Author's note : Sorry for the long delay people, I have midterm exams coming up for the next 2 weeks and my updates will be delayed. So after the 2 weeks I think my update rate will return to normal.
Anyway, let's get the story started, it ain't gonna write itself.
-Tarbes-
It had been hours since the Albion rebels arrived on the village. But none of them ever had the chance to set their feet into Tarbes. Those who tried were cut down by one man. And that man was standing in the field surround by corpses, a bloody thin sword in his hand and a large round shield on the other.
Raiden waited. Waited until the next battalion of soldiers came. Not that it really mattered though. In the end, those that invaded this land shall die. The shield that he requested Jacob to make for him was a very valuable asset. While Raiden only needed his katana to handle the ground troops, the flying dragons were harder to kill. And not to mention the fact that they can spit raining fire upon him. And while most parts of the village were annihilated it didn't mean that he would stop fighting them off.
Soon they came. This time it was perhaps the last of what was left of the invasion force. He hoped that Tifa would be safe. She was with Carla and the others on a bunker deep inside the forest, and thus hidden from harm, even if the dragons burned down the forest.
Soon they were in his plain view. The first line crouched down with their shields up, giving the second row protection as they unloaded their muskets. Raiden crouched down and hid himself behind the shield, and waited until they were reloading. It didn't take long till their ammo were spent, and if the info he received from Jacob about how weapons in this world work, particularly guns, then it would take a long time before any of them could fire their muskets again.
And by the time they were done, Raiden was already there. He leaped over the first row and cut off the heads of some soldiers on the second row. Landing in the middle of the enemies, he cut and slashed, anyone that got within his range was cut down to pieces, and the shield was hard enough, not to mention his strength, to smash the enemies into a bloody pulp.
Those that came from behind were scorched with his lightning till their bodies became nothing but charcoal. He flung the shield toward a line of soldiers, split the ones in the front line in two, and their blood sprayed out, blinding other soldiers. Using this moment of distraction, Raiden caught his katana with his foot and spun his lower body around like a whirlwind, cutting down anyone that came within range. Blood flowed like rain, and soon his armor was drenched in blood.
This would have going on until he killed them all, if not for the sound his enhanced hearing picked up. The grinding sound of a motor engine could be found roaring above his head. Giving himself one second to look up and away from his enemies, Raiden saw one of the many things that surprised him again in this world. A Zero Fighter aircraft was found flying above his head, firing actual bullets as he saw the casing fell down, upon the dragons. Many dragons died and crashed down on the army beneath, causing further chaos upon the enemies.
Trumpets and battle cries could be heard from where the Z-Fighter came from. Raiden guessed that it was the Tristain army.
"Good." He thought. "Let them deal with the rest." He ran off into the edge of the forest and hid from view. Raiden activated his CODEC and scanned for any frequency broadcasting from the plane, and after a while, he found a faint trace. The static crackled a moment before a male voice spoke up.
"This is Hiraga Saito from Tristain Academy of magic, over."
The name was Japanese, and thus Raiden decided to speak in the Japanese back to him.
"This is Raiden, from village of Tarbes. Good job flying that Z-Fighter. Take care of the dragons, I'll deal with the ground troops."
"Ano, who are you ?" Saito spoke, barely able to contain his excitement. "It's been a long time since I spoke with someone from Japan."
"Questions can be answered after this is over. We will meet in Tarbes. Raiden signing out, over."
"Copy that Raiden-san, over."
Raiden turned his CODEC off and entered the battle field once again. This time it didn't take long until the invasive forces was totally decimated. First it was due to Raiden already killed most of them, and second thing was the Tristain army outnumbered them one to ten, thus making it an easy win. Most of the soldier casted him an odd look and some were hostile, but soon all joined the fray as they saw how easy Raiden finished the Albion force.
When it was almost over, far up in the sky an explosion of purple light exploded, engulfing the whole sky in the purple wave that washed out from where the Z-Fighter was. Raiden instinctively raised his shield up to block the light.
"This is not good." Raiden mumbled as he saw smoke coming out of the plane and it was falling down. Rushing pass the Tristain army and the remnants of the Albion force, Raiden calculated the spot where the plane could fall down to as well as the speed and force of impact, all which only took mere seconds inside his head.
Releasing his power at 70%, Raiden waited until the plane was within his reach and caught the head. Grunting, Raiden took the full impact as his body was pushed back, but he held on. After the impact he released the plane and let it fall down with a loud rumble. There were scorch marks on the Z-Fighter, no doubt sustained from the fight with the dragons, but other than that, a bit of fixing and he could get it working again.
He walked to the door and ripped it open, only to see two teenagers inside, a pink haired girl and a boy in sweater and jeans. The girl was frantically shaking the boy while said person sat on the pilot seat, his blue and white sweater soaked with blood. Saito was barely conscious but he could still see the shape of the man with black armor picking him up before his body went limp.
Saito woke up with an exploding headache. Looking around, he saw the pink hair lying on the side on his bed, as he cracked a smile, but only winced as the pain returned. Looking around, he saw that he was inside a room, with the rooftop partially blown open, revealing the dark sky.
"You were lucky, Hiraga-kun." A voice spoke. Saito recognized this voice was the one he spoke to in his flight. "Three fractured ribs, four broken, internal bleeding, overexertion of muscle tissues, and you should be glad to be alive."
"Raiden-san ?" Saito asked.
"Yes ?" Raiden said as he stepped in view. Saito was a bit shocked as he saw Raiden, but considering all things he had seen up till now, this wasn't a bad surprise.
"If you have questions, as I do, they will be answered later. Your wounds aren't mending yet, and while I have the mean to cure you, I need to ask you one question."
"And that is ?" Saito asked cautiously. He didn't know this man, and even if he came from Japan, his intentions were yet unclear to him.
"This is the situation Saito." Raiden said as he sat down on a chair next to the bed. "You are gravely injured, and I can only help you till this point, and not further, not without conventional mean. Even when you are healed, I doubt that you will ever be holding a blade again."
"I see." Saito nodded grimly.
"However…" Saito perked up as he saw Raiden pulled out a vial. "I have the conventional mean to cure you. But there are risks involved."
"What's that ? And what are the cons and pros Doc ?"
"This…" Raiden held the syringe up "… is a syringe, containing a pack of nanomachines that can be injected into your body. Once inside, these things will monitor your body and worked up the faults and flaws. If this goes well, not only you will be cured, your body will be "upgraded" to its prime, the top peak."
Saito's face lit up in joy but died out immediately as Raiden continued in a grave voice.
"But there is the risk. It's complicated, but for you to understand, I will explain it in easier term. Each pack of nanomachines were tested adnd made individually for each unique set of DNAs, therefore allowing the nanomachines to work properly without any complications. However, as your DNAs weren't tested, as well as the syringe contains fresh nanomachines, there is this 50/50 chance that you live or die. If the operation fails, you will be deformed and crippled, and in worse case, the nanomachines will rip your body from inside out, literally. So think wisely. But you should make it quick, because after your body is healed, it would make the nano harder to adapt."
Saito lied down and think. If he didn't choose to be cured, he would be crippled either way if he took the risk. And after that all he would be was a hindrance to those around him. And he would rather die than live like a useless lump of meat.
"Raiden-san. I take the syringe."
"Good. Lay down." Raiden motioned and held the syringe in front of Saito. "A bit nervous ? You are not afraid needle are you ?"
They both laughed a bit.
"Alright, all joking aside, this is going to hurt, as the nanomachines try to adapt to your body. If it goes well, the pain should stop in a minute. Ready ?"
Saito nodded and Raiden injected him. The next following minute was probably the longest minute Saito had ever experienced, and truth be told, never again would he want to feel that. The pain was excruciating, as if someone stabbed him million times over with a kitchen knife and tried to dig his organs out. His head felt like someone was hitting it rapidly with a hammer. Groans of pains escaped his lips, waking up Louise and the rest.
Louise woke up and rushed to his hands, holding them tight to provide him the little comfort the he needed. Turning her head to Raiden, she demanded answers, but Raiden remained passive as usual. Tifa and Carla entered, both with a worried look on their faces.
Soon the minute was over, and Saito started to calm down. Looking to Raiden, he feebly flashed him a thumb up. Raiden nodded and told the rest to leave, with the exception of the pink haired girl, to leave Saito alone to recuperate.
-Next morning-
Saito woke up with nothing much more than a few bruises on his body. Raiden was right, these nano thingies really helped. A note was on the drawer, written in Japanese, together with a bundle of clothes.
"I'm in town, we need to talk. Raiden."
Saito dressed up and walked downstairs. The inn was no longer the cozy place it used to be, now full with injured adventurers and soldiers, though none was bad as Saito used to be. Saito noticed some of the soldiers and as well as water mages from Tristain trying to heal the wounded, but among them was a girl in green dress with a white hat. A green glow illuminated from her hands as she hovered her hands above the wounded soldiers.
"Ah familiar, there you are." An officer said as he walked up to him. "Lady Valliere has ordered me to relay this message to you. She wants to meet you at the church."
After that he left Saito. Looking around, Saito saw the girl and walked up to her, wanting to ask her the way to the church.
"Ah excuse me miss ?" Saito asked and she looked up to him. "Can you show me where the church is ?"
"Of course. I am going there in a moment. Just wait for me."
Saito nodded as he leaned against the wall, making way for people who needed the space. After a while the girl returned with a basket in her hand and nodded toward Saito. Together they walked out of the inn. There weren't much left standing of what Tarbes ever was, with the exception of few buildings that remained standing though badly damaged. The rest were ash and rubbles.
"By the way, my name is Saito." He said as he extended his hand.
"My name is Tiffania." She bowed politely without taking his hand. Saito just shrugged and continued walking, with Tiffania keeping a moderate distance behind him.
-The church-
Raiden was working with Jacob on the roof, lifting wooden planks to fix the holes on the roof while Carla and some of the army's staffs were working on the kitchen of the church to provide everyone a meal. It was noon, and everyone was already assembling at the church to get their meal. Raiden and Jacob decided to finish the last hole before going down, but when Raiden saw Tifa and Saito walking toward the church, he decided to stop for the time being.
"Raiden !" Tifa called as she saw him.
"Hey capt, gotta go. We will be finishing this later."
"Aye lad. I be headin' to Carla. Watch yerself out there."
Raiden nodded as he jumped down, using the ledges to stop the fall and landed skillfully on his feet before walking toward Tifa.
"Raiden, I got your lunch." Tifa greeted him cheerfully. Raiden smiled back, and nodded toward Saito who was looking at him.
"I see you are back on your feet. Do whatever you need to do, just don't overexert yourself. We will talk when you are done with your job."
Saito nodded before disappearing into the church, leaving Raiden and Tifa alone on their own. Together they walked toward one of the last patch of green that the Albion forces didn't burn down yet. Their meal was interrupted when a guard showed up.
"Are you Raiden ?" The guard asked.
"Yes."
"Good. You are needed inside the church. Princess Henrietta wishes to see you. You can bring your companion along if you wish."
"Very well." Raiden nodded and stood up. "Come with me Tifa." He said as he extended his hand. Tifa took it and brought the basket with her.
-Inside the church-
As they entered the church, there were guards standing by the sides, Saito and the pink haired girl kneeling down to another person clad in white dress with purple mantle, and the priest stood by her side. Tifa kneeled down while Raiden remained standing.
"Kneel down you plebeian." The pink haired girl said. "How insolence !"
"That is fine Louise." The girl in purple mantle said, shutting Louise up.
"Are you Princess Henrietta ?" Raiden asked. This earned him a nod from the girl in purple mantle. "You wish to see me ?"
"Yes. Carla and Saito here have told about you. I heard that you came from the same place as he is."
"Yes. But that doesn't explain what do you want from me ?"
"I merely want to thank you for helping us out with the invasion. Without you, more lives would be lost, and more land would be destroyed."
"I didn't do it for thank. I did what I think was right."
"But I would feel right not to give you what you deserve. So tell me what do you wish for ?"
"I only want the village restored to what it once was."
"That shall be done. And the second matter…" she walked to Tifa "…is her. I have several witnesses saying she used green healing magic."
"And ?" Raiden asked cautiously. Henrietta motioned all the guards and the priest to leave the room, which all of them did, though hesitantly.
"I believe she is an elf." Tifa immediately paled as Louise stared at her.
"Do you hate elves ?" Raiden simply asked.
"No, I can't hate someone just because she is who she is. That is hardly just, isn't it ? May I ask your name, miss ?"
"Tiffania Westwood, your Highness." Tifa replied.
"Westwood ? Your father is the Duke of Albion ? That would make you my cousin, wouldn't it ? We are family."
The revelation shocked everyone in the room, except Henrietta who was still smiling at the flabbergasted elf. Raiden was surprised, but he kept that to himself.
"Why do I have the feeling that you already knew who she is ?" He asked Henrietta.
"Truth be told, I already have my suspicion. I vaguely remember a girl from my childhood, that we played together whenever we visit Albion. Now I remember you." Henrietta said as she helped her cousin stand up.
"So I'll let you girls be here and reminisce. Saito, come over here." Raiden motioned Saito to follow him. They walked toward a row of seats and sat down.
"So Saito, now we can talk. No doubt you have many questions, but I have as much questions as you do. So starting first, introduce yourself."
"My name is Hiraga Saito. I am from Tokyo. What about you ?"
"I am Raiden. They call me Raiden the Lighting. I don't know where I am from, but I have traveled around for a while now."
"So how did you get here ?" Saito asked.
"To be honest I have no idea. One moment I was back on Earth, and before I knew what happened I was here. And you ?"
"I was walking around Akihabara when suddenly some kind of portal opened and sucked me into it. When I wake up I was here. Then Louise told me she summoned me as her familiar, which is equivalent as a pet slave in this world. There was no magic that can send me back, so I stayed here."
"I see. Well, I guess I was kind of summoned too. By Tifa over there." He pointed to the elf, who was talking cheerily with Henrietta.
"Raiden-san, your armor is pretty advanced. I wonder how you got this though."
"You don't get to buy this, they gave it to me. I was part of a secret government project, and they built me this armor." Though this was only half of the truth, Raiden thought that this was all Saito needed to know, for now.
"Awesome."
"Well, not really. I was sent to fight war though. After the last Metal Gear submerged in 2014, wars had become something common. There was no day without war and blood…"
"Sorry that I interrupted Raiden-san, but you said 2014 ?"
"Yes."
"So you came from the future ? Because last time I check I came from 2004, and I've only been here for nearly a year."
"Could the summoning not only summon us from Earth, but can be also in different timeline ?"
"This is possible, but I don't think we need to know, ne ?"
"No I guess that is irrelevant. Whatever happened, we are here now, and we should make the best out of it."
"Wise words Raiden-san. Wise words."
"Arigatou. Now it seems the girls want to talk with us."
They stood up and walked to the girls, all of them smiled pleasantly. Henrietta was the first to speak with Raiden.
"Raiden, I have requested Tiffania to come with me to study at Tristain Academy of Magic, to let her power develop further. But she said she would go only if you follow her."
"Yes, I will." Raiden simply replied.
"Yes ! Thank you !" Tifa said as she jumped at him and enclosed him in a hug, like a child. Raiden could only smile at her childish antics but made no notices of them.
"But only I have helped out Carla with rebuilding the inn first." Raiden continued.
"Okay." Tifa nodded.
"That settled it then." Henrietta said. "We needed to go back first. The remaining soldiers that help out with the reparation will be given order to escort you to the Academy after you are done with your business."
"Very well then. Saito, I will see you later."
"I'll be waiting Raiden-san."
-A few weeks later-
The reparation was done quickly, not just because there were soldiers to help the villagers out, but also the refugees who had heard news of Albion defeat had returned and helped out with the rebuilding. Raiden and Tifa stood at the front door of the newly rebuilt inn, with their meager possessions in hands. Tiffania only had her bundle of clothes, her harp and her hat while Raiden carried his katana at his side.
"Guess this is goodbye then." Carla said.
"Thank you for helping us out Carla. If you ever need help, just find me." Raiden said.
"Me too." Tifa chimed in.
"Well, be careful out there lad. World's dangerous place." Jacob said. "And keep yer girl safe."
"I'll keep that in mind capt." Raiden said.
"Aye. Off ye go."
"Be well Carla. And capt, keep your girl safe too."
"Aye."
And thus Raiden and Tifa walked together with a band of soldiers, onwards to Tristain Academy of Magic, toward new adventures.
Author's note : Okay so this is it. And no it is not the end of it, not yet. Just reviews please. Btw, I wont be updating for the next 2 weeks, as I said, exams. Suck to be me.