War
Condemnation. It was not exactly a word he was familiar with. From the moment the first horn had bellowed, War had been condemned. Angels and Demons alike had rained havoc upon the Earth ages before the agreed-upon time.
Mankind stood no chance. War had done what he could against Heaven and Hell, but something had sealed his true power. Something weakened him to lethargy… and that something sought his death.
The great demon, Straga, after laying waste to the archangel Abbadon, soon brought War to his knees and with one final blow ended Horseman's struggle. Upon his failure, War was to be chained by the Charred Council…
Yet War never arrived. Bedlam had erupted... their wayward Horseman had disappeared...
Kratos
Spartan warriors. The greatest military force in all of Greece… had been crushed. The gods of Olympus knew why, of course. Ares himself had sought a champion, molding a single man in his image in the hopes of one day binding this poor fool to his will, and so sent forth a regiment of empowered barbarians to slay both the mortal and his army.
The gods themselves could not intervene, lest their actions bring about ruin upon the Earth. For what need was there to bring war to the god of war all for the sake of a single mortal life?
Athena however, had other plans. Should she succeed in her endeavor, it would mean the added might of the Spartan tribe. Failure and it would cost her not only her city of Athens but her seat upon Olympus itself. As the barbarian sought to cleave the mortal man in twain, and as the poor fool called out to his god of war… Athena plucked this mortal's life… and paled.
The Spartan general, Kratos, had disappeared from existence itself…
Cheryl
It was a good life. The world was pretty much safe, she had made sure of that. The world had its savior, and now its savior was saying ah-dee-os. The psychic sighed, a frown upon her face as she parked her car before the entrance of the town where it all began. The last great threat to humanity had finally lain dormant… for the most part.
Clear as day and out in the open, the gates to Silent Hill were wide open as people walked about the resort town. Smiles beamed and the people waved, she did her best to do the same, but she could feel it. That trickling and nagging disturbance in the balance. You didn't get to live to your mid-forties a psychic prodigy mother of two without picking up a few things after all.
And so with one last sigh, she turned away from it all, closed her eyes to reach out to the town's heart, and walked within to what was no doubt her eternal rest.
Usopp
What does it mean to be a god? Usopp wouldn't know as he is just a simple liar with above-average sniper skills. He will admit to his cowardice... Really, who wouldn't be with all the things he has fought against? Fishmen, ghosts, giants... and that isn't even touching upon all the things Devil Fruits can do. Usopp had accomplished much in his short life.
His crew was always there for him and even when they fought, at the end of the day they were closer than most families. Usopp sometimes wondered just what else he could do to help his Nakama.
On an off day, he decided to visit the library within the Sunny to read up on tactics and strategy to better help plan how the Straw Hats could handle the marines or even enemy crew. Upon his search, he noticed a book sticking out of the shelf and grabbed it.
The old leather-bound tome had felt pleasant on his calloused hands as he looked at the title; Story of the Four Cardinal Heroes. "Huh must be a storybook we picked up on one of the past islands," Usopp thought to himself.
Curiosity taking hold, Usopp decided to read a few paragraphs of the book to see what stories he could make up to woo Luffy and Chopper. He read of the mighty Sword, that which struck down from the frontlines. The chivalrous Spear that fought against the wicked to rescue the damsels and the innocents. The indomitable Shield that would not bend no matter how much might was brought down upon it. Then... he last read of the reliable Bow, which supported those from the behind while his allies fought against their adversaries.
"Huh that kinda sounds like the role I have with the Strawhats… wait WHY IS THE BOOK GLOWING!?" This had been the last thoughts Usopp had as he was whisked away by the glowing book, no trace left of it ever existing. Sadly, his crew would panic at their ever trusty sniper disappearing.
?
"O, Great Heroes! Please save our world!" A voice called out from within a cold and darkened room of stone and mortar. Men in robes stood before four downed individuals all in various forms of clothing
The four groggily found their legs as they each shakily took to a knee before rising.
"The Waves of Calamity are once more upon us and without the aid of your divine weapons, our kingdom shall surely perish!"
"Waves of what?" A black-haired, middle-aged woman asked as she shook her head.
"Calamity…" A dangerously armored, silver-haired giant replied, causing the woman to flinch.
"That sounds dangerous! Why have you summoned the great Usopp!?" exclaimed a boisterous man wearing a hat, goggles, orange overalls, earphones, and yellow baggy pants. All he got for his exclamation were odd stares from everyone involved.
"Have I been brought here by the gods?" The last member of their group asked. He was a tattooed and scarred middle-aged man, yet his toned musculature practically fought against the adorned armor he wore.
"Yes, that's right!" The leader of the robed men replied, "You have been called here by the gods to save us from imminent destruction!"
"A world upon the brink of Armageddon, then?" The giant asked as he rolled his neck and flexed his arms before reaching behind himself, shock written upon his silver-eyed face, "My blade is gone!"
"Hey big guy, calm down…" The woman pleaded as she took hold of the giant's skull adorned gauntlet, "Let's think this through."
"What is there to think?" The aged warrior asked as he started to leave, much to everyone's surprise, "We have been summoned by the gods, chosen to fulfill their decree."
"Yes, yes that's correct Sir Spear Hero!" One of the priests declared, causing the four individuals to pause.
"Spear Hero?" The boisterous man asked, taking note of the rather simplistic looking bow in his hand before looking upon the other three. The giant had a sword attached to his waist that looked more like a knife, the woman had a shield firmly attached to her right arm, and the warrior had a spear on his back.
"Regardless, Sir Bow Hero, I believe your concerns will be answered once we speak to the king," The lead priest stated, only to have drawn the ire of the woman, an unknown energy to him pooling in her hands.
"Woah hang on, I know I said we should stay calm, but how do I know you aren't here to turn us into your playthings?" She asked as she took aim at the priest, "Or worse, become a walking incubator to some stupid monster!?"
"Holy magic?" The giant asked before following the steps of the priests.
"All shall be answered in due time, Shield Hero," The lead priest said, the woman sighing as her magic faded.
"So… bald, red, and gruesome, what's your story?" The woman asked of the warrior with curiosity as the four continued on their way.
"I am a proud Spartan warrior! Favored of the god of War," The Spartan grunted in reply.
"Spartan? Like… Greek Spartan?" The woman asked with mild curiosity.
The giant gave a low growl at the mention of 'war'. He found it insulting that a meer 'god' thinks he can claim his namesake and rule over it.
Usopp just took in the room and thought to himself on what he should do in this situation. He would love to find a way to get back home but considering how a "magic" book summoned him here he had little hope of these people knowing how to send him home. For now, that is.
It was not long before the four had been brought before the supposed king of the world they found themselves in.
"These four shall be our heroes?" The king muttered as he rose to attention, eyes critically looking upon the four… slowly shrinking to a death glare the moment his gaze met the black-haired woman, "Esteemed heroes! You have been summoned to our world-"
"Can I stop you there?" The woman asked with an overly polite smile, "Hi, Cheryl Mason. Single mother of two."
"A mother?" The giant questioned as he looked to the woman.
"A mother with holy power," The Spartan added.
"A mother that is apparently taken away from her kids," Usopp stated the obvious while also thinking of his own mother who he developed his AMAZING lying skills to help cheer her up in her last moments.
"See? That guy?" She said pointing at Usopp, "That guy gets it. I get we're Heroes and all that," Cheryl spoke as she walked up to the king, "But I'd like to ask that once we're done here, we go back to our families… right?"
"That is our hope, yes…" The king growled out, Cheryl smiling as she bowed and stepped back. Clearing his throat, the king began to address the heroes before him, "Esteemed and honored guests! I am King Aultcray Melromarc the Thirty Second! I welcome you to my kingdom."
"Is there a point to any of this?" The giant asked coldly.
"Simple formalities, dear Sword Hero," Aultcray replied, "As the Shield Hero had… presented herself… So too must I ask you each for your names and duties."
"Kratos of Sparta, your highness," The Spartan warrior stated gruffly, taking a step forward while pounding a fist onto his chest, "Commander of the greatest of Greece's armies!"
"Usopp of Sniper Island," Usopp decided to play the part of his old persona to see how the area feels. After all, what kingdom would welcome a pirate? "I am in line for the throne after my elder brother who has taken the name Sogeking the Second in honor of our leader."
The giant huffed and simply stated, "War," The declaration had given Kratos some pause, while Cheryl had taken to holding a hand to her smiling face. Usopp simply wondered to himself what parent would name their child 'War'?
Nodding, the King spoke once more, "I see…Kratos, Usopp, and… War," It had been rather obvious to the others that he had glossed over the woman, "Great heroes, please take this time to reaffirm your status."
Unfortunately, the four looked to the king with varying expressions. Cheryl leaned in a bit with her hands on her hips, War simply raised an eyebrow, Kratos crossed his arms, and Usopp, Usopp was picking his nose trying to see if he could elicit some reactions.
The king looked as if he resisted the urge to facepalm as he sighed, "Focus upon your vision, there should be a point held within your lower left peripheral."
"Woah!" Cheryl shouted as she took a few steps back, "Okay… that's gonna take some getting used to."
"By the gods…" Kratos whispered as he began to wave at nothing. War seemed unphased however at whatever it was the others had seen.
"Huh that looks like something Franky would understand better than me," commented Usopp while trying to figure out what some of the letters and symbols appearing before him stood for.
"Dear Heroes, it is time for me to bestow upon you your quest," Aultcray stated before Cheryl had interrupted once more.
"Wait! Wait wait wait… let me guess. Nightmarish monsters?" She asked as the king nodded, "Random events where they pop up out of nowhere?"
"Let me add on that. There is a crazy conspiracy or something where these creatures come and attack you for no reason. You have this odd belief that you can't handle this problem yourself. So, due to legends foretold you summon these majestic heroes to save you?" Usopp added on, making him feel like this is the story of Noland the adventurer come true for him. He will prove those dwarves proud. He will also show that a Strawhat never says no to adventure.
"That… is a fair guess of the situation, yes."
"You talk as if you both have first-hand experience," War muttered.
"Don't know about Pinocchio," Cheryl said with a smile, "But I've definitely done this before!"
"You have fought against the beasts of Tartarus?" Kratos asked with awe.
"I don't know who Pinocchio is, but yeah I have fought ghosts, giants, demons, devils, gods, natural disasters, oh and a friend of mine broke into hell and broke back out for his brother. Really wish I was there for that one." Usopp stated while some tears started to form at the memory of Luffy trying to save Ace.
"That is a tall tale," War muttered at what he thought was a complete lie, "No mortal survives Death's realm."
"Regardless," Aultcray interrupted, "As you are all… prepared for the challenges ahead, our maids shall lead you to your quarters for the day. Please take the time to rest and relax as the banquet in your honor is prepared."
"Oh great, we get to kowtow to the nobles," Cheryl said with a joking smile.
A look of extreme disgust came to Usopp's face. He could only think of two nobles he had met, the good ones like king Riku and Vivi. The others? Well the others are not even considered human.
With a huff, War turned away and was followed by Kratos, a maid waiting for the Heroes just as Aultcray had said. Cheryl however…
"Hey, Pinocchio, walk with me," She said with a smile as she hung back and waited for Usopp.
He looked at her then followed, " What is on your mind?"
Chuckling, she looked about as they kept a good distance away from the others, "Hey, between you and me, I can tell you're acting," She whispered softly, "At least sometimes… I can also tell you're stronger than you look," She added with a reassuring smile before looking to Kratos and War, "Not as strong as those guys… but you're definitely up there."…
"No, I don't consider myself a superhuman. I can take a punch though. Also, not all of it was lies. I would never lie about my friends," Spoke Usopp solemnly, the answer pleasing the older woman.
"You must have been a good kid, huh?" She asked softly before looking forward, shrugging as the maid had stopped before a fairly large set of double doors, "Least the big guy won't have problems getting in."
"The giants I know would still call it too small. Honestly, I could have been a better kid. All I really had to offer my mom was lies," Usopp states remembering his mom again and all she did for him.
Cheryl would have said more, but flagged the maid down as she parted from the group leaving Usopp to join Kratos and War
Author's Note:
Hello
Azure: Why yes! Hello! This is uh… rather strange actually. The original concept for this specific story was actually picked apart, retrofit, picked apart again, and then pieced back together with rather unconventional parts. It isn't exactly what was originally offered to me, but two out of four ain't that bad.
Anyway, I do so hope you enjoy what we believe to be a story worth your time.
Hello I am Icysnowsage. I have been "acquired" to help write this story. I hope all of our readers enjoy the blood sweat and mostly tears we put into making this story.