Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Shadowed Tragedy
Prologue: World of Shadows
In the GFS Ryujin…
After the defeat of Senator Armstrong, the chaos that the Unmei Force and the Soldiers of Fortune had to deal with, had come to a temporary stop. During that time, both organisations have been spending the peaceful times keeping watch over the allied worlds, as various kinds of technology had been implemented, military or otherwise, in preparation for what may come in the future.
However, peace doesn't last long in any multiverse, as there would always be strife that all leaders will find themselves in, whether it sought them or they sought it. In Richard's case, it was the latter, as he stared at a certain world that had been scouted out.
"Huh… This world…" Richard remarked, as he saw that there were shadowy creatures on the world itself, as their appearances caused Richard concern. "...This isn't good at all… Looks like we got a job to do…"
Richard immediately fired a set of messages to several members of his group, to head towards the meeting room in the fortress, before he then descended from the bridge, to head to said room, as the others arrived quickly, being Gus, Link, Corrin, Virion, Elma, Momiji and Sanae.
"You called us here, Richard." Momiji remarked. "What is it that you need? Has there been any more threats that have been found?"
Richard merely nodded to that, as Momiji tilted her head gently in understanding.
"Richard… can you at least tell us of the world we're going to?" Gus asked back. "You and Sanae seem to be fairly savvy on the worlds we go to, so it's best that we hear your assessment before we go in."
"It's another one of the worlds that isn't one that we're going to go in, and come out without feeling at least slightly disturbed and appalled with what is going on in that world." Richard admitted. "And not too unlike the world of Berserk, this world has been severely screwed over by its sadistic gods as well."
Corrin's expression creased slightly at the mention of it, while Elma turned slightly solemn, and Gus and Link silently looked at Richard.
"What kind of world would that be, Richard?" Sanae asked back with some curiosity on her face.
"...The world of Nier. Ring any bells?" Richard answered back dully, as Sanae's eyes widen at the name, out of shock. "Guess so."
"You've got to be…" Sanae started with a surprised tone, before she caught herself mid-sentence, quickly calming herself down by clearing her throat a little. "...Okay, now I see why you're so concerned about this world?"
"Could you elaborate for us, Richard?" Link asked back.
"Let's just say that if we don't do something… we're going to have a big problem in the form of a very tenacious virus who loves to screw with cybernetic minds, sentient or otherwise." Richard answered back. "...Not to mention that humanity in that world is going to become the next extinct species in a matter of a few weeks or a few years, depending on the actions of a certain individual."
"...Do you think that we can save them, Richard?" Elma asked back.
"...I'll at least try my best." Richard answered back. "...I have a way to save everyone there… But it's going to have to be in a roundabout way. We got a lot of land-mines to side-step."
"How so? Surely your actions should earn you trust from the majority easily, no?" Virion asked back. "Otherwise, how would you have been able to influence so many worlds with resounding success?"
"Because it's not a simple 'talk it out', Virion." Richard sighed. "This… put it this way… Imagine the conflict between Nohr and Hoshido… and then consider it that both sides kill each other, because they believe the other side are parasites to their very existence, meaning that no peace will ever exist."
"Is it truly that bad?" Link asked.
"My words are not enough proof. You'll see for yourself." Richard answered back. "...And hopefully, some of you might be able to hear the truth."
"'Hear the truth'?" Gus questioned back, to which Richard nodded back.
"You'll see…" Richard stated. "In the meantime, prepare. We're going to be down there for a while… and it's going to be a hard fight we're going to plunge ourselves into."
The others nodded back, as they left the meeting room, as Richard walked until he was sure that there was none of the group nearby to see or hear him, before he then scowled heavily.
"Something tells me that this is the start of another big crisis… First Demigra, then this 'Sothrax' that Koyomi warned me about…" Richard growled. "...But I have faith in my friends… No matter what comes… We'll all make it through together… and even if I should have to…"
Richard then shook his head. "No, what am I thinking. Surely, I can't possibly be getting cold feet this early." He stated with a chuckle to himself, before it turned into a bitter frown. "I'm not scared… there is only one way that Nier gets his happy ending… and that's if there's something worthy enough to provide sacrifice… And I'll sacrifice for the entire world as well."
Richard then continued on, as he dispelled his worries about what might come, only focusing on the task ahead.
In the plains of the village…
In the grassy plains of the area, there was only the mossy ruins of building, as well as large stony hills that surrounded the entire plain, and only a few trees scattered in the area. There was a natural quiet in the area, as there was only the sound of rustling leaves and grass in the wind, as well as the gentle pattering of water from the fountain in the centre of the plain, surrounded by a ring of stone arches.
That silence was immediately shattered by the anguished cry of a woman, dressed in leather and fabric, as she was weeping over the bloody corpse of what seemed to be her husband, a hooded guard armed with metal gauntlets and chest-plate, as he lied dead in a pool of his own blood.
The woman didn't notice that there was the sound of clattering footsteps behind her, as the source seemed to be shadowy creatures clad in metallic armour, with swords in their hands, and a string of stolen shields swaying in front of each of them, as they let out gurgling sounds, slowly approaching the grief-stricken woman, as one of them raised their blades to cut down the woman.
However, as it did, it then noticed something coming towards it in the distant air, as a figure was fast approaching, being a young man with white hair and eyes, dressed in padded armour and clothing, with chains across his upper torso, before he then came down, swinging the broadsword in his hand, cutting through the shadow, as it collapsed. The others tried to attack the new arrival, only for him to do a revolving cut that took them down as well, as their blood spilled on the dirt ground,
"Don't let your guard down!" A male voice emanated from the sentient grimoire with a white cover and a human-esque face on the front, as it floated out to warn its owner.
The grimoire's owner didn't seem to care about the warning his grimoire gave him, before he then cut down another one of the armoured creatures, and then thrusting backwards, as it went right through the face-plate of another.
"I guess that was a tad obvious, mmm?" The grimoire stated, before it then noticed a sukima. "...Look out!"
The man reacted instantly, as the group came out, arming themselves, before they then attacked the armoured creatures as well, fighting them down with various kinds of attacks.
"...What are these people?" The grimoire remarked. "...I have never seen people with that sort of power and appearance… But they're fighting the Shades. Perhaps we should let them assist."
The man grunted back, before he then worked on cutting down the creatures, launching a series of magical attacks in the form of dark-red energy, formed into lances, spears, blades, and even blasts, to eradicate the Shades, while using his blade to cut down any that got too close.
After the Shades were eradicated, the man sheathed his sword, as the others did the same with their weapons.
"...Not a terrible fight." Link stated.
"Huh, shadows that bleed… that's an odd thing I have never seen before." Virion remarked.
"Yet another poor victim…" The grimoire spoke stoically.
"Damnit, when will this stop!?" The man cursed with anger, before turning to the bereaved woman, and walking to her side. "It's dangerous here. You should get back."
"Oh gods… get up, honey, please… GET UP!" The villager screamed with horror.
The man noticed that the villager was too deep in grief to listen, as his expression creased. "Goddamn Shades are even attacking the village now." He spat.
"And armoured ones, no less." His grimoire added stoically. "This village of yours seems to be changing for the worse."
"It's all the Shadowlord's fault. That one day changed everything." The man growled with anger.
"I suggest you talk with our new guests. Surely they might have something of value for you." The grimoire suggested.
The man did so, as he approached the group, who turned to him.
"Oh, I suppose that you wish to speak with us?" Gus asked the man, who nodded back. "Apologies if we startled you. We were just merely prepared for what was about to come from the other side."
"No, it's alright." The young man answered back. "You helped to fight the Shades off, so there's nothing to apologise for."
"Shades, hm?" Virion remarked. "Quite the fitting name for them. I can see that this lass hasn't come to terms with her beloved's fate. A tragic occurrence that is unfortunately not scarcely seen."
"If I may ask, who is that book floating beside you?" Elma asked curiously.
"Book? How rude! I am Grimoire Weiss, the companion to this man you see before you." The sentient grimoire introduced himself.
"Apologies if I insulted you, Grimoire Weiss. I just… never seen anyone like you before." Elma apologised firmly.
"Hm, finally someone who properly calls me by my title." Grimoire Weiss remarked with approval. "You should follow this one's example."
"I should introduce myself. My name is Nier." The man introduced himself to the group. "I am a resident of the village here, and spent a fair amount of my life here. These Shades that you saw… they're monsters who wish to bring humanity to extinction."
"I see… that is a problem." Richard frowned. "I should introduce myself. My name is Richard, and with me are my friends."
Richard then took the time to introduce each and every one of his teammates to Nier and Grimoire Weiss.
"What brings you here? How did you acquire magic that would allow you to transport here?" Nier asked the group.
"The world is quite vast." Corrin answered back simply. "We come here because we have heard of the threats that lurk around here. We never heard about these 'Shades', as you call it, so hearing about such creatures is a surprise for us."
"But I do not recall such magic being made." Grimoire Weiss argued.
"Well, I'm sure that in other places, there's different kinds of magic. Surely you can't say that you know every magic spell in the entire world, can you, Grimoire Weiss." Sanae responded back.
"Mmmrgh…" Grimoire Weiss grumbled discontentedly. "As much as it pains me to admit, as a bearer of knowledge, the magic you all cast… is something I cannot even have a grasp on."
"Let us not dwell on the matter of foreign magic." Momiji interjected, before the conversation could take a more ominous turn. "Let us head to this village you spoke of. It would be a good place to trade information with each other, and decide what to do next."
"Alright." Nier stated, as the group headed towards the village, as Nier told them about the situation about the world along the way.
As the group passed through the streets and alleys of the village, Nier told them about the Shadowlord, the ruler of the Shades, who had a strikingly similar appearance to him in a way, who took his younger sister Yonah, and how he spent every waking moment finding her and the Shadowlord.
"The world is winding down. Between the Shades and the Black Scrawl, there won't be anyone left soon." Nier stated with some sorrow in his voice. "My life now, my purpose, is hunting Shades. Someday, I'll find a clue that will lead me to the Shadowlord, I believe that…. I have to."
"How… terrible." Elma remarked. "To be caught between a species bent on your destruction, and a disease that would inevitably kill you… It's a terrible place to be in."
"Hopefully, you all do not have the same problems as we do here…" Nier remarked with some hope in his voice. "Perhaps, if we could head to the land you hailed from… we might become free of all of this misery and suffering…"
Richard looked at Nier, as there was a solemn look on his face, before he then shook his head.
"...We should deal with your problems here, before we take you there." Richard stated. "From what I heard, the Shadowlord could cause a threat to the entire world as is."
"Popola called for you, yes?" Grimoire Weiss told Nier.
"Yeah." Nier nodded back, before turning to the group. "You should come with me. She could know that I've got some more people I can rely on."
The group followed Nier to a large library on one of the rocky hills, as they pushed through the doors, finding themselves in the abandoned hall-way of the building, as one of the passages was blocked by a large slab of rock that had a female human figure in the middle of it, petrified as well.
"Kaine…" Nier mouthed softly, looking at the petrified woman.
"What happened here?" Corrin asked Nier, curious about what the backstory behind all of this is.
"...It's best that we don't talk about that for now." Nier remarked with a clipped tone, as Corrin backed off the topic without any complaint.
They soon walked to the upper floor of the library, into a small room, with a large map of the known world, and sitting behind a large desk, was a woman with flowing long red hair, a black and white coat over a red dress. She noticed the group and Nier.
"Look at you, Nier. I think you've grown even taller… and you even made some new friends as well." The woman stated.
"Yeah? It's hard for me to tell anymore. As for these people… They came with me, after I found them. They helped me out with some Shades, and are willing to help me deal with even more." Nier stated back. "Still, you haven't changed a bit, Popola? What's your secret?"
"I see your flattery skills are improving as well." Popola whimsically stated with a cheeky smile.
"No, it's true. You look the same as the day I first met you." Nier admitted, as Richard and Sanae shared a knowing look with each other at that statement.
"Okay, now you're just embarassing me." Popola chuckled, before handing Nier a letter. "Anyway, here. This is from Emil."
Nier immediately opened up the letter, as he read through it, while Grimoire Weiss peeked through it as well, as Nier let out a chuckle at one part, before his face turned serious.
"What was in that letter?" Richard asked Nier.
"Well, it seems that the time to save Kaine has come. You see, our other companion, Emil, has found something interesting, related to a way to undo Kaine's petrification." Grimoire Weiss stated.
Nier sighed, as Popola turned to him.
"I take it this means you'll be leaving the village?" Popola asked Nier.
"Sorry, I know the Shades have been rough lately." Nier stated with a slightly remorseful tone.
"It's okay. Go. Just be careful, although with this many friends, I'm sure that you'll be fine." Popola stated, joking at the last part.
Nier snorted, as the group departed from the library.
"So, where would your friend Emil be, Nier?" Momiji asked Nier.
"He usually stays in his mansion. A pretty neat place, considering how the rest of the world is." Nier stated, as they left the village, they all saw the wandering Shades. 'May as well clean up this area for the villagers along the way."
The group traversed through the valleys, cutting any Shades that tried to aggressively attack them, as they seemed to be no match for the group at all, as their trip to Emil's mansion was quite smooth.
They found Emil's butler waiting at the front door of the mansion, as they walked to him.
"Welcome sirs and madams. Master Emil is waiting in his chambers." The butler stated, as he guided the group across the mansion, until they reached the quarters, as the room had a large bookshelf, a piano, and some assorted furniture.
They all saw Emil, who was a young boy with light brown hair, with plum-coloured suit and pants, white long socks, brown buckle-shoes, a light green scarf over one shoulder and onto the side of his waist, and a white silk blindfold that stopped the group from seeing his eyes.
"Oh! Hey there, Weiss and Nier! And you brought some more people with you." Emil remarked.
"Once again, boy, it's Grimoire Weiss!" Grimoire Weiss emphasised.
"Hey, Emil. It's been a while. And uh… you haven't aged a day." Nier responded back to Emil.
"Oh, uh… yeah. I'm sorta… special that way." Emil admitted.
"Huh, fair enough." Nier shrugged with acceptance.
"Why are your eyes blindfolded like this? Is there…" Elma stated.
"No, please don't. My eyes… have a terrible power behind them." Emil pleaded firmly.
"A… terrible power?" Virion remarked.
"...Remember when you saw Kaine earlier… He used his power to do that." Nier explained.
"What!? But why?" Corrin exclaimed in horror.
"...It's a choice that we had to make, with great reluctance. It happened on that day too…" Nier answered back, with a grim tone.
"Anyway, I hear you found a lead on undoing the petrification curse?" Grimoire Weiss asked Emil.
"Yes! Take a look at this!" Emil stated, as he handed Nier a paper report. "There's a section of this manor called the Planning room, and I think-"
"You think this room will let you harness the ability to control all forms of magic, correct?" Grimoire Weiss interjected.
"Actually, yeah. Or even if it doesn't, something there might point us in the right direction." Emil confirmed.
"So, where is this 'Planning Room'?" Nier asked back.
"There's an entrance in the courtyard. It's not far." Emil answered Nier.
"Good. Let's go find it." Nier stated, before turning to the group. "...If it wouldn't trouble you… Will you come with us? I feel like we might need some help down there… likely."
"There is no shame in asking for our aid." Gus told Nier, as Richard and Corrin nodded in agreement. "We'll help you, since it's only right in this situation."
"Thank you." Nier told the entire group.