Welcome back to another chapter.
"There's A Thin Line Between Being A Hero, And Being A Memory."
-Optimus Prime.
The night was always something that Naofumi found comfort in since being in Melromarc; it was a small way of the world shutting down and allowing him to rest. The moon's presence gave a warm feeling to the otaku, and he was sure he would rarely tire from it.
This, however, was a completely different night, and in a completely different world.
''So you mean to tell me that you pulled me and my party away from our world because I was dying?'' Naofumi asked Starswirl. The mage looked over some papers that were scattered about his desk as Raphtalia, Filo and Melty sat on the floor, watching and curious. ''How did you know how to find me?''
''I didn't, dear boy,'' Starswirl chuckled a bit and stood up, walking over to the hero. ''The spell I chose merely found the first hero that it could locate that was the brink of passing. And it seems, Naofumi, that you were the closest one. I am glad that there existed a hero as strong as you to assist us in this dire time of need.''
''You still have yet to go into full detail about that,'' Melty said, raising a hand to interject into the duo's conversation. ''And what makes you think that we would be so willing to assist you?''
The girl did pose a good point. But then again, Starswirl knew that in his heart; this would be something that the four of them would be happy to undertake. And also. . .
''No.'' Starswirl thought. ''He need not know. At least, not as of now.''
''That is yet to come, my dear.'' Starswirl said, presenting the group with a small stack of papers. ''If it were not for the spell, would I be wrong to assume that you would have undoubtedly perished after your long battle?''
''That may be true, but I did not ask for your help to save me from death,'' Naofumi said, glaring at the wizard before his gaze lightened some. ''But thank you nonetheless. I guess we can at least hear you out.''
''Excellent, excellent!'' Starswirl cheered, the bells on his cloak and hat jingling every which way. ''I do hope you will be able to assist with the terror that plagues our fair land. . .though it is one of our one that this conflict stems.'' Naofumi could feel the emotion that emanated from Starswirl, from the drop of light in his eyes, to the sagging of his body as he sat down for a moment. His jaw clenched for a moment before he sighed.
''What happened?'' Raphtalia asked.
''I shall spare you some of our histories for the present moment. But I will tell you the tale. . .of Nightmare Moon.''
Melromarc.
''And so shall it be set from this moment in time that our Cardinal Heroes are once again victorious in repelling another wave of Calamity,'' King Altcray boomed in his most authoritative voice. ''The Bow, for drawing the attention of the monsters. The Spear, for leading the charge. And of course, The Sword for delivering the finishing blow. I applaud you all for the efforts that you have made in defense of our kingdom.'' Rishia knew every word out of the king's mouth was completely false. Naofumi and his party were the true ones to end that battle.
But she would not speak out about it. Not openly.
She only hoped that the Shield Hero was only able to rest in peace, wherever he might be. She knew that he had fought enough; suffered enough; now it was his time to be absolved of his pain.
But luckily, there was another among them who had the courage, or in this case the disrespect to note the true hero of the battle.
''Also-'' King Altcray reluctantly noticed the lack of the Shield Hero. ''it would appear that the Shield Hero is not among us. I can only assume that he perished in battle, doing what he was able to. Well, the time for mourning is not afforded to us. We must celebrate the efforts of our hero and their party members. . .''
''Like I figured,'' Rishia thought, shaking her head. She only hoped that this world would be able to survive with, in her opinion, 3 sub-par heroes she was only sure would end up being the end of this world.
Equestria.
''And it was foretold that when the Hero of Legend arrives to this world, and the spheres align, a perpetual conflict of consequences inestimable will consume the world in a darkness that is to last until that evil is extinguished. And the Night Order will not rest until their mission is realized.'' Starswirl explained to the group, the tone of the conversation resembling that of when the group was in Melromarc. From what was told to the group, Equestria was in a state of disarray. ''It's the result of something beyond what we knew at the time.''
''So this Night Order wants to bring about change in this world by destroying it?'' Raphtalia asked, confused. ''Why would Princess Luna want that to happen?''
''My guess,'' Starswirl looked at the demi-human with a look of wonder. ''she wants to be recognized as a ruler who is loved more than her sister. But I fail to see the logic in her choice. She has been imprisoned in the moon for roughly 400 years, but I would guess her influence before her fall to her sect was powerful enough to last all this time.'' Starswirl said, catching Naofumi's curiosity at the length of time. He wondered what this Night Order could accomplish.
And more important, his role in all this.
''So what can Master do to help?'' Filo asked, still not understanding the problem fully but she did know that there were bad people who needed to be punched.
''While they have the numbers and relative know-how on what they need to do, it will be all for not if they are unable to break the Chains.'' Starswirl said, the group becoming more confused by the second. Then the wizard realized the group's look of wonder. ''The Chains Of Paradox are 4 massive chains of magic that Princess Celestia, with the help of The Elements Of Harmony constructed to ensure Nightmare Moon's imprisonment.''
''Elements Of Harmony?'' Melty asked.
''Very powerful relics of the time where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled that embody different elements of magic that is inherently composed of the world around us. . .there are 7 in total. If those chains were ever to be broken, it would spell disaster for the world.''
Naofumi's mind piqued at the term of the world ending. ''Why?''
''The Paradox Chains are the closest thing in this world that we know to be made of almost entirely magic. It was constructed long ago, and served to be an anchor to this world and the one beyond. It was made under intense pressure, and should one, or even all of them break; it can shatter the very world itself,'' Starswirl shuddered at the very slim, but real possibility of something like that happening. ''And the word preparation will pale in comparison should that happen.''
''Because people will die?'' Raphtalia asked, her mind not fully understanding the extent of the statement, but she knew enough to know anything resembling a prophecy or omen was something to not be ignored.
''And those not utterly erased in the skirmish will ultimately fall to Nightmare Moon's wrath. . .''
Naofumi took note of the situation. As much as he hated to admit it, this was possibly a more severe case of Melromarc.
And he did not like that one bit.
Naofumi wanted so badly to just shut the world out, if only for a moment. But, in his heart; he knew that it was something that would serve to make his situation worse by not helping. Raphtailia, Melty, and Filo would back his play, regardless of what it would be, but he would have to consult their opinions on the matter. For how much of his intellect he had, it only could be outweighed by his snarky attitude and less than desirable attitude when he was in Melromarc.
But, in his recent time with dealing with the backlash of the accusations, he slowly learned to be more open. . .about certain things.
''So-'' Naofumi said, catching the group's attention as he wondered how they would exactly pull this off. ''Where can we start, and what exactly do I get in return?''
''Naofumi!'' Melty said, the otaku not wavering in what he said. ''How could you-''
''-No, no Melty,'' Starswirl said, waving a hoof to the girl. ''It is perfectly understandable. I would not thrust this upon you without some type of due compensation for embarking on the quest to save our world; the least we can do as its denizens is offer our thanks to the ones who will do what we asked of them.''
''Reward?'' Filo asked, a glint in her eyes. ''Master, can we get food out of this?''
Naofumi sighed. Filo and her one-track mind.
''Worry not dear, food will be the least of what you will receive. I will convene with Princess Celestia on what we can have worked out for you. In the meantime, I would have you lot settle in for the night. I shall show you to our bathing area so you can clean yourselves and be offered some relief after your long, hard-fought battle.'' Starswirl said, the tone of the room going to a close. ''In the morning, we shall discuss what needs to be done, and what assistance we can provide to you.''
Naofumi led the charge out of the room after Starswirl exited and directed them. It was instinct that he be in the front since he was the more experienced individual in the room, save for Starswirl. Plus, it made the most sense as he is The Shield Hero. A tinge of remembrance came across his mind as he walked down the hallway with his party, the various torches lighting the way providing light as he observed the long rows of shelves laden with books on either side of him, they seemed to stretch on almost forever into the darkness above.
It would seem that he merely traded once messed up situation for once that could be potentially worse. Though, he welcomed it in a way as he would not be under the scrutiny of the world before him.
He only hoped him saying yes would not bit him in the rear later on down the line.