A/N: Warnings: If gore, swearing, F/M, F/F, M/M and the like triggers you, then this story is not for you. I own nothing, everything belongs to their respective owners. I took inspiration for Harry's magic from Skyrim's magic system. And I repeat: I own nothing.
When Harry was summoned, it was during worst moment of his life, after Sirius's death.
He was in his muggle clothes, two days away from going back to Dursleys and looking at some random book he found on his bed.
Harry was just going thru pages without paying attention to anything that was written there, so when the world around him turned white he was more than surprised.
''We did it, the summoning was a success!''
When he woke up in a glowing circle with robed people standing in front of him, he immediately started looking for his wand. Luckily, it was in front of him.
''Where am I?'' Voice asked behind him, Harry paid it no mind. He moved to stand up with his wand in the right hand.
''O brave heroes, please save our world!''
Harry didn't listen to that as well. He was about to blast them to oblivion with a curse on his lips, when his wand literally caught fire out of nowhere. Before he could even comprehend that he was holding a piece of burning wood, some invisible force blasted it away from his hand - As if struck by expelliarmus.
''...''
He was defenseless!
At the mercy of his enemies, wizard closed his eyes and waited for inevitable.
''Wait, why are there five of them? Did we make a mistake?!''
''We couldn't have -Look! Spear, Sword, Bow, and ...Shield; They are all here!''
''But who's the fifth one?''
As robed men continued their arguing, Harry slowly opened his eyes. 'I'm not dead?'
''Hey, you alright?''
Green eyed wizard turned around to meet four new people, each of them holding different weapons. ''Ha?''
''Are you alright?'' Asked man with shield on his right arm.
''Where am I?'' Boy-who-lived damned. ''Who in bloody hell are you people?!''
''Naofumi Iwatani, nice to meet you? I-'' Asian man stuttered, a bit disoriented. ''I-I don't know, I was reading a strange book and next thing I know, I'm here.'' He rubbed his head with his right hand, or at least tried to, shield on his arm made him pause. ''What is this? A S-Shield?'' He asked once said shield came into his view.
''You are a muggle?'' Harry concluded after taking a look at his clothes.
''Doesn't matter that we got one extra, four of them-''
''Shut up, King shall deal with this.'' Man in the middle said with finality, none disagreed.
''Excuse me?'' Bow wielder called.
''Right-O brave heroes, please save our world!'' Robed adults bowed.
''What do you mean by that?'' One of the summoned men behind Harry asked.
''There is a long and complicated story behind this, but we summoned four cardinal heroes here using an ancient ritual.''
'What the bloody hell is that suppose to tell me?!' Harry almost shouted. He took deep breathes and tried to be calm. 'Are they death eaters?'
''Our world is almost at the brink of destruction.'' Robed man continued. ''We beg of you, brave heroes, please save us!'' One more round of bows followed suit.
Harry opened his mouth to ask what the fuck he was talking about when man spoke again.
''We'd like you to have an audience with the king of our country, Melromac. He will explain everything to you, and you can negotiate your rewards, too. Follow me.''
''Wait!'' Harry exclaimed, having enough of uncertainty. ''You are taking us to whoever is in charge... Right?''
Man paused, giving Harry a long/creepy/searching look all over his body, then he suddenly gave a satisfied nod and answered. ''Yes, my lord.''
Wizard had no choice but to follow him, after all, they kidnapped him right under Dumbledore's nose. Not to mention that his wand was destroyed. 'What will I do without it?'
As they made way out of shadowy basement, and thru long corridors, he walked behind everyone and listened in on their conversation.
''We really are in a different world, huh?''
''We sure are.''
'What the hell does that mean? And why are they so calm about being kidnapped?!' Or maybe they weren't; Was he the only one to get abducted?
Listening to them talk only confused him even further.
''Wait, have you never traveled outside of Japan?''
'They are all Japanese, huh.' He thought back to Cho before shaking his head; It wouldn't do for him to be distracted while kidnapped.
Once they were outside, Harry realized that he was in a castle. A very beautiful one at that, no less majestic than Hogwarts, with flags he didn't recognize. 'Why would wizards abduct me and four muggles?'
If it's possible, he was even more confused when they were brought in a giant room, where soldiers with spears and swords were stationed all the way to throne - There even was a red carpet.
'Wait, he said the king...He meant it literally!?'
They stopped in front of the old looking man, who at first reminded him of old headmaster with his beard and age, but that image was smashed to bits by regal clothing and cold look in his eyes. Not to mention expensive looking crown on elder man's head.
'Where the actual fuck am I?'
Robed man that led them this far went to sitting King's side.
''So those men are the four cardinal heroes of ancient legend?'' King's eyes landed on Harry, followed by raised eyebrows. ''Who-'' Robed man leaned down and whispered something. Then they proceeded to have fast conversation out of everyone's hearing abilities, where king's eyes widened a bit for a second, which changed into frown before settling into the mask of neutrality.
''I am the king of Melromarc, Aultcray XXXII. Heroes, name yourselves.''
Teen with sword stepped forward. ''Amaki Ren, sixteen years old, high schooler.''
Blond man with ponytail hair and spear did the same. ''I'm Kitamura Motoyasu. 21, and a college student.''
Followed by a bow wielder. ''I suppose I'm up next.'' He proudly raised the bow. ''Kawasumi Itsuki, 17 years old, and a high schooler.''
King's eyes once again landed on Harry, making teen tense. ''And what of you?''
'They don't know who I am? Maybe this is a misunderstanding?' Without stepping forward, he began. ''H-Harry Potter.'' Wizard felt very uncomfortable, the fact that he noticed a group of fancily dressed elderly people to king's right didn't help either. ''fifteen years old...'' All the evaluating eyes staring at him was very distracting, it was so much easier to talk with people of his age or younger, like in DA. ''...A fifth year student in Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.'' He added awkwardly.
Last part earned him more intense stares, this time added by four weapon wielders.
''No way!'' Blond exclaimed. ''There is a school for magic in your world? That's awesome!''
Nods were followed by the three other muggles.
'My world?' Harry nodded, not knowing what to say. 'At least I know for sure they are muggles.'
''I suppose I own you all an explanation Ren, Motoyasu, Itsuki and Harry.''
''Um, I still haven't introduced myself yet!'' Shield wielder called out.
King hummed. ''Oh, forgive me.'' He said, not looking like he meant it. Harry was reminded of Umbridge's non apologetic apologies, he rubbed his hand at the memory.
''My name is Iwatani Naofumi. I am 20, and a college student.''
Monarch gave no acknowledgment of hearing that, and continued explanation on why they were summoned. He talked about things called waves, summoning of literal heroes to fight them etc... All of it sounded like huge bullshit to young Wizard. He could not keep his silence when king started talking about the prophecy.
''Do you actually expect me to believe that?!''
Harry hated the very thought about prophecy. Just one, that is all it took for his life to become full of pain and misery, it even cost him his only relative -Dursleys didn't count- and now this person was telling him that he was part of another prophecy... Wizard refused to accept it. ''I am already subject to one prophecy, you can't expect me to partake in another one!''
That earned him curious looks from bearded king and people around him. ''This is first time we have summoned a hero who is already aware of magic, but you are not one of the four.'' King stated. ''Tell me what your status is, young mage, if you have one.''
''My wha-''
''Haven't you noticed?'' Ren questioned. ''Don't you see some kind of icon in the corner of your field vision?
''A what?'' Harry was doubting their sanity... But then he noticed that there was indeed something there, that something soon turned into a full blown screen window.
''What the bloody hell!?'' Harry took a step back, it followed him, just an arm length away. ''What kind of dark magic is this?'' Green eyed wizard asked out loud. ''It has to be an illusion.'' He concluded after looking at other heroes, who where checking out their own statues windows.
Then he proceeded to look king in the eyes, difficult because damn screen was in the way! ''Cheap illusions will not convince me, I'm almost sure you broke dozens of magical laws just by exposing those four muggles to magic.'' He warned. 'This has to be a trick, or a prank, or something like that!'
''We assure you, prophecy and everything we told you is real.''
''Then I'm not part of it!'' Wizard hissed out in Parseltongue, before repeating it again, this time without snake language. ''Then I'm not part of it! You said 4 heroes, there they are.'' He pointed at the four while taking three steps towards the king. ''Me being here is just a mistake.''
The robed man stepped forward. ''If I may, you majesty.'' After receiving a nod, he continued. ''Please check your status, they very fact that you can use it confirms that you are a hero.''
''What do you mean by my status?'' Harry questioned weakly.
''The screen in front of you, read it.'' Itsuki deadpanned.
Harry decided to actually listen, and read the following:
Harry James Potter _ The Wand Hero Lv. 1 _ HP: 48/48
Age: 15 _ Exp: 0/20 _ MP: 115/115
Sex: Male _ Perk Points: 0 _ SP: 95/95
Status: _ Affinity: _ Equipment:
ATK: 4 _ Enchanting: 15 _ Mercury wand
MAG: 37 _ Conjuration: 15 _ Otherworldly-Clothes
P. DEF: 1 _ Destruction: 15
M. DEF: 36 _ Illusion: 15
DEX: 27 _ Alteration: 15
Restoration: 13
Alchemy: 9
He finished reading them out loud and frowned. 'Alchemy and Conjuration sound familiar... but what the hell is the rest!? What is going on?'
He looked up to ask, only to find everyone staring at him again, but none could match the dumbfounded expressions four weapon wielders were giving him.
''Amazing! Your starting stats are wild!'' Motoyasu exclaimed as he moved toward him with a smile.
''I guess having prior training in magic has its own advantages.'' Ren commented, giving wizard an approving look.
Itsuki tapped his bow thoughtfully. ''But your HP and ATK are so low, same goes for your P. DEF.''
Motoyasu threw the left arm around Harry, making him even more uncomfortable. ''Leveling up and proper armor will take care of that.'' In right hand he held the spear, and used it to wave away bow hero's comment. ''Besides, he's a mage, what matters are his MAG, M. DEF... and DEX too I suppose. Also, look at his MP, it's almost unfair.''
Not understanding any of the terms they used, Harry swiftly freed himself from the blond and turned to sitting monarch. ''You said four heroes, you do not need me.'' He stated firmly.
King titled his head, thinking for a moment. ''Incorrect, young mage. Magic itself deemed Waves too dangerous to be handled only by 4 heroes, because of that, fifth cardinal hero has been chosen.'' He looked at Harry up and down. ''Hero of the wand: That is you.''
Wizard was stunned by the proclamation.
''This only shows how catastrophic coming waves will be, and-''
''I refuse!'' Harry shouted, glaring at him. ''You can't just kidnap me from one of the most secure places in the world, and expect me fight some wars for you!'' He glared at everyone in front of him. ''What guarantees do I have that you aren't doing all this to assassinate me?''
''My lord,'' Robed man stepped forward once more, with unamused look on his face. ''we only met you today. We do not select individuals who will be summoned by the ritual.''
''Then who does?'' Harry almost slipped into Parseltongue again.
''Magic ritual.'' Robbed man responded simply.
Wizard's mouth went dry. 'I'm...I'm stuck!? No, Dumbledore will find me...That is... if Voldemort won't find me first!'
''I-I don't even have a wand...'' He mumbled, remembering that he wouldn't be able to defend himself at all.
''You do.'' Voice behind spoke.
Harry turned around, only to meet Naofumi. ''Your left arm, I think that might be the wand you mentioned.''
'My left arm?' He looked at it and was rendered speechless for a moment. On his wrist, there was a black wand holster which had a wand in it. 'How long has this been here?'
He turned off the voices of fellow heroes as they conversed with the king and his officials. He had a wand! A strange one, but still a wand. Wizard was about to take it when he froze. 'What if this is a trap... What if I'm being tricked again, all this could be Voldemort's illusions in my head... No, I-' Paranoid thoughts clouded his mind, each more horrible than the other.
Naofumi, who was bewildered by attitudes of other three heroes, -as they were demanding rewards for their services- noticed that 5th hero was suddenly very silent. In fact, it was like he became very small and very nervous. Shield hero observed tense teen with sympathetic look, he reminded him of his little brother, who would also go silent like that when something was really bothering him.
Naofumi couldn't help but to walk toward him. Teen looked worse up close, small body was shaking like a leaf in the wind. 'He said he is fifteen. Looks younger...' Clothes that were obviously bigger than his body didn't help in making wizard look older. With oversized jeans, dusty old sneakers and matchingly oversized white top, he looked most out of place even among five of them. Especially with dark circles under his eyes, which were obviously from the sleep deprivation.
He stopped in front of messy haired wizard and hesitantly put his shield hand on his shoulder. ''You okay? If you are not feeling well, we could ask for a doctor? ...Um, I'm sure they have something that equals a doctor here.'' Every populated area needed some sort of functioning medical center, this world had to have some.
Harry looked up at the blurry figure in front of him, he seemed strangely familiar. ''S-Sirius?'' Hope in wizard's voice startled the shield hero, making him take a step back.
''Who? No, it's me, Naofumi.'' Less blurry figure of the said man replied.
Harry took two steps back, blinking. ''Oh.'' Wizard sighed in disappointment, but didn't let himself linger on it for too long. 'I need glasses, and more than that, I need to go back to Hogwarts.'
So, with that in mind, he waited for a chance to insert himself back into the conversation. A conversation which was about...
''Of course, once you repel all the waves, we shall reward you handsomely.'' Said a well dressed old guy to king's left. 'When did he get there?'
''Is that so? Well, as long as we have your word.'' Motoyasu said with a smug smirk on his face.
Ren continued with a condition of his own. ''We'll work with you, provided you don't turn on us, but do not think for a second that you can tame us.''
''Exactly.'' Itsuki nodded with a smirk of his own. ''We can't have you looking down on us.''
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. ''What the hell is wrong with you people?!'' Wizard's green eyes were wide open. ''You just got kidnapped, and the first thing that comes to your mind is how to profit from it?'' 'These muggles are not all there, they don't even look slightly concerned about all this!'
Without waiting for a reply, he turned back to the king. ''Send me back.'' A demand.
King fell silent for a moment; Harry hated how little read he got from the guy.
''We can't, not until the waves are defeated.'' He said with solemn...ish look.
That reignited anger in wizard's heart. ''There has to be another way... How do I even know that you are saying the truth?'' Question was accompanied by glaring green orbs.
''You dare to accuse his majesty of-'' Well dressed guy began with an outraged look, only to be stopped by the king's raised hand.
''I realize how distressed you might be, young magician.'' He stood up, meeting wizard's rage filled eyes head on. ''However, I truly do not know how to send you back without besting the Waves first.''
Wizard felt his entire world crash and burn at the sovereign's words. 'Damn it, think, think, think... maybe...' He grabbed the wand -which was cold on touch in comparison to his old one- from his left arm, pointed it upwards, and cast the first spell he deemed urgent enough to get government's attention.
''Morsmordre!''
For a second, nothing happened. Then screen popped up.
Spell acquired: Morsmordre.
Spell can't be used until level 20.
''What hell does 'Spell can't be used until level 20' mean?'' Harry looked around, only to find that everyone was staring at him again.
''Man, spells require certain levels for you to cast? It's gonna be tough for you at the beginning.'' Spear hero commented. ''What spell did you want to cast anyway? I bet it was something cool!''
3 others nodded at his question, looking at him with curious eyes. ''Shame that you can't cast spells until certain levels.'' Itsuki said.
'These muggles are acting way too calm...' Harry thought with a disturbed look on his face. Then he remembered urgency of the matter. ''What does it mean when you say I can't cast spells until certain levels?'' Wizard asked/demanded. 'Is something wrong with my magic?'
''Exactly as he says, you can't use all of your spells until you are of high enough level.'' Ren deadpanned in almost mocking tone. ''Right now, we are all level 1.''
Harry rolled his eyes, irritated. ''Define what being on high enough level means.''
Awkward silence was the answer he got, even Naofumi looked at him weirdly.
Harry observed them carefully, trying to find the reason for their state of... shock. Itsuki's mouth was open and Ren's eyes were narrowed.
''No way!'' Motoyasu shouted. ''You don't know what leveling is? Do...you... Do you even know what the video games are?''
Harry was officially lost. ''The muggle games? My cousin plays those... I think.'' He remembered Dudley saying something about them when he was bragging to his friends.
''Muggle?'' Naofumi asked.
''Non magical person.'' Harry explained automatically.
''Have you ever played video games?'' Ren questioned.
''Well... no- Why would I? It's a muggle thing.'' 'And Dursleys would sooner burn them than let me play.'
One more moment of awkward silence and weird stares followed wizard's answer.
''Holly shit!'' Spear hero said very loudly, walking closer to him. ''What to you do for fun all day?''
''Er...Magic?''
Itsuki snorted. ''I guess having actual magic in real world would make video games seem not as interesting.''
'Real world?'
''Anyway,'' Ren said to get his attention. ''Leveling up is a concept in games where a character experiences some sort of progression that usually entails unlocking new abilities, skills, access to new items, and so on.''
''In its simplest form, leveling up occurs through the process of gaining enough experience points until a target experience point total is reached. Once the target is met, the player's character "levels up," and a new target experience threshold is set.'' Itsuki added with a nod.
Harry looked at still very much open status window. ''...It says Exp: 0/20... how do I get those ''experience points'' you mentioned?''
'This is so annoying!' Wizard thought, what use was the wand if he couldn't cast spells?
''Well, that's very simple.'' Spear hero said with a grin. ''You kill creatures, monsters, demons, bandits, etc.''
Wizard's heart skipped a beat. ''K-Kill w-who?''
''Basically anything strong.'' Motoyasu summarized, looking smug. ''Try the easiest spell you know.''
As odd it was to get advises about magic from muggles, Harry decided to go with it, staying defenceless in unknown place was not an option. So he chose the first spell he learned in his 1st year.
''Lumos.''
Spell acquired: Lumos.
The tip of Harry's wand lit up in brilliant light of blue.
Blond grinned. ''You really are a mage!''
Wizard sighed in relief, his magic was still working. 'But now I have a stupid limitation that makes it harder for me to use it... If death eaters find me...'
Loud clap from the king stopped his thoughts and Heroes conversations among each other.
''It is wonderful to see new a hero showing such talent.'' He stated as formally as possible. ''I trust that we now have an agreement; You will train, level up, get stronger with your weapons and fight the waves.''
''Alright!'' Motoyasu shouted, raising his spear in the air. ''Then 5 of us will form a party.''
Naofumi and Harry cringed at blond's loud proclamations, as did Itsuki and Ren.
''You can't.'' Well dressed official informed with the ever present blank look on his face. ''You will each recruit and adventure separately.''
''Why?'' Itsuki asked immediately.
''It is said that legendary weapons repel each other by nature. If you work together, it apparently hinders their development.''
Right on cue, messages popped up in front of heroes, Naofumi read his own out loud.
Warning: When users of legendary weapons operate together, it causes an adverse reaction in the weapons. Working separately is highly advised.
''That confirms it.'' King nodded, looking slightly pleased. ''My research was correct.''
Harry bit his lip to prevent himself from speaking, because his own screen gave the additional warning.
Warning: No such limitation applies to the Wand Hero.
''Nox.''
Spell acquired: Nox.
Light from the silver wand got extinguished as wizard tried to be discreet about that piece of information.
He was the only one to get it, as evident by lack of questions from other heroes. 'I'll keep this to myself for now, standing out has not worked for me in the past.' Wizard thought with worry, putting the wand back into the holster. He had more important things to worry about.
''Now then.'' King said, getting their attention. ''The sun is about to set. Rest up tonight and set forth tomorrow. In the meantime, we'll gather the best of the best to form your parties.'' With that, monarch turned to his advisors.
Beautiful young woman approached them, she wore a dress that did her beauty justice. ''We have prepared rooms for you, please come this way.''
Heroes followed her, and so did Harry. 'I don't know what else to do.'
As they made way through the grand castle, they came across many whispering maids and nobles. None of them approached the cardinal heroes, but gossips of theirs was hard to not overhear.
''Those are the cardinal heroes? So they really did summon all of them here...''
''Why are there five of them?''
''Haven't you heard? The fifth cardinal hero has been chosen!''
''Is that even possible?''
''Apparently so. They say he's a wand hero and a great magician with training even before being summoned.''
''Does that mean that the waves are gonna be more powerful than before? I'm not sure if we should be celebrating.''
Harry decided to block out rest of their chattering. Not soon after, they were brought to the fanciest rooms Harry had ever seen, their stay for the night as servant woman said. After having a dinner with fellow heroes and being impressed by the local cuisine, Motoyasu all but dragged him to his room where Naofumi, Itsuki, and Ren were already waiting for them. Bow hero and Shield hero were sitting on chairs while Sword hero was broodingly leaning on the wall.
''I guess you get special treatment when you are heroes of the legend.'' Blond spear wielder commented as he finally let go of Harry's hand. Then he took a seat on his bed with what could only be described as a thirsty look. ''The girl who escorted us here was a cutie pie.''
Harry awkwardly made way to empty seat near Naofumi as conversation about food and women turned into conversation about the games.
''So this is all like a game?'' Naofumi asked, observing his menu.
''I mean it is one.'' Motoyasu corrected him. ''It's exactly like Emerald Online, though we are all from different worlds as far as I can tell, so names might be different.''
''In mine it's called Dimension Web.'' Itsuki confirmed with a nod.
''Brave Star Online, VRMMO.'' Ren added his own.
''What's VRMMO?'' Harry inquired, tired of being on a different page from everyone.
''It stands for Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online, as name implies, it is a virtual reality multiplayer video game capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously.'' Ren elaborated.
Before Wizard could comprehend the answer, Itsuki asked him a question. ''Where are you from, and what year are you from?''
''Um...'' 'Why is year important?' Harry bit his lip. ''UK... 1995.''
''...That confirms it, we are all from different worlds and different times.'' Bow hero explained it to him. ''Besides different years and game experiences, in the world I am from, UK left the EU and collapsed into chaos only to be made into colony by the newly anointed king of united Ireland.''
''In my world,'' Ren continued. ''After leaving EU, UK turned back into the proper empire that now lords over half of Europe after collapse of EU.''
Harry listened to what they said with a shocked look, all the words and thoughts just left him for a moment. He looked at Naofumi and Motoyasu with pleading eyes.
Shield hero took pity on him. ''Relax, different worlds-different events, anything could happen. In my world, UK is in EU and nothing major happened for past 30 years.''
''Same ...here.'' Spear hero mumbled between yawns, already bored with the subject.
''This is... wow... just wow.'' Harry didn't know what to say, so he let his mouth do the thinking. ''In my world, secret magic societies are in almost every nation...''
How he wished for an unspeakable or Auror to apparate in the room and stun/tackle him for telling muggles about magic. 'First time I want them to meddle in my business with their fat noses, and they are not even around!' At least then it would mean that he wasn't in a different world. What scared him even more was that he was also kidnapped through time as well. 'Even for someone like Dumbledore, finding me in this situation is...'
''Is there magic in any of your worlds?'' He asked with a hollow voice.
Four shared a look before Naofumi answered him. ''Not as far as we know?''
''Okay then.'' Wizard got up and moved towards the door, with no destination in mind. ''I think I need time alone to process... all that happened.''