the super size pantry that mostly has a few freeze-dried food and canned goods along with food that has been frozen in liquid nitrogen, the living room where Arthur disappeared. However, Gwen notices that the book is no longer there on the coffee table. Or anywhere else.
"Something wrong?" Rishia asks while out in the doorway.
Gwen just look at the room, "Nothing. Just thought I might find something...odd."
"Odd?"
"Nevermind. Let's continue."
All the girls are walking down the hallway as Filo says, "This place is big, but can be a little small at the same time."
"I can't believe that this was used to fire a weapon meant to unleash devastation." Raphtalia states, "I think I have a better grasp on how terrible Arthur's world is."
Rishia is getting scared, "Are one of those things still here?"
"Nope." Gwen says, "Everything was cleaned out after the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Our parents moved in and try to make the place suitable for surviving the apocalypse."
Meanwhile, Arthur and Matthew are in the study. It is filled of memorabilia of Leonardo's time in the service including medals, old Air Force souvenirs, the American flag folded in a triangle and in a case, a few photos, model jets hanging from the ceiling, redwood flooring, and an old oak desk with an old timey green lamp. Arthur is sitting on the big red, leather chair while Matthew is in a smaller chair. Arthur gave a thorough explanation on what he had gone through and the theory on who they got there. Even told him about the gila dragon that appeared in one of the Waves. Matthew sits on the chair as he is looking down while looking a bit worried and anxious.
"So," Matthew starts, "we're in a world similar to some series from a long time ago. And you came here by a book, similar to the main character, and have been filling the main character's role ever since?"
"Yeah." Arthur nodded. "To be honest, I had no idea I was in The Rising of the Shield Hero. Since it was an old series, I did forget about it until some time ago."
Matthew has his arms cross, "That may explain a few things. We were almost attacked by a gila dragon a month ago, but some strange swirls appeared in the sky and electrical lighting whatever took it, absorb it, and disappeared. Now we're here in this world because of some goddess and there is a god living in that shield."
"You got that right." Nephalem speaks.
Matthew then scratches his head, "This is...complicated. No, complicated is too small a word for the situation we're in."
"Once again, you got that right."
"But I do have some good news." Arthur says, "I'm running Raphtalia's village and its just a boat ride away. I'm gonna create Rock Valley, like in the series, but since you're here: Can you help me run things? Plus with your town, it can be a huge boon. With knowledge and technology from our world and the lack of radiation in this world, we can rebuild what we lost."
"Hmmm..." Matthew tries to think about it, "I'll think about it." He smiles, "In the meantime, go to your village and see who you got that can help us out."
"Oh, I do know some people." Arthur stands from his chair, "I got the blacksmith and weapon shop owner, Erhard; and I got both the Magic Shop Owner and Medicinal Shop Owner pitching in. Plus, Raphtalia knows the lay of the land at her village and Rishia knows more about this world since she is well educated. We even have Elrasla to help out with martial arts training as well as Van Reichnott! So yeah, we got a lot of people that might help out your town settle in this world."
Matthew laughs, "I love it! Maybe we can teach the people of this world about what happened to our world and hope to avoid those mistakes in the future!"
Somewhere in the woods, Itsuki and his party are heading out towards Zeltobe by wagon.
Itsuki looks up in the sky with a fire burning in his eyes, 'I have to get stronger. I must do whatever it takes to protect this world and my home! In order to do that, I must fight against the strongest mercenaries in the arena.'
Inside his bow, a gentle female voice speaks in telepathy, 'Just don't let your pride overcome you, okay Itsuki?'
Somewhere close to the royal capital, Ren is sword swinging against a few balloon monsters while his party just watch.
He continues to attack, 'I have to get better! Not just my skills, but myself as a person! I must get better! I have to!'
As he slices in half one of the monsters, a wise sage male voice speaks in telepathy, 'Now, now. You must pace yourself. Trying to improve yourself faster doesn't mean better. Slow and steady wins the race as the old Earth proverb goes.'
Over at an old cottage, Motoyasu and his party are looking over a few Filolial eggs as they care for them.
Motoyasu gushes over the one he is holding, "Yeah! I can't wait to have my own darling angel!"
From his spear, a warm female voice says via telepathy, 'Aww! I can't wait to see the adorable humanoid Filolials!'
"I know, right?!" Motoyasu stop gushing and realizes, "Wait. Who said that?"
Back in the castle, Trash is talking to his ministers about something of great importance.
"Are you sure?" Trash asks.
"Yes, I-"
Queen Mirellia interrupts, "What is going on here?"
Trash turns around, "Oh, my queen. I was asking some of the ministers to check on something important. Well, important to me that is."
"And what pray tell is it?"
Over in the fields of Lute Village, Malty is plowing the fields with a hoe.
"Hey, Bitch!" an old farmer yells, "Make sure you plow those fields nice and good!"
Malty keeps on blowing while feeling angry, "Dammit. Why do I have to put up with this?"
"What was that?!"
Malty works faster as she gets scared, "Nothing, sir!"
"That's what I thought."
Back at the van Buren shelter, Arthur's party have gathered at the garage where Gwen removes the sheet covering the vehicle.
"Ta-da!" Gwen says as she uncovers, "Say hello to, The Pendragon!"
Arthur squeals as dashes over to The Pendragon, "Hello, my baby! Did you miss daddy?" He hugs and kisses it, "Daddy misses you~."
Gwen nudges Arthur, "Um, Arthur, you might want to tow it down a bit."
Arthur looks at the other three girls and are slightly disturbed (but in Filo's case, confused).
"Oh." He gets off and adjust himself, "Right."
"Sooo, what is it?" Filo asks.
"A special flying machine."
"No way!" Rishia says in shock, "That machine can fly!?"
Raphtalia is just as shocked, "But how?"
Arthur gives a huge smile, "Best to demonstrate. But Filo has to sit on someone's lab for safety reasons."
Everyone gets in and buckle up as the garage door opens. Arthur starts up The Pendragon and rolls out before it extending the rotors. The vehicle takes off into the air, much to everyone's amazement.
Gwen pulls out an old MP3 player, "How about some tunes? And I know just the one."
"Go for it!"
Gwen puts on the only music suitable for this occasion as both the siblings prepare to sing a long.
Both: " Oh oh oh oh oh ohh. Oh oh oh oh oh ohh."
Arthur: " In this empty void life, found a way to the light, "
Gwen: " Can't find my way in this lingering world. "
Arthur: " Searching for the answer the one I can trust in. "
Gwen: " I'm just wandering around! "
Arthur: " Yeah, still stuck in the shadow, eh? But I never follow that. This pain at last soon will pass. Turn into my own unbeatable strength. This guy or that guy dead or alive! By hiding alone, they can't survive! "
Filo, Raphtalia and Rishia all look at each other and have no idea how to respond to such strange music. They just shrug and bounce to it.
Gwen: " I don't wanna lie to myself. "
Arthur: " Keep on the fight, get right. "
Gwen: " I'll never lose and cry, "
Arthur: " Keep run up day and night. "
Gwen: " Time to rewrite, "
Both: " no matter what anyone say, I find my way. Yeah, never go away! "
Arthur: " (Never go away! )"
Both: " Now, nobody can't stop me, no way! I will make sure not to forget those precious things! "
Gwen: " Yeah, I'll take a stand, get back all I lost. Rise suddenly in this world! "
Arthur: " (I don't look back yeah) "
Gwen: " This repetition will repeat till the end. And our records are still lingering in my head. "
Arthur: " Time to get it all back. Now turn over. Rise suddenly in this world! "
Gwen: " (I don't look back yeah) "
Both: " Oh oh oh oh oh ohh. Oh oh oh oh oh ohh "
They sing as they fly over the village with the sun setting.
End of Part 1
AN: Hey everyone! I hope you enjoy the first part of The Rising of the Post-Apocalyptic Shield Hero. Although, the next one won't be out until season 2 of The Rising of the Shield Hero is out...and in English. While waiting, check out my other series that I'm working on. This includes checking out the candidates to Stellaris Victora and decide which faction should we follow in the documentary-style series similar to Templin Institute's Stellaris Invicta. Also, prepare for a parody sequel to If The Emperor Had A Text-To-Speech Device, The Text-To-Speech Crusade (and yes that is what I'm calling it). Yet I will sneak in a few extra chapters to prepare for part 2. Think of them as OVA.
Okay guys, I'm gonna go get my second shot this afternoon. Later, gators!"