Welcome back, my dear readers! To the "Remastered Edition of My Hero Academia Untold: The Fafnir Knight."
It took a while, but I am pleased with the final results that this side project had produced. For new readers, you can ignore this first message completely.
However! For returning readers, I do hope you give this story a fresh read.
The Remastered Edition is a far more streamlined version of the original. It primarily just made spelling and grammar fixes. (A LOT OF THEM...More than I care to admit.) However, in addition to the general fixes.
The remastered version has also reworked some more "wordy" dialogue scenes. It also has redone/improved action scenes and additional side-character development. (Class 1-B represent!) Finally, there are new details, redone story scenes, and even expanded ciphers for the mystery chapters. And a new unified cipher for decoding those scenes. Oh, what's that? Did you solve them before?
Well! The ciphers as also been redone and have even MORE information than the original!
I do not like half-assing my projects. And I always feel obligated to give my readers the best quality of work I can produce. If you go out of your way to take the time to read my stuff, then I do everything in my power to try and make it worth your while.
I would like to apologize to all of my past readers for subjecting you to the prior quality of work. And especially thank the reviewers whose constructive criticism was helpful when working on the remaster.
(This is the reason I always ask for reviews. You'd be surprised what kind of information I can get from even simple comments.)
Finally, a special thanks to my Beta-reader Omnigawker. Who spent countless hours; patiently assisting me with this project. Now that we have that covered, please enjoy the story.
The following story is partly inspired by one of my favorite video games.
Etrian Odyssey Untold 2: The Fafnir Knight
Owned by ATLUS.
The following works of fan fiction that also inspired me goes as follows.
Viridescent by Darkfire1220 (Available to read on FF, AO3, and Wattpad)
Deku The Telekinetic Hero by Sremiehzla (Available to read on FF)
Torchbearer by btn29 (Available to read on FF)
Phoenix (Original) by Dewyn (Available to read on FF, AO3)
The Power of Five by Tacmaster8 (Available to read on FF)
Semper Fast by AboveTail (Available to read on FF and AO3)
Every single story above is a fantastic Alternative Universe story set using the My Hero Academia setting. Each has something that makes them unique in their way, and I heavily recommend you give each of these stories a chance.
This story will contain heavy spoilers past season five, anime-only watchers. Consider this your only warning.
Some characters will have some adjustments in-character background, personality, and even quirks to reflect some of the changes made to the timeline of events.
And finally, please. I cannot stress this enough. Please review and let me know what you think, especially if you are a returning reader from the original version.
The author's notes and commentaries will be relevant in answering several possible questions, and I therefore strongly recommend you read them often.
Any Original Characters (OCs), unless specified, are owned by me. However, I could care less about them and allow anyone to use them in their fanfics if they so wish. (OCs be damned.)
My Hero Academia is owned by Kohei Horikoshi and Shueisha. Published; and licensed by Shonen Jump, Viz Media, and Funimation. Please support the official release of this incredible series.
My Hero Academia Untold: The Fafnir Knight (Remastered Edition)
Prologue: Shadows of the Lowlands
"The boundaries which divide Life from Death are, at best, shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends and where the other begins?"
-Edgar Allan Poe
"Izuku!"
Who was calling him?
The boy had heard it, and he had found it odd after being suspended in nothingness where darkness and silence reigned.
How long had the boy been there?
A minute?
An hour?
A year?
An eternity?
He did not know the answer.
He had been in the void with no thoughts, no lights, and no sounds but only the knowledge that he was both somewhere and nowhere at the same time. That is why the sudden noise that pierced through the darkness had both terrified and excited him.
Then it happened, he heard again, followed by new sounds.
No, not just sounds.
Voices.
"Izuku!"
"Papa!"
"Izu!"
"Midori!"
"Midoriya!"
"Beat him!"
"Fight on!"
"Please come back home... Please back to us... Please, come back to me."
Now he could feel something on his shoulder...since when did he have a shoulder?
Then came a new sound.
No.
A new voice.
"Hey...are you okay?" He heard the voice ask. It was a deep, strong voice, and yet...still, there was something about it that was inviting and reassuring. As he heard the voice, a new sensation could be felt: the solid ground beneath him.
The boy stirred, slowly managing to open his eyes.
For a mere moment, he thought he might have been blind. When he saw nothing but pure, white nothingness. But as he blinked, his eyes slowly began to see blots of color and rough shapes appear before his vision. It was as if he were waking from a deep slumber. Slowly, but surely. He began to see outlines, which soon gained more refined details, came into view.
He felt so heavy...and yet somehow found strength in his newly discovered limbs.
Had they always been there?
"Careful now, my friend. You look like you have been through a lot." He heard the voice say again.
The boy tried to sit up, only to lay back down. Burdened by his weight. Then, he felt a strong; yet gentle arm; wrap around his back. Helping him to sit up slowly.
"Tis a strange place to take a nap, my friend."
The boy blinked once again. This time he was met with the sight of another boy around his age, perhaps a bit older, with soft sandy hair that bordered on being snow white. He had bright golden eyes and tanned skin. The stranger wore a white flowing robe without a right sleeve, although the strangest feature was his right arm. It was black and green, almost twisted and bent with what appeared to be a hooked blade upon his forearm.
The boy lifted his right hand to try and rub the grime of slumber from his eyes. As he did, however, a bulky foreign weight made it difficult to move.
"Careful now, or you may hurt yourself."
The boy seemed puzzled by the stranger's remark but still had not found his voice to speak up for himself. That is when he saw his own hands and, to his shock. Inhaling his first real breath since his awakening. He took a good look at himself and noticed his left arm was normal, save for a few scars lining up and down his forearm. His right arm was covered in dark emerald scales that shined like polished steel, with cracks that webbed against the uniform pattern. While the fingers of his hand were replaced with razor-sharp claws.
He should've been terrified, and yet he somehow felt that it was nothing to be worried about.
The boy finally took the chance to take a good look around himself and see where he was. He was in the lowlands of a large deep valley, with nothing but white grass upon a white sky; no visible sun could be seen. Only the black rocky outlines and shadows of the mountains on the horizon were where the boy could see breaks in the white heavens above.
"Are you a Fafnir Knight as well?"
The boy turned to look at the stranger that had asked him the question. After taking in another breath of air, he finally found his voice, all while struggling to speak.
"I'm… not sure…" He finally croaked out, followed by a fit of coughing. "But it does sound familiar."
"It would explain why you are here," The stranger retorted as he patted the boy's back. "Were you on your way to Yggdrasil as well?"
Yggdrasil.*
The boy thought for a moment as he pondered that name. It sounded familiar to him as well, but where had he heard that name before?
"Where is that?" He questioned. And yet, even as he asked that question, he somehow felt as if he should already know the answer.
The stranger gave him a puzzled look as though he had been told a flat joke. However, instead of answering the question, he simply pointed his clawed hand forward. The boy looked to where the stranger was pointing towards and was instantly stunned by what he saw.
There ahead was a giant, amber tree that stood proud and tall, so tall that its crown was hidden beyond the clouds in the sky. Its shadow had spread in the lowlands so far out that it nearly covered the whole valley, the beams of light that rained down from the branches and clouds above. Both boys were only yards away from the border of said shadow; as the boy stared at it all for a moment. He could have sworn that that massive tree wasn't there moments earlier.
After all, how could he have missed such an obvious thing right in front of him?
The stranger stood up, helping the boy up onto his feet. "There we are; take it easy and move slowly to regain your balance."
The boy stumbled for a moment before finding his footing. Feeling the sensation of his legs once again.
"Ah, in my surprise," The stranger spoke again, making a face as though he had just remembered something. "I have seemed to have forgotten my manners. My apologies, my name is Jin.* What is yours?"
The boy pondered his words in silence for a moment.
Name.
He shook his head in the hopes to possibly rattle his brain for an answer. He could scarcely remember anything.
What was his name?
And then, as if in response, he heard that voice again. It sounded so soft with a touch of sweetness, like a piece of chocolate candy when it reached his ears.
Izuku!
He turned around to find the source of that voice. The stranger, now known as, Jin; continued to gaze at the boy with a kind and patient face, knowing well; that his new friend needed some time.
Was that his name? Izuku?
Unsure of the answer, but believing in what he heard in his mind, the boy finally answered.
"Izuku…" He said quietly. "My name is Izuku."
Jin gave Izuku a gentle smile along with a small pat on his shoulder.
"Well then, Izuku… It is nice to meet you."
Izuku smiled with a nod, "and you as well, Jin."
"What will you do next, my friend? The lands here are strange, but I know of a town at the base of Yggdrasil nestled among its roots."
Izuku thought again for a moment or two. He didn't have anywhere else to go, no one to see, and no memory to speak of. Yet one thing was he was sure of...Yggdrasil did sound familiar.
He wasn't sure why or how he knew. But like the mystery of his own identity, be it his name or title.
Izuku knew he was a Fafnir Knight.
"Honestly, I haven't a clue," Izuku broke the silence, "but if I am just like you, maybe I was supposed to go to Yggdrasil as well?"
Jin took a few steps forward and, with a relaxed sigh, began stretching his limbs. That was when Izuku asked a question to his new friend.
"Jin, tell me. Why are you going to Yggdrasil?"
Jin stopped stretching, still facing away from Izuku. He turned with a slightly more somber tone in his voice. "My task as a Fafnir Knight has ended, and all I know is that when that happens. We go to this valley and towards Yggdrasil."
"And what was your task?" Izuku felt a feeling of dread form in his chest as he waited for the answer.
"To rid evil from the land I was sent to and to break the curse that was upon it." He answered simply before raising his clawed hand. "Ironically, with the same power from that very curse itself."
Izuku looked at his clawed hand with concern, especially after hearing Jin's words.
"Is this a curse?" He asked with some worry.
"You can look at it like that," Jin answered simply; "however, it gave me the strength I needed to save those I loved and cared for. Some would call it a curse, but I found it to be a blessing in disguise, given to me by..." He turned to hide a light blush that was beginning to form upon his tanned face. "By the one I who loved the most. It is my armor, my proof as a Knight."
"Armor..." Izuku repeated, looking at his clawed arm once again. His scales had shone enough to see a slight reflection of himself, but for only a moment. At that moment, he saw someone else. It was brief, but he saw a familiar rounded face with brown hair, one he had seen before in what little memories he had of himself.
"Well, my friend, shall we head out?" Izuku looked up, seeing Jin facing him once again.
"To Yggdrasil?" Izuku asked to be sure.
"To Yggdrasil," Jin affirmed.
Izuku looked around one more time; before taking a deep breath. If he wasn't going to find his answers staying here, then perhaps he will find them there. He gave a firm nod, and Jin gave him another smile. Izuku began to take careful easy steps before realizing his body was no longer as heavy; and that his balance was much easier to maintain than before.
The two newly-formed friends crossed the border, into the shadow of the lowlands and straight into the valley of Yggdrasil. They both traveled in mutual silence, now on a journey to seek answers to see what awaited a Fafnir Knight when their task was completed. As they walked, there were times when Izuku swore he would see and hear strange things; often just out of the corner of his eyes and just out of his field of vision. Jin, however, either did not notice such things or simply had ignored them.
The laughter of children and even their small shadows could be spotted from a distance. Izuku kept silent as they walked on, but soon enough, these sounds and shadows continued to reappear.
Shadow Children.
The shadow children played about; their outlines came in all shapes and sizes with only one thing that Izuku could not help but notice. It was something that stood to him even from this distance.
Their eyes.
All of the shadows had either Ruby-red or golden-yellow eyes, that and nothing more; still, Izuku kept moving on. Somehow, he knew not to disturb them. He felt as though he needed to let them play in fields in peace. When they arrived at the small town nestled in the bosom of the tree's roots, Izuku and Jin could not find another soul.
Only more shadows lingering that only Izuku seemed to be able to see.
"Tis a strange place," Jin said ever so softly, yet his words seemed to echo through the hollow town as if he had yelled it out. "A city carved into stone and root with not a soul to be found, and yet it is still so clean..." He finished having his clawed hand touch the various surfaces for dust or dirt, but nothing was left upon his clawed fingers.
Izuku, on the other hand, saw more shadows who were now adult in size. And again, like the children, came in all shapes and sizes.
"Let's go to the base of the tree," Jin suggested.
"What do you think we will find?"
"I'm not sure," Jin said with a hint of sheepishness in his voice. "Like just how I came here. I simply know that is where I need to go."
They continued in the white stone town, passing by old, worn-out stalls and shops. To Jin, the whole area appeared empty. But to Izuku, the path before them was buzzing with activity with these shadow people.
'Do not disturb them,' Izuku thought once again.
The shadows, however, seemed to take notice of the two companions making their way to the great tree. The closer they got towards the tree, the more detailed the shadow people became.
One such shadow was of a spiky-haired barbarian with a rich fur cloak draped across his broad, muscular shoulders. Companied by four others sitting together eating and drinking merrily passed on by. Two had ruby-red eyes, and two had golden-yellow eyes. Only the tall, skinny with strange elbows had dark eyes. They were being served by two others, both wearing masks. One wore the mark of a frog; the other's was more akin to a bird.
Why did they all seem familiar to Izuku?
Other shadows had strange features, including one that shined and sparked above the rest. Izuku could not comprehend how a shadow could ever shine above the others, but this one did. So many shadows all seemed familiar to Izuku.
"Izuku!"
He heard that delicate voice again as voice, as sweet as honey. Izuku turned around, and suddenly he was alone with Jin once again. All the shadows were gone, as though they were never there. Even Yggdrasil's shadow was gone.
"Please don't go!"
He stood there wondering what to do. What was this sweet voice trying to tell him?
"Izuku?"
The poor boy jumped with a yelp when Jin tapped him on the shoulder. His attention had been so focused, he had nearly forgotten about his companion. Jin took a step back to give his friend some space.
"My apologies, my friend, I did not mean to startle you," He said apologetically. "I found something interesting up ahead, but I noticed you stopped following me. Did you find something as well?"
Izuku shook his head, "No, but I just thought… I heard something... or someone."
Jin looked at the boy again with a more somber look.
"You may want to see this, then." He pointed his clawed thumb behind him, then turned around and went up the street that was close to the great roots. Izuku followed behind the short walk until he saw it.
There was an archway that leads directly into the tree itself. Nearby was a statue of a person clad in fierce-looking armor with an inscription by the statue's base. Jin pointed at it, in which Izuku began to read it to himself.
Oh, Knights of Fafnir, armed by the Fell Dragon; the terror of the World. Those who use the fallen one's power to rid evil upon cursed lands are welcomed here upon their journey's end. Paradise awaits above to the Knights and their Markers to join one's brothers and sisters in arms.
Roar proudly, oh Knights of the fallen Dragon; hark, here and remember these words for they are your proofs.
On the night when evil falls
He will be clad in the armor of the fallen Dragon.
Armor blessed by the gods.
He will stand before the mighty, before the giants, before the dragons, and before the people.
His roar marks him as the vanquisher of evil.
A roar that calls to all that he is the Fafnir Knight.
The two young boys looked at each other for a moment. Only to look back at the archway that led up to the trunk of the great tree of life. There before them was some sort of barrier that shimmered in the light. As Jin and Izuku drew closer, both began to feel a strange familiar warmth spread across their bodies. They both began to shine and radiate with a bright glow.
Jin shifted, his sandy hair becoming snow white, and his golden-amber eyes turned into ruby-red in pools of midnight. A bright blue light appeared like a hot burning flame surrounding his body, which darkened his skin to a blackish-blue and ashen color.
Izuku himself shifted as well, his remaining skin being overrun by emerald green scales. His once bright green eyes were now gold-yellow orbs in a sea of darkness, and his whole body glistened in a rainbow of light. Upon their transformation, both instantly gained a flood of knowledge as they bore their armor together. In unison, both raised their right arms and slashed across the barrier as if they swung a sword, a battle cry emitting from their mouths.
The barrier crackled and shattered before a voice then called out to the two young men.
"Welcome Knights of Fafnir, climb up upon Yggdrasil and join us in the paradise above. We await you at the crown.
Beware, however, as some would see to it that you fall along the way."
It was a calm, gentle voice, welcoming and kind. Yet, both Izuku and Jin felt a new sense of dread rest deep within their core. Within them, a wave of anxiety grew for what was in store for their journey from here on out.
"Somehow, I knew I have been waiting for this... And yet now that I am here... I cannot help but feel an uncertain fear..." Jin said. "I finished my task..."
Izuku knew what he meant, his words resonating in him. Somehow, he knew that Fafnir Knights come here when all is said in done, and yet... why did he feel like it was all wrong? He belonged here as a Fafnir Knight, yet...he felt undone, unaccomplished, like he was here too soon. As if there was an invisible force that took hold of him, compelling him from moving forward.
"Izuku, I'm not sure about you, but I wish to find the answers that have been haunting for quite some time," Jin turned to Izuku, "I will be heading out from here."
"Wait, are you sure you need to go?!" Izuku frantically asked, not wanting to be left behind alone.
Jin looked at him for a moment, a solemn look left upon his face once again.
"I am. I know that I will find what I am looking for here. But I can also see the hesitation in your eyes, and I do not wish to force you to accompany me, my friend."
Izuku didn't know how to answer him. Was he trying to keep his companion here? To keep him from his goal? Or was he afraid of going himself to find his answers?
"The voice said there are those who would want to see us fall..." Izuku said with his eyes closed. "But I won't let you face them alone."
Jin looked at his friend's face, his mouth agape.
"Izuku, what do you mean by that?"
"I am afraid... but I'm also looking the same answers too," Izuku answered, opening his eyes with a look of determination now on his face. "And, if in the end, I decide not to continue, I can at least help to get you to your goal."
Jin stared, then threw back his head with a hearty laugh.
"You are a strange one, my friend, but selfless nonetheless. Are you sure you wish to join me?"
"No, but I will not keep you from your goal, my friend." Izuku finished, raising his clawed hand toward his friend in camaraderie.
Jin looked upon him for a moment; before taking his hand with his own clawed hand and shook. Wordlessly agreeing, they both broke through and crossed the archway, the town behind them being swallowed up by the light.
There was no turning back now.
Quite a distance away from the great tree that the two knights had begun to climb, five souls wandered into the valley of Yggdrasil on a mission to find two lost ones of their own and to bring them back home.
This party was led by another older Fafnir Knight. One who failed in his charge and was forced to wander endlessly on the face of the Earth. Two others among them were the Markers of the Knights. The two Markers were a purple-haired princess heiress of a Duchy from the lands she hailed, the other a chocolate-haired young heroine-in-training.
Time was short, and there was not a moment to lose.
"Izuku... Wait for me... I'm coming."
Author's Commentary
*Yggdrasil: A great sacred tree that serves as the center of the cosmos in the Old Norse faith. Its branches are said to extend far into the heavens. Yggdrasil has been featured in several video games and other forms of fictional media.
In the Etrian Odyssey games: Yggdrasil often serves as the primary dungeon players explore.
In Etrian Odyssey one, two, five, and Nexus. Players will often start as the base of Yggdrasil before slowly ascending upward.
(Although in the first game, there is a point in which the party goes under Yggdrasil for the final events of the game)
In the 3rd game, however: The Drowned City; takes place under Yggdrasil. And finally and in arguably the most unique game in the series. In the 4th game, the players are searching for the legendary tree within a large multi-part valley.
Since this story was inspired by the remake of the second game. Izuku and company are ascending upward towards the heavens.
There was very little that was changed from the original, mostly just grammar and spelling. There was some retooling to better help foreshadow certain events and characters important for the first Saga. For new readers who might be confused, don't worry; that is intentional.
The next chapter should be much more familiar to the original story we all know and love.
That is all I have for now.
With love,
-X